Review: North Wrestling - North 2.2 ‘Keep Your Distance’
Credit: North Wrestling
North Wrestling - North 2.2 ‘Keep Your Distance’
Anarchy Brewery, Newcastle
October 23, 2021
Reviewers: Craig Whiteman & Carl Richardson (@poptheboyspod)
IF EVER there was a match made in heaven designed to unleash hell it’s these two. An adult show, held a brewery, a slice of fried gold.
The show, as always, is started with the crazily talented master of ceremonies/ring announcer Tom Campbell & the boss himself Andrew Bowers coming out the anthem of our little cult; AC/DCs Thunderstruck.
And speaking of thunder atmosphere in Anarchy Brewery this night seemed particularly electric (the puns don’t get any better) with the combination of beer, J&J pizza and good wrestling really whip the crowd into a frenzy.
Lizzy Evo vs Rhio
Credit: North Wrestling
The crowd were more than happy to give Lizzy all the boos and she obliged nicely by giving everyone the finger! You can take the lass out of Liverpool….
Rhio received a great reception and a very original chant of “Purple Hair” to the tune of Princes’ Purple Rain.
A great match, controlled mostly by the perfect heel in Lizzy Evo, combining stiff clothesline’s with some solid heel work. Proven no better than by the closing moments; just as Rhio was getting on top Lizzy rolled her up with a handful of tights and stole the win! Taonga runs out to make it two on one, but Washington’s own Gia Adams rushes out for the save - that’s not the last we see of those two tonight…
Visage’s Lip Sync Battle
Credit: North Wrestling
Moving into something which more indys should be showcasing - A Lip Sync battle!!!! The charismatic and transcendent beauty that is Visage, sported a Shotzi style wig and is in control as ever here where they announce the theme of Pop Punk v Grime, as Crashboat will be taking on Man Like Dereiss in North’s second ever LSB!
That lyrical dragon came out with an excellent rendition of RESPECT, the man can dance, but should’ve been disqualified because while he can dance, he sadly left his lip syncing to the side. Breaking the one rule of the LSB.
Don’t. Fuck. It. Up.
Sadly before we could get any further those spoil sports, Zeo Knox & Connor Renshaw, the Landed Gentry came out to rapturous boo’s and a few less than savoury chants on their political leanings.
They complained about not being on the show and then bish bash bosh, we got a three-way Lucha tag match! This match was all action and showcased a hell of a lot of talent.
Crashboat impress with their original tag team manoeuvres, busting out stuff like an assisted somersault senton, and skinning the cat in to a back splash. These guys are unlike anything we’ve seen in a long time!
The Gentry played smart heels, striking when their was an opening, Zeo as the general always threatening to unleash the heavy hitting Mackem cyborg Connor. This match though was all about Visage and MLD! They both ooze charisma and command attention in that ring. Is there anyone better than wheel kicks than Visage?? Or how about MLD?
That man is scary talented, busting out moves (a 450 to break up a pin from a frog splash attempt no less) that drop jaws just as soon as spin them! At the end of it all a Gentry miscommunication lead to a big win for MLD and Visage! Tension was hinted between the beaten Gentry members, is that the end of them or are they just missing something, or someone?
Shreddy vs Gene Munny
Credit: North Wrestling
“Funny doesn’t make money!” Those are the words of Jacked. Stacked. Daddy; Shreddy - but that damn dirty dog Gene Munny feels otherwise. But just to prove a point Gene brought his big boy pants and challenged Shreddy to a body building contest, it was heading for a big win for the Good Boi Gang but Shreddy, incensed by this crowd of skinny-fatasses, jumped Gene.
Shreddy has shown a real mean streak since coming out of lockdown, with the power man dominating Gene. Gene made a strong comeback hitting a big falling splash and lined Shreddy up for a slice of Ainsley Lariat but alas it wasn’t to be as after missing his big hit. Within moments Shreddy had Gene passed out in the Steiner Recliner and the Shredliner picks up a big win.
Martin Kirby vs Will Kroos vs Robbie X vs Chris Ridgeway
Credit: North Wrestling
Oh. My. God. Wrestling!!! This was four of the very best on the British independent scene doing with they do best. The veteran, the big man, the high flyer and the hard hitter. Something for everyone. The crowd was electric for this one, until North-West Strong Ridgeway nearly beheaded a man and quite frankly the violence only got worse from there. This hurt to watch.
This match moved 100mph, with Riddy reversing a Robbie X moonsault in to a cross face, Kirby attempting (and failing) to suplex Kroos, Kroos suplexed Kirby into a prone Ridgeway and Robbie X nailing a twisting moonsault/Black Arrow that the Bastard PAC would be proud of. Robbie flew like a human pinball and aimed for an X cutter but when Kroos catches him and smashed him with a spike tombstone pile driver, it was all over.
Winner and your new number 1 contender. Will Kroos. Jesus. What. A. Match!
HT Drake vs Liam Slater
Credit: North Wrestling
Two veterans of the independent scene face each other in a submission match to open the second half of the show. It was perfect match to pull us back in after the intermission.
HT Drake being the perfect heel to Liam’s hard fighting baby face. This match was as smooth and as methodical as you want from two veterans, stiff forearms were traded, Drake missed a huge dropkick and took a big bump for his troubles.
Marc Mathers, One of Drakes students who had accompanied him to the ring, tried to slip him some ring equipment to help him cheat to win but Liam’s own trainee Jet Martial rushed in and manage to hit Mathers with a huge V-Trigger style knee and enabled Liam to get the submission.
Gia Adams vs Taonga
Credit: North Wrestling
If/when you come to North the one thing you will realise, Gia Adams is over and without a doubt a future main event talent. It was the loudest ovation for an introduction all night. Undisputed.
Don’t sleep on Taonga though, as the lass is one hell of a talent too. She really took it to Gia hard in the opening of the match after getting the jump on Adams early doors - laying in some hard strikes and really working the crowd, she’s fantastic at working her heel styles and rightly got booed out the building despite the duelling chants of the North faithful.
Taonga went for a running hip attack in the corner which allowed Gia to take over. The crowd were loud for Gia this whole match and were extra hype when she took control. She hit a beautiful spinning side suplex on Taonga. A quick Washy Drop (like a Samoan drop but you know, she’s from Washington) and next thing you know Gia’s hand is being raised. Although I don’t think this is the last we’ll see if this match.
Main Event: Rory Coyle (c) vs Cara Noir, North Championship Match
Credit: North Wrestling
This had a big fight feel, there was excitement in the crowd for this match and they didn’t disappoint. For those that don’t know, Cara Noir’s entrance is like nothing you will see anywhere else and it’s awe inspiringly fantastic. Rory came through the crowd, pushing past people, showing disdain for the cult he helped build.
There was a stare off at the start of this match that really built the crowd to a fever pitch all until Rory cracked that smile. That goddamned sadistic smile. And slapped Cara. Cara promptly replied with a massive headbutt and we were off to the races with a hard hitting, stiff match not for the faint at heart.
Rory bit Cara pretty much everywhere you could imagine, Cara nailed Rory with low blow after low blow due to a downed John Myers (the referee was on his 7th match of the night and probably appreciated the lie down) before nailing Rory with a shattered dreams!
A few more back-and-forths saw Rory trying to leave, taking the title with him, telling the crowd to do one but Cara snuck behind him and slapped on a sleeper on the entrance ramp. Cara continually tried to lock in the sleeper including a top rope jumping sleeper but Rory used his momentum and launched Cara into an exposed turnbuckle. One DDT later, and Still your North Champion, Rory Coyle!
After the match Rory, wanting to add insult to injury, draped Cara under the arm to nail the Black Swan with his Cactus Jack DDT before he was rescued by Liam Slater, though Shreddy came running out to swung the tide back in the Cult (with an L) Classic’s favour before Will Kroos ran out for the save. They chased off Rory and Shreddy and challenged them to a tag team match at the next show.
North’s atmosphere was bouncing for the whole show, now bare in mind this isn’t a place for kids but if you haven’t been to wrestling, wanted to try independent wrestling, we cannot stress how good North is. So if you find yourself up North December 11th come join the cult, but Just Remember……All Caps.
We want to extend a big thanks to Craig and Carl from the Popping the Boys Podcast. These guys just LOVE North Wrestling and it shows!
Hosts of the worst podcast you’ll never listen to, Craig & Carl present ‘Popping The Boys’ - showcasing the hijinks and shenanigans of their favourite promotion with Norths longest running podcast
You can check out their podcast on Spotify and follow them on social media @poptheboyspod