For the final time this year Iron Girders Pro Wrestling emanated from the Gallowgate in Glasgow. I have been invested in the Iron Girders shows for a little while and with hosting Iron Clash TV (available on the Iron Girders YouTube channel), I have been hyping up the ‘IGPW17’ card so much that I was super pumped to see that little notification pop up that Girders went live on the Twitch.

Katt Wolfe was on Mistress of Ceremony duties once again to lead us into the main card for the promotion’s Christmas edition.

Colton Davis defeated Gabriel Saul by pinfall.

Gabriel Saul got into the Christmas spirit by coming as a bauble with his freshly shaved dome, I know, pot, kettle, etc. The size difference was evident but Saul looked intense and ready to go against the giant, as Davis bullied Saul into the corners, using his wider reach to maintain distance in his punches but keeping control.

Saul got an opening with use of his quickness advantage, picking up the pace and knocking Colton out of the ring with a jumping kick to the face. Gabriel was relentless, following Davis to the outside with hard knife-edged chops around the ringside area.

Just as the momentum was gathering, Colton clocked Saul with a straight right hand before lighting him up with a couple of chops of his own. Davis continued the beat down, hurling Saul into the corners with authority.

Not one to go down without a fight, Gabriel did what he could to evade the rampaging Colton Davis but found himself on the receiving end of a beating. Saul had one final fire up but his attempt at a powerbomb was countered, leaving Gabriel feeling the brunt force of Colton’s boot into his skull before looking up at the lights after a chokeslam.

Colton Davis was an animal in this one. Overwhelming Gabriel Saul with offense as he could only gather brief moments of reprieve in what felt like just holding off the inevitable. An emphatic win for ‘Sky High’ Colton Davis.

My handsome doppelgänger Commissioner Elijah Bulwark made his way out to make an announcement. He revealed that after receiving the blessing of the McCallum family, the Pro Wrestling Elite Tag Team Championships were no longer inactive and would be brought to Iron Girders Pro Wrestling with a tournament beginning on March 29th at the Gallowgate.

I love this. Pro Wrestling Elite was known as an incredible company for bringing in top class international talent to give wrestling fans an unforgettable experience, plus giving the wrestlers a chance to test their metal against some of the very best on the independent scene. Their championship lineage is outstanding so to see those belts return and be a prize for the new crop of tag teams is something very exciting to see develop in 2025.

Kez Evans & Tommy Lockhart defeated Branagan & Eddie Castle by pinfall.

Tommy Lockhart’s entrance was cut short by the entrance music of Kez Evans’s as he entered in a simple orange and black singlet. It really felt back to basics for Kez by both champing at the bit to get to the ring and get back to work, and at the same time start afresh with the attire having little by the way of flash.

A lovely little point was during the traditional “if you hate Eddie Castle clap your hands” chant, Branagan slapped those hands together while Eddie was distracted by the noise. I have developed quite the soft spot for that bald brute. He just wants to do a wrestle.

Branagan started off with Lockhart, but fell for a Bop and Bang which caused an almighty crack across the jaw. They traded holds before Tommy tagged in Kez who was swinging fists like they were going out of fashion, leaving Castle and Branagan on the outside to regroup.

Lockhart and Evans exchanged quick tags but a moment of contemplation allowed for Castle to chop the knee and give Branagan the opportunity to torture the left knee of Tommy once again. The villain’s shenanigans continued in order to retain control, using distractions to gain an advantage with Evans getting a welcome back to the ring with that consisted of not getting a moment of peace.

He finally got to his corner which gave Tommy Lockhart the chance to put on a show, well rested and pissed that he has had to be a front row witness to the Kez Evans beat down. A Tornado DDT/Enziguri combo to his opponents, a diving headbutt to Castle, left Kez Evans to put the final nail into the match with a double arm DDT to the former IGPW Champion.

A hell of a lot of fun. I’ve said it before but it bares repeating. Kez Evans was really underappreciated during the pandemic run of events (including by myself), because he is so very good at wrestling. His movement is incredible, and with this being his return after a few months away, I’m invested in seeing where he will go with a renewed focus and passion for professional wrestling. Another guy that goes under the radar but has heaps of talent is Eddie Castle. He’s been around for a few years, great at being a menace and drawing that emotion of rage out of anyone with just a glance. A guy that would be beneficial in a lot of places.

Tommy Lockhart continues a good run of form from the matches I have been able to watch, and with every event I fall a little bit more in love with Branagan. There’s something about that man, maybe it’s because he doesn’t wear kneepads and there’s an added sense of danger about him…

Anywho…

Angel Hayze defeated Harley Hudson by pinfall.

In the first half main event, Hayze was able to out manoeuvre Hudzilla in the opening lock up but it wasn’t long before Hudson tried to use her strength to muscle Angel around. The Young Lioness relied on speed and agility to try and keep Harley guessing, sending her scarpering out of the ring after a flurry of offense. Hudson didn’t get a second to rest with a baseball slide heading her way.

Hudson outsmarted Hayze, tripping her on the apron to take control, using the momentum that Hayze had gathered to send her crashing and burning. Angel tried a couple quick pins but ate a big boot to the face in return.

Angle Hayze kept fighting back, hitting a Sling Blade, but found herself slammed to the mat for a very near fall. The back and forth continue with forearms with Hayze getting the edge, sending Hudson to the ground with a springboard Codebreaker. Hudson’s Discus Lariat was another two count with both having trouble keeping the other down.

Hudson tried another lariat but Angel ducked, coming back with a superkick to send Harley swaying and finishing the TNA Gut Check winner with a neckbreaker for three.

A hotly contested and even bout. Harley showed her appreciated to Hayze after the match before letting her get her moment to celebrate. The fire both had to just keep going back and forth was great, it’s the first time I’ve seen Harley Hudson for a while and she has certainly taken the opportunities and has evolved into a proper hard hitting wrestler. Angel Hayze is always consistent, rarely puts a foot wrong in the ring, and brings plenty energy.

Everyone’s favourite trio of San.T.A, Rudolph the Red Haired Reindeer, and a very tall Elf arrived for the interval while the decorations for the next match were getting organised. The TnT trio are absolute goofballs and I love them. So that’s Halloween and Christmas covered, if I see James Diaz dressed as a bunny at Easter the year will be made early.

Christmas Carnage – Robbie Cardwell defeated Charlie Vyce w/Moxie Malone by pinfall.

As a wee Christmas gift for myself, The Masked Santa arrived with gifts for the Christmas Carnage. The Bulgarian Baker has been out of the country for a while now so The Masked Assassin might just be my new favourite bit of ridiculousness in wrestling.

This was anything but ridiculous. Moxie Malone provided an early distraction to give Charlie Vyce the jump. The Masked Santa was on hand to watch for anyone being naughty or nice, agreeing to Cardwell’s request of a baking tray. Okay, it was a little bit ridiculous when you write it down with the nature of the stipulation… Vyce bludgeoned Cardwell with a plastic candy cane before opening one of the presents under the tree to find socks. A great gift as a 34 year old like myself, a terrible gift for battering your opponent unless you’re Mick Foley.

Vyce’s present issues continued with a t-shirt and Lynx Africa, which left him bamboozled enough to be throw about by Cardwell but Vyce had enough wherewithal to kick out of springboard cutter. Moxie slid in a sled (say that 10 times fast) but Cardwell kicked it up into Charlie’s face. Vyce’s day didn’t get better being shotgun dropkicked into a tree that was set up in the corner.

Malone made her presence felt again with a distraction while Robbie was on the top rope which gave Vyce time to swing the sled into the face of Cardwell. Vyce went up top but found himself getting a tree launched at him. A bag of Lego was brought out which was enough for Moxie Malone who rushed to save Charlie from a superplex into the pile. This caused The Masked Santa to get up from his chair. Moxie launched the chair at Santa’s head to knock them out, which lead to Harley Hudson rushing out to run off Malone in a couple minutes that could be confused for a fever dream.

Vyce managed to powerbomb Cardwell into the Lego pile for another near fall Charlie retrieved a skateboard from under the ring. Cardwell ducked a swing and snatched back his possession. Robbie tried a Swanton onto a seated Charlie Vyce which didn’t hit flush… so he did it again to keep Vyce down for the three count.

