What's up everyone and welcome to another McReview, here on the DOI. This past Saturday, after the LOTR IV Convention (Check main page for more on that), I headed to the infamous Italian-American Hall, on 282 Parker Ave, in Clifton, NJ. Revisiting this building for the first time in 3+ years illicits many memories from my days working with Vince himself, Carmine Sabia Jr. It was also the venue that hosted the SSCW fire show, where the building went on fire, and Simon Diamond (who was running things at the time) had his head in his hand, while watching the show and pretty much SSCW go up in smoke. That was also the same show where 4 paid fans showed up to see Al Snow, Justin Credible, Simon Diamond and a who's who of indy stars. Sadly, the video of this show was lost.

Trekking out to Clifton, I didn't see much advertising for the show. The show was a fundraiser for a local little league team, the NJ Mariners. At first, there was about 40 people at the show, but I'm assuming a practice or game ended at 7:40 or so, because at around 8pm, about 20 kids poured into the building.

I'll have full NWA Pro East news report up soon, but to understand this review I must make some notes here now. This was a joint NWA show. NWA Shockwave, or whatever the fuck is left of it, NWA Virginia and NWA Pro East were represented. Derek Gordon, who's taken a sabbatical or has been fired from the company (there are two versions of Derek's inconspicuous abscence from this show) was not present. Former NWA Shockwave booker, John Shane, who was responsible for alot of the crappy angles (Throwing a molotov cocktail at a church, coming out 5 times with 5 different champions, etc) also wasn't present. It is assumed he's been fired/unbooked from the company, but the door is open according to Fred Rubenstein.

Running the show was NWA Pro East/former JCW promoter Ricky O. Teaming with him was Fred Rubenstein, who was the representative of Shockwave and the owner of the NWA name in this NY/NJ area. Rick O'Brien, from NWA Virginia, also assisted with the show, and brought up several cars full of his talent. As Rick O'Brien put it to the wrestlers, "finally, there is some organization in the organization", when referring to the NWA.

While the NWA name might mean "Not Worth Anything" these days, as the NWA is not even a shell of a shell of its former self, three men (Ricky O, Fred Rubenstein & Rick O'Brien) are trying their best to bring the NWA to a respectable level. While neither man believes that the NWA will ever really go back to the Flair vs Dusty, Harley's Reign of Terror, Championship Wrestling from Florida or anything else that you think of when you think of the real NWA, all three men are committed into making the NWA name a name you can respect, even if it is still a skeleton of what it used to be. Like I said in my convention review, it is good to see people working together, and not against each other, in the wrestling business.

Before the show, I was privy to watching several promos being filmed for NWA Pro's TV taping. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, but the only promo I remember is Fred Rubenstein's. Alot (Ok all) of the wrestlers could learn something from him. Most of the wrestlers had the same promos, with the faces babbling about tradition, respect and all that other good stuff that will make you fall asleep if this show airs in a 1AM time slot. All the heels screamed alot and didn't say much of anything of value. However, Fred, who like Joe Panzarino of NWS, is cut from the same cloth, came off like a great carney pitchman. Whether it's perfect voice modulation, being comfortable in front of the camera, being around the business for 40 years or whatever, no one on that show cut a promo like Fred. Fred had the most details to talk about in his promo, as he was shilling/selling the NWA Pro product to fans and potential fundraiser partners. One of the promos had him giving out a phone number. To co-promote an NWA show, call 1-201-370-7891. I had about 20+ beers throughout Saturday, drank a bit today, and am now 24 hours removed from the show, and I remember the phone number as clear as a clean window on a sunny day. Selling a product or angle is a tough art for alot of indy guys when they cut promos, and Fred pretty much nailed it. Hopefully that art trickles down in the NWA Pro East, or else it will come off as dry and uninspiring.

Finally, as mentioned, this was a "TV Taping". So many times on the DOI we've heard about this and that fed doing TV or Carmine Sabia blatantly lying from his mothers tit, and proclaiming an SSCW PPV. NWA Pro officials swear they have some sort of TV deal with Time Warner that will air in 400,000 homes. It's just a matter if those 400,000 homes will watch it when it eventually does air. NWA Pro have also been talking to some guy with some $$$ and hope to get more TV time with his money.

Like everyone else not in NWA Pro, I'll believe the TV once I see it. It's a story we've heard all before, so NWA Pro has to expect skepticism when it comes to a TV deal. I truly hope the show airs in some fashion, as it's only more exposure for indy wrestling and for the wrestlers on the show.

With that said, keep in mind that the following matches were taped for TV, which does hurt the flow of a show live, as there wasn't much building on the show. The show was just a series of matches to establish who's who in NWA Pro, rather than starting with an opening match and building to your main event.

NWA PRO
4/28
Clifton, NJ
Refs: Jeff Capo, Some Guy Wearing Khaki Pants, and someone who I didn't know
Ring Announcers: Destiny (Old Shockwave Ring Announcer) & Someone who didn't say their name on the microphone
Attendance: 60+

Note: Since this review technically is a spoiler of an upcoming TV show, I'll just give quick thoughts, rather than amove-by-move account.

