Live Report: WWE Augusta, Maine July 12, 2019

For the third year in a row the WWE returned to the Augusta Civic Center for a night of wrestling.  WWE comes to Maine at least once every year and typically it's in Portland and Bangor but they go through spurts running in Augusta: 1996, 2002 & 2003, 2012 & 2013, and 2017 - current.  It's a great venue for wrestling, WWE even had a TV taping here back on December 15, 1993, and my favorite part is that it is only twenty minutes from my house.

In total five of us went to the show, my son Canaan, cousin Paul, my nephew AJ who is 8 years old and attending his first ever wrestling show, and for the first time since June 4, 1989, my Dad.   We grabbed some dinner at the KFC before the show.  If you get a chance try to Cheetoh's Popcorn Chicken, holy cow it's good!

We got the venue and our seats, we have a great view of the ring and entrance way and could appreciate all the nights festivities.  As it was AJ's first show I bought him something from the merchandise table, he wanted a hat and with three to chose from, Cena, Reigns and Becky Lynch he went with The Man.

Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder defeated Raw Tag Team Champions: The Revival: Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder by disqualification at 5:25

I was the most excited to see The Revival tonight, it was my first time seeing them live and they have a reputation of putting on killer house show matches.  Tonight was not one of them.  The match with the former Major Brothers was just okay and after Ryder hit Rough Ryder on Dash and Dawson pulled the referee out before he could complete the three count with generate the DQ.  This frustrates me to no end as on TV or PPV the ref never calls for the bell.

The Viking Raiders came down and attacked Hawkins and Ryder with The Revival.  The Usos ran out and made the save which lead to...

The Usos: Jimmy & Jey and Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder defeated Raw Tag Team Champions: The Revival: Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder and The Viking Raiders: Ivar & Erik at 9:29

The Revival wanted no part of this match but were coerced into it by the Vikings.  This was a much better match than the opening one.  After several minutes we got one of those fantastic everyone takes turn hitting a high spot on someone spots and that lead to and Uso pinning Dash after a splash from the top rope.

No Way Joe pinned Mojo Rawley at 3:25

Mojo sorta looks like and indy jobber with his black MVP style gear and lightning face paint.  This match felt longer than it was but the pin came out of no where with a quick roll up.

Mojo cut a promo calling Augusta Disgusta, he's not wrong, and saying he's not going down like and issued and open challenge which lead to...

Titus O'Neil pinned Mojo Rawley in 24 seconds

Mojo jumped Titus as he got in the ring beating him down in the corner.  The ref made Rawley step back allowing Titus to get up and he called for the bell.  Not to long later we got Clash of the Titus and a three count

Mojo cut another promo, once again saying he wasn't going down like that.  These promo's were actually quite hilarious and well done.  Braun Strowman answered the challenge this time.  After Braun got in the ring Mojo said he challenged any man and as Braun is a monster he can't answer the challenge.  Mojo then tried to attack Braun and...

Braun Strowman pinned Mojo Rawley in 13 seconds

Not much to say, he hit him a couple times and nailed Mojo with the powerslam for the pin.  Braun was scheduled to wrestle Bobby Lashley tonight but he didn't appear.  The fans were super pumped to see Braun.  After the match he signed a lot of autographs at ringside making his way to the back.  It's nice to see the wrestlers doing that.

The first two matches lead to five matches which was half the card

Dana Brooke & Naomi defeated Tamina & Sara Logan at 7:32

Talk about two throw together tag teams, but I enjoyed the match and it's all thanks for Dana Brooke.  She spent about five minutes in the ring, looked awesome on offense with some great acrobatic moves and sold her ass off on defense.  I would love to see her on TV for more than a minute in her matches.

Dana timed her hot tag to Naomi perfectly who came in and cleaned house getting the pin on Tamina after a split-leg and moonsault.  When Naomi landed her knee struck Tamina right directly in the face, it was wicked!  Naomi knew straight away something was wrong and after the three count alerted the referee who looked at Tamina and threw up the X.

She lay in the ring for several minutes while medical staff attended to her.  She eventually left the ring on her own power but it was nasty.  I'm glad she appears to be okay.

United States Champion: Ricochet pinned Cesaro at 11:13

This was a great match as I expected it to be.  The action was fast paced with Ricochet showing off his high flying mastery and Cesaro his technical prowess and uncanny strength.  Ricochet got the pin after a standing shooting star press.

Cedric Alexander pinned Robert Roode at 12:44

Another really good match that was far more competitive than I thought it would be, but with Cedric getting the clean pin after a lumbar check it appears that he is in for a push.  He hasn't done much of anything since leaving 205 Live for Raw brand.

