| Frankie Starr | |
|---|---|
| |
| Details | |
| Ring name(s) | Frankie Starr Riley Martin Riley Rampage |
| Height | 6'5" |
| Weight | 245 lbs. |
| Born | July 7, 1980 (Detroit, Michigan) |
| Resides | Detroit, Michigan |
| Billed From | Detroit, Michigan Hollywood, California |
| Debut | 2004 |
| Retired | November 18, 2015 |
Riley Joseph Martin (born July 7, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan) is a retired American professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Frankie Starr. He is best known for his time in Soul Wrestling Incorporated, where he is a one-time SWI World Champion, a record four-time SWI North American Champion, and a two-time SWI World Tag Team Champion (once with Rainmaster and once with Waylon Kenney). Frankie was inducted into the SWI Hall of Fame in 2017.
Soul Wrestling Incorporated[]
Undefeated streak and Trinity (2006 - 2008)[]
Prior to signing with SWI, Martin competed on the indies as Riley Rampage as well as his real name. When SWI signed him in late 2006, he developed the character Frankie Starr, taking his first name from TNA wrestler Frankie Kazarian and his last name from KWA legend Carter Starr. Frankie's gimmick was that of a self-obsessed bodybuilder with supposed connections to Hollywood. Frankie made his debut on the November 25 episode of Apocalypse, attacking the Calgary Cowboys during their match with each other and cutting a promo after about how he was the future of SWI. He made his in-ring debut the following week by defeating Christopher Evans. A week later, he defeated Jason Hardcore to qualify for Team SWI for their match with Team Fallout at Destiny Fulfilled. The team was victorious at Destiny Fulfilled, with Frankie pinning Daniel Ness with the Starrmaker.
The following month, Frankie resumed his rivalry with the Cowboys, defeating them in singles matches on Apocalypse and in a handicap match at Beginning Anew. Frankie would continue to go undefeated for the following months. At Questions Unanswered, Frankie fought SP Robertson to a draw in a match to determine the #1 Contender to the SWI World Championship. The following month at Renewal, Frankie's undefeated streak came to an end when Team Edgemaster lost to Team SP, with SP pinning Frankie after a Robbed Blind onto a chair. After the match, Edgemaster and Rainmaster joined Frankie in attacking SP. The following week, the three of them referred to themselves as Trinity. Later in the show, Frankie defeated Jason Hardcore to win the SWI North American Championship.
At Disasterpiece, Frankie lost the title to CK Miles in a Ladder match. During the conclusion of the match, CK delivered the Crash and Burn to Frankie off of a ladder onto the ground below, legitimately breaking Frankie's nose in the process. Frankie then proceeded to wear a Guy Fawkes protective face mask for the next few weeks while his injury healed. On the August 11 episode of Apocalypse, Frankie and Rainmaster defeated the Calgary Cowboys to win the SWI World Tag Team Championship. They defended the titles against XS3 and Joey McFarlane at Unholy Confessions before losing the titles to Waylon Kenney and Kelsey Phoenix at Betrayal. At Kill or Be Killed: The Final Chapter, Trinity teamed with Joey McFarlane in a losing effort to Necrosphere, CK Miles, and XS3. During SWI's Underground Era, Frankie continued to team with Trinity. Frankie defeated Darren Phoenix at Rise of the Forces to win his second North American title. He defended the title against Darren, Kelsey, and CK before losing to Tannark Fisher at Betrayal.
Teaming with Rainmaster and World Champion (2009 - 2010)[]
When SWI came back at the start of the year, Trinity reunited without Rainmaster, who was kicked out and beaten down by Edgemaster and Luthrion. Trinity defeated Rainmaster and SP Robertson in a Handicap match at Beginning Anew: The Rebirth. Frankie then cost Edgemaster his match against Rainmaster at Challenging Adversity, turning face in the process. Frankie said that Rainmaster's good deeds during his disappearance made him see the error of his ways. Rainmaster and Frankie reunited to defeat Edgemaster and Luthrion at Rise of the Forces. Frankie competed for the SWI World Championship in a ladder match at Questions Unanswered, but was unsuccessful when Joey McFarlane knocked him off the ladder and grabbed the title for the retain. Frankie then lost to Edgemaster at Renewal.
Frankie restarted his rivalry with Luthrion at the end of the year, defeating him in a Kendo Stick on a Pole match at Destiny Fulfilled. The following month at Beginning Anew, Frankie defeated Rainmaster and Luthrion to win the SWI World Championship, making him the company's third Triple Crown Champion and the first since the company's reboot. Frankie retained the title against Rainmaster at Challenging Adversity and against Ken Davids and Necrosphere. Eventually, Frankie lost the title to Davids at Renewal, then lost a Lumberjack rematch at Independence. Frankie had title shots at Disasterpiece and Kill or Be Killed, but lost both matches when CK Miles emerged victorious. On December 18, Frankie reunited with Edgemaster and Rainmaster to defeat CK Miles and The Ministry. The victory was dedicated to Luthrion, who had passed away the night before.
