Bowe No Go In UK

As reported by Preston Cit Wrestling in the United Kingdom, Riddick Bowe wrestling for Preston City Wrestling deal is officially off.

This past weekend Steven Fludder (owner of Preston City Wrestling) received a phone call from a representaive from Regis Talent Management. The call was regarding an agreed appearance they had in place with Jose Melendez of New World Sports Management (former agent of boxing legend Riddick Bowe). The agreement was for Bowe to make his international wrestling debut at their Road To Glory event on March 1st 2014 in Preston, England for Preston City Wrestling. RTM informed him they were now handling all of Bowe's affairs and dealings and that the contracted fee that had been in place with Jose Melendez of New World Sports Management was not enough. They requested an additional $4000, also that Mark Regis of Regis Talent Management accompanied Mr Bowe to the UK at the cost of Preston City Wrestling.It did not end very well and the deal was off.

As a wrestling fan as well as a boxing enthusiast this is disappointing that this kind of thing has to happen that way. Although the original deposit was returned, there was no way that Mr. Fludder was going to be hustled nor intimidated by this kind of action. To ask for more money after an agreement was made with the original agent is not only ludicrous but also absurd. I applaud Mr. Fludder for sticking to his guns and I have to boo Regis Talent Management for asking big bucks from a small promotion in the UK. 


Although it is disappointing to hear that the deal could not be completed but in the wrestling industry promoters operate a professional business and they will only conduct business with talent and agents who show the same respect as the promoter. PCW has done just that and they deserve my respect as well. PCW has already secured a big name replacement from the wrestling circle to appear at their Road To Glory event on February 28th and March 1st as Bowe's unlikely replacement. Who that individual is, I'm not sure, but when they reveal that information, you folks will be the first to know by checking out their website at http://www.prestoncitywrestling.com and follow them on Twitter @PCW_UK.

You can follow me on Twitter @matthewhollie

Rockstar Spud Is The Next Big Thing In TNA...And Here's The Facts

Everybody has their opinion on Rockstar Spud, the new Chief Of Staff in TNA. Some people would say, “I like this guy, he has incredible charisma." Others would say, “I'm not digging this guy, he's too cocky." Some would say, “Give this cat a chance, let's see if he can prove his doubters wrong." Others would say, “Get him off my television, he's so annoying."

Me? I'd say, “This guy might be the answer to Brad Maddox, in fact he's the anti-Brad Maddox. Why do I need to support this guy?"

Not only is he talented, let's analyze the main factors:

Light on his feet: For a guy who looks like a featherweight, Spud has some talent in the ring. But in matches against the big guys, he's a fish swimming with the sharks and he can't win. He is the winner of TNA's British Boot Camp and with his abilities, he's that damn good.

Charisma: This guy never has a charisma bypass in his life and he never will. If there's one thing about Spud, expect the unexpected with this guy. His charisma is a big asset to any promotion and somehow TNA is quick to use it.

Cockiness: Spud has a ship-load of cockiness and as of recently, it's at an all-time high. If you ask me, he either has the confidence to be great, or his ego is bigger than his body. I can only say this about Rockstar Spud, his ego is practically the size of Texas.

Authority: Like I said, he is TNA's answer to WWE's Brad Maddox, and there's no telling why. He may be watching the TNA roster, but he can't hold his own against an angry locker room. With Dixie Carter guiding his steps, there's one thing about this scenario; it will be chaos. Boatloads of it.

Face it; with Rockstar Spud at the wheel, it's going to be a bumpy ride from here on out. Just don't expect it to be that long.

British Bombshells Triple-Threat Preview

Tomorrow's British Bombshells debut match will have some explosive results as Leah Von Dutch not only goes up against the talented Violet O'Hara, but also the dazzling Lana Austin! This decision came about after a few nasty words between LVD and Lil' Miss Violet. Add the addition of the talented Lana Austin and her Kiss of Death, it is sure to be an all out war!

This was the official reason why Ms. Austin was added to the mix, from the kind folks at the British Bombshells; “It was an easy decision to make. Lana Austin is an exciting new talent and we're hoping for big things from her in 2014!" And with those words, we couldn't agree more.

The British Bombshells will officially make their debut next year, but this show is just a taste of what's to come! We're excited to associate ourselves with a new promotion, and it will be one amazing ride!

