Opinion: Discovery Wrestling Goes Lucha (Billy Strachan)

Discovery Wrestling are back again for their second show in as many months as they prepare to go Lucha! Lucha Underground stars Angelico, Shane "Kill Shot" Strickland and "Prince Puma" Ricochet make their way to Edinburgh as 'Jam's House' has another party. With the news of the Superkick Party Volume 2 being halted in April, Discovery Wrestling announced that current Ring of Honor World Champion Jay Lethal would be coming to the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on April 10th and would be defending his ROH Title. So there's a lot going on and this event would be the last chance for many of the Discovery Wrestling stars to make their case to face Lethal.

Discovery have a knack of bringing in some huge names in the world of independent wrestling, from The Young Bucks to Tommy Dreamer, Chris Sabin (their current Y Division Champion) to Mike Mondo, Chris Hero and Crime Time. The sky is certainly the limit for the Edinburgh based promotion. Their recent inclusion in 5 Star Wrestling: ReGenesis on the PlayStation 4, there are more and more eyes on the promotion. They mix the big names from across the pond with the best and brightest the UK has to offer. 

Run by Alan Smith (former pro wrestler Mr News) and Alex Fowlis, they have a great ethic when it comes to giving the fans a show for all ages. They upload their full shows onto YouTube where we get to hear the commentary team of Randy Valentine and Darren T. Goss give their insight, with a Jerry Lawler- Jim Ross quality in bantering but able to also put all focus in the action happening in the ring. As a relatively new company they have put together not only a wrestling show but an experience to those that attend. March 10th will be no different and they've already announced several marquee matches including several debuts and battles that will take place for the first time ever. 

The biggest news coming into this show is the debut of Ricochet, the (literally) bigger news was his opponent…"The Beast of Belfast" Damian O'Connor. Damo has been on the best run of his career, putting on great match after great match against the biggest, the fastest, the strongest and has stood on them all. He's developed a reputation of not only being a great trainer but as a fantastic wrestler who can do things that no man his size should be able to do. Hot off the heels from a TNA UK Tour (that is currently being televised this month) and an ICW World Heavyweight Championship win in his hometown of Belfast, Damo is a man in demand and to see him face the best high flyer in the world will be a special sight. The Jam House will have to go through some renovation work after this match as the roof will be blown off the building.

 The Y Division four way elimination match has become a staple in Discovery Wrestling as it allows debutants to show their stuff. It's also seen some of the best in the UK compete with Aspen Faith, Ian Ambrose and BT Gunn being just a few names. This time there is an international feel with Lucha DS (Mexican?), a graduate of the PBW Academy debuts on the right night as Discovery Wrestling Goes Lucha so it seems a right fit for the mask man, the Cypriot Theo Doros (one of my Ones To Watch this year), the Italian Massimo and the Bollocks Kenny Williams (okay the Bollocks isn't a nationality…). You have the high flyers in Lucha and Kenny, the power of Massimo and the scrappiness of Doros to make one hell of a combination. These matches always have the potential of being showstealers so this could be just that, a showstealer.

One half of BAE Club is in action when Sammii Jayne takes on the debuting Lucy Cole. Cole, another graduate of the PBW Academy (and another of my Ones To Watch) takes on 
a product of the SWA Source Wrestling School. A nice little bit of school rivalry which won't be part of the match. BAE Club are undefeated in Discovery Wrestling and boy, they aren't shy about telling people. Picking up wins over Viper, Nikki Storm, Kay Lee Ray and Bete Noire which is a who's who of Women's wrestling in Scotland. It would be a safe bet to assume that Debbie Sharpe will be getting involved to help her BAE.

Joe Coffey has beaten everyone, bar a double count out to Deviation, so Discovery Wrestling have brought in another challenge in Angelico. If Joe Coffey plans on taking on the Y Division then a win against the high flying Angelico will put another feather in his cap. Coffey has had a remarkable time in Discovery Wrestling facing the likes of Mike Mondo, Chris Hero and Mark Andrews and seeing victory each time.

