A packed crowd witnessed something that hasn't happened in quite a while, a show where every major WAW title was defended.
WAW British title - number one contenders match;
"ROWDY" RICKY KNIGHT v ZAK ZODIAC
WAW Commissioner Steven Howard-Platt was not a happy man. This bout had been signed by Ricky Knight, without the consent of the commissioner. However, Mr. Howard-Platt would go on to have the last laugh.
The bout began with Knight using his size advantage to simply overpower Zodiac, working over Zodiac's left arm on a number of occasions. Zodiac fought back for a few fleeting moments, but Knight was soon able to regain the advantage.
But no matter what he tried, Knight wasn't able to put Zodiac away, and as is Knight's custom, he used several underhanded tactics to keep the advantage.
But when Zodiac was able to fight back, he fought back well. As Knight applied a headlock, Zodiac pushed him off into the topes and connected with a hip-toss, following up with a drop-kick that sent Knight crashing to the floor. Zodiac then climbed to the top rope and came crashing down on the Rowdy one.
But back in the ring, Knight regained control. After a questionable tactic involving the ring post, Knight once again choked Zodiac in the corner, but as he celebrated his latest handy work, Zodiac once again climbed to the top rope and came off with a flying clothesline. It wasn't enough to put the Rowdy Man away though.
Zodiac then continued with his offence, but once again Knight resorted to choking to regain control. As Knight used the ropes to his advantage, referee Joe Williams tried to stop him, but he was shoved to the mat for his efforts. Taking matters into his own hands, Williams pulled Knight off Zodiac and slammed his head into the top turnbuckle. While stunned, Zodiac caught Knight with a low blow, but couldn't get a pin from the following cover.
Knight was soon back on the offensive. He caught Zodiac as he came off the top, trying for a cross body block, but Knight slammed him into the turnbuckles and then followed up with a fall away slam. But this still wasn't enough to put Zodiac away.
After Knight missed a leg drop, Zodiac drop-kicked him in the face. But Knight came back with a low blow of his own. Zodiac came back quickly with a whip into the corner. But Zodiac didn't have enough power for a monkey flip. Knight rolled Zodiac up for a three count. However, referee Williams failed to see that Knight's feet were on the ropes.
Although he lived by the credence that the referee's decision is final, Commissioner Howard-Platt immediately reversed the decision, and match restarted. Knight once again went to the power game, connecting with two choke slams, a power bomb, and a running power slam. Then, as Zodiac fought back by whipping Knight into the ropes, Knight barged him down to the mat. There was then plenty of fast paced action before Zodiac caught Knight with an ace crusher, following it up with a hurricanrana and a frog splash off the top rope. A three count later, Zodiac had the victory, the British title had a new number one contender, and Ricky Knight had a commissioner he was really annoyed with.
WAW British Championship;
"THE DARK ANGEL" ASHE v JUSTIN STARR
Having defeated the Kraft in his first title defence in August, Ashe moved on to the more experienced former TWA Champion Starr, with the winner of this bout knowing they would have to face Zak Zodiac in the next title defence.
In round one, nothing much happened. Starr spent a great deal of time stalling, complaining about the reception he was getting from the crowd. After a couple of lock ups which saw both men go into the ropes, the round ended with Starr applying an arm wringer.
Round two began with Starr again working on Ashe's arm. Ashe fought back briefly with a roll-up pin attempt, but Starr dominated much of the round, before Ashe powered out of Starr's headlock with a hip toss/drop kick combination, before connecting with an enziguri which sent Starr flying. The round ended with Starr trying to regain his senses on the outside of the ring.
The third round began with Starr adopting the ground and pound tactic, with a few chokes thrown in for good measure. A brief Ashe comeback saw the champion miss a senton splash off the top rope. Seizing the opportunity, Starr delivered a pile driver to get the opening fall of the contest.
Ashe was still stunned as the fourth round began. Early on Starr removed one of the turnbuckle pads, so he could slam Ashe's head into the exposed metal. Starr then returned to the pounding tactic, but Ashe came back with a brief flurry, until Starr pulled the top rope down as Ashe came running towards him. Starr then followed his opponent outside, and then slammed him onto the arena floor and the ring apron as the round came to an end.
Round five began with Starr again pounding on Ashe, before applying a nerve hold to Ashe's shoulders/ He then resorted to the power game by taking Ashe down with a power bomb. In a way this fired the champ up briefly, as he connected with a hurricanrana. But once again Starr fought back, this time with a super kick, a knee lift, and a sidewalk slam. This still wasn't enough to get the winning pin though. The round ended with Starr choking Ashe over the top rope.
