Gordo, the wizard of id, reviews

PRO WRESTLING XTREME

Takedowns in Tillsonburg

04 June 06, Tillsonburg, Ontario

PWX Pro Division Heavyweight Title Match:

Freak Show (C) vs Jessy Jones

Danyah vs ‘The One and Only’ Jamie D

PWX X Division Title – Triple Threat Ladder Match:

Dragon X (C) vs Brad ‘Freakin’ Martin vs Shawn Styles

PD Skillz w/Jacqui Jones vs Phil Atlas

Independent Soldier vs Kaos

Buck 10 w/’Chameleon’ Sam Allen vs Manhattyn w/Russ

The Venue: The show was held in the Tillsonburg Complex, a multi-sports arena set in the heart of (naturally) Tillsonburg, Ontario. The hall is spacious and airy with a nice high ceiling and stage at one end. The wrestler’s entrance was from the middle of the curtained stage and it was from that perch that the show was filmed for future DVD release. A large video screen was set up to stage left and a kick-ass sound system pumped out entrance themes and PWX Live Commentator, Jimmy James’ trademark over-the-top delivery. Merchandise tables were set up beside the in-house concession stand and both did a brisk business throughout the show. Attendance was around 100 but sounded more like a thousand once the action started. The referee: Lumpy the ref.

Pre Show: Mrs Id and I arrived early enough to pay our respects and mingle with some of the stars from the show. PWX Promoter Jay McDonald was, as always, a gracious and generous host. He explained that some changes had been made to the line-up due to injuries and wrestlers being unable to attend. While that sometimes proves a major obstacle to some promoters, Jay was once again able to hurriedly pull things together and provide a solid card top to bottom. As I usually do, I spent some time talking with the stars of the show and mention specifically that I spoke at some length with Independent Soldier outside the venue in full view of waiting fans. It was all small talk about the business and people we both know in it – the usual stuff covered when meeting someone for the first time. I only mention it because of events that transpired later during the show and don’t want people to think my conversation with him was in any way related to what happened during his match. The show opened with PWX Commissioner Jacqui Jones entering the ring and talking about a wrestler who PWX had “fired for taking drugs.” She announced that she was there to “bring him back” and PD Skillz made his way to the ring. Skillz, clad in gear that proudly showed his love for a certain agricultural product, got on the mic and slammed PWX for firing him for “alleged substance abuse.” As the fans jeered and booed he ripped into Tillsonburg and PWX fans in general. Phil Atlas suddenly rushed the ring and Skillz met him at the ropes with punches and kicks. Atlas battled back and nailed a beautiful dropkick followed by a clothesline. Skillz quickly bailed from the ring screaming “Screw you Phil Atlas” while fans cheered the surprise appearance by one of Ontario’s most popular stars. Commentator Jimmy James managed to rein in his hyperbole long enough to announce that Atlas and Skillz would wrestle later on the card.

Buck 10 w/Chameleon Sam Allen vs Manhattyn w/Russ – Buck 10 and his manager Sam Allen came out first. The crowd wasted little time in letting them know they were not the popular favorites and in return the two hurled insults and venom all the way to the ring. Sam Allen got on the stick and tore a hole through PWX and Tillsonburg big enough to drive a planet through which did little to ease tensions. He may be a chameleon, able to adapt as the situation dictates, but a peace negotiator he is not. Manhattyn (the former Lance Malibu) and his brother Russ were greeted with thunderous applause. Canada’s Golden Boys waved a Canadian flag and high-fived their way to the ring. Manhattyn cut a promo shilling their T-shirts which seemed to infuriate Buck. He snatched the flag and threw it in Russ’ face. Manhattyn quickly jumped him and the match was officially underway. As Sam Allen went ballistic at ringside, Buck was pounded in the corner then thrown around the ring by his larger opponent with hip tosses and armdrags. Two quick dropkicks followed by two body slams had Buck looking for respite outside the ring. Russ immediately gave chase but the dastardly Sam Allen waited in ambush by the ringpost and flattened Russ as he rounded the corner. Buck re-entered the ring and he and Manhattyn traded two counts while Buck controlled on the mat with a headlock. Buck whipped Manhattyn into the ropes and Allen rocked him with a knee to the back. Buck nailed him with a bulldog for a near fall. Buck continued his attack with some knee strikes and slams but Manhattyn still had enough gas to kick out of the pin so Buck worked a front chinlock on the mat. The fans rallied in support of Manhattyn as he regained his feet, throwing elbows to break the hold. Buck avoided two clothesline attempts but got caught and powerslammed. Sam Allen quickly slid into the ring to break up the pin. Buck again tried for the win with two fast roll-ups but each time the larger man pushed him off. Manhattyn scooped Buck off the mat and delivered a neckbreaker for a 2 count but Buck wasn’t finished. He came off a whip into the ropes with a glancing dropkick and when Manhattyn snared him in a wheelbarrow, Buck grabbed the ropes and flipped him over the top rope to the floor. Sam Allen grabbed the ‘Golden Boy’ and held him as Buck sailed off the apron but Manhattyn broke free so Buck crashed into his own man instead. With Allen down on the outside, Russ and Manhattyn worked over Buck inside the ring. Lumpy the ref seemed to lose control of the bout as he let the double-teaming continue until Manhattyn planted Buck face first on the canvas and rolled him over for the winning pin, much to the crowd’s delight. Thoughts: A very fast paced opener with tons of crowd interaction and interference to get the PWX faithful right into the show. Sam Allen is a treat to watch at ringside as he is one of the more animated managers on the circuit, always moving, yelling at the ref and jawing at fans.

Independent Soldier vs Kaos – Soldier came out to the ring first, greeted by taunts and jeers that he ignored. He relaxed calmly inside the ring as Kaos made his way from the stage. The PWX faithful seem to love Kaos and popped huge for his top rope backflip ring entrance. Their cheers were silenced by Independent Soldier attacking him as he landed, pounding him to the mat. Soldier landed a sweet over the top rope elbow smash before choking Kaos in the ropes. With his opponent hanging in the ropes Soldier nailed a big running knee strike. Kaos countered the following piledriver attempt with a backdrop and hit some big running clotheslines. A sit-out slam earned him a 2 count and the fans groaned their displeasure that Soldier had kicked out. Kaos whipped the bad guy into the ropes but Soldier came off with a big lariat which dumped Kaos to the mat. A legdrop to his groin kept him there and Soldier started working a chinlock. With the crowd cheering him on, Kaos struggled to his feet and began throwing elbows to Soldier’s gut breaking the hold. Soldier connected with a back kick to the groin and Kaos fell to the outside as PWX Commissioner Jacqui Jones came out to ringside. Soldier pounded away on Kaos at ringside then rolled him back into the ring. Before climbing inside after him Soldier came over to me and shook my hand, leaning in close to ask me how I was enjoying the show. Kaos had recovered his senses during this and met Soldier with a big kick as he re-entered the ring. Suddenly, Jacqui Jones started screaming to Lumpy the ref that I had some sort of weapon. She ordered him to check me for weapons and he left the ring and got in my face. I of course, didn’t have any weapons and told him so. While Lumpy was giving me a hard time, Kaos had scaled the corner ropes and was preparing to dive on Independent Soldier. Jacqui jumped up on the apron and caused him to lose his footing and crotch himself on the turnbuckle support. Soldier pulled him down onto the mat and nailed a wicked over the top legdrop before going for the pin. Jacqui screamed at Lumpy to count the pin and he scrambled back inside to award Soldier the victory. After the bell, Soldier choked out Kaos and he and Jacqui gave him a double DDT. When Soldier left the ring I stood up and shook his hand which seemed to infuriate the fans. Granted, they were already pissed off over Kaos losing and all but I was merely congratulating Independent Soldier on his victory. Thoughts: This was a short but very entertaining match. Kaos and Soldier were both super-crisp in their execution and their high-impact striking balanced the drama of the mat-based holds. Soldier’s no-nonsense demeanor fits his character well and Kaos worked the crowd throughout the bout. It should be noted that Kaos was ill the day of the show and his performance is all the more remarkable in light of that fact. As to my ‘involvement’ in the match... while it’s obvious that Jacqui and Independent Soldier planned their little ruse ahead of time, I personally had no knowledge of what they were up to. The people of Tillsonburg might not believe it, considering their reaction to my shaking Soldier’s hand after the match, but it’s the truth.

PD Skillz w/Jacqui Jones vs Phil Atlas – Skillz and Jacqui made their way to the ring amidst a chorus of boos and taunts. Skillz began striking poses and flexing in the ring which was quite funny because he’s certainly not a ‘muscle man’. The crowd responded by chanting “Put a shirt on.” Phil Atlas received a huge ovation. The two locked up in a basic collar elbow stance and on the break Skillz threw a quick kick that looked a little low causing Atlas to roll outside for a bit of recovery time. When he returned he took it to the mat and controlled his heavier opponent with some very fluid exchanges. Skillz demonstrated he’s no slouch in grappling skills; he responded with some beautiful counter wrestling and began working Atlas’ arm. Eventually it was Atlas’ speed that gained him the edge so Skillz switched to heavier artillery and began throwing some stiff elbows. Atlas managed to dump Skillz to the canvas again and landed a low dropkick to his head. With Skillz in the corner, Atlas nailed a big running elbow that popped the crowd and rocked the ‘alleged substance abuser’. Skillz rolled to the outside and dropped Atlas face first on the apron when he tried to follow. Atlas was thrown into the ringpost but battled back as the two brawled on the floor. Skillz weight advantage came into play as he drove Atlas back into the post before rolling him inside for a near fall. Atlas tried to rally with kicks to the head and back but Skillz rocked him with a beautiful suplex and choked him in the ropes. Skillz continued the assault with punches and a body slam before working the crowd for cheers while Jacqui choked Atlas on the ropes. The pro Atlas fans responded with a hearty round of boos. It was enough to distract Skillz long enough that Atlas was able to surprise him with a body press and a big knee to the face. Skillz came right back with a spinebuster that led to two consecutive pin attempts. Firmly back in control, Skillz laid the verbal smack down on Atlas as he hoisted him up to the top buckle. His attempted suplex off the ropes was blocked and Atlas punched him to the mat before coming off the top with a vicious double stomp. When Skillz regained his feet Atlas rocked him with an enzeguri and both men hit the mat hard. With the PWX faithful cheering him on, Atlas went back on the offensive with a flurry of elbow strikes; setting Skillz up for a clothesline and big running elbow to the throat. Atlas nailed two neckbreakers but Skillz got his foot up on the ropes to foil the pin attempt. Atlas grabbed Skillz but Jacqui snuck in and delivered a low blow giving Skillz the opportunity to deliver a sit-out driver and snare the winning pin. Jacqui taunted the fallen Atlas before she and Skillz made their exit through the outraged fans. Thoughts: An awesome match that had crowd heat throughout. Atlas is one of the most popular guys working the circuit in Ontario and with good reason; his execution is flawless and he combines good mat based skills with a thrilling high speed offense. Skillz is a squat powerhouse well versed in counter wrestling and able to unleash high impact moves with deceptive speed. They matched up very well and provided a great show. Jacqui’s involvement was icing on the cake and she knows just when to step into the spotlight and, more importantly, when to stand back and let the in-ring action shine.

Intermission: Fans took advantage of the break to swarm the merchandise tables for photos & DVDs. PWX sells their DVDs for $5. That’s right folks… FIVE BUCKS! It’s hard to find a better deal than that anywhere. Many of the PWX stars posed with fans in the ring for photos and signed autographs at the merch tables. I bumped into Ontario Indy music star Wayne Allen Cudney and it was great to see him again. (Wayne’s a big PWX fan and a bit of a Buck 10 mark/stalker) His band Soulchamp is amazing and definitely worth checking out if you ever get the chance. Contact them at soulchamp@hotmail.com for info on dates and CDs. Seriously.

PWX X Division Title – Triple Threat Ladder Match: Dragon X (C) vs Brad ‘Freakin’ Martin vs Shawn Styles – This match was advertised as Dragon X against Dark Soul and a mystery opponent. The mystery opponent turned out to be Shawn Styles and Brad Martin was substituting for Dark Soul whose medical problems kept off the card. Jimmy James announced Dark Soul but Martin came out carrying a ‘wet floor’ sign and announced “I’m not Dark Soul” before making his way to the ring; insulting fans along the way. Defending champion, Dragon X, was greeted with cheers as was the mystery opponent Shawn Styles. The X Division title belt was hanging from a ceiling beam above the ring and Kaos joined Jimmy James on the live commentary. When Lumpy the ref tried to check Martin for weapons prior to the bell, Martin smashed him in the head with the ‘wet floor’ sign. He laid a beating on Lumpy and kicked him from the ring. Once he’d given Lumpy his lumps, Martin left the ring and joined Mrs Id in the front row, helping himself to her potato chips. Dragon X and Styles invited him back into the ring but he declined, saying he was happy where he was so the other two got down to business without him. A very quick exchange of holds and counters including a beautiful float-over headscissor to escape an armbar by Dragon ended in a face-off that drew an appreciative round of applause from the fans. In the next exchange Dragon X planted Styles with a DDT and Martin quickly entered the ring to attack the champion. Martin pounded on both guys and body slammed Styles right onto Dragon X before heading out to get the ladder. Styles met him at the apron with a sliding dropkick into the ladder which sent Martin sprawling. From the outside Styles levered the ladder into Dragon’s head as he bent over to drag it into the ring. Styles re-entered the ring and placed the ladder over his head onto his shoulders. Fans cheered wildly as Styles spun around, blasting both his opponents with the ladder. Martin dropkicked Styles in the knee causing him to fall heavily to the mat eating the ladder in the process. Meanwhile, Lumpy the ref had slowly come to his senses and re-entered the ring. Martin grabbed the ladder and pounded the champion, finally using it to choke Dragon out in the corner. Martin smashed Styles in the gut with the ladder and delivered a stiff dropkick to his head. With both his opponents down on the mat, Martin set up the ladder and began climbing to retrieve the belt; which Jimmy James described as being “at least 35 feet high.” Styles climbed the opposite side and he and Martin exchanged blows at the top of the ladder. Dragon X pushed it over and both guys spilled to the mat with Martin bouncing hard off the ropes on the way down. The crowd was hot as Dragon X climbed the ladder but Martin raced up behind him. He snared Dragon close to the top and suplexed the Champ from the ladder just as Styles grabbed him in a powerbomb. The resulting crash of bodies had the fans going nuts and generated a thunderous “Holy shit” chant. Commentator Jimmy James was impressed too as the combatants had fallen from “75 feet up there!” Styles continued to assault Martin and landed a flipping legdrop to his face. Styles followed that with a jumping ‘rana but was caught seconds later by Dragon X flying off the top corner with a ‘rana of his own that spiked Styles’ head to the canvas, Dragon X climbed the ladder, punching a groggy Martin down to the mat. He grabbed his title belt and won the match as the PWX faithful erupted in cheers. Thoughts: Not only was this the match of the day, it was the best damn ladder match I’ve seen in a very long time. All three of these guys worked their asses off and provided a mind-boggling display of exciting action. Just a fucking great match!

