I've watched part of the May show through YouTube clips, so this will be a double-shot Special Comment of sorts...
Last month, a few people were surprised when I said it would be a tough choice between SICW at Argosy and South Broadway. Broadway can be an easy target around here when it comes to show quality, I suppose. My main reasons were purely financial(shorter drive, lower ticket price), but their in-ring product has been improving.
The MMWA/SICW split seems to have been beneficial to both sides. In the past, I heard fans say that they were seeing the same wrestlers at multiple shows in a month...that meant less incentive to go to some shows. Nowadays, there isn't much crossover between the two groups...it's down to Gary Jackson, Moondog Rover, and The Big Texan.
Sorry to hear that Chase King is stepping away from the ring...but sometimes real life has to take precedence over one's wrestling aspirations. His loss of the Battle Royal Title makes sense in hindsight. Matt King won after hiding outside the ring for the second half of the match, but Chase got some payback later in the night by costing Matt a singles match to A.J. Williams(the runner-up in the battle royal).
I've also heard the viewpoint that MMWA has a LOT of belts...even with the Tag Team and Women's Titles on the shelf, they have four singles championships(Heavyweight, Jr. Heavyweight, T.V., Battle Royal). Hopefully something can be done to distinguish the belts...maybe implement the ten-minute time limit for the T.V. Title?
I don't know much about Gravedigger...not sure if he's the same guy who once wrestled as an Undertaker knockoff. It's tough to judge someone's ability in the context of a battle royal...he tossed out a few of the smaller participants, then everyone joined forces to eliminate the biggest guy in the fight.
The stipulations on the Jimmy D-Brian James match were that the belt would automatically change hands if anyone interfered on D's behalf(since Texan had helped him in the past)...I guess Gravedigger didn't DIRECTLY interfere as he just passed in a chair. Not sure if Phil E. Blunt will be a regular competitor again, but he directly cost Jimmy D the match so that issue may not be over.
Attendance was looking a bit low(curse of warm weather) when I arrived at the building last Saturday, but the place filled out fairly well and the audience was enthusiastic for most of the show.
I realize the face/heel lines are blurred in wrestling nowadays, but I'm always skeptical of promos where the heel has a valid point. Mephisto pointed out that he had defeated Webmaster Stevie K at the May show, but Stevie K was getting a T.V. Title shot later in the night instead of him...hmm.
Liked the subtle touch of the Jr. Heavyweight Title match having a thirty-minute time limit(since a previous Espinosa-Williams match went to a twenty-minute draw).
Trying to sort out the new faces in MMWA...from my understanding, Kevin Esparza is a WLW trainee(probably traveling with Gamble, Webb, and Magnuson). Haven't seen nearly enough of the WLW crew lately and there are a few that I haven't seen at all yet(Elvis Aliaga comes to mind). (CORRECTION: Esparza is a Broadway trainee.)
Jackson Whitechapel is apparently a Broadway trainee and looked impressive for his first outing. There was one moment where he climbed the ropes and I was worried that we'd get another ring malfunction, but everything held up and he hit the splash off the top. He fought the ring and won, essentially. Other than that, Whitechapel stuck to the power-based ground game and seemed solid enough...look forward to seeing him again in the future.
Raphael(fka Matt) King has come a long way in a short period of time...he's definitely more comfortable in the heel role. Also, good to see Ace Hawkins around these parts again. Not terribly fond of non-finishes as a rule, but it worked to set up the main event.
I'm sure Crimefighter has his own point of view on the effeminate masked character known as Flaming Freddie Fury. The gimmick seems to be over with the fans, at any rate. Andrew Wilder's been getting a few wins lately...good for him.
Solid matchup between Brian James and Stevie K...I'm sure we'll see a James-Jimmy D rematch in the near future due to Phil E. Blunt's involvement in the title change.
Really good main event...any of the three could have conceivably walked away with the belt. With the surprisingly short opener(under ten minutes) and title change, Espinosa taking the big belt was a good possibility. There are a lot of possible directions for the title picture in MMWA right now...tremendous.
At any rate, fun time as usual...the rest of the month looks like this:
Friday 6/14: Dynamo in Glen Carbon
Saturday 6/15: SICW in East Carondelet
Saturday 6/22: CSCW in Swansea
Friday 6/29: SLA in Alton IL
Some interesting stuff on the horizon...MMWA has Tom Pritchard booked for July(wrestling, even) and SICW has Hacksaw Jim Duggan booked for October. SLA already has the August show booked with Corbin-Cannon(making up for Corbin missing Circus Maximus due to injury), Elgin-Vega, A.C.H.-Gresham, and Davey-Gerald James. CSCW has NWA World Champion Rob Conway booked for their Cahokia debut in August. FIST Combat has another show set for late July at Pop's. All in all, a busy time on the local wrestling scene...
As always: #yaywrestling
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WWE(www.wwe.com)
Main Event on Wednesday 6/12 has:
-Mike Mizanin vs. Cody Rhodes
-Sin Cara vs. Damien Sandow
-Tons Of Funk vs. Jimmy & Jey Uso
NXT this week has:
-Big E Langston vs. Bo Dallas - NXT Title
-Sami Zayn vs. Antonio Cesaro
-Baron Corbin & Travis Tyler vs. Garrett Dylan & Scott Dawson
-Alicia Fox vs. Bayley Rose - NXT Women's Title Tournament
Superstars this week has:
-Brodus Clay vs. Titus O'Neil
-Zack Ryder vs. Heath Slater
Smackdown on Friday 6/14 has:
-Randy Orton & Hell No vs. The Shield
-Alberto Del Rio & Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston
-Sheamus O'Shaunessy vs. Antonio Cesaro
-Wade Barrett vs. Curtis Axel
-The Great Khali vs. Heath Slater
-Kaitlyn Bonin vs. Aksana Raudoniene
Payback is on Sunday 6/16:
-John Cena vs. Ryback - WWE Title - Three Stages Of Hell Match
-Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio - World Title
-Chris Jericho vs. C.M. Punk
-Wade Barrett vs. Mike Mizanin vs. Curtis Axel - Intercontinental Title
-Dean Ambrose vs. Kane - U.S. Title
-Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton & Daniel Bryan - Tag Team Titles
-Kaitlyn Bonin vs. A.J. Lee - Women's Title
-Sheamus O'Shaunessy vs. Damien Sandow
TNA(www.tnawrestling.com)
Impact on Thursday 6/13 has:
-Kurt Angle vs. A.J. Styles - Bound For Glory Series Qualifier
-James Storm & Phil Gunner vs. Bad Influence(Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian) - Bound For Glory Series Qualifier
-Joseph Park vs. Tommy "Crimson" Mercer - Bound For Glory Series Qualifier
-Brutus Magnus vs. Rob Terry vs. Matt Morgan vs. Kenny King - Bound for Glory Series Qualifier
-Eric Young vs. Austin Aries - Bound For Glory Series Qualifier
-Battle Royal - Bound For Glory Series Qualifier
Bound For Glory is on Sunday 10/20.
RING OF HONOR(www.rohwrestling.com)
ROH TV next week has:
-Jay Briscoe vs. B.J. Whitmer - Heavyweight Title
Next show is Saturday 6/22 in Baltimore, MD:
-Jay Briscoe vs. Mark Briscoe - Heavyweight Title
-Kevin Steen vs. Matt Hardy
-Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards
-Matt Taven vs. Jay Lethal vs. Jimmy Jacobs - T.V. Title
-reDRagon(Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish) vs. C&C Wrestle Factory(Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander) vs. Rhett Titus & Cliff Compton - Tag Team Titles
-Michael Elgin vs. Tommaso Ciampa
-B.J. Whitmer vs. Mike Bennett
-Adam Cole vs. Roderick Strong
ROH has a show on Sunday 6/23 in Baltimore, MD:
-Jay Briscoe vs. Matt Hardy - Heavyweight Title
-Michael Elgin, Jay Lethal, Mark Briscoe, & B.J. Whitmer vs. Rhino, Jimmy Jacobs, Rhett Titus, & Cliff Compton - Steel Cage Warfare
-MsChif vs. Veda Scott
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ST. LOUIS ANARCHY(www.slawrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 6/28 in Alton, IL:
-A.C.H. vs. T.J. Perkins - Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-Khris Wolfe vs. Gerald James - 10,000 Thumbtacks Match
-Davey Vega vs. K.C. Karrington - Non-Sanctioned Fight
-Evan Gelistico vs. Mat Fitchett - ACW Heavyweight Title
-The Hooligans vs. Davey Richards & Kyle O'Reilly
-Arik Cannon vs. Jonathan Gresham
-Tadarius Thomas vs. Jojo Bravo
-Bolt Brady vs. Brandon Espinosa - ACW U-30 Title
-Adam Raw vs. Jordan Lacey
-Billy McNeil vs. Darin Childs vs. Alex The Big Owl vs. Darren Dean vs. Thomas Shire vs. Aaron Solo
SLA has a show on Friday 8/9 in Alton, IL:
-Darin Corbin vs. Arik Cannon - Heavyweight Title - No-DQ Match
-Michael Elgin vs. Davey Vega
-A.C.H. vs. Jonathan Gresham
-Davey Richards vs. Gerald James
-Appearing: Mat Fitchett, Kyle O'Reilly, Evan Gelistico, The Hooligans, Jojo Bravo, Dan Walsh, Bolt Brady, Brandon Espinosa, Angelus Layne, Thomas Shire, Adam Raw, Alex The Big Owl, Darren Dean, Aaron Solo, Jordan Lacey
DPW(dynamopro.weebly.com)
Next show is Friday 6/14 in Glen Carbon, IL:
-Dan Walsh vs. Randomly-Drawn Opponent - Heavyweight Title
-Michael Elgin vs. Trent Stone
-Ricky Cruz vs. Jeremy Wyatt - Dog Collar Match
-The Bumrush Brothers(Shorty Biggs & Outtkast) vs. The Travis Cook Organization(Ken Kasa & Dave Vaughn) vs. Jack Adonis & Mike Sharona vs. The First United Church Of Karrington - Tag Team Titles
-MsChif vs. Miss Natural - Falls-Count-Anywhere Match
-Jake Parnell vs. Alexandre Rudolph
FIST COMBAT(no website)
Next show is Friday 7/26 in Sauget, IL(Pop's).
MMWA-SICW(saintlouiswrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 6/15 in East Carondelet, IL:
-Ricky Cruz vs. Ron Powers - Classic Title - Referee Danny Boy Hawkins
MMWA has a show on Saturday 7/13 in St. Louis, MO:
-Appearing: Tom Pritchard
SICW has a show on Saturday 7/20 in East Carondelet, IL.
SICW has a legends' meet-and-greet on Friday 8/9 in Sauget, IL(GCS Stadium):
-Appearing: Jerry Lawler, Ken Patera, Rocky Johnson, Baron Von Raschke, Harley Race
SICW has a show on Saturday 8/10 in Sauget, IL(GCS Stadium).
MMWA has a show on Saturday 8/10 in St. Louis, MO
SICW has a show on Saturday 8/17 in East Carondelet, IL.
METRO EAST CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING(www.facebook.com/pages/MECW/147167285333132)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
PRO WRESTLING COLLISION(www.prowrestlingcollision.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
3XW(www.3xwrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 6/28 in Des Moines, IA:
-Ryan Slade, A.J. Smooth, & ? vs. Jeremy Wyatt, Mark Sterling, & Bradley Charles
-Jake & Ryan King vs. ? & ? - Tag Team Titles
-Casanova vs. Supafli - Pure Wrestling Title
-Barry Ryte vs. Jimmy Rockwell
-Aaron Masterson & Midnight Guthrie vs. The Mylan Management Agency(Ricky Kwong & Chad Mylan)
-Jon West vs. Abu Colossus
-Appearing: Mad Dog McDowell, J.D. Riggs, Ray Stryker, J.J. Garrett, Cuco Santiago
METRO PRO WRESTLING(www.metrowrestling.com)
Next show is Saturday 7/13 in Kansas City, KS:
-Jeremy Wyatt vs. Mark Sterling - Heavyweight Title
-The Commission(Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy) vs. The Kobra Kai Dojo(Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) - Tag Team Titles - Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-Miss Natural vs. Angelus Layne
-Appearing: Adam Pearce
WLW(www.harleyrace.com/WorldLeagueWrestling.htm)
Next show is Saturday 6/29 in Dixon, MO:
-Leland Race vs. Jack Gamble
-Stacey O'Brien vs. Mia Martinez - Women's Title
-Jon Webb vs. Geek Singh
-Dark Shadows vs. Kris Wallace
-Elvis Aliaga vs. Garrett Rockhold
CSCW(www.nwa-ccw.com)
Next show is Saturday 6/22 in Swansea, IL:
-Evan Money vs. Andy Dalton - NWA Central States Title
-Shane Somers vs. Shane Fury - NWA Illinois Title
-Jagged Edge vs. The Sanchez Brothers
-Chris Logan vs. Shane Marx
-Justa Mazing vs. Dakota Prodigy
CSCW has a show on Saturday 7/27 in Swansea, IL:
-Evan Money vs. Deven Spade - NWA Central States Title
CSCW has a show on Saturday 8/31 in Cahokia, IL:
-Appearing: Rob Conway
RCW(no website)
RCW has a reunion show on Saturday 8/31 in Bethalto, IL.
UNAFFILIATED SHOWS
Saturday 6/15 in Jerseyville, IL:
-The Hooligans vs. Manimal & Chuey Martinez
-Ruben Steel vs. Jimmy Feltcher
-Appearing: Mickie Knuckles
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DRAGON GATE USA/EVOLVE(www.dgusa.tv)
Next show is Saturday 7/27 in Queens, NY.
EVOLVE has a show on Sunday 7/28 in Manhattan, NY.
HOUSE OF HARDCORE(www.houseofhardcore.net)
Next show is Saturday 6/22 in Philadelphia, PA:
-Tommy Dreamer vs. Lance Storm
-2 Cold Scorpio vs. John Morrison
-The Young Bucks vs. Brian Kendrick & Paul London
-Tony Nese vs. Petey Williams vs. Alex Reynolds
-Appearing: Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Steiner Brothers, Carlito Colon, Maria Kanellis, Montel Vontavious Porter, Thea Trinidad, Mike Bennett, Crowbar, The Sandman, Little Guido, Danny Doring, Eddie Kingston
ANARCHY WRESTLING(www.anarchy-wrestling.net)
Next show is Saturday 6/22 in Cornelia, GA:
-Jeremy Vain vs. Geter - Heavyweight Title
-The Washington Bullets(Jon & Trey Williams) vs. B.J. Hancock & Joey Rhymer - Tag Team Titles
-Seth Delay vs. Anthony Henry - Match 4 Of 5
-Slim J vs. Corey Hollis
-Azrael vs. Se7en
CHIKARA(www.chikarapro.com)
Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.
WRESTLING IS RESPECT(www.prowrestlingrespect.com)
Next show is Sunday 6/30 in Boonton, NJ featuring the Quest To Be The Best Tournament:
-Tournament Participants: Green Ant, Francis O'Rourke, Anthony Stone, Gran Akuma, Jervis Cottonbelly, Drew Gulak, Arctic Rescue Ant, Matt Taven
-Delirious & Leech Landa vs. The Pieces Of Hate(Jigsaw & The Shard)
SHIMMER(www.shimmerwrestling.com)
Next shows are Saturday 10/19 & Sunday 10/20 in Berwyn, IL.
SHINE(www.shinewrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 7/12 in Ybor City, FL featuring the SHINE Title Tournament:
-Tournament Finals & Semifinals
-Saraya Knight vs. Jessicka Havok - Tournament Quarterfinal
-Mia Yim vs. Leva Bates - Tournament Quarterfinal
-Rain vs. Bracket A Qualifier Winner - Tournament Quarterfinal
-Santana Garrett vs. Bracket B Qualifier Winner - Tournament Quarterfinal
-Mercedes Martinez vs. Nikki Roxx vs. Taylor Made vs. Su Yung - Tournament Qualifier, Bracket A
-Amazing Kong vs. Angelina Love vs. Ivelisse Velez vs. Kimberly - Tournament Qualifier, Bracket B
AAW(www.aawrestling.com)
Next show is Friday 6/28 in Berwyn, IL:
-Michael Elgin vs. Shane Hollister - Heavyweight Title
-Colt Cabana vs. Dan Lawrence
-Zero Gravity vs. Josh Alexander & Ethan Page
-Heidi Lovelace vs. Miss Natural
ACW(www.anarchychampionshipwrestling.com)
Next show is Sunday 6/23 in Austin, TX featuring the American Joshi Queen Of Queens Tournament:
-Tournament Participants: Barbi Hayden, Angel Blue, Su Yung, Leva Bates, Angelus Layne, Addy Starr, ?
-Scot Summers vs. Carson
-Davey Vega vs. Ricky Starks
St. Louis Wrestling Community: http://community.livejournal.com/stlwrestling/
Missouri Wrestling Revival: http://www.missouriwrestlingrevival.com/
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