The sixth round began with Ashe starting off well, whipping Starr into the corner and back dropping him as he came out. Ashe then followed up with his drop-kick with a pin attempt, but this wasn't enough to put Starr away. Ashe looked like he would continue in this vein until Starr delivered a low blow. He then came down with a pump handle slam, but again, he still couldn't get the winning fall. Indeed, as the old saying goes, Starr went to the well once too often. A second attempt at a pump handle slam saw Ashe counter the attempt with a roll-up for the equalising fall.
With the fatigue beginning to show on both men, the seventh round began with Starr starting to work over Ashe's back, and once again resorting to chokes to keep the upper hand. After sending Ashe into the corner, and connecting with a drop kick, Starr went for a second whip, only for Ashe to reverse the whip, and go up to the top rope. He then connected with his flying reverse neck breaker, and just like that Ashe scored the winning fall to retain the title. Starr was not a happy man, and for a moment he looked as if he was going to go at it with referee Charlie Frary.
WAW Tag-Team Championship;
THE U.K. PITBULLS v BASH & THE KRAFT
What looked to be the toughest test for the tag-team champions ended with the continuation of a rivalry that has gripped the WAW faithful over the past few weeks.
The first session began with the Bulk overpowering Bash, with some quick tags from the champs that Saw Bash on the receiving end of a hard double head butt. Bash fought back briefly with a drop kick and a leg drop before tagging in the Kraft.
There was then a test of power between Big Dave and the Kraft, with Kraft pounding away on the strongman, trying to take him off his feet before eventually kicking him to the outside. As the Pitfalls tried to recover on the outside, the challengers connected with a double baseball slide, before Kraft climbed to the top rope and came off with a body block to the outside. Bash then followed this up with a flying suicide dive. As the dazed Pitbulls went back into the ring, Big Dave tried for a corner attack, but Kraft darted out of the way and rolled up his opponent as the challengers scored the first pin.
The second session began with Bulk applying a bear hug to the Kraft after he was caught in the middle of a Pitbull sandwich. Kraft powered his way out of the hold, but couldn't take down the Bulk with a couple of powerful clotheslines, and he soon found himself on the receiving end of a Bulk clothesline.
The Pitfalls then showed their pedigree as a tag-team by doubling up on the Kraft on a number of times. Despite brief comebacks, they kept the Kraft away from his partner, wearing him down with camel clutches, cobra clutches, full nelson slams, before the Bulk scored the equalising fall after his impressive roll-over.
The third and final session began with the Bulk choking out the weakened Kraft. But as he missed a leg drop, Kraft was able to make it to his corner to tag Bash in. Bash & Kraft tried to double up on the Bulk, but they found themselves on the receiving end of a double clothesline. Big Dave then tagged in, and tried to work over Bash's arm. But this tactic didn't work for long as Bash reversed the hold with an arm wringer of his own. Then, while keeping a hold of the limb, Bash scaled the ropes and came down with his always impressive leg drop.
The Bulk then quickly tagged back into the match, be he soon found himself on the receiving end of a Bash drop kick.
Seconds later, Big Dave & the Kraft tagged back in. After surviving the Kraft's attack, Big Dave then tried something that almost led to his downfall. As he slowly climbed to the middle rope, Kraft recovered enough, and showing tremendous power, lifted Big Dave onto his shoulders and connected with a Samoan drop. It looked as if new tag-team champions were about to be crowned, but then the surprise came. Bash came into the ring, baseball bat in hand, and clobbered his tag-team partner. Moments later, Big Dave was covering Kraft for the winning pin fall as the UKP retained the tag-team championship. Bash then revealed that his rivalry with the Kraft was far from over, and that's why he turned on his partner.
WAW British Women's Championship
SWEET SARAYA v KLONDYKE KATE (with Destiny)
For a while it looked like this bout wasn't going to take place. Kate was not happy with the WAW championship match rules, and said that if the bout was going to be scored by judges she would refuse to wrestle. It was only when Saraya said that she would abide by Kate's wishes that the match was saved.
The first round began with Kate stalling, and unhappy with the reception she was getting from the fans. With some help from Destiny, Kate eventually started the match by pounding on Saraya, and crashing down on her with a big splash in the corner. As the round ended, Kate earned the ire of the referee as she attacked Saraya after the bell.
Round two began with Kate actually biting Saraya, then applying an arm wringer. Saraya eventually kicked her way out of this hold, fighting her way back to score the first pin.
