It was in April 2001, at the massive Fightmare show at the Norwich Sport Village, that I saw the Zebra Kid in action for the first time. I had seen a couple of his matches on video, but these outings didn't really do him any justice.
That night, along with 2,000 other wrestling fans, I was blown away by his performance. I knew then that this kid was something special, and he would go far. Now, just a few weeks after winning the WAW British Heavyweight Championship, I thought I would sit back, reflect, and take a look back at my favourite Zebra Kid matches of the past two years.
That night, along with 2,000 other wrestling fans, I was blown away by his performance. I knew then that this kid was something special, and he would go far. Now, just a few weeks after winning the WAW British Heavyweight Championship, I thought I would sit back, reflect, and take a look back at my favourite Zebra Kid matches of the past two years.
THE ZEBRA KID v "THE PHOENIX" JODY FLEISCH,
Ladder match for the WAW Cruiser weight Championship, WAW Fightmare, Norwich Sport Village,
April 2001.This was one of the biggest events in British wrestling history. 2,000 paying customers filled the Norwich Sport Village to see a card headlined by the World Title clash between the American Tiger Steele and local strongman Big Dave Waters.
However, it was the smaller guys that literally stole the show, in a ladder match the likes of the Hardy Boys would have been proud of. Jody Fleisch came into the Zebra Kid's backyard, eager to take his Cruiser weight title from him in a match that had the capacity crowd on the edge of their seats.
Fleisch and Zebra gave it their all, putting on a display of thrilling high-flying and technical skill. Fighting all around the ring, and outside of it, they pulled out all the stops. However, the Zebra Kid emerged victorious on this night, scaling the ladder and grabbing his championship belt as the crowd roared their approval.
THE ZEBRA KID v "ROWDY" RICKY KNIGHT,
Hard-core rules match, Watton Sports Centre, February 2002.
However, it was the smaller guys that literally stole the show, in a ladder match the likes of the Hardy Boys would have been proud of. Jody Fleisch came into the Zebra Kid's backyard, eager to take his Cruiser weight title from him in a match that had the capacity crowd on the edge of their seats.
Fleisch and Zebra gave it their all, putting on a display of thrilling high-flying and technical skill. Fighting all around the ring, and outside of it, they pulled out all the stops. However, the Zebra Kid emerged victorious on this night, scaling the ladder and grabbing his championship belt as the crowd roared their approval.
THE ZEBRA KID v "ROWDY" RICKY KNIGHT,
Hard-core rules match, Watton Sports Centre, February 2002.
A bruising encounter between father and son, which rightfully won the WAW Match of the Year award last year. Despite the familial bond between the two, these two never hold anything back in the ring when against each other, which was definitely the case here.
If a kitchen sink had been present, then these two would have probably used it. The match could have gone either way, but in the end, the Zebra Kid gained the victory.
THE ZEBRA KID v HOT STUFF
Best of 3 falls match for the WAW British and Cruiser weight Championships, The Talk, Norwich, April 2002.
If a kitchen sink had been present, then these two would have probably used it. The match could have gone either way, but in the end, the Zebra Kid gained the victory.
THE ZEBRA KID v HOT STUFF
Best of 3 falls match for the WAW British and Cruiser weight Championships, The Talk, Norwich, April 2002.
This match had several edges to it. It not only pitted champion v champion, and title for title, it also pitted tag-team partners against each other. At the time, the Zebra Kid and Hot Stuff, as the U.K. Patriots, were the WAW Tag-Team Champions.
The fans at The Talk didn't quite know who to get behind as the match began, as both had strong fan followings that night. The match swung back and forth as the rounds progressed, with Zebra dominating large portions of the contest.
It went into the final round with the falls even, and it seemed that Zebra, using every underhanded tactic he could think of, would emerge that night as a double champion. However, the time limit expired, just as he was about to secure the victory. Upset with the outcome, he began to make his way backstage when the U.K. Pitbulls stormed the ring and attacked the exhausted Hot Stuff. At first the Zebra Kid was reluctant to help his partner, but his loyalty to his friend soon returned, as he ran back to the ring to save his partner.
THE ZEBRA KID v MARK SLOAN v SCOTTY ROCK v PAUL TRAVELL,
The fans at The Talk didn't quite know who to get behind as the match began, as both had strong fan followings that night. The match swung back and forth as the rounds progressed, with Zebra dominating large portions of the contest.
It went into the final round with the falls even, and it seemed that Zebra, using every underhanded tactic he could think of, would emerge that night as a double champion. However, the time limit expired, just as he was about to secure the victory. Upset with the outcome, he began to make his way backstage when the U.K. Pitbulls stormed the ring and attacked the exhausted Hot Stuff. At first the Zebra Kid was reluctant to help his partner, but his loyalty to his friend soon returned, as he ran back to the ring to save his partner.
