Ben Smith looks ahead to this weekend’s in-ring action in East London…
The ‘East End Butcher’ Sha Samuels has lauded Revolution Pro Wrestling for bringing in former Total Nonstop Action (TNA) champion Austin Aries ahead of their Uprising weekend.
‘A-Double’ was drafted in as a replacement for Ricochet after a scheduling conflict involving American promotion Lucha Underground forced the Dragon Gate star to pull out of the York Hall and Clapham Grand shows on the 18th and 19th of October respectively.
Rev Pro acted quickly following Ricochet’s withdrawal, and brought in TNA’s fifth Triple Crown champion. Aries will team up with Rich Swann at York Hall in Bethnal Green to take on brothers Jay and Patrick Sammon – ‘2 Unlimited’.
“RevPro have to be praised for finding such a world-class replacement for Ricochet at such short notice,” Sha Samuels told Rising East.
“I personally think it’s an even better addition to the show.”
Samuels himself will be involved in tag-team action alongside Terry Frazier and Josh Bodom. ‘The Revolutionists’ are up against the team of Kishi, Brian Christopher and Scotty 2 Hotty – who under the name ‘Too Cool’ became one of the most popular factions in WWF in 1999.
“While the fans might enjoy it, my goal is not getting [Kishi’s] big fat a**e shoved in my face. Apart from that I’m looking forward to it,” said Samuels.
Samuels – a butcher in Upton Park by trade – won’t have to travel far to the York Hall event on Saturday night. It’s a venue, and a city, that the 29-year-old is more than familiar with.
“York Hall is a famous fighting venue in the East End – it smells of history.
“Any chance to perform there is a privilege. Plus, with it being a London crowd, it’s an amazing experience.
“There is always passion from the [London] fans, so any time I get to wrestle there I look forward to it.”
RevPro have billed Saturday night’s show at York Hall as the biggest show in their history.
‘Party’ Marty Scurll will defend the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship against ‘The Guvnor’ Martin Stone – the first time two Brits have competed for the title at York Hall.
‘The Rainmaker’ Kazuchika Okada – victorious at the New Japan Cup in 2013, and twice a G1 Climax winner – faces Exeter’s Joel Redman, who worked in WWE under the name Oliver Grey until April.
Another former WWE talent Matt Sydal (formerly Evan Bourne) is in action, as he battles ‘The Aerial Assassin’ Will Ospreay.
A heavyweight war between ‘Machine Gun’ Karl Anderson and ‘Big Bad’ Dave Mastiff rounds off another impressive Revolution Pro Wrestling card.