RAW Review 07/09

Monday Night Raw-llins emanated live from Baltimore, MD, in a show comprised mostly as filler primarily designed to set up next week's Night of Champions big go home show, and "season premier", that features two championship matches. This week's episode featured a solid match between Paige and Sasha Banks, another unapologetic squashing of The Ascension, a TMZ style expose of Lana/Ziggler/Summer Rae's angle, Sting playing a babyface version of the Joker from the Dark Night as well as the 145372nd match between Randy Orton and Sheamus. Jean Paul Sartre once said that Hell is other people. I, however, would have to disagree and say that Hell is Randy Orton vs Sheamus. On repeat. Until the END OF TIME. So, kind of like this.

My personal highlight came when Big E ate a kazoo. That's right. On this wrestling show the most entertaining segment was a 300 pound black man eating a woodwind instrument. I don't know if that is a damming indictment of the state of RAW or testament to how entertaining the New Day are.

Anyway, we begin with a man featured heavily on this week's programme

The Trials and Tribulations of Seth Rollins

This was not a show for fans who dislike Seth Rollins.

On Monday night, Rollins was the most prominent character. And rightly so, Rollins has carried WWE for in excess of 12 months in the absence of major stars and in the process has become one.

As ever, Monday night began with one of Seth's filibustering specials as he implied the premise of this whole Sting rivalry was borne of Sting's jealousy over a statue. Chants of boring broke out before Sting appeared on screen in possession of Rollins' statue. Sting informed Rollins he had the opportunity to come and get it at any point during the night before Sheamus made his way to the ring to tease cashing in his briefcase at Night of Champions.

HHH announced backstage that, in preparation for Night of Champions, Rollins would be pulling double duty tonight in a singles match against Ryback followed by a three on three tag match that saw him team up with the New Day to take on Prime Time Players and John Cena.

Before Rollins first match, Ryback cut one of the most wooden promos in the history of the WWE. You could almost see the cue card's reflection in his eye as he first compared Rollins to a weasel then a thoroughbred before informing everyone of his plans complete with an invisible demonstration.

Anyway, Rollins' match with Ryback turned out to be okay in the end minus the same interchangeable beginning used for all RAW matches. After Sting appeared on the tron, Ryback, or Fly-back because apparently that is a thing now, rolled Rollins up with an inside cradle after the distraction to pick up the victory.

The night was not over for Rollins as he ran into the New Day backstage for one of the best backstage segments in a while which saw  Rollins/Edge have a stare down, the Dudley Boys announce they would be facing the team victorious in next week's Tag Team Championship match between New Day and Prime Time Players at Night of Champions and a musical battle between Xavier Woods' trombone and Christian's Kazoo which resulted in Big E eating the kazoo.

The night ended with the typical three on three tag match that was mitigated by the actions of the New Day and in particular Xavier Woods' trombone. After John Cena received a long ass beating by the heels (it was so long I don't think Darren Young was tagged in at all), Cena made the pin fall to complete the victory after an AA.

And to top off what had been a terrible night for Rollins, the show concluded with Sting tosses Seth's statue into a garbage truck.

Now, I don't really understand how Rollins is the bad guy in any of this. Time and time again Rollins' possessions are sabotaged by his opponents yet he is supposed to be the bad guy (See Ambrose stealing his MitB briefcase, Ambrose stealing his Championship, Brock smashing up his he bought as a gift and now Sting breaking his statue).

No real clues presented themselves as to the outcome of both championship defences at Night of Champions. Still, I maintain Rollins will retain his WWE World Heavyweight Championship. As with all Cena matches, you can never bet against LOLCENAWINS but it would make very little sense for Rollins to drop the championship to the man he defeated for it. Still, logic is often the first thing to be dismissed by WWE and stranger things have happened. Look at Ryback getting over, for example.

The Wyatt Family 2.0 vs The Diluted Shield

After last week's announcement that the Wyatt Family would face the Shie, sorry, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose plus a mystery partner at Night of Champions, the team of Reigns and Ambrose defeated The Ascension, along with my last lingering hope for a competitive tag division, in under two minutes. At this point, the Wyatt Family appeared on screen as Stowman claimed he is the embodiment of destruction before Bray Wyatt promised that the apocalypse awaits Roman and Dean, along with their mystery partner, at Night of Champions.

Later in the night, Randy Orton was seen discussing matters backstage with Reigns and Ambrose apparently suffering a temporary amnesia that so many WWE superstars suffer with. After defeating Sheamus, Randy Orton was flanked by all three members of the Wyatt Family who proceeded to beat him down as a message to any one who would consider aligning with Reigns and Ambrose.

Now, I may well be wrong about this but i don't think there remains any mystery as to who the mystery third member is. Randy Orton ladies and gentleman, the capricious viper, now has motivation for joining forces with Reigns and Ambrose after receiving the beat down by the Wyatt Family. Considering the fractured history between Orton and Reigns/Ambrose, it would make literally no sense to have Orton willing to sacrifice his body for the sake of two men who have beaten the crap out of him for the past 18 months.

I hope I'm wrong and Orton tells them where to stick it next week.

I'm all for the new and improved Wyatt Family, particularly if Eric Rowan realigns with them. As I have mentioned previously, the Wyatt Family has limitless potential and could perhaps challenge The Authority for control of the company at some point. However, as I have been chastened by WWE in the past, I'm really struggling to see this as anything more than odds to overcome for the Big Dog.  Again, I hope I'm wrong as stranger things have happened. Like Ryback getting over, for example.

Diva's Revolution

Thankfully Michael Cole was on hand to remind everyone that the "Diva's Revolution" was continuing on Raw this week and it did so with pretty solid match between Paige and Sasha Banks.

A lot of WWE's Diva division histrionics detracted from what could have potentially been a much better match. The match didn't really get going until the final few minutes but when it did it was pretty good. During the match, a this is awesome broke out. Now, not begrudge anyone having a good time but this wasn't awesome.

It was adequate. Nothing more.

Sure, in the context of all the filler on WWE programming this was very good, maybe even awesome. But in the context of what is going on worldwide this wasn't awesome. Not even close. All the better for you if you thought it was but I believe the average viewer has been conditioned to the poor standard of match quality on RAW that mediocrity disguises itself as awesomeness. The match ended when Sasha banks reversed the PTO submission into a small package to pick up the victory. At the end of the match, both PCB and team BAD stood united as last week's unravelling of the factions is put on hold.

Later in the show, Nikki Bella and team Bella reminded the audience it was only a week until she is officially crowned the longest Diva's Champion in WWE history before team PCB interrupted. Charlotte stated "we all know I love to party" before asking team Bellas why she wasn't invited to their celebration next week- as Charlotte has seemingly inherited her penchant for partying from her father, Ric Flair, it will be interesting to see if Tamina will inherit her father's penchant for murdering loved ones.

Charlotte informed team Bella their celebratory plans may be premature as= the Authority have altered her title opportunity to next week's episode before doing her best owl impression- seriously, Charlotte is not Ric Flair, nor will she ever be. All the wooing, the chops, the figure 8 is just a constant reminder she isn't Ric. Anyway, the segment ended with team PCB standing tall having cleared the ring.

At this stage, there is more chance of Heath Slater defeating Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship than Charlotte defeating Nikki Bella next Monday. I can guarantee that the match will end in a DQ or the match will end with Paige turning on Charlotte.

I'm positive Nikki will enter Night of Champions as the longest reigning Diva's Champion in history. However, the match next week throws into doubt my previous prediction of Nikki walking out of Night of Champions still Diva's Champion. Next week's match suggests their could well be a definitive ending at Night of Champions with Charlotte being crowned the new champion and consequently he face of the "Diva's Revolution". Also, it is astonishing that WWE will be putting the match on free tv whilst concurrently trying to sell it on PPV. Regardless of questionable business decisions, THERE IS NO CHANCE NIKKI IS NOT GOING TO BREAK THE RECORD. Still, stranger things have happened. Like Ryback getting over.

Current Night of Champions Card

WWE Championship Match: Sting vs Seth Rollins (C)
US Championship Match: John Cena vs Seth Rollins (C)
WWE Tag Team Championship: winner of the New Day/Prime Time Players vs The Dudley Boys
Rusev vs Ziggler
The Wyatt Family vs Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose & ??? (Randy Orton)

ICW Spacebaws Episode II: Come As You Are

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.

Andrew Wilde vs Solar

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.

Massimo vs David "Yum Yum" Devlin

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.

Aspen Faith vs Lewis Girvan

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.

Aaron Echo vs Kenny Williams

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.

Kay Lee Ray vs Mickie James

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.

DCT vs Stevie Boy

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

Lewis Girvan returns the championship to Stevie Boy before the champion begins his celebrations. While celebrating, DCT locks in the Tash-Mission submission on Stevie Boy before tossing the title on the chest of 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.

Matches of the Week 29/08-05/09

Outside the ring, this past week has not been a good one for wrestling; Jimmy Snuka was suspended from his WWE Legends contract after being implicated in the death of his 1983 girlfriend, Bram was released from TNA due to charges of domestic assault and false imprisonment along with the non-fatal shooting outside WWE's Performance Centre in Orlando, Florida. Inside the ring, wrestling hasn't faired much better. An insipid RAW was followed by a tepid Smackdown and TNA continued to fight off their annual invading foe, GFW.

In better wrestling news, PWG held their annual Battle of Los Angles, or Bola, at Reseda, California. As I don't live in California I have absolutely no idea what happened and have to wait for the release of the DVDs in a few weeks time. I anticipate 90% of the matches at BOLA to be better than those named on this week's list but they will have to wait until another time. Instead, this week's matches of the week begin with the rejuvenation of a formerly floundering weekly NXT television show. This week's NXT marked the beginning of the Dusty Rhodes tag team classic; a tournament assembling NXT's finest tag teams to compete in the honour of Dusty Rhodes' name.

Chad Gable & Jason Jordan vs Neville & Solomon Crowe

Earlier in the night, a returning Descension were defeated by the team of Rhyno and Baron Corbin in the first match of the Dusty Rhodes classic. Ready, willing, and Gable, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable make their way to the ring to compete in the Dusty Rhodes tag team classic and main event of the evening. The makeshift team of Solomon Crowe and first time WWE Network NXT Champion Neville make their way to the ring next- a small point of anguish here; I may be wrong but I have not heard of what the winners of the tournament will receive as a prize. At times like this, it is clear what Dario Cueto would do: the winning team competes in a one on one match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship. Anyways, unlikely scenarios aside Crowe and Gable get things under way.

After trading various holds, Solomon Crowe gains the upper hand after delivering a flapjack to the former amateur wrester, Gable, before tagging in Neville. Chants of Neville ring around Full Sail before Gable, too, tags in his partner. Jordan immediately attempts a suplex but Neville lands on his feet before cartwheeling across the ring. Again, Jordan attempts a german suplex but Neville lands on his feet. After several forearm blows, Jordan connects with a belly to belly suplex this time as Gable and Jordan work over Neville in the corner. Jason Jordan takes the opportunity to cool down Gable by waving his towel in his direction before Neville makes the tag to Crowe. Solomon Crowe doesn't fair much better as Jordan immediately applies a chin lock- after Crowe escapes thanks to the ropes, Jordan tags in Gable, who applies a bow and arrow submission hold before Crowe reverses into a pinning predicament. Neville, coming in off the hot tag, dodges the offence of Gable before delivering a series of kicks followed by a cross body. An enziguri in the corner places Jordan in position for the Red Arrow but Gable pulls Jordan to the safety of the outside- Neville, meanwhile still positioned on the top rope, redirects a moonsault to the outside that grounds Jordan as a tope con hilo by Crowe grounds Gable. Neville rolls Jordan back into the ring before attempting a springboard elbow- Jordan, impressively, catches Neville before delivering a beautiful belly to belly suplex that sends Neville halfway across the ring back to his corner.

Crowe tags himself in before connecting with several knees in the corner- after rebounding off the ropes for a cross body, Jordan catches Crowe this time before delivering a beautiful belly to belly. Jordan tags in his partner as Gable and Jordan perform an assisted bridging saito suplex for the three count.

This was a really excellent match. Gable and Jordan, as a team, have potential to really make an impact not just in NXT but on the main roster,too. In the mould of Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, Gable and Jordan will have a great deal of success in WWE, particularly Jason Jordan. Jordan's suplexes were excellent all match and, combined with his look, he has the potential to be one of the few NXT success stories on the main roster.

Chris Mordetzky vs Lashley

Available to watch here. 

Eight years ago, Bobby Lashley was the first man to break out of Chris Masters' Master Lock. Now, under completely different circumstances, Lashley met Chris Mordetzky, formerly Chris Masters, in a match pitting TNA's most muscular mound of flesh against GFW's most muscular mound of flesh.

As the bell rings, both competitors lock up in a stalemate. A shoulder block take down barely makes an impression on Lashley before a clothesline doesn't make an impression on Mordetzky. After a failed "Mordetzky Lock", Mordetzky begins work on Lashley's lower back before applying a chin lock. Powering out the hold, Lashley sends Mordetzky to the outside on a collision course with the barricade. Both men trade blows around the outside before Mordetzky sends Lashley into the ring post- Mordetzky, after rolling the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion back in the ring, delivers a butterfly suplex for a near fall.

A series of forearm blows by Lashley allow him to regain some control before a double clothesline grounds both men. Lashley is the first to his feet and connects with a german suplex before delivering a spear into the turnbuckle. After a beautiful delayed vertical suplex, Lashley attempts a spear but misses- Mordetzky looks to lock in the Mordetzky Lock but Lashley powers out before delivering The Dominator. Lashley successfully connects with the spear this time before members of the GFW locker room come rushing to the aid of Mordetzky resulting in the match ending in a no contest.

This was an enjoyable match between two of the most jacked men in the industry. Insufferable commentary by Josh Matthews and Pope detracted from a good match here, though. According to Pope, "GFW is piggy backing off TNA"- an interesting assessment of the invasion angle considering TNA has barely been able to carry its own weight for in excess of two years now. Anyway, TNA rant aside, this was a perfectly good match that put over Mordetzky as a legitimate threat to Lashley and sets up a bigger mathc between the two in the near future.

Jay Lethal vs Hanson 

Available to watch here.

Few have had a better 2015 than ROH World & Television Champion, Jay Lethal. After defending the ROH Television Championship the most times in ROH, Jay Lethal earned the right to compete against Jay Briscoe at Best in the World in a winner takes both the TV Championship and the World Championship- a match he won and in doing so became the first person to pin Briscoe in over two years. After defeating Lethal in a non title match up several weeks ago, Hanson was granted an opportunity to face Lethal for the ROH Television championship on this week's ROH TV.

Accompanied to the ring, as ever, by Truth Martini, Jay Lethal arrives after Hanson. Surprisingly, Jay Lethal adheres to the code of honour as the match gets under way. After an initial exchange, Hanson tosses Lethal into the corner. Hanson's size advantage allows him to stay on top with several strikes to the back of Lethal's head followed by multiple knees to the gut. An attempted power slam is escaped by Lethal as an enziguri sends Hanson reeling to the outside.

Lethal, after connecting with q trifecta of tope suicidas to the outside, rags Hanson's beard before spiking it on the ropes. A big back body drop allows Hanson to mount some offence- a body slam is followed by multiple stomps to the chest before Lethal escapes a dead lift vertical suplex only to run into a clothesline. An attempted Bronco Buster is blocked by a knee to the groin by Lethal- referee Todd Sinclair determines the blow was unintentional as the match rolls on. Lethal, taking advantage, heads up to the top rope and connects with a diving elbow for a near fall. Lethal, whilst setting up the Lethal Injection, is distracted by Bobby Fish on commentary before Hanson connects with a variation of the Lethal Injection culminating in an elbow. Hanson misses with a lariat before a superkick unbalances the 300+ pound man- Lethal connects with the Lethal Injection but Hanson bounces straight back up. A second Lethal Injection allows Jay Lethal to pick up the victory.

