Paradox Pro UK is a new promotion, that is currently taking up residence in Riley's Pool and Snooker club in Nottingham. Since Paradox started out in 2017 I have always wanted to go and see one of their shows, and last week I did exactly that. Not knowing what to expect, when I walked in I was surprised how intimate the venue was. However it was the perfect setting for this show and the vibe was brilliant.
The show started with Paradox general manager Andrew Lynch introducing the show, and saying a few words on what had happened the month before. In case like myself you didn't get to see, this is what happened. Tommy Taylor was the referee for a match between second generation wrestler Garrett 'G-Wiz' Bond and one half of Hellbound, Alton Thorne. In the match Tommy had refused to make the 3 count for G-Wiz to take the pin, allowing Thorne to low blow G-Wiz and take the win for himself. So fast forward to this months show, Andrew was addressing the situation about the obvious cheating and Tommy's behaviour. Thorne unimpressed with the implication that he cheated came to ringside with team mate Barricade, claiming what had happened was all legal and he had won fairly. Luckily G-Wiz was back stage and eager to confront Thorne about what had happened and made his way ringside too. However G-Wiz didn't come alone and had the back up of 'The Sun Tan Superman' LJ Heron. After some strong words being thrown around and Thorne not being quite ready to wrestle as apparently he hadn't stretched, A match between Barricade and LJ Heron was set.
Match #1
Barricade VS LJ Heron
This match started quickly with a cross body and a quick pin from Barricade. However Heron not being easily taken down fought straight back with some strong strikes, even body slamming 'The Monster' Barricade. Thorne not being able to help himself grabbed the ankles of Heron, in an attempt to trip him over. G-Wiz being there for Heron retaliated and chased off Thorne. Barricade then choked Heron on the ropes and distracted the ref in order to allow Thorne to carry on the assault behind the refs back. Again G-Wiz quick to come to Herons defence, chased off Thorne allowing Heron to take advantage. Heron making a pin after a cheeky 'buns of steel' (see what I did there!) looked set to win, but once again Thorne just wasn't able to help himself and jumped in the ring. G-Wiz closely followed and the pair started a brawl. The match was ended and LJ Heron was declared the winner through disqualification.
Match #2
Gabriel Kidd VS Alex Gracie
After both men made their way to the ring, Kidd took no time in telling his old friend Gracie that he wanted "the old Gracie" back. That he had become someone he no longer knew and let his feelings know that he thought Gracie looked like an idiot, even calling him a "Primark Conor McGregor." The ref then started this match with a 20 minute time limit. The match began and it became a battle of aggression. Both men matched each other with strikes and holds, and it was hard to tell who was gaining the advantage. Gracie was the first to get some momentum with some corner shots and a suplex to 'the young bull' Kidd. Taking advantage of Kidd being down, Gracie climbed to the top rope and delivered a leg drop. Only managing to get the 2 count. Both men then fought to their feet with some powerful forearms for good measure along the way. Kidd managing to hit a few in a row left Gracie dazed and Kidd was able to execute a kick to the face of Gracie and managed a pin for the 2 count also. Looking to take each other out, both men hit with a clothesline which left them both in a heap in the ring. Gracie first getting to his feet jumped straight onto Kidd and tied him up with a series of Submission holds. No matter how hard Kidd fought he just wasn't able to get away from Gracie and in a last ditch attempt, made his way to his feet where he lifted Gracie up and slammed him into the ring. Kidd returning the favour to Gracie got him into a submission of his own. Unfortunately as it looked as though Gracie was going to tap out, the ref announced the time limit had been reached and neither man had won. Kidd not happy with the outcome offered Gracie 5 minutes extra time to see if a winner could be declared. As Gracie walked back towards the ring it looked as though he accepted. However as he got to the ring he turned and made his way back through the curtain, leaving Kidd in the ring.
