411’s The School of Roc Class Wars Report – Episode One: War Begins

Watch this full 20 minute episode right here!

Billy Roc talks about his career, including some of the very prominent independent stars that he has grappled with. I just saw him look good in a DGUSA Fray! match on the DVD, Chasing the Dragon. He says the state of Indiana has been filled with so much crappy wrestling. So, he started the School of Roc Wrestling School.

Graduates of the school are shown entering the building. Remi Wilkins, a 2010 Graduate, is shown. I saw him in a match on a DGUSA show, where he got squashed by The Scene. Other past graduates are shown too: James Reeves (2010), Trash (2010), Big Sue Jackson (2010), Nate Stone (2011), Logan Williams (2011), Dale Patricks (2011), Reed Bentley (n/a), and Tripp Cassidy (2009). Cassidy tagged with Wilkins in that DGUSA squash match.

Billy Roc addresses all the wrestlers. He says that they are here to determine the best student from the School of Roc. A graphic explains the “School of Roc Cup:”

1.) First 5 Weeks: Preliminary Matches (designed to see how much they have improved)
2.) 8 person tournament during the last 8 weeks will determine the winner.

Roc announces that the first match is going to be Dale Patricks vs. Tripp Cassidy.

There is a commercial for the School of Roc Wrestling school. BJ Whitmer puts over the students from the school that he has wrestled.

The next segment sees Billy Roc and various graduates put over Tripp Cassidy’s talent. Roc discusses how Cassidy beat him recently and that made Cassidy a little too cocky. In conclusion, Cassidy is talented, but he’s not afraid to take some short cuts if it’s the difference between winning and losing.

Dale Patricks talks about how much he wanted to be a wrestler. He puts Cassidy over because they live together. Cassidy then says that Patricks doesn’t have the “heart” to be the best student from the School of Roc. Dissent!

“The Phoenix” Dale Patricks vs. Tripp Cassidy.
Billy Roc is the referee. He says that all pro-wrestling rules apply. There is a 10 minute time limit.

Cassidy got a nearfall with a neckbreaker early. It was all Cassidy for a while after that. Patricks escaped a move and hit a tornado DDT: 1…2…NO! Patricks went to the top rope, but Cassidy crotched him. Patricks managed to hit a top rope cross body for another nearfall. Cassidy cut him off with a shotgun knee drop. Cassidy hit the Knee KO shortly thereafter for the win at the 5:21 mark.

Cassidy immediately sets himself up to be a star of this show. His confidence in his promos was great, especially for someone who does not have too much exposure. In the ring, he looked like he had lots of potential, but he can obviously do with some polishing. Patricks looked more like a student, but I liked the fire he was showing in the ring. The fire he showed also plays a part in the story that Cassidy accused him of having no heart. Cassidy seems like the better prospect at the moment, but he also has way more experience. I hope to see both of these guys grow over the course of the show.

The 411: An excellent start to this online show. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it has a unique and valuable perspective that I definitely want to see more of. Both wrestlers featured here got their personal stories over in a clear and effective way. I also definitely like Roc’s role on the show. His presence is necessarily constant, but without ever overshadowing any of the students. I look forward to seeing this show and the wrestlers grow as the episodes move along. I encourage you all to at least check out this episode to see if the show may be for you. Also, I hope you overlook the modest budget of the show, and see if the content appeals to you. Aesthetics are important in wrestling, but they shouldn’t prevent you from giving a new product a chance.

For more info on Class Wars and the School of Roc, check out their:
Website
Facebook
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Youtube Page

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Kevin Steen Part 1 & Part 2
Eddie Edwards
Johnny Gargano
Mike Quackenbush
Nigel McGuinness
Lance Hoyt/Vance Archer/Lance Archer
Adam Cole
Gran Akuma

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