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The East Coast Wrestling Association kicked off their 36th year with their return to St. Matthew's Parish Center in Wilmington, DE on September 6th in front of approximately 250 people (which is more than several Jersey promotion's combined attendance at shows).
We actually made it to DE, with NO TRAFFIC, in 3:30. We made it home in 3:00. WHOO HOO!!
Pre show festivities at Season's Pizza. Nick showed up at the same time as Brams... for once. Somehow Brams forgot how to do math as his alcoholic intake easily cost more than the $20 he chipped in towards the bill. LOL
Referees for this evening: Rusty Brooks, Paul Turner, and Bob Dinsmore
Sound Technician (still trying to get the music right): Daryl Osbourne
Luminaries in attendance: TNT, Richie Rotten, Kaos, Bodyguard for Hire and the Kruel family, The Magees, Brandi Mankiewicz, Christmas Tree, Nick Yannucci, Anthony CoFro, and two gentlemen who wish to remain anonymous.
Your Ring Announcer and Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Chuck Ristano welcomed the crowd and directed our attention to the ECWA Tron for a preview of the evening's card.
To be 100% honest, as I always try to be, I was scared when I first saw this evening's lineup on paper. There were a LOT of names that I was unfamiliar with and several match ups I feared having to watch. You'd think by know I would realize not to doubt the almighty Kettner as he always seems to pull it off successfully (which is proven by his track record and the fact that he can still draw a crown while other promotions are closing up shop left and right).
In the opening match, Japanese Pool Boy teamed with the debuting Kid Mikaze to defeat Mega and Tyler Payne (with ES Easton). Mega and Tyler weren't gelling together all that well as they each wanted to be in the ring. Mega went for an avalanche but Mikaze moved and he hit Tyler. A double dropkick knocked Mega to the floor. Pool Boy hit the Pie in the Sky on Tyler for the pinfall. After the match, Prince Nana came out and blamed it all on Mega. Kid Mikaze did prompt a few Ernie Reyes Jr comments from some fans. Short and to the point. Nice way to set up for stuff later in the sow.
This led into Nana showing Mega how it is done correctly as he defeated the returning Pete Gas. Nana hit all his trademark spots until Gas took control. Of course, Nana needed a little help to win. Nana was on the ring apron when Gas tried to suplex him in. As he did, Easton and Payne grabbed Gas' feet out from under him, allowing Nana to gain the victory.
Mr. Ooh La La and Carlton P. Hightower then presented a cake for the ECWA 36th Birthday. After parading around the ringside, they entered the ring. Ooh La La tripped and landed face first in the cake. Ooh La La is SO over with the ECWA crowd it is amazing. It never seems to get old and they go crazy for him every single time he comes out.
The debuting Shaolin Wrecking Crew (new ring attire and all) defeated J Busta and Mozart Fontaine. Evidentially, answering 10 Questions for this website isn't punishment enough as Mozart was put into this match. Fairly short and painless as the SWC hit the Karachi Crunch on Mozart and Suba made the pin. After the match, Busta blames Mozart who responds with a punch to the jaw.
The ECWATron shows Kevin Kelly in the back with Cheetah Master and Louie. Cheetah and Louie challenge Nana and his Royal Decision to a match later tonight. We will have to wait to see if Nana accepts. (Let's hope he does as it's listed in the program as the second to last match.)
The debuting Zaquary Springate III defeated Nick Malakai. Springate was accompanied by Carlton P. Hightower who looked like Betsy Ross carrying the British flag. Springate, who hails from England, grabbed the mic and began speaking with a Canadian accent. He hurled a few insults at the crowd before telling them if they continue to boo he will leave the ring. (Keep in mind, no one was booing yet). He continued to hurl insults. Then more insults. Then more. As the crowd began to fall asleep he continued. And continued. Finally Nick Malakai was announced to absolutely no response from the crowd whatsoever. I don't know if they were unfamiliar with Malakai or asleep from Springate. At this point, Nick Yannucci yelled, "It's time for a Delaware blackout". The match never clicked from the get go. Springate did a handspring elbow that I swore was in slow motion and he finished with a swanton, that he overshot, for the pin. Maybe I was exhausted from the monologue that actually exceeded a normal Cheetah Master entrance but the match did nothing for me.
In the back, Kevin Kelly is with Prince Nana. Nana accepts Cheetah's challenge. We can all rest a little better now.
Next up was the ECWA Heavyweight Championship. Christopher Daniels defeated Mike Kruel in an amazing match. This was the best match I have ever seen Kruel in. Kruel worked on Daniels' arm the entire match. At one point, Daniels had Kruel up in a suplex for 20 seconds. Kruel continued to work on the arm and then showboat by doing some pushups, jumping jacks (at the suggestion of a fan), and some mic work. Daniels was able to hit his double jump moonsault but hurt his arm in doing so. Kruel went for his submission finisher but Daniels rolled him up for the three count. The crowd gave both men a well deserved standing ovation. Simply a phenomenal match. Watching Daniels in this match reminded me why I love wrestling (when it's this good).
After a 10 minute intermission, we were treated to a Kickboxing Exhibition. Andrew Hom and Mark Caserta went to a three round draw. The crowd was into this from the first kick, that landed squarely in Hom's groin. The two men went all out and put on a great exhibition. The ref did a great job of standing there doing nothing. Hom and Caserta both got a great and well deserved ovation.
ECWA Legendary Manager, Barry Casino then came out to introduce a video that showed us all of the ECWA stars that made it into the top 500. Seeing Mr. Ooh La La ranked higher than Striker reminded me of why I don't buy or read PWI anymore. (I read and contribute to Total Wrestling Magazine. Be sure to check out their Total Bites section for indy news from me :)
Cyco defeated Ray Di Orio in a short match. For the first time ever at an ECWA show, a "Boring" chant actually broke out.
The Valedictorians: Bax and Eckos with Carlton P. Hightower entered the ring. Carlton announced that they would have a spelling bee. "How do you spell moron?" Eckos replies, "RUFFHOUSE". (then Lunatic = Benny) Get the picture? Ruffhouse Rivera and Benny Stoltzfus entered and cleared the ring. Most of the match was dominated by Benny and Ruffhouse until the ref was distracted by Hightower and Eckos hit Benny with a low blow and a roll up for the pin. Bax and Eckos beat down their opponents until the lights went out and Inferno made the save. Just as Inferno was about to get Carlton with the bat, he escaped. The dice are back!
In the back we see Pete Gas get a ride to the airport from the two kickboxing exhibition kids. Royal Decision attacks Jack (of Jack's Kickboxing). Cheetah and Louie find him laid out and he tells them what happened.
Cheetah Master and Louie then battled with all the members of Royal Decision. No actual match here just some brawling. The group of fans from 1614 Fitness got very vocal as Cheetah stepped into the crowd. Cheetah had "What If?" painted on his back (evidentially even GoldenPalace.com didn't want his endorsement). This led to many intriguing questions... What if Cheetah Master actually spent more time in the ring than dancing around during his entrance? What if Louie learned to wear shoes? What if the little girl that Cheetah threw his shirt to had it ripped away from her from "Staff" like Bram's souvenir was? Everyone brawled to the back. No match, no winner, no anything but a potential new wrestler that was in the 1614 crowd.
The ECWA Tag Team Championship was next. Ace Darling and Striker were defeated by Johnny and Joey Maxx. Once again, sound technician extraordinaire, Daryl Osbourne, totally killed the Maxx's entrance music. Joey's ribs were still taped up from his match with Cyco at the last show. Great teamwork by Ace and Striker who showed a complete arsenal of tag team moves. Unfortunately, a quick rollup on Striker by Johnny and the match was over. Your new ECWA Tag Team Champions... Johnny and Joey Maxx! Excellent match. Ace Darling at 77% is better than most wrestlers at 100%.
Overall, a very good show by Jim Kettner and the ECWA. The show ran 2:45 and flowed very nicely (except for the one never-ending promo). Eight out of ten matches (how many promotions can actually say their shows have 8 good matches? Most can't even say they had 8 matches period) is not a bad percentage. Daniels v Kruel got a good 30 minutes to showcase their talent. The tag title match also gave Ace and Striker a chance to shine (no offense to the Maxx's but how can Joey shine with taped ribs?). The return of Inferno after a long absence was a welcome sight. The return of Barry Casino, to a standing ovation, was also great. Valedictorians are hilarious. The kickboxing was surprisingly enjoyable.
The ECWA returns to St. Matthew's Parish on October 4th with the return of Simon Diamond!
