Insane Championship Wrestling

Insane Championship Wrestling
Acronym ICW
Founded 2006
Style Professional wrestling
Sports entertainment
Hardcore wrestling
Headquarters Glasgow, Scotland
Founder(s) Mark Dallas
Owner(s) Triple G Music
Website insanewrestling.co.uk

Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) is a British wrestling promotion based in Scotland, founded by Mark Dallas in 2006.[1] The company began by organising small shows at Maryhill community centre in Glasgow. From there the company expanded to Glasgow city centre and beyond. After promoting shows in Edinburgh the company recently expanded UK wide, running shows in London and Newcastle with shows announced in Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham.[2] The promotion has gained an enhanced reputation after being featured in a Vice Magazine documentary in 2012 and the subject of a BBC documentary in 2014.[3][4] ICW records and releases the majority of their shows on limited edition DVD as well as producing series of their own YouTube show, ICW Worldwide.[5] ICW formerly aired on cable television station MyChannel which aired across Europe. This deal was cut short when a scheduling error led to ICW programming being shown at an improper time, leading to the show being banned after an Ofcom investigation.[6] The promotion mixes elements of traditional Sports Entertainment with Hardcore Wrestling, thus attendances at events are restricted to those aged 18+. Some performers incorporate zany gimmicks and play up Scottish stereotypes such as references to Irn-Bru. The promotion was named UK Promotion of the Year by Fighting Spirit Magazine in 2012, 2013 and 2014.[7][8]

History

2006-2012

The Barrowland Ballroom, venue of ICW Fear & Loathing VII[9]

Mark Dallas, a lifeguard at Scotstoun Swimming Pool and fan of professional wrestling founded the promotion while living in relative poverty with his girlfriend in Glasgow's Red Road Flats in 2006.[10] After attending training himself, to learn the business from the inside, he ran his first shows at Maryhill Community Centre. Future WWE Superstar, Drew Galloway was crowned the companies inaugural Heavyweight Champion on 15 October 2006 after defeating Darkside and Allan Grogan in a 3-way match at ICW: Fear & Loathing.[11] Galloway held the title until 22 July 2007 when he was booked to defend his title against Sheamus O'Shaunessy however both faced travel issues with the latter not making the event.[12] Darkside eventually won the title in a 5-way match which included the late arriving Galloway. This event would mark an almost 2 year hiatus for the organisation. On 9 May 2009, ICW returned with ICW: Fear & Loathing 2[13] however after another brief hiatus, the company began running shows every other month beginning with ICW: Payback on 28 February 2010.[14]

On 5 June 2010 ICW: Menace 2 Society marked a change for the company. A new ICW Heavyweight Champion was crowned for the first time in 1049 days as BT Gunn won the vacant title in a 4-way match against Wolfgang, Liam Thomson and Johnny Moss. The event also kicked off a tournament for a secondary title, the Zero-G Championship.[15] Another title change occurred on 4 September 2010 at ICW: Dazed and Confused when moments after defeating Red Lightning, BT Gunn was challenged by James Scott, ditching his Darkside character, who demanded his rightful title shot after having been stripped of the title due to injury. James Scott won the match and joined the villainous Gold Label faction.[16]

ICW: Fear & Loathing 3 signaled ICW's first venture into Glasgow City Center with the event taking place at Apollo 23 nightclub on 21 November 2010. The finals of the Zero-G Championship tournament took place with 17 year old Noam Dar defeating Andy Wild, Falcon and Rob Cage in a 4-way elimination match. The main event also helped solidify the companies reputation as BT Gunn and Jack Jester took on James Scott and Wolfgang of the Gold Label faction in a Glasgow Street Fight.[17] The Zero-G Championship was briefly dropped by Dar to Lionheart at ICW: Summerbam on 14 August 2011[18] before winning the title back at ICW: Fear & Loathing 4 on 23 November.[19]

2012-present

2012 saw the introduction of a new event on 22 January, ICW: 1st Annual Square Go! This event headlined by an over-the-top-rope battle royal granting the winner a shot at the ICW Heavyweight Championship at a time of their choosing. The match was won by Red Lightning. The event also saw BT Gunn win back the ICW Heavyweight Championship from James Scott.[20] ICW's next event, ICW: Smells like Teen Spirit, took place in what would become their second home, The Garage.[21] The beginning of the year saw ICW gain TV exposure through MyChannel although their tenure on the station was short-lived as they were removed from programming after one of their shows was shown at an inappropriate time. It was also around this time that the rise of Grado began. Red Lightning cashed in his title contract and won the ICW Heavyweight Championship from BT Gunn at ICW: In Yer Gaff thus beginning a 336 day title reign.[22] Shortly after this, Andy Wild won the Zero-G Championship at ICW: Insane in the Membrane from Noam Dar in a 3-way match featuring Christopher.[23] During the summer the ICW Tag Team Championships were introduced and after a series of elimination matches STI (Dickie Divers & William Grange) defeated The Bucky Boys (Davie Boy & Stevie Boy) for the titles at ICW: Hadouken![24]

