IPW: UK were late to the party with their Mania weekend announcements but have put together a card with some of their own stars getting a chance to face some underrated North American talent. The headline match of Jimmy Havoc vs James Storm might entice people to go to the show but talent like Connor Mills, Rob Sharpe, Bobbi Tyler and more will get people talking.
6-Way Match: Connor Mills vs. Danny Duggan vs. OJMO vs. Cieran Donnelly vs. ??? vs. ???
Some of British Wrestling’s brightest young talents do battle. Connor Mills has already competed for the likes of PROGRESS and Fight Club: PRO already in his young career and has wrestled for most of the UK’s top indies. The OJMO was known for his team with Big T Justice but his part in PROGRESS’ Freedoms Road series reminded people of his entertaining skills. Duggan set out to revitalize his career in 2018 even spending time under Katsuyori Shibata and has started off 2018 with some impressive performances for Wrestle Gate Pro. 2018 could be the year Duggan makes his name in the UK. Donnelly has been a regular with IPW since 2014 and is most known for his tag team with Duggan where he was a 2-time IPW Tag Team Champion.
Rob Sharpe vs. Joe Gacy
An interesting clash here as EVOLVE tag team champion Joe Gacy takes on Frontline Openweight Champion Rob Sharpe. Sharpe is a former tag champion in IPW as a member of The Filthy Club alongside Jack Sexsmith who turned his back on Sharpe last year costing the duo the tag titles. Gacy has long been one of the most underrated talents on the US indie scene despite his years spent in Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) where he was a 2-time CZW World Champion and a 3-time Wired Champion. Gacy is a name on the rise and his spot in EVOLVE guarantees him a good spot in the US scene but Sharpe needs this.
Rob Lynch vs. Gino “Juicy” Gambino
Battle Tested Rob Lynch goes to battle with Juicy Gino Gambino. Gambino is most known for joining the Bullet Club and working the Australian indie scene. Lynch, like Gambino, is not a top tier star yet but can have good, hard-hitting matches. Lynch had the best part of his career as part of the London Riots in PROGRESS as part of The REGRESSION and being tag team champion. Despite both men being relatively young, there is 2 decades of experience in the ring in this match that is sure to be a war.
Title For Title: IPW Women’s Champion Bobbi Tyler vs. House of Glory Women’s Champion Sonya Strong
A possible show stealer here in this Title vs Title clash. Bobbi Tyler recently reclaimed the title from Sierra Loxton to kick off her second run as champion. Her time in Stardom clearly did her some good as she has come back to the UK in fine form. IPW is her main stomping ground but Tyler is also a part of the RevPro women’s championship scene. Tyler faces an Amazing Red trainee and the star of the HOG women’s division. Strong won the women’s title in August last year and has since defended it against the likes of Jordynne Grace, Kris Statlander and Kimber Lee. Strong has spent her entire 4 year career wrestling primarily for HOG and honing her abilities but she is now ready to take on one of the UK’s best and brightest.
Kip Sabian vs. Vaughn Vertigo
Former IPW World Champion and AEW signee Kip Sabian takes on a rising star in Vaughn Vertigo. Vertigo is 23 years old, but has already been wrestling for 6 years and has impressed everywhere he’s been so far. Vertigo is set to have a big future in Wrestling and an impressive showing over WrestleMania weekend could be the launch pad he needs. Vertigo’s opponent is someone that has already found that launch pad with his recent signing to AEW. Sabian has been featured on National Television in the UK as part of World Of Sport where he was a tag team champion and is a former IPWUK World Champion. Two young wrestlers will compete as both look to make the most of their opportunity.
No Rules Bar Room Brawl: “Cowboy” James Storm vs. Jimmy Havoc
Jimmy Havoc and James Storm are very different men, one thing that may unite them is the love of a good fight. James Storm is a man that shouldn’t need much of an introduction the TNA (now IMPACT) legend is a former TNA World Heavyweight champion, was a 7-time Tag team champion and was one of the companies longest serving talents before his eventual departure. Since his departure he has spent his time doing what he does best, drinking beers and kicking ass. One man who may enjoy both of those just as much is The King Of The Goths Jimmy Havoc. Havoc is a man that needs no introduction to fans of the UK independent wrestling scene as he ruled the scene for years while he was PROGRESS Champion. From 2013-2015 Havoc was PROGRESS Champion for 609 Days, IPW: UK Champion for 770 Days, Future Pro Wrestling Champion for 461 days and was one of the most feared and hated men in wrestling. Havoc took just as much pleasure being hurt as he did hurting others, something he proved by winning Tournament Of Death, and while he is on his way to AEW you can be sure he will want to leave a trail of broken bodies in his path.
