As it is WrestleMania Weekend and I’m drunk, I’m bashing these reviews out and not really editing them (yes, I usually edit). If an incoherent ramble doesn’t interest you, don’t bother reading them.
The WrestleCon Supershow is a WrestleMania tradition at this point and, despite having both PAC and a load of Dragon Gate talent pull out this year, you can almost guarantee it will deliver.
Masato Tanaka defeated Eddie Kingston
Well, here’s a match-up made in heaven. Kingston and Tanaka like to hit people, so letting them hit each other is pretty perfect. There was nothing fancy about it, as those went out and beat each other up. Stiff strikes, snapped suplexes and hard slams. It’s a simple combination, but it’s one that works when the wrestlers who are executing them are as comfortable in that world as Tanaka and Kingston. Tanaka got the win with a Sliding D and that fucker ain’t ever going to age.
After the match, Kingston grabbed a mic and told Tanaka that he was his dream match in what came across as a genuine moment. Lovely to see particularly with Eddie heading towards retirement.
Verdict: Three And A Half Stars
Rey Fenix defeated Pentagon Jr (or whatever he’s called on this show)
The Lucha Brothers came out and cut a very rude promo about The Young Bucks. When it became clear the Bucks were not about to come, they decided to fight each other. Fuck yea!
Look, there is a reason these two are the American indie scene. Fenix and Pentagon are ridiculously brilliant and being actual brothers who wrestle together all the time; they have pretty good chemistry too. The bell went and they hit accelerate and then they sped it up and then, just for a laugh, they did it again. Throw in the fact that they’re quite happy to stiff each other and you’ve got a fantastic wrestling match that is as fun as a bath full of puppies.
Fenix, who still blows my mind every time I see him wrestle, got the three after an Avalanche Spanish Fly, but not before these two hit more cool moves than some wrestlers do in a career. That was delightful.
Verdict: Four Stars
DJZ, Puma King, Samantha Heights and Tajiri defeated LAX (Santana, Ortiz and Diamante) and Sammy Guevera
What lunatic decided to team DJZ, Tajiri, Puma King and Samantha Heights? That makes ROH cramming Bloodlines together look like a perfectly sane combination. Thankfully, they were smart enough to play to people’s strengths which meant Tajiri spent a lot of time on the apron while LAX led the action. That team is fantastic which I only really figured out last WrestleMania weekend, but since then they’ve been given a lot more opportunities to show it.
Truthfully, this was a fun match, but nothing special. Although, the finish was cool as Tajiri misted Ortiz mid-arm drag before taking his head off with the Buzzsaw Kick. Nothing incredible, but not awful either.
Verdict: Three Stars
Robbie Eagles defeated Arez and Flamita
Arez is a Mexican indie guy who has worked a bit of AAA, but for whom this was clearly a massive opportunity. You could tell he was going all out to impress and I got the impression he and Flamita had worked together before. If they hadn’t, they established a decent amount of trust very quickly.
Elsewhere, Eagles has become a favourite of mine. I don’t think there is anyone else doing that technical high-flying style as well as him and he also worked with Flamita. It’s probably fair to say Flamita was the guy who held this match together. Although, if that’s the case, he should have suggested that Arez hitting a Spanish Fly off Flamita’s back to Eagles while he was going for a Crossbody was an insane idea. They somehow pulled it off, but it was close to going horribly wrong.
Eagles would get the win with a 450 onto a bridging Arez, and while this match had a few awesome spots, it didn’t flow well enough to be anything better than good. Still, good is, by its nature, good, so we can’t complain.
Verdict: Three And A Quarter Stars
Jushin Thunder Liger, X-Pac and The Hurricane defeated Revolt! (Caleb Konley, Jake Manning and Zane Riley)
We’ve got a new contender for the wackiest team award. X-Pac, Hurricane Helms and Jushin Thunder Liger. Jesus Christ. If I didn’t suspect it was genius, I’d hate this shit.
Look X-Pac and Hurricane got those nostalgia pops while I’m sure someone cares about Revolt! (is that you? Can you explain why? Is it the ‘man scout’?), but everyone in the venue, and probably most of the people in the ring, were watching this for Liger. Take him out, and after the entrances, you’d have gone for a piss.
The legends pulled out their greatest hits, Manning and Hurricane had a dance off which caused Liger to nearly fall off the apron laughing and The Thunder God picked up the win. It was what it was and probably a lot more fun if you were there. The post-match tribute to Liger was at least touching.
Verdict: Two And A Half Stars
Dragon Lee defeated Barbaro Cavenario
So, even on the VOD, Fite TV seems to have missed the vast majority of Cavenario vs Dragon Lee. That’s a bit shit because it was a match I was excited about, although it’s made me happy I didn’t stay up to watch the show. That would have been a pain in the arse. Perhaps they’ll add it later, at which point I’ll come back and fill out this review. At the moment, I’ve only seen the finish which was pretty cool, but not reviewable.
Verdict: NA
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Shane Strickland
Here’s Zacky boy to class the joint up. It didn’t take long for him to go to work on Strickland’s leg, all while giving the crowd the finger. You’ve got to love it. Although, Strickland probably doesn’t. That might be why he responded by going after Sabre’s legs himself, showing a bit of wrestling skill and throwing in some kicks. He was even kind enough to give Zack a bit of practice for Saturday night as he pulled out the Dragon Screw Leg Whip.
This felt removed from the WrestleMania Weekend insanity. Sabre and Strickland worked a slower match, taking their time and crafting their story. There was no rush to hit their spots and impress the crowd, it was a Zack Sabre Jr match, and they had faith they were talented enough to do things their way.
The turning point was Strickland leaving the floor and deciding to hit Sabre instead. Having been coerced into working Sabre’s style, he started to up the pace and force Sabre into wrestling the way he wanted to. It was suddenly a back and forth fight, and it looked like Strickland might push through to victory.
Except, Zack always has a plan. As Strickland came off the top rope, he crashed down into Zack’s grasping limbs and bang. It was over. You give Zack Sabre Jr an inch, and he will take a mile. Great showing from both men.
Verdict: Four Stars
SCU (Christopher Daniels, Kazarian and Scorpio Sky) defeated The Best Friends and Friend (Beretta, Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy)
I am annoyed that no-one informed me Orange Cassidy has got over huge. He received a Liger-level pop for putting his hands in his pockets. If that’s not nailing pro-wrestling, I don’t know what is. He could never take a bump again and work for the rest of his life.
These six had a comedy match that was a lot of fun but went too long. Still, you’ll probably enjoy it, especially if you break up this show into more manageable chunks. Cassidy’s antics were at the centre of it all with there even being a subplot about his sunglasses turning people evil. I’d try to explain it all, but that would make it horrendously unfunny. If you like comedy wrestling, check it out.
Verdict: Three Stars
Will Ospreay defeated Bandido
After a long old show, Ospreay and Bandido are not a bad choice to keep the crowd awake. Within seconds we had a Spanish Fly, a Space Flying Tiger Drop and a Shooting Star Press. They were not pissing around.
Unsurprisingly, things did slow down after that. Although not much. These two gave you everything you’d expect from them as Bandido, in particular, was here to prove he belonged. Not only is he a great high flyer, but he was getting to shove off those muscles too. At one point, Bandido Gorilla Press Slammed Will, and that could be the thing that helps him to stand out.
Of course, it was at its best when they put the foot down and flew at each other. The shit these two can do individually is incredible, but when you put them together, it hits insane levels of talent. What makes it all the more incredible is that you still got the feeling they could go to another level. This was two guys showing off, what could they do in a Super Juniors or for an IWGP Junior Title match? What could do they when there is something to fight for?
Unsurprisingly, Will picked up the win, but I do not doubt that we will see this match again. Kevin Kelly was dropping hints that NJPW is very interested in Bandido and with his ROH contract, that would be no problem for them to arrange. If they can do better than this, then true magic will be created.
Verdict: Four And A Half Stars
Overall Show
That was a delight. It was too long, and you could have cut a few matches out of the middle, but the quality was high enough throughout that it didn’t hurt it too badly. I didn’t even see Cavenario vs Dragon Lee! Fuck, I hope they got that on tape. Anyway, I might not have been drinking at the start of this review, but I am now, so let’s leave it here. Cheerio!
Ramblings About Wrestling 
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