Event Review: ICW In Your Face Space Coyote - Kid Fite v Joe Coffey 4

On 4th October, Glasgow based Insane Championship Wrestling held their first show in Wolverhampton, In Your Face Space Coyote, at Wulfrun Hall. Returning to the West Midlands for the first time since July, ICW presented a show that included Kid Fite searching for his first ICW victory over Joe Coffey, whilst Coffey looked to continue his warm up for Kurt Angle at Fear and Loathing IX. With Joe Hendry, Trent Seven, Tag Team Champion Mark Coffey, Bram and Matt Cross all on the card, would ICW make an impact on Wolverhampton like they have all over the UK? 

Venue & Audience - This was my first time at an ICW show, so expect that to impact the review a fair bit. I'm not a regular viewer of the product, I saw last year's Fear and Loathing show on VOD, but didn't make much of it, so haven't watch a full event since then. I tend to keep up with what's going on through Wrestle Ropes' results, so generally have an idea of who's got issues with who, who is being pushed etc. There were approx 150 people in the building, which looked very small because of the size of Wulfrun Hall, but the majority were extremly lively. Whilst the atmosphere would have been improved in a smaller venue, the audience did create a surprisingly good buzz, considering the large amount of space in the room.

Whilst Matt Cross and Wolfgang went on last, I want to talk about Joe Coffey's victory over Kid Fite in the main event slot. It was slightly longer (12 mins), which is almost certainly down to the crowd spending three minutes after the bell singing the riff of Coffey's theme music, Black Sabbath's Iron Man. Both men played it superbly, with Fite showing that he wanted things to stop, which, of course, was designed to get the audience to continue, whilst Coffey would let things die down, before encouraging once again with his signature chest beating. Those first few minutes were a real lesson in crowd control, helped by Wolverhampton being more than up for a sing a long. The actual wrestling didn't quite manage to match the crowd's energy for me, with a number of the bouts bigger spots and quicker sequences come across as a little awkward. A front dropkick that Coffey hit to knock Fite off the apron ended up looking like it hurt Coffey more than Fite. However, the crowd remained loud throughout and there was a nice near fall for Fite, with a low blow and brainbuster. Coffey would hit Aw Ra Best Fur Tha Bells (Discus Lariat) to continue his strong run, since winning and losing the World Heavyweight Championship on the same night in July, which has seen him defeat the likes Josh Bodom, Timothy Thatcher and Matt Cross. 

Match in a Sentence - A match that didn't connect as well as it should have in the ring, but one that demonstrated how over Joe Coffey is, even in an area he rarely visits.

The final match on the card was World Heavyweight Champion Wolfgang besting 2 time GSW Breakthrough Champion Matt Cross in a style clash that was a Match of the Night contender. The two worked together well, perhaps surprisingly seeing as this was their first match together, with Wolfgang, the big bruising heel champion and Cross the speedy and exciting babyface. The structure wasn't particularly complicated, but it was filled out with good timing and character work, as well as a couple of really cool spots. Both were over with the audience as a tired crowd remained involved, reacting to pretty much everything either guy did. One of the highlights, for me, was their scrap on the outside, where they put together a speedy sequence before Wolfgang would lift Cross up and crotch him on the guardrail. After brawling into the bar area, the match returned to ring and featured some top quality wrestling with the two going back and forth, including a brilliant near fall where Cross would dodge a punch from the brass-knucks covered fist of Wolfgang and hit a springback cutter. It would have been nice for the title to be on the line, just to give the show a bit more consequential feel, yet at the same time that could have lead to some of the crowd not buying into the Cross' near falls as much as they did.

Match in a Sentence - A big scrap, that was simply booked, but well performed, with a number of strong near falls.

"Big Kink" Jack Jester continued his fine run of form in ICW with a victory over Dan Moloney in a match that had a hometown gut-check type feel to it. Moloney is from the West Midlands and known for his work locally in Kamikaze Pro and Fight Club: Pro, so despite being mostly a villain, he got a favourable response from Wulfrun Hall and whilst there was a contigent of Jester fans, this almost created a home football game atmosphere for the contest. Jester spent a lot of time trying to get in the fans faces, pulling apart the guard rails as fans chanted at him, meaning that it was a good couple of minutes before anything really happened between Jester and Moloney. It was cool for the fans who were getting involved with Jester and speaks to the interactivity of these smaller tour shows, but it went on a little too long for me. Once it started the wrestling was decent, with Moloney taking advantage of the crowd, to work a style that I haven't seen him use before, whilst Jester played the bully role well. The finish made Moloney look great against one of ICW top stars as he was going toe to toe with Jester until a mule kick low blow and a Tombstone Piledriver gave the former World Heavyweight Champion the victory. 

