After tearing down the house four weeks in a row at The Edinburgh Fringe festival, ICW returned to its home in Glasgow this past week in an exciting show featuring several of the less prominently featured members on the ICW roster. ICW Spacebaws Episode II: Come As You Are also witnessed the débuts of Massimo, Magnus, Mickie James and the much anticipated Glasgow début of IRN JEW. Despite the show's undeniable status as a B show, excellent performances from Lewis Girvan, Stevie Boy, Kay Lee Ray as well as impressive performances from Aspen Faith, Massimo and Aaron Echo ensured that fans were treated to a compelling show that furthered several story lines on the road to Fear and Loathing VIII.
ICW Spacebaws: Come As You Are began with two men, one of them a former Zero G Champion, who haven't featured on ICW programming for almost a year.
Representing the Royal Family in Jersey, now 234th in line for the throne, Andrew Wilde is the first man to the ring wearing a a beige sports jacket and cravat. Boasting the longest Zero G title reign by anyone not named Noam Dar, Wilde makes his return after a near twelve month absence from the ICW ring. At Spacebaws, Wilde faced another man who has been absent from ICW for a while. The Scottish luchador, Solar, made his long awaited return in a match that threw together Solar's speed and high flying ability with Wilde's strength and power.
As the bell rings, Wilde gains the advantage in the initial stages before a hurricanrana sends Wilde to the outside. Upon returning to the ring, Wilde attempts a powerbomb but Solar reverses into a second hurricanrana that sends Wilde crashing to the mat. An attempted arm bar is blocked by Wilde before the blue blooded Wilde delivers a power slam.
After mocking the crowd some more, Wilde delivers an elbow to Solar which only appears to rejuvenate the high flyer. A drop kick sends Wilde to the outside before the referee blocks Solar from diving into the crowd- Andrew Wilde takes advantage with a fierce elbow strike unbalancing Solar. Before Wilde can mount any further offence, Solar delivers a drop kick to the knee to ground the much larger man. A neck breaker sends Wilde to the outside and this time Solar successfully connects with a tope con hilo into the crowd to ground Wilde. A look of disgust passes over Wilde's face, agitated by the mere presence of the peasants that surround him as he is rolled back into the ring.
Solar, after rolling Wilde back into the ring, walks straight into a devastating lariat followed by a powerbomb as Wilde emerges from the first contest victorious.
Winner: Andrew Wilde
As Wilde made his way backstage, doctors swarmed the ring in order to asses Solar after a fierce powerbomb. Thankfully, Solar was able to leave the ring on his own accord. As far as openers go, this was a solid match that established a fast pace that continued throughout. Personally, I'm surprised Andrew Wilde isn't a regular part of ICW shows as his over privileged, sanctimonious toff gimmick is a great contrast to the raucous, pissed up crowd.
DCT Backstage
Veronica Le Strange had the privilege of interviewing the international sex hero, DCT back stage. DCT announced he was excited to receive an opportunity at Stevie Boy's Zero G Championship in the night's main event and would bring the championship back to Polo Promotions. Jackie Polo, after brushing Le Strange aside, states that Stevie Boy has hurt the legacy of the Zero G title before proceeding to psych up DCT for his first title match in his ICW career.
Michael Chase vs Dave Conrad
Making his second appearance in ICW, Michael Chase makes his way to the ring as one of ICW's best young wrestlers on the roster. Although his tattoos resemble that of a CAW on WWE 2K15, Chase has the rare combination of raw speed and power which so often translates into success in the wrestling business. At Spacebaws Episode II, Michael Chase came up against a man who has temporarily jettisoned his tag team partner in The Gatecrashers to chase singles success.
As the match gets under way, a fired up Dave Conrad delivers a series of forearms to send Chase on the defensive immediately. Conrad, after delivering a series of knees to the gut, tosses Chase across the ring before a lariat keeps Chase down. After Michael Chase kicked out of a power slam, Dave Conrad looked to deliver a second power slam from the top rope- Chase, after taking a solid beating for five minutes, blocks the second power slam attempt sending Conrad crashing to the mat in the process. Michael Chase connected with a springboard splash to pick up his first ever victory in ICW.
