It was a hot crowd at Danestone Community Centre, so hot that there were queues hours before doors opened. It was the first main show for WrestleZone since Aberdeen Anarchy as they embarked on a very busy gala season in the interim. That couple month gap made Battle of the Nations the hot ticket, sold out weeks in advance, with only one or two matches confirmed as a new era had entered WrestleZone, The Beef King reigned supreme and his first defense would take place in Danestone. To add extra intrigue it was announced that the loser of the Aberdeen Anarchy main event rematch would no longer be able to challenge for the WrestleZone Undisputed Championship while the other held the title.
VIP Ticket Holder Match – Chip Watson defeated Murphy by pinfall.
As Danestone Community Centre filled with VIP ticket holders, there was a buzz in the air, the temperature rose as the show began with a curiosity. Chip Watson and Murphy won their respective matches at Aberdeen Anarchy but were also firmly on the side of being fan favourites. The match was all about Chip finding a way to chop down the towering Murphy, having to use all five rules of dodgeball to chip away at Murphy’s health meter. Murphy stood firm to shake off being clotheslined to the outside to catch Watson diving off the apron and to slam the Tribal Chef off the edge of the ring.
The back and forth continued with Chip and Murphy hitting hard and fast, with Watson doing his best to avoid the brunt of the damage even when he found himself being baled from corner to corner. The chokeslam held the key for Murphy with several attempts but Watson found a way to counter, and busting out some impressive shows of strengths like a lightning fast lariat and hoisting Murphy up for a Fireman’s Carry, Murphy returned the favour with a momentum halting mid-air catch from a second rope springboard to rattle Watson. Murphy tried one more chokeslam only for Chip to grab the neck of Murphy and drive him down with a cutter to collect the win.
Murphy had a good showing at Aberdeen Anarchy upon his return from a few months off, but this was possibly his best match to date that I have seen. The crowd were happy to clap for both and it maintained a competitive nature throughout with no short cuts or a swing in aggression to keep both wrestlers being cheered for. They exchanged a handshake after the match to an applause. A great start to the night and a sign of things to come.
WrestleZone Tri-Counties Championship – Triple Threat – Umar Mohammed defeated Alex Webb, and Ted O’Keefe by pinfall to retain.
The final ticket holders made their way in as extra seats were brought out to plug gaps with an opening title match to treat us to begin the main Battle of the Nations event. Alex Webb showed ill intent from the off to superkick Umar Mohammed as the sound of bell echoed around the hall, with Ted O’Keefe eating a superkick from The Social Blade. Webb’s joy was short lived as his opponents proceeded to make their target the YouTube sensation going forward. Once Alex was relatively battered, Umar and Ted traded off for a stalemate, neither quite get one over the other.
Alex Webb continued to be the disrupter, gouging the eyes of Mohammed, and launching a combination of quick attacks to keep his name in the game. All three had their near fall moment, the closest being a frog splash from Alex to Ted that had the count just broken via a top rope elbow drop from the defending champion. The jeopardy increased with all three delivering high impact offense to try and nab the decision, O’Keefe snapped back Umar with a slick spinebuster with the sliding doors opening and shutting to what could have been. It was ultimately quick pin from Umar that left Ted O’Keefe shocked. Mohammed was able to find some good luck in Danestone, some vindication after losing the Tri-Counties Championship in the same venue at the tail end of last year.
The VIP ticket holder match set the level and the main show opening match exceeded it, it was edge of your seat electricity from all. The love that Umar Mohammed has earned in WrestleZone continues to grow with Ted O’Keefe getting a good sized slice of the good will. Alex Webb shines as a bit of a prick, the duality of his social endeavours to his in-ring personality is on opposite ends of the spectrum but he continues to be comfortable in being the bad guy, his switch to become more manic as the match went on was a great touch. A fantastic match.
