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[Tigerkinney]

Wow those T-Shirts are amazing, are they your work or did Payne do them as part of his merchandise thread ?....anyway great job :) And the £5.99 for Par Excellence is inspired, because who would be seen walking round with a T-Shirt that supports a pair of jobbers :D Just out of interest what happened to Dark Angel's other pair of lackey's Martyr and Saint ?

[Marcel Fromage]

[QUOTE=Tigerkinney;384314]Wow those T-Shirts are amazing, are they your work or did Payne do them as part of his merchandise thread ?....anyway great job :) And the £5.99 for Par Excellence is inspired, because who would be seen walking round with a T-Shirt that supports a pair of jobbers :D Just out of interest what happened to Dark Angel's other pair of lackey's Martyr and Saint ?[/QUOTE] They're my work. There's a thread in the TEW2007 forum, and I've just brought them over from there and expanded them a little. Glad you like them! Saint and Martyr - both workers are still under contract and are working occasional dark matches to try and get their skills up (along with about 8 other youngsters). They have great chemistry as a team, which helps their match quality. But both are similar in that their consistency sucks, and Martyr's all-round performance stats are not good. I'm not sure whether to bring them back in as they are...or repackage them...or split them off into different teams so they both work with someone who's a bit more consistent and experienced. So while I'm thinking about it, they continue working in the dark.

[Shmoe]

Dude, that Reborn Romeos shirt is just awesome, because it makes you hate the guys even more! The faces on it is just cheesey, which is a good thing because the gimmick should be played up for maxiumum annoyance. A great job is going on with the newsletters, which have only increased in quality. I really enjoy reading your shows and the format never gets old so please, continue on!

[foolinc]

Don't know why I haven't posted before, but I've got to say that this is one of the best diaries in on the forums. I can't see Kashmir in the gimmick he's in, but why do I know. I always push Jack Giedroyc as a straight edge bad ass that never uses weapons.

[Marcel Fromage]

[QUOTE=Shmoe;384977]Dude, that Reborn Romeos shirt is just awesome, because it makes you hate the guys even more! The faces on it is just cheesey, which is a good thing because the gimmick should be played up for maxiumum annoyance. A great job is going on with the newsletters, which have only increased in quality. I really enjoy reading your shows and the format never gets old so please, continue on![/QUOTE] Many thanks. I'm getting a bit short on time for my game/diary so I might be shortening the newsletter soon (taking out the rankings page), but otherwise I've no plans to change the format. And yes, the Reborn Romeos are meant to be annoying, so that's a good thing. I'm hoping they'll be a good, competitive team though. Early signs are promising. [QUOTE=foolinc;384990]Don't know why I haven't posted before, but I've got to say that this is one of the best diaries in on the forums. I can't see Kashmir in the gimmick he's in, but why do I know. I always push Jack Giedroyc as a straight edge bad ass that never uses weapons.[/QUOTE] Thanks, foolinc. I don't really pay much heed to gimmicks in ROF at all. To be honest, I just try to give them a little character for the diary, particularly as some of the wrestlers might be less known as fewer people seem to play the UK/European promotions.

