IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

NWA Powerrr
Date: November 19, 2019
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Jim Cornette

We’re back here again and things are still interesting, but they kind of need to have a story going on. Last week’s big deal continued to be wondering if Kamille would speak and there are more interesting things going on almost anywhere else. The initial idea and presentations were fine but they need to go somewhere after that. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap focuses on LET KAMILLE SPEAK and James Storm losing the National Title and coming after the World Title instead.

Opening sequence.

The announcers run down the show.

Here’s Nick Aldis for a chat and the Kamille questions start in a hurry. The internet is talking about it so OF COURSE it is on top of Aldis’ list of priorities. This is the NWA and we wrestle here, so it is time for him to prove why he is the real World’s Champion. Tonight, he has Trevor Murdoch, albeit in a non-title match. Murdoch is coming off a long sabbatical so tonight is an exhibition and if this is as close as Murdoch ever gets, at least Aldis gave him a chance.

Nick Aldis vs. Trevor Murdoch

Non-title and we get a nice handshake to start. They fight over a wristlock to start with Murdoch grabbing a hammerlock to send Aldis into the ropes. With the referee getting Murdoch away, it’s a kick to the ropes for a low blow and Murdoch takes over. Three straight slams set up the top rope bulldog but Aldis gets a foot on the rope. Aldis catches him on top before another bulldog and Murdoch slips off the ropes. That’s enough to set up the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf to make Murdoch tap at 3:31.

Rating: C-. The time didn’t help things here but Murdoch got something out of the near fall. This is a good example of someone getting something out of a loss, even if it was in such a short match. There is no shame in losing to the World Champion so it isn’t like this is some crippling moment for Murdoch’s career.

They shake hands post match.

Here are the Rock N Roll Express to announce that they have a Tag Team Title shot coming up and they’re taking something owed to them. ROCK N ROLL chants start up, because these two can make it work even in their 60s. The Wild Cards come out to say bring it on.

We get a 1979 promo video from….Andy Ardeson? Anyway a guy named Danny Deals cuts him off to plug Highspots.com.

Question Mark vs. Ricky Starks

National Champion Colt Cabana is on commentary and the place goes NUTS for Mark. Some early shots to the throat have Starks in trouble but he scores with a dropkick to the head, getting on the fans’ nerves in a hurry. Mark gets sent outside for a suicide dive but here’s Aron Stevens to jump Starks for the DQ at 1:34.

Post match the beatdown is on with Stevens turning cartwheels. Cabana makes the save and it’s a no contest, with Cornette pointing out how ridiculous that is. After a break, the tag match is announced for tonight.

Here’s Eli Drake for a chat but the QUESTION MARK chant cuts him off. Drake: “Just like a bunch of dummies.” Drake knows Mr. Anderson is looking for him and he isn’t a hard man to find, though Anderson might be beyond his expiration date. Cue Anderson to suck up to the crowd and challenge Drake to a match right now. Drake teases doing just that but jumps Anderson from behind. A turnbuckle to the back leaves Anderson laying with Drake having to be dragged away.

We recap Marti Belle turning on Allysin Kay to help Thunder Rosa. They’re ready for Kay when she gets back.

Allysin Kay/Ashley Vox vs. Marti Belle/Thunder Rosa

Kay rushes the ring and the villains bail to the floor so we can get the introductions. Belle and Vox start things off with neither getting anywhere off a lockup. Vox drop toeholds her down and Belle looks a bit surprised. Rosa comes in and grabs an armbar on Vox before sending her face first into the mat.

It’s back to Belly for a whip into the corner and some yelling at the referee for a bonus. A missed charge allows the hot tag off to Kay and Rosa with Kay winning a slugout in a hurry. The superplex brings Rosa down in a crash but here’s Melina of all people, in a rather formal dress, for a distraction. Rosa rolls Kay up for the pin at 5:24.

Rating: D+. This didn’t have time to go anywhere but the ending was quite the surprise. Rosa has all the star power she needs and should be in line for a title shot soon enough. I’m hoping Melina doesn’t get back in the ring here as she would be treated as the biggest deal around and some fresh blood in the women’s division sounds good for a change.

Post match Kay and Vox get beaten down as we have a new trio.

Austin Idol says buy the Kayfabe Cocktail.

Colt Cabana/Ricky Starks vs. Aron Stevens/Question Mark

Stevens, in street clothes as he should be, and Mark get one of the strongest BOO/YAY crowd reactions in recent memory. Starks chases Stevens to the floor to start so it’s Mark coming in to a big reaction. A dropkick won’t put him down so Cabana tries chopping away in the corner. Mark hits Cabana in the face and brings Stevens in as we hear about Mark being from “Mongrobia”, at least according to Stevens.

Some karate chops have Stars in trouble with Mark’s getting cheered loudly and Stevens’ being booed. The fans aren’t exactly being subtle here. Stevens is so annoyed that he drops his pants for the crowd, allowing Starks to hit a Sling Blade. The tag brings in Cabana to chop away and he GRABS STEVENS BY THE SCARF to send him into the corner. Starks’ jumping Downward Spiral gets two as everything breaks down. Starks goes for the mask but Stevens makes a save, allowing Mark to spike Starks in the throat. Stevens steals the pin at 6:38.

Rating: C. They would be crazy not to do SOMETHING with Mark at this point, even if it is just something goofy that means nothing in the long term. The fans just like him and that is something to run with. Don’t take it too far, but keep him around and give him a story. The NWA isn’t in a place to turn names down, so go with what works, even if it doesn’t work for very long.

After Stevens says that was the power of karate (Mark: “KA-RAH-TAY!”), here’s James Storm to say he is tired of champions not defending their titles. Kamille comes out and whispers something in his ear. Storm says his catchphrase to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The promos are carrying this show as some of the charm is gone here. The show is still entertaining and it flies by, but after coming out of nowhere about five weeks ago, it isn’t as fun of a ride as it used to be. Also, we have less than a month before Into The Fire and nothing has been announced. You might want to get on that already.

Results

Nick Aldis b. Trevor Murdoch – King’s Lynn Cloverleaf

Ricky Starks b. Question Mark via DQ when Aron Stevens interfered

Thunder Rosa/Marti Belle b. Allysin Kay/Ashley Vox – Rollup to Kay

Question Mark/Aron Stevens b. Colt Cabana/Ricky Starks – Mongrobian Spike to Starks

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #84
Date: November 16, 2019
Location: GILT Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

We’re still in Orlando and things are starting with a bang after the pay per view debut. This time around is a big match with Davey Boy Smith Jr. facing Tom Lawlor, who may be on his way out of the promotion. Above all else though is Contra, who looks like they are going after the entire promotion. Let’s get to it.

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

Tom Lawlor and the Von Erichs fire each other up for their matches. They have each others’ backs you see.

Opening sequence.

Ikuro Kwon vs. Marshall Von Erich

Josef Samael and Ross Von Erich are the seconds and for some reason the Von Erichs don’t have their belts with them. That’s always annoying. Kwon blocks a Claw attempt on the floor and they head inside for the first time. Marshall snaps off a suplex but Samael trips him up and Kwon takes over. A series of kicks put Marshall down for two and some more strikes knock him into the corner. Marshall blocks a kick to the ribs so Kwon kicks him in the face, only to get caught by a heck of a clothesline. The Claw goes on but Samael comes in for the DQ at 3:49.

Rating: C-. They didn’t bother wasting time here before the angle advancing finish and that’s the right way to go. Contra vs. the Von Erichs is going to be a big main event down the line and there is no point in having a bad match with too much time here. The Von Erichs are especially green and letting them have some short form matches like this is a better idea.

Post match the brawl is on but doesn’t last long.

MJF has had Botox put into his face after the Claw from the Von Erichs. Richard Holliday talks MJF into seeing his face and Holliday immediately demands the face be covered again. Alex Hammerstone comes in and doesn’t have a lot of sympathy for them losing the titles. He has a big gift for them but won’t say what it is. It’s bigger than the titles though.

We see the first matches for the Opera Cup, including Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP and Hammerstone vs. MJF.

Dynasty vs. Dominic Garrini/Douglas James

Before the match, Holliday tells the fans to quiet down….and gets a call from his lawyer/father (which is what it says on his phone). He doesn’t like being interrupted in the ring so they’ll deal with this later. Holliday shoves Garrini in the face to start and actually gets a handshake, which results in a judo throw. The threat of a choke freaks Holliday out because Garrini HAS HIS AIR POD!

Hammerstone comes in for the test of strength but Garrini pulls him straight down into a triangle choke. That’s broken up with the raw power so it’s off to James for the first time. Some kicks to the chest have Hammerstone down and a kick to Holliday knocks him off the apron. That might have damaged the Air Pod so Holliday comes in and hammers away on James to take over.

A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets two and it’s Hammerstone coming in again to stay on the back. Hammerstone declares him just too small, setting up James’ dropkick for the knockdown. It’s back to Garrini vs. Holliday and the throws are on in a hurry. Hammerstone has to break up the cross armbreaker so James takes him down with a Meteora. They head to the floor for the dueling slugouts, including James hitting a tornado DDT on Hammerstone. Garrini dives back in just in time to beat the count at 7:03.

Rating: C. I liked this better than I was expecting to with Garrini and James looking good in a big upset. They were also smart enough to not have the Dynasty, even in a different incarnation, lose another match in short order. Hammerstone continues to look like the big breakout star (at least in the ring) and I could see the split coming sooner rather than later.

Post match, Hammerstone storms off.

Teddy Hart is pretty banged up after last week.

Myron Reed thinks we should be celebrating his name instead of worrying about Hart.

Lawlor and the Von Erichs get a phone sent to them in the mail. Samael issues a challenge for a fight against Jacob Fatu on Thanksgiving night. The contract is included as well and Marshall signs to face Fatu.

The women’s division is coming this month.

Zeda Zhang is ready to represent MLW and show why she brings the pain. Next week, she’s taking Spider Woman’s mask.

We see Mance Warner’s challenge to Jimmy Havoc for Falls Count Anywhere.

Havoc accepts and promises violence, even if they fight back to his apartment.

We look at King Mo’s press conference from last week.

Mo is ringside.

Tom Lawlor vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

We get a handshake to start and Davey wrestles him to the ground to shake Lawlor up a bit. Back up and Lawlor puts him into the corner for a clean break before it’s time to head to the mat. Davey goes for the armbar before switching to a failed rear naked choke attempt. Lawlor rolls him up for the break and Smith heads to the apron for a bit. More grappling gives us another clean break as King Mo looks rather interested in what is going on.

A fireman’s carry into a headlock has Lawlor in trouble for all of a few seconds as the lack of advantages continues. Back up and some shoving lets them go to the slugout, though Davey gets in a great fake by teasing a right hand and picking the ankle instead. The ankle lock is reversed as well and they go outside where Lawlor wins a slugout to take over. Back in and Lawlor starts in on the arm but Davey is right back with a rear naked choke.

With that not working, Davey headbutts him into the ropes for a change. Three Amigos are good for two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up as well so Lawlor goes with the kicks to the chest, only to get dropped on his head with a belly to back suplex. Lawlor can’t get the rear naked choke so Davey drops him with a hard shot to the face. A t-bone suplex doesn’t work as Lawlor’s legs give out from underneath him, though he’s fine enough for a Russian legsweep.

Lawlor tries to roll into something but Davey reverses into the Sharpshooter for a sweet counter. With that not working, Davey goes with a Crossface but Lawlor is too close to the rope. Back up and they slug it out until Lawlor pokes him in the eye (not clear if it was intentional), setting up Hirooki Goto’s GTR for the pin at 15:47.

Rating: B. I’m really starting to like these matches as they do them infrequently enough to make them work. It also helps that these two are both well versed in this style of wrestling and made a story out of the whole thing. They had a good match here and while Smith isn’t there yet, you could put him out there as a World Title contender later on without much trouble.

Post match Lawlor talks about his contract coming up. Maybe he’ll get raw or lay the smack on someone, but he’s the hottest thing in wrestling.

Overall Rating: C+. Another show that was a bit up and down but overall came off as entertaining. That’s not a bad way to use about fifty minutes and the show worked just fine. The company continues to do things right as they do some good stuff without the main eventers being around every week. That’s very important and something so many companies can’t figure out.

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

IMG Credit: Northeast Wrestling

Prison Break
Date: August 16, 2019
Location: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
Commentators: Gerry Strauss, Paul Crockett

This is from Northeast Wrestling, which is an independent company that I’ve always wanted to look at. As it turns out they had a big event a few months ago (it was last weekend when I started this) featuring a bunch of names you’ve probably heard of so I might as well go with something recent for a change. I’m not sure what to expect here but that makes it more fun. Let’s get to it.

As usual with a show like this, I have no idea what to expect as I don’t follow the stories so bear with me if I don’t know something.

The opening video looks at the history of the promotion, with names such as Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan appearing. Dang when did this place get so big? The hype package does show a rather impressive lists of names over the years, with Bret Hart, Hogan, Roddy Piper, Kurt Angle and Mick Foley among many others being shown. They’ve already got my attention and that’s the best way to start. The video switches to more modern wrestlers, again with several you’re probably familiar with.

We run down the card.

The announcers welcome us to the show.

Private Party vs. A Boy And His Dinosaur vs. Inzanely Rude

The last team would be Zane Bernardo/RJ Rude. Luchasaurus throws Rude into the corner to start so it’s Quen tagging himself in to face Rude instead. That means a dropkick from Quen, who doesn’t even lose his sunglasses. Kassidy comes in with a slingshot hilo but this time it’s Jungle Boy tagging him to Backstab Bernardo. Inzanely Rude bails to the floor so we’ll try Kassidy vs. Boy for a bit.

They take turns flipping each other around until it’s a standoff in the middle. Bernardo comes back in with a springboard missile dropkick to Kassidy and the double teaming is on in a hurry. Quen breaks that up and gets dropkicked as well, finally knocking the sunglasses off (there has to be an Orange Cassidy joke in there somewhere). Rude chops Kassidy, who gives off a high pitched scream.

It’s Rude getting stomped in the corner and Quen flip diving onto Bernardo. Rude gets in a double Sliced Bread to Private Party and it’s Luchasaurus coming in for general carnage. Just because he can, he flips forward and kicks Rude and Bernardo in the head. Boy comes back in to start cleaning house, including Luchasaurus flipping Rude over his back into a sitout spinebuster from Boy for no cover.

Kassidy throws Boy outside and flips over Quen on the apron and then back inside (always cool) for a tornado DDT on Luchasaurus. Boy comes back in for more chops (and more screaming from Kassidy) but Kassidy takes Luchasaurus out with a running corkscrew dive. Quen’s gorgeous shooting star gets two on Boy as Rude makes a save and everyone is down. A Blockbuster connects on Kassidy and it’s a Death Valley Driver to send Quen onto Rude’s knees.

Boy winds up over Bernardo’s back for an over the back piledriver but Luchasaurus comes back in with chokeslams for Rude and Bernardo, the latter of whom gets Canadian Destroyed by Boy in a cool spot. Bernardo and Boy hit the dives to the floor with Rude moonsaulting off the top for the big crash. Back in and Gin And Juice finishes Rude in a hurry to give Kassidy the pin.

Rating: B-. This got a little bit more time than it needed but they did exactly what they needed to do to wake the crowd up to start things off. Private Party is a great act for something like this, though Boy/Luchasaurus might have better potential. The ending was a little weird though as Inzanely Rude would win the Tag Team Titles just over a week later.

Post match Boy/Luchasaurus dance with Private Party for a moment that is a little odder than you might have guessed.

Here’s a flashback to Ultimate Warrior making an appearance with the promotion. He addresses the fans and puts over the promotion for being old school without something like a creative staff. And then we cut it off there.

Tasha Steelz vs. Penelope Ford

Steelz wrestles for Ring of Honor at times. Ford’s offer of a handshake earns her a kick to the ribs as Steelz shows some intellect. A pump kick sends Steelz into the corner for a double backflip elbow as the announcers talk about AEW without talking about AEW. Some right hands knock Ford into the corner and some running shot to the face keep Ford in trouble.

The crowd is so interested that we can hear every word Steelz is saying, which is always a great sign. Ford fights out of a chinlock in a hurry so Steelz grabs Three Amigos for two. A kick to the head and a crucifix bomb give Ford two but Steelz is right back with a high crossbody for her own near fall. Ford starts flipping around and hits a Stunner, setting up a Lethal Injection for the pin at 6:19.

Rating: D+. Ford has all the charisma she needs and I’m pretty sure AEW (or anyone) can figure out a way to use someone who looks like her. The match wasn’t anything great but you can feel some star power from Ford. On the other hand, Steelz feels like most of the Women of Honor: she exists, she can do moves competently, and that’s the end of the positives about her because I still know nothing about her or anything she does.

Private Party celebrates in the back and hits on the backstage interviewer. She doesn’t seem to mind and leaves with them.

Wrecking Ball Legursky vs. Mike Verna

Verna is a strong guy named the Man of Steel and I don’t think I need to explain someone named Wrecking Ball. Apparently Legursky has lost 100lbs, which is quite impressive no matter who you are. Legursky throws him down with ease but Verna gets in an elbow and a missile dropkick, which seems to be a surprising move for him. Verna hits a suicide dive but gets taken down by a dive off the apron.

Back in and Verna forearms him in the face, followed by another for good measure. A pop up powerbomb into a splash gives Legursky two but Verna is right back with another forearm into a Death Valley Driver. That means a trip to the middle rope but Legursky catches him in a swinging Boss Man Slam for the pin at 5:25.

Rating: C. This was the first time I’ve seen both guys and I instantly got the concept. That’s a nice feeling and a good sign for this company as the two of them are unique enough that I remember them but they also had a nice little match. Legursky could be someone elsewhere (say as a bodyguard) and Verna is in good enough shape to be worth a look down the road.

The Trust Fund (they’re rich and you’re not) is ready to destroy Caz XL.

Caz XL vs. Thrillride

The Trust Fund (manager and a bodyguard) is at ringside and Thrillride is a…..I guess flamboyant cowboy? Caz XL is of course Big Cass and that’s what I’ll be referring to him as for the sake of my sanity. Cass (who is jacked) elbows him in the face to start and hits a one armed slam. Bodyguard Rob Zombie grabs Cass’ leg so Thrillride can hammer away but some dropkicks just stagger Cass.

The lackeys choke from the floor and the distraction lets Zombie get in a running neckbreaker and a Samoan drop gives Thrillride two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Cass muscles him up for a side slam. Zombie cheats again though and the both of them are down again. Some running chops just wake Cass up and he unloads in the corner, setting up the running splash. There’s the chokeslam but Cass has to beat up the manager and Zombie, followed by a powerbomb to put Thrillride away at 6:54.

Rating: C-. Have giant beat up villains and win after a pretty short match. What else can you ask for out of something like this? I mean, other than Cass snapping and attempting to beat up one of his coworkers or something like that of course. The fans seemed pleased and Cass looked great, though he isn’t getting anywhere near a major company again for a long time.

We recap the Tag Team Title match by talking about….Jerry Lawler vs. David Arquette? Lawler dropped Arquette on his head with the piledriver so tonight Brian Anthony (thinks he’s a king) is teaming up with Arquette to challenge Lawler and Keith Youngblood. It’s a little hard to follow.

Lawler laughs at the idea of an actor coming after him and promises to piledrive Arquette, just like he did to Andy Kaufman. Oh and Anthony looks ridiculous in a crown.

Tag Team Titles: Jerry Lawler/Keith Youngblood vs. Hollywood Royalty

Lawler and Youngblood are defending and Baron Von Vito, Hollywood Royalty’s way over the top manager, handles the introductions. We hear about their resumes, which include two Blockbuster Entertainment Awards and a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award. If nothing else, the idea of Arquette in trunks is such a strange visual. The champs slug away to start and Hollywood Royalty bail to the floor for an early breather.

Back in and it’s Youngblood hammering on Anthony, followed by an atomic drop with Youngblood posing a bit for a nice visual. A one knee Codebreaker takes Youngblood down though and it’s Arquette coming in for stomping and choking. It’s already back to Anthony and some taunting brings Lawler in like a rookie. Youngblood gets stomped down some more but Anthony spends too much time posing and gets superkicked. Arquette draws Lawler in again though and there’s no hot tag yet.

Anthony hammers away and drops a top rope elbow for two. We hit the nerve hold but Youngblood fights up with the clotheslines as Lawler is busy beating up the Baron. The referee gets splashed in the corner by mistake and the Duke of Danger (another of Royalty’s buddies) comes out to beat on Lawler. That means a triple teaming on Youngblood but Manscout Jake Manning runs in for the save. Arquette tries to piledrive Lawler and gets backdropped, setting up a quick fist drop to give Lawler the pin to retain at 9:59.

Rating: D+. Aside from seeing Arquette vs. Lawler, there wasn’t very much of note here. Lawler is still perfectly capable of doing everything he could before and there is nothing wrong with doing something like this. Youngblood looked fine and you can see the star power in Anthony. The champs would lose their titles to Anthony/Duke the next day.

Post match Lawler lays out Arquette but Lawler makes the save and gives him a piledriver, setting up a Diamond Cutter from Arquette. Lawler and Arquette shake hands and Arquette thanks everyone for having him.