Lacey Evans pinned Nattie Neidhart at the 7 minute mark

My Dad was super excited to see Lacey Evans, he's a big fan.  Me not so much, but she is getting better and look good.  I really think that Natayla needs to leave the promotion and wrestle elsewhere.  Right now all she does is put people over, which is fine but I think she could do well for herself on the indies or even in AEW or Impact.

"Street Fight" WWE Universal Champion: Seth Rollins pinned Baron Corbin at 16:46

This was billed as an Augusta Street Fight, but I've seen actual street fights in Augusta that were better than this.  They barely fought outside the ring, the didn't even break the rules and when the kendo stick was introduced Corbin gave Rollins two weak ass shots across the back that could barely be heard over Corbin stomping his feet, same thing for the single chair shot the back that made a barely audible "tink" upon impact.

Yes they broke two tables but they were pre-cut and it was not impressive.  Just don't have a street fight if this is what you are going to do.  Just have a normal match give us a good wrestling display.  This is precisely what turns me off to WWE house shows, when the main event talent just goes through the motions.  These two guys looked like they were rehearsing at the PC in front of no one.  Rollins pinned Corbin after a curb stump.

In the end though we all had a good time and AJ loved the show, and that's all that really matters, that the 8 year old had fun and his first live wrestling experience was a positive one.

WWE is returning to Bangor and Portland at the end of August, I will not be going. Not because of this show but because of work and other plans I have.

I took all the photos with my phone and the match times are from @CPGOAT on twitter.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page and while you're at it check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network. 

Until next time!

Signed Trading Cards: Ricochet, Matt Sydal, Kikutaro, & More

March 17, 2017 I attended Limitless Wrestling "Hysteria" at the Westbrook Armory and my oh my did I score big time adding eleven trading cards to my collection!  You can read my report about the show here.

Ricochet

Two cars signed by the Future of Flight.  The card of the left is from the 2014 King of Pro Wrestling set from Japan.  The second from PWG Bola 2016 fan set made by @Briandabrain.  This really is a fantastic card set.

Matt Sydal

Three cards totals, the first is also from the PWG Bola 2016 set.  The detail that were put into these cards is tremendous!  The second from the 2010 Topps WWE set signed as Evan Bourne the gimmick name he was using at the time.  The third card is from the Japanese 2016 King of Pro Wrestling set.

Kikutaro

Two cards signed by the 23 year Japanese veteran.  The first as Ebessan a character he started portraying in Osaka Pro.  This card is from the 2002 Baseball Magazine card set signed as Ebessan.  The second from the 2005 Baseball Magazine card set, this one as his current character Kikutaro.

Chris Dickinson

The "Dirty Daddy" is a northeast mainstay but has traveled the world  wrestling.  This card come from the United Kingdom part of the 2015 - 2016 Resurrection game set.  When I presented him with the card he got excited about it because it was the first time he'd seen one.  He said they were supposed to send him a bunch but never did.  I referred him to Huskerhavs where I bought this card.

Taeler Hendrix

This card is from the 2013 Tristar TNA Live set and is the only card of her that they released.  Signing with TNA in June 2012 she won a Gut Check challenge and was released in July 2013.

Hornswoggle

Swoggle was an unadvertised surprise guest and I just happened to have these cards in the van.  The first is from the WWE 2006 Lamincards, this is the only Little Bastard card that was released.  The second is from WWE Topps 2010 set as Hornswoggle.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page.

Later Readers!

Roy's Review: Limitless Wrestling Hysteria

Here is my review of Limitless Wrestling's Hysteria on March 17, 2017

Match 1: Team Limitless Wrestling: Danger Kid, Aidan Aggro, Jeremy Leary and Skylar defeated Team Freelance Wrestling: GPA, Craig Mitchell, Rob Matter and Matt Knicks
Great choice to open the show. Lots of crazy action at ringside and some really cool spots involving everyone. Of the Freelance guys, I enjoyed both GPA and Rob Matter. GPA has a good look and carries himself like someone who matters. Rob Matter plays the little runt with a big mouth very well. The end of this match came when Leary hit a double stomp into a DDT by Skylar on Matter.
7.75/10

Match 2: Ethan Page defeated Tyler Nitro w/Mike Gamble
This was without a doubt the best Tyler Nitro match I have ever seen. It started kinda slow with some comedy but once it got going it was a great match. Nitro took some vicious offense from Page and surprisingly kicked out.
8/10

In Ring: Rude Boy Riley comes out and makes fun of the Maine crowd and tells them that leprechauns aren't real.

Match 3: Swoggle defeated Rude Boy Riley
This was a comedy match but it was the best Swoggle matches I've ever seen. The crowd popped super hard for him. I enjoyed it even though I don't really care for comedy matches.
5.5/10

Match 4: Anthony Henry defeated Jay Freddie
This was an awesome match. Great mat wrestling combined with some great hard hitting action. Both guys are very impressive and I would like to see them both come back.
8.75/10

Match 5: Troy Nelson defeated Kikutaro w/Sidney Bakabella
This was a comedy match with very little wrestling. I surprisingly enjoyed it and I don't care for comedy wrestling. Kikutaro and Bakabella tried double teaming Nelson but it didn't work. Amungst the double teaming all three and even the referee ending up getting kicked in the nuts.
5/10

In Ring: Sidney Bakabella attacks Troy Nelson after the match. Kikutaro saves Nelson and they shake hands.

Match 6: Ace Romero defeated Keith Lee
Good big man match with some comedy thrown in. They did about 5 minutes of trying to knock each other down with shoulder blocks, even charging at each other from across the room. Both guys took tons of big moves and kicked out but in the end Ace got the win with a Boss Man Slam type move.
8/10

In Ring: Ace Romero dogs Anthony Greene for taking another booking because he had unfinished business. Ace says that he too has unfinished business but here in Limitless Wrestling. He says that in May he will battle AR Fox in a Fans Bring the Weapons Match.

In Ring: Sidney Bakabella comes in and he is pissed. He calls out Troy Nelson and says that he is bringing someone from Chicago to battle him in May and its Colt Cabana.

Match 7: Chris Dickinson defeated Rene Dupree
I was looking forward to this match and I was kinda disappointed. It was going very well with both guys hitting some very strong strikes. Dupree even had what appeared to be fake teeth knocked out. Then all of a sudden Dickinson hit a kick and it was over.
7/10

Match 8: Maxwell Jacob Feinstein defeated Mr. Grim, Xavier Bell, Dick Justice, Connor Murphy and Mike Graca in a Fatal 6 Way
Good match with lots of action. Feinstein is a good heel and has the tools to become star on the indy scene. There was a bunch of brawling at ringside and everyone hit some big moves in the ring. Mr. Grim hit is jumping tombstone on Bell but Feinstein threw him out of the ring and got the cheap win.
7.5/10\

In Ring: Mr. Grim attackes Maxwell Jacob Feinstein, giving him a jumping tombstone and put him in a body bag.

Match 9: Veda Scott defeated Taeler Hendrix
What hard hitting women's match. Hendrix chopped the shit out of Scott throughout the match. They did some good brawling at ringside with Hendrix coming up limping. She fought on like a trooper though. She even had part of her weave ripped out. In the end Scott got the win with a surprise small package.
7.75/10

Ringside: Veda Scott was celebrating her win when Taeler Hendrix shot a black mist into her face.

Match 10: Oleg the Usurper defeated Rex Lawless
Solid match but they botched a suplex multiple times. Lawless got frustrated and brought in a chair so Oleg when backstage and got a sword. Lawless did some impressive dives. He is a good wrestler but very boring.
6.5/10

Match 11: Matt Sydal defeated Ricochet
Awesome match. Must be seen. Tons of fast paced action with both guys hitting many of their signature moves. Check this one out. You won't be disappointed.
9.5/10

In Ring: Ricochet talks about how he looked up to Sydal and talks about the first time they wrestled back in 2005 for IWA Mid-South. I was surprised that he didn't cry. Sydal then puts over Ricochet saying that he is the best wrestler in the world.
 
Overall this show scored a 72.5 out of 110 for an overall score of 65.90%. Another great show from Limitless Wrestling. There were tons of great matches with an unbelievable main event. Check this show out when it comes out on DVD. You won't regret it.

Later Readers!

Limitless Wrestling "Hysteria" Report 3/17/2017

Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 2017, Limitless Wrestling presented Hysteria featuring Ricochet vs. Matt Sydal in the main event of the evening at the Armory in Westbrook, Maine.  Nearly 400 people packed in for another great night of Limitless Wrestling.

I met Mikey, Roy, Jesse, Josh, Bradford and the rest at the venue before the doors opened.  VIP was to be let in at 6:30, they opened at 6:45 and we headed in with Mikey and I grabbing essentially the same seats as last time.

It was a great night for me getting a bunch of cards signed, to be posted in another blog, and my photo with Kikutaro, Ricochet, Ethan Page,and Taeler Hendrix.  Mikey and I were talking to Kikutaro who was selling us a DVD and he was pointing at one guy telling us how much he sucked.  It was hilarious!

The show was four hours long and featured 11 big matches!

The opening contest with the Turf War pitting Team Limitless against Team Freelance Wrestling out of Chicago.  The crowd was super hot for this match and they delivered.  One fall to a finish and fought under lucha rules, no tag needed as soon as one member leaves the ring another can enter.  Action was furious and all over the place in and out of the ring.

I was really impressed with the guys from Freelance and I realize that Chicago is a haul but I would love to see them come back.

