JAPW
1/19
Jersey City, NJ
Ref: Sean Hanson (Iron-manning the show, just like it was the old USA Pro Elks Lodge days.)
Ring Announcer: Stephen D'Angelis
Attendance: 600+

Wrestling Idol Contract Match
Winner would get a JAPW Wrestler Contract
Pinkie Sanchez vs Cooter went to a no-contest, as Havok & Monsta Mack of the D-Factor, ran in and destroyed both guys. Havok & Mack did their spot where they toss the two guys into each other. As a result, Pinkie & Cooter don't have contracts with JAPW, but then again does any wrestler have a contract with JAPW?

Bandido Jr. d. Azraiel
This was probably Bandido's best match ever in JAPW, as he was sporting his new gear in this match. Azraiel, one of JAPW's all time greats, helped elevate Bandido in this match. Bandido, who's been lost for the last year with the randomness booking of La Familia and just being thrown into matches, finally got a big win here.

This was also a great way to open the show as this match was really fast and well paced. The crowd, made up of alot of JAPW regulars mixed in with alot of new fans from Jersey City, as this was JAPW's first time running this venue, was really into this match. The bigger moves were built up well, as both teased torando DDT's, and when the move was finally hit, the crowd exploded.

Bandido eventually rolled up Azraiel out of no-where for the win. Great opening match, which has been the norm lately for JAPW.

Jay Lethal d. Chris Hero
Lethal, doing the "Black Machismo" character had the crowd's support in this one. As someone who's never really gotten into Hero's stuff, I thought this was Hero's best JAPW match yet. I wonder if others feel the same. What makes it all more weirder is that Hero has a bum knee, and while injured, I thought he put on his best performance in JAPW yet.

Lots of back and stuff from both guys. Hero hit some rough forearm shots that got the crowd hot and thinking the match was over. Lethal hit all his trademark moves, such as the suicide dive and the Lethal combination. It looked like Hero might've escaped with the win here, but Lethal was able to put Hero down on his back, and hit the top rope elbow for the clean 1-2-3.

I believe this might've been a first ever match between the two, and for two guys who haven't done much together before this, both looked impressive.

Xavier d. Sonjay Dutt
I don't think this match was as good as their first match. Maybe because the first time around it was the opening match last month and they went out there and lit up the place. This time it followed two really good matches. I also thought some of the stuff made wrestling too fake and there was a huge lack of selling. Xavier practically crippled Sonjay Dutt with a huge piledriver, and Sonjay kicked out at 2 and was up hitting moves on Xavier seconds later. Maybe it's a pet peeve of mine, but the way Xavier hit that piledriver, that should've been a finish, as it made no sense to kick out of. Maybe I'm harping on something that isn't there, but to me it just looked really fake and stupid at the time.

Xavier wins after a "Kiss Your X" goodbye. Not a bad match, but it was very indy-ish.

Havok & Monsta Mack w/Johnny D. & The Returning Alexa Thatcher d. DJ Hyde & Slyck Wagner Brown
Alexa Thatcher has replaced Alicia in the D-Factor, as Alicia somewhat predicted at the end of WSU's 12/22 show. Alexa would be on later in the show to show that she could do more athletic moves than Alicia could, but Alexa doesn't have the same prescence ringside as Alicia did. While Alicia is a natural heel, I believe this is Alexa's first time trying to turn a crowd against her, but with time, it should work out.

The story of this match was Archadia, now in the D-Factor, coming out and offering DJ Hyde a wad of cash to leave the ring. DJ "sold-out" so to speak, and left the match, leaving Slyck to fend for himself. Havok/Mack have a nice finisher combo now, as Havok hit a top rope powerslam on Slyck, with Mack finishing Slyck off with a frogsplash. It is kinda like Power & Glory's old finisher, but with more style, power and pizazz.

The crowd was up in the air about this match, because you had a heel team, who really didn't even get to introduce who Alexa was, vs a mish-mash heel team, that had no real hype going into this. However, everything would pay off later, and while this whole segment had people wondering why should they care about some guy who's never been in JAPW before taking a payoff to leave Slyck, it would come to fruitation later on. With this finish, JAPW has tons of possibilities they can go with, including turning Slyck babyface.

Danny Demanto d. Crowbar, evening their series at 1 win a piece
Up to this point of the show, this was the best match and had the most crowd energy. It did help that it was also the first match to go out of the ring and have brawling in it.

Danny jumped the gun early, decking Crowbar during Crowbar's entrance. Crowbar was wearing old school neon tights. For those who have been living under a rock, Crowbar isn't one of these indy veterans who phone it home every match, as Crowbar kicks it up all the way everytime out there. It's also one of the reasons Crowbar is doing less shows, as he's only doing the shows that really have awesome fan support, like a JAPW.

Both guys hit their trade mark moves in this one. Danny hit his dive to the floor. Crowbar hit the northern lights chair suplex on Danny. In the end, Danny was able to hit a hogsplash on Crowbar for the win.

OUtside of the main event, this was the match of the night in my eyes. Crowbar has brought something new to the table in JAPW and should become a contender to any title in the upcoming months. Danny, most known for falling off a ladder in SSCW, which you can see below, has morphed himself into a quality indy wrestler capable of delivering in big-time environments.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=p6HGjHnoaGI

That video never gets old to me. It's amazing that video is almost 5 years old. The Danny of today looks like a "Mini-Me" of the fat shit falling off a ladder. Hard to believe it's the same person.

INTERMISSION... tons of beer and thanks to everyone who supported the WSU table.

For the NJ State Championship
(c) Archadia w/Alexa Thatcher & Johnny D. d. The Grim Reefer
This match was another storyline finish. It's funny these guys had a ladder match to start this feud, because now after the last few shows, it would make sense to do one now.

In what I was saying earlier, while Alexa doesn't have the prescence Alicia had at ringside, Alexa showed off her faster & quicker moveset. Everytime Reefer looked like he had the match won, Alexa was able to lay in some shots. At one point, Alexa even hit a huranacarana on Reefer. Eventually, Reefer was able to get his hands on Alexa, however, DJ Hyde returned and hit a crushing suplex on Reefer. It was definitely a "finisher" type of suplex, just like that piledriver X hit earlier should've been a finisher. The ref then turned around and Archadia picked up the cheap 1-2-3.

Good storyline here and everyone executed nicely here. The story is that DJ Hyde is Archadia's bodyguard/hitman. The new D- Factor is now Havok/Mack, Archadia, Alexa Thatcher, DJ Hyde and of course, Johnny D. Rhino, when around, is also part of the D-factor, as he's the original member. How would Rhino feel about the new members... that could be a storyline to explore for JAPW.

I didn't know how the Hyde stuff would get over before hand, but I thought everything came off really well and gave JAPW different paths to go down.

Cryme Tyme d. Style & Finesse (Mike Donovan & Rob Vegas)
This match was just used to draw fans and to put Cryme Tyme over, since Cryme Tyme refuses jobs, yo.

I hope they don't bring Cryme Tyme back as they don't add anything to the shows creatively, but they have drawed. However, now that the crowd has seen them twice, I think their drawing power will go down.

With Cryme Tyme refusing to lose, it puts JAPW in a tough spot, as teams could use a win over a TV team for more credibility. I guess it's cool for Vegas & Donovan to say they worked a TV team.

For the JAPW Heavyweight Title
(c) Low Ki d. Hernandez
A good title defense for Low Ki here. Hernandez with his new goatee, looks like Dan Maff on Super Shredder steroids.

The story of the match saw Hernandez use his power and strength to overmatch Low Ki. Low Ki fired back with speed and precision, using his martial arts background in this match, as he rapidly & strongly kicked away at various points in this match.

After both guys brought the fight to each other, somehow Low Ki was able to Ki Krusher the more massive Hernandez. Ki then hit the double stomp to cement the win and his spot as the lead dog of JAPW.

MAIN EVENT
Teddy Hart d. Eddie Kingston & Homicide
An explosive brawl. At one point Homicide called Hart's uncle a faggot. I don't know which one he's talking about.

These guys went all out here, fighting all over the building. I know some people aren't fans of these matches as it's hard to see, but these make for really good DVD matches and it's 100% realistic. If you hate someone, four loose ropes shouldn't be able to hold you.

The mid-point of the match saw the guys go to the corner of the building. Hart is just insane and will do anything to please his fans. Hart moonsaulted off a pull-up pole, which was a spectacle, as he had literally inches to maneuver and somehow hit it perfectly on Homicide. Stuff like that really makes you appreciate what these guys can do.

Homicide found some empty beer bottles, I don't know where he'd find such a thing, especially near the DOIVideo.com table. Homicide broke a bottle and wanted to stab Hart with it, but Kingston and Hart brawled back to the ring. During this commotion, Chris Hero's merchandise table was broken by King & Hart.

Eventually all three made their way back to the ring after tons of weapon shots, a bloody Hart back and death defying moves. Hart wound up pinning Kingston to win the match, with Homicide looking from afar.

This was a great way to close the show, as nothing was going to top this and sent the crowd home happy. However, Kingston is in desperate need of a big win. He fianlly had his main event match in JAPW, and delivered, but JAPW has dropped the ball on stables in the past, and as a fan, you don't want to see the same thing happen to Kingston's JAPW version of BLKOUT.

Final McWord
This was a really good night out for JAPW. There wasn't anything terrible. New guys got over, stories were progressed and things are flowing well.

JAPW cut a post-show "Whodunit" angle with Low Ki. The story is With Cryme Tyme refusing to lose, it puts JAPW in a tough spot, as teams could use a win over a TV team for more credibility.someone attacked Low Ki, sending Ki to the hospital. Whodunit angles are usually successful when not overused, so I see this angle going places. Low Ki really hasn't had any major feuds during his time as champion. He's had great matches and has been a great champion, but he hasn't had one real feud yet nor has he had a match that anyone thought he'd actually lose, outside of the anniversary show, where he won the belt back seconds later anyway. Low Ki needs a real feud becuase no one is getting over, main-event wise, with Low Ki as champion. Low Ki beats everyone and once you lose to Low Ki, you're busted back down. Low Ki needs a heated feud to help put someone over and to create unpredictability with the belt. Kingston should be that person, as the fans are asking to see it. However, JAPW could go down a different route, just to throw everyone off track.

I liked this show. I found nothing really wrong with anything. Even if you don't like some things, like maybe the D-Factor members, at least JAPW is trying stuff new, and I'm sure they have stuff planned out for it. Can't fault for them trying.

JAPW continues to be the best promotion in this area, which doesn't say much, as their really isn't any competition for them in NJ. However, instead of being lazy, JAPW keeps the ante up and has had a good string of shows recently.

Overall
Great way to start '08.

JAPW returns on 2/16 in Rahway, NJ. They also announced a 3/8 return date for Jersey City, which is WSU's next date too. JAPW was originally given a 3/22 date, which was moved to 3/15 by the Jersey City building. However, JAPW was then told 3/15 was booked and they only had 3/8 open. JAPW & WSU will try to work something out so fans can check out both shows that day. More in future DOI updates.

For more on JAPW, visit JAPW.net

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com

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