Flair Country
07-08-2007, 09:01 PM
NWA Wrestle Birmingham returned to Zamora Shrine Temple in Irondale, Alabama Friday night after a five month absence.
It was an entertaining show. Nostalgia still has its place here. But more than ever, Wrestle Birmingham is getting a variety of talent into the mix and with mainly positive results.
Promoter Linda Marx could only shrug her shoulders about the attendance. She’s been running this building for more than 2 years, and even with Samoa Joe vs. Rhino on top, last night’s crowd of 300 was their smallest ever.
Michael St. John opened the show with a 10 bell salute to Sherri Martel, Nancy Daus and her son Daniel.
The ring announcing was handled by Chase Dee aka Big Fat Oily Guy from TNA.
(1) “Maddog” Dan Sawyer pinned Brian Murdoch in 4:12. Brian was playing off a resemblance to Trevor Murdoch more than Dick. Sawyer is a powerhouse devoid of mobility. His matches are best kept short with all the weight he’s carrying. Sawyer hit an overhead suplex and Murdoch took a powder. Murdoch got a bit of offense before Sawyer cut him off and finished him with a powerbomb.
(2) “Exotic” Adrian Street (with Miss Linda) beat Ricky Roberts (with Marcel Pringle) via submission in 9:47. This was a nice change of pace from Street’s usual matches here, as he sold more for Roberts than he has in the past. Street opened with his standard ass pinching shenanigans, and as usual, it got over. Street popped Roberts knuckles to where you could hear it in the first row. Then he kissed Roberts in the mouth and pinched him in the ass. Roberts started working on Street’s knee. When Pringle interfered, Linda hit the ring in protest. That spot got heat. Street did some nice leglock reversal stuff that you don’t see anywhere else. Pringle choked Street with the camera cable. Pringle always looks like he’s on the verge of bursting a blood vessel. Roberts flew from the top, but Street ducked out of the way. Street applied a single leg crab while stepping on Robert’s head to get the submission.
Pringle called Street a freak and challenged him to a match. Cowboy (the MC and national anthem guy) tried to convince Pringle that he didn’t want any of what Street had for him. Street said he would take on either Pringle or Roberts anytime.
(3) Anton Leveigh beat Brandon Barbwire in 6:37. The crowd appreciated this match, although these guys weren’t as on as they were that first night in Graysville. They worked a fast-paced TNA X Division style. Barbwire did a good job connecting with the crowd as a heel. Leveigh hit a cool springboard neckbreaker early. Barbwire threw Leveigh over the top and beat him up on the outside. The crowd got on Barbwire when he started having trouble with his footing. Barbwire used a swinging neckbreaker for a near fall. Leveigh came back with a leg lariat for a near fall. Leveigh popped the crowd with a satellite DDT. Barbwire got a big near fall with a spinning uranage. The finish was Leveigh reversing a powerbomb into the Border Destroyer. They didn’t hit it clean, but Petey’s finisher never fails to get a response.
(4) Dennis Condrey beat Inhuman Fly (with Eddie G) in 5:20. Condrey’s Television Title was not on the line. Condrey took one look at Fly, a little guy in a zany lucha superhero getup, and was struggling not to laugh. Condrey knocked him down with a shoulder block. But when Fly responded with a dropkick, Condrey got serious. He pounded Fly from pillar to post. Eddie tripped up Condrey and Fly capitalized with an elbow drop. Condrey came right back with a brainbuster and pinned Fly with one knee while staring a hole through Eddie. Condrey gave Eddie a chairshot and laid him out next to Fly. Condrey then used their carcasses as stepping stones as he exited the ring. Great stuff from Condrey as always.
