by Big Baba Newue
This last June saw the Toronto Underground darlings venture outside the city for the first time as they held the 2nd annual Collar and Elbow Cup Tournament in Ajax Ontario.
The day was hot and so was the crowd, filled with kids and families, as they lapped up the action like thirsty dogs. A return to town in August at Yuk Yuk’s had even better bouts, but a far smaller crowd.
Poor logistics on the part of new VCW promotional partner D# Sports and Entertainment resulted in the show being booked on the same day local Durham Region wrestling league Pro Wrestling Eclipse ran.
With overlapping show times, the loyal Eclipse fans stayed true, but vocally unhappy.
With a low turn out to Yuk Yuk’s, plans for a second show were beginning to look less certain until VCW received a barrage of emails and messages from local Durham fans, begging to them to return and not double book.
Wether fan heartbreak and outcry was the reason for VCW’s return is not known but rumor has it that a local Ajax power player has stepped up and financed a Halloween themed show to take place in the Durham Region. With no set date or official comment from the VCW board, I wouldn’t be canceling any existing plans, but I’d get your make-up and elbow pads ready.
If the past is a good indicator, be prepared for an unorthodox experience.
Past VCW Halloween shows have featured tons of Zombies, Vampires and Monsters, along with crazy in ring action like the Lula Lounge Dog Collar Chain Match and guest competitors from neighboring leagues.
A look back at exactly what kind of guests VCW is known for bringing in, like Bushwhacker Luke, Doink the Clown and Indy darling, former NXT star and self proclaimed “Warlord of Weird” Sinn Bodhi, shows a penchant for booking the oddest of the odd in these situations.
Case in point, the 2013 VCW Halloween show hosted an Interpromotional streetfight with Etobicoke’s Deathproof Fight Club Wrestling. Fighting all over Lee’s Palace, Goliath Ayala defeated Deathproof mainstay and face painted freak, Warhed, in a bloody clash that saw tables smashed, tacks swallowed…. (Yes, TACKS swallowed) and brass knuckles used by the jive talkin Jew to end the contest in his usual style.
In addition, sightings of roster member Buck Gunderson, and former President and current board member Matt Garrett, back stage at CHIKARA PRO shows in Philly and New York respectively, have spurred rumors of collaborations between the two companies and many believe that the masked miscreants of CHIKARA will be involved in the 2015 Halloween offering from VCW.
Keep your ear to the ground for more info, but if all these rumors are true, expect an incredible show as VCW will be looking to not only keep the reputation its Halloween shows have gained, but also wow it’s new found Ajax fans, who seem to be chomping at the bit for another chance to come out and cheer!