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When we think of wrestling, one company always comes to mind, The WWE. They are the alpha and omega of the business. There are many fans however that seek an alternative to the WWE, for a number of reasons, ranging from dissatisfaction in the presentation of the characters, unhappiness toward the PG direction, or maybe just simply being burnt out for one reason or another. In the United States there are a number of other wrestling promotions, most famously TNA, and ROH, along with many other smaller companies. The issue with following these smaller companies is often finding their content, or committing to purchasing every live event DVD to keep up with them. Being a fan can take a lot of work sometimes.
Well, across the Atlantic Ocean, there is a wrestling company out there that is not only an alternative to the WWE, and other companies on the market; it is from a different planet altogether. Not only that, they are very easy to follow because all of their shows are available for stream in one place, for one price (explained below). Allow me to introduce to you ‘INSANE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING’ or I.C.W for short. Based out of Glasgow Scotland, ICW began as the smallest type of independent on the market, running shows out of Maryhill Community Central Halls. The earliest shows can be compared to the earliest ROH shows with crowds as little as 40-70 people, having only an amplifier for a sound system, being limited to in house lighting, and little to no production, ICW certainly started with humble beginnings.
For four years, the promotion ran an unstable schedule to say the least, attempting to find its footing in the U.K.’s struggling wrestling scene. In those four years, the company’s issues weren’t the quality of the shows, or even the characters they were presenting; it was surviving in a scene that seemed all but dead. However ICW was different than the other companies in their early shows, going beyond the simple babyface vs. heel formula by having a storyline introduced at the start the show, which would find resolution at the end of the shows. A simple philosophy that had people coming back the next time they would run another one.
But in the spring of 2010, the ball began to roll with an increase in shows, the introduction of a secondary championship, and ventures to markets outside of Glasgow. ICW had found its footing and identity, running shows that were 18+, and presenting a product that didn’t clutch onto past wrestling stars of WWE, or even the U.K. wrestling scene to sell tickets. Instead they made their name and developed their reputation by creating a product of in house made characters, and gimmicks unique anywhere in the world of professional wrestling (many of which will be detailed below). While the product reflected an influence of the days of ECW, and The Attitude Era, it developed a number of different antics that set it apart from the average company that would try to recreate that golden age in wrestling, and instead developed its own style that was fresh and unique.
ICW’s popularity and notoriety jumped leaps and bounds with a number of documentaries that aired on VICE, and the BBC in the U.K. market, spreading awareness to new audiences. The British Wrestler was the first, which used ICW as its main focus when documenting the lives of British wrestling stars, followed by their own exclusive documentary on the BBC, “Insane Fight Club”, which did so well it spawned a sequel. The publicity garnered by these shows lead to a huge increase in attendance, and growth of venues they would run in. The first Insane Fight Club documented the company’s road to selling out the ABC Glasgow, which they did successfully. It was followed by Insane Fight Club 2 which showed the return of Drew Galloway, the former Drew McIntyre in WWE (who was their very first champion back in 2006), and the road to selling out the world famous Barrowlands in Glasgow. They’ve come a long way since the days of their shows in Maryhill, and I truly hope you enjoy following them here on PWInsider going forward.
I cannot leave out ICW’s greatest trait, its loyal fan base. If you have watched the Monday Night Raw’s that have followed Wrestlemania, you have gotten a taste of the wild nature of U.K. crowds that love to sing, chant, and be involved in every aspect of the show. That is exactly what you see and hear at ICW shows. They sing their favorite wrestler’s theme songs, and they chant throughout every match on the card. Every last wrestler on the roster is over for one reason or another and the ICW fans make every match seem important with constant crowd participation. If you loved the ECW crowd’s of the late 90’s, the ICW crowds are a whole other beast from the same neighborhood. They make the shows that much more special.
Unlike the average Independent ICW has excellent camera work, filmed in HD, uses top notch lighting, they have a titantron that shows the action as it goes on, they have unique entrance music, and most importantly a resource to follow them show to show. ICW On Demand is a service that is similar to the WWE Network (and cheaper at the price tag of £5.99 a month), in which ICW posts all of their shows shortly after they take place. It is how I have been following them from New York, which is a long way from Glasgow. I recommend wrestling fans to support all wrestling, but I promise ICW is a company you won’t regret following and supporting, and going forward, you will be able to follow the action here on PWInsider.com. I am very excited to cover their shows, and hope that this helps wrestling fans find another alternative that they can cling to. ICW has many different factions, and characters that I’ll briefly explain to you to make following the coverage a little bit easier, and give a bit of a learning curve heading into reading their results show to show.
November 15th, 2015 is the company’s biggest show to date, sold out to a crowd of 5,000 people at the SECC, it is their version of ‘Wrestlemania’ called “Fear and Loathing”, and this year is the eighth annual show. There are MANY big matches, and Mick Foley will be a part of the show, resuming his role as the ‘Commissioner” for one night only. It will be available for streaming the following day, November 16th at 9PM via ICW On Demand.
