Pro Wrestling Syndicate 10/3 – Review & Ratings

This weekend Pro Wrestling Syndicate invaded Union New Jersey with a fantastic event featuring some of the brightest stars in professional wrestling. I attended the show with my colleague, the host of “It’s Still REEL to Me,” James Thorpey. While I’ve seen my share of independent action over the years, this was all new to James, who’s most familiar with WWE, Ring of Honor, and old school NWA. Both of us were thrilled with the product; we were captivated by the characters, mesmerized by the high spots, and marking out over the litany of talented men and women in attendance.
 
Disclaimer: Some of these matches might be listed slightly out of order. I don’t attend events with a computer or notepad, so I’m often left to rely on my own Tweets and Facebook updates for guidance. Thanks for understanding.
 

Before the Bell
Doors opened at 7 o’clock so that fans might be afforded the chance to meet and greet their favorite wrestling personalities. Among the recognizable talents were Vampiro, Chyna, Dark Journey, Don Muraco, Vince Russo, Sean Oliver from Kayfabe Commentaries, and several contestants from this year’s Tough Enough. We arrived at the venue to find the parking lot completely packed from the numerous events taking place on the same campus of buildings. We found our seats and I immediately found the bar—four dollar domestic bottles can’t be beat when your average arena is selling watered down drafts for 8 bucks.

 
Habib from the Carwash vs. Matt Macintosh
The show started promptly at 8 o’clock—when I was still standing at the bar—with the continuing rivalry between Habib from the Carwash and Matt Macintosh. Habib continues to be the most over person on the PWS roster. Men, women, and children hit their feet the second they hear that funky beat! That wasn’t supposed to rhyme, but it did—and I’m okay with that. The past few days in New Jersey have been rainy and cold, but this match brightened up an otherwise abysmal Saturday, and made it feel like summer in Union New Jersey. I returned to my seat about halfway through the match, because the Cheech Marin looking bartender was kind of a dick and unwilling to perform his duties at a reasonable pace. But that’s a slight against the Knights of Columbus, not Pro Wrestling Syndicate. Habib got the victory over Macintosh in a fast-paced opening contest. These two will go to war again later this month in a number one contender’s match, wherein the winner will challenge Dan Maff that very night!
Winner: Habib from the Carwash
Rating: 2 Stars

 
Chris Payne vs. Bonesaw
Chris Payne picked up the PWS television title from Brian Myers last month in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, but tonight appears without his hardware. He says that someone stole the belt from him, and he’s looking to get it back. He won’t be retrieving said-title from Bonesaw however, whose sights appears set on getting the win over the TV champ. Chris Payne fought valiantly, and was well within the finish line when the former television champion appeared to cause a distraction. Brian Myers entered through the curtain and drew Payne’s attention, as well as that of the referee. Bonesaw reached into his tights and clocked Chris Payne with a pair of brass knuckles. Bonesaw went for the pin, and achieved a considerable upset over the fan favorite Payne. I thought the brass knuck’ spot was really neat and harkened back to heel tactics of yesteryear. What I did not like was the flagrant brandishing of the weapon by Bonesaw after the fact. Just stuff them back into your tights, and walk off none-the-wiser. I’ve been involved in the theatre for over twenty years, and I understand the need to play large to a live audience, but sometimes a subtle approach has the most desirable outcome.
Winner: Bonesaw
Rating: 1 ¾ Stars

 
Team Espana vs. Aesthetic Enterprises
“I’m in love with myself—I’m in love with my own reflection.” When Aesthetic Enterprises came through the curtain, their music courtesy of David Guetta echoed throughout the venue. The team comprised of Damian Gibbs, Charlie Beefcake, and manager Jay Enterprise exploded onto the scene with an aura of elitism, and a pair of parasails. Their opponents—Team España—received a wild ovation as they circled the ring dressed as Spanish soccer players, in possession of their very own futbol. I had a few personal favorite matches throughout the night, but from a star-rating standpoint, this was most certainly the best worked bout on the card. I’ve seen quite a bit of Damian Gibbs in recent months, but I was less familiar with Charlie Beefcake. I was highly impressed with the big man’s cardio conditioning, and his ability to stay in step with a team as lightning quick as Team España. From what I gather, Charlie Beefcake made his debut alongside Damian as his bodyguard, but the two seem to be on the same level now that Charlie is proving his worth between the ropes. Team España are like the Spanish Usos. There’s really no better way to describe them. And much like the Usos, the Spanish soccer players are smooth as silk inside the squared-circle. Toward the end of the match, Charlie Beefcake stole one of his opponent’s GREEN CARDS and proceeded to EAT IT! Charlie was then able to crowd the official long enough for Jay Enterprise to get involved. He tossed one of their signature parasails to Damian Gibbs, who introduced the business end of the umbrella to Team España. Three seconds later—“I’m in love with myself. I’m in love with my OWN reflection!” Aesthetic Enterprises pick up the victory, as Gibbs and Beefcake celebrate inside the ring.
Winner: Aesthetic Enterprises
Rating: 2 ¾ Stars

