Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
On Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 6:50 PM EST

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 05/29/2008

NEWS

Writing on the Rasslin’ Riot website, Sal Corrente stated he made contact with both Stan Lane and Jimmy Hart regarding their bookings for the New Generation Wrestling fanfest/legends show held on May 23 in Liberty, SC. Lane denied having any knowledge of the booking. Hart said he spoke to promoter Matt Holder, but never agreed to appear on the show. (Larry Goodman)

Independent Wrestling Network owner Dwayne Bell has informed talent booked for the May 30 show in Columbus, GA, that the show is canceled. Sources stated Bell told the wrestlers that he is not running again until June 13. What exactly is behind the late change is unclear. Dwayne Bell could not reached for his comment. (Larry Goodman)

Tonight, Great Championship Wrestling returns to the Great Skate Center in Phenix City, AL at 7:30. The advertised main event will be a fatal four-way Johnny Swinger vs. David Young vs. Sonny Siaki vs. Bull Buchanan. Also, J-Rod & Tex Monroe defend the GCW tag titles against Hot Like Lava (Cru Jones & Shaun Banks). Tickets are $15 ringside and $12 general admission. (Brian Slack)

Tickets for the following Total Nonstop Action’s Victory Road PPV event, to be held at the Reliant Arena in Houston, TX, on July 13 go on sale tomorrow. (Rich Tate)

Nashville Wrestling will be at the National Guard Armory in Crossville, TN, on June 5, with a bell time of 8:00 PM. Advertised: Jerry Lawler versus Matt Boyce, with Christopher Love; the Naturals versus the Sheppard Brothers; Shawn Schultz versus Jon Davis; Shane Williams versus Jon Michael; and the Great Ali versus Lani Kealoha. (Thomas Bugg)

On June 7 at 7pm, Full Throttle Wrestling is in Brookwood, AL, at the G.G. Hardin Center. Advertised are the FTW Heavyweight champion Jesse Emerson, FTW tag team champions, Mr. Blur and The Other Guy, Orion Bishop, and Insane Lane. Tickets are $15 ringside and $10 general admission. (Brian Slack)

The National Wrestling Alliance will converge at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA, on June 7. Initially intended to be simply a taping for the NWA Wrestling Showcase, the event has escalated in scale, including formal inductions of previously named NWA Hall of Fame members, as well as honoring this year’s members as well. Tommy Rich, the Iron Sheik, and the Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton), will be among the 2008 class, and it has been announced that Nikita Koloff and the Corsicans (Joe & Jean) will join them. Already in the Hall of Fame and expected to be honored at the event are Lou Thesz, Sam Muchnick, Harley Race, Eddie Graham, Dory Funk, Jr., Jim Barnett, Lelani Kai, the Rock & Roll Express, Saul Weingeroff, Gordon Solie, Lance Russell, and Jim Cornette, who will be master of ceremonies. Also advertised up to this point in regard to matches and/or appearances are as follows: Rich versus Abdullah the Butcher; Phil Shatter, Mikal Judas, and Iceberg in a three-way for the NWA Anarchy Heavyweight Title; Sid Vicious; and Rob Conway. (Rich Tate)

NWA Top Rope presents their biggest card of the year, "Clash of the Champions" on June 14 in Lebanon, TN, at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. Advertised: NWA World Heavyweight Championship, Adam Pearce (c) vs. Boogie Woogie Boy Gary Valiant (with Miss Boogie), NWA Women’s World Championship, MsChif (c) vs. Lexie Fyfe, NWA Top Rope Southern Tag Team Championship, Homicidal Tendencies (Kory Williams & Vic the Bruiser) vs. Tribal Nation (Lennox Lightfoot & Indian Outlaw), NWA Top Rope Junior Heavyweight Championship, Arrick Andrews (c) vs. Kliff Hanger (aka Big Rig Bully), Battle of the Midgets with Little Pappa Pump (with Ernest T) vs. Enigma, and a 10 Man Over the Top Rope Battle Royal where the winner receives a championship match of his choosing. Bell time is 7:00 pm. (Larry Goodman)

DISCLAIMER: GWH is not liable for any card changes, cancellations, etc. We can only report what is reported to us. As always, we suggest you check with the promotion within 24 hours to verify information posted here.

NOTES

Peach State Pandemonium co-host Dan Masters is available for bookings as a ring or television announcer. Masters says he will accept offers from any promotion in the southeast, and as far as Texas. He can be contacted via email at dan@danmasterslive.com. (Rich Tate)

Cheap Heat Radio will feature Olly Bradford on its show tonight at 11 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Steve Corino (35), Brian Kendrick (29), and Samu.

Today in Memoriam: Man Mountain Dean (63, 1963)

NOSTALGIA

MAY 29, 1933 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – HOWELL MILL ARENA (F.P. Owens – Promoter) > Dave Terrell versus the Masked Marvel > Eddie Wagner versus Whitey Patterson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. There was also a preliminary amateur wrestling match and a boxing match, but no details were provided following the card.

MAY 29, 1933 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LAKEWOOD PARK FIGHT ARENA (Bill Corley – Promoter) > Oscar Williamson defeated Tarzan Jordan > Tiny Ruff defeated Tiger Anglin

MAY 29, 1934 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – HOWELL MILL ARENA (C.W. Bennett – Promoter) > Glenn Cowan versus Johnny Runyon > John Dameron versus Whitey Patterson > Ted Radcliffe versus Lon Everett / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 29, 1934 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LAKEWOOD PARK FIGHT ARENA (Weyman Boyles – Promoter) > John Mauldin defeated Bull Schmidt > Charlie Harben defeated Hans Wagner by disqualification > Oresti Vadalfi defeated Dan Kellenger (2-0)

MAY 29, 1935 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PONCE de LEON BALL PARK (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Marshall Blackstock defeated Jim Coffield at 19:00 > Roland Kirchmeyer and George Koverly wrestled to a draw at 60:00 > Pete Sauer defeated Yousef Mahmout at 21:00 (2-1) / Notes: Jim Coffield substituted for Chief Chewacki in the match with Marshall Blackstock.

MAY 29, 1936 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – RIVERSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis – Promoter) > John Mauldin versus Glenn Cowan > Billy Rayburn versus Scotty Sullivan > Sammy Miller versus the Satin Kid / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 29, 1939 (MONDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Red Dugan versus Young Gotch > Tony Papalino versus Billy Michaels > George Romanoff versus Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 29, 1945 (TUESDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White – Promoters) > Roland Kirchmeyer & Al Massey defeated Jack Dillon & Babe Zaharias > Pat Kelly defeated George Romanoff

MAY 29, 1959 (FRIDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL AUDITORIUM (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don McClarty versus Gypsy Joe > Don McClarty & Dickie Gunkel versus Freddie Blassie & Gypsy Joe > Paul Anderson versus Skull Murphy / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 29, 1961 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Robert McCoy – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) / Notes: A card was scheduled for this date, but no information has been found.

MAY 29, 1962 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Fran Gravette defeated Rose Mullins > Mixed Tag Team Match: Mark Stone & Rose Mullins defeated Tony Barbetta & Fran Gravette > Andre Drapp & Chief Little Eagle defeated Lenny Montana & Bulldog Lawley

MAY 29, 1963 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Silento Rodriguez defeated Prince Kalani by disqualification > Derrell Cochran defeated George Harris > Bill Dromo & Chief Little Eagle defeated Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler / Notes: Prince Kalani substituted for Greg Peterson in the match with Silento Rodriguez.

MAY 29, 1964 (FRIDAY) – FOREST PARK, GA – KAWANA ATHLETIC FIELD (Les Wolfe – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Ann Casey versus Andrea Swenson > Buddy Fuller versus Sputnik Monroe > Joe Scarpa & Lester Welch versus Kurt & Karl Von Brauner / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Saul Weingeroff managed Kurt & Karl Von Brauner.

MAY 29, 1965 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WAII STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Greg Peterson defeated Pedro Zapata > Buddy Fuller & Jesse James defeated Bob Dalton & George Harris / Notes: This was for the “Live Atlanta Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

MAY 29, 1965 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL BALLPARK (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Harry Smith versus Kurt Von Steiger > Greg Peterson versus Bob Dalton > Pedro Zapata versus Buddy Fuller > Mario Galento versus Chief Little Eagle ruled a no contest / Notes: Aside from the match between Mario Galento and Chief Little Eagle, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.

