Discovery Wrestling hosted a sell out Halloween Disco at Portobello Town Hall this past October. An event that is being hailed as one of the best shows of the new era of Discovery.

Discovery Wrestling Tag Team Championships – SKOL BROL (Caleb Valhalla & Lost Boy Aspen) defeated Nathan Black & Will Kroos by pinfall to retain the Discovery Wrestling Tag Team Championships.

After some gum flapping from Nathan Black, Will Kroos ran through SKOL BROL to kick off their title challenge with intent. Aspen fought back to send Kroos and Black to the outside for Caleb to excitedly rush into the ring and dive through the ropes. Aspen followed with a Rollout which gave me terrible flashbacks of Whitney’s Miltank.

Kroos countered Hot Soup by smashing the violent and funky duo into the corner. Nathan Black followed up by singing God Save The King while having Aspen in a chinlock which got resounding boos in Portobello before getting a rendition of Flower of Scotland to serenade those English fellas.

It was all Kroos control as Will dismantled the Lost Boy with splashes and smashes, stopped only by a dropkick from the second rope to allow the space to tag in his big Viking pal who treated Nathan Black like a crash test dummy before he wisely tagged Kroos back in.

The meat was meeting, Caleb body slammed Kroos with relative ease but their joy was thwarted by Nathan Black making his presence felt once more. A superplex from Black followed by top rope splash from Kroos should have finished the night by Aspen managed to get a shoulder up.

Mikey Innes lost control as all four men ran in with big moves. A couple spears from Caleb, followed by Hot Soup and SKOL BROL retained.

A fast paced, action heavy, blast of an opener. I don’t see a lot of Will Kroos but when I do he is just otherworldly with how he’s able to do so many agile things considering his size. I loved Nathan Black’s antics, singing God Save The King in the capital is hilariously bold move and it was responded to in kind.

The SKOL BROL train rolls on and I’m loving it.

Triple Threat – Bruiser Brad Evans defeated Umar Mohammed, and Connor Molloy by pinfall.

Molloy and Mohammed wisely went after the BEEF KING but it wasn’t long before Evans was smacking them about. Mohammed managed to send Brad out of the ring with a hurricanrana to get a little showcase with Connor, ending with a second rope draping backstabber.

Brad returned so Umar tried the tried and tested hurricanrana trick again but Brad caught him and swung him about like a wet Sherwani.

Connor mustered Evans over for a German Suplex as all three just kept throwing everything at each other. Brad flipped out of an attempted double superplex, ran through his opponents before powerbombing Connor onto Umar. He’s an absolute hoss.

Evans caught Molloy from a diving cross body but turned around into a cutter from Mohammed which was glorious. All three wailed forearms, Brad getting hammered with a tornado DDT, half Nelson suplex, splash from Connor, and an elbow drop from Umar but there was a problem with teaming up to slay the big lad… deciding who gets the pin.

That’s all that Bruiser Brad needed, after a quick respite which saw Umar and Connor go back and forth, the brute returned to knock out Mohammed then piledrove Molloy into oblivion for an impressive victory.

A true showcase for all three wrestlers. Molloy got to show off his strength in tussles with Brad, Umar is quickly becoming a big favourite for the Disco faithful and damn right he should be, then there’s Bruiser Brad. You want a throwback big bastard who likes throwing people at people, looks like he has a diet of steak and weights, could lift a car and change a tire at the same time.

Bruiser Brad. Will Kroos. Thank me later.

Ronan King defeated Ian Skinner by pinfall.

Ronan made a mistake following the opening exchange with a slap to Skinner, who returned the favour to knock him silly. King tried the easy way out with a low blow but Ian caught himself on the ropes just in time to catch Ronan red handed to an audible ooooh from the crowd.

The disrespect continued with King just needling Skinner, who went about dishing out punishment in response. Bombarding Ronan with kicks to the back, whipping him like some sort of kickpad machine gun.

King thought he’d done enough, giving Skinner a kiss goodnight and tried to swing his elbow to skull of The Real Thing, who ducked and gave a kiss of his own and cracked Ronan with an enziguri.

