FTGU Braunstone review: indie wrestling goes vegan

Ah independent wrestling, the birthplace of wrestling stars and the place that WWE wants you to forget about in order for you to think only WWE makes stars. I had never been to a wrestling event prior to this, but when I saw about a local promotion in Leicester with an event not too far from me, I knew I had to go. Wrestling has been a big part of my life since childhood and so to go to a wrestling event felt like a dream come true, and for only £8 who in their right mind would say no. I came into this not knowing any story or characters that were at the event, and I was expecting some very underrated wrestling that didn't take itself too seriously, however, I didn't expect some of the things that I saw at the event. Before I get into it, I am not a professional wrestling critic at all, this was my first wrestling event and I wanted to review it from what I saw. This is all my opinion, so you are free to disagree with my ratings and shout and scream at me on twitter, even though you probably will anyway.

Jakk Sellstrom vs Elano Stone:

Our first match saw the return of former NXT UK wrestler Jakk Sellstrom and he was coming up against Elano Stone of the VWO(The Vegan World Order, seriously). Jakk got the crowd fired up during his entrance as the hometown hero from Leicester. The match started quickly with Sellstrom showing what he had learned in NXT UK and across the UK independan scene, with his quickness and his great technical ability leaving Stone behind as Sellstrom locked in a submission hold, looking break the hand of Stone. This match was a great of example of technical wrestling by both men, Sellstrom looked comfortable in the ring and fed into the crowd who were desperate for a win for the returning Sellstrom. On the other hand, Stone was standing his own and doing some great heel work with the crowd that got bites from the crowd. The match ended with Stone getting the roll up win which he celebrated by responding to the crowd's boos and jeers which could've made Dom Mysterio blush. There were worrying signs after the match as Sellstrom looked to injure his knee during the match and he was slow to get up after the match, sparking concern from the audience who were cheering and clapping the Ice Man who made his way to the back. This was a very good opener, got the crowd alive and showed how good of a high flyer Sellstrom still is and how good of a heel Elano Stone is, even away from the rest of the VWO. Solid match to start.

8/10

Ya Boys and Sponge vs Technically Better:

The new faction of Technically Better were looking to make a statement against the tag team champions Ya Boys who were joined by Sponge for a 6 man tag match. The 2nd match of the night felt like a change-up from the first, a much higher tempo as the tag champs looked to punish the new faction by keeping them in their corner. However, once Scores got the tag to CTC the match was thrown into Technically better's favour as they slowed the pace down. Constant interferance was shown by the faction with referee distractions leading to low blows and double teams being done to the chants of 'cheats' from the crowd. However, with both men on the ground, Sponge got tagged in and went to work as the wrecking ball of the team. He took out all 3 members of Technically Better which lead to the win for Ya Boys. This was a fine match, nothing wrong with it but could've been better and itgot a god crowd reaction so what's not to like.

6/10

James O'donnell vs Peter Ocelot:

Following the tag match, James O'donnell came out and cut a promo about his fued with the VWO and how he would not leave the ring until he got a match with one of them. His wish was granted by Peter Ocelot, who enterance was overshadowed by the chants of 'shave your tache'. The match waas swung into O'donnell's control early on with a quick flurry of offense by the outrageous one. The action went outside of the ring as O'donnell hit Ocelot with the classic 10 beats of the chest which let a big mark on the chest of the VWO member. The match was unremarkable from that point on, O'donnell and Ocelot traded control of the match before ocelot was hit with a deep six to turn the match around for the final time before a Riptide to close out the match. Another fine match that could've been better, but it was a match that pushed O'donnell and may lead to be a part in the crumbling of the VWO later down the line.

6/10

Ryden Ockerby vs Jim Diehard:

The first match after the 15 minute interval in which I got a cool T-shirt was a bit of a no contest in the way that there was no big stakes for either person or their character. Ockerby came in as a nippy high flyer whereas Jim Diehard came in as the big powerhouse that Ockerby would have to overcome. This match started very slow with neither man able to get control of the match, and the crowd struggling to get behind either man because they're both faces. A few chants for Ockerby and Jim rang out but not enough for the rest of the arena to get behind. Both men locked up multiple times with no advantage gained in a very boring sequence where it felt like it was constantly replaying. Eventually Diehard got the upper hand and sent Ockerby out the ring to the crowd's delight as they finally had something to cheer for. Diehard chopped Ockerby so many times that I think even Gunther would be proud of him, because they hurt me and I wasn't even the one getting chopped. multiple chops later and a big powerbomb to Ockerby lead Diehard to put up the 3 count and finish the match. Both men showed respect to each other (I was hoping for a heel turn but oh well) and that was it. I couldn't really enjoy this match, it felt like it was much the same all match, add that onto an audience who didn't know who to cheer for and Ockerby's lack of notable offense made this a boring match to me, as much as I hate to put my Dave Meltzer hat on especially to the indie wrestling scene. I believe that if this match was swapped with the tag team match than this would be better but I have to rate what I have seen in front of me.

5/10

The Vegan Prescott vs Nathan Fox:

This match was much needed after the interval, the big bad leader of the VWO was up against Nathan Fox after his annoyance with the crowds chants about Nathan before the event and challenged him to a 1 on 1 match. Prescott came out with G Reed alongside him who would be there to assist Prescott if needed. However, he wasn't the only one who bought backup, Nathan Fox bought Cardigan Measures with him, who wasn't Fox's biggest fan. The match started off with a display of power from Prescott as showed Nathan what it meant to be vegan. With some ref distractions as well from Reed to aid Prescott into doing some dirty tricks, the match seemed like it would be a squash. However, Fox would come back with energy as he would knock down Prescott and be offered a weapon by Measures, a lint roller. Fox would throw it out of the ring, much to Measures annoyance who would go so far as to try to sabotage Fox by getting in the ring, which allowed Prescott to get back control of the match. However, some mix up between managers on the outside left Prescott distracted and allowed Fox to get a roll up win against the VWO. Cardigan Measures then got on the mic to talk about how Fox isn't a winner and how he is a loser like the rest of the crowd. Fox replied by saying that Measures needs to chill out, which then lead to the most obvious plot twist in wrestling....

Bob Ross came out from the back.

Ross came into the ring with a paintbrush in hand which he used to attack Cardigan Measures and pinned him for a 3 count which was counted by Nathan Fox. This was a fun match to watch. Prescott with some great heel work whilst in the ring and Cardigan Measures on the outside being more of a hindrance to Fox than G Reed. Bob Ross coming out at the end was exactly why more people should watch indie wrestling, because it is silly and fun without taking it self too seriously and delivers some very good wrestling matches like this one was.

8/10

FTGU World Championship: William Wylde vs Martin Kirby:

The main event was Wylde's defence of his FTGU World Championship against Martin Kirby, who had been all around the UK and won championships at many different promotions. The match had a big fight feel about it, even before the bell rang the audience was behind Kirby. Wylde's alliance with the VWO had bought him allies, including Vegan Prescott at ringside. Kirby got the upper hand early on with a mix of strength and quickness bought Wylde down. Wylde would quickly get back into the contest as both men used their strength to their advantage as powerslams reigned supreme at the early point of the match. Prescott also became a nuisance for the referee which would allow Wylde to get the upper hand at different points of the match, whilst the chants of 'Kirby' rang out across the arena. Kirby's offense was quick and he used his speed and power to knock Wylde down to the mat but couldn't keep him down for the three count. Whereas, Wylde would use his technical ability to keep Kirby on the mat and also used his strength whenever he got back to his feet, a true contest of big meaty men slapping meat. The match almost ended with a Prescott mistake, as he became cocky towards the audience and pulled Wylde's legs from under him by mistake, which almost lead to Kirby winning to title, but Wylde was able to stabilise in the match and get back to his feet. Wylde would control the match's tempo until the end, slamming Kirby to the ground and getting the 3 count for the title defense. However, Prescott and Wylde would fall out after the match, with Wylde claiming he didn't need the VWO to help him and Prescott saying that they won't be helping Wylde anymore. This wasn't a face turn by Wylde but the audience still felt compelled to cheer him, even if only half-heartedly. However, whilst his back was turned Chocolate Thunder would attack Wylde from behind and leave him on the floor. Thunder would then cut a promo about how Wylde has become "willy no mates" and challenge him at FTGU's next event in Birstall for the FTGU world championship in a tables match. This match was the best of the night, good action in ring with technical and strong wrestlers and Prescott doing some more good heel work as a manager, he had a very good night indeed. Chocolate Thunder's challenge got the audience more excited than they already were and setting up a good match a month before the event.

9/10

This was my first wrestling event I had ever been to live. It was a very good show, could it have been better in places, yes of course it could have but that's the beauty of indie wrestling. It is done on a small budget with people who love wrestling and want to give a good show for people. There was a good atmosphere throughout the event and I must give props to the ring announcer who's name I unfortunately didn't learn but she was brilliant in terms of making every fight feel like a big match, and I hope that props are given to her by the management of FTGU because she deserves it. If you are in Leicester at any point and you have a spare £10 to spend, then go attend an FTGU event because it is good fun, you see some great wrestling and it doesn't take itself too seriously. It has fun moments like Bob Ross getting a 3 count that you can laugh at and it is a beautiful thing. FTGU done a very god job at Braunstone and I can't wait to see how these wrestlers improve because they have a lot of potential.

Show Rating: 7/10