Threemendous II
Date: July 31, 2009
Location: American Legion Post #308, Reseda, California
Commentators: Excalibur, Joey Ryan, Human Tornado, Chris Hero, Rick Knox, Chuck Taylor, Colt Cabana

This is the sixth year anniversary show from Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and that means we should be in for a big card. The more PWG I see, the more fun I tend to have, though they did get better as time went on. This is still relatively early in their history so things might still be a bit shaky. Let’s get to it.

Colt Cabana and El Generico are in the back, with Cabana saying Generico’s English and Spanish are both terrible. Cabana tells him to cut a promo on someone who isn’t good, so -Generico stumbles through some very broken promos on Kenny Omega and Chuck Taylor. At Cabana’s prompting, Generico talks about wanting to relieve himself in their ears and eat their children. They both crack up as Generico says he thinks that was a muy good promo. Generico continues to be hysterical.

Cutler Brothers/Charles Mercury vs. LTP/Brandon Gatson/Johnny Goodtime

Before the match, LTP busts out an NES Track & Field Power Pad for a bit of a warmup. The Cutlers and Mercury work out a bit during their Big Match Intros as the fans certainly seem to like Goodtime. Gatson is described as a newcomer and Robinson has to be held back before the bell, which Excalibur describes as “engaging in some homoeroticism”. Dustin Cutler and Gatson start things off, with Dustin backing him into the corner to start the triple teaming.

A double shoulder drops Gatson as Joey Ryan does NOT want to talk about his title match in tonight’s main event. Gatson fights back with a corner clothesline and it’s Goodtime coming in for a basement dropkick to the side of Mercury’s head. Commentary goes into a variety of movie and book spoilers as LTP dropkicks Mercury into the corner for a running corner dropkick.

It’s back to Goodtime, who takes Brandon Cutler down for a slingshot dropkick to the side of the head. A quick low bridge sends Goodtime crashing out to the floor and the good guys are in trouble fast. Goodtime gets triple teamed, setting up Dustin’s chinlock as commentary talks about X-Men comics. Mercury drops a bottom rope knee before grabbing a reverse chinlock to keep Goodtime in trouble.

Goodtime kicks away and enziguris his way to freedom, allowing Gatson to come in and clean house. Dustin cuts off Gatson’s handspring elbow and the Cutlers chop away at Gatson in the corner. A slingshot cutter gets Gatson out of trouble, allowing Goodtime to dive onto Dustin (with a nasty crash). LTP springboards off Gatson’s back for the huge dive, setting up Gatson’s Sasuke Special onto everyone.

Back in and Goodtime Falcon Arrows Brandon Cutler….for no count as the referee says he isn’t legal. Excalibur: “What the h*** are you doing???” Eh ok point for a funny line. Goodtime hits a top rope double stomp to the back of Brandon Cutler’s head as everything breaks down. Dustin hits a heck of a swinging Downward Spiral on Gatson and Brandon plants LTP with a German suplex.

Everyone is down until it’s LTP getting up top, only to have his high crossbody caught by the Cutlers. One heck of a double fall away slam sends LTP flying but Goodtime dropkicks both Cutlers down. They’re right up though and grab a wheelbarrow Codebreaker combination, setting up a running spike Tombstone to finish LTP at 16:49.

Rating: B. This was the “let everyone go nuts” match and it worked very well as an opener. What mattered here was getting the fans even more excited for the show (granted not that hard around here) and they made that work very well. Fun match, even if it wasn’t exactly going by your classic textbook structure.

Scott Lost vs. Alex Shelley

Lost jumps Shelley from behind during his posing session and a chop puts him down again. Shelley manages a suplex though and starts cranking on the arm. That’s reversed into a broken up Scorpion Deathlock and Shelley shoulders him into the post. Shelley cranks on both arms before sending it into the post again. Back up and Lost manages a double stomp out of the corner to take right back over.

They chop it out until Shelley manages a kick to the head but Lost kicks him back as commentary makes NBA Jam references. Lost manages a spear on the floor and we hit the reverse chinlock back inside. Shelley gets dropped chest first onto the apron for one and we hit the bodyscissors to stay on said chest. That’s reversed so Shelley can slam Lost’s face into the mat a few times as the NBA references continue.

Shelley gets caught in a chinlock but manages to send him hard into the corner. A big kick to the head gives Shelley two but Lost is fine enough to crotch him on top. With Shelley still on top, he ties Lost’s arm around the buckle and armbars it back on the mat. That’s broken up with a gutbuster but Shelley is right back with a series of rollups for two each.

Another rollup sets up a cross armbreaker on Lost, which is reversed into a Sharpshooter. Shelley realizes he’s right next to the rope for the break and they’re out to the apron. Lost breaks up Sliced Bread and grabs a Stunner to put Shelley down hard. Back in and an elbow to the face gives Lost two more but Shelley kicks him in the head. An Air Raid Crash (Human Tornado: “That n**** dead.”) gets two on Lost and a reverse brainbuster drops him again. A frog splash gets two more but Shelley is right back up on top, where the second frog splash finishes Lost at 16:13.

Rating: B. These two beat on each other for a long time until Lost just couldn’t kick out anymore. Shelley is one of those wrestlers who can work with anyone and make it look good. Lost is someone who you don’t hear much about outside for PWG but he’s usually fine when he’s in the ring. Good match here, as the show is off to a great start.

Chris Sabin vs. Bryan Danielson

Before the match, Sabin compliments Danielson’s entrance music as the coolest in wrestling. They fight over wrist control to start with Danielson getting the better of things as commentary talks about the murder of Rikidozan. Sabin slips out of something like a chickenwing and grabs an armbar, which doesn’t get him very far. Danielson is taken into the corner for a clean break before Sabin’s headlock is called boring.

Sabin sends him to the apron for a legsweep (best strike in No Mercy so it works here too) to the floor, naturally setting up a dive. We hit the chinlock back inside before Sabin switches to something like a crossface. Some chops have Danielson reeling and a Vader Bomb elbow gets two. Sabin grabs an octopus hold on the mat but Danielson is back up with a kick to the chest.

More kicks have Sabin in more trouble and it’s time to work on the leg. That doesn’t last long as Danielson opts to rip at his face instead. Back up and Danielson wins a kick off, setting up a surfboard with a dragon sleeper (egads). With that broken up, Sabin slips out of a superplex attempt and ties Danielson in the Tree of Woe. A running dropkick and a running forearm rock Danielson again as he falls out.

Stereo crossbodies leave both of them down for a bit before it’s time to chop it out. Sabin snaps off a suplex neckbreaker but Danielson knocks him hard into the corner. A jumping knee rocks Sabin again and a springboard missile dropkick sends him down. With Sabin favoring his ankle (which Danielson might not have seen), Cattle Mutilation goes on but Danielson switches to the hard elbows to the face. After a rear naked choke doesn’t work very well, Danielson slaps on Cattle Mutilation again to make Sabin tap at 17:55.

Rating: B+. This was about two people beating on each other for a long time until one of them finally broke down. Danielson is a far bigger singles star than Sabin, but this wasn’t anything resembling an easy win. Sabin can go with just about anyone in the ring and he looked rather good here, even in defeat. Heck of a match here, as they beat each other up rather well.

Post match Danielson checks on Sabin, who has to be helped to the back.

Chuck Taylor vs. Colt Cabana

Taylor hides in the corner to start so Cabana sits down in another corner. Back up and Cabana drops the towel before Taylor grabs a headlock. Cabana sends him into the corner and seems to do the JYD Juke. Taylor backs off a bit and the fans are not pleases with his cowardice. A wristlock takes Taylor down….so he offers Cabana money in exchange for Taylor getting to slam him.

Then Taylor whips out an invisible grenade, which is too much even for Cabana. The grenade is sent outside and the pin comes out, meaning Taylor has to dive on it on the floor. With the grenade taken care of, Taylor goes back inside for a test of strength. Cabana easily takes over but some spit in the eyes lets Taylor take over for a change. With Cabana on the mat, he tries to give Taylor a hug but Taylor cranks on the leg instead.

Back up and Cabana sends him into the corner, allowing Cabana to get in some posing. Taylor misses a flip out of the corner and fakes an injury, allowing a small package to get two. Cabana: “SMALL PACKAGE!” Then he small packages Taylor and they roll around for a series of near falls.

The referee gets knocked down so Cabana sits on his back and kind of rides him into the corner. All three wind up in the corner for some rather suggestive thrusting. Taylor isn’t a fan so Cabana drops him with a right hand (Commentary: “Shades of Matt Classic right there.”) and a clothesline gets two. Taylor is right back up with a rollup and grabs the rope for the pin at 11:11.

Rating: C+. This was the weakest part of the show so far and even then it was completely fine. They went in a different direction here with the comedy (some of which was rather bad), as you probably guessed from the people involved. Cabana is capable of having a more serious match but go with what the people want, which is why he was on the show. Taylor was less than serious as well, but at least they didn’t go back to the grenade later.

Roderick Strong vs. Davey Richards

They go straight to the strikes to start before running the ropes and trading leapfrogs. Strong ducks the big kick and they strike it out until the fight heads to the floor. Back in and Strong kicks him down for two before more chopping ensues. Richards kicks away to take over again and we hit the chinlock, followed by a running knee to the ribs. More strikes put Strong into the corner but he raises a boot to cut off a charge.

They forearm it out again until Richards hits a handspring kick to the head. The Texas Cloverleaf doesn’t last long so Richards kicks him down, only to get blasted with a dropkick. Strong picks him up and tosses him with a release suplex into a backbreaker for two. The Falcon Arrow gets the same and Richards is sat on the apron. Strong charges into a kick to the head and a missile dropkick sends him into the corner again.

Richards strikes away and gets two off a sliding clothesline. Strong is right back with a quick Stronghold but Richards crawls over to the rope. Back up and the tiger driver is blocked, allowing Richards to hit a pop up kick to the chest. A bridging German suplex gives Richards two and the Cloverleaf goes on again. That’s broken up so Strong kicks him in the head, setting up a gutbuster. Back to back Sick Kicks set up the tiger driver to finish Richards at 12:27.

Rating: B. This was another hard hitting match between two people who know how to do that style rather well. I’ve never been much of a Richards fan but he was doing his thing here well enough. At the same time, I wouldn’t have bet on Strong winning and it’s nice to see him beat someone in a match like this one.

Young Bucks vs. Two Skinny Black Guys

The Bucks’ Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line and the Guys are El Generico and Human Tornado. Matt and Tornado start things off as commentary talks about a bunch of wrestlers going to In And Out Burger (as you should). Tornado takes him down and works on the leg for a bit before it’s off to Nick instead. That doesn’t go well for Nick either, as Tornado steals his bandanna and poses a bit.

Generico comes in and gets headscissored down, setting up a dropkick into the corner. The rope walk sets up Nick’s rather spinny wristdrag as Generico can’t get anything going. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker puts Matt down though as Taylor complains about promotions not booking him. Tornado comes in for a no hands Scorpion Deathlock (that’s a new one) on Matt but he standing Sliced Breads himself out of trouble.

It’s back to Nick to slam Generico and the Bucks hit their stereo basement dropkicks. The fans turn on the Bucks, which has Excalibur rather surprised. As the fans suggest that the Bucks keep doing the same thing, they do the same thing with another double basement dropkick. Generico finally gets a boot up in the corner and the hot tag brings in Tornado (Fans: “LET’S GO BLACK GUYS!”) for the house cleaning.

Everything breaks down and the Guys stomp away in the corner and Nick gets kicked low, allowing a clothesline out to the floor. Tornado hits a big flip dive to the floor and Matt is down for a bit. Matt manages to shove the Guys into each other and a huge dive drops Tornado inside. Nick hits a top rope flipping Stunner for two on Generico as commentary tries to count knees.

Generico Michinoku Drivers Matt for two and more shots to the face leave everyone down again. Nick and Tornado strike it out until Generico gets low bridged to the floor. More Bang For The Buck hits Tornado for two, with Generico having to make the save. With Generico on the floor, Tornado gets his head kicked off but Generico runs back in with the corner brainbuster on Nick. Matt gets suplexed by Tornado, who dives over to pin Nick at 19:54.

Rating: B+. This is the kind of all action matches that you would expect and that is how it should have gone. Let the Bucks go out there and go nuts while Tornado and Generico get to do the same. It was four guys running around and hitting everything they could, which is what tag wrestling has become in modern times. Very exciting stuff here though, as everyone was getting to work their best style.

Respect is shown post match. Matt says that the Guys are the hottest tag team in the world right now and they beat the Bucks 1-2-3 here. The Bucks are still the champs, but the Guys have earned a title shot, which seems set for next month. After everyone else leaves, Chuck Taylor comes in to lay Generico out, saying he and Kenny Omega deserve the Tag Team Title shot. Taylor issues the challenge to face Generico one on one next month, with the winner getting the shot at the titles.

PWG World Title: Joey Ryan vs. Chris Hero

Hero, with Candice LeRae, is defending and this is Guerrilla Warfare, meaning anything goes. They strike it out with Hero getting the better of things and running Ryan over. A backsplash crushes Ryan and Hero talks trash to him in the corner. Ryan’s comeback is cut off rather quickly but he pulls Hero off the top. Now it’s Ryan hammering away for a change but Hero is out before even a one count.

Back up and Hero hits a Liger Bomb for two before sending him to the floor. A chair is wedged in the corner but Hero is sent into it instead in quite the irony. Hero is busted open as Ryan takes him back inside for some chain shots to the head. They’re right back on the floor with Hero scoring with an elbow to take over.

Back in and Ryan uses a trashcan to block another elbow, allowing him to wrap Hero’s arm around the post. The arm is sent into the corner and Ryan ties it behind Hero’s back for a slam. The tie starts to come loose though, meaning Ryan needs to hit him in the head a few more times. Hero manages a shot of his own, followed by a chair to the head to knock Ryan silly. Ryan is busted open pretty badly as well and Hero slides in a table.

Actually we’ll switch that to having it on the floor, with Hero taking too long to put Ryan on top. Back in and a trashcan shot knocks Hero silly again before Ryan brings in some chairs. They both go up but LeRae shoves Ryan down and hits a top rope double stomp to his back. Hero’s Blockbuster gets two and Ryan’s superkick gets the same. They head up again for a headbutt off until Ryan slams him down onto the chairs for two.

The Hero’s Welcome (Cross Rhodes) gets two more and now it’s Hero’s turn to grab the chain. The chain is wrapped around Ryan’s neck for a piledriver and another near fall, so Hero grabs an STF (with a cravate). Ryan manages to get out and hits a Psycho Driver before knocking LeRae down as well. Hero is fine enough to hit a dropkick through the ropes but misses a dive through the table.

That’s enough for two back inside but the superkick with the chain misses. Hero blasts him with the discus elbow for two more, then ties the chain around Ryan’s neck to hit a second discus elbow. With that and the third elbow getting two each, Hero chokes him out with the chain to retain at 43:20.

Rating: B+. This was long but didn’t feel like it was dragging, which is a heck of a trick for a match this long and violent. They beat each other up for a long time and there were times where I was buying the idea of Ryan getting the title. Hero felt like a monster out there though and it should take a special challenger/performance to beat him. Rather good stuff here and maybe the best thing on a stacked show.

Post match Hero brags about his win until Ryan says he promised to shake Hero’s hand no matter what. Hero brings out the best in him but he doesn’t like how Hero talks to the crowd. The fans aren’t happy with Ryan praising Hero but do applaud the handshake and the hug. Then Hero lays Ryan out to end the show.

Overall Rating: A. The more I watch of PWG, the more I get the appeal. They put on some incredibly entertaining shows, though you are not exactly going to be getting much in the way of storylines. Instead, this is all about one action based match after another and it was a three hour show that flew by. Check this out of you can find it, as it was one of the easiest shows to watch that I’ve seen in a long time.

 

 

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Cyanide
Date: December 11, 2010
Location: America Legion Post #308, Reseda, California
Commentators: Excalibur, Brandon Bonham, Chris Hero, Kevin Steen, Rick Knox, Joey Ryan, Chuck Taylor

It’s back to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla with what they call “A Loving Tribute To Poison”. If there is one thing that PWG knows how to do, it is come up with some wacky names and they have done it again here. I have no idea what to expect here, which is pretty much the norm for anything from this company. Let’s get to it.

Peter Avalon vs. Willie Mack

This is Mack’s PWG debut and the fans already seem to know him. Commentary discusses weight as Mack shoulders him down hard to start. Mack flips over him and then hits one heck of a flying tackle to rock Avalon again. They head outside with Mack firing off some chops but turns to play to the fans instead.

That’s enough for Avalon to knock him into the chairs and take over for the first time. Back in and we hit the chinlock as we talk about the commentator’s theme music. Mack fights up and swings him into a sitout powerbomb for two. Avalon fights up and tries a side kick, only to get pulled into a cutter for two more.

A Miz running corner clothesline crushes Avalon and a standing moonsault press gives Mack another near fall. Avalon manages to get to the apron for a springboard crossbody and some double knees to the back give Avalon two of his own. Mack gets caught with a Backstabber in the corner but lands on Avalon to delay the cover. Another crossbody is pulled out of the air, setting up one heck of a sitout powerbomb to give Mack the pin at 8:46.

Rating: C+. Nice opener here as Mack had the fans behind him the whole way and then he backed it up with a fast paced match. Avalon got in a bit of offense before getting crushed by Mack, which is what the fans wanted to see. Mack’s charisma is more than enough to carry him and the fans were eating him up here.

Roderick Strong vs. Chuck Taylor

Feeling out process to start, with Taylor being taken into the corner and DEMANDING the five count from the referee. Strong teases the chops so Taylor bails to the floor, where a fan gives him a jacket to protect his chest. Back in and Strong knocks him outside without much effort. The chops rock Taylor, who loses the jacket and then gets suplexed for two back inside. Some shoulders to the ribs slow Strong down for a change and we hit the headscissors on the mat.

