NWA Hollywood

December 10th

Rather than opening with Dave Marquez, the show opens with Greg Sharpe and Eric Cross coming to the ring. Quickly after, Rico Dynamite and Tito Escondido. We are by Todd Keneley that this is the opening for a #1 contenders tournament for the NWA Heritage Tag Team titles held by The Tribe

Greg Sharpe & Eric Cross vs. Rico Dynamite & Tito Escondido.

Cross and Rico Dynamite start out for their respective teams.After some working on the arm,  Cross tags out, but Escondido is able to tag in very quickly. Escondido and Dynamite, who have the size advantage, are able to get some control, until Sharpe is able to break away and tag in Cross who goes wild with kicks and a big german suplex. He is quickly shutdown when he goes for a wheelbarrow bulldog, he gets stungunned on the top rope, slammed down and hitting with a slingshot senton.

Winners: Escondido and Dynamite

I was impressed with Eric Cross for his brief blitz of offense, right before the finish.

Cedrick The Hitman vs. Famous B

The crowd seems to love Famous B, with loud chants of his name before he even appears. Quick and fancy attacks by Famous B early in the match, Cedrick even resorts to the rapid movement for a brief second but after he catches Famous B with a tilt-a-whirl slam, he slows the paceand works on Famous B's neck. Famous B gets back into the action by reversing a neckbreaker, hitting a kick to the back of the head, getting a brief rollup for 2 and then hitting a superkick (named "The Flashing Lights") and senton from the top. He gets the three count

Winner: Famous B

I enjoyed this match. Especially after Famous B got back into the match. Cedrick was able to do a slow methodical style very well but when it was necessary, he was able to speed it up.

Post match, Famous B says he is gonna knock down the competition until he gets some gold around his waist. Good promo.

Bobby Phoenix with GQ Money come out (they are flanked by several large men). Phoenix's opponent is seemingly Nick Madrid. Madrid however comes in from the crowd and hits a big crossbody off the top rope

Bobby Phoenix vs. Nick Madrid

I figured out who the mystery man from last week was. The promo with the umbrella. It was GQ Money. I recognized him but could not put a name to it. He was Fabian Kaelin from WSX. I didn't like him then. The group that flanked Phoenix and Money are "The Disorder". Apparently two of the Disorder are named "M" and "W". Nick Madrid controlled a good portion of the match and got the win with a top rope splash.

Winner: Nick Madrid

Post match, The Disorder attacks Madrid. M and W come out from the back and destroy him with their apparent finishers. An Osaka Street Cutter and a curb stomp.  It is 7 on 1 until  Joey Kaos comes and saves Nick Madrid. Joey Kaos used to be the leader of The Disorder.

Dave Marquez is in the NWA Action Center for some promotion. He also does a brief summary of Wahoo McDaniel, who is being inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame.

Dan Spivey vs. Wahoo McDaniel (NOT REVIEWED)

Back to present day

Ray Rosas enters. Ray Rosas looks like a hispanic (and living) Chris Kanyon. His opponent is  Ryan Taylor. But Taylor does not enter as he was laid out by Peter Avalon in the back. Taylor has 10 seconds to get to the ring (The ref is unaware that Taylor was attacked). Taylor fights and makes it just in time. Ryan Taylor looks like a young Chris Sabin or maybe Jon Moxley

Ray Rosas vs. Ryan Taylor.

The announcers mention that in this feud (Ray Rosas and Peter Avalon vs. Ryan Taylor) there were a few haircuts. Rosas has control but Taylor is still alive. But a double underhook DDT drops Taylor for the three

Winner: Ray Rosas

Overall, not a great show.

Ring of Honor on Sinclair December 3rd

Ring of Honor on Sinclair December 3rd

Recap video of Mike Bennet interfering in El Generico vs. Jay Lethal's TV Title match.

Our announcers are Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness

The Main Event is The Young Bucks vs. Future Shock

Promo time for The Embassy's "Dominant Male" Tommaso Ciampa. He is looking a few inches left of the camera. It reminds me of a Mitch Hedberg joke. Most of the time however, they show videos of him training. Flipping tires, swinging sledgehammers. Ciampa is undefeated.

Shiloh Jonze enters the ring. Here comes The Embassy afterwards. Prince Nana, Princess Mia and Mr. Ernesto Osiris all accompany Ciampa.

Shiloh Jonze vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness seem to agree that Jonze has no chance. Ciampa hits several hard elbows in the corner and in doing so also is holding Jonze arm around he rope so he is trapped. Jonze makes a brief comeback but is cut off with a stiff lariat. Jonze does escape the ring and hits a top rope elbow smash on Ciampa followed by a running one in the corner. Ciampa though cuts him off again with a dropkick to the knee and one to the head. Repeated running knee attacks to the corner followed by a powerbomb/backbreaker combo

Winner: Tomasso Ciampa

Everything from the second cutoff by Ciampa to the finish looked great.

Video recap of Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team and The Briscoes fighting in the street. Next week WGTT vs. The All Night Express in a Proving Ground match.

Jim Cornette interviewing ROH World Champion Dave Richards. He towers over him.

In ring segment now with McGuinness, Kevin Kelly, Jim Cornette, Steve Corino and Jimmy Jacobs in the ring. Kevin Steen comes out with his lawyers. Cornette is offering a settlement. He says Steen is a great wrestler but is worried about him as a face for the company. He is too loose of a cannon. Steen says he is a loose cannon. Cornette passes off the response to Steve Corino. Corino challenges Steen to a match at Final Battle. Jim Cornette adds Jimmy Jacobs as the referee to the match. Jim Cornette will be at ringside. If Steen wins, he is reinstated. I am pretty sure that Jimmy Jacobs is turning on Corino. 

Kevin Kelly throws to break as Steen and Corino try and fight.

Inside ROH: It is announced that at Final Battle 2011, Mike Bennett vs. Jay Lethal vs. El Generico
The last unbeaten man will get the ROH Television Title. Todd Sinclair, by Bennett's request, will not be the referee.

Eddie Edwards is with his trainer, Dan Severn. Dan Severn has a sweet mustache. They show clips of Eddie Edwards training camp. Davey Richards has closed his camp (which I will tentatively refer to as Munchkin Land) but he did give comments. He says he wants to remember Eddie Edwards as a man of honor and is trying to ignore the reports that Eddie is a bad man.

Camp Strong: Roderick Strong is with 3 very attractive young ladies. He implies that he is working out very hard with these women (SEXUALLY). He says if nobody dies in the main event of Final Battle, he will go down to the ring and kick them in the testicles and ask for a refund.

