The FWA's current Head of Creative Direction and former multiple-time British Heavyweight Champion Alex Shane is the main guest on this week’s "Art of Wrestling" podcast. The podcast, which is hosted by Colt Cabana, is a worldwide smash getting between 30,000 and 40,000 listeners a week and has featured some of the top names in wrestling.

Covering everything from the FWA's creative direction and company ethos to Shane's beginning in the world of pro wrestling, the former "Showstealer", as always, pulls no punches and talks also about some of his most controversial non-wrestling views to date. Always a man to generate a stir, Shane exclusively told FWAUK.com "Myself and Colt go back almost ten years and it was a great honour to be asked to do the interview, particularly at a time when he is such hot property in the industry".

He continued "I have already had some great feedback from the interview, particularly from people overseas who are just hearing about the new FWA and myself for the first time so it's been a really tremendous thing to be involved with."

Cabana has been at the centre of much controversy recently after his name was heard around the world during CM Punk's history-making WWE promo in June. Of course, this continued and the fresh public link between Shane and Cabana will only add further fuel to the fire of speculation surrounding the two, coming off of the return edition of FWA Front Line. The episode implied that Shane and Cabana, along with Punk and the WWE itself, may have tighter links than have first been let on to the public. The episode was met with much uncertainty from insiders on the UK scene, and now the timing of this podcast could not be more controversial.

To listen to the podcast, or to see the first edition of FWA Front Line Season 2, go to the FWA's YouTube Channel now.

Day 1
The Bhangra Knights defeated the team of Max Angelus and Shane Oldham
Special Guest Ring Announcer – Jonny Storm - Xander Cooper defeated ‘The Wild Boar’ Mike Hitchman and Mark Andrews in a triple threat match.  After the match The Agenda (lead to the ring by The Ascension) sent a message to Nick Riley by using Mike Andrews as a “sacrifice”.
Joel Redman defeated Sha Samuels
Special Guest Ring Announcer – Jeremy Borash - Max Angelus defeated ‘The Bollywood Dream’ RJ Singh.
 
Day 2
RJ Singh defeated ‘The Wonderkid’ Jonny Storm, Shane Oldham and Xander Cooper in a 4 way dance
Max Angelus and ‘The Heavyweight House of Pain’ Stixx ended in a double disqualification.
Nick Riley and Johnny Phere defeated The Agenda (David Deville and Joel Redman).  The match was originally a 2 on 1 match up, however Phere came to the aid of Riley to even up the score.

Hot off the heels of their hugely successful bank holiday weekend in Thorpe Park, The Frontier Wresting Alliance return to the London MCM Expo this weekend for some of the most exhilarating action you’ll see anywhere in the UK and Europe.  This is your chance to see the stars of the FWA do battle, with names such as: “The Wonderkid” Jonny Storm; “The Heavyweight House of Pain” Stixx; “The Bollywood Dream” RJ Singh; Members of The Agenda and the young stars of FWA’s Adrenaline Division confirmed to appear. Matches are scheduled to take place at 12pm, 1:30pm and 3pm, so be sure not to miss out.
 
Also set to appear at the MCM Expo are the USA wrestling giant, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s own Jeremy Borash who will be at the event to promote TNA’s next UK Tour.
 
However, that’s not all. Lucha Future's own and one of the biggest names in Mexican wrestling, Cassandro will be on hand to meet and greet fans. Cassandro has been in the UK over the past 10 days making front page news and appearing on BBC television promoting the soon to be announced Lucha Future Wrestling UK tour.
 
Tickets for the Expo costs £10 for adults and £5 for children and can be purchased at the door of the Expo.
 
For more information and find out more about the FWA, its 10 business principles and to see over 200 free FWA wrestling videos visit www.fwauk.com

Full round up will be coming soon from the four action packed days at THORPE PARK, however FWAUK.com have a selection of images from the weekend thanks to our photographer Sarah Barraclough

With less than two weeks to go until the Frontier Wrestling Alliance makes its debut at THORPE PARK, FWA management has confirmed a trio of high-profile sponsors for the four-day spectacular at the nation’s Thrill Capital.

TNA Wrestling will continue its ever-evolving relationship with British wrestling by sponsoring the events.  Fresh from a successful European tour and a series of unforgettable fan events in London, TNA will be heavily featured at THORPE PARK – giving UK fans another reminder of the company’s support for our domestic industry.  With household names like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, The Hardy Boyz and Kurt Angle all a part of the TNA roster, it continues to enjoy a huge following in the UK and its involvement with the THORPE PARK shows is expected to draw thousands of wrestling fans to check out the FWA product.

