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Column #1 |
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Monday, 06 February 2006 |
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Hi dudes its Charlie Rage here to fill you guys in on what happened at the November WWE UK try-outs in Manchester Myself and 14 other British wrestlers came to the Manchester Evening News Arena. We all had to meet at 1pm sharp at the back gates, which me and 'Beautiful Danny Becks made by the skin of our teeth after being pulled over by a jobsworth police officer just outside Manchester. When we arrived we rushed through the back gates at exactly 1 pm and were taken to this dark changing room where we were told to get changed. The Try-out would later start at around 2pm. Fit Finlay pretty much ran the try-out alongside Ricky Steamboat while Shelton Benjamin and Kurt Angle would give advise in the ring. The trial consisted of wrestling twice and cutting two live promos in front of a number of representatives from WWE. During the trial I wrestled Gavin Best and Chris 'The Bambi Killer'. I really enjoyed the try-out and felt that I had done well. Shelton and Ricky gave me really encouraging advise. One man however who spent a lot of time with me was Kurt Angle. He gave me a load of advise, saying he really liked my selling, charisma and technique although felt I should trim up on the size I've already got. He also mentioned that The UK Kid reminded him of Chris Benoit and had also done well during his tryout and we were the two main guys who he would make sure our videos were sent to Vince McMahon to have a look at. Despite all this he attacked me from behind during my appearance on Sky Sports News! It was shown about 7.30 that evening, and it's nice to see that although it was a feature on the WWE, it was a chance to promote the qualities of British wrestling. We also filmed some footage for WWE programming, giving a promo on how we felt about the trial and telling WWE about ourselves. Nikita was also on sky sport news earlier in the morning. After the Try-out, Fit Finlay invited me to come to the Raw taping the following Monday for a dark match in Sheffield. After we had changed we were all given some tickets for the house show that night. After the show we had a few drinks back at the hotel with some of the WWE guys like Mike Chioda, Jimmy Tillis, Carlito, John Cena, and Shelton Benjamin which also included a toast to Eddie Guerrero, a very emotional moment. I had an awesome day which left me with a real dilemma. I was invited back for the WWE dark match on the raw taping in Sheffield, however I was already booked that same day for Rikishis Nu Wrestling in Italy, one of the fastest expanding promotions in Europe. WWE had meant a lot to me however I felt the best thing was to be professional and fulfil the bookings I already had. I hope WWE understood this. It was a great experience as not many people get the chance to wrestle in front of professionals like Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin, Fit Finlay and Ricky Steamboat. I will use the advise given that day and apply it to my wrestling around the UK and Europe which will be an Exciting schedule in 2006!
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