Main Event time

The Young Bucks promo: They talk about not respecting anyone. They say they are too good to have to respect anyone.

Now Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly come to the ring. They make up Future Shock. The Young Bucks follow.

Future Shock vs. The Young Bucks

Future Shock controls the opening of the match but a very organized (read: choreographed) session leads to The Young Bucks taking over. One highlight after what I consider to be some uneventful minutes was a wheelbarrow suplex onto the apron by Adam Cole to Nick Jackson. O'Rielly has Matt Jackson in a guillotine choke and nothing Nick Jackson does breaks it until a Matt is able to lift Kyle up and Nick hits a springboard reverse ddt. Bucks finish with "More Bang for Your Buck" and get the win

Winners: The Young Bucks

The match was kind of a drag in the middle but picked up with the slam to the apron. I did like the neverending guillotine but think that it took something out of the finish. As soon as it got broken, the match peaked and even though it ended just seconds later. It still feels like a down ending.

NWA HOLLYWOOD~!

Stu Stone opens the show saying that he thought he had the upperhand on Percy Pringle, Adam Pearce and Bob Trobich but didn't. He is looking for someone to take the NWA Title from Adam Pearce. He said he is coming back once he finds that guy.

"The Mirror Image" Ricky Mandel vs. Jarek Matthews

Mandel has a title belt with a mirror on it. The analysis for this, being provided by Jeff Resnick, Todd Kennely or James Morgan. Mandel is an all around athlete and Matthews is a submission specialist. After every few moves, Mandel goes to his title and checks his reflection to make sure his looks are still intact. He makes a mistake and while he is checking his looks Matthews rolls him up and gets the victory

Winner: Jarek Matthews

A short match but told a simple story

Someone with an umbrella has a microphone and is singing about Nick Madrid.

Next from Hoboken, New Jersey is Hobo. His opponent is K-Man.

Hobo vs. K-Man.

This appears as if it will be a one sided encounter, Hobo isn't small but K-Man is bigger. Hobo got very little offense in. K-Man won after a full nelson slam.

K-Man reminded me of a one man Road Warriors. Used Ironman by Black Sabbath as his theme much like the Road Warriors did. Controlled a good portion of the match and overpowered Hobo. After the bell, he raised Hobo's hand like a good sportsman. Then when he dropped it, Hobo fell down.

Earlier this week they got reports saying that The Ugandan Giant Kamala had his foot amputated and were unable to confirm this. But Kamala apparently sent in a video to confirm this himself. They go to the video tape now. Kamala says he is blessed he is alive. He thanks people for their support. I was hoping the video would be of him in character. I know it is a serious issue but that would be awesome to see.

Dave Marquez with news about TV tapings that already passed (at least as of my viewing), then a video of Peter Avalon talking about Ryan Taylor and Scorpio Sky. Peter  Avalon is still a tiny man, nothing has changed in the year since I last saw this program.

8 man tag main event hype: Johnny Yuma, Willie Mack, Terex and Brian Cage make up apparently the babyfaces. Yuma runs through their accomplishments. Terex is undefeated. Now we go to the heels. Shaun Ricker, Watts, Mikey O Shea and Timothy Thatcher. The heels do a better promo (well Shaun Ricker does) but cannot agree who is the leader.

ITS AN ELIMINATION MATCH~!

Promo by Famous B.

The heels are apparently named "The Gravy Maniacs" Shaun Ricker is a former NWA Heritage tag team champion with Brian Cage, one of his opponents for tonight. Mikey O'Shea has a look, at least in attire and size, like Bam Bam Bigelow. Watts is probably the best known member of this match with his appearance on USA Network's Tough Enough earlier this year. Timothy Thatcher has a look resembling early ECW Mike Knox. He is British though. That is the best I can do.

Next the babyfaces who will apparently be known as "The Cage Rage" Brian Cage had a WWE developmental deal as Kris Logan is signed to a deal with Jeff Katz Wrestling Retribution Project (as is Shaun Ricker), Terex is the biggest man on "The Cage Rage" and is apparently undefeated.
Johnny Yuma is a former NWA Heritage Tag Team champion with Johnny Goodtime and Willie Mack is a member of the UWF crew 40 Glocc. He also has appeared on The Art of Wrestling with Colt Cabana. Earlier when Dave Marquez was talking about the match, he said Johnny Yuma was the captain of the babyface team but apparently Brian Cage is the leader. Interesting note, the referee is bigger than Johnny Yuma

Gravy Maniacs vs. The Cage Rage

Ricker and Cage start out but Ricker tags out to Mikey O'Shea. O'Shea is a large man and Cage is struggling to get him off his feet. Timothy Thatcher tags in. Watts tags in as we  go to commercial. Then when they come back, Watts tags out immediately. Not really a good sign about Watts. Brian Cage is able to get some offense in and tag in Terex. Terex is obese. After some offense on Thatcher by Terex, Johnny Yuma tags in. Yuma is tiny. Willie Mack tags in now. Quick tags by each team. Some triple teaming by the babyfaces leads to a pin attempt. Then all hell breaks loose. All 8 men brawling around the arena. BRIAN CAGE WITH A MOONSAULT FROM THE TOP TO THE OUTSIDE! Terex threatens to dive out of the ring, but Watts cuts him off. Which is good. Because people would have died. After things get cleared up. Ricker and Yuma are in the ring. Ricker showboating but is unable to get a 3 count. Mikey O Shea tags in. Yuma is able to escape. Terex tags in and he delivers clotheslines to all the heels until the two fat men (O Shea and Terex) spill outside. Double countout.

Mikey O Shea and Terex both counted out.

Watts and Mack are in the ring but Mack tags out to Brian Cage. Cage working over the arm of Watts. Which apparently Watts will need for his finisher. Quick tags by the heels and Cage is being stomped on by the heels. After several minutes Cage is able to tag in Willie Mack. Thanks to a distraction by Shaun Ricker, Watts (with a handful of tights) rolls up Mack and eliminates him

Willie Mack eliminated

Johnny Yuma comes in and is trying his damndest against Watts. Willie Mack runs in and attacks Watts. Allowing Yuma to hit what appeared to be a modified piledriver (could have just been a double knee jawbreaker and I saw it wrong, looked good regardless) on Watts and pin him

Watts eliminated.

Poor Yuma is stuck in the ring with Thatcher and Ricker. Repeated tags by the heels. Shaun Ricker gets Johnny Yuma with a side suplex slam and pins him

Johnny Yuma is eliminated

Two on one against Brian Cage. Thatcher locks in a submission but Cage gets his feet on the ropes.  A quick neckbreaker by Cage sends Thatcher out

Timothy Thatcher eliminated

Quick pinfall attempts by Cage. Ricker has more energy than Cage, conserving his energy early in the match. After escaping a suplex attempt, Brian Cage is able to hit another neckbreaker and get the victory for his team.

Winner: The Cage Rage (Brian Cage)

Overall, I really liked Shaun Ricker on this show. The main event was the definite highlight of the night, although I did not like Willie Mack running back in to cost Watts the match. It made sense because Mack got eliminated by suspicious means but it happened right in front of the referee to no consequence.

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Money In The Bank Predictions: Hail Caesar!

Friends, Romans, Country Men, I come to you today with predictions. Predictions for the 2011 Money In the Bank PPV. Not the whole thing though. Just two matches. The matches the PPV is based around. The Money In The Bank Ladder Match. While I am very much intrigued about the Mark Henry/Big Show match and the CM Punk/John Cena match, I fear that any prediction I make of other would lead to the opposite of what I want happening. The good thing is, if I am wrong, I will admit it. So if The Big Show beats Mark Henry in 30 seconds as opposed to my prediction of the complete invert of that (Henry winning quickly), I will admit it straight away.

Proof of that point is right here. I cannot name the WWE title match for last years MITB PPV. I assume it was something involving Sheamus and Cena but do not know if there were more people as well. What I can remember, however, is my predictions for both Money In The Bank ladder matches from that PPV. From RAW, I had Evan Bourne winning. To prove anyone can do it. He was, just as he is now, a very popular guy and could have probably gotten over by nearly beating the WWE champion. He would lose. I still stand by that theory. One thing I do not stand by is my Smackdown ladder match prediction. Matt Hardy. I believed that Matt Hardy would win the Smackdown World Title shot. For basically the same reason as I predicted Evan Bourne. Matt Hardy, for those who don’t remember, only wrestled a handful of times after this ppv for the WWE before leaving the company, going to TNA and….. I’ll be damned I can’t remember what he has done there. I know it is stuff. I remember he teamed with Chris Harris once but other than that I am blanking on it. I also predicted Dolph Ziggler for the WrestleMania 26 Money In The Bank match. Clearly, my track record on these is based on optimism not reality. How off will my predictions be this year? Let’s see shall we?

Starting with RAW -

Alberto Del Rio: He shouldn’t be in this match. He doesn’t need it. He already won a #1 contender match. He is just risking unnecessary punishment on his body. I do like his chances of winning however. Just his victory on RAW a few weeks ago for the WWE title shot does put him down the line in my order of possible winners.

Alex Riley: Riley seems to have Miz’s number and Miz won the case last year. I don’t see Riley winning though.

Evan Bourne: He is in the match to do pretty flips and look like he is dying. I can’t predict him as a winner. Not making that mistake again. Least likely to win in my opinion.

Kofi Kingston: Everybody seems to be predicting Del Rio. But I believe a babyface is winning. Someone who can run out and attempt to save the WWE title from CM Punk at the end of the night. Someone who can afford to look like a dumbass when he fails. Sorry Kofi. Its not your time to be a world title holder yet.

Jack Swagger: I don’t see a heel winning and I don’t see a former MITB winner winning. So Swagger is out. Remember. Swagger won the WrestleMania 26 one. Remember Jack Swagger is a former World Champion. Remember?  C’mon. He did. Look it up.

The Miz: For the same reason I said no to Swagger, I don’t see Miz winning this one.

Rey Mysterio: I can see Rey winning this and remain popular even in losing to Punk. In one of my early scenarios, I thought Rey was winning and losing to Punk.

R-Truth: He is a dark horse in this one (no racial), I could definitely see him winning the case, losing the cash in and claiming a conspiracy.

#8  Evan Bourne: Very little chance

#7  Jack Swagger: He is feuding with Bourne, so it is fitting they are both so low.

#6  Alex Riley: Still too early for Riley

#5  Miz: Don’t see him repeating

#4  R-Truth: If the main event didn’t indicate that someone may cash in that night, Truth would be higher.

#3  Rey Mysterio: I think that if Rey were to win the case, he would use it in a 1 on 1 match against Cena and I don’t believe the scenario of the night would allow that to happen.

#2  Alberto Del Rio: If he hadn’t won the title shot on July 4^th, I would say that this was his match to lose.

MY PREDICTION FOR THE WINNER OF THE RAW MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH: Kofi Kingston. I said earlier in this it is not his time to be a World Title Holder yet, but I do think he wins the case and fails at the cash in.

Smackdown -

Cody Rhodes: If Rhodes wins, I see him carrying around the case for a while. Maybe destroying the case to make it disfigured like him. With Randy Orton holding the World Heavyweight Championship and Rhodes having a history with him. I say he has an ok chance to win. But CM Punk’s storyline takes precedence right now, so Rhodes gets moved back a little

Daniel Bryan: I have no real argument against him winning, but don’t believe he has as good of a chance as others do.

Heath Slater: You know, I want Heath Slater to win this. Just for the reaction of the crowd. He is in the match to do what Evan Bourne is on RAW. Look like he is going to die.

Justin Gabriel: Much like Slater, I see him dying. But playing into something else (along with Slater)

Kane: Unpredictable. Kane usually gets more focused on each summer. Even holding the World Title for the final 6 months of 2010. I don’t think he wins but will not be as surprised if he does.

Sheamus: My early favorite to win. I would have had him winning until I thought of a new way to go.

Sin Cara: WWE is paying this man quite a bit and he does flips. I see no way in him winning however

Wade Barrett: Wade Barrett is my least favorite man in the 16 that I have discussed thus far but…

#8 Heath Slater

#7 Justin Gabriel

#6 Sin Cara

 #5 Daniel Bryan

#4 Cody Rhodes

#3 Kane

#2 Sheamus

And the winner:

In this match, there are 4, former members of Nexus. Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater and the former leader of Nexus, Wade Barrett.  CM Punk is the current leader of The Nexus. I believe that this will play heavily into the outcome.  What I indicated in the analysis for Gabriel and Slater earlier is something bigger planned. I see them and the eventual winner of the Smackdown Money In The Bank working as a team in the match. It will eventually break down though. Slater and Gabriel will be laid out. But it hints at something bigger later in the night.

As you can easily guess, my prediction for this match is Wade Barrett. I believe that at the end of the night, CM Punk defeats John Cena (going against my word here and laying out my prediction for the WWE Title match), defeats the first savior of the night Kofi Kingston and goes to leave. He is stopped in the entrance way by the WWE Tag Team Champions, Mike McGillicuty and David Otunga. They want to know what is up? They put their careers in Punk’s hands and he is stepping out on them. They have plans of their own. They attack Punk. Lay him out. This is where Wade Barrett comes out and cashes in. He successfully defeats CM Punk. Becomes the WWE Champion and regains his position as the leader of Nexus. I do not recall if the Wade Barrett, CM Punk argument over who is the rightful leader of Nexus had a blowoff.

Barrett now has the WWE Championship, he has rid the WWE of 2 top names. The two guys who Nexus attacked in their debut. John Cena and CM Punk and he has Mr. McMahon groveling at his feet for saving his company the embarrassment of losing their top championship.

I feel the need to admit something….

I am a nerd. Not in a traditional smart sense but I care a lot about very specific stuff. As indicated by previous editions (and hell, the existence of it) of The Digital Undercard, this is clearly wrestling. But this goes back. It goes back to a time when I was even nerdier than writing an occasional wrestling blog once or twice a week. Starting the night after WrestleMania 23 (the event was on April 1^st, so April 2^nd) I began ranking the top and bottom five wrestlers from each WWE show (RAW, ECW, Smackdown and when applicable PPVS) and writing down the rankings in a spiral notebook. I did this for every event the WWE put on for two years. This had no purpose as I am the only one that ever saw these rankings.

Why am I telling this story? Because recently I have been looking for regular columns to do for The Digital Undercard and have decided to revive "The Rankings". It will not be daily but instead weekly and will not be WWE exclusive. The top five wrestlers each week in my opinion.

#5 The Miz

At the Elimination Chamber, The Miz defeated Jerry Lawler, successfully defending his WWE Championship. The next night on RAW he, along with his WrestleMania opponent John Cena, defeated Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel for the WWE Tag Team Championships, they lost the titles soon after (about 12 minutes) but that was due to his attacking of John Cena. His ego and hatred for John Cena got in the way of his own personal success. And for that he is at #5

#4 Sin Cara

The former Mistico officially signed with the WWE this week and was the recipient of a press conference in Mexico City announcing it. It is not common for someone to receive this high of praise before even setting foot in the WWE. Reports are saying that he will not go to Florida Championship Wrestling to learn the "WWE style", like most every signing has done over the past few years. Clearly the WWE sees money in Mistico and they should, he is one of the biggest names in the world of Lucha Libre and this is one of the biggest signings in the WWE in years.

#3 John Cena

At the Elimination Chamber, John Cena defeated 5 men to win the right to challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, but that is not what has him being ranked this high. It was his rebuttal to The Rock that is getting him here. He stood up for himself and delivered some great lines, mostly implying that The Rock was a homosexual. As childish as many believe that to be, look at what The Rock said the week prior. Not really high class material from Dwayne either.

#2 Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel

Twice this week they won the tag team titles. Once from Santino and Vladimir Kozlov on The Elimination Chamber and once the next night on RAW. But they also defeated Trent Baretta and JTG on Superstars. 2 and ½ victories this week (they didn't win the titles cleanly on RAW). On these rankings title wins will get you farther than other wins. That is why they are #2. They are the only team to be multiple time Unified Tag Team champions.

#1 The Undertaker and Triple H

Not a word was spoken but in the 10 or so minutes these men were on RAW this week, one of the biggest WrestleMania matches was set up. For three weeks the 2-21-11 videos were ran, it was finally revealed to be The Undertaker. Before he can say anything, Triple H comes out, gets a reaction that dwarfs The Undertaker and by nodding, challenges him to a match at WrestleMania. Taker refuses, then accepts. Using body language alone. My only problem was this was in the middle of the show and not the end.

Fact or Fiction February 23, 2011

I took these questions from 411mania's fact or fiction. Here is the link for those that want to see the original article

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/175578

 

 

1. Triple H putting his Career against The Undertaker's Streak at WrestleMania is too much of a copy of last year to work.

FACT It is very similar to last year but it will work. I can understand what they are going for. Undertaker, just as last year with Shawn Michaels, has already beaten Triple H at WrestleMania. Why should he risk his legacy to give someone a second chance without them putting something on the line themselves? Just because it was done last year with ½ of the same equation doesn't mean it won't work. It would probably work better if Triple H hasn't been off TV for 8 months. He is a big enough star that him losing a career match and being gone from the WWE will mean big things, but he has been gone since April, so him being gone again doesn't mean too much.

2. Making Hernandez a new member of Immortal upon his return was a good move for TNA.

FACT Him being included in the group makes the group look better. Without Fortune and Abyss, they don't seem strong. Hernandez gives them that strength. He looks like a monster, has a history of being treated like a monster and is pissed off at a key rival of Immortal. Being featured in a major angle is going to get him featured on TV more. He won't need to fight for the spot. Good move all around.

3. The Elimination Chamber PPV topped last year's and provided a clear direction to WrestleMania 27.

I saw more of last year's show than I did this years. It set off the run for HBK and Taker, Batista and John Cena and The Legacy 3 Way. Although one improvement that this year's had is no world title changes as opposed to last year's three world title changes. If The Undertaker's return happened on this show instead of RAW, this would be an easy FACT but I have to say PUSH

4. TNA would be making a wise move by signing Isis the Amazon.

FICTION. Wouldn't really be an unwise move but I am sure they can find other women that can do more for the division than be big


5. Trish Stratus is as much of a enticement to watch Tough Enough as Steve Austin is.

FICTION. I don't think her being involved with the show will do as much as Austin being involved will. Maybe more than Booker T's involvement will but not as much as Austin's.

6. Taping Impact outside of the Impact Zone will backfire on TNA.

FICTION At least they will be in front of a different audience than the usual theme park dwellers that they are currently drawing. The obvious problem will be the people may not be as devoted to the product as the current attendees are. Different attendees that could be into different wrestlers and we could see some different elements to the show. Plus there will be fewer asinine chants.

Unless the shows don't draw and the building is empty. They would look stupid and it would blow up in their face.

7. Hacksaw Jim Duggan undoubtedly deserves his spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.

FACT. He won a Royal Rumble. He is popular. Its not like the Hall has been a place for great wrestlers anyway. He comes back frequently, he is loyal to the company, its probably a nice payday, could probably get him more money at the independent shows he does. (I am not in the business so I have no idea if that would be worth getting him more money, just a guess on my part) My problem with him being in is he is the 2^nd one announced, which I determine to mean that everyone they announce for the rest of the class will be lower than him. I have heard some of the rumored names for the rest of the class, many of them deserve that #2 spot more than he does.

8. Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole is not a match you want to see at WrestleMania.

FICTION. Its not gonna be a good match. Cole isn't a wrestler. It will be a slaughter. But for one year, Michael Cole has been absolutely obnoxious and it will be a pleasure to see someone to shut his mouth. I do wonder what will happen after WrestleMania though, the two guys wouldn't be able to be seated at the table next to each other after one basically destroys the other.

One Year of Wild and Young

Tommorow, February 23^rd will be the 1 year anniversary of the debut of the greatest show in the history of pro wrestling. WWE NXT. Eight men all looking to fulfill a dream. A dream that would see them gaining a WWE contract and a shot at a title in the future. I would like to look back and analyze where the last year has lead these eight competitors.

 

Michael Tarver: From the first time we saw Michael Tarver he was spouting how he could knock out any man in just 1.9 seconds. When his time on the show had ended, he knocked out nobody and only had one victory under his belt (final record of 1-9). Over time he voluntarily withdrew from many challenges and at the end his elimination was due to him saying he should be the one to go. As all eight guys did, when the show ended, he made an impact by attacking John Cena, CM Punk, Justin Roberts, Jerry Lawler, security, etc. But it was during this attack in which he did what he had proclaimed he could do for 4 months prior. He knocked out John Cena. It was after several other men attacked him but still, he proved he could do it. He was the third man eliminated from Nexus. This was due to a leg injury, he returned to TV in early 2011 but has done nothing more than appear in backstage segments. When Tarver first got eliminated off NXT, I along with many others seemed to believe that he would become a bodyguard for Ted Dibiase, a new Virgil. He had spoken when he first began the show about how he had six children and had lived in a car for several years, so many put two and two together (Tarver needs money, Dibiase has it) and made the connection. Looking back on what has happened since then, it was definitely more beneficial for Tarver to be in Nexus, going with Dibiase would not have gotten him very far. Dibiase spent most of the summer feuding with R-Truth and then with Goldust, while Tarver was in the main event of Summerslam and a main part of RAW for several months. His injury came at a bad time. I would like to think that if he didn't get injured he would have been the one to get a tag title reign with John Cena, when instead it went to David Otunga. The longer Tarver is on TV without actually doing anything, I don't see him being able to regain his position on the show. I had assumed that he would be the man who attacked Teddy Long in early January 2011 but instead it just seemed to be the beginning of his new "hanging out backstage" hobby.

Daniel Bryan: Daniel Bryan was the star of the first few weeks. The very first main event of the show featured him 1 on 1 against Chris Jericho. World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho. During that match, he got rag-dolled into the announce table. Something that left him with intense bruises on his back and led to his loss that week. The next week he lost to Wade Barrett. Someone who is larger than him. I wrote this loss off as him still feeling the effects of the table incident. 8 losses later he was winless and it went from him having a reason each time that he lost, to him looking completely inept. He was a great wrestler but couldn't win. When the first elimination came, much like Michael Tarver did, Daniel Bryan said he should be the one to go. Unlike Tarver's reasoning that it was in the best interest of the other competitors for him to go, Bryan pointed out that he was winless and he did not deserve to stay on the show. After he was eliminated he did an interview in which he seemed to imply that he was throwing the matches and said "Daniel Bryan" may be done and the future is for "Bryan Danielson". In the past 9 months, that is the only time that name has been mentioned. He started a brief feud with Michael Cole over Cole referring to him as a nerd, but it was an attack on another announcer that set things in waves for him. During the Nexus attack, Daniel Bryan choked ring announcer Justin Roberts with a tie. This got him fired from the company later that week. Eventually he returned at Summerslam as the surprise 7^th man of Team WWE. In the time since that match, Daniel Bryan became the only member of NXT to win singles gold and is currently the longest reigning champion in the WWE. In completing all of that , it kind of destroys the myth that winning NXT matters. His more memorable NXT moments may be from his mentoring Derrick Bateman on Season 4.

Skip Sheffield: Sheffield was the first man who was eliminated in the traditional "pro vote" sense. He was very popular with the fans due to his happy go lucky cowboy persona, but after he got eliminated, he refocused himself and became more intense. His role in Nexus was as a silent monster. His clothesline with a tree-trunk of an arm devastated people. He has the look of someone who can and will do big things in the wrestling industry. Former WWE Writer John Piermarini claimed in his blog that WWE power players see him as a #2 face in the future. Nexus got him back on the TV, but I believe it held him back from potentially becoming something huge. As part of a unit, he stood out less than he could have. He suffered an injury over the fall that has kept him out since. He is supposed to be back right around Mania so I feel that he could be the big post mania return. I think Sheffield has the potential to be the next Brock Lesnar (barring the UFC transition)

Darren Young: Apparently when the season ended, Darren Young had the best overall record. I don't know how that happened and since then it has once again reassured the myth that NXT matters. Out of the 8 guys from the show, he has accomplished the least. He hasn't been injured, hasn't been fired but still he has done basically nothing of note. It seemed like he was gonna be placed in a main role as the opposition to Nexus but after his singular appearance in the main event of RAW, he hasn't done anything of note in that aspect. He wasn't in the Royal Rumble despite being advertised. The moral of the story is "Everything Success is, Darren Young isn't"

Heath Slater: Heath Slater was the final member of NXT to be defeated. He pinned the World Heavyweight Champion on NXT. Everything seemed to be going Slater's way. Unlike Skip Sheffield, Heath Slater more than benefited from Nexus. He doesn't have the unique standout look that Skip Sheffield does, he isn't very big. Nexus was his only real shot to get back onto tv. Had it not been for the group, he would have been forgotten about. Right now he is holding tag team gold with Justin Gabriel. As much as I like Slater, I fear that when that team ends, Gabriel will be the one to get the push and Slater will go to the wayside. Heath needs to be associated with someone to remain where he is. He has reached his plateau and I don't think he will go much higher than that.

Justin Gabriel: Gabriel's involvement in the Nexus attacks were quite possibly the most memorable. His 450 splash is popular. During the whole run of the show, he was one of my least favorite competitors, I can't put my finger on why. His involvement in the attacks changed that for me. His 450 splash finalized each attack. Then as the attacks continued, the sadistic look on his face changed to become a regretful one. If it were my choice, Gabriel would have been the one to be in the Darren Young position. He could have been great opposition for Nexus. The Tag Title reigns he has had with Heath Slater seem to be holding him back from bigger things.
I think people want to cheer him and I am sure that if given a chance he could become a strong contender for the IC or US title. I believe he could be a mainstream star. He is the first African superstar the company has had (Akeem and Kofi aren't gonna be counted) and I think his looks will draw in the female fans.

David Otunga: Otunga is the guy the WWE wanted to be the star. He is the one who got the mainstream attention. His relationship with Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson made him a focus and I thought he was gonna be the one that won the show because of it. Over the process of the show it, he became somewhat of a joke and during the season 1 finale, Wade Barrett verbally massacred him. Otunga eventually won the tag team titles with John Cena but it was a short reign. He hasn't done much since then. Just a sidekick for CM Punk right now. He was just a sidekick for Wade Barrett for a few months. David Otunga, as Barrett said in the finale, has no quality the WWE can use, other than being married to someone famous.

Wade Barrett: The Winner of NXT Season 1. He feuded with the top man in the company for close to 6 months. He was the focus of the main show of the company for all that time. However, at the end of his feud with Cena, he didn't seem special anymore. I think he still has potential for a great future but he is placed with other guys. I thought his move to Smackdown was gonna lead to him breaking out on his own instead he got a new Nexus style group. Nexus hurt him. He had the contract already but his loyalty to the other 7 men caused him to bring them along. It made him seem like he couldn't hang on his own. There is still some question as to whether he can, if he was good enough to win the show, why isn't he good enough to go at it on his own? I once was a big Barrett fan, at the beginning of the NXT show, I supported him. During Nexus, I still supported him but over the past few weeks I have gotten tired of him.

 

 

 

 

Royal Rumble 2011

Royal Rumble time again. My favorite PPV of the year. This is because The Royal Rumble Match is my favorite match of the year. 30 guys most years, 40 this year. Big things can happen. Here are my predictions

First Two Participants:
For the past few months, nothing has been going Ted Dibiase's way (ignoring him beating the United States Champion on NXT a few days ago) and I think that continues here. Ted Dibiase draws #1. #2 will be even worse news for Dibiase. I think The Big Show gets it.
2011 Prediction: #1: Ted Dibiase #2: The Big Show

Final Four:

2011 Prediction: Alberto Del Rio, Rey Mysterio, Sheamus and John Morrison

No. 40:
2011 Prediction: Sheamus

The Kane Push: Who will get to eliminate a bunch of guys but not win?

Kane is only a few away from the record but there are also a few other big guys in the match who have a chance. Guys like Mason Ryan and Ezekiel Jackson. I think Jackson gets it

2011 Prediction: Ezekiel Jackson

The Chris Jericho-Christian Rule: What alliance will fall apart in the match?

There aren't many teams in the company, let alone the match. They have been teaming up on Superstars so Primo and Zack Ryder. I do have another guess but will not reveal it due to his participation not being confirmed

2011 Prediction: Primo and Zack Ryder

"He's Not Supposed to Be Here!:" Who will show up and screw somebody over after they've already been eliminated or were never in the match to begin with?

I don't know if Alex Riley is in the match. If he is I can see Jerry Lawler interfering and costing him the match. Special mention to Ricardo Rodriguez for Alberto Del Rio

2011 Prediction: Jerry Lawler/Ricardo Rodriguez

Elimination Shocker: Who will pull a Maven this year?

In 2010 I said Yoshi Tatsu eliminating The Big Show. Since Show is a face this year, I doubt that will happen. So I will say Yoshi Tatsu eliminating Wade Barrett

2011 Prediction: Yoshi Tatsu by eliminating Wade Barrett

Cowardly Heel: Someone will stall outside of the match and not want to come in. Who will it be?

Up until Smackdown this week I would have said Cody Rhodes. He claims he is no longer in the match so I doubt it will be him. David Otunga?

2011 Prediction: David Otunga

Like a house of fire…whoops: Who'll come in and clean house only to be dumped almost immediately?
2010 I said Jack Swagger.

2011 Prediction: Jack Swagger

Skin-the-cat Champion: Who will be on the verge of elimination very often but keep coming back?

2011 Prediction: Ted Dibiase

The Chris Jericho-Hurricane Rule: Who will be eliminated and
look like they blew out every muscle in their leg?

Must….resist…..spoilers……

2011 Prediction: Without the inclusion of the special entrant I have heard today, I say Ezekiel Jackson.

I say the final two in the match come down to Alberto Del Rio and John Morrison. Del Rio wins.

The ironman for the match will be Ted Dibiase. Enters first, lasts the longest. I think he is in the final ten.

Gone Hollywood #3

This is the episode that aired on October 15^th

Here is what is on the docket for tonight

MAIN EVENT for the NWA Heritage Tag Team Championship: ;NWA Heritage Tag Team Champions
The RockNES Monsters puts the titles on the line against former NWA World Tag Team Champions
Los Luchas!- "Rock Superstar" Joey Kaos makes his NWA Hollywood debut!- The arrogant duo of Natural Selection is in Tag Team action!- The Lethal Ladies of the NWA do battle as Shelly Martinez tangles with Lucky O'Shea! PLUS: Appearances by "Pretty" Peter Avalon, Willie Mack, Scorpio Sky, Joey Ryan, and much more!

First out are the team of Natural Selection. Apparently just before this Percy Pringle introduced them. This was not shown on the show, only mentioned so I am not sure. I would think that they would have shown it. Perhaps there was a legal reason why they couldn't (Pringle was on WWE TV at this point) but I do find it strange they would mention it but not show it. Natural Selection's opposition is Peter Avalon and Mike Reign. Most of the first part of the match was Natural Selection beating on Reign. Reign got a brief tag to Avalon but Avalon quickly saw the opposition and bailed, tagging Reign back in. Avalon left Reign. Natural Selection hit their finisher on Mike Reign and got the pin. Their finisher was a Powerbomb/Bulldog combo. The WWE's version Pitbulls Jamie Noble and Kid Kash used a similar move once on Smackdown. Post match, Natural Selection got on the mic and talked about themselves and talked about setting their sights on Tag Team gold. Good interview. Shaun Ricker and Brian Cage comprise Natural Selection.

Hype time for a Galaxy Theatre taping with The RockNes Monsters and then a replay of Episode #2's main event. This is followed up by Scorpio Sky talking about Rocky Romero and Claudio Castagnoli. He ends the segment by challenging Romero, Castagnoli and Adam Pearce for a match next week. His partners will be Joey Ryan and Willie Mack. A graphic follows confirming that the match will indeed take place next week

Jeff Resnick is backstage with Joey Kaos.

After a clip of Shelly Martinez talking about herself, Lucky O'Shea comes out to the ring for her match with Martinez. Shelly is announced as being from "Fun Town USA" Shelly ended up winning with a throat claw/legsweep

Jeff Resnick is backstage with The Tribe. They talk about how they are coming for the tag team titles. Considering the opening and the main event and this interview and The RockNes Monsters interview that was used for the Galaxy Theatre plug, this show is tag team centric. The first two episodes were focused on the World Title so I am happy they are focusing on the tag titles. Makes them seem important, unlike other companies that do not treat their tag titles with the same respect.

Joey Kaos is out to the ring for his match with Ray Rosas. Joey Kaos controlled the match and secure the win after his finisher "The Gonzo Bomb"

Phoenix Star and Zokre

who comprise Los Luchas come to the ring for their tag team title battle against Johnny Yuma and Johnny Goodtime who comprise The RockNes Monsters. Quick passed match. The RockNes Monsters did several unique double team moves and controlled the majority of the first half of the match, Phoenix Star cut off Johnny Yuma while the refs back was turned by kicking him in the balls (Yuma, not the ref). The finish of the match came as kind of a surprise. A good few minutes of combo attacks and drama ended by a simple backslide.

Overall: Worst of the three episodes I have watched so far. The main event did not live up to the preceding two main events. Skip it. Next weeks main event looks good though.

 

 

 

Gone Hollywood #2

 

Aired October 8^th 2010

Dave Marquez welcomes us to the show and runs down what we will see. Willie Mack, The debut of "Very European" Claudio Castagnoli and NWA World Champion
"Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce puts the title on the line against Scorpio Sky

Out to ringside with Todd Keneley and James Morgan. Claudio Castagnoli comes out and joins them on commentary. Gets off a few lines about how he dislikes the pollution and how it is so pathetic how all the people in Hollywood fancy themselves as actors and actresses, considering how ugly they are. Rico Dynamite is in the ring and out comes Willie Mack. Mack is deceptively quick for someone as large as he is. The match wasn't much but Mack's finisher was pretty nice. He caught Rico Dynamite off a crossbody and transitioned it into a powerbomb for the pin. Post match Claudio Castagnoli came into the ring. Mack offered him a handshake and he refused.

After a break and a non NWA Hollywood lucha match (which I skipped), Jeff Resnick is backstage at NWA Hollywood with the NWA Heritage Tag Team Champions
The RockNES Monsters which are Johnny Goodtime and Johnny Yuma. Johnny Goodtime did most of the talking here but he seemed nervous.

Back out to the ring. Nick Madrid comes out and he will face Claudio Castagnoli. Before the bell rang, Claudio slapped Nick Madrid with his scarf. The match was so one sided in Castagnoli's favor it was uncomfortable. Madrid did have a brief comeback but it got cut off by missing a dropkick. Castagnoli wrapped him up in a Stretch Muffler and Madrid quickly tapped

Zokre and Phoenix Star are backstage with Jeff Resnick. They comprise the team Los Luchas. I have no idea what they said but they did mention The RockNES Monsters so I assume it was a challenge for the NWA Heritage Tag Team Belts

Main Event time

Scorpio Sky vs. NWA World Heavyweight Champion Adam Pearce

Early in the match Adam Pearce indicated to the referee that Scorpio Sky pulled his hair. The humor in this, you see, is Adam Pearce is bald, thus there is no hair for Sky to pull. Adam Pearce is a liar. Soon after this, Pearce bites Scorpio Sky's head in the corner. Sky returns the favor soon after and bites Pearce's head. Scorpio Sky controlled the middle of the match by focusing on Pearce's arm. At one point Sky had Pearce down on the mat and went to the top rope. Pearce neutralized Sky by kicking the ref into the ropes and this caused Sky to fall. Why the ref did not DQ Adam Pearce for this, I do not know. The previous week, The Sheik challenged Adam Pearce, so this week Adam Pearce decides to send a message to Sheik by putting Scorpio Sky in The Sheik's trademark hold The Camel Clutch (which also happens to be the signature move of many other Arabic wrestlers. Scorpio Sky got a near fall after a frog splash, Pearce almost got one of his own with his feet on the ropes. A few more near falls followed including one after a Scorpio Sky top rope dropkick. Pearce stopped all Sky momentum with a mule kick to the balls and a piledriver. Pearce retains the title. Scorpio Sky looked like he had the match won at several points. Pearce tried after the match to attack Scorpio Sky. Sky fought him off but out comes Rocky Romero who attacks Scorpio Sky. Joey Ryan is out now to even the sides. Claudio Castagnoli and Willie Mack out next. Willie Mack, Joey Ryan and Scorpio Sky are left in the ring as Castagnoli, Romero and Pearce bail to end the show.

Overall: The World Title match was very very good. It is the only thing that saved the show from being a waste of time. I preferred the first episode much more. I do have to say however, Todd Keneley and James Morgan were better on this show than on the October 1^st episode

 

 

Gone Hollywood #1

This episode aired on October 1^st 2010

Colt Cabana welcomes us to the show and after the opening credits, Dave Marquez welcomes us and gives us a preview for the night by telling us who will appear. Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana, NWA North American Champion The Sheik, The team of Navajo Warrior and Hawaiian Lion known as The Tribe and the Main Event of "Hollywood's Own" Joey Ryan vs. TJ Perkins.

Now we go ringside to Todd Keneley and James Morgan

Peter Avalon is in the ring. What they did next was good, they showed a video of Peter Avalon explaining who he was. He proclaimed himself as the future. Interview wasn't great but I liked it the fact it was included. They did something similar during Dave Marquez' show rundown where when he mentioned who would be appearing they showed a brief clip of them as he spoke. Avalon's opponent was Colt Cabana. Cabana came out to the ring with a lot of energy. Jumping, swinging his towel, dancing. He even snapped the towel at Avalon. When the bell rang, Cabana toyed with Avalon, frequently pulling him down to the mat. The impression I got from his interview is Avalon is supposed to be the heel in this, the bad guy, but Cabana's actions in this really made him out to be a dick. He was toying with Avalon the whole time. He got in his signature moves, The Flying Asshole (Flying Apple according to the announcers, however I understand the change) and The Billy Goat's Curse. Easy win for Cabana. After the match, he grabbed the microphone. He said he liked having a good time as evidenced to the previous few minutes but the best time will be when he beats Adam Pearce for the NWA Heavyweight Championship.

Andrew Hellman comes to the ring, for what apparently is an NWA North American Title match. He will be challenging The Sheik. The Sheik brings his prayer rug out to the ring with him. Which does not make him very popular to the crowd. He does his prayer and as he does this Hellman makes the mistake of turning his back. The Sheik attacks him and the match begins. Hellman's wrestling shorts are designed like an American flag. So the basic story of this match would be "Evil Foreigner" vs. "American Patriot". The Sheik seems to be a typical Arabic gimmick, the curled boots, etc. He won with the camel clutch. Afterwards Jeff Resnick got in the ring and got a word from The Sheik. The Sheik said that he also had his sights set on the NWA Heavyweight Championship.

Jeff Resnick is backstage with "Milk Chocolate" Willie Mack (complete with a shirt that says "Willie Mack Milk Chocolate", stylized like a Hershey Bar). Nothing much was said. In the ring are Todd Chandler and Brandon Parker, their opponents are Navajo Warrior and Hawaiian Lion aka The Tribe. The Tribe were guided to the ring by Olivia. The size difference between the two teams is quite big. The Tribe are much bigger. Todd Keneley has gotten Brandon Parker's name wrong several times, calling him Bryan. The Tribe tossed Todd Chandler over the top rope and apparently hit their finisher on Brandon Parker. I couldn't tell what it was because the camera was focused on Todd Chandler outside the ring. The ref rang for the bell and disqualified The Tribe. I guess tossing someone over the top rope is a disqualification. They never explained it, if that was the case and tossing someone over the top is a dq, it would have been nice of them to explain it.

We go to "Earlier Today" where Claudio Castagnoli is outside. He talks about being European. Not just European, very European. Back into the arena and the NWA Heavyweight Champion Adam Pearce is on his way to the ring to speak. Jeff Resnick is out there to ask him about his feelings on NWA being back on TV, he said it felt good, he then was asked about Colt Cabana and The Sheik's challenges from earlier in the night. After kicking Jeff Resnick out of the ring (a decision I approve of), he said that he was the champion and it was gonna stay that way. I don't know if he was accepting the challenges or not.

Now it is Main Event Time.

TJ Perkins vs. "Hollywood's Own" Joey Ryan. Ryan even has Hollywood on his trunks. Joey Ryan looks far less sleazy than I am used to him being. The two men were moving very fast and doing a game of "can you top this?" After a break, the match slows down and they start doing holds. At one point Joey Ryan hit a pumphandle T-bone suplex but it only got a two count for him. After a suplex that went over the top rope the announcers finally explained that an over the top rope toss was a DQ in the NWA. This was not a DQ in this match because the referee decreed that momentum took them over and it was not intentional. Late in the match, it looked as if TJ Perkins was close to victory, but Joey Ryan cut him off with two superkicks and got the victory.

At the end of the show, Dave Marquez announced what is gonna happen at the next show. Willie Mack and Claudio Castagnoli will be in action and the main event will be Scorpio Sky vs. NWA Heavyweight Champion Adam Pearce.

Overall: The tag match was bad. Even before the finish, I was not to happy with the match. I expected The Tribe to dominate but instead Todd Chandler and Brandon Parker got in a lot of offense. Other than that, it was a good show. Everything was simple but made sense. Thumbs up for tonight.

For more information on NWA Hollywood and to watch this episode I reviewed and others which I will review visit http://www.nwahollywood.com/

Tradition. History. Respect

The first episode of NWA Hollywood opens with NWA Champion Adam Pearce talking about the importance of the NWA. He explains it pretty well. The governing body of Professional Wrestling. Much like the International Olympic Committee. Ring Announcer Angelo Trinidad, NWA Broadcaster David Marquez and wrestlers Andrew Hellman, Johnny Yuma and Nick Madrid follow. Each one of them put over the importance of NWA and how it is both staying true to its roots but adapting to the landscape of modern pro wrestling. I take this to mean less skits than other wrestling companies but a more advanced wrestling style, perhaps a mix of Lucha Libre and Puroresu influences along with the technical style.

A match from 1956 between Argentina Rocca and Lou Thesz is shown

Afterwards NWA Broadcaster Jeff Resnick, Adam Pearce, Willie Mack (wrestler), and Dave Marquez each talk about Lou Thesz and what he meant to the NWA. Thesz was a champion for decades and a consummate professional, both inside and outside of the ring.

Brief break and a return to an old midget tag match. This, I guess, is the segue they are using to verge into the "character" discussion. Don't see the connection between midgets and characters. They aren't playing a character, they were born that way. Announcer Todd Keneley mentions The Missing Link, due to his unusual look . Angelo Trinidad brought up Iceman King Parsons and refered to him as "Mr. T before there was a Mr. T". Adam Pearce mentioned Dusty Rhodes and even did a Dusty Rhodes impersonation. Willie Mack mentions "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware. While doing these they show pictures of the legends that are mentioned and Willie Mack could pass for a young Koko B. Ware. Jeff Resnick is talking about Kamala. Resnick does not mention exactly what Kamala's gimmick was. He was a Ugandan Cannibal.

An old match now between Abdullah The Butcher and Some Unfortunate Bastard. S.A.B's name was apparently Fred something. Abdullah wins. This takes the show to a break. After it returns another old match Carlos Colon vs. Dory Funk Jr. Back to the studio and James Morgan (wrestler) is talking about his favorite wrestler. His is Bret Hart, Nick Madrid picks Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho due to the size similarities between them and himself. Shaun Ricker (wrestler) picks Ric Flair because "he likes to talk, he likes to walk, he likes to do everything that I like to do". Dave Marquez picks "Classy" Fred Blassie. Johnny Goodtime (wrestler) says Sean Waltman, also for the size similarities. Adam Pearce also says Ric Flair. He does a better job than Shaun Ricker of explaining Flair. Speaking of Flair, a match follows of Ric's.

Break time again.

Todd Kenely talks about the influx of Lucha Libre talent into the NWA in recent years. Adam Pearce explains Lucha Libre's importance in Mexico very well too (I am sensing a pattern here). All this Lucha Talk leads to a lucha match that goes on for a while.

Brief talk on the Galaxy Theatre, which is where NWA from Hollywood is based. In this segment Dave Marquez lists off several venues that are no longer around and says the Galaxy Theatre is basically the only one they had left. I know it was not his intention but it really didn't make the Galaxy Theatre seem important. He gave off the impression that they were stuck with it. After that came the guys talking about how NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood gives them a great opportunity.

 

Overall: The show was not what I expected it to be. I planned on going through the NWA Hollywood Website and watching the episodes in order. It did a lot to explain what the NWA is and for that I do have to give it positive reviews. However what it does not do is explain who the people are. First impression wise, I am liking Adam Pearce (it helps that I have seen him before), he is well spoken and came across as a class act. Who I do not like is Jeff Resnick. Being as he is an announcer, this probably isn't a good thing. He gave me a morning DJ vibe. Like Ryan Seacrest. Jeff Resnick is like Ryan Seacrest.