Welcome UK grapple fans to another weekly dose of reality with the UK Scene. This column comes to you on one of the busiest and important weekends of the year so far as the Americans invade a number of cards up and down the country. Also this week we have the unfortunate news of Roy Bevis aka The Zebra Kid being sentenced for drink driving but I will try and keep positive and bring you as much positive news as possible this week as I unleash another UK Scene column.
So start with the positive I shall and talk about the NWA:TNA show which was broadcast on The Wrestling Channel this week. After months of waiting finally we got to see our lads that went over to represent the UK in TNA’s America’s X Cup against the reigning cup holders Mexico. The event came about thanks to Brian Dixon’s links with the American scene as he sent over “Xtreme” Dean Allmark, Frankie Sloan, Robbie Dynamite and James Mason the team were captained by Dave Taylor. The event was broadcast in the states back in April this year but this was the first time the event had screened over here.
Not being one to buy many tapes from traders when I sat down this week this was the first time I had seen the event in its entirety and had to say I was impressed with some bits but not with all that I saw. Now even before the guys got over to America I remember back at the time people questioning why and how some of the wrestlers were chosen but at the end of the day we had to support them as they were being sent over to represent our country.
I thought in the wrestling department our guys were a match for the Mexicans and didn’t look out of place with the other non cup matches on the event. The guys looked the part in some respects with some nice jackets and one of my favourite entrance themes but I thought some of their wrestling attire looked out of place compared to everything else that was on the card. The storyline with Dace Taylor was good ok it made the UK look a little bad that Dave Taylor had to help them win most of the matches but it was very entertaining especially the stuff backstage.
All in all I think it was great exposure for the UK Scene and our boys did us proud. I just hope that it may lead to NWA:TNA bringing some more UK guys over in the future. If you get a chance to sit down this week make sure to watch one of the repeats on The Wrestling Channel.
Now after months of planning IPW:UK’s big debut event is upon us as they bring to us Extreme Measures from Orpington Kent tonight (25/09). This event sees another young promoter (Daniel Elder) throwing his hat in the ring and seeing if he can do better than his predecessors. He though to his credit has not gone over board with hiring US Stars as he just brings Super Dragon and Colt Cobana with him to Orpington Halls.
The array of UK talent on the card including Jonny Storm, Spud, Assassin and Darren Burridge should make this an excellent event and the event will be a history making night as Super Dragon performs for the first time in the UK. The bad news concerning the event was the imprisonment of Roy Bevis aka The Zebra Kid who was due to work on the card but to his fairness Daniel brought in a top class replacement in the form of Robbie Brookside.
Now the 9 month imprisonment of Roy means that he unfortunately wont be able to fulfil any of his bookings for the next 9 months which means if you have brought a ticket to an event expecting to see him he will not be appearing and is no fault of the promoter. It also means that we won’t be able to see the Zebra Kid going against his Dad Ricky Knight at British Uprising 3 (at the Coventry Skydome) which was a highly anticipated match, it would have been awesome to see at the biggest UK event of the year.
The FWA will have a very hard job to sell out the arena so I hope they see this as a chance to work with the local promotions as the midlands is already a very congested area for wrestling. I know why the FWA would like to break into the midlands market but like I say I hope thy see it as a chance to work with the local promotions for this huge event.
Now there are a lot of big events happening up and down the country this weekend so be sure to see some of the action if you can. There is the IPW:UK show which I mentioned earlier, FCW have got a huge event this Sunday (26/09) “Endurance” from the Baggeridge Social Welfare Club in Lower Gornal as Colt Cobana and Super Dragon continue their UK tour and all of this for just £5 a ticket a steal of a deal. For all you Londoners RBW are live in Finchley tonight (25/09) where they will start the tournament to crown a new British Heavyweight champion. With all of this and more taking place what a weekend to be in the UK.
So that’s me spent for another week be sure to check out Scott Future and Saracen’s latest columns for Wrestling101 as they are always a superb read. Before I go though I must say a big thanks and well done for Goldy and all her hard work keeping our newsboard one of if not the most updated newsboard for UK news on the net. Now most websites make their newsboard the focal point of the site so I just wanted to make you all aware of the hard work that goes on and be sure to check it out every day as it is constantly updated with the latest news.
Now I’m off to London to swan off up the red carpet for the UK Premiere of The Skycaptain and The World of Tomorrow in Leicester Square so be sure to look out for me trying to get in front of every camera. Will let you know how the mission goes.
Until next time,
Adam Sibley
The Lilsboys this weekend managed to grab a very exclusive interview with WWE star and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle in which he talks about a ton of very interesting stuff so be sure to log on to: Sun: Kurt Angle Interview
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