Joe So Delicious d. Ryan Wing
Fun Fact: Ryan Wing was the only local Jersey native from the old JCW crew not to win a match.

This was a good match for Joe So D, who gets a chance to build his character in this newest incarnation of the NWA. I thought at times Joe oversold for Ryan during this match, as Joe clearly was two heads taller than him. Then again, I guess it takes two to tango, and both guys got over as a result. Joe won the match with "The Spice Rack" which is a big face slam out of the Razor's Edge position.

For the NWA Pro North American Tag Team Titles
Four-Way Match
(c) Scott Breaker & Scott Blaze w/Erica Devine d. Chaos/Joey The Bull, Chris Draven/Lazarus & Rex Darling/??? Thompson
Not sure of all the names of the guys from Virginia, as I've never seen them before.

This match pretty much put over the team of Scott Breaker & Scott Blaze. These guys have potential. They were stiff motherfuckers, and chopped a few people's chests right in, causing them to bleed instantaneously. Some people have asked who can be the next Samoa Joe? I've only seen one "Scottie's" match, and I know there is only one Samoa Joe, but I'd like to see another one of their matches, as these guys are the only things remotely close to Joe's style.

The Scott's dominated this match and beat the shit out of everyone. A pedigree eliminated Joey The Bull/Chaos. Eventually The Scottie's hit a version of the T-Gimmick to win the match. This match came off as designed and made the Scott's look like monsters.
This match was a good match to get new people over. The only advice I'd give the Scottie's are to change their look. In fact, everyone in this match was wearing black. Half of them wore T-shirts like backyarders, which in essence just made the guys in tights like the Scottie's look more dominating. However, The Scottie's have generic gear, and if they'd spend some money on new matching gear, and invest in themselves, it could translate into better business for them.

POSTMATCH: The Devils Rejects (A very overexposed name for any team or group) of Sinister X & Paul E. Normous came out. They got into the Scottie's faces. Eventually the locker room cleared out to prevent any near brawl. This angle sounds easy to execute on paper, but sometimes it comes off flat. This wasn't the case here, as it came off awesome. Sinister X & PEN have a great look and could pass for brothers, if need be. The face up between the Devils Rejects & The Scotts was like an old school thing, with four giant fucking dudes just all pissed off. I'm looking forward to that match. All NWA has to do is tell the story, tease the match for a few weeks, then give it to us, and I'm sure it will come off great. Not all matches have to be in-ring classics, but with a great story, which this already has from the stare down, this can go far.

The Devils Rejects (Sinister X & Paul E. Normous) d. Steve Off/Lone Wolf
This was squash city. Steve Off ate a monstrous double suplex, to give the Reject's the win. Good match to build up the DJ's as killer monster heels. Booking 101 at its best.

Fred Sampson d. Mack Daddy Flexxx
Like the Scotts & like The Devil's Rejects, I could see Flex/Sampson as a good team, rather than foes. These two had a good match together. I think Sampson is the best IWF wrestler out there today. He has a good thing going for him. I haven't seen much of his heel stuff, but he excelled against Flex. Sampson defeated Flex after rolling him up and putting his feet on the ropes for a cheap victory.
I can see these guys having a good program together, then becoming a major force on the NWA tag team scene.

Kameo, making her NJ return in nearly 4 years, came out. Kameo, who some may remembering of suffering from a bad case of MS, is looking good and back on the scene. Kameo cut a cocky heel promo, and dubbed herself as a sports agent. She put over her newest acquisition and put him over to the moon. She then introduced us to Chris Escobar and we had our....

MATCH OF THE NIGHT
Damien Wayne d. Chris Escobar w/Kameo
See the match if it does air on TV. This was the best match on the show, and I was impressed with both guys. These guys were given time and wowed a brand new audience. Some of this match was fought on the floor, and as nasty as it got on the outside, these guys gave it their all on the inside. I hate managers/valets who sit there and don't do shit, cough Miss Michelle cough, but Kameo was on the other end of that spectrum, and all over the place. She did a good job of getting the crowd pissed off. The finish of this match saw Wayne hit a top rope piledriver on Escobar, to get the clean pinfall victory. Very good match here.
POSTMATCH: Kameo got in Wayne's face and wound up eating a powerbomb. It was funny because all the faces on the show were talking about respect & tradition in their promos, but then the face powerbombs a woman. What does it say about wrestling fans when we are desensitized to male on female violence? I guess because TNA & WWE do it all the time that we don't think much of it anymore, but I thought NWA was going for an old school thing here. I guess it is 2007, kayfabe is dead, and woman beating is a-ok.

Beef d. Bon Jovi
Maybe if Beef was advertised, we'd have the "BEEF. It's what's for dinner" signs out there. Beef is what you'd expect, a beefy and meaty guy who would probably bring the keg to the football teams keg parties. Bon Jovi heeled it up here. His act always gets a good reaction. Beef wins with a lariat. I was gonna go for a tainted meat joke here, but couldn't think of anything funny or anything original.

Nicky Benz d. Rob Eckos & Damian Dragon in a Three-Way Dance
PREMATCH: Nicky Benz did his Nicky Benz spiel, doing several one-liner jokes and singing (While berating) the crowd. It's a great gimmick, and a gimmick any indy fed can make money with and get over.

This was another good match on this show. The three guys had alot of chemistry here and had some pretty good spots. Benz wound up winning by rolling-up Dragon. While this might be fun and all for TV, at this point in the show, we've seen 7 matches and only 1 face (Wayne) was victorious. There was also 2 roll-ups which is a personal pet peeve of mine.

INTERMISSION

Don Montoya d. Bison Bravado
For some reason, I liked Montoya's stuff when he was fatter. I think his best days are behind him, but he's still doing his thing here. Bison brought the ferociousness to this match, but eventually submitted to a boston crab, giving Montoya the duke.

Judas Young d. Danny Demanto w/Devin Sturgis
I don't think Devin was needed with Danny Demanto. Demanto does a good enough job getting over as himself. Sturgis would've been better suited off with a heel who needs more of a personality.

This was an old school match. You could see both guys trying to do as little as possible in the ring but as much as possible as getting the crowd to react, and I mean that in a good way. I don't even think these guys touched in the first 5 minutes , and the crowd was still hot for them. Danny is developing into a good hand, especially when it comes to working family crowds. Judas Young has a gimmick you don't have to think about, so to a fan who's never seen before, you get into him right away because it's a cool gimmick.

After working the crowd and playing off of Devin, Judas pinned Demanto with a small package. Fun match.

The Silver Bullets d. Los Geckos Locos
Los Geckos Locos are like an Indy Doink "The Clown". There's always a new wrestler underneath the gimmick. This match is good for the kids, but it is something I could care less about. However, in every fed there is something for everyone and for someone (especially the young crowd there) this was good. One of the Silver Bullets pinned one of the Locos with a backslide to win.

Roddy Marshall d. Justin Corino
This wasn't a squash, but Roddy Marshall, doing a Jimi Hendrix gimmick, won this match in less than 2 minutes. Corino seems to be getting bigger, I would've liked to see what he could do in a real gimmick. I think he should lose the last name, even if it's his real last name, as people are going to expect him to wrestle like Steve Corino. Marshall wins with a quick roll-up.

Now at this point in the show, the four matches after intermission saw all the faces win. I think for the live crowd, the match order could've been shooken up a bit.

The Playaz Club (Erik Andretti & Dave Greco) d. Los Guapos (Spider & Chrono)
This was probably the best put together match I've seen Andretti & Greco have in a while. Their gimmick is kinda like the Backseat Boyz, as they do the dollar in the pants thing. They are like cheesy Chippendales, which is a great gimmick, because it's easy heat. They also look like wrestlers, so they play the part well.

Los Guapos is an ok gimmick for here. It is a bunch of Puerto Ricans and Puerto Ricans watch wrestling. However, there are a million Puerto Rican gimmicks on the indies, and these guys weren't the best at it. They were very sloppy in the ring, didn't really do much to work the crowd and were easily carried to even the average fan by the Playaz Club. If it wasn't for the Playaz Club heeling it up, this match would've had no heat at all.

Andretti hit a superkick, while Greco legsweped Krono (Think Eliminators) on Chrono for the clean pinfall victory. Good match to put over the heels, but the Puerto Rican team, could've been filled by better wrestlers.

In the Main Event
For the NWA Shockwave Heavyweight Title
Crowbar vs (c) Havok went to a double count-out
This match was a brawl. What started off in the ring as a competitive match, quickly degenerated into a full out brawl. The two fought all over the building, with several chairs being used and broken. After about 15 or so minutes, both guys, who were still fighting on the floor were counted out. This was a decent match in the main event slot, so I would've liked to see a more definitive finish. Again, good for TV so you'll watch next week to see what happens, but I think for the live crowd, we should've got something more uplifting or something better to remember the close of the show by. A double count out as the main event of an indy show makes some fans feel cheated sometimes.

Final McWord
I'll have a full NWA Pro news update tomorrow about the future of this company based on this show, but for the most part this was an enjoyable show that you could take your kids to. I could see smarks hating this, but there was some good stuff here.

Ricky O. has always and is very creative. When he's on, he runs one of the best story-based indy feds out there. You could see the seeds being planted here. He's always been a good addition to any booking staff cause he has some good ideas. Alot of new people were developed here and I liked some of the gimmicks here. With that said, Ricky O needs to do a "Starman" & Amazon team (Based off the NES Pro Wrestling gimmick). It would fit in with the Silver BUllets/Los Geckos stuff.

It is good to see indy groups to work together. Alot of the NWA VA guys stood out, and it was good seeing a show with different faces.

Overall
A fun show, and even seeing it happen live and knowing NWA's plans, I'll believe it will be on TV once I see it.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com