Skinner stopped another low blow attempt. Countering out of a suplex for one of his own with the added flair of a mid-air kick to the back. The forearms and chops raged back and forth, with Skinner hitting his beautiful kip up lariat.

Referee Mikey Innes got forced into the corner for Ronan to finally hit a low blow but Skinner still kicked out. A crucifix bomb couldn’t do the job. Just as Ian was winding up to FINISH HIM King used Innes as a shield to stop Skinner in his tracks. raked the eyes of Ian, and planted him with a flip over side slam that you have to see to believe.

Holy shit that was fantastic. The sheer brashness for Ronan to go for a low blow every time something wasn’t going his way was outstanding. It’s like he’s not going to go the extra mile to entertain because the fans are here to see him regardless, at least that’s how I’ve gathered it. Delusion of grandeur? Skinner as Daddy Skinner taking the boy to the shed for some discipline was great. The reactions from everything they did was top quality. I was very much entertained.

Grado, Cowboy Conrad, & Ravie Davie defeated Ryan Richards, & The Good Times (Robb Stow & Monstrum) w/Mister Manoval by pinfall.

Now for something completely different. See it once, see it a hundred times, there’s no wrestler in this planet that has the aura and charisma like Grado. He brings joy to wrestling, he shows what wrestling should ultimately be and that’s fun.

After a brief interaction with Monstrum, Grado got into with Ryan Richards who was not amused by the Grado-isms. Richards wasn’t immune to the classics, the strop stop wrist lock, the deadweight German Suplex counter, the on fall fours trip up. He needed a rest so brought Ravie Davie in who hammed it up a little bit extra but that’s what happens when you’re teaming with an absolute legend like Grado.

Monstrum and Conrad had an intense staredown with Conrad even getting into the jovial spirit with a foot stomp to get a second of offense against the beast. Davie wanted a piece of Monstrum, but bit off far more than he could chew as he found himself springboarding right into a Black Hole Slam.

Robb Stow tagged in to get his pound of flesh as The Good Times made it bad times for Ravie Davie as they operated like a well oiled machine in keeping Davie as far away from his corner as possible.

A Moonsault to take out Stow and Monstrum gave Davie the space to tag in Conrad who ran wild before being speared by Richards, he got Grado in who continued the momentum with Dusty Elbow’s and Roll N Slices.

The trio took out Monstrum, with Davie sending him over the top rope, Grado dispatched Richards with a Claymore-like Wee Boot, and Conrad put the finishing touches to the match with a spinebuster and Polish Hammer to Robb Stow to get the win.

I’ll tell you something now, they’ve found the thing for Dave Conrad. A belter of an entrance theme and cowboy shit. All the good will and, pardon the pun, good times that was created during the match put into Cowboy Conrad getting the winning pinfall was spot on. He’s the guy that’ll be there at every show and that made him a more beloved fan favourite coming out of it. Even his little two step during the wee party celebrations was endearing.

A great match, Monstrum looked like a killer. Would’ve liked a little more Robb Stow, and maybe some involvement from Mister Manoval but if that’s my only complaints I think I’ve had a bloody lovely time overall.

Discovery Wrestling Women’s Championship – Emersyn Jayne defeated Debbie Keitel by pinfall to retain the Discovery Wrestling Women’s Championship.

It was straight into the action with Debbie as the thrills and spills came in spades. A counter into a Northern Lights suplex from Emersyn in the first 30 seconds, should what the tempo was expected to be.

Keitel didn’t may have tried to slow down the Jayne freight train but that didn’t mean she was taking it easy. Tying Emersyn into the ropes for a nasty crossbody was great, then a double knee into a seated Jayne in the corner struck hard.

Even in a fairly routine ground arm lock, Jayne’s arm was shaking which made the action so much more gruesome. The swell of support for Emersyn made Debbie snap, booting Jayne across the face while she was in the corner.

All Emersyn could do was look for an opening, as Debbie seemed to have an answer for just about everything. Jayne rolled out from the corner to hoist Keitel up for a German Suplex as Debbie started apologising before being folded up.

It was Debbie’s turn to take a barrage with suplexes in so many forms, the Shadowfax still being my personal favourite. Jayne missed a spring up Moonsault which allowed Keitel to drive her knees into the back of Emersyn’s skull but no dice in the pin.

There seemed to be a sense of urgency set in as both just started swinging wildly, exhausted, at war, exchanging slaps, forearms, chops, and suplex variants that I couldn’t begin to name.

A Tiger suplex from the turnbuckle and running knee should have been all for Debbie but Emersyn kicked out which was enough for Keitel to bring in the belt. Jayne countered a double arm powerbomb position into a back to belly piledriver for a nail biting near fall.

Keitel screamed that she was the rightful champion but talked herself into knee to the skull and Michinoku Driver to end a stellar match with Emersyn Jayne continuing on as Discovery Wrestling Women’s Champion.

Well. My. God.

Two outstanding wrestlers putting on an incredible high paced, high quality match. A match so good that every pinfall was bitten on. Every moment left the crowd wanting to more. How these two operate and use their bodies to make everything look a little more awesome. Debbie getting more and more unhinged was expressed brilliantly. Even when there was a guy shouting in support she rejected it. Debbie Keitel is the complete performer.

What can I say about Emersyn Jayne that I haven’t already in any other show I’ve watched her on? There is a high quality of wrestler in Scotland and Emersyn is in that upper tier. The disregard for her body to cause maximum damage is something God-like as she strings together almighty blow after almighty blow. Her agility and ring awareness to pull off some stunning moves is of the highest calibre.

Put these two together? Magic.

Emeryn’s exit was interrupted by Ashley Vega, who stormed to the ring to declare that she is undeniable, and that Discovery Wrestling management would regret not booking her for the show, putting everyone on notice. Interested to see what this goes, Vega has been plying a lot of her trade over the border recently via the Joseph Conners Elevation programme. Certainly intrigued to see if we’re getting a bit of mentor-mentee at Year 10 between Ashley and Emersyn. I’m in.

Winners Draw The Raffle – Thatcher Wright & James Erdos defeated The Disco Fry (Chip Watson & Rob Mills) by pinfall.

After that match of the year spectacle we got a little breather in the form of some nonsense from The Disco Fry.

No part of his gilet saved James Erdos from a double suplex or the Airplane Spin from Chip Watson. Thatcher Wright took out Chip with a spinning wheel kick but then had to deal with a rum infused Rob Mills. Unfortunately his momentum meter was drained when he realised that the rum was gone.

Erdos and Watson met in the middle of the ring, and as Erdos removed his gilet My Way played (in my head), they brawled with The Disco Fry coming out on top. It was smooth seas for the chippy and the pirate but Erdos came back with a double low blow as referee Chris Quinn watched on baffled by the whole situation.

Thatcher struck Watson with that haunting book of Margaret Thatcher as James Erdos adding insult to injury with a People’s Elbow of his own to pin our grease scented hero.

It was something! Indescribable, but it’s been an evolution from the raffle confrontations that has come full circle into a match on the show. The audience reaction said it all as they were invested in seeing Chip Watson get his hands on James Erdos. It was thoroughly entertaining.

Erdos then misread the raffle ticket and left Kwaku to do it instead, his work was done here.

Discovery Wrestling Openweight Championship – Judas Grey defeated Gene Munny by pinfall to retain the Discovery Wrestling Openweight Championship.

Judas was in the Halloween spirit, looking like a billion dollars (The Dark Knight grossed a billion dollars, he was dressed as the Joker when he visited Harvey Dent at the hospital dressed as a nurse – that’s the joke). He entered with Monstrum and Robb Stow in tow, but they were soon making their way to the back with a rendition of NA NA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY GOODBYE.

