The producers of "Wrestling's Bloodiest Wars:Hospital Ward" asked if I
would review another edition in the series and after the review I did
previously, I knew it would be an interesting screening so I took the
opportunity to watch the event that airs this month on Direct TV. This
is more of a nostalgic edition, as it features many of the hardcore
legends of the sport and some rare matches that most fans haven't had
the chance to watch until the Wrestling's Bloodiest Wars series made it
available on pay-per-view.
Terry Funk vs. Sabu
These
two legendary competitors had some of the most hardcore matches in the
history of the business and this is another chapter in the Funk vs. Sabu
series with a rare independent match from the defunct 3PW promotion.
Just as the pay-per-view starts, the tone is set immediately as Terry
Funk begins throwing chairs and tables into the ring toward his
opponent. After the flying furniture, Funk and Sabu brawl around the
outside of the ring. When the action spills into the squared circle,
Sabu retrieves his trademark spike and he stabs Funk in the head several
times. As Funk is bleeding, he retreats to the outside and grabs a
guard rail that he hurdles at Sabu. Eventually, Sabu sets up a table and
attempts a top rope leg drop, but Funk moves and Sabu crashes though
it. After the mishap, Funk hits a DDT on the remainder of the table and
gets the win. Despite the many matches these competitors have had
previously, this is another entertaining bout and one of the highlights
of the show.
Balls Mahoney vs. Ian Rotten
Another
rare contest from 3PW, Mahoney and Rotten are two brawlers, but they
actually start this match with some chain wrestling. Balls Mahoney is
probably known to most fans for bleeding and being put through a flaming
table, but he shows some technically ability in this match as well. Ian
Rotten, who promotes IWA Midsouth events, was known for blood bathes
with Axl in ECW and he continued a lot of that style in his own
promotion. After the technical exchange, this match became exactly what
most fans expect from these ECW originals and it was a bloody war. In an
extremely graphic scene, Mahoney takes a pair of scissors and slices
Rotten's head, as he starts to bleed buckets. However, Rotten would
counter and in an equally disturbing sequence, he cuts Mahoney with the
scissors to add more blood to the contest. After some stiff chair shots
and head butts, Balls Mahoney hits the Michinoku driver on a chair to
get the pin. This match lives up to the name of the event and it really
represents the type of action of the series.
The Public Enemy vs. Chris Chetti and Danny Doring
The
Public Enemy were one of the top tag teams in Extreme Championship
Wrestling and they probably don't get enough credit for their
accomplishments during the early years of the company. While they were
somewhat limited with their in ring style as a team, Rocko Rock an Johny
Grunge were some of the most popular stars in the promotion during the
prime of their ECW career. Chris Chetti was another under rated talent
and it's somewhat surprising that he didn't wrestle too often after ECW
closed. As far as tag teams, Danny Doring and Road Kill were a popular
duo and they were also the last ECW tag team champions. This match is a
complete brawl as the competitors use trash cans and other weapons
around the building. While Rocko and Doring are using every weapons
possible outside of the ring, Chetti hits a leg drop on Grunge through a
table. However, the momentum switched and The Public Enemy put Chetti
through two tables to get the victory.
The Sandman vs. Raven
This
is another ECW feud revisited in a tables, ladders, and chairs match.
The Sandman is an extremely unique performer and despite his limited
wrestling ability, he was one of the most popular stars in ECW history. A
combination of a risky style and a lot of charisma made a lack luster
in ring competitor into a top draw for a promotion. However, The Sandman
doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves as a performer, considering
he was apart of many memorable matches and storylines. Raven, who made
his name in just a few years in ECW, was able to take a grunge based
character and evolve it to continue to work on the independent scene
today. He has done many shoot interviews that provide insight into his
knowledge of the business and if he wasn't known for being difficult to
work with in recent years, Raven would probably be working behind the
scenes in the WWE. The match itself was somewhat sloppy and as he's
clobbering Raven with punches, The Sandman gives the mic for an
impromptu promo. After Raven gets the momentum, he grabs the mic as well
to berate his opponent while putting the boots to him. Eventually, The
Sandman climbs the ladder for a senton through the table, but Raven
moves and The Sandman crashes through it. Raven pins him for the win and
it's a decent match.
Abdullah The Butcher vs. Dusty Rhodes vs. Terry Funk
A triple threat last man standing match with
some of the legends of
hardcore and there isn't a lot of technical wrestling, but it's a blood
bath.
Abdullah didn't do much in his career other than stab his opponents and
bleed,
and that's exactly what he does in this match. Abdullah uses a fork to
stab
Funk several times and the former ECW champion begins to bleed just
minutes
into the contest. The Butcher also attacks Dusty with the fork and the
blood
streams down his head. Just when it seems like Abdullah couldn't do
anything
more insane, he takes the fork to Funk's arm and it was a disturbing
scene as
his arm continued to bleed during the contest. Dusty uses his cowboy
boot to hit Abbdullah and he crumbles to the floor. Terry grabs the boot
and waffles Dusty with it before they both collapse to the canvas. Funk
makes it to his feet before the count and gets the win.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Thursday, May 7, 2015
The Super Smash Brothers
When I was asked about writing an article about the Super Smash Brothers, I was thrilled with the opportunity, as I'm very familiar with their work and consider them one of the best tag teams on the independent scene. The combination of Player Uno and Stupefied Player Dos took their admiration for classic video games and blended it with a passion for professional wrestling to form a Nintendo inspired tag team. However, long before the Canadian natives stepped inside of the ring, they watched their heroes and dreamed of pursing the sport. There's an extensive history of exports from Canada that have made their mark on the pro wrestling industry, including legends such as Bret Hart, Chris Jericho, and many others. The tradition of Canadian athletes finding fame in The United States continues today with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn being top prospects for the WWE's NXT division.
When asked about what influenced him to chase his dream and the sacrifices it took to make it happen, Uno's response spoke volumes as to how dedicated he is to his craft. "I always loved wrestling. My mom
raised me to watch it and it was my passion from early on in my
childhood. I never thought I’d get to be a wrestler, but when I was 14
and saw the opportunity to train for wrestling, I jumped in. I paid it
all by myself, with money I worked for. I had two jobs from my late teens,
all while handling a full time school schedule, paying an apartment,
going to training and doing shows. I was really dedicated to make it
happen."
Player Uno had his first pro match at just 16 and shorty after his debut, he met one of the new trainees at the small training center he attended. The new addition to the school was Stupefied, who would later become Player Dos after he and Uno became friends through their pursuit of wrestling. Ironically enough, the pairing was only supposed to last for a few months while Dos polished his skills, but nearly ten years later the duo is one of the most popular teams on the independent circuit.
Within just a few years of joining the pro ranks, Uno and Dos were building a fan following in their native country when Chikara pro, one of the more well known independent companies in the United States, offered them the chance to join the promotion in 2007. Chikara is known as a family friendly promotion that uses an array of colorful characters and some humor to create a unique atmosphere for their events, which suited the 8-bit influenced tag team perfectly. Another staple of Chikara Pro is the mixture of wrestling styles, including lucha libre, Japanese, and the traditional technical aspects that the organization presents its fans. Again, The Smash Brothers excelled and showed American audiences their action packed in ring skills, which elevated their profile in the United States. Their impressive ability inside the squared circle brought The Smash Brothers championship recognition when they had a brief stint as Chikara tag team champion in 2007 and the success continued as Dos won the Young Lions Cup in 2009 before the duo concluded their run in the promotion in 2010.
As the pair became more well known in America, Ring Of Honor, the third largest promotion in the country, asked the team to work with the company in 2009. The Smash Brothers appeared at ROH shows for about a year and performed several matches that eventually aired for the HD Net cable channel. The increased exposure led to an invitation to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in 2011 and their trips to the California based promotion received rave reviews from the diehard audience at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda. PWG is considered among many to be the top independent group in the United States and thus, just the opportunity to wrestle there is seen as an accomplishment because of the amount of talent that inquire about a spot on the card. The Smash Brothers not only had a spot on the card, but also really flourished there as they became a fixture of the promotion and won the PWG tag team titles in 2012. During the run as champions, they were involved in a three way ladder match with Future Shock and The Young Bucks, which is regarded as one of the best matches in the company's twelve year history.
Just as Uno and Dos seemed to be at the peak of their career in early 2013, they suddenly didn't wrestle on their usual cards. It was later noted that The Smash Brothers weren't permitted to work in the United States and the exact regulations about what is or isn't allowed depends on individual boarder agents. Obviously, the Smash Brothers wanted to go through the right channels to get the proper paper work needed to continue working outside of Canada and they started the visa process immediately after they were told it would be a requirement for future travels. Uno expressed his frustration with the tedious application process, as it left their career somewhat in lingo and said, "It’s the most confusing process ever. It’s quite ridiculous the hoops you have to jump in to get a US Work Visa for pro wrestling. I never anticipated it being this difficult and this long of a process. It’s quite nerve raking."
Hopefully, the Super Smash Brothers will get approved and can continue wrestling internationally because it would be extremely disappointing to see this talented team not get a chance to work to their potential. As a commentator for a local Pittsburgh promotion, I can tell you how important it is that competitors are well rounded with in ring skills as well as a marketable character, and the Smash Brothers bring both elements to the table. In many respects, the solid in ring ability adds substance to a match and an entertaining character allows the character to become more versatile for different storylines. Obviously, the Smash Brothers have been entertaining crowds for over a decade and if they are permitted to wrestle internationally, they would probably be well received in Japan, as the tech savvy country would enjoy the Smash Brothers' character. Regardless of what country or city The Super Smash Brothers wrestle for next, you can expect a great match and a bright future for them.
