Fozzy live
//
what next for rusev?
STEELCHAIR
WRESTLING
COLUMNS FROM DONNOVAN DIJAK + KEVIN GILL
AN INTRO TO
NJPW
WRESTLEMANIA
THE RISE OF
GRADO ETHAN CARTER III ROCKSTAR SPUD
// ISSUE 2
£2.99
SteelChairMag.com
APRIL 2015
SETH ROLLINS
// What wwe can learn from nxt //
WELCOME
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WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR
W
elcome to the latest issue which feels like the start of a new era in wrestling, well for WWE at least as our cover star, Seth Rollins, stole the show and the title at WrestleMania . We look at his meteoric rise from indies to WWE champion.
We also spoke to the latest stars from TNA, Rockstar Spud and EC3 who ended their fued with a brutal hair v hair match at Wembley. Following on from last issues intro to Lucha Underground this month we bring you New Japan Pro Wrestling.
EDITORIAL David Garlick Editor / Design david@steelchairmag.com
SOCIAL twitter.com/SteelchairMag facebook.com/SteelchairMag instagram.com/SteelchairMag
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Some people have called WrestleMania 31 the greatest ever, agree or disagree? We share our thoughts. David Garlick @davidgarlick
@SteelchairMag
search ‘StreelchairMag’
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CONTENTS
28
14
32
18
24
36
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APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 03
PAST MONTH
Download the mag through the Google Play app or from Sellfy.com to get exclusive VIP content
MOTM WRESTLER MATCHES OF THE MONTH
1
BROCK LESNAR VS ROMAN REIGNS
WRESTLEMANIA
OF THE MONTH
SETH ROLLINS
Main event from our event of the month. Available on the WWE Network
2
MIL MUERTES VS FENIX LUCHA UNDERGROUND
A ‘Grave Consequences’ Match from El
The Future, Mr. Money in the Bank, and now the WWE World Champion. After months of being MVP of RAW, going mainstream with the Daily Show and stealing the show at WrestleMania Rollins is easily our wrestler of the month.
Rey’s Lucha Underground
3
SASHA BANKS VS CHARLOTTE NXT
One reason why the the WWE should #givedivasachance
4
OF THE MONTH
KOTA IBUSHI VS TETSUYA NAITO NJPW
From the New Japan Cup. We give an intro to NJPW this month.
5
EVENT OF
BOBBY LASHLEY VS KURT ANGLE TNA
Last months cover star defending against Kurt Angle at Wembley.
WRESTLEMANIA
31
Lackluster build-up? So what! WrestleMania was a stadium sized extravaganza that delivered big time. Sting’s first WWE match with nWo and DX, super-RKO, Money in the Bank, The Rock, Suplex City (BITCH), Terminator H (What?). A 4 hour show that (ignore The Rock/ Steph) didn’t drag.If you missed it go to the WWE Network and see what we watch wrestling for.
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 05
VULTUREHOUND.COM
FREE MUSIC, FILM AND TV MAGAZINE FROM THE MAKERS OF STEELCHAIR
WORDS: COIRÉ MC CRYSTALL
PHOTOS: TAMAKI
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING
O T N O I T C U D O R T N I N A
N PA
A J G W N I E L N T S RE W O R P
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 07
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING
AN INTRODUCTION
W
ith NXT starting to gain
truth, the option of watching Japanese
major traction with
pro wrestling or ‘puroresu’ has always
a wider spectrum of
been available, somewhere deep in the
wrestling fans and Ring
recesses of Youtube, though gaining
of Honor reportedly
the context behind matches and those
jostling for TNA Impact’s old TV deal,
wrestling in the matches has traditionally
it is clear that we are now seeing
required a bit more commitment.
something of a shift in the landscape of
Trawling through forums, desperately
professional wrestling. WWE no longer
searching for acceptable English dubbed
seems like the untouchable behemoth
commentary (if you simply cannot get
they have been for the past dozen or so
past the language barrier) and waiting
years and whilst the big E don’t look like
for decent quality uploads of hotly
they’re going anywhere soon, many new
anticipated shows. Puroresu is indeed
options are sprouting up for those who
a difficult hobby to follow. However, it is
are frustrated with WWE’s current main
a rich and rewarding side of wrestling
product.
and once you’ve taken the red pill of Japanese pro wrestling it is difficult to
It was only a matter of time, then,
go back to the Matrix of North American
that those sick of WWE’s stubborn
pro wrestling.
booking, or really anyone just looking for something new, would cast their
New Japan Pro Wrestling is the top dog
eyes to distant shores and far off lands.
of Japanese promotions, and by its
Promotions and genres of wrestling
sheer hold over Japan, the #2 promotion
that once seemed confined to the
worldwide. Founded by WWE Hall of
realms of tape trading and mustered
Famer and legitimate hardman Antonio
up US appearances are permeating to
Inoki in 1972 NJPW has been called,
western audiences like never before. In
somewhat erroneously, the ‘WWE of
08 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
Japan’. To me, this is an insult. NJPW revels in wrestling being a sport - not sports entertainment, nor a ‘adult male oriented action soap opera’ both marketing waffle coined by WWE in attempt to avoid calling their product ‘wrestling’ at all costs. And entry into NJPW has never been easier. On January 4th, in association with Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling promotion, NJPW presented their biggest show of the year
Brock Lesnar wrestled in NJPW 2005/6. He defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Kurt Angle in a title v title match
ONCE YOU’VE TAKEN THE RED PILL OF JAPANESE PRO WRESTLING IT IS DIFFICULT TO GO BACK
‘Wrestle Kingdom 9’ online with excellent
before. NJPW on AXS generally follows
in the world today second to none.
English language commentary from Matt
a set formula - an interview about the
The two manage to call matches much
Striker and Jim Ross. This served as a
match you’re about to see, the match
more subtly; laying out years worth of
perfect introduction to NJPW to Western
itself and then post-match interviews.
backstory and context, characters and
audiences and the perfect time for NJPW
Generally, within the hour, you’ll only see
storylines almost subliminally, really
to make inroads into the American
one match, but it is guaranteed to be an
holding the viewer’s hand through the
television market.
amazing contest. Featuring commentary
culturally foreign world of New Japan
by boxing announcer Mauro Ranallo and
Pro Wrestling.
Which leads us to NJPW on AXS, an
MMA/former NJPW star Josh Barnett.
hour long pro wrestling programme
Their announcing skills are honestly
It really is a foreign world too - so many
match unlike any you’ve ever seen
the best English language announcing
of the tropes that American style pro >
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 09
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING
NAKAMURA WILL MAKE YOUR HEAD CONCAVE WITH HIS KNEE. AND FANS LOVE HIM FOR IT wrestling have trained us to believe in are
having such a set way of doing things is
in his moral goodness - he literally
nowhere to be seen. In Japan, wrestling
that you then have a roster full of guys
proclaims that he loves the audience and
is treated a lot more seriously, like an
that wrestle the exact same way, and
air guitars his way to the ring. And yet,
actual sport, with Japanese wrestlers
when that’s the case, what separates
as hokey as the character would be in
regularly and somewhat successfully
one star from another? In NJPW, stars
North America, his exceptional skill at
making the transition from wrestling to
wear their unique fighting styles on their
telling stories in the ring and dedication
shootfighting. Therefore, the matches are
sleeves.
to the job have made him beloved in the
generally more competitive affairs, drawn
hearts of Japanese fans. On the other
out over 20-30 minutes instead of the
Hiroshi Tanahashi, who has been the
hand, Shinsuke Nakamura, a charismatic
10-15 minute matches which American
central star of NJPW for about as long
rebel that has captured the hearts of
wrestling is more focused on. Similarly,
as John Cena has for the WWE is a
many with his ‘strong style’ of wrestling.
the styles of fighting are more varied
‘pro wrestler’. He relies on typical ‘pro
‘Strong style’ is basically shorthand for
and more realistic. In WWE, it’s seen as
wrestling’ moves - cross body blocks,
‘realistic looking blows to the head’.
a criticism that a star ‘can’t wrestler a
frogsplashes, dragonscrews and the like.
Nakamura does not care who you are or
WWE style match’. The problem with
He’s a archetypical good guy; inviolable
what your intentions are; if you’re in his
10 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
NJPW is the largest wrestling promotion in Japan and the 2nd largest in the world in terms of attendance and revenue
NJWP ON AXS IS A PRO WRESTLING PROGRAM UNLIKE ANY YOU’VE EVER SEEN BEFORE. much of a ‘thing’ in Japan. That makes
legitimate competition and wins mean
sense though as wrestling is treated like
something. Conversely, losses mean
a real sport - are there ‘heel’ football
something too. There’s no heel authority
teams? Or ‘face’ boxers? No, there are
figure that the babyface is trying to
just teams you might not like because
overthrow - but why would there be?
of their outlook or boxers you hate
Are Arsenal trying to overthrow FIFA?
because of their personality. You made
No, they’re trying to be considered
that choice - it wasn’t handed to you by a
the best football team and that’s what
booker. Whilst there are wrestlers who try
the wrestlers in NJPW are doing. The
to get fans to hate them or like them, its
stories are about avenging losses and
generally via their personalities - they’re
striving to succeed. They aren’t generally
booed by the fans not because they
given soap opera style ridiculousness,
were told to be booed but because the
and treating them like real attainable
other guy is more likeable The Japanese
goals helps the fans empathise with the
wrestlers are often playing characters,
athlete’s struggles. I wanted Kota Ibushi
yes, but most of the time these
(a standout high flyer and one of the
characters have nuanced personalities.
most talented wrestlers in the world)
They’re generally removed from the
to win the New Japan Cup (NJPW’s
black/white dichotomy of heel/face
version of King of the Ring) because
professional wrestling, which allows the
he’d just come off a disappointing loss
fans to make up their minds on who to
to Shinsuke Nakamura and wanted to
cheer, and because of this the wrestlers
see him ascend up the card. It wasn’t
are allowed to display real emotion -
like another wrestler ‘stole his woman’ or
safe from the fear that some former
something like that. When a challenger
Nickelodeon writer is going to make
wants to fight the champion, it’s because
way he’ll make your head conclave with
them sprout childish garbage, or some
the champion has something the
his knee. And the fans love him for it!
out of touch old man will make them act
challenger wants - the title! It honestly
like losing is no big deal because ‘the
isn’t rocket science to book this well;
fans don’t want to see whiners, dammit!’
but what makes it work is the fantastic
Though you may not see the excitement from the crowds at first glance.
stories the wrestlers are able to convey
Japanese fans are typically much more
This leads to an interesting point - all
quiet and reserved than their Western
of the matches seem like they really
counterparts. This gives every match a
mean something. In the post match
This is made feel all the more real
very satisfying gradient - the fans start
interviews the losing wrestler is always
by Ranallo and Barnett, who aren’t
off reserved and quiet, cheering on
nigh inconsolable. They feel ashamed
censored to the level that the WWE
when a big spot happens to signify their
- they promise they will do better. This
commentary teams are. They call the
appreciation. But as the story unfolds,
isn’t an exercise in futility - the wrestlers
names of moves - not just the big
so do the crowd and by the end of a
are ‘having fun out there, Maggle!’ as
spots - they play into the psychology
titanic match up the fans are raucous.
JBL would say on commentary. These
of the wrestlers. If a wrestler leans to
Furthermore heels and faces aren’t
wrestlers are treating their craft as
his side to relieve pressure during a
in the matches.
>
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 11
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING
NEW JAPAN IS THE TOP DOG OF JAPANESE PROMOTIONS AND NO.2 WORLDWIDE. Texas Cloverleaf (a signature move of
IWGP Championship, NJPW’s ‘big belt’
programme, the matches featured
Tanahashi) the Barnett will explain why.
when he was still in TNA! And who did he
are from 2013-2014 and therefore
The attention to detail is great - this
win that title from? A post-WWE pre-UFC
the finishes can be easily seen online.
team don’t treat its audience like idiots,
Brock Lesnar. New Japan Pro Wrestling
Furthermore, because of its ‘best-of’
and yet even a child could understand
aren’t so insecure that they’ll ignore
nature, sometimes story threads will
their commentary - because children
the accomplishments of any talent they
pop up and not be shown later, with
aren’t idiots! Similarly, the team will
have, even when these accomplishments
only expository dialogue provided by
makes relevant references to other
come from other places - they use these
the commentary team to fill in the
promotions, including the UFC, other
things to elevate their stars! It sounds
gaps. An example of this would be after
Japanese groups and yes even American
like such simple logic until you realise
Kazuchika Okada had defended his
wrestling promotions like TNA and WWE;
Western audiences have been trained
title in a hard fought contest, he was
because they don’t feel the need to
for years to accept the opposite - that
challenged by Minoru Suzuki leading to a
pretend these places don’t exist.
nothing you do in wrestling matters until
nail biting confrontation between the two
you step foot in the WWE (unless you
that genuinely would intrigue audiences
were in some movie or something).
to see that contest. Unfortunately, the
This all rolls into the understanding that these matches are taking place in
next episode had skipped that contest
the real world - not just in a solipsistic
The NJPW on AXS show, which is
to feature a different match. That said,
wrestling promotion. In fact, it isn’t
the show that Ranallo and Barnett
because of the compilation nature of
unusual to see wrestlers from other
commentate on and is the most
the show, every match is stellar - episode
promotions compete in New Japan
legitimate way for English speaking
3: Okada vs Tanahashi being described
Rings. NJPW has arrangements with
audiences to catch some NJPW action
by Dave Meltzer as the best hour of
groups such as AAA in Mexico and Ring
has some disappointing traits, however.
wrestling he had ever seen.You get to see
of Honor in the US. Kurt Angle held the
Firstly, as it is a ‘best-of’ compilation
a year or so worth of matches in just a
12 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
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EXCLUSIVE ADDITIONAL CONTENT FOR THIS ISSUE 12 episodes. This is great, as NJPW has launched their own ‘WWE Network’ service called ‘NJPW World’. New Japan Pro Wrestling World allows audiences across the globe to watch NJPW shows much quicker than they would be uploaded in lower quality onto some dark corner of the web. Though lacking English commentary and proving a challenge for non-Japanese speakers like myself to navigate, NJPW has made statements hinting towards further steps into global markets, and if their NJPW on AXS programme is any indication, they’re dead serious. There have been rumblings that Jeff Jarrett’s GFW promotion will be showing more shows in English in the future based on the success of the Wrestle Kingdom 9 experiment. So with all this positivity, there really hasn’t been a better time to get into New Japan Pro Wrestling. If you’re a wrestling fan and all you have ever experienced is WWE; then you are in for a whole new world that will open your eyes to new and exciting promotions outside of NJPW. As I previously said, NJPW on AXS in the red pill. Its a gateway drug that you’ll never regret becoming addicted to. So what are you waiting for?
