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Monday 11 March 2019

RE-POST: WAW, Chelmsford, March 2003 - Live Show Review

WAW ventured into pastures new this past Saturday with a solid line-up at the Riverside Leisure Centre in Chelmsford, Great Britain. The crowd more than made up for their small size with their incredible vocal capacity, especially the section from the U.K. Fan Forum!

"THE SEXY MONKEY" ROBIN KNIGHTWING v HOT STUFF
The Canadian superstar and the returning former British champion continued their series of great matches against each other. However, this time, things were different as a small section of the crowd openly cheered Knightwing as he cut his opening promo. It was obvious that his opponent for the evening would be jeered as the match commenced.

In the early stages Knightwing controlled the bout with his superior strength, but it wasn't long before Hot Stuff turned the tables and fought back with his speed capabilities. Applying an arm wringer a couple of times, Knightwing could only escape by going to the ropes.

Knightwing was able to recover his ground after delivering a low blow to Hot Stuff as he applied another arm wringer. Using his usual heel tactics, such as pulling hair, pokes in the eye, etc., Knightwing went on to dominate the contest for the next few moments. Hot Stuff fought back briefly with a drop-kick, but it wasn't long before Knightwing was back on the offensive again.

The domination didn't last long as Knightwing missed the follow-up attacking after posting Hot Stuff. Hot Stuff tried a sunset flip out of the corner, but only managed to get a two count. Knightwing took control once again with a powerful clothesline. He then followed this up with a full nelson into a suplex. A brief spurt from Hot Stuff was soon snuffed out by the Canadian.

It wasn't long before Hot Stuff fought back again. Draped over the second rope, Knightwing had dropped his wait onto Hot Stuff once, but went to the well once too often as he straddled himself on the second rope. Seconds later he was lying on the arena floor after a Hot Stuff drop-kick.

Once they were back in the ring, Knightwing regained control. It looked like he was about to unleash a fisherman's suplex at once point, but after lifting Hot Stuff up, he turned the move into a power bomb.

Seconds later Hot Stuff mounted another comeback. After whipping Knightwing into the corner, he scored with a Bronco Buster, but like Knightwing before him, he failed with a second attack of the same nature. Knightwing tried a pin after this, but clearly had his feet on the ropes.

Recovering somewhat, Hot Stuff scored with an x-factor, usually his finishing move. It didn't finish the match though as Knightwing kicked out on two. Knightwing then went for a submission hold which Hot Stuff escaped from with a below the belt blow. This earned him a public warning.

Knightwing fought back, and with Hot Stuff down on the mat, scaled the top rope and went for a moonsault. Seconds later he came crashing down to the mat, as Hot Stuff moved out of the way. This was enough for Hot Stuff as he mounted a comeback, and after scoring with a super kick, got the three count. This didn't stop a small section of the crowd cheering for Knightwing, as cries of "you screwed Knightwing" were aimed at the referee.

FLASH BARKER v THE ZEBRA KID
A match involving two of the top wrestlers in the country, who were both on rolls having won titles recently, promised much on paper, and in the ring, it delivered.

Early on Barker connected with a couple of jabs to Zebra's ribs, which doubled the kid over a couple of times. The wrestling then began, as hold was countered by hold before Zebra gained control briefly with an arm wringer. Barker then hoisted Zebra onto his shoulders and slammed him to the mat.

Barker the centred his attack on the Zebra Kid's knee, twisting and pulling it for all it was worth, following up this attack with several kicks to the limb. Zebra Kid fought back as both men began to run the ropes, with the referee almost getting caught in the middle!

Barker overpowered Zebra before the kid fought back with a drop-kick that sent Barker flying out of the ring. Once back in the ring, Barker went back to attacking Zebra's knee. This attack didn't last long as Zebra connected with a super kick, following this with a superplex from the top rope. This only got a two count though.

The Zebra Kid kept up his attack, scoring with a neck breaker, and his always impressive splash from the top rope. Normally enough to put anyone away, Barker kicked out on two.

Barker was soon fighting back. As the Kid applied a headlock, Barker countered with a back suplex. Zebra regrouped outside the ring for a short while before returning to the ring. However, it wasn't long before Barker scored with a good looking suplex. Following this with a cover, he only got a two count.

Tempers began to get the better of both men as they both delivered low blows, Barker first, then Zebra. Both of these attacks earned a public warning from the referee. Zebra then took Barker down with a DDT, but again, Barker kicked out on two. A quick exchange followed before Zebra scored with a Samoan drop.

With Barker lying prone near the edge of the ring, Zebra dragged him to the corner and pulled, so Barker would be singing an octave higher later in the night. He then slammed Barker onto the ringside table, following this up with an elbow.

As the wrestlers returned to the ring, Barker executed a tombstone pile driver, but only got the two count. Barker tried this attack again, but Zebra countered and slammed him to the mat. He then only managed to get a two count. Zebra then scored with a tombstone of his own, following this up with another aerial attack, this time his top rope elbow. Again, Barker fought back, kicking out on two.