Within just a few years of joining the pro ranks, Uno and Dos were building a fan following in their native country when Chikara pro, one of the more well known independent companies in the United States, offered them the chance to join the promotion in 2007. Chikara is known as a family friendly promotion that uses an array of colorful characters and some humor to create a unique atmosphere for their events, which suited the 8-bit influenced tag team perfectly. Another staple of Chikara Pro is the mixture of wrestling styles, including lucha libre, Japanese, and the traditional technical aspects that the organization presents its fans. Again, The Smash Brothers excelled and showed American audiences their action packed in ring skills, which elevated their profile in the United States. Their impressive ability inside the squared circle brought The Smash Brothers championship recognition when they had a brief stint as Chikara tag team champion in 2007 and the success continued as Dos won the Young Lions Cup in 2009 before the duo concluded their run in the promotion in 2010.
As the pair became more well known in America, Ring Of Honor, the third largest promotion in the country, asked the team to work with the company in 2009. The Smash Brothers appeared at ROH shows for about a year and performed several matches that eventually aired for the HD Net cable channel. The increased exposure led to an invitation to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in 2011 and their trips to the California based promotion received rave reviews from the diehard audience at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda. PWG is considered among many to be the top independent group in the United States and thus, just the opportunity to wrestle there is seen as an accomplishment because of the amount of talent that inquire about a spot on the card. The Smash Brothers not only had a spot on the card, but also really flourished there as they became a fixture of the promotion and won the PWG tag team titles in 2012. During the run as champions, they were involved in a three way ladder match with Future Shock and The Young Bucks, which is regarded as one of the best matches in the company's twelve year history.
Just as Uno and Dos seemed to be at the peak of their career in early 2013, they suddenly didn't wrestle on their usual cards. It was later noted that The Smash Brothers weren't permitted to work in the United States and the exact regulations about what is or isn't allowed depends on individual boarder agents. Obviously, the Smash Brothers wanted to go through the right channels to get the proper paper work needed to continue working outside of Canada and they started the visa process immediately after they were told it would be a requirement for future travels. Uno expressed his frustration with the tedious application process, as it left their career somewhat in lingo and said, "It’s the most confusing process ever. It’s quite ridiculous the hoops you have to jump in to get a US Work Visa for pro wrestling. I never anticipated it being this difficult and this long of a process. It’s quite nerve raking."
Hopefully, the Super Smash Brothers will get approved and can continue wrestling internationally because it would be extremely disappointing to see this talented team not get a chance to work to their potential. As a commentator for a local Pittsburgh promotion, I can tell you how important it is that competitors are well rounded with in ring skills as well as a marketable character, and the Smash Brothers bring both elements to the table. In many respects, the solid in ring ability adds substance to a match and an entertaining character allows the character to become more versatile for different storylines. Obviously, the Smash Brothers have been entertaining crowds for over a decade and if they are permitted to wrestle internationally, they would probably be well received in Japan, as the tech savvy country would enjoy the Smash Brothers' character. Regardless of what country or city The Super Smash Brothers wrestle for next, you can expect a great match and a bright future for them.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Corgan signs for TNA
This week, Total Nonstop Action announced that The Smashing Pumpkins lead singer, Billy Corgan has signed as a creative consultant for the promotion and the news was reported on various main stream media outlets. Corgan, who is a well known wrestling fan, made a few appearances for the original ECW and his guitar shot to Lou E. Dangerously remains one of the highlights of the promotion. Aside from being involved in the music industry for almost three decades, Corgan has a background working in professional wrestling as well, most recently working with the Chicago based Resistance Pro until he left the company late last year. Prior to his departure, Corgan helped develop a potential reality series based around the backstage scene of the business and there were rumors that cable networks might air it, but it hasn't happened yet. Would a reality show have launched a company? Probably not, but considering that networks saw potential in the project, it shows some of the concepts Corgan could bring to TNA.
Obviously, Corgan proved himself as a very creative person throughout his music career, but will that actually translate to pro wrestling? It's possible, but it will be an uphill battle for him because while Corgan has experience running a wrestling company on an independent level, the national aspects of a company are a completely different situation. The hurdles for Corgan will be similar to the obstacles of previous TNA writers, specifically the perception that TNA is damaged goods and that there's no identity for the brand. Former WWE stars that were used strictly because they were on WWE TV at some point remained a problem for TNA even after the move to Destination America, which was hyped as a "new era" for the company. Should Bobby Lashley really have been the TNA champion again? He was a mid carder in the WWE and the attempt to build a cross over audience for TNA because he fought sporadically in Bellator didn't work. The ratings were stagnate on Spike TV and the network decided not to renew the TV deal. The Destination America contract kept the company afloat and while solid numbers help the network, there's a smaller audience watching TNA on a weekly basis because Destination America doesn't have the TV clearance of Spike TV. With less TV distribution, is Corgan going to have the tools to build the brand?
