Welcome to the official Wrestlemania weekend preview for Pro Wrestling Ponderings. In this long, long column we’re are going to attempt to provide an extensive look at all of the shows running this weekend. Many of them are in New Jersey and one of them takes place as far from New Jersey as one could possibly get. Although my name is the first one you see, a lot of great writers have come together to make this column the most ambitious in our four year history. I cannot thank them enough for their participation.
(Editor’s Note: I realize the CZW show is not yet previewed. Whenever Matt Gibson completes it and sends his portion my way, this post will be edited immediately.)
Jennifer Logsdon on Shimmer 53
Heading into WrestleCon, the only all-female promotion to have a show there is SHIMMER Women Athletes. Volume 53 will be broadcast live on iPPV (the first time SHIMMER has done one) and the line up so far is very promising. Normally, the promotion does not announce matches beforehand, as their reputation is established enough to draw fans at this point without doing so. However, for this volume, we have been lucky enough to have four matches set up – and those four all have “match of the year” potential.
Mia Yim has challenged veteran and fellow world traveler Amazing Kong to a fight. If you know of Kong and her work, you might think that Mia has gotten herself in over her head. Yet don’t count the high flying striker out. Mia has come a long way since her rookie years of 2009-2010. She has competed in SHIMMER, SHINE, Ring of Honor, Combat Zone Wrestling, Anarchy Championship Wrestling, Anarchy Championship Wrestling, Jersey All Pro Wrestling and various places in between. In 2011 she made the first of six tours of Japan to live and train under notables such as Yumiko Hotta. During that time she found herself teaming with Aki Kanbayashi to face another American who was living and competed in Japan, Hailey Hatred and a Joshi legend – Manami Toyota. Not bad for a woman who had, to that point, only been wrestling for a little under two years.
Mia Yim has worked with some of the best in America and Japan, and it shows in her ring skills. She is more than ready to face Amazing Kong, who, while rebounding from her disappointing run in WWE, has made a comeback particularly in SHINE down in Florida. This will be her first match back under the SHIMMER banner since her last in September 2010, on Volume 35. Since then, a whole new crop of women has flourished and slowly risen up the ladder towards the top. Mia is one of those women. A win against Kong would solidify her as a top star and a potential contender for the SHIMMER title. Can Kong reclaim her dominance at Volume 53? Or can Mia Yim prove she belongs in that top tier? April 6th, we will find out.
The second match is a rematch, also from SHIMMER Volume 35. The original is widely considered one of the best title matches in the promotion’s history due to the back story behind it as well as the match itself. At the time, Madison Eagles was SHIMMER Champion – her former tag team partner, Jessie McKay, was the challenger. McKay had been snubbed and insulted after Madison’s win and finally built up enough wins to make a challenge. Eagles didn’t take her seriously, but Jessie took her to the limit in their match. The two knew each other so well, neither one could get the upper hand until the champion finally hit the Hellbound off the top rope and got the win. When it was over, the two got a standing ovation.
Little wonder then that, for SHIMMER’s East Coast and iPPV debut that Dave Prazak has chosen Jessie McKay to face Madison Eagles for the latter’s first American match back after her knee injury. Eagles has been on the shelf for over a year, and her doctor told her she basically had two choices: either have surgery and never wrestle again, or rest the knee and hope for the best. She chose the latter. Slowly but surely, the knee healed itself with much rest and careful rehabilitation. The Punisher had her first match back on January 12, 2013 at her home promotion of Professional Wrestling Alliance Australia in a mixed tag match. Her first singles match was February 1st against, you guessed it, Jessie McKay. You might think it would be redundant to have two women who have faced each other numerous times do so once again on SHIMMER’s iPPV debut but in actuality it makes perfect sense. Female wrestling comes with a stigma that it has not fully shaken, despite the fact that dozens of promotions (all female and mixed), have showcased women as every bit the equals of men. More often than not, you hear “that was a good match, for a women’s match”, not “that was a good match” period. Here you have two veterans that have put on showcases in the past. This time they will do so for a presumably wider audience. Why would you not put two of your finest against each other?
That same logic goes for the third match that was announced. On Volume 52, one of the world’s best veteran wrestlers faced off against a rising star that has been making quite a name for herself. The match was, quite simply, one of the best of the weekend – until the younger woman’s knee was injured. It seemed to be cut short, with the veteran getting the win. The injured lady took the mic and requested a rematch once her knee was healed up: at WrestleCon in April, for Volume 53. The veteran accepted.
The two women? The veteran is Ayako Hamada. The up and comer is “The Wrestling Goddess” Athena. Two fast paced, athletic, charismatic wrestlers are set to face off in a sequel to a match cut short by Athena’s knee injury. This has promise to be one of the best matches of the weekend, male or female. Hamada has been wrestling for over ten years. Japan, Mexico, America and Canada have seen her win titles and tournaments. In SHIMMER, her and Ayumi Kurihara were tag team champions from Volume 41 (October 2011) to Volume 48 (March 2012), having several outstanding matches to add to their histories. Her match against Sara Del Rey on Volume 28 is regarded as one of the best matches in the promotion’s history. She has become one of the standards by which others are measured.
On the other side of the ring is Athena who, in the space of two years, has become one of the highest profile rising stars in wrestling, regardless of gender. Her athleticism and charisma are off the charts. Her finisher has to be seen to be believed. She learns and evolves every time she steps into the ring. In 2012, she won her home promotion’s (Anarchy Championship Wrestling, a promotion that has a good mix of intergender feuds) American Joshi Queen of Queens tournament, having to defeat the intimidating Jessicka Havok in the finals to take the trophy (it took two O-Faces, the second onto an open chair to keep Havok down for the pin). She began 2013 there by winning the ACW Televised Championship in a three way match against Davey Vega and Shawn Vexx. Also in 2012 Athena made her debut for SHINE down in Florida where she had a fantastic bout against the also-debuting Ivelisse Velez. In November, she debuted for Femmes Fatales in a four way on their tenth show part one to determine who would face Kalamity for her International Championship on part two. She defeated Cheerleader Melissa, Angie Skye, and X-Cute Sweet to gain that shot. On part two (later the same day), her and Kalamity tore the housedown, but Athena was unable to get the pin. Despite that, she made an impressive mark for her first time in Canada. The Wrestling Goddess returned to Women Superstars Uncensored for a few of their shows the same year. And on Volume 49 in October 2012, she gained one of her biggest title shots to date – she wrestled Saraya Knight for the SHIMMER Championship. Despite her loss, that weekend’s tapings helped solidify her as one of the most popular babyfaces in the promotion.
