Post by bigdogbarber on Jun 21, 2006 21:34:26 GMT -6
This is the first in a long line of wrestling show review to come from an “insider”. I’ve been wrestling across the Midwest for more than 6 years now and have been in the main events on many of shows. If you want some more credentials, do some research, you’ll find I know my stuff.
These reviews are meant to be blunt and honest. I’d like both wrestlers and promoters to take my advise and use it to better their product. I’d also like the fans to start looking at the shows that they pay to watch a little harder and not put up with crappy product. I consider many of these workers friends and in no way am I intending on upsetting anyone. However, that being said, if you do take offense to it, so be it. I can’t stop you from having and voicing your opinion. You will also find that I will be reviewing my own matches, and don’t worry I won’t pull any punches on my own fat ass either.
If one person can better themselves from my, sometimes harsh comments, than this project has been well worth it.
Thank,
Big Dog Barber
3XW “Extreme Conflict”
I thought I would give a review of the last 3XW show, that took place last Saturday night, in Waukee, IA. Let’s start off by saying it was just wonderful of 3XW to take a show that was suppose to start at 6pm and make everyone sit for approximately ½ hour before it actually started. Now granted, I’ve been to quite a few wrestling shows in my day, and yes it is normal for wrestling organizations to start a show 5, 10, and sometimes 15 minutes late (to make sure the late-comers get to see all the show, or to “milk” the possibility for more people to buy tickets). However, because of the shows of 3XW in the recent past and personally knowing how a show is generally ran, I’m pretty sure that the owners/operators of 3XW didn’t start late for that reason. I was a little curious so I asked a “CREW” member what the delay was, and was amazed that he actually told me, what I believe to be the truth. He commented that they were waiting for Jerry Lynn’s plane to get in. For now let’s get to the match reviews.
The following is rating using the following:
0 = backyard material, 1= barely passable, 2= decent structure, but lacking plenty, 3 = good/average match, 4 = very good, almost show stopper material, 5= match of the year quality, etc
Match 1: Mason Hunter d. Devin Carter
Casanova and Devin Carter came out and as usual, they are an entertaining duo. Mark Sterling then came out and cut a promo. Now, I’ve seen Sterling wrestle before and honestly… this guy is a solid worker as far as in-ring work goes. I will say his mic skills and attitude coming and leaving the ring area are as dull as Ben Stein in a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He stated that he had his old friend and partner, Mason Hunter, here to take on Carter. Comments on Hunter are as follows: Great look, good body, but
needs to work harder on his in-ring skills. As far as the match in general, I’ve seen a lot better our of Carter and expected him to, at least, be able to carry a less experienced (from the looks of it) Mason Hunter. I give this match a 2.
Match 2: Zach Thompson d. Aaron Masterson
Let’s start off this match review by saying that I’ve never seen these two work before, and that I’m on the understanding that this is their first match EVER!
**Side note to promoters** When you are bringing you are thinking of bringing your trainees in to work your show… DON’T! They should earn a spot like everybody else. I understand you just took thousands of dollars from them and feel like you owe them something, well… that’s what they paid for! If they want to be a part of your show, make them earn a spot. Have them do a “tryout” match and then evaluate it.**End**
I watched as Zach Thompson came to the ring with an attitude of someone that is a very tough individual but looks like Opie Taylor and Crystal Gale combined. Advice Mr. Thompson, long hair is fine in wrestling, but not if it touches your ass. Aaron Masterson was next, claimed to be from Waukee and obviously nobody from Waukee was in attendance because the crowd was silent as this young man came to the ring. As I watched these two guys “wrestle” (if that’s what you call it) I had to ask myself a question. Why would 3XW think it was a good idea to give these guys a match, when there’s so much good talent that’s not being used? And why would their trainer, Brian Ash, be OK with them attaching his name as “trainer” to this debacle? If this is the product that is going to come out of the 3XW Training School, then I think we are all in for some painful nights of watching wrestling. And somebody should reevaluate who is training, or who is being trained, or what is being taught, because honestly, I’ve seen better matches going to a Rock n’ Roll Buck Zumhoff show, and I’m talking about all of the matches at Buck’s show. This match doesn’t even make the grade, 0.
Match 3: Jeremy Wyatt d. Buck Albright
Match 3 wasn’t anything else to brag about. The match in a whole wasn’t as terrible as the previous 2 matches, but wasn’t as good as it could have been. I’ve seen both men work and have been impressed with both. I will say that I missed Wyatt’s manager, if nothing else he was mildly amusing. Albright has been in a lot better matches, but compared to the match he had with Kayden “Juice” James, this was Wrestlemania caliber. This match also gets a 2.
Match 4: Tony Sly d. Cousin Mikey
This was the first time I’ve seen Mikey, but I’ve watched Sly work several times. So far, in the night, I have to say this was the match of the night… but that’s not saying a whole lot. They had some amusing parts in the match as well as some solid spots, but nothing to sing praises about. The highlight of this match was Tony Scarpone at ringside, interacting with the fans. This match gets a 3.
Match 5: Matty Fitness & Kid Krazy d. Brian Ash & Austin Bayliss
Now going into this match, I decided to watch closely to the trainer of 3XW, Brian Ash, and see if he really does know how to work, or if “Brian Ash the wrestler” is a work in itself (Buy a book if you don’t understand the lingo). Honestly, I know that Brian can work, I’ve seen it, and been in the ring with it, but it seems like more often than not lately his matches are either hit or miss. I’m not sure what the Brian Ash of old has kept and failed to pass along to this current Ash, but whatever it is, Brian should find it and start using it. I’ve seen all of the participants work before, so I had an idea of what each brought to the match. Here is what I have to say about each. Matty Fitness is a good wrestler, and just keeps getting better with time. Kid Krazy is a high flyer that can do some impressive maneuvers, I just think that maybe he tries too hard sometime to get himself over, and it then hurts the flow of the match. Austin Bayliss isn’t too bad, either. He’s definitely the little poopstain that everyone wants to see get mopped up. I do think he superimposed a silhouette of his head on the silhouette of someone else’s body for his t-shirts. Now onto Brian Ash… It’s always great to see a big man in the sport of wrestling help the business by putting over the little guys. ie., Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Andre the Giant, The Big Show, Bill Goldberg… oh wait, that’s right Goldberg never put anyone over, other than himself, that is. It seems that this “current” Brian Ash either has that same mentality or is just being pushed in that direction. I’ve seen him put over other guys and “sell” for other wrestlers, but that might be because they could have made him if he didn’t. But, I haven’t seen Ash ruin a match like this since the match he had a few months ago against Chance Cordova. Now, I’ve known Brian for several years and this doesn’t seem like something he would do intentionally, so I’m hoping that it’s just the company giving him crappy direction. Now, why would a company want a guy to bury one of their other champions? I don’t think that would make a whole lot of sense, but then not too much of this night made sense. What ever is going on here should change before every single worker that has an ounce of talent on the roster is made to look like a chump, and that includes the guy sqashing the rest. Because really… How tough are you when you just beat the piss out of somebody for 20 minutes? I wouldn’t think that tought. They didn’t do much to you and yet it took you how long to get the job done? All ranting aside, I’ve given this match a 2. Total so far, out of 5 matches with a possible score of 25, we’ve got 9.
These reviews are meant to be blunt and honest. I’d like both wrestlers and promoters to take my advise and use it to better their product. I’d also like the fans to start looking at the shows that they pay to watch a little harder and not put up with crappy product. I consider many of these workers friends and in no way am I intending on upsetting anyone. However, that being said, if you do take offense to it, so be it. I can’t stop you from having and voicing your opinion. You will also find that I will be reviewing my own matches, and don’t worry I won’t pull any punches on my own fat ass either.
If one person can better themselves from my, sometimes harsh comments, than this project has been well worth it.
Thank,
Big Dog Barber
3XW “Extreme Conflict”
I thought I would give a review of the last 3XW show, that took place last Saturday night, in Waukee, IA. Let’s start off by saying it was just wonderful of 3XW to take a show that was suppose to start at 6pm and make everyone sit for approximately ½ hour before it actually started. Now granted, I’ve been to quite a few wrestling shows in my day, and yes it is normal for wrestling organizations to start a show 5, 10, and sometimes 15 minutes late (to make sure the late-comers get to see all the show, or to “milk” the possibility for more people to buy tickets). However, because of the shows of 3XW in the recent past and personally knowing how a show is generally ran, I’m pretty sure that the owners/operators of 3XW didn’t start late for that reason. I was a little curious so I asked a “CREW” member what the delay was, and was amazed that he actually told me, what I believe to be the truth. He commented that they were waiting for Jerry Lynn’s plane to get in. For now let’s get to the match reviews.
The following is rating using the following:
0 = backyard material, 1= barely passable, 2= decent structure, but lacking plenty, 3 = good/average match, 4 = very good, almost show stopper material, 5= match of the year quality, etc
Match 1: Mason Hunter d. Devin Carter
Casanova and Devin Carter came out and as usual, they are an entertaining duo. Mark Sterling then came out and cut a promo. Now, I’ve seen Sterling wrestle before and honestly… this guy is a solid worker as far as in-ring work goes. I will say his mic skills and attitude coming and leaving the ring area are as dull as Ben Stein in a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He stated that he had his old friend and partner, Mason Hunter, here to take on Carter. Comments on Hunter are as follows: Great look, good body, but
needs to work harder on his in-ring skills. As far as the match in general, I’ve seen a lot better our of Carter and expected him to, at least, be able to carry a less experienced (from the looks of it) Mason Hunter. I give this match a 2.
