And I’m Like… (Payin’ Dues Reviewin’ AWF and PPW November 22nd 2015)

Blogs , Indy/Puro/Lucha , Other Blogs , Reviews

8:23 pm November 22, 2015

Today is my wife’s due date. We still haven’t had the baby yet, lol we. So that means I got time to watch professional wrestling.

AWF is not a replay.

AWF OPENING

Luke X character package, he is in the insane asylum.

Jeff Jennings video package of him doing moves to generic rock music.

Eagle Brook is actually a very cool venue for wrestling. If AWF could swing this as their homebase that would be great. It is a different setup than any wrestling I’ve seen lately. The church also gives the promotion a more professional look over the gymnasiums.

Black Stallion vs. Big Sepio Saunders

Black Stallion comes out to Kanye West’s Amazing which makes me smile because hearing real music for entrances is a thing I always pop for.

Stallion grabs the mic and says “In case any of you people didn’t hear. My name is the Black Stallion (cheers from crowd) there are a couple truths in life, one truth is for certain, all you snot nosed brats came to see me. (oooooh from the crowd) I came all the way to Minnesota and I can’t stand this stinking state (booooo!) More than not liking this state, I don’t like a bunch of kids either (booooo!) Whoever comes threw that door tonight, I’m gonna slap that chump up and down tonight. TURN AROUND! He isn’t coming down yet (crowd focuses back on Stallion) Keep your eyes on the Black Stallion I’m the man. I need it absolutely 100% quiet during this match, no booing or cheering during this match, I need it absolutely quiet during this match. I will guarantee myself a victory to get out of this stinking town and more importantly get away from you snot nosed little brats.(BOOOOOO!)”
And I’m Like… Realizing they are putting on a show in front of a bunch of people that may not follow wrestling on the regular. Stallion came out to cheers but used some simple heel tactics to get the crowd to turn on him. The bit about how he needs it quiet basically guaranteed crowd noise, especially from the children.

Sepio Saunders makes his way out to Rush’s Tom Sawyer . The crowd stands in anticipation.

Sep comes out with ENERGY and the crowd is eating it up! This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen on AWF Sunday Shockwave. It gives me a sense of excitement for the upcoming match, which is something I’ve never felt before with this show. The soundtrack of Rush helps a lot also. When I played the entrance music for boxers back in the day I always enjoyed the songs that the crowd got into.

Stallion was sure to try and quiet the crowd and they got LOUD! It has a lot of teenage girl screams which reminds me of The Sportatorium in Dallas with WCCW. Lots of playing to the crowd. What is great about it, is the crowd is young, the believability is there with them, so all the tired and played out tactics for smarks actually work with this crowd. Very cool.

Stallion is stalling so much and the crowd is sounding more and more agitated. You can only first lock up once right? Might as well make it worth something. Sepio got the better of Stallion in the collar and elbow and Stallion rolled to the outside to jeers from the crowd.

Usually it’s weird not to have commentary on a match but this crowd noise makes me not miss it. You can hear some chatter in the crowd next to one of the cameras. “They just dance around, hit somebody”

Just to let you know how jacked the crowd is THIS MOVE got the crowd to pop.

Sepio reverses a headlock and the crowd pops, I am legit watching this basic ass match with the biggest smile because of these kids. They LOVE what is going on and it’s like how can you not enjoy it. Stallion gets out of the ring for a time out and lays down on the stage. OF COURSE that draws boos!!

Then a local commercial break. Pizza Pub

Tony’s Auto Repair with a cameo by wrestler Udo

Willy McCoy’s Bar Winnickins Trans Works Minnesota and Tony Denucci pitches Roadside Furniture

Support Local Wrestling and Business’ you know?

We come back to Stallion in control and a crowd booing him. He does some choking that quiets the crowd a little bit but you can hear the little kids yelling at Stallion. They just boo and boo and boo any time he looks or gestures to the crowd, it’s crazy. Credit to Stallion for knowing how to turn them. Credit to Sepio for being so likeable we don’t want to see him beat up. Credit to the referee who knows they are on a stage so the crowd has one view, and he never gets in the way of the crowds ability to see the wrestlers.

Wrestling is theater, it is controlled combative arts. On the Mixed Martial Art scale it is the most Art. Having AWF presented this way gives it the theatrical feel I didn’t know it needed to stand out. I can’t compliment this enough in comparison to every past episode. The wide panning camera shots, the close ups on facial expressions, the camera cuts. Like when Sepio wins with a Big Boot, the camera cuts at a perfect time to make the move look more authentic and then cuts again to show the definitive pinfall. Quick wide cut to see the crowd reaction. My first Dumbledore Claps . JUST as I say that, whoever is the DeeJay played Amazing by Kanye West… Then changed it to Tom Sawyer.. Come on man, you only had two songs and wrestling is PREDETERMINED. With boxing I did Pro fights and Tuff Guy tournaments, meaning sometimes I would play 30 to 40 songs a night, have to know whose song is whose and play the winners song. I WAS 14… COME ON guy… or girl… whoever is in charge of entrances.

And I’m Like… I kinda said everything in that review of the episode, other than that dang song at the end this was a great episode. For real though, just imagine if Ultimate Warrior beat Hulk Hogan and as he hoists the Intercontinental and World Championships you hear “When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside.” That would be preposterous .

PPW

PPW is on POP and now TNA will be on POP does that mean we get two wrestling shows, or is PPW on it’s way out? I hope not, I don’t really watch TNA, I’m not sure if I will when I am able to get it. The wife and I used to watch on Spike but the programming wasn’t to our liking or enjoyment, especially with the Eric Young being Daniel Bryan thing . We used to watch it just for ODB and they let her go. Whatever we’ll see.

PPW still has the Thunderstruck song to open the show and it still shows Jessy Sorensen as champion.. Even though Joey Ryan won 5 weeks ago.

Speaking of that, we get another video package like every week. The coal miner’s glove match the Joey won, Jessy shoving Darin Corbin into a cake. Jessy wanting Joey’s sleazy ass out in the ring. Ryan not showing up. Wes Brisco acting horribly and brings the camera to a Jessy who had just been jumped. Then Caleb Konley saying he didn’t injure Jessy Sorensen and wanting the PPW title. Christian Cole saying he did not jump former champion and Tyshaun Prince wanting a title shot. Jessy coming out and wrestling a match, Wes getting injured by Caleb Konley interference in said match. Pat Kelly bringing up the conspiracy of Caleb Konley, who says the champion is missing, Jessy is injured, Wes is injured. Caleb says he was first champion and anyone who forgets that will pay a price. Wes Brisco challenging Caleb to a match even though Wes is injured. Replay of highlights from the match where Wes was injured and still beat a fresh Caleb. The video ends on Caleb Konley looking crazily into the camera…. Whew.

Just as I typed all that PPW is off of POP and this is where you can watch it now…. Which means this will be my last time Payin’ Dues with PPW… Sad kinda.. Check their Twitter feed to find out what is going on with them .

Joey Ryan shows up and says “honey I’m home” Then is given a piece of paper to read.

Todd and Jeff bring us to the arena. They show a triple threat match for Number One contender. Then we head to the ring..

We have a ring announcer welcome us to the opening bout.

‘The Gentleman Brawler’ Eric Right vs. Jessie Godderz

The announcers talk about how it’s the mustache vs. the muscle. It’s Jessie Godderz and this feels like the NXT to TNA a little bit, with Sorensen and Brisco and Ryan and now Godderz. Even Lisa Marie has TNA stink on her as Tara. I don’t know how to feel about it. Lisa’s departure from Caleb Konley wasn’t explained but now she is with Jessie.

Jessie is doing heel work that would make Eagle Brook explode in anger. They are at Sam’s Town in Vegas though, so it doesn’t play as well. They are cheering for Eric Right but they don’t react to the spots they are supposed to react to. Could you imagine if all the smarks that go to the Chicago, East Coast, Wrestlemania and after Pay Per View shows would actually be SMART MARKS and boo the baddies and cheer the goodies. On TV that would come across so AMAZING. It’s a fine line though, you can’t force feelings, but that’s basically what smarks do anyways.

Eric Right is able to get his Airplane Spin in and he gestures to the crowd if he should punch Godderz. The crowd cheers in acceptance and Right hits the haymaker on Godderz. Eric goes for his Granny’s tonic, Lisa Marie is too smart and takes it away. Jessie is able to hit a clothesline for the victory in his debut match. Pat Kelly waits at the top to interview him.

Jessie says he got his easy workout out of the way. Introduces himself as Impact Superstar, and Big Brother star. He goes over his accomplishments. Talks about all the stuff on POP pro wrestling. Lisa is trying hard to care but you can see that her heart isn’t into this.. She looked more passionate with Caleb. Jessie ends it with “Look at me, seriously, look at me.”

And I’m Like… Only kinda sad PPW is moving homes, if it’s this type stuff and Wes Brisco and stuff? Please No Thank You clap clap clapclapclap

Paragon Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship

The Hippies vs. Murder By Muscle(c)

The Hippies are new to me, their theme song is Jefferson Airplane’s Somebody To Love which is the first song I sang karaoke to in 2nd grade coincidentally. The Hippies consist of Fruit Loop and Lemon Drop.

Hammerstone and Chamberlain have their entrance down pat to synch with their music. This is for the belts too.. What did the Hippies do to deserve a title shot? Not wrestle on PPW programming?

I’m pretty sure Lemon Drop is wearing a Tye Dye T-shirt with Leggings. Fruit Loop has pajama pants on too so I think that’s how I can differentiate. Lot’s of cereal jokes. Hammerstone was taunting before his lackadaisical pin, once Fruit Loop kicked out Hammerstone mounted Loop and reigned down forearms.

Hammerstone hits the Stone Breaker and Chamberlain hits a Stan Hansen Lariat for the win.

And I’m Like… Easy money for Murder By Muscle. They are like Rocky Marciano, really only the best cause NO COMPETITION. Would like to see someone have a good match with them.

Whirlwind Gentlemen have a promo. Remy Marcel says MbM has a lot of muscle but not where it counts… the heart. Jack Manly says a little rhyme about beating the Hippies 123 and running from the WG. He references Purple Rain so got to like the promo cause Minnesota References.

We see Jessy Sorensen walk NOT LIMP out of his locker room and reads a note, smiles and walks off camera.

Mike Santiago vs. ‘All Good’ Anthony Greene

Santiago comes out to Rock version of LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out . With Amerikan Gunz coming out to Nas and LL Cool J you can tell that they are true Hip-Hop Heads, so respect.

Never seen All Good before, he first impressioned me as Spirit Squad but skinnier. Santiago tried to show his agility by kipping up out of a wrist lock but he isn’t able to pull it off and falls on his head. Anthony Greene covers it nicely and a bit later shows that it is All Good by doing the kip up like it should be done.

Christian Cole doing his best to be an E-Cig douche. The spots with these two are nice, but they are so un organic and planned it just takes me out of the match. Like I know wrestling is planned right? When I see the wheels turning in the wrestlers head, looking confused on what to do next or where to stand, it makes it too ridiculous. Wrestling has such a fine line of enjoyment, and when the delicate reality is wavered, it hurts the product.

Greene gets beat up a lot, fights back with resiliency, and is able to get a roll up for the win.

And I’m Like… Poop emoji. At least the right song was played at the end of the match.

Christian Cole not wanting to make a scene, whisper his displeasure into Mike’s ear. Jeff says “at some point you look for a return on your investment.” Christian chastises Santiago as they walk to the back.

Number One Contender Match

Jessy Sorensen vs. Caleb Konley vs. Wes Brisco

Wes comes out with taped ribs. Jessy grabs the microphone and says “Hold on before we get this started I have a little something. Joey Ryan I found a little something in the back. You wanna read this or do you want me to? You got five seconds to read this. 5…4…3..”

Joey runs out to stop Jessy who rolls into the crowd to read the note he told Joey that Joey could have if he came to the ring. Jessy is the bag of a douche. Keep your word dude. Jessy reads “Attention Joey Ryan by order of commissioner of PPW Joey Ryan must defend his title tonight or risk fine, suspension, or will be fired immediately.” Not stripped of the belt? That Commissioner Blanchard is some piece of work. He isn’t even on the show and he pisses me off. He sends a memo to say that? Pish posh applesauce.

As the match starts Jessy goes after Joey Ryan, Wes goes after Caleb Konley. The announcers question if this is happening now? As they wrestle the Ring Announcer says it’s now a Fatal Four Way… What the hell?!?!? So these three guys that have a match for a title shot, INSTANTLY get a title shot? What the hell?!!? BLANCHAAAAARRRRDDD!!!!!

Paragon Pro Wrestling Championship Match

Wes Brisco vs. Jessy Sorensen vs. Joey Ryan(c) vs. Caleb Konley

Joey is legit wrestling in shorts and tennis shoes… this is bothersome. Wes better not win, I swear to God if he does I will never watch PPW again. 😉

Joey is able to take the rib tape off of Wes. Caleb is working on Jessy. Caleb hits the Cradle Shock on Wes about 5 minutes in. Joey breaks it up and the heels start battling it out cause “alliances never last in fatal four ways” Jessy will do these flurries and fast paced moves, then a bit later remember his knee is injured…. Wes is in the corner on the ground and Todd says “Wes is out for the rest of the match I’m sure” as he finished that statement, Wes plays base for tower of doom spot. Jeff says “call Indiana Jones cause we have a tower of doom” lolol.

Everyone is out and hurt now, this Fatal Four way started with only about 10 minutes of show left… Brisco and Sorensen are now trading pin attempts. Meaning EVERY MAN IS NOW FOR HIMSELF. Jessy hits a roaring elbow and both Caleb and Joey make the save in stereo. Todd points out how no one takes advantage of Joey Ryan who is not in knee pads or really dressed to wrestle. Blame that stupid commissioner. Sorensen is cleaning house until Joey Ryan hits a superkick. Caleb hits a flying knee onto Joey. Wes hits the Brisco Bomb and I’m done.

And I’m Like… Thank goodness I don’t have to watch the Wes Brisco era of Paragon Pro Wrestling. Well PPW it’s been real and it’s been fun, just hasn’t been real fun.