by Gerry Strauss
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Back from the trenches (in this case, the trenches eerily resembling
Burger King), I'm Gerry Strauss, and it's time for the second edition
of "Behind The Mic". For those just jumping on the wagon, this
is where I give some random thoughts and observations based on my wrestling-
related "travels" in the immediate past, present, and future.
First, an important note... no sooner did I finish writing my last column
(found in the "archives" section on the bottom of this page)
and giving tons of info about IHPW's next show, when I discover that it
has been postponed. At this point, IHPW head honcho Pete Van Orton has
stated that he is attempting to keep the same locations AND lineup, it
is just moved from July 25th to August 30th. For more info, check out
my last column or log onto ihpw.com. The worse part is, at this point,
it will appear that your friendly neighborhood IHPW Ring Announcer (that
would be me) will NOT be in attendance, as I will be vacationing that
weekend, as previously scheduled. Ah well, I plan to be back for all future
shows so don't forget me when I'm gone, obnoxious IHPW fans.
Anyway, this past weekend was a highlight of sorts for me, as 3PW (Pro-Pain
Pro Wrestling) returned to their home base at the Electric Factory in
Philadelphia. For those of you who have not been to a 3PW show at this
facility, it is something you should definitely experience. Typically
a concert venue, the Factory transforms perfectly into a workable arena.
Picture a large standing room only area with a stage on one side; this
is the typical concert arrangement. Now put a ring in the middle of the
SRO section. Place a nice looking metal ramp down from the stage towards
the ring, and add a nice looking set to cover the stage area, complete
with curtain for the wrestlers to come out from which puts them directly
on the ramp. Insert rows of chairs, guardrails, etc. around the ring.
But wait... there's more. Imagine an entire upper level surrounding the
area, with additional seating, roaming room AND a fully stocked bar. Also,
let's throw in awesome lighting and smoke effects for entrances, great
sound throughout the facility, and some big screens displaying the action
as it happens, and you have pretty much got yourself a typical Electric
Factory experience.
Now, I know that I am here to write, and observe, and share, not promote.
I am not at all shilling, I am just a huge mark for the presentation of
a wrestling show, and the look and feel is extremely unique for an indy.
Yes, parking costs 8 bucks. Yes, dealing with ticketmaster to purchase
tickets results in extra charges. It's a trade- off for fans; luckily,
I don't personally have to worry about that, as I have been lucky enough
to be working at 3PW shows for some time now as play- by-play commentator.
Now, last column I described a ring announcing experience I had a few
weeks ago, and that is a role that I enjoy very much; however, I enjoy
commentating even more. It sounds corny, but I am a lifelong fan of the
commentators. When I was a kid, I didn't care as much about Jim Duggan
or Tito Santana. I was too busy paying attention to Gorilla Monsoon or
Jesse Ventura. In 1990, if you asked me who my favorite person to watch
was in WCW, I am pretty sure that I would have said a pre- "JR"
Jim Ross.
How I snuck in the back door of wrestling and got to a point where I am
actually allowed to do commentary for decent promotions is a story best
suited for another time, perhaps a week when I am showless and have nothing
to write about. Anyway, I love me some 3PW. It's big, it's bold, and it's
almost the total opposite of what I had been used to in PCW and other
promotions I was working with. Instead of that familiar white meat, wholesome,
family atmosphere, it's "Blood, Brawls, and Broads", and LOTS
of all three. Not saying that I dislike either scene, but sometimes you
have to take a quick break from the cartoonish good guy/bad guy stuff
and turn to something like Nosawa carving Balls Mahoneys forehead open
with a pizza slicer, or Rockin' Rebel imploring Jason Knight to forget
about their match so they can pick up some women at the bar, get them
drunk, and have their way with 'em.
On this night, I uncharacteristically showed up relatively late, as I
was coming from a prior social engagement, and misjudged both the distance
and the time between the two. I used to be ridiculoulsy early for all
shows, partially as a product of riding with workers, but this was too
late even for my tastes. Didn't matter, as I was still easily early enough
to get food and get ready for the show, although I WAS amused that people
were starting to worry that I might be a no show... don't they know that
I have nothing better to do? All kidding aside, I take all my bookings
seriously and all, but I would never blow off 3PW... did I mention they
have blood, brawls, and broads?
Onto the show, the results of which can be found elsewhere on this page.
I thought it was really good, truthfully. The show prior, I worked with
a new commentator, Ken, in place of regular color guy Mike Winner, and
was expecting a 3 man team of sorts this time out, but it ended up simply
being Mike and myself, so the results were pretty typical of our past
stuff, hopefully with gradual improvements. The crowd, which was way down
last time out, seemed at least somewhat more plentiful, and were definitely
louder and more energetic. As for the matches, I feel there was standout
action all around... Josh Daniels and Mike Kruel had a great opener. No
heels, no faces, no real gimmicks, just 2 well rounded guys using a lot
of matwork and getting the crowd hyped up about it, can't ask for much
more than that.... After losing to Meanie and Roadkill, Da Hit Squad appear
to be continuing their trend from other promotions, teasing a break up...
on a related note, I hope that they decide to add tag titles to 3PW, as
it would give teams like Meanie and Roadkill, Da Hit Squad (well, maybe
no more), and Matthew's Minions a built in storyline... Damian Adams got
his first 3PW win over Ricky Vega... we turned his lack of wins into a
storyline in the commentary, pushing how badly he needed to emerge victorious
from this match to turn things around for his psyche, and really pushing
the frustration factor, which I thought was a nice touch... again, something
that is relatively meaningless in the grand scheme of things except to
a nerd like me who likes that kind of thing... let's see, what else? ...
ah, Jasmine and Tod Gordon, her storyline "sugar daddy", came
out to conduct Round 2 of the Miss 3PW contest... I doubt that any of
us, even after this show, understand how this thing is supposed to work,
or what the rules are... last show, 2 chicks did a little stripping, ate
bananas, one was declared the winner, and then made out with Jasmine en
route to a supposedly lurid night with St. Clair AND Gordon... this time,
we were first treated to "Letters from the fans", which were
thinly disguised yet somewhat humorous (and really over) jabs at such
luminaries as Missy Hyatt, Shane Douglas, Francine, and, in the highlight,
Ring Announcer Bob Artese, whom they insinuated was fantasizing about
them both... somehow in all of this, the "Mini-Meanie" got his
ass kicked by the dynamic duo, and the 2 females that eventually came
out to compete in Round 2 engaged in a prolonged catfight in which nobody
came to break it up for about 5 minutes... the strangest part was when
they started actually throwing recognizable wrestling moves in there...
I swear, at one point, amidst the slapping and hairpulling, one girl executed
a damn fine manistrol cradle... no winner, no meaning, I guess no matter,
as the crowd ate it up.... AJ Styles and Kid Kash was sloppy in points,
but mostly fine to excellent, with Styles very over in this crowd....
an odd segment/match had Joey Matthews challenge his own minions, Rob
Eckos and Matt Striker, to a match with himself and longtime partner Christian
York as a method of "tough love" after chastizing them for missing
the last show... as usual, Eckos and Striker teased dissension, but in
the end, Matthews turned against York, and a heelish 3 on 1 beating ensued,
followed by a paradoxically fan- pleasing Brutus Beefcake-like cutting
of the refferee's hair after he was put to sleep by the 80's throwback,
Matt Striker, complete with Beefcake's old theme music playing... I wonder
if those old songs are now public domain? ... Decent match, with Striker
more over-the-top than ever, referencing mannerisms from everyone from
the Bushwackers to the Ultimate Warrior... Justin Credible made his 3PW
debut, beating Homicide using the ropes for leverage, but the REAL story
was Homicide, who survived TWO "That's Incredible" tombstones
before his cheap loss... now THAT'S how you keep someone strong... I was
happy to see the 3PW title match billed as the main event, as too often,
it plays second fiddle to the big names booked for that show... this match
HAD the big names, elevating the title in my eyes.... anyway, the match
was set to be "Pitbull" Gary Wolfe defending against former
champ Sabu, and Terry Funk... unfortunately, Sabu was not able to make
it to the area on time, but the problem was worked out beautifully...
typically, I think it is fair to let fans know about no-shows ASAP, but
I feel that in this case 3PW did a good thing, as they waited to make
the no-show announcement until right before introducing his impromptu
replacement, and a man who could do NO wrong in Philly, the Sandman...
the crowd popped huge, and all was right with the world... In the end,
in a scene reminiscent of his ECW Title Victory at their first PPV in
the late 90's, Funk took home the gold, and the crowd was once again happy...
This was a crowd pleasing night overall, and one which sent the fans clamoring
for more, unlike ambiguous endings of past shows. I was also happy to
learn that a SECOND commercial DVD/VHS release from 3PW (The first, called
"Bloods, Brawls, and Broads" is in stores now and has commentating
from your favorite 3PW broadcast team) is planned, and this one is tenatatively
going to feature the first anniversary show, which in my opinion was the
best in 3PW's short history. I hope it happens, but in the meantime smartmarkvideo.com
is your hook-up for all the videos of these events. Jeez, maybe I AM shilling.
This weekend, on Friday night, June 27th, to be exact, I will be heading
to Staten Island to help provide some commentary for Prime Time Wrestling,
a somewhat criminally underattended promotion that uses some of the best
talent from NY to Virginia and beyond. In the main event, PTW champ Julio
Dinero defends against The Patriot. Ah well, no pizza cutters, gushing
foreheads or pasties, but it should be cool anyway. Info is at ptwrestling.com,
and if you have time (and I know you do, if you are reading this thing),
drop me a line at gerrystrauss@aol.com,
let me know you are out there. Til then, the time limit HAS expired.
