Updated: "EL P is acting like a little punk." Artemis Spencer on declining EL P's challenge
EL P crashed DEFANCE FOREVER | West Smith
"He's almost like a little brother to me, ya know? And, right now, I think he's acting like a little punk."
- Artemis Spencer on El P
Last month in Tacoma, the capacity crowd had their fill of shocking moments during DEFYANCE FOREVER. Not least of which was the stunning DEFY Championship match, which saw Schaff dethrone reigning kingpin and indie stand-out Artemis Spencer.
During his time as DEFY Champ, Artie represented DEFY around the world, defending his title a crushing 10 times and by this Fall will have competed in some of the most prestigious tournaments in all of Wrestling, Progress' Super Strong Style 16, the DEFY SUPER 8XGP (which he won), and PWG's BOLA.
The 2019 SUPER 8XGP Semi-Final victory over Matt Cross | West Smith
During his reign in DEFY, Artemis' rising star hadn't gone unnoticed, and earlier in the card, on the very same night as his defeat, the Temple Theatre was granted witness to a run-in, mugging (of Jordan Oasis and Kevin Cook during their match) and open challenge by Bullet Club stand-out and fellow Canadian, Artie's old friend...El Phantasmo.
EL P challenges Artemis Spencer to a match in DEFY after trashing Tacoma | West Smith
The Masked Dudes Of Doom | 2008
"We literally grew up together, Riley (El P) and me, I mean I kinda even used to pick on him...I even got him into Wrestling, and it just so happens he has become one of the best, one of the best in the world, but I see the stuff he's tweeting and how he's acting out and I don't like it at all. It's not okay."
- Artemis Spencer
ECCW Clash of The Titans | 2015
In 2017, paths diverged. Artemis, suffered a debilitating workplace injury when his foot was crushed by heavy machinery, leaving him on the injured list and convincing him at the time he'd never return to Wrestling again. While El P, frustrated by lack of opportunity and restless, broke out of the Canadian scene to start a new life in the UK, wrestling extensively for companies like Progress, and Rev Pro, he'd find success and big matches quick to come.
Just about two years later, Artemis is one of North America's biggest stars and DEFY Champion, El P attracts attention from the brass of NJPW and becomes one of Wrestling's brightest stars and controversial personality. Then enter DEFYANCE FOREVER, where their paths converge once again as El P comes home to the Northwest with a significant chip on his shoulder. Looking for showcase matches to cement his belief he's the best in the Northwest. Aiming first for his old friend Artemis Spencer.
"When he challenged me, I thought, that's just not right. You don't run into a company (DEFY) that's like my home, attack a couple of young Wrestlers while they're getting their showcase moment on a big show, and then tell me what to do, to challenge me. He's totally forgotten where he's come from and he's forgotten who he's talking to. I don't accept his challenge. Win a match in DEFY first then talk to me. El P, I don't accept your challenge." - Artemis Spencer
Despite the unknowns accompanied by El P's eventual return to the Northwest, former champion Artemis Spencer, will not be facing him at DOOMSAYER on September 27th in Seattle. He will instead take a short break from competition in DEFY after BOLA to rest and heal after completing a stunning DEFY record of 15 wins 2 losses.
UPDATED Sept. 18, 2019
Announced via Twitter; EL P is no longer accepting any match at DOOMSAYER and has dropped the booking completely.
WATCH - The time Kyle O'Reilly came back home to win the ECCW Championship
ECCW BALLROOM BRAWL 7
On June 29th and 30th, Northwest Wrestling fans will have a chance to see former ROH Champion and NJPW stand out Kyle O'Reilly debut in a DEFY ring (along with Bobby Fish) as the now legendary tag team reDRagon.
But this won't be the first time Kyle O'Reilly has returned to the NW since leaving Ring Of Honor earlier this year.
At ECCW's Ballroom Brawl 7 on 1/14/17 (the night after Defy1) O'Reilly shocked the Wrestling world by making his first post-Ring Of Honor appearance at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver BC and accepting El Phantasmo's open challenge.
On DefyOnDemand.com - you can relive ECCW Ballroom Brawl 7 as DEFY Wrestling and ECCW has partnered to bring you the best In the Northwest.
Kyle returns to the Northwest, this time with Bobby Fish as reDRagon and tickets are available now for Defy4 in Tacoma and Defy5 in Seattle and going FAST! Buy now
ECCW becomes official DEFY Wrestling content partner!
ECCW Ballroom Brawl 7 - El Phantasmo vs. Kyle O'Reilly / Photo Copyright Scott D Hemenway / sdhpics.com
We are happy to announce that DEFY Wrestling has entered a content partnership with the historic Northwest promotion Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling based in British Columbia, Canada - to make select past ECCW events available to watch for DefyOnDemand subscribers.
ECCW has been producing top tier events in the Northwest for over 20 years and has been host to some of the very best in the Wrestling world. In the near future, DefyOnDemand subscribers will be able to watch classic matches from Daniel Bryan (Brian Danielson), Davey Richards, Kyle O'Reilly, Becky Lynch, Emma, the Singh Brothers, locals like the Cunninghams, Nicole Matthews, Santiago, Ethan HD and Scotty Mac and many more current indie and WWE legends.
TODAY DefyONDemand subscribers can watch Ballroom Brawl 6 and 7, both emanating from the historic Commodore Ballroom in downtown Vancouver BC and STACKED with both fresh faces and the indies brightest stars!
We suggest checking out Ballroom Brawl 6's "WWE's The Singh Brothers" (as the Bollywood Boyz) vs. The Cunninghams match up. WATCH THE ENTIRE EVENT HERE
We know what the Singh Brothers have been up to. As for The Cunninghams, they return to action at DEFY3 this Friday, May 26th. Limited GA Tickets still available. TICKETS
For more info and events from ECCW go to eccw.com and follow them @eccw