Wrestle Ropes' Ready for the Weekend: November 2015 Week 2

As we fast approach another packed weekend of wrestling, we look forward to what will in fact be a historic weekend not just for British wrestling but for independent wrestling as a whole. But more of that later. For now, let's get Ready For The Weekend!

Up first on Friday night, VII Pro Wrestling return to The Hive in Shrewsbury with Urge To Thrill... Rising! which will feature their inaugural Trifecta Trophy tournament. This tournament shall see trios teams compete with the winner of the one-night tournament being crowned the Trifecta Trophy tournament winner. While we don't know which teams shall face which, we do know that the teams in the tournament include some of the best wrestlers in the UK today. Teams like, The Number One Offenders that includes Damian Dunne, Mike Bird & Flash Morgan Webster. Or The Bruiserweights which includes CJ Banks, Dan Moloney & Pete Dunne. That is only two of the teams competiting so you can see the amount of talent involved. It won't all be tournament matches on November 13th though, as Lana Austin will face Nixon Newell with the spot in the Shropshire Wrestling Alliance's British Lions Championship ladder match on November 28th up for grabs.We will also get to see Dave DelVecchio of The Number One Offenders in action as he competes against a man, who as of yet, is not part of any Trifecta team. That man being Wild Boar. The match itself should be a very hard hitting affair with both men known for their full force offence.

Full Card

*VII Trifecta Trophy Tournament*

Confirmed Teams: 

The Bruiserweights (‘Superbeast’ Dan Moloney, ‘YoungXBitter’ Pete Dunne & ‘The Juice’ CJ Banks), 

The All Day Squad (Drew Parker, Ryan Smile & Ethan Silver), 

Number One Offenders (Mike Bird, ‘Number One’ Damian Dunne & ‘Flash’ Morgan Webster)

Culture Club (Tyler Bate, Chris Brookes & ???)

*VII Trifecta Trophy Tournament Final*

??? vs ???

*VII Trifecta Trophy Tournament Semi-Final*

??? vs ???

*VII Trifecta Trophy Tournament Semi-Final*

??? vs ???

*SWA British Lions Qualifier*

‘The Welsh Destroyer’ Nixon Newell vs Lana Austin

Dave DelVecchio vs Wild Boar

Moving on to Saturday and Wrestlezone will be at the Beach Leisure Centre in Aberdeen with their SOLD OUT Christmas Chaos (Comes Early!) event. There has been a lot of hype surrounding this event since it was announced that WWE Hall Of Famer, Mick Foley would be in attendance. That is not to say that the event is solely based around the WWE Hall Of Famer as the show has a stacked card. One match on the card this Saturday is The Rejected's Chris Archer & Mikkey Vago challenging Mr P & Kaden Garrick for the Wrestlezone Tag Team Championship. These two teams have exchanged wins and losses in tag team and singles action for the past few months in Wrestlezone. The Rejected has been calling for another shot at the gold and thanks to two wins of the champions in singles action, they will get another opportunity against the crowd-favourite duo of Mr P & Kaden Garrick. One man who has been making an impact in Wrestlezone in the past few months is Aspen Faith. Faith has demanded the best competition he can face. A few weeks ago he sent out a challenge to the man who claims to be the Best Young Wrestler, Lewis Girvan. He challenged him to a match on November 14th. However, Lewis Girvan countered the challenge by proposing an intergender tag team match with Aspen Faith & Sammii Jayne facing himself and Debbie Sharpe. The match was agreed with a contest between Sammii Jayne & Debbie Sharpe taking place last week in Huntly. It was Debbie Sharpe who took the win in her Wrestlezone debut contest on that occasion. Whether that is a glimpse of the result we'll see on Saturday, who knows. Either way we're getting to see four of the best wrestlers in one match. The main event for this Saturday will see Scotty Swift defending the Wrestlezone Undisputed Championship against Crusher Craib, Alan Sterling & Bingo Ballance. Swift has had a running feud with Alan Sterling and Sterling Oil from almost the moment he won the championship. Crusher Craib on the otherhand has been on a quest to recapture the champions since losing it earlier this year. The wild card is this match is most definitely Bingo Ballance. While only appearing in Wrestlezone on rare occassions, he has picked up some big wins in the past. Scotty Swift has been battling the odds since winng the championship but this is without doubt his biggest challenge yet.

Full Card

*Wrestlezone Undisputed Championship Fatal Fourway*

Alan Sterling vs Scotty Swift (c) vs Crusher Craib vs Bingo Ballance

*Wrestlezone Tag Team Championship*

The Rejected (Chris Archer & Mikkey Vago) vs Mr P & Kaden Garrick (c)

*Former Champions Showcase: Wrestlezone Undisputed Championship Number One Contender's Three Way*

Johnny Lions vs Damien vs Bryan Tucker

*Intergender Tag Team*

Aspen Faith & Sammii Jayne vs Lewis Girvan & Debbie Sharpe

*Christmas Brawl*

Blue Thunder vs William Sterling

Shawn Johnson vs Lord Mr Malice

WWE Hall Of Famer, Mick Foley Confirmed To Appear

Finishing the weekend off and there was really only one show that we could talk about. The SOLD OUT, Insane Championship Wrestling Fear & Loathing VIII event at the SECC in Glasgow. Now, ICW are no strangers to sold out shows in big venues. However, this event is actually historic and record-breaking. This event is the highest-grossing since Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks in Wembley in 1981. This show will also have a larger crowd that any US independent promotion (excluding ECW) EVER. And do you know why? Because it is stacked from bell to bell with incredible matches and talent. Every championship will be on the line during the event, including the ICW Women's Championship which will be presented to the winner of Nikki Storm vs Kay Lee Ray. Both of these women have progressed through a series of tournament matches in the run up to this event. Nobody can say they know the definitive winner of this match as both wrestlers are so equal in talent and desire to be champion. Fear & Loathing has been known as a place to end rivalries and one of the biggest rivalry in ICW in recent memory has been between Legion and the New Age Kliq. This feud started many months ago and has gotten more intense and violent as time has went on. The hatred between Legion's Mikey Whiplash, Tommy End & Michael Dante and the NAK's Chris Renfrew, BT Gunn & Wolfgang has now gotten so big that this match will be contested in a Steel Cage. Violence is nothing new in ICW but this match may well set a standard in violence that might never be surpassed. With Fear & Loathing VIII being the biggest show in British Wrestling history it is only fitting that the biggest prize in ICW, the ICW World Heavyweight Championship is on the line. The challenger to Drew Galloway's title? Probably the most recognisable face in British Wrestling today, Grado. Back in August, Grado announced that he would challenge for the ICW World Heavyweight Championship. An announcement that brought Grado into the sights of Drew Galloway, Jack Jester & Red Lightning who have attacked Grado at every opportunity. Others such as Chris Renfrew has also questioned Grado being in the main event. Something that has light a fire in Grado that has never been seen. Grado is looking to prove to the the detractors that he deserves to be where he is. While The Black Label's attacks on Grado may have been a way to make him change his mind, they have only focused him more. The time for fun, laughs and jokes is over. Grado is now looking to prove to anyone who said he shouldn't be in the main event that he deserves his place and he'll look to do that by becoming the ICW World Heavyweight Champion this Sunday in front of 4,000 fans.

Match Card

*ICW World Heavyweight Championship*

Grado vs Drew Galloway (c)

*ICW Zero-G Championship*

Davey Boy (w/ The Wee Man) vs Stevie Boy (c)

*ICW Women’s Championship Tournament Final*

‘The Best In The Galaxy’ Nikki Storm vs Kay Lee Ray

*ICW Tag Team Championship*

The 55 (Kid Fite & ‘The East End Butcher’ Sha Samuels) (w/ James R Kennedy) vs Polo Promotions (Jackie Polo & ‘The Real Deal’ Mark Coffey) (c) (w/ Coach Trip)

*Steel Cage Six Man Tag Team*

Legion (Tommy End, Mikey Whiplash & Michael Dante) vs New Age Kliq (Chris Renfrew, BT Gunn & Wolfgang)

‘The Man-Beast’ Rhyno vs ‘Iron Man’ Joe Coffey

‘The Beast Of Belfast’ Damo vs ‘The Hardcore Icon’ Jack Jester

*Six-Man Tag Team*

Lionheart, ‘Bad Boy’ Liam Thomson & Doug Williams vs Kenny Williams, Noam Dar & ‘Global Hero’ Joe Hendry

‘Hardcore Legend’ Mick Foley As Commissioner For The Evening

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 and more

Wrestle Ropes Ready for the Weekend: October 2015 Week 3

This week's edition of Ready For The Weekend sees us travelling to Carlisle before heading to the very north of Scotland before finally coming all the way back and ending in London. Only in British Wrestling would that be a normal weekend. So let's get on the road!

Friday night kicks off in Carlisle when Target Wrestling return to The Venue with a showcase of the Best Of British. When you talk about the best in the UK with regards to tag teams, few surpass The Hooligans' Zak & Roy Knight. On October 16th they step in the ring with a tag team who have dominated Target Wrestling for the last year, Alexander Henry & Johnny Khaos of Red Nation. Red Nation have taken the fight to any tag team they have faced but this Friday they'll face a team which loves to fight. The Hooligans are rightly so in the top elite of tag teams in the UK right now and this will be the biggest test that Red Nation have ever faced. A win for them would undoubtedly put them amongst the very best. Friday will also see James Scott make the first defence of the High Octane Division Championship since winning the vacant championship back in September. He'll have a challenge on his hands as he defends against Spyda, who he defeated to win the championship, and Martin Kirby, one of the UK's most decorated singles & tag team champions. Scott has proven himself at being tough after coming back from injury but this will be a big test against not just one but two opponents. Originally, Target Wrestling announced that Carmel would be in action against Saraya Knight, however after unforeseen circumstances Saraya had to withdraw from the match. Target Wrestling didn't let that stop them and upped the ante by announcing that Carmel would instead compete against Kasey Owens, Bete Noire & Destiny in a fatal four-way match instead. The mast will see both Destiny & Bete Noire make their Target Wrestling while Owens makes her first appearance since April. This match has a lot of styles in it from heavy hitters like Destiny and Bete Noire to the more high-flying and technical aspect from Owens & Carmel and a lot of crossover from all four women. Nobody looks a clear winner with all four looking to leave a lasting impression in Target Wrestling.

Moving on to Saturday and we travel to the north of Scotland for Wrestlezone's event at the Kinellar Hall in Blackburn. The past few events have seen a back-and-forth between The Rejected's Chris Archer & Mikkey Vago and the current Wrestlezone Tag Team Champions, Mr P & Kaden Garrick. Neither team has come out a clear winner from their previous match victories being shared between both teams. This Saturday looks to see their rivalry continue as Mikkey Vago faces Kaden Garrick while Mr P competes against Chris Archer in singles match. While these matches won't settle anything, wins for The Rejected could see them get another shot at the Wrestlezone Tag Team Championship. One man who has definitely been picking up win after win in recent months has been Aspen Faith. A few weeks ago, Faith issued a challenge to any former Wrestlezone champion to face him as he looked to further make his case as a contender for championship gold. However, few expected including Aspen Faith himself that the challenge would be accepted by former Wrestlezone Tag Team Champion, Cysto. Aspen Faith has made it clear that he is not happy and now looks to make an example of Cysto in Blackburn on October 17th. The main event for October 17th will see the current Wrestlezone Undisputed Champion, Scotty Swift continue his fight with Sterling Oil when he joins forces with former champion, Crusher Craib to face Alan & William Sterling in a tag team match. Since Sterling Oil's reformation they have primarily focused on getting the Wrestlezone Undisputed Championship back around their collective waist. Swift has not taken their attacks lying down and has faced every challenge they have put in front of him. He's now taking the fight directly to the group and looks to send a message on Saturday night when he and Crusher Craib meet The Sterling Brothers in the ring.

We finally finish the weekend back in London with Progress Wrestling 'Chapter 22: Trust, Encouragement, Reward, Loyalty... Satisfaction' at The Electric Ballroom in Camden. Now as is now a standard with Progress, this show is already sold out and has been for ages. But that doesn't mean we can't look at what is happening at the event and you might be very lucky and pick up returned ticket through their site: www.progresswrestling.twickets.co.uk. The main event will see former tag team partners and friends, Will Ospreay and Paul Robinson clash for the Progress Championship. Ospreay overcame the oppressive Jimmy Havoc to reach the top of the Progress mountain back at Chapter 20 and has already defended it against Mark Haskins at Chapter 21. It was at Chapter 21 that Paul Robinson beat Jimmy Havoc in one of the most brutal matches in the history of Progress Wrestling. Following the match, Robinson laid claim to a championship opportunity which would have been awarded to Havoc had he won. This is the most violent we have ever seen Paul Robinson but Ospreay has told his former mentor that he's not the Will Ospreay that he knew. He is no longer a kid that Robinson helped when they were team mates and Robinson is definitely not the same man he was back then either. These men have unfinished business with each other and on Sunday they look to end it. We won't say whoever wins, more whoever survives will walk of the Progress Champion. Following Chapter 21, Nathan Cruz released a video claiming that he, El Ligero & Zack Gibson were building an army. The London Riots soon heard of this video and countered that they and the current Progress Tag Team Champions, Tommy End & Michael Dante of the Sumerian Death Squad would face this army in a match at Chapter 22. The London Riots & Sumerian Death Squad are looking to meet this army head on except they don't know how big this army actually is. The match has been signed but in all reality we have no idea if the teams will be even or whether SDS & Riots will be outnumbered. Either way, regardless of the numbers, we're seeing a fight on Sunday in Camden. Since his début in Progress Wrestling, 'Flash' Morgan Webster has never lose a single match. Add in that he is also guaranteed a championship match whenever he wants thanks to winning the Natural Progression Series and things are pretty good for The Modfather. One man who wishes he had such success in Progress is 'The Villain' Marty Scurll who has come up short on numerous occasions. At Chapter 21, Marty Scurll simply snapped and shocked The Electric Ballroom with his actions. Since then Scurll has been silent. This Sunday Morgan Webster walks into Progress undefeated but against an opponent in Marty Scurll who might be so dangerous that nobody can comprehend what he might do.



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 and more

Guest Article: The Faith is Strong with This One

This week's guest article comes from OSWtv's Billy Strachan. This month Billy takes a look at an up and coming Scottish wrestler, by the name of Aspen Faith.

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Aspen Faith has had a breakout year in wrestling, making débuts in Discovery, Rock N Wrestle, Pride, SWA, W3L and ICW (under the Spacebaws banner). All while continuing to antagonise the fans in the Granite City for WrestleZone.

Originally "The Hippie Horror", Faith held the WrestleZone Tag Team Titles with James Midas and along with KT Kane the trio became known as Team S.M.A.S.H. (Superior Moves And Submission Holds)



During the Team S.M.A.S.H. era, Faith got to face the likes of "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan (Aberdeen Anarchy 2013) and, current Ring of Honor World and Television Champion, Jay Lethal (Battle of the Nations 2013) but it was his lengthy feud with British World of Sport Legend, and WrestleZone fan favourite, Len Ironside that really put eyes on the self proclaimed "The King of Catch", defeating Ironside two falls to one in a World of Sport Rules match at Aberdeen Anarchy 2014.



After defeating Len Ironside, Faith would continue to gloat by carrying a stool to the ring with Len's face on it, cockily standing on the stool as a mark of disrespect. Aspen Faith was hated wherever he went in the North East for WrestleZone, but not content with that, he also travelled to Inverness to superkick Crusher Craib to make a shocking debut for Rock N Wrestle.



Making his Discovery debut, as Christopher Saynt's hand picked replacement in The Gatecrashers with Dave Conrad, Faith was thrown into the deep end as he faced Wild Lions, Joe Hendry and Lou King Sharp and The Young Bucks on his first night in a tag team elimination fatal four way.





Replacing KT Kane with the lovely but at the same time equally devious Sammii Jayne, Aspen Faith is beating opponents one at a time at WrestleZone, marching his way back to title contention. It can only be a matter of time before he holds their Undisputed Title.

On a personal note, Aspen Faith is one of my favourite wrestlers. His moveset is similar to the likes of William Regal, a methodical approach to targeting a body part with precision, makes you feel every move as he wretches and twists body parts out of shape. He uses unique moves like a pumphandle flatliner to throw opponents. He can adapt to a brawl while also finding ways to grapple and contort opponents.



With his confident swagger, ever expanding moveset and his delivery on microphone, Aspen Faith is the total package in professional wrestling. He is the real deal.



But that's just this guy’s opinion.



'Til next time this has been your friendly neighbourhood wrestling blogger.

Billy


Website
Facebook
Twitter

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As usual a big thanks to Billy for this article, make sure to go check out all his stuff at the links above. Next week, we'll have the debut article from Lily Lestrange.

Over The Border VI: Something Something Something Anarchy

It's around this time of year that WrestleZone begins the countdown to their biggest event of the year. The last two years has seen over a thousand wrestling fans of all ages descend towards the Beach Ballroom and I have been one of them. After the dust settles from the Regal Rumble the Road to Anarchy begins…

Aberdeen Anarchy is WrestleZone's WrestleMania with special guests, star attractions and presenting an overall experience as opposed to just a wrestling show. For the last two years it has been an event that is a highlight of my wrestling calender and this year will be no different. 

Back on June 1st 2013, I attended Aberdeen Anarchy, the fifth event but the first to take place in the Beach Ballroom. This was a venue that had seen wrestling in the past but not for 30 plus years. WrestleZone were pulling out all the stops by bringing in an 80's Legend and an American Icon in "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. If that wasn't enough nostalgia, they also announced that Billy Gunn would also be at the event which sprung a generation that grew up on the Attitude Era into life. Two guests that peaks the interest of two generations. I went because it was Billy Gunn attending, I mean, this guy was one of "my boys" and the chance to meet him? Oh hell yeah!

But it wasn't the guests that kept me coming back, the first match I saw on the main Aberdeen Anarchy show was Stevie Xavier vs Bingo Ballance. If there is ever a match to draw you into an event this was it. The high-flying, the crispness in movement, it was a masterpiece. Quite possibly the best opening match that I've ever seen. From that point onwards I was in for a ride of nostalgia and cementing why I love the crazy world of professional wrestling. The venue was beautiful, the wrestling was incredible and I was only a short train ride from my own bed. Was this heaven?

That night I was among the 1,103 in attendance for a record breaking night in Aberdeen. A night that lives in my memory for evermore. What could top that?

May 10th 2014. Aberdeen Anarchy.

Oh man. I have never been so excited for an event like I was for Aberdeen Anarchy 2014. Scotty 2 Hotty was coming to Aberdeen and this guy was my hero growing up. It was like Jeff Hardy, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Scotty 2 Hotty. I would try and do the worm but could never manage it. WrestleZone had outdone themselves again, I attended their Regal Rumble event to witness Jack Jester win the main event battle royal and saw the intense brawl between him and the Champion, Crusher Craib. I had seen Grado book his place at Aberdeen Anarchy by defeating Jay Lethal and Zach Dynamite to go onto face Scotty 2 Hotty at the big show. Yes, Scotty 2 Hotty vs Grado. The Worm vs The Slug. This was the must see event of the year, Aberdeen Anarchy 2015. WrestleZone returned to the Beach Ballroom and opened up space in the balcony so that more people to come in, 1,271 rabid fans flocked to Aberdeen to see WrestleZone put on their finest show ever.

This event showcased what WrestleZone offers in terms of family entertainment from a wrestling match between Andy Wild and Bingo Ballance, a heated contest between Aspen Faith and Len Ironside. It featured comedy from Alan Sterling and the amazing Grado vs Scotty 2 Hotty match. It had a brutal ladder match between Thunder Buddies and The Hotshots. Plus X-Pac in action in a six man tag team match and an expertly built main event between Crusher Craib and Jack Jester.

1,271 people didn't just see a wrestling show, they saw the best wrestling show in the North East of Scotland that I have ever seen. 

This leads us to 2015 back at the Beach Ballroom. Aberdeen Anarchy is beginning to take shape with fan favourite Scotty Swift winning a shot at the current WrestleZone Undisputed Champion Joe Coffey in lue if winning the Regal Rumble. The special guests, again, are big names with Chris Masters, D-Von Dudley and Hardcore Holly all coming to the Granite City
.

It'll be a night of shock, awe and action. The landscape of WrestleZone will never be the same. You won’t want to miss this!

The VIP Meet and Greet tickets have sold out but there will still be a chance to meet the special guests.

http://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/events/wrestlezone-aberdeen-anarchy-supershow-293232  

Best of British III - WrestleZone

       This month's Best of British see's Over The Border writer Billy Strachan take a look at WrestleZone.

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      WrestleZone have been tearing up the North East of Scotland since 2008, with a strong and rabid fanbase along with steller wrestlers and guests, I'm here to throw their name into the hat to be called "Best of British".

I had gotten the independent wrestling bug in mid-2012 when I attended SWE Hell for Lycra IX and from then on I was on the hunt to see as many shows that I could afford…which wasn’t many but it allowed me to pick and choose events. When I saw that one of my favourite wrestlers (Billy Gunn) was coming to Aberdeen of all places, I had to get along to that!

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Billy Gunn was the man that got Billy interested.

My first experience of WrestleZone was their fifth Aberdeen Anarchy event in 2013. Before this I had attended a couple SWE shows and a W3L event so had an idea what to expect from an independent event. The main drawing point for me was the special guests, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Billy Gunn. When I got to the Beach Ballroom to watch the event though, wow, it was the wrestlers that made me want to come back. When you kick off the show in a sold out Ballroom with Bingo Ballance vs Stevie Xavier (www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOvAElvdRm4) you know you're in for a treat. What followed was a packed show top to bottom and that's what you expect when you come to a WrestleZone event. They have their "big events" like the Regal Rumble, Aberdeen Anarchy and Battle of the Nations but they also tour the North East in places like Ellon, Huntly and Fraserburgh so that everyone gets a chance to see their roster in action.

      Their core roster is full of talented individuals, with some just coming to prominence and debuting in other promotions. The characters are well thought out and fill the needs for every person that comes to an event from comedy acts like Mr Malice, Super Executioner and the Cystos to pure wrestling like Aspen Faith or just a hero for the crowd to pull for like Scotty Swift.

Scotty Swift is a big fan favourite at WrestleZone

      Their tag team division is currently home to three very good teams from the champions The Granite City Hotshots (Bryan Tucker and Shawn Johnson) to the odd couple team of Thunder Buddies (William Sterling and Blue Thunder) and the dangerous pairing of Revolution (Damien and Johnny Lions). Two of these teams put on a fantastic display at Aberdeen Anarchy in 2014 when Thunder Buddies and The Hotshots faced off in a ladder match. It was brutal but mesmerising with a well deserved standing ovation at the end for all four competitors.

       What impresses me about WrestleZone is their production, match graphics for every match, every event. Promos from their wrestlers are produced in plenty of time and their own podcast answers any questions fans may have about the product. They excel in fan interaction and getting people involved.

An example of WrestleZone's recent match graphics.

        I went to their Regal Rumble event which saw Jack Jester win the annual battle royal to face the champion at Aberdeen Anarchy that year. This program between Jack Jester and the champion Crusher Craib was the best build up that I had seen in a very long time. It had started prior to this event when Jester handed the champion his first loss (by DQ) and gotten into the monsters head. Crusher was a monster that just booted folk in the face and left but with Jester he had become more human by showing weakness. After Jester won the Regal Rumble there was a pull apart brawl between the two which consisted of the whole roster and staff to pull the two away from each other. What happened at Aberdeen Anarchy was shocking as Jester had Crusher pleading as Jester had held one of the camera girls by the neck and threatened her with his corkscrew. The monster had become human by showing mercy. It was fantastic storytelling, with every little detail adding to the match. The video package before the match at Aberdeen Anarchy summed it up (www.youtube.com/watch?v=w32sRBoWqE8).

Not only do they pull out all the stops at their big events but at their smaller events the guys involved put everything into their matches and work hard to get the crowd invested into their matches. Their regular roster boasts a lot of talent from the likes of Zach Dynamite, Chris Archer, Alan Sterling and the aforementioned Scotty Swift, Crusher Craib and Aspen Faith. I’ve been to smaller shows in Fraserburgh and Nairn where the crowd may not have been big but they were loud and were left wanting more.

Crusher Craib is a regular for WrestleZone

     In the last couple of years, WrestleZone have brought over some fantastic guests that have been enthusiastic and willing to perform, no false advertising or phoning in here. The likes of the aforementioned “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Billy Gunn, Sonjay Dutt and Jay Lethal have come from across the pond along with Colt Cabana, X-Pac, Scotty 2 Hotty and, in May, D-Von Dudley, Chris Masters and Hardcore Holly. With these stars they’ve hosted dream matches like Grado vs Scotty 2 Hotty.

It’s not only international talent that comes through the doors at WrestleZone but the best in Britain like Drew Galloway, Joe Coffey and Lionheart having made appearances for them in the past.

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Drew Galloway appeared for WrestleZone in August.

      WrestleZone are a company that work hard and try and give the fans something to remember at every event. They are definitely a company to keep your eye on.

    For more on WrestleZone see http://www.wrestlezonescotland.co.uk/, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Over The Border - A Revolution Has Begun

2014 has been a huge year for professional wrestling. With Scottish wrestling promotions really coming into their own and at least two companies drawing over 1000 fans in attendance, it's growing at a fast rate. Thanks, in part, to the Insane Fight Club documentary on the BBC. It really helped people realise that there are local wrestling companies that aren't "WWF Tribute" shows but legitimate companies with their own identity.  

In every corner of Scotland there is a company that gives you something a little bit different, from Rock N Wrestle and Caithness Pro Wrestling in the Highlands, WrestleZone in Aberdeenshire, SWE in Tayside, Reckless Intent in West Lothian, even Target tread the borders into Dumfries and Galloway. I can't forget the central belt and surrounding area that harbours a bursting scene with ICW, SWA, BCW, PBW, Fierce Females, PWE and Pride respectively. With many companies starting in the last year, like the aforementioned Rock N Wrestle and also Discovery Wrestling, and companies touring Scotland over the year like W3L, you can't help but be swept up in the momentum that Scottish wrestling is building.

Wrestling is a serious business, no more Tribute Kanes and Tribute Mankinds rolling about and failing to fool even the 10 year olds in attendance, but now there are actual wrestlers, entertainers and something you can believe in. It's proven by how many people want to spread the word about Scottish wrestling through blogs, videos, podcasts and Facebook pages (myself included) we are all proud of this revolution happening in our country. 

Proof is shown in TNA British Bootcamp Season 2 where four of Scotland’s best made it through to the UK Finals; Noam Dar, Kay Lee Ray, Nikki Storm and Grado. This is just scratching the surface of what Scotland has to offer.

It can only get better, with the country producing the best male and female talent it is only a matter of time before we see Scottish wrestling back on TV (and I don't mean a graveyard slot on MyChannel). Insane Fight Club 2 is set for airing next year on BBC One and with the ICW On Demand service (only £3.95) available plus a whole load of content on YouTube including full events from SWE and PWE, we are in a haven of opportunity to watch the cream of the crop, the best in Europe and it is right on your doorstep.

Drew Galloway sums it up best.

Five Questions With... Alex and Rob from Scottish Wrestling Ring

After last weeks interview with Squared Circle Cafe, it's time to for another multi person interview with Alex and Rob from Scottish Wrestling Ring.

Name: Scottish Wrestling Ring (Alex & Rob)
Age: (35 and 39)
Hometown: Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Known For: Running ‘Scottish Wrestling Ring’.


1. When did you first get into wrestling and what drew you to the sport?

When we were very young we used to watch world of sport religiously every Saturday afternoon with our nana Betty who was as much into it as us. Then in 1985 when we were of the ages 7 and 10 our dad borrowed a video tape from his friend, this video tape had an event called Wrestlemania on it from a company called WWF which had aired on cable TV a few days earlier.

Our dad and the us sat down and watched this tape and were instantly hooked. I think a few weeks later we had cable TV in the house as well as our bedroom and from then on we watched every bit of wrestling we could. It was something that a lot of our friends were just getting into as well and we used to hold massive royal rumbles with all of them.

As kids of 7 and 10 we had no grasp of the fact that the matches were pre-determined so it was really story line based for us in the early days. The wrestling addiction continued for both of us through WWF/WWE, WCW, GLOW and Japanese wrestling too whenever it was shown which wasn’t very often.

We used to get the WWF magazine as kids and I remember going home from school at dinner time to watch the WWF cartoon.

This escalated up to the attitude era and later days of WCW and the ECW which we would record and then watch with our pals after the pub (we used to share a flat before we got families).

Now this day in age we can both be found still watching wrestling except it’s usually with our kids now too.

2. Tell us a little about Scottish Wrestling Ring and how it all came about? As mentioned previously we are both massive fans and go mental when there are Scottish wrestlers doing well, Piper (although not really Scottish) as kids to when The Highlanders came in to WWE and then to present with Drew. Recently though the wrestling scene in Scotland has been in such a increase in popularity with the promotions now into double figures as well as a few schools throughout the country. With this the standards of matches and shows have been increasing tenfold with many saying we have the best female division in Europe with ICW: Fierce Females as well as Nikki Storm who is Scottish being the current Pro Wrestling EVE Champion. Wrestling in Scotland is in such a great place and we noticed the upturn of fans and people looking for more information on the promotions and wrestlers. Then one day whilst Rob and his family were at mine we were on YouTube watching Scottish wrestlers and promotions like ICW, SWA, Wrestlezone, Noam Dar, Wolfgang and BT Gunn with both of us seriously impressed fan-boying out and then the idea came about. After both then getting into the Scottish scene, going to events and watching videos from most promotions in Scotland we decided to just go for it and here we now are. 3. What're the main promotions to watch out for in Scotland and who are the hottest Scottish talents at the moment Rob: - Wrestlezone, ICW and SWA as promotions are going great just now with Noam Dar, Nikki Storm and Grado as wrestlers with a shout out to Sterling Oil. Alex: - Like wise to Rob I prefer the promotions that have a touch of a story line to them as it allows you to feel more invested into the match. Wrestlezone, ICW, SWA and SWE are good at keeping an online presence with Wrestlezone, ICW and SWE especially good at keeping you in touch with what is happening storyline wise with their online presence and promos. Wrestlers who are ‘hot’ I would say is BT Gunn, Noam Dar, Kay Lee Ray, Solar, Aspen Faith, Joe & Mark Coffey,  Andy Wild and Ian Ambrose all have a great future but there are many more who could be added, like I could mention another 20 off the top of my head easily. A shout out to some wrestlers who don’t get enough credit they should like Euan G Mackie and Scotty Swift but I don’t want to just name them because everyone attached to the industry in Scotland should be proud of their input.

 4. What are your Top Three matches of all time and why?

  Rob: -
Macho Man Vs. Steamboat at Wrestlemania 3
 Macho Man Vs Steamboat was the first one I watched and thought holy shit and the match I show non wrestling fans.

 Punk vs. Joe in Ring of Honour 2004 Punk vs. Joe I always get emotionally invested in even though I know who wins (WWE should have had a try with Joe like they have Punk, Danielson, Tyler Black and Jon Moxley who are of course doing amazing as Rollins and Ambrose in the shield)

 Lesnar vs. Angle at Wrestlemania 19 Lesnar vs. Angle at wrestlemania 19 ,2 of the greatest wrestlers of all time in my eyes, Lesnar would of had Cena's spot as top man if he never split and didn't like the travel, that wasn't meant as a slight on Cena, I just think its fact and Angle is a machine, that match is the single reason I want Angle back in the WWE, for one more match at the Granddaddy of Them All to avenge his loss the last time and retire but I may be in a minority there.

Alex: -   A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels (Unbreakable 2005) Another one of my heroes is AJ Styles and I think I have yet to see him put on a bad match and in this match for the X-Division championship it is no different. I am a massive comic book fan as is Christopher Daniels and as we are both X-Men guys I mark for him most of the time so when you throw in Samoa Joe it’s an amazing mix. These guys have met a few times and was probably the my reason for starting watching TNA. Hulk Hogan WHAT HAVE YOU DONE…… The audiences  chanting "Awesome" through the match should tell you how good this is.

 Low Ki Vs. Bryan Danielson Vs. Christopher Daniels – The Era of Honor Begins (2/23/02) Another of my guys is Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) so its no surprise he and Christopher Daniels make my list but this match is special. Mentioned before I am RoH guy and love the promotion but this match kind of started it all. Not long after WCW and ECW had finished and people were screaming out for something different and then this match took place and put RoH firmly on the map. I am not surprised in the slightest at how well D Bry is doing.

 Undertaker v Mankind at Hell in a Cell Undertaker is one of the best WWE has ever had and Mankind (Foley in general) is one of my favourite wrestlers of all time. This match is one I can re watch over and over. The beating that Foley took and then Undertaker injured his ankle in the match too when he jumped down from the top of the cell which was the root cause for why he was on the shelf for about 10 months starting from Summer 1999. WWE just doesn’t have matches like this anymore (unless you are Punk and Bryan).

5. Where can our readers find your work and what have you got coming up? Main site = http://scottishwrestlingring.com/ Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/ScottishWrestlingRing Twitter = https://twitter.com/ScotWrestleRing

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We'd like to thanks Alex and Rob for this great interview. Next week: Discover Wrestling