Mad Dog Forever: The Legacy Of Maurice “Mad Dog" Vachon

Today the wrestling world lost an icon as Maurice “Mad Dog" Vachon, one of the most famous names in Montreal wrestling history, has passed away. He was 84 years old. The Vachons are a legendary family in wrestling and his brother Paul “The Butcher" Vachon, his sister Vivian, and his niece Luna made their mark in the business.

A 5-time American Wrestling Association World Champion, Mad Dog is one of the biggest heels in pro wrestling, as well a the most skilled wrestler in the business in the golden years. A former Olympic wrestler for Canada, Vachon brought a new breed of technical wrestling and a new level of brutality in wrestling. He can choke people out with strings, ropes, and who knows what else; he can bite anybody of he wanted to; and knock opponents out cold with the dreaded piledriver, which is illegal these days.

In 1987, Vachon was struck real bad in a hit-and-run accident causing his leg to be amputated. He did make many appearances in the Wrestling industry, most notably WWE. Most recently he represented the Vachon family as nCw Femme Fatales paid homage to his niece Luna and his sister Vivian.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Vachon family during this time of sorrow. The Mad Dog will be terribly missed by legions of fans everywhere, including Montreal and beyond.

A Tribute To Roland Alexander

Today we lost a California wrestling icon as Roland Alexander, the man who put All Pro Wrestling on the map in northern California, has died.

In 1991, All Pro Wrestling made its debut in the California wrestling scene. And since then, talented individuals have either got their start or continued their careers in APW. In 1999 the promotion was featured in the movie Beyond The Mat. Mr. Alexander deserves credit where credit is due, and he has earned every single one of them.

In the history of APW, names like John Cena, Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Adam Pearce, Cheerleader Melissa, Sara Del Rey, Christina Von Eerie, Awesome Kong, Colt Cabana, Christopher Daniels, Austin Aries, and many others have had their success in APW, and their careers have reached new heights when they left. Mr. Alexander deserves great credit for the development of these successful names.

His contributions to the sport will always be remembered for many years to come and he will be terribly missed in the years to come.

The Barbwire Blog Spotlight: Cheerleader Melissa

Cheerleader Melissa accepts the Number One Women's Wrestler Award from PWI Editor Dan Murphy

This past weekend the representatives of Pro Wrestling Illustrated came to SHIMMER in Berwyn, Illinois to announce the number one women's wrestler in their annual Female Top 50. The winner? None other than Cheerleader Melissa, edging out AJ Lee for the tip title as number one this year.

As of this writing, Melissa is still the reigning SHIMMER Champion as well as the Pro Wrestling Revolution Women's Champion and the River City Wrestling Angels Champion, and has been dominating the women's wrestling scene all year long. While AJ Lee was a solid favorite to win, Melissa wanted it more by utilizing her trademark aggression on her opponents, solidifying the number one ranking.

In the inaugural year of the list Melissa was number 28 in 2008, and number 12 in 2009. But beginning in 2010 she was placed number 4 on the list and has been consistently been on the top ten ever since.

Melissa has her hand raised by fellow former TNA Knockout Lisa Marie Varon

This honor is a testament of how she has worked real hard to get to where she is. Everybody was predicting AJ Lee, but with AJ being more of a valet than a wrestler, Melissa was constantly pushing herself to be the best. And with that proves why indy women are driven to succeed.

Dan Murphy is lucky to be in between these beauties.

With so much talent on the indy scene, some are in the top 10, such as Saraya Knight, Jessicka Havok, Kacee Carlisle and Mercedes Martinez; all are improving as of late anddominating the scene.

But for those who want to take the Female Terminator off her perch, think again.

Barbwire Blog EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Addy Starr

When you hear the nickname "The All American Canadian," you get Addy Starr. An amazing star on the rise, the talented women's wrestler has made waves in the recent years. From Courtney Rush to Christina Von Eerie even to Cheerleader Melissa, Addy Starr is nothing short but talented. In her first interview, Addy will explain about her beginnings and her trip to England. This interview is 100% Uncensored, so let's hear it from the "All American Canadian."

1. What inspired you to become a wrestler?
Someone told me I wouldn't be able to do it. I knew nothing about wrestling at the time, but I have never been one to back down from a challenge. I went to a training school and instantly fell in love with everything about wrestling.

2. What was your early matches like?

I actually started out wrestling a lot of men, especially in hardcore and death matches. I'm not sure why I started out that way. Someone just asked if I would be willing to do it, and I said yes. I was also a huge fan of ECW and had watched countless Japanese deathmatch tapes, so it only seemed natural for me to try it.

3. What was your favorite feud in your career?

My feud with Chris Dickinson got a lot of people talking. He is a force in wrestling to be reckoned with, and I feel privileged that someone saw enough potential in me to out me up against him. 

4. You made your WSU Debut earlier this year. What is it like to be involved in one of the best women's wrestling promotion in the United States?

It was an amazing feeling to be a part of some of the best women's wrestling in the United States. I've always doubted my ability to hang with the girls, since I've mostly wrestled men, and this was a great boost to my confidence to know I was able to keep up with some of the best female talents in North America.

5. You have been battling the best women in North America in recent years. And now you will be taking your talents to England to face off against the best Europe has to offer. What is it like right now?

I'm terrified. I always dreamed of coming to Europe to wrestle, and now that it's actually happening, it seems incredibly surreal. I'm sure once I actually step into a ring for the first time here, only THEN will it actually seem like it's real.

6. You will be facing off against Miss Mina in a match that declares the first DOA Sirens Champion. What do you expect from that match?

I have no idea what to expect! I know my style of wrestling is almost the polar opposite of most European wrestling. I am a brawler, and I'm very unorthodox compared to the calculated and exact British style of wrestling. I'm expecting to learn a lot in that match and start to adjust my own style to suit this new environment. 

7. How did you get the nickname "The All-American Canadian?"

I always used to joke about how much I loved the USA (especially being half American and having citizenship). One night before an ISW show in Connecticut, some wrestlers and I went and saw the Captain America movie on opening night, and the buzz in the air from the patriotism was just so infectious. I starting chanting "USA!!" and yelling "America!" all night, and the persona kind of just stuck!

8. What is your take on Women's Wrestling?

I like good wrestling. I don't really care if it's women or men doing it. I don't seek out women's wrestling. I watch what I enjoy and what will help me learn.

9. Do you watch the WWE product or the TNA product?

I never ever watch TNA. I used to watch Raw and most of the PPVs back home with my friends, since it was good fun in a nice group. Now that I'm in the UK, I haven't quite figured out how to watch WWE shows. I don't miss it too much though, so maybe that's saying something....

10. Do you wish to wrestle for SHIMMER or SHINE one day?

Of course! Why wouldn't I?

11. You have been in the Anarchy Championship Wrestling's Queen Of Queens Tournament. What is it like to be involved in the annual tradition in Texas wrestling?

Oh man, Texas was AMAZING! I seriously cannot wait to go back. Everyone there was so kind and so welcoming! I had such a fun match and spent some great times with friends. Hey, ACW, can I come back? Like...now?

12. Would you like to work on the independent scene or would you work in one of the big leagues?

I pretty much am content with staying in the indies. I don't have any grand illusions that wrestling will pay my bills and I'm going to be a huge star. Fame is fleeting, and my body can only take so much. I have a career outside of this world that I enjoy. Wrestling is a passion that I have that I do to get away and enjoy myself. I don't want to rely on it too much and then have it be ruined.

13. Let's go around with some name association. I say a name, you can respond to whatever you please.

Courtney Rush?

Amazing talent. Sweetest girl!

Xandra Bale?

Such a good roadtrip buddy! Love her!

Cheerleader Melissa?

First big name I wrestled. I learned sooooooo much!

Angelus Layne?

Miss her! Powerhouse lady!

Matt Tremont?

Can't say enough nice things. One of the genuine best dudes I know. He reminded me why I love brawling styles so much.

Chris Dickinson?

My big brother. We beat the piss out of each other because it's good for us. Kindred spirit of mine.

Cherry Bomb?

One of the first girls I met in the business. I learned a lot from her as well. Congrats on your wedding, Cherry!

14. What does the future hold for you?

I think the future for me right now involves getting on my feet over here in Europe. I basically am starting at the bottom like I did 7 years ago in Canada. I'm excited to go new places and learn even more, but it'll be a long road to get back to where I was.

15. In closing, would you like to leave a last message for your fans?

You all are the most amazing people. I would not still be doing this after 7 years if it wasn't for all of you. I genuinely have the best fans in this universe, or any other. Thank you so much for supporting me, especially in the last few months. I promise soon you will see the triumphant return of the All American Canadian!

Special thanks to Addy Starr for her time for this interview as well as the folks at DOA Wrestling for helping me out. To keep up with Addy Starr, follow her on Twitter @AddyStarr.

You can follow me on Twitter @matthewhollie