Post by bigbiss on Jun 23, 2007 17:53:45 GMT -5
IWA Mid-South headed to the south, as they debuted in San Antonio, Texas, on April 22, 2007, for “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” This is a joint show with the local promotion, ACW. This is undoubtedly one of the best IWA-MS DVDs I’ve seen this year.
This venue is a night club, with two levels, so fans can look down from the balcony into the ring. The crowd appears to be a legit 200, and they were HOT to see the debut of IWA Mid-South. However, wrestlers Josh Abercrombie, Homicide and Davey Richards were all absent from this show for a variety of excuses. Even with those absences, this was a HOT show.
On commentary is heelish manager Jim Fannin and David Parks. (The usual play-by-play man, Ben Jordan, obviously didn’t make the trip.) Lighting is solid, and this was filmed with multiple cameras. Sound is ok. Parks noted in the first match that this is a much bigger ring than what the IWA guys are used to competing in.
On to the show!
(1) “One Man” Mike Dell defeats OMG at 4:55. Solid opener. OMG is from Indianapolis area, I believe; I’ve only seen him once before, and he’s fairly small, wearing a mask and green pants, and he has tattoos along his ribcage. My first time seeing Dell; he is pretty muscular with a good physique, and he wore black pants. Dell took the mic and he was upset that he’s facing the “masked marauder” in the show opener. The match began, and OMG hit some stiff forearms and a Japanese armdrag, and Dell bailed. OMG hit a flip dive to the floor. On commentary, Fannin made fun of the “one man” moniker.
OMG hit a headscissors takedown in the ring. Dell hit a sitdown powerbomb and a swinging neckbreaker for a nearfall at 2:00, then a second-rope flying elbow drop for a nearfall. Dell nailed a decapitating clothesline for a nearfall, then a powerslam for a nearfall. Fannin praised OMG, saying he had driven down to San Antonio after competing in Milwaukee on Friday! OMG hit a hurricanrana, a dropkick, and a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall! Dell hit a backbreaker over his knee, a swinging suplex, and he scored the pin. Decent.
(2) Scott Summers defeats Joey Ryan at 10:09. Above-average match. Ryan lewdly rubbed himself in from of a woman. Summers is the ACW champion; this is the first time I’ve seen him. Summers is muscular with a buzz cut, and he wore black & blue boxer shorts, and he has a huge tattoo across his muscular back! There were lots of Joey Ryan fans in the crowd. Ryan was pretty humorous as he jawed with fans. He oiled himself up, and some fans chanted, “You got canceled!,” referring to Wrestling Society X.
The match finally began, with some standing switches, and Ryan stalled. Summers hit some punches. Ryan hit some shoulder blocks, but Summers didn’t budge. Summers hit a NICE delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall at 3:00, but Summers hurt his shoulder running into the corner. Ryan hit some stomps and worked on the left arm. Summers hit a gutwrench suplex. Ryan came back with a nice Northern Lights suplex, and he went back to a hammerlock. Summers hit some punches. Ryan got a small package rollup for a nearfall at 7:00.
Ryan applied a Fujiwara armbar. Summers hit a nice overhead belly-to-belly suplex and a backbody drop. Ryan hit a running Mafia Kick to the side of the head, then he nailed a Superkick for a believable nearfall! Some fans chanted, “That was three!” Ryan couldn’t hit the “Mustache Ride”/swinging uranage in the corner (Parks didn’t know the name of the move). Summers hit a cool backbreaker on his shoulder to score the pin. Good match. Summers impressed me, and I’ve never heard of him before.
(3) Mickie Knuckles defeats Daffney at 12:33. Yes, this is Daffney from the dying days of WCW, and she shocked me by actually being pretty solid in the ring! Daffney wore a green & black one-piece outfit, and she shrieked a few times and blew kisses at fans, then she did the splits to enter the ring. Knuckles wore a black top and blue shorts, and she’s tough! “Mickie hits harder than the guys,” Fannin said. They took turns playing to the crowd. Mickie got some quick tie-ups on the mat, and they traded armholds. Mickie applied a Muta Lock, tying up the legs and leaning back to crank on the head, and the crowd applauded. Mickie hit a slap to the face! Daffney hit a monkeyflip at 3:00.
Daffney paused and flexed. The crowd was hot! Mickie hit a bodyslam, and Daffney clutched her back in pain. Daffney couldn’t pick up the (somewhat hefty) Mickie. Mickie hit a snap suplex. Daffney hit a nice Northern Lights suplex for a nearfall at 5:30. Daffney rubbed Mickie’s face into her breasts, and this popped the crowd. Mickie reached out and grabbed Daffney by her breasts and tossed her across the ring! Mickie hit a running basement dropkick in the corner. For whatever reason, the ref stopped counting on a nearfall, and Fannin berated the referee on commentary. (This would be a running theme the rest of the show, as Fanning got more and more annoyed with some poor officiating.)
Daffney hit a kick while in the Tree of Woe! Daffney got an inverted DDT, and they were both down. Mickie hit some stiff forearms and chops, so Daffney fired back with some chops. Daffney applied a Camel Clutch at 9:00, but Mickie bit Daffney to escape! Mickie missed a splash into the corner, and she hit her head. Daffney tossed Mickie to the floor. Mickie was bleeding from the forehead. Daffney tossed Mickie into the ring post. In the ring, Daffney did a Matrix, leaning backward, to avoid a clothesline.
They traded stiff forearms while on their knees, and then they exchanged headbutts! Mickie missed her Shining Kick to the eye, but she got a rollup for the pin. This was a good women’s match, and Daffney is a more accomplished wrestler than I remember.
(4) Roderick Strong defeats “Bio-Hazard” Jakus Plisken at 13:37. Wow, this match topped ALL expectations! Plisken was on a few of the really early ROH releases in 2002, and I haven’t seen him since then. Jakus dripped red fluid (blood?) on his hands before the match, and he wore a black & white single, and he’s bald. He’s also more muscular than when I last saw him nearly five years ago. Strong wore his black trunks. The announcers explained that Davey Richards was in Europe, so Bio-Hazard replaced him. The match began, and Strong tied up the left arm. Fannin said that Bio-Hazard was at an advantage here, because there are many videotapes of Strong out there for Bio-Hazard to watch and study.
Jakus overpowered Strong in a test of strength, and he hit a shoulder tackle. Strong hit a leg lariat and an armdrag at 3:00, and he focused on the arm. Jakus hit a running knee in the corner for a nearfall, and he tossed Roderick to the floor. Strong hit a chop on the floor. Bio-Hazard hit a hard kick to the back, and he jawed at the fans. They traded chops while still on the floor, and they brawled around ringside. In the ring, Strong hit a Falcon Arrow slam for a nearfall at 6:30. Bio-Hazard went for a piledriver, but Strong escaped. They traded stiff forearms. Plisken hit a Legsweep, and Strong clutched his ankle in pain.
Bio-Hazard was now in charge, hitting some kicks, and he planted his knee in the lower back. Plisken hit a second-rope Hennig necksnap for a nearfall at 10:00. Strong hit some chops and running clotheslines. Strong hit a nice (AJ Styles-type) dropkick to the chin for a nearfall. Bio-Hazard came back with a German Suplex for a nearfall, and Fannin again bashed the poor officiating. They traded more forearm shots, and Strong hit a backbreaker on his shoulder for the pin. They shook hands after the match. Wow, this was a very good match.
(5) Rexx Reed defeats Massive at 6:20. Reed reminds me of Bull Pain, as he’s big and bald with a biker look. Massive wore L.A. Lakers colors – a purple singlet with yellow trim. Both of these guys are well over 300 pounds. Massive is Hispanic, and he was described as a former lucha champion. They traded big shoulder tackles. They suddenly made some quick covers, and even traded some armdrags! “These big men are going lucha!” Parks exclaimed. Massive hit some punches, chops in the corner, and he choked Reed on the mat.
Massive hit a second-rope crossbody block for a nearfall at 4:00. Reed hit a standing powerbomb, and that got a big pop. Rexx then hit a flying kneedrop on the head for a nearfall. Massive hit a Superkick, and the crowd cheered for Massive. Reed picked up Massive and nailed a Death Valley Driver for the pin. Somehow, the referee AGAIN screwed up the count, and Fannin ripped the refs some more! The big guys shook hands. Solid big-man match.
(6) Low Ki defeats Hotstuff Hernandez at 16:09. Wow, this was excellent stuff. Hernandez is so thick and muscular, and he just towers over Ki. Hernandez wore a white T-shirt and bluejean shorts, and he got a massive pop!. Ki wore white boxer shorts. The crowd was HOT. The match started, and Ki hit some quick kicks to Hernandez’s thighs, and this was INTENSE. Hotstuff dropped to his knees to mock Ki’s size, but Ki peppered him with some quick kicks! Ki hit a shoulder tackle with no effect. Ki hit a chop at 2:00, and Hotstuff stumbled a bit. Ki hit a kick to the head and three dropkicks, then he low-bridged the top rope, and Hernandez tumbled to the floor.
Hernandez hit a catapult shoulder tackle, and that got a big pop! Hotstuff hit a loud chop, and he peeled off his T-shirt and choked Ki with it! Hotstuff tossed Low Ki across the ring, then he nailed a delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall at 5:30. Ki couldn’t lift Hernandez. Hernandez stretched Ki over his shoulder. “I’ve never seen Low Ki manhandled like this,” Fannin said. Hernandez applied a Bearhug. Ki hit some chops and kicks to the chest, but Hernandez grabbed Ki and again tossed him across the ring, and Hotstuff got a nearfall at 8:30. Hernandez hit a backbreaker over his shoulder for a nearfall. Ki hit his doublestomp on the chest for a BIG pop, and the crowd loudly chanted, “Low Ki!”
