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Notes In Observance – WCWC 1/28/17: Legacy Royale
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 1/28/17)
Legacy Royale
– The WCWC Pacific Northwest Championship match between Damian Drake and Champion Grappler III was an alarming mismatch off the bat. Firstly, what did Drake even do to earn a shot at the big belt? We assumed this’d be a squash for the sake of one, but a little background on why he got the shot would’ve sufficed. Hell, don’t even put the belt on the line. It’d build more hope for a Drake upset that could lead to a future Title shot. Drake had the right idea strategically to use his aerials and there was a prominence of that early on, but Wrecking Crew gonna wreck. Jeremy Blanchard war ringside and literally yanked down every effort Drake used to get ahead. We got more downplays of Blanchard’s interferences by Commentator Morty Lipschitz. Hilarious stuff. G3 remained firm as he didn’t take Drake seriously and can you blame him here? Blanchard bounced Drake’s head off the bottom rope, as Lipschitz defended that he “made his hair look longer.” So outlandishly ridiculous, but that’s why we love ya, Morty. Okay, Drake began to fly around for some hope spots, but a missed top rope splash set the stage for the orthopedic boot to end things. Easy finish that you can chalk up to Drake’s inexperience and G3’s dastardly ways. However, with weeks gone by and G3’s victories in the same fashion, nobody ever questions the boot? Gosh, it’s sad when even the kid in the first row has a sign that reads, “Referee, Check The Boot!” and WCWC management don’t.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 1/7/17: Heavenly Surprises
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 1/7/17)
Heavenly Surprises
– The Heavenly Bodies-Northwest Express match opened 2017’s first telecast (as commentary made it known throughout the opening minutes) with HB’s debut. The good thing was that they hyped this out from about two to three weeks prior. It probably also helped us that we remember HB from Pro Wrestling Syndicate where they tore it down as associates of “Shining” Edward Jackson. Gosh, was it really that long ago? It was also good to see that they’ve decided to stick with Phlex Walker/Marcus Malone as a team, despite their matching color scheme looking a little Men On A Mission-esque. The heels garnered immediate heat even before the match as they prepared to lock up, only to leave the ring and jaw with fans. Disappointingly, the first commercial break came before we saw anything more than collar-and-elbow tie-ups and arm rest holds. We also loved how commentary played up on the fact that it’s hard to tell off the bat who was Desirable Dustin and Gigolo Justin before they pointed it out. The heels tried to evacuate the premises mid-match, which was met with chops galore. Justin hit a nice rolling lariat off the apron onto Walker before he shoved him into the steel steps. Both HB members were in the ring as Malone got the hot tag. A collision course spot sent the HB bumping into each other headfirst. As NE geared up for some sort of variation of the Doomsday Device, Justin put a stop to that and set up the team’s sick finisher, The Pearly Gates. The wheelbarrow cutter double-team was more than enough for them to score the pin. A nice dip in the water and it made us want more.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 12/31/16: New Year’s Slammin’ Eve
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 12/31/16)
New Year’s Slammin’ Eve
– The Christy Olson/Mikey O’Shea/Alexander Hammerstone/WCWC Legacy Champion Grappler III/Jeremy Blanchard/Caleb Konley in-ring segment advanced the Wrecking Crew-Hammerstone/O’Shea/Adam Thornstowe feud without the latter’s presence. This was the babyface’s television return after WC got them suspended. Hammerstone had the advantage of actually being a WC member at one point, so his words were heavy to listen to. The segment’s “twist” was that G3 called in some favors, as he revealed that someone had “unfinished business” with O’Shea and it was none other than the returning Konley. Liked how they tied in things to exactly one year ago, but strange at the same time. Why suddenly bring it up now? At least there was plenty of history between O’Shea/Konley. More on that later. Next week’s hook was also provided when G3 informed Hammerstone he had a surprise for him then. O’Shea was a highlight on the mic too.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 12/17/16: The Wrong Day To Pick A Fight
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 12/17/16)
The Wrong Day To Pick A Fight
– The WCWC Pacific Northwest Championship match between Champion Grappler III and Adrian “The Adrenaline” Matthews had the right idea. We liked G3’s pre-match promo, as he told us that Alexander Hammerstone, Adam Thornstowe and Mikey O’Shea were suspended by the Athletic State Commission for their actions and wouldn’t be there. The crowd heckled G3, which was fun to see. Their jeers drowned him out at one point. Given The Wrecking Crew’s affiliation with Commentator Morty Lipschitz (their lawyer), it was the logical route. Did he make good on his promise to prevent another Hammerstone appearance? As far as the match, it went how we expected. G3 worked him over, while Jeremy Blanchard repeatedly interfered on the outside. Commentary also spoke of a “streak” that Matthews rode headed in. It would’ve helped to actually mention some names that he beat on this “streak.” Better selling point. Matthews outmuscled Blanchard as he punched him off the apron and unleashed an array of momentum to set up a senton, but missed. It was there where G3 kicked him with his loaded orthopedic boot to retain. The kick looked like it barely connected, but it was what it was.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 12/10/16: The War Gets Settled
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 12/10/16)
The War Gets Settled
– The “Rock God” Ricky Gibson-Spyder Warrior match felt routine, but had a unique angle of no Mr. Tubbs at ringside. Despite that, it still felt seen before. It was portrayed early as an even affair before Gibson’s experience got him the advantage with long rest holds to break Warrior down. Gibson also showed nice confidence, as he posed over Warrior several times. While they gave Warrior some credibility in that he had the first Power Ballad attempt scouted (probably didn’t help that Gibson shouted the move’s name right before), but fell victim to the second. This was the most interesting thing they did with Gibson in months, as we’re left to wonder what the possible fallout might’ve been between him and Tubbs. Commentary made sure to raise it on viewer’s minds.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 12/3/16: Thornstowe’s Surprise
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 12/3/16)
Thornstowe’s Surprise
– The Alexander Hammerstone/Mikey O’Shea-Matt Striker/”Big Jack” Cunningham match started the show with a blaze, reliant upon the big reveal of Hammerstone as Adam Thornstowe’s “surprise” for The Wrecking Crew. Prior to the reveal, O’Shea came out charging towards WCWC Pacific Northwest Champion Grappler III, which made sense given that he was injured by his hands. Thank goodness Hammerstone was the surprise and not O’Shea, because boy, that would’ve been lousy. We like Hammerstone in this “new era” as he takes on his former allies. He always had something special that was untapped and this babyface run could be what he needs. That also seemed to be the first time we heard a genuine pop from the WCWC faithful. It was also funny since Hammerstone was recently featured on that “Best Of 2016” episode, so his return had to be a hot rumor. Speaking of returns, Commentator Kris Kloss was back and better than ever next to Commentator Morty Lipschitz. A nice change of pace from the usual start, as we figured this would be something saved for the main event. As far as the match, not much to write home about besides for Hammerstone’s routine bodyslam on Cunningham, before G3/Jeremy Blanchard attacked him, to cause the match to be thrown out. The brawl was what it was, though we laughed that the Referee mistakenly ruled the match a “No Disqualification.” Shouldn’t that be a DQ win for the babyfaces? Lipschitz’s over-the-top angry reaction to Hammerstone’s return was priceless and logical, since he could use his lawyer skills to find some wrongful legality in the situation. We also learned from Broadcast Journalist Christy Olson that this would build to a Six-Man No Disqualification match between O’Shea/Thornstowe/Hammerstone against Cunningham/Striker/G3 for next week.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 11/19/16: Deja Vu
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 11/19/16)
Deja Vu
– The opening in-ring segment with Commentator Jeff Akin, Marcus Malone and Adam Thornstowe immediate followed up last week. In fact, Malone interrupted Akin’s pre-show open, as he made it clear that he wanted revenge against The Wrecking Crew, who put his partner, Mikey O’Shea, through a table. This was a welcome cue for Thornstowe to come out and announce his past problems with WC and proposed a team with Malone. There was also a Bullet Club reference, because why not? All in all, it was fast and made sense.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 11/12/16: Kiss The Table
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 11/12/16)
Kiss The Table
– The WCWC Legacy Championship match between Champion Ethan HD and Gangrel was warranted from The Vampire Warrior’s previous Non-Title victory over the Champ. This was an easy story to tell, since Ethan stuck to his cowardly ways when he didn’t have the upper hand. Carney also proved to be a managerial force, as she distracted Gangrel atop the apron and also threw glitter in his face. The commentary team couldn’t hold themselves back from a vampire joke. Also, it was mentioned that Kris Kloss would return in December. We wonder if this is now a running joke. Some good bumps and near-falls as the contest progressed, particularly where Ethan hit his 450 Splash and when Gangrel back dropped him into the top turnbuckle. Unfortunately, it was Carney who intervened one too many times for Gangrel to overcome, as she allowed Ethan to hit the Blackout when she was dragged into the ring for her client to retain. Another match with the same story. Not to say it wasn’t good though.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 11/5/16: Respect Goes Out The Window
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 11/5/16)
Respect Goes Out The Window
– As the weeks continue, there has been an up in production value. Now, it has spread to the show’s theme song and montage. It was changed to Muse’s “Uprising.” It feels empty, guess we’ll have to get used to it. We liked the old West Coast Wrestling Connection theme as it hit hard and gave you the feel of what it all was about. The only thing about that was that a lot of talent featured in that montage were outdated, so this was probably to fix that problem. We’ll see how we feel about it by next week, if it’s still the theme.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 10/22/16: Ladder Lads
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 10/22/16)
Ladder Lads
– Little did we know that the Oct. 22nd would bring drastic broadcast format changes for one West Coast Wrestling Connection. On one hand, we were thrilled at the sleekness in production that brought new “type-in and erase” style text upon the wrestler’s entrances and pre-match promos that were now in the center of the screen rather than picture-in-picture. On the other, we saw Jeff Akin’s return to commentary and Kris Kloss’ absence. We had began to warm up to Kloss, who played the babyface announcer to a tee and had better chemistry with Commentator Morty Lipschitz. Hard to tell if it was a one-episode thing, but with new ads too (they took The Whirlwind Gentlemen out of the “Beds And Furniture 4 Less” commercial), maybe it was a sign of things to come.
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