PIPPA L'VINN'S "RAW DEAL".

Live from The Wrestling Factory, Manchester, UK. Saturday 17 September 2011:
Show Report by Mark Lockey.
Referee: Billy Brakes
MC: Brett Linforth
Corner Men: Andy and Dave.
PA (Sound) Andy. Camera: Andrew.

An impressive 19 lady wrestlers graced the ring today. The superb audience turnout were treated to the biggest show ever and what an explosive event this was !
There was a European feel with wrestlers from Hungary and Sweden in addition to Scotland and England.

Pro. Style Match: 10 minute duration. Lisa Fury v Kay Lee Ray:   The atmosphere for this show seemed louder and more buoyant than usual and Lisa Fury's "bubbly" ring entrance enhanced the ambience furthermore. Her opponent: Kay Lee Ray, making her second appearance at the venue. Lisa attacked from the off, forcing Kay onto the ropes. The Liverpool lass certainly seemed to have a mean streak for this bout and was cautioned by the referee,early on. Kay, with her striking, beautiful red hair, replied with a hip toss and 2 drop kicks. Lisa, somewhat surprised at Kay's response, briefly left the ring. This was a cunning piece of strategy on Lisa's part as she took stock and came back at Kay fiercely. A 2 count followed in which Kay kicked out from. The match swayed evenly with Lisa exclaiming "The lady from Scotland's had enough" when she seeked to gain the advantage. This lively opener ended with a 3 count pin.

Pro. Style Match: 10 minute duration.April Davids v Carmel:   The ever popular April was up next as she faced another Scottish girl: Carmel. A brief verbal exchange between the two occured before they locked up. April criticising Carmel's make-up with Carmel forcing the ref to check April's nails. April opened up first with an arm lock, cleverly reversed by Carmel. The initial stages of the match contained a lot of upper body exchanges, mainly focusing on the arms. Carmel called for a "time-out". As in the previous match, she conserved her energy until she began her attack on April, choking her on the turnbuckle and using the ropes for leverage. Carmel applied a hip toss with a near pin finish before April kicked out for a 2 count. A superbly executed body slam on April confirmed that Carmel was coming back into the match. April retaliated with a kick to the mid section and she also had a 2 count in her favour after a great move, One hell of a contest concluded with a sleeper hold, putting one girl out for the 3 count.

Mat Based Contest: 15 minute duration. Shelby Beach v Tia   The blonde bombshell Shelby Beach was next up, making her first appearance of the day against show newcomer: Tia. This glamourous brunette hails from Hungary. The smiling European girl really looked to be enjoying her first ever contest at this venue. Shelby, equally at home in either mat based or pro.style combat, revelled in this friendly but competitive match. The lovely lady from Wigan established a 2-0 lead until Tia levelled up, coming back impressively; brilliant moves and counter holds were applied. Shelby took a 3-2 lead after a backbreaker hold. Each time Shelby gained a pin Tia responded with an equaliser. This sequence ran throughout the remainder of the match with incredible strength used by both.

Mat Based Contest: 10 minute duration. Axa v Roux   The second mat based match (in bikini's) of the day. Axa faced yet another new face to the show: Roux. Axa started strongly using an array of holds. Both girls were sizing each other up and testing their strength, with similar height and stature. Roux was stubborn and countered Axa's holds with fierce resistance. This was a refreshingly sporting contest, highlighted by an apology from Axa after she had caught Roux with an accidental kick to the head. The match concluded wth a 3-0 victory - a well fought and polite contest. Speaking to Roux backstage after the show I am pleased to report that she had suffered no bruising to her pretty face.

Pro. Style Tag Match: All Scottich encounter. Sarah and Shelly Star v Nikki Storm and Kirsty Love   Next up, Scotland was represented in full with a pro. style tag match. Sarah linked up with Shelly Star  - on her second show. Their opponents: Nikki Storm and Kirsty Love - making her debut at the factory. Sarah and Kirsty faced each other first. The former taking control with a series of arm bars. Kirsty responded with great counter holds and energetic moves and, then took advantage before both girls tagged in their respective allies. Shelly made the initial impact with Nikki replying with a clothes line and spectacular drop kick, resulting in a 2 count. Sarah - still in her corner - interfered with Nikki to prevent her from gaining momentum. There was then a succession of frequent tagging between all 4 girls culminating in a crotch-hold and body slam by Kirsty on Shelly. Sarah and Nikki then got into a dispute and both girls left the ring, chasing each other to the locker room area. A pin concluded this frantic, energetic match.

