At the time of writing this, we're now just shy of a fortnight from ICW's first show of the year - the fourth annual Square Go. ICW's take on the Royal Rumble, only it isn't predictable every single year. Just look at last year's Square Go for example. Grado seemed to overcome all the odds, when eliminating Chris Renfrew and seemingly winning the Square Go match itself. Everyone exploded, it was probably the best moment in Grado's career... for all of about ten seconds. With the officials preoccupied with making sure Wolfgang and BT Gunn were alright on the floor, they missed Grado throwing Renfrew over the top rope, and when he realized that for himself, Renfrew slid back in and sent Grado over, being called the official winner of the match. An iconic moment for ICW in itself, it is only fitting that it should directly affect this year's event, with Renfrew's Square Go contract being cashed in exactly one year after his famous victory - the night that the contract expires - against Drew Galloway. On top of that match being set in stone, we have ICW's first ever Steel Cage match between bitter enemies BT Gunn and Wolfgang, as well as the Square Go match itself, which will determine the next man (or woman) who will have the luxury of lying in wait with a title match at their disposal any time they want it.
Drew Galloway (c) vs Chris Renfrew (ICW Heavyweight Championship Match)
Renfrew has been methodical in choosing his moment, and it is oh so fitting that it should be Drew Galloway whom he cashes his contract in on. After all, had it not been for Drew returning at Shug's Hoose Party, Renfrew would be the champion now. He was cashing in his contract on that night, after tormenting then champion Jack Jester since becoming the Square Go contract holder. Having his NAK brethren beat down the champ after a successful defense against Martin Stone, Renfrew announced that it was time. He was cashing in the contract, but before he could hand his briefcase to the referee, Drew returned and ensured that Jester would live to fight another day as ICW Heavyweight Champion, before dramatically turning on his best friend and claiming his stake as the man to take ICW forward. Fear and Loathing 7 happened, Galloway defeated Jester in the biggest match in Scottish wrestling history, and many said that it was the perfect chance for Renfrew to cash in. Perhaps even Renfrew himself knew it was the perfect opportunity, but the only problem is that Chris Renfrew doesn't care what the fans want. He was going to cash in his contract on his own terms, and the only way that he can say he's the bigger man is by beating Drew Galloway from bell to bell, rather than a fly by night cash in. He's had other chances to cash in since, at Brush Your Goose and Spacebaws V, but ultimately, this was his target. Renfrew vs Galloway one-on-one for ICW's richest prize. Predictions wise, who knows, really. They'll hurt each other. Badly. This match holds a certain significance because of how long it's taken Renfrew to cash in. The near miss at Shug's Hoose Party. The several opportunities he had to cash in on a vulnerable Jester, but decided against it in the name of making a point. Chris Renfrew always has a plan though, and it would come as no surprise to see him leave Square Go as the new ICW Heavyweight Champion.
BT Gunn vs Wolfgang (Steel Cage Match)
So it all comes down to this. Two cousins, with a burning desire to rip each other apart from limb to limb. I've written about this rivalry a couple of times, so there's not much more that I can really add. A dog collar match couldn't put an end to it. A Last Man Standing match couldn't put an end to it, leaving both men on the ground and unable to answer the count of ten at Fear and Loathing 7. It appeared that this may have been inevitable. What means have these two failed to use in the quest to end each other? A steel cage? Aye. On the face of things, this is a benefit to Wolfgang, who has BT Gunn to himself without anywhere for him to go - or any way that the NAK can get in. However, BT Gunn is a dangerous man, and is even more dangerous when he's motivated. This match could see the final nail in the coffin that holds the relationship between these two, or perhaps, it will see them realize that they've been fighting the wrong enemy all along. No matter the outcome of this match, you can't help but feel that it holds just as much importance as the Heavyweight title match in terms of shaping ICW in 2015. Either way, we'll bear witness to one of the most brutal wrestling matches we're ever likely to see. In the end, will blood be thicker than water?
Square Go Match
This will be the fourth annual square go. In case anyone is unfamiliar with the concept, it's basically a 30 man battle royal. With an ICW twist, of course. Throughout the course of the match, five weapons will be introduced, which can be used at the leisure of the competitors. The winner would join a stellar list of ICW legends that have already won the match. The first ever winner Red Lightning, Mikey Whiplash, and the current holder of the contract - Chris Renfrew. It can be safe to assume that this is the most open Square Go yet, with cases being made for a large portion of the roster. Such names that have been mentioned a lot are BT Gunn, which would make for an interesting dynamic, should Chris Renfrew win the Heavyweight Championship. Nathan Black, who returned to ICW at Spacebaws V, and winning a place in the Square Go by winning a mini battle royal at that event, would be heavily considered due to his sheer presence. Of the big name entries who stand a chance, I would have to say that my pick for the Square Go is Mark Coffey. 2014 was the year that both Coffey brothers showed exactly what they're made of, and now, heading into 2015, both men have huge opportunities at the main event spot in ICW. With "ICW Wrestler of the Year" Joe Coffey confirmed to take on the ICW Heavyweight Champion at Barramania in March, his younger brother winning the Square Go would certainly make for an interesting situation. With both men choosing quite different paths in ICW over the past year, it's seemed inevitable that their paths would cross sooner rather than later, and this may be the catalyst in kicking that off. Both are likely to be engaged elsewhere on this card, with Joe issuing an open challenge for Iron Man title, and Mark is yet to find out if Polo Promotions will defend their tag team championships. Other than that, I thought I'd throw a few names into the hat that would certainly make for interesting winners...
Lou King Sharp - The proverbial thorn in Chris Renfrew's side over the two Spacebaws events, Lou King Sharp proved that he's no pushover when refusing to give up in an I Quit match against Renfrew at Bill Murray Strikes Back. Renfrew gave him his blessing that night, welcoming him to ICW. Unlike Renfrew. Imagine if Lou were to win the Square Go, and Renfrew wins the title. It would certainly make for some entertaining viewing.
Layla Rose - Because why not? She's easily the most dominant female wrestler working in the country just now, and is undefeated in ICW so far, making short work of Courtney, Lucy Cole and Emily Hayden on her debut, before defeating Sammii Jayne at Bill Murray Strikes Back. There's no doubt in my mind that she can mix it with the guys, and should she enter into the Square Go, you won't be hearing me counting her out.
Lionheart - Highly unlikely, but I can't say I wouldn't pop for it. He's due to return to action against Jackie Polo at Barramania, but with Polo very likely an entrant in the match, it would be no surprise to see Lionheart come out to spoil his chances of winning the match. That leads me nicely to something else happening on the night...
Lionheart & Polo - Shoot Interview
Combustible situation here. The deeply personal rivalry between Lionheart and Jackie Polo will come to a head at Barramania, but before that, they're gonna sit down face to face and have a wee chat... Hosted by Billy Kirkwood, this takes place in ABC2 before Square Go gets underway. Tickets are still available and are the low price of £5. You need to have a Square Go ticket to get in, but it's something that should not be missed.
Joe Coffey vs ??? (Iron Man Match)
The Iron Man of ICW has spoken. Anyone in the world. Any wrestler who thinks they're up to going toe to toe with Joe Coffey need only make himself known, and he can have a crack at Joe's Iron Man title. He's worn the title with distinction for 12 months, taking pride in being called the Iron Man, and has gone out every show to prove that he is the true Iron Man. After a loss to Liam Thomson at Brush Your Goose, he issued the open challenge to the world. It's simply impossible to predict who will answer, although it may be no surprise if Darkside, the man who Coffey defeated last year for the title, should want to reclaim it for himself. There is a plethora of individuals who stand out, and whether they answer the challenge in the next week or so, or leave us in suspension until the night, we're getting an Iron Man match at the Square Go, and it'll probably be amazing.
Other Stuff... Thangs
- Kenny Williams will probably defend the Zero-G championship. With no opponent confirmed, we can expect to get an announcement closer to the event. James R. Kennedy has said he's going on the hunt for some new clients, so perhaps his quest to take the Zero-G from Kenny isn't quite over just yet...
- The tag team titles should be defended, with champs Polo Promotions putting the belts on the line. Perhaps it's time for The Gatecrashers to get a crack at the belts, after hitting the ground running with a huge win over David The Beloved and Euan G. Mackie at Spacebaws V. They came up short in a non-title match back at Brush Your Goose, but their performance in defeat said that they weren't going anywhere anytime soon.
- The Sumerian Death Squad haven't been seen or heard of since Fear and Loathing, and with Tommy End nursing an injury over the past couple of months, maybe the time is right for them to rejoin Mikey Whiplash in making the NAK's life a misery.
- On the topic of Mikey Whiplash, it'd be great to see him get his scheduled match with Noam Dar from Brush Your Goose, which Noam had to pull out of due to injury. If not, I'm sure supersub Divers will be more than happy to step up again.
THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT.
No tickets remaining for the show, so if you weren't fast, nae luck. I expect to see all yer sexy faces in ABC as we watch another cracking event brought to us by the mastermind that is Insane Championship Wrestling. The show will also be available 24 hours after it happens on ICW: On Demand, which you should have signed up for by now. If you've got a spare minute, give us a like on facebook by following this link right here and most importantly get yourself along to ICW. This tour is shaping up to be even bigger than the last, throw Barramania into the middle of that and you're spoiled for choice. Follow ICW around Britain, help get them verified on the eld twitter @InsaneChampWrestle and see why they are the best company in the fucking world. This sets the pace for 2015, and based on what's already been confirmed for the show, that pace will be a hectic one.
Also, check out my odds for the Square Go match winner, had some fun with them. Tidy.