My Favorite Matches of 2009, 8/23-10/12

2009 is coming to a close, so in addition to looking forward, it's time to look at the year that was for the various wrestling federations in the US and Canada. TWB aims to look at some of the best matches from the year, looking back in chronological order.



Two matches from SummerSlam, two from ROH tapings I attended and one from ROH on HDNet that I saw post-production. Here's wave four of my favorite matches from 2009:

8/23, WWE Intercontinental Championship Match from SummerSlam
Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

The six-man match mentioned on the previous wave of matches was just a taste of what Mysterio and Ziggler would do on their own. This match jerked the curtain, and they picked a hell of a match to do it. While the rest of the PPV would wow and amaze for various reasons (most of them good), the opener set the tone, especially with the amazing counter spot with Ziggler catching a Mysterio plancha with a dropkick of his own.

8/23, from WWE SummerSlam
Degeneration X (Triple H, Shawn Michaels) vs. Legacy (Ted DiBiase, Jr., Cody Rhodes)

Many people were skeptical about this match because of DX's track record for not putting people over. I was in that boat, but even with them going over, they made Legacy look like a million bucks in the process.

9/10, from ROH on HDNet television tapings
Kevin Steen and El Generico vs. the Super Smash Bros. (Player Uno, Player Dos)

Steen and Generico were in the midst of their program with the American Wolves which would culminate in them failing to regain the Tag belts despite Eddie Edwards breaking his arm the night before. The SSB were spot appearance guys for ROH, and Player Dos was for some reason unmasked. Anyhoo, the Smashers repped with the incredible double-team moves, and while Generico and Steen didn't really do much in the way of teamwork (foreshadowing for Steen's turn?), they still were stellar when on offense and in the selling department. Very fun, very good match. The SSB proved they were game with one of the best tag teams in all ROH.

9/10, from ROH on HDNet television tapings
The American Wolves (Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards) vs. Bryan Danielson and Roderick Strong

This was part of the Danielson farewell tour and the beginning of my "heckle the shit out of the American Wolves" tour. Needless to say, a good time was had by all watching this affair. Danielson was amazing, and the memories of this match have been all I've had for the Dragon. The wait for him to debut on WWE TV has been unbearable.

10/12 (airdate), from ROH on HDNet
Chris Hero vs. KENTA

You can see the match here, a very stiff Japanese-style match based on strikes with some big moves mixed in. Hero plays a very good foil for KENTA. I could have done without Eddie Kingston's run-in at the end, but hey, matches with more egregious finishers have made this list.

The final five all take place in the month of November and mostly come at the end of the month near Survivor Series, the RAW on the night after and Open the Freedom Gate.

Year-End Sorting Bins: My Favorites

2009 is coming to a close, so in addition to looking forward, it's time to look at the year that was for the various wrestling federations in the US and Canada. TWB is bringing back the Sorting Bins and taking a look at almost every wrestler and personality in the business right now. Today's category is My Favorites



Finally we get to the category of people I actively mark for, the wrestlers that make me tune in or buy tickets to the shows they appear at. They either do one thing really, really, really fucking exceptionally, or they do everything well. They're also the guys that some readers will accuse me of having favortism for (well duh).

The Colony - These guys are more than just three dudes who wrestle in ant costumes. To me, they're the essence of Chikara, the epitome of what the fed is all about - silly but entertaining gimmicks, amazing tag team and trios synergy, multiple man spots, comic relief without relinquishing physical credibility, quality match wrestling and psychology. I don't care if they're "green luchadors" or if they'll never have any upward mobility. They always entertain me when I plunk down my money to go see them in Chikara or DGUSA. Plus, Fire Ant almost broke himself in half for my amusement, and he got back up and finished the match. That's dedication, friends.

After the jump...The Miz - Marty Jannetty my ass.

CM Punk - Even if Triple H doesn't think he's star enough to go over Undertaker, I still believe that Punk will end up being the biggest pure heel the WWE has ever known. Plus, he was right about Jeff Hardy all along.

Zack Ryder - Who would have thought that a generic looking Edgehead would turn into the breakthrough heel in the company? Ryder has become a phenomenon, despite being in ECW for a long time, and I was on the train the whole time. Woo woo woo, you know it. Zack Ryder makes it okay to be a douchebag from LI.

Christian - For everyone who was bitching about him being "relegated" to ECW, I'm glad he was there. What was he going to do on the bigger programs, job to Scrooge McPoyle or be main event job fodder for Randy Orton or Triple H? Get lost in the shuffle? Christian on ECW was a stroke of genius because they tailored the show around him, allowed him to do his thing and show everyone that he's one of the best wrestlers and personalities in the game today. I wouldn't have gotten the chance to enjoy him as much if he wasn't in ECW.

Kofi Kingston - I did a 180 on him in the last few months. It's amazing what showing some charisma will do for you. Now, not only do I think he's the favorite to win the Royal Rumble, I'll be rooting for him to win that thing.

Evan Bourne - Bourne is the rare guy that I get a shit-ton of enjoyment out of no matter how badly he's used. Guy can get squashed in 2 minutes on RAW and he still finds a way to make you glad you didn't get up to get a Coke during the match. He's going to be a World Champion some day, you watch. You can't keep that kind of excitement down.

The Big Show - They've finally found a vehicle for Show that allows him to show off his natural charisma with JeriShow. I really hope they get the tag titles back on Monday. RAW without Jericho and Jericho and Show off by themselves doesn't seem right at the moment, and it won't seem right until after they lose the tag titles to a returning Edge and his mystery partner, Christian, at WrestleMania. (I CAN DREAM YOU KNOW)

Santino Marella - They've been stretching him thin with the guest hosts, and some of his appeareances haven't been as funny. Still though, more often than not, he makes me laugh, and he gets in this bin alone for the Honk-a-Meter, SantinoMaster and him hamming it up with the Miz on Dinner: Impossible.

Yoshi Tatsu - The best thing about Yoshi is his youthful exuberance. I love the way he gets excited after hitting a big spot or winning a match. I hate to break out the Brett Favre cliches, but he genuinely looks like he's having so much fun out there that it's hard not to like him or get behind him.

El Generico - BRAAAAIIIINBUSTAAAAAAAAHHH~!

Bryan Danielson - I'm getting too antsy waiting for him to debut with the WWE. I hope they just bring him in as Bryan Danielson and not as Joe Slotnick or some other lame name, and let him do his thing. He won't get over right away, but given a few weeks, he'll get a following on ECW.

Lightning Mike Quackenbush - Quack gets a lifetime pass for me for all the time and work he's put into Chikara, training the guys, wrestling on shows and doing all the other extraneous stuff. In another life, he'd have a killer future as a wrestling commentator. His Commentation Station analysis of the matches is very keen, and he has good interplay with his fellow Chikara announcers, especially one UltraMantis Black.

CIMA - An all-time great in-ring performer for more than just his workrate. CIMA knows how to ham it up in the ring without making a mockery of the whole process. Easily my favorite of the imports in DGUSA.

The Osirian Portal - The thing I'll miss most about rudo Osirian Portal is Ophidian hissing at small children during intermission at various shows. Of course, I'll never forget my encounter with the Venomous and Vile Serpentine Warrior, where I approached him wearing my Jigsaw mask and he accused me of letting myself go!

Edge - I really hope he stops getting himself injured for his sake.

MVP - I love everything about MVP's character, and I think he'd make a spectacular anchor at the top of the card, but man, STOP SMOKIN' THE DOPE! It's painful to see him teased as having a big year and then getting squashed to all holy hell by Sheamus.

Jack SWAGGAH~! - There's a rumor that the RAW locker room is rife with potheads. The only one who's definite is MVP, because he admitted it, but if I had to guess by the way pushes and depushes have gone, I'm guessing Swagger is another one among that group. Either that, or he's got attitude problems. Either way, there's no fucking way that a guy as naturally talented at both wrestling and being a prick on-camera should be languishing the way he's languishing unless there were backstage problems going on.

Mark Henry - Henry as a face is good, but I liked him so much better when he came down to the ring looking like someone took a dump in his lunchbox and he was fixing to do what his theme song sang about.

Mike Knox - Let's forget for a second that Knox has the most epic beard in the history of all mankind. The guy is approaching 7 feet in height and he does a better crossbody than most guys smaller than him, y'know, the cruiser spotmonkeys who are supposed to be better at that kind of thing. Plus, he doesn't need a mouthpiece. WHY AM I NOT SEEING MORE MIKE KNOX ON MY TEE-VEE? Oh that's right, because we need more face time for Scrooge McPoyle. FUCK THAT!

Dolph Ziggler - Ziggler suffers from being the least over of the three cocky prick smallish heel types on the full roster (the other two being Miz and Ryder), but I think he's a great presence and needs to get more than just another passing glance. I really liked what I've seen so far from him.

Goldust - Thank God Dusty Rhodes has a position of power in the WWE, because his nepotism has gotten us regular Goldust sightings on ECW, which has been a huge part as to why the show has continued to kick ass even after they stripped it of most of the wrestlers that made it interesting in the first part of the year.

Tommy Dreamer - He was a big part as to why the original ECW was awesome to me, and I'm glad the WWE gave him a proper send-off. That being said, I'll be majorly bummed if he suits up to wrestle for TNA. Stay behind the scenes, Tommy. Please.

Cody Deaner - I think it absolutely sucks that TNA fired him, as he was guaranteed a laugh every time he was on screen. Oh, but Hogan thought he was too "low-class" for a wrestling audience. Are you serious? Most people equate wrestling with low class anyway, and if you haven't noticed, the blue collar comedy guys are pretty much the most popular comedians, for better or worse, in the nation. I wish these idiots would go with what's entertaining and not try to be low or high brow. Wrestling is wrestling.

Beer Money, Inc. - They have a really fun dynamic, and both guys can work. I'd love to see what they could do in a setting that didn't have them wrestling in 3 minute rush-fests all the time.

Kurt Angle - He can still go in the ring, but I miss the days when he was a goofy badass in the WWE.

Delirious - The most unique wrestling personality going today. Never change, Delirious. Never, ever change.

The Young Bucks - They are the most exciting tag team in the world right now, and I really, really, really, really hope TNA doesn't screw them up. They deserve to get paid, no doubt, but they also deserve a quality showcase. At least a greater audience will get to see them now.

Grizzly Redwood - If liking pseudo-midget lumberjack wrestlers who work barefoot is wrong, then I never, ever wanna be right.

Hallowicked and Frightmare - They're so cool that they can make otherwise dull wrestlers (Cheech and Cloudy) seem cooler just by dressing up as them!

The Super Smash Bros. - The fact that they're great tag team workers is good, but what puts them over the top is that video games are their gimmick.

Jigsaw - I own his mask, don't I?

Dasher Hatfield - I really hope they let him stay as Dasher Hatfield. IT really is a quality gimmick. CAW is one of the best gimmicks that Chikara has come up with, but I think the concept can be passed down to someone else (the former Hydra, maybe?). The Old-Timey King of Swing needs to stick around for more than just one at-bat!

UltraMantis Black and Crossbones - UMB is just one of those over-the-top, so corny that he's cool types. Plus, this picture:



This makes Mantis and Crossbones cooler than you'll ever hope to be.

Arik Cannon - I gave him the heads up about Rita's Swedish Fish water ice on Facebook once and he actually replied to me on my wall. Cool. Plus, the dude represents us chunky folk in the wrestling ring. GLIMMERING WARLOCK, BITCHES~!

Susumu Yokosuka - Yeah, that match with the Bucks and CIMA wouldn't have been as great without him either.

Naruki Doi - What can I say? I'm a mark for the Muscular Bomb.

Beth Phoenix - I really hope that Beth goes into business for herself someday and crushes Michelle McCool's fugly mug between her thighs, liberating us all from her tyranny of awkward ring movements and bad acting.

Mickie James - And I hope Mickie comes out afterwards and yells nonsensically "WHO'S FAT NOW?" at McCool's decapitated corpse.

Awesome Kong - Kong is fat and she's proud of it. I'd love to see her and Beth Phoenix team up and compete in one of the major company's tag team divisions. You don't think they'd be a credible team?

So Cal Val - I know she's never on TV anymore, but she should. She is mighty delicious looking.

Good Ol' JR - Get well soon, JR!

Jerry Lawler - Even having to work with the lead weight that is Michael Cole, Lawler still delivers.

Matt Striker - Maybe my favorite announcer ever. While some people hate that he gets cute with the references and nicknames, I love it. It's like he's me, only with a better job and physique.

Justin Roberts - I give him the edge over Tony Chimel because he seems to have a much smoother tenor in his announcing, if that means anything.

Tony Atlas - He and his goofy laugh make the Abraham Washington show bearable.

Wiggly - Dude does so much for Chikara it's hard not to include him on here.

Louden Noxious - The best ring announcer ever? Yeah, best ring announcer ever.

Charles Robinson - I don't usually even notice refs, but c'mon, it's Lil' f'n Naitch here. Who doesn't mark for Lil' Naitch? A soulless bastard, that's who.

Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein - Please visit his site to view the plentiful amounts of pictures he's taken for DGUSA, ROH and other indie feds: Get Lost Photography

Forecasting '10: TNA

2009 is coming to a close, and it's time to start looking towards next year and what it will hold for the various wrestling federations around the USA and Canada. TWB will attempt to look in the crystal ball and see where the major promotions are headed for '10. Today, it's TNA.

If you only followed TNA in the last two months, you'd think that the company's entire existance was waiting for the arrival of one Hulk Hogan. If it were 1990, this would be a coup no doubt. Now, well, it could be one, but it won't be because Hogan is bringing starpower to the ring - just out of it. TNA has had a turbulent ride for the whole of 2009 with a lot of controversy in and especially out of the ring.

What Happened in 2009?

Oh, what happened in TNA you say? Well, the beginning of the year was dominated by two geriatric, broken-down wrestlers holding the World Championship. Sting and Mick Foley were the guys in question, and they headlined Lockdown in Philly with heavy "dream match" advertisement. This was all intertwined in the Main Event Mafia angle where Sting was with the Mafia one week and fully against them the next week. Yeah, you try to figure out it too.

After the jump...Concurrently, the Mafia, a stable containing nearly every WWF/E and WCW holdover in the company, was embroiled in a feud with varying bands of resistance, including TNA Founder Jeff Jarrett and AJ Styles. The logical thing would have been to have had Styles lead the resistance with Jarrett giving his moral support in the background, really putting Styles over, and that's exactly what they did... except they didn't. Jarrett implored Styles to lead the TNA faction in the Six Sides of Steel, but Styles backed off saying he wasn't worthy to lead and deferred leadership to Jarrett. Yeah, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall during THAT booking meeting.

Meanwhile, Samoa Joe, fresh from getting humiliated in an extended angle with Kurt Angle thought the best way to combat the Main Event Mafia would be to paint a dong on his face, attack members at knifepoint and kidnap their female valets. Oh yeah, and when that didn't work, he just up and joined them. Oh, and the biggest tension within the Mafia happened between Sharmell, Booker T's wife, and Jenna Morasca, some Survivor contestant that TNA hired for cheap publicity to pal around with Kevin Nash, and it culminated in the worst match of the year, after which Morasca never appeared on TNA TV again.

Meanwhile, off-camera, Jarrett was muscled out of the company for shacking up with Angle's ex-wife. Angle, meanwhile, was getting stalked like a mofo by now-ex-Knockout Rhaka Khan, punishment for violating the cardinal rule of Thou Shalt Not Shit Where Thou Eat. Angle got that shit taken care of.

In the storylines, well, a whole bunch of shit happened, including AJ Styles crying like a baby on TV and having Sting talk him off the ledge from quitting the business, which is the way you want to build up your top face before winning the title, which he'd do in a sort of last-minute thing. Actually, everyone seemed to turn face at No Surrender. Angle turned face and dissolved the Mafia, Matt Morgan turned face for whatever reason, and AJ Styles stayed face. Yeah, the less said about TNA up to this point the better.

Oh yeah, and BOBBY LASHLEY, the GOD OF THUNDER, the BOSS, the GUY WITH A MILLION NICKNAMES, THAT DUDE WHO WAS IN A WRESTLEMANIA MATCH ONCE, debuted. He made his first appearance at one PPV and his second three months later, and TNA was fine with this because they had a legit MMA superstar... yeah, I couldn't type that with a straight face.

After No Surrender, things got better. Nigel McGuinness, freshly let out of his WWE developmental deal for being a ticking time bomb of medical fail, signed with TNA and was shunted directly into a program with Angle. Styles entered into a three-way program with a newly-turned Daniels and a now-dong-on-the-face-free Samoa Joe. While the mid-and-lower card continued to have little to no attention paid to it, the top of the TNA card looked shockingly good. McGuinness, now named Desmond Wolfe, got the jump on Angle good, and despite not getting a win against him in two months is still looking good. The Styles/Daniels stuff was good too.

But all that was overshadowed completely by the Hogan announcement. For better or worse, Hogan dominated all talk of the fed in the last few months, and whose impact would not be felt until 2010.

Oh, and Jarrett's back too. Maybe that optimism should be tempered a bit...

What's the Forecast for 2010?

Well, how TNA is going to proceed in the coming year depends on two factors:

1) How they fare on January 4th

2) How long Hogan stays with them

The conventional wisdom is that TNA is going to get spanked going head to head with RAW on the 4th, but there's reason to believe that they can do well enough to claim a moral victory (if not one in the ratings, which could be impossible). They'll have an hour lead on RAW. The WWE may be overlooking TNA a bit by letting them get that extra hour of lead time. People know TNA is going head-to-head; they were smart enough to buy local advertising time during RAW, and if they deliver on a good enough show, they could get more people to stay tuned into TNA rather than switch over to RAW.

However, the names that have been floated around for the show are unimpressive at best. Yeah, Rob Van Dam is maybe the last big free agent name not named Dwayne Johnson for a company to reach out and grab, but other than him, what's Scott Hall going to mean? Sean Waltman? Ric Flair? Angelina Love? None of those names grab me as much as Hogan's does or that Bret Hart's does for the opposition. TNA will have to build with quality rather than with razzle-dazzle. Sadly, that could be a problem. Unless Hogan and Eric Bischoff come in and neuter and/or fire Vince Russo, then they'll have a guy running point that only cares about bullshit swerves rather than real wrestling storytelling. Putting on a good show has to be the paramount point.

With what Hogan's been talking about, I think they could do a good show. Unless it's a total stinker, I can see them getting a 1.5 rating. The trick will be keeping the audience though, and that all depends on how Hogan leads things.

Of course, this brings up the question of Hogan's commitment. He's flaked and bailed on projects before when he hasn't gotten his way. Even with Dixie Carter giving him partnership in the company, if things don't turn around quick enough for his liking, will he and Uncle Eric be off trying another project in six months? This is the question that has to be haunting the people that have invested themselves emotionally in the company. What might keep Hogan around is the backing of Panda Energy. This isn't a fly-by-night company. Panda will shell out dollars, and Spike TV seems dedicated.

Still, it's very hard to forecast what's going to happen across the next year for TNA because it's hard to predict how fickle Hogan, Bischoff and/or Carter will be. One thing's for sure; they have a reliable core of talent, and hopefully this isn't lost on Hogan. IF he's bringing Hall, Waltman etc. for a nostalgia pop and to help get the Hernandezes, Styleses, Joes and Dineros of the world, then it's going to be a good thing. If he's banking on them to draw, then there's going to be trouble.

It's hard to say whether Hogan is a changed man or not. I really hope he is, but at the same time, wrestling is full of egos and old boys. My hopes are high but I'm not going to be shocked if it turns into the same ol' same ol'.

Guys to Watch for in '10

Hernandez - SuperMex is this perfect storm of size, charisma, minority drawing power and workrate that is right there for TNA to utilize. They've hinted at putting a rocket up his ass, but his growth has been stunted. Will this be the year he finally is unleashed? If Hogan is anything like Vince McMahon (and he's claiming he wants to be the Vince of TNA), then Hernandez is the guy for him.

The Young Bucks - TNA's newest signing might also be their best. For all of the company's faults, they do make an attempt to do tag wrestling right. While the prospects of a long-term program with the MCMGs is tantalizing, the Bucks could fit right in working with the British Invasion, Beer Money and even broken down old Team 3D.

Desmond Wolfe - Wolfe entered TNA hot, but his momentum has been stunted by two clean PPV losses to Kurt Angle. Of course, it's not unreasonable to think that a newbie wouldn't get any kind of victory over the top star in the company, but he's been booked to look strong anyway. Wolfe's injury history may preclude him from being a long-term player, but if he can make it through 2010, he'll have made headlines for the company in a good way.

Lacey Von Erich - She's sloppy and she has an ego, but she's also tight with Hogan and has an appealing last name. While she wouldn't be the fans' choice to be pushed in the Knockout division, she does have the wrestling pedigree and she'll be working with some of the best female wrestlers in the world. She might have to improve though, because if she can't keep up with Kong, Tara and the rest, she'll be back working Texas county fairs sooner than you can say "suicide".

Eric Young - Young has been established as the top heel in the midcard, and no matter who's in charge, they all seem to like him. He's got the keys of the World Elite, and his stock will only rise in the coming year. I think no matter who ends up in charge, EY could be on top of the world this time next year.

Three Things I Want to See Happen in 2010

1. I want TNA to become a true alternative to the WWE, not a cheap imitation. For too long they've tried to ape Stamford instead of trying something fresh, or at the very least, trying to ape the good qualities of what WCW was when they competed with the WWF all those years ago. Give fans a reason to switch, give fans something different.

2. Get rid of Mike Tenay. This guy gives Tony Schiavone and Kevin Kelly runs for their money as the worst wrestling PBP guy of all time. A good announcer sells what happens in the ring when it happens, uses their time to plug what's upcoming judiciously and keeps the audience in tune. Tenay does none of these. Taz has proven he can be fine with someone who isn't a complete cipher. Tenay, however, brings negative value to the table.

3. Touring. The Impact Zone is quaint and it's a nice home base, but let's face it, even with a rumored overhaul coming, it's not the kind of place that you want to be running shows out of all the time if you're trying to compete with the WWE. Plus the fans they attract there... look, I don't want to pass judgement on anyone, but these are people who chanted "You still got it" at a clearly overweight and hobbled Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. I mean, I don't get embarrassed by the toothless redneck stereotypes, or the kids who dress up like Jeff Hardy or really by any fan by the way they look. But when fans start chanting shit like that... that's embarrassing. That'd be like chanting "you're so manly" unironically at Waltman or "This is wrestling!" at a Matt Morgan/Rhyno match, two things I wouldn't put past them. Building up a base in several different cities, especially in and around the South, would be so good for them. The reason why they get outdrawn by small indie feds in their house shows is that there's no market penetration. Taping in other cities can get them that.

Next and last will be the WWE.

My Favorite Matches of 2009, 6/19-8/21

2009 is coming to a close, so in addition to looking forward, it's time to look at the year that was for the various wrestling federations in the US and Canada. TWB aims to look at some of the best matches from the year, looking back in chronological order.



We span most of the summer, actually June to right before SummerSlam with a smattering of matches around the spectrum of feds and brands. ROH, ECW, Chikara, DGUSA and Smackdown are represented here. Let's take a look.

And as always, if you don't see something on here that you think should be on here, speak up, because I may not have seen it. I'm always up for a recommendation or two!

6/19, at a ROH on HDNet television taping
Nigel McGuinness vs. Tyler Black

I've made no secret of my disdain for Tyler Black, but I have to call it like I see it sometimes. This was a wonderful match, I'm guessing because Black and Nigel had such great chemistry together. Nigel worked with the stiffness, as always, and Black did some impressive indieriffic head-dropping. All in all a pretty good cap to an eventful round of tapings, which I'll remember most for unsuccessfully trying to get a "MISAWA! MISAWA!" chant going after anyone hit an elbow or a Tiger Driver.

7/25, from Dragon Gate USA's Open the Historic Gate
The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson) vs. CIMA and Susumu Yokosuka

If I were pressed to name a match of the year, I'd probably go with this one. Just a masterful match from beginning to end, mind-blowing aerial moves, CIMA going balls to the wall with all his classic moves, the spot of the year with one of the Bucks almost getting split in two on a guard-rail assist double stomp from the DG imports... this match epitomized the card and set the tone that DGUSA was going to be the company to provide premium wrestling to American fans.

8/4, ECW Championship Hardcore Match from ECW on Sci-Fi
Christian (c) vs. Tommy Dreamer

This was shortly after Christian regained the ECW Championship from Dreamer, and the Innovator of Violence got his rematch in a hardcore affair. The weaponry didn't get in the way of the action, but acted as enhancement for the story being told in the ring. The last visual with Christian pinning Dreamer underneath a car door was amazing. Even though Dreamer is leaving active competition to be a road agent in TNA, he showed that even at the end, he could still go with the best of them.

8/16, Golden Dream Triangle Trios Match from Chikara's Young Lions Cup VII Night 3
Fire Ant, Hallowicked and Arik Cannon vs. Jigsaw, Equinox and Helios vs. Chuck Taylor, STIGMA and Vin Gerard

Trios wrestling is one of Chikara's specialities, but even I was a bit skeptical at the nine-man three-way trios match that was about to unfold at YLC VII. I was very pleasantly surprised. The match was most notable for Fire Ant nearly destroying his body on a tope to the outside where he bent the guard rail, for the massively awesome chain spots and for a series of bodyslams that ended with referee extraordinaire and Nobel Peace Prize candidate Bryce Remsburg bodyslamming Chuck Taylor. Fun, fun match.

8/21 (airdate), from Smackdown
Rey Mysterio, Shad Gaspard and JTG vs. Chris Jericho, the Big Show and Dolph Ziggler

Back before Smackdown became a festering shithole of suck dominated by a boring dead Champion, Scrooge McPoyle uglying up the midcard and the ugliest woman on the Divas roster making fun of the most talented one for being fat, Smackdown had some really, really good wrestling. In the go-home show for SummerSlam, they had a trios match of their own, teasing tensions for both the Intercontinental Championship and Tag Team Championship matches. Even by free TV standards, it was pretty intense, a lot of great near falls, a lot of wow moments and a finish that included maybe Big Show's best KTFO punch ever on Rey Mysterio. I may have missed a bulk of the Jericho/Mysterio series from earlier in the summer, but this helped to ease that disappointment.

Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein - Please visit his site to view the plentiful amounts of pictures he's taken for DGUSA, ROH and other indie feds: Get Lost Photography

Year-End Sorting Bins: Like but Don't Love

2009 is coming to a close, so in addition to looking forward, it's time to look at the year that was for the various wrestling federations in the US and Canada. TWB is bringing back the Sorting Bins and taking a look at almost every wrestler and personality in the business right now. Today's category is Like but Don't Love



This next sorting bin is by far the largest one. It's the people that I enjoy enough that they escape my bile most of the time, but that I don't enjoy enough to call a favorite. I'm usually ambivalent towards them, but mostly kind until they do something to piss me off, which isn't often.

Roderick Strong - He'd be a favorite of mine if he'd just learn how to cut a decent promo or kept his mouth shut. Guy can flat out wrestle though. He's the perfect wrestler for feds like ROH and PWG, indies where workrate is valued more highly than at the "next level", and he never fails to entertain me whenever I see him at an ROH taping.

After the jump...John Cena - Yeah, I've been up and down on him this year for various reasons. A lot of it, like with Orton, isn't his fault. He's a very good performer, a veritable total package. He's booked as a superman because that's what the WWE feels will bring in little kids, but really, with the exception of The Miz in two of the three matches they had in the summer, John Cena has made every single opponent he's wrestled look like a million bucks, whether equal to him or below him in stature. Plus, the guy has wowed on promos, even if inconsistently.

Sheamus O'Shaunessy - I said that I was sold on Sheamus as Champion last night, but the truth is that I've always been a fan of the Big Ginger Destroyer, ever since he came up in ECW. His feud with Goldust was one of the shining points in a strong year on third-brand. His brogue makes him distinct but authentic, as does his pale skin, but while those can be easily skewered, his ring presence and stiff style cannnot. Sheamus is no joke, peoples.

John Morrison - While I prefer the Miz in this former tag team combo, I find Morrison very enjoyable as well. Guy has the tools to be the evolution of Jeff Hardy in the ring, which is a good thing. I cringe a bit when he opens his mouth, and sometimes, he looks awkward, but there are worse guys to get the TV time that Morrison gets. Y'know, guys like Scrooge McPoyle.

Rey Mysterio - Is there a guy who has brought it in the ring on a more consistent basis throughout his entire career than Rey Mysterio? There are a few, but the list is short. No matter how pandering he's booked, I can't get enough of him in the ring. My biggest regret of this year was not keeping up with Smackdown more diligently when he was feuding with Jericho for the IC Title. It's a shame that he does get booked panderingly though, except the time when he was World Champion and they booked him like the droppings Jericho had to pick up when he was feuding with Triple H in 2002 leading up to WM.

William Regal - I've never been as high on Regal as most people, but I like him as he is now, the doddering, would-be tyrant. He's like the wrestling equivalent of a cartoon supervillain, always with the best laid plans that always blow up in his face. He wears it well, and ECW is a perfect home for him.

AJ Styles - Yeah, I wish he'd shut the hell up about people ganking moves off him, but he never fails to please in the ring, even with TNA's ridiculous free-TV match time restraints that make RAW matches look like Flair/Steamboat time limit draws. I'd love to see him in another environment. He'd get misused in the WWE most likely, but I think him in ROH would be good just for the sheer excitement factor (I know, he'll never go there because of money, but it's nice to dream).

Jay Lethal - If TNA has mistreated Styles, they've removed Lethal's eye with a melon baller and skull-fucked him. Here's a guy who could be so much more if not saddled with a limiting gimmick and humiliated by getting jobbed to washed-up former WWE wrestlers once a month for his only TV time. Oddly enough, I don't think he'd be as misused in the WWE, mainly because he'd have to be torn all the way back down to be built back up.

Nigel McGuinness Desmond Wolfe - It's amazing what getting a good faith push right off the bat to a talented newcomer will give a company that needs a creative boost, eh? Nigel, err, Wolfe has been a great part of the resurrection of the top of TNA's card, although he could stand to gain something from getting any kind of win over Angle. Still, whether in ROH or even in the shitmire known as TNA, Wolfe has always been and always will be a treat to watch in any capacity on camera.

Hernandez - TNA really got lucky finding this guy. He's a good combination of everything that I enjoy in a wrestler, although then again, wrestling alongside Matt Morgan will make anyone look like Bret Hart. Still, Hernandez is one of the few reasons to watch TNA.

Homicide - I imagine I would have liked him better if I saw him first in ROH and not TNA. Man, they fucked him good, especially in comparison with how his partner is being made.

Samoa Joe - I've seen some of his good stuff before going to TNA and overseas while in TNA, and it's really good. Not HOLY SHIT BEST IN THE WORLD good like some people gush, but it's good enough for me to realize that the dude deserved better than having a penis painted on his face.

Kevin Steen - He, not Davey Richards, to me is the guy who should inherit Danielson's "Best in the World" moniker. I like DR and all, but Steen to me is the best worker in the indies right now. He's a little dry personality wise, which is why he's not in my favorites, but he could be there if he shows me more in the future (he'll definitely get the chance... looks like ROH is set to put a rocket up his ass with this heel turn).

Necro Butcher - I used to be all "meh" about Necro, but a few things changed my mind on him. One was the most recent round of ROH tapings I went to where he worked an awesome match against Joey Ryan with a rana to boot. Two was his performance in The Wrestler, which was pretty awesome. So yeah, I'm half-a-Necro Butcher fan now, even if I could never stomach his more well-known work in CZW and other garbage feds.

KENTA - He's a great addition to the ROH roster when he's healthy and over here. I also like how he provided inspiration to CM Punk to change his offense around ;)

Colt Cabana - Cabana in the WWE as a third member of CM Punk's current posse, the wise-cracking asshole compared to Punk's preachy leader and Luke Gallows' quiet enforcer, would have been friggin' sweet, but no, they had to call him Scotty Goldman and generic him up. Ah well, Cabana and his Matthew Lesko-inspired singlets are doing just fine entertaining all of us in indieland. I want to see his standup too. I think it's awesome that he's branching out.

The American Wolves - Good, intense tag team wrestlers who get bonus points because they interact with the crowd like any good heels would do. While I don't believe in DR as Indie Jesus, he's still a treat to watch in the ring, and I have to give Eddie Edwards mad warrior props for working a Ladder War the night after breaking his arm.

Chris Hero - While Hero can look awkward and lanky in the ring sometimes, most of the time, he's a treat to watch in the ring, especially when paired with someone capable. While I don't like that he throws more elbows than Bill Laimbeer in every match, I do like his Death Blow finisher. It's pretty sweet, a Rude Awakening neckbreaker clutch into a rolling elbow to the side of the head.

Kenny Omega - I present you the evidence as to Kenny Omega's candidacy for Lord of the Universe

Legacy - Random note that annoys me about the WWE "creative" dept. Rhodes and DiBiase have been with Randy Orton for a year, and in that time, they've either absorbed jobs for him or feuded on their own with DX with no interaction with Orton as he feuded with John Cena. And now they decide to tease a breakup? Why should I be emotionally invested in said breakup? The stable didn't even show a cohesiveness the likes of Evolution let alone the original DX or any other successful stable. Ugh. That's neither here nor there. DiBiase's awesome, and Rhodes while not awesome is getting there. They needed to be in a vibrant tag division though. That's why the WWE sucks sometimes.

Chris Masters - Dancing pecs aside (they are really awesome), Masters has improved in the ring since returning. He never gets a chance to talk, but his facial expressions are gold. I'm fine with the role he's in now. Let him squash Chavo and Santino and make the main eventers look good by letting them throw him around. He's found his niche.

Primo Colon - Much less lazy than his brother, and it's a shame he's not even getting jobber time. Hopefully they have a repackage in store for him.

The Hart Dynasty - Unlike most people, I don't think DH Smith is a festering pile of suck. I think he's a serviceable big guy whose ceiling is as high as his dad's, which wasn't terrible, mind you. But yeah, Tyson Kidd's the reason to watch this team. The best is when he puts a guy in a chinlock and yells at the ref "ASK HIM!"

Cryme Tyme - While the gimmick is possibly racist, they have fun with it and it's over. Both guys are pretty decent workers, and I kinda wish they got more of a run against JeriShow after SummerSlam.

Festus Luke Gallows - I haven't seen much of him since he dropped the Festus gimmick, but the idea of a quiet enforcer that CM Punk "saved" from drugs is a great idea and it adds to both his and Punk's characters.

The Dudebusters Caylen Croft and Trent Baretta - It seems like the cocky frat-boy asshole is a popular gimmick assignment for new WWE heels. Miz, Zack Ryder (WWWYKI) and now these guys. They do a good video game, fist-pumping variation on it, but both guys seem pretty non-descript. Hopefully they break out into their own personalities so they can really bring the team together.

Ezekiel Jackson and Vladimir Kozlov - Leapfrogging off the Legacy point, these guys are like the exact opposite. They were brought together in careful, compelling fashion and were awesome as Regal's henchmen for a month or so until, BAM, they teased and went through with the breakup angle in less than a month. No time to incubate. I mean really, was there that much a demand to turn Kozlov face? There was still mileage, unless the plan was never to strap Regal in the first place. Ugh. But yeah, Jackson can work despite having muscles where muscles don't naturally grow, and sue me, but I like Kozlov's style, although he can be boring if he's in there with the wrong opponent *cough*Triple H*cough*

Hurricane - I've always been a Hurricane booster. I think ECW's the perfect place for him.

Paul Burchill - Burchill deserves better, but at the same time as he's being given the Jericho treatment (again, WWE creative, stop recycling angles at the same time on different programs!), he is being featured a lot on ECW. Maybe they're just waiting for the right time. Also, Katie Lea is pretty delicious, especially since she likes to wear corsets and shit.

Ken Doane - He really impressed me at the DGUSA show in July. I feel like he got a raw deal in the WWE, being saddled with two lousy gimmicks, but if you have attitude problems, you're going to get in trouble, no matter how talented. Just ask Mr. Fuckstick.... err, I mean Anderson. I hope Doane can turn it around, and I'll be interested to see if he can adjust better to indie speed than Brian Kendrick has so far.

Motor City Machine Guns - These guys are a really fun tag team. TNA seems not to know what to do with them. Pity. Hopefully, Hogan's plan involves throwing them out on TV against the Young Bucks in a prolonged feud. That would be pretty sweet.

Scott Steiner - I don't know if he's trying to be funny or not, but he's the most genuinely hilarious member of the TNA roster.

Joey Ryan - Of the two pretty-boy metrosexual wrestlers in ROH, I like Ryan slightly more than Rhett Titus. The best thing about him is his finisher is called the Moustache Ride. Awesome.

Kenny King - Beginning of the year, he was very closely associated with Titus, but they sort of branched him off and made him Austin Aries' right hand man, which I think is a more natural fit. King is like Shelton Benjamin, only better in every conceivable way.

Rhett Titus - He doesn't have an awesomely-named finisher like Joey Ryan, and he's not like Shelton Benjamin, only better in every conceivable way, but I still enjoy Titus.

Bobby Dempsey - It's amazing how a guy who doesn't make it off dark matches on an indie fed's card is so over. It's hard not to feel good about Dempsey going out there and getting a hero's cheer for being a local guy. Plus, us fat guys have to stick together.

Lince Dorado - He suffers from the same things I was complaining about with Equinox and Helios in the last bin, but I met him and he's a really cool dude, so he gets bumped up a notch. Yeah I know, it's shallow, but hey, it's my list, dammit.

Sugar Dunkerton - I haven't seen much of him in the ring, but I like the gimmick and anyone who associates with Dasher Hatfield is alright by me!

Tim "Vökoder" Donst - Donst always worked in the background of Chikara. His American heritage gimmick was always over the top. I dug when he turned heel because let's face it, Hydra was a fan favorite, but he was the Santino of the fed in that no one took him seriously. The turn as Vökoder blew my mind. Donst is a-okay.

Gran Akuma - I like a guy who can do a good, stiff kick. Akuma is among the best at that. He has the perfect look for a dick heel too. It's amazing.

Chuck Taylor - If this doesn't make you a fan of Chuck Taylor, then nothing will, and you're a rotten human being

Eddie Kingston - Us fat guys have to stick together, y'know?

Colin Delaney - His schtick is pretty good. It's funny to see some beanpole bigtime everyone in Chikara because he used to work for the WWE. Great heel stuff.

2.0 - I want to see more of these guys, but the limited amount I saw was good. Chikara has a good nose for sniffing out good acts to bring onto its roster.

Los Ice Creams - Very good silly comedy team, and really, who can go wrong with dairy-based wrestling?

BxB Hulk - He's a great choice to carry the Open the Freedom Gate Championship going forward. He's a very high-energy wrestler and character. His dancing intro at the first DGUSA card was the stuff of legends.

Dragon Kid - Like I said in the DGUSA forecast, this guy is like Rey Mysterio on crack. That's a good thing. Kid and Hulk should have a very entertaining match for the OtFG Title when it happens eventually.

YAMATO - I was surprised at how well he heeled it up American style. He's got great facial expressions which make up for his lack of knowledge of the English language.

Masato Yoshino - I'm a bigger fan of his running buddy, Naruki Doi, but Yoshino brings the goods on a regular basis as well.

Human Tornado - HE WISHED ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON FACEBOOK~! Also, he's one of the better high-flyers in the indies right now. Wish he'd come East more often though... *grumble grumble*

Melina - Although she's a bit of a spotfest queen, I can never rate a woman who has the most epic ring entrance in the history of wrestling lower than this category.

The Bella Twins - They're good at what they do, and that's chew scenery and flirt with the guest hosts on RAW.

Eve Torres - As a wrestler, she's all kinds of meh, but she's shown that she can articulate really well in both those Cryme Tyme segments back when she was on Smackdown and in those commercials she did with Vince. I like her style, and I think she should get a shot as a color commentator.

Kelly Kelly - She's actually improving as a wrestler, but she's also cute as a button and she really seems to be having a good time out there. They've done worse with women doing on-the-spot training in the ring out there.

Maryse Ouellet - Best heel woman mannerisms ever? Yeah, best heel woman mannerisms ever. Plus, she rocks the French maid get-up with style.

The Beautiful People - The gimmick is brilliant, and they've actually gotten better in-character with the departure of Angelina Love (who was kinda fugly), albeit they got worse in the ring (she's a better wrestler than Velvet, Lacey and the other girl combined three times over). Still, I can't rate any group that includes Velvet Sky lower than this tier.

Todd Grisham - Say what you want about him, but he's grown into a fine PBP announcer. I didn't like him as much with JR as I do with Striker. JR and Grisham are both PBP guys; Striker is a natural color commentator. Along with Striker, he helps make Smackdown tolerable.

Tony Chimel - He's an alright ring announcer, and he has a good way of introducing folks. Something about his voice keeps him out of the top category though.

Byron Saxton - He's a really good find, and for whatever reason, he has better chemistry with Dead Weight Matthews than Striker had. Weird. Saxton sounds a little too much like Coachman for my tastes, but he has way more personality and I think he has a bright future.

Don West - After hearing the TNA announce table without him, it's clear I was wrong about Big Blowhard Don. Taz is so whitebread, West at least made lewd cracks about the Knockouts and tried to heel it up when it was needed. He's no Bobby Heenan, but he's way fucking better than Taz is with that zombie Tenay.

Kevin Nash - For as much crap as Nash got for sandbagging WCW at the end and being a terrible wrestler competing while his legs were shot, there's no denying that he's a terrific personality to this day and can help out anyone he's with as long as he's trying to put them over and not himself (still a big risk with Big Sexy). For whatever he's done wrong though, I can forgive him because he seems to genuinely care about his coworkers, which was prevalent when Chris Sabin got his bell rung by Bubba Dudley and Nash was the only one who spoke out against their decision to continue the match.

Leonard F. Chikarason - LFC can be a little dry, but the dude's last name is Chikarason, for Christ's sake. That alone gets him in this bin.

Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein - Please visit his site to view the plentiful amounts of pictures he's taken for DGUSA, ROH and other indie feds: Get Lost Photography

ROH Tries to One-Up PWG, Puts Liger against Aries

From the Horse's Mouth



PWG announced that at Kurt Russellmania, Jushin Liger would be taking on El Generico. Not to be outdone, ROH's Los Angeles event on Jan. 30 will also feature Liger taking on the company's current World Champion and Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Austin Aries. Good counter in the friendly rivalry between the two feds. Generico and Liger might be more exciting, but Liger might just have the better match with Aries. Either way, I continue to be jealous of all you bastards who live out in SoCal and can go to these events.

RIP "Dr. Death" Steve Williams

Courtesy of F4W Online

Steve Williams, accomplished wrestler both in the United States and in Japan, has passed away at age 49 after a prolonged battle with throat cancer. Williams is best known for his work in the WWF in the late '90s alongside his good friend Jim Ross, but he is one of the most successful and legendary gaijin ever to compete in Japan, along with Stan Hansen, Vader and his longtime tag team partner, John "Johnny Ace" Laurinatis.

Williams was also an accomplished amateur wrestler and football player in college at the University of Oklahoma. He popularized the gutwrench powerbomb, which is still known today by most fans as a Doctor Bomb, as well as the Oklahoma Stampede running powerslam.

His troubles with cancer began in 2004, and it appeared that he had beaten the disease until earlier this year, when it came back and his condition worsened. Williams wrestled his final match in America in Colorado Springs August 15th, and altogether in Tokyo October 25th. He was accompanied for his final American match by Dawn Marie, who founded and works very closely with the Wrestler Rescue charity. Williams was a beneficiary of this charity later on in life, and I stress that this is an important cause to get behind.

I offer my sincerest condolences to Williams' family and friends, and hope that Dr. Death is in a far better place than this Earth right now.

Jason Powell Says What I Was Thinking Last Night Re: The Miz

Via his RAW Hitlist on Dot Net

I didn't mention anything about the Miz or Kofi last night during my Instant Feedback mainly because it was another part of the "commercial for next week" feeling. I know the sentiment out there is that I'm this booster for the Miz (and really, I kinda am) and that I would have been disappointed in him getting borderline squashed last night. However, that's not the case, and Jason Powell explains why more eloquently than I ever could:

Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz: Sure, we could bitch about Miz being made to look weak, but he'll regain his heat the second he opens his mouth on next week's show. This appeared to be WWE's way of letting viewers know that Kofi isn't just another mid-card wrestler despite his recent setbacks. He dominated Miz and Randy Orton's interference sets up their rematch for next week.

Bingo.

Miz has been protected more than any heel not named Sheamus on the RAW roster in the last three months. Arguably, he's the hottest midcard property in the company, as he gets better crowd reactions and is a far better wrestler and talker than Scrooge McPoyle, the other heel secondary Champion on the other brand. However, Kofi is a future main eventer, and I'm talking near future, like, dude could win the Royal Rumble (and he should). They played it perfectly, and Miz will rebound next week when he will most likely get fed MVP on the showcase RAW.

Remember folks, heat is elastic, and the future is bright for Miz.

Forecasting '10: The Sapolsky Feds

2009 is coming to a close, and it's time to start looking towards next year and what it will hold for the various wrestling federations around the USA and Canada. TWB will attempt to look in the crystal ball and see where the major promotions are headed for '10. Today, we have the two feds that Gabe Sapolsky is booking - Dragon Gate USA and EVOLVE.

The year 2009 was an eventful one for Gabe Sapolsky. After having left his position as head booker of ROH, by his volition or otherwise depending on whom you believe, he accepted the position of head booker in Dragon Gate's American expansion. The company set out to offer "premium" wrestling which most fans took as them bringing puroresu to the States for 6 to 8 dates a year, a very light schedule. People didn't know what to expect.

After three shows, there's a much clearer focus for the direction of the federation. Although details are still fuzzy, the big picture is in place. There's going to be spillover from feuds in Japan coming to America. Chikara is going to play a heavy role in the fed, as will the influence of Jorge "Skayde" Rivera. And foremost, Davey Richards is probably going to be positioned as the Ace of the fed. DGUSA has been met with positive reviews, which has prompted Sapolsky to branch out with another fed, a more sports-based promotion where the wins and losses matter called EVOLVE. People questioned whether this was a good idea. The first show runs in 2010, so there's no history. It'll be written next year, and hopefully, I can get a good handle on how it's going to unfold.

What Happened in 2009?

After all the announcements and hype, "premium" wrestling came to the US in July as DGUSA ran its first show at The Arena to a packed house including Yours Truly. The tone of the fed was set that first night. High-paced, frenetic lucharesu action, big spots, hot finishes and an actual establishment of heels, faces and angles as well as the "dream match" feel that you get with a limited-card promotion. The American crowd was introduced for real to guys like BxB Hulk, Dragon Kid, Naruki Doi, Shingo Takagi and YAMATO among others, and instead of just Japanese guys who can work well, they were introduced as personalities, especially with the Youtube videos posted between cards.

After the jump...Onto the actual happenings, well, at the first card, the Young Bucks and the team of CIMA and Susumu Yokosuka blew the roof off the place, as did the 8 lads from Chikara in their match. The first big angle was set up establishing Gran Akuma and YAMATO as the top heels in their disrespect of Skayde. Onto the second show in Chicago, where we saw the introduction of Davey Richards into the fray. DR defeated Shingo in his match and then assaulted Bryan Danielson after his farewell tour loss against Naruki Doi for daring to pass the torch to him. You see, because DR doesn't get torches passed to him, he takes them. The other big thing happening on that Chicago card was Masato Yoshino blowing up at Dragon Kid after their second match. Kid beat him in Philly for the first card and after the second match in Chicago, Yoshino lost again. Kid offered his hand and Yoshino refused. They released a video showing a backstage altercation, Kid and Shingo acting out on their feelings of being disrespected by barging in on Doi and Yoshino backstage, setting up Kid relinquishing his spot in the Open the Freedom Gate Championship tournament for another shot at Yoshino, this time in tag match form. Yoshino got a tap out victory at the third show on Kid while Doi kept Shingo at bay. He then mockingly extended his hand to Kid, which got everyone riled up, but there won't be a fourth iteration since Kid, by giving up his spot in the tournament, got himself the first shot at the OtFG title.

The aforementioned tournament went down in the third show, the return to Philadelphia. Davey Richards was a favorite to win, given the build for thing, but he lost to YAMATO in the first round. BxB Hulk, Gran Akuma and CIMA won their matches to get spots in the final. There was more Skayde-related drama in the CIMA qualifier match. Man that old Mexican is a real heat source for those guys, isn't he? :) Anyway, the match included Skayde taking on CIMA, Super Crazy and Mike Quackenbush. Quack got a little butthurt that Crazy was targeting Skayde all match over a match that happened over a decade ago and that CIMA got the pinfall on Skayde. Quack and CIMA got into a shoving match, setting up something for the future.

The final match saw BxB Hulk become the first Open the Freedom Gate Champion by eliminating YAMATO. DR came out after the match and attacked Hulk with the help of a lingering YAMATO, while Dragon Kid, the sitting number one contender, made the save for his future opponent.

What's the Forecast for 2010?

It'll be very interesting to see what DGUSA will do with a full year's slate of shows. They've been successful building hype and delivering on it with the first three shows. Although I had a decidedly more tepid review for the third show than I had for the second, I still thought it delivered the goods, especially after intermission. Now that the company has established itself, I expect things to take off even more.

The OtFG title scene looks like it's going to be pretty full from jump. BxB Hulk will provide an insanely over and talented face Champion from jump. At the two Arena shows I've been at, Hulk has been the guy who got the most support from the crowd and the loudest cheers. Strapping him was a great choice. He'll face some tough challenges, mainly from Dragon Kid and Davey Richards, both guys who are also over as faces. DR is a perplexing case since they've booked him heel, but the crowds get behind him anyway. Oh you silly indie crowds.

I wouldn't be surprised, though, if neither of those two challengers win the title. In fact, if you're looking at future Champions, look no further than Gran Akuma and YAMATO. Both guys have been set up as the top heels in the company for doing things that American heels normally do. Yeah, Yoshino and Doi are heelish in action, but their feuds with Kid and Shingo respectively have been more Japanese in nature, i.e. built on competition, respect and storytelling rather than right vs. wrong. While the established Japanese guys are getting the big pushes early (and with good reason, the American crowds need to get invested in them), I expect the Americans to take over later. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gran Akuma with the strap around his waist at year's end. He certainly fits the Low-Ki mold in terms of build and offense, and Ki was one of Gabe's rocks in the early days of ROH. Akuma vs. Richards and Akuma vs. Dragon Kid would both be money feuds in the later part of the year into 2011 for the company, Akuma/DR especially. Both guys have lethal legs; it'd be a delightfully stiff match with more kicks than the English Premiere League.

