I think it's safe to say that if it wasn't for Jimmy Ocean, Ricky Knight probably wouldn't be where he is today. A chance meeting at a nightclub two decades ago between the two resulted in many things: Jimmy training Ricky for the rigours of the professional wrestling world, the formation of the Superflys tag-team, a combination that dominated the tag-team ranks in Britain and beyond for years, and, of course, the formation of the World Association of Wrestling ten years ago.
Both men have had their ups and downs in wrestling. Jimmy was the original high-flyer of the British wrestling scene, doing years ago what the likes of Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm do today. Age and injury have slowed Jimmy down a little in recent years. He competes only sporadically these days, but when he does, he still gives it his all.
Both men have had their ups and downs in wrestling. Jimmy was the original high-flyer of the British wrestling scene, doing years ago what the likes of Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm do today. Age and injury have slowed Jimmy down a little in recent years. He competes only sporadically these days, but when he does, he still gives it his all.
Ricky Knight is regarded as one of the best wrestlers in Britain today. His work on the microphone is second to none. He is capable of getting a roaring reaction from the quietest of crowds, and in the ring, he can match power with the giants, and speed and agility with the high-flyers. He shows no sign of slowing down.
But on Saturday, April 12th, these two best friends will be going at it in a lumberjack/ladder match, with something on the line more important than any championship. Hanging high above the ring at The Talk in Norwich will be an envelope holding the deeds to the World Association of Wrestling itself.
On Friday, February 14th, at WAW's "Valentine's Day Massacre" show in Norwich, Ricky Knight fought in a bruising battle with the Zebra Kid for the vacant WAW British championship. After the match finished, Ocean, along with his co-horts, Robin Knightwing and the U.K. Pitbulls, stormed the ring and attacked both of the battle weary men. Ocean then challenged Knight to a ladder match, with lumberjacks surrounding the ring. Knight accepted the challenge, and with just a few words, the very future of WAW was thrown into doubt.
As well as being an active wrestler, Ricky Knight is the backbone and inspiration behind the World Association of Wrestling. He is the boss, the man who gives the orders behind the scenes. Many say he is perhaps the best promoter in Britain today.
Although he is one of the founding fathers of WAW, in recent years Ocean has taken a back-seat, leaving the running of the business to Knight so he could pursue interests outside the ring. Now Ocean wants to take control of WAW. He has seen just how successful Knight has made the company, and would probably like to take some of the glory for himself, but instead of simply buying the company from Knight, Ocean wants to do what he does best, and wrestle the company away from Knight.
The match they have chosen to do this is in is one of the most dangerous in the history of professional wrestling. It will not only be fought under ladder-match rules, but each combatant will also choose "lumberjacks", wrestlers who will patrol the ringside area. These wrestlers will have just one job to do; they will make sure that should the action spill out to the ringside area, they must put the wrestlers back in the ring.
Fighting a ladder match is hard enough. Adding lumberjacks to the equation makes it even harder. Those lumberjacks chosen by Knight or Ocean could come to the ring with added instructions, to interfere on behalf of the man they were chosen by.
Neither men are strangers to this kind of match though. Knight is well known for his hard-core tendencies, as the recent match with the Zebra Kid showed. Ocean is no slouch with weapons either. Older WAW fans may remember the brutal ECW-style match Knight and Ocean had in 1999 at the Corn Exchange in Norwich. As a result, Ocean spent some time in hospital recovering from his injuries. The scars from that battle are still apparent for all to see.
So on Saturday, April 12th, both men, best friends, tag-team partners, will step into the ring, with one thing on their mind. When the final bell rings, WAW will either continue under the successful leadership of Ricky Knight, or it will begin a new journey, under the watchful eye of Jimmy Ocean.
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