Over the past five years, Southside Wrestling has been at the forefront of the British Wrestling revival: through a combination of British talent and high calibre international imports, Southside Wrestling have delivered some excellent shows with their fifth anniversary promising to be no different in a sold out Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage.



A stacked card featuring the likes of Austin Aries/Will Osperay, The Hunter Brothers/Andrew Everett & Trevor Lee, Drew Galloway/Tyler Bate and an inter-gender ladder match between Jimmy Havoc & Kay Lee Ray/ El Ligero & Nixon Newell spluttered a little during the first half before hitting its stride in the second.

The London Riots vs The Magnums

Over the past couple of years, The London Riots have established themselves as one of the best tag teams in the UK through a series of excellent matches: this was not one of them, through no fault of their own. Until last night, I had never seen The Magnums.

James Davies and Dirty Dick Riley (you see where this is going) got things underway: Riley, sexually provocatively, gyrated his way out of a couple of waistelocks before a suspended vertical suplex gave the Riots control. The Magnums gained the advantage through illicit means before all four men landed blows and fell to the mat: The Magnums delivered a nice moonsault/neckbreaker combo only to be broken up by Davies. Soon after, The London Riots delivered GBH to secure a victory.

This sometimes fun, often tedious opener to Southside’s Fifth Anniversary Show contained little substance and a lot of posturing. The London Riots are one of the best tag teams to emerge from the UK over the past ten years but this match won’t be remembered as one of their best. It wasn’t particularly bad, just underwhelming.

Rosita vs Toni Storm

Festooned in an American flag, Rosita got the heat on her early on by claiming not to be ready. After an exchange of roll ups, Storm was sent to the outside with a dropkick: Rosita worked over Storm ringside before Storm fought back with a couple of elbow strikes. Storm followed up with a fisherman suplex before Rosita rolled up Storm with a handful of tights to secure the victory.

This match was highly disappointing: a month ago at Southside Adrenaline Rush, Toni Storm delivered an impressive match with Kay Lee Ray. This match, however, was short and contained very little of consequence.

The Second City Collective (Ryan Smiles & Damien Dunne) vs Robbie X-Pac (Robbie X & X Pac)

Southside Tag Team Title Match

Insufferable and self-assured, The Second City Collective, fresh off winning the Southside Tag Team Titles at Adrenaline Rush, faced the team of Robbie X and X Pac, collectively known as Robbie X Pac. Following the break up of Star-Bux, Robbie X defeated his former tag partner, Mark Haskins, last time out.

As ever, Smiles took umbrage with chants of Andy Peters, comparing a fan to iOS 9: a good idea at the time but regrettable in hindsight, just like his parents thought of him. X Pac emerged representing both DX and NWO with a look of confusion on his face: after asking his partner, Robbie X, whether this was for the titles (it was), the match got underway. The second City Collective gained the advantage early on, working over Robbie X’ arm with frequent tags.

Robbie X landed on his feet following a double belly to back suplex before landing a handspring rebound ace crusher: Robbie X made the tag to X Pac, who landed some signature offence culminating in a powerbomb followed by the bronco buster. Damien Dunne distracted the ref allowing Smiles to capitalise with a low blow before rolling up X Pac to retain the Tag Titles.

Following the match, X Pac explained his injuries (a torn pectoral muscle and an elbow in need of surgery) before apologising to the fans and Robbie X.

Now, I don’t want to say X Pac was high on painkillers but he seemingly knew very little about what was going on. Ryan Smiles, as ever, was jarringly brilliant in this match, chastising the crowd at every available opportunity. Again, I really don’t understand why he didn’t cash in for the main title, his mic skills are some of the best in the country.

Chris Tyler vs Mark Andrews vs Pete Dunne vs Martin Kirby

Number One Contendership Match

In a match that promised both excellent wrestling and high flying, we saw snippets of both in a match that crowned the new number one contender to the Southside Heavyweight Championship.

A brawl ensued before Mark Andrews gained the advantage in the ring with some fantastic athleticism: the TNA Bootcamp II winner landed a casa dora bull dog followed by a standing moonsault. Andrews’ speed allowed him to evade Dunne’s offence until Martin Kirby delivered scoopslams to all as each man rolled to the outside: Chris Tyler landed a mistimed moonsault to the outside following a slip on the ropes.

Back in the ring, Kirby applied an indian death lock on Andrews and torture rack on Tyler before Dunne broke both submissions with a superkick. Andrews reversed a vertical suplex into a stunner before landing a tornado ddt before Chris Tyler, this time with a degree of success, landed a double frankensteiner on Dunne and Andrews only to receive a powerbomb and the fameasser allowing Kirby to secure the victory and number one contendership to the Southside Heavyweight Championship.

At times, this match was fun, particularly Mark Andrews: however, at other times, this match was downright dangerous. Chris Tyler, making his second appearance at Southside, had two major spots and he almost killed himself on each occasion. Martin Kirby, veteran of the UK independent scene, is often overlooked when it comes to title opportunities: he deserves time in the spotlight and will deliver an excellent title match.

Joseph Connors (C) vs Stixx

Southside Heavyweight Championship Match

Following months of battling against Joseph Connors’ Righteous Army, Stixx, finally received his opportunity at the Southside Heavyweight Championship. At times over the past several months,Righteous Army, composed of Connors, Jimmy Havoc, Kay Lee Ray and The Pledge, has looked impenetrable, running roughshod over the Southside roster: tonight, only The Pledge accompanied Connors to the ring.

An intense stare prefaced the match before Connors gained the advantage early on following a thumb to the eye: Connors delivered a dropkick to send the challenger to the outside. The Pledge worked over Stixx with a series of blows before sliding the challenger back in the ring.

Controversy reigned supreme following a scoopslam to the outside of the ring by Connors: after delivering the scoopslam, Connors returned to the ring on the count of 7 only for the referee to begin the count again.

Anyway, back in the ring, Stixx landed a uranagi for a near fall before missing a spear: Connors took advantage of his imbalance to deliver a michinoku driver as the fans encouraged Stixx to kick out, which he did. Stixx landed several signature elbows before this time successfully connecting with a spear but before he could make the cover The Pledge struck the challenger with the championship belt allowing Connors to deliver consecutive ddts to retain his title.

At times, this match generated considerable heat only to lose it almost immediately: a lot of people enjoyed this match and, at times, so did I but I just felt something was missing here. Heading into the match, I was certain Stixx was going to overcome the nefarious Connors and the Righteous Army at the anniversary show: the correct decision was made, Connors is a solid champion who always generates a response from the crowd.

Drew Galloway vs Tyler Bate

Drew Galloway has had an excellent year: since leaving WWE, Galloway has unequivocally proved his worth through consistently high quality matches all over the world. At Southside’s Fifth Anniversary show, Galloway faced Tyler Bate, an unfamiliar name to many. Over the past year, Tyler Bate, at the tender age of 18, has solidified himself as not only one of the top prospects in British Wrestling but as one of the top prospects in world wrestling.

Galloway and Bate stood face to face to exemplify the ample height difference between the two: Galloway stands around a foot taller than Tyler Bate. Inevitably, Galloway’s size and strength allowed him to gain the advantage early on: Galloway delivered a belly to belly suplex that sent Bate to the other side of the ring before landing a tilt a whirl backbreaker on the apron following a brawl around the ring.

Galloway worked over the leg before delivering a yakuza kick for a near fall: Galloway illuminated Bate’s chest with a series of vicious chops in the corner before Bate landed several uppercuts. Bate delivered a running knee before, impressively, spinning Galloway around with the airplane. After reorientating himself, Galloway landed a tombstone piledriver but Bate showed fortitude, kicking out at two. Soon after, Galloway delivered the Future Shock ddt to secure a hard earned victory.

Following the match, Galloway made his intentions clear: he is coming for the Southside Championship.

After the intermission, this show improved considerably: this was a solid way to start things off and easily the best match up until this point. By no means was this match spectacular but Drew Galloway and Tyler Bate masterfully worked the big guy/little guy trope that has become somewhat cliched when poorly executed.

At the age of 18, it is remarkable to witness the abundant talent of Tyler Bate: undoubtedly, he has a big future in professional wrestling.

Trevor Lee & Andrew Everett vs The Hunter Brothers

Making their Southside debut, Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett, two of PWG’s finest, teamed up to face one of the most exciting tag teams in the UK today, The Hunter Brothers. In one of the most anticipated matches on the card, both teams delivered a fantastic filled with high flying match.

Everett and Lee landed a cheap shot before beginning a USA chant much to the chagrin of the audience: Lee and Everett worked over Jim Hunter in the corner with frequent tags. Following a series of double team manoeuvres, Everett landed a standing shooting star press. Jim Hunter gained the momentum after Lee met his boot from the top rope allowing him to make the tag: Lee Hunter delivered a tope con hilo to the outside before The Hunter Brothers worked over Trevor Lee with a series of double team combinations culminating in an ace crusher/back stabber.