I also strongly believe that they're going to set up a tag team division. They've hinted at it in all three shows, and they also put their eggs in having the Young Bucks be the ace team in the division. Too bad the Bucks are TNA-bound. Still, there are plenty of teams that have been established or implied to create a great tag division: Ryo Saito and Genki Horiguchi (the Open the Twin Gate Champs in Japan), SpeedMuscle (Doi and Yoshino), CIMA and Susumu Yokosuka, Jon Moxley and Brian Kendrick, Gran Akuma and YAMATO, YAMATO and DR, Quackenbush and Jigsaw, Hallowicked and Frightmare, Jimmy Jacobs and Prince Mustafa Ali. I don't know if it's coming sooner or later, but I'll put money on them adding an American Tag Team Championship belt by the 1 year anniversary. I also expect them to strap a Japanese team to start and build from there. My money is on Speed Muscle.

EVOLVE is a different animal altogether, even though there will be a lot of crossover between the two feds. It's natural, of course; the head booker and the top American star are both the same. Still, I get the feeling that EVOLVE will focus more on American indie guys and guys who are lesser known as well. Sure, Sapolsky staple Jimmy Jacobs is signed on, and everyone knows who DR is who follows the indies. Then there are the Chikara guys. Still, I think the main focuses of the fed, aside from DR, are going to be guys like Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly and Ken Doane.

Of course, who knows if it'll catch on, even if they do get everything right. I mean, wrestling has always been an amalgam of things that attract people - the action in the ring, the colorful personalities, the storylines and angles that lend themselves to the crowd getting emotionally attached to the wrestlers, the pomp and hype, the interviews, the over the top comedy. If EVOLVE goes off like they say they're going to, they'll be cutting a lot that out and giving you only the sporting aspect. Granted, there is a crowd out there that go to wrestling events just to see wrestling matches, but is that crowd big enough to ensure EVOLVE's survival?

If it is, then I expect to see this become the DR vanity promotion with more critical interest being paid to the undercard. DR will get the headline matches; the main event for the first card in Rahway has him facing off against Kota Ibushi, whose praises I've sung on this blog before. However, a lot of attention will be paid to the guys like Doane, who will working to rehab his image after getting fired from the WWE for being a malcontent, and on the real up-and-comers like DR protege O'Reilly.

However, I really doubt that even with the names involved, that EVOLVE becomes more than a niche promotion. DGUSA will be the real money-maker, and maybe EVOLVE can do well to provide a breeding ground for guys to graduate to the DGUSA bigs to give it more of a distinct flavor from its Japanese counterpart.

Guys to Watch For in '10

Ken Doane - As I said before, Doane is embarking on a massive image rehab project. He has the tools to make up for it both in the ring and out, and I think he'll be one of the go-to guys in EVOLVE this year as he works to diversify his game.

Dragon Kid - Kid probably holds the best hand in terms of crossover appeal to the mainstream wrestling audience. He's basically DGUSA's Rey Mysterio, a high flyer with a look that appeals to the kids (who were there sporadically at both shows). He's being positioned as a main event player, which is a smart move on Gabe's part. DGUSA will always make money as the "premium indie" in America, but if they want to get a little more attention, there are worse guys to showcase than Kid.

Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito - With the Bucks leaving for TNA, Horiguchi and Saito are probably going to be the guys to anchor the fledgling tag division. They have the experience and the Japanese gold to back it up. I feel like they'll be leaned on heavily until teams like Jacobs/Ali and Moxley/Kendrick solidify more.

Hallowicked - Of all the Chikara guys, Hallowicked has gotten the most exposure via bad fortune of other people. He was drawn into the rudo team at the first show when Ophidian broke his arm, and he got bumped into the main PPV card when Jigsaw got stuck in Jersey Turnpike traffic hell. I think 'Wicked might be one of the Chikara Wrestle Factory alums with a bright future that extends past the local indies. He's got good height and fantastic ring presence. I think Gabe sees it too. Expect DGUSA to GOOOOO 2 SLEEEEPY HOLLOOOOOOOW~! more often in 2010.

Kyle O'Reilly - I was impressed by this kid in his dark match at the third DGUSA show. He has a nice offense based on chaining moves together, and I think he could really benefit from being in EVOLVE, a fed that values workrate more than any other part of the big picture. Being close to DR will afford him opportunities to shine, and I think he'll take advantage of them.

Three Things I Want to See Happen in 2010

1. I definitely want to see more crossover between the Japanese and North American wrestlers. There has been some, but the overriding feeling is that they've been segregating the Japanese from the Americans for the most part. DGUSA will work best if everyone is in the fray with everyone else. I mean, I can see SpeedMuscle vs. Shingo/Kid on DVD and Jigsaw vs. Eddie Kingston at a Chikara show. Melding the two together will be very important for future success.

2. A hopping tag division, but I think I already covered that :)

3. I don't want EVOLVE to think too big too early. As much as we the Internet have craved for more of a sports emphasis in wrestling, I think most of the saner people in that crowd know that you can't abandon the entertainment part of the equation, and that a concept like EVOLVE is going to fill a niche crowd and that's it. Ambition is good, but Gabe needs to tread carefully and focus on putting on a premium in-ring product so as to garner a buzz. Going viral was a good start, but they need to build up a base in the mid-Atlantic region before trying to tag along with DGUSA, which CAN go nationwide right from jump.

Next up, TNA.

Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein - Please visit his site to view the plentiful amounts of pictures he's taken for DGUSA, ROH and other indie feds: Get Lost Photography

Instant Feedback: Those Irish Eyes Ain't Smiling...

As far as RAWs go, this week's edition wasn't terrible, which is an improvement over trend. Yeah, Timbaland was lolwut?-inducing, but at least he when he embarrassed himself, it wasn't because he wasn't trying to get the product over along with his own product, unlike a certain burnt out English metal head and his c-word of a wife. And the biggest problem on the show was that it felt like an extended 130-minute commercial for next week's slam-the-door-shut-on-TNA show, which is forgiveable in the grand scheme of things. Of course, they had better deliver next week or else it's all for naught, but let's stick with this week's show.

First off, the last image on RAW for the year being Sheamus' legit psychotic eyes was pretty freaking sweet if you asked me. I was skeptical about him as challenger for the title and even moreso as the Champion, but anything that is going wrong with this hasn't been his fault at all. The guy has carried himself like a Champion, but more importantly, as a guy who can physically impose upon Cena and upon any other face on the roster not named Mark Henry or Great Khali. Seriously, him looking like Jack Nicholson in the Shining holding the title up high and screaming that RAW belongs to him? I bought it. I think I bought Sheamus as Champion tonight. As long as the guy doesn't get into drugs or gets injured seriously, he's sticking around for a long time, folks. Like him or not (and I do), Sheamus is here to stay.

Speaking of injuries, I hope Evan Bourne didn't get hurt on that apparent botch at the end of his match with Ted DiBiase, Jr. It was on that leapfrog/alley-oop move. It looked like Bourne was supposed to land on the turnbuckles, but he landed face-first right on the mat. An ouch moment if I ever saw one. Hope you're fine, Evan. That's too nasty a fall for anyone to have to take. I guess if he shows up on ECW looking fine tomorrow night, we'll know our answer.

As for the answer to the question that fans who read the dirtsheets already knew, Vince McMahon officially announced Bret Hart's return. Again, the whole segment played too much like a commercial, but I do like where it's going. If it means an uneasy alliance between Hart and Shawn Michaels to get his WM rematch against Undertaker, well, it would be compelling television, but I feel uneasy about HBK being the guy to end Taker's streak. I don't know, that'll be something to gauge if and when it happens.

Oh, and the midget shit still sucks, but I definitely would have signed Chris Jericho's petition.

Like I said, it felt like a commercial most of the show, but then again, it felt like a commercial for something good. Instead of hyping some lame bullshit like "Little People's Court", they're hyping the return of a veritable legend as well as two huge matches. I have very high hopes for next week, but until then, I'll have my Smackdown vs. RAW game and several wrestling DVDs and DVR recordings to tide me over.

My Favorite Matches of 2009, 4/5-5/24

2009 is coming to a close, so in addition to looking forward, it's time to look at the year that was for the various wrestling federations in the US and Canada. TWB aims to look at some of the best matches from the year, looking back in chronological order.

The next wave of matches that I enjoyed this year takes us from the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania (which is wrong, actually, it's WM 25, but the 24th anniversary of the first event) through Memorial Day weekend and it's basically just WWE and Chikara.

Remember, these are the matches I have seen. If you think that something's missing, then I probably haven't watched it, or I really did think it didn't belong. But if you do think something's missing, then speak up, because I'm always game to watch wrestling. Enough intro, let's get to this batch:

4/5, Mr. 16-0 vs. Mr. WrestleMania at WrestleMania XXV
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

I have stated in the past that I feel like this match is overrated, that people were just overpraising it because it's ZOMG SHAWN MIKILZ @ WM!!!1 I felt like it dragged a little in the middle. That being said, where I think it's overrated is that I think it's more a top 25 match than a top 5 match. It's still the best match from a surprisingly and disappointingly lackluster top card of the year for the market leader. HBK and Taker really do show the rest of the locker room, especially the up-and-comers who are going to be attempting to take their places in a few years, how the fuck it's done.

4/20, from Monday Night RAW
John Cena vs. Chris Jericho

This was billed as Jericho's "farewell match" from RAW (how funny that is in retrospect when seeing how big a role Jericho has played on both shows all year), and they gave him a decent send-off. Cena and Jericho really do have such great chemistry in-ring, but that's to be expected when you put two great wrestlers who are both professionals in squared circle. I hated the finish, but truthfully, I didn't hate it enough to warrant not including the match on the list.

4/27, from Monday Night RAW
Randy Orton vs. MVP

In April, RAW was sizzling hot in terms of wrestling action, and it showed for a second straight week with a newly-drafted MVP challenging Randy Orton, one-on-one. The two tore the house down and dazzled the live and TV crowds, giving hope for an awesome, awesome title feud sometime down the road. I hated this finish too, even moreso than the previous week because it was Shane McGirlypuncher making the run-in instead of Edge, but again, the match was good enough that I could overlook the finish. Sadly, it looks like MVP really isn't destined for anything more than JttS since he likes-a the ganja. I'd feel bad for him or pissed off at the WWE, but really, it's his own fault. *sigh*

5/24, from Chikara's Aniversario Yang
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston

As I said from my review of the event, this match was fantastic and the better match between the two that I had seen this year (makes me want to get my hands on Three-Fisted Tales to see the third match!), and that it's also a match that would make people change their minds about Eddie Kingston for the better. He's a great brawler, but the best part of the match is when he used a wrestling technique to beat the wrestler. I wonder how this match will be looked at in context of Claudio turning and becoming a BDK at TFT? I guess it all depends on where Kingston stands in the whole fray.

