NWS
1/26
Woodbridge, NJ
Refs: Mike Dillon, Sgt. Smith & Kenny Edwards
Ring Announcer: Dapper Joe Panzarino
Attendance: 200+

The show opened up with a 10 bell salute for Bam Bam Bigelow. There was also the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.

Joey Rizzo w/Zach Starr d. Chris Steeler
This was a nice old school opener that got the crowd going and into the show. It wasn't a great match by any means, but it did its job. Too often on the indy scene you see guys blowing their load in the first match, leaving the matches following it the tough job of trying to keep par. This match was properly done, with both guys telling a story and getting the crowd into what would be a fun night of wrestling.

Rizzo was the heel in this match and did a good job of getting the crowd against him. I did question the finish of this match, as there was a ref bump, as Rizzo threw Steeler into the ref. Steeler then hit a super kick for a 2 count, as the ref regained conciousness. Rizzo would then hit a lowblow, to get the three count at the 8:10 mark.
Like I said, good opener, but there was no need for a ref bump in the first match of the show.

Black Angel/Bobby Piper d. Judas Young/Draven
This was an odd match. You had a Puerto Rican teaming with a Scotsman, taking on an English wanker & an Indian. NWS- the melting pot of cultural diversity in pro wrestling.
Despite all the gimmicks in the match, everyone seemed to be wearing tank-tops. You kinda felt bad for Judas Young in this match, as he was given the job of carrying this match. I don't know if these guys have ever teamed before, but there was no emotion with Angel/Piper. When Angel was getting the shit kicked out of him, Piper looked on emotionless. Also at times, it seemed that the wrestlers were going in and out of face/heel, which doesn't fly well with an NWS crowd.

At points in this match, Judas must've felt like he was wrestling at the Elks Lodge in Queens during his UXW days, and not the Elks Lodge in Woodbridge, as there was some uninspiring moments in this match. Angel would eventually win this match by superkicking Draven for the 1-2-3.
This match could've been better. I don't get why Bobby Piper says he's related to Roddy when he doesn't do any of his mannerisms or moves. The only thing that resembles the real Hot Rod Roddy Rowdy Piper of today, is Bobby Piper's body.

In The Match of the Night
Corvis Fear d. Deranged
This was a very good match, and a solid showing for both guys. Corvis was the heel here, which was funny, because he was face the next night for NWS. Corvis used alot of cheating tactics in this match, as he used the ropes several times to keep Deranged down.

It is cool to see these guys work in the NWS environment, as they were able to get a hiptoss over as a huge highspot. When Deranged fired back and hiptossed Corvis Fear, the crowd exploded. Corvis would hit a rana in this match, only for Deranged to come back with a 619.

Deranged would later on in this match go for the 10 punches in the corner, but would only get 7. Corvis would hit several versions of the ace crushers in this match, but Deranged would come back with the "Code iz Blue" flipping powerbomb.

The finish of this match saw Corvis go for a burning hammer, only for Deranged to reverse it. Corvis then rolled-up Deranged and held onto the tights for the 3 count at the 14 minute mark.
Nicely wrestled match and these guys got over with the crowd big time.

POSTMATCH: Some mic work with Commissioner Gino Moore set up a rematch for these 2 on 2/10 in Kearny (or in NWS case, Carney) NJ. They will have a falls count anywhere match on that date.

Danny Demanto w/Rocco Dorsey & Bison Bravado vs "The Rogue" Billy Reil went to a No-Contest
PREMATCH: Dorsey cut a promo heeling out the crowd. Gino Moore sent Bison to the back and threatened some fines to the heels.

The Rogue was Billy Reil, as he was trying out a new alter-ego gimmick. The best way to describe it was a cross between The Boogeyman and a satanic wrestler. Rogue had a huge wooden cane, with a snakehead at the top. Rogue danced like the Boogeyman. For as ridiculous as it was, it got over with the NWS crowd. NWS family crowds like the outlandish characters, and arguably "The Rogue" got over more than what the "Highlight Reil" would. It's all about knowing your audience, kind of like how Christopher Daniels does "Curry Man" in Japan.