(5) McNasty (with Robert Fuller) beat Bull Buchanan in a lumberjack strap match (5:30). This wasn’t one of those watered down lumberjack matches like I’ve seen on some indie shows. It was the real deal with a dozen lumberjacks, 6 heels and 6 babyfaces, all wielding leather straps, and the heat was terrific. Fuller brought out a “local gentleman” that was easily over 400 pounds to introduce McNasty. Among the lumberjacks were El Mexicano, Rivers D’Angelo and Bill Franklin. McNasty took a bump over the top and got strapped. The lumberjacks started going at it. McNasty got tossed out again. This time, the heel lumberjacks protected McNasty, and it was war between the lumberjack factions. McNasty sent Buchanan through the ropes with a flying shoulder tackle. Buchanan tasted the leather. Buchanan took McNasty over the top with him via a clothesline. A wild melee ensued among the lumberjacks. Meanwhile, back inside the ring, Buchanan was going for a Samoan drop when McNasty put his lights out with a foreign object. It was great while it lasted. This feud isn’t over by any means.
The babyface lumberjacks gathered around Buchanan. He came to and started attacking them like he didn’t know which end was up. He powerbombed the hell out of Leveigh, who ended up being carried out.
(6) Mike Jackson (with Bambi) beat Daffney (with Robert Fuller) to win the NWA Wrestle Birmingham Junior Title in 5:34. The match and postmatch made for an incredible segment on several levels. Stellar performances by everyone involved. Before the match, Condrey came out and offered to help Jackson win the belt “for a small, small fee.” Jackson declined. Condrey repeated his offer emphasizing how small the fee would be. Jackson said he didn’t need or want Condrey’s help. Condrey said he was giving Jackson one more chance and could see Jackson was getting hot. “You don’t have to get mad,” said Condrey. Fuller came out with Daffney. He went chest-to-chest with Condrey. “He ain’t got no business out here,” said Fuller. In the confusion, Daffney jumped Jackson. She bounced his head off the ring steps and gave him a hiptoss on the concrete floor. Back inside the ring, Daffney hit a bridging Northern lights suplex but Jackson kicked out. When Daffney telegraphed a backdrop, Jackson slammed her down by the hair. The crowd voiced their approval. Fuller got on the apron to distract. Bambi clipped Daffney’s knee while Jackson’s back was turned. Jackson hit a hangman neckbreaker. Again, Fuller distracted Jackson. Bambi took the opportunity to ram Daffney’s knee into the ringpost. Jackson applied a Boston crab. Fuller threw his white hanky in. Jackson threw it back at Fuller. Referee Johnny Boone told Fuller Daffney said no. Daffney was in agony at this point, but that didn’t deter Bambi from ramming her knee into the post. But Jackson never saw a thing. Jackson gave Daffney a backbreaker and reapplied the Boston crab. Daffney tapped and appeared to be in tremendous pain as she was carried to the back. It would have been an awesome blowoff to the feud under any circumstances, but these weren’t just any circumstances.
The postmatch angle was equally awesome. Bambi got in the ring holding the title belt. She said she and Jackson were friends, and they had done it, and it was an honor for her to help. Jackson said he didn’t know what she was talking about. Bambi said she wanted to repay Jackson for his help, but she still wasn’t coughing up the belt and Jackson was getting irritated. “Give it to me. It’s mine!” TV announcer Michael St. John tried to mediate. “You wasn’t supposed to touch nobody. A man stands on his own two feet,” said Jackson. Jackson snatched the belt from Bambi. Condrey showed up just in time to get in a tug of war with Jackson. Condrey won. Jackson slugged him. Condrey clocked Jackson from behind with the belt and beat him down. Bambi walked away shaking her head. Condrey left with the belt. NWA official Roy Lee Welch assured Jackson that he was the champion and promised to get the belt back. Jackson said this was the most disgusted he had even been during his 37 years in the pro wrestling business. Jackson said wrestling had fallen apart and he was quitting. “I don’t even care no more.” It didn’t come across like a fake pro wrestling retirement. There was some powerful allegory in the way this whole thing played out.
