Ain't No Party Like a Dan Severn Party - Your Guide to WrestleMania and Beyond.

Bayley had a great line on Raw the other night, one that once again underscored her relatability to us die-hard fans, when she confessed that WrestleMania was her favourite day of the year. For me, Mania is right up there with the first day of the football season and Christmas: it evokes an energy and excitement that is palpable. And listen, I reckon that deep down all wrestling fans feel this way: from the markiest of marks to the smarkiest of smarks, we can all get enthusiastic about WrestleMania and what it entails. Hell, I’m currently navigating a frantic week in which I’m juggling multiple work deadlines and dealing with the reality that my wife is due to give birth at literally any minute. Despite such serious commitments, I’ve still spent an undue amount of time pondering whether the Smackdown women will be stuck on the pre-show again (yes, they will as it happens).

Hundreds, maybe thousands, of UK fans will be making the familiar trans-Atlantic commute to be a part of it all but for those who can’t be there in living colour, there are more ways than ever to sample the various action. Streaming services such as WWE Network and FloSlam are offering hours of coverage to ensure that all corners of fandom can find something to suit their fancy. Remember, WrestleMania  isn’t just one night, it’s not even just a weekend event: it’s a week-long celebration of the art form and pretty much every company that plies their trade within this wonderful, crazy genre is at the party.

So with so much on the horizon, what should we, the insatiable wrestling fan, be looking out for? Here are some choice picks of the week’s action.

Dan Severn is in the house.

As was aforementioned, the streaming potential for this year’s indie offerings have been enhanced by the emergence of Floslam, a pro wrestling division of Flosports.  I’ll be sampling this service for the first time this weekend and I must confess that the reason for my imminent subscription is rather left-field: it’s not the EVOLVE cards that see Brit hero Zack Sabre Jr. mix it up in main events with ACH and Michael Elgin; it’s not WWN’s Supershow of PROGRESS vs EVOLVE match ups; no, it’s something far more random and ridiculous. It’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break show, an offering from Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) which airs in the UK at the frankly offensive time of 5am this Friday morning. This show is a gift that keeps on giving. Matt Riddle vs Dan Severn! Marty Jannetty vs the eponymous Joey Janela! Glacier will be there. Dink the Clown is advertised and an Earl Hebner run-in has been promised. I always wanted to do Spring Break and that was before I realised that Dan Severn would be there. Hook me up Floslam. 

Spring BROKEN, Super-Kick Party

Us wrestling fans haven’t always had this much variety during Mania week. For some time, outside of the WWE shows, the only alternative that had real buzz was Ring of Honor’s Supercard of Honor. In recent years, ROH have had to up their game in the face of the increasingly wide array of competition and this year, they have gem of an attraction to ensure that they hold their own. In what might be the most anticipated tag team match in years, The Young Bucks face The Hardys in a Ladder match! Yes, they’ve had some brief altercations lately but they were only taster dishes: herein lies the feast. Given that Messrs Matt and Jeff have other plans from April 2^nd, this is likely the last time these teams will meet (for some-time at least), suggesting that they’ll leave it all in the ring. Spring break just landed a super kick party.

Old Man Yells at Crowd

Astonishingly, Jim Cornette has been invited to the WWE the Hall of the Fame and will be given a live microphone! Now, James E. might play this one safe. He might, out of respect for the Rock N Roll Express on their big night, toe the company line; he may even rationalise that a conservative speech and reliable performance here might paint him as a trustworthy figure and soon tempt Vince into inducting his beloved Midnight Express (an act he would surely be honoured alongside). So we might get a reflective, nostalgic Cornette who uses his time on stage at the Hall of Fame to play nice, to share some fascinating historical tit-bits and pay tribute his friends. Or he might totally lose it, burying Vince, modern wrestling, the fans, the PROGRESS dress code and Donald Trump (Linda McMahon’s career don’t need that) before telling all of America to go forth and multiply. Either way will be entertaining. But I hope he does it the second way.

KO-Mania 2

Contrary to the views of some, I think that KO-Mania 2 has a pretty good card and the build-up to the show has been consistently engaging and, at times, enthralling. The stand out match is the battle between Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho: their tale of friendship gone awry has been well crafted and skilfully executed and theirs is a match that has sizzle and substance. Other match ups generate intrigue because of the significance of their result: Bray Wyatt badly needs the win to establish his title reign as legitimate whilst the finish in Roman Reigns vs The Undertaker could clarify the future of the latter performer. Other contests are intriguing due to the potential layout of the matches: will Rollins and Triple H be over-booked in a similar manner to The Game’s bout with Sting? Will Shane McMahon rely on his customary high-risk spots or will AJ draw a wrestling match out of him? Will Goldberg and Lesnar go more than 2 minutes? I doubt this will be the best WrestleMania of all time (that’s X-7, now and forever) but I expect the show to perform above the expectations of many. Just spare us an encore Pitbull, yeah?

When is a surprise not a surprise? When it’s  sensible, long term booking!

The post-Mania Raw crowd is a cliché now: it even has its own WWE 24 tribute show so it is in itself not an excuse to get particularly hyped. As for the content, the idea of this being a night when we have to have surprises has become somewhat counter-productive. Can we be shocked if we are permanently braced for a shock? Can an air of unpredictability exist when Asuku starts touring with Smackdown in March and the WWE twitter feed removes semblances of doubt by writing BROKEN in block caps whenever it tweets about old Hardy matches? I’d argue no.

Most annoying of all is that many in the crowd, programmed to be anticipating unexpected twists, might suddenly seek to derail a segment because it had the temerity to not feature someone shiny and new. The solution to this predicament is to move away from booking to pop a crowd in the moment to ensuring that hot angles are designed with a medium to long term view in mind. To that effect a triumphant debut for Shinsuke Nakamrua, a Sasha heel turn on Bayley, a quick Asuka title win and the introduction of Kurt Angle as Raw GM would be productive moments that, whilst not overly unpredictable, serve purpose. As long as the Orlando TV tapings set the table for the coming months, then the WWE will have given us shows worthy of the occasion.  

In closing, wherever you’re at right now, I urge you to fill your boots and consume as much grappling as is humanly possible. This is a week to embrace the glory of wrestling and appreciate it for what it is: an ultimately meaningless but undeniably fun distraction from the real world, a simple narrative given layers by skilled performers who are there to entertain you. If you’re attending shows live then be loud, be passionate and only chant CM Punk if he actually shows up.  If you’re at home, tweet about the moments that remind you why you’re a fan and not why Roman sucks. Wrestling should be pleasurable and if you can’t find any fun to be had this week, chances are you’re not looking hard enough.

Writer - Sean Taylor-Richardson

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Opinion: 2017 - I Knew You'd Come

This time last year, I gazed into my crystal ball gimmick in an attempt to forecast the year ahead for professional wrestling. On reviewing the article, it’s fair to say that I got more of my assumptions wrong than right. However, I’m claiming credit for my prediction that Paige would marry Ric Flair: what is Alberto Del Rio, with his expensive suits and love of a bevy, if not a Mexican Ric Flair?

Given my less than stellar hit rate, I’ve adapted the column for the new year: I’m not predicting what will happen in 2017; rather I’m stating what I would like to see happen, a pro-wrestling wish list if you will. Let’s start with matters close to home.

The British Wrestling Wars.

WWE vs WCW was an American wrestling conflict that audiences were deeply invested in. Many fans watched both shows but everyone had their favourite, their brand that they wanted to see secure bragging rights when the Monday Night Wars reached their inevitable conclusion. The action on television may have been scripted but the real life competition gave it an edge that elevated the viewing experience.

Could British wrestling be about to get a taste of such competition? For years, the UK scene has been territory based, with promotions running certain towns and cities, happy to share talent and never going head to head within the same market. This collaborative approach has been great for the wrestlers and the fans but could the business model be about to change? As WWE prepare to launch their own UK brand, ITV have resurrected World of Sport: two major companies are set to fund the biggest battle UK wrestling has ever seen, competing over talent and media attention. This could lead to great storytelling and immense match ups. Marquee events could go head to head as WWE run London while WOS hit up Manchester: wrestling would be a hot ticket across the land. And with PROGRESS making reference to their own “tapings” in March, it could be that a third dog will enter the fight, with Camden’s finest taking the ECW role: the alternative, cult offering with the rabid following and unique vibe. 2017 could well be the year when wrestling goes mainstream in the UK.

TNA finds a home…the WWE Network.

There is a chance that this is the year in which TNA might be deleted. But let’s stay positive. Sure, it seems that no network in the US or UK is keen on picking it up but this is 2017- streaming is where it’s at. TNA could become the crown jewel of the Floslam network or it could go where the real money is…

If the WWE Network is to become the true hub of wrestling, it needs as much diversity as possible. It has NXT, 205live and now the UK brand but these are all quite similar: indie in HD. TNA has more history attached to it, a roster that sets it apart and a touch more sports entertainment in its DNA: its back catalogue could be promoted alongside new episodes of Impact and current WWE performers such as Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe and Sting could make cross-over appearances. We all know that Vince has never seen TNA as competition so an invasion angle with the WWE wouldn’t happen. However, a TNA vs NXT feud could allow Triple H the chance to rebook the invasion in his own image, providing Network only content that could legitimately appeal to new subscribers.

Due to various court cases, legal disputes and interference from mid 90s alt rockers, this happening is the longest shot of all. But if a deal could potentially be made that results in Broken Matt Hardy on Renee Young’s Unfiltered, I think we should allow ourselves to dream.

Connor McGregor at WrestleMania.

I’m a big Ronda Rousey fan but this year’s WrestleMania may be a bit soon to book the MMA star, who, whilst a pioneer to be respected, has lost some lustre in the wake of two devastating knock outs. This doesn’t mean that WrestleMania can’t have some MMA involvement: in fact, Connor McGregor should be booked in a prominent role. Just as Mike Tyson’s notoriety enlivened the build to WrestleMania 14, the UFC lightweight champ, a bona fide super star and, despite his comments in the media, a wrestling fan, would  use his promotional know how to draw attention to the show of shows. There is no way that the UFC would let him wrestle but as he is on a hiatus from the fight game, he would be available to appear (should the price be right). Best use of the man: he and The Rock enter a Trump/McMahon style challenge and select and corner two fighters for a mega match. That’s a massive rub for the two wrestlers chosen but the real appeal would be the promo wars between The Notorious One and The Great One. Elite banter guaranteed.

The Omega Man

Hey RevPro, book Kenny Omega for York Hall in 2017. Cheers.

The Miz gets one more World title run

One of my predictions for 2016 was for the The Miz would have a great year; the thing is that I thought it would come as result of a managerial role, whereby he represented a larger, more dominant wrestler, essentially becoming a Paul Heyman who could bump. Instead, the addition of a manager to the Miz’s own act, in the form of his real-life wife Maryse, has proven the catalyst to refining and perfecting his arrogant, Hollywood bubble heel. His feud with Dolph Ziggler in the fall was excellent, their bout at No Mercy the first time that the former reality show star has truly competed in a near perfect match. Now WWE should strike while the iron is hot. A title run in 2017 would reward Miz’s self-belief and hard work and he would be the perfect foil for John Cena and (the surely soon to be babyface) AJ Styles. If John Morrison where to come back, that’s a three month programme that writes itself.

I’d slightly tweak the gimmick and add Baron Corbin to the package as a heater; such chicanery would suit the Miz’s act, allowing him to keep the strap whilst preventing Maryse’s interference from getting over-exposed. It would also set up a future programme between the two. Miz vs Corbin could be effective whichever way you cast the face/heel roles. Whilst I’m at it, here’s a crazy prediction for 2018: The Miz will be one of the biggest babyfaces in the promotion.

Whilst, I’m sure you would agree, that has the makings of a damn good year, I wouldn’t be rushing to Paddy Power to stick an accumulator on it all coming to pass. But when we’re following a year in which a Hall of Famer became the president of the United States, Spud got beaten by a toddler, World of Sport was revived and Goldberg returned to absolutely ruin Brock Lesnar, then I guess anything is possible really...

Words - Sean Taylor-Richardson

Images - James Marston

Editor - James Marston

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Opinion: Social Recall

We are reaching the conclusion of 2016, a year when departures in the entertainment industry rocked the world and people questioned the type of world we are living in as religion, colour, and origins of birth were called into question, dividing nations. But for fans of Wrestling, 2016 was a fantastic year, a year when WWE expanded their horizons with the Cruiserweights, FloSlam presented itself as an indie wrestling fans haven for action and Brit Wrestling showed the wrestling world exactly what it is capable of when given the chance.

Seriously look at 2016 objectively, can you say in recent memory that wrestling has had a better year? Across the world interest in wrestling has grown significantly, not just in WWE but in promotions everywhere. Thanks to an increase in social media, streaming channels and on:demand services, promotions and casual fans are no longer at the mercy of word of mouth from travel hardened fans as well as eagle eyed DVD collectors, now promotions can show exactly what they offer and those fans can finally see shows without making exhausting journeys but still contribute to the success of said promotion.

Numerous times throughout the years I’d hear fantastic reviews of wXw based in Germany, especially regarding their 16 Carat Gold event (this year held on March 10th to 12th) that regularly features the industry’s best wrestlers and thanks to the increase in authorised streams, I now have the choice of the journey or watch it at home. It doesn’t end there, Melbourne City Wrestling in Australia has been making waves across the world and rightly so, the action displayed in that promotion is fantastic and deserves to be seen on a bigger stage and thanks to it’s on:demand service it can.

That’s just two examples, I’m based in the UK, now how the hell would I have heard about those promotions without the increase of social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and others, I can imagine the chance would be very slim.

This year social media has helped wrestling reach that new level in popularity, acceptance. Don’t get me wrong as fans we hear the same questions, “it’s fake right?” and “Wrestling? I used to watch that when…”, however the stigma isn’t there as much as it previously was, and if you feel that someone is judging you on what you like…Fuck them, it’s their loss, wrestling is great.

I’m getting off topic, let me continue so…social media in 2016 has improved wrestling promotions of old and new, helping them gain more chances of getting noticed, but it shouldn’t stop there. One thing I have noticed on many wrestling websites is a lack of up to date information or even an effort to generate interest from new fans. Here’s a thought, a lot of fans will look up a website to buy tickets rather than go to Facebook or Twitter and if your website looks shit, you just lost a sale. My point being, if you're going to go to the trouble of setting up your promotion to look incredible across social media to gain interest why put the closing of a sale at risk with an outdated website.

It doesn’t stop with the promotions, wrestlers this goes to you as well, now I’d never tell you what you should be doing in the ring because let’s face it I’m not qualified, as I’m not trained to be a wrestler. However selling a product and promoting I can say I know something about. Turning my attention to the UK scene here, there are incredible wrestlers in the industry here, the world is about to see what I’m talking about thanks to the WWE United Kingdom Championship held in Blackpool during January on WWE Network, but some of those wrestlers are only just starting to promote themselves, to get themselves noticed to the fans. I've seen numerous instances where a fan has asked if a certain wrestler is actually going to be at a certain event as the promotion may have said they are going to be there but the wrestler hasn’t promoted the event or even themselves, leaving the question is that wrestler going to be there or if they are going to be there to they even care that they are?

I've also seen in the past, older wrestlers mock younger wrestlers for their promotion of merchandise and what events they will be wrestling at, well guess what, if they are as good as they say they are I know at a glance where and when I can buy their stuff and where to see them next. Sometimes I’m not in the mood (this goes for many fans) for a treasure hunt of where to buy merch, thanks! But going into 2017 I look forward to seeing more self-promotion from wrestlers, with the risk of repeating myself not just in this column, but previous outings and my Twitter page, there are fantastic wrestlers in the UK as well as Ireland and the rest of Europe and they deserve to be seen. Case in point, ITV's World of Sport and as mentioned WWE UK Championship will be on primetime TV and worldwide on WWE Network respectively, that features an incredible wealth of talent on both shows but there are British wrestlers not featured on either show that should be seen more but with only with promotion from themselves and fans will we see that happen.

It doesn’t end there with the benefits for the increase of Social Media, mainstream publications as well as sports channels have realised just how popular Wrestling Entertainment has become and know they can draw ratings and viewership by featuring stories about wrestling promotions on their shows not to mention interviews. All this will help raise the image of wrestling within communities and many who previously looked down their nose at pro wrestling now how can that be a bad thing. In my opinion it won’t. Look at the promotions in the UK who have sold out shows, produced shows at major venues, held events over full weekends and witnessed a growth in their fan base this year, it’s down to their advertisement on Social Media and fans sharing their experiences more often over it. It’s safe to say 2017 will be incredible.

Words - Craig Hermit

Images - Craig Hermit 

Editor - James Marston 

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