We’ll have a road trip episode of the podcast soon about this event, in the meantime it is available on Patreon in audio form here: www.patreon.com/scotwresnet

I quite enjoy the wrestling. It’s a boost of serotonin that always benefits the ol’ brain. As per usual here is how the journey went for yours truly.

  • Arrived at the venue an hour before the VIP doors opened.
  • Thought the KFC was nearby.
  • It was not as nearby as first thought.
  • Ended up in the Brig O’Don, a Greene King, and had a smashing hunter’s chicken.

    A very uneventful trip this time.

Seeing the Rich Energy Arena hall fill, it looked great, the merch was overflowing, and if I hadn’t been to Edinburgh two weeks prior I would’ve came home with so many stuff and things. I’m just lucky that fat lad sizes were sold out of the Aberdeen Anarchy hoodies… because it was a need. So it was just a picture with Gangrel for my purchases and pawing over the cool things on offer, speaking of which I am so behind on my Aspen merch… anyway… show time!

I will do my best to break down the highlights and moments of the matches, they may be out of order but I have used the photographs from Brian Battensby and Kirsten Louise to jog the memory a little.

It was a brief and uneventful interaction with Gangrel, which is always for the best as I’ve learned that if I get the time to speak to wrestlers it always ends up awkward so I’ve maybe learned my lesson to just get in, get out, and then I won’t have a nightmare to come back to haunt me for the next 10 years *cough*Lita*cough*Billy Gunn*cough*.

Mr P welcomed everyone to the event, taking the place of Martyn Clunes following The Foundation of the Future attack at Regal Rumble, and was on ring announcing duties for the VIP ticket holder bonus match.

VIP Ticket Holder Match – If Archer Wins, Evan Young and Oliver Green Become His Understudies – Chris Archer defeated Evan Young w/Oliver Green.

As Gangrel looked on, we kicked off with Chris Archer entering in his old Outcast gear, going for that Archertaker ’08 look with the singlet straps on the top half. A cracking look to be fair. Evan Young entered with Oliver Green in tow, complete with plastic face mask, Undashing Oli Green eh.

Evan went in with a fire under his arse and was running around like a whippet with a bum full of dynamite. Flying in and out of the ring and gathering momentum, but Archer used those little shortcuts to take control. We got the Snake Eyes, Big Boot, Leg Drop combo in tribute to the big deadman himself.

Young fought back with a lovely Michinoku Driver, but couldn’t put away The Outcast, who decided that he needed to bring the chain into proceedings. Green jumped onto the apron to take the chain away but in the fracas Archer gave Young a low blow and finished the match with a double underhook facebuster.

A very passionate opener, even though it was a rematch from January in the same venue, I liked that Archer didn’t look to underestimate Evan like four months prior, a little layer to the story. Archer cheated, sure, but it lends more to the stipulation with Young and Green now under the charge of him. Archer demanded that Green raised his arm which was met.

Evan Young was pissed but Oliver Green begrudgingly accepted the terms. I like this, I like to see where this goes if Oli gets that edge that may be missing, and/or if Evan starts using those shortcuts to get ahead. Young has had a stop-start wrestling journey so far so if Chris Archer starts convincing Evan that his way is the way to jump the queue there could be a very interesting thread. Archer, a former multi-time Tag Team Champion and former Tri-Counties Champion, has had success in WrestleZone so could be a positive influence success-wise.

As the rest of the crowd piled in for a packed Rich Energy Arena, Mr P welcomed everyone else but thought that he couldn’t do the Master of Ceremonies job justice and introduced the returning Martyn Clunes for the evening. Maximise the Clunes Pop(TM).

WrestleZone Tag Team Championships – Flippy N Drippy (‘The Big Slay’ Connor Molloy & Ronan King) defeated The Outfit (Ted O’Keefe & Murphy) by pinfall to WIN the WrestleZone Tag Team Championships.

Starting the main show hot with Flippy N Drippy strutting out, synchronised posing, and as the kids say “serving cunt” (God I hope that’s right, I’m so old). Murphy and Ted O’Keefe entered with a lot of energy, they were pumped up for this one as Martyn did the in-ring introductions.