When Chris Sabin was unable to compete due to injury, his handpicked challenger Lewis Girvan defeated the number one contender Christopher Saynt in November to be crowned the Interim Y Division Champion until Chris Sabin returned. The main event sees Lewis Girvan defend the Interim Y Division Championship against BT Gunn and Shane Strickland. Christopher Saynt cost BT Gunn the title when he attacked Lewis Girvan during Discovery's last visit to the Jam House in February. 'The Scottish Sinner' will no doubt be watching this match very closely as he believes that being champion is his right. 

Ringside tickets have sold out for this event but there is a limited number of general tickets on shop.discoverywrestling.com as of writing. If you're in the Edinburgh area on Thursday, why not go and discover wrestling at The Jam House.

matches announced

Ricochet vs Damian O'Connor

Aspen Faith vs Michael Chase

Joe Coffey vs Angelico

Sammii Jayne w/Debbie Sharpe vs Lucy Cole

*Y Division Four Way*
Lucha DS vs Kenny Williams vs Theo Doros vs Massimo

*Interim Y Division Championship*
Lewis Girvan © vs BT Gunn vs Shane Strickland

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Guest Article: Scotland's Ones to Watch in 2016 (Billy Strachan)

Last year I kicked off my Across the Pond Wrestling blogging with a One To Watch article , talking about who to look out for in 2015. I think my picks did quite well and as we're beginning another year, I thought I would share with you my ones to watch for the upcoming 12 months.

aaron echo

PBW Academy standout Aaron Echo is one that I've had an eye on in 2015. He's big, deceptively quick and charismatic which are all fantastic traits to have in wrestling. The Premier British Wrestling Academy has a knack of training great all rounders and Echo is no different, he also has an incredible aura around him that carries forward and makes him look like a star. I think he will be a staple in Scotland sooner rather than later.


Aaron Echo on Facebook

ljt

A veteran in many ways, having been around for a few years now, 2015 was really a year that LJT will remember. Winning both titles in Scottish Wrestling Entertainment, including matches against Juventud Guerrera and Brian Kendrick, a blistering match with Lewis Girvan at Reckless Intent, winning the RI Super B.O.W.L. earlier in the year. It's looking good for "The Rebel With A Cause", I would love to see him appearing for other promotions like Discovery or Pride Wrestling in 2016, maybe a turn at Scottish Wrestling Alliance as I think he and Ryan Griffin would have a belter of a match over the Junior Heavyweight Title.


LJT on Facebook

theo doros

From The West Lothian Pro Wrestling School, this young man has been making quite an impression down in Reckless Intent. Regularly putting in big, gutsy performances against larger opponents in size and reputation. Having held the Sunday Slam Wrestling Championship for most of the year, he's faced the likes of Massimo Italiano and Lewis GIrvan which has seen him hold onto the title through determination and hard work. The fans have really taken to the Cypriot and are very vocal in supporting him. He's got a good look and certainly has the skill to go far.


Theo Doros on Facebook

lucy cole

Another PBW Academy graduate makes the list. Towards the end of 2015, Lucy Cole was just starting to get hold of a character and starting to cement a persona to get the crowd to get involved and give give her a reaction. 2016, I'm sure, will see that evolve further. The blonde bombshell faced some tough opponents in 2015, including former TNA Knockout's Champion Angelina Love and while she didn't pick up the win she displayed a lot of fight and toughness. In a climate where women's wrestling is at an all time high, I can see Lucy Cole pushing her way up the rankings but she will have a lot of work to do.


Lucy Cole on Facebook 

aspen faith

I have wrote about Aspen Faith in depth earlier on here but with 2015 marking the rise of Faith, 2016 will be the year that he breaks that glass ceiling. Having already competed in WrestleZone, Pride Wrestling, Discovery Wrestling, Rock N Wrestle and Insane Championship Wrestling it is only a matter of time before he's given that opportunity to really shine and make a name for himself around the country. He's got all the tools, he just needs the material to work with. If you want to read me gush about Aspen Faith, check out The Faith Is Strong With This One.


Aspen Faith on Facebook 


So there you have it. Five picks and five very talented individuals that I hope have a big year. Of course I am only scratching the surface of the talent pool Scotland has. With highly respected training schools around the country we could see a multitude of breakouts from anywhere. It's an exciting time and it can only get better.


Want to see more of these guys? Check out our Youtube playlist below.

Did I miss anyone? Contact me at VoiceOfOSW@gmail.com


Billy
oswtv.wordpress.com