The wizard of id reviews: Supergirls Vol 1

Supergirls, for those uninitiated, is the sister fed of ECCW, based on Canada’s rugged west coast. Although recently falling victim to hard times and canceling shows, back in September of 05 when Supergirls debuted with a full card of ladies action, featuring local and international stars, it was an exciting time to be a fan of women’s wrestling. For those lucky enough to be in attendance at Surrey, BC’s Bridgeview Hall, the women of Supergirls proved that women could provide a full night of exciting mat action. The card was actually recorded as two separate shows for later broadcast so many of the women performed more than once. The full night of action is presented on the Vol 1 DVD.

The DVD opens with an introduction from match commentator Mauro Renaldo and ECCW wrestler, Ladies Choice, who provides color commentary when he isn’t making his presence felt at ringside. L.C., who refers to himself as “the man with the plan and the golden tan” looks like a cross between Dee Snyder and Van Hammer. It turns out he wasn’t the only guy from ECCW’s roster who seemed to think the women couldn’t get by without a little male help.

The view switches to the ring where fans are greeted by Scotty Mac, resplendent in pink shirt and cowboy hat, cutting a promo about how he was single handedly responsible for Supergirls. After calling reigning Supergirls champion Rebecca Knox to the ring they proceed to cut down the other women scheduled to appear on the card and the crowd shows an immediate dislike for the pair. Renaldo is quick to let viewers know that Knox won the title on an ECCW show by defeating Miss Chevious. Throughout the DVD Renaldo supplies background on all the competitors which adds considerably to the overall effectiveness of his commentary.

Belle Lovitz vs Tiffany

The opening match features women from established tag teams facing off in singles competition – Lovitz from The Stampede Girls and Tiffany from Girls Gone Wrestling (GGW.) After some initial stalling from Lovitz the two trade face slaps and enter an exchange that ends with Tiffany landing a very stiff dropkick to the back of Lovitz who’s draped on the ropes. Lovitz suckers Tiffany in and goes on the offensive. Her assault is intense as she lands a solid leg drop, chops, kicks and a hard running knee in the corner. With the crowd rallying behind her, Tiffany strikes back with big forearms and delivers a stroke followed by a bulldog but neither land with great effect. An attempted monkey flip from the corner is blocked by Lovitz who smartly uses the ropes for leverage as midget ref, Beautiful Bruce, delivers the three count. A short match but delivered enough to serve as a decent opener.

Brian Summers joins Renaldo as color man because L.C. is in the ring delivering a rambling promo with “sexy” Samantha Slides. In doing so he effectively killed the crowd heat from the first match. Maybe they couldn’t hear him any better than it came across on the DVD or maybe he just cuts a lousy promo. Whatever the reason, the crowd farted on it.

Pyro vs LuFisto

Pyro’s out to the ring first and the heavy masked woman from the Maniac Wrestling League is immediately disliked by the fans. She didn’t actually do anything ‘heelish’ on her way to the ring… maybe it’s the mask. Or maybe the crowd’s still pissed from LC’s promo. LuFisto’s entrance is greeted by cheers and she plays to the crowd before entering the ring where a different ref, this one a woman, (Buddy? Bunny?) does an old school search for foreign objects before calling for the bell.

LuFisto explodes into action right from the start, taking the fight to her larger opponent with stiff chops, kicks and clubbing forearms. Even while working through various armbars she continues to rain blows on Pyro, stopping only to bite the masked woman’s hand a few times while wrenching on her outstretched limb. Pyro struggles back, using her size and weight advantage to overwhelm LuFisto before dropping her with a DDT followed by a suplex. The crowd is solidly behind LuFisto as she hits an X-factor out of nowhere then delivers an absolutely brutal running face wash in the corner. Pyro’s not out of it though and a fireman’s carry into a stunner puts LuFisto down for a near fall. LuFisto comes back with a double chicken wing drop to the mat which she turns into a grounded legscissor full nelson. Pyro wastes no time tapping out. This match was full out action from bell to bell and LuFisto’s strong style assault really ignited the fans.

Samantha Slides vs Madison

Slides is accompanied by Ladies Choice but even without him she wouldn’t be the favorite as local girl Madison is about as over as one can get. A different female ref (Enya) officiates this match up. The combatants lock up and take it right to the mat, trading rolling pin attempts so quickly the ref can barely keep up. The crowd is hot and Slides’ vents her anger toward them after gaining control. She lands a wicked leg drop to the back of Madison’s head, driving her face into the canvas. Madison is stunned by that and Ladies Choice interferes with a choke on the ropes while Slides distracts the official. A minor rally from Madison is stopped cold by a devastating Slides’ knee drop to the head. Sexy Samantha then rakes the eyes and applies a blatant choke right in front of the ref which only further incites the fans. Madison surprises a cocky Slides with a DDT for a two count before mounting the corner ropes. In full view of the ref, Ladies Choice throws a handful of powder into Madison’s face and Slides, now recovered, plants her with a powerbomb for the win.

Proving she’s no better at keeping order after a match than she is during it, the ref only watches as Slides and her male accomplice combine to lay the beatdown on the fallen Madison. Finally, ECCW super heavyweight, Fast Freddy Funk, makes the save, chasing the heel tandem from the ring. Madison gets on the mic and challenges them to an inter-gender tag match on the next show. Good combination of dirty tactics, very stiff offense and a hot crowd combined to keep the momentum from the previous match going.

Nattie Neidhart vs Cheerleader Melissa

Ladies Choice is back as color commentator, midget ref Beautiful Bruce is back as the official and Belle Lovitz is back as corner support for her tag partner Neidhart. Cheerleader Melissa's GGW partner, Tiffany, is no where to be seen.

Neidhart begins the match by quickly dropping Melissa to the mat and working a ground and pound offense. A definite weight and strength advantage to third generation star Neidhart. (Her dad is Jim 'the Anvil' and her Grandfather, Stu Hart) Melissa proves to be a capable mat worker also and an extended sequence of chain wrestling sees the advantage switching back and forth. As the crowd begins to rally in support of Melissa, Neidhart's power starts to dominate as she begins to pound her opponent with forearms. Cheerleader Melissa is a great counter wrestler but she falls victim to a release German suplex and rolls from the ring.

Neidhart is quick to follow and continues the assault out on the floor, pausing only long enough to break the count. A suplex onto the bare floor leaves Melissa writhing and screaming in pain. She is unceremoniously tossed back into the ring where Neidhart continues her ground and pound attack. Melissa manages a weak rally but a Michinoku driver from Neidhart flattens her and she's quickly locked in a sharpshooter. Failing to gain a submission from the still game cheerleader, Neidhart releases the sharpshooter and applies a rear naked choke but Melissa manages to reach the ropes, forcing the break.

After eating a double underhook suplex, Melissa begins to get her second wind and the crowd gets even hotter as the momentum shifts. Melissa stuns Neidhart with forearms and chops before nailing a beautiful dropkick and a Stinger splash in the corner followed by a fisherman's suplex and bridge. A picture perfect missile dropkick from the top rope earns Melissa a near fall and the fans react in disbelief when Neidhart kicks out. Melissa then traps Neidhart in a sharpshooter of her own.

Lovitz is beside herself and mounts the apron which brings Melissa's partner Tiffany to the ring. While midget ref Bruce is distracted by Tiffany's arrival, Lovitz takes the opportunity to deliver a stinging kick to Melissa forcing her to release Neidhart. Lovitz and Tiffany brawl at ringside while Neidhart again locks Melissa in the sharpshooter and this time, the Cheerleader has no choice but to tap out. After the match the four women trade insults and threats, teasing a tag match between them.

A very good match that showcased the grappling skills of both women. It developed nicely as Melissa fought to counter Neidhart's power attack and a lack of near falls and two counts had the crowd jumping when they did occur. The second screw-job finish in a row took away a bit but was necessary to set up the tag challenge. Renaldo called this the main event of the first show taping and it was certainly top of the card worthy. For those keeping track, that's 3 out of 4 matches that saw heels cheat to win.

Mauro Renaldo and Ladies Choice, who's wearing a ridiculous green tinsel wig, do the introduction for show taping number two of the night. The view cuts to the ring where "Mr Sweater Vest" hosts a promo with Neidhart and Lovitz. They're soon interrupted by Tiffany and Cheerleader Melissa and after some verbal back and forth, the tag match between GGW and The Stampede Girls is officially set for later in the show.

Inter-Gender Tag Match - Samantha Slides & Ladies Choice vs Madison & Fast Freddy Funk

Female ref, Buddy/Bunny, returns to officiate and Brian Summers once again replaces LC on color commentary. I understand somebody stepping in for LC but what's up with the revolving referees? Anyway... after Slides and LC make their way to the ring, viewers are 'treated' to the sight of Fast Freddy Funk dancing his way to the ring. In a word: disturbing.

After some initial stalling from heel tandem Slides and LC, the match gets underway with the men locking up. Funk dominates early and lands a sidewalk slam on the "man with a plan and the golden tan." Considering Funk is about as large as a small house, I imagine LC's immediate plan is to take a breather but Slides refuses to tag in. LC gains the advantage with a Greco Roman eye poke and a top rope face-drag before punching Funk's partner Madison off the apron.

Slides tags in and drops the big man with a dropkick and she and LC begin a quick series of tags and dirty tactics to keep him down. Funk eventually tags Madison in who gains the advantage over Ladies Choice. Slides tags in and regains the edge enabling LC to re-enter the match and lay a beatdown on the weakened Madison. She avoids a top rope splash and makes the hot tag to Funk who quickly tries for the pin on a dazed LC. Slides makes the save and once again the heels gain control over the big fat Funk. Finally, Funk hoists Slides up on his shoulder, carrying her to his corner where he tags in an impatient Madison. While Ladies Choice and Funk brawl outside the ring, Madison dominates Slides, finally pinning her after they both come off the top rope.

A dash of comedy at the start (if you think a 400lb guy dancing is funny) and classic old school heel tag work by Ladies Choice and Slides made this match work. Had it not been in front of such a receptive crowd it easily could have tanked. The uber-popular Madison scoring the pinfall on Slides for the revenge win made up for the heels dominating the bulk of the action. (By "bulk" I mean Fast Freddy Funk!) In my opinion, Sexy Samantha Slides stole the match and I want to see more of that woman in action.

Supergirls Championship Match - Rebecca Knox (C) vs LuFisto

Once again they switch up the referees and Enya (the most incompetent one of the three) is given the duties of officiating the championship bout. Knox is accompanied at ringside by Scotty Mac while her opponent LuFisto has the support of the crowd. Both women come out blazing at the bell, entering a quick chain wrestling sequence. Knox gains control and attempts to slow the pace with a chinlock but LuFisto bites her way free.

The challenger counters a slam attempt with a head-scissors take down and rocks Knox with a DDT. With the champ on the mat, LuFisto lays into her with big kicks to the back before locking on a surfboard followed by heavy chops and a northern lights suplex with a bridge that fails to get the pin. Knox comes back just as hard, nailing LuFisto with a devastating pump-handle suplex. Knox works on the challenger’s neck before hanging her in the tree of woe and delivering a dropkick to her face. With LuFisto still hanging in the corner, Knox distracts the ref while Scotty Mac applies a choke from outside.

The crowd is right into it as the momentum switches again. LuFisto's assault of punches, chops and bites drives Knox into the corner then to the mat where once again the challenger lays into her back with stiff kicks. LuFisto comes off the ropes with a crossbody but Knox catches her and delivers a fall-away slam. Knox takes the fight to the outside. A snap suplex on the floor and a running slam into the wall puts LuFisto down but she's soon back up and they brawl around the ring.

Back inside, Knox is down in the corner and LuFisto sets up for the face wash but delivers a running stomp to Knox's ear instead. With the champ in trouble, LuFisto’s attempts to lock on her reverse tarantula but fails when her trunks snag on the ropes and she's forced to abandon the maneuver to pull her pants back up. It's enough of a break to give Knox a chance to mount a comeback and she hits a double springboard from the top rope and creams LuFisto with an exploder suplex. With LuFisto down on the mat, Knox comes off the top with her Ireland Jam (legdrop) followed by a Michinoku driver. LuFisto kicks out at 2 and surprises the champ with a German suplex and bridge followed by a Death Valley driver.

With Knox in trouble, Scotty Mac interferes by tripping LuFisto as she's coming off the ropes but it proves only a momentary respite as the challenger recovers and nails Knox with her emerald fusion. The ref however, is distracted by Scotty Mac during the following pin attempt. LuFisto leaves Knox lying on the mat and ventures outside, returning with a table which she sets up in the ring. The ref is still at the ropes arguing with Scotty Mac and LuFisto joins the discussion. This gives Knox the opportunity to rise and have Scotty slip her the title belt while the ref and LuFisto argue. Knox smashes LuFisto in the head with the belt and Scotty Mac enters the ring. All semblance of order is lost as Scotty Mac hauls the groggy challenger up and powerbombs her through the table. Knox gets the three count amid the debris to retain the title.

A very hard hitting match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats throughout. Both women proved to be equally adept at brawling as technical wrestling. The only downer was confusion caused by the ref who gradually lost control as the match progressed until finally, it ended as a no DQ streetfight. The lack of a clean finish really took away the overall enjoyment factor of this match. If Scotty Mac hadn't entered the fray and Knox had powerbombed LuFisto through the table for the fall herself, the match would have been outstanding. As it was, it was only very good

Tag Match - Stampede Girls (Nattie Neidhart & Belle Lovitz) vs Girls Gone Wrestling (Cheerleader Melissa & Tiffany)

.The match starts with all 4 women battling in the ring briefly before settling down into a traditional tag match. Tiffany and Lovitz get into it and Lovitz is corralled by the larger Tiffany. Melissa enters on the tag and GGW double team Lovitz. They continue keeping Lovitz from her corner, concentrating their efforts on Lovitz' left arm. It's not until Neidhart interferes on her behalf that Lovitz is able to make the tag.

Neidhart pounds on Tiffany before hitting a suplex and an awkward jumping legdrop. The Stampede Girls double up on Tiffany before Lovitz goes solo. All 3 look tired and their moves aren't as crisp as their efforts earlier on the card. Tiffany suplexes Lovitz and they're both down and looking for a tag.

Melissa is still fresh and she dominates Neidhart before hitting a big running elbow strike in the corner. Renaldo calls it a knee so he must be suffering fatigue as well. Melissa takes the action outside the ring and a suplex onto the bare floor pays Neidhart back for their earlier match. Back in the ring, Lovitz breaks up the pin attempt but is double teamed with a slingshot suplex before being tossed from the ring by the GGW. Soon after, Melissa plants Neidhart with an air raid crash and midget ref Bruce makes the 3 count.

Not a great match. Not even a good one. After the two singles matches and promos leading up to it, I was expecting a war and didn't get it. Not even close. The live crowd, which had been hot most of the night, farted on it too. The only time they showed any enthusiasm was when Melissa was in the ring. Of the 4 of them, she was the only one who looked good in her execution. Neidhart was a surprise because she's a lot better than this match would indicate. A disappointing end to an otherwise solid card.

Wizard wrap up:

Overall it was a good card and I'd recommend the DVD to fans of women's action. Renaldo's play by play is a bit sketchy at times and he could use a good color man. Both of the ones he had were okay but not top tier by any means. The camera work was good although there were times they had a hard time following the action outside the ring. They were where they had to be when it really counted though. I found the rotating referees an unnecessary distraction.

 The DVD is divided into chapters which makes skipping around easy and if you can make it through the last match you'll find a match selection menu on the end of the disc. Not a lot of extra production added - a couple static graphics and LuFisto provided a cool little animated graphic for her match intros.

Supergirls Vol 1 is available from ECCW.com or Supergirls.com for the bargain price of $20 Cdn. Individual matches can be purchased for download from Clickwrestle.com.

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