Brian Pillman Jr. vs. nZo

Pillman takes him into the corner to start and slaps him on the chest so Enzo grabs a headlock takeover. Back up and Pillman sends him outside with ease, followed by a headlock so Pillman can very blatantly call spots. The headlocking continues until it’s the Hollywood Blondes camera pose.

Enzo starts favoring his knee in the corner, allowing Enzo to grab, you know it, another headlock. That’s broken up and this time Enzo takes him to the apron for a reverse DDT to the floor. A running Razor’s Edge into the post puts Pillman down again and thankfully doesn’t hurt his neck.

Rating: D+. So that happened. Yeah Enzo is still just a person who exists and nowhere near the star that he thinks he is. He came back and had one not very good match against Pillman and then….hasn’t actually wrestled again in the three months since this show. I haven’t cared for him in a long time and this version of him isn’t changing that anytime soon.

Enzo heads straight to the back after the bell.

We recap the NEW Heavyweight Title match. Hale Collins is the hometown boy and he’ll do anything to win the title from Darby Allin.

Northeast Wrestling Heavyweight Title: Darby Allin vs. Hale Collins

No DQ and Hale is challenging. Allin wastes no time in hitting a suicide dive and the fight is on outside in a hurry. A chair to the ribs has Hale down again and a shot to the back makes it worse. Let’s bring in a ladder and a table as well but Allin misses a charge and hits the barricade. Some chair shots to the back get Allin out of trouble again but a dive only hits table

They head inside for the opening bell and Collins superkicks him for two. It’s already back to the floor with Collins putting Allin on the table but missing an elbow off the ladder for a huge crash. Back in and the Coffin Drop finishes Collins at 2:21. That’s some rather fast paced booking but given how they were going out there, including the stuff before the bell, it was easy to understand. Collins exploded through that table too and it would have been nuts to see him keep going after that.

Ring of Honor World Title: JT Dunn vs. Matt Taven

Taven is defending and is a legend around here. Dunn stomps him down in the corner and chops away but Taven pops right back up with a dropkick. Some rollups give Taven two but the Supernova is countered. Instead it’s a TKO over the top rope, setting up a running dropkick through the ropes. A chop against the barricade keeps Dunn in trouble as Taven seems rather pleased to be home.

Dunn’s chop hits the post but his foot is fine enough to hit a big boot. They slug it out on the apron but the referee takes a shot to the face. Dunn gets in a cheap shot for a breather before choking on the ropes by laying on Taven’s back. Something close to a spear gives Dunn two but Taven chops his way out of the corner. Taven’s middle rope moonsault is kicked out of the air but he’s right back with a quick DDT for a double knockdown.

Some running elbows and an enziguri have Dunn in trouble and a rolling neckbreaker gets two. Dunn sends him into the corner for a breather so they head up top, with Taven scoring a heck of a superplex. Taven is right back with a running knee and the Supernova….for two in a good near fall. Dunn’s sliding forearm gives him two of his own but he spends a little too much time talking and gets superkicked. A frog splash retains Taven’s title at 17:59.

Rating: C+. I’ve never been a Taven fan but the difference here was the fire that Taven was showing. He looked like a star but more importantly he felt like a star, which has never been the case with his time in Ring of Honor. I don’t think that is ever going to change without some huge switch for Taven, though that doesn’t matter here. What matters is that Taven had a good appearance and made Dunn look good at the same time. Nice match but the star power was on display with Taven, even if it was due to being a big fish in a small pond.

Post match Taven thanks the company as well as ROH for letting him show up here, even if it is a one night only event. Taven won the North East Title nine years ago and now he’s back as Ring of Honor World Champion. It has been a long road and he loves the fans very much. Again: totally different than his ROH stuff.

We see the Jon Moxley prison break video.

Moxley says he is alive and he is breathing fresh air for the first time. Pentagon Jr. is ready to hurt him. Sounds like a main event to me.

Jon Moxley vs. Pentagon Jr.

They get in each others faces and shout a lot, including various levels of swearing. An early headscissors puts Moxley on the floor so he grabs a chair. The suicide dive is countered with a chair to the mask and it’s time to send Pentagon into the crowd. They brawl through the fans and we can’t see anything for a few moments.

The lights go on again and we see Moxley knocking him through a pretty big crowd, including knocking him through a merch table. Back in and Moxley goes for the mask because of course before bridging a table against the barricade. That takes too long though and Pentagon hits a big running flip dive to send him through said table. A big sweeping broom goes over Moxley’s back and Pentagon chairs him in the ankle.

It’s back into the crowd with Pentagon dragging him into the cheap seats. A drink to the face sets up some choking before Pentagon finds a bonus mask and puts it on Moxley. They go back to ringside with Pentagon finding what might have been an umbrella for a shot to the back. Pentagon gets two off a top rope double stomp but walks into a release Rock Bottom for two.

That’s fine with Pentagon, who kicks the knee out and hits a top rope Alberto double stomp. Moxley sweeps the leg though and puts on a quickly broken Texas Cloverleaf. An STF makes it even worse for Pentagon but a rope is grabbed in a hurry. Pentagon hits a Backstabber and loads up another table in the corner.

They slug it out from their knees until Pentagon hits a superkick, though Moxley drives him through the table in the corner. That’s good for a delayed two and Paradigm Shift gets the same. Pentagon is right back with the arm snap and Fear Factor but Moxley pulls the mask off and hits the Paradigm Shift for the pin at 23:41.

Rating: C+. I wasn’t wild on the big brawling but it fit the two of them rather well. That’s the kind of match that they should be having and the lack of regular wrestling was a lot more understandable here. It makes sense to play to your strengths and on a show like this, it wasn’t exactly something out of nowhere. Let them have fun and get the crowd to come back later, which is the point of bringing in a star like Moxley.

Post match Pentagon thanks him for the match and wants to do it again. Moxley doesn’t like what Pentagon said about his madre but the rematch sounds good. Moxley praises the fans and we get the NEDUB chants. A handshake wraps things up.

Overall Rating: C. This worked out well enough and you can tell the promotion has a history and knows what it’s doing. There was a nice balance of big names and more in-house wrestlers to make things work and it felt like a promotion that delivers a consistent product. The wrestling wasn’t anything that will blow you away but it stayed in a pretty middle of the road area, with nothing great but nothing close to terrible. Completely watchable show and better than a lot of indies you’ll see, at least somewhat due to the overall presentation.

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #83
Date: November 9, 2019
Location: GILT Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

We’re past SuperFight now and that means things are going to be at the start of a new cycle. I’m not sure what to expect this time around but that is kind of a fun feeling for a change. There are a lot of things that can be done from here but we’re going to need some fresh challengers to all of the titles. Let’s get to it.

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

For those of you who keep track, last week’s pre-show has been changed to episode #82 so everything lines up.

We open with a recap of Jacob Fatu defeating LA Park to retain the World Title in a match that surprised me.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Contra for an unscheduled appearance to get things going. Josef Samael demands the fans’ praise and talks about how their soldiers around the world are celebrating the title win. Another castle in the Kingdom of MLW has crumbled with Promociones Dorado being destroyed at SuperFight. Their grip is only going to tighten and now they want the Tag Team Titles. Oh and throw in the Middleweight Title as well, which is a threat to Teddy Hart. Samael is going to rip the sparkly pajamas off of him and do various violent things with them. Cue the Hart Foundation and the fight is on in a hurry with Contra being cleared out.

The announcers reset a bit and plug the Thanksgiving special.

Mance Warner wants one more match with Jimmy Havoc: Falls Count Anywhere. He even turns down a moonshine deal because he’s so serious.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Low Ki

Thatcher has Douglas James in his corner. They stare each other down for a long time to start as the fans aren’t sure who they like best. There is no significant contact in the first minute so Thatcher makes up for it by taking Low Ki down for a quickly broken chinlock. The grappling continues with Thatcher taking him onto the top but getting pulled down into an armbreaker.

With that broken up, Thatcher works on an armbar so Ki heads to the ropes this time. Another armbreaker sends Ki to the mat but he starts kicking at the legs. Back from a break with Thatcher putting on a bow and arrow while pulling at Ki’s face. Thatcher switches to the arm and gets downright furious over getting hit to the face. Hang on though as Contra takes over the feed to say that the castles will continue to fall and there will be a big offer next week.

We come back to Thatcher working on the arm again as commentary points out how he always has a hold on a limb. The short armscissors goes on for a bit until Ki gets his foot on the rope. With the submissions not working, it’s a slam into an elbow drop to keep Ki down. The chinlock doesn’t last long so Thatcher ties him in the ropes for a forearm to the chest.

A snap suplex gets two as Ki has been dominated almost the entire time here. Ki gets away and tries a springboard dive, only to get uppercutted down to the floor. That’s only good for nine and then two inside so Thatcher catapults him into the corner, only to have Ki bounce back for a double stomp to the chest. Thatcher snaps off a belly to belly for two more but Ki pulls him down into the Dragon Clutch. That’s reversed but Ki climbs onto his back and pulls him down into a choke for the knockout at 16:39.

Rating: B. These things can be hit or miss but when they get two people who can do it well, they can be some highly entertaining matches. That’s what happened here and Thatcher continues to look like a star. I can get why you don’t want him beating someone as big as Ki, but Thatcher got a lot out of this. Heck of a fight here and if you like this kind of wrestling, it’s worth seeing.

The Von Erichs are ready for Contra. Tom Lawlor has nothing to say about rumors he might be going to WWE or New Japan and doesn’t like being asked about it.

King Mo is coming to MLW. Does he really have to?

Injustice doesn’t like being referred to as thugs so they’re coming for the Middleweight Title. This isn’t a black or white thing because it’s a justice thing.

King Mo held a press conference earlier, saying he’s coming to be the King of MLW. He’ll fight anyone because he’s a black leprechaun.

Middleweight Title: Teddy Hart vs. Myron Reed

Reed is challenging and has the rest of Injustice with him though the rest of the Foundation isn’t here. During the entrances, Hart says he wants to get his hands on Fatu and the World Title. Feeling out process to start until Hart snaps into another gear and takes him down into a Crossface. Hart has to deal with the rest of Injustice though and Reed hits a running forearm.

A superkick makes it even worse and Hart is sent outside so the goons can get in a few shots. Hart fights them off because it’s just Injustice, only to have Reed hit a suicide dive. Since it has been a full five seconds since we’ve seen a suicide dive, Reed hits a second one to keep Hart down. Back in and the springboard cutter sets up a sitout reverse gordbuster for two. Reed misses a springboard 450 though and Hart snaps off the first Canadian Destroyer.

The Backstabber into the springboard corkscrew moonsault gives Hart two and the very high moonsault gets the same. Project Ciampa gets another near fall as Hart isn’t sure what to do. The elevated hammerlock DDT and a top rope DDT….draw Injustice up to the apron for the distraction. Hart throws Reed onto the two of them, setting up a heck of a moonsault.

