Last night, Belfast-based promotion PWU debuted their new venue, The Europa Hotel, with a show worthy of the occasion. As the promotion was celebrating seven years of events throughout Northern Ireland, it was only fitting that they shift gears from the Holiday Inn, with a bigger venue that was sold out several days in advance.
For the occasion they also managed quite the coup, in procuring former WWE Intercontinental Champion, Drew Galloway for the main event. Having been on an attention catching rampage through independent wrestling since his WWE departure on June 12, Galloway’s presence lent PWU a big name for newcomers. Even better, it was also a rare opportunity for youngsters to meet one of the larger-than-life stars they’ve watched on TV, and to see him wrestle in a much closer, more personable atmosphere than they would experience at a WWE house show.
In the main event of the evening then, JDP defended his PWU Championship against Galloway and fan-favourite Tucker, in a triple threat match.
Earlier on the show, PWU owner Terry T had been interrupted mid-promo by the champion, and his accomplice, retired grappler 101. JDP attempted to wriggle his way out of his defence, citing injury and limping on a crutch, before being confronted by Tucker. It was all a ruse of course, as the nefarious heel with the “Sky High BMI” attacked the challenger. Galloway made the save, to a thunderous reception from the faithful, before drilling Tucker himself. Clearly, this would be every man for himself, and the angle did a fine job of establishing Tucker as the heroic underdog, even in opposition to a star of Galloway’s standing.
The resulting bout was hugely entertaining, as all three put a real effort in, managing to grip the crowd from start to finish in a hot match. Obviously, Galloway’s experience really showed, and he looked excellent, but his opponents did not look out of place at all. The trio worked several impressive sequences, and cleverly managed to avoid many of the usual three-way pitfalls by remaining unpredictable. A Tucker Leap-Frog onto JDP’s back into a Huracanrana on Galloway was a particularly blistering moment. Galloway shined when the battle spilled to the outside, as he really tuned on the aggression, drilling Tucker into the apron. When it finally looked like Galloway would take the Gold following a crazy succession of finishers by all three, Tucker managed to score the pinfall on the champion for the title.
Afterwards, Galloway acknowledged Tucker’s victory in sportsmanly gesture while the new champion addressed the fans, to a standing ovation. The building was absolutely rocking throughout all of this.
The evenings’ other big attraction was the conclusion of PWU’s Platinum Ticket Tournament, in the shape of both Semi Finals, and the final.
