2006 NOTE - I actually started doing The Dart Diaries (originally known as The Rampage) in late 2002, but somehow all the Diaries from before July 2003 have been lost) 

July 4th 2003

Decent week...

There was a lot of non wrestling related stuff that took place for me this week, which needs a brief mention!

Monday night, I went clubbing, which is something I rarely do, cos I hate dancing, I just prefer a pub or bar with a dance floor, so you have the option, but don't feel like a gloomy gus if you don't dance....but ho hum, I did! We went to Dukes in Chelmsford, we being me, my good friend Aimee, her friend from University, the very sexy Heather and her friend Simon.

Well, long story short, I got totally wasted and spent most of the night asleep in the toilets before being escorted outside for some fresh air, and falling alseep out there. Madness!

The next day we all went to the park and had an ice cream and played on the swings.

Thursday night I had planned to go to the WAW holiday camp show in St. Osyth near Clacton. I was informed (by Sweet Saraya nonetheless) that the show was at 7ish, so had planned to leave at about 3 to get there in plenty of time, and find the place!

But at about 11.20 I rang again to check which holiday camp it was at (as they are rotating) and Saraya kindly informed me it started at 1, not 7. So I went straight to the train station, got on a train, then after realising if I waited for the second train I was to get, I would get there late, so I decided just to get a taxi, which cost 19 quid, and the taxi driver didn't know where he was going. I got there at about 12.30, fine I thought, but I could hear something....what is that noise? I pondered. Damn, it's already started, so I ran in to the building to see Ricky Knight and The Zebra Kid going at it. I sat and watched the match, then, when it finished....that was it, one match, well actually there were 2, but I totally missed the first, so that was that....24 pounds to see less than one match! And I still had to get home!

And cos I was in a rush, I didn't bring anything to get autographed, and I had a picture of me and Jorge Castano (who was in match #1, and seemed to recognise me) to get signed....at home. Damn, damn damn. I stayed for a bit and confirmed times for next time and had a brief chat with Ricky Knight and Jorge Castano, then got a bus back into Clacton, then the train home, booo. So I spent about 30 pounds to get there and back!! Next time I will be leaving a lot earlier, making a day of it, and getting more buses, less taxis!!!!

There will be no update next week, as I'll be in Austria! So until next time....
 

July 18th 2003

As you may know there was no report last week, as I was on holiday, but now I'm back, and have much to address.

Firstly as I read Alex Shane's Shooting Gallery on his website, one thing mainly was mulling over my mind, how can he expect the fans to not shout out foul language during the shows, when the wrestlers themselves (Hade Vansen, Jonny Storm, Ulf Hermann, Low Ki etc.) use the exact same language?

Otherwise Alex's reads are always entertaining, but I can see it going the same way as Jim Ross' Ross Report, and that is if someone is not mentioned or praised they are going to take it personally, and the way things are in British Wrestling that will not be a good thing.

Anyone else hoping Crash Holly is recruited for All Star's tour? He suits the All Star thing so perfectly, and no doubt he'd enjoy the work.

Good to hear that Paul London has signed with WWE. He made a good impression at FOH, and obviously WWE enjoyed his match against Matt Hardy a few weeks later. Obviously all the net nerds will think it's a bad thing because they won't be able to see him in 5 star matches anymore.

Just before I went on my holiday I went to All Star wrestling in Croydon. For the 2nd month in a row a bunch of FWA Net Nerds were in attendance, as were Dean Ayass and Jane Childs. Is All Star attracting FWA fans on purpose and is it a good thing? We'll see. It was however the best All Star show I have seen this year, with a nice blend of youngsters and oldies.

My holiday was fabulous, well as fabulous as a family holiday can be. We went toboganning(sp?), walking, swimming, saw the highest waterfall in Europe, walked on a glacier, saw a full moon from the top of a huge mountain. It's all gravy.  The best thing about being there is walking around in snow in shorts in the middle of summer.

Unfortunetly the day before I returned from Austria, was a mini reunion from my old school. Some of those going I haven't seen for 2 or 3 years, so I was annoyed, hopefully another will be arranged shortly.

More details are circulating about The Wrestling Channel. The latest I hear is that it will be 24 hours a day (not neccesarilly 7 days a week though) but will be a subscription channel. I can't see it being more than 10 pounds a month though.

I would like to see a TalkWrestling style show, but televised naturally, I think that would be a superb addition to the lineup of wrestling shows.

Alex Shane has revealed details about FWA's television schedule.

Apparently they will record TV shows on their tours (starting in early August) which will mainly feature angles and interviews and be used to hype up the big shows, which will not be televised.

While it may seem a bit of a letdown it makes tremendous sense.

Something tells me FWA won't make much money from being on TV, but the idea will be to tempt new fans into going to their big shows, they may be able to visit larger venues, and those who do not go live will have to buy the video, which obviously the FWA will make money from!

It is remeniscent of the style WWE adopted in the 1980s.

Live!TV is back on Sky Digital now, it's official launch is July 28th, and rumour has it UWA reruns from 1999 will be beginning almost immedietly.

Add Hammerlock's supposed deal with BBC3 beginning in September, and everything's cool with wrestling on TV here!!!

There are 2 big show next friday:

K Star Wrestling are in Walsall at the Town Hall. Ric Violent, Chris Fury, The Wolf, Snake and many more will be in action. Tickets are 10 pounds and available from 07976245526 and the show starts at 7.30pm.

Also, Garage Pro Wrestling's debut show takes place. The show is at the Monaco Ballroom in Wigan, Lancashire. Tickets are available from 07816390257 and are 15 or 10 pounds.

The Family, Mike Bishop, Lisa Fury, The UK Pitbulls, Stevie Knight and Alex Shane are all scheduled.

This will be a huge show, and is not to be missed.

Until next time....

July 25th 2003

Sadly a quiet week on the wrestling front. Tomorrow I am going to see the Ultimate Wrestling League's Urban Chaos 2 show in Palmer's Green.

The card should be an interesting one, with The Judge, MTX and Falcon returning after making their presence felt at Urban Chaos 1.

The card so far is as follows:

The Judge vs. The Player...MTX vs. Major Destruction...Tumido vs. Falcon...The Gonzales Family vs. The Coalminers.

Also scheduled are Jonny the Body, Kieran Misty, Rob Hunter, Sam Daniels and Laken Zander.

I've not been to any shows, but spent most of today watching wrestling videos, and picked up a copy of WCW Starcade 1999 for 2 quid....which was nice.

Until next time.....

August 4th 2003

Another quiet week, once again! How disappointing.

I opted not to go to the UWL show in Palmer's Green, I decided to save the money for a change. The show drew about 25 people from what I have heard.

Tomorrow I venture back to my home away from home Croydon for All Star's monthly slice of live action at Fairfield Halls. The card...sucks, but who knows we still may be in for a treat. Lisa Fury takes on Pippa Page, Jody Fleisch is up against Julio Toress, and we also have a British Heavyweight title match between Robbie Brookside and Skull Murphy. While there are still 2 more matches to be confirmed, the card is a disappointement, especially as last month saw the best card at Croydon of the year.

I've had a fun and funky non wrestling week. On thursday I went to Quasar for the first time ever, we played 4 games, and man that is knackering. Friday I went swimming and bowling...which was nice.

Congratulations go to Mike Bishop and Lee Butler, who put together a great night of action in Wigan, Lancashire for the debut GPW card. The show drew 173 fans and featured a main event of Alex Shane vs. Stevie Knight. Foes they were last week, but now they are FWA Tag Team champions, winning the gold Saturday in Morecombe.

For now, that's it, enjoy yourselves, and keep it safe. 
 

August 12th 2003

Sorry I'm late, but I have been sooo busy I haven't had time to do the report until now!

Last week I had the pleasure of attending All Star's show at Fairfield Halls again, but sadly the card was not very good at all, the action was not spectacular, and the night was not a great one.

The show did have some moments, and I was able to pick up some cheap videos.

Next month's show looks a lot more promising with Nigel McGuiness, Hade Vansen, Alex Shane, Nikita, Flash Barker, Paul Travell & Joe E Legend all scheduled to appear.

The main event of this month's show was a British Heavyweight title match between Skull Murphy and the champion Robbie Brookside. Robbie was victorious to a huge ovation from the 200 fans in attendance.

I got pictures with Julio Toress, Dean 2 Xtreme, Five Star Flash and Jody Fleisch, which was nice.