Sure, Lethal has had many matches better than this one this year and so too has Hanson but this was a solid match that was very obviously edited to conform to time constraints. Still, what was shown was very entertaining and one of the better matches from this week.

Genichiro Tenryu & Katsuyori Shibata vs Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Lizuka

Available to watch here

After several years absence, the legendary Genichiro Tenryu returned to NJPW this past week as he prepares for his official retirement match against Kazuchika Okada on the 15th November. Tenryu, on his return, teamed up with Shibata, fresh off a break out performance at the G1 Climax. The team of Tenryu and Shibata teamed up to face Minoru Suzuki and Takashi Lizuka in a good encounter worked around Tenryu's age.

Shibata and Suzuki begin the match and immediately Suzuki taunts Tenryu. After exchanging various holds, Shibata misses with the penalty kick attempted before Suzuki delivers a big boot to Tenryu. Tenryu, angered by the disrespect, tags himself in to a huge roar from the crowd. Suzuki and Tenryu trade chops in the centre of the ring before Suzuki drives the veteran into the corner where Lizuka uses a rope to strangle Tenryu. Suzuki and Lizuka put Tenryu's head in a vice grip between both of their feet before Lizuka is officially tagged in the match for the first time. At this point, the match descends into a brawl across the arena- Lizuka grounds Tenryu with several chair shots before driving a chair into his opponents throat. Meanwhile, Suzuki applies an arm breaker to Shibata whist his arm is placed between a chair.

On returning to the ring, Lizuka strangles Shibata whilst Suzuki distracts the referee. Suzuki, after being tagged in, delivers a series of forearms shots that only appear to galvanise Shibata. Suzuki and Shibata trade multiple fierce forearms strikes whilst somehow managing to stay on their feet-Shibata lands a drop kick allowing him to make the tag to Tenryu. After a series of rapid fire chops in the corner, Tenryu tags Shibata back in as the referee is knocked over. Lizuka takes advantage of the referee's incapacitation by delivering a chair shot to Shibata's back as he rebounded off the ropes. After several forearms and an atomic drop delivered to Shibata, Tenryu comes to his aid with a big lariat to knock Lizuka down. Shibata, after applying the sleeper hold, successfully connects with the Penalty Kick to secure the victory.

After the initial euphoria of seeing Tenryu back in a NJPW ring had worn off, the cold light of day revealed a frail, old man that could not keep up to the pace. Sure, this was the first match in a long time for the former AJPW Triple Crown Champion and it is only natural for a certain amount of ring rust. I do expect him to improve over the coming weeks with more matches. It is going to be interesting to see how Tenryu goes against Okada, a man who wasn't born when Tenryu debuted, on 15th November. I still believe it will be a good match but it will be a test for Okada as much as Tenryu to deliver a worth match up.

RAW Three Point Review 31/08

WWE resurrected various relics of the late 90's in an episode of RAW more closely resembling a high school drama than a wrestling show. A lacklustre Tampa, Florida crowd witnessed The Dudleys wrestle a match on RAW for the first time in ten years, Sting cut a promo on how he was going to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Big Show wrestle in a title match and the Summer Rae/Lana angle descended into a cat fight because of boys.

My personal highlight was spotting a "Ryback for President" sign. What drives a man to think this never mind write this type of thing fascinates me. I would love to meet this man for a brief moment before scampering in the other direction. Oh, and the new Wyatt Family is awesome. Apart from those two points this was a really terrible show, one of the worst for a while, and WWE would be wise to never reference this in any way ever again. Ever.

Sting/Rollins/Cena

The powerful image of John Cena and Sting standing together on top of the ramp concluded last night's RAW. The show opened, though, with Sting delivering one of the better babyface promos in a while before he proceeded to stroke HHH's ego. Sting, after being cheated out a debut WrestleMania victory by HHH and his sledge hammer, claimed to have respect for HHH which he can not say about Rollins. Sting went on to claim Rollins isn't half the man HHH is proving that HHH is still going over despite no longer wrestling on the show. Impressive.

What has been a bad week for the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and US Champion was further exacerbated by Stephanie McMahon, inexplicably, allowing Cena to 'cash in' his rematch clause for the US Championship at Night of Champions because apparently rematch clasues are to be 'cashed in' these days. The show closed with no conclusion as to the whereabouts of the WWE WHC and US Champion's statue. Maybe it is where the Hulk Hogan one they continually forget exists.

So, at Night of Champions, Seth Rollins is pulling double duty; first, Rollins will defend his US Championship against John Cena. Then, in the main event, Rollins will defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Sting. Personally, I am a big fan of Rollins pulling double duty as he has consistently proven over the last 18 months he is capable of putting on the best match on the card. The teased dissension between Stephanie and Rollins, as well as Sting's comments comparing HHH to Rollins, suggest a break away from the authority in the near future.

How will this effect both Rollins' championships? Considering WWE's booking pattern with Cena (heel gets first win, Cena gets the second), I wouldn't be surprised if Cena was somehow involved in Rollins dropping the title. I think, this time, the Cena booking rule won't apply to this match and Cena won't get the return win; I'm guessing Cena's "he had the match won" narrative continues at Night of Champions with a funky finish allowing Rollins to retain. Again, I really can't see Rollins dropping the WWE WHC to Sting unless it marks the beginning of a rivalry with HHH. If RAW made one thing abundantly clear, Seth will lose the title, just like he won the title, because of the authority.

The Diva's Revolution

It was Char-my dad is Ric Flair-lotte who beat the clock to earn the right to challenge Nikki Bella at Night of Champions for the Diva's Championship. Members of the P.C.B. faction earned the right to enter a beat the clock sprint tournament to determine the number one contender to the Diva's Championship after emerging victorious in the triple threat elimination tag match at SummerSlam.

Becky Lynch was the first to compete and successfully defeated Alicia Fox in 3:21 seconds.

Charlotte promised to defeat Brie Mode with flair before their match. After a minute of running away, Charlotte pinned Brie after Natural Selection in 1:40 concurrently setting a new time to beat and eliminating Becky Lynch from the competition. The final match saw the final member of  team P.C.B, Paige, face Sasha Banks. After a series of roll ups, Paige connected with the Ram-Paige but Naomi and Tamina pulled Sasha to the safety of the outside. Paige couldn't pin Sasha before the time limit expired as she failed to conceal her disappointment at the end of the match.

So, we all know how things go down at Night of Champions, right? After a gruelling match, Charlotte will have Nikki in the figure 8 ready to make her submit before Paige interferes to cost Charlotte the match.

And Nikki Bella's grasp on the Diva's Championship only tightens.

Anyway, the 'Diva's Revolution' continues to ignore the principle reasons the women got so well over in NXT. As opposed to the arbitrary faction wars occurring at the moment, WWE, on the night of introducing the diva's revolution,  would have done better to put Sasha/Charlotte/Nikki in a 20 minute match to tear the house down by demonstrating their wrestling prowess. Instead, these women are randomly assigned factions and have random tag matches that last a looooooooooong time under the pretence of revolution. As i have mentioned before, this "revolution" is no more than circle jerkery and an ego massage for Stephanie McMahon. Seriously, if the Russians stood around congratulating each other about their revolution as opposed to actually doing something Communism may never have happened- which, admittedly, may not have been a bad thing. Just like this revolution.

The sooner Sasha Banks wins the title the better. But who knows if that will ever happened after they made her look about as dangerous as King Barrett last night.

Rusev/Ziggler/Lana/Summer Rae: a rejected Hollyoakes script

Wow. Just wow. This just keeps getting worse every week and must be a serious contender for the worst angle of the year.

