Name(s) The Kartel Billed from London, United Kingdom | Combined
weight 415 lb (188 kg) Debut 2002 | |
Members Terry Frazier
Sha Samuels Heights 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) - Frazier
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) - Samuels | ||
The Kartel is a professional wrestling tag team made up of Terry Frazier and Sha Samuels. They are best known their work on the independent circuit mainly within the United Kingdom.
Contents
Professional wrestling career
Frazier, and Samuels, The East End Mauler, both hail from east London and would begin training at the Dropkixx academy sometime at the beginning of the 21st century; training with various teachers under the watchful eye of Dino Scarlo.
Frazier, at the age of 14 and using the name Scott Frazier, faced Matt Stevens in his first professional match while Samuels faced Kristian Linnell around the same time. It wasn't long before both men were brought together to become the (often heel) tag team known as The Kartel.
The self professed "Winners" gained a measure of success, winning titles in various smaller promotions while also competing in more high profile UK independents; including SAS Wrestling, and IPW:UK. The Kartel would also tour Italy with the Italian Championship Wrestling promotion.
In 2003, at the age of 16, Frazier was considered one of the youngest UK pro wrestlers yet he still managed to gain the opportunity to go to Atlanta, Georgia in the United States to train with William Regal, Chris Benoit and Dave Taylor of WWE fame.
While Samuels improved on his stiff style of wrestling, the smaller built Frazier began using sport supplements to gain muscle mass so that he could become more eligible for tours Stateside and in Japan.
In 2007 both Samuels and Frazier embarked on a training excursion to South East Asia to both gain knowledge of eastern training methods, and to improve upon fitness and strength.
The Kartel became IPW:UK Tag Team Champions for the first time when they defeated $wiss Money Holding on 23 September 2007 in Orpington, Kent. Later, they unified IPW:UK Tag Team titles with RQW British Tag Team Championships to become Unified British Tag Team champions.
In February 2008, the Kartel competed Chikara's King of Trios tournament in Philadelphia, United States, teaming with Martin Stone as Team IPW:UK, but were defeated in the second round of the tournament by the Golden Trio (Delirious, Hallowicked and Helios).
The Kartel stopped working as an active tag team in IPW:UK during the summer of 2010 after Samuels turned on Frazier during an in-ring angle at the "Sittingbourne Spectacular". Samuels continues to wrestle around Europe as a singles star, whilst Frazier is less active, making the odd appearance here and there.