After several articles relating to promoters, I’m going move slightly away this week. Rather than covering promoters on the whole and analysing industry trends, I’m going to focus on the new promotion NCW. I’ll get back on the original track next time out.
I’ve received numerous emails over the last couple of weeks regarding this show, set for March 13th in Reading, not least because of the roster that has been announced. In the wake of the Internet frenzy concerning another soon to be launched promotion, NCW – National Championship Wrestling, have quietly been plotting a debut show in Essex. Fortunately, being involved on the upcoming show, I can help to set the record straight.
The show has announced the best of British including Robbie Brookside, The UK Pitbulls and many others. But what has really caught on is the fact that “The Franchise” Shane Douglas is scheduled to compete. I’m looking forward to hitting the ring with NCW and thought that this issue fitted well with my look at wrestling promoters for www.wrestling101.com.
I have talked to numerous wrestling fans over the last week to confirm my appearance, and that to my knowledge the other UK stars, and in particularly Shane Douglas himself are all booked for this date. I find it kind of sad that fans can no longer trust the publicised card for a show, in fear of the wrestlers promised not appearing. I feel for the fans, that the market has gotten to the stage where trust is at an all time low. I also feel for NCW promoter, Peter Virgo, because previous disasters in the UK have meant that he has an enormous amount of pressure on him, to deliver exactly what is promised.
On the other hand, if Mr Virgo does deliver as promised, and creates a memorable show on March 13th, my hope is that NCW will be embraced by the UK wrestling industry as a healthy addition to what this country has to offer.
NCW has been is the planning stages for a number of years, I know this because I have been on contact with the promotion, on and off, for that period of time. When the plan was unveiled several months ago and the roster slowly began to go public, it was done at a time when other companies were throwing press release after press release at the Internet… only to revise them weeks later. There is something to be said for understatement in the wrestling business nowadays.
Whilst I can’t comment of Virgo’s ability as a promoter (the first show hasn’t happened yet!) I can say that he has formulated a great set of wrestlers for his first show. By bringing over 2 hot names from the states, and bolstering with some of the UK’s finest – NCW has as greater chance of any as it nears bell time.
Seeing as yours truly will be heading to Reading, Essex for that debut show, it stands to reason that I would like to help NCW in any way I can, and hope that UK wrestling fans will give this new group a chance before questioning the card or pulling their efforts apart on internet forums. As British fans we need to stick together and give every promoter a fighting chance. If you get to Reading and the show has been replaced with all-in table tennis, then feel free to weigh in on them, but I think Mr Virgo’s well paced lead up to the show, his lack of premature hype, and the potential the stable brings is something for all of us to look forward to!
In the coming weeks, along with my analysis of the UK scene, Ill be able to shed more light on NCW. Take care and speak to you soon.
Scott Future