MAY 29, 1969 (THURSDAY) – MACON, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Paul DeMarco defeated Tim Geohagen > The Kentuckians defeated Tony Nero & Tom Bradley / Notes: It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card. This was for the locally televised “Macon Championship Wrestling”, though it is not known who was hosting the program, whether it was taped or broadcast live, nor is it clear as to which station the program was aired at the time.

MAY 29, 1970 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PAUL JONES SPORTS ARENA [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pedro Valdez defeated Chati Yokuchi > Bob Armstrong & the Challenger defeated Randy & Rip Tyler > Georgia Television Title Match: Nick Bockwinkel and Joe Scarpa ruled a no contest > Karl Von Stroheim defeated Professor Kimura > Leo Garibaldi & El Mongol defeated Homer O’Dell & Buddy Colt > No TL Match: Doug Gilbert defeated Bill Miller / Notes: This card was scheduled to occur at the Lakewood Speedway, but it was moved to the Sports Arena due to inclement weather. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt & Karl Von Stroheim. Following the match between Leo Garibaldi & El Mongol and O’Dell & Colt, Professor Kimura charged the ring and attacked the latter two men. The match between Nick Bockwinkel and Joe Scarpa was to determine a champion for the vacant title, but because of the finish, the title remained vacant pending a rematch set for June 5, 1970. Assassin #2 had previously been the champion, but the title was declared vacant on May 23, 1970, as he had been suspended. Tim Geohagen was the special referee for the match. Charlie Harben was credited as being a referee for this card.

MAY 29, 1971 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Vicky Williams defeated Toni Rose > The Professional defeated the Red Demon (1) > Rocket & Flash Monroe versus Kubla Khan & El Mongol ended in a double disqualification / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. During the match between the Professional defeated the Red Demon, the Pro removed the Demon’s mask, but he was unable to be identified as he raced from the ring.

MAY 29, 1973 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LAKEWOOD FAIRGROUNDS [P] (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Bill Bowman versus John Black > Oki Shikina versus the Avenger > Joe Turner versus Koa Tiki > World Light Heavyweight Title Match: the Golden Gladiator* versus Randy Curtis > Jack Armstrong & Ox Baker versus Ron Pritchard & Argentina Apollo > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Rock Hunter & Assassin #2* versus Ray Candy & El Mongol / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Mr. X managed Bill Bowman and Joe Turner. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2.

MAY 29, 1973 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Roy Lee Welch defeated Rick Ferrara > Tiger Conway, Jr., defeated Tony Romano > Leon Ogle & Choo-Choo Lynn defeated Bill White & Otto Von Heller > Bobby Shane defeated Derrell Cochran > Bill Dromo & Bobo Brazil defeated Bobby Duncum & Bill Watts > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Jack Brisco defeated Harley Race* by disqualification

MAY 29, 1976 (SATURDAY) – GRIFFIN, GA – GRIFFIN-BARNESVILLE SPORTS PALACE (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Leon Ogle defeated Mitsu Hata > Dean Ho defeated Yasu Fuji > Ken Mantell & Roy Lee Welch defeated the Red Devils > Dean Ho defeated Moondog Mayne / Notes: Doug Smith was credited as being a referee for this card.

MAY 29, 1978 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Irwin and Roger Howell wrestled to a draw > Ted Allen defeated Billy Starr > Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Rock Hunter > Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff defeated Tommy Rich & Mr. Wrestling #2 > Stan Hansen defeated Abdullah the Butcher by disqualification / Notes: Mr. Wrestling #1 substituted for Paul Jones in the match with Rock Hunter. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher. Hunter was barred from ringside during the match between Abdullah and Stan Hansen. Ken Dillinger and Bryan St. John were also advertised.

MAY 29, 1979 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Norvel Austin defeated Charlie Fulton > Jerry Roberts defeated Frank Monte > Ray Candy & Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Doug Somers & Kurt Von Hess > Bob Armstrong defeated the Masked Superstar > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel* defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff by disqualification / Notes: Bobby Heenan managed the Masked Superstar.

