DO NOT GRAB THE WRESTLERS.
I just wanted to discuss a little further last night's ICW event. Usually, it's an all round really good event, with a respectable crowd and a really good atmosphere. However, last night wasn't the case. There were a lot of aggressive members in the audience that kept me on edge throughout the show, which in the end led to me not enjoying the night whatsoever. It made me anxious to a point where as soon as I left the venue I was in tears, and it's not often things like this get to me but boy.... I felt unsafe and a little scared.Ā
PLEASE NOTE THIS ISN'T BASHING ICW IN ANY WAY, ICW DID BRILLIANTLY COPING WITH WHAT I'M ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT.
My fiance and I were at the front of the railings for this event, and rightly so, we had been queuing since 1pm outside the venue to get a good spot. I was all set for a good night of good wrestling... I just did not expect the following.
There was a really aggressive drunk man stood beside my fiance. Shouting abuse to the womens champion, Carmel, to a point where the staff members asked him to lay off. Later on the same gentleman tried to grab Wolfgang by the arm and threaten him to which the staff, the ring announcer, AND the venue security had to warn him once more before asking him to leave.
Drinks were thrown, there were more abusive members in the crowd, to which one shoved right in front of me a few times just to shout at the wrestlers and this fella even tried to grab and almost punch Drew Galloway. I understand ICW is the edgy, independent wrestling company for over 18s but even the ICW team have boundaries, and some people need to respect that.
At least 5 people were kicked out for throwing drinks, getting aggressive and disrespectful to not only the wrestlers but other members of the audience. I understand tonight is the big show tonight, the Fear & Loathing at the Hydro, and tensions last night were a big high in preparation for that. But it got a little too much and even the ICW team were getting a little pissed off at it.
So, in summary, do not grab the wrestlers, do not threaten them. Do not forget that because they are a heel in the ring does not mean they are like that for real, this doesn't give you any excuse to grab a wrestler by the arm and interrupt the match. Do not throw your drinks, that's a waste on your part. The referees have to quickly mop that up to prevent slipping, and they did that at least twice last night. Your fellow audience members might be rooting for the other guy in the match, respect that, don't start a fight.Ā
I just wanted to applaud the ICW referees and the security team, who seemed a bit on edge most of the night, but did everything they possibly could to try and keep the wrestlers, the fellow crew members and the audience safe. The Hydro will be a much safer venue I'm sure. But they worked ever so hard to sort out the issues as quickly as possible. The matches were really good and boy was I happy to see Trent Seven last night.
I won't be at the Fear & Loathing event tonight due to work, so to all attending have a great time, to Mark Dallas and team ICW, best of luck, beat The Black Label to shreds. And to everyone else, stay safe, have a great time, and don't waste your pints, I heard it's pricey at the Hydro ;)
