April 15th 2004

Well, once again I've left it so long to do a new rampage that I've got loads to cover.  I'll try and pick up where I left off last time, but first there's something I need to get off my chest.

On sunday I went to FWA Crunch at the Broxbourne Civic Hall.  Certainly the show was decent enough for a tenner, and despite the fact that I was absolutely knackered (find out why later!) I managed to enjoy most of the show.

But there were a few small things I picked up on.  Nohting to do with the show or the wrestling itself though.  The main thing that bugged me this time was seeing people who were selling wrestlers' merchandise and taking poloroids during the interval sitting in the front row enjoying the show like anyone else.  Obviously they were not given the front row seats, that would be even worse, but clearly they purchased their tickets before being asked/asking to take poloroids.  This should not be the case.  You're either a fan or your part of the team, not both.  It's highly unprofessional.  Even worse, one of the people I refer to has done this at more than one show, and if she has to keep buying a ticket despite being part of the staff then he/she is a fool.  But, what really takes the biscuit is that one of these people was walking around during the show and the interval wearing an "I Love Alex" sticker on his shirt.  These stickers are handed out to fans by another fan before the show as a comic joke, which is fine, and this person looked like a regular fan, so was clearly given one.  But when a member of the staff walks around during the show wearing a sticker praising the company's top heel, something is wrong.  You don't expect to see the referees, camermen, security wearing such a sticker.  If you're part of the team, then you're part of the team, not a fan, so act like part of the team.  Wrestling is a show, and everyone who is part of it should act like it.

Now onto me!

Last time we talked we were slowly appraoching the UWA's next big event at the Ipswich Corn Exchange.  I was optimistic going into the show that it would be a success.  After the huge crowd in Chelmsford, things looked good.  The last 2 times there were wrestling in Ipswich they were failures.  The Dawn of a New Era in July 2002 featured indy "sensation" Low Ki, but failed to draw much more than 200 fans.  A few months later TWA ran a show there with about 95 fans in attendance.  Of course the New Era Wrestling promoter will have you believe his was the best show ever and the most successful.  Nonesence.  Anyway, to find out 400 tickets had been sold in advance was exciting, then when another 100 people arrived on the door, we were happy.

Of course my duties were to film the event, which I did a fantastic job of.  This time myself, Dan and our newest cameraman Johnny Boy used 3 digital cameras, and after seeing the edited footage for the first time on Monday I must say it is wicked.  The video will be available for purchase very very soon, and the video from Chelmsford is available now.  E-Mail me for further information.

The show itself was very exciting, and paved the way for the UWA's debut in Sudbury on April 24th, and their subsequent return to Chelmsford in May.

A week later I attended Allstar Wrestling's return to Colchester.  Another awesome show, with Gangrel and Slyk Wagnor Brown on hand.  I managed to aquire both their autographs, but grrrr, this backstage pass nonescence makes it hard.  Especially when you have a bus to catch.

The next day I went along to the FWA's debut in Enfield.  This was a very good show, although I didn't particularly like the venue, or the fact that doors opened 35 minutes late.  I do wonder what all the fuss over Steve Corino is though.

After staying round the infamous Mario's that night I wondered around Liverpool Street for a while to kill a bit of time.  I've been to Liverpool Street countless times, but never really looked around, and it's a lovely place, just the kind of place I'd like to live.

I then went along, very early, to Cheshunt for Premier Promotions' event.  Luckily I caught up with my old pal Phil Powers, so wasn't as bored as I would have been.  I helped with the ring, and ended up seconding on the show.  Mad props to Birchill for being such a nice and friendly chap between rounds and after the show, when most of the guys have nothing to say.

A week later it was time for the return to Great Yarmouth for the first time in 6 months.  Myself and Dan caught the train as before, but of course it was a sunday and it was Easter this time.  Strange as it was, when we got there it seemed like it had been a couple of weeks since we were last there, rather than 6 months.  Funny also that we only went 5 times last summer, seems like so much more.  As before we helped with the ring, but I also filmed the event.  Highlight of the afternoon goes to Kid Romeo smashing his head on the low ceiling.  I'll be back in the summer!

A few days later I got a lift with Paul Tyrell to Potter's Bar, where I seconded for Premier Promotions one more time.  This was another fantastic show, but I think I ate a bit too much pizza before the show, and could hardly move!  Steve Grey vs. Jonny Storm and Birchill vs. Doug Williams were both top notch matches, but The Zebra Kid & Ricky Knight vs. The Thunder Dragons was amazing.  Not for the wrestling, but when the heels won by cheating a riot nearly erupted!  Well, I doubt anything serious was gonna happen, but there were kids and old women everywhere.  Surrounding the ring, throwing stuff at the ring, hitting the ring, it was mental!  I think for a second or two the referee considered reversing the decision.  I think if a heel had won the Rumble to end the show we would all have been in trouble!

With it being Easter the camp shows are going on all over the country.  Over this last weekend the UWA did shows in Essex and Devon.  Come summer they are going to be running up to 20 shows a week every week on the camp show circuit!  Anyway, this weekend I went along to shows in East Mersea, Clacton and Weeley to film the events for future DVD release and to sell copies of UWA DVDs and videos. 

There were some good matches on hand, and some good crowds, and the camp shows are always fun.  It will be cool in the summer to go along to more of them.

Look out for matches as DVD extras on future UWA releases.

Of course, I broke my own record by attending 4 shows in 3 days also.  Including going to 2 in one day (obviously) on sunday.  I left Clacton almost straight after the 2.30pm finish of the UWA camp show and got the train(s) to Broxbourne for the FWA show.  Phew!  I only just made it though, arriving at the building at 6.35, with a 6.30 start time scheduled.  Luckily the show started about 15 minutes late. 

That is why I was so knackered, I had been up early, busy all day, and then in a mad rush to make it to the show on time.  Infact, the train I caught was late also, had that been on time I would have missed it and got to the show later. So sometimes it's good for things to be late.  In this case the train and the show were both late, both to my credit.

It's been a knackering time, but with less than 2 weeks until the UWA's debut in Sudbury it's an exciting time.  For those of you who will be there look out for the UWA video stall which will have videos and DVDs of Ipswich and Chelmsford on sale for a very reasonable price.  Also look out for me.  And enjoy the show!

Hopefully see you there!!