SSW Regal Rumble – Making its Mark
19 Nov 2016
Show Length – 3Hrs 15Mins and, at £25 for a Family Ticket, it’s excellent value
By Martin McGreskin
“Blood, Sweat and Tears” is not usually what you expect from a family show albeit the blood was accidental but tonight everything was put on the line in the final SSW show in what has been an impressive 2016 for SSW.
This year has seen the likes of Matt Cross, Jigsaw, Bingo Ballance, Jonny Storm and Joe E Legend all contributing to many memorable Saturday evenings at the Bathgate Regal and tonight did not disappoint in what was a Sold Out event.
The night started with a singles match featuring one half of dominant tag team Kaos in Brandon Adams and the mighty Mike Musso. Brandon was once the darling of SSW but now has turned a more sinister darker shadow of himself, admittedly, defeating most of the “heroes” of wrestling along the way. A low blow or two and the use of bell made sure Brandon sealed a victory and an enemy in the process. Brandon wins and the crowd hate him a little more with each passing match.
Next up was a Diamonds Division Fatal 4 Way match featuring Zoe Brooke, Kara Rose, Angel Hayze and reigning Diamonds Champion Sara. Sara herself started by asking why SSW had sent in three children to take on a woman but it was the “kids” who had the upper hand in the early stages with a three on one assault proving these young women are hungry for success. Unfortunately, that hunger saw them turn on each other and it was Sara who came out victorious but only just. Sara wasn’t finished and took to the mic to remind everyone she is over 1694 Days as Diamonds champion and how we don’t deserve her as our champ but maybe we don’t need to worry as her speech was cut short by the Spear of an Angel (copyrighting this) as Angel Hayze made her intent known that the kids are growing up fast. Sara retains her Championship.
The next match started amid some confusion as the Tag Team Champions Trinity came out as Matt Tyson and Emily Hayden (minus Krieger). Dave Jeremi, who was still owner of SSW, said he did not feel comfortable having a Gauntlet Match with Emily as Matts partner and decided that an appropriate replacement would be Mexican wonderkid Burrito. Matt, at this point, looked like he had just been told Santa was not real and Emily started to look the better option for him. That all said the match started well for “Trinity” and they managed to get the upper hand over first opponents Wee Jay Smalls and Dylan Angel but that quickly changed following some high flying moves and we had our first title change as Dylan and Jay defeated the “Trinity”. Next in the Gauntlet match was the North American Alliance (GI Joe and Jonathan Richards) who with a mixture of low blows, chicanery and down-right nastiness got an unexpected win over the high-flying duo and the titles had changed hands again. At this point I can only say that Jonathan Richards and GI Joe’s celebrations of winning the titles for all of 5 minutes was quality entertainment but unfortunately misplaced as there was still a tag team left in the Gauntlet and it was none other than Damage Inc. This was my first time seeing Damage Inc and they not only lived up to their name but somehow defined the Gauntlet Match as a Hardcore match with Bins, chairs and weapons used to grab a decisive victory. Damage Inc are the new SSW Tag Team Champions.
The last match before the break was possibly the most important and significant match of the night, a Winner Takes All match with the SPWO UK Championship on the line, an entry into the Regal Rumble, the Ownership of SSW and finally the loser would retire from professional wrestling. Current owner, Dave Jeremi, was up against former owner and brother Aaron Jeremi with Logan Storm brought in as enforcer to prevent any outside interference. Aaron surprised the crowd by scrapping his usual ring entrance music from his darker days and reverting back to his glory days of Ron Jeremi, the man SSW fans had all known and loved. Cue the music and the first cheers I have ever heard for Ron in the 2 years I have had the pleasure to watch him.
This match started with a masterclass in technical wrestling before Dave started to use his power and strength on his older brother to gain the upper hand. The crowd were on edge as they cheered for both Ron and Dave but as they started to favour the current owner Dave, Ron decided enough was enough and Aaron was back with a low blow and targeted attacks to Dave’s leg. Ron, now Aaron, had three attempts at pins narrowly missing the 3 count that would put him back at the helm of SSW. This match had moves that would have finished almost any wrestler on the roster but when everything is on the line they both found the energy to kick out and it was Dave who used his power one last time to D-Bomb Aaron Jeremi for an anguishing 1-2-3. I’ve only ever seen one other match in my life that reminded me of a moment like this and it would have been apt if Dave had said “I’m sorry I love you” prior to this move. Dave started the match fighting Ron, had battled most of the match with Aaron but, with tears in his eyes, was pinning Ron again in a story that started writing itself 14½ years ago. Ron had lost the match but not the crowd and the way he spoke at the end of this match summed up the respect he had for SSW and it made me proud to be the father of two boys who had the pleasure to be there too. I stood and applauded at the end of this match and I thank Ron Jeremi for a fantastic curtain call and Dave Jeremi who is still SSW Owner and SPWO UK Champion.
Thankfully there was a break now as I seemed to get some dust in my eyes and errrm went to get a tissue. Note to the Regal staff you may want to check the air con as I am sure a few other guys got dust in their eyes too.
Anyway, one thing you learn about SSW is you get value for your money and SSW had more to give with the SSW Title match next. Champion, Kaiden King, was taking on Scotland’s tallest wrestler/7ft giant Mikey Ratings. Kaiden burst out of the blocks at a frenetic pace but it was the strength of Mikey that started to take its toll on a weakened Kaiden King who carried a back injury into this match. Mikey took the battle out of the ring, into the Regal bar and even to the merchandise table. Kaiden rallied back and if you were in any doubt of how tall Mikey Ratings was, you only had to see Kaiden jump up for an RKO as Mikey was on his knees. Kaiden was valiant but it was Mikey who would go onto finish the job with a chokeslam and become new SSW Worlds Champion.
The main event in any SSW is worth watching and just when you think it can’t get better they through in a 28 “Person” Regal Rumble. The Rumble like most was carnage, Max Mayhem was a surprise guest and a Coast to Coast drop kick onto a steel bin was something to catch again on the SSW On Demand service alone. Friends were made as well as enemies and with all the pace, athleticism and energy it was hard to keep up but it was only fitting that it was fan favourite Lucha DS left to face off against Brandon Adams and with Lucha DS pulling off Brandons own Superkick to put him out of the Rumble the crowd raised the roof and the expectation of the things to come in 2017.
SSW are not the biggest show in Scotland but their care for a storyline, use of humour and outside talent to complement their growing Roster makes them compelling family viewing and a must see for any family wrestling night.
Get yourself some tickets for next year at http://www.bathgateregal.org/ and be quick as the likes of Drew Galloway, Noam Dar, Nikki Glencross and Finn Balor have all appeared at SSW and all went onto WWE. Come along and see who is next.
Marking Out.
Martin
SCOTTISH WRESTLING NETWORK | SWN 