Season 1 Archives

Saturday 4 April 2020

Wolverhampton Civic Centre, West Midlands UK

Attendance – 587

Dexter Eagles beat Gary Charles with a super kick in 7:45.

Mikolaj Salak beat Samir Pande in 15:12 with a Boston Crab submission.

Negro Leon, Leon Maddison, Barry Bridges beat Fuji Hirai, Laurent Guyot,

Camillie Crozier when Barry Bridges pinned Hirai following a sitout spinebuster in 11:06.

Len Ashurst & Billy Bingham best Dusty Russell & Billy Tucker when Len Ashurst pinned Billy Tucker with a tombstone piledriver in 19:26.

Benjamin Benson & Brady Todd beat Stevey Walsh & Johnny Fresno when Benson pinned Stevey Walsh with a Running Powerslam in 18:10.

Metallica Panther I, Metallica Panther II and Metallica Panther III © beat Jimmy, John Murphy & Les Allen to retain the World Trios Championship in 23:16 after Metallica Panther III submitted Jimmy Murphy with the Cristo Metallica.

Selected matches were filmed for future episodes of the On The Mat TV show, the first episode of which broadcast tonight.

ON THE MAT I – Golden Grappler Series

4 April 2020

(Taped on Thursday 2 April 2020 at West Ham Baths, London UK)

Welcome

Dougie Wright was at ringside to welcome us to the show, which would include Johnny Fresno defending his World Lightweight Championship against Mexico City’s Metallica Panther III.

[1] Benjamin Benson, Brady Todd & Gary Charles defeated Samir Pande, Laurent Guyot and Camillie Crozier (running powerslam in 9:32 with 5:00 shown)

We joined the match with Canadian trio of Benson, Todd and Charles firmly in control. France’s Guyot was able turn the tide when hit Gary Charles with a cross body block from the top rope for a near fall, his partner Camille wasn’t able to make much progress after his attempt at a dropkick saw the larger Benson start to show his muscle with a series of slams and lariats, finishing the match by hitting a running Powerslam on Samir Pande of India for the victory.

Metallica Panther III Interview

A snippet of an interview with the number one contender for the World Lightweight Championship Metallica Panther III. He talks about wanting to add the singles World Championship to the World Trios title that he holds with his brothers. He talks about some of the big matches he has had over the years in Mexico and Japan and wants to show British fans he can do as well.

[2] Len Ashurst (195lbs, Bradford, Yorkshire, UK) beat Negro Lion (183lbs, Torreón, Mexico) in a Catchweight Match (Surfboard submission, in 7:12, full match shown)

They start off trading holds with Ashurst getting the better, trying to lock in his surfboard submission but Negro Lion escaped and sent Ashurst to the corner post shoulder first with a dropkick. Lion was able to get a near fall with an Asia Moonsault. Ashurst. Was able to take back the momentum with a belly to back suplex, vertical suplex and then locked on the surfboard for the win.

Post Match

Len Ashurst joined Dougie Wright at ringside following the match and talked about his upcoming shot at the World Heavy-Middleweight Championship, currently held by American Billy Ticker. Len said that he believed he was in good form and looking to use the next few matches to further prepare for the World Title fight.

Johnny Fresno Interview

Fresno was interviewed at his home, he was wearing a fashionable tailored sports jacket and had the World Lightweight Title sat on his lap. Fresno spoke about holding the title for the last year and his challengers from all over the world. He believed that he had the advantage being in a home venue, but admitted that Metallica Panther III is one of the best wrestler’s he’s ever seen live.

[3] Metallica Panther III (180lbs, Mexico City, Mexico) beat Johnny Fresno © for the World Lightweight Championship and Belt (via stoppage in 27:53, full match shown).

Both men are seconded by flag bearers with the UK and Mexican flags.The pace was slow to start things off, with nearly ten minutes of the pair trading holds and trying but succeeding in putting either of man in perilous situation with a submission.

Metallica Panther III sent Fresno the outside with a backdrop and then hit a Top con Giro with both men’s heads crashing together. The referee was delayed in starting his ten count after showing so much concern that he checked on both men before calling the ringside doctor to also examine both who suffered head lair actions, Metallica Panther’’s pink mask was deep red while Fresno’s blond hair was starting to turn red.