We were treated to an action packed tag team title match with Ronan King and Connor Molloy adding a lot of flair with Ted O’Keefe hilariously bemused by the antics. King and Molloy tried a bit of Flip, Flop, and Fly but decided that in-sync gyrating was the best option which allowed O’Keefe to shake off the punches. O’Keefe evaded a second rope double clothesline to send Flippy N Drippy crashing to the mat. King and Molloy managed to hit their Young Bucks double kiss-superkick combination to O’Keefe for a nearfall.

Murphy used his power throughout but couldn’t stop being thrown off the top turnbuckle by King and Molloy. O’Keefe got his cracking spinebuster into the match and almost wrapped up the match with a Sharpshooter to Connor Molloy but it wasn’t enough.

King landed a nice 450 splash, I’d wondered if we would get a Shooting Star Press redemption from last year but maybe not tug on that risk twice y’know. Molloy busted out a cutter to O’Keefe. Flippy N Drippy launched a tandem Uso Splash which was an excellent visual.

Connor brought one of the tag titles into play and in the distraction Ronan snuck in with the other title to smash the back of the head of Ted O’Keefe to put the final blow into a blistering opener.

Flippy N Drippy picked up the win to become the NEW WrestleZone Tag Team Champions. A fantastic opening contest. The Outfit are in that category with the likes of Chris Archer as guys that consistently have solid matches at a bare minimum. O’Keefe’s return at The Regal Rumble last year really stepped them up a level, that moved them into championship contenders. For me, it’s adding that mouth piece that could articulate the goals of The Outfit and drive a focus forward. Their turn and subsequent battles with The Foundation of the Future opened a lot of fans eyes, myself included.

A great six month reign with a lot of scope to explore a further reign especially when Dino returns so we get the full Freebird Rule in effect.

Ronan King gaining his first championship is testament to the work he has put in since debuting at the end of 2021, King has done everything to make himself one of the most unapologetically deplorable and cocky wrestlers on the roster, and the better he gets, the more annoying it is that he doesn’t pander to cheers in the best way. Connor Molloy may be back in the tag team division but it’s a total 180 to his previous reign where he was the plucky underdog, now he’s this big character, over-the-top, it looks like Connor is relaxed and confident in his role. A great duo, a great match.

Air Myles’ Final Match – Alex Webb defeated Air Myles by pinfall.

Alex Webb’s Fair City Saints entrance music transitioned into Chad Kroeger and Josey Scott’s absolute banger ‘Hero’ from the 2002 Spider-Man movie. 5 Stars, 6 if it was in The Beach Ballroom. He entered with his YouTube plaque It what was the final match of Steven ‘Air’ Myles, 10 years of being in the wrestling business, and as he pointed out I got to see his debut and now I’m sat there watching his final bout. A very serendipitous moment.

The match started as back and forth as you’d expect when it’s two tag team partners, exchanging holds and nearfalls in the early going, including a popped Sunset Flip by Myles for a two count. Myles cracked Webb with a very nice dropkick.

Webb started getting a bit more aggressive, apologising which also cracking Myles with kicks and a double foot stomp from the top rope to a bent over Myles in the centre of the ring. We got vintage Myles with a springboard back elbow and roll out sunset flip into a standing moonsault. Myles planted Webb with a StMyles Clash for 2.99. Webb hit a lovely Panama Sunrise but couldn’t finish the match.

Myles missed and rolled through a 450 Splash attempt but ran into a running kick to the face to send him inside out for the pinfall.

I’ve only touched upon a few highlights as this was a great match. My viewing was hampered a little by a tall fella sitting in the empty seat in front me as the match started, so my view involved dodging my head around to avoid a crick in the neck. It was back and forth, it could’ve been easy for Webb to just go fully blown bad guy but it kept the respect between the Fair City Saints intact.

Webb left Myles in the ring after an inaudible exchange of words, a private moment between the two, and the crowd gave him a round of applause as Myles made final his exit.

This was maybe the most underappreciated match on the show. There wasn’t as much of a big overblown story involved. Myles has always been a humble wrestler, underrated as a wrestler for sure, and he was granted a final match against his long time tag team partner to close off this 10 year chapter of his life. It was different to everything else on the show.

What comes next is certainly interesting. Webb coming out with the YouTube plaque had my guard up thinking we might see an immediate character switch because I hate friendship clearly, I’m glad that it was a respectful end to the moment. It leaves Webb out on his own going forward, he’ll do alright.

Aberdeen Street Fight – The Foundation of the Future (Zach Dynamite, Ryan Riley, & Bruiser Brad Evans) defeated Sterling Oil (William Sterling, Damien, & Scotty Swift) w/Richard R. Russell by submission.

Way back about 1,000 words ago I mentioned that some things may be out of order and this is the match I was really referring to. So much happened in this one but I’ll do my best to fit in as much as I can.

Let’s go right back to before the entrances, Martyn Clunes announced that he wasn’t comfortable announcing the upcoming match and Mr P stepped in. Continuity. Love it.

The Foundation of the Future entered in street fight gear. I always appreciate when the jeans come out for a street fight, if anything Bruiser Brad Evans looks even more terrifying in casual gear.

‘I Want It All’ blasted through the speakers with William Sterling and Damien walking out, followed by Scotty Swift wearing a Sterling Oil shirt, madness. Richard R. Russell followed behind, cane in hand. The visual was bizarre to be honest. The bizarre-ness continued when Scotty removed his Sterling Oil shirt to reveal that he was donning Alan Sterling’s Sterling Oil singlet.

Quite rightly the match went straight into a brawl and spanned venue-wide. As Swift, Riley, Evans, and Damien battled into the far end of the hall I was near front row to William Sterling and Zach Dynamite smacking each other about near the merch tables. Sterling grabbed a broom which he tried to ram down the throat of Dynamite, it snapped so he scraped the pointy end across Zach’s back and I could only think of the splinters… which was probably on the low end of potential injuries to be honest. They returned to the ring with a chair duel with the sound of the metal collision rattling all over the hall.

William Sterling was taken out fairly early on with his knee being attacked, Triple R ran around pleading for assistance as he tried to get a referee out to check on Sterling at ringside. Riley and Evans set up for a Peep Peep’s Special to Damien onto a metal bin but it didn’t quite have the impact as anticipated.

The Foundation placed Swift’s throat across the back of a chair, with Dynamite landing an elbow drop to the back of the neck to cause maximum damage. Damien returned swinging wildly, diving from the top turnbuckle to the floor, landing on Dynamite and Evans.

Ryan Riley tried to bring a table into the ring but Martyn Clunes ran to ringside to do his best to stop it which allowed Scotty time to intervene. Swift tried to give Riley a Granite City Driver through the table but it must’ve been imported from Japan as it didn’t break with Riley clipping the edge. Swift wasn’t to be denied as he set up the table into the corner and launched Ryan through it head first.

The chaos continued with the chairs coming into more prominent play, after smashing Bruiser Brad, Damien set them up on their side, harsh memories of Dynamite-Aspen from Halloween Hijinks 2022 flooded back to my mind. As they fought on the second rope turnbuckle Damien managed to push Zach off the ropes but Evans returned to provide a pop up for Dynamite to grab Damien and throw him overhead. Someone was looking out for Damien in the heaven’s above as he missed the chair construction which may’ve ended his night a lot earlier than hoped. Dynamite brought handcuffs in but Damien fought off being cuffed as the brawl continued. Russell was followed at ringside by Evans before falling back. Damien rushed out to fight off Evans before helping Russell to his feet. Now, from my view it didn’t look like Evans touched The Master Strategist, could this have been a ploy to bait Damien out of the ring in hindsight?

Damien eventually found himself handcuffed to the barrier at ringside by Dynamite as Swift appeared and gave Zach a chokeslam onto the floor. Swift’s night was ended with Bruiser Brad Evans giving Swift a piledriver, before lifting Scotty for an attempted Rhyno Driver off the apron but some mis-footing saw it turn into a Diamond Clash with Evans’ full weight landing on top of Swift as he crashed through a table set up earlier at ringside.