When the news of the Spike TV decision to not renew the TV deal was reported, I mentioned that in many respects, TNA was similar to WCW, considering that the brand was almost too damaged to rebuild itself and it seems as though some of the stigma still remains for TNA. Reports of talents being paid late and more specifically, the departure of Taz, which he acknowledged he was paid late on his podcast haven't helped the perception of the company either. Corgan's involvement actually helps the perception of the company because a notable person from the entertainment business thinks there's potential for the brand. Obviously, Corgan wouldn't sign with the organization if he didn't think there could be a bright future for it, but there's also a downside to it as well because it could be seen as somewhat of a novelty act to garner press for the company.
It would be great to see Corgan improve TNA, but despite his efforts and noble attempts to better the sport, I don't think it will happen, which is nothing against him. I still say that I think the TNA brand is too damaged for Corgan or anyone else to rid the company of the stigma towards it after the years of booking fumbles and ridiculous storylines.
Obviously, Corgan proved himself as a very creative person throughout his music career, but will that actually translate to pro wrestling? It's possible, but it will be an uphill battle for him because while Corgan has experience running a wrestling company on an independent level, the national aspects of a company are a completely different situation. The hurdles for Corgan will be similar to the obstacles of previous TNA writers, specifically the perception that TNA is damaged goods and that there's no identity for the brand. Former WWE stars that were used strictly because they were on WWE TV at some point remained a problem for TNA even after the move to Destination America, which was hyped as a "new era" for the company. Should Bobby Lashley really have been the TNA champion again? He was a mid carder in the WWE and the attempt to build a cross over audience for TNA because he fought sporadically in Bellator didn't work. The ratings were stagnate on Spike TV and the network decided not to renew the TV deal. The Destination America contract kept the company afloat and while solid numbers help the network, there's a smaller audience watching TNA on a weekly basis because Destination America doesn't have the TV clearance of Spike TV. With less TV distribution, is Corgan going to have the tools to build the brand?
When the news of the Spike TV decision to not renew the TV deal was reported, I mentioned that in many respects, TNA was similar to WCW, considering that the brand was almost too damaged to rebuild itself and it seems as though some of the stigma still remains for TNA. Reports of talents being paid late and more specifically, the departure of Taz, which he acknowledged he was paid late on his podcast haven't helped the perception of the company either. Corgan's involvement actually helps the perception of the company because a notable person from the entertainment business thinks there's potential for the brand. Obviously, Corgan wouldn't sign with the organization if he didn't think there could be a bright future for it, but there's also a downside to it as well because it could be seen as somewhat of a novelty act to garner press for the company.
It would be great to see Corgan improve TNA, but despite his efforts and noble attempts to better the sport, I don't think it will happen, which is nothing against him. I still say that I think the TNA brand is too damaged for Corgan or anyone else to rid the company of the stigma towards it after the years of booking fumbles and ridiculous storylines.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao
This Saturday, the fight almost seven years in the making will
finally take place as the undefeated Floyd Mayweather steps into the
ring with multiple division champion, Manny Pacquiao. The political
hurdles that are too often seen in the current boxing landscape almost
prevented the bout from happening and controversy persisted as recent as
last week, as a disagreement about ticket distribution delayed tickets
to the live event going on sale to the public. As ridiculous as the
ticket fiasco is, it should be no surprise, considering that almost
every aspect of the fight was a potential road block for the contest to
be signed during the past few years. However, the fight is official and
it's already sold out, but why is the fight finally going to happen?
Floyd Mayweather seemed hesitate to agree to fight Manny Pacquiao in the past, which promoted much speculation that Floyd was more concerned with preserving his unbeaten record than a mega fight with the Filipino star. Was Mayweather ducking Manny? It's possible, but at the time, there were notable fighters to challenge him and he strategically chose when to fight certain challengers to ensure his undefeated streak remained, while questions about the potential Pacquiao fight persisted after each Mayweather victory. Floyd, who is a very smart business man, embraced the role of the villain during his career and part of the draw for his fight was that fans were paying it see if he would be defeated. Ultimately, the general public realized that Floyd was only going to fight competitors he knew that he was favored to beat and while the pay-per-view numbers were strong, there were various reports that Showtime lost money on a few Mayweather fights because the buy rates didn't cover the amount of money he making for his contract. Basically, the audience doesn't want to pay $60 for glorified exhibition fights where Floyd uses his spectacular defensive skills to win a lopsided decision against fighters that are skilled, but no real threat to him.
In my opinion, the contest was inked because without a credible opponent, Floyd wouldn't have made the record payday he had for previous bouts and after the Pacquiao fight was discussed for several years, the buzz around it began to decline. In truth, this is a fight that should have happened five years ago and there was a certain "if it's going to happen, it has to happen now" aspect to it, as interest in the match up was dwindling because many fans assumed it just wasn't going to happen. As mentioned, Mayweather is a businessman and he wasn't going to leave the money for the most profitable fight in history on the table so he's willing to risk his unblemished record for it.
