Day 25 2021

 

AEW Rampage: The Buy In

Minors Suzuki vs. Bryan Danielson

KAZE NI NARE

I could give you a brief backstory on Suzuki, but I feel like the fact that fans refer to him as “Murder Grandpa” with equal amounts of fear and affection tells you everything you need to know. And of course Danielson has been the best of the best for over twenty years. Fans were salivating when this was announced. 

Suzuki and Danielson have a lot in common. They’re both stiff, brutal motherfucker that will take as much pain as they give and still smile and ask for more. But aside from that both are also technically sound. The wrestling sequences these two put together are buttery smooth especially in the last exchange that leads to the finish. The strikes fly in equal measure and they’re just as stiff as advertised. Add a hit crowd and hyped announcers and you’ve got a motherfucking winner.  

So why did I choose this instead of a goofy Christmas themed match? Aside from the fact that’s it a great match, I have a bit of a personal softness towards this match. The past few years have been an a ol oh for me as a wrestling fan. I’ve found myself gradually losing interest in WWEs week to week product and AEW didn’t exactly hook me either. Then there’s this match. 

This was the first match in a while I was HYPED as hell to talk about after. Something about this match just hit on a different level for me. It,reminded me why I’ve stayed a fan these twenty plus years. I was on such a high after this match aired. The high didn’t last but for a couple of days Suzuki/Danielson saved my interest in this goofy, frustrating as hell sport. 

Day 24 2021

 

Royal Rumble 2003

I’ve never reviewed a Rumble before so I have no idea how this will turn out. 

Entering at number 1 is Shawn Michaels looking to replicate his performance from eight years earlier. Number 2 is Chris Jericho…BUT ITS A SWERVE. Christian comes out and does Jericho’s entrance to allow Y2J to low blow HBK. Amazing spot. 

Since it’s HBK in the second half of his career it’s not long before he gets color thanks to a steel chair. Chris Nowinski is in at number 3, making his debut. He leaves Jericho to his vendetta which sends HBK packing early. Another debut at number 4 is Rey Mysterio. Following him is Edge at number 5. The two team up briefly before turning on each other but respectfully. 

This team up continues as Christian and Chavo Guerrero enter the match and that’s when shit goes south for Nowinski. Rey and Edge attempt a Double Dropkick from opposite turnbuckles. Rey hits Nowinski but Edge is slightly off and lands right on Nowinskis face. It’s horrible to watch but thankfully he’s not in for much longer. 

8 brings out Tajiri who kicks the hell of Christian and Y2J. It’s during this point that Jerry Lawler makes a quip about Tajiri being his favorite announcer. I didn’t catch it until he explicitly asked J.R. later if he was sure it was Tajiri and not Funaki. Nothing but class from the King. 

Speaking of awful people, Bill DeMott is out next followed by Tommy Dreamer who brings plunder to the ring to the ring. Cause he was an ECW wrestler post-Invasion and that was the only gimmick they could have. And hell we’ve already had one concussion what’s a few more. 

We get a parade of eliminations, DeMott, Dreamer, Tajiri, B2, Chavo, and E and C leaving Jericho alone for 90 seconds wink wink nudge nudge. Speaking of, we see the result of Dreamer smacking Jericho in the face with a kendo stick as he’s bloody with a golf ball protruding from his forehead. RVD is out next and I’m pretty sure Jericho has bitched about RVD being stiff so I’m sure this just lifted his spirits. 

Matt Hardy, Eddie Guerrero, and Jeff Hardy follow. Matt’s MF’er saves him from elimination and even takes a Swanton for the guy…a loyal friend and yet he probably had the worst career out of those three. Rosey is next then Test who proceeds to tear through the competition like hepatitis in a heroin den. 

Things stagnate for while until Jeff takes a horrible bump and is eliminated. Rosey and Eddie eventually follow and the ring fills up. HBK hits the ring to settle his score with Y2J which leads to Test tossing Jericho out. Once again things quiet done. We get some eliminations (Booker T, and Goldust namely) before Batista enters at 28 and Brock Lesnar follows at 29. 