Ki hit some rapid-fire Kobashi-style chops, then an overhead kick to the head and a second-rope spin kick. Ki nailed a bodyslam, and both men were down at 12:00. Ki stayed on top with some spin kicks to the chest and head as Hernandez was on his knees. “He almost beheaded Hotstuff!” Parks exclaimed. Hernandez hit a mid-ring Vader-style chest splash. Hernandez then hit an overhead chokeslam suplex for a nearfall! WOW! However, he couldn’t hit a catapult splash. Ki fired back with a Coppo Kick in the corner on Hernandez. (Immediately, a replay of the move aired.)
Hernandez caught Ki coming off the ropes, and Hernandez hit a standing powerbomb for a believable nearfall at 15:30. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome!” Hernandez set up for the Border Toss/overhead powerbomb, but Ki avoided it. Ki nailed his flying double boots to the chest, got a rollup, and scored the pin! “Oh my god, what a match!” Parks exclaimed. The fans were on their feet and chanted, “Please come back!” Good, good stuff.
DVD 1 ends a 1 hour, 36 minutes.
(7) Necro Butcher defeats Masada at 20:09. Good match in the IWA-Mid South hardcore style. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen Masada; he has his long beard in a rubber band, and he looks a bit like a nu-metal rock star, with a black T-Shirt and torn jean shorts. Masada immediately pulled out some chairs, ladders, and a crutch from under the ring! This is going to be a wild match! Necro came out, and I think he looks thinner and less muscular than the last time I saw him. Masada attacked Necro as he entered the ring, and the match was under way. Necro hit some bodyslams and a Mafia Kick. Necro wasn’t wearing any shoes. Masada hit a Mafia Kick and a release Northern Lights suplex. Necro hit a hurricanrana on the floor (an immediate replay aired; that was common during this match.)
Necro hit his chair-assisted bodyslam, and he crotched Masada around the ring post! Necro slammed a chair on his back. Masada came back with a dive to the floor, and they fought on the floor, trading chops and forearms at 3:00, and Necro hit a headbutt. Necro tossed chair after chair onto Masada! Necro had some blood on his lower back. Masada grabbed a beer bottle, broke it, and he gouged the broken glass into Necro’s forehead at 4:30! OUCH! They re-entered the ring, and Masada continued to gouge Necro with the glass. Masada tossed a ladder at Necro, then he hit an enziguri on Necro. They traded stiff forearms and some HARD, realistic punches, and Masada hit some kneestrikes to the face, and Necro went down at 7:00! Wow, that was a cool exchange!
Masada hit a suplex onto a ladder propped up in the corner, and he slammed the ladder on Necro’s back. Necro hit a butterfly powerbomb onto the folded ladder for a nearfall at 10:00, and fans chanted, “Holy Sh!t!” Necro tossed a ladder at him, then he gave Masada a bodyslam onto the ladder. Necro hit a back suplex, and Masada twisted in the air, landing face-first on the ladder. Masada hit a German Suplex onto the ladder, dropping Necro on his head at 12:00! OUCH! The fans were on their feet now after these awesome exchanges! Masada made a bridge using the ladder and two chairs. Masada hit a moonsault onto a barbed-wire chair on Necro Butcher, on top of the ladder for a nearfall. Parks called this, “A career-shortening match.”
Necro Butcher tossed a stop sign at Masada’s head for a nearfall. Necro hit a backbreaker across two open chairs for a believable nearfall at 15:30. The ring announcer in the background repeatedly yelled at fans to back away from the ring. The wrestlers fought on the apron and they traded punches. Masada hit a Death Valley Driver off the apron and through 8 open chairs set up on the floor, and fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Several people helped Masada push Necro Butcher back in the ring, and Masada got a believable nearfall. Masada hit a standing powerbomb onto a folded chair for a believable nearfall. Out of nowhere, Hotstuff Hernandez was on the ring apron, providing a distraction. This allowed Necro Butcher to get an Ocono Roll for the pin. What a weird, weak finish to this hard-hitting match. “How could that match end with a schoolboy?” Fannin said.
* Hotstuff Hernandez entered the ring and beat up on Necro Butcher. Low Ki ran out to save Necro Butcher, but instead, he kicked Necro in the face! Masada climbed back in the ring and saved Necro Butcher! “I’m confused,” Fannin said. Me too, Jim. A girl entered the ring and poured beer onto Necro Butcher to revive him. Masada and Necro Butcher hugged, and the crowd popped, as they went over to the bar and got more drinks. Replays of the big spots aired. Backstage, Necro Butcher pointed to his teeth, saying they got messed up in the match.