[Marcel Fromage]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/ROF2012.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/AshestoAshes13.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/JDMorganROF-1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/VSborder.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/StevieStoatROF.jpg[/IMG] [FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="3"]JD Morgan vs Stevie Stoat[/SIZE][/FONT] [I]Not too many ROF wrestlers are too happy to see Stevie Stoat back in the promotion, and none more so than JD Morgan. He beat Stoat back in July 2009 in one of Stoat’s last ROF appearances, and Morgan wants to show Stoat that nothing has changed. Stoat, on the other hand, wants to build up an unbeaten return to ROF action so that he can once again challenge for the ROF Championship and sees Morgan as a vital stepping stone up the rankings.[/I] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/AdamMatraversROF.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/VSborder4-1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/NigelSvenssonROF2.jpg[/IMG] [U][FONT="Georgia"][SIZE="3"]ROF Talisman Title[/SIZE][/FONT][/U] [FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="3"]Adam Matravers © vs Nigel Svensson[/SIZE][/FONT] [I]This is not the first time these men have met, but Svensson was impressive in last month’s 4-way (despite the poor nature of the match itself) and deserves this shot. He may also have a chance, as the feeling is that Matravers is almost waiting for the moment he takes on former partner Petey Barnes. Svensson is not a man to overlook, with the ever-dangerous hyper extension armlock finisher. Will we see a new champion crowned tonight?[/I] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/DonHendersonROF.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/VSborder.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/RollingJohnnyStonesROF.jpg[/IMG] [FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="3"]Don Henderson vs Rolling Johnny Stones[/SIZE][/FONT] [I]These two are battling for position at the top of the ROF rankings. Henderson was in the Pyromania 4-way, whilst Stones was disappointed to miss out on that match and another shot at the title he once held. Now these two technicians do battle with the winner that step closer to the ROF Championship. Both have been impressive over the past 12 months or so, with Stones returning to real form and Henderson moving up a gear or two.[/I] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/RedMafiaROF.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/VSborder3.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/WarriorsofHonour.jpg[/IMG] [U][FONT="Georgia"][SIZE="3"]ROF Tag Team Titles[/SIZE][/FONT][/U] [FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="3"]Red Mafia © vs Warriors of Honour[/SIZE][/FONT] [I]Red Mafia spent much of last year either with the tag titles or chasing them. Warriors of Honour are 3-time former champions who seemed to have their mind on other matters for portions of 2012 but who emerged at the back end of the year with renewed focus and came close to downing the champs in the 4-way at Pyromania. Now the Warriors receive a straightforward title match – and this is actually the first time these two teams have ever met. Will the Warriors complete their return to the top of the tag pile or will the Mafia continue?[/I] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/MerleOCurleROF.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/VSborder.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/JonathanFaust2ROF.jpg[/IMG] [FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="3"]Merle O’Curle vs Jonathan Faust[/SIZE][/FONT] [I]O’Curle has not been a happy bunny in recent times. His last one-on-one shot at the ROF title he craves was way back in July last year and he’s desperate for another shot. He performed below par in the King of the Ring and failed to make the final 2 in the title elimination match at Pyromania. Now he must bide his time for another shot, and in the meantime meets an old rival. Jonathan Faust and O’Curle had a feud in 21CW over the short-lived Strong Style title many years ago – O’Curle hasn’t forgotten, and Faust may be wishing he hadn’t come into ROF after this bout is said and done.[/I] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/WalterMorganROF.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/VSborder2.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Wrestler%20Pics/WrathofGodROF.jpg[/IMG] [U][FONT="Georgia"][SIZE="3"]ROF Championship[/SIZE][/FONT][/U] [FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="3"]Walter Morgan © vs Jack Giedroyc[/SIZE][/FONT] [I]Since Walter Morgan won the title last May, he has impressively turned back the challengers, which have included (on 3 separate occasions) Jack Giedroyc. Giedroyc has come closer than anyone to downing the champion, and gets another chance here. He took Morgan to the limit in last month’s 4-way and feels he can get the job done this time. As an added incentive, Giedroyc finished as Wrestler of the Year in 2012 for his work in ROF – Morgan was actually named number 1 in the top 100. So who is actually the better man? We’ll find out here.[/I] ______________________________[/CENTER] [B]ROF Ashes to Ashes – January 2013[/B] JD Morgan vs Stevie Stoat [U]ROF Talisman Title[/U] Adam Matravers © vs Nigel Svensson Don Henderson vs Rolling Johnny Stones [U]ROF Tag Team Titles[/U] Red Mafia © vs Warriors of Honour Merle O’Curle vs Jonathan Faust [U]ROF Championship[/U] Walter Morgan © vs Jack Giedroyc

[Dragonmack]

ROF Ashes to Ashes – January 2013 JD Morgan vs [B]Stevie Stoat[/B] [I]I hate going against the Dean, but Stoat is marching towards title contention[/I] ROF Talisman Title Adam Matravers © vs [B]Nigel Svensson[/B] [I]I can see Svensson taking it here as Matravers partner costs him the title.[/I] [B]Don Henderson[/B] vs Rolling Johnny Stones [I]No title, so it's another win for McLugar as he also works towards another title shot.[/I] ROF Tag Team Titles [B]Red Mafia[/B] © vs Warriors of Honour [I]With Can-Am SAS seeming to slide, the Warriors can take it, but not yet.[/I] [B]Merle O’Curle[/B] vs Jonathan Faust [I]Better cash in those favors with the devil, Faust because the Celtic god of wrestling is coming for you.[/I] ROF Championship Walter Morgan © vs [B]Jack Giedroyc[/B] [I]And fourth time becomes the charm as Giedroyc finally defeats Morgan.[/I]

[TJRoH]

Man this is one of the best dynasties ever! The layout is killer. I finally got caught up and ROF rules! [B]ROF Ashes to Ashes – January 2013[/B] JD Morgan vs [B]Stevie Stoat[/B] I always liked Morgan but Stoat has some nice heat going. [B]ROF Talisman Title[/B] [B]Adam Matravers[/B] © vs Nigel Svensson No one can stop the Mile High Moonsault Don Henderson vs [B]Rolling Johnny Stones[/B] I always liked RJS [B]ROF Tag Team Titles[/B] [B]Red Mafia[/B] © vs Warriors of Honour Red Mafia for Life. [B]Merle O’Curle[/B] vs Jonathan Faust Like him more. [B]ROF Championship[/B] Walter Morgan © vs [B]Jack Giedroyc[/B] Walter Morgan will mostly win but I really really like the Wrath of God