Before things continued co-general manager/management representative Andrew Reid announced that he had some good news and that was Mr Paterson was unable to be present at Battle of the Nations due to the extent of the injuries he suffered at Aberdeen Anarchy when he got Gored by Rhyno. All was well for Mr Reid until Richard R. Russell marched out in a snazzy blue blazer. Russell revealed that he had been employed as a temporary replacement for Mr Paterson to make sure that Andrew doesn’t get power mad in WrestleZone. I suppose Mr Paterson set the precedent for power hungry shenanigans so you can see the point of the powers that be to put someone in place to provide some balance, even if it is Richard R Russell who loves a little bit of a short cut to get ahead. Antics will be afoot I tells ya!
Travis Knox & Kai Orson defeated Captain Alan & James Taylor by pinfall.
Somehow the roof of Danestone Community Centre survived the shaking caused by Travis Knox and Kai Orson making their way out to take on Captain Alan and his favourite seaman James Taylor. The tiles rattles, fixtures and fittings rattled as they burst through the curtain. I like Travis and Kai, but I was not expecting such a humongous ovation for the duo. Captain Alan left James Taylor to do most of the dirty work, who was sent flying around by Knox. Alan got into fold and his wave of momentum was stopped in quick time thanks to the steel belly of Orson. Kai, powered by the promise of donuts and revenge, lifted Captain Alan onto this shoulders and backed into James who found himself draped across to be the top layer of a mammoth airplane spin.
The bumbling pair stumbled into the path of a top rope crossbody from Travis Knox with he and Kai keeping hold of Captain Alan for a decking. Taylor got in and took control of Knox, after a senton dive into the his opponents, grounding his former sea mate. A missed super curb stomp opened the floor for Travis to set sail, a Go To Sleep and a swift kick to the side of Taylor’s head to complete the flurry snatched a surprise three count.
After the craziness of the introductions, this match became a showcase of Orson, Knox, and Taylor, with Captain Alan taking more of a backseat. It was a good chance to see what James Taylor can do as he has been part of the comic relief as part of the Captain’s crew, and he came out proving himself a (sea)worthy part of the roster from the recent class of the WrestleZone Training Academy. Kai Orson and Travis Knox have captured the love of the WrestleZone fans, in part due to their mutiny, but also because of their team having a natural connection which has gravitated across the barrier. A great tag team match, there was a little confusion with the finish as the music didn’t kick in for a second or two so it might have deflated the reaction, but only for a second.
Alan and James jumped Kai and Travis after the match, with Chip Watson rushing out to chase off those scurvy dogs and dropping the elbow onto Alan’s hat, the ultimate act of skulduggery.
Special Guest Referee: Judas Grey – Ronan King defeated Connor Molloy by pinfall.
There was no messing about once the bell rung, an overconfident Ronan warmed himself up with his back to Connor who bounded across the ring for a perfectly timed shotgun dropkick to put King onto the defensive with very little rest in the opening minutes. Ronan tried to send Molloy out of the ring that was turned around with King having to dive over the top rope backwards to avoid another dropkick from The Big Slay. Judas Grey (wearing Crocs in sports mode) could only watch on as the match spilled to the outside. Ronan caught Connor mid-senton off the apron with a mind to powerbomb his former tag team partner which was countered into a headscissor to send King head first into the ring post. Ronan finally got a break by launching Connor into the ring from the apron and capitalising with a corner springboard cutter.
Connor wriggled out of a King’s Plunge attempt for a roll up for a fair count, with the match becoming a slugfest in the middle portion it soon ramped back up when Ronan got frustrated by Grey’s counting to turn into the path of a flying forearm from Molloy. The pair traded harsh suplexes and Connor got the best of the exchange with a tornado DDT. An outstanding hurricurana was delivered while Ronan King was perched on the ropes that got some audible ooohs in Danestone. It was all hands on deck for Connor, a rolling fireman’s carry and Art Barr Frog Splash would’ve been the end on any other night but King lifted his shoulder in the nick of time. A tilt-a-whril DDT was halted as Ronan launched Connor into the corner snake eyes style that happened to be in the path of Judas, who dived out of the ring to avoid any damage. While Grey sorted himself, King hit one of those Richard Holliday signature moves and planted Molloy with a King’s Plunge to score the tainted victory.