Batista tosses out Rikishi, and Test between his entrance and Brocks. Brock takes out the Worlds Greatest Tag Team and Matt Hardy with ease. The match is still pretty full and with some big names. RVD, Kane, Brock, Maven, Jamal, A-Train. Add ‘Taker coming in at number 30 and we got an all star match…

We got a parade of eliminations as Cena, Jamal, Maven, A-Train, and RVD are tossed out leaving the final four. Kane, Undertaker, Brock, and in his debut Rumble, Batista. What a fucking endorsement for Dave. All Hell breaks loose and eventually ‘Taker disposes of Drax followed quickly by ‘Taker tossing out Kane. Batista comes back with a chair and Undertaker takes his eyes off the prize allowing Brock to throw ‘Taker out and win. 

I imagine what makes for a good Royal Rumble is different for every fan. This one flies by which is a big plus in my book. There’s very little downtime where some kind of action isn’t happening. Maybe you could make an argument for a lack of BIG NAME star power with Rock and Austin MIA, and HHH and Angle occupied elsewhere on the card. I don’t know if Brock was the obvious pick back in ‘03 but they made a strong case for Jericho going all the way in the early stretches of this match. Good stuff. The action was great, the booking was great, just a great Rumble all around. 

Day 23 2021

 

TNA Final Resolution 2008

No Disqualification Knockouts Title Match

Awesome Kong vs. Gail Kim(c)

I’m on a kick, let’s go. Kong knocks Gail off the apron before the champ even gets in the ring and the chaos unfolds from there. Despite Kim trying to fight back Kong is Kong and that shit barley phases her. The match is all Kong from there. Kim tries repeatedly to get back in control to no avail. She finals wins out by out maneuvering Kong…that doesn’t last either. Poor Slick Johnson even ends up in Kongs warpath by you know…doing his job. Things turn around as Kong focuses on the hapless ref which allows Kim to batter Kong with a chair and eventually roll her up when Kong goes after the replacement ref. 

Kong was such a different wrestler from the standard fare of the mid-2000s. No one on TV looked like her, wrestled like her, acted like her, she was just on a different level and TNA booked her like an absolute monster. No villain is complete without a hero however, and in this match Gail falls into the role like she trained for it her whole life. She’s the perfect foil for Kong, constantly trying to get some kind of advantage over a what is essentially a war machine in human form. 

This isn’t a “good for its era” match, this is just a legitimately great match. Like I said Kong was a beast throughout this match and Kim played in to that perfectly. I tried so hard not to compare this to the Divas division WWE had going at the time because it’s so obvious, but man hearing how into this match the crowd was is just bugnuts when you think of the era of Kelly Kelly and Rosa Mendes. 

Days 21 and 22 2021

 

TNA Impact 12/25/08

Santa’s Workshop 8 Women Tag Team Street Fight

Sojourner Bolt, Raisha Saaed, Awesome Kong, and Rhaka Khan vs. Roxxi, ODB, Christy Hemme, and Taylor Wilde 

My God this is a mixed bag of talent. That doesn’t matter though as one the match is fairly short and two they don’t try to do much actual wrestling. Strangely enough despite the No DQ stip they still abide by tag rules…at least until Kong gets tried of Christy shaking her ass in her face and decides to get in the ring and do Awesome Kong shit. 

The match breaks down after this. The women pair off and brawl before setting for a spot where most of them get taken out by a Crossbody by Wilde. The crowd perked up during this point and I’m not sure if it was for the spot or because Taylor was coming out of her top. The match goes for a little bit more before Wilde rolls up Khan to end this.

Wasn’t much of a street fight but it was a decent match. Rhaka didn’t have to do much of anything which is a plus.  The con is though that we don’t get to see the others show off. Like if you put Awesome Kong in the ring I wanna see her be Awesome Kong not just another body in the  match. They got in, threw hands, did some spots, and went home. Disappointing but not terrible. 

TNA Impact 12/20/07

Santa’s Workshop Street Fight

Ms. Brooks vs. Ms. Jackie vs. Roxxi vs. ODB vs. Awesome Kong vs Christy Hemme vs. Angelina Love vs. Velvet Sky vs. Gail Kim

Oh hey I found the first Santa’s Workshop Street Fight. Not an official upload so the quality’s pretty rough but whatever. 

Putting Awesome Kong and Jackie in the same match is scary, but giving them weapons on top of it is just sadistic.  Luckily one of those women won’t be a problem for most of the match. It’s Kong. Gail Kim bee lines towards Kong and the two take their feud to the outside while the other seven stray throwing down in the ring. 

