SLA Special Comment

After the previous balmy outing in Granite City, St. Louis Anarchy found a new air-conditioned venue in Alton, IL.  They had a good line outside the building when I arrived...many of the fans had contributions for the fans-bring-the-weapons match.

In terms of in-ring action, SLA sets the bar very high with their mix of local talent, Texas(ACW) regulars, and national standouts.  They do a good job of catering to their particular audience as the fans were hyped up for most of the show.  "Finisher spam" occurs fairly often on these shows but I don't usually see the audience get burned out on it.  I realize I am becoming an old bitter rasslin fan, but I don't mind that sort of thing for the most part.

Didn't know anything about the two guys in the pre-show match that weren't Alexandre Rudolph.  Aaron Solo is from California(according to his Twitter) and Darren Dean is a trainee of Davey Richards(which I guessed from the kick combo finish).  The post-match events were...unusual.  No idea who the hypnotist manager was(Jacob Dangle?) but it gives Rudolph something to do in SLA.

Bolt Brady was clearly supposed to be the face in the "official" opener, but the fans like Corbin WAY too much...bwahahaha.  Al Canal and his daughter are big Darin Corbin fans.  We got a "Christian Values" chant...wow.

Good of them to acknowledge Mat Fitchett's injury, though this show went even longer due to the multiple talking segments.  The intermission ran fairly long as well due to the beer pong...they ARE never brief(RIP Adam Starr).

Yeah, I'd have to call it an upset that "Mojo Bravado" defeated the Hooligans.  I'd heard rumblings of SLA starting up their own Tag Team Titles so we'll see if that comes to fruition.

Speaking of championships, the scheduled Angel Blue vs. Serenity match for the ACW Joshi Title didn't take place...didn't see either lady at the show.

Johnny Gargano is one of several indy standouts rumored to be headed to WWE Land...if that's the case, good for him.  Have only seen a few of his matches but he's a talented guy from what I have witnessed.  Always cool to see Arik Cannon as well...he's been a regular for SLA in the past year and a half.

Lots of creative weaponry in Childs vs. Gelistico...a toy guitar, a plastic Ghostbusters lunchbox, a log, etc.  A tiki torch broke on impact and a piece of it hit me...ow.  At least two cheese graters were used with the expected results...though the blood didn't flow quite as much as it did in the main event.  Thumbtacks were involved in the finish...bad landing for Evan, who I agree is a bit underrated in these circles.

As the night continued, I almost forgot about Richards-Perkins being on the card.  I joked with friends about whether they had only booked Davey to kick a Crave Case out of Greg Jovi's hands.  :-D

Vega and O'Reilly have fought a few times in the past...they seem to match up well with each other.  Vega's another guy that's kinda underrated and will hopefully get some spotlight on a bigger stage soon.  He's come a long way from being "that guy who teams up with Johnny Vinyl".

Have missed seeing Dingo in the ring...he hasn't been wrestling as much but it sounds like he'll be returning to a more regular schedule in the near future.  Was psyched for the match with A.C.H. as soon as it was announced and it definitely delivered.  Cringed when A.C.H. hit that finishing cradle DDT(immediately thought about Dingo's old neck injury)...he seemed to be okay later.

More buildup to Richards vs. Vega...should be tremendous.  I suspect we'll hear a few "Let's Go Davey" chants.

The main event was insane...lots of plunder used including a few broken tables.  We finally saw a German suplex off the ring apron and through a table(Gerald James being the recipient) and I wasn't in a good spot to see it...AK~!  Both guys bled a ton...it took a few tries to break the final table and Walsh finally resorted to using the turnbuckle hook to get the win.  I don't know if they were trying to turn someone in the equation...but Dorian Victor wasn't too happy with "Gary's Mom" after the match.

At any rate, tremendous show...I believe they said the next event would be in September with Walsh vs. Corbin seemingly set up.  Of course, the weekend wasn't over...to be continued~!

Comedy Part 467: Long Layoff

Location: Westport Funny Bone
Emcee: Kenny Kinds
After: John Venegoni
Before: Greg Buchek

Wasn't originally on the list, but a bunch of audience members came in late so they extended the show. Didn't prepare very well...tried out a couple of new-ish jokes that still need work. First one went over fairly well, the other one did not...the crowd was getting a bit weary at that point in the night(three-hour show!). There's no open-mic next Tuesday because of a special engagement but I may be performing at a show next week Wednesday...more details as they become available. :-D

This Week In Wrestling

WWE(www.wwe.com)

Smackdown on Friday 7/20 has:
-Sheamus O'Shaunessy & Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Dolph Ziggler & Alberto Del Rio
-Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
-"R-Truth" Ron Killings, Kofi Kingston, & Primo & Epico Colon vs. The Prime Time Players, Hunico, & Donny Camacho
-Zack Ryder vs. Damien Sandow
-Road Warrior Animal vs. Heath Slater

The 1000th episode of Raw is on Monday 7/23 in St. Louis, MO:
-John Cena vs. The Big Show & John Laurinaitis
-C.M. Punk vs. John Cena - WWE Title
-Daniel Bryan/A.J. Lee Wedding
-Appearing:  The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Brock Lesnar

SummerSlam is on Sunday 8/19.

TNA(www.tnawrestling.com)

Impact on Thursday 7/19 has:
-Austin Aries vs. Bobby Roode

Hardcore Justice is on Sunday 8/12.

RING OF HONOR(www.rohwrestling.com)

Next show is Friday 8/3 in Baltimore, MD:
-Tag Team Title Tournament:  The Briscoe Brothers, The Young Bucks, BLK OUT

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ST. LOUIS ANARCHY(www.lethalwrestlingalliance.com)

Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.

IHW(www.ihwrestling.com)

Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.

DPW(www.facebook.com/dynamoprowrestling)

Next show is Friday 8/10 in Glen Carbon, IL:
-K.C. Karrington vs. Makaze - NWA Missouri Title
-Dan Walsh vs. Trent Stone

SOUTH BROADWAY(saintlouiswrestling.com)

Next show is Saturday 7/21 in East Carondelet, IL:
-Ricky Cruz & Gary Jackson vs. Dave Vaughn & Ken Kasa
-Sean Vincent vs. Ron Powers

METRO EAST CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING(www.mecwrestling.com)

Next show is Saturday 7/21 in Wood River, IL.

AAPW(www.allamericanprowrestling.com)

Next show is Saturday 7/21 in Marion, IL.

NEW MIDWEST WRESTLING(www.newmidwest.com)

Next show is Saturday 8/25 in Springfield, IL:
-Tom Arons vs. Sage Ramsey - Heavyweight Title
-Attitude Inc. vs. The Hooligans - Tag Team Titles

3XW(www.3xwrestling.com)

Next show is Friday 7/27 in Des Moines, IA:
-Ben Sailer vs. Davey Richards - Heavyweight Title
-The American Bulldogs vs. Ricky Kwong & Domino Rivera - Tag Team Titles
-Jaysin Strife vs. Tony Kozina
-Kyle O'Reilly vs. Mark Sterling
-Tony Sly vs. Gage Octane & Todd Countryman
-Jimmy Rockwell vs. Darin Corbin
-Bradley Charles vs. Nate Bash vs. Devin Carter

METRO PRO WRESTLING(www.metrowrestling.com)

Next show is Saturday 7/21 in Kansas City, KS:
-Colt Cabana vs. Adam Pearce - Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-Mark Sterling vs. Dingo - Heavyweight Title
-A.C.H. vs. Matt Murphy - NWA Central States Title
-Bradley Charles vs. Derek Stone - NWA Kansas Title
-The American Bulldogs vs. The Commission
-Der Oysleyz vs. Tyler Cook

WLW(www.harleyrace.com/wlw/wlwhome.htm)

Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.

RCW(www.midwestrcw.com)

Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.

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DRAGON GATE USA/EVOLVE(www.dgusa.tv)

Next show is Saturday 7/28 in Taylor, MI:
-Johnny Gargano vs. Akira Tozawa - Open The Freedom Gate Title
-El Generico & Samuray Del Sol vs. CIMA & A.R. Fox
-YAMATO vs. Ricochet
-Rich Swann vs. Chuck Taylor
-The Super Smash Brothers vs. The Scene

DGUSA has a show on Sunday 7/29 in Chicago, IL:
-Ricochet & Rich Swann vs. CIMA & A.R. Fox - For The Vacant Open The United Gate Titles
-Akira Tozawa vs. El Generico
-YAMATO vs. Jon Davis
-Johnny Gargano vs. Chuck Taylor - I Quit Match
-The Super Smash Brothers vs. Arik Cannon & Pinkie Sanchez

SHINE(www.shinewrestling.com)

Next show is Friday 7/20 in Ybor City, FL:
-Sara Del Rey vs. Jazz
-Nikki Roxx vs. Rain
-Veda Scott vs. Kimberly
-Santana Garrett vs. Tina San Antonio
-Tracy Taylor & Su Yung vs. Allysin Kay & Taylor Made
-Reby Sky vs. Jayme Jameson
-Mercedes Martinez vs. Leva Bates
-Christina Von Eerie vs. Cherry Bomb

PRO WRESTLING GUERRILLA(www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com)

Next show is Saturday 7/21 in Reseda, CA:
-The Super Smash Brothers vs. The Young Bucks vs. Future Shock - Tag Team Titles - Ladder Match
-Kevin Steen vs. Willie Mack - Heavyweight Title
-Michael Elgin vs. Sami Callihan
-The RockNES Monsters vs. The Fightin' Taylor Boys
-T.J. Perkins vs. Roderick Strong
-Brian Cage vs. Eddie Edwards
-B-Boy vs. Drake Younger
-Famous B vs. Joey Ryan

NWA ANARCHY(www.nwaanarchy.net)

Next show is Saturday 7/28 in Cornelia, GA.

IWA MID-SOUTH(www.freewebs.com/iwamidsouth/)

Information on upcoming shows will be posted when it becomes available.

CHIKARA(www.chikarapro.com)

Next show is Saturday 7/28 in Portland, ME:
-Eddie Kingston vs. Sara Del Rey - Grand Championship
-Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, Ultramantis Black, & Hallowicked vs. The Young Bucks & The Heartthrobs
-Green Ant vs. assailANT
-Frightmare vs. Ophidian
-Jivin' Jimmy vs. Kobald vs. Cameron Matthews vs. Anthony Stone
-Gran Akuma & 3.0 vs. Solder Ant, combatANT, and deviANT
-Sugar Dunkerton vs. The Shard

CHIKARA has a show on Sunday 7/29 in Everett, MA:
-The Young Bucks vs. The Throwbacks - Tag Team Titles - Best-Of-3-Falls Match
-Sara Del Rey vs. Icarus
-A.C.H. vs. J.T. Dunn vs. Aaron Epic vs. Vinny Marseglia
-Jigsaw vs. Jakob Hammermeier
-Gran Akuma & 3.0 vs. The Batiri
-Sugar Dunkerton vs. Ophidian

SHIMMER(www.shimmerwrestling.com)

Next shows are Saturday 10/27 and Sunday 10/28 in Berwyn, IL.

AAW(www.aawrestling.com)

Next show is Saturday 7/21 in Merrionette Park, IL:
-Silas Young vs. Jimmy Jacobs vs. Arik Cannon - Heavyweight Title Ladder Match
-Davey Richards vs. Fit Finlay
-MsChif vs. Danny Daniels - Chicago Street Fight
-B.J. Whitmer, Josh Raymond, & Christian Able vs. Mason Beck & Irish Airborne

ACW(www.anarchychampionshipwrestling.com)

Next show is Saturday 7/22 in Austin, TX:
-A.C.H. vs. Jaykus Plisken - Heavyweight Title
-Jimmy Jacobs vs. Gary Jay
-J.T. LaMotta vs. Evan Gelistico
-Rachel Summerlyn vs. Lady Poison
-Killah Kash vs. Scot Summers
-Angel Blue vs. Athena vs. Barbie Hayden vs. Portia Perez - Joshi Title
-Shawn Vexx vs. Masada

STL Wrestling Community: http://community.livejournal.com/stlwrestling/
MO Wrestling Revival: http://www.missouriwrestlingrevival.com/

WWE Raw

-Commentators:  Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole.
-"R-Truth" Ron Killings & Kofi Kingston d. The Prime Time Players(w/ Abraham Washington) to retain the Tag Team Titles; Kofi hit Trouble In Paradise from the apron on Titus, setting up Truth's Paydirt for the win.
-Alberto Del Rio(w/ Ricardo Rodriguez) d. Zack Ryder with the cross-armbreaker.  Alberto continued to attack Ryder after the match but Rey Misterio Jr. returned to make the save.
-Rikishi Phatu d. Heath Slater after the Stinkface and Banzai Drop.  Jimmy & Jey Uso danced with their dad after the match.
-Daniel Bryan & A.J. Lee d. Mike Mizanin & Eve Torres; Eve got A.J. in a small package but Bryan turned it over behind the referee's back and A.J. got the pin.  After the match, Bryan finally tells A.J. that he loves her and proposes for real...he even has a ring this time.  She says YES~!
-Ryback vs. Jack Swagger never officially started as Swagger attacked before the bell...Swagger delivered a Doctor Bomb and Swagger Bomb, but Ryback kicked him away when he went for the anklelock.  Ryback delivered a triple powerbomb(!) before clearing Swagger out of the ring.
-Chris Jericho interrupted a promo by Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero...Ziggler mouthed off to Jericho for a bit too long and ate a Codebreaker as a result.
-Brodus Clay(w/ Funkadactyls) d. J.T.G. with the big splash.
-WWE Champion C.M. Punk d. The Big Show(non-title) by DQ when Show shoved the referee as he was pummeling Punk in the corner.  John Cena saved Punk from a post-match PUNCH and announced he was cashing in his Money-In-The-Bank contract...at Raw 1000 next week.

FCW TV

Commentators:  Jim Ross & Dusty Rhodes.  Ring announcer:  Caylee Turner.

Corey Graves & Jake Carter vs. Mike Dalton & C.J. Parker for the Tag Team Titles:  Dusty refers to someone named "Steven Regal" being in the main event...fire that man.  J.R. turns the tag team experience factor on its head, noting that the champs wouldn't have many Dalton/Parker tag matches to view for scouting purposes.  The challengers look good in the early going...the champs try to double up on Dalton but get sent to the floor by stereo dropkicks.  Stereo planchas hit...sounds like a good time for a commercial break.

A blind tag by Graves allows Carter to attack Parker from behind, finally putting the champs in command of the match.  C.J. escapes that predicament and makes the hot tag to Dalton...the house is on fire!  Dalton cleans house and hits Graves with a Lightning Spiral, but Carter pulls Dalton off the cover.  Parker baseball-slides Carter to take him out of the picture...but Graves catches a spinning heel kick to deliver a big sitout powerbomb!  Graves takes a second to cover...and only gets two.  Now it's Dalton in trouble...but dueling cross-bodyblocks leave both Dalton and Graves down.  Tags are made on both sides and C.J. Parker rallies, clotheslining Graves out of the ring.  He takes out Carter out with a huge jumping side kick and a double-knee in the corner...then a Strongbuster!  C.J. goes to the top rope...and nails the swandive headbutt!  Cover...only gets 2 1/2!  Dalton fends off Graves and Parker calls for the finish, but Carter shoves Parker into Dalton on the turnbuckles!  The referee occupies himself with untangling Dalton from the turnbuckles, allowing the champs to hit their Bottoms-Up finisher(double-team over-the-shoulder powerslam combo)...that gives Carter the three-count over Parker to retain the Tag Titles.

Audrey Marie vs. Paige Knight, no-DQ match:  J.R. jokes that he and Dusty have T-shirts larger than Caylee's dress...heh.  Audrey wastes no time in attacking...lots of hair-pulling(no-DQ!).  Paige takes advantage with her more aggressive style...Audrey fires up, but a missed dropkick puts a halt to that momentum.  Paige brings in a chair(no-DQ!) but Audrey kicks it away, then stands on the chair to stop her from using it...Marie catches Paige with a DDT out of nowhere and that's the ballgame.

S. William Regal vs. Dean Ambrose:  This main event gets a lot of buildup...Ambrose attacked Regal several months ago and the two clashed in the ring with Regal coming out on top.  Since that time, Ambrose continued to antagonize Regal...even adopting Regal's signature knee trembler and Regal Stretch to provoke him into a rematch.  Regal immediately targets the arm(an injury suffered in their previous encounter)...YAY WRESTLING~!  Dean tries to brawl his way into an advantage but Regal counters by getting a hold of the arm again...of course Regal has no problem with exchanging strikes.  Regal motions for Ambrose to get up...Dean responds that Regal would have to take the arm home with him to beat him.  Regal chickenwings him on the mat and Dean bites the arm(!) to escape...that fires up Regal as he delivers an exploder suplex.  The match spills out of the ring and Regal introduces the arm to the steel steps...Dusty notes that Regal hasn't really tried to pin Ambrose yet.  Regal traps the arm between the steps and the ringpost and kicks the steps, then steps on Dean's head as he climbs back up the steps...well done.  Regal responds to the official's protests by informing him that "I KNOW THE RULES!"  As the ref backs Regal off, Ambrose fiddles with one of the turnbuckle pads...

Regal continues his attack on the arm, but Ambrose finally gets a break by ramming him into the ringpost.  Regal is slow to re-enter the ring...meanwhile, Dean rams his own shoulder into the turnbuckle in an attempt to "fix" the damage.  Ambrose roughs up his veteran rival as J.R. notes that Regal has been an indirect mentor of sorts to Ambrose.  Regal still seems to be a bit dazed from the ringpost and Ambrose pummels him in the head...then Dean removes the bottom turnbuckle pad from earlier and knees him backwards into the exposed metal!  Regal is left with a bloody ear as the trainer checks on him...but Dean taunts him to keep fighting and Regal unloads with a forearm smash out of nowhere!  More refs enter the ring to check on BOTH men...the fans chant "let them fight" but the referee finally stops the match.  Ambrose flips out and abuses the referees...then some wrestlers try to restore order and Dean attacks them as well.  Ambrose attacks Regal again and locks him in the Regal Stretch...Dean appears to be lining him up for the knee trembler, but Regal rises slightly and applauds him!  Ambrose obliges and takes out Regal with the knee strike...finally the locker room empties to hold Ambrose back!  Dean breaks away from the crowd in an attempt to attack Regal again, but they finally escort him back to the dressing room...looks like that's how our final episode of FCW TV will end.

So long from the Sunshine State!

WWE Money In The Bank

-Tag Team Champions "R-Truth" Ron Killings & Kofi Kingston d. Hunico & Donny Camacho(non-title) when R-Truth pinned Camacho after the Paydirt.
-Dolph Ziggler won a Money-In-The-Bank Ladder Match with Intercontinental Champion Christian Cage, U.S. Champion Santino Marella, Damien Sandow, Tyson Kidd, Cody Rhodes, Lord Tensai, and Sin Cara.
-Late entry to the WWE Title MITB Match:  Former WWE Champion Mike Mizanin.
-Sheamus O'Shaunessy d. Alberto Del Rio(w/ Ricardo Rodriguez) via Brogue Kick to retain the World Title.  Dolph Ziggler nearly cashes in his briefcase after the match but eats a Brogue Kick before the bell can officially ring for the impromptu match.
-Primo & Epico Colon(w/ Rosa Mendes) d. The Prime Time Players(w/ Abraham Washington) when Primo small-packaged Darren Young; R-Truth & Kofi watched the match from ringside.
-C.M. Punk d. Daniel Bryan in a no-DQ match to retain the WWE Title; A.J. Lee was the special guest referee.  Punk won after a belly-to-back superplex through a table.
-Ryback won a handicap match against Tyler Reks & Curt Hawkins, pinning Reks after the Shellshock.
-Women's Champion Layla El, Kaitlyn Bonin, & Tamina Snuka d. Eve Torres, Beth Phoenix, & Natalya Neidhart when Layla pinned Beth after the Layout.
-John Cena won a Money-In-The-Bank Ladder Match with The Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, and Mike Mizanin.

NWA Anarchy TV #337

Commentators:  Tim E.D. & John Johnson.

Zach Daniels vs. Andrew Pendleton III:  Daniels has a good showing, but experience wins out as AP3 blocks a top-rope move to deliver a modified STO for the win.

Nemesis appears without Shadow Jackson...they play a video of a conversation between the tag partners.  Shadow's concerned about his injury status and mentions that he had trouble picking up his child recently.  Jackson wants to make a comeback...but he wants to be at full strength when he does.

Joey Rhymer vs. Adrian Hawkins:  Rhymer misses the swanton bomb by a mile...that's enough of an opening for Hawkins to lock on the Sharpshooter for the tapout.  Hawkins feels like hanging onto the hold...that brings out Young Lions' Champion Anthony Henry and Hawkins decides he was just leaving.  Henry turns to check on Rhymer and Hawkins clips him from behind...Hawkins attempts the Sharpshooter but Henry escapes the predicament.  Henry goes for his own hold, the Texas Cloverleaf, but Hawkins escapes the ring.

Seth Delay vs. John Skyler, Gold Rush Qualifier:  As a refresher, Johnny Dangerous and Andrew Pendleton III have already qualified for the Gold Rush Match at Hostile Environment...the winner gets a title shot of his choice with the stipulation of his choice.  Skyler takes a page out of the Fit Finlay playbook by pulling up the ring apron to block a baseball slide.  Seth rallies but misses the Macho Elbow...but Skyler's attempt at a move off the turnbuckles gets nothing but a fist to the gut.  Delay scores a few near-falls in a row from different pinning combinations but gets caught with a Flapjack.  Sliced Bread #2 is blocked and Delay hits a version of the old Kool Krusher(leapfrog out of the corner straight into an Edge-O-Matic) for the three-count.

Jeff G. Bailey & Jerry Palmer(w/ NWA Elite) issue a challenge to Commissioner/General Manager Brodie Ray Chase for a twelve-man elimination tag match at Hostile Environment.  Palmer proposes that Brodie put his control of the company on the line in that match...Palmer gains control if the NWA Elite win the match.

Azrael, Slim J, & Nemesis(w/ Dan Wilson) vs. Heavyweight Champion Shaun Tempers, T.V. Champion Bo Newsom, & Jacoby Boykins(w/ Jeff G. Bailey & Jerry Palmer):  Long-time rivals Azrael & Slim J show surprising teamwork to take out both Tempers and Newsom.  Johnson proclaims Boykins to be a former T.V. and Tag Champ since he defended those titles on behalf of other NWA Elite members.  Slim takes a beating but Nemesis finally gets a hot tag and cleans house.  Chaos breaks loose and Boykins pulls Nemesis to ringside, but Azrael boosts J into a springboard plancha onto Boykins and Newsom!  Tempers tries to take advantage, but Azrael springboards off the second rope into a huge forearm shot...and that gets the pin over the Heavyweight Champion!  Tag Team Champion Se7en quickly hits the ring, followed by the Hate Junkies...everyone's brawling!  We're left with Tempers and Azrael in the ring but THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN CORNELIA...they come back on and a mystery man is in the ring, delivering a huge running powerslam on Azrael!  Slim J tries to help and gets powerbombed.  The Junkies get laid out with massive chokeslams.  Nemesis squares off with the newcomer...but he gets a running powerslam a well!  Brodie Ray Chase watches from afar...things just keep going downhill for the Franklin Dove/Brodie Ray Chase administration.