When the two meet again, it will be a chance for both to pull out all the stops. As in the case of Mia Yim versus Amazing Kong, here we have a rising star facing off against an established veteran. Athena has all the tools and has proven in 2012 she belongs at the top of any card. A win against Hamada would only further solidify her reputation. However, Hamada is one of the best in the world and has defeated many up and coming athletes, including fellow Joshi “The World Famous” Kana (at the historic Volume 50 – one of the best matches in the promotion’s history, well worth buying the DVD for). Defeating her will not be a simple task. No doubt about it, this match will be a highlight of WrestleCon.
Wrestling fans were stunned by the announcement made on March 28th that international Japanese star Ayumi Kurihara, an eight year veteran of the sport and one of the most talented of the recent generation, would be retiring come August 4th at Korakuen Hall. At the press conference Kurihara explained that this decision was made based on the fact that she has accumulated several injuries over the course of her career, some of which have never fully healed. Not wanting to compete at a level that was less than her best, she has made the choice to bow out. However, before she hung up her boots for good, she told the Joshi 4 Hope office (who has, first under the S-Ovation Company name back in 2010, now under the J4H banner, been the company that is responsible for the Joshi influx into SHIMMER) as well as SHIMMER management that she wanted to return to the United States once more to wrestle for SHIMMER. Despite having prior commitments, Ayumi re-arranged her schedule so that she could fly to New Jersey and be part of SHIMMER Volume 53. Having faced several SHIMMER originals (she holds victories over Nikki Roxx, Sara Del Rey and Daizee Haze, to name a few) and been part of many fantastic matches (Volume 38 saw her and Ayako Hamada have a five star match filled with emotion, coming as it did only a few weeks after the devastating earthquake and tsunami), she requested and received her opponent for Secaucus – none other than the Latina Sensation, Mercedes Martinez. Expect nothing but a full throttle battle right from the start from these two hard hitting women. Speaking as a fan, it will be an honor to witness Ayumi Kurihara’s final United States match in person. We here at PWPonderings wish her all the best in the future, and we thank her for so many wonderful moments throughout her eight years in the sport.
The last match that has been announced for SHIMMER Volume 53 is for the SHIMMER title. Champion “Sweet” Saraya Knight will defend against Cheerleader Melissa in what will be a first for the promotion – a steel cage match. It is all together fitting that the first cage match is for these two, given the feud that has burst into flame in 2012 after laying dormant for several years. These two first met at ChickFight VII in January 2007 when CF moved from California to the United Kingdom. Melissa, as the face of the promotion, crossed the Atlantic to take part in the tournament she had won once before. However, it was like fire and ice between the two, and the match was ultimately stopped after Melissa continued to battle Saraya, who’s head was caught between the ring ropes. Melissa went on to win the tournament for the second time but Saraya promised there would be a reckoning.
There was, only months later in the same year, in June at Real Quality Wrestling. As Saraya has talked about in interviews since then, she was seriously injured when Melissa threw her into the chairs and her kneecap was severed thanks to a coke can. The Cheerleader continued to assault her, despite Saraya’s screams, and she had to be carried off by several officials before medics could get to Saraya. Doctors told the British woman that she would never wrestle again. However, they didn’t take into account the determination and the anger of the woman in question. Saraya was back in the ring in less than a year after serious rehabilitation. She never got the chance to settle the score against Melissa…
Until March 2012. In the Spring of 2011, Saraya and Britani Knight made their American debuts for SHIMMER. Saraya and Melissa never crossed paths until the following year, after Melissa had won the SHIMMER Championship. Saraya put a bounty on the champion’s head, one that Nicole Matthews and Portia Perez tried (and failed) to collect. Then she tried to threaten Jessie McKay into using illegal tactics during her title match on Volume 47, but McKay refused despite the fact it cost her the title. Melissa demanded, and received, a match against Saraya, but prior to it, the latter woman attacked the champ’s knee with a cane, causing her to go into the match with a clear injury – one that the possessed Brit took full advantage of. In a stunning turn of events, Saraya made Melissa tap out by locking in a half Boston Crab and using the ropes to lean back on the knee. No one saw it coming.
In October 2012, Saraya’s only loss came on Volume 50, during a ten woman tag match that featured SHIMMER originals and newcomers. Melissa and MsChif were the sole survivors, Melissa pinning Saraya. The former champ finally got her rematch on Volume 52, the final match of the tapings. She looked to be gaining the upper hand when Matthews and Perez ran out to distract the referee. Coming out of the crowd, Rhia O’Reilly grabbed the SHIMMER belt and handed it to the champ, who nailed Melissa for the pin and win. MsChif came out to assist Melissa, who then challenged Saraya to a cage match. There would be little chance of outside interference with this type of bout.
This feud has left fans unsure as to who to support. Going back to 2007, Melissa was in the wrong for continuing to attack Saraya after she was seriously injured. No one could blame the Brit for wanting payback towards the woman who almost ended her career. However, it was cowardly of the latter to request backup in the form of the Canadian Ninjas and a woman who she has had a hand in training (O’Reilly). In a one on one bout we have yet to see who would ultimately triumph without cheating or interference, yet in her other defenses Saraya retained clean. It was only during her matches against Melissa that she resorted to underhanded tactics. Does she fear the Cheerleader? Or does the venom still run so deep through her veins that she will do anything to keep her rival from ever laying hands on the gold again?
The cage will, presumably, keep both participants in and interference out, yet we all know how that can wind up. And, in truth, Saraya may not walk into SHIMMER Volume 53 as champion – she has a title defense against another woman that she has a vendetta with. At Femmes Fatales XI on March 30th, Saraya defends against former FF International Champion, the “Super Hardcore Anime” LuFisto. LuFi is one of Saraya’s biggest challengers to date, and she is angry enough to do whatever it takes to leave Montreal the next SHIMMER Champion. Even if the title does change hands, however, Dave Prazak has said that Melissa will still face Saraya in a steel cage. The blood is so bad at this point that the title feels like an after thought – taking and keeping it from Melissa has just been the cherry on a rather large cake for Saraya. They want to beat the hell out of each other, and that will happen on April 6th at WrestleCon.
Even if no further matches are announced, these plus the lineup of women who will be on the show should be enough to make even the most skeptical wrestling fan either attend in person or purchase the iPPV. The others who have been announced are:
The SHIMMER Tag Team Champions, Portia Perez and Nicole Matthews “The Canadians NINJAs”; Allison Danger and Leva Bates “ReGeneration-X”; Allysin Kay and Taylor Made “Made in Sin”; Rhia O’Reilly, Mercedes Martinez, “The World Famous” Kana, “The Rate Tank” Kellie Skater, Tomoka Nakagawa and Christina Von Eerie. There will also be two debuts, and one special return. The first debut announced was the PWWA Interim Champion and Impact Pro-Wrestling Champion, Evie. The buzz about her over the past two years has been growing until American fans demanded she come here to compete. She will be the first woman from New Zealand to wrestle in America, following the influx of Australians over the past few years. She’s had several great outings against other New Zealanders as well as Aussies in PWWA. Definitely one to keep an eye on. The second debut is of someone who has had a lot of buzz in the United States – Combat Zone Wrestling’s first female graduate of their academy, it’s “Golden Girl” Kimber Lee. Lee is someone that Dave Prazak mentioned in an interview late last year that he wanted to book for SHIMMER, and now it has come to pass. She’s had a whirlwind 2012, considering she only got into the ring mid-2011: while continuing her campaign “For a Better CZW” alongside Drew Gulak, she has been at all of Absolute Intense Wrestling’s “Girls Night Out” events during the year, debuted for SHINE 6 in January 2013, and even had a tour of Japan back in May. Kimber was also a last minute replacement for Christina Von Eerie in Women Superstars Uncensor’s J-Cup in April and earned a permanent spot on the roster, as well as the friendship and partnership of Annie Social. The two make for an outrageous yet effective tag team. Now Kimber gets a chance to show the SHIMMER fanbase what she can do.
The special return I mentioned earlier is of a woman whom fans (and even herself) thought we would never see grace a wrestling ring again. A concussion she suffered during a match in October 2011 put her future in serious jeopardy. She rested, did yoga and allowed her body to heal itself much like Madison Eagles did. Finally, her doctor told her that the choice was hers. She didn’t have symptoms, but the risk was still there. It was up to her. Knowing this, she made the choice to return after seeing a match between Lance Storm and Jerry Lynn at Pro-Wrestling Syndicate in February. And on April 6th, “The Deebious One” Serena Deeb will make her much-welcomed SHIMMER return. Given the absolutely monstrous reaction she received by SHIMMER fans upon her return on Volume 33 (after being released by WWE), one can only imagine the ovation she will receive on her return from a career-threatening injury. On behalf of fans everywhere, allow me to say: Welcome back Serena!
All this and so much more will be happening live at WrestleCon and on iPPV on April 6th. I encourage everyone, from fans to skeptics alike, to pay the cash to attend in person or watch live on the internet. You will not regret it, I promise!
**********************************************************************************************************************
Jerome Cusson on Evolve 19
AR Fox should be the first Evolve champion ever.
There I said it. I’m not mincing words or offering some sort of pretext. AR Fox is one of the most exciting professional wrestlers in the world. He has stolen the show for every promotion he’s worked for. Smart Mark Video released a “Best of” collection despite having only wrestled three years. PWG flew him our recently for their All-Star Weekend, and placed him in two top level matches. He is the current CZW Wired champion and has been their most consistent performer the last year. Most importantly for the purposes of the WWN Universe, Fox has been one half of the Open the United Gate championship. His ability to do death defying maneuvers combined with his continued improvement at telling stories within a wrestling ring make him the best option for Evolve’s first titleholder.
Barry Murphy highlighted why Evolve needs to steal the Wrestleccon in a great article he wrote recently. However, I consider this to be a restart. Despite the numerous problems, attendance or otherwise, this is Evolve’s best chance to take the spotlight and give someone who has become so valued on the independent scene a major championship. I’ll be talking about Fox a great deal in this preview and in the DG USA previews, but for right now, let’s take a look at the tournament itself.
Bracket A:
First Round Match – Four Way Freestyle
#5 Rich Swann (3-2) vs. #6 Samuray Del Sol (2-3) vs. #7 Sami Callihan (3-7) vs. #8 Jigsaw (1-3)
Semi-Final
#1 Chuck Taylor vs. Winner Of First Round Match
Bracket B:
First Round Match
#3 AR Fox (7-6) vs. #4 Jon Davis (5-4)
Semi-Final
#2 Ricochet vs. Winner Of First Round Match
Ironically, Fox is facing someone else who is extremely talented and deserving of the championship in Jon Davis. As much as Davis deserves the title for his actual work, he simply has not caught on. Whereas I think Fox would get a “buzz” going, I believe Davis would get a “groan” going. If I could wave a magic wand and get people to respond to Davis appropriately, I would. Unfortunately, the only thing I can hope for is that Davis gets some traction on the undercard of the DG USA shows to come.
The four way free style has the potential to steal the show and weekend. If not for the fact Evolve needs to run a fast, efficient card given Ring of Honor and CZW are both scheduled for that same Friday, I would have very high expectations. As is, I expect an eight to ten minute match where Samuray Del Sol comes away with the win.
Ironically for Chuck Taylor and Ricochet, they were on the very first Evolve show just trying to earn a spot. Now they’re the one and two seeds. From a booking, standpoint, I’m not sure having them both lose is the best idea, but I believe a rubber match between Del Sol and Fox will be a great way to cap off not only the tournament, but Evolve’s first 19 shows. To me, no one exemplifies what this promotion is supposed to be about than these two individuals. Their abilities as high flyers is rarely unmatched. Ricochet has already accomplished a great deal within Dragon Gate, so I don’t think there’s nearly the value in giving him the championship. Chuck Taylor is not serious enough to be the champion although his talent certainly warrants consideration.
My prediction for the finals is indeed Fox and Del Sol. I want to see these two tear it up one more time and showcase the best of what Evolve should be about. The last time Evolve had such a big stage, they basically blew it. Obviously, Johnny Gargano’s injury situation did the group no favors, but ending that show and the legacy of the Arena the way they did seemed to be a big turn-off for a lot of people. This is a chance for a redo. Evolve has almost become a punchline for some online; now is the time for people to start taking them seriously.
Tag Team Main Event
The Young Bucks vs. The Super Smash Brothers
It’s awesome to see this feud be brought to the east coast given what they’ve done in PWG the last year. Unlike in Reseda, I think the Bucks are being built for a United Gate title reign, and a victory the night before the championship match would go a long way to establishing themselves as worthy;. Whatever disagreement I feel about the Bucks as champions of PWG goes almost the other way in DG USA. They absolutely should be given the titles so that 1.) They can actually be defended on a regular basis and not be based on the whims of the Japan office on who comes to the states and 2.) A division can be built around them. Having a heel team with the titles makes things just a little bit better for establishing new teams.
Brian Kendrick and Johnny Gargano (Open the Freedom Gate Champion) vs. The Gentlemen’s Club (Drew Gulak and Orange Cassidy)
I’m happy Gulak gets to interact with guys who are so highly regarded within independent wrestling moreso than anything else. Don’t expect a four star classic, but I like Kendrick interacting with others on the roster. Gargano has a huge weekend forthcoming, so including him in a more minor match makes sense. I think a legitimate debate can be had about whether Gargano belongs in the tournament or not, but I’m curious to see if this match goes anywhere.
No Disqualification: Arik Cannon vs. Scott Reed
If you haven’t been following DG USA or Evolve, and judging on the attendance, you haven’t, Cannon has a little thing going with Larry Dallas and the Scene. I have seen nothing of Reed since coming back from Japan, but I’ll use all the other information I have to say this is the match I’m least looking forward for the whole weekend. All I ask is this be quick and painless. Nonetheless, Evolve may need to steal the show to regain any sense of credibility.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Matt Waters on Ring of Honor
Supercard of Honor events have a reputation for featuring big name outside talent competing in dream matches against the ROH regulars, giving the fans something they can’t get on any other show. Supercard 7 will see only one wrestler not on the regular roster competing, but this is actually one more than the previous Supercard (though that was undeniably a pretty stacked card). Furthermore this doesn’t exactly scream major must-see Wrestlemania weekend internet pay per view.
Nevertheless, Ring of Honor will try to put their best foot forward on the biggest stage of the wrestling calendar, doing their damnedest to woo in casual fans with their brand of in-ring action and try and convert them into loyal followers. With no big name stars to draw anyone in, it looks like they’re going to have to rely on the actual wrestling to sell the product to those curious enough to give ROH a look, and based on the line-up, they have a pretty good shot at achieving that aim.
ROH World Title Match-Kevin Steen vs Jay Briscoe: On the surface it may seem an odd move to place a tag team wrestler in the slot of world title challenger during such a high-profile weekend. But Jay Briscoe is the longest tenured member of the ROH roster, and has been positioned as the leader of the Honor Lives movement in recent weeks, the head of Nigel McGuinness’ call to arms against SCUM, who are seeking to destroy the company Jay has literally put his blood, sweat and tears into for eleven years. Sure he has very little chance of winning, especially given he’s coming off a separated shoulder, but there’s very little doubt these two know how to work together after dozens of tag matches.
Prediction: Steen retains. Expect all manner of insane high spots, and perhaps the best Jay Briscoe singles match in a very long time… and some kind of SCUM/ROH brawl to close the show too.
ROH World Tag Team Title Match- reDRagon vs American Wolves: Kyle O’Reilly turned on Davey Richards last summer, claiming to want to get out of Davey’s shadow and stand on his own two. Meanwhile, Bobby Fish gained an ROH roster spot thanks to Eddie Edwards, who he has teamed with in Pro Wrestling NOAH several times over the years. O’Reilly and Fish assaulted Davey, taunting him for having no friends left… leading to a return of the American Wolves. Since losing to the Wolves at Final Battle, Fish & O’Reilly, now known as reDRagon, fine-tuned their team on ROH TV, winning a gauntlet match and then beating the Briscoes for the tag team titles at the 11th Anniversary Show. Thus we have ourselves a rematch.
Prediction: I’m pretty sure the Wolves were reassembled purely to get reDRagon over, so look for the champions to retain here.
ROH World Television Title Match
Matt Taven vs Adam Cole vs Matt Hardy: Matt Taven shocked the world by following up on his Top Prospect Tournament win by ending Adam Cole’s nine month title reign on his first try. This threw a monkey wrench into the plans of Matt Hardy who had been feuding with Cole. Thus what should have been a title match become a number one contender match between Hardy and Cole, but it went to a no-contest. With all three without a match on the iPPV, the obvious solution was to make it a triple threat.
Prediction: Taven has been really impressive lately and his title reign should continue, likely by picking the bones from Hardy and Cole wailing on each other, leading to them settling their feud for good.
Number 1 Contender Match- Jay Lethal vs Michael Elgin: Lethal and Elgin have both come up short in title matches in recent months, so they weren’t amongst the four (yes, four) men awarded title shots recently on ROH TV. Nigel didn’t rule the possibility out entirely though, placing the two into a number one contender match. Lethal has waged a one man war against SCUM and Steen after being labelled as soft by Jim Cornette and then having his mother spat on by Steen during a match. Elgin took Steen to the limit and it took an Avalanche Package Piledriver to put him away. Lethal’s more determined than ever, while Elgin has shrugged off the distraction of Roderick Strong, winning their feud recently.
Prediction: Michael Elgin seems destined to take the title from Steen later this year, while Lethal’s had two cracks at it already, and while he’s getting good crowd reactions, I’m not crazy about his main event run.
Roderick Strong vs Karl Anderson: The aforementioned only outside talent on the show is none other than Karl Anderson. ‘Machine Gun’ has been making big waves in New Japan, really coming into his own since Giant Bernard took Vince’s money to go be Lord Tensai on television (sometimes). These two had an intense match in PWG a few years back, and both have only gotten better since.
Prediction: They hit each other really damn hard, but Strong-Rod wins. Home turf, yo!
ACH & TD Thomas vs QT Marshall & ?: ACH and Tadarius Thomas are two of ROH’s most exciting new stars, and Nigel McGuinness felt they’d make a good team, and so this match has been signed, pitting them against QT Marshall, who they’ve both tangled with a number of times, all debuting around the same time. Marshall’s manager R.D. Evans claimed he’d signed another big talent to team with Marshall but won’t reveal who it is. Quite frankly, I have no idea who it might be, especially given how many wrestlers just joined SCUM. Maybe Silas Young?
Prediction: ROH seem poised to have TD & ACH be the latest hot young tag team, like Future Shock and the C&C Wrestle Factory before them. With that in mind, expect to see them lose a lot of matches despite wowing the crowd.
ROH vs SCUM 10-Man War: BJ Whitmer, Mark Briscoe, Mike Mondo and C&C Wrestle Factory vs. Jimmy Rave, Cliff Compton, Rhett Titus, Jimmy Jacobs and Steve Corino:
Somewhat of a ‘let’s throw everybody else into one giant match’, but all five members of team ROH have had several run-ins with SCUM, so at least it makes sense.
Prediction: The war is probably a few months from being over (Final Battle), so the united SCUM will probably pick up the victory over the rag-tag ROH unit, possibly targeting Mondo’s barely healed knee.
ROH TV Tapings- 4/6/13
Ring of Honor will be taping several episodes of television in the Hammerstein Ballroom, hoping to capitalise on a traditionally hot crowd. All of the fall-out from the iPPV, as well as the build towards the next one, will take place here, so it’s not likely they’ll reveal many more matches ahead of time. The Wolves will battle reDRagon in singles matches, which points to their feud not ending regardless of the outcome of their tag title match, and special guest star Karl Anderson will also take on Michael Elgin in what should be a fantastic contest.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Drake Younger vs. Danny Havoc – Havoc and Younger cut a promo on a recent tour of Japan together to set this match up. It featured the two in a disagreement that saw verbal and physical shots thrown. An actual angle could get picked up between these two at Wrestlecon, but promo, no promo, this is a match to be excited about. For me, story-line means nothing here. It may mean something in the near future but for Wrestlecon this is about two of CZW’s best doing what they do best. This is not the most diverse match set for CZW at Wrestlecon. This is farthest from fresh. However, this is bound to be one of the more memorable contests on this card. Better yet, this is one of the smartest matches the promotion could have possibly put together for the Wrestlecon weekend. With a great mix of matches set for April 5th, there is room for two legends of the combat zone to lock-up their ultraviolent horns and collide. There is room for something combat zone fans have seen plenty of, for many years. The promotion is marketing the contest as a collision between death match heroes. Heroes, are exactly what Havoc and Younger are to the CZW faithful. This match is not just a safe and easy booking on a very important wrestling weekend. This match is not something CZW put on paper to guarantee or buy some cheap interest. This match is here to represent CZW. This match is here to pay homage to Havoc and Younger. They have an opportunity to show what CZW is, was and has been. They have an opportunity to show why they will continue to bleed black and yellow. Havoc and Younger have an opportunity to show who runs this company in 2013. Havoc and Younger are as important to CZW as oil is to a vehicle. As combat zone icons, Havoc and Younger don’t just represent CZW. They are CZW. Just because this is a collision of death match heroes, all roads point to this not being anything close to a death match. However, without hesitation it is safe to say this will be nothing short of CZW style and nothing short a viewing pleasure.
Aerial Assault Match: AR Fox vs. Lucky 13 vs. Rich Swann vs. Shane Strickland vs. Chiva Kid vs. Shane Hollister – Some of the best high-flyers and some of the most innovative guys in the business are going to have boxes high up in the air to jump off of. What else would you like to know? Death match wrestling is often referred to as more of a spectacle. High-flying, acrobatic, lucha craziness is also more of a spectacle. Sit back, enjoy the show and try to keep your eyes on the insanity is my best advice.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Des Delgadillo on Late Fight with Kaiju Big Battel
There will be no rest for the wicked at the Meadowlands Expo Center over Wrestlecon weekend. Villains never sleep, and neither do wrestling fans.
After CZW wraps up on Friday, the late night festivities can begin, courtesy of the delightfully bizarre Kaiju Big Battel.
For the first time ever, the gargantuan battle between good and evil will emanate live on I-pay-per-view as Kaiju presents “Late Fight.” Explaining Kaiju to the uninitiated is a tall order. Think Chikara, turn the wacky up by a thousand, drop in some heavy Japanese anime influence, don’t forget wacky outfits, and you have only a slight idea of what Kaiju is all about
With no card announced, expect to see the stars of Kaiju take center stage, like South American vegetable warriors for justice Los Platanos, the unbeatable and monstrous Steam Powered Tentacle Boulder, and the current Kaiju Grand Champion American Beetle. The action will be so intense, so completely out of this world, it will have live spectators and iPPV viewers alike wondering the same thing, “Is this even wrestling?”
Regardless, join us on the official PWPonderings Twitter for live iPPV coverage of “Late Fight.” Who will prevail? The Kaiju heroes, or will the vindictive Dr. Cube ruin the first worldwide Kaiju spectacular? We’ll find out Friday night when the Eastern clock strikes midnight.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Justin Houston on Chikara: The Shoulder of Pallas
There is much turmoil in the vibrant village of CHIKARA, not that its residents aren’t used to it by now. Sweet and Sour Inc. The King of Wrestling. Die Bruderschaft Des Kreuzes. GEKIDO. CHIKARA attracts foreign invasion forces to their shores with remarkable consistency. But now, it is not CHIKARA facing off against some brave, new cadre of villains…but against itself. CHIKARA has become the villain. Well known teams like The Colony, The Throwbacks and even F.I.S.T. have seen unwelcome shake-ups in their ranks. Several new rudo factions have formed as well, replacing CHIKARA’s brand of fun and exciting action with something cold and cruel. The warmth from CHIKARA, that feeling you get when you know you are watching something truly special, is starting to dim. Tim Donst and his flock of failures have just begun. Ophidian and The Batiri continue to be a nuisance. The Devastation Corporation seem poised to eventually become that next dominant group in CHIKARA, and without a Sekigun to take up arms, they may succeed in taking it. All of this is courtesy of the incompetent Director of Fun Wink Vavasseur, who has even made it his personal goal as of late to separate Eddie Kingston from the Grand Championship, decreeing that the champ will defend the belt on EVERY show for the foreseeable future in an effort to break Eddie’s resolve. Yes, the DOF with a Napoleon Complex is actually waging war with “The War King”. All of this comes to a head at WrestleCon on April 6th in Secaucus, NJ, for “The Shoulder of Pallas” when, in the shadow of WrestleMania, a bright spotlight emerges on CHIKARA. Ring of Honor and DGUSA are veterans of the ‘Mania weekend scene, where independent companies flock to whatever site is housing the biggest wrestling show of the year and set up camp, typically drawing larger than average crowds thanks to the copious number of vacationers and fly-ins in the area looking for some spandex on spandex action outside of the WWE. This year marks CHIKARA’s first venture into the weekend as a part of WrestleCon, and if ticket presales are your barometer of interest, CHIKARA looks like they may end up with more eyes on them then any other company that weekend save for that big one with the three hour television show. With a capacity crowd expected, Chikara has pulled out all the stops, bringing along the entire roster and some big-time guests to show the wrestling world that they mean business, give long-time fans the full CHIKARA treatment and show new fans what they’ve been missing.
CHIKARA specializes is multi-man mayhem, so it should be no surprise that they will put on three matches featuring eight wrestlers, two eight-man tags and a 4-Way Elimination Tag Match. The first eight man tag will feature what’s left of the original Colony of ants, Fire Ant & Green Ant, teaming with their newest Colony mate, the enthusiastic but still untrustworthy former GEKIDO member assailANT, and former Young Lions Cup championFrightmare. On the opposing side will be Soldier Ant, a senior member of The Colony until Vavasseur decided to make him join with GEKIDO. With GEKIDO basically dissolved, Soldier has now been forced to team with Wink’s own league of ants, the equally ridiculous and vociferous Colony: Xtreme Force of Missile Assault Ant, Arctic Rescue Ant and Orbit Adventure Ant. Yeah. It’s basically The Ant-pocalypse. The second eight man tag sees current Chikara tag champions Scott Parker and Shane Matthews team with their Wink-appointed tag partner Gran Akuma and Rick Martel-appointed partner Marty Jannetty. They’ll take on the newest iteration of F.I.S.T. Sugar Dunkerton, who was forced away from tag partner Dasher Hatfield due to injury and forced to join F.I.S.T. thanks to You Know Who, has sent the group into a tailspin. Icarus, the most hated man in wrestling, has been on the fence about Sugar’s pleas for a clean-fighting F.I.S.T. Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano are NOT on board, but The Ick Man continues to try and reconcile the group’s differences all the while walking the line between rudo and tecnico himself. The final eight man affair, an elimination tag, pits The Batiri of Obariyon and Kodama against Max Smashmaster and Blaster McMassive of the Devastation Corporation versus The Throwbacks of Dasher Hatfield and current Young Lions Cup champion Mark Angelosetti facing the returning Blind Rage and leader of the Spectral Envoy, UltraMantis Black! Remember: a fall in any tag team situation nets the duo one point towards a shot at the tag titles. Three points earns a shot. Any tag loss sends you back to zero points. That means a team can walk away from this match with one point, two points or even a shot at the Campeonates de Parejas by running the table.
CHIKARA also has three singles matches in the under card. Saturyne, the lone female left on the Chikara Roster, will take on Kobald, price of goblins and the most mischievous member of The Batiri. Tim Donst is in singles action against Archibald Peck for the third time this year. Peck has won both encounters via disqualification. Donst, with Peck’s old flame Veronica by his side now along with Jakob Hammermeier and Steve “The Turtle” Weiner, will look to get back to winning matches, something he has not done since tasting the back of Eddie Kingston’s fist at Chikara last iPPV. The final singles match with see Ophidian take on his former tag partner and friend Amasis, who returns to a CHIKARA ring for the first time since Ophidian turned on him at the “High Noon” iPPV a year and a half ago. Amasis hasn’t wrestled in CHIKARA in two years, where he teamed with Ophidian and third Osirian Portal member Hieracon in King of Trios. They would lose to eventual winners The Colony, and soon after Amasis would announce his retirement due to injuries suffered in a car accident. But now he’s back, or at least part of him is. The “Funky Pharaoh” persona is dead. “The Madjai of the Deities” has risen and is looking for retribution.
The semi-main event is a bitter grudge tag match. With one superkick to the face of his former mentor, Jigsaw sent a message: I am no man’s Robin. He walked off with GEKIDO member and perpetual troublemaker The Shard, forming a new alliance that would end a longstanding tag team and friendship. Ever since GEKIDO forced themselves into Chikara, Mike Quackenbush has been on edge. Enough, he screamed. Enough of big, bad factions running amok in a company he helped shape. He no longer wanted to simply BEAT this group…he wanted them taken out. He wanted them wounded and broken and out of his company. Jigsaw was frustrated by his mentor’s attitude, constantly deriding him for focusing on hurting GEKIDO instead of beating them. After some friendly fire between the two, Quack tried to clear the air. He extended the olive branch to Jigsaw once again. Like early in his career when he was lead astray with The Wildcards. Like when he join ROH full time and dropped his mask. Whenever Jigsaw faltered, no matter the circumstance, Quack was there with the olive branch. Now, Jig has snapped the branch and set it ablaze, using Quack’s remorseless attitude as an excuse to take the reigns of his career. He continues to blame Quack for this change, as he gets stronger and stronger with his new protégé, The Shard. Quack has lost every exchange against the new duo. Now, he will call upon a Mystery Partner to try and rattle Jigsaw’s cage. Many names have been rumored for Quack’s partner, from legends, to former partners and even Jigsaw’s own brother. Whoever it turns out to be, Quack wants it known that Jigsaw is getting the GEKIDO treatment from here on out. This isn’t about roll-ups. Flash pins. Quick covers. Jigsaw is one of THEM now. So when the thunder and lightning roll in, the storm will show no mercy.
The main event of Chikara ‘s first Mania weekend show will feature a clash between two of CHIKARA’s very finest wrestlers. Eddie Kingston, the first and only holder of the CHIKARA Grand Championship in its history, had a long and memorable feud with Hallowicked back in 2007. Wicked dominated the feud early on but Kingston’s relentlessness eventually caused a clash under Falls Count Anywhere rules. King took the victory and neither man has faced the other one-on-one since. Much has changed since that day. Kingston, at the time having never won a title or tourney in CHIKARA as a perennial rudo, has seen his popularity soar after winning the 2010 Cibernetico match, the 12 Large: Summit in 2011 and remained strong as Chikara Grand Champion throughout 2012 and this year. Hallowicked would lose the tag titles in 2008 and then lose his tag partner Delirious as well to the nefarious UltraMantis Black. It’s taken years for Hallowicked to get back on track having been embroiled in fights against Black, against The Bruderschaft, and now teaming with Mantis and fighting Delirious, Ophidian and The Batiri. It seems fortunes are turning again. This past year, The Spectral Envoy won King of Trios, giving Hallowicked his first major victory in Chikara since losing the Campeonatos. Kingston has drawn he ire of Director Wink after embarrassing him on several occasions. A run-in with Kevin Steen with Vavasseur getting between them resulted in Wink rolling on the ground in pain screaming and threatening legal action. Eddie also missed a schedule title match against Green Ant, leading to Wink deciding that the title will be defended on every show for now on. Hallowicked has a lot of momentum going into this, but you simply can’t count Eddie Kingston out, especially when his back’s against a wall. Two of the best-known CHIKARA students will walk into the ring for “The Shoulder of Pallas” main event. Only won will walk away Grand Champion.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Jerome Cusson on Dragon Gate USA: Open the Ultimate Gate 2013
Open The Freedom Gate Title Match
Johnny Gargano defends vs. Shingo
Clearly, we’re building toward Gargano finally overcoming the legendary CIMA at the 4th anniversary show to complete his DG USA journey. The match I’m looking forward to most this weekend is this one. Other than CIMA, no other wrestler is as over in the United States than Shingo. Yes, that includes Tozawa. Shingo might be one of the best wrestlers in Japan but can’t get as much traction as before due to an incident in Japan involving a monkey and possible torture. His trips since have been infrequent, but he’s back to wrestle someone who’s become everything that’s good about the promotion. For all the negatives, Johnny Gargano has tried to carry DG USA on his back as champion. He’s wrestled everyone put in front of him and had great matches with nearly all of them. For me, the result isn’t in doubt, but I have feeling this could not only be the best match of the weekend, but a possible MOTYC.
Open The United Gate Tag Team Title Match
CIMA & AR Fox defend vs. The Young Bucks
I’m not a big fan of the potential first Evolve champion losing his first night as champion but given this is a tag team match, and CIMA isn’t losing, Fox becomes the logical choice to take the fall. I know the Bucks are only back in DG USA as full-timers for six show, but giving them the belts here makes all the sense in the world. No one can match them in the ring as far as tag team wrestling goes, and they’re true heels, meaning they might be able to generate reactions from crowds because “ooooo” and “ahhhh.” If DG USA wants to reenter the upper independent lexicon, the Bucks holding the titles and having amazing main events would make a significant difference. And really, Fox and CIMA have done zilch with the titles anyway.
Grudge Match
Samuray Del Sol vs. Jon Davis
In theory, this is a great idea for a feud as the babyface underdog wrestles the giant heel. We’ll have to see how this comes across in practice. There is a distinct possibility both of these men walk in Evolve champion. Interesting to see if this becomes a title defense if that’s the case. I see this extending to the anniversary show at least, so Davis logically walks away with the win.
Special Attraction Match #1
Akira Tozawa vs. Ricochet
Feels like with so many of these matches, you could say it has the potential to be the best of the weekend. Here’s another win. Given the uneven booking patterns, it’s tough to say who play heel or face. Of course the crowd will likely just cheer Tozawa anyway. Personally, Tozawa should be the face while Ricochet should play the heel. Ricochet is in the six man tag the next day while Tozawa wrestles Shingo in a match that would absolutely be considered a main event in Japan. I say Tozawa wins, but I could see this going either way.
Special Attraction Match #2
Sami Callihan vs. Uhaa Nation
What makes DG USA so tough to preview is the storylines are either irrelevant or not there. To me, a storyline would benefit a match like this. Given the relationships of each man, I again question what the heel/face dynamic is. After Nation’s awful injury around Wrestlemania weekend last year, it’s just great to see him back. Given the possible contractual status of Sami Callihan, I can see Nation getting the victory and being positioned for a huge push in the second half of 2013. In fact, if I were a betting man, I could see Nation as a dark horse candidate to end the Gargano title reign. This has the potential to be excellent if Callihan is motivated and doesn’t resort to some of his more annoying tendencies. Looking forward to seeing Nation for the first time since his injury.
Special Attraction Match #3
Brian Kendrick vs. Rich Swann
It appears Kendrick is on the hook for the WWN Universe, so expect some interesting combinations. I’m not sure about this match. Swann seems to be getting better, but other than his work with AR Fox, I can’t say I’ve ever walked away thinking he’s one of the best high flyers in the world. My hunch is this will be good, not great.
Special Tag Team Attraction Match
The Super Smash Brothers vs. EITA & CIMA’s Secret Weapon
Tough to speculate on a match where one of the participants is unknown. My gut says if this were a Dragon Gate regular, they would just announce it. The dream is obviously Jushin Liger since he’s already booked for Chikara that day and is obviously in the area. Given his own history with Dragon Gate as a former Open the Dream Gate champion, he is a logical choice. I could also see John Morrison since he recently competed for DG USA on the first night of the California tripleshot. Regardless, the odds of a Smash Brothers victory are minimal seeing as how EITA and the secret weapon are in the six man tag main event on 4/7.I feel like this won’t get enough time to be anything more than just a short match no matter what.
Six Way Freestyle
Chuck Taylor vs. Arik Cannon vs. Jigsaw vs. Tony Nese vs. Fire Ant vs. Shane Strickland
It feels like this match is the leftovers. Excited for Tony Nese to be involved on both DG USA shows this weekend. Instead of giving the victory to Taylor or Cannon, I’m hoping for a Nese victory here to set up a singles win the next day. I expect this to open the show and be a spotfest to get everyone into the show.
The Scene are advertised as well. Their segment will likely extend intermission by about ten minutes.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Chris Bacon on New Japan Pro Wrestling Invasion Attack
While everyone is flocking to NY/NJ and the Wrestlemania weekend gold mine, there will be one major show Wrestlemania weekend that isn’t happening in the Northeast of America. New Japan will be on live iPPV through UStream on April 7th, 4PM JST (3AM Eastern, 2AM Central, 7AM GMT) with “Invasion Attack” at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall in Tokyo.
Like Wrestlemania there are three main matches on paper. The real main event of the “triple main event” is the fourth singles match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship between Hiroshi “Tanashi” Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. Okada surprisingly won the title from Tanahashi in February last year. Tanahashi regained the title in June, before beating Okada on January 4th at the Tokyo Dome. Doing the match again so soon, plus the fact Okada has lost the last two, would suggest Okada has a real shot of regaining the title. In the other “main events”, Shinsuke Nakamura defends the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Davey Boy Smith Jr., which is also another match in the recent feud between the CHAOS and Suzuki-gun factions. And Satoshi Kojima challenges the invading, brand new NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Rob Conway. Yes, that Rob Conway. My only regret is, even if he uses his old WWE theme, it’ll have to be muted on the iPPV.
Elsewhere on the card, Yuji Nagata and Hirooki Goto face Laughter7, Kazushi Sakuraba and Katsuyori Shibata, which has real potential to produce something memorable; Minoru Suzuki faces CHAOS’s Toru Yano which is almost guaranteed to be entertaining; Masato Tanaka and Yujiro Takahashi take on Togi Makabe and his former tag team partner, freshly returned from AJPW, NJPW crowd favourite Tomoaki Honma; CMLL World Tag Team Champions El Terrible and Tama Tonga defend against Valiente and La Mascara; in an eight man tag team match Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Manabu Nakanishi and Super Strong Machine team with Akebono against Takashi Iizuka, YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii who’s been tearing it up as of late and a returning Bob Sapp; and for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles, Apollo 55 of King Of Twitter and current Junior Heavyweight Champion Prince Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi challenge Time Splitters, Alex Shelley (who faces Devitt for the singles Junior Title the Friday before) and KUSHIDA.
There’s sure to be some amazing wrestling in America Wrestlemania weekend. But, Okada versus Tanahashi is Okada versus Tanahashi. Not to be slept on (although if you don’t fancy the early morning and want to sleep on it in a very literal sense, it’ll be on VOD afterwards until the 15th).
**********************************************************************************************************************
Jerome Cusson on Dragon Gate USA: Mercury Rising 2013
Main Event #1 – The Six Man Tradition Continues
CIMA, EITA & CIMA’s Secret Weapon vs. Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann & Ricochet
At least these six man tags have stories behind them to give us reasons to care. I expect CIMA to pin Gargano and directly set up a championship match for the anniversary show. Given the stipulation, that whoever gets the pinfall will receive a future title shot (Evolve, Freedom Gate, United Gate,), I’m even more sure of this result. Any other decision would almost be pointless. Depending on the mystery partner, the quality could vary slightly. Great way to cap off the weekend regardless. I’m not nearly as excited about this match as another on this show. Part of has to do with my general malaise for CIMA in general. Another has to do with the fact that it’s….
Main Event #2 – As Good As It Gets
Shingo vs. Akira Tozawa
This will be awesome. I don’t care who wins. Just give me two guys beating the bajesus out of each other and giving the same effort as they would in Japan, and I’ll be happy. I heart both guys a great deal. Crowd might be into this more than even the six man tag, and I hope they feed off the energy. I’ll pick Tozawa since the odds are much greater with him returning.
Ladders Are Legal High-Flyers FRAY!
-It starts with two participants, another enters every 2 minutes
-Eliminations can take place anytime by pinfall, submission or DQ
-Ladders will be legal when every participants has entered the match
The Participants Are (in random order): Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, AR Fox, Samuray Del Sol, Uhaa Nation, Christina Von Eerie, Facade
This could be a really fun spectacle… or a complete disaster. I like the thinking here with having a ladder match over Wrestlemania weekend since WWE refuses to book an undercard showcase on their biggest show of the year. Not sure what the motivation is to use ladders, but this should be crazy. I wish a title shot, be it Evolve or DG USA, was on the line, but I’ll try to enjoy this anyway. I’ll take a flyer on Nation since the Jacksons could be the tag team champions, Fox or Del Sol could be the Evolve champion, and the other two participants are not regulars.
Special Challenge Match
Brian Kendrick vs. Chuck Taylor
I have a feeling Kendrick will win here. Given he’s wrestling a tag match against the Gentlemen’s Club Friday and some of the promos we’ve seen, I think Taylor and Kendrick will have sort of issue here and possibly moving forward. Hopeful for a good match but not holding my breath.
Tag Team Attraction Match
The Super Smash Brothers vs. Sami Callihan & Arik Cannon
Not sure how many appearances Callihan will be making in the WWN Universe, but I expect SSB to pick up their only win of the weekend. They defeated the DUF team of Cannon and Sanchez in Chicago at last year’s anniversary show but haven’t had much interaction since. Hoping Uno and Dos get built back up to wrestle for the tag titles since they deserve more opportunities on the east coast.
Special Attraction Match
Tony Nese vs. Soldier Ant
This is the most random of the weekend but could be fun if given some time. I like both guys and would love to see Nese become a regular for one of the bigger independents. TNA wasted his skills and NYWC doesn’t have near the reach as so many other places. Two victories would be nice. I’ll accept this one.
Jon Davis and The Scene don’t have matches as of this writing. We’ll see if they’re put in something together. Given the long weekend behind them and Wrestlemania ahead of them, this should be a really short show to cap off Wrestlecon.
**********************************************************************************************************************
Brian Ubben on Pro Wrestling Syndicate
Wrestlemania. Ring of Honor. Dragon Gate USA. EVOLVE. Combat Zone Wrestling. SHIMMER. CHIKARA. And Pro Wrestling Syndicate. There are too many shows this weekend, yet here at PWP we are putting forth our best efforts to cover it all. It seems PWS has become lost in the shuffle but has slowly picked up some buzz based on the cancellation of Extreme Rising’s weekend shows. Jushin Thunder Liger was scheduled for Extreme Rising Thursday night and PWS Friday night. Due to the cancellation, Liger is now on both nights for PWS.
PWS is known for booking old school nostalgia acts and rising independent stars. It’s also the home base promotion for Starman, who is slowly becoming a cult favorite amongst indie fans since his return to pro wrestling having been last seen in the VWA in 1986 (inside joke folks). Usually the cards look hit or miss on paper, but the amount of talent signed for these two shows cannot be ignored. Here is the listing for Night 1:
PWS Heavyweight Title Match
Kevin Matthews (c) vs. Colt Cabana
PWS Tri State Title Match
Alex Reynolds (c) vs. Starman
Three Way Match
Anthony Nese vs. Davey Richards vs. Jushin Liger
Singles Match
Elijah Burke vs. John Morrison
PWS Tag Team Title Match
The Phat Pack (DJ Phat Pat & Fallah) (c) vs. Black Hollywood (Ray
Smith & Shawn Edwards) vs. Reality Check (Damain Gibbs & Dave Sturch)
vs. The South Side Playaz Club (Joe Hardway & Mo Sexton) (w/Amber
O’Neal & Shelly Martinez)
Tag Team Match
The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe) vs. The Rock ‘n’ Roll
Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson)
Singles Match
Sonjay Dutt vs. Trent Barreta
Singles Match
Dan Maff vs. Kevin Steen
All Out War Seven Way Hardcore Scramble Match
Apollyon vs. Devon Moore vs. Lucifer Darksyde vs. Necro Butcher vs. New Jack vs. The Sheik vs. Tommy Dreamer
Singles Match
??? vs. Simon Dean
Plus a 30 Man Rumble
This card looks like overkill, yet some of these matches may go only five minutes based on certain factors. So many guests making appearances like Vader, Superstar Billy Graham, The Iron Sheik make this unique card even more crazy and special. Right off the bat the match that I’m looking forward to the most is the three-way with Liger, Nese and Davey Richards. If this gets enough time this could be something special, but it could also easily be forgettable if executed wrong. The Briscoes and The Rock N’ Roll Express could be a fun dream match. Kevin Steen versus Dan Maff has potential to be a good brawl. The 7 way hardcore scramble sounds like a match to watch while drinking a few beers. I’ve heard good things about Starman and I haven’t seen him wrestle since I was a kid (inside joke folks). Dutt and Trent? could be good based on what I saw out Trent? at PWG. Everyone loves Colt Cabana so that should be fun. Plus there’s a rumble, so that should be good considering the vast array of talent booked for this show. But it also could be 30 students. Who knows. But for ten bucks, this sounds like a fun show to watch. Then of course there’s the next night.
Night 2:
New Jack’s Retirement Match
Necro Butcher vs. New Jack
Singles Match
John Morrison vs. Jushin Liger
PWS Heavyweight Title Match
Kevin Matthews (c) vs. Anthony Nese
PWS Tri State Title Match
Alex Reynolds (c) vs. Trent Barreta
Tag Team Match
Chris Chetti & Nova vs. Shane Helms & Starman
Singles Match
Pat Buck vs. Tommy Dreamer
Singles Match
Lance Anoai vs. Sonjay Dutt
Suicidal Six Way Match
Bonesaw vs. Cassidy Riley vs. Devon Moore vs. Micah Taylor vs. The Drunken Swashbuckler vs. The Sheik
Liger versus Morrison should be really good as style wise. I think they should mesh well together. It’s cool to see Chetti and Nova together again against Shane Helms and Starman no less, which should be entertaining and possibly surprisingly good comedy match. This is billed as New Jack’s retirement match so hopefully this means he will go all out. And by all out, could that mean a balcony dive? Probably not but you never know. I’d say Necro Butcher is slowly gaining his buzz back after his great performance in the AIW eight man street fight. If both guys are fully motivated, this could be a memorable farewell for New Jack and possibly start a new chapter for Necro Butcher as I can’t recall Necro headlining an indy iPPV, let alone headlining against an extreme legend like New Jack. It’s certainly a dream match and could possibly steal the show
Each show is scheduled to have about ten matches, and both shows have unique matches well worth the ten dollars for each show. If you’re an indie wrestling fan that is looking for a little more variety in your wrestling card, these shows just might be for you. You can order the shows here: Highspots
**********************************************************************************************************************
Chris Bacon on Wrestlemania 29
**********************************************************************************************************************
There you have it, a comprehensive look at so many of the shows running later this week. Please follow us on Twitter for results from many of the shows mentioned in this column. Also, try to support these companies buy either purchasing an iPPV or make your way to the Convention Center. From everyone here at PWP, thanks for the support and we look forward to providing a full weekend of coverage.
great great article gentleman. can’t wait to follow along with the coverage this weekend!