Time was running out for both men as Barker fought back with a neck breaker. He followed this up with a body slam before climbing to the top rope himself. He took too much time though, Zebra rolling out of the way as Barker came crashing down knee first. Zebra soon followed this up with a Boston Crab, but he was too near the ropes, and Barker easily escaped.

As the seconds ticked away, Zebra synched in a full nelson. Barker was soon wilting, before me managed to reverse the full nelson. He then went for a pin, but as the referee made the count, and as it looked like Barker would gain the victory, the time limit expired, somewhat fitting as both men gave their all.

"ROWDY" RICKY KNIGHT (with Sweet Saraya) v "FLYIN'" PHIL POWERS
As Knight came to the ring with the Sweet Saraya, the U.K. Fan Forum faithful behind me almost blew the roof off as they cheered loudly for him. Then the old "Saraya Wants Chicken" chant began, and Saraya walked down the ring apron and kicked the man who started the chant in the head. Thankfully I have no bruise!

Despite the fact that he was the local boy, Powers didn't get a good reception from the crowd.

Early on Powers out wrestled Knight, who used the ropes to escape from Powers's clutches a few times. Knight then revealed his plan for the evening. As he distracted the referee, Saraya began the first of her many attacks on Powers. Powers didn't let this get him down though, as he drop-kicked Knight out of the ring, then kicked Knight straight into Saraya. He then showed why he was given his nickname by flying through the ropes onto his two opponents.

A brawl then began, at one point going up the stands into the crowd, before Knight slammed Powers onto the ringside table. They soon returned to the ring, where Knight power bombed Powers to the mat. The following cover only got a two count.

With Powers draped over the second rope, Knight tried to come crashing down on his back, but Powers ducked out of the wire, Knight catching himself on the middle rope. Powers then earned a public warning after a low blow.

From her position outside the ring, Saraya tried to attack again, but Powers had had enough. Diving under the bottom rope, Powers chased Saraya around the ring, but forgot his opponent inside it. Knight was soon attacking Powers from behind. He followed this up with a second power bomb, this time on the hard arena floor. Knight then returned to the ring, and as Powers crawled to his feet, Saraya delivered a hard-looking kick straight to Powers's ass!

Once back in the ring, Knight scored with a drop-kick, but again, only got the two count. Powers then tried to score with a sunset flip, which Knight countered by bringing all of his weight down on his opponent's chest. Again, only a two count. A sidewalk slam still only brought a two count from Knight. It wasn't long before he was again distracting the referee so Saraya could attack from the outside.

It wasn't long before Powers fought back, and the action spilled to the arena floor again. Knight again attacked from behind. As Knight held Powers from behind, Saraya grabbed a dustbin. But as she brought the weapon down, Powers ducked out of the way, and the bin came crashing down onto Knight's skull. Powers then grabbed both of his opponents and threw them into the ring. Seconds later he was smashing their heads together.

Powers was irate, and took his attack to both Knight and Saraya, at one point whipping Saraya into the corner, then whipping Knight into her. Knight fell backwards into the ring, and seconds later, Saraya came crashing down, head first, into the Knight family jewels. As Saraya slipped out of the ring, Powers scored with a suplex. Knight escaped the pin attempt by putting his feet on the ropes.

Powers continued his attack by climbing the tope rope, and coming down with a crashing blow on Knight. Powers climbed the ropes again, but as Knight once again distracted the referee, Saraya climbed onto the ring apron and sent Powers flying. Knight followed this up with an elbow, and then secured the victory. Powers was not a happy man.

"THE MISFIT" JORGE CASTANO v "THE PHOENIX" JODY FLEISCH
As the Columbian superstar came to the ring, a small section of the crowd cheered wildly for him. This did not sit well with Castano, who demanded that the fans shut up. His opponent, setting foot in a WAW ring for the first time in nearly two years, got a huge pop from the crowd.

Good exchanges between the two early on saw neither man gain an advantage. Fleisch's athleticism showed, despite the fact that he had literally gotten off a plane from Japan just hours before.

Castano began to dominate the bout after a neck breaker, following this up with a series of slams and suplexes with kept the Phoenix grounded somewhat. The assault continued for a few minutes, but stopped as Fleisch countered a turnbuckle attack with a kick. Fleisch then quickly climbed to the top rope and came crashing down onto Castano. He followed this up with an drop-kick, which saw Castano come crashing down onto the ringside table.

Outside the ring Fleisch tried to follow up his attack, but Castano soon fought back. The brawl outside the ring went well until Fleisch slammed him into the arena wall. Fleisch then virtually walked up the wall and came crashing down on Castano with a moonsault. As the brawl began to move back to the ring, Fleisch then flew off the stands onto Castano, continuing his aerial bombardment.

