by Louise Westie
It’s February and it’s Royal Rumble Season and just as one Rumble finishes, another one begins and it’s time to show the USA we can do it oh so much better!
But just as the dust settles on WWE’s iconic over-the-top-rope spectacle, wrestling fans in Scotland are already gearing up for another high-stakes battle – ICW’s 13th Annual Square Go in a SOLD OUT GARAGE!
For followers of Insane Championship Wrestling, this event is more than just a match; it’s a Scottish wrestling institution that blends the relentless energy of a Royal Rumble with its own unique twist: 30 random men or women will enter with ring, five will enter with any random weapon of their choosing, that can literally be anything from a kitchen sink to a keg of beer, and only one will leave with that one opportunity – to earn that golden ticket to the top – a briefcase and what is in this briefcase, you may ask?
Inside this briefcase lies a contract, a golden ticket to potentially alter the trajectory of their career by allowing the winner of this briefcase (man or woman) any title shot against any ICW Champion of their choosing at any promotion, anytime, anywhere within the next year.
This coveted briefcase essentially places the power squarely in the hands of its holder, allowing them to strike when the timing is most opportune.
With the unique ability to invoke their challenge during any ICW promotion, at any time or place, the winner wields an unprecedented level of control (something none of the reigning ICW Champions have any control over) that is if the briefcase is placed on the line.
Whether they decide to seize the moment when the champion is vulnerable or announce their intentions outright for a high-stakes showdown, the briefcase ensures a year of thrilling unpredictability for ICW fans and competitors alike. The Square Go briefcase doesn’t just represent a challenge, it embodies the promise of making history.
With the NWA title being on the line and various Scottish wrestling promotions having shows on around that time, the door is literally being blown open for anyone from any promotion all over the world to appear, so expect the unexpected.
Here are some things you need to know before the show.
The G.O.A.T House
If you were at the last ICW show at The Asylum or watched it on Triller+, you may have seen little posters with ‘The G.O.A.T House’ hinting at something and there’s even an Instagram account that you can check out called goathouse25 or you can check out here:
Now this could literally be anyone: new face, a returning face. We will keep an eye on it. It looks like we will be meeting them at the Square Go…
The Rise of Rudo Lightning
Let me take you back to ICW’s Golden Years where a long-term story, that goes back almost ten years, is resurfacing. A story that started after ‘Fear and Loathing X’ 2015 at the SECC and ended at ‘Fear and Loathing XI’ at The Hydro 2016 – a match with high stakes – the controlling shares of Insane Championship Wrestling on the line…
Alliances were formed, factions were created and friendships were ruined.
If you remember being at the show or watched it back, then you’ll know how this ended, so I’ll get right down to it: it came down to Chris Renfrew, who was in a submission hold from Drew Galloway, and there was a lot of interference during that match.
Now if your unconscious and you can’t answer to the referee and your hand hits the mat 3 times, then the match is over. However, if you watch it back again, he responded to the referee Thomas Kearins before he could call the match.
Towards the end of the match, Finn Balor, who was acting commissioner that night, was one of the many people who helped put The Black Label to bed and Jack Jester, who was on Team Black Label at the time, entrusted Big Shiny over to Finn who helped team ICW secure the win.
Rudo was gone, The Black Label was dead and buried, everyone had moved on, but history and the past has more than one way of resurfacing and coming back to bite you on the ass. Fast Forward to the present day and a LOT has changed over the past nine years (too much to mention) but we’ll get to that later down the line.
During the shows last year, Rudo made his surprise return to ICW as Jack Jester summoned Rudo in what appeared to be a former Black Label alliance when that clearly wasn’t to be the case.
Rudo turned the tables on Jester at ‘Fear & Loathing XVI’, aligning with Kenny as he was/still is a member of the Rudo Sports and Entertainment Brand alongside Bram and Iestyn Rees.
Having still held onto that grudge from way back to 2016, something that Rudo held onto for nine years, he now wants to finish the story, take his company back, and to rewrite the history of ICW’s past. But it’s not just the people involved in the match itself, it’s also ICW management like Scott Reid, Thomas Kearins etc.
Recently Rudo and Kenny have made recently an example of ‘The Panther’ Ben Rodgers TWICE as a sacrificial lamb with Kenny giving Ben an absolute hammering with a kendo stick, they picked the perfect moment to strike as Jester wasn’t around due to panto, but Landon Riley (who is the friend of Ben and tag team partner in other promotions) didn’t come to help either…
Everyone will need to keep their heads on a swivel as everyone involved in Team ICW vs Team Black Label at ‘Fear & Loathing XI’ at the Hydro (the ones who are still with ICW right now) Rudo is going to be coming for ya!
VIP Early Entry – GPWA Square Go! Entrant Tournament – Final – Jack Ripley vs Leon Graves
Kicking things off, there is an VIP Early Entry Kick off show and it is a GPWA Square Go Entrant Tournament Final match. This match is more than just a contest, it’s a battle for opportunity, as the winner earns their coveted spot in the prestigious Square Go! match.
Jack Ripley (one half of tag team Risky Business) having defeated Venus for the spot at the last ICW show in December, and at the first ICW show in January, Leon earned his spot by defeating new face GPWA favourite Sean Summers. But the talented Mr Ripley will have to get Risky when it comes to his opponent, and he done that with his promo on Leon and that clearly got a reaction.
A face who has recently returned to ICW is the brooding and mysterious Leon Graves. Shrouded in mystery and sending chills up the spines of his opponents, Leon may have his hands full with Jack Ripley. Two years ago, Leon competed in a qualifying match, but unfortunately he never made it to The Garage and he hopes the result will be different this time around.
I genuinely don’t know who is gonna win this as this could go either way. Both men have a unique set of styles and are equally deserving of their spot in the Square Go! match.
NWA Worlds Championship – Thom Latimer (c) vs Aaron Echo
A match that could change the future of NWA as the champion Thom Latimer faces Aaron Echo.
Over the years, Echo has evolved from spoiled little rich kid of Instagram to author of the Echo Bible, King of Benidorm, to ICW hardman and champion. He’s been a World Heavyweight Champion, but now Echo has set his sights on much bigger horizons.
After scoring the victory in a Call Your Shot match back in the December show, Aaron announced his intentions to challenge for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship at the Square Go.
Now originally, I thought he was going to go for any title within ICW, but looking back, what they really meant was ANY promotion. I don’t really follow NWA stuff a lot, but I do dip my toe into it every now and again.
Not only is this the first time that the NWA title has been defended in the UK in an ICW ring, this will also be Latimer’s first match back in ICW since 2019. He has reinvented himself as Thom Latimer and having faced giant opponents like EC3 and Chris Adonis, and may be a completely different challenge for him in Echo.
Having been around the waist of legends such as Ric Flair, Great Muta, Dusty Rhodes, could Echo shock everyone and be another name added to the prestigious title lineage.
ICW Women’s World Championship – Lana Austin (c) vs Angel Hayze
At the ICW ‘Christmas Special’ in 2024, after a hard-hitting match against Denise, Angel challenged Lana Austin and Lana accepted. At the first January show of the year, Lana chose a handpicked opponent to face Angel Hayze – who was the returning Daisy Jenkins.
Now you do not piss off a Fifer with a grudge as Angel found out recently when Daisy returned to ICW with a new look and a new attitude. Daisy is rightfully pissed off that Angel is the ‘Golden Girl’ and getting all the spotlight – a spotlight she too has also worked hard for and annoyed that all she got a ‘Granny Pants on a Pole’ match. Daisy does remind me of former ICW Woman’s World Champion Molly Spartan in terms of attitude.
This too could go either way the fierce Fifer Daisy Jenkins has appeared to have aligned with Lana Austin and has set her sights fixed on Angel ready to clip her wings.
ICW Zero G Championship – Landon Riley (c) vs Daz Black
Two of ICW’s most dynamic high-flyers prepare to collide in an aerial showcase for the ages. In one corner stands ‘The Orbit Breaker’ Daz Black, a fearless athlete who has carved a reputation for redefining gravity with his awe-inspiring agility and innovative offense. In the other corner is the reigning and defending Zero-G Champion, Landon Riley, a high-octane powerhouse whose mastery of flight has made him a dominant force in the division. This clash isn’t just about athleticism; it’s a battle of pride, skill, and championship gold.
For Daz Black, this is an opportunity to cement his name among ICW’s elite. Known for his jaw-dropping manoeuvres and relentless drive, Black brings a wild unpredictability to the ring that no opponent can fully prepare for. But standing tall as the champion is Landon Riley, having won his title in a triple threat against ‘The Outlaw’ Stevie James and the ‘Wrestling God’ Theo Doros.
After finally putting away Stevie James, Landon has been the ICW Zero-G Champion for 78+ days and counting, having faced off with Lewis Girvan recently at ‘Christmas Special’.
After some time away after nursing an injury, Daz Black is back on the path to getting what he believes is his. Daz is also well travelled, having travelled the world wrestling, he has perfected his craft and both men have incredible speed and flight skills. Picking a winner for this is quite hard and could go either way.
ICW Tag Team Championships – Arcade Violence (Jake Lawless & Brody Turnbull) (c) vs Victory Incorporated (Ryan Richards & Lee MacRae)
The ICW Mafia’s favourite tag team champions Arcade Violence will take on Victory Inc.
Arcade Violence has solidified their position as one of the most dominant forces in the Insane Championship Wrestling tag team division, etching their name into history as the 30th ICW Tag Team Champions.
Their journey to gold culminated in a hard-fought victory over The P.O.D. (Rampage Brown and Ashton Smith) at ‘Barred III’ in October 2024, a moment that marked a turning point for the team.
Since that landmark win, Arcade Violence has proven to be anything but a transitional reign, exhibiting an iron grip on the titles for over 150 days and counting as they head into Square Go season. Throughout their reign, they’ve faced and overcome a gauntlet of worthy challengers, solidifying their legacy with every successful title defence.
The tandem of Arcade Violence has been tested by some of ICW’s best teams, including the veteran pairing of Reese & Rogan, the innovative and unpredictable Girvans, and most recently, the up-and-coming duo of Che Monet & Austin Brookes. Each match has showcased the champions’ adaptability, resilience, and commitment to staying on top of the tag team mountain. Their ability to blend raw aggression with seamless teamwork has made them incredibly difficult to unseat.
Their reign is an undeniable statement of dominance, leaving the ICW faithful eager to see what challenges lie ahead.
Victory Inc. has issued a bold statement, declaring themselves as the dominant force in the pro wrestling scene. The powerhouse duo has now secured their opportunity to challenge Arcade Violence, by defeating a former ICW Tag Team Champion team comprised of Logan Smith and Jimmy Pierce, for the coveted tag team titles. Victory Inc. has made it clear they believe there isn’t another team on their level, and their confidence is unwavering. Despite their skill and intensity, the championship gold has eluded them thus far. Now, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Now Arcade Violence have defeated Victory Inc not once, but TWICE. So could it be third time lucky for Arcade Violence?
This could go either way and if the first lady Denise enters the fray, tensions will rise as Arcade Violence prepares for a showdown. Fortunately, they have a formidable ally in their corner, their fierce manager, Lara Steel. Who, with her unyielding determination and tactical prowess, can easily take on Denise, ensuring that Arcade Violence has plenty of backup when it counts.
However, another layer complicates this saga – Lewis Girvan. With a heart heavy with vengeance for his little brother Fraser, who has been forced to retire due to the brutal aftermath of the TLC tag team match at ‘Fear & Loathing XVI’, Lewis is fuelled by a deep desire to right the wrongs done to his brother, and with the simmering tension between Lewis and Arcade Violence being palpable, it’s clear that this rivalry isn’t over; in fact, the war could just be getting started.
ICW World Heavyweight Championship – Kenny Williams (c) vs Rampage Brown
You’d better show me that you have got the guts, the drive, the determination, the balls, the grit and the love and most importantly, you better prove to me that you are insane enough to work for this company, because if you’re not – quite frankly, you can fuck right off! – Jack Jester on being ICW Champion, January 2024.
In the relentless world of professional wrestling, battles are fought not just for glory but to etch one’s legacy into the annals of history.
Upon his return to ICW, Kenny Williams has not only reinvented himself as insane, but he is also unpredictable and that’s what makes him a dangerous ICW Champion, and having faced absolute towering forces like Saxon Huxley and the power-packed Krieger, the ‘Scum of the Earth’ Kenny Williams faces the big unit of a man known as Rampage Brown, a man whose sheer size and power make him a daunting opponent.
Not only has Kenny held the prestigious World Heavyweight Championship with pride, but he is also a former four time ICW Zero-G Champion, showcasing his versatility across weight classes and wrestling styles. Cashing in his Square Go! briefcase to become champion, Kenny’s defining moment came when he overcame one of the toughest competitors in ICW history, Jack Jester, in a brutal and emotionally charged showdown. By defeating Jester, he also earned the coveted title of King of Insanity, solidifying his status as one of the most hardcore and fearless wrestlers in ICW’s storied history with a reign of 155+ days.
Rampage, a powerhouse in the wrestling world, has established himself as a dominant force in the ring. As a former ICW Tag Team Champion, Rampage made waves alongside his former P.O.D tag team partner, Ashton Smith.