Match in a Sentence - A solid encounter with a unique feel, that could have done with a little less stalling.

In the opener, the team of Zero G Champion Lionheart and Stevie Boy (accompanied by Kay Lee Ray) picked up a victory over Kenny Williams & Joe Hendry, following some interference from Hendry's former Local Fire partner, Davey Boy. The majority of the bout was a decent tag team affair where after Hendry & Williams shined early, Lionheart and Stevie were able to take control with plenty of help from KLR on the outside. This created some enjoyable activity as the villains used a t-shirt and external interference, including KLR being able to cut off what looked like a potential Williams comeback by pulling Hendry off the apron moments before the tag could be made. The finish however showed a lack of attention to detail as Hendry left the ring to brawl with Davey out of the Hall, however Hendry had been the legal man at the time. Whilst Williams fighting on his own against Lionheart, Stevie & KLR was an interesting story to watch unfold, as KLR removed the ref to stop Williams pins, both Lionheart & Stevie were attempting pins also, regardless of who was supposedly legal. This is a pet peeve of mine! If I'm expected to be invested in Williams attempting to get the tag earlier in the match, then why change the playing field and allow anyone to go for pins later on? 

Match in a Sentence - Some decent tag team action, with an story furthering angle for Fear and Loathing IX, but there needed to more attention to the detail.

Trent Seven continued the road towards his World Heavyweight Championship shot with a victory over 2 time Heavyweight Champion BT Gunn in a hard-hitting sprint. With both guys fan favourites in the brand, Fight Club: Pro star Seven got the majority of the fan support in his hometown. The duo put a real shift in across the nine minute outing, battering each other in out of the ring, with big strikes and suplexes. The chop sequence on the outside, where both would end up connecting with the ringpost was clever stuff, whilst the pair scrapping on their knees following a number of big moves (including Gunn kicking out of a piledriver) was cool, and had a great sense of building momentum, with both selling well. It's a shame that this felt like the adbridged version of a better match that the two could have had, as more time would have allowed some sequences the chance to breath. With another five or ten minutes and the chance and ability to explore, these two could produce absolute magic together.

Match in a Sentence - Good hard hitting shit, but not enough of it.

Former TNA King of the Mountain Champion Bram picked up a big win heading into the Battle for Control on 20th November, besting former World Heavyweight Champion Chris Renfrew with more than a little help from Black Label pals, Drew Galloway and Jack Jester. This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. When the duo focussed on what they do best, wild and crazy brawling, the match was a lot of fun. What's not to like about big blokes throwing other big blokes into walls, barricades and destroying the merch stand? I felt like once the match got back in the ring, it lost most of its intensity, with very little definition to make up for it. The contest wasn't helped by Bram's single fan in attendance yelling for her villainous bae throughout (someone had obviously had a little too much during the interval as she was nowhere to be seen throughout the first half). Things picked up with the finish that was a well worked situation, as Jester caused the distraction on the ramp, that allowed Galloway to come through the crowd with a chair and hand Bram the victory.  

Match in a Sentence - A firey brawl when outside the ring, that struggled when inside it, but had a cool angle for the finish.

Tag Team Champions Polo Promotions (Jackie Polo & Mark Coffey) continued to build momentum to their showdown with Team 3D (Bully Ray & Brother Devon) on 20th November, with a victory over first time team, "Smash Mouth" Chris Ridgeway & "Kiwi Buzzsaw" Travis Banks. This was the sleeper hit of the evening for me, as Ridgeway and Banks connected surprisingly well for a first-time unit, while Polo & Coffey heeled it up nicely, roughhousing the newbie team for a long portion of the match. Despite one gentleman loudly shouting "We Want Team 3D" (I can only imagine he expected the 8 time (WWE) World Tag Team Champions to be chilling in the back eating orange chips), Banks had the majority of the crowd support and his partnership with Ridgeway built from the hot tag onwards, with a number of sweet near falls for the team, including one off a nifty superkick and german suplex combination. The four built the match well towards the finish, that saw Coffey pin Ridgeway following a superkick and Polo Promotions' elevated German suplex double team (which I imagine has a snazzy name), with the move initially being teased on Banks, before a flurry from Banks & Ridgeway. The team of Smashmouth and the Kiwi Buzzsaw has potential, but my main takeway from this match was that I don't see nearly enough of Ridgeway at the moment and hopefully that will change in 2017!

Match in a Sentence - A cracking tag encounter, that made good use of it's time and built to an exciting climax.

