Wrestling Media Con 2018: One Fantastic Wrestling Weekend

September 15, 2018

Wrestling Media Con 2018: One Fantastic Wrestling Weekend

Anything you want to share about Wresting Media Con 2018? Use the hashtag #WrestlingMediaCon, tweet @WrestlingMediaC or share it with me @Walu2go on Twitter.

Here is my Media Con Experience:

Day I:

After a somewhat rough travel to England, I thought I'd be running late for the opening at Saturday, but I made it in time, thank god.
The first and only wrestler I saw at the airport was Rich Swan (@GottaGetSwann). I was right next to him, but to afraid to to talk to him, thought this would be the only time I'd come this close to a wrestler this weekend. Boy was I wrong! The best things are still to come.

In the queue at the Bowlers Exhibition Center the first member of the Swaft Nation, let's call him Metal Bear, already recognized me. Absolutely flattering. Further down the queue and a wild Luke Owen walked past me and recognized me. That was super nice. Not far from the welcome booth was the WrestleTalk Stand, i could already see the guys from the far. I don't have to tell you guys that i lost all focus for the lovely people who gave us the wrist-bands and slams. I needed to go to that booth asap. Everyone was there, the WrestleTalk Writers Andy Datson (@hornsblogle), Liam Winnard (@LiamTheShebang), James Dixon (@JDixonWriter), Pete (@RhyQuinn), Josh, Oli Davis (@OliDavis), Laurie Blake (@ElFakidor) and Luke Owen (@ThisisLukeOwen). Just the entire crew. I was so happy to meet them. So so happy. actually the main reason i did this trip.

From the left: Luke Owen, Laurie Blake, one lucky guy, Oli Davis

With the main goal of my trip already done i felt a huge relief. I did not realise that it is that easy to meet people at Wrestling Media Con. It all was a very friendly atmosphere and the WrestleTalk was the friendliest of them them all, of course. I am not used to so many nice people at one place!

While waiting in the queue i also met a new Wrestling Friend! I fear to spell your name wrong, so i just refer to you as 'DX'. It was super nice meeting you, hopefully you will find your way online soon so we can exhange photos from Media Con!

From there on out my memory can't recall the right order of events, because there was so much to do.
There first thing we watched must have been two legends doing an interview: Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) and Pat Patterson.

Dave Meltzer and Pat Patterson

What was the super funny Botch-A-Memia event with @WrestlingMemes and Maffew from BotchaMania (@maffewgregg). A very funny show hosted by two very funny lads full of simpsons clips and several occasions where we would have had to send for the man, because everyone was corpsing.

Next on was the Indie Darlings 2: UK Boogloo hosted by Brian Zane (@zmanbrianzane), also featuring Luke and Oli from WrestleTalk , Adam Pacitti (@adampacitti) and Maffew again.
A great panel which was done by fans for fans. I was a great insight into their perspective of things in the wrestling world. Could have been longer, actually.

From the left: Luke Owen, Oli Davis, Brian Zane, Adam Pacitti and Maffew Gregg

What followed was something i didn't thought it would turn out this good, but it did. The NWA Ten Pounnds of Gold Live was really special. It told you how the NWA planed it's revival. Kenny McIntosh (@KennyMc1985) was able the generate a highly interesting interview segment with former NWA Champion Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) and NWA official David Lagana (@Lagana).
Later on WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett (@RealJeffJarrett) joined the panel and British Wrestling Legend Doug Williams (@DougWilliamsUK) challenged Nick Aldis for one more match on Sunday.

From the left: Kenny McIntosh, Jeff Jarrett, Doug Williams, Nick Aldis, David Lagana

I was thrilled for the next task at hand: After watching some Defiant and NGW matches, i was welcomed by the Stars of WOS Wrestling (@WOSWrestling). I had a lovely chat with Justin Sysum (@JustinSysum) about Germany and Wrestling general. He is going places, i'll tell you that. Then another great conversation with Nathan Cruz (@Nathan_Cruz90) about his turn to the dark side, before it was cut short by the venues band smashing some DX-music. Last on the list was the ever-present Joe Hendry (@joeshendry). Incredible to meet the guy who seems to wrestle for everyone. Before the two big events of the Media Con were about to start i was also able to meet Adam Pacitti, Ross Tweddell (@RossonRasslin) and your favourite's wrestler's favourite wrestler: David Starr (@TheProductDS) ! It was really nice meeting him and talking some WXW with him.

Rev Pro Presents: British J Cup 2018 (Night 1):

I have never seen that much great pro wrestling live. Every match was a burner.

Jushin Thunder Liger def. Kyle Fletcher to a huge ovation

El Phantasmo def. Bandido, who really looks like a younger Sabu in a mask

Rocky Romero def. Kip Sabian, Romero rocked the crowd

SHO def. Dean Allmark, to a huge reaction

Great O-Kharn def. Mark Davis (non tourney match)

David Starr def. Tiger Mask, because of course he did

KUSHIDA def. Chris Ridgeway, already looking like the favorite to win it all

YOH def. Ryusuke Taguchi, making all of Ropongi 3K advancing

Rich Swann def. Flamita, not to the delight of the crowd

Main Event Tag Team:
CCK (Chris Brookes & Jonathan Gresham) def. Ringkampf ) Timothy Thatcher & WALTER
What an awesome match. Gresham was introtuced to CHOP CITY by WALTER like no man's business. WOW

Ringkampf: Thatcher and WALTER

Wrestling MediaCon Hall of Fame 2018:
Hosted by Joe Hendry and SoCal Val (@SoCalValerie)By the time i had no battery left on my phone but i took some great memories with me.

Findlay Martin:
Editor and Founder of the now cloed PowerSlam magazine in the UK which helped a lot of fans get into wrestling in the 90s and early 2000s. never seen him before, but read his work and know his voice. Well deserved honor for the man who also contributes to the great WrestleTalk Magazine.

Martin Goldsmith:
He helped the british wrestling scene by walking into Vince McMahon's office to tell him that SummerSlam should come to the UK in 1992. A true legend, only outshined by his phenomenal jacket.

Colt Cabana:
It was awesome to have Colt here. Wrestler, Podcaster and Commentator for ROH Wrestling. Boom Boom! The trailblazer behind Podcasts in Wrestling was honored for his great contributes to the Hard-Hitting Podcast world. The Art of Wrestling Podcast was the first of it's kind.

Dave Meltzer:
Do i need to say anything? The godfather of Wrestling Journalism honored for his four decades helping this business big time with his billions of words written about wrestling. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is an institution and Dave Meltzer build the foundation for great wrestling journalism.

After that it was time for the aftershow celebration. Got to meet lovely people there. What a great first day, i thank everyone who talked to me. Looking foward to more great chats in the future.

Colt Cabana, Findlay Martin, me, Dave Meltzer and Martin Goldsmith

Day II:
After some british breakfast i got back to the BEC. Back again with the WrestleTalk Crew and meeeting people. Hanging out with Maffew Gregg from Botchamania at the Cultaholic Stand, getting called back to the WrestleTalk Stand by Laurie Blake and other fun stuff. Making more Moments then Vince McMahon on an entire WrestleMania Week. Ha!
Kenny Mcintosh hosting an Inside the Ropes with Dave Meltzer was the next stop. Very intersting, but i would have loved to ask questions.

Rev Pro Presents: British J Cup 2018 (Night 2):

El Phantasmo def. Jushin Thunder Liger, beating a legend? Beating last years winner? What is going on with ELP?

KUSHIDA def. David Starr, making himself the No.1 Contender to Starr's RevPro Cruiserweight Title and advancing to the finals

CCK and Chris Ridgeway def. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi and Dean Allmark (non tourney match)

Rich Swann def. YOH, the crowd hated that

Rocky Romero def. SHO in a war between friends, Romero came through

Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) def. Flamita & Bandido (non tourney match)

Ringkampf def. LAX (Impact Tag Team Champions, Santana & Ortiz) (non tourney match)

British J Cup finals:
4-Way Elimination Match:
Rocky Romero eliminated KUSHIDA
El Phantasmo eliminted Rocky Romera
El Phantsamo eliminated Rich Swann to win the 2018 British J Cup to a huge ovation.

El Phantasmo with the British J Cup

WrestleTalk vs. Cultaholic LIVE:

Highlight after Highlight! Let's go! First row for the moment we've all been waiting for.
The hype was real and the gentlemen delivered BIG TIME!
After sending some stuff to hell, they asked for the audience questions while Oli Davis and Adam Pacitti left to 'sign a contract'. before that Oli Davis handed over the jacket which was lost in battle to the Cultaholics.
I got to ask the teams about the Canadian Destroyer. 😨
But then....WONDER OLI and PACITTI DUST arrived. Alter Egos you shall not mess with.

From the left: Luke Owen, Laurie Blake, Oli Davis, Ross Tweddell, Adam Pacitti, Jack The Jobber (@JackTheJobber) and Sam Driver (@LessDefined)

After there was only one thing left to do. And by god was that something. The Dance Everyone wanted to see. To multiple sounds from wrestling and modern and past music, the WrestleTalk Trio delivered something so incredible even Japanese Wrestling Legend Jushin Thunder Liger jumped out of his seat. This was something super funny, but yet so good, i will never forget and i am sure no one who has seen it ever will.

SEGWAY! SEGWAY! SEGWAY!

I had to stay after the show to congratulate the guys after an incredible showing. I loved it. After that is was time for the Main Event of the Evening (channeling my inner Howard Finkel here) :

Impact Wrestling vs. The UK:

Rich Swann def. Trevor Lee and Matt Sydal in a very fine opener

Adam Maxted & Robbie X def. Lucas Steel and McCluskey

Su Yung def. Lana Austin, a great showing for young Lana here

Impact World Tag Team Championship: LAX def. Jody Fleisch & Johnny Storm, which could be the best match of the night

Joe Hendry def. Eli Drake, this match made the crowd go big time

Eddie Edwards & Justin Sysum def. Nathan Cruz & Moose in a brutal encounter

speaking of brutal...

Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Deathmatch: Sami Callihan def. Jimmy Havoc
Blood and Sweat everywhere. There was nothing fancy during this one. The best thing: Callihan pulled out the WrestleTalk Magazine and stapled it to Jimmy Havoc's head. SUPPORT WRESTLETALK!

Sami Callihan getting ready to staple someone

I loved watching this together with the WrestleTalk Crew and the fact that i was able to say good-bye to them after two days of having the best time i could ask for. I feel very blessed.
WrestlingMedia Con 2018 was a success! Boom!

Haven't seen enough yet? Here are some selfies of meeting awesome people: