Big West Wrestling made its return to Falkland on April 21 to crown a new Big West Television champion.
The title went on a hiatus during the pandemic but was thrust back into action at the Falkland Community Hall when reigning Internet champion Shawn Murphy refused to attend recent events due to contractual and managerial disputes with Big West ownership.
“Shawn is a great kid,” said Marty Sugar, Big West owner and co-founder. “But his new business relationship with Lance Skullz has given us nothing but headaches.”
While the Internet Title situation heads to arbitration, the show must go on. A six-person tournament was held in Falkland with Bryce “The Gambler” Lowe surviving the odds to win the reinstated Big Red Belt. Lowe was helped in part by an injured Jimmy “Big Rig” Mitchell, who had won his semifinal match against Eddy “Dirty” Ross after Ross was disqualified for decking Mitchell with a loaded glove.
Big Rig was medically unable to compete in the championship finale with The Gambler and Becky Beech, so Ross stepped into the title match. Mitchell valiantly struggled to the ring, however, to ensure Ross didn’t use the loaded glove again.
The loss in the finale brought Becky Beech’s win streak to an end. She had started 2024 with 13 straight victories. With Ross being pinned by Lowe, however, Beech has still yet to be pinned or submitted in Big West in two years and 24 consecutive matches.
Beech has also shattered the previous career win record for a female wrestler in Big West (13 victories, held by both Raven Lake and Scarlett Black) as April 21 saw her notch her 19th career win in the semifinals over the debuting Sawyer Stein. Dave Rishii also made his Big West debut in Falkland, losing in a thrilling semifinal to The Gambler.
Big West is returning to Falkland Friday, May 31. Both Beech and Rishii will be back in action, and the show will see at least two debuts. Chase Degenhardt is a former SFL World MMA Champion and former IFK World Muay Thai Champion, who has recently been making waves throughout the B.C. pro wrestling scene. The Filipino Freak Tisoy is a world-traveled wrestling villain who has come back to action after an extended hiatus; he has been making noise both in B.C. and in his native Philippines over the past two years.
More competitors and matches will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are $12 plus fees online, or $15 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. on May 31 and the show is family-friendly with cash-only merchandise and concession available.
Visit bigwestwrestling.com for more information.
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