NWA Showcase Challenge (2/13) Recap: Pierce Picks His Spot!
Our Resident Philosopher, Jay Shannon, brings us all the action, both in-ring and behind-the-scenes, on this re-broadcast of the first episode of NWA Wrestling Showcase.
The show began with an introduction by NWA World Heavyweight Champion, “Scrap Iron” Adam Pierce. Pierce promoted both himself and the NWA. Pierce is very at-home on the mike. He welcomed ColoursTV and the fans back to the NWA.
After a run of commercials, including the one and only season of Wrestling Society X, Thw hosts for this new program. David Marquez and Rob Conway were at the Plaza Hotel to present the show.
Conway demanded that Marquez introduce him. After the forced intro, Marquez reminded us that there are four episodes already taped. They will be shown over the next few weeks. Assuming that they do not have anymore episodes taped, then we will have a month’s worthof great action. Conway told the watchers that his goal is to win the NWA World Title.
Marquez and Conway took us to Houston, Texas for our first match of the night. It was a battle between Hidaka (from Japan) and T.J. Perkins. The match was called by the announce team that worked for Wrestle Society X.
T.J. Perkins d. Hidaka
The two men locked up with a Collar and Elbow. Hidaka took advantage with a Go-Behind. Perkins manages to escape and tried to lock up the legs of the Japanese warrior. Hidaka spun through the grasp of Perkins and regained control. Hidaka used a wrist lock to keep Perkins on the mat. P
erkins used numerous flips and rolls to try and break free from Hidaka’s grasp. Perkins grabbed the arm of Hidaka and twisted it into a Hammerlock. Hidaka broke the Hammerlock and grasped one of his own. Hidaka then used a Forward Rolling BodyLock to try and pin Perkins. Hidaka wrenched the arm and locked in a modified Octopus Lock to try and force Perkins to submit. Hidaka Arm Dragged Perkins to the mat and then Kipped Up. The crowd was dead for this match.
The men grabbed each other’s hands for a Knuckle Lock. Perkins Cart-wheeled over Hidaka and used a Back Heel Trip to send Hidaka to the mat. Hidaka tried for a Front Face Lock, but Perkins rolled through. Hidaka sent Perkins to the ropes, but ended up on his back, thanks to a Shoulder Block. perkins went to the ropes, but Hidaka Leap-frogged the charging Perkins. Perkins bounced off the opposite ropes and dove over the head of Hidaka.
Hidaka sent Perkins to the ropes, and it appeared that Perkins was tangled in the ropes. When Hidaka charged the ropes, we learned that it was a ruse. Perkins dropped down, at the last moment, and Hidaka flew out of the ring. Hidaka, angry at being made to look foolish, rushed back in the ring. Perkins was ready for his and tossed him out of the ring, on the opposite side. Perkins gloated to the crowd, which allowed Hidaka to attack from behind. Hidaka tried for a Front Suplex Face Plant, but Perkins rolled through the move. Perkins grabbed the legs of Hidaka and locked them under his (Perkins’) upper arms.
He then positioned himself over Hidaka and grabbed the wrists to lock in a Swinging Crab. Perkins released the hold and then cradled the arm and tried for a roll-up. Perkins rocked Hidaka with a pair of European Uppercuts. Hidaka reversed an Irish Whip, but hit nothing but empty turnbuckle when he charged the corner. Perkins smapered up the ropes and launched himself into a Crossbody. The problem with that move was that Hidaka saw him coming and got the knees up, so that Perkins landed flush across the knees of Hidaka. Hidaka stomped away on Perkins. Hidaka used the Irish Whip to send Perkins to the corner.
Hidaka followed up with a Handspring Leg Lariat. Hidaka Snap Mared Perkins to the canvas and then climbed the ropes. Hidaka used the Warrior’s Way (double stomp to the chest) from the second rope. Hidaka wasted a huge amount of time, playing up to the crowd. Hidaka picked up Perkins and popped him in the face. Perkins rolled to the corner and kicked Hidaka in the mid-section. Perkins began to stick and move to keep Hidaka off-balance. Hidaka kicked Perkins in the chest and then Irish Whipped him to the ropes.
On the rebound, Hidaka locked in a Sleeper. Hidaka did a Headstand to add extra pressure. The ref checked the arm, but Perkins shoed renewed life, on the third arm check. The crowd half-heartedly stomped and clapped for Perkins. Perkins took Hidaka to the mat with a Leaping Head Scissors. Perkins sent Hidaka to the mat with a Drop Toe Hold. Perkins then rolled over Hidaka and turned to hit a Dropkick. Hidaka reversed an Irish Whip, but was blasted by a Back Elbow from Perkins. Perkins planted Hidaka with a Tornado DDT, for a 2+ count. Perkins slammed Hidaka and then climbed the ropes.
Perkins switched his trajectory in mid-air, when he noticed Hidaka had moved. Hidaka caught Perkins with a nasty shot to the chest and then went to the ropes. Perkiins wasn’t as stunned as he appeared and he was able to Dropkick Hidaka into the ropes. Hidaka recovered and caught Perkins with a Spinning Heel Kick. Hidaka nailed a Superkick on Perkins. Hidaka then grabbed the head of Perkins, flipped himself over and planted Perkins with the Reverse DDT. Perkins, somehow, managed to kick out at two. Hidaka sent Perkins to the ropes, but Perkins hung on. When Hidaka charged, Perkins grabbed the legs and tripped his opponent. Perkins then rolled over Hidaka and tried for a Belly to Back Suplex. Hidaka elbowed his way free. Hidaka went to the ropes, but was caught in a Hurancanrana with a Double Leg Lock Bridge pin.
Hidaka kicked out at two. Perkins lifted up HIdaka and dropped him into a Backbreaker across Perkins’ knee. Perkins climbed to the top rope and flew off. Hidaka sensed the move coming and lifted the knees, again, to stun Perkins. Hidaka lifted the leg of Perkins and then slid underneath to elevate Perkins for a Sit-Out Powerbomb. Perkins kicked out, again. Hidaka tried for another SUperkick, but Perkins grabbed the leg and spun Hidaka around. Perkins then missed with a Crescent Kick. This allowed Hidaka to hit a Spin Kick to the ribs of Perkins.
Hidaka tried for a Diamond Dust, but Perkins flipped out. Perkins cinched up a Belly to Back SUplex, but Hidaka managed to escape. The two men exchanged several Go-Behinds and switches. Perkins went to the ropes and leaped over Hidaka. Perkins caught Hidaka off-guard and rolled him up and Bridged over to take the pin.
Rating: A-
After the match, “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson and Joey Ryan, better known at the Real American Heroes attacked Perkins, out of nowhere. Ryan tossed the ref out of the ring. Los Luchas (Zokre and Phoenix Star) sprinted to teh ring and attacked Anderson and Ryan. Adam Pierce, who is a stablemate of the ‘Heroes, joined in the fray. We faded into a promo screen for NWA Georgia, before heading to break.
Marquez and Conway returned to further promo the “new” NWA broadcast. We took another look at the run-in at the end of the last match.
Our next match came from my old home-town, Las Vegas. It pitted the Real American Heroes (Anderson and Ryan) against Los Luchas (Zokre and Phoenix Star) in a Flag Match.
Joey Ryan and Karl Anderson d. Zokre and Phoenix Star-Flag Match
Star and Ryan started the match. Ryan tried to play up to the crowd, only to be horribly booed. Star jumped onto the turnbuckle for support and the crowd rocked the house with cheers. Ryan tried again to get support, only to fail. When Star climbed the ropes for a second round of cheers, Ryan attacked from behind. Ryan punched Star in the corner and then Irish Whipped him to the corner. Star floated over the charging Ryan and then turned to hit a huge Dropkick. Ryan tried calling for a time-out.
Of course, There are no time-outs in wrestling. Star ducked a Clothesline by Ryan and then unleashed a flurry of Fore-arms. Ryan reversed an Irish Whip, but Star Springboarded off the ropes to Arm Drag Ryan across the ring. Ryan blocked a Monkey Flip, and wailed away with chops to the chest of Star. Ryan Irish Whipped Star to the corner, but Star kicked the charging Ryan in the chest.
Star flew off the ropes with a dynamic Hurancanrana to send Ryan sliding, crotch-first, under the ropes and into the steel post. Anderson tried to jump in the match, and ended up falling on his face. Zokre tagged into the match, while Anderson and Ryan shared a hug. Anderson and Zokre locked up with a Collar and Elbow. Anderson used his strength to send Zokre to the mat. Anderson Scoop Slammed Zokre to the mat.
Anderson broke out his Machine Gunner pose and then went to the ropes. Anderson missed with a Double Leg Drop. Zokre hit a big Dropkick and then a Tilt-A-Whirl Head Scissors. Zokre charged Anderson, who had moved to the corner. Anderson elevated Zokre, who landed on the apron. Zokre his a Flying Head Scissors off the top rope to send Anderson sailing across the ring. Zokre tried to toss Anderson over the ropes, but Anderson used the old Skin the Cat to flip back into the ring. Anderson gloated to the crowd, which allowed Zokre to CLothesline Anderson over the ropes and to the floor.
Zokre faked Anderson with an aborted Tope Suicida. Anderson and Ryan tried to walk out of the arena. They were pelted with all kinds of garbage. The ref instructed Zokre and Star to retrieve their flag to win the match. When Los Luchas turned to head to the flag, Anderson and Ryan re-entered the ring and attacked. Ryan and Anderson stomped and punched their smaller opponents. Los Luchas were both Irish Whipped to the ropes. Both Luchas members ducked Clotheslines and hit Stereo Arm Drags.
Los Luchas did SIde Sunset Flips to try and roll up the Heroes. All they managed to do was pull down the trunks of Ryan and Anderson. The announcers scream like some 16-year old in a slasher film as the backsides of Ryan and Anderson were exposed. Star ends up out of the ring, thanks to a Low Bridge by Ryan. Ryan, on the floor, lifted Star and dropped him across the steel railing. Anderson tried to grab the American Flag, but Zokre grabbed the leg to stop him.
Ryan tossed Star back in the ring. Anderson chopped the chest of Star and then Irish Whipped him to the ropes. Anderson dropped STar and then tagged his partner, Ryan. Anderson and Ryan used their boots to choke Star in the corner. Zokre tried to rush to help his partner, but it only made it worse for Star. Ryan Irish Whipped Star to the ropes and then hit one of the highest Dropkicks that I’ve seen in a long time. Ryan kept trying to pin Star. Pins don’t count in a Flag Match. Star tried to throw some elbows, but Ryan over-powered him. Anderson tagged back into the match and attacked the exposed ribs of Star. Anderson Irish Whipped Star to the ropes. Anderson used a Flying Leg Lariat to send Star to the mat. Star floated over an Irish WHip to roll-up Andrson for a near fall.
Anderson rolled out of the ring. He then dragged Star to the outside and bounced him off the steel railing. Zokre kept trying to help his partner, but his attempts just made things worse. Anderson slid Star back in the ring. Ryan dropped a Double Ax Hangle to the back of the neck of Star. STar was sent to the ropes, but managed to rebound with a Body Swirl into a modified Hurancanrana. Anderson ran into the ring to prevent Star from tagging his partner. He failed, as Zokre flew off teh top ropes with a Clothesline to drop Anderson.
Zokre dropped Ryan with a Flying Knee. Zokre slipped on his attempt to go Old School on the Real American Heroes. Zokre recovered and did walk the ropes , before sending Ryan flying with an Arm Drag and Andderson with a Head Scissors. Los Luchas used a Double Irish Whip to send Ryan to the ropes. Zokre elevated Ryan into the waiting Spear by Phoenix Star. Anderson is dropped with a Double Leg Sweep.
Star grabbed the legs of Anderson to slingshoot him into the corner. At that same moment, Zokre flew of to nail a Blockbuster. Anderson landed across the knees of Star. Anderson and Star stood on the floor as Phoenix Star flew over the top with the Tumbleweed. Anderson and Ryan made it to their feet, only to be dropped with a Plancha from Zokre. Star made a run for the flag, but Anderson stopped him. Ryan tried for the Superkick, but Star stopped and dropped. Anderons picked up Star to try to fix the botched move. Ryan nailed the Superkick on Star. The announce team mentioned that the rules of the match were changed so that pinfalls would count in this flag match. Anderson caught Zokre with the family specialty, the Anderson Spinebuster.
Anderson motioned to the flag. Ryan and Anderson were rolled up by Los Luchas and nearly pinned as they tried to retrieve the American Flag. The Heroes lifted Los Luchas in simultaneous Gorilla Presses. Both Zokre and Star slipped loose and then ran the heads of Rayn and Anderson together. Zokre and Star went to the apron. After a little sign language, they agreed to hit Dual Springboard Sentons on Ryan and Anderson. All four men were down and injured. C. Edward Vanderpyle, the manager of Ryan and Anderson, crawled his huge carcass onto the apron to yell at the ref. Phoenix Star actually grabbed the Mexican flag, but the ref didn’t see it. Witht he ref still distracted, Adam Pierce rushed the irng and attacked Star.
Pierce grabbed the flag and used it like a baseball bat to wallop both members of Los Luchas. The flagpole actually brokeacross the ribs of Zokre. Zokre fell out of the ring. Pierce grabbed the unconcious Ryan and rolled him onto Star. The ref noticed the pin and counted down Los Luchas.
Rating: A
Next came the Legends segment. David Marquez is talking with Bob Caudle. This was taped in CHarlotte. Caugle sounded and looked great. Marquez threw some major respect to Caudle and Gordon Solie. Caudle talked about the old days in the NWA.
After that, Marquez introduced Ricky Vega. Vega was working for the IWA promotion before heading into the NWA. Ricky battled Cassidy O’Brien in this match. This match was also filmed at The Orleans in Las Vegas.
Ricky Vega d. Cassidy O’Brien
O’Brien attacked Vega, from behind, as the bell rang. Vega reverses and Irish Whip and dropped O’Brien with a pair of Steamboat-like Double Chops. O’Brien let fly with some Reverse Knife Edge Chops on Vega, who just shrugged them off. Vega Irish Whipped O’Brien to the corner. O’Brien tried to float over, but Vega caught hte legs. Vega then hit a modified Alabama Slam on O’Brien. Vega lifted O’Brien into a Fireman’s Carry. Vega then planted O’Brien with the Viva La Vega aka San Juan Slam (Spinning Samoan Drop/Faceplanter).
Rating: B
Marquez and Conway returned to hype the Fremont Street Experience. Conway complained about the crowds cheering the Mexicans in the flag match. Marquez tried to remind us that COnway used to be a part of La Resistance, but Conway stopped him cold.
We went othe ring for our main event. Rey Mysterio, Sr. and El Hijo De Santo teamed together to face Blue Demon Jr. and Psicosis (now known as Nicho el Millionairio). This match took place in El Paso, Texas.
Nicho tried to attack before the bell, but Rey Sr. moved and Nicho crashed and burned in the corner. Rey laid in some heavy chops. Nicho reversed an Irish Whip, but Rey stopped short. Rey sent Nicho to the ropes and then Arm Dragged him across the ring. After a second Arm Drag, Rey planted Nicho with a Powerslam. Demon ran in to break up the count. Ray caught Nicho with a Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker. The announcers claimed that Blue Demon Jr. was the son of the original Blue Demon (I think the kid in the ring was too young to be Demon’s real son). El HIjo tagged into the match and sent both Nicho and Demon flying. El Hijo came off the ropes, but when Demon elevated him, El Hijo Dropkicked the back of Nicho. El Hijo sent Blue Demon out of the ring with a Flying Head Scissors. Rey and El Hijo both hit Tope Suicidas onto their opponents. We were sent to break.
Rey and El Hijo De Santo were celebrating as we returned. Rey and El Santo went out and got their opponents. THey rolled them back in the ring, but ended up paying for it. Nicho and Demon Jr. attacked Rey Sr. and El Hijo as they tried to get back in the ring. Rey and El Hijo were run into each other on the apron. Rey was Double Irish Whipped to the corner. Demon and Nicho slid out of the ring and then posted Rey’s nether regions into the steel post. Demon attacked El Hijo. Demon rolled El Hijo back in the ring and caught him with a vicious Backbreaker. Nicho climbed the ropes. Demon slid El Hijo into the ropes so that Nicho could launch himself off and nial a Guillotine Leg Drop. Demon tried to unmask El Hijo De Santo. That would have been the ultimate insult to the masked man. Demon kicked and punched El Hijo. Rey Sr. managed to tag in, but he was taken down with a Back Elbow. Rey was Irish Whipped into the corner. Blue Demon then whipped Nicho into Rey. Demon nailed a Running Clothesline on Rey. Nicho refused to take the pin. Demon shopped the chest of Rey. Nicho dropped El Hijo with a Dropkick. Demon and Nicho each grabbed a leg of El Hijo and pulled in opposite directions. Demon draped the head of El Hijo across the top rope and Nicho jumped off the apron while holding onto the back of El Hijo’s neck and mask. Los Rudos (Demon y Nicho) took the opportunity to double team El Hijo, while the ref reprimanded Rey Sr. in the far corner. Demon kicked away at the ribs of El Hijo. El Hijo finally made a tag, but the ref didn’t see a thing. Nicho tagged in and went to the ribs of El Hijo. When Nicho went to attack Rey, El Hijo climbed the ropes and flew off with a Head Scissors.
Nicho got back in the ring, only to be grabbed by Rey. Rey locked in a Full Nelson and fell backwards. El Himo dove off the ropes, landing on Nicho. El HIjo just kept moving forward and flew through the ropes iin a Tope Suicida onto Blue Demon Jr. Rey climbed to the top ropes and launched into a High Crossbody onto Nicho, who had rolled to the arena floor. We went to another break.
Blue Demon Jr. and El Hijo De Santo stared each other down, as we returned. El Hijo climbed the ropes and hit a FLying Headbutt from the top rope. El Hijo tried to lock in a Camel Clutch, but couldn’t quite get it set. The ref turned to talk to the men on the floor, which allowed Demon to get a low kick to the groin. Blue Demon Jr. climbed over the pained body of El Hijo De Santo for the pin.
Rating: A-
David Marquez quickly returned to give us the rundown of next week’s show. The main event is scheduled to be Adam Pierce vs. Sean Waltman for the NWA Heritage championship. Plus, we will see Brian Danielson in action. NWA Showcase Challenge is available on channel 9407 on the Dish Network. I will be back with you all, next week, for all the action.
–Jay Shannon
Boxworld@SBCGlobal.net
(2/15/08)
Loading ...