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http://www.cheap-heat.com/back-to-school-with-six-superstars/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/back-to-school-with-six-superstars/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:07:16 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Top Lists Back to School Beverly Brothers Bo Dallas Bray Wyatt Dan Spivey Dean Douglas Dr. Death Dr. Death Steve Williams ECW John Coachman John Tolos Kevin Sullivan Lanny Poffo Macho Man Macho Man Randy Savage Matt Striker Michelle McCool Mike Rotunda Mr. Perfect NWA old school Rick Steiner ROH School Shane Douglas Steiner Brother Steve Williams Teacher Teachers The Coach The Franchise The Genius TNA Varsity Club WCW Wrecking Crew WWE WWE Network WWE Universe Wyatt Family http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=14217 I'm spending autumn in the Northeast for the first time since 2010, and I'm astonished at how early the leaves are beginning to fade and then fall. It's a chilly day in New Jersey, and school's out for the Jewish Day of Remembrance known as Rosh Hashana. Though long since through with college, I figured […]

I'm spending autumn in the Northeast for the first time since 2010, and I'm astonished at how early the leaves are beginning to fade and then fall. It's a chilly day in New Jersey, and school's out for the Jewish Day of Remembrance known as Rosh Hashana. Though long since through with college, I figured I'd take a few moments to celebrate the season with a special countdown exclusively for Cheap-Heat.com ! My name is Mark Adam Haggerty and it's time to go Back to School with Six Superstars— students and teachers of professional wrestling!

6. Coach Tolos
Every school needs a good coach to help motivate it's star pupils and in-turn earn respect for the institution as a whole. There've been a number of talented performers calling themselves "coach" throughout the years. But we're not here to talk about Lou Duva at WrestleMania 2 or Jonathan "The Coach" Coachman on ESPN. Instead we've gone with the rarely acknowledged COACH of Mr. Perfect and the Beverly Brothers—played by the "Golden Greek" John Tolos. Tolos was a Greek-Canadian professional wrestler and manager who rose to great popularity in the 1960s when he and his brother Chris—dubbed the "Canadian Wrecking Crew"—defeated Gorilla Monsoon and Killer Kowalski for the WWWF U.S. Tag Team titles. Later in his career, Tolos became a cunning heel, and took part in a lengthy feud with "Classy" Freddie Blassie in Gene LaBell's Los Angeles territory. Fast forward to 1991, and Tolos is back in the World Wrestling Federation. His identity was hidden behind dark sunglasses and a baseball cap, with the string from his whistle dangling from between his teeth. The Coach represented The Beverly Brothers—coincidentally formerly called the Minnesota Wrecking Crew. His greatest charge however was Mr. Perfect—then intercontinental champion—who needed a manager when Bobby Heenan became a full-time broadcaster. The Coach represented all three men until Mr. Perfect was injured and sidelined for over a year. The Beverly Brothers got a new manager, and Coach Tolos quietly left the company. John Tolos died on May 29, 2009 after a series of heart attacks and strokes lead to fatal kidney failure. He was 78-years old.

5. Michelle McCool
Long before she was Mrs. Undertaker—even prior to her tenure as the first WWE Diva's Champion—Michelle McCool portrayed a sexy school teacher, who managed a duo of dudes known as Teacher's Pets . McCool was given the gimmick based upon her real-life experience as a middle school teacher. In fact both of Michelle's parents are educators; her mother is a teacher and her father is a superintendent. While the character didn't last very long, it made a lasting impression—certainly one that had an effect on yours truly. Among her �Pets' were the Illinois-based KC James, and a somewhat familiar-looking fellow named Idol Stevens, who would one day become Damian Sandow. In addition to becoming the very first Diva's Champion in company history, she was the final Women's Champion , and unified the belts at Night of Champions in 2010.

4. The Genius
If you're wondering who took on the responsibility of furthering the Beverly Brothers and their education, look no further than Number Four on our Countdown! The Genius Lanny Poffo is often times remembered for being the younger brother of "Macho Man" Randy Savage. But fans of the World Wrestling Federation in the early 1990s know that "Leaping Lanny" had an identity all his own. The Genius dressed in a graduation gown with a matching mortarboard, and began his matches—and the bouts of Superstars he managed—with poems written specifically for the occasion. In reality, Lanny Poffo is a published poet and celebrated academic who isn't shy about sharing a few lines off the top of his head. It's unclear whether or not the Genius was intended to be a student in perpetual graduation mode, or a member of the faculty involved with the ceremony. With a name like THE GENIUS, I suspect he's a "professional commencement speech pontificator", and wears his robe and graduation cap so as to always be ready. Lanny was an integral component in the production of the Macho Man documentary available on DVD and the WWE Network . If you haven't had the chance to check it out, it's most certainly a must-see with candid comments provided by a man who can truly be called the Genius —Lanny Poffo.

3. The Varsity Club
There are plenty of teachers on this countdown—how about some students ? The Varsity Club was an NWA faction that existed from 1987 to 1989 with a modest resurgence at Starrcade 1999. Headed up by Kevin Sullivan, this collection of heels included college athletes-turned-professional wrestlers such as: Rick Steiner from The University of Michigan; Mike Rotunda from Syracuse University ; Dan Spivey from The University of Georgia ; and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams from The University of Oklahoma. The stable captured numerous championships including the NWA World TV title, the Florida Heavyweight Championship, and various tag team honors. In 2000, following the reunion at Starrcade, Mike Rotunda and Steve Williams competed in All Japan's Real World Tag League. After tying with three other teams for first place, the Varsity Club vanquished their younger adversaries in semi-final competition to win the event. Unfortunately Dr. Death passed away in December 2009, almost 2-months to the day of his retirement match. Rick Steiner currently works in the real-estate market, and also serves on the Board of Education in his hometown. Kevin Sullivan works with MLW Radio and hosts a weekly podcast alongside Mister Saint Laurent , where they watch old Monday Nitros and talk about decisions that were made. And Mike Rotunda, as we all know, is a WWE Road Agent, and travels the world with his main roster sons—Bo Dallas and Bray Wyatt.

2. Dean Douglas
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas is one of the most intelligent men to ever lace up a pair of wrestling boots. Shane graduated cum laude from Bethany College of West Virginia in 1986, with his bachelors in history and political science. Douglas was even considering enrolling in med school, but declined in order to become a professional wrestler. Douglas was a former ECW—technically NWA —world champion by the time he reached Vince McMahon and the WWE. When he arrived in Stamford, the creative forces that be decided to play upon his exceptional intellect and higher education. They christened him "The Dean," and scripted him in a number of cheesy backstage promos and mind-numbing vignettes. But that was the point! Arriving in Dean Douglas's classroom was not unlike sitting down for the first few minutes of a two-hour math class—it was excruciating! Especially when Douglas ran his nails across the chalkboard to open the clip. Dean was a one-time WWE Intercontinental Champion; he was handed the championship when Shawn Michaels became unable to compete in 1995, but lost it later that very night to the "Bad Guy" Razor Ramon. Rumor has it WrestleMania 34 will take place in Philadelphia—the former home of Extreme Championship Wrestling. I would hope WWE could get past his shortcomings under their watch, and induct Shane Douglas into the Hall of Fame. He was the man who started the �Era of Extreme' when he tossed the NWA belt to the ground in 1994. He's also the longest reigning champion in company history; both combined [874 – 4 reigns] and for a single run [406 days]. We're talking about going Back to School —these are the things kids need to be learning.

1. Matt Striker
The most famous wrestling educator of all time is undoubtedly Matt Striker. Experts say that the best gimmicks are those drawn upon real life, wherein the wrestler is merely exaggerating his or her own personality. Matt Striker was indeed a real life high school teacher! Striker was a social studies teacher at Benjamin N. Cardoza High School in Queens New York until 2005, coincidentally the same year he debuted for the WWE. Striker was so committed to his craft, that he claimed 11 sick days from December 2004 to February 2005, so that he could travel to Japan for Zero-1. Striker made an impact in the WWE as part of the New Breed —a short-lived foursome of wrestling heels hell-bent on dismantling any and all ECW Originals . Striker soon transitioned into the broadcast position, and even hosted the first season of NXT . Striker has since gone on to achieve stardom outside of the WWE; he was the color commentator for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom on January 4 ^th 2015, and served as the play-by-play analyst for Lucha Underground's inaugural season. His knowledge and passion for the industry have allowed Striker the opportunity to educated millions of people around the world, proving the adage: "You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can't take the classroom out of the teacher."

Remember to LIKE and FOLLOW us on Facebook for new episodes of the B+ Players; constant coverage courtesy of DailyWrestlingNews.com ; and lots of laughs thanks to GutBusterWrestling.com !

http://www.cheap-heat.com/pro-wrestling-syndicate-takes-over-bay-ridge-nj-state-fairgrounds/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/pro-wrestling-syndicate-takes-over-bay-ridge-nj-state-fairgrounds/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:16:24 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Blogs Indy/Puro/Lucha Live Show Blogs Reviews ECW indy wrestling Pro Wrestling Pro Wrestling Syndicate PWS ROH Taz TNA WCW WWE WWF http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=14168 This weekend Pro Wrestling Syndicate took over the Tri-State with shows in both New York City and New Jersey. The action kicked off with an outdoor event at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds at 1PM, and continued up the Turnpike into Bay Ridge Brooklyn. I was at the Brooklyn show, which began promptly at 8 […]

This weekend Pro Wrestling Syndicate took over the Tri-State with shows in both New York City and New Jersey. The action kicked off with an outdoor event at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds at 1PM, and continued up the Turnpike into Bay Ridge Brooklyn. I was at the Brooklyn show, which began promptly at 8 o'clock, and featured local heroes, established legends, and current world renowned superstars. Ethan Carter was on hand with his TNA world heavyweight belt; Taz made a very rare independent appearance just a stone’s throw from his hometown; and Comedy Central was in the house filming material for Larry Wilmore’s late night talk show. Pro Wrestling Syndicate provided transportation for its fans aboard a chartered bus from their homebase in Rahway to Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Bay Ridge, and featured separate rosters for each event. I was there along with my Cheap-Heat and B+ Player Radio colleague Gary Mastriano—we were both taken aback with the overall welcoming atmosphere, and professionalism both inside the ring and out.

Before the Bell
We arrived at the venue—a Catholic Church Rec Center—about an hour before the bell, and already there were people filling the gymnasium with anticipatory commotion. We saw Virgil sitting idly by waiting for someone to pay for an autograph. Emphasis on pay; one kid asked Virgil how he was, and the former WWE/WCW wrestler responded with ten fingers, meaning it’ll cost $10 to get Virgil to talk. It’s unclear how much of this is part of the “Angry/Lonely Virgil” gimmick. Comedy Central was in the building filming footage featuring Virgil, so it’s very possible he was just laying it on extra thick. We saw Brian Myers and Balls Mahoney before the show began; I went to the bathroom and struck up a conversation with a New York City police officer while on line. With my back turned to the gym, the officer pointed in my rearview and exclaimed: “Holy shit it’s Balls Mahoney!” Needless to say we all let Balls and the prepubescent boy he was with go ahead of us. Burgers were overlooked, popcorn was burn, but the beer was cold and at just $3, they went down faster than CPA. More on him in a few moments.

Special Guest
Taz made a very rare independent shot tonight, and welcomed the audience to his hometown of Brooklyn New York. He reminisced about the ECW days and dropped a number of names to illicit a crowd reaction. He put over his new relationship with CBS radio, as well as his daily series featuring Mike Tenay, Jim Ross and producer SethI tried to get a “We Want Seth” chant going, but Taz thought someone said “One More Match” and said his wife won’t let him to wrestle anymore. He jokes about the shape he’s in on his podcast, but the Human Suplex Maxhine looked awesome. He capped off the evening with his signature catch phrase—”Beat me if you can, survive if I let you”—and the show was set to begin! Funny note: as Taz began wrapping up, he commented that his speech had already one on long enough and asked: “What is this? Monday Night Raw?”

Davey Richards w/ Angelina Love vs. Mario Bokara
The first wrestler through the curtain this evening is Mario Bokara—dubbed the “Croatian Sensation,” this highly impressive individual comes to the ring wrapped in the Croatian flag, while sporting a hooded robe to match. His opponent is one half of the TNA world tag team champions, Davey Richards, who enters the arena with his wife Angelina Love. This was a fantastic way to begin the show. Both Richards and Bokara are lightning quick, and employ a ground-based attack with sharp kicks from Davey and more of a submission  style out of Mario. After an evenly contested contest, Bokara sneaks out by the skin of his teeth, pulling out the victory and the inevitable upset. I REALLY enjoyed Mario Bokara’s entrance theme, which sounds like something Eastern European Immigrants would play in the belly of a ship on the way to America. Following the match, Davey Richards took hold of the mic and commented on some audience members chanting “TNA Sucks.” Davey says that those fans are entitled to their opinions, but also says that he doesn’t consider himself a TNA wrestler. He considers himself an independent wrestler, and always has. With that, Davey wants to wish his beautiful wife a happy birthday, and asks the audience to join him in a celebratory song. Happy Birthday to Angelina Love.
Winner: Mario Bokara
Rating: 2 3/4 Stars

Colt Cabana vs. Ethan Carter III w/ "Vincent"
I wasn’t sure if the big names were being booked first because they were in a hurry to leave, or if it was in response to the impending rainstorm. Either way we go from a match featuring a TNA tag team champion to a match with the TNA WORLD Heavyweight Champion . Ethan Carter is up next, and begins down the aisle with his championship belt and a bodyguard named “Vincent.” This is not Virgil, but another bald black guy dressed like Virgil. Carter tells the fans in attendance that he doesn’t want to be there and is ready to collect his money and leave. His opponent is far more excited to be in Brooklyn, and once the music hits the crowd goes crazy. Even on the independent level, Colt Cabana is making more out of the casual Jewish gimmick than Barry Horowitz ever could. Ethan Carter tells Vincent to pay Colt off, in the hopes of calling it a night, but no such deal is to be made. Carter is so certain he’ll win tonight, that he’s prepared to “confess his sins” should be lose. This was a comedy match with some especially fun parts scattered throughout. At one point Colt was winding up for the “Bionic Elbow” for what must have been 45 seconds, while Carter continued to reel back and forth. He looked like a Mortal Kombat character just before a fatality. Colt and EC3 wrestled out of the ring, but it was Colt who got the best of Carter once the count was up. Ethan Carter had victory in his sights and decided to celebrate with Vincent on the apron—a bit prematurely. An ill-timed handshake between buddies catches Carter off guard, and the champion falls from the lip of the ring to the floor below. The former “Scotty Goldman”—yeah Colt, that was me—slid into the ring as Carter tumbled out, winning this match by a count our. After the match, “Father Goldman,” as the crowd dubbed him sought to provide absolution to a wayward Ethan Carter III, and listened as he confessed his sins. Carter said that he owns embarrassing albums, he cheats to win all of his matches, and most amazing of all—has impure thoughts about his Aunt Dixie Carter.
Winner: Colt CabanaВ
Rating: 1 Star

Comedy Central Match feat Virgil
Before the next match a producer from Comedy Central came to the ring, and explained the premise for the next match. He told us that it was for an episode of Larry Wilmore’s Comedy Central series, and asked that we keep our enthusiasm up. You can imagine how that went. People nearly booed him out of the building, which begs the question: what did he expect? I don’t think anyone smartened him up to the possibility of getting a negative reaction, because he continually stopped in mid sentence with a genuine: “Come on guys, seriously.” The match was a horrendous pile of shit that I imagine is a lot funnier within the context of the Comedy Central program. In a nutshell: Virgil wrestled some white guy claiming to be a “Borderhopper,” who would continuously tell the crowd: “I’m here to take your jobs!” They wrestled an awful match; there’s a problem when Virgil is the best wrestler in the ring. I think the faux Mexican won, but I was busy getting me a burnt hamburger. Hey but listen—burnt or not, they were good. And they were cheap. Three bucks! Just like the beer. After the match, a guy dressed in a revealing policeman’s uniform stormed the ring and tasered both individuals. He then proceeded to post up on the middle turnbuckle, where he attempted to start a “White People” chant. Not Pro Wrestling Syndicate’s fault. When Comedy Central wants to shoot a TV show at your Indy event, you do it. Simple as that.
Winner: Uh…
Rating: N/A

Chairs Match
Craven Varro vs Devon Moore w/ "Shining" Edward Jackson
Craven Varro entered the ring almost immediately following the previous shitshow, and all-but apologized for its inclusion in the overall event. He said, “If you think that was brutal, wait �til you see Devon Moore’s face when I’m done with it!” Devon Moore is escorted by "Shining" Edward Jackson—a lanky manager dressed as a newsy who resembles Paul Scheer from The League. All jokes aside, the guy did an awesome job, as he spent the vast majority of the night shepherding various heels to ringside. This was a chairs match, a fact that was lost upon me until halfway through the bout when I asked Gary: “How many chairs are they gonna use in this thing?” This was perhaps the most violent attraction of the night, and included a ton of spots worth mentioning; Jackson made quite a few run-ins, placing chairs in the trajectory of his client, Devon Moore. The fan-favorite fought tooth-and-nail, but in the end, the numbers game proved to be too much for Craven Varro. Devon Moore gets the win, and "Shining" Edward Jackson is off to a good start!
Winner: Devon Moore
Rating: 2 Stars

“I Quit” Match
Habib From The Car Wash vs Matt Macintosh
We continue along with an already entertaining evening, and head into an "I Quit" match featuring the immensely over Habib from the Carwash and the highly impressive Matt Macintosh. Habib enters the arena to the 1975 classic " Car Wash " by Rose Royce. There was a young woman in front of us who didn't appear enthused by any of the action taking place, but came alive the moment Habib came through the curtain! This guy is a legitimate star, but let's not take anything away from the 27-year old 3-year veteran Macintosh. Habib aims to win this one by wearing down the former Suicidal Six Way Champion , and does so with an impressive assortment of spinning heel kicks and running attacks. Macintosh would prefer to keep Habib grounded, and works the 140-pound athlete over with a series of heart stopping submissions. Pro Wrestling Syndicate has its share of comedy bouts scattered throughout each card, which—in some instances—might detract from the more serious competition. But Habib and Macintosh seem to have found a median safe-zone wherein laughter fuses with ferocity to yield what I thought was the "Match of the Night" up unto that point. I would have preferred less vocals from the referee—a little too "Mike Chioda" for my liking: "What do you say? Do you give up?" That being said, it did open the door for Habib's signature response: "Thank you, come again!" After various attempts at sending Habib BACK to the Carwash, Matt Macintosh was bested by a bit of wordplay! They went back and forth on the mic, as Macintosh exclaimed: "It's not Thank You, Come Again— it's I QUIT! I QUIT!" The official took the words to heart, and rang the bell, declaring Habib from the Carwash the winner.
Winner: Habib
Rating: 3 Stars

PWS Television ChampionshipВ
Chris Payne vs Brian Myers (c) vs BonesawВ
I'm 99% sure that Bonesaw's gimmick is that he is Bonesaw from the original Sam Rami Spiderman movie. The Macho Man character? Bonesaw was the first man through the curtain for the first of four scheduled title matches. It took me a minute and the assistance of Siri, but before too long I realized Bonesaw's music was a remixed version of the Saw theme. Bonesaw is one of two challengers hoping to win the Pro Wrestling Syndicate Television Championship from former WWE Superstar Brian Myers. Chris Payne is also looking to win the title, after coming up short last month in one-on-one competition against Myers. This was an exceptional bout with a ton of emphasis placed on Chris Payne, who looked absolutely phenomenal from bell to bell. There was a large group of people sitting behind us that stood up for the majority of the contest, and left immediately afterwards, so one would have to assume Payne's people were on hand to support their pal. I would have liked to see more out of Myers; a defending champion should most certainly have a better showing. That's not to say he was bad , but given the dynamics of a Triple Threat match—or a TriForce Match as PWS calls it—Myers was the odd man out for most of the match. Chris Payne was the inevitable victor, finally capturing a championship he's been after since first setting his sights on Myers.
Winner: Chris Payne
Rating: 2 Stars

CPA vs Mantaur
There's a brief intermission, which means more beer and burnt hamburgers for yours truly. I ate so much food at this thing, it was unreal. Know why? Awesome prices. If the WWE had $3 hamburgers and $3 beer at their shows, I'd be spending a lot more bread at the concession stand. But they aren't, so I don't. Before we return, ring announcer David Adams alerts the crowd that PWS intermissions are short, and that we're just five minutes from returning. Shout out to David Adams who does an absolutely incredible job. He has a great voice, and provides an infectious level of energy to the live audience. The first match back from break is a special attraction between the wrestling accountant CPA and former WWE "Superstar" Mantaur. This is just the second independent appearance for Mantaur since leaving the WWE; sadly the reverse Minotaur did not wear his taxidermied helmet. Nor did he have much time to work. After a few moments of CPA running from Mantaur, the match was disrupted by the New Heavenly Bodies. The �Bodies are currently one of the hottest tag teams in America , and have been tied to promotions such as Booker T's Reality of Wrestling and Jeff Jarrett's Global Force Wrestling. They tell the audience—along with CPA and Mantaur—that they're tired of waiting around for their match to begin, and are ready to take the tag titles from the Handicapped Heroes.
Winner: —
Rating: DUD

PWS Tag Team Championship
Handicapped Heroes (c) vs The Heavenly Bodies
This was the first time I had the chance to see my Cheap-Heat colleague Gregory Iron in action. Greg is of course one half of the PWS Tag Team Champions, alongside the former bane of Vince McMahon's existence, Zach Gowen. Before the show even began, we could see Handicapped Heroes t-shirts by the dozen. In fact, aside from Bullet Club and NXT Brooklyn paraphernalia, I'd say the �Heroes were most certainly the best represented wrestlers on the show. Right from the gate, this match was on fire with all four men focused on retaining—or claiming—the tag team belts. Greg and Zach work with an uncanny fluidity that you have to see to believe; Gowen hit the �Bodies with an astounding springboard to the outside of the ring. Before long, CPA returned to the ring, as did a pair of Brooklyn natives that did not identify themselves; one was an African American guy, the other appeared to be some sort of Latino. Forgive me for not having their names, as Pro Wrestling Syndicate's website doesn't seem to have any information listed on the duo either. The Handicapped Heroes retain their tag team titles before this match has the chance to run completely off the rails. I was very much looking forward to this encounter, and wasn't disappointed with the action nor the outcome. By the way… I think this was the match Balls Mahoney interrupted? I’m not 100% sure. Funny note about Balls: he was leaving through the crowd during the main event and some guy yelled “We love you Balls!” Mahoney got in the guys face and screamed: “Shut the fuck up! You’re going to get me fired!” This lead to an hilarious rendition of: “FIRE BALLS! FIRE BALLS! FIRE BALLS!”
Winner: Handicapped Heroes
Rating: 2 1/4 Stars

Abyss vs Fallah Bahh w/ "Shining" Edward Jackson
Fallah Bahh is a former student of Kevin Knight and the IWF in Nutley New Jersey, and has since made a name for himself on a national stage. Bahh has appeared for Reality of Wrestling in Texas, and was a Pro Wrestling Syndicate Champion before losing the belt to Mario Bokara. Fallah Bahh is lead to the ring by a man who is truly "Shining"—Edward Jackson. I think Jackson might shine even brighter if he invests in a few different colored shirts. He wears a vest and hat combination, and opted for a gray button-down underneath. Why not take a page from Bobby the Brain or Jimmy the Mouth? Get a couple of shirts that go with each wrestler's motif, and switch out the button down between bouts. A quick change, no need to get rid of the vest or hat, just a shirt and you've got an entire wardrobe change! Enough about fashion, let's talk about Abyss. I'm not a fan of Abyss, and I think he is one of the worst aspects of Impact Wrestling . With that being said, it's still awesome to see Abyss in person. The same goes for Balls Mahoney and Virgil—not my favorite wresters, but a joy and an honor to see them live. There was a certain precedent set in the first match, and continued with Carter, Myers, and now Abyss. The nationally-recognized individuals appeared to be putting the local talent over in a big way throughout the night. Abyss would have been my favorite going into the show, but by the time this bout rolled around, I could see the writing on the wall. Fallah Bahh picks up a win—"Shining" Edward Jackson is killing it this evening.
Winner: Fallah Bahh
Rating: 3/4 Star

Suicidal 6-Way Title
Starman (c) vs Amazing Red vs Anthony Bowens vs The Drunken Swashbuckler vs Bobby Wayward vs “The Lifeguard” Mike Del w/ Dylan Stiffwood
The semi-main event for the Brooklyn show was a rather confusing 6-way match up for the Suicidal Six Way Championship . I'm not a fan of multiple-person matches whatsoever, so my opinion of this was definitely hindered by my preconceptions. I thought Amazing Red lived up to his name, and proved what a class act he was following the bout when it came time to take pictures at ringside. A young fan asked for an autograph, and Red stood posed for what must have been 45 seconds as the kid's dad tried to get the flash on his phone to work. But I'm jumping the gun. I think my biggest problem with this match is that it offered an inverse of what we received in the "I Quit Match." Whereas Habib and the "Bad Apple" Matt Macintosh sought to pepper their blood feud with comedy, this was a comedy match struggling to be taken seriously. I like the Drunken Swashbuckler as a character—as a 1995 WWF character not unlike the Goon. My favorite participants were without question Anthony Bowens and "Lifeguard" Mike Del. Del is escorted to ringside by Dylan Stiffwood—an equally impressive-looking beach bum who tried to help Del secure the championship. Starman is the champion by the way; for those unfamiliar with Starman, he's a nationally-accredited professional wrestler who assumes the persona of—Starman. From the NES video game. At one point during the match, Starman stopped moving, as though he was frozen. The fans in attendance began chanting: "Blow the cartridge." Once his opponent blew in the readily available Nintendo cartridge, Starman leapt back into action, and won the match in a decisive manner.
Winner: Starman
Rating: 1 1/4 Stars

PWS CHAMPIONSHIP
Dan Maff (c) vs Kevin Matthews
The main event was the match of the night. Without question. Kevin Matthews—who looks like if John Cena and Palmer Cannon shared a meal comprised of Kenny Dykstra—is challenging for the championship belt currently held by Dan "Danny" Maff. This was the hardest hitting, and lengthiest match on the card. Maff hit Matthews with two of his signature inverted Death Valley Drivers, but the big man refused to go down. Matthews is a former champion himself; in fact Kevin Matthews has held the PWS championship belt three times, and hoped to break his own record with four. Maff is an unbelievable talent. A veteran of the squared-circle for over 15 years, Maff wowed even his most visceral detractors with a display of high risk acrobatics and hard-hitting brutality. A suicide dive to the outside, and a "This is Awesome" chant wakes up an almost exasperated audience. They continue at one another until a bump to the referee means anything goes for the foreseeable future. Maff went under the ring, perhaps looking for a table, but returned with a DOOR . Maff set the door against the turnbuckle, and looked to finish this fight once and for all. Matthews reversed the big man, and sent him spiraling through the splintered lumber. They continued to a chorus of "Holy shit" and other various cries from the crowd, until Maff delivered a third and final Death Valley Driver. After the three count, Maff thanked the crowd in Brooklyn; Dan is from Bayonne New Jersey, and had to put up with angry New Yorkers cheering for the hometown boy throughout the night. He said that he always considered Brooklyn a second home, and thanked Kevin Matthews for giving him such a great match. He says that to be the best in Pro Wrestling Syndicate, he had to go through Kevin Matthews, and that's exactly what he did. Matthews shares Maff's sentiments, and thanks his Bay Ridge brothers and sisters for coming out and showing their support.
Winner: Dan Maff
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

An absolutely unbelievable night of professional wrestling from Pro Wrestling Syndicate. PWS will be back in action next month on October 24 ^th when they return to Rahway New Jersey. In addition to everybody's favorite PWS athletes, the October 24 ^th show will feature the very first one-on-one meeting between Rob Van Dam and John Morrison. For the audio breakdown of PWS: Bay Ridge courtesy of yours truly and B+ Player Radio – CLICK HERE . Remember to LIKE and FOLLOW us on Facebook for new episodes of the B+ Players; constant coverage courtesy of DailyWrestlingNews.com ; and lots of laughs thanks to GutBusterWrestling.com !

http://www.cheap-heat.com/bro-case-of-the-immortals-wrestlemania-i/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/bro-case-of-the-immortals-wrestlemania-i/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:45:48 +0000 B+ Players CH Podcast bruno sammartino ECW Gorilla Monsoon Hulk Hogan Jesse Ventura Mr. T NJPW Pro Wrestling Roddy Piper ROH Vince McMahon WCW wrestling WWE WWF http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13821 Media Player Problems? CLICK HERE for our NEW home at SoundCloud.com! Note: B+ Player Radio will be available through iTunes in the coming week. Since its inception in 1985, WrestleMania has gone by many nicknames including the "Granddaddy of Them All," the "Super Bowl of Wrestling," and of course "Showcase of the Immortals." We are […]

Media Player Problems? CLICK HERE for our NEW home at SoundCloud.com!
Note: B+ Player Radio will be available through iTunes in the coming week.

Since its inception in 1985, WrestleMania has gone by many nicknames including the "Granddaddy of Them All," the "Super Bowl of Wrestling," and of course "Showcase of the Immortals." We are just 32-weeks away from the biggest WrestleMania in WWE History; WrestleMania XXXII will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas on April 3 ^rd 2016. While there's always been some concern as to the legitimacy of WWE's attendance figures in the past, this event is almost guaranteed to break all pre-existing records. Join Mark Adam Haggerty of Daily Wrestling News and Gary Mastriano of Cheap-Heat for this one-of-a-kind podcast series featuring guests from all walks of life including comedians, musicians, and most importantly— professional wrestlers! We'll be back every Friday with an in depth look at each and every WrestleMania from the action in the ring, to the stories behind the scenes.

This week we're diving into the first leg of our discussion, and we're talking about the event that started it all— WrestleMania. Learn how closed-circuit television and celebrity appearances helped transformed professional wrestling into Sports Entertainment . This is an awesome show featuring seemingly unknown talents such as David Sammartino and S.D. Jones; established main eventers like Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper; as well as Superstars just starting out such as Matt Bourne, Brutus Beefcake, and Mike Rotunda. Share with your friends and shout us out in social media to have your voice heard on future episodes! Get set for our WrestleMania 2 show on September 4 ^th and then WrestleMania 3 the following Friday on the 11 ^th !

You can follow all of the B+ Players on Twitter!

В В В В В В В В В В В В В Mark Adam Haggerty – @TapeTraderz
В В В В В В В В В В В В В  Gary Mastriano – @BPlayerPodcast
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James Thorpey – @jamesthorpey

Please LIKE and FOLLOW us on Facebook for new episodes of the B+ Players; constant coverage courtesy of DailyWrestlingNews.com, and lots of laughs thanks to Gutbusterwrestling.com!

http://www.cheap-heat.com/ross-retro-review-ecw-tv-1301996/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/ross-retro-review-ecw-tv-1301996/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:15:47 +0000 Ross Gates Other Reviews Reviews WWE Network Reviews 2 Cold Scorpio Axl Rotten Blue Meanie Bubba Ray Cactus Jack ECW Extreme Championship Wrestling Francine J.T. Smith Kimona Wanalaya Mick Foley Mikey Whipwreck nancy Benoit Raven Rob Van Dam RVD Sabu Sandman Shane Douglas Stevie Richards The Dudley's Tommy Dreamer Woman http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13759 ECW – 1.30.96 -This episode is from WWE 24/7. Not sure how I feel about that. -Wow, the piped in music is AWFUL on this. -Apparently I was wrong about Dreamer/Douglas facing Raven/Richards…it’s actually against Cactus/Whipwreck for the ECW Tag Team Titles. -Richards is now calling himself and Meanie “The Fabulous Ones”. Wow. -Stevie Richards […]

ECW – 1.30.96

-This episode is from WWE 24/7. Not sure how I feel about that.

-Wow, the piped in music is AWFUL on this.

-Apparently I was wrong about Dreamer/Douglas facing Raven/Richards…it’s actually against Cactus/Whipwreck for the ECW Tag Team Titles.

-Richards is now calling himself and Meanie “The Fabulous Ones”. Wow.

-Stevie Richards sweet talks Francine into the ring…

-Stevie has her totally hooked, and then says “By the way, you aren’t pregnant are you?” пїј

-Axl Rotten and J.T. Smith against the Dudleys…J.T. keeps interrupting Bubba when he’s trying to say his name. Axl gets pissed about it, but he does it again, and J.T. randomly clocks his own tag team partner. That earns him a Buh…Buh….Bubba Bomb.

-A clip – A CLIP! – of the first Van Dam/Sabu match.

-This tag match isn’t Foley’s last match is it???

-Raven blinds Dreamer with hairspray, and Dreamer accidentally DDTs Douglas….but Douglas kicks out of Cactus’s pin attempt.

-Cactus then gets a win after a drop toe-hold onto a chair

-After claiming he didn’t need a chair to beat Douglas.

-DouglasВ in a promo after the match tells Cactus that he completely fell into Shane’s trap – that he baited him into going hardcore. February 17 – Cactus Jack against Shane Douglas. I’m guessing THAT is Foley’s last match.

-Styles highlighting problems between Sandman and Woman

-Now we have Sandman against Raven, with new girlfriend…Kimona Wanalaya. пїј

-So was Woman working for both ECW and WCW at this point? Because this event that we’re getting footage from was AFTER the Clash.

– пїј Interesting how Styles is playing it as Woman wanting to extend her stable to include Savage and Hogan…so I guess that answers that question. I’m guessing a working agreement between WCW and ECW?

-Interference from Dreamer, Cactus, Meanie, Richards, and Douglas, and the match is still going on. пїј

-Sandman misses his legdrop, Raven hits a DDT onto a chair!

-We have a NEW ECW World Heavyweight Champion….awesome!

-Love that Raven’s the champ. пїј

-Woman after the match, telling Sandman it’s fantastic, because now “you can come with me…nationwide TV, big time money, you get to come with me!”

-Sandman says, “I am the king of extreme, unlike you, I got a little loyalty!”

-Woman says she made Sandman and she can break him…Sandman demands the beer from Woman – she dumps it out while Scorpio tells him to back off.

-Scorpio starts asking how much money she’s talking about

-Sandman says “don’t talk to that bitch”. They both tell him to decide who he’s gonna be with…

-Scorpio says, “All I can say Nancy, is I’m gonna go with…YOU” as he turns to Sandman.

-And so Woman leaves ECW…and they kinda trashed her on the way out. Scorpio says that unlike Eddie & Dean who walked out the front, she’s going out the back…

-Was this just a good way to write out a heel, or was there some resentment over Woman leaving?

http://www.cheap-heat.com/ross-retro-review-the-monday-night-war-january-1996-1-22-96/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/ross-retro-review-the-monday-night-war-january-1996-1-22-96/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:12:30 +0000 Ross Gates Other Reviews Reviews ECW Extreme Championship Wrestling House Party 96 Monday Night RAW Monday Nitro Nitro RAW RAW is WAR WCW World Championship Wrestling World Wrestling Entertainment World Wrestling Federation WWE WWF http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13576 We press forward. Fresh off of WWF’s Royal Rumble 1996, we go straight into the Monday Night War (and ECW TV) with fallout from the Rumble on RAW, while Nitro is building towards The Clash of the Champions. В Former WCW World Champion VADER is making is WWF TV debut on RAW, as we start to […]

We press forward. Fresh off of WWF’s Royal Rumble 1996, we go straight into the Monday Night War (and ECW TV) with fallout from the Rumble on RAW, while Nitro is building towards The Clash of the Champions. В Former WCW World Champion VADER is making is WWF TV debut on RAW, as we start to see the beginning of the “talent acquisition” era.

WWF Monday Night RAW – 1.22.96

-Our main event is WWF Champion vs. WWF IC Champion – Bret Hart against Goldust.

-Jim Cornette asks us what time it is after Savio Vega enters…and Vader makes his WWF RAW debut.

-Vega got annihilated. Vader attacks after the match, and hits another Vader Bomb on Vega. Vader then takes out the referee, and McMahon goes apeshit on commentary. Another referee comes in, and Vader takes him out too. Gorilla Monsoon gets in the ring and goes face to face with Vader. Vader calls for the microphone from the ring announcer (ugh, not Fink), and the announcement is made that Vader is indefinitely suspended.

-Vader shoves Cornette out of the way, gets in Monsoon’s face again, and then retreats. Cornette tries to get Vader to calm down, but Vader goes and taps Monsoon on the back while he’s checking on the official. Monsoon ignores him, so Vader chops Monsoon hard on the back. Monsoon stands up and hits three hard chops to Vader’s chest! Vader shoves Cornette away and hits a huge splash on Monsoon in the corner! Vader Bomb on Monsoon, and HBK/Razor hit the ring as Vader escapes. Vader goes over and gets in McMahon’s face, and officers/HBK/Razor are out checking on Monsoon. AWESOME ANGLE. Talk about getting Vader over in a MAJOR way.

-Why’d they write Vader off TV so quickly after his debut? That just seems like a strange choice. Real reason?

-Back from commercial as Monsoon is being stretchered out.

-Hunter Hearst Helmsley to the ring, with an escort for the first time – this one is Shae Marks, who is a former Playboy model. That tidbit wasn’t mentioned on RAW. Hunter’s facing Razor Ramon.

-1-2-3 Kid brings a baby bottle to ringside and squirts Razor in the face. Not sure what the point of that is..

-But Razor gives chase to Kid around the ring. Hunter wins via countout, and Razor comes back in to give the fans the Razor’s Edge, but HHH flips out of it.

-McMahon brings down Shawn Michaels for an interview. Michaels calls out Owen Hart to give him payback for having Owen running his mouth saying he took HBK out. Cornette comes out, says Owen is done with HBK. HBK says he’ll do anything to get his hands on Owen Hart…Cornette says put the title shot up against Owen, and they can talk business. HBK balks at first but then agrees.

-Goldust to the ring, and they reveal that Marlena…is named Marlena. Man…I REALLY had a thing for Marlena/Terri around this time. BIG TIME.

-Diesel against Bret Hart for the WWF Title at the next IYH, on 2.18.96.

-Bret Hart wins. Vince gets in the ring and screams “let’s talk about” and follows that with about 7 different statements.

WCW Monday Nitro – 1.22.96

-Konnan interrupts the announcers, and says it’s good to be in WCW, and that he’ll defend the Mexican Heavyweight Championship at COTC tomorrow night against Psichosis. So ECW loses another.

-Randy Savage brings a bunch of women to the ring…including WOMAN. So, geez, there’s another person who leaves. Did these people leave without any notice at all or what?

-Looks like we’re opening Nitro with the WCW World Heavyweight Title match…obviously Woman’s going to turn on Savage here.

-Bischoff reveals that Miss Elizabeth returns to Savage’s side tomorrow night. Yay for that!

-Woman slaps Flair.

-Remember when I asked where Road Warrior Animal was? He’s back tomorrow as well. Holy talent acquisition WCW. Wow.

-Hulk Hogan faces WCW U.S. Champion “One Man Gang” later on. Two questions – who the hell is that, and when did he beat Susake for the title?

-This is why nobody holds a candle to JR, and why WCW is annoying…this is a WCW World Title match, and all they’ve done is hype the rest of Nitro and the Clash.

-Anderson interferes, but accidentally clocks Flair…the ref SEES IT HAPPEN AND DOESN’T DISQUALIFY SAVAGE, Savage drops the elbow and regains the WCW World Title. Um…what?

-Here comes Hogan bitching about wanting a title shot again. Savage tells him to earn it.

-Pillman against Malenko. Pillman wins. I’m barely paying attention here.

-Harlem Heat against Sting and Lex Luger. REALLY stupid question – are Stevie Ray and Booker T actually brothers?

-Sherri and Col. Parker get married tomorrow too. WHO CARES

-Sting and Luger win after Luger cheats, and win the WCW World Tag Team Titles. Yay.

-Apparently this One Man Gang dude is yet another member of the Dungeon of Doom. He looks pretty worthless.

-Hogan squashes him. Way to build up your US Champ! DOD follows with a beatdown. Yawn.

ECW – 1.23.96

-STILL showing footage from House Party, as the show leads off with RVD’s debut.

-Raven and Stevie Richards face Tommy Dreamer and a mystery partner Saturday in NYC. Presumably they’ll show this
next week on ECW since it’s not a supercard.

-Hack Myers and Taz from House Party.

-Sabu/Richards from House Party. Styles recaps Sandman pinning Austin to regain the ECW World Title, “a title that cannot be bought for a million dollars”.

-Sandman against Konnan from House Party.

-Dreamer doing a promo at the end of the show, and Douglas comes in. He says he couldn’t get “that fat ass Cactus Jack” in the ring, so he’ll go one step further, to his mentor Raven, and be Dreamer’s partner – with the stipulation that the first to win a title between Dreamer and Douglas gives the other one a shot. Dreamer agrees. LOVE Shane Douglas promos.

http://www.cheap-heat.com/ross-retro-review-the-monday-night-war-january-1996-1-15-96/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/ross-retro-review-the-monday-night-war-january-1996-1-15-96/#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2015 11:53:35 +0000 Ross Gates Other Reviews Reviews ECW Extreme Championship Wrestling Nitro RAW WCW World Championship Wrestling WWE WWF http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13475 We pick up where he last left off, and that is week #3 of the Monday Night War. And of course throw in ECW TV for a bonus, because well because I watched it. В So things are starting to get going, Raw was very… blah last week… with Nitro not doing a lot to really […]

We pick up where he last left off, and that is week #3 of the Monday Night War. And of course throw in ECW TV for a bonus, because well because I watched it. В So things are starting to get going, Raw was very… blah last week… with Nitro not doing a lot to really wow me either. So let’s see how everyone fares this week.

WWF Monday Night RAW – 1.15.96

-We get the very first “viewer discretion is advised” clip to start RAW, complete with a shot of Sunny laying on a pool table and McMahon saying Sunny has “used her influence” on interim President Gorilla Monsoon.

-Marty Jannetty vs. Owen Hart kicking off RAW. Owen wins with a bridge.

-Ugh, Pettingill. I was hoping we’d keep having Jim Ross to hype the Rumble.

-Pettingill announces the debut of the FREE FOR ALL. I didn’t know this hadn’t happened before now.

-Two guys will face off during the free-for-all…the winner will get #30, and the loser #1.

-Austin comes to the ring, and they still have yet to call him by his name…but here’s his RAW debut.

-Sunny conducts what’s supposed to be a seductive promo while shooting pool. She only half-succeeds.

-Back to the ring, and Austin’s facing some jobber. Oh, it’s Matt Hardy.

-Austin hits the Stun Gun, and it looks like he’s using that as a setup move for the Million Dollar Dream now. Hardy loses.

-HBK video. Nothing to see here.

-The Smoking Gunns against…”The Spiders”. Who the fuck are these guys? Gunns win.

-McMahon in the ring to interview Goldust. This could be funny. Goldust challenges Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Title at the Royal Rumble.

-ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha….Goldust says to Vince, “Mr. Television Announcer, is that an extra microphone in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?” Vince puts on the most uncomfortable face ever, and Lawler laughs hysterically…as do I.

-WOW, Lawler…”Goldust is here, he may be queer, get used to it, he’s your next Intercontinental Champion!” ……..

-Yankem and the Undertaker here in the main event. BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER!

-Undertaker wins, not surprisingly.

-Hendrix interview Goldust backstage, and Razor attacks him, which was obviously going to happen. Big beatdown backstage.

WCW Monday Nitro – 1.15.96

-Awesome…this Nitro is in black and white. Did the NWO take over already?

-Ric Flair against Sting for the WCW Title. Talk about hot-shotting matches. Geez.

-Lex Luger’s music hits, and the color comes back! It’s like he’s got the power of the Undertaker!

-Luger’s facing Savage.

-Wow…Luger actually made Savage submit with the Torture Rack.

-Sullivan/Hugh Morris against Pillman and Anderson…The DOD music hits…and the entire DOD hits the ring, ALONG with the IV Horsemen trailing behind them. What? So of course we have to get Okerlund in there.

-Anderson bitches at Pillman for not dressing for a “business meeting”…yet doesn’t say anything to Flair, who’s in his robe.

-Sullivan and Anderson call a peace treaty, and Sullivan says the Horsemen can borrow the Giant at the Clash. Not really sure why.

-Sullivan praises each of the Horsemen, and then trashes Pillman. Pillman starts screaming at Sullivan, and Anderson slaps the SHIT out of Pillman, and says to keep his mouth shut.

-Pillman is LIVID, but isn’t saying a word.

-Christ, ALREADY??? Public Enemy. Sigh. Apparently they were supposed to debut last week and were snowed in in New York.

-I do like how ECW billed TPE from South Central L.A., and WCW is billing TPE from South Philly. They’re facing the American Males.

-TPE wins, and they hit the Drive-By on Bagwell through TWO tables. So WCW was ok with this, but not with Sabu? What?

-Sting/Flair for the WCW Title. Somehow, Hogan against a DOD scrub is the main event, and not this.

-I love how WCW is hyping that the Clash is free, and that “you don’t have to call someone to pay for it”. As if they don’t run 10 fucking PPVs a year right now.

-Luger runs down as Jimmy Hart is on the ring apron, and Luger yanks the megaphone away from Hart – and right into Sting’s face. So….by accident? Nobody knows for sure. Luger hits the ring to take out Flair, but Hogan/Savage hit the ring and send Luger/Flair flying.

-Hogan/Savage explain to Sting (and Mean Gene!) that Luger hit him, and Sting goes back to confront Luger. Hogan bitches at Savage because he has a title shot last week and Hogan still doesn’t have one. Savage tells him to back the fuck up.

-Apparently Savage/Hogan vs. Giant/Flair is the main event at the Clash.

-Hogan and Meng in the main event. Awful.

-Amazingly, Hogan wins clean. Not amazing because of Hogan, but because it’s a Nitro main event.

ECW – 1.16.96

-More House Party 96 footage.

-Joey Styles talks about Shane Douglas going to the WWF due to the lack of hardcore style, due to injuries to his back. He said Douglas is back in ECW, but it’s unclear if he can be in the ring.

-Rey Mysterio Jr. does an interview backstage in Spanish, and Dances with Dudley’s interrupts and cuts a bunch of jibberish. Rey Rey wants no part of it.

-They close with Dreamer and Beulah in a hotel room. Beulah says she wants to feel Dreamer’s pain, and Dreamer tells the cameraman “Go”. Awful.

http://www.cheap-heat.com/b-players-recap-triplemania-23-and-listen-to-music/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/b-players-recap-triplemania-23-and-listen-to-music/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2015 20:14:42 +0000 B+ Players CH Podcast Other Reviews ECW John Cena NJPW Randy Orton ROH TNA WCW wrestling WWE http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13373 If you have any trouble with the Media Player – CLICK HERE – for our official page at YourListen! Mark and Gary are back in the studio with another episode of the “B+ Player Podcast.” We’re just one day removed from TripleMania 23 and 2 weeks away from the 28th-annual Summerslam! Gary asks Mark about […]

If you have any trouble with the Media Player – CLICK HERE – for our official page at YourListen!

Mark and Gary are back in the studio with another episode of the “B+ Player Podcast.” We’re just one day removed from TripleMania 23 and 2 weeks away from the 28th-annual Summerslam !

You can follow all of the B+ Players on Twitter!

В В В В В В В В В В В В В Mark Adam Haggerty – @TapeTraderz
В В В В В В В В В В В В В  Gary Mastriano – @BPlayerPodcast
"PG" Matt S – @theMattSloyan
James Thorpey – @jamesthorpey

Please LIKE and FOLLOW us on Facebook for new episodes of the B+ Players; constant coverage courtesy of DailyWrestlingNews.com, and lots of laughs thanks to Gutbusterwrestling.com!

http://www.cheap-heat.com/best-of-bash-at-the-beach/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/best-of-bash-at-the-beach/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2015 18:27:08 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Other Blogs Reviews Top Lists Bash at the Beach Beach Blast Cage Match Chris Jericho Dave Meltzer DDP DDP Yoga Dennis Rodman ECW Hulk Hogan Karl Malone Randy Savage Rey Mysterio Ric Flair Rick Rude Star Ratings Sting The Giant Top Matches Ultimo Dragon Vader WCW wrestling WWE WWE Network http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13305 Summer is in full swing so let's celebrate with a WCW Classic—Bash at the Beach! The Bash—formerly known as Beach Blast—was a wrestling tradition for nine years and hosted some of the most definitive moments in World Championship Wrestling history. The NWO formed, Hulk Hogan debuted, the late Roddy Piper wrestled Ric Flair! I've been […]

Summer is in full swing so let's celebrate with a WCW Classic— Bash at the Beach! The Bash—formerly known as Beach Blast—was a wrestling tradition for nine years and hosted some of the most definitive moments in World Championship Wrestling history. The NWO formed, Hulk Hogan debuted , the late Roddy Piper wrestled Ric Flair! I've been doing a ton of research for an upcoming analysis I think you'll all really enjoy, and have thus been paying particularly close attention to Dave Meltzer's Star Ratings. Instead of writing about why you should watch each Bash at the Beach extravaganza, I've listed Dave's highest rated match and my favorite match, to give you an idea of what kind of action went down at these particular shows.

Note: The "Combined Star Rating" is the average for each show based on match ratings and number of bouts.

Beach Blast 1992 – Mobile Alabama 6/20/92
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: Sting versus Cactus Jack – Falls Count Anywhere – 4 ½ Stars
Mark's Favorite Match: Rick Rude versus Ricky Steamboat – Iron Man Match – 3 ½ Stars
Combined Star Rating: 3 Stars

Beach Blast 1993 – Biloxi Mississippi 7/18/93
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: TIED

Mark's Favorite Match: Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham – NWA World Heavyweight Title – 2 ½ Stars
Combined Star Rating: 2 ВЅ Stars

Bash at the Beach 1994 – Orlando Florida 7/17/94
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: Steve Austin vs. Ricky Steamboat – U.S. Title– 3 ¾ Stars
Mark's Favorite Match: Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair – WCW World Heavyweight Title – 3 ¼ Stars
Combined Star Rating: 2 ВЅ Stars

Bash at the Beach 1995 – Huntington Beach California 7/16/95
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: Ric Flair vs. Macho Man – Lifeguard Match – 2 ¾ Stars
Mark's Favorite Match: Hulk Hogan vs. Vader – Cage Match World Title – 2 ½ Stars
Combined Star Rating: 1 Star

Bash at the Beach 1996 – Daytona Beach Florida 7/7/96
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Psychosis – 4 ¼ Stars
Mark's Top Match: The Outsiders & Hulk Hogan vs. Sting, Macho Man, & Lex Luger – 3 Stars
Combined Star Rating: 2 Вј Stars

Bash at the Beach 1997 – Daytona Beach Florida 7/13/97
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: TIED

Mark's Top Match: Roddy Piper vs. Ric Flair 3 ¼ Stars
Combined Star Rating: 2 ВЅ Stars

Bash at the Beach 1998 – San Diego California 7/12/98
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero – Hair vs. Hair – 3 ¼ Stars
Mark's Top Match: Hulk Hogan & Dennis Rodman vs. DDP & Karl Malone –   -1 ¼ Stars
Combined Star Rating: 1 ВЅ Stars

Bash at the Beach 1999 – Fort Lauderdale Florida 7/11/99
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: The Triad vs. Chris Benoit & Perry Saturn – 3 ½ Stars
Mark's Top Match: Hardcore Junkyard Battle Royal – N/A
Combined Star Rating: ВЅ Star

Bash at the Beach 2000 – Dayton Beach Florida 7/9/00
Dave Meltzer's Top Match: Mike Awesome vs. Scott Steiner – U.S. Title – 3 ¼ Stars
Mark's Top Match: Booker T vs. Jeff Jarrett – World Heavyweight Title – 3 Stars
Combined Star Rating: 1 Вѕ Stars

Until next time, please LIKE "The B+ Players Podcast" on Facebook , and FOLLOW me on Twitter for all the latest and greatest updates courtesy of Cheap-Heat and Daily Wrestling News !

http://www.cheap-heat.com/from-koko-to-kamala-racism-in-wrestling/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/from-koko-to-kamala-racism-in-wrestling/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:44:05 +0000 B+ Players Blogs CH Podcast Brook Hogan Cowboy Bob Orton ECW Greg Valentine Hollywood Hogan Hulk Hogan Kurt Angle Michael "PS" Hayes NJPW PWG ROH Terry Bolea TNA WCW WWE WWF http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13179 If the media player gives you trouble, then check out this week’s episode on our OFFICIAL PAGE. This week’s episode of the B+ Player podcast is all about racism in professional wrestling. Hulk Hogan was recently recorded saying some very derogatory things about African Americans, but this is far from the first time a wrestler […]

If the media player gives you trouble, then check out this week’s episode on our OFFICIAL PAGE .

This week’s episode of the B+ Player podcast is all about racism in professional wrestling. Hulk Hogan was recently recorded saying some very derogatory things about African Americans, but this is far from the first time a wrestler has been racist. From what goes on behind the scenes to what we see in front of the camera, prominent promotions such as the WWE have a long history of stereotypical booking. We’re talking about offensive characters, prejudice promoters, and some of the most outlandish segments you’ve ever seen. Lots of sound clips and YouTubing on this episode! You won’t be disappointed.

Our guest this week is James Thorpey – the host of “It’s Still REEL to Me,” available for download at Cheap-Heat.com and through B+ Player Radio. The first episode featured the founder of the B+ Players , Mark Haggerty, and the Roddy Piper classic film “Hell Comes to Frogtown.” Next week James has Gary Mastriano, also of the B+ Players and the popular SKA band the Backyard Superheroes . James and Gary will be talking about Triple H in “The Chaperone.”

We’ll be back later this week with “The Outsiders’ Edge” and a full review of ROH Death Before Dishonor , the G1 Climax current standings, plus our thoughts on the current events in this insanely intricate industry.

You can follow all of the B+ Players on Twitter!
В В В В В В В В В В В В В Mark Adam Haggerty – @TapeTraderz
В В В В В В В В В В В В В  Gary Mastriano – @BPlayerPodcast
"PG" Matt S – @theMattSloyan
James Thorpey – @jamesthorpey

Please LIKE and FOLLOW us on Facebook for new episodes of the B+ Players; constant coverage courtesy of DailyWrestlingNews.com, and lots of laughs thanks to Gutbusterwrestling.com!

http://www.cheap-heat.com/educated-guess-wwe-battleground-2015/ http://www.cheap-heat.com/educated-guess-wwe-battleground-2015/#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2015 09:11:22 +0000 Mark Adam Haggerty Blogs Other Blogs AJ Styles Battleground Bobby Fish Brock Lesnar Daniel Bryan Dragon Gate ECW John Cena Lucha Underground New Japan Pro Wrestling NJPW NXT RAW Ring of Honor ROH Smackdown TNA Triple H Wrestlemania WWE WWE Network http://www.cheap-heat.com/?p=13020 It’s been more than a month since the WWE Network has featured a Sunday night live event, but the wait is over because tonight is BATTLEGROUND! As of this writing—3:30 AM EST—there are only SIX matches announced for the card. The Miz and Big Show might still go head-to-head, but without the Intercontinental title on […]

It’s been more than a month since the WWE Network has featured a Sunday night live event, but the wait is over because tonight is BATTLEGROUND! As of this writing—3:30 AM EST—there are only SIX matches announced for the card. The Miz and Big Show might still go head-to-head, but without the Intercontinental title on the line, as Ryback is temporarily sidelined with an injury. There’ve also been rumblings about a possible Divas match—with Sasha Banks and Charlotte headed to St. Louis, we could very well see them inside the Scottrade Center. Enough about the matches we might see and let’s focus on what’s been announced. My name is Mark Haggerty, and when everybody else is offering up picks or predictions, I’m delivering my “Educated Guess.”

WWE King of the RingВ
King Barrett (K) vs. R Truth
This is the 12th time King Barrett and R Truth have wrestled on television since the start of the Intercontinental Keystone Cops Program began back in March. This is the second pay per view in a row featuring Truth and Barrett competing over what was once a coveted artifact—the King of the Ring crown. In fact, aside from one, every Mountain Dew sponsored Kick Off since Wrestlemania has featured either King Barrett or R Truth. A winner? Certainly not the fans. Here’s my question: will the WWE bump this match up to the main show now that they’re down a triple threat? Or will they make up the time with something else. Let’s get a chant going guys: “Something Else! Something else!” I take issue with the idea of the KOTR crown being traded superfluously on the pre show to a C-rate ‘Network Special. I assume Truth is going to win; Wade Barrett should go to Japan.
Educated Guess: R Truth

Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
I like Sheamus. I like Randy Orton. I do not like Sheamus versus Randy Orton. Baby face Orton makes me sick, and “Are You Not Entertained” Sheamus is not entertaining. For the record, I do not think he looks stupid. I like his music, I like his look, I think he’s a good worker, but his goofy catchphrases are too much. Especially when they’re flagrantly lifted from Oscar winning movies like Gladiator . I have absolutely no emotional investment in this match whatsoever. Not one iota of interest and I’ll more than likely be assembling a sandwich while it’s on. My educated guess? Pepper ham, roast turkey breast, provolone cheese.
Educated Guess: Randy Orton

Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt
If Bray doesn’t win this match, he needs to take some time away from the roster. Bray Wyatt is one of my favorite characters in the WWE, and I’m not as hard on his work in the ring as some other critics tend to be. But I do find it bizarre that Bray Wyatt has seemingly zero wins under his belt. None that matter, at least. It doesn’t matter how many times he beats Dean Ambrose on Raw or Smackdown, the last time he came out on the winning end of a storyline was against Chris Jericho. That was Summerslam 2014—eleven months ago. He’s been caught in a perpetual downward spiral since then and I’m just not sure how I’m suppose to feel about him. A diabolical heel should perhaps rack up a couple of tallies in the “W Column,” but that’s not the case with the “New Face of Fear.” What’s to fear about a guy who only appears on television and never delivers on what he promises? I think this entire thing should end with Roman Reigns tossing a hammer into the Titan Tron as Bray Wyatt is telling the masses: “We shall prevail!” Does anybody get that reference? It would be a nice advertising tie-in for Apple. That’s all I’ll say. Given the WWE and their erratic and almost neurotically balance booking, I’m willing to bet Roman Reigns pulls this one out.
Educated Guess: Roman Reigns

WWE World Tag Team Championship
The Primetime Players (c) vs. The New Day
The “Not Quite Ready for Primetime Players” was the nickname given to the inaugural cast of Saturday Night Live. Did you know that? I like to toss together some random tidbits whenever I can—whenever they APPLY I should say. Unlike the WWE announcers; Jerry Lawler has 6 interchangeable jokes for everybody on the roster, and JBL name drops every pop culture reference whenever he’s given time to talk. Let’s talk about this match though: the Primetime Players are defending their world tag team titles against the proprietors of positivity themselves, the New Day. Big E and Kofi Kingston took on the Lucha Dragons this past week on Smackdown, and it would be assumed that same tandem will represent the clique once more. I’ve said before—I think running with the Primetime Players as tag team champions was the WWE’s way of saying “Thank You” for everything Darren and Titus do. I think it’s probably time for the New Day to regain the straps, but with Summerslam just mere weeks away, I guess I shouldn’t be so sure. I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Primetime Players retain their titles, and live to fight another day.
Educated Guess: The Primetime Players

WWE U.S. Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Kevin Owens
The match that most people are more than likely waiting to see is the rubber match between two of the most popular and—yes I’m going to say it— POLARIZING members of the WWE roster. John Cena has offered to put his United States Championship on the line in the past, but Owens has always declined. Until weeks ago, when the man Rusev called a “French American” made it very clear: he wants that US Title, because Cena has it. I feel like there’s a lot of hype going into this match; can their third and potentially final (for a while) battle possibly meet expectation? I’m most certainly optimistic. Given the unlimited potential of Owens and the unstoppable determination of Cena, I think it’s same to say we haven’t seen anything yet. In terms of picking a winner, we need to look a few weeks ahead. I’ll be attending both Summerslam and NXT Brooklyn, both of which are poised to be much bigger shows than BATTLEGROUND . Owens is set to challenge Finn Balor in a rematch for the NXT Championship; is the WWE really going to have the United States champion from the main roster lose to the NXT Champion? I don’t think so—but I also didn’t think Jushin “Thunder” Liger would be on this show. While I can’t predict the future for Owens, I’m having an equally hard time figuring out where Cena might be in a matter of months. Will John Cena MD – Pediatric Thuganomics decide to enter the world title scene any time soon? So many questions, and to answer the one right in front of me: I think John Cena is walking out of St. Louis with the U.S. Championship.
Educated Guess: John Cena

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipВ
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Brock Lesnar
The Undertaker will be appearing on Raw tomorrow night, and rumors are running rampant that he could be wrestling at this year’s “Biggest Party of the Summer.” While I don’t personally ever want to see ‘Taker again, I get his appeal and I’d rather they use him at Summerslam than just shoehorn him into Wrestlemania during the first week of March. So why am I talking about the Undertaker? Well let me first say, I do not think Brock Lesnar is going to win this match. I’ll speak to my point from earlier—Battleground just isn’t a big enough show. So how could Seth possibly retain his title, especially now that J&J Security are out, Kane is crippled, and Stephanie McMahon is the new face of the Diva’s Division? Well I mentioned the Undertaker. Not only did I mention the Undertaker, but Seth Rollins mentions the Undertaker on a seemingly regular basis while berating Kane. Now that the Demon is out, might the Phenom step up to defend “his baby brother?” There’s talk that the ‘Taker might finally retire in 2016, and if so I think a Seth Rollins program with the title in contention could be a fun way to sail off into Wrestlemania Season. Whether something like that happens remains to be seen, but I definitely think the match will end in a disqualification.
Educated Guess: Brock Lesnar via DQ

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