Results – HWA at The Sorg Opera House – 2/17/10
Posted on February 18, 2010 by V.L. Stricklett
Tim Donst defeated Dustin Rayz by count out
Kid Fabulous defeated Tarek The Legend by disqualification
King Vu, Lord Matthew Taylor & Shawn Bond defeated Terminal Velocity & Kyle Haven
Shank Barzini defeated Donovan Cain
The Irish Airborne defeated Jon Moxley & Jesse Emerson
King Vu defeated “The Madness” Chris Hall in a #1 Contender’s Match
AIW – Cleveland, OH
Posted on February 18, 2010 by V.L. Stricklett
Absolute Intense Wrestling returns to The West Park Party Center in Cleveland, OH at 7:30 PM on Friday April 9 and Saturday April 10, 2010 when they present Jack of All Trios! Tickets for the show are only $15.00 for General Admission with Special VIP Seating also available for $20.00. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.shop.aiwrestling.com.
Let’s cut to the chase – the stakes of AIW’s first ever trios tournament couldn’t be higher, as the winning trio will be entered into the 2010 CHIKARA King Of Trios tournament.
Now, the Absolute Intense Wrestling roster is comprised of less than 48 wrestlers, so we’ve turned to some familiar faces from around the country to see if they’ve got what it takes for another shot at glory. So, without further ado, we present the participants in the first ever AIW: Jack of All Trios Tournament…
Jack of Love: Jack Verville, Jefferson Saint, & Chest Flexor
Da Soul Touchaz: Willie “Da Bomb” Richardson, Marshe Rocket, Acid Jazz, and manager C-Red
Alpha Beta Duke: The Duke, Nick Belushi, & John Thorne
Da Latin Crime Syndicate: K. Fernandez, Luis Diamante, & Joey The Snake
Team IWA East Coast: Mad Man Pondo, Jon Moxley, & Zac Vincent
Psycho Sexual Panic: Shiima Xion, Facade, & ??
Aeroform: Flip Kendrick, Luis Lydon, & Johnny Gargano
The Homeless Handicap Connection: Robert Paulson, Hobo Joe, & Gregory Iron
Team LWA Showcase: Gary The Barn Owl, Even Gelestico, & Pierre Abernathy
The Young Studs: Bobby Beverly, T.J. Dynamite, & Eric Ryan
Lights Out & The Potato: Corey Winters, Ben Fruith, & Dave the Potato
Team Clash Wrestling: “Ace High” Cameron Skyy, Jay Miller, & Tommy Treznik
Chris Dickinson, Tommy Mercer, & “Mr. Insanity” Toby Klein
Blackballed: Kano, Shawn Blaze, and Lamont “Action” Williams
Fontaine & Friends: Marion Fontaine, Super Oprah, & Southside St. Clair
Team Beyond Wrestling: Zane Silver, Chase Burnett, & “The Smooth Savage” Johnny Mangue
And fans, if that wasn’t enough…you’re also going to see some awesome non-tournament action…
Special 1st Night Attraction
Pinkie “Pink Ant” Sanchez vs. Davey Vega
Special 2nd Night Attraction
Chikara vs. BDK Exhibition Match
“Lighting” Mike Quackenbush & Frightmare vs. Pinkie “Pink Ant” Sanchez & Lince Dorado
For more information, check out AIW’s official website at www.AIWrestling.com!
AIW to Send Team to Chikara’s King of Trios
Posted on February 18, 2010 by Red Demon
Absolute Intense Wrestling returns to The West Park Party Center in Cleveland, OH at 7:30 PM on Friday April 9 and Saturday April 10, 2010 when they present Jack of All Trios! Tickets for the show are only $15.00 for General Admission with Special VIP Seating also available for $20.00. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.shop.aiwrestling.com.
Let’s cut to the chase – the stakes of AIW’s first ever trios tournament couldn’t be higher, as the winning trio will be entered into the 2010 CHIKARA King Of Trios tournament.
Now, the Absolute Intense Wrestling roster is comprised of less than 48 wrestlers, so we’ve turned to some familiar faces from around the country to see if they’ve got what it takes for another shot at glory. So, without further ado, we present the participants in the first ever AIW: Jack of All Trios Tournament…
Jack of Love: Jack Verville, Jefferson Saint, & Chest Flexor
Da Soul Touchaz: Willie “Da Bomb” Richardson, Marshe Rocket, Acid Jazz, and manager C-Red
Alpha Beta Duke: The Duke, Nick Belushi, & John Thorne
Da Latin Crime Syndicate: K. Fernandez, Luis Diamante, & Joey The Snake
Team IWA East Coast: Mad Man Pondo, Jon Moxley, & Zac Vincent
Psycho Sexual Panic: Shiima Xion, Facade, & ??
Aeroform: Flip Kendrick, Luis Lydon, & Johnny Gargano
The Homeless Handicap Connection: Robert Paulson, Hobo Joe, & Gregory Iron
Team LWA Showcase: Gary The Barn Owl, Even Gelestico, & Pierre Abernathy
The Young Studs: Bobby Beverly, T.J. Dynamite, & Eric Ryan
Lights Out & The Potato: Corey Winters, Ben Fruith, & Dave the Potato
Team Clash Wrestling: “Ace High” Cameron Skyy, Jay Miller, & Tommy Treznik
Chris Dickinson, Tommy Mercer, & “Mr. Insanity” Toby Klein
Blackballed: Kano, Shawn Blaze, and Lamont “Action” Williams
Fontaine & Friends: Marion Fontaine, Super Oprah, & Southside St. Clair
Team Beyond Wrestling: Zane Silver, Chase Burnett, & “The Smooth Savage” Johnny Mangue
And fans, if that wasn’t enough…you’re also going to see some awesome non-tournament action…
Special 1st Night Attraction
Pinkie “Pink Ant” Sanchez vs. Davey Vega
Special 2nd Night Attraction
Chikara vs. BDK Exhibition Match
“Lighting” Mike Quackenbush & Frightmare vs. Pinkie “Pink Ant” Sanchez & Lince Dorado
For more information, check out AIW’s official website at www.AIWrestling.com!
AIW Presents Jack of All Trios Weekend in April
Posted on February 18, 2010 by V.L. Stricklett
Absolute Intense Wrestling returns to The West Park Party Center in Cleveland, OH at 7:30 PM on Friday April 9 and Saturday April 10, 2010 when they present Jack of All Trios! Tickets for the show are only $15.00 for General Admission with Special VIP Seating also available for $20.00. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.shop.aiwrestling.com.
Let’s cut to the chase – the stakes of AIW’s first ever trios tournament couldn’t be higher, as the winning trio will be entered into the 2010 CHIKARA King Of Trios tournament.
Now, the Absolute Intense Wrestling roster is comprised of less than 48 wrestlers, so we’ve turned to some familiar faces from around the
country to see if they’ve got what it takes for another shot at glory.
All of the teams and the full lineup will be announced over the next 8
weeks via the AIW Twitter (www.twitter.com/aiwrestling) every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
AIW – Cleveland, OH
Posted on February 18, 2010 by V.L. Stricklett
Absolute Intense Wrestling returns to The West Park Party Center in Cleveland, OH at 7:30 PM on Friday February 19, 2010 when they present Gauntlet For The Gold 5! Tickets for the show are only $10.00 for General Admission with Special VIP Seating also available for $15.00. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.shop.aiwrestling.com.
MAIN EVENT: 30 Man Gauntlet For The Gold with the winner leaving as Absolute Champ!
Already Signed to Enter:
1. Eric Ryan
2. Bobby Beverly
3. Jefferson Saint
4. Facade
5. Sterling James Keenan
6. The Duke
7. Nick Belushi
8. “The Passion” John Thorne
9. Marion Fontaine
10. Flip Kendrick
11. Louis Lyndon
12. “No Mercy” Tommy Mercer
13. Johnny Gargano
14. Ben Fruith
15. Chest Flexor
16. Corey Winters
17. Zane Silver
18. Chase Burnett
19. TJ Dynamite
20. Gregory Iron
21. Hobo Joe
22. Pinkie Sanchez
23. (His Name Is) Robert Paulson
24. Vincent Nothing
25. Christian Faith
26. Chris Dickinson
27. Eric Alverado
28. A Member Of Da Latin Crime Syndicate
29. Dave The Potato
30. Winner Of Absolute Opportunity Match
WINNER GETS SPOT 30: STERLING JAMES KEENAN VS. JOHNNY GARGANO
After defeating “The Psycho Shooter” Drake Younger for Spot #30 in the Gauntlet, SJK thought it was smooth sailing until he left with the
Absolute Title. However, Absolute Owner Chandler Biggins has set another roadblock for the cocky former Absolute Champ. A FIRST TIME EVER matchup has been signed with SJK taking on Johnny Gargano. The stakes are higher than a normal match, with the winner becoming #30 in the Gauntlet. SJK is hoping to keep the shot as in 2008, at #30, he won the Absolute Title. Could history repeat it’s self again? Or will Johnny Gargano finally come closer to capturing the Absolute Title?
CHRIS DICKINSON DEFENDS THE INTENSE TITLE AGAINST ERIC ALVERADO
With their war at DRAGGED TO HELL, fans have demanded a rematch with these two recent AIW newcomers. Eric Alverado forced the match to happen when at BRING THE RUCKUS he beat Johnny Gargano for an Intense Title shot. Chris Dickinson is not one to back down from a challenge and accepted. After beating Alverado at DRAGGED TO HELL, Dickinson shook hands and hugged his fellow competitor. Dickinson has made it clear that this time, respect it out the window and this is going to be a life and death struggle to keep his Intense Title. After busting each other open, breaking tables and brawling all over the crowd at DRAGGED TO HELL, will The West Park Party Center be able to contain this rematch? Who will leave GFTG5 as Intense Champ? Will they end up winning two matches and unifying The Intense and Absolute Titles?
FAITH IN NOTHING FACE TWO GAUNTLET MATCHES
Besides the regular Gauntlet For The Gold, Agent Aaron Bauer without
Faith In Nothing’s consent has signed them up for the first time ever
“Faith In Nothing Tag Title Gauntlet” with Faith In Nothing in
competition against multiple teams with their tag titles on the line.
When comment was sought from Agent Aaron Bauer, Bauer claimed this was to bring Faith In Nothing’s skill up and to also get the tag team ability back they might have lost during recent troubles. Due to recent dissension, they weren’t communicating to the best of their abilities but after winning the AIW Tag Titles from The Young Studs in December and then a solid victory over Jigsaw & Hallowicked, FIN seems to be back on top in the tag team ranks, both members are looking to walk out of GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD 5 with not only their tag titles intact, but also one member of the team being Absolute Champ.
ABSOLUTE OPPORTUNITY RETURNS!
With the success of Absolute Opportunity at DRAGGED TO HELL, AIW’s
concept has returned. The stakes are higher in this match, as the winner wins an opportunity in The Gauntlet. Imagine if somebody debuted in AIW and in the same night wins the Absolute Title. Stranger things have happened in professional wrestling and AIW. The competitors in this match are some of the strangest in AIW history. First, is Johnny Cockstrong. Johnny who claims his main attribute is his incredibly strong gentiles, has a incredibly unique offense. His opponent is “The Island King” Jonny Mangue, hailing from Samoa. Both men in the match have an opportunity to start at the bottom of AIW and by the end of night will be on the top of AIW. Who will seize the opportunity?
DA LATIN CRIME SYNDICATE UNHAPPY OVER GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD
When the Gauntlet listing was sent to the AIW roster, Da Latin Crime
Syndicate were very unhappy to find out that only one member of the
faction has been granted a spot. With three members, Da Latin Crime
Syndicate feel it’s more than a clerical oversight. All three members
will be in the house at GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD 5 and will have a lot to say about this. But the bigger question is, which member will be in the Gauntlet for The Absolute Title?
AIW Presents Gauntlet For The Gold 5 on 2/19/10
Posted on February 18, 2010 by V.L. Stricklett
Absolute Intense Wrestling returns to The West Park Party Center in Cleveland, OH at 7:30 PM on Friday February 19, 2010 when they present Gauntlet For The Gold 5! Tickets for the show are only $10.00 for General Admission with Special VIP Seating also available for $15.00. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.shop.aiwrestling.com.
MAIN EVENT: 30 Man Gauntlet For The Gold with the winner leaving as Absolute Champ!
Already Signed to Enter:
1. Eric Ryan
2. Bobby Beverly
3. Jefferson Saint
4. Facade
5. Sterling James Keenan
6. The Duke
7. Nick Belushi
8. “The Passion” John Thorne
9. Marion Fontaine
10. Flip Kendrick
11. Louis Lyndon
12. “No Mercy” Tommy Mercer
13. Johnny Gargano
14. Ben Fruith
15. Chest Flexor
16. Corey Winters
17. Zane Silver
18. Chase Burnett
19. TJ Dynamite
20. Gregory Iron
21. Hobo Joe
22. Pinkie Sanchez
23. (His Name Is) Robert Paulson
24. Vincent Nothing
25. Christian Faith
26. Chris Dickinson
27. Eric Alverado
28. A Member Of Da Latin Crime Syndicate
29. Dave The Potato
30. Winner Of Absolute Opportunity Match
WINNER GETS SPOT 30: STERLING JAMES KEENAN VS. JOHNNY GARGANO
After defeating “The Psycho Shooter” Drake Younger for Spot #30 in the Gauntlet, SJK thought it was smooth sailing until he left with the
Absolute Title. However, Absolute Owner Chandler Biggins has set another roadblock for the cocky former Absolute Champ. A FIRST TIME EVER matchup has been signed with SJK taking on Johnny Gargano. The stakes are higher than a normal match, with the winner becoming #30 in the Gauntlet. SJK is hoping to keep the shot as in 2008, at #30, he won the Absolute Title. Could history repeat it’s self again? Or will Johnny Gargano finally come closer to capturing the Absolute Title?
CHRIS DICKINSON DEFENDS THE INTENSE TITLE AGAINST ERIC ALVERADO
With their war at DRAGGED TO HELL, fans have demanded a rematch with these two recent AIW newcomers. Eric Alverado forced the match to happen when at BRING THE RUCKUS he beat Johnny Gargano for an Intense Title shot. Chris Dickinson is not one to back down from a challenge and accepted. After beating Alverado at DRAGGED TO HELL, Dickinson shook hands and hugged his fellow competitor. Dickinson has made it clear that this time, respect it out the window and this is going to be a life and death struggle to keep his Intense Title. After busting each other open, breaking tables and brawling all over the crowd at DRAGGED TO HELL, will The West Park Party Center be able to contain this rematch? Who will leave GFTG5 as Intense Champ? Will they end up winning two matches and unifying The Intense and Absolute Titles?
FAITH IN NOTHING FACE TWO GAUNTLET MATCHES
Besides the regular Gauntlet For The Gold, Agent Aaron Bauer without
Faith In Nothing’s consent has signed them up for the first time ever
“Faith In Nothing Tag Title Gauntlet” with Faith In Nothing in
competition against multiple teams with their tag titles on the line.
When comment was sought from Agent Aaron Bauer, Bauer claimed this was to bring Faith In Nothing’s skill up and to also get the tag team ability back they might have lost during recent troubles. Due to recent dissension, they weren’t communicating to the best of their abilities but after winning the AIW Tag Titles from The Young Studs in December and then a solid victory over Jigsaw & Hallowicked, FIN seems to be back on top in the tag team ranks, both members are looking to walk out of GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD 5 with not only their tag titles intact, but also one member of the team being Absolute Champ.
ABSOLUTE OPPORTUNITY RETURNS!
With the success of Absolute Opportunity at DRAGGED TO HELL, AIW’s
concept has returned. The stakes are higher in this match, as the winner wins an opportunity in The Gauntlet. Imagine if somebody debuted in AIW and in the same night wins the Absolute Title. Stranger things have happened in professional wrestling and AIW. The competitors in this match are some of the strangest in AIW history. First, is Johnny Cockstrong. Johnny who claims his main attribute is his incredibly strong gentiles, has a incredibly unique offense. His opponent is “The Island King” Jonny Mangue, hailing from Samoa. Both men in the match have an opportunity to start at the bottom of AIW and by the end of night will be on the top of AIW. Who will seize the opportunity?
DA LATIN CRIME SYNDICATE UNHAPPY OVER GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD
When the Gauntlet listing was sent to the AIW roster, Da Latin Crime
Syndicate were very unhappy to find out that only one member of the
faction has been granted a spot. With three members, Da Latin Crime
Syndicate feel it’s more than a clerical oversight. All three members
will be in the house at GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD 5 and will have a lot to say about this. But the bigger question is, which member will be in the Gauntlet for The Absolute Title?
WAR – Lima, OH
Posted on February 18, 2010 by V.L. Stricklett
W.A.R. Wrestling Press Release:
January 16th, 2010 could have very well been the most pivotal day in the 7 year history of Wrestling And Wrestling. It seen 2 of it’s biggest stars walk away from the promotion they help build from the ground up. Those 2 stars were “Bad Attitude” Brian Beech and Dusty Dillinger. Brian Beech is leaving due to a severe injury that may have cut is career short and Dusty Dillinger due to a new job in Hawaii. Both men will be missed dearly.
On that same night the W.A.R. Wrestling Champion, “Metal Head” Steve Stone stepped up and sent Dusty Dillinger packing with a huge win to proclaim himself the king of W.A.R. Wrestling. Steve Stone has aligned himself with Sherman Tank, Chris “The Madness” Hall, Hardcore Craig, Brandon Blaze to ensure he will dominate W.A.R. for a very long time.
With 2 of the top W.A.R. Wrestling stars out of the picture. Who will step up to face Steve Stone and his faction. Only time will tell!
W.A.R. Wrestling’s last event at the UAW Hall was standing room only and the fans that stood in line for 5 1/2 hours, witnessed one of the best live events in the history of W.A.R. Wrestling. Now W.A.R. has to follow that event up on Saturday Night March 6th with a 7:30pm bell time with doors opening up at 6:30 PM.
Tickets for this event are just $10.00 or 4 for $30.00. $12.00 at the door. If you purchase advance tickets and buy a family 4 pack that will save you $18.00 off the at the door price. Tickets will go on sale February 8th at both Rigali’s Pizza Village & Groamy CD’s & Tapes.
This event is being sponsored by Monster Energy Drink (C&G Distributing Co.), Community Motors LLC, Bright Ideas, Howard Johnson of Lima, Rigali’s Pizza Village, Groamy CD’s & Tapes.
3 matches have already been signed for “UNLEASHED”:
Sherman Tank looks to take out 1/2 of the Hi-Def Supernovas, Matt Mason.
The other 1/2 of the Hi-Def Supernovas takes on Chris “The Madness” Hall
The W.A.R. Wrestling Champion, “Metal Head” Steve Stone has agreed to face a mystery returning W.A.R. Wrestling Star.
You will also see: Kaden Assad, Ala Hussein, “Poison” Appollo Starr, “The Filthy Animal” Mike Dodge, Donnie Swinsen, Old School Empire w/ Ripper Blackhart, Eric Smallz, Ganger, Brandon Edwards, Jeremy Madrox, Jeff Cannon, Justin Dredd, Chase McCoy & Many Many More!!!
W.A.R. Wrestling “UNLEASHED”
Saturday March 6th
UAW Hall 1440 Bellefontaine Ave.
Lima, Ohio 45804
Doors 6:30pm / Bell Time 7:30pm
Advance Tickets $10 or 4 for $30 / $12 at the door
**Card & Talent Subject to Change**
www.warwrestling.com
www.myspace.com/warwrestling
Line-Up For WWC: Broken Heart Bash Announced
Posted on February 11, 2010 by V.L. Stricklett
In a message from the WWC Executive Committee today, it was revealed that Cody Hawk’s opponent for WWC’s Broken Hearts Bash this Saturday was to be none other than the current WWC North American champion, “Superstar” Shawn Parks!
In the statement, the WWC Executive Committee acknowledged that WWC Heavyweight Champion JT Stahr’s upcoming tour of Thailand and Japan prevented Cody Hawk from receiving a title shot this Saturday, the Committee offering this title opportunity as a replacement. When reached for comment, Hawk had little to say that could be printed here. His opponent, however, was much more talkative. Parks had this to say:
“Everyone knows that I’ve had an open contract to defend this title at any time, against any one. Despite Cody Hawk’s attitude and tactics, he’s still one of the top wrestlers in the United States. I look forward to meeting him in the ring for the first time.”
This might not end the controversy between Hawk and Stahr, but it does add an exciting matchup that WWC fans have never seen!
That wasn’t the end of the changes the Executive Committee had for the show – they also stated that the previously announced match between Aaron Williams and Matt Taylor would now take on the 2 Out Of 3 Falls stipulation! This means that the rivalry between Williams and Taylor which created the 2009 Match Of The Year will now have one wrestler with a decisive edge, as the winner will have to pin or submit their opponent TWICE to claim the victory!
Add this to a title defense by WWC Tag Team Champions International Incident, the Solar Powers (w/Will Profit) in tag action, Devlin Anderson vs. Ganger plus favorites such as Jimmy Malloy and other appearing and you have a great night of wrestling action to heat up the cold weather we’ve had recently! Head out live to see who will go home broken hearted this Saturday February 13th in Aberdeen, OH when WWC presents Broken Hearts Bash 2010!
*Card subject to change
Results – MCW: Holiday Hangover – 2/06/10
Posted on February 8, 2010 by V.L. Stricklett
Holiday Hangover went off as planned Saturday night in Alliance Ohio, with a great crowd on hand even with the terrible weather. the show went as followed:
Dick Jeremy started the night off with an announcement that Commissioner Diaz would not be at tonights show due to an illness and therefore Dick Jeremy would be appointing a special guest Commissioner for one night only and that would be none other than Shasta, though he is suspended from wrestling in MCW he is allowed to be at each event and tonight the power is his.
Jessica Havok hits the ring and tells the crowd once again she has no female to wrestle tonight and since Shasta is the Commissioner for the night what he plans to do about it. He responds by telling Havok she will be a special guest referee for Wilbur Whitlock vs Jebidiah Yoder w/ Dr Dale Peirce.
Tex Tootin one half of the Buckaroos vs Luscious Larry Lavender, Lavender is over huge with the crowd and after singing his entrance music on his way to the ring, Larry lavender defeats Tex Tootin after a leg drop from the top rope.
Wilbur Whitlock makes his way to the ring next and talks about his 7 yr journey for the MCW Heavyweight Title and after last show watching it slip through his hands due to Jebidiah Yoder, he asked Shasta to ban Dr Dale Peirce from ring side, so it can one on one with no interference. Shasta declines Wilbur’s request and says no one has been screwed out of that title more than he, but does tell Wilbur he will make sure all ends well by the end of the night.
Nikki Skids makes his way to the ring vs Big Hurt even with Hurt dominating 90% of this match Hurt loses in a surprising upset to Nikki Skids after Skids slides off Hurts slam attempt into a school boy for the 1,2,3. Hurt has been on a losing streak at MCW for the last couple of months.
Just before Miss Sarah (the hottest ring announcer in the Indies) can bring out the next match, Mike Hercum makes his way to the ring and after calling Miss Sarah a Skank and bullying her into a corner for her microphone, he begins a very pissed off promo saying the MCW front office left him off last shows card due to his performance at last months show and he called it total bullshit and he would take it out on Supa Lucha if he had the balls to face him once again. Mike Hercum vs Supa Lucha this was a devastating performance by Hercum and a new attitude so to speak from him. Even though Lucha had his moments Hercum was just to much in the end and after a total assault on Luchas lower back Hercum finishes him off with the sharp shooter.
Jebidiah Yoder w/ Dr Dale Peirce vs Wilbur Whitlock with special referee Jessica Havok. This could have very well been the match of the night as these two battled for a good 15 min in and out of the ring and once the dust had settled it was Jebidiah getting the win after a can shot to the throat by Dr Dale Peirce. Havok did a great job as ref but just missed that shot to the throat and Jebidiah hit Wilbur with a spinning lariat for the pin fall. Afterward Dale Peirce and Jebidiah once again started putting the beat down on Wilbur before Shasta cleared the ring then grabbing the Mic to tell Dale Peirce since he likes being involved in the match on Feb 20th it will be Wilbur Whitlock vs Dr Dale Peirce the crowd went nuts as Dale Peirce was on his knees begging. If that wasn’t enough Shasta then says Jebidiah will be banned from ring side.
Now for the Main Event in what was suppose to be for the new MCW Heavyweight Championship. But Shasta informed the crowd that Christian Vaughn refused to wrestle in this match for the title if Shasta was the commissioner for the night, and would only compete if the title match was put off until Feb 20th with Diaz back in the realm. Shasta said he may not work for the title tonight but he is going to wrestle Mr Insanity, Vaughn’s former partner in crime. Christian Vaughn w/ Minka Murder vs Mr Insanity Toby Klein. This was a great match and may have been match of the night if Wilbur and Jebidiah had have been on the card. These two went back and forth, Mr Insanity hit his patented spring board elbow then a reverse frog splash off the top and Vaughn just barely kicked out, Vaughn managed to roll Insanity up and get his feet up on the ropes securing the victory. After the match Mr Insanity attacked Vaughn left him laying and threw Minka over his shoulders and left the building ending the show.
Great show under the circumstances and MCW would like to thank all the fans who made it out on such a shitty night. See you on Saturday Feb 20th!
Column – I Want to Remember Chris Benoit – Nikita Allanov
Posted on February 8, 2010 by "The Soviet Shooter" Nikita Allanov
OJ Simpson is widely accepted as a murderer. While he was not found guilty in a court of law for killing his estranged wife and a waiter, he was found liable by a civil court. In fact, Simpson now sits in a Nevada jail for an unrelated crime, in which he attempted to steal sports memorabilia at gun point.
Simpson, to a whole generation of people, is simply a punchline to a variety of jokes about a guy killing a couple people. To many people my age, they remember Simpson as the actor and sports commentator who killed a couple people. To people a generation earlier, Simpson is the former Buffalo Bill and USC Heisman Trophy winner who killed a couple people.
Regardless, you would be hard pressed to find someone in the United States and Canada who does not know who OJ Simpson is.
Fifteen years after he killed two people (allegedly), Simpson has a notoriety and fame that is equal to what he had before the double murder in California that he has been found responsible for in a civil court. No one ever pretended Simpson wasn’t a great football player. They didn’t stop showing “Roots” or “the Towering Inferno” or any “Naked Gun” movies because the Juice is a notorious murderer, even if he was not convicted. ESPN still mentions him on SportsCenter when he is relevant to something (such as rushing records, or perhaps the Heisman Trophy) and he is still featured on ESPN Classics in old game footage, and even as a commentator on things like “Superteams:Tug of War”.
So why is it that one of the best wrestlers to ever grace the squared circle is a taboo subject? Why is it that Chris Benoit cannot be celebrated as a great professional grappler that just so happened to murder a couple people, but OJ Simpson can be recognized as an all-time great in his sport?
I am not here to argue that the Benoit Family murder-suicide was not Benoit’s fault, or anything like that. All I am saying is that Chris Benoit was perhaps the best wrestler of his generation, and his body of work should be examined and debated and talked about, rather than swept under the rug as if he never existed.
While there is not debate that Benoit was a murderer, there is also no debate as to what kind of wrestler Benoit was. Benoit was a main event wrestler in every major US wrestling promotion, in Mexico, in Europe, and in Japan. Benoit was a “wrestler’s wrestler” – a true mat technician who not only wowed fans with his matches, but also his peers.
The fact of the matter is this – Benoit, upon an autopsy, was found to have severe brain damage. The damage was done from years upon years of punishment to his head while wrestling. The psychological effects of abusing bodybuilding drugs since adolescence so that he could have a body similar to that of his idol, the Dynamite Kid, also contributed to the Benoit familicide.
Why did Benoit continue to punish his body for years with taking risks in the ring and by injecting harmful drugs into his body? He did it to be the best wrestler in the world. He did it to make his idol, the Dynamite Kid, proud. He gave his body to wrestling. In the end, he sacrificed his life and his body for professional wrestling.
In one way, Benoit should be celebrated. No, of course he shouldn’t be celebrated for killing his family. That would be ridiculous. However, why does our society celebrate athletes like Kobe Bryant, who dedicated his life to basketball at a young age, reached the pinnacle of his profession, and also committed an unforgivable crime? Why is it that mentioning Benoit the athlete is taboo, but in Bryant’s case, it is taboo to mention the rape?
When I was debating becoming a professional wrestler, and when I was training, one of my favorite wrestlers to watch was Benoit. I could write pages and pages on why, but the short version of the story is that he was very good at what he did. Benoit was that good in the ring because he sacrificed like few others would. He sacrificed his body, his mind, his health, his sex drive, and many other things average people take for granted – for the business. If I were a young basketball player, is the game of Kobe not one I should emulate? Shouldn’t young people emulate the work ethic and sacrifices that successful people make?
As a society we emulate people like Richard Pryor and give him credit for changing comedy, yet downplay that he was an addict and an abuser. Generations of kids grew up emulating athletes who were arrested for drugs or violence. Roman Polanski has been given numerous awards for him film-making, even though for years he has lived in exile to avoid facing pedophilia charges. One of the most popular shows on television features an abusive whore-mongering addict named Charlie Sheen. Michael Vick killed numerous dogs for fun, yet is on the football field every week.
Even in wrestling, there are examples of a double standard.
“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka once killed a woman in a drug fueled rampage in a hotel in Allentown, PA while an employee of the WWF/WWE. Not only that, but charges were never even pressed against Snuka for the killing. In fact, he got off scott free for the killing in large part due to Vince McMahon portraying Snuka as a “mindless savage” who “didn’t know any better” to the authorities. Yet, Snuka still appears on WWE broadcasts. His name is not taboo. Snuka’s existence is still acknowledged.
So, why is what Chris Benoit did in the final days of his life so much worse than what others have done? Why isn’t the example he set used as a tool to teach? If years of abusing his body in such a manner led to his family’s annihilation, why are his life choices not highlighted and drawn attention to, in an effort to prevent another incident in the future? Why is it that we can separate personal shortcomings from the body of work of individuals like Simpson, Pryor, Snuka, Bryant, Polanski, and Sheen, but cannot separate Benoit’s ring work from his family life?
The reasons that the WWE have for not mentioning Benoit are many, but when taken in context, are designed more to keep up with the company’s public image than anything else. Benoit being a taboo subject is a public relations move. In addition, the Benoit and Eddy Guerrero deaths shed light on many of the business practices of the WWE, which is something that McMahon might be angry about. Maybe by erasing Benoit from the “WWE Universe”, McMahon is also hoping to erase the bad press Benoit’s death gave his company.
My fear is that in a decade, no one will realize just how good Chris Benoit was in the ring. People are allowed to remember Ernest Hemingway for the books he wrote, not for his mental problems and suicide. After his death, Michael Jackson was celebrated for his music, not for being a child rapist. Why is it that we cannot celebrate Benoit for being one of the all time greats in the squared circle?
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