LINUS REPORT
WORDS: ALAN BOON
LINUS REPORT: WRESTLEMANIA 31 Alan Boon shares his indepth thoughts on WrestleMania 31
ey, it’s WrestleMania ! It’s the WrestleMania of wrestling! Hey, it’s a bunch of ladders! But first, Aloe Blacc sang the national anthem of ‘Murica. He did a fair job. Lilian Garcia wept, silently. So, yeah, ladders! It’s the WWE Intercontinental Title Match - and the title belt was hung high above the ring, ready for a bunch of men to forget how to climb a ladder in trying to grab it! I hate ladder matches. I spend half the time eye-rolling at the contrived spots they’ve engineered themselves (slowly) into and the rest of the time wincing at the damage their causing to each other’s frail flesh sacks. But you know what? This was great. It ran at a fast pace without seeming too rushed, and allowed you to absorb what was going on. What’s more, Dolph Ziggler was the first man EVER in a ladder match to remember how to climb a ladder at anything other than glacial pace. Yeah, there were some horrible bumps - particularly Ambrose powerbombed through two ladders at ringside - but it was (mostly) safelyworked. And Barrett got in some great Bullhammers. Daniel Bryan got the win by headbutting Dolph Ziggler off the top of the ladder and grabbing the belt, and his reward will be to lose every
H
14 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
match from now on until he loses the belt. Hey, it’s Seth Rollins! He came down to the ring, and was soon joined by Randy Orton, who - in his trademark bare chest and tiny pants - looked to be wearing far too little for the blazing sunshine pouring down on the stadium. They had a match, and it was a really good match. And it had a fucking great ending when Orton played possum for a Curb Stomp attempt and rose up, flipping Rollins into the air and hitting the RKO when he came down. It looked AMAZING. So, yeah, Orton won, and that’s him and Rollins done now, right? They showed Ronda Rousey and the rest of the Four Horsewomen at ringside, enjoying the show. My pal Jake, who’s a MASSIVE Rousey fan, stepped out to use the facilities and missed her. Sucks to be him. Some Japanese fellas came out and played some drums. They were all in Sting facepaint, except for one old fella who clearly wasn’t having any of it. One of the drums was HUGE. Biggest drum I’ve ever seen. That’s something I wasn’t expecting WrestleMania to provide. Sting came out and walked to the ring. Quite a thing, really - Sting in a WWE match. Wow. Then HHH came out. For some people it was amazing and brilliant and those people are clearly quite demented
because it was hilarious and awful. Watch it if you haven’t. They had a stare down and then got it on. Oh, it was announced before the match that it could only be won by pinfall or submission - a clever way of telling us that shenanigans were afoot. They had a slow-paced but decent match until Sting had HHH set up for the Scorpion Death Drop and DX’s music played! X-Pac, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn ran down and Sting fought them off. Having thrown them all out of the ring, Sting went up top and splash onto them. Sting rolled HHH back into the ring but Billy Gunn interfered, which gave HHH time to recover and set Sting up for the Pedigree. Guess whose music played before he could hit it? If you guessed Goldberg, or DDP, or even fucking Glacier - because they were solid WCW guys, right? - then you’re as big an idiot as I am because out came the nWo. Yes, the nWo: three men who’ve worked on-and-off for WWE over the last fourteen years, and who hated Sting and WCW when they were there, anyway. Pft, forget all that - this is mark-out time! The nWo and DX had a brawl, and as they were brawling, Sting put HHH in the Scorpion Death Lock and almost looked to have the match won by submission when Shawn Michaels appeared out of nowhere and
WrestleMania 31 grossed $12.6 million, as 76,976 fans converged at Levi Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers.
superkicked Sting. HHH got a nearfall and Michaels looked shocked! Both men grabbed their weapons and went at it, with Sting breaking HHH’s sledgehammer in two with his baseball bat. HHH, though, managed to club Sting with the head of the sledgehammer and cover him for the win. After the match, both groups helped up their respective representatives and HHH extended his hand. Sting, despite being CLUBBED IN THE HEAD BY A SLEDGEHAMMER, shook it and they were best pals. This was tons of fun. There was no logical reason for HHH to win, so of course he did. Why make the fans happy, eh? Broken record. But, that aside, it was a great nostalgia-fest. They announced some new shows coming to the WWE Network: WWE versions of Muppet Babies, Punked, and Tarrant on TV. Oh, and - in a move which will surely please fans of legitimate women wrestlers and #GiveDivasAChance - a new Divas Search. Here’s hoping someone gets called a “cum-guzzling slut” again! Backstage, Maria Menounos interviewed Daniel Bryan. Bryan was STOKED to have won the Intercontinental Championship, and looked like he could just retire right there and then when he was joined by Pat Patterson, Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, Ric Flair, and Bret Hart to celebrate his win. Ron Simmons turned up, and Maria pointed out he’d never won the Intercontinental title and he replied with the loudest “DAMN!” you ever heard. Poor Maria jumped out of her skin. Back at the show, and it was time to go and get some drinks and snacks. Yes, it was the musical interlude. Skylar Grey (no, me either) was out there with Kid Ink (*shrug*) and Travis Barker, who is a drum guy for Blink 182. They did that song and some
white people danced. People were still getting concessions when the next match started and most of them didn’t bother rushing back. Because it was the Divas – Paige & AJ Lee versus the Bella Twins. They’ve improved of late, these Divas matches. But they’re still nowhere near what would be an acceptable level if they were men. Which is sad. So they had a match and it was okay, if you don’t mind long periods where
QUITE A THING, STING IN A WWE MATCH. WOW!
one of the babyfaces plays dead while the other begs for a tag. Remember when Robert Gibson lay unconscious and Ricky Morton couldn’t tag him in? Anyway, AJ won the match for her team (and for the hebephile crowd) by submitting Brie Bella with the Black Widow and Paige mouthed a “thank you” to AJ after the match for some odd reason. The announcers told us that they’d fed all the details of the maineventers into a super-computer to come up with a tale of the tape that a child could have scrawled with a crayon on a slice of bread. I ask you. They introduced all the people who’d gone into the Hall of Fame the night before. Everyone looked really happy to be there - even Lanny “Pofo”. Kevin Nash was introduced last and came out and looked genuinely humbled. Things took a dark, militaristic - and awesome - turn next, when some sinister Russian soldiers marched beautiful Lana down to the ring, carrying Russian flags, and guns, and
all that shit. It was terribly impressive. Then Rusev appeared. On a fucking TANK. Oh my days. Before John Cena came out, they played a montage of ‘Murican things. Cena’s comedy patriotic turn on Jimmy Kimmel was AWESOME, and much better than this hokey shit. Cena, representing the whole nation of ‘Murica against this evil Russian shitbastard, got nothing but boos. Lana, on the other hand, was hella over. WELCOME TO WrestleMania ! Cena was always going to win this one. Because it’s WrestleMania and it’s ‘Murica and SPOILER: CENA WINS. But I hoped that it wouldn’t be so conclusive and that they’d keep the feud alive. As it was, Cena won with the Attitude Adjustment after Rusev had knocked Lana off the apron and, after the match, Rusev ranted at an upset Lana and stomped off without her. The queue to help her get over this broken heart starts here and ends on Mars. Hey, it’s HHH & Stephanie! Did Raw start early? They heeled on the crowd and said they owned everything and everyone in the WWE and in that stadium. Out came The Rock, because why not. The Rock took an age to say anything, soaking in the adoration of the crowd to annoying levels. I love The Rock. He’s a once-in-a-generation MEGASTAR, and possibly the greatest of all time. But that doesn’t mean he can’t get tiring. Anyway, The Rock told them they DID NOT own the people and they sure as hell didn’t own The Rock. He said HHH had two choices - either he goes back and dresses like The Terminator again, or they create a WrestleMania moment right here. HHH got in The Rock’s face and told him he had nothing to prove. The Rock insulted him and HHH removed his jacket, ready to fight, but Stephanie stepped in. >
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 15
She did her usual schtick, trying to cut The Rock’s balls off, and talked about the McMahons and the Johnsons, and The Rock made a rude joke. She slapped him and ordered him out of the ring. The Rock complied, and walked around ringside to where Ronda Rousey was sat. Rousey hopped the guard rail and got into the ring with The Rock. The crowd chanted, “Ronda’s gonna kill you!”, and The Rock told her that he would never hit a woman, but he had a very good friend who would be happy to. Stephanie insisted she & Rousey were friends, becoming more panicked with every lack of confirmation from Rousey. Then, because she’s a McMahon, she got all bullish, and ordered Rousey out of her ring. Rousey may rule the octagon, but this was the squared circle. Rousey told Stephanie that any ring she steps into is hers, and The Rock warned Stephanie that if she didn’t step back Rousey would reach down her throat and play jump rope with her fallopian tubes. HHH got mad and brawled with The Rock. Rousey then dumped HHH out of the ring before gently barring Stephanie’s arm and dragging her around the ring. Stephanie escaped and she & HHH looked hurt and embarrassed on the ramp as The Rock & Rousey celebrated in the ring. This was long but good. I want a tag
match now. Interestingly, after this, Rousey was not in her ringside seat for the rest of the show. Well, she had just attacked one of the principle owners of the company... The Rock Show had eaten enough time for it to be kind of dark(ish) for the next match, and Bray Wyatt came out to his relaxing music. That’s just
SUPLEX CITY, BITCH!” THAT’S A T-SHIRT, RIGHT THERE. what I want from my wrestling heroes - ambience. I kid, I love that song. Wyatt was surrounded by scarecrows, and as he walked to the ring he woke them with his healing touch, like a fat Michael Jackson in that “Earth Song” video where he was Jesus. Wyatt waited in the ring and called out The Undertaker, who was preceded - like John Holmes - by his dong. When The Undertaker appeared two things were apparent: first, he didn’t look as bad as people expected, and not even as bad as last year. And second, he still looks so very, very human. And that was how the story of the match was told. The wasn’t the Phenom’ any longer - he was a
human man, whose standard moves and finishers no longer gained the instant results they would have in years before. Smarter people than me argued that losing to The Undertaker wouldn’t hurt Bray Wyatt. I couldn’t see an ounce of good it would do him, either. And that was before we got to see this very mortal Undertaker. Yes, we thought, this is how it will happen - Bray Wyatt beats The Undertaker. Not The Undertaker of old, but The Undertaker still, and the New Face Of Fear rises. One. Two. Three. Pinned, by a shadow of the Dead Man, what’s left for Bray Wyatt? It wasn’t a bad match. It was slow, and that fitted the mood. But it was entirely the wrong result for anything other than an on-the-night feel-good moment. A pattern emerges. Hey, it’s our main event! It’s WWE Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns! Reigns made his way down to the ring first, from his usual place opposite the hard-cam. He had to shove a fat guy out of his way and others were pushing him. He did not look like he was enjoying himself. Lesnar came out bouncing. Heyman looked like the cat who got the cream, ate the cream, burped the cream, and had a lovely after-cream nap. The crowd cheered Lesnar loudly and booed Reigns, although not as enthusiastically as they might have done. Apathy. From the off Reigns went after Lesnar, and bloodied his eye, but Lesnar hit a massive German suplex on the blue(brown)-eyed boy. He then ragdoll’d him for an F5 but opted not to cover him for the pin. Instead, he stood, looking cruel and cool. Reigns attempted a comeback, but Lesnar hit him with suplexes, declaring, “Suplex city, bitch!” That’s a t-shirt, right there. Boos rang out as Reigns tried another comeback, but
PHOTO: MEGAN ELICE MEADOWS
LINUS REPORT
Lesnar suplexed him again. Reigns smiled and got another suplex. Reigns got up again so Lesnar kneed him in the tummy and suplexed him on the top rope, and to the floor. Reigns made a small comeback but Lesnar clotheslined him down again, his eye swelling. Lesnar dragged Reigns back into the ring and then suplexed him out of it again. He suplexed him back in, and Reigns looked out cold. Never one to err on the side of caution, Lesnar F5’d Reigns again and covered him, but Reigns kicked out, leading to a smirk from Lesnar, who took off his gloves. Lesnar stood over Reigns, slapping him across the face. Reigns got up and started smiling through bloodied teeth. Lesnar picked him up and suplexed him twice, and then hit another F5. He covered Reigns, who kicked out, and the crowd booed because three F5’s was enough to beat The Undertaker’s streak last year. Lesnar dumped Reigns on the outside and went after him but Reigns ran him into the ringpost and Lesnar was busted wide open. Blood poured down his head as Reigns rolled into the ring. Lesnar followed on a count of nine. Lesnar stood up, legs wobbling, and Reigns hit a Superman punch. He hit another and Lesnar stumbled. Another would have taken Lesnar down but he ducked. Reigns headbutted him and hit that third punch. Lesnar wobbled some more and Reigns finally took him down with a spear. Lesnar recovered and Reigns hit a second spear and made the cover. Lesnar kicked out just before the three count, and got up to hit another F5. Suddenly, Seth Rollins’s music hit... Rollins ran down to the ring, carrying his Money In The Bank
briefcase, and told the referee he was cashing in. Lilian Garcia made the announcement that the match was now a Triple Threat - first man to pin someone was your winner! Rollins dumped Reigns out of the ring and hit a Curb Stomp on Lesnar. Lesnar came back to life and picked Rollins up for an F5 but Reigns appeared out of nowhere and hit him with a spear. Rollins rolled Lesnar aside, hit a Curb Stomp on Reigns, and made the pin to become the NEW WWE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! After the match, Rollins escaped up the ramp with his belt and celebrated. Fireworks exploded, and that’s your show. The main event was a curious match. It wasn’t an orthodox title match, but we’re learning that latter day Brock Lesnar matches seldom are. It achieved the result of keeping things fresh and unpredictable, without the feared backlash of putting the belt on Reigns. This was a Great Show. Despite the booking issues - which are major and puzzling - it delivered on a very basic level of providing four hours of entertainment with very little drag. It’s clear that, whatever WWE’s shortcomings in other areas, they can still produce that special moment, that memorable night, even if just once a year. Now to work on the rest!
DONOVAN DIJAK COLUMN
The previous attendance record for Levi’s Stadium was 70,799
hat is Dalton Castle? A peacock? A wrestler? A charismatic milkshake? I’m not convinced that anybody is 100% sure, but the one thing we can all be sure of is that he is interesting. Dalton Castle recently made his debut in ROH’s Top Prospect Tournament, and his early exit to Ashley Sixx in the first round had ROH fans clamoring for more. For those unfamiliar, Dalton Castle has been entertaining the > likes of Chikara, 2CW, and IWC fans up and down the east coast for years now with his unique combination of humor and in-ring ability. With his recent return to ROH TV, the outcry of support from fans has been immediate following one of the most flamboyant entrances and promos in the history of the company. The only downside to the grand return of the Party Peacock was his timing, as he interrupted the celebration of Donovan Dijak joining the House of Truth. All was soon forgiven, however, as I kneed his everloving face off. What does the future hold for Dalton Castle? Well aside from an ice pack, this writer believes that the future is bright for our fine feathered friend. Ring of Honor is full of many of the top professional wrestlers in the world, many of whom cop a very serious attitude (myself included). Castle’s brand of entertainment is sure to change the pace of any segment, and he will definitely stand out because of it.
W
LIVE PHOTOS: TONY KNOX
ROCKSTAR SPUD
WORDS: LEE HAZELL
We spoke with X DIVISION Champion
ROCKSTAR
SPUD R
tourists. I like being the only Brit. Nashville’s known for its music. Do you get into the music scene a lot? I go, but it’s one of those things where if you go out in Nashville for a quiet drink with your friends it’s only a matter of time before a band starts playing Don’t Stop Believing again. And it’s in every other bar so it makes it really difficult to differentiate from places. But it’s the non touristy places that are really cool to hang out in, those are the places I’m happier than anywhere else.
Firstly, how are you? I’m great mate, just chilling in Nashville. Nashville is such a great city. Honestly, it’s my favourite place in the whole US. Nowhere else where I’ve been living that I’ve enjoyed more than here. Maybe Florida, but Orlando puts me off. Too many
EC3 and Tyrus have been plaguing you for a good few months now, are you looking forward to fans seeing you exact some revenge on Carter? Yeah I am, because I think that everyone’s perception of Rockstar Spud before this situation started
“
EVERY TIME I WRESTLE IT RELEASES THIS PENT UP AGGRESSION I’VE GOT.
“
ockstar Spud is one of TNA’s most entertaining performers. After more than a decade in the indie scene, Rockstar Spud was initiated into TNA through the first season of British Boot Camp, a reality show for British stars to test their metal in TNA. As of writing he is the reigning and defending X Division Champion after cashing in his Feast or Fired contract at Wembley arena.
kicking off and EC3 was berating him was that “aw this guy sucks, he’s not a wrestler, he’s just an idiot that wears stupid bow ties and really ridiculous suits.” But that’s the bueaty of pro wrestling. A lot of people have no idea that I was a wrestler for over ten years on the independent scene. This was before >
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 19
ROCKSTAR SPUD
“
THE BIG SUPERMAN CULTURE HAS BEEN PLAGUING MY LIFE SINCE I WALKED INTO THE BUSINESS.
