NXT UK
Date: February 18, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s hoss fight night as Rampage Brown faces Joe Coffey. Actually it isn’t so much of a hoss fight night as much as it is a hoss fight main event, as we also have the Heritage Cup on the line between two decidedly non-hosses. Things have been good around here so far so hopefully they can keep it up this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Heritage Cup: A-Kid vs. Sha Samuels

Kid is defending and they start round one with a feeling out process. They take turns taking each other to the mat with neither being able to get anywhere. Kid is sent face first into the buckle to put Samuels in the first control but he can’t grab a choke in the corner. He can however put on a cobra clutch on the mat with the shoulder pulled back (the Butcher’s Hook) and Kid taps in a hurry at 2:35 of the first round (seemingly playing strategy to avoid extra pain).

Round two begins with Kid charging at him but getting taken down to the mat to work on the shoulder some more. Samuels tries to go for the arm but Kid takes it to the mat, only to get his arm cranked on again. Kid is back up with a choke but Samuels goes straight to the rope. They tumble out to the floor and the round ends.

Round three begins with an exchange of rollups for two each but Kid starts going after the knee. A kick to the chest gets two and a dropkick finishes Samuels at 1:23 of the round to tie it up. Round four begins with Kid rolling him up for a fast two. Samuels runs him over for the same but walks into an enziguri for two more.

Kid goes up for a high crossbody, only to get caught in a Michinoku Driver instead. The Hook goes on again but the bell rings just in time to end the round. Round five begins with Kid pulling him straight into a cross armbreaker. That’s broken up so Kid kicks him in the face, only to charge into a spinebuster for two. Kid escapes the Hook again and grabs the Rings of Saturn to make Samuels tap for the 2-1 win at 2:25 of the fifth round (13:49 total).

Rating: B. These things grew on me quite a bit during the tournament and they are still holding up today. They are rather similar to Ring of Honor’s Pure Rules matches but these are kept sporadic enough that they feel like a treat rather than something that overstays its welcome. A-Kid has something too and I could go with seeing him step up after he’s done with this division.

Video on Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey, including a look at their time against each other in Progress. Various UK names like William Regal, Drew McIntyre and Sheamus talk about how awesome this should be to really make it feel important.

Walter has tied Pete Dunne’s record as longest United Kingdom Champion and breaks the record tomorrow.

Ben Carter vs. Josh Morrell

Carter is taken to the mat to start but uses Johnny Saint’s distraction to escape, which pops the heck out of Nigel. An armdrag into an armbar and sets up a headlock on the mat to keep Morrell down. That’s broken up and Morrell grabs a hurricanrana for two, only to get suplexed for the same. The front facelock has Morrell in more trouble but he reverses into a surfboard but Carter reverses into one of his own. Back up and Morrell gets two off a hiptoss but Carter grabs the suplex neckbreaker. The frog splash finishes for Carter at 6:28.

Rating: C. Carter continues to look polished but above all else, I want to see him win. He’s small enough that he plays a rather good underdog who needs to come from behind to win. Throw in some good technical abilities and a high flying finisher that looks good without being too flashy and it works well. Morrell looks good too, though he isn’t the one who is going to get pushed at the moment.

We get a press conference for the Women’s Title match between Meiko Satomura and champion Kay Lee Ray. Ray loves the challenge, Meiko loves the challenge and has a mission, Ray wants the best in the world, they stare each other down to wrap it up.

Video on Nina Samuels vs. Xia Brookside.

Tyler Bate gets some air outside of the Performance Center and is ready for whatever comes at him.

Aleah James vs. Dani Luna

The rather strong Luna powers her into the corner to start and easily blocks a crucifix attempt. James gets tossed down again and there’s a suplex to send her back into the corner. Luna’s powerbomb is countered into a hurricanrana for two so she is right back with a hard clothesline. A forearm puts James on the apron and Luna catches her springboard without much effort. Luna fireman’s carries her into a sitout powerbomb for the pin at 3:33.

Rating: D+. Just a squash here as they seem interested in Luna as a bit of a thing here. That’s not the worst idea in the world as having someone with that kind of power can be a fine choice for a quick push. I’m not sure how far she can go but even a short term deal would work out well enough.

Jinny and Joseph Conners call out Piper Niven. I’m not sure what it is but Jinny just isn’t clicking with me.

Video on next week’s Tag Team Title match with Gallus defending against Pretty Deadly.

Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey

They power each other around to start with Coffey grabbing the required rough headlock. That’s broken up and they run the ropes until Coffey’s leapfrog is countered into a powerslam. Brown hammers him into the corner but it’s too early for the Doctor Bomb. Instead Coffey takes him to the mat and hammers away, setting up a backbreaker to set up his liver shot later. The straitjacket choke goes on, followed by the jumping elbow for two on Brown.

A running basement clothesline gets two and Coffey blasts him with crossface shots to the face. What looked like All The Best For The Bells is cut off by a hard clothesline from Brown before he wins another slugout. A big boot gives Brown two and a hard suplex is good for the same. Coffey fights out of a fireman’s carry though and snaps off a belly to belly.

The running splash in the corner sets up a shotgun dropkick to put Brown on the floor. Coffey follows him out but misses a charge into the steps. The arm is sent into the steps and they’re already back inside. Coffey manages a spinning high crossbody for two but All The Best For The Bells is blocked with a kick to the arm. Brown grabs the Doctor Bomb for the pin at 11:16.

Rating: B. Take two big power brawlers and let them beat on each other for a pretty good while. Brown is the one they are pushing at the moment and that’s a good idea. He does his thing well and beating Coffey feels like an important deal. Good slugout here and I liked it as much as I expected to, meaning it worked well.

