Scheide (Ultimate)

Blade is the stage name of British sports entertainment professional Jordan Wade (born 17th May 1996), who competes in the sports entertainment brand Ultimate.

Early life
Wade was born on 17th May 1996, in Leeds, UK. His father left the family when he was three years old, leaving him to be raised by his mother Jacqueline and his grandmother Eileen.

He attended Twin Oaks High School in Leeds, and was frequently in trouble for fighting with other students and being disrespectful to staff. He often played truant, spending hours in a local back street gym where he would lift weights and practise callisthenics. He got to know the owner of the establishment, former boxing promoter Brian Wilcox. Wade confided in him about his struggles at school, and told him about the intense aggression he felt towards society, his absent father and himself. Wilcox began to mentor him, helping him to channel his aggression.

Scouting
In 2015, Wilcox was approached by Ultimate development manager Brandon Weeting, who was visiting the UK to scout for potential talent in boxing and Crossfit circles. Wilcox mentioned this to Wade, who was immediately interested and persuaded Weeting to give him a chance to audition.

At the audition, Weeting was impressed by Wade's physicality, but felt that he had too little experience of combat sports to join the development roster. Upon hearing the decision, Wade became intensely angry and launched a tirade at Weeting, extolling his own virtues. Weeting realised that with some polishing Wade could be a powerful character, and offered him a development contract on the spot. Wade accepted immediately, and moved to the United States as soon as he obtained a visa.

Development and breakthrough
Wade spent two months at the Ultimate Development Center in Ballerma, California. He was given the stage name Blade, referring to his agility and position at the 'cutting edge' of a new generation of talent. His status as a 'heel' (an antagonist or 'bad guy') was never in doubt, and his natural self-confidence and disrespect for authority was incorporated into his Ultimate character.

His full Ultimate debut came at an exhibition match in November 2014 in Toulon, Nevada, in which he earned a surprise victory against Kestrel. He quickly became a fan favourite, developing a reputation as an egotistical, narcissistic villain. He proclaimed himself as a young upstart who was so talented that he was the inevitable future Ultimate Champion. He has embarked on numerous storyline feuds with established competitors, and has gained infamy for his shameless self-promotion and blatant disrespect for more experienced figures in Ultimate, the Authority and crowds.

Style and character
As Blade, Wade has developed a strong persona as the archetypal narcissistic "bad boy jock", who insults his opponents (and spectators) and brags about his own prowess, athleticism and good looks. He is fond of goading the crowd, remarking that the boos and jeers only excite him further. He frequently interferes in other competitors' promos and interviews, and often picks fights on the arena floor, backstage and outside. Wade has admitted that his Blade persona is only an exaggerated version of his own personality, likening it to "being an actor, but playing myself."

He is known for his assertive, high-energy bouting style, favouring agility and manoeuvring over brute strength. He has developed long-running storyline feuds with numerous other competitors, including Warhorse, Spectre and Roman. During promotions, opponents typically mock his youth, his egotistical personality and his very skimpy attire.

Attire
Blade is known for his distinctive attire, which represents a major departure from what would be traditionally associated with an Ultimate heel. He competes wearing nothing but black briefs, with orange knee-pads and a pair of white trainers instead of the traditional boots. This extremely minimal 'costume' accentuates both his sculpted physique and his rebellious, supremely self-confident persona. Ultimate character designer Barbara Tarrant explained:"'We've got this hot-headed, cocky guy who also happens to be drop-dead gorgeous and have an amazing body. The character creates itself. We know he's going to be a stirrer, a challenger, someone who plays by his own rules. The ladies love him, the guys want to be him, so we give him the attire to match: he goes out there with practically nothing on. We make sure that everyone knows that he's literally wearing as little as possible: completely shirtless, tiny, tight trunks with nothing underneath, and he doesn't even wear any socks."Unlike almost all other Ultimate competitors, Blade lacks - deliberately - a separate dress attire, so he performs promotions, conducts interviews and goes backstage in his extremely minimal match attire, even on occasions when he is not even scheduled to compete. The fact that Blade never appears in-character wearing anything more than his ring attire has become an established part of his persona, and has resulted in him making public and TV appearances wearing nothing but his briefs, knee-pads and trainers.

Wade has revealed that he suggested the attire himself and enjoys wearing so little, remarking, "it makes me feel completely naked... and I love it."

Personal life
When he is not touring with Ultimate, Wade lives in Graceville, California.

Quotes

 * "People say that I'm arrogant, but I'm not. I'd be arrogant if I thought I was the best. I know I'm the best."
 * "I'm going to the top, and I'm leaving you behind."
 * "I'd trample my own grandmother to get to the top."
 * "My favourite thing to talk about is how great I am."
 * "Your mistake wasn't thinking you could beat me. Your mistake was thinking you deserve to be beaten by me."
 * "Of course I'm not wearing very much. A body this good shouldn't be hidden."
 * "I'm very well aware that I'm dripping with sweat. At least I'm not dripping in weakness and failure."
 * "[My attire] makes me feel completely naked - and I love it."