Fact: DEFEND are running a Twitter competition

Just a quick post today – our friends at DEFEND are running a competition on Twitter to win some of their merch – so get over there and enter it!

Fact: some people don’t know how to behave at wrestling shows

I went to the IPW:UK show at Swanley, Kent, last night, and I was thinking about doing a show review.

It was a great bill (I adored the Lion Kid v Mark Haskins match, short though it was – a display of technical brilliance and some absolutely textbook bridging) but I just felt a bit snarky about the whole thing.

Then I realised that my judgement and enjoyment had been entirely coloured by a family sitting next to me.

A dad had brought along his two children and his mate’s two children (all of whom were, I’d say, under 12, with the youngest aged around 7). Initially I smiled, and thought, “Isn’t that adorable? Wrestling’s still a lovely family-friendly night out.” And that was particularly the case with this show – it was scheduled to start at 6.15 and finished at 8.30, meaning it wasn’t too late for the little ones (or slightly older ones that had to get a train back to London).

And then the show started.

Interview: Iestyn Rees talks IPW:UK and tagging with Jimmy Havoc

Saturday night sees Iestyn Rees return to IPW:UK to tag with Jimmy Havoc against the Bhangra Knights.

Frankly I don’t think I need to say anything else. That sounds awesome enough.

“It’s great going back to the promotion where I have had the most success and high profile matches,” says Rees.

It’s been a tough few years for Rees, admittedly.

“Obviously the last two years plus, I have been mainly sidelined with various injuries and two knee surgeries,” he says. “However, I’m back fully fit and in the best shape I’ve been in so my plan is to get back to the top in IPW and get in the hunt for the gold.”

Competition: win the Lion Kid In DGUK DVD!

Lion Kid’s featuring in two of the big shows this weekend – Saturday night he’s with IPW:UK in Swanley against Mark Haskins, and on Sunday he’s at Progress Wrestling at the Garage versus Stixx.

So – want to win his brand-new Lion Kid in DGUK DVD? Of course you do!

Well, he’s very kindly sent us a copy to give away as a competition prize.

All you have to do is answer the following question:

What’s Lion Kid’s official billed height?

Email us your answer by 12 noon on Monday 25th June. A winner will be picked at random and notified that afternoon.

If you’re not lucky enough to win, you can buy a DVD from his official website.

Good luck!

Fact: WWE’s wellness policy does not really deal that much with wellness

Word on the street is that when Randy Orton got suspended for his second wellness violation, two other superstars tested positive as well.

Whether there are more suspensions to be announced, I don’t know, but I’m fascinated by the part of the story that says one of the wrestlers produced a valid prescription for the medication he was taking.

One has to ask – if the WWE has a wellness policy that is concerned with its talent’s health, why do they not know when they’re on strong, potentially performance or behaviour-altering medication?

Fact: Vince McMahon is angry with Randy Orton

I saw an article today that I really, really hope is true.

It claimed that Vince McMahon is angry with Randy Orton for his “outspoken indifference” to his second suspension for a wellness violation.

Apparently Orton was suspended as soon as possible after the results came through, so that he’d be back in time for SummerSlam, but “something happened” shortly afterwards, and now Vince isn’t all that fussed about him returning any time soon at all.

Not a good year for the varnished-teak marionette puppet, after losing his role in the Marine sequel to the Miz, who has no history of dishonourable military discharges.

But maybe a good year for we the viewers.

Question: how would you describe the UK wrestling scene?

As you may know if you follow me on Twitter, I’m currently writing a book about British wrestling.

I’m working on a chapter about the scene’s resurgence, and would like your thoughts on how you’d describe the current scene.

Improving from the doldrums?

Better than ever?

Still too full of politics and in-fighting? Or do you think there’s an increased sense of community now?

What about the actual talent on show?

If you’d like to share your thoughts, please add a comment, or just drop me an email. Thanks!

Question: what’s the worst-organised wrestling show you’ve ever been to?

After all the debate about the necessary legal paperwork to host a wrestling show in the UK, I’ve been thinking more in the past few weeks about all the behind-the-scenes shenanigans.

We’ve heard wrestlers talk about promoters who don’t pay them (and criticising other wrestlers who are prepared to work for free); others have been disappointed with venue booking and the time they’ve been given in the ring.

Out in the audience, fans have been angry when someone they’ve paid to see has pulled out (like Kevin Nash’s cancellation of his appearance at IPW after their link-up with NWE went awry), even if that was beyond the promoter’s control – and just last night I noticed a double-booking for one top wrestler on the same date in June.

So I want to know your thoughts. What’s the worst-organised or most disastrous show you’ve ever been to or involved in? What made it so dreadful? Or maybe  you’ve heard horror stories from the past – feel free to share those as well. And of course you can stay completely anonymous!