After the airing of an in-house mockumentary and his prominent role in the Vice documentary, The British Wrestler, Grado became prominent in the promotion of ICW. At the 2nd Annual Square Go! Mikey Whiplash secured his opportunity at the Heavyweight Championship while ICW ventured out of Glasgow for the first time with a show at Studio 24 in Edinburgh.[25] In Edinburgh at ICW: Tramspotting, Wolfgang defeated Andy Wild for the Zero-G Championship while qualifying matches began for the ICW: Fierce Females Championship.[26] The Tag Team Championships saw their first change of hands with STI losing their titles to The Bucky Boys in a ladder match at ICW: Get To Da Choppa.[27] ICW: Reservoir Dogs saw Red Lightning's Heavyweight Title reign, featuring the most successful defenses, come to an end at the hands of Square Go winner Mikey Whiplash. ICW announced that they were being filmed as the subject of a BBC documentary while also announcing their biggest show so far in Edinburgh's Picture House for ICW: Dave's Not Here Man.[28]

Dave's Not Here Man saw international stars Colt Cabana and Sabu make their ICW debuts in front of an attendance of over 1000. The recently reformed New Age Kliq captured their first ICW Tag Team Championships in a 4-way match with The Bucky Boys, Fight Club and The Coffey Brothers, which signaled the beginning of their reign of terror over the ICW roster. That event also saw Mikey Whiplash add Wolfgang's Zero-G Championship to his Heavyweight Title.[29] Whiplash lost the Zero-G Championship 13 days later to Mark Coffey at ICW: There's Something About Mary(hill)at ICW's return to Maryhill Community Centre.[30] Whiplash then subsequently lost the ICW Heavyweight Championship to Jack Jester at ICW: Fear & Loathing VI - Welcome To Bat Country. This event was held at Glasgow's 02 ABC drawing over 1000 fans for the second time in 5 months.[31]

At ICW: Show Me Your Lizard, Mark Coffey defeated title holder Fergal Devitt and Noam Dar in a three-way match for the ICW Zero Gravity Championship.[32]

On 10 August 2014 Irn Jew defeated The New Age Kliq for the ICW Tag Team Championship at ICW: You Have The Right To Remain Dead.[33] The New Age Kliq would go on to regain the championship from Irn Jew at ICW: Ice To See You.[34]

On 7 February 2015 - the ICW Heavyweight Championship was renamed the ICW World Heavyweight Championship following title defenses in England, Denmark and the USA by Drew Galloway.[35]

Events

The promotion currently books most of its events in Glasgow with occasional events in Edinburgh. As the company grows it has expanded to the rest of the UK having held events in London and Newcastle with shows in Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham booked in the future as part of a working relationship with O2 Academy venues. ICW run shows in Glasgow's The Garage and Studio 24 in Edinburgh as well as ABC Glasgow. For larger events the promotion announced the Barrowland Ballroom as the location for ICW: Fear & Loathing VII, their biggest show to date.[36]

2006-2009

Title Venue Location Date
Fear & Loathing Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 15 October 2006
Stop! He's Already Dead! Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 17 December 2006
Serious Assault Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 11 February 2007
ReZerection Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 22 July 2007
Fear & Loathing 2 Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 9 May 2009

2010

Title Venue Location Date
Payback Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 28 February 2010
Serious Assault 2 Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 17 April 2010
Menace 2 Society Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 5 June 2010
Dazed and Confused Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 4 September 2010
Fear & Loathing 3 Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 21 November 2010

2011

Title Venue Location Date
The Notorious I.C.W. Apollo 23 Glasgow, Scotland 6 February 2011
Nightmare on Renfrew Street Apollo 23 Glasgow, Scotland 3 April 2011
Never Mind The Baws, Here's The ICW! Apollo 23 Glasgow, Scotland 3 July 2011
SummerBam Apollo 23 Glasgow, Scotland 14 August 2011
Fear & Loathing 4 Apollo 23 Glasgow, Scotland 23 October 2011