Round three began with Kate regaining the upper hand, pounding away on Saraya before throwing her out of the ring and taking the fight outside. As Destiny tried to distract Saraya, Kate threw her opponent over the metal barricade. Once they got back into the ring, Kate began to choke out her opponent. As the referee admonished Kate for her efforts, Destiny once again interfered. Having escaped the referee's ire, Kate again threw Saraya to the outside, where Destiny attacked again. As Saraya tried to get back into the ring, Kate slammed her into the ring post as she stood on the ring apron.
Round four began with Saraya pounding Kate as she lay slumped in the corner. Kate again regained the advantage when Destiny distracted Saraya, again using underhanded tactics, which included standing on Saraya's hair. Saraya was soon back on the attack, connecting with a bulldog off the ropes. This wasn't enough to score the winning pin though.
As Destiny tried to interfere again, Saraya had had enough. Jumping to the outside, Saraya chased Destiny into the ring, where she got a measure of revenge by slamming her opponent's heads together. But this little meeting of the minds wasn't enough to keep the challenger down. In full sight of the referee, Kate removed one of the corner pads. As the referee tried to make running repairs, Kate kicked Saraya below the belt. All this did was anger the champion. As the round came to an end, Saraya delivered a low blow of her own.
But this proved to be her undoing. She had delivered the blow right in front of the referee, and he had no choice but to disqualify Saraya, which meant that under the WAW championship match rules, Kate was crowned the new champion. Despite Saraya's protests, the referee insisted that his decision was final.
WAW Cruiserweight Championship;
"THE TATTOOED WARRIOR" STEVE QUINTAIN (with Elegant Emma) v "GENTLEMAN" JIMMY OCEAN
A rematch from one year ago saw a close fought contest between the two veterans.
The first round began with Ocean working over Quintain's arm. Quintain reversed the hold, only for Ocean to go to the ropes to escape. Each man continued to work over each other's arms until Ocean centred his attack on Quintain's legs. The round ended with Ocean synching in a full nelson.
Round two began with Ocean applying another full nelson, only for Quintain to power his way out and deliver several forearm smashes, which only lad to a stand off between the two wrestlers. Ocean then tried to work over Quintain's arm again, only for Quintain to wrap his legs around Ocean's head and neck in a head-scissors like move on the mat. The hold was on so tight that it took two attempts for Ocean to escape. As the bell rang, Ocean used a very un-wrestling like move, punching Quintain in the stomach.
The third round began with Ocean applying a nerve hold to Quintain's shoulders, turning it into a camel clutch a few moments later. He only applied the hold for a couple of minutes before releasing the hold with a well placed punch. Ocean then continued to dominate the round with some well placed knees and clotheslines. However, against the run of play, Quintain scored the first pin after a body scissors off the ropes.
The fourth round began with an irate Ocean going back to work on Quintain's arm, using the ropes to inflict more pain. The round ended with Ocean choking Quintain on the ropes.
Round five began with Ocean's continued attack on Quintain's arm, eventually using a move I haven't seen anyone use for years, the Jim Breaks special. The pain was too much for Quintain, as Ocean scored the equalising submission.
At the beginning of the sixth round Ocean continued his attack on Quintain's arm. The champion knew he needed a break, so he sought refuge on the outside of the ring. Ocean blocked Quintain's path back into the ring several times. This was just a set-up as Ocean eventually drop-kicked Quintain as he stood on the outside. Now outside the ring himself, Ocean slammed Quintain's arm onto the metal guard rail. Like a rabid animal Ocean continued to work over Quintain's injured limb for the remainder of the round.
Round seven began with Ocean stalling for time, then offering his opponent the hand of friendship. Quintain replied by saying that Ocean was number one. Well, that's the number of fingers he was holding up. Ocean then returned to his attack on Quintain's arm, before punching him in the stomach on the referee's blind side. Quintain had had enough, and did the same to Ocean, before delivering three stiff forearms. Ocean sought solace on the outside of the ring. But this didn't last long as Quintain soon followed him. Realising he wasn't going to get much chance of a rest, Ocean grabbed an empty drinks can and smashed it into Quintain's head. He then grabbed a metal crutch from a fan at ringside, and clobbered Quintain with it. The round ended with the champion trying to regain his senses on the outside.