 
Starman vs. Craven Varro vs. the Lifeguard
Starman was set to compete in one-on-one competition against Craven Varro, but soon into their singles’ bout, Dylan Stiffwood arrived with the Lifeguard in tow. Dylan Stiffwood is magical on the microphone. He’s such a delight. Stiffwood questioned the booking in Pro Wrestling Syndicate, and demanded that this match become a Tri-force match featuring his protégé, the Lifeguard. I didn’t realize that his name is “the Lifeguard.” That’s phenomenal. I don’t like comedy wrestling, but Starman connects with the crowd in a way that can’t be denied. I think I would have preferred a one-on-one without Craven Varro. Varro is a really good wrestler, and I think he would have been better served in another setting. That being said, it’s all about getting booked, and if Starman and the Lifeguard were the only options, then that’s the match Varro is going to have. Starman squeaked out with a surprising win over his opponents, and trotted like a robot toward the back as his VICTORY music played.
Winner: Starman
Rating: 1 Star

 
Colt Cabana vs. Brian Myers
I fully expected Colt Cabana and Brian Myers to open the show, as quite a few independent events are bookended by nationally accredited talent. Myers made his second appearance in the evening, after costing Chris Payne a victory over Bonesaw earlier in the night. This was the most intelligent match of the night, wherein both competitors appeared fixated on telling a story and engaging in true ring psychology. Brian caught Colt in an arm bar, that Colt continuously countered by rolling back onto his shoulders. Colt Cabana doesn’t get enough credit for the work he puts down inside the ring. By this point in his career, Colt is more famous for being a podcasting pioneer than he is for ever having held a title. That being said, it’s easy to overlook what a proven professional like Cabana is capable of, when you’re focused solely on his extra-curricular activities. Cabana and Myers put their all into their altercation, but when the dust settled, it was Myers standing tall.
Winner: Brian Myers
Rating: 2 ¼ Stars

 
Phillip Simon II vs. Craig Steele
Phillip Simon II is introduced to audiences alongside his “brother,” and is said to hail from “Somewhere just north of the Bible Belt.” Simon is dressed in white, and has a cross stitched onto his tights. His opponent is an individual with whom I’ve become increasingly familiar—“The Big Deal” Craig Steele. Steele is one of the most engaging, organic acts I’ve ever seen on an independent level. Weighing in at north of 300 pounds, and dressed exactly like PN News, the big man is flanked by his squirrely head of security and his—I can’t believe I’m going to type this—“Hoe,” Jemma. What Steele lacks inside the ring, he more than makes up for by connecting with the crowd in a way homegrown talents are very rarely able to. His signature catch phrase made me smile, and had the majority of PWS die-hards on their feet: “My gear, my gear—costs more than you make in a year!” This was a glorified squash match that was over just as soon as it began. Steele might not be the best big man in wrestling history, but he’s aware of his limitations, and plays to his strengths in a cunning and articulate manner. This was a match between a materialistic misogynist and a wrestler representing Jesus—and the Christian wrestler was the heel. That’s a sign of the times, and it’s proof that anyone can get over. It’s all about the “It Factor,” and The Big Deal Craig Steele most certainly has IT! Star ratings aside, this was a fun match and I look forward to seeing both Simon and Steele again very soon.
Winner: Craig Steele
Rating: ½ Star