The week then went back to its normal state, but on Sunday, a change of atmosphere was at hand as me, "Dangerous" Dan and Lee began out journey to Horton Kirby in Kent for the annual British Wrestler's Reunion. I'd never been before, so was unsure what to expect, therefore it was not was I was expecting. It was brilliant though. Among the wrestlers and wrestling personalities past and present in attendance were: Johnny Saint, John Short, Mick McManus, Pat Roach, Wayne Bridges, Alex Shane, Paul Travell, Baxter Burridge, Joe Riot, The Artful Dodger, Jane Childs, Dean Ayass, Steve Lynskey, The UK Pitbulls, Brian Dixon, Doug Williams, Max Voltage, Ashe, Curve, Johnny Kidd, Chic Cullen and many more.

Many photos were taken, a lot of drink was consumed, and it was generally a great day, and what made it even better was the lack of net nerds. The journeys there and back were slightly longer than expected due to the weather, but how about that? Having the wreslter's reunion on the hottest day ever!!! Perfect. Almost too perfect.

To cap of the day's activities I purchased a set of 30 old All Star programmes and posters, some better than others, for a handsome £7.50.

The amount of new faces met, and topics discussed was outstanding, and congratulations to everyone involved.

WAW October Outrage 5 will be on October 4th, and myself, Dan, Lenny and maybe some others will be going to Norwich and staying in a hotel that night, it should be a great show.

Until the next one....

August 18th 2003

Another fabulous week it has been and a very satisfying one at the same time.

At the time of writing I have 3 of my 4 nieces, my nephew, both my sisters, and a brother in law all visiting, which is nice, and I have been sleeping in the lounge to make space for the little ones, who always nick my room when they stay. My sister made a comment about all the wrestling posters on my walls, saying that I should have something more masculine on my walls, you can't get more masculine that wrestling can you?

Anyway, back to business. After the great time had at last week's reunion, an offer was made by Johnny Kidd to the man Dan Ambrose to go to his holiday camp show in Great Yarmouth that week to help set up and stuff. Naturally, Dan invited me, and so our trip began. We arrived in Great Yarmouth ok, despite some small train delays, and after a small trip to Asda, started walking to the Vauxhall Holiday Camp. Obviously we went completely the wrong way, and added about 30 minutes of walking time to our journey.

So we get to the building where the show would be taking place, to find Johnny Kidd catching some rays of sun outside. He explains the set up, and informs us Blondie Barrat is yet to arrive with the ring, but shows us backstage where Rich & Famous and Kid Romeo are getting ready.

When the ring arrives we help set up, both injuring our shoulders in the process, but we learned a lot of stuff, me especially! It's not an easy task, that's for sure.

Once the ring was pretty much finished, we left the empty hall to go get some chips, 20 minutes later when we returned the place was packed with little children, and a few adults. I'd estimate about 150 people were there, but anyone who knows me knows that my estimations mean nothing.

The show was what you would expect from a holiday camp show, but we had to leave early to catch the last train.

We will no doubt be going back next week.

Elsewhere in the world of wrestling:

We WILL make the trip down to Worthing one day before the summer season ends. American Dragon was there last week replacing the hospitalised PN Neuz, and he wrestled none other than Doug Williams!!

This is the 3rd time, for the 3rd different promoter that these 2 have wrestled in this country, and all reports indicate it was a great match.

Dragon has extended his stay to November, which will mean a 6 month tour of the UK, he wll certainly have some stories to tell when he gets home.

Keep it safe, until next week......

August 24th 2003

Another good week. Good weeks are getting a bit more regular now, which is nice.

The plan this week was to go to Great Yarmouth on friday once again to help set up the ring for RPW at Vauxhall Holiday Camp, but after discovering WAW are doing shows every thursday in Great Yarmouth, I made plans to go to that too, and without any effort at all, Baz of the UKFF (who I met at the RPW show the week before) said I could stay at his after the show, as he was going, and he lives a short bus ride away from the venue. 

So thursday I got the train to Great Yarmouth all by myself, walked to the seaside and met Baz at the Marina Centre. The show was what you'd expect from WAW, except for the small addition of American Dragon to the card. PN Neuz (Robbie Brookside's scheduled opponent) was hospitalised last week, and the fans in Worthing got a nice surprise when American Dragon replaced him to battle Doug Williams, this week it was our turn.

After the show I had brief chats with Five Star Flash, Ricky Knight, Joe Williams (referee) and The Zebra Kid. I also got Robbie Brookside's autograph and a picture with Steve Quintain.

Back at Baz's, he whipped my butt at Smackdown! on the Playstation2, but a funky time was had. The next afternoon I met up with "Dangerous" Dan Ambrose, we had a bite to eat then walked to the Vauxhall Holiday Camp. We were a bit early so we killed time by laughing at fat women's legs.

We eventually met up with Blondie Barrat, and began getting the ring out of the van. I managed to stab myself in the arm with a piece of wood after about 2 minutes, and once again myself and Dan both experienced pain in the shoulders and fingers, but it was all good. After a short time Kid Romeo and Johnny Kidd arrived, and after a short time the ring was up.

Dan actually got in the ring this week and did some stuff with Kid Romeo, which was fun(ny) to watch!

The show was decent, very remeniscent of last week's, but the crowd was huge. An estimated crowd of 600 was in attendance.

We had to leave before the show finished again, something we will not be doing next week (read next week for more details!).

At the moment I am anticipating going to some festival thing happening in Romford tomorrow where live wrestling will take place, and am also considering going to Germany in september for the Guild Wrestling Event, which lasts one week. Just got to find some company!!!

Ultimate Championship Wrestling return to the Trowbridge Civic Hall next friday for Retaliation II: Night of the Champions.

The card features:

UCW Heavyweight Championship Triangle Match - Gangster vs. American Allstar vs. Hostile
UCW US & European Championship Triangle Match - HTML vs. Venum vs. The Saint
UCW Hardcore Championship Triangle Match - Checkmate vs. Justine vs. Exodus
UCW English Middleweight Championship, "I Quit" Match - Clive Cannell vs. Anthraxx
UCW Lightweight Championship - Van Wikked vs. Mailman
Davey Jones vs. Lightning Lewis
Richie vs. Hell's Guardian

and

A Bra & Panties Match! Lamia vs. Harmony.

I highly recommend this show, it is not to be missed.

The show starts at 7.30 (doors 7pm), and are 5 pounds. To order your tickets e-mail tickets@ucw-wrestling.co.uk.

That's all for this week. Have a good one.

August 31st 2003

Hey hey, another good week in the world of wrestling for myself, but also a big fat expensive one.

Last monday Dan Ambrose, Tim Hassall and I went to Hainault Forest for the Hainault Carnival, as we had received word there would be wrestling there.

Indeed there was, but we had so much time to kill before it began it was like being dead but with Hot Dogs.  This festival was not like the kind with rides and slides and candy floss. It was an agricultural festival with tractors and sewing displays and stuff.

The show began soon after 1pm, and the set up was two one on one matches with all 4 men competing in tag team action a few hours later (grrr, more time to kill!). James Baker, Sebastian P Sterling and Ricky Rage joined promoter Tom Thumb on the show, and it was a very different experience, but fun was had by all.

During the 2 and a half hours between shows, Tom Thumb (known to his friends as Neil) chatted with us about many many things, and offered us a ride home as he lives in the nearby area, which was nice.

On the journey home Neil gave us an interesting insight into some of the aspects of British Wrestling, and it was an entertaining ride.

Thursday me and Lee went up to Great Yarmouth to watch WAW's last show in their summer season at the Marina Centre. Sadly the show was very poor in comparison to last week's awesome effort. The show was saved by the brutal Hardcore match for the British Heavyweight title.

I managed to spend an unearthly amount of money while in the town, but we managed to find a cheapish B&B for the night.

We squeezed in games of pool, bowling and crazy golf before the show, and a game of that weird hockey thing where you smack the thing with the other thing after!

Trouble with B&Bs is on your day of departure you have to leave by 9.30am, and Lee had to leave at 10.20am, and I wasn't meeting Dan until 2pm (turned out to be 3 in the end). So, I had to spend more than 5 hours walking around a town I was not all that familiar with...alone. I watched a game of bowls, saw a film (Daddy Day Care - only £1.50...I would have paid £1.50 just to sit down in the warm for 90 minutes!!), looked in many shops, walked up and down the pier, and did a lot of sitting down, and eventually Dan arrived!

We went to the Vauxhall Holiday Camp where we met up with Blondie Barratt and Johnny Kidd, and began to set up the ring for the evening's show.

The show was the same as 2 weeks ago, which was quite interesting to watch, and it is really interesting learning how the ring is put together, each and every week I learn something new, I just hope I can remember it all.

This tuesday I am going to Croydon for All Star Wrestling with Flash Barker, Hade Vansen, Nigel McGuiness, Alex Shane and many more on the card. Should be a good one.

Until next time.......