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On Saturday afternoon, June 11th, IWA Mid-South made their debut at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Since we were already in town for the night before, why not stick around for the afternoon show? (and to be honest, I'm surprised more people didn't).
Pre show - Lunch at Tony Luke's.
This time, Nick jumped ship (supposedly a graduation party) but we were joined by Jim Brambilla.
Doors opened a little after 1:30 and the show started around 2:15
Estimated crowd of 350 - 400.
Luminaries in attendance: Sarge and Bob Magee
In the opening contest Josh Abercrombie defeated Delirious with the Phoenix Splash to win the IWA Light Heavyweight Title. Decent opener. Delirious acts as if he truly is Delirious, which is funny for about 5 minutes.
Next up, Homicide defeated CM Punk with an inside cradle. Homicide could wrestle a broom and have a good match. However, this is the third time I have seen him wrestle CM Punk and the third time I have not seen a great match. What does that tell you? I obviously don't know much as WWE is interested in Punk. (then again, WWE like Matt Morgan and Chris Masters and...)
After the match, Ian Rotten announced that if Punk's last IWA-MS match is next Friday in Midlothian, IL he wanted to take this time to thank him for all he has done for IWA MS. (Numerous other sources are posting that Punk has indeed signed. Ian Rotten did say IF, and as far as I know, while there has been interest no contract has been signed as of yet.)
Mickie Knuckles defeated MsChif and Allison Danger to become IWA Mid-South/NWA Midwest Women's Champion. The match was very good, once Danger was eliminated. I know I'm tough on her. I know many people say she is an outstanding wrestler. I just have not seen her in any of those outstanding matches. (and I have not seen her, as of late, in any matches at all). It seemed that Allison made sure she got out of the way just before Mickie hit a suicide dive. Then she was out of the way just in time as MsChif hit a Thesz Press off the top rope to the floor. MsChif hit the red mist on Allison and she was taken to the back. MsChif set up Mickie in the corner, with her spiked vest on her face, and ran into her several times, busting Mickie open. The ref was then misted (this time with green which means, as Frank pointed out, it's like watching both Kabuki and Muta). Mickie got the upper hand and did get the pinfall with a shining kick to the face.
Ian Rotten and several IWA-MS wrestlers joined Mickie in the ring to congratulate her. Ian then get on the mic (again and get used to it) to put over Mickie. Honestly, he didn't have to as both Mickie and MsChif proved themselves to be two tough women who actually have some in ring ability.
"Double C" Claudio Castagnoli (with Jade Chung) beat Tracy Smothers with the use of a chain. The crowd chanted Tracy's name the entire time Claudio was trying to cut a promo. It was hilarious as they were non stop. Tracy is still the funniest man in the ring.
The Iron Saints (Vito and Sal Thomaselli) won a 5-team (it was actually 6) tables elimination match to become IWA Mid-South World Tag Team Champions.
Match breakdown...
Eric Priest came to the ring first and introduced his partner, former
ECW TV Champion, Chad Austin. They started the match with ROH students
(Davey Andrews and Shane Hagadorn) for the first few minutes until Eddie
Kingston and BJ Whitmer entered the ring accompanied, by Jim Fannin and
Jade Chung.
Fannin then went on the mic babbling about a match on July 2. Like any of us were going to be there?
Kingston eliminated both opposing teams when he powerbombed Hagadorn through Austin through a table.
The next team to enter was IWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions Trik Davis and Ryan Boz . They were followed by "The Iron Saints" , then Brandon Thomaselli and B-Boy.
Whitmer and Kingston were eliminated next when Brandon superbombed Jade Chung off the ropes through Whitmer and a table.
Vito & Sal then scored the deciding elimination when they hit a double stomp off the top rope to the floor through a table on Davis.
Intermission followed. No Jade Chung as she was probably still suffering the after effects of the powerbomb. Did get a picture with MsChif however.
Axl and Ian Rotten then came to the ring and Ian announced that Balls Mahoney, after taking the booking, was booked on the Sunday PPV. That then got to his head and he wanted 3x the amount he agreed upon. Ian then told Balls that, months from now when he's looking for work, don't come looking to the IWA MS. (Axl, by the way, is working the same PPV). They then introduced their partner Nate Webb. They defeated JC Bailey, MadMan Pondo, and Toby Klein in an old school IWA Mid-South bloody brawl.
The gauntlet series was up next. By this time the crowd seemed to be getting tired.
Danny Daniels defeated "Anarchist" Arik Cannon after a tombstone piledriver.
In the next match of the gauntlet, Chris Hero defeated Danny Daniels with the Hangman's Clutch. The match seemed to go a little long, especially after Ian had mentioned on the mic that he knew the show was running long.
In the final fall of the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title gauntlet, Jimmy Jacobs retained the IWA World Heavyweight Title defeating Chris Hero after throwing powder in his eyes and hitting a senton off the top rope. I have always liked Chris Hero (although his ring attire leaves a lot to be desired) but I still do not see what all the hype is surrounding Jimmy Jacobs.
In the main event. Samoa Joe defeated Necro Butcher in the sickest, most violent, most hardcore thing I have ever witnessed in my life. At one point, Necro punched Joe square in the face. Joe followed that up with a flatliner off the ring apron, face first to the floor. SICK SICK SICK. Joe powerbombed Necro (hitting mainly his head) onto a guard rail in the ring but only got a two count. He then hit a belly to back suplex onto a chair set up in the ring. Joe finished him off with a ton of knee strikes to the face and a kick to the head. Necro could not respond by the 10 count.
Post-match, Ian Rotten told the Philadelphia fans he would give them a rematch when IWA MS returns to Philadelphia, at a date to be determined.
This entire show, from top to bottom was a ton of fun. For one thing, a lot of these guys I have not had the opportunity to see in person before. That's one of the main reasons I stopped attending wrestling shows. This show, however, brought me guys and girls that I KNEW could work YET I had not had the pleasure of seeing work live. It seemed that all the IWA MS regulars enjoyed being in a change of venue and scenery and it showed in their work. Throw in the fact that the fans in attendance were true IWA MS fans, and the atmosphere was amazing. The dueling chants of "Let's go Necro" vs "Let's go Joe" were like nothing I have heard at a wrestling event is a long time
I truly hope they come back in the near future.
Post show... Cheerleaders.
Luminaries in attendance - Sarge.
Best dances - Sky (OMG!), Peaches, and the blonde who's name I didn't get.
Still missed Hells Belles as they arrived late!!
