World of Sport returns
 

So did anyone else see it?

I thought it was a pretty descent attempt, having Jim Ross involved gave it a great deal of credibility although I felt Alex Shane's commentary was a waste of time - I'm not a fan of his and have never really 'got' him.

The production was obviously very 'Raw' which isn't a bad thing but I didn't think having the first 2 guys out cut a promo each was a good idea. Also the ladder match was ok but had no build-up which I feel is generally essential for stipulation matches like that. Mr Beesley the "General Manager" was a bit of a personality vacuum to me, that sort of on-air authority role could work but needs to be someone a bit edgier and ballsy.

Still, some good workers on there and having reffed matches for Dave Mastiff, Ashton Smith and El Ligero in the past I knew they'd do well. I've never really seen the appeal of Grado but the crowd seemed to love him, especially the kids. Potential for ££££ there.

I loved the references to the WoS veterans too, very classy.

Apparently ITV is waiting on viewer feedback before deciding on its future, I'm hearing there were 1.25m watching which is pretty good given it was NYE but they'll want to know they'll be loyal viewers. ITV will want to get the format right and it'll be interesting to see if they can build enough momentum and storylines to sustain a weekly or similar regular show especially now with the upcoming competition of the WWE-UK championship. Apparently about 2000 people were turned away at the capacity show so it look promising.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

Rachel was ok :D

Seemed a bit to WWE for my liking..

Re: World of Sport returns
 

I missed it but will look on catch up for it.

Good to see you're still about Russ, hope you had a good Christmas and new year.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

Have it recorded to watch, with JR involved I would certainly be a long term viewer as I miss him badly in WWE. Indeed, I cannot remember the last time I watched a WWE event. Probably WrestleMania XXXII

Re: World of Sport returns
 

l have recorded it so l will give my opinion on it in time.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

No Big Daddy or Giant Haystacks or Dickie Davis. Very disappointing. I once stood next to Dickie in a urinal, he wasn't very talkative, interesting that.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

Come on Mr K you have to remember that was a bygone era which is very hard to replicate in the modern world.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

Unfortunately many of the stars from the original WoS wrestling have passed on:

Big Daddy (Shirley Crabtree) from a stroke in 1997 aged 67
Giant Haystacks (Martin Ruane) 1998 cancer aged 51.
The British Bulldog (Daveboy Smith) 2002 heart attack aged 39.

However Johnny Saint, 75 (so agile!), Mick McManus, Rollerball Rocco, 65 and Kendo Nagasaki, 75 are still with us.

I liked the original show because as the BBC had vacuumed up the rights to major events WoS had to be more inventive on what they could cover and we'd occasionally get some banger racing and other minority sports.

It'll be interesting to see of they can make this work.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

Just wish they wouldn't call this type of wrestling 'sport'. It obviously isn't.
Scripted entertainment yes , and if people enjoy it, fair enough; but don't put it on sports channels/programmes.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

It's as much a "sport" as rhythmic gymnastics. :erm:

Re: World of Sport returns
 

Nope it's not.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

I used to love watching the wrestling on ITV as a kid, and then later WWE, but I thought this started off poorly, almost a cheap imitation of WWE, but that may have been because I'm not familiar with any of the UK names.

However, after the first match, I started to quite enjoy it. the tag team match was good, as was the match with the "Mexican" wrestler, the ladder match was fun, and the last 2 matches were pantomime predictable wrestling at its best/worst :)

I remember years ago friends poking fun at me for liking it, and couldn't see the irony that they'd then watch a Jackie Chan film ;) yes, it's stage managed, semi scripted, sports entertainment, but there's no denying these ppl have a lot of dedication, strength, talent, and athleticism.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

I don't know anyone who calls it a sport. It's sports entertainment but not a sport although the guys need to be athletes in order to perform well.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

Actors or stuntmen or steroid abusers might be better terms than 'athletes'.

Re: World of Sport returns
 

I don't and won't pretend to know everything about this but I've been involved in the UK independent pro wrestling scene for 11 years and I can honestly say about 95%+ of the guys are in athletic shape and condition. How could they not be? To put on a 10-15 minute (and sometimes longer) match often with a heavier opponent demands athletic fitness.

Actors? I doubt anyone in the business would disagree with that.

Stuntmen? That's a pretty good description although wrestlers don't get the chance to stop the match and re-try a spot several times until they get it right then have a rest while someone else carries on for them.

Steroid abusers? I'd be careful coming out with that accusation if you're ever around any of the guys. I'm pretty certain many are but to tar them all (or even the majority) with that? Absolutely incorrect.