Evans once again stalked Russell at ringside which brought him into the ring, but before The Foundation could do damage Sterling returned to the ring and started throwing hands, but had his knee was clipped, The Foundation proceeded to wrap a chair around the injured knee but before Dynamite could go for the killer chair assisted elbow drop a familiar bell tolled as Crusher Craib appeared. Evans ran after ‘The Creator of Carnage’ but got a big boot to the face, Riley followed with a chair but got it palmed into his face. Craib marched to the ring and, despite being rocked with a superkick from Dynamite, gave Zach a monster of a Black Hole Slam before being escorted out. Just. My God. An interesting note was the fear that Richard R. Russell showed as he cowered in the corner when Crusher arrived. He wouldn’t make eye contact with Craib. It made sense, it’s not like their professional relationship ended well but also foreshadowed what was to come.

As Crusher left, it was down to William Sterling, Richard R. Russell, and Zach Dynamite in the ring. Sterling demanded Russell’s cane. He set up to decapitate Dynamite but Russell grabbed the cane, jabbed Sterling in the gut, which gave Dynamite the opportunity to crank a single leg Boston Crab as Evans and Riley returned to push the back of Sterling to increase the pressure. Sterling submitted as Russell looked away. After the bell The Foundation walked towards Russell but Triple R retreated with tears in his eyes.

The dust settled, Swift checking on Sterling with Damien shouting “that was the plan?!?”. The distrust, the bizarreness, the whole upside down of the Sterling Oil situation proved to come undone. The Foundation of the Future were triumphant, their tactics are ruthless but it can’t be denied the chemistry that the trio possesses. The Foundation left united while Sterling Oil left broken.

Everything about this arc hit the mark in the build up and execution, from the attacks to Mr WrestleZone from invoking the name of Scotty Swift, to Martyn Clunes and Blue Thunder being taken out at Regal Rumble, to the reveal of Rhys Dawkins convincing Bryan Tucker to lift the stipulation to bring back Scotty Swift because some things are more important, William and Damien approaching Alan Sterling and Shawn Johnson after noting that Crusher Craib couldn’t be contacted but both rejected being involved, to Martyn Clunes getting a moment of revenge, Crusher Craib making his return, Richard R. Russell continuing to be the most untrustworthy cretin in existence, before The Foundation of the Future picking up the win by making William Sterling submit. It brought so many parts together to form a 1000 piece puzzle that was The Foundation of the Future against the foundations of WrestleZone. I called it a love letter to WrestleZone, and it was that.

The curtain was pulled back like never before in my memory of WrestleZone history which allowed for a match that gave everything to us. Everyone involved gave us a wild match which was woven with so much story for first time fans and those that have been coming back for a years.

You can argue where this properly began but if I was to mark a time, it would be Battle of the Nations 2023 when the arrogance of The Foundation of the Future lead to The Outfit coming out to start chaos for the next few months. You could even make a case that it could go as far back as Christmas Chaos 2022 when The Foundation’s trophy cabinet crumbled when they entered with all the gold and left with none. A night that Scotty Swift was forced to retire, the last matches of Mr P and Shawn Johnson, a night where the foundations of WrestleZone were weakened for a moment.

Outstanding.

I would’ve loved Umar Mohammed to make an appearance to get a few shots in on behalf of Mr WrestleZone but that would’ve been like adding a couple extra sprinkles on the perfect cake. Would’ve been nice but doesn’t change the taste.

While we all recovered during the interval, Greg ‘The Magician’ Chaos went unhinged on the merch stand shouting that if you didn’t buy the last of the youth sizes of the Aberdeen Anarchy shirts then you didn’t love your kids or that your kids wouldn’t love you, it was one of the two but that is the kind of left field savagery that tickled me. Same with Mr P passing on a message that Captain Alan didn’t want anyone to buy the sailors hats at the merch tables because you can’t just buy a hat and call yourself a captain *chef’s kiss*.

Assistant to the Head of Security Kev scaled the ladder to place the items for the next match, it was time for something a little different.

Umar’s Sherwani vs Alan’s Hat – Ladder Match – TV’s Umar Mohammed defeated Captain Alan Sterling.

Captain Alan entered hatless, I repeat, hatless, shouting at all of those that had went and bought a sailors hat. TV’s Umar Mohammed showed some machismo as he swaggered his way under the ladder chico, his knee may’ve regretted that decision. While Umar made his entrance, Alan tried to piggyback Martyn Clunes in a futile attempt to reach the prizes above the ring.

The match started with a condensed match flashing back to January when they first clashed, once Umar connected with the second rope draping backstabber it was time to bring in the ladder.

Despite Alan’s confusion of how to climb the ladder didn’t help him as he laid the ladder on the canvas and walked across it. He eventually realised how to use the ladder if he wanted his battle hat again as the two tried their best to disable the other long enough to scale up.

After a tussle Umar backdropped Alan onto a ladder that was leaning on the top rope for a clatter. Alan thwarted Umar’s climbing attempts by pushing over the ladder, and at one point a fan shouted for Alan to climb the ladder but Alan lifted it from the bottom rung which sent Umar flying backwards into a ladder set up in the corner, another saw Umar being sent from the ladder into the top rope and his crumple physics ended up with Mohammed folded in half on the canvas.

Mohammed wasn’t to be denied, he got Captain Alan into the corner that already housed the second ladder, dropped the kneepads and rushed for a Thundergun Express but Alan moved to send Umar crashing both unprotected knees into the metal.

As the match wore on, my memory is hazy here but I think after a battle on the ladder, Umar stung Alan with a tornado DDT which gave him enough time to re-scale the ladder with one leg working and pulling down the sherwani and hat to claim victory. Umar put on the jacket immediately to avoid any further thievery.

Umar was assisted to the back but left Alan’s hat in the ring which the Captain proudly retrieved. Sterling left smiling ear to ear to have it his hat back… I’m almost positive that he has forgotten that he lost the match but he got his hat back so… everybody wins?

Plenty of barbaric moments involving the ladder, you come into this match when it involves Captain Alan, that it might be pure comedy value but bar a few small moments this was competitive as Alan wanted his hat back. Now that’s that settled it’s time to get Umar into the title picture, the WrestleZone crowd love Umar and some gold around his waist would be wonderful.

Gangrel, & Speed Metal (Mikkey Vago & Tommy Raiden) defeated Judas Grey, & Warriors Against Low Life Entities (Rhys Dawkins & Bryan Tucker) by pinfall.

We got some fangin’ and headbangin’ in the semi main event. As Warriors Against Low Life Entities entered with Judas Grey they were showered with WALLY chants as is the tradition. Grey was very quick to note that he wasn’t actually part of the WALLE’s so he in fact was not a wally, technically correct which is the best kind of correct.

Yes, Judas once again launched his jumper at me. He scoured the hall, I once again waved… why am I baiting him? Is this Stockholm Syndrome at this point? As it was Aberdeen Anarchy I stood up, removed my glasses, and took it. Right to the face. It was the black jumper with blue flames, very blue Kane.

Speaking of it being Aberdeen Anarchy, like I haven’t been for the last 3500 words, Tucker and Dawkins had the speciality Anarchy gear, all silk and fancy. Tucker in a nice purple waistcoat, cravate, and Burberry troos, like a Scottish themed Quality Street, along with strategically not opting for braces as he’s been caught trapped with them on more than one occasion recently. Dawkins arrived in a silky red waistcoat and white breeches, like a Campino. I still want that fashion V-Log on Vimeo Bryan, I don’t forget!

Speed Metal entered and forget the Northern Lights, you probably could’ve seen Mikkey Vago’s smile shimmering in the distance if you looked towards the horizon, however the lack of ruffle shirts was disappointing. Then it was the turn of Gangrel as The Brood theme started, the nostalgia was overwhelming. Out he came with the golden chalice, the shades, the spitting of the red viscous liquid, I was transported back to 1999 for a moment.

Raiden and Grey kicked off what was to be a very competitive bout. When the Anarchy lights turn on Bryan Tucker kicks into a pre-2018 gear, but he still got caught with an Atomic Drop and the reverse version by Mikkey Vago which left him in a bit of bother.

Then Gangrel entered. Before the show he walked around like he had been hitting Impaler DDTs for over 30 years. When the bell rang though he transformed and was running along the apron, slapping the turnbuckle, getting so into the action, referee Mikey Innes was getting shouted at for his counts, it was amazing. Like, when you get a special guest in for a show it is so easy for them to maybe do the classics, walk through, just collect a payday for minimum effort but Gangrel was all in and about the match. The guy looked as passionate for wrestling as he did when I was watching him 25 years ago.