Inside the ring both made the ten count and it was Fresno who was able to score a near fall first with a brain buster, but could not follow up with anything else before Metallica Panther III hit DDT, considered a cover but then hit a second for a near fall.

The fans were really into this match now, with Dougie Wright at the commentary desk saying ‘it has all the emotion of a fight of the decade.’ He was close the action again when Fresno was tossed to ringside but once again made it in for a ten count, Panther went for another DDT but Fresno was able to reverse it with a northern lights suplex.

Both men struggled to get to their fret, more bloody was seeping through Panther’s mask while Fresno was starting to get become a real mess. The two then slugged it out, forearm after forearm, punch after punch, both men were down for one knee for an extended time, before they were back to to their feet. Fresno then threw a big right hand which Panther ducked and hit a head but that rocked Fresno to the mat, his head now fully crimson and his face thick with blood the ringside doctor climbed onto the apron, spoke briefly to the referee before entering the ring and ending the match.

Post Match

Fresno received medical treatment in the ring while Sir Solomon Simpson QC the Chairman of Admiral-Lord Mountevans Committee presented Panther with the World Lightweight Championship and Belt.

“This is a dream come true,” Panther said in the ring to Dougie Wright while celebrating with his two brothers.

Fresno, distraught declined to be interviewed and left the ring with paramedics as we go off the air.

Next Week:

International Tag Team Spectacular – Mexico v Canada with Metallica Panther I and Metallica Panther II taking on Heavyweight contender Benjamin ‘Bruiser’ Benson and Brady Todd.

[TV REPORT] ON THE MAT III

18 April 2020

(Taped Saturday 4 April at Wolverhampton Civic Hall and 6 April at Liverpool Stadium)

Welcome

Dougie Wright opens the show, not from ringside as normal but sat in the changing rooms, trousers smartly pressed, mustard turtle neck and navy blazer, his hair slicked back – microphone in hand. He is also holding the British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship belt.

“Greetings, grapple fans” – he says. Next to him, lacing his boots is Barry Bridges.

We’re told we’ll see three bouts on this afternoon’s show – all of which are Championship contests, including the main event featuring ‘Battling’ Barry Bridges taking on Canada’s ‘Benjamin ‘Bruiser’ Benson.

“But first we head to the West Midlands, where a few weeks ago – 4 April to be exact Mexico brothers Los Metallica Panthers made their first defence of the World Trios Championships against Northern Irish brothers John and Jimmy Murphy along with their regular partner – Scotland’s Les Allen.

[1] Metallica Panther I, Metallica Panther II and Metallica Panther III © beat Jimmy, John Murphy & Les Allen to retain the World Trios Championships and Belts (Metallica Panther III submitted Jimmy Murphy with the Cristo Metallica in 23:16 with 4:10 shown – first defence).

(Taped Saturday 4 April at Wolverhampton Civic Hall)

Metallica Panther II and Les Allen are in the ring as we join the action, both appear to be getting back to their feet after slugging it out. Allen grabs Panther for a snap suplex but its blocked and Allen is thrown towards Panthers’ corner.

Metallica Panther I is tagged in and Allen is taken apart with kicks to the body before a big slam and cover. John Murphy breaks it up which brings in Metallica Panther III and the two spill to the outside with fists flying.

It looks like Allen is down and out, but as Metallica Panther I attempt to pull Allen to his feet he is rolled up with a small package for a two and three quarters. Many fans – Dougie Wright included thought the match was over.

Allen ducks a right hand, hits a head but of his own and tags in Jimmy Murphy who heads straight to the top rope for a big cross body block but is caught in mid air and dropped down for a Powerslam. Metallica Panther I stumbles back losing his balance allowing his brother Metallica Panther III to tag in and the World Lightweight Champion crosses the legs of Murphy and locks him in a front face look to submit his opponent with the Cristo Metallica for the victory.

Benjamin ‘Bruiser’ Benson Interview

Benson the huge Canadian is filmed earlier in the day. He’s dressed in a white singlet and trucker cap, he’s flanked by Brady Todd in equally casual attire.

“I’ve said since day one that belt is mine Bridges” he shouts, his voice distorted due to the volume.

