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| WRESTLING! YAY! Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein |
WrestleMania is happening this weekend, but if you think that's the only important show going on, well, hello, welcome first-time reader of The Wrestling Blog. Thank you for choosing my site to read, and please, consider Mania not as a monolith for WWE, but as a tentpole for the entire industry. The way Mania weekend has morphed into a wrestling festival, as documented by Rich Thomas and K. Sawyer Paul on this week's International Object podcast, is one of the best developments in wrestling history. Not only are there wrestling events happening within the vicinity of Mania, mostly concentrated at WrestleCon, but there are events happening in other areas of the country, whether they be before Mania or, in Anarchy Championship Wrestling's case, in opposition to Mania. Either way, if you want live wrestling this weekend, you're going to get live wrestling this weekend.
First thing's first, WrestleCon. This event is comprised of six different promotions pooling together (DGUSA/EVOLVE, Chikara, SHIMMER, CZW, Kaiju Big Battel, $5 Wrestling) and putting on one, synergistic festival over the next three days. Tonight, EVOLVE, CZW, and Kaiju play. Tomorrow, SHIMMER, Chikara, DGUSA, and $5 Wrestling have events. Sunday, DGUSA has a final appetizer before Mania comes on. Also at this event, which happens at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ, will be tons and tons of wrestler appearances, vendors, merch tables... it's one giant convention, as the name suggests. Appearing at the show other than the indie wrestlers scheduled to be there are Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart, Jushin Liger, Bobby Heenan, Mickie James, Brian Kendrick, Paul London, Terri Runnells, Kurt Angle, Rob van Dam, Jimmy Snuka, Kevin Nash, Lex Luger, George "The Animal" Steele, Lita, Maria Kanellis, Nick Dinsmore, One Man Gang, Molly Holly, Superstar Graham, Tito Santana, Tommy Dreamer, Mr. Fuji, Rocky Johnson, Beth Phoenix, and a whole shitload more of wrestling's finest past and present icons will all be there speaking, signing autographs, and perhaps selling stuff. Even if all you do is go for the appearances, you're going to have your fill and then some.
But the shows are the main thing. Each of them are jam-packed to the gills with important developments, title defenses, dream matches, and special appearances. EVOLVE kicks things off at 4 PM local time with their inaugural Championship tournament. Eight men - Sami Callihan, Ricochet, AR Fox, Chuck Taylor, Jigsaw, Rich Swann, Samuray del Sol, and Jon Davis - will compete in a uniquely-set up tourney to crown the first ever EVOLVE Champion. I can see six of those eight guys winning; Callihan is heavily rumored to be WWE-bound, and Jigsaw probably needs a bit more seasoning in Gabe-land to be a strong contender for that title. Otherwise, it's wide open. Also on that show, the Young Bucks battle the Super Smash Bros., and Johnny Gargano teams with Brian Kendrick to take on Orange Cassidy and Drew Gulak. This show is available on iPPV.
Next on the docket is CZW's event for the weekend, which will kick off at 8 PM local time. It's headlined by a huge World Championship match, Masada defending against Japanese death match legend Jun Kasai. Also on the show, Kendrick will do battle with Callihan in a veritable dream match. My pick for perhaps the most insane tilt of the weekend? Well, look no further than their Aerial Assault match, which is going to put AR Fox, Shane Strickland, Lucky 13, Shane Hollister, Rich Swann, and the Chiva Kid in the same ring at the same time. If that match doesn't produce fireworks, no match will.
Tonight's festivities will be concluded with Kaiju Big Battel, which is also available on iPPV. It's something everyone should experience at least once, but if you want to watch this, you're going to have to be up late. It starts at 11 PM local time. I don't know the wisdom about watching a show that will contain Tucor so close before bedtime, but hey, if you're bold enough, then you already were going to attend/order this show anyway.
Saturday's festivities kick off at 12 PM with the historic SHIMMER card, the first to happen in the Northeast, and only the second to happen outside the confines of the Berwyn Eagles Club. This show will be headlined by the bloodiest of SHIMMER blood feuds, with Saraya Knight defending the SHIMMER Championship against Cheerleader Melissa in a steel cage. Knight has done a good job ducking Melissa after accosting her before the show at Vol. 48 and defeating her for the title. There's nowhere to hide now. Also, Serena Deeb and Madison Eagles will be making their grand returns to SHIMMER after the injuries that almost ended their careers have finally healed completely. Even more interesting, the Kiwi sensation Evie will be venturing north of the Equator and making her American debut. This event is also on iPPV.
At 4PM local time, Chikara will present their offering for the weekend, The Shoulder of Pallas. I consider this event to have a triple main event myself. First, the nominal main pits Eddie Kingston against Hallowicked for the War King's Grand Championship. Via mandate of Wink Vavasseur, all Chikara events are to have a Grand Championship defense. Will Kingston be able to survive the first in his gauntlet against a fellow season 1 original? The second main is a signpost on the epic dissolution of the Osirian Portal. Amasis finally makes his return to Chikara, overcoming injuries that were supposed to have ended his career, as he seeks retribution against Ophidian. In the third main event, Mike Quackenbush teams up with a mystery partner against Jigsaw and The Shard. There have been many possible names floated as Quack's partner here as he himself seeks retribution against his former student. Could it be Colt Cabana? Shayne Storm? 17? JUSHIN LIGER? We'll just have to wait and see.
DGUSA puts on their first show of the weekend at 8 PM with Open the Ultimate Gate 2013. The show sees the Stateside return of Shingo Takagi, who will be going for Johnny Gargano's Open the Freedom Gate Championship. Also on the show, Uhaa Nation makes long-awaited return to DGUSA at the event where he got hurt the year before slipping on a Sami Callihan-caused beer puddle. His opponent? Sami Callihan. That should be a certified hoss fight, and if you don't think Callihan's a hoss, you've never seen him wrestle. Also, the Young Bucks get a shot at CIMA and AR Fox's Open the United Gate Championships. This event is also on iPPV.
$5 Wrestling gets the closing spot on Saturday night, 11 PM local. Colt Cabana and Marty DeRosa will be calling the action as always, and of course, the FREIGHT TRAIN will be there. I heard he might be challenging Kevin Steen, but that's only a rumor.
Finally, Sunday at 1 PM, DGUSA provides the final appetizer for Mania with their Mercury Rising 2013 event. Here is where their traditional Mania weekend six-man tag match will occur, and it will feature CIMA, EITA, and CIMA's Secret Weapon (whomever that is) against Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann, and Ricochet. That oughtta be eye-popping if anything else. Shingo's match on this card will be against the always-entertaining, super-awesome Akira Tozawa, and there'll be a massive seven-person Fray match where ladders are legal. In this match: Christina von Eerie, Uhaa Nation, Facade, Samuray del Sol, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Facade. Of course, it's on iPPV.
WrestleCon is far from the only event happening this weekend. Ring of Honor will be doing their traditional Mania weekend shows. The first of which is tonight, the Supercard of Honor. Jay Briscoe will headline the event getting his traditional ROH World Championship shot against Kevin Steen in a match that should be one of the most epic and fun brawls of the weekend. Karl Anderson comes over from Japan to take on Roderick Strong. The Tag Titles are up for grabs as Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish defend against the reunited American Wolves, and yes, ACH will be there live. The event is sold out, but you can still watch it on iPPV. The TV tapings are the next night at the Manhattan Center, and as far as I know, tickets are still available. ACH will get his shot at the Television Championship against whomever comes out of the title match from the previous night. Also, Anderson will be sticking around to take on Michael Elgin.
Pro Wrestling Syndicate held their first event last night, which included a match between the Briscoe Brothers and the Rock 'n Roll Express. For the love of God, won't someone post that match on YouTube? They have another show tonight at the SportsPlex in Metuchen, NJ. Doors open at 5:30 PM local time for some autograph signings. On the show tonight for them will feature New Jack's last match ever (heh) when he takes on Necro Butcher. Wear protective clothing when that match comes on. Also, Jushin Liger battles John Morrison, Nova and Chris Chetti reunite for one night only to face off against Hurricane Helms and Starman, and the Rock 'n Rolls appear again. It won't be against the Briscoes again, but man, at least we have one match between those two teams.
Tomorrow night in Boonton, NJ at the Elks Lodge, Indy Gurlz will be presenting some women's wrestling action, bell time 7:30 PM local. Mercedes Martinez and Kyoko Inoue will be headlining this show. Also, Sumie Sakai takes on LuFisto, Kalamity battles Mia Yim, and Leva Bates will wrestle Jessica James.
There are plenty of shows happening outside of New Jersey/New York as well. In Alabama, Pro South Wrestling will run tonight at the Pro South Arena in Piedmont, AL, doors opening at 5:30 PM. Their show features Ace Haven, Najasism, and plenty more. In Rossville, GA, Empire Pro Wrestling presents their big event of the year, Tooth and Nail 2, Saturday at 7 PM local time at the Empire Arena. The big main event is a six man tag between the two rival factions on top, the Devil's Rejects and the Illuminati. Also appearing on the show will be Shaun Tempers and Cyrus the Destroyer.
Finally, ACW will be running Peace, Love, and Anarchy at the Mohawk on Sunday at 6PM local time. Yes, that's in direct opposition to WrestleMania, but they don't care. They did it last year too. This year's lineup is one that might be worth skipping Mania for. The marquee match so far features the Hooligans pinballing their way down into Austin to take on Jaykus Plisken and James Claxton in what should be an incredibly high-energy tag match. The Hooligans are awesome, and they're a perfect fit for ACW. Also on the show, Bolt Brady defends his U-30 Championship against Barrett Brown, and there will be appearances by Evan Gelistico, Matthew Palmer, Scot Summers, Jessica James, the Submission Squad, Darin Childs, Jack Jameson, and the Business.
This weekend is loaded with wrestling. LOADED. Do yourself a favor and partake in at least some of it if you can. If you're not in Jersey, Georgia, Alabama, or Austin, then at least check out Pro Wrestling Events to see if there's an event near you. Support indie wrestling!
First thing's first, WrestleCon. This event is comprised of six different promotions pooling together (DGUSA/EVOLVE, Chikara, SHIMMER, CZW, Kaiju Big Battel, $5 Wrestling) and putting on one, synergistic festival over the next three days. Tonight, EVOLVE, CZW, and Kaiju play. Tomorrow, SHIMMER, Chikara, DGUSA, and $5 Wrestling have events. Sunday, DGUSA has a final appetizer before Mania comes on. Also at this event, which happens at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ, will be tons and tons of wrestler appearances, vendors, merch tables... it's one giant convention, as the name suggests. Appearing at the show other than the indie wrestlers scheduled to be there are Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart, Jushin Liger, Bobby Heenan, Mickie James, Brian Kendrick, Paul London, Terri Runnells, Kurt Angle, Rob van Dam, Jimmy Snuka, Kevin Nash, Lex Luger, George "The Animal" Steele, Lita, Maria Kanellis, Nick Dinsmore, One Man Gang, Molly Holly, Superstar Graham, Tito Santana, Tommy Dreamer, Mr. Fuji, Rocky Johnson, Beth Phoenix, and a whole shitload more of wrestling's finest past and present icons will all be there speaking, signing autographs, and perhaps selling stuff. Even if all you do is go for the appearances, you're going to have your fill and then some.
But the shows are the main thing. Each of them are jam-packed to the gills with important developments, title defenses, dream matches, and special appearances. EVOLVE kicks things off at 4 PM local time with their inaugural Championship tournament. Eight men - Sami Callihan, Ricochet, AR Fox, Chuck Taylor, Jigsaw, Rich Swann, Samuray del Sol, and Jon Davis - will compete in a uniquely-set up tourney to crown the first ever EVOLVE Champion. I can see six of those eight guys winning; Callihan is heavily rumored to be WWE-bound, and Jigsaw probably needs a bit more seasoning in Gabe-land to be a strong contender for that title. Otherwise, it's wide open. Also on that show, the Young Bucks battle the Super Smash Bros., and Johnny Gargano teams with Brian Kendrick to take on Orange Cassidy and Drew Gulak. This show is available on iPPV.
Next on the docket is CZW's event for the weekend, which will kick off at 8 PM local time. It's headlined by a huge World Championship match, Masada defending against Japanese death match legend Jun Kasai. Also on the show, Kendrick will do battle with Callihan in a veritable dream match. My pick for perhaps the most insane tilt of the weekend? Well, look no further than their Aerial Assault match, which is going to put AR Fox, Shane Strickland, Lucky 13, Shane Hollister, Rich Swann, and the Chiva Kid in the same ring at the same time. If that match doesn't produce fireworks, no match will.
Tonight's festivities will be concluded with Kaiju Big Battel, which is also available on iPPV. It's something everyone should experience at least once, but if you want to watch this, you're going to have to be up late. It starts at 11 PM local time. I don't know the wisdom about watching a show that will contain Tucor so close before bedtime, but hey, if you're bold enough, then you already were going to attend/order this show anyway.
Saturday's festivities kick off at 12 PM with the historic SHIMMER card, the first to happen in the Northeast, and only the second to happen outside the confines of the Berwyn Eagles Club. This show will be headlined by the bloodiest of SHIMMER blood feuds, with Saraya Knight defending the SHIMMER Championship against Cheerleader Melissa in a steel cage. Knight has done a good job ducking Melissa after accosting her before the show at Vol. 48 and defeating her for the title. There's nowhere to hide now. Also, Serena Deeb and Madison Eagles will be making their grand returns to SHIMMER after the injuries that almost ended their careers have finally healed completely. Even more interesting, the Kiwi sensation Evie will be venturing north of the Equator and making her American debut. This event is also on iPPV.
At 4PM local time, Chikara will present their offering for the weekend, The Shoulder of Pallas. I consider this event to have a triple main event myself. First, the nominal main pits Eddie Kingston against Hallowicked for the War King's Grand Championship. Via mandate of Wink Vavasseur, all Chikara events are to have a Grand Championship defense. Will Kingston be able to survive the first in his gauntlet against a fellow season 1 original? The second main is a signpost on the epic dissolution of the Osirian Portal. Amasis finally makes his return to Chikara, overcoming injuries that were supposed to have ended his career, as he seeks retribution against Ophidian. In the third main event, Mike Quackenbush teams up with a mystery partner against Jigsaw and The Shard. There have been many possible names floated as Quack's partner here as he himself seeks retribution against his former student. Could it be Colt Cabana? Shayne Storm? 17? JUSHIN LIGER? We'll just have to wait and see.
DGUSA puts on their first show of the weekend at 8 PM with Open the Ultimate Gate 2013. The show sees the Stateside return of Shingo Takagi, who will be going for Johnny Gargano's Open the Freedom Gate Championship. Also on the show, Uhaa Nation makes long-awaited return to DGUSA at the event where he got hurt the year before slipping on a Sami Callihan-caused beer puddle. His opponent? Sami Callihan. That should be a certified hoss fight, and if you don't think Callihan's a hoss, you've never seen him wrestle. Also, the Young Bucks get a shot at CIMA and AR Fox's Open the United Gate Championships. This event is also on iPPV.
$5 Wrestling gets the closing spot on Saturday night, 11 PM local. Colt Cabana and Marty DeRosa will be calling the action as always, and of course, the FREIGHT TRAIN will be there. I heard he might be challenging Kevin Steen, but that's only a rumor.
Finally, Sunday at 1 PM, DGUSA provides the final appetizer for Mania with their Mercury Rising 2013 event. Here is where their traditional Mania weekend six-man tag match will occur, and it will feature CIMA, EITA, and CIMA's Secret Weapon (whomever that is) against Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann, and Ricochet. That oughtta be eye-popping if anything else. Shingo's match on this card will be against the always-entertaining, super-awesome Akira Tozawa, and there'll be a massive seven-person Fray match where ladders are legal. In this match: Christina von Eerie, Uhaa Nation, Facade, Samuray del Sol, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Facade. Of course, it's on iPPV.
WrestleCon is far from the only event happening this weekend. Ring of Honor will be doing their traditional Mania weekend shows. The first of which is tonight, the Supercard of Honor. Jay Briscoe will headline the event getting his traditional ROH World Championship shot against Kevin Steen in a match that should be one of the most epic and fun brawls of the weekend. Karl Anderson comes over from Japan to take on Roderick Strong. The Tag Titles are up for grabs as Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish defend against the reunited American Wolves, and yes, ACH will be there live. The event is sold out, but you can still watch it on iPPV. The TV tapings are the next night at the Manhattan Center, and as far as I know, tickets are still available. ACH will get his shot at the Television Championship against whomever comes out of the title match from the previous night. Also, Anderson will be sticking around to take on Michael Elgin.
Pro Wrestling Syndicate held their first event last night, which included a match between the Briscoe Brothers and the Rock 'n Roll Express. For the love of God, won't someone post that match on YouTube? They have another show tonight at the SportsPlex in Metuchen, NJ. Doors open at 5:30 PM local time for some autograph signings. On the show tonight for them will feature New Jack's last match ever (heh) when he takes on Necro Butcher. Wear protective clothing when that match comes on. Also, Jushin Liger battles John Morrison, Nova and Chris Chetti reunite for one night only to face off against Hurricane Helms and Starman, and the Rock 'n Rolls appear again. It won't be against the Briscoes again, but man, at least we have one match between those two teams.
Tomorrow night in Boonton, NJ at the Elks Lodge, Indy Gurlz will be presenting some women's wrestling action, bell time 7:30 PM local. Mercedes Martinez and Kyoko Inoue will be headlining this show. Also, Sumie Sakai takes on LuFisto, Kalamity battles Mia Yim, and Leva Bates will wrestle Jessica James.
There are plenty of shows happening outside of New Jersey/New York as well. In Alabama, Pro South Wrestling will run tonight at the Pro South Arena in Piedmont, AL, doors opening at 5:30 PM. Their show features Ace Haven, Najasism, and plenty more. In Rossville, GA, Empire Pro Wrestling presents their big event of the year, Tooth and Nail 2, Saturday at 7 PM local time at the Empire Arena. The big main event is a six man tag between the two rival factions on top, the Devil's Rejects and the Illuminati. Also appearing on the show will be Shaun Tempers and Cyrus the Destroyer.
Finally, ACW will be running Peace, Love, and Anarchy at the Mohawk on Sunday at 6PM local time. Yes, that's in direct opposition to WrestleMania, but they don't care. They did it last year too. This year's lineup is one that might be worth skipping Mania for. The marquee match so far features the Hooligans pinballing their way down into Austin to take on Jaykus Plisken and James Claxton in what should be an incredibly high-energy tag match. The Hooligans are awesome, and they're a perfect fit for ACW. Also on the show, Bolt Brady defends his U-30 Championship against Barrett Brown, and there will be appearances by Evan Gelistico, Matthew Palmer, Scot Summers, Jessica James, the Submission Squad, Darin Childs, Jack Jameson, and the Business.
This weekend is loaded with wrestling. LOADED. Do yourself a favor and partake in at least some of it if you can. If you're not in Jersey, Georgia, Alabama, or Austin, then at least check out Pro Wrestling Events to see if there's an event near you. Support indie wrestling!