Drake Younger
Encyclopedia
Drake Wuertz is an American professional wrestler
known by his ring name
Drake Younger. He has worked for a number of major independent promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling
, IWA Mid-South
and Chikara. He is best known for his deathmatch
wrestling, however he is rapidly gaining a reputation as a "breakthrough" wrestler, capable of technical style matches also.
and became a fan of Hulk Hogan
, before discovering wrestlers such as Sabu and Cactus Jack
, both of whom would become major influences. Drake tried his hand at wrestling joining Crazy Ass Wrestling, a backyard wrestling group ran by Diehard Dustin Lee. A few years later, Drake, along with fellow Indianapolis natives Scotty Vortekz, Cliff Crunk, xOMGx, & Diehard joined the R.A.A.G.E Dojo, training under American Kickboxer, after already debuting for Insanity Pro Wrestling in Indianapolis, IN in 2002. Drake disappeared from wrestling for over a year citing personal issues. During this hiatus, Drake was in a car accident which gave him the gash on his shoulder.
In March 2006, Drake returned to Insanity Pro Wrestling in a losing effort "Diehard" Dustin Lee. In June 2006 Drake and Dustin Lee went at it once again but this time at IWA Mid-South's King of the Deathmatch tournament. He defeated Dustin Lee in the 1st round in a cage match. but lost in round 2 against JC Bailey in a barefoot thumbtack deathmatch.
Drake debuted for Combat Zone Wrestling in July 2006 in the fifth annual Tournament of Death. Drake lasted to the finals but was eliminated by Nick Gage. The following year, he made it to the finals again and defeated Brain Damage to become the TOD 6 Champion.
In February 2007, Younger defeated Ian Rotten, Mad Man Pondo
, 2 Tuff Tony
, Mickie Knuckles
and "Diehard" Dustin Lee in a Hardcore Rumble to become the new IWA Mid-South Deathmatch Champion
. On November 24, 2007, Drake competed in the Strong Style Tournament hold by wXw Germany.
He defeated "Brusin" Marc Slater in the 1st round, but lost to Bad Bones in a 4-way elimination final. He was the final man to get eliminated.
On January 5, 2008, Drake defeated Carlton Kaz for the IPW Grand Heavyweight Championship (which Younger made into the IPW World Heavyweight Championship, by defending the Grand Title in Germany), making him a two time champion by also winning the Jr. Heavyweight Championship a few years back. Drake also teams with Scotty Vortekz and Dustin Lee as The Naptown Dragons. The Naptown Dragons competed in CHIKARA's King of Trios
tournament, losing in the first round to Team IPW:UK (Martin Stone, Sha Samuels, and Terry Frazier). On July 12, 2008, Younger defeated Nick Gage in a "Tangled Web" Deathmatch for the CZW World Heavyweight Championship, making him a dual champion as he currently also holds the CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship. On September 27, 2008, Younger defeated "New Horror"Sami Callihan
and Claudio Castagnoli
in the finals of the 2008 Ted Petty Invitational, to become the first wrestler to win both a technical wrestling and a deathmatch wrestling tournament.
On October 11, 2008, Younger gave his CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship to Danny Havoc
at Decision'08.
On January 3, 2009, Younger lost his IPW World Heavyweight Championship to Jon Moxley at Animosity 09 in a Dog Collar Match. Drake participated in wXw's 16 Carat Gold Tournament in Germany, making it all the way to the finals with a great showing before losing to Dragon Gate ace Takagi Shingo. He then toured Europe before returning to Germany for wXw's deathmatch tournament, Gorefest II, in which he was eliminated in the semi-finals in a lighttube log cabin match. Earlier in the afternoon he had defeated Danny Havoc to retain his CZW World Heavyweight Title belt.
On January 30, 2010 Drake Younger would lose his CZW World Heavyweight Title belt to B-Boy at High Stakes 4 - Sky's The Limit. On February 13, 2010 at the CZW 11th Anniversary Show Fan Appreciation Deadly Doubleheader Younger would win the afternoon show defeating Drew Blood but would go on to losing at the night show to J.C. Bailey. On April 10, 2010 at Swinging For The Fences, Drake Younger teamed with Eddie Kingston to win the CZW World Tag Team Champions by defeating The Best Around.
On May 1, 2010 Younger would make his Evolve
debut at Evolve 3: Rise or Fall in a winning effort against Jon Moxley
.
On July 10, 2010, Younger and Kingston were stripped of the CZW World Tag Team Championship, after Kingston quit the company.