We get the big, delayed, respectful handshake to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Two good matches make up for the weaker stuff in the middle and that was a fine way to use a little over an hour. This show continues to be rather solid more often than not and that was the case again this week with a nice mixture of a few styles to make it all work out. We could be seeing some nice stuff from these people going forward and that’s a rare thing to say in WWE these days.

Results

A-Kid b. Sha Samuels 2-1

Ben Carter b. Josh Morrell – Frog splash

Dani Luna b. Aleah James – Fireman’s carry powerbomb

Rampage Brown b. Joe Coffey – Doctor Bomb

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NXT UK
Date: February 11, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

This week is about revenge as Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews are facing the Hunt, after the monsters attacked them more than once over the last year. That makes for one of the better built feuds around here in a long time and hopefully the match lives up to the hype. Other than that, Meiko Satomura is making her debut in something that is likely to feel a bit more awesome. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at the Hunt, guided by Eddie Dennis, attacking Webster and Andrews but not being able to win the Tag Team Titles. They have taken out their aggression on Webster and Andrews again, setting up tonight’s street fight.

Andrews and Webster have attacked Wild Boar, meaning Dennis will be taking his place.

Opening sequence.

Meiko Satomura vs. Isla Dawn

So Dawn gets to be designated victim #1 of “Japan’s Final Boss/The Best In The World”, which is one heck of a pair of great monikers (ignore the likely Shane McMahon lawsuits). Satomura grabs a headlock to start to take Dawn down as Kay Lee Ray is watching from a distance. Back up and Satomura kicks her down, setting up a wristlock.

Some knees to the ribs don’t have much of an impact though as Dawn snaps off a suplex for two. Dawn goes up but gets superplexed back down, followed by a shot to the face for two more. A quick Saito suplex gives Dawn her own two but Satomura is back with a cartwheel kick to the head. Scorpio Rising (kind of a step up ax kick) finishes Dawn at 5:22.

Rating: C. That’s all it needed to be as Satomura shrugged off everything Dawn threw at her and then won in the end with a cool named finisher. Having Ray out there made sense too as there was no reason to act like Satomura isn’t going straight to the title picture. Great debut here, with Satomura feeling like the star she is supposed to be.

Earlier this week, Rampage Brown and Joe Coffey sat down at the Performance Center. Johnny Saint popped in on a screen to make a match between the two of them at some point in the future.

Video on Dani Luna, who is really strong.

Video on Aoife Valkyrie, who has feathers.

Meiko Satomura is ready for Kay Lee Ray.

It’s time for Supernova Sessions, with Noam Dar talking about how he says he’s great because he knows he’s great. The guest this week is Sha Samuels, who Dar describes as his lifelong friend. Samuels seems to agree but goes into a rant about how NXT UK made him into someone else instead of being himself. After Samuels cuts off Dar from telling a story, Sid Scala comes out to interrupt. Samuels doesn’t think much of him but Dar has a suggestion: Samuels getting a shot at the Heritage Cup. That will be taken under advisement but Dar still can’t tell that story.

Nina Samuels (no relation to Sha….at least I don’t think) accepts Xia Brookside’s challenge for a rematch, but if Xia loses, she is Nina’s assistant for a month.

Video on Trent Seven trying to lose weight to get his Cruiserweight Title shot.

Amale vs. Piper Niven

Niven ax handles her in the chest to start and hits a low crossbody. Cue Joseph Conners for a distraction though and Amale is able to get in a kick to the head. That’s not going to work either though as Niven sends her into the corner for the Cannonball. The Piper Driver finishes at 2:20.

Gallus has signed to defend the Tag Team Titles against Pretty Deadly in two weeks.

Ben Carter is back next week, plus Sha Samuels gets a Heritage Cup shot and Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey.

Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews vs. Primate/Eddie Dennis

Street fight but hold on as the fight has started in the back with the Hunt and Eddie Dennis attacking Webster and Andrews. With Andrews having been crushed by an anvil case, Webster is brought to the ring but says ring the bell anyway. Webster jumps over Primate and sends Dennis outside, where Webster gets whipped by Dennis’ belt. Primate rips at Dennis’ face as they fight up towards the entrance…..and Andrews moonsaults off the set onto all of them.

They wind up back at ringside with Andrews being dropped onto the barricade. Primate adds a diving clothesline and it’s time to head back inside, with all four having a chair. Andrews gets hit in the knee but Webster grabs his helmet to clean house for two on Dennis. Primate is back in to beat on Webster, allowing Dennis to miss a kendo stick to Andrews.

The Stundog Millionaire drops Dennis but Primate gets in a stick shot to Andrews’ bad knee. Webster is down on the floor so Primate sends Andrews knee first into the chair, setting up a leglock from Dennis. The chair to the knee is loaded up but Webster takes it away and starts the big comeback. A sunset bomb plants Primate on the floor and Dennis can’t quite get to one of the weapons. Webster and Andrews can though and it’s a big beatdown with the sticks to the back.

A table is sent in and set up but Andrews dives onto Primate instead, banging up the knee in the process. Webster dives onto Dennis for two with Primate making a save this time. Andrews has to save Webster from being sent through the table but dives into a spear to put him down in a hurry. Primate misses a spear to send himself through the table though, setting up a Swanton and shooting star press to give Andrews and Webster the stereo pins at 16:02.

Rating: B. That’s the kind of brawl they needed to have and it’s great to see a team like Andrews and Morgan have another signature win after they lost the Tag Team Titles. So many teams will lose the belts and then fade away, which seemed to be what was happening with them. This helped a lot and while it would have been better with Wild Boar in there instead, they did what they needed to do and the match worked better than I would have bet on.

