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Review of the BWO Show, Saturday, July 26, 2003
by Lawrence Kleber
Once again, Richie Rotten produced an entertaining and exciting card of 10 matches at the AmVets Building in Garfield, New Jersey on Saturday night, July 26, 2003. There hadn't been a BWO show since April and I was truly looking forward to this exhibition. Richie, as usual, did not let me down. However, there was a great let down with the no show of favorite Christopher Idol, of VIP. This show, which Rich had planned to feature Idol, was to be Chris's final east coast appearance before his move to California. The workers and fans in attendance were greatly disappointed.
What I like most about independent wrestling shows is the intimacy of it all and the interplay between the workers and the fans. Sure, last week Rob Feinstein staged an excellent ROH show in Elizabeth, New Jersey which drew 1500 fans. However, I personally get more enjoyment out of a BWO show where the building can only hold about 120 fans!
The show began at 7:00 pm on the nose with Tommy Face interrupting the ring announcer to complain about his upcoming match with Tek. Tommy wants to face Jack Brodie for the title. Richie Rotten then appeared with Brodie, Magic and manager Big Daddy Badd. "You have nerve!" exclaimed Rich. It was decided that the Face-Brodie contest would happen next month.
Match 1 In a quick moving battle royal, New Wave and Brian Beeker ended up as the last two in the ring. Finally, Beeker, a highly entertaining wrestling, threw New Wave over the top rope. During the match, the Rhode Island Elite, who really get me hot (more on that later), knocked my notebook out of my hands and a wrestler who will remain nameless kicked by girlfriend, Amanda, by mistake.
Owner Glen and Angel Martinez then called Richie Rotten out again with his corporation. Glen said, "I'm the president and you'll obey me!" This coming from a 13-year-old! The promo set up the main event between stablemates Jack Brodie and Magic.
Match 2 Chaos defeated Justin Toxicated in a middling match. Both guys had excellent drop kicks during this event and Chaos got the pin even though Richie Rotten was outside the ring distracting him. Chaos has fine technical skills and Toxicated is really improving.
Match 3 In a three way dance for the light heavyweight championship, Chino Martinez with Rebecca Pain, faced Bandido, Jr. and Dan the Man. This was a good, fast moving match, but I could not figure out who was the face. Chino, with his brother Angel looking on, finally earned the strap.
Match 4 In a confusing four way tag contest, Team Thomas took on the Droog Brothers, Darkside and Caliban Dazzler, and Section 8 and Chris Stiles. Section 8 is one of the major faces in the BWO and the kids really go for him. Please look for my in-depth interview with him to appear soon on the Clothesline. The match finally got down to the Droog Brothers and Team Thomas. I had not seen the Droogs before, but they had a funny gimmick concerning which of them was the legal man. Team Thomas, another highly popular team, won the match with double pins on the Droogs.
Match 5 Tek pinned Rush in a preliminary style match. Both of these guys are small. Rush came out bashing the fans, which allowed Tommy Hunter and Rob Payes, also known as Verbal Abuse, to start giving him lip. Hunter's best line was "Rush this match!"
Match 6 In a stiff match for the women's title, Rebecca Pain, also known as Dawn the Cheerleader, defeated Lady Rage after a kick to Rage by Chino Martinez who is always at Rebecca's side.
Richie Rotten and Magic then appeared to inform the fans that Chino Martinez is getting a tryout from NWA/TNA. We all wish Chino success. Besides being a fine wrestler, Chino is an articulate and intelligent gentleman. During the show, I spoke with Chino who informed me that some guys in the business have been giving him a hard time about his tryout. I advised Chino to ignore these people and remember that most of us are thrilled for him.
Match 7 The second act of the show was even stronger than the first half. In the fastest moving match of the night, Jay Lethal took on both Gavin Quest and Suba. I have said this from the first time I saw Suba; he is one of the funniest workers in the business. During the match, Gavin borrowed somebody's shoe and threw it out into the crowd. Suba, with his obsession for shoes, went to fetch it like a dog! While outside, Tommy Hunter, of Verbal Abuse, kept taunting Suba. When Suba would shout "Shoe!", Hunter would shout "Boot!" Finally Suba had enough of this and decked Hunter! Jay Lethal, who I consider one of the best indy workers, pinned Gavin. Suba then came back into the ring and executed a power bomb, followed by a flying head butt on Jay.
Match 8 For the tag championship, VIP, Eric Cooper and Joey the Bull, challenged the dastardly Rhode Island Elite. The RIE, who never come out of character and drive me completely crazy, first appeared handing out bars of soap, which I assume they stole from a hotel, to the fans. During intermission, these clowns gave me an autographed can of Right Guard, which they had used to spray the fans! All kidding aside, there was some nice scientific stuff going on in the match and Mike, of RIE, pinned Joey after a 360 off the top rope. Joey blamed Eric for the loss. Eric has recently signed to train with the Melenkos in Florida. I wish him much success.
Chaos came out to do a promo calling out Owner Glen to sanction a match between himself and Richie Rotten for next month's card, which will be held on August 30.
Match 9 In a Texas Death Match to settle the score, Roach faced favorite Justin Cage. Highlights included Roach getting into the face of some fans, Justin throwing Roach into walls, a vicious pile driver by Justin on the ring apron, and gimmicks with a kendo stick, cookie sheets and a pizza tray. Following a double clothesline, the ref started the count and Roach was the first up before the ten count to win the match. They concluded the match with a Ring of Honor handshake and hug. Following the match, Chino Martinez said to me, "Justin Cage is a real drama queen!"
Match 10 In the main event, Magic challenged Jack Brodie for the heavyweight strap. Big Daddy Badd was at ringside. Brodie was wearing a Verbal Abuse shirt, which endeared him to Hunter and Rob. Big Daddy asked for a clean, scientific match, but this was not to be. These guys are rather large and the match was a bit slow. Hunter kept yelling, "This ref sucks" and Rob had the best line of the night with, "This match is so old school that it ought to be in black and white!" Following interference from Tommy Face, who hit Magic with a $1 plaster cutting board, Brodie pinned Magic. Magic believed that he was hit by Big Daddy. I hope this was straightened out in the locker room!
If you have never been to a BWO show, I suggest you try one. For the $5 admission, it is the best value on the indy market. The workers always give their best, Richie is cordial to all fans and the antics of Verbal Abuse are always hysterical. For those interested, Richie also runs a wrestling school in Garfield. Click on www.bodyslamwrestling.com for details
