What Culture Pro Wrestling

Anyone been watching What Culture Pro Wrestling?

Not being much of an indy fan, I don't know how it compares, but I thought I would give it a go as I like their Youtube stuff. In my opinion the first episode was poor but last night's was excellent - including a great match between Jay Lethal and El Ligero for a shot at the ROH Title. Masses of improvements from debut to second show.

The What Culture guys seem to be resisting the urge to show-hog so far, and they have some quality wrestlers as far as I can tell. Impressed by El Ligero, Joseph Connors, Rampage and Joe Hendry so far (again I'm completely naïve to Indy wrestling so I'm sure these are names everyone is already familiar with). Storylining makes sense, feuds are building already, and Damien Sandow to make an appearance in a couple of weeks time shows they can attract a star or two (Jay Lethal was class!).

And Adam Blampied has the potential to be the best heel in wrestling. He is infinitely punchable (in the nicest possible complimentary way).

Refreshing to have a weekly, UK show, available for all to watch. Still improvements to be made, and hopefully an upscaling to bigger rooms if it takes off; I hope it goes from strength to strength.

They have moved their next recordings to Northumbria Student Union so have already moved to a bigger site for the next recordings. I am wanting to go but they keep recording on days when I already have plans! Interesting to see that there was improvement from 1st show to second as they were recorded a day apart. They gave away a free show on the morning after the first night last time. Not sure whether it was to ticket holders from the two shows or whether it was open to all but interested to see how it goes. It's been said a few times recently but British wrestling is on fire at the moment with this starting up, ICW going worldwide, Progress getting almighty buzz and I seem to be seeing more and more flyers around towns and cities showing smaller promotions.

I wonder how far away we are from a British wrestling company getting a slot on mainstream tv? Dave or something?

That's interesting question Cassius... I wound't be surprised if it is the next steps that the British Independent scene takes and it should most certainly be viewed as the next steps for companies like PROGRESS or REV PRO... Or even a syndicate or a major promotion which cherry picks the best from each promotion.

In my entire time watching wrestling, I have never experience such a boom period in British Wrestling. Just about every independent promotion is booking British talent and the up and coming BOLA (PWG's biggest show) is littered with them and that's not even mentioning those who appeared in the WWE or NJPW recently.

It terms of accessibility and ease of use, YouTube is a great way to get started so I'm going to have to check out What Culture and review what's going on but I would love to see a channel, especially on freeview, take a punt on a promotion and produce a season as just see where it goes. The industry needs alternatives.

Turns out WCPW has now booked the O2 academy in Newcastle for the end of July shows with Sandow. That is a big step up. Interesting to see the turn out

I'm not convinced it will be anywhere near as good as progress, but best of luck to them. Do enjoy there YouTube channel.

Anyone watch WCPW's first feature show - "Built to Destroy"?

Martin Kirby vs El Ligero
Prince Ameen vs Gabriel Kidd
The Primate vs Joe Coffey
ROH World Title match : Jay Lethal & Noam Dar
Joe Hendry & Joseph Connors vs Prospect
WCPW World Title match : Rampage vs Big Damo

Won't spoil any results as I thoroughly recommend watching (it's free!) - but it was a terrific show full of great action, a bit of comedy, good matches and storylines, with sensible, logical input from the Whatculture "personalities". Both title matches in particular are very decent with well booked outcomes that has left me wanting to come back for more.

Whatculture are showing plenty of ambition to mix it with the more established UK players. And with Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes, Eric Bischoff, Kurt Angle and Will Ospreay all events in the near future, as well as what I am assuming will be continued participation and support of Jay Lethal and ROH - and with a free to air, weekly format that is working and getting better with each week, they stand every chance of making waves!

I've become a big fan of Joe Hendry and his ICW work, his song about Ospreay for WCPW was very good too.

I've just bought a ticket to the October Refuse to Lose show which features Angle and Rhodes plus the standard roster

I really like Joe Hendry - definitely my favourite WCPW star. Did you see his tag team entrance music with Joseph Connors?

Cassius Zhi wrote:I really like Joe Hendry - definitely my favourite WCPW star. Did you see his tag team entrance music with Joseph Connors?

I didn't but you should go through his ICW videos on YouTube one evening.

I'm yet to see one better than him mocking Drew Galloway with Eiffel 65

"I have a girlfriend, and she is so Drew"

I've seen the Drew one
I was googling him last night funnily enough
Surprised by his WWE appearance - as Rusev's Russian diplomat

This is my personal favourite, and it still gets chanted at Lionheart.

Loaded was so so good last night

After a week's break it returned in a bigger venue, with a much better atmosphere, and a vastly improved production quality of backstage segments. Kicking off with an amazing triple threat between Noam Dar, Will Ospreay and El Ligero.

Storylines are developing well. The women's match between Bea Priestley and Nixon Newell was better than anything WWE main programming have put on in that division in years (I can't speak for NXT - don't watch it, I gather that's quite a good women's division).

Joe Hendry and Martin Kirby produced genuine laugh out loud segments.

And Damien Sandow faced off against Doug Williams who is taking up a really interesting UKIP-esque , 'keep British wrestling British' character that will be a good angle with the visiting American wrestlers.

Great booking. Gets better and better with each week

It's giving me a real hunger for more British wrestling. Started watching some NGW and I'm going to hunt out some of that Progress that is so well received at some point this week. What a scene!

Jim Cornette and GOOD OL' JR announced as the commentators for WCPW Refuse to Lose.

Amazing!

King Ross is your friend is your friend
#kingrossbomb

Where are they getting all this money from?!

I guess YouTube videos are lucrative - I don't really understand the business model of YouTube stardom.

I'm impressed JR agreed to do it. I'd assume he doesn't just work for anyone who throws money at him (though I might be giving him too much credit there )

I think they'll be losing a lot of money right now, build up a fan base then start making money.

Be interesting to see how much the iPPV will cost. That'll be a big early test for them. See how well they can translate free Youtubers into paying customers. For me money is tight so anything over £5 and its going to be Network vs WCPW. Probably the same for others.

Pcw have been charging 4 quid for there ippvs. Think they need to keep to that sort of price to be doing well with it tbh.

Just when you think you can't love Joe Hendry any more - he does a Final Fantasy 7 entrance, with what I believe was Joe Hendry as Aeris and Joseph Conners as Sephiroth stabbing him in the back