JAPW 4/19 "Spring Massacre" Review

What's up everyone and welcome to another McReview here on the DOI. This is going to be a quick one for several reasons. I'm short of time and want to hammer this review out. Another reason is that I thought this show was not the quality of show JAPW has been producing over the last several years, and I think JAPW knows this one was a stinker too. We'll get into why I thought it was a bomb below....

JAPW
4/19
From Rahway, NJ
Refs: Bennett & Hanson
Ring Announcer: Fat Frank (I'm assuming regular announcer Stephen D'Angelis was celebrating Passover. I don't believe in any religious crap, but I felt kinda ignorant this weekend as I think I was the only person who didn't realize passover was this week. Isn't it usually Easter week?)
Attendance: 350+

The show started off by JAPW taking advantage of their new JAPWtron. A video promo showing how Omega won the championship last month was shown. This was a good idea since the title switch happened in Jersey City and JAPW seems to get different crowds at their Jersey City & Rahway venues. This helped set the story of the show, which featured on Omega vs Hart.

New champion Kenny Omega came out for a promo to talk about his win. He was interrupted by Teddy Hart. Danny Demanto then came out. Danny talked about his previous win over Omega and made a case for a title shot. Teddy then went off on Danny, saying how Danny was never flown to a wrestling show. He didn't mention anything about driving to the midwest for sweatshirts though. Danny, who is somewhat becoming Tommy Dreameresque in JAPW, as he is becoming a guy who's associated with the JAPW letters in a company full of not-so-regular faces, then got into Teddy's face about no-showing JAPW whenever he wants. Danny said he never missed a JAPW show which was a lie, because he blew off JAPW last year in December for CZW, where he won the CZW tag team titles. I know JAPW gave him permission, but this promo had revisionist history all over it.

Danny then talked about Teddy being fired by the WWE. Teddy said Danny would never make it to the WWE to get fired, where he made it three times. Danny said the only reason Teddy made it was because of his last name. Teddy said Danny would never have to worry about clearing customs because he'd always be a local wrestler. Eventually Kazarian came out. Kazarian thought it would be funny to call people by their proper names, such as Kenneth Omega, Theodore Hart & Daniel Demanto. I guess a few people laughed, but it came off like something John Cena would do to pop 12 year old girls.

Kazarian then blah blah blahed a bit about winning the championship from Omega tonight. Danny then cut one of his I Love You promos (Registered Trademark) on Teddy Hart. Hart & Danny shaked hands. Kazarian & Danny went to the back for no apparent reason. Omega & Hart then brawled.

By this time, it was 8:30, with the show starting at 8. I felt like I was at a TNA show with all the talking. Also, all the heat for the last 30 minutes was on Omega & Hart. I guess it is good long term booking, if they want to drag it out, but after a half hour of talking, you wanted to see Omega/Hart tonight and not the other two matches you got instead.

Style & Finesse (Rob Vegas & Mike Donovan) d. The BQE (Reefer & Jay Lover)
This match was used to set up an angle for later on in the show. I think this was also S/F's first win in JAPW too.

It was weird seeing the BQE on a show without Deblasi paying a promoter and the team. Perhaps Deblasi was scheduling more photoshoots where he can pose like his favorite mafia figures.

I really don't like the BQE team in JAPW, and I'm glad this match was used as a swerve in JAPW. I think if JAPW is going to use Jay Lover, who is really getting back into the swing of things and taking it full force, they should have him do his own thing. Reefer is too hot right now to take a step down now and do tag teams. Reefer's one of JAPW's top guys, and sometimes you wonder if JAPW knows that.

Midway through the match, JAPW NJ State Champion Archadia with Johnny D came out. Reefer caught Donovan with a manhattan drop during Archadia's & Johnny D's stroll to ringside. Jay Lover tagged in and Reefer hit some double team moves. With BQE rolling in the ring, Archadia taunted Reefer. Reefer chased Archadia to the back, leaving Jay Lover in the ring all alone. Jay Lover then walked into a double superkick from Style & Finesse for the 1-2-3.

After the pin, Reefer ran back to the ring, but the match was already over.

The match wasn't that great, but it served its purpose on the show.

Alexa Thatcher w/Johnny D. & DJ Hyde d. Nikki Roxx
This was a solid womens encounter for JAPW. JAPW is already falling into the same trap with Alexa as they did with Alicia - bring in someone new every month and job her out to Johnny D's girl. There's no real angles or rhyme or reason behind the girl matches in JAPW, outside than to showcase whoever Johnny D. is managing at the time.

Nikki started off hot, but eventually Alexa would take control of the match, winning cleanly by pinfall after a big kick. I'm surprised they didn't use Johnny D. in the finish to set up some sort of feud or anything.

