Mental Breakdown 2008

Preview: ItchyCity.co.uk

Every eight weeks something bizarre happens in a local village hall in Canton.

The place is turned over into one amazing night of wrestling; think amateur WWE with grown men flinging themselves around the ring for your viewing pleasure.

It's pure theatre, with gladiatorial mob mentality as children and adults alike get over-excited.

We defy anyone not to join in the 'this is awesome' chanting by the end of it.

You'll be going home to practise some elbow drops on your pillow, especially as you can bring your own booze to help release the inner wrestler in you.

Look out for Itchy's favourite, Caiman.

Big night will pack surprises

THERE’S a big wrestling night at Canton Community Hall, Cardiff, on Friday.

The bill, promoted by Celtic Wrestling is tagged Surprise, Surprise 2008, with Mad Dog Max defending his heavyweight championship against an unknown rival.

And referee Ashley Cox will have his hands full when he steps into the ring with Deathrow, along with Gilligan Gordon.

And back by popular demand the Tag Team Championship bout Every Man For Himself 8-Man Elimination Tag Match, featuring T Bone, Caiman, Steven Bassey, Jonny the Body, Mad Dog, and more surprise guests.

Tickets are £7 for adults, £5 for under 16s (available in advance or on the door).

Doors 7.15pm, first bell 7.30pm. For more details call 07926573793 or visit www.celticwrestling.co.uk.

Get to grips

GRAPPLING fans can try their hand at the sport.

Celtic Wrestling has launched a training centre in Merthyr Tydfil.

Sessions are run at the town centre's Studio Bar on Wednesdays, from 7pm to 8.30pm for beginners, and on Saturdays, from 11.30am to 1.30pm, for advanced.

New wrestling training centre opens in Merthyr

CELTIC Wrestling has launched a new training centre in Merthyr Tydfil with the focus of producing the next generation of wrestlers.

Weekly training sessions take place in three levels (beginner, advance and intermediate) at the Studio Bar in the town centre.

Celtic Wrestling will aim to bring in former mainstream wrestlers and have already had former WWE, ECW and WCW wrestler Tracy Smothers and former WWE superstar, Nick ‘Eugene’ Dinsmore sign up.

Trainees will be given the chance to wrestle in front of small crowds on training shows.

Here, they may also be given the opportunity to wrestle experienced wrestlers.

Trainees wishing to be a part of these shows will need to show commitment and train on a regular basis.

The training will be conducted by Merthyr’s own Caiman, who has been involved in professional wrestling for six years and holds an instructors certificate in ring wrestling.

Also on hand at these sessions will be Thomas Bassey who trained under Caiman and has more than two years wrestling experience to share.

The training facility will offer a professional style wrestling ring, a large matted area, a video camera, a TV and video area for getting feedback on techniques and a fully licensed bar.

Trainees must be a minimum age of 12, all ages thereafter are welcome and Celtic Wrestling is encouraging both male and female trainees to attend.

All new trainees will be required to sign a disclaimer before taking part in classes. Those under 16 years of age will need a parent or guardian to sign it on their behalf.

Training sessions will take place at the following times: Wednesdays, 7pm to 8.30pm - Beginners classes (open to the public - anyone within the age restriction can attend these sessions); Saturdays, 11.30am to 1.30pm - Advanced classes (you must first attend beginners and Intermediate sessions to be eligible to attend Advanced classes.

When you are seen to have reached a certain standard under the instructors assessment, you will be invited to attend Advanced classes.

Advanced students will still be welcomed to take part in the beginners and Intermediate classes).

"Celtic Pro has already established itself in Cardiff and Newport with a good following of fans loyal to the product, and this is through putting on good shows at affordable prices to keep people coming back."

Weekly classes being in Merthyr

WANNABE wrestlers can now get to grips with the sport in Merthyr Tydfil.

From tonight, under the guidance of professional wrestler Caiman, Celtic Wrestling is starting weekly training sessions in the town’s Studio Bar.

Beginners classes will take place on Wednesdays from 7pm until 8.30pm with intermediate classes on Saturdays from 11.30am-1.30pm. For further information call 07926 573793.

Masterclass on the canvas

A TOP former WWE wrestler treated the ranks of Celtic Wrestling to a masterclass of grappling before taking on the best Wales has to offer, writes DAVID WILLIAMS.

Nick Dinsmore, aka Eugene, passed on his experience and knowledge to a selection of fighters at Merthyr Tydfil’s Studio Bar at a seminar organised by Twynyrodyn’s own Caiman, otherwise known as Karl Griffiths.

Dinsmore then topped the bill at a wrestling show in Cardiff where he took on Celtic Wrestling’s own champion Maddog Max.

“I was released by WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) for ‘undisclosed reasons’ in September,” he said.

“I’ve started picking up independent bookings and I was contacted by a promoter to come and do a few shows and training seminars in the UK.”

And the session went down a treat.

“The seminar opened our eyes and gave us all a useful insight as to what the WWE were looking for in potential wrestlers and where we, as wrestlers, needed to focus to be in with a chance of getting there,” said Griffiths.

“We had the intention of the seminar lasting from about 7pm to 10pm, however, Nick had so much to show, offer and advise, that we ended up going an hour over time, and we still could have gone on for longer.

“Many thanks to Paul (the manager from the Studio Bar) for being so understanding. It truly was a great seminar. Nick was nothing short of a gentleman and an inspiration to us all, and we look forward to welcoming him back again in the near future.”

Dinsmore, as Eugene, made his television debut for WWE in 2004 after joining on a development contract in 1999.

He won the world tag team championship four years ago with English wrestler William Regal before taking part in his last fight for Vince McMahon’s franchise in August.

For Dinsmore, aged 32, from Louisville, Kentucky, wrestling comes before showbusiness but he appreciates the two come hand in hand.

“I learned to wrestle before I learned about showbusiness,” he said.

“A guy will go a lot further if he is primarily a wrestler because the sport will always come back to the wrestling.

“It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was eight. I had heroes like the British Bulldog and Hulk Hogan.

“William Regal was a tremendous help to me when we were a tag team and travelling together.”

WRESTLING stars from Merthyr Tydfil will be throwing their weight around this week

Grapplers Caiman and Thomas Bassey will join former WWE wrestler Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore in Cardiff on Friday (January 25) for what is being billed as the biggest show of the year. The Celtic Wrestling “Anger Management” event will be held at Canton Community Hall from 7.30pm.

Also on the bill are rivals Matt Vaughn and Justin Johnson, who will square off in the “last man standing” bout. Tickets are available on the door, price £7 for adults and £5 for under-16s. You can also book in advance by calling 0792 657 3793.

For further information on upcoming Celtic Wrestling events, visit www.celticwrestling.co.uk.

"Nick "Eugene" Dinsmore will wrestle on Celtic Wrestling's Anger management show on 25th January 2008 at Canton Community Hall, Cardiff."