Danyah vs ‘The One and Only’ Jamie D – Danyah’s original opponent Krystal Banks was injured a while back and the 5’10” 190 lb powerhouse Jamie D stepped in to take her place. Danyah was first out to the ring and cut off the few scattered cheers with a scathing promo on Tillsonburg and the fans. Jamie D was greeted with polite applause but it was evident that most fans didn’t know who she was. Either that or they were stunned into silence by her imposing physical presence. Danyah initiated a posedown contest but it wasn’t even close. Jamie D is a solid slab of muscles and although Danyah is an incredible athlete and in fine shape, she’s not even close to matching the mass of ‘The One and Only.’ Jamie’s power advantage was evident from the first collar elbow lock-up as she easily dumped Danyah to the canvas. Danyah tried a go behind but Jamie powered out with ease. Danyah tried to pick the larger woman up but couldn’t budge her. “I just want to go home” Danyah yelled right before Jamie whipped her hard into the corner and met her return with a monkey flip that sent her flying; if not all the way home, at least across the ring. A vicious yakuza kick to the head followed by a backbreaker put Danyah down but she kicked out at 2. Danyah bailed to the outside and stalled as the fans taunted her and Jamie waited patiently in the ring. Rolling in at the count of 8, Danyah begged for mercy in the corner. It proved to be a ruse as she suckered Jamie by grabbing her tights and pulling her face first into the buckles. Danyah stomped Jamie in the corner and worked a standing boot choke before landing some brutal chops. She whipped Jamie into the ropes but got surprised with a sunset flip that she was able to escape by rolling through. A quick dropkick to Jamie’s face put the big woman down for a near fall. Danyah turned up the heat with a blatant choke on the mat and more chokes in the ropes, utilizing the 5 count to inflict as much punishment as possible. A flurry of punches and kicks put Jamie on the mat where Danyah continued the assault with big knees to the back. Jamie reversed a whip into the ropes and grabbed Danyah but she countered the tilt a whirl slam by landing upright and driving a stiff knee to Jamie’s gut which earned her another near fall. Danyah continued to choke her opponent both on the mat and in the ropes but Jamie fought back and nailed a Russian leg sweep for a 2 count. Jamie began to unload with heavy punches and kicks on her opponent and two devastating clotheslines rocked Danyah. Jamie scooped her up and bodyslammed her before landing a big elbow drop for another near fall. It appeared that Jamie had it in the bag but she missed a spear attempt and crashed into the corner. Danyah quickly gouged her in the eyes and scaled the ropes. Her top rope body press was picture perfect and sufficient to put Jamie down for the 3 count and the win. Thoughts: This match had it all; from the comedic antics of Danyah during the opening posedown to the excitement and drama of a power attack versus speed and devious tricks. Jamie D can mat wrestle and has deceptive speed. Her clotheslines are devastating and her power has to be seen to be believed. Danyah is as capable on the mat as she is in the air and is very smooth in her execution. I applaud PWX for making this match the semi-main event as these two competitors proved conclusively that they deserved to be near the top of the card. A tip of the wizard hat to both these performers for an awesome display of pro wrestling magic. Well done!