A solid match between Ziggler and Rusev predictably concluded with Summer Rae interfering before Ziggler could make the pin after connecting with the Zig-Zag. Sure, fair enough, that gets things heading in the right direction for that mixed gender tag match at Night of Champions they seemed so insistent on.

Things got a lot worse from here.

Post a backstage segment with Renee Young, Dolph Ziggler proceeded to head into his changing room before being closely followed by Summer Rae.

Then, ten minutes later, a screaming Summer Rae emerged from Ziggler's changing room followed by a scantily clad Ziggler with the implication being Summer was spying on Ziggler in the shower. Later on in the show, Lana confronted Ziggler regarding the incident and, despite Ziggler's best efforts to reason with her, Lana took umbrage and seemingly blamed Ziggler for having his privacy violated. Lana's character appears unsaveable as with each week that passes she becomes further removed from the strong, independent manager of Rusev and closer to a histrionic thirteen year old girl.

This angle got more time than Seth Rollins. And it is Monday night Ra-llins! Why this story got so much on screen time at this point is beyond my comprehension as it is doing absolutely nothing for all involved except maybe Summer Rae- and that is only because she wasn't on tv at all before this. Last night's developments throw the proposed mixed gender tag match into jeopardy and quite frankly that is a good thing. Hopefully last night was the beginning of the end of this angle. The sooner WWE realise that no one wants to see this high school bullshit the better.

ICW: A Horse, A Spoon, And a Bucket

ICW's run at the Edinburgh Fringe festival concluded this past weekend with three title matches, a special benefit concert for the 55, the continuation of the tournament to crown the first ever ICW Women's Champion and the return of Kris Travis to an ICW ring. Whilst perhaps lacking the intensity of  The Ministry of Silly Headlocks, A Horse, A Spoon, And a Bucket concluded with a huge announcement that pits arguably the two biggest names in ICW against each other in a tantalising main event for Fear and Loathing VIII.

Only two shows in Glasgow remain before ICW embark on their biggest UK tour to date. With the main event booked for Fear and Loathing VIII, all roads lead to the SECC on November 15th as ICW continues to gather momentum towards one of the biggest nights in British wrestling history.

A Horse, A Spoon, And a Bucket began with two of ICW's most exciting young wrestlers.

Lewis Girvan vs Lou King Sharpe

The best young wrestler in the world, Lewis Girvan, is the first to make his way to the ring. As ever, Lewis Girvan asks Champagne Simon Cassidy to remind the audience he is the best young wrestler in the world to which the fans respond with "who are ya?". After being rehired by Toal last week, weighing in at a rip, cut and jacked 8 and a half stone, standing at a colossal 5ft 4', Lou King Sharp makes his way to the ring making his debut as part of the Toal family.

Lewis Girvan emerges on top of the initial exchange as he works the fingers of Lou King Sharpe. Chants of "Lou King Sharpe" echo around the arena as Lewis Girvan takes the opportunity to chat with the announcer Simon Cassidy- Cassidy reminds everyone it is pronounced "best young wrester". As Girvan returns to the ring, Lou King Sharp lands a thesz press to ground Girvan before the best young wrestler rolls to the outside for a chance to rework his game plan. Girvan is interrupted as Lou King Sharp connects with a tope con hilo- Sharp looks for a second but is halted by Girvan who this time wisely spikes the ropes before Sharp has the chance to fly. Girvan, now in control, delivers a delayed vertical suplex followed by two back breakers before applying a rear chin lock.

A sunset flip allows Lou King Sharp to gain some momentum in the match- a spinning clothesline positions Girvan in between the middle and top rope as Lou King Sharp hits the 0141. Sharp connects with a diving cross body before heading up to the top rope- Girvan, this time, catches his opponent before driving him into the mat with a devastating powerbomb. Girvan, after kicking out of a surprise small package, lands a half and half suplex before missing a double foot stomp. A single leg drop kick is dodged by Lewis Girvan before Girvan delivers a dragon suplex- again, Lou King Sharp demonstrates his resilience by kicking out at 2. Girvan, showing signs of frustration, delivers a ddt into a neckbreaker to pick up the victory.

Winner: Lewis Girvan

Girvan, not content with the victory, begins the post match beat down before the Tim Wyllie and Kid Fite arrive as Girvan flees- Kid Fite hits the D.O.A. brainbuster as ICW General Manager, Red Lightning, makes his way to the ring.

Red Lightning Arrives

Red Lightning, mic in hand, trash talks the man he fired a few months ago. After calling for a referee, Red Lightning covers Lou King Sharpe for the three count thanks in no small part to the 55. Red Lightning reminds all the fans of his unbeaten record over the past two weeks. Thanks to the 55, Red Lightning is now 3-0 after pinning Joe Coffey, Noam Dar and now Lou King Sharpe.

Red Lightning informed fans in attendance that he has cancelled the flights of the Sumerian Death Squad members, Tommy End and Michael Dante, before stating that there is a working relationship between the Black Label, comprised of Red Lightning, Jack Jester and the ICW World Heavyweight Champion Drew Galloway, and the 55.

Damo vs Kid Fite

To the delight of the crowd, Damo puts an end to Red Lightning's filibustering as he attacks the 55's enforcer, Tim Wyllie. Damo and Kid Fite brawl around ringside. Unsurprisingly, it is the bigger man, Damo, who gains control of the match after driving Kid Fite into the ring post then barricade.

The bell rings as the match is now officially under way- Damo offers Kid Fite a free pass to attempt to knock him over. Fite accedes but barely makes an impression on a man well over double his size as chants of "you can stick your 55 up your arse" ring around the arena. A shoulder block sends Kid Fite reeling to the outside but as Damo heads outside he is ambushed by Tim Wyllie and Kid Fite in a two on one assault tantamount to a mugging before being rolled back in the ring. A ferocious Misawa elbow sends Damo crumbling to the mat for the first time but isn't enough to secure the pinfall.  A drop kick followed by a senton by the 330+ pound Irishman brings a close fall- after dispatching Tim Wyllie to the outside, Damo connects with an impressive superkick before delivering the O Connor roll to pick up the victory.

Winner: Damo

Damo, distracted by the 55, doesn't have much time to celebrate as Jack Jester blind sides the Beast of Belfast with a chair shot. Jester, aided by the 55, work over Damo's left knee with several brutal chair shots to send a potent message to anyone interfering with the business of the 55. Miraculously, Damo manages to leave the ring on his own volition.

Joe Hendry Benefit Concert

Accompanied to the ring with a guitarist and Stone Cold Bobby Roberts, ICW's resident musician, wearing a delightful Christmas jumper embroidered with the words 'Local Hero', made his way to the ring to perform a benefit concert for the 55.

To begin, Joe Hendry delivers a delicate acoustic version of Calvin Harris and Rhianna's We Found Love before seamlessly transitioning into a new song. Replacing the TNT lyric from ACDC's TNT with Joe Hendry, the local hero proves once again why he has one of the most unique gimmicks in the world of professional wrestling that would shame any X Factor-y pretender. Joe Hendry slows things down with a touching rendition of What if Joe was one of us? as the crowd show their appreciation with a roar of approval. After a series of vocal exercises, the local hero returns to where it all began with the song that reached number one in Estonia, I C Double Me and You.

Much to the disappointment of the fans, Joe Hendry stops midway through the song to state his dismay at the lack of opportunities he receives in ICW. Hendry reminds the audience there are two things he has never done in ICW: the first is swear, the second is use a weapon- two of the things responsible for ICW's popularity. Hendry, the antithesis of ICW, continues on to state that James R Kennedy, leader of the 55, has driven the local hero to consider using a weapon on him. Hendry proceeds to a PG Pulp Fiction weapon selection between a mic stand, a samurai sword or a guitar. Before a decision can be arrived at, the 55's enforcer, Tim Wyllie. emerges from behind the curtain to put an end to all "this musical bullshit". Wyllie, after delivering a ferocious spear to Stone Cold Bobby Roberts, is smashed over the head with a guitar as the local hero does something he has never done in ICW.