(8) Jacob Ladder & Darin Childs (Children of Pain) defeat Ian Rotten & Drake Younger and Hugh Rogue & Chuey Martinez and Diehard Dustin Lee & Vortekz in a four-way tag match at 13:07. This is another hardcore, anything goes match. Chuey is heavy and he wore a red shirt. Rogue is taller, thin with a white T-Shirt. The Children of Pain are the ACW tag champs, and they wore black outfits. This (at least at first!) is a one-fall match to the finish! All 8 men fought immediately. Mickie Knuckles was now on commentary. Younger hit a DDT on the floor. Chuey hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Younger on the floor. Hugh Rogue tossed Vortekz onto a barbed-wire board. There was fighting everywhere! There were NO tags.
Venom hit Ian with a light tube. Younger gave Lee a powerbomb, then Younger hit a butterfly piledriver on Lee on several light tubes. Someone pulled out a stapler and used it on an opponent. Ian hit a running basement dropkick in the corner on some light tubes pressed against Vortekz’ chest at 3:30. The Children of Pain gave Chuey a suplex onto the barbed-wire board. Younger powerbombed Lee onto the barbed-wire board! Hugh pulled out a cane and he nailed several opponents with it, nailing them on the back and head. Vortekz hit a top-rope belly-to-belly suplex onto a barbed-wire board for a believable nearfall at 6:30. Everyone was bleeding heavily! Chuey hit Vortekz in the EAR with the cane. Ian hit a hard clothesline, then a fisherman’s buster to PIN Vortekz at 9:04! We have new tag champions!
Mickie Knuckles was confused, as she thought this was an elimination match. Younger got on the mic, and he offered to turn this into an elimination match. Ian looked confused and upset that Younger would say that. SO, the match continued immediately. Chuey and Darin Childs went to the second deck, and they wound up falling over the balcony, down through a few tables set up on the first floor! Childs then pinned Chuey at 11:33, and we’re down to just two teams left.
Ian Rotten got some light tubes. Huge Rogue beat up on his partner, Chuey, after they were eliminated! Ian chopped Jacob Ladder. Jacob gave Ian a bodyslam and scored the pin. Bloody; not my preferred type of match.
* Ian got on the mic, and he was upset at Drake that they lost those tag titles so quickly. Jacob Ladder got on the mic and thanked Ian Rotten for coming here. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Ian!” Ian thanked the San Antonio fans. Fans chanted, “Please come back!” Ian put over the distance that indy guys travel, as he pointed out several guys from Indianapolis had wrestled Friday in Milwaukee, then drove down. Ian noted that the show was great, even without Abercrombie, Homicide and Davey Richards. Ian bashed the Chicago fans, saying they all would have complained about the no-shows. Ian closed by putting over the Children of Pain and ACW as a whole.
* Replays of the bigger spots in the final match aired.
DVD 2 ends at 1 hour, 3 minutes.
Final thoughts:
This was a FUN show, and I’m really glad I saw this. It was really fun to see a solid bunch of talented wrestlers I hadn’t seen before. The Texas bunch were pretty good. Scott Summers looked good, Hotstuff and Masada were hugely over, and Bio-Hazard really impressed me. This was a great show to mix in wrestlers I see all the time (Strong, Ryan, Knuckles) with wrestlers I rarely, or never, see (Daffney, Bio-Hazard, Massive.)
Best of the show goes to the wild Low Ki vs. Hotstuff Hernandez match. Sure, there is a BIG, big size difference there, but it was well done. Ki always brings the intensity, and Hernandez got the great hometown reaction, and he wasn’t hurt at all by taking the loss. The fans were totally into the match. Hernandez went completely unnoticed for years; now that he’s back on TNA, he’s getting the attention and credit he deserves.
Second-best match goes to Necro Butcher vs. Masada, and I really didn’t expect to enjoy this one, as I’m not a fan of the hardcore style. ROH fans won’t like this – it’s a bit messy and wild, but it’s ‘classic IWA Mid South’ style. The place went NUTS when they started exchanging haymakers, and Necro hit the mat. It was pretty awesome.
Third best went to Strong vs. Bio-Hazard, as Strong looked good as always, and Bio-Hazard easily had the best match I’ve ever seen from him. I have to again reiterate that all the Texas-based guys on this DVD are BIG men, and have the ‘look’ of a pro wrestler.
OK, I LOVE replays, I really do. But I didn’t like the set up here, where replays were showed, several times, during the match. I guess I prefer the replay packages after the match is over, like JAPW and Smart Mark Video usually do. I hope this is a one-time change because of working with ACW, as I hope SMV sticks to their usual style.
My complaints are few. The main event was messy, but some fans will really dig that, too. The big-man match of Massive-Reed was wisely kept short, and it was fine. Daffney surprised me. Mickie was good and vicious as always. I’ve seen a lot of Joey Ryan’s schtick lately, and it’s grown on me.
