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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