Round eight began with Quintain still on the outside of the ring. As Ocean approached one of the corners, Quintain grabbed his legs and crotched him on the ring post. Back in the ring Quintain scored with an atomic drop. Once again, Ocean sought refuge on the outside of the ring, only to be distracted by the Elegant Emma. Back in the ring, Emma tried to distract Ocean again, only for Ocean to prove that he wasn't really a gentleman when he grabbed Quitain's manageress. This was all that Quintain needed, as he caught Ocean from behind with a schoolboy roll-up for the winning pin fall. Against all the odds, Quintain had retained the Cruiserweight championship. Jimmy Ocean was not a happy man.
In conclusion, an enjoyable night of traditional British action. It would be great if WAW presented shows where all the titles were defended on a more regular basis, as the new championship rules provide a refreshing change to the American influenced fare that the majority of other British companies serve up at the moment.
Match of the night goes to the tag-team title match. It's a great shame that we probably won't see Bash and the Kraft team again. They provided the strongest challenge to the Pitbulls since the team of Doug Williams and Flash Barker in 2003.
The first round began with Ocean working over Quintain's arm. Quintain reversed the hold, only for Ocean to go to the ropes to escape. Each man continued to work over each other's arms until Ocean centred his attack on Quintain's legs. The round ended with Ocean synching in a full nelson.
Round two began with Ocean applying another full nelson, only for Quintain to power his way out and deliver several forearm smashes, which only lad to a stand off between the two wrestlers. Ocean then tried to work over Quintain's arm again, only for Quintain to wrap his legs around Ocean's head and neck in a head-scissors like move on the mat. The hold was on so tight that it took two attempts for Ocean to escape. As the bell rang, Ocean used a very un-wrestling like move, punching Quintain in the stomach.
The third round began with Ocean applying a nerve hold to Quintain's shoulders, turning it into a camel clutch a few moments later. He only applied the hold for a couple of minutes before releasing the hold with a well placed punch. Ocean then continued to dominate the round with some well placed knees and clotheslines. However, against the run of play, Quintain scored the first pin after a body scissors off the ropes.
The fourth round began with an irate Ocean going back to work on Quintain's arm, using the ropes to inflict more pain. The round ended with Ocean choking Quintain on the ropes.
Round five began with Ocean's continued attack on Quintain's arm, eventually using a move I haven't seen anyone use for years, the Jim Breaks special. The pain was too much for Quintain, as Ocean scored the equalising submission.
At the beginning of the sixth round Ocean continued his attack on Quintain's arm. The champion knew he needed a break, so he sought refuge on the outside of the ring. Ocean blocked Quintain's path back into the ring several times. This was just a set-up as Ocean eventually drop-kicked Quintain as he stood on the outside. Now outside the ring himself, Ocean slammed Quintain's arm onto the metal guard rail. Like a rabid animal Ocean continued to work over Quintain's injured limb for the remainder of the round.
Round seven began with Ocean stalling for time, then offering his opponent the hand of friendship. Quintain replied by saying that Ocean was number one. Well, that's the number of fingers he was holding up. Ocean then returned to his attack on Quintain's arm, before punching him in the stomach on the referee's blind side. Quintain had had enough, and did the same to Ocean, before delivering three stiff forearms. Ocean sought solace on the outside of the ring. But this didn't last long as Quintain soon followed him. Realising he wasn't going to get much chance of a rest, Ocean grabbed an empty drinks can and smashed it into Quintain's head. He then grabbed a metal crutch from a fan at ringside, and clobbered Quintain with it. The round ended with the champion trying to regain his senses on the outside.
Round eight began with Quintain still on the outside of the ring. As Ocean approached one of the corners, Quintain grabbed his legs and crotched him on the ring post. Back in the ring Quintain scored with an atomic drop. Once again, Ocean sought refuge on the outside of the ring, only to be distracted by the Elegant Emma. Back in the ring, Emma tried to distract Ocean again, only for Ocean to prove that he wasn't really a gentleman when he grabbed Quitain's manageress. This was all that Quintain needed, as he caught Ocean from behind with a schoolboy roll-up for the winning pin fall. Against all the odds, Quintain had retained the Cruiserweight championship. Jimmy Ocean was not a happy man.
In conclusion, an enjoyable night of traditional British action. It would be great if WAW presented shows where all the titles were defended on a more regular basis, as the new championship rules provide a refreshing change to the American influenced fare that the majority of other British companies serve up at the moment.
Match of the night goes to the tag-team title match. It's a great shame that we probably won't see Bash and the Kraft team again. They provided the strongest challenge to the Pitbulls since the team of Doug Williams and Flash Barker in 2003.
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