The Pontins' Return!

This week I am broken! Last week, over the course of 10 days I took part in 9 shows, had 13 matches and travelled over 1,700 miles. The reason for so many shows is it was half term and Megaslam were running Pontins all week, as well as some other town shows. Quite a lot to cover in this blog, let’s start at the beginning!

A Positive Weekend!

Prior to the half term run, we would have two of Megaslam’s normal town shows. The first of which was in Accrington. The venue was relatively small (wrestling venue wise) with a sunken dance floor with chairs and sofas around the side. We were informed that the place usually hosts dances and meals for pensioners and also is usually really quiet on Fridays (the day of our show!). Our initial reaction was this could be a bit disappointing. However, it ended up being one of the most fun shows I have done all year!

Boris would be against his old nemesis El Ligero - an International classic that never gets old! We were opening the show, so kept it simple. However, it ended up probably being the best one we have done together so far in 2016! Everything flowed right and the larger crowd than anticipated was loud. At one point I went to shake Ligero’s hand. However, being the bad guy and sneakily crossing my fingers behind my back the audience knew I was not to be trusted! As you can imagine this is quite silly and pantomime esque, but was amazing how much the kids lapped it up and we milked it for an eternity! Eventually my plan was foiled, as I tried to kick him and he caught my leg – I would have got away with it too if it weren’t for those pesky kids! Handshakes aside, we did also put on a decent wrestling match, which went down a treat with the Accrington fans.

Later in the evening I would be in a tag match teaming up with Peter Pumpkin (a slight and young looking wrestler dressed in a shirt and tie – a gimmick that actually works very well and is really funny to watch). We would be against rugby player David Graves and the Ugandan Warrior Nsereko. The match was hilarious to be a part of! We started off with a press up competition and a rugby type scrum. Following this promoter Brad Taylor thought it would be a good idea to announce an impromptu dance off, which is what we did! Luckily for me my terrible dancing works well for a bad guy and I can always fall back on my Cossack leg kicks as the Russian. Now it was time for the good guys to have a go. I whispered to Dave right before – ‘don’t worry, we’ll attack you before you actually have to dance.’ The music started and my mischievous side took over, as I said to Peter Pumpkin, ‘nah let’s leave them a bit’. To their credit they danced their little socks off! Eventually we had a proper match and had a fun evening all round. A small and intimate venue, but one that I will remember fondly!

The next night we were in Malton up near York. On this evening I would be facing Paul Malen in a King of the Ring style tournament. I had wrestled Paul for the first time recently and very much enjoyed the match. This one proved no different and we had the crowd roaring with glee as Paul triumphed over me and went on to be that night’s winner! What a shame, King Koslov certainly does have a nice ring to it….

On the Road Again

On Monday we would be starting the half-term tour in Bridlington, where it would be good guy JC Thunder and Rob Sharpe vs. the Family (Saxon and Cousin Jake). I was on a high after the weekend after my matches had gone so well. How would this match go? Well in the words of Brad…… ‘absolutely rotten’. This was said in jest, but I have to admit I agree!

Certainly not my best performance, we had wrestlers all shouting over each other and it was just a bit of a confusing mess. Also, I managed to hurt a muscle in my shoulder doing an arm drag - which is one of the more simple moves in wrestling and not one I should be hurting myself on! This made the rest of the match difficult and didn’t bode well for the rest of the tour either. It does however, keep my sports masseuse in regular work – so at least he is happy….

Rotten or not, I would then be driving the team in the Megaslam van to Southport for the first Pontins show of the week. We stayed over in the lovely sheet-less single beds, careful to avoid any suspicious looking stains - living the dream! The next morning we met up with the man who would have many names over the course of the week, including Duncan Donut, Duncan Disorderly and Slam Dunkun, it was Duncan the referee! Today’s match would be a mixed tag with Boris, Cousin Jake and Lizzy Styles vs. David Graves, Saxon and Nixon. It was better than the day before, but the start of the match dragged and we lost the crowd a bit, which is of course the main thing. Also, I managed to bust Dave’s nose up on my Cossack leg drop, a move that is usually very safe. Sorry buddy! Again I left slightly unhappy.

After Southport, we were off to Prestatyn in Wales, which is probably the largest of the Pontins shows we do with 2,000 odd people watching. It also features a stage, big screens and pyro; which makes the whole event seem a big deal. I would be facing Martin Kirby. Kirby and I started out with the same Yorkshire crowd in wrestling, but by the time he joined I had already moved to London. Despite our close connections, this would actually be the first time I‘d ever wrestled him. It went well and I really enjoyed this match, as did the large crowd in attendance.

