Wow.
That seems to be an appropriate response in reaction to last Saturday nights "St.Patrick's Day Massacre" in Ballston Spa, New York's Ballston Area Community Center! Another very fun show that went about 3 hours yet STILL felt as though the time flew by. While official attendance figures haven't been announced, I have to assume that there was close to 200 in the building; a number that approaches a company record. Clearly, the company is riding a bit of a momentous wave heading into what HAS to be considered their biggest show ever on May 18th in Amsterdam (but more on that event in future posts!) and this show did a lot to further that momentum.
The Wrestlefudge Contingent was certainly in attendance and we debuted the official wrestlefudge t-shirts which were an EXTREMELY hot commodity at the event. Will Cena and I handed out a few to some lucky fans on the way in and the moment that they opened the doors and we got in line for our pre-ordered tickets we were inundated with friendly requests for shirts for some of the actual IYFW wrestlers working the show. Unfortunately, the supply did not keep up with the encouraging demand and we are in the process of getting a solid amount ready for the SAW show in VT at the end of the month - as well as some more for IYFW's May 18th event. But, again, much more on that later. We are honored and amazed by the response they have received. Thanks, all!
We took our seats in The Heel Section and settled in for what would turn out to be another memorable event!
First up was a six man tag featuring the repackaged, Real, Genuine, and Actual Rob Coleman teaming up with Chuck Deep and "Badd" Brad Wesley taking on the fan favorite super team of Nocturne, Vigo, and - holy shit - The Rickity Rockett!
The "BOOK the ROCKETT" Campaign has made its mark!
Deep and Wesley were two guys I had never seen in action before, with a flamboyant entrance and a lot of swagger. They seemed smooth in the ring and seemed to get some nice heel heat from the crowd. Coleman, however, didn't seem to get a lot of ring time - and why aren't they giving us the Coleman/Vinyer program that seems like such a natural fit? But, I digress...
This was a VERY fun, fast paced match that saw the Rockett get a lot of love from the crowd and maybe the most offense I've ever seen him display. Some fun spots with Vigo throwing Noc and Ricky across the ring...
Nice senton splash from Nocturne!
Vigo would nail a MASSIVE elbow drop whose impact seemed to lift the ring from the floor momentarily before getting the pin on Wesley.
A fun match to kick things off, for sure!
Up next was the European Ladder match! Good Lord Willing was out first, followed by Ian Daniels who brought a horrifically old and beaten ladder to the ring with him. Willing was quick to get on the mic and let Daniels know that THAT ladder was illegal! And only GLW's ladder was able to be used... He pulled it out from under the ring and, wouldn't you know it...
...it was a stepladder. I had joked a few BLOGCAST episodes ago that a stepladder match might be comical and was thrilled to find out that it absolutely was. The Good Lord explained that to WIN such a foolish contest, one would have to pin his opponent WITH the step ladder. Love it. This was a straight up comedy match that delivered from bell to bell.
It wasn't MEANT to be a five star classic... And it wasn't. But a two star classic? Absolutely.
The match basically focused on the myriad number of ways that Good Lord Willing could attack poor Ian Daniels tender crotchal region. His gonads were bashed six ways from Sunday.
Above we see Daniels nail his double knee splash on the Lord of Lordage moments before the Pin of Pins.
Daniels picked up the win, besting Willing in the series with a 2-1 record and - one must assume - ending their squabble once and for all!
Next, we would be treated to a singles match between newly-single "MegaStar" Michael Monroe and The Northern Studd. Monroe made sure he ripped his chest hair off and threw it in my direction before the match.
You read that right.
This solid match can best be described as a see-saw battle. Monroe hit a solid hurricanrana off the top that impressed the crowd without a doubt. When the crowd called for a 450 splash, Monroe just mocked the fans and made it clear he wasn't there to be their puppet. God, I love heels.
The finish saw a series of near falls that resulted in Monroe resorting to a handful of The Studd's tights to pick up the win.
Next up was the IYFW New Breed Championship match! Fronz Roddy - the Mightiest Athlete in Wrestling - was faced with defending his coveted title or having it TAKEN from him by lecherous, out of shape In Your Face officials. Shiloh Robinson exploded through the curtain to a nice pop. The look in his eyes told you this could be his night.
The two locked up and, for a time, fans were treated to a hard hitting contest - until Shiloh missed an artful Top Rope Moonsault and came up clutching his knee. Actually, he never "came up" at all. Instead, he rolled into the far corner, screaming in agony.
Referee Dan Roberts didn't hesitate to throw up the "X" which called out other referees and officials, including Maxx Burton, who carefully helped an anguished Robinson to the back.
This allowed Ballston Spa fans the all too rare opportunity to hear from Fronz Roddy on the admittedly shoddy house mic! Fronz reminds everyone how fantastic he is and prepares to leave... When Maxx reappears and informs him that because he missed the January show... He has a match to make up. Maxx also told Fronz that the match would happen right now and would be against the very appropriate "Big Irish" Liam McFerrin!
The Heel Section heeled Liam upon his entrance, inquiring on the location of his sister before the bell. I knew where this was going.
Another entertaining match between these two. Have to admit I was shocked to see Liam kick out of the AusCrusher - despite Fronz's completely necessary showboating in between the pin attempt. McFerrin would then hulk up like a boss. As shocked as I was by the kick out, I was even more shocked to see Liam pick up a pin fall win after a slingshot into the turnbuckle.
A slingshot. Into the turnbuckle.
Really?!? I can come to terms with Fronz losing. Eventually, I'm sure. I could accept if he lost to the Irish Lariat that Liam has built up as a blistering finisher. But a slingshot into the turnbuckle? Just came across as very strange to me - and to some of the comments and confusion I overheard in The Heel Section, I don't think I was the only one.
That being said... Congrats to Liam! Big win heading into a BIG show in May. The IYF Academy graduate is clearly someone the company is firmly behind and rightfully so. McFerrin brings something unique to the table and has a good amount of long term potential.
That ALSO being said... How DARE they disgrace Fronz Roddy in such a fashion!?! But wait, there's more! Out comes Maxx Burton - who gets brutally razzed by The Heel Section for his trouble - and he has more bad news for Fronz. Burton announces that he will face former WWE Superstar, Val Venis, at May 18th's "Memories, Moments, and Mayhem" in Amsterdam! He tosses Val towel to Fronz and leaves the Mighty One to ponder his fate.
A lot to digest from that whole segment heading into intermission:
- Shiloh on the Shelf?
- Newer Breed Champion?
- Is the Venis Mighter than The Mighty?
A lot to think about. But no time for that! It's intermission and you know what THAT means? RAFFLE TIME! Did I win? No. No, I didn't. As the dude that sat behind me who I need to formally introduce myself to pointed out: "The Brisbin Streak is OVER!"
But I didn't leave empty handed! In addition to being handed some seriously cool drawings by Michael Anthony (which you can look forward to seeing featured on this blog and our Facebook page in the coming weeks) as well as what I can ONLY describe as a "Good Lord Willing Giftbag" (more on THAT on the next BLOGCAST Friday!). Very cool stuff.
Above we see Wrestlefudge Ticket Giveaway Winner, MICHAEL FREEDEN, getting an autograph from Jamar "Magic" Justice! A good night for Mr.Freeden! One might call it a MAGICAL night!
Coming out of intermission, Maxx Burton came back out and announced that in addition to "The Genius" Lanny Poffo and Val Venis appearing on May 18th... IYFW fans can also expect to see Irishman, FIT FINLAY, on the show! Basically... If you want the TNA-sponsored snore-fest (I still love you, Tommy Dreamer) that the PWHF is endorsing on May 18th then the only Irishman you can expect is Davey O'Hannon.
Ha!
But if you love independent wrestling... And have fond memories of WWE/WWF's better years... Then you should choose In Your Face Wrestling and IT's big Irishman of choice not-named-Liam... FIT FUCKING FINLAY.
The choice is clear. Anyhow... Back to ACTION!
Maxx would then call out The Savage Wolves! Making their entrance, Scott and Ravage make their way around the ring (nice shirt by the way, Damon!) and CJ took a moment to stare down his buddy and mine, Will Cena.
Yeah. It was a little tense.
Maxx explained to them that, due to their 100% genuine apology, the board is willing to give them an opportunity to reinstate their contract. Ravage got on the stick and DEMANDED their opponents come out to face them... And Maxx laughed. "You are your opponents."
Yup. They have to face each other. Winner gets a contract, loser goes bye-bye. Damon tries to convince CJ that this wouldn't be worth it... But CJ likes the way it sounds. He blindsides his brother and the Battle of the Wolves ensued...
I enjoyed this match a lot and so did the crowd, despite the heel vs heel factor. Damon popped the crowd hard with a series of strikes and backfists before CJ Scott regained control. CJ gave his little brother a variation of the Michaels/Flair "pre-execution apology" before delivering a nice package Piledriver for the 3 count.
Scott showed little remorse when his hand was raised and Damon made a sullen exit from the arena via the front door as the fans serenaded his leaving. Poor little fella.
Photo Op!
You're looking at Scott Scarsdale's Mystery Partner and the newest member of his Blood Money stable! Interesting pick! Michael Anthony immediately wins over the crowd with his energy, insanity, and yes - his shakeweight... Yet he clearly is working a heel style (I heard you, Michael. I suck. I know.) and is an off the wall choice to be paired with Scarsdale. I like it don't get me wrong, b/c it means he will obviously get more consistent IYFW bookings... and I never saw it coming.
Scarsdale and Anthony would face the IYFW Tag Champs in a non-title contest. Jamar Justice and Ricky Williams got their usually large pop from the crowd, a crowd that was clearly amped for this match. This match was dominated by Williams/Anthony in the ring with some quick appearances by Scarsdale and Justice. When Jamar was tagged in, his power dazzled. Scarsdale would eventually take him OUT outside the ring with the tag belt...
Giving Anthony the opportunity to come off the top rope with shakeweight in hand, crushing it over Ricky Williams head... In full view of the referee.
Who IS this character?
That allowed Anthony to steal the win for Blood Money... while the IYFWrestling.com result indicates that perhaps they BOUGHT the win. Interesting. Wonder if they will now get a title shot by virtue of this shady win? And if the shady ref in this match will also ref THAT match? Hmmmmmm...
Anyhow, the finish had the crowd heated. What they hell did we just see? How could the ref miss that?!?
Given the frantic crowd reactions this match elicited, I felt bad for whatever match might follow it. Honestly. Following a shakeweight is nearly impossible.
And to be truthful, the Drake Evans/Roman Dominguez bout absolutely suffered from that tired crowd - though the effort put out by both men never reflected what little the fans were giving them.
This was absolutely the all out brawl I said on our latest BLOGCAST *had* to happen. Once things went outside, the BACC woke back up. Check out that kick up there.
Or - OUCH - how about THAT one? Fucking awesome. This match would end on the outside as well when Referee Justin Saint counted them both out. This did not sit well with Drake Evans who, in a fit of rage, knocked the referee out cold with one stiff right hand.
While I was disappointed that it ended relatively early, I am excited about the quality of what they were able to give us in the time allotted and the potential for a continuation of hostilities between these two top contenders! Early prediction? No DQ Rematch on May 18th. What.
Yeah. That's a wrestlefudge t-shirt on the back of the Hardest Working Man in Independent Wrestling™ and the Number One Contender to the IYFW Championship.
Last week, when we had Bobby O on the phone with us, he told us we would see things from him against Pierre Vachon that we'd never seem before. That he had some tricks up his sleeve. And he was not lying. Normally we see Vachon get his opponent in this position, mauled and clawed. It was surprising and surprisingly believable. Bobby Ocean and Pierre Vachon work two totally different styles yet seem to find a very happy medium every time they square off. Ocean took it to the champion early, targeting "The Beast's" hand almost from the bell.
Above we see Vachon's chain (which he introduced outside the ring) wrapped around his hand, and around the ring post... And Ocean's running drop kick into it. Well done spot that the crowd loved. Clearly, Ocean was out to take away Vachon's most dangerous weapon.
The Mandible Claw.
When Vachon locked it on, Ocean first broke out of it... Then, when reapplied, he gave Vachon a dose of his own medicine that almost won "The Shaft" the gold. Bobby would then miss a top rope splash, giving Pierre the chance to lock on the hold once more and Ocean passed out.
Really solid match. They absolutely gave the crowd the idea that Ocean had a very real chance of winning the strap - and they need to do more of that in the big matches.
Great visual to end the show that sent a very real message. Vachon is one bad mother... His finisher is relentlessly punishing... And there doesn't seem to be anyone that can stand against him.
And I'm liking it.
Makes you wonder what the future holds, eh? And isn't that what this biz is all about?
Such a good time had by all. The entire Wrestlefudge Contingent had a good time... and that almost never happens. For more details such as my pick for MATCH, WRESTLER, HIGHLIGHT, and FLOP of the Night as well as my BLOGCAST colleague Will Cena's take on his very first live IYFW experience - match by match - be sure to keep an eye and an ear out for Friday afternoon's Wrestlefudge BLOGCAST!
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