The Best Of The Rest 6.21.07: Volume 1
Posted by Alex Mattis on 06.21.2007
Where all your Indy dreams come true. Come check out the first edition of "The Best Of The Rest"
Hello all and welcome to the first edition of "The Best Of The Rest." I am Alex Mattis, a life long wrestling fan who is currently living in Denton, Texas. I also write for the "Triple Threat" Column but wanted to write more about Indy wrestling. First and foremost I would like to thank the powers at be for letting me have this space to write, and I hope the readers of this 1st edition will enjoy it and come back for more.
Mission Statement:
To bring you news, previews, reviews, and my opinions on the Indy promotion that may not always get the most coverage on this website. I will go in-depth about such promotions as PWG, IWA-MS, CZW, CHIKARA, etc. I will still give my opinions on ROH, but won't go as into detail, seeing as how they already have their own column here. As far as mainstream wrestling goes, I will occasionally make mention but only when something has impressed to the point of making mention or when something has severely pissed me off. I will also throw in some MMA thoughts, but for the most part Independent Wrestling is the name of the game on this column, although on often occasions I will write about the state of the sport in general.
This Week's Spotlight(The weekly spot to cover someone who deserves...covering): Hotstuff Hernandez:
This may strike some people as odd, talking about a heavily labeled TNA guy in an Indy column, however this big man may start to turn some heads on the Indy circuit. Being a Texas native, I have seen Hotstuff at more live shows than I can remember, and personally know what he is capable of. His exposure in TNA is something well deserved but, like much of their roster, they aren't using him to his full potential. The "Tex Mex T-Rex" hasn't done much in the way of touring the Indy's outside of Texas, he had a match against Chris Hero in CZW back in '04 and a few matches for ROH in the beginning days, but nothing much since then. He's done some great stuff in Texas, he has had some great matches against the like of Ikaika and Samoa Joe, but those matches, nor any other of his I have seen measured up to his performance last month against Low Ki at the IWA-MS show "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Many people had their minds blown by this match. A friend I took to the show with me even said "that was the best match I have ever seen live." And he has been to his fair show of shows. I'm not sure if Ian had a future lined up for Hernandez or if it was a case of "Well I'm running a show in Texas, any big names live there?" Either way it worked out in both men's favor. Hernandez did what was thought to be undoable when he damn near destroyed, one of my personal fav's, "The Last Of A Dying Breed" Eddie Kingston in a very hard-hitting battle. From here the big man heads to the ECW Arena to take on Drake Younger. Keep in mind on the fore mentioned card that this match will happen, The Rottweilers (Low Ki & Homicide) will face the Necro Butcher and Toby Klein, so this will be a night filled with "Oh sweet Jesus why!?!?!?" moments. Point being, this is a very interesting match up. Hotstuff may surprise a few people in his upcoming matches, and if he continues to produce great matches and turn more heads, he can only go up. I am also waiting for Indy promotions to take advantage of the LAX tandem. I mean honestly, who wouldn't want to see a LAX-Briscoe's or even a LAX-Havana Pitbulls match?
Upcoming Show Preview:
IWA-MS returns to the ECW Arena on Saturday night, June 30th with a ridiculously stacked card...I mean ridiculously stacked. This card would seem to have everything; a comedy match, hard hitting matches, great tag action, solid wrestling, and what promises to be a wild main event. I can't remember any IWA show in recent memory that has had the build that this one has going into it. The card for "Point Proven" looks great on paper, so lets break it down.
Tracy Smothers Vs. "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal in the "Feel Good Comedy Of The Summer":
This will be entertaining no matter how you cut it. All the elements for a classic comedy match. Smothers with his confederate gimmick and Lethal being BLACK Machismo, racial goodness shall ensue. IWA's website even asks "How will "Black Machismo" respond when "If the South Would Have Won, We'd of Had It Made" starts playing?" They will probably stick to the comedy side of things but who knows, a wrestling match may break out. Machismo will likely pick up the victory due to how over this gimmick is getting. OHHHHHHHHHHH YEEEEEEEAAAAAH Liz!
Chuck Taylor Vs. Matt Sydal:
The originally booked match between Tiger Mask and Matt Sydal would have had much more of my interest but that doesn't mean this match will be bad. But because of the fact that Sydal was just thrown into this match without much build Chucky T will most likely retain his title.
Hotstuff Hernandez Vs. Drake Younger:
This is the match I'm most looking forward to, when this match was first announced I said to myself "I can't wait to see this match." After Hotstuff's impressive victory over Eddie Kingston and tremendous match against Low Ki I believe many more are anticipating this match. Drake is one tough son of a bitch and will take what Hernandez has to dish out. This should be a very stiff contest that will test Younger's toughness and his spirit, but any fan of Drake knows he has plenty of both. Expect Hotstuff to get the W, but not before he takes some offense from Drake and expect Younger to kick out of damn near everything the "Tex Mex T-Rex" has to offer.
Chris Hero Vs. Davey Richards:
Two of my favorites set to lock up in what should be an excellent match. A bit of a contrast in styles, Hero's technical prowess against Richards' hard hitting, strong style. But we all know Hero can wrestling a strong style match if the duty calls. It's to predict a winner in this one, as both will be seeking to look good with the TPI just around the corner. With that being said, I believe it may be too difficult to predict a winner for this one. Hero may use some questionable tactics, however, and get the W.
There is a "Tag Hardcore Rumble" but I'm not really one for the hardcore stuff, plus it involves Brain Damage so I have no interest. In fact I want to stay away from it.
6 Man Tag - Super Dragon, Kevin Steen, and ??? Vs. Joey Ryan, Chris Bosh, and Scott Lost:
I would say "this PWG showcase may steal the show" but the problem is this card is so stacked any match could be the show stealer. With that being said, this should be an excellent match, as all these guys work well together. It'll be interesting to see how Steen and Dragon work together, given their history. As for their mystery partner, the obvious choice is El Generico, which probably means it won't be. Exception for Generico I have no idea who would fill this spot. In the end I would expect the team of Arrogance and Joey Ryan to get the win, possibly because of an argument between Dragon and Mr. Wrestling.
30-Minute Iron Man Match – Mike Quackenbush Vs. Claudio Castagnoli:
The third match these two have had in IWA-MS, but the 10567th match these two have had together. I believe it is impossible for these two to have a bad match with one another; a 30 Minute Iron Man Match should be no exception. Claudio got the win in their two prior IWA matches. In what should be an excellent match, I predict that Quack will pick up the win by one point (2-1 or 1-0).
Low Ki & Homicide Vs. Toby Klein & The Necro Butcher:
After the last show in the ECW Arena many fans were left asking, "How the hell are they going to top Joe-Necro?" We'll this match has all the makings to be an instant classic much like Joe-Necro. This should be a wild brawl that goes all over the arena. Punches, kicks, chairs, tables, Homicide's fork, expect them all to be used in this one. I'm not to sure what is going to come out of this match, in terms of what winner gets, but I do expect the Rottweilers to pick up the win.
Indy Sighting(When I have attended a local Indy show with someone note worthy on the card I will report a recap here):
2 weeks ago I attended a PCW show in Arlington, Texas to see an event that featured an FIP Championship Title Match. This was my second time seeing Roderick Strong live and this match was the better of the two. His opponent and challenger was local wrestle Aaron Eagle. To get a picture of Eagle, take Randy Orton subtract 100 pound, a lot of talent and for some reason have him carry a lint roller with him. Strong through the lint roller at the fans booing him, yea...it was awesome. The match was surprisingly good with a great ending, Eagle blocked the Gibson Driver so Strong used the "Death By Roderick" gut buster, he followed that up with that sickass boot he likes to use, Strong then took Eagle's limp body and finished him off with the Gibson Driver. After the match Roderick put Eagle over and got a huge pop from the crowd. It is always cool to see a big Indy name from the North, make that long trip to the South to perform.
Alex Mattis' "What The Fuck?" Moment Of The Week:
Samoa Joe didn't win the title on what should have been his night. What the fuck? And what better way to crown that FIRST EVER TNA champ, than to give it to a former WWE talent?
The Plug Zone(This will be the portion of the column where I plug wrestling DVD's that you might want to think about picking up, I know this is a review section to this website so I try to keep it short. I break it down into the 5 W's.)
Who: IWA-Mid South
What: "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
When: April 22, 2007
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Why You Want To Own This DVD: This unique show was cross promoted with a local Indy company in San Antonio so it featured both IWA-MS as well as ACW, Anarchy Championship Wrestling, talent. This show has been highly praised for two matches: Hotstuff Hernandez Vs. Low Ki and Masada Vs. The Necro Butcher. But the show was more than just a two-match show. Joey Ryan wrestled local champion Showtime Summers in a solid match, Roderick Strong made Texas local "Biohazard" look really good in a surprisingly competitive match, see how much Daffeney has improved her in-ring skills in a good match against Mickie Knuckles, and for all you death match junkies and fans with A.D.D. the four way tag Main Event will surely satisfy your need for no selling and meaningless violence. The only lull on the card was between two Texas locals Rex Reed and Massive (I spent the entire match talking to Joey Ryan *Name Dropping* so I don't remember how bad that match was). The two acclaimed matches deserve all the recognition they get. Hernandez-Ki was amazing and showed that Hernandez could deliver and potentially become a major player. And the sheer brutality that was Masada-Necro was on the same level as Necro-Ki or Necro-Joe, difference being Necro wasn't dropped by one punch in either of those matches. Masada legit drops Necro in the middle of the ring with a BRUTAL punch. The whole match needs to be seen to be believed. The importance of this show alone makes it notable and worth checking out. So the next time you swing by smartmarkvideo.com or if you looking to help out IWA-MS with some of your $$$, think about picking up "Sunday Bloody Sunday."
The Stoppage(The final segment of the column, this is where my MMA notes):
-It was rumored this week that Ken Shamrock will return to the octagon at UFC 75 to fight Michael Bisping. As if Tito didn't do enough, Kenny's back for more. This would be a entertaining fight, while it lasted, but NOT a good fight for "The World's Most Dangerous Man" to take.
-This season finale of the Ultimate Fighter 5 will take place this Saturday and while I would like Nate Diaz to win, it just looks like Manny Gamburyan is going to be a seemingly unstoppable force in the lightweight division. And in the main event of the evening look for BJ Penn to finally get his redemption and beat Jens Pulver.