Commissioner Moore made this match a hardcore match, and for NWS it worked, as the wrestlers wrestled knowing the crowd they had. Both guys took turns working the crowd, and the first physicality took place after 5 minutes expired.

Dorsey would get involved in this match, but would get hit by Danny by accident. Rogue gave Danny a 10 punch in the corner and busted out some weapons, in the form of a Wet Floor sign. Rogue hit a DDT on Demanto on the outside for a huge pop. Like I said, both guys did a great job working the crowd, and isn't that what wrestling is all about?

As the match continued in the ring, Danny got crotched on the turnbuckle and fell into a tree of woe. The crowd chanted "RVD" very loudly, and Rogue gave them what they wanted, hitting a Van Terminator. However, before Rogue could get the win, Dorsey & Bravado ran into the ring, beating down on Rogue. Instead of a DQ, the ref called it a no-contest. A no-contest in a hardcore match, only in NWS or in the new ECW.

Anyway, after the questionable ruling, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, wondering why Eric Simms was counting money that he didn't see (ZING!), ran out and made the save. Some mic work later, and our main event was set as Bison Bravado/Neidhart. This also set up Neidhart to sell some gimmicks at....

INTERMISSION
Eric Simms was a very happy man, taking polaroids for $50 a shot w/Jim Neidhart. Nah just kidding. Eric would never charge that. It was $100 for a picture, $200 if you wanted Eric to autograph it for you.

Nicky Oceans d. Mikey Pacifica
Oceans won this match after hitting a crossed arm fisherman's buster for the 3. Not much to say about this match except that Nicky Oceans has improved tremendously from when I first saw him 2 years ago. He is now a reliable veteran for NWS who can work a good match, especially for the NWS crowds.

MAIN EVENT
Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart d. Bison Bravado w/Rocco Dorsey & Danny Demanto
PREMATCH: Same exact promo as the Danny/Rogue match, this time with Gino threatening fines and sending Danny to the back.

This was a fun old school match. Neidhart got a huge pop for his entrance, and the crowd loved when he was up early in this match. When Bison was on attack, the crowd was just ready to explode for Jim's comeback. Anvil would come back with 3 kicks and a clothesline. Jim followed it up with a powerslam, which set him up for his camel clutch. The clutch was too much for Bison and Neidhart won the match via submission.
Good old school match that gave the crowd what they wanted
POSTMATCH: Danny & Dorsey ran in attacking Jim. Rogue made the save, setting up a tag team match for next night's show. Very predictable, but nicely executed. NWS books for its seperate towns, so I understand ending the show with Jim winning the match, but why would he need a rematch the next night? I think Bison should've won with help from his co-horts, to set up the huge tag team win for the faces the next night. Not a major detail, but then again, I guess NWS wanted to send the crowd home happy.

Final McWord
A fun night for NWS. Corvis/Deranged stole the show. Bison/Neidhart was a fun old school match and it's always great watching the legends do their thing. Neidhart could still be on TV if you ask me. Danny/Rogue was good for what it was too, and I've enjoyed the improvement of Nicky Oceans.

Commentating on this DVD was done by "Earl of Cheese", Kevin Matthews & Ref Hanson. Even if you don't enjoy NWS shows, you will enjoy the commentating when it's released on DOIVideo.com

NWS is a circus act, which I'm sure the NWS promoters would admit themselves. NWS continues to run 60 shows a year and does their thing smoothly, just like a well oiled machine. Every show sets up matches for next shows and I've never seen an NWS show that didn't sound the majority of the crowd home happy. The wrestlers know their audience and so do the promoters. It would be interesting to see NWS ran as a regular promotion, but the carnival tricks & all the Huzzah & Yowza moments makes it unique and stand out. From fake birthday cakes to fake Doink the Clowns, to solid matches, NWS has it all for the inner-carny inside you.

Overall
Fun show and another good night for NWS.

Check out DOIVideo.com for the DVD release, and check out NWSWrestling.com for more on future NWS events.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com