Hello and welcome to the weekly UK scene column. Now as most of you are probably aware by now Adam is away on his annual trip to the States, so I am filling in for the next two weeks. I myself have just returned from a fantastic trip to London, Croydon to be exact, which I will be mentioning again further into this column, but never fear as since I’ve returned I have caught fully up with all the goings on in the UK Scene and am ready and willing to share all I know! So for now grab yourselves a cuppa, sit back and enjoy the wonderful world that is the UK wrestling scene.
Now where to start…. I really love this time of year in the UK wrestling calendar, as we head into autumn, what a depressing thought lol! For the UK wrestling scene though its a great time of year as we can look forwards to more and more shows as summer comes to an end and all the summer camps and holiday centre shows finish, meaning we can get back to a more normal pattern and even more promotions putting on events. It’s a fantastic time to be a fan of British wrestling.
The PWI 500 have just announced their annual top 500 wrestlers and I just wanted to mention that the top British wrestler on the list is none other than Doug Williams. He comes in at number 113, which is an improvement on last year. The next British worker on the list is Jody Fleisch at number 123 with Jonny Storm close behind him on 129. Well done lads!
One of the biggest name in British wrestling Kendo Nagasaki is on a quest to find a suitable novice with whom to share some of his legendary mystery powers! Kendo is seeking a young wrestler perhaps a total beginner, a novice to pass on his wealth of knowledge to. This is an excellent opportunity for a young wrestler to learn from the master himself. The search begins with eliminators conducted as part of All Star Wrestlings promotions countrywide. Anyone interested in this brilliant opportunity should download the application form from Nagasaki’s official web site at http://www.kendonagasaki.com.
On a side note concerning Kendo Nagasaki, Kendo has won his court case and has been awarded that all costs will be paid for by the neighbours who took him and his company to court. This must be a huge relief to Kendo and I for one am glad it’s finally sorted out and would like to wish Kendo all the best in his search for a star.
Now going back to Croydon and in keeping with the All Star wrestling theme. I would like to mention All Star Wrestlings upcoming show at their usual haunt at Fairfields Hall next Tuesday night. The reason I wanted to mention this show in particular is that the FWA are set to invade the show, with the FWA tag team title belts being put on the line, yes that’s right at an All Star show! It’s nice to see these two major players in the UK wrestling scene working together, it can only benefit the fans of both promotions. The Family are defending their titles against Alex Shane and Nikita in a typically FWA weapons are legal tag match, a first for regular visitors to the Fairfields Hall as well as other FWA stars possibly making an appearance. Now why didn’t I hang around longer in Croydon? lol! This is the thing I love about All Star and it’s that you never know what talent you will get to watch when you attend one of their shows as they regularly use wrestlers from lots of other UK promotions. For more details of this or any other upcoming All Star shows please visit http://www.bigtimewrestlinguk.com
This leads me nicely onto the FWA Hotwired is just around the corner on September the 21st and today the first of the matches has been announced. Jack Xavier takes on “The Phoenix” Jody Fleisch one more time, both these men were knocked out of the number one contenders spot at Vendetta but have since put on some awesome matches on the Northern Exposure tour. The number one contender will finally be decided when Flash Barker takes on James Tighe to see who will go on to face Doug Williams at British Uprising II. Both Tighe and Barker are worthy of a title run in my book and whoever wins this match the audience will be the ultimate winner as either man can go on to have a fantastic match against Doug Williams. From a personal point of view I hope Barker wins as ever since I saw him have an excellent match against Williams at Vendetta 2002, I have been desperate to see them go at it again! Tickets for Hotwired go on general sale this week.
Carrying on with the FWA and Uprising II which takes place at The York Hall, Bethnall Green, London. The FWA now have to find themselves another foreign star as The Amazing Red who was scheduled to appear on the show has unfortunately suffered a knee injury whilst wrestling in Japan which could see him out of action for up to six months. Therefore meaning he can no longer participate at Uprising. It’s always sad to hear about wrestlers getting injured and I for one am disappointed I now wont have the opportunity to watch him in action. Some people don’t seem to share my views on this and are already taking guesses as to who his replacement will be. Keep an eye on http://www.frontierwrestling.com for the latest FWA news.
Finally to complete all the FWAs news, their next Job Squad night takes place in the usual venue of Pages Bar, 75 Page Street, London this Saturday the 6th of September. That’s right it’s a Saturday night for this first time. This is a good move in my opinion as anyone who has far to travel can stay over and really make a night of it, hopefully not having to get up on the Sunday morning! These nights are a great opportunity to meet up with other fans, drink and partake in wrestling quizzes as well as having wrestling matches on a large screen TV. Doors open at 6pm and you must be over 18.
It’s been an eventful week for Doug Williams as he has recently become only the second wrestler to win back to back Worthing Trophy Tournaments when he defeated Flash Barker in the final at Worthing Assembly Halls on August 28th. The only other wrestler to do this double is Robbie Brookside who emerged triumphant in 1995 and 1999. Williams along with Ulf Herman is set for a tour of Germany in late September with EWP. We at TWO would like to wish both men all the best of luck and as Doug Williams leaves us Jonny Storm returns safely home from his recent tour of the US and stint with NWA TNA.
Wrestling in the Midlands is really picking up at the moment. K Star Wrestling have announced their next show for September 12th at the St.Teresas Club, Wellington Road, Perry Bar (near One Stop). Tickets are priced at £7 Adults and £4.50 for children. The current champ and Adams favourite wrestler The Dark Angel – Carl Mizzery (a view not shared by the audiences as they love to hate Mizzery with his excellent cocky/arrogant heel routine!) is defending his title against the challenger Ric Violent. For the rest of the card visit http://www.kswrestling.2ya.com.
Along with K Star holding regular shows in the Midlands, FCW are also putting on very regular events, with a show being held this evening. Look out for next weeks Talk wrestling online weekly newsletter (cheap plug!) for the results as well as results from every other recent UK scene events.
Now FCW have a new web site which is still being developed but already looks excellent. This is the addy futurewrestling.co.uk. At the moment there is a poll to find out who you – the fans want to see wrestling for FCW. In the lead at the moment is Jonny Storm! who else? lol to have your say head over there and register for the forums. Their next show will be on the 13th of September at The Mill Theatre, Sedgeley, followed by another show the next evening on Sunday the 14th of September at The Collingwood Centre, Great Barr. For ticket details for either of these shows click the above link.
Not forgetting MPW and Premier Promotions who are both also busy holding shows in the Midlands. MPW continue their Midlands tour on the 19th and 20th of September, which looks to be an increasingly busy month! The 19th sees MPW back at Christ The King, Social Club, Westhill Road, Coventry and then onto Madeley court school, Madeley, Telford for the last tour date on the 20th September which I shall hopefully be at once again. It’s a great time to be a fan in the Midlands, so for once we can’t complain!
I’m back with you again next week so until then have a great week,
Goldy