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Notes In Observance – WCWC 2/18/17: Birthday Brawlin’
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 2/18/17)
Birthday Brawlin’
– We’re so happy they finally managed to work in heel Eric Right into the opening montage. Continuity is key, folks.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 2/4/17: Heavenly, But Not So Gentlemanly
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 2/4/17)
Heavenly, But Not So Gentlemanly
– Caleb Konley came out, recently returned from whatever he worked on prior. Instead of being an honorary Wrecking Crew member, he remained a friendly associate. That’s fine, though. Konley shines better as a solo heel act in WCWC. His opponent was Damian Drake in an odd take on “Hero Vs. Villain.” That “story” will happen no matter who Drake’s opponent is, frankly. This was a confusing pairing if the plan wasn’t to put Konley over in spades. We actually wish we could get some advancement with the vague superhero characters in the Midnight Marvels. What if they ever became heels in a “Hero Becomes The Villain” type of thing? Some touch-and-go mat-based grappling dominated the pace early on. This was more competitive than it had any business being, which we had no problem with. Drake has strong potential as a midcarder down the road if they want to go that route. He pulled off an impressive spinning basement enziguiri. We got back into familiar territory as Konley took Drake’s momentum and swung into his side with a long-winded chop before he struck with the Cradle Shot to get the three count. In essence, Konley gets the win and Drake got to show some endurance, but it seems we type the same things every week. Will they finally be serious about a Drake push? What’s next for Konley to do here?
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 1/21/17: Feeling The Blackout
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 1/21/17)
Feeling The Blackout
– The WCWC Legacy Championship match between Champion Ethan HD and “Mr. Adrenaline” Adrian Matthews had some build when Matthews earned the right after he beat “The Rock God” Ricky Gibson last week. Matthews had an early advantage as he sent the Champ out of the ring after being spit on. Ethan answered with a body slam on the cold concrete. We cracked up at Commentator Morty Lipschitz’s claim that the Referee “should be disqualified” when he kicked the ropes as he noticed Ethan using them for leverage. Carney provided some outside physicality, as Lipschitz dismissed it as “waking him up.” Hilarious. After a superplex by Matthews, Carney brought in a chair, which was set down by Matthews. Ethan tried to take advantage but got clotheslined to the canvas as Matthews climbed to the top. Carney shoved Matthews off the top rope for the disqualification finish. Sigh. We say this though – when heels get themselves disqualified to retain Titles, why do they get upset that they lost the match? Anyways, Matthews chased Carney backstage and Ethan threatened the Referee with a chair. He put put it down and made like he’d walk away, only to come back and land a Blackout, as the Referee’s face landed on the chair. That was actually awesome. For extra heel points, he lightly kicked the Referee’s head afterwards. If not for the fact we question why he’d be mad in the first place since he retained anyway, still good for shock value alone.
Notes In Observance – WCWC 1/14/17: Presence Of Mind
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 1/14/17)
Presence Of Mind
– The Gallo-Ian Sutton match served its purpose as a misguided glorified squash to further establish The Wrecking Crew’s newest “pet.” Maybe literally. Think of Gallo like a more muscular version of Rick Steiner’s “barking dog” gimmick. It worked in a sense since WCWC Pacific Northwest Champion Grappler III was with him at ringside. We also liked the idea of Sutton as his opponent because he could use a rub from some offense put in. The downward side of Sutton’s stereotypical redneck gimmick’s exactly that – it’s limiting. Luckily, Sutton showed more depth to his in-ring skills and actually put in a few decent shots that had Gallo reeling. The pulverizing party didn’t last long, as Gallo took control after a mighty powerslam to earn his way to victory. Sutton’s one-match win streak would remain that. G3’s post-match promo was fine, as it reminded us of the impending tag match where Gallo/Caleb Konley would battle Mikey O’Shea/Alexander Hammerstone next week and G3 would be handcuffed to the ropes. This was the heels marveling over their high victory chances.
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 12/24/16: The Christmas Eve Serial Thriller
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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 12/24/16)
The Christmas Eve Serial Thriller
– The Northwest Express-King Khash/Julian Whyt match was predictable based off previous angles. The biggest development we got was the Phlex Walker/Marcus Malone duo name. Good sign that they intend to go far with them, since Malone’s team with Mikey O’Shea had potential, but never achieved much. Bad fashion seemed to be the match’s topic, as it ranged from Walker’s odd shiny grey sleeves-only attire to Mr. Tubbs’ bright orange orange shoes he wore with his suit. At least it helped that Malone matched Walker’s orange and blue colors. The action was tame, though Tubbs interjected at one point with his cane. They had Malone take punishment from the heels to set up a “hot tag” to Walker, but there was no smooth transition to the finish, it sort of just happened. We liked that Walker got the pinfall as it keeps his “newbie” momentum going. It also doesn’t hurt to get NWE off to the right foot with a victory.
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 12/3/16: 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.
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