Kris Travis
{{short description|British wrestler}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name = Kris Travis
| image =Travis kirs.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Travis in 2010
| birthname = Kristoffer Darren Travis{{cite web|url=http://www.kristravis.com/biography/|title=KrisTravis.Com - The Official Website for Kristoffer Travis|publisher=|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520092732/http://www.kristravis.com/biography/|archive-date=20 May 2017|url-status=dead}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1983|12|16}}
| birth_place = Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2016|03|31|1983|12|16}}
| death_place =
| death_cause = Stomach cancer
| alma_mater =
| spouse =
| children =
| family =
| names = Kris Travis
Travis The Menace
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4469&page=20|title=Career « Kris Travis « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=}}
| weight = {{convert|207|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| billed =
| retired = 21 September 2015
| website =
}}
Kris Travis (16 December 1983 – 31 March 2016) was a British professional wrestler. He was a staple of the UK and European independent wrestling scenes, working for companies such as PROGRESS Wrestling, Insane Championship Wrestling, Preston City Wrestling, Premier British Wrestling, Revolution Pro Wrestling, Westside Xtreme Wrestling, British Championship Wrestling, One Pro Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action, Frontier Wrestling Alliance and others, until his death in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://altwrestling.co.uk/roster/kris-travis|title=Kris Travis — Alternative Wrestling World|first=Martin|last=Bean|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=5566&bild=1&details=7|title=Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database|first=Axel|last=Saalbach|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlingelite.com/profile.php?id=73|title=PWE: Pro Wrestling Elite|publisher=|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215053519/http://www.prowrestlingelite.com/profile.php?id=73|archive-date=15 February 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/kris-travis-5914.html|title=Kris Travis: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ipwuk.com/roster/kris-travis|title=Home — IPW:UK|first=Martin|last=Bean|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prestoncitywrestling.com/wrestlers/kris-travis|title=Kris Travis|first=Martin|last=Bean|publisher=}}
Professional wrestling career
= Early career (2002−2008) =
Trained in Sheffield by Alan Johnson, Travis began competing on shows in the North of England in 2002. His earliest successes came in Grand Pro Wrestling, where he held the GPW Tag Team Championship with Scotty Hexx in an early incarnation of the popular Project Ego team, and in Norton British Wrestling, where he held the NBW Cruiserweight Championship. He received further training from Stixx and Keith Myatt, which he believed helped him get onto bigger shows.{{cite web|url=http://heavy.com/sports/2016/03/kris-travis-dead-dies-cause-of-death-stomach-cancer-girlfriend-wife-twitter-tribute-rip/|title=Kris Travis Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|first=Paul|last=Farrell|date=31 March 2016|publisher=}}
=Rise to prominence (2009−2014)=
In the late 2000s, Travis added Martin Kirby to the Project Ego team. The duo found some notable success, winning the RDW Tag Team Championships, the 1PW Tag Team Championships, the 3CW Tag Team Championships, the IPW:UK Tag Team Championships and the RPW Undisputed British Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.revolutionprowrestling.com/roster/kris-travis|title=Kris Travis — Revolution Pro Wrestling|first=Martin|last=Bean|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4469&page=11|title=Titles « Kris Travis « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH |first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=}} They would also compete for notable promotions like PROGRESS Wrestling, Insane Championship Wrestling, Premier British Wrestling and more.{{cite web|url=http://www.progresswrestling.com/results/|title=Results|date=18 November 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124070608/http://www.progresswrestling.com/results/|archivedate=24 January 2016|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pbwwrestling.com/news/2011/09/13/project-ego-to-challenge-for-tag-team-gold-at-maximum-impact-2011|title=Project Ego to challenge for tag team gold at Maximum Impact 2011 - Premier British Wrestling|first=Martin|last=Bean|date=13 September 2011 |publisher=}}