[Beeker]

[B][COLOR="DimGray"]ROF Ashes to Ashes – January 2013[/COLOR][/B] JD Morgan vs [B]Stevie Stoat[/B] [I]- I think JD gave Marcel a six-month 'soon to retire' note and is doing the round of jobs to any and all.[/I] ROF Talisman Title [B]Adam Matravers ©[/B] vs Nigel Svensson [I]- This could easily go either way. For some reason I see Matravers holding it until he meets Petey at least. There's a better chance of Barnes showing up and getting Nigel DQ'ed since Petey wants to take the title from Adam.[/I] Don Henderson vs [B]Rolling Johnny Stones[/B] [I]- Dragonmack, what's this the equivalent of? McLuger vs. Michael PS Hayes? I think it is. PS Stones for the win! I just like him more.[/I] ROF Tag Team Titles [B]Red Mafia ©[/B] vs Warriors of Honour [I]- I suspect that Judoka feels a Moscow Lariat and this is what sets the demise of the Warriors of Honour into action.[/I] Merle O’Curle vs [B]Jonathan Faust[/B] [I]- I love frustrated O'Curle. And Faust is a new spectre at the top of the card. He helps freshen up the upper midcard and main event.[/I] ROF Championship [B]Walter Morgan ©[/B] vs Jack Giedroyc [I]- I think the RoF mainstay sneaks out a victory over the Jet Setter from Heaven. RoF! Are oh Eff![/I]

[Tigerkinney]

ROF Ashes to Ashes – January 2013 JD Morgan vs [B]Stevie Stoat[/B] [I]Morgan is now firmly entrenched as the veteran who puts workers with main event aspirations over. Stoat has been on a good roll, since returning to ROF and I expect that to continue here.[/I] ROF Talisman Title Adam Matravers © vs [B]Nigel Svensson[/B] [I]I think Svensson takes this, after Matravers is distracted by Petey Barnes. In my opinion a belt does not have to be on the line in the Matravers-Barnes feud, and added to that Matravers run as Talisman Champ has generally been a little on the disappointing side.[/I] [B]Don Henderson[/B] vs Rolling Johnny Stones [I]I'm buying into Henderson as a main event player more and more with each passing event. As I said he's in the spot Walter Morgan was in, before the Wigan Bull-dog finally got the belt round his waist. [/I] ROF Tag Team Titles [B]Red Mafia ©[/B] vs Warriors of Honour [I]Just can't see anyone taking the tag straps off Red Mafia at this moment in time.[/I] Merle O’Curle vs [B]Jonathan Faust[/B] [I]I'm split on this one, as Faust hasn't really shown anything yet to be deserving of a major push, but I don't think you brought in him to just make up the numbers and he has the potential to be an even more irritating heel than Stevie Stoat. So I'll go for the shock here, with Faust somehow finding a way to sneak out a win.[/I] ROF Championship Walter Morgan © vs [B]Jack Giedroyc[/B] [I]Giedroyc finally gets that elusive win over Walter Morgan to regain the ROF Title. Walter's had a good run with the belt, but it just feels like that it's time for another change.[/I]

[foolinc]

JD Morgan vs [b]Stevie Stoat[/b] [i]JD's a bit too long in the tooth.[/i] ROF Talisman Title [b]Adam Matravers ©[/b] vs Nigel Svensson [i]Could go either way, but I think that the Matravers will hang on to the title tonight. I could see a countout victory by Nigel via Barnes interference.[/i] Don Henderson vs [b]Rolling Johnny Stones[/b] [i]Always liked Rolling Johnny Stones[/i] ROF Tag Team Titles [b]Red Mafia ©[/b] vs Warriors of Honour [i]The Mafia is a huge roll[/i] Merle O’Curle vs [b]Jonathan Faust[/b] [i]COIN FLIP!!![/i] ROF Championship Walter Morgan © vs [b]Jack Giedroyc[/b] [i]I think it might be time for The Wrath of God to get the title.[/i]

[Marcel Fromage]

[QUOTE=TJRoH;385819]Man this is one of the best dynasties ever! The layout is killer. I finally got caught up and ROF rules! [/QUOTE] Thanks very much. Always nice to have a new reader, which I especially appreciate these days when people have so many pages to sift through!

[Marcel Fromage]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Issue095a.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Issue095b.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Issue095c.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/MarcelFromage/ROF/Issue095d.png[/IMG][/CENTER]

[Dragonmack]

Congrats on making National! :D I am still a little ways off from Cult. :(

[Sonfaro]

Man. Sucks for Davids. And if you don't know already, this is by far one of my favorite diaries. Just re-caught up today. - Sonfaro

[Woodsmeister]

after 3 long awesome nights i have finally read and enjoyed all 70 pages. i even had a brief mark out moment when Merle O'Curle won the ROF Title for the third time. THIS IS AWESOME!!!