“
British Boot Camp and before I was Dixie Carter’s Chief of Staff. All these people in the audience wouldn’t have believed I could do anything before. So that means it’ll be very rewarding when people do get to see the match in Wembley, they’re going to be more than surprised. Especially considering the story going into it, and the investment the fans have in
20 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
the characters and the relationship between them; from the time they were first together, to the hunt for Willow, Dixie going through a table, the recent bullying and this is the finale. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride for eighteen months and it culminates at Wembley Arena. And as an Englishman there’s no bigger arena to perform in than Wembley Arena. It’s a Mecca for our country. I was completely psyched, a dream come true for me, just like it would be for every wrestler. Do you find American promoters don’t pay much attention to the International scene? Well a lot of British companies have now branched out with video on demand and have obviously had success with YouTube, Twitter and all other forms of social media. So if you’re a wrestler in the UK
it’s a lot easier to get you product, which is yourself, noticed. You can send a YouTube link to a promoter, or put in social media and get it shared everywhere. So you’re seeing a lot more UK guys being paid to go over to the U.S., as opposed to U.S. guys being paid to go over to the UK. There’s a lot of value in the UK guys but I think a lot of British promoters really disrespect the UK guys in regards to not seeing them as the stars that they are compared to their American counterparts. They’ll pay hundreds of pounds for a U.S. guy, but it doesn’t happen with the UK guys anywhere near as much. I honestly think they should make more stars of their own guys, raising their international profiles, meaning they can make more money out of them. And at the end of the day, that’s what its all about. Selling tickets.
Spud wrestled for the UK’s Frontier Wrestling Alliance between 2004 - 2011
Do you also feel, that as a wrestler of a smaller stature, you’re talents aren’t as valued as they should be? The big superman culture has been plaguing my life since I walked into the business. When you first look at me, you see a short guy. But here’s the thing. I’m 5’4, I’m one-hundred and fifty pounds wringing wet, and I just main evented for TNA at Wembley Arena in front of eightthousand people. People back in the day didn’t believe someone like me could do that and more fool them. As much as everybody kept telling me no, saying “You’re not big enough,” it didn’t matter. I love this and nothing was ever going to stop me. Yes, along the way I got the right time, the right place, the right opportunity and the right people seeing me in British Boot Camp, but you have to take these opportunities when they come. I can’t thank Matt Conway, Dave Lagana, John Gaburic enough for the amount of faith they put in me to have me in a position where I can main event a television show. People forget that I came from the independents, I went through British Boot Camp, I started out in TNA as a lackey, and went all the way up to a Main Event storyline. It can be done. One of the things I pride myself on is that when you see me perform
you forget that I’m the small guy, because this is Rockstar Spud and you completely forget all the limitations that he has because of how he performs and what he makes you feel. And that’s all I try to do. I try to make the audience feel something. I don’t go out there to perform a certain move set, I want the audience to feel something, I want them to react and I want them to believe in me. If they can believe in me in a main event scenario, then I’ve done my job. There’s nothing stopping you in this business but yourself. You have to really knuckle down and focus on what this business is really about. It’s what I’ve done for my whole career. If people are going to put you down, just say “Yes sir, thank you sir,” use it and channel it. Every time I talk, Every time I cut a promo, every time I wrestle, it unleashes this pent up aggression I’ve got for all the times I was told “No, you’re not big enough to play football,” told “No, you’re not big enough to play cricket,” told “No, you’re not big enough to play rugby,” told “No, you’re not big enough to wrestle.” And I’m like, “I love wrestling. You are not going to stop me.” I’ve been told no too many times. I’m not just proving something to >
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ROCKSTAR SPUD
“
I’VE JUST MAIN EVENTED FOR TNA IN WEMBLEY ARENA IN FRONT OF 8,000 PEOPLE
“
somebody every day, I’m proving something to myself. As much as people value me and I feel valued, I don’t value myself enough. I think that will always be my downfall. It will be the reason I’ll have a good career, but I’ll probably never be a millionaire. Maybe that’s my own personal insecurity, but I love doing this and it won’t stop me from doing my absolute best at it. When I see a glass ceiling, I look right through it. There’s always a way. If I can do it you can do it and all that Rocky
22 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
Spud won the OVW Television title on his debut OVW match
Balboa bullshit. Whenever I’m in the bathroom, or looking in the mirror, I’m doing a facial expression. Or if I’m driving long distance, I’m cutting a promo to myself. If Ive nothing to do, I’me going to the gym, or I’m watching wrestling. I’m an absoloute historian on wrestling. I watch, not because I’m a fan, but because I’m researching why certain things happen in a match. Everyone can call me a mark. I don’t care. The biggest mark’s are the wrestlers because we’re the ones who put the lycra on. I study it religiously because I want to be the best. TNA often film matches weeks in advance. Do you find it odd talking to fans about matches that have already taken place? No, not really because I’m not going to tell you a lie about what’s going to happen. I would tell you that when this match airs, you do not want to miss it. This match is the culmination of a year and a half of story. People forget that and say it’s all about the Hair vs. Hair. It’s nothing to do with
Hair vs’ Hair. It’s about a situation that everyone can relate to. It’s about being bullied, or being taken advantage of by a friend, or being told that they aren’t good enough for somebody, and fighting back. It captures that emotion where they’ve finally stood up for themselves. Believing in themselves, and they are happy being themselves. I represent the 99% of people in the world who were told they can’t do something, going up against someone like EC3 who represents the 1%, who has all the money in the world, who runs the industry because his aunts in charge, who can’t take responsibility for what happened to his aunt so he’s taking it out on me. Its about entitlement and embarrassment. He want’s to embarrass me and I want to put him in his place. That’s why I really want people to see this match; it’s a coming of age story for Rockstar Spud and its drama. It’s pure drama. I can’t wait to watch it either. It doesn’t matter who has their head shaved at the end of the day. The winners are the fans.
WORDS: LIAM O’ROURKE
PHOTO: ANTON JACKSON
RUSEV CRUSHED?
en route to the big match with the top babyface, where he finally falls to the forces of good. No problem there, the loss is part of the design of the character. In addition, had Rusev gotten his second win over Cena last Sunday, there’s really nowhere else to go with the US Title run, because if you wish to continue his rise, he has to lose the belt somewhere along the way anyway, and it’s probably more damaging for him to
RUSEV CRUSHED?
lose closer to a World Title challenge than it is now in terms of momentum. So again, I feel it was the right move. The problem lies in the fact that like almost every past example of the heel megapush, once that first major job has taken place, the preferential booking that brought the character to this point is typically out the window too. Not to say he’ll be losing to Zack Ryder on Main Event any time soon, he’ll be kept credible enough, but the sense of treating him like a top priority vanishes once he loses his first program, because the rise is over. Not that I agree with this
ne of the more interesting
strong secondary titles are crucial to a
mentality, but again, we’re going on WWE
outcomes at this years
company, especially one like WWE that
precedent here.
WrestleMania was the
has exhausted many of their star-making
decision, while largely
devices over the years. But WWE is doing
Just look at Bray Wyatt, whose path
expected, for Rusev to
an appreciably better job in the last two
as an unbeatable heel last year prior
take his first pinfall loss at the hands of
months focusing on the championships,
to his match with Cena at Mania 30 is
John Cena, turning over the United States
which is so important, not just for the
similar to Rusev’s, albeit shorter. They
Title in the process.
structure it creates or the sense of
protected him until he ultimately lost,
prestige it brings in the long run, but in
at which point he floundered, he wasn’t
There are two ways to look at it this. On
the ability to actually use that prestige to
prioritised, his direction has never been
one hand, John Cena as US Champion
elevate somebody within that framework
as focused, and he’s not close to as over
does the world of good for the belt. He
when the time is right. So in the big
now as he once was. Sure, they put him
will never be overlooked, he’s above the
picture, I agree with the decision for Cena
in a key match at Mania, but people see
50-50 booking pattern that typically
to win.
a ceiling on him now that he’ll never
O
surpass. And it’s hard to expect anything
hurts midcard champions, and he will always be the second most important
The flip side is that Rusev was sacrificed
different for Vladamir Putin’s favourite
match on the show, no matter what. It’s
as a result.
wrestler.
come to fruition for over a year in light
Don’t get me wrong – the Rusev
In addition, without being that key
of the awesome job Shinsuke Nakamura
character resembles many from the past
priority, the company won’t evolve this
has done with the IWGP Intercontinental
(with Umaga being a striking recent
character at all. Bray Wyatt is the same
Title, which reaffirmed the point that it’s
comparison), where a guy is brought
as ever, and now people see through it.
the person makes the belt important, not
in with a simplistic, somewhat dated
Alberto Del Rio was the same boring
vice versa. I’ve long since believed that
gimmick, and is smashed over everybody
second tier guy forever. It’s the nature of
a booking decision I was hoping would
24 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
Rusev trained under Rikishi and Gangrel at the Knox pro wrestling academy
how they book, and he won’t feel this
a high profile singles match with
fresh in two years.
Roman Reigns would deliver big as well. Matches with Daniel Bryan are
What makes it sad is watching his
a natural. The options are all there,
entrance at WrestleMania . Between
but it relies on him not being a flat
Lana, the soldiers, the title, the
character, and maintaining the same
cannons, the tank, as hokey and retro
level of heat he’s had for the last little
as this one trick pony nationalistic
while. As we’ve seen, that’s tough to
deal has been, it’s been played to
do if you’re not careful.
perfection almost the whole way through. But now the USA has proven
WWE has always had problems with
worldwide dominance once again
cultivating heels with heat over the
via catch-as-catch-can, the natural
long-term. They are fundamentally
evolution is for that element of the
a babyface driven company, and see
Rusev character to take a bit of a
heels as characters to feed them.
backseat. But once you strip away the
Exceptions to that mantra are rare,
elements that have brought Rusev to
and who knows if Rusev has what
this point, you better have something
it takes to stay over at a top level
good for him, or else he’ll sink.
once the Pavlovian-response of “this is ‘Murica” is old news, he’s losing
Which brings us to Lana. Between her
to Randy Orton and doing his own
being the reason for Rusev’s defeat,
promos. But he’s very good in his
the pre-Mania dissention angle and
current role, and there is potential
apparent direction moving forward,
for even more if they play their cards
it appears the vision in mind here is
right. Will he be a higher priority than
for an eventual Lana babyface turn,
Brock Lesnar, John Cena or Roman
which most would be right to have
Reigns? No, and he shouldn’t be. But
mixed feelings on. This is a drastic
there is no need to castrate him of
change to the Rusev presentation, as
everything that that works just yet.
I’d argue that while I like his work in the ring, if this gimmick didn’t have
Keep him with Lana. Make them
Lana it would have died on his ass by
more dangerous than ever. Have it so
now. The range she brings as a heel
the loss has only inspired the truly
character adds longevity, opening
sadistic and vile side to their anti-
up any number of possible angles.
American venom. Brock Lesnar is no
Without her, while I don’t think he’ll
longer a heel, so the market is open
be sunk, it’s a valuable dynamic
for acts of violence against beloved
removed from his act, and one less
personalities. Because at a time
reason to truly hate him to the same
when there are very few guys over in
degree after his heat is fractured by
a big way, a heel like Rusev is at a
finally taking a loss or ten.
premium.
The issue with stripping away all these elements is looking at the potential upside in keeping Rusev strong, or continuing his rise to prominence. A strong and fearsome Rusev facing babyface Brock Lesnar, promoted correctly, could be tremendous. If they can get
Agree or disagree? tweet us at @SteelchairMag
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momentum with both simultaneously,
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 25
LOOK BACK
WORDS: LEE HAZELL
A LOOK BACK AT THE 1ST WCW MONDAY NITRO Lee Hazell looks back at the first episode of WCW Monday Nitro
h, Nitro. The first shot
bother trying to whip them in a ratings
and his appearance with Nitro was
fired in the Monday Night
war?
almost like the first point scored.
the brain child of Eric
The opening graphic reel is a dramatic
Nitro’s first match was certainly more
Bischoff, who was tasked
affair. Streets lighting on fire, traffic
intriguing than Raw’s first bout. Although
with producing a product that would
lights exploding, larger than life effigies
both of them featured a wrestler nabbed
make the popularity of the WCW brand
of wrestlers are plastered on five storey
from the Far East, the legendary Jushin
more comparable to WWE. Eric told WCW
buildings, letting you know that all the
Thunder Liger is a far cry from the barely
owner and billionaire media mogul Ted
biggest names are in the WCW stable.
mobile Yokozuna (not to mention the
Turner the only way for the company to
Wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Hulk
compete with Vince McMahon’s operation
Hogan, and Hulk Hogan are featured in
was to match them for Prime Time
the opening video (and a quick one of
coverage, possibly even go head to head
Sting).
A
Wars. WCW’s Nitro was
with them against Monday Night Raw. Thing is, Eric never expected Turner to
The stage is The Mall of America in
give him that slot. He did. The result is
Minnesota. While the state may not have
WCW Monday Nitro.
the glamour of New York, it must have
HULK HOGAN TELLS US THE DELIGHTS OF PASTAMANIA
taken some pull for them to get such an Nitro had inarguably grander beginnings
iconic monument to close its business for
than their WWE counterpart. Then again,
the evening. It’s a unique, if odd, choice
fact that Liger was actually Japanese,
it was two years later and with a lot more
to host the inaugural episode of your
not Samoan like Yokozuna). A New Japan
sacks of cash behind it, so perhaps this
new flagship program, but it has some
Pro Wrestler in an American promotion
is no surprise. After all, if you can’t at
interesting utility.
is certainly an exciting prospect, one that
least match WWE for grandiose then why
JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER IS A FAR
WWE has notoriously been allergic to all Eric Bishoff is your host and he is joined
its life. It also showed the faith WCW had
by Steve McMichael and Bobby Heenan
in the abilities of smaller, more acrobatic
(looks like that’s one mistake WCW
wrestlers to draw a crowd, another thing
aren’t likely to repeat). McMichael, like
WWE has always remained sceptical of.
Rob Bartlett, is another announcer from outside the wrestling business. But,
His opponent is also a legendary
CRY FROM THE
even though he doesn’t add much to the
Cruiserweight, the unpredictable Brian
broadcast, unlike Bartlett, he doesn’t
Pillman. Such a pairing would rile up
BARELY MOBILE
have an overwhelmingly negative impact
hopeful expectations, especially with their
on the product either. But the appearance
already heated history. The match is far
YOKOZUNA
of McMichael’s is a statement of intent
more exciting than anything Raw had to
from the get go. McMichael’s was being
offer in its debut. Easily outshining its
courted by Vince McMahon at the time,
rival’s best match (Shawn Michaels vs.
26 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
The first Match on the very first Nitro was Pillman V Liger
Max Moon) Liger vs. Pillman is a more
world. Both of them have such a grasp
technical bout than most cruiserweight
of their character’s in ring behaviour it
fights would be today, but just as
makes the story told here, while fairly
thrilling and athletic. A great show of
inconsequential, riveting.
sportsmanship at the end too, cementing the identity of the Cruiserweight division
This is also the match in which WCW
being about workmanship and respect
scores its second, and perhaps biggest,
rather than drama and characters.
point over their bitter rivals. Lex Luger,
AFTER A BRIEF SABU PROMO IT’S TIME FOR MEAN GENE OKERLUND
last seen on WWE programming the A Sting bumper and some odd sponsor
previous night, made his WCW TV debut
choices, that really bring home that
during this match. He skulks towards
this is a product of the 90’s, lead
the ring, but disappointingly he skulks
and Hulk is telling him to take his best
into a segment where our WCW World
back again. His appearance isn’t the one
one on next week’s Nitro.
Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan
that has any effect on the match, but Arn
tells us the delights of PastaMania. You
Anderson’s does. He steps back into the
It’s all a thinly veiled ruse to delegitimise
know, because Michael Jordan has his
ring to restart his feud with long-time
Raw. Luger talks about how he’s through
own restaurant so why not? He thanks
friend Flair.
playing around with boys and says that as the WCW World Champion Hogan is
the franchise for making him as lean and trim whilst also having a dig at Big Bubba
But wait, there’s more. Scott Norton
the only World Champion in wrestling.
Rogers’ weight, who he will be facing later
turns up to threaten Eric Bischoff.
For all their posturing, the fact that they
that night.
McMichael’s stands in his way but
keep referring back to WWE is a sign they
Norton’s attention is taken up by
know they are playing catch up. All this
The next bout is for the U.S. Title and it’s
Randy Savage. Having this altercation
grandstanding does is reinforce that fact,
being fought for by Sting and Ric Flair.
so close to the last match might add
not dismiss it.
They’re really pulling out all the stops
to the chaotic nature of the program
tonight. It’s also an incredible showing for
and prove that “anything really can
Overall though, the first show of Nitro
the Unites States Title with two legendary
happen.” but it leaves Anderson and
felt like a much bigger event show than
world champions fighting for it.
Sting left undercooked without a proper
the first Raw, not to mention produced
conclusion, and both segments probably
so much more professionally with barely
needed more space to breathe.
a technical hitch in sight. The world
With all the NWO feuding he did while
heavyweight title bout, two legit legends
looking like Brandon Lee, as well as his recent run in TNA, it’s sometimes easy to
After a brief Sabu promo it’s time for
fighting over the United States Title,
forget Sting’s original phase as a bleach
Mean Gene Okerlund to introduce the
and an international bout between two
blonde surfer and his feud with Flair
main event. Hulk Hogan vs. Big Bubba
of the best cruiserweights in the world,
that made his name. In fact, you can see
Rogers for the WCW Worlds Heavyweight
most certainly made for a better card
so much of what Sting borrowed from
Title. As far as judging the match goes,
than three squash matches, and an
Flair as they go toe to toe. He has Flair’s
it’s a Hulk Hogan match. A competent
Intercontinental title fight between Shawn
hair colour, his trademark “Woo!,” his
bigman contest but nothing we’ve never
Michaels and the guy Shawn Michaels is
spangley robe; it all gives their matches a
seen the Hulkster do before. This one is
obviously going to beat.
kind of student/mentor subtext to them,
strictly for the boondocks. But keep in mind that this show went
enriching the experience. It’s also been a long time since I’ve seen Sting be this
The real drama happens afterwards when
live two and a half years after the first
athletic.
the Dungeon of Doom comes down to
Monday Night Raw and that Raw had
the ring and are beaten off by Hogan…
steadily been redefining what prime time
That’s another thing I’d almost forgotten.
and Lex Luger. The help is none too
wrestling meant in the mid 90’s. And
Sting was a hell of an athlete and his
appreciated though. When Hulk turns
even though it was an admirable job, Eric
quickness in the ring almost rivalled that
around and sees his uninvited partner
Bischoff isn’t really doing anything other
of Pillman in the previous match. Other
they almost knock each other’s blocks off.
than following the blueprint that Vince
than that it’s a contest that reminds you
The following is a heated promo where
and Co. had been perfecting since ‘93.
why these two were among the best the
Lex says he wants a shot at Hogan’s title
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 29
PHOTO: ANTON JACKSON
SETH ROLLINS
28 STEELCHAIR MARCH 2O15
WORDS: DOMINIC GRIFFIN
Rollins won the ROH Championship under the name Under the name Tyer Black
THE RISE OF
SETH ROLLINS Dominic Griffin looks at the rise of the new WWE World champion ive years ago, a man
Championship Wrestling (and later the
Rollins has a natural charisma as a
named Tyler Black had
current iteration of NXT), he was doing
babyface, largely because he does really
finally won the Ring of
much of what brought him to the dance.
cool moves and flips and top rope shit.
Honor World Heavyweight
He continued working as a fiery babyface
It’s hard to boo someone who is so
Championship. He had
with an absurd, indie-based moveset, and
blatantly good at what they do. That’s
been a fan favourite to take that top
managed to infuse more of his scene kid
how he had been pushed in ROH, as the
spot for over a year, and while that bout
metalcore obsessions into his character
dark horse of the heel stable Age of The
against Austin Aries was an incredible
(at one point unsuccessfully petitioning
Fall (alongside recent WWE creative hire
match, to say the triumph felt middling
A Day To Remember to lease their song
Jimmy Jacobs, Luke Harper and J&J
would be an understatement. ROH
“2nd Sucks” as his new theme.) He had
Security member Joey Mercury) Black/
F
officials had waited entirely too long to
Rollins was bad guy the fans could slowly
put the strap on Black, so by the time
embrace as a hero. Gabe Sapolsky
he’d finally become The Guy, no one was
would book him in ways that allowed
excited anymore. He ended up having to round out his run with the promotion as a heel, something he, at the time at least, was not particularly well suited for. Five days ago, that same man, who we now know as Seth Rollins, won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, in the main event of WrestleMania , in one of the most chickenshit heel ways ever, and it was absolutely fucking perfect. They bit the bullet and gave him the title in the
FIVE YEARS AGO BEING A HEEL WAS NOT SOMETHING SETH ROLLINS WAS BEST SUITED FOR.
his inner babyface to shine so that when he eventually turned to the side of the angels, the audience of smarks would believe they were the ones who made it happen with their counterprogramming support. In the WWE, his latent careerism and boundless drive, coupled with an irascibly prickish nature, were packaged together to present him as the first truly detestable heel of the modern era. He’s now the prodigal scion of twin
weasel-est way possible at the absolute
lineages in pro graps villainy, the
apex of his powers as a heel, and that
descendant of his Two Rassle Dads,
decision is going to reap serious benefits.
a series of great matches with future
Triple H and Edge. Triple H’s influence
teammate turned archenemy Dean
on and off screen should be obvious
What happened in that ensuing five
Ambrose and was steadily improving his
to anyone with eyes, but it’s Edge, who
years? A lot, obviously.
game, but it wasn’t until becoming the
famously passed Ultimate Opportunist
first ever NXT Champion and making his
torch to Rollins some months back on
When Tyler Black became Seth
big roster debut that he found his true
Raw, who is the clearer precedent. Edge
Rollins, down in WWE’s now defunct
calling.
was another guy who was a damn good
developmental promotion Florida
babyface, but had to tap into his inner >
SETH ROLLINS
Seth Rollins real name is Colby Lopez
IN WWE SETH ROLLINS HAS BEEN PACKAGED AS THE FIRST TRULY DETESTABLE HEEL OF THE MODERN ERA
asshole to REALLY get over and punch
long time to be booked as a cowardly
through the glass ceiling. In an era of
heel effectively. When he grabbed his
heels who try so hard to be cool and
title and ran into the crowd on RAW, you
still be liked, Edge and Trips are two of
fucking bought it. Other heel champions
the last guys brave enough to elicit real
were booked similarly, but they’re
fucking hatred from fans, and Rollins
presented as callow in a way that makes
learned all his best moves from them.
them also seem uninteresting. Having watched Seth Rollins blossom in The
Rollins is the first guy in the WWE in a
Shield as an insanely talented tactician who helped fell every major superstar on the roster, we KNOW he can go the distance when the time comes. He’s been booked smartly enough to seem like a legitimate threat, which is what makes his heel act so infuriating. You know that he has the goods, so his insecurity and paranoia that requires his every match be flanked by Kane or The Big Show or his stooges makes you want to see him get
way he was on Monday, tapping into the relative smashability of his face and his preternatural ability to engender genuine malice in viewers, The Rollins Era can be a special one indeed. Somewhere down the line, Rollins will go back to being the babyface of The Tyler Black Years, and we will get to see him rile up crowds and do Phoenix Splashes (as they are called) and it will be great. Edge and Triple H got to have big babyface runs (the former more successfully than the latter) but those were victory laps. They each had natural gifts at portraying bad guys, and that’s what’s gotten Seth Rollins this far. If you want to build up the next big hero for the future of the WWE, you’re going to need a bad guy. Mick Foley had Triple
his face kicked in all the more.
H. John Cena had Edge. Maybe Roman
Where his title reign goes is up in the
Rollins, the villain the WWE Universe
air, but if they keep booking him the
Reigns will benefit from having Seth needs.
COURTESY OF WWE VIDEOS WE’VE A COPY OF THE 2015 ROYAL RUMBLE TO GIVEAWAY
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PHOTOS: OLLY HANKS
FOZZY LIVE
32 STEELCHAIR MARCH 2O15
WORDS: OLLY HANKS
Fozzy started out as a heavy metal covers band called Fozzy Osbourne
LIVE REVIEW: FOZZY, THE DIRTY YOUTH, MALRUN & DENDERA T
his was my first visit to
in the squared circle in front of tens of
Southampton’s newest
thousands of people, it was quite nerve
venue, The 1865.
racking and exciting all at the same
Secluded on a back street
time being able to photograph them.
and on the fringes of
Sometimes with bands you fear that they
Southampton’s dock area I was really
may not be into it for whatever reason
looking forward to this one!
that night (crowds, get out of bed the wrong side etc) but from the moment
First on were local metal boys Dendera
Fozzy took the stage, you could tell how
bringing their traditional British metal
much fun they have doing this.
sound. Their set was filled with machine gun drumming, Maiden esq harmonies
Fozzy feature members of Stuck Mojo as
and solos aplenty. Always good to have a
well as Y2J know how to party with their
local band warm up the crowd in a venue
American hard rock / heavy metal. The
was at this point was freezing!
band take the stage minus Jericho then from the side he walks out into a dark
Next on tonight was Malrun, a Danish
room, stands in the middle of the stage
metal band fronted by the spikey haired
pulling a classic pose from one of many
Nicklas Sun. Malrun’s style is very
Wreslemania’s through the years with
European in the same style as Volbeat
a jacket that lights up in red, white and
and In Flames with clean to growl vocals
blue sparkles.
with big choruses. Jericho knows how to work the crowd, of Main support, The Dirty Youth from
course he does, its been his job for years
South Wales really caught me off guard.
and at the end of each song the Fozzy
I wasn’t expecting the performance and
chants come back and the band stand
catchy pop metal songs that we got.
there and suck them in with ear to ear
Lead singer Danni Monroe was lively with
grins. This was a classic American metal
her stage presence and in the first song
party, Jericho’s voice is on point with the
flashing green glasses. Her voice was
grooved rifferage and heavy big choruses,
very easy on the ear, pitched perfectly
they even made ABBA go metal with their
with each song played with precision with
rendition of ‘SOS’, it wasn’t bad, I’ve
super melodic parts and equally really
heard a lot worse covers over the years!
heavy guitar riffs. Couldn’t help but enjoy them and the ever filling room certainly
Whether its in front of 400 people of
shared that thought.
80,000 it doesn’t matter to Chris Jericho, he puts everything into it every night.
FOZZY! FOZZY! FOZZY! Chants rang out pretty much as soon and Danni and
Photographed a future WWE Hall of
The Dirty Youth boys left the stage. For
Famer… check! And I loved it!
years I grew up watching Chris Jericho
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 33
NXT/WWE
WORDS: ALAN BOON
WHAT WWE CAN LEARN FROM NXT T
hat NXT is produced by
principle is the same. Expand the team,
wrestler B said something bad about
the same company as
if you must, from one to half a dozen but
wrestler A. Or maybe wrestler X is in
Raw and Smackdown is
four times that is overkill.
the way of wrestler Y getting to wrestler
sometimes bewildering.
Z. There’s no over-involved reasoning
One is critically-acclaimed
behind the matchings, and feuds are built
must-watch TV, and the others are often
LISTEN TO THE FANS
some of the worst wrestling TV produced
steadily and increase in intensity towards their zenith.
by a company without the initials T, N,
The regulars at Full Sail University, where
and A.
NXT is taped, are part of the show. They
On Raw and Smackdown there’s often
number around a hundred and fifty of the
no reason for the wrestlers to fight.
But, say the loyalists, NXT is a one-
four-hundred crowd, and ensure that the
That’s because, with those five hours a
hour show taped in front of a friendly
good guys are cheered and the bad guys
week of first-run TV, they have to throw
audience who pop for everything they do!
are booed, although they sometimes – if
things out there, literally filling time with
Which, even if it were true (and it half
they think it’s warranted – do a little of
matches that often do nothing for any of
is), doesn’t mean that lessons cannot be
the reverse. They understand that NXT is
the combatants because wins and losses
learned by the big shows (and The Big
a development territory and are patient
do not really mean anything. Wrestler
Show) from their little brother…
with the trainees, although they can turn
A beats wrestler B? Oh, he’ll move onto
and punish mistakes by those who should
wrestler C now, yes? No, because wrestler
know better. And, if storylines are just not
B needs his win back. Zzzzzzzzzz.
LESS IS MORE
working, they’re quietly written out rather than persevered with against all common
Raw and Smackdown are put together by
sense.
a writing team that is reported to number over two-DOZEN television writers, and
With a touring schedule, the TV on the
still micro-managed by Vince McMahon
main shows can’t ship in a loyal crowd to
to such an extent that the whole show is
help get its booking across to the rest of
often re-written hours before broadcast.
the audience, both live and watching at
NXT, on the other hand, has just one
home. But TV crowds are smarter than
writer – Ryan Ward – who is assisted
the house show crowd, and to ignore
with booking by veteran Dusty Rhodes.
their input and participation is folly in
They answer to Paul Levesque (HHH),
the extreme. No-one is saying that fans
who spends half his week on the road
should be given exactly what they want
with the main show and away from NXT.
every time they demand it – history has
This simple approach keeps everything
proven that to be a terrible idea – but to
consistent and ensures a coherent story
constantly deny them what they want is
can be told from start to finish with the
just stupid.
same voice. Critics point out that one hour a week is a different prospect to the five – seven, if you count Main Event & Superstars – that the main shows have to fill, but the
34 STEELCHAIR MARCH 2O15
TELL SIMPLE STORIES There’s no complicated booking on NXT. Wrestler A fights wrestler B because
WOMEN ARE PEOPLE TOO There are no Divas on NXT. The distaff title is the NXT Women’s Championship. The women are treated no differently to the men – other than there are less of them – and they have main-evented TV shows and semi-“mained” the NXT equivalent of a pay-per-view, the quarterly (soon to be monthly) Takeover live special. They are given time to tell their stories in the ring, and never treated as tits and ass for the male audience. That’s not to say they are – as Tyler Breeze would say – “uggo” but it’s not an (onscreen, at least) consideration. The motley collection of former models, failed actresses, and the occasional wrestlers on the main shows are, first and
KEVIN GILL COLUMN foremost, there for titilation. That’s why you’ll rarely see a one-on-one match-up, at least not without besties at ringside to double the XX chromosones on view. They have matches that, if they were put
THE RENAISSANCE OF
CHRIS HERO
together by male wrestlers, would soon result in all concerned being “future endeavoured”, and are rarely given more than a couple of minutes at a time to show their wares. The #GiveDivasAChance campaign has made some in-roads but the damage may have already been done for too long. NXT does so many things right that it’s never a difficult watch. Whether, stretched to the length of an average Raw or Smackdown, that would remain the
restling is art, and Chris Hero just entered his renaissance period. Effortlessly and credibly, he draws equal inspiration from the essences of independent hip hop and independent wrestling and uses both to raise the bar for his inring performance.
W
case is unknowable. But it is providing an example to its bigger brothers that should not be dismissed as irrelevant. The surprising thing is that NXT is not reinventing the wheel – much of what it does so well is time-honoured and still used internationally with some success in Japan and Mexico. NXT is being used so well as a testing ground for new wrestlers and announcers – it’s just a shame that what they learn
Always loved and respected behind the scenes, Chris Hero has had his share of ups and downs in his career, but with his positive attitude and passion for wrestling undeterred, he is proving that a WWE contract is not a requirement to live your dreams or to be in the upper most echelon of wrestlers in the world today.
down there in Orlando doesn’t seem to have reached the eyes and ears of the powers-that-be in Stamford.