(7) Sonjay Dutt beat Scotty Blaze in 10:39. Blaze is the same guy that wrestled as Scott Fantastic for Deep South and GCW. He’s gotten in progressively better shape. The response for Dutt was nothing compared to when TNA ran here in January. They traded holds to a stand off. Dutt faked a handshake and slapped Blaze across the face. Blaze got a flurry of offense. He dwarfed Dutt, and it’s visually problematic when the babyface is so much larger than the heel. Blaze caught Dutt’s pescado attempt and threw him back through the ropes with a press slam. Blaze flew from the top and was met in midair by Dutt’s dropkick. Dutt used a senton to set up a standing moonsault. The size difference was a problem here as well. Dutt got heat by faking a slingshot move. Then he started into the 10 punches and quit after three. Both men down after Blaze’s leg lariat. Blaze made the comeback with a flapjack. Blaze showed babyface fire. Dutt hit a springboard Thesz press that Blaze reversed into a small package. Dutt went for the Sonjay Cutter, but Blaze countered with back suplex. The finish came when Blaze tried a sunset flip from the apron and Dutt sat down on it using the ropes for extra leverage. Match was OK, but it could have been a lot better with a different opponent for Dutt. They must have big plans for Blaze.
With the Junior title belt in hand, Welch called Jackson back out to the ring. Jackson didn’t look too happy to be there. Welch told Jackson that Condrey had challenged him to a winner takes all match: Condrey’s TV title belt vs. Jackson’s junior title belt. Jackson apologized. He said that as Welch knew from personal experience, the decision to step away from wrestling would be the hardest one he ever made. Jackson said he was old and tired but he wasn’t going to quit. Jackson pointed out that wrestler in Wrestle Birmingham history had ever held two belts at the same time. Jackson said he wanted the match.
(8) Diamonds in the Rough (David Young & Elix Skipper with Robert Fuller & Gina) beat Bloodline (Michael Rayne & Billy Blade) to retain the NWA Wrestle Birmingham Tag Team Titles in 14:31. Young pulled a hot blonde out of the first row to escort him around ringside. How vampires with fake blood dribbling out of their mouths qualify to be babyfaces is beyond me, and they’re certainly nothing special in the ring. Bloodline had worked OK in the role at the Graysville shows, but it wasn’t happening here against a quality team like Diamonds. Most of the people reacted like it was heel vs. heel and never got behind either team to any significant extent. Diamonds sold big for Bloodline early and then got heat on Blade. Skipper used his stiff kicks to the back. Gina gave Blade two pathetic slaps. I have no idea why they have her out there. If she was some awesome looking chick I could understand. Fuller got a few licks in has well. Young busted out an impressive snap huracanrana. Blade got the tag but I wouldn’t say it was hot. Bloodline hit a double cutthroat back cracker on Young and Skipper made the save. Bloodline gave Skipper a chest cracker/back cracker combo. Young started a round of finishing moves with a spinebuster on Blade. Rayne had simultaneously pins, Skipper with an O’Connor Roll and Young with a bridging Northern Lights suplex, but Fuller distracted the ref. Diamonds hit a double facebuster on Blade and Young pinned him.
Paul Adams was acknowledged as Michael St. John’s broadcast partner for the television taping.
(9) Samoa Joe beat Rhino via submission to earn a shot at the Alabama Heavyweight Title (8:49). Rhino ripped the people of The South. “You said the South would rise again. Well, I’m still waiting.” Joe got a slightly bigger pop than Rhino. There was a mild “Joe is gonna kill you” chant. It was a power stand off until Joe decked Rhino with a shoulder block. Rhino bailed and Joe dished out punishment on the outside. Back inside the ring, Rhino went down face first after an enzuigiri upside the head. Rhino took over. Nothing of note about his offense. He seemed more interested in inciting the crowd. Joe rallied with a middle rope leg lariat for a near fall. Rhino scored a near fall with a belly to belly suplex. Joe hit the senton backsplash for a near fall. Rhino used a spinebuster slam to set up the Gore. Joe caught Rhino with a kick in the face and locked in the Kokina Clutch. Rhino tapped right away. The match was fine. Crowd was hotter for the lumberjack match and Jackson/Daffney.
Rhino called Joe back out to the ring and apologized for his remarks prior to the match. Rhino said he actually liked Alabama and respected Joe. He shook Joe’s hand and left.
NOTES: El Mexicano has been rehabbing the knee injury he suffered in April on the Graysville show. He expects to be back in action in a few weeks…Mike Porter for NWA Main Event was in the house. Porter said his company has secured the use of the old National Guard Armory in Pulaski, Tennessee with their first show set for 7/28…Marx said the Wrestle Birmingham television show is doing solid ratings on WTTO Channel 21. Marx has a meeting next week with one of the suits from the station.
Gerweck
It was an entertaining show. Nostalgia still has its place here. But more than ever, Wrestle Birmingham is getting a variety of talent into the mix and with mainly positive results.
Promoter Linda Marx could only shrug her shoulders about the attendance. She’s been running this building for more than 2 years, and even with Samoa Joe vs. Rhino on top, last night’s crowd of 300 was their smallest ever.
Michael St. John opened the show with a 10 bell salute to Sherri Martel, Nancy Daus and her son Daniel.
The ring announcing was handled by Chase Dee aka Big Fat Oily Guy from TNA.
(1) “Maddog” Dan Sawyer pinned Brian Murdoch in 4:12. Brian was playing off a resemblance to Trevor Murdoch more than Dick. Sawyer is a powerhouse devoid of mobility. His matches are best kept short with all the weight he’s carrying. Sawyer hit an overhead suplex and Murdoch took a powder. Murdoch got a bit of offense before Sawyer cut him off and finished him with a powerbomb.
(2) “Exotic” Adrian Street (with Miss Linda) beat Ricky Roberts (with Marcel Pringle) via submission in 9:47. This was a nice change of pace from Street’s usual matches here, as he sold more for Roberts than he has in the past. Street opened with his standard ass pinching shenanigans, and as usual, it got over. Street popped Roberts knuckles to where you could hear it in the first row. Then he kissed Roberts in the mouth and pinched him in the ass. Roberts started working on Street’s knee. When Pringle interfered, Linda hit the ring in protest. That spot got heat. Street did some nice leglock reversal stuff that you don’t see anywhere else. Pringle choked Street with the camera cable. Pringle always looks like he’s on the verge of bursting a blood vessel. Roberts flew from the top, but Street ducked out of the way. Street applied a single leg crab while stepping on Robert’s head to get the submission.
Pringle called Street a freak and challenged him to a match. Cowboy (the MC and national anthem guy) tried to convince Pringle that he didn’t want any of what Street had for him. Street said he would take on either Pringle or Roberts anytime.
(3) Anton Leveigh beat Brandon Barbwire in 6:37. The crowd appreciated this match, although these guys weren’t as on as they were that first night in Graysville. They worked a fast-paced TNA X Division style. Barbwire did a good job connecting with the crowd as a heel. Leveigh hit a cool springboard neckbreaker early. Barbwire threw Leveigh over the top and beat him up on the outside. The crowd got on Barbwire when he started having trouble with his footing. Barbwire used a swinging neckbreaker for a near fall. Leveigh came back with a leg lariat for a near fall. Leveigh popped the crowd with a satellite DDT. Barbwire got a big near fall with a spinning uranage. The finish was Leveigh reversing a powerbomb into the Border Destroyer. They didn’t hit it clean, but Petey’s finisher never fails to get a response.
(4) Dennis Condrey beat Inhuman Fly (with Eddie G) in 5:20. Condrey’s Television Title was not on the line. Condrey took one look at Fly, a little guy in a zany lucha superhero getup, and was struggling not to laugh. Condrey knocked him down with a shoulder block. But when Fly responded with a dropkick, Condrey got serious. He pounded Fly from pillar to post. Eddie tripped up Condrey and Fly capitalized with an elbow drop. Condrey came right back with a brainbuster and pinned Fly with one knee while staring a hole through Eddie. Condrey gave Eddie a chairshot and laid him out next to Fly. Condrey then used their carcasses as stepping stones as he exited the ring. Great stuff from Condrey as always.
(5) McNasty (with Robert Fuller) beat Bull Buchanan in a lumberjack strap match (5:30). This wasn’t one of those watered down lumberjack matches like I’ve seen on some indie shows. It was the real deal with a dozen lumberjacks, 6 heels and 6 babyfaces, all wielding leather straps, and the heat was terrific. Fuller brought out a “local gentleman” that was easily over 400 pounds to introduce McNasty. Among the lumberjacks were El Mexicano, Rivers D’Angelo and Bill Franklin. McNasty took a bump over the top and got strapped. The lumberjacks started going at it. McNasty got tossed out again. This time, the heel lumberjacks protected McNasty, and it was war between the lumberjack factions. McNasty sent Buchanan through the ropes with a flying shoulder tackle. Buchanan tasted the leather. Buchanan took McNasty over the top with him via a clothesline. A wild melee ensued among the lumberjacks. Meanwhile, back inside the ring, Buchanan was going for a Samoan drop when McNasty put his lights out with a foreign object. It was great while it lasted. This feud isn’t over by any means.
The babyface lumberjacks gathered around Buchanan. He came to and started attacking them like he didn’t know which end was up. He powerbombed the hell out of Leveigh, who ended up being carried out.
(6) Mike Jackson (with Bambi) beat Daffney (with Robert Fuller) to win the NWA Wrestle Birmingham Junior Title in 5:34. The match and postmatch made for an incredible segment on several levels. Stellar performances by everyone involved. Before the match, Condrey came out and offered to help Jackson win the belt “for a small, small fee.” Jackson declined. Condrey repeated his offer emphasizing how small the fee would be. Jackson said he didn’t need or want Condrey’s help. Condrey said he was giving Jackson one more chance and could see Jackson was getting hot. “You don’t have to get mad,” said Condrey. Fuller came out with Daffney. He went chest-to-chest with Condrey. “He ain’t got no business out here,” said Fuller. In the confusion, Daffney jumped Jackson. She bounced his head off the ring steps and gave him a hiptoss on the concrete floor. Back inside the ring, Daffney hit a bridging Northern lights suplex but Jackson kicked out. When Daffney telegraphed a backdrop, Jackson slammed her down by the hair. The crowd voiced their approval. Fuller got on the apron to distract. Bambi clipped Daffney’s knee while Jackson’s back was turned. Jackson hit a hangman neckbreaker. Again, Fuller distracted Jackson. Bambi took the opportunity to ram Daffney’s knee into the ringpost. Jackson applied a Boston crab. Fuller threw his white hanky in. Jackson threw it back at Fuller. Referee Johnny Boone told Fuller Daffney said no. Daffney was in agony at this point, but that didn’t deter Bambi from ramming her knee into the post. But Jackson never saw a thing. Jackson gave Daffney a backbreaker and reapplied the Boston crab. Daffney tapped and appeared to be in tremendous pain as she was carried to the back. It would have been an awesome blowoff to the feud under any circumstances, but these weren’t just any circumstances.
The postmatch angle was equally awesome. Bambi got in the ring holding the title belt. She said she and Jackson were friends, and they had done it, and it was an honor for her to help. Jackson said he didn’t know what she was talking about. Bambi said she wanted to repay Jackson for his help, but she still wasn’t coughing up the belt and Jackson was getting irritated. “Give it to me. It’s mine!” TV announcer Michael St. John tried to mediate. “You wasn’t supposed to touch nobody. A man stands on his own two feet,” said Jackson. Jackson snatched the belt from Bambi. Condrey showed up just in time to get in a tug of war with Jackson. Condrey won. Jackson slugged him. Condrey clocked Jackson from behind with the belt and beat him down. Bambi walked away shaking her head. Condrey left with the belt. NWA official Roy Lee Welch assured Jackson that he was the champion and promised to get the belt back. Jackson said this was the most disgusted he had even been during his 37 years in the pro wrestling business. Jackson said wrestling had fallen apart and he was quitting. “I don’t even care no more.” It didn’t come across like a fake pro wrestling retirement. There was some powerful allegory in the way this whole thing played out.
(7) Sonjay Dutt beat Scotty Blaze in 10:39. Blaze is the same guy that wrestled as Scott Fantastic for Deep South and GCW. He’s gotten in progressively better shape. The response for Dutt was nothing compared to when TNA ran here in January. They traded holds to a stand off. Dutt faked a handshake and slapped Blaze across the face. Blaze got a flurry of offense. He dwarfed Dutt, and it’s visually problematic when the babyface is so much larger than the heel. Blaze caught Dutt’s pescado attempt and threw him back through the ropes with a press slam. Blaze flew from the top and was met in midair by Dutt’s dropkick. Dutt used a senton to set up a standing moonsault. The size difference was a problem here as well. Dutt got heat by faking a slingshot move. Then he started into the 10 punches and quit after three. Both men down after Blaze’s leg lariat. Blaze made the comeback with a flapjack. Blaze showed babyface fire. Dutt hit a springboard Thesz press that Blaze reversed into a small package. Dutt went for the Sonjay Cutter, but Blaze countered with back suplex. The finish came when Blaze tried a sunset flip from the apron and Dutt sat down on it using the ropes for extra leverage. Match was OK, but it could have been a lot better with a different opponent for Dutt. They must have big plans for Blaze.
With the Junior title belt in hand, Welch called Jackson back out to the ring. Jackson didn’t look too happy to be there. Welch told Jackson that Condrey had challenged him to a winner takes all match: Condrey’s TV title belt vs. Jackson’s junior title belt. Jackson apologized. He said that as Welch knew from personal experience, the decision to step away from wrestling would be the hardest one he ever made. Jackson said he was old and tired but he wasn’t going to quit. Jackson pointed out that wrestler in Wrestle Birmingham history had ever held two belts at the same time. Jackson said he wanted the match.
(8) Diamonds in the Rough (David Young & Elix Skipper with Robert Fuller & Gina) beat Bloodline (Michael Rayne & Billy Blade) to retain the NWA Wrestle Birmingham Tag Team Titles in 14:31. Young pulled a hot blonde out of the first row to escort him around ringside. How vampires with fake blood dribbling out of their mouths qualify to be babyfaces is beyond me, and they’re certainly nothing special in the ring. Bloodline had worked OK in the role at the Graysville shows, but it wasn’t happening here against a quality team like Diamonds. Most of the people reacted like it was heel vs. heel and never got behind either team to any significant extent. Diamonds sold big for Bloodline early and then got heat on Blade. Skipper used his stiff kicks to the back. Gina gave Blade two pathetic slaps. I have no idea why they have her out there. If she was some awesome looking chick I could understand. Fuller got a few licks in has well. Young busted out an impressive snap huracanrana. Blade got the tag but I wouldn’t say it was hot. Bloodline hit a double cutthroat back cracker on Young and Skipper made the save. Bloodline gave Skipper a chest cracker/back cracker combo. Young started a round of finishing moves with a spinebuster on Blade. Rayne had simultaneously pins, Skipper with an O’Connor Roll and Young with a bridging Northern Lights suplex, but Fuller distracted the ref. Diamonds hit a double facebuster on Blade and Young pinned him.
Paul Adams was acknowledged as Michael St. John’s broadcast partner for the television taping.
(9) Samoa Joe beat Rhino via submission to earn a shot at the Alabama Heavyweight Title (8:49). Rhino ripped the people of The South. “You said the South would rise again. Well, I’m still waiting.” Joe got a slightly bigger pop than Rhino. There was a mild “Joe is gonna kill you” chant. It was a power stand off until Joe decked Rhino with a shoulder block. Rhino bailed and Joe dished out punishment on the outside. Back inside the ring, Rhino went down face first after an enzuigiri upside the head. Rhino took over. Nothing of note about his offense. He seemed more interested in inciting the crowd. Joe rallied with a middle rope leg lariat for a near fall. Rhino scored a near fall with a belly to belly suplex. Joe hit the senton backsplash for a near fall. Rhino used a spinebuster slam to set up the Gore. Joe caught Rhino with a kick in the face and locked in the Kokina Clutch. Rhino tapped right away. The match was fine. Crowd was hotter for the lumberjack match and Jackson/Daffney.
Rhino called Joe back out to the ring and apologized for his remarks prior to the match. Rhino said he actually liked Alabama and respected Joe. He shook Joe’s hand and left.
NOTES: El Mexicano has been rehabbing the knee injury he suffered in April on the Graysville show. He expects to be back in action in a few weeks…Mike Porter for NWA Main Event was in the house. Porter said his company has secured the use of the old National Guard Armory in Pulaski, Tennessee with their first show set for 7/28…Marx said the Wrestle Birmingham television show is doing solid ratings on WTTO Channel 21. Marx has a meeting next week with one of the suits from the station.
Gerweck