Ultimate Championship Wrestling to return to Berwick with all-star line-up

By Kirk Starratt

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

On the heels of a highly successful “kick-off” tour in late July, Ultimate Championship Wrestling (UCW) has announced it will return to the historic Berwick Arena one more time this year.

UCW Promoter and President Chuck Martin says there have been some changes in promotional plans due to unforeseen circumstances, but there will be an all-star line-up on hand when the promotion returns to Berwick Saturday night, Sept. 20.

When the promotion ran its first show in Barrington Passage in July, it was announced by Martin that WWE legend the Honky Tonk Man - recognized as the longest reigning and greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time - would be allowed to choose any partner to square off against “Kowboy” Mike Hughes, a long-time Maritime main-eventer and a national TV star on The Fight Network, and “Lumber” Jack Johnson, in a tag-team match to crown the first UCW champion. Whoever scored the winning pin would become the champ.

However, Honky Tonk suffered a serious hand injury when his finger was nearly severed in a guitar-bashing contest with a fan at Boston Pizza in Charlottetown. This has prevented the championship match, originally scheduled for late September, from taking place.

Out of fairness to the fans and the wrestlers scheduled to compete for the championship, Martin said he now plans to hold the title contest in the spring, perhaps inside a steel cage, but the new championship belt will be displayed in Berwick.

Fans deserve another show

“There will be many matches and an all-star line-up with lots of talent,” Martin said. Because there was such a buzz surrounding the “Kick-Off Tour” in July, Martin said the fans deserve another show and it’s bound to increase anticipation for the 2009 spring tour.

One big name added to the line-up is Kingman, an international wrestling star and a national TV star on The Fight Network’s Wrestling Reality who also competes as Brody Steele. Titus will make his return to the promotion as well. The Maritime Menace will join the UCW ranks and “Lumber” Jack Johnson will return.

MainStream Wrestling Entertainment’s five-time Atlantic Canadian Champion “X-Ray” Kyle Kruze will debut for UCW in Berwick. “Commercial Free” Sexton Phoenix, Killer Bee, Chris Cook, “Hard-Nosed” Haggerty and The Rebel are scheduled to compete. “Captain” Kirk will return as ring announcer and Storm MacDonald is expected to serve as referee.

Martin said these and other stars will be on hand and he said they will put on an exceptional show. The doors are expected to open around 7 p.m. with the opening bell shortly after 7:30 p.m. Admission is payable at the door.

• It should be noted that the video that accompanies this story is of a graphic nature. All wrestlers appearing have years of highly specialized training and are performing in the spirit of entertaining fans, not in the spirit of violence or irresponsibility. Nothing shown here should be mimicked or re-enacted by anyone who is not a trained professional wrestler. Viewer discretion is advised.