Cara Noir
{{short description|English professional wrestler}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Cara Noir
|image = Cara Noir 16 Carat Gold 2020 N3 (4).jpg
|caption = Cara Noir in March 2020 at 16 Carat Gold
|birthname = Thomas Edward Dawkins{{cite news|title=Faking It|work=Men's Health UK|publisher=Hearst|issue=September 2016|page=109|quote=One of the fittest of the British wrestlers here is Thomas Dawkins – AKA Pure Britannico – a 29-year-old personal trainer from east London.}}
|birth_date =April 1987
|birth_place =
|alma_mater = De Montfort University
|names = Cara Noir
Dark Lord
El Pavo Real
Pure Britannico
Tom Dawkins
Thomas Dawkins
|height = 6 ft 0 in
|weight = 198 lb
|debut = 13 June 2010
|trainer = Julia Knight / London School of Lucha Libre
|website = http://caranoir.com/
}}
Thomas Edward Dawkins (born April 1987),{{Cite web |date=27 September 2021 |title=RESET LAB LIMITED persons with significant control |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13645484/persons-with-significant-control |access-date=26 August 2024 |website=Companies House}} better known by his ring name Cara Noir, is an English professional wrestler, best known for his work on the British independent circuit. His character has been described as the black swan of professional wrestling,{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/indies/look-back-last-weekends-wxw-16-carat-gold-2020-tourney-3062862|title=A look back at last weekend's wXw 16 Carat Gold 2020 tourney|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Markus|last=Gronemann|date=14 March 2020|accessdate=28 September 2020}} and is noted for his distinctive moveset, owing to previous involvement in ballet, dance, and mixed martial arts.{{cite web|url=https://resetlabgymnastics.com/articles/2018/10/5/tom-dawkins-movement-profile|title=Tom Dawkins: Movement Profile|publisher=Reset Lab Gymnastics|date=9 October 2018|accessdate=28 September 2020}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Professional wrestling career
Following minimal success under his birth name and other pseudonyms, a conversation with Chris Brookes saw him develop the character of Cara Noir, which he debuted in January 2017. Initially a heel, he quickly became a face, largely due in part to his elaborate entrance in which he comes out to the famous pas de trois as used in the revival of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. In July 2019, his breakthrough moment happened while wrestling for Riptide, with his performance in a defeat to Pac being critically acclaimed.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/csonkas-top-42-matches-of-july-2019-moxley-vs-ishii-ibushi-vs-ospreay-more/|title=Csonka's Top 42 Matches of July 2019: Moxley vs. Ishii, Ibushi vs. Ospreay, More|work=411Mania.com|first=Larry|last=Csonka|date=1 August 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020|quote=From Riptide Wrestling 7.05.19: Pac vs. Cara Noir [****]}}
{{cite web|url=http://backbodydrop.com/blog/reviews/match-review-cara-noir-vs-pac-riptide-wrestling-point-break-july-05-2019/|title=MATCH REVIEW: CARA NOIR VS. PAC (RIPTIDE WRESTLING, POINT BREAK) (JULY 05, 2019)|work=backbodydrop.com|first=Ian|last=Hamilton|date=14 July 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/17760164.review-pac-turns-riptide-wrestling/|title=REVIEW: Pac turns up at Riptide Wrestling|work=The Argus|first=Jamie|last=Walker|date=10 July 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2019/07/10/bwe-7-10-19-progress-ch-90-92-eve-wrestle-queendom-2-riptide-wrestling-rev-pro-ungovernable/|title=BWE 7/10/19: Progress Ch. 90 & 92, EVE Wrestle Queendom 2, Riptide Wrestling|work=POST Wrestling|first1=Martin|last1=Bushby|first2=Richard|last2=Benson|date=10 July 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
In September 2019, Noir began wrestling for Progress, first appearing at the Natural Progression Series tournament, where he was defeated by eventual winner Scotty Davis,{{cite web|url=http://backbodydrop.com/blog/reviews/progress-natural-progression-series-6-september-14-2019/|title=PROGRESS NATURAL PROGRESSION SERIES 6 (SEPTEMBER 14, 2019)|work=backbodydrop.com|first=Ian|last=Hamilton|date=23 September 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020}} and then at Chapter 95, where he was defeated by Pete Dunne.{{cite web|url=http://backbodydrop.com/blog/reviews/progress-chapter-95-still-chasing-september-15-2019/|title=PROGRESS CHAPTER 95: STILL CHASING (SEPTEMBER 15, 2019)|work=backbodydrop.com|first=Ian|last=Hamilton|date=24 September 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020}} From October to December, he was involved in a series of matches with Ilja Dragunov. Having traded wins over each other at Chapter 96 and Chapter 97,{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/indies/progress-chapter-96-results-tag-team-titles-line-294776|title=PROGRESS Chapter 96 results: Tag Team titles on the line|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Dei|last=Owen|date=13 October 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/indies/progress-chapter-97-results-meiko-satomura-defends-her-title-295966|title=PROGRESS Chapter 97 results: Meiko Satomura defends her title|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Dei|last=Owen|date=28 October 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020}} the feud was ended at Chapter 99 in a two out of three falls match, in which Noir won.