On September 9, 2010 at CZW's "It's Always Bloody In Philadelphia" Drake Younger turned heel when he turned on the Suicide Kings and his friend Scotty Vortekz.
On September 17, 2011 Drake was crowned IWA Mid South's "King Of The Deathmatches". The only competitor to ever win both the Ted Petty Invitational and King Of The Deathmatches tournaments.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
known by his ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
Drake Younger. He has worked for a number of major independent promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling is a independent wrestling promotion. In 1999, John Zandig and four of his students, Ric Blade, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain began to run backyard wrestling shows in New Jersey and Delaware, showcasing a brand of hardcore wrestling dubbed as "ultraviolence"...
, IWA Mid-South
Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky.- History :...
and Chikara. He is best known for his deathmatch
Hardcore wrestling
Hardcore wrestling is a form of professional wrestling that eschews traditional concepts of match rules in favor of matches that take place in unusual environments, using foreign objects that are not normally permitted...
wrestling, however he is rapidly gaining a reputation as a "breakthrough" wrestler, capable of technical style matches also.
Professional wrestling career
Drake became a fan of wrestling at an early age, attending WrestleMania VIIIWrestleMania VIII
WrestleMania VIII was the eighth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on April 5, 1992 at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana...
and became a fan of Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, before discovering wrestlers such as Sabu and Cactus Jack
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
, both of whom would become major influences. Drake tried his hand at wrestling joining Crazy Ass Wrestling, a backyard wrestling group ran by Diehard Dustin Lee. A few years later, Drake, along with fellow Indianapolis natives Scotty Vortekz, Cliff Crunk, xOMGx, & Diehard joined the R.A.A.G.E Dojo, training under American Kickboxer, after already debuting for Insanity Pro Wrestling in Indianapolis, IN in 2002. Drake disappeared from wrestling for over a year citing personal issues. During this hiatus, Drake was in a car accident which gave him the gash on his shoulder.
In March 2006, Drake returned to Insanity Pro Wrestling in a losing effort "Diehard" Dustin Lee. In June 2006 Drake and Dustin Lee went at it once again but this time at IWA Mid-South's King of the Deathmatch tournament. He defeated Dustin Lee in the 1st round in a cage match. but lost in round 2 against JC Bailey in a barefoot thumbtack deathmatch.
Drake debuted for Combat Zone Wrestling in July 2006 in the fifth annual Tournament of Death. Drake lasted to the finals but was eliminated by Nick Gage. The following year, he made it to the finals again and defeated Brain Damage to become the TOD 6 Champion.
In February 2007, Younger defeated Ian Rotten, Mad Man Pondo
Kevin Canady
Kevin Canady , better known by his ring name Mad Man Pondo, is an American professional wrestler best known for his hardcore wrestling style. Canady has wrestled for various wrestling promotions, including Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Combat Zone Wrestling, Big Japan Pro Wrestling,...
, 2 Tuff Tony
2 Tuff Tony
Tony Borcherding , better known by his ring name 2 Tuff Tony, is an American professional wrestler best known for his hardcore wrestling style...
, Mickie Knuckles
Mickie Knuckles
Mickie Lee Knuckles is an American professional wrestler who has worked for a number of major independent promotions, including Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Chikara and Combat Zone Wrestling. She also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the name Moose...
and "Diehard" Dustin Lee in a Hardcore Rumble to become the new IWA Mid-South Deathmatch Champion
IWA Mid-South Deathmatch Championship
The IWA Mid-South Deathmatch Championship was a title in the Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South based in Louisville, Kentucky. The title appeared from 2007, when Drake Younger won a six person Hardcore Rumble to become the first ever champion....
. On November 24, 2007, Drake competed in the Strong Style Tournament hold by wXw Germany.
He defeated "Brusin" Marc Slater in the 1st round, but lost to Bad Bones in a 4-way elimination final. He was the final man to get eliminated.