After Prestatyn there was no rest and we would quickly pack up the van and drive all the way to historic wrestling venue – The Blackpool Tower! We arrived with not a minute to spare and pushed the Duncster out of the van just as the show was starting so he could race to the ring to referee the first match. I had a bit of time, as I was in the main event. I spent most of that time frantically looking for a parking space and then negotiating the ring van through a cramped multi-story car park. Once back at the tower I got ready for my match where I would be facing another guy who I have known for years, but have never actually wrestled – CJ Banks. Facing two of the best wrestlers in the country and main eventing the Blackpool Tower. Not bad for a day’s work! I was also glad that we had made the show on time and my chosen car park stayed open longer than 10pm (which was my sudden fear in the closing moments of my match with CJ). A successful day all round, I even broke my no beer rule for February, as Danny Hudson took over the driving to our next venue in Brean near Western-Super-Mare.

We arrived at 4am and then an hour wait for the security guard, who was clearly not doing his job as we roamed around Pontins looking for him. Finally we got some sleep and were soon up for the show. I was against CJ Banks again, which like the night before went really well (despite the second rope falling off after an exceptionally hard whip into the buckle on Banks). We finished off with another tag match,  Boris and Jake against Banks and Saxon. I annoyed myself in this match, as I somehow managed to balls up picking up Banks on my shoulder so he could roll me up for a pin. I’m not sure if it was my hurt shoulder, tiredness…..or some other weak excuse!! It doesn’t matter, I just hate messing up stuff! That said no one would have noticed except for us and the show was really good. So far everything running very smoothly for a Pontins run…

Things stop running smoothly!

So after the trip back to Leeds, a quick rest and gym visit, we were back off to Pontins. This time it would be Camber Sands and it was the return of Motorway Man Big John Thunder (refer to my blogs last Summer for the story behind this). I was against Saxon in a singles match and then would go on to face Saxon and the Ullllllltimate Bluecoat with my new tag partner…. erm Rugged John (played by Danny Hudson).

Saxon has a great look and being trained by Lance Storm and Brian Kendrick is a very technically sound wrestler. He just needs to get the crowd work down right and will have all the ingredients to do really well. The match with him and the tag at the end both went down well, although the Bluecoat stuff didn’t seem to get over quite as well as last year.

Tired and hungry we were all ready for something to eat. Disaster struck as we couldn’t find the van keys for about half an hour, but eventually we were on our way to Rye for a nice meal. After traipsing around several restaurants looking for a table (it was Saturday night), we ended up in an Indian restaurant where I again broke my no beer February rule (not going well that is it!). What started as quite a fun evening became increasingly frustrating as we watched others who ordered before us receive their food first (this is after no food, two wrestling matches, carrying a heavy ring up stairs, little sleep and losing keys remember!). When the food finally arrived, we then had to wait again for the rice, which you would assume would come out with the meal. It was then cold and had to be re-heated with added extra smarmy comments by the waiter included. We weren’t happy!

After complaints fell on deaf ears, we took the mature approach and stormed out of the restaurant. That is, all of us but two of us did. Clearly Saxon and Duncan didn’t get the memo on what was going on! We then had the awkward and strange situation of an Indian restaurant holding one of our wrestlers and the referee hostage. Half of us returned and a big argument erupted. The police were called and the doors were locked to stop us from escaping. Despite the tense situation, I did still find amusement in watching potential customers try to get into the restaurant, but failing as the door was locked. The Rye police arrived pretty quickly, presumably quite pleased something was actually happening in the small town in East Sussex. Luckily the police were sensible and could see our side. Details were exchanged and we agreed to pay just for the drinks, which was shook upon and if this ever goes to court (as the manager was threatening) I’m pretty sure was a binding agreement!

So after that episode, we went to get some food with a little less drama and we were on our way to Pakefield for the final show. 2am arrival this time, which is early by our standards! We woke up and we were ready for the next show! What’s that bluecoats? You were never told we were coming?? The last show of the week and we weren’t even expected. Initially they were hesitant to change it and even offered to pay anyway with no show. However, the show must always go on! It ended up being pretty decent despite the lower crowd due to it being the last day of half term. I faced Saxon again as Boris and we finished with a tag that involved Boris and Jake vs. Saxon and Banks. Every single bump on this day went right through my body and I was looking forward to a rest! It was also the last time we would be in the Mega Slam ring as a new one has been bought. An emotional day!

Following the show we went to Pizza Hut (yep my diet went to shit on this tour!). Hoping for a bit of peace, instead I got Rob Sharpe being a weirdo going on about how I should use bread-sticks as part of my Russian act and staring at me intensely with his big crazy eyes as I tried to indulge in my meat feast pizza. One day, one day I will have a nice relaxed meal with Megaslam I’m sure! Following the meal we set off for the big return ride home. Shortly into the trip we realised we weren’t going anyway near the original drop off point and called the other car to change it so everyone could get home at a reasonable hour. I don’t know if it was me refusing to do the bread-stick routine or what, but the usually friendly and helpful Rob Sharpe was adamant that he would not change his plans. This small disagreement escalated into a full-blown argument. Just what we needed after 10 days of travelling! I’d like to say to finish off the story by saying we all made up and lived happily ever after. We didn’t…..Pontins will be the death of us all!

Final Thoughts

I’m not sure words do the last two days justice as they were pretty intense. At the same time, it was an experience and I do really enjoy wrestling for Megaslam. This was just one week and a small taster of what Easter will be like. I look forward to the challenges ahead!

Thanks for reading!

JCT

Second Time Lucky!

I left on a bit of a negative last time, saying how I was feeling old and clumbersome! This was playing on my mind a lot last week as I continued to go to the gym not only to become bigger and stronger, but also to make sure I am more mobile, flexible and can stay injury free. It certainly is still a concern, but fear not readers - I am moving in the right direction. I would never let moments of self-doubt stop me from continuing with this and I am a firm believer that everyone should act the same way. 

The weekend approached and I packed my old black wheel suitcase with the top handle missing. Various forms of Russian/JC lycra check, black speedos check, black boots that seriously need replacing check, white gym socks and black football socks check, knee supports and knee pads check, hat and coat check, black wrist tape check, babyoil check, towel check, sugar free red bull, water and lucozade sport check, protein bars and nuts check, Russian flag tied to a broomstick check. Right, ready for another weekend!

Take One

The first show on Friday would be in Chesterfield. At the last minute the venue had to be changed due to some mess up by the council. This meant a personal call to everyone who had purchased a ticket (over 200) by promoter Brad Taylor and a crew down at the original venue ensuring anyone else knew where to go. Despite this the show ran smoothly and the place was still full.

I would be facing Terry Isit as Boris. We had wrestled a few good matches last Summer and I was expecting the same tonight. However, it certainly wasn’t our best performance in this instance and I went away a bit disappointed. I was still struggling picking Terry up in certain ways after my back injury the other week and the whole thing was just not that great. Sometimes you can just feel the crowd in the palm of your hands. This was not one of those times! Much like the week before – I left thinking not terrible but should have been better.

Take Two

Luckily in the world of wrestling you do often have a second chance and on Saturday night I faced Terry Isit again. This night the venue would be in Bradford football stadium…….erm ok a conference room in Bradford football stadium. I had listened to the matches previously and much like the night before they had seemed like they would be a difficult crowd.

However, after the previous night I was determined to do a better job and I knew at the back of my mind I would. We were both on far better form this evening and I was pleased how much the crowd was into it. It might seem odd to non-wrestlers reading this, how I can have a bad match and then a good match with the same person. However, the timing was better, everything felt much crisper and the most important thing we had the crowd exactly where we wanted them. The insult of choice on this evening was ‘fruit pastille head’ to describe my Russian headwear. They sure are witty up in Bradford huh!

The night finished with a pre-cursor for the following evening; a six man tag consisting of Cousin Jake, CJ Banks and I vs. Saxon, JD Bryant and Terry Isit. I was eliminated as I sang my Russian National anthem mid-match. Will I ever learn?

The Doncaster Dome

On Sunday I wrestled in the Doncaster Dome, which has been the venue for many high profile wrestling shows in the past. Despite its history, I have never actually wrestled or watched wrestling there. To me, it was more nostalgic as one of my favourite places to go swimming as a young boy. The slides and rapids were fantastic! That said I do appreciate the fact I have now wrestled at the Dome.

On this day I would be smiling JC Thunder as I took part in a six-man tag. It was Frankie Sloan, Terry Isit (that guy again!) and I vs. the Family (Saxon and Cousin Jake) and Bully Boy Carter. I still feel awkward as a babyface to be honest, both when I’m entering the ring and when I’m wrestling. However, I know it’s just practice I need. The match was fun and it was great to team with and learn from veteran Frankie Sloan.

I was eliminated via double count out as the redheaded/bearded Cousin Jake and I brawled on the outside of the ring. Bloody gingers eh! Can’t take us anywhere!

Final Thoughts

Overall another good weekend! I was a bit disappointed with Friday, but made it up the next night. My concerns from last week are still there, but the reality is I can’t do much about that other than keep on wrestling and going to the gym.

I'm looking forward to the first week of camps starting next week when I will have six shows Monday to Sunday. I wonder if I will have to put that Pontins' championship on the line?? You may recall last year I won it and then made a quick getaway to the Caribbean to celebrate my title victory.

Thanks for reading!

JCT

Split Personality

This weekend there were two more shows. Saturday was the first long drive of the year as I travelled down to Fareham near Portsmouth for Megaslam. Sunday would see my debut for Tidal wrestling in Leeds and yet another new character to add to the club! The split personality gets worse!

A Russian in Fareham

After a quick six-hour drive it would be time for a different sort of match in Fareham where I took part in a triple threat tag match. This consists of three teams of two facing off against each other. I would be teaming with Bully Boy Carter, my Russian sympathiser for the evening, against the teams of The Family (Saxon and Cousin Jake) and the Solent Brothers (Kris Kay and Might Oak). The promoter, Brad Taylor, was a little concerned we would struggle with this type of match. I assured him we would have a great match…..an assurance that later proved to be overly optimistic.

It wasn’t terrible by any means, but we lost the audience a bit at the end of this. The venue and crowd of 600 were great too! I did my usual Russian routine at the beginning and the place was booing me out of the building. We shouldn’t have lost them. In my opinion there was too much in the match and it became confusing. I should have known better and a lesson learnt.

The main concern for everyone else was me being dropped on my head during a double suplex/spear combo on me. Everyone seemed very worried when actually I felt absolutely fine! Either it looked a lot worse than it was or perhaps I'm related to the legendary Samoan tag team ‘The Headshrinkers’ (notorious for having hard heads). Ok, it’s probably the former, but a man can dream….

As an aside this show featured perhaps one of the busiest meet and greats I have been to recently. Another sign as to how well Megaslam is doing! Several autographs and photos later and we were back in the van for the long ride home. 

A Monster in Leeds

A 5.30 am arrival back in Leeds and it was off to bed for some rest before the debut of my newest character at Tidal wrestling. He doesn’t actually have a name yet but is part of the tag team Ward 13, who are meant to be from a mental asylum. We would be facing the team of The Burial!

Wearing hospital scrubs and wearing a creepy white mask I entered the ring to eerie music, accompanied by Wedge and River (my tag partner and a creepy looking girl who sits at ringside playing with a doll). I was quite looking forward to this match, as I’ve always wanted to play a mentally unhinged character. For whatever reason, I always thought I would be good at it! However, a bit like my triple threat tag match I was left feeling slightly deflated after my initial optimism.

The more experienced I become I like to improvise more and more in wrestling matches. It feels more natural and you can just immerse yourself in the character. In this case immersion meant making a duck like noise and lying down on the floor grabbing my leg (this was meant to be me laid in the fetal position wailing like a mad man, but just looked more like the scene from Family Guy where he hurts his leg). It certainly was random, but not quite the insanity I had envisioned in my head – although upon reflection part of me quite likes the duck noise!  Also I felt we looked a bit trash bag* in our hospital scrubs!

It was strange wrestling under the thick material of the mask. Both my vision and hearing was impaired and anything I said just sounded like muffled grunts (which given my character may not have been a bad thing). There were a few sloppy bits and mis-timings, which I was disappointed by. However, I think overall it was enjoyable to watch and both teams came away stronger than they had come in, which can only be a good thing. The Burial remain one of the best up and coming tag teams today and are always great fun to wrestle.

This weeks silly injury – I bit two small chunks off the side of my tongue during this match whilst executing a move of my own! A lot more painful than the double suplex head drop encounter the night before. Nobody cares!

Final Thoughts

I was left feeling a bit down after the weekend. I think both matches still entertained the crowd (which is the main thing), but I could have done things differently in both cases that would have improved things.

My main concern right now is the in ring work. I’ve never been known for my finesse (nor will I ever due to the Carr clumsy gene!), but my timing and general smoothness in the ring was far better when I was younger. I feel old when I’m wrestling right now and I think it shows. There are a lot of wrestlers older than me who look fantastic in ring, so that is somewhat of an excuse. I suppose the only way to counter this is to keep wrestling, keep training and maybe a visit to the Fountain of Youth. Forever Young!

Thanks for reading!

JCT

Thank you for all your kind donations so far, we are closer to buying that ring after the last one was destroyed by the floods! It is appreciated (link below for current position).
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/james-carr-1

*Trash Bag – Wrestling terminology for a bit amateurish or just a bit shit.