McPinions
By: Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey
October 30th has shaped up to be a big day in northeast indy wrestling. Not only is WXW running their "Unlucky 13" show,
in Fernwood, PA, but
what many consider as the top two NJ Indy Promotions, will be running head-to-head. That's right, CSWF, which has been
on a major roll as of late, will be hosting their "Halloween Horror" show, in Wayne, NJ. On the other side of the coin,
JAPW, which is considered the top promotion in NJ, will be running their "Halloween Hell" show. Both shows are literally
less than a half hour away from each other. Both promotions are coming off their best shows in the history of their
respective companies. Unfortunatley, like I just said, they are running head-to-head. Running head-to-head was an
accident, and both promotions are on friendly terms. It just happened that both promotions venues gave them the October
30th date. In this following column, I'm going to present you the tale of the tape, and I'll decide which show I think
has the better line-up, as well as give you an idea of what each show will offer.
To read each promotions official press release, about their shows, you can find them below:
CSWF
JAPW
I am using those press releases to compare the shows.
Also when reading this, please realize that the comparisons are my opinion only, and based on what I want to see. Everyone
is different, so you might like another match over another, but I think that the majority of the people reading this,
will tend to agree with my choices. I will list the match vs match comparisons, and list the promotion that has
better match.
ROUND ONE
MAIN EVENT
CSWF-
"Till Death Do Us Part" Mixed Tag Team Match
His and Her Champions vs. His and Her Challengers
Slyck Wagner Brown & April Hunter vs. Michael Shane & Tracy Brooks
JAPW-
JAPW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP -
- 2 OUT OF 3 FALLS -
Dan Maff(c) vs Trent Acid
WINNER: JAPW
I'd rather see a singles match, with two great athletes fighting over a prestigious prize, rather than a mixed tag team
match in the main event.
JAPW-1
CSWF-0
ROUND TWO
CSWF-
Match 1 in the Best of Three Series for the Vacant Cruiser-X Title:
Sonjay Dutt vs. Grim Reefer
JAPW-
IWS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Kevin Steen(c) vs Roderick Strong
WINNER: CSWF
Alot of people might rather see Steen vs Roderick, as its never been done before, but the Reefer/Sonjay feud, is a feud
that has been all over the indies, and I wouldn't mind seeing the next chapter of it.
JAPW-1
CSWF-1
ROUND THREE
CSWF-
Tag Team Title Match:
Champions: America's Most Wanted vs. any 2 Members of The Forgien Exchange
JAPW-
Homicide & B-Boy vs Teddy Hart & Jack Evans
WINNER: JAPW
AMW vs 2 Random guys with no built up feud, or the Strong Style Thugs vs Hart/Evans in what has been an electrifying
feud? This one's a no brainer.
JAPW- 2
CSWF- 1
ROUND FOUR
CSWF-Special Challenge Internet Title Match:
Champion: "M-Tizzle" Mike Tobin vs. Challenger: Ken Scampi
JAPW-
JAPW Light Heavyweight Championship
Jay Lethal (Champion) Vs. Sonjay Dutt (Challenger)
WINNER: JAPW
Sonjay Dutt is just a great wrestler to watch, and is doing a double shot. I think Lethal and Sonjay are better
talents than Tobin and Scampi, at this point in time.
JAPW-3
CSWF-1
ROUND FIVE
CSWF-
Ron "The Truth" Killings vs. Matt Striker
JAPW-
Samoa Joe Vs. Super Dragon
WINNER: JAPW
I think I'd get virus's emailed to me, if I didn't pick Joe/Dragon in this round.
JAPW-4
CSWF-1
ROUND SIX
CSWF-
Nick Berk vs. Rob Eckos
JAPW-
Low Ki vs CM Punk
WINNER: JAPW
This is another no brainer.
JAPW-5
CSWF-1
ROUND SEVEN
CSWF-
AJ Styles vs Jimmy Rave
JAPW-
El Generico Vs. Beef Wellington Vs. Sexxxy Eddy Vs. Excess 69
WINNER: CSWF
This is a tough round here, but AJ Styles vs Rave has been built up so much in ROH, that I think CSWF can do a good
job capitalizing here with this match.
JAPW-5
CSWF-2
ROUND EIGHT
Surprise Factor/Big Names
CSWF-
Vince Russo and Abyss will be appearing. CSWF is also teasing up a big name star as well, in addition to
hyping up last months Kanyon/DDP match. Will there be a rematch set up on this show?
JAPW-
No one from present TV will be on the show, as this is a smart mark show.
WINNER: CSWF
It should be very interesting to see what Vince Russo will be doing.
JAPW- 5
CSWF- 3
ROUND NINE
The "Others Appearing" Section
CSWF-
Josh Daniel, Mike "The Shooter" Kruel, Julio Dinero,
Danny Jaxx, Miss Michelle, Mana, Hungarian Barbarian, Destiny, Mistress Asia, and Crowbar.
JAPW-
Azrieal, The Grim Reefer, EC Negro, The Christopher St. Connection, Jonny D, Ref Hanson, Ref Paul Turner,
Mark Clemson, The Bald Guy and many many more.
WINNER: JAPW
There's not too many guys on that CSWF list worth seeing. The first few names of JAPW are top quality indy guys. Plus,
there are other matches already booked in JAPW, such as the 6 Man Tag, which even strengthens that list even more.
JAPW-6
CSWF-3
ROUND TEN
Intangibles
CSWF-
CSWF are coming off their hottest show yet. They have made a mark on the scene, and are always reliable. CSWF never
false advertises and puts on big shows, no matter what the attendance is.
JAPW-
JAPW might not only be the top promotion in NJ, but one of the top 5 indy companies today. The shows
are consistently booked, and there aren't really too many dry or dull spots. There is also no weak link match on the
show.
WINNER: JAPW
JAPW-7
CSWF-3
OVERALL-
JAPW wins this head to head line-up in my eyes, 7-3. JAPW will be a better show for the smarks, while CSWF will give you
a better show if you're a TNA fan. It's unfortunate for CSWF to be up against JAPW, as CSWF really gained alot of
momentum at their last show. JAPW already has alot of momentum, and blew fans away at their 7th Anniversary show. Obviously
the winners in all of this are the wrestlers getting paid. The losers are both promotions, as they will split the same
audience. Also, the fans come out as tweeners, as they have two great line-ups to pick from, but they wind up missing a
great line-up. It's unfortunate that neither promotion could've run either a week before or after this October 30th date,
as their are no "big" shows in NJ during that weekend. Both shows could've seen record attendances, but instead, they
will split the fans. I do think more fans will go to JAPW because it's been the better product and has the bigger
fan base. CSWF might have another good show, like they did last time, but I don't see them breaking even with the line-up
they got, especially against JAPW.
I think a good idea to raise money for both promotions would be the following. If you go to either JAPW or CSWF on October
30th, and you mail in your ticket stub to the show you didn't go to, then you could receive a discount on the tape/dvd
of the show you missed. That way, both promotions get some extra money and the fans get to see both shows, and stay
up-to-date with both promotions storylines. Both promotions are friendly with each other, and I know there are fans
who want to go to both shows, so it would be cool if some deal like this went down.
As for me, I'll be at JAPW on 10/30. JAPW, along with USA PW, is a promotion that really got me into indy wrestling, so
I try not to miss any of their shows. I'm a loyal JAPW fan, just like the rest of the 300 or so hardcore JAPW fans, so
I will be there. I'll have a report of the show on Sunday. The Gray Ghost will be at CSWF and covering that show.
In the end, hopefully both promotions do well, as these are two promotions that are not only respected by the wrestlers,
but by the fans. Both promotions have solid track records, and more promotions could learn how to do business the right
way, in NJ, by following their lead.
For more on JAPW, go to http://www.japw.net
For more on CSWF, go to http://www.cswfol.com
Enjoy your Wrestling Saturday.
Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
