| Mr. BIG | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Rhys Edwards |
| Ring Names | Mr. BIG The Gold Wrestler |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Weight | 280 lb (127 kg) |
| Date of birth | October 10, 1978 (age 31) |
| Place of birth | Brackla, Bridgend, Wales |
| Date of death | {{{death_date}}} |
| Place of death | {{{death_place}}} |
| Resides | Bridgend, United Kingdom |
| Billed from | Bridgend, Wales, UK |
| Trainer | |
| Current federation(s) |
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| Previous federation(s) |
Total Wrestling Federation (TWF), Extreme Wrestling Company (EWC), Xtreme Wrestling Federation (XWF), Vengeance Wrestling Federation (VWF), Total Championship Wrestling (TCW), Xtreme Championship Wrestling (XCW), Rebel Wrestling Federation (RWF), OWF, World Extreme Wrestling (WEW), High Damage Wrestling (HDW) |
| Handled by | |
| Win/Loss Record | {{{winloss_record}}} |
| Debut | 2000 |
| Retired | {{{retired}}} |
Rhys Edwards (born October 10, 1978), better known by his ring name Mr. BIG, is a Welsh (British) professional wrestler. He has also worked as a television host and author. Edwards is currently signed to the Total Wrestling Federation, a promotion which he helped found in 2000. He is one half of the TWF Tag-Team Champions, along with Marz. He is also known for his work with other promotions such as Xtreme Championship Wrestling (XCW) and the Xtreme Wrestling Federation (XWF), which he co-owned for a time.
As part of the TWF, he is widely acknowledged to be its iconic wrestler. He is the only five-time TWF World Champion, a former Intercontinental Champion and three-time Tag-Team Champion. During his time in the company, he was voted as Wrestler of the Year by fans and participated in two matches of the year.
Outside of wrestling, Edwards has also hosted television shows, including revived editions of game shows Pyramid and Concentration for the UK's ITV1 network, as well as his own talk show The Last Word with Mr. BIG. In 2008 a book, Degrees of Sanity, was released that documented his life from late 2006 to early 2008, including the return of the TWF as well as his dramatic walkout of the company.
Edwards was the third of four children and they lived modestly in Bridgend, south Wales. Rhys was lucky, as his grandfather had invested in the steel business around the time of his birth and during the 1980s and 1990s; he was particularly fortuitous with the venture. The family lived in the same small cramped house in Brackla for almost 20 years until Biggie moved out in 2000 as the TWF began to expand. His neighbour from the age of four was his friend, the man currently known as Marz. Whilst the family always had money, they did not spend beyond their means. He first visited the United States at the age of 6 on a family holiday and it began a life-long fascination with the country.
Rhys was very tall from an early age, and this lead to bullying from his peers. Rhys also possessed an incredible mind and teachers considered him "more intelligent" than similar-aged children, which led to further taunting. He sought salvation and found it in two forms: heavy metal music and wrestling. On one memorable occasion, Rhys used some basic wrestling moves to take down bullies. This did land him in trouble, which came as a surprise to many as he was remembered by family and close friends as a gentle giant. Rhys moved schools at the age of 11 and his parents noted he became a much happier child with his new group of friends and peers, many of whom would found the TWF years later.
Rhys tried to find time to wrestle whenever he could, in-between his studies and part-time jobs. Rhys was a great student, but during his late-teens found himself distracted by wrestling, which lead to underachievement in his academic results. Despite this, Rhys continued to juggle his duties, practising when he could. He was given the name Mr. BIG by a neighbour - Rhys was affectionately referred to as Big Rhys by the other kids on his block to avoid confusion with another Rhys, and another neighbour called him Mr. Rhys due to his kindness, therefore he combined the two to form Mr. BIG, blissfully unaware of the hard rock band who's biggest hit was dominating the charts.
Edwards's very early career saw him start off with a series of local companies working a few dates, namely PCW where he formed a tag-team with his friend the Defender. The two's manager, Amy, was extremely popular but his jealousy of their close personal relationship saw him turn on Defender at PCW's biggest event, Super Clash 98, where he was booed out of the building and pelted with garbage. When it was revealed afterward that Amy and the Defender were in a relationship together, Edwards left the company, which humoured PCW for almost a decade, calling him a "crybaby" and left many open challenges to return unanswered as he concentrated on other aspects of his life.
In 2000, Mr. BIG finally got his first full-time gig as a wrestler in SCW, named after the street where the company's headquarters were located. It was a modest start to his career, as he wrestled with many of his childhood friends who were interested in professional wrestling thanks to both the 80s wrestling boom and the Attitude Era. Rhys was however determined to one day own his own company - unhappy with some decisions made in PCW and SCW, it was in February 2000 that Rhys managed to get enough money to start regular cards at a local school, which would give the TWF it's original name - the Tremains Wrestling Federation.
The TWF began with it's first ever show, Wednesday Grit BasH, on February 9, 2000. In the main event, Mr. BIG was screwed by special guest referee, The Red Dragon (now known as Marz), and lost the TWF World Heavyweight Championship to "The Ice Man" AJ Jeffers. Two nights later at the same venue, Mr. BIG won the championship, but in the process was booed by some fans on the way out of the match. BIG's first title reign would last over 200 days. At the TWF's first ever pay-per-view, No Way Out 2000, Mr. BIG faced Brownie (scheduled to be a Three Way match involving Blonde Man, Brownie's brother and team mate in their stable Team EV, but he no-showed) - that match was stopped after persistent interference by Brownie's manager, Jane Wilson. Later that night BIG helped his friend NJS double cross the Red Dragon in their match for the TWF Light Heavyweight Championship. In a sumo match for the championship, BIG provided the distraction to send Dragon tumbling out of the ring and gave NJS the championship, gaining huge boos from the fans, as Mr. BIG and NJS signaled they had left the Dragon's Z-Pack stable. The following night on RAW is WAR, BIG and NJS unveiled their new stable - Future Generation-X. FX made a mockery of the Dragon that night, during which promo Mr. BIG delivered the first "Mr. B, Mr. I, Mr. G, that's me: Mr. B-I-G!" line to close. The Red Dragon did not last long, as he "morphed" into The Demon later that night, and offered to fight Mr. BIG at the TWF's next pay-per-view, Easter HeAT, in a unique two-falls to a finish match - the first fall for the control of the Z-Pack's home venue, GCourt Green, the second fall for the TWF World Heavyweight Championship. Despite suffering tough times within FX as members came and went, BIG won both falls at Easter HeAT to retain his championship.
