| SHOW REPORTS |
June 5, 2010
– Larry Goodman
NWA Anarchy returned to action at the NWA Arena in Cornelia. The show dew 120 running back-to-back Saturdays due the special fan
appreciation event over the Memorial Day weekend. heat dipped midway through but came on strong toward the end.
Given the depleted lineup (see notes), it was an incredibly strong taping. There were a lot of positive signs. In no particular order, the
following items come to mind. The booking appears to be on firmer footing. They ran a huge angle to start the build for War Games at
Hostile Environment. It was time when talking was needed, and the talking was good. Don Matthews come through with a clutch
performance and in general, the guys that are being pushed into higher profile positions performed admirably. The feared damage to
Shadow Jackson’s babyface status as a result of his third consecutive loss to Mikal Judas did not materialize. And another top babyface,
Slim J finally has a program he can sink his teeth in. The abundance of managers is beginning to sort itself out, as they begin to
distinguish themselves as unique individuals.
They also kept it short and sweet, an especially good move coming off a semi-big event seven days ago. The show started on time and it
was one of few occasions, if ever, that the main event was in the ring before 10pm. After dipping midway through the show, the crowd
heat came on like gangbusters towards the end.
(1) Dustin Knight defeated Ty Tyson in 3:53
Tyson was pressed into service due to cancellations (see notes). He’s a decent sized guy with short reddish hair. Tyson worked the
Alternative Pro Wrestling show on Friday night and did OK here. Finish was came after a battle on the ropes that saw Tyson take the big
bump. Knight followed with a guillotine leg drop for the pin.
(2) Anthony Henry beat Andrew Alexander in 8:38
Good show of athleticism and strength by Henry in the early going. Henry was ready to fly off the top but hesitated when Alexander pulled
referee Ken Wallace in front of him. Alexander shoved Henry off the ropes, and Henry took a dangerous looking bump to the floor. Great
spot. Alexander broke the count and suplexed Henry back inside. Alexander hit fireman’s carry gutbuster for a near fall. Henry’s comeback
offense looked sharp. Henry blocked Alexander’s finisher, so Alexander went to the eyes and got two with a variation of the Angle Slam.
Henry delivered an enzuigiri that sent Alexander to the floor. Alexander reached in and pulled Henry’s feet out from under him, but his wily
ways didn’t pay off this time, as Henry surprised him a with a jackknife. Henry won a battle royal last week to earn a title shot of his
choosing, and this was solid, competitive match that did justice to his push.
NWA Anarchy owner Jerry Palmer introduced Iceberg as his Commissioner, reasoning that he needed eyes in the back of his head.
Palmer said Don Matthews was injured (explaining his no-show for his heavyweight title match last week) and said to roll the videotape
Anarchy had received. The video showed Orion Bishop, Skirra Corvus and manager Enoch Tsarion attacking Matthews in a church
parking lot. They slammed a car door on Matthews’ body, which looked pretty sick. The tape cut off as Tsarion was about to set fire to a
bible. Palmer said charges had been filed and promised to bring the full weight of the NWA down on the evildoers.
Matthews came out to cut the most important promo of his Anarchy career. Matthews said he didn’t want any legal intervention because
he was going to take the law into his own hand. He explained that Tsarion had burned a family bible, one that he had planned to pass on
to his son. Tsarion had taken a piece of his family legacy, and he was going to take a piece of Tsarion’s ass. Matthews said Shatter and
Truitt Fields weren’t the only marines at NWA Anarchy. Matthews revealed that he too had spent time at Paris Island, adding that his father
served 18 years. Matthews said he was like the knot in a board – the hardest part, and he was going to extract some southern justice. He
quoted James 2:13 - “For judgment is without mercy to one that has shown no mercy.” He closed by paraphrasing Johnny Cash. “You
can run for a long time, but sooner or later, Don will cut you down.” Fans popped when Iceberg announced that Matthews would get his
shot at Judas tonight, but were otherwise silent. I thought it was a great promo. It was distinctly different from anything Matthews has done
before, and the content should resonate with the Anarchy crowd. Hopefully, the silent heat a strong angle of that nature can generate.
(3) Hate Junkies (Dany Only & Stryknyn with Reverend Dan Wilson) beat Jacob Ashworth & Antoine Jordan in 4:35
Junkies squashed the jobbers and looked sufficiently vicious and hateful in the process. Stryknyn pinned Jordan with a superbomb
called the Hate Crime.
Wilson cut an excellent promo here. It got his character in synch with the Junkies without abandoning its roots, and provide a clear
explanation of his motives. The good Reverend said that like Hate Junkies, he had no use for authority or conformity and basically hated
the entire world. His mission is to channel the Junkies hatred into gold. He said he and his boys were polar opposite to those pretty
posers, the New Wave. Being New Wave were the best team on the block, Junkies were going to make a name for themselves at New
Wave’s expense.
Seth Delay came out and said he was The King of TV, The King of Wrestling and The King of Pokemon on Nintendo DS. He issued an
open challenge that was answered by the returning Luke Hawx. Luke said he got a call from his buddy John Johnson (apparently not
knowing Johnson was a heel announcer), and was there to set Delay straight.
(4) Luke Hawx beat NWA Anarchy TV Champion Seth Delay in a non-title match
Not much pop for Hawx because so much time had elapsed since his last appearance, and possibly because he looked considerably
different. Hawx has shaved his head since then and has developed the thick, muscular build of a true pro wrestler. Crowd was quiet. A bit
of “Seth sucks” chant was about all. Delay seized control and managed to cut off Luke’s comebacks. Luke rolled out from under Delay’s
top rope elbow drop, but couldn’t fully capitalize on the opening. Delay got a near fall with a badly botched Kool Krusher. Luke answered
with a cutthroat neckbreaker for a big near fall. They traded shots. Delay hit an electric chair facebuster and pulled the brass knucks out
from under the ring. But before he could use them, Hawx hit a guillotine leg drop for the pin. As far as I know, this was a one and done for
Hawx, who was in town with his son (see notes!), so I'm not clear what purpose it served to beat the champion.
Luke said he respected Delay’s talent, and advised him to take his head out of his ass and use it. Delay accepted the gesture…then
blasted Luke with the brass knucks. The fans got hot about it. “I know I got talent. I’m The King!” Delay said.
The second half opened with Chris King challenging Skirra Corvus and Orion Bishop to a tag team title rematch. Tsarion led the
champions into the ring and asked King if he was sure. “Be careful what you ask for…”
(5) Skirra Corvus & Orion Bishop (with Enoch Tsarion) beat Chris King in a handicap match in 3:26 to retain the NWA Anarchy Tag
Team Championship
King never had a chance. The champions completely dismantled him. King used a last gasp burst of energy to rid the ring of Corvus. He
tried for a crossbody on Bishop. Silly boy. Bishop turned it into an F5. King was toast, but Tsarion ordered Bishop to tag Corvus in for the
curbstomp. Tsarion celebrated like a maniac after the match. You would have thought his guys just beat the Road Warriors.
(6) Andrew Pendleton III beat Corey Hollis to retain the NWA Anarchy Young Lion’s Championship in 7:10
Although Hollis had been at Anarchy before, he had no significant role at the time, and I got the sense fans didn’t recognize him. He’s
improved a lot since then. Hollis got off to a fast start, Pendleton’s loud mouth notwithstanding. Hollis was flying all over the place.
Pendleton hit a devastating sitout face plant bomb, but he didn’t maintain the advantage for long. Hollis made a high energy comeback
culminating in his one arm spinning neckbreaker. They traded near falls, Pendleton a the neckbreaker across the knee and Hollis with a
springboard Pele. Pendlelton won it with the hammerlock uranage. Killer move. If it doesn’t have name, it needs one.
