FTGU Lincoln: Ya Bois reign supreme

University is finally over (at least the first year is) and so what better way to experience the new found freedom then to go and watch some grown men beating each other up for fun. I went to the Lincoln showground to watch FTGU do their thing once again, in between my last visit to FTGU at Braunstone I went and watched WWE Clash at the Castle in Glasgow, however I will not be comparing them because one is a small indie company and the other is FTGU, it just wouldn't be fair. There was no card announced before the show but we got treated to 8 matches, with Vegan Prescott as our lovely ring announcer (this will probably be the only time i'll refer to Prescott as lovely) and Coach Karl Dio as our ref for the first half, how did FTGU fare at the Lincoln showground?

Kung Fu Legend vs Air Felix

The first match of the day contained a man who I had never heard of and one half of the FTGU tag team champions Air Felix, who is defending the championship at FTGU Whetstone against the VWO. The first match is always a telling case at an indie show at how good a crowd will be, and this one was slightly disappointing. Felix was on crowd work duty until they decided they would like to start wrestling, which is when we saw some great technical wrestling. They kept locking up and doing new things where neither person had a proper advantage until Legend used his strength advantage to get Felix on the floor. Felix managed to get a reversal and send Legend out of the ring to a small chorus of boos from the crowd, where he stayed on the outside for a good amount of time before returning to the fight. Some close falls from both sides before Felix decided that he was going to win and hit a 619 before finishing the bout with a rough rider. Decent match to start off with, warmed up the crowd and ultimately done its job.

7/10

Cardigan Measures vs Jeffrey Dickinson

The other half of the tag team champions came up against my dad's favorite wrestler from FTGU, Cardigan Measures, who faces Chocolate Thunder in a week's time at FTGU Whetstone. This match had a very energetic start with Measures using his power to gain a big advantage over Jeffrey. However, the tag champ wasn't going down without a fight and quickly turned the momentum around, giving a people's elbow to the man from the old people's home in Skegness (A claim in which he refutes, even though we all know it's true). After some back and forth action, Measures hits Dickinson with a Sister Abigail which is only good enough for a 2 count which angered Measures enough for him to take his eye off the ball. A springboard backflip cutter by Jeffrey finished the bout, as Ya Bois start off strong in Lincoln. This wasn't as good as the first, but still a decent match and so I can't be too harsh on it.

5/10

Elano Stone vs The Invisible Man

Now we move onto my favourite match of the show, and of course it involves Elano Stone. This guy works so well with crowds and is a brilliant worker in ring and I can see him going far in his future. Anyway, back to the match, where Walker (the Invisible Man) gained an advantage after some back and forth between the two where Stone is sent out of the ring. Walker became the RAF the way he took control of the air, as he forced Stone to kick out at 2 multiple times. A high tempo was maintained by both stars before William Wylde and Viktor Snow distracted the referee so that Walker could be low blowed as Stone picked up a win. Afterwards the three began attacking the Invisible Man who laid lifeless until Ya Bois came out to help and send Snow, Wylde and Stone out of the ring. OH, we ain't done yet though, as Prescott decided to summon his inner Nick Aldis and declare a 6 man tag team match between them. This match was great to watch in ring and out, with how both stars interacted with the audience as well as their technical ability. Any scouts that may read this blog, go to Leicester and scout both of these guys, because they have the ability to be great.

9/10

Wylde, Snow and Stone vs Ya bois and The Invisible Man

Now, any wrestling fan knows that 6 man tag team matches can be difficult to observe at the best of times, but when you're trying to make notes whilst watching then it makes you realise that the wrestlers in the ring have the easier job (I say that as a joke I promise). Felix and Snow were the ones to start and the bad guys would get the upper hand as Felix would be isolated in the corner for most of this match, with constant tags being made. Eventually though Felix would escape and tag in Jeffrey which would turn this match on its head. A Wylde elbow missed everyone (get it) before everyone got in the ring and started beating each other up, as per the rules of tag team matches. A 619 to Stone followed by a pin allowed for the team of Ya Bois and Walker to pick up the victory before the 2 hour interval that followed. A chaotic fun match that really allowed all the competitors to have fun, and it showed. A good match all in all, and a good way to round of this first half.

8/10

William Wylde vs Air Felix

2 hours have gone, let's get back into it with... another Air Felix match? Yes dear reader, it appears that the VWO took over the schedule and made Felix fight against a very determined Wylde in his 2nd match of the night. This also got a new crowd and they were a lot more reactive to the action, which was a very nice change to accompany the action. Wylde opened the match with a show of strength as he bullied Felix into the corner. But Felix was gonna fight back, and sent Wylde sprawling outside the ring where the fans really tore into him. Wylde soon returned to the ring, where he proceeded to grab the match back by his technical ability, although it would soon change as Felix ferociously fought back. However it was in vain, as Wylde hit the Big Ending and pinned Felix in front of his tag partner, who was the referee for this second period. A really good opener, enjoyable, slick with some good wrestling by some good wrestlers, who are champions for a reason, and that reason I have seen.

9/10

Major Barrett vs Coach Karl Dio

The Coach is back, and he ahs a big task on his hands to defeat Major Barrett, who wouldn't even give a fist bump to a young child (what a knob). At least our saviour Coach Karl is here, and he gave fist bumps and high fives to everyone, tiring himself out in the process. Barrett took control of the match early on, with bodyslams and clotheslines that left Karl reeling. Any offense the Coach had was quickly put out by the Major, even putting Coach in a tree of woe. A roll up from the Coach only got a 2 count which signalled the end for Coach Karl Dio, as a World's Strongest Slam would end the match with the Major picking up a victory. Very simple match, not very technical and just two big men hitting each other, not the best.

4/10

Cardigan Measures vs The Invisible Man

The man who may or may not be from an old people's home in Skegness is back people. This time he is up against the Invisible Man who is also known as Richard Walker. THis should be a great match with good techni- and Cardigan Measures has attacked Walker before the bell has rung. When Walker retaliates against him, Measures runs out of the ring where Walker follows and attacks Measures outside of the ring for the first time today. Back in the ring Cardigan takes control with his strength with a running shoulder barge as the crowd chants The Invisible Man's name. Walker gets a 2 count before going up top to hit Measures with a splash which wins him the match. Decent match with Measures being both a serious competitor and also a bit of comic relief for the fans, a very good day for him. My big problem is a lot of today we have seen people go outside of the ring and we're waiting for them to get back into the ring before the action continues. Hopefully the next match fixes that and keeps everyone in the ring.

6/10

7 man over the top rope battle royal

Oh for god's sake. This is a big lesson that reviewers should know their place and not over step, especially not wrestling reviewers. To be honest, I was never expecting a battle royal to be the main event, but I'm not complaining. All of the competitors apart from Jeffrey were involved in this, and the match started with Cardigan Measures barely being able to stand after his match. This was just pure chaos, beautiful chaos to be enjoyed by all. Walker was the first to be eliminated with Elano and Major Barrett following straight after. Measures was tossed over the top rope, which left Wylde, Felix and Coach Karl , the latter two ganging up on the FTGU world champion. However, Wylde managed to reverse a move from Coach Karl and eliminated him, leaving just 2 in the ring. Wylde looked like he was about to win after hitting Felix with the Big Ending, but Felix held on and threw Wylde over the top rope, leaving the champion stunned and the audience roaring with Felix. A big boost for Air Felix, who defends the tag titles against the VWO at Whetstone. A good way to end the day with a great audience, a good day out at the races for FTGU and a good time had by all.

7/10

Overall a decent show put on to a crowd that likely may have never watched indie wrestling before, because a majority of them are children. Maybe some day they'll grow and up and be a top guy somewhere and say they were inspired by FTGU. Some good quality talents were on show, which surprised me because I went into it thinking that the champions would be rested but I was proven wrong, which was a pleasant surprise. The event did lack the story elements which was to be expected considering the nature of the event, being done to get people who may not be interested in wrestling involved, but the matches did somewhat lack attachment. Even if they had a promo before a match that creates a small background so the crowd knows what to expect, EG if Coach Karl Dio came down and preached about being brave or determined before Major Barrett came and threw him around. It gives the matches a bit more character, and shows off the promo skills possessed by the wrestlers. Apart from that bit of criticism, I have no words left to say, A good event that maybe could have been better, but I had to witness Jinder Mahal as WWE champion so I won't complain.

Show Rating: 7/10