With John Cena’s recent injury, plans for WrestleMania 27 may be changing. I am currently unaware of whether or not Cena will be able to return before WM27, but my impression is that it may be unlikely.
This year’s WM line-up may be much different than any WM line-up we have seen in the past few years. HBK’s retirement, HHH’s apparent hiatus from the ring, Undertaker’s potential sidelining injury, the possibility that Rey Mysterio could re-aggravate his current nagging injury, and the general absence of many of the big names that have headlined past WrestleManias all factor into what may be a very young and unique WM27.
Here are my suggestions and/or predictions for some angles we could see starting now and leading up to WM27.
CM Punk vs. Wade Barrett for leadership of Nexus:
Let’s face it, the Nexus angle was badly managed and poorly booked from the very beginning, but there may still be a marginal chance to save it. I had heard that WWE officials had considered moving Barrett to Smackdown after his recent loss to Cena. However, events on last week’s Raw, as well as Cena’s injury, make me think that it would be a bad decision. With Cena out of action, WWE will most likely orchestrate some Nexus beatdown on Cena that will keep him off camera for the next indeterminate period of time. It’s predictable, but has to be done.
The events involving Nexus and CM Punk on last week’s Raw could give the WWE and oppertunity to keep Wade Barrett at the forefront of the company, and also to build up some of the other Nexus talent in a way that they neglected to do in the Cena/Nexus angle. There may be hope for their WWE careers yet. Justin Gabriel and Michael “Don’t Call Me Joe Hennig” McGuillicutty have the most potential out of the Nexus members, but Slater, Otunga, and Huskie “Like Everybody Doesn’t Know I’m Mike Rotundo’s Son” Harris could also carve out places for themselves on the WWE roster.
My suggestion would be to capitalize on the situation by forming a rivalry that pits Barrett against Cena for the leadership of Nexus. Such a rivalry could cause a split in the faction. Again, not unpredictable, but at this point WWE needs to try to elevate some young stars, and this could be the way to do it. It would be fairly standard booking; a tag match between the two divisions of Nexus at Royal Rumble, Barrett and Punk involved in the Raw Elimination Chamber match at February’s PPV as well as some single’s matches between the others involved in the angle, all leading up to Punk vs. Barrett at WM27—maybe in a lumberjack match. I think after Barrett’s “destruction” at the hands of John Cena, he would have to come out on top of the WM27 match, just to give him back some of his credibility. This is the type of feud that would be better if it had five or six months to build up, but with things the way they are now, WWE needs some at least halfway compelling matches for WM27, and this could be one of them.
Tyson Kidd vs. Bryan Danielson )I refuse to call him Daniel Bryan) for the US Title:
Kidd vs. Danielson for the US Title is the kind of match that fans like myself haven’t seen in a good long time, not since the days before the Chris Benoit tragedy. It would be a solid technical wrestling match. While Kidd is advertised as a high-flyer of sorts, he has a solid technical background, what with being trained at the Hart Dungeon. Also, it could be a chance for WWE to showcase and build up Jackson Andrews, who is one of two men they are hoping could be the next Dave Batista—the other being FCW Champion Mason Ryan.
Danielson could align himself with David Hart Smith, thus giving WWE the oppertunity to showcase a great match at WM27, and further what could be a great midcard story in Smith vs. Kidd. It has the potential to be the type of midcard wrestling that we saw in the 1990’s, when even the midcard matches were built up strongly and had a good deal of significance to them. It might also do a bit to shake up the US Title picture and bring back some prestige to what is now a pretty unimportant belt. Danielson, Kidd, Smith, and maybe even Jackson Andrews are the type of young guys that could get great exposure and gain popularity through holding the US Title, the way wrestlers did in the past.
Ted DiBiase vs. Vladimir Koslov
I think WWE is doing both themselves and Ted DiBiase a great disservice by putting him in the angles that he’s been in for the last few months. First, he’s a second generation guy. Second, he’s a good wrestler. Third, he’s young, fresh, and marketable. He’s prime pop culture material. I understand that there needs to be a silly gimmick type match at WM27, but I don’t think DiBiase should be in it. If you want to put Santino in a goofy match, then throw him in the ring with Mark Henry, or continue the ridiculous Santino/Shaimus feud. DiBiase vs. Koslov could be a great pure wrestling match. What ever happened to the Russian monster they were grooming to be the next dominant champion? Oh, that’s right, he’s now one half of a meaningless tag team, holding a meaningless set of tag team titles. DiBiase can wrestle. Koslov can wrestle. Put them together and let them do what they do best. It would be a great match.
Miz vs. Morrison for the WWE Title:
Since it seems like no matter how much I kick and scream, Mike Mizanin will probably be the WWE Champion at WM27, then he should be going up against his former tag partner John Morrison. Morrison is young and marketable too. More than that, he’s a good wrestler. He and Miz have had plenty of experience in the ring with one another and I have no doubt that they could put together a great headliner match for WM27.
I dislike Miz, but not because he’s a poor wrestler. I dislike him because I don’t feel like he has the ability to create the proper kind of heat that a heel champion needs. He certainly doesn’t have what it takes to create HHH circa 2001 heat for himself. People dislike him not because he’s great at being a heel, but because he’s an annoying jackass, plain and simple. Even so, I’ll give him credit for getting to where he’s at now when nobody in their right mind ever thought he could. Of course, there was a lot of ass kissing involved, but there was also a significant amount of paying dues and hard work as well. In that way, he’s not a hell of a lot different than John Cena, and he probably is the next Hogan-esque star in WWE. There was Hogan, then Rock, then Cena, now Miz. Let’s face it, he ain’t nowhere near as good at selling himself to the fans as Hogan, he’s not as good a wrestler and performer as Dwayne Johnson was in his time in pro wrestling, he’s not anywhere near as likeable as Cena, but he’s the closest thing they’ve got to work with right now. Miz vs. Morrison would be a great match to push WWE into the future that they need to embrace before complete stagnation sets in.
Randy Orton:
Okay, where does Randy Orton fit into WM27? On the Smackdown side of the card. The biggest names Smackdown has right now are Edge, Kane, and Rey Mysterio. Edge is—I guess—a legitimate name to headline WM27. Kane...not so much. He never really was one of the company’s big stars, and I’m not sure he can really support that role. He’s probably the hardest worker in the company since the late 1990’s, but just not star material. He’s an old school kind of guy. He works hard, goes into the ring, and gives it his all. I think he has had and will continue to have some great matches, but I don’t think he’s what the WWE is looking for in a marketable champion. Rey Mysterio desperately needs yet more time off to rehab his nagging injuries. Rey is fast becoming the WWE’s second Undertaker. By that, I mean that he’s injured quite a bit and could probably make his money off wrestling only a few matches a year, if that’s the way he wants to end his career. It’s not the way I’d want to go out, but a paycheck is a paycheck I suppose.
With Undertaker injured again, and maybe not able to wrestle at WM27, WWE needs Randy on the Smackdown side of the company. I highly doubt that they can sustain the edge/Kane feud for another three months and expect people to give a shit about a Edge vs. Kane match at WM27, not unless they slap some ridiculous gimmick on it in lieu of good booking. Former WWE creative team member Rich Baker once had an idea for a Straight to hell match, in which the loser gets thrown into some sort of pit of fire. WWE might have to consider that idea. They pulled off the Kane/Shane flaming dumpster angle a few years ago, and it went over pretty well. Maybe they could pull off something similar for Edge vs. Kane. Sure, it’s not PG, but what else can they do with Edge and Kane? Here’s the point where you should realize that sarcasm doesn’t translate as well in writing as it does orally. A Straight to Hell match in the current WWE environment...yeah right. Either way, it would probably be as good as anything else Michael Hayes could come up with for the WM27 Smackdown main event.
Randy Orton vs. Edge is not original, and it didn’t go over great the first time, but maybe that’s the way they need to go.
Jack Swagger vs. Dolph Ziggler for the IC Title:
Again, here’s an oppertunity to showcase an amazing wrestling match. Ziggler has both flash and substance in the ring. Swagger is a throwback to the era of great pure wrestlers. Put these two together in the ring and let them wrestle. After all, isn’t that the optimum word in pro wrestling? Pardon me, I forgot WWE is sports entertainment. Well then, let Swagger and Ziggler showcase a little more of the sports side of the business and a little less of the ridiculous Eagle mascot/Vicki Guerrero bullshit entertainment part of the business.
Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto del Rio:
I don’t know one single person who would argue with me if I were to say that Kofi Kingston is talented and fun to watch. Kofi Kingston was well on his way to a huge push a while back...but then Randy Orton apparently got a bug up his ass and Kofi’s push went the way of the dodo, which of course, is just asinine. How the hell do you plan for the future if you nix the push of every bright young star when they show up one of the veterans? You don’t. You paint yourself into the kind of corner WWE officials currently find themselves in right now, with WM27 fast approaching and no bright young guys at the proper main event level to take the place of the older guys that have either retired, been injured, or just decided to take time off. Man could WWE use Chris Jericho back right now!
Alberto del Rio is a second generation wrestler from a great Mexican wrestling family. He is the nephew of the legendary former WWE star Mil Mascaras, the man who really first brought the lucha libre style into the world of United States wrestling. He is also the son of one of Mexico’s all-time best, Dos Caras. As Dos Caras Jr., del Rio made a name for himself in Mexico and has the talent to make himself a superstar in the WWE as well. It’s amazes me how well del Rio has transitioned from wrestling under a mask, to wrestling without one. He has learned very quickly how to sell his facial expressions in and out of the ring. He’s good on the mic. He has the proper swagger and arrogance to be a top heel, which is no surprise if the stories that I’ve heard about Mil Mascaras and Dos Caras are true. The attitude must run in the family. While del Rio is good, he still needs some time to gain experience in the WWE style of wrestling and putting him in a good midcard feud with another great young guy will give him continued exposure and build up his experience.
In truth, I think that either of the four names I’ve mentioned in the last two sections of this post—Swagger, Ziggler, del Rio, and Kingston—are interchangeable as far as IC Title feuds go. They’re all potential future superstars. Swagger has already held the top gold and any of the other three could do so as well.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Bischoff: King of Controversy or Duke of Dumb?
I have never and will never understand what the hell goes through Eric Bischoff's bleached brain, or how the hell one man can contradict himself on such a regular basis. He's a walking controdiction.
First of all, he constantly insults srestling fans. How the hell is that going to help TNA get more viewers? After the miserable 0.97 rating TNA got last week, shouldn't old Uncle Eric be kissing my ass mercilessly in an attempt to get me to turn on TNA's atrocious product for fifteen minutes, so they can raise the quarter hour rating for 1/8 of Impact? Well, even if Bischoff did start treating the fans with any sort of respect, who would believe it? He's been such a merciless bastard to "the marks" for so long that nothing out of his mouth could ever be taken as anything more than backhanded and fabricated.
Second, isn't Eric the guy that says "controversy creates cash" or whatever his stupid little manta is? Okay, Eric, if you want controversy, why is it that everytime fans start to criticize you on your Facebook page, you call them "trolls" and run and hide. How does that make any marginal sense? Eric can handle the mormal "fuck you" and "you're an asshole" postings in his page, because even he can't help but admit they're true. Those things roll right off his fat sweaty back, but when a fan starts to ask intelligently constructed, well thought out questions in an attempt to get legitimate answers and enlightenment, Bischoff responds with something like "I'vee been in the business for so long..." or "People who haven't been in the business don't know...". I'll tell you one thing, I don't have to have ever booked a wrestling show to know that a good ninety-five percent of every angle TNA is booking these days is recycled WCW crap. I don't have to have any experience in the wrestling business to know what I want to see on my television when I turn on pro wrestling, and what I don't want to see. I don't want to see old-timers. I don't want to see matches that last less than seven minutes. I don't want to see junked out Jeff Hardy. I don't want to see the lazy, arrogant moron that RVD has become. Let's face it, he was always arrogant, but at least ten years ago, he could back that up in the ring. No so thing these days. I don't want to see cartoon versions of formerly entertaining wrestlers (a la Abyss). I don't want to see any of the garbage that TNA wants to shovel down my throat.
Despite the flaws in logic that I've just pointed out, and the flaws that others continually point out, Bischoff and his little pal Eric Hurvey (another idiot that got into the wrestling business by "knowing somebody: and has no right or reason to be there(, and all the other Hollywood wannabe morons in TNA (including Queen Dixie of the country of Dumbassadonia) keep doing the same crap week in and week out. I'm no longer willing to even watch TNA PPVs for free on the Internet, let alone turn on their Thursday night crapfest on Spike.
Somebody please do me a favor and knock me unconscious for the next year and a half. Maybe after that period of time, when Hogan and Bischoff's contracts are up, we can get back to professional wrestling as it should be, as it used to be in TNA. I expect the company to go belly-up like a malnurished Guppy before then...ut I guess I can still hope right?
First of all, he constantly insults srestling fans. How the hell is that going to help TNA get more viewers? After the miserable 0.97 rating TNA got last week, shouldn't old Uncle Eric be kissing my ass mercilessly in an attempt to get me to turn on TNA's atrocious product for fifteen minutes, so they can raise the quarter hour rating for 1/8 of Impact? Well, even if Bischoff did start treating the fans with any sort of respect, who would believe it? He's been such a merciless bastard to "the marks" for so long that nothing out of his mouth could ever be taken as anything more than backhanded and fabricated.
Second, isn't Eric the guy that says "controversy creates cash" or whatever his stupid little manta is? Okay, Eric, if you want controversy, why is it that everytime fans start to criticize you on your Facebook page, you call them "trolls" and run and hide. How does that make any marginal sense? Eric can handle the mormal "fuck you" and "you're an asshole" postings in his page, because even he can't help but admit they're true. Those things roll right off his fat sweaty back, but when a fan starts to ask intelligently constructed, well thought out questions in an attempt to get legitimate answers and enlightenment, Bischoff responds with something like "I'vee been in the business for so long..." or "People who haven't been in the business don't know...". I'll tell you one thing, I don't have to have ever booked a wrestling show to know that a good ninety-five percent of every angle TNA is booking these days is recycled WCW crap. I don't have to have any experience in the wrestling business to know what I want to see on my television when I turn on pro wrestling, and what I don't want to see. I don't want to see old-timers. I don't want to see matches that last less than seven minutes. I don't want to see junked out Jeff Hardy. I don't want to see the lazy, arrogant moron that RVD has become. Let's face it, he was always arrogant, but at least ten years ago, he could back that up in the ring. No so thing these days. I don't want to see cartoon versions of formerly entertaining wrestlers (a la Abyss). I don't want to see any of the garbage that TNA wants to shovel down my throat.
Despite the flaws in logic that I've just pointed out, and the flaws that others continually point out, Bischoff and his little pal Eric Hurvey (another idiot that got into the wrestling business by "knowing somebody: and has no right or reason to be there(, and all the other Hollywood wannabe morons in TNA (including Queen Dixie of the country of Dumbassadonia) keep doing the same crap week in and week out. I'm no longer willing to even watch TNA PPVs for free on the Internet, let alone turn on their Thursday night crapfest on Spike.
Somebody please do me a favor and knock me unconscious for the next year and a half. Maybe after that period of time, when Hogan and Bischoff's contracts are up, we can get back to professional wrestling as it should be, as it used to be in TNA. I expect the company to go belly-up like a malnurished Guppy before then...ut I guess I can still hope right?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Linda McMahon Again Trying to distance Herself
It seems that Linda McMahon is again trying to distance herself from professional wrestling. This time she did it no less offensively than she has in the past. Upon being asked about the recent death of Lance Cade, Linda's exact words were, "I may have met him once." She then went on the compare his situation and how it relates to the WWE with Heath Ledger's death, saying that WWE was no more responsible for Cade's death than a movie studio would be for the death of a film star.
Let's compare and contrast those two situations.
The movie business is not one that takes a tremendous physical tole on a person's body. About the only time anyone ever gets hurt in the movie business if if they do their own stunts, which not many people are allowed to or choose to do anymore. Professional wrestling is a tremendously physical business. Even the idiots that refer to pro wrestling as "sports entertainment" know that. It's why they add the word sports in front of entertainment, because there is a large physical element to the business. Heath Ledger's using sleeping pills because he was performing a disturbing film role is very different from the situation of any professional wrestler. These guys are constantly getting dropped on their backs, necks, heads, and any other body part you can think of. The risk of physical injury is much higher for them...and what is it that doctor's prescribe most for injuries of a physical nature? That's right boys and girls...pills, painkillers to be precise. Vicodin, percocet, lortab, norco, that's what you get for pain, that and a "check back in a few weeks". The extremely physical nature of the business makes just about anyone involved complicit, inculding the wrestlers themselves, so I guess the WWE really can't be blamed for that part, at least not in full, because wrestlers make the choice to get in the ring themselves.
However, the lack of any sort of company insurance in WWE or any of the corporate wrestling companies that have existed up to this point might show some complicity in the growing numbers of wrestlers dying from substance abuse related causes. The WWE organization signs all their wrestlers under contracts that state them to be "independent contractors". They are then technically employees of WWE, subject to all sorts of rules and restrictions, but not entitled to any sort of company provided benefits. That's a nice little loophole that allows World Wrestling Entertainment Incorporated to maximize profits while bringing down their overhead considerably, and with the way that they have been losing money in the past year or two (and will probably continue to lose money due to their increasingly poor product), it's not surprising that they haven't yet yeilded to the demands of wrestlers for such benefits. Just ask Scott Levy (aka Raven) who sued WWE and lost. They've got deep pockets and high-priced lawyers. Who's going to beat them?
Also, the salary of an actor with as much recognition and renown as Heath Ledger is much higher than that of a WWE imposed midcarder like Lance Cade. Cade was making probably a decent six figures each year. Ledger was making several million--that's with six zeroes after it--dollars per picture. With Ledger making that kind of money, he could afford tons of personal insurance. In the wrestling business, a corporate entity like WWE will not allow a man to step in the ring without insurance. It would make them liable to any injury that man might suffer. But of course, they don't supply any sort of insurance through their organization.
WWE obviously recognizes and acknowledge's the problem, because they pay for wrestlers to go into rehab. That being said, their is no sort of proactive approach being thaken or planned for guys like Lance Cade, Chris Kanyon, or anyone else. WWE's funding for wrestlers in rehab is a half-assed way for them to cover their bases. It is a way for them to be able to say that they acknowledge the issue and try to take some sort of marginal responsibility for it.
I realize that I've been repetitive in my last couple posts, but these issues bear repeating and rehashing. I guess my whole point here is that Linda McMahon has been the recipient of quite a bit of money from the wrestling business, just as much as Vince, Shane, or Stephanie, and what she pulled was a tasteless and borderline vulgar political trick in order to cover her own ass. Not that I'd ever expect anything less of a politician...or a McMahon.
Let's compare and contrast those two situations.
The movie business is not one that takes a tremendous physical tole on a person's body. About the only time anyone ever gets hurt in the movie business if if they do their own stunts, which not many people are allowed to or choose to do anymore. Professional wrestling is a tremendously physical business. Even the idiots that refer to pro wrestling as "sports entertainment" know that. It's why they add the word sports in front of entertainment, because there is a large physical element to the business. Heath Ledger's using sleeping pills because he was performing a disturbing film role is very different from the situation of any professional wrestler. These guys are constantly getting dropped on their backs, necks, heads, and any other body part you can think of. The risk of physical injury is much higher for them...and what is it that doctor's prescribe most for injuries of a physical nature? That's right boys and girls...pills, painkillers to be precise. Vicodin, percocet, lortab, norco, that's what you get for pain, that and a "check back in a few weeks". The extremely physical nature of the business makes just about anyone involved complicit, inculding the wrestlers themselves, so I guess the WWE really can't be blamed for that part, at least not in full, because wrestlers make the choice to get in the ring themselves.
However, the lack of any sort of company insurance in WWE or any of the corporate wrestling companies that have existed up to this point might show some complicity in the growing numbers of wrestlers dying from substance abuse related causes. The WWE organization signs all their wrestlers under contracts that state them to be "independent contractors". They are then technically employees of WWE, subject to all sorts of rules and restrictions, but not entitled to any sort of company provided benefits. That's a nice little loophole that allows World Wrestling Entertainment Incorporated to maximize profits while bringing down their overhead considerably, and with the way that they have been losing money in the past year or two (and will probably continue to lose money due to their increasingly poor product), it's not surprising that they haven't yet yeilded to the demands of wrestlers for such benefits. Just ask Scott Levy (aka Raven) who sued WWE and lost. They've got deep pockets and high-priced lawyers. Who's going to beat them?
Also, the salary of an actor with as much recognition and renown as Heath Ledger is much higher than that of a WWE imposed midcarder like Lance Cade. Cade was making probably a decent six figures each year. Ledger was making several million--that's with six zeroes after it--dollars per picture. With Ledger making that kind of money, he could afford tons of personal insurance. In the wrestling business, a corporate entity like WWE will not allow a man to step in the ring without insurance. It would make them liable to any injury that man might suffer. But of course, they don't supply any sort of insurance through their organization.
WWE obviously recognizes and acknowledge's the problem, because they pay for wrestlers to go into rehab. That being said, their is no sort of proactive approach being thaken or planned for guys like Lance Cade, Chris Kanyon, or anyone else. WWE's funding for wrestlers in rehab is a half-assed way for them to cover their bases. It is a way for them to be able to say that they acknowledge the issue and try to take some sort of marginal responsibility for it.
I realize that I've been repetitive in my last couple posts, but these issues bear repeating and rehashing. I guess my whole point here is that Linda McMahon has been the recipient of quite a bit of money from the wrestling business, just as much as Vince, Shane, or Stephanie, and what she pulled was a tasteless and borderline vulgar political trick in order to cover her own ass. Not that I'd ever expect anything less of a politician...or a McMahon.
Dead Wrestlers, Substance Abuse, and the Company That Leads Them There
Kevin Kelley recently wrote an exclusive article for Wrestlezone.com about the number of wrestlers that continue to die from substance abuse related causes. He suggested, admitting that his idea was implausible, that WWE should hire personal assistants to travel with their wrestlers in order to keep them from making the poor decisions that lead to substance abuse and--for some--their subsequent releases, and later their deaths. Let me make clear right now that this post is not meant to attack Kevin Kelley's idea, nor Kevin himself. I think Kevin is just as frustrated as anybody about the amazingly high number of substance related deaths in pro wrestling these days. In fact, Kevin is probably more frustrated than fans like myself, because he is in the business and has had exposure to some of the people who have died recently.
I think that maybe the only solution here is to cut to the heart of the problem. I think there would be a sizeably lesser amount of substance related deaths in wrestling...if Vince and all of the morons that work for him in the backstage stop driving the talent to drink or to do drugs. You don't have to be a"in the business" to understand that working for the WWE may not be worth it, not even for the potential millions of dollars a wrestler could make while doing so. Any educated fan, one that takes information from credible sources from "in the business" can see the correlation between the WWE and substance related deaths in the wrestling business. Vince, Johnny Ace, (that freaking moron) Kevin Dunn, and all the half-assed writers in the back who were possessed of too little talent to be hired to write for any self-respecting comic book company or television network turn potential superstars into has-beens or never-wills in their mid 20s. For a guy like Lance Cade--the most recent wrestler to die from substance related causes--who had both the size and skill to make it big in the corporate wrestling world, it must have been torture having to put up with the ridiculous Hollywood garbage that the WWE writers and bookers come up with. It's no wonder the guy started to drink so heavily. He had to be on the road for a large majority of the year, taking part in angles so ridiculous that nobody over the age of twelve could take them seriously.
Of course, WWE now pays for wrestlers to go into rehab. They are now funding Scott Hall's most recent--but probably not final--trip to rehab. Instead of trying to attack to problems after they have already begun, how about the WWE takes a more proactive approach? Is it too much to ask that they treat their wrestlers (not sports entertainers!!!) with the least bit of dignity and respect that they deserve? How about they stop playing stupid little political games in the backstage? How about they attempt to return to the ways of a wrestling business where guys could succeed as opposed to being tossed away like garbage before they've even had a fair shot?
That's what I'd recommend, but what the hell do I know? I'm just a mark right?
I think that maybe the only solution here is to cut to the heart of the problem. I think there would be a sizeably lesser amount of substance related deaths in wrestling...if Vince and all of the morons that work for him in the backstage stop driving the talent to drink or to do drugs. You don't have to be a"in the business" to understand that working for the WWE may not be worth it, not even for the potential millions of dollars a wrestler could make while doing so. Any educated fan, one that takes information from credible sources from "in the business" can see the correlation between the WWE and substance related deaths in the wrestling business. Vince, Johnny Ace, (that freaking moron) Kevin Dunn, and all the half-assed writers in the back who were possessed of too little talent to be hired to write for any self-respecting comic book company or television network turn potential superstars into has-beens or never-wills in their mid 20s. For a guy like Lance Cade--the most recent wrestler to die from substance related causes--who had both the size and skill to make it big in the corporate wrestling world, it must have been torture having to put up with the ridiculous Hollywood garbage that the WWE writers and bookers come up with. It's no wonder the guy started to drink so heavily. He had to be on the road for a large majority of the year, taking part in angles so ridiculous that nobody over the age of twelve could take them seriously.
Of course, WWE now pays for wrestlers to go into rehab. They are now funding Scott Hall's most recent--but probably not final--trip to rehab. Instead of trying to attack to problems after they have already begun, how about the WWE takes a more proactive approach? Is it too much to ask that they treat their wrestlers (not sports entertainers!!!) with the least bit of dignity and respect that they deserve? How about they stop playing stupid little political games in the backstage? How about they attempt to return to the ways of a wrestling business where guys could succeed as opposed to being tossed away like garbage before they've even had a fair shot?
That's what I'd recommend, but what the hell do I know? I'm just a mark right?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tyler Black/WWE Rumors and More
It has been very recently rumored that ROH World Champion Tyler Black has signed some sort of contract with WWE. No details are available, so as of now, I am treating this as pure speculation.
In fact, this video gives a bit of contradictory evidence. This is Tyler Black addressing his fans and critics from a recent addition of ROH on HDNet. ROH posted this video on their Facebook page after the news on Black/WWE broke. So either they're trying to kill an untrue rumor, or their trying to play down the truth.
Either way, check out the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bImFCwvSN0
Here's my thoughts on the whole deal. I'm not sure that Tyler Black signing with WWE would work out. While they have showed in recent months that they are willing to push people that would not normally get a push in the WWE (for instance: Evan Borne), I'm not sure if Black would work out. Black is an amazing in-ring competitor. Of that there is no doubt. However, I doubt that Black is sharp enough on the microphone to make it in corporate wrestling...or at least in WWE. Though that argument could be contradicted by anyone citing Miz's recent and ongoing push. Miz sucks on the mic too...maybe even literally, but that's his business and his business alone. My point is, I hate hearing him cut a promo. He sucks at it...but he kisses Vince McMahon's ass mercilessly. So maybe if Black can lower himself to that level, he might make it out of FCW and onto the big roster for a short-lived push.
I also don't want anyone to think that I have a low opinion of Tyler Black, or that I doubt his ability to evolve and improve. Since I first saw Tyler Black back in 2003 in IWA Mid South, he has grown in leaps and bounds. He has become a more complete wrestler, and he has certainly gained experience and added competence on the mic, but I'm not sure he's got enough experience at this point to go corporate. At least he stopped doing the "I Hate My Parents" dance. If you've been a follower of the indies in the last decade, and in particular, a follower of Tyler, you might actually get that reference, but maybe I'm dating myself on that one.
The bottom line is, I hope he doesn't go corporate. I want to see ROH succeed, and I want them to do it with Tyler Black on their roster. Although with the ever-developing events leading up to the premiere of the Wilpon Group's wrestling product in October, who knows what could happen. Many people are writing the Wilpon product off before it has even been seen. I am not willing to do so, at least not yet.
I'll have a more detailed post with all the details I have heard up to this point on the Wilpon product in the near future. I'm also hoping to start a sort of Guest Booker column. If things go as planned (and who the hell knows if they will), this feature will appear once per week on this blog. Think of it as fantasy wrestling of sorts. My collaborator and I will be picking a roster of names to be included in our fictional promotion, and then showing you how we would book those people. Feel free to send in any comments or suggestions via the comment links on this page.
Okay, guess that's all for now. Hope to be back soon.
In fact, this video gives a bit of contradictory evidence. This is Tyler Black addressing his fans and critics from a recent addition of ROH on HDNet. ROH posted this video on their Facebook page after the news on Black/WWE broke. So either they're trying to kill an untrue rumor, or their trying to play down the truth.
