SOUTHSIDE WRESTLING ILL MANORS (FSM 90; Feb 2013)

Information - DVD Region: All Regions - Distributor: Southside Wrestling - Price: £11 - Other info: 159 mins - Release: Out now - Weblink: www.SouthsideWrestling.co.uk

Southside Wrestling and their arch enemy, the House of Pain, came together on November 30 to settle some long-lasting scores. Ill Manors gets underway with an immediate inter-promotional match, as Harvey Dale's HOP representative Bam Bam Barton faces off against Southside mainstay El Ligero. Barton's strength and weight advantage are neutralised by Ligero's speed and agility throughout this fine encounter, with Ligero once again showing why he's one of the best in the UK. Southside's T-Bone and HOP's Max Angelus turn up the intensity in match two, as they batter each other senseless with kicks and punches in an all-out war.

The Predators might be Southside Tag Team champions, but they are a major part of the House of Pain organisation. Even though this bout is a non-title affair, their opponents The Hunter Brothers have a great opportunity to establish themselves as one of the top contenders to the belts. Joseph Conners looks particularly impressive in this one, showing a lot of presence while delivering a beating to his rivals. The fourth match switches pace, as the SWE Speed King champion Robbie X and HOP Full Throttle title-holder Alex Gracie collide in a title versus title match. With a ten-minute time-limit, the result is foreshadowed before the bout starts, but each man lays it on the line in a frenetically-paced showing.

NJPW's Prince Devitt and ROH star Michael Elgin collide next in what's described as an international dream match. Despite a perceived clash of styles, both men work impeccably together, and the contest wouldn't look out of place in either man's home promotion. A three-way bout between Dave Andrews, LJ Heron (both HOP) and Nathan Cruz (Southside) continues the inter-promotional action, and despite some mistimed moves, it's a quality bout in which Heron in particular shines. SC Supreme doesn't take kindly to Mad Man Manson's light-hearted approach to their match, and, it must be said, the crowd is a little less into this bout than the majority of Manson's comedy contests.

Still, perhaps the humour serves its purpose, as the crowd is then hugely invested in the Stixx versus Mark Haskins Last Man Standing match that has the former's Southside title on the line. The bout is a high-quality, dramatic tussle featuring amazing performances by both wrestlers. With Max Angelus waiting to cash in on whomever emerges with the title, the show ends in rousing fashion.

With fine showings from both sides of the promotional divide, this is another DVD that BritWres fans should seek out.