Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Flashback Reviews IWA Mid South 2007 Ted Petty Invitational

WWE had WrestlerMania, The Royal Rumble, and Summer Slam. TNA has Bound for Glory, Lockdown, Slammivesary. And on the indy scene most companies that last have there trademark yearly events. And for IWA Mid South non was more well known that the Ted Petty Invitational. IWA MS started in 1996 when Ian Rotten left ECW and founded the promotion. It started as just a hardcore company and while it still had those matches the in ring style changed. Names such as Chris Hero, BJ Whitmer, Jimmy Jacobs, Colt Cabana, and CM Punk all got big breaks and noticed in IWA. Hell it was the series of matches between Hero and Punk in IWA that put both men on the map and if not for those matches Punk may not have gotten as far as he did. In 2000 Rotten started a tournament he called the Sweet Science Sixteen to show off the great technical wresters in IWA. When Ted Petty better known as Rocco Rock passed away the tournament was renamed to honor him. 

Sadly all was not good with IWA as numerous issues went on backstage. Several guys has bitter falling outs with Rotten and he stiffed a lot of guys on pay even both Hero and Punk were gone for a while. Also the company seemed to always been going out of business as shows were announced as "Last one Ever" or they told fans "We need this to be a huge success or else we can't afford to go on." I believe IWA Mid South is now dead and buried but Ian might bring it back at some point to make a quick buck witch seems to be what's he's done a few times. Going into the 2007 TPI Chuck Taylor was the IWA champion having held the belt nearly a year. Since he was in the tournament that meant ever match he had was for the tittle. Besides Taylor there are top names like Chris Hero, Mike Quackenbush, Claudio Castagnoli, Nigel McGuinness, and the legendary Too Cold Scorpio. I really enjoyed these show back in 2007 but do they hold up.? Like the CHIKARA DVD this was produced by Smart Mark Video so commentary rotates throughout the shows although this does give you the option to each with commentary off. 

Night One-

We have an opening ceremony to being the show. And we are told all matches are over seen by the National Wrestling Alliance. I really do like doing the opening as each person in the tournament comes out and are told how many TPI's they have been in or if they have won it before. Its the kind of stuff you might see in Japan or England and it reminds me of the parade of fighters I did before a Muay Thai fight. It something different from the usual stuff you see on wrestling shows in the USA. After everyone had been introduced an official photo is taken and we actually see the guys joking around a little. After that we see the guys walking to the back when out of no where BJ Whitmer attack Jimmy Jacobs and throw him into the ring post. Chuck Taylor comes out of pulls BJ off of Jacobs. Taylor off a five to the man he will face in first round. Each guy goes for a kick to the cut but Jimmy lands first and goes for the contra code. Chuck counters into his finisher the awful waffle. Jacobs gets a microphone and says Chuck bite off more than he can chew. Jimmy tells everyone is counting him out even though he is known for over coming the odds. Jimmy admits he is booked for another show on night two but tells everyone he is booked for the first match and he will be he there in time for night two. He finishes calling Taylor a bad parody of him (Jimmy) in 2005. Good opening segment to set up the main event for night one.

Round One: 

Ricochet vs Josh Abercrombie- Ricochet has worked for Dragon Gate, DGUSA, EVOVLE, and CHIKARA. Abercrombie who had also used the name Josh Raymond has worked for AAW, ROH, and I think even WSX. Arm lock takedown by Abercrombie. Ricochet pulls at the arm and back but Abercrombie counters into a front face lock but counted into a hammer lock by Ricochet. Roll into pin by Ricochet. Toss into press by Abercrombie than into a back stretch but countered Ricochet. Modified backslides by Ricochet gets two. Next planned spot appeared to be a side slam but Ricochet was to low and gets dropped on his head. Abercrombie ties Ricochet in the ropes and does a head scissors. School boy by Abercrombie gets two. Neck breaker by Abercrombie for another two count.  Shoulder block by Abercrombie but he misses the back cracker. DDT off the second rope by Ricochet but he can't' follow up right away. Spin kick than the Pelle by Ricochet gets two. Abercrombie counters a Rana into a power bomb than the Tom Selleck Driver witch looks to be a more forceful side russian leg sweep but it only gets two. Flying Head scissors by Ricochet sends Abercrombie to the floor. Frossberry Flop by Ricochet. Flying double knees to the chest by Ricochet gets two. Ricochet climbs to the top but Abercrombie gets up and hits a super back stabber and than lock into a cobra clutch stretch for the win. Decent opening match. Some good exciting counters a little short but given how many matches they had to get through that is understandable. 

