NWA Showcase (4/23) Recap: Bucks Are Spent!
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, brings us all the action from the newest nationally televised wrestling program, NWA Showcase ‘08.
Our show opened up with T.J. Perkins and Nicho, El Millionario already in the ring. For those who might not know, Nicho was formally known as Psicosis. He had to change names due to legal complications related to ownership of the Psicosis name.
T.J. Perkins d Nicho, El Millionario (by DQ)
Perkins worked over Nicho’s arm. C. Edward Vanderpyle served as Nicho’s manager, this week. Nicho has aligned himself with NWA World Champion, Adam Pierce, and the former tag champion, Joey Ryan. Karl Anderson has left for a sabbatical in Japan to find himself. Perkins rolled over Nicho and almost pinned him with a roll-over.
Nicho took over on the arm of Perkins. Perkins is working towards the NWA Junior Heavyweight title. Perkins caught Nicho with a Spinning Head Scissors and a Dropkick. Nicho came back with an Irish Whip. Perkins did a Handstand on the corner ropes. When Nicho rushed in, Perkins locked the ankle around Nicho’s head and spun him across the ring. Nicho slid to the floor and Perkins fakes a Tope Con Hilo.
Nicho spent a lot of time on the floor to derail Perkins’ momentum. Nicho jawed with the fans and only came back in the ring to avoid the count-out loss. Nicho and Perkins actually shook hands as a sign of mutual respect. You wouldn’t see that in WWE, these days. Nicho hit a knee and a hard chop. Perkins hit a Sunset Flip out of the Irish Whip. The two men switched pinning positions, multiple times. Perkins caught Nicho with a Buzzsaw Kick. Perkins Body Slammed Nicho and then went to the outside. Perkins hit a Senton and then rushed to the ropes. Perkins planted Nicho with a Swinging DDT. This kid will be such a superstar in a few years.
Perkins went for an Elevator Knee, but Nicho caught Perkins and spun around. Perkins was placed on the top turnbuckle. Perkins kicked Nicho away and then flew off the ropes. Nicho caught Perkins and hit a Reverse Russian Leg Sweep on the youngster. Nicho waited to long to go for the pin, and Perkins kicked out. Nicho grinded his boot into Perkins’ face. Nicho suplexed Perkins onto the ropes and hit a boot. Perkins kicked out of the pin attempt after falling to the mat. .
Nicho dragged Perkins to the outside. Nicho rushed Perkins’ back into the railing. Nicho brought Perkins back in the ring and tried for the pin. When Perkins kicked out, Nicho yelled at the ref. Nicho locked in a Body Sleeper. Perkins fought loose, but caught a sharp knee that doubled him up. Nicho slammed Perkins and went to the top rope. Nicho wasted a ton of time on the ropes to argue with the crowd. Nicho flew off the ropes, but got a boot to the chin on the way down. Perkins caught Nicho with an Inverted Atomic Drop. He followed up with a Spinning Heel Kick. Perkins hit a Reverse Neckbreaker on Nicho. The two men exchanged fists. Nicho flung Perkins towards the ropes. Perkins caught himself and laid a trap for Nicho. When Nicho charged, Perkins dropped down and Nicho Clotheslined himself on the ropes before falling to the floor.
Perkins backed up a few steps and hit a Baseball Slide Dropkick to the back of Nicho’s head. NIcho fought with a fan over a chair. Nicho won the tug-o-war and used the chair to blith-whap Perkins between the eyes. The ref called for the bell. Perkins won by disqualification.
Grade: A
Brent Albright rocked back and forth in the interview area. He told David Marquez that (NWA Champion) Adam Pierce was “ducking him”. Brent told Adam that he was here to take the title from him. David Marquez asked Brent about Alkatraz. Brent told Alkatraz that he was ready to face the “inmate”. Brent called himself “the best”. He may well be the best in the NWA. WWE so dropped the ball with “The Shooter”. We took a really quick break.
We came back to a ladies match. It was Candace (not to be confused with Candace Michelle) against Jade Chung.
Candace Laree d Jade Chung
Candace was brutalized by Awesome Kong, a few weeks back. Jade brought Candace over with a Snap Mare out of the Headlock. Candace spun around and locked her legs around Jade’s head. Jade kicked out and showed signs of frustration, right away. Jade looked a lot like Gail Kim. Candace grabbed a Headlock and flipped Jade to the mat. Jade grabbed Candace’s head and wedged it between her legs and crushed down on the head. The two girls got to their feet.
Candace locked in a Hammerlock. Jade switched into a Go Behind. Candace rushed towards the ropes and dropped. The momentum flung Jade through the ropes. Candace hit a Tope Suicida to take out Jade and her manager. Candace beat on the back of Jade. Jade pulled the shoulder of Candace into the post. The girls got back in the ring and Jade kicked away at Candace. Jade used a Revolution Irish Whip with a Drop Toe Hold to send Candace crashing into the ropes. Jade wrapped Candace’s arm in the ropes and pulled back to injure it. Jade’s manager, Shane Andrews, worked on the arm while Jade had the ref distracted.
Jade worked on a Wristbreaker, but Candace fought back with her good arm. Candace Knuckle Locked Jade and then ran the ropes. Jade was slung across the ring by a Springboard Arm Drag. Jade caught Candace with a Flying Arm Bar. Jade locked in a Figure Four Arm Bar. Jade rolled over to flip Candace and add more punishment to the arm. Jade tried for a Gut Wrench Suplex, but Candace reversed it into a Small Package. Jade kicked out at two. Jade tried for a Superkick, but Candace ducked. Candace then nailed a Swinging Neckbreaker. Candace crawled over Jade to get the win.
Grade: B+
David Marquez interviewed manager, C. Edward Vanderpyle. Vanderpyle was still upset that Joey Ryan and Karl Anderson lost the tag titles. Vanderpyle brought in Nick Bockwinkle. Vanderpyle asked Nick if he and Adam Pierce could turn to Bockwinkle for advice. Nick told Vanderpyle that he would think about it.
We then went to Mark Thompson, who interviewed Matt and Nick Jackson, The Young Bucks. Matt yelled at Joey Ryan about the way that Ryan cheated recently for a win. Nick went off on Adam Pierce. Our main event was set: The Young Bucks v Ryan and Pierce. We went to a another quick break.
Brent Albright d Bino Gambino
The former Gunner Scott was ready to take out Bino. Bino worked on Brent’s arm. Brent rolled through to get free. Bino grabbed a Hammerlock but Brent turned into his opponent and Fireman Carry’d him to the mat. Brent locked in a Hammerlock. The two men made it to the ropes. The match was interrupted by some really bad cover band that was playing in the background.
Bino went with a Go Behind. Brent rolled out of the move and took Bino down with a Drop Toe Hold. Brent grabbed a Headlock but Bino pushed Brent off and into the ropes. Brent hit a Shoulder Block. Bino and Brent traded Arm Drags to send each other flying. Both men tried to throw Dropkicks at the same time. The two men shook hands. Bino got the crowd revved up. Bino grabbed a Headlock. Bino came off the ropes. Both men collided but neither man moved. Bino tried that twice more. On the third time, Brent dropped him with a Shoulder Block.
Brent slammed Bino. Brent bounced off the ropes and charged at Bino. Bino went for a LeapFrog, but Brent caught him and turned it into an Inverted Atomic Drop. Brent threw a huge Dropkick. Bino scampered to the floor. Brent shook out his leg, as he seems to be favoring the knee. Bino stormed around the ring.
Bino got onto the apron. Brent grabbed the ropes and vaulted Bino into the ring. Brent went for an Atomic Drop, but Bino flipped over and Chop Blocked the leg. Bino went for a pin but only got two. Bino twisted the knee in the Funk Spinning Toe Hold. Bino focused on the leg. Bino Irish Whipped Brent to the ropes and hit a Dropkick. Bino bounced Brent’s head off the corner. Bino kicked the hamstring of Brent. Bino caught Brent with a Bulldog. Brent threw some serious chops to the chest of Bino. Bino took Brent to the mat with a Snap Mare and then nailed him in the face with a Low Dropkick.
Bino locked in a Figure Four LegLock as the crowd “Whooo’d”. Brent rolled over to reverse the hold. Bino grabbed the ropes to break the hold. Bino went to the top rope and hit a Frog Splash. Brent kicked out at two. Bino went for a Springboard Moonsault, but Brent brought up the knees. Bino grabbed Brent’s leg for a Dragon Screw Leg Whip but Brent punched his way out of the move. Brent Irish Whipped Bino to the ropes. Bino jumped up and locked in a Body Scissors, but Brent got free almost instantly. Brent hit the Side Russian Leg Sweep. Brent locked in his Gun Rack finisher (Octopus Sleeper).
Grade: A
David Marquez talked with Bob Trobich, NWA’s Executive Director. Trobich spoke with respect about the abilities of the NWA stars. David asked Trobich about Adam Pierce’s complaint about lack of competition. Trobich talked about the expansion of the NWA with relationships with Puerto Rico, Japan and various places around the US. Trobich asked the fans to tell their friends about the NWA. I’m doing my best here, each and every week.
Chris Escobar v Willie Mack
Willie asked for a Test of Strength. Was Willie trapped in 1975? Chris came off the ropes and went for a Dropkick. Willie deflected the Dropkick. Chris ran into Willie and fell backwards. Chris rolled to the outside for a quick breather.
Chris got back in the ring and locked in a Sleeper/Body Scissors combo. Willie used his power to get to his feet. Chris let loose of the Sleeper and came off the ropes. Willie caught Chris and tried for a Belly to Back Suplex. Chris flipped over and hit a Superkick. Chris opened up with Flair Chops. Chris Irish Whipped Willie to the corner and went for an Elevator Knee. Willie moved and Chris crashed in the corner. Chris’ shoulder rammed the post.
Willie used several Fore-arm Shots to drop Chris in the corner. Willie backed up and hit an Outer Limits Dropkick into the chest of Chris. Willie hit a Double Leg Drop onto the chest of Chris. Willie kicked the ribs of Chris. Willie used his power to pound away on Chris. Willie Irish Whipped Chris to the ropes and then shot him up into the air. Chris landed with a thud. Willie lifted Chris for a Powerbomb, but Chris flipped out of the move. Chris Knife Edge Chopped the chest of Willie. Chris came off the ropes with a Reverse Head Scissors Drop that was simply amazing.
Willie raked the eyes of Chris. Willie then blasted the chest of Chris with a version of the Code Breaker. The difference was that instead of planting the knees in the chest, Willie placed the soles of his feet into Chris’ chest. Willie antagonized the crowd. They probably couldn’t hear him because of the loud music that was still cranked up in the background.
Chris punched away at the ample mid-section of Willie. Willie tried for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Chris floated over. Chris caught Willie and turned him for an Unprettier. Chris finished the match by walking the ropes and hitting an Inverted Bulldog from an Unprettier position. He calls that move the Escolator. It’s a great move to see.
Grade: A-
Adam Pierce and Joey Ryan d The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)
This was our main event of the evening. Pierce and Ryan attacked the Jackson brothers before the bell sounded. Pierce tried for a Piledriver on Nick, but Matt flew off the ropes with a Crossbody to drop the NWA champ. Ryan got nailed with Double Knife Edge Chops. The Young Bucks Double Irish Whipped Ryan to the ropes and took him to the mat with Double Back Elbows. The Young Bucks worked together to hit a Rocket Launcher-like Dropkick to Ryan’s chest. Ryan rolled to the outside. The Jacksons hit Stereo Planchas to take out Ryan and Pierce.
The Jacksons rolled back into the ring. The ref started counting Vanderpyle’s forces as Nick left his brother Matt in the ring. Pierce came into the ring and tried to get the fans to clap with him. The fans booed the NWA Champ. Matt got the fans to clap along. Ryan rushed into the ring and attacked Matt. Pierce then pounded on Matt’s back. Pierce dropped Matt with a Haymaker. Pierce screamed at the crowd. Pierce ran over and blasted Nick. When Nick tried to rush into the ring, the ref stopped him. This allowed Ryan to illegally switch with Pierce.
Ryan stomped on Matt and dropped several knees into the back of Matt. Ryan punched on Matt in the corner. Ryan worked on the back of Matt with Shoulder Blocks. Ryan then walked over and slapped Nick. Nick couldn’t control himself and rushed into the ring. While the ref was forcing Nick out of the ring, Ryan threw Matt over the top rope. That would normally be a disqualification in the NWA, but the ref didn’t see it. Pierce slammed Matt on the arena floor. Matt was rolled back in the ring. Ryan tried for the pin, but Matt kicked out. Pierce tagged back in.