Polo Promotions vs IRN JEW

For the ICW Tag Team Championships

After successfully earning the number one contendership for the ICW Tag Team Championship after defeating The Rodgers Brothers. After successfully defending their number one contendership against against The GZRS, the fan-favourite team of Grado and Colt Cabana, IRN JEW, are finally granted their shot at Polo Promotions' ICW Tag Team Championship. Polo Promotions, the longest reigning tag team champions in ICW history, head into the match after an impressive victory over the Sumerian Death Squad albeit with an assist to the N.A.K.

Mark Coffey and Grado get things under way but before any exchange occurs, Grado tags in Colt Cabana. Cabana and Coffey exchange a series of wrist locks before Coffey applies a side headlock- Cabana reverses with an arm drag take down as we see a more subdued, serious IRN JEW tonight. Cabana, demonstrating his technical proficiency, escapes a head scissors with a head stand before a sunset flip brings a near fall. Cabana makes the tag to Grado before a series of double team manoeuvres on Coffey's left arm- after Coffey escapes the hold, Grado offers Coffey a chance to german suplex him. Coffey declines and, instead, tags in his partner, Jackie Polo, for the first time in the match. Jackie Polo immediately lands his patented scoop slam before slapping on a side headlock. Grado, with considerable history between himself and Jackie Polo, escapes the hold with an arm drag take down. Grado successfully makes the tag to Cabana- a drop kick by Jackie Polo disorientates Cabana to present an opportunity for Polo Promotions to send Cabana on a visit to scoop slam city before asking "who bad?".

After several scoop slams, Polo Promotions cut off Colt Cabana in the corner before the Grado comes to the aid of his tag team partner. Grado, though, is sent to the outside after a brief flurry of offence- Cabana temporarily breaks the flow of scoop slams with a roll up but Jackie Polo continues with the scoop slam before heading to the top rope- Polo meets a face full of Cabana's boot. Cabana makes the tag to Grado as the Ayrshire Dream enters the ring with several elbows. Grado lifts Jackie Polo for the Get Tae Bed but Polo escapes only to walk into an R-Gra-Do as Edinburgh comes unglued!- Polo kicks out at 2. Grado calls for the F5 but Jackie Polo pushes Grado into a headbutt by Mark Coffey. Jackie Polo tags in his partner after a shoulder breaker- Mark Coffey connects with a bridging back suplex- Grado kicks out at 2. Temporarily distracted by Colt Cabana, Mark Coffey walks straight into an F5 by Grado- Grado connects with the assisted roll n slice...1...2.... Coffey extends his arm to the ropes to break the count. Cabana, after being tagged in by Grado, looks for the GTS but Coffey reverses before connecting with a lariat followed by a diving elbow. Jackie Polo sends Grado to the outside before Polo Promotions connect with the assisted bridging german suplex to pick up the win and make it 294 days as ICW Tag Team Champions.

Winner: Polo Promotions

Although not nearly as hilarious as IRN JEW's match with The GZRS last week, this match here showcased a different side to Grado and Cabana. Anyone familiar with indie wrestling can testify to Cabana's technical acumen but it was Grado who will have surprised many with his technical ability.

Stevie Boy vs Wolfgang

After a heated discussion with his former ally the Wee Man, Stevie Boy offers an open challenge for his ICW Zero G Championship with the caveat that said challenger must have previously won the Zero G Championship.

Wolfgang, fellow member of the N.A.K. and pioneer of Scottish wrestling, emerges to challenge for a title he defeated Andrew Wilde for over three years ago. Clearly, Stevie Boy doesn't want to be part of this match as he pleads with Wolfgang to lay down for him. After a handshake, Wolfgang hesitantly lays down....1....2... Wolfgang's pride doesn't allow him to have a match end like this.

Wolfgang and Stevie Boy lock up as Wolfgang uses his strength advantage to ground Stevie Boy with a side headlock. After a series of reversals, both men begin dancing before Stevie Boy connects with the hadouken of doom as Wolfgang crashes to the mat in slow motion before the ref counts to three.

Winner: Stevie Boy

As Wolfgang and Stevie Boy celebrate in the ring, Mikey Whiplash's music begins to play. Without fellow Legion members Tommy End and Michael Dante, ICW's necromancer emerges at the top of the ramp alone before calling the 'match' an abomination. Whiplash reminds fans that he, too, is a former Zero G Champion as he makes his way to the ring to challenge Stevie Boy.

Stevie Boy vs Mikey Whiplash

As soon as Whiplash enters the ring, Stevie Boy begins the beat down before a lariat almost takes Stevie Boy's head off. A vertical suplex by Whiplash is reversed by Stevie Boy into a brainbuster- Whiplash kicks out at 2. A superkick by Stevie Boy is dodged by Whiplash- who unloads with several uppercuts in the corner before connecting with one from the top rope. Stevie Boy lands an elbow to end Whiplash's momentum- Stevie Boy, heading up top, looks for a leg drop but is caught on the shoulders of Whiplash who proceeds to deliver three consecutive power bombs.

An enziguri by Stevie Boy temporarily prevents the Zombie Maker before Whiplash connects with a series of ferocious uppercuts. Whiplash, this time, connects with the Zombie Maker but before he has a chance to make the cover Wolfgang and BT Gunn come to the aid of their N.A.K brethren. Wolfgang connects with a shot with the brass knuckles as BT Gunn and Stevie Boy hold Whipash up- the sultan of silent hill, Chris Renfrew emerges from the curtain, plaster cast on his injured left hand. Whilst Stevie Boy and BT Gunn deliver a series of brutal stomps, Renfrew dares anyone to challenge the N.A.K.. Renfrew informs the crowd Whiplash's punishment is ten whips with the cane. After ten devastating whips of the cane, the N.A.K. tie Whiplash up with a metal chain before dragging him out of the ring as the N.A.K. make a powerful statement of intent heading into their steel cage match vs Legion at the SECC.

Winner: no contest

Kasey Owens vs Viper

ICW's tournament to crown the first ever ICW Women's Champion continued this past week as Viper made her return to ICW after being piledriven through her wedding cake by Bram on her and D.C.T.'s wedding day. At A Horse, A Spoon, And a Bucket, Viper faced a woman synonymous with tag team wrestling. As part of The Owens Twins, Kasey has made quite an impression on the ICW faithful but faces her toughest task yet in a singles competition against Viper.

A quick roll up attempt by Kasey Owens begins the match before Owens lands a sunset flip- as expected, Owens' speed allows her to gain the initial advantage before the strength of Viper is illustrated by a devastating lariat. A drop kick sends Owens to the outside before she recovers to plant Viper face first into the ring apron. After an irish whip into the barricade, Owens rolls Viper back into the ring. An attempted ddt is reversed into a vertical suplex by Viper before she drives home her advantage with a scoop slam. Viper, building momentum, attempts a running senton but misses as Kasey Owens escapes just in time. Owens, sensing an opportunity, attempts a penalty kick but misses before connecting with a cross body take down- kick out at 2 by Viper. As the two return to their feet, Viper and Owens trade vicious forearm blows before Viper delivers a Viper Bomb to pick up the victory and advance to the semi finals.

Winner: Viper

After the match, Viper's husband, D.C.T., made his way to the ring to address Bram. Once again, the international sex hero D.C.T. reiterated that he is coming for Bram. A strong performance here by Viper ensures she heads into the semi finals with Nikki Storm and Layla Rose. With one semi finalist yet to be determined, Viper remains my pick to be crowned the first ever ICW Women's Champion.

Drew Galloway vs Kris Travis

18 months ago, Kris Travis was diagnosed with stomach cancer. After a long and arduous recovery, Kris Travis miraculously makes his return to an ICW ring at A Horse, A Spoon, And a Bucket to raucous chants of "welcome back". Red Lightning, as is seemingly tradition now, gave the ICW World Heavyweight Championship, Drew Galloway, his introduction. Accompanied by Jack Jester, Galloway makes his way to the ring surrounded by boos that were once cheers.

Galloway immediately demonstrates his size and strength advantage by pushing Travis into the corner whilst still wearing his hoodie. Again, Travis attempts to lock up with Galloway but Galloway just pushes him back into the corner. Travis, encouraged by the crowd, escapes the corner with several elbows before connecting with a hurricanrana that sends the champion to the outside. Flustered and frustrated, Galloway removes his hoodie before trading chops on the ring apron. An enziguri by Travis sends Galloway stumbling back into the ring. A second hurricanrana attempt by Travis is reversed into a gut buster by the champion before the cerebral Galloway begins to work on the stomach of Travis. Several shots to the stomach result in a chin lock by Galloway in the centre of the ring- Travis reverses with a crucifix but a forearm followed by a single knee gut buster allows Galloway to remain on top. Stalking Kris Travis, Galloway unloads several big right hands to the stomach of Travis. An attempted leg drop by the champion is dodged by the challenger- an enziguri knocks Galloway off balance before Travis, mustering all his energy reserves, lifts Galloway up and connects with a death valley driver- Galloway kicks out at 2. A lariat followed by a spinning heel kick ensures Travis is able to connect with a bulldog for another near fall.

Another enziguri sends Galloway to the outside- Travis, famed for his high flying ability, connects first with a baseball slide followed by a tope con hilo into the crowd. After rolling Galloway back into the ring, Travis attempts a cross body but is reversed by Galloway into an inverted alabama slam. Galloway, sensing imminent victory, shows the thumbs down before a Future Shock ddt is reversed with a kick to the face. Travis heads to the top rope before an enziguri sends Travis off balance. Galloway joins Travis on the top rope before delivering an inverted superplex to the challenger...1...2... Travis remains in the contest with a late kick out. Galloway, increasingly angered by Travis' resiliency, calls Red Lightning over to the ring apron- Red Lightning holds Travis' flaccid body up before Travis ducks out the way as Galloway's boot connects with Red Lightning. As Galloway turns around, Travis connects with a superkick- Galloway flips off Travis before connecting with an enziguri. Galloway, after ragging Travis to his feet, delivers a Future Shock ddt to retain the title.


Winner: Drew Galloway

After the match, Red Lightning, speaking on behalf of the Black Label, remarks on how Kris Travis has impressed all in attendance tonight including himself. Red Lightning proceeds to ask Travis to join the Black Label. After a minutes deliberation, Kris Travis hugs Galloway and high fives Red Lightning before telling them where to stick their offer with an emphatic "fuck you". Inevitably, the beat down begins by Galloway and Red Lightning whilst Jack Jester heads to find his corkscrew. Jester gestures to reveal his intentions before Grado rushes out to make the save. It isn't long until the numbers game catches up with Grado- but out comes ICW's Ironman Joe Coffey to make the save. Coffey has Galloway positioned for the Future Shock ddt before Jester blind sides Coffey with a cheap shot from behind as the Black Label control the ring.

A huge roar breaks out as Damo, injured left leg in cast, hobbles down to clear the ring as Grado, Coffey, Travis and Damo stand in the ring whilst Galloway, Jester and Red Lightning flee to the outside. Grado, displaying intensity not at all associated with his happy go lucky persona, lambastes Galloway for ducking his challenge over the past month before calling him McIntyre and the chosen one. Having succeeded in getting a reaction out of the champion, Galloway retorts that he is the chosen one of professional wrestling to which Grado responds he is the chosen one of ICW underscored by wild cheers. Galloway, visibly agitated by the support Grado is receiving, remarks that people come to see ICW for him, the wrestler, and for Grado, the clown, before accepting Grado's challenge at ICW: Fear and Loathing VIII, November 15th.

Red Lightning, though, has other ideas and states that the match will not be going ahead before ICW owner Mark Dallas, after a six month hiatus, returned to hand Red Lightning his final warning. To chants of "thank you, Dallas", ICW's owner announces that the match will be happening at the SECC. Chants of ICW reverberate around the arena as the huge announcement of the main event for Fear and Loathing VIII concludes what has been a fantastic run at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.

For me, Grado vs Drew is the only match ICW could have booked to headline the biggest show in their history. The match pits Drew Galloway, the man who has turned his back on the fans to secure his position as champion, against Grado, the man of the people. It is undisputed champion vs underdog, pure athlete vs the jester, corporate vs the people and it is going to be fantastic.

Give this company your money.

Matches of the Week: 22/08-28/08

Wrestling fans were treated  to a mouthwatering weekend of action this past week. ROH, NXT and WWE all presented strong cards and didn't disappoint; ROH, with the addition of some of the finest Japanese talent, put on two excellent shows in Philadelphia and New York, NXT, for the first time in their history, outgrew their Full Sail roots and headed to the Barclays Centre, NYC and ,despite low expectations, Summerslam delivered one of their better PPV's this year.

This week's matches of the week begins with the biggest event of the summer, Summerslam.

Seth Rollins vs John Cena 

Title for title match

Available to watch here.

Since being crowned WWE World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XXXI, Seth Rollins has proven exactly why he is the future of the business. Rollins' weasely, cowardly antics have generated considerable heat thus making him the perfect antagonist to carrythe show. Since being crowned US Champion at WrestleMania XXXI, John Cena has been putting on some of the best matches of his career against the likes of Ambrose, Stardust, Kevin Owens, Neville and Cesaro regardless of the remarkably similar match formula. Seemingly, Cena and Rollins were on a collision course and after Cena submitted the WWE World Heavyweight Champion post a broken nose, the match was booked for Summerslam; if Rollins won he wins Cena's US Championship, If Cena won he wins Rollins' WWE WHC.

The initial exchange of holds is broken as Cena successfully lands a side headlock take down which is greeted with vociferous boos. After being encouraged by the crowd, Rollins escapes and connects with a drop kick before mocking Cena's trademark U CNT C ME. Again, Cena applies a headlock after a belly to belly suplex grounds Rollins and again, with the encouragement of the crowd, escapes before Rollins delivers a knee to the spine that sends Cena reeling to the outside. Rollins harkens back to his Shield days as he connects with consecutive tope suicidas followed by a tope con hilo as a "lets go, Rollins" chant breaks out. Rollins, after returning Cena to the ring, attempts a running cross body- Cena reverses but can't apply the STF before Rollins reaches the ropes. A sloppy springboard stunner inevitably "barely caught" results in Cena successfully connecting with the 5 knuckle shuffle. Cena, with a growing advantage, positions Rollins up top before Rollins lands several blows that temporarily halt Cena- Rollins connects with a meteora followed by a beautiful standing shooting star press for a near fall.

After positioning Cena in the tree of woe, Rollins delivers a fierce double foot stomp from the top rope for another close fall. Rollins, frustrated by a perceived slow count by the referee, trash talks Cena before Cena pops up and delivers an AA- Rollins kicks out at 2. Both men return to their feet before rading blows- an attempted Pedigree is reversed by Cena into a slingshot but Rollins lands on the ropes. Cena, the wily veteran, follows Rollins before connecting with an electric chair drop/face buster combination. After Cena connects with a leg drop from the top rope, Rollins reverses the Super AA into a buckle bomb. Rollins, in homage to Eddie Guerrero, heads up to the top rope to soar through the sky to deliver a frog splash- Cena rolls through and attempts a second AA- Rollins lands on his feet before connecting with an enziguri. A rebounding Cena attempts a cross body but it is Rollins this time that rolls through before delivering an AA...1...2... Cena kicks out to avoid the humiliation of being pinned by his own shitty finisher. Rollins, again, heads up top- John Cena avoids a Phoenix Splash, Rollins lands on his feet but Cena grounds Rollins temporarily with a drop toe hold- Rollins connects with an enziguri before Cena attempts another AA- Rollins reverses, looks for the pedigree but that too is reversed this time into a Figure 4 Leg Lock in dedication of Ric Flair. Cheers once again encourage Rollins to reverse the hold- which he does before Cena reaches the ropes.

A huge forearm knocks Rollins down as Cena heads up top again- Rollins, returning to his feet, incapacitates Cena who remains on the top rope. Rollins connects with the superplex/falcon arrow combination...1...2... Cena kicks out again. Rollins, with increased urgency, positions Cena for the Phoenix Splash but eats a face full of canvas- Cena, on his feet, delivers a second AA but concurrently knocks down the referee. Cena, unaware of the referee's demise, hooks the leg....1....2...3...4...5...6...7.. but no one makes the count. Cena, realising this, calls for another referee to emerge but Rollins delivers a knee to the face of Cena that sends him crashing to the mat. Jon Stewart, host of SummerSlam, heads down to the ring accompanied by a steel chair. Caught between a man who has tormented him since prior to WrestleMania and a man who could equal his idol, Ric Flair's, number of title reigns, Stewart drives the chair into the stomach of Cena before sliding the chair to Rollins. Ever the opportunist, Rollins delivers a pedigree on the steel chair before the referee slides back into the ring to make the three count as the Brooklyn crowd comes unglued.

Rollins wins the US States Championship for the first time.

Many will suggest that this brilliant match was marred by a questionable finish. Whilst that may be true, the match should not be discarded like a Jack Swagger vs Heath Slater match from Main Event. This was one of the best WWE matches of the year that marked Rollins arrival as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Encouraged by the crowd throughout, Rollins unquestionably played the face for the majority of the match. For fans who haven't seen his independent work as Tyler Black, many would be surprised as to some of the athletic/high flying moves he performed. Rollins worked a move set closer to his ROH as he had the crowd in the palm of his hand; if the match proves one thing, Seth Rollins is the future of the WWE.

Sasha Banks vs Bayley

NXT Women's Championship

Available to watch here.

This Saturday's NXT: Takeover Brooklyn boasted two main events. Both Balor/Owens and Banks/Bayley co main evented the Brooklyn special but there is no question which match stole the show. Over the past year, NXT has been the host of a legitimate, competitive women's division for the first time in WWE history. After Stephanie McMahon reminded all the audience it was her that orchestrated the "diva's revolution", McMahon introduced both Sasha and Bayley to raucous ovations.

Before the match begins, Sasha calls Bayley pathetic before Bayley connects with several forearm strikes. Sasha reverses a clothesline attempt before sending Bayley crashing into the turn buckle. Bayley dodges a vicious chop in the corner before connecting with a springboard elbow drop for a close fall. Sasha  grounds Bayley upon returning to her feet- Sasha lifts Bayley to the top rope but an attempted superplex is blocked. Sasha rags Bayley down from the top before talking a little more trash- after slapping Bayley, Sasha applies a japanese choke hold as the crowd wills Bayley on. After escaping the hold, Bayley is sent into the turnbuckle- Sasha positions Bayley on the top rope before connecting with a double knee drop- only two.

Again, Sasha informs Bayley how much better she is than her- this time Bayley puts a stop to the trash talking with a kick to the face followed by a drop toe hold that sends Sasha crashing into the turnbuckle. Sasha reverses a second drop toe hold attempt before wrenching the injured left arm of Bayley on the rope.  Sasha Sabre Jr. goes to work on the left wrist of Bayley outside of the ring after removing the protective brace- as the referee approaches the ten count, Sasha rolls Bayley back into the ring before rolling her back out again to continue working over the left wrist. After completely exposing Bayley's wrist, Sasha Banks begins to stomp on it- once again, the referee approaches ten before Sasha returns to the ring before a tope con hilo sends her crashing into Bayley.

Back in the ring, Sasha slaps Bayley to her feet once again. Sasha and Bayley trade blows in the centre of the ring before several double axe handles allow Bayley to gain some control- a suplex into the corner is followed by a Bayley splash. An attempted Bayley to Belly is reversed as Sasha Banks as she expertly locks in the Bank Statement submission. Bayley desperately scrambles towards the ropes but Sasha stomps her hand further- eventually, Bayley successfully claws her way to the ropes. After the referee breaks the hold, Bayley delivers a Bayley to Belly to surprise Sasha. Sensing her opportunity to finally win the big one, Bayley positions Sasha for the Bayley-canrana but Sasha blocks and sends Bayley crashing to the mat. From the second rope, Sasha connects with a meteora..1...2... Bayley kicks out. Sasha, perhaps looking for the superplex, lifts Bayley to the top but it is Bayley that temporarily incapacitates Sasha- Bayley spikes Sasha with the Bayley-canrana before connecting with a second Bayley to Belly...1...2...3! Bayley is the next NXT Women's Champion.

After the match, the "four horse women" of NXT hugged it out in a fitting ending to their time in NXT.

Straight up, this was the best women's wrestling match in the history of WWE. Sasha Banks is a consummate in ring technician and is closer to a Daniel Bryan than a Nikki Bella. Banks transcends the often derogatory term 'diva'. She is a wrestler first and foremost. Bayley, too, played her part and has the innate ability to connect with fans both young and old, male or female. Inconsistent selling by Bayley limits this match to a **** 1/2 stars. Regardless of minor quibbles, this match told a fantastic story although remarkably similar to Sami Zayn's road to redemption. However, sometimes the simplest stories in wrestling are often the best and this match testifies to that.

Kazuchika Okada vs Roderick Strong

Non Title Match

Available to watch here.

Few can argue Roderick Strong is not having the best year of his career so far. Over the past year, Roddy Strong has transferred seamlessly between heel PWG World Champion and the face of ROH. Excellent matches against Trevor Lee, 'Speedball' Mike Bailey, Moose, Michael Elgin, Chris Hero and Cage alongside match of the year contenders against the likes of Zack Sabre Jr, Jay Lethal and Shinsuke Nakamura have firmly established Roddy as a strong contender for wrestler of the year. Over in Japan, Kazuchika Okada has featured in some match of the year contenders himself; at WK9, Okada excelled in a losing effort against Tanahashi. More recently, at Dominion 7.5., Okada defeated AJ Styles for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in one of the finest matches of 2015 before an excellent showing in the G1 Climax tournament as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

Roderick Strong receives a warm welcome from the ROH fans. Okada dollars and streamers fall from the sky as Okada makes his way to the ring. After an initial exchange of holds, Okada delivers a dropkick to Strong before applying an abdominal stretch. Strong breaks the hold before Strong delivers a dropkick of his own in a game of one-upmanship- Strong follows up with a series of devastating chops in the corner underscored by the woos of the crowd. After a vertical suplex, Strong applies a rear chin lock as he begins work on the neck and back of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Okada momentarily escapes before Strong once again corners him with several chops before reapplying the rear chin lock. Okada, after reaching the ropes, trades blows with Mr ROH  before Roddy sends him to the outside. Sensing his opportunity, Strong takes advantage by suplexing Okada into the crowd followed by two more on the barriers.

Unwisely, Strong allows Okada to return to the ring on his own accord before the twenty count.A slip behind neck breaker followed by a ddt allows Okada to build some momentum before Strong pulls him down from the rope. Strong, uncharacteristically, heads to the top rope but a beautifully executed dropkick sends Strong to the outside. Roddy Strong regains the advantage with a back suplex on the apron but quickly loses it as they return to the ring as Okada hits the neck breaker to the knee. Both men return to their feet at the same time before trading vicious blows in the centre- Strong with the chops, Okada with the uppercuts. Strong emerges victorious from the battle after an olympic slam- Strong lifts Okada up looking for the superplex before Okada pushes him off only for Strong to connect with an enziguri to unbalance Okada. Strong finally delivers a superplex before applying the Strong hold- Okada successfully claws his way to the ropes. Strong looks to drive home his advantage- attempted End of Heartache blocked by Okada, attempted Rainmaker blocked by Strong with three consecutive jumping knees. Strong connects with the double knees to the gut before delivering a thunderous sick kick...1...2... Okada kicks out. Somehow, upon both men returning to their feet, Okada delivers a Tombstone piledriver- Strong kicks out at 2. Okada plants Strong again with a Tombstone before lifting him up for the Rainmaker- again Strong blocks before attempting a jumping knee but this time Okada catches him to deliver a german suplex- Okada keeps hold before delivering the Rainmaker to pick up the victory.

This is exactly the type of match you would expect from these two. Arguably, both are enjoying the best run of their careers so far and that was reflected in this encounter. Roddy Strong and Okada continue to perform in some of the best matches in the world of wrestling today with an excellent match here.

Hirooki Goto vs Michael Elgin

None Title Match

Available to watch here.

Fresh off a career defining G1 Climax tournament in which he proved many of his critics wrong, Michael Elgin returned to ROH duty this past weekend at Field of Honour 2015. His opponent, also fresh off an impressive G1 Climax tournament, made not only his ROH debut but his U.S debut. Hirooki Goto, IWGP Intercontinental Champion, once again comes up against Elgin, a man he defeated in the G1 Climax tournament.

Both competitors adhere to the code of honour before proceedings get under way. As expected, the match begins with Elgin and Goto trading fierce blows before Elgin grounds the taller but lighter Goto with a shoulder block take down. Goto, returning to his feet, attempts a clothesline but it doesn't make an impression on Big Mike. A second clothesline successfully grounds Elgin as both men lock up once again- Elgin delivers a big lariat to send Goto to the outside. Elgin, in control, delivers several chops around the baseball field before connecting with a huge lariat that sends Goto into the crowd. After returning Goto to the ring, Elgin performed a 33 second long suspended vertical suplex- a suplex which wowed the Japanese crowds.

Elgin, going up top, lands a corkscrew senton before Goto connects with a lariat to halt Elgin's momentum. Returning to their feet, Goto and Elgin trade blows in the centre of the ring before a standing enziguri by Elgin allows him to capitalise with successive german suplexes- Goto blocks the third but an okada roll enables Elgin to land a third. Again, Elgin returned to a move that brought him a lot of success in Japan- Elgin lands the falcon arrow...1...2... kick out by Goto. Elgin, looking to stake his claim for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, attempts a buckle bomb but it is blocked by Goto- Goto lifts Elgin to the top, after incapacitating Big Mike with several headbutts, before delivering a canadian destroyer from the top rope....1...2... Unbreakable Michael Elgin kicks out. After a neck breaker on the knee, Goto looks to finish the match with the Ura Shouten but Elgin blocks. An attempted sunset flip is blocked by Goto before Goto successfully lifts Elgin for the Ura Shouten to pick up the victory in his ROH debut.

The match, whilst lacking the intensity of their G1 Climax meeting, still delivered one of the best matches on a stacked Field of Honour card. Throughout the match, both Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino, in my eyes the best commentary team in the business, did a good job of highlighting Big Mike's achievements in Japan whilst suggesting he will be returning in the near future. Details of ROH's partnership with NJPW surfaced this past week detailing plans for ROH stars to head to Japan in a similar manner to how NJPW stars often wrestle with ROH. Initial rumours indicate a potential ROH World Championship match between Jay Lethal and Michael Elgin at the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom 10. Regardless of rumours, if Elgin continues to perform how he has been doing for both ROH and NJPW he will cement himself as one of the best hoss gaijins in Japanese wrestling history with the likes of Stan Hansen and Vader.

IRN JEW vs The GZRS

The team of Sebastian and Tom Irvine,  or The GZRS as they prefer to be known, have been making quite a name for themselves as of late. Consistently hilarious performances in Progress, PCW and IPW have helped The GZRS quickly gain a reputation as a must see act in professional wrestling. Tonight, they meet the international dream team of Colt Cabana and Grado, IRN JEW, in a dream match up for fans of comedy wrestling. 

The GZRS arrive to the ring first; Sebastian in his faux Real Madrid kit, Tom Irvine in his trunks, both with a can of beer in their hand, make their way to the ring for their ICW debut. Next, IRN JEW make their way to the ring, matching jackets and all, to a huge ovation before American indie wrestling icon Colt Cabana chases Grado around the ring with a towel. Tom Irvine grabs the mic whilst Grado catches his breath. Before the match has chance to get under way, Tom Irvine challenges IRN JEW for their number one contendership- Colt Cabana agrees. As the match gets under way, Grado, much to the annoyance of Colt Cabana, tries to get a sip of Sebastian's beer. Cabana tries to stop Grado but evidently underestimated the Scotsman's need for alcoholic refreshment.

It is Irvine and Cabana that get things under way whilst Grado and Sebastian share a couple of beers in the corner. Confusion ensues as Grado tags Tom Irvine to enter the match- Grado and Colt Cabana square off in the centre of the ring- but what's this... Grado points the finger at Colt Cabana who goes crashing down to the mat. Grado hits the finger poke of doom! Tom Irvine sneaks in to try and pin Cabana but Grado pulls him off before connecting with a devastating belly bump as chants of belly echo around the arena. Grado, driving home the advantage, connects with a sunset flip whilst concurrently pulling down the trunks of Diamond Geezer, Tom Irvine, before driving him shoulder first into the ring post after a short bdsm session with IRN JEW. Sebastian rushes into save his fellow GEEZR- Grado reverses with a drop toe hold as Sebastian precariously hangs mere centimetres away from Irvine's marmite motorway before Cabana pushes his face into Irvine's back passage. 

Colt Cabana, distracted by Grado's antics, receives an arm wrench by Sebastian- Cabana demonstrates his technical acumen with an impressive roll up before Grado informs Cabana he has a new move. Cabana, curious as everyone in the building, tags in Grado. In one of the more impressive sights in wrestling, Grado performs a cartwheel into a head scissor take down that sends Sebastian reeling to the outside. Aided by Colt Cabana, Grado heads up to the top rope, perhaps looking for the best moonsault ever- Irvine spots the attempt before delivering a hugely traumatic thumb up the bum! Sebastian joins in the debauchery as a drop toe hold positions Grado in-between the second and top rope- Sebastian delivers a ferocious kick to the ass to ensure Grado will not be sitting down any time soon.

Tom Irvine returns to a tactic that has brought The GZRS a lot of success in the match- once again, Irvine attempts the thumb up the bum but this time Grado reverses by sending Irvine's thumb into his mouth. Grado, after severe punishment to the ass, tags in Cabana who connects with the flying ass on Sebastian before Sebastian reverses with an S.T.O. Irvine heads up to the top rope before delivering a head butt to the groin of Cabana a la Dudley Boys. The two GZRS stand facing each other in the ring- they know what time it is. Sebastian calls for the slip n slide! 

Professional wrestling has seen it all; an immortal necromancer that works as an undertaker, a midget confused about his species orientation, an insensitive portrayal of the mentally handicapped, hell that doesn't even begin to cover Big Dick Johnson. Never before have I seen a slip n side. 

The GZRS attempt to send Colt Cabana down the slip n slide and crashing into the ring post but Sebastian slips in the process resulting in him being sent down the treacherous slip n slide. Cabana and Grado send Irvine crashing head first into the nether regions of Sebastian who must be lamenting the decision to bring the slip n slide out. Grado connects with the Roll n Slice before Sebastian attempts to get to his feet but keeps slipping over- Cabana picks him up to deliver the Get Tae Bed/Wee Boot combination to pick up the win and remain number one contenders to Polo Promotions ICW Tag Team Championship.

This match is an absolute must see for fans of comedy wrestling. Hell, everyone should see this match. Anyone who gets a slip n slide out mid match is