Unlike the sequel, there’s actually a box full of weapons but most of them don’t get used and the ones that do are impossible to see in this video quality. ODB pulls a big brain move and traps Angelina under the toy chest of weapons and then tries to suffocate Roxxi with her boobs. The Beautiful People put their noggins together and ram the toy box into ODBs ass and that debilitates her for the rest of the match. 

Jackie and Roxxi attempt to kick Christy and Traci respectively back into Playboy. The brawl continues until shit gets real. Kong returns to the ring and the BP pull another genius move and try to team up to take her out…that doesn’t work. ODB and Jackie try the same thing…it doesn’t work. Kong then knocks Roxxis teeth into the New Year and kills poor Christy with an Awesome Bomb to seal the victory. 

A lot more chaotic then the second and that’s why I prefer this one. These nine ladies understood their assignment and ran all the way home with it. Really fun stuff.

Day 20 2021

 

Smoky Mountain Wrestling 03/19/94

Ladder Match

Tracy Smothers vs. Chris Candido

I try to keep a wide variety while doing this project and I’ve never covered SMW before so let’s go. First of all, Rest In Peace to both men. Secondly, the ladder is completely fucking useless. The damn envelope with the $25 grand is hung on a clothesline that dips in the middle. It’s so low that either man could just jump and grab the envelope. It’s like that Ultimate X match where the x kept falling down but nobody tried to catch it and win. Like fuck the technicalities and kayfabe, work smart not hard. 

That aside this is essentially Candido getting his ass kicked for like 15 minutes. He takes the lions share of the offense and all of the big bumps. Putting the ladder around the neck and throwing the guy into the turnbuckle pole? Candido took it (then Smothers cracked him over the head with the ladder. It’s not a gimmick ladder either, I’m pretty sure it’s just an actual aluminum painters ladder.). Missing a splash and landing on the ladder instead of your opponent? Candido. Flying into the ladder with your forehead after a kick to the back of the head? Candido. 

And that’s pretty much the match aside for the fisticuffs and few arial moves. Obviously there have been better ladder matches over the years, but I’m a sucker for a good ladder match and this was good. You could tell the match was in its infancy as Mark Curtis the ref kept trying to enforce rules, like counting Smothers out when he chokes Candido. 

Day 19 2021

 

WXW Ambition 1

Ambition First Round Singles Match

Tommy End vs. Bryan Danielson

Ambition is a shoot style tournament held by the German promotion. No pin falls, only knockouts, submissions, or a count out like in boxing can earn someone victory. Tommy starts hot with a Bicycle Knee and a couple of strikes but that’s about it for him. Danielson begins to kick away at his leg and takes End to the mat. This is how the match goes for basically the rest of the contest. Despite brief flurries, Danielson always ends up going back to the injured leg and in the end it’s a particularly nasty leg kick that leaves End unable to continue. 

This was ok. It’s short and different. I don’t really prefer this style but I don’t mind seeing these two mix it up for a little bit. I would’ve liked to seen more offense from End but that’s just a personal gripe. Would definitely down for a full fledged match from these two somewhere down the road in Jacksonville. 

Day 17 and 18 2021

 

WWE NXT:UK 9/23/21

WWE UK Title Number One Contenders Triple Threat Match

Rampage Brown vs. A-Kid vs. Nelson Frazer 

A real clash of styles here. Rampage is a bruiser while A-Kid and Frazer are quicksters with a knack for submissions (A-Kid) and high flying maneuvers (Frazer). For a majority of the match A-Kid and Frazer try their damnedest but are out powered and usually tossed around by Rampage. They try to work together to neutralize Brown but that doesn’t work. A-Kid even sabotages the teamwork at one point then karma takes the form of a 6ft scary Englishman and knocks his ass into the corner. The rest of the match basically follows this formula with occasional breaks for Kid and Frazer to show off together. 

Fuck this match is too good for me to do it justice. It’s close to twenty or thirty minute and never once feels like it. It’s like a really good movie. The action is phenomenal throughout and even at twenty plus minutes I didn’t want it to end. It sucks that NXT UK is basically non-existent for most fans, myself often included, because these three and other talent deserve more eyes on their matches. 

WWE NXT:UK 9/2/21

Heritage Cup Rules Match

Nelson Frazer vs. Teoman 

A quarter final match in a tourney to determine the number one contender for the Heritage Cup held by Tyler Bate. Refresher, 6 three minute rounds, and the first to score two falls win the match. 