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/indies/progress-chapter-99-results-kassius-ohno-vs-timothy-thatcher-299676|title=PROGRESS Chapter 99 results: Kassius Ohno vs. Timothy Thatcher|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Dei|last=Owen|date=16 December 2019|accessdate=28 September 2020}} At Chapter 100, Noir won a title shot for Eddie Dennis' Progress Unified World Championship,{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/indies/progress-chapter-100-results-jim-smallmans-farewell-300621|title=PROGRESS Chapter 100 results: Jim Smallman's farewell|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Dei|last=Owen|date=31 December 2019|accessdate=28 December 2019}} but Dennis had to vacate the title due to injury, and in January 2020, at Chapter 101, Noir defeated Dragunov, Kyle Fletcher and Paul Robinson in a four-way match to win the title.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/indies/progress-chapter-101-results-new-era-begins-302126|title=PROGRESS Chapter 101 results: The new era begins|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Dei|last=Owen|date=19 January 2020|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
In January 2020, Noir appeared in Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), confronting Marius Al-Ani, and confirming his participation in the promotion's annual 16 Carat Gold tournament.{{cite web|url=http://backbodydrop.com/blog/reviews/wxw-back-to-the-roots-xix-january-18-2020/|title=WXW BACK TO THE ROOTS XIX (JANUARY 18, 2020)|work=backbodydrop.com|first=Ian|last=Hamilton|date=23 January 2020|accessdate=28 September 2020}} At the event, he defeated Al-Ani, Jeff Cobb and Eddie Kingston on his way to the final, where he overcame crowd favourite Mike Bailey in a rare face vs. face contest. Noir returned to wXw later in the year for the Catch Grand Prix. He tied the block alongside Metehan with nine points, and made the final because of their head-to-head record in the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://backbodydrop.com/blog/reviews/wxw-catch-grand-prix-match-review-metehan-vs-bobby-gunns-december-09-2020/|title=WXW CATCH GRAND PRIX MATCH REVIEW: METEHAN VS. BOBBY GUNNS (DECEMBER 09, 2020)|work=backbodydrop.com|first=Ian|last=Hamilton|date=9 December 2020|accessdate=1 February 2021}} He faced Al-Ani in the final (who had since gone on a winning streak since their previous matchup), in which he was pinned in the eleventh round.{{cite web|url=http://backbodydrop.com/blog/reviews/wxw-catch-grand-prix-final-review-cara-noir-vs-marius-al-ani-december-13-2020/|title=WXW CATCH GRAND PRIX FINAL REVIEW: CARA NOIR VS. MARIUS AL-ANI (DECEMBER 13, 2020)|work=backbodydrop.com|first=Ian|last=Hamilton|date=13 December 2020|accessdate=1 February 2021}}
Cara Noir Came To Japan Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) In 2022. Against To Yuki Ueno But Is Unsuccessful Challenge For DDT Universal Championship. Noir suffered three fractures to his foot during a cage match in April 2023. He made his return in August 2024 at Progress Chapter 170.
Personal life
Outside of wrestling, he works as a personal trainer, and co-founded Reset Lab, an alternative health and fitness company, with his partner. He graduated from De Montfort University in 2010, where he was a member of the rugby union first team.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
Championship and accomplishments
- Attack! Pro Wrestling
- Attack! Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3190|title=ATTACK! Championship
|work=cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
- Attack! 24:7 Championship (4 times){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2131|title=ATTACK! 24:7 Championship|work=cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
- WrestleForce
- Harlow Rumble (2015)
- Hope Wrestling
- Hope Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2596|title=HOPE Championship|work=cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
- Hope Kings Of Flight Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3335|title=HOPE Kings Of Flight Championship|work=cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
- International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom
- Z-Force Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3275|title=Z-Force Championship|work=cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
- UK Super 8 Tournament (2019)
- Wrestling League
- 1st Annual Wrestling League Cup (2019)
- World Association of Wrestling
- WAW Submission Championship (1 time)
- Leicester Championship Wrestling
- LCW Championship (1 time)
- LDN Wrestling
- LDN Academy Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1583|title=LDN Academy Championship|work=cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
- Lucha Britannia
- Lucha Britannia World Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 72 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2020{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2020.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020|work=profightdb.com|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
- Progress Wrestling
- Progress Unified World Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1723|title=PROGRESS Unified World Championship|work=cagematch.net|first=Philip|last= KIpeikenbohm|accessdate=28 September 2020}}
- Pro Wrestling Clash
- PW Clash World Championship (1 time)
- Clash World Title Tournament (2018)
- Riot Cabaret Pro Wrestling
- Riot Cabaret World Championship (1 time)
- Westside Xtreme Wrestling
- 16 Carat Gold Tournament (2020)
- XWA
- British Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{Progress Wrestling Unified World Champions}}
{{WXW 16 Carat Gold Tournament}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Noir, Cara}}
Category:Professional wrestlers from London
Category:Sportspeople from the London Borough of Havering
Category:English male professional wrestlers
Category:Alumni of De Montfort University
Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers
Category:PROGRESS World Champions