Overall Rating: B-. Above all else, this week felt important and that isn’t something you can say around here very often. The main event came off as a big deal and Satomura felt special, which is exactly how they should have gone. Throw in setting up a pretty stacked card for next week and a title match for the week after and this was a rather nice use of an hour. That has been the case more often than not lately around here as NXT UK is becoming one of the more consistent shows around.

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NXT UK
Date: January 28, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

Opening sequence.

Here’s Jordan Devlin for a chat. He talks about issuing an open challenge and wanting to be the best wrestler ever under 205lbs. Cue Trent Seven to say he thinks Devlin needs a challenger so he’ll get under 205 and come for the title. Devlin says come see him after losing a lot of weight so Seven drops him in a hurry. This was really quick.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Kay Lee Ray wants the best in the world….and WWE has officially signed Japanese legend Meiko Satomura. Yeah I’d think that works.

Ben Carter vs. Sam Gradwell

Hold on though as Gradwell has something to say. He talks about how impressive it is that Carter made it here but being from Jersey isn’t all that impressive. Jersey is a place with more cows than people and it doesn’t even make an atlas. Oh and he doesn’t like Carter’s P.E. shorts. Gradwell works on the arm to start but Carter flips out and hits a dropkick for a break. Some flips out of the corner set up another dropkick to put Gradwell on the apron but he’s right back in with a shot to the head.

Gradwell forearms him in the back of the head for three straight near falls and we hit the chinlock. Carter jawbreaks his way to freedom though and makes the comeback with some running forearms. A superkick puts Gradwell on the floor and there’s a quick dive to send Gradwell back inside. Gradwell heads to the other side of the floor and gets taken down by a running flip dive. Back in and Gradwell gets two off an STO but Carter is back up with a standing Lionsault into a Nightmare on Helm Street. The frog splash finishes Gradwell at 7:18.

Rating: C. I like Gradwell more every time I see him but this was all about getting Carter back up after he lost the title match in his debut. Carter is clearly someone they see a lot in and it makes sense to give him a win over someone as intense as Gradwell. It might not have been a classic, but at least they did everything right.

Noam Dar gives Sha Samuels some advice we can’t hear.

Sha Samuels vs. Josh Morrell

Samuels powers him into the corner to start and gives him a pat on the cheek, only to get armbarred down. Morrell flips out of a wristlock so Samuels hits him in the face. There’s a running forearm to drop Morrell again and there’s a backdrop to keep him in trouble. Morrell is able to avoid an elbow and a charge in the corner before dropkicking Samuels’ knee out. A standing corkscrew moonsault gets two on Samuels but he avoids a crossbody. Samuels grabs a spinebuster into a seated cobra clutch for the tap at 5:13.

Rating: C-. Samuels is an interesting case as he isn’t exactly the most thrilling guy but you can tell that he has been around for a long time and knows how to do his thing rather well. That’s all you need in some cases and if he becomes a bigger deal, great. Otherwise, you have a perfectly acceptable midcarder.

Ilja Dragunov isn’t sure what happened against Jack Starz. Sam Gradwell walks by and Dragunov doesn’t look happy.

Rampage Brown is happy with his time in NXT UK so far. Gallus comes up and a match with Joe Coffey is teased.

Pretty Deadly vs. Mark Andrews/Flash Morgan Webster vs. Ashton Smith/Oliver Carter vs. The Hunt

Elimination rules, no seconds at ringside, and the winners get a future Tag Team Title shot. Sam Stoker immediately tags in Smith so Andrews can grab a rollup for two. Webster comes in to get two off a sunset flip so it’s off to Carter, who gets taken down with a hurricanrana. Gallus is watching (with popcorn) as Carter suplexes Andrews for two. Lewis Hawley is tagged in but can’t tag out immediately, meaning Carter can clothesline him. The Hunt comes in for stereo German suplexes on Pretty Deadly and everything breaks down.

We settle down to Primate suplexing Smith for two and then slamming him hard. Wild Boar spears Carter off the apron to break up the tag possibilities but Smith gets over to Webster to pick up the pace. Webster and Andrews hit stereo dropkicks to put Pretty Deadly on the floor but Smith tags himself in. That means the Tower of Doom brings down Stoker and Smith for the huge crash.

Carter uses Smith’s back as a springboard to moonsault onto the pile at ringside but the camera moves so fast that it didn’t seem to end well. Back in and Smith hits a Falcon Arrow for two on Hawley, followed by Carter superkicking Primate out of the air. Everyone is down for a bit and Gallus is rather pleased. Primate comes in to go after Smith in the corner but gets caught in an electric chair with Carter adding a springboard cutter for the elimination at 11:59.

Hawley uses the distraction to jump Carter from behind but Smith gets the tag and starts cleaning house. It’s quickly back to Carter, who hits a pop up 450 for two on Stoker. A quick tag brings in Andrews for a sitout bulldog and it’s a poisonrana with a running knee at the same time (French Toast At 2am for the best named move I’ve heard in years.) to get rid of Smith and Carter at 15:14.

We settle down to Hawley elbowing Webster in the corner but a quick crawl through the legs allows Andrews to come in and strike away. A double Pele kick gets two and Stoker breaks up a cover off a hurricanrana to Hawley. Back up and Hawley kicks out Andrews’ knee so it’s a one legged giant swing into a half crab from Stoker. The Figure four goes on so Webster shoves Hawley into the hold for the break.