Teoman is absolutely viscous in this match. He controls the first two rounds and scores the first fall. Teomans reign continues into the third round but Frazer mounts a comeback  that eventually brings him a score tying pinfall in the fourth round. The two go into hyperdrive in the fifth, and ultimately final round. 

This was really good as well. Teoman is a vicious as fuck heel and Frazer is almost a natural at playing the face in peril. The two waste no time in this match as they are constantly moving. It’s just two good wrestlers having a really good fucking match  and I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen the finishing move anywhere before. 

Day 16 2021

 

Shimmer Vol. 31

Singles Match

Tomoka Nakagawa vs. Mercedes Martinez

It’s a battle of Fisherman Variations as Dave Prazak kindly reminds us as often as possible. The match starts off respectfully enough with both women failing to get a steady over the other. That is until Nakagawa counters a Fisherman Buster. Shortly after Nakaga pulls out a brilliant move and unties the refs shoelaces to distract which allows her to choke Martinez with some part of her pants. Smart!

The match continues in the same vein for the rest of the match. Nakagawa is usually in control but ultimately Mercedes proceeds to pull through and regain the upper hand. It ends with Mercedes proving that her variation, the Fisherman Buster is superior. 

Um…good match? Technically speaking there was nothing wrong with it. There’s just not a lot to talk about. Not much of note was pulled and they had a fairly conservative match, almost felt house show-ish. I don’t know, maybe I’m just getting burned out. 

Day 15 2021

 

WWE Armageddon 2004

WWE United States Championship Street Fight

John Cena (c) vs. Jesus w/ Carlito

Jesus allegedly stabbed John Cena in a nightclub. So naturally instead of a police investigation or an arrest, they settle it at a wrestling PPV. Oh there’s no business like wrestling (that’s not completely true. every facet of entertainment is crawling with scum). 

Cena is set to kill mode before the bell even rings. Carlito proving that his Afro doesn’t hide a big brain spits at Cena which only makes the already pissed off champion more angry. Then Jesus pays for that crime as well as his own…for like ten-fifteen minutes. Great googly moogly Cena just beats the ever loving hell out of Jesus. Thank God New Jack didn’t get the job or this might have gotten really ugly. 

Jesus literally takes the brunt of offense in this match. The few strikes he does get in are completely no sold so Cena can keep kicking his ass. And fair enough in kayfabe the dude stabbed Cena so Cenas not operating like a normal human but still. After being assaulted with weapons, fists, and garbage Cena mercifully puts Jesus away with the FU. 

This was exactly what it was advertised to be. Cena getting revenge on Jesus once and for all. Jesus and Carlito played their roles fine and Cena looked like an absolute monster. Not a classic but effective in what it set out to be. 

Day 14 2021

 

NXT TakerOver: War Games 2

Singles Match

Johnny Gargano vs. Aleister Black

“I absolve you of all of your sins.”

The Whodunnit storyline involving Aliester Black being taken out in the parking lot was an incredible angle. It gave so much screen time and shine to so many wrestlers. It ultimately concluded with the unexpected heel turn of Johnny Gargano. Johnny’s reveal and lack of remorse led us here to War Games. 

The match starts great with Johnny trash talking a silent and stoic Black and only gets better. They throw everything and then some at each other. For every move one person makes, the other has a counter at the ready. Great example of that human game of chess metaphor. Johnny shines in his new heel role. Not only with just the trash talk and the crowd antagonizing, but every time he’s in control or pulls off a counter he has this really goofy smug look on his face. Like imagine Toms face anytime he outsmarts Jerry, it’s fantastic. Black doesn’t do too much different then his usual repertoire but if it isn’t broken don’t fix it and the crowd is into everything so. 

An excellent match to cap off an excellent storyline. This felt like a grudge match which so many payoff matches fail to do these days. The wrestling is of course great but combine that with a hot crowd and Mauro Ranello on commentary and you’ve got a classic. 

Days 12 and 13 2021

 

JCW The Great American Smash

Singles Match

Hoodfoot vs. KTB

Hoodfoot is a giant mass of a man while KTB is also on the bigger side but smaller then Hoodfoot that’s for damn sure. As is tradition, the two hosses begin with a Shoulder Tackle contest. Hoodfoot wins out and sends KTB to the outside where he teases a dive but is foiled. 

The match heads back inside and Hood briefly retains control before a strike combo and Rolling Spear put KTB in the drivers seat. The match dissolves into a strike fest and Hoodfoot wins out. He succeeds in his second Suicide Dive. After this both men begin to trade elbows while the ref counts them out. He stops at nine as the two threaten to turn the violence on him. 

Back in the ring and we get a couple of big moves from Hoodfoot. Saito Suplex, Avalanches, and a second Saito Suplex but they fail to put away KTB. A little more brawling and a near KO ultimatum lead to KTB sealing the deal with a Lionsault. 

Beyond Wrestling Apocalypse Dudes

Singles Match

Orange Cassidy vs. Dick Justice

“Supercop” Dick Justice is billed from ‘Merica and weighs in at 50 Stars and 13 Bars…wrestling is better then any “real” sport. They start by feigning some devastating kicks to psych the other out (Dropping the schtick, Dicks actually was impressive for a guy built like a frozen turkey.). From there the two trade headlocks before going into an impressive display of athletics*! The two wunderkinds pull out the Ospreay/Ricochet Superhero landing spot and blow those vanilla midgets out of the water!

Some chops and an Airplane Spin give Dick the lead but then OC pulls out a Headscissors and delivers an impressive splash from the top rope…then tragedy strikes. OC grabs his bottled orange juice looking to finish the match but Dick pulls his gun. The ref tries to take the firearm away but the gun fires anyway. OC dodges the bullet and it takes out a camera man. The three loiter for a bit before bailing entirely. 

My God professional wrestling is AMAZING. 

Day 11 2021

 

WCW Fall Brawl 1993

War Games Match

Vader, Kane, Kole, and Sid Vicious vs. Sting, British Bulldog, Dustin Rhodes, and The Shockmaster

We all know the legendary Shockmaster. To quote Davey Boy, “he fell on his fucking arse”. But no one ever talks about the actual match so let’s do that shall. 

Road Warrior Animal is the advisor for the face team and wants to send Shockmaster in first, even though Dustin volunteers. But Dustin is stubborn and sneaks in despite being injured. The Natural and Vader go to war for five minutes and this becomes your standard War Games match. The heels win the coin toss, it becomes a two-on-one situation until the babyface team sends in another member, rinse repeat.

 Nothing fancy here as everyone understands the assignment. It’s not a match it’s a war and that’s what these eight men bring. All give and receive their lumps until the finish. A finish that in my opinion is pretty anti-climactic given that Stings in there but I didn’t have the book so it’s not up to me. 

I wanna talk Stevie Ray/Kane. Dude was either having an off night or he just didn’t give a shit. He stopped mid-Irish Whip and just backed up to the ropes forcing Sting to re-do the spot. There’s a few instances where he just stands around, not selling, not hitting anybody, just…lingering. Him and Davey add some unintentional awkwardness during the finish as well. 

A paint by numbers War Games match but a fun brawl nonetheless.

Day 10 2021

 

WCW Fall Brawl 1993

Bounty Match

Yoshi Kwan w/ Harley Race vs. Cactus Jack

(The picture I originally wanted to use was a fan sign that read “Cactus Jack is gonna crumble Yoshis Cookie” but Peacock doesn’t allow screenshots and I could be here for days trying to find the sign online.)

This is right after the Lost in Cleveland angle and it’s actually Cactus’ first time back in the ring since a concussion in April of 1993. Yoshi Kwan…is Chris Champion. Not gonna lie he kinda looks like Father James Mitchell. But I must ask, it’s 1993 and WCW needed a karate guy. Do they call Muta? No. Think of hitting Jinsei Shinzaki and giving him a chance on the big stage? Nah. Just grab Chris Champion from the jobber ranks and put him in Kung fu pants…

Anyway, Jack goes right after Race and Kwan and that sets the tone for this match. It’s a quick brawl with Cactus mostly on the defensive. Kwan (I hate fucking typing that knowing he’s just some hick from Kentucky.) shows a sloppy array of kicks. Enzugiris, Flying Karate Kicks (picture that thing Lui Kang does.), Dropkicks…Jerry Lynn who?

It falls apart towards the end as the two sloppily wrap things up with a miscue between the bad guys and a Double Arm DDT. All in all the match was terrible but man I can’t help thinking about who they could’ve had in Champions position and the match they could’ve had with Cactus. On the bright side, this eventually leads to an excellent Death Match between Cactus and Vader at Halloween Havoc ‘93.