Agree or disagree? message us at @SteelchairMag
“Elbow…And Elbow…And Elbow…And KNOCKOUT” is the raucous chant that’s not just ringing through the air, but it’s also charging the molecules of
oxygen with static electricity, creating an atmosphere unlike anything I’ve ever seen in independent wrestling. The location is San Jose, California on WrestleMania weekend for the Mercury Rising Supershow. Chris Hero is wrestling his 5th > match in 3 days, in addition to 2 autograph signings and Walemania. The standingroom-only crowd still cannot get enough of this innovative performer. Tonight he’ll face the outstanding Timothy Thatcher in a match so anticipated, that the crowd stands cheering, chanting and applauding for over six minutes before the match even starts. The positive energy seems to supercharge both competitors as they deliver a true Match of the Year candidate. As the exhausted and jubilant fans head home, their night has ended…But the Renaissance of Chris Hero has just begun.
Check out kevin’s podcast at KevinGillShow.Com
LIVE PHOTOS: TONY KNOX
ETHAN CARTER III
WORDS: LEE HAZELL
We spoke with tna’s unbeaten ethan carter III
UNBEATABLE?
EC3 E
C3 is the shining jewel
responsible, I have to turn my attention
in the Carter family
to the main culprit, which was Rockstar
crown. He has been
Spud. This all comes to ahead this Friday
groomed from birth for
night on Impact on destination America
greatness, for distinction,
in a Hair vs. Hair match.
and to carry the future of TNA upon his chiselled shoulders. EC3 talks to Steel
What is your strategy going into the
Chair to discuss his destiny as one of
match?
the most dominant forces in TNA history
Well my strategy is pretty simple, seeing
MY STRATEGY IS SIMPLY TO DOMINATE
as how I’m bigger, stronger, faster For those who are new to TNA, can you
and far more attractive, it is simply to
give us some insight into how Rockstar
dominate. To use Rockstar Spud as an
Spud got himself caught in your sights?
example, as a catalyst, as a platform, to show this entire industry to let them
To those who are new to TNA, Rockstar
know, take notice of EC3.
Spud started out as an employee of mine and the Carters. He was charged
It would be far more of a tragedy if it
with one mission. That mission was to
were you to be shaved bald. I imagine
protect my dear, sweet aunt Dixie Carter.
you’d think?
Now, seeing that she was viciously driven through a table over the summer,
Off the record? I’d be ugly as hell bald.
it would seem that Rockstar Spud has failed. Since I can no longer punish those
Who outside of TNA would you like to
relieve of their precious locks? There is so many talents within TNA, I wouldn’t even want to overlook any of them as potential shavees. So much of the roster hasn’t tested their metal with me. Drew Galloway coming back presents a very intriguing matchup between him and I. Kurt Angle’s still >
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 37
ETHAN CARTER III
it. It’s a really good product now. But
great guys going under the radar in our
being coupled with Daniel Bryan was
company. Samuel Shaw or Gunner, for
awesome because, a. he’s one of the
example need the right opponent or
best wrestlers in the world, and b. the
opportunity to bring them out to the
stuff we did on NXT really allowed him
forefront.
to show his personality more to the higher ups; who up until then would look
As far as other promotions go, Ring Of
at him and think he was a dork, as they
Honour has some great talent like ACH.
called him, which he wasn’t. The guy in
He does some amazing things for the
addition to being an in ring presence,
fans so I’d like to take that away from
has a great personality.
“
HOW LONG DO I THINK MY UNDEFEATED STREAK WILL LAST? FOREVER.
“
here and I still can’t stand him. We have
them. There’s a guy over their called Raymond Rowe who I’ve known for a very
TNA gets a lot of business in Britain.
long time and I think he’s a star waiting
What are your feelings on British
to be born. But mostly I wanna shave
wrestling? Do you have any British
John Cena’s head too.
influences?
You had a brief stint in NXT. You’re pro
I’ve watched some stuff, it’s definitely
was Daniel Bryan. Was it odd having
very well could end up In TNA or
different. I would look at Norman Smiley
a “mentor” who is a contemporary of
anywhere else because there’s a lot of
be like “That’s awesome and I could
yours?
talent.
never do any of it.” I think the scene
job of getting into some of the untapped potential out there. A lot of those guys, even if they didn’t win the completion,
over there is awesome and I’d like to get
One of you’re nicknames is The
Yeah. Well, it wasn’t so brief, it was
over their more. I mean, TNA goes out
Hardcore American Icon. In your
four and a half years. And NXT was a
once a year, we get some great talent
opinion, who the greatest American
far different show than when I was on
their – British Boot Camp does a great
wrestler? Apart from EC3 of course.
38 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
EC3 made his WWE debut in 2006 on Sunday Night Heat match
WHO WILL BEAT Obviously, post Spud, you’ll have Well obviously it has to be apart
your eyes set on the TNA World
from EC3 because EC3’s never
Heavyweight Championship. There’s
lost. But the greatest American
some very strong competition
wrestler of all time? That’s a very
for that title now. I think it’s the
speculative question to answer. But
strongest it’s been in TNA for years.
we can look at it a few ways. The
What do you think of your rivals?
greatest representation of American wrestling on a worldwide stage is
Well a great general will never reveal
Hulk Hogan. Through the 80’s Hulk
his strategy, but I would say your
Hogan practically won the cold war
inklings about my desire to be World
for us. In ring, I think you could go
Heavyweight Champion are accurate.
along down to Texas and take a look
Looking at the competitive landscape
at Shawn Michaels and what he did
I think TNA’s done a great job with
for revolutionising storytelling in ring.
its Top Five. It makes the title mean
From there we could hop in a pickup
something, as it should. On top of
truck and swing down to the Broken
that you have Bobby Lashley, who is a
Skull Ranch and meet up with Steve
dominant physical presence, and Kurt
Austin, who brought wrestling to the
Angle, who is number one contender
mainstream and just set it on fire. As
and, as I said, one of the greatest
an anti-hero he really capitalised on
American wrestlers of all time. It is
the environment and the time. And
very competitive, but I’ve beaten both
as much as it pains me to say this,
of those men *cough* via countout
we can go back to 1996 and we can
*cough*. But whatever happens with
see the only Olympic Gold medallist
Rockstar Supd I’ll have to be more
in pro wrestling, Kurt Angle. One of
battle tested in the future.
the greatest American wrestlers of all time.
Your undefeated streak is one of the talking points of TNA. How long do you think it will last? Forever. How much input did you have into the character of EC3? It was something presented to me. If it were anybody else I think it could have become a completely different character, but the great thing about TNA is that they let me feel it out. They gave me guidelines, not necessarily rules, to follow. Through those guidelines I think we developed something unique, original and organic and I can’t thank them enough for that.
EC3? Already defeating names such as Bully Ray, Rockstar Spud and Kurt Angle. Jack Richardson looks at who may be the one to conquer EC3’s streak. JEFF HARDY Hardy has spent his career overcoming the odds, winning it all. EC3 has beaten Hardy when in his Willow persona, however in the future with his army of fans behind him, look to Hardy to be the one to defeat EC3 with his high flying style contrasting EC3’s hardy hitting approach. TYRUS Despite at this time being allies with EC3, Tyrus is a dominant force and not only due to his size but also his power is one of the toughest guys on Impact. With EC3 on a undefeated streak and Tyrus being the dominant heel he is, in the future look to Tyrus challenging him and being a huge threat to his undefeated streak. DREW GALLOWAY If there is one man on the Impact roster with a point to prove it is Drew Galloway. One of the most talented wrestlers to come out of the UK in the last 15 years, his talent hasn’t ever been properly utilized, until now. Galloway could make his mark is by taking down EC3’s streak. Both men have a hard hitting and physical style which would make for a great feud, both men are great microphone technicians too. This would make for a great watch as well as something that would have the Impact fans and professional wrestling world talking.
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 39
LIVE PHOTOS: KIMBERLEY BAYLISS
GRADO WORDS: SHANE BAYLISS
We spoke with grado before he took on galloway
GRADO s the ICW Insane
do you want to drink?” and I’ve never
Evening News Arena, or that’s what it
Entertainment System
ever done that and I had a great day with
was called back then I don’t know what
tour rolled into
my Mum, ended up getting smashed
it’s called now something bullshit, it was
Nottingham, Steelchair
with my Mum until 10.00. Woke up this
fucking amazing man. Then the next
was granted the chance
morning with the shits, because I think
night I was dancing in the ring with Matt
to sit down with the man, the myth,
I’ve got irritable bowl syndrome, took
Hardy, you don’t dream about shit like
the legend that is Grado. Hot off TNA’s
some stuff to stop me from shitting
that. Especially me I’m a fucking cowboy,
British Boot Camp 2 and a couple of
because the worse thing that could
I wing this whole thing, so I’m so lucky.
crowd pleasing appearances on the
happen tonight would be to shit in the
I’m like the biggest fan ever, which is
TNA, Grado was back in the familiar
ring with Drew.
great because I get away with cuming in
A
surroundings of ICW to take on Drew
my pants for seeing a graphic for Grado
Galloway for the ICW World Heavyweight
Although I have been injecting
vs Drew Galloway or a graphic for Grado
Championship.
Melanotan, that’s Melanotan no Steroids,
vs Sabu, that’s the fucking best thing
it’s legal apparently. I probably shouldn’t
ever. Most people are keeping their crap
You are up against Drew Galloway
be taking it because I’ve got a history of
calm, and I’m like “I want Sabu to hit me
tonight, and then Sabu tomorrow night
skin cancer in my family. So it’s not the
with a chair” not exactly that, but you
so you’ve got a challenging 48hrs ahead
best!
know what I’m saying?
On the TNA you came out to a pretty
I mean look at me now man, putting
Nope! I’m never prepared to wrestle,
electric crowd at Phones 4 You Arena in
on these boots which my girlfriend got
never ever ever. I’m one of the worst
Manchester to take on Bram, how was
me for my fucking Christmas, which is
prepared! I don’t go to the gym, I don’t
that?
won of the best Christmas presents I’ve
of you. Are you prepared?
work out. I sit all week in my bed and eat
had in a long time. Because you know
crisps, eat chocolate. I’ve eaten out out
That was amazing, because I knew I’d
your sel, Christmas isn’t as special
this week, how many times? I’m trying
get a good reception in Scotland because
when you get older, but I had a really
to think, I had that new fucking thing,
obviously that’s where I’m from and
good Christmas and got these boots.
what do you call it? Five Guys! I had two
that’s where a lot of the fanbase came
AND I noticed Cesaro has exactly the
Five Guys in a week, so that’s like £50 an
from so I wasn’t expecting the pop that
same pattern of boots last week at
all. The amount of money I’m wasting
I got but when I did it was like the best
Wrestlemania, so obviously he’s been
on food is annoying. I was drinking
feeling in the world. That’s because in
watching a lot of my matches. I can see
yesterday, I took my Mum for some
that arena I saw The Rock vs Stone Cold,
it not just in his boots, his style he’s
Macaroni about 3.00 and I had one pint
November 3rd 2001 so for it to come
been working the Grado style recently,
of larger because I was driving and I
full circle like that is fucking brilliant
taking some of my moves things like
says “Mum I feel like drinking tonight,
man. So to come out to the Manchester
that. Same with Rusev, I seen him do >
GRADO
the rolling slice the other week as well.
I was watching Insane Fight Club again
aware of this, but sitting talking to you
I think everybody has been watching my
last night.
right now I don’t think I’m going to get
matches. How much did you pay Madonna’s
Sky, because you don’t fucking need Sky The Netflix version or the normal
these days everybody is watching stuff
version?
on the internet, and that’s what wrestling
dancer to take her out?
fans are doing as well. That’s what I watched it on YouTube!
I paid her nine crème eggs!
wrestling fans care doing as well, so thet can get our stuff off the internet. The
Better because that has all the music on
fans keep up with it man, so it’s good to
You recently challenged Bram to a
it, US Netflicks fucking cut all the music
hear English chants “it’s your self, it’s
match at Shug’s Hoose Paty II, now
out of it, they don’t have “Like A Prayer”
your self” you know what I mean?
you’ve said you don’t prepare. But he’s
or nothing on it. It’s fucking shit!
a big motherfucker!
Thanks to the “Chubby Wee Chancer Fae Insane Fight Club, showed that ICW has
the Tap End of Stevenston” for taking
That’s what I’m saying, right now I’ll tell
specific storylines compared to stuff
time out of his pre-match preparation to
you that I’m going to change, and I’m
compared to the other Independents.
talk to us.
going to prepare. Fast forward to July
How does that effect things when you
I’ll probably be ten pounds heavier, I’ll
come to England?
And you’ll be able to see the results of both the matches from The Princess
probably have acne, I’ll probably have a shit hair, worse that it looks now. But
Well a lot of people are actually keeping
is in Another Castle in Nottingham
in my mind I’m saying to myself “I’m
up with the stories because of our
and Boom Shakalaka (He’s on Fire)
going to get leaner, start going to the
on demand service. It’d surprise you
in Liverpool on the ICW On Demand
gym, get some cardio on the go, gonna
how many people are clued up, and
service, which is only £9.99... oh fuck!
cut out all the bad things in my life” but
follow it online and watch it. Apparently
Sorry know it’s $5.99 which is about
I’ll probably just end up worse man. I’m
I’ve brought a house today right, my
£4.00.
getting fucking tired lacing up my boots.
girlfriend phoned me and said we’ve brought a house, now I’m not fucking
42 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
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INSANE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
WORDS: SHANE BAYLISS
ICW THE PRINCESS IS IN ANOTHER CASTLE REVIEW he 11th April the annual
crowd we’re certainly in from the get
‘Party’ Marty Scrull followed, it would
WWE Live Tour has rolled
go, shouting an array of expletive based
seem that many of the Nottingham crowd
into Nottingham’s Capital
chants at Wolfgang and Renfrew, most
didn’t appreciate his top-knot haircut and
FM arena, except we
based about Wolfgang’s larger frame,
they weren’t timid in letting him know
aren’t at the Capital FM
not that this stopped the big man from
this. He was facing Noam Dar, who was
arena. Steelchair are at the legendary
hitting a Senton Bomb from the top rope
immediately over with the fans and got
Rock-City, to enjoy Insane Championship
for the win.
into bit of Hogan-esc crowd participation.
T
After five minutes of dicking about the Up next the ‘Prodigy’ of Scottish
match got under way. Both competitors
Wrestling Lewis Girvan (essentially a
seemed technically very impressive, and
poor man’s Drew Galloway) was in action
it was a good match which ended with
against Zero-G Champion Kenny Williams.
