Fight Forever: Phenomen, PRYZM, Birmingham - review

Rather than be a local promotion such as Fight Club: PRO or Kamikaze Pro-Wrestling, Fight Forever looks to run national tours, where they hold several events across the country over a long weekend.

The PRYZM was a unique setting for pro-wrestling with a large standing area on the floor being complemented by booths and a balcony standing area.

The main attraction had been the flying in of three American superstars; Flip Gordon, Cody Rhodes and his wife Brandi, who non-wrestling fans may recognise from the reality show WAGS Atlanta.

Unfortunately Cody Rhodes was recently injured, meaning he was unable to compete, despite being in attendance. We did however see Brandi defeat Brie Priestly.

The former World of Sport star took the result badly, attacking Coventry’s Millie McKenzie when she came out for the next match. McKenzie would however rally, managing to suplex the significantly larger Viper to win a fun if short three-way match also featuring Kay Lee Ray.

With the victory, McKenzie became the promotion’s first ever women’s champion. The men’s title would be decided in a unique way.

There would be a fifteen person Royal Rumble match, where a new participant would be added every two minutes. Once thirteen people had been eliminated by being thrown over the top rope, the final two pro-wrestlers would be able to climb a ladder to secure the title.

Convoluted rules aside, this was a fun match, featuring a wealth of talent from World of Sport and British independent promotions.

Wolverhampton resident El Phantasmo was a standout, managing to cling onto a booth after being thrown out of the ring, so stopping his feet from touching the ground.

He would then walk all over the metal railings on top of the booth, before jumping back in the ring. Unfortunately, he didn't make it to the final two, with former World of Sport Champion Rampage facing Flip Gordon.

Whereas Rampage is a heavyweight brawler, Gordon is a noted high-flyer, with superb balance. It was therefore no surprise that he was quickly able to grab the title, and become the new champion.

Overall the debut was a success. A particularly smart decision, was that with the knowledge it would be a work night for most people, Fight Forever kept to a fast pace. The show was around two hours long, with no intermission and finished just after 9pm. There was however an after-party for the hardcore fans and revellers, complete with guest appearances from former WWE official Bruce Pritchard.

Fight Forever returns to PRYZM on Thursday, January 24, with a special appearance from star of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and World of Sport, Will Ospreay. Tickets will be on sale shortly. For more information go to http://fightforeverwrestling.com/.

Review by Will Cooling