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The CyberSpace Wrestling Federation made their debut at the spacious new
Wayne PAL building in Wayne, NJ on Saturday, November 15th with a show
entitles Fatal Attraction.
The CSWF, which had a rocky start with their first few shows, had been gradually improving from show to show with better matches and angles. Tonight seemed as if they were continuing in the right direction... or did it?
The crowd was at 84, which was an increase from the last show. However, for a show stacked with talent, it was still a very small turnout. Perhaps the fact that the local high school football team had reached the playoffs, which started this weekend, contributed to somewhat low turnout.
Luminaries in attendance included Alere Little Feather, Luscious Lily, Psycho Bitch, Inferno, Wenzel, Fred Samson, Cousin Luke Sr., Kathy Fitzpatrick, and Bam Bam Boogalu.
Your referees for the evening: Jim Molineaux and Scott Dickenson.
Your Ring Announcer: Marc Chen
At the commentary table: Gerry Strauss and Billy Firehawk.
The show started promptly at 7:35 with the singing of our National Anthem. Now don't get me wrong because I completely understand how difficult the song is to sing in the first place. I would never be able to get into the ring and sing it in front of anyone so I have the utmost respect for someone who would. However, is it really necessary to have an index cue card while singing it? The song is fairly well known and after singing it at the past several CSWF shows, I would have hoped that it had been memorized by now. Excellent job with it nonetheless.
This was followed by a 10 bell salute to the late Crash Holly, Road Warrior Hawk, and Stu Hart.
The show started of strong with Crazy Ivan (accompanied to the ring by Miss Asia and Mana) defeating Monsta Mack. The match went back and forth with both men getting in some stiff clotheslines and chops. There was continuous outside interference by Mana and chants of "Fear the Suit" were prominent. Monsta Mack finally gained the upper hand only to be tripped by Mana, allowing Crazy Ivan to score the pinfall. Strong opening match.
Next up, Showtime Shawn Sheridan (the 2003 CSWF Musical Chairs Champion and Nintendo tournament winner from 19??) took on Romeo Valentino (with Striker and Miss Michelle). Shawn Sheridan got on the mic and challenged them to a game of Hide and Seek. After a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors it was determined that Sheridan would count while the rest hid. As Sheridan faced the corner to count he was attacked from behind by Striker and Valentino. Another strong match which came to an end when Striker went to hit Sheridan with Miss Asia's purse. Sheridan, who was held from behind by Valentino, moved causing Striker to hit Valentino with the purse instead. Sheridan covered Romeo for the victory.
Mike Tenay was introduced and came to the ring to a small "Ring Rust" chant. Tenay introduced Mr. Crowbar who was going to face Danny Doring The match went everywhere, including into the bleachers where Crowbar got the best of Doring Crowbar attempted to suplex Danny onto a guard rail,l set up at ringside, but Danny reversed it and put Crowbar through it. Tenay looked livid each time Doring gained the advantage. Doring followed up with a bell shot to Crowbar's nether region. After some more brawling at ringside, the two men made there way back to the ring. Doring went for a superkick on Crowbar but ended up hitting referee Dickenson with it. This allowed Crowbar to grab the huge lead pipe he carries and hit Danny from behind. Dickenson recovered and made the three count. Another very entertaining match with some great comments and facial expressions made by Mike Tenay throughout.
Dusty Shelton (formerly Dusty Rose) was introduced as CSWF's foremost interviewer. She went on to introduce her guest, the new CSWF Commissioner, The Living Legend Larry Zbyszko. That's all she did. She introduced him. She never asked him a question or "interviewed" him in any way. She introduced him. That makes her the CSWF foremost interviewer? I'd hate to see the runner up.
Larry spoke of how there were going to be changes made as he comes from the old school and he's seen a lot in the CSWF that he doesn't like. First, due to the interference by Mana in the opening match, he has signed Mana vs Monsta Mack for the CSWF return to Wayne on February 7. In addition to that, Romeo Valentino will team with Striker to face Shawn Sheridan and a partner of Mr; Sheridan's choosing. Larry went on to talk about his hatred for outside interference by managers. With that in mind, all managers would be barred from ringside during this evening's #1 Contender for the tag title match. Finally, Larry announced that the match between Sinister X and Julio Dinero would be a No Disqualification, Falls Count Anywhere Match with Special Guest Referee JD Dreamer. (Considering it was advertised as a No DQ match.. Did Larry really do anything? LOL)
Larry left the ring and the participants for the next bout were introduced. Sinister X defeated Julio Dinero in the Falls Count Anywhere, No DQ match. The match started off with neither wrestler seeming to know the rules as X kept telling Julio to get in the ring. Hello, go get him! Falls count anywhere!! No mic work from Julio this time, which was a pleasant change of pace. The two men battled with chairs, garbage cans, and anything else they could find around the ring. When they got back in the ring, Crowbar attacked Sinister X from behind. Doring ran in and attacked Crowbar with the lead pipe. Julio, who had been on Dreamer's case the whole match, went to attack Sinister with a chair but Dreamer stopped him and hit him with a punch. Sinister rolled up Julio for the three count. Mike Tenay, who was at ringside doing commentary looked very unhappy as his TNA partner had lost.
