‘IT WAS AWESOME!’
Former professional wrestler Mark Henry says he was impressed with the reaction to Jamaica’s first live professional wrestling show in decades.
All Caribbean Wrestling’s (ACW) Welcome To Jamrock show displayed some of the upcoming talent from across the region in matches against more experienced and established names in the industry at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at the University of Technology, Jamaica, in St Andrew on Saturday.
Henry, a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Famer and former World Heavyweight Champion, now working as a broadcaster and talent scout for All Elite Wrestling, says the region has a bright future in the industry. He was particularly keen on local talent Joseline Navarro and tag team act The Kentish Brothers.
Navarro defeated JC Storm, billed from the Dominican Republic, in the main event. This was one of three women’s matches on the night. These three matches were the first-ever women’s matches staged in Jamaica.
Navarro received the full backing of the crowd, especially as JC Storm gained heel [villainous character] heat by repeatedly saying how much she hates Jamaica.
The Kentish Brothers defeated the Bollywood Boyz [formerly known as the Singh Brothers in WWE] for the ACW World Tag Team Championship. Their win was well received by the hometown crowd, who was noisy in support throughout their match.
“I thought it was awesome,” Henry told the Jamaica Observer. “So many people showed up and they were loud the whole time. It’s a great thing to have pro wrestling in Kingston.
“Wrestling is self-explanatory. It doesn’t surprise me at all when I see the reaction to pro wrestling here.
“I think All Caribbean Wrestling should be in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and all of the Caribbean Islands. We’ve done most of the shows in Trinidad, now it’s time to hit Barbados.
“It’s great to see the talent on display not only in the region but here in Jamaica. I think that the young tag team [Kentish Brothers] has got a big future. I think Joseline Navarro from right here in Kingston is gonna find her footing on a national stage. There was a lot of wrestling that I was happy to watch.”
The Kentish Brothers’ celebration was, however, short-lived as they were ambushed by the NU Nation, billed from Africa, in the ring. “General” Oba Zo of the NU Nation then delivered an in-ring promo to announce that they will be challenging the Kentish Brothers for the tag titles at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on November 4.
Henry is pleased that ACW has secured another show in Jamaica and says he is always ready to throw his support behind a black-owned wrestling promotion.
“I’m very happy, I’m very very happy,” he said. “I’m hoping we get an arena that’s big enough. It’s gonna be a sight to see.”
“Darewolf” PJ Black, formerly known as Justin Gabriel during his time in WWE, also performed on the show, defeating Iseah Bronson. He was delighted not only with how the crowd got behind him during his match but how well it embraced the babyfaces [heroes] and booed the heels.
“It was cool,” he said. “I say this all the time, wrestling is a universal language. Everywhere we go people understand wrestling. It was incredible how the crowd responded. There were a few of those that I did not expect to happen. I’ve wrestled in 65 countries prior and it’s always different wherever you go. That feeling you get from that first reaction, I don’t know how to describe it. There are no words for that. It’s priceless.”
In other matches on the night, Pope Elijah Burke [formerly of WWE and Impact Wrestling] defeated National Wrestling Alliance’s Superstar Jamie Stanley to retain his ACW World Heavyweight Championship; Crystal Carmichael defeated Promise Braxton in the first-ever women’s match staged in Jamaica; the NU Nation defeated TriniDan and Leroy Jones, St Lucia’s “The Integrator” Malik Bosede defeated Jay Rios; Vanessa Kraven defeated Cassandra Golden; and Bruce Cross defeated Tito Colada.