Winner: Michael Chase
This was a rather peculiar match, a rarity in ICW. Dave Conrad beat Michael Chase up for the entirety of this match before Michael Chase connected with one move to pick up the victory. Perhaps inexperience played a part in the structuring of this match or maybe it was a simple lack of chemistry. Anyway, both performers have had and will have much better matches than this one.
Standing at over 6ft 4', weighing in excess of 250lbs, Massimo makes his ICW début entrance underscored by the dulcet tones of Pavarotti. His opponent, a fired up David "Yum Yum" Devlin , arrives looking like he has prepared for zumba class.
Devlin unloads a series of right hands to get the match under way but the blows make little impression on the much bigger man. Massimo retaliates with one stiff right hand that sends Devlin hurtling towards the turnbuckle. Massimo, after a few more shots, lifts Devlin to the top before Devlin lands a blow of his own to halt Massimo's intentions. Devlin connects with a missile drop kick before applying a figure four variation. Massimo, using his size advantage, reaches up and smashes Devlin in the face with a forearm blow to break the hold. Once on his feet, Massimo connects with a tilt a whirl slam before connecting with three clotheslines. After lining up the Brogue Kick, Massimo connects to pick up the victory in his ICW debut.
Winner: Massimo
After the match, members of the Toal family take their chances at trying to ground the debutant but Massimo tosses each one of them over the ropes. Lou King Sharpe, the latest recruit of the Toal Family, smashes a chair over Massimo's back to finally ground the big guy. Several more shots force Massimo to retreat up the ramp before signalling his intentions to return for Sharpe.
This was as close to squash match as you will ever see in ICW but it went a long way to establishing Massimo as a dominant force not to be reckoned with. Later in the night, it was announced Lou King Sharpe will be facing Massimo at Spacebaws Episode III.
Michael Chase Backstage
Michael Chase informs Le Strange that he came back to ICW to prove that he belongs here after suffering defeat in his first encounter against DCT. David Conrad, his defeated opponent, interrupts Chase and chalks up his victory to beginner's luck. Michael Chase questions the ability of Conrad to get the job done by himself no he has left his Gatecrasher ally before leaving.
After picking up a hard fought victory in a stellar contest against Lou King Sharpe last time out, the best young wrestler in the world, Lewis Girvan, faces a relative new-comer to ICW in Aspen Faith. As Girvan enters the ring, the best young wrestler in the world corrects Simon Cassady who incorrectly informed fans in attendance that Girvan was the self proclaimed best young wrestler in the world not just the best young wrestler in the world as he is.
After a fast paced exchange of holds, it is the best young wrestler in the world who gets the better of Faith early on as Girvan applies the bow and arrow submission hold. Faith rolls through into a pinning predicament before Girvan monkey flips Faith into the corner. Girvan and Faith continued to exhibit their impeccable chain wrestling skills before a dropkick sends Faith to the outside. Girvan misses with a baseball slide but managed to land on his feet- Faith and Girvan proceeded to brawl around ringside exchanging a series of chops.
Aspen Faith gains the upper hand before going up to the top rope- Girvan spikes the ropes sending Faith crashing to the mat before Girvan connects with a brain buster- kick out at 2. A back breaker by Lewis Girvan is followed up by the application of Japanese choke hold- Aspen Faith escapes with a couple of elbows to the stomach before connecting with a gut buster. Faith, sensing a chance of victory, delivers a double foot stomp to the back followed by an under hook face buster to the knee for a near fall. Faith connects with a jumping knee before a roll up attempt was reversed into the Peace Maker submission by Lewis Girvan to force Faith to submit.
Winner: Lewis Girvan
After exiting the ring, Lewis Girvan returned to declare his intentions of winning the Zero G title before stating he will be watching tonight's main event very closely. I, for one, am delighted that Girvan is seemingly receiving a Zero G title match in the near future as, for my money, Girvan has consistently proven himself to be one of the most entertaining performers in ICW.