Pierce punished the lower back of Matt. Pierce then stood on Matt’s long hair and pulled up on Matt’s arms. The ref forced Pierce to break the hold. Matt finally fought back with several fists. This offense didn’t last long as Pierce his the Snap Powerslam. Pierce tagged Ryan back into the match. Ryan dropped all his weight across the back of Matt. Ryan locked in a Camel Clutch. Nick riled up the crowd to support Matt. Ryan caught Matt with a Dropkick. In a hilarious goof-up, Adam Pierce was leaning over the ropes to taunt Matt Jackson. Pierce lost his footing and fell into the ring. The audience howled with laughter.
Ryan dropped knees into the back of Matt Jackson. Matt punched at Ryan, who rushed the kid back into the enemy corner. Pierce tagged back in. Pierce raked the eyes of Matt and then turned to threaten the ref. Pierce spat at Nick. Matt surprised Pierce with an Inside Cradle. The ref was out of position, trying to keep Nick Jackson on the outside. Ryan rushed in and rolled Pierce over into a pinning position. Matt kicked out at two. Pierce locked in a Bearhug. Pierce tilted Matt backwards into a pinning combination. Fortunately, Matt lifted the shoulder at two. Pierce went crazy, beating on the face and head of Matt. Pierce shoved the ref, but the ref knocked Pierce on his keister with a shove of his own. Pierce quickly tagged out.
Ryan stomped on the back of Matt. Ryan tied Matt in the ropes and pulled Matt in odd directions. Ryan slipped out of the ring and shoved Matt’s back across the ring apron. Ryan slid back in the ring and locked in a Surfboard. Matt got free and blasted the skull of Ryan with machine-gun like fists. Matt then came off the ropes, ducked a Clothesline and Face Planted Ryan with a variation of the Canadian Destroyer.
Pierce tagged back in and went to nail Nick on the apron. Nick blocked the shot and popped Pierce between the eyes. Matt made a desperation dive to the corner to finally tag Nick into the match. Nick opened up with massive fists to the face of the NWA champ. Ryan rushed in to aid his partner. Ryan held Nick for Pierce. Pierce went for a Lariat, but Nick ducked and Pierce took out Ryan. Matt joined his brother to hit the old Rock and Roll Express Double Dropkick. Ryan was Irish Whipped to the corner. Nick hit the Elevator Knee. The Young Bucks tried for the More Bang for the Buck finisher, but Matt’s back gave way when he lifted Ryan in the Fireman’s Carry.
Nick was on the top rope. Ryan shoved him off the ropes and to the floor. Pierce caught Matt with a German Suplex. Pierce locked in a Camel Clutch in the center of the ring. Pierce released the hold when he heard Nick Jackson climbing the ropes. Nick, still the legal man, hit a Flying Crossbody on the champ. Ryan made the save. The match broke down Matt and Ryan fought. Nick hit a Spinning Heel Kick to the face of Ryan. Nick and Matt were beating on Ryan near the ropes, when Pierce charged them. Ryan accidently flipped his partner over the ropes and to the floor.
Matt and Nick nailed the More Bang for the Buck on Ryan. That is a series of moves that include a Kenton, followed by a pair of Moonsaults. The ref wouldn’t count because Ryan wasn’t the legal man. Vanderpyle, the manager, crawled up onto the apron. Pierce tried to Pearl Harbor Matt, but Nick rushed to his brother’s aid. They Double Irish Whipped Pierce to the ropes and brought him over with a Double Hip Toss. The brothers did a Stereo Back Flip and then hit Low Dropkicks to both sides of Pierce’s head. Ryan caught Matt with the Superkick. He tried for one on Nick, but Nick caught the foot and spun Ryan into a Stunner. Nick then locked in the Body Scissors before spinning up to deliver a Bulldog. Pierce caught Nick with the Piledriver to take the win.
Grade: A
Final Grade: B-
Final Thoughts: The action was excellent, this week. The problem was the audio and video. The video was really dark. The lighting in the arena made it look like a bootleg video. The rock band that was covering Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes was making it hard to concentrate on the action. Hopefully, the next few shows will be ones taped at The Plaza in Vegas.
The NWA has some great talent. The moves are exciting and innovative. The show has a feel like the old Mid-South or CWF areas. If you have access to Colours TV, check out the show on Wednesday evenings.
–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(4//24/08)
Loading ...