The Wrestling 5&1 06.09.12: Maria Kanellis vs. Brooke Tessmacher

So AJ gets credit for this win, and now sits at 2 wins. As promised, Tiffany will get another shot. But for now? She’s out!

This Week: Brooke Tessmacher, riding the wave of success from Thursday’s live Impact Wrestling, is headed into the Versus arena with a verr popular challenger. Her opponent is the First Lady of Ring of Honor, Maria Kanellis!

Brooke Tessmacher!

Maria Kanellis!

The Choice Is Yours!

BROOKE TESSMACHER vs. MARIA KANELLIS
Take your pick and vote in the poll below!

On Monday night, John Cena destroyed Michael Cole in a no-disqualification match that saw Cole stripped down to his underwear, covered in Jim Ross’s BBQ sauce, and sprayed with a fire extinguisher. The South Carolina crowd was going nuts the entire time…parents, kids, everyone was eating it up. The casual fans likely had a great time. So what does the “Internet Wrestling Community” have to say???

“What about B-A-Star?” “John Cena is bullying Michael Cole!” “That’s so hypocritical!”

Enter The Miz: Really? Really? Really? REALLY? Really…

To say that is so asinine it’s not even funny. It’s a television show. It’s fake. It’s fictional. Everyone inside those barriers are part of the show—and to be fair, most of those outside the barriers try way too hard to be part of the show.

Michael Cole has been a heel for years! Years! Remember how he beat Jerry Lawler at WrestleMania 27 on a technicality? All the stuff he’s said about people like Daniel Bryan? You think all that is forgotten? The fans sure didn’t forget. John Laurinaitis sure didn’t forget. And John Cena sure didn’t forget.

How would you, the internet fanboy, be reacting if Daniel Bryan was giving Cole the beating of his life? What about CM Punk? Would you be this mad? Really…look inside yourself and ask yourself if this is as much about John Cena as anything else. It’s not about B-A-Star. There are plenty of instances where the WWE has crossed that line before, and no one has complained. It’s because you didn’t like the segment, and the segment didn’t advance anything for Cena’s upcoming PPV match. B-A-Star is merely an excuse to complain here. Because if B-A-Star didn’t exist, you’d still be complaining about the WWE’s wasting of fire safety equipment, or the starving children on the mean streets of South Carolina who could have benefited from that BBQ sauce.

You Decide: Whatever you want to say. Complain away.

TNA presents the tenth installment of Slammiversary this Sunday from Arlington, Texas. Prior to Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, a grand total of four matches were booked. And a week prior, only one was booked. Let’s have a look at what was announced “in advance:”

TNA World Tag Team Championship Match
Christopher Daniels & Kazarian (champions) vs. Kurt Angle & AJ Styles
“The Suicide Squad” has been tag team champions for one month now, beating…wait, I think I have it here, oh yeah! Samoa Joe & Magnus. Joe & Magnus set the world on fire earlier this year, and their title loss was quite the surprise. Even more surprising is the fact that they haven’t tagged since, and don’t seem to care about not getting their rematch. I won’t count that out just yet, as TNA seems to love the Angle & Styles pairing. Daniels & Kazarian have been at war with AJ for a while now, more recently harping on AJ’s “relationship” with Dixie Carter—you know, he angle likely to be exposed as AJ planning a surprise for Dixie’s husband? AJ and Kurt have did exactly what Chris and Frankie did to earn a title shot—nothing. In a company where you have to state your case for everything, they did nothing.

What we can’t lose sight of is the fact that this match is likely to steal the show. Three out of the four are commonly thought of as some of the best in the world today, and Kazarian is a severely underrated talent. I know TNA is incapable of doing my next thought, but I’d love to see this go on last. I wouldn’t be shocked to see AJ & Angle win the belts here, but I think the Dixie Carter storyline will play a role, and the champs will retain.
Prediction: Daniels & Kazarian retain the tag team championships

Television Champion Devon & Garett Bischoff vs. Robbie E. & Robbie T.
Two weeks ago, Devon issued a challenge to Garett Bischoff during Open Fight Night—and their match lasted less than two minutes. Not due to the finish, but a run-in by The Robs that set-up this match. Except for the fact that it was announced after Devon wrestled Jeff Hardy last week, in a longer match with the exact same finish. Now, it makes sense to have Garett make the save—but that didn’t happen. This match belongs on Impact, not here.
Prediction: Devon & Garett Bischoff, Garett pins Robbie E

Bully Ray vs. Joseph Park
On last week’s live Impact Wrestling, Bully Ray and Joseph Park had a great in-ring exchange that lead to Ray vs. Park being signed for Slammiversary. Who would have thought that Bully Ray vs. Abyss’s lawyer “brother”/alter-ego would be the second most anticipated match of the night? But it is. And I think it will deliver in an entertaining way. I also don’t think it’s a slam dunk for Ray. I expect Abyss to make his presence known, likely via theme music and pyro. And that will allow Joseph Park to pick up the win. Either that, or we get the big reveal on the PPV, with Abyss getting the win.
Prediction: Joseph Park/Abyss

TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Bobby Roode (champion) vs. Sting
TNA succeeded at getting people talking with this match, but I don’t think it was in a good way. You could see this coming a mile away when Hogan made the Roode-Sting announcement for last week’s live Impact Wrestling. What you couldn’t see was the now dominant Roode tapping to a weak ass Scorpion Deathlock. Seriously? They had finally righted the ship, but apparently Sting is still too good for the champ. Hopefully this leads to a clean win for Roode on PPV. While I expect it to be a win, I don’t see it being clean…
Prediction: Bobby Roode retains via nefarious means/screwjob

So on Thursday night, with just a mere two full days left before the event itself, TNA finally decides to add a few macthes…

TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Gail Kim (champion) vs. Brooke Tessmacher
On The Greg DeMarco Show, I thought out loud about Gail’s challenger, and I had picked Velvet Sky. I also thought the company would feel the need to move a title on this show, and that title would be the Knockouts Championship. My esteemed cohost Patrick O’Dowd selected Brooke as the challenger, and also predicted her to win. While he was talking in jest, I’ll go with it!
Prediction: Brooke Tessmacher, NEW Knockouts Champion

X-Division Champion Austin Aries vs. Samoa Joe
This is a rematch of their legendary Final Battle 2004 match-up in Ring of Honor…okay, and many other matches as well! But these two have some serious history, and even at different points in their careers they are capable of putting on one hell of a match. I see no reason to put Joe over here, unless he’s the planned main event opponent for Aries at Destination-X. And I don’t think he is.
Prediction: Austin Aries

#1 Contender Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson
Another correct prediction on The Greg DeMarco Show was these three competing in a #1 Contender’s Match. It made the most logical sense. I think this match can be entertaining, and should be given some good time. As for the winner? Barring a screwjob that puts Roode in a 4-way on Impact Wrestling, I’ll go with Hulk Hogan’s favorite pet, Jeff Hardy.
Prediction: Jeff Hardy

Crimson issues an Open Challenge
Who will answer the challenge? Well, I can tell you it ain’t Goldberg! TNA would promote that. And I think they would promote James Storm as well. So I’ll go with this scenario… Joey Ryan (with ticket in hand) answers the open challenge, only to be stopped by Al Snow. This brings out Magnus to answer the challenge, and Ryan takes his seat at ringside, near the announce table. Ryan eventually gets into it with Taz, somehow distracting Crimson and leading to a Magnus win.
Prediction: Magnus

Kid Kash vs. Hernandez
Wait, what? I have no idea either! Thus, I’ll pick Hernandez. Maybe he got TNA the venue or something.
Prediction: Hernandez

TNA Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement
The WWE has a Hall of Fame, so of course TNA needs one! This will be the announcement of he first inductee, and only one man makes any sense…
Prediction: Jeff Jarrett

Overall
TNA has seemingly guaranteed that Dixie Carter is going to be involved in the tag team match—and that’s the best match on the show. There is some intrigue with the Crimson Open Challenge, Aries-Joe will deliver, and you can’t help but wonder if TNA would really put the belt on Sting. While I wish we had more nod to history (maybe bring in Jerry Lynn & Low Ki—which also teases Destination-X, or the King of The Mountain Match), but the card is set. Is it enough? It could be better, but I still see a buy here.
Result: Buy

You Decide: Is this a fitting event for TNA’s 10th anniversary?

Alright TNA, you got me! I fell for it…hook, line, and sinker! I actually bought in to the fact that TNA was going for reality television with the Gut Check segments, and that everything was authentic. I don’t know why. Maybe I wanted it to be real—I wanted to see something different. Maybe that makes things more exciting. Or maybe I thought TNA was so desperate that they would actually send a wrestler to the ring without his knowing the result of his segment, as to get a real response.

Of course, the segment I’m referring to is Joey Ryan’s Gut Check result promo…

After this took place, Joey Ryan was sent home, and cut a promo online…

Joey Ryan recently joined the Busted Open radio show and, amongst other things, discussed the legitimacy of the Gut Check segment…

“They didn’t give me any indication. I mean I know from the kind of drama for television that someone was going to say no and someone was going to say yes…And I didn’t know who the third judge was going to be until we went out there. When I got out there, I kind of felt like I was part of some kind of agenda or greater idea of Gut Check as a whole rather than one individual performance.”

“People are going to think what they want. Everyone is smarter than pro wrestling. At least they think they are. TNA is very gung ho about this reality based thing for at least this segment. They didn’t tell me anything. The information I knew was very minimal. They just said “you’re going to go out there and they are going to judge you.” I don’t think they expected my reaction to it because I’m sure they are used to guys who just want to do business and do the right thing and even if they get rejected they will say “thank you sir and thanks for the opportunity”. I wasn’t going to sit there and have anybody talk down to me about my career and my life because they don’t know what I’ve been through. They don’t know the struggles I have gone through. They don’t know all the times in the Indy scene that I’ve heard three no’s to 1 yes that I have gotten for any booking I have ever done. Getting told no doesn’t faze me. I always bounce back.”
Courtesy eWrestlingNews.com.

So yeah, I bought into it. But after this week’s Impact Wrestling, it appears that I was dead wrong! Once TNA busted out the backstage footage of Joey Ryan’s attitude towards Al Snow before Snow & Ryan hit the ring, it became obvious that what many have said remains true: if it’s on television, it’s a work. It’s the whole reason I still believe the Montreal Screwjob was the biggest work in wrestling history, and yet I went against that same ideal here.

I’ve learned my lesson, and it won’t happen again. But one thing will happen again. Joey Ryan competing in TNA. And it couldn’t happen to a more deserving star. Congratulations to you, Joey Ryan. Now go out there and be 2012’s Austin Aries!

You Decide: Be honest…did you fall for it? I said be honest!

I’ve made some adjustments to my schedule, which will allow this feature to return next week!

So keep trolling morons!

Are you an independent wrestling promoter, wrestler or fan looking to get more exposure for your promotion? Send me an e-mail at [email protected] and I will check it out! Each week, one independent promotion will be featured in this column. Because independent wrestling is the future of the business.

This week’s independent promotion is…
APEX PRO WRESTLING

Apex Pro is presenting their second show, titled Headstrong, on June 17, 2012 at 6 PM at the American Legion Post #335 in South Gate, CA.

Here is the announced card so far…

Main Event — 6 Pack Challenge for the Apex Pro Championship
SoCal Crazy vs. former WWE/TNA superstar Brian Kendrick vs. Freddy Bravo vs. Brandon Gatson vs. Jarek Matthews vs. 2012 Golden State Battle Royal winner Dragon Mask

Vintage Dragon vs. “Pretty” Peter Avalon

El Jefe vs. Tyler Bateman

Raze and Angelus Layne vs. Terra Calaway and Kitana Vera

There are some great matches on this card. The main event should be spectacular, all six competitors have proven that they can deliver big time. I’d love to see Brandon Gatson walk away champion—he’s been a personal favorite for some time now. You also have one of The DeMarcettes, Terra Calaway, in competition teaming with Kitana Vera against Raze and Angelus Layne. Terra and Raze aren’t getting along since the first Apex Pro, and each woman is bringing a partner to Headstrong!

As you’ll see on the show’s site, my very own Greg DeMarco Show is listed as a sponsor for the event! Since the company books Terra, and she’s a DeMarcette, we agreed to a partnership to help the show out. Anyone who mentions the Greg DeMarco Show by name at the door will get $2 off the admission price. Also, you can email [email protected] to order tickets and use the show’s name (Greg DeMarco Show) as your discount code to get the advanced ticket sale discount. So take advantage of this discount and see some great wrestling!

(And yes, Greg DeMarco—along with 411Mania’s Tony Acero—will be in attendance! Stop by and say Hi.)

For more information, please visit www.TheApexPro.com.

Above, you hear some references to the first Apex Pro event, titled Year One. Below, read Tony Acero’s report from the show!

Having been to a few Indy shows, there are certain things to expect: beer, rowdy fans and an extremely vocal crowd. Having been to an Indy Show in Los Angeles, there’s something a bit more expected; heritage. Lucha Libre still holds a place in the hearts of many wrestlers in the Southern California circuit, and it should come as no surprise that the moment I stepped into the arena where Apex Pro would be taking place, there were men donning the traditional masks alreaady. Some chants in the crowd were Spanish, and there was an immediate air of authenticity. This was to be a special night in what is hopefully a long stay for new coming promotion Apex Pro. This would be the second show in which I recognized a lot of the talent due to previous outings. Some of them I’ve seen in action before, while others were new to me in name and in person. One of the names that I was well aware of, as I’m sure you are as well is that of Terra Calaway. I’ve seen Terra a number of times in the ring, but there seemed to be a new excitement in the air, tonight. Of course, one name that everyone knew was in attendance as well. Brian Kendrick joined the promotion for a main event match that had me pumped. All in all, I was ready to enjoy some wrestling and watch a promoter put together a card that respected both the talent and wrestling as a whole.

The first match scheduled was a Battle Royal for the Apex Pro Golden State Trophy.

Match 1: Battle Royal for Apex Pro Golden State Trophy
Sindarin, Alexis Darevko, Kay Jutler, Spectre, Kill Jay, Tommy Purr, Sam Knight, Dragon Mask, Mike Violence, Emilio Marquez, Lucha Machine, Tyler Durken, Darkside, Lestat, Ricki De La Paz, Kodi Phipps

The battle royal was similar to any other battle royal that we’ve all seen, complete with the final four stalling for applause. Of the numerous contestants, a few notables that stuck out to me are Sam Knight and Alexis Darevko. Darevko was the second man out and played a Russian heel to perfection. His chops are vicious and his character was believable. I’ve seen Knight in a match before, so his work wasn’t new to me, but he still held his own in the ring and actually saved a spot that could have ended badly, all while keeping within the flow of the Battle Royal. The win went to Dragon Mask who didn’t do much to impress, and kind of laid low until the final stretch. where he tipped over Knight when he wasn’t looking.
Winner: Dragon Mask (NR)
As I said, most battle royals are the same, but there was some good to be had, including Knight and Darevko.

Match 2: El Jefe and Terra Calaway vs. Tyler Bateman and Raze
Terra with the purple gear. We’re starting with Raze vs El jefe? Interesting. Nope, ladies are first. Ah, the heels pull the ol switcheroo. Jefe and Tyler to start. Lockup into an arm wrench by Jefe. He works it hard but Bateman trips Jefe out and works the ankle. Jefe spins with a drop toe hold into a side headlock. Works the arm again, but Bateman reverses and we get some flippity floppity into some shoulderblocks from Jefe. Jefe drops Bateman and works the arm, as the crowd shows thier approval. Bateman has the hair and backs Jefe in the corner. Arm drag from Bateman but it’s reveresed into an arm drag by Jefe. Jefe flips, twerking the arm. Bateman hits the ropes, but Jefe holds onto the arm and takes Bateman down to the mat. Bateman with the head scissors to get out of the hold. Jefe flips out into a pin for 1…2..NO. Both men up, lock up. Side headlock from Bateman but he hits the ropes and comes back with a shoulderblock. Rope work and Jefe hits an arm drag. Another. Arm bar but Bateman with the hair again and sends Jefe to the ropes, Jefe rtolls over and almost misses an arm drag. Back into the corner and we get a tag to Terra.

Terra with an axe handle. She’s happy as she twerks the arm. She realizes it doesnt effect him and shows fear. Bateman headbutts the shit out of her, then drags her to the corner and tags in Raze. Raze with a hard kick to the back. Raze with a front headlock and hits some knees. She sends Terra to the corner for some back elbows then a knee to the gut. Runs with a hard elbow to the corner. Snapmare into a kick to the back of the neck. again. The kicks are vicious. Raze lifts Terra and we get another elbow. Terra fires back with an elbow of her own. They trade, Terra blocks and hits some hard elbows, ducks a right and gets some more elbows. Terra runs for the ropes, but Raze pulls the hair down. Raze steps on the hair and pulls Terra up. Again. Raze chokes Terra up on the ropes and hits a snapmare, stalling though. She hits a kick to the back and pins for 1….2….NO!!! Terra is choked up on the ropes again and while the ref isn’t looking, Bateaman pulls at her mouth!! Oooo, heelish tendancies! Rope work and Terra gets a sunset flip for 2. Raze with a right, Terra goes for a backslide, but Raze gets out of it. Terra with a DDT and Raze gets up just a few short seconds after. Come on Raze, sell a move. Hot tag to Jefe and Bateman. Jefe with some rights into a spinning back elbow, kips up and pins for 1…2…NO!! Both men up and Bateman hits a backbreaker and a pin for 1….2…NO! Bateman calls for a lariat but no go. Pinning combo until Batamn goes for a roll up and only gets a two, holding the tights! Close one there. Bateman distracts the ref. Raze sneaks in with the low blow. Bateman with the hard lariat. Pin! 1….2….3!!!
Winner: Tyler Bateman and Raze (**1/2)
Raze needs to work on her selling, as she walked away seemingly unscathed after the match, not even showing exhaustion and shouldn’t be the case. Strong showing from Terra. The last few times I’ve seen her, she played solely the Face in Peril. Allowing her offense has proven that she’s more than just a girl who gets beat up well, and that’s a good sign.

Ridiculously Bigg vs. Sexy Chino and Greg Sharpe
Chino brings the charisma, coming out dancing. He’s skinny as fuck, by the way, and he knows it. He plays the role well. Sharpe looks good. Ridiculous and Bigg guy play the heels, of course. And he is Bigg. I’ve seen Chino and RB in action before. Before the match, it looks like we’re going to have a dance off. Ridiculous does a riverdance while Chino does some sort of epilectic pop, but of course this is a ploy because R and B attack. Bigg sends Greg out while Rid works on Chino. R&B double team Chino while Greg hangs on the apron. Chino fires off the apron and lays flat as Greg flies off the tope rope with a cross body to both men. Greg sends Rid out and we get a double team on Bigg. They try for a whip but Bigg holds strong. A foot stomp sends him to the ropes as they hit back elbows. Elbow drop, splash combo. Chino pins as Greg leaves the ring and he gets a 2 count. Chino and Bigg in now. Chino with the finger pull and tags in Greg. Double team and Chino rolls until he trips up Bigg. G with an elbow drop and goes for the pin but Rid is distracting the ref. Greg with a front faced headlock then drops some elbows and tags in Chino. Chino hops on the back of Bigg then calls for him to get up. Chino gets excited, hits the ropes and runs into a Fall Away Slam. Chino is hilariously stunned. Tag to Rid as Chino reaches for a pin. Rid asks Bigg to pick up Chino. Rid with a leg sweep into a leg lariat followed by a crossbody. He knocks Greg off the apron and pulls Chin. He mocks a tag and the ref falls for it. Bigg boy with a slam and a pin for 1…2..broken up by Greg. Tag to Rid. Rid with a kick to the chest and he calls for a suplex. Suplex into a bridge and the ref is slow to count. Chino reaches for the pin but Rid works the arm. Left arm. He bites it and slams it down. FU to Greg, (not the move). From behind he hits an atomic drop. Here’s Bigg boy with a back kick and a pin for 1. It’s broken up by Greg.

Snapmare from the Bigg guy. He’s calling for the crowd, hits the ropes, and hits a double knee drop. Pin for 2 as it’s broken up by Greg again. Tag to Rid. Rid drops an elbow, calls for the finish, and is looking for a…chokeslam? Ha, chino goozles R$id! They lift each other up…ok. Chino with a drop toe hold and stomps the back of Rid. Clothesline from Rid, though, esnds Chino to the mat. Chope for a 4 count. Tag to Bigg boy and he distracts the ref. Bigg boy with an axe handle but Chino pokes the eye. The ref is here and doesn’t see the tag so calls for Greg to get out of the ring. Tag to Rid by Bigg guy who is holding Chino. He sets up for a Razor’s Edge, but holds it, and Rid hits a high dropkick. Pin by Rid for two because it’s reversed (badly) into a pin by Chino for two. Rid with a knee to the back, and we get a chin lock. Chino turns into it and hits ome rights to the gut. He puills at the fake ears of Rid and they spin in the ring then both go down. Ref counts and both men are up at five with a tag. Greg and Bigg boy are in. Greg wiht a dropkick then a clothesline. Another drop kick. back elbow. He toses Rid into Bigg and hits a dropkick to both Bigg man goes down in the corner and Greg hits another dropkick to the seated Bigg man. Greg grabs Rid and looks for a move but hits the ropes instead and comes firing back with a knee. He tags in Chino, and Chino goes up top. Bigg in the corner, Rid on the mat. Rid moves and Chino hits the mat chest first. Homegirl on the side questions Greg’s decision. Chino looks to tag, but thinks better of it and goes to attack Rid, but Bigg boy hits him with a hard right and Rid cradles Chino. Greg goes to break up the pin, but homegirl stops him, apparently wanting Chino to learn his leson
Winner: Ridiculously Bigg (**1/2)
Chino is a hilarious character, and the dude plays it well. Greg’s got the look but is very one-note, even after the “sudden” heel turn. Chino sells about as good as a skinny looking dude can do. Bigg boy had moves like a Bigg boy should, showed more stamina than expected, and kept his heel tendancies to a minimum. Ridiculous is the apparent mastermind and he played his role well, also. I’ve seen the team of Ridiculously Bigg perform before, and it was against Sexy Chino the last time. They share some chemistry and play off of the stature of both Bigg and Chino well.

Greg helps Chino up, but homegirl calls for and end. Greg then hits a reverse Side Russian and the girl beats on him a bit. Greg chokes Chino as the girl berates him.

The next segment is something that really sets apart Apex Pro from the other indy feds I’ve seen. Two noticeably older, masked men come to the ring and are celebrated as legends. Los Chivos, Kayam and Enigma De Oro have over 60 years of professional wrestling experience. According to one source, they were being honored tonight because they were not the typical veterans in the business in that they actually help the young guys in the back. They would continually put their heart and soul in the business and in the ring and the crowd was well aware of this, as was I due to the love they showed, mutually, to the fans. They thank the crowd humbly and the roster comes out to celebrate with them. Well deserved, to say the least.

The Von Dooms (Vintage Dragon and Cyanide) vs Jarek Matthews and Jacob Diez

Diez and Dragon to start. Shake hands but Diez smacks Dragon. Dragon hits him with a leg kick. Another. Some rtight elbows in the corner but Diez reverses a whip and sends him to the corner. Drago with a knee to the corner, arm drag. Nice looking hurricanrana. A high knee into the corner and a double kick into the gut followed by a pin for 1…2..NO! Front face lock and a tagfrom Vintage Dragon. Double arm drag by the Von Dooms. Elbow drop followed by a leg drop and Cyanide pins. Dragon getrs on the wrong side, gets the tag and stomps the arm. Twerk of the arm and another tag by Dragon. Cyanid is up and drops an axe handle on the arm of Diez. Cyanide with a stalled body slam and tag. Dragon runs and gets a wheelbarrow assisted body press and a pin for 1…..2…NO! Diez is finlly able to get a tag and gets a double hook from behind. JM with a side headlock and doesn’t want to cheat. Rope work into a belly to belly from Mathews. Running clothesline into a T-Bone suplex by Matthews into a pin for 1…2….NO! Blind tag from Diez and Matthews is pissed. Diez hits a hard lothesline and a pin for 1….2..NO! Elevated headlock from Diez until VD turns into it and hits some elbows. A hard right then ropes. Tilt a Whirl, nevermind as Matthews flips VD and he lands on his feet. Chop from Matthews. Front face lock into a tag and Matthews doesn’t want to cheat he relectuntatly takes the tag, hits the ropes and drops an elbow then pins for 1…2…NO! Matthews drops an elbow to the back of the head then calls for another suplex. Hits it and goes behind with a chin lock. Dragon comes alive with some elbows and hits another running hurricanrana. Diez distracts the ref as Dragon tags in Cyanide. Of course, the ref doesn’t see it and argues with Cy. Diez runs in and hits Dragon on the back with an axe handle. Pin from Matthews but only gets a 1. Dragon fights back, goes for a Superkick, but Matthews ducks and hits a GERMAN!! He goes for another, but we get a back elbow and Dragon hits the ropes! Matthews with ANOTHER German! ONE MORE TIME!! And Dragon flops around like a dying fish. Tag to Diez and he hits a hard right to Dragon’s face. He drops an elbow then pins for 1….2…NO! Dragon is fighting back with some rights, lefts. Diez tries for a gutwrench, Dragon flips down and Diez hits a neckbreaker instead (sloppy). Pin for 1…2…NO! Diez chokes Dragon up as his partner calls for fairness. Diez with a body slam then a tag to Matthews. Matthews up top and hits a nice leg drop. Matthews with the pin for 1…2…NO!!

Tag to Diez and he is in with a right hand to the back. Diez with some blows to chest from behind. He chokes up Dragon on the ropes as the ref counts. Matthews doesn’t want to choke him, even as Diez distracts the ref. He slaps Matthews on the corner, which probably should hve been a tag. Whip to Dragon and he comes back with a hurricanrana/tilt a whirl front faced DDT. Kip up an a tag to Cyanide. Tag to Matthews. Cyanide is in and body slams both Diez and Matthews. A hard clothesline sends Diez over, then Matthews! Cyanide wants to fly! He goes up top and both men scour away but here’s Dragon, flying through the middle rope atop both men! He picks both up and Cyanide flies off, dropping an axe handle. Cyanide is up after a while and rolls Matthews in. Pin for 1…2…NO!!!! Matthews sets up for a suplex, but Cyanide hits a Northern Lights and a pin for 1…2…NO!!! Matthews with a hard Enziguri! Shining Wizard!! He is calling for the finish, but Diez tags himself in. He turns right into a hard spinebuster and a pin for 1….Matthews tries to drop an elbow but Cyanide moves and it hits Diez! Dragon is in after a tag and hits Matthews then looks for a Hurricanrana, but is powervbombed! both men go for a double team, but Dragon tags in Cyanide. Cyanide runs in, his clotheslines get ducked, and they hit a double suplex to the Big guy. Diez and Matthews both go up top, looking for the finish and argue up there for a bit. Diez pushes Matthews off the ropes. Cyanide is here and sets up for the Doomsday Device! Here’s Dragon to finish it off! Pin for 1…2…..3!!!!
Winners: The Von Dooms (***)
Dragon is skilled in the art of flying, and isn’t afraid to take some punishment or risks. Fluid movement for the most part. The story told by Matthews was also pretty strong, with his “turmoiled act” teaming with a straight heel. I’ve seen Dragon and Matthews before, but never in this capacity. Matthews had some crisp looking suplexes and a wonderful spear. Good showing from all of them.

After the match, Diez pushes on JM. JM tries to calm him down but gets upset and Gores the shit out of him instead. Wonderful.

SoCal Crazy vs. Brandon Gatson
Lockup to start which turns int oa go behind, but Gatson runs away and stalls. Another lock up and Gatson with the arm. Crazy rolls through, but Gatson drops him down, grabbing the mask. ANother lockup and side headlock by Gatson. Crazy sends him to the ropes, calls for a hip topss but Gatson ain’t havin it so Crazy chops him somethin fierce then hits a hip toss. One more for good measure, and some rights. He flips for no reason, but it looks cool so I ain’t complainnig. Crazy with a back body drop and Gatson goes to the outside. Crazy looks to do some spiffiness but he flips over the ropes onto the apron. Gatson trips him up then hilariously counts along with the ref’s 10 count. He beats on Crazy a bit rolls back in the ring to break the count, then back for some more beating. He tosses Crazy in the ring and hits a knee to the face. He lifts Crazy and Crazy fires back with some rights. Springboard cross body turns into a Fall Away Slam from Gatson. Gatson pins for 1…2….NO! He hits osme closed fists to Crazy then hits a knee to the sternum. Gatson chokes up Crazy on the ropes then hits a running bulldog to the back of Crazy’s head, on the ropes. He drops a knee then pins for `1….2….NO! Another pin for 1….2…NO! gatson backs him in the corner and chops! He pulls a zipper dowen for some skin to skin, but Crazy reverses and hits a hard ass chop! One more! One more in the adjacent corner. The crowd calls for another and he obliges! OUCH! Crazy with aback elbow. Up top for some rights. He hits ten, misses a dropkick then hits a shoulder to the gut. He’s up top for a Frankensteiner! Pin for 1…2…NO!! Crazy whips Gatson, Gatson reverses, Crazy flies back into the arms of Gatson, Gatson with a German, and Crazy does a full 360, nearly landing on his face. Gatson pins for 1…2..NO! Gatson with another pin for 1…2..NO! Gatson looks for a suplex. He’s up, stalls! Hits it and pins for 1…2..NO!

Gatson with a hard knee to the face of SoCal. Gatson then drops a knee to the right leg. Pin for 1…2..NO! Crazy sells the leg as Gatson hits a right to the thigh then drops a knee to the inside. Whip to the corner, but Crazy reverses and sends Gatson to the corner. Gatson flips over, lands on his feet and Crazy hits a dropkick. Tope over the tope rope into a pin for 1…2…NO! Crazy shakes the leg off a bit then whips Gatson to the corner. He runs into som legs, but stops em, spins to the side, uses the ropes and kicks Gatson in the fcce. Baseball slide through the legs of Gatson, and pulls his legs out from under him. Crazy is up top, he flies off , right into a POWERSLAM! Both men are down. Ref starts the count. Both men are up at 9, and Crazy gets the rights! Gatson stops it with a kick, hits the ropes, and Crazy hits a nice spear out of nowhere! Running knee to the head of Gatson and a pin for 1…2….NO!! Gatson sends Crazy to the corner, then runs into some knees. he hits a Samoan Drop and pins for 1…2…NO! Gatson calls for the end. He lifts up Socal, is looking for a powerslam but Socal frankensteins it into a pin for 1…2…NO!! Gatson with a hit to the gut, then a HARD Side Russian Leg Sweep. Pin for 1….2….NO! Gatson goes to the rop rope. He nearly lands on the foot of Crazy, but Gatson stops it. Out of nowhere, Gatson hits a Stunner! The crowd boos him. haha. He does a freakin Cartwheel and misses the elbow. Kelly would be proud. Socal uses the ref to hit a neckbreaker. SoCal with a DDT and a pin for 1….2….NO!!!! SoCal is up! He’s lookin for something. Still seling the leg, nice. SoCal does some spinning but it all leads to Gatson locking in an armbar. So cal rolls out of it and locks in a submission of his own! Locking the legs and the arm. He releases the leg and pulls back on the arm hard. Gatson is close to the ropes, though, and he gets the break. Both men down.

Gatson rises on the apron and hits a shoulder block, then flies over with a neckbreaker. He slowly rolls over for the pin. 1…2…NO! Gatson is going up top. He stands and here’s Socal to toss him off! SoCal is up! MOONSAULT, but hye misses and here’s the arm bar by Gatson!!! Crazy is reaching for the ropes! He’s close….oh, he taps!!!
Winner: Brandon Gatson (***)
Great match by both parties. Gatson surprised the hell out of me as he started off rather generic. I expected nothing extravagent, but as the match picked up, so too did the talent. He did falter a bit by stopping the leg work that he was doing so well, but Crazy sold it throughout the entire match, including afterwards. Nicely done by both guys.

Kay Jutler, Labyrinth and Brian Kendrick vs. Thunderwolf, Freddy Bravo, Shiek Khan Abadi (2 out of 3 Falls)
Freddy Bravo’s American attire doesn’t go well with Thunderwolf’s Native gear and Shiek’s foreign apparel, and yet I find it works. Kendrick looks very Indy, in a good way. We’re starting with Thunder and Laby. I’ve seen Lab before, he’s quite good. Thunder shakes the pec and Bravo goes crazy. Laby shakes it off. Lockup to start and Laby with a side headlock. Hip toss into a hammer lock. he twerks the arm and Thunder reverses, locking in one of his own. Laby trips him up, though and drops the leg, then twists it into a submission Nice. He rolls up into an arm lock but Thunder reveres and hits a hip toss into a side hyeadlock. Thunder talks some trash then Laby flips out of the hold and arm drags thunder. He underhooks Thunder and hits a pin for 1…2….NO!! Lockup again, into a go behind. Front slam and Thunder tries for an armbar. laby locks his fingers then rolls forward and hits some back elbows. Laby with a hard chop. He hits a back elbow as Shiek yells from the apron. Ropee work leads to a hard clothesline from Thunder. Thunder with a kick to the back. He tosses Laby, but Laby goes up top and spins from up top with an elbow ala R-Truth. Bad assery! Homeboy got some torque! He hits a knee to Thunder and tags in Kay. Bravo acts like Eric Young, but does it just a bit better. Tag to Sheik. Sheik flips over Cutler, ducks a clothesline , sends Jutler to the ropes and he fires back with a spinning heel kick. Sheik with a hard slap to the face. Reveres whip sends Kay to the apron and he flies over with a DDT. In comes Kendrick! He hits a hard chop then twerks the arm and sends Sheik to the ropes. Shiek with a quick kick and a tag to Bravo. Kendrick shakes off the sting. Bravo rakes the eyes of Kendrick then hits some shoulderblocks. He lifts Kendrick, whips him to the corner. Kendrick flies over and hits an arm drag into a hiptoss and a headlock. Both men are up and Bravo uses the hair to back up Kendrick. Knee to the gut of Kendrick and Bravo gets a side headlock of his own. Shoulderblock and rope work ends with a dropkkick from Kendrick. Kendrick locks him up, he’s calling for the Sliced Bread! But Bravo rolls him up, holds the tights! 1…2….3!!!

First Fall: Thunderwolf, Freddy Bravo and Shiek Khan Abadi

Sheik is in and stomps Kendrick in the corner. He praises Allah then tags in Bravo. Bravo with the boot to the neck of Kendrick. Tag to Thunder and Thunder hits Kendrick in the gut. A hard chop. Another! Toss to the ropes and an axe handle to the chest by Thunder. Thunder pins with the foot for one. He sends Kendrick to the corner and all three heels put a boot to his face. Shiek is tagged in and hits a chest shot. Tag to bravo and he stomps Kendrick next. choke with the boot. Snapmare by Bravo, into a facelock.Kendrick turns into it and hits a back elbow! He hits the ropes and runs into a dropkick, sending Kendrick to the outside. Laby comes in, howver, and Bravo tags in Thunder. On the outside, Sheik kicks Kendrick for no good reason. Thunder and bravo double team Laby. Bravo hits the Brit and he gets all mad. We got a triple team onto laby. Kendrick is on the apron, lookin to get to his corner. Inside, Laby is stuck into a powerslam and a pin. It’s broken up by Kay and he goes on the offense once again. He sends Lab to the corner and we got a double team as Thunder distracts the ref. Laby with a hard kick to Thunder, sends Bravo and Sheik off the apron. Thunder sends Laby to the corner, he walks the ropes awesomely and hits a spinning heel kick. Kendrick is in and Kay and Laby! They each have one in the corner. The heels toss the faces in the center, they stop any activbity, they reverse, sending the heels to the corner and dropkick all three. All three of the faces lock in a submission! Kay pins Bravo for the 1….2….3!!!

Second Fall: Kendrick, Jutler and Labyrinth

Thunderwolf is in the ring, Hulking up as laby punches. He fires back with some back elbows. Laby is back with some hard left and rights! Hard chop! Back elvow, another chop. Kicks to the side, he goes for the spinning heel but Thunder deflects and hits a hard looking Snapmare. He calls for a move, but Jutler dropkicks him out the ring. Sheik is up top and hits a high dropkic. Kendrick is in, calling for the Sliced Bread on Sheik, but here’s Bravo is here to stop it. Sheik sends Kendrick to t he mat and Sheik goes to pin. Bravo stops him though, saying no Arab is pinning Kendrick. Kendrick sends Sheik to the outside and hits Bravo with the Sliced Bread and a pin for 1…..2….3!!!

Third Fall and Winners: Brian Kendrick, Jutler and Labyrinth.

After the match, Kendrick goes around the ring and thanks every single fan in attendance. He seriously seemed extremely humble and we even had a chat afterwards about the interview that you have hopefully heard with The Greg DeMarco Show!

Final Word: In the 2+ years that I’ve written for 411mania, I’ve never claimed to be an Indy guy. Hell, they had a hard enough time making me watch TNA. Tonight’s experience will go a long way in my continued efforts to get in touch with the indy scene, and for various reasons. These guys all act like fans, whether heel or face, and they’ve not got the arrogance of a superstar, yet have the aura of one. After the show, they cleaned up the arena. The same wrestlers that were in the ring earlier helped clean up, shake hands of fans, take pictures, and just were there. The smile I saw on kids around the place were also plastered across the adults, and it felt good to just be a fan.

Thank you Tony Acero!

For more information, please visit www.TheApexPro.com.

Performer/producer Ryan Katz visits The Greg DeMarco Show, along with beautiful DeMarcette “The Sin City Siren” Terra Calaway and a surprise appearance by Sinn Bodhi (former WWE superstar Kizarney).

The Greg DeMarco Show, presented by 411Mania.com/Wrestling, comes to you each Tuesday night at 10:30 PM eastern and airs all weekend at VOCNation.com. Greg and Patrick O’Dowd are joined by regular contributors Tony Acero, Justin Freemyer, Chad Perry and “The First Lady of the VOC Nation” Leanne Marie! Plus, you never know who might call in or stop by “The Snake Pit” (chatroom). The call-in number is (310) 807-5103, and “The Snake Pit” generally opens 5 minutes before the show starts.

This week: The Greg DeMarco Show visits with first time guest…promoter…producer…announcer…on-air talent…and so much more…Ryan Katz! Find out Ryan’s history with XPW, Wrestling Society X, and even the WWE! He even chimes in about opening for his hip hop idol KRS-One.

The beautiful DeMarcette Terra Calaway returned to the show to talk about the biggest weekend of her young career as she prepares to wrestle in New York (WSU) and California (Apex Pro) in the same 48 hour period! Find out what’s in store for “The Sin City Siren” as she prepares for this big weekend!

Plus, the show was greeted with a surprise call from Sinn Bodhi (former WWE superstar Kizarney). Sinn was calling in support of this weekend’s Freakshow Wrestling event in SoCal, and also provided some thoughts on his time in the WWE and what he sees in the televised product today. Sinn didn’t hold back during this impromptu interview!

And we’ve got even more wrestling talk with 411Mania’s Tony Acero covering RAW, Justin Freemyer going old school with This Week in Wrestling History, and Chad Perry on The Overrun to preview TNA Slammiversary and discuss TNA’s first Hall of Fame inductee!

Click here to listen, or listen here:

The Greg DeMarco Show with Greg DeMarco & Patrick O’Dowd, presented by 411Mania and streaming worldwide through the Voice of Choice Nation—airs live every Tuesday at 10:30 PM eastern time and is heard by over 10,000 listeners throughout each week. Discussing current events in professional wrestling—including WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, TNA, Ring of Honor and many US independent promotions and regularly features guests from Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Dragon Gate USA, Evolve and countless other promotions, Greg and Patrick present opinionated analysis on the wrestling world that remains rooted in a love, passion and respect for the business. The show is presented live on Tuesday nights by 411Mania at http://www.411wrestling.com/wrestling and streams worldwide each Saturday through Monday via Bruce Wirt’s Voice of Choice Nation at http://www.vocnation.com. You can reach the show via e-mail at [email protected], Facebook by searching for “Greg DeMarco Show” or Twitter @gregdemarcoshow.

This past Thursday, Dean Ambrose faced William Regal in the last FCW taping. However, it’s well known that it wasn’t their first encounter. Here’s an early match-up for both men…

William Regal vs. Dean Ambrose
FCW TV – June 11, 2011 – Bright House Sports Network

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This week’s “&1” Model of the Week, in my opinion, has some serious Versus potential once the WWE decides to put her on TV. But for now she’s down in FCW. Who is she? Audrey Marie!

Get reading!

Randle’s Wrestling News Experience!
Marsico presents The Wednesday Wire!
Kelly’s Sports Entertainment News Report!
Napier’s Handicapping the News!
Fact or Fiction!

Tony Acero presents The Low End Theory!

Steve Cook’s Controversial Hot 100!

Plenty to talk about in the comments!
Was the John Cena-Michael Cole match bullying?
What your Slammiversary predictions?
Will Joey Ryan make an (here comes the pun) Impact?
What do you think of the Apex Pro line-up?
Is Audrey Marie a future Hall of Bang member?
Plus, vote in the poll above—Brooke Tessmacher vs. Maria Kanellis!

Until next time…

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