Following the finish of Bram v Chris Renfrew, there was a busy af angle, that would lead directly into the Sha Samuels v Davey Boy match (see AOB). The main bulk of this would come from a Drew Galloway promo, where he talked about the injuries that had kept him out of competing on the tour (he was Trent Seven's scheduled opponent for this show), as well as addressing Mark Dallas' absense as the build for the Battle for Control continues. Galloway's promo was perfectly fine stuff, as he brought his trademark intensity, as one bloke shouted 3MB at him and Jack Jester and Bram kept Renfrew down on the ramp. Samuels would attempt to help out his team mate for Fear and Loathing IX but quickly got blindsided by Davey Boy and another steel chair. The beatdown of Samuels seemed to go on forever as Davey choked him out with his own scarf and smashed his leg with the chair. 

Segment in a Sentence - Managed the difficult job of promoting various angles, but went a little too long and lost the majority of my interest by the time the Samuels v Davey match began. 

Any Other Business 

• Despite the vicious attack from The Black Label and Davey Boy before the match, Sha Samuels was able to roll-up Davey in a short, but well paced encounter, with Joe Hendry acting as a distraction on the ramp.

• Following Trent Seven's victory over BT Gunn, Stevie Boy and Kay Lee Ray attacked Gunn on the ramp, with Wolfgang attempting to blindside Seven, only for the hometown star to rebuff the attack, before cutting a strong promo thanking the fans and vowing to defeat Wolfgang for the World Heavyweight Championship on 20th November.

• The show concluded with Trent Seven making the save for Matt Cross, hitting his Seventh Heaven Piledriver on Wolfgang, before posing with the World Heavyweight Championship in a bostin' moment to send the fans home happy and promote the upcoming Seven v Wolfgang cage match on 20th November.

Finally...

ATPW Scale Rating - 5.31/10

In Your Face Space Coyote was a relatively enjoyable night of professional wrestling in the style that you would expect from ICW. Polo Promotions v Ridgeway & Banks, Wolfgang v Cross and Seven v Gunn were all good matches and definitely the highlights of the evening. Some of the booking was a little frustrating, because of the need to heavily push Fear and Loathing IX. It was shame that names likes Grado (pulled earlier in the week), Lewis Girvan and Kay Lee Ray (dropped to a valet role) didn't wrestle on the card as they were three of the ICW regulars I was most looking forward to see. Big Damo's departure to WWE also took away a name heavily associated with the brand this year. However, it was cool to see West Midlands based guys like Dan Moloney and Travis Banks getting slots on the show, with the mostly savvy crowd recognising this and creating a great atmosphere for those matches, that is unique to these ICW tour shows.

Show in a Sentence - A decent wrestling event, that was a little overpriced at £19.

Match of the Night - Ridgeway & Banks v Polo Promotions

Words and Images - James Marston (@IAmNotAlanDale)

Find Us

Twitter - @atpwrestling

Facebook - /acrossthepondwrestling

Instagram - @atpwrestling 

All images belong to Insane Championship Wrestling

Wrestle Ropes Ready For The Weekend: October 2016 Week Four - FCP, IPW:UK & ICW

With the news that ITV are bringing back World of Sport for a one off special, there's never been a better time to get into British wrestling. This weekend, we begin our look with Fight Club: Pro in Wolverhampton as they present Pulp Fixxion, before moving down south to Selson in Surrey for IPW:UK UK Future 8 2016 and then flying back up to Glasgow, Scotland for ICW as they celebrate their 10th anniversary with a special taping of Fight Club. There's little time to wait so let's get Ready For The Weekend.

There's also alternative shows in Edinburgh, Swindon, Stroud, Wolverhampton, Kent and Bristol, so there's no excuse not to get down to a show!

On Friday night, Fight Club: Pro kick-off a triple header at Fixxion Warehouse in Wolverhampton with Pulp Fixxion. It promises to be another night chock-full of British Strong-Style, with an added twist as a number of CHIKARA performers join in the fun as well. 

Having won the FCP Championship from Sami Callihan at Project Mayhem V in September, Pete Dunne finds himself teaming with a man making his debut for the company. But this is certainly no rookie taking his first steps in pro wrestling as Dunne teams with veteran and former ICW World Heavyweight Champion Mikey Whiplash. On the other side of the ring will be the man that Dunne and Callihan attacked in September, Trent Seven. With Seven scheduled for a singles match with Dunne on Saturday, both men will be looking to cause as much damage to the other as they possibly can and head into Saturday's clash with the upperhand. Joining Seven will be Clint Margera who is coming out of a brutal feud with Chris Brookes and will be looking for a new face to inflict his own brand of lunacy on. He'll find himself up against Whiplash on Saturday. With four men who are known to like to get more than a little bit violent, this contest could end up going all over the Warehouse, but when the dust settles the title picture in FCP could have a very different look. 

Travis Banks has been one of the most consistent performers in FCP in 2016, but perhaps not in the way that he would have liked. Despite coming close on numerous occassions, against the likes of Zack Sabre Jr, Sami Callihan and Trent Seven, Banks is yet to collect a victory in FCP. That brings us to this Friday where he'll come against the debuting, "Iron Man" Joe Coffey. A former ICW World Heavyweight Champion, Coffey has wrestled some of the best performers in the World, and similar to Whiplash despite making his debut in FCP, he'll be anything but a pushover. Banks desperation for a victory may push him even further against Coffey and force him to take a step up. He'll be looking to move faster, hit harder and dig deep. If there's anyone that can match those attributes it's Coffey, who will be looking to make an impact on the fans in Wolverhampton. 

In an event that is choc-full of debuts, Kay Lee Ray will step into an FCP ring for the first time as she takes on Nixon Newell and Kimber Lee in a mouth-watering triple threat bout. Newell will be looking to bounce back from her loss to Jessika Havok in September, whilst Lee will be looking to recreate the form she was on during FCP's CHIKARA tour in May, that included a victory over Newell, while KLR will be wanting to show the FCP crowd what they've been missing out on. When the discussion turns to the best females in independent wrestling these three names are almost guaranteed to be brought up, so what happens when you put all three in the ring at the same time? Fixxion Warehouse will find out on Friday night!

Also on the card, Chris Brookes faces two time CZW Wired Champion Shane Strickland, whilst Dan Moloney comes up against former CHIKARA Campeonatos de Parejas Champion Fire Ant. 

Friday Alternative 

World Wide Wrestling League Wrestling Showdown 

Edingburgh

Feat - Mark Coffey v Dickie Divers

Moving on to Saturday and IPW:UK are holding their annual 'UK Future 8 2016' in Selsdon, Surrey at the Selsdon Hall. The event sees eight up and coming stars competing in four quarter-final matches with winner progressing to semi-finals and the eventual final, all in one show. 

This year sees last year's winner, Sammy Smooth back to make it two straight years as UK Future 8 winner. However, this year he will be holding the All-England Championship which he shall be defending in not only his quarter-final match but if successful, every round of the UK Future 8 tournament that he competes in. Sammy Smooth will be facing Cieran Donnelly whose tag team partner, Danny Duggan will also part of the tournament and will be competing against Scott Star in the second quarter-final match. The third quarter-final contest will see the debut of Robbie X in IPW:UK and he'll be facing IPW:UK training school graduate, Ashmore in what will be a big match for both men. The fourth quarter-final sees another IPW:UK training school graduate, Lewis “Maverick” Mayhew in action when he competes against one half of the current IPW:UK Tag Team Champions; Scott Wainwright. Mayhew has a big future ahead of him but it could well be cut short by Wainwright. While it is very hard to pick a winner in these types of tournaments, a few stand outs in the pack are Robbie X, Sammy Smooth and Scott Wainwright. Robbie X has the advantage of not only being a debut in IPW:UK but holds a vast amount of experience. Possibly the most experienced of all eight men. Sammy Smooth on the other hand has the experience of winning this tournament before and that is sure to give him an edge. The added pressure of having the All-England Championship on the line could either be of benefit to him or be the cause of his downfall. Scott Wainwright is probably in the most successful era of his career so far and that is largely down to his change in attitude much to the detriment of his opponents. A more ruthless streak has already lead him to becoming the IPW:UK Tag Team Champions with Paul Robinson and that streak could well lead him the becoming the UK Future 8 winner of 2016.

Also scheduled for this Saturday is the first ever 10,000 peso tag team challenge where Cuban Heat and his new banker, Marc Lloyd shall face Muscle Mountain.

Saturday Alternatives 

4FW Kingdom Rising 2016

Swindon, Wiltshire

Feat - The Sheikh’ Tiger Ali vs Saime Sahin 

Pro Evolution Wrestling Live in Stroud

Stroud, Gloustershire 

Feat - T-Bone v Iestyn Rees 

Fight Club: Pro Pulp Fixxion Part 2

Wolverhampton, West Midlands 

Feat - Dan Moloney v Shane Strickland 

Finally on Sunday, Insane Championship Wrestling will celebrate their 10 year anniversary with another edition of their 'Fight Club' event in Glasgow at The Garage. The event will have a number of implications for 'Fear & Loathing IX', ICW's biggest show to date. 

One match that will shape 'Fear & Loathing IX' is the contest between Kenny Williams and Lewis Girvan. When it was announced that Ricochet would be in action on November 20th, both men threw their hat into the ring to face him. ICW management decided that instead of them choosing who would face Ricochet, they would let them fight it out to see who wants it most. So that's what's going to happen this Sunday, former ICW Zero-G Champion; Williams who has been fighting with Lionheart for a number of months will face Girvan, the self-proclaimed “Best Young Wrestler In The World”. Only one of them is face Ricochet at 'Fear & Loathing IX'. 

ICW have also announced that BT Gunn and Stevie Boy will end their rivalry at 'Fear & Loathing IX' but in what type of match that will be is to be decided by the winner of Chris Renfrew & Gunn vs The Filthy Generation on October 23rd. Gunn and Boy were supposed to face each other at the last edition of 'Fight Club' but that never happened thanks to a chairshot from Kay Lee Ray to Gunn. If it had not been for Renfrew's intervention, the outcome could have been far worse. Both Gunn and Boy hate each other with a passion. Their previous matches show that to be clear. Whoever wins the match this Sunday will have something very special in store for their final encounter. 

Lionheart is defending the ICW Zero-G Championship in a Stairway To Heaven match on November 20th and there have been a number of qualifying matches for the five match places that are available. This Sunday will see another qualifier take place with Liam Thomson taking on Chris Ridgeway. Thomson has been a stalwart of ICW for a number of years and is back in the hunt for championship gold after shall wee say an unsuccessful attempt to woo Debbie Sharpe. Ridgeway has declared his intentions to be in the Stairway To Heaven match and wants his first taste of gold in ICW at their biggest event to date. Both men are hungry for a win this Sunday so they can go on and be in with a chance on November 20th. One element which may come into play is that fact that Thomson never answered Christopher Saynt's challenge on two occassions. Saynt has announced that he will be attendance this Sunday. Take that as you will.

Also scheduled this Sunday is six-man tag team action between Mike Bird, Wild Boar & Iestyn Rees of The Mauraders and the trio of DCT, Sha Samuels and Grado. Additionally, Darkside, William Grange and Dickie Divers will compete in a three-way elimination match while former tag team partners, Davey Blaze and Joe Hendry will meet to settle their differences in the squared circle. While Mark Coffey has been suspended by ICW co-owner, Red Lightning, his tag team partner and fellow ICW Tag Team Champion; Jackie Polo will be facing Red Lightning's cousin, Aaron Echo in singles competition.

Sunday Alternatives 

Internation Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom Women's Showcase 

Swanley, Kent 

Feat - Xia Brookside v Erin Angel 

4FW Kingdom Rising 2016 Night Two 

Emerson's Green, Bristol 

Feat - Tiger Ali v Billy Gunn

That wraps up this week's preview of the weekend's wrestling schedule. Of course, there are many more events taking place over the three days. To find out more about the shows we've highlighted here as well as all the others, check us out at www.wrestleropesuk.wordpress.com for the latest show and match announcements, British Wrestling event list, interviews, exclusive columns, reviews, reports and results!

Words - Andy Scotland & James Marston
Images - James Marston


Image Source - Facebook.com

The Merch Table - Kayfabe Clothing, Mark Haskins, SPLX, Pro Wrestling Tees & One Fall Media

So, The Merch Table has been away for awhile and well it has returned as a three part special for this week, no really. Divided into three parts, Part one focuses on the wrestlers merchandise, Part Two aimed at the Promotions and concluding on Friday with a combination of anything I may of missed and even requests from yourselves of merchandise from your favourite wrestlers that I’ll hunt for.

With that said and done, let’s move on time is not our friend and we start off with the superb Clothing line of...

I featured this line from other wrestlers before namely The Filthy Generation (Stevie Boy and Kay Lee Ray) and Carmel Jacob in a previous Merch Table but let’s focus a bit more in what the clothing line aims for & who else they feature…

“Kayfabe Clothing aim to bring the highest quality in alternative pro wrestling T-Shirts inspired by the industry itself or parodies. We supply Men's T-Shirts, Ladies T-Shirts, Hoodies of both the pullover and zip variety and other apparel inspired by the pro wrestling industry.” - Kayfabe Clothing Website. 

You know what, they are absolutely right, I can vouch that what they say is true, 

BT Gunn

Who is BT Gunn? - In a nutshell, he is one of the UK’s most dynamic and resilient wrestlers in the world today. He is the PBW Heavyweight and BCW Heavyweight Champion as well as Co-Holder of the PWE Tag Team Championships with Chris Renfrew. He is responsible for being involved in some of ICW’s most brutal rivalries throughout it’s 10 year history and continually leads by example as a trainer in the GPWA Academy.

http://www.kayfabeclothing.com/bt-gunn

Hoody: £34.99.
Available in Sizes: S - 2XL.

Wolfgang

Who is Wolfgang? - He is the ICW World Heavyweight Champion and he is one of Scotland’s most prominent figures in wrestling. Some people say big men can’t fly, those people haven’t seen Wolfgang in the ring, wither he’s matching power with power against some of the strongest men across the UK, he also has the agility to surprise opponents and fans alike with his highflying ability.

http://www.kayfabeclothing.com/wolfgang

T-Shirt: £19.99.
Available in Sizes: S - 2XL.

Mark Coffey

Who is Mark Coffey? - The SWA Heavyweight Champion as well Co-Holder of the ICW and SWA Tag Team Championship alongside Jackie Polo. Straight up one of the most respected men in UK wrestling, equally responsible of some of the best and shocking moments on SWA, ICW and PWE. When he’s good he’s good but when he’s bad…Who’s Bad? He Bad.

http://www.kayfabeclothing.com/product-page/49ea99f3-173f-96df-2bc4-55e6bdce34db

T-shirt: £19.99.
Available in Sizes: XS - XL 

“I do this for my kids, my wife, for the never ending passion that burns within me, to where every moment of each day my brain can only think of that one thing. I hate it when people say that your dream can't be reality, like, come on, look at me. I’m a 5'6 180lbs country boy from England and yet I get to travel the globe, striving forward in the land of the big guys, living my dream in front of thousands of fans. That’s pretty fucking mental to me. Dream big.” - Mark Haskins.

More than I can ever say really, the PROGRESS World Champion

http://www.fighthaskins.com/product/haskins-never-stay-down-pre-order

T-shirt: £20
Available in Sizes: S-XL

“Suplex (SPLX) is a team formed of top athletes from the professional wrestling world. We fully embrace the athletic aspect of the industry and believe we have formed a stellar unit featuring Zack Sabre, Jr., Adam Cole, Dave Mastiff, Gail Kim, Prince Devitt, and Kyle O’Reilly.Thank you for supporting the SPLX brand and our sponsored athletes. We aim to always progress as a company and help assist in creating your legacy.” - SPLX

The mission statement of the illustrious SPLX team.

http://store.suplexapparel.com/product/team-suplex-ampersand-t-shirt-zack-sabre-jr-adam-cole-dave-mastiff-fergal-devitt

T-shirt: £16.99
Available in Sizes: M-XL

“Here at ProWrestlingTees.com we work directly with some of the greatest wrestlers in history. By allowing wrestlers to create their own stores it gives you, the fans, the opportunity to own t-shirts you have seen at shows, in pictures or may have never seen before. All stores, products and photos are owned by the wrestlers themselves. Profits go directly to the wrestlers to support what they do and what you love.” - ProWrestlingTees.com

I’ve personally ordered from PWT and found them to be excellent also I find it’s no surprise that many more wrestlers are becoming part of their ever growing circle.

Viper

One of the many stars to be featured in the recent ITV World of Sport Pilot and Alpha Omega Wrestling Wrestling Champion.

http://www.prowrestlingtees.com/catalog/category/view/id/847

We are focused on his T-shirt: Prices start at $19.99
Available in Sizes: S-5XL

Kimber Lee

World famous star who has already made of hell of an imp at in the UK and soon to be seen on ICW’s Road to The Hydro tour, she has been a multiple Champion in many different promotions across the world, need I say more.

http://www.prowrestlingtees.com/princess-kimber-lee.html

T-shirt: $19.99
Available in Sizes: S-5XL

Su Yung

This was a special request, so I’ve found images of several t-shirts by the lady in question on Pro Wrestling Tees. For fans who may not have seen Su Yung, she has excelled and terrified fans alike in any promotion she has been a part of, like Shine, Shimmer, FCW, MLW to name a few and many many more.

T-Shirt: $19.99
Available in Sizes: S-5XL

Concluding today’s Merch Stand is…

This team are hosting the debut of The One Fall Sessions LIVE from Glasgow on Thursday 17th November, as part of the Insane Championship Wrestling. Hosted by Simon Cassidy, bringing  exclusive interviews and Q&A hosted with Tag Champions Mark Coffey & Jackie Polo, Polo Promotions, DCT - Wrestler and Kenny Williams ahead ICW in The Hydro.
The event will also feature stand up from the one and only Billy Kirkwood!

To celebrate this show or just simply support them…

http://www.mansruinstore.co.uk/onefall/

T-shirt: £14.99
Available in Sizes: S-3XL

Words and Images - Craig Hermit 
Editor - James Marston
        

Wrestle Ropes Ready for the Weekend: October 2016 Week Two - GPWA, IPW:UK & ICW

The nights might be drawing in, but that doesn't mean we can't still get Ready for the Weekend! This week we kick things off in Glasgow on Friday as Glasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum host the sixth edition of A Night in The Asylum, head down south for the first night of International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom's Super 8 2016 on Saturday before finishing off back in Glasgow as Insane Championship Wrestling presents a Fight Club Taping. 

Not near Glasgow or Kent, don't worry we've got a couple of alternatives for each day! 

Friday starts the wrestling weekend with Glasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum's latest event in Glasgow. Once again, the young stars of GPWA will be mixing it up in the squared circle with more established names of British Wrestling based north of the border. 

That mix is no more evident than in the main event match between the NAK and The Purge. Chris Renfrew and BT Gunn need little introduction. Both skilled as singles competitors, they've even more a threat as a duo and as such have held numerous championships. The Purge are also making a name for themselves with GPWA as a very skilled team who have a very bright future ahead of them. Both teams are known for a hard hitting offence. One thing that the NAK do have that The Purge don't is the PWE Tag Team Championships. That could change though as it's been confirmed that the championship will be defended on Friday for the first time outside of Pro Wrestling Elite. If The Purge were to win, they would become champions of a promotion that they have yet to compete in. A true history making moment itself. 

When you speak about big impacts, few people can match Flex Hunter. A genuine Goliath of a man, Hunter has been dominant in his time at GPWA and has went through more than a few of GPWA's stars. His opponent is one of the men who helped to train him but one of Scotland's most decorated stars, Lionheart. Lionheart has faced some of the biggest stars in professional wrestling but only a few of those could match Flex Hunter for his sheer size and power. Lionheart has a lot more experience in the ring than Hunter and that experience will be vital to defeat a man who has destroyed many men who have stood before him. 

Over a number of months, Molly Spartan and Kasey have been exchanging blows and victories over each other. Neither seems to become a definitive winner between the two. The next chapter of their feud will happen this Friday when both women bring a partner for some tag team action. Spartan has brought in an unknown factor in the shape of Jokey. Little is known about Jokey other than she is from Italy. Kasey on the other hand has went with a partner who is probably one of the best known females today, Viper. A champion on numerous occassions, Viper is world travelled and has as much experience as she does power. Picking a winning team in this match isn't easy. It's really a case of experience against the unknown.

GPWA's event will also see Stevie Boy in action against Ravie Davie while The Sam Barbour Experience shall be facing Kez Evans. Barbour's tag team partner, C.S Rose will also be competing this Friday when he faces Jack Dillon. The final match of the card will see the very unique Iriving Garrett in the ring with the current ICW World Heavyweight Champion, Wolfgang.

Tickets Available - £10 per person

Friday Alternatives 

HOPE Wrestling Evolution 39: The Past Is Only The Future With The Lights On

Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Feat - The Boogeyman v T-Bone 

Tickets Available - From £7 per person

WrestleForce Wrestling at The Cricketers 

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Feat - Kevin Hanley v Harrison Bourne

Tickets Available - £5 per person

On Saturday, International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom brings the third incarnation of the UK Super 8 tournament to Casino Rooms in Rochester, Kent, as they present one of the most eclectic line up an eight man tournament can really hope for. Who will follow in the footsteps of Zack Sabre Jr and Rampage Brown? Let's take a look at some of the front runners.

It seems strange to place a man who hasn't been appearing regularly for IPW:UK this year as the favourite, especially considering he hasn't won in the promotion since June 2015, but quite simply anytime Dave Mastiff steps into a ring he has to be considered a favourite. Mastiff's sheer power, experience and endurance make him a match for pretty much anyone in the world. He's won the VPW Heavyweight Title Tournament in 2015, the BCC Title Tournament in 2010 and the RQW Tag Team Title Tournament in 2007, whilst his title reigns this year in VPW and PCW are only the tip of the ice berg for his reigns on top of various promotions. In 2014, Mastiff reached the semi-finals of UK Super 8, losing to the eventual winner, Zack Sabre Jr, he'll be looking to go one further this year and make the final and perhaps win the whole thing! Mastiff's Quarter Final opponent will be a man he is no stranger to, as he clashes with old FCP rival, Clint Margera, in what could prove to be one of the most brutal encounters of the entire weekend! 

Another man who must be considered on favourite, despite a lengthy absense from IPW:UK, is Magnus, who will be returning after an almost two year absense. Magnus has proven ability in that ring and has shown in the past that he's willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top of the business, as was clear during his rise to the top of TNA in 2013. It was there where he gained his tournament pedigree winning a TNA World Tag Team Title #1 Contender's Tournament with Desmond Wolfe in 2010, Championship Challenge Tournament and Wild Card Tag Team Tournament with Samoa Joe in 2011 and TNA World Heavyweight Title Tournament in 2013. Of course, more recently Magnus has been holding onto GFW's Global Championship, recently defending the strap on a brutal tour of Canada. As the most recognisable name in the tournament, he'll have something to prove on Saturday when he steps in the ring with Big Grizzly for the first time. 

Since debuting in IPW:UK last August, Chris Brookes has only lost one match, one match to someone has almost certainly had the best year of his career, Chris Hero. So, Brookes has to be considered a major contender heading into UK Super 8. Brookes has proven tournament calibre, winning FCP's Infinity Trophy in 2014, Plex Wrestling British Title Tournament and SWA British Lions Tournament in 2015. Outside of IPW:UK, Brookes has found success this year also, reinging as VII Pro's British Lions Champion, whilst also capturing the ATTACK! Tag Team Champion with Kid Lykos on two separate occassions. Brookes has shown in the past that he go with the best in the country, using his techincal knowhow to make a tough opponent for anyone, but he's certainly not afraid to bend the rules when it suits him, something that he may have dig into if he wants to walk away as the winner of UK Super 8. He faces current IPW:UK All England Champion "Smooth" Sammy Smooth in the First Round! 

Other tournament participants include former IPW:UK British Tag Team Champion James Davis, current EPW Champion Big Grizzly, 2015 Hardcore Lottery Semi-Finallist Clint Margera, All England Champion Sammy Smooth and Scott Star. Outside of the tournament, The Swords of Essex (Paul Robinson & Scott Wainwright) put their British Tag Team title up agaisnt DND (Danny Duggan & Cieran Donnely), 5 time WWE Women's Champion Mickie James takes on Jetta and in an international tag team contest 3 time AAA World Tag Team Champions Angelico & Jack Evans battle Shane Strickland and Lio Rush in a bout that may literally blow the rough off the Casino Rooms.

Tickets Available - From £15 pp

Saturday Alternatives 

Premier British Wrestling Live in Airdrie 

Airdrie, North Lanarkshire

Feat - BT Gunn v Sha Samuels 

Tickets Available - From £10 pp

Kamikaze Pro Live in Rubery

Rubery, Worcestershire 

Feat - Liam Doyle v Mika

Tickets Available - From £5 pp

The weekend rounds off on Sunday when Insane Championship Wrestling host another edition of the Fight Club TV tapings at The Garage in Glasgow. It's another packed show with eight matches scheduled to take place. 

Two of the matches announced will be qualifying matches for the Stairway To Heaven match for the ICW Zero-G Championship at Fear & Loathing IX. The first match will see Andy Wild face Kenny Williams. Both men are former champions and both have a desire to once again be champion. Williams has been trying to get back in the title picture for months while Wild's last match where he faced Noam Dar in his final ICW appearance, has reinvigorated the former champion. The second qualifying match will see Christopher Saynt face Zack Gibson in a match that shall be the first meeting between the two. Gibson is a no nonsense competitor who is all about business. Whilst Saynt is also a very skilled competitor, he does put on quite a show when he comes to the ring. It's unlikely that Gibson will appreciate that but Saynt will be sure to remind him that he's not just all show without substance.

 A few months ago, BT Gunn and Stevie Boy had a match that was supposed to end their dispute. It didn't. Instead those in attendance witnessed both men nearly destroy each other with steel chairs. Their issues are still there and if anything have grown bigger. These two men are going to have another match this Sunday in the hope that they can finally end this battle. However, if they went to the lengths they did last time in almost destroying each other, what will they do this time? 

Championship gold will be on the line this Sunday as well as Lionheart will be defending the ICW Zero-G Championship against Lewis Girvan. Girvan has been trying to get a championship match for a while now and finally he will have an opportunity in Glasgow this Sunday. Lionheart was the one who came up with the Stairway To Heaven match and obviously he will expect to be in the match to prove himself as the greatest ICW Zero-G Champion of all time. However, looking past Girvan and his desire to be champion could well result in Lionheart not even getting to the match he created.


Also this Sunday, Joe Coffey takes on Matt Cross in singles action. Tag team action comes in the from of Jack Jester and Kid Fite facing Sha Samuels DCT. ICW World Heavyweight Champion, Wolfgan will be in non-title action when he competes against “Local Hero” Joe Hendry while Hendry' former tag team partner, Davey Blaze shall be in singles competition against Trent Seven.

Tickets Available - £15 per person

Sunday Alternative 

International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom UK Super 8 2016 - Night 2

Rochester, Kent 

Feat - Tennesee Honey v Mickie James

Tickets Available - From £15 per person

That wraps up this week's preview of the weekend's wrestling schedule. Of course, there are many more events taking place over the three days. To find out more about the shows we've highlighted here as well as all the others, check us out at www.wrestleropesuk.wordpress.com for the latest show and match announcements, British Wrestling event list, interviews, exclusive columns, reviews, reports and results!

Words - Andy Scotland & James Marston
Images - James Marston

Image Source - Facebook.com

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

-- 

www.OSWtv.wordpress.com