Dawkins and Tucker finally succeeded with the tandem battering ram, first Tucker then Dawkins, onto Gangrel… what a sentence. They’ve been trying to hit it for over a year. They celebrated by missing a high 10 which made the moment even better.

Tommy Raiden got the majority of the punishment with Judas hitting his fantastic recoil corner dropkick, he and Dawkins had a nice little tag team portion with a wheelbarrow splash.

Gangrel returned to the fray and smashed Judas with some big clotheslines that sent Grey flying as the match broke down with bodies everywhere. Our heroes set up the Warriors (and Judas Grey) for a trio of Impaler DDTs. Vago pinned Grey for the win to close that chapter that started at Christmas Chaos.

After the match Gangrel thanked the fans, the wrestlers, the crew, and even the referee despite his issues with some of Mikey’s calls. What a guy. We’ve had to wait 5 years for an Aberdeen Anarchy guest (last one was 2019 with PAC) and it was worth the wait though as Gangrel was brilliant.

This match was so entertaining. It may’ve been having to share the ring with someone of the reputation of Gangrel, or having a lot of eyes on the match as many would’ve bought their ticket solely to see Gangrel do a bit of the wrestling, but everyone had a little extra pep in their step into everything into the match. To highlight Judas Grey especially, his already incredible crumple physics ramped up more as he made Gangrel’s clotheslines look like they were decapitating him with every strike.

Mikkey Vago continues to be one of the most reliable wrestlers on the roster, sure it’s a little joke that Vago always wants an import but the level of work he has put in over the last 3 years there’s no denying the opportunities he is presented with. Tommy Raiden stepped up a level also as Speed Metal is properly taking shape for an inevitable match with Flippy N Drippy to open up the old Vago-King wound from 2022.

I thought there might’ve been some garlic, wooden stakes, or some crosses involved in the shenanigans but there was nothing hokey included like that, sure Tucker was still a massive dork and was bringing Dawkins into his dorky orbit but was a bit more subtle than expected. Tucker looked in great shape, and Dawkins is another that continues to deliver.

A nice little moment, and maybe an incredible coincidence, was Gangrel getting the crowd hyped with a ‘We Will Rock You’ foot stomp and clap as Vago pointed over to Mr P, who always started matches doing that, you could see that Mr P was in his element and I could be mistaken but I’m sure he was there with a tear in his eye.

The pre-main event raffle was a tame affair, nobody got piledriven, they once again gave the admitted colourblind Mr P the job to pick the tickets out. If Mr P wasn’t so charismatic and made light of it then it would almost seem cruel but I digress… it was time for the main event.

Undisputed WrestleZone Championship/WrestleZone Tri-Counties Championship – Winner Takes All – Caleb Valhalla defeated Lost Boy Aspen by pinfall to retain the WrestleZone Tri-Counties Championship and WIN the Undisputed WrestleZone Championship.

Six matches in (including the VIP match), it was time for the big one, the match for all the gold. As the entrances were made, the first thing spotted was that both Caleb Valhalla and Lost Boy Aspen entered with not only their respective singles titles but also the Discovery Wrestling Tag Team Championships. I can’t remember a recent time where another promotions championship appeared in WrestleZone, the last occasion that comes to mind is Drew Galloway in 2014 with the EVOLVE Championship so 10 years ago?

The second striking thing I noticed was Aspen’s attire. Something that has alway stuck with me is a past podcast of Aspen saying he likes to start his gear from black and white then add colour as the story progresses. Once a certain chapter ends he goes back to black and white again. Whether he still does that, I don’t know, but what I can tell you was when he entered with the pink added to his singlet and his entrance jacket with more pink flashes my initial thought was was this the end of his reign… or the end of SKOL BROL in WrestleZone? From that point forward I was tense AF standing at the back of the hall watching on.

The match was different from last years slugfest, there was confliction on the side of Aspen, the innocence and pride of Caleb who was coming in with the thought that it was a battle between brothers for the big prize.

