British National Championship

For over one full calendar year starting September 2007, IPW:UK ran a tournament the likes of which has never graced the UK before, and realistically, had never been attempted by a part-time wrestling promotion before.

62 professional wrestlers from every corner of Great Britain competed against opponents over the course of six stages. On August 26 2007 in Orpington, Kent, the draw for the first round was made. All British Champions were seeded directly to the second round of the tournament.

The Format

There were 32 first round matches, consisting of two British wrestlers facing off against each other. Winner was decided by one single fall, with a 20-minute time limit to each bout. Should the time limit be reached, both wrestlers would exit the tournament.

There were then 16 second round matches, and 8 third round matches both over 30-minute time limits. The quarter-finals were contested over 40-minute time limits, with the semi-finals contested over one hour.

The final had no time limit, and all wrestlers excluding the two involved were strictly barred from ringside for this bout.

The tournament was held primarily over the course of the following 12 month's Orpington, Bromley, Portsmouth, Broxbourne and similar IPW:UK venue dates. In the event of a wrestler falling to injury thus being unable to make the next round, a suitable replacement was to be found.

Bracketing and match day selection was completed based on ease of geographical location.

The wrestlers chosen for this tournament were deemed to be the most suitable by not only the selection committee, but also by their peers. Around 20 wrestlers already selected for the tournament were asked to put forward official suggestions on other wrestlers to round off the field of 64.

Due to the National status, reigning and defending National All-England and National Under-23 Champions (then Sam Slam, on both accounts) would defend their titles in each round. As a result, the winner of this tournament woudl also finish as the current reigning and defending All-England Champion and age permitting, possibly Under 23's Champion also. Other titles (3CW Heavyweight Championship, IPW:UK Title, RQW Heavyweight Championship, and so forth) would not be on the line.

British Champions would be seeded directly into the second round so as not to interrupt upcoming defences of their titles, and also as a reward for being the current reigning champion.

The team that came up with the odds (including a qualified former practicing bookmaker), looked to the following three main points when "odding up" so to speak: