Leicester Pro Wrestling

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Leicester Professional Wrestling (LPW) is a British professional wrestling promotion based in the Midlands and running shows in Leicestershire and Birmingham. The promotion was originally a collaboration between MPW co-promoter Mike Andrew and NBW promoter Gerry Norton (carried over from the MPW/NBW relationship which saw the NBW British Ironman Championship defended in both promotions[1], and highlighted by the mix of MPW and NBW talent on early LPW shows), but this relationship was ended sometime in mid-2006 and Andrew began promoting LPW shows with Mark Brownhill.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early days

LPW ran its first show in December 2005[2] in Syston, Leicestershire, at the Royal British Legion Club[3] (a venue previously used by Midlands Professional Wrestling, LPW's now-defunct sister company with which it shared a substantial amount of talent. The show was main-evented by a battle royale to crown the first LPW Champion, which was won by John Bull[4].

A month later, LPW ran its second show on the 15 January 2006 at another regular MPW venue, the Ivy Leaf Social Club in Sheldon, Birmingham[5] (the venue was used by both companies[6][7] up until MPW's closure later that year), then returned to the Royal British Legion Club in Syston on the 20 January[8]. A third Syston show was planned for February, but the Royal British Legion Club was demolished. LPW found a replacement venue in the form of the Syston & District Conservative Club, and ran their first show there on 10 March 2006[9]. The promotion continued to use this venue on a semi-regular basis for the rest of 2006[10][11].

[edit] Expansion & Present-day venues

LPW continued the trend of running shows at former MPW venues with its April 7 show in Willenhall[12], but also expanded into new venues of its own such as the Social Club & Institute in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield[13], and Lea Hall Sports & Social Club[14]. LPW's first show at Lea Hall featured renowned British wrestler Doug Williams. Whilst Willenhall was abandoned as a venue after only one show, Minworth and Lea Hall remain regular venues for LPW, along with Shard End Social Club, and Leicestershire venues Thurmaston Progressive Working Men's Club and Stocking Farm Social Club.

[edit] Championships

LPW currently recognize 6 of their own champions. 3 of these championships (the Central Counties, Phoenix City and now-LPW-exclusive British Ironman titles) were carried over from MPW, with a further 3 (the LPW Heavyweight, Tag Team and Welsh belts) being added. No wrestler has yet won all 6, the closest being Mad Mike, John Bull and Ronin, with 3 reigns with different belts each[15][16][17]. The promotion also recognizes the British Under 23's Champion.

[edit] Wider involvement in the British Wrestling scene

LPW has strong working relationships with the Birmingham-based Sovereign World Wrestling Alliance and Anti-Watershed Wrestling promotions and the Hull-based Pure Wrestling Association, based mainly around free exchanges of talent.

LPW was also one of several promotions to contribute talent to the British Under 23's Championship event in November, 2006. Despite becoming involved too late to enter a representative in the tournament itself, the promotion sent "Ironman" Chris Stone to compete in a non-tournament four-way elimination contest against representatives of various other promotions.

[edit] Roster

LPW currently recognizes the following wrestlers as members of its roster:

  • AJ Kid Irish
  • Ashton Smith
  • "That 70's" Andy Shoes
  • Axel Adams (one half of the Metal Militia)
  • Blok Busta
  • The Bouncer
  • Carnage
  • "Ironman" Chris Stone
  • C.K. Light
  • Dante Corinthian Vandal AKA 'The Wipeout Kid' Corey Vandal
  • eXodus
  • "The Pale Rider" Gabriel Grey
  • Gang* (pronounced Gang-star)
  • Geraden
  • Jay Icon
  • John Bull
  • Jekkel
  • Keith Myatt
  • Lil' D
  • LGT
  • Mad Mike
  • Omen (one half of the Wyld Stallyns)
  • Pure Xtasy (one half of the Metal Militia)
  • "The It Boy" Quentin Hyde-Styles
  • Ronin
  • Sadistic Psycho
  • Scott Grimm
  • Silverado
  • Tezz (one half of the Wyld Stallyns)
  • The Urban Warrior
  • The Boss (manager of Jay Icon, LGT, The Bouncer and Keith Myatt, collectively known as The Firm)
  • Aphrodite (valet of Matt Savage)
  • Little Goshi (valet of Ronin)
  • Potter (referee)
  • McCauley (referee)