In the city of Gloucester there is an evolution going on within the wrestling business and it’s because of one company, Pro Evolution Wrestling. Owned & Managed by Rob, Pro Evo is making it’s mark on the local wrestling scene in the county of Gloucestershire. Along with his band of volunteer academy wrestlers who help set up the ring, stage and sell the merchandise, Rob has successfully kept PEW going over the last decade.
The concept of PEW came to Rob one day as he assisted a friend in driving him to a wrestling event. It was on that day that Rob saw a opportunity to get involved and start his own promotion. So on October 15th 2005 Pro Evolution Wrestling was born in Doncaster. Rob commented to me that the inaugural show and wrestlers at the time were not up to the standards they are now, so the promotion, since it’s inception, has improved immensely. Since the first show the business has grown significantly from being a small independent company to what could be in 2016 a very big independent company.
Pro Evolution Wrestling runs many of it’s events at the Wotton Hall Club in Gloucester which are always fully attended by it’s hardcore fanbase. They also promote shows in the Worcestershire and Bristol areas where again the events are high in attendance with fans eager to support a growing organisation. PEW offers a great blend of family entertainment, excitement and thrilling action from an array of local and international stars. Personally I was given the time to sit down and talk with several of the companies wrestlers, from the Gloucester born Justin ‘Hammer’ Sysum, the very colourful Chuck Mambo and former NXT star Joel Redman.
For a business,that can in some circles, still be quite heavily protected, PEW came across as a company willing to give me the time to ask my questions and understand the wrestling from a different perspective. I have grown up watching WWF/E and I have enjoyed it no end. There are countless matches and PPV’s that I have fond memories of, however Pro Evo offers something different. When you are there you immediately feel part of the show, the intimate venue adds to the atmosphere and I found that there was a really good feeling from everyone within the PEW crew, they all want it to succeed.
Rob also runs a wrestling school in the city throughout the week, open certain nights to new talent and then already polished talent. It offers young and upcoming individuals the opportunity to learn the craft of wrestling in the ring and also to find a character outside the ring through working with veteran talent. They also have the chance to cut promos and find out what works for them. I was impressed by the opportunities the school provides and also the time and dedication given by Rob to nurture talent and help them succeed in the wrestling industry. From my time spent with the company I got the distinct impression that PEW is more about helping talent to progress than making a large profit.
The event I attended on 5th December featured local talent as well as internationally recognised superstars, I was most impressed by @ChuckMambo, @Chardonnay_pro and @MattRidler, all three are PEW home grown talent and are suitably making their mark on the British wrestling scene. The main event was between another local wrestler Justin Sysum @HammerSysum and internationally known ex WWE/NXT star Joel Redman (formerly Oliver Grey) who was before the main event Pro Evo’s Heavyweight champion. In what was a thrilling back and forth match featuring near falls and hard hitting action, Justin managed to defeat Joel in a hotly contested match. This was one of the best matches I have seen in a very long time, both men pulled out all the stops to put on the best show possible and they succeeded with a five star match.
The following day, 6th December, I attended Pro Evo’s academy show with talent ranging from the ages of 14 upwards, even at this level the wrestling exciting and fun. What the very young talent lacked in skill they made up for with charisma and confidence, character wise they had it covered. The older academy pupils came across as very polished individuals with confidence and skill in the ring. Nikki Taylor @nikkitaylor20 who also wrestled on the Saturday was a standout, mixing wild brawling styles with a very energetic ring style she came across very well. Nikki also happens to be the manager of The Renegades @TheRenegades91 battled the very charismatic The Fever @th3_Fever , who came to the ring dancing, think Tyler Breeze & The Young Bucks and that’s Fever. Also performing on the academy show was young talent the ‘Riddler’ Matt Ridler, who seems to be set for a career in professional wrestling. His character, ring style and skill are already very polished, he showcased that on Saturday night as well.
The weekend spent with Pro Evolution Wrestling was exciting and fun, every one I met was very sincere and happy to talk. The production values, although not the standard we all see when we turn on Sky Sports was very impressive, I really feel PEW is going places, there is a feeling around all the talent and the promoter. Pro Evo has a few trial shows set to round off the year but they will next be returning to Wotton Hall, Gloucester in February 2016. Then on March 12th 2016 Pro Evolution Wrestling will be holding their biggest show to date at the GL1 Leisure Centre in Gloucester City centre. This will their largest venue to date and they hope to sell it out well in advance. A match that’s already been confirmed for the show is New PEW champion Justin Sysum defending the title against UK born TNA wrestling star Bram, they have a history and this will be another battle in what has been a very personal feud. And of course I will be there live to witness it.
My first experience with Pro Evo Wrestling was an awesome one, my idea to get involved with a local company couldn’t have gone any better. My thanks go out to Rob, the talent and everyone involved for their warm welcome and hospitality over the weekend. It truly was a pro experience.
If you would like to know more about Pro Evolution Wrestling check out their site proevowrestling.com, @ProEvoWrestling on Twitter and their Facebook & Instagram accounts.
I will be attending future Pro Evo shows so for any further information please don’t hesitate to contact me, and if you live in the Gloucester, Worcester or Bristol area’s please attend and give your support.
@ciaran_1986
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