5/24, Lucha de Apuesta - Hair vs. Masks, from Chikara's Aniversario Yang
Team FIST (Chuck Taylor and Icarus) vs. The Colony (Fire and Soldier Ants)

Again, click the link from the Claudio/Kingston match to find a better review of this one. The Colony seem to be Chikara's go-to guys for huge matches, as they wrestle a very big-match-friendly style. FIST played perfect foils to them here, but they're the best rudos in the company, you expect that. The finish with Soldier Ant hobbling out from the back could have been the best one of the year.

Next entry, we're throwing up some DGUSA and ROH love, as well as some 'spect to the Innovator of Violence.

Young Bucks to TNA

Courtesy of F4W Online

The Young Bucks had a try-out match at the last TNA tapings against the MCMGs. It went well enough that they were offered and accepted a contract. Congrats to them. TNA may suck, but they pay indie stars well, and Lord knows the Bucks deserve it. They're also a company that pushes tag teams in general, which means they'll get some exposure. Commiserations to the fans of DGUSA, ROH and PWG, where the Bucks will no longer be wrestling.

Year-End Sorting Bins: Annoying but Tolerable and Sometimes Enjoyable

2009 is coming to a close, so in addition to looking forward, it's time to look at the year that was for the various wrestling federations in the US and Canada. TWB is bringing back the Sorting Bins and taking a look at almost every wrestler and personality in the business right now. Today's category is Annoying but Tolerable and Sometimes Enjoyable.



The next group of guys and dolls are personalities that I don't go out of my way to hate on, characters with a strong redeeming quality or two and not much else. That quality could be workrate, promo ability or something else intangible.

Batista - He was in the bottom bin the last two times I did this, so what made him move up? After he came back from his most recent injury, he's shown some personality, enough that I don't want to throw shit at the TV when he's on there. Even if the material was dated on his Kanye West run-in on Maria's Diva of the Year acceptance, his delivery was pretty good. His delivery on the "I'm gonna knock your head off" line to Rey Mysterio was genuinely creepy in a good way, and he hasn't been asked to do too much in the ring. He'll never be a favorite, but I'm off the Batista-hate Train.

Maria - The other person in the picture is in this bin as well. It's not because she's hateable, it's just that she's so plain outside of her gorgeous girl-next-door looks. I mean if they were just going on looks alone, there are plenty of other girls who could fit that spot, but you're supposed to have worth as a wrestler or NPC manager/valet/announcer if you're in the business.

After the jump...Randy Orton - I've come to the conclusion that Randy Orton isn't a bad wrestler or even a terrible personality, but that the combination of marching orders sent down to him by management to be as dull as possible (classic heel, dudez!!1) as well as the schizoid way he's been booked before his Kofi feud has made him seem terrible when he's actually good. Still, he isn't someone I look forward to seeing on RAW (unless he's the first guy out after a terrible midget comedy segment as was the case on RAW last week).

Hulk Hogan - Hulk Hogan, circa 1983 to 1998, is one of my top two favorite wrestlers of all-time. No question about it at all. Hulk Hogan circa 2009 is an annoying reality star grasping for one last vestige of fame and thus is someone I'm not interested in unless he's doing cameo work for the WWE or in movies. The worst part is, he's now going to become yet another symbol of TNA's ineptitude, a guy who is going to show up on the program and say words, not wrestle matches. Hogan isn't going to be wrestling fulltime, he's going to be yet another authority figure-type, taking up segments with promos designed to get himself over, not any of the talent. Fuck that. TNA can suck on a cock.

Shawn Michaels - Dude can still work. That's about all the good I can say about him. Good thing for him I'm a huge workrate mark.

Daniels - Guyliner, really? Also, most overrated promo guy in history. I can't see how people think he's a decent interview. Still, he's entertaining in the ring.

Undertaker - Big drop for Taker, but why? He's still a great wrestler, but much like I had Jeff Hardy fatigue, I have Undertaker fatigue now. I can't explain why I'm tired of seeing him. Maybe it's that he just comes back and gets the title because Triple H thinks that CM Punk shouldn't be beating Undertaker (because Undertaker's a star, you see... and what was Hardy, chopped liver?). Maybe it was the annoying and possibly fake Facebook account that kept posting entire episodes of Smackdown in my feed. Maybe it's everyone shoving Undertaker/Michaels down my throat as the best match of the forever when there are at least 24 matches from the year across the spectrum of feds that I thought were as good or better. I don't know. But I can never truly hate the Dead Man.

Kane - Kane's kinda just there to me anymore. The definition of "meh".

The Briscoe Bros. - Maybe I was a little harsh on them before because of their incredibly offensive-to-me gimmick, but the Briscoes do deserve a little love. Of course, I still hate their gimmick with the fire of a thousand suns, but they're actually great tag team workers and when paired with the right personalities (read: Delirious) they can be entertaining out of the ring as well.

Brian Kendrick - For a guy that by all rights and purposes I should love, I feel an overwhelming wave of "meh" when it comes to Kendrick. He never fit in the WWE and the indies have passed him by. His promo skills are mediocre too. I think after seeing him live at DGUSA III, it really hammered the point home.

Pope D'Angelo Dinero - I can see why the WWE let him go. I see flashes in him, but he throws some of the laziest strikes I've ever seen, and his character is very, very flat.

R-Truth - I get joy in seeing Killings and Sheamus in the ring at the same time. The blackest and whitest guys in wrestling history, they could use them to calibrate the contrast on televisions. Other than that, I can tolerate him in the ring if I can mute his GD theme song.

Matt Hardy - Dude seems a bit too happy to be getting his brother's pops, knowwhatI'msayin'?

Carlito Colon - He's one of those guys whose rumored laziness backstage comes out every time he's on camera. Pass.

Chavo Guerrero - I stopped feeling bad for Chavo during the Hornswoggle angle when I realized that he was probably grateful for the job security he's getting for being Eddie's nephew and would be happy to join the Kiss My Ass club. Still, he's a shell of what he used to be. Can't really enjoy him all that much anymore.

Eric Young - Sorry, I can't take the leader of a major stable too seriously when he legit sounds like Dr. Girlfriend from Venture Bros.

Shelton Benjamin - Honestly, if Shelton just dedicated himself to working safer and cleaner in the ring rather than as Capt. Sloppy, I wouldn't care if he had mic skills that would make Roderick Strong look like Ric Flair.

Vance Archer - I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about him that I just don't like. Usually, I'm a mark for big guys who can project intensity and throw guys around without making it look like they're gently tossing them or like it's going to end up on Botchamania. I mean, I mark for Big Show and Mark Henry for Christ's sake! Maybe it's the tramp stamp?

The British Invasion - Oooh, look at them, they're from England, we have to boo them!!!1 I hate TNA so much.

Amazing Red - He looks weird and he needs to be carried in order not to look like he's exposing the business. Thankfully, there are guys in TNA who can carry him, so I guess I can't hate him too badly.

Abyss - Yeah, if Kane is meh to me, what makes you think the cheap imitation TNA has been trying to shovel on everyone will exceed him?

Dr. Stevie - I used to love Stevie Richards in ECW, and hell, he was an effective heel even if he was never put in a position to succeed as RTC Steven Richards in the WWE (that angle was destined to bury the PTC and not get any of the members over long-term... but no, Vince doesn't stroke his ego with his booking decisions). That being said, he's just sort of there in TNA. He started out with a terrible gimmick that has turned into just another Flock reunion, only with Raven being more decrepit than Al Davis on downers. It's sad, really.

Raven - The best Raven related thing I've heard in the last few years was that MVP socked him in the face for trying to bigtime him out of a seat. Wait, that's awesome for MVP, not Raven. My bad.

Sting - Either go to the WWE and do a WrestleMania as streak fodder for Taker or retire already.

Suicide - Here's another example of TNA just throwing some dazzly shit out there and trying to get the greater viewing audience to care without any reason. Why is this guy called Suicide? What's behind the mask? I mean, they've teased the mask removal, but was there someone who left who might be a decent payoff if they unmasked him? Other than the mask and the zip-line entrance, why should I emotionally involve myself in this wrestler, especially when TNA doesn't let free-TV matches below the main event go longer than five minutes?

Jerry Lynn - I'd care if he broke his neck in 2000 and the company was ECW.

Sonjay Dutt - If the dude took a powerbomb hard enough, he'd cover the entire ECW Arena in pus, that's how much backne he has. Most blatant attempt at gassing to get a contract ever? Probably not, but still...

Erick Stevens - Just there, really. I mean he seems like the kind of guy you get a dime a dozen at a random indie card on the East Coast.

Dark City Fight Club - Again, nothing against them, they just seem non-descript from the limited times I've seen them.

Helios and Equinox - These guys are sort of the biggest reason why people who hate on Chikara or lucha in general hate on it. They define the superfluous flip. I mean, doing a million flips in the air is impressive, but if the payoff is a wrist-clutch takedown... uh, what was the fucking point?

Cheech and Cloudy - Again, they're just kinda there for me.

Icarus - Chuck Taylor is great because he's an awesome wrestler. Gran Akuma is great because he really has shown his dick heel tendencies well both in Chikara and mostly DGUSA. Icarus... well he has that gaudy tattoo on his back?

Brodie Lee - He's kinda skeevy to look at.

Vin Gerard and STIGMA - Maybe it's because I haven't followed Chikara for as long as other people have. Maybe it's because I didn't get a chance to get attached to the Shane Storm storyline because I followed the fed after it happened. I don't know, but these guys aren't as interesting to me as heels as Colin Delaney is.

Shingo Takagi - He's a decent worker, don't get me wrong, but he looks so goofy to me, and I never liked his hair. I can't explain it.

Charlie Haas - lol

Slam Master J - For as much as I rag on TNA for their terrible gimmicks, the WWE is horrible at times as well. O HAI GUYZ LETS MAKE A WHITE GUY ACT LIKE A BLAK GUY EVEN THO THE BIGGEST DRAW IN THE CUMPANY STILL IDENTIFIES WITH IT!!!1

Alex "Sugarfoot" Payne - Dude needs to wear better tights because his bulge is way too real when you're in the second row.

Layla El - I liked her when she was with Regal, and really, she'd be awesome as the valet for the Ruthless Roundtable. But they ended that relationship so they could make the draft seem ZOMG UNPREDICTABLE~! and now she's on the annoying side as Michelle McCool's second. The lesson here? Michelle McCool makes everyone seem duller or more annoying by her very association.

