Welcome everyone to another McReview, here on the DOI. Make sure to check the DOI homepage for tons of new stories and results, as we've posted over 30 updates in the last few hours.

JAPW returned this past Saturday in front of one of their largest crowds ever, their second largest, with the anniversary show being the largest all-time. Who needs Cryme Tyme anyway!

"The Wrestler" movie asked JAPW to be part of their show, which also helped JAPW attendance, as there were at least 50 extras/plants in the audience, who did alot of the marking out during the Ron Killings vs Romeo Roselli match. And I couldn't believe it myself, but there were alot of fans wearing TNA merchandise, which shows to me that TNA is finally starting to get some recognition, that fans feel proud enough to go to an indy show reppin' their favorite TNA wrestler. I still think a TNA branded "Fire RUSSO" shirt would sell like hotcakes, but if I was TNA, I guess I'd want fans wearing LAX, MCMG or Black Machismo shirts than "Fire RUSSO" shirts too.

Big ups to JAPW who didn't let "The Wrestler" movie crew take their show hostage. "The Wrestler" movie made alot of demands to JAPW, but JAPW wouldn't budge or cave in, as to quote JAPW owner Jeff Shapiro, "Our fans are here every show, these guys are only here tonight." This show could've been a train wreck, cough see CZW last week cough, and last to all hours of the night, but JAPW made sure that the fans left happy and not pissed off.

That's enough of a rambling intro, let's get into it:

JAPW
2/16
Rahway, NJ
Refs: Sr. Official Sean Hanson & Matt Bennett
Ring Announcer: Steve D'Angelis
Attendance: 1000+ (That does include the plants, regardless, a huge number for this area)
Of Note: JAPW Champion Low Ki was not on the show due to his injury suffered in Japan. There is talk that if the injury is too severe that there will be a tournament, as that is what PWG did when Low Ki was forced to vacate the championship, however, JAPW is taking a wait-and-see approach to Ki's injury. I would've liked to see Ki on this show, just for his reaction to the clueless movie people in the locker room. To quote Mickey Rourke, when asked who's training him, "Some samoan guy."

The Grim Reefer d. Bandido Jr.
A really good opening match. Bandido Jr. is coming into his own in JAPW. While not on the Azraiel/Reefer level yet, he reminds me of a 2005 Archadia. He will get to the level and soon like a Reefer, will be used to get the other newer cruiserweights over.

These guys got the crowd really hot early, as both hit huge dives to the outside. Reefer also hit some wicked chops. Both looked like either could win, but in the end, it was Reefer winning after reversing a move from Bandido and rolling thru with the pin. It was an unpredictable finish, as Reefer didn't hit any of his trademark finishers.
Very good match here. This reminded me of the Xavier/Sonjay match from a few shows ago. The two started the show really hot and the momentum would last throughout the night.

The Heavy Hitters (Monsta Mack & Havok) w/The D-Factor (DJ Hyde, Alexa Thatcher & Johnny D.) d. The ACE Locker Room, The Samoan Dragon & Chris Dickinson (of PIW Fame)
I think when this was first booked, it looked alot better on paper than what translated into the ring. The whole point of the match was to get Slyck Wagner Brown over, and it did do that, it just left you wondering who was heel & face in all of this.

Pinkie Sanchez, who made a spectacular entrance, came out first with FTW promoter Earl Cooter. They said it was Wild Card, and they wanted to challenge anyone on the roster. The Heavy Hitters, a tag team name first used for Mack & Boogalou, but now being used by Mack & Havok answered the challenge. They got a huge pop, arguably their loudest pop as a team, which to me shows that the team is getting over. However, they are going to need to do more than squashes soon or else the fans will turn on them, kinda like what they did to Kevin Matthews when KM was squashing whatever ACE wrestler was booked for the night.

The Heavy Hitters, who were with the D-Factor, destroyed Pinkie & Earl. However, all the ACE guys that the Heavy Hitters killed on the last few shows came out to attack them. JAPW first-timers, The Samoan Dragon (nephew of Afa) & former PIW promoter Chris Dickinson ran out to attack the Heavy Hitters too. During all of this, one of the JSW gimmicks (JAPW's sister fed) "Moo Moo" The Cow (not to be confused with Ray Sager as some told me) came out to root on all the up and comers taking on the Heavy Hitters.

The Heavy Hitters went way too long in killing these guys. DJ Hyde also assisted his new running mates in the assault, back suplexing anyone in his path. It was just too much. However, I didn't know this watching, but just found out that that was due to the movie crew. The movie asked for this match to be long, so the reason it felt dragged out was because non wrestling people who have no clue dragged it out.

After The Heavy Hitters & Hyde killed everyone, Eddie Kingston's music played. All three guys faced the JAPWtron/the aisle way waiting for Kingston. However, while they were waiting, Moo Moo the Cow entered the ring and rolled up Hyde for the 1-2 -3. The crowd went fucking nuts and I didn't understand it. I think the Cow is great for JSW, but too NWSish for JAPW. However, the crowd loved it and were chanting like Phil Rizzutto hit a World Series Game 7 Homerun, as the Rahway Rec filled up with "HOLY COW! HOLY COW! HOLY COW!" chants. I shit you not. This was super over.

After the 3 was counted, the Cow took off his head, and underneath the cow head was former JAPW Champion Slyck Wagner Brown. SWB said that he was here for Kingston and wanted the Heavy Hitters next show, which kinda didn't make sense, since SWB's beef was with Hyde and not the Heavy Hitters. However, this part of the segment was over with the crowd, and Slyck went from heel to babyface here.

For those wondering, it was originally supposed to be Kingston under the Moo Moo outfit, but he was running late and wasn't going to make the show in time for his spot. JAPW didn't want to change the order around, so told him that there was no heat and that he'd be on 3/8. The angle might've worked out even better this way, as it finally gave Slyck a reaction in JAPW. However it is tough to see who is truly heel/face in all of this, as SWB went from being a turncoat in JAPW, aligning with Kingston, who's goal was to take out JAPW, to being a lovable cow feuding with The Heavy Hitters, who could be heel or face. I guess according to Russo, this is all shades of gray.

In the end, I thought this segment was ok, just too long, but I understand it was because of the movie. I didn't get Hyde getting pinned so fast either, since he just debuted, but I guess the logic is that SWB is a former JAPW champ, so the loss shouldn't hurt.

Three Way Elimination Match
Teddy Hart d. Kenny Omega & Xavier
This was a fast paced, high flying match. No matter what you think of Teddy, he's JAPW's version of John Cena, as every fan has an opinion of him, and no fan is silent when he's out there.

Xavier was bounced out first, after a very lightening quick mahistrol cradle by Omega. The cradle worked because before that, Omega/Hart teamed up on Xavier with a version of the Solution's Problem Solver finisher (Think LOD's Doomsday Device but with a blockbuster instead of a clothesline.)

The crowd was into Omega up to this point in the match. Once it turned into Teddy vs Omega, the crowd turned on Omega, as the crowd was solidly behind Teddy.

Both had their chance to win the match, but at the end, Teddy hit a flipping tiger driver. Teddy then finished Omega with a picture perfect Shooting Star Press for the clean 1-2-3.

POSTMATCH: LAX ran out. JAPW, looking to recreate their hottest feud, just this time in front of their biggest audiences, had Homicide challenge Teddy. Homicide went nuts, saying fuck the movie, fuck JAPW and fuck Teddy Hart. Homicide said he wanted to slap Bret Hart too. This was great, because Homicide really shows emotions in his promos and makes you really suspend your disbelief and makes you wonder if what he says is "real".

Hart bailed out of the ring, even though he was challenged. That left Omega there all by himself. LAX killed Omega, as Hernandez ass raped him with a huge Border Toss. Homicide said he hates everything from Canada because they are all fags. I don't think Homicide will be running for Prime Minister of Canada anytime soon.

This match and the postmatch angle was good. The only thing I didn't understand was Omega getting killed. Omega was super over with the crowd, but instead he got "Pinkie Sanchezed" at the end, as he was jobber meat, and fed to the wolves. Omega should fight back against LAX, because if he doesn't, it just makes him look really weak and just another mid card jabroni. To quote Pink Floyd, hopefully JAPW has "Higher Hopes" for Omega, as there are other companies seeking his work, and just like Hart, Omega could be a Canadian adopted "home grown" wrestler.

Danny Demanto d. Devon "Crowbar" Storm in an every stipulation is legal match
Before the show fans were asked to vote on what type of match they want to see this blowoff match have. The choices I believe were Last Man Standing, I Quit, TLC, and Hardcore. As you'd expect, they voted for All of the Above, which meant pure carnage.

I want to preface that this is something JAPW needs to get going next and no fault of the wrestlers. JAPW is a top indy now and have all the perks- the fancy lights, the JAPW tron, the nice videos, etc. The next step for JAPW should be getting the camera hooked up to the JAPW tron (ala CZW or really the WWE) so fans can follow the action. JAPW has tons of great brawls, with Danny/Crowbar here, and in the past with guys like Homicide, Hart, Kingston, etc. However, half the match is missed by the crowd because they can't see what's going on when the action is on the floor or on the other side of the arena. It looks great on DVD, but JAPW can get bigger pops from their audience if everyone can see it on the tron. Just my opinion here.

This match had it all, except for blood. I'm assuming Crowbar didn't want Danny Demanto's alleged VD's. I mean after all he's been linked to Dana Dameson & has been accused of having full blown aids and raping Tara Charisma. If I was Crowbar, I guess I wouldn't want this match to be turned into a blood bath. Smart strategy on behalf of Mr. Storm here.

There was tons of brutality here. Ladders, chairs , and any other object these guys can get their hands on were destroyed. They did a great job of working all the stips into the match. During the mid-point of the match, Crowbar said he was a former WCW Hardcore, Tag Team & Cruiserweight champion, and called Danny a fat piece of shit who should just quit. The fans popped. Danny replied with but this is JAPW, and the fans popped there too. These two had good chemistry in their feud and it showed in this match.

After breaking a few guard rails, a northern lights suplex on a chair, and tons of submissions, Danny finally got the upperhand. Danny put Crowbar on a table on the outside, and set up a ladder in the ring. It was SS "FN" CW all over again. For people at the show (or if you weren't), do you remember this from 5 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long):

This was really funny because as a rib, the Benny Hill music played (same music from the video) as Danny was going for the move.

However, this time Danny redeemed himself, jumping off a higher ladder, and breaking a bigger table. Also his pants didn't fall down. This laid out both guys. However, Danny got up at the count of 9, and since the Last Man Standing stipulation was in this match, Danny got the hard fought victory.

After the match Danny did his "I Love You" Speech (Trademarked) and how much he respects and wants to fellate Devon. Devon then got the mic and put Danny over too, and everything was good between the two. Do I smell a potential tag team? I think it would get over. I'm being an asshole here about Danny's promo, because I know Danny has a good sense of humor and not one of these thin skinned indy crybabies, but both really did put each over and made it feel genuine, however it seems Danny cuts these promos every show. Plus, Crowbar has been all over the world for every major company.. are you telling me he needs Danny Demanto's approval to feel successful?

Overall, good match here, good payoff and well done by both guys. It should be interesting to see where each one goes from here. Keep in mind Crowbar is the JSW champion, so it shows that JAPW won't protect the JSW roster/champion on JAPW shows.

Movie Match
Ron Killings d. Romeo Roselli
Both wrestlers had different names for the movie. I forget Roselli's, but Killings was "OSI G". This match was super long and boring in some parts because it was dragged for the movie. Halfway through the match, once both guys got the point across that they wore each other down, Stephen D'Angelis asked the crowd to cheer because they were taping for the movie. The crowd popped, and the extras ejaculated.

After a long back and forth match, where Roselli did a really good job of working the crowd over as a heel, Killings went over with a front suplex. Kind of a depressing finish as the match was dragged out and mad long, and for it to end on a basic move seemed kinda gay.

I wouldn't mind seeing Killings back in JAPW, however I believe he's WWE bound.

INTERMISSION
JAPW took an extra long intermission since there were only 2 matches left. While the movie matches dragged a bit, this was one of JAPW's tightest shows of the year, as there were only 7 matches, and each were given substantial time to get over.

For the JAPW Jersey Championship
(c) Archadia w/The D-Factor (Johnny D, Alexa Thatcher & DJ Hyde) d. "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal
PREMATCH: Archadia made some black jokes, telling Lethal it was his month. Archadia said he liked Malcom X. Archadia challenged Lethal to a match where if he won, Lethal couldn't be Black Machismo anymore in JAPW. Lethal accepted. Archadia said he didn't care about the TNA X title as they were in Rahway and not in Orlando. I'm surprised TNA would let their belts be devalued a bit on an indy show. If I was JAPW, I'd make the belt feel prestigious, rather than as an afterthought.