[Marcel Fromage]

[QUOTE=Sonfaro;386712]And if you don't know already, this is by far one of my favorite diaries. Just re-caught up today. - Sonfaro[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Woodsmeister;387137]after 3 long awesome nights i have finally read and enjoyed all 70 pages. i even had a brief mark out moment when Merle O'Curle won the ROF Title for the third time. THIS IS AWESOME!!![/QUOTE] Thanks guys. Always nice to hear people are still enjoying the ROF ride. :)

[DannyDemon]

I Have Been Bad Bad Boy!!!! I HAVE BEEN BAD BAD BOY!!!! :( my net went down at home so i could only read from work:( very sorry i havent posted marcel very good shows (2 if i remember lol) gotta try & stay infront every time i go 2 post predictions the winners are already up lol *also note, correct me if i'm wrong, no 3count mag this year?*

[Marcel Fromage]

[QUOTE=DannyDemon;387416]I HAVE BEEN BAD BAD BOY!!!! :( my net went down at home so i could only read from work:( very sorry i havent posted marcel very good shows (2 if i remember lol) gotta try & stay infront every time i go 2 post predictions the winners are already up lol *also note, correct me if i'm wrong, no 3count mag this year?*[/QUOTE] Hi Danny. No probs regarding the predictions - glad you're still reading. 3 Count magazine - well, I've not had a whole lot of time for TEW in the last couple of months, but wanted to keep the diary going. The 3-Count magazine was quite a time consuming thing to do so I cut it out to concentrate on getting an extra couple of months played in the game instead. I quite liked doing the top 40 of British wrestlers, but with 21CW folding and both BPW and MOSC so far behind ROF now, it might have just seemed like a bit of self-satisfaction!

[maskedpropaganda]

Great Diary Marcel! One of the best with out a doubt. Quick question maybe answered before - No DBF? You have seemed to have brought in (in Stoat's case numerous times) all the big names in UK wrestling pretty much, but no Kofi Kingston... I mean Daniel Black. I am SURE there is a reason for it like a stat thing he has you don't like or SOMETHING! I like DBF and am just curious.

[Phantom Stranger]

[QUOTE=maskedpropaganda;387534]Great Diary Marcel! One of the best with out a doubt. Quick question maybe answered before - No DBF? You have seemed to have brought in (in Stoat's case numerous times) all the big names in UK wrestling pretty much, but no Kofi Kingston... I mean Daniel Black. I am SURE there is a reason for it like a stat thing he has you don't like or SOMETHING! I like DBF and am just curious.[/QUOTE] For what it's worth, he's still on the books with my ROF, but he's being slowly pushed down the card. I don't know what it is, but he just can't work as well as he should be able to in the ROF product. Real shame, as I'd had high hopes.

[Marcel Fromage]

[QUOTE=maskedpropaganda;387534]Great Diary Marcel! One of the best with out a doubt. Quick question maybe answered before - No DBF? You have seemed to have brought in (in Stoat's case numerous times) all the big names in UK wrestling pretty much, but no Kofi Kingston... I mean Daniel Black. I am SURE there is a reason for it like a stat thing he has you don't like or SOMETHING! I like DBF and am just curious.[/QUOTE] I've had my eye on him for a while but just never actually brought him in. To be honest, with the lack of variety available in the UK, I've tried to hold back on one or two people, so there's always one or two options to freshen things up. That's why Stoat came in, left, and then it was a while before he returned. I brought in the likes of JD Morgan, Giedroyc, Stones and Dark Angel over a long period of time, rather than all at once. And more recently I brought in Louis Figo Manico, Byron and Jonathan Faust for the first time (although the latter two are something of a disappointment at this point). As things now stand, there are only a few wrestlers I've not used that might be worth bringing in - and DBF is one of them. Joss Thompson is another (who has been in on talent trade before but that's all). Sergei Kalashnov is another. I'd expect them all to appear at some point - it's just a matter of when I feel I have an opening on the roster for them. Plus, I've tended to bring in guys who are already older, with the thinking that I could bring someone like DBF in yet and he'd still have his best years ahead of him. But, on the flip side, as Phantom said DBF didn't set the world on fire in his ROF diary, and I've found it interesting that someone like Buff Martinez has done much better (there's someone else I've not used yet).