Either way, check out the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bImFCwvSN0
Here's my thoughts on the whole deal. I'm not sure that Tyler Black signing with WWE would work out. While they have showed in recent months that they are willing to push people that would not normally get a push in the WWE (for instance: Evan Borne), I'm not sure if Black would work out. Black is an amazing in-ring competitor. Of that there is no doubt. However, I doubt that Black is sharp enough on the microphone to make it in corporate wrestling...or at least in WWE. Though that argument could be contradicted by anyone citing Miz's recent and ongoing push. Miz sucks on the mic too...maybe even literally, but that's his business and his business alone. My point is, I hate hearing him cut a promo. He sucks at it...but he kisses Vince McMahon's ass mercilessly. So maybe if Black can lower himself to that level, he might make it out of FCW and onto the big roster for a short-lived push.
I also don't want anyone to think that I have a low opinion of Tyler Black, or that I doubt his ability to evolve and improve. Since I first saw Tyler Black back in 2003 in IWA Mid South, he has grown in leaps and bounds. He has become a more complete wrestler, and he has certainly gained experience and added competence on the mic, but I'm not sure he's got enough experience at this point to go corporate. At least he stopped doing the "I Hate My Parents" dance. If you've been a follower of the indies in the last decade, and in particular, a follower of Tyler, you might actually get that reference, but maybe I'm dating myself on that one.
The bottom line is, I hope he doesn't go corporate. I want to see ROH succeed, and I want them to do it with Tyler Black on their roster. Although with the ever-developing events leading up to the premiere of the Wilpon Group's wrestling product in October, who knows what could happen. Many people are writing the Wilpon product off before it has even been seen. I am not willing to do so, at least not yet.
I'll have a more detailed post with all the details I have heard up to this point on the Wilpon product in the near future. I'm also hoping to start a sort of Guest Booker column. If things go as planned (and who the hell knows if they will), this feature will appear once per week on this blog. Think of it as fantasy wrestling of sorts. My collaborator and I will be picking a roster of names to be included in our fictional promotion, and then showing you how we would book those people. Feel free to send in any comments or suggestions via the comment links on this page.
Okay, guess that's all for now. Hope to be back soon.
Possible Site Change
I have recently become aware that there is an online wrestling radio show called "Low Blow Radio". Along with my collaborator in this blog, I had planned to eventually transition this blog into a podcast format, while still including written content through this site. As it stands now, it looks like there will need to be a name change. I am currently unsure if the site of this blog will change when we actually get around to starting the podcast. For now, keep checking this site for new posts. I will once again have regular internet access in a little over a week, and will hopefully be posting articles and commentaries more frequently, though it will depend on what my class schedule allows.
PWG Sells Out Volume ONe DVD Review Part 1
Okay, this is the first part of my review of the three disc PWG Sells Out Volume One DVD. Gotta say, on the whole this is a pretty damn good set of matches from the close to eight year history of SoCal's top indy promotion. I'll be posting this review one disc at a time. Otherwise it's a whole lot to digest at once. The review is complete with background information about the wrestlers. This took a lot of time, so stroke my ego and tell me how damn well-written it is. There's plenty of good karma in it for you if you do. ;-P
On the final portion of this review, I'll include the links to all of my online sources for the background information on the wrestlers...which was mostly wikipedia, so if you don't want to wait, you can look them up yourself.
PWG Sells Out DVD Review
Disc 1
Match 1:
Samoa Joe vs. “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
From PWG The Musical
April 17, 2004
Samoa Joe has eleven years of experience in the pro wrestling game. He was trained by the UIWA (United Independent Wrestling Alliance) West Coast Dojo and got his first titles in UPW (Ultimate Pro Wrestling)--(where he also had a fued with a young John Cena. Since then Joe has gone on to fued with some of the best in the business in the independents and in TNA. He has battled Bryan Danielson, Necro Butcher, Homicide, both Briscoe Brothers, C.M. Punk, Christopher Daniels, Kurt Angle, Sting, Scott Steiner, and more.
Joe debuted in TNA at Slammiversary 2005. He was later signed to a TNA contract. He has had some notable matches in TNA, but lately has been in a bit of a slump. As of now, he is suspended from the active roster due to a backstage incident involving Jeremy Borash.
Among his list of titles are the UPW Heavyweight Title, ROH (Ring of Honor) Pure title, ROH World title, TNA (Total Nonstop Action) X Division Title, TNA Tag Titles, and TNA World title.
Joe is as agile as he is large. He is able to execute a variety of maneuvers, many of which would not be expected from a man his size. He is fond of using a huge jumping kick as well as a vicious back senton to a downed opponent. He also likes to utilize strikes, mostly stiff kicks chops, and headbutts. Joe can finish an opponent with the Muscle Buster, Island Driver (Emerald Fusion), or the Catina Clutch (Rear Naked Choke). Despite Mark Madden's low opinion of Joe (and really, who gives a crap what that fat never-was has to say?), Joe has a varitable legion of fans who love to im him put the beatdown to anyone he steps in the ring with.
Call him “American Dragon”. Call him “The Best Wrestler in the World”. His name is Bryan Danielson and he is one of the biggest independent stars of all time. His viscious kicks and wrenching submissions make him a force to be reckoned with on any level of the professional wrestling game. Born on May 22, 1981 (and yes it is bitchin’ to share a birthday with American Dragon) in Aberdine, Washington, he was trained by four of the best: Shawn Michaels, William Regal, Masato Tanaka, and Rudy boy Gonzalez. In his eleven years in wrestling, Danielson has feuded with some big names, including Samoa Joe and Nigel McGuinness. He has wrestled worldwide and held both the ROH Pure Title and World Heavyweight Title, as well as the TWA (Texas Wrestling Alliance) Tag Titles with Brian Kendrick, The PWG (Pro Wrestling Guerrilla) World Heavyweight Title (2 times), the IWGP (International Wrestling Grand Prix [New Japan Pro Wrestling])Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles with Curryman, and the GHC (Global Honor Crown) Junior Heavyweight Title. He was recently signed to a WWE contract and was part of their NXT show with some other FCW rookies, though his experience probably outnumbers all of theirs combined. Danielson was fired several months ago for doing nothing more than being a good wrestler and selling an angle more superiorly than any of the other so-called Nexus "superstars". Besides, who doesn't want to choke the hell out of that twit Justin Roberts with his own tie? I know I do.
This match was a war of technical skill and striking. Both Joe and Dragon employed stiff kicks and chest-blistering chops. Danielson pounded Joe with European uppercuts and Joe returned with headbutts. They brawled from the ring to the floor and back again. Joe nailed Danielson with the Ole Kick, and Danielson used a rare springboard Tope Con Hilo. At the end of the thirty minute time limit, neither man had gained a pinfall or submission.
After the match, Joe suckered Danielson by pretending to want five more minutes. Instead Ricky Reyes and Rocky romero (friends of Danielson and fellow members of the NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) Los Angeles dojo) attacked Danielson for teaming with Teddy Hart and Jack Evans in Canada a few weeks earlier.
After being beaten into the mat for a while , Danielson got up and went on to cut a promo on Joe and Reyes, in which he declared Joe a scumbag, Reyes a pussy, and himself a far superior dancer than Joe. Hilarious.
Match 2:
Super Dragon vs. CM Punk
From The Reason for the Season
February 12, 2005
Super Dragon trained with Martin Marin, the owner of WPR (World Power wrestling). In 1997 he had his first match. Also in the late 90s, he and friend Blitzkreig wrestled a dark match for WCW (World Championship Wrestling), but only Blitzkreig went on to be used again. After a reconstructive surgery, Super Dragon returned in 2001 to win the Revolution J tournament in RPW (Revolution Pro Wrestling), competing with wrestlers like Excalibur and Disco Machine (or as my friends and I like to call him...Ass Tassle). He defeated B-Boy in the finals of that tournament. Around this same time, Super Dragon and Excalibur wrestled some matches for Rob Blacks XPW (Xtreme Pro Wrestling) promotion. During his time in RPW, Dragon evolved his style from high flying to more of a brawling style. From 2002 to about 2006 he competed in CZW (Combat Zone Wrestling) and participate in the CZW vs. ROH war. He also claimed the CZW World Heavyweight Title.
In 2003 Super Dragon, Disco Machine, Excalibur, Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, and Top Gun Talwar founded the PWG promotion in Los Angeles. Since then PWG has become the largest promotion in southern California.
With his array of devastating maneuvers like the Psycho Driver, Psycho Driver II, Psycho Driver III, Psycho Driver IV, Violence Party, and Curb Stomp (which Super Dragon innovated and many have since stolen) Super Dragon has captured the PWG Heavyweight Title once and the PWG Tag Titles five times.
On May 17, 2008 Super Dragon suffered a concussion which he has not returned from.
Since he first began his training in Chicago with Ace Steel, Danny Domain, and Kevin Quinn in the late 1990s, CM Punk has worked and turned himself into an international superstar. He earned his first independent titles in SDW (Steel Domain Wrestling) in Chicago and went on to hold gold in numerous indy federations, including the IWA-MS (Independent Wrestling Association Mid Soutbh) Heavyweight Title many times by defeating wrestlers like B.J. Whitmer, A.J. Styles, and Eddie Guerrero (yes, that Eddie Guerrero). He has also held the ROH Tag Titles with his friend (and former WWE colleague) Colt Cabana. He had one of the most controversial runs of all time as the Ring of Honor World Champion. In calendar year 2003, Punk had a fantastic fued with former ECW star Raven. The fued spanned multiple promotions and continents. Punk and Raven shed blood in both the United States and England. Their fued spanned MLW (Major League Wrestling), ROH, FWA (Frontier Wrestling Alliance) in England, and TNA.
Also in 2003, Punk wrestled several dark matches in WWE. In 2005, Punk signed a developmental deal with WWE. He wrestled in their OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) developmental federation for over a year before premiering on ECW. On June 24, 2006—while he was still OVW World Champion—Punk debuted in ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling [the new Vince McMahon owned version])defeating Stevie Richards at a house show. Since his debut in ECW, Punk has gone on to hold the now defunct ECW Title, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Intercontinental Title, WWE Tag Titles (with Kofi Kingston), and WWE World Title.
CM Punk has the distinction of being the only wrestler in recent history to wrestle under the gimmick of being Straight Edge. He has used this gimmick throughout his indy and corporate careers. He has been known to say during promos that “being Straight Edge means I’m better than you”. His current Straight Edge Society gimmick in WWE is regarded as great by some and vehemently hated by others.
Punk is a consummate technical wrestler, as well as a submission specialist of sorts. He employs devastating kicks and martial arts strikes . His Devil Lock Lariet (Hammerlock Lariet), Springboard Clothesline, Welcome to Chicago (Double Underhook Backbreaker), Anaconda Vice submission, and Go to Sleep finishers are all able to put out any opponent that steps into the squared circle to face him.
Some people have said that Super Dragon is not a “real” professional wrestler. This match should prove them wrong. For the first twenty minutes of this twenty-five plus minute match, Dragon and Punk tried to put each other out with brute force. The chops and kicks hit hard and fast. It was a brawl, with a few intermingled technical or flying spots thrown in. Each man pulled out many of their signature moves to try to put the other away. Punk played heel hard in this match, using Super Dragon’s own Curb Stomp maneuver on him three different times. Dragon reciprocated with three Curb Stomps of his own, including one into the bottom turnbuckle that made my face hurt just watching it. The ending spot was well-placed and executed. Punk went for a Shining Wizard and Dragon reversed it into a Supernatural Driver, dumping Punk right on his head and picking up the victory in devastating fashion.
Match 3:
“The Future” Frankie Kazarian vs. “Scrapiron” Adam Pearce
PWG Heavyweight Title
Steel Cage Match
From The Reason for the Season
July 10, 2004
Frankie Kazarian is aptly referred to as “The Future”, because it is wrestlers like him that will make up the future superstars of the business (if guys like Hogan and Flair ever decide to finally hang it up). His arsenal of amazing maneuvers, including the Flux Capacitor (Top Rope Backflip Sidewalk Slam), Future Shock, and the Wave of the Future, make him an exciting and formidable competitor. Frankie has wrestled in the independent and corporate wrestling circuits. Kazarian has friendships with both Samoa Joe and John Cena that date back to their days in UPW (Ultimate Pro Wrestling). Kazarian has held both
tag and singles gold in the independent circuit, including the UPW Tag Titles with Nova, the EWF (Empir Wrestling Federation) Heavyweight title, and the JAPW (Jersey All Pro Wrestling) Light Heavyweight Title. He was also the first ever PWG Heavyweight Champion. Frankie wrestled in TNA and obtain the X Division Title before he signed a deal with WWE. His time with Vince McMahon’s promotion was short-lived. He wrestled some dark matches for the Smackdown brand, but then asked for his release.
After his WWE release, he returned to TNA and wrestled with Raven’s Serotonin faction. He also won the TNA Tag Titles with Eric Young, but was immediately stripped of the belts. Most recently, Frankie wrestled in TNA under the mask and moniker of Suicide, but has now dropped the mask and is wrestling again as himself. He is currently one of the wrestlers along with A.J. Styles that are getting screwed in Ric Flair's Fortune faction. Though I have not confirmed this fact formally, I believe that Kazarian may have been a student at the ECW House of Hardcore, and even competed in the company a few times before it's 2001 demise.
“Scrapiron” Adam Pearce was trained by Sonny Rogers and former TNA employee “Rockin” Randy Ricci. From 1997 to 1999 Adam Pearce appeared numerous times on WWE television as a jobber named Adam O’Brian. Adam has made the rounds in the United States indy circuit. He has wrestled in SDW in his hometown of Chicago, as well as in the Northeast and West Coast scenes. He has held The UPW and PWG World Heavyweight Titles. He has also held the prestigious NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) Heritage and World Heavyweight titles. Adam has also been involved with Ring of Honor in both a wrestling and booking capacity. He is known for his old school style, but can hang with wrestlers that employ a more fast-paced style as well. His devastating Rack Powerbomb and Jumping Piledriver finishers, combine with his size (6’2, 232 pounds) make him an opponent not to be taken lightly--pun intended.
Before the match, Pearce cut a prime indy heel promo. He ragged on the crowd mercilessly. He added a very funny touch when he put his face directly in front of the camera and said, “And fuck you at home on DVD too.” It was great heel work.
This match was a bloodbath, as you might expect from a Steel Cage Match. It was the culmination of a year long fued between Frankie and Adam Pearce over the PWG Title. The match started out as a brawl. The two men fought all over the arena and eventually brought the fight back into the cage. Since the cage had no door, the only ways to win were by pinfall, submission, or climbing out over the top of the cage. Pearce took the beating to Kazarian early and made an attempt to climb out, but Kazarian recovered and hit him with a Flux Capacitor. Adam Pearce turned to his trademark Jumping Piledriver but could not put Kazarian away. After twice hitting The Wave of the Future and three times nailing Pearce with Piledrivers, Kazarian picked up the win. By special stipulation, not only did Pearce not win the title, but he had to leave PWG forever.
Match 4:
“The Prince of P-Town” Jack Evans vs. “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels
From Free Admission (Just Kidding)
November 13, 2004
Jack Evans is without a doubt one of the most impressive high-flying wrestlers in the world today. He was trained by Brian “Chico” Alverez, Tim “Street Fighter” Flowers, and also trained alongside T.J. Wilson (Tyson Kidd), Harry Smith, and his long-time tag partner Teddy Hart at the Hart Family Dungeon. He has wrestled as himself and as the masked Blitzkrieg 2 . As far as I can find, Evans has held only two titles to date: the JAPW Tag Titles with Teddy Hart, and the Pinacle Wrestling Heavyweight Title. While his title history is very short, Jack Evans proves himself everytime he sets foot in a wrestling ring. He has competed in JAPW, MLW, CZW, WSX (Wrestling Society X), ROH, and even TNA. He and tag partner Teddy Hart were part of TNA’s World X Cup in the past as part of Team Canada. With incredible high-flying maneuvers like the Corkscrew 630, Standing 450, Reverse 450, and Phoenix Splash, Jack is not only great to watch, he is an opponent to be taken seriously.
Though he was born in North Carolina (so-called Flair country), Christopher Daniels got his professional wrestling start in Chicago. He was trained by Sam Deciro, Mike Anthony, and Kevin Quinn in the Windy City Championship Wrestling promotion. He has wrestled and held gold all over the world. The list of federations he has competed in includes WCCW (Windy City Championship Wrestling), 3PW (Pro Pain Pro Wrestling), ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling [the original Paul Heyman owned version]), WWC (World Wrestling Council), NWA, Zero-1 MAX (Japan), NJPW, MPW (Michinoku Pro Wrestling [in Japan]), ROH, and TNA. He also wrestled as a masked wrestler in WWF (World Wrestling Federation [now WWE])called Conquistador Dos and in TNA and Japan as Curryman. Daniels also occupied the role of Suicide for a time while Frankie Kazarian was recovering from an arm injury. His time in the wrestling business has seen him hold independent and corporate gold. He has held the EWF Heavyweight Title, UPW Heavyweight Title, NWA Florida title, ROH Tag Team Titles, FWA heavyweight title, TNA Tag Titles, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles (as Curryman), and the TNA X Division title. Most recently, he was released from his TNA contract (not surprisingly) and is back in Ring of Honor.
As should be expected, both men were extremely impressive in this match. Jack Evans threw out a great performance in his debut match in PWG against the ring veteran and PWG regular, Christopher Daniels. Jack Evans was able to counter many of Christopher Daniels’ intended maneuvers, as well as hitting some outrageous diving moves of his own. However, Daniels had some great reversals of his own. At one point in the matchup, Evans went for a Sky Twister Press from the top buckle to the floor, but Daniels caught him in a Powerbomb. Jack Evans looked to be in prime position to end the match with his 630 Splash, but missed the move and Daniels capitalized with a wicked backbreaker leading into his double jump moonsault, known as the Best Moonsault Ever. After the BME, it was all O-V-E-R for Jack Evans.
Match 5:
Super Dragon bs. Samoa Joe
PWG Title Match
From All Nude Review
February 12, 2005
Super Dragon came into this match as the PWG Heavyweight Champion, but was out to avenge a previous countout loss to Samoa Joe. He attempted to attack Joe preemptively and take an early advantage. He was unsuccessful. Joe stopped Dragon’s momentum by taking his legs out with a sweep. From there, Joe went to work on Dragon’s back, trying to make sure Dragon would not be able to get him up for the Psycho Driver (not that anyone thought that such a thing was very likely to begin with). The momentum shifted back and forth during this match, with each man hitting very impressive high-impact maneuvers. Both men hit suicide dives. Joe hit a series of vicious boot scrapes in the corner and Dragon returned the favor with a Curb Stomp to Joe. Super Dragon even broke out an old school Senton Bomb (Back Senton off the top rope) on Joe. In the end, Super Dragon was incredibly able to lift Joe onto his shoulders (despite the seventy plus pound weight difference between the two men) and blast him with a Psycho Driver. Joe had the presence of mind to roll out of the ring onto the floor. Super Dragon was unable to get a near unconscious Joe back into the ring before the twenty count finished and the match ended in a countout. Super Dragon retained his PWG Heavyweight Title and though he was not able to pin Joe, he showed his critics once again that he is able to hang with the biggest and best in the indy scene.
After the match, an imposter super Dragon came out and attacked the real Super Dragon. This imposter hit Dragon with a Curb Stomp. The imposter was later revealed as Kevin Steen, who had been contracted by Excalibur to take out Super Dragon.
Match 6:
“The Phenominal” AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe
#1 Contenders Match for the PWG Heavyweight Title
From All Star Weekend Night 1
April 1, 2005
AJ Styles has been deemed “The Phenominal One” in his eleven years as a professional wrestler, and for good reason. Styles hails from and was trained in Georgia. He began his career in NWA Wildside in the year 1999, after being trained by Rick Michaels. He earned his first title in NWA Wildside as well, defeating K-Krush (Ron Killings). He lost the belt but later regained it by beating Air Paris. Styles also held the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title during his time in NWA. Later, he and Air Paris went to WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and worked both as a tag team and in a singles fued against one another. After WCW folded, Styles worked for WWA (World Wrestling Allstars), becoming their Cruiserweight Champion after defeating Nova. In 2002, Styles became one of the founding members of the TNA X Division. He had incredible matches with Jerry Lynn, Psicosis, Low Ki (now known as Kaval on WWE’s NXT show), and many more. At that time TNA was associated with the NWA and Styles won the X Division Title, the NWA Tag Titles, and NWA World Heavyweight Title early in TNA history. He would later go on to hold the TNA Tag Titles and World Heavyweight Title after TNA split from the NWA. He would regain the X Division Title multiple times as well. While wrestling during the early days of TNA, Styles would also capture the ROH Tag Titles and the PWG Heavyweight Title.
Styles fueds have been numerous, including a great one with Crristopher Daniels in TNA. Styles is well known for wrestling a series of matches with former WWE talent Paul London. Several of these matches lasted 45 minutes or longer. He has also feuded with Kurt Angle, Jeff Jarrett, Abyss, Sting, and many more. He uses his phenomenal (hence the nickname) agility and unexpected power to humble his opponents. Styles is best known for his Pele Kick, Styles Clash, Spiral Tap (Corckscrew Legdrop off the top rope), and Superman (Springboard 450 Splash) moves, though his arsenal is certainly not limited to these moves, or to any one style of wrestling.
Aside From his prowess in the squared circle, Styles is also touted as one of the nicest and most humble men in the wrestling business today. He is said to hold strong to his Christian roots and to regard others as his equals on all levels. This, as you may know, is a rare occurance in the wrestling business.
This match began with Styles trying to show Joe and the PWG crowd that he is more than just a high-flier. He hit the 280 pound Samoan Submission Machine with a body slam, suplex, and backbreaker in short succession toward the beginning of the match, giving him an early advantage. That advantage was short lived. Joe retreated to the outside and Styles went to follow him, but Joe kicked Styles’ legs out from under him on the apron and that was all Joe needed to gain the advantage. From that point, Joe pressed his advantage hard, taking it to Styles with strikes, power moves, and even an Elbow Suicida. The match continued this way for several minutes, until Styles was able to hit a Pele Kick and stun Joe. Momentum swung back and forth between Styles and Joe, with Styles uncharacteristically avoiding the usage of high-flying maneuvers. Joe attempted to make Styles submit via an STF, but AJ escaped and came back with an incredible Torture Rack Powerbomb on the Samoan giant. As the match finished up, Styles was able to reverse Joe and hit him with the Styles Clash for the pin.
This match showed an entire different side of AJ Styles than many people had seen at the time it took place. People were used to seeing AJ flying around the TNA ring as a star of the X Division, but he showed that he was a much more complete wrestler than may have been thought. With the exception of one spot in this match, every move was executed crisply and succinctly.
Match 7:
“The Phenominal” AJ Styles vs. James Gibson
PWG Title Match/NWA title Match
From Guitarmageddon
June 11, 2005
James Gibson may be better known as Jamie Noble. He began his training with Bill Weaver, but was then signed to WCW. His first run in WCW saw him receive more training, this time with Dean Malenko. That run was short lived. Gibson did some work in the indy scene but later returned to WCW to be part of the three man team The Jung Dragons with Jimmy Yang and Kaz Hayashi. During his second run in WCW, The Jung Dragons feuded with Three Count—Evan Karagias, Shane Helmes (The Hurricane), and Shannon Moore. Later Karagias split from Three count and Noble split from The Jung Dragons. The two formed their own tag team and participated in what was undoubtedly the greatest ladder match in WCW history at Starcade 2000.
After WCW fell apart, Gibson—along with many former WCW stars—was signed to WWE. He wrestled under the name of Jamie Noble, as he had done in WCW after splitting with The Jung Dragons. In WWE, Gibson feuded with Billy Kidman, Yoshihiro Tajiri, and Rey Mysterio Jr. He went on to win the WWE Cruiserweight title in 2002. However, he would later lose the belt and be released from WWE.
After his WWE release, Gibson went back to work on the indy circuit, wrestling in promotions like PWG and ROH. In fact, he gained his only other major title when he became Ring of Honor World Champion on August 12, 2005 by beating CM Punk. He would hold that title for over a year, proving to wrestling fans everywhere that James Gibson was more than what they had seen in WCW or WWE.
Throughout the years James Gibson’s style evolved from a Japanese/Lucha style to a more technical/scrapping style of wrestling. As a member of the Jung Dragons he regularly used maneuvers like the Hurricanrana and Flying Headscissors. When he went to WWE, he began wrestling a more ground-based technical style of wrestling, though he also employed some lucha style moves at times. He continued to use this “ground and pound” style of wrestling for many years, through his run in ROH and on into his second run with WWE.
Gibson later returned to WWE, but was not used as anything more than a jobber for several ears. As of today, James Gibson has retired due to a nagging neck injury.
This match was a contest of technical skill. It was a match of both old school nuances and new school impactful maneuvers. The match started out with both men very much even. Styles and Gibson traded holds on the mat and countered one another time after time. Gibson controlled the head and neck of AJ with a wrenching headlock for severl minutes. Eventually, AJ’s size and height advantage put him in control of the match, but James Gibson was not to be counted out. Gibson was able to avoid a baseball slide dropkick on the outside and slam AJ’s chest into the ring apron to switch the momentum back in his direction. He then went back to work on Styles’ neck. The pendulum of momentum continued to swing back and forth in the match. AJ would hit an impactful move. Gibson would counter him. Gibson would go for a move of his own and hit it. Gibson blasted AJ with his signature Fireman’s Carry Gutbuster, and Styles utilized the Pele Kick. The match closed as Gibson went for his own version of the Tiger Driver. Styles reversed the move into a Styles Clash and picked up the three count.
On the final portion of this review, I'll include the links to all of my online sources for the background information on the wrestlers...which was mostly wikipedia, so if you don't want to wait, you can look them up yourself.
PWG Sells Out DVD Review
Disc 1
Match 1:
Samoa Joe vs. “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
From PWG The Musical
April 17, 2004
Samoa Joe has eleven years of experience in the pro wrestling game. He was trained by the UIWA (United Independent Wrestling Alliance) West Coast Dojo and got his first titles in UPW (Ultimate Pro Wrestling)--(where he also had a fued with a young John Cena. Since then Joe has gone on to fued with some of the best in the business in the independents and in TNA. He has battled Bryan Danielson, Necro Butcher, Homicide, both Briscoe Brothers, C.M. Punk, Christopher Daniels, Kurt Angle, Sting, Scott Steiner, and more.
Joe debuted in TNA at Slammiversary 2005. He was later signed to a TNA contract. He has had some notable matches in TNA, but lately has been in a bit of a slump. As of now, he is suspended from the active roster due to a backstage incident involving Jeremy Borash.
Among his list of titles are the UPW Heavyweight Title, ROH (Ring of Honor) Pure title, ROH World title, TNA (Total Nonstop Action) X Division Title, TNA Tag Titles, and TNA World title.
Joe is as agile as he is large. He is able to execute a variety of maneuvers, many of which would not be expected from a man his size. He is fond of using a huge jumping kick as well as a vicious back senton to a downed opponent. He also likes to utilize strikes, mostly stiff kicks chops, and headbutts. Joe can finish an opponent with the Muscle Buster, Island Driver (Emerald Fusion), or the Catina Clutch (Rear Naked Choke). Despite Mark Madden's low opinion of Joe (and really, who gives a crap what that fat never-was has to say?), Joe has a varitable legion of fans who love to im him put the beatdown to anyone he steps in the ring with.
Call him “American Dragon”. Call him “The Best Wrestler in the World”. His name is Bryan Danielson and he is one of the biggest independent stars of all time. His viscious kicks and wrenching submissions make him a force to be reckoned with on any level of the professional wrestling game. Born on May 22, 1981 (and yes it is bitchin’ to share a birthday with American Dragon) in Aberdine, Washington, he was trained by four of the best: Shawn Michaels, William Regal, Masato Tanaka, and Rudy boy Gonzalez. In his eleven years in wrestling, Danielson has feuded with some big names, including Samoa Joe and Nigel McGuinness. He has wrestled worldwide and held both the ROH Pure Title and World Heavyweight Title, as well as the TWA (Texas Wrestling Alliance) Tag Titles with Brian Kendrick, The PWG (Pro Wrestling Guerrilla) World Heavyweight Title (2 times), the IWGP (International Wrestling Grand Prix [New Japan Pro Wrestling])Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles with Curryman, and the GHC (Global Honor Crown) Junior Heavyweight Title. He was recently signed to a WWE contract and was part of their NXT show with some other FCW rookies, though his experience probably outnumbers all of theirs combined. Danielson was fired several months ago for doing nothing more than being a good wrestler and selling an angle more superiorly than any of the other so-called Nexus "superstars". Besides, who doesn't want to choke the hell out of that twit Justin Roberts with his own tie? I know I do.
This match was a war of technical skill and striking. Both Joe and Dragon employed stiff kicks and chest-blistering chops. Danielson pounded Joe with European uppercuts and Joe returned with headbutts. They brawled from the ring to the floor and back again. Joe nailed Danielson with the Ole Kick, and Danielson used a rare springboard Tope Con Hilo. At the end of the thirty minute time limit, neither man had gained a pinfall or submission.
After the match, Joe suckered Danielson by pretending to want five more minutes. Instead Ricky Reyes and Rocky romero (friends of Danielson and fellow members of the NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) Los Angeles dojo) attacked Danielson for teaming with Teddy Hart and Jack Evans in Canada a few weeks earlier.
After being beaten into the mat for a while , Danielson got up and went on to cut a promo on Joe and Reyes, in which he declared Joe a scumbag, Reyes a pussy, and himself a far superior dancer than Joe. Hilarious.
Match 2:
Super Dragon vs. CM Punk
From The Reason for the Season
February 12, 2005
Super Dragon trained with Martin Marin, the owner of WPR (World Power wrestling). In 1997 he had his first match. Also in the late 90s, he and friend Blitzkreig wrestled a dark match for WCW (World Championship Wrestling), but only Blitzkreig went on to be used again. After a reconstructive surgery, Super Dragon returned in 2001 to win the Revolution J tournament in RPW (Revolution Pro Wrestling), competing with wrestlers like Excalibur and Disco Machine (or as my friends and I like to call him...Ass Tassle). He defeated B-Boy in the finals of that tournament. Around this same time, Super Dragon and Excalibur wrestled some matches for Rob Blacks XPW (Xtreme Pro Wrestling) promotion. During his time in RPW, Dragon evolved his style from high flying to more of a brawling style. From 2002 to about 2006 he competed in CZW (Combat Zone Wrestling) and participate in the CZW vs. ROH war. He also claimed the CZW World Heavyweight Title.
In 2003 Super Dragon, Disco Machine, Excalibur, Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, and Top Gun Talwar founded the PWG promotion in Los Angeles. Since then PWG has become the largest promotion in southern California.
With his array of devastating maneuvers like the Psycho Driver, Psycho Driver II, Psycho Driver III, Psycho Driver IV, Violence Party, and Curb Stomp (which Super Dragon innovated and many have since stolen) Super Dragon has captured the PWG Heavyweight Title once and the PWG Tag Titles five times.
On May 17, 2008 Super Dragon suffered a concussion which he has not returned from.
Since he first began his training in Chicago with Ace Steel, Danny Domain, and Kevin Quinn in the late 1990s, CM Punk has worked and turned himself into an international superstar. He earned his first independent titles in SDW (Steel Domain Wrestling) in Chicago and went on to hold gold in numerous indy federations, including the IWA-MS (Independent Wrestling Association Mid Soutbh) Heavyweight Title many times by defeating wrestlers like B.J. Whitmer, A.J. Styles, and Eddie Guerrero (yes, that Eddie Guerrero). He has also held the ROH Tag Titles with his friend (and former WWE colleague) Colt Cabana. He had one of the most controversial runs of all time as the Ring of Honor World Champion. In calendar year 2003, Punk had a fantastic fued with former ECW star Raven. The fued spanned multiple promotions and continents. Punk and Raven shed blood in both the United States and England. Their fued spanned MLW (Major League Wrestling), ROH, FWA (Frontier Wrestling Alliance) in England, and TNA.
Also in 2003, Punk wrestled several dark matches in WWE. In 2005, Punk signed a developmental deal with WWE. He wrestled in their OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) developmental federation for over a year before premiering on ECW. On June 24, 2006—while he was still OVW World Champion—Punk debuted in ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling [the new Vince McMahon owned version])defeating Stevie Richards at a house show. Since his debut in ECW, Punk has gone on to hold the now defunct ECW Title, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Intercontinental Title, WWE Tag Titles (with Kofi Kingston), and WWE World Title.
CM Punk has the distinction of being the only wrestler in recent history to wrestle under the gimmick of being Straight Edge. He has used this gimmick throughout his indy and corporate careers. He has been known to say during promos that “being Straight Edge means I’m better than you”. His current Straight Edge Society gimmick in WWE is regarded as great by some and vehemently hated by others.
Punk is a consummate technical wrestler, as well as a submission specialist of sorts. He employs devastating kicks and martial arts strikes . His Devil Lock Lariet (Hammerlock Lariet), Springboard Clothesline, Welcome to Chicago (Double Underhook Backbreaker), Anaconda Vice submission, and Go to Sleep finishers are all able to put out any opponent that steps into the squared circle to face him.
Some people have said that Super Dragon is not a “real” professional wrestler. This match should prove them wrong. For the first twenty minutes of this twenty-five plus minute match, Dragon and Punk tried to put each other out with brute force. The chops and kicks hit hard and fast. It was a brawl, with a few intermingled technical or flying spots thrown in. Each man pulled out many of their signature moves to try to put the other away. Punk played heel hard in this match, using Super Dragon’s own Curb Stomp maneuver on him three different times. Dragon reciprocated with three Curb Stomps of his own, including one into the bottom turnbuckle that made my face hurt just watching it. The ending spot was well-placed and executed. Punk went for a Shining Wizard and Dragon reversed it into a Supernatural Driver, dumping Punk right on his head and picking up the victory in devastating fashion.
Match 3:
“The Future” Frankie Kazarian vs. “Scrapiron” Adam Pearce
PWG Heavyweight Title
Steel Cage Match
From The Reason for the Season
July 10, 2004
Frankie Kazarian is aptly referred to as “The Future”, because it is wrestlers like him that will make up the future superstars of the business (if guys like Hogan and Flair ever decide to finally hang it up). His arsenal of amazing maneuvers, including the Flux Capacitor (Top Rope Backflip Sidewalk Slam), Future Shock, and the Wave of the Future, make him an exciting and formidable competitor. Frankie has wrestled in the independent and corporate wrestling circuits. Kazarian has friendships with both Samoa Joe and John Cena that date back to their days in UPW (Ultimate Pro Wrestling). Kazarian has held both
tag and singles gold in the independent circuit, including the UPW Tag Titles with Nova, the EWF (Empir Wrestling Federation) Heavyweight title, and the JAPW (Jersey All Pro Wrestling) Light Heavyweight Title. He was also the first ever PWG Heavyweight Champion. Frankie wrestled in TNA and obtain the X Division Title before he signed a deal with WWE. His time with Vince McMahon’s promotion was short-lived. He wrestled some dark matches for the Smackdown brand, but then asked for his release.
After his WWE release, he returned to TNA and wrestled with Raven’s Serotonin faction. He also won the TNA Tag Titles with Eric Young, but was immediately stripped of the belts. Most recently, Frankie wrestled in TNA under the mask and moniker of Suicide, but has now dropped the mask and is wrestling again as himself. He is currently one of the wrestlers along with A.J. Styles that are getting screwed in Ric Flair's Fortune faction. Though I have not confirmed this fact formally, I believe that Kazarian may have been a student at the ECW House of Hardcore, and even competed in the company a few times before it's 2001 demise.
“Scrapiron” Adam Pearce was trained by Sonny Rogers and former TNA employee “Rockin” Randy Ricci. From 1997 to 1999 Adam Pearce appeared numerous times on WWE television as a jobber named Adam O’Brian. Adam has made the rounds in the United States indy circuit. He has wrestled in SDW in his hometown of Chicago, as well as in the Northeast and West Coast scenes. He has held The UPW and PWG World Heavyweight Titles. He has also held the prestigious NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) Heritage and World Heavyweight titles. Adam has also been involved with Ring of Honor in both a wrestling and booking capacity. He is known for his old school style, but can hang with wrestlers that employ a more fast-paced style as well. His devastating Rack Powerbomb and Jumping Piledriver finishers, combine with his size (6’2, 232 pounds) make him an opponent not to be taken lightly--pun intended.
Before the match, Pearce cut a prime indy heel promo. He ragged on the crowd mercilessly. He added a very funny touch when he put his face directly in front of the camera and said, “And fuck you at home on DVD too.” It was great heel work.
This match was a bloodbath, as you might expect from a Steel Cage Match. It was the culmination of a year long fued between Frankie and Adam Pearce over the PWG Title. The match started out as a brawl. The two men fought all over the arena and eventually brought the fight back into the cage. Since the cage had no door, the only ways to win were by pinfall, submission, or climbing out over the top of the cage. Pearce took the beating to Kazarian early and made an attempt to climb out, but Kazarian recovered and hit him with a Flux Capacitor. Adam Pearce turned to his trademark Jumping Piledriver but could not put Kazarian away. After twice hitting The Wave of the Future and three times nailing Pearce with Piledrivers, Kazarian picked up the win. By special stipulation, not only did Pearce not win the title, but he had to leave PWG forever.
Match 4:
“The Prince of P-Town” Jack Evans vs. “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels
From Free Admission (Just Kidding)
November 13, 2004
Jack Evans is without a doubt one of the most impressive high-flying wrestlers in the world today. He was trained by Brian “Chico” Alverez, Tim “Street Fighter” Flowers, and also trained alongside T.J. Wilson (Tyson Kidd), Harry Smith, and his long-time tag partner Teddy Hart at the Hart Family Dungeon. He has wrestled as himself and as the masked Blitzkrieg 2 . As far as I can find, Evans has held only two titles to date: the JAPW Tag Titles with Teddy Hart, and the Pinacle Wrestling Heavyweight Title. While his title history is very short, Jack Evans proves himself everytime he sets foot in a wrestling ring. He has competed in JAPW, MLW, CZW, WSX (Wrestling Society X), ROH, and even TNA. He and tag partner Teddy Hart were part of TNA’s World X Cup in the past as part of Team Canada. With incredible high-flying maneuvers like the Corkscrew 630, Standing 450, Reverse 450, and Phoenix Splash, Jack is not only great to watch, he is an opponent to be taken seriously.
Though he was born in North Carolina (so-called Flair country), Christopher Daniels got his professional wrestling start in Chicago. He was trained by Sam Deciro, Mike Anthony, and Kevin Quinn in the Windy City Championship Wrestling promotion. He has wrestled and held gold all over the world. The list of federations he has competed in includes WCCW (Windy City Championship Wrestling), 3PW (Pro Pain Pro Wrestling), ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling [the original Paul Heyman owned version]), WWC (World Wrestling Council), NWA, Zero-1 MAX (Japan), NJPW, MPW (Michinoku Pro Wrestling [in Japan]), ROH, and TNA. He also wrestled as a masked wrestler in WWF (World Wrestling Federation [now WWE])called Conquistador Dos and in TNA and Japan as Curryman. Daniels also occupied the role of Suicide for a time while Frankie Kazarian was recovering from an arm injury. His time in the wrestling business has seen him hold independent and corporate gold. He has held the EWF Heavyweight Title, UPW Heavyweight Title, NWA Florida title, ROH Tag Team Titles, FWA heavyweight title, TNA Tag Titles, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles (as Curryman), and the TNA X Division title. Most recently, he was released from his TNA contract (not surprisingly) and is back in Ring of Honor.
As should be expected, both men were extremely impressive in this match. Jack Evans threw out a great performance in his debut match in PWG against the ring veteran and PWG regular, Christopher Daniels. Jack Evans was able to counter many of Christopher Daniels’ intended maneuvers, as well as hitting some outrageous diving moves of his own. However, Daniels had some great reversals of his own. At one point in the matchup, Evans went for a Sky Twister Press from the top buckle to the floor, but Daniels caught him in a Powerbomb. Jack Evans looked to be in prime position to end the match with his 630 Splash, but missed the move and Daniels capitalized with a wicked backbreaker leading into his double jump moonsault, known as the Best Moonsault Ever. After the BME, it was all O-V-E-R for Jack Evans.
Match 5:
Super Dragon bs. Samoa Joe
PWG Title Match
From All Nude Review
February 12, 2005
Super Dragon came into this match as the PWG Heavyweight Champion, but was out to avenge a previous countout loss to Samoa Joe. He attempted to attack Joe preemptively and take an early advantage. He was unsuccessful. Joe stopped Dragon’s momentum by taking his legs out with a sweep. From there, Joe went to work on Dragon’s back, trying to make sure Dragon would not be able to get him up for the Psycho Driver (not that anyone thought that such a thing was very likely to begin with). The momentum shifted back and forth during this match, with each man hitting very impressive high-impact maneuvers. Both men hit suicide dives. Joe hit a series of vicious boot scrapes in the corner and Dragon returned the favor with a Curb Stomp to Joe. Super Dragon even broke out an old school Senton Bomb (Back Senton off the top rope) on Joe. In the end, Super Dragon was incredibly able to lift Joe onto his shoulders (despite the seventy plus pound weight difference between the two men) and blast him with a Psycho Driver. Joe had the presence of mind to roll out of the ring onto the floor. Super Dragon was unable to get a near unconscious Joe back into the ring before the twenty count finished and the match ended in a countout. Super Dragon retained his PWG Heavyweight Title and though he was not able to pin Joe, he showed his critics once again that he is able to hang with the biggest and best in the indy scene.
After the match, an imposter super Dragon came out and attacked the real Super Dragon. This imposter hit Dragon with a Curb Stomp. The imposter was later revealed as Kevin Steen, who had been contracted by Excalibur to take out Super Dragon.
Match 6:
“The Phenominal” AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe
#1 Contenders Match for the PWG Heavyweight Title
From All Star Weekend Night 1
April 1, 2005
AJ Styles has been deemed “The Phenominal One” in his eleven years as a professional wrestler, and for good reason. Styles hails from and was trained in Georgia. He began his career in NWA Wildside in the year 1999, after being trained by Rick Michaels. He earned his first title in NWA Wildside as well, defeating K-Krush (Ron Killings). He lost the belt but later regained it by beating Air Paris. Styles also held the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title during his time in NWA. Later, he and Air Paris went to WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and worked both as a tag team and in a singles fued against one another. After WCW folded, Styles worked for WWA (World Wrestling Allstars), becoming their Cruiserweight Champion after defeating Nova. In 2002, Styles became one of the founding members of the TNA X Division. He had incredible matches with Jerry Lynn, Psicosis, Low Ki (now known as Kaval on WWE’s NXT show), and many more. At that time TNA was associated with the NWA and Styles won the X Division Title, the NWA Tag Titles, and NWA World Heavyweight Title early in TNA history. He would later go on to hold the TNA Tag Titles and World Heavyweight Title after TNA split from the NWA. He would regain the X Division Title multiple times as well. While wrestling during the early days of TNA, Styles would also capture the ROH Tag Titles and the PWG Heavyweight Title.
Styles fueds have been numerous, including a great one with Crristopher Daniels in TNA. Styles is well known for wrestling a series of matches with former WWE talent Paul London. Several of these matches lasted 45 minutes or longer. He has also feuded with Kurt Angle, Jeff Jarrett, Abyss, Sting, and many more. He uses his phenomenal (hence the nickname) agility and unexpected power to humble his opponents. Styles is best known for his Pele Kick, Styles Clash, Spiral Tap (Corckscrew Legdrop off the top rope), and Superman (Springboard 450 Splash) moves, though his arsenal is certainly not limited to these moves, or to any one style of wrestling.
Aside From his prowess in the squared circle, Styles is also touted as one of the nicest and most humble men in the wrestling business today. He is said to hold strong to his Christian roots and to regard others as his equals on all levels. This, as you may know, is a rare occurance in the wrestling business.
This match began with Styles trying to show Joe and the PWG crowd that he is more than just a high-flier. He hit the 280 pound Samoan Submission Machine with a body slam, suplex, and backbreaker in short succession toward the beginning of the match, giving him an early advantage. That advantage was short lived. Joe retreated to the outside and Styles went to follow him, but Joe kicked Styles’ legs out from under him on the apron and that was all Joe needed to gain the advantage. From that point, Joe pressed his advantage hard, taking it to Styles with strikes, power moves, and even an Elbow Suicida. The match continued this way for several minutes, until Styles was able to hit a Pele Kick and stun Joe. Momentum swung back and forth between Styles and Joe, with Styles uncharacteristically avoiding the usage of high-flying maneuvers. Joe attempted to make Styles submit via an STF, but AJ escaped and came back with an incredible Torture Rack Powerbomb on the Samoan giant. As the match finished up, Styles was able to reverse Joe and hit him with the Styles Clash for the pin.
This match showed an entire different side of AJ Styles than many people had seen at the time it took place. People were used to seeing AJ flying around the TNA ring as a star of the X Division, but he showed that he was a much more complete wrestler than may have been thought. With the exception of one spot in this match, every move was executed crisply and succinctly.
Match 7:
“The Phenominal” AJ Styles vs. James Gibson
PWG Title Match/NWA title Match
From Guitarmageddon
June 11, 2005
James Gibson may be better known as Jamie Noble. He began his training with Bill Weaver, but was then signed to WCW. His first run in WCW saw him receive more training, this time with Dean Malenko. That run was short lived. Gibson did some work in the indy scene but later returned to WCW to be part of the three man team The Jung Dragons with Jimmy Yang and Kaz Hayashi. During his second run in WCW, The Jung Dragons feuded with Three Count—Evan Karagias, Shane Helmes (The Hurricane), and Shannon Moore. Later Karagias split from Three count and Noble split from The Jung Dragons. The two formed their own tag team and participated in what was undoubtedly the greatest ladder match in WCW history at Starcade 2000.
After WCW fell apart, Gibson—along with many former WCW stars—was signed to WWE. He wrestled under the name of Jamie Noble, as he had done in WCW after splitting with The Jung Dragons. In WWE, Gibson feuded with Billy Kidman, Yoshihiro Tajiri, and Rey Mysterio Jr. He went on to win the WWE Cruiserweight title in 2002. However, he would later lose the belt and be released from WWE.
After his WWE release, Gibson went back to work on the indy circuit, wrestling in promotions like PWG and ROH. In fact, he gained his only other major title when he became Ring of Honor World Champion on August 12, 2005 by beating CM Punk. He would hold that title for over a year, proving to wrestling fans everywhere that James Gibson was more than what they had seen in WCW or WWE.
Throughout the years James Gibson’s style evolved from a Japanese/Lucha style to a more technical/scrapping style of wrestling. As a member of the Jung Dragons he regularly used maneuvers like the Hurricanrana and Flying Headscissors. When he went to WWE, he began wrestling a more ground-based technical style of wrestling, though he also employed some lucha style moves at times. He continued to use this “ground and pound” style of wrestling for many years, through his run in ROH and on into his second run with WWE.
Gibson later returned to WWE, but was not used as anything more than a jobber for several ears. As of today, James Gibson has retired due to a nagging neck injury.
This match was a contest of technical skill. It was a match of both old school nuances and new school impactful maneuvers. The match started out with both men very much even. Styles and Gibson traded holds on the mat and countered one another time after time. Gibson controlled the head and neck of AJ with a wrenching headlock for severl minutes. Eventually, AJ’s size and height advantage put him in control of the match, but James Gibson was not to be counted out. Gibson was able to avoid a baseball slide dropkick on the outside and slam AJ’s chest into the ring apron to switch the momentum back in his direction. He then went back to work on Styles’ neck. The pendulum of momentum continued to swing back and forth in the match. AJ would hit an impactful move. Gibson would counter him. Gibson would go for a move of his own and hit it. Gibson blasted AJ with his signature Fireman’s Carry Gutbuster, and Styles utilized the Pele Kick. The match closed as Gibson went for his own version of the Tiger Driver. Styles reversed the move into a Styles Clash and picked up the three count.
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