(7) Shadow Jackson & Slim J beat Aaron Lee & Chris Mayne in 5:56
This was the hottest segment of the evening. Crowd was on fire for the pairing of Jackson and J. Lee was getting midget heat again. A
member of the crew reminded me that Bill Dundee got that kind of heat, so there are worse things. Jackson was channeling Dusty. J was
making hamburger out of Lee’s face and all was well. Mayne pissed J off with a knee in the back. Lee capitalized on the distraction with a
classic Eddie Gilbert hotshot. The jobbers got a short stretch of offense against J. I would have preferred they didn’t in this situation.
Jackson took the hot tag, and it was bionic elbows on parade. Finish was a Jackson stunner followed by J’s flying reverse DDT to pin
Mayne. The pop was off the charts.
(8) Don Matthews beat NWA Anarchy Heavyweight Champion Mikal Judas (with Cid Istic) via DQ in 8:04
Even with all the sadistic stuff he’s done lately, Judas still gets a pop, although the pop for Matthews was much stronger. Istic grabbed
the mic and said that going forward, he would be the only person introducing Judas. They’ve got a problem with Judas being a cool heel.
The hope is that Istic can help turn the crowd against him. Istic was getting “bozo” heat, so maybe it will work. He just doesn’t strike me
as having the skills to be with a main event heel. Istic departed, with the idea being that he directs he champion’s affairs and isn’t needed
at ringside. Matthews was merciless with the pounding he giving Judas early in the match. A missed charge left Matthews clutching his
back. Judas punished the vulnerable body part. This proved to be especially effective, because it was the only extended working of a body
part all night long. Judas used a side suplex and dropped Matthews at a pretty high angle, but he kicked out at one. Judas tried for the
choke slam, and Matthews countered with the BFK for one near fall, a fallaway slam for another near fall, and a series of elbow drops for
another. Matthew made an ultra slow climb to the top rope. Judas crotched him and followed with a wicked running high kick right in the
face. Matthews escaped El Crucifijo and hit the big lariat. At this point, Corvus, Bishop and Tsarion attacked Matthews for the DQ. Good
match. They avoided the pitfall of going too long. Both came out of it in strong positions.
– Larry Goodman
NWA Anarchy returned to action at the NWA Arena in Cornelia. The show dew 120 running back-to-back Saturdays due the special fan
appreciation event over the Memorial Day weekend. heat dipped midway through but came on strong toward the end.
Given the depleted lineup (see notes), it was an incredibly strong taping. There were a lot of positive signs. In no particular order, the
following items come to mind. The booking appears to be on firmer footing. They ran a huge angle to start the build for War Games at
Hostile Environment. It was time when talking was needed, and the talking was good. Don Matthews come through with a clutch
performance and in general, the guys that are being pushed into higher profile positions performed admirably. The feared damage to
Shadow Jackson’s babyface status as a result of his third consecutive loss to Mikal Judas did not materialize. And another top babyface,
Slim J finally has a program he can sink his teeth in. The abundance of managers is beginning to sort itself out, as they begin to
distinguish themselves as unique individuals.
They also kept it short and sweet, an especially good move coming off a semi-big event seven days ago. The show started on time and it
was one of few occasions, if ever, that the main event was in the ring before 10pm. After dipping midway through the show, the crowd
heat came on like gangbusters towards the end.
(1) Dustin Knight defeated Ty Tyson in 3:53
Tyson was pressed into service due to cancellations (see notes). He’s a decent sized guy with short reddish hair. Tyson worked the
Alternative Pro Wrestling show on Friday night and did OK here. Finish was came after a battle on the ropes that saw Tyson take the big
bump. Knight followed with a guillotine leg drop for the pin.
(2) Anthony Henry beat Andrew Alexander in 8:38
Good show of athleticism and strength by Henry in the early going. Henry was ready to fly off the top but hesitated when Alexander pulled
referee Ken Wallace in front of him. Alexander shoved Henry off the ropes, and Henry took a dangerous looking bump to the floor. Great
spot. Alexander broke the count and suplexed Henry back inside. Alexander hit fireman’s carry gutbuster for a near fall. Henry’s comeback
offense looked sharp. Henry blocked Alexander’s finisher, so Alexander went to the eyes and got two with a variation of the Angle Slam.
Henry delivered an enzuigiri that sent Alexander to the floor. Alexander reached in and pulled Henry’s feet out from under him, but his wily
ways didn’t pay off this time, as Henry surprised him a with a jackknife. Henry won a battle royal last week to earn a title shot of his
choosing, and this was solid, competitive match that did justice to his push.
NWA Anarchy owner Jerry Palmer introduced Iceberg as his Commissioner, reasoning that he needed eyes in the back of his head.
Palmer said Don Matthews was injured (explaining his no-show for his heavyweight title match last week) and said to roll the videotape
Anarchy had received. The video showed Orion Bishop, Skirra Corvus and manager Enoch Tsarion attacking Matthews in a church
parking lot. They slammed a car door on Matthews’ body, which looked pretty sick. The tape cut off as Tsarion was about to set fire to a
bible. Palmer said charges had been filed and promised to bring the full weight of the NWA down on the evildoers.
Matthews came out to cut the most important promo of his Anarchy career. Matthews said he didn’t want any legal intervention because
he was going to take the law into his own hand. He explained that Tsarion had burned a family bible, one that he had planned to pass on
to his son. Tsarion had taken a piece of his family legacy, and he was going to take a piece of Tsarion’s ass. Matthews said Shatter and
Truitt Fields weren’t the only marines at NWA Anarchy. Matthews revealed that he too had spent time at Paris Island, adding that his father
served 18 years. Matthews said he was like the knot in a board – the hardest part, and he was going to extract some southern justice. He
quoted James 2:13 - “For judgment is without mercy to one that has shown no mercy.” He closed by paraphrasing Johnny Cash. “You
can run for a long time, but sooner or later, Don will cut you down.” Fans popped when Iceberg announced that Matthews would get his
shot at Judas tonight, but were otherwise silent. I thought it was a great promo. It was distinctly different from anything Matthews has done
before, and the content should resonate with the Anarchy crowd. Hopefully, the silent heat a strong angle of that nature can generate.
(3) Hate Junkies (Dany Only & Stryknyn with Reverend Dan Wilson) beat Jacob Ashworth & Antoine Jordan in 4:35
Junkies squashed the jobbers and looked sufficiently vicious and hateful in the process. Stryknyn pinned Jordan with a superbomb
called the Hate Crime.
Wilson cut an excellent promo here. It got his character in synch with the Junkies without abandoning its roots, and provide a clear
explanation of his motives. The good Reverend said that like Hate Junkies, he had no use for authority or conformity and basically hated
the entire world. His mission is to channel the Junkies hatred into gold. He said he and his boys were polar opposite to those pretty
posers, the New Wave. Being New Wave were the best team on the block, Junkies were going to make a name for themselves at New
Wave’s expense.
Seth Delay came out and said he was The King of TV, The King of Wrestling and The King of Pokemon on Nintendo DS. He issued an
open challenge that was answered by the returning Luke Hawx. Luke said he got a call from his buddy John Johnson (apparently not
knowing Johnson was a heel announcer), and was there to set Delay straight.
(4) Luke Hawx beat NWA Anarchy TV Champion Seth Delay in a non-title match
Not much pop for Hawx because so much time had elapsed since his last appearance, and possibly because he looked considerably
different. Hawx has shaved his head since then and has developed the thick, muscular build of a true pro wrestler. Crowd was quiet. A bit
of “Seth sucks” chant was about all. Delay seized control and managed to cut off Luke’s comebacks. Luke rolled out from under Delay’s
top rope elbow drop, but couldn’t fully capitalize on the opening. Delay got a near fall with a badly botched Kool Krusher. Luke answered
with a cutthroat neckbreaker for a big near fall. They traded shots. Delay hit an electric chair facebuster and pulled the brass knucks out
from under the ring. But before he could use them, Hawx hit a guillotine leg drop for the pin. As far as I know, this was a one and done for
Hawx, who was in town with his son (see notes!), so I'm not clear what purpose it served to beat the champion.