MAY 29, 1980 (THURSDAY) – ROME, GA – ROME MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Gerald Finley versus Joe Powell > Bob Sweetan versus Mike Sharpe > Mike Davis versus Jim Nelson > Jay Strongbow versus Ernie Ladd > Austin Idol versus Baron Von Raschke / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 29, 1982 (SATURDAY) – HUNTINGTON, WV (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ray Stevens and El Mongol wrestled to a draw > Michael Hayes defeated Ole Anderson > The Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer defeated Bob Armstrong & Kevin Sullivan > John Studd versus Leroy Brown ended in a double countout > Tommy Rich defeated Buzz Sawyer by disqualification

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com

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Steve sent this UK notes in:

An Open Challenge from Tex Benedict

Tex Benedict has held the British Welterweight title for over two years so is there anyone who can take the title away from him?

In an interview with Piledriver-Online, Benedict was asked who he considered to be his main rivals for the title he’s held so long and he came up with this answer.

“In terms of my main rivals for this belt, the one thing that the British wrestling scene is flooded with is guys within the weight range of the welterweight title, I could list a bunch of names who are challengers, but how about instead of me doing this I just lay out an open challenge. Anyone who wants a shot at the British Welterweight title all you need to do is make a public challenge, name a time, name a place and I'll respond in the same manner that you made the challenge “

Will anyone challenge Tex for the title? More news when we get it. To read the full three page interview go to this link.

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On July 5th in Morecambe, Johnny Phere will finally become the XWA British Heavyweight Champion. Well that’s what he says anyway in an interview just carried out with Piledriver Online.

2007 was the self-named ‘Year of the Phere’ and an unbeaten streak was, in Phere’s opinion, destined to end with his winning the title from Jonny Storm. However all didn’t go to plan and Storm retained his title. An angry Phere claims that “Storm has stolen my title and I want it back!.”

Now on July 5th he faces not just Storm but Sam Slam and Stevie Knight in a Final Four match at ‘Vendetta’ and he has this to say to his rivals for the title. “I’m pleased XWA have realised they can’t have a main event without me, but Stevie and Sam have no rights to be there! This is between me and Jonny Storm, so if I have to go through Stevie and Sam to get my hands on Jonny Storm then so be it. At ‘Vendetta’ I will prove once and for all who the real champion is... and that’s me!”

To read the whole interview and to find out more about the situation in GPW where Phere is in dispute with Dirk Feelgood over their title, go to this link. More about XWA at http://www.xwawrestling.com

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VPW sent this in:

Booker T Comes To Varsity Pro Wrestling!

The big news coming out of this weeks tour is the latest, and by far the biggest, addition to the VPW roster and the biggest news in British wrestling in a long time: Booker T!

After Shawn Daivari won his match Booker T appeared on the big screen and announced that he would be joining VPW's tour in July, Booker went on to challenge Daivari; which he accepted. That means that on the next VPW tour we'll see Daivari versus Booker T!

In what has to be considered a major coup for Varsity Pro Wrestling Booker T will be appearing in Bournemouth on the 31st of July and Portsmouth on the 2nd of August. By adding Booker T to our roster VPW has once again raised the bar and these are shows you won't want to miss.

Tickets for the shows go on sale on Monday:

Solent Hall, Bournemouth Pavilion
Thursday 31st July
Box office phone number: 0844 576 3000

Portsmouth Guildhall
Saturday 2nd August
Box office phone number: 023 9282 4355

http://www.varsityprowrestling.com

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Larry Goodman sent this report in:

Showtime Allstar Wrestling – Episode 44
Airing May 10, 2008 on ION Network affiliate WNPX 28 in Nashville

Showtime Allstar Wrestling TV is available at www.sawonline.tv along with other exclusive video content.

Michael St. John and Reno Riggins were at ringside to open the show. Riggins said the close of last week’s show was like nothing he had seen in his 22 years in the business. St. John said they kept the cameras rolling and that footage was coming up. This week’s main event: a match for the SAW Television Title between Damian Adams and Chrisjen Hayme. Riggins said that as matchmaker, his job was to give fans the matches they wanted to see, and Hayme had earned the number one contender spot. They hyped the debut of the 295 monster Chris Carnage.