PWX Pro Division Heavyweight Title Match: Freak Show (C) vs Jessy Jones – The ‘History Maker’ Jessy Jones was first out to the ring and as usual, greeted with chants of “Mr Sub.” Grabbing the mic, Jessy started singing his own praises and declaring himself a “Tillsonburgic God.” His rant was silenced by the deafening cheers for the arrival of defending PWX Pro Division Champion, Freak Show. To describe Freak Show as “popular” would qualify as the understatement of the year; this guy is so over it’s scary. Taking a cue from the previous match the men began with a posedown to hilarious effect. While Freak Show is not Muscle bound by any stretch, facing off the rotund Jessy Jones made him the decisive winner in the eyes of the fans. His mocking Jones’ gut brought huge cheers and infuriated the self-proclaimed Tillsonburgic God. Jessy got down to business by working through some armbar variations before dropping Freak Show with a big shoulder tackle. Jones went right back to the arm but Show countered with a top wristlock before dumping the challenger to the mat and working on the ankle. Jones bailed to the outside to stall but it did little to stop Freak Show from continuing his assault when Jessy finally climbed back inside. Jones endured multiple kicks to the leg before suddenly nailing a snap suplex for a quick 2 count. A standing elbow drop brought him another near fall. Freak Show avoided two knee drops and he and Jones fought against the ropes with Show dropping Jones with a stiff knee to the gut. An over the top elbow drop earned the Champ a 2. Freak Show maintained the edge with kicks, punches and chops before a huge elbow to the back of Jones’ head dropped him to the canvas again. When he regained his feet Freak Show met him with a springboard clothesline that put him back down for another near fall. Jones began throwing punches to Show’s face and hit two consecutive backbreakers, holding each one and demanding Show surrender his title. Some fans began to cheer for Jones but the bulk of the PWX faithful remained solidly behind their hometown hero. Jones choked the champ in the corner and nailed a suplex but Show fought back, driving Jones into the corner. Scaling the second rope, Freak Show started an elbow smash assault that fans eagerly counted down until Jones countered with an atomic drop. Jones rammed the Champ’s head into the buckles and hit a big running splash. A whip to the opposite corner and another splash put Show on the mat and Jones attempted a cocky standing pin. Show brushed off that attempt but Jones hit two suplexes. His third attempt was countered with a small package that nearly cost him the match. Jones tried for another suplex but Freak Show floated over the top and began laying in heavy kicks to Jones’ legs. With Jones on the canvas, Show came off the top rope with a legdrop but missed and Jones was quick to cover him; only to have Show reach the ropes with a foot to stop the count. Jones began blatantly choked Freak Show and mocked his attempt to rally the fans by slapping the mat. Freak Show punched his way back to his feet and caught Jones hard with a boot when Jones charged him in the corner. Freak Show hit a vicious running elbow strike to Jones’ head and continued to pummel him with standing elbows. As Jones staggered from the corner, Freak Show hit the shining wizard for another near fall. A bulldog planted Jones once again and Freak Show nailed a springboard cross body for another 2. Jones went to the eyes to slow Freak Show down and bodyslammed him before scaling the corner ropes. Show quickly ran up the ropes and booted Jessy in the head before hitting a ‘rana from the top. Show went back up top but Jones avoided his splash and nailed a stunner for a 2 count. The crowd was going nuts as they struggled in the corner. Freak Show was throwing punches and Jones backed off only to suddenly charge. Show flipped himself out of harm’s way and Jones posted his shoulder. Freak Show came off the top rope catching Jones in a neckbreaker variation for the final pin to retain his title. Thoughts: What a way to end the show! A great match by two fantastic performers with an unbelievably hot crowd into the action from start to finish. Jones is always a solid performer and Freak Show, who I’d never seen before, certainly impressed me. His elbow strikes are amazing and he’s one of the more colorful wrestlers in Ontario. A very enjoyable end to a very enjoyable show!

Final thoughts: PWX delivered another solid show despite the last minute substitutions. I commend Promoter Jay McDonald for his continued support of women’s wrestling and fan friendly events. PWX stars always make themselves available during intermission and after the shows and genuinely appreciate the people who come to see them perform. It’s nice that PWX can ‘tone it down’ for a family show such as this one without losing any of the excitement and intensity found on their more ‘adult’ evening shows.

Check out the PWX website at http://www.prowrestlingxtreme.com/

Contact the wizard of id at zapflash@sympatico.ca