A DISPUTE has broken out over an American wrestling show that was advertised to take place next month.

Megaslam Wrestling had been promoting an event at Radcliffe Civic Suite on October 9, but have now cancelled the show and abandoned ticket sales after confusion over their booking of the venue.

However Brad Taylor, Megaslam Wrestling owner, says that he believed the show was due to go ahead, though ticket sales had not yet begun.

He said: "As far as I was concerned everything was in place for the show, and now the civic suite has pulled the plug. I last spoke to them two weeks ago and they said everything was fine, and I was ready to pay our deposit.

"Any kind of allegations made by anyone saying that we collect ticket money and then don't show up for the event are completely untrue.

"I have tried speaking to the civic centre management this week but have been unable to reach them. It's a real shame it has had to be cancelled, because we had 200 posters already made up and ready to go out.

"They [Radcliffe Civic Suite] have completely messed up our booking. We haven't had problems with venues like this in the past."

However, Bury Council have said that the venue had not been booked and that they had not been in contact with Megaslam Wrestling since an initial inquiry was made several months ago.

A Bury Council spokesman said: “We have never had a contractual booking with Megaslam for wrestling at Radcliffe Civic Suite on October 9, 2015."

Tickets for the event had been advertised on ticketsource.co.uk, which now says the Radcliffe show has been cancelled. Two future events in Newark and Chorley are scheduled to go ahead.

The Radcliffe Times has confirmed with three other venues - in Hunstanton, Nantwich, and Buxton - that Megaslam Wrestling had promoted events that they did not show up for, leaving the venues needing to refund their customers.

Mr Taylor said the shows were cancelled because of poor ticket sales, but did admit his company were at fault for not securing a booking at an event they advertised as being held in Nottingham on October 4.

He added: "We are a touring promotion and travel a lot of miles to get through our shows. We have had 115 dates this summer, and if the ticket sales aren't acceptable to us then we will cancel and refunds will be issued by the venue."

A post from Radcliffe Civic Suite said: "Please be aware that Megaslam Wrestling booked originally at Radcliffe Civic Suite on Friday 9th October is now cancelled and will not be going ahead."

The council spokesman said: “Grapple fans should not be disappointed, though, as we have two hugely entertaining family wrestling events coming up.

"Futureshock Wrestling will be at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich on October 17 and American Wrestling will be coming to Radcliffe Civic Suite on November 27.

“Previous wrestling nights in our halls have been very popular, and we would urge people to book their tickets now to avoid disappointment.”