There were more victories for BIG at WrestleMania against Triple J, and against Owen Carl the following month at No Mercy. BIG pulled double-duty at No Mercy as he partnered The Black Demon (Marz...again) in a Revenge Match against Team EV after The Demon was viciously attacked with a cricket bat by the Team. That night, the crowd began to cheer Mr. BIG for the first time since he crossed the Red Dragon in March and this was followed up with another victory at the July pay-per-view, UnCeNsOrEd, against A-Pac (a man who would become better known as The AshTaker).
During the TWF's tour of the USA that August, fans responded amazingly to BIG, cheering him unlike fans at home, with cheers getting larger at every event. The TWF would have its first showcase pay-per-view, Summer Break, at the famed MGM Grand Garden Arena that August, where BIG would finally face adversary, "Real Deal" Murphy, a man who bullied and taunted BIG for many weeks. As "Real Deal" made his entrance that night in Vegas, the crowd booed viciously the supposed "good guy". Murphy's manager, Owen Carl, tried to cut a promo to gain some of the fan's support, but he was constantly booed - when Mr. BIG's theme song hit, the crowd in the arena cheered loudly. In a Montreal Screwjob finish, BIG was screwed out of the championship by Carl, who ordered the bell to be rung when Murphy applied his finisher, the Real McCoy. But, the mysterious Mr. Edwards finally made his first appearance, ordering the match to be restarted, which gave BIG the victory. BIG has pointed to that night as "the night where I finally got accepted by the fans".
BIG became the fan's sweetheart. They were won over by his never say die attitude, his eagerness to challenge any opponent, and his charm which lead him to cut many memorable promos and interviews against his rivals. During this period, BIG called himself The Only One, as he considered himself "the only one" who stood up for what was right and for the fans. Blonde Man would haunt Mr. BIG however, when Blonde Man defeated BIG in a Tables Match for the World Heavyweight Championship thanks to Brownie's help that September. A vicious Mr. BIG would get his revenge in front of his hometown fans in Brackla just two nights later at Friday Nitro, defeating Blonde Man in a Tables rematch, and would further embarrass him at that month's King of the Ring pay-per-view in an "I Quit" match.
High Voltage, a rookie and a part of Mr. Edwards's "The BoyZ" collective would enter the cross hairs of the champion next. The two began their storied feud in October 2000 with a series of brutal matches and backstage sneak attacks that culminated in a No Holds Barred Table match at Halloween Hell. The following night on RAW saw a re-match, which BIG won after hitting HV with a Firebreather through a Flaming Table. At the first Dangerously Serious in November 2000, BIG defeated "Gay" Thompson after a month of "banter" between the two (BIG later called it "the worst storyline I ever did"), but was rescued when he faced Hawke on pay-per-view for the first time in an impromptu World Heavyweight Championship match when the pay-per-view ran short. It was considered the first "classic" match in the TWF's history and gained the attention of some of the wrestling press across the world. 2000 ended at the Christmas Madness pay-per-view, where BIG defeated High Voltage yet again, this time in a Revenge Match. BIG's domination of the TWF was such that since the TWF's foundation that February, he had held the World Heavyweight Championship for a total of 10 months, 19 days.
BIG's mammoth title reign would continue until November 2001. During which time, he would face High Voltage and Blonde Man once more, before taking on The Shott in an Ambulance Match at No Way Out 2. The match is not remembered for being a technical classic, rather the post-match antics, which saw Mr. BIG use a truck to lift the Ambulance up and drop it from 60+ feet in the air. The Shott appeared unscathed the following night on RAW. Such insanity was typical of the TWF at the time as Marz had swept to power thanks to a Board of Directors uprising. Biggie wrestled in increasingly incredible situations laced with sexual overtones he was not comfortable with. Two incidents in particular are remembered - NJS turning on BIG to fight him in a match at Easter HeAT 2001 that both men refuse to comment on, and after following Marz's idea for a finish to his Three Stages of Hell match against King Nidian at WrestleMANIA II, a vicious promo about Marz before offering Nidian (who was visually distraught at the finish) a rematch there and then, as yet again, the pay-per-view would have ran short otherwise. BIG would fight Marz in a match at Against All Odds in a Steel Cage, in a moment foreshadowing things to come, Mr. BIG hit Marz with an Equaliser off the top of the cage. BIG then faced Shott in a near move-for-move rematch of their Ambulance match in July (including the Ambulance crushing, this time into a flaming pit...The Shott appeared unhurt the next night). In Degrees of Sanity, BIG mentioned that he was told the match was going to be an Dumpster Match, but changed minutes before the pay-per-view started.
BIG was tired of the games and gave the company a 30-day notice, and he would fore fill all his dates. One classic match to come out of the time period was his Double Tables match with High Voltage at Summer Break 2001, a match that critics felt raised High Voltage to such a level he was able to become TWF World Champion one day. BIG returned to the TWF on three occasions after August 2001: to drop his World Title to Owen "Sumo Samurai" Carl in an un-televised show in November 2001, which surprised fans who tuned in to see him at Dangerously Serious 2001 without the World Championship, then made an appearance to fight Hawke at PayBacK 2001 whilst on his Christmas break from North American commitments.
Originally, BIG left the TWF for a job in EWC. Having wrestled two shows for the company alongside his best friend NJS, including a classic match against Misery (who prior to the match christened BIG "Mr. PIG"), EWC disappeared. With NJS already humiliated after leaving the TWF for the American Dream, BIG was in an airport awaiting his flight home to join NJS when he received a phone call from a man called Rivers, who claimed he had a job for BIG in Chicago. BIG quickly changed his flight and then found himself wrestling for the Xtreme Wrestling Federation, a company with which he would truly make his name.
BIG joined the XWF in-time for its first television show, Monday Night Carnage, where he ended up victorious in a Battle Royal to determine the XWF's first Intercontinental Champion. Originally, BIG partnered with XWF CEO The Bandit. Bandit appointed Mr. BIG commissioner of the fledgling company, but days before the XWF's first pay-per-view, Mr. BIG was handed his first loss thanks to the interference of the nWo Sickness, giving Chezi his commissioner-ship. Days later at the XWF's first ever pay-per-view, Bad Blood, BIG drew #1 in a Royal Rumble to determine the XWF's first ever World Heavyweight Champion, but Bandit turned his back on the partnership (dubbed No-DQ) and helped Chezi become the XWF's first World Champion.
BIG was enraged and then lost his Intercontinental Championship against another nWo Sickness member - Nolan. As life seemed to be going from bad to worse for BIG things suddenly got better - a victory in a tag-team match allowed Mr. BIG to pick the stipulations for a rematch with Chezi at Hell on Earth. In an Anything Goes Match, Mr. BIG pinned Chezi to win his first ever XWF World Championship. Days later, BIG would face an impromptu match with The Bandit where he would lose the championship, but on an episode of Trauma, BIG would retain the championship, becoming the first two-time World Champion. After an I Quit Steel Cage match against bitter rival Tom Nolan at XWF November Tradition, BIG entered December 2001 still the World Champion. After an XWF special Saturday Brawl, BIG found himself as Owner of the XWF. At Christmas Madness 2001, BIG was screwed out of his Championship by Bandit and Nolan, who contrived the result to rid BIG of the belt.
BIG's ownership of the XWF was not popular with wrestlers backstage, who felt that "brown-nosers" were gaining better spots on the card than those with actual talent. Despite drawing a sell-out crowd to the Millennium Stadium in January 2002 for an episode of Trauma, Mr. BIG further infuriated XWF wrestlers by repeating his performance from September 2001 and drawing #1 in the XWF EliMinaTion match. Unlike the Bad Blood Royal Rumble, BIG would eliminate Ottobomb last to become #1 contender to the XWF World Championship. Disgruntled wrestlers made their opinions known, and with a heavy heart in February 2002, Mr. BIG announced his resignation and handed the XWF back to Bandit. There was a short-run in the XWF's successor, XHWF, but this was ultimately unsuccessful and shortly after this, Mr. BIG left the XWF.
During his XWF tenure, disgruntled XWF wrestlers set-up the Vengeance Wrestling Federation as an alternative to the XWF. The VWF proved extremely popular, but its ownership was constantly a hot issue amongst wrestlers backstage. When BIG left the XWF, in a move-akin to showing up on the other show during the Monday Night Wars, Mr. BIG appeared in a VWF ring and promptly informed them that he was there to "kick ass and take names". However, as revenge for his XWF booking decisions, BIG was screwed over plenty of times, with his only notable event in VWF being the introduction of his signature match, Tables, Ladders, Cell in a match defending his North American Championship against Dope C and Hair Maister. It was a losing effort, but in defeat he finally endeared himself to North American fans. Shortly after losing the VWF NA Title, a Hardcore Championship reign followed, but the VWF bit the dust shortly after.
BIG then began Total Championship Wrestling with former XWF/VWF talent Gravedigger and the two had an off-camera friendship. Together under with the supervision of Stone Cold SA, attempted to make TCW as popular as XWF at its zenith. Despite bringing in many TWF wrestlers, TCW would ultimately succumb to the same fate as XWF and VWF, thanks to executive decisions taken by SA. BIG has looked back on his time in North America favourably now, although at the time he expressed private regret that it wasn't as successful as he felt it could have been. Despite this, BIG has admitted that his "experiments" with his ownership in XWF and TCW made for a better TWF in the long-run.
BIG's return to the TWF is considered one of the major turning points in the TWF's history. Banking his last XWF cheque just days before on February 26, 2002, on an episode of TWF Monday Night RAW many hints were dropped by High Voltage that a man from Marz's past would return in the night's main event, a hardcore match between Voltage and Marz's best friend, The Shott. Many people suspected Triple J would return, having left the company months earlier and was seen around TWF Towers earlier that day. It was in fact a well-constructed ruse between the three, as during the main event, "re-Arranged" began to play and the crowd went absolutely crazy in a fashion never quite seen in a wrestling show before. BIG ran down the ramp and debuted his XWF finishing move, The BIG Storm, in his home company, helping High Voltage achieve the victory with commentators Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler sitting in stunned silence at ringside along with Marz, who could hardly believe his eyes. Many commentators have said that the timing of the move catapulted the TWF back into mainstream attention. Shortly afterwards, Marz turned face as Voltage turned heel, and Marz joined Mr. BIG and the two's "gonzo" style interviews and promos gained much attention.
A feud with AshTaker took place shortly after BIG's return, but at WrestleMania 3, BIG defeated High Voltage and The Shott in a Three Way match to become a three time TWF World Heavyweight Champion. In front of a sold-out crowd in his home town of Brackla just 12 days later, AshTaker cost Mr. BIG the title, with The Shott becoming a two-time champion. AshTaker and BIG agreed to settle their differences in a match that is still considered among the TWF's greatest at Against All Odds 2002. In a hellacious Hell in a Cell contest, two moments stand out to fans the most - the finish that saw Mr. BIG hit AshTaker with a BIG Storm off the side of the cell through the announce table then during the victory celebration with Marz, BIG chokeslammed AshTaker through a cell panel. AshTaker would continue to be a thorn in BIG's side for the rest of 2002, including when BIG won his fourth TWF World Heavyweight Championship, pinning High Voltage in a Five Way match at Summer Break 2002, celebrating by famously posing in front of the TotalTron. AshTaker and BIG would get their re-match in the TWF's first Tables, Ladders, Cell encounter at King of the Ring that September, with AshTaker picking up the victory and returning the favour to BIG, chokeslamming him through a cell panel to win the match.
Hawke and Mr. BIG then crossed paths once more. Reigning Intercontinental Champion, Hawke lead a group called the BPA, disgruntled members of the TWF who all went to the same school. At a TWF PPV special in October 2002, the TWF debuted Barbed Wire, Ladders and Tables (BLT) (the match was originally advertised as a Stairway to Hell match, but changed during the event by then TWF Chairman, Terry Funk) in a brutal match between BIG and Hawke that saw The Shott reveal his alliance with Hawke and his BPA, leaving BIG's Z-Pack, followed by the re-appearance of The Black Demon to aid Mr. BIG to victory. A victory a month later in a Empty Arena match at Dangerously Serious (thanks to Karl Davies's help) and in December in a Revenge match at PayBacK meant that BIG entered 2003 as TWF Intercontinental Champion.
Biggie began by losing his Intercontinental Championship to Hawke in a Steel Cage match at New Year Partee. During the process his manager at the time, pop star Rachel Stevens, revealed an alliance with "The Singing God". Biggie was then injured by former friend Karl Davies on an episode of TWF RAW in a moment referred to as "the Chairshot Heard Around the World". Biggie would tease making appearances but eventually made a return at Deadly MindGames, attacking Davies after he accompanied Stevens to her TWF Women's Championship winning match. Biggie would face Davies at the first pay-per-view under the TWF's new Total Wrestling Federation moniker, No Way BacK. The match with Davies became famous as it was revealed that Davies's manager, Holly, double-crossed Davies and joined Mr. BIG's side. Holly and Mr. BIG became the TWF's glamour couple and the couple could not be separated.