In many respects, the story writes itself as both competitors are on different ends of the spectrum in terms of their public perception. The brash Mayweather flaunts his wealth and he knows his role as boxing's top heel only brings him a better payoff after each fight. Manny Pacquiao, who grew up in poverty, is an elected official in his home country and he has done extensive charity work to help the citizens there. Floyd Mayweather also had five domestic violence incidents since 2002 with the most recent in 2011, which resulted in him serving two months in jail in 2012. There's no doubt that Floyd Mayweather is a tremendous boxer, but the domestic violence charges prove he's a coward.
So, who wins this battle of boxing's two biggest stars? Mayweather is favored to win and considering that he's undefeated, he should be given the edge prior to the bout. Floyd is a defensive technician and his ability to make his opponent miss while counter punching is what makes him successful. Obviously, speed is the key to the formula and even at 38, he remains sharp in the ring. Manny is known for his speed as well, but also brings a powerful punch to the ring, which was seen in his most recent fight with Chris Algieri, as Pacquiao sent the challenger to the canvas six times on his way to a one sided decision win. In my view, speed is the key to the entire fight and it could quite possibly be the determining factor. If Floyd can avoid Manny's punches, there will be another Mayweather win in the books, but if Pacquiao can match speed with Floyd, the boxing world could see a lost on his record. If I had to guess, (and this is more of a guess than anything) I have to say I think Floyd Mayweather will get the decision win, but hopefully, I'm wrong because I want to see Pacquiao get the victory.
Some have called this "the fight of the century," but I wouldn't go that far, considering a lot of that is based around the hype of the bout. However, it's certainly the biggest fight of the past decade and the only comparable contest was the Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis fight in 2002. With a price tag of $89.99 on pay-per-view, Mayweather/Pacquiao will set records and it's definitely an event the entire sports world will be watching, but will this clash boost the sport of boxing as a whole? The effects of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao remain to be seen, but there's certainly an array of talent that will be showcasing their skills in the following weeks so hopefully it will generate more viewers towards the sport. Regardless, it's good to see that on a weekend with various sports scheduled, including the NFL draft, that boxing will take center stage and hopefully it will be an entertaining fight.
Floyd Mayweather seemed hesitate to agree to fight Manny Pacquiao in the past, which promoted much speculation that Floyd was more concerned with preserving his unbeaten record than a mega fight with the Filipino star. Was Mayweather ducking Manny? It's possible, but at the time, there were notable fighters to challenge him and he strategically chose when to fight certain challengers to ensure his undefeated streak remained, while questions about the potential Pacquiao fight persisted after each Mayweather victory. Floyd, who is a very smart business man, embraced the role of the villain during his career and part of the draw for his fight was that fans were paying it see if he would be defeated. Ultimately, the general public realized that Floyd was only going to fight competitors he knew that he was favored to beat and while the pay-per-view numbers were strong, there were various reports that Showtime lost money on a few Mayweather fights because the buy rates didn't cover the amount of money he making for his contract. Basically, the audience doesn't want to pay $60 for glorified exhibition fights where Floyd uses his spectacular defensive skills to win a lopsided decision against fighters that are skilled, but no real threat to him.
In my opinion, the contest was inked because without a credible opponent, Floyd wouldn't have made the record payday he had for previous bouts and after the Pacquiao fight was discussed for several years, the buzz around it began to decline. In truth, this is a fight that should have happened five years ago and there was a certain "if it's going to happen, it has to happen now" aspect to it, as interest in the match up was dwindling because many fans assumed it just wasn't going to happen. As mentioned, Mayweather is a businessman and he wasn't going to leave the money for the most profitable fight in history on the table so he's willing to risk his unblemished record for it.
In many respects, the story writes itself as both competitors are on different ends of the spectrum in terms of their public perception. The brash Mayweather flaunts his wealth and he knows his role as boxing's top heel only brings him a better payoff after each fight. Manny Pacquiao, who grew up in poverty, is an elected official in his home country and he has done extensive charity work to help the citizens there. Floyd Mayweather also had five domestic violence incidents since 2002 with the most recent in 2011, which resulted in him serving two months in jail in 2012. There's no doubt that Floyd Mayweather is a tremendous boxer, but the domestic violence charges prove he's a coward.
So, who wins this battle of boxing's two biggest stars? Mayweather is favored to win and considering that he's undefeated, he should be given the edge prior to the bout. Floyd is a defensive technician and his ability to make his opponent miss while counter punching is what makes him successful. Obviously, speed is the key to the formula and even at 38, he remains sharp in the ring. Manny is known for his speed as well, but also brings a powerful punch to the ring, which was seen in his most recent fight with Chris Algieri, as Pacquiao sent the challenger to the canvas six times on his way to a one sided decision win. In my view, speed is the key to the entire fight and it could quite possibly be the determining factor. If Floyd can avoid Manny's punches, there will be another Mayweather win in the books, but if Pacquiao can match speed with Floyd, the boxing world could see a lost on his record. If I had to guess, (and this is more of a guess than anything) I have to say I think Floyd Mayweather will get the decision win, but hopefully, I'm wrong because I want to see Pacquiao get the victory.
