Saturday, November 28, 2015

Roy's Review: Top 10 Shows I Have Been To


I was reading Mike's blog about his top 5 wrestling shows he has been to and it inspired me to write my own. I just did a top 10 instead.   

Here's a link to my Top 5 - Mike

Honorable Mentions in chronological order:

Limitless Wrestling Presents Stage One
September 12, 2015 Brewer, Maine, Cityside Restaurant
This was a special show for many reasons but a few really stand out. First off it was just a great night of wrestling, secondly it was the first show that Randy ever promoted. The main event saw Ace Romero defeat Alex Mason in a great match.

IWE Wrestling
April 25, 2015 at The Bangor Comic and Toy Convention at The Cross Insurance Ballroom
This was just a good show top to bottom. They had a big crowd that was really into the show the entire night. The main event was really good. IWE Champion Ace Romero successfully defended against Tommy Mack. It also helps that this was my birthday. What a better way to spend it than at wrestling?

Xtreme Wrestling Alliance Presents XWA Rumble 2015
January 17, 2015 Warwick, Rhode Island, West Warwick Civic Center
This was a really cool show because I am a super mark for the Royal Rumble Match and I finally got to see a really well done one live. This rumble had many of the top stars in New England including: Biff Busick, Brian Fury, JT Dunn. It also had some Ring of Honor guys as well as a few former WWE guys. This undercard was highlighted by a great battle between Biff Busick and Trevor Lee that went all over the building.

Combat Zone Wrestling Presents To Infinity
April 27, 2014 Fete Music, Providence, Rhode Island
I had seen CZW many times on DVD but this was my first time seeing them live and they didn't disappoint. There was a brutal ultraviolent battle between Matt Tremont and Danny Havoc. We got to see a really cool moment when JT Dunn and David Starr defeated The Beaver Boys to win the CZW Tag Team Championship in JT's hometown. I also got to boost Kevin Steen onto the stage during his match with DJ Hyde. Yes it's on the DVD. The main event was a classic techinal match between CZW Champion Drew Gulak and Biff Busick

IWE Wrestling
February 9, 2014 Palmyra Community Center, Palmyra, Maine
This wasn't a great show by any means and the crowd was tiny, maybe 15. But we were all treated to a great match between Matt Taven and Jeremy Prophet. These guys tore the house down for the few in attendance. I have found that if there aren't may people at the show you are more than likely gonna see a great match.

Primer Inc. Presents Lets Get Foxxy
May 25, 2013 Palmyra Community Center, Palmyra, Maine
A solid night of wrestling highlighted by an incredible battle between AR Fox and Scott Wild in a 2 out of 3 Falls match. Its to bad that this show will never be on DVD because I would love to add it to my collection. The 2 out of 3 falls match is on Youtube though.

Live Pro Wrestling
July 12, 2012 Winslow High School, Winslow, Maine
This show featured an excellent ladder match featuring Eddie Edwards, Cameron Mathews, Conner Murphy, Mark Moment and Danny Demanto. Many really cool spots in this one. Just a really cool, fun match. The only drawback to this show is it was 95+ degrees in the building.
I was also at this show and it truly was an phenomenal ladder match with Edwards getting the win and a money in the bank type deal that was never cashed in. - Mike

Cameron Matthews taking out the competition.  For the full album click here.
WWE Smackdown
June 12, 2012 Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire
My first televised wrestling event. Not much of note happened at this show aside for seeing a match recorded for the last NXT webcast show. The pyro when the Usos came out nearly blew me out of my chair. We also got to see a few matches taped for Superstars. The main event of Smackdown saw John Cena defeat Big Show, David Otunga and John Laurinaitis in a handicap match

IWE Wrestling
January 7, 2012 Cityside Restaurant, Brewer, Maine
This was IWE's 5th anniversary show and it was really cool for two reason. The Kyle Huntley vs. Chris Hamrick match had the loudest crowd I have ever heard in that building. Kyle was the hottest heel IWE had ever had and the crowd wanted to see him get his. Hamrick delivered by giving Kyle a piledriver and the crowd exploded. The night was capped off with Robbie Ellis getting a surprise, very emotional victory over Ricky Williams to win the IWE Championship

Kyle Huntley, taken at Fairfield Community Center

TNA Wrestling
December 4, 2009 Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine
The only time that TNA has come to Maine and it was a great show. Got to see AJ Styles defend the TNA title against Christopher Daniels in a great main event. After the show most of the wrestlers came out for pictures and autographs. It was really cool that they did that because WWE never does anything like that at house shows.
I was at this show and it truly was a great night of wrestling.  I really wish TNA would have drawn better and come back to Maine.  Their fan interaction is second to none!  I got several cards autographed and got my photo taken with Ayoko Hamada and Desmond Wolfe aka Nigel McGuinness. This show was in my Top 5.  -Mike

Nigel McGuinness
Ayoko Hamada

IWE Wrestling
July 11, 2009 Cityside Restaurant, Brewer, Maine
In my opinion the main event of this show is one of the greatest matches in IWE history. Not for how great the match was, but because of how well the build of up was. Cameron Mathews was a hated heel that everyone to see get his. He had been chasing Jimmy Capone and his IWE title for months and they finally locked horns on this night. The match ended with Mathews winning in very controversial fashion. Just a very well done feud.

WCW
May 15, 1998 Bangor Auditorium, Bangor, Maine
My first and only WCW show. I was only 10 years old at the time so all I really remember is seeing The Giant vs. Kevin Nash. They fought down the entryway causing a double count out.

WWF
August 15, 1995, Bangor Auditorium, Bangor, Maine
My first ever wrestling show. I was 7 years old. My dad took me and we got to see many of the top stars of the time, Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Razor Ramon, Sycho Sid, Yokozuna, and Lex Luger. The main event was Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Tatanka in a strap match.

Top 10

10) Beyond Wrestling Presents Americanrana 2015
July 26, 2015 Fete Music, Providence, Rhode Island
This was another stacked card put on by Beyond Wrestling. What really stood out to me about this show as the absolutely fantastic match between Donovan Dijak and Brian Fury. This is one match that needs to be seen.
Mike Bailey defeated Danny Cannon … The Kingdom (Mike Bennett and Matt Taven) defeated Biff Busick and Drew Gulak … The Garden State Gods (Eric Corvis and Myke Quest) defeated Da Hoodz (Davey Cash and Kris Pyro), Sybomite (Ricky Shane Page and Davey Vega) and Anthony Stone and Nicholas Kaye in a Fatal 4 Way … David Starr defeated Johnny Gargano … The Beaver Boys (Alex Reynolds and Jon Silver) defeated Ryan Rush and Brian Myers … Matt Tremont defeated Stockade in a Casket Match … Tracy Williams defeated AR Fox …
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent ?) defeated Dan Barry and Dick Justice … Donovan Dijak defeated Brian Fury …
Team Pazuzu (Chris Dickinson, Jaka, EYFBO (Mike Drastic and Angel Ortiz) and Pinkie Sanchez) defeated Da Hit Squad (Dan Maff and Monsta Mack), Shynron, Nick Gage and Eddie Kingston in an Atomicos Match …
Death by Elbow (Chris Hero and JT Dunn) defeated The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson)

9) New England Championship Wrestling Presents The Iron 8 Championship 2014
May 10, 2014 Beverly, Massachusetts, Cove Community Center
The Iron 8 has become one of my favorite can't miss shows of the year. This was the first one I attended and it was a special one because it was the first time the winner of the tournament would become NECW Champion because Slyck Wagner Brown, the champion at the time, had a serious knee injury and had to vacate the title. We witnessed a great night of wrestling with Brad Hollister winning the NECW Title in kind of an upset. The match of the night in my opinion was a fantastic battle between Antonio Thomas and Jay Freddie in the first round.
Todo Loco defeated Scott Levesque to advance in the Iron 8 Championship … Damien Wayne defeated Dirty Money to advance in the Iron 8 Championship … Brad Hollister defeated Sean Burke to advance in the Iron 8 Championship … Antonio Thomas defeated Jay Freddie to advance in the Iron 8 Championship … Mike McCarthy and Mistress Belmont defeated Jimmy Preston and Davienne … Brad Hollister defeated Antonio Thomas, Damien Wayne and Todo Loco to win the Iron 8 Championship and become NECW Champion

8) Chikara Presents The Great Escape
July 28, 2012 Strive Center, Portland, Maine
I had never seen Chikara live before and I was very impressed, especially with the main event. Grand Champion Eddie Kingston defended against Sara Del Rey. I had never seen Del Rey wrestle before. I had also never really seen intergender wrestling before. Josh had told me he thought she was the best women's wrestler in the world. At this point I was kind of unsure about the main event. When main event time came, completely blown away. The storytelling in this match was so good that I found myself wanting Sara Del Rey to win in the worst way.
Green Ant defeated assailANT … Anthony Stone defeated Kobald, Jivin Jimmy and Cameron Mathews in an elimination match to advance in the Young Lions Cup Tournament … Opidian defeated Frightmare … The Mysterious and Handsome Stranger defeated Icarus … Gran Akuma and 3.0 (Shane Matthews and Scott Parker) defeated Deviant, Soldier Ant and Combat Ant … The Batiri (Kodama and Obariyon) defeated Jakob Hammermeier and Tim Donst … Sugar Dunkerton defeated The Shard … Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, Hallowicked and Ultramantis Black defeated Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson) and The Heart Throbs (Romeo Roselli and Antonio Thomas) … Grand Champion Eddie Kingston defeated Sara Del Rey to retain
I was at this show sitting front row.  It was big hot crowd and I think everyone wanted Del Rey to win.  It was a fantastic match from beginning to end.  If only Del Rey would was in active competition in the WWE she would be leading the "revolution." - Mike

Sara Del Rey vs. Eddie Kingston, to see the full photo album click here.
7) Beyond Wrestling Presents Point of No Return
September 15, 2013 Fete Music, Providence, Rhode Island
A great night of wrestling featuring a Fatal 4 Way Tag Team match between The Abnormalz (Black Baron and AR Fox), The M1nute Men, Da Hoodz and Dance Fusion (Shynron and ACH) that was insane, a very brutal I Quit Match between Anthony Stone and Nicholas Kaye, a really good match between Michael Elgin and JT Dunn, and a main event full of star power, Biff Busick and Drew Gulak vs. The Dojo Bros.
Kevin Steen defeated Chris Dickinson … Abnormalz (AR Fox and Black Baron) defeated The Minute Men (Devin Blaze and Tommy Trainwreck), Da Hoodz (Davey Cash and Chris Pyro) and Fusion Dance (ACH and Shynron) … Jaka, Johnny Cockstrong and Oleg the Usurper defeated Dan Barry, The Swamp Monster and Buxx Belmar … Nicholas Kaye defeated Anthony Stone in an I Quit Match … Matt Taven defeated Aaron Epic … Team De Tabernake (Mathieu St. Jacques and Thomas Dubois) defeated The Wingmen (Mark Shurman and Gregory Edwards)… Chuck Taylor defeated Eric Corvis … Michael Elgin defeated JT Dunn … Biff Busick and Drew Gulak defeated The Dojo Bros (Eddie Edwards and Roderick Strong)

6) New England Championship Wrestling Presents The Iron 8 Championship 2015
May 9, 2015 Beverly, Massachusetts, Cove Community Center
What a great night of wrestling that saw the coming out party for “Masshole” Mike McCarthy. Not only did he win the Iron 8, that included a 45 minute 4 way Iron Man Main Event, but he two of the craziest spots I have ever seen live. First he did a running superman dive into the kitchen then about 6-7 minutes later he jumped off of the balcony.
Brandon Thurston defeated Mike Graca to advance … Chris Escobar defeated Nick Fahrenheit to advance … Mike McCarthy defeated Anthony Greene to advance … Genesis defeated Scott Levesque to advance … Slyck Wagner Brown defeated NECW Champion Brad Hollister to win the title … Mike McCarthy defeated Brandon Thursdon, Genesis and Chris Escobar in a 4 Way 45 Minute Iron Man Match to win The 2015 Iron 8 Championship

5) IWE and Live Pro Wrestling Present The Robbie Ellis Tournament
August 12, 2012 Fairfield Community Center, Fairlfield, Maine
Until this point I had never seen an indy show that had some much talent top to bottom. Each match a top New England talent and each one of them worked their tail off. On this afternoon Scott Vegas proved just how crazy he really is, when he took a piledriver off the 2nd rope from Chris Hamrick. I kinda cringed seeing it, and that doesn't happen to often with me. Matt Taven ended up winning the tournament, defeating Eddie Edwards in the final in a great match. This was a really cool show because it was a tribute to Robbie Ellis, a man who had given his body to wrestling for over 30 years.
Cameron Mathews defeated Jay Jailett and Julian Starr to advance …
Eddie Edwards defeated Maxwell Chicago and Connor Murphy to advance … Mark Moment defeated Chris Hamrick and Scotty Vegas to advance … Matt Taven defeated Scott Reed and Vinny Marseglia to advance … Eddie Edwards defeated Cameron Mathews to advance …
Matt Taven defeated Mark Moment to advance … Gino Martino and Jimmy Capone defeated Sonny Roselli and Owen Brody … Matt Taven defeated Eddie Edwards to win the tournament
I was at this show it is one of the greatest  shows in the history of Maine.  I know a few fans came from quite to distance to be there and no one was disappointed!  This show is one of 2 IWE DVD's that I have ever purchased. - Mike