(Writers note: In the midst of this writing, I did some research on Champion for a joke…this fucking guy was trained by the Malenkos. He wrestled in FMW. He did a gimmick where him and his partner came back to the ‘80s from 2002 and claimed Dusty would win the 2000 Presidential Election. Now I’m annoyed at WCW for not letting this dude loose in this match.)

Day 9 2021

 

NWA Clash of the Champions 2: Miami Mayhem

NWA World Tag Team Title Match

The Four Horsemen (c) w/ James J. Dillon vs. Sting and Dusty Rhodes

Stings star was rising fast and Dusty was a certified icon in Florida. I mean no exaggerating when I say the crowd was rabid for everything the baby faces did. The baby faces actually the early part of this match, out running the Horseman and throwing fists, elbows, and Figure Fours at the heels. The numbers game and craftiness of the Horseman eventually swing the moment back to them. They continue to work over Sting until it’s time for the hot tag to Dusty. Like I said the crowd was rabid for The American Dream. 

Things breakdown and both Stinger and Dusty throw the ref to the ground which is Barry Windhams due to run in and cause the official DQ. Flair joins them and with the numbers 4-2 the Horseman begin to lay waste to the babyfaces. 

This ruled. Anderson and Blanchard are so smooth at everything they do as a heel team, they had that shit patented. Dusty was over as a motherfucker while Sting brought a lot of fire to the mix.

Day 8 2021

 

WWF Armageddon 1999

Tag Team Match

The Holly’s (Hardcore and Crash Holly) vs. Viscera and Rikishi Phatu

We got us a hoss fight ladies and gentlemen! If you don’t get that joke, read a book.  Originally I was planning on reviewing Steve Blackman vs. Kurt Angle from the same show but that didn’t give me much to work worth with. It was good match but just flat. So o decided to try this one instead. 

 

Vis is announced at 450+ pounds and J.R. makes a joke about him being a Cinnabon or biscuit away from 500 pounds. Imagine walking through your local mall and seeing someone dressed like Vis standing in line at Cinnabon. Rikishi seems to be between gimmicks at this point as he’s still called Phatu but has “You Look Fly Today” as his theme. Interesting…no it really isn’t. 

The Holly’s try to get the jump on the fat lads but Kish beats them to the punch and ends up squishing poor Crash. He tries to squish him a second time but Sparky saves his cousin. Doesn’t matter as they continue to spend a majority of the match getting beat up by Kish and Vis. 

They eventually get somewhere but hanging up on Viscera. This too goes tits up as Crash tries for another Sunset Flip and gets a XXL Leg Drop for his troubles. More guts then brains that Crash. Vis tags in Rikishi who looks put Crash away with a Rikishi Drop/Driver but Vis ends up missing Hardcore and hits Kish with a Wheel Kick that gives the hicks the win. 

This had no right to be better then a Kurt Angle match. The four don’t fuck around and keep it simple. They get in, do their shit, and get out in under 10 minutes. Brilliant. Not a great match per say but definitely a fun time waster. 

Day 7 2021

 

WSX Unaired Episode 10

The Cartel (Delikado and Lil’ Cholo) vs. Los Pauchos Gaupos (Kaos and Aaron Aguilera)

Delikado is B-Boy under a mask and Aguilera stabbed John Cena once. I don’t know much about Cholo and Kaos outside of Cholos name appearing on some old PWG cards. 

Anyway, LPG have the mamacitas at home and the Cervezas on ice cause they got business to handle. They go right after El Jefe and  Mongol who accompanied Cartel to ringside. The action remains quick paced and Kaos takes a dive onto the managers. They tease Cholo going into the tank first but arguably the fall he takes is almost as bad. The tank was on a metal platform and Cholo hit the side of it and falls into the very small space between the platform and the ring steps. 

We get a second tease of The Cartel losing but in a brilliant move, Jefe and Mongol put a wooden pallet over the tank. A+ teamwork and psychology on WSX of all places, someone call Gwen Stefani. We get a little more brawling and some tank teases. The big story is that LPG are finally looking like a cohesive unit…then it goes to hell and Aguilera accidentally knocks Kaos into the tank instead of the Cartel member he was aiming for. 

This is just stupid fun. Exactly what WSX brought to the table en route to making their mark on wrestling.