It started with shoulder blocks as Valhalla embraced the war while Aspen looked frustrated that the match was even happening. This had a logical perspective, it can’t be the physical meat smashing of last year because following the match they will continue to be tag team champions in Edinburgh so there was a reason why it wasn’t as stiff as 2023.

Now, don’t get me wrong it was still a physical match, not just for these two but also for Kev (second mention, cheque is in the post) who got booted by Aspen at ringside after Caleb dodged the attack.

Valhalla took to the air with a dive through the ropes which led to the aforementioned Kev (three) boot to the face. Once the match returned to the ring these guys went back and forth with suplexes and heavy forearms. During a kick out Aspen was pushed back and landed on Dennis Law’s head to take him out of the bout. Caleb looked to have the match won, I think it was a Helride (brain fog) but there was no referee to make the count. A young lad in a referee shirt arrived to take over proceedings as the match wore on, a powerbomb by Aspen, a second rope moonsault from Caleb, but a errant spear ended the lad’s referee duties as he was unfortunately in two pieces.

I think it was during this portion that Aspen grabbed the Undisputed WrestleZone Championship as Caleb got to his knees after a Darkest Lariat didn’t make the count because the referee was a mild case of dead. He stood over Caleb with the title in hand, he could smash Valhalla and retain right there or he could drop the title and continue the battle fairly. Aspen opted for the latter and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Caleb responded to the hesitation with a forearm to the face. Missed a top rope diving headbutt which Aspen jumped on with a J-Driller, Mr P rushed Mikey Innes out to take over referee duties as he scrambled to put in his ear piece but it was another near fall.

The fight continued, up to the second rope with Caleb lifting Aspen up for a second rope Helride for the 1… 2… 3.

Caleb Valhalla was the new Undisputed WrestleZone Champion in an incredible main event. Aspen snatched the Undisputed title, held it one last time before throwing it at Caleb. Valhalla offered his hand to shake but Aspen rejected it, returning for a hug. Thanks lads, needed that mini heart attack on top of everything else.

Aspen raised Caleb’s arm and left to leave Valhalla to soak in the adulation of the crowd.

Considering I spent most of that match in a bit of a haze, biting my nails, losing what’s left of my hair due to the sheer vibrations of the heart beating faster… I think that’s what happened. I’ll have to, and will, watch it back when I can.

A brilliant main event, it maybe due to it being two of my favourite wrestlers going at it, but I felt this match in my very soul as they tussled for momentum, or to string three or four moves together just to get a head of steam. The two came in with different mindsets of Caleb who was proud to be fighting his best friend, and Aspen who was conflicted on how they got here and what happens after. That was threaded throughout the match and that moment of Aspen ready to clock Caleb with the belt before changing his mind was perfect. It was even teased earlier in the match when the belts had been left in the corner, Martyn Clunes went to retrieve them and Aspen stomped on them and waved Martyn away. Just a tiny moment that lead to that tense minute.

Before I finish up here, during the celebrations the Regal Rumble countdown happened then went back to Caleb’s music. This is the second time it has happened as far as I am aware, first after Valhalla won the Regal Rumble match and again at Regal Rumble, someone would have to confirm if it happened in Ellon. Once is a mistake, twice sets some alarm bells in this crackpot WrestleZone theorist. Here’s what I’ve got.

The Regal Rumble winners earns an Undisputed WrestleZone Championship match, generally accepted to be at Aberdeen Anarchy, 2019 being the exception to the rule recently. Now everyone has had their championship match except one man who won the 2018 edition, who lost his opportunity to Damien at Battle of the Nations later that year. A man that recently returned to WrestleZone. A man that is known to exploit the rules. That’s right the man behind the Regal Rumble countdown is RICHARD R. RUSSELL. I hear your question, is Russell challenging Caleb Valhalla? No no, that would be preposterous. The question I have going forward is WHO is Richard R. Russell hitching his trailer to, what vehicle is he bringing to WrestleZone. I have no names in mind right this minute but I will be watching you from afar Russell… anyway, tinfoil hat removed.

What a show from WrestleZone, it was fantastic from start to finish, Gangrel was a welcomed addition, the crowd was big and loud. The Rich Energy Arena is definitely a venue that warrants these big shows like Aberdeen Anarchy. I’d love to see a Regal Rumble there in the future.

I love the wrestling.