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SHOW REPORTS

2008 SHOW REPORTS

January 23, 2008

The show opened with Sean Denny telling David Marquez that he was from England, “all heart and pride,” and he was taking Bryan Danielson to the limit.

Cut to Marquez and “Ironman” Rob Conway from the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Conway said the showgirls got the thrill of their lives hanging out with the Ironman. Marquez threw it to Todd Kennely and Kriss Kloss at ringside.

(1) Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. Cobra II & Black Tiger IV in 9:15. Taped April 15, 2007 at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Tx. Bucks controlled the early going with acrobatic combo moves, looking like a high-flying version of the Smoking Gunns. Tiger and Cobra foiled a double team at the four minute mark to turn the tide. Matt took the heat. Cobra and Tiger did some combo moves of their own along with the usual shenanigans like choking with the wrist tape. Matt ducked and Cobra flew threw the ropes. Crawling tag and here comes Slick Nick like a house of fire. See saw finish. The rudo used a Hart Attack. Bucks hit their More Bang for the Buck finisher (rolling fireman’s carry/swanton bomb combo), but Tiger threw powder in Matt’s eyes and Tiger rolled him up using the tights.

Marquez interviewed One Man Gang at the NWA Legends Fanfest in Charlotte.

Marquez introduced the next match which took place as part of the Fanfest on August 12, 2007.

(2) Sean Denny pinned Bryan Danielson in 8:33. The story was Danielson had already qualified for the championship match of NWA Heavyweight Title tournament against Claudio Castagnoli or Brent Albright, while Denny felt slighted at not being included in the tournament. The commentary never elaborated on the circumstances that lead to Adam Pearce becoming the NWA Champion, or even mentioned that Pearce was the champion. Denny wrestled Danielson even in the early minutes. But Danielson went heel by suckering Denny on a handshake. Danielson used the Mexican surfboard. Denny absorbed a wicked series of strikes. Denny kicked out of a flying headbutt off the top. Danielson went for Cattle Mutilation, but Denny rolled through trapping Danielson’s shoulder on the mat. Danielson put the boots to Denny and locked in Cattle Mutilation. He was raining down elbow when Chance Prophet made the save. Danielson was involved so it had to be good. Not that Denny was bad, but I never got the feeling he could really hang with Danielson.

Marquez said we were going to see a “Sexy” Sonny Sampson match. Conway told Marquez to show a Rob Conway match.

(3) Rob Conway beat Don Juan in 8:38. Taped July 7, 2007 in Houston. Lots of cocky posing by Conway. It was getting heat but maybe not the good kind. Conway went for a leapfrog and Juan stuck out his knee for what amounted to a self imposed reverse atomic drop. Conway sold it huge, but he was playing possum. Conway heeled. Juan reversed a sleeper hold, and Conway dropped him on his head with a back suplex. Conway missed a horrible looking middle rope elbow and Juan got his comeback. Conway kicked out of a running kick. “He has got to hook the leg, Todd!.” Conway speared Juan and pinned him with a slingshot suplex spun into a neckbreaker.

Marquez and Conway introduced the main event. Again, no mention that Pearce is the current NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Marquez said next week we would see T. J. Perkins, Blue Demon, Ikudo Hidaka, Rayo de Jalisco, and “Gene” Dinsmore.

(4) Sean Waltman beat Adam Pearce (with C. Edward Vanderpyle) in 8:20 to win the NWA Heritage Title. Taped April 21, 2007 in El Paso. Pearce gave Waltman a lariat before the ref signaled for the bell. Waltman responded with some crisp flying maneuvers. Waltman was giving Pearce a beating on the outside when Pearce picked him up and crotched him on the post. Vanderpyle interfered. Pearce used a dragon screw and started working on the knee. Pearce applied a figure four with help from Vanderpyle. Waltman hit the Bronco Buster and then the Syxx Factor for a visual fall, while Vanderpyle distracted the ref. Waltman went after Vanderpyle, who got nailed by Pearce. Waltman went up top and was met by Pearce. Pearce teased a superplex. Waltman blocked it. Pearce rolled through on a Waltman’s flying bodypress and went for the figure four, but Waltman cradled him for the three count.

Closing Thoughts: Like week one, the show features an interesting array of talent with match quality ranging from average to very good. Any show with a Danielson match has something going for it. All four guys worked hard in the opener, and Bucks are impressive young fliers. Waltman had a strong match against Pearce. The Conway match was mediocre.

Week two was a mind boggling disconnect from week one. Week one, had Pearce positioned as the prestigious World Heavyweight Champion and the straw that stirs the drink. Week two, they don’t even acknowledge Pearce is the champion, and in the commentary on the Danielson match, the announcers pretend it’s still August, and Danielson is in the finals against Albright or Castagnoli. Then Pearce is shown losing a meaningless title in the main event.

I like Kennely on play by play. Kloss I can live without.

Sad to say, this show will do next to nothing for the NWA’s visibility. The anthology format of random matches blows. Some hardcore fans will watch it on the internet. For what’s it worth, the traffic for the live show crashed the server on the Colours website the first two weeks. Match quality notwithstanding, the few casual viewers that run across the show on an obscure channel like Colours will most likely lose interest in a hurry.