We’re promised a physical encounter and a new Champion in this evenings main event.

[2] Len Ashurst (195lbs, Bradford, England) and Billy Tucker © (205lbs, Clinton, Mississippi, USA) wrestled to a time limit draw for the World Heavy-Middleweight Championship and Belt (First defence, 60:00 draw, 15 minutes shown – clipped)

Both wrestlers are in the ring, Ashurst is seconded by Billy Bingham who has the St Georges Flag while Billy Tucker is seconded by Dexter Eagles who has the USA flag. Referee’s instructions are followed by a handshake. The two circle each other before finally we see a collar and elbow link up. They fight for control but the hold is broken by the referee as they reach the ropes. More feeling each other out before Ashurst executes a single leg takedown, he goes to add a hold but Tucker makes the ropes for another clean break.

Another tie up and Tucker pulls Ashurst into a side headlock, he drops the weight onto his left leg and applies a tight grip but Ashurst pushes Tucker back into the ropes and shoots him across the ring before taking him down off his feet with a big shoulder tackle, there’s a cover but the referee doesn’t even count one.

We join the match again – this time and Dougie Wright informs us these two are already more than fifteen minutes into the contest. Tucker is in full control, he has Ashurst on the mat with figure four leg lock applied. Ashurst – now covered in sweat – his thinning blond hair a mess is struggling to stay in the contest, he shifts his weight though and we see Tucker screaming in pain as he feels the pain of the Figure Four Leg Lock. Eventually he gets to the ropes and the hold is broken.

As Tucker pulls himself up by the ropes – Len Ashurst charges him and they both fly over the top rope to the ringside area – narrowly missing Dougie Wright’s ringside position. The two lay prone for the first half of the referee’s five count but – to the surprise of the audience both manage to slide into the ring at the count of nine.

This time we join the action at the halfway mark – Dougie Wright throwing superlatives around about both men’s conditioning he claims that Ashurst a former member of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment still runs up to ten miles a day. Ashurst has Tucker sat on the top rope and hits a big uppercut that nearly sees Tucker slide down to the ringside area but he grabs hold of the turnbuckle post to stay put. Ashurst climbs up to join him, hooks Tucker’s arm around his own head and lifts him into the air – both men falling crashing to the ring with a big superplex from the middle roe. The referee counts to seven before Ashurst is able to roll an arm onto him for a two count.

Ashurst is suffering some obvious pain to his left knee and shakes his head when the referee asks if he needs any medical attention. Ashurst locks on his trademark surfboard submission move, but he’s to close to the ropes and Tucker is able to wriggle free.

The next time we join the action and we’re 45minutes – both men worse for wear, with Ashurst now suffering a small cut above his right eye. Tucker sees the blood and fires two straight jabs into it, the referee warns Tucker about the use of a closed fist but the eye is now starting to close.

Wright informs us Tucker is a second generation star who has been around the sport his entire life, the American showing all of the crafts he has picked up in that time.

Ashurst hits a bit head but that sends Tucker staggering back, he goes for another one but eats a knee to the mid section by Tucker who then scoops him up and throws him over his shoulder before dropping to his knees for his trademark tombstone reverse piledriver. He hooks the leg but some how Ashurst kicks out. Wright cannot believe it. Three elderly ladies jump from their seat and rush to the apron to check on Ashurst – they’re advised to go back to their seats by his second Billy Bingham.

The final time we join this great contest and we’re in the final stages. Ashurst swinging wildly with the use of one eye and his dark hair now bloody red, the ringside Doctor has left his seat and is carefully examining the action. Dougie Wright reminds us what happened when Metallica Panther III and Johnny Fresno met a few weeks ago and the same doctor stopped the contest due to the amount of blood that Fresno had lost.

Ashurst though still has free in his belly and rocks Tucker with a foreman. Tucker replies with a big right hand and scoops Ashurst up for a another Tombstone, this time Ashurst wriggles free – pushes Tucker down face first to the mat and starts to put him in his surfboard submission.

As soon as Ashurts rolls back and pulls Tucker into the hold the bell rings. There’s a gasp from the audience – Dougie Wright is almost out of breath himself.