The Daily Star is the events’ second sponsor, and has been a proud supporter of the FWA for many years.  It has printed features on the promotion on many occasions, and last year Daily Star journalist Patrick Lennon was at the heart of a major controversy within British wrestling when he was featured on a video claiming that hated faction The Agenda has allies in far higher places than previously realised.  Next Friday the FWA will be featured in a new Daily Star article, written by Lennon, previewing the much-anticipated THORPE PARK events.

Last but by no means least, Fighting Spirit Magazine is pleased to be sponsoring the FWA’s Easter weekend extravaganza.  FSM is the UK’s biggest wrestling magazine, providing unrivalled coverage of the British scene every month as well as features and reports on all the major happenings from WWE, TNA and around the wrestling world.  On sale at WH Smiths and other newsagents around the country, FSM has done as much as anyone to spread the word about the FWA in recent years and will be providing a full report on the THORPE PARK shows in an upcoming issue.

The announcement of these three sponsors will only add to the anticipation ahead of the shows, taking place from 22^nd to 25^th April at the nation’s Thrill Capital.  Experience some of Europe’s most extreme rides and attractions at THORPE PARK, from SAW - The Ride, the world’s most terrifying rollercoaster, to the ‘Unholy Trinity’ of Stealth, Colossus and Nemesis Inferno. New for 2011, climb aboard a life raft and get in a spin on Storm Surge, the ultimate sky-high spinning water ride featuring a jaw-dropping 64 foot spiralling descent.

For more information on the FWA’s shows at THORPE PARK, keep checking back to fwauk.com!

Pictures thanks to Tony Knox

Headed into the first weekend of Season Two, The Agenda clearly planned on crushing whatever was left of The Resistance and establishing total control over the FWA. For most of the weekend it looked as though they would do it too, as the three most persistent threats to their dominance were all neutralised.  But just when it seemed as though The Ascension and his cronies had achieved their goal, a new enemy came banging at the door and threw those best laid plans into total chaos… 

Ascension flees rather than face his Phere

It had been a very good weekend for The Ascension, whose divide-and-conquer strategy had proven to be brutally effective in wiping out the Resistance. At the start of New Frontiers, the Agenda interrupted proceedings to announce that one of their nemeses, East Londoner Sha Samuels was “stuck” in the capital and would not be attending the show – a claim which raised more than a few eyebrows among fans familiar with the group’s patchy relationship with the truth. In any case Samuels was indeed absent, but this did not prevent Alex Shane and his allies from demanding that Samuels’ partner Nick Riley emerge for a scheduled tag team match against Iestyn Rees and Joel Redman. For a few moments it seemed as though Riley would have to go it alone and face a certain beating, but then Leroy Kincaide exploded onto the scene, vowing that he would never leave a fellow member of the Resistance to fight alone.

Unfortunately for Kincaide, it was all a trap.  Even though he was able to win the ensuing tag match via disqualification, the Agenda seemed far more concerned with weakening the hip hop sensation prior to his scheduled match later in the day against the “newest member of the Agenda”. Rees and Redman unleashed three big boot-assisted German suplexes on the leader of the Resistance, leaving him with a damaged neck and only two hours to recover before his next match.

When Kincaide emerged for the main event of day one, he declared himself ready to face his mystery opponent – assumed to be royal footman and apprentice to the Ascension, David Deville. But the obnoxious newcomer emerged at ringside wearing a suit and a smug grin, having pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes: Kincaide would not be facing him at all, but a brand new recruit: a monster of a man called Colossus.

By the time the 6-foot-8, 25-stone behemoth had entered the ring it was clear that Leroy was in for an uphill battle. Colossus battered his popular opponent for much of the next few minutes, ruthlessly honing in on his victim’s injured neck. But showing the never-say-die attitude that has kept the Resistance cause alive for the past year, Kincaide fought back and took out his assailant with a spectacular spear.  The force of the impact was clearly jarring, and by the time Kincaide was able to make the pin his opponent had found enough wherewithal to grab the ring rope and force a break. Undeterred, the Resistance leader lined up another spear – but this time Colossus countered with a choke slam, knocking the final ounces of energy from his enemy’s body.  A few moments later, Kincaide had been locked in a tortuous neck vice, and soon passed out under its force.  On his debut match, Colossus had taken apart the Resistance’s most powerful weapon.