Finished was botched a bit with the Limitless crew getting the win when Skylar pinned Matter.

"All Ego" Ethan Page pinned Tyler Nitro with Mike Gamble
My first time seeing Page live and it was a great showing!

Nitro gets better each time I see him and watching him wrestle someone the caliber of Page really shows what he can do.

I want to see both of these guys come back, but would absolutely love a Monster Mafia reunion with Page and Josh Alexander.

The Rude Boy Riley open challenge was answered by surprise unadvertised Swoggle, formerly Hornswoggle in the WWE.  The crowd popped big time for him!

The look on Mikey's face was he jumped from his seat was hilarious.  This was actually the best match I've seen from Swoggle and Riley was great too.  The Leprechaun got the win on Saint Paddy's day.

XWA Champion: Anthony Henry submitted Jay Freddie in pretty fantastic match.

My first time seeing Henry live and I've seen Freddie before.

These guys put on a great match and I'd like a rematch down the line.

"Top Shelf" Troy Nelson pinned Kikutaro with Sydney Bakabella
This was pure comedy from beginning to end concluding with about a dozen nut shots passed around between Nelson, Kikutaro, Bakabella, and the ref.

In the end Nelson got the quick pin and then felt the wrath of Bakabella who was stopped by Kikutaro.  Match ended with both wrestlers apologizing for the nuts shots.

Ace Romero pinned Keith Lee is a pretty awesome big man match.  They did a series of should blocks in and out of the ring that was pretty damn awesome.

Everything was high impact and big bumps that had the fans chanting "don't break the ring".  Also the chops they laid in were vicious.

This lead to a much needed intermission.  I just happened to have my Hornswoggle cards in the van so I went out and got them.

First match back was "Dirty Daddy" Chris Dickinson battling Rene Dupree.  Roy and I were really looking forward to this match we thought for sure that these guys would beat the shit out of each other.  This match started out as expected and at one point I can't tell if Dupree had a couple teeth knocked out or he removed a partial plate, but either way the match just seemed to end abruptly before it got going.

Dupree had made many appearances in Maine for IWE but I never was able to go to a show with him on it, it just never worked out.  To me Dupree is more than just a former two time WWE tag team champion, he's THE direct link to the historic Canadian Maritime territory Grand Prix Wrestling.  His father Emile Dupree ran the territory from 1977 - 1986 and now Rene is continuing the tradition.

Six way scramble with "Celtic" Connor Murphy, Maxwell Jacob Feinstein, Mr. Grimm, Xavier Bell, Mike Graca, and surprise entrant Dick Justice.

This match was one fall to a finish all the competitors in the ring at once.  This lead to all out chaos at times and the traditional train wreck dives to the floor, it was great!  The finish was a sequence of piledrivers with none of them being a traditional one.

Mr. Grimm hit Bell with a spinning jump tombstone piledriver, Feinstein threw Grimm to the floor and stole the pin and the win.  Grimm them his is finish on Feinstein and put him in a body bag, legit.

Veda Scott pinned Taeler Hendrix.  These two ladies beat the tar out of each other and Hendrix was just laying in some wicked chops on Scott.

They wrestled in and out of the ring spilling to the floor in front of us.  Hendrix went for a baseball slide into the corner kicking Scott below the belt and she appeared to have injured her ankle.

In-fact during the next match she was seen in severe pain being carried out of the building still in her gear.  I hope it's nothing serious. UPDATE: According to Taeler Hendrix instagram she fractured her ankle.

Oleg the Usurper pinned Rex Lawless after hitting Off With His Head.

Decent that saw Lawless attempt to bring a chair in the ring only to have Oleg bring out his broad sword, an actual sword.  Very hard hitting match.

Matt Sydal pinned Ricochet with a shooting star press.  DAMN, just damn.  I mean words simply do not suffice.  These two men and just amazing in the ring putting on a flawless acrobatic display that they make look easy.  I mean so impressive!  They had the crowd popping time after time, myself included.  I'm a bigger fan of Ricochet, but ultimately by the end I just didn't care who won.

After the match Ricochet cut an impassioned promo about how he looks up to Sydal as a hero back when they first faced each other in 2005 and now as a hero.  I thought he was going to cry he was so emotional.

All in all another fantastic show from Limitless Wrestling.  I really can't believe we have such high caliber indy promotion in Maine that is drawing people from as far as New Jersey to the shows.

The next show is May 13th featuring Sydney Bakabella bringing in Colt Cabana to face Troy Nelson, Ace Romero vs. AR Fox III in a fans bring the weapons match, also appearing Anthony Greene, The Maine State Posse and more.

It's going to be a little tricky for me, it's my daughters birthday that day, but it's Colt Cabana in Maine finally.  Jonny wants to go.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page.

Later Readers!