Robbie Ellis Super Junior Tournament, for full album click here.
4) Beyond Wrestling Presents Tournament for Tomorrow 2
November 17, 2013 Fete Music, Providence, Rhode Island
For me this night was highlighted by the greatest wrestling match I have ever seen live, Eddie Edwards vs. Biff Busick in a 1 Hour Iron Man Match. Going in I was kinda nervous if they would be able to keep my attention for an hour but believe me, they didn't disappoint. For one solid hour these two beat the tar out of each other. Greenleaf counted over 80+ chops in the match. In the end, Biff got the win 1-0, and if I'm remembering it correctly, it was a half and half suplex off the top rope that got him the win. About and hour after the match I turned around and who was behind me, Biff Busick watching the show drinking a beer. After wrestling for and hour and putting on one of the greatest matches in New England wrestling history, he just decided to come out and watch the rest of the show. That is really cool. This was also the show when Max Smashmaster came throught the crowd, flailing around, and bashed into my finger that that been sown up only 5 days earlier after a severe laceration at work.
John Silver defeated Matthew Palmer, Rory Mondo and David Starr in a Fata Four Way … Lexxus defeated Jewells Malone … Team Tremendous (Dan Barry and Bill Carr) defeated The M1nute Men (Devin Blaze and Tommy Trainwreck), Da Hoodz (Davey Cash and Kris Pyro), The Wingmen (Mark Shurman and Gregory Edwards), Team De Tabernake (Mathieu St. Jacques and Thomas Dubois), Devistation Corporation (Max Smashmaster and Blaster McMassive), Oleg the Usurper and Johnny Cockstrong, The Contingent (Myke Quest and Nicholas Kaye), Aaron Epic and Dave Cole andThe Crusade for Change (TJ Maroni and Darius Carter) in a Gauntlet Match … Michael Elgin defeated Jaka …
Christina Von Erie defeated Allysin Kay … Biff Busick defeated Eddie Edwards in an Iron Man Match … Kimber Lee defeated Candice LaRae …
Buxx Belmar defeated Eric Corvis … Chris Dickinson defeated Tommaso Ciampa … JT Dunn defeated Green Ant to win The Tournament for Tomorrow

3) WWE Wrestlemania 29
April 7, 2013 Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Being in a crowd of over 80,000 wrestling fans is something that words cannot describe. I was completely mesmerized by the entire weekend. My seat was so far away that the wrestlers looked like ants and I couldn't even hear the ring noise but I didn't care. I was just psyched to be there. Before the preshow event started there were chants of Undertaker and then CM Punk. This was really cool but when the building was full it was unbelievable and their match didn't disappoint. Once it got dark outside the entrances were awesome especially Undertaker and Triple H. I also got to see my first WWE Title change when John Cena beat The Rock to win the WWE Championship.
The Shield (Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns) defeated Sheamus, Randy Orton and Big Show … Mark Henry defeated Ryback …
Tag Team Champions Team Hell No (Kane and Daniel Bryan) defeated Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston to retain … Fandango defeated Chris Jericho … World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio defeated Jack Swagger to retain … Undertaker defeated CM Punk … Triple H defeated Brock Lesnar in a No Holds Barred Match … John Cena defeated WWE Champion The Rock to win the title

2) Beyond Wrestling Presents Americanrana 2013
July 21, 2013 Fete Music, Providence, Rhode Island
This was the first time I had ever been to Beyond Wrestling. I had only first heard of them about a month or two before this. Johnny Miyagi had kept telling us that Beyond Wrestling was awesome and we really needed to check it out. He also kept putting over Americanrana. The combination of Randy, Josh and Jesse convinced me to go with them and check it out. It didn't really take to much arm twisting. Its wrestling, of course I'll go. This show an atmosphere unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The wrestling was outstanding and the crowd was into the show the entire night. Until this show I had never seen wrestling quite like this before in person.
Latin Dragon defeated Shane Strickland, David Starr and Sozio in a Four Way Elimination Match … Drew Gulak defeated Chris Dickinson … Team Tremendous (Billy Car and Dan Barry) defeated Da Hoodz (Davey Cash and Chris Pyro), The Mintue Men (Devin Blaze and Tommy Trainwreck) and EYFBO (Angel Ortiz and Mike Draztik) in an Elimination Match …
Team De Tabernake (Mathieu St. Jacques and Thomas Dubois) defeated Aaron Epic and Dave Cole … Colt Cabana defeated Jaka … Darius Carter and Jessie Brooks defeated Johnny Miyagi and Addy Starr … Kevin Steen defeated Masada … Johnny Gargano defeated JT Dunn … Anthony Stone defeated AR Fox … Eddie Edwards defeated Biff Busick

1) Beyond Wrestling Presents The Greatest Rivals Round Robin
September 26, 2015 Fete Music, Providence, Rhode Island
This was the greatest night of professional wrestling I have ever witnessed. It was the last indy show for Biff Busick before he reported to the WWE Training Center. The atmosphere this evening was indescribable. There wasn't a person in the building that didn't want Biff to win. The wrestling was absolutely outstanding as well. This is a show that needs to be seen. Its just to bad that those who weren't in attendance won't get to experience the magic of this evening because it was amazing.
Biff Busick defeated Drew Gulak in a Round Robin Match … Eddie Edwards defeated Timothy Thatcher in a Round Robin Match … David Starr defeated Rory Gulak … Brian Fury defeated AR Fox … Biff Busick defeated Timothy Thatcher in a Round Robin Match … Eddie Edwards defeated Drew Gulak in a Round Robin Match … Team Fuck da Police (Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett) defeated Team Tremendous (Dan Barry and Bill Carr) … Ricochet defeated JT Dunn … Drew Gulak defeated Timothy Thatcher in a Round Robin Match … Biff Busick defeated Eddie Edwards in a Round Robin Match

Roy

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Friday, November 27, 2015

The Last Match: The Four Horsemen

August 2009 NWA Legends Fanfest
The Four Horsemen are arguably the greatest wrestling faction ever in wrestling.  Their creation was not the idea of a promoter but happened organically as 4 of the very best wrestlers in the world were teamed together because of various feuds and even though they were supposed to be bad guys, you couldn’t help but cheer them.   Starting in the National Wrestling Alliance and continuing into World Championship Wrestling the Horsemen lasted for 14 years with an ever changing line up of members never reaching the dominance of their initial mid to late 80’s run. 


 “Nature Boy” Ric Flair
Last Match September 12, 2011 Impact Wrestling TV Taping, Orlando, FL
Lost to Sting via submission to the Scorpion Death Lock

In an attempt to rewrite history Ric Flair and the WWE commonly refer to WrestleMania 24 vs. Shawn Michaels as Flair’s official last match.  However wrestling fans know that Flair first stepped back into the ring on a tour of Australia wrestling and losing to Hulk Hogan in several matches before he signed with TNA.  Flair’s time in TNA did nothing to enhance the legacy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, at least though his final match was against old foe Sting. 

Tully Blanchard
Last Match August 11, 2007 Charlotte, North Carolina NWA Legends Fanfest
Managed by “The Perfect 10” Baby Doll lost to Dustin Rhodes

I never had the opportunity to see Tully Blanchard wrestle live and that saddens me.   Tully Blanchard is one of the greatest of all times both in the ring and on the mic.  His career on a national level was cut off due to his decision to use drugs but he did clean up and change his life.  A couple of times he almost returned to WCW but unfortunately for one reason or another it didn’t work out.  Tully did wrestle several one shots in the mid 90’s for WCW, ECW and various independents.  He had a great feud in Carolina Championship Wrestling in 2004 – 2005 with Dusty Rhodes. 

I once saw a promo by Blanchard for this match on the internet, but I have never seen the actual match and can’t find a copy of the show.

“Enforcer” Arn Anderson
Last Match January 27, 1997 WCW Monday Nitro Des Moines, IA
Teamed with Steve McMichael w/ Debra McMichael defeated The Amazing French Canadians: Jacques Rogeau & Carl Ouelette

This match is available on the WWE Network which is cool because you can watch the match.  Arn has minimal offense taking the beating most of the match before tagging in Mongo who picks up the win.  Not what you would want to see as the Enforcers last match after the career that he had.  If you have the network you should check out WCW Slamboree 1993 which features Arn Anderson against NWA World Champion: Barry Windham.  This match was cut from the home video release but restored to the card on the Network.   Much like Ole, Arn ended his tenure in the horsemen as the groups Manager. 

Ole Anderson 
Last Match April 28, 1990 NWA House show Baltimore, MD
Teaming with TV Champion: Arn Anderson was defeated by Road Warrior Animal & Tag Team Champion “The Dog faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner.

Ole Anderson was the original veteran of the Horsemen, prior to that teaming with both Gene and Arn Anderson as part of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.   Ole was wrestling primarily in Tag Team matches with Arn with his last PPV appearance being at WrestleWar 1990.  After his last match Ole stayed on as Manager of the Horsemen and later running WCW after Bill Watts was fired.  Ole was fired by Eric Bischoff when he took control in 1993.  The last appearance of Ole that I can find was at Slamboree 1994.  Ole has made several convention appearances being a regular guest at NWA Legends Fanfest.  I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Anderson when I attended the Charlotte convention in 2009.
  
“Total Package” Lex Luger
Last Match UWF06 Ardmore, OK August 26, 2006
Lex Luger & Buff Bagwell defeated Jeff Jarrett & Scott Steiner

Lex Luger replaced Ole Anderson as a member of the Horsemen in February 1987 and was kicked out of the group by the end of the year for not being a team player.  Luger was not picked up by WWE upon the closure of WCW.  Luger would win the WWA Championship and have one match in TNA in 2003.  After this match for Universal Wrestling Federation 2006 Luger would experience health issues with drugs and alcohol that eventually landed him in jail before becoming a born again Christian. 

Barry Windham
Last Match February 26, 2010 St. Petersburg, FL
Teamed with Jesse Neal defeating Kennedy Kendrick and Sin Bohdi for ACW/CCW

Barry Windham is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and his addition to the Horsemen in 1988 spawned my favorite version of the team.  Barry Windham’s career spanned over 30 years starting in 1979 where he wrestled JJ Dillon in his debut match.   Personally Windham is one of my all-time favorite wrestlers.

Sid Vicious
Last Match WWE Monday Night Raw Fort Wayne, In June 25, 2012
Sid Vicious pinned Heath Slater after a Powerbomb

Sid was a guy that jumped around a lot from company to company and when he came in because of his look and size always made a big impact.  A multiple time World Champion for WWE & WCW he has always been a fan favorite.  I myself enjoyed seeing him in the ring dropping people with the powerbomb. 

