Photo courtesy of Eventbrite.

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 12/29/16)

Honor And Prestige 

– This episodes highlights Episodes #73-78 and the majority focused on AML Wrestling’s Prestige Championship Tournament, set up similarly to Lucha Underground’s Battle Of The Bulls. Four separate Fatal Four-Ways where each winner would face off in their own Fatal Four-Way with that winner being the new Prestige Champion. It’s hard to tell right away where the belt falls on the talent spectrum, but it appears to be the upper midcard. Not a bad idea, since we could use more gold around these parts. The AML Wrestling Prestige Championship Tournament Qualifying match between Matt Sigmon, Elliott Russell, Sean Denny and Brandon Scott had a cool angle of seeing The Heatseekers compete against each other while you also had Scott of Team Axcellence and Denny from The Geordie Bulldogs, who were in a feud with The Heatseekers. Backstage promos came from Team Axellence (who pushed being in the Tourney together and how one was better than the other), The Heatseekers (who also spoke about the Tourney, as Sigmon was unaware that Russell was also in it) and GB (as Mark Denny thought he was in the Tournament instead of his partner) in a nice mix. They made plenty use of the “Tag Team Flavor.” Rightfully so. We liked how Sigmon tried to intimidate Mark Denny before the bell as he asked how his neck was, a direct reference to The Heatseekers’ attack. The match’s tag-in format killed a little buzz for us, since you had to know that The Heatseekers would obviously stick together. Formulaic action until we got a standoff between The Heatseekers, as Russell shoved Sigmon, but then hugged him, an obvious “troll” moment. The hug set up Denny’s flawless double missile dropkick. Scott hit the Scottbuster on Russell for a near-fall. In the end, Denny spit mist into Rusell’s eyes and scooped him up in a school boy to pin him. Denny’s advancement brings some tag team legitimacy to the Finals. The magic came with The Heatseekers’ brutal chair attack on Denny’s ankle as they slammed his ankle in between the chair numerous times. Denny sold the injuries brilliantly as he covered his face and even sped his breathing up, while other officials and even Owner Tracy Myers checked on him. Logical way to advance the GB-Heatseekers feud and one has to question Denny’s condition and perhaps the scenario where Mark steps in for him. Mark’s post-match promo was great, as he kept it serious (as opposed to his jokey self) and professed revenge for his brother and wanted the AML Wrestling Tag Team Championships.

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