As the match broke down, the brawl spilled to the outside: Trevor Lee recovered to deliver a tope con hilo over the ringpost: Everett landed an incredible springboard shooting star press to the outside as chants of this is awesome reverberated around the Gordon Craig Theatre. Lee and Everett attempted tandem shooting star presses in the ring only to be greeted by knees: The Hunter Brothers took advantage with a hurricanrana from the top rope followed by a frog splash to secure the victory in a highly entertaining match.

This was a really fun match and everything I wanted: sure, the patriotic ramblings of Lee and Everett were are a little jarring but they succeeded in ensuring the audience got behind the Hunter Brothers.I was expecting a spot fest and this is what they delivered.

Also, Andrew Everett’s springboard shooting star press is a thing of beauty: it is astonishing how much height he gets on it.

Austin Aries vs Will Ospreay

The Greatest Man That Ever Lived, Austin Aries, made his Southside debut against Will Ospreay, a man who seemingly improves with every passing match. Over the past year, Will Ospreay has gained recognition from both sides of the Atlantic through stunning performances around the UK and in PWG. Recently, Hiroshi Tanahashi spoke in highly complimentary terms regarding the Aerial Assassin suggesting he may be used in next year’s Best of Super Juniors.

Following a hand shake, the match got underway with Aries attempting to apply the Last Chancery immediately: after reaching the ropes, Ospreay received a couple of arm drags before landing a dropkick. Aries cut off an attempted springboard ace crusher by pushing Ospreay down. Looking to negate Ospreay’s aerial offence, Aries worked over the lower back with a bridging belly to belly suplex.

A rolling senton met the knees of Ospreay before reversing an attempted brainbuster to connect with the rebound handsrpring enziguri followed by a standing shooting star press. Aries, following a german suplex, landed a 450 splash for a near fall. Ospreay shifted the momentum once again with a springboard ace crusher before the imploding 450 splash met Aries’ knees. Sensing his opportunity, Aries punctuated a series of forearms with a brainbuster to secure the win.

This was far from a bad match but far from either man’s best. Aries controlled the majority of the match and did very little bumping but I guess he has earned that right. I was expecting a lot more considering both men’s talent.

Kay Lee Ray (C) & Jimmy Havoc (C) vs El Ligero & Nixon Newell

Ladder Match for Speedking & Southside Women’s Title

For months, with the assistance of fellow Righteous Army members, Jimmy Havoc and Kay Lee Ray have tormented both El Ligero and Nixon Newell. In the night’s main event, El Ligero and Nixon Newell had the opportunity to inflict some revenge.

A brawl ensued following a stare down that immediately spilled to the outside: Newell delivered a beautiful moonsault to the outside before Havoc gained the advantage after tossing El Ligero into the ringpost as Kay Lee Ray tossed Newell down the stairs. The Righteous Army drove home their advantage with a series of chair shots before El Ligero delivered a somersault plancha from the top of the stage.

After El Ligero sent the ladder into Havoc’s dick, Newell sent a ladder into Kay Lee Ray’s vagina. The Righteous Army regained the momentum as Havoc avoided a powerbomb through four chairs before sending El Ligero crashing through them with a death valley driver. Moments later, Havoc sent Ligero crashing through the announce table before delivering an Acid Rainmaker to Nixon Newell allowing him to climb the ladder to retain the Southside Speedking Championship.

Havoc attempted to unhook the Women’s title but Nixon sent Havoc tumbling from the top of the ladder. Following a fierce striking battle, Newell delivered a canadian destroyer from the top rope on Kay Lee Ray before Havoc delivered a package piledriver to Newell on a ladder balanced between the ropes.

El Ligero and Havoc, two of the finest wreslters in the UK, battled on top of the ladder attempting to unhook the Women’s title: Ligero sent Havoc cascading through a ladder before his attempts to unhook the title were halted by interference from Joseph Connors and The Pledge. Stixx and Martin Kirby made the save before Nixon Newell unhooked the Women’s title to be crowned new Queen of Southside

By far, this was the best match of the night: all four competitors took some crazy bumps that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Jimmy Havoc and El Ligero are not only two of the best wrestlers in the UK, they are also two of the craziest bastards in the UK today and they proved that once again. Nixon Newell and Kay Lee Ray, too, were excellent: when Newell pulled down the title, the place erupted and deservedly so.

Final Word: This show really hit its stride post intermission. While there wasn’t anything particularly bad in the first half, excluding the women’s match, there wasn’t anything that stood out: sure, the fatal four way, the Southside Heavyweight Championship match and Ryan Smiles had their moments but other than that very little noteworthy occurred. The second half, as expected, delivered some excellent wrestling, particularly the Hunter Brothers/Lee & Everett match and the ladder match was fantastic. All in all, this show is definitely worth a watch for the ladder match alone.