Strong breaks that up and slowly stalks Taylor like he’s a dangerous striker and Taylor is a coward. Something like a seated abdominal stretch lets Strong slap away at Taylor’s chest as the beating continues. Back up and Taylor hits a dropkick as commentary talks about Claudio Castagnoli. Taylor puts on an Indian deathlock and poses, allowing Strong to slip out and chop away again.

There’s a backbreaker (from Strong, believe it or not) and the camel clutch sleeper goes on. Commentary: “Obscure Pat Tanaka reference.” Strong is back up and kicks Taylor in the face as commentary talks about…I have no idea but it seems to be some TV show. They go to the apron to slug it out as commentary talks about the Tuskegee Airmen (if I have to hear their nonsense, so do you) until Taylor sends him down onto some chairs.

The big running flip dive takes Strong down again as we get Ice Cube references (and Taylor gets a rub on the head from the referee). Back in and Taylor grabs a half crab but Strong fights up and knees him in the face. A powerbomb gives Strong two and some knees to the chest put Taylor down again. They forearm it out until Strong grabs a belly to back into a Side Effect.

Another backbreaker gives Strong another two and the Strong Hold goes on. Taylor reverses into a rollup for two and grabs a Rock Bottom of all things for a breather. The threat of an Awful Waffle is enough to make Strong realize that an Awful Waffle is coming, allowing him to hit an Ug-Lee backbreaker for two. Taylor’s Soul Food is shrugged off and Strong hits a low superkick. The Gibson Driver gives Strong the pin at 14:30.

Rating: B-. Taylor still isn’t my thing most of the time but he was working hard here, as was Strong. Over the years, Strong has been one of the more dependable in-ring workers you’ll find and that was on display in this one. Strong kept surviving whatever Taylor threw at him before finishing with a big shot. Good match here, with another of those random pairings that lets talented people showcase themselves.

RockNES Monsters vs. Cutler Brothers

The (debuting as a team) Monsters are Johnny Goodtime and Johnny Yuma while the cutlers are Brandon and Dustin. The fans are behind Yuma, despite the Cutlers wearing Santa hats. Kevin Owens on commentary: “Where do babies come from? I have one and I don’t know how it came.” Goodtime dropkicks Dustin as commentary talks about Randy Savage Slim Jim commercials.

Yuma comes in to face Brandon, who dropkicks him down a few times without much trouble. It’s back to Goodtime to take Brandon down for a slingshot legdrop as commentary goes on a rant about pirated DVDs. Some kicks to the head and a, ahem, hip attack has Brandon in more trouble but he easily sends Goodtime into the wrong corner. Goodtime sends the Cutlers into each other in the corner though and stomps on Dustin’s back, giving us an NES Track And Field reference.

Dustin isn’t having that (must be a Sega Master System fan) and plants Yuma with a spinebuster to take over again. Some candy cane fishhooking has Yuma in more trouble (ok that was unique) and Brandon hits a good side slam for two. Yuma fights his way out of trouble and climbs onto Goodtime’s back for some running clotheslines. Goodtime crossbodies both Cutlers but a low blow takes him down just as fast.

Brandon gets caught in the corner though and Goodtime hits a top rope double stomp to the back of Brandon’s head, followed by the running flip dive to Dustin. Back in and Yuma gets caught with a Downward Spiral to send him to the floor. The big running flip dive takes both Johnny’s down, prompting Excalibur to bring up a song called “Johnny Are You Qu***?”

Back in and a Death Valley Driver hits Goodtime for two as Excalibur says that Goodtime is “on qu*** street”, an expression he then explains in detail. A wheelbarrow into a Codebreaker gets two on Goodtime with Yuma making the save. Back up and Goodtime Death Valley Drivers Yuma onto Dustin for two as we talk about Joey Ryan’s True Blood inspired Halloween costumes. Brandon gets draped over the top rope but Dustin makes the save. The yet to be named Meltzer Driver finishes Yuma at 13:39.

Rating: B-. Good action here as both teams were in the small, fast paced offense mold. That made for an exciting match that got the fans into things quickly. Both teams were better in the ring than I would have expected and I’m curious why neither of them made much of a bigger impact either in PWG or elsewhere. Granted a lot of that might have been due to the Young Bucks dominating that spot, but these guys were good in their own right.

Joey Ryan vs. Brandon Gatson

Before the match, Ryan says lights, camera, action and tells the people to take their pictures of the winner of the Battle Of Los Angeles. He’s also a former World Champion and formerly known as the technical wizard. Now Claudio Castagnoli likes to call himself one of the Kings of Wrestling, but Ryan believes he is just as good as Castagnoli. As for tonight, Ryan wouldn’t want to be in Gatson’s shoes.

Gatson slugs away to start and gets two off an STO. A Russian legsweep sets up a middle rope elbow for two but Ryan is back with a t-bone suplex. Commentary topic of the moment: the Reagan administration and how it defined the 80s and Jerry Brown’s failed Presidential bid. Back up and Gatson knocks him down, only to get pulled off the top with a flying armbar. The regular armbar goes on to keep Gatson frustrated, followed by a dropkick for two.

Another armbar keeps Gatson down but he fights up and hits a one armed Stunner for a breather. Gatson tries to go to the apron but Ryan hits a clothesline to turn him inside out….with Gatson landing on his feet outside. Ok that wasn’t bad. The beating takes Ryan around the ring but Gatson misses a dive. It’s only a bit more of a miss than the superkick that Ryan follows up with to take over, but it was still a miss.

Ryan is right back on the arm, including a Kimura with a bodyscissors back inside. The rope is grabbed for the break and they grade rollups for two each. Ryan hits a superkick for two but gets knocked into the chairs on the floor. A Cactus Jack Bang Bang Elbow (minus the Bang Bang) hits Ryan hard and they’re both down. Back in and Gatson hits a 450 for two but Ryan pulls him into the Kimura for the tap at 17:13.

Rating: B. It’s weird seeing Ryan playing something straight and having a hard hitting match at the same time. This was a back and forth match with the arm being the focal point throughout. Gatson is someone who seems like he could have gone somewhere further, though he never seemed to get out of California. Maybe that’s what he wanted, but the potential was there, as it was on display in the best match of the show so far.

Post match Ryan dubs himself the Hollywood Submission Machine. He’s coming for the World Title and he’ll make anyone tap out.

Young Bucks vs. Fightin Taylor Boys

That would be Brian Cage-Taylor and Ryan Taylor (who had a brief NXT run as Tyler Rust). The weird thing here is that Brian is looking completely human here, a minimum of 75lbs lighter than his better known look. The Bucks handle their own entrance and we pause for a quick strut on the apron. Ryan and Matt start things off with a feeling out process as commentary talks about a rude sound guy before the show.

Matt snaps off an armdrag and we get the double double biceps pose. Cage comes in and cleans house, including helping Ryan kick Nick down. Nick’s leg gets caught in the ropes, leaving Brian to hit a rather delayed suplex on Matt. A running knee hits Matt for two as commentary wonders about fans watching shows out of order, leaving them to make up inaccurate results from earlier in the show. Ok fair point: who would watch a DVD out of order?

Back up and Matt takes over on Ryan’s arm, allowing Nick to come off the top (grabbing a light on the way down) and landing on said arm. We get some strutting, giving commentary a chance to ask if anyone knows who Jackie Fargo is these days. Matt drops a middle rope elbow to the back as the fans are slit on who to cheer for here. Nick gets in a big rake to the back, setting up a gutbuster/running flip neckbreaker for two.

Commentary is talking about My Chemical Romance and the Umbrella Academy comic book series as Matt grabs a chinlock. Ryan fights up and chops both Bucks before kneeing Matt in the face. A front flip over allows the tag off to Brian so house can be cleaned in a hurry. Everything breaks down and Matt’s dive only hits chairs at ringside (OUCH). Brian puts the Bucks on his shoulders so Ryan can hit a Doomsday dive onto both of them at once.

Back in and the Bucks clean house again, including a bunch of kicks to the face. Brian isn’t having that and runs them over, setting up a flipping faceplant for two on Matt. That’s too much selling for Matt, who is back up to take both Taylors down again. A double hanging DDT drops Brian for one as he….Brians up.

Nick gets clotheslined to the floor but Brian is as well, only to have Ryan blast Matt with a running clothesline. Matt is right back up with a superkick but More Bang For Your Buck is countered with a crucifix bomb. A Go To Sleep/discus elbow combination gets two on Nick, leaving Ryan to miss a Swanton. Brian is knocked outside again and More Bang For Your Buck finishes Ryan at 14:57.

Rating: B. Another fast paced match with both teams doing a bunch of wacky stuff until the Bucks survived at the end. It was a fun match to watch, assuming you ignore the Bucks no selling just about everything and making it clear that they were fine throughout. Brian and Ryan worked well together as a team, though once Brian….uh….inflated himself, there was no way to keep him in a team, even a nice one like this.

Kevin Steen vs. Akira Tozawa

We’re joined with Tozawa hitting a suicide dive on Steen and the opening bell. They slug it out on the floor with Tozawa getting the better of things. Tozawa grabs a Christmas present to hit Steen in the head as Chuck Taylor on commentary wonders if the Japanese celebrate Christmas (they do, with Kentucky Fried Chicken for some reason). Steen hits Tozawa in the head with a present, which explodes for some reason (leaving Excalibur in stitches).

They get inside for the first time with Tozawa grabbing a chinlock to slow things down for a change. As commentary talks about the band Poison, Tozawa strikes away in the corner to keep Steen in trouble. The slam just isn’t going to happen though and even Steen gets a chuckle off that one. Steen falls on top of him for two and even manages a pushup! A missed charge sends Steen to the floor but he pulls the suicide dive out of the air for the apron bomb.

Back in and Tozawa Stunners his way out of trouble but Steen kicks him down without much trouble. Hold on though as Steen has to run outside and yell at a fan in an El Generico mask. Back in and Tozawa’s comeback doesn’t last long as Steen DDTs him into the corner, setting up the Cannonball. Steen charges into some boots in the corner and Tozawa manages to slam him, sending everyone, including the referee, down.

Back up and a running boot in the corner gives Tozawa two, followed by a running knee for the same. Steen is right back with a brainbuster onto the knee for two (and a middle finger to the El Generico fan). Another Cannonball connects but Tozawa pops up this time and kicks Steen in the face three times in a row. A backdrop driver rocks Steen again and they fight to the apron.

Tozawa pump kicks him again and a German suplex on the apron knocks Steen silly. A running knee and kick to the face give Tozawa two but Steen knocks him off the top. Steen misses the Swanton and gets dropped HARD with a German suplex. Back up and Steen is fine enough to come right back with the package piledriver for a very close two. That’s enough for Steen, who grabs a sleeper suplex and a pair of package piledrivers to finish Tozawa at 19:18.

Rating: B-. Tozawa is someone who had a lot more success outside of WWE, mainly because he was just a wrestler here instead of someone doing whatever wacky comedy stuff WWE offered him. Steen was already a big deal at this point and you could see that little something different about him that stood out. They had a good, long match here and Steen felt like a star, as always.

Post match Steen gets the mic and helps Tozawa to his feet and actually shows respect for once. Excalibur doesn’t think Tozawa knows what Steen said. The fans approve of Tozawa as well.

Peligro Abejas vs. Kings Of Wrestling

Abejas’ (El Generico/Paul London) Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line. Hold on though as Chris Hero thinks we should make this a Tag Team Title match in the name of the Christmas spirit. London agrees, with the caveat of a future World Title shot against Claudio Castagnoli if they retain. Castagnoli is in so let’s go.

Tag Team Titles: Peligro Abejas vs. Kings Of Wrestling

Abejas is defending. Hero shakes hands with Generico to start despite London starting for the team. London gets taken down by the leg and they fight over the front facelock. That goes nowhere so Hero rolls over to the corner for the tag off to Castagnoli. As we talk about London wanting to start an orphanage on Mars, Castagnoli sends London into the corner for the tag off to Generico.

With Generico being powered into the corner, it’s back to Hero to work on the wristlock again. The Kings clean house with running shots to the face, leaving Castagnoli to work on an armbar. London hurricanranas his way out of trouble though and it’s off to Generico for a dropkick. Castagnoli isn’t having that though and clotheslines him down for two. Hero grabs a stretch plumb until London breaks things up.

The Blue Thunder Bomb puts Hero down as well though and it’s a diving tag to London. There’s a flapjack for two on Hero and the dropsault gets the same. Everything breaks down and Generico Arabian moonsaults onto Castagnoli on the floor, leaving Hero to discus forearm London for two more. Castagnoli Swings London into a dropkick from Hero for another near fall but London slips through the legs and hands it back to Generico.

That doesn’t work for Castagnoli, who boots Generico off the apron as soon as the tag is made. Generico is back up with a pair of Helluva Kicks but the brainbuster is countered with an uppercut. London dives onto Hero outside, leaving Generico to reverse the Riccola Bomb into a Code Red for a very close two. Castagnoli pulls a diving Generico out of the air and hands it back to Hero for the shot to the head. Everything breaks down again and Generico rolls Hero up for the fast pin to retain at 15:21.

Rating: B. It was a fast paced match and on the level of the other tag matches on the show, making this a good main event. The talent was certainly there and it is always awesome to get to see the Kings, who were one of the better teams of their era. Generico and London more than held up their end, as Generico is still so easy to cheer. Good main event here, but not the best tag match on the show.

Post match Castagnoli holds up the World Title and looks at Generico, suggesting that he’s getting the title shot. With the Kings gone, London praises them but stops for the Danger Bees (Peligro Abejas) chant. London speaks some Spanish to Generico and talks about how much of a drug the fans’ cheers can be. Generico says it isn’t necessary and London says this place is a family. Now, they’re off for tamales.

In the back, London and Generico refer to themselves as tricks but they don’t pull rabbits out of hats. London talks about how they melded together, while referring to himself as a space orphan. Then you have Generico, who comes from everything that is fun, happy and sensational. Their team is for real as Generico says he is part Aztec and part Mayan (with the accent sleeping fast).

London: “It doesn’t matter, because if I cut him open with a stone dagger, he would bleed. And it would be blue, because it turns red when the air hits it.” Next year, they’re starting their pollination and will have so many kids they can’t keep track of them all. London: “We’re kind of going to be deadbeats.” They went into the Kings’ nostrils and carved up their brains but found nothing there! Generico is just done with all of these jokes and closes it out after cracking up for the fourth or fifth time. London is uh….something.

Chris Hero talks about how he didn’t win gold again this year, at least around here. He and Claudio Castagnoli won the Ring Of Honor Tag Team Titles and took them around the world. On the other hand, Castagnoli is the World Champion and that puts Hero in a weird place. That World Title is what matters the most to Castagnoli so you might not see the Kings team together very often. They’re best friends, but Castagnoli has something that Hero wants. Hero is coming to get the World Title back so see you later.

Joey Ryan (in a Turbo Man Jingle All The Way shirt) talks about he can make anyone, including Claudio Castagnoli tap out.

Chuck Taylor yells at the Fightin Taylor Boys for losing, though they point out that he lost too. Papa Taylor calls Chuck but hangs up instead of talking to Brian. Taylor bickering, and then a three way high five, ends the show.

Overall Rating: A-. This was the kind of PWG show where yeah, I get the hype. There was so much talent on this show, many of whom would go on to become AEW/WWE champions that it was almost impossible to not have an awesome show. There isn’t a bad match on the show and it was one fast paced match after another.

PWG would get more polished with even more top names in the future, but this was one of the better shows I’ve seen from them and I’m getting less and less surprised at the quality each time. Just please get better commentary, as Excalibur was HORRIBLE here with one unfunny/offensive reference after another. Other than that, great show.

 

 

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Mystery Vortex III
Date: June 26, 2015
Location: American Legion Post #308, Reseda, California
Commentators: Excalibur, Rick Knox, Chris Hero, Joey Ryan, Ethan Page

This is another PWG show that someone requested I do….a few years back now, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a bad one. From what I understand, the gimmick of this show is that the card isn’t announced until the wrestlers are coming out of the curtain. That should make for a fun match so let’s get to it.

As usual, I don’t really follow PWG so I’m sorry for not knowing any plot or character details coming in.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano

Yeah this works, though a clean faced Ciampa is a bizarre visual. Feeling out process to start with Gargano working on the wrist until Ciampa makes the rope. Back up and Ciampa tries a quick Air Raid Crash but Gargano slips out, setting up an exchange into a standoff. Fans: “THAT WAS WRESTLING!” Some chops rock Gargano but he’s right back with the rolling kick to the head.

A neckbreaker puts Ciampa on the floor and Gargano follows him for some left hands to the head. With Ciampa sitting in a chair, Gargano hits a big (but not running) chop to pop his eyes a bit. It works so well that Gargano loads it up again but gets hit in the face this time. One heck of a running knee rocks Gargano so Ciampa tries it again, only to get tornado DDTed into…well pretty much into a fan.

Back in and Ciampa hits a hanging Downward Spiral and they both need a breather. A battle over a suplex goes to Gargano (after about five blocks each) but Ciampa knees him right back down again. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Gargano is back with a running basement cutter. The Lawn Dart sets up the Gargano Escape which Ciampa, uh, escapes.

They trade some thigh slapping shots to the face until Ciampa blasts him down with a clothesline for a double knockdown. Ciampa goes up but gets caught as well, setting up another Lawn Dart. That’s enough to send them to the apron, and since this is a modern wrestling match, we need a big spot on that apron. In this case it’s an Air Raid Crash from Ciampa but Gargano is out again.

A super Air Raid Crash is reversed into a super Liger Bomb for the crash (non-Air Raid variety), sending Ciampa outside. The suicide dive sends them into the chairs and they’re right back up and inside. The slingshot spear is kneed out of the air though and it’s Project Ciampa for a VERY close two. Back up again and they chop it out until Gargano pulls him into an STF. Ciampa slips out and lifts Gargano up for a suplex but drops him onto the knee for a nasty landing. Project Ciampa is enough to finish Gargano at 18:37.

