James Milin-Ashmore reviews the latest episode of British Boot Camp 2. York Hall was the location as the last 16 contestants were whittled down to just six. It was time for the first of the live shows, but who would make it through? (Apart from Grado, obviously.)
16 contestants, and only six places. It was always going to be heartbreak for some. Luckily, years of reality TV has desensitised me to televised despair, but it was harsh on the ones left behind, as most were pretty talented.
The first match pitted Noam Dar against El Ligero in a solid, if unspectacular encounter, with a few moments that were surprisingly sloppy. Both were promptly sent home, highlighting just how high the bar is.
I was really looking forward to the second, a tag-team bout featuring Joel Redman and Martin Stone v Richard Parliament and RJ Singh. It didn’t disappoint, with RJ Singh the pick of the bunch, showing his technical abilities with a sublime moonsault. Nonetheless, they were all sent home by the judges.
Then came the fatal four-way featuring the Owens twins, Kay Lee Ray and Nikki Storm. This was by far the best match of the first three. It had humour and hard-hitting moves, but Kay Lee stole the show with her aerial ability. She was the only one put through, after the twins were (strangely) separated, only to be sent home individually.
Mark Andrews v Kris Travis was the one I wasn’t too sure about, but they definitely proved me wrong, as both showed their skills during this match. Andrews’ standing shooting-star press was very impressive, and they sold each other’s moves professionally throughout. Both were put through, but Travis later pulled out [editorial note: due to serious illness], so Noam Dar was drafted in as his replacement to go to the US.
Rampage Brown v Dave Mastiff. Mastiff is probably my favourite of the last 16, but Rampage also worked hard as both men put on a great display. Rampage also managed to get through a mic segment in the ring. It wasn’t the best, but it was passable, and far better than his mutterings from the first round. Both were duly put through, both deserved it.
The final bout pitched Grado against the East End’s Sha Samuels in a grudge match, but despite the hype, (and feeling like the main card) it wasn’t too different from their mini-bout from last week. With one spot up for grabs, it was only going to go one way, and Samuels was sent packing.
Sure, Grado might’ve had an easy ride along the way, but he still deserves to be in the final six. His intro (to Madonna’s Like a Prayer) was probably the most entertaining part of the entire show.
The final six are a talented bunch representing some of the best that Britain has to offer, and the competition is really starting to heat up. Mastiff is my early pick to win, but it’s still too early to call.
All in all, it was great to see them finally wrestle.