Crusher Craib. One of the most underrated talents in the UK today. The Creator of Carnage is currently on the sidelines with a broken hip socket suffered at Aberdeen Anarchy on June 4th. WrestleZone management then made the announcement last month that they would be releasing a DVD for the big man featuring 6 matches. The DVD was aptly titled ‘Destroy Them All: The Crusher Craib Collection’. That’s what brought me here with this review.

“Crusher Craib, the Creator of Catastrophe has loomed large over the WrestleZone landscape since his debut in 2009!

The former two-time WrestleZone Undisputed Champion & three time Regal Rumble winner is arguably the most destructive force ever to set foot in a WrestleZone ring.

Watch some of Crusher’s finest never before released match in this six-match compilation!”

The DVD starts with Crusher’s entrance music, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica playing before bringing us to the first match.

Crusher Craib vs Shawn Johnson w/Richard R. Russell
Live in Westhill 16/04/16

Shawn Johnson and Richard R. Russell make their out on stage first. Shawn is clearly focused on his match while Richard is looking around, afraid of a surprise attack by Bryan Tucker. Crusher Craib enters next, and I must say the cameraman did a great job here. He lowered the camera down to make Crusher seem even more intimidating than he already is with him towering above. So props to the cameraman. As soon as Craib entered, Shawn and Richard scattered into the crowd. It took a while before Shawn finally entered, with fans starting chants of “chicken” and “we want Bryan”. It was the Sterling Oil grappler that appeared to have the advantage in the early stages until being on the recieving end of a hard chop to the chest. Johnson managed to lock on a sleeper hold but Crusher found a counter for it in the form of a slam to the mat. Shawn again regained control following a dropkick to the knee and focused on the knee for the next few minutes, even locking in a figure four leglock with the assist of Russell at ringside. Crusher finally overturned the submission to reverse the pressure. But like before, Shawn again took control after Crusher missed a splash from the second rope. The Sterling Oil member returned to work on the knee, smashing it against the ring post. The ever resilient Crusher again fought back with a huge fallaway slam for a two count after Johnson grabbed the ropes. Shawn once again regained the advantage, with Richard grabbing a steel chair from under the ring just like at the Regal Rumble. But that’s when things turned bad for Shawn. Bryan Tucker emerged from the backstage and took the chair for himself, just missing Russell as he scampered away. Security were quick to react, with Jimbo Bannon being able to hold him back as they took the chair away. Tucker was escorted from ringside as fans were delighted to see Bryan once again get involved in his former tag partner’s business. All this distracted Shawn, giving Crusher just enough time to recover and nail a Black Hole Slam for the win. A great match to kick off the DVD.

Crusher Craib vs Mikkey Vago
Live in Newtonhill 27/02/16

Mikkey Vago of The Rejected, one of my personal favourite teams, makes his way into the Bettridge Centre first. Crusher Craib makes his way out next to a good reaction from the Newtonhill audience. Before he can finish making his entrance, Mikkey Vago attacks him from behind. It doesn’t take long for Crusher to gain control, beating down Vago in the corner. Much like the previous match, it’s a very back and forgh encounter as Vago is again in control. He trips Crusher throat first into the ropes before connecting with his trademark leg guillotine to the back for a two count. He continues the onslaught with a multitude of elbow drops for another two count. Crusher no-sells a few punches before making a comeback with clotheslines, elbows and headbutts. Vago ducks a Big Boot and retreats to the corner, only to be nailed with a corner splash instead. Crusher follows up with his Cannonball for a very close two count. Crusher then attempts a powerslam, but Mikkey counters into a reverse DDT for a two count of his own. He then ascends to the top rope, something we don’t usually see from him, and nails a diving clothesline for another two count. Mikkey heads to the top for a second time but Crusher catches him in mid-air with a beautiful Black Hole Slam for the 1, 2, 3. That ending was great. The catching Black Hole Slam will never be able to beat the one done on Bingo Ballance though. Still, a great ending.

Undisputed WrestleZone Title
Crusher Craib (c) vs Aspen Faith w/KT Kane
Live in Huntly 08/11/14

Aspen Faith enters first, accompanied by KT Kane and the stool with Len Ironside’s face on it, a trademark of his at the time. Crusher Craib enters next, holding the Undisputed WrestleZone Title belt over his shoulder. Martyn Clunes does formal in-ring introductions for this huge title bout. Aspen nails a Knee Trembler right off the bat, taking the advantage until being chopped by Crusher. Crusher sets up for the Big Boot but KT Kane grabs his leg at ringside. This distraction allowed Aspen to dropkick his leg while it was tangled up in the ropes. He then focused the rest of his attention on said knee, locking in a modified figure four leglock. Crusher reverses the hold on Aspen, but the King of Catch grabs the ropes. Faith nailed his signature dropkick to the back for a two. He returns his attention back to Craib’s knee, even using it as a surfboard at one point. Crusher escapes to the ring apron while Aspen heads up top. He taunts to the crowd for a bit too long, giving Crusher the chance to grab him by the throat and chokeslam him back down. Crusher then heads to the second rope himself and comes off with a diving shoulder block for a two count. Aspen fights back and nails an Eat Defeat but Crusher rebounds off the ropes and gives Aspen a Big Boot that sends him out of the ring. The boot is effective, as Aspen is unable to answer referee Mikey Innes’ 10 count, giving Crusher the count out victory and the retention of his Undisputed Title. He celebrates after the match before limping his way backstage.

Undisputed WrestleZone Title
Crusher Craib (c) vs Chris Archer w/The Alpha Male
Live in Banchory 13/09/14

Chris Archer appears on stage first, flanked by old bodyguard The Alpha Male. Crusher Craib enters shortly after carrying the Undisputed WrestleZone Title. Martyn Clunes does formal in-ring introductions for the contest. Chris attempts some chops to no avail, as he gets chopped himself. Archer soon escapes to ringside to get some advice from The Alpha Male. After getting back in, Archer is Irish whipped into the turnbuckles and does the trademark Shawn Michaels turnbuckle flip, turning round into a clothesline. Archer again exits the ring but this time is followed by Crusher. They bring the fight to the merchandise stand, where we have cameos from the soon-to-be Mikkey Vago and Danny Chase. Crusher chops Archer several times while he lies on top of one of the tables. They soon come back to the ring, at least Chris Archer does anyway. He distracts referee Dennis Law allowing The Alpha Male to take out Crusher. But Crusher reverses and nails several punches. Male hits Crusher in the gut and then shoves him face first off the steel ringpost, the sound ringing inside the Banchory Town Hall. This allows Archer to take the advantage as he keeps Crusher grounded. Craib soon comes back with a huge back body drop but Archer kicks his knee out, sending him face first into the turnbuckles followed by a dropkick to the back for a two count. The Alpha Male again gets involved, this time choking the big man. This gives Chris the chance to go for the Poison Arrow but it’s countered into a spinning sidewalk slam. Crusher follows it up with Baron Corbin’s End of Days for a two count after The Alpha Male places Archer’s foot on the rope. Crusher places Archer on the tope rope but Archer knocks him down and nails a picture perfect moonsault that should’ve been the end of it but Crusher kicked out. Archer orders The Alpha Male to go and get the Undisputed Title belt from ringside. Male gets on the ring apron, ready to strike Crusher but Scotty Swift comes out and makes sure he doesn’t get involved in the match anymore than he already has. The two of them battle backstage, leaving Crusher and Archer alone in the ring. After ducking a Big Boot, Chris is soon nailed with a Black Hole Slam that gives Crusher the win and another successful defense of the Undisputed WrestleZone Title.

Crusher Craib vs Lou King Sharp
Live in Montrose 20/02/16

Lou King Sharp makes his entrance first, appearing in the Montrose Town Hall for the first time. He performs his signature pelvic thrusts in the face of a fan before grabbing the mic from Martyn Clunes and doing his own introduction. Crusher Craib enters next. I knew there would be a big size difference but I wasn’t expecting it to be that big. As you could imagine, Lou refused to enter the ring at the start. When he finally entered, the first thing Your Mother’s Favourite Wrestler did was shove Crusher Craib. Crusher responded with a slap right across the face of LKS. Sharp exited the ring, going mental at a few fans and doing press-ups on the floor. After getting back in the ring, Lou again shoved Crusher and got another slap for his actions. He then attempted a jumping clothesline but just fell on his back, finding out the hard way that Crusher is a brick wall. After walking about ringside, Lou came back into the ring wanting a test of strength. After realising Sharp couldn’t reach up that high, Crusher was kind enough to get down on one knee for the test of strength. They locked up with Crusher obviously winning. He then lifted Lou up above his head and dumped him down to ringside. Sharp decided it would be best to hide under the ring. Crusher tried to figure out where he was, but he was too late as he was nailed with a suicide dive by the yongster. They brought the match back into the ring where Lou could’ve won at any point, including after a huge Superkick. After missing the Sharp Splash, Lou was nailed with a spinning sidewalk slam. Crusher nailed a third slap followed by a running shoulder tackle for a two count. Sharp escaped and clung on to the top of the ringpost, only for Crusher to grab his legs and swing him groin first into the post. Ouch! After missing a move in the corner, Crusher was nailed a double foot stomp out of the corner by Sharp. He then went for the Slick Kick, but Crusher turned round and booted him in the jaw for the win. LKS was carried backstage after the match by referee Dennis Law. A really enjoyable match filled with several comedy spots.

2 on 1 Handicap match
Crusher Craib vs The Rejected (Chris Archer & Mikkey Vago)
Live in Stonehaven 07/05/16

The Rejected make their through the curtain to the chants of “Hairy Bikers”. Yep, those chants are still happening. Crusher Craib enters next with the same camerawork from the Shawn Johnson match. Hopefully that stays when Crusher returns to action. Chris Archer attempts a plancha as Crusher is still making his entrance but he gets caught and shoved back in the ring. Mikkey Vago comes from behind and keeps a hold of Crusher’s legs, allowing Archer to nail a triangle dropkick. Chris and Mikkey go for simultaneous dives off the ropes but Crusher catches them both by the throat and dumps them to ringside. After beating on both for the next several minutes, Crusher attempts to suplex Archer but Vago puts a stop to that and together the two nail a neckbreaker/reverse DDT combo. Vago holds Crusher on the ropes while Archer nails a running crossbody to the back followed by Mikkey’s signature leg guillotine. In another double team move, Vago nails a running elbow drop while Archer nails a diving elbow drop. All these tag moves get two counts. Looking for the submission victory, Archer & Vago lock in a double single leg boston crab but Crusher shoves them off. He eventually nails his Cannonball on Vago for the two. In an amazing feat of strength, Crusher nails a double Samoan drop, taking both members of The Rejected out at once. He then nails a chokeslam on Vago, giving Archer the time to grab his signature steel chain. Before he can wrap it around his wrist, Crusher spots him. He grabs the other end of it and uses it to pull Archer right in front of him for a Black Hole Slam and the win. Mikkey Vago attacks him after the match is over and holds him back for Archer to use the chain. But Scotty Swift comes from backstage, ducking the chain to the face and clotheslining Vago. He follows it up with the Granite City Driver on Archer, clearing The Rejected from the ring. Crusher then grabs a mic and says he doesn’t need Scotty’s help, to which Scotty replies “it looked like you did”. Scotty leaves ringside as Crusher celebrates. Thid was a great way to build the rivalry between Swift and Crusher for Aberdeen Anarchy earlier this year.

I found the match order a little weird, as it went from 2 matches in 2016 to 2 matches in 2014, then back to another 2 matches in 2016. Nevertheless, I thought this was a fantastic DVD and I would highly recommend you buy it. The DVD can be purchased by either attending any WrestleZone event or by heading online to the WrestleZone website. Either way, it’s priced at £8.

– Adam Morrison