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July 3, 2008
– Larry Goodman
Great Championship Wrestling ran the Gr8 Sk8 Plex in Phenix City, Alabama Thursday night featuring an 8-man tournament to determine
the number one contender for the GCW Title.
Over the last few years, I’ve been as brutally honest in my coverage of GCW as any promotion in Georgia. So allow me to be brutally
honest. They put on a terrific old school show last night. Top to bottom, the best I’ve seen in Phenix City. Their talent has never been
better. The booking has gotten progressively better, with last night’s show being a stellar example. When you can entertain your fans
with interesting stories, and do it in a way that allows the wrestlers to avoid unnecessary physical risks, so much the better.
GCW has built a passionate fan base during the last 6 months, something that had been sorely lacking since the move to Phenix City.
This crowd is into to all the characters and stories, and they pop for their favorites’ trademark moves. They had 225 in the building
last night, and the Thursday night shows have been drawing a steady 200-250 a weekNot too shabby, especially when you consider that
the company owns the building and gets all merchandise and concession sales.
Ring announcer Taylor McKnight announced that J-Rod beat Cru Jones for the GCW Interstate Title last Saturday night at their debut
show in Villa Rica. The closing seconds were shown on the video screen.
It was on to the opening round of the Red White and Bruise Tournament ordered by “50% owner of GCW� Diane Hewes (the other
50% being owned by her arch enemy, Quentin Michaels). Winner to earn a title shot on July 10.
(1) Murder One (with Wicked Nemesis) beat John Bogie in 5:14
It was Bogie on fire until M-1 cut him off with a double thrust to the throat, and the BMF beatdown was on. M-1 busted out a senton back
splash even. Nemesis got into the act. Bogie made his comeback. I think he got a near fall. In any case, M-1 ended it with an RKO. Just
what it needed it to be and nothing more.
(2) David Young beat Orion Bishop (with Wicked Nemesis) in 5:09
In a classic display of impaired judgment, an inebriated fan jumped the rail on prior to the match. That’s never a good idea, but
Bishop was about the worst choice this dude could have made. Nemesis split his wig with a cane shot, laying the back of his head wide
open, and then Bishop manhandled him – a perfect display of why thou shall not mess with pro wrestlers. It would have put a smile on
Ole Anderson’s face. It really got Bishop’s juices flowing. He was all over Young. Bishop did his signature fallaway slam. Nobody
does it better. He got a close near fall with a stunner. Nemesis instructed him to hook the leg. Bishop’s leg drop turned into a
gigantic ass drop. Young’s enzuigiri to the deltoids started his comeback. Nemesis grabbed Young’s leg. Bishop charged.
Young stepped aside and Bishop gored Nemesis off the apron. Spinebuster for the three count.
Young told the fans he ended up with a serious infection from the incident last week where Sonny Siaki put him through a table. He said
the doctor’s had to cut on his back and leave it open for 3 days. He ripped his shirt off to reveal a huge bandage on his back.
(3) Cru Jones beat Scotty Beach in 13:13
Beach got a solid pop. Still, it’s gotta suck to be the number two beach boy with Micah Taylor now ensconced at the top of the card.
Slow start to this one, as Jones did muscle poses and kept going to the ropes. The story was Beach’s inability to connect on his big
moves. Beach went flying into the corner and ended up crotched on the middle turnbuckle. Jones zeroed in with a European forearm to
Beach’s back and took over. Lots of near falls. Jones used a Tully Blanchard slingshot suplex for one of them. When Beach kicked
out of a sitout slam, Jones took his frustrations out on ref Donnie DeMarco. Beach caused Cru to miss a flying elbow drop, and made a
Dusty style bionic comeback. But Scotty missed with the Beach Balls, and Jones nailed him with great Pounce for the three count. I like
that Jones beat him clean, but Beach gave him a tough fight and wasn’t booked to look weak.
(4) Shaun Banks (with Cru Jones) beat J-Rod via DQ in 12:07
A fine match. You had a great innovator of babyface spots in J-Rod and an awesome bump taker in Banks. J-Rod hiptossed Banks into
the tree of woe. J-Rod dodged a monkey flip by Banks and hit one of his own. J-Rod did a series of five hiptosses, clotheslined Banks
over the top and hit a slingshot crossbody block. Jones tried a sneak attack, but J-Rod dropkicked Banks into him. Finally, Banks
dropped a knee to the nuts, as Jones distracted ref Jeff McGowan. Banks used a Mutalock. The crowd got into J-Rod’s struggle for
the ropes break. They did a unique spot where Banks bounced J-Rod’s head off the bottom buckle as he was seated facing the
corner. Banks applied a camel clutch. J-Rod powered up to his feet and planted Banks electric chair style for the double down. J-Rod
channeled Masked Superstar on a lariat. McGowan got bumped. Jones waffled Banks with a chair. McGowan saw it and DQed J-Rod for
outside interference.
Banks was not happy with Jones. They’ve been having issues ever since Jones sacrificed Banks when they regained the tag titles,
and now it was going to be partner vs. partner in the semis. Cool.
Before the semifinal round commenced, Princeton Gainey III cut a promo. This was hilarious. Gainey is this little, tiny black guy in a huge
top hat. He uses the theme from “The Jefferson’s� as his entrance music. He did a short joke about a party to be attended by
Scott East, the diminutive promoter of SECW, who recently announced plans to run Columbus (possibly to retaliate for GCW running
East’s hometown of Villa Rica). McKnight, he of the shiny hair and oversized suit, said any party East was attending would be held in
a soup kitchen. The point of the promo was that Gainey had negotiated permission from Quentin Michaels to entice Zero Tolerance to
leave Michaels Inc. for Gainey’s Winner’s Club. Gainey used made a life is like a box of chocolates analogy, and the crowd called
him Willy Wonka. Gainey promised Zero they could make big bucks.
(5) David Young beat Murder One (with Wicked Nemesis) in 8:12
M-1 jumped Young before the bell, and we had BMF Beatdown part two. M-1 gets excellent heat. Young had to grab the ropes to save
himself from being pinned. M-1 dumped Young so Nemesis could kick him while he was down. Young got a pop with a furious windmill
punching comeback, but M-1 cut him off with a Spinesplitta. Young hit another, better enzuigiri and pinned M-1 with the spinebuster.
(6) Cru Jones beat Shaun Banks in 11:04
This was a semi-friendly game of one-upmanship with the object being to see who was more devious cheater. Jones kicked Banks in
the ass to go up 1-0. Banks took a comical banana peel bump on a botched attempt to return the favor. And so on. Banks popped the
crowd with a slingshot leg drop. Moments later, Jones’ knee went out. Referee DeMarco gave the X signal. McKnight followed suit.
Referee McGowan came out and they carefully removed Jones’ knee brace. Banks wanted a closer look, and Jones cradled him for
a very quick three count by DeMarco. Jones jumped up to celebrate the win. Then he remembered he was supposed to be injured and
went down like he had been shot in the knee. Too late. Banks caught on to the fakery. End result was the distrust between the partners in
Hot Like Lava reached new heights.
(7) Cru Jones beat David Young to become contender numero uno for the GCW Championship (12:58)
Jones asked for silence. The crowd whipped up a “Davidâ€� chant. Jones used tights and the crowd stooged it off to the ref. â
€œHelp me out here, “ he said. Young caught Jones in a series of pinning combinations. Jones took a TO. Cru finally got the
advantage and worked over Young’s back. Young did the enzuigiri out of the blue for the third time tonight. You would think Jones
would be looking for it. Big lariat by Cru for a near fall. Young walked into a leg lariat for a long two count. Spinebustah! McGowan’s
count reach five before Young could make a crawling one arm cover. Jones kicked out. Young’s made charge into the corner came
up empty, and Jones rolled him up using the tights.
So it looked like either a title change in the main event or it would be heel vs. heel next for the title next week. I should have known it
wouldn’t be that simple.
(8) The GCW Championship match between Johnny Swinger (c) and Micah Taylor ended in a disputed finish with the title held up (14:
35)
Swinger and Michaels Inc. won the services of Tracy Taylor in a match back on June 5. The latest chapter in the Hewes/Michaels saga
saw Hewes name Tracy as the special referee for this match. Tracy came out wearing short shorts and a ref shirt. Micah’s entrance
got a great pop. He’s gotten way over since returning to GCW two months ago. Before the match got underway, McKnight announced
that Michaels had named himself as the special outside enforcer. Michaels came out wearing a ref shirt. Tracy checked Swinger and
found a set of brass knucks in his tights. Swinger kept going to the ropes. He accused Tracy of being biased. Michaels instigated a
verbal dispute with Micah. Swinger tried to capitalize, but Micah nailed him with a haymaker. Swinger put a leg on the ropes. Micah had
seen enough ropes breaks. He grabbed the leg and worked over Swinger’s knee. Tracy pulled Swinger’s hair to stop his
cheating. Swinger threatened to pop her. Meanwhile, the weaselly Michaels “enforced� on Micah, and Swinger posted him. Back
inside, they traded some grade A punches. Swinger stomped Micah low and locked in a sleeper. The highlight of Micah’s comeback
was a unique springboard elbow off the bottom rope. Swinger ran Micah into Tracy. She went down in a heap, and Michaels took over as
referee. A wild finish ensued. Micah hit the Wipeout on Swinger. Michaels counted two and clutched his shoulder in fake pain. Michaels
made a second super slow count, and Swinger was able to roll a shoulder. Swinger rolled Micah up and Michaels fast counted, but
Micah managed to kick out. Micah hit a German suplex. Michaels made the three count, and the crowd popped huge thinking Micah had
won the title. But Michaels raised Swinger’s hand. Micah clocked Swinger. Tracy snatched the belt and raised Micah’s hand.
Michaels argued with Tracy. Swinger got the belt back from Micah and ran away. Michaels dragged Tracy to the back. McKnight
announced that the title was being held up and told the fans to check the GCW website for an update.
NOTES: GCW returns to Villa Rica on July 19 at the Gold Dust Recreation Center (God, I love that name), 646 Industrial Boulevardâ
€¦Bishop gets around. He worked the United Wrestling Association show for Bert Prentice Tuesday night in Seymour, Tn (suburb of
Knoxville)…McKnight announced that the entire Villa Rica card would be available for viewing on gcwaction.com sometime todayâ
€¦Swinger celebrated his 33rd birthday at the show.
– Larry Goodman
Great Championship Wrestling ran the Gr8 Sk8 Plex in Phenix City, Alabama Thursday night featuring an 8-man tournament to determine
the number one contender for the GCW Title.
Over the last few years, I’ve been as brutally honest in my coverage of GCW as any promotion in Georgia. So allow me to be brutally
honest. They put on a terrific old school show last night. Top to bottom, the best I’ve seen in Phenix City. Their talent has never been
better. The booking has gotten progressively better, with last night’s show being a stellar example. When you can entertain your fans
with interesting stories, and do it in a way that allows the wrestlers to avoid unnecessary physical risks, so much the better.
GCW has built a passionate fan base during the last 6 months, something that had been sorely lacking since the move to Phenix City.
This crowd is into to all the characters and stories, and they pop for their favorites’ trademark moves. They had 225 in the building
last night, and the Thursday night shows have been drawing a steady 200-250 a weekNot too shabby, especially when you consider that
the company owns the building and gets all merchandise and concession sales.
Ring announcer Taylor McKnight announced that J-Rod beat Cru Jones for the GCW Interstate Title last Saturday night at their debut
show in Villa Rica. The closing seconds were shown on the video screen.
It was on to the opening round of the Red White and Bruise Tournament ordered by “50% owner of GCW� Diane Hewes (the other
50% being owned by her arch enemy, Quentin Michaels). Winner to earn a title shot on July 10.
(1) Murder One (with Wicked Nemesis) beat John Bogie in 5:14
It was Bogie on fire until M-1 cut him off with a double thrust to the throat, and the BMF beatdown was on. M-1 busted out a senton back
splash even. Nemesis got into the act. Bogie made his comeback. I think he got a near fall. In any case, M-1 ended it with an RKO. Just
what it needed it to be and nothing more.
(2) David Young beat Orion Bishop (with Wicked Nemesis) in 5:09
In a classic display of impaired judgment, an inebriated fan jumped the rail on prior to the match. That’s never a good idea, but
Bishop was about the worst choice this dude could have made. Nemesis split his wig with a cane shot, laying the back of his head wide
open, and then Bishop manhandled him – a perfect display of why thou shall not mess with pro wrestlers. It would have put a smile on
Ole Anderson’s face. It really got Bishop’s juices flowing. He was all over Young. Bishop did his signature fallaway slam. Nobody
does it better. He got a close near fall with a stunner. Nemesis instructed him to hook the leg. Bishop’s leg drop turned into a
gigantic ass drop. Young’s enzuigiri to the deltoids started his comeback. Nemesis grabbed Young’s leg. Bishop charged.
Young stepped aside and Bishop gored Nemesis off the apron. Spinebuster for the three count.
Young told the fans he ended up with a serious infection from the incident last week where Sonny Siaki put him through a table. He said
the doctor’s had to cut on his back and leave it open for 3 days. He ripped his shirt off to reveal a huge bandage on his back.
(3) Cru Jones beat Scotty Beach in 13:13
Beach got a solid pop. Still, it’s gotta suck to be the number two beach boy with Micah Taylor now ensconced at the top of the card.
Slow start to this one, as Jones did muscle poses and kept going to the ropes. The story was Beach’s inability to connect on his big
moves. Beach went flying into the corner and ended up crotched on the middle turnbuckle. Jones zeroed in with a European forearm to
Beach’s back and took over. Lots of near falls. Jones used a Tully Blanchard slingshot suplex for one of them. When Beach kicked
out of a sitout slam, Jones took his frustrations out on ref Donnie DeMarco. Beach caused Cru to miss a flying elbow drop, and made a
Dusty style bionic comeback. But Scotty missed with the Beach Balls, and Jones nailed him with great Pounce for the three count. I like
that Jones beat him clean, but Beach gave him a tough fight and wasn’t booked to look weak.
(4) Shaun Banks (with Cru Jones) beat J-Rod via DQ in 12:07
A fine match. You had a great innovator of babyface spots in J-Rod and an awesome bump taker in Banks. J-Rod hiptossed Banks into
the tree of woe. J-Rod dodged a monkey flip by Banks and hit one of his own. J-Rod did a series of five hiptosses, clotheslined Banks
over the top and hit a slingshot crossbody block. Jones tried a sneak attack, but J-Rod dropkicked Banks into him. Finally, Banks
dropped a knee to the nuts, as Jones distracted ref Jeff McGowan. Banks used a Mutalock. The crowd got into J-Rod’s struggle for
the ropes break. They did a unique spot where Banks bounced J-Rod’s head off the bottom buckle as he was seated facing the
corner. Banks applied a camel clutch. J-Rod powered up to his feet and planted Banks electric chair style for the double down. J-Rod
channeled Masked Superstar on a lariat. McGowan got bumped. Jones waffled Banks with a chair. McGowan saw it and DQed J-Rod for
outside interference.
Banks was not happy with Jones. They’ve been having issues ever since Jones sacrificed Banks when they regained the tag titles,
and now it was going to be partner vs. partner in the semis. Cool.
Before the semifinal round commenced, Princeton Gainey III cut a promo. This was hilarious. Gainey is this little, tiny black guy in a huge
top hat. He uses the theme from “The Jefferson’s� as his entrance music. He did a short joke about a party to be attended by
Scott East, the diminutive promoter of SECW, who recently announced plans to run Columbus (possibly to retaliate for GCW running
East’s hometown of Villa Rica). McKnight, he of the shiny hair and oversized suit, said any party East was attending would be held in
a soup kitchen. The point of the promo was that Gainey had negotiated permission from Quentin Michaels to entice Zero Tolerance to
leave Michaels Inc. for Gainey’s Winner’s Club. Gainey used made a life is like a box of chocolates analogy, and the crowd called
him Willy Wonka. Gainey promised Zero they could make big bucks.
(5) David Young beat Murder One (with Wicked Nemesis) in 8:12
M-1 jumped Young before the bell, and we had BMF Beatdown part two. M-1 gets excellent heat. Young had to grab the ropes to save
himself from being pinned. M-1 dumped Young so Nemesis could kick him while he was down. Young got a pop with a furious windmill
punching comeback, but M-1 cut him off with a Spinesplitta. Young hit another, better enzuigiri and pinned M-1 with the spinebuster.
(6) Cru Jones beat Shaun Banks in 11:04
This was a semi-friendly game of one-upmanship with the object being to see who was more devious cheater. Jones kicked Banks in
the ass to go up 1-0. Banks took a comical banana peel bump on a botched attempt to return the favor. And so on. Banks popped the
crowd with a slingshot leg drop. Moments later, Jones’ knee went out. Referee DeMarco gave the X signal. McKnight followed suit.
Referee McGowan came out and they carefully removed Jones’ knee brace. Banks wanted a closer look, and Jones cradled him for
a very quick three count by DeMarco. Jones jumped up to celebrate the win. Then he remembered he was supposed to be injured and
went down like he had been shot in the knee. Too late. Banks caught on to the fakery. End result was the distrust between the partners in
Hot Like Lava reached new heights.
(7) Cru Jones beat David Young to become contender numero uno for the GCW Championship (12:58)
Jones asked for silence. The crowd whipped up a “Davidâ€� chant. Jones used tights and the crowd stooged it off to the ref. â
€œHelp me out here, “ he said. Young caught Jones in a series of pinning combinations. Jones took a TO. Cru finally got the
advantage and worked over Young’s back. Young did the enzuigiri out of the blue for the third time tonight. You would think Jones
would be looking for it. Big lariat by Cru for a near fall. Young walked into a leg lariat for a long two count. Spinebustah! McGowan’s
count reach five before Young could make a crawling one arm cover. Jones kicked out. Young’s made charge into the corner came
up empty, and Jones rolled him up using the tights.
So it looked like either a title change in the main event or it would be heel vs. heel next for the title next week. I should have known it
wouldn’t be that simple.
(8) The GCW Championship match between Johnny Swinger (c) and Micah Taylor ended in a disputed finish with the title held up (14:
35)
Swinger and Michaels Inc. won the services of Tracy Taylor in a match back on June 5. The latest chapter in the Hewes/Michaels saga
saw Hewes name Tracy as the special referee for this match. Tracy came out wearing short shorts and a ref shirt. Micah’s entrance
got a great pop. He’s gotten way over since returning to GCW two months ago. Before the match got underway, McKnight announced
that Michaels had named himself as the special outside enforcer. Michaels came out wearing a ref shirt. Tracy checked Swinger and
found a set of brass knucks in his tights. Swinger kept going to the ropes. He accused Tracy of being biased. Michaels instigated a
verbal dispute with Micah. Swinger tried to capitalize, but Micah nailed him with a haymaker. Swinger put a leg on the ropes. Micah had
seen enough ropes breaks. He grabbed the leg and worked over Swinger’s knee. Tracy pulled Swinger’s hair to stop his
cheating. Swinger threatened to pop her. Meanwhile, the weaselly Michaels “enforced� on Micah, and Swinger posted him. Back
inside, they traded some grade A punches. Swinger stomped Micah low and locked in a sleeper. The highlight of Micah’s comeback
was a unique springboard elbow off the bottom rope. Swinger ran Micah into Tracy. She went down in a heap, and Michaels took over as
referee. A wild finish ensued. Micah hit the Wipeout on Swinger. Michaels counted two and clutched his shoulder in fake pain. Michaels
made a second super slow count, and Swinger was able to roll a shoulder. Swinger rolled Micah up and Michaels fast counted, but
Micah managed to kick out. Micah hit a German suplex. Michaels made the three count, and the crowd popped huge thinking Micah had
won the title. But Michaels raised Swinger’s hand. Micah clocked Swinger. Tracy snatched the belt and raised Micah’s hand.
Michaels argued with Tracy. Swinger got the belt back from Micah and ran away. Michaels dragged Tracy to the back. McKnight
announced that the title was being held up and told the fans to check the GCW website for an update.
NOTES: GCW returns to Villa Rica on July 19 at the Gold Dust Recreation Center (God, I love that name), 646 Industrial Boulevardâ
€¦Bishop gets around. He worked the United Wrestling Association show for Bert Prentice Tuesday night in Seymour, Tn (suburb of
Knoxville)…McKnight announced that the entire Villa Rica card would be available for viewing on gcwaction.com sometime todayâ
€¦Swinger celebrated his 33rd birthday at the show.
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