Major League Wrestling Fusion – February 8, 2020: Hail The Champ

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #96
Date: February 8, 2020
Location: NYTEX Sports Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

The Dallas swing continues as we continue the Hart Foundation vs. Contra, which should have some long term potential. If nothing else, we already have a big match tonight as Brian Pillman Jr. challenges Jacob Fatu for the World Title. It seems to be a setup for the much bigger match with Davey Boy Smith Jr. challenging but that sounds like waiting for. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at Contra vs. the Hart Foundation, which does sound like a war.

Opening sequence, with Contra interrupting to promise Pillman’s destruction.

The announcers run down the card.

Here’s Tom Lawlor, in a Von Erichs shirt and with an unnamed bodyguard, to get things going, complete with (I believe) new music with slow lyrics of “I HAVE COME TO KILL YOU”. Lawlor says it’s great to be back and points out how great his Von Erichs shirt is. It represents the dollar store Von Erichs, rather than the Von Erichs that we remember.

The fans demand he take the shirt off so Lawlor does as they ask and then cleans himself with it in rather disrespectful ways. Lawlor throws it to a fan who throws it back. Lawlor: “Just like the Von Erichs, YOU FAILED!”. He has found a new family in the members of Team Filthy so here’s the new star in his debut as part of the team. Tonight he’ll be facing someone who should be on Botchamania rather than in this ring.

Dominick Garrini vs. Zenshi

Garrini judo throws him down to start so Zenshi grabs a wristdrag. A headscissors into a victory roll gets two and Zenshi flips out of a German suplex. Garrini has a seat on the mat and tells Zenshi to bring it, which is exactly what happens with a running hurricanrana for two. Another headscissors out of the corner drops Garrini and a dropkick gets two. Zenshi’s shooting star press is pulled into a triangle choke but that’s broken up as well.

Garrini starts stomping him in the corner but Zenshi flips him over for a moonsault dropkick. A hurricanrana puts Zenshi on the floor, albeit after his face hits the apron. Back in and Zenshi’s 450 is countered into a judo throw for some stomps to the arm. It’s bad enough that the trainer comes in to check on Zenshi, who stomps on the arm even more. The cross armbar goes on and the referee stops it at 6:58.

Rating: C. This was an interesting twist as Zenshi dominated a good chunk of the match but lost in the end when Garrini cranked it into another gear. The match was a bit of a clash of styles but the point here was to make Garrini look like a killer and that’s what they did. Let Zenshi stick with the high flying stuff though because that’s where he shines.

Post match Lawlor says there’s nothing wrong with what Garrini did because they’re martial artists and that’s what they do.

Contra’s Death Squad goes after Brian Pillman Jr. but Davey Boy Smith Jr. makes the save.

Video on Contra vs. Hart Foundation.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman has had caffeine for the first time and can’t stop talking or jumping up and down. Anyway, there have been threats of a lawsuit against MLW so the Dynasty is going to get to produce their own episode. That will include Gino Medina vs. Septimo Dragon, Alexander Hammerstone vs. Aerostar and Richard Holliday/MJF vs. the Von Erichs for the Tag Team Titles. MJF was hilarious here in a different way.

Richard Holliday vs. Savio Vega

The still hyped up MJF is on commentary, sending Kirsch into a facepalm. After a hug with MJF, Holliday lets him hold the Air Pods. After a quick promo from Savio on how much he loves his Caribbean Title and offering to take Alicia Atout salsa dancing, we’re ready to go. MJF thinks Vega reminds him of an old Kwang. They stare at each other to start and Holliday mocks the Puerto Rican vest as we wait about forty five seconds before the first contact.

Rating: D+. As usual, Vega was one of the worse in-ring performers around here, though I can see why he would be a big help as far as agenting goes. That being said, it’s not a good visual to have him in there with so many bad matches. Holliday continues to look awesome though and would be a huge star if he wasn’t surrounded by so much other talent.

Post match Holliday takes the Caribbean Title with him and says his lawyer/father is going to make this a title match.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. tells Brian Pillman Jr. that the game plan is on. The Von Erichs come in to say they’ve got Pillman’s back too.

Killer Kross is coming.

Battle Riott III is coming in July.

MLW has a working relationship with Dragon Gate. The more talent they can bring in, the better.

We look back at Gino Medina joining the Dynasty and attacking Konnan.

LA Park is coming back.

We look at Injustice complaining about the referees so the referees will be graded with the good referees getting big matches. As long as we don’t have to see any of this, they’ll be fine.

AAA and MLW will be running a co-promoted show on March 13 in Mexico.

The Dynasty is running next week’s episode.

Mance Warner is asked about the Dynasty. Mance: “A*******.” He gives Alicia a light beer and leaves.

Zenshi wants revenge.

MLW World Title: Jacob Fatu vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Fatu is defending and has Josef Samael in his corner. Pillman gets chopped in the corner to start and Fatu holds up the Contra flag. A toss sends Pillman into the corner but Fatu misses sitdown splash. Some kicks to the chest don’t do much to Fatu, who is right back with a chop.

Pillman’s middle rope crossbody is countered into a spinning release Rock Bottom. The nerve hold is broken up with a jawbreaker and some kicks to the head stagger Fatu. Now the springboard crossbody puts Fatu down and Air Pillman drops him again. Cue Injustice for a distraction though, allowing Fatu to run Pillman over. The handspring moonsault gets two and a pair of double jump moonsaults finish Pillman at 5:30.

Rating: C-. This could have been a lot worse though it was just a step above a squash. That being said, Fatu is not supposed to be sweating over just about anyone, which is going to make the big title change that much better. That would seem to be Smith down the road, and that’s going to be a heck of a fight. Pillman is getting there, but he still needs ring time, as would anyone with as little experience as he has.

We see a clip of the Death Squad attacking Smith and the Von Erichs during the match to explain where they were. Again: well done on covering something like that because it would leave a hole otherwise.

Overall Rating: D+. Not much of a show this week and that is the kind of thing that is going to happen every now and then. The matches were designed to set up some stuff for the future but we didn’t get much on this show, which made this a bit harder to watch. It’s not terrible by any means, but it’s nothing worth seeing save for Fatu’s usual awesomeness.

Results

Dominic Garrini b. Zenshi via referee stoppage

Richard Holliday b. Savio Vega – Suplex into a swinging neckbreaker

Jacob Fatu b. Brian Pillman Jr. – Double jump moonsault

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




Powerrr – February 11, 2020: The Other Idea

IMG Credit; National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: February 11, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Stu Bennett

We’re heading towards the Crockett Cup and we might have a bit of a change in the main event. This past Sunday saw the NWA come to Ring of Honor’s Free Enterprise event, where the terms for the NWA World Title match were confirmed. There was a new idea thrown out and I’m sure we’ll cover that this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Sean Mooney tells us to subscribe.

Opening sequence.

Dawsons vs. Bouncers

Eddie Kingston is here with the Bouncers, Pope is here with the Dawsons, Eli Drake is on commentary and a rowdy James Storm is behind trio to offer some shenanigans. Beer City Bruiser rams into Zane to start, followed by a clothesline to put Zane down. Brian (not Brawler here) comes in and doesn’t care for Dave chopping him that much. Some rapid fire Stink Faces from Milonas set up Bruiser’s non-bite bite (he doesn’t have teeth so it’s not really biting).

Bruiser gets taken into the corner though and the beatdown is on with the Dawsons getting to take turns on him. A double clothesline gets Bruiser out of trouble though and it’s back to Milonas to clean some house. The managers nearly get in a fight on the floor, allowing the Dawsons to powerbomb Milonas off the ropes for two. Not that it matters though as Milonas is right back with a superplex into a frog splash from Bruiser (the Blackout) for the pin on Zane at 5:16.

Rating: D+. I like the Bouncers but this wasn’t the right kind of match for them. They work well because they’re so much bigger than just about anyone they face but this was the opposite, which hurt them a good bit. It’s nice to have a fresh team around here though as the partnership with ROH pays some benefits.

Post match, Drake and Storm drink out of the Crockett Cup.

We’ll find out the date and the location of the Crockett Cup next week. If it’s not Center Stage in Atlanta, I don’t know what to tell you.

We see Nick Aldis challenging Marty Scurll to come up with his own counteroffer for the World Title match.

Thom Latimer is asked about his upcoming match with Tim Storm, which could put him in line for a World Title match. He isn’t interested in going after the title because that’s Strictly Business. Oh and the Wild Cards will get the Tag Team Titles back. Kamille teases slapping Dave Marquez but pats his jaw instead.

Thom Latimer vs. Tim Storm

Rating: C. I know I’ve said this before but if this incarnation of the NWA gets credit for nothing else, they should get credit for making Tim Storm into a star. Storm is nearly fifty five years old and has no business being a big deal. The NWA has turned him into a hero the fans can believe in though and that’s downright impressive.

Post match here’s the fake Mama Storm, who Storm manages to not deck.

We look back at Trevor Murdoch vs. Aron Stevens going to a time limit draw but Trevor pinned him after the match was over.

Murdoch wants a rematch because he is the roughest and toughest man to wrestle in the NWA. He didn’t get the TV or National Title, but here’s Question Mark to sing the Mongrovian National Anthem. A challenge seems to be made and accepted.

It’s time for an Update with Sean Mooney (sweet goodness it’s nice to say that again, though sweeter gooderness it’s weird hearing him talk about Ring of Honor). We see a clip of the end of Free Enterprise with Marty Scurll offering to put up $500,000 for a title shot.

There is no Powerrr next week, as we will see the debut of Squared Circle, the new reality series.

Nikita Koloff wants to tell you about Jesus. Fair enough.

TV Title: Matt Cross vs. Ricky Starks

Starks is defending. They fight over a wristlock to start with Starks taking him to the mat in a chinlock. The fans get behind Starks as they get back up, with Starks running him over off a shoulder. Cross is back with a backbreaker for two and now the fans are split. A handspring elbow in the corner gets two on Starks and it’s time to fight over a suplex. Starks gets the better of it but we have less than a minute to go. Starks gets two more off a DDT but Cross is right back with the Cross Cutter as time expires at 6:05.

Rating: C+. The time limit is an interesting idea as you can rarely do anything special in that little amount of time (made even worse with the first gear starting) but it makes sense for this show. Starks is someone who suits the match well enough, but there are possibilities with a heel running away to retain the title over and over. Nice enough match here though, with both guys working in their limited time.

Video on Thunder Rosa retaining the Women’s Title last week over Allysin Kay.

Melina vs. Tasha Steelz

Melina isn’t into shaking hands to start so Steelz hammers her in the face. That earns her a boot and clothesline to the jaw and Melina starts kicking in the corner. A running faceplant gives Melina two but Steelz is back up with some elbows to the jaw. There’s a jawbreaker to rock Melina again but she clotheslines Steelz’s head off. The Primal Scream finishes Steelz at 4:48.

Rating: D+. Nothing to see here as the women’s division continues to not be all that great. Melina is the biggest name in the division by several miles though and putting her against Thunder Rosa for the title is what makes the most sense. She isn’t exactly her old self in the ring but the star power is more than enough to keep her around at this level for the time being.

Post match Melina demands a title shot and she has sanctioned it herself.

Royce Isaacs/Nick Aldis vs. Rock N Roll Express

Sal Rinauro and Mae Valentine are in the crowd. The fans are behind the Express as Isaacs and Gibson get things going. Isaacs is all shaken up by Valentine being out there with Rinauro though and Aldis has to calm him down. That doesn’t go so well though as Gibson grabs the leg and brings in Morton. Gibson works on the leg again and even draws Aldis in so Morton can make the switch without a tag.

Aldis does come in legally but gets taken down by a Morton hurricanrana to get under his skin. Isaacs gets knocked outside again but he’s fine enough to choke Morton on the ropes to take over. Aldis comes in for a cheap shot to give Isaacs two and then comes in to hammer on Morton as well. A missed charge lets Morton make the hot tag to Gibson though (the amount of times that has been done over the years) and house is cleaned in a hurry. During the melee, Isaacs pokes Gibson in the eye and rolls him up for the pin with his feet on the ropes at 7:21.

Rating: C. The Express’ matches have to be on a bit of a sliding scale as there is only so much they can do in the ring but at least they had a good enough one here. It gives the heels a win and keeps the story going if they want to go there, while also keeping things moving with Rinauro vs. Isaacs.

Post match Isaacs leaves with Valentine.

A video on Scurll vs. Aldis ends the show.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: C-. I can always appreciate a short show that manages to get a lot of stuff into their limited time. That was the case here and even thought hey didn’t get that much high quality stuff, it was at least entertaining and gave us some nice moments. Maybe having next week off can help things out a bit, though I’m not exactly feeling the idea of a reality series. Are they really that far along yet?

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




Rocket Pro Wrestling: Blast Off – From A Talk In Chicago

IMG Credit: Rocket Pro Wrestling

Blast Off
Date: March 9, 2019
Location: St. Joseph’s Church, Joliet, Illinois
Commentators: Bill E. Downing, Professor Blackburn, Schelli

So last November (it was last month when I started writing this) I took in all four nights of Survivor Series weekend. I had the four night package of seats, meaning I was in the same seats for every show. During the last two nights, I was sat next to a guy (whose name I never actually caught) who happened to be part of the staff of Rocket Pro Wrestling (as was his buddy Kevin, also a nice guy). They were both rather enjoyable to talk to so I thought I’d see how their promotion went. Let’s get to it.

This is the inaugural show from the company and I know nothing coming in.

The venue is fairly small but they have the lights turned down nicely and it looks pretty good.

We open with a rocket launching (can’t fault them for missing the theme) to get things going.

Here’s Johnny Roy Hero, who seems to be the boss and is throwing out pieces of paper to the crowd. He introduces the commentary team, with the Professor in a mortarboard. I wonder if he does poetry too.

National Anthem. Dang they’re not leaving anything out here.

Commentary starts talking over Hero, who introduces the CEO Chet Gunderson. He’s a rather happy guy who comes out to some polkaish music and hands out glowing rings to some fans. Chet, with his glasses taped together, is proud of his clip on tie and out of breath from dancing. He introduces another boss, General Manager Jbek the Paycheck, who has the Rocket Pro Wrestling Title. Commentary talks over him again and it’s hard to understand both of them at the same time. There is going to be a Rocket Rumble to crown the first World Champion tonight, but we’ll get to our first match right now.

Kota Colmillo vs. Escorpion Dorado

Dorado is a masked luchador and both guys are barely taller than the top rope. Colmillo crawls around to start before working on the wristlock but Dorado reverses into one of his own. Schelli declares this cheating because Colmillo is her guy. Colmillo grabs a headlock (Schelli: “Headlocks are good.”) until Dorado hits three straight armdrags. Dorado’s suicide dive is blocked with a forearm and it’s time to start bending the fingers.

Some running splashes into a monkey flip have Dorado in trouble and a Thesz press gets two. A kick to the ribs into a DDT (Schelli: “That was a cheap shot.”) gives Dorado his own two but Colmillo is back with Miz’s Reality Check. Cue No Coast (I think that’s what they said) to watch as Dorado is back with a springboard crossbody for two. Colmillo goes outside and hits No Coast in the face, allowing Dorado to hit a pair of superkicks back inside. A top rope splash finishes Colmillo at 6:17.

Rating: C-. First things first, keep in mind that this is the opening match on an inaugural show of an indy company. What we got was watchable enough wrestling wise, but the storytelling is a bit much. Having someone interfere in the first match might not be the best idea, as we’ve seen these two wrestlers for less than five minutes and now someone else is being added. Also, I’m not sure how much sense it makes for the face to win by interference. The action was watchable all things considered, but I’m a bit worried about how things are going to be laid out.

Demented Jack vs. Xavier Cross

Jack has a doll with him named Abby and Cross is a clapping priest (the fans like him and they are in a church). The third commentator says maybe his third statement of the night as he suggests that he isn’t all that thrilled with the doll. The bigger Jack shoves him down to start and then does it again for a bonus. An enziguri puts Jack on the floor early on, with even Schelli admitting that it wasn’t bad. Prophet hits a suicide dive for two back inside but Jack cuts him off with a spear.

They head outside with Jack sending him into the steps and a running basement double chop knocks Cross silly back inside. The chinlock goes on but Cross is right back up, only to get dropped with a clothesline. Schelli: “Sleepy time Prophet.” Cross is back up with a superkick and they’re both down again. Some forearms put Jack down and Cross drops a top rope elbow for two. Jack grabs an implant DDT but Cross hits another superkick and a running Downward Spiral is good for the pin at 10:47.

Rating: C-. There were some more moves int his one but the characters didn’t really offer much change. I kept waiting for something to get better but it was a lot more about doing move moves until we got to the finishing sequence. The match didn’t really build to anything and just kept going to a finish. It wasn’t terrible or even bad, but I could go for knowing more about these people. Then again, first show and all so where would you learn about them?

Rodney Jackson vs. John Scrutch vs. Maxx Blaylock

Anything goes and Blaylock is a cowboy. Jackson has Cortez Mack and Blaylock has some undetermined relative with him named Doc Blaylock. Scrutch gets double teamed to start and the two managers beat him up on the floor. Jackson is given a chance to join the Death Ride but he opts to flip around instead, meaning it’s a quick pose for a breather. Scrutch comes back in with a double clothesline but gets double teamed down again.

Blaylock is sent outside again and Jackson goes to the apron for a running kick to Maxx. Back up and Scrutch clotheslines the heck out of Maxx, only to have Scrutch get double teamed again. Maxx suplexes Jackson for two but Jackson is right back with an ax kick for the same. As Scrutch is double teamed by the managers (on the other side of the ring, meaning we can barely see it), Maxx is sent outside as well so Jackson can dive onto a bunch of people at once.

Maxx hits his own dive (Schelli: “That’s what a cowboy does.”) but gets caught in a superplex from Jackson back inside. Scrutch comes in and, you guessed it, is sent outside again. Jackson tries a standing Lionsault but gets superkicked out of the air, sending him onto his head for a scary landing. Scrutch gets back in and takes the strap down for a Stunner. Maxx hits an RKO though….and it’s a double pin at 7:53. Scrutch is named the winner with no explanation from the referee.

Rating: C. As confusing as it was with all of the people involved, the match did the best job of telling a story yet. For some reason, Blaylock and Jackson were worried about Scrutch and beat the heck out of him every chance they could. That was paid off when Scrutch got to showcase himself a bit and cleaned house, but then the ending was more complicated than it needed to be. Even commentary seemed confused at how it could have happened and that isn’t the best look.

Post match the Blaylocks beat up Scrutch, including an RKO onto the cowbell. Hold on as here’s Jbek the Paycheck to say that next month it’s Scrutch vs. Maxx in a 2/3 falls falls count anywhere match and the winner gets a shot at the Inner County Championship. So that’s a thing as well.

Shawn Danger vs. Sanji

Schelli seems to be a big Sanji fan and Danger seems to be rather intoxicated. Sanji, who seems to be from Japan, jumps Danger in the corner and the stomping begins in a hurry. Danger is back with an elbow to the face as the announcers discuss his blood alcohol content. I’m going to assume it’s high.

Some running corner clotheslines have Sanji in trouble but he’s back with some uppercuts to the face to take over. A running shot in the corner sets up a hanging swinging neckbreaker as two people named No Coast come out. One of them pulls out a unicorn (apparently from Fortnite) and accidentally knocks Sanji silly. Danger hits a Stroke for the pin at 4:45.

Rating: D. This one really didn’t work for me as it was one joke from Danger and then an interference ending. It’s becoming an issue tonight as there has been way too much interference up and down the card. It’s the first show and I get the idea of setting up some stuff for later, but it’s ok to just have a match.

Post match Kota Colmillo comes out to help Sanji beat down No Coast. Jbek comes out to make a tag match for later tonight (and yes he throws in a playa).

Rion Skillz vs. Joey Roth

Well in theory at least as commentary says Skillz is going to be facing Matt Wild. Hold on a second though as Roth pops up on screen to say he’s in California and won’t be here tonight. We have a replacement on hand though.

Rion Skillz vs. Matt Wild

Wild has someone named Reilly O’Doyle in his corner. Skillz is a somewhat bigger guy but he has to wait for Wild to pose in the corner. That’s matched by Skillz, who gets a bigger reaction as the pose off begins. Even the referee gets to pose as we’re two minutes into the match with no contact yet. They ring the bell a second time and I’m not entirely sure where we are right now.

After even more stalling, we get the lockup about three minutes after the initial bell. Hold on though as Wild accuses him of a hair pull so we pause for some yelling from the referee. A lockup goes on and Wild bails outside, slides back in, and then goes to the floor again. Back in again and Skillz hits a heck of a clothesline, plus a few shoulders for a bonus. One heck of a chop in the corner rocks Wild again and a few more make it even worse.

A wind up punch is cut off with a thumb to the eye though and Wild grabs a quick neckbreaker. Wild starts stomping away and a running basement dropkick gets one. The chinlock goes on and we get some old school arm drops (I can always appreciate those) to bring Skillz back up.

That means more chops but O’Doyle grabs a leg for the save. Wild gets two off an atomic drop (you don’t see that one too often these days) and drops an elbow for the same. Skillz chops him out of the air though and gets in even more of them as he certain has a weapon that works. That brings O’Doyle to the apron though and Wild gets in a low blow. A lifting Downward Spiral finishes Skillz at 11:42.

Rating: D+. The stalling at the start got annoying in a hurry and kept going for way too long. Things got better once they put it into a rhythm though as Skillz got to beat him up with the chops. Wild and O’Doyle are a pretty standard heel combination and that’s fine for a show like this. It was getting good but the ending was a little cliched and something I feel like I’ve seen several times, which isn’t a great feeling.

Intermission.

Myles Mercer vs. Justa Mazing

Mercer has C-Red and Renee Van Pebbles with her while Mazing has Kendra Hall. Mazing works on the arm for a bit before it’s back to the standoff. An exchange of kicks puts them both down and Mercer is starting to get a little more serious. A run of the ropes lets Mazing dropkick him to the floor but Mercer breaks up a kick from the apron. Back in and Mercer drops a bunch of elbows (Schelli: “It’s like an elbow train.”) with the big one getting two.

Mercer gets two off a Blockbuster and he isn’t happy with the speed of the count. Mazing gets in a few shots to the chest but Mercer sends him into the corner to cut that off in a hurry. C-Red reminds us that he’s at ringside by choking away but Mazing flips to his feet and hits a Spanish Fly (Schelli isn’t impressed). Another C-Red distraction doesn’t work so it’s a jumping neckbreaker for two on Mercer.

Back up and Mercer grabs a reverse hurricanrana into a jumping flip forward DDT for two more. Mazing is rather out of it but he shoves Mercer into the corner for a ref bump. That brings Van Pebbles in but Kendra spears her down. A Zig Zag plants Mercer for no count so Mazing throws the referee back in like a sane wrestler. Back in and Mercer hits a pretty bad looking stomp (he grazed Mazing, who went down too fast) for no count as Mazing gets a foot on the rope. Mercer tries a Codebreaker but Mazing throws him into the air for a cutter and the pin at 12:21. Schelli: “Whatever!”

Rating: B. That’s the match of the night by about a mile as these two looked a lot more polished than anyone on the show so far. The ending was rather cool too with Mazing pulling off a good looking spot to put Mercer down. I’ve been waiting on something like this and it was rather solid up and down.

Hero comes out to check on the referee, who gets to work the next match as well.

No Coast vs. Kota Colmillo/Sanji

The members of No Coast are given names but I can’t make them out over the noise. Schelli thinks they look like Power Rangers so we’ll go with Yellow and Red. Sanji and Yellow start things off with Yellow spinning out of a wristlock as the fans sing the Power Rangers theme song. They trade hammerlocks until a blind tag brings in Red, with Yellow kicking Sanji into a sunset flip for two.

Kota gets sent outside but breaks up Red’s attempt at a dive. Yellow is right back with a backsplash from the apron, sending Schelli into the Power Rangers theme. Back in and some running dropkicks in the corner rock Sanji again but he’s fine enough to hit a suplex on Yellow. Red gets drawn in to Kota can come in sans tag for a chinlock. A running kick to the face gets two more on Yellow and it’s back to Sanji for a double back elbow.

Sanji’s middle rope chop to the back gets two more but Yellow goes fast with a running leapfrog to make the hot tag. Red comes in for a neckbreaker and splash for two on Sanji, who is right back up with chops to put Red down. It’s back to Kota for a running clothesline in the corner and a monkey flip makes it worse.

The slow beating continues but Red and Kota hit stereo crossbodies for the double knockdown. That means a double tag to bring in Sanji and Yellow with the latter taking over in a hurry. Red holds Sanji for a running knee to the back of the head as everything breaks down. Sanji gets in a middle rope knee to Red’s face for the pin at 10:31.

Rating: C. No Coast was a nice team here and while I’m a little confused by having them lose to a thrown together team with two people who had already wrestled tonight, it was a fun enough match. The Power Rangers deal was a good way to make them stand out, with the colors alone being a good way to tell them apart. I could go with knowing a bit more about them, but the match itself was good enough.

C-Red vs. Rage

C-Red has Myles Mercer and Renee Van Pebbles with him. Schelli thinks Rage looks like her grandmother’s curtains. The two of them jump Rage to start and the fight is on outside but we ring the bell anyway. Red grabs the chinlock and then the reverse chinlock before sending Rage outside for another beating. Some shoulders in the corner keep up the slow beatdown and we’re in the chinlock again.

Red gets the referee looking elsewhere again so the other two can cheat some more as we certainly have a formula going here. A middle rope ax handle cuts off Rage’s comeback for two, meaning more cheating can take place. Rage does the Ultimate Warrior rope shake comeback and kicks him in the face (Bill: “This is the Rage that we know.” Where would we know him from?), only to have Mercer trip him down. Back up and Red misses a charge in the corner, allowing Rage to grab a rollup for the pin at 7:40.

Rating: D+. This is a match that probably could have been dropped for the sake of cutting the show’s run time down a bit. It was a bunch of slow beatings and interference from the floor until Rage did about two moves and won. I’ve seen worse, but after a rather long show already, this didn’t really feel like it needed to be here.

Post match the beatdown is on but Nuke (a big guy, who happens to be the one who I was sitting next to at Survivor Series) comes in for the save.

Aaron Stone vs. Cesar Dragon

Stone is a high flier and Dragon looks more like a Power Ranger (green in this case) than No Coast could ever hope to be. At least this one certainly seems to be inspired by the show (though it might be Green Lantern). Dragon takes him to the mat to start and grabs a headlock but Stone is right back up with a kick to the head. Something like a Claymore puts Dragon down again but he’s not even letting the count get to two. A double legdrop gets another one so Dragon is back up with a sliding knee for two of his own.

Stone’s knee is fine enough to hit a running knee for two more but he gets sent into the corner. The Alberto Del Rio top rope double stomp gives Dragon two more and an enziguri rocks Stone again. Stone superkicks him out of the air though (Schelli: “ET phone home!”) and they’re both down for a bit. Back up and, say it with me, Stone kicks him in the face to put them both down again.

Stone’s knee seems messed up (so much for his offense) but he’s able to duck a Shining Wizard. The comeback (Maybe?) is on with some running forearms and a spinning torture rack powerbomb for two more. Dragon kicks him in the leg, setting up a double chop to put them both down. A rolling kick to the head cuts Stone off again but he’s right back with a fisherman’s driver for the pin at 14:31.

Rating: C. It’s an entertaining enough match with some good kicks, but it’s coming WAY too late in the night. That’s been the problem with a lot of this show: the length is bringing it down as these are just people with no backstories or characters going out and having watchable matches. That can drag down a show in a big way and that’s what’s going on here. Stone looked good and I could see him going somewhere with a little more time.

Rocket Pro Wrestling World Title: Rocket Rumble

For the inaugural title and it’s a 20 man Royal Rumble with 90 second intervals. Rion Skillz is in at #1 and, after a rather long wait, Maximus O’Ryan is in at #2. O’Ryan wants nothing to do with a handshake so, after nearly a minute of staring at each other, Skillz slaps him a few times. It’s Joey Blues (Yellow from No Coast) in at #3. Yellow and Skillz double team O’Ryan with Skillz unloading in the corner. Joey is fine enough with standing back to watch, allowing O’Ryan to fight back and beat them both up.

Cortez Mack is in at #4 and goes after O’Ryan as well but it’s quickly off to Skillz as O’Ryan and Yellow chill in the corner. Aaron Stone is in at #5 and gets rid of Yellow before superkicking Skillz. They pair off in different corners and it’s Max Blaylock in at #6 to pick up the pace a bit. Blaylock gets rid of Stone and Skillz tosses Mack to clear the ring out in a hurry.

Cesaro Dragon is in at #7 and nothing happens for a bit. That means it’s Ryan Grazer (Maybe? It’s Red from No Coast) in at #8 as Blaylock is tossed. Myles Mercer is in at #9 and he chills on the floor in a smart move. The brawling continues so Mercer gets in but slides right back out as O’Ryan glares at him. Kota Colmillo is in at #10, giving us Skillz, O’Ryan, Dragon, Red, Mercer and Colmillo at the moment.

Mercer gets in and is knocked hard into the corner as Xavier Cross is in at #11. He goes straight for O’Ryan but gets rid of Kota instead. Mercer gets beaten up again and it’s….Bruiser Newcastle coming in (slowly) through the crowd at #12. Apparently he’s a chef and throws hot dogs at people, with Skillz eating his. We stop to offer an exchange of hot dogs until Newcastle gets jumped. Mercer bails to the floor and everyone gets together to eliminate Newcastle.

Matt Wild is in at #13 and Red is out as well. The brawl is on and a bunch of people roll underneath the ropes for a breather on the floor (gah). Shawn Danger is in at #14 and he goes to the floor to chase Mercer. The two of them get inside with Danger stomping Mercer in the corner. C-Red is in at #15 and Mercer joins him on the floor (Egads STAY IN THE RING ALREADY!) but C-Red is in to beat up Danger.

Justa Mazing is in at #16 and I think everyone is in the ring at this point but you never can tell. Mazing starts slugging away at everyone as the ring is way too full. Demented Jack is in at #17 as Danger is out cold, meaning Mazing goes after Jack instead. Rodney Jackson is in at #18 and Danger is tossed. John Scrutch is in at #19 as Jackson gets crushed by a bunch of people in the corner. Scrutch is out in a hurry and Mazing rips Jackson’s chest off with a chop.

It’s Rage in at #20, giving us a final grouping of Skillz, O’Ryan, Dragon, Mercer, Mazing, Jack, C-Red, Jackson and Rage (Cross and Wild were dumped somewhere in the melees). Jackson is tossed out by Rage and a superkick eliminates Jack. Mercer is out as well and a double clothesline puts O’Ryan on the apron.

There goes Dragon and we’re down to Skillz, O’Ryan, Rage, Mazing and C-Red, who pulls himself up in the corner. Rage goes after C-Red and it’s Skillz and Mazing getting rid of O’Ryan to clear the ring out a bit. C-Red gets rid of Rage and we’re down to three. A baseball slide gets rid of C-Red, leaving us with a nice showdown.

Skillz hammers on Mazing but the SHH chop….is silent. They do it again as Skillz has lost his chopping abilities. Mazing hits one of his own and celebrates but Skillz hits him once for a knockdown. Skillz gets low bridged to the apron though and a dropkick is enough to give Mazing the title at 38:35.

Rating: C-. Mazing was possibly the most impressive guy all night long so giving him the title is a good idea. A lot of these people were interchangeable and could have been tossed out a lot faster, but Mazing did have some star power and came off as a good choice for a winner. The match was long, but it does feel like Mazing earned it, which is the point they were shooting for here.

Hold on though as here’s Chet Gunderson to say not so fast. Mazing isn’t done yet because he has to beat THIS GUY to win the title. Sure why not.

Rocket Pro Wrestling World Title: Justa Mazing vs. Jeff Steeples

Again for the inaugural title. Actually hold on AGAIN though, because Schelli says she’s part owner of this company and wants to make this a triple threat for the title.

Rocket Pro Wrestling World Title: Justa Mazing vs. Jeff Steeples vs. Mark Reconsile

For the inaugural title (I think? Mazing has the title and they go back and forth between saying he is or isn’t the champion). Jeff is called the Behemoth and Reconsile is good sized from a width perspective. Reconsile bails to the floor to start and tells the other two to fight without him. Mazing strikes away at the bigger Steeples to little effect. A stomp to the foot staggers Steeples as Reconsile doesn’t want to hear the fans booing him.

