The “Wrestling is” franchise has certainly not been without its problems since it first started back in November 2011 with Wrestling is Fun. Attendance has been the largest issue I’ve seen. If I wanted to, I could easily sit there and count fans at shows. Wrestling is Art served as a bastion of hope for a franchise that desperately needed a winning player. A combination of bigger names with a sizable crowd led to one of the best “Wrestling is” shows ever. The history is short, but expectations have been set up quite low up to this point.
Sugar Dunkerton and Frank O’Rourke kicked things off in great fashion with a solid back and forth contest that slowly introduced the fans to the concept and the atmosphere. There were some shenanigans related to what exactly we should be calling Mr. O’Rourke (Frank). Dunkerton doesn’t get the credit for being a quality singles wrestler, so this was a rare chance to be on his own and showcase what he could do. If there is a breakout star out of the franchise, it’s O’Rourke. Regardless of whether he’s in this persona or in Beyond Wrestling as Biff Busick, he’s a heck of a talent who can go in the ring and has a good heel persona. A fun way to start the show and nice to see Dunkerton win a match for once.
Fitting that I’m going to talk about this show in order since Jervis Cottenbelly is a gentlemen who clearly appreciates order. He continued his mini-rivalry with the Batiri but again lost. Poor Jervis can’t seem to get a win even though he’s in great shape and is a solid technical wrestler. There were antics with Cottenbelly’s hat and jacket, but Kobald came away with a win. I’m not as annoyed by Kobald winning on these types of shows, but he’s still not showing a lot as far as wrestling. A great character can only take a person so far before they have to be able to deliver in the ring. I would add Kobald needs more depth and to improve as a worker before I can take him seriously.
The Batiri continued their roll with a victory over Drew Gulak and Estonian Thunderfrog. Gulak seems like a man reborn on these shows as he doesn’t have to deal with the sometimes unappreciative CZW crowd. Gulak showed why he’s an awesome pure wrestler. Also, he exhibited some intensity, something else this franchise has lacked at times. Thunderfrog took the fall because it’s wacky gimmick, and he probably won’t ever win a lot of these matches. The hammer thing is cute once or twice, but until we again get something more than “He’s a knock-off Thor…but he’s a frog,” it’s again going to be a tough sell. Kodama won with the blockbuster as the Batiri conquered the mismatched tag team.
Random note: Thunderfrog used the hammer during the match. How was that not a disqualification?
AR Fox is a man who’s got to be used to stealing the show. He benefitted most from a bigger crowd as the folks in New England responded to him like the breakout star he is. He and Taylor did not put on an all-time classic but a solid wrestling match befitting of the atmosphere. Taylor came away with the victory. A fair enough decision given Taylor means a great deal more in the world of Chikara, but I can’t help but think of what Fox winning both matches on these Wrestling is Art shows would mean to the buzz surrounding the company. Nonetheless, Fox was again outstanding and continues to smooth out the rougher matches in his in-ring game. He wouldn’t be as good the next night, but on this night, he came off quite well.
People might be surprised to know my favorite match of the weekend was in fact Mike Quackenbush against Jaka. Something about the story rang true for me. There was the veteran Quackenbush using his intelligence and guile to bypass the savage nature of Jaka. The gimmick isn’t all that great beyond one note, but he can deliver in the ring with Quack. When the pace was fast or technically based, Quack controlled. When pace was slow or more power based, Jaka controlled. His primary focus was of course on the shoulder and neck of someone who’s had a history of injuries involving both those body parts. Quack ultimately won with the Alligator Clutch. This was really enjoyable and everything a simple wrestling match can be when executed well.
As much as I like to consider myself a Tim Donst fan, his character development has completely fallen off the rails. Advancement for him now is using the top of the ring post to defeat Colt Cabana. This same finish would be repeated the next night and was even more eye-rolling. Colt Cabana put in his usual effort, and you embrace what he has become or not. I can’t say I’m always a fan, but he at least keeps the crowd entertained and doesn’t wrestle recklessly. Donst was fine, but clearly whatever Chikara is doing with him is affecting what he’s doing in the ring. There’s no way these two could have a bad finish if they’re conscious, but I can’t help but think with better storyline, it would be a lot better.
The Devastation Corporation won yet another match over the Colony of Green Ant and assailANT. Watching the heat segment on assailANT was surprisingly enjoyable as he got tossed around. McMassive showed some aptitude, particularly on Black Hole Slam out of nowhere. Denver Colorado’s commentary during that move is almost worth the price of admission on the DVD alone. I guess I was a little disappointed with how the show ended since Devastation Corporation are quite limited the ring. I feel like the ants got a decent amount out of them, but only so much can be done.
The last two matches notwithstanding, this was a strong show and at under two hours, well worth checking out. The price is right. The matches are good, and hey, there’s a crowd to enjoy the action.
Grade: B
*********************************************************************************************************************
Quick Results, Times, and Star Ratings:
Announcers: Gavin Loudspeaker, Denver Colorado, Chuck Taylor, Sidney Bakabella Sugar Dunkerton, and Jervis Cottenbelly, Drew Gulak, Gavin Loudspeaker, and Mike Quackenbush
-Sugar Dunkerton defeats Francis O’Rourke by pinfall after a running boot/11:21/***1/4
-Kobald defeats Jervis Cottenbelly after the Demon’s Toilet/8:49/**
-The Batiri (Obaryion and Kobald) defeat Estonian Thunderfrog and Drew Gulak by pinfall after Kodama hits the blockbuster on Thunderfrog/12:37/**1/4
-Chuck Taylor defeats AR Fox with the Omega Driver/12:37/***1/4
-Mike Quackenbush defeats Jaka via the Alligator Clutch/14:05/***1/2
-Tim Donst defeats Colt Cabana after using the top of the ring post/12:04/**3/4
-The Devastation Corporation (Blaster McMassive and Max Smashmaster) defeat Green Ant and assailANT after the Death Blow/13:06/**1/2
For more information, including on upcoming events, check out their website. You can also find them on their Twitter. To purchase mp4s of their shows, check out my friends at Smart Mark Video (for only five dollars). For streams of this show, all the other Wrestling is franchises, and live iPPVs, check out, SMVOD.
Contact Pro Wrestling Ponderings!
E-mail: prowrestlingponderings@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProWrestlingPonderings
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pwponderings
Youtube: www.youtube.com/pwponderings
Contact ME!
E-mail: jcusson07@gmail.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeromepwpeditor