Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

By Nicholas Jason Lopez

“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post. 

(Aired 1/16/16)

Fresh Out Of The Academy 

– Despite his loss last week to Jessy Sorenson, who has been on a two-match winning streak this year, Ethan HD shined in the opening match with him and Cameron Cole, hyped as someone you don’t mess with. Cole on the other hand, was portrayed on the same level as Ethan having beat talent like Joey Ryan in the past and this set the stage for a back-and-forth contest that could’ve gone either way. Ethan worked a methodical pace, while Cole picked it up when he had the advantage. Commentary did a good job of putting over the fact that Ethan’s Blackout (aka Curb Stomp) finisher was a trick he could pull out of his arsenal at any time and low and behold, we had our finish. Don’t call it a comeback, kids.

– The Grappler’s Pro Wrestling Academy has produced an exciting up-and-coming talent in one Marcus Malone, who rocks an afro, purple tights and a lot of heart. His debut match with “The Rock God” Ricky Gibson was the ideal platform to show off his comeback spirit and exhibit things a wrestling school just can’t teach. Gibson and his manager, Mr. Tubbs played the perfect heels, not giving Malone the time or place to succeed. What we weren’t crazy about was commentary already likening Malone to Remy Marcel, one half of the WCWC Tag Team Champions, The Whirlwind Gentlemen. Malone should organically get over on his own, not be pushed as a carbon copy of Marcel, since it creates needlessly high expectations so early in a guy’s career. The viewer could already see the comparisons and it didn’t need to be pointed out on TV. However, we suppose it could’ve been worse and for what it was, Malone got to excel and even we were surprised he got the upset win, much to the dismay of Tubbs/Gibson. Will they build off of this for a new storyline or was this solely a way to get Malone some earned TV time?

– The big bad burly Wrecking Crew had a golden opportunity to christen the Tag team Championships around their waists, since Alexander Hammerstone was making his return to team up with WCWC Legacy Champion Grappler III to take on The Whirlwind Gentlemen in the main event. Hammerstone put over the fact that even though he was absent, he was always a part of the Wrecking Crew family and pulled some strings to get the match, since he was so eager for gold. Hammerstonge’s one of WCWC’s standout talents and certainly has the look. If you’re a casual viewer, think of Test mixed with Colin Cassady, if you want an idea of his look and size. We also liked how Hammerstone dismissed Whirlwind Gentlemen as nothing more than high-fliers who’d get stomped out, Wrecking Crew style.

– Caleb Konley’s a fistful of despicable personality and can easily get under anybody’s skin. Mix that with his incredible wrestling ability and you’ve got another potential star in the making. Last we saw him, he blatantly disqualified himself in his match against WCWC Northwest Pacific Champion Gangrel, telling us that the chapter with the “Vampire Warrior” was yet to be over and commentary mentioned that he was still obsessed with Gangrel. On the other side of the coin, you had “Irish Juggernaut” Mikey O’Shea, who certainly has his cult following of fans who dig his high-impact maneuvers. The two had plenty of wars in 2015 and this match revisited some of that rivalry magic. The most newsworthy moment was the finish, where Konley low-blowed O’Shea with the Referee’s attention elsewhere to get the cheap win. We found it a bit odd that O’Shea’s first instinct to sell a low blow was to fall backwards and not maybe forward kneeling or on his side, but that’s nitpicking. The idea coming out of this match was that Konley had put himself in the running for Gangrel’s Title once again.

– Looking at their lights blue shades and purple power suits, Whirlwind Gentlemen have a look and feel all their own, and it wasn’t hard for them to show eagerness to defeat The Wrecking Crew’s representatives in the main event, as expressed by their backstage promo.

– The WCWC Tag team Championship main event between Whirlwind Gentlemen and Hammerstone/G3 was acceptable by main event standards. You also had plenty of Wrecking Crew presence at ringside, with Jeremy Blanchard outside the apron and Morty Lipschitz on commentary, who talked up Wrecking Crew’s 2016 momentum. The in-ring story here was very solid, as the first half was dedicated to Hammerstone/G3 breaking down Marcel, until he made the hot tag to Jack Manley, who quickly turned the tables. As we geared towards the finish, it was apparent nothing would be settled when Grappler I came out and attacked G3 to end the match via DQ, ensuing a show-ending brawl with the faces and heels. Will we see a six-man tag in the future? Since Hammerstone/G3 technically won the match, do they have the right to a rematch? We’ll also make a note that we dug the show’s ending highlight video reel of the match finishes. P.S. Can they bring Brunch Box to Brooklyn? Those burgers look delish.

Quick Results

• Ethan HD def. Cameron Cole via pinfall
• Marcus Malone def. Ricky Gibson (w/Mr. Tubbs) via pinfall
• Caleb Konley def. Mikey O’Shea via pinfall
• WCWC Tag Team Championships – Alexander Hammerstone/Grappler III (w/Jeremy Blanchard) def. The Whirlwind Gentlemen (Champion) via DQ; The Whirlwind Gentlemen retain