Rating: A-. This is the kind of match that you expect from PWG, as they threw two people out there for the better part of twenty minutes and let them tear the house down. These two have always had some great chemistry together and this was no exception. It’s a hidden gem compared to their NXT classics and I had a blast with the whole thing.

World’s Cutest Tag Team vs. Monster Mafia

That would be Joey Ryan/Candice LeRae vs. Josh Alexander/Ethan Page. The Mafia jumps Ryan before the bell but miss a charge at LeRae in the corner. A DDT drops Alexander and Candice ties her hair back, allowing her to slam Page. Back in and Ryan throws LeRae on his shoulders to swing her feet at people’s face. It only kind of works on Page, who is right back to run Ryan over as we get down to a regular tag match.

Alexander grabs a butterfly suplex into a headscissors and it’s Page coming in for a headbutt. Hold on though as Page pauses to tease stripping, allowing Ryan to come back with a right hand. You do not break up Page’s dancing though and it’s a tilt-a-whirl faceplant for two. Alexander is back in with a chinlock but Ryan fights up and avoids a charge. The tag brings in LeRae to clean house, including a double DDT for two on Alexander.

It’s back to Ryan who gets caught in a northern lights suplex, only to have LeRae come in off the top with a double stomp (which isn’t as low as commentary thinks it is). Ryan and Page trade kicks to the face until a suplex sends Page outside. LeRae comes back in with a good looking top rope hurricanrana. Page cuts off LeRae’s hurricanrana so Alexander hits his crossbody to the back dive.

Back in and a faceplant gets two on LeRae as commentary wants to know who is legal. The double superplex is broken up so Ryan hits a super swinging neckbreaker on Alexander, setting up LeRae’s top rope splash for two. The exchange of strikes to the face leaves Page standing but LeRae grabs a Stunner. Not that it stops Page as he shoves LeRae down and drops his trunks, earning a, quote, ballsplex, unquote, from LeRae. Alexander is back up and takes LeRae up, where she is right back with a super poisonrana for the surprise pin at 12:20.

Rating: B-. I’ve head a lot of good things about LeRae and Ryan together and yeah they do work well as a team. LeRae isn’t someone who has ever really broken out as an in-ring star but she can do some good things when she is given the chance. The Mafia would go on to much better success as the North in Impact, which took me a lot longer to remember than it should have. Fun match here, even if it is WEIRD to see Alexander as a pretty nothing tag guy. And with hair!

Post match Alexander seems a bit shaken up but gets a big ovation from the crowd. Apparently was his sendoff to go have neck surgery….and Page lays him out with a swinging Rock Bottom.

Biff Busick vs. Timothy Thatcher

This could be good and it’s Thatcher’s PWG debut. They fight over a lockup to start until Thatcher’s attempt at an ankle pick is thwarted. After a quick standoff, Thatcher takes him to the mat and cranks on an armbar but Busick reverses into a rather aggressive headlock. That’s reversed into a Kimura, sending Busick over to the rope. With the holds not quite working, Thatcher blasts him with an uppercut and grabs a chinlock.

There’s the required finger snap but Busick is back up with one heck of a slap and some uppercuts to make it worse. Thatcher isn’t having that and knocks him hard to the floor, but does stop to check his own ear after that slap. Busick has to try to get out of an armbar but Thatcher bends the arm at a VERY scary angle to keep him in trouble. The big stomp to the arm makes it even worse for Busick, who gets suplexed down again.

Back up and Busick grabs the half and half suplex, meaning it’s time to slug it out from their knees. The slugout continues from their feet until both of them are knocked down again. Busick fires himself up though and grabs a reverse headlock takeover into a bulldog choke for the tap at 11:36.

Rating: B. This is a good example of “what you see is what you get” as these two beat the living fire out of each other until one of them couldn’t keep going. These two are both known for their incredible intensity and that was on display here. Throw in some painful looking holds and people hurting each other and this was a lot of fun.

Here is PWG World Champion Roderick Strong to issue an open challenge. Well he was going to but he hates the fans so much that he isn’t going to wrestle. Cue Mike Bailey to answer the challenge but Strong isn’t interested. Eh we’ll do it anyway.

PWG World Title: Roderick Strong vs. Mike Bailey

Strong is defending and my goodness I can’t get away from Bailey lately. Bailey has a really farmer’s tan and isn’t exactly a big guy. The fans get on Bailey over said tan but him kicking Strong in the head for a fast two cuts that off fast. Bailey unloads with strikes against the ropes and Strong is needing a breather on the floor. That means Bailey can hit a corkscrew Asai moonsault, pulls out a bouquet of flowers (like a magician) and then kick Strong a few more times.

Strong is back with the jumping knee to the face and the End Of Heartache onto the apron (Commentary: “That is how you stop someone’s momentum!”) and Bailey is rocked fast. Some chops send Bailey around ringside before he is thrown back inside for a kick to the back of the head. A gutwrench suplex sets up a camel clutch to send Bailey over to the ropes and Strong isn’t pleased.

Bailey comes back with a knee of his own and a spinning kick to the face drops the champ. A buzzsaw kick to the head gets two on Strong but he’s back with a kick of his own out of the corner. The fans, who were insulted by Strong before the match, are split here as Bailey kicks away again. The standing Sliced Bread and another kick give Bailey two so he kicks Strong down some more.

Strong is able to catch him on top though and it’s a hard running knee in the corner. A torture rack into a backbreaker gives Strong two so he goes right to the Stronghold. Bailey makes the rope though and the champ is frustrated again. More kicks drop Strong so the moonsault knees can connect for two. Back up and the strike it out, setting up Bailey’s running corkscrew shooting star press for two.

Bailey gets caught with a jumping knee up top, meaning a top rope superplex with Strong floating over into a gutbuster. That’s reversed into a hurricanrana and the Ultimate Weapon gets a VERY hot near fall with Strong having to grab the rope. Another slugout lets Strong hit the Sick Kick but the End of Heartache is countered into a small package for a white hot near fall (which the crowd totally bought). Strong is done with this and knees him in the head, setting up End of Heartache into another End of Heartache to retain the title at 18:55.

Rating: A-. It took me some time to get into this one but the crowd reactions alone carried it over the line. Strong’s knees and forearms were loud enough to get your attention and that small package at the end was one of the best near falls I’ve seen in a long time. Bailey takes some getting used to but he was great as a one off challenger here. Great match with the crowd carrying it that extra stretch.

Brian Cage vs. John Silver

Cage has taped up ribs coming in. We get the natural pose down to start before Silver wants a test of strength. That’s fine with Cage, who holds his hand too high, causing Silver to pull it down before locking hands. Silver actually takes over and lifts Cage into the air before flipping him down. After a bit of a celebration, Cage runs him over with a shoulder and snaps off a headscissors.

What looks to be a fall away slam, with curls, doesn’t work as Silver sticks the landing and then fall away slams, with curls, Cage for an impressive feat. Back up and Cage sends him outside for the running flip dive, which doesn’t look quite as impressive on someone Silver’s size. The kind of clothesline you would expect Cage to throw for a near fall gives Cage a near fall and something like a Boss Man Slam gets the same.

Somehow the Drill Claw is countered into a Jackhammer to give Silver two and the fans are right back into things. A powerslam gives Silver two but Cage is back with a spinebuster to cut him off fast. Cage’s tornado DDT is blocked and Silver hits a northern lights suplex for another near fall.

Back up and a hanging neckbreaker out of the corner gives Cage two more but Silver strikes away and hits the Spin Doctor. The F5 plants Silver hard and Cage grabs a Texas Cloverleaf but doesn’t step over, allowing Silver to small package him for two. A Diamond Cutter and crucifix bomb gives Cage two more before a discus lariat finishes Silver at 14:00.

Rating: B. This was a fun showdown as Cage did his usual stuff and Silver was there to have all kinds of fun with his wild charisma. Silver is six inches in height away from being a major star but unfortunately this is about as far as he is going to get. Cage is still someone who looks like he should be a major star but just isn’t for a variety of reasons.

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Chris Hero

They shake hands to start and tentatively go into the grappling for a standoff. Hero gets him down by the leg and twists away a bit but Sabre bridges out of a crucifix. That’s broken up and Sabre starts twisting the wrist, setting up some rather nasty cranking (Page: “That’s some Exorcist s***!” Hero flips out and drops a backsplash but Sabre is fine enough to pull him right back into more arm cranking.

With the grappling not working, Hero kicks him in the face but Sabre uses his feet to snap hero’s arm. Back up and Hero uses the good arm to send him face first into the buckle, only to get caught with some running shots to the face. Sabre tries a German suplex but only gets laughed at by Hero for thinking he can lift him up. With that being a miserable failure, Sabre goes back to the arm and hits the big stomp on Hero’s now bleeding fingers.

Hero is fine enough to backdrop Sabre outside and through some chairs, meaning Sabre can get a breather on the floor. Back in and Hero blasts him with the good elbow to put him on the floor again. Back in again and a dropkick Sabre’s arm even things up a bit and they’re outside for the third time in less than two minutes. This time Sabre grabs an octopus but Hero gets smart by climbing back inside for the break. Sabre fires off uppercuts but gets cut off with one heck of a right hand.