Back in the ring Castano fought back with a head scissors and a spinning DDT from the second rope. The ensuing suplex only resulted in a two count from the referee. Castano then scored with an impressive looking under hook into a power bomb. Again, this only got a two count.

Fleisch soon fought back with a quick series of moves, which culminated in a hurricanrana from the top rope. Castano countered another top rope attack with a suplex, before both men were knocked down with a double clothesline.

The match then turned into an in-ring brawl briefly before Castano scored with a neck breaker. A Fleisch roll-up only scored a two count. Castano followed with a bridge suplex, but that didn't get the win either. His anger then led him to throw Fleisch out of the ring. Thinking that he now had some time to regroup, Castano turned his attention away from his opponent. Big mistake, because Fleisch had landed on the ring apron, feet first. As Castano turned around Fleisch tried for his 720 DDT, but Castano countered with another bridge suplex.

It wasn't long before Fleisch fought back, and this time, he soon scored with his patented finishing move, which secured the win. Fleisch, in a show of sportsmanship, then grabbed the microphone and praised Castano for his efforts.

THE DARK ANGELS and THE KRAFT (with Kharisma) v THE U.K. PITBULLS and TANK
Once again the most vocal part of the fans went against the grain and cheered wildly for the Pitbulls, and their honorary third member of the evening, Tank, whom the fans labelled Jack Russell. Tank is a huge man in his own right, but next to the Pitbulls he looked small!

As the contest began, Big Dave simply overpowered Ashe. When Draven tagged in moments later, he got much the same. Ashe was soon back in the match as they tried to double-team the Pitbulls. Bulk came into the match, and as the two Pitbulls were about the take the Dark Angels down, the smaller guys wriggled free of the Pitbull's grasp, and tried to emulate the Hardy Boys. This attack backfired though, as Ashe was soon dumped to the outside of the ring, and Draven was squashed in the middle of it. Tank soon tagged in, and Draven was soon on the receiving end of a triple head butt.

Draven was soon double and tripled teamed by the three man mountains. However, Draven soon escaped and tagged in Kraft, the largest member of his team, but still small compared to his opponents. Kraft didn't have much success as the Bulk dominated him early on.

Despite the fact that they had come through the ranks together, Tank was quite brutal on his former training partner as he raked Kraft's eyes along the ropes. Bulk was soon tagged back in and he began to push the Kraft around the ring. The Essex star soon fought back though, and almost scored a pin with a body press on the big man.

Quick tags saw Ashe and Big Dave back into the thick of things, and it wasn't long before Dave synched in a sharpshooter on Ashe. The youngster looked like he could tap at any moment as Dave's team-mates lent him a helping hand. Ashe didn't submit though.

Tank then went to work on Ashe's arm, bringing down his huge weight on the limb, much to the approval of the crowd. Ashe tried to escape, but Tank knocked him down with a powerful kick.

Bulk returned to the match and connected with a power bomb which only resulted in a two count. He then worked on Ashe's weakened back with a bear hug. Ashe punched his way out of the hold, and then took the big man down with a head scissors, impressive considering the massive weight difference between the two. As the Bulk slid out of the ring, the three Pitbulls regrouped outside, taking their eyes of their opponents.

This proved to be a mistake, as first Draven, through the ropes, then Ashe, from the top rope, flew to the outside and came crashing down on the three big men. At one point it looked like Kraft was going to join them, but air travel isn't really his speciality.

Back in the ring, Kraft and Draven began to double team Big Dave, who fought back with face rakes and a headset. Tank soon came back in, and tried to overpower Kraft, but found it difficult this time.

As Draven tagged back into the match, so did the Bulk, who simply overpowered his much smaller opponent. Draven fought back with an inziguri and a drop-kick, but Bulk soon went basic, simply stopping Draven's attack with a thumb to the eye. There was then a series of quick tags from both teams. Ashe scored with an impressive corkscrew moonsault, and Kraft almost got the win with a sunset flip on Tank, but failed.

A mass brawl erupted, and as the time limit drew near, the Pitbulls scored with their trademark power bomb on Ashe, following this up with a double choke slam on Kraft, and then their impressive big splash/leg drop combination to secure the win.

In conclusion - the small crowd proved to be very vocal that night, as always seems to be the case when WAW holds a show in Essex. The small contingent from the U.K. Fan Forum proved to be one of the highlights of the night, really getting into each and every match, and even turning Hot Stuff heel!

It's a shame though that the local Chelmsford businesses were so unhelpful in helping to promote the show. WAW were only allowed to post ten posters promoting the show. When a town is as unreceptive as this, it makes you wonder if it's worth going back there for a second bite of the cherry. A foul-up with the advertising on the part of the local press didn't help matters either.

The show, as far as those in attendance were concerned, was still a great success. So far I haven't seen one bad word written about it. Every match was top notch, and every wrestler on the bill should be commended for their efforts. Match of the night? Hell, why not give it to every match. Everyone deserves praise.

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