Stundog Millionaire connects with Stoker to give Webster two and Andrews hits a slingshot hurricanrana to take Hawley out on the floor. Webster’s top rope flip dive takes both of them out but the melee lets Eddie Dennis sneak in with a chair to Andrews’ knee. Back in and a Hart Attack (neckbreaker instead of a clothesline) finishes Andrews at 22:14 to give Pretty Deadly the title shot.

Rating: B+. This was all action throughout and it was a heck of a match as a result. Pretty Deadly were the fairly obvious winners but that didn’t make for a boring match. I really liked this with Smith and Carter getting a great rub out of the thing, with that electric chair cutter looking great. It was Pretty Deadly’s match, but at least everyone else looked good in the process.

Gallus comes out for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The main event carried this thing and that’s all the show needed. Carter did well in the opener and Samuels is someone who could do fine in the midcard. Throw in a long and action packed main event and you have a rather nice evening. Also, it’s another case of not having the big names around and still having a good show. That’s more than a lot of promotions can say.

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NXT UK
Date: January 14, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

It’s title week here as Walter will be defending the United Kingdom Title against Heritage Cup holder A Kid. This isn’t the kind of match that they can do very often but for a one off special, we could be in for something very good. Other than that, it can probably be anyone’s guess around here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of A Kid winning the Heritage Cup and wanting the best, so he challenged Walter for the UK Title. Walter finds this to be rather stupid.

Opening sequence.

Joe Coffey vs. Ed Harvey

Harvey is better known as Sha Samuels. Harvey tells him to bring it and catches Coffey’s running crossbody. With that not working, Coffey hits him in the face and nails a clothesline to the floor. Hold on though as Harvey grabs the mic and says he isn’t here to be Ed Harvey, because everyone knows he is Sha Samuels. Well that’s a different way to go. Back in and Samuels hammers away with forearms before starting on the arm.

Coffey’s rollup gets two but Samuels kicks him into the corner. There’s a kick to Coffey’s back and we hit the chinlock. Coffey fights up and hits a backdrop, followed by an overhead belly to belly. The slugout goes to Coffey but Samuels pulls Coffey’s spinning middle rope crossbody out of the air. Coffey flips out of a sleeper and the high crossbody gives him two. Samuels is sent hard into the corner and All The Best For The Bells finishes for Coffey at 6:40.

Rating: C+. Now that’s how you debut someone, as these two beat the heck out of each other and Samuels looked like a player in a hurry. This was all about two big guys hitting each other hard for a few minutes until one of them couldn’t get up. It’s no classic, but it was a nice debut and the mid-match name change was a pretty cool was to go. Samuels is certainly a name in British wrestling so this was a smart signing for NXT UK.

Pretty Deadly interrupted Sid Scala earlier today and were placed in a four way elimination match for the #1 contendership. In two weeks, they face Ashton Carter/Oliver Smith, the Hunt and Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews. Nice job of giving them a bit of a challenge before what should be an obvious win.

Rampage Brown was lifting earlier when Dave Mastiff showed up to lift the same weight and say that Brown needed a challenge. Brown seems intrigued.

Sam Gradwell vs. Tyler Bate

Gradwell rants about Bate becoming a yogurt living freak during his entrance. Bate shrugs off an armbar attempt and takes him down into a rollup for two. A running crossbody gets the same and there’s an armdrag into an armbar to put Gradwell down for a bit. That’s broken up and Gradwell hammers away, with a big right hand getting two.

The nerve hold goes on for a bit before Gradwell just rips at his face for a change. Bate’s sunset flip is broken up with a grab of the ear but Bate slugs away. A suplex sends Gradwell flying and the running shooting star press gets two. The Tyler Driver 97 is broken up and Gradwell blasts him with a clothesline. Bate shrugs it off and hits the Tyler Driver 97 for the pin at 7:23.

Rating: C. I’m curious about where this stuff with Bate is going and he has altered his in-ring style just enough that you know something has changed. That is a difficult, as well as risky, change to make but Bate is talented enough to make it work. Gradwell has impressed me a bit as well, as he gets your attention and feels a bit out there, unlike some wrestlers where they tell you how out there they are and leave it at that.

Ashton Smith and Oliver Carter are told about the four way #1 contenders match and seem rather pleased.

Ilja Dragunov comes up to Jack Starz and issues a friendly challenge, which Starz happily accepts.

Here are Jinny and Joseph Conners for a chat. Jinny brags about being the new #1 contender and says that Conners deserves a bit of credit. Why are they working together? In short, because Jinny has money. Anyway, Jinny is going to become champion next week so here’s Kay Lee Ray to interrupt. They argue over which of the two is championship material, with Jinny saying she will reign next week.

Eddie Dennis talks about his issues with Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews, who now have to deal with the Hunt. Dennis seems to like the sound of that and the Hunt agrees.

United Kingdom Title: Walter vs. A Kid

Only Walter’s title is on the line so we’re under regular rules. Kid circles around and tries some kicks at the leg but Walter takes him down by the leg instead. Back up and Kid manages to drive him into the corner for a chop and things get a bit more serious. A headlock takeover has Kid down again but he headlocks his way to freedom. More kicks to the leg have Walter limping a bit and Kid pops in a few shots to the chest as well.

Walter’s arm is tied over the rope as some frustration is setting in. Kid actually kicks him down and hits a few kicks to the face, which make Walter growl at him. The huge chop cuts Kid off but the leg gives out and Walter falls as well. Walter slaps on a crossface before switching to a neck crank as the size is giving Kid trouble. Kid tries to fight back so Walter lays him on the top and hits a loud chop. The sleeper on the rope is countered into a dragon screw legwhip over the apron and Walter is down again.

