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The 2007 UKFF 50


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No. 37 - JC Thunder

2006 Ranking: 45

2005 Ranking: 49

Moving Up

 

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Photo - UK Hat Guy

 

After popping up virtually everywhere in the country in 2005/2006, 2006/2007 has seen JC Thunder compete almost exclusively for IPW:UK.

 

Summer 2006 saw JC still in the midst of his losing streak - yet to win a match but still determined to do so, trying a new style every time out with a vow that the "Streak starts here!" After falling to Omer Ibrahim in "comedy match style" at "Royale Rewards 2006" in July and Nigel McGuinness in "World of Sport style" at "Frontiers of Honor II" in August, JC found himself being mocked and bullied by Aviv Maayan and the Hated Heroes. Though he was always seen as a happy-go-lucky, funny sort, this abuse clearly hurt JC, and the fans (who had been won over with his never-give-up depsite always losing attitude) got behind him like never before.

 

Taking on Blockbusta as his sidekick, Thunder found himself on the losing end of clashes with the Hated Heroes in "manager style" ("Brawl at the Hall 2006"), "grudge match style" ("No Esccape 2007") and "tag team style" ("Battle 2" - Feb 2006) matches, but this time it was different - the losses weren't coming as a result of JC's ineptitude, it was always the underhand tactics of ANDY SIMMONZ!! and the Hated Heroes. Indeed, JC was so fired up, motivated and determined to get back at the Heroes for making his life a misery that you felt like in a one-on-one situation, JC and SIMMONZ!! could indeed be equals.

With the fans passionately behind JC, the quest for that first ever win - as well as retribution for the way that the evil Hated Heroes had been treating JC Thunder and the IPW:UK fans - went on. The feud even meant that the Hated Heroes, JC Thunder and co. didn't get involved in the huge IPW:UK vs. FWA feud which was dominating the shows at that time, since their own grudge was strong enough on its own. After a run in with his former FWA tag team partner Dirk Feelgood in a light-hearted segment at the memorable "Final Frontiers" show in March, JC was one of the entrants in the 30-man "Battle Royale" in April, and everyone realised that this was probably JC's one and only chance to gain a one-on-one title match against Hated Hero leader, and IPW:UK Champion, ANDY SIMMONZ!! In one of the most genuinely emotional pro wrestling moments of 2007, JC Thunder eliminated SIMMONZ!! from the rumble, earning a title match on the next show. JC himself was eliminated seconds later, but his shot at the gold - and SIMMONZ!! - was secure.

 

Fans went into May's "Royal Rewards" with a sense of anticipation. Finally JC had his opportunity, and every clue had pointed towards him having a genuine chance at the gold. That said, the Hated Heroes had cheated JC, and the audience, out of such a win for so long now you also had the feeling that they were going to ruin the day once again. A dramatic, emotional, engrossing 30-minute match went back-and-forth in front of a captivated audience that knew the story and the characters inside out. It was almost magical. After interference and every false finish in the book had everyone utterly hooked, JC finally covered SIMMONZ!! for an incredible 3-count to become the IPW:UK Champion in the greatest pro wrestling moment I personally have ever experienced live. The outpouring of emotion at the ultimate triumph of good over evil was something that had to be experienced, as it can never truly be properly explained.

 

Since that time, JC has seen away the challenges of SIMMONZ!!'s fellow Heroes LT Summers and Aviv Maayan in exciting, dramatic matches, but matches that have somewhat failed to recapture the magic of the title win. Having defeated all 3 official Hated Heroes (long story), it remains to be seen where JC's next challenge will come from.

 

In addition to his exploits in IPW:UK, JC has found the time to debut a new character in SAS Wrestling - the Russian "Radec Anenco" comedy-based gimmick which is reportedly a riot.

 

JC Thunder is the ultimate example of working a crowd with great characterisation and great in-ring storytelling. He has been integral to arguably the best moments in British wrestling in 2007, which co-incides with a climb up the rankings of the UKFF 50. Whether 2007/2008 will bring the same spellbinding drama remains to be seen.

Edited by UK Hat Guy
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Profile for Red Lightning (#40) updated above, thanks to LionHeartBCW.