A staggered Sabre comes right back with a hard running kick to the chest but Hero kicks Sabre out of the air for two. Hero still can’t follow up so Sabre pulls him into a Kimura, which is reversed into a suplex neckbreaker for another near fall. Hero, looking like an inflated Adam Cole, gets pulled into a cross armbreaker, only to roll over to the ropes for a last second break.

Another kick to the arm has Hero clutching the ropes for mercy but he’s able to grab a hard belly to back suplex for the double knockdown. Back up and Hero loads up some kind of a piledriver but gets reversed into another quickly broken armbar. Hero elbows the heck out of him for two more and then kicks him square in the head.

Sabre gets back up so Hero kicks him, followed by the rolling boot to the face for one. With nothing else working, Sabre Pele kicks the hand (cool) but Hero is right back with an attempt at a cradle piledriver. That’s countered into the Kimura and then a double arm crank with Sabre kicking him in the head for the knockout win at 24:01.

Rating: A-. This was hard hitting, violent, well told and exactly what I wanted to see from these two. The story here made perfect sense as you had Sabre who was going to go after a limb and do everything he could to tear it apart, while Hero went through every style he knew to try to fight Sabre off. I was cringing at some of the things that Sabre was doing to the arm and got way into the match so we’ll certainly call this a success.

Here are Tag Team Champions Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett to find out who they’re facing for the titles they won at Mystery Vortex II. The fans want the Young Bucks but instead Everett and Lee are going to face each other. The singles match starts but here are the Bucks, who were wrestling in Japan just the day before.

Tag Team Titles: Young Bucks vs. Trevor Lee/Andrew Everett

The Bucks are challenging and, after some insults from the floor, the champs dive onto them to start things off fast. The brawl starts on the floor but the Bucks are right back up with stereo moonsaults off the apron. They get inside with Matt hitting some running corner clotheslines but a duck allows Lee to bring Everett in. Everything breaks down and the Bucks clear the ring, setting up the required running flip dive. Fans: “THAT WAS TOO SWEET!”

The Bucks hit stereo powerbombs on the apron, drawing a FIGHT OWENS FIGHT chant. Back in and a slingshot splash/fist drop hit Everett again as this is rapidly becoming one sided. Matt has way too much fun telling people to suck it before grabbing the chinlock with an expected result. Lee raises his knees to block a moonsault though and the hot tag brings in Everett for a high crossbody to both Bucks. Matt’s slingshot X Factor is countered into an atomic drop and Lee drops both Bucks again.

Everett teases a moonsault to the floor but it’s Lee hitting one instead. That’s not good enough though as Everett hits moonsault knees to drop Matt again and the fans certainly approve. Since Nick Jackson doesn’t sell very long though, he’s right back up to take down both champions without much effort. Everett’s shooting star press hits raised knees and the Bucks hit an enziguri/cannonball in the corner combination. The hanging Swanton gets two on Everett but Nick’s running kick hits post by mistake, allowing Lee to cutter him on the apron.

The double tag brings in Lee and Matt to slug it out until Lee’s flipping powerslam connects. Not that it matters as the Bucks are up with double superkicks, followed by a low superkick to break up Everett’s standing moonsault. Lee gets superkicked out of the air as well and a package piledriver/superkick combination gets two, with Everett shoving Nick into the pin for the save.

The champs fight up again with a Cave In and standing hurricanrana, setting up Everett’s 630 for two on Matt. The referee gets dropped so Matt can kick Everett low. Cue Roderick Strong to Sick Kick Lee silly, setting up the Meltzer Driver (with commentary saying “Nick doesn’t give a s***” about the bad ankle) for the pin and the titles at 14:12.

Rating: B. This is the kind of tag match that you would expect here, but there was never a time where it felt like Lee and Everett had a chance to retain the titles. Granted it’s a Young Bucks match so you had to know it was coming, as annoying as it might be. This was around the time when the Bucks were the biggest team in the indies and there was no way they weren’t getting these titles from the second they were revealed as the “surprise” partners.

Post match Joey Ryan and Candice LeRae go after Strong but get superkicked down. Johnny Gargano runs in and gets superkicked down. Strong and the Bucks hug to quite the negative reaction. Referee Rick Knox comes in to chair the Bucks down but Strong takes him out and gets another chair.

The lights go out and come back up to reveal company founder Super Dragon…..and Psycho Drivers Knox through the open chairs instead. LeRae gets Psycho Drivered too so Excalibur goes after Super Dragon and is laid out. The Bucks add some superkicks and the beating continues with more Psycho Drivers as we have Mount Rushmore (former heel stable) 2.0. The fans of course love this even as Biff Busick comes in to stare down Super Dragon.

Commentary bills it as a showdown of tough guys, so of course the Bucks drop Busick with superkicks. Chuck Taylor is beaten down as well, which is finally enough carnage to let the new team unveil their shirts. Oh and Dragon small packages Lee for a three count and a bell (I’m sure that means something). Strong officially christens the new team to end the show (which cuts off after Rushmo).

Overall Rating: A. This was the PWG show I have been waiting on as they tore the house down with nothing close to a bad match on the nearly two and a half hour show. They didn’t bother trying to do anything more than an all-star style show with some variety and I had a blast with this. Great show, well worth seeing, and the kind of show that would make me want to see a lot more from this company.

 

 

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Ernest P. Worrell Memorial
Date: March 12, 2005
Commentators: Excalibur, Disco Machine

When you do this for the better part of ten years, you think you’ll never find something new to say. Then you start looking through PWG show names and realize you have no idea what you’re talking about. Worrell was a character played by Jim Varney who appeared in a bunch of movies with his name in the title. He died five years before this show took place and that is the last bit of a connection that he has with anything on this show. Let’s get to it.

I have only seen a handful of PWG shows ever so I have no idea what is going on here storyline or character wise. Please bear with me if I miss some major details.

Excalibur (yes of AEW, in case you thought it was another Excalibur) is in the ring with I believe his SBS (not sure what that stands for) stablemate Super Dragon and talks about how great it is to be back here. Apparently Disco Machine has been promoted to interim Commissioner of PWG and the last time Excalibur was here, Machine suspended him for one month without pay. That’s not good because it took money from Excalibur, while also taking away his time in front of this audience.

Disco Machine needs to get out here RIGHT NOW and decide if he’s the commissioner or part of SBS. Super Dragon jumps him from behind but here’s Disco Machine to make the save. Dancing ensues and Excalibur thanks him before Disco says they have a lot of business to take care of in PWG. Cue Hook Bomberry and Top Gun Talwar (neither are named here as there is no commentary) with Talwar shouting a lot. Talwar wants Disco Machine to stop being a boss and be a wrestler again, so all four shake hands and it’s time for an eight man tag.

Ronin/Ballard Brothers/Charles Mercury vs. Excalibur/Disco Machine/Hook Bomberry/Top Gun Talwar

We have commentary (on the second audio channel for some reason) as Disco strikes away at Mercury to start with a backslide getting two. Disco goes to the armbar as commentary talks about Mercury’s issues with credit cards (commentary isn’t exactly the highest quality here, as it seems more like they were told to do it and aren’t quite putting in their best effort). Mercury counters a springboard armdrag into a cross armbreaker but Disco is out in a hurry.

They both miss dropkicks and it’s off to Bomberry vs. Shane Ballard (in his hockey jersey ala his brother). As we hear about Shane enjoying being verbally abused by his romantic partners due to childhood bullying issues, Bomberry shoulders him down and follows with a bad dropkick. A basement version to the side of the head gets two on Shane. Talwar and Shannon come in and it’s a cheap shot from Ronin to annoy Talwar in a hurry. Everything breaks down and it’s a quadruple bite (fingers and boots) to Shannon. I’m not sure what good it does to bite someone’s boot but Excalibur never struck me as all that bright.

Talwar and Shannon trade shoulders for one each, followed by exchanges of hiptosses and armdrags until Talwar misses another armdrag. They roll around for some quick rollups each and they’re so dizzy that they can’t stand up. Talwar collapses onto Shannon’s crotch so it’s off to Excalibur vs. Ronin. One of the fans doesn’t like Excalibur so we stop for him to be upset.

Excalibur hits a dropkick and running shoulder, followed by some jumping knees to the chest. A forearm to the face puts Excalibur down though and the Brothers come in for a double Russian legsweep. As commentary debates the merits of going to Russia, Ronin splashes Excalibur in the corner and Mercury clears the good guys off the apron. Shannon charges into a boot in the corner but comes back with a DDT for two. Excalibur gets in a big boot and a cubic zirconium cutter for the hot tag off to Disco as everything breaks down.

The good guys clear the ring and load up a series of dives, with Disco and Excalibur missing, Bomberry getting kicked out of the air, and Talwar landing on the apron. Call that a rather mixed bag I guess. Mercury and Bomberry chop it out at ringside with Mercury sending him face first into a chair. Back in and Ronin’s powerslam is countered into a reverse DDT from Talwar for two with Mercury making a save. A DDT gets two on Talwar with Excalibur making a diving save. We hit the parade of secondary finishers for some near falls and Talwar turns on Disco, setting up a Whirling Dervish from Shane for the pin at 13:54.

Rating: C-. This could have been a lot worse, though it still wasn’t exactly must see. They had a good amount of action, but it is rather clear that these guys don’t have the most extensive training outside of the fast paced indy style. I get why that kind of wrestling is popular, but the lack of almost anything else can get a little tiresome. Odds are that is going to be the case throughout the show, though maybe some of the others can be a little more seasoned.

Post match we’re clipped (doesn’t seem long) to Bomberry and Talwar beating down Disco and Excalibur. Talwar grabs the mic and shouts about stealing some titles….and injecting them into himself? Disco tries to fight back but the numbers get the better of him. Excalibur gets the same treatment, though points for at least trying. Disco gets up again and fights Talwar to the back.

Ricky Reyes vs. Chris Sabin

Reyes was part of the Havana Pitbulls in ROH and I’m pretty sure you know Sabin, who is making his company debut. They fight over wrist control to start and trade some flippy escapes. Excalibur dubs Reyes as the Tito Santana of PWG, which isn’t something I’m going to take lightly. Reyes grabs a headlock takeover as commentary talks about how Reyes can scout Sabin because Sabin is a regular on Impact. Fair point actually.

Sabin spins out of a double legsweep and gets two off a rollup, sending the fans into quite the applause over a standoff. Sabin forearms away in the corner and snaps off a hurricanrana to send Reyes outside. Naturally that means a suicide dive (indy show requirement) for two back inside but Reyes gets in a poke to the eye. A backbreaker gives Reyes two and he drops a knee to the chest. There’s an elbow to the face for two more and Reyes drops Sabin again for daring a sunset flip.

A loud kick to the back gets another near fall and it’s time to yell at the referee. Sabin uses the breather to come back with an elbow to the face as Excalibur talks about his love life declining. As a result, Sabin gave him some tips from the Kama Sutra. You can tell how professional this stuff is here people. Sabin comes off the top with a big diving DDT for his own two but the Cradle Shock is broken up.

Reyes grabs a bridging northern lights suplex for another near fall and they’re both down. Sabin manages an enziguri into a running diving powerbomb for a rather close two. A tornado DDT plants Sabin to give Reyes another near fall and it’s time for more kicks. Sabin shrugs them off and hits the Cradle Shock for the quick pin at 9:46.

Rating: C. I liked this one a bit more than the opener as it was a more grounded match that let them set things up a lot better. Granted the lack of six more wrestlers and an angle might have had something to do with that. Sabin is always worth a glance and Reyes has done some rather decent stuff in his own right so I’m not surprised that they had a nice match here.

Los Luchas vs. Human Tornado/Scorpio Sky

Tornado, with Dino Winwood, is replacing Sky’s regular partner Quicksilver, as the team is having some issues. Los Luchas (Zokre and Phoenix Star) have been around for the better part of ever. Zokre and Sky start things off as Excalibur talks about how he has been accused of being racist against Mexicans. With that out of the way, they trade armdrags and it’s off to Star for a dropkick to put Sky on the floor. Tornado comes in and gets springboard armdragged to the floor.

Zokre comes in for some miscommunication, followed by a headscissors. Sky is back in to pull Star out of the air into a Fujiwara armbar. Zokre kneebars Tornado at the same time but both holds are released. Sky sends Zokre outside and hits a running knee for two on Star. It’s Star being taken into the corner for a hiptoss backbreaker from Tornado. The chinlock (not a headlock Excalibur) goes on before it’s back to Sky for two off a dropkick. Star gets in a kick to the head though and it’s back to Zokre to pick up the pace.

A jumping knee to the chest drops Sky but Tornado avoids a rolling splash in the corner. Everything breaks down and Star does a handstand in the corner, leaving Sky and Tornado a little confused. Tornado walks over and pokes Star in the eye though, sending him down into a low blow on Zokre. Points for keeping it simple. Sky backbreakers Star and we hit the dancing for a bit. Zokre is back up with a middle rope double Blockbuster and everyone is down.

A surfboard to Tornado sets up a reverse Angle Slam from Star for two. Star spears Sky down for two more with Tornado making the save and sending Zokre outside. We settle back down to Tornado vs. Star, the latter of whom elbows the heck out of Tornado. A low blow has no effect on Tornado (it’s a thing with him) as everything breaks down again. Zokre breaks up Sky’s springboard and Star takes him out with a big dive.

Tornado takes them both down with a big flip dive and Zokre teases his own but bounces off the ropes instead. That leaves Sky to hit him with a twisting backbreaker, followed by a big dive of his own. Sky misses a frog splash though and everyone is back in. The Luchas tease stereo springboards but Zokre drops to the apron instead, leaving Star to hit a springboard flipping legdrop on Sky instead. Tornado breaks up Zokre’s dive but gets sent outside. That leaves the Luchas to hit a top rope Lionsault/springboard Swanton to finish Sky at 11:52.

Rating: C. That ending was rather sloppy and they didn’t exactly hide what happened. It was a fine enough spotfest match other than that but nothing that hasn’t been done better. Sky wasn’t standing out as much as he would later, though this wasn’t the kind of place for him to stand out. Fine enough match, but nothing that hasn’t been done better elsewhere.

Christopher Daniels vs. AJ Styles vs. El Generico vs. Kevin Steen

One fall to a finish for the #1 contendership for the World Title later tonight (the schedule had to be changed as original #1 contender Tony Stradlin was signed by WWE, where he never got out of developmental). Steen is better known as Kevin Owens and Generico is someone who knows Sami Zayn. Daniels gets a heck of a reception during the Big Match Intros and Styles’ isn’t that far behind. The MR. WRESTLING (Steen) chants start up after the bell as the fans are rather fickle here.

Steen (who is SKINNY here, as well as incredibly young) and Generico start things off and we actually have tags in a bit of a surprise. After a minute and a half of standing around, Steen takes Generico down with a front facelock. That’s reversed into a Fujiwara armbar as Excalibur talks about how he doesn’t like Generico that much. Steen switches to a headlock as Excalibur talks about loving astronomy and cooking, which somehow ties into Generico speaking French and Spanish but not English.

Generico armdrags Steen into the corner and it’s off to Daniels vs. Styles. That sends Daniels straight to the floor because he doesn’t want Styles just yet. So we can keep things moving, Styles tags Generico, who armdrags Daniels into an armbar. That lets Excalibur talk about NBA players using armdrags and the armbarring continues. Daniels chops his way out as Excalibur moves on to insulting all of Mexico, plus questioning how a luchador can be so pale.

Generico gets over to Styles for another tag so Daniels brings Steen back in. Styles slaps Steen in the face for offering a handshake (jerk) and headlocks him over. Now commentary has moved on to discussing Canadian television as Steen fights up, only to get caught in some armdrags. Back up and it’s off to Generico, who gets pulled into the corner so Daniels can keep him in trouble. Daniels even decks Steen, because Daniels isn’t that nice. It’s back to Steen for two off a snap suplex but Generico grabs a bridging northern lights suplex for two of his own.

Steen takes Generico down again and hands it back to AJ for a kick to the face/mask area. Generico blocks a suplex attempt so AJ goes with the always great drop down into the dropkick for two more. AJ goes Nexus with a McGillicutter but Daniels tags himself in and gets the two count. We hit the chinlock with a knee in the back as Excalibur wraps up a two minute story about sending his dad a picture of AJ’s dropkick. Daniels drags Generico over to the corner so Steen tags himself in and unloads on Daniels to even the score from earlier. Steen grabs a chinlock with a knee in the back as the fans chant for Daniels again.

The regular chinlock goes on for a bit until Daniels elbows his way to freedom. A double clothesline drops both of them and it’s Steen bringing in AJ, with Generico nowhere to be seen. AJ unloads on Daniels with clotheslines and a spinwheel kick, followed by a neckbreaker for two. Daniels is back with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two of his own but the moonsault out of the corner into the reverse DDT puts Daniels down again.

Steen comes in for the save and gets belly to back faceplanted for two more. Daniels is back in with an Iconoclasm for two on Styles with Steen making the save this time as the tagging has been dropped. AJ sends Daniels to the floor and hits a big dive as Generico comes back in. Steen teases his own dive….and then covers Generico for the pin and the title shot at 21:19.

Rating: B. This was the first match that felt like a big deal and I can give you four guesses why that was the case. As you might have expected, AJ feels like the biggest and most polished star of the match, though Daniels wasn’t far behind. Good match here though and Steen doing the logical thing to take the pin is very fitting for him, even back then.

Next up is the Tag Team Title match but the champs, Arrogance (Scott Lost/Chris Bosh) have something to say. Before we can get to that though, the fans tell Kazarian that he’s the coolest. Kazarian is ready to introduce his mystery partner but Lost needs to announce that ROBOCOP will be here in two weeks (at the venue, not a PWG show). Bosh: “I LOVE ROBOCOP!”

Hold on though as Bosh needs to go to the floor and insult all of the different races in the crowd (seriously), including saying “and we also have our white people!”. Lost gets back in the ring and says Kazarian’s real name is…..Snake Duncan? Apparently he’s going to WWE and they’ll join him there someday. Kazarian says he knows Arrogance likes movie references, so Kazarian references Bosh’s mother having, ahem, relations with various races in HER movies. With that, it’s time to meet Kazarian’s partner.

Tag Team Titles: Arrogance vs. Frankie Kazarian/Joey Ryan

Kazarian and Ryan, the latter dubbed the Homeless Vagabond, are challenging with Ryan making a big return. Before we’re ready to go, Bosh gets in an argument with a mentally challenged fan in the crowd, allowing Excalibur to make fat jokes about Ryan. Bosh steals a large fan’s chair (off camera) as we await the opening bell. Arrogance can’t decide who starts and the referee is getting fed up of this, so commentary makes fun of El Generico.

It’s a brawl to start with Lost spearing Bosh by mistake. Lost gets sent into Bosh in the corner and Kazarian adds a corner dropkick for a bonus. The slingshot dive hits Lost as Ryan seems content to stand on the apron and applaud. Ryan comes in and Lost (Ryan’s former partner) bails in a hurry so Ryan hurricanranas Bosh instead. Bosh gets chopped over and over in the corner and Kazarian’s running neckbreaker gets two.

A missed charge in the corner lets Bosh stomp Kazarian down and Lost comes in to punch Kazarian in the face (as per Bosh’s instructions). Lost’s leg lariat gets two (Bosh: “Good s***.”) and Bosh comes back in, mocks Kazarian’s springboards, and forearms him in the back. A clothesline drives Kazarian’s back onto Lost’s raised knees for no cover, as it’s time to choke on the rope instead. Some loud laughter sets up another forearm to the back, followed by a Tarantula from Bosh.

Lost gets in a rather blatant low blow, as DQ’s apparently don’t count around here. A Stinger Splash (or close to one) connects for Bosh but Kazarian gets in a spinning sunset bomb to get a much needed breather. Ryan comes in and low blows Bosh’s top rope dive out of the air but Lost runs away from the Ryan threat. Lost tries a cheap shot to no effect and it’s Ryan cleaning house on both champs. A slam puts Lost onto Bosh and Kazarian hits a top rope legdrop onto both of them.

It’s back to Kazarian, as Ryan is fine with watching him fight both champs at once. I’m starting to think he’s not the best partner. A Stunner stuns Kazarian into a Rock Bottom into a backbreaker for two. Kazarian is back up with a twisting DDT/swinging Downward Spiral, allowing the tag off to Ryan. Some rolling German suplexes put Bosh down and a fisherman’s suplex gets two. Lost kicks Ryan off the top but Kazarian does the same to Bosh, with the latter falling out to the floor.

Lost dropkicks Kazarian but grabs his knee and falls out to the floor with the referee checking on him. Ryan uses the distraction to grab a chair, which Kazarian takes away in a hurry. Bosh knocks them into each other and BLASTS Ryan in the head with said chair. Since Ryan is who he is, he flicks his head up to check where everything is (of course) and Bosh comes in to get the easy pin to retain at 13:15.

Rating: C+. Ryan looking up at the end made me laugh quite a bit because even when he’s just a guy in tights, he has to do something to take away the realism. The match was fine enough, but it wasn’t anything that hasn’t been done better. Maybe knowing and seeing more of the backstory would help, but Ryan was just a guy in tights here, which I’ll take over the more famous persona. Just….stop doing stupid stuff.

Post match Kazarian and some trainers check on Ryan. The fans give Ryan an ovation….and he kicks Kazarian low. Excalibur tries to come in and gets shoved away, so here’s Arrogance to stomp on Kazarian as well. A failed save attempt earns Excalibur his own beating and Ryan grabs the mic. Ryan says Kazarian expects him to be the good guy, and where did that get him? He’s been on his couch eating generic knockoff Cheetos for the last month.

Trying to please the people does him no good because Kazarian cost him a chance to become a champion. The worst thing the people did was like him more than they liked Scott Lost. That caused the problems between Ryan and Lost, who is Ryan’s best friend. The fans don’t think much of the best friend deal and it’s even worse when Ryan apologizes to Lost. Ryan and Lost hug but Kazarian runs back in to chase them off. Not a bad post match angle.

PWG World Title: Super Dragon vs. Kevin Steen

Steen is challenging and jumps Dragon from behind during the entrances. Dragon’s robe is thrown down and Steen tosses him into the chairs. They get inside with Steen hitting a spinwheel kick but it’s too early for the package piledriver. Super Dragon can’t hit a curb stomp but can get a figure four necklock to slow Steen down. A basement dropkick gives Dragon two and some Kawada kicks make it worse.

Dragon grabs a full nelson with his legs, meaning some kicks to the back of the head can rock Steen again. A snapmare gets one on Steen (probably because it was a snapmare) and he grabs the rope to block a Psycho Driver (whatever that is). Dragon sends him outside but misses a flipping suicide dive for a NASTY crash (with the good visual of the fans spreading away). Steen is glad to capitalize on Dragon’s banged up knee but he needs to yell at a fan too.

More yelling at another fan lets Dragon remember what planet he’s on before Steen throws him back in. A missile dropkick gets two on Dragon and Steen puts on his own leg full nelson with kicks to the head. Steen slams him down but stops to yell at the fans again. That means a rather delayed two, followed by a neckbreaker onto the knee for the same. We hit the choking, as Steen is looking great as the cocky heel here. A flipping legdrop gives Steen two more as Excalibur talks about going to a Detroit Pistons game and knee braces called can openers.

Dragon misses a rolling kick into the corner and bangs up the knee all over again. Steen takes too much time AGAIN though and now the rolling kick knocks him out to the floor. The running flip dive connects this time and they’re both down on the floor. Back in and Dragon hits a jumping stomp to the ribs, setting up the curb stomp. The fans want another one but Steen reverses into a small package for two. Another curb stomp gives Dragon two and a top rope backsplash gets the same.

Dragon misses a Cannonball though and Steen hits a great looking moonsault for his own near fall. Excalibur chokes on some water as the dueling chants begin. Steen grabs a slingshot Downward Spiral for a very close two, meaning it’s time for the package piledriver. A quick hurricanrana into a clothesline gives Dragon his own two and they’re both down again.

It’s Dragon up first to miss a top rope stomp, allowing Steen to grab a fisherman’s buster for the next near fall. Steen hits his own curb stomp and a heck of a package piledriver gets two more. That’s the kickout that lets you know Steen isn’t winning, even as Dragon rolls outside. Back in and Steen tries the Psycho Driver (it starts with a torture rack) but Dragon slips out and grabs his own package piledriver to retain at 18:16.

Rating: B. The match was good action with some solid near falls, but at the same time there was very little feeling that Steen was going to win the title. Once Dragon kicked out of the package piledriver, there was no chance whatsoever and it showed badly. Still though, good main event indeed with Steen as a great heel, even though it’s weird seeing a heel coming in at a disadvantage after wrestling a long match earlier tonight.

We’re off the air less than fifteen seconds after the bell and with Excalibur in mid-sentence.

Before we wrap things up, the DVD also includes a set of promos from after (or maybe during) the show.

Excalibur and Disco Machine are furious about their loss but they have fixed their burned bridges. Now Top Gun Talwar and Hook Bomberry have burned their own bridges. Ronin comes in and says they were having a good match and shakes Excalibur’s hand. Excalibur talks about how that is the kind of sportsmanship you want in a professional wrestler. Not anabolic steroids like in Talwar and Bomberry. That’s more fire than I’ve ever heard from Excalibur and it wasn’t bad.

Chris Sabin talks about coming to California and he’s made a name for himself everywhere else. Tonight, he showed why he’s better than everyone else, but that was just step one.

Talwar and Bomberry want to go to Tijuana, kill a hooker, and do cocaine off of her body. Steroids are discussed and apparently Talwar has absorbed title belts. This place is weird. Talwar: “I’m on steroids! I do cocaine! I f*** hookers!”

Joey Ryan talks about how he used to come here every month and wrestle but his fans stole everything from him. They always wanted him to be a nice guy but nice guys finish last. Where did any of that get him? It got him on the shelf for six months.

Chris Bosh and Scott Lost ask for some silence for their shoot interview. Their guest is the handicapped fan from earlier, who explains that he is very smart. He has spent a lot of time online learning about the independent wrestling scene. Bosh doesn’t think much of him so they yell at each other a lot.

The fan turns his back over threats of Bosh exposing himself but is told to sit down. He flips both of them off quite a bit over his DVD choices and then ask him about ask him about his, shall we say, size. The fan lists off various sex acts in regards to Lost and then shouts that Bosh is horny, over and over again. He then howls and leaves to wrap things up.

Overall Rating: B-. One of the criticisms that you hear about PWG is the lack of storylines but that wasn’t the case here at all, with more than enough to keep me into the show and knowing what was going on. That being said, a lot of the wrestling was just ok with the four way and main event being good enough to see. It’s a good enough show and at just a shade over two hours, it’s not something you can complain about all that much. Granted your Ernest tastes may vary, but overall, not bad at all and I could go for more of the company.

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/

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