More strikes to the back just make Walter hit him in the face before a shotgun dropkick just crushes Kid. The powerbomb (with Walter only bridging with one leg) connects for two and Walter tells him to bring it. The big chop is countered into a Crossface but Walter takes him outside for an apron powerbomb. Back in and Walter’s sleeper doesn’t work so he just blasts Kid with a pair of clotheslines to retain at 13:51.

Rating: B. This was an interesting change of pace as Walter’s matches have a tendency to be hard hitting, violent tests of endurance but this was much slower paced with Kid trying to cut him down. It worked very well as Walter was getting frustrated at someone who wrestled a more traditional match. Kid looked very good here despite the huge size difference and it’s not like losing to Walter is going to hurt anything.

Walter gives Kid a respectful look to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event is what matters here and it continues to give me hope that Jordan Devlin is the one to take the title off of Walter. That is a direction they could go and it should work well if they go there. The rest of the show was just ok for the most part, but Walter in the ring is enough to make this mean something. They built up a bit for the future as well, meaning the classic NXT formula continues.

Results

Joe Coffey b. Sha Samuels – All The Best For The Bells

Tyler Bate b. Sam Gradwell – Tyler Driver 97

Walter b. A Kid – Lariat

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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IMG Credit: Preston City Wrestling

Better Than A Bollard
Date: May 18, 2018
Location: Envoque, Preston, England
Commentators: Greg Lambert, Stallion

This is the final show from the Independentwrestling.TV cycle I’ve been on and it’s from a company I’ve actually heard of. It’s a Preston City Wrestling event and while I’ve heard mixed reviews from the company, there are at least some names on the card I’m familiar with, at least to a certain extent. Let’s get to it.

Usual disclaimer: I don’t follow this company and know nothing about them.

After some quick graphics of a special appearance and one match, what seems to be the main interviewer gets the show’s name wrong (bigger instead of better). She talks about how we’re in a smaller show at the moment because that big company (guess) is in England. We talk to some fans at ringside, which is as painful as you can probably imagine. The interviewer talks to a fan, who is rather confused about what he’s seeing tonight because his favorite wrestler isn’t on the card.

Another fan likes T-Bone to retain the title because he’s muscular and has nice tattoos. Other fans want to see other matches as I’m not sure why this is airing on a show that is less than two and a half hours in the first place. Another fan is here on her birthday and wants Lionheart to win the PCW Title tonight. A member of the Preston City Council is here and wants Lionheart to win as well. He does seem to know what he’s talking about here and sounds like a longtime fan for a bit of a surprise. For the future, he wants us to come to the upcoming charity show. Nothing wrong with that.

We’re still not ready for the actual matches so here’s Cruiserweight Champion Dean Allmark to talk about being ready to defend against Johnny Storm. They’ve both been around for a long time but tonight should be a good match. The interviewer suggests that Allmark was on a WWE show earlier this week and he doesn’t disagree.

After ten minutes of chattering, we’re ready to go. Was that some bonus pre-show that they just threw on here as an extra?

Opening sequence, which is mainly featuring former WWE stars.

The ring announcer, who gets his own entrance, welcomes us to the show and hypes things up as you would expect him to do.

Adam Brooks vs. Matt Cross

Cross was Son of Havoc in Lucha Underground though he’s unmasked here. Brooks hits an early shoulder so Cross backflips into a superhero pose for a standoff. A handspring elbow in the corner is caught so Cross elbows him in the face to send Brooks outside. It’s too early for Cross’ slingshot dive and Brooks sends him into the apron. Back in and some shots to the face in the corner have Cross in trouble, followed by a running kick to the face for two. Three straight covers get three straight twos as Brooks seems to be a bit stubborn.

The chinlock goes on and naturally just fires Cross up, allowing him to send Brooks outside for a suicide dive. A top rope double stomp to the back (with Cross having to be careful of the low ceiling) gets two on Brooks as you can hear fans talking over commentary. Brooks gets his own two off a slingshot DDT and frustration is setting in. They trade jumping strikes to the face until Cross hits a cutter for two. Brooks is right back with a middle rope Codebreaker for the very fast pin at 7:35.

Rating: C. Not bad here with two guys who have strong enough reputations. It’s a lot better than starting with people most fans have never heard of and gets you off on a better foot. Brooks is someone who has enough talent to work well against most people so putting him in there with a veteran like Cross was a good way to go. It’s a perfectly fine opener and the company feels professional off the bat.

Here’s Sheikh El Sham (with Maxwell Jacob Friedman (not that well known yet), though the graphic lists him as Maxwell Jacob Feinstein, which is likely a joke I’m not getting) for a match and an accompanying chat. He seems to be your standard evil/rich Sheikh, because that’s the kind of thing that will never die. Before the match, Sheikh talks about gracing the fans with his presence, earning him some not very nice chants from the fans. Friedman tells them to NOT do that so Sheikh can brag about his wealth some more. With that out of the way, Friedman brags about his own wealth and does it as well as he usually does.

Sheikh El Sham vs. Danny Hope

This seems to be part of a long running feud. Hope has Joey Hayes with him to cancel Friedman out and wears a hat with a ribbon around it for a dashing look. He also has some kind of protection on his back. Hayes insults Friedman’s scarf and the fight is almost on as a result. Sheikh’s trip into the corner goes nowhere as Hope takes him to the mat and parades around a bit. With Sheikh tied in the ropes, Danny hits a walking chop, sending Sheikh outside for a pep talk from Friedman.

