La Sombra vs. Jon Andersen
5 August, 2011
Korakeun Hall; Tokyo, Japan
2011 G-1 Climax Tournament Match - Block A
The matches are starting to be posted from the G-1 Tournament, which is taking place right now in Japan.
La Sombra is a representative of CMLL in the tournament, and he is the only real non-heavyweight in the field. Andersen, best known simply as "Strongman", is essentially a full-time New Japan wrestler, but he doesn't work every single tour. And when he isn't in NJPW, he is usually working as a tecnico in CMLL, sometimes alongside Sombra. So, these two know each other pretty well.
What he get here is a solid if unremarkable match. Sombra obviously knows Strongman's limitations, and he spends most of the match bumping for his power, or taking advantage of his immobility. Strongman spends most of the match trying to methodically take Sombra apart with devastating power offense. Because Stringman isn't the quickest guy in the world, the match isn't a traditional puroresu style match, and is more like a classic US "southern style" big man/little man match.
Strongman is a guy who got into wrestling at a somewhat late age (30's), but has a ton of potential. I am not saying that simply because of his body, but because he has a ton of natural charisma, and he is a legitimate strong man that can do shit like pull buses and snap baseball bats in half. Plus, Strongman seems to have a strong work ethic, as he seems to know how to work within his limitations and has gotten better in doing so. Given time, he could be a Mark Henry-type of destructive force.
Showing posts with label Project 33. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Project 33. Show all posts
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Monday, August 01, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #155: Averno vs La Mascara
Averno vs La Mascara
17 June, 2011
Arena Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico
Mascara vs. Mascara Match
Just to forewarn everyone, this is a series of handheld videos from the match (probably from a mobile phone). I am reserving the right to revisit this match if the whole match pops up (perhaps after it airs in Japan).
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
This match was touted as a possible "Match of the Year" when it occurred. There is not enough footage here for me to conclude "yes" or "no" on that, but there is enough here to say that it is very good. Mesias/Park and Wagner/RVD from Triplemania the next night were also exceptional matches, but I do not know where to rank it among those without seeing the whole thing... especially the finish. Sadly, this might be all that we ever see of the match, unless CMLL decided to show it on a "rerun" or "best of" show later this year (perhaps the weekend of Anniversario?).
This match had a massive build up. Averno was the arch-nemesis of Mistico. When Mistico jumped to the WWE at the beginning of 2011, Averno was left as the top rudo in the company, but without a top rival. Although Sombra is obviously CMLL's top young tecnico, he has been busy in Japan, and milking feuds with a variety of CMLL's top rudos. Mascara Dorada and La Mascara were the two main tecnicos who were pushed into Mistico's spot opposite Averno, and both seemed to be failing in capturing the magic Mistico had.
Then suddenly, something funny happened.
As spring began, the feud between Averno and Mascara began to intensify, with lots of mask ripping, and challenges for apuesta matches. Then, days before CMLL was to announce the main event of their big June show ("Jucio Final"), a Mexican lucha magazine broke news that Averno had signed a contract to jump to the WWE and renew his feud with Mistico (now Sin Cara).
Suddenly the main event of Jucio Final was in trouble, as the general public was going to assume that Averno was going to lose his mask on the way out the door. The publication that broke the story did no favors to CMLL by reporting that Averno would be wrestling without a mask in the WWE.
CMLL rolled with the punches, and completely denied in the press that Averno was leaving the promotion. As a credit to his professionalism (or perhaps telling the truth?!) Averno did the same - when he even was willing to talk about his future beyond the apuesta match. In turn, CMLL began to hype the "Brazo" aspect of the match, and the "Curse of the Brazos".
You see, Mascara is a member of the "Brazo family" - a third generation wrestler whose family tree is traced back to patriarch Shadito Cruz. Cruz had a slew of sons who all took up some form of a "Brazo" moniker, inspired by their father's nickname of "El Brazo de Oro", or the "Man with the Golden Arm". Brazo de Oro, Brazo de Plata, El Brazo, Brazo Cibernetico, Super Brazo, and Brazo de Platino were the second generation of wrestlers, and starting in 1988, the entire generation began to lose their masks in very high profile matches. After losing their masks, the Brazos become known for losing apuesta matches with their hair on the line. Because of this association with losing big matches, the elder Brazos forbade the third generation of wrestlers from using the Brazo name. It is pretty much openly acknowledged which wrestlers are in the Brazo family, masked and unmasked, and with Maximo and Brazo de Plata frequently losing their hair, the "curse" of losing was alive and well.
So, CMLL went to work, and pushed the fact that as a Brazo, La Mascara was actually the underdog here, as he had to not only overcome Averno, but the "Brazo Curse", and that the pressure and expectation to uphold the family name was also weighing on his shoulders. This strategy led to an interesting proposition for fans: Checking out the show to either see Mascara break the curse and unmasking Averno before he heads to the WWE, or to see Averno prove the curse real by beating Mascara and taking his mask on his way out the door.
Plus, these guys got pretty damn violent, and had a solid in-ring build to the match. The result was a sell-out of Arena Mexico, and a molten hot crowd.
The videos above are not the best gauge for the match itself, but are a great way to read the atmosphere of the arena. There isn't any over-excited commentator trying to sell you on the excitement, there aren't any closeups or replays. What you have are 17000 fans going apeshit over everything in the match - from the elaborate high-production entrances, to each nearfall, to the bloody mask ripping, the fans are going nuts.
When the match happened I was listening to a radio stream of the event, and the reaction was enormous when Mascara got the pinfall on Averno... I wish we had video of that here. What we have here is probably about 90% of the third fall - which appears to be very good.
17 June, 2011
Arena Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico
Mascara vs. Mascara Match
Just to forewarn everyone, this is a series of handheld videos from the match (probably from a mobile phone). I am reserving the right to revisit this match if the whole match pops up (perhaps after it airs in Japan).
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
This match was touted as a possible "Match of the Year" when it occurred. There is not enough footage here for me to conclude "yes" or "no" on that, but there is enough here to say that it is very good. Mesias/Park and Wagner/RVD from Triplemania the next night were also exceptional matches, but I do not know where to rank it among those without seeing the whole thing... especially the finish. Sadly, this might be all that we ever see of the match, unless CMLL decided to show it on a "rerun" or "best of" show later this year (perhaps the weekend of Anniversario?).
This match had a massive build up. Averno was the arch-nemesis of Mistico. When Mistico jumped to the WWE at the beginning of 2011, Averno was left as the top rudo in the company, but without a top rival. Although Sombra is obviously CMLL's top young tecnico, he has been busy in Japan, and milking feuds with a variety of CMLL's top rudos. Mascara Dorada and La Mascara were the two main tecnicos who were pushed into Mistico's spot opposite Averno, and both seemed to be failing in capturing the magic Mistico had.
Then suddenly, something funny happened.
As spring began, the feud between Averno and Mascara began to intensify, with lots of mask ripping, and challenges for apuesta matches. Then, days before CMLL was to announce the main event of their big June show ("Jucio Final"), a Mexican lucha magazine broke news that Averno had signed a contract to jump to the WWE and renew his feud with Mistico (now Sin Cara).
Suddenly the main event of Jucio Final was in trouble, as the general public was going to assume that Averno was going to lose his mask on the way out the door. The publication that broke the story did no favors to CMLL by reporting that Averno would be wrestling without a mask in the WWE.
CMLL rolled with the punches, and completely denied in the press that Averno was leaving the promotion. As a credit to his professionalism (or perhaps telling the truth?!) Averno did the same - when he even was willing to talk about his future beyond the apuesta match. In turn, CMLL began to hype the "Brazo" aspect of the match, and the "Curse of the Brazos".
You see, Mascara is a member of the "Brazo family" - a third generation wrestler whose family tree is traced back to patriarch Shadito Cruz. Cruz had a slew of sons who all took up some form of a "Brazo" moniker, inspired by their father's nickname of "El Brazo de Oro", or the "Man with the Golden Arm". Brazo de Oro, Brazo de Plata, El Brazo, Brazo Cibernetico, Super Brazo, and Brazo de Platino were the second generation of wrestlers, and starting in 1988, the entire generation began to lose their masks in very high profile matches. After losing their masks, the Brazos become known for losing apuesta matches with their hair on the line. Because of this association with losing big matches, the elder Brazos forbade the third generation of wrestlers from using the Brazo name. It is pretty much openly acknowledged which wrestlers are in the Brazo family, masked and unmasked, and with Maximo and Brazo de Plata frequently losing their hair, the "curse" of losing was alive and well.
So, CMLL went to work, and pushed the fact that as a Brazo, La Mascara was actually the underdog here, as he had to not only overcome Averno, but the "Brazo Curse", and that the pressure and expectation to uphold the family name was also weighing on his shoulders. This strategy led to an interesting proposition for fans: Checking out the show to either see Mascara break the curse and unmasking Averno before he heads to the WWE, or to see Averno prove the curse real by beating Mascara and taking his mask on his way out the door.
Plus, these guys got pretty damn violent, and had a solid in-ring build to the match. The result was a sell-out of Arena Mexico, and a molten hot crowd.
The videos above are not the best gauge for the match itself, but are a great way to read the atmosphere of the arena. There isn't any over-excited commentator trying to sell you on the excitement, there aren't any closeups or replays. What you have are 17000 fans going apeshit over everything in the match - from the elaborate high-production entrances, to each nearfall, to the bloody mask ripping, the fans are going nuts.
When the match happened I was listening to a radio stream of the event, and the reaction was enormous when Mascara got the pinfall on Averno... I wish we had video of that here. What we have here is probably about 90% of the third fall - which appears to be very good.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #154: Juventud Guerrera vs. Super Crazy
Juventud Guerrera vs. Super Crazy
15 July, 2011
Arena Azteca Budokan; Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico
NWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Part 2 Part 3
This match is somewhat prompting a mini-rant of sorts, so here goes...
Why is it that the US promotions which seem to have the biggest influence in Mexico are the "hardcore" promotions, where the deathmatches take place? The CZW and IWA-MS style of stuff that, aside from a select group of die hard fans, has mostly died out in the US... yet every year it seems like more and more indy lucha promotions come along with this hardcore style of "ultraviolent" lucha, and it is just ridiculous.
In this match you have an international star in Juvi, wyho has wrestled in ECW, WCW, WWE, and got his start with AAA when they were at their peak. This show was promoted by him, and he is in the main event getting hit with light tubes in front of a couple hundred people. Crazy had big runs in AAA and CMLL, before going to ECW, Puerto Rico, and eventually the WWE. He does this kind of hardcore brawling on a regular basis on lucha indy shows. I do not get it.
Seriously, why is this shit popular at all? You can see by going to past reviews, I do not mind a good lucha brawl - especially when done right. I have never been a big "deathmatch" guy at all, but I can at the very least appreciate that type of wrestling when done well. I never understood the whole idea of "We are gonna throw a bunch of weapons in and around the ring, and beat the fuck outta each other for a long time" type of match. I get this match starting as a brawl. But, at some point shouldn't the brawl head to the ring and guys start attempting pinfalls? This match was close to 30 minutes long, and it was nearly 20 minutes in until the first pinfall was attempted. Both men no-sold chair/lightbulb shots.
Hard to watch. This was like the main event of so many garbage US indy shows.
15 July, 2011
Arena Azteca Budokan; Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico
NWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Part 2 Part 3
This match is somewhat prompting a mini-rant of sorts, so here goes...
Why is it that the US promotions which seem to have the biggest influence in Mexico are the "hardcore" promotions, where the deathmatches take place? The CZW and IWA-MS style of stuff that, aside from a select group of die hard fans, has mostly died out in the US... yet every year it seems like more and more indy lucha promotions come along with this hardcore style of "ultraviolent" lucha, and it is just ridiculous.
In this match you have an international star in Juvi, wyho has wrestled in ECW, WCW, WWE, and got his start with AAA when they were at their peak. This show was promoted by him, and he is in the main event getting hit with light tubes in front of a couple hundred people. Crazy had big runs in AAA and CMLL, before going to ECW, Puerto Rico, and eventually the WWE. He does this kind of hardcore brawling on a regular basis on lucha indy shows. I do not get it.
Seriously, why is this shit popular at all? You can see by going to past reviews, I do not mind a good lucha brawl - especially when done right. I have never been a big "deathmatch" guy at all, but I can at the very least appreciate that type of wrestling when done well. I never understood the whole idea of "We are gonna throw a bunch of weapons in and around the ring, and beat the fuck outta each other for a long time" type of match. I get this match starting as a brawl. But, at some point shouldn't the brawl head to the ring and guys start attempting pinfalls? This match was close to 30 minutes long, and it was nearly 20 minutes in until the first pinfall was attempted. Both men no-sold chair/lightbulb shots.
Hard to watch. This was like the main event of so many garbage US indy shows.
"Project 33" - Match #153: Hijo de LA Park vs. Trauma I
Hijo de LA Park vs. Trauma I
7 July, 2011
Arena Naucalpan; Naucalpan, Mexico
Estadio de Mexico Junior Championship Match
Part 2 Part 3
I wasn't feeling this match. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with it, or glaringly bad, it just wasn't quite what I expected it to be. The third fall was pretty overbooked too, which took a lot away from it, I thought. I guess with this being a championship match I expected more of a clean style, perhaps with a wild brawl in the third fall, since it is IWRG after all. Instead we got a more run-of-the-mill indy lucha title match, full of shenanigans and tom foolery.
There was some solid mat wrestling in the first two falls, it just felt somewhat uninspired. The third fall had some great action and good near-falls, but it just seemed like, I dunno, too "indyriffic".
7 July, 2011
Arena Naucalpan; Naucalpan, Mexico
Estadio de Mexico Junior Championship Match
Part 2 Part 3
I wasn't feeling this match. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with it, or glaringly bad, it just wasn't quite what I expected it to be. The third fall was pretty overbooked too, which took a lot away from it, I thought. I guess with this being a championship match I expected more of a clean style, perhaps with a wild brawl in the third fall, since it is IWRG after all. Instead we got a more run-of-the-mill indy lucha title match, full of shenanigans and tom foolery.
There was some solid mat wrestling in the first two falls, it just felt somewhat uninspired. The third fall had some great action and good near-falls, but it just seemed like, I dunno, too "indyriffic".
Sunday, July 24, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #152: Tanahashi & Goto vs. Bad Intentions
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson
13 July, 2011
Teisen Hall; Sapporo, Japan
Nothing too special about this match really. The match was part of the build-up to Bernard/Tanahashi and Anderson/Goto at a big pay-per-view card in Sapporo a week later. So naturally, lots of pairing off, and the challengers got the big wins heading into the singles bout.
This is totally one of those situations where the dominant tag team should have (and did) prevail in tag team competition. In the US, it seems whenever these types of matches go down, they tag team champions lose, as a swerve, and to not weaken the singles championship by having the champion lose a match - even if it is to a tag team champion. I have the philosophy that a regular tag team should beat a thrown together one almost every time, and here, Bad Intentions have been pushed as the number one team in the world, and hold both the New Japan and NOAH tag team championships. It would be somewhat ridiculous for them to lose to a thrown together team, especially when you add in that the tag champs are being built up for singles bouts.
In addition, this is a non-title match, which in the US is also a red herring for the champion losing, to build to a title match next. Here the tag champions win anyway. This is the proper use of a non-title match.
13 July, 2011
Teisen Hall; Sapporo, Japan
Nothing too special about this match really. The match was part of the build-up to Bernard/Tanahashi and Anderson/Goto at a big pay-per-view card in Sapporo a week later. So naturally, lots of pairing off, and the challengers got the big wins heading into the singles bout.
This is totally one of those situations where the dominant tag team should have (and did) prevail in tag team competition. In the US, it seems whenever these types of matches go down, they tag team champions lose, as a swerve, and to not weaken the singles championship by having the champion lose a match - even if it is to a tag team champion. I have the philosophy that a regular tag team should beat a thrown together one almost every time, and here, Bad Intentions have been pushed as the number one team in the world, and hold both the New Japan and NOAH tag team championships. It would be somewhat ridiculous for them to lose to a thrown together team, especially when you add in that the tag champs are being built up for singles bouts.
In addition, this is a non-title match, which in the US is also a red herring for the champion losing, to build to a title match next. Here the tag champions win anyway. This is the proper use of a non-title match.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #151: Multifacetico vs. Oficial 911
Multifacetico vs. Oficial 911
17 July, 2011
Arena Naucalpan; Naucalpan, Mexico
Mascara vs. Mascara Match
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Awesome, awesome match.
Last week I reviewed the championship match building up to this match, which was fought, for the most part, as a technical in-ring wrestling bout. As you can tell here, this match certainly was not.
Sometimes people get this wacky notion that IWRG is the new ECW, and for people with that point of view, this is certainly a match that lends credence to your case. What you have here is a match where a young high-flyer that the "smart fans" think is being given too much too soon, squares off with a rudo that the has become a staple of the company and the fans respect. This may sound a bit familiar, but the young and female fans are behind the tecnico Multifacetico, while most of the guys and the die-hards are behind 911. You can hear it in the dueling chants, where the "Multi-Multi-Multi" are sometimes drowned out by "Nuevo Once" chants.
As far as the ring work, the layout was pretty solid, although maybe a little textbook. Multi wraps up the first fall quickly by overpowering 911 with some high flying moves. Multi rudos it up a bit for the fans rooting against him by ripping up 911's mask (something a tecnico should never do first, really), only for 911 and his second to double team Multi on the outside after a dive. 911 then finishes off Multi with a Gory Special into a knee-breaker, which Multi is forced to deal with the rest of the match. The third fall turns into a wild brawl that sees chairshots and fighting all over Arena Naucalpan, including up into the balcony. At this point Multi throws 911 over the edge, and moonsaults on to him from a rail above the vomitory (look it up!), providing the New Jack/Super Crazy portion of the evening. The brawl head back into the ring where Multi tries to finish 911 off, but to no avail. This is followed by some interference from Oficial Fierro (I think) who was a second for 911 at ringside. The referee is distracted by Fierro and Pantera (Multi's second) as they get into it at ringside. s shenanigans ensue Multi and 911 hit big moves on each other, until Multi hits a Spanish Fly on 911, but there is no referee to count the pinfall. Suddenly a new Oficial - Spartans - hits the ring and nails Multi with a chair. 911 covers and Multi kicks out, but the damage has been done, and 911 quickly capitalizes with a swank second rope Awesome Bomb, which gets the pinfall.
Solid match. I am not sure, but this may be on my short list of match of the year candidates. Hey, that sounds like another column for another day...
17 July, 2011
Arena Naucalpan; Naucalpan, Mexico
Mascara vs. Mascara Match
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Awesome, awesome match.
Last week I reviewed the championship match building up to this match, which was fought, for the most part, as a technical in-ring wrestling bout. As you can tell here, this match certainly was not.
Sometimes people get this wacky notion that IWRG is the new ECW, and for people with that point of view, this is certainly a match that lends credence to your case. What you have here is a match where a young high-flyer that the "smart fans" think is being given too much too soon, squares off with a rudo that the has become a staple of the company and the fans respect. This may sound a bit familiar, but the young and female fans are behind the tecnico Multifacetico, while most of the guys and the die-hards are behind 911. You can hear it in the dueling chants, where the "Multi-Multi-Multi" are sometimes drowned out by "Nuevo Once" chants.
As far as the ring work, the layout was pretty solid, although maybe a little textbook. Multi wraps up the first fall quickly by overpowering 911 with some high flying moves. Multi rudos it up a bit for the fans rooting against him by ripping up 911's mask (something a tecnico should never do first, really), only for 911 and his second to double team Multi on the outside after a dive. 911 then finishes off Multi with a Gory Special into a knee-breaker, which Multi is forced to deal with the rest of the match. The third fall turns into a wild brawl that sees chairshots and fighting all over Arena Naucalpan, including up into the balcony. At this point Multi throws 911 over the edge, and moonsaults on to him from a rail above the vomitory (look it up!), providing the New Jack/Super Crazy portion of the evening. The brawl head back into the ring where Multi tries to finish 911 off, but to no avail. This is followed by some interference from Oficial Fierro (I think) who was a second for 911 at ringside. The referee is distracted by Fierro and Pantera (Multi's second) as they get into it at ringside. s shenanigans ensue Multi and 911 hit big moves on each other, until Multi hits a Spanish Fly on 911, but there is no referee to count the pinfall. Suddenly a new Oficial - Spartans - hits the ring and nails Multi with a chair. 911 covers and Multi kicks out, but the damage has been done, and 911 quickly capitalizes with a swank second rope Awesome Bomb, which gets the pinfall.
Solid match. I am not sure, but this may be on my short list of match of the year candidates. Hey, that sounds like another column for another day...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #150 - Angle vs. Wolfe
Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe
20 December, 2009
Universal Studios; Orlando, FL
Three Degrees of Pain Match
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Certain things people slam TNA for are just pretty dumb, and are often rooted in a type of "homerism" for the WWE. Do not get me wrong, there are plenty of reasons to slam TNA, but some of the stuff people come up with are ridiculous. This match has a couple valid criticisms however.
First off, this is a very solidly worked match. I very much enjoyed watching it, and I enjoy that style of wrestling. I hate "Escape the Cage" type of cage matches, but that is a personal taste, and that was the stipulation for the third fall, so be it.
This match is obviously TNA's version of the "Three Stages of Hell" match - which was originated back in Philadelphia in the mid-90s in a match between Eddie Gilbert and Cactus Jack, but given that name when the WWE adopted the "gimmick match" much later. The gimick for the match is usually something along the lines of a normal straight fall, followed by a No-DQ fall, followed by a fall inside a steel cage.
With the awesome mat wrestling chemistry Angle and Wolfe had with each other, TNA obviously went for a spin on that tyoe of match here, with a "pinfall" fall, a submission fall, and then the cage fall. The problem, however, was that TNA doesn't have a quick way to lower the cage, like WWE does, so they just had all three falls in the cage, but they were only allowed to use it if the match went to a third fall.
Huh?
Why not just make it a 2/3 falls submission match inside a steel cage? The only explanation I can think of is that they were leery on having Angle tap out to Wolfe twice (he did once before this in a match, I believe), but had no problem with him eating a pinfall. I dont think Angle would have looked any worse for wear if he had tapped to one of those arm locks after the Jawbreaker Lariat, but maybe that is just me.
To me, the escape the cage finish was anti-climatic, because both men were going at it toe-to-toe with submissions and mat wrestling the entire time, and then suddenly it becomes a race. I would think it would be harder to make a guy tap out or to pin them than to out-run them in a cage match. It wasn't as if this rivalry was built upon outside interference and the cage was needed to keep people out (or in, for that matter).
They were obviously going for a UFC/MMA feel to the match, and making the third fall a "cage match" allowed the cage to be there, but not really be part of the match. I dunno why they didn't just have a cage match similar to the Samoa Joe/Kurt Angle match a year or so before this, other than they maybe didn't want to look like they were trying to do that same match - I dunno.
How scary is it that Desmond Wolfe bled like that after hitting the cage, when now we know he is allegedly Hepatitis C positive? Allegedly. That is the popular rumor that has circulated on the internet among credible sources such as the Figure Four/Observer.
20 December, 2009
Universal Studios; Orlando, FL
Three Degrees of Pain Match
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Certain things people slam TNA for are just pretty dumb, and are often rooted in a type of "homerism" for the WWE. Do not get me wrong, there are plenty of reasons to slam TNA, but some of the stuff people come up with are ridiculous. This match has a couple valid criticisms however.
First off, this is a very solidly worked match. I very much enjoyed watching it, and I enjoy that style of wrestling. I hate "Escape the Cage" type of cage matches, but that is a personal taste, and that was the stipulation for the third fall, so be it.
This match is obviously TNA's version of the "Three Stages of Hell" match - which was originated back in Philadelphia in the mid-90s in a match between Eddie Gilbert and Cactus Jack, but given that name when the WWE adopted the "gimmick match" much later. The gimick for the match is usually something along the lines of a normal straight fall, followed by a No-DQ fall, followed by a fall inside a steel cage.
With the awesome mat wrestling chemistry Angle and Wolfe had with each other, TNA obviously went for a spin on that tyoe of match here, with a "pinfall" fall, a submission fall, and then the cage fall. The problem, however, was that TNA doesn't have a quick way to lower the cage, like WWE does, so they just had all three falls in the cage, but they were only allowed to use it if the match went to a third fall.
Huh?
Why not just make it a 2/3 falls submission match inside a steel cage? The only explanation I can think of is that they were leery on having Angle tap out to Wolfe twice (he did once before this in a match, I believe), but had no problem with him eating a pinfall. I dont think Angle would have looked any worse for wear if he had tapped to one of those arm locks after the Jawbreaker Lariat, but maybe that is just me.
To me, the escape the cage finish was anti-climatic, because both men were going at it toe-to-toe with submissions and mat wrestling the entire time, and then suddenly it becomes a race. I would think it would be harder to make a guy tap out or to pin them than to out-run them in a cage match. It wasn't as if this rivalry was built upon outside interference and the cage was needed to keep people out (or in, for that matter).
They were obviously going for a UFC/MMA feel to the match, and making the third fall a "cage match" allowed the cage to be there, but not really be part of the match. I dunno why they didn't just have a cage match similar to the Samoa Joe/Kurt Angle match a year or so before this, other than they maybe didn't want to look like they were trying to do that same match - I dunno.
How scary is it that Desmond Wolfe bled like that after hitting the cage, when now we know he is allegedly Hepatitis C positive? Allegedly. That is the popular rumor that has circulated on the internet among credible sources such as the Figure Four/Observer.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #149: Multifacetico vs. Oficial 911
Multifacetico vs. Oficial 911
26 June, 2011
Arena Naucalpan; Naucalpan, Mexico
WWS Welterweight Championship Match
Part 2 Part 3
This match was somewhat of a departure for IWRG, as it had a complete angle and gimmick behind the finish to the match. On July 17th, these two will be meeting in a mask vs. mask match. The build for that match began here, although Multifacetico and the Oficiales had been on opposite sides quite a bit since the new Multi debuted in January.
What you have here is an intense rivalry that leads to a title match. Multifacetico is the new tecnico on the block who looks impressive in the ring, but is starting to get the fans turning against him a bit because of his push to the moon. The Oficiales are longtime staples of IWRG, and are quite popular although they are rudos. 911 is challenging for the championship here.
Rather than have a fellow Oficial as a second, 911 has Pollo Asesino, who is bat shit crazy. After a competitive clean championship caliber first fall, Pollo begins to liberally interfere after a Multifacetico dive, and Pollo just wears Multi out. The referee is obviously warning Pollo, who just keeps interfering. Multi manages to even things out here, but sometime in between falls (or something the camera didn't pick up during the second fall) the referee takes a shot to the face, and starts getting a goose egg under his eye. The referee is having a discussion with some kind of commissioner/official at ringside while holding ice on his face, and from what I can tell, is blaming Pollo. The third fall starts out as a brawl in the ring, and when it spills out Pollo again liberally interferes, eventually causing a ref bump. 911 was unable to capitalize on Pollo's help, and Multi ends up pulling out the win after a Tiger Driver.
It was obvious from the way the match ended that something was going to come out of this match, and this was not your typical IWRG championship match between two rivals. If Multi had lost his championship here, it would have been logical for him to go after Pollo. Instead, with Multi retaining, Multi incurred the further wrath of 911 and the Oficiales.
Different from your average IWRG match, as it was not uber-technical, not a wild brawl. Started out as a technical championship match, and the angle turned it into a crazy free-for-all with interference and shenanigans. I imagine these guys were probably holding back quite a bit for the big match, which no one had any clue about yet at that point.
26 June, 2011
Arena Naucalpan; Naucalpan, Mexico
WWS Welterweight Championship Match
Part 2 Part 3
This match was somewhat of a departure for IWRG, as it had a complete angle and gimmick behind the finish to the match. On July 17th, these two will be meeting in a mask vs. mask match. The build for that match began here, although Multifacetico and the Oficiales had been on opposite sides quite a bit since the new Multi debuted in January.
What you have here is an intense rivalry that leads to a title match. Multifacetico is the new tecnico on the block who looks impressive in the ring, but is starting to get the fans turning against him a bit because of his push to the moon. The Oficiales are longtime staples of IWRG, and are quite popular although they are rudos. 911 is challenging for the championship here.
Rather than have a fellow Oficial as a second, 911 has Pollo Asesino, who is bat shit crazy. After a competitive clean championship caliber first fall, Pollo begins to liberally interfere after a Multifacetico dive, and Pollo just wears Multi out. The referee is obviously warning Pollo, who just keeps interfering. Multi manages to even things out here, but sometime in between falls (or something the camera didn't pick up during the second fall) the referee takes a shot to the face, and starts getting a goose egg under his eye. The referee is having a discussion with some kind of commissioner/official at ringside while holding ice on his face, and from what I can tell, is blaming Pollo. The third fall starts out as a brawl in the ring, and when it spills out Pollo again liberally interferes, eventually causing a ref bump. 911 was unable to capitalize on Pollo's help, and Multi ends up pulling out the win after a Tiger Driver.
It was obvious from the way the match ended that something was going to come out of this match, and this was not your typical IWRG championship match between two rivals. If Multi had lost his championship here, it would have been logical for him to go after Pollo. Instead, with Multi retaining, Multi incurred the further wrath of 911 and the Oficiales.
Different from your average IWRG match, as it was not uber-technical, not a wild brawl. Started out as a technical championship match, and the angle turned it into a crazy free-for-all with interference and shenanigans. I imagine these guys were probably holding back quite a bit for the big match, which no one had any clue about yet at that point.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #148: 2011 Reyes del Aire
Tiger Kid vs. Sensei vs. Scorpion vs. Molotov vs. Puma King vs. Rey Cometa vs. Raziel vs. Fuego vs. Arkangel vs. Angel de Plata vs. Cancerbero vs. Diamante vs. Polvora vs. Delta vs. Virus vs. Angel de Oro
1 January, 2011
Arena Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico
2011 Reyes del Aire - Torneo Cibernetico
Part 2 Part 3
Reyes del Aire is a somewhat annual event in CMLL. "Reyes del Aire" translates into English as "Kings of the Air", which should make it clear that this is a tournament for high flyers. Generally, CMLL uses this tournament to showcase the promotion's up-and-coming young talent, which often leads to this match being an affair with guys looking to do insane things to get noticed.
Volador Jr. won the first tournament in 2005, and has won a total of three torneos. The format of the match is always that of a "torneo cibernetico", which is a multi-man elimination match where there is one ultimate winner. Sometimes the participants are paired into teams by a battle royal, sometimes it is just a rudo vs. tecnico match, sometimes it is every man form himself.
Of the RdA torneos that I have seen, this was the weakest. There are multiple reasons for this, I think. The first is that this match was chock full of some young guys with very little experience in Arena Mexico. The veterans in the match are second and third match type guys, and in my opinion, didn't shepherd the guys thru the match as well as the vets had in the past.
Second, the more experienced guys in this group were out relatively early. Of the first five eliminations, Tiger Kid, Rey Escorpion, and Puma King - three of the more experienced guys in the tournament, were eliminated. While Fuego, Arkangel and Virus lasted awhile in the match, the end of the match seriously lacked a steady smooth tecnico to settle things down. In fact, Fuego looked the smoothest in the match, but the second best looking was the winner, Angel de Oro.
In all, this is a somewhat long and skippable match. Nothing really crazy and innovative, and a lot of sloppy ranas and pinfalls.
1 January, 2011
Arena Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico
2011 Reyes del Aire - Torneo Cibernetico
Part 2 Part 3
Reyes del Aire is a somewhat annual event in CMLL. "Reyes del Aire" translates into English as "Kings of the Air", which should make it clear that this is a tournament for high flyers. Generally, CMLL uses this tournament to showcase the promotion's up-and-coming young talent, which often leads to this match being an affair with guys looking to do insane things to get noticed.
Volador Jr. won the first tournament in 2005, and has won a total of three torneos. The format of the match is always that of a "torneo cibernetico", which is a multi-man elimination match where there is one ultimate winner. Sometimes the participants are paired into teams by a battle royal, sometimes it is just a rudo vs. tecnico match, sometimes it is every man form himself.
Of the RdA torneos that I have seen, this was the weakest. There are multiple reasons for this, I think. The first is that this match was chock full of some young guys with very little experience in Arena Mexico. The veterans in the match are second and third match type guys, and in my opinion, didn't shepherd the guys thru the match as well as the vets had in the past.
Second, the more experienced guys in this group were out relatively early. Of the first five eliminations, Tiger Kid, Rey Escorpion, and Puma King - three of the more experienced guys in the tournament, were eliminated. While Fuego, Arkangel and Virus lasted awhile in the match, the end of the match seriously lacked a steady smooth tecnico to settle things down. In fact, Fuego looked the smoothest in the match, but the second best looking was the winner, Angel de Oro.
In all, this is a somewhat long and skippable match. Nothing really crazy and innovative, and a lot of sloppy ranas and pinfalls.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #147: Great Sasuke vs. Take Michinoku
Great Sasuke vs. Taka Michinoku
26 May, 2011
Korakuen Hall; Tokyo, Japan
2011 Best of the Super Juniors Tournament - Block B
If you ever saw any of their matches from the mid-90s, then you were probably expecting a high-flying encounter between these two. After all, Sasuke was an innovative high-flyer that, much like Ultimo Dragon, spawned a plethora of students that followed in his footsteps, and in the processed changed the way "junior style" wrestlers were perceived, and the way they worked. Taka was one of Sasuke's earliest students, even taking the surname "Michinoku" in tribute to Sasuke's prior ring name: Masa Michinoku.
Oh, this match was not a high flying affair. At all. In fact, I would say it was slow, plodding at times, and somewhat sloppy. Sasuke looks like a brick shithouse, but he doesn't have that agility he once had. After seeing the highlights and now two matches from this year's BOSJ tourney, I gotta believe that Taka just does not work a high-flying style anymore. So, what we ended up with here was a match based on strikes and stuff that these two probably are not used to doing with each other.
26 May, 2011
Korakuen Hall; Tokyo, Japan
2011 Best of the Super Juniors Tournament - Block B
If you ever saw any of their matches from the mid-90s, then you were probably expecting a high-flying encounter between these two. After all, Sasuke was an innovative high-flyer that, much like Ultimo Dragon, spawned a plethora of students that followed in his footsteps, and in the processed changed the way "junior style" wrestlers were perceived, and the way they worked. Taka was one of Sasuke's earliest students, even taking the surname "Michinoku" in tribute to Sasuke's prior ring name: Masa Michinoku.
Oh, this match was not a high flying affair. At all. In fact, I would say it was slow, plodding at times, and somewhat sloppy. Sasuke looks like a brick shithouse, but he doesn't have that agility he once had. After seeing the highlights and now two matches from this year's BOSJ tourney, I gotta believe that Taka just does not work a high-flying style anymore. So, what we ended up with here was a match based on strikes and stuff that these two probably are not used to doing with each other.
Monday, June 27, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #146: Dorada vs. TAKA
Mascara Dorada vs. Taka Michinoku
29 May, 2011
Korakuen Hall; Tokyo, Japan
2011 Best of the Super Juniors - Block B
Taka Michinoku is probably remembered by most "Attitude-Era" WWE fans, as he is was the WWE's answer to WCW's Rey Misterio Jr. when they created the "Light Heavyweight Division" in the mid 1990s. Taka has a big name internationally however, and is a full time freelancer in Japan. Mascara Dorada is arguably the most unique high-flyer in the world today, and is one of the top young stars in CMLL. Dorada was in Japan for a pretty good run in 2011, and this match is again from the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
Taka doesn't really do a whole lot in this match; I do not watch a lot of Taka stuff, so maybe he has toned down his high-flying in his older years because of wear-and-tear. Dorada will probably be facing a similar situation in the coming years, because he does an insane amount of crazy flying on a nightly basis in Mexico.
Much like the Taichi/Omega match, this match pits a cocky heel Japanese wrestler against a flash foreign yet babyface talent. Taka seems more effective in my book, as his stalling and heel tactics actually draw heat; the difference is the timing of Taka. Dorada has some pretty crazy offense here in this match, but I have seen him do much more insane stuff, so he was holding back a bit. I like how Dorada has shown more of a mat game in Japan than he usually gets to show in CMLL. And I do not care what anyone says, the way Dorada walks the ropes is amazing.
29 May, 2011
Korakuen Hall; Tokyo, Japan
2011 Best of the Super Juniors - Block B
Taka Michinoku is probably remembered by most "Attitude-Era" WWE fans, as he is was the WWE's answer to WCW's Rey Misterio Jr. when they created the "Light Heavyweight Division" in the mid 1990s. Taka has a big name internationally however, and is a full time freelancer in Japan. Mascara Dorada is arguably the most unique high-flyer in the world today, and is one of the top young stars in CMLL. Dorada was in Japan for a pretty good run in 2011, and this match is again from the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
Taka doesn't really do a whole lot in this match; I do not watch a lot of Taka stuff, so maybe he has toned down his high-flying in his older years because of wear-and-tear. Dorada will probably be facing a similar situation in the coming years, because he does an insane amount of crazy flying on a nightly basis in Mexico.
Much like the Taichi/Omega match, this match pits a cocky heel Japanese wrestler against a flash foreign yet babyface talent. Taka seems more effective in my book, as his stalling and heel tactics actually draw heat; the difference is the timing of Taka. Dorada has some pretty crazy offense here in this match, but I have seen him do much more insane stuff, so he was holding back a bit. I like how Dorada has shown more of a mat game in Japan than he usually gets to show in CMLL. And I do not care what anyone says, the way Dorada walks the ropes is amazing.
"Project 33" - Match #145: Taichi vs Omega
Taichi vs Kenny Omega
26 May, 2011
Korakuen Hall; Tokyo, Japan
2011 Best of the Super Juniors - Group A
Taichi has been somewhat of a journeyman in Japan, working for various promotions (All-Japan, Hustle, New Japan), but has settled in as an "outsider" in New Japan. Kenny Omega is a Canadian who has made the rounds at many of the various "super indy" promotions in the US, and has settled in with New Japan as an "outsider" as well, as he represents the DDT promotion.
Omega was a very bright spot in this years BOSJ, as his matches came across very well on the "BOSJ Digests" that New Japan uploaded on their YouTube Page. Taichi I am somewhat familiar with from when he was sent on a learning excursion to CMLL last year, and I wasn't really impressed with him.
This match shows why I think Omega is gonna be a big star in Japan - Taichi isn't much to work with. He seems to just coast thru his matches doing the bare minimum, and working his spin on a Memphis "cowardly heel" gimmick, while Omega brings the fighting spirit and some flashy and impactful moves. Once Omega takes control for the big comeback, you can just tell it is all over, as Taichi doesn't really fight back much, and Omega's offense is just crisp and pointed.
An okay match, but a great showing from Omega.
26 May, 2011
Korakuen Hall; Tokyo, Japan
2011 Best of the Super Juniors - Group A
Taichi has been somewhat of a journeyman in Japan, working for various promotions (All-Japan, Hustle, New Japan), but has settled in as an "outsider" in New Japan. Kenny Omega is a Canadian who has made the rounds at many of the various "super indy" promotions in the US, and has settled in with New Japan as an "outsider" as well, as he represents the DDT promotion.
Omega was a very bright spot in this years BOSJ, as his matches came across very well on the "BOSJ Digests" that New Japan uploaded on their YouTube Page. Taichi I am somewhat familiar with from when he was sent on a learning excursion to CMLL last year, and I wasn't really impressed with him.
This match shows why I think Omega is gonna be a big star in Japan - Taichi isn't much to work with. He seems to just coast thru his matches doing the bare minimum, and working his spin on a Memphis "cowardly heel" gimmick, while Omega brings the fighting spirit and some flashy and impactful moves. Once Omega takes control for the big comeback, you can just tell it is all over, as Taichi doesn't really fight back much, and Omega's offense is just crisp and pointed.
An okay match, but a great showing from Omega.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #144: Jericho vs. Storm
Chris Jericho vs. Lance Storm
8 December, 1995
Ota-ku Taiikukan; Tokyo, Japan
The tights Jericho is wearing in this match are swank.
This match appears to be Storm's debut in Japan, but I am having a helluva time finding a full list of WAR results to verify this. If you have read Chris Jericho's first book, you know that Storm and Jericho trained together, and tagged in various independent promotions as the Thrillseekers.
As you can tell from the promo that opens this video, Storm is being built up as a tag team partner of Jericho, and gunning to make a name for himself in WAR/Japan. In the match, I think that Jericho looks a bit more polished, but that may just be because he is controlling the match as the rulebreaker.
The pace of this match is pretty fast - not a lot of matwork or rest holds. This was the popular "New Japan Junior Style", which is where a lot of the WCW Cruiserweight and ECW style actually came from, which in turn has influenced Ring of Honor, the X-Division, and countless independent promotions. It really is a very solid style - it is simply fast paced wrestling.
8 December, 1995
Ota-ku Taiikukan; Tokyo, Japan
The tights Jericho is wearing in this match are swank.
This match appears to be Storm's debut in Japan, but I am having a helluva time finding a full list of WAR results to verify this. If you have read Chris Jericho's first book, you know that Storm and Jericho trained together, and tagged in various independent promotions as the Thrillseekers.
As you can tell from the promo that opens this video, Storm is being built up as a tag team partner of Jericho, and gunning to make a name for himself in WAR/Japan. In the match, I think that Jericho looks a bit more polished, but that may just be because he is controlling the match as the rulebreaker.
The pace of this match is pretty fast - not a lot of matwork or rest holds. This was the popular "New Japan Junior Style", which is where a lot of the WCW Cruiserweight and ECW style actually came from, which in turn has influenced Ring of Honor, the X-Division, and countless independent promotions. It really is a very solid style - it is simply fast paced wrestling.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #143: Santo & Villano vs Benoit & Casas
Hijo del Santo & Villano III vs Pegasus Kid & Negro Casas
19 January, 2002
Toreo Cuatros Caminos; Naulcalpan, Mexico
Part 2
This match is from 1992. It is very sloppy by today's standards. However, by 1992 standards, this was just plain ol' non-stop action.
UWA came and went before I ever saw a lucha libre match, so I have no context for the style of the match. I do know that for a big main event type of tag match, this seems to go short. Benoit is taking full speed crisp bumps, while the native Mexicans are rolling thru most things - a testament to Benoit having things drilled into him at the New Japan dojo.
I totally expected a more technical match here, so I was disappointed that it was just a wild brawl. I dunno if it was editing or the UWA style, but it was really hard to tell when one fall ended and the next began.
19 January, 2002
Toreo Cuatros Caminos; Naulcalpan, Mexico
Part 2
This match is from 1992. It is very sloppy by today's standards. However, by 1992 standards, this was just plain ol' non-stop action.
UWA came and went before I ever saw a lucha libre match, so I have no context for the style of the match. I do know that for a big main event type of tag match, this seems to go short. Benoit is taking full speed crisp bumps, while the native Mexicans are rolling thru most things - a testament to Benoit having things drilled into him at the New Japan dojo.
I totally expected a more technical match here, so I was disappointed that it was just a wild brawl. I dunno if it was editing or the UWA style, but it was really hard to tell when one fall ended and the next began.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #142: Samoa Joe vs. Chris Hero
Samoa Joe vs. Chris Hero
13 November, 2004
Wilmerding YMCA; East Pittsburgh, PA
ROH Heavyweight Championship Match
Part 2
Interesting find on Dailymotion. This might be raw footage from Digital Horizons before editing it into the DVD. Anyways...
Back in 2004 I lived and wrestled in Pittsburgh. I wrestled for the NWA promotion in the area, and our "opposition" was IWC. There were a ton of differences between the two promotions, along with a ton of bad blood between different people. IWC was promoted by Norm Conners, and I think it is fair to say that it can be classified as a "super indy" promotion. If you are unfamiliar with the term, a "Super Indy Promotion" would be a company that loads up their cards with a ton of talent from outside the area, generally "names" or wrestlers that would draw the "smart mark" type of fans; thus most of the cards are filled with former WWE wrestlers, TNA stars, or guys from Ring of Honor, along with other darlings of the internet. Sprinkled in the cards were a handful of local guys - either area vets or trainees. Across town the NWA was running shows two or three times a month featuring all local guys (including trainees), as well as a few out of town guys that were all regulars, or from other NWA promotions.
Needless to say, the companies hated each other. Many of the local guys at IWC would get pissed because they didn't have shows as often, and they were sometimes left off cards because there were so many names brought in. However, every once in awhile the local guys got to work a "name", and got exposure on the heels of IWC's strong DVD sales. The NWA guys would get pissed because they didn't get to have names on the shows, and there was no DVD sales or exposure to speak of. In general, all the local guys got fucked on pay.
Anyways, in 2004 Samoa Joe was on his crazy rampage as the ROH champion, and looked unbeatable. Chris Hero was a darling of the internet, but hadn't made it to ROH yet at this point. IWC booked this match, obviously with an eye on DVD sales, as that was where they made their real money. A main event match like this would be something of interest to the "smart marks", and if you have the DVD outlet to take advantage of, why not do it? You can see by the crowd (I'm putting it in the 150 range) wasn't going to make this a profitable show with these types of names on the card - you have to make the money in DVD sales.
The match itself is solid. It somewhat shows the work ethic of these two guys, as well as the differences in independent wrestling in 2004 and now, because Joe & Hero busted their ass here. Since Hero wasn't under a contract or anything, that can pretty much be expected from him, but as the ROH champion, you can see where Joe might want to just coast a bit. Instead, we got a very solid match from these two.
The one thing I didn't really care for, is that Joe is so much bigger than Hero, yet size doesnt play a factor in the match at all, really. Hero is a tall drink of water, probably 6ft3in or so, which makes him a heavyweight for sure with the amount of size he has on him, but he is still probably 70lbs less than Joe, who isn't as tall and is just way wider. When Hero no-sells the shoulderblock from Joe early, it really didn't make much sense. But, on the independent circuit, you do not get a lot of matches with two heavyweights, so to the fans, perhaps the size difference wasn't as big of a deal. Maybe I just notice these things too much...
Anthony "Kingdom" James is on commentary here, and he is the guy that I credit for breaking me in the business. He is the Black Canadian guy. You can tell by the voice.
13 November, 2004
Wilmerding YMCA; East Pittsburgh, PA
ROH Heavyweight Championship Match
Part 2
Interesting find on Dailymotion. This might be raw footage from Digital Horizons before editing it into the DVD. Anyways...
Back in 2004 I lived and wrestled in Pittsburgh. I wrestled for the NWA promotion in the area, and our "opposition" was IWC. There were a ton of differences between the two promotions, along with a ton of bad blood between different people. IWC was promoted by Norm Conners, and I think it is fair to say that it can be classified as a "super indy" promotion. If you are unfamiliar with the term, a "Super Indy Promotion" would be a company that loads up their cards with a ton of talent from outside the area, generally "names" or wrestlers that would draw the "smart mark" type of fans; thus most of the cards are filled with former WWE wrestlers, TNA stars, or guys from Ring of Honor, along with other darlings of the internet. Sprinkled in the cards were a handful of local guys - either area vets or trainees. Across town the NWA was running shows two or three times a month featuring all local guys (including trainees), as well as a few out of town guys that were all regulars, or from other NWA promotions.
Needless to say, the companies hated each other. Many of the local guys at IWC would get pissed because they didn't have shows as often, and they were sometimes left off cards because there were so many names brought in. However, every once in awhile the local guys got to work a "name", and got exposure on the heels of IWC's strong DVD sales. The NWA guys would get pissed because they didn't get to have names on the shows, and there was no DVD sales or exposure to speak of. In general, all the local guys got fucked on pay.
Anyways, in 2004 Samoa Joe was on his crazy rampage as the ROH champion, and looked unbeatable. Chris Hero was a darling of the internet, but hadn't made it to ROH yet at this point. IWC booked this match, obviously with an eye on DVD sales, as that was where they made their real money. A main event match like this would be something of interest to the "smart marks", and if you have the DVD outlet to take advantage of, why not do it? You can see by the crowd (I'm putting it in the 150 range) wasn't going to make this a profitable show with these types of names on the card - you have to make the money in DVD sales.
The match itself is solid. It somewhat shows the work ethic of these two guys, as well as the differences in independent wrestling in 2004 and now, because Joe & Hero busted their ass here. Since Hero wasn't under a contract or anything, that can pretty much be expected from him, but as the ROH champion, you can see where Joe might want to just coast a bit. Instead, we got a very solid match from these two.
The one thing I didn't really care for, is that Joe is so much bigger than Hero, yet size doesnt play a factor in the match at all, really. Hero is a tall drink of water, probably 6ft3in or so, which makes him a heavyweight for sure with the amount of size he has on him, but he is still probably 70lbs less than Joe, who isn't as tall and is just way wider. When Hero no-sells the shoulderblock from Joe early, it really didn't make much sense. But, on the independent circuit, you do not get a lot of matches with two heavyweights, so to the fans, perhaps the size difference wasn't as big of a deal. Maybe I just notice these things too much...
Anthony "Kingdom" James is on commentary here, and he is the guy that I credit for breaking me in the business. He is the Black Canadian guy. You can tell by the voice.
"Project 33" - Match #141: Bryan vs. Regal
Daniel Bryan vs. William Regal
10 November, 2010
Olympia Hall; Innsbruck, Austria
WWE United States Championship Match
Props to the fine gentlemen over at Segunda Caida for finding this match and posting it on your blog, as that is how I found it.
This is a dream match to a lot of people, because Daniel Bryan, when wrestling previously as Bryan Danielson, acknowledged that one of his biggest influences was William Regal. I have even heard stories that one of the reasons he wore maroon tights was because Regal wore maroon. Regal is one of those WWE wrestlers that many "traditional fans" appreciate, because he works a very stiff and no-nonsense style. Regal knows how to tell a story inside the ring, and his mannerisms and facial expressions display that more effectively than almost anyone. In fact, in many ways I think Regal looks almost "cartoony" on television, because his act seems to play out so much better in person.
Actually, I have said this before in different places, but one of the main differences between old-school and new-school wrestling was that back in the old days, money was made off the gate at the big house show that the television built to (but didn't televise). Working "television style", in my opinion, has done a lot to kill the sport of wrestling, because people no longer work for a crowd, they work for a camera. One of the few places that this is still true is in Mexico.
This, however, is a match from a WWE house show in Austria, and not a televised match. Regal and Bryan both have so much experience working to the house that this match sticks out as something phenomenal.
I tell people this quite often: If you are going to pay your money to see the WWE live, do not pay to go to a television show, go to a house show. Casual fans tend to be disappointed in television, because half of the time is spent on commercial breaks, and half of the action is either in-ring promos, or stuff on the jumbotron. House shows are where it is at if you want to see WWE wrestlers actually do their thing in the ring, because they actually get the time to do matches, since there are no promos or interviews (generally speaking).
This match is similar to the Smiley/Malenko match that I reviewed a bit ago. This was a match on a house show in Europe that gave the fans what they wanted to see, and told a complete story. If this same match was done on a live Raw from the US, it probably would have been booed out of the building.
Random rant: Why is the United States Championship being defended in Europe, against a European? I know it is all just a dumb company championship that doesn't really mean anything, or have any tradition or value, but I like when championships that represent regions can only be defended in that region.
10 November, 2010
Olympia Hall; Innsbruck, Austria
WWE United States Championship Match
Props to the fine gentlemen over at Segunda Caida for finding this match and posting it on your blog, as that is how I found it.
This is a dream match to a lot of people, because Daniel Bryan, when wrestling previously as Bryan Danielson, acknowledged that one of his biggest influences was William Regal. I have even heard stories that one of the reasons he wore maroon tights was because Regal wore maroon. Regal is one of those WWE wrestlers that many "traditional fans" appreciate, because he works a very stiff and no-nonsense style. Regal knows how to tell a story inside the ring, and his mannerisms and facial expressions display that more effectively than almost anyone. In fact, in many ways I think Regal looks almost "cartoony" on television, because his act seems to play out so much better in person.
Actually, I have said this before in different places, but one of the main differences between old-school and new-school wrestling was that back in the old days, money was made off the gate at the big house show that the television built to (but didn't televise). Working "television style", in my opinion, has done a lot to kill the sport of wrestling, because people no longer work for a crowd, they work for a camera. One of the few places that this is still true is in Mexico.
This, however, is a match from a WWE house show in Austria, and not a televised match. Regal and Bryan both have so much experience working to the house that this match sticks out as something phenomenal.
I tell people this quite often: If you are going to pay your money to see the WWE live, do not pay to go to a television show, go to a house show. Casual fans tend to be disappointed in television, because half of the time is spent on commercial breaks, and half of the action is either in-ring promos, or stuff on the jumbotron. House shows are where it is at if you want to see WWE wrestlers actually do their thing in the ring, because they actually get the time to do matches, since there are no promos or interviews (generally speaking).
This match is similar to the Smiley/Malenko match that I reviewed a bit ago. This was a match on a house show in Europe that gave the fans what they wanted to see, and told a complete story. If this same match was done on a live Raw from the US, it probably would have been booed out of the building.
Random rant: Why is the United States Championship being defended in Europe, against a European? I know it is all just a dumb company championship that doesn't really mean anything, or have any tradition or value, but I like when championships that represent regions can only be defended in that region.
"Project 33" - Match #140: LA Park vs. Black Tiger
LA Park vs. Black Tiger III
4 February, 2006
Auditorio Municipal; Torreon, Mexico
Mascara vs. Mascara
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 - there is a gap in between 3 and 4, but it isn't significant
Silver King is the oldest son of the legendary Dr. Wagner. Like many wrestlers in Mexico who were second generation, King started out wrestling in 1985 without using his father's name, wanting to make a name for himself. However, before he ever had the option of using the name "Dr. Wagner Jr.", his brother began using that name, and wrestling with their father's mask.
In 1987,Silver King lost his mask to El Hijo del Santo in Tijuana, and after that Silver King made a name for himself as a tag team partner to Texano. This team proved quite popular, and King was established as a top star in Mexico thru the success of this team. In the mid 1990's he had a solid run in CMLL, winning the Heavyweight and Tag Team championships, before jumping ship to WCW as part of the new Cruiserweight division. Although King gained much exposure from this in the US, he was essentially a preliminary guy there to work the lucha style and make guys like Rey Misterio Jr and Juvi Guerrera look good.
After leaving WCW, King caught on with New Japan Pro Wrestling, as the third incarnation of Black Tiger. When not touring with NJPW, King would wrestle in CMLL and independent shows in Mexico - as Black Tiger.
So.... how does a guy that lost his mask in Mexico end up wearing a mask again?
Well, a wrestler losing a mask and years later donning a different mask is not really an uncommon thing. However, usually it is a preliminary type guy that will lose a mask in one part of Mexico where he was a "local competitor", and then will remask after moving to another promotion and switching gimmicks. In many ways, this is no different than a wrestler in the WWE changing their name when they go back on the indies or to another company. Sometimes it is just a change of gimmick. Sometimes, it will be a situation where someone is being brought in to feud with a particular person over a mask. A great example of that would be how different wrestlers, such as Espanto, were remasked as "Pentagon" in order to be an evil doppelganger for Octagon.
However, occasionally you get a situation where a well-known wrestler just wants to remask after a few years. Occasionally these are veteran guys who try to wrestle under a different name, such as when Volador, after suffering a number of injuries and leaving AAA, remasked as "Super Parka", a relative of the original La Parka (which he actually was) and began working the independent promotions on the border. Usually when enough time has elapsed, the commission doe not make a big stink about such remaskings, as the understanding generally is that this is how the actual business works. The problem with the various wrestling commissions in Mexico tends to come into play when a well-known wrestler loses his mask, and then quickly and blatantly remasks.
It seems that the blatant remasking was popularized when a handful of UWA affiliated wrestlers lost their masks, and their popularity decreased because of it, as being maskless killed their gimmick. Wrestlers such as Black Man, Kato Kung Lee, Kendo, Avispon Negro all did high-flying Japanese martial-arts gimmicks, and when they unmasked and were found out to not be Japanese, they proved less popular. So, many of them started remasking. Some tried to pull of different gimmicks, and then others just used a slightly different name and mask (such as "Super Kendo"). Eventually some of the other top names working the Northern Independents, such as Super Astro and Ultraman, just started wearing their masks again. However, the practice was generally limited to the northern independents, and it didn't creep in to Mexico City and CMLL/AAA.
Soon, Rey Misterio Jr, who was unmasked in WCW, returned to Mexico and began to wrestle for CMLL unmasked after the folding of WCW. In 2002, Misterio returned to the US, wrestling for the WWE. In 2006, right around the time King lost the Black Tiger mask, WWE began to tour Mexico, and Misterio - masked - wrestled in Mexico City. Soon, Silver King would start rocking the boat in Mexico City as well.
After this match with Park, King would wrestle unmasked occasionally, but he was actually working as a consultant and as one of the stars of the 2006 film "Nacho Libre", where he played the Santo-like character "Ramses".
After about a year of popping up in various places as Silver King or even wrestling masked as the Ramses character, King started appearing quite often with his brother, wearing matching gear, and often being billed as Dr. Wagner II, or as El Hermano de Dr. Wagner Jr." This was obviously being done to capitalize on his brother's popularity, as Dr. Wagner Jr. was riding a wave of popularity and was perhaps the top tecnico wrestler in the country, aside from Mistico. However, something funny started to happen - reports from spot-shows and events started saying that Silver King was wrestling under that name, but was wearing a Wagner-ized version of the old Silver King mask.
In 2008, Silver King returned to AAA, this time fully masked and wearing his Dr. Wagner gear. A few months later, Wagner would jump over to AAA as well. When AAA put on Triplemania in Mexico City in 2009, the wrestling commission publicly came out and said that it was not going to allow Silver King to compete with a mask. King made the argument that he lost his mask in 1987, and that enough time had passed that he should be allowed to remask - as many others had. The argument that the commission made was that he was remasking using the same name and mask, not to mention that he had already remasked as Black Tiger, and lost that mask not even three years ago! So, for Triplemania that year, King wore facepaint rather than a mask, but after Triplemania the issue seemed to be dropped, and King returned to wearing his mask.
Oh, right, yeah - the match!
This match is what I personally expect out of an apuesta match - violence and brutality, but not going to the point of a "deathmatch". When you think about it, an apuesta match is supposed to be the ultimate match between two men that simply do not like each other. The idea is that you are risking your own public shame (by renouncing your identity), for the opportunity to take your enemies dignity. An apuesta match should be all about the loser feeling shame - so it shouyldn't be a gentlemanly contest between two grapplers. I think it should be all about two guys trying to do everything in their power to shame the other man; it should be a match fought with total desperation.
This match really got that aspect of it over very well I thought. Park just seems to have another level that he can step to for a big match, and King totally rose to the occasion here. I actually like the ring work of Silver King (and I have ever since I saw him in WCW), I just wish he hadn't turned into a fraud. This match was a fun brawl that didn't get out of hand, and you really got the sense that these two guys wanted to kill each other.
4 February, 2006
Auditorio Municipal; Torreon, Mexico
Mascara vs. Mascara
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 - there is a gap in between 3 and 4, but it isn't significant
Silver King is the oldest son of the legendary Dr. Wagner. Like many wrestlers in Mexico who were second generation, King started out wrestling in 1985 without using his father's name, wanting to make a name for himself. However, before he ever had the option of using the name "Dr. Wagner Jr.", his brother began using that name, and wrestling with their father's mask.
In 1987,Silver King lost his mask to El Hijo del Santo in Tijuana, and after that Silver King made a name for himself as a tag team partner to Texano. This team proved quite popular, and King was established as a top star in Mexico thru the success of this team. In the mid 1990's he had a solid run in CMLL, winning the Heavyweight and Tag Team championships, before jumping ship to WCW as part of the new Cruiserweight division. Although King gained much exposure from this in the US, he was essentially a preliminary guy there to work the lucha style and make guys like Rey Misterio Jr and Juvi Guerrera look good.
After leaving WCW, King caught on with New Japan Pro Wrestling, as the third incarnation of Black Tiger. When not touring with NJPW, King would wrestle in CMLL and independent shows in Mexico - as Black Tiger.
So.... how does a guy that lost his mask in Mexico end up wearing a mask again?
Well, a wrestler losing a mask and years later donning a different mask is not really an uncommon thing. However, usually it is a preliminary type guy that will lose a mask in one part of Mexico where he was a "local competitor", and then will remask after moving to another promotion and switching gimmicks. In many ways, this is no different than a wrestler in the WWE changing their name when they go back on the indies or to another company. Sometimes it is just a change of gimmick. Sometimes, it will be a situation where someone is being brought in to feud with a particular person over a mask. A great example of that would be how different wrestlers, such as Espanto, were remasked as "Pentagon" in order to be an evil doppelganger for Octagon.
However, occasionally you get a situation where a well-known wrestler just wants to remask after a few years. Occasionally these are veteran guys who try to wrestle under a different name, such as when Volador, after suffering a number of injuries and leaving AAA, remasked as "Super Parka", a relative of the original La Parka (which he actually was) and began working the independent promotions on the border. Usually when enough time has elapsed, the commission doe not make a big stink about such remaskings, as the understanding generally is that this is how the actual business works. The problem with the various wrestling commissions in Mexico tends to come into play when a well-known wrestler loses his mask, and then quickly and blatantly remasks.
It seems that the blatant remasking was popularized when a handful of UWA affiliated wrestlers lost their masks, and their popularity decreased because of it, as being maskless killed their gimmick. Wrestlers such as Black Man, Kato Kung Lee, Kendo, Avispon Negro all did high-flying Japanese martial-arts gimmicks, and when they unmasked and were found out to not be Japanese, they proved less popular. So, many of them started remasking. Some tried to pull of different gimmicks, and then others just used a slightly different name and mask (such as "Super Kendo"). Eventually some of the other top names working the Northern Independents, such as Super Astro and Ultraman, just started wearing their masks again. However, the practice was generally limited to the northern independents, and it didn't creep in to Mexico City and CMLL/AAA.
Soon, Rey Misterio Jr, who was unmasked in WCW, returned to Mexico and began to wrestle for CMLL unmasked after the folding of WCW. In 2002, Misterio returned to the US, wrestling for the WWE. In 2006, right around the time King lost the Black Tiger mask, WWE began to tour Mexico, and Misterio - masked - wrestled in Mexico City. Soon, Silver King would start rocking the boat in Mexico City as well.
After this match with Park, King would wrestle unmasked occasionally, but he was actually working as a consultant and as one of the stars of the 2006 film "Nacho Libre", where he played the Santo-like character "Ramses".
After about a year of popping up in various places as Silver King or even wrestling masked as the Ramses character, King started appearing quite often with his brother, wearing matching gear, and often being billed as Dr. Wagner II, or as El Hermano de Dr. Wagner Jr." This was obviously being done to capitalize on his brother's popularity, as Dr. Wagner Jr. was riding a wave of popularity and was perhaps the top tecnico wrestler in the country, aside from Mistico. However, something funny started to happen - reports from spot-shows and events started saying that Silver King was wrestling under that name, but was wearing a Wagner-ized version of the old Silver King mask.
In 2008, Silver King returned to AAA, this time fully masked and wearing his Dr. Wagner gear. A few months later, Wagner would jump over to AAA as well. When AAA put on Triplemania in Mexico City in 2009, the wrestling commission publicly came out and said that it was not going to allow Silver King to compete with a mask. King made the argument that he lost his mask in 1987, and that enough time had passed that he should be allowed to remask - as many others had. The argument that the commission made was that he was remasking using the same name and mask, not to mention that he had already remasked as Black Tiger, and lost that mask not even three years ago! So, for Triplemania that year, King wore facepaint rather than a mask, but after Triplemania the issue seemed to be dropped, and King returned to wearing his mask.
Oh, right, yeah - the match!
This match is what I personally expect out of an apuesta match - violence and brutality, but not going to the point of a "deathmatch". When you think about it, an apuesta match is supposed to be the ultimate match between two men that simply do not like each other. The idea is that you are risking your own public shame (by renouncing your identity), for the opportunity to take your enemies dignity. An apuesta match should be all about the loser feeling shame - so it shouyldn't be a gentlemanly contest between two grapplers. I think it should be all about two guys trying to do everything in their power to shame the other man; it should be a match fought with total desperation.
This match really got that aspect of it over very well I thought. Park just seems to have another level that he can step to for a big match, and King totally rose to the occasion here. I actually like the ring work of Silver King (and I have ever since I saw him in WCW), I just wish he hadn't turned into a fraud. This match was a fun brawl that didn't get out of hand, and you really got the sense that these two guys wanted to kill each other.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
"Project 33" - Match #139: Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Juventud Guerrera
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Juventud Guerrera
20 July, 1996
Sumo Hall; Tokyo, Japan
WWA Welterweight Championship Match
This match was part of the 4th Anniversary show for the WAR promotion in Japan. Misterio, being booked thru AAA, had made a big splash when he debuted in a WAR ring in 1995 against Psicosis, and here he was back again, against another arch-rival, Fuerza Guerrera's kid Juvi.
It is odd - Misterio and Guerrera wrestled each other probably over a hundred times, and on many big stages. Yet on a major show in Japan, they kinda just walked thru a match, and didn't really do anything special. Maybe it is just the fact that so many of the things that Misterio (and many of the AAA high flyers) were doing at this time were innovative and crazy, that it doesn't seem like it now, because so many of those things are commonplace. I guess that would mean that the match doesn't hold up well, but after watching it, there isn't anything that you can point at and say it is weak, from a technical standpoint. Yeah, that match isn't frothing with matwork and psychology that the Japanese fans are used to, but they are working a solid high-flying match.
I would say that the biggest issue with the match is that these two are used to working in front of rowdy crowds who pop for their aerial moves, and in Japan they are quiet except for when they do the big spots.
All that aside, this was a solid match, that looks to be at about half-speed for these two.
20 July, 1996
Sumo Hall; Tokyo, Japan
WWA Welterweight Championship Match
This match was part of the 4th Anniversary show for the WAR promotion in Japan. Misterio, being booked thru AAA, had made a big splash when he debuted in a WAR ring in 1995 against Psicosis, and here he was back again, against another arch-rival, Fuerza Guerrera's kid Juvi.
It is odd - Misterio and Guerrera wrestled each other probably over a hundred times, and on many big stages. Yet on a major show in Japan, they kinda just walked thru a match, and didn't really do anything special. Maybe it is just the fact that so many of the things that Misterio (and many of the AAA high flyers) were doing at this time were innovative and crazy, that it doesn't seem like it now, because so many of those things are commonplace. I guess that would mean that the match doesn't hold up well, but after watching it, there isn't anything that you can point at and say it is weak, from a technical standpoint. Yeah, that match isn't frothing with matwork and psychology that the Japanese fans are used to, but they are working a solid high-flying match.
I would say that the biggest issue with the match is that these two are used to working in front of rowdy crowds who pop for their aerial moves, and in Japan they are quiet except for when they do the big spots.
All that aside, this was a solid match, that looks to be at about half-speed for these two.
"Project 33" - Match #138: Norman Smiley vs. Dean Malenko
Norman Smiley vs. Dean Malenko
Aired 23 November, 1997
Universal Studios; Orlando, FL
This was an awesome display of mat wrestling. A number of people would watch this and talk about how great it was, but at the same time shit all over something like Negro Navarro vs. Solar when in general, this was the same basic type of match. I would say the only real difference here is that Malenko and Smiley worked out of the holds, where Navarro/Solar tend to work a more "catch-and-release" style that can sometimes be very frustrating to watch.
A lot of people watching this probably do not know that Smiley migrated to the US from Mexico, where he had a very successful run under the name "Black Magic" - even winning the CMLL Heavyweight Championship. So, it was right up his alley to head into WCW and have a grappling contest with the "Man of 1000 Holds", who showed off about fifty of them in this match.
I gotta be honest though, I dunno how much a real wrestling crowd would have been reacting to this match. These Universal Studio tapings have obvious piped in sound, and in addition they actually had "boo/cheer" signs for the audience so they knew what to do and when. So, although this match seems to have an excited crowd with them hold-for-hold, they probably would have been booed out of the building on a live Nitro.
That doesn't mean the match isn't good - it means that people are stupid and suck.
Aired 23 November, 1997
Universal Studios; Orlando, FL
This was an awesome display of mat wrestling. A number of people would watch this and talk about how great it was, but at the same time shit all over something like Negro Navarro vs. Solar when in general, this was the same basic type of match. I would say the only real difference here is that Malenko and Smiley worked out of the holds, where Navarro/Solar tend to work a more "catch-and-release" style that can sometimes be very frustrating to watch.
A lot of people watching this probably do not know that Smiley migrated to the US from Mexico, where he had a very successful run under the name "Black Magic" - even winning the CMLL Heavyweight Championship. So, it was right up his alley to head into WCW and have a grappling contest with the "Man of 1000 Holds", who showed off about fifty of them in this match.
I gotta be honest though, I dunno how much a real wrestling crowd would have been reacting to this match. These Universal Studio tapings have obvious piped in sound, and in addition they actually had "boo/cheer" signs for the audience so they knew what to do and when. So, although this match seems to have an excited crowd with them hold-for-hold, they probably would have been booed out of the building on a live Nitro.
That doesn't mean the match isn't good - it means that people are stupid and suck.
"Project 33" - Match #137: Chris Benoit vs. Juventud Guerrera
Chris Benoit vs. Juventud Guerrera
Aired 13 October, 1996
Universal Studios; Orlando, FL
So, this match was taped at some date before October of 1996. Since WCW did so many tapings to closed studio audiences at Universal Studios (where TNA now tapes their events), not a lot of dates for these matches are known. You see, this was right at the dawn of the internet age, and you were still able to actually hold an event and not have the results leaked out in advance on the internet. Because of this, WCW would do tapings at relatively unknown times, and they could edit up the stockpile of matches they had and broadcast them at anytime. Chris Benoit has a match on PPV next Sunday? No problem, stick in a match that was taped whenever for the syndicated show on Saturday featuring Chris Benoit.
At this point, Juvi was pretty much a brand new face in WCW, fresh from ECW and AAA. So, he is going balls to the wall at this taping, attempting to earn a spot on the live events more often, and he is doing it against Chris Benoit, who prides himself on having the best match possible with whomever he is in the ring with. So, essentially what you have here is an insanely fast paced five minute match with these two guys going balls-to-the-wall, and the crowd of tourists cheering madly for everything that happened.
Nice solid five minute match.
Aired 13 October, 1996
Universal Studios; Orlando, FL
So, this match was taped at some date before October of 1996. Since WCW did so many tapings to closed studio audiences at Universal Studios (where TNA now tapes their events), not a lot of dates for these matches are known. You see, this was right at the dawn of the internet age, and you were still able to actually hold an event and not have the results leaked out in advance on the internet. Because of this, WCW would do tapings at relatively unknown times, and they could edit up the stockpile of matches they had and broadcast them at anytime. Chris Benoit has a match on PPV next Sunday? No problem, stick in a match that was taped whenever for the syndicated show on Saturday featuring Chris Benoit.
At this point, Juvi was pretty much a brand new face in WCW, fresh from ECW and AAA. So, he is going balls to the wall at this taping, attempting to earn a spot on the live events more often, and he is doing it against Chris Benoit, who prides himself on having the best match possible with whomever he is in the ring with. So, essentially what you have here is an insanely fast paced five minute match with these two guys going balls-to-the-wall, and the crowd of tourists cheering madly for everything that happened.
Nice solid five minute match.
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