Scrull tapping out to Dar’s variant figure-
The two men went back and forth in this
four leg lock.
one, with action spilling out of the ring at one point and the match finally being won
The final match before the half time
due to the use of Williams’s hover board
interval featured BT Gunn, another
(sorry, forgot to mention Kenny Williams
member of NAK (and possibly a member
has a Back to the Future gimmick going
of Slipknot) vs a man who really needs
on, it’s actually pretty good). Anyway
no introduction other than this - “the
Wrestling’s brand of adult only hardcore
Williams retained the title, with Girvan
homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-
wrestling. The Glasgow based promotion
complaining that he managed to get a leg
defying SABU” It’s hard to believe that
has been gaining much momentum in the
onto the rope to break the pin, however I
Sabu is the same age as a certain WWE
last couple of years, and with the return
didn’t see it.
superstar who appears once a year on
of former WWE man Drew Galloway last
the biggest stage of all, only to disappear
year ICW’s star is bigger than it has ever Tour is the companies 2nd tour of England, with venues such as Liverpool’s O2 Academy and London’s KOKO to follow on from a night in the worlds most famous toilet circuit venue. The show titled, The Princess is in Another Castled opened with a billed singles match (after a promo by James R. Kennedy, who the crowd didn’t like) between Mikey Whiplash and Chris Renfrew, however due to a sneaky attack by Renfrew’s NAK brother Wolfgang and then save by former NAK man Dickie Divers the match became a tag team match. It was a pretty decent opening match, and the non-family friendly
43 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
LIVE PHOTOS: KIMBERLEY BAYLISS
been. The Insane Entertainment System
only had one thing on his mind revenge, attacking Grado with a steelchair before brutally attacking Galloway with a steel chain before hitting a Tombstone onto a steelchair leaving Galloway crumpled and broken in the ring, starting the road to what will undoubtedly be the showdown of blood filled revenge fuelled showdowns in the future. If you get the chance, I highly recommend you get yourself to an ICW show. ICW is the future of professional wrestling in the UK, and arguably Europe as well, it captures a sense of nostalgia that to someone of my era is just what is missing from the current content of the major US promotions. again but it is true. The Hardcore Legend
of the border loving him. When “Like a
might not be as quick and agile as he
Prayer” hits, you know the room is about
once was, but fuck does he put on a
to go wild, and it did. After the ICW
performance, still hitting the “Air Sabu”
Champ, and former WWE “chosen-one”
like it’s 1999. After some interference
Galloway had entered the ring there was
You can catch ICW on the following date
from Mikey Whiplash on Gunn, Sabu hit a
a bit more dancing and a crowd rendition
in the following locations:
chair assisted leg drop from the top rope
of “Like a Prayer” before the match got
for the win and the crowd was happy, with
under-way. Surprisingly Grado but up a
IES Tour: Paperboy - 18th April –
Sabu leaving to chants of “you’ve still got
hell of a fight and certainly gave Galloway
Birmingham O2 Academy
it” and “thank you Sabu.” If this was to
a run for his money getting a couple of
IES Tour: Alex Kid in London – 19th April
be Sabu’s fair well tour of the UK, then
near falls and at one point going high
– London Koko
he’s certainly going out still pushing the
risk from the top of the guard rail. This
IES Tour: Up Down Left Right A C Start –
boundaries and living up to his innovative
match was what ICW is all about, with
26th April – Sheffield O2 Academy
legacy, however I get the feeling that he’s
Drew Galloway finally putting Grado away
IES Tour: Flawless Victory – 3rd May –
not planning on throwing the towel just
with a Piledriver onto a steelchair, and
Glasgow Garage
yet (unless Bill Alfonso gets his way).
then a Futureshock to retain the ICW
Waynestock: Long Before Wesley Snipes –
title. However unfortunately for Galloway
25th July – Glasgow Maryhill Community
After the 20 minute interval there
and Grado, celebrations were cut short
Central Hall
were two more matches, one for the
by the return of Jack Jester, the man
Waynestock: Shug’s Hoose Party II – 26th
Tag Team Titles during which rumour
Galloway beat at Fear and Loathing VII
July – Glasgow O2 ABC
has it somebody broke a jaw. However
to win the title, and who hasn’t been
Fear and Loathing VIII – 15th November –
Steelchair was backstage talking to
seen in ICW for months. Jester seemingly
Glasgow SECC
CATCH ICW LIVE
Grado and Galloway (which you can read soon) ahead of their title match.
Tickets available from: www.ticketmaster. co.uk/ICW-Wrestling-tickets/
The stage was set for the Main Event
artist/825377
of the evening, a match to decide the ICW World Heavyweight Championship
Or you can subscribe to ICW’s On
between Drew Galloway and the man
Demand service, which is only £9.99....
from the top-end of Stevenston Grado.
no wait sorry! It’s only $5.99 which works
Grado is an icon of the UK independent
out at about £4.00.
scene, with crowds North and South
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APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 44
SPEED ROUND TNA’S ROBBIE ROBBIE EE WITH What hair product do you use?
TNA? TNA Tag-Team Championship.
It’s got to be glued. When did you realise you What is your fake tan budget?
BROCK LESNAR DREAM MATCHES ROBBIE E INTERVIEW
wanted to become a wrestler? Four.
Fake tan budget is free because I’m a star, so my
What was the first thing you
tanning salon sprays me for
did when you got our first TNA
free but if I had to pay for it
pay-check?
probably about $500 a month.
EXTREME RULES
Deposited it! The first thing If you could only wrestle one
I did when I signed my TNA
venue for the rest of your
contract was probably run
career, where would it be?
around the streets naked, doing cartwheels with no pants
Wembley.
on.
If you could have been the one
Which wrestling match have
to originate another wrestling
you watched more than any
move, which would it have
other match?
been? Robbie E vs Jay Lethal for The Angle-Lock.
the X-Division title, because the only wrestling I watch is
Which title are you most proud of? Either within or outside of
Full interview with Robbie E for steelchair vips 45 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
myself.
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HIGHLIGHTS
18
Writer Adam Kinghorn enjoying issue #1
// Welcome to steelchair vip //
22
PHOTO: MEGAN ELICE MEADOWS
BROCK LESNAR
WORDS: DOMINIC GRIFFIN
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DREAM MATCHES
BROCK LESNAR Dominic Griffin looks at the dream Lesnar matches available to WWE
t’s official. The Beast
I
Incarnate, Brock Lesnar,
matches becoming reality. Let’s begin!
come Sunday, this one could come sooner rather than later. Orton’s shown
has retired from MMA
The Sure Things
and has re-signed with
The one match we can pretty much bet
is in the ring when properly motivated,
the WWE, as announced
on is Brock vs The Rock at WrestleMania
and he’s going to need a good foil once
in this surprisingly endearing ESPN
32. Whether or not it’ll be for the title is
this Authority feud wraps up. Why not his
interview.
kind of besides the point, as this match
former OVW colleague Brock Lesnar?
in the last year and a half how great he
would be a license to print money. Would There’s generally a stigma among current
it necessarily be any good? I doubt it. The
Also, if you think we’re not somehow
wrestling fans with regards to part time
Rock is a lot better at being a movie star
going to get Brock vs Rusev, you’re
performers being in the main event,
than a wrestler these days, but I’d pay to
severely wrong. The “1 in 21-1” up
“stealing” spots from guys who bust
see him get german suplex’d an obscene
against the best monster heel WWE has
their butts on Vince’s grueling regular
number of times.
built up in ages? That’s the type of shit
schedule, but Lesnar has sidestepped
that writes itself.
a lot of that criticism. It’s frustrating to
Another no brainer is the Daniel Bryan
not have your top title on every Raw, but
“David & Goliath” bout everyone but the
letting Lesnar remain a special attraction
higher ups seems to want. It’s not quite
has made his appearances feel really
as set in stone as The Rock’s eventual
special, and despite his excellent heel
comeback, but I refuse to believe we
work, getting to see the man slowly fall
live in a world where Brock is under
back in love with the art of pro wrestling
contract for the near future and doesn’t
has made him something of a fan
cross paths with the leader of the Yes!
favorite.
Movement.
We took to Twitter to ask fans what
This one might be a bit of a dark
matches we want to see Brock wrestle.
horse, but I’m DYING to see Brock
We compiled the list and have divided
mix it up with Randy Orton (aka
the prospective proponents into groups
#DAGAWDRANDYORTON) and depending
based on the likelihood of these dream
on what happens with Roman Reigns
The Wishful Thinkings In a perfect world, the opponents lined up for Brock won’t just be based on marquee booking possibilities, but on pure in-ring entertainment as well. With Brock’s special standing, used primarily on big PPVs, he’ll most likely only be engaging in Big Fish feuds, but imagine a world where he occasionally gets to mix it up on Raw. You wouldn’t want to do it more than a few times, otherwise you’d waste the prestige of him being
>
BROCK LESNAR a unique attraction. Let’s say we could
Anyone who saw Zayn lose the NXT
occasionally throw him at the end of a
Title at Takeover can imagine how much
special Raw or two.
sympathy he could elicit from the crowd taking all of those german suplexes.
Can you imagine Lesnar going ten minutes of TV time with Luke Harper,
The Long Shots
one of the best big men workers in the world right now? Or having a Hoss
This is strictly Hail Mary territory, but
Apocalypse with Sheamus? Hell, I’d even
what if Stone Cold Steve Austin came
like to see him get in there with The
back for One More Match at WrestleMania
Big Guy Ryback, assuming Mr. Reeves
and had it against the kid he refused to
doesn’t accidentally injure Vince’s meal
put over in a King of The Ring qualifying
ticket or anything. Don’t even get me
match back in 2002? Austin didn’t want
started on Cesaro. In a better timeline,
to burn what could be a serious money
he’d be in the upper tier of guys who
match off on Monday Night Raw back
could potentially headline ‘Mania with
then, but in the ensuing 13 years, I can’t
Brock, but, with his current place in the
think of a headlining bout that would get
company, it doesn’t seem in the cards.
more asses in seats.
Still, Brock in the Giant Swing? Priceless. Hell, while we’re throwing pennies into
The Pipe Dreams
wishing wells, Kurt Angle still wants to end his career back home with the WWE.
Now, each contender on this quadrant
Who better to have a retirement match
of the list has a major contingency that
than the man he’s shared legitimate
would have to occur for their respective
classics with?
dream matches to come to fruition. And if he ever gets tired of living it up For Kevin Owens, all he’ll really have
in Hollywood, maybe Batista would like
to do is keep going full steam ahead at
a go at another wrestler turned MMA
the rate he’s been going since debuting
enthusiast.
in NXT, and maybe, just maybe, he’ll become a legitimate enough presence on
The sky is the limit and in the crazy
the main roster to warrant sharing a ring
world of professional wrestling, anything
with Brock before his new contract is up.
is possible. Hell, maybe we’ll finally get Punk/Lesnar II...
For Samoa Joe, he has to officially sign with the WWE as an active wrestler and not a Performance Center trainer, and then maybe make it to the main roster with a ferocious quickness. (This might also require Vince McMahon’s untimely demise) For Sami Zayn, much the same situation as his frienemy Owens, only Hell might also have to freeze over. If it did, though, expect the kind of underdog battle you’d get from Lesnar/Bryan but with an even steeper hill for the babyface to climb.
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ROBBIE E
WORDS: SHANE BAYLISS
I LIVE IN ROBBIE E WORLD AND I JUST AM...
ROBBIE E A
fer a couple of weeks of
How have you been? What you been up
feuding and ultimately
to today? Last few weeks we’ve been seeing you
being beaten by exgirlfriend and Amazing
about two hours usually.
Well I just got back from the gym.
clash with Brooke, what is the whole deal with that? Where is it coming from?
Race partner Brooke, Steelchair caught up with Robbie E, one
How many hours a day does a
half of the perma-tanned tag-team The
professional wrestler need to spend
BroMans, TNA’s selfie-stick wielding
down the gym?
Jersey Shore rip-offs.
And can we expect anymore from it? It’s coming from the fact that we were on the Amazing Race together, I think she’s
Depends on the week, but when I go
the reason we lost and she thinks I’m the
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V
reason we lost. The Amazing Race is a huge reality show seen all over the world, where the winners get a million dollars, and so it caused some tension between us that spilled over into the wrestling ring. I made a challenge which she excepted. But I’m pretty sure the feud is done because she beat me, and I’m not going to risk losing to her again. It was an embarrassment, it was a mistake by my partner Jesse drop-kicking me, but somehow she got the win and I am forever the dude that lost to a girl. That’s the end of that then? I’m not risking losing to a girl twice, once is enough. The last time we saw you on Impact was before the Ultimate X match that you decided to sit out and allow DJ Z to take your place. Was that a case of wanting to sit back and compose yourself, and reassess after losing to Brooke? The week after you lose to a girl, you kind of don’t want to show your face. There is also a bit of tension, because I feel like I lost because Jesse hit me with a drop-kick, that I didn’t ask him to try and do. So I’m a little ticked at him! I don’t know where my head was at, I just wasn’t in the mood that day, Z knows
he’s kind of in the same boat. I think
world title, and go back to singles. If
what he’s doing so I just thought “let’s
we need to have a BroMan meeting and
Kurt Angle is still champion, I’d certainly
take a break today.” So right now who
figure it all out.
like to give him a run for his money.
You have previously held both the TNA
Do you really think could beat Kurt
That’s interesting, because up until now
X-Division and TV titles in the past, in
Angle? Are you confident in your
you and Jesse have always seemed to
singles competition. Is that something
abilities to go up against the former
have a fairly good relationship. So with
you would explore again in the future,
Olympic Gold Medallist?
that tension there, what does the future
and hold another singles title alone? As
look like?
opposed to with Jesse.
really knows where the BroMans stand.
I am, we’ve been in the ring before and he got the best of me, but it’s a different
Yeah, I don’t know. I think we’re kind of
Being a former X Division, TV and two-
time now. I think Robbie E is ready to
at a stand-still right now, we don’t really
time Tag Team Champ, all I really need
break out and show that he’s more than
know what’s going to happen. I’m mad at
is the World Heavyweight Championship
just a BroMan and a guy with a selfie-
him! We don’t really know what the right
to complete the grand-slam and be
stick, because the fact is just because I
decision is for us, keep moving on as a
added to a short list of people that can
don’t show my wrestling skills doesn’t
team or go our separate ways and I think
say they’ve held every title in TNA. So
mean I don’t have them. Kurt Angles,
at some point, I do want to go after the
Bobby Roode, Austin Aries I could >
LIVE PHOTOS: TONY KNOX
ROBBIE E
certainly give them a run for their money.
independents for quite a while. Did you ever hold talks with other promotions? I know you did some advertising for the
Just to go back to the BroMans and the tag-team
WWE, but did you always have TNA in mind?
championships, if you and Jesse do make up, looking at the teams that you would be competing against. Do you really
Years ago when TNA was a national, I did some Xplosion
stand a chance against the likes of the Hardys, the Revolution
matches for them. TNA was always my favourite wrestling to
and the Wolves?
watch, and it is definitely where I wanted to be. So when I had my try out things went well, and the rest is history. I’m happy
We’ve beaten the Wolves before, the Revolution and Storm, we
where I’m at, I couldn’t be happier and I hope that I have a long
won our titles against Storm and Gunner at the biggest PPV of
healthy career with Impact.
the year in TNA Bound for Glory. As for the Hardys I’ve beaten Jeff by count-out and I’ve been in the ring numerous times with
We spoke to Lashley in the last issue, and he said that TNA
Matt. We’re two time tag champs, we won them at the biggest
has quite an open environment for creativity and input. Have
PPV for TNA and we won them a second time in Japan. People
you had much of that lately? You’ve had the feud with Brooke,
forget that me and Jesse can go in the ring, and I think we can
which I assume has come from the Amazing Race and your
hang in there with anyone.
personal relationship. Was that your idea, was it Brookes? How was that feud pitched to you?
Now onto your life and career outside of TNA. I’ve read the Rob Eckos character which was your name on the independent
I think me and Brooke being an item and then breaking up,
scene, you’ve said that that character and Robbie E are kind
I think it is a natural thing for us to bring it onto television.
of extensions of yourself, How extreme are those extensions?
I think it was entertaining when it happened, the match was
What are you like in reality?
entertaining, the feud was entertaining, and me and Brooke really dislike one-another so it worked perfect.
Everyone knows me for being funny and a jokester, and being in my own Robbie E world and a bit wacky. What you see is what
Is it weird wrestling a girl? TNA compared to WWE seems
you get! Obviously it’s tuned up a little bit but that’s just who I
very liberal, in that there isn’t such a distinct and clear line
am. I’d say 70-75% of what you see on television is the real me.
between the male and female superstars. Is it strange taking on a girl?