 

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No. 36 - "Phoenix" Jody Fleisch

2006 Ranking: 5

2005 Ranking: 5

Moving Down

 

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Photo- UK Hat Guy

 

One of the BIG drops for the 2007 UKFF 50, Fleisch loses a whopping 31 places in a year.

 

Entering the summer of 2006 as one half of the 1PW World Tag Team Champions with Jonny Storm, Fleisch was a huge part of US indy Ring of Honor's first tour of the UK - and the week-long series of shows that accompanied it - in August. In Liverpool, he teamed with Doug Williams to take on Pro Wrestling NOAH's Go Shiozaki and SUWA which saw his phoned-in performance earn boos from the fans in the Olympia that night. The next day, in Hoddesdon, he was part of a fast-paced, exciting - if utterly pointless - British 3-way with Storm and Spud. He then went on to "Frontiers of Honor II" in Swanley (boo), Kent where he and Storm lost to Jay and Mark Briscoe in an okay-ish match. The 1PW tag title holders then wrestled to a poor draw with Team SHAG (Colt Cabana and Darren Burridge) the very next day at "1PW Invincible", before dropping the titles to the same team in a crap 3-way ladder match (which also featured Tracey Smothers and Chris Hamrick) at the 1PW "First Anniversary Show" in October. Seemingly fed up of the boos (the babyface) Fleisch was receiving, he cut something of a promo on the fans, telling them they should get behind the UK guys. Since then, Fleisch's 1PW career has consisted entirely of undercard multi-way matches, in both singles and tags, none of which have been particularly stand-put, none of which he has won. I think it's fair to say his 1PW career isn't heading anywhere....

 

Over in the expanding RQW, Fleisch saw more success. Despite not getting past the first round of the RQW British Heavyweight Title tournament held at RQW's free admission show in December, Fleisch soon found himself heading towards the top of the card. Defeating Pac and, yep, Jonny Storm in a 3-way in February, Fleisch looked better in his main event match against British Champion Martin Stone in March, and then found himself teaming with Stone a month later on the losing end of the main event tag match against Greg Lambert's team of Jon Ryan and Hade Vansen. RQW have only promoted one show since then, which Fleisch did not participate in.

 

Though he was once one of IPW:UK's main attractions, his bookings there in the last 12 months have been few and faw between. After defeating old Hammerlock and FWA pal Jorge Castano in Hoddesdon at "Hotwired" in October, he fell to Pac in the opening round of the 2006 "Extreme Measures" tournament a week later. Fleisch hasn't featured in IPW:UK since then.

Fleisch's last high-profile appearance was as 1PW's representative in the first "King of Europe Cup" weekend in April, where he lost to Dragon Gate's Ryo Saito in the first round. The match itself was memorable for the clashes between 1PW fans and 1PW H8erz...as well as the fact that Jody springboard shooting star pressed himself into the steps, breaking his jaw and putting him out of action. At the time of writing, he has yet to return to the ring.

 

Though the way he sells his opponents' moves is still undeniably first rate (no-one makes their opponents' moves look better than Fleisch), his dated match style, predictable offence and exponentially increasing botch-rate has seen his star fall considerably. Should he make a return at some point in the next 12 months, don't expect to be shocked when he fails to make the 2008 UKFF 50....

Edited by UK Hat Guy
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Wow, the guy I voted Worst Wrestler of The Year 2006 was #5 in the UKFF top 50.From what I've seen and read he hasn't got any better in the first half of this year, so it seems a well-deserved massive drop judging by that very good write-up. :thumbsup: First I've heard about his botched shooting star at KoE. It was always going to be just a matter of time.Also, is that photo taken from yet another instance of him hanging around after the bell to get a respectful round of applause after losing?That grabbing-the-back-of-his-head while waiting for the applause shite every show is what got the 1PW fans to turn on him in the first place. Well, that and the selling/kip-up/huracanrana/back-to-selling-again routine.

Edited by dopper
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No. 35 - Jetta

2006 Ranking: Not Eligible

2005 Ranking: Not Eligible

 

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Photo - www.ldnwrestling.com (edited by UK Hat Guy)

 

Coventry's very own Jetta makes an impressive first ever appearance in the UKFF 50, thanks to her first rate performances as one of the leading ladies of British pro wrestling.