Still basking in the glory of a victory that seemed set to finally break what was left of the Resistance, Deville was more self-satisfied than ever when he emerged to defend the FWA World Heavyweight Championship on behalf of the group in Sunday’s main event. Ignoring the farcical fact that he had been crowned as “champion” despite having never wrestled a single match in the FWA, the Queen’s footman brought his Agenda pals to ringside for his battle against Nick Riley. This was clearly intended as the moment when the plucky final member of the Resistance was finally wiped out, clearing the way for Season Two to be conducted within the confines of the faction’s iron grip.  Riley was attacked before the bell by both Colossus and Shane, leaving him as easy pickings for the debuting apprentice.  Riley still mounted a brief fightback, but eventually succumbed to a top-rope frog splash and lay prone after the bell as Deville stood over him with one foot perched victoriously on his chest.  It was a final humiliation, and the apparent death knell for a rebellion that had been utterly overpowered.

Then all hell broke loose.

After a sudden commotion by a nearby fire exit, a deranged man forced his way into the Birmingham NEC and tried to leap over the crowd barrier at ringside.  After a few moments of confusion it quickly became clear who this was – Johnny Phere. The Psychotic Warrior, who has been embroiled in a bitter feud with Shane at the XWA in Morecambe, had promised on a YouTube video earlier in the week that he was going to confront his rival at the NEC.  Clearly, the Ascension had other plans and made a swift exit while Phere was still battling his way to the ring. With Deville and Colossus, he quickly left the building and was rushed away in a waiting car. Upon hearing this, Phere flew into a rage and assaulted numerous stewards and officials who tried to calm him down. In a final message before storming out of the venue by the same door through which he had broken in, Phere declared that he had arrived in the FWA – not to side with the Resistance nor the Agenda, but with a sole purpose: to destroy the Ascension. Regardless of his apparent intention to go it alone, this could hardly have been better news for fans around the country: just when it seemed as though the Agenda had decisively won the war for British wrestling’s soul, a man had arrived with such irresistible force that their destructive plan for our industry had been thrown from certainty to jeopardy in the blink of an eye…

Still no champion as Storm and Spud brawl through NEC

Whatever speculation there was in the build-up to New Frontiers about whether or not Rockstar Spud would be able to compete in the decisive match of the Flyweight Title Round Robin, it seems a fair bet that Jonny Storm had planned on adding to the fire.  After being dropped on his head by his nemesis at Hotwired in November 2009, Spud had suffered a year of neck problems and was eventually forced to pull out of the pair’s highly anticipated ladder match at European Uprising, in which Spud was due to try and win the rights to Storm’s “Wonderkid” moniker.

Since that night at the end of Season One, Storm has been adamant that his would-be successor as the nation’s number one flyweight is a “bottle job” who was using his alleged injury as an excuse not to compete in a match he knew he could not win. This all seemed to be part of a psychological assault on Spud from the wily veteran, and many fans thought it was having the desired effect: Spud did not wrestle for any promotion for the rest of 2010, nor during the first two months of 2011. Sensing he was onto a winner, Storm emerged in front of the NEC at the start of New Frontiers to challenge Spud to an instant fight, rather than waiting for their scheduled match the following day.  He received no response, and was instead interrupted by the Agenda.

It is therefore reasonable to say that there was some degree of doubt about Spud’s participation on Sunday too, when Storm again came to the ring and suggested that the two postpone their tournament match in favour of a brawl to settle their personal differences.  But the self-proclaimed “baby Jesus of British wrestling” soon arrived, and the fight was on.  The next few moments were chaotic, as the two men brawled on both sides of the steel barriers around the ring, fighting through the crowd and utilising anything they could grab as weapons to inflict pain on each other.  Eventually, with the NEC looking as though it had been struck by a tornado, the referee called for the bell and threw out the contest.  Still they didn’t care: another brawl broke out in the ring, and it took around a dozen officials to finally separate the two men.  Nothing had been resolved, but it was obvious to all who saw it that the flyweight title decider, whenever it does finally happen, will be one of the most intense matches in FWA history.

Cruz steals show with back-to-back flyweight victories

There’s an old saying that fortune favours the bold – and at New Frontiers it certainly seemed as though Nathan Cruz had taken that mantra to heart.  On day one, the brash youngster interrupted the opening moments of a grudge match between El Ligero and RJ Singh to declare himself as the nation’s premier flyweight, and to goad both men into allowing him entry into the match.  His plan worked, and soon enough Cruz was engaged in a high-tempo triple threat contest that many fans described as the highlight of the day.  In the closing moments El Ligero hit Singh with his trademark C4L finishing manoeuvre, but the opportunistic Cruz kicked both his opponents in the head before covering the “Bollywood Dream” for the 1-2-3.

Sensing he was on a roll, Cruz made another unannounced appearance in the ring the following day, this time demanding a one-on-one match with El Ligero so he could pin him too.  Incensed, Singh stormed into the arena to protest at being shoved aside so unceremoniously, but before he could make his case El Ligero hit the ring and accepted Cruz’s challenge.  The match was on, and Cruz again held his own – people were now sitting up and taking notice, fully aware that a second consecutive win must surely put him in line for a flyweight title shot once a new champion is crowned.  Eventually Singh could not resist the chance to distract his Mexican rival, but El Ligero retaliated moments later by diving onto him outside the ring.  It was a mistake – he had taken his eye off Cruz, and when he tried to re-enter the ring he suffered another kick in the head.  The high-flying luchador was counted out, and Cruz had stunned the world twice in two days.  Given the circumstances, it was hard or anyone to disagree with his analysis as he stole the microphone from the ring announcer after his arm had been raised: “Show Stolen.”

Adrenaline stars burn brighter than ever

The re-launched FWA Adrenaline division debuted at the NEC, with several of the most promising talents from the British Wrestling Coalition system wowing fans with their skills.  Under the new rules of the division, all competitors must be under 24 years of age, and all matches have a 10-minute time limit.  With such a short time to claim victory, offence is clearly the best form of defence, and so it proved in two exhilarating matches to start each day’s proceedings.  On day one, Axl Rage and BWC Scarlo Scholarship holder Xander Cooper defeated Shane Oldham and Zack “Diamond” Gibson in tag team action, courtesy of a Cooper roll-up on Oldham.  Fortunately for the former Daredevil Dragon, he was more fortunate the following day, as he was able to beat fellow Nottingham native “Textbook” Dave Breaks in singles competition.

FWA heads to the nation’s thrill capital this Easter

The next time the FWA is live will be at the nation’s thrill capital, THORPE PARK in Surrey, for a four-day extravaganza of wrestling action over Easter weekend, 22nd to 25th April.  For more information and all of the fallout from New Frontiers, be sure to keep checking back to www.fwauk.com…

Top actors’ union Equity has unanimously approved a motion allowing professional wrestlers to become members.

The news follows a recent collaboration between the Old Vic Theatre and top UK wrestling promotion the Frontier Wrestling Alliance (FWA), which has been battling for years to achieve mainstream recognition for its talented roster of performers.

The wild and wacky world of professional wrestling has traditionally been viewed by the mainstream as a bit of a joke. The muscle-bound American panto we see every week on Sky TV and the fat "Big Daddy" types we used to watch on ITV World of Sport have created a stigma that has been hard for the current generation of British wrestlers to overcome. But thanks to the ground breaking ruling by Equity, that could all be about to change.

Formed in 1930 by a group of performers in London’s West End, Equity looks after the rights of its members across the whole range of professional entertainment - including actors, singers, dancers, choreographers, stage managers, theatre directors and designers, variety and circus artists, television and radio presenters, walk-on and supporting artists, stunt performers and directors, and theatre fight directors.

However, pro wrestlers have never been members until now. This is largely because the pro wrestling industry was hidden under a cloud of mystery for many decades, with promoters pretending wrestling was a "real sport" rather than staged entertainment where the results of the "fights" are determined beforehand. They hoped that if punters thought the action was real, shows would attract more fans and sell more tickets.

This stubborn refusal to reveal pro wrestling's secrets made it tough for the establishment to take wrestling seriously, to define its true nature and realise that in reality, it should be part of the arts and entertainment genre.

The FWA is different. It argues that wrestling deserves respect and recognition for what it really is: a form of highly-skilled and extremely physical performance theatre which is often unscripted and improvised. In line with this approach, the promotion recently staged an event in central London supported by the Old Vic Theatre in London, whose artistic director is Hollywood ace Kevin Spacey. Wrestling and theatre fans mingled in the crowd together to create an amazing atmosphere, standing side-by-side to suspend disbelief and enjoy the twists and turns of the action, just as they would for a play, a movie or a soap opera.

Shakka Bunsie, head of digital media at the Old Vic, said: "British wrestling brought in a truly diverse audience to our “Coming Up” festival, with wrestling fans and theatre lovers cheering and heckling the performers together. The FWA has successfully demonstrated that a well-run and produced wrestling event is definitely total theatre."

Shortly following wrestling's début in the heart of London's theatre land, Equity bosses met on March 22 to pass their judgement on the spandex-wearing stars. The Equity Council agreed that pro wrestlers should be recognised as fulfilling the criteria for membership of their organisation.

