General Features

Eugene - when he was in WWE

Dinsmore is heading to Birmingham to help put local promotion Anti-Watershed Wrestling on the map as one of the UK's top wrestling companies.

He's holding a training camp in Digbeth to teach aspiring grapplers the tricks of the mat trade before stepping into the ring the following night to battle wrestler Moralez on one of AWW's shows at The Irish Club.

Promoter Danny Degado said:

"Having someone of Nick's caliber work with us is absolutely great. It really is a dream come true - to have someone I've watched on TV and now be working with him."

Danny Delgado aka 'Desirable' Danny D

Eugene

Dinsmore had a memorable run with American giant World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2004-2007 as Eugene - the alleged nephew of Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff.

The character was a source of controversy from the outset, as Dinsmore portrayed Eugene as a mentally challenged athlete with learning disabilities who was regularly beaten up by wrestling villains.

Nonetheless, the role caught on - particularly with the younger fan-base - and Eugene enjoyed a three-year run with the company and gained a semi-cult status.

Dinsmore - coming to Birmingham

He memorably battled Triple-H at the 2004 Summerslam event and went on to win the World Tag Team Championship with Britain's William Regal later in the year. Eugene was also saved by returning legend Hulk Hogan at the 2005 Wrestlemania after taking a beating from a couple of bad guys.

Dinsmore was fired by the WWE in 2007 for failing a drug test and now competes under a variety of names on the independent circuit. He will be billed as 'U-Gene' when he visits Birmingham.

Anti-Watershed Wrestling

AWW is the brainchild of Handsworth-born Danny Delgado.

"When I was young, I told my mum I wanted to be a wrestling promoter," he explains. "Just like (WWE boss) Vince McMahon. She laughed; everyone did. But here I am!"

A collar and elbow tie-up

By day, Danny is a business manager. By night, he's a wrestling promoter, trainer and performer, under the stage name of 'Desirable' Danny D.

"We've come a long way," he says. "We hold monthly shows in Digbeth; bi-monthly in Walsall. We now have three training classes and a great website.

"We called it Anti-Watershed Wrestling because we wanted something distinctive. Our shows feature some more extreme stuff with tables and chairs and crazy bumps. But at the same time, there is some very good technical wrestling. In other words, something for everyone."

So for aspiring wrestlers, how do you get involved?

"Contact me or my business partner Stuart Smith through our website," Danny says. "Everyone is welcome to train. You'll learn the basics first – how to fall and take bumps – before you move on to the more advanced level.

Danny gets bodyslammed by champ Carnage

"It's hard – I won't lie. We're looking for dedicated people, physically and mentally. Only those who work hard make it onto the roster to wrestle on our shows."

Music

"We're also looking for unsigned bands interested in getting a bit more exposure. We know how hard they work. There are actually a lot of similarities between the wrestler and rock star lifestyles.

"We'd like bands to get in touch if they want to write entrance music for our wrestlers. Or even play a live set at one of our shows."

AWW live

AWW stage monthly live shows at the Irish Club in Digbeth.

Advanced level trainees in session

"We're getting a steady following there and the reaction is great," says Danny. "There are bigger wrestling companies for sure in this country but we're really making waves. We've booked some big names like Jonny Storm and Pac in the past.

"Jonny's a massive name in Britain and has wrestled all over the world, including TNA television. Pac too is getting his name out there. And our local lads are improving every time they get into the ring. I'm proud of them."

Made in Birmingham

One of the things that Danny is most proud of is the fact that – like him – AWW is Birmingham born and bred.

"I want AWW to go all the way," he says. "And the best part is that with its Birmingham origins, it would raise the city's profile even more. We've always been overshadowed by London and – in my opinion – Manchester too. If Brum could lead the way in a UK wrestling revival – that would be awesome!"

Some of the current trainees

Nick Dinsmore

Nick Dinsmore holds his wrestling seminar at The Irish Club in Digbeth on Wednesday 30th April from 7-9pm. No previous wrestling experience necessary.

Dinsmore headlines AWW's card at The Irish Club in Digbeth on Thursday 1st May. Doors open at 6.30pm; bell time is at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £7; £5 for students and pensioners.

Visit: www.aww.org.uk for more information

Please note: The BBC is not responsible in the event of a no-show by the advertised wrestler or wrestlers. AWW would like to point out that all line-ups may change should circumstances dictate.