The 55 vs IRN JEW
(Kid Fite & Magnus vs Colt Cabana & Grado)
Making their début in Glasgow, the team of IRN JEW who have hitherto wrestled exclusively in Edinburgh. After unsuccessfully challenging Polo Promotions last week for the ICW Tag Team Championships, IRN JEW looked to regain some momentum against a rejuvenated 55. With the addition of former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Magnus, the 55 entered the match arguably stronger than ever following Red Lightning's announcement that a strong business relationship exists between the Black Label and the 55.
Fuck TNA chants echo around The Garage despite the fact Magnus told TNA to fuck itself before a Colt Cabana/It's Yersel chant replaces the fuck TNA chant. Kid Fite and Colt Cabana get things under way- Cabana tags in Grado immediately much to the delight of the crowd. After soaking in the atmosphere, Grado dodges a knife edge chop by Kid Fite before doing his best Ric Flair impression. Kid Fite attempts to lock up but the chants of "Magnus, you're a wanker" only encourage Grado to mock Magnus instead of engaging with Fite before a distraction by James R Kennedy allows Kid Fite to connect with a series of chops.
A hip toss allows Grado to make the tag as Magnus takes it upon himself to tag himself in- Cabana grounds Magnus with a double leg take down before "toeing the balls" of Magnus. After wrenching Magnus' left arm, Cabana tags in Grado before another distraction by James R Kennedy allows Magnus to ground Grado with a spinebuster. Kid Fite, after making the tag, delivers a double foot stomp followed by a huge irish whip. Magnus distracts the referee whilst Kid Fite delivers several cheap shots. Kid Fite looks for the DOA brainbuster but Grado reverses into an R-Gra-Do as The Garage comes unglued!!
Grado and Kid Fite both make the tag as Magnus' return to the ring is greeted by chants of "shite Gladiator". Cabana, after going up top, misses with a double foot stomp but connects with a frogsplash before Kid Fite attempts an interference but is caught by the Ayrshire Dream elbow of Grado. Both members of the 55 roll to the outside to regroup while James R Kennedy enters the ring- Cabana sends Kennedy on a collision course with Grado's belly. A disagreement between Grado and Cabana ensues as Grado wishes to deliver the assisted Roll n Slice to James R Kennedy but Cabana suggests a double dive over the top rope. Grado's insistence wins through in the end as Cabana relents and propels Grado into the Roll n Slice but James R Kennedy gets out the way. Meanwhile, Magnus returned to the ring behind Cabana before delivering The Empire to pick up the victory.
Winner: The 55
An agitated Colt Cabana grabs the mic and articulates his frustrations with Grado's good time persona that has cost him over the past couple of weeks. Cabana, referencing Grado's title match with Drew Galloway on the 15th November, tells Grado it is time to get serious as he wont be there to hold his hand at the SECC. As the crowd chant "fuck him up, Grado", Cabana agrees and says he should fuck him up, him being Galloway. Cabana solemnly states that he does not think he can. At the top of the stage, Red Lightning, Jack Jester, Kid Fite, Magnus and James R Kennedy emerge as the audience drop in anticipation of what is to come. Cabana tells Grado he is giving him some tough love as Red Lightning and the 55 begin the beat down in the ring.
Red Lightning, whilst the 55 continue the mugging, reminisces about Grado's first ever shot at the ICW Heavyweight Championship three years ago in this very building against Red Lightning himself. Red Lightning states that he,too, doesn't believe Grado should be in the same ring as Galloway never mind beat him.
Owner of ICW, Mark Dallas emerges from the curtain before telling Red Lightning to shut the fuck up for the biggest pop of the night. Dallas informs Red Lightning that on the 20th September, at the next Spacebaws, he will have his first annual employee evaluation and if he can't justify his actions he will be fired. Angered by Dallas' comments, the 55 threaten Dallas but the owner of ICW brought back up in the form of Damo, the 340+ pound Irishman. Red Lightning, Jester, Fite, Magnus and Kennedy all flee the ring as Damo enters. Damo asks Dallas for a match against Jack Jester at the SECC which ICW's owner approves. On the 15th November, Damo will face ICW's king of hardcore, Jack Jester.
Colt Cabana walking out on Grado broke my heart. I haven't felt this betrayed by a character in wrestling since Seth Rollins turned his back on the Shield and even then that didn't cut as deep as this. Good job, ICW.