2012

Title Venue Location Date
First Annual Square Go The Classic Grand Glasgow, Scotland 22 January 2012
Smells Like Teen Spirit The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 26 February 2012
So's Yer Maw The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 1 April 2012
Up In Smoke The Classic Grand Glasgow, Scotland 6 May 2012
In Your Gaff The Classic Grand Glasgow, Scotland 3 June 2012
Insane In The Membrane The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 1 July 2012
Super Smokin' Thunderbowl The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 5 August 2012
Hadouken! The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 2 September 2012
Fear & Loathing 5 The Classic Grand Glasgow, Scotland 4 November 2012
Santa Gravy The Classic Grand Glasgow, Scotland 2 December 2012

2013

Title Venue Location Date
Second Annual Square Go The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 27 January 2013
Tramspotting Studio 24 Edinburgh, Scotland 17 February 2013
Get To Da Choppa The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 3 March 2013
Get Your Rat Oot The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 7 April 2013
Reservoir Dogs The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 5 May 2013
Flava In Yer Ear The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 9 June 2013
Terminator 2: Judgement Day The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 14 July 2013
Dave's Not Here Man The Picture House Edinburgh, Scotland 25 August 2013
There's Something About Mary(hill) Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 7 September 2013
Fear & Loathing VI The O2 ABC Glasgow, Scotland 13 October 2013
Fear & Lothian Studio 24 Edinburgh, Scotland 3 November 2013
100% Shenanigans The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 1 December 2013

2014

Title Venue Location Date
Third Annual Square Go The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 26 January 2014
The Goggles They Do Nothing! Studio 24 Edinburgh, Scotland 23 February 2014
Still Smokin' The O2 ABC Glasgow, Scotland 30 March 2014
Show Me Your Lizard The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 27 April 2014
A Show in London O2 Academy Islington London, England 4 May 2014
Up and Atom! Studio 24 Edinburgh, Scotland 25 May 2014
Jimmy Nail's Revenge Riverside Newcastle, England 1 June 2014
What's Your Boggle? O2 Academy Islington London, England 13 July 2014
Shug's Hoose Party The O2 ABC Glasgow, Scotland 27 July 2014
Get Mendoza! Studio 24 Edinburgh, Scotland 3 August 2014
You Have The Right To Remain Dead Studio 24 Edinburgh, Scotland 10 August 2014
Subject is Hatless (Repeat Hatless) Studio 24 Edinburgh, Scotland 17 August 2014
Ice To See You Studio 24 Edinburgh, Scotland 24 August 2014
1.21 Gigawatts: Great Scott! The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 31 August 2014
Spacebaws Episode 4: A New Hope The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 21 September 2014
Helter Skelter O2 Academy Newcastle Newcastle, England 5 October 2014
Sgt Wolfgangs' Lonely Hearts Band Fat Sam's Dundee, Scotland 10 October 2014
I Am The Walrus O2 Academy Liverpool Liverpool, England 11 October 2014
Lucy In The Sky With Divers O2 Academy Leeds Leeds, England 12 October 2014
Ringo's Despair O2 Academy Birmingham Birmingham, England 19 October 2014
Fear & Loathing VII Barrowland Ballroom Glasgow, Scotland 2 November 2014
Fear & Lothian II City Nightclub Edinburgh, Scotland 16 November 2014
Brush Your Goose The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 7 December 2014
Space Baws Episode V: Bill Murray Strikes Back The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 21 December 2014

2015

Title Venue Location Date
Fourth Annual Square Go The O2 ABC Glasgow, Scotland 25 January 2015
Lu Kang Wins Fat Sam's Dundee, Scotland 15 February 2015
International Superstar Wrestling Deluxe City Nightclub Edinburgh, Scotland 22 February 2015
Spacebaws Episode VI: Return of the Jewdi The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 15 March 2015
Blow In The Cartridge O2 Academy Newcastle Newcastle, England 28 March 2015
Barramania Barrowland Ballroom Glasgow, Scotland 29 March 2015
The Princess Is In Another Castle Rock City Nottingham, England 11 April 2015
Boom Shakalaka (He's On Fire) O2 Academy Liverpool Liverpool, England 12 April 2015
PAPERBOY O2 Academy Birmingham Birmingham, England 18 April 2015
Alex Kidd in London KOKO London, England 19 April 2015
Up Down Left Right A C Start O2 Academy Sheffield Sheffield, England 26 April 2015
Flawless Victory The Garage Glasgow, Scotland 3 May 2015
Long Before Wesley Snipes Maryhill Community Central Halls Glasgow, Scotland 25 July 2015
Shug's Hoose Party II The O2 ABC Glasgow, Scotland 26 July 2015
Fear & Loathing VIII SECC Glasgow, Scotland 15 November 2015

