Adrian McCallum, Lionheart, has passed away aged 36. The reigning ICW champion was a long standing British Pro who connected the scene from the dark days of the early 2000s to its new high watermark and was widely seen as a father figure to many of the British talents that now stride the world.

The promoter of Pro Wrestling Elite was considered one of the premier heels in the industry and his attitude to work was both caring and direct. A true locker room leader who was on a high run in his career at the time of his passing.

Having started on the British Indie circuit, he made his debut for ICW in 2008, but his first prominent national run came in Preston City Wrestling. The company was trying to deliver a higher polish to production values and the Scot was a perfect heel fit for the organisation.

However, the run nearly culminated in the end of his career. He took a bad bump from a Styles Clash that broke his neck. Having been told he’d never walk again, he was back in the ring within eighteen months, and would eventually face AJ Styles.

His momentum returned and, with the mass exodus of British talent to WWE, he became a vital drawing card for ICW who repaid their faith in him with a Championship run cruelly cut short by his death.

Tributes came from across the wrestling world perhaps none more touching than from his friend and colleague Grado.

Love you my brother.
The Champ.
RIP @LionheartUK – we will never ever forget you.
Thank you for everything you done for the British wrestling scene…but more importantly for being our pal x pic.twitter.com/p1Nycvx1TU

— GRADO (@gradowrestling) June 19, 2019

We far too often have to say in this industry phrases like “Gone before his time.” In this case, it is highly appropriate because his time was now.

Rest easy Lionheart, worker, promoter and mentor. This industry will miss you.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8KY_SR-9gI]

All pics and videos courtesy of ICW