They aired a replay of the backstage melee between Boogie Nation and A-Team, and most of the wild postmatch brawl.

St. John said they were going to the never-before-seen footage. It revealed that there was an immediate power outage when the show went off the air. The building stayed dark for over a minute. When power was restored, Boogie Woogie Boy and Arrick Andrews were both out cold in the middle of the ring. A posse of SAW officials came to their aid. Andrews was carried out. Boogie went out on a stretcher.

Putting two and two together, St. John noted that Miss Boogie chased Paul Adams to the back just before the lights went out, and he suspected Adams was behind the power outage. St. John said Boogie suffered a concussion and Andrews had bruised larynx. Both are out of action for an indefinite period of time.

(1) Drew Haskins beat C. M. Sigmon in 3:46. MSJ said Sigmon was from Las Vegas and had wrestled all over the world. (or at least the world of East Tennessee and Kentucky). Reno said when Haskins approached him about becoming a pro wrestler a year ago, the first thing he did was try to run him off. “That’s all we need is another kid running around town saying he’s going to be a professional wrestler. But he stuck with it.” Riggins agreed that Adams was the prime suspect in the power outage. Sigmon completely controlled the match. He hit a diving headbutt and wowed Reno and MSJ with his dropkick. Haskins surprised Sigmon with a slingshot sunset flip for the pin.

MSJ came to ringside to interview Haskins. A Team ran Haskins off. St. John said that was not nice. Paul Adams was hot about the accusations by MSJ and Riggins. Paul said they probably thought he was responsible for the crop circles, global warming and world hunger as well. MSJ questioned the other members of A Team regarding there activities when the lights were out. They all had alibis. Hammerjack said they beat up Boogie Nation for twenty minutes, so he got a little bored and left. MSJ turned to Hammerjack.

I was outta there, baby. I’m afraid of the dark…and clowns.

Santel said he and Hammerjack had a double date with the (Olsen) twins.

Kate is an alley cat…I’m gonna have her screaming “Ricky, kill me and save yourself! Kill me and save yourself!”

Paul said the important thing was they took care of the Indian and Boogie and Andrews were laid out and done for good. The fans could chant for Boogie Woogie Boy all they wanted. “These people in the front row talk about being part of Boogie Nation. When I look at this people, they’re so dirty and filthy; all I can think of is urination.” With that, Paul said James was going to pull the limo up because it was time to jet.

They aired a brief close up of Frank Malone and his icy blue-eyed expressionless stare as he walked down a dark, crowded street in downtown Nashville.

(2) Johnny Roacks beat Frank Malone (with Cody Malone) via DQ in 1:30. St. John joked about Malone being a serial killer. Riggins noted his ice blue eyes. Malone dwarfed Roacks, and the little guy could do nothing him with. Malone manhandled Roacks. Malone’s manager, his brother we were told, grabbed Roacks’ leg. Roacks made a move for Cody. Frank locked in his unnamed cobra clutch finisher. The ref ruled it a choke and DQed Frank. Frank then choked out the ref in about 2 seconds and tossed his limp body to the canvas. On his way out, Frank wrapped the ref’s hand around a pair of dice.

Assistant Commissioner Mike Sircy joined MSJ in the interview area. Sircy said that due what had just occurred between the A Team and Haskins, he was booking Haskins vs. a member of A Team in a singles match for next week. Sircy said the main reason he was there to address was Rob Roy McCoy. They showed the footage from last week in which McCoy refused to break the crossface chickenwing after Jamison tapped, and then the heinous chair usage into Jamison’s deformed hand. Sircy said that as a result, the SAW BOD was suspending McCoy indefinitely.

(3) Chris Carnage pinned Tatsu at 1:52 with the Carnage . Carnage was introed at 6-8 and 320 pounds, so that must have been quite the prematch meal. Whatever, the real numbers, he’s huge and stacked. Carnage overwhelmed Tatsu with power moves. His finisher is a torture rack into a falling neckbreaker.