Music

In addition to being a wrestling promotion, ICW actively promotes the music of local artists by use of their music in ICW events and by hosting live music events at Box in Glasgow. The theme song of the promotion and Jack Jester is 'Crank' by Glasgow band, Psyko Dalek.[37]

Current Champions

Championship Current champion(s) Won from Date won Location
ICW World Heavyweight Championship Drew Galloway Jack Jester 2 November 2014 Glasgow, Scotland
ICW Zero Gravity Championship Stevie Boy Danny Hope 19 April 2015 London, England
ICW Tag Team Championship Polo Promotions (Jackie Polo & Mark Coffey) Paul London and Brian Kendrick 2 November 2014 Glasgow, Scotland

Notable Alumni

The promotion uses local talent as well as established international workers.

ICW Fierce Females

Since September 2012, ICW have operated a sister promotion called Fierce Females. The promotion is dedicated to showcasing female wrestlers.[38] As of 2014 the organisation is no longer under the ICW banner.

References

  1. ↑ Biggs, Chris. "Insane Championship Wrestling: 'There's a million things that can be done as a wrestling company,' says founder Mark Dallas". The Independent. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  2. ↑ Docking, Neil (12 August 2014). "Insane Championship Wrestling comes to Liverpool". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "The British Wrestler". www.vice.com. Vice Magazine. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Brocklehurst, Steven. "Insane fight club: Reinventing wrestling for a new generation". http://www.bbc.co.uk/''. BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "ICW: Worldwide". www.insanewrestling.co.uk. insanewrestling.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  6. ↑ ICW. "ICW Banned from MyChannel". www.insanewrestling.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  7. ↑ Whiplash, Mickey. "UK Promotion of the Year". http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/''. Fighting Spirit Magazine. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  8. ↑ http://www.insanewrestling.co.uk/news/stories/ICW_FSM_Promotion_Of_The_Year_2014/
  9. ↑ Kennedy, Jamie. "Fear & Loathing VII Location Announced!". www.insanewrestling.co.uk. Insane Championship Wrestling. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  10. ↑ Fulton, Rachael. "Insane Championship Wrestling lays the smack down across the city". www.stv.tv. STV. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "ICW Fear & Loathing - Debut Show". www.cagematch.net. Cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  12. ↑ ICW. "Galloway Goes for Gold". www.insanewrestling.co.uk. Insane Championship Wrestling. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  13. ↑ "ICW Fear & Loathing 2". www.cagematch.ne. Cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "ICW Payback". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "ICW Menace 2 Society". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "ICW Dazed And Confused". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "ICW Fear & Loathing 3". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "ICW SummerBam". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "ICW Fear & Loathing 4". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "ICW 1st Annual Square Go!". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  21. ↑ "ICW Smells Like Teen Spirit". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  22. ↑ "ICW In Your Gaff". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  23. ↑ "ICW Insane In The Membrane". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  24. ↑ "ICW Hadouken!". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  25. ↑ "ICW 2nd Annual Square Go!". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  26. ↑ "ICW Tramspotting". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  27. ↑ "ICW Get To Da Choppa". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  28. ↑ "ICW Reservoir Dogs". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  29. ↑ "Results from Insane Championship Wrestling ‘Dave’s Not Here, Man!". wrestleropesuk.wordpress.com. Wrestle Ropes UK. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  30. ↑ "ICW There's Something About Mary(hill)". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  31. ↑ "ICW Fear & Loathing VI - Welcome To Bat Country". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  32. ↑ "ICW Show Me Your Lizard". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  33. ↑ "ICW You Have The Right To Remain Dead". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  34. ↑ "ICW: Ice To See You". www.cagematch.net. cagematch.net. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  35. ↑ http://www.insanewrestling.co.uk/news/stories/ICW_World_Heavyweight_Championship/
  36. ↑ "ICW Events". www.insanewrestling.co.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  37. ↑ "Psyko Dalek". www.kingtuts.co.uk. kingtuts.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  38. ↑ "Fierce Females". http://www.fiercefemales.co.uk/''. fiercefemales.co.uk/. Retrieved 13 August 2014.

External links