Team CK and North American Champion (2011 - 2012)[]
On the June 4, 2011 episode of Apocalypse, following a loss to The Monstourage for the SWI World Tag Team Championship, Rainmaster and Frankie Starr went their separate ways. The following week, Frankie cost Bad Attitude Inc. their match against CK Miles and Thunder Train, turning heel in the process. This led to Rainmaster attacking his former partner. At Disasterpiece, Frankie and Justine Vaine defeated Rainmaster and Lisa Cross. Team CK then lost to Team Attitude at Unholy Confessions in a Steel Cage match. Frankie then lost to Rainmaster in a Dog Collar match on Apocalypse, temporarily ending their feud.
At Broken Chains, Frankie defeated Rainmaster and Nicholai Ivanov to win his third SWI North American Championship. The following month at Destiny Fulfilled, Frankie defeated Rainmaster in a 2/3 Tables match to retain the title and end their feud. Frankie lost the North American title to Gene Van Tyler in a Four Corners Elimination match at Rise of the Forces, but regained the title for a record-breaking fourth time two weeks later on Apocalypse. Frankie lost the title to Nicholai Ivanov in a Russian Chain match at Independence, but managed to qualify for the Versus the World match by defeating Kellen Sampson. Frankie lost the Versus the World match, then lost to Tannark the following month at Unholy Confessions.
Starrway Enterprises, singles career, and departure (2013 - 2015)[]
Frankie, frustrated with being left off of the card for Destiny Fulfilled, joined fellow disgruntled wrestler Waylon Kenney in forming Starrway Enterprises, adding Carter Starr, Daniel Ness, Jeffy, and The Brothers Grimm to their ranks over the course of the year. Frankie challenged for the SWI World Championship at Challenging Adversity, but lost to Blackwolf. Frankie challenged for the World title two more times (once in June, and once at Disasterpiece), but lost both times. At Beginning Anew, Starrway Enterprises kicked Carter out of the group, with Frankie and Waylon taking leadership of the group on the following episode of Apocalypse. At Questions Unanswered, following their victory in the Team England Invitational Tournament, Frankie and Waylon won the SWI World Tag Team Championship from Team England. The two lost the titles to Worldwide Truth & Freedom at Independence 9, following interference from Carter Starr. Frankie, swearing revenge, faced Carter at Versus the World in a losing effort.
Following an unsuccessful attempt to break Mikey Stone's spirit, Frankie and Ness lost to The Stones at Beginning Anew, and then lost a Losing Team Disbands Ladder Match at Challenging Adversity. Waylon then turned on Frankie and Ness, effectively ending Starrway Enterprises. Frankie defeated Waylon at Rise of the Forces, but their feud resumed as Waylon cost Frankie a chance at winning the SWI World Championship at Questions Unanswered. Frankie's feud with Waylon ended when he teamed with Ness to face Waylon and Nicholai in a Steel Cage match at Independence 10 in a losing effort, though he made amends with Waylon after the match.
After unsuccessfully challenging Andreas Trinidad for the North American Championship at Unholy Confessions, Frankie then saved Andreas from a sneak attack on the following episode of Apocalypse, turning face for the first time since 2011. On November 18, 2015, Frankie announced he was leaving the company after nine years and retiring to focus on raising his family and becoming a firefighter. He was inducted into the SWI Hall of Fame in May 2017, then made an appearance at RewindMania months later, reuniting with Trinity in a winning effort against W.T.F.
Personal life[]
Martin married his girlfriend of four years Linda Staples on March 14, 2015. The couple have two children together, Joseph Francis Martin (born July 7, 2014) and Jackson Kenneth Martin (born May 13, 2017).
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Starrmaker (Fisherman's suplex hold transitioned into sit-out spinebuster)
- Trademark moves
- Back suplex with hammerlock
- Dropkick
- Elbow drop, preceded by flexing
- Knees to the midsection
- Michinoku driver
- Powerbomb
- Powerslam
- Pumphandle slam
- Stalling scoop slam
- Starr Stunner (Stunner to opponent between the first and second ropes, causing them to fall to the outside)
- Swinging neckbreaker
- Managers
- Kiara
- Nicknames
- "The Superstar"
- Entrance themes
- "Superstar" by Saliva (November 26, 2006 - June 2, 2007; March 7, 2009 - January 27, 2013)
- "Heart Shaped Box" by Nirvana (June 2, 2007 - October 28, 2007; January 25, 2009 - March 7, 2009)
- "Mainlining Murder" by Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards (February 2, 2013 - November 18, 2015)
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Soul Wrestling Incorporated
- SWI World Championship (1 time)
- SWI World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Rainmaster (1) and Waylon Kenney (1)
- SWI North American Championship (4 times)
- SWI Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)
- Third Triple Crown Champion
- Feud of the Year 2011 - Team CK vs. Team Attitude
- Feud of the Year 2013 - Starrway Enterprises vs. The Unrest