The final card for Fear And Loathing VIII is as follows:
ICW World Heavyweight Title Match
Drew Galloway (c) vs. Grado
Big Damo vs. Jack Jester
Joe Coffey vs. Rhino
Six Man Tag Team Steel Cage Warfare
Legion (Michael Dante, Mikey Whiplash & Tommy End) vs. The New Age Kliq (BT Gunn, Chris Renfrew & Wolfgang)
To Determine the First ICW Women’s Champion
Kay Lee Ray vs. Nikki Storm
ICW Zero-G Championship
Stevie Boy (c) vs. Davey Boy
ICW Tag Team Championship
Polo Promotions (c) (Jackie Polo and Mark Coffey) Vs. The 55 (Sha Samuels and Kid Fite)
Joe Hendry, Kenny Williams, and Noam Dar vs. Doug Williams, Lionheart, and Liam Thompson
The Championships:
ICW World Heavyweight Championship: The top prize in ICW. It became a World Championship after Drew Galloway defended it in numerous countries and three continents in 2015. It is the ultimate achievement just as in all wrestling companies to hold the heavyweight championship. It is currently held by the inaugural champion Drew Galloway in his second reign.
ICW Zero-G Championship: Zero-G is short for Zero Gravity, and it serves as the secondary championship of ICW, akin to the Intercontinental Championship. It has been held by many high fliers which personify the name of the championship, but very different from a Cruiserweight title because it bears no weight limit, and the style is not defined by the belt, it is defined by the holder of the belt. It is currently held by NAK member Stevie Boy.
ICW Tag Team Championship: The top prize for the many factions and teams of ICW. It has been held by many future heavyweight champions, and main events a number of ICW shows. They are currently held by Polo Promotions members Jackie Polo and Mark Coffey.
ICW Women’s Championship: The newest championship that will debut at Fear and Loathing VIII to satisfy ICW’s ever growing women’s division. Kay Lee Ray will face Nikki Storm to determine the first Women’s Champion.
Square Go Briefcase: The hybrid of Money in the Bank and the Royal Rumble, 30-man battle royal, with a new entrant every 90 seconds, where the winner will receive a contract for an ICW Heavyweight Championship match at the time of their choosing over the next twelve months. It is currently held by NAK member Chris Renfrew.
The players:
***There are MANY more wrestlers in the promotion than those listed below, but these are some of the main ‘players’, the main guys that you will see show to show. This list was designed to help give you a bit of an understanding as to who you are watching if you are new to ICW. You will discover many new faces.***
Mark Dallas: The owner of ICW, the Vince McMahon of the operation so to speak, both on and off screen, the figure head of the company.
Billy Kirkwood: The voice of ICW, he has a unique style, and brings an excitement that is hard to match in any other company at the commentators table. He is known to swear behind the desk, but in ICW, that is not outside the norm. He has a background as a professional comedian, and brings that background to his work as a commentator.
The Black Label: ICW’s newest faction of real life best friends, and former ICW Champions.
Drew Galloway: The former Drew McIntyre in WWE, and the current ICW World Heavyweight Champion, who has been reborn inside of ICW. Known as “The new Phenom”, he was the company’s first champion before heading to the WWE in 2007, and made his triumphant return in the summer of 2014 as the top face. He would capture the Heavyweight Championship at Fear And Loathing VII in November, and go onto defend the championship around the globe, elevating it “World Championship” status. He turned heel this past summer, and started a faction with real life best friend Jack Jester, and ICW original Red Lightning to form “The Black Label”. He will be headlining Fear and Loathing VIII in two weeks, defending his championship against Grado.
Jack Jester: Known as “The Franchise”, he has been with ICW since the beginning, and has evolved many times throughout his time within the company. He held the heavyweight championship for a year, notably during the filming of both Insane Fight Club documentaries on BBC until losing it to Drew Galloway at Fear and Loathing last year. After some time off, he returned in 2015 and turned heel by joining forces with Galloway and Red Lightning in “The Black Label”. He will be facing Big Damo at Fear and Loathing VIII.
Red Lighting: The current G.M. of ICW, who is the on screen boss from show to show. He is a former ICW Heavyweight Champion, most notably during the filming of “The British Wrestler” on Vice. He has been with ICW since its first year, and has evolved from a comedy character to one of the top heels in the promotions history.
The NAK (The New Age Kliq): The Bullet Club if you will of ICW, they are the top heel faction in the company. Known as “Wrestling’s Waking Nightmare”, their catchphrase is “NAK ‘Til DEATH”. Recent feud with “The Legion” has been a game of on- ups-man-ship, what side can torture the other worst. They will battle The Legion in a Steel Cage Match at Fear And Loathing VIII.
Chris Renfrew: The leader of the NAK and the current holder of the Square Go Briefcase, Renfrew has been one of the main antagonists of ICW since its earliest days. He is known for writing all over his body, and is referred to as “The Sultan of Silent Hill”.
BT Gunn: Known as “The oddity”, he is one of the biggest stars in ICW history, BT Gunn has enjoyed two reigns as ICW World Heavyweight Champion, the first by winning the vacant championship when ICW transitioned itself into a full time schedule in 2010. He is also a former three time ICW Tag Team Champion.
WolfGang: An ICW original who has evolved many times throughout his ICW career. He was known for riding a motorcycle to the ring (similar to The Undertaker during the American Badass days) until he turned heel by joining The NAK at Barrowmania this year. He is a former Zero-G Champion.
Kay Lee Ray: The girlfriend of Stevie Boy, and all around ass kicker, Kay Lee Ray squares off with as many men as she does woman. She can be compared to a young Lita in terms of high flying ability, and daring attitude. Will challenge Nikki Storm at Fear and Loathing to determine the first ever ICW Women’s Champion. Recently battled Nia Jax on the October 25th edition of NXT.
Stevie Boy: The reigning Zero-G Champion, Stevie Boy joined the NAK by turning his back on long time partner and real life cousin Davey Boy earlier this year. Since joining the NAK, he has enjoyed major success as a singles wrestler.
Grado: For those that know Grado from TNA, it will be hard to explain just how popular he is in ICW. Well how about the fact that he is THE top babyface in the company. Coming out to Madonna’s Like a Prayer, which is sang in unison by the entire crowd (similar to the crowd singing Enter Sandman in ECW), he is the ultimate over achiever as a character, evolving from a purely comedic role, to that of a serious contender to the Heavyweight Championship, which he will fight for at Fear and Loathing VIII against Drew Galloway.
Joe Hendry: Known as “The Local Hero”, Joe Hendry brings comedy, surprise, and entertainment in the form of his songs that parody his opponents. You never know what short film or song Hendry will come out with next. Despite the hardcore nature of ICW, he does not swear or use weapons, and refers to himself in the third person.
Big Damo: “The Beast of Belfast”, and one of the fastest rising stars in ICW. Known for his agility despite his size, he is the full package, and has come very close to winning the heavyweight championship from champion Drew Galloway. With a finisher that translates to “Death is coming”, Big Damo is a wrestler that is feared in the ranks of heavyweight division. He will face Jack Jester at Fear and Loathing VIII.
Lewis Girvan: He refers to himself as “The greatest young wrestler in the world”, and certainly shines of greatness in the ring. In ICW’s hardcore environment, Lewis’ work shines in traditional wrestling matches as he climbs the ranks of the singles division.
Davey Boy: “The Buckfast Barbarian”, former tag team champion with Stevie Boy as part of “The Buckey Boys”, Davey Boy is quickly climbing the ranks of singles competition and will face his former partner for the Zero-G Championship at Fear and Loathing VIII.
Nikki Storm: She refers to herself as “The Best Wrestler in the Galaxy”, and displays a technical prowess in the ring, preferring to wrestle using a classic mat wrestling style. She will face Kay Lee Ray at Fear and Loathing VIII to determine the first ever ICW Women’s Champion.
Joe Coffey: Known as “The Iron Man of ICW”, and the fans hum the tune to Black Sabbath’s ironman as he enters the ring, Coffey is one of the most popular wrestlers in the company. “The King of the Urban Jungle”, he is known for his excellent mat work, and an innovator in the ring. He will face “The Man Beast”, NXT’s Rhino at Fear and Loathing VIII.
The Legion
Mikey Whiplash: Referred to as “The Necromancer”, Mikey is a former ICW World Heavyweight Champion, and the only man to hold the Heavyweight and Zero-G championships simultaneously. He is a known ‘Masochist’ who claims he sacrifices himself for the greater good, and his love for pain. Pains his face, and has wrestled in some of the bloodiest matches in ICW History.
Tommy End and Dante: The founding members of the Sumerian Death Squad, and former ICW Tag Team Champions, known for their remorseless tactics in the ring. Like Whiplash, have been involved in some of the craziest brawls in ICW History. Tommy End is a 10 year veteran, and world traveled. Collectively, the three of them will face Chris Renfrew, Wolfgang, and BT Gunn at Fear and Loathing VIII.
The 55
Kid Fite and Sha Samuels: The duo that will challenge Polo Promotions for the ICW Tag Team Championship at Fear and Loathing VIII. Sha Samuels is known as “The East End Butcher”. The 55 also consists of James R. Kennedy, and Martin Kirby.
Doug Williams: The newest member of The 55, known in the states for his work and success in TNA winning numerous championships, he is referred to as “The Ambassador of British Wrestling”. Joined the 55 with the mission statement that he would “Bring British wrestling back to the glory days of 40 years ago”
Polo Promotions:
Mark Coffey and Jackie Polo: The current Tag Team Champions, who have held the belts for over a year. They defeated Brian Kendrick and Paul London to win the championships, and are known for having Coach Trip in their corner to lead them, and give a different camera angle known as “The Coach Cam”. Mark is a former two time Zero-G Champion, while Jackie Polo is known for his big mouth, at times behind the commentary table. Polo Promotions also consists of Coach Trip and DCT.
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