Everyone in the hall takes their feet as the two men are helped to theirs by their seconds. Ashurst smiles – knowing he was maybe minutes away from becoming a World Champion while Tucker smiles knowing he still has the Championship and Belt. As the referee returns the belt both men shake hands in the ring.

Post Match

Dougie Wright joins both men in the ring – congratulations both on a great game of human chess.

“Like many here today and no doubt all of the wrestling fans at home – I too would love to see a return bout,” says Wright.

Another handshake and they are both helped from the ring.

Video Package From Albufeira, Portugal

A pre-recorded message from European Heavy-Middleweight Champion Joao Silva.

Silva, dressed in cream linen suit – accentuating his Mediterranean tan his enjoying a cigarette and coffee in the sunshine.

He tells us he has just returned from two defences of his European title and is looking forward to making his first defence of the championship in Britain during his upcoming visit with King George VI Wrestling Club. Silva says that he has heard that Mikolaj Salak is a talented wrestler and will looking forward to the challenge that awaits him as well as the chance to test his skills against many top international athletes.

[3] ‘Battling’ Barry Bridges © (251lbs, Deptford, Kent, England) beat Benjamin ‘Bruiser’ Benson (271lbs, Toronto, Canada) to retain the British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship and Belt (Piledriver in 13:54, first defence, full match shown)

Bridges was seconded by Leon Maddison while Benson by Brady Todd. Formal ring introductions with flags and referee instructions followed. Benson refused a handshake until it was insisted by the referee.

“He’s giving up 20lbs, a large amount in the Heavyweight classification,” Wright informs us refereeing to Barry Bridges. Neither man can gain control through a collar and elbow link up and Benson hits Bridges with an elbow that sends him to the corner where he starts to maul him before the referee is able to interject.

Benson sends the ring rocking with a series of corner to corner clothesline’s and Irish whips. The two Heavyweights then start to trade shoulder tackles but neither can take the other man down. Benson is finally sent crashing to the mat when Bridges hits a hip toss and follows him down for a one count.

Bridges takes control, putting on his typical scientific masterclass, arm leavers into leg bars and then a body scissors – Benson simply isn’t able to get to his feet and use his size against the Champion.

Despite his control there is no submission in sight for Bridges when his attempted Half Nelson sees him sent crashing back into the corner only for Benson to follow him with another one of his running clothesline’s to the corner. Bridges is now on the reverse and being knocked around the ring with some clubbing blows. Benson is able to lift Bridges onto his shoulder and even hits his running Powerslam that has claimed many victims but Bridges gets his foot on the bottom rope.

The referee then nearly disqualifies Benson as he refuses to halt his attack with Bridges tangled in the ropes. His lack of sportsmanship riles up the fans at the Liverpool Stadium and it starts to distract the Canadian allowing Bridges to hit a Piledriver for the win.

Post Match

Bridges lifts the British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship high into the air as Dougie Wright congratulates him on his victory.

Bridges tells Wright that he will take on any challenger and once he’s finished with those he is more than happy to lay claims to a World Heavyweight Championship.

Next Week

Jackie Joyce puts his British Commonwealth Lightweight Championship and Belt on the lines against Jamaica’s Junior ‘Iron Man’ Morgan, while four champions will be involved in a spectacular Six Man Tag Contest when Mikolaj Salak, Samir Pande, Barry Bridges take on Joao Silva, Eugen Bastiens and Billy Tucker.

“Have a good week, until next week,” – Dougie Wright.

[RESULTS] Road To All Star Extravaganza – Night 2

King‘s Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, UK

24 April 2020

Attendance – 810

SUPER DOI beat Kumalo with an Osaka Cutter (inverted suplex) after 17:30.

Little Roxy, Jenny The Farmer’s Daughter and Miyoki Suzuki beat La Divino, Mitzi Bopp and Klondyke Dorothy in 8:46 when Suzuki hit La Divino with a top rope double foot stomp.

Jessica Hendrix beat Jumbo Kaka in the 1st Round of the International Grand Prix in 13:01 after a top rope Moonsault

Alf Salisbury beat Stevey Walsh in 4:34 following a brainbuster.

Joao Silva, Negro Leon and Billy Bingham beat Samir Pande, Mikolaj Salak and Hirai Fuji in 15:47 when Silva pinned Fuji after a Crucifix Powerbomb.