Back in and Sheikh nails a dropkick, with Friedman getting in a few cheap shots from the floor as he should be doing. A hard whip into the corner stays on Hope’s back, meaning that while he might not be a great promo, he can at least pay attention. We hit the strut from Sheikh, allowing Hope to come back with some chops. A powerslam plants Sheikh and the comeback is on, including the atomic drop. Sheikh goes right back to the back though and grabs the completely original camel clutch for the tap at 7:04.

Rating: D+. That’s quite the drop in quality from the opener as Sheikh might as well have been out of 1983 with nothing original or new whatsoever to a character that would have felt played out fifteen years ago. I kept waiting for a surprise or some kind of a twist here but it was every generic rich villain that you could imagine.

Post match Hayes calls MJF a chav, meaning he wants a match of his own.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Joey Hayes

This was scheduled for later so at least it isn’t the dreaded impromptu surprise match. Good thing they were both in gear already, including Hayes’ chest protector. Friedman is fired up and grabs a fired up wristlock, which is reversed with some rolls and a pull of the arm. A stomp on Friedman’s hand sends him outside, where Sheikh kisses the hand to show what friendship is all about. Another one to the ear (Friedman: “Don’t make this weird man!”) lets Friedman get back in, allowing Joey to kick the rope for a low blow.

The Sheikh isn’t kissing that one but Joey goes outside, kicks Sheikh in the leg, and sends him face first into Friedman’s crotch. Stallion: “NOW THAT’S JUST OBSCENE!” Hayes gets a running start to set up a very soft dive to keep Friedman in trouble. Back in and an interfering referee lets Friedman gets in a forearm to the jaw to take over. Friedman starts in on the arm, including a stomp to the wrist and an armbar. Hayes fights out of an armbar on the top and hits a high crossbody to start the comeback.

There’s a neckbreaker for two but Friedman gets an elbow up in the corner. A package piledriver shoulder breaker gives Friedman two off a nasty looking landing. The lack of paying attention gets Friedman in trouble though as he chops the chest protector and hurts his hand. The hand is fine enough to poke him in the eye though, only to have Hayes come back with an enziguri. An enziguri staggers Friedman though, meaning it’s time for Sheikh to grab Hayes’ foot. The armbar goes on but Hayes reverses into a Crossface to make Friedman tap at 10:40.

Rating: C. He didn’t mean much yet at this point but you could see the star power all over Friedman here. There is such a natural charisma to him and not only do you want to see him get punched in the face, but he can wrestle a completely competent match with the arm work. Hope and Hayes had some noteworthy charisma to them as well, leaving the Sheikh as the only weak link for the pair of matches.

Commentator Greg Lambert, who is also the matchmaker, is brought to the ring for a chat. Lambert brings out PCW Champion Tyson T-Bone (now of NXT UK) while also picking up the Road To Glory Trophy. T-Bone has been around here since the beginning and as far as Lambert is concerned, T-Bone may be the best of all time in PCW. We hear about T-Bone’s accomplishments and that brings Lambert to the Trophy. This is now going to be a permanent trophy for T-Bone for all of his career success.

Cue Lionheart, who is getting a title shot tonight, to complain about various things (with Stallion explaining what the Trophy means to Lionheart and why he should be angry). Lionheart wants to know where his trophy was when his PCW Title reign had this place jumping. That trophy means a lot more to him than it does to T-Bone so Lionheart is coming for the title.

Cue Sha Samuels, who is also in tonight’s title match. He’s beaten Lionheart twice this year, which draws a TWICE chant. A fan calls Lionheart trailer trash and Samuels even brings him the mic so we can hear it again. Lionheart storms off so Samuels sings him out. As for T-Bone, he deserves the trophy so Samuels hands it over. T-Bone leaves and here’s CJ Banks, Lionheart’s partner, to jump him from behind. Jack Jester, Samuels’ partner, runs in and we’ve got a match.

CJ Banks vs. Jack Jester

Lionheart runs back out to jump T-Bone and Banks gets in a cheap shot from behind to get us started fast. Jester is right back with a swinging slam and an elbow for two as Stallion isn’t sure what Lambert is talking about with Lionheart attacking T-Bone. Something was in his way you see. Banks gets in a few shots to the back to take over but they head outside with Jester sending him into the apron.

A legdrop across the apron has Banks in more trouble as Stallion is ripping into Lambert for giving him the trophy and not seeing how badly it would go. Back in and Banks gets in a knee to put Jester down in the corner but Jester is right back out with a shoulder. A clothesline gives Banks two so Jester tells Banks how many it was, earning him a double stomp on the hands. Jester hits another clothesline but Banks is right back with a rollup and grabs the tights for the pin at 6:58.

Rating: D+. Not much to see here as it seems to be setting up a match down the line between the two teams for Samuels/Jester’s Tag Team Titles. It wasn’t the worst match but it came after a pretty good angle so it felt like a downgrade after the stuff with Lionheart. Both guys felt pretty generic and I was expecting something to stand out a bit more from a guy named Jester.

Cruiserweight Title: Johnny Storm vs. Dean Allmark

Allmark is defending and Storm is a bit of a British wrestling legend, or at least a pioneer as he helped rebuild British wrestling. They go technical to start with Storm standing on his head to escape a wristlock. An exchange of headscissors and hurricanranas give us a standoff with Storm knocking him outside. That means a suicide dive as Lambert pines for Storm’s glory days of 2002.

Back in and Dean hits a lifting swinging neckbreaker for two and the yelling at the referee allows Dean to nip up for an enziguri. Dean is right back up with a powerbomb into a spinning faceplant for two but misses a middle rope moonsault. Storm’s connects just fine for two and it’s off to a pinfall reversal sequence. Dean gets to the apron for his own enziguri and loads up a Styles Clash, only to sit down with a powerbomb for the pin to retain at 6:32.

Rating: C. Given that they were talking about Allmark having a big World Title match at the Anniversary Show, there wasn’t much of a doubt about what was going to happen here. Storm felt like a big deal (with commentary being rather entertaining by arguing over whether he was a legend or needed to be taken care of due to his age) and it felt like a big match, even though Allmark winning wasn’t quite in doubt.

Post match Storm hands him the title in the show of respect.

Rampage Brown vs. Charlie Sterling

Brown was the World of Sport Champion for most of its revival season. Sterling seems to be loathed but comes through the crowd anyway. A glare from Brown sends him to the ropes at the bell as the fans sing rather impolite songs about Sterling. The bigger guys tease some mat grappling but it’s Sterling bailing to the ropes again as the cowardice is shining through.

Back in and Brown takes over on the arm before hitting a dropkick to send Sterling into the corner. Charlie tries a leapfrog and gets powerslammed down in an old Rick Steiner spot. Cue Iestyn Rees and Nightshade, who are scheduled for a mixed tag later, to yell at Brown. Sterling throws him outside so Rees can deck Brown for the DQ at 3:56.

Rating: D. Brown had some nice power stuff in here but the match existed for the sole purpose of getting us to the post match stuff, which isn’t the most thrilling idea in the world. Sterling was just kind of there for Brown to do stuff to and as soon as you saw the other two come out, it was clear where this was going.

I think you know where this is going.

Ashton Smith/Riho/Rampage Brown vs. Nightshade/Charlie Sterling/Iestyn Rees

Riho gets whipped into the corner and a Backstabber brings her right back out. Nightshade tells us to WATCH THIS, which is a pair of running knees into the back in the corner. They both hit kicks to the head at the same time and it’s Riho up first for the tag off to Brown, who rampages quite well. A spinebuster gets two on Rees as everything breaks down. Smith hits the big running flip dive to the floor but the ref gets bumped back inside. Rees gets in a low blow and a spear for the pin on Brown at 9:53.

Rating: C-. This show is starting to drag a bit as they’re getting to the point of not explaining who these people are while acting like we just know all of the vague stories they’re referencing. The match itself wasn’t terrible, but they need to get on to something a little more interesting than some of the people who made World of Sport so dull.

They all brawl to the back.

It’s time for a contract signing for a Case vs. Voice match. In other words, Tel Banham, who has a Money in the Bank style briefcase, is putting his case on the line against Matthew Brooks, who likes to sing, who can never sing here again if he loses. Banham, all in white, is out first to brag about how handsome he is. He yells at a Brooks fan about how no one cares about his opinion. We need silence for the signing but since that won’t happen, he opens his briefcase and busts out some fuzzy earmuffs.

Brooks comes out and sings his own version of My Way about how he’s going to win the match and sign the contract. The song, which is quite good, goes on so long that Banham looks at his phone to fill in some time. They sit down and Banham says he can’t hear anything Brooks says, so Brooks takes the earmuffs and throws them to the fans. They sign the contract but Banham teases cashing in tonight so Brooks might have nothing to win in their match.

Actually not so fast as the announcer says the match is locked in and Banham CANNOT cash in until after the match. Oh and Banham is banned from the building, so Brooks sings the Goodbye Song. I could go for hearing how this started as hating a guy’s singing voice probably had some funny lines to set this up. It’s a unique enough story so they do have something good here.

Preston City Wrestling Title: Lionheart vs. Sha Samuels vs. Tyson T-Bone

T-Bone is defending and this is one fall to a finish. The brawl is on before the champ is out here so he hits the ring in a hurry and beats up Lionheart. A missed charge in the corner but Samuels pulls Lionheart outside to send him into some chairs. Samuels spits beer in Lionheart’s face but walks into a spinebuster from T-Bone. A spinebuster from Samuels gets two on the champ though, making them even in at least one category. Lionheart gets back in and stomps on both of them but spends too much time yelling. That means right hands abound but Samuels clotheslines T-Bone by mistake.

Samuels hits a spinebuster for two on Lionheart but T-Bone gets in a shot of his own. Lionheart steals a few near falls apiece, including one with feet on the ropes. Hang on though as Lionheart calls out Banks for some help but Jester cuts him off. Now it’s Brown to go after both of them, meaning all three people actually in the match have their partners here. Samuels slams Lionheart for no count from the distracted referee so T-Bone plants Samuels with a Tombstone. Lionheart breaks the trophy over T-Bone’s head though and steals the pin and the title at 7:07.

Rating: C. The action was pretty good but what worked well here was the ending, with the trophy being brought in earlier today and then playing into the ending. It was good storytelling and sets up a rematch between the only three time World Champions in the company’s history. It’s not a great match but it’s very good storytelling and that’s more important.

Post match T-Bone yells about the loss and walks out on Rampage.

The announcer thanks us for watching to wrap up the night.

Overall Rating: C-. This was ok at best for the most part with nothing ever really taking off and getting them to that next level. I can’t imagine ever going out of my way to watch it again but it certainly wasn’t horrible or even bad. It was another promotion that has a lot of familiar names and doesn’t stand out above some of the other options available. You’re better off watching Progress, but for a lower level alternative, this wasn’t the worst thing you could pick.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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IMG Credit: World of Sport

World of Sport
Date: September 1, 2018
Location: Epic Studios, Norwich, England
Commentators: Alex Shane, So Cal Val, Stu Bennett

It’s time to crown some new champions and for once, the title match is going to include some people we’ve actually heard from more than once this season. Now I’m still not sure if I can tell which member of either team is which, but it’s not like it matters all that much in the first place. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with the opening recap which not only opens, but also recaps.

World of Sport Title: Rampage vs. British Bulldog Jr.

Bulldog is challenging, even though Will Sysum won a #1 contenders match two weeks ago. The champ has his usual goons with him because that’s about all he has to define him. Well that and being champion. Rampage gets dropped by an early shoulder and Bulldog works a headlock. A slam gives Bulldog two but Rampage is right back with a clothesline.

The delayed vertical suplex (impressive given Rampage’s size) takes Rampage down again but a shot to the knee cuts Bulldog down. Some cranking to said knee allows CJ Banks to ram the knee into the apron. Bulldog is fine enough to pull Rampage face first into the post and the powerslam (scoop, not running) gets two. A Sha Samuels distraction doesn’t work and Bulldog loads up the powerslam, only to be raked in the eyes. The implant DDT retains Rampage’s title at 5:50.

Rating: D+. I’ll give them points for building Rampage up as a heel champion but my goodness he’s running through everyone to get there. Having Bulldog, who is probably the biggest star in the promotion (second at worst), lose this close to clean is rather surprising, but it’s going to be a big deal when someone finally takes the title.

Post match the three on one beatdown is teased but Justin Sysum comes down for the save. Bennett says that Sysum has to face Samuels and Banks tonight. If he wins, he MIGHT get another shot at Rampage. You mean like the one he already earned?

Martin Kirby vs. Joe Hendry

Submission match. Hendry sings his song live but Kirby’s arm is in a sling. Apparently he’s injured himself combing his hair (Kirby is bald), pulled a hamstring, and has a bad case of the sniffles, all according to a note from his mom. The obvious ruse is obvious and Hendry is ready for him by knocking Kirby to the floor. Back in and Hendry throws him to the mat three times in a row before kicking Kirby outside again. Kirby goes for the leg though but it’s not enough to prevent a backdrop.

With that not working, Kirby goes after the back with a kick and a backbreaker (can’t fault his logic) as the fans think he sucks. We hit a reverse chinlock as Shane recaps the feud. It’s off to a front facelock, which isn’t exactly a back hold. A guillotine choke stays on the neck but is only good for two arm drops. Hendry fights up and hits a good looking suplex for the breather. Kirby slips out of the ankle lock and hits a spinebuster into one of his own, only to have Hendry put on the real ankle lock for the tap at 6:57.

Rating: C. There was a story, there was a logical finish, and hopefully it wraps up the feud. The whole thing is still thrown together and not exactly the most interesting thing in the world, but at least it followed a logical progression. I’m not sure what Hendry can do in the next four weeks but at least he got his big win here.

Tag Team Titles: Kip Sabian/Iestyn Rees vs. Adam Maxted/Nathan Cruz

Tournament final. Maxted dropkicks Sabian down to start and it’s off to Cruz for an enziguri. Rees offers a distraction though and Sabian rakes the eyes to take over. With Maxted down, Sabian springboards in with a missile dropkick for two as I think Maxted and Cruz are the faces here, but I’m having enough trouble remember who is who. Frustration is already setting in so it’s back to Rees for two off a snapmare. Seriously a snapmare?

Sabian comes back in for a snapmare of his own but does add a knee to the back before covering. An atomic drop/shoulder block combination gets two more (it’s no snapmare though) and Rees forearms away in the corner. Maxted finally hits a clothesline and the hot tag brings in Cruz to face Sabian. Everything breaks down and Cruz gets two off the Samoan driver. Rees makes a blind tag but eats a Codebreaker with Sabian diving in with a dropkick for the save. Maxted misses a moonsault though and it’s the powerbomb/top rope neckbreaker combination to give Rees the pin and the titles at 8:07.

Rating: C-. Another run of the mill tag match here and that’s not the most thrilling thing in the world. Like I mentioned, it didn’t help when there’s not much of a gimmick between these teams (you could say the big man/small man gimmick is there for Rees/Sabian but that’s not much) and that hasn’t changed in six weeks. Some promos would help. Just let us know who in the world they are.

Post match the new champs celebrate and leave. Cruz and Maxted hug but Cruz jumps him.

Justin Sysum vs. Sha Samuels/CJ Banks

If Sysum wins he might get a title shot at some point. Banks offers an early distraction and Samuels jumps him from behind. The villains have to tag so Sysum dropkicks Samuels to the floor and it’s time for a heel conference. Back in and Sysum slugs away at Samuels as Banks continue to be rather worthless. Banks comes in, gets punched in the ribs, and hands it back off to Samuels.

The double teaming takes Sysum down again and Banks punches him out to the floor. That doesn’t last long so Samuels throws Sysum down back inside and a lot of glaring ensues. Sysum clotheslines Samuels down and crossbodies them both at the same time. Cue Rampage (with a ridiculous amount of camera cuts) and Sysum goes to meet him on the ramp. He’s smart enough to run back and hit his spear through the ropes on Samuels, followed by the spinning strike to Banks. A 450 puts Samuels away at 8:06.

Rating: D. The ending wasn’t exactly in doubt here but egads Samuels and Banks are two of the most boring lackeys I’ve ever seen. Banks seems to be a bad one by design but Samuels is straight out of Central Casting for thugs. Sysum is easy to like though and him winning the title to end the show should be a good way to go out.

Overall Rating: D+. The two matches in the middle were better but the main event was lame and the title match was too short to mean much. They’ve done a little better in recent weeks, though that might be just due to them not adding in so many characters every week. The show isn’t terrible, but it’s nothing I’m going to remember in a month or so. That’s often worse than being bad, but in this case it’s not even worth getting annoyed over.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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