This DVD earns a lot of praise and a big thumbs up. It is available at www.smartmarkvideo.com for $20.
This venue is a night club, with two levels, so fans can look down from the balcony into the ring. The crowd appears to be a legit 200, and they were HOT to see the debut of IWA Mid-South. However, wrestlers Josh Abercrombie, Homicide and Davey Richards were all absent from this show for a variety of excuses. Even with those absences, this was a HOT show.
On commentary is heelish manager Jim Fannin and David Parks. (The usual play-by-play man, Ben Jordan, obviously didn’t make the trip.) Lighting is solid, and this was filmed with multiple cameras. Sound is ok. Parks noted in the first match that this is a much bigger ring than what the IWA guys are used to competing in.
On to the show!
(1) “One Man” Mike Dell defeats OMG at 4:55. Solid opener. OMG is from Indianapolis area, I believe; I’ve only seen him once before, and he’s fairly small, wearing a mask and green pants, and he has tattoos along his ribcage. My first time seeing Dell; he is pretty muscular with a good physique, and he wore black pants. Dell took the mic and he was upset that he’s facing the “masked marauder” in the show opener. The match began, and OMG hit some stiff forearms and a Japanese armdrag, and Dell bailed. OMG hit a flip dive to the floor. On commentary, Fannin made fun of the “one man” moniker.
OMG hit a headscissors takedown in the ring. Dell hit a sitdown powerbomb and a swinging neckbreaker for a nearfall at 2:00, then a second-rope flying elbow drop for a nearfall. Dell nailed a decapitating clothesline for a nearfall, then a powerslam for a nearfall. Fannin praised OMG, saying he had driven down to San Antonio after competing in Milwaukee on Friday! OMG hit a hurricanrana, a dropkick, and a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall! Dell hit a backbreaker over his knee, a swinging suplex, and he scored the pin. Decent.
(2) Scott Summers defeats Joey Ryan at 10:09. Above-average match. Ryan lewdly rubbed himself in from of a woman. Summers is the ACW champion; this is the first time I’ve seen him. Summers is muscular with a buzz cut, and he wore black & blue boxer shorts, and he has a huge tattoo across his muscular back! There were lots of Joey Ryan fans in the crowd. Ryan was pretty humorous as he jawed with fans. He oiled himself up, and some fans chanted, “You got canceled!,” referring to Wrestling Society X.
The match finally began, with some standing switches, and Ryan stalled. Summers hit some punches. Ryan hit some shoulder blocks, but Summers didn’t budge. Summers hit a NICE delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall at 3:00, but Summers hurt his shoulder running into the corner. Ryan hit some stomps and worked on the left arm. Summers hit a gutwrench suplex. Ryan came back with a nice Northern Lights suplex, and he went back to a hammerlock. Summers hit some punches. Ryan got a small package rollup for a nearfall at 7:00.
Ryan applied a Fujiwara armbar. Summers hit a nice overhead belly-to-belly suplex and a backbody drop. Ryan hit a running Mafia Kick to the side of the head, then he nailed a Superkick for a believable nearfall! Some fans chanted, “That was three!” Ryan couldn’t hit the “Mustache Ride”/swinging uranage in the corner (Parks didn’t know the name of the move). Summers hit a cool backbreaker on his shoulder to score the pin. Good match. Summers impressed me, and I’ve never heard of him before.
(3) Mickie Knuckles defeats Daffney at 12:33. Yes, this is Daffney from the dying days of WCW, and she shocked me by actually being pretty solid in the ring! Daffney wore a green & black one-piece outfit, and she shrieked a few times and blew kisses at fans, then she did the splits to enter the ring. Knuckles wore a black top and blue shorts, and she’s tough! “Mickie hits harder than the guys,” Fannin said. They took turns playing to the crowd. Mickie got some quick tie-ups on the mat, and they traded armholds. Mickie applied a Muta Lock, tying up the legs and leaning back to crank on the head, and the crowd applauded. Mickie hit a slap to the face! Daffney hit a monkeyflip at 3:00.
Daffney paused and flexed. The crowd was hot! Mickie hit a bodyslam, and Daffney clutched her back in pain. Daffney couldn’t pick up the (somewhat hefty) Mickie. Mickie hit a snap suplex. Daffney hit a nice Northern Lights suplex for a nearfall at 5:30. Daffney rubbed Mickie’s face into her breasts, and this popped the crowd. Mickie reached out and grabbed Daffney by her breasts and tossed her across the ring! Mickie hit a running basement dropkick in the corner. For whatever reason, the ref stopped counting on a nearfall, and Fannin berated the referee on commentary. (This would be a running theme the rest of the show, as Fanning got more and more annoyed with some poor officiating.)
Daffney hit a kick while in the Tree of Woe! Daffney got an inverted DDT, and they were both down. Mickie hit some stiff forearms and chops, so Daffney fired back with some chops. Daffney applied a Camel Clutch at 9:00, but Mickie bit Daffney to escape! Mickie missed a splash into the corner, and she hit her head. Daffney tossed Mickie to the floor. Mickie was bleeding from the forehead. Daffney tossed Mickie into the ring post. In the ring, Daffney did a Matrix, leaning backward, to avoid a clothesline.
They traded stiff forearms while on their knees, and then they exchanged headbutts! Mickie missed her Shining Kick to the eye, but she got a rollup for the pin. This was a good women’s match, and Daffney is a more accomplished wrestler than I remember.
(4) Roderick Strong defeats “Bio-Hazard” Jakus Plisken at 13:37. Wow, this match topped ALL expectations! Plisken was on a few of the really early ROH releases in 2002, and I haven’t seen him since then. Jakus dripped red fluid (blood?) on his hands before the match, and he wore a black & white single, and he’s bald. He’s also more muscular than when I last saw him nearly five years ago. Strong wore his black trunks. The announcers explained that Davey Richards was in Europe, so Bio-Hazard replaced him. The match began, and Strong tied up the left arm. Fannin said that Bio-Hazard was at an advantage here, because there are many videotapes of Strong out there for Bio-Hazard to watch and study.
Jakus overpowered Strong in a test of strength, and he hit a shoulder tackle. Strong hit a leg lariat and an armdrag at 3:00, and he focused on the arm. Jakus hit a running knee in the corner for a nearfall, and he tossed Roderick to the floor. Strong hit a chop on the floor. Bio-Hazard hit a hard kick to the back, and he jawed at the fans. They traded chops while still on the floor, and they brawled around ringside. In the ring, Strong hit a Falcon Arrow slam for a nearfall at 6:30. Bio-Hazard went for a piledriver, but Strong escaped. They traded stiff forearms. Plisken hit a Legsweep, and Strong clutched his ankle in pain.
Bio-Hazard was now in charge, hitting some kicks, and he planted his knee in the lower back. Plisken hit a second-rope Hennig necksnap for a nearfall at 10:00. Strong hit some chops and running clotheslines. Strong hit a nice (AJ Styles-type) dropkick to the chin for a nearfall. Bio-Hazard came back with a German Suplex for a nearfall, and Fannin again bashed the poor officiating. They traded more forearm shots, and Strong hit a backbreaker on his shoulder for the pin. They shook hands after the match. Wow, this was a very good match.
(5) Rexx Reed defeats Massive at 6:20. Reed reminds me of Bull Pain, as he’s big and bald with a biker look. Massive wore L.A. Lakers colors – a purple singlet with yellow trim. Both of these guys are well over 300 pounds. Massive is Hispanic, and he was described as a former lucha champion. They traded big shoulder tackles. They suddenly made some quick covers, and even traded some armdrags! “These big men are going lucha!” Parks exclaimed. Massive hit some punches, chops in the corner, and he choked Reed on the mat.
Massive hit a second-rope crossbody block for a nearfall at 4:00. Reed hit a standing powerbomb, and that got a big pop. Rexx then hit a flying kneedrop on the head for a nearfall. Massive hit a Superkick, and the crowd cheered for Massive. Reed picked up Massive and nailed a Death Valley Driver for the pin. Somehow, the referee AGAIN screwed up the count, and Fannin ripped the refs some more! The big guys shook hands. Solid big-man match.
(6) Low Ki defeats Hotstuff Hernandez at 16:09. Wow, this was excellent stuff. Hernandez is so thick and muscular, and he just towers over Ki. Hernandez wore a white T-shirt and bluejean shorts, and he got a massive pop!. Ki wore white boxer shorts. The crowd was HOT. The match started, and Ki hit some quick kicks to Hernandez’s thighs, and this was INTENSE. Hotstuff dropped to his knees to mock Ki’s size, but Ki peppered him with some quick kicks! Ki hit a shoulder tackle with no effect. Ki hit a chop at 2:00, and Hotstuff stumbled a bit. Ki hit a kick to the head and three dropkicks, then he low-bridged the top rope, and Hernandez tumbled to the floor.
Hernandez hit a catapult shoulder tackle, and that got a big pop! Hotstuff hit a loud chop, and he peeled off his T-shirt and choked Ki with it! Hotstuff tossed Low Ki across the ring, then he nailed a delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall at 5:30. Ki couldn’t lift Hernandez. Hernandez stretched Ki over his shoulder. “I’ve never seen Low Ki manhandled like this,” Fannin said. Hernandez applied a Bearhug. Ki hit some chops and kicks to the chest, but Hernandez grabbed Ki and again tossed him across the ring, and Hotstuff got a nearfall at 8:30. Hernandez hit a backbreaker over his shoulder for a nearfall. Ki hit his doublestomp on the chest for a BIG pop, and the crowd loudly chanted, “Low Ki!”
Ki hit some rapid-fire Kobashi-style chops, then an overhead kick to the head and a second-rope spin kick. Ki nailed a bodyslam, and both men were down at 12:00. Ki stayed on top with some spin kicks to the chest and head as Hernandez was on his knees. “He almost beheaded Hotstuff!” Parks exclaimed. Hernandez hit a mid-ring Vader-style chest splash. Hernandez then hit an overhead chokeslam suplex for a nearfall! WOW! However, he couldn’t hit a catapult splash. Ki fired back with a Coppo Kick in the corner on Hernandez. (Immediately, a replay of the move aired.)
Hernandez caught Ki coming off the ropes, and Hernandez hit a standing powerbomb for a believable nearfall at 15:30. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome!” Hernandez set up for the Border Toss/overhead powerbomb, but Ki avoided it. Ki nailed his flying double boots to the chest, got a rollup, and scored the pin! “Oh my god, what a match!” Parks exclaimed. The fans were on their feet and chanted, “Please come back!” Good, good stuff.
DVD 1 ends a 1 hour, 36 minutes.
(7) Necro Butcher defeats Masada at 20:09. Good match in the IWA-Mid South hardcore style. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen Masada; he has his long beard in a rubber band, and he looks a bit like a nu-metal rock star, with a black T-Shirt and torn jean shorts. Masada immediately pulled out some chairs, ladders, and a crutch from under the ring! This is going to be a wild match! Necro came out, and I think he looks thinner and less muscular than the last time I saw him. Masada attacked Necro as he entered the ring, and the match was under way. Necro hit some bodyslams and a Mafia Kick. Necro wasn’t wearing any shoes. Masada hit a Mafia Kick and a release Northern Lights suplex. Necro hit a hurricanrana on the floor (an immediate replay aired; that was common during this match.)
Necro hit his chair-assisted bodyslam, and he crotched Masada around the ring post! Necro slammed a chair on his back. Masada came back with a dive to the floor, and they fought on the floor, trading chops and forearms at 3:00, and Necro hit a headbutt. Necro tossed chair after chair onto Masada! Necro had some blood on his lower back. Masada grabbed a beer bottle, broke it, and he gouged the broken glass into Necro’s forehead at 4:30! OUCH! They re-entered the ring, and Masada continued to gouge Necro with the glass. Masada tossed a ladder at Necro, then he hit an enziguri on Necro. They traded stiff forearms and some HARD, realistic punches, and Masada hit some kneestrikes to the face, and Necro went down at 7:00! Wow, that was a cool exchange!
Masada hit a suplex onto a ladder propped up in the corner, and he slammed the ladder on Necro’s back. Necro hit a butterfly powerbomb onto the folded ladder for a nearfall at 10:00, and fans chanted, “Holy Sh!t!” Necro tossed a ladder at him, then he gave Masada a bodyslam onto the ladder. Necro hit a back suplex, and Masada twisted in the air, landing face-first on the ladder. Masada hit a German Suplex onto the ladder, dropping Necro on his head at 12:00! OUCH! The fans were on their feet now after these awesome exchanges! Masada made a bridge using the ladder and two chairs. Masada hit a moonsault onto a barbed-wire chair on Necro Butcher, on top of the ladder for a nearfall. Parks called this, “A career-shortening match.”
Necro Butcher tossed a stop sign at Masada’s head for a nearfall. Necro hit a backbreaker across two open chairs for a believable nearfall at 15:30. The ring announcer in the background repeatedly yelled at fans to back away from the ring. The wrestlers fought on the apron and they traded punches. Masada hit a Death Valley Driver off the apron and through 8 open chairs set up on the floor, and fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Several people helped Masada push Necro Butcher back in the ring, and Masada got a believable nearfall. Masada hit a standing powerbomb onto a folded chair for a believable nearfall. Out of nowhere, Hotstuff Hernandez was on the ring apron, providing a distraction. This allowed Necro Butcher to get an Ocono Roll for the pin. What a weird, weak finish to this hard-hitting match. “How could that match end with a schoolboy?” Fannin said.
* Hotstuff Hernandez entered the ring and beat up on Necro Butcher. Low Ki ran out to save Necro Butcher, but instead, he kicked Necro in the face! Masada climbed back in the ring and saved Necro Butcher! “I’m confused,” Fannin said. Me too, Jim. A girl entered the ring and poured beer onto Necro Butcher to revive him. Masada and Necro Butcher hugged, and the crowd popped, as they went over to the bar and got more drinks. Replays of the big spots aired. Backstage, Necro Butcher pointed to his teeth, saying they got messed up in the match.
(8) Jacob Ladder & Darin Childs (Children of Pain) defeat Ian Rotten & Drake Younger and Hugh Rogue & Chuey Martinez and Diehard Dustin Lee & Vortekz in a four-way tag match at 13:07. This is another hardcore, anything goes match. Chuey is heavy and he wore a red shirt. Rogue is taller, thin with a white T-Shirt. The Children of Pain are the ACW tag champs, and they wore black outfits. This (at least at first!) is a one-fall match to the finish! All 8 men fought immediately. Mickie Knuckles was now on commentary. Younger hit a DDT on the floor. Chuey hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Younger on the floor. Hugh Rogue tossed Vortekz onto a barbed-wire board. There was fighting everywhere! There were NO tags.
Venom hit Ian with a light tube. Younger gave Lee a powerbomb, then Younger hit a butterfly piledriver on Lee on several light tubes. Someone pulled out a stapler and used it on an opponent. Ian hit a running basement dropkick in the corner on some light tubes pressed against Vortekz’ chest at 3:30. The Children of Pain gave Chuey a suplex onto the barbed-wire board. Younger powerbombed Lee onto the barbed-wire board! Hugh pulled out a cane and he nailed several opponents with it, nailing them on the back and head. Vortekz hit a top-rope belly-to-belly suplex onto a barbed-wire board for a believable nearfall at 6:30. Everyone was bleeding heavily! Chuey hit Vortekz in the EAR with the cane. Ian hit a hard clothesline, then a fisherman’s buster to PIN Vortekz at 9:04! We have new tag champions!
Mickie Knuckles was confused, as she thought this was an elimination match. Younger got on the mic, and he offered to turn this into an elimination match. Ian looked confused and upset that Younger would say that. SO, the match continued immediately. Chuey and Darin Childs went to the second deck, and they wound up falling over the balcony, down through a few tables set up on the first floor! Childs then pinned Chuey at 11:33, and we’re down to just two teams left.
Ian Rotten got some light tubes. Huge Rogue beat up on his partner, Chuey, after they were eliminated! Ian chopped Jacob Ladder. Jacob gave Ian a bodyslam and scored the pin. Bloody; not my preferred type of match.
* Ian got on the mic, and he was upset at Drake that they lost those tag titles so quickly. Jacob Ladder got on the mic and thanked Ian Rotten for coming here. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Ian!” Ian thanked the San Antonio fans. Fans chanted, “Please come back!” Ian put over the distance that indy guys travel, as he pointed out several guys from Indianapolis had wrestled Friday in Milwaukee, then drove down. Ian noted that the show was great, even without Abercrombie, Homicide and Davey Richards. Ian bashed the Chicago fans, saying they all would have complained about the no-shows. Ian closed by putting over the Children of Pain and ACW as a whole.
* Replays of the bigger spots in the final match aired.
DVD 2 ends at 1 hour, 3 minutes.
Final thoughts:
This was a FUN show, and I’m really glad I saw this. It was really fun to see a solid bunch of talented wrestlers I hadn’t seen before. The Texas bunch were pretty good. Scott Summers looked good, Hotstuff and Masada were hugely over, and Bio-Hazard really impressed me. This was a great show to mix in wrestlers I see all the time (Strong, Ryan, Knuckles) with wrestlers I rarely, or never, see (Daffney, Bio-Hazard, Massive.)
Best of the show goes to the wild Low Ki vs. Hotstuff Hernandez match. Sure, there is a BIG, big size difference there, but it was well done. Ki always brings the intensity, and Hernandez got the great hometown reaction, and he wasn’t hurt at all by taking the loss. The fans were totally into the match. Hernandez went completely unnoticed for years; now that he’s back on TNA, he’s getting the attention and credit he deserves.
Second-best match goes to Necro Butcher vs. Masada, and I really didn’t expect to enjoy this one, as I’m not a fan of the hardcore style. ROH fans won’t like this – it’s a bit messy and wild, but it’s ‘classic IWA Mid South’ style. The place went NUTS when they started exchanging haymakers, and Necro hit the mat. It was pretty awesome.
Third best went to Strong vs. Bio-Hazard, as Strong looked good as always, and Bio-Hazard easily had the best match I’ve ever seen from him. I have to again reiterate that all the Texas-based guys on this DVD are BIG men, and have the ‘look’ of a pro wrestler.
OK, I LOVE replays, I really do. But I didn’t like the set up here, where replays were showed, several times, during the match. I guess I prefer the replay packages after the match is over, like JAPW and Smart Mark Video usually do. I hope this is a one-time change because of working with ACW, as I hope SMV sticks to their usual style.
My complaints are few. The main event was messy, but some fans will really dig that, too. The big-man match of Massive-Reed was wisely kept short, and it was fine. Daffney surprised me. Mickie was good and vicious as always. I’ve seen a lot of Joey Ryan’s schtick lately, and it’s grown on me.
This DVD earns a lot of praise and a big thumbs up. It is available at www.smartmarkvideo.com for $20.
