Welcome one all to the last UK Scene column from me …… for two weeks anyway. Never fear though as I will try and leave you on a high note before I go on my annual holiday stateside to see how it is done over there. So two weeks without me how are you going to survive? In the capable hands of Goldy of course who I will leave the reigns to again for two weeks. So with all those announcements done, let’s get down to the serious business that being the UK Scene.
This week I will start by talking about the confusions which have surfaced lately regarding British Wrestling and TV. Now when Live TV announced it was to re-launch on Sky Digital they said that they would be mainly showing archive footage from the days it use to run on cable and the original Sky platform. Now the TV station has been back on air for some weeks now showing archive footage but no UWA footage has screened as of yet which we were all hoping for. The station never directly promised it, so that lead to original uncertainty. Now there have been many conflicting reports from people who have been in contact with the station on what the stations stance is on it. The most likely scenario I feel is that we may get 30 minute best of UWA programmes in the future if demand was high enough.
If this wasn’t enough we are yet to have a set in stone date for the launch of the Wrestling Channel on Sky Digital. When all the press information was released they said September then they said October and now the website for the channel is down. Since the announcement of October we have heard nothing and stemming from Alex Shane’s comments in his recent interview on Powerslam Radio we could even have to wait until 2004 until it launches. According to Alex all the excuses they have made for not launching are very believable but with everything which has happened to UK Wrestling in the past it does make you start questioning the station.
Jonny Storm came up short this week in his latest match for NWA:TNA as part of his US tour. He lost to Teddy Hart in the first round of the X Cup but the match was said to be one of the best matches of the first round. Jonny seems to be improving with every appearance on NWA:TNA and I could easily see him being offered a longer contract than the three match contract that he originally secured with NWA:TNA.
Following on with the international front James Mason will be invading Europe again this weekend. James will be in Norway this weekend to face Gromguten as part of the NWF Norway vs. International stars night. The event taking place on the 24th is being billed as a best of three series. Also competing on the night is UK wrestler Adam Fowler for whom this is a major break as his up and coming career continues. Another name on the card you may be familiar with is Erik Isaksen who has wrestled all over the UK as Eric Oslo. Good luck to all the UK guys flying the flag on foreign soil this weekend.
Every week the UK Scene is truly turning in to a complete UK Scene as more events and schools are put on around the UK in every nook and cranny. So it was great news to hear this week that Drew McDonald and the Flatliner will be leading a wrestling training school in Northern Ireland. It will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland with weekend classes starting in October. They hope to bring in a guest wrestler every 6 weeks to do one off training sessions with the trainees which will be a great insight for them. For more information on the school go to: newgenerationmcd.cjb.net.
This is a bit of old news now due to me doing my one off special last week but I want to mention it. Last week American Dragon added another promotion to the list he has worked with in the UK by working for Premier Promotions on one of their summer shows. This was very much a surprise appearance by Dragon who scored a big win over Doug Williams. American Dragon has now been in the UK for some time and must be coming to the end of his time soon I just wonder if Premier Promotion had the problems the FWA had to book him.
For all you Southampton fans TWA may have gone but there is some good news for you as newly formed Catch Wrestling Council are going to be putting on a free show at the Thornhill Festival on September 20th. The show is free because it is sponsored by Thornhill’s New Deal for communities which is good to see. I would like to see more shows sponsored and more shows working in and helping the local community so this event encompasses both ideals. I am lead to believe that Baxter Burridge will be making his CWC debut on the show which is worth the travel alone. Baxter Burridge will be sharing his thoughts with you all shortly as I am in the process of conducting a big interview with him for the site.
The MPW Summer Havoc Tour continues this weekend as they invade The Christ’s The King’s Social club in Westhill road in Coventry. Unfortunately their regular stop in Telford has had to be postponed this weekend due to working being carried out on the venue. Never fear though Telford Faithful, as they will be back at the venue on September 20th. Keep on supporting MPW throughout the summer as they have some good feuds building up and some good matches yet to be seen.
The FWA did its last “FWA 2” event for August in Newport last Thursday to huge success. With no American on the card it is rumoured they drew 450 which are brilliant numbers for an “FWA 2” show. James Tighe made all the headlines coming out of the event as he beat Doug Williams and Flash Barker in a non title three way dance which must now make him one of the top contenders for Doug’s belt.
So I will now leave you in the capable hands of Goldy for two weeks and wish you all a good end to your summer.
Until next time,
Adam Sibley