Solar Backstage
In a backstage interview with Veronica Le Strange, Solar lamented how he would only be remembered for being knocked out by Andrew Wilde at Spacebaws. Solar proceeded to challenge Andrew Wilde to a rematch at ICW's next show, Spacebaws episode III- A Weekend at Bernies II.
The Rodgers Brothers
Suited and booted, The Rodgers Brothers make their way to the ring to get a few things off their chest. Rory Rodgers states that The Rodgers Brothers have not been shown the respect they deserve before challenging Polo Promotions for a championship match on the 20th September show.
Dickie Divers, accompanied by Toal, makes his was way to the ring. Divers announced his intentions to return to the tag team division before declaring he is searching for a new partner. As Divers continued his announcement, The Rodgers Brothers blind sided Divers with a cheap shot. The Rodgers Brothers' beat down doesn't last long as Toal slides a chair to the aid of Divers as the Rodgers Brothers flee.
After impressing on début against his mentor Kid Fite, Aaron Echo returns to an ICW ring to face Kenny 'The Bollocks' Williams. As of late, Kenny Williams has experienced his fair share of turmoil; just last week, Lionheart deceived him and all the fans in attendance into thinking Lionheart had aggravated a life threatening neck injury to pick up the victory.
A fast paced exchange of holds is ended when Williams sends Echo to the outside with a dropkick- Williams attempts a baseball slide but missed before an irish whip sends Kenny Williams into the Glasgow crowd. After blocking Echo's attempted dive into the crowd, Williams connects with a spring board forearm off the barrier. Echo and Williams trade forearms on the apron before Echo lands a vertical suplex to send Williams back in the ring. Echo attempts a second suplex but Williams reverses with a kick to the gut.
Once again, Echo is sent to the outside- this time Williams connects with a tope suicida before rolling Echo back into the ring. A forearms smash allows Echo to gain the advantage with several uppercuts in the corner- a jumping knee knocks Echo off balance, an attempted Quiff Buster is reversed into the Echo of Silence swinging neck breaker by Aaron Echo- Williams kicks out at 2. Echo, driving home his advantage, delivers a pump handle slam into a powerbomb for another near fall before attempting a second which is reversed with a hurricanrana by Williams. Williams connects with the running knee to pick up the victory in a highly competitive match.
Winner: Kenny Williams
After complementing Echo for a fantastic match, Kenny Williams demanded that Lionheart explain his actions two weeks ago. Lionheart arrives to a chorus of boos before stating that he doesn't need to justify his actions. Kenny Williams lands a few blows before a superkick by Lionheart sends Williams crashing to the mat. Lionheart sets Williams up in the Styles Clash, the move that broke his neck, before Noam Dar rushes down to make the save as Lionheart flees.
In perhaps the most anticipated match of the night, one of the most talented wrestlers in the U.K. and member of the N.A.K., Kay Lee Ray, faced one of the most decorated women in professional wrestling, Mickie James. The former three time WWE Women's Champion, two time WWE Diva's Champion and three time TNA Knockout Champion received a warm welcome on her ICW debut.
Mickie James offers Kay Lee Ray a handshake before the match begins but Kay Lee Ray responded with a middle finger. Mickie James grounds Kay Lee Ray before the latest N.A.K recruit decides to spend some time on the outside to regroup. Upon returning to the ring, Mickie James delivers a hip toss as Kay Lee Ray once again returns to the outside. After getting into an argument with a fan, Kay Lee Ray returns to the ring as Mickie James begins work on the arm. Kay Lee Ray reverses into a arm bar of her own before James grounds Kay Lee with a snapmare- Kay Lee reverses with a head scissors before Mickie James escapes with a headstand. Kay Lee Ray applies a chin lock before Mickie James grabs Kay Lee Ray in the vagina before paying homage to perhaps one of the greatest Wrestlemania moments of all time. Kay Lee Ray, though, is not amused and delivers a neck breaker to Mickie James with the assistance of the ropes.