During the match with Davies, Stephen Dimmock interfered and later stated that he did so "to make a big impact" on the TWF. The feud with Dimmock was bitter and personal. Dimmock revealed that his new girlfriend was BIG's younger sister Atomically Kool Kat, who reminded her brother that she did this "to piss [him] off". Dimmock then brought his Red Hoodie Crew stable mates into the fray with an infamous promo on the April 4 RAW that included the "How to Harpoon a Bear" vignette, with the Hoodie Crew adopting a Looney Tunes-style filming mocking Mr. BIG. Later that night, a fragile Mr. BIG snapped and delivered one of the most famous interviews of his career, after helping his allies avoid a 12-man beat down. A vicious Biggie demanded blood (having being legitimately busted open during the fracas) and challenged Crew members to a Gauntlet match a week later on RAW. With the Hoodie Crew interfering and outnumbering Biggie, former XWF associate Silver made his TWF début disguised as a soccer mascot. BIG defeated Dimmock in an emotional match at Easter HeAT and had the third Tables, Ladders, Cell match with him a month later at Cyberslam which saw the crowd boo Biggie for the first time in a number of years, before slowly cheering him as he picked up the victory.
Biggie and High Voltage's long-standing (kayfabe and legit) heat suddenly came back to the fore when Voltage claimed he "fancied the pants off" Holly. Protecting his girlfriend, Biggie and HV conducted a personal and intense war that would eventually see Voltage leave the company after losing a Loser Leaves TWF match at Against All Odds, after which Biggie reunited with Holly. This would all be in vain however, as days later Holly left Biggie both personally and professionally, when on June 11, 2003, she formed part of the TWF's most infamous stable, Seek and Destroy, re-joining Hawke and Davies. Despite saying otherwise at the time, BIG reflected in his book Degrees of Sanity in a brief passage that he felt at a "personal nadir, I had been stabbed in the back just days before by Holly, saying she didn't feel comfortable around me and didn't want the attention, then she turned on me in front of 15,000+ and laughed at me publicly. It hurt." The hurt inspired an incredible hook-up with High Voltage, who returned under a week after being fired to become the TWF's new commissioner. Voltage lead a team called Rebels With Attitude, which BIG was a part of, to take on Seek and Destroy, led by TWF Chairman Edwards and Hawke. Biggie continued his bitter feud with Davies, which lead to a match at Summer Break 2003 that saw Biggie defeat Davies in a great match, and then giving Holly a BIG Storm to the delight of 100,000 strong at the Bridgend Dome.
Another man with whom he had never always seen eye-to-eye then made an appearance - Frekishi. Frekishi caught Biggie's attention when he cost Mr. BIG a match against his brother, Mr. Edwards, at King of the Ring 2003. Frekishi cut a promo about how Mr. BIG "always wanted to be him" at the October 1 Grit BasH, leading Mr. BIG to challenge him to a match at Halloween Hell in Orlando, Florida. Edwards would make Biggie defeat Hawke in a match that night to get his hands on his rival at the show. Frekishi wrote his name into TWF infamy that night when, after the match between them went to a no contest, they fought on the very top of the TotalTron at the TD Waterhouse Centre. Shortly afterward, Frekishi executed his finishing move, a Sit-Out Powerbomb, sending BIG crashing over 45 feet to the floor below. Frekishi boasted about injuring "a TWF legend" for many months, with BIG having an estimated six month recovery if he was lucky. In reality, the shoulder was already injured prior to the famous spot and the spot was used to take Mr. BIG off TV. BIG made sporadic appearances in the TWF, such as challenging Holly for her job on the December 17 Grit BasH in a game of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (which she lost).
BIG made two appearances of note in early 2004. Biggie appeared at the conclusion of the New Year Rumble at New Year Partee to announce High Voltage the winner of the match despite being "eliminated" by Frekishi, who had in fact been eliminated earlier in the match by Bandit and going unnoticed by the match officials. A month later at Deadly MindGames, he appeared in a hospitality box at the arena yards from his home in Broadlands, Bridgend to inform his brother Mr. Edwards that he will be returning shortly. At No Way BacK that March, Mr. BIG made his return as a secret partner for the Rebels With Attitude team against Seek and Destroy in a 5-on-5 Elimination match. Biggie helped NJS win the match and in the process get Mr. Edwards fired from the TWF. BIG resumed his program with Frekishi at Easter HeAT in a Tables, Ladders, Cell match that was fought to a draw after High Voltage's interference, when Frekishi and HV chokeslammed Mr. BIG through a cell panel, but HV tossed Frekishi off the top of a cell onto the golf cart he had used to drive down to the ring, injuring Frekishi in the process. A World Title match between HV and Biggie in May at Cyberslam II in front of 60,000+ at Detroit's Ford Field was fought to a Double DQ after Frekishi's interference. This set up a Three Way Dance at Against All Odds, which HV won thanks to Mr. Edwards's interference (he returned a month earlier to help screw Rebels leader NJS in an Ambulance Match). At xWa Super show Xtreme Intentions later that June, Biggie fought Voltage in a brutal bloodbath that saw him win his fifth TWF World Championship in a Pyramid Cage match.
Biggie continued his part in the RWA vs. Seek and Destroy war, forming part of the victorious RWA team that ended the feud in the WarGames match at Total Chaos. At this point, Biggie informed fans he wanted to help NJS achieve his dream and gain the TWF's version of a Grand Slam, the Full House, by being his tag-team partner. Biggie lost his World Championship to Marz on the July 24 Grit BasH, in a match that saw the formation of The Triad by Marz, AJ Jeffers and Hawke. Biggie was undeterred and after memorably informing Marz on the July 30 Fury "at least you finally beat me this one time" and "your Mom must have read the Miracle-Gro instructions upside down". Biggie and NJS (teaming ironically under the Z-Pack name rather than FX given how they left the Z-Pack in 2000) defeated The Triad in a Handicap Match to gain their title match against the Rogers Brothers at Summer Break V. Biggie and NJS were victorious thanks to a BIG Storm, queuing emotional celebrations from NJS and his new wife Lita at the TWF Arena. Biggie and NJS would team until mid-2005, defeating their collective nemesis The AshTaker & The Terminator in the second-ever Rage in the Double Cage match at Halloween Hell, then defeating Hawke and Frekishi at PayBacK. During this period, Mr. BIG gained a new manager, Louise, who was originally introduced as "The Owner's Secretary". Shortly after her arrival, she gained the attentions of Team EV, leading to Biggie to stand up for the quiet newcomer. Prior to the Hawke/Frekishi match, Biggie cut one of his favourite ever interviews as a rebuttal to Hawke and Falcon speculating of a Biggie/Louise romance on the December 10 Fury, with the duo bringing out a blow-up doll, mocking Hawke's own relationship with his long-time manager Falcon.
At Shockwave in January 2005, it was announced that after an interview process, Mr. BIG would succeed his retiring grandfather Doug as the TWF's Managing Director. BIG and NJS continued the defence of their Tag-Team Championships, engaging in a classic feud with Team EV that saw them main event three pay-per-views in succession, a rarity for a tag-team championship at that time. After Ambulance and Last Ride matches could not separate them, the two teams settled their score in the TWF's first ever Gas Chamber match at No Way BacK, a match that the Z-Pack won thanks to Mr. BIG's re-introduction of The Last Laugh finishing move. On the April 27 Grit BasH however, Mr. BIG dropped a bombshell and announced to the fans that he would retire after Cyberslam III to concentrate on his new duties as Managing Director of the company. It was decided that Mr. BIG would have his final match against long-time rival Hawke. BIG won the match at Chicago's Soldier Field and both men received a standing ovation before Biggie invited his arch nemesis to celebrate with Cherry Cokes, before simply turning to the camera before leaving and saying "Have Cool, Will Travel". He did not disappear long; he appeared at the Against All Odds pay-per-view in Toronto in June to announce the TWF Hall of Fame nominees, and at Summer Break VI, he presented AJ Jeffers with the TWF World Championship belt, before leading down the whole TWF roster for an in-ring celebration. This would be the last see of the "original" TWF, as the company then went on it's hiatus for creative and technical issues.
Biggie was a part of XCW from its foundation and was one of its most popular superstars. Biggie was the first ever XCW World Champion, defeating Deadman in a match at XCW's first pay-per-view, Halloween Chaos in October 2002. His early XCW history was dominated with matches against Ministry of Darkness members The AshTaker and Deadman. After losing the World Heavyweight Championship to AshTaker at XCW Apocalypse, BIG would get his revenge a month later at WrestleMadness, defeating AshTaker in a Buried Alive match to start his second reign. BIG would then feud with the set of Warriors who had invaded XCW - The Celtic, Irish and Titan Warrior. The Warriors had the backing of XCW Owner, Mr. Job-Smith, which made it increasingly difficult for Biggie to get his rematch. Biggie would finally get his match at the XCW birthday show, Halloween Chaos, where he defeated XCW Champion The Celtic Warrior to win his third World Championship.
As a result of his injuries sustained at TWF Halloween Hell 2003 by Frekishi, Mr. Job-Smith stripped Mr. BIG of the XCW World Championship whilst he recovered from his injuries. BIG was able to carry his XCW World Championship belt around TWF shows due to the two companies founding the xTreMe Wrestling Alliance (xWa), an NWA for the 2000s that had a cross-branded Interpromotional belt and own TV station that the two companies founded (originally called the xWa Network, re-named in 2006 to simply xWn for xTreMe Wrestling Network). In December 2003, Mr. BIG was made XCW Co-Commissioner with Mick Foley. In February 2004, after months of having his life made a "living hell", Job-Smith fired Biggie.
In March 2004, a mysterious Gold Wrestler began appearing on XCW television, delivering powerbombs to members of Job-Smith's nWo. At WrestleMadness that month, the Gold Wrestler helped Mick Foley become XCW Co-Owner. On the March 30 episode of XCW Metal, Job-Smith blamed a "Gold Hooligan" for his loss at the pay-per-view two nights earlier, and in what many XCW fans consider to be one of the company's zeniths, Mr. BIG revealed himself to be the masked Gold Wrestler and hit Job-Smith with an Equaliser. Due to the xWa affiliation, BIG often crossed paths in XCW with many of his TWF rivals, for instance when he was feuding with High Voltage in the TWF, the two continued their feud in XCW, including a series of matches on XCW PPV. After ending his feud with Voltage, Biggie found himself a part of the XCW World Championship, including appearances in an Elimination Chamber match at XCW Sweet Pain in August 2004. BIG crossed paths with The AshTaker once more as part of the Z-Pack/S.I.N. feud in XCW, defeating him at Halloween Chaos 3 and at Massacre II in December in a Three Way match along with The Terminator.
When XCW made a one-off return for Back with a Vengeance in June 2005, Mr. BIG was not scheduled to be on the card, but found himself challenged by Disko Stu to a match. BIG defeated Stu in his last competitive XCW match which drew a standing ovation from the crowd, and BIG admitted he was close to tears after the match. Biggie has expressed in many interviews that he truly loved XCW and was so sad to hear it was going to close, but is happy to be remembered as a prominent part of the company's history.
Biggie never wanted to join the Rebel Wrestling Federation, particularly as much of it's early history saw it attempt to wind-up the TWF. But, as a favour to High Voltage, he appeared on a special edition of their TV show, Meltdown in August 2003. There to celebrate the RWF's first anniversary as well as cross-promoting TWF Summer Break 2003 with their xWa partners, Biggie appeared as a Special Guest Referee in a match between NJS and Big Bob Daddy.
When the RWF made a surprising re-appearance in 2005, it was revealed that Mr. BIG had financed the company's return personally. Famously, on their first monthly show back, he managed to turn a profit for the first time in the company's history despite lower ticket prices and a smaller venue. BIG never wrestled in an RWF ring, but continued to make appearances at RWF shows in the role of xWa Representative, ensuring the event ran smoothly. It was in the RWF's name that Mr. BIG finally returned to PCW at Super Clash 2005, BIG "invaded" the event through the crowd and was allowed to cut a promo about the state of PCW compared to it's younger rivals (particularly the RWF and XCW) before being thrown out by security to a mass of cheers (amazingly, in support) which overshadowed the rest of their show. PCW would get their retaliation by "invading" the RWF at RWF World Domination 2, and after interfering in many of the matches through out the evening, BIG informed them as the show closed that their best guys will face the RWF's best in Tables, Ladders, Cell at the next event. BIG was on hand to be the special guest referee in a contest where the RWF came out victorious. When Mr. BIG went on hiatus from the TWF, he discussed in his book Degrees of Sanity that he did consider bringing back the RWF, but felt guilty "going up against my baby - the TWF".
