THE referee is calling for the bell as FT makes its way to the curtain for the final time.
As loyal readers will hopefully appreciate, the story is never about the page.
So it’s a huge pleasure to be able to sign off with the UK wrestling scene in raucous and rude health with bigger and better things to come.
Perhaps the FT faithful will humour me today with some brief reflections.
It is true that over the best part of 15 years I have had the honour and privilege to meet and profile all of my childhood (and adult!) heroes, the men and women who are the reason why I love this savage and wonderful industry.
Naturally, the majority of those have been from other parts of the world, across the Pond in particular. Those experiences and opportunities are a treasure trove.
Since day one, it has always been a point of principle that a British newspaper does everything it can to promote and respect the people honouring our deep tradition in the UK.
The Daily Star has supported British wrestling like no other national publication. We should all be very grateful for that.
Reaching out to the FWA was a shot in the dark all those years ago, but was a revelation. We were in a sorry state, with barely a full-time living to be made for anyone, adrift in a featureless desert when a precious few were even aware that British wrestling existed any more.
To think of the vast distance we have travelled since is remarkable. The array of UK talent and promotions thriving on the global scene, able to earn their corn doing what they love is a testament to their dedication and hard work and an utter joy to behold.
The recent transformation of the profile and treatment of women in the industry was overdue.
Yes, there is plenty more to be done for true perceptual and professional parity. But that path now lies set before us and we can travel quickly. We must.
Best of all, the health and well being of our in-ring idols has become a priority, mental and physical. There were dark days but they are few and far between now.
We will always be beset by human tragedy in any walk of life, but wrestling is now actively working to eliminate the avoidable disasters in one of the most dangerous professions on the planet.
As FT heads to the back for a well-earned beverage, positivity abounds. The UK leads the world with our in-ring ability, atmosphere at our shows and our passion for this compelling business.
Thanks to everyone who has given time for an interview, taken the amazing photographs on the page and to the friends for life that FT has given me in our wrestling family.
And say hello if you see me at a show – mine’s a pint.