Some have called this "the fight of the century," but I wouldn't go that far, considering a lot of that is based around the hype of the bout. However, it's certainly the biggest fight of the past decade and the only comparable contest was the Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis fight in 2002. With a price tag of $89.99 on pay-per-view, Mayweather/Pacquiao will set records and it's definitely an event the entire sports world will be watching, but will this clash boost the sport of boxing as a whole? The effects of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao remain to be seen, but there's certainly an array of talent that will be showcasing their skills in the following weeks so hopefully it will generate more viewers towards the sport. Regardless, it's good to see that on a weekend with various sports scheduled, including the NFL draft, that boxing will take center stage and hopefully it will be an entertaining fight.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
FMW Returns
This week the legendary Frontier Martial Arts promotion returned in front of a sell out crowd of 1,200 fans to launch the start of a tour of five shows for the company, which garnered buzz after a press conference earlier this month announced that the FMW would present shows again. The announcement came over a decade after the original promotion collapsed, but will this relaunch make an impact in the Japanese wrestling scene?
Atsushi Onita founded FMW in 1989 after a series of knee injuries derailed his career as a junior heavyweight in All Japan Pro Wrestling a few years earlier and Onita's promotion would set the foundation for the death match genre that would become popular around the globe in the following years. During his time in All Japan, Onita was sent on a tour of the United States to gain experience with a variety of styles and while he was wrestling in the Memphis territory, Onita was actually involved in the famous Tupello concession stand brawl, which influenced the hardcore style he would take to Japan. Another pivotal stage of Onita's journey outside of his native country was when he wrestled in Putero Rico and saw barbed wire used in matches. After the tour, Onita would retire from All Japan for a few years before he would start his own promotion and bring the concept of barbed wire wrestling to Japan. With Onita scarring his body along the way, FMW became an underground phenomenon with a cult following and it became the biggest independent promotion in Japan after 30,000 fans witnessed Onita vs. Terry Funk in an exploding barbed wire match in 1992 at Kawasaki stadium. The roster had many colorful characters including, Mr. Pogo, Tarzan Goto, and others. However, it was the Hayabusa and Masato Tanaka that emerged as the potential future of the company. The company presented wild matches and it would also be one of the main influences for ECW.
While Onita was a charismatic and popular star, he is also very controversial for many of his unwise business decisions. After almost five years of dangerous death matches, Onita announced a retirement tour in 1995 where matches took place in a variety of cities leading to the conclusion at Kawasaki Stadium, which featured Onita vs. Hayabusa in a barbed wire cage match. In many respects, it was considered a passing of the torch, but Onita reportedly, insisted that he win his final match instead of putting Hayabusa over to further establish the promotion's next top star. The ownership and the debt that Onita accumulated were transferred to Sochi Arai as a new era began for the promotion. Onita retired for a year and a half before he returned to the ring, which generated a lot of resentment from the Japanese fans, as they thought they were deceived during his retirement tour. After the hostility from the FMW fans, Onita left the company again and ran a series of spin off shows, but his other ventures didn't get off the ground. Several years later, Onita was actually a representative of the Japanese government, but he was forced to leave office after a scandal. Within recent years, he has become somewhat of a regular on smaller shows and continues to draw crowds.
With Onita's exit in 1998, FMW began expanding and the promotion would have a more international presence than most of the other companies in Japan, including a deal with Direct TV to air PPVs and several stars became known in the United States. The Mike Awesome/Masato Tanaka feud that became one of the highlights of ECW had actually started in FMW a few years previously. It was imported to the United States and there were some classic matches. The Awesome/Tanaka series enhanced Tanaka's profile and it was one of the reasons Awesome was be offered a WCW contract a few years later. With the Direct TV deal bringing FMW new exposure, the company had Shawn Micheals referee one of their PPV main events and the company even had DVD distribution in the United States as Tokyo Pop released a series of compilations to capitalize on the popularity of hardcore wrestling.
Despite the success, the increased production costs and some of the key wrestlers on the roster retiring, the company began to struggle, but Hayabusa continued to carry the promotion as its top star. Sadly, Hayabusa was paralyzed after a botched attempted at a moonsault in 2001 and the promotion would close less than a year later. It was rumored that owner Arai owed a substantial amount of money to the Yakuaza and he committed suicide a few months after the company collapsed.
