WAW

WAR OF 2004

The Talk, Norwich

The WAW celebrated their 10th anniversary last Saturday night with a show comprising a diverse seven bout card which covered all types of wrestling entertainment. There were no weak contests and, to use that well-worn cliche, the biggest winners on Saturday were the fans. The crowd maintained a great atmosphere throughout, the wrestlers all worked bloody hard, and personally I think this is probably the best all round show I have seen from WAW.

Ashe -v- Zak ZodiacThe opener saw the WAW Champ against the WAW Youth Champ in what proved to be an outstanding match. After Ashe had complained that he was being asked to wrestle a "midget", the bout opened with a sustained attack from Zak until the experience of Ashe showed as he countered and slowed the young star down. The ensuing session saw both wrestlers providing an exceptional display of hard,solid wrestling, before Ashe took the winning submission in the 12th minute.It was pleasing to see both men shake hands at the end of what had been a very hard contest, with Ashe acknowledging that Zak had given him a good match. Tonight Ashe was in a particularly aggressive mood and certainly did not go easy on his young opponent. For my money this was probably the most assured performance I've seen from Zak to date; not only did he confirm his status as an up-and-coming star he also confirmed that he was now able to hold his own when the going gets a bit tougher.Steve Grey -v- Superstar Mal Sanders

I was particularly interested in this match, as I hadn't seen either man wrestle for at least 15 years. They may have been a bit older, but still delivered a very entertaining "old school" contest, with Mal in "Mouth Of The South" mood rather than the all-action technician we used to watch on World Of Sport. Fought over 6 x 5 minute rounds with the best of three falls to decide, Sanders succeeded in slowing the action down to his pace throughout most of the contest and persistently escaped Grey's attacks by hooking the ropes, but Grey took the first pinfall in Round 2. Mal was obviously displeased with this and continued in round three concentrating mainly on blind side punches to Steve's forehead and eyes. Whilst the referee was counting Steve, Mal released the padding on one of the top turnbuckle and subsequently twice smashed his opponents head into the exposed steel. After a brief period of retaliation from Grey, Sanders picked up his weakened opponent and administered a piledriver following up with an equalising pin. The beginning of round four saw Sanders on the offensive against his groggy opponent, stomping him whilst he was still on the canvas and appearing to take total control of the action. Having whipped Grey into the corner post, Sanders set him up for another piledriver, but this time Grey was ready for him, reversing the move and dropping Sanders with a piledriver of his own and taking the winning fall. The Mouth of The South left the arena after sharing his thoughts on the fine city of Norwich and it's people. This was not the high speed all-action contest that I was expecting, but with Mal Sanders showing he could still wind up the fans as he did during the 1980's it was a very entertaining good guy / bad guy traditional match. "Righteous" Paul Travell -v- Jonny Storm

As a fine counterpoint to the above, the next contest was what I would descibed as FWA-style new wave. Jonny Storm is an excellent mat wrestler, as was proved at the recent WAW Gt Yarmouth shows, but I had not seen Paul Travell before. The first ten minutes of this twenty minute contest was played at a furious pace with neither men taking an overall advantage. Storm mixed some excellent submission moves with his more flamboyant aerial maneuvres, but Travell kept up with him move for move most of the time. However, at the ten minute point Paul Travell appeared to slow somewhat and began to soak up some heavy punishment from Storm. Travell rallied and in a torrid exchange both men tumbled out of the ring. Travell then threw Storm back into the ring and followed up with a pin attempt but only got a two count. Storm appeared at this point to be coming off worst and a suplex and pin attempt earned Travell another two count. However, from nowhere Storm produced a tremendous superkick as Travell rebounded off the ropes, following up with a powerbomb and a splash from the top rope. Two count only. The two wrestlers then went toe to toe in what could only be descibed as a "slugfest", finishing when Storm smashed Travells forehead to the canvas with an expertly delivered DDT. Again only a two count. The action continued at a breakneck pace with both wrestlers having a number of unsuccessful pinfall attempts. Jonny Storm finally took the only pin required following the use of his Wonderwhirl move.At this point I have to admit that I really enjoyed this contest, which will probably surprise some people as I am a great fan of traditional British Wrestling. Whilst the style is far removed from the old WoS days, the degree of fitness and skill shown by these two men was impressive, and was far less of a 'spotfest' showcase than I was expecting. It was also a very solid contest with neither wrestler pulling their "punches". Zebra Kid -v- Paul Tyrell (under Hardcore Rules)

Quite simply, the best hardcore style match since Zebra took on Ricky Knight in this very arena. Here we had two top flight technical wrestlers going at one another with trays, kendo stick, ladder, chairs in a contest that had the fans on their feet and screaming for their favourite.The action was hard and intense throughout, and the number of low blows delivered during the course of the match should have ensured that the St Peter Mancroft Church had two extra falsettos in the choir for Sunday morning.In the thirteenth minute Zebra took the pin following an elbow drop from the top of the corner onto a baking tray strategically placed on Tyrell's chest. An outstanding match of it's kind from two wrestlers at their peak.Kraft -v- Bash

A 20 minute duration, one fall contest that proved to be a war from the opening bell. Bash was in typical brawling mood, which somewhat stifled Krafts usual style. After a number of stalemate moves, Kraft managed to get Bash off his feet with a shoulder charge. However, Bash sidestepped the follow up and Kraft crashed through the ropes to the arena floor where he suffered a bruising attack from Bash in which he was powerbombed onto the solid floor and thrown back into the ring. This set the tone for the rest of the bout which saw the advantage move between the two combatants as they fought both inside and outside the ring. During one rugged exchange the referee was squashed between the two wrestlers and was floored. As Kraft leaned forward checking the refs condition, Bash took the opportunity to grab his baseball bat from the corner and whacked Kraft in the back of the head. Bash then made sure he was covering Kraft for the winner as the ref came round. After the bout Kraft complainedto the Commissioner and demanded a rematch, which was granted. The pair will meet again at the next WAW show, at Fakenham on October 2nd. Despite having his usual wrestling style somewhat restricted by the Bash style of wrestling, Kraft proved to be the ideal opponent for the brawler on this occasion. He was prepared to mix it with the hard hitting star in what, to me, was an exciting and unpredictable clash.Sweet Saraya -v- Kharisma

My one disappointment of the evening was the non-appearnce of Klondike Kate due to a domestic injury. She would have been a formidable test for Saraya following her recent injury problems. The WAW bookers arranged a more than adequate substitute match, fought over six three minute rounds with a single fall to decide. Kharisma, who I hadn't seen in the ring for quite some time, seemed to be holding her own against her more experienced opponent until Saraya applied a punishing boston crab. Kharismas only means of escape was to crawl to the ropes to get the break.Saraya upped her game considerably after this, laying on a succession of arm submission moves. Round two opened with a continuation of the arm submission moves which were successfully countered by Kharisma. A stranglehold seemed to give Saraya problems and Kharisma followed this with a backbreaker and a piledriver, but could not get the pin. Kharisma immediately followed on with a stranglehold then a chin lock, which Saraya broke with what looked like a brainbuster. Whatever it was certainly sent Kharisma reeling. With Kharisma still groggy at the start of round three, Saraya launched into the offensive giving Kharisma little time to recover. As Saraya attempted a hurricana, Kharisma grabbed her legs as she was she was poised on her shoulders and carried her across the ring. Destiny appeared from out of the crowd and climbed onto the apron, and, whist both wrestlers had their backs to her Destiny took a swipe at Saraya with her handbag. The blow connected with her shoulder and Saraya crashed to the canvas where Kharisma, unaware of what had happened, picked up Saraya and piledrived her to secure the pinfall. Saraya lay pone in the ring whilst Destiny took the microphone and, leaning over Saraya, announced that she would be following Saraya wherever she wrestled, and would be harrassing her until she got a title shot. When Saraya had recovered she stated that she would be only too pleased to accommodate her in the ring at any time. A good hard match in which Saraya's aggressive approach proved too much for her opponent, despite the fact that on this occasion she rigorously stuck to the rules.WAW -v- FWA

The Superflys -v- Alex Shane and Aviv MayaanIt was great to see The Superflys "endearing" themselves to the Norwich crowd and totally alienating any support they might have had even before their opponents appeared. Messrs Knight and Ocean were on top form tonight and it was like the last fifteen years had never happened; they both relished the abuse and anger generating from the fans. The beginning of the contest saw The Superflys keeping out of Shanes way and effectively not allowing the bout to start proper until Aviv Mayaan took to the centre of the ring. Ricky Knight immediatly decided he would wrestle after all and launched into the attack on the lighter man. There then followed a session of double teaming and blind side moves against Aviv in the inimitable Superflys style. Jimmy Ocean was in exceptionally good form, utilising a number of his trademark high flying moves.The Superflys effectively kept Alex Shane out of much of the action, allowing him only sporadic bursts of action during one of which he managed to put The Rowdy Man down for the pin, only to be pulled off by Ocean.The Superflys retreated until Aviv Mayaan returned to the ring, and following an impressive session between him and Ocean, Mayaan took the first fall after 13 minutes. The second session began with Ocean beating on Mayaan, but he managed to tag in Shane and once again The Superflys retreated. When finally Jimmy ocean returned to the ring he found himself immediately in trouble, and it was only a couple of low blows on Shane that saved him. Shane tagged in Aviv who walked straight into trouble and was pinned by Ricky Knight in the 17th minute to equalise the scores.Mayaan was unable to continue, and The Superflys were adamant that they had won, but Shane insisted on carrying on solo with the blessing of the WAW commissioner. The Superflys once again retreated after Shane entered the ring

and unleashed another attack on them, culminating in a double DDT. As Shane was paying attention to his opponents outside the ring, Bash entered from the other side and attacked Shane from behind with his trusty baseball bat. As the Superflys returned to the ring to double team on Shane Jonny Storm and Paul Travell appeared and entered the fray to rescue Shane, and they in turn were attacked by Bash and Ashe. A WAW -v- FWA ensued, until the FWA's giant Burchill stormed the ring and virtually single handed put down the WAW wrestlers with aseries of acrobatic moonsaults and splashes. It was totally out of control and absolute mayhem in the ring, so a no contest result was recorded. The subsequent battle of words between Shane and The Superflys ensured that the feud between WAW and FWA is now potentially a war. The match itself was the best Superflys performance I have seen since their much publicised reformation (although I haven't seen them all). They were so good they even made Alex Shane look good. Aviv Mayaan, in his brief wrestling encounters with Jimmy, showed that he is a young man with great potential, and Burchill's acrobatic moves were visually impressive, although I would reserve judgement until I've seen him actually wrestle. He looks the part though.

Tonight it all came together for me as WAW produced a highly professional show, the atmosphere in The Talk was electric,and "The War of 2004" was a fitting celebration of ten years of WAW. No one match stood out for me, as each had it's own merits and I enjoyed them all. Well done to all those whose hard work contributed to a memorable evening.

REVOLUTION BRITISH WRESTLING

Sat 12th June 2004

STAMFORD, LINCS.

Review by Richard Pyke

As RBW appear to be spreading their wings somewhat I thought it was about time that I checked them out. This was my first visit to one of their presentations, also the first chance to see some of the wrestlers on tonight's programme. RBW owner Gerry Norton told me that he was pleased with the turnout (around 150) considering this was the first wrestling show in Stamford for twenty years. To borrow an old soccer saying - it was definitely a show of two halves.

After Jorge had finished repeatedly shouting 'shaddup' at the fans the match settled down to be a workmanlike but rather pedestrian opener. I noted that Shabazz was labouring after about five minutes, and it was only Castano's showboating that allowed him into the contest on a number of occasions. He was not, however, experienced enough to maintain any advantage.A superkick from Castano, followed by a posting onto the naked turnbuckle and a quick suplex saw Castano take the only pin against an opponent that hardly pushed his wrestling ability.