Match #3
Hellbound VS Garrett ' G-Wiz' Bond & LJ Heron
This match started with G-Wiz and Heron dishing out the first hit to Thorne and Barricade, where Thorne quickly rolled out of the ring where Barricade was left to take the beating from Heron. When G-Wiz was tagged in, he invented a new version of 'buns of steel' by picking up Heron and threw him into 'The Monster' Barricade. In an attempt to fight back Barricade threw a back elbow followed by a cross body. However G-Whiz caught him from mid-air, body slammed him and decided to peoples elbow him. Thorne not liking this plan grabbed hold of the ankles of G-Wiz and when was tagged in hit G-Wiz with a series of strikes. Gaining some momentum Hellbound made several tags with G-Wiz the target of their aggression. Finally G-Wiz made the tag to Heron who wasted no time in suplexing Thorne. Barricade also made the tag unbeknown to Heron who carried tried to carry on his assault to Thorne. With G-Wiz trying to enter the ring and the ref distracted, Hellbound took full advantage to lay the beat down on Heron. Thorne even mocked Heron by wearing his goggles. Hellbound seemed to have had the upper hand, with Barricade giving a drop kick to Heron closely followed by a canon ball from Thorne. Heron finally made a tag to G-Wiz however ref Steve was distracted and missed the tag. Heron continued to take the hits until Barricade went for a elbow drop and Heron rolled out of the way. Barricade wanted to make the tag to Thorne but Thorne said he wasn't ready and left Barricade in the ring to face Heron. It took no time at all after that for a brawl to start on the outside of the ring between G-Wiz and Thorne, which left Barricade in the ring to be beaten and pinned by LJ Heron.
Match #4
Johnny Concrete VS Flex Buffington
This originally wasn't a planned match. It started out as 'Beerwatch' Johnny Concrete being asked to come and entertain the fans for a few minutes and have a few laughs in a segment called "Concrete corner", and that's exactly what he did. Anyone that knows of Johnny Concrete, knows he likes to have a beer or two (the clue is in his name!) with the fans. This show however he made a little game out of it, which was pretty much anyone with a pint was encouraged to down it. Everyone was very much enjoying themselves up until the interruption from none other Flex Buffington. Flex was not very amused with the antics of Concrete. Accusing Concrete of not being a real man and not living up to his potential and offered to take him under his wing. Training started immediately, with Flex handing over his trusty resistance band to Concrete. All seemed to be going smoothly, until Flex wanted his band back and Concrete having far too much fun wasn't quite ready to give it up. A tug of war between the men broke out and neither were willing to back down. Concrete one side of the ring, Flex the other and the band stretched to the max. Concrete decided to follow Flex's orders to give the band back and just let go. The band snapped back and lets just say hit Flex in a place that bought him to his knees and left every mans eyes in the building watering out of sympathy. From here a fight between the two started and the match was on. Flex starting on the back foot struggled to gain any momentum at all, as Concrete proceeded to target the injured area of Flex. With Flex in the corner Concrete went for a Baywatch splash, the slowest move in history. Flex taking advantage ran out of the way and just stood by watching Concrete run (and I use that word loosely) towards thin air. Luckily referee Steve knew the drill and dragged Flex by the ear into position to take the splash from Concrete. With Flex down Concrete attempted a frog splash from the middle rope only for Flex to roll out the way. Concrete rolling out the ring propped up by a ring post, Flex ran all the around the ring to hit Concrete. However Concrete moved at the very last second leaving Flex to smash himself into the post. Concrete then dragged Flex around the ring for fans to give him a good smack on the bottom. Somehow the fight spiralled into the bathroom, where its any ones guess what happened. Finally returning to the ring Flex was in control. Pulling a handful of condoms out the front of his trunks (apparently there was a machine in the bathroom) and used them as weapons against Concrete. As if this wasn't bad enough Flex also found a box of "little blue pills" which he was going to force down the throat of Concrete. This didn't end well for Flex as Concrete over powered him and decided to pour the "pills" down Flex's throat instead. In a mad rush Flex then ran back stage. Steve making the count everyone thought Flex wasn't going to make it back to the ring in time, until just before the ten count Flex ran back to the ring however this time sporting a giant inflatable penis attached to the front of his trunks. Yes you read that right! After Concrete took a few shots from Flex and the giant inflatable, it was Concrete who got the advantage, dishing out a DDT followed by a frog splash from the middle rope to Flex and his inflatable allowing Concrete to take the pin and the win. Honestly you can't make this stuff up!