 
Balls Mahoney & CPA vs. NJN vs. The Untouchables
There was to be a four-way tag team match also featuring the Heavenly Bodies, but one would assume weather kept the ‘Bodies from making the town. Instead we got a three-way with the remaining tandems. The Untouchables’ Bobby Wayward and Anthony Bowens were the first team introduced, followed by NJN’s Brian XL and Delroy, and finally the unlikely duo of CPA and Balls Mahoney. The match was a lot of fun, but kind of hard to follow. When it comes down to workrate, the Untouchables stand out head and shoulders above their competition. It’s not even a question. The Brawlers from Bed-Stuy—Brian XL and Delroy—get the well-deserved win after a powerful back cracker combination for the fall. After the match, CPA told Balls Mahoney that they’d “live to fight another day.” Balls took the microphone and told CPA that he doesn’t have too many more days above ground. Which was kind of weird, considering his 10-year old son (or grandson) was in the audience, hustling people with Balls’ merch. Balls told CPA that he is going to “teach him to kill,” and in return, CPA is going to teach him how to do his taxes.
Winner: Brian XL & Delroy
Rating: 2 Stars

 
Fallah Bahh vs. Kevin Matthews
I’m going to preface this by saying—I’m not 100% sure who won. I know that’s not good journalism, but by this point in the show, I was just one of the fans. I believe Bahh got the win via disqualification when a member of The Edward Jackson 5 attempted to pass a foreign object to Bahh. I’m a huge fan of Fallah Bahh; I’ve seen him grow from a student at the IWF Centre in Nutley NJ to a nationally recognized talent. The fans in attendance were also enamored by Bahh, many of them slapping their skulls just the same as Fallah does en route to the ring. Matthews is another class-act, who ran laps around the ring so that he could slap every single person’s hand. Even I stood up and walked to the guardrail! Once he finished, the fans chanted, “One More Time,” and the former number one contender to the heavyweight title did another go-around. Bahh laughed at Matthews’ attempt at earning the crowd’s admiration, and started to run around the ring himself. It became clear that Fallah Bahh might not have the same cardio conditioning as Kevin Matthews. Bahh said that he wasn’t ready to wrestle because he was hungry; a fan passed Matthews a bag of chips, while another held out a hot dog. Bahh kicked back on the ropes “Tyler Breeze Style” and proceeded to down a bag of Doritos. Once the bell rang, both men were focused on attaining victory. This was without question the stiffest match on the card, although I’d like to see more from Matthews. Now—as I said before, one of Fallah’s friends hit the ring and seemed to toss something to Fallah. Matthews took advantage instead, and the referee caught Matthews in the act. So. I think it was a DQ? Please forgive me for the ambiguity, but this was a fun bout that I’ll remember fondly from this card.
Winner: Fallah Bahh (I think?)
Rating: 1 ¾ Stars

 
PWS Heavyweight Championship
Dan Maff (c) vs. Giant Leather
The main event featured the PWS Heavyweight Champion in singles’ action against a member of Raven’s “Monster Island”—Giant Leather. Giant Leather entered the venue through the rear of the room, brandishing an active chainsaw. By the time ‘Leather made it to the ring, the entire building reeked of gasoline and yardwork. I had higher expectations for the match before I knew who Giant Leather was. When he was introduced, I lowered my standards a smidge, but was taken aback with the exceptional character-work by the gargantuan individual inside that outfit. Giant Leather is Leatherface, if you’re trying to figure it out. This was an excellent end to an already entertaining night. The PWS Champion battled the monstrous Giant Leather around the ring and took quite a beating in the hopes of having his hand raised high. While ‘Leather isn’t a grappler by nature, he’s one hell of a brawler, and gave Maff a run for his money. At one point it really felt as though Giant Leather would win the title—and that’s why wrestling is awesome. Maff was reeling and looking unlikely to retain, when he mustered his signature reverse Death Valley Driver, and earned the 1-2-3. I think Dan Maff is absolutely extraordinary, and it’s clear to see why he is STILL the Pro Wrestling Syndicate Champion.
Winner: Dan Maff
Rating: 2 Stars

 
Pro Wrestling Syndicate will return with LIVE action on October 24^th 2015 at the Rahway Rec Center in Rahway New Jersey. The event will feature the first ever match between Rob Van Dam and John Hennigan; the first ever match between PJ Black and the Amazing Red; a “Fans Bring Weapons” match, and so much more! For tickets and information, visit PRO WRESTLING SYNDICATE ONLINE.
 
I’m also ALWAYS interested in featuring PWS talent on any number of the podcasts I produce, so if you’re interested, TWEET at me!
 
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