[Phantom Stranger]

[QUOTE=Marcel Fromage;387538]I've had my eye on him for a while but just never actually brought him in. To be honest, with the lack of variety available in the UK, I've tried to hold back on one or two people, so there's always one or two options to freshen things up. That's why Stoat came in, left, and then it was a while before he returned. I brought in the likes of JD Morgan, Giedroyc, Stones and Dark Angel over a long period of time, rather than all at once. And more recently I brought in Louis Figo Manico, Byron and Jonathan Faust for the first time (although the latter two are something of a disappointment at this point).[/quote] As they were for me, really. In both cases I expected them to be major and found out they really weren't. [quote] But, on the flip side, as Phantom said DBF didn't set the world on fire in his ROF diary, and I've found it interesting that someone like Buff Martinez has done much better (there's someone else I've not used yet).[/QUOTE] Yeah, he's someone I brought in in part due to war with 21CW, but he's going well for me. It helps that so much of my main event can go airborne, but...

[Marcel Fromage]

[QUOTE=Phantom Stranger;387542]As they were for me, really. In both cases I expected them to be major and found out they really weren't.[/QUOTE] I didn't really expect them to be major, given their stats. Yes, they have good performance stats, but none of their skill-sets average out at better than C- or D+. When I have the likes of Walter Morgan averaging B for technical and O'Curle at B-, I can kind of see why they wouldn't do so great. They're really at the same skill level as someone like Kevin Jones based purely on stats. The ones that perplex me are the likes of Dark Angel, who just couldn't produce in the ring despite amazing performance stats and excellent technical stats...and Adam Matravers, who is often out-done in match ratings by Petey Barnes, despite being by far the more gifted in technical and performance stats of the two.

[Marcel Fromage]

