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