After rolling James back into the ring, Kay Lee Ray delivers a series of stomps followed by a missile drop kick from the top rope. After flipping off the crowd, Kay Lee Ray locks in a knee bar which is reversed by Mickie James into a knee bar of her own. Kay Lee Ray slaps her way out of the hold before delivering a face first buster for a near fall. Kay Lee Ray ascends the ropes only to be puled down by James with a hurricanrana. James follows up with three clotheslines followed by a flapjack- James this time climbs the ropes before connecting with a thesz press- Kay Lee kicks out at 2. After both women reverse their opponents finisher, Mickie James applies another knee bar- eventually, Kay Lee Ray reaches the ropes but James drives home her advantage with a neck breaker on the ramp. After returning to the ring, Mickie James attempts another thesz press from the top rope but misses this time- Kay Lee Ray takes advantage of James' imbalance with a roll up assisted by the ropes to advance to the semi finals of ICW's tournament to crown the first ever ICW Women's Championship.
Winner: Kay Lee Ray
I thought this was the best match of the tournament so far. Kay Lee Ray proved once again what a fantastic worker she is and Mickie James received an ovation from everyone in the building. So, the quarter finals are complete; Nikki Storm, Layla Rose, Viper and Kay Lee Ray complete the line up for the semi finals of the tournament to determine who will be the first ever ICW Women's Champion crowned on the 15th November at the SECC.
ICW Zero G Title on the line
The international sex hero, DCT, makes his way to the ring accompanied by Coach, polo mallet in hand, for the biggest night of his career- this is DCT's first ever singles championship opportunity in ICW. At Spacebaws Episode II, DCT faced a man who has drawn the ire of the crowd in recent months. Since turning his back on the Bucky Boys and joining the N.A.K., many have considered Stevie Boy to be a weak champion who does all he can to avoid defending his championship. Tonight, Stevie Boy walks alone to the ring.
Duelling chants of Polo Promotions and N.A.K. reverberate around the arena as Stevie Boy and DCT lock up for the first time. A slap by Stevie Boy is returned by DCT before Stevie Boy, taking a leaf out of Kay Lee Ray's book, heads to the outside to reconfigure his tactics. After having a drink of water, Stevie Boy re-enters the ring before spraying the water in DCT's face. A spinning elbow sends Stevie Boy to the outside again- this time DCT follows him to the outside but it is Stevie who gains the advantage by tossing the international sex hero into the crowd. DCT regains the advantage with a headbutt before dragging Stevie Boy to the toilets- DCT uses a mop to ground Stevie Boy before Stevie Boy tosses a bin at DCT. After tossing Stevie Boy into the barrier, DCT connects with a double axe handle from the ring apron before rolling the Zero G champion back into the ring. A pouncing neck breaker buys Stevie Boy some valuable time to recover after a series of shots in the corner- Stevie Boy begins the methodical dissecting of DCT in a manner synonymous with any N.A.K. member.
Lewis Girvan, after stating his intentions earlier, heads out to the top of the ramp to watch the match. DCT takes advantage of a distracted Stevie Boy by delivering three consecutive scoop slams. An attempted penalty kick is dodged by Stevie Boy before DCT connects with a shining wizard before locking in the Tash-Mission submission. Stevie Boy breaks free before delivering a superkick followed up by a fisherman buster- a beautiful spinning moonsault by Stevie Boy misses as chants of o o o o o o o encourage DCT to his feet. Both competitors collide with the referee to incapacitate him- Stevie Boy, sensing his opportunity, grabs the polo mallet but DCT connects with a low blow before delivering a shot of his own with the polo mallet- Stevie Boy kicks out at 2. Meanwhile, Lewis Girvan has acquired the Zero G Championship which rests on his shoulder as an attempted Devil's Halo is reversed by DCT before DCT sends a message to Bram with an Impaler ddt- somehow, Stevie Boy manages to get his foot on the ropes to break the three count. After an attempted back slide, Stevie Boy successfully connects with the Devil's Halo to pick up the victory and retain his Zero G Championship.
Winner: Stevie Boy
The second half of ICW Spacebaws Episode III was much better than the first but that was inevitable considering the talent on the second half of the show. Still, the excellent debut of Massimo and an entertaining match between Lewis Girvan and Aspen Faith provided confirmation that even without Galloway, Grado, Jester, Damo and Dar wrestling they are still capable of putting on a highly enjoyable show without their premier talent.
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