I always enjoy a good company vs stable rivalry, namely ROH vs SCUM from 2012-2013. If done right, WrestleZone and Sterling Oil could have a great rivalry. So let’s take a look at how it could be done right.
To start things off at Aberdeen Anarchy, I would have Scotty Swift retain the Undisputed title against Crusher Craib, only to be attacked after the match by Sterling Oil, who lose their respective matches earlier in the night. Crusher would then join in on the assault to join the devious group. Names like Johnny Lions and Bryan Tucker will try to make the save but the numbers game is too much. Aberdeen Anarchy ends with Sterling Oil standing tall over the Red Haired Warrior.
Nothing major would happen at Live in Ellon or Proving Grounds except for assaults. Battle of the Nations comes around in August and sees Johnny Lions, Kaden Garrick and Mr P get a Handicap match against Sterling Oil’s Richard R. Russell as a result of winning the Ladder match at Anarchy. I would have Kaden turn on Lions and Mr P to join Russell. I feel that his anger would make him a perfect fit for Sterling Oil. The main event will see Scotty Swift defending the Undisputed title against Shawn Johnson. Shawn will win this match following outside interference from William, Alan, Damien, Crusher and Kaden. Battle of the Nations ends the same way as Anarchy, with Sterling Oil standing tall.
With Kaden Garrick and Mr P no longer teaming, Chris McDonald will strip them of the Tag Team titles to set up an 8 team tournament. The teams are as follows:
1. Sterling Oil (William/Alan)
2. Sterling Oil (Damien/Kaden)
3. Los Cystos
4. The Rejected
5. Mr P/Scotty Swift
6. Lord Mr Malice/Andrew Wilde
7. Blue Thunder/Jimbo Bannon
8. Johnny Lions/Bryan Tucker
The finals of the tournament are set for Halloween Hijinx at the Inverurie Town Hall and pits Damien and Kaden Garrick of Sterling Oil against Mr P and Scotty Swift. Chris McDonald bans all members of Sterling Oil from ringside to ensure there’s no interference. That is until a masked man enters the ring and takes out Mr P while the referee’s distracted. Damien and Kaden win the tag titles and celebrate with the masked man, who reveals himself as Aspen Faith. Shawn Johnson also retains in the main event against Bryan Tucker with help from Crusher.
On the last few shows to end off the year Sterling Oil are dominant. With both titles in their hands and more members than ever before, it seems no-one can stop them. Until a match is set for Christmas Chaos. Crusher Craib versus Scotty Swift. If Scotty wins, Sterling Oil disbands. If Crusher wins, Scotty must join them. The match is a bruising affair that could go any way. Bryan Tucker eventually enters the ring and starts attacking Crusher for an unknown reason. This means that Scotty loses by disqualification and must join Sterling Oil.
At Summerhill Showdown 2017 Mr P and Kaden Garrick face each other with Scotty Swift as the special referee. Scotty refuses to count Mr P’s shoulders to the mat until Bryan Tucker again comes out. Scotty goes after him for causing him to have to join Sterling Oil, which allows Shawn Johnson to come out and nail Mr P with a steel chair. Scotty emerges from backstage and Bryan Tucker follows. Scotty counts the three and relectuntly raises Kaden’s arm in victory. Bryan starts clapping and mocking Swift.
A video is released online with Scotty asking Tucker to meet him in the ring at March’s Regal Rumble. Bryan obliges and at the show, Scotty asks what Bryan’s problem is. Bryan refuses to answer and Scotty backs him into the corner. The whole of Sterling Oil come out and give Swift a vicious beating, despite him being a member. Bryan picks up a chair from ringside and chases them away. He retrieves a microphone and says that was his problem. The fact that Scotty always needed help.
Later in the night in the Regal Rumble match, it comes down to Scotty Swift, Bryan Tucker, Johnny Lions and Kaden Garrick. Johnny manages to eliminate Kaden before Scotty comes up and tosses him out. It comes down to Scotty and Bryan. Sterling Oil come out and cheer on Swift. As Scotty goes to eliminate Tucker, Damien enters the ring and pushes Tucker down. As Swift’s distracted, Aspen Faith enters and nails Bryan with a steel chain. Damien exits and Scotty picks Bryan up and tosses him out without knowing what had happened to win his second Regal Rumble match. Scotty will face Shawn at Anarchy in a battle of Sterling Oil.
The build up to Anarchy is intense. Other matches involving members of Sterling Oil are Bryan Tucker vs Aspen Faith, Crusher Craib vs Big Damo and Damien & Kaden Garrick defending the tag titles against Mr P & Jimbo Bannon. WrestleZone put up a video on YouTube where Chris McDonald states that if Scotty wins, Sterling Oil is no more but if Shawn wins then Richard R. Russell replaces him as Management Representative.
Aberdeen Anarchy 2017 eventually arrives. Crusher Craib manages to beat Big Damo while Damien & Kaden Garrick lose their tag belts to Mr P & Jimbo Bannon, with Garrick being pinned by P to end his undefeated streak. The main event is set and it’s a brutal one. Scotty Swift and Shawn Johnson both won’t go down. The referee is knocked down, which allows Sterling Oil to come out, as they do. They make their way towards the ring until Johnny Lions, Mr P, Jimbo Bannon and Blue Thunder make their way through the crowd to stop them. An all out brawl breaks outs between the two groups, distracting both Scotty and Shawn. Scotty manages to nail the Granite City Driver to win his second Undisputed title, meaning Chris McDonald remains in charge and Sterling Oil must split up. The WrestleZone roster enter the ring and put Swift on their shoulders to celebrate the end of Sterling Oil.
If WrestleZone do a storyline like this, I think this would be an alright way to go about it. But if there’s another way they want to do it, that’s fine by me.
– Adam Morrison
SCOTTISH WRESTLING NETWORK | SWN 