So why relaunch the company now? I think it's a combination of a few things including, the FMW tapes were a staple for tape traders and the company remained popular for its historic death match style as well as Youtube bringing the matches to an entirely new audience in more recent years. Hideki Takahashi, who worked as a sales representative for the original promotion, is the new president and he plans to run monthly tours. Hayabusa, who can walk with a cane, is assigned the role of the executive producer. Originals Onita, Tanaka, and Nosawa are signed to compete as well as talent from The Great Muta's Wrestle-1 promotion. The Japanese fans recognize the tradition of the sport so it's very possible that the relaunch of FMW is seen as more of a continuation of the original organization than a nostalgia act. The traditional aspect of Japanese fans is one of the reasons it's important that Hayabusa, Onita, and Tanaka are involved because it gives the relaunch more authenticity. I think if Onita doesn't have anything to do with management and he remains just a wrestler, the relaunch of FMW could be successful, as there's already a mixture of original talent and new talent for the shows, but it depends on the fans reaction to it the next few months.
Atsushi Onita founded FMW in 1989 after a series of knee injuries derailed his career as a junior heavyweight in All Japan Pro Wrestling a few years earlier and Onita's promotion would set the foundation for the death match genre that would become popular around the globe in the following years. During his time in All Japan, Onita was sent on a tour of the United States to gain experience with a variety of styles and while he was wrestling in the Memphis territory, Onita was actually involved in the famous Tupello concession stand brawl, which influenced the hardcore style he would take to Japan. Another pivotal stage of Onita's journey outside of his native country was when he wrestled in Putero Rico and saw barbed wire used in matches. After the tour, Onita would retire from All Japan for a few years before he would start his own promotion and bring the concept of barbed wire wrestling to Japan. With Onita scarring his body along the way, FMW became an underground phenomenon with a cult following and it became the biggest independent promotion in Japan after 30,000 fans witnessed Onita vs. Terry Funk in an exploding barbed wire match in 1992 at Kawasaki stadium. The roster had many colorful characters including, Mr. Pogo, Tarzan Goto, and others. However, it was the Hayabusa and Masato Tanaka that emerged as the potential future of the company. The company presented wild matches and it would also be one of the main influences for ECW.
While Onita was a charismatic and popular star, he is also very controversial for many of his unwise business decisions. After almost five years of dangerous death matches, Onita announced a retirement tour in 1995 where matches took place in a variety of cities leading to the conclusion at Kawasaki Stadium, which featured Onita vs. Hayabusa in a barbed wire cage match. In many respects, it was considered a passing of the torch, but Onita reportedly, insisted that he win his final match instead of putting Hayabusa over to further establish the promotion's next top star. The ownership and the debt that Onita accumulated were transferred to Sochi Arai as a new era began for the promotion. Onita retired for a year and a half before he returned to the ring, which generated a lot of resentment from the Japanese fans, as they thought they were deceived during his retirement tour. After the hostility from the FMW fans, Onita left the company again and ran a series of spin off shows, but his other ventures didn't get off the ground. Several years later, Onita was actually a representative of the Japanese government, but he was forced to leave office after a scandal. Within recent years, he has become somewhat of a regular on smaller shows and continues to draw crowds.
With Onita's exit in 1998, FMW began expanding and the promotion would have a more international presence than most of the other companies in Japan, including a deal with Direct TV to air PPVs and several stars became known in the United States. The Mike Awesome/Masato Tanaka feud that became one of the highlights of ECW had actually started in FMW a few years previously. It was imported to the United States and there were some classic matches. The Awesome/Tanaka series enhanced Tanaka's profile and it was one of the reasons Awesome was be offered a WCW contract a few years later. With the Direct TV deal bringing FMW new exposure, the company had Shawn Micheals referee one of their PPV main events and the company even had DVD distribution in the United States as Tokyo Pop released a series of compilations to capitalize on the popularity of hardcore wrestling.
Despite the success, the increased production costs and some of the key wrestlers on the roster retiring, the company began to struggle, but Hayabusa continued to carry the promotion as its top star. Sadly, Hayabusa was paralyzed after a botched attempted at a moonsault in 2001 and the promotion would close less than a year later. It was rumored that owner Arai owed a substantial amount of money to the Yakuaza and he committed suicide a few months after the company collapsed.
So why relaunch the company now? I think it's a combination of a few things including, the FMW tapes were a staple for tape traders and the company remained popular for its historic death match style as well as Youtube bringing the matches to an entirely new audience in more recent years. Hideki Takahashi, who worked as a sales representative for the original promotion, is the new president and he plans to run monthly tours. Hayabusa, who can walk with a cane, is assigned the role of the executive producer. Originals Onita, Tanaka, and Nosawa are signed to compete as well as talent from The Great Muta's Wrestle-1 promotion. The Japanese fans recognize the tradition of the sport so it's very possible that the relaunch of FMW is seen as more of a continuation of the original organization than a nostalgia act. The traditional aspect of Japanese fans is one of the reasons it's important that Hayabusa, Onita, and Tanaka are involved because it gives the relaunch more authenticity. I think if Onita doesn't have anything to do with management and he remains just a wrestler, the relaunch of FMW could be successful, as there's already a mixture of original talent and new talent for the shows, but it depends on the fans reaction to it the next few months.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Breaking Kayfabe with Sabu Review
When it comes to innovative performers, there are an elite list of competitors that have changed the business through their accomplishments and sometimes, they pay the price to sacrifice themselves. Ray Stevens took bumps during his prime in the 1960s that wouldn't become common place for another 20 years. The Dynamite Kid bought a completely different style to the United States and the risk of that style, along with some of his own choices, resulted in him being confined to a wheel chair in his home country of England. There were many competitors that contributed to the industry and sacrificed their health in the process.
However, Sabu has arguably sacrificed more than some of the competitors previously mentioned and a road map of scars tells the story of his nearly three decade career. Similar to his legendary uncle The Original Sheik from Detroit, Sabu rarely spoke during his career and developed an aura similar to The Sheik as well. What could drive someone to throw themselves into barbed wire? Why would someone super glue wounds closed instead of seeking medical help? What is the thought process behind dives into the third row? The name Sabu is known to millions of fans around the globe, but who is Terry Brunk?
Kayfabe Commentaries is one of the premiere video companies that produces shoot interviews and their "Breaking Kayfabe" series focuses on a competitor's story outside of the ring. Sabu has done a few interviews in the past, but he was relatively quiet for most of them and he actually explains why during this Breaking Kayfabe interview. Speaking of kayfabe, Sabu tells some interesting stories about just how far his uncle would do to protect the business and some insight into the Eddie Farhat away from the arena.
Sabu also addresses the injuries that he complied during his prime and how they effect him today. He has a very intriguing view on if the wrestling business has any responsibility for the performers that harm themselves either physically or through the use of substances during their wrestling career. Brunk also gives his side of the story of the infamous Extreme Rising incident in 2012 when various news outlets reported the story of his possible overdose in a hotel room prior to the show. I don't necessarily agree with the explanation, but it's extremely interesting to hear the story directly from Sabu after the news reports.
Sabu also talks about if he's given enough credit for his accomplishments and his risky style. While he's really humble during the interview, I have to say that Sabu probably still doesn't get the credit he deserves and he should be a millionaire. It's somewhat sad to hear him talk about the financial problems, especially at this point in his career after he sacrificed his body for the wrestling business. However, there's a quote during the interview that should suggest Sabu wouldn't have taken a different career path, "If I would have become typical I would have made for money, but I wouldn't have been proud of myself." and it speaks volumes about his dedication to the industry. Ultimately, the reason Sabu isn't a millionaire today is a combination of not getting the recognition he deserved during the prime of his career and some of his own choices that prevented him from working for a major promotion for an extended time frame. Regardless, it's a tremendous interview and the Kayfabe Commentaries Sabu interviews are some of the best of his career so I would recommend them, as it gives some insight into one of the most performers in the history of the wrestling business.
However, Sabu has arguably sacrificed more than some of the competitors previously mentioned and a road map of scars tells the story of his nearly three decade career. Similar to his legendary uncle The Original Sheik from Detroit, Sabu rarely spoke during his career and developed an aura similar to The Sheik as well. What could drive someone to throw themselves into barbed wire? Why would someone super glue wounds closed instead of seeking medical help? What is the thought process behind dives into the third row? The name Sabu is known to millions of fans around the globe, but who is Terry Brunk?
Kayfabe Commentaries is one of the premiere video companies that produces shoot interviews and their "Breaking Kayfabe" series focuses on a competitor's story outside of the ring. Sabu has done a few interviews in the past, but he was relatively quiet for most of them and he actually explains why during this Breaking Kayfabe interview. Speaking of kayfabe, Sabu tells some interesting stories about just how far his uncle would do to protect the business and some insight into the Eddie Farhat away from the arena.
Sabu also addresses the injuries that he complied during his prime and how they effect him today. He has a very intriguing view on if the wrestling business has any responsibility for the performers that harm themselves either physically or through the use of substances during their wrestling career. Brunk also gives his side of the story of the infamous Extreme Rising incident in 2012 when various news outlets reported the story of his possible overdose in a hotel room prior to the show. I don't necessarily agree with the explanation, but it's extremely interesting to hear the story directly from Sabu after the news reports.
Sabu also talks about if he's given enough credit for his accomplishments and his risky style. While he's really humble during the interview, I have to say that Sabu probably still doesn't get the credit he deserves and he should be a millionaire. It's somewhat sad to hear him talk about the financial problems, especially at this point in his career after he sacrificed his body for the wrestling business. However, there's a quote during the interview that should suggest Sabu wouldn't have taken a different career path, "If I would have become typical I would have made for money, but I wouldn't have been proud of myself." and it speaks volumes about his dedication to the industry. Ultimately, the reason Sabu isn't a millionaire today is a combination of not getting the recognition he deserved during the prime of his career and some of his own choices that prevented him from working for a major promotion for an extended time frame. Regardless, it's a tremendous interview and the Kayfabe Commentaries Sabu interviews are some of the best of his career so I would recommend them, as it gives some insight into one of the most performers in the history of the wrestling business.
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