The SWE European Tournament is a bi-annual tournament and we saw Rob Cage win the final of the first one back at Hell For Lycra X, which was our first SWE show. For this tournament we decided to take in both shows, staying in Dundee overnight.
Because this was a two night event (and partly because I am so far behind with my blogs) I am going to write this event as a single blog and not focus too much on each match individually (yeah I know it's a cop out but I need to get up to date!!) It will also be without photographs as the strange lighting which kept changing in Menzieshill made it difficult to get great photos, although there will be a selection uploaded to the Loudmouth Facebook page soon.
FRIDAY 15 MAY - NIGHT ONE
It was a small crowd at Menzieshill Community Centre for the first night of the tournament and no matter how I tried, it was difficult to get them to join in with the chants/cheers/jeers but that didn't stop me being the Loudmouth the entire night.
Tournament - Massimo Italiano (Italy) v El Kid Lux (Netherlands)
A nice match to open the tournament. Italiano is becoming a bit of a fan favourite with the SWE crowd and Lux played the heel to perfection. Italiano took the victory to progress to the semi-final on Saturday.
Tournament - Saint-George (England) v Sambroso Maestro (Spain?? erm think he's Mexican mate)
This match never actually happened. Bravehart and Jam O'Malley came out to the ring with Saint-George. Doctor Grue announced Sambroso Maestro but he failed to appear. Bravehart then announced that he and Jam had made sure that Saint-George would get a bye into the semi-finals. He then demanded that Sambroso be given a 10 count and if he didn't appear, he would forfeit the match. As Saint-George was awarded the bye, Chaz Phoenix appeared and told Saint-George that he wasn't getting off that easily and that he would have a one on one match there and then against Mikey.
Saint-George v Mikey
What a match!! Mikey came out all guns blazing and Saint-George had to resort to underhanded tactics to get the upper hand. Mikey soon came back at him, nailing Saint-George with several cracking moves but unfortunately Saint-George was declared the winner when he manoeuvred the referee into the path of Mikey, causing him to nail the referee instead and Mikey was disqualified as a result.
JD Wilde v Kenny Kyd
This was the match I had hoped to see - the decider between the two trainees who had been on the last two uprising pre-shows. I was not disappointed. Another cracking match between these two lads and definitely deserving of a main card slot. Kenny Kyd took the victory and now I look forward to seeing them both facing other opponents in the future.
Tournament - Theo Doros (Cyprus) v Damian O'Connor (Ireland)
Newcomer Doros came out to the ring singing what I believe was the National Anthem of Cyprus. He gave it a good try but he was facing Big Damo!! Doros discovered how it feels to have "The Beast of Belfast" stand on his chest and drop a senton. Damo took a convincing victory to move into Saturday's semi-finals.
MDK v Conor Frost & Darren Blair
The second half started with a 2 on 1 handicap match. MDK was accompanied to the ring by Chaz Phoenix. This didn't appear to be much of a handicap match as MDK made short work of both of Bravehart's minions, dispatching Blair and slamming Conor Frost before pinning him for the three count. Phoenix then got the microphone and declared war on Bravehart, delivering a devastating piledriver on Blair and stating he would destroy his minions until he got his hands on the co-owner.
Tournament - Euan G Mackie (Castle Mackula) v Scott Renwick (Scotland)
The final tournament qualifier of the night was in my opinion the best of them too. Mackie and Renwick delivered a top notch match which either man deserved to win and was my Match of the Night. There was something for everyone in this match - technical and high flying moves, a bit of brutality and some humour. Bravehart was ecstatic when Renwick took the victory to move into the semi-finals, however while Renwick is associated with Bravehart's minions, there are cracks forming..
Jay the Jackal & Jackie Grady v The ComixZone
A rather strange tag team match where The Jackal and his "Associate" came out to the ring but both appeared rather confused when Grady appeared and announced that he would be The Jackal's tag partner for the match. Rawlins and Venym appeared in The Flash and Spiderman gear as part of their ComixZone gimmick (which I still don't get). Grady ended up on the floor outside the ring and "The Associate" took over as tag partner for "The Jackal". The Jackal scored the pinfall on Venym before leaving the ring with "The Associate". The ComixZone then took out their frustrations on Grady before making their way backstage.
LJT v Ian Ambrose
The final match of the night and one I felt a strange atmosphere in. The match itself had everything required to blow the roof off the place - two cracking competitors, both with a firm fanbase but it was somewhat subdued. Ambrose was not his usual cocky self, posing for photos as usual. The match was good - Ambrose appeared to be leaving with his belts (his homemade belt and Joe Hendry's SWE belt that he had stolen after the last uprising) but LJT went after him and they took in the entire hall, bouncing each other off walls and using dustbins as weapons.. but still something was missing. LJT received a cut to the forehead during the match but it did not appear to slow him down. Ambrose attempted to use the belt as a weapon but the ref intervened and ended up down himself. Ambrose then took the opportunity to nail LJT with the belt after all and eventually scored the pinfall.
SATURDAY 16 MAY - NIGHT TWO
Night Two saw a much larger and very much more vocal crowd...which was just as well as my voice was not at its best after working so hard the night before!
Tournament - Massimo Italiano (Italy) v Saint-George (England)
Massimo Italiano endeared himself to the crowd by appearing to wipe his butt with Saint-George's top but unfortunately he was unable to give them what they truly wanted. A belter of a match ended with Saint-George victorious after managing to hit Italiano with his second attempt at the Saint George Cross. Saint-George has booked his place in the final at Hell For Lycra in the Caird Hall on 29 August.
Bravehart Invitational Battle Royal
Bravehart came out to announce that the winner of the Battle Royal would automatically get a spot on Hell For Lycra at the Caird Hall. The competitors were Jam O'Malley, The ComixZone (Rawlins and Venym) JD Wilde, Jackie Grady, Scotty Riccio, Theo Doros, Conor Frost and The Jackal's "Associate". O'Malley and Frost appeared to work together throughout and Bravehart made his presence at ringside felt, however their plan was thwarted and Scotty Riccio was the last man standing.
Joe Hendry v Mikey
These two guys always put on one hell of a show and this was no exception. Hendry was without his SWE Heavyweight Title belt, which Ambrose had stolen. From the outset the crowd were chanting for Mikey, who has become a big fan favourite with the SWE crowd. Unfortunately, despite pulling out all the stops, it was Hendry who would be the victor this time. A close contender for my Match of the Night, it was only just beaten by the next match.....
Tournament - Damian O'Connor (Ireland) v Scott Renwick (Scotland)
There is nothing like watching two guys who have worked together as a tag team going at it against each other. These guys know each other so well, it was going to take something special for one to get over on the other. I have seen Big Damo stand on the chest of several wrestlers over the years, but this was the first time I saw him stand on a wrestlers back and then follow it with standing on his chest and the senton! Surely it was over and Damo was the winner.....but no....Renwick not only withstood this but he was the one to score the three count and would now face Saint-George at the Caird Hall in August. In a show of good sportsmanship, Damo and Renwick shook hands after the match. Saint-George came out and got into Renwick's face and Bravehart and his minions came out to try to smooth the waters between their "comrades". Bravehart encouraged them to shake hands and as it appeared they would, Bravehart and the minions left the ring, just as Renwick pulled Saint-George in and hit him with the Angels Wings. The crowd went mad as Saint-George landed on his face. Scotty appears to have seen the light and will have the crowd firmly behind him in August as Scotland faces England at the Caird Hall. Definitely my Match of the Night!!
Bobby Roberts v El Kid Lux
A nice match to kick off the second half of the show. Despite the crowd being on the side of Roberts, the Dutchman put on a better performance on the night and took a well deserved win.
Chaz Phoenix & MDK v Darren Blair and Steven "Air" Myles
The three original Trident members in a match but with one aligned with Phoenix against the other two showed how things change. There was a lovely spot with Myles walking the top rope before doing a backflip onto the others outside the ring. I was a bit worried he was going to overshoot with the height he gained on it but boy it looked impressive! MDK and Phoenix took the victory then Phoenix challenged Bravehart to a match at Hell For Lycra - a 5 on 5 tag team elimination match with Bravehart personally taking part with 4 of his cronies with whoever wins getting 100% control of SWE. Bravehart avoided accepting the challenge by saying he would give his answer at Uprising on 27 June at the Ardler Complex.
Jay the Jackal & Ian Ambrose v LJT & Euan G Mackie
The final match of the two day tournament saw The Jackal and Ambrose team up against LJT and Mackie, who have worked really well together in the last couple of shows. The Jackal and Ambrose did not work so well and at one point Ambrose made to leave, saying he didn't need this. "The Associate" who was ringside tried to stop him only for LJT to dive through the ropes. Ambrose got the upper hand just as The Jackal joined them, furious at Ambrose for leaving him in the lurch. Euan Mackie took the opportunity to leap from the top turnbuckle and knock them down like skittles. The win went to LJT and Mackie after LJT pinned Ambrose for the three count, however it appeared he had taken a bit of a bump to the head and required some assistance getting up and out of the ring afterward.
All in all, this was a good wee tournament, although I wish the Friday crowd would have been a bit more vocal!
SWE have upcoming shows in Blairgowrie on Saturday 13 June and Dundee on Saturday 27 June. For information on these and future events, including how to buy tickets, check out SWE on Facebook
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