Two wrestlers unknown to me. The Frenchman Mignot faced the masked local lad Ghloom in a bad tempered match which saw fists and elbows flying on a number of occasions. The audience were solidly behind the local man but both wrestlers were guilty of bending the rules. Both wrestlers showed good mat wrestling skills, with Mignot getting the best of most exchanges both inside and out of the ring. After about 15 minutes Ghloom staged an offensive rally and secured the winning pin against the Frenchman following a heavy bodyslam to the canvas. Style and build wise these two were evenly matched and produced an entertaining and hard hitting contest.

I really don't know what to write about this match. I had only seen MTX once before, and that involved him being totally flattened by Phil Powers and offering negligible resistance. Tonight saw him mincing around the ring like an overweight schoolgirl with it's hair in bunches, with a pathetic gay act that was past it's best twenty years ago. It was an insult to the fans who had paid to watch wrestling and it was, mostly, an insult to his opponent who had come to wrestle. MTX 's act was peurile and, worse, not even amusing. The interval followed.

At this point the rest of the show picked up and we were treated to an exceptional display of professional wrestling in the British tradition. Both competitors received a warm welcome from the fans, and from the first bell everyone was engrossed in a real cat-and -mouse contest as the ring veteran stalked Majik in the first minutes. Moves and counter-moves were loudly applauded by the fans, who obviously enjoyed a more technical, mat based contest. During the 2nd round Brookside took the advantage with a series of punishing weakener moves on Majik's left arm, with a straight arm lift applied as the bell rang.As the bell for the third round sounded Robbie caught Majik in a full nelson that he had great difficulty in breaking, so Brookside released, spun him round and hit him with a number of forearm uppercuts. An apparently dazed Majik was then thrown into the corner, but Brookside misjudged his follow up charge allowing Majik to counter and take the first fall. Round 4 opened with Majik mounting an attack on Brookside's left leg which was countered by another barrage of forearm uppercuts and a subsequent equalising pin from Brookside. In round 5 , after further exchanges, Majik attempted a flying body press from the top of the corner but Robbie kicked out on the two count. As Majik attempted the move again, Brookside hit him hard with a two footed dropkick whilst he was in mid-air and took the deciding pin. This was a first class very stiff wrestling contest, with Brookside determinedly not giving the younger wrestler an easy time.Majik certainly didn't disgrace himself tonight, and gave a very creditable showing.

Isn't it amazing how the old school wrestlers don't need to stamp and clap to get a crowd going wild. Old campaigner Keith Myatt and his tag partner Stu Supreme entered the hall and the place erupted. After about five minutes of discussion and debate with the more boisterous elements of the crowd Myatt and Supreme entered the ring and allowed the match to start. This was a fast paced, action packed tag contest which saw the much heavier Rainz kept out of the action for much of the first half of the match. Bubblegum proved to be no pushover though, and having taken some tremendous bumps he came back with some excellently executed high flying moves. Myatt used his full arsenal of blind side moves against Bubblegum and took the first pin. Bubblegum took the second fall over Stu Supreme with a splash from the top of the corner.The deciding pin was taken by Keith Myatt over Rainz, with outside help by Stu Supreme. Rainz wasn't in the contest long, but he is a big, hard hitting heavyweight who knows his way around the ring. Both Bubblegum and Stu Supreme were impressive, and Keith Myatt is Keith Myatt. Gerry Norton told me afterwards that Stu had only been wrestling since September 2003, which was surprising as he already has the build, the ring presence and raw ability to go places in the sport. Bubblegum is a tough little character who, if he hones his wrestling mat skills, could be a contender for Junior titles.

The evening finished with a Battle Royal involving most of the wrestlers from the evening's card, together with a large contingent of RBW trainees, who threw themselves enthusiastically into the mayhem. This was won by Ghloom, to the obvious delight of a partisan crowd.

A very enjoyable evening of wrestling, with two outstanding contests in the tag and Brookside/Majik matches. It was good to see another promoter actively pushing the merits of British wrestling against the American influenced 'spotfest' shows.