An intermission was up next where I had the pleasure of meeting and getting a photo with Mike Tenay. Mike Tenay is undoubtedly one of the top 3 commentators the wrestling business has ever had and he showed that he was a great sport with my constantly ribbing him over a "ring rust" comment he made on this past week's NWA TNA PPV. A pleasure to get the chance to meet one of my all time favorite men on the mic. D Lo Brown was in the ring doing $5 Polaroids as well. $5!! Damn that's a great deal! And the line he had proved it.
After intermission, the CSWF Tag Team Titles were on the line as The United Nations of Prince Nana & Dan Barry w/Miss Asia defended against The Young Bluds of Rob Eckos & Striker w/Miss Michelle. Dan Barry, whom I don't think has ever wrestled with the CSWF, is now a tag champ!! Impressive! (Seriously though, Sonjay Dutt was booked elsewhere this evening and Dan Barry is a more than suitable substitute). The match started off with some chain wrestling, and loud grunting, between Striker and Barry. Striker rolled out to the floor only to have Barry follow with an over the top hurracanrana. Nana then nailed Striker with his running Nana Butt only to be nailed by an Eckos superkick upon completion. The men then engaged in a chicken fight with Barry and Eckos each on their opponents shoulders. Double roll up by both men but Referee Dickenson just stopped counting at two. Striker nailed Barry with the Lungblower as Nana nailed the ref with a forearm, resulting in The United Nation's disqualification. After the match, Miss Michelle wailed Miss Asia in the head with her purse. The same purse that earlier knocked out Romeo Valentino, had no effect on Miss Asia as she stood there looking dumbfounded before taking Michelle to the mat for the predictable catfight roll around. All four men watched and enjoyed until Nana pulled Asia off. (Note to the booker: If Asia can't take a bump or sell a move, keep her out of the ring until she learns how to. It makes your earlier matches look ridiculous if she completely no sells something that KO'd a 260 lb man just minutes earlier). Best match of the night thus far.
The next match was to determine the #1 Contender to the CSWF Tag Team Title. Curt Daniels and his partner for the evening, Ken Scampi (accompanied by Tara Charisma) faced the teams of Creed and Genesis and The Solution, with Sure Thing John Shane. Shane got on the mic and said that he heard that some old guy was talking about him and how if anyone had a problem with him, they should come to the ring and tell it to his face. Larry Zbyszko entered the ring and told John that managers would be banned from ringside for this match. Shane was furious but finally caved under the condition that Tara be sent to the back as well. Zbyszko told Shane, "She has a valid wrestling license so she is allowed to stay at ringside". Shane was furious, as were many fans. Granted I may nitpick but I want storylines to make sense. How does a "wrestling license" give someone the OK to remain at ringside as a manager? She wasn't wrestling so the license issue is a moot point. Worst booking ever was the first thought I had. On the bright side, John Shane had one of the easiest, and well deserved nights of his career.
The Solution stayed out of the match for the first few minutes as the other four men battled back and forth. Finally, both Papadon and Havok were tagged in. The other four men, jumped off the ring aprons, forcing the Solution to face each other. They started with thumb wrestling but the ref refused to declare them the winner after one was pinned. They locked up but came to a stalemate several times. A headlock by Havok then a whip to the ropes. Papadon hit the ropes and headed toward Havok. He stopped, was gently shoulder blocked, and Havok made the cover. The ref started the count but all four other men ran in and broke it up. As all the men brawled, The Solution were able to hit the Problem Solver on Scampi. Genesis clotheslined Havok over the top rope to the floor. Creed nailed Papadon with a superkick, causing Papadon to land on Scampi. Creed then covered Papadon. The ref counted three and The Solution were declared the winners (as Papadon's shoulders were not both on the mat). John Shane came out to celebrate with his men as they were now the #1 contenders. Mike Tenay entered the ring and asked Shane if he recalled a match at an earlier show where America's Most Wanted were victorious. Tenay insisted AMW were the #1 contenders. Tenay decided to let the CSWF Commissioner make the decision. Larry Z returned to the ring and announced AMW as the #1 contenders. (No real surprise there). This somehow turned into Solution v AMW next month. OK, Larry announces AMW as the #1 contenders. Shouldn't they get the title shot then? I don't know anymore. Solution v AMW should make for a hell of a match though.
In the next match, DLo Brown defeated Platinum Mike Preston. The match started with DLO dominating and the two men fighting at ringside. Numerous chops and chairshots by DLO as referee Dickenson stood there watching, never even attempting to make a count or threaten a DQ. Great job! DLO hit the Sky High for the pinfall after a fairly long match. The kids and fans in attendance loved DLO
The next match had the potential of being one of the best matches in quite some time. Shark Boy battled NWA-TNA X Division Champion Michael Shane and The Grim Reefer in a three way match. Tenay, once again took the mic to make the introduction for Shane. Shane and Shark Boy wisely double teamed Reefer for the majority of the match. Very good back and forth action between all three men. Then, in another GENIUS booking move, Ken Scampi came to ringside and "caught" Shark Boy in his fishing net. He pulled Shark Boy from ringside to the back as the referee made the count. Ten seconds later, Shark Boy had been eliminated. Get it? Scampi the fisherman guy "caught" a shark!! Funny? Not at all as Shark Boy was very popular with the crowd in attendance and to have him eliminated in such a way was ridiculous. To be quite honest (which if nothing else, I am to a fault), I was disgusted and walked out of the gym following that ridiculous series of events. When I returned some five minutes later Michael was pinning Grim Reefer for the victory.
Another brief 5 minute intermission was then announce. Unfortunately, many of the fans started to head out which caused April Hunter to have to run to ringside and tell them that Slyk Wagner Brown and Ron Killings would be up next in just a few minutes as Killings had gotten stuck in traffic.
The ring announcer then announced the already announced matches for the next CSWF show on February 7th. In addition to that, he announced the debut of "Fire and Smoke" which is basically The Smoke and Billy Firehawk as a team. Ugh.
A few minutes later, the participants were introduced. Slyk Wagner Brown with April Hunter entered the ring. Mike Tenay made the introduction for Ron The Truth Killings. After Killings danced at ringside for way too long, he got in the ring to wrestle. Slyk took the early advantage before the two men traded chops. Slyk seemed to hit Killings with all his signature moves but the best he could do was get a two count. Killings knocked down the ref when Slyk moved out of the way of a flying forearm. DLO Brown came to the ring as both men were down. He climbed to the top rope and frog splashed over Slyk and onto Killings. Of course, the ref couldn't see it nor make the count. Killings recovered and hit the Hat Rack Crack on Slyk. The ref recovered and made the three count. Killings is still the CSWF Heavyweight Champion. A disappointing match as it seemed to me that Killings tried to phone his match in. Slyk did the best he could considering Killings showed up just minutes before the scheduled match.
So we figured out why there was a crowd under 100 this evening, with the majority of locals probably attending the football playoff game. We figured out why the CSWF moved to this building as it is a beautiful and brand new gymnasium. I can't for the life of me figure out who booked the second half of this show. After the Tag Title match, it all seemed to fall apart. I completely understand how there was some last minute scurrying as Killings hadn't show up yet. (BTW, isn't this like the 2nd time he has shown up last minute? Yet, he is rewarded not only by continuously being used but he gets to keep the title). Personally, I would have told Mr. Killings thank you but no thanks and I would have had Slyk face the person that would have been Killings replacement, had he no showed. BUT, I'm just a fan... not the booker.
Hell, if I was the booker (and I don't desire to be) I would have figured out a better way to get John Shane from ringside while Tara could remain; I'd not announce the forming of a team between the promoter and Smoke (and I had honestly thought that all the egos had finally died and the focus was going to be on the actual wrestling product, as the CSWF T-shirt declares) for the next show; I wouldn't have one of the better wrestlers and gimmicks today, dragged away from a potentially amazing match by the Gorton's fisherman and his fish net; and I sure as hell wouldn't allow a worker to show up 15 minutes before 11pm and get in the ring... not matter WHO he is. (I'm not even trying to figure out how TNA are supposedly the heels with Tenay as their leader, yet Killings comes out as a face with Slyk and April the heels?)
The first half of the show was strong and much of the wrestling in the second half was strong as well, just overshadowed by stupidity of angles. Mike Tenay and Crowbar are hilarious as the heel commentator and his bodyguard. Zbyszko is a pleasant change from Duke the Pitbull as Commissioner (as Larry knows what mic work is).
The next CSWF show is (THIS JUST IN.. DATE CHANGED.. Date TBA) with Mana Vs Monsta Mack, Shawn Sheridan and a partner of his choosing Vs Striker and Romeo Valentino, America's Most Wanted Vs The Solution, and more. To their credit, CSWF is the ONLY independent federation in the northeast that features such great local talent as well as some of the best that NWA TNA has to offer. The majority of the fans were more than trilled to see Shark Boy, DLO Brown, and the other wrestlers. The wrestlers were great at interacting with the small yet vocal crowd and I would guess that most of the fans in attendance left satisfied. Unfortunately, this fan was somewhat let down.
Feel free to email me your comments, complaints, questions at WresClothesline@aol.com.
CSWF can be seen online at CSWFol.com
