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Review of SSCW Hell-o-ween, Friday, November 7, 2003
By Lawrence Kleber
I had not been to an SSCW show since the maiden voyage at the VFW Hall
in
Cedar Grove, New Jersey in August. What a difference a few months make!
There were easily 300 fans in attendance. The SSCW crew was also taping
matches for an upcoming pay-per-view. On paper, this show looked
terrific. Kudos must be given to booker Sean McCaffrey and the absent
owner Carmine Sabia. Before the show began, there was a ten bell
memorial salute to Stu Hart, Michael “Hawk” Hegstrand and Michael
“Crash
Holly” Lockwood, who both passed away in the last few weeks.
Match 1 The show begin 10 minutes early with a 26 man battle royal,
where the winner could select which title he would like to fight for on
the next SSCW show. The match was rather confusing, with Psycho, of the
Elm Street Kids, appearing with an entire posse to assist him. The match
was ultimately won, rightfully so, by Slyk Wagner Brown, who drew slot
26. I am happy that Slyk is getting the push he so rightfully deserves.
Favorites in the battle included Corvis Fear, Vicious Vin, New Wave,
Angel Martinez, Louie Ramos, Frankie Hawke, Ken Scampi, Fred Sampson and
the masked Kubuki (Who is this guy?). Corvis Fear, aka Roach, was angry
that he had only been booked for the battle royal and sat out most of
the
match complaining to me. I couldn’t agree with him more. After the
match, Vicious Vin and Josh Deely resumed fighting with Vin putting Deely
through a table. This set up a contest for the next card. Following
this much too long match, Commissioner Gerry Strauss appeared to
introduce the Tradition Cup Tournament, which is old school style with
no
over the top and a 20 count countout regulation. The combatants would
be
Josh Daniels, Tyler Payne, Mike Tobin, and John Walters. For some
reason, after the announcement, a five minute intermission was called!
Match 2 In a first round tournament match, Tyler Payne defeated Josh
Daniels. The match began with science, but after Payne’s thumb went
into
Daniels’ eye, the dirty tactics began. Following the match, Rob Eckos
and Damian Adams, who were set for a 30 minute iron man match, came to
the ring. Josh Daniels would be the special enforcer for this match.
“What are you thinking, Josh?” asked Eckos. “Your two best
friends are
going at it four hours from now, when no one is left in the audience.
Why did you sign to be the enforcer?” Eckos is always funny and
truthful. A small confrontation set up heat for the upcoming main event.
Match 3 In the second first round match, John Walters pinned Mike
Tobin. Walters cannot do a poor match. Giving him a push is a good
promotional move.
Match 4 For the tag titles, the Rhode Island Elite faced Magic and
Suba. Suba is always hysterical and Magic is perfect as his straight
man. The RIE are two of the best heels in the business. I have written
many times about how they tick me off outside of the ring. Magic and
Suba kept their titles following “walls of Jericho” by Magic
and a dive
off the ropes by Suba. Following the match Brian Wenzel and Inferno
appeared demanding a title shot. They were followed by the Solution,
also demanding a title shot. Gerry Strauss set up a match between these
two hell teams for the number one contender position to face favorites
Magic and Suba at the next show.
Match 5 The high impact cruiser weight champ, Dan Barry, retained his
title by pinning Plasma with a modified superplex. Barry always puts on
a good match.
Match 6 Former SSCW women’s champ, the adorable Ariel came to the
ring
to vent about her friend Alicia turning on her other friend, Tara
Charisma. She pledged to stay neutral. In the match that followed,
Alicia was disqualified when she hit Tara with the belt. Ariel
reappeared after Alicia hit the ref with a low blow and executed a DDT
on
him. Alicia gave the three count. Now I don’t understand this. Alicia
and Ariel are the last two girls in the world who should be promoted as
heels. They are much too lovable. Tara is also incapable of playing
heel. Sean McCaffrey later explained that he wants to be different in
promoting from other feds. This is fine, but there are lots of effective
women heels in the business (Psycho, Luscious Lily, Simply Luscious,
Tiffany Monroe). Why turn two of the most lovable faces into heels?
Match 7 In a match pitting Bam Bam Bigalow against Mr. Puerto Rico,
Ralph Soto, the Beast from the East was disqualified after using a chair
which Soto brought to the ring. This match looked great on paper, but
was somewhat disappointing.
Gerry Strauss did a good, old fashioned face promo with Chino Martinez
concerning his upcoming match with D’Lo Brown. Chino called out Brown.
Brown, also playing face, gave a good promo.
Match 8 In a ladder match, where the loser must leave SSCW forever,
Danny Demento took on Kevin Matthews. This match was absolutely
sickening, with both combatants taking high risks. Ladders were almost
crushed in half and Kevin took a spill off the top that I believed would
re-injure his knees. Kevin finally climbed the ladder to get his SSCW
contract. Danny then thanked Kevin for pushing him to the limit and
explained that he will be moving to Massachusetts. He finally thanked
the
fans.
Match 9 Following a ten minute intermission, the Solution defeated
Inferno and Brian Wenzel (with Noel) after distraction from manager John
Shane. Following the match, there was some heat with the teams swinging
wooden chairs at each other. But Magic and Suba ran in to put an end to
this.
Match 10 In the Tradition Cup final, Tyler Payne pinned John Walters
after a low blow. Wasn’t this tournament supposed to feature science?
Following the match, Slyk Wagner Brown informed Tyler that he had a
surprise. For the next show, Payne will be putting the cup up against
April Hunter!
Match 11 In the match of the night, Chino Martinez pinned D’Lo Brown.
This face-face contest was a well thought out plan and told the story
beautifully. Following the match, D’Lo said, “Chino, you took
D-Lo Brown
to the limit. This is your night.” This was followed by a “Ring
of
Honor” handshake.
Match 12 Now Damian Adams was to take on Rob Eckos in a 30 minute
iron man contest for the heavy weight strap. It was already 11:35 pm.
Happily, it was decided to do a one fall match instead. As usual, the
match spilled out all over the hall. Eckos has Miss Kara and Mike Winner
at his side. He put Damian in a sharp shooter, but Damian reversed the
hold to get the title. This would have been an excellent match had it
not been so late. Of course, Slyk had to come out to challenge Damian
for the title at the next show on January 17.
Individual matches on the card were fine, but the show at 4 hours, was
about 90 minutes too long. Fans filed out of the hall before
intermission. With such fine talent and good angles, I only wish that
the SSCW had timed the show more effectively. I look forward to the next
show on January 17 in the new year.