THE ZEBRA KID v MARK SLOAN v SCOTTY ROCK v PAUL TRAVELL,
FWA "Carpe Diem", Walthamstow Assembly Rooms, June 2002.
When it was announced that the Zebra Kid would be making his debut for the Frontier Wrestling Alliance, seen by many as the biggest wrestling company in Britain, at their Carpe Diem show, the FWA faithful were up in arms. They couldn't understand why an "outsider" was being brought in for this event. On the fan forums before the show, the faithful let their feelings be known. They were still on the Zebra Kid's back as he walked to the ring that night.
However, twenty minutes later, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand.
This match had an added incentive. At the time, Sloan was the FWA All-England Champion. His title was not on the line that night, but the stipulation was that should one of this opponents be victorious that night, they would get a shot at Sloan's title at the next FWA show.
From the opening bell, the Zebra Kid declared his intentions by opening a massive can of whoop-ass on each of this three opponents. No quarter was given as Sloan, Rock and Travell found out the hard way what it was like to get into the ring with one of the WAW's finest.
And the fans took notice. They weren't exactly sure what to make of the Zebra Kid at the beginning of the match, but after he pinned Sloan following an elbow smash from the top rope, they were behind him. A few weeks later, he defeated Sloan for the All-England title. He's been one of the longest reigning All-England champions in the four year history of the FWA.
THE ZEBRA KID v "THE WONDERKID" JONNY STORM v JERRY LYNN v JOEY MATTHEWS,
XPW "Merry F'N Christmas", Viking Hall, Philadelphia, December 2002.
However, twenty minutes later, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand.
This match had an added incentive. At the time, Sloan was the FWA All-England Champion. His title was not on the line that night, but the stipulation was that should one of this opponents be victorious that night, they would get a shot at Sloan's title at the next FWA show.
From the opening bell, the Zebra Kid declared his intentions by opening a massive can of whoop-ass on each of this three opponents. No quarter was given as Sloan, Rock and Travell found out the hard way what it was like to get into the ring with one of the WAW's finest.
And the fans took notice. They weren't exactly sure what to make of the Zebra Kid at the beginning of the match, but after he pinned Sloan following an elbow smash from the top rope, they were behind him. A few weeks later, he defeated Sloan for the All-England title. He's been one of the longest reigning All-England champions in the four year history of the FWA.
THE ZEBRA KID v "THE WONDERKID" JONNY STORM v JERRY LYNN v JOEY MATTHEWS,
XPW "Merry F'N Christmas", Viking Hall, Philadelphia, December 2002.
After Jonny Storm, Jody Fleisch and Doug Williams had blazed a trail in the US in 2002, it was the turn of the Zebra Kid to make his American debut, for Rob Black's Xtreme Pro Wrestling company, and the famed Viking Hall in Philadelphia, seen by many as a "Mecca" for wrestling fans.
Much like his first match for the FWA, this match would also determine the number one contendership of a title, the championship in question being the XPW Television Title, held by Kaos.
Looking a little nervous at first, the Zebra Kid soon showed he had what it took to hang with the best as he exchanged a series of breathtaking moves with Lynn, the former ECW World and WWF Light-Heavyweight Champion. One particular move saw Lynn position Zebra so he could deliver a suplex. Lynn hoisted him up, but instead of coming crashing down to the mat on his back, Zebra landed feet first, and caught Lynn in an awesome looking neck breaker.
Sadly, the Zebra Kid was the first man eliminated from this match, but he had done enough to show the American wrestling public that he was one of Britain's premier wrestling talents.
So there you have it. As the new WAW British Champion, the Zebra Kid is the standard bearer for the entire World Association of Wrestling. The promotion couldn't have a better wrestler to lead the company into the 21st century.
Much like his first match for the FWA, this match would also determine the number one contendership of a title, the championship in question being the XPW Television Title, held by Kaos.
Looking a little nervous at first, the Zebra Kid soon showed he had what it took to hang with the best as he exchanged a series of breathtaking moves with Lynn, the former ECW World and WWF Light-Heavyweight Champion. One particular move saw Lynn position Zebra so he could deliver a suplex. Lynn hoisted him up, but instead of coming crashing down to the mat on his back, Zebra landed feet first, and caught Lynn in an awesome looking neck breaker.
Sadly, the Zebra Kid was the first man eliminated from this match, but he had done enough to show the American wrestling public that he was one of Britain's premier wrestling talents.
So there you have it. As the new WAW British Champion, the Zebra Kid is the standard bearer for the entire World Association of Wrestling. The promotion couldn't have a better wrestler to lead the company into the 21st century.
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