Absolutely brilliant, the anger from Connor Molloy and the brash nature of Ronan King were displayed perfectly. Judas Grey showing no allegiance and still firmly in the peacemaker role was great, the disappointment was evident, and he looked to want no part in this fallout. I was in two minds whether the first encounter in this feud would have something held back and they did not, or if they did then I can’t imagine what’s next.
WrestleZone Tag Team Championships – Lost Boy Aspen & Mikkey Vago defeated The Warriors Against Low Life Entities (Rhys Dawkins & Bryan Tucker) by disqualification. The Warriors Against Low Life Entities retained.
We were spoiled in the first half and the hits kept coming after the break. It was Grand Slam Daddy versus Grand Slam Daddy when Bryan Tucker and Lost Boy Aspen went toe to toe… well it was more Bryan’s toe and Aspen’s foot to send Tucker limping. The challengers remained in control, bombarding Dawkins with attacks. Mikkey Vago arrived with a Mr Paterson tribute, donned in a kilt and raising it to strike fear in his opponents much like a former embracer of chaos would do. A nice call back to having to deal with the Mr P for the majority of the last 12 months.
The Warriors Against Low Life Entities did get their own offense in until an over confident Tucker grabbed Dawkins for an ill fated battering ram in the corner that left Rhys counting little William Shakespeares skipping around his intellectual dome. The match broke down with heavy hits, Fifth Acts, Skull Crushing Finales, Powerbombs, as it started to look like we could conceivably have new champions it was Dawkins who collected his hardback equaliser that was handily removed from his person by Aspen and return with a superkick to the jaw. Aspen positioning Bryan Tucker for a piledriver, but a turn to the right and a splaying of Tucker’s legs it revealed Rhys Dawkins with the hardback again to find the forehead of the Lost Boy to cause a disqualification.
“You scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian! I’ll tickle your catastrophe!”
– Henry IV Part 2 (Act 2, Scene 1)
Once again Tucker and Dawkins escaped with the titles in hand, a loss officially but the gold remains in their camp. It was a fun second half return to keep the crowd still at a good level of noise as they begged for The WALLEs to get dispatched. It’s taken a few months but Aspen and Vago were operating a bit more like a team, but kept that individuality throughout. I’m so interested in seeing where Dawkins and Tucker go because clearly Rhys can’t trust Bryan to get anything done successfully with several shortcuts coming at the expense of their win-loss record even if the titles are still on their person.
Unsanctioned – Evan Young defeated Scotty Swift by reverse decision.
No time was wasted, no introductions needed with Scotty Swift and Evan Young brawling through the curtain and referee Jason hurriedly rushing out while adjusting his earpiece and signal pack. Swift was relentless in delivering punch after punch to an overwhelmed Young who couldn’t protect himself quick enough. As the “match” heading into the ring Scotty was in the zone to drive Evan to the canvas with a flapjack with simultaneously jarred his injured back. The Red Haired Warrior battled through the pain to set Young up for a Granite City Driver but Evan slipped out of it and pulled off Scotty’s vest to reveal the back brace.
It was target acquired for Evan Young, ripping off the brace and assaulting Scotty mercilessly with hard Irish Whips into the corner. Young wasn’t content with that and grabbed a steel chair. Scotty managed to evade for the moment but was unable to take advantage. Evan got his hands on the weapon again and slammed it against the spine of Scotty Swift over and over. They made their way to the corner, over to the apron as the tease for a superplex into the first three rows seemed like a real possibility with security frantically getting the seats cleared for landing.
Hearts left mouths and returned to the correct location once the combatants were back between the ropes. A double leg take down and an unceremonious knee to the groin has Scotty stalking the young buck to connect with the chair. Young was taken to the woodshed and in desperation pulled Jason into the path of an attempted bludgeoning. Jason backed Evan into the corner for a scolding while the audience were getting riotous the longer the match went on. Young waited for Jason to turn his back and jumped the man in the stripes to take the official out of action.
A last gasp Granite City Driver saw Scotty grab the chair and wrap it around the neck of Young before cranking it back as the light faded from Evan with replacement referee Mikey Innes calling for the bell. The bell rung but Swift wouldn’t let go, eventually Richard R. Russell emerged to dictate that once the bell rung to end the match that the situation became a WrestleZone issue, with his decision being to reverse the referee’s decision to award the win to Evan Young. While Evan was assisted to the back, Scotty made it clear that it wasn’t over.
My. God. This was outstanding from start to finish. Scotty entering in casual gear, the non-entrances, using the Unsanctioned stipulation to the limits, plus Evan being slimy and deplorable was excellent. The fact that it got so heated that there was a sliver of believability we were going to see them crash from the ring into the fans with little regard for safety, it was brutal and used all that emotions built over the years towards Scotty Swift, that adoration, transferred to engineer hatred towards Evan Young. A masterful lesson on being so in tune with the crowd that it makes every second get a strong passionate reaction. The swing back into using logic for the reverse decision was amazing. Incredible.
WrestleZone Undisputed Championship – Bruiser Brad defeated Damien w/Alex Webb by pinfall to retain.
With every match knocking it out of the park it could have put pressure on the main event to deliver. Could have. Damien entered with Alex Webb in his corner while The Beef King entered alone to a deafening noise. It was a big match feel immediately as the room watched Bruiser Brad walk out with the WrestleZone Undisputed Championship, with the aura of a champion.
It was rare for Damien to be at a disadvantage, since about 2019 when he got the title at Aberdeen Anarchy that year there has always been some sort of control that Damien had to matches. Titles came and went, rivalries won and lost, but there was always some sort of control and confidence. Brad broke that as Damien was ducking and kicking his way to try and chop down the beefwood that is Bruiser Brad. Brad mugged Damien, blew through offense, showing his tremendous agility to leap frog Damien and smoothly lift himself off his feet for a dropkick.
The brawl went all over Danestone Community Centre with Brad dragging the former Undisputed Champion around. Alex Webb tried to get involved, only to be thrown out of the ring by Brad and sent to the back but not before slipping the title into the ring and the distraction was enough for Damien to lamp Brad with the belt to catch a near fall. It just seemed to piss Brusier Brad off who slammed Damien after absorbing strikes, beating him from pillar to post until Damien grabbed his neck and went fetal. A panicked Alex Webb burst back through the curtain to check on Damien, and in all the chaos Damien popped back to his feet and kicked Bruiser Brad low. A second turnbuckle Codebreaker still couldn’t keep Brad down as Damien thought it was over and grabbed Undisputed Championship from the timekeepers area. Andrew Reid barked at Damien to get back in and reminded him of the stipulation set, whomever loses cannot challenge for the title while the other holds it.
Damien rushed back to the ring and ran into a spike piledriver for a two count but Brad didn’t hang about, immediately heading up high and crashing to the ground with grace for a Steak Tsunami to continue on as WrestleZone Undisputed Champion.
While Brad celebrated a familiar face made his way out, Richard R. Russell. Russell made it clear that he had no issue with the result and the stipulation stood. However, Mr Paterson had made it clear that if Bruiser Brad was able to retain then his opponent for Halloween Hijinks was already lined up.
Monstrum. Halloween Brawl.
Brad licked his lips, a meat platter is set for Halloween.
What a main event. The cementing of Bruiser Brad as thee guy was done flawlessly, it’s all come naturally, you can’t deny the work that Bruiser Brad has put in to be the main event and from seeing him from the Starlord jacket, The Mad Dog, Foundation of the Future, Brad has grown into his role as a proper wrassler. Heading in with Damien, and I might be repeating myself again and again, who can read that WrestleZone crowd like a few can it made for a fantastic match.
This show had the most Backlash feel for an event. The big event was done with the fallout taking place at Battle of the Nations, and not only from a match standpoint but also from a presentation, wrestlers were showing off new gear, new attitudes, and going all out for those in attendance. Every match delivered the why, why it was on the card, what branches are available going forward, and the hook for coming back. A sell out show weeks in advance, high quality matches, threading story with excellent physical entertainment. Start to finish, it was possibly my favourite show of the year. The fact that I remember so much with a review written up weeks after the fact tells you how memorable this event was.
If you want my day-of pre and post show thoughts I’ve stuck in our On The Road episode and montage below: