| SHOW REPORTS |
May 18, 2010
– Larry Goodman
A Platinum Championship Wrestling event is far from a run-of-the-mill independent wrestling show.
Promoter Stephen Platinum is a veteran of the pro wrestling scene, but his vision of pro wrestling is heavily informed by his background
in theater. He was previously involved in B.R.A.W.L., a wrestling parody staged by Dad’s Garage, an improv theater group in Little Five
Points area of Atlanta.
PCW’s final show at the Eyedrum drew a crowd of approximately 65 paid. These were not the kind of people that usually frequent Georgia
indie wrestling shows. To call them smart marks wouldn’t be accurate, although there were a lot of quick wits in the crowd. They popped
when the action got stiff or dangerous, but they were also willing to suspend disbelief (or at least pretend to) for some extremely crappy
wrestling. It was audience that made their presence felt throughout the show. I got the sense that the standard wisdom about booking pro
wrestling simply doesn’t apply with this group.
Then again, Eyedrum is not your typical wrestling venue. Located on the edge of downtown Atlanta, it’s an art and music gallery for
emerging, experimental artists. The wrestling room doubled as a space for theatrical performances. There are bleachers on one side
and two rows of chairs on another. The announcers, who do live commentary over the PA, were stationed on a small stage in the back
corner. Heels and babyfaces entered from opposite sides. The ceiling provided enough clearance, but high flyers had to deal with an
obstacle course of Japanese lanterns, sound baffles and PA speakers.
PCW’s motto is “saving the art of wrestling one match at a time”. The presentation is about 75% theater and 25% wrestling. The crew is
mostly people from a theater background with a few well-trained pro wrestlers in the mix. Saviors they’re not, but PCW has found a niche
audience for their blend of theater and wrestling. They routinely report SRO crowds of over 100 for their weekly Friday night shows at the
Academy Theater in Avondale Estates.
There were elements of this show that I found quite entertaining, but on the whole it didn’t work for me. I enjoy improv comedy, but if that’s
what I want to see, I go to Dad’s Garage, and if I want to see pro wrestling, the version PCW offers isn’t going to cut it.
Pre-show entertainment was provided by a series of women performing on a lyra, an aerial hoop like those used in circus acts.
The show opened with the introduction of two PCW cheerleaders (the only cheerleaders in pro wrestling). They stayed at ringside
throughout the show. This was followed by the introduction of the only mascot in pro wrestling, Platy the Platinum Platypus, The ring
announcing was handled by David MD Chandler. He was fine. I could have done without the running commentary provided by Kurt Kilgore
and J. Hanes. They weren’t awful, but to me, the incessant talking was a negative, although they did a good job of getting the finishing
moves across.
Campus Strike Force, a group of impov performers, lip synched a prerecorded spiel. They wear full bodysuits and masks and their
gimmick is that they are pompous art snobs, which makes them bigtime heels in this neck of the woods.
(1) Michael Cannon beat Campus Blue (with Campus Strike Force) via submission in 2 minutes
Neither one appeared to have any business being in a pro wrestling ring. Cannon at least looks like a wrestler. He kissed the ref’s hand
when he entered the ring. Cannon won it with the Dungeon Stretch, a grounded submission that couldn’t have made my grandmother tap.
Screamin’ Marty Freeman tried to recruit Cannon. Freeman seemed very green in the manager role. Cannon said he might hurt people in
the ring but he still loved them. The point of his character was lost on me. Simon Sermon has a lock on the gay babyface role in PCW.
Freeman said Cannon sounded like a moron and need a manager to talk for him. Cannon declined. The crowd was 100% in support of
his decision.
(2) Austin Creed (with Prima Donna) beat Warhorse #2 (with Johnathan Davis Wynn) in 2 minutes
Before the match, Creed cut a promo saying he in route to the PCW title. Not a whole lot of conviction in it. Warhorse can’t wrestle either.
Creed hit his signature moves and got the pin with the CreeDDT (springboard into a DDT). Warhorse didn’t know how to take the move
and did a back bump.
Simon Sermon addressed the crowd. He’s super over here. Sermon outdid the actors when it came to mic work. He started his promo
while reclining on the ring apron. Seems Sermon has issues with an anti-gay character named Dwight Power, He theorized that Power is
a hater because he doesn’t like himself, and Sermon was going to expose him. Power marched to ringside in his military fatigues. He
claimed to be the most dangerous man alive. Based on physical appearance, this was not the least bit credible. He said the fans were
idolizing “an old, fat, bitchy faggot”. Sermon said if couldn’t set Power straight with his words, the bitchy, old **** would pound it into him
with his fists.
Prior to next match, Goth addressed the crowd. Goth said he respected Fury, but he was a 16 year veteran, and Fury was just a stepping
stone on his way to the PCW title. Goth said he owed to his father, who was a 30 year veteran and a hall of famer.
(3) Jay Fury beat Goth in 6:40
This wasn’t too bad. Fury’s offense looked very good in fact. Goth has filled out from his NWA Wildside days. I wouldn’t have recognized
save for being so tatted up. He’s a bullying brawler and reminded me of Pitbull #2 (the late Anthony Durante) from ECW. Fury hit the Jaytrix
followed by a frogsplash elbow for the pin.
On his way out, Fury was attacked by Platy the Platinum Platypus. Turned out it was Jon Williams of the Washington Bullets inside the
suit. Bullets (actors turned wrestlers) have been feuding with Konkrete Gorillaz (Fury and Nemesis). He was joined by brother Trey, and
the Bullets had their way with Fury. This was actually a damn good angle, until Goth got in the mic. I don’t know if he was going into
business for himself or what, but it sucked all the heat off the angle. Goth said he might have to hang it up because he let his father down.
This got a sympathetic reaction from the crowd.
(4) Phantom defeated Najajism in 18:43 to win their best of seven series 4-3
Two small black guys, one with dreads and one under mask, and both possessing plenty of athletic talent. Phantom was on fire at the
start. He was kicking the bejeezus out of Najajism. He busted out the Kobashi chops in the corner. Najajism avoided Phantom’s
brainbuster and hit a DDT. After Phantom missed a Lawler fist drop, Najajism started in on his knee, using an Indian Deathlock, a
crossface/leglock combo and a figure four around the ringpost. There were all kinds of big hits and misses. Najajism hit a corkscrew
moonsault. Ref Duke Korey got bumped on a triple german suplex spot. Phantom then hit the brainbuser for a visual fall. Najajism hit a
frogsplash, and Power came out to distract him. Phantom dropped Najajism on his head with a hammerlock suplex for a close near fall.
They went back and forth with pin attempts. Finally, Phantom got his knees up on Najajism’s frogsplash and finished with a top rope
brainbuster. Technically, this was pretty sound and the effort level was kick ass. Both guys were going all out to make it spectacular.
Viewed in isolation, it came across as a match where they did way too much and killed a bunch of finishers, but that isn't fair to say when I
didn't see the rest of the series and with it being a game seven situation.
Miss Quinn addressed the audience regarding the head shaving her former boss, Oscar Worthy received at the hands of Timmy
McClendon last Friday at the Academy. This skit had the best acting and the most compelling material. The crowd was really into it. This
was apparently a newly spiffed up Ms. Quinn, as indicated by her dominatix high heel boots. The Avant Guards (De La Vega and Vandal),
two small black guys that looked suspiciously like Najajism and Phantom, asked Quinn to manage them. Quinn said would have to pay
the price, so as not to embarrass her with more losses. She called out Grotesque – a variation on The Gimp. Pandora came out in
attempt to regain control of her monster, but he laid her out with a tree slam. Quinn called McClendon out. His portrayal of a
developmentally disabled guy is quite entertaining. McClendon professed his love to her. He wanted her to be his future baby’s mama.
Timmy said he shaved Worthy’s head for her. Quinn said Worthy deprived her of the pleasure. She made it clear she wasn’t going out
with a retard. That got heat. Quinn ordered Avant Guard to hold McClendon while she slapped him. Pandora was still out cold. She was
tended to by Dr. Melee and Nurse David and taken out on a backboard. The “medical personnel” were actors, so why bother with an
obviously fake stretcher job?
(5) “The Natural” Shane Marks beat “The Demigod” Mason (with the Witnesses) to retain the PCW World Championship in 12:35
This was a standard issue wrestling match with the traditional heel/face dynamic. It wasn’t bad but there was certainly nothing special
about the wrestling, which was no better than opening match level at Anarchy or RPW. Marks is a thick black guy (think Antoine on Treme)
who is huge fan favorite here. He did a few matches for NWA Anarchy a few years back. Mason’s gear had a Roman warrior theme. He’s
well built but too short to pass for Hercules. Witness Pawn interfered to give Mason the advantage. Crowd was hot for Marx to make a
comeback. He did after a missed diving headbutt by Mason. Marks got the pin with a DVD.
Jay Fury came out to a pop. I thought he was heel but I don’t stuff like that really matters in PCW. Scott Steele also came out. He speared
Marx. Mason applied his Occam’s Razor choke submission to Marx, and Fury made it three on one. A woman named Conscience hit the
ring with a chair. The heels had to stand there and wait for Conscience to whack them with the chair. It looked ridiculous. Mason made
Pawn take one in his place. I think Fury ducked out of there without taking one. Conscience departed. Fury called the Bullets out. Fury
popped one of them with the mic. They started brawling. The entire locker room poured into the ring for a big schmozz.
Platinum came to ringside and announced Bullets vs. Gorillaz with no DQ and no count out and Steele vs. Mason for May 21 at the
Academy, and for May 28 at the Academy, Creed vs. Marx for the PCW title, Sermon vs. Power and Quinn vs, Pandora.
– Larry Goodman
A Platinum Championship Wrestling event is far from a run-of-the-mill independent wrestling show.
Promoter Stephen Platinum is a veteran of the pro wrestling scene, but his vision of pro wrestling is heavily informed by his background
in theater. He was previously involved in B.R.A.W.L., a wrestling parody staged by Dad’s Garage, an improv theater group in Little Five
Points area of Atlanta.
PCW’s final show at the Eyedrum drew a crowd of approximately 65 paid. These were not the kind of people that usually frequent Georgia
indie wrestling shows. To call them smart marks wouldn’t be accurate, although there were a lot of quick wits in the crowd. They popped
when the action got stiff or dangerous, but they were also willing to suspend disbelief (or at least pretend to) for some extremely crappy
wrestling. It was audience that made their presence felt throughout the show. I got the sense that the standard wisdom about booking pro
wrestling simply doesn’t apply with this group.
Then again, Eyedrum is not your typical wrestling venue. Located on the edge of downtown Atlanta, it’s an art and music gallery for
emerging, experimental artists. The wrestling room doubled as a space for theatrical performances. There are bleachers on one side
and two rows of chairs on another. The announcers, who do live commentary over the PA, were stationed on a small stage in the back
corner. Heels and babyfaces entered from opposite sides. The ceiling provided enough clearance, but high flyers had to deal with an
obstacle course of Japanese lanterns, sound baffles and PA speakers.
PCW’s motto is “saving the art of wrestling one match at a time”. The presentation is about 75% theater and 25% wrestling. The crew is
mostly people from a theater background with a few well-trained pro wrestlers in the mix. Saviors they’re not, but PCW has found a niche
audience for their blend of theater and wrestling. They routinely report SRO crowds of over 100 for their weekly Friday night shows at the
Academy Theater in Avondale Estates.