Gene offered a handshake that was refused, Grey went about avoiding the opening tie up which incensed Munny. He schooled Judas a little bit, taking him down with a hurricanrana. Another handshake was offered that was rebuffed by a stiff slap from Grey. No more chances were given as Munny took his opponent a bit more seriously going forward.

Munny continued to have his way with Judas, a Finlay Roll into a standing splash, tripping Grey on the ropes, showing up the self proclaimed poster boy of Scottish wrestling.

After being struck by an enziguri, Grey meekly offered his hand out but fool Gene once, shame on, shame on you. Fool Gene, you can’t get fooled again, as Munny slapped the face paint off of Judas Grey.

Grey managed to get some digs in, hitting his beauty of a recoil dropkick but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep The Good Boy down. A seated Senton from Gene gave Judas a fine reason to roll out of the ring for a little brawl around ringside. Munny returned Judas to the ring with an unceremonious standing release suplex from the apron.

A springboard spear was stopped by a quick kick. A Senton off the back of Gene Munny sent him back to the floor, quickly followed by a diving Judas who was back in the driving seat, hoisting Munny up for a Finlay Roll of his own and capping it off with his stunning standing Moonsault.

The former Y Division Champion fought back with a gnarly springboard tornado DDT to cause a reset with both men going forehead to forehead before trading shots back and forth.

A uranage, a one armed air out powerbomb, nothing Gene could do could keep Judas down as he begun to look visibly frustrated. He went up top, but after a struggle he dived into a dropkick. Grey followed up with a release rack powerbomb for a long two count.

The struggle to get that one final move led to a quick exchange of counters that ultimately saw Judas shotgun dropkick the referee into the corner, an action that he looked visibly regretful about.

With the referee knocked down, Judas hit the double arm twisting neckbreaker then surveyed the landscape, half heartedly grabbed the Openweight Championship to put down That Damn Dirty Dawg, but he hesitated a second guessed himself before putting the title down. It almost cost him as he walked into a Codebreaker, Munny followed up with a mad springboard corner to corner diving headbutt to the Grey family jewels, with an Ainsley Lariat for good measure but Judas kicked out which seemed to enrage Gene.

As Munny looked to hit that killer blow, one final Lariat, Judas dropped to the mat. Munny goaded the Disco fans by disgustedly asking if Judas was their champion, lifting him up in an inverted fireman’s carry but Grey escaped and hit a double arm twisting neckbreaker to get the three.

The dust settled and Gene Munny once again offered his hand, but before we got the conclusion Robb Stow and Monstrum arrived to beat down Munny. Stow pushed and got in the face of Grey to use the belt to knock out Gene as the crowd begged him to not to. Judas listened to the fans and struck Stow with the belt, then going straight for Monstrum.

Ryan Richards arrived to tip the numbers but Cowboy Conrad came to the rescue to help fend off The Good Times. As the trio were left in the ring, Judas offered his hand to Gene Munny, who accepted it.

A star making main event. The night Judas let them in. The whole story of the handshake was just phenomenal. The built up to it, the teases and rejections throughout the match, the final piece of the puzzle being Judas having to shed himself of The Good Times for it to finally be Grey that offers the hand after all of it was magnificent.

It shows that a wrestling story can be so simple but the layers involved in maximising the moment is art. Gene Munny has been a guy embraced and beloved by the Discovery Wrestling fans, he is now passing that torch in a sense to Judas Grey who is the next big star in Scottish wrestling. The same could be said for Dave Conrad, here’s a guy that has tried a lot of things, a lot of characters, but nothing really gravitated with an audience until now, the crowd were ecstatic to see him run out to help.

Those that hail this a potential show of the year aren’t wrong. Every match delivered something special, something memorable bell to bell. A well paced, and well structured event that gave a lot of very talented wrestlers a chance to shine.

Jayne-Keitel, Skinner-King, Grey-Munny, three mind melting singles matches. The triple threat delivered and then some, with the tag matches providing some incredible entertainment.

The Disco Fry interlude provided much needed levity between two terrific matches. The main event was breathtaking from a story standpoint but also had the in ring quality to match it.

This may damn well have been a perfect show.