Paul Roma
Last Match IAW, Independent Associate of Wrestling, March 24, 2007, Mishiwaka, IN
Lost the IAW Heavyweight Championship to Brian Costello at Clash at the Cave II

Many consider Paul Roma to be the X-Factor of the Horsemen.  Every member of the Horsemen had been a main eventer and well known to the fans except for Paul Roma.  Roma had been a member of some less than memorable tag teams in the WWE as one half of the Young Stallions and later Power and Glory never breaching the mid-card level.  He last wrestled in the WWE in July of 1991 and wasn’t seen again until he appeared at Slamboree 1993 as a member of the Horsemen.  Apparently a deal with Tully Blanchard was in the works but never came to fruition and we got Paul Roma.  Except for his time with the Horsemen his WCW run ended with nothing of note. 
Brian Pillman
Last Match WWE House Show October 4, 1997 St. Paul, MN
Lost to Goldust w/ Marlena

The differences between the beginning and end of Pillman’s career are as extreme as anyone I can think of in Professional Wrestling.   After leaving football Pillman started his career in Stampede Wrestling then came to WCW as “Flying” Brian Pillman a lightweight high-flyer and white meat baby face.  Pillman became more erratic near the end of his WCW run with the Horsemen where he was attached to the moniker “Loose Cannon.”  After a cup of coffee in ECW Pillman surfaced in WWE continue his crazed ways until his unexpected death on October 5, 1997. 

Chris Benoit
Last Match WWE ECW TV Charlotte, NC June 19, 2007
Chris Benoit defeated Elijah Burke by submission with the Sharpshooter

Chris Benoit is one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the history of wrestling.  His explosive, stiff, and snug style was honed in Stampede Wrestling and Japan before he exploded on the US scene in ECW, WCW, and the WWE.  Sadly, Benoit’s contribution to wrestling will be forgotten because of his heinous crimes that ended the life of Benoit and his family. 
Steve “Mongo” McMichael
Last Match WCW House Show Bethlehem, PA March 6, 1999
Four Horsemen: Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Dean Malenko, & Chris Benoit defeated Wrath & Tag Team Champions: Barry Windham & Curt Hennig

McMichael played football for the Chicago Bears winning a Superbowl with the team before ending his NFL career.   His first appearance in wrestling was in the WWE seconding Lawrence Taylor at Wrestelmania XI.  A few months later McMichael appeared on the debut episode of Monday Nitro as part of the commentary team.  About  a year later he ended up in the ring teaming with Kevin Greene to take on Ric Flair and Arn Anderson.  McMichael would turn on Greene for a briefcase full of money and join the Horsemen.  Somehow even though he had way less wrestling experience than Paul Roma, McMichael is still generally more accepted by fans than Roma as a member.

Dean Malenko
Last Match HWA Heartland Wrestling Association Cincinnati, OH 12/11/2001
Dean Malenko defeated Chad Collyer by disqualification

Malenko has the distinction as being the last member added to the Horsemen when they reformed during a historic Monday Nitro Segment September 14, 1998.  Malenko is one of the finest mat technicians wrestling all over the world.  He is currently a road agent in the WWE.  

James J. Dillon
Last Match NWA Live Event Albuquerque, NM December 1, 1988
Bam Bam Bigelow & Eddie Gilbert defeated Horsemen: Barry Windham & JJ Dillon when Gilbert pinned Dillon.  JJ was substituting for NWA World Champion: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

The manager of the Four Horsemen Dillon also competed in a Manager Bunkhouse Battle Royal on January 1, 1989 at the Omni in Atlanta.  JJ Dillon also competed in a six man tag at Deaf Wrestlefest 2009 in Edgewood, PA teaming with Frank Stalletto & Lou Marconi losing to Dominic DeNucci, Dr. Cody Michaels, & Shane Douglas.  Although I am primarily familiar with JJ being manager of the Four Horsemen and an authority figure with WCW he was also an active wrestler starting in the 60’s.


Other Horsemen
As far as I’m concerned Jeff Jarrett and Curt Hennig were never real members of the Horsemen and therefore I will not include them on this list.  Also I do feel that Sting was an official member of the Horsemen but he is still technically an active wrestler on the WWE roster. His most recent match as of this post was a losing effort against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins September 20, 2015 at WWE Night of Champions. 

The Last Horsemen match 
This has been the most difficult match to find because trying to pin down an exact date when the final incarnation of the Horsemen disbanded is hard to do.  Essentially when Ric Flair became on air president of WCW the storyline was that Flair became all about himself and not the Horsemen.  The tension between Flair and Benoit & Malenko began.  From my research I would consider the Last Horsemen match to have taken place June 7, 1999 at Monday Nitro in Cleveland, OH.  


Ric Flair setup a match with he and Chris Benoit taking on Diamond Dallas Page & Bam Bam Bigelow for the WCW Tag Team Championship.  During the match Benoit went to tag in Flair who in turn short armed Benoit and then walked to the back.  Arn Anderson was at ringside and he climbed up on the apron and extended his hand to Benoit to take the tag, Perry Saturn ran out, Benoit tagged Saturn and the two went on to win the Tag Titles.  Yes that’s how things worked in WCW. 

