New Generation Wrestling
New Generation Wrestling (NGW) is a currently inactive British professional wrestling promotion based in Hull, founded by Luke Ingamells in 2008. It became inactive in 2020 and all its social media account ceased to post. It is due to make a comeback in May of 2022, at it's old home venue, The Eastmount Centre in Hull. NGW is featured regularly on Challenge TV's WrestleTalk and programs. In addition, it is being broadcast on a number of regional TV channels, most notably Bay TV Liverpool and the Lincolnshire-based Estuary TV. History. The Eastmount Years (2008–2012 ). New Generation Wrestling put on its first event on 16 May 2008 at Hull's Eastmount Recreation Centre, a venue which would be known as "the home of NGW" for years to come. Line-ups featured local up-and-comers, such as "Prima Donna" Nathan Cruz and "The Amazing" Matt Myers, as well as some of the hottest names on the British independent circuit, such as Dave Rayne and Stixx. A constant progression in match quality and production values ensured NGW a loyal fanbase within the local community. The company gained nationwide recognition for the rivalry between Nathan Cruz and  15-year veteran Alex Shane, which culminated in a match between the two at NGW's 2nd Anniversary Show in June 2010. Though this match should have never taken precedence over the NGW title match due to backstage politics and egos, which still plague the company today, the contest, built as a clash of generations, saw Cruz defeat Shane for the right to the "Showstealer" moniker. Cruz went on to become the top heel (villain) in the company, winning the NGW Championship in early 2011 and holding it for nearly a year. At Eternal Glory in December, Cruz lost the  title to his former best friend, the popular Matt Myers, in one of the most memorable moments in NGW history, pending which backstage ego you believe. In December 2011, NGW held its first show on the road at Pontefract Town Hall. The Sports Arena and TV Exposure (2012–2015). As the NGW following grew, the promotion held its first event at Hull's Sports Arena (now the Airco Arena) in July 2012, featuring appearances from former WWE Diva and TNA Knockout Winter, as well as British legend Kendo Nagasaki. While the majority of NGW shows remained at the Eastmount Recreation Centre , the July event was the first of many regular happenings at the Arena, which promoter Richard Dunn had wanted to use for wrestling for years. Shows at the Arena took NGW to a whole new level in terms of live audience and show production, which in combination with the performers' consistent in-ring ability, attracted the attention of wrestler-turned-TV-producer Alex Shane. Starting late 2012 and continuing throughout 2013, developments surrounding NGW events and storylines were covered regularly on WrestleTalk TV, a wrestling talk show on Challenge TV produced by Shane. In April 2013, a spin-off series  was launched by the British Wrestling Council titled in what was effectively British wrestling's return to national television for the first time in 25 years. NGW remained a staple of the show throughout its several changes in format and has used the platform to showcase some of its best matches to a nationwide audience. As producing quality television became a priority for NGW, 2014 saw an increase in the number of shows put on at the Sports Arena, later renamed the Airco Arena. In early 2013, NGW Champion Rampage Brown had a storyline falling-out with management, resulting in  him no longer being recognised as the titleholder, despite still being in possession of the belt. As a new champion was crowned in his absence, the company ended up having two champions when Rampage made his return several months later and aligned himself with NGW owner Richie West's faction The Control. The rivalry between El Ligero and Rampage Brown over the rightful claim to the NGW Championship was the most prominent story throughout 2014, culminating in a critically acclaimed 30-Minute Iron Man Match between the two at Eternal Glory in December. Rampage picked up the victory after a  shocking attack by Ligero's best friend and tag team partner, Dara Diablo, and became the first ever NGW Undisputed Champion. Another focal point of NGW programming has been the ongoing Davey Boy Cup Tournament, put together by the daughter of the late British Bulldog, Georgia Smith. Following qualifying matches which took place throughout 2014, the four finalists were revealed in early 2015 to be Nathan Cruz, Zack Gibson, Bubblegum and Mike "Wildboar" Hitchman, with matches among them scheduled for the next few months. In March 2015, the announcement was made that NGW matches would be available on-demand as  part of the BWC British Wrestling Weekly subscription service. Hull City Hall (2015). In March 2015, plans to install an indoor football pitch at the Airco Arena effectively kicked local communities out of the venue, among them New Generation Wrestling, who later announced that they had acquired the historic Hull City Hall for future shows. NGW Academy. NGW runs its own wrestling academy which has produced some of the best young talent in British wrestling. The Academy provides training not only for aspiring in-ring performers, but for auxiliary roles as well. Advanced classes at the Academy's Hull facility  are led by Nathan Cruz and Matt Myers. The Academy also holds seminars with notable guest trainers, among whom Fit Finlay, Doug Williams, Nigel McGuinness, Winter, Rockstar Spud, Dave Taylor and many more. it has at regular 7 people and will hopefully get future stars . The NGW Academy launched a second facility in Birtley, Gateshead in the summer of 2014 with head trainer Rampage Brown. With the expansion of NGW's touring schedule, the Academy has also started doing exclusive pre-show training seminars at a number of external locations, led by some of the biggest stars in British wrestling . NGW Proving Ground. February 2011 saw the start of a series of Academy shows under the "NGW Proving Ground" banner. Acting as developmental events, the main objective of the shows is to showcase the future stars of British wrestling, but they also feature established names of the main roster. As of 2018 the company introduced the Proving Ground Championship where the inaugural champion was upcomer Ace Matthews. 2020 saw the company also introduce the Proving Ground Tag Team Championship. The first six Proving Ground events took place at the Eastmount Recreation Centre in Hull, but ever since February 2013, they  have almost exclusively been held on the road. Partnership with Global Force Wrestling. In July 2014, Jeff Jarrett's Global Force Wrestling announced working partnerships with several major European promotions, including New Generation Wrestling, representing Northern England. Championships. NGW Undisputed Championship. The NGW Undisputed Championship is a professional wrestling Championship (professional wrestling) owned by the New Generation Wrestling (NGW) promotion. The title was created and debuted on 16 May 2009. The current champion is Lucas Steel, who is in his first reign.