Now the FWA has paved the way for the future of the British wrestling industry and created a level playing field for its performers to have the same rights as their counterparts in television, movies and theatre. This is an unprecedented step – even in the United States, professional wrestlers have never been members of a trade union. Many observers have argued that this lack of collective bargaining power has contributed to poor working conditions and the astonishingly high rate of premature deaths in the wrestling world.

Alex Shane is the founder of the BWC, a British Wrestling Coalition that has worked alongside members of Equity to get this ruling passed. "It is a tremendous day for our industry," he said. "Ours is an industry that was once a national institution watched by millions every Saturday and attended by the Royal family. It is about time British wrestlers were given the same respect for what they do as actors and stuntmen, because we are both of those things in many senses. The Equity decision allows us to get well and truly on our way to achieving a new golden age of television wrestling here in the UK once more. The US industry is worth billions and there is no reason why our own could not be too, as the FWA's recent mainstream attention has proven."

As one half of JK and Joel he has broadcast to millions on BBC Radio 1, Absolute Radio, and local stations across the country.  He is a star of children’s television, and as co-host of The Sun newspaper’s WrestleCast he was the man who broke the news of John Cena’s real opinion about The Rock.  Now, one of the most high profile wrestling fans in the UK is coming to the Frontier Wrestling Alliance, as Joel Ross makes his debut as a colour commentator today at New Frontiers.

This surprise news was revealed by regular colour commentator and new FWA Head of Content Greg Lambert early on Thursday.  Lambert will be giving up his seat behind the announce desk on Sunday, leaving Ross to team up with Dave Bradshaw for the second half of this weekend’s opener to Season Two.

“I have no idea why Greg Lambert is voluntarily giving up an opportunity to hear the sound of his own voice,” Bradshaw told FWAUK.com this lunchtime.  “Nor do I know how Joel Ross has come to be involved with the FWA.  It all seems very odd to me, but in any case I’d like to welcome Joel to the team – hopefully he’ll put less of a dampener on my Sunday afternoon plans than Greg would have…”

Stay tuned to FWAUK.com for all the fallout from day two of New Frontiers 2011.

FWAUK.com have just received the following videos from wrestlers hoping to make an impact for the FWA this weekend at Birmingham Memorabilia as the FWA gears up for the start of Season 2. Johnny Phere has a message to the FWA roster, the wrestler, from the XWA posted the following on the XWA YouTube channel.

Not to be outdone, "The Showstealer" Nathan Cruz had the following to say to the wrestlers of the FWA, and why he proclaims he is the future of British Wrestling:

Keep tuned to the website this weekend for all the latest news and all of the fall out coming out of the Memorabilia at the NEC!

The Frontier Wrestling Alliance is proud to announce that it will be making its debut at THORPE PARK with four days of live action at the Park over the course of Easter weekend. 

Experience some of Europe’s most extreme rides and attractions at THORPE PARK, the nation’s Thrill Capital, from SAW - The Ride, the world’s most terrifying rollercoaster, to the ‘Unholy Trinity’ of Stealth, Colossus and Nemesis Inferno. New for 2011, climb aboard a life raft and get in a spin on Storm Surge, the ultimate sky-high spinning water ride featuring a jaw-dropping 64 foot spiralling descent.

An alliance between the two organisations seems like a perfect fit: the FWA is one of the UK’s most up-and-coming entertainment brands, with a rapidly growing fan-base and some of the most exciting wrestling in the world.  Its second season kicked off with New Frontiers, an action-packed two-day show at the Birmingham NEC.  The THORPE PARK shows will take place on 22nd to 25th April.

“We are delighted to be working with THORPE PARK , and bringing the FWA to thousands of thrill-seekers on one of their busiest weekends of the year,” said Tony Simpson, managing director of the Frontier Wrestling Alliance. “This is another leap towards our goal of bringing British wrestling back into the mainstream, and we know that all the people who see us during Easter will be gripped by the action we bring them.”

It is indeed an exciting time to be a British wrestling fan, with more big news coming soon when the FWA is expected to address the rumours about a regular central London home for the promotion.  Meanwhile, the British Wrestling Coalition as just announced the ground-breaking announcement that the UK's leading performing arts union, Equity, will now accept British professional wrestlers as member. Some say this represents the biggest political change in the industry in over 30 years.

Be sure to check back to FWAUK.com next week for more on both of those stories, and in the meantime make your plans now to visit THORPE PARK (www.thorpepark.co.uk) for an unforgettable long weekend of wrestling this Easter at the nation’s Thrill Capital.