WAW returned to their hometown this past Saturday, performing in front of a capacity crowd at The Talk on Oak Street, with a card that would have sold out any arena in the country, packed with top notch matches.
Double title match - Six five minute rounds - best of three falls
HOT STUFF (British Heavyweight Champion, with Crystal Clear) v ZEBRA KID (Cruiserweight Champion, with Angel)
In a rather hot atmosphere, which was actually a little too hot for my liking, the current tag-team champions squared off against each other in a contest with promised much beforehand, but due to an unfortunate incident early on, didn't quite live up to my expectations.
At the start of the bout it was hard to tell just who the fans would be rooting for. Zebra Kid is fast becoming one of the most popular wrestlers in the country, and Hot Stuff is always a crowd favourite. Early on, Hot Stuff began to display some heel tactics, but mere moments later, Zebra Kid did the same, and even though he cheated a great deal throughout the match, the fans went wild. He could have probably shot Hot Stuff with an uzi, and the crowd would have still loved him.
The unfortunate incident involved a spilt drink at ringside. When the action went outside the ring, Hot Stuff slipped on the drink, and first his arm hit one of the steps, followed by his head. As the match progressed, I could tell that something was wrong, but thankfully, he managed to get through the match.
The first fall went to the Heavyweight champ, with a sunset flip reversal. It was this that caused Zebra Kid to use the heel tactics. Whenever Hot Stuff went for a pin, a swift forearm between the family jewels would break the attempt.
It seemed that Zebra Kid would gain the equalising pin when he came off the top with an incredible looking flying elbow, probably the best I had seen in years. However, Hot Stuff was saved by the bell, which pissed Zebra off even more!
The action went back and forth throughout the latter stages of the match. These two just couldn't get the better of each other, and really, when the match ended one fall apiece, I couldn't help but think that a draw was the best result.
With the match ended, things seemed like they were about to end when the U.K. Pitbulls came down and attacked Hot Stuff. At first, Zebra Kid didn't look like he was going to help his partner, but eventually did, sending the UKP's running for cover.
The big boys from Sheringham then told us why they were there. Having won numerous tag titles, they were annoyed at not getting a shot at the one title they really wanted. They announced they were going to compete in the three way tag match later in the evening, to determine the number one contenders for the tag-title.
Submission Match
DOUG WILLIAMS v JIMMY OCEAN
It's always good to see one of the founding fathers of WAW come back to the ring, especially in his hometown. This submission match against the man regarded by many as the best in Britain looked great on paper, and in the ring as well.
Early on The Anarchist overpowered his smaller opponent, and there was a good exchange of wrestling moves as well. The crowd, at first, gave a mixed reaction to this match, and at times, they were almost silent, but that didn't detract from the action in the ring.
Doug's attack centred on Jimmy's left leg, which he worked on for the majority of the bout. He displayed all of the skills that had earned him his reputation, but for the majority of the bout, he couldn't put Jimmy away. Despite a couple of months away from the ring, Jimmy was putting up a hell of a fight.
But it was perhaps his time away from the ring that proved Jimmy Ocean's downfall, as eventually, Doug's attack on his leg proved too much. A punishing figure four, followed by a leg log forced the original high-flyer to tap out.
Afterwards, Jimmy extended the hand of sportsmanship to Doug. He explained that he hadn't trained as well as he should have, but did not offer this as an excuse. He then challenged Doug for one of his titles, promising to train harder than he had done before. Doug agreed to the match.
WAW World Women's Title Match - Hardcore Rules
KLONDYKE KATE 9(c) v SWEET SARAYA
In all of my near 30 years of wrestling, I have never, and I repeat, never, watch a woman's contest that has enthralled me in this way. And in my nearly four years of writing about this great industry, reviewing show after show after show, I have never rated a woman's match as the best on the card. All of that changed after this match.
This was, without a doubt, the match of the evening, a classic David v Goliath battle as Sweet Saraya pulled out all the stops to become the World Champion, and once again proving that she is perhaps the best in the business right now.
As the fans at ringside clutched their hardcore weapons, brought to the arena after Saraya's request in the local press, Saraya and Klondike duked out it like a couple of old time prize-fighters, and when they couldn't beat each other with their fists, they brought the toys into the battle.
And this is when things really started to heat. The battle spilled out to floor, and these two girls literally beat the living crap out of each other with plastic crates and silver trays. Someone said a plastic spade had been left around somewhere, but this was nowhere to be seen.
The fans really got behind Saraya throughout the match, and their cheers seemed to drive her towards he goal. If there had been a kitchen sink to hand, she would have probably used that in this battle as well. She hit Klondyke with weapon after weapon to almost every part of her body, down below, up top. You name it, she hit it.
The enthralling contest was over when Saraya climbed to the top rope, silver tray in hand, and launched herself towards Klondike, smashing the tray over her head. A three count later, and we had a new champion.
Even though Saraya won, nothing must be taken away from Klondyke Kate in this match though. She put up a hell of a fight, a fight worthy of a champion, but in the end, it just wasn't enough.
As Saraya celebrated her win, with cameras surrounding her, the Pitbulls came back out to help their fallen comrade. Although I have no doubt that a re-match is on the cards, I doubt very much that it will be as good as this bout. Definitely match of the night in my opinion, and I'm sure many of those in attendance would agree with me.
WAW European Title Match
ROBBIE BROOKSIDE v RICKY KNIGHT
A little advice to wrestling fans - if you want to really annoy Ricky Knight, if you want to really get under his skin when he comes to the ring, just shout WHAT whenever he speaks.
Ricky let his hometown fans know how annoyed he was with them. However, Mr. Brookside told us how great Norwich was, having been made to feel welcome whenever he came here.
As the match began, the comments towards Ricky continued, and he threatened to leave the arena unless he got complete silence. Fat chance mate, and this once again proved he was a liar, because he never left!
Early on Robbie showed some good moves, but Ricky, despite being a damn good wrestler, had to resort to underhanded tactics to gain the upper hand. However, if this match proved anything, it was that the Rowdy one should not fly! Leave that sort of thing to Hot Stuff and the Zebra Kid mate!
Ricky's decision to launch an attack from the second rope proved his downfall. Robbie grabbed him, flipped him over his head and slammed him to the mat to retain his title.
And before you ask, yes, Ricky did smack me in the head.
WAW World Title Match
TIGER STEELE (c) V P.N. NEWS
This match was originally meant to take place exactly one year ago at Fightmare, but due to the Pitbulls attacking News, the match never took place. Things would be rectified here.
News, thankfully not using his rapper gimmick anymore, was annoyed that Tiger got a better introduction from our ring announcer than he did. News attacked the big Texan before the bell, but was annoyed with the reception he got from the fans. Because of this, he threatened to walk out of the arena.
A quick question again, before I go any further. Why do wrestlers always make this promise, but fail to deliver?
News displayed some good power moves early one, overpowering his much larger opponent, a feat in itself. Tiger fought back briefly, but News was soon back onto the attack. The attack didn't last much longer though, as Tiger fought his way back into the contest with a massive boot.
Just when it looked like he was about to win, the referee went down in the midst of the action. With the ref catching a few z's on one side of the ring, Tiger chokeslammed News to hell, and went for the cover. But with no ref, there was no three count. While Tiger checked the ref, News grabbed the Texan's cowbell, and clobbered him with it. An amazing looking cartwheel off the ropes, added to a recovering referee, and News had the three count. We had a new world champion.
Tiger was annoyed, and told us all of the cowbell attack, even though everyone saw the attack. The ref explained that his decision was final.
Calling News back to the ring, Tiger demanded a re-match. News refused, telling him he would have to get in line.
THE DARK ANGELS v THE U.K. PITBULLS v BASH & JORGE CASTANO
This three way elimination match was to determine the number one contenders to the U.K. Patriots tag-team titles, pitting two of WAW's best teams against a very new team.
With the Pitbulls on the ring apron, we saw some excellent exchanges early on between Bash and Ashe. With Bash now something of a veteran, Ashe was easily managing to match him move for move.
But the pace of the match changed when the Pitbulls came in, Big Dave and The Bulk simply overpowered whoever they came into contact with.
The best spot in the bout was probably when the action spilled outside. One by one, each combatant flew to the outside, sending the ever growing contingent on the floor crashing to the mat. Even the Bulk got into the action, diving on everyone from the ring apron. At the end of it all, it looked like a car crash or something.
The Dark Angels were the first team to be eliminated, as Bash hit the Home Run on Ashe, leaving the two heel teams behind.
Realising he couldn't overpower the Pitbulls, using speed rather than power on them. His fameasser like move was one of the best I had seen, and his head scissors on the Bulk was also top rate.
However, it wasn't to be his night. Tagging in Castano, the Colombian tried to attack from the top rope, but was caught. A double power-bomb later, and the Pitbulls had the victory, inching ever closer to the title they wanted more than anything else.
BATTLE ROYAL
I hate these matches. Let me rephrase that. I hate reporting on these matches. It's always difficult to make notes, because there's always something happening, wherever you look.
But let's make an attempt here - lots of people got eliminated, landed on the floor, until two were left, two of WAW's brightest prospects, Detroit and The Kraft. It wasn't going to be Kraft's night though, as the promising American threw him out to the crowd.
In conclusion, a great night, with great matches from start to finish. The only criticism I would have would be the conditions inside. The ringside area was absolutely sweltering. I was wilting just sitting at ringside, so I had no idea how the wrestlers managed to compete in that sort of heat. When WAW returns to The Talk, I'll bring a small fan with me!
Was Jake not on this show then?
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