Mat Based Match: 15 minute duration. Viktoria v Lucy Clayden   Lucy, making another welcome return to the show and, looking gorgeous with her new hairstyle and lovely figure. She certainly had her work cut out in this bout against Viktoria, clad in her pink bikini. An interesting clash of styles made this a fascinating match. Whenever Viktoria appeared to be in trouble she responded with reflexing poses, twiddling her thumbs and adjusting her bra top.  Lucy reacted in a friendly, professional manner, continually smiling throughout. Both girls achieved early submisions.  Viktoria then secured an incredibly painful looking hold to take a 2-1 lead. The Hugarian continued to struggle...........with her top and briefly borrowed MC Brett's jacket to wrestle in ! The contest even developed a couple of pro. style moves near the end.  Viktoria advanced into a 4-3 lead with a standing scissors. Lucy, undeterred, came back stronger exclaiming " Now I'm in business"  when evening up the score at 4-4. A final pin with one girl fiercely trying to kick out concluded a narrow 5-4 victory in this very evenly fought contest.

Pro. Style Match: 10 min duration. Nikki Storm v Kirsty Love   Another all Scottish affair next, with prevous tag partners from Match 5 pitted against each other. Nikki did literally "storm" into the ring; very vocal, letting everyone know that "I'm in a very bad mood !". She flew at Kirsty and began furiously grinding her head into the canvas floor. Kirsty responded with a great takedown. Nikki's volatile mood continued with an eye rake on her opponent. Kirsty - making a most impressive debut today - certainly caught the eye with her speed and dexterity; definitely one to watch for the future. The keen eyed ones in the crowd may also have noticed her outfit perfectly matched the lovely pink streaks in her hair - a very effective look. She applied 2 clothes lines in quick succession followed by a body slam. This keenly contested bout concluded with a questionable pin where the defeated lady accused the victor of pulling her trunks.

Mat Based Contest: 15 minute duration. April Davids v Antscha   April Davids returned for a mat based contest against the keen Hungarian: Antscha. Antscha sought out April's legs in an attempt to put her in severe pain. The leg holds she applied prompted April to shout out " I'm not a gymnast". The Hungarian continued to try and exert her authority...each hold being fiercely counteracted by Davids. April secured the first submission as Antscha tapped out. She then equalised after taking April down with a pro. style hip toss. The audience were noticably quieter when the mat based matches were on as, everyone appears to concentrate on how the moves will unfold. This fascinating, captivating encounter was very evenly matched with both girls scoring submissions off the other with no girl taking any clear advantage. April, in a lot of pain at one point again yelled out: " Why did I become a wrestler ? ". A closely fought 4-3 victory bought this match to its close on the 15 minute time limit.

Pro. Style Tag Match:  Pippa L'Vinn & Shelby Beach - "Red Hot Mama's" v Jordan E & Bacardi - " Mean Machines"   Pippa L'Vinn's first appearance of the day brought a rousing response from the crowd - many of us come along to witness this magnificent lady. For this bout she was ably assisted by her equally glamourous partner - Shelby Beach. Both ladies looked superb in their matching ring entrance robes and red leotards. Their opponents for this tag match: Jordan E and Bacardi - great to see both of these ladies back at the venue. Pippa took on Bacardi first and after a short burst of holds both tapped in their respective partners. Jordan tore into Shelby with a couple of impressive and painful looking arm bars with Shelby doing well to reverse them. It was clear from the off that Jordan & Bacardi were the "heels" in this bout - the referee needed eyes everywhere to ensure everything was kept in order inside (and outside) the ring. Frequent partner exchanges looked to be the way forward in this one, keeping each team on their toes and freshening up the attacks. Bacardi began to interfere from her tag position outside the ropes. Pippa then locked up with Bacardi; the show's host was on the receiving end of biting from her opponent whilst the referee was cleverly distracted by Jordan. Pippa and Shelby appeared frustrated at their conterparts' tactics as, they seemed unable to obtain a momentum and flow to the match with the mayhem that was unfolding. A classicly executed double roll-up finally decided this very lively encounter.

Mat Based Tag Match:Hungary v Europe. Antscha,Viktoria & Tia v Jenny Sjodin & Pippa L'Vinn   A handicap match followed with 3 girls v 2, pitting Hungary's finest three ladies up against Pippa from UK and Jenny from Sweden. Though, some of us would rightly argue whether the strength of Pippa and her partner Jenny could ever be at a disadvantage, such is the quality of their respective wrestling repertoire. The three Hungarians proudly paraded their flag in the ring before the start of the contest. Pippa wore an England track suit top with Jenny wearing her Swedish flag around her waist. Antscha took on Jenny first and almost immediatley the lovely Hungarian suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. Whilst Antsha's top was kindly re-aligned by Pippa, Viktoria took over. Jenny the well respected and determined performer gained the first pin of the match v Antscha. Tia then faced Pippa. Both lovely looking ladies locked up and threw their all into the battle. Pippa L'Vinn wearing a Wonder Woman bikini ! Though, unlike Lynda Carter from the TV series, Pippa does not need a magic belt to give her strength. As with the last match, frequent and swift tags kept the pace of this match at a very high standard. Even though Europe were, in effect, one lady light, one would not have realised due to the sheer professionalism both ladies displayed. A narrow 3-2 victory concluded the bout.

Pro. Style Match:  Jenny Sjodin v Lucy Clayden.   The next match featured 2 professional's at the very top of their game. A real purists treat to witness. Both girls though with differing styles are superb technical wrestlers. The match started as it continued throughout, at a frantic pace. Kicks were used in abundance by ladies and a full array of holds were displayed. Lucy launched a fore arm smash and kick...Jenny took the pain and reacted positively with a fierce leg hold on Lucy and soon acquired a 2 count. It grew ever harder to predict an outcome as each girl came back stronger whilst it appeared they may be faltering. An eventual submission brought to an end a superb evenly balanced contest.

Pro. Style Match:  Sarah v Lisa Fury   Another pro style bout next with two beautiful ladies returning. Sarah from Scotland faced the Liverpool lady, Lisa Fury. These two have faced each other before in the opening bout at "No Mercy in Manchester". This match had every potential to be as lively. Sarah applied 2 take downs in quick sucession. Lisa, on the back foot, soon rallied and brought herself back into the contest. After choking Sarah in the corner she started to use more conventonial holds and almost acquired a pin but had to be content with a 2 count. Sarah - keen to prevent any dominance from her rival - started to come back into match. Both girls locked up again, neither seemed to want to give any indications of being in trouble at any time. Lisa planted a slap to Sarah's chest that literally echoed around the venue - my god that must have hurt, judging by how loud it was ! The fiery match concluded with a roll-up: with the losing lady protesting that her costume was being unfairly pulled.

Mat Based Contest: Axa v Sophia Disgrace.   The penultimate contest of the afternoon featured Axa in a mat based submission match against newcomer: Sophia Disgrace. Axa may have looked to have the edge in the opening exchanges of this bout as she went into a 1-0 lead, via submission. Sophia, however, was having none of it and was proving very stubborn and not allowing Axa to dictate the match on her own terms. What started off as a friendly encounter took on a more sinister edge as both girls became increasingly frustrated with one another, including wild hair pulling. The rules that govern a mat based match soon appeared to go out of the window as a catfight ensued which threatened to really get out of hand. At the bell and as the "winning" wrestler took the plaudits of the crowd - the referee consulted MC Brett who announced that both girls were disqualifed !

Raw Deal Rumble:   Anything WWE can do, Pippa L'Vinn can emulate: A Money in the Bag Match ! A purse was suspended high above the ring, rumoured to be full of crisp unused English notes; to be kept by the lady who won this Rumble Match. The prize was certainly going to have to be earned though as no less than 11 girls in total entered the ring at regular 90 second intervals. Jordan E locked up with Shelly Star to start with: Strength v Spectacular......the girls were soon joined by Jordan's ally - Bacardi who both linked up and attacked Shelly. Carmel entered the action next, one would think to support her fellow country colleague but, to everyone's surprise she extended the onslaught previously started by Jordan and Bacardi. Fast and furious; it was difficult to focus on one aspect of the action as they were joined by Kirsty Love, followed by Sarah and then April Davids. Further entrants included Lisa Fury, Shelby Beach, Pippa L'Vinn and finally Jenny Sjodin. It was every girl for herself, as many as four or five different battles were going on, as time and again a wrestler would take her chance and leapt in vain to secure the prize  - all to no avail as the bag was stategically placed at a height none of them could reach on their own. Teamwork was the way forward in this and who would eventually link up with her ally to defy the odds and take the money ?

Summary:   An absolutely fantastic show with everything (and more) one could ask for - intense Mat Based action complemented by fast paced pro.style excitement. Some superb performances, including exciting, eye-catching debuts. Energy, confidence, movement, skill and desire - these shows certainly highlight the enormous potential that exists in ladies wrestling today.  A magnificent triumph for all who took part and especially to Pippa for arranging and hosting the biggest show yet at The Wrestling Factory. For those of us fortunate enough to have witnessed the action; we all felt priveleged just to have been there. For anyone who missed the show - do the next best thing and buy the DVD - you will not be disappointed ! A Special Thank You to Pippa and all of her team who work so hard to bring us such fabulous entertainment....  

Next Show :  Saturday 3 December 2011