Day 6 2021

 

AWA Super Sunday

AWA Title Match

Hulk Hogan vs. Nick Bockwinkel (c) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

The above picture has nothing to do with this match but I couldn’t pass up the chance to use it.

The fact that this one match could’ve changed history as we know it is mind boggling. It’s also something of a clash of ideals. Bockwinkel represents Verne Gagnes idea of a champion, an old school shooter that can get business done if shit hits the fan while Hogan is none of that. 

Verne shot himself in the foot. But that’s not important (well it is but I’m educated on the story enough to go into it…) how’s the match? I didn’t hate it. First off Hogan is over as hell. The crowd is fully behind the Hulkster. I will never understand how promoters like Verne and Vince just don’t seem to care about that if it’s not the plan they had laid out. Like I get egos and stubbornness but they’re in the business of making money…you know what I’m off topic, let’s focus. 

For A majority of the match Bockwinkel gets tossed around and beat up. He has flurries of offense but ultimately they’re always shut down by the Immortal One. For all intents and purposes, this match is booked to get Hulk over and convince fans of certain victory for their guy…then it all goes to shit. 

Hulk wins, like actually wins. Big Leg Drop, clean three count new champ and the crowd love it…so naturally they fuck it up. After a couple of ref bumps, Hogan tosses Bockwinkel over the top rope and out of the ring. The cunt President waits until the crowd are excited and Hogan is celebrating to point this DQ out for some odd reason. It goes over like a Slayer concert at the Vatican. Cups are thrown, bullshit is chanted, it’s a mess.

In terms of the actual match, it was fine. Nothing special either way. But the booking makes this match infamous. Obviously it’s debatable whether Hulkamania would actually come to pass like it did if Hogan stayed in the AWA but how do you hear the crowd support for the win and not call an audible.

Day 5 2021

 

Wrestling Society Xtra 2/27/07

D.I.F.H. (Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs) vs. Team Dragon Gate (Horiguchi and Yoshino)

Wrestling Society X, a bright flame snuffed out before it could truly…illuminate? That metaphor fell apart. Nevermind, WSX was an interesting experiment. It aired on MTV, featured a crowd full of plants, musical guest performances (and musical guests on commentary which was a terrible idea in hindsight), Indy stars of the time (Matt Cross, Age of the Fall, Yoshino, Luke Hawx, Sara Del Rey for like two episodes), oh and shit blowing up. WSX brought a lot to the table that American fans didn’t get on tv. Piranha Tank Death Match, [Redacted] electrocuting a guy, an exploding coffin…and yet they got canceled because Judas Mesias threw a fireball at Vampiro. Go figure. 

History lesson out of the way, Doing It For Her! Jimmy’s gimmick was being emo (emotionally secure) and often getting distracted by the cute women at ringside which angered his intense, metalhead (I guess?) partner as it cost them matches. Team Dragon Gate are of course Indy legends that were two/six of what is considered an all-time Six Man Tag Match in ROH.

If you haven’t figured it by now, the match is incredibly short. Jacobs and Geniki start things off with some chain wrestling. Jacobs tries to hug Tyler before he tags in but the future star has better things to do…getting into a chop battle with Yoshino. Things speed after this and we start to see some patented teamwork from the DG crew. Not to be outdone, D.I.F.H. show their own teamwork which ultimately leads to a Senton from Jacobs followed by a Michinoku Driver by Black for the win. 

For what this was, it was alright. The DG crew and Black are cabs old of much more and if they had more time, they probably could’ve soon off a little more and got a really great match going. But as it stands, a decent from four capable workers…oh and one last note, Pusha T and someone else from the group Clipse are on commentary. It’s not good, and they insinuate that the uber-sensitive Jacobs is gay. 2007 ladies and gentlemen!

Day 4 2021

 

ECW Hostile City Showdown 1995

Terry Funk vs. Cactus Jack

I believe this would be quintessential ECW. This is the shit that got them so much publicity in the early days. And it’s ugly from the word go. 

Terry basically tells the ring announcer to fuck off because the fans know who both men are. Cactus one ups his mentor and invites Terry into the crowd to fight. Terry obliges but goes to a different side of the crowd and calls Cactus over. Theoretically this should work in Funks favor but he has back turned to Cactus so the One Eared Wonder takes early control. 

