Great White North Wrestling - Wrestling for Logan II
Germania Club Hamilton Ontario
Sunday April 25th, 1:30pm Belltime
Attendance: 100
Referees: Bryan Renda, Sam Cino
An observation from my lady friend about this show, was that the crowd is very well acquainted with the stars of the GWN, very much into the story and the stars. This is true, and while GWN for the most part flies under the radar of most fans in OIW's scene one thing people cannot deny is the overall loyal fanbase of the GWN, and stories that cater the audience which brings them the steady draw time and time again, despite many match ups being repeated as long standing feuds, and as GWN like's to claim, and obviously the feeling is shared by the fans "Wrestling the way it used to be!"
"Charming" Chazz Lovely def. Jae Rukin by pinfall.
- I didn't think much of this match going into the show. Not known by many people here in Southwestern Ontario, Rukin and Lovely travel together often, tag together, and yes work against each other in countless promotions around Eastern Ontario and have recently started to showcase their stuff in Hamilton, Brantford and Simcoe. That being said, I missed the opening moments of the bout, but when I did get settled into my seat action was heated and underway. Usually in their bouts in the past Lovely, would do lots of stalling at the start of the bout, in order to help draw out their timelimit draws thus in most cases neither man getting a victory.
This time was different, and a refreshing change of pace as both men were going at it full tilt. Lovely had Rukin worked over in the corner for a while, until Rukin reversed went for a sunset and came up with a 2 count. Rukin gets the crowd behind him when he nailed a 10 punch on Lovely, he then sent the "Charming" one into the ropes for a ride and hit him with a flying forearm. Rukin hit a hurricanrana and floated over into a pin attempt, but garnered only a 2 count. Lovely hooked Rukin with a pin attempt and held the trunks.
The ref (Cino) who was unsure if that was the finish or not counted 1, paused, and then made the 3 count again which definately took away from was supposed to be a nice advancement in the opening feud for GWN which is clearly far from over. I, myself, would like to see Rukin and Lovely pushed harder to be original in the GWN and that could only come from working other people, in other promotions, in various areas to help give them the extra edge, knowledge, and step in the right direction instead of no longer being challenged or start to get lazy at the lack of direction or new challenges for the two young men.
GWN Ladies Championship
"Anti-Diva" Kaitlin Diemond def "Work of Art" Jodi D'Milo (c) by countout, therefore a championship cannot change hands via countout or disqualification.
- Lots of jawjacking with the fans from the newly crowned champion D'Milo, which provided several moments of good laughs throughout. However, at the start of the bout I'm sure D'Milo wasn't laughing as the fans caused the distraction and allowed Diemond to gain the advantage early on. As Diemond chopped D'Milo in the corner, it wasn't long after that that D'Milo turned the tide and just levelled Diemond with forearms, and kicks, and delievered a devestating vertical suplex which the landing looked like rocked the challenger Diemond. Eventually Diemond rallied with the fans and was able to deliver a piledriver on D'Milo which could only muster up a 2 count.
Jodi who was stunned, rolled out of the ring holding her neck refusing to get back into the ring, walked around ringside, was counted out and left with her title. This match was solid, hard hitting, and ran about as long as it really needed to. The part that stunned me really was that after the piledriver, she basically just left the ring and walked around like nothing had even phased her, when we talking about the piledriver here which is a move banned in some parts of the world, and is supposed to be one of the most devestating moves in all of wrestling, shoulda sold more.
GWN Tag Team Championships
Falcors (c) w/Igor Sonovich vs. Ground & Pound ("Big" Mick Blackwell/"Wildfire" Tommy Burch) ended in a double DQ resulting in the Falcors retaining the tag titles, since the titles cannot change hands via DQ or countout.
- It appeared to be regular Falcors as of late who reprised their roles once again for this title match. Clearly, the new team name of Ground & Pound represents the amount of time Burch spends on the canvas during his matches taking a shit kicking, and the shear pounds that Blackwell weighs, they did come out to Van Hagar era of Van Halen's Twister Soundtrack tune HUMAN'S BEINGS which was great (that's probably my fav Hagar era tune for Van Halen). Falcors dominated most the bout by cutting the ring and half and really giving it to Tommy Burch. Burch who is now GWN's top rookie sensation apparently with his new nickname "Wildfire" clearly paying homage to Tommy Rich NWA star of yesteryear. Anyways, Burch had gotten rid of his pants and just had white boots and trunks which is generic but as I had written about past shows the youngster shows promise and potential which shows through to the fans which rally behind him. Eventually after Burch was destroyed for most the tag match he was able to get over and make the tag to Blackwell, a former GWN champion, who came into the ring and....also got destroyed by the Falcors. Specifically Falcor #1 went to work on Blackwell.
Mic tried to use his weight to his advantage and turned the tide in his teams favor. Blackwell attempted to rip the mask off of Falcor #1, eventually Falcor #2 had enough and both men came in the ring and started to double team Blackwell and Burch. Igor called out a new Falcor who looked rather familiar and went right for Burch. He of course was grabbed by Blackwell who unmasked him and revealed him to be KC Tanks who had recently lost the tag titles blaming James Masterson and injuring him, and then later turned on his replacement and former partner Tommy Burch. Furious about being unmasked Tanks straight punched Blackwell in the face legit, and he looked pissed and kicked at him while he was trying to cut a promo on the outside. Igor and Tanks took off to the outside, and Tanks got on the mic saying he didn't care about the fans, he didn't care about either Blackwell or Burch and vowed to end Burch's career before it ever gets off the ground. Challenge was made for when GWN returns to Germania Club on Father's Day June 20th.
Ref Cino helped Burch to the back who definately was feeling the effects of the pearl harbour job, and double teams. Blackwell told ring announcer Johnny Riel he's gonna have words with him and GWN officials, as he wasn't pleased about being punched in the face.
Cino then ruled this contest a double dq, which makes no sense at all considering that there was interference from Tanks. Burch, Blackwell and the fans are all like WTF? about the ref's decision, as there was no rulebreaking from Ground & Pound. Titles stay in the House of Igor. I just want to I was a bit surprised with new found fire in KC Tanks, and his promo, I also want to say after years of kinda just being around this may be a feud to help break Tanks out, rejuvinate his career, and give it a new direction and meaning.
SPECIAL CHALLENGE MATCH
"Silverback" Shawn Brown w/Igor def. "The Experience" JQ Publik via submission.
- Up to this point the fans were most into this match thus far on the card. Some fans may remember JQ Publik who just returned to the ring in Ontario last year after having a long career in Ontario rings years ago, and helped comprise one of the most popular tag teams OIW had ever seen the Ebony Xpress (w/ Reggie Marley), that was a different time however. I'm sure these two vets have crossed paths many times, but this is one of the matches that made me personally come out to the show, and frankly my expectations were low, but this was probably the best match on the card. Fans were really into JQ despite not really knowing anything about him, all they needed to know was that he was against one of Igor's guys who had the most heat during this match. LOTS OF IGOR sucks chants. Match starts with chain wrestling, and JQ getting the early advantage. Power advantage clearly in Brown's favor. JQ looked to be in better shape than last year, and seemed to be more in the groove and back in flow with his natural confidence, charisma and wrestling skill then the few times I had seen him recently.
Basically lots of interference from Igor during this bout, Shooter Brown served as the refs distraction allowing Igor to get some punches, and chokes on the ropes in. Again the crowd errupts in Igor sucks chants, and pleaded with the referee to catch him in the act or bar him from ringside. Finally JQ had enough of Igor's antics, and went out to the floor grabbed Igor and was about to smash him much to the fans delight. Brown jumped JQ from behind however before he could assault his manager. Brown broke the refs count, as Igor stomped JQ on the floor, and then rolled him back in the ring. JQ attempted to rally for a second before he got suplexed out his boots by Brown and then JQ was forced to tap out via the cross-face chickenwing. Highly entertaining bout, some of the biggest crowd reactions of the whole show, and was definately old school to the max.
After the match Igor got on the mic and told the fallen JQ that he was a great top opponent but that he was no match for the "Silverback" as he continues to look for more victims on the road to the GWN Championship.
At this time it was a brief intermission, the intermission had to be delayed as there was so many children trying to get autographs with Dangerboy and specifically "Lucky Charms" Donovan Jack O'Shea.
GWN Commonwealth Title
Stipulations: If Dangerboy lost he must either unmask, or retire and leave the GWN forever.
Dangerboy def Lord JN Cassel (c) w/ Igor to become the new GWN Commonwealth Champion
- Dangerboy clearing being one of the most popular stars that the GWN has, went around to what must have been every fan in the building slapping their hands before the match, of course this could've been his last match with the GWN but the wrestling gods were on his side this day. Anyways, as Dangerboy was celebrating with the fans pre-match Cassel ran to ringside and jumped him from behind.
Finally the match got back into the ring where Cassel just worked Dangerboy's legs the whole time. This was actually a smart plan on Cassels part for a change as he would want to keep the round high flyer grounded. Midway through his attack however, Cassel suddenly focused his attack on Dangerboy's neck and back. Dangerboy changed gears however and tried to attempt several pin attempts. Cassel tried to regroup on the outside with Igor, but Dangerboy wasted no time and hit both men with a flying crossbody off the apron to the floor. Fans went nuts and errupted in Dangerboy chants. Cassel managed to get Dangerboy in the ring and went back to work on the legs and hooked him in a figure four leglock. Igor sucks chants. Cassel breaks the hold hits the rope and hit the "CANADIAN ELBOW" ala the Rock.
Cassel whipped Dangerboy out of the ring trying desperately to retain his title via count-out. Cassel set Dangerboy up in the corner and choped him a few times, fans rally behind Dangerboy who hit a jumping enziguri on Cassel. Igor was furious grabbed a steel chair as Cassel hooked Dangerboy in a full nelson. Dangerboy escaped in the nick of time while Igro smoked his own man with the chair, allowing Dangerboy to hit a moonsault and become the new GWN COMMONWEALTH CHAMPION!!! Fans go apeshit. Post match Igor pleaded with Cassel that they would regain the title, Cassel argued and left the ring alone.
After the bout, selling the leg, Dangerboy draws the 50/50.
GWN Heavyweight Title 2/3 Falls Match
"Tyrant" Eric Dawson(c) w/Igor retained the title 2 falls to 1 over "Lucky Charms" Donovan Jack O'Shea
- Dawson reluctant to lock up with Donovan at the start, takes a few moments to regroup with Igor to the floor. Donovan starts to unloaded in his fighting Irish style and nailed Dawson with forearms and chops and sent the champ reeling. Dawson escapes to the floor again. Furious, DJ O'Shea gets on the mic and tells Dawson to get in the ring and "fight like a man!". Dawson pokes O'Shea in the eyes, ties him up with an arm wringer into an armbar. Dawson stomps away on O'Shea, works him over on the ropes and hit "Lucky Charms" with a huge lariat. Igor watches with delight, as the crowd tries to rally behind the local hero Donovan Jack. Dawson goes back to the arm, as Donovan tries to escape Dawson hit him with a jawbreaker, and tries to wear the big man down with an Asian nerve hold. Dawson kept the pressure on as the crowd tried to rally Donovan again, Dawson hits him with a big bodyslam and goes right to work on his eyes with a gouge and then raking him with his boot. Donovan who was stunned around the ring, allowed for the "Tyrant" to hit his trademark bulldog from the 2nd rope in the inside to garner the first fall.
Dawson and Igor attempt to leave thinking the match was over, but officials reminded them that it was 2 out of 3 falls, which Dawson argued he didn't sign up for.
Dawson gets back in the ring all pissed, Donovan caught him off guard and nailed him a sunset flip and got the quick 3 to tie the match up at one fall a piece.
Start the 3rd fall Dawson gains the advantage by working Donovan's face and tearing at his nose, ref warns him. Dawson hit a nice back elbow and started unloaded on Donovan with some stiff kicks to the chest. "Tyrant" hits a lariat again, again only a 2 count then puts Donovan in the sleeper. DJ O'Shea the bigger man in the match is able to lift Dawson on his back from the sleeper with his raw power but then as he backed Dawson back into the corner they sandwiched ref Renda in the corner and he went down. Igor grabs Dawson's bullrope and cowbell as the ref is down and hands it to the champ. Donovan attempts a pin as the crowd counted along to 10 Zillion! Dawson comes to smashes Donovan in the head with the cowbell. Ref Cino comes to ringside and makes the 3 count, as Dawson retains the GWN Championship.
Donovan Jack O'Shea gets on the mic, says his career is the lead by example, that's why Dawson isn't a real champion, and thats why "Lucky Charms" is still going after all these years for the fans, children, charity and goes on to say he is the first and longest GWN champ and will be again. He challenged Dawson to a Bring it and Swing It Match, where if the fans bring the weapons including the kitchen sink they'll swing it. Asks the apparent new commissioner Johnny Riel to make the match, which he does set for Sunday June 20th. Dawson is enraged and just pummels the GWN refs at ringside. Donovan vows the match will be like a "Friday Night in Belfast!"
Igor tries to escape with Dawson, but gets caught by Donovan he threw him in the ring, kicked Igor in the balls grabs the cowbell as fans plead with him to make Igor bleed. Donovan gets on the mic again and says Dawson forgot his trash to take back to the trailer park.
Another old school show put on by the folks of the GWN. Certainly their style and pace is not for everyone but they definately have found their market in Hamilton and the number stay steady to see their favorite heroes attempt to take down the villans. Cino attempted to fill the shoes of David Gilbert Clarke who was working the AWF show that day in Whitby, but with several botched finishes on his part took away from some of the matches, but helped to continue the idea of the heel ref they want ala Danny Davis. Several smeared finishes with overbooking helps clutter the show, which should focus on being more clear and concise to help keep the old school feel going and not rush into everything that they clearly want to build and pan out over the course of the year.
In a surprise to me, GWN Commish Mike O'Shea wasn't in attendance, and although I missed the opening moments of the show, long time ring announcer Johnny Riel was announced as the comish during the post main event mayhem and made the main event for the June 20th show. I'm not sure if he's legit the new comish, or just interim as Mike O'Shea may have had prior engagements.
Chris Crucifix
~~~**~~~
GWN is set to return to:
Hamilton's Germania Club
863 King St. E
Sunday June 20th 1:30pm
FATHER's DAY FALLOUT
Rumored Card so far:
Fans Bring It 'n Swing It Match Main Event for the GWN Heavyweight Title
"Tyrant" Eric Dawson (c) vs. "Lucky Charms" Donovan Jack O'Shea
GWN Ladies Championship Match
"Work of Art" Jodi D'Milo (c) vs. "Anti-Diva" Kaitlin Diemond
GRUDGE MATCH
"Wildfire" Tommy Burch vs. KC Tanks