The latest offering from Tidal Championship Wrestling (TCW) featured a bursting card full of UK, Canadian and American talent on offer. Coming live from the TCW Arena (known to the locals as Leeds University Union) we sent our very own Huxy to watch and review the show;
Tidal Wrestling has cemented itself within the Leeds (and perhaps the UK) wrestling scene. They always put on a great show, the event is well organised and the matches are always top class. Add to that cheap beer and fans that love wrestling and you pretty much have a formula for success.
The card for “TCW: Riptide” was stacked, featuring NXT star Leva ‘Blue Pants’ Bates, ROH/PWG star Andrew Everett as well as local wrestlers CJ Banks (stepping in for Robbie E of TNA), Dan James, ‘Gentleman’ Jack Gallagher, The New Nation, The Proven, Addy Star, HT Drake and ‘The Mexican Sensation’ (and strong fan favourite) El Ligero. The crowd were hot and thought up some innovative chants throughout, and everyone left with a feeling of satisfaction. So let’s get onto the matches.
1. JD Boom (w/ Big T) defeated Nsereko by Pinfall
A good opener, my first time seeing ‘The Ugandan Warrior’ Nsereko wrestling. Plenty of comedy from Boom with his mouth-piano(?) and his ninja mustaches which did nothing. An interference by Big T led to JD Boom picking up the win.
2. David Graves defeated ‘The Dapper Grappler’ Josh Alden by Pinfall.
A fantastic match, very talented technical wrestling from both opponents, crowd were involved and I can definitely say this was the first match that had a walking cane AND a rugby ball (nearly) used as weapons. Flips, chops and kicks gave this match something special and I bet you’ll see both of these names on the rise in British Wrestling very soon.
3. TCW Open Championship Match – ‘The Gentleman’ Jack Gallagher defeated ‘The Armbar Superstar’ Dan James by count out. Dan James retains the TCW Open Championship.
Following the match, Jack Gallagher declared that he was the best technical wrestler today and he would face anyone. He told Dan James that he had his championship.
4. ‘The Mexican Sensation’ El Ligero defeated ‘The Apex Of Agility’ Andrew Everett by Pinfall.
Two great entrances, two great wrestlers. The experience between these two wrestlers goes worldwide, and it really shows. For myself this was Match Of The Night and it was fast paced, technical, comedic and astounding at time just some of the moves that this duo pulled off. Props to the crowd for “Flippy Sh*t! Flippy Sh*t!” when Everett took to the top rope. As one of the hardest working wrestlers in British Wrestling, El Ligero continued to shine and prove why he is the TCW Champion as he picked up a win over The Apex Of Agility in this exciting bout.
Interval and fans had the chance to get in the ring with Leva Bates to have a photo opportunity.
5. Addy Starr defeated Leva ‘Blue Pants’ Bates by Pinfall.
We were treated to a fantastic cosplay entrance, as after Blue Pants had been out in her NXT blue outfit for the photographs, Addy Starr came out to her regular music dressed in a Jurassic Park t-shirt and Leva came out in full Alan Grant gear to the Jurrasic Park theme music! A great match followed, again showing lots of experience and the crowd were surprised to see Addy Starr pick up the win. The two hugged it out in the ring afterwards.
6 .‘The Gimmick Killer’ HT Drake defeated ‘The Juice’ CJ Banks by Pinfall.
This match was a great show of technical wrestling again, including some fantastic heel work by CJ Banks, including telling a fan he was going to “pull him out of that wheelchair” which followed with a strong chorus of boos. The match went on with the crowd backing Drake, and he managed to pull off a victory!
7. Liam Lazarus defeated ‘The Priority’ Chris Ridgeway by Pinfall.
Hometown hero Liam Lazarus got a massive cheer for being from Bradford, and the dastardly Ridgeway got the boos by default, that and the fact that he deserved them. Lazarus managed to pick up a good win with an old school roll up, however before the match he did make a great point that he was serious for gold – no more tea, no more Lazabus (for now) and that he deserved gold more than anyone on the roster. Following the match, two masked men came to the ring to eerie music. One man revealed himself to be Sean Only before attacking Liam Lazarus. Sean Only and the other masked man then left. Liam down in the ring,
8. The New Nation (Alexander Henry & Jason Prime) defeated The Proven (Caz Crash & Sam Wilder) by Pinfall in a Tsunami Tag match.
A big main event, two big tag teams, two great entrances. More “Yorkshire!” chants came in support of The Proven as they faced off against The New Nation from the North East. At the beginning of the Nations’ entrance, we were informed that his previous tag partner was dead, and that The Primate would be taking his place. Then a towel was removed from the mystery partner’s head to show a mask, when the mask was removed blood came pouring from his mouth, looking like an extra from Silence Of The Lambs, he made his way into the ring.
A great match followed, including getting into the crowd and fighting on the stairs of the TCW Arena, much to the delight of the fans, then when back in the ring even the ref got involved and had a knock and was sent down. After a solid back and forth match, The Proven were on the cusp of winning, only for Henry to instruct his Primordial partner to a series of moves and they managed to defeat the hometown heroes.
Following the match, Alexander Henry restrained Caz Crash at ringside while Jason Prime stamped on Sam Wilder’s leg which was trapped in a steel chair. After The New Nation left, Caz Crash challenged them to another match for the NEW Tidal Tag Team Championships.
A thoroughly enjoyable night out, and I’m already looking forward to the next time the tidal wave of TCW sweeps through Leeds University Union.
For more info on Tidal Wrestling check out their official Facebook page or head down to a show!