It’s now time for the one before the big one as column number 99 is ready to be unleashed. In the build up to the big 100 I expect everyone to arrange a party bring a cake, presents and wear party hats, no only kidding although cake does sound good. Even though it is this close to reaching the triple digit mark I will still and give you the most level headed comprehensive coverage of UK Scene news and happenings this week.
I must start off with the best news in a long time for all you UK Scene fans that being the start of test broadcasting for originally titled station The Wrestling Channel. Now I am unsure when the channel will start still but this a very good sign of intention indeed. This is going to be a brilliant Christmas for wrestling fans up and down the country as finally we can watch something other than WWE on a regular basis.
The channel has yet to get its own frequency on Sky so it is doing test broadcasts through Friendly TV which is channel 268 on Sky Digital. This week broadcasts have been on at random times but I am told that starting next week they will be broadcasting one wrestling show a day starting at 7am and repeated again at 7pm.
As you already know through reading the column that the FWA and IWW have deals with The Wrestling channel to broadcast their shows. This means there is a lot of UK interest. It is also good that the honour of being the first show to kick off on Monday will be FWA Frontiers of Honour. Then on Thursday it will be IWW’s turn so next week will be a big week for UK Wrestling to coincide with my 100th.
With all good news comes bad news though and it comes in the form of the retirements of two UK Scene greats. The first is name known all around the world and would probably be one of the first names that came to mind if asked to name a UK Scene legend it is of course Marty Jones. The legend who most will remember watching him on ITV in the good old days has been out of action for the last 18 months with a knee injury. Before he retires Marty has bravely announced he will work three dates this December for All Star as a farewell tour and to say good bye to all his fans.
The second UK great to announce his retirement is a member of the famous fighting Collins family the Bristol Brawler Peter Collins. Peter worked throughout the 80s appearing at all the top venues including the Royal Albert Hall. He even got chance to work with his younger brother Danny Collins who’s success spurred Peter in to the business. Peter will end his career where he started it at the Colston Hall in Bristol on the 28th of November for All Star.
Speaking of the Colston Hall it is going to be an end of an era this year as after 40 years of wrestling events at the venue the hall will no longer stage wrestling events after 2003. The venue has seen many events over the years and is part of British wrestling history and tradition so it will be a great loss to the industry to think no more events will be held their as it is a popular venue with hundreds of fans piling through the doors through the years to see live British wrestling. The last event there will be put on by All Star on the 18th of December and will coincide with Marty Jones last ever match so it should be an emotion packed night.
Some of you may have noticed Future Championship Wrestling (FCW) now have their official forum within the UK Scene forum. So I’m expecting a few more FCW fans on the forums! FCW will be having their next event on 30th November entitled “November Reign” at the Baggeridge Social Welfare Centre in Lower Gornal. The card looks like:
- FCW Holland Championship
The Dominator (c) vs. Morales - “The Pigman” Andy Hogg & The Bouncer vs. The British Connection
- “Tomcat” Kevin O’Neil vs. Rob Hunter vs. Laken Xander
- “High Impact” Sam Green vs. Celt Kennedy
- A-Star Athlete vs. Spud
- Devils Advocate vs. The Coalminers
- “Heavy Metal Maniac” Marc Hogan vs. The Judge
- Jack Storm vs. Dragon Phoenix
For more information see: http://www.futurewrestling.co.uk
This week has seen news of the reemergence of ICW which many thought had died before it had even got off the ground. For years the promotions has been known through its website and through forums on the Internet but they have now come back with intentions. On the 20th of November 4 ICW wrestlers invaded a NPWA event and have now formed a working agreement with the Wigan based fed. News has since followed this that a big event to dawn the new era is being planned for April.
According to their press release ICW are in talks with Jerry Lynn, Steve Corino and Low-Ki for a big World Championship crowning event and others have been contacted regarding smaller shows. As well as wrestlers ICW have also recruited local Birmingham adult glamour model Saira who is looking forward to entering the wrestling world. If you want more information on ICW be sure to go to the new website: http://www.icwuk.org.uk
Now to talk about another big event happening next April with many big US names that is of course the X-Wrestling event Revolution. The endless budget has been delved in to again this week with the addition of D’Lo Brown, Bam Bam Bigelow, April Hunter, Slyk Wagner Brown, Chad Collyer, Teddy Hart and Harry Smith to add to the already impressive line up. The bad news though is X-Wrestling have parted company with Ted DiBiase.
A date has finally been set for the big event which is a week after my birthday on April 10th but the venue has yet to be announced although it has been confirmed that it will be in the Yorkshire area. A VIP package has been planned for the event as well as bus trips so there should be something for every fan at the show. More details will be available when the website is back up on the 9th of December. The web address is http://www.xwrestling.co.uk
I am starting to worry a bit though, two big events happening in April next year with more foreign talent than you can shake a stick at, all I hope is that everything goes smoothly and successfully although something tells me from experience that it probably wont. Remember to tune in to channel 268 on Sky Digital starting Monday at 7am for The Wrestling channel test broadcasts and remember to come back next week for my special 100th column.
Until next time,
Adam Sibley
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