Now, with his sights firmly set on championship gold once again, Rampage is determined to carve his own path to greatness. Known for his unyielding intensity and a fearsome in-ring presence, Rampage has proven time and time again that he is a competitor who never backs down from a challenge and he’s got just that.
The manager of champions, The Wee Man, will certainly face a challenge in keeping his focus this time around, especially with the unpredictable presence of Rudo Lightning lurking in the shadows.
Rudo Lightning, a notorious wild card known for his underhanded tactics and penchant for causing mayhem, doesn’t just disrupt opponents, he can derail entire matches if given the chance.
For The Wee Man, this means keeping his head on a swivel, constantly vigilant, ensuring that his champion remain untouchable and undistracted. The dynamic between these two personalities adds a combustible element to the ring, guaranteeing a showdown brimming with tension, strategy, and moments of unpredictability. One thing’s for sure: with Rudo Lightning hanging around, the spotlight isn’t just on the wrestlers in the ring, it’s also on the tactical game playing out in the corners.
Square Go! Match
As we look ahead to the Square Go Match itself, the door in professional wrestling has been blown wide open and as there are loads of Wrestling Promotions in Scotland and beyond that are running with loads of stars from Ireland and the States over for shows and with half of the competitors being announced, ANYONE could walk through the curtain…
Already confirmed to appear at the Square Go!: Big Damo, Moxie Malone, Jack Morris, Austin Brookes, Che Monet, Dylan Thorn, Colton Davis, Lewis Girvan, Ben Rodgers, Stevie James, and Daisy Jenkins.
Here are my 5 mystery picks:
JOE HENDRY
Say his name and he appears!
Joe Hendry has cemented himself as one of the most charismatic and dominant forces in professional wrestling. Known for his unparalleled mix of technical prowess, sharp wit, and infectious charisma, Hendry has taken the wrestling world by storm, especially in the United States.
In an electrifying start to 2025, Hendry made headlines by defeating wrestling veteran Nic Nemeth, fka Dolph Ziggler, to capture the prestigious TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Joe has also set the wrestling world on fire by entering as #15 at this years WWE ‘Royal Rumble’.
Before he got signed and the world shut down, Hendry could have been well on his way to becoming a future ICW World Heavyweight Champion, then his feud with his protegee at the time Leyton Buzzard sent him packing.
Joe Hendry isn’t just a wrestler; he’s a phenomenon. Say his name, and the world of wrestling knows greatness is near.
Could The Garage be erupting into a chorus of “We Believe!” before the night is through should Joe appear and win the Square Go!?
DCT
Since DCT departed ICW to pursue bigger and better opportunities, the wrestling world has been left wondering about the fate of the ‘International Sex Hero’.
However, since his exit from the promotion, the man who once proudly wore the moniker of the ‘International Sex Hero’ has seemingly disappeared from the limelight. Without a trace, he slipped into anonymity, leaving many to assume he had quietly hung up his boots for good.
His name has been referenced a few times and he’s still got a score to settle with Victory Inc., and Denise.
Could ICW have dialled 69-69-Oh!-Oh!-Oh!?
KAMILLE
A name that hasn’t been mentioned about who could enter the Square Go! is NWA Woman’s Champion Kamille who was champion for 812 days.
If you haven’t seen Kamille wrestle, she is an absolute strong powerhouse, and can easily hold her own with the men and could send them flying out of the ring.
JASON REED
Could the Square Go! get even more STAUNCH if Jason Reed comes back at the Square Go?
Jason has been away from the bright lights of ICW for almost a year but he has been grafting away and is the best shape ever.
He has been a Zero-G Champion, but could he go all the way and become the ICW World Heavyweight Champion.
ANDY ROBERTS
Andy Roberts was in a feud with Krieger prior to leaving in an ‘I Quit Match’, but before the match could take place, Andy decided to get one step ahead of his opponent by leaving Krieger in the hands of Aaron Echo who couldn’t resist.
Since then Andy has been on a wrestling tour in 2024, heading into 2025 and has been focused on his own promotion PWR PRO, among other things.
Andy has said that 2025 will be his LAST year that he actively chases in-ring work as he focuses on other ventures, he has never been an ICW World Heavyweight Champion. Could this finally be the year that Andy takes gold and finally become a ICW Champion before he departs into the sunset?
*Other names thrown into the ring have been names such as James Storm, Moose, Eric Young, Grado, Omos, Leyton Buzzard, Sha Samuels, Martin McAllister.
Tickets for the event are extremely limited but if you can’t attend the show it will be streamed live on Triller+.
SCOTTISH WRESTLING NETWORK | SWN 