Joker vs CJ Otis with Joey Eastman- Otis had a really generic look with shorts and long blonde hair. Joey Eastman lets the fans know this is his last appearance in IWA Mid South and he is grateful to never have to see the fans again. Headlock by Otis than he won't go down on shoulder tackles. Hard chops exchange until Otis his a knee. Rana by Joker. Otis hits a forearm on a dive. Over head belly to belly by Otis. Straight jacket by Otis. Nice looking snap suplex by Otis gets two. Otis runs into a big boot and than takes a brain buster. Dropkick to the back of the head by Joker. German Suplex by Joker that Otis no sells and jumps right up and hits a lariat. School by by Otis gets two. Spin kick by Joker but a German from Otis that Joker no sells.  Power bomb by Joker for the win. Ok match but that kind of match you could tell both guys were holding back knowing there weren't being given a lot of time so they didn't have a chance of stealing the show. 

Eddie Kingston vs Human Tornado- Tornado is out of California most know for his work in PWG he's also been in ROH and WSX he also had a small part in the movie Nacho Libra. Although Kingston was trained in CHIKARA it was his IWA MS work that helped him break out. In a strange editing move Eddie goes over to one camera and is clearly saying something but instead of the shot from that camera we get a different shot. Or maybe that camera guy forgot to turn it on until it was to late. Chris Hero is on commentary for this match and it's pretty fun since he "hates" both guys he was feuding with Tornado in PWG and Kingston pretty much everywhere else. I do find it kind of strange that Hero runs down the details of his feud with Tornado since in IWA Hero was a heel and Tornado a face while in PWG Tornado was a woman beating heel while Hero the guys that stopped him. Kingston steals Tornado's hair pick to start. Front face lock by Tornado taken into a Hammer lock than a snap mare for a chin lock. Tornado counters out and gets a headlock. Kingston goes for the back drop driver but Tornado takes King down. Head scissors by Kingston. Tornado with a pimp slap to Kingston he than ducks King's attempt to return fire and hit him again. Leg lariat than a flying back splash followed by the Running Yakuza by Tornado. Dancing kicks to the face by Tornado. Kingston goes to the floor. Sling shot splash by Tornado and they hit the guard rail. Kingston sent into the pole. Big chops by Kingston. Kingston blocks the suplex and than chops the back of Tornado. Kingston with the dance style kicks to the face to Tornado. Overhand chop by Kingston to the chest. Tornado flips over the Kingston clothesline and gets a backslide for one. Yakuza by Kingston. Tornado ducks the running Yakuza in the  corner and hits one of own to the back of the head. King hung in the ropes and spring board double stomp to the head to the floor by Tornado. Springboard missile dropkick by Tornado gets two. Kingston puts his arms up stop a bronco buster but instead gets kicked low. Yurnagi by Kingston but Tornado gets the rope. Short arm lariat but Tornado kicks at two. Slap to the face by Kingston drops Tornado but the spinning back fist is block. Back drop driver AKA the DND by Tornado for the win. I'm not and cold on both guys they aren't awful but they aren't great this was a good match though.

Post match the two men shake ands and embrace. Kingston holds up Tornado's hand. Chris Hero gets a microphone and starts to mock Kingston. Hero reminds us that for years Kingston has wanted to get in the TIP. Officials hold Kingston back. Hero keeps calling Kingston a loser. Hero leaves as a pissed off Kingston gets a microphone. Kingston says Scorpio is going to beat Hero. Kingston says he has dealt with Hero in CZW and CHIKARA. Kingston finds IWA owner Ian Rotten and says he wants a match with Hero tomorrow night. Rotten agrees but warns Eddie if he interferes in the Hero vs Scorpio match than King is out for a year. Well way to ruin the result of the Hero vs Scorpio match since you pretty much made it clear you were doing a Hero vs Kingston match on night two.

