Murphy’s Law states that “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” I was first introduced to this saying whilst on holiday as a teenager in Hanmer Springs, New Zealand and whilst staying in the bach (NZ vernacular for holiday home) seeing a poster depicting Murphy’s Law stating that “Murphy was an optimist.” I am sure he was.

Anyway, I am currently writing this column as I thought it would be fun to document life “on the road” for yours truly. I have been wrestling for six years and have competed for W3L, Showcase Wrestling, SSW and SWE. I have also travelled to various wrestling schools up and down the country, such as Johnny Moss’s school in Cumbria, Infinite Promotions gym in St Helens and The All Star Wrestling school in Birkenhead and shared car journeys with the likes of Tatanka, Doug Williams and Joe E Legend. I also like my music, and might mention that now and again.

The reason I quoted Murphy’s Law earlier was because whilst touring with W3L last week, I found myself quoting it a lot given the obstacles that we were required to overcome in order for the shows to run and to get to the next town. The first show was on a Thursday to be held at The Carnegie Leisure Centre in Dunfermline for W3L Championship Showdown. Things were looking good leading up to the show, generating lots of interest in the show and we were also outside the sold out Dunfermline Comic Con about the show, speaking to people who were there and seeing many tremendous costumes (tried to get in with a crisp high five, but to no avail, gutted).

However, whilst loading the van we use to transport the ring, merchandise, various other items et cetera, a part of the metal beams for the ring abruptly came clean off and panic mode was activated! Thankfully, Jason Reed, being the hometown lad for tonight’s show, was able to source a welder that managed to fix the problem and then it was off to venue. After navigating the van through the tight and bumpy parking of the leisure centre, it was all hands on deck and we managed to start on time after arriving an hour before the doors were due to be open. A valiant effort from those involved as everybody pulled together and worked well.

As for the show itself, yours truly had the night off and was still scarred by losing a Flag match to Mike Musso in the same venue last year, but the audience seemed to enjoy themselves, there was an insane queue for polaroids with Grado and there was some great matches that were very unique, from Grado wrestling British wrestling legend Blondie Barratt to a stretcher match featuring Nathan Reynolds vs Joe E Legend for the W3L Championship. You will be able to see these matches on W3L Championship Showdown, a special edition of their weekly YouTube show you can find on www.w3lnetwork.com.

Next time, yours truly will be documenting the tapings for W3L Wrestling Showdown the following night in Stirling. After the stress and events that preceded Championship Showdown, surely things can only get better?

– Lucian Maynard-Smith
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