He arrived in America on a cargo ship, they say, with nothing but a pipe wrench and a leather jacket. Now Theo "British" Steele runs the most unconventional plumbing crew on the East Coast.
The British Steele Gang, as they're known, operates out of a converted garage in Atlanta's industrial district. By day, they're licensed plumbing contractors. By night, they're the region's most feared motorcycle club.
“Crossing us is bad for one's health. In plumbing and in life.”
"Crossing us is bad for one's health," Steele explained in his thick London accent, polishing a chrome exhaust pipe. "In plumbing and in life."
The gang's reputation for quality work is matched only by their reputation for intimidation. Competitors speak of late-night visits, slashed tires, and mysteriously rerouted sewage.
Steele dismisses such talk as "professional jealousy." But his crew's rapid expansion—from three members to thirty in just two years—suggests more than quality craftsmanship at work.
The PPLA has embraced British Steele as one of its most colorful personalities. His matches draw some of the league's highest ratings, with audiences fascinated by his leather-clad persona and brutal efficiency.
"The man is a character," admits Dick Cedar. "But he gets results. That's all that matters in this business."
When asked about his alliance with Cedar, given their vastly different backgrounds, Steele simply smiled. "We recognize kindred spirits, mate. Dick and I both understand that in this world, you're either a predator or prey."