Luke said he respected Delay’s talent, and advised him to take his head out of his ass and use it. Delay accepted the gesture…then
blasted Luke with the brass knucks. The fans got hot about it. “I know I got talent. I’m The King!” Delay said.
The second half opened with Chris King challenging Skirra Corvus and Orion Bishop to a tag team title rematch. Tsarion led the
champions into the ring and asked King if he was sure. “Be careful what you ask for…”
(5) Skirra Corvus & Orion Bishop (with Enoch Tsarion) beat Chris King in a handicap match in 3:26 to retain the NWA Anarchy Tag
Team Championship
King never had a chance. The champions completely dismantled him. King used a last gasp burst of energy to rid the ring of Corvus. He
tried for a crossbody on Bishop. Silly boy. Bishop turned it into an F5. King was toast, but Tsarion ordered Bishop to tag Corvus in for the
curbstomp. Tsarion celebrated like a maniac after the match. You would have thought his guys just beat the Road Warriors.
(6) Andrew Pendleton III beat Corey Hollis to retain the NWA Anarchy Young Lion’s Championship in 7:10
Although Hollis had been at Anarchy before, he had no significant role at the time, and I got the sense fans didn’t recognize him. He’s
improved a lot since then. Hollis got off to a fast start, Pendleton’s loud mouth notwithstanding. Hollis was flying all over the place.
Pendleton hit a devastating sitout face plant bomb, but he didn’t maintain the advantage for long. Hollis made a high energy comeback
culminating in his one arm spinning neckbreaker. They traded near falls, Pendleton a the neckbreaker across the knee and Hollis with a
springboard Pele. Pendlelton won it with the hammerlock uranage. Killer move. If it doesn’t have name, it needs one.
(7) Shadow Jackson & Slim J beat Aaron Lee & Chris Mayne in 5:56
This was the hottest segment of the evening. Crowd was on fire for the pairing of Jackson and J. Lee was getting midget heat again. A
member of the crew reminded me that Bill Dundee got that kind of heat, so there are worse things. Jackson was channeling Dusty. J was
making hamburger out of Lee’s face and all was well. Mayne pissed J off with a knee in the back. Lee capitalized on the distraction with a
classic Eddie Gilbert hotshot. The jobbers got a short stretch of offense against J. I would have preferred they didn’t in this situation.
Jackson took the hot tag, and it was bionic elbows on parade. Finish was a Jackson stunner followed by J’s flying reverse DDT to pin
Mayne. The pop was off the charts.
(8) Don Matthews beat NWA Anarchy Heavyweight Champion Mikal Judas (with Cid Istic) via DQ in 8:04
Even with all the sadistic stuff he’s done lately, Judas still gets a pop, although the pop for Matthews was much stronger. Istic grabbed
the mic and said that going forward, he would be the only person introducing Judas. They’ve got a problem with Judas being a cool heel.
The hope is that Istic can help turn the crowd against him. Istic was getting “bozo” heat, so maybe it will work. He just doesn’t strike me
as having the skills to be with a main event heel. Istic departed, with the idea being that he directs he champion’s affairs and isn’t needed
at ringside. Matthews was merciless with the pounding he giving Judas early in the match. A missed charge left Matthews clutching his
back. Judas punished the vulnerable body part. This proved to be especially effective, because it was the only extended working of a body
part all night long. Judas used a side suplex and dropped Matthews at a pretty high angle, but he kicked out at one. Judas tried for the
choke slam, and Matthews countered with the BFK for one near fall, a fallaway slam for another near fall, and a series of elbow drops for
another. Matthew made an ultra slow climb to the top rope. Judas crotched him and followed with a wicked running high kick right in the
face. Matthews escaped El Crucifijo and hit the big lariat. At this point, Corvus, Bishop and Tsarion attacked Matthews for the DQ. Good
match. They avoided the pitfall of going too long. Both came out of it in strong positions.