That’s enough for Reconsile to come in for a running forearm to put Steeples down in the corner. The big guys fight to the floor as Mazing tries to pull himself up in the corner. They brawl on the outside (mostly off camera, though you can hear the chops) as commentary confirms that you have to get the fall in the ring. Mazing is back up for the big running flip dive and the brawl continues in the aisle.

Mazing kicks Reconsile down but has to bail out of a middle rope Phoenix splash. Steeples is back up with an STO to Mazing but Reconsile plants Steeples for two. It’s Mazing up first and striking away at both of them but Steeples kicks him down. The ref gets bumped by Steeples so Reconsile pulls out his chain to knock Steeples out. Reconsile chains Steeples to the post and here’s Matt Wild to lay out Mazing. Another shot with the chain lays Mazing out and Reconsile gets the pin from another referee at 16:07.

Rating: D+. This was long and overbooked, though I’ll give them points to doing something with Schelli after having her be an annoying commentator all night long. I wouldn’t have bet on that one so well done on a bit of a surprise. That being said, they would have been better off finding a different way to do this (Schelli adds a 21st entrant to the Rumble for instance) if they need to do the screwy finish tonight. It was longer than it needed to be (a theme tonight) but at least they got a nice angle in at the end, even if it was overbooked to get there.

Steeples and Mazing are annoyed to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. It’s the first show and you can tell that on quite a few fronts. As I’ve mentioned multiple times now, the show is WAY too long. This show clocks in at about three hours and forty five minutes, or half an hour longer than Survivor Series. There’s something to be said about packing a show, but with this much going on, a lot fewer wrestlers get to stand out because there’s so much going on. A lot of the stuff here felt like it was there for the sake of being there and that’s not a good feeling.

For instance, you had two matches added during the show in the No Coast tag match and the triple threat main event. If you have to do those matches, especially the tag, set them up then do them on your next show. That, plus cutting out one of the several other matches, drops you by about 45 minutes in a hurry. The matches stop having any impact because they just keep going and I was wondering when the show would end. Now that being said, they seem to have learned their lesson as the second show is about an hour shorter, which is WAY better and shows that they can adjust as necessary.

Finally for the negatives, they need to adjust the commentary. Downing was fine as a regular play by play man, but Blackburn might have said ten things all night. The other commentators would reference him and I would have to remember he was there. Schelli was rather annoying but by making her a heel character, they did at least do something with her so points for that.

Now for the good stuff. They didn’t go insane with gimmicks or characters and presented a mostly down to earth, realistic style. You can go in multiple directions with a show like this but it’s a good sign to have something that fits in with everything they’re doing. They didn’t go over the top or do anything that felt out of place. It’s a good idea to go with something simple on the first show and that’s what they did here.

The wrestling was passable enough and while they didn’t have much in the way of character development, that can all come later with vignettes or something else. A few of the wrestlers did make an impression and I’d consider watching it again, especially if they do something to pick up the pace and get out of there a little earlier. It’s a first show and that’s very understandable, though they have some things to work on. What matters is getting the show together without being a disaster and they did both of those things here. It could have been better but it could have been a lot worse so not too bad.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




Powerrr – February 4, 2020: A Different Way Of Doing Things

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: February 4, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Stu Bennett

This show continues to be tricky to call as it tends to focus on the talking, which is a weird way to go in modern wrestling. That’s what makes it work more than anything else and I could go for more of it. The show is a lot of fun more often than not and we are coming up on the Crockett Cup, which needs to finalize its main event. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

James Storm and Eli Drake think we should watch Powerrr.

New opening sequence, now with a Pantera song (I’m Broken) instead of Into The Fire. That’s a downgrade, but they have updated the name graphics so it’s not all negative.

Here’s Tim Storm for a chat. The fans shout that they love him and he calls them his family. He’s ready for Thom Latimer next week because he wants to prove himself against the best. There have been rumors about Storm retiring from wrestling and there is nothing to them because he wants to be here with his family. He can handle Strictly Business and will never raise his hand against Kamille because Mama Storm taught him better.

Cue Latimer and Kamille with Latimer not thinking much of Storm. Hold on though as we have a surprise: MAMA STORM IS HERE! AND SHE NEEDS A SHAVE SO I DON’T THINK THAT’S HER! Tim isn’t impressed as “Mama” rambles about taking Tim to see Frank Gotch. Storm doesn’t know if he’s angry or laughing but “Mama” says he should go back to school so he can learn to win a match.

If the NWA accomplishes nothing else, they have turned Tim Storm from “the old guy who is NWA Champion because the NWA is a joke” into a grizzled veteran that you can sympathize with in a great way. That’s remarkable and worthy of a lot of praise because I don’t know who else could pull it off.

We look back at Thunder Rosa winning the Women’s Title at Hard Times. The rematch is tonight.

Matt Cross vs. Caleb Konley

Ricky Starks is on commentary. They go straight to the mat to start and that’s good for a standoff. Cross headscissors him into the corner and hits a running forearm as the fans go with the LET’S GO CROSS chants. Konley pulls him off the ropes and hits a running kick to the face for two, setting up the bow and arrow hold. That’s broken up in a hurry and Cross hits some running clotheslines for two of his own so Konley small packages him for the same. Konley’s low superkick sets up a tornado DDT for the same but Cross bounces off the rope for a cutter. The shooting star finishes Konley at 5:52.

Rating: C. This felt like any indy match you could imagine and that’s a fine way to go. They did some good stuff with Cross getting to show off a bit but I’m going to forget that I saw this in about thirty seconds. Neither made that much of an impression but you can always use people who can have a completely competent match, which is what you had here.

Post match, respect is shown.

We look at Nick Aldis setting the terms for Marty Scurll to get another shot at the NWA World Title.

Aldis is wondering why he hasn’t gotten a response yet. Maybe the wolf on the hill is hungrier because the food is right in front of him. His patience is wearing thin so respond, maybe even with a counteroffer. He wants a response by Free Enterprise on Sunday.

Video on Eddie Kingston, the Pope and the Dawsons.

Here are Pope and the Dawsons for a chat. Pope doesn’t need to offer an explanation but this doesn’t speak badly on Kingston. It speaks badly on Homicide, but don’t speak badly on the cashier who is bringing change to the NWA. Cue Kingston, who had to be told not to bring a wrench or screwdriver out here to deal with Pope. Homicide is the reason he didn’t kill himself and that’s real. He got a phone call from some young high fliers who needed a chance to prove themselves, so here are the Bouncers from ROH (Beer City Bruiser/Brawler Milonas, the smaller of whom is about 350lbs). A match is teased but nothing happens.

We look back at Trevor Murdoch yelling at Aron Stevens and announcing their National Title match this week.

Mae Valentine gives us a vlog about how everyone is loving her around here and how hard everything is for her. But her outfits have been awesome! She isn’t wild on Royce Isaacs being so jealous but he won a match while she made a new friend so everything is ok. The airheaded voice was kind of funny.

National Title: Trevor Murdoch vs. Aron Stevens

Stevens is defending and has the Question Mark with him. The fans are behind Murdoch in a bit of a surprise. They go with back to back headlock takeovers into headscissor counters until Stevens bails into the corner. Murdoch slams him down a few times but a showdown with the Question Mark….means it’s an ejection. Stevens uses the distraction to send Murdoch into the apron a few times and Stevens wants to know how much time is left in the ten minute time limit.

Back in and Stevens drops a knee before hitting a running hip attack to the back of the next. A hard clothesline gets two more and Stevens throws him outside again. Stevens demands a count but only gets about a six before Murdoch is back in. Commentary is right there to point out that Stevens is letting Murdoch recover and it isn’t as smart as he thinks. That’s some good insight and you don’t get enough of that these days. The chinlock works a bit better and a thumb to the eye lets Stevens put Murdoch on the floor again.

Back in and a suplex puts Murdoch down again so some knee drops can get two. With less than two minutes to go, Stevens throws him outside again but this time Murdoch lands on his feet and comes back inside to hammer away. A full nelson slam gets two on Stevens with less than a minute to go but Stevens pokes him in the eye with thirty seconds left. Stevens jawbreaks his way out of a sleeper as time expires at 10:00.

Rating: C+. The storytelling was strong with this one and that’s not something you can ever get enough of in wrestling. Stevens is a great cowardly champion as he’s going with a twist on a classic trope. Murdoch is someone who is getting a lot of mileage out of a simple gimmick and that’s always nice to see.

Post match Murdoch hits a top rope bulldog and counts his own pin.

Zicky Dice challenges us to subscribe to the NWA YouTube channel. If they get another 100,000 subscribers, he’ll do whatever the fans want.

Sean Mooney is thankful for the warm welcome he has received and recaps the Aldis/Scurll summit from last week.

Mooney also recaps the Lucky 7 Rule, which now has a graphic showing how many title defenses Ricky Starks has completed.

Ricky Starks is ready to keep the title for a long time.

One more thing: Melina wants to be #1 contender after tonight’s rematch. I can go for a quick control center deal like this.

James Storm/Eli Drake vs. Jocephus/Mims

Non-title. The fans are glad to have Jocephus back, even as Storm works on his arm. Drake comes in to stay on his arm but an elbow knocks him down. Mims comes in and is quickly run over with a clothesline so it’s back to Storm. That goes badly for Mims as well with Storm chopping him down and Drake hitting a powerslam. Drake fireman’s carries Mims into a Backstabber from Storm for the pin at 3:13.

Rating: D+. Perfectly nice little squash here and there is nothing wrong with that for the new champs. Let them go in there and beat people up so the fans know that they’re good at what they do. The action wasn’t the point here, but rather Storm and Drake looking dominant, which is exactly what we got.

Clips of Thunder Rosa vs. Allysin Kay for the Women’s Title at Hard Times, which looks like a heck of a fight.

Women’s Title: Allysin Kay vs. Thunder Rosa

Rosa is defending and Melina is sitting at commentary without putting a headset on. They trade waistlocks to start before fighting over front facelocks instead. Rosa gets the better of it with a quickly broken Crossface and that means an early standoff. Kay snapmares her down and hits a kick to the back but Rosa snaps the arm over the ropes to take over. The arm is wrapped around the middle rope for a bonus (now we just need the bottom for the complete set) but Rosa switches gears by slugging away in the corner.

The Fujiwara armbar stays on the arm until Kay gets a foot on the rope for the nearly desperate save. Back up and they trade running forearms, followed by the wild slugout in the middle. An exchange of big boots gives us a double knockdown. It’s Rosa up first for a running corner dropkick but cue Marti Belle for a distraction.

Tasha Steelz and Ashley Vox come out to stare her away and Rosa grabs a rollup for two. Kay is back with a swinging neckbreaker and a Jackhammer for two but the arm is still hurt. The AK47 doesn’t work and Rosa gets in a Stunner for her own two. A Gory Bomb gives Rosa two more and a Death Valley Driver is good for the same as Kay can’t believe she kicked out. Rosa is right back up with a bridging rollup for the pin to retain at 9:25.

Rating: C+. The brawling sequence in the middle was rather good and these two have chemistry. The best thing about it though is that the NWA is understanding that Rosa needs to be turned face because she is the most popular woman in the division at the moment. There’s no need to keep her heel for a story that isn’t that big in the first place and capitalizing on something they have is a good idea, plus an encouraging sign.

Post match Rosa leaves as Bell and Melina look at her.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a different kind of show and that’s a good thing in this case. It’s not that the other kind of show is bad but much more about the fact that this show worked in a different way. What we got here was entertaining and advanced the stories, which is a unique way to go for them. It worked in a way you don’t see from this show and I liked that for a change.

Results

Matt Cross b. Caleb Konley – Shooting star press

Trevor Murdoch vs. Aron Stevens went to a time limit draw

James Storm/Eli Drake b. Mims/Jocephus – Fireman’s carry into a Backstabber to Mims

Thunder Rosa b. Allysin Kay – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




Major League Wrestling Fusion – February 1, 2020: It’s In The Title

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #95
Date: February 1, 2020
Location: NYTEX Sports Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

The Dallas shows continue and for the first time in forever, they won’t include Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc. The big story seems to be the slow build towards Davey Boy Smith vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Title, which could be a heck of a match. There are other things going on at the same time though, including a Middleweight Title match this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of the Hart Foundation vs. Contra, which would be a lot better if Teddy Hart was still around.

Davey Boy Smith is ready to take out Simon Gotch tonight in a no ropes match, with a win coming by knockout or tap out. Gotch can pick his own execution.

Opening sequence.

We look back at Injustice getting in an argument with Konnan last week, setting up tonight’s Middleweight Title match with Drago challenging Myron Reed.

Simon Gotch vs. Davey Boy Smith

The ropes are gone and you win by knockout or tap out only. Gotch has Josef Samael with him. Smith takes him down and gets ground control with a side choke but Gotch spins out and forces Smith out to the floor. Back in and they exchange kicks to the legs until Smith grabs the head and spins him down to the mat. A headlock takeover into an armbar keeps Gotch in trouble so he counters with a headscissors.

That’s broken up in a hurry and it’s another standoff. Smith takes him down again but gets hit in the head a few times to break that up. A top wristlock has Gotch in more trouble and Smith elbows him in the head to make it even worse. Back up and Gotch slugs away so Smith tells him to do it harder. That’s what Smith does and Gotch goes down in a heap. Gotch takes him down for a change though and kicks at the leg.

That doesn’t get him very far either though as Smith reverses into a cross armbreaker. Samael makes a save from the floor though and Gotch can go back to the ankle. Now it’s Smith getting up again for some more hard forearms, only to get pulled down into a kneebar. Smith powers up again with some belly to back suplexes into a Saito suplex, which is good enough to give Smith the knockout win at 8:03.

Rating: C. Your mileage is going to vary here as it might not have been the most thrilling match in the world but it did a great job of making Smith look like a machine. What matters here is making him look like a threat to the indestructible Jacob Fatu and that might be where we’re going sooner rather than later. Say over Wrestlemania weekend?

Alexander Hammerstone is back from a tour of Japan and has a sponsorship deal with a Japanese soda company. He’s rather happy with the 10,000 Yen payday….until Richard Holliday explains that he’s making about $91. It doesn’t matter though as they’ll get his lawyer/father to get them on more shelves to make the Dynasty more money.

We look back at Mance Warner defeating Jimmy Havoc in their final showdown.

Warner is off to celebrate and then he wants some gold. Like the National Openweight Title.

Video on the Team Filthy Dojo, which is open for business again.

And now, Filthy Does Dallas, which means Tom Lawlor and Dominic Garrini go to a western store so they can look like real cowboys. Not like those fake Von Erichs you see.

Middleweight Title: Myron Reed vs. Drago

Reed is defending and has the rest of Injustice with him. Oliver thinks we’re in Houston but it doesn’t matter considering this place looks just like Oklahoma. They run the ropes to start with Drago flipping over him and trying a backsplash, only to injure himself on the chest protector. Reed hits an enziguri and two knees to the chest out of the corner connecting for two. A dragon sleeper goes on but Dragon backflips his way to freedom.

That earns him a belly to back suplex and a slingshot legdrop for two from Reed. Drago launches him to the floor where Injustice makes a catch, allowing Drago to hit a dive onto all three of them in a big crash. Back in and Drago hits a powerbomb, followed by another one for two. Oliver comes in so Drago superkicks Reed to the floor and hits a running Canadian Destroyer to take Oliver down. Another distraction lets Kotto Brazil get in a low blow and Reed hits a springboard 450 to retain at 4:44.

Rating: C. Drago got to showcase himself here in a failed attempt but there is only so much you can do when you are down three to one. They’re doing a nice job of setting Reed up as someone who could be a rather annoying heel champion, meaning someone could take the title from him in a big moment. Nice match, though the cheating was the way things should go.

Low Ki is ready to face King Mo, when Mo and his trainer Dan Lambert come in. Mo brings up that he knocked out Low Ki’s trainer to take some steam away.

Air Wolf has been attacked.

Contra is ready to end the Hart Foundation.

Air Wolf was attacked by members of Contra’s Death Squad.

We recap the Von Erichs vs. the Dynasty, setting up tonight’s main event.

Marshall Von Erich vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Tom Lawlor is on commentary, and MJF has Alexander Hammerstone and Gino Medina with him. Before the match, MJF says the Von Erichs, just like everyone here and tonight, another member of the family goes six feet under. Points for having the guts to go there. Hold on though as Medina and Hammerstone are ejected before the bell. The fans are behind Marshall and Lawlor seems to hate it.

They lock up and go all the way outside without letting it go. The lockup stays on and they even get back inside for a standoff. Friedman offers a handshake and Marshall actually falls for it, only to come back with an armdrag and a dropkick. The threat of a Claw sends MJF bailing to the floor but Marshall chops the post by mistake. MJF puts the fingers inside the turnbuckle hook and pulls on the other arm to take away the Claw.

Back in and MJF hammers away for two before cranking on the hands again. A knee drop to the hand makes it even worse as MJF is rather good at working on an arm/hand. Marshall powers up and gets in an overhead belly to belly to put them both down. A dropkick puts MJF in the corner and Marshall hits a Cannonball for a bonus.

Marshall powerslams him for two but MJF hides behind the referee before the Claw can go on. The injured hand hits the buckle so MJF takes him down into a Fujiwara armbar with a pull on the fingers. A long crawl allows a rope break and Marshall knocks him down again, setting up a moonsault for two. Cue the rest of the Dynasty for a distraction so MJF can grab a rollup with feet on the ropes for two more. Marshall is right back up with the Claw for the tap at 10:30.

Rating: C+. They told a simple story here as MJF gets to show off his ability to take someone down by a body part. It works well every single time and that’s what happened here. Marshall gets to make a comeback win and look like a hero, which is the right way to go in Dallas. Solid match, though it’s also MJF’s last match in MLW. There’s a chance that he’ll be in a vignette or two soon enough to write him off, but he belongs on a bigger stage.

Post match Lawlor tries to bring in a chair but Marshall fights him, plus the Dynasty, off at the same time to end the show. We do get a mention from commentary that Ross is off on a promotional appearance so they did cover that rather large problem (well done).

Overall Rating: B-. There was a different energy to this show and it felt like the concept they’re shooting for: a good mix of everything that they can offer. That makes the show a lot more fun to watch and that’s what I was feeling here. It felt like a better blend instead of focusing on one or two stories and it makes for a more entertaining show. Good stuff here and I could go for more like this.

Results

Davey Boy Smith Jr. b. Simon Gotch via knockout

Myron Reed b. Drago – Springboard 450

Marshall Von Erich b. Maxwell Jacob Friedman – Claw

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




Major League Wrestling Fusion – January 25, 2020: It’s Really Over?

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #94
Date: January 25, 2020
Location: NYTEX Sports Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

It’s barbed wire night and that means it can only be two people involved. Yes somehow we’re getting another violent match between Mance Warner and Jimmy Havoc, two guys who I liked at one point and now never want to see again. Maybe this can wrap it up and we can move on to ANYTHING else, but for some reason I have my doubts. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

AJ Kirsch is in the ring to welcome us to the show but here’s Contra to cut him off. During their entrance, we see a still photo of the team attacking Davey Boy Smith Jr. at an NHL event over the weekend. Josef Samael goes big by referencing the Kennedy assassination by saying the MLW Camelot falls here as well. The Hart Foundation has a history of tragedy and we hear about Contra throwing a fireball at Teddy Hart back in November. Cue Davey Boy Smith Jr. down the aisle and Brian Pillman Jr. (in disguise, through the crowd for no apparent reason) to clear the ring.

Opening sequence.

Here’s everything you just saw.

Quick preview of the rest of the show.

Earlier today, Konnan was talking about how AAA is coming to MLW but before he can answer a question about Gino Medina, Injustice interrupted him with their usual insults. Konnan isn’t impressed and wants some more respect so Oliver swears a lot. Konnan hopes Oliver is never in prison because he would get traded for some Cinnabons.

Injustice vs. Drago/Puma King vs. Taurus/Low Rider

Fallout from said backstage segment and it’s Kotto Brazil/Jordan Oliver for Injustice. As a bonus, next week it’s Drago vs. Myron Reed for the Middleweight Title. They actually go a full eight seconds with the formality of having people on the apron before everything goes nuts. Low Rider hits a springboard double armdrag on Drago and King and that’s about as good as I can do with the play by play in something like this. Rider kicks King in the face and adds a springboard flip dive onto Injustice, leaving Taurus to clean house inside.

Taurus powerslams Drago into King in the corner and then spears King in half. Injustice comes back in for the save and it’s Rider being sent hard into the corner, setting up an assisted sitout powerbomb to give Brazil two. A double belly to back suplex doesn’t work so King tags Rider on the back (Seriously?) to come in and plant Brazil. King powerbombs Jordan and it’s a Backstabber into a dropkick to make it worse. It’s Taurus back in to clean house again until King launches Drago into a hurricanrana.

Cue Myron Reed for a distraction to cut Drago off, allowing King to DDT Taurus for two. Now it’s Injustice getting to clean house, including a suicide Stunner from Oliver to King. Rider is back up with a springboard Codebreaker to Brazil, with Taurus blasting him with a clothesline to make it worse. A powerbomb/Backstabber combination destroys Oliver and Taurus plants Brazil on the apron. Drago catapults Rider into a cutter from King, who then flip dives onto Taurus. The Dragon’s Tail (spinning, twisting rollup) pins Rider at 7:30.

Rating: C+. This was exactly what it should have been with everyone getting a chance to shine and the #1 contender picking up the pin over someone who got to shine throughout. They shouldn’t have tried to do anything but go nuts with lucha stuff here and we got a good, fun and logical match out of it.

Video on Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc with Mance recapping everything and wanting to destroy Havoc once and for all.

Fightland is coming.

Buy merch!

We look back at Davey Boy Smith Jr. winning the Opera Cup.

Smith is proud of his win and hopes Stu Hart is proud of him. This is the first of many accomplishments for him and he’s coming for the World Title.

Contra’s Josef Samael saw fear in Smith’s eyes earlier when he looked at Simon Gotch. Therefore, how about Smith vs. Gotch in a no ropes match where you only win by submission or knockout?

Chandler Hopkins vs. Low Ki

Hopkins is a country boy who has wrestled in AAA. They stare at each other for a bit to start until Ki cranks on the arm for a bit. That’s broken up and Hopkins works on a hammerlock of his own, only to have Ki pull him into the corner for a hard kick to the chest. A chop and headbutt in the corner put Hopkins in the corner for some pain. Ki shoves off the running hurricanrana attempt but Hopkins pops back up and hits a hurricanrana driver. Hopkins’ rolling Downward Spiral gets two but he misses a shooting star. Ki dropkicks him into the corner and sits on Hopkins’ back for a choke with his boot for the win at 5:47.

Rating: C. This was a lot better than I would have bet on and Hopkins got to impress a lot more than you would have expected. That’s one of the places where MLW gets to shine: bringing in some unknown names and showcase them like this. Maybe Hopkins can turn into something, but what matters is he was given a chance here.

Low Ki shows some post match respect.

Smith accepts Gotch’s challenge. He’s still not a great promo though and a mouthpiece wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Tom Lawlor brags about new student Dominic Garrini and talks about how he’ll be hurting people. Garrini points out that he’s been here before but ignore everything he has done before because everything is new. Oh and Lawlor has brought a sponsor back: Condom Depot.

Erick Stevens is still coming.

The Fightland Control Center announces Alexander Hammerstone defending the National Openweight Title against T-Hawk, Killer Kross vs. Tom Lawlor and Low Ki vs. King Mo.

We look back at the Von Erichs winning the Tag Team Titles from the Dynasty at Saturday Night SuperFight.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is impressed by Marshall Von Erich’s lineage but Marshall isn’t all elite. Oh and Mance Warner is an inbred who needs to watch his match next week.

We look at the first barbed wire match in MLW history, back in 2003 between Terry Funk and Steve Corino.

Jimmy Havoc and Priscilla Kelly aren’t scared of the barbed wire match because Jimmy loves hurting people. He enjoys blood and wouldn’t mind drinking Mance’s.

The Von Erichs crush apples to show what is happening to MJF next week.

Parental guidance is suggested for the following..

Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc

The ropes have been replaced by barbed wire and Jimmy has Priscilla Kelly. Rich calls this the final encounter, which is the best news anyone could hear. Even the announcers have gloves on in case the wires break. Havoc has his baseball bat and Warner has the chair but both weapons shots miss. They pause before hitting the wire though and it’s already time to tease the wire to the head.

Havoc discus punches Warner but gets sent into the wire anyway. A few whips into said wire make it worse and Warner grabs the chair again. Warner hits him in the back but Havoc is right back with a suplex into the wire. Havoc drives it into Warner’s head before downgrading things a bit with a staple gun shot to the head. Warner’s shirt is ripped off and then stapled to his back, only for Havoc to rip it right back off.

To mix things up a bit, Havoc busts out some bolt cutters and cuts off a piece of the wire. The already bleeding Warner gets the wire wrapped inside of his mouth to draw even more blood. Havoc hits him in the head with the barbed wire bat and there’s a stomp to make it worse. Warner tries to fight back but gets flipped off. That’s fine with Warner, who hits him low with the bat. Havoc grabs the staple gun to stab Warner between the legs (both commentators: “Right in his bucksnorts!”).

Not that it matters again as Warner spinebusters him on the side of a chair (egads) and brings in some extra boards. That takes too long though as Havoc Death Valley Drivers him through a board for two. Warner chokeslams him through a board bridged between two chairs for two more. The wire around the arm looks to set up a lariat but Kelly gives Havoc powder. It goes into Havoc’s eyes of course though and the barbed wire lariat….doesn’t even get a cover. Instead, Warner piledrives him onto a bunch of stuff for the pin at 10:37.

Rating: C+. This was the kind of thing that made sense for the story, even though I wasn’t wild on what they were doing. It was how they should have gone here though as you can’t go from violence to non-violence, especially with the way these two go. What mattered here was it felt like the ending and there is no reason for them to come back again. I’m not big on the violence, but at least it worked for what it was supposed to be.

Overall Rating: B-. Good show for the most part here with three matches that were all at least decent. The best thing here though was that some times wrapped up and it felt like we were actually getting somewhere for a change. That hasn’t been the case in a long time now and hopefully we can go somewhere else going forward. Fightland looks good and things can start up in the next few weeks. This wasn’t too bad though and if we’re really done with Havoc vs. Warner, things are looking up.

Results

Drago/Puma King b. Taurus/Low Rider and Injustice – Dragon’s Tail to Rider

Low Ki b. Chandler Hopkins – Seated choke with boot

Mance Warner b. Jimmy Havoc – Piledriver onto a chair

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




Powerrr – January 28, 2020: Star Power

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: January 28, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Stu Bennett

It’s the first show after Hard Times and that means we have a new Television Champion in Ricky Starks. Other than that we have the continuation of Nick Aldis/the NWA vs. Marty Scurll/Ring of Honor, which could be a nice upgrade for both companies as we move forward. Let’s get to it.

We open with a look back at Marty Scurll invading Hard Times to demand his World Title shot. Aldis defeated Flip Gordon, earning all of the power in his issues with Scurll.

Sean Mooney (who has not aged A DAY in thirty years) brings out Aldis, who welcomes him to the company. Aldis knows Mooney is a smart man so he should get this: Flip Gordon is a talented wrestler but he couldn’t beat the National Treasure. That makes him more of a flop than Flip and Marty wants no part of Aldis. Yes he had Scurll taken out of the building at Hard Times but he is NOT a coward.

All he wanted was a fair match without any tomfoolery or skulduggery. Everyone knows that the champ is running this place and it’s all Strictly Business. As for Scurll, we’re going to see a sitdown interview between Scurll and Aldis later tonight. Good promo, as Aldis can bring the fire. I’m more blown away by Mooney though, because you would never know thirty years had passed. That being said, Mooney belongs in the WWF, not in the NWA. My 1990 head cannot comprehend this change.

We look at Eli Drake and James Storm winning the Tag Team Titles in the triple threat.

Sal Rinauro, now with a broken arm, joins commentary.

Royce Isaacs vs. Andre Gunh

Mae Valentine is here with Isaacs. They lock up to start with Gunh not being able to armdrag him, allowing Isaacs to dropkick his leg out. A forearm to the back keeps Gunh down but he’s right back up with a dropkick to the floor. Isaacs goes over to yell at Rinauro and has to dive back in to beat the count. Gunh gets a quick two off a small package so Isaacs is right back with the dragon suplex into the German suplex for the pin at 3:22.

Rating: D+. Gunh got to show off a little big here but there wasn’t much to see for the most part. Isaacs is fine enough but I prefer him in the tag matches instead of his singles stuff. I’m not sure how far this is going to go but at least they’re trying to do something else here and that’s what they need to do.

We look at Thunder Rosa winning the Women’s Title at Hard Times.

Video on Pope, the Dawsons and Eddie Kingston.

Here are Thunder Rosa, accompanied by Melina and Marti Belle. Melina takes credit for it but Rosa doesn’t get to talk, which doesn’t go well with the fans. Allysin Kay gets her rematch for the title and Rosa says she’s ready to beat Kay a hundred times. Melina doesn’t want to hear it. They have to turn Rosa now and that seems to be what they’re going with here.

The Crockett Cup is back in April in a bigger venue. If that’s not Center Stage, I don’t know what to tell them.

Marty Scurll is tired of waiting on Nick Aldis.

We look at Ricky Starks winning the TV Title.

Here’s Starks for a chat. He understands that he is going to have to defend the title every week because he has some big shoes to fill. Starks is going to be everywhere so everyone can see his pretty face. There is one man who hasn’t seemed to join the modern times though and that is Zicky Dice. Starks wants him out here right now so here is Dice for some false praise. Dice would be champion had he not had to face some monster from another promotion. He has $6,000 sunglasses and a $16,000 fanny pack. Starks wants a match right now.

TV Title: Ricky Starks vs. Zicky Dice

Starks is defending. Dice shoulders him down to start and we get some hip swiveling. Some armdrags put Dice down but he avoids another one and swivels some more. A clothesline puts Starks in the corner and another one puts him down as we hear about the Lucky 7 Rule: if you successfully defend the TV Title seven times (including time limit draws), you get a World Title shot. Fair enough. Starks comes back with a Sling Blade and a hard right hand for two. Dice tries a quick Snake Rattle and Roll but Starks reverses into the Stroke (Angel’s Wings) to retain at 4:15.

Rating: C. This was a good example of what they need to do to make things more unique: build up some stars who the fans haven’t seen before to give the show some flavor. Starks is good in his roll and Dice is a great slimy heel. I could go for more of them and if they build a story up, we could get somewhere.

Eli Drake and James Storm, the new Tag Team Champions, say the only name they need is The Champs and sorry about your luck. Cue Aron Stevens and the Question Mark, with Stevens having no knowledge of running out on the title defense against Scott Steiner. He had to be somewhere right after the match! Storm says Stevens looks like the cow from Chick-Fil-A. Stevens: “I hope you’re sterile.”

More cow jokes abound and Drake tells Joe Galli to give Stevens and Mark a message: they’ll get to these two in a bit so take a number. Storm: “MOO!” Stevens and Mark want a title shot but here’s Trevor Murdoch, who beat Mark at Hard Times. He respects Ricky Starks for being the better man but doesn’t like Stevens running away. Next week, Murdoch gets a National Title match but Stevens hits him in the throat. Drake and Storm were really funny here and showed off the chemistry.

Video on Aldis defeating Gordon at Hard Times.

After making Scurll wait for twenty minutes, Aldis finally joins him for their sitdown meeting. Aldis has been trying to be a nice guy but he gets tired of protecting this house and going above and beyond but getting a bad reputation. They’ve known each other for years and there are people who do everything right in front of the camera and then become a s*** head everywhere else.

Aldis has been there for Scurll for years, even if it was just for a kind word. Then last year, Scurll challenged him for the World Title, but Aldis was ok with it because Marty had earned a shot. Aldis retained the title after losing a lot of blood and that should have been it. Then Marty got his huge deal and Aldis was happy for him, but Scurll cuts him off to say he’s always told he should have won the title and been champion at the Crockett Cup or at Madison Square Garden.

It’s about the title and not about his bank account. Maybe not being the World Champion is what defines him as a wrestler. All Marty wants is one more chance and he’ll even do it for free. Aldis will do it if he can dictate the terms. The match can take place at the Crockett Cup so the cities can start bidding on them. One more thing: if Marty loses, he has to refund everyone in the building’s ticket money. Marty can think about it. Awesome stuff here and the title match should be a blast, even with a telegraphed winner.

Roll credits, minus Into The Fire.

Overall Rating: C-. The promos carried the lack of wrestling here, with the Crockett Cup being the next target. This place does an excellent job with the talking, which is one of the most important things that a wrestling company can do. They needed a little more action on this show though and it stood out rather badly here. Not a terrible show due to the great talking (Aldis looked like a star, as always) but it was a different vibe that I wasn’t digging.

Results

Royce Isaacs b. Andre Gunh – Dragon German suplex

Ricky Starks b. Zicky Dice – Stroke

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




Major League Wrestling Fusion – January 18, 2020: Opera Man

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #93
Date: January 18, 2020
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch, Byron Saxton

It’s time for a big one as we wrap up the Opera Cup with a Hart Foundation clash. In a match that is in no way inspired by the European Title Tournament final from 1997 between Davey Boy Smith and Owen Hart, we have Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Brian Pillman Jr. Other than that we’re on the road to Fightland which could be an interesting night. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at the history of the Opera Cup, which hasn’t been awarded in 71 years. We also see how both Smith and Pillman got to the finals as they’re making this into a big deal.

Opening sequence.

Middleweight Title: El Lindaman vs. Myron Reed

Reed is defending and earlier today, he talked about being like Cassius Clay because no one can control him. Lindaman goes straight with the power by driving Reed into the corner and hitting a Downward Spiral for two. The chinlock goes on before Lindaman goes with the stomps to the back. A Boston crab is loaded up but the rest of Injustice offers a distraction.

Back up and a quick Stunner sets up a springboard cutter into a reverse sitout gordbuster for two on Lindaman for a change. Reed tries another springboard but gets dropkicked out of the air, setting up something like a standing Iconoclasm for another near fall. That’s enough for Reed, who snaps him throat first across the top. The running cutter into the frog splash (with chest protector) retains Reed’s title at 7:05.

Rating: C. Lindaman is a smaller guy but he wrestles a stronger style, which is a very weird combination but he’s making it work. I’m not sure if the Strong Hearts are going to become a big deal around here but they’re good for some one off matches like this. Injustice has gone from little more than a joke to a nice stable so well done on upgrading themselves.

Brian Pillman Jr. says he has a bad shoulder injury but he isn’t about to drop out of the Opera Cup. The final isn’t going to be about the Hart Foundation and Pillman is going to show that he belongs in there.

Video on Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc in a barbed wire match next week. Warner is ready to make Havoc bleed.

King Mo wants the winner of the Opera Cup. For now though, he wants Jacob Fatu and the World Title.

We look back at Gino Medina joining the Dynasty in beating down Konnan.

The Dynasty introduce Gino to the Gift Train and give him his official card. Gino talks about Konnan being the former Hulk Hogan of Mexico, which sends Hammerstone into a mini rant about how Konnan has no tan and is the Hogan of nothing. They do a four way Dynasty pinkie swear. These guys grow on me every week.

It’s the Fightland Control Center, including Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Jimmy Havoc, Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Erick Stevens and the return of LA Park.

Savio Vega vs. Gino Medina

Street fight so the weapons are already in the ring. Vega talks about fighting for Konnan because it’s time for some revenge. The bell rings and Vega starts swinging the kendo stick to put Gino outside early. Gino gets posted and trashcan lidded down but he kicks a chair out of Savio’s hands. A trashcan goes over Savio’s head and Gino kicks it down for two. Some pizza trays to the head get Vega out of trouble but Gino knees him in the back of the head.

A slap to the face wakes Savio up again so he chops Gino down for two. That’s not exactly a hardcore move but Vega can barely move so I’ll take what I can get. Vega knocks him out to the floor, only to have a chair wrapped around his neck and rammed into the post. That’s only good for two so Savio tries a spinwheel kick but connects with more of an elbow for two instead. Vega knocks a chair away from Gino but here’s the Dynasty for a distraction, setting up a low blow into an enziguri for the pin on Vega at 8:35.

Rating: D. This was a rough one as Vega just isn’t very good these days. Granted that might be due to his age and I don’t see much of a point to putting him in the ring. It also doesn’t help that we’ve now seen two matches from Gino and neither have been all that good. Maybe he needs better opponents, but my hopes aren’t exactly high so far.

We look back at Tom Lawlor jumping the Von Erichs last week.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. talks about how important it is to win the Opera Cup. He is a bit surprised that Pillman made the finals and they are family. For tonight though, it’s all about winning.

The Opera Cup will be back next year.

Injustice has been kicked out of the building.

Opera Cup Finals: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Pillman has a very bad shoulder coming in. After the Big Match Intros, we’re ready to go. Feeling out process to start with Pillman teasing a chop but backing up before he does anything. Pillman’s headlock keeps Smith down for a bit with Smith not being able to roll his way out of escaping. Smith gets up and slams him down, setting up a double arm crank.

This time it’s Pillman getting up and spinning around to crank on the arms as well. Pillman sends him outside for a kick to the chest and a springboard splash crushes Smith again. Smith is back with a whip into the barricade and some chops of his own as the power is becoming too much to maintain. Back in and we hit the chinlock, followed by a suplex and another chinlock.

Pillman has to grab a rope, which isn’t normally how you would get out of something like that. Smith slams him to set up a legdrop, only to miss the top rope legdrop. They trade some near falls but Pillman’s don’t have a ton of energy behind them. Another pinfall reversal sequence gives us more twos so Pillman connects with a low superkick.

Air Pillman connects for two in the first good near fall. Pillman misses the spinning crossbody though and the running powerslam gives Smith his own two. Now the top rope headbutt connects for two and Smith is stunned. A powerbomb gets the same and the Crossface goes on to finally go after Pillman’s arm. Pillman rolls him up for two but can’t break the hold, meaning he has to tap at 17:14.

Rating: B-. It was kind of hard to believe that Pillman was winning here as Smith has seemed to be the obvious choice for the tournament since it was announced. You know, because the cup literally belongs to him and everything. It was fine for a short tournament and there was a nice near fall off Air Pillman but it was just pretty good for the most part.

Post match Smith celebrates with the cup and hugs Pillman. More celebrating ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This felt like a pretty big TV show and I’ll take what I can get out of any weekly episode. The tournament was the big focus here and it was nice to see them having a good final. It isn’t likely to mean anything, but moving Smith up higher in the MLW ranks is a good thing. He’s a pretty complete package in the ring and while his promos could use some work, the wrestling is hard to ignore. There are some issues with some of the stories around here but they’re in a nice enough groove to get by on the good things that they have.

Results

Myron Reed b. El Lindaman – Frog splash

Gino Medina b. Savio Vega – Enziguri

Davey Boy Smith Jr. b. Brian Pillman Jr. – Crossface

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




NWA Powerrr – January 21, 2020: You Gotta Believe

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: January 21, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Stu Bennett, Joe Galli

It’s the season finale, meaning the last show before Saturday’s Hard Times event. I’m not sure what that is going to mean, but apparently this week’s show is going to be an extended hour and a half edition. Hopefully they use the extra time in a good way, and around here I think they actually will. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap sets up Nick Aldis vs. Ricky Morton for the World Title tonight.

Into The Fire.

Here’s Robert Gibson for a chat. He’s so happy to have helped his friend and partner get a World Title shot. Now go get it.

Tasha Steelz vs. Thunder Rosa

Steelz grabs a headlock to start but gets snapmared down and kicked in the back of the head. Rosa kicks her in the corner and chokes a bit with the boot, setting up a quick dragon sleeper. A hangman’s neckbreaker keeps Steelz in trouble but she gets a boot up in the corner. Steelz gets dropkicked out of the air though and a sitout Emerald Flosion finishes for Rosa at 2:52. This was just a step above a squash.

Post match Rosa says if you want to know what Melina’s problem is with her, ask Melina.

Nick Aldis is coming to see Marty Scurll in Baltimore and wants the NWA to come out in force. The tickets are free too.

Here are Royce Isaacs and Mae Valentine for a chat. Royce talks about Strictly Business being on fire but it’s pointed out that he is on a personal losing streak. That doesn’t sit well with Royce, who says his stock is going up. Galli lists off all of Royce’s losses and points out that the losses started when Valentine debuted. That’s not cool with Valentine and we’re done.

Let Austin Idol teach you how to get heat!

TV Title Tournament Qualifier: Thom Latimer vs. Trevor Murdoch

Latimer stomps away to start in a hurry to put Murdoch on the floor early on. Murdoch gets sent face first into the apron and a rake to the back makes it even worse. Back in and Latimer hits a powerbomb for two but a missed charge in the corner lets Murdoch grab a rollup (with trunks) for the pin at 2:31. That was his only offense for the match.

We recap Melina vs. Allysin Kay. Melina is a star but Kay is the defending Women’s Champion so it’s classic vs. modern.

Melina and Kay are at the interview desk with Melina wanting to make amends. Kay isn’t convinced and tells her to spit it out so Melina tells her to f****** listen. Melina has an idea for a match and Kay is ready to go. Hold on though as it isn’t against Melina, because Kay has to face Thunder Rosa at the pay per view. For now though, it’s a No DQ match with Kay facing….someone.

Allysin Kay vs. Marti Belle

Non-title and No DQ. It’s a brawl to start with Marti hammering away in the corner but getting knocked outside in a hurry. They slug it out on the floor until Marti flapjacks her onto the steps. Kay can’t get a chair as Belle kicks her away and puts on something like a camel clutch with Kay’s neck through the chair. That’s broken up and Belle’s knee hits the chair so Kay can slug away and take the fight into the crowd. Back in and Kay hits the AK47 onto the chair for the pin at 4:48.

Rating: C-. It was short but intense with Kay getting to showcase herself a bit more than usual. It’s almost weird that the Women’s Champion gets so little exposure but a showdown with Melina is the best thing for everyone involved. Odds are Melina wins the title, as they could have someone take it from her for a big rub. Either way, not a bad match here, with Belle getting to shine a bit.

Video on Nick Aldis vs. Ricky Morton. It’s so weird to say that in 2020. Or ever for that matter.

Buy the VHS guide to spiritual….something.

Here are the Pope and Eddie Kingston for a chat. Pope isn’t to blame for last week’s loss because he’ll help you if he can. People have been asking what his endgame is but he is still looking for his Super Powers and his Horsemen, and then you’ll see where this is going. Kingston says last week’s match shouldn’t have happened but Pope pushed them a bit too hard. They needed their victory last week but they learn instead of lose.

Kyle Davis replaces Galli on commentary. Was this taped out of order or something?

Here’s Aron Stevens for a ka-ra-tae demonstration, brought to you by the Mongrobian Ka-Ra-Tae Association. He brings out the Question Mark, but insists that he is NOT a mark! First, we face Mongrobia and bow, followed by Mark demonstrating a few chops. Now it’s some strikes to a masked man, followed by an explanation of how to disarm a man with a gun (or a finger gun).

But what if someone is carrying, say, a spatula? As I long for a squeegee joke, Mark demonstrates how to steal mace and use it on your attacker. Now we see two attackers taken out at once, which is why Mongrobia doesn’t need a nuclear program. Mark is ready to break some Mongrobian oak, but Stevens wants to do it himself so he can earn his fourth degree black belt.

Stevens needs to breathe a bit….but one of the masked men hits him with the board and unmasks as…..Ricky Starks for a good payoff. Speaking of payoffs, if you want to know Mongrobian secrets like these, it’s just 99.99 a month to learn why Mongrobia has been a free nation for thousands of years. This was rather entertaining as these two continue to be some of the most entertaining people in the NWA.

Buy Tony Falk’s tire irons! And have a waffle while you’re at it!

Gauntlet Match

The winner is the final entrant in the TV Title tournament. This is basically an eight man Royal Rumble and you can be eliminated by pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top. CW Anderson is in at #1 and Caleb Konley is in at #2. Feeling out process to start with neither being able to get anywhere until Konley takes him down by the arm. That’s broken up and we’re at another standoff.

Jocephus is in at #3 and is eliminated in about six seconds. Anderson clotheslines Konley for two but gets caught in a sitout ProtoBomb into a half crab. Colt Cabana is in at #4 as the intervals are all over the place. Cabana beats both of them up in a hurry, including a reverse Rings of Saturn to Konley. Anderson breaks that up and stomps on Cabana as Dave Dawson is in at #5. Splashes abound and it’s turning into more of a regular battle royal. Everyone is knocked down and it’s Aron Stevens at #6.

Stevens gets in, looks around, goes to the floor and crawls underneath the ring, Cue Zicky Dice to say he’s undefeated everyone around here and won’t be wrestling here because he’s already qualified. With that out of the way, Sal Rinauro is in at #7 to clean some house until Dawson dropkicks him for two. Everyone gangs up on Dawson though and Konley’s moonsault gets rid of him to clear the ring a bit. Ken Anderson is in at #8, giving us a final field of CW Anderson, Konley, Cabana, Stevens (under the ring), Rinauro and Ken Anderson.

Ken gets to clean house, including the Mic Check to eliminate Rinauro. Cabana and Ken get together to take over, which means it’s another Mic Check to get rid of Konley. CW hits Ken with a spinebuster but it’s the Superman Pin to finish CW off. Cabana and Ken are ready to go at it but cue the Question Mark as Stevens gets back in. Mark Mongrobian Spikes Stevens by mistake though and Stevens is paralyzed, allowing Cabana and Ken to throw him out. A handshake lets Ken roll Cabana up for the win at 12:35.

Rating: C. This worked well enough, mainly due to the battle royal setup instead of just a regular gauntlet. Ken getting the win is a good way to go as he’s one of the bigger stars around here. I could go for he and Cabana having a feud as neither exactly has anything better to do. If nothing else, you can probably bet on Cabana costing Ken his tournament match and that’s fine.

Post match Ken shakes Cabana’s hand….but hits him low and grabs another Mic Check. That’s not it though as Cabana gets posted for the knockout.

Hard Times video.

Eli Drake and James Storm are here to see Ricky Morton win the World Title. Storm is a tag team wrestler because of Morton and tonight Morton is like Dale Earnhardt. We even get a prayer for Morton to win the World Title tonight. Drake is fired up too and this helped things a bit.

It’s time for the Hard Times Control Center.

The final two spots in the TV Title tournament will be Matt Cross and Ring of Honor’s Dan Maff.

Maff wanted to be on the list of great NWA TV Champions.

Flip Gordon is ready for Nick Aldis at Hard Times because Marty Scurll has made him a new man.

New stipulation on the main event: if Morton wins, he is defending at Hard Times. If Aldis wins, the Rock N Roll Express have to defend in a triple threat match against the Wild Cards and Eli Drake/James Storm.

One more thing: Aron Stevens defends the National Title against Scott Steiner. I think I need to see that one.

NWA World Title: Nick Aldis vs. Ricky Morton

Aldis is defending and Billy Corgan is on commentary to make it special. Robert Gibson and Strictly Business are all at ringside for a bonus. Hold on though as Corgan tells Bennett something. Bennett says everyone has to leave ringside so it can be one on one. Aldis bails to the floor to start and it’s over a minute before they lock up for the first time. That goes nowhere so they circle each other a bit and lock up again, giving us another standoff.

Morton works on a headlock and manages to get Aldis on the mat for a change. Back up and a chop sends Aldis into the corner so it’s time for Aldis to start hammering away. Aldis goes for the arm so Morton elbows him in the face as they’re keeping it in first (or maybe second) gear so far. Some right hands in the corner send Aldis to the floor again but he rakes the eyes to get a breather.

Morton gets posted and a hard whip sends him into the corner for a bonus. A headbutt puts Morton down but he punches Aldis out of the air. That just earns him another rake to the eyes but Morton slams him off the top (he did face Flair before). A hurricanrana sets up a Figure Four on Aldis but a rope is grabbed. Morton tries a small package so Aldis reverses into one of his own and grabs the tights for the pin at 11:00.

Rating: C+. I didn’t come into this exactly thrilled with the concept but by the end, I wanted to see Morton win the title. Maybe it would be just a nostalgia act, but that can be a lot of fun at times. Of course it wasn’t going to happen and wouldn’t have been a great idea, but they got me on board and that’s more than I would have expected.

We get a graphic from Villain Enterprises saying Hard Times are coming for Aldis.

We look at the Hard Times lineup one more time to end the show.

Roll Credits.

Overall Rating: C+. The point of this show was to make me want to see Hard Times more than I did coming in and that’s what they did. The show is looking pretty nice on paper and that’s more than I would have bet on coming in. Somehow the NWA is having an intriguing run as of late and I’m curious to see where it wins up. Just have a good Hard Times and we should be fine.

Results

Thunder Rosa b. Tasha Steelz – Sitout Emerald Flosion

Trevor Murdoch b. Thom Latimer – Rollup with trunks

Allysin Kay b. Marti Belle – AK47 onto a chair

Ken Anderson won a gauntlet match last eliminating Colt Cabana

Nick Aldis b. Ricky Morton – Small package with tights

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also -available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author- page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6




Major League Wrestling Fusion – January 11, 2020: The Finals Countdown

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #92
Date: January 11, 2020
Location: Melrose Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

We’re still in New York as the Opera Cup continues with the second semifinal match. Other than that we get the fallout from last week with Tom Lawlor and the Spirit Squad beating down the Von Erichs. Other than that, there is always the chance of Contra getting into some violence. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Injustice has attacked Brian Pillman Jr. in an attempt to get him out of the Opera Cup, where the three of them are the alternates. This included some arm damage and a “fan” shouting for security. Injustice swears about this being what happens if you leave them out.

Opening sequence.

We look back at Tom Lawlor beating up Rip Von Erich (Lance’s son in a great joke), drawing out the real brothers. The Spirit Squad then ran in to save Lawlor and beat down Ross and Marshall.

Tag Team Titles: Filthy Squad vs. Von Erichs

Non-title and Lawlor is on commentary. The Squad is now in martial arts gear as they are Lawlor’s top students. During the entrances, we see their official induction into Team Filthy in a good bit of continuity. Some fans give the Von Erichs flowers in a Sportatorium inspired moment. It’s a brawl to start with Mikey being knocked to the floor so Kenny can run into a double dropkick. Back in and Marshall gets taken down, allowing the Squad to start in on his bad leg. Marshall kicks Kenny away with little effort and it’s Ross coming in to clean house. The Claw/belly to back slam finishes Mikey at 2:18. Short and sweet.

Post match, Rip Von Erich tries to run in but gets beaten down as well.

We look at Pillman being attacked again. Pillman is still being looked at.

Lawlor jumps the Von Erichs and hits Marshall in the bad knee with some kind of weapon.

Here are both attacks that you just saw again.

Injustice makes fun of Court Bauer wanting to fine them. You can’t get them on any BS charges so they should be in the Opera Cup now that Pillman is out.

Video on Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc, who have been fighting forever and now it’s going to be a barbed wire match.

Fightland Control Center, with Killer Kross and LA Park confirmed.

Erick Stevens is coming.

Pillman is arguing with the doctors behind closed doors. Pillman, with a very taped up arm, comes out of the room and says he’s cleared for tonight. Tonight, he’s taking out Timothy Thatcher and then he’ll deal with Injustice.

Contra talks about loving violence and promise an upcoming war. They’re coming for the Von Erichs and Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Here’s the returning Konnan for a chat. He talks about the partnership with AAA, which he helped put together. As for now though, he’s found the next big thing in Gino Medina. This brings out Gino with Konnan talking about Gino being the son of a member of Los Gringos Locos, which also included Konnan and Eddie Guerrero. Gino accuses Konnan of trying to manipulate him but Konnan says that would be Salina de la Renta, with sex references included.

Cue Salina to say Konnan has no sex life so Konnan says he’s at the top of the penthouse and Salina is in the basement garage. Now it’s the Dynasty joining in on things, with MJF suggesting that he can get Gino into AEW. Richard Holiday talks about how elite the team is and Hammerstone brags about his physique for a sales pitch. Gino shakes Konnan’s hand but then lays him out, with the Dynasty joining in as Gino joins the team.

Post break, we look at what we just saw.

We look at how Brian Pillman Jr. and Timothy Thatcher made the semifinals of the Opera Cup.

Opera Cup Semifinals: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher

Pillman has a bad shoulder coming in. A running dropkick sends Thatcher into the corner and Pillman starts chopping away until Thatcher gets in the first crank on the arm to cut that off in a hurry. An elbow to the arm lets Thatcher glare down at him and the keylock goes on. Thatcher mixes it up with a half crab and a bow and arrow, followed by another more traditional armbar.

Now it’s a Disarm-Her until Pillman slips out and reverses a belly to belly into a crossbody for two. The arm is fine enough to grab a powerslam for two but the Dire Promise is broken up. Thatcher gets two off a suplex and we hit the chinlock. With that not working, Thatcher goes with a Fujiwara armbar but Pillman reverses into a rollup for the pin at 8:14.

Rating: C+. They didn’t quite get up into a higher level but Pillman fighting through adversity to win the match and go on to face his friend in the finals. Thatcher looked good as usual as there is always room for someone who can wreck some limbs. Not a great match, but it did what it was supposed to do.

We look at how Davey Boy Smith made the finals to preview next week’s big match.

Overall Rating: C. This was one of those shows where you would have been better off reading a recap rather than watching the show. The wrestling was watchable at best but everything was so fast that it didn’t mean much. I liked the Gino segment and I can always go for more of Konnan vs. Salina. Next week’s main event should be good in a British Bulldog vs. Owen Hart sense, which seems to be at least an inspiration. It wasn’t a great show, but it could have been worse.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also -available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author- page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6