Travis also had singles success, most notably in Preston City Wrestling. On 17 August 2012, Kravis defeated Lionheart to win the PCW Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.prestoncitywrestling.com/title-history/pcw-heavyweight-championship|title=PCW Heavyweight Championship History-Preston City Wrestling|first=Martin|last=Bean|publisher=|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-date=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124233220/http://www.prestoncitywrestling.com/title-history/pcw-heavyweight-championship|url-status=dead}} In Lionheart's Pro Wrestling Elite promotion, Travis challenged Andy Wild for the PWE World Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort.{{Cite web | url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=88698 | title=PWE Elite Takeover | website=www.cagematch.net}} He also had the opportunity to compete outside of the UK for Westside Xtreme Wrestling in Germany, in a triple threat with BxB Hulk and John Klinger.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=108462|title=wXw Fans Appreciation Night 2014 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH |first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=}} He competed on one occasion for Total Nonstop Action, while taking part in their British Boot Camp television series.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=133600|title=TNA British Boot Camp #2.4 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH |first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vREIcgajGok|title=Kris Travis vs Mark Andrews: British Boot Camp 2 UK Finals|last=TNA Impact Wrestling|date=31 March 2016|publisher=|via=YouTube}}
=Hiatus and illness (2014)=
Travis was forced to take a hiatus from wrestling due to a diagnosis of stomach cancer in September, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlingnews.co/british-wrestling-star-kris-travis-announces-that-he-has-cancer/|title=British wrestling star Kris Travis announces that he has cancer - Wrestling News|date=12 October 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701120910/http://wrestlingnews.co/british-wrestling-star-kris-travis-announces-that-he-has-cancer/|archivedate=1 July 2016|df=dmy-all}} Wrestlers such as CM Punk, Colt Cabana, William Regal and Chris Jericho gave words of support.{{cite web|url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/12/09/kris-travis-v-cancer-uniting-the-wrestling-world/|title=Kris Travis versus Cancer – Uniting The Wrestling World|first=Ricky|last=Rana|date=9 December 2014|publisher=LWOS}} During this time he worked with cancer charities to raise funds{{cite web|url=http://www.kristravis.com/charity-work/|title=KrisTravis.Com - The Official Website for Kristoffer Travis|publisher=}} and made a couple of non-wrestling appearances at shows.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2LMwNkN_14|title=Kris Travis returns to ICW!|last=Insane Championship Wrestling|date=29 April 2015|publisher=|via=YouTube}}
=Return (2015)=
In June 2015, it was announced that Travis had beaten cancer and would be returning to the ring.{{cite web|url=http://www.kristravis.com/appearances/kris-travis-returns-to-the-ring/|title=KrisTravis.Com - The Official Website for Kristoffer Travis|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://camelclutchblog.com/story-of-a-survivor-kris-travis/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609224534/http://camelclutchblog.com/story-of-a-survivor-kris-travis/|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 June 2015|title=Story of a Survivor: Kris Travis|date=9 June 2015|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/british-wrestler-kris-travis-doctors-6208769|title=British wrestler Kris Travis on returning to the ring after defeating cancer|first=Neil|last=Docking|website=Daily Mirror|date=6 August 2015|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMBVQwyuB-Y|title=Kris Travis on Beating Cancer, Returning to the Ring and PCW|last=Preston City Wrestling|date=18 August 2015|publisher=|via=YouTube}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/art/columns/488/my-comeback-from-cancer-fsm-118-april-2015|title=My Comeback From Cancer (FSM 118; April 2015) - Columns - Fighting Spirit Magazine|publisher=}} He wrestled Sha Samuels for PCW in his return match{{cite web|url=https://wrestleropesuk.wordpress.com/2015/06/05/kris-travis-return-second-match-announced-for-preston-city-wrestling-the-fourth-awakens/|title=Kris Travis' Return & Second Match Announced For Preston City Wrestling 'The Fourth Awakens'|date=5 June 2015|publisher=}} on 7 August 2015, before capturing the PWE Tag Team Championship with Lou King Sharp{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlingelite.com/event.php?id=137|title=PWE: Pro Wrestling Elite|publisher=}} in Scotland .{{cite web|url=http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&titel=3364|title=Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database|first=Axel|last=Saalbach|publisher=}}
He was victorious in singles competition against Chris Tyler for HOPE Wrestling in Nottingham{{cite web| url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=125925| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160530142132/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=125925| archive-date = 2016-05-30| title = HOPE Evolution 27: You Ask About My Conscience And I'll Offer You My Soul « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}} and against his Project Ego partner Martin Kirby at Attack! Pro Wrestling in Cardiff, Wales.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=136159 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303225338/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=136159 |archive-date=3 March 2023 |title=ATTACK! Press Start 3 |work=CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database |last=Kreikenbohm |first=Philip |date=8 August 2015 |access-date=3 March 2023}} Travis also returned to Southside Wrestling Entertainment alongside Martin Kirby at 9 August 2015 show, where the pair were revealed as the surprise final entrant in a tag-team gauntlet match for the SWE Tag Team Championships which Travis and Kirby won for the first time that night.{{cite web| url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=123980| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150815231806/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=123980| archive-date = 2015-08-15| title = SWE Retribution 6 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}}
In one of the bigger singles matches of his career, Travis was defeated by Drew Galloway in an ICW World Heavyweight Championship match in Edinburgh.{{cite web|url=https://icwondemand.pivotshare.com/media/a-horse,-a-spoon-&-a-bucket-edinburgh,-23rd-august-2015/32277|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806093741/https://icwondemand.pivotshare.com/media/a-horse,-a-spoon-%26-a-bucket-edinburgh,-23rd-august-2015/32277|url-status=usurped|archive-date=6 August 2016|title=A Horse, A Spoon & A Bucket - Edinburgh, 23rd August 2015 - Insane Championship Wrestling - Watch Online for Just $6.99 - ICW On Demand|publisher=}} Travis' final match, was a victory over Marty Scurll at PROGRESS' Chapter 21: You Know We Don't Like to Use the Sit Down Gun on 6 September 2015.{{cite web|url=https://hashtagwrest.wordpress.com/2015/09/06/results-progress-thisis_progress-chapter-21-live-results/|title=#Results: PROGRESS (@ThisIs_Progress) "Chapter 21" *LIVE Results*|first=Hashtag|last=Wrest|date=6 September 2015|publisher=}}
Death
On 21 September 2015 Travis announced that his cancer had returned and he would be forced to retire from professional wrestling.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/40286/British-Wrestler-Kris-Travis-Who-Defeated-Cancer-Set-To/|title=British Wrestler Kris Travis Who Defeated Cancer Set To Retire From The Ring|date=21 September 2015|publisher=}}
Travis died on 31 March 2016 at 32 years old.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/british-wrestler-kris-travis-dies-aged-32-from-stomach-cancer-a6962176.html|title=British wrestler Kris Travis dies aged 32 from stomach cancer|website=Independent.co.uk|date=31 March 2016|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2016/03/31/22618888.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809225039/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2016/03/31/22618888.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 August 2016|title=UK's Kris Travis dies from cancer|publisher=}} There was a large outpouring of tributes from fans, publications, promotions and wrestlers alike, including Kevin Owens, Paige, The Young Bucks, Drew Galloway, Noam Dar, Finn Bálor, WWE, Impact Wrestling, Neville and more.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/british-wrestler-kris-travis-dies-7662938|title=British wrestler Kris Travis dies aged 32 after losing battle with cancer|first=Alistair|last=McGeorge|website=Daily Mirror|date=31 March 2016|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pwmania.com/british-indy-star-kris-travis-passes-away-at-32-kevin-owens-neville-and-more-react|title=British Indy Star Kris Travis Passes Away At 32, Kevin Owens, Neville And More React - PWMania|date=April 2016|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/danny-stone/kris-travis_b_9589606.html|title=Royal Ramblings: In Tribute to Kris Travis|date=1 April 2016|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/691969-progress-wrestling-founder-comments-on-kris-travis-passing|title=Progress Wrestling Founder Comments On Kris Travis' Passing - Wrestlezone|date=31 March 2016|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.topropepress.com/news/26615/kris-travis-passes-away-at-32-the-wrestling-world-reacts|title=Kris Travis Passes Away At 32; The Wrestling World Reacts|date=31 March 2016|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prestoncitywrestling.com/news/2016/03/31/thank-you-travis|title=Thank You Travis|first=Martin|last=Bean|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/art/features/494/star-struck-rip-kris-travis-fsm-125-oct-2015|title=Star Struck - RIP Kris Travis (FSM 125 - Oct 2015) - Features - Fighting Spirit Magazine|publisher=}}
Cody Rhodes and Tommaso Ciampa began the "Our Ladder" fundraising initiative for Cavendish Cancer Care in Travis' name in April 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0412/609664/cody-rhodes-creating-new-charity-campaign-to-honor-indie/|title=WWE Star Creating Charity Campaign To Honor Indie Wrestler Kris Travis (Photo) - WrestlingInc.com|date=12 April 2016 |publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/cody-rhodes-creates-charity-campaign-for-indie-wrestler-kris-travis/|title=411MANIA - Cody Rhodes Creates Charity Campaign for Indie Wrestler Kris Travis|publisher=}} Donovan Dijak and Mike Bennett helped raise funds for CCC, in tribute to Travis.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/696053-donovan-dijaks-april-crowdfunding-charity-in-honor-of-kris-travis-this-weeks-top-ten-wwe-smackdown-moments-video|title=Donovan Dijak's April Crowdfunding Charity In Honor Of Kris Travis, This Weeks' Top Ten WWE Smackdown Moments (Video) - Wrestlezone|date=8 April 2016|publisher=}}
Fans and professional wrestlers alike began petitioning for Travis to be given the WWE Hall of Fame "Warrior Award".{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/late-british-wrestler-kris-travis-7694702|title=Late British wrestler Kris Travis honoured with WWE Warrior Award petition|first=Alistair|last=McGeorge|website=Daily Mirror|date=5 April 2016|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://russosbrand.com/2016/04/07/kris-travis-campaign/|title=KRIS TRAVIS CAMPAIGN|first=Jake|last=Jesus|date=7 April 2016|publisher=}}
There was a large number of tributes to Travis in the weeks following his death. Noam Dar dedicated his qualifying match for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic series to Travis,{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/article/cruiserweight-classic-qualifying-results-rev-pro|title=Who qualified for Cruiserweight Classic at RevPro?|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/noam-dar-vs-josh-bodom-global-cruiserweight-series-qualifying-match|title=Noam Dar vs. Josh Bodom - Cruiserweight Classic qualifying match|publisher=}} and Will Ospreay both wore ring attire themed after Travis' pink tights in his NJPW debut and dedicated his Best of the Super Juniors victory to Travis.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BGW5wLlDO6D/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/willospreay/1267454344770154115 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Instagram photo by @willospreay • Jun 7, 2016 at 3:12pm UTC|publisher=}}{{cbignore}} At NXT Takeover: Dallas, the day after Travis passed, Finn Balor paid tribute by painting Travis's trademark stars on one hand and a black love heart on the other.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FinnBalor/status/716111802229108736|title=x.com}}
Championships and accomplishments
- 3 Count Wrestling
- 3CW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Martin Kirby
- Elite British Wrestling
- EBW Catch Championship (1 time)
- Fighting Spirit Magazine
- UK Wrestler of the Year (2013)
- International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom
- IPW:UK Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Martin Kirby{{cite web|url=http://www.ipwuk.com/title-history/ipw-uk-tag-team-championship|title=Home — IPW:UK|first=Martin|last=Bean|publisher=}}
- Gerry Norton Promotions
- GNP Championship (1 time)
- GNP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bubblegum
- GNP Tag Team Title Tournament (2009) – with Bubblegum
- Elite 8 Tournament (2008)
- Grand Pro Wrestling
- GPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Scotty Hexx
- Northern Wrestling League
- NWL British Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Norton British Wrestling
- NBW Championship (1 time)
- NBW Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
- One Pro Wrestling
- 1PW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Martin Kirby
- Powerslam Magazine
- Ranked No. 45 of the top 50 singles wrestlers of 2013
- Preston City Wrestling
- PCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Money in the Bank (2011, 2013)
- Pro Wrestling Elite
- PWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Lou King Sharp
- Real Deal Wrestling
- RDW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Martin Kirby
- Revolution Pro Wrestling
- RPW Undisputed British Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Martin Kirby{{cite web|url=http://www.revolutionprowrestling.com/title-history/undisputed-british-tag-team-champions|title=Undisputed British Tag Team Champions History — Revolution Pro Wrestling|first=Martin|last=Bean|publisher=|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326102417/http://www.revolutionprowrestling.com/title-history/undisputed-british-tag-team-champions|archive-date=26 March 2017|url-status=dead}}
- Southside Wrestling Entertainment
- SWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Martin Kirby
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{RPW Undisputed British Tag Team Championship}}
{{1PW Tag Team Championship}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Travis, Kris}}
Category:English male professional wrestlers
Category:Sportspeople from Sheffield
Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers
Category:Undisputed British Tag Team Champions