[QUOTE]Here's something for you all to read![/QUOTE] [FONT="Century Gothic"][B]Who would have thought it?[/B] Way back at the end of 2006, Jeff Nova bought 21CW – a company offering some modern wrestling, but struggling to win over fans. He turned them into what many believed would be a British wrestling-entertainment powerhouse. They had a TV deal in place. They were able to sign some of the UK’s best talent on exclusive PPA deals. And their sudden monopoly of the best talent left the other UK feds ROF and MOSC staring into something of a dark hole. Who would have thought that less than 6 years later, 21CW would be nothing but a distant memory to UK wrestling fans, MOSC would basically be doing the exact same thing as in late 2006, and that ROF would have become the 5th biggest wrestling promotion in the world? And not only that, but as we begin 2013, Jeff Nova is on track to send his 2nd wrestling promotion (BPW) bust as well. So what exactly happened? Here’s the general timeline. [B]2006[/B] The UK wrestling scene was quite evenly balanced – there was the long-running MOSC in Scotland and the North, there was ROF running shows in the Midlands, and there was 21CW running shows in the South. Then Jeff Nova happened. He bought out 21CW, changed their product considerably to more of a sports entertainment approach, got his buddy Steve Smith to provide commentary, got a television contract on the back of his World’s Strongest Man work, and signed the major UK talent on exclusive deals. MOSC lost Joss Thompson, possibly their biggest star at that point (although Nova surprisingly didn’t go after Danny Patterson). ROF were harder hit, losing the likes of Johnny Stones, Stevie Stoat, Leo Price and Adam Matravers. Joss Thompson made an immediate impact in 21CW by beating Pit Bull Brown for their World title. ROF’s title changed hands from the outgoing inaugural champion Stevie Stoat to UK Dragon. And MOSC had to have Thompson drop their belt back to company owner Highland Warrior. 2007 came around with the UK wrestling landscape changed. [B]2007[/B] The year began with 21CW Best of British Wrestling beaming into UK homes on a weekly basis. The tv show was fairly popular but the standard of wrestling provided was often weaker than that provided by ROF, who had themselves made some major changes. A new head booker appeared in the form of Wez Blooze and his first step was to move ROF’s shows down to London and have them on a weekly basis. MOSC were content to run monthly shows in Scotland or the North of England. 21CW champion Joss Thompson lost that belt to up-and-comer Adam Matravers on an episode of BOBW in September. Matravers would hold it until the end of the year. September also saw the only tag title change of the year as new team The Suicide Solution (Pit Bull Brown & DJ Reason) beat the Ivanoff Brothers. The UK title passed from newcomer Daniel Black Francis through transitional champion Nightmare on to DJ Reason and finally to Leo Price. MOSC had a bland year, probably happy to just keep things ticking along. Highland Warrior held their main strap all year, his son Jeffery McPeterson held the Blood & Beer belt all year and the UK Wrecking Crew (Thug and Bruiser) were tag champs all year as well. ROF’s shows in the first half of 2007 seemed all about getting their product across and building up an audience as an earthy alternative to the flashy 21CW product. The early months of the year saw British Samurai beat most of the roster as he appeared on every show, but there was an end product as he defeated champion UK Dragon at the end of March (Dragon was often busy touring Japan). Samurai didn’t hold on to the belt long, losing it to Merle O’Curle at the end of May. O’Curle would begin a dominant reign and hold it through to the end of the year. Petey Barnes was a double champion on the undercard, holding the newly named Talisman Title and the tag titles with partner Eric Future. The tag titles would change hands to The Shooters (Don Henderson & Billy Robinson before the year was out). By the end of 2007, ROF was turning a profit with its weekly Short Fuse shows, drawing crowds of about 800 per show, and had enticed former champ Stevie Stoat to return. [B]2008[/B] The year began with 21CW continuing their successes from 2007. Best of British Wrestling was running well, and some of their star names were getting over. Adam Matravers was holding on to the top title well, mainly going up against former champ Joss Thompson and Rolling Johnny Stones. However, the title started to lose its way with Matravers defending against opposition lower down the pecking order. When Matravers’ contract came up for renewal, he didn’t defend the belt for 5 weeks straight, before finally dropping the strap to Johnny Stones and walking away from the company. He would never wrestle for them again. Stones would prove a more than able replacement as champion, often being the star performer on their shows and holding the belt through to the end of the year. The UK title changed from Leo Price to Stevie Stoat (who was loved in 21CW but the most hated man in ROF) and then on to head booker Pit Bull Brown. Brown’s Suicide Solution team would hold the tag straps for most of the year before losing them back to former champs the Ivanoffs. As for MOSC…Highland Warrior, Jeffery McPeterson and UK Wrecking Crew all held their titles for the second straight year. Fans collectively yawned. ROF continued to gather pace, starting to sell out 1,000 arenas in London. October also saw them add a monthly ‘major’ show to their itinerary. Merle O’Curle’s excellent title run came to an end mid-year to another dominant force in JD Morgan – the former MOSC champion had returned from DaVE right at the end of 2007. He would hold the ROF Championship until the final show of the year, when he lost it in a 4-way to UK Dragon. Dragon had spent much of the year feuding with Stevie Stoat. The undercard Talisman Title would see a change in January – Walter Morgan beating Petey Barnes. Morgan held the belt most of the year until Billy Robinson dethroned him in November. His reign only lasted a month as Don Henderson (his former partner) beat him on the December major show. The Shooters had held the tag straps for most of the year until they lost them to the new team of Warriors of Honour (British Samurai and Dan Judoka – a repackaged Glen Ward). The aftermath of the Shooters losing their belts was them falling out as a team. [B]2009[/B] Despite having 4 televised shows per month, 21CW seemed keen to make their main champion look strong, with few title changes for their World title. Rolling Johnny Stones would hold on to his title until the start of May 2009, when former champion Joss Thompson finally bested him for it after a series of matches between the two. The UK title changed hands more frequently, as Stevie Stoat and DJ Reason both held it for a 2nd time, along with youngsters Phillip Cooper and Arthur T Turtle having their first reigns. The Suicide Solution once again won the tag straps from the Ivanoffs in March and held them through to the end of the year. 21CW also seemed to be growing in 2009, securing their first PPV contract and July’s X-Rated event becoming the first ever British PPV wrestling offering. However, instead of financial growth, the company’s expansion saw them beginning to lose money instead. MOSC actually saw some title changes as Harley Neill finally dethroned Highland Warrior in the January and went on a year long reign himself. Jeffery McPeterson’s long Blood & Beer reign came to an end surprisingly against Thug, although he was a transitional champion only as the belt shifted again to Danny Patterson. UK Wrecking Crew remained tag champions. ROF were getting stronger, both in terms of in-ring product and financially. With Stevie Stoat and Leo Price already having come back to ROF from those who left for 21CW back in 2006, Rolling Johnny Stones would return as a mystery opponent for Merle O’Curle in March and get a big win into the bargain. Stones would also win the inaugural King of the Ring battle royal held in September, an event which also marked the ROF return of Adam Matravers. In terms of titles, UK Dragon had a strong reign with the ROF Championship. His battle with Johnny Stones at August’s Inferno show was unquestionably the best wrestling match the UK had ever seen up to that point. However Dragon would drop the strap a month later to Merle O’Curle, who was equally dominant through to the end of the year. The Talisman belt continued to be a hot potato, with Japanese import Burning EXILE getting involved in the Henderson/Robinson feud and poaching the belt for a spell. But then Robinson won it back and gave the belt stability with a longer reign. The tag titles looked destined for a new team – Matt and Greg Gauge, collectively known as G-Force. They chased champions Warriors of Honour, only for Matt to get injured. High and Low (Johnny Highspot and Jonni Lowlife) stepped in to win the belts, only to quickly lose them to the makeshift pairing of Burning EXILE and Greg Gauge. EXILE would soon leave the company, and the vacant tag belts were finally won by G-Force in a 4-way ladder match. [B]2010[/B] This was the year that 21CW hit trouble. They began the year with a mistake – letting their PPV contract run out shortly before January’s Self Destruction event. That event title would prove to be quite apt. They did the same thing in September, costing them revenue they could ill afford to pass up. The company is reckoned to have lost over $2 million during the calendar year 2010. Their popularity had apparently reached a peak. The shows, whilst a definite improvement over previous years, were not reaching out to new audiences, and the PPV buyrate was stagnant. Jonathan Faust held the 21CW World title almost all year, beating Joss Thompson right at the start of the year and only losing to Rolling Johnny Stones in November. The UK title passed through 5 pairs of hands during the course of the year – DJ Reason losing to and then regaining from Arthur T Turtle, before Trance Coleman and Phillip Cooper managed a sum total of 1 defence from their reigns combined. Newcomer Edward Cornell (cousin of Tommy) did bring stability at the back end of the year. The tag belts became almost anonymous – the by now experienced Suicide Solution did defend them, but never looked in any danger of losing them against a number of makeshift combinations who just weren’t at their level. MOSC had gathered some momentum during 2009 and were able to entice some bigger names across to them. One was Jonathan Faust, who defeated Harley Neill for the MOSC UK title and held that alongside his 21CW belt for the rest of the year. In typical MOSC style, the other belts stayed with Danny Patterson and UK Wrecking Crew all year. ROF were really hitting their stride. They secured a PPV deal, and held Fan The Flames in May as their first ever PPV offering. Merle O’Curle was proving a big hit as champion, holding off all the major contenders. King of the Ring in September provided the highlight of UK wrestling history, with O’Curle and JD Morgan having a bout that would end up as Pro Wrestling Hits match of the year worldwide. At that event, Johnny Stones won the battle royal for the 2nd successive year, and carried his momentum on to an ROF Championship win over O’Curle the following month. The Talisman belt changed hands as early as January, with Don Henderson beginning his 2nd reign at the expense of old partner and rival Billy Robinson. Henderson held on to the belt before losing it to ‘Crossbreed Pirate’ Hugh de Aske in August. De Aske would lose the belt in December’s 4-way to another youngster in Wigan-trained Swede Nigel Svensson as a younger generation started to shine. The tag belts were dropped in January by G-Force when Greg Gauge went into development in the US. Warriors of Honour took the belts back, but lost them again in July to the fine new team of Can-Am SAS (Shane Nelson & Al Coleman). They’d hold the belts for a few months before the reformed Show Stealers (Adam Matravers & Petey Barnes) won the straps, having got back together at the request of the fans. Also in ROF, strange messages began appearing on the website in the summer months, leading to the appearance of first ‘Seraphym’ (Harry Wilson) in the King of the Ring match, and finally Dark Angel (Cliff Wilson) made his return to much fanfare in December. Another wrestler returning to the British Isles with ROF in 2010 was ‘Wrath of God’ Jack Giedroyc, who brought his eccentric talents to the top of the ROF cards. Also ROF tried to expand their fanbase (and their roster) by beginning a series of Mark 2 In The Midlands shows, using a 2nd brand filled with youngsters or wrestlers who still needed some training. By the end of the year, their PPV events had the same buyrate as 21CW’s and ROF was possibly more popular in the South. [B]2011[/B] If 2007 was the year that the British wrestling landscape changed, 2011 must rival it for significance. 21CW only managed to survive until the end of February. They had made roster cuts at the back end of 2010, although kept all their big guns. However their shows just weren’t cutting the mustard enough to raise their profile with new fans. Rolling Johnny Stones held the 21CW World title for the final couple of months, although the belt went out with a whimper as Thompson beat Stones in a non-title bout on their penultimate show, and the belt wasn’t defended on the last show. Edward Cornell dropped the UK title to Red Dragon, who immediately lost out to Daniel Black Francis. And the makeshift duo of Igor Ivanoff and Jonathan Faust ended up with the tag belts. The final Best of British Wrestling was held in February with a main event of Joss Thompson beating Stevie Stoat. The banks closed in shortly afterwards and Jeff Nova’s dreams of a major UK wrestling promotion had died. Around the same time, European wrestling suffered in a similar way as Louis Figo Manico’s UCR promotion folded. The two promotions both offered an entertainment based product, and both had found the financial burdens of expansion too difficult to cope with. The limited wrestling audiences in the UK and Europe seemed to be stopping any promotion from making significant headway. MOSC were therefore probably quite content that they had kept their operations low-key. Making a monthly profit and able to pay their workers, both they and their crowds seemed happy with their lot. However, Highland Warrior decided it was time to step down and flipped roles with son Jeffery McPeterson – Warrior would be booker and Jeffery the owner. Jeffery immediately made some new signings, bringing ROF high-flyers Barnes and Matravers in to feud with Faust at the top of the card. Indeed Matravers won the UK title from Faust in the April. Barnes settled for the Blood & Beer title, which saw unusual activity on its way from Patterson to Harley Neill to Ivan Ivanoff and onto Barnes. The UK Wrecking Crew finally gave up their enormous tag title reign in the July with Thug’s retirement imminent. The re-formed ****ney Rebels of Danny Patterson and Harley Neill took the straps. At the same time as 21CW folded and Best of British Wrestling was taken off air, so it was replaced by a new wrestling TV show – ROF Cauldron. Debuting in March across Europe on Euro Cable Sports 1, Cauldron featured a set of 4 matches and little else – solid wrestling in a format that has remained the same ever since. Unlike 21CW’s show, Cauldron caught on with the viewers and numbers increased month by month, with a feud between ‘Wrath of God’ Jack Giedroyc and Dark Angel one of the main attractions. Merle O’Curle became the first 3-time ROF champion by beating Johnny Stones at February’s Blaze Of Glory event, and he held the main title until Heat of Battle in July, where a best ever PPV buyrate and a sell-out 5,000 crowd saw Jack Giedroyc win his first major UK title in a fabulous match. The Wrath of God held the title until the end of the year. The Talisman belt went from Nigel Svensson back to previous holder Hugh de Aske before Billy Robinson became a 4-time champion. The tag team titles were won for a 3rd time by Warriors of Honour, beating the Show Stealers. High and Low then won the belts for their 2nd reign, but it was as short and forgettable as their first. The brand new team of Red Mafia (Marat Khoklov and Oleg Dorosklov) ended the year as champions. Meanwhile Dark Angel was busily going through the ROF upper card and Walter Morgan won the King of the Ring match. [B]2012[/B] ROF’s success continued unchallenged in 2012. Jack Giedroyc was proving a strong and successful champion, with Billy Robinson likewise for the mid-card belt and Red Mafia dominant in the tag ranks. This changed in April, when old nemesis Dark Angel beat Jack Giedroyc for the ROF Championship, and Billy Robinson suffered a serious back injury in a match on Cauldron and was forced to vacate the Talisman belt. May’s Fan The Flames event saw a triple title change. Adam Matravers stepped from the tag ranks to beat newcomer Chris Lister in a Talisman tournament for his first singles belt in ROF. Red Mafia were upset by fan favourites High and Low, who began their 3rd reign as tag champs. And Dark Angel, who had incurred the ire of ROF owner British Samurai with his methods, lost the ROF Championship straight away to Walter Morgan in the incredible ‘Eliminator’ 6-man match, which was deliberately set up to make life difficult for Angel. He departed the company shortly afterwards. Morgan and Matravers would hold on to their titles for the remainder of the year. High and Low lost theirs to Red Mafia again at September’s King of the Ring. That event saw Don Henderson make it to the main event with a battle royal victory, and Jonathan Faust made an ROF debut. Also debuting in 2012 were former UCR champions Louis Figo Manico and Byron. ROF became known for consistent quality, with the main event quintet of Morgan, Giedroyc, O'Curle, Stones and Henderson providing fantastic PPV main events each month. MOSC were continuing to survive and thrive up north as their cards featured better wrestling, mainly from their ROF main event of Barnes, Matravers and Kevin Jones. Jones won his first major title by beating Matravers for the UK title and held it through to the end of the year. The midcard belt changed from Barnes to Danny Patterson again. 15 months after 21CW folder, Jeff Nova was back for another stab at UK wrestling. He was the man behind BPW (British Professional Wrestling) – another entertainment based promotion. This time he came in with limited funds and a small roster. Although shows were reasonable, the company was losing money almost from the word go. Danny Patterson won the Triple Crown title in their first show in May and held it through to the end of the year. [B]2013[/B] ROF’s rise to prominence culminated in February’s announcement by the revered Pro Wrestling Hits magazine that they regarded ROF not only as a ‘National’ status promotion, but as the 5th biggest promotion in the world, behind only NOTBPW in Canada, TCW in the US, and BHOTWG and WLW in Japan. Now ROF are set to offer written contracts to their workers, and we find ourselves in a situation similar to that in 2006. One UK company is markedly bigger than the other 2 and can now grab the best workers on exclusive contracts. MOSC are in many ways in the same position as before – losing some talent but continuing just as they have done in the past. And in a twist of fate, Jeff Nova now finds his position switched. In 2006, he was the big dog poaching talent from ROF, who were struggling financially. Now it is Nova’s promotion which has financial problems and is likely to lose workers to ROF. I guess what goes around, comes around, as they say. But 6 years after Nova tried to change the UK wrestling landscape, who would have thought it would be ‘little’ ROF that finally came through![/FONT]