Insane Championship Wrestling – Pin Pals review: London, England
Since mid-2015, I have become a huge fan of Insane Championship Wrestling. Since then I bought ICW On-Demand, got the merchandise and then on March 25, I got to see one of the top promotions in Europe in the flesh at the Brooklyn Bowl in the O2 Arena, London for ICW Pin Pals. So, me and my two friends (one who had never seen a full ICW show and one who had never seen ICW before) grabbed our alcoholic beverages and stood ringside for an evening of wrestling action.
The show was kicked off by Billy Kirkwood, who cut a fantastic opener ragging on Hogan and WrestleMania before introducing Jimmy Havoc, his co-commentator for the evening. He gave us an update on his knee injury (status: it’s f****d) and he asked everyone to fund the ‘Buy Jimmy Havoc a beer’ charity drive at the booth. From my viewpoint, it was a massive success.
Stevie Boy vs Chris Renfrew
The first of two grudge matches stemming from the break up on the New Age Kliq, it opened with a bang as Stevie Boy jumped the former Heavyweight Champ from behind with a steel chair. A hard hitting, fast paced fun opener that saw many think Renfrew snatch the win with a Stone Cold Stoner; but alas it was a very close two count. Stevie Boy then nabbed the victory with the ‘Devils Halo’ flip piledriver, and continuing his roll in the company. Since he left the NAK, he is looking like World Title material. I could see him being champion this time next year.
The 55, Doug Williams and Lionheart vs Dickie Divers, Joe Hendry and The GZRS
I am a big fan of Sha Samuels, and love the work Kid Fite has done in The 55 tag team. I actually remember seeing Doug Williams when I was 12 years old in Barking, Essex when he was a young star doing moonsaults for the FWA. Lionheart has been a phenomenal heel as of late. As you are well aware, I LOVE JOE HENDRY and think he is very underrated. The GZRS were one of the reasons I bought a ticket, as their comedy style is something that has me rolling about. So this match was something I was exciting for.
Dickie Divers was also there.
Seriously, this was a fantastic mesh of styles in a very enjoyable eight man war, mixing great technical wrestling, comedy and high flying. The finish came when I shouted ‘watch Divers f**k this up’ when he got the tag in, and predictably he is the one that took the fall from a Doug Williams ‘Bomb Scare Knee Drop’.
For the record, I don’t hate Dickie Divers. I really just have no opinion on him one way or the other.
Mikey Whiplash vs Zack Sabre Jr
Hey, who am I kidding – this was the name that sold the show for me. The best wrestler on the planet right now, Zack Sabre Jr put on an absolute wrestling masterclass against another superb technical wrestler in Mikey Whiplash. I did at one point start a ‘dance off’ chant for reasons I can’t remember (thanks cider!) and ZSJ shouted out ‘not now, I’m doing wrestling’ to a big pop. Mikey Whiplash did not look impressed. Soz Whippers. This match was so enthralling, that when he the finish came via a unique roll up from Whiplash we are all caught completely cold by it. I would pay any money to see Zack in action again but his inevitable call up to the WWE is coming. Surely, it will happen – surely.
He’s wrestling Kurt Angle for RPW soon. My body is ready.
London Street Fight – DCT vs Bram
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtvkNkviIBA
This match was all about DCT getting revenge on Bram for piledriving his wife Viper on their wedding cake after their in ring wedding. Oh ICW, don’t ever change. This was a street fight, and it did what you would expect it to. Wild brawl in the ring and all around the bowling alley, the highlight of which was Bram backdropping DCT through a table about five feet in front of me. However, the International Sex Hero (best nickname since “The Bastard” Dave Mastiff) could not overcome Bram, who got the victory.
Also, he came out with the TNA King of The Mountain Title. Which won’t be on TV for at least a month. I know he does not know what year it is, but can someone explain tape delay to him?
Another thing, my friend made a comment so inappropriate to Bram, it got an ‘oooh’ from an ICW crowd. We found an ICW crowds limit.
Wolfgang vs BT Gunn
Our second grudge match from the NAK split saw a revisit of one of the feuds of 2014 as cousins collided. After I stopped screaming for BT Gunn (I am a big fan) they had a very heated contest that ended in shenanigans, with run ins from Stevie Boy and Renfrew, leading to a Wolfgang roll up. We got what all wanted though as Wolfgang got thrown down the bowling alley, and then had a bowling ball thrown at him, Al Snow style. No wrestlers or pins were injured.
Marty Scurll vs Kenny Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IsvvriDXjs
Literally added as there was no match graphic for this as Noam Dar was replaced, and well – Marty Scurll’s theme is awesome.
My friend Joe now loves Marty Scurll following this match, and rightly so. Scurll is easily one of the best in Europe right now and this showcased how good he was, and how impressive Kenny Williams is as well. Marty Scurll does his finger breaking spot and it’s so loud, it makes you cringe. Kenny showed some great high flying moves, but he was snatched mid-air into the best move ever; the Crossface Chicken Wing for the submission victory.
Joe Coffey vs Iestyn Rees
A great vehicle to give Joe Coffey momentum going into Barramania and beyond. ‘The Iron Man’ looks great in another big man stiff-fest, ended with a discus clothesline. I saw his double jump crossbody in person; I do not know how a man that big can be that agile, he is an outstanding talent.
ICW PIN PALS MAIN EVENT: ICW World Heavyweight Title – Damo vs Drew Galloway vs Jack Jester vs Grado
I finally got the see Grado’s entrance in person, and it was awesome. Seeing 600+ people all singing ‘Like A Prayer’ live was just an amazing sight, he brings that party atmosphere and is also, a great talent to watch. He brought the comedy, Damo brought the size, Jester brought the hard hitting and Galloway brought the wrestling. A fantastic four way that started off with Jester and Galloway trying to double team Grado and Damo, but the fan-favourites fought back and squared off a few times (the first was Grado leaning back to hit Damo, Damo catching him and Grado sheepishly walking away and hiding to a big laugh from us in the crowd) before it turned into your standard mad four way finish, topped off with Damo hitting Kenny Omega’s ‘One Winged Angel’ (he probably has a name for it, but its Kenny Omega’s finish, so it’s the One Winged Angel for the win.)
Following this, the dastardly Black Label and the 55 all come in for a post match beat down. Galloway then declared that he put ICW, British wrestling and independent wrestling on the map and unveiled his TNA Heavyweight Title and said he would win the ICW belt back and be a true world champion.
Then some tools decided to nearly start a riot.
Seriously, if you can’t handle your booze; don’t drink. Some idiots decided to throw beer into the ring and the heels rightly went out and got him to do one. Then others joined in, followed by some more. There were a lot of drunk people at the shows end, but come on guys – apparently this happened at the Koko show too. Let’s not let the side down here, I would like ICW to keep coming back. It’s probably not the cheapest show to put on (its why many bands do shows in Brighton and Oxford instead of London) so don’t ruin it by being a hard man from ten feet away.
In the words of Jim Smallman at PROGRESS and Chris Brooker at PCW; Don’t be a Dick.
All in all, it was a fantastic show. Good wrestling, decently priced beer and for the most part, it was the most sociable crowd I’ve ever been to. Me and my mates formed our own little group in the corner, and shoutout to the legend near us who kept shouting ‘TWO’ following every two count. Love that guy.
Also, it was nice meeting Emma from Shenfield, who me and my mates had a long chat with after the show. I would of asked for your number, but I didn’t know if you was with your boyfriend or not.
….Anyway, really enjoyed it. Roll on Barramania II!