When you came to TNA, you’d been competing in the
VIP
V
In normal circumstance it would be, it’s
the guys in the locker room were nice
Winning a title anywhere, shows that
not like a regular thing I do. But granted
and respectful, put together by top
you are the best where you are at. So
there was such a bitter war between us
not promoters, so my experience was
it’s always great to win a title! Nothing
I just wanted to embarrass her. I wasn’t
wonderful. As for how big the fan base is
is equivalent to winning the titles I have
going to punch her or hit or anything, I
there, I don’t know. But this show had a
in TNA, nothing beats winning a title on
just wanted to pin her one, two, three.
nice crowd, and a good following.
a major platform like Impact wrestling,
But it didn’t go my way, and I ended up looking like the idiot.
that’s where it really matters. What was the in-ring talent like? I can’t think of many wrestlers that have come
Do you literally get given the title? And
out of Australia.
take it home with you?
allows you, having the regular Impact
They were all good guys, they were in
When I was the tag champion, I had to
shows and then a couple of weeks on
shape and stuff. Young and up and
travel with that title everywhere.
the road doing the independent scene?
coming with a lot to learn, but there were
You were over in the UK this weekend. Do you enjoy the mix that the TNA
some guys and gals with potential. I’ve
With regard to your wrestling style, are
Yeah, it’s fun! You get a chance to get
been to some place where people had no
there any wrestlers that you would say
close to the fans, and have conversations
business being in professional wrestling,
influenced the way you do things?
with them. This last weekend in the UK
but these guys weren’t like that.
was no different, I don’t get to get over
I don’t really follow anyone, as far as an
there much so the fans were happy I
Looking at your early career, I came
influence for my style. I just kind of am
think to see me. Of course I put on a
across something about you winning the
my own person, I live in Robbie E world
hell of a show, as I always do. But it was
SSCW World Heavyweight Title against
and I just am Robbie E!
cool to interact on that level, where you
The Sandman, who is a wrestler that
have the time to meet with fans. I got to
I always admired. What was that like?
do a training seminar with fans before
And what was it like winning a World
the show to help inspire some of the
Heavyweight Title?
younger wrestlers. You’re going way, way, way back. SSCW You were over in the UK on the Impact
was a short lived New Jersey based
tour back at the end of January, how
promotions, but young as I was being
were the British TNA fans?
able to get in the ring with some with a following like the Sandman was super
I think it’s great, I think it’s one of the
cool for me. I remember taking his cane
most exciting times of the year for the
from him, and making him bleed caning
TNA roster. We all wear our best gear
the crap out of him. It’s a memory I’ll
and hit the gym hard to prepare, the
have with me forever! Good times, that
shows we produce for television in the
was when I was a young Robbie E and I
UK, the crowds and the energy are great.
still had a lot to learn.
We love coming over there! Did you have a couple of beers with him You were over in Australia for an
afterwards?
Outback Championship Wrestling show, what was that like? Australia doesn’t
No, after I caned the crap out of him the
really come across as though it would
last thing I wanted to do was hang out
have much of wrestling scene.
with him.
It was actually my first time going to
What is it like winning a title on the
Australia so I was super pumped, to
independent promotions, because you
go there. Melbourne in general, it’s a
could hold so many different titles how
great city. So much cool fun stuff, I
does that all work? How does it work
had a blast. As for the show, the show
logistically?
was great. It was well organised, all
EXTREME RULES
WORDS: ADAM KINGHORN
SUPER EARLY WWE EXTREME RULES PREDICTIONS
N
ow that an incredible
is guessing who will play cheerleader for
The feud between brothers Goldust
WrestleMania is in the
the match.
and Stardust disappeared before
history books, the WWE
Wrestlemaina, and I’m not actually
gets Extreme. As for the
Match; WWE Tag Team Title Match -
sure why, anyway, it is an easy build for
previous prediction article
Cesaro & Kidd vs New Day - Tables Match
the always dependable WWE creative
Winners; Cesaro & Kidd
team to pick this back up just in time
that was in the First Ever edition of the superb (if I do say so myself) SteelChair
for Extreme Rules. These two would be
magazine, the predictions weren’t a
Next up is a match that needs to happen,
at home in a weird episode of Batman:
million miles away in terms of match-
and with the way Raw and Smackdown
The Animated Series, throwing gold star
ups, results and outcomes from the
panned out for these two, it looks like the
stickers at each other and coughing or
‘Show of Shows’, so, here we go again!
WWE Universe are going to be treated
whatever they do. In all honesty though,
to it. Its the Miz vs Mizdow! Mizdow is
they are fun characters to have in the
The Tag Team title match on the pre-show
arguably the hottest star at the minute,
WWE nowadays as there is a dwindling
of WrestleMania was a bit of a mess,
he took a gimmick that some others
scene of gimmicks. Stardust plays the
but it was fun at least, essentially, it was
wouldn’t have pulled off and just ran with
crowd particularity well, as they enjoy
spot after spot after spot, and no one,
it, made it hilarious and then made it
chanting his real name at him, and I’m
especially JBL as he kept mentioning,
even better. I’m not going to mention that
going to continue with my prediction
knew who was the legal man except for
result of the Battle Royale, but it hasn’t
from WrestleMania (as it obviously
the ref who apparently has the best
seemed to ruin or slow down the Mizdow
didn’t happen) of saying that a gimmick
memory in all of sports entertainment.
character. This could end up being a
vs career match will happen between
Anyway, Extreme Rules + Tag Titles =
vicious street fight as things between
these two - but I don’t think it will be yet,
Table Match. I hope, because who doesn’t
these two are rapidly heating up, Miz
perhaps hold out until Summerslam? The
love someone being smashed through
plays the arrogant angry self obsessed
rumours are that Goldust is wanting to
a table. So, the most over team in the
heel (basically himself) to perfection, and
take a backstage step to the development
WWE at the moment, Cesaro & Kidd will
I wonder how the Mizdow character is
part of WWE, and playing on the ‘Cody’
obviously be in the match, as they hold
going to develop after this feud. I would
chants is an obviously albeit enjoyable
the titles. As for their opponents, it would
love to see him beat The Miz and grab a
step that Creative should take.
be an awesome match between The
mic and say, ‘Your Welcome!’. This is one
Match; Extreme Rules Match - Goldust vs
Lucha Dragos and ‘The Masters of the
of the most exciting feuds in the WWE
Stardust
WWE Universe’ (still a hilarious name).
at the moment, and Mizdow’s victory at
Winner; Goldust
However, with the Uso’s seemingly out of
Extreme Rules is going to catapult him
the picture with an injury to which ever
into stardom.
The Intercontinental Championship
one is injured, The New Day will face
has more or less been given its rightful
up against the champs. The New Day
prestige back as it sits around the waist
haven’t got over with the crowds at all,
Match; Miz vs Mizdow - Extreme Rules
of the most popular superstar in the
and the stable is in danger of damaging
Match
world at this moment, Daniel Bryan. Now
the ‘careers’ of these three Superstars. I
Winner; Mizdow transforming into
the champion needs to have a decent
think that 3MB were more over than these
Sandow
run with the title, as too many previous
three. The most exciting thing about them
Champions were made to look weak
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with multiple non-title losses, usually
can’t see it going back to Rusev straight
WrestleMania was pretty good, but that
at the hands of non-contenders for the
away. Also, I love that it looks like Cena
ending, well that ending was outstanding.
titles - Bad News Barrett vs Sin Cara?! It
will be defending the title a lot. Beating
Rollins sold that RKO incredibly and it
is fantastic to see that Bryan is already
Ambrose is a fantastic match on Raw is a
proved that Orton is one of the best in
defending it, against Ziggler on Monday
great way to make the US title important.
the business. For some reason, Rollins
in a great match. Hopefully this continues
Ambrose’s reaction to losing also added
being thrown in the air like that reminded
as title defences add to its importance.
to the feeling that the US title is again
me of him doing a standing moonsault
The ladder match at WrestleMania was
important. I can see Cena holding onto
off a fat man back around 2005. (if you
one of the highlights, and as Dean
the title in a brutal match, in which Cena
haven’t seen it, YouTube it). Also, Ortons
Ambrose seems to be heading away
will have to do something ridiculously
attire was a huge talking point on the
from the Intercontinental scene and
dangerous in order for Rusev to maintain
Twitters. He had about 47 pads on and
going mental and Stardust should be in
his dominant presence in defeat.
it looked like someone had unlocked his
a programme with his brother, its going
Match; US Title Match - Last Man
alternate attire on the WWE video game.
to be another multiple man match for the
Standing - Cena vs Rusev
Anyway, this is going to be awesome. Two
IC Title. Bryan, Ziggler, BNB all definite,
Winner; Cena by doing something mental.
of the best in the business going at it, I
perhaps the big man Luke Harper with
was going to predict in a cage, but I have
his disgusting vest and also Sheamus
Next up is Ambrose vs Reigns. Yeah you
a feeling that this match is going to end
who looks like a combination of Zoidberg
read that correctly. Technically, they are
a no contest as a result of a destructive
and a fucking Rooster. Hilarious hair.
both faces at the moment. Although
Beast by the name of Brrrroocccckkkkk
R-Truth can just go away. So a 5-man
you wouldn’t guess that from the
Lesssnnaarrr. Lesnar to appear through
field the question now is what match
reception that Reigns is receiving. The
the crowd and destroy these two leaving
style? Hell in a Cell would be epic but I
crowd actually cheered for Kane and Big
them both helpless. That F-5 on Micheal
have an feeling, and a rumour source that
Show instead of Reigns?! Anyway, the
Cole was the best thing I have ever seen
says this is going to be a traditional TLC
reactions from his loses recently, mean
by the way, even funnier than the famous
match, which would still be awesome. As
that Ambrose could to be heading in an
F-5 on the Shark. It turned Brock into
I said earlier the IC Title has its prestige
explosion of rage. What better way to
the biggest face ever, and it look like Cole
back and is being used correctly again.
do this than ‘turning’ on his old shield
ate the canvas hard much to a rapturous
Match; Intercontinental Championship
partner in a tag match. Technically this
ovation from the crowd. If Lesnar doesn’t
- TLC Match - Daniel Bryan vs Ziggler
would make him a Heel, but he’d be the
appear, expect Rollins to go over in a
vs Bad News Barrett vs Luke Harper vs
most popular Heel ever if he beat up
sneaky fashion, (enter J&J Security).
Sheamus
Reigns. The reason why I think Ambrose
Rollins can and will play the role of the
will ‘turn heel’ is that WWE seem
greasy slippery heel champion and in the
adamant at shoving the new Superman
era of crowds cheering heels and booing
Reigns down our throats. A heel Ambrose
babyfaces, the WWE Universe will love it.
There are two matches that are pretty
(who would be as popular as a face)
Match; WWE World Heavyweight
much confirmed for Extreme Rules;
would compliment his character and
Championship Match - Seth Rollins vs
firstly Rusev vs Cena - and I’m predicting
mannerisms so well, and facing off
Randy Orton - Extreme Rules Match
a last man standing match. These two
against Regins would be a great match
Winner; Rollins, if Brock Lesnar doesn’t
had the most contrasting entrances ever
between two of the best young stars
show up.
at WrestleMania . Rusev came out on a
today. Face and Heel don’t really matter
fucking Tank! A Tank! And he had a whole
anymore do they, the WWE Universe
Extreme Rules has the difficult task of
army with him. Meanwhile, John Cena
literally does what it wants.
coming after one of the best recent
had a towel. Anyway, this one is a difficult
Match; Dean Ambrose vs Roman Reigns -
WrestleMania s, however, with some of
one to judge. Much like the IC Title, the
Street Fight
the potential match ups, the positioning
US Title is again now relevant as its in the
Winner; Reigns (boo)
of the titles and of course the Extreme
Winner; Bryan to hold onto the belt.
hands of John Cena. John Cena holding
Rules in the matches, this could be a
a mid-card title. So keeping it on him
The main event looks like its going to
fun, explosive and violent PPV. We love
for a while will make the Championship
be Rollins defending his newly won title
violence don’t we!
seem more important, which is why I
against Randy Orton. Their match at
PHOTO: ANTON JACKSON
GIVE DIVAS A CHANCE
18 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
WORDS: NICHOLAS TASCA
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GIVE DIVAS A CHANCE #GiveDivasAChance is the opportunity so many women wrestlers have been seeking to make an impact. The Twitter movement started on February 23rd quickly caught fire thanks to the avid fanbase of womens wrestling. It’s no secret that the Diva’s have struggled to find screen time recently. In recent years the Divas have been placed on the back burner, with only one or two Divas being relevant during the weekly broadcasts of Raw and Smackdown. This in turn has led to dwindling in-ring time for the majority of the Divas, with most of their exposure stemming from E! Network’s hit show Total Divas. Despite the opinion of some “hardcore” fans, the division is far more than a group of reality tv stars: Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Natalya, Paige and Naomi (to name a few) are all skilled ring-workers. There may be the limited Divas on the main roster that need some fine-tuning, but those women and the women listed above each have something unique to bring to the company. What matters to most of the fans is storytelling, match quality and ring time. Often, these three accompany each other: it’s tough to tell a story without a good match, and it’s tough to deliver a good match without ring time. Therein lies the problem with the Divas. It’s not that they can’t
deliver a good match, or they don’t know how to tell a story - they’re simply not permitted to do so.
on the card is usually cut because of segments that go over their allotted time earlier in the night.
One week after the #GiveDivasAChance movement took fire, The Bella Twins gave a “Mean Girls” speech on Smackdown that fit their image all too well, hyping themselves as the queen bee’s of the Diva’s division, and defining what this movement means with one simple sentence: “It’s not give AJ a chance it’s give DIVA’S a chance.” Though their popularity with hardcore fans is debatable, the Bella Twins spoke the truth, and elicited a passionate response from the crowd. It appeared that Vince McMahon’s tweet telling fans he “heard them” was true, and the Diva’s were on to bigger and better things.
Fortunately for the Divas, they have definitely been getting their chance. They’ve been given more time consistently the past month, and have been putting on better matches as a result. The WrestleMania match between The Bella’s, AJ and Paige may have only been seven minutes long, but it showcased each Diva and their talents. Further interaction between women took place later on in the show, as The Authority faced off with The Rock and Ronda Rousey in a 24 minute promo that entertained the crowd immensely. Rumors are now swirling that Rousey will face Stephanie McMahon next year at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas, surely putting a smile on the faces of fans.
Unfortunately (and as always), not everything is what it seems in the WWE. It was announced recently that The Bellas will face Paige and AJ Lee in a tag team match. Not only will the title not be on the line (even though a Fatal Four Way match between these talented women could deliver in a big way), this tag team match will most likely be thrown on right before the main event in the dreaded “number seven” spot. As Brie Bella mentioned on the “Wedding Mania” episode of Total Divas, the “number seven” spot
Where the Diva’s go from here will be an interesting path to follow these coming weeks. The sudden (and unfortunate) retirement of AJ Lee may seem like a hit to the Diva’s division, but the wound won’t be so bad if it paves way to a fresher face (like Sasha Banks or Charlotte of NXT) stepping into the spotlight. The company has heard our voices and listened: Divas are finally being given a chance.
RING OF HONOR
WORDS: ANTON JACKSON
ROH 13TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW MATT SYDAL vs. CEDRIC ALEXANDER
This is exactly what you have in mind for an opener: fast-paced, highenergy, a bunch of cool moves and a lively crowd. There’s no story or grudge between Sydal and Alexander. Just a showy opener to get the show rolling. Solid stuff. ***1/2 out *****
MOOSE vs. MARK BRISCOE
RoH has booked Moose as its “Next Big Badass.” He’s got the look and he’s got the presence, since his moveset’s limited. How do you try and establish a relative newbie as a legitimate threat? Have him take out an experienced supporting player. Enter Mark Briscoe. Charm, charisma, talent and unique look - all rolled into one. Even a new viewer to RoH would be able to pick up on Briscoe’s traits. Fortunately for Moose, Briscoe makes him look good here. A short, highimpact match the ends with Moose going over with a spear. *** out of ***** 3-WAY TAG: THE KINGDOM (Taven/Bennett) vs. THE ADDICTION (Daniels/Kazarian) vs. BULLET CLUB (Anderson)
A few hours before the show, Luke Gallows posted a video saying that he was stuck at the airport due to a canceled flight. “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson took the mic before the match, proclaiming he didn’t need a partner before getting jumped by
everyone. Pretty fast-paced, crowd-pleasing fare in this match. Daniels & Kazarian have so much experience, everything they do looks natural and off-thecuff. Anderson makes the best of his situation with commendable gusto. Bennett & Taven get better with each match they have. Both men already have a ton of chemistry, but its starting to show more in their in-ring work these days. Maria’s presence was sorely missed, though. The Kingdom goes over with a spike piledriver. ***1/2 out of *****
BJ WHITMER vs. RODERICK STRONG
This is a strange set-up. It’s the story of two members of The Decade lashing out at each other, leading to a grudge match. Another page from the Pro Wrestling Stable 101 Playbook. While Whitmer is ultimately the heel in this scenario, there’s not much to invest in Strong with this storyline, unfortunately. Roderick Strong is doing far more interesting work as the current PWG World Champion, so the interest isn’t that great here. BJ Whitmer was always an adequate worker, but he never quite had that spark like other ROH performers. Maybe during the RoH/CZW feud, but not in 2015. Regardless, both men have a decent contest that see Strong go over. *** out of *****
MARIA KANELLIS w/ Mike Bennett vs. O.D.B. w/ Mark Briscoe
This was fun. More about spots than wrestling, but it works in this case. In true heel fashion, Maria tries to get out of the match claiming she’s pregnant. It turns out to be a ruse and all hell breaks loose. The miscommunications between Maria and Mike Bennett elicit laughs, the parallel beatdowns in-and-out of the ring are welcome, the crowd’s constantly engaged, and Steve Corino has some choice lines over commentary. “Don’t hit her in the stomach, she’s pregnant!” A notable Doomsday Device spot between ODB, Mark Briscoe and Mike Bennett might be the biggest highlight. ODB goes over, recovers the “Title of Love.” *** out of *****
ACH vs. AJ STYLES
This was an interesting pairing, to say the least. ACH is known for his deathdefying acrobats and spots more than his wrestling acumen, but he adjusts his style to work with IWGP Champion AJ Styles. Between the crazy spots, there’s some sound psychology and chemistry with Styles and ACH. Styles takes advantage of ACH’s knee to eventually go over with the Styles Clash, but not before treating the Las Vegas crowd to one of the better wrestling matches on the card. Kudos. **** out of *****
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(c)
If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought this was the main event from the Las Vegas crowd reaction. This is another match in their long-standing feud - and it’s just as entertaining as the previous entries. Expect the usual Superkicks, reversals, double teams, high-risk moves and attitude you’d expect from both teams. There’s really not much to say here, except that both of teams are just plain awesome. reDRagon retain their titles for another day. ****1/2 out of ***** ROH WORLD TV CHAMPIONSHIP ALBERTO EL PATRON vs. JAY LETHAL (c) w/ Truth Martini
Solid title match. Alberto El Patron has made the most of his post-WWE appearances. He’s injected a fair amount of excitement into the RoH, in terms of potential feuds. Pairing him with Lethal not only provides a fresh rivalry, but it allows Lethal to step up his game. Jay Lethal’s inflates his heel persona to look like an equal to Alberto El Patron. El Patron works the arm of Lethal throughout, but cleverly uses this to his advantage with a fake-out Lethal Injection. ***1/2 out of ***** SAMOA JOE COMES HOME
Oh, Joe. After languishing in TNA, Joe
returns to the house that he built. Joe challenges for the RoH World Title and that’s all you need to know. Short and sweet segment. FOUR-CORNER SURVIVOR MATCH for ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HANSON vs. MICHAEL ELGIN vs. TOMASSO CIAMPA vs. JAY BRISCOE (c)
Briscoe walks in as champion, having been more than 2 years since anyone has defeated him - a worthy statistic. A match like this calls for a ton of spots, since Hanson, Elgin, Ciampa and Briscoe bring their own unique traits into this four-way. Elgin’s piledriver to Briscoe through a table is particularly brutal, as is Elgin’s Razor’s Edge to Ciampa into the barricade. Hell, even referee Todd Sinclair takes a gnarly bump from the apron to the floor. The drama revolves around the lack of an official, with referee Sinclair being taken outfairly early in the match. While Ciampa and Hanson seem to spend more time on the outside, Elgin plays up the desperation card to pretty good effect here. Elgin’s constantly doing what he can to be the last man standing tall with the title, including putting Briscoe away with a con-chair-to. In the end, Briscoe retains by fluke and sets up his title defense with Samoa Joe at Supercard of Honor IX. That’s pretty much what the entire match builds to and it works fairly well. ***1/2 out of *****
ROH 13TH ANNIVERSARY
ROH TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP THE YOUNG BUCKS vs. REDRAGON
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FOZZY LIVE
PHOTO: OLLY HANKS
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LUCHA UNDERGROUND
WORDS: ALAN BOON
LUCHA UNDERGROUND 08/04/15 H
ey, it’s Lucha
This was very spotty, as you’d expect, and
his match in Mexico last year, and has
Underground! It’s gone
suffered a little for that. Still, I’ve seen
wrestled a few times here without it,
trios crazy!
worse. This week.
which really shouldn’t happen. So think of this as simply putting the universe
The show started with a
Backstage, Prince Puma was training and
straight…
re-cap of the recent storylines featuring
was interrupted by Konnan. Konnan said
Ivelisse & Son of Havoc, Sexy Star
he’d found Puma a partner – Hernandez
I guess I gave away the winner there,
& Pentagón Jr, and Prince Puma &
– which Puma didn’t seem to like. It’s
didn’t I? Yeah, Super Fly lost, when Sexy
Hernandez. So that’s your line-up for
weird, because Hernandez has done
Star pinned him with a roll-up of all
tonight.
nothing wrong to Puma yet, so he’s
things. It wasn’t a great match, truth
acting like a jealous child.
be told. Functional. After the match,
In Dario Cueto’s office, Konnan and
he offered his mask to Sexy Star, who
Prince Puma were told by Cueto that
Johnny Mundo appeared and said that
reluctantly took it, and we all got a good
they should find two partners for the
Puma had already found a partner, so I
look at Super Fly – he’s one of the rare
trios tournament. They would face King
guess that’s their trio. He said he’d have
luchadores who looks better without his
Cuerno next week, and he’d already got
Puma’s back in the main event tonight.
mask so he’ll be okay.
The announcers told us that this match
Suddenly, Pentagón Jr appeared, and
Also, Prince Puma would be facing King
had been made for reasons. I’m really not
knocked Sexy Star out of the ring and
Cuerno tonight. And it would be for the
sure why. Does it matter?
then broke Super Fly’s arm. Sexy Star
his partners.
Lucha Underground title. Sweet.
stopped him from doing it last week so Dario Cueto leaned out of his office and
payback’s a bitch. I suspect this isn’t
Hey, it’s Melissa Santos! She introduced
told them that he wanted a fight tonight,
over… Pentagón Jr rules so hard.
the team of Angélico, Ivelisse & Son of
and that because they were friends he’d
Havoc – and then Drago, Fénix & Aero
have to add something to the mix. He
Prince Puma came to the ring with
Star – for the opening trios tournament
made it a máscara contra máscara match
Hernandez & Johnny Mundo, and wearing
bout.
– loser has to unmask – and they both
a puma skin as a headdress.
lost their shit. The story of this match was partners not
King Cuerno then came out, wearing
getting along. Drago and Aero Star, torn
Now here’s a thing: luchas apuestas, as
his deer skin headdress, and we waited
apart by their best-of-five series, bickered
these stipulation matches are known
for his partners to emerge. They soon
and came to blows, and cost their team
in Mexico, are usually pretty big deals.
appeared, and it was Texano & Cage! This
the match.
The loser often gets a HUGE pay-off to
is BIG TIME.
compensate for losing their mask or their Ivelisse wanted little to do with either
hair, and they come at the end of months
They locked up and King Cuerno caught
Angélico or Son of Havoc, and outright
of feuding.
Prince Puma in an armlock. They went
walked away when Havoc tried to make
back and forth, with Puma trying to
a tag. It didn’t matter, because he made
This was made just now, with no prior
his own save and got the win with a
tip-off, and thus is contrary to luchas
shooting star press.
apuestas tradition. BUT Super Fly lost
escape, but Cuerno kept it on. Puma launched into some kicks but
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Cuerno rolled out of the ring. He tried to come back in, but Puma kicked him out again and then hit a dive. Unfortunately, he was caught by Cage and Texano, who threw him to that mat, and Cuerno hit a neckbreaker on the outside. Cuerno brought Puma back into the ring and hit some kicks, and stomps, and a clothesline in the corner. Cuerno distracted the referee and Texano & Cage attacked Puma. Puma fought back with a Superman Punch and a flurry of punches, and then threw Cuerno to the outside. Puma dived onto Cuerno and then Mundo hit a corkscrew onto Cage and Texano. Cage dragged Cuerno back into the ring and Hernandez told Puma to get back in, too. Puma botched a springboard into the ring but then hit a side slam for a nearfall. Puma missed a 450 splash, then Cuerno hit a series of German suplexes. Hernandez got up on the apron and clapped Cuerno round the ears, and Puma kicked him to set up the 630 splash. Puma seemed to scold Hernandez for his interference, and then hit the 630 for the win. After the match, Hernandez got in to celebrate with Puma, who wanted nothing of it. Jealous child. He eventually acquiesced into letting Hernandez raise his arm but they were attacked by Cage, and an all-out brawl ensued as the show went off the air. This was a Good Show. Not a great show, but a decent effort. Storylines are moving forward and we’ve got another big show next week. And it’s all moving towards Ultimo Lucha in a couple of months. Great stuff.
REGULAR REVIEWS ON STEELCHAIRMAG.COM APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 33
THE WORK HORSE
WORDS: RICHART HART
THE WORK HORSE Lee Hazell looks back at the first episode of WCW Monday Nitro
T
HE WORK HORSE
underused. The guys I call work horses. A
Cesaro. Kidd has a flashy, effective move-
Signs go up about
wrestler with strong workrate, a wrestler
set, strong fundamentals, and makes
workrate, people chant
who can work with just about anyone, and
most opponents look good, thanks to his
“this is wrestling,” and
a wrestler who - most crucially - knows
excellent selling.
endless smart-mark fans
how to make another wrestler look good.
talk on forums about hard working pros
It may be that these guys are unselfish
When he first came up to the main
who are used badly: “Why isn’t this guy
and unambitious, don’t have the right
roster, Kidd was part of the New Hart
getting a push?” “Why isn’t my guy given
look to make it big with the WWE, or
Foundation, alongside white-meat second
a fair chance?” But wrestling is a strange
are often simply not in the right place
generation worker David Hart Smith.
business, and sometimes being better
at the right time. Very occasionally, the
He did what he could, but they were
than another performer is actually worse
work horse can go all the way to the top,
often just fed to people, utilized to help
for your career than if he’s better than
but they’ll never be the darling of the
make other wrestlers look good. His next
you.
promotion the same way as the likes of
tag team with Justin Gabriel showed
Shawn Michaels, Batista or the greatest
promise, but was never really given a
Some of these guys are wrestlers who
politician in wrestling history, HHH.
chance.
get pigeonholed as indie journeyman,
A good example of the modern work
who trawl the lower leagues working with
horse is Tyson Kidd, finally earning some
In the end he swallowed his pride,
promotions and winning second string
traction
reinvented himself, and moved down to
gold. They’re rarely likely to trouble the
plying his
trade
NXT, where he had a strong run. He had
big leagues for very long.
on the
main
superb matches with Adrian Neville and
roster
once
Sami Zayn before earning his way back
in WWE,
Some of them are also those wrestlers
again in
his
to a role in the main roster. Part of that
who get stuck at “gate-keeper” level,
solid
tag
process was finding a new character as
used to put up-and-coming stars to the
team
with
the spoiled prima-donna of NXT which
test, but never given a run themselves.
has worked out well for him.
Occasionally these guys do get a push
Before Tyson Kidd there was the
or even a run as transitional champion
legendary Jerry Lynn. Lynn probably
themselves, but it’s usually short-lived.
would have been remembered as
It’s a comfortable career, and at the end of it they’ll likely have some respect backstage. Kane, The Big Show, Mark Henry, and Hardcore Holly have all been used in this role.
a journeyman indie wrestler if it wasn’t for Paul Heyman and his own incredible talents. Lynn had a series of matches with Rob Van Dam in ECW which captured the imagination of indie fans, and later earned
Then there are those that are unsung, underrated, and
him a spot with WWE. A packed roster and
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Hart again, always looking out for
fans. The work horse often gets
negligible impact and he would go
his next big thing while he had Hart
over. The work horse probably sells
on to become a solid supporting
in front of him. This seemed to be
some merch’, especially to hardcore
member of the Ring Of Honor and
Bret’s lot and perhaps that, as well
indie fans. The work horse will quite
TNA rosters, utilizing his strong
as the other tragedies that struck at
often get booked, even if not in
psychology and quality in-ring work
him, have left him quite bitter about
those lucrative top spots. The work
to make other wrestlers stand out.
the industry.
horse is one of those things that a
Lynn is universally well-liked and,
promoter will need but never love. Is
THE WORK HORSE
his own small size saw him make a
whilst he never made it really big
In the modern day, both CM Punk
it because there are a lot of them? Or
outside of ECW, he does have a good
and Daniel Bryan had runs where
is it because to be a top star in pro-
reputation at the end of his career.
their in-ring work was superb, they
wrestling you have to have that selfish
Which, in the wrestling business, is
were able to get over (and get other
streak to get yourself noticed in the
more remarkable than success.
people over), and both had runs as
crowd?
WWE champion. Bryan’s run was cut Being a work horse doesn’t mean
short by injury but you always got the
As long as workrate matters to
you can’t make it big with WWE. Bret
impression that WWE creative didn’t
fans, there will be a spot for the
Hart was probably one of the all-time
really want to push him. In Punk’s
work horse. There are some in the
great work horses. He was able to
case they gave him the title but kept
WWE who probably don’t want the
work strong matches with limited
him a firm second in the order of
wrestling to matter anymore. The
opponents, and his fierce, unselfish
importance behind the blue eyed
longest segment on this year’s
approach often elevated them above
boy John Cena, and sometimes even
WrestleMania was HHH and
their rightful standing. Hart had a
lower. Of course, even as a huge CM
Stephanie facing off against part-
strong grip of psychology and story-
Punk fan, I know he’s too much of a
time star The Rock and non-wrestler
telling, and he would often subtly
prima-donna to truly be considered a
Ronda Rousey. That was time that
alter his move-set to help tell a better
classic work horse.
could have allowed the Andre The
story and put his opponent over, even
Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s the
Giant Memorial Battle Royal or the
if Hart was due to win the match.
work horse was a bit less common.
Tag Team Championship match onto
Witness Bret’s work with Sean “1-2-3
In New York, the WWF was primarily
the pay-per-view, rather than the
Kid” Waltman, or his most famous
a brawling territory, where workrate
pre-show, but was simply used to put
match putting over another talent,
was less important than pure size.
over non-wrestlers in a non-wrestling
carrying a tired Davey Boy Smith to
Down south, actual wrestling was
segment.
one of the British Bulldog’s greatest
featured more, and the top guys were
ever matches at Summerslam ’92 at
mostly able to work. Even so, in the
If the WWE does move away even
Wembley Stadium.
WWF, guys like Arn Anderson, Tully
further from the in-ring product then
Blanchard, Rick Martel, and Curt
who will even need a work-horse
Although Hart did win five WWE
Hennig all had strong runs, good
then? And who would want to be
titles - back when that would be
careers, and have largely ended up
one then? And most crucially, who
an impressive achievement - Vince
with good reputations but none of
would want to be a wrestling fan
and creative never really got behind
them were ever truly given a run at
anymore? Because without guys like
him. He was often booked in mid-
the top. In some cases you think
Jerry Lynn – and Tyson Kidd, Curt
card feuds, put on half way through
perhaps they didn’t have what it took.
Hennig, Arn Anderson, Sami Zayn,
the show, or booked against limited
But Arn Anderson is one of the most
Dean Malenko, Bret Hart, and Daniel
opponents, whom he often made
underrated performers in wrestling
Bryan - wrestling simply wouldn’t be
look better than they had any right
history and Curt Hennig came within
wrestling anymore.
to. Hart was a second choice to Lex
a whisker and a Hogan political
Luger, who wasn’t getting over, and
stroke of winning the 1991 Royal
when it didn’t work out with Diesel,
Rumble.
for many of the same reasons, Vince shuffled the deck and went back to
The work horse gets respect of the
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