They aired a video highlight preview package for the main event featuring SAW’s two high fliers, Television Champion Damian Adams and his challenger, “Best of the Best” Chrisjen Hayme.

(4) Damian Adams defeated Chisjen Hayme in 5:10 to retain the SAW Television Title. Damian is over as champ and they were vocal for him right from the opening bell. Hayme used a brawling style to take command, but nobody home on his elbow drop. Damian worked the arm, then used a drop toehold to set up an Oklahoma roll for a near fall. Hayme punished Damian for a telegraphed backdrop with a southpaw lariat for a two count. Hayme throttled Damian on the mat. Hayme with a big double underhook suplex, but no hook of the leg. When Damian elbowed out of a chinlock, Hayme slammed him down on the back of head. He hooked the leg on that one. Go figure. They traded strikes- some wicked stiff chops in there. Damian reversed a European uppercut with a backslide. Hayme countered a spinning headscissors into a facebuster and dropkicked Damian. No hook-kick out. Hook-kick out. Hayme did the “what do I need to do?” expression. He suplexed Damian and went for springboard moonsault. Nobody home. Damian agonizingly pulled himself up by the ropes for a great comeback that had Hayme reeling. Damian went for the kill with the bicycle kick, but Hayme had it scouted and hit the Blue Thunder Bomb. Hayme climbed up top for the 450. Damian avoided it. Bicycle kick. Bullseye. 1-2-3.

Closing Thoughts: It appeared they were stretching to have enough content for this episode, but I thought they made effective use of what they had. Bell-to-bell action was down to a TNA-like 13 minutes and they used a lot of footage from the previous week. Unlike TNA, the main event was the only one that would have benefited from more time. Based on Reno’s opening comments, the “luck of the draw” gimmick to determine title challengers has been quietly dropped. On the footage we didn’t see last week, I liked the lights out mystery as yet one more way for Boogie and Andrews to be left laying, but good lord, I’ve never seen a top babyface carried out as many times as Boogie. Sigmon is a talented addition to the SAW roster. No idea why the “C.M.” was added to his name this week. I think that one is taken. Sigmon is out of the Knoxville and the current champion for EWP. Haskins is OK as the green but scrappy babyface working his way up from the very bottom. He doesn’t have a wrestlers build, but I like him better than Colin Delaney. Haskins shows no natural star qualities at this stage, but it’s way too early to tell. So much has to come from burning desire. The A Team has a bizarre chemistry that works. The ringside interrogation was funny stuff. A clarification on the blood in the angle with Jamison last week: there was blood and somehow the cameras missed it. The clip of Malone on the dark street was great. Brief as it was, it really got across the strange, chilling nature of the character. The slow unfolding of the Malone story has been really well done. The viewers learned two new pieces of info - the identity of Malone’s manager and what it is that he sticks in his victim’s hand – left unexplained in his debut. If SAW looking for a monster to replace Raige, Carnage has the credentials. He’s not ripped like he was in HWA but a huge guy for sure. No telling heel or face leanings. Carnage was all business. The few moves he did looked impressive. Nice work by the SAW production department on the Hayme vs. Damian preview video. I should mention that the video quality of the entire show is beautiful these days, and I didn’t notice any of obvious gaffes with the graphics and such this week. Anyway, they did this fancy preview and gave the match only five minutes. True, they had no personal issue but in a perfect world, 7or 8 would have been nice because those guys can go. It was a totally solid back and forth match that told a good story -Hayme was unable to connect with his big aerial moves, and Adams was able to take everything else Hayme had. Damian’s first true test produced his best title match thus far. But the big one with McCoy is waiting in the wings. Damian hits that bicycle kick right on the button every single time.

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Steven Ashe sent this in:

East Coast Pro Wrestling has a show on Sunday, June 1st at The North Sydney Forum in Sydney, NS, with a 7 pm start. The main event is Al Snow vs Kowboy Mike Hughes. Also on the show are Kip James, Gary Williams, Brody Steele, and Krysta Lynn Scott. Also, Al Snow will be signing autographs at the Mayflower Mall the same day from 2-4 pm.
http://www.eastcoastprowrestling.com