BIG joined World Extreme Wrestling as a favour to its owner, long-time TWF talent Deadman. A big-time fan favourite, Mr. BIG won the company's World Championship in a hellacious 8-Man Battle Royal, but lost the belt back to Deadman two weeks later. BIG enjoyed his time with the company and looks back on it with fondness as somewhere where he could "just wrestle, no politicking, no booking sheets to worry about, just show up, give my all and walk away with a smile on my face".
Mr. BIG fell into HDW as he looked to return to North America for a regular jaunt just after the TWF went on hiatus. BIG began his way up from the very bottom of the company, as he felt his previous successes initially meant "nothing". He went on to become the company's first ever and only Overseas Champion within weeks of his arrival. Shortly after winning the championship, HDW formed one half of the PWA and became its Rampage brand, with BIG becoming one of its biggest stars. DVDs of his TWF performances found its way into the company and some of the wrestlers were in awe at Biggie's past, so he began to elaborate on it more in his promos. During this period, BIG made references to being straight edge, a philosophy he picked up from CM Punk, stating that "Cherry Coke is my drug". BIG's most famous interviews in HDW/PWA however consisted of his "BIG Storm World Tour", which often consisted of him pulling up outside the arenas where the company's shows would take place in his Ferrari 360 Spider and discussing the events of the previous week and the plans for the following show. It was a simple premise, but one that fans enjoyed.
BIG's success continued when he won the Hell Belt Championship. Shortly after this, BIG pinned HDW's then World Crown Champion, the mysterious Silence. BIG would continue to be a thorn in the side of Silence for many weeks. Silence disappeared from HDW with a World Crown championship, but BIG would trump him with victory over Lee Williams to win the World Crown Championship. BIG defeated Silence at HDW's final event, Blood Sweat and Tears to unify the two championships. HDW closed in 2006, but attempted to re-open without success. HDW's Owner, Dave Brickheart, has often said that Mr. BIG was HDW's greatest superstar, an honour BIG was ecstatic to achieve.
On March 12, 2006, Biggie called a press conference to announce the TWF would hold a one-off pay-per-view that May entitled One Night Only, with a full program of TWF wrestling, filmed in high definition. BIG said if it was a success, the TWF would return full time. The pay-per-view was a huge success, but the TWF did not return, leading many fans to be angry at Biggie for breaking his promise. In December 2006 however, Biggie announced that the TWF would return, full-time, beginning with the When Worlds Collide pay-per-view in January 2007 at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. Biggie provided an opening address to the program, but played no further role. Many fans wanted Biggie to return full-time however, as observers considered Biggie to be in the best shape of his career in early 2007.
Their opportunity arrived when Marz feuded with Team EV. Marz announced Biggie as his partner for a No Disqualification match against Team EV that was billed as being "Seven Years Late", as it was a cancelled match from the TWF's first pay-per-view. The two shocked the crowd at No Way BacK in March when they reunited in Future Generation-X colours, despite Marz being traditionally associated with the Z-Pack. A few weeks later, BIG was delivering a promo when he was assaulted by a masked man. BIG learned his identity was Jocks upstart Tom Williams, and at Easter HeAT in April, Biggie cost Williams a TWF TV Title match at Hampden Park. BIG also gained attention for attacking Williams's manager, Holly, as well as arguing with the Jocks's special guest, rugby star Gavin Henson, with whom BIG and his family had issues with. Biggie made reference to his Metal Militia around this time, consisting of Marz, Dougie Christian, Jon Bennetta and Frekishi and was a popular faction led by Biggie against the Jocks. With Henson in his corner, Williams would take on Biggie at Last Man Standing in April, but that night, Mr. BIG showed off a new accomplice, Sophie, who helped him attain victory.
Biggie maintained his popularity with Sophie by cutting promos attacking the Jocks, who attempted to enlist Sophie days after her debut in their Changing Room interview segment. It was in a 6-Man Hell in a Cell match at Against All Odds that June (booked as a HIAC match as a nod to the company changing match at the show 5 years earlier) that saw Mr. BIG and his former student The Assassin meet face-to-face for the first time, doing so on top of the cell. After Assassin berated a gathering of TWF legends at Total Chaos, Biggie challenged Assassin to a match at Summer Break VIII in front of 100,000 at the Bridgend Dome. Biggie and Assassin's match, known to many fans as "The Match of the Decade", was later voted match of the year by TWF fans in the annual awards ceremony. However, tides changed in the TWF after that match. Paul Heyman, appointed as on-screen Commissioner in February and creative consultant in April, gained more power within higher-ups in the TWF and positioned himself to take over from Biggie. Heyman's plan was revealed publicly when at Take No Prisoners in September, he revealed he had reformed his Dangerous Alliance stable with Mastermind and The Assassin, after he got Mastermind to lay down for the Assassin - an incident referred to in TWF lore as "Black Sunday".
In Degrees of Sanity Biggie pointed to letting the "Black Sunday" incident take place as being the point he lost control over the company, as he put ratings above the company for the first time, letting Heyman's style come in. Biggie's general dissatisfaction with the company showed in matches through to January 2008, with his only real displays of happiness being when teaming with Frekishi and Marz at Take No Prisoners to defeat the Jocks team in Los Angeles that September, and after losing a Ladder Match for his Managing Director position at PayBacK to Mastermind, shedding tears of joy at the news that Sophie was pregnant by her long-time boyfriend.
BIG had lost the Managing Director position to Heyman legitimately that November, stepping aside for Heyman to take the role, but found his existing CEO role undermined. Heyman completely shook the company, adding a company uniform, forcing wrestlers to arrive to all engagements in formal suits and firing almost every member of backstage staff to be replaced with his own "team". A bigger surprise was to follow - the fans would turn against Mr. BIG for the first time in eight years after he publicly denounced the new ownership at the TWF's first TV show of 2008, leading to a famous promo he cut at the TWF's first pay-per-view of 2008, Total Annihilation. Many Heyman supporters called the promo "White Sunday", as Biggie announced he had finally turned his back on the company he founded and loved. BIG claimed that without him "[South Wales] would be in economic squalor" and then proclaimed that should the Board of Directors call him up "after Heyman screws you all over...this time, there will be no knight in shining armour to pull it out of the doldrums like I did the last time I came back and turned this company around (referring to his return in 2002). And if there is, he's a fucking idiot".
After leaving the TWF, Biggie accepted independent bookings and appeared in many places through out the world. He spent most of his time in his Sanford, Florida home as he performed dates in the United States. As part of this, at one date in Georgia, Biggie teamed up with NJS for the first time in almost three years. Biggie also appeared in mainland Europe for the first time in many years and then made a historic run with shows in Korea, Japan and Australia. After taking some independent dates, Biggie concentrated on his book, Degrees of Sanity, where he revealed he allowed Paul Heyman's plan for Black Sunday to go through having been informed of it, but then realising his position as MD was undermined. When Heyman was deposed as Managing Director of the TWF in July 2008 after being voted out by the Board of Directors, BIG said he was contacted to return, but he declined, stating that he was "burned out" by wrestling both mentally and physically. It was later revealed that he returned to the TWF Booking Team in early August after being asked by his brother Mr. Edwards and Marz to replace Heyman. Biggie's first official date back was at Summer Break IX on August 24. BIG had overseen the dramatic turnaround in the company's fortunes thanks to his input. On January 1, 2009, it was officially announced that he had regained his position as TWF CEO.
After his unofficial return in August 2008, BIG did not made an in-ring appearance on television. His first appearance with the company was an emotional 30th birthday celebration lead by Deadman and NJS at the TWF Arena in October 2008. His second appearance was when he sat at ringside during the closing matches of the TWF's Television Special, the Memory Remains in February 2009, alongside his friend "Lover Boy" Jon Bennetta. However, BIG's personal life has also prevented him from returning. On January 18, 2009, BIG was rushed to hospital after collapsing suddenly at his home. What started as a simple over stretch revealed Biggie's heartbeat had been irregular and he needed an operation to correct it. This prevented him from appearing at the TWF's Tenth Anniversary pay-per-view, No Way BacK, which upset him greatly.
Despite many interviews and comments throughout 2008 stating otherwise, BIG organised a second RWF revival in 2009. In an audio interview with The Sun's WrestleCast, Biggie said that he imagined the RWF being a stepping stone from the TWF's developmental company, PWC, before joining the TWF whilst allowing infrequent TWF stars to gain some ring time in front of a good audience. However, the initial show in June 2009 was criticised for using too many former TWF stars, many of whom appeared "out of shape" and "disinterested" in the product. BIG was also criticised for not attempting to make any new stars, instead of relying on former stars to bring in casual fans. After a second show in July was met with similar criticism, BIG closed the RWF for good, citing that the way he wanted the RWF to run was as a companion to the TWF, not as competition, which is what people wanted.
Rumours surrounding a return to the TWF has been swirling since his appearance at The Memory Remains TV special about an on-screen role being forthcoming, maybe as an authority figure and foil for Commissioner Alexis Polaris. In July 2009, Marz challenged TWF Tag-Team Champions Technically Superior (Disturbed and Zero, two former students of BIG's) to a match for their titles at the TWF's showcase event, Summer Break X in London that August. Marz informed the two that a former TWF legend and a partner of his would return to partner him in the event. For weeks, many names were speculated including High Voltage, The Shott, The Terminator, Hawke and AJ Jeffers. However, at Summer Break X, it was Biggie who returned to the biggest cheers of the night (with Sophie by his side). Marz and Mr. BIG won the match thanks to a BIG Storm and won their second TWF Tag-Team Championship together. During the match, Biggie acknowledged his relationship with Sophie in public for the first time, with two embracing at the conclusion of the match.
On the August 19 edition of Grit BasH, BIG returned to TWF Television with a heartfelt speech regarding his absence and his love of the fans. He was interrupted by "The MasterStroke" Aaron Hill, who had been making outspoken comments about him since his own return to the company in June. Hill's challenge of a match "anytime, anyplace, anywhere" was accepted by Biggie and on the September 02 edition of Grit BasH, the match was announced as being a Hell in a Cell match by Biggie. Hill however created a plan, based off the "Bloodgate" scandal using the assistance of a returning Frekishi to score an upset victory, then attacking BIG after the match until Mastermind made the save. Hill and BIG had a re-match at the TWF Television Special, No Holds Barred on October 2 with the added stipulation that any TWF talent who interfered would be suspended for six months without pay. Hill again had a trick up his sleeve, using former BPA manager Sarah Thomas (also making her return) as a distraction to help with another victory.
Hill formed his own faction to battle against BIG and Marz's reformed Metal Militia, named "The Foals" "as it's a collection of young kids who don't get a chance against the Biggie machine", which was derided by Mr. BIG in a memorable promo on the October 07 Grit BasH when BIG informed them that Frekishi was older than he was and Marz was younger than half of the Foals members. Tensions between Biggie and Marz began to appear however as the two's egos began to clash and Biggie had personal issues (his relationship with Sophie was deteriorating, immediate family members fell ill, criticism of his matches since his return) which played on his mind. After being pinned by Hill's tag-team partner Hulmes at Halloween Hell in a Six-Man Tag-Team match, Marz shoved BIG and left the arena without him and the two argued at every opportunity there after, with Hill and Hulmes proudly boasting that they had cracked Biggie and Marz's fragile relationship and would only need to show up at Dangerously Serious to win the Tag-Team Championships. Despite arguing through the whole match and much miscommunication, Biggie and Marz revealed that they had been fooling Hill and Hulmes all along, hitting Hill with their Endgame finisher to retain their championships.
Biggie's return to the TWF in 2002 saw him reinstated as TWF CEO, and as a result, he carried the TWF back to popularity in their home market of Wales. But, Marz's ownership continued and he was still extremely unpopular. Marz was finally deposed as TWF Chairman in June 2002, leading Mr. BIG to reappoint his brother Mr. Edwards as Chairman and Grandfather Doug as Managing Director. This configuration was the longest in TWF history, lasting almost 4 years. Marz used his experience and fame from the TWF to turn his Kick-Ass Wrestling Federation that was originally a "side show" into a full-blown promotion, re-named Total Extreme Championship Wrestling. Marz wrapped the TWF up in hypocrisy, criticising the TWF for attempting a brand extension with the RWF (which lasted exactly 3 TWF RAWs before the ratings dropped so badly the TWF got the show back - during his ownership nonetheless) when he was doing the same for his TECW. Marz managed to negotiate a contract with Sky One on Wednesday and Friday nights and took on the TWF head on.
This was initially a success. Many TWF wrestlers were tempted by the money Marz was offering (thanks to Sky's deal) and the promise of great pushes. This did not materialise. The matches were poor, the interviews and promos even worse, thanks to Marz hiring failed soap opera writers to write story lines. Marz's moment in the sun was when he famously published his "alliance" with Vince McMahon and the WWE. The two companies traded shots back and fourth both on TV and online, which included both companies hacking each other's websites and discussion forums.
As stars began returning to the TWF, disgruntled with TECW's system, Biggie finally got his revenge on the company. He was booked to face TECW World Champion, The Shott, on an episode of Grit BasH and in a huge upset with TECW superstars surrounding the ring and Marz as timekeeper, Biggie pinned The Shott and quickly left the ring with TECW's World Championship belt. Many fans are still uncertain as to how this was arranged, and many believe that despite claims otherwise, the combatants were in on the result and wanted to spike ratings. Others dispel the notion thanks to the events on the following episode of TWF TV. On RAW, Biggie revealed his latest protégé had been wrestling in TECW for many months: The Assassin. He presented the title to The Assassin, who led the cameras out to outside the arena on October 7, 2002 and dumped the World Championship in the trash. TECW renamed itself Nuclear Championship Wrestling on October 28, but after Assassin literally dumped the World Title in the garbage, TECW was never mentioned on TWF TV again.
On June 25, 2003, TECW was declared bankrupt and was being closed. Later that night on an episode of Grit BasH, Mr. BIG, Mr. Edwards and Doug Edwards "buried" NCW in a mock funeral that was cheered on by TWF fans. Although there were initial apprehensions, Marz returned to the TWF in 2003, as the company's most over heel for practically three years until he had an amazing face turn in 2007.
Through his charisma demonstrated during his wrestling promos, Edwards became a hot commodity in television. He hosted the 2005 revival of Pyramid on ITV1, and followed it up by hosting a revived edition of game show Concentration for ITV1 later that year.
Around this time, his chat show The Last Word began airing on ITV1. The show won much praise for adapting the late night talk show format made popular in the US for a UK audience. After two seasons, ITV dropped the show, much to the dismay of Edwards and his production staff. However, Sky1 picked up the show for its third season and extended the show’s airtime from 45 minutes to an hour in 2007. However, the show has not aired since then and the ending of the third series coincided with the troubles Rhys was experiencing in the TWF. Edwards was also approached to be a gladiator and/or present the revived Gladiators for Sky1 in 2008, but he suggested his former TWF rival Hawke for the job. Hawke screen-tested for the role, but was unsuccessful, losing out to Ian Wright. In November 2009, ITV announced that the show would return on December 14, 2009 for a four week run on Monday and Thursday nights at 11:00pm.
Between 2006 and 2008, Rhys kept a diary written in the form of a blog on his computer. Entries he wrote formed the bulk of his book Degrees of Sanity. Rhys admitted that almost all of the book's content is his, but did have a ghost-writer go through the book for inconsistencies and grammatical errors. The book was a best-seller and contained frank thoughts from Edwards about his duties as Managing Director, his relationship with Sophie and other members of the TWF roster, his colourful conversations with best friend NJS over "quite literally everything" to life on the road as a wrestler, and his general thoughts about life. During his 2008 hiatus, Rhys toured the UK promoting the book, appearing in many bookstores as well as an appearance at some literary festivals to discuss the book, where it received favourable reviews even from non-wrestling fans. In a November 2009 interview, it was revealed that a prequel and what was deemed "a proper autobiography" was in the works and would be released in early 2011.
Edwards is the third of four children, with his elder brother and youngest sister involved in wrestling. His elder brother is TWF Chairman, Mr. Edwards, whilst his youngest sister is former TWF Women's Champion, Atomically Kool Kat. Rhys' eldest sister is not directly involved in the wrestling business, but for a short time, ran the TWF's security along with her husband. Along with all his siblings, Rhys is a fluent Welsh speaker, but admits himself he does not speak the language as much as he did since he switched schools in his pre-teens. Rhys's grandfather, Doug, financed much of the TWF's early going and was the TWF's Managing Director for two periods, the most well-known of which was between 2002 and 2005. Biggie is also a trainer and is responsible for training some of the TWF's biggest stars including The Assassin, High Voltage, Disturbed, Zero amongst others, as well as other superstars alongside his friends Marz and NJS.
Rhys is well-known for a string of famous girlfriends. He has at one point or another, dated most of his former TWF managers, including most famously Holly, bringing their bitter personal split into the work place. Edwards was seen to be stepping out with Sophie, a long-time friend who he comforted after her long-term boyfriend walked out on her after a tragic miscarriage, between 2007 and 2009. In late 2008 in an interview for a local radio station, he confirmed he had been single for almost 3 years. When he returned to the TWF in 2009, Rhys returned with Sophie and confirmed in later interviews that the two had been dating since March 2009, after Sophie returned from a business trip to New York (she initially wanted to start a graphic fashion design agency in NYC, but had a change of heart and moved in with Rhys). In September 2009, Sophie was arrested and subsequently bailed for an assault on an un-named female on a night out. Eventually Sophie was cleared in November 2009 but the damage her reputation had taken in the process as well as accusations of betraying Edwards meant the two's personal and professional relationship came to an end.
A passion for heavy metal and hard rock dominates Rhys's personal life, being a well-known figure at concerts in the South Wales area. Edwards has an impressive collection of t-shirts he has collected at concerts in the past which he is reluctant to part company with. Rhys has said in interviews that his favourite bands were Disturbed, Megadeth and Iron Maiden. He has also cited a like for Italian food in the past. Rhys's love of Cherry Coke has extended into the wrestling arena, and he often celebrates victory drinking the beverage with fans in the front rows of arenas. Edwards is a well-known fan of soccer team Manchester United, a team he has followed since his youth. Rhys played up to county level soccer in his early-teens, but gave it up to wrestle. Rhys is also an avid ice hockey fan, becoming a Detroit Red Wings fan during his time in the US, and a Cardiff Devils fan in his home country.
Edwards has two properties of note: his home in Bridgend where he spends a majority of his time, as well as a property in Sanford, Florida. Rhys did have plans to buy a house in Detroit, Michigan, but decided against it in 2008. Also worth noting is his car collection, which was showcased when he was part of a segment on MTV Cribs along with his house in Bridgend. Edwards currently owns a Ferrari F430 Spider, Audi R8 (added in November 2009 after it was remarked by his parents that he "doesn't treat himself enough") as well as a 1969 Ford Mustang, the latter he restored to full working order during his hiatus in 2006, a task described in his book as being "equal to winning the World Championship".
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