What a bit of madness. Charlie Vyce not getting anything decent in the presents was fantastic due to him being on the naughty list is a great touch. The Masked Santa was great, as was Charlie giving him a wee kick as he lay there knocked out after being smashed with a chair by Moxie. A random appearance from Harley Hudson to run off Malone for attacking Santa was hilarious and if I’m putting pen to paper that’s a match I want to see.

San.T.A, Rudolph the Red Haired Reindeer, and a very tall Elf returned for the raffle which always seems to go off the rails just a little bit as Katt Wolfe tries to rein in the trio from wandering off.

Prince Levi defeated Irn Dru Marshall by pinfall.

Levi attempted to test his strength early against Irn Dru but found himself getting kicked really really hard in the back as the crowd waited in silent anticipation. Marshall continued to make Levi look foolish, side stepping a dive to send the Prince crashing to the mat. Levi counterbalanced himself to escape a vertical suplex to take control.

His own hubris was Levi’s undoing when he laid in some chops to an increasingly pissed off Marshall, but his intelligence was on show but aiming a dropkick to the knee to chop Irn Dru down to size. They fought back and forth, with Levi showing plenty of aggression, but his tendency to be distracted by the crowd booing him gave Irn Dru a number of openings to try and build some momentum.

Marshall caught Levi on his shoulders, placing him on the top turnbuckle, but was kicked back. Levi launched himself and managed to the land a double foot stomp to a standing Irn Dru to pick up the win.

A solid match which really cemented the transformation for Prince Levi’s new attitude, almost blaming the audience for what he does to his opponents. If he stomps a hole into Irn Dru’s chest it’s on them. Dru always brings intensity to his matches which makes his opponents look all the better if they beat him.

Levi got on the microphone to run down Martin MacAlistair, queue his amazing music to hit. Martin said that he was going to offer a peace offering… then changed his mind for a brawl to kick off that was quickly separated. I love that we’ve come from a place where Martin started as the underdog, then he was confused as to why his friend turned on him, to now he is taking charge and physically instigating the brawls where maybe 12 months ago he would have went for a more diplomatic approach.

The evolution of both makes for a fight forever vibe that there may never be a true closing chapter with something always simmering between the two.

IGPW Championship – Luke Kyro defeated Daz Black by pinfall to retain the IGPW Championship.

Black tried to pick up the pace early on to get the temp right into The Orbit Breaker’s comfort zone. It was Kyro having to slow everything down to pick apart the body of Daz that was his game plan if he hoped to retain the IGPW Championship.

He did just that with a spike DDT on the outside which left Black on the back foot, as Kyro worked away with headlocks, and doing what he could to knock the equilibrium of his opponent to take some of that aerial offense off the table along with weakening the neck for his Kyro-scope neckbreaker (I haven’t checked if that’s the name of the move… I just like it).

Daz used his feet to create some separation, a straight boot to the face of Kyro sent the vibes all over the place like when Sonic’s rings go flying. The two jostled for the upper hand which looked to move into the favour of Daz Black via a second rope moonsault into an inverted DDT.

With the champion reeling, Black picked up the energy, landing a running Shooting Star Press but his Curb Stomp was avoided and the two trading punches and kicks back and forth. A running Spanish Fly from Black could only get a near fall.

They battled on the second turnbuckle, Black pushed Kyro back but his Panama Sunrise attempt was caught for an inverted piledriver which could only get a two count. Kyro walked into a hard superkick but once again stepped out of the way of a Curb Stomp before twisting the neck of Daz Black and succeeding with the spinning neckbreaker to retain.

A hard fought victory from Luke Kyro, proving with every match that he has earned his place as IGPW Champion. A great main event to cap off an exciting show that closes 2024 for Iron Girders Pro Wrestling. Not only did it look like the Robbie Cardwell – Charlie Vyce situation might be done for the time being but leads to a potential showdown between Harley Hudson and Moxie Malone.

The Martin MacAlistair and Prince Levi feud continues to ramp up, the announcement of the PWE Tag Team Championships re-activating in 2025, and a triumphant return of Kez Evans who will surely be having an eye on Luke Kyro sooner rather than later. So much potential matchups for the new year. It’s an exciting time at Iron Girders Pro Wrestling.

The full event is currently available on Twitch, go sign up and follow, turn on those notifications, and don’t miss out when they go live. March 29th is the next event at the Gallowgate, tickets are on sale now.