Tara - She's a good worker and decent foil for Kong, but I can't get into her.

Sarita and Taylor Wilde - Sloppy and overrated.

Alissa Flash - See above.

Gail Kim - Wasn't she supposed to be good? I mean, I haven't seen her look even decent since coming back to the WWE.

Sara Del Rey - She is probably going to be moving up the next Sorting Bins because she'll have wrestled men in Chikara, but right now, she's kinda dull.

Daizee Haze - She just looks so used up it's hard to look at her.

Theodore Long and Vickie Guerrero - The epitome as to why I hate authority figure angles.

Abraham Washington - I don't wish death upon him like I did when he first debuted. He's grown into his role and has actually improved his delivery and material (whether the latter is up to him or not is a different story). He still comes off as very plastic though, and I don't know why he's gotta be on ECW.

Tiffany - She's very plain Jane for a drop dead gorgeous blonde. I don't like her in the GM role, but then again, the only GM I've ever liked on any brand was William Regal.

Mick Foley - Just retire already.

Dave Prazak and Mike Hodgewood - On one hand, they are the best duo when it comes to calling matches like a sport. ON the other... their voices just aren't cut out for announcing wrestling. I'm sorry. They're like valium. Prazak could be good with a more up-tempo PBP guy, although I think he tries to hard to be the "classic heel" color announcer.

Yes, WWF Fans, There Is A Santa Claus

...but it's not Bobby Heenan. Classic Prime Time Wrestling clip, back when the WWF really was kid friendly.



Found this on We Are Respectable Negroes

Merry X-Pac, Everyone!

Wait, it's X-mas, not X-Pac? No wonder I've been getting dirty looks from the neighbors for crotch-chopping them today!

No no no, I keed, I keed. May you have a very merry Christmas and enjoy today with your family, friends and loved ones. And may your stockings be filled with only the best wrestling-related merchandise, like mine has been so far. I received Smackdown vs. RAW 2010 for the X-Box 360 and a LUCHADOR ACTION FIGURE~! from my wife and Chikara's Hiding in Plain Sight from my sister-in-law (Bryan Danielson's Chikara farewell? SCORE BITCHES~!)

Tyson on 1/11... Not So Fast?

Courtesy of F4W Online

The WWE took down the Tyson announcement for 1/11. It doesn't mean he's not hosting, although it could. I hope that he still is, because he'd be a great guest host.

Forecasting '10: Chikara

2009 is coming to a close, and it's time to start looking towards next year and what it will hold for the various wrestling federations around the USA and Canada. TWB will attempt to look in the crystal ball and see where the major promotions are headed for '10. Today, it's Chikara.

Chikara's season 8 wrapped up in November with the Earth-shattering introduction of the Bruderschaft des Kreuzes, a group bent on getting revenge on Chikara for various perceived wrongs against them at various times. This attack at the end of Three-Fisted Tales was the culmination of a year of build, an angle that was surreptitiously fed-wide, all encompassing without being blatant about it. Now, it sets up a war between a faction of rogue malcontents and what seems to be an entire fed. Sound familiar? Well, of course it does, but if you think this angle will end up like the nWo, well, you don't know Chikara very well, do you?

Chikara's ninth season promises to pick up where TFT left off, and not only will it bring the big war between Chikara and the BDK, but other great matches, stories and events as well. So, without further ado...

For More about Chikara...

Read This

What Happened in '09?

Chikara had a lot going on in 2009, as much as any fed could do running two-to-three shows a month. First off, the Osirian Portal began the year as rudo Campeonatos de Parejas, defending against anyone who would accumulate the points required to take them on. They ended the year as tecnicos without titles, having lost them to the Colony in the interim. The Portal was going strong until Ophidian broke his arm in the summer, causing Director of Fun Leonard F. Chikarason to put a freeze on title defenses for 90 days. When the hissing snake-man came back, three teams had accumulated three points, one of them being the aforementioned Colony.

After the jump...The first major tournament of the calendar year took place in Philly in late March, the King of Trios. I covered the event's first night, but looking back, I don't think I gave it justice, mainly because I was just starting to get into the indies. KoT gave us Team FIST as the winner and set the tone for the rest of the year as to whom the dominant rudos in the fed would be. FIST's momentum would take a temporary dip though, as at Aniversario Yang, their feud with the Colony came to a head in a Lucha de Apuesta, Icarus' and Chuck Taylor's hair vs. Fire and Soldier Ants' masks. The Colony won after a valiant effort from Soldier Ant, being taken to the back after taking an Omega Driver through a table and then crawling back, limping and struggling.

The second major tournament was the Young Lions Cup VII, which was taken by Player Dos of the Super Smash Bros. This caused some tension between him and his partner Player Uno, mainly because Dos beat Uno to qualify for the semi-finals and then again with the YLC in play as well as in the third major tournament, which was really more just a huge match rather than tournament, Cibernetico Incredible. In that, Carpenter Ant, the mysterious fourth member of the Colony who debuted at the aforementioned Lucha de Apuesta, was the sole survivor, defeating stable mate Solder Ant with an inverted Chikara Special.

Little did we know then that Carpenter Ant would be an infiltrator, Pinkie Sanchez, member of the BDK. So would Claudio Castagnoli, a guy who spent the entire year as one of the most popular tecnicos in the promotion, feuding with the embittered and hated Eddie Kingston. So would Tim Donst, who disguised himself as the mysterious Vökoder. So would Daizee Haze and Sara Del Rey. Part of their unveiling and crusade against Chikara had to do with the mysterious Eye of Tyr, an ancient artifact purported to have mind-controlling abilities. Possessed by UltraMantis Black of the Neo-Solar Temple, it was used to turn Delirious away from his partners Hallowicked and Frightmare and into the fold of the ONST. Donst, as the masked Germanic robot, got close to the Temple and stole the Eye before unveiling as a BDK. Both Donst and Pinkie had scores to settle with the ONST. The women had bones to pick with Chikara in general for not giving them proper competition. As for Claudio, Ares and Tursas, the mysterious big Viking guy? Their motives are unclear, but everyone seems to be a target.

What's the Forecast for '10?

Well, the BDK/Chikara war is definitely going to be the main focus. We know that UltraMantis Black, Mike Quackenbush and The Colony will be targets, but who else? Will this truly be a fedwide thing, or will there still be other festivities? If I'm a betting man, it'll be a little of the former but mostly the latter. There's still the matter of the Campeonatos de Parejas as well as the big tournaments and such. Plus, you have to figure that rudo factions such as Team FIST and the UnStable won't have a stake in the fight unless they're made to have one.

But back to the BDK, the biggest thing coming up early will be who their eighth member will be. There are plenty of suspects within the company. The most obvious is Crossbones, who spent the better part of the year in UMB's doghouse as the leader of the cultish Temple was more enamored with his acquisition Delirious. Delirious himself is a candidate as well since he was only a member of the ONST because of the Eye of Tyr. Now that the BDK has this artifact, would control of his services revert to the holders of the Eye? Another interesting candidate is Player Uno. The members of BDK seem to share a common thread in that they felt disaffected by Chikara or members of Chikara in some way. Uno fits the bill in that he feels left out by his partner's success, so don't be surprised if he's revealed as the eighth man.

Of course, the BDK's rising means that there will be at least one team representing the renegades in King of Trios, which was announced for another year much to the delight of fans around the Chikarmy. I'd probably peg a team from the Brotherhood as the favorites to win even, which would keep in line with how I think the angle will progress. I.E., the BDK will appear dominant early until Chikara strengthens through unity and then has them on their heels around Cibernetico time.

Outside of storyline continuity, Chikara seems to be doing well for itself, as it's making its first foray into new locales such as Michigan, New Jersey (both south and in the suburbs of NYC) and Pottsville, PA. It's also making a return trip to Cleveland as well as heading back to New England. While Chikara had a great year this past year running shows mainly in Reading, Easton and South Philly, it's great to see them branch out and spread the love to other parts of the country.

Guys to Watch for in '10

Ares - The menacing face of BDK, it's unknown what his connection to Chikara is or why he wants to wage this war. He seems to have a connection to Claudio Castagnoli prior to now, but either way, he looks to make the biggest splash of anyone in the group. I expect him to be at the forefront, leading the charge with Claudio by his side and his minions behind him.

Sara Del Rey - As crazy as it sounds, I think she'll spend more time wrestling men in 2010 then women, and even crazier, I think she'll be credible and entertaining doing it. The average size of the Chikara wrestler isn't exactly intimidating, and Death Rey has the physical credibility to hang with the featherweights on the roster. She wanted a challenge, and I think she'll not only get it but rise to it.

The Badd Boys. - These brothers from ISW are known for their foul mouths outside of the family-friendly Chikara, but have done their best to circumvent that obstacle and become message board favorites. They've made a huge impact in the fed in their limited time in Chikara thus far, and I think they'll be one of the "it" teams going forward in 2010. If the focus of the CdP is away from the BDK feud, then I expect the Badd Boys to be very much in the thick of things with it.

Frightmare - He was a rookie in 2009, and now with Delirious really gone from Incoherence, it's his time to shine alongside Chikara vet and crowd favorite Hallowicked. Frightmare has a very high energy style and he's endeared himself to crowds in a big way. I think 2010 will see his climb continue as he comes into his own.

Gran Akuma - While FIST's most recognizable name has been Chuck Taylor, Gran Akuma is starting to come into his own across the indies. He's being positioned as a top heel in Chikara's sister fed, DGUSA, and he's the leader of his own trios team in EVOLVE. In Chikara, he's developed an identity within FIST and has feuded with Jigsaw in the past year. With others in the company fighting against the BDK at the forefront, Akuma can carve a nice spot for himself in the main event right below the big angle.

Three Things I Want To See Happen in 2010

1. I want a team representing DGUSA, featuring CIMA and Susumu Yokosuka, and a team representing EVOLVE, featuring Ken Doane and Davey Richards, in the King of Trios tournament.

2. I want Create-A-Wrestler to keep the Dasher Hatfield persona in perpetuity. Dasher is by far the best of his three personas, and the fans, myself included, have become attached to it.

3. Team Chikara vs. Team BDK in Torneo Cibernetico. MAKE IT HAPPEN, CHIKARASON DIETER!

Next up, DGUSA/EVOLVE.