So to me, that is the final Horsemen match with Flair turning his back on Chris Benoit, who at that point had been a member of the Horsemen since 1995.  To further show the end of the Horsemen, on the June 14, 1999 episode of Nitro Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn, & Buff Bagwell would team together defeating Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, DDP, & Kanyon.

Thanks for reading, please take a moment to leave a comment or like my pages Facebook page.  

Later Readers!! 









Saturday, November 21, 2015

The Last Match: An Introduction


March 26, 2001 WCW Monday Nitro Sting vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair the Last WCW Match
This is the introduction to my new column entitled “The Last Match” which should be pretty self-explanatory in the title as I will be exploring wrestlers last matches to the best of my ability.  I will be utilizing a variety of sources from the internet, to books, interview, and more to compile my findings.  Of course I could be wrong as sometimes matches at independent shows simply go unnoticed.  For instance back on August 21, 2009 at Unity Raceway in Unity, Maine Mr. Bob Backlund wrestled Apolo and George Fernald of Unity Raceway.  This was for NWA OnFire a promotion run by Mario Savoldi.  If I didn’t live in Maine I might never have heard about it.  Mr. Backlund has wrestled since then. 

Sometimes wrestlers go out on the big stage with a celebration of an announced final match, and other times they stick around too long and end things when the bookings stop, and sadly injury or death sometimes ends a career.

I’m defining a final match as being a singles or tag team encounter, I am not including, although I will make mention of Battle Royals or matches featuring so many competitors the retiree didn’t affect the match.

Most of my posts will have some sort of theme, for instance, the first post will be the final matches of the legendary Four Horsemen. 
 

I have a curiosity of when wrestlers has their final matches, I don’t know why, I just do.  I hope you enjoy these columns as much as I do.   If you have someone you want to know their final match, please leave a comment or send me and email with the request and I will do my best to find the match and post it in a future column.     

Thanks for reading, please take a moment to leave a comment or like my pages Facebook page. 


Later Readers!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Limitless Wrestling 11/14/2015




Limitless Wrestling promoted their second show on November 14th in Orono at the American Legion Hall and after everything good that I had heard about the first show in September I knew I couldn’t miss this one, and I’m glad I didn’t. 

Top to bottom this was one of the finest wrestling cards I have ever attended in Maine and the best since the 2012 Robbie Ellis Cup in Fairfield.   A total of 8 matches including a 4 team tag match, a 5 man scramble, a women’s match, a no-dq match, and the card’s main event featured Ace Romero vs. Scotty Wild.

Quick Results

“All Good” Anthony Greene defeated Flip Gordon  
The Influence: Mike Montero & Jason Devine defeated Bash Brothers: Chuck O’Neil & Eric Spicely, Super Savages: Caveman & Mantequilla, and Da Hoodz: Davey Cash & Kris Pyro
Brick Mastone pinned Max Smashmaster w/ belly to belly suplex
No DQ: “Dirt Dawg” Jeremy Leary defeated “Your Hero” Shane Marvel
Tim Donst pinned “The Carnivore” Alex Mason
Scramble Match: Xavier Bell defeated “Top Shelf” Troy Nelson, Alexander Lee, Christian Casanova & Isiah Kassidy with a pile driver on Nelson
Maximum Mecca pinned Sonya Strong
Ace Romero pinned “White Delight” Scotty Wild

Breakdown

Canaan locking up with "All Good" Anthony Greene
Anthony Greene has fast become one of my favorite wrestlers to watch on the independent scene since I first saw him back at MEW’s debut show.  This was my second time seeing Flip Gordon live and he too is extremely impressive in the ring.   This was the match that was I was looking forward to the most on the card and it did not disappoint.  Both men worked very hard with the match going back and forth until Greene got the win.  I would like to see Limitless bring them both back at all their shows.

Canaan with Flip Gordon
The Fatal Four Way was next with The Influence winning their second match in a row getting the pin on Mantequilla.  I know one is scheduled for the next event so it seems this type of match will be one at each show.  The only team I had seen before was Da Hoodz and they were the work horses carrying this match from beginning to end.  For reasons unknown the Bash Brothers walked out before the finish signaling they didn’t need this.  The Influence are great and Caveman was in character the entire event, even intermission, he was just hilarious. 

Mastone and Smashmaster was a slow methodical match but the two went at each other with Mastone repeatedly trying to hit his belly to belly suplex.  Smashmaster attempted a very impressive senton bomb off the top showing the big man has some agility.  I would like to see Mastone take on Ace Romero.


The last match before intermission was the no disqualification bout between Shane Marvel and Jeremy Leary.  This was Marvel’s last match in New England before moving to Arizona.   This would have been my least favorite match of the night, and it was still a good match. It was billed as no DQ, Marvel even brought out a trashcan of weapons, and yet the first 5 minutes they exchange holds mat wrestling.  Once they got into the brawling aspects of it, it was better but you don’t chain wrestle in a no DQ match.

Myself with Donst



Tim Donst defeated “The Carnivore” Alex Mason in a great wrestling match.  Donst is a wrestler  that I have watched over the years in Chikara and now recently Combat Zone Wrestling where he was recently the CZW Wired Champion.  Earlier this year Donst had been diagnosed with cancer and after having his Kidney removed thought his time in the ring was over.  He was able to come back to the ring that he loves dearly, you can see that in an excellent documentary about Donst and his fight with cancer. 

The five man scramble match was great; I really liked what Top Shelf brought with his inebriated comedic ways.  Xavier Bell if he continues to build is going to be a machine, the finish with the big ole piledriver on Nelson was great.  I like the piledriver and it’s banned on WWE so we don’t see it much.   Everyone held their own in the match bringing a piece of themselves into it. 


After the bout Lee berated the camera man who wasn’t going to take his crap leading to Randy making them a tag team in the Four Way Tag at the next show.  I’m pretty knowledgeable I feel, but I was a bit lost on this one.  Randy eluded to the fact that the camera guy was training or he could have just been giving Lee crap.  My buddy Roy has some inside info and told me that he has been training and has had some matches but I didn’t think it was clear.

A rare ladies match pitting Maximum Mecca against Sonya Strong.  I had seen only one Mecca match and that was on NECW TV earlier that day, never heard of either prior to that.  I gotta say I was very impressed by both of them.  Sonya has some great feet landing a devastating kick combo at one point.  Mecca is full of charisma and both worked their asses off!  I would love to see both of them back in action at Limitless Wrestling.


Main Event was explosive and hard hitting as Ace Romero and Scotty Wild beat the tar out of each other.   Romero can fly over the top rope in a way a man his size shouldn’t be able to.  You could see the welts and handprints on Wild’s chest for the chops he received from Romero.  Wild gave just has much as he received lighting up Romero with chops of his own.  After his victory Romero announced he would be fighting AR Fox when Limitless returns in January.


Like I said earlier one of the best shows I have seen in a long time where even worst match on the card was a really good match.  My buddy Mikey commented on the ride home that he thought this show was better than their first.  I cannot stress enough that if you are a fan of wrestling you need to make the drive to Limitless it’s well worth it.

Limitless Wrestling returns to the American Legion in Orono on Saturday January 30, 2016 tickets are on sale now at www.limitlesswrestling.com

I didn't get the best pictures with my phone, however Kevin Egan post some great shots on his Fans of Wrestling Facebook page.  Killin' & Thrillin' album

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Later Readers! 



Friday, November 6, 2015

Mid-Atlantic Memories





Narrated by Jim Ross this outstanding documentary is about Jim Crockett Promotions Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling territory.  Told by the wrestlers and the fans that participated and went to the matches we hear stories about Ole Anderson getting stabbed, my all-time favorite match the Magnum TA/Tully Blanchard “I Quit” Steel Cage match, wrestling broadcast on the local TV stations, tag team wrestling, the Midnight Express, the IWA rivalry of the late 70’s, the infamous plane crash of October 4, 1975, Johnny Valentine and so much more. 




Interviewed for the documentary is James E Cornette, Ole, Lars, & Brad Anderson, Tommy Young, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, Magnum TA, Paul “Mr. Wonderful’ Orndorff, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, The Rock n’ Roll Express, The Midnight Express, David Isley, J Dillon, The Assassin, Mr. Wrestling II, Bob Caudle, Rich Landrum, Bobby Fulton, “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, George South, Tommy Angel, Les Thatcher, Paul Jones, Kevin Sullivan, Ivan Koloff, Rocky Johnson, Ken Patera, Gerald Brisco, Tiger Conway Jr., Kendall Windam, and so many more.  I was surprised that none of the Crockett’s were interviewed.

 

Sprinkled through-out is classic match and promo footage.  Also footage from NWA Legends Fanfest which took place annually in Charlotte, NC promoted by Greg Price.  I myself was lucky to attend one of these fantastic weekends in 2009.  Even though I grew up in Maine my favorite wrestling to watch was Mid-Atlantic Wrestling especially 1982 – 1988 with the prime of the Four Horsemen. 

Legends Fanfest in 2009 is not only my favorite wrestling event I have ever been too, it’s pretty much the greatest weekend of my life.  I’ve written about it here NWA Legends Fanfest 2009

I have attended other wrestling conventions and nothing has compared to this weekend.  I sat next to and had dinner with Baby Doll, the Perfect 10, she fed me cake! 

My only complaint about this documentary is that it is not nearly long enough at just under 74 minutes long.  I’m hoping there is some bonus footage out there somewhere that I can get my hands on.

 


To learn about the next NWA Legends Fanfest go to http://www.nwalegends.com/



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