SportBurton Albionuk-wweWWE

Stuart Tomlinson, Ex-Burton Goalkeeper, WWE's First British Star

'I Got Slammed Down 50 Times The Other Day' - Meet The Ex League Two Keeper Who's Now A WWE Star
The Huffington Post UK
|

Former Burton Albion goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson was forced to hang up his boots last summer following a serious knee ligament injury. However, by training seven-hours-a-day he has developed the strength, agility and stamina to become the first British superstar of the WWE.

In an interview with Men’s Health, Tomlinson talked about entering the ring in the States, how he has adapted his training to build extreme muscle and being slammed around by a mixed bag of training partners.

“I train with a 6ft 8in, 26st American strongman, female arm wrestling pros and bikini models," Tomlinson said. "They’re all dynamic. If you can’t move, you’re no good.”

Open Image Modal

Tomlinson played for League Two side Burton Albion before he retired

“In the US, it’s not about how fast you can get in and out. They tell you to take as much rest as you need to do all your reps with as much weight as you can.”

Open Image Modal

Tomlinson admitted he does not eat until midday

“I never have breakfast. I train on an empty stomach and don’t eat until midday. I don’t like to jump around when I’m full.”

Tomlinson added: “I got slammed about 50 times the other day. We’re learning how to do it safely but I still feel like I’ve got whiplash.”

Full interview appears in the May issue of Men’s Health, on sale Friday 4 April. Also available as a digital edition. Photographs by David Venn.

WWE Wrestlemania 29
Jose Alberto Rodriguez(01 of21)
Open Image Modal
Jose Alberto Rodriguez, of Mexico, known as Alberto Del Rio, holds up the championship belt after defeating Jacob "Jake" Hager, Jr., known as Jack Swagger, during the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Jacob "Jake" Hager, Jose Alberto Rodríguez(02 of21)
Open Image Modal
Jacob "Jake" Hager, Jr., known as Jack Swagger, left, locks up the leg of Jose Alberto Rodríguez, of Mexico, known as Alberto Del Rio, during the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
John Cena, Dwayne Douglas Johnson(03 of21)
Open Image Modal
Wrestler John Cena, top, chokes Dwayne Douglas Johnson, known as The Rock as they wrestle Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., during Wrestlemania. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Paul Michael Levesque(04 of21)
Open Image Modal
Wrestler Paul Michael Levesque, known as Triple H,holds up a hammer as he wrestles Brock Lesnar Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., during Wrestlemania. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Jose Alberto Rodríguez(05 of21)
Open Image Modal
Jose Alberto Rodríguez, of Mexico, known as Alberto Del Rio, celebrates after defeating Jacob "Jake" Hager, Jr., known as Jack Swagger, during the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
John Cena, Dwayne Douglas Johnson(06 of21)
Open Image Modal
Wrestler John Cena, left, wrestles with Dwayne Douglas Johnson, known as The Rock Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., during Wrestlemania. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Mark William Calaway, Phillip Jack Brooks(07 of21)
Open Image Modal
Wrestler Mark William Calaway, known as Undertaker, right, hits Phillip Jack Brooks known as CM Punk as they wrestle Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., during Wrestlemania. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
John Cena, Dwayne Douglas Johnson(08 of21)
Open Image Modal
Wrestler John Cena, top, chokes Dwayne Douglas Johnson, known as The Rock as they wrestle Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., during Wrestlemania. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Ryan Reeves, Mark Henry(09 of21)
Open Image Modal
Ryan Reeves, known as Ryback, lifts Mark Henry during their match at the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i, Paul Randall Wight, Jr.(10 of21)
Open Image Modal
Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i, known as Roman Reigns, top, locks up Paul Randall Wight Jr., known as Big Show, during the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Chris Sladic,(11 of21)
Open Image Modal
Fan Chris Sladic, of the Bronx borough of New York, waits for the start of the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. Sladic said he has waited all his life for this. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
(12 of21)
Open Image Modal
Fans watch the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Stephen Farrelly(13 of21)
Open Image Modal
Stephen Farrelly, of Ireland, known as Sheamus, answers a question during a news conference before the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Stephen Farrelly(14 of21)
Open Image Modal
Stephen Farrelly, of Ireland, known as Sheamus, answers a question during a news conference before the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
John Cena(15 of21)
Open Image Modal
John Cena answers a question during a news conference before the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
John Cena(16 of21)
Open Image Modal
John Cena speaks Chinese for Chinese reporters during a news conference before the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
John Cena(17 of21)
Open Image Modal
John Cena answers a question during a news conference before the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Ryan Reeves(18 of21)
Open Image Modal
People gather ringside to listen to professional wrestler Ryan Reeves, known as Ryback, at Wrestlemania Axxess event Saturday, April 6, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., ahead of Sunday's Wrestlemania at MetLife stadium. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Ryan Reeves(19 of21)
Open Image Modal
People gather cheer and applaud ringside as they listen to professional wrestler Ryan Reeves, known as Ryback, at the Wrestlemania Axxess event Saturday, April 6, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., ahead of Sunday's Wrestlemania at MetLife stadium. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Mason Ryan(20 of21)
Open Image Modal
Professional wrestler Mason Ryan celebrates his win over Percy Watson at Wrestlemania Axxess event Saturday, April 6, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., ahead of Sunday's Wrestlemania at MetLife stadium. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
(21 of21)
Open Image Modal
People walk around booths near a wresting ring at the Wrestlemania Axxess event, Saturday, April 6, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J., ahead of Sunday's Wrestlemania at MetLife Stadium. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip