ALL AMERICAN WRESTLING

at the Apollo on Monday night 7th February 2000

A packed auditorium, and crowds of kids rooting for their favourite wrestling star, made for an animated night of wrestling on Monday at the Apollo.

Four matches in the first half set England against the USA in a brutal war of the nations. While James Mason looked to defeat his American opponent Rock and Roll Express, he was brought to the ground in the final five minutes by a frenzied attack. The second match between Darren Walsh and Scott the Body pitted muscle versus power. It looked like anyone could have been the winner until The Body pinned Walsh in a small package, gaining additional leverage with the use of the ropes. Kent-based Red Neck John Riley and American Shooting Star had Riley easily defeated by the aggressive gang-land American. Next was Wild Cat Rob Brookside, an all British star from Liverpool against bone carrying mad Dog Kimble. A good battle until the Liverpudlean was brought to the ground in the final minutes of the match by an attack from Mad Dog's trademark illegal object, a four foot bone. Brookside was humbled and vowed to get revenge in the Battle Royal to come. Finally the German Christian Extine had a bitter fight against Legion of Doom, the crowd's favourite, ending in a defeat for him before the ten minute marker.

The star of the show was the large and rather fearsome Earthquake, former WWF tag team champion, a huge man at 6 foot 8 and weighing around 380 pounds. His masked tag team partner (bearing a striking resemblance to our own James Mason) looked positively boyish beside him. Their opponents were smart to try and prevent the masked man from tagging Earthquake into the ring. Although the tag was made several times, the referee failed to see, and ushered Earthquake back into the corner. Eventually, Earthquake got his chance, and after initially clearing the ring, had some trouble himself before regaining his power and dishing out the punishment Earthquake style. He menacingly slammed his opponents into a corner and crushed them with an football drive. He then effortlessly flipped over both Karl Anglo German Kramer and Soldier of Doom to the middle of the ring, and pinned them both to win the tag team event.

In the final Rumble, featuring all the wrestlers (except Earthquake)in the ring at one minute intervals, we witnessed some brutal encounters between arch enemies. Red Neck John Riley was cornered by Karl Kramer and Mad Dog Kimble in a studied attack. Shooting Star was out to win, but was eventually tipped over the top by Soldier of Doom. Carnage ensued as wrestler after wrestler was thrown overthe top rope. Finally an British victory was had, as Brookside triumphed in the end to the pleasure of the crowd.

An energy-packed evening.

Jane Labous

08/02/2000