 

Many fans were first introduced to her through LDN Capital TV, where viewers of the weekly series will have seen her heated battles with "Jezebel" Eden Black during the first couple of months of the show on The Wrestling Channel. While Jezebel has since left LDN, Jetta is very much still a part of the roster. Taking on "Life Coach" John David Bernard Bruno Roger Ernest Peter Bruno William Henry Bruno Alan Christopher Bruno Chapman as her adviser, manager and Irwin R Schyster impersonator, she has battled Erin Angel, Skye, Violet and Kelly Alexander (Adams) on LDN shows throughout 2007, more often than not picking up the victory....usually by means more foul than fair. Her screechy, whiny character is played perfectly and is a natural heat magnet for kids young and old.

 

Being from Coventry, and having been trained by Majik, it comes as no surprise that she is one of the main members of the Triple-X Wrestling roster. Forming the fabulous girl-power Legion of Womb with Skye, she has normally been faced with male competition, but at "Hallowe'en Jimmy Havok" (TXW's take on the Hallowe'en show) the LOW found themselves locked in a war with Jezebel and Violet, better known as the Classy Ladies In Tights.....or CLIT. The feud didn't last long, however, as Jez and Violet ended up joining the Legion in February at "Chop Him in the Valentines!!" Jetta fell out with Violet almost immediately, as the two came to blows at the next show ("First Annual First Anniversary Show I") and Violet was ditched from the group. At the next show ("One More Tam" - the final show in TXW's home venue of the Tam O'Shanter Burns Club), Jetta finally clashed with Omer Ibrahim in a long-promised match. After plenty of daft shenanigans, Jetta beat Omer, and as a result she got to hold the North Cyprus Heavyweight Wrestling Title. As in, just hold it. For about 10 seconds. Before getting Gored. The character she plays in TXW is still based around the same lines as that in LDN, but is much more comedic and clever, showing yet another side to her skills.

 

Jetta has also played a part in the ChickFight series of shows that have been held here in the UK, away from their SoCal home. Though the shows were originally built aorund the foreign female stars, they have increasingly become more about the home grown talent. While some of the UK stars given this opportunity haven't really stepped up to the same level, Jetta has been consistent and has been a fixture form the start.

 

When ROH made their second UK tour in March 2007, it was announced that Allison Danger and Sara del Ray would be a part of it. The first night, they wrestled each other in a SHIMMER Women Athletes guest match, but on the second night they needed some competition. Step in Jetta. Interupting the first show after the interval, Jetta and Jezebel called out the Dangerous Angels for a tag match on Night Two. Representing herself well and making a good showing in a very respectable match, Jetta obviously impressed the right people and will now follow in Jez's footsteps and make her debut for SHIMMER in Chicago later in 2007.

 

Undeniably one of the top 3 female wrestlers in the country (I personally might possibly be tempted put her right at the top of that list), Jetta has to be considered one of the best UK workers around, female or male.

Edited by UK Hat Guy
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Pretty shocked at Fleisch dropping so much I have to say

Remember, Fleisch even had to qualify through Stage Two as one of the Maybes just to earn a place in the 50 at all this year, since he didn't earn enough nominations to get a direct place...*****************************************************************No. 34 Sam Slam2006 Ranking: Not Listed2005 Ranking: Not ListedMoving Upipw032ee3.jpgPhoto (top, with Jon Ryan) - UK Hat GuyWho the hell is Sam Slam?!? That's what you would have most likely been saying 12 months ago. If you hadn't seen a WAW show, you would have probably struggled to answer.Product of Ricky Knight's WAW training school, Sam found himself booked on Herts & Essex Wrestling shows thanks to the close links between HEW and WAW. Thrust straight into the main event scene, Sam found himself cast as one of "Twisted Genius" Dean Ayass' charges during his feud with the UK Pitbulls. He also found himself bodyslamming the 500+lbs Pitbull Bulk on HEW's August 2006 show in Takely. That's the way to open eyes.Sam's next big opportunity came when he was booked as a part of the tournament to crown the first National Under-23 Champion. Though some promotions had already made a mockery of the U23 stipulation by fielding people much older than that in qualifiers, Sam's participation was legitimate as WAW's representative. Held in November in Ware (where?), Hertfordshire, Sam destroyed freelancer Spud in the first round with a spear. He then annihilated GPW's Bubblegum in the semi-finals by speaing him as he leapt off the top rope. Having quickly developed somewhat of a following throughout the night, Sam then defeated IPW:UK's plucky young star Paul Robinson in the final with an amazing 450 splash to become U23 champion. An incredible one-night performance immediately set him out as a star. This big, muscley guy had made an immediate impact with his hard-hitting power and intense, angry style.....and by doing moves that guys his size shouldn't physically be able to do.The very next night on the IPW:UK show in Orpington, Mr Slam (if that is his real name) made his first defence of his National U23 championship against defeated finalist Paul Robinson and Scotland's Darkside in a triple-threat match, wining again with the 450 splash. Depsite the cluttered surroundings, the match was most notable for Sam spearing Robinson so hard that Paul puked up. Sam had instantly become an Orpington legend.Next up, Sam was one of the entrant in the 5-Minute Warning match at XSW/WXW's never-ending "Gorefest" show in Colchester in December. Though most fans had lost interest in the show by this point (or had actually left), Sam's showdown with WXW's Bad Bones was the ultra-intense highlight of the bout. When the two big men squared up, you just wanted to see them go. Amazingly, no-one has yet followed up on the potential of this.While IPW:UK shows became focused on the feud with the FWA, Sam found himself, and his U23 championship, taking a back seat. Indeed, his "home" WAW even chose to crown their own new WAW U23 champion instead of recognising the National championship held by one of their own guys.As the IPW:UK vs. FWA feud roared on to critical success, Slam found himself thrown in the mix on the climatic "Final Frontiers" show in March. When FWA's Iceman found himself without an opponent for his No-DQ All-England Title defence, Sam filled the vacancy and engaged the Stanley hardnut in an all-out brawl that tore down the Orpington Halls and displayed a hardcore side to Sam that fans hadn't previously seen. It shouldn't really have come as any surprise that he fit right in there. Back in the ring, he finished off Iceman with the 450 splash to lift the All-England Title. With FWA ceasing to exist beyond that night, the formerly FWA-affiliated championship simply became the National All-England Title, and IPW:UK began to recognise it.At April's "Battle Royale" show, a shot at Sam's belt was on the line for anyone who could eliminate him from the rumble. Sam squaring up to, and subsequently going to war with fellow no-nonsense intense killer "Bad Boy" Jon Ryan was an undoubted highlight of a match that featured many such moments. Ryan did tip Sam in that match, and as such the two faced off at May's "Royale Rewards" for the AE Title. With neither wanting to back down, and both wanting to prove that they were the better man, the situation turned nasty and the two battled to a no-contest when the bout got out of control. A No-DQ rematch was signed for July's "Unfinished Business", and Sam once again showed off those hardcore skills as he and Ryan assembled a brutal, bloody, emotional and dramatic epic which has been one of IPW:UK's in-ring highlights of the year. Taking an incredible amount of punishment when his hands were gaffer-taped behind his back and he took numerous unprotected steel chair shots to the head, Sam broke free and made an exciting comeback, eventually finishing Ryan off by gaffer-taping him to a steel chair and pouring drawing pins onto his chect, and then blasting him with the 450 splash for the title-retaining 3-count.After making such an impact in the past 12 months, it would only be a fool that bets against Sam continuing his incredible rise in the months to come, and his 2008 UKFF 50 place may well be higher than you think. Edited by UK Hat Guy
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Pretty shocked at Fleisch dropping so much I have to say

Remember, Fleisch even had to qualify through Stage Two as one of the Maybes just to earn a place in the 50 at all this year, since he didn't earn enough nominations to get a direct place...
Totally forgot about that actually
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Wasn't the big show down at Gorefest Sam Slam and Bad Bones not Ares?

Hmmm...I actually thought that originally, but then remembered that Bad Bones was in the deathmatch tournament and presumed that it must have been Are$ in 5-minute warning...Hey-ho, it was still fucking cool, and someone should still do Bad Bones vs. Sam Slam sometime soon.
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Well done to Sam and Saraya two WAW in so far. just to point out our u23 title is a company title, replacing our youth title, Sam's title is a british title recognised by all feds. Sam was not entered into ours as it would be a backward step, much like a british boxing champ fighting for an area title. We await Scott fusion our champ against Sam for a title shot by the powers that be.

Edited by knightmare
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