Jackie Joyce, Johnny Fresno, Barry Bridges, Len Ashurst beat Metallica Panthers, Billy Tucker in Clash of Champions Elimination Tag Match after 37:18 when Johnny Fresno and Len Ashurst were the final two men standing.

-Barry Bridges eliminated Metallica Panther I after a piledriver in 7:23
- Barry Bridges eliminated Metallica Panther II after a piledriver in 7:38
- Metallica Panther III eliminated Jackie Joyce by submission in 15:01 after a Cristo Metallica.
- Len Ashurst eliminated Billy Tucker through a surfboard submission after 21:45
- Metallica Panther III pinned Barry Bridges following two DDT’s and then locking on the Cristo Metallica at 30:56
- Johnny Fresno made Metallica Panther III submit using his own Cristo Metallica at 37:18.
- Fresno spoke on the microphone following the match, building up their World Lightweight Championship contest on 3 May at Fairfield Halls.

Several of the matches where filmed for an upcoming On The Mat TV show.

[TV REPORT] ON THE MAT IV

(Taped 23 April 2020 at Princess Theatre, Clacton on Sea, Essex, UK)

Welcome

Dougie Wright once again at ringside and this week he was joined by none of that King George VI Wrestling Club’s Matchmaker Edwin Luntley. They discussed the upcoming event on 3 May at Fairfield Halls, Croydon were we would see the big rematch between Johnny Fresno and the current World Lightweight Champion Metallica Panther III. Luntley said he was keen to move on from the first match which saw the title change hands following a blood stoppage from the ringside Doctor and the events that followed that including Fresno being called before a Judiciary Hearing for speaking out bout the result.

Wright also asked about the current influx of International stars, Luntley said that he gets many letters from fans and TV viewers all over the country asking for more top overseas stars and he’s happy to do that. Tonight we’ll see stars from Portugal, Germany, America, Poland, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

[1] Joao Silva, Eugen Bastiens and Billy Tucker beat Mikolaj Salak, Samir Pande and Barry Bridges(Bastiens with a top rope belly to back suplex on Salak in 26:40, 10:00 shown.)

We cut to the start of the match where Silva (European Heavy-Middleweight), Tucker (World Heavy-Middleweight) and Bastiens (European Lightweight) and Billy Bridges (British Commonwealth Heavyweight) all posed for a photograph with their championship belts.

The match started with the current Joao Silva and the number one contender for his European crown Mikolaj Salak squaring off. The two exchanged a serious of technical holds, much to the appreciation of the fans in Clacton. Silva managed to hit two back breakers but was unable to get him up for his Crucifix Powerbomb.

We cut back to the match with Barry Bridges and Billy Tucker doing battle. Dougie Wright reminded us of the difference in weight between two man but the fans were really loving seeing the World Heavy-Middleweight Champion and British Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion slugging it out, with Tucker scoring a near fall following a snapsuplex.

The action returned for the final two minutes of the bout with all six men in the ring and bodies flying everywhere. Pande was sent over the top rope by Tucker and he followed him outside while Barry Bridges hit a piledriver on Silva but neither were the leagal man. Salak was on the top rope going for a high risk move when Silva knocked him down and Bastiens intercepted him and hit a top rope belly to back suplex for the win.

Post Match

After the contest Dougie Wright spoke to Joao Silva in the ring. He welcomed him to Great Britain and asked if he was looking forward to defending his European Heavy-Middleweight Championship and Belt at Fairfield Halls on 3 May. He said he saw nothing special in Salak and thought he’d beat him in less than five minutes.

Pre Recorded Interview

Junior ‘Iron Man’ Morgan was interviewed at his local running track. He Jamaican said that he wants to be a World champion but knows the fest step is to become a British champion and that tonight he would be at Jackie Joyce and retire him for good.

[2] Johnny Fresno (185lbs, Bolton, Lancashire, UK) beat Negro Leon (183lbs, Torreón, Mexico) in a Lightweight contest (following a knock out in in 9:05, full match shown)

The fans went wild as Fresno made his way to the ring, he was handed a banquet of flowers from one young lady at ringside. Negro Leon was waiting for him in the ring, they started off at lightening speed. Fresno avoided a leap frog and then reversed a hip toss for one of his own. Fresno then hit a big dropkick and Leon flew through the ropes to ringside. Fresno slid out to get Negro Leon but was attacked by his opponent. Leon then hit a springboard moonsault to the outside and send his opponent into the ring for a two count.

Fresno though was able to resist submitting to a Camel Clutch and hit a Dropkick that sent Fresno to the corner. Negro Leon missed a running splash and Fresno hit a monkey flip before a spinning heel kick that Negro Leon was unable to return from, being counted out on the mat.

Pre-Recorded Interview

Jackie Joyce had his British Commonwealth Lightweight Championship, he was wearing a blue tracksuit, and looked like an old man who was about to do some gardening. He said he was used to fighting bigger opponents and it wouldn’t take much time to finish off Morgan, Joyce reiterated his desire to retire champion.

[3] Junior ‘Iron Man’ Morgan (187lbs, Kingston, Jamaica) beat Jackie Joyce (188lbs, Northampton, UK) © through disqualification (low blow in 21:20, full match shown Joyce retains the British Commonwealth Lightweight Championship)

Full ring introductions with Junior Morgan and Jackie Joyce shaking hands before the contest started. Morgan was quick to gain control but Joyce kept breaking the holds with either kicks or punches to Morgan’s body. Joyce rocked Morgan with one uppercut that he fell through the ropes and onto the ring apron. Joyce went to suplex him back into the ring but Morgan blocked it and hit a sunset flip for a near fall.

Morgan was quick, hitting the ropes with a great degree of pace, with one such flying cross body block also seeing Joyce struggle to kick out before three.

Joyce, the veteran hit a head but and hip attack on Morgan that saw him too nearly win the contest. At one point the two of them were doing battle at ringside and the referee had to be helped by a second to get both men back into the ring. Morgan had received a cut to his ear at this point and Joyce was relentless in his attack of it, with forearms and a knee drop that made the cut even worse.

Junior Morgan hit a top rope dropkick that rocked Joyce and he then followed it up with a Death Valley Driver. Joyce was in no mans land. Morgan didn’t cover him quick enough though and both men were able to get to their feet with Joyce kicking Morgan square below the belt with the referee having clear sight he called for the bell and the match was ended via disqualification, the belt remaining and championship remaining with Joyce.

Post Match

Joyce told Dougie Wright that he had slipped, he would never mean to hit a low blow, said he’d be keen to give Morgan another shot, but he’ll need to improve.

Morgan, furious with the result demanded that the match be restarted right there and then if Joyce was happy to give him another shot. Joyce wasn’t keen and made his way to the back pretty quickly with the Championship belt.

Next Week

Eight top names in the ring today go head to head in a Clash of the Champions Elimination Tag Match when Jackie Joyce, Johnny Fresno, Barry Bridges and Len Ashurts take Los Metallica Panthers and Billy Tucker! Zimbabwean Heavyweight Alf ‘Sledgehammer’ Salisbury will also be in action plus we’ll see how the Ladies International Grand Prix has progressed.

2 May 2020

Vale Hall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK

Attendance – 1005

Jessica Hendrix beat Miyoki Suzuki in 10:01 after a Superkick in the Semi Final of the Ladies International Grand Prix

Jenny The Farmer’s Daughter beat Klondyke Dorothy in 7:51 via count out in the Semi Final of the Ladies International Grand Prix

Leon “The Professional” Van Zandt beat Metallica Panther II in 12:42 in a catchweight Contest via submission with the Sugar Hold.

Les Allen, John & James Murphy beat Leon Maddison, Stevey Walsh & Samir Pande when James Murphy hit a top tope elbow drop on Stevey Walsh.

Johnny Fresno & Billy Bingham beat Fuji Hirai & The Great Tojo via disqualification when The Great Tojo threw salt in the eyes of Billy Bingham in 9:12.

Barry Bridges beat Len Ashurst in 21:41 in a catchweight contest following a piledriver.

Metallica Panther III beat Junior ‘Iron Man’ Morgan through submission with the Cristo Negro in a Non Title Lightweight contest.

Johnny Fresno came out after the match to check on Junior Morgan and there was a small altercation with Metallica Panther III.