Busy weekend in local wrestling with three shows in the area...including an in-ring appearance by Dory Funk Jr. at SICW in East Carondelet. Saw quite a few new faces on those cards(I imagine the ones on the SICW show were Dory's trainees). The draw for SLA was a bit down from previous events but still halfway decent.
The preshow match was interesting since it meant that Akira Tozawa and Mat Fitchett would work twice. It was also Greg Jovi's first official appearance as a manager as he's been aligned with Fitchett and Davey Vega recently. The two did get some rest as their "main show" matches were in the second half of the event.
Christian Rose upset K.C. Karrington at the previous SLA show in Granite City so K.C. had motivation to even the score...though it took a handful of tights for that to happen.
I have noted that SLA has largely used outside talent along with the old LWA regulars...but the first half of the show seemed to consist of mostly wrestlers from the area. Aiden Young is a newcomer to the scene who debuted at the HVW show last month in Caseyville...he's looked pretty good so far and it was surprising to see him get the upset win over Adam Raw(though he had an assist from Jordan Lacey).
Walsh debuted a new submission finisher...just in time to set up a submission match with Evan Gelistico for Circus Maximus. What a coincidence. :)
Not sure what to make of the finish to Vega vs. Dingo...it looked like Dingo got his shoulder off the mat just a hair too late and the referee called it a three-count. It was a very good match, at any rate.
With the consistent use of bigger-name talent, SLA has definitely raised the bar as far as show expectations go. Strangely enough, that almost leads to things being less "special" since those wrestlers work the shows on a regular basis.
Shane Hollister had one of a few Randy Savage tributes for the night as he delivered the flying elbowdrop on Evan Gelistico...getting a close near-fall. Hollister seems to be lost in the shuffle of "outside" guys that have been brought in...he's REALLY good, but next to guys with the caliber of Tozawa, Davey Richards, etc., it's not as easy to shine.
Fine matchup between Fitchett and Corbin with a killer finish...Fitchett delivered a backcracker as both were standing on the top turnbuckle! Still adjusting to Corbin as a singles competitor after being introduced to him as a tag team specialist with Ryan Cruz in the Northstar Express.
The Children Of Pain were originally booked for the Tag Team Title match...Darin Childs only did some mic work after Davey Vega's match and the masked duo of Super Electro/Jack O Lantern were quickly eliminated. Big fan of Matt Cage, hadn't seen his tag partner Alex Castle before...they had an entertaining matchup with RAJETT. Hope to see more of the Kentucky Buffet in the near future.
Strong main event, of course...the outcome was a bit surprising, but then we got the news that Tozawa will be returning to Japan soon. Much respect for Tozawa...haven't seen nearly enough of his matches.
Quick notes from MECW: The Independent Title was vacated and Shawn Santel defeated Mauler McDarby for the championship. Also, Evan Money and Buddy Roberts Jr. beat Tag Team Champions Mike Anthony & Sarin Sinn in a non-title match to earn a future championship opportunity.
June looks like this:
6/4: IHW(Waterloo)
6/10: Dynamo(Glen Carbon)
6/11: MMWA(South Broadway), FTW(Granite City)
6/18: SICW(East Carondelet)
6/25: MECW(Wood River)
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