AWR Review Belfast 31st August 2009

RVD & Sabu Rampage Across Ireland

By Phil Allely

To round off their six date Summer Bash 09 tour of Ireland, American Wrestling Rampage brought a host of former WWE/ECW stars and some great indie talent Belfast, Northern Ireland.

In the Ulster Hall (a onetime mecca for wrestling), where such names as Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and Fit Finlay all fought, many faces from wrestling’s past made a rare live appearance and proved they still have something left in the tank even though they are gone from our TV screens.

To a barrage of ECW and surprisingly TNA chants from the 500 plus fans in attendance, the AWR roster showed they came to entertain right from the get go. The fast-paced opener saw the ultra popular M-Dogg20 (accompanied by Rachelle St. Claire) down The Ogre.

US scene veteran Joe E. Legend then had a decent brawl with comical aristocrat Paul ‘Lord of the Ring’ Tracey. Both men showing some nice crowd-baiting and power moves before Legend hit a running elbow for the win.

Next up were a very heelish Kid Kash and an unbelievable popular Scotty Too Hotty. The pair both risked life and limb in a well paced brawl. After Scotty stole the pin with a sneaky roll-up, Kash lost his cool and physically attacked two members of Belfast band Fight Like Apes, before Scotty hit the ring for the save and struck his infamous ‘worm’ finisher to send Kash Packing.

The No Limit Light Heavyweight belt was up for grabs in a three-way dance, which saw hometown hero Dunkan Disorderly, Shawn Maxer and Suicide Machine in action. The trio put many WWE/TNA stars to shame with their in-ring ability, high-flying moves and insane dives. The Belfast native picked up the well deserved win and the title to rapturous ovation.

Billed as X-Pack and in DX mode Sean Waltman was on top form challenging current AWR Heavyweight titlist Rene Dupre. The ex-WWE stars had a very decent match indeed, after some superb set-pieces and ringside shenanigans X-Pack saw his title hopes dashed though as he lost via DQ.

In a nod to the original ECW the following match was fought under extreme rules. To thunderous pops Sabu and Rob Van Dam not only stole the show, they blew everyone away with their brutal and hard-hitting bout.

This was a joy to behold, Sabu and RVD put their bodies on the line throwing every classic move at each other, using weapons and battling throughout the venue. What transpired was a fans dream as during the epic encounter RVD hit a van terminator, rolling thunder and the match winning ‘five star’ frog splash, whilst Sabu nailed some wicked chair shots, an Arabian face-buster and a chair assisted jump off the ropes.

The real-life mates shook hand afterwards amid the debris of broken tables and bent steel chairs, leaving all in attendance pleased. Not ending there the entire roster stayed behind to meet and greet fans as well.

Check out www.rampageamericanwrestling.co.uk for details of forthcoming tours.