They brawl up to the commentary position and proceed to will on each other with chairs. After a table spot, they go back through the crowd and to ringside. The Funker continues to lay into Cactus with a chair he brought back as a souvenir. Cactus attempts to counter this with a crutch, a cookie sheet, and a frying pan. Funk no sells the pan because he’s the goddamn Funker and Betty Cocker ain’t got shit on him. 

The chaos continues into the ring and for no reason Cactus brings a RubberMaid trash can into the mix. Because that’s what the match needed. Funk finds beer bottles in the garbage over and breaks one over Cactus’ head which brings us our first drop of blood. Funk finds two more bottles…and breaks them. He then channels Nick Gage and drags them across Cactus’ face, chest, and arm. 

Poor Mikey Whipwreck and Hack Myers attempt to subdue The Funker to no avail. It’s for all for nought as Cactus gets a near fall when Funk tries for the Spinning Toe Hold and then DDTs Funk onto a chair…then I’m pretty sure Sandman fucked up. 

He comes down and attempts to hit Cactus with the kendo stick but gets Funk instead. The bell rings but Cactus takes out Sandman and DDTs Funk on the chair again and the ref counts the fall. So either Sandman came out too early or this is was just classic ECW car crash booking. 

If you like crazy hardcore brawls then this is exactly for you. Funk and Foley revolutionized this style of wrestling state side and for better or worse left a lasting impact on the business. This is exactly what it was advertised to be, a bloody, dirty grudge match and it’s so good. 

Day 3 2021

 

AEW Dynamite 11/17/21

Tag Team Match

Chaos (Orange Cassidy and Tomohiro Ishii) vs. The Butcher and The Blade

STONE PITBULL!

I don’t know when or why the Blade started to resemble The NWO Disciple but when you choose the name Pepper Parks I guess you can’t be trusted to make good decisions. Speaking of bad decisions, Blade starts off the match with Ishii and tries to take advantage by striking Ishii… which goes about as well as you’d expect. After Ishii knocks Blade around he tags in Orange to do his thing and take a HUGE Shoulder Block from Butcher. 

After Blades, Butchers, and Beyond take over and work over OC it’s Ishiis turn to knock Blade around some more than we finally, FINALLY get the HOSS SHIT. 

Butcher and Ishii go to war with the Butcher winning out…for a few seconds. Ishii comes back and takes control back with one Forearm Strike. OC comes back in and almost loses the match but out quicks Air B&B  and brings Ishii back in. After some attempted interference that backfires, Ishii finishes the Blade off with a Lariat and a Brainbuster. 

Great match! OC and Ishii is such a ridiculous tag team and I need to see more of them together. Fuck the Guerillas, let these two win the Tag League. 

Day 2 2021

 

Progress Chapter 115

Progress Tag Team Championship Dog House Rules Match

Big Money Gun Dogs (Big Guns Joe and Gene Munny) vs. Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos 1 and Kid Lykos 2)(c)

Remember when Progress was the next big thing in wrestling? Remember when Covid, Speaking Out, and NXT UK didn’t rip their roster to shreds? Good times. But Cara Noir is still champion, so at least there’s that. Speaking of Mr. Noir. I’ve decided to see what he’s been up to as champ…a whole lot of nothing. Like I said Progress was stripped bare of all its name talent by Speaking Out (for the better) and NXT UK (for the worse).

Gone are guys like WALTER, Dragunov, and David Starr (again for the better), here to stay are guys like Luke Jacobs, Charlie Sterling, and Nick Riley. I’m not discrediting any of them when it comes to talent but right now Progress has less heat than the Amish. Anyway, let’s check on the Tag Division and see what the fuck a Dog House Rules match is shall we. 

It’s just a No DQ Tornado Tag Team Match. Munny and Joe jump the Lykoses (Lykosi?) as soon as they can. Lykos 1 and Munny leave for a bit letting Joe and 2 show off a little. The OG and Munny re-emerge and tease tossing the other off of the balcony before disappearing again. 

The two eventually make their way back into the match and things begin to pick up. It’s not long before the plunder finds its way into the match. Everything from chains to dog food bowls, unique to say the least. Lykos^2 outwit the Dogs work superior, slick, and underhanded teamwork. OG Lykos may be held together with silly putty but they're a damn good team.

This was a fun match. I hesitate to call it good because some people will be turned off by the more comedic aspects but I had a blast watching. Munny is entertaining as hell, and the Lykoses are a really smooth tag team.