On January 5, 2008, Drake defeated Carlton Kaz for the IPW Grand Heavyweight Championship (which Younger made into the IPW World Heavyweight Championship, by defending the Grand Title in Germany), making him a two time champion by also winning the Jr. Heavyweight Championship a few years back. Drake also teams with Scotty Vortekz and Dustin Lee as The Naptown Dragons. The Naptown Dragons competed in CHIKARA's King of Trios
King of Trios
King of Trios is a three-night tournament promoted by the Chikara wrestling promotion. The tournament is a different take on the Tag World Grand Prix event that the company is known for annually promoting; in King of Trios, instead of tag teams, there are trios that will compete in six-man tag team...
tournament, losing in the first round to Team IPW:UK (Martin Stone, Sha Samuels, and Terry Frazier). On July 12, 2008, Younger defeated Nick Gage in a "Tangled Web" Deathmatch for the CZW World Heavyweight Championship, making him a dual champion as he currently also holds the CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship. On September 27, 2008, Younger defeated "New Horror"Sami Callihan
Sami Callihan
Sam Johnston is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "The New Horror" Sami Callihan. He competes for promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA, NWA Force One Pro Wrestling, EVOLVE Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Absolute Intense Wrestling, and Insanity Pro...
and Claudio Castagnoli
Claudio Castagnoli
Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, working in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name Antonio Cesaro...
in the finals of the 2008 Ted Petty Invitational, to become the first wrestler to win both a technical wrestling and a deathmatch wrestling tournament.
On October 11, 2008, Younger gave his CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship to Danny Havoc
Danny Havoc
Danny Havoc is an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in Combat Zone Wrestling, IWA Mid-South, and IWA Deep-South, where he is known as a hardcore wrestler.-Career:...
at Decision'08.
On January 3, 2009, Younger lost his IPW World Heavyweight Championship to Jon Moxley at Animosity 09 in a Dog Collar Match. Drake participated in wXw's 16 Carat Gold Tournament in Germany, making it all the way to the finals with a great showing before losing to Dragon Gate ace Takagi Shingo. He then toured Europe before returning to Germany for wXw's deathmatch tournament, Gorefest II, in which he was eliminated in the semi-finals in a lighttube log cabin match. Earlier in the afternoon he had defeated Danny Havoc to retain his CZW World Heavyweight Title belt.
On January 30, 2010 Drake Younger would lose his CZW World Heavyweight Title belt to B-Boy at High Stakes 4 - Sky's The Limit. On February 13, 2010 at the CZW 11th Anniversary Show Fan Appreciation Deadly Doubleheader Younger would win the afternoon show defeating Drew Blood but would go on to losing at the night show to J.C. Bailey. On April 10, 2010 at Swinging For The Fences, Drake Younger teamed with Eddie Kingston to win the CZW World Tag Team Champions by defeating The Best Around.
On May 1, 2010 Younger would make his Evolve
Evolve (professional wrestling)
Evolve Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion based in the Northeast founded in 2010 by former Ring of Honor booker and current Dragon Gate USA vice president, Gabe Sapolsky, Full Impact Pro owner Sal Hamaoui, and independent wrestler Davey Richards...
debut at Evolve 3: Rise or Fall in a winning effort against Jon Moxley
Jon Moxley
Jonathan Good is an American professional wrestler known by his ring name Jon Moxley. He is signed to WWE, wrestling in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling , under the ring name Dean Ambrose...
.
On July 10, 2010, Younger and Kingston were stripped of the CZW World Tag Team Championship, after Kingston quit the company.
On September 9, 2010 at CZW's "It's Always Bloody In Philadelphia" Drake Younger turned heel when he turned on the Suicide Kings and his friend Scotty Vortekz.
On September 17, 2011 Drake was crowned IWA Mid South's "King Of The Deathmatches". The only competitor to ever win both the Ted Petty Invitational and King Of The Deathmatches tournaments.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Drake's Landing (Back to back double underhook piledriver, sometimes from the second rope)
- Drake 'n' Bake (Death Valley Bomb)
- Fire thunder driver
- Signature moves
- BrainbusterBrainbusterA brainbuster is a professional wrestling throw in which a wrestler puts his/her opponent in a front facelock, hooks his/her pants, and lifts him/her up as if he/she was executing a vertical suplex. The wrestler then falls onto his/her back so that the opponent lands on his/her head while remaining...
- Diving somersault seated senton
- Double underhook piledriver
- Flapjack, sometimes into a chair or a ladder
- Frog splash
- Front powerslam, sometimes from off of the ring apron into a tableTable (furniture)A table is a form of furniture with a flat and satisfactory horizontal upper surface used to support objects of interest, for storage, show, and/or manipulation...
