Joe Cullen, famously known as ‘The Rockstar,’ has carved out a career in darts marked by both brilliant triumphs and heart-wrenching near misses. From his early days as a promising talent to clinching his first major TV title at the 2022 Masters, Cullen has consistently captivated audiences with his electrifying play. However, his journey is also defined by a recurring theme: countless dramatic, high-stakes matches that often slip away in the final moments, leaving fans on the edge of their seats and cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting, yet often unlucky, figures.
The Early Promise and World Championship Woes
Joe Cullen’s talent was evident early on. The year 2011 saw him emerge as a significant prospect, securing three PDC Youth Tour titles, including a notable victory over future World Champion Michael Smith in the final. This period clearly signposted a bright future for ‘The Rockstar’ in the darting world.
However, the prestigious World Darts Championship stage at Alexandra Palace proved a formidable challenge during his initial six years. Cullen managed only a single win, and that was merely a preliminary round match. In every other appearance, he exited in the first round. While this record might seem disheartening, it’s crucial to acknowledge the circumstances:
- Unseeded Status: As an unseeded player, Cullen consistently faced top-tier opponents early in the tournament.
- Formidable Foes: His draws were notoriously tough, pitting him against seasoned stars like Terry Jenkins (twice), three-time World Champion John Part, and Peter Wright (in the year Wright first reached the World Final).
- Reigning Champion Clash: Most notably, in 2015, he faced and lost to the then-reigning World Champion, Michael van Gerwen.
Cullen’s luck at the Worlds finally turned in 2017. He delivered a polished performance, averaging 100.88 to defeat Corey Cadby 3 sets to 1. Though he faced another tough assignment in the second round against two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis, losing in straight sets, it marked a significant step forward.
Breaking Through: Pro Tour Success and European Dominance
April 2017 was a landmark month for Cullen as he secured his first-ever Players Championship event title, beating Daryl Gurney in the final. He added a second Pro Tour title later that same year, showcasing his growing prowess on the circuit. After a brief wait, he claimed his third Pro Tour title in 2020, and then truly hit his stride, winning two titles in each of 2021, 2022, and 2025, establishing himself as a formidable force in floor tournaments.
Cullen has also made his mark on the European Tour, clinching three titles:
- 2019 European Darts Matchplay
- 2020 International Darts Open
- 2022 Hungarian Darts Trophy
The Infamous ‘Fly-gate’ and Other Dramatic Encounters
The 2018 World Matchplay saw Cullen make significant progress, having previously lost all three of his first-round matches. ‘The Rockstar’ delivered dominant victories over Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney, setting up a highly anticipated quarter-final clash with two-time World Champion Gary Anderson.
This quarter-final match remains one of the most talked-about classics in Winter Gardens history. It was a dramatic, high-scoring affair filled with big finishes, including Cullen’s spectacular 170 ‘big fish’ checkout. The match eventually went to a tie-break, with Anderson prevailing 19 legs to 17. The defining moment, however, came at 15-14 in Cullen’s favour, with him holding a match dart. Just as he prepared to throw, a rogue fly appeared in his eye line, causing him to miss. This pivotal moment led to the match being famously dubbed “Fly-gate,” a testament to the bizarre and heartbreaking nature of his defeat.
Cullen’s 2018 European Championship campaign was equally eventful. In his quarter-final against Rob Cross, he found himself trailing 1-6 legs, seemingly out of the competition. Yet, in a stunning display of resilience, ‘The Rockstar’ mounted a superb comeback to win 10-8. His semi-final match against Simon Whitlock followed a similar dramatic arc. Cullen held a commanding 10-7 lead, seemingly on track for the final, but Whitlock conjured a late rally to defeat him dramatically 11-10.
World Championship Heartbreaks and Major Breakthrough
Despite his growing success, the World Championship continued to serve up dramatic, often painful, encounters for Cullen. He was involved in an enthralling Last 16 match against Michael van Gerwen, where he raced into a 3 sets to 1 lead before ‘MVG’ found a purple patch to turn the match around, winning 4 sets to 3. The 2024 Worlds saw another highly entertaining Last 16 battle against eventual champion Luke Humphries, with Cullen losing in a sudden-death leg of the seventh and final set – a truly agonizing defeat.
Another classic World Championship encounter saw Cullen fall three sets behind in a race to four. He then sparked into life, winning three consecutive sets to force a decider, only to lose yet again in a sudden-death leg. These moments have underscored a recurring theme in Cullen’s career: his unfortunate habit of losing many high-quality, classic PDC televised major matches in the latter stages.
However, 2022 brought a monumental breakthrough at The Masters. ‘The Rockstar’ embarked on an incredible run, defeating Daryl Gurney, Gary Anderson (emphatically, 10-1), Michael van Gerwen, and Jose de Sousa. This set up his first-ever PDC televised major final against Dave Chisnall, with both players vying for their maiden major title. In a tense final, Cullen held his nerve to win 11 legs to 9, finally clinching that elusive first PDC TV title.
Winning The Masters earned Cullen a coveted spot in his debut Premier League season. It proved to be another memorable campaign, as he finished fourth in the league phase to secure a playoff spot. He impressively defeated Clayton 10-4 in the semi-finals, setting up a rematch with Michael van Gerwen in the final. In a nail-biting encounter, Cullen agonisingly missed a match dart to defeat ‘MVG’, who ultimately prevailed 11-10. This was another testament to his ability to reach the very top, but also to the fine margins that have often gone against him.
The Rockstar’s Enduring Legacy
Joe Cullen’s career is a compelling narrative of immense talent, relentless determination, and an uncanny ability to be at the centre of darting drama. While he has secured major titles and consistently performs at the highest level, his reputation is also woven with the threads of those spectacular, near-miss matches. He remains ‘The Rockstar’ – a player who always entertains, always battles, and always leaves a lasting impression, whether in victory or in the most dramatic of defeats.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