There were elements of this show that I found quite entertaining, but on the whole it didn’t work for me. I enjoy improv comedy, but if that’s
what I want to see, I go to Dad’s Garage, and if I want to see pro wrestling, the version PCW offers isn’t going to cut it.
Pre-show entertainment was provided by a series of women performing on a lyra, an aerial hoop like those used in circus acts.
The show opened with the introduction of two PCW cheerleaders (the only cheerleaders in pro wrestling). They stayed at ringside
throughout the show. This was followed by the introduction of the only mascot in pro wrestling, Platy the Platinum Platypus, The ring
announcing was handled by David MD Chandler. He was fine. I could have done without the running commentary provided by Kurt Kilgore
and J. Hanes. They weren’t awful, but to me, the incessant talking was a negative, although they did a good job of getting the finishing
moves across.
Campus Strike Force, a group of impov performers, lip synched a prerecorded spiel. They wear full bodysuits and masks and their
gimmick is that they are pompous art snobs, which makes them bigtime heels in this neck of the woods.
(1) Michael Cannon beat Campus Blue (with Campus Strike Force) via submission in 2 minutes
Neither one appeared to have any business being in a pro wrestling ring. Cannon at least looks like a wrestler. He kissed the ref’s hand
when he entered the ring. Cannon won it with the Dungeon Stretch, a grounded submission that couldn’t have made my grandmother tap.
Screamin’ Marty Freeman tried to recruit Cannon. Freeman seemed very green in the manager role. Cannon said he might hurt people in
the ring but he still loved them. The point of his character was lost on me. Simon Sermon has a lock on the gay babyface role in PCW.
Freeman said Cannon sounded like a moron and need a manager to talk for him. Cannon declined. The crowd was 100% in support of
his decision.
(2) Austin Creed (with Prima Donna) beat Warhorse #2 (with Johnathan Davis Wynn) in 2 minutes
Before the match, Creed cut a promo saying he in route to the PCW title. Not a whole lot of conviction in it. Warhorse can’t wrestle either.
Creed hit his signature moves and got the pin with the CreeDDT (springboard into a DDT). Warhorse didn’t know how to take the move
and did a back bump.
Simon Sermon addressed the crowd. He’s super over here. Sermon outdid the actors when it came to mic work. He started his promo
while reclining on the ring apron. Seems Sermon has issues with an anti-gay character named Dwight Power, He theorized that Power is
a hater because he doesn’t like himself, and Sermon was going to expose him. Power marched to ringside in his military fatigues. He
claimed to be the most dangerous man alive. Based on physical appearance, this was not the least bit credible. He said the fans were
idolizing “an old, fat, bitchy faggot”. Sermon said if couldn’t set Power straight with his words, the bitchy, old **** would pound it into him
with his fists.
Prior to next match, Goth addressed the crowd. Goth said he respected Fury, but he was a 16 year veteran, and Fury was just a stepping
stone on his way to the PCW title. Goth said he owed to his father, who was a 30 year veteran and a hall of famer.
(3) Jay Fury beat Goth in 6:40
This wasn’t too bad. Fury’s offense looked very good in fact. Goth has filled out from his NWA Wildside days. I wouldn’t have recognized
save for being so tatted up. He’s a bullying brawler and reminded me of Pitbull #2 (the late Anthony Durante) from ECW. Fury hit the Jaytrix
followed by a frogsplash elbow for the pin.
On his way out, Fury was attacked by Platy the Platinum Platypus. Turned out it was Jon Williams of the Washington Bullets inside the
suit. Bullets (actors turned wrestlers) have been feuding with Konkrete Gorillaz (Fury and Nemesis). He was joined by brother Trey, and
the Bullets had their way with Fury. This was actually a damn good angle, until Goth got in the mic. I don’t know if he was going into
business for himself or what, but it sucked all the heat off the angle. Goth said he might have to hang it up because he let his father down.
This got a sympathetic reaction from the crowd.
(4) Phantom defeated Najajism in 18:43 to win their best of seven series 4-3
Two small black guys, one with dreads and one under mask, and both possessing plenty of athletic talent. Phantom was on fire at the
start. He was kicking the bejeezus out of Najajism. He busted out the Kobashi chops in the corner. Najajism avoided Phantom’s
brainbuster and hit a DDT. After Phantom missed a Lawler fist drop, Najajism started in on his knee, using an Indian Deathlock, a
crossface/leglock combo and a figure four around the ringpost. There were all kinds of big hits and misses. Najajism hit a corkscrew
moonsault. Ref Duke Korey got bumped on a triple german suplex spot. Phantom then hit the brainbuser for a visual fall. Najajism hit a
frogsplash, and Power came out to distract him. Phantom dropped Najajism on his head with a hammerlock suplex for a close near fall.
They went back and forth with pin attempts. Finally, Phantom got his knees up on Najajism’s frogsplash and finished with a top rope
brainbuster. Technically, this was pretty sound and the effort level was kick ass. Both guys were going all out to make it spectacular.
Viewed in isolation, it came across as a match where they did way too much and killed a bunch of finishers, but that isn't fair to say when I
didn't see the rest of the series and with it being a game seven situation.
Miss Quinn addressed the audience regarding the head shaving her former boss, Oscar Worthy received at the hands of Timmy
McClendon last Friday at the Academy. This skit had the best acting and the most compelling material. The crowd was really into it. This
was apparently a newly spiffed up Ms. Quinn, as indicated by her dominatix high heel boots. The Avant Guards (De La Vega and Vandal),
two small black guys that looked suspiciously like Najajism and Phantom, asked Quinn to manage them. Quinn said would have to pay
the price, so as not to embarrass her with more losses. She called out Grotesque – a variation on The Gimp. Pandora came out in
attempt to regain control of her monster, but he laid her out with a tree slam. Quinn called McClendon out. His portrayal of a
developmentally disabled guy is quite entertaining. McClendon professed his love to her. He wanted her to be his future baby’s mama.
Timmy said he shaved Worthy’s head for her. Quinn said Worthy deprived her of the pleasure. She made it clear she wasn’t going out
with a retard. That got heat. Quinn ordered Avant Guard to hold McClendon while she slapped him. Pandora was still out cold. She was
tended to by Dr. Melee and Nurse David and taken out on a backboard. The “medical personnel” were actors, so why bother with an
obviously fake stretcher job?
(5) “The Natural” Shane Marks beat “The Demigod” Mason (with the Witnesses) to retain the PCW World Championship in 12:35
This was a standard issue wrestling match with the traditional heel/face dynamic. It wasn’t bad but there was certainly nothing special
about the wrestling, which was no better than opening match level at Anarchy or RPW. Marks is a thick black guy (think Antoine on Treme)
who is huge fan favorite here. He did a few matches for NWA Anarchy a few years back. Mason’s gear had a Roman warrior theme. He’s
well built but too short to pass for Hercules. Witness Pawn interfered to give Mason the advantage. Crowd was hot for Marx to make a
comeback. He did after a missed diving headbutt by Mason. Marks got the pin with a DVD.
Jay Fury came out to a pop. I thought he was heel but I don’t stuff like that really matters in PCW. Scott Steele also came out. He speared
Marx. Mason applied his Occam’s Razor choke submission to Marx, and Fury made it three on one. A woman named Conscience hit the
ring with a chair. The heels had to stand there and wait for Conscience to whack them with the chair. It looked ridiculous. Mason made
Pawn take one in his place. I think Fury ducked out of there without taking one. Conscience departed. Fury called the Bullets out. Fury
popped one of them with the mic. They started brawling. The entire locker room poured into the ring for a big schmozz.
Platinum came to ringside and announced Bullets vs. Gorillaz with no DQ and no count out and Steele vs. Mason for May 21 at the
Academy, and for May 28 at the Academy, Creed vs. Marx for the PCW title, Sermon vs. Power and Quinn vs, Pandora.