BJ Whitmer vs Davey Richards- Whitmer had canned his look for what I used two he had died his hair blonde and grew a goatee he actually looked like a taller not as fat Steve Corino although the announcers says he looks like Ken Anderson. Whitmer is also a former TPI winner. Davey had just won the ECWA Super 8 in 2006 along with the 2005 PWG BOLA,  and was just starting to climb the ladder of Indy wrestling. And to be honest I am a big fan of both guys so I hoping this is good. These two also a small feuding dating back to a losing team up in the Candido cup earlier that year. Arm wringer by Whitmer. Richards bridges out and kicks Davey in the shoulder. Richards ties up the legs. Wrist lock by Richards but Whitmer flips around and powers Davey down. Shoulder tackle by Richards but Whitmer won't go down. Yakuza than a spin kick by Richards Head scissors by Richards sends Whitmer to the floor. Richards acts like he is about to dive, BJ moves and Richards cartwheels back. Kick to the gut and chops by Whitmer. Leg kicks by Richards and he check one from BJ. Spine buster by Whitmer. Goard buster onto the ropes by Whitmer. Richards to the floor Whitmer follows him out and drives the back into the apron than whips Richards into the guardrail. Back breaker by Whitmer. Richards his a forearm and chop so Whitmer goes to the eyes. Whitmer with a camel clutch. Richards gets the rope break. Nice looking snap suplex by Whitmer gets two. Chin breaker by Richards but he runs into the big boot. Whitmer goes to suplex Richards over the ropes the floor but Richards holds on and pulls Whitmer down with him cool spot. Both men slowly get back into the ring. Jumping round house kick by Richards. Series of chops by Richards  but he again runs into the boot. Over head belly to belly by Richards and it  looks perfect. Spring board missile drop kick by Richards send Whitmer to the back Richards with a dive to the floor it appears he caught the foot but landed fine. Back to the ring Richards with a picture perfect cross bod off the top rope. Richards goes for a key lock but Whitmer gets the ropes. Rapid fire kick by Richards. Dropkick to the knee by Whitmer than a running knee to the face. Vertical Suplex by Whitmer. Whitmer hits a frog splash but only gets two. BJ goes for a superplex but Richards with head buts and than a sunset bomb. Running kick to the chest by Richards. Richards calls for the DR Driver But Whitmer blocks it and goes for a buckle bomb but he can't get Richards up so he has to reset and than hits it. Running big boot right to the face by Whitmer than a power bomb gets two. Handspring kick  than enzigurie by Richards. Belly to back suplex followed by a German with a picture perfect bridge by Richards. Richards back to the key lock for the submission win. Damn good match you could already tell by 2006 Richards was going to be one of the very best in the world and had the passion for this business. Whitmer sadly will never get the credit he deserves as the guy is one hell of a wrester and at the very least should have gotten a a tryout with TNA or WWE. 

Dysfunction vs Devon Moore- Moore's music shuts off as he is walking to the ring. Single leg drop kick by more than an elbow. Dysfunction to the outside but Moore hits a suicide dive. Dysfunction no sells it and hits chops. Moore with a big boot but gets a back body drop on the floor. Way to blow a bunch of hight spots less than a minute in. Back in the ring knees to the back than back couple back breakers by Dysfunction. Enziquire by Moore than lionsault gets two. Enziquire and than a second by more than a standing moonsault by Dysfunction. Spring board block buster by Moore gets two. Victory roll for two by Moore. Superkick by Dysfunction gets two. Death Valley driver by Dysfunction gets two. Top rope leg drop misses as Moore moves. Slam by Moore. Moore to the top but Dysfunction cuts him off and goes for a super rubix cube. Moore counters and hits a rana from the top.Moore back to the top for a shooting star press. Felt like the rushed through way to many high spots. The match was short so I think they were going for a something like a boxing or MMA fight where the guys are thrown haymaker a and finally one connect.

Jason Dukes makes his way to ring upset he's not in the tournament. Dukes was the NWA Midwest X-Division champion and bragged about beating Billy Kidman recently. Dukes demands Ian Rotten come up and place him in the second round. Rotten demands Dukes get out of the ring but Dukes won't' unless he get a bye to the second round. I think Rotten takes a shot at some one in the NWA but I couldn't make out the name finally a cop comes out and Rotten says Dukes is trespassing and wanted him arrested. Finally the cops pull Dukes out and arrests him. Ok that was pointless. I thought it was setting up for a guy to come out run off Dukes and a match on night two. Maybe some other stuff goes on down the line. I do know Ian was breaking his deal with the NWA for maybe this was meant to play into it. 

IWA MidSouth Light Heavyweight Championship
Mike Quackenbush © vs Billy Roc-  The tile was one the line because the story was if a champion was in the TPI than any match he had was for this title. Sadly IWA MS was one of those companies the used replica titles inlace of a original so Quack is wearing the old WCW cruiserweight title. I get money is an issue but I think you better off just going for a rock bottom Custom. Roc was a talented guy who I think has sadly retired (I could be wrong and he just works companies I'm not watcher of.) A recurring story for Quackenbush was he would enter major tournaments like the TPI, Best of the Best, Shamrock Cup and only won a single  Best of the Best. So it was sort of like he was John Elway in Superbowl or Dale Earnhardt int he Daytona 500 he was a great but he couldn't win the big one. Quack had beat Chuck Taylor for the light heavyweight title a few weeks early during  a story where Chuck had all the singles gold in IWA. Back trip into a leg tie up by Quackenbush. Escapee by Roc into a arm ringer. Counter by Quackenbush in a grape fine of the arm. Roc powers free into a front chancery. Another counter by Quack back to the wrist lock but Roc escapes into the advantage. Trip by Quackenbush and he stretches the legs. Clinch by Billy Roc. Head lock by Quackenbush. Drop down trip back to working the legs by Quