A lot of my columns are going to be about my theory to wrestling, be it wrong or right, but occasionally I get to let you into my world as a wrestler. I’m sure a lot of you know that since I completed my 6 month training probation at K-star I am on my trainee year. Every now and again something quite special in the terms of personal goals happens and I’d like to share them with you.
Ever since my Grandfather got me into wrestling at an early age I have had a love for wrestling, I was devastated when it was taken off the television, but every Saturday I waited in hope that Big Daddy, Giant Hastacks or Kendo Nagasaki and Blondie Barratt would turn up. It really was my formative year and I think that without it I would not have a vested interest in all that was wrestling.
So when the opportunity to work for Blondie Barratt’s Rebel Pro Wrestling came up, it needed no second thought, I said yes and I got into my car and drove other wrestlers and myself to Great Yarmouth. One long haul it could be said, but it was interspersed with wrestling stories, wrestling games and music, it made the journey quite pleasant in offset to the distance.
Walking into the holiday camp I had flashbacks of when I was a kid, holiday camps have always given me this warm feeling, even though it was pouring with rain. We were a little late after spending 30 minutes behind a tractor that refused to pull over, and the ring was mostly constructed, but we did our bit and headed off for a game of pool and a beer.
We also got to meet the Pegasus brothers from EPW, who were here to get some independent experience, which is fair play to them, there is absolutely nothing wrong with ambition and they fitted into Blondie’s plan like true professionals. I did enjoy it though when Blondie looked at me and said “You have got to be the bad guy”, I keep forgetting that I look more intimidating than I really am.
With an hour to go before doors, we sat around and talked about the matches, once we were sorted on that matter we spent the rest of the time talking about the scene and Blondie recounted a few stories about Kendo Nagasaki, including his nickname.
My involvement in the matches began when I distracted the ref. One of the great thing about RPW, is that at the event we had two announcers who were taking it very badly that I gave one of the Pegasus brothers a good slap (sorry guys, I forget which one of you was which). I think everyone was shocked by what I did apart from him and myself, I was a bad guy, I did despicable things, but the crowd hated me, it was heaven!
The two announcers displayed their disgust by forcing the referee to admit that my distraction had turned the match, as my bad guy partner won and a three on three match was called.
I tell you something though, when I went out the second time I was intimidated by the kids, they ran up to me, mocking me and I thought they were going to beat me to death, but fortunately they were a bit more scared of me.
One thing I have to mention is that the ceiling height to roof ratio was rather small, thus all the big moves were out, which was a shame, as it would have been nice to throw a few suplexes around. The main reason I mention this is that one of the Pegasus boys came off the second rope to axe handle my team mate and clattered his head on the light array, and hard! Hope it wasn’t too permanent.
Once I was in, I was allowed to show my weight and strength advantage, It was me against the Pegasus brother I slapped and I made mincemeat out of him, clubs to the back put him on the floor and a slam took the wind and the fight out of him, I threw him to the ropes caught his cross body and powerslammed him. I was told later that a lot of the audience covered their eyes at that point, he took it very well, but kicked out on the one count. Angry at this display of endurance I decided to do it again, off the ropes, but he threw everything into the cross body and put me on my back.
My final contribution to the match was to try sneak attacking the good guy, he dodged and I accidentally splashed my partner, the other partner joined me after receiving a super kick (I think) then the good guys piled on and we were counted out. Being laughed off the stage by the kids was fun, but that was it for the night.
Afterwards Blondie said that I would be welcome to his shows again and I was booked for a reappearance in a few weeks time, which was a great honour from a guy I used to watch as a kid.
They say you never forget your first show as an independent, but my first show was a dream come true, working with a man who entertained my Grandfather and myself for years, my Grandfather would be proud of me!
Saracen