Match 2: Zach Thompson d. Aaron Masterson
Let’s start off this match review by saying that I’ve never seen these two work before, and that I’m on the understanding that this is their first match EVER!
**Side note to promoters** When you are bringing you are thinking of bringing your trainees in to work your show… DON’T! They should earn a spot like everybody else. I understand you just took thousands of dollars from them and feel like you owe them something, well… that’s what they paid for! If they want to be a part of your show, make them earn a spot. Have them do a “tryout” match and then evaluate it.**End**
I watched as Zach Thompson came to the ring with an attitude of someone that is a very tough individual but looks like Opie Taylor and Crystal Gale combined. Advice Mr. Thompson, long hair is fine in wrestling, but not if it touches your ass. Aaron Masterson was next, claimed to be from Waukee and obviously nobody from Waukee was in attendance because the crowd was silent as this young man came to the ring. As I watched these two guys “wrestle” (if that’s what you call it) I had to ask myself a question. Why would 3XW think it was a good idea to give these guys a match, when there’s so much good talent that’s not being used? And why would their trainer, Brian Ash, be OK with them attaching his name as “trainer” to this debacle? If this is the product that is going to come out of the 3XW Training School, then I think we are all in for some painful nights of watching wrestling. And somebody should reevaluate who is training, or who is being trained, or what is being taught, because honestly, I’ve seen better matches going to a Rock n’ Roll Buck Zumhoff show, and I’m talking about all of the matches at Buck’s show. This match doesn’t even make the grade, 0.
Match 3: Jeremy Wyatt d. Buck Albright
Match 3 wasn’t anything else to brag about. The match in a whole wasn’t as terrible as the previous 2 matches, but wasn’t as good as it could have been. I’ve seen both men work and have been impressed with both. I will say that I missed Wyatt’s manager, if nothing else he was mildly amusing. Albright has been in a lot better matches, but compared to the match he had with Kayden “Juice” James, this was Wrestlemania caliber. This match also gets a 2.
Match 4: Tony Sly d. Cousin Mikey
This was the first time I’ve seen Mikey, but I’ve watched Sly work several times. So far, in the night, I have to say this was the match of the night… but that’s not saying a whole lot. They had some amusing parts in the match as well as some solid spots, but nothing to sing praises about. The highlight of this match was Tony Scarpone at ringside, interacting with the fans. This match gets a 3.
Match 5: Matty Fitness & Kid Krazy d. Brian Ash & Austin Bayliss
Now going into this match, I decided to watch closely to the trainer of 3XW, Brian Ash, and see if he really does know how to work, or if “Brian Ash the wrestler” is a work in itself (Buy a book if you don’t understand the lingo). Honestly, I know that Brian can work, I’ve seen it, and been in the ring with it, but it seems like more often than not lately his matches are either hit or miss. I’m not sure what the Brian Ash of old has kept and failed to pass along to this current Ash, but whatever it is, Brian should find it and start using it. I’ve seen all of the participants work before, so I had an idea of what each brought to the match. Here is what I have to say about each. Matty Fitness is a good wrestler, and just keeps getting better with time. Kid Krazy is a high flyer that can do some impressive maneuvers, I just think that maybe he tries too hard sometime to get himself over, and it then hurts the flow of the match. Austin Bayliss isn’t too bad, either. He’s definitely the little poopstain that everyone wants to see get mopped up. I do think he superimposed a silhouette of his head on the silhouette of someone else’s body for his t-shirts. Now onto Brian Ash… It’s always great to see a big man in the sport of wrestling help the business by putting over the little guys. ie., Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Andre the Giant, The Big Show, Bill Goldberg… oh wait, that’s right Goldberg never put anyone over, other than himself, that is. It seems that this “current” Brian Ash either has that same mentality or is just being pushed in that direction. I’ve seen him put over other guys and “sell” for other wrestlers, but that might be because they could have made him if he didn’t. But, I haven’t seen Ash ruin a match like this since the match he had a few months ago against Chance Cordova. Now, I’ve known Brian for several years and this doesn’t seem like something he would do intentionally, so I’m hoping that it’s just the company giving him crappy direction. Now, why would a company want a guy to bury one of their other champions? I don’t think that would make a whole lot of sense, but then not too much of this night made sense. What ever is going on here should change before every single worker that has an ounce of talent on the roster is made to look like a chump, and that includes the guy sqashing the rest. Because really… How tough are you when you just beat the piss out of somebody for 20 minutes? I wouldn’t think that tought. They didn’t do much to you and yet it took you how long to get the job done? All ranting aside, I’ve given this match a 2. Total so far, out of 5 matches with a possible score of 25, we’ve got 9.