Reed gets thrown onto the chairs and Kotto is suplexed onto Oliver’s face. Back in and the super Canadian Destroyer gets two with Brazil pulling the referee. Kotto is taken out so Oliver offers a distraction, allowing Samael to come out and fireball Hart. The 450 gives Reed the pin and the title at 10:35.

Rating: C+. I’m rather surprised at the title change but what matters most here is that they created a new star while also protecting Hart. It took four people and a fireball (plus an imbecile of a referee) plus Hart being banged up from facing Austin Aries last week to get the title off of him. That is quite the set of circumstances and hart vs. Fatu could very well be on the horizon.

The Hart Foundation comes running out WAY after they were needed to end the show. That was the case with the team back in 1997 at One Night Only. Must be a family tradition.

Overall Rating: B. This was a heck of a way to start the new era of MLW, with both matches delivering and a path forward with the focus on Contra. That’s a good thing after seeing them cool off a good bit after War Chamber. I could go for more of them and having Samael as the mouthpiece is a good idea. I’ll take more of this and they seem to be on a roll in a hurry.

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

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

NWA Powerrr
Date: November 12, 2019
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Jim Cornette

I’m not sure what to expect from this show and that’s kind of what I like about it. They only have the loosest of stories for the most part but you know who the people are and what they’re about. The rest can come later though and that is what makes for a fun show. I’m hoping this one goes well as they have a month before their pay per view. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the tag team situation last week with the Rock N Roll Express running in and going after the champion Wild Cards.

Opening sequence.

The Rock N Roll Express wish Outlaw Inc luck in their Tag Team Title match tonight. Cue Outlaw Inc, with Eddie Kingston not being sure what to think about being in the presence of legends. Their approval means Outlaw Inc can’t lose tonight.

Caleb Konley vs. Trevor Murdoch

Trevor shoulders him down so Caleb is right back with a monkey flip into a dropkick. That’s fine with Trevor as he runs Konley down again to slow the pace. Three straight slams seem to impress the fans until Konley sweeps the leg and hits a backsplash. A Lionsault hits unraised knees though and Murdoch hits a full nelson slam. The middle rope bulldog finishes Konley at 3:38.

Rating: C. One thing that has to be factored into these matches is the time, as they have ten minutes max so it makes sense for them to pick up the pace. They didn’t have time to do anything fancy here so it was a quick version of the speedy athlete vs. the big, Texas fighter. What we got was watchable enough and that’s the kind of thing they need to do on this show.

We look back at Ricky Starks beating Aron Stevens two straight falls last week.

Here’s a ticked off Aron Stevens to say he is leaving the NWA. The fans seem rather pleased and sing the Goodbye Song. After saying that’s why Broadway isn’t in Atlanta, he is ready to go put his pants on, and head to Hollywood for good.

We look back at Marti Belle turning on Allysin Kay last week.

Marti Belle/Thunder Rosa vs. Crystal Rose/Brooklyn Creed

Creed grabs a wristlock to drag Marti to the corner to start so Belle kicks Rose down. It’s off to Rosa for a running knee in the corner and a running knee has Crystal down. There’s a running dropkick and a top rope double stomp to the back finishes Rose at 1:37. Total squash.

Post match Belle and Rosa talk about how there is a fire and they are the Phoenix coming out of it. They’re coming for Kay.

We look at Colt Cabana regaining the National Title.

After the match, James Storm demanded a rematch before changing his mind. He wants the World Title instead.

Here’s Cabana for a chat. He’s fired up and came back from an injury to win his title back on the first try. Ricky Starks comes out to say he’s sold on the gold.

Dan Parker vs. Question Mark

Mark is your standard masked man. Parker slugs away to start but gets dropkicked out of the corner. A hard shot to the throat gives Mark the pin at 52 seconds.

The NWA is coming to RetroMania Wrestling.

Video on Thunder Rosa and what looks like a documentary on her time in MMA.

The announcers talk about Kamille but here’s Eli Drake to talk about how little he cares about her her. Maybe Nick Aldis is scared of what Kamille might say. Maybe she knows Drake can take the World Title away from Aldis. The fans prefer the Question Mark but cue the Wild Cards to tell Drake to stay out of their business. They leave so here’s Mr. Anderson to suggest a partnership.

Billy Corgan has a big announcement coming.

Tony Falk has started a wrestling farm. Want a babyface or heel of your own? Just $15,000! These things are hilarious.

We look back at Aldis try to talk Tim Storm out of retirement.

Aldis says he hears a lot of people talking about what they deserve. Wrestling and the NWA owe you nothing because you earn everything. There is a reason he was allowed to present Dory Funk Jr. with the Lou Thesz Award and why he and Harley Race took a photo with their titles: he does everything the right way. That’s why he is going to be sitting out here watching the Tag Team Title match and making sure that things go right.

Tag Team Titles: Outlaw Inc vs. Wild Cards

Outlaw Inc (Eddie Kingston/Homicide) are challenging. The brawl is on before the bell (as it should be) with Isaacs powerslamming Homicide to take over. Homicide is right back with a tornado DDT and it’s Kingston coming in with a clothesline for two. The champs get Kingston into the corner though and the beating is on again, this time with some alternating choking.

Kingston manages a swinging Rock Bottom and the hot tag brings in Homicide to suplex Isaacs. We actually settle down to a headlock with Isaacs slowing Homicide’s house cleaning. Homicide goes for a suplex but his leg gives out, meaning it’s Latimer kicking away at the knee. Everyone comes in for a big knockdown and Homicide is shoved off the top and out to the floor. Isaacs catches Kingston in a dragon suplex into a German suplex (cool) for the pin at 7:17.

Rating: C. Another rushed match and in this case the extra time would have hurt it a bit. These guys needed to get in there, have their big brawl and then go on. There was no need to stretch out a fight like this and thankfully they understood that idea. Keeping this short worked better, as they got their stuff in and didn’t waste time on things they didn’t need to do.

Kamille comes out to yell at Aldis but the entire locker room comes out to join in the argument to end the show.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: C. Things are at a weird place here, though I wouldn’t call it a problem. There really isn’t a big story for the show but rather just a bunch of stuff that is happening with these people. You can probably guess what is going to happen with some of the stories, but there is no clear cut challenger to Aldis and the pay per view hasn’t even begun to take shape. Granted having a pay per view eight weeks after your debut might not have been the best idea. Either way, the show is still more than fine as it offers nice entertainment and a very quick sit, though I’m not sure where some things are going.

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Saturday Night SuperFight
Date: November 2, 2019
Location: Cicero Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: AJ Kirsch, Rich Bocchini

So this is a big deal as MLW is having its first pay per view. This is something that is a long time in the making and the card actually looks pretty good. The main event is LA Park challenging Jacob Fatu for the World Title in a match that could be anywhere between a disaster or a blast. Other than that, all three titles are on the line and we should be in for some good stuff.

Since we have to have more wrestling all the time, there is an hour long pre-show, which basically serves as this week’s Fusion but isn’t listed as such.

We open with a long recap of the big stories, which is always a good way to start.

Pre-Show: Leo Brien vs. Savio Vega

Feeling out process to start with Savio’s hammerlock being the big thrill of the first minute. They fight over said hammerlock and then yell at each other a bit, followed by a trade of slaps. Savio’s jumping kick to the…..chest I guess, sends Brien outside. That goes nowhere and it’s Brien hitting a knee in the corner to take over. A suplex sets up a chinlock for a short while until Savio fights up, only to get kicked in the face. There’s a spear to drop Vega again but Brien misses a middle rope elbow. Vega fights back but the referee gets distracted, allowing Brien to get in a bell shot. The big elbow finishes Vega at 6:57.

Rating: D+. I know Vega is a name and is working backstage but that doesn’t mean he should be in the ring. He certainly wasn’t a disaster but there really wasn’t anyone else they could have put out there? It’s not like he has a lot of value so the win doesn’t exactly mean much for Brien. They’re pushing someone new though and that’s a good sign.

Post match Brien goes after him again but gets spinwheel kicked down. Vega gets in some kendo stick shots and stands tall. Well tall enough at least.

Video on Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc in the Stairway to Hell match. Havoc has gone all violent so Warner whipped out a chainsaw and wants barbed wire hanging above the ring this time. And we’ll throw in Bestia 666 in just for a bonus.

Gino Medina is….here tonight actually.

Gino Medina vs. Air Wolf

Gino is billed as a Latin heartthrob. They go to the mat to start and get a grand total of nowhere early on. A rollup gives Medina two and he shoves Wolf down by the mask. Wolf gets in a headscissors and a dropkick for his own two so Medina comes back with an enziguri. The chinlock goes on for a bit until Wolf sends him into the bottom corner for a 619. An exchange of kicks to the head goes to Wolf but Medina hits a running knee in the corner. Eat Defeat (with a wide gap between the foot and the jaw) finishes Wolf at 4:17.

Rating: D+. Medina didn’t showcase himself very well here while Wolf looked like a future star, as has been the case multiple times now. That being said, you can’t judge someone off of one match but this was pretty disappointing, especially after all of the weeks of vignettes about Medina. Hopefully the next one is better, which is certainly a possibility.

MJF gives Richard Holliday his sunglasses.

SuperFight rundown.

Cue Injustice to protest….or maybe advertise….the fact that they are on the pay per view.

Hijo de LA Park vs. Zenshi

Salina de la Renta is here with Park. Zenshi starts fast and flips in for a hurricanrana to put Park on the floor. That means a crazy high dive but Salina grabs Zenshi’s leg, allowing Park to score with an enziguri. The suicide dive drops Zenshi and Park gets in a chair shot as Salina yells at the referee….who can see the chair shots. Zenshi gets crotched on the barricade as I continue to wonder why this referee exists.

That’s good for a very delayed two and it’s time for some stomping. Zenshi kicks at the legs and hits a 619 over the top into a neckbreaker for two. Salina breaks up another springboard attempt but this time Zenshi is fine enough to sweep the leg into a slingshot corkscrew hilo for two more. Park is right back with a running corner dropkick and a Code Red gets two.

They head up top with Park hitting a super Spanish Fly, only to get enziguried right back down. Just to show off, Zenshi hits (ok with with me here) a crazy long flip dive coast to coast diagonally across the ring. It only grazes Park’s leg but dang that was almost incredible. Park is back with another kick to the head though and a belly to back package piledriver is good for the pin on Zenshi at 7:53.

Rating: C. Zenshi is another one of the names around here who could become something if they are given a bit of a push. Park may not be for everyone but he has the cool costume like his dad but minus about 50lbs. His matches have been fine enough though and he could become something as well, given how his stuff with Salina is going fairly well.

Post match Salina addresses the ladies and gentlemarks and naturally switches from English to Spanish because that’s what you do in a promo if you speak both languages. Cue Contra for their match, but Salina of course won’t get out of the ring because she’s rather stubborn. Thankfully she gets the hint and bails before getting killed.

Contra vs. Douglas James/Dominic Garrini vs. Spirit Squad

That would be Kwon/Gotch for Contra and Ken/Mikey for the Squad. Before the opponents come out, Gotch pounds a chair against the floor for no logical reason. The Squad is from the University of Parts Unknown (the Dean better be named Douglas) and they are JACKED. Ken and James start things off with the former grabbing a headlock, allowing him to take James down and strike the pose.

Some elbows keep James in trouble until Kwon tags himself in and gets a hard dropkick from James. Mikey gets in a hair pull from the apron and everything breaks down in a hurry with the fight heading to the floor. James and Kwon chop it out in the ring until Kwon dives onto the pile. Back in and Garrini pulls Mikey down into a cross armbreaker. That’s broken up and Ken gets in a cheap shot of his own from the apron to take over again.

A snapmare faceplant gives Mikey two on Garrini and it’s Gotch coming in to stomp on Garrini as well. Garrini gets in a suplex to drop Gotch and it’s Kwon coming in to face Ken. James tags himself in and starts kicking people in the face, one of which makes Ken DDT Kwon. Everything breaks down and Garrini break sup whatever the Squad had planned and grabs a choke on Ken. The referee breaks that up and Kwon mists Mikey, setting up the piledriver from Gotch for the pin at 6:43.

Rating: C. Contra should NOT be having this much trouble against the Spirit Squad and a thrown together team. I’m not sure why they needed to take this long for what should have been a squash. Their teammate is the World Champion and the team as a whole was in the main event of the most recent major show. It wasn’t long or bad but it was set up wrong.

The announcers preview the card one more time to wrap up the preshow.

The opening video is your standard, yet well done, preview.

Opening sequence, complete with graphics identifying the wrestlers in each match. How nice that is for a change.

Tag Team Titles: Dynasty vs. Von Erichs

The Dynasty is defending and this is Texas Tornado. Hold on though as MJF grabs the mic to tell the fans that they need to shut up and that the Von Erichs suck, plus a mocking of the Claw. Richard Holliday calls the Von Erichs fake Texans who live in Hawaii and you know those are fighting words.

The Von Erichs hit the ring and send the champs outside with some fast double dropkicks, only to be sent into the barricade on the floor. MJF tears up a sign and hits Marshall in the head with the bell as the beating continues. Ross gets taken inside and a lifting swinging neckbreaker gets two. A double armbar makes things even worse until Ross sends the champs together.

Marshall comes back in with a double clothesline, setting up stereo Cannonballs in the corner. Something like a double powerbomb gets two on Holliday but he’s fine enough to superplex Ross down. MJF’s top rope splash connects for two with Marshall having to moonsault in for the save. The Claw/belly to back suplex combination finishes MJF at 9:46.

Rating: C. This was a pretty basic match that seemed designed to protect the still very green Von Erichs. That is the right play too as you don’t want them going out there and looking terrible in one of their biggest matches to date. Just let them get in, do their stuff, and win the titles for the feel good moment, as they did here.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. fires up Brian Pillman Jr. for his match against Low Ki.

Injustice vs. Gringo Loco/Septimo Dragon/Puma King

Lucha rules but hang on as we need to check Injustice for weapons. With that out of the way, the big brawl is on and everyone heads to the floor. Back in and Loco and Oliver trade misses before heading outside again. Dragon and Reed come in with Dragon hitting a running Spanish Fly. It’s King with a few superkicks and a faceplant to Kotto and a reverse powerbomb makes it even worse.

Double moonsaults from Dragon and Loco and a double reverse gorilla press slam puts Oliver back down. The dives are on and the fans certainly seem to approve. Back in and it’s King and Dragon being sent outside so Injustice can suplex Loco down. Brazil’s Sling Blade gets two but Oliver’s top rope hurricanrana is countered into a sitout powerbomb for the double knockdown.

Everything breaks down again and Dragon’s top rope double stomp crushes Reed. Loco’s Tombstone gets two on Reed and it’s some very hard dives from Injustice. Reed hits his running jumping over the top cutter on Loco, setting up the standing Sliced Bread on Dragon. Brazil adds the springboard 450 for the pin at 10:16.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure how smart of an idea it was to have the first two matches both be wild fights but Injustice is getting somewhere as a midcard heel stable. Some of the dives and flips looked really good here and I was getting into the match by the end, which I wouldn’t have expected from Injustice. Nice addition here and a good way to keep the crowd going.

We recap Austin Aries vs. Teddy Hart for the Middleweight Title. Hart has been champion for a long time but Aries is here to show that he is the greatest middleweight in the world. He gave Hart a brainbuster onto the apron to knock him cold so Hart is here to retain the title and get some revenge.

Middleweight Title: Teddy Hart vs. Austin Aries

Hart is defending and has Mr. Velvet the cat with him. Aries hits the suicide dive before the bell (common theme tonight) and we’re ready to go in a hurry. Well Hart isn’t ready but that’s kind of the point. Aries can’t hit a brainbuster on the floor but he can hit a missile dropkick for two inside. They’re already back on the floor with Hart hammering away but barely being able to stand.

Back in and Hart hits his springboard spinning legdrop for two to send Aries outside again. Aries grabs the Death Valley Driver onto the apron to mess up Hart’s head even more, setting up the slingshot hilo for two. It’s off to a leglock of all things, though Aries does put a foot on Hart’s head to make it worse. A middle rope elbow to the jaw gets two and the Last Chancery goes on.

That doesn’t last long either so it’s Hart coming back with shots to the face and a Backstabber. A belly to back gets two but Hart hits his head again. Aries scores with the discus forearm to take right back over but spends too much time talking trash, allowing Hart to hit a Project Ciampa out of the corner. Hart puts him on top, only to come back with the sunset bomb for two.

The Last Chancery goes on in full, sending Hart on the slow crawl to the rope. Hart’s super Canadian Destroyer is countered with a crotching and now the brainbuster connects….for two. Aries freaks, as he probably should given how protected that move really is. Hart rolls outside and ducks the suicide dive to send Aries face first into the barricade. Aries has to be muscled back inside and he grabs a quick rollup for two, only to get caught with the Canadian Destroyer to retain Hart’s title at 18:32.

Rating: B. They took their time here and set up a good story with a better match to make it the best thing on the show so far. Hart was fighting through his injury and still managing to pull off the win, which was arguably an upset, in the end. I’m rather surprised that Aries lost, mainly because I have no idea who is supposed to take the title off of Hart now.

Josef Samael congratulates Hart on his win but says he has a target on him. So that’s what’s next for Hart. Anyway, Jacob Fatu will retain the World Title tonight.

The women’s division is coming.

Low Ki vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Ki offered some advice to Pillman and got blown off, setting this up. Pillman starts fast with the chops in the corner and hits the running slap for a bonus. They head outside with Pillman striking away as they walk around ringside. Ki gets the better of the striking (well duh) and it’s a kick to the chest to set up the Figure Four necklock back inside.

Some kicks to the face set up a chinlock on Ki, followed by a spinning chop to the back of the neck. A powerslam gives Pillman two but the double arm neckbreaker is broken up. Ki kicks him in the head a few times and the referee might want to stop this. Pillman fights up and wants to fight so it’s the rolling Liger kick to knock him cold for the stoppage at 8:12.

Rating: C. This was shorter than I was expecting and it was just ok. It felt like a big TV match more than a pay per view one but at least they are getting something with Ki being all angry and violent. Pillman is still pretty green and needs ring time, but one of the good things about this place is being able to have him in there with a bunch of different styles. It certainly wasn’t bad and while it could have had more time for the story to develop, it went the way it should have.

MLW is partnering with AAA. That’s a good thing for MLW as the star power and more variety are nice additions.

Tom Lawlor vs. Timothy Thatcher

They’re both shoot style guys and Thatcher challenged him for the fight. Thatcher also has Douglas James with him. They slug it out to start with Thatcher being knocked outside and the fight heading out there as well. Lawlor’s guillotine is countered with a ram into the barricade and they head back inside for some attempts at pulling on limbs.

Thatcher kicks him in the head and gets a bow and arrow hold, only to be reversed into a blocked cross armbreaker. The half crab works better on Lawlor but he’s out in a few seconds, setting up a seated strike off. Lawlor gets in a Figure Four but Thatcher rolls over into the ropes pretty quickly.

We go old school with an airplane spin to make Thatcher dizzy, though he’s fine enough to pick the ankle. Lawler gets to the ropes to save his arm and it’s time to slug it out again. Thatcher hits a belly to belly so Lawlor hits one of his own for the double knockdown. They head outside again with Thatcher being sent into the barricade this time and then getting chopped around ringside.

Back in and some YES Kicks have Thatcher in more trouble but he’s right back with a butterfly suplex. The Fujiwara armbar goes on but this time Lawler reverses with a German suplex. Thatcher gets in his own suplex so Lawlor grabs a Tombstone for two. They both grab arms with Lawlor hitting a pumphandle suplex for two. That’s enough for Lawlor as he unloads with strikes to make Thatcher cover up, meaning it’s time for the rear naked choke to give Lawlor the win at 15:27.

Rating: B. That’s the kind of match that they were supposed to have and it was rather entertaining. These guys beat each other up with strikes and submissions until one of them won. They even told a nice story with Thatcher being the one who believed he could hang with Lawlor, only to find out that he was in over his head because Lawlor was a professional fighter who knew exactly what to do in this situation. Heck of a fight too.

Post match Thatcher is busted open but Lawlor says he can do anything he wants around here because MLW is going to stay filthy.

We recap Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc….and vs. Bestia 666, who is here after Havoc attacked his father in a bit of a forced addition. Anyway this is Stairway to Hell with barbed wire above the ring and anything goes, with wins coming by pinfall or submission.

Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Havoc vs. Bestia 666

Warner and Bestia start brawling on the floor to start with Warner getting the better of it, only to head outside to poke Havoc in the eye. Bestia’s dive is cut off by a trashcan to the head, followed by the staple gun to Havoc’s crotch. Mance goes outside and gets some dollar bills from the audience to staple to various parts of Havoc. You know, like Thesz used to do to Gotch.

It’s Warner up first to get the barbed wire but a double teaming takes it away. Havoc rips up Warner’s face and it’s time for the barbed wire to be put on a trashcan. A suplex sends Warner through both of them but Havoc sends Bestia into the announcers’ table (Rich: “ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? HOW MANY TIMES???”). Back in and Bestia backbreakers him onto the edges of two open chairs, only to have Havoc get up and slam him off the ladder onto the same edges in your HOW IS HE MOVING spot of the march.

Warner comes back in and takes the wire to the head, followed by the wire going into Bestia’s crotch. Back up and Warner’s lariat hits Havoc but Bestia superkicks Warner down. Bestia mocks the kneepad up, kneepad down before bridging a door between two chairs. You don’t mock kneepads though and Warner superplexes Bestia through the door for the pin at 14:02.

Rating: C. This is another case where your mileage may vary but what matters here is keeping the violent insanity to one match instead of doing it over and over. This was your designated violence match and while it didn’t go as far as some others (that’s a good thing), it felt like a lot of violence for the sake of violence. I’m also not big on the feud continuing as Bestia was tacked on to take the fall, but that’s wrestling for you.

Post match Havoc jumps Warner and piledrives him onto a piece of the barricade. An Acid Rainmaker leaves Warner laying.

There will be a special Fusion on Thanksgiving. Just what the world was waiting for.

We recap Alexander Hammerstone vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. They’re the hoss monsters of their respective groups and this has been built for a long time. Hammerstone even hooked up with Smith’s sister to get in his head, which seemed to work well.

National Openweight Title: Alex Hammerstone vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Smith is challenging. Davey shoves him away to start before headlocking Hammerstone down. The arm cranking begins with Smith working on one arm and then both at once for a bonus. Hammerstone can’t power out of it so it’s off to the ropes instead. The choking in the corner doesn’t get Hammerstone very far so he hits a delayed vertical suplex.

Smith pops right back up and waits for Hammerstone to turn around in a good visual. We see how it’s really done to send Hammerstone outside, setting up a ram into the barricade. Back in and Hammerstone pulls the turnbuckle pad off but Smith hammers away in the corner instead of eating steel. Hammerstone slugs right back and even hits a missile dropkick for two. He takes too long going up though and it’s a superplex, setting up a Swan Dive for two on the champ.

They take turns no selling release German suplexes so Smith rolls some German suplexes for another near fall. Smith can’t get the Crossface as the Dynasty comes out for a distraction. Hammerstone sends him into the exposed buckle for two and the shock is real. Smith is right back up but can’t get the running powerslam. Instead he tries an O’Connor roll but Hammerstone reverses into his own rollup and grabs the rope to retain at 13:29.

Rating: B-. I wasn’t feeling the ending but at least Smith was protected and didn’t lose clean here. Hammerstone is a genuine monster and whoever beats him is going to get a heck of a rub. I didn’t like the ending though as it felt out of place in the match after two guys beat each other up for so long. It was good while it lasted, but I could have gone with a hotter finish.

Post match Smith is ticked.

Quick recap of LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Title. Park won Battle Riot II to get a title shot so it’s time to cash in. This has turned into Promociones Dorado vs. Contra, which is quite the fight.

MLW World Title: LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu

No DQ, Park, undefeated, is challenging and Fatu is a monster. Salina de la Renta and Josef Samael are here as seconds. Before the match, Park grabs the mic and rants in Spanish. They circle, shove and slug it out with Park getting the better of it off a pair of clotheslines. A running knee puts Fatu on the floor and there’s a suicide dive, which is like a flying bus at this point.

Back in and Fatu starts firing off the headbutts to take over and some shots to the face put Park in trouble. The mask is torn and it looks like we already have some blood flowing. Park gets whipped into the barricade as the beating continues on the floor. Even Salina is looking worried as they head into the crowd to continue Park’s destruction. Back in and Park gets knocked into the corner but snaps off a powerslam for two and a breather.

Fatu superkicks him down and hits a handspring moonsault for his own two. With nothing else working, Park goes up top and hits something like a Whisper in the Wind. What all else fails, throw your large body at the other guy. They head outside again with Park nailing a chair to the back, followed by literally breaking the bell over Fatu’s head. Park headbutts away, which sounds rather idiotic against a Samoan. After not knocking himself silly, Park whips away with the weightlifting belt.

Fatu, now busted as well, runs the corner for a flying shoulder to send Park outside for a huge running dive to crush Park again. There’s a table set up in for corner as Park is thrown back in, only to avoid the moonsault. Samael throws a fireball at the referee though, which might be taking things a bit too far. That brings Salina in….and Park’s spear misses Samael, sending Salina through the table instead. The Samoan drop sets up the double jump moonsault to retain the title at 20:00.

Overall Rating: B+. This is a case of the show having nothing bad and being under some good circumstances. MLW has come a long way in about a year and a half and they gave us a good first pay per view here. Almost all of the wrestling was completely watchable to very good and the stories got to pay off in a logical way. On top of that we also got some stuff to set up the future. This was a really nice success and I hope people bought it to see what MLW can do.

Results

Von Erichs b. Dynasty – Claw/belly to back suplex combination to Friedman

Injustice b. Septimo Dragon/Gringo Loco/Puma King – Springboard 450 to Dragon

Teddy Hart b. Austin Aries – Canadian Destroyer

Low Ki b. Brian Pillman Jr. via referee stoppage

Tom Lawlor b. Timothy Thatcher – Rear naked choke

Mance Warner b. Jimmy Havoc and Bestia 666 – Superplex through a door to Bestia

Alex Hammerstone b. Davey Boy Smith Jr. – Rollup with a grab of the rope

Jacob Fatu b. LA Park – 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

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

NWA Powerrr
Date: November 5, 2019
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Jim Cornette

We’re getting into the groove of things around here and that is making things a lot more interesting. One of the biggest stories is James Storm vs. Colt Cabana for the National Title, which is going to have to go down at some point. Other than that we need a new #1 contender and we might get closer to that tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Eli Drake being interested in all of the titles around here and playing Devil’s Advocate for just about everyone. After a six man tag last week, Colt Cabana is owed a National Title shot, though Drake is still lurking.

Opening sequence.

The announcers preview the show.

Here is Colt Cabana for a chat. He is happy with what happened last week because he’s getting his National Title shot this week in the main event because he is a main eventer. The fans rather approve.

We look back at Ricky Starks beating Aron Stevens last week.

Stevens comes out for a chat. Everyone knows that last week was a fluke and HE IS SPEAKING THANK YOU. If you watch YouTube, you can see how great he is in the ring, but more importantly, he has found out that he is the direct descendant of William Shakespeare. He has a quote from his great great great great etc. grandfather but gets cut off by boos. Stevens: “ARE YOU BOOING WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE????” Anyway he has a script from Hollywood and if things are not going his way, he will gladly accept it.

The NWA is coming to RetroMania Wrestling. I’ve heard good things.

Dawsons vs. Matthew Mims/Jordan Kingsley

Zane powers Mims into the corner to start but gets taken into the other corner for some shoulders to the ribs. That’s about it for the offense though as the Dawsons hit a double suplex on Kingsley, followed by Dave tossing him into the air for a crash. Kingsley gets thrown into the corner so Mims tries to slug away, only to get dropkicked down. A double powerbomb gives Dave the pin at 2:12.

The Dawsons want a title shot. Cue Outlaw Inc. to say the Dawsons beat them in a No DQ match so there are no complaints. That being said, if the Dawsons want a title shot, come beat them again. They’re willing to put the title shot on the line against the Dawsons, who will think about it.

Tim Storm is asked about all the bad things going on for him right now and retirement has been rumored. He does not regret taking the challenge from Nick Aldis, who is a fine champion. Storm doesn’t know where things are going from here though and there are a lot of decisions to be made. As for other titles, he would be honored to hold any title, but he isn’t sure if that is the direction he should take. The World Title ship has sailed….and here’s Aldis to take Storm away for a chat. Aldis says don’t do something you will regret because the two of them built this house. Don’t forget who you are.

Ashley Vox vs. Thunder Rosa

This is Rosa’s in-ring debut and she goes straight to a sleeper until Vox makes the rope. That’s fine with Rosa, who pulls her by the hair to make it even worse. Vox’s headbutt doesn’t do much and it’s a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker to put her down. Rosa kicks her down again and drives some elbows in the back before grabbing a bodyscissors. Back up and Vox grabs something like a chickenwing (The Real Catch) but Rosa flips her over and hits a top rope double stomp to the back for the pin at 3:18.

Rating: C. Yeah Rosa looked awesome here and that’s a good sign for the future of the women’s division. She comes off like a killer and that is the kind of thing that the division needs. The wrestling wasn’t all that great and the match was little more than a squash but at least they have a unique character who could be a big deal going forward.

Post match Rosa stays on Vox but Marti Belle comes out for the save.

Post break Belle talks about how she doesn’t know Rosa but she does know Allysin Kay, who is her best friend. Then Kay came out and said Marti wasn’t ready, which rubbed Belle the wrong way. Cue Kay to say this didn’t need to be in public but here’s Rosa to post Kay. Belle stands back for a bit before following them into the ring….and helping to beat Kay down.

Who is the Question Mark? This is going to be a disappointment isn’t it?

Ricky Starks vs. Aron Stevens

2/3 falls and before the match, Stevens says there is no way Starks can beat him. Stevens tries to jump him from behind and gets rolled up for the pin and the first fall at 5 seconds. That sends Stevens outside for the YES/NO argument with the fans as we take a thirty second rest period. Back in and Starks gets two more off another rollup, showing that R-Truth Wrestling School diploma.

A nice dropkick gives Starks another two and he even throws in some Dickens before chopping away. Stevens thumbs him in the eye and hammers away on the mat for two before grabbing the chinlock. Back up and Starks strikes away, followed by a tornado DDT for two more. The missile dropkick misses but Stevens takes too much time posing, allowing Starks to roll him up for the pin at 4:49.

Rating: C. They kept this moving at a fast pace and the match was entertaining while it lasted. Starks is looking more and more like a star every time he’s out there and some wins over one of the better characters is only going to help him in the long run. That is the kind of thing that the NWA needs to do and they’re doing a decent job so far.

The NWA is still coming to RetroMania Wrestling.

National Title: Colt Cabana vs. James Storm

Cabana is challenging and has Mr. Anderson in his corner while Eli Drake is out with Storm. Cabana shoulders him down to start and hammers away in the corner, followed by a bonus shoulder. A missed charge in the corner lets Storm DDT him right back down though and it’s time to head outside. The seconds glare at each other as Storm chops away and sends Cabana back inside.

It’s time to start on Cabana’s recently injured leg but Cabana pops up for more chops. There’s a headscissors and a wristlock into a faceplant for two on the champ, followed by a sunset flip for the same. Storm is right back with a TKO across the top rope and the top rope elbow connects for two.

Cabana gets to make a comeback of his own and gets two off a running splash. The Flip Flop and Fly connects but Storm is right back with a Backstabber. The Eye of the Storm gets another near fall and Storm can’t believe it. Drake and Anderson get in a fight and here’s Kamille to stare at Anderson. As the glaring ensues, Cabana gets the Superman pin for the title at 7:58.

Rating: C+. They were getting in a groove here when everything got nuts. What mattered the most here though was having the formerly injured champion get the title back, which is something that needed to happen. Cabana is the kind of guy who can get a nice reaction anywhere in the world so putting the title on him again makes more sense.

Post match Storm says he’ll see Cabana again. Storm shouts at Anderson before leaving.

The Dawsons come up to the interview area and want their match with Outlaw Inc. RIGHT NOW.

Dawsons vs. Outlaw Inc.

For a future title shot. It’s a brawl to start (of course) with the Dawsons crushing Kingston for an early two. Homicide gets knocked off the apron and a poke to the eye cuts off Kingston’s comeback. Instead Kingston goes with a clothesline but there’s no tag yet as the Dawsons hit a double suplex. Kingston is right back out of the corner with an STO and that’s enough to bring in Homicide to clean house.

Some running clotheslines to opposite corners keep the Dawsons in trouble but here are the Wild Cards. Zane gets knocked to the floor and it’s a big knockdown on the outside. The Wild Cards are up to stomp Homicide from coming off the top but it’s the Rock N Roll Express of all people to get rid of the Cards. The Dawsons collide and it’s a spinning backfist into the Gringo Cutter to give Homicide the pin at 5:39.

Rating: D+. This had too much going on for my tastes and it was kind of a mess all around. It was much more of a brawl than anything else and that made things a little less interesting than it would have been otherwise. At least we had a nice surprise with the Express running in, which is about as required as you can get on an NWA show. Not a good match, but a fun angle.

The Rock N Roll Express come out to celebrate to end the show.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: C+. It was a tighter feeling show tonight as they had stories up and down the card and tied things back into the earlier part of the show as it kept going. At the same time they also had a few things that are going to make me want to see what is going on in the future. Keep doing these things and we could be in for an interesting few weeks going forward, including the pay per view. Nice job here.

Results

Dawsons b. Matthew Mims/Jordan Kingsley – Double powerbomb to Mims

Thunder Rosa b. Ashley Vox – Top rope double stomp to the back

Ricky Starks b. Aron Stevens two falls to none

Colt Cabana b. James Storm – Superman Pin

Outlaw Inc. b. Dawsons – Gringo Cutter to Zane

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #81
Date: October 26, 2019
Location: Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

It’s the go home show for SuperFight and I’m curious to see the show. The fact that they have gotten here is impressive enough and there is a good chance that they could have a solid show. MLW has figured out how to do things that get fans to want to keep watching and that is what matters most. Ow just give us one more good show before the important show. Let’s get to it.

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

Contra brags about taking out Hijo de LA Park last week and promise to make it even worse for LA Park next week.

Opening sequence.

We look at Brian Pillman Jr. mocking Low Ki. They’re on at SuperFight.

Hart Foundation vs. Dragon Lee/Extreme Tiger

Pillman/Smith for the Harts here. Pillman poses at Lee to start in a nice Rush impression and it’s time for things to get serious. Back up and a shoulder puts Lee down but he nips right back up and it’s time for the flipping into covers for no counts. Stereo dropkick attempts give us a standoff and Lee strikes Rush’s pose as well. Tiger and Smith come in with Tiger making the mistake of chopping Smith in the chest.

This goes even worse than you would expect and it’s time for the much bigger Smith to slug away. An overhead belly to belly launches Tiger and Smith is starting to get a little cocky. Pillman comes in for his own chops until Tiger ducks one and snaps off his own. That just earns him a shot from Smith and Pillman gets two.

There’s a delayed gutwrench suplex as Smith gets to show off some power. Lee has to break up a Boston crab and Pillman is right there to run him over. We settle down to Pillman with a seated abdominal stretch on Tiger for a bit, followed by Pillman missing a charge into the corner. Tiger cannonballs down onto the leg and it’s Lee coming in to pick up the pace. The snap German suplex rocks Pillman but he’s right back to his feet for the exchange of chops.

The fans are WAY behind Lee here, even as Pillman hits a spinning chop to the back. Lee blasts hits him with a running knee to the face though and it’s a double tag to Tiger and Smith. Everything breaks down and Lee nails a suicide dive on Pillman, followed by Tiger’s running flip dive. Not that it matters as Tiger is thrown back inside for a springboard Hart Attack and the pin at 13:34.

Rating: C+. As popular as the Harts are back at home, they were working heel here and it was rather successful for them. Smith continues to be nothing short of a freak and Pillman is starting to find his footing out there. Tiger and Lee can fly with the best of them so this was a good mixture of styles and it was a fun match in front of a hot crowd. The ending came a bit out of nowhere though and it was pretty noticeable.

SuperFight rundown. That show does sound good.

Salina de la Renta isn’t worried about Contra because she is the power around here. Promociones Dorado is coming for the World Title at SuperFight. Prepare to kiss her ring and bow down to her destroyer on pay per view.

LA Park swears revenge for what Contra did to his son.

The Dynasty is at a bar and Hammerstone won’t answer any questions about bringing anything illegal across the border. Holliday puts his Air Pods, which he takes out of a Louis Vuitton mini case, back in because he needed to wash his hands after Mexico. They drink a toast to winning, America, and the Dynasty.

The Von Erichs are coming for the Tag Team Titles.

The Hart Foundation is having a good time on the tour of Mexico. Smith is wearing the gold in the absent Teddy Hart’s honor.

We look at Austin Aries laying Teddy Hart out with a brainbuster onto the apron. Aries has set up a Go Fund Me to help him pay the fine, which is hilarious.

Terror Azteca/Proximo vs. Toto/Torito

No tags required here and they start fast with the rollups and tumbling. That means no one hits much of anything until Toto and Torito are kicked to the floor and we take a break. Back with Proximo and Toto chopping it out for some rather loud cracks. Toto’s baseball slide is blocked and it’s a Wasteland into a top rope splash to the floor. Back in and Terror hits a hurricanrana driver to finish Torito at 5:24 with a very fast count. Not enough shown to rate but it was your usual fast paced lucha.

Video on LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu.

Contra vs. Promociones Dorado

That would be Ikuro Kwon/Josef Samael/Simon Gotch vs. LA Park/Bestia 666/Mecha Wolf. It’s a brawl to start (You were expecting anything else?) with Contra getting the better of things and taking it out to the floor. Promociones are sent into various hard objects and Park takes a chair to the back. Samael punches Park down as this has been completely one sided so far.

The brawling continues and they get inside for a change with Contra still in full control. Promociones finally gets in some dropkicks and Bestia hits a suicide dive to drop Samael. Another dive from Bestia and one from Wolf set up the big dive from Park and everyone is down on the floor. Park chairs Gotch in the head and it’s a Street Sweeper for Kwon back inside. Samael comes in to fight all three Dorado at the same time so Park gives him a running knee to the face.

And now, we go into the tagging because that’s the next logical step. Samael fights off but gets caught in an abdominal stretch with a fishhook. Kwon and Gotch make the save but it’s Wolf hitting a heck of a suicide dive on Gotch. Bestia hits a 450 on Kwon but Gotch makes the save. Park comes back in and hits the strut, followed by a reverse DDT for two on Samael. Back up and Kwon mists Wolf and it’s a fireball to Bestia, only to have Park spear Samael for the pin at 15:53.

Rating: C+. This was a rather fun brawl and the right ending with Park getting a pinfall over a member of Contra to set up Saturday’s title match. The rest of the teams were fine enough and the fireball is always something worth seeing. I liked the ending with Park being the last man standing and turning on the jets to beat Contra, which makes him look stronger than ever.

Overall Rating: B-. Pretty solid show here and more importantly than anything else, I want to see the show and the title match in particular. That’s exactly the point of a show like this and we got some nice wrestling in there too. It’s the kind of show that you need before their biggest night ever and the company seems to be on the verge of a very good place at the moment.

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

IMG Credit: National Wrestling Alliance

NWA Powerrr
Date: October 29, 2019
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Jim Cornette

We’re rolling along with this series, which has yet to have a really bad show. Things can be a little bit up and down but what matters most is they’re having the shows and doing some good things. They need to establish themselves as anything beyond the joke that they have been for the better part of twenty years and these shows have been some nice first steps. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week with Tim Storm teasing retirement but getting talked into a tag team with Eli Drake. The Dawsons beat them but there seems to be more to this one.

Opening sequence.

The announcers welcome us to the show but here’s James Storm in a hurry. He’s tired of having to prove himself while Nick Aldis ducks him all the time. Then he has Colt Cabana running around talking about the National Title. Cue Cabana to say the title belongs to him but now he’s healthy and ready to go. Eli Drake comes out to say Cabana is disrespecting him so here’s Aldis to say Storm’s complaints are alcohol fueled.

Drake on the other hand has no vices, except for wanting to be Nick Aldis of course. A six man tag is set for later, with the four of them finding another partner. The stipulations are on too: if Aldis’ team wins, Cabana gets a National Title shot. If Storm’s team wins though, he gets a World Title shot, providing that he vacates the National Title. Storm insults Aldis’ Jaguar and it’s on.

We recap the Kamille doesn’t talk deal.

Trevor Murdoch says he has worked for everything in this business and the NWA is no different. He doesn’t think Jocephus should be banned for forty five days for throwing powder in Cabana’s face. Instead, Jocephus should have to face Murdoch here. Jocephus comes out to say that his spiritual advisor has allowed a beating on Murdoch Trevor (what he said) tonight.

Jocephus vs. Trevor Murdoch

Jocephus gets in a posting to start so Trevor hits a few early clotheslines. Trevor gets dropped onto the buckle so Jocephus pulls out some powder. That’s kicked into his face though and Trevor finishes with a middle rope bulldog at 1:08.

Thunder Rosa is coming.

Here’s Aron Stevens for a chat. We get a Tropical Pirates reference but here’s Ricky Starks to interrupt. Stevens: “You want to be my stunt double?” Stevens says he looks ridiculous so Starks slaps him in the face and says Stevens talks too much.

We recap the Dawsons interfering in Eddie Kingston/Homicide vs. the Wild Cards, sending Kingston over the edge.

Austin Idol thinks you need a kayfabe cocktail.

The Rock N Roll Express is coming. Works for me.

Dawsons vs. Eddie Kingston/Homicide

No DQ. It’s a brawl on the floor to start with Kingston chopping the post as Homicide and Dave fight in the ring. The two of them head back outside so Homicide can choke with a camera cord. Cue the Wild Cards to watch as the Dawsons take over on the floor and throw some chairs inside. Homicide is up in the ring though and wedges one in the corner. Dave gets sent into it and a cutter gives Homicide two.

Some chairs are stacked up in the ring and Kingston gets slammed down onto the bridged chair for two. Homicide gets back up and takes a chairing of his own as the champs are getting more interested. The chairs are stacked on top of Homicide but the Wild Cards come in and knock Zane silly with the title. An AA onto the chairs knock Homicide silly and Dave is dragged on top for the pin at 5:50.

Rating: C. If you can do it right, a three way feud can be quite interesting and that’s more or less what they’re doing here. Give the champs a reason to explain their actions and they could be in business. The No DQ part made sense here and it’s a lot better than having the referee get bumped or something goofy like that. Telling logical stories can get you rather far and they’re on the right path.

Who is the Question Mark?

Marti Belle is Allysin Kay’s friend but she’s coming for the title.

Marti Belle vs. Ashley Vox

Allysin comes out to wish them both luck because she’s beaten both of them before. Marti takes her down to start and grabs a seated Blockbuster. Ashley can’t get anywhere on the arm as the announcers talk about Aron Stevens. Back up and Marti rolls some suplexes into a Russian legsweep for two but Ashley sweeps the leg. Allysin doesn’t seem to have a favorite here as Ashley misses a springboard headscissors and gets sent into the corner. Ashley’s chickenwing is broken up but she’s fine enough to jackknife cradle Belle for the pin at 3:34.

Rating: D+. I don’t think it’s any secret that Kay is the star of the division and the best woman going around here today. Marti and Ashley aren’t much in the ring but they’re passable enough and haven’t been completely overexposed on TV. Marti was in Impact for a bit but she was never a star. Vox is pretty much new to the national scene so it’s not like she has anything to lose.

Come to Tony Falk’s house of waffles and tire irons. This week: buy three pancakes, get four tire irons free. Sounds like a good deal, assuming I can find a use for three waffles.

Ricky Starks vs. Aron Stevens

Stevens snapmares him down to start but misses an early elbow drops. That lets Starks send him face first into the buckle a few times and a dropkick gets two. Starks gets in a dropkick and goes to the ropes, only to have said rope kicked low. Stevens hammers away and hits the Russian legsweep into the wind up elbow. A lot of trash talk and a slap to the face cause Starks to hammer away. Starks teases his own slap and scares Stevens, setting up a rollup to give Starks the pin at 3:23.

Rating: C-. Stevens continues to be much more about character than anything else and that’s fine. The actor deal is actually working for him and I’m curious to see where he can take it. Then you have Starks, who isn’t the biggest guy but he has the athleticism to make everything work for him. Good enough match here, though it felt more like angle advancement than anything else.

Stevens sits on the mat and gets into a NO/YES argument with the fans.

Nick Aldis/Colt Cabana/Mr. Anderson vs. James Storm/Wild Cards

I thought they announced Eli Drake as Storm’s partner. If Storm’s team wins, he gets a World Title shot, provided he vacates the National Title. If Aldis’ team wins, Cabana gets a National Title shot. Storm stalls to start as Team Aldis decides who should go first. It’s Aldis himself but Latimer tags himself in to go after a wristlock on the World Champ.

You don’t do that to Aldis, who hits some clotheslines into an armbar before handing it off to Latimer. It’s off to Cabana for a double clothesline on the Wild Cards, plus a Bionic elbow for a bonus. Storm comes back in and hammers away on Cabana with Isaacs getting in his own shots to the face. Cabana blocks a middle rope dive with a raised boot and the hot tag brings in Anderson to clean house.

A neckbreaker gets two on Latimer as Storm has been knocked to the floor. Everything breaks down and it’s a double clothesline to put Storm and Aldis down. Cabana gets the tag and runs over Latimer in the corner, leaving Storm to superkick Isaacs by mistake. Storm plants Latimer and the Superman cover gives Cabana the pin at 6:54.

Rating: C. This was exactly what it needed to be with the action based match that didn’t come close to overstaying its welcome. You don’t need a five minute shine, another five minute heat segment and then a five minute match to tell the same story. They didn’t do too much here and we got a perfectly watchable tag match that served its purpose perfectly well and set up the next title match.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: C+. The best thing that the NWA has going for it is its accessibility. You can jump straight into any episode and instantly get everything that is going on. That was on full display here as the recaps, promos and matches all explained who people were and what was going on every time. You don’t need to do that forever, but for these early shows, it’s the best thing you can do. This isn’t a show where the wrestling is the top priority and that isn’t a bad thing. Good show here and the most watchable hour of wrestling going today.

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

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #80
Date: October 19, 2019
Location: Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

This is a special show with Jimmy Havoc’s Slaughterhouse, meaning it’s basically a Halloween special. That means a bunch of violence and fighting, which is hardly the worst thing in the world. It makes sense to throw something like this out there for a change, but at the same time it doesn’t mean as much if you do that kind of violence so often. Let’s get to it.

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

We look at the Dynasty retaining the Tag Team Titles last week.

The Von Erichs know the Dynasty is scared of them and need to act like champions. The title match is still taking place in Chicago at SuperFight, in a Texas Tornado match for the Tag Team Titles. I’m not sure how much these two should be allowed to talk without some more practice.

We get a special Slaughterhouse themed intro, with Jimmy Havoc talking about being willing to bleed.

Havoc promises a lot of blood and violence, which he certainly likes. First up, Josef Samael vs. a member of Promociones Dorado in a Tijuana street fight. Havoc himself will be in a three way against Damian 666 and Savio Vega, where he takes the torch of being the best hardcore wrestler in the world.

Los Haraganes vs. Triple Amenaza

That would be Animal/Demencia/Silver Star vs. Star Boy/Arandu/Zarco and I’m going to be lost in this one. Los Haraganes hit dives before the bell (I think) and we starts fast (as you would have had to expect). This is apparently a hot feud and it’s a big brawl as commentary admits the cameras are probably going to miss things.

One of the Haraganes (the announcers are reading cards about later in the show from Havoc) hits a middle rope gordbuster to set up a frog splash to set up a double stomp low blow for no cover on….well I have no idea actually as none of these people have anything to identify them. Commentary starts paying attention to the match as it’s Star Boy being hung in the ropes for a guillotine legdrop from Silver Star. Arandu comes in and gets reverse monkey flipped into a double dropkick as we take an early break.

Back with the match having settled down a bit for a chop off between Demencia and Zarco. Or maybe it’s Arandu as the commentary seems to be split. Ok now it’s 2-1 Zarco, who takes over with more chops and a dropkick into the corner. Animal comes in but his monkey flip attempt is blocked with a dropkick from Arandu. More changes without tags (legal but a bit confusing) ensue but hang on as Contra hacks the feed.

Contra talks about how Mexico has had violence before but never the global dealers in violence. They’re coming for Salina de la Renta and Promociones Dorado. We come back with Star Boy getting one off a double underhook piledriver. There are some weapons piled up on the floor and the crowd seems to have lost some energy during the break. Star Boy is put on top and getting super hurricanranaed right back down as Animal isn’t pleased with the referee.

Arandu comes in for two off a spinebuster and a hanging swinging neckbreaker gets the same. It’s off to a seated abdominal stretch of all things but Silver Star makes a quick save. A somewhat messy sitout powerbomb gives Silver Star two and the announcers aren’t pleased with the speed of the count. Everything breaks down (you knew that was coming) and it’s a springboard armdrag to send Zarco into (not through) a table at ringside. Star Boy and Arandu miss dives to go through the tables (or at least close to it), leaving Zarco to get triplebombed for the pin at 13:34 (on another VERY slow count).

Rating: C. I have no idea how to rate something like this as it was entertaining, but at the same time there was so much going on and I had no idea who was what or how this was supposed to go. It was entertaining enough but you could feel the crowd not caring and that took a lot out of the match. Not bad though.

Post match Los Haraganes beat up the referee for the slow counting. Fair enough.

Gino Medina is coming.

Brian Pillman Jr. has some fun with a young lady by the pool and isn’t worried about Low Ki. Jokes are made about Low Ki’s amazing voice.

Salina de la Renta comes up to see Havoc and brings El Hijo de LA Park to represent Promociones Dorado in the street fight. Josef Samael jumps Hijo to break up the argument and the fight is on.

El Hijo de LA Park vs. Josef Samael

It’s a street fight outside in the back with Samael knocking him around and sending Park into some fences before nailing some crossfaces to the head. An argument with the referee lets Park fight back and slams him through a big piece of wood. Samael gets sent head first into a door but comes right back with punches and headbutts. Cue Simon Gotch and Ikuro Kwon to jump Park as Salina rants on the phone for someone to get over here now. Park is left laying and I’m not considering this a match as it was more of a long brawl to set up the big beatdown. Nothing to see here in other words.

Mance Warner knows he and Jimmy Havoc love barbed wire so we’ll have a Stairway To Hell match at SuperFight. Hang the barbed wire above the ring and get a ladder so you can be even more violent.

Havoc was having fun until he heard from Warner. He’s studied the Stairway To Hell match (from ECW, not named here) and Warner is going to regret that challenge.

The SuperFight Control Center doesn’t add anything new but the card does look pretty good.

The Dynasty sings God Bless America because they’re so glad to be back home. Richard Holliday brings up his lawyer/father (MJF: “JUST CALL HIM YOUR FATHER!”) and they talk about trying to get out of the Texas Tornado match. Maybe he could get it turned into a Dynasty Tornado match. As MJF tries to wrap his head around that, they decide to just go on the yacht. Well only after MJF cuts Holliday off from any more coffee.

Savio Vega vs. Damian 666 vs. Jimmy Havoc

Hardcore and it makes perfect sense to have Havoc main event his own show. Salina is here with Damian and wants some revenge on Havoc. Damian and Vega double team Havoc to the floor to start before Vega knocks Damian down in a hurry. It’s time for the cookie sheet from Havoc but Vega brings in a kendo stick and the trashcan. Vega grabs a chair but gets whipped over the back by Damian’s belt.

Everyone heads to the floor to keep hitting each other before Vega takes Damian back inside for a whip into a chair. Havoc busts out the thumbtacks onto a chair, which he gets knocked onto for the painful comedy spot. Vega goes off with the revolving trashcan lid shots and slams Havoc onto the chair for two.

We get the required table, which has a broken leg before it is even set up. They get the table stood up and Havoc crotches Savio on top. The superplex through the table plants Vega (and makes the table explode) but Havoc makes the save and hits the Acid Rainmaker to finish Vega at 9:48.

Rating: C-. It was a pretty paint by numbers hardcore match and that’s all well and good for what they had here. Savio and Damian are both in their fifties and it makes more sense to have the weapons instead of trying to do a regular match. It made sense to have Havoc get a win here and the match felt fast enough so it’s hard to get too mad about a hardcore match on a hardcore themed show.

Post match Damian gets a Rainmaker of his own. Damian’s son Bestia makes the save.

Overall Rating: D+. This wasn’t the worst thing and having it as a theme show worked well enough. The Tijuana crowd works better than most MLW crowds, if nothing else just for the amount of people there alone. The violence deal was fine for the Halloween season and it was nice to mix things up a little bit. Sometimes you need to change things around and even though this wasn’t great, it was nice of them to go in a different direction.

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