One Year On...

We are now one year on from hitting 30 and making one life changing decision on a beach in the Caribbean. Turning 31 was fairly uneventful in comparison, but my Birthday weekend did see me have my favourite match yet since returning to the ring against Dylan Roberts at GPW. Happy Birthday me!

Mad Thunder

You may recall I was having issues with my character direction and in particular my contempt for the happy clappy good guy routine I was doing. Cringe worthy and not a role I was comfortable with at all. My last match at GPW saw me do a much more intense and unhinged character against the ‘Welsh Bad Man’ Dylan Roberts. 

The match itself was just a simple ten minute match. There were still bits that need work from me, but the overall feel and reaction from the crowd was a lot better and definitely the direction I want to head in. Credit must go to Dylan too, who is incredibly talented and I was pleased our first encounter went well. I will put the match on here as soon as I have a copy.

What’s next for Mad Thunder at GPW? You’ll have to pay a visit to the Monaco Ballroom in Wigan to find out….

Grapple

The last 6 months has seen me find a new home at Grapple Wrestling in Leeds. Quite frankly I would have been lost without them and I am incredibly grateful for them accepting me into their family. I continue to do their shows and assist with the training. Since my last blog I have faced the ‘Big Dog’ Ric Cross and performed in a Grapple ‘Commoners Rumble’.

Ric Cross is an inspirational figure who a few years ago was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and was confined to walking on crutches. Rather than let his condition dictate his life he worked hard and now not only has he lost the crutches, but quite remarkably is staring back at me across the ring as a Professional Wrestler. Ric more than held his own in this match and should be extremely proud of what he has accomplished.

The Rumble saw me tangle with a number of Grapple’s wrestlers and ended with me being ‘fluke’ eliminated by the much smaller Joey Maverick, whom I had been bullying the entire match. In my fury I re-entered the Rumble as Maverick was celebrating only to be cut off by his much larger friend Fatdango*! Life lesson learnt- don’t be a bully kids! You just might end up getting beaten up by a 20 stone ballroom dancer! 

The TG Cup

The TG Cup saw 8 of the UK’s finest wrestlers compete in a one night tournament in TGW’s second outing. As I wore my promoter hat again I am pleased to say the show has received excellent reviews, one of which describing it as the best British show this year!

Whilst we are still a new company and we need time to build up a following I am proud to say that our show quality is superb and exhibits British wrestling in a professional and extremely positive light. The way it should be! Thank you to everyone involved both in and out of the ring. True Grit number 3 is going to be awesome!

A New Thunder a New Wardrobe

In wrestling (and in life!) I have never been known for my sense of fashion. I once wore a jacket and hat to the ring, which at some point I must have thought looked really cool. It didn’t! I looked Willy Wonka and it was very confusing for anyone watching.

However, my wrestling attire is old. With a fresh update to the JC Thunder persona I also need a fresh look. Luckily I had the assistance of the awesome designer Dave Lewis to help make sure I didn’t end up looking like another Roald Dayl character. Check out the pictures of my new tights below. And yes before you ask, they do have a picture of me on them! Come on I have my own blog, you already knew how self indulgent I am…

Final Thoughts

So still a bit slow on the wrestling front as I have spent a lot of time working behind the scenes with TGW and with my involvement with Grapple. However, things are about to pick up! Not for JC Thunder, but for our old Russian friend. For the next six weeks, Radik Anenco will be on tour with All Star Wrestling, wrestling a minimum of 5 times a week.

Holiday camps of Great Britain! Be afraid! The Russian Nightmare has landed…

Thanks for reading!

JCT

*Fatdango – a not so subtle parady of WWE’s dancing man Fandango.