Archadia said he knew he was supposed to be nice to Lethal since it was his month and all, but before Archadia could follow up with a punch line, Lethal gave him a punch line of his own, starting the match.

Lethal started the match on fire, pummeling Archadia and taking him out with elbows and clotheslines. Archadia went to the floor, where he met a diving over the top rope Jay Lethal.

Eventually, as Lethal was dominating the match, the D-Factor interfered. Havok/Mack came out. Alexa jumped off the top rope and kinda messed up. Lethal covered it up by giving her a sick powerbomb. Azraiel came out, the guy who helped elevate Lethal to the next level in JAPW in 2004, and now his current tag team partner (as both were tag champs together last year). Azraiel got into Hyde's face about interfering.

However, to quote mr. Marc Adler, we got "Swerved N-Word ending with an A Swerved", as Azraiel turned on Jay Lethal. Az laid out Lethal with an enziguri, as Azraiel looked at his now former tag team partner with disgust on his face. Archadia picked up the cheap win, ironically with an assist from Azraiel, the same Azraiel that Archadia could never beat before.

Whether Azraiel joined the D-Factor or not remains unclear, as Azraiel used his time after the match to complain about Lethal being out for himself. Azraiel said he teamed with Lethal and not Machismo. Azraiel beat the shit out of Lethal and killed him with a stomp. As reported earlier on the DOI, this was JAPW's way of giving Lethal some time off as he will be busy with bookings and TNA in the next several months.

Booking suggestion: give Azraiel a hot chick as a valet, and HBK/Jannetty it up when Lethal comes back.

For the JAPW Tag Team Titles
(c) LAX (Homicide & Hernandez) d. Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
This was easily the match of the night for me. A very long match, but in a good way. As I said previously on the DOI, this match made me realize that there is such a thing as TNA Starpower in this area.

Homicide, the smaller guy of LAX, took the beating here to begin. While I find the MCMG to be very indy with their double teams, they are mighty impressive. There's a reason why they could be the top tag team in TNA but be Velocity (does that show exist anymore?) fodder for WWE. They are a fresh and exciting team to watch.

Homicide ate alot of the MCMG's tag team offense. Hernandez, when he tagged in, "changed the mood" so to speak, as he threw everyone around like lawn darts. Hernandez is an untapped talent. If TNA has any brains, they'd have this guy pegged for a world title program soon. This guy can move, talk and kick ass. To me, he's better and not as exposed and made to look like a dumbass like Joe is in TNA.

This is a match going out of your way to see on the DVD. Tons of cool tandem offense. Hernandez being a beast and diving on everyone is a cool sight. The finish came when Hernandez had Sabin up on his shoulders and Homicide hit the Koji cutter from the top rope for the 1-2-3. This match was more MCMG than LAX, as LAX fired up at the end for the win.

POSTMATCH:

Teddy Hart came down the aisleway. Hart said he was answering LAX's challenge, and on 3/8, it will be he and Samoa Joe vs LAX in a cage for the tag belts. Hart also brought up how just 3 years ago, it was Hart & Evans taking out Homicide & B-Boy for the Japw tag belts in Philly, and it will happen again on 3/8.

The JAPWtron plugged the 3/8 show (and cheap plug here, don't forget WSU is on 3/8 too, with a 3:00 belltime, for all fans wanting to attend both shows). Here are the announced matches:

CAGE MATCH
JAPW Tag Title Match
LAX vs Hart/Samoa Joe

Reefer's Last Chance at Regaining the Jersey State Title
(c) Archadia w/D-Factor vs Grim Reefer

Heavy Hitters vs A Version of BLKOUT ( I Believe Slyck/Kingston )

Final McWord
A very good outing for JAPW. JAPW has built up their tag champions very well where they can main event a show and make you forget that the world champion wasn't on the show.

This wasn't the best JAPW show ever, but it was a solid show. I like how JAPW progressed alot of their stories and set up 3 matches for the next show.

Best match for me was the LAX/MCMG. Worst was the movie match because it did nothing for JAPW as a whole.

Overall
A good show, which would've been better without the movie stuff. Still JAPW continues to grow in their 10th year of business.

For more on JAPW, visit JAPW.net. Don't forget to check out the DOI Main Page for more news and notes.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com

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