For the NJ State Championship
The Grim Reefer d. Azraiel, Eddie Kingston & (c) Archadia w/Johnny D. to win the JAPW NJ State Championship
This match was originally a three way with Azraiel, Kingston & Archadia. However, Reefer, pissed off about Archadia's interference, asked JAPW promoter/ring announcer Fat Frank to be in this match. Frank said that even though Reefer couldn't fight Archadia one-on-one anymore, due to a previous match stipulation, he could wrestle in a multiple person match. Fat Frank polled the crowd about adding Reefer to the match, and Frank gave the fans what they wanted.

This was a fun match. Lots of big spots in this one, with guys breaking up pinfalls to make sure no one got a fast pin and the belt. The finish of the match saw Reefer finally give Archadia his comeuppance (when do you see comeuppance in a wrestlign review) by giving him his chronic crossface submission. The one thing I will say, was that there was about 8 tilt- a-whirls into either a backbreaker, slam or headscissors in this match. Kind of repetitive. Fans were really happy with Reefer's surprising win. Good move by JAPW.

Crowbar d. Bandido Jr.
This was the first match on the show that Johnny D. wasn't in. Johnny D. is turning into one of those 1970 WWWF managers who is with guys just to make them heels, rather than a Bischoff type who has a huge kick ass stable. I'd like to see the D- Factor more as a group looking for supremacy, but I guess for what JAPW is doing, it is working for them as guys who might not be able to get over as pure heels on their own, (Alexa, Archadia, etc), by having Johnny D. they are getting the right heat.

I thought this was Crowbars worst match since coming back to JAPW. Bandido also didn't look good. This was just bad match making in my opinion. The match should've went, 1,2, Crowbar punches Bandido in the face, 3 match over. This was a hard sell since Crowbar is twice the size of Bandido and both guys are babyfaces. Bandido couldn't really surpass the odds, because Crowbar was a face and there were no real odds against him. This was just hard to get into at all.

This match wasn't memorable at all. Two days later and I'm having trouble reading my own handwriting to get the right finish down. I believe it was a reversal of some sort, rather than Crowbar decimating Bandido with his finishers.

POSTMATCH: Bandido asked for a rematch and Crowbar told him no, as Crowbar has nothing to prove against him.

You gotta feel bad for the guys in the match because of the size difference. In this new MMA era, credibility in pro wrestling matches is becoming the new rave, and it's tough to sell a match like this, especially when Bandido hasn't been built up as the little guy who can defy the odds.

The Heavy Hitters (Havok & Monsta Mack) w/Johnny D. d. The Gemini Trojans (No single names given)
This was the best match the Heavy Hitters have had up to this point in JAPW, because it was the only match that wasn't a full out squash of the ACE roster. For the first time, the Heavy Hitters showed vulernability as the Gemini were able to match power and size with them.

Havok & Mack were taken aback to start the match, as Gemini hit some big double team moves, slamming and throwing Mack & Havok around. Eventually Mack & Havok fired back up and got their attitude, and fought back. Mack shoved one of the Gemini off the top rope, while Havok hit a huge senton on the other Gemini. With Mack waiting on the top rope, Havok hit his trademark Samoan drop, with Mack propelling himself with a top rope splash to get the 1-2-3.

You can tell the point of the match was to get Havok/Mack over more by showing some ass here. However, Mack/Havok didn't really beat anyone because no one knows who the Gemini Twins are. If I was JAPW, there are legend teams out there looking for work. Whether it's the Nasty Boyz, Powers of Pain, Demolition, Anvil/Animal, whoever. Havok & Mack need to beat someone credible and leave them laying. They've done nothing but squash matches and beat guys who don't even belong on JAPW shows.

Can you imagine the heel heat if Havok/Mack destroyed a legend tag team and bloodied them up? Obviously JAPW's huge sell down the line (maybe the anniversary show?) is Havok/Mack vs LAX for the tag belts. If Havok/Mack aren't killers and are just guys who can smoke jobbers, it will be a forced match for the anniversary, rather than a match between the two top and most unbeatable teams in JAPW history. There's my two cents.

Number 1 Contender Match
Danny Demanto d. Teddy Hart via countout
I think there were 7 moonsaults in this match, according to the JAPW message board.

This match was wild, with both of these guys doing crazy shit to get over with the fans. The ending saw Danny grab a guardrail and place it on the ring apron and on the other guardrail on the outside. Danny then placed Teddy on the guard rail and then went back into the ring and climbed the top rope. If anyone thought Teddy was taking Danny splashing him through a guardrail- you're nuts. Danny then splashed the guardrail himself, ensuring that he will have the liquid shits for the next two weeks, while Teddy laid out on the floor.

With both Teddy & Danny laying out on the floor, Omega ran out. Omega rolled Danny back into the ring. The ref counted Hart out so Danny becomes the number 1 contender not because he earned it, but because Omega is afraid of Hart. Tough story to sell, as Danny could've used a clean win here. Don't be shocked if you hear that this wasn't the original finish of the match. However, it does set up Teddy's chase for the belt, while Danny gets a month program at the top of the card. However, will Omega vs Danny III be enough to take the main event position on 5/31? Should be interesting.

For the JAPW Tag Team Titles
(c) LAX (Homicide & Hernandez) d. Rock N Rave Infection (Jimmy Rave & Lance Hoyt)
This match was a huge waste of time in my opinion. Did anyone think Rock N Rave were going to win the belts at all? You can see this crap on TV for free and it's not good, who wants to pay to see it? I am not a fan of Rock N Rave. To be honest, I think JAPW would've drawn more fans and made more money off gimmick sales if they made this a 6 person with the women or did Selina vs Hemme straight-up. This match was too predictable and hurt my enjoyment of it. The indy tag team scene isn't what it once was, as the pool is getting shallow which is why I think we got this match. Rave would probably be better served on his own in JAPW as a singles wrestler as Hoyt, to me, didn't understand the indy crowd.

LAX wins this match after Hernandez puts Hoyt on his shoulders and Homicide hit the Kojicutter. The match was fine for what it was, but anyone who's watched wrestling for more than 5 minutes could've told you what was going to happen.

For the JAPW Championship
(c) Kenny Omega d. Frankie Kazarian
I like Omega as a wrestler, but for me, Kazarian is just one of those guys I can't get into. Everyone has a wrestler they just don't like watching and you can't explain why. For me, Kazarian is just one of those guys that make me hit the fast forward button. He's a great wrestler, but for whatever reason, I can't connect with his character. I like Omega's work and think he's great, but as champion, it was a bit rushed in my opinion. The guy got played out by LAX and made to look like Barry Horowitz on one show and the next he's the new Champion. I'm happy for Omega that his sacrifices (remember, he lost money by paying his own flights from Canada to just to get a match in JAPW) have paid off, and Omega truly wants to be there, but I think his title win could've been handled better.

After saying that above paragraph, I think this was the worst JAPW main event in years. I've been to many JAPW shows over the last 6 years and I can't remember waiting for a main event to end like this match. Not only was this match predictable (Did anyone think Omega was going to lose in his first title defense), it featured someone I couldn't get into, and you were just waiting for Hart to do something here.

Both guys were able to block each other's big moves in the latter stages of the match. Ref Hanson was bumped towards the end. JAPW doesn't really do that many ref bumps, so it worked here. Hart, as expected, ran out. Hart grabbed a chair. Right when he did that you knew the finish or perhaps I'm just assuming people think like me. Hart went to hit Omega with a chair but instead hit Kazarian in the head. With the ref still down, Hart left the ring. Ok for starters, why didn't Hart just lay out Omega with a chair when Omega wasn't looking at him? Why did he wait for both guys to stand up? Then, after hitting Kaz, why not hit Omega too? Yea it's a work, but at least make it feel logical and sensible.

With Kaz laid out, Omega got the cheap win and retained the title. Old school finish here that works, that also gives you Kaz/Hart if JAPW wants to go that route. A slow Hart/Omega burn is nice, but can JAPW drag it out until the anniversary show?

Final McWord
This was one of the worst JAPW shows I ever been to. It pains me to say that, as others have called me biased towards JAPW, and while that is probably true, it's because I'm a huge fan of JAPW. I want nothing but the best for JAPW and when JAPW is on top and clicking, I'm happy to see that one of the first indy companies I supported is on top. When JAPW sucks, for me, you feel like a father who has to watch his son go 0-5 in a Little League game with 4 errors playing right field.

The crowd wasn't into this show because most of the crowd wasn't there. From doing 1000+ shows recently, JAPW only had 350- 400 here which I guess you can go into the excuse rolodex to explain. I didn't realize how many Jewish indy fans there are, but apparently there are alot, as I know I heard complaints from fans who couldn't go to JAPW/WSU/Chikara this weekend. JAPW's card was also very weak, compared to previous events. The line-up was very predictable. A week before the show started, I wrote down predictions. I went 8-8 for my picks and I even got extra credit because I predicted Teddy Hart would interfere in the main event. I didn't post these predictions on DOI because I felt that I would've ruined JAPW's show for people who would've read them.

Everyone has off nights. In the past, JAPW has followed up stinkers with kick ass shows. I know Necro Butcher is back on 5/31. I know a major debut is planned too for 5/31. For the fans who didn't like this show like me, stick with it, as JAPW has always corrected themselves when things aren't going hot. For fans who liked this show, then you will probably be blown away on 5/31.

4/19 was an experiment. We found out that JAPW has a core fan base of 400 who will come to the shows no matter what. We found out that the undercard blows, the main event needs spice and we need some unpredictability, and more star power to get back to 1000 fans. I'm sure it will be done again, as 1000+ fans cramming Rahway again will happen sooner than later.

Overall
Not JAPW's best efforts, but sometimes you gotta see what you have and move on.

JAPW returns again on 5/31. I'm purely speculating, but I'm assuming we'll have:
Omega vs Demanto for the title
Kaz vs Hart in a number 1 contender match
Necro vs ???
I also believe LAX is booked too. We'll have more on the show once we get news from JAPW.

For more on JAPW, visit JAPW.net

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com

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