Match #5
Lexi Olivia VS Kanji
I was super excited for this match as Kanji has been taking the UK wrestling scene by storm. Add on Lexi Olivia who I have only had the pleasure of seeing wrestle once, I was intrigued to see what the pair had in store for each other.
Well as the match started both ladies traded shot for shot, however it didn't take long for the experience of Kanji to shine through. With Kanji gaining momentum, Lexi couldn't quite fight her way to her feet. In no time Kanji made the pin and took the win.
Kanji leaving the ring, Shauna Shay was there to shake Kanji's hand and congratulate her on the win. However this quickly turned into Shauna striking Kanji, leaving her on the floor with a business card. I guess we now know who the new lady signed to Paradox is. Watch this space as I'm sure things are going to get interesting.
Match #6
Bam Bam Barton VS Sam Spencer
This match started out with Sam Spencer making an announcement to the crowd and confronting Bam Bam Barton about what had happened the previous month. After a match with Barricade where Spencer was victorious, he was attacked by Barton who stated he wanted to make their next match a knock out match. Barton claiming it wasn't a literal challenge was not happy about the match stipulation. The rules were set and it was made clear that the only way the match would end is if either man were knocked out and unable to continue. The match started as you would expect with both Spencer and Barton laying in heavy strikes and some deafening chops to each other. Spencer seemed to be gaining the early advantage, until Barton rolled out the ring and made an escape. Spencer quick to follow, the fight continued on the outside of the ring where for the most part Spencer was in control. Barton managed to turn things in his advantage, and threw the 'Big' Sam Spencer into the ring post. Then taking his time to steal a drink from a member of the crowd, Barton then sprayed the drink in the eyes if Spencer. Cleary not done with the assault, whilst Spencer was down, Barton took the time to take a corner cover off. It seemed Spencer was gaining the advantage back until he went for a corner splash, unfortunately Barton moved leaving Spencer to hit his face into the exposed corner. From here Barton just got more violent even choking Spencer on the ropes. For a while it was any ones guess as to who had the upper hand in this match as both men seemed to equally match what the other had to give. Taking it up a step Barton found a chair under the ring, and began beating Spencer with it. Spencer attempting to fight back grabbed hold of the chair but Barton one step ahead kicked the chair which hit Spencer right in the face. Spencer looked down and out until he found enough energy to give a spinning kick to the face of Barton. Whist Barton dazed in the ring, Spencer went to the outside of the ring where he set up a table, looking to put Barton through it. Unfortunately Spencer just couldn't get the better of Barton. In the end the match ended with Barton hitting Spencer into the uncovered corner post and knocking him out. Bam Bam Barton takes the win.
After the match and Spencer came to, he decided he had not given Barton the justice he deserved and dished out a spinning kick to the face of Barton before leaving the ring.
After the show I caught up with G-Wiz to get his take on things, here is what he had to say.
"What a great match it was! Nothing better than getting a victory over hell bound (or team Hobo-Erotic as I like to call them). There’s no denying that they’re a couple of tough dudes who hit hard, but me and the suntan superman can go toe to toe with anyone and after their shenanigans at the start of the night, we agreed to make sure we picked up the win and we did it cleanly unlike those two wallys have ever done. Alton Thorne may have a loud voice, but actions speak louder than words. G-Wiz and LJ Heron 1...Hell Bound 0"
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