- Inverted STF
- Multiple suplexSuplexA suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
variations- Exploder
- High-angle belly to back
- Sitout
- Rolling fireman's carry slam, sometimes from off the ring apron into a table
- Springboard moonsault
- Sunset flip powerbomb, sometimes from the second or top rope
- Brainbuster
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "The Psycho ShooterShoot (professional wrestling)A shoot in professional wrestling is a term that refers to any unplanned, unscripted or real-life occurrence within a wrestling event. Contrary to popular belief, the name does not originate from "shooting in" for a takedown, as in amateur wrestling - rather it is a carny term shortened from...
" - "The Junior Shooter"
- "The Golden Boy"
- "Polarias" (Crazy Ass Wrestling/Insanity Pro Wrestlilng)
- "The Psycho Shooter
- Entrance themesMusic in professional wrestlingMusic in professional wrestling serves a variety of purposes. The most common uses of music in professional wrestling is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring...
- "WhateverWhatever (Godsmack song)"Whatever" is the first single by heavy metal band Godsmack. "Whatever" was featured on their debut album Godsmack and is one the band's most well known songs....
" by GodsmackGodsmackGodsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin... - "Black Republican" by Jay-Z"
- "Insane In The Membrane" by Cypress Hill.
- "Naptown Dragons" by Diehard Dustin Lee. (IPW Only)
- "A Warriors Call" by Volbeat
- "I am A Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel
- "Whatever
Championships and accomplishments
- Absolute Intense Wrestling
- AIW Absolute Championship (1 time)
- Coliseum Championship Wrestling
- CCW Tag Team Championship - with JC Bailey
- CCW Tag Team Championship - Diehard Dustin Lee
- Combat Zone WrestlingCombat Zone WrestlingCombat Zone Wrestling is a independent wrestling promotion. In 1999, John Zandig and four of his students, Ric Blade, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain began to run backyard wrestling shows in New Jersey and Delaware, showcasing a brand of hardcore wrestling dubbed as "ultraviolence"...
- CZW Ultraviolent Underground ChampionshipCZW Ultraviolent Underground ChampionshipThe CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship is a professional wrestling hardcore wrestling championship owned by the Combat Zone Wrestling promotion. The title was introduced on February 5, 2005 at CZW's Only the Strong event....
(2 times) - Tournament of DeathCZW Tournament of DeathThe Tournament of Death is an annual professional wrestling tournament organised by Combat Zone Wrestling since 2002, during which a number of wrestlers compete in various deathmatches in a single-elimination tournament which is similar to World Wrestling Entertainment's King of the Ring tournament...
(VI) - CZW World Heavyweight ChampionshipCZW World Heavyweight ChampionshipThe CZW World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship owned and copyrighted by the professional wrestling promotion Combat Zone Wrestling . It was created and debuted on March 27, 1999 at CZW's The Staple Gun event.The championship is generally contested...
(1 time) - CZW World Tag Team ChampionshipCZW World Tag Team ChampionshipThe CZW World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling world tag team championship owned and copyrighted by the Combat Zone Wrestling promotion; it is contested for in their tag team division. It was created and debuted on February 13, 1999 at CZW's Opening Night event, where Jon Dahmer...
(1 time) - with Eddie KingstonEddie KingstonEdward "Eddie" Moore is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Eddie Kingston. He is best known for competing in Chikara, Combat Zone Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South and Ring of Honor...
- Full Throttle Wrestling
- FTW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Diehard Dustin Lee
- Independent Wrestling Association Mid-SouthIndependent Wrestling Association Mid-SouthIndependent Wrestling Association Mid-South is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky.- History :...
- IWA Mid-South Deathmatch ChampionshipIWA Mid-South Deathmatch ChampionshipThe IWA Mid-South Deathmatch Championship was a title in the Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South based in Louisville, Kentucky. The title appeared from 2007, when Drake Younger won a six person Hardcore Rumble to become the first ever champion....
(1 time) - IWA Mid-South King of the DeathmatchIWA Mid-South King of the DeathmatchThe Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South King of the Deathmatch is an annual professional wrestling tournament running since 1997 in which a number of wrestlers compete in various deathmatches, in a single-elimination tournament which is similar to World Wrestling Entertainment's King of...
(2011) - Ted Petty InvitationalTed Petty InvitationalThe Ted Petty Invitational tournament is an independent wrestling tournament in North America, run and promoted by Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South. Created as the Sweet Science Sixteen in 2000 by Ian Rotten, the tournament was originally supposed to showcase the top technical...
(2008)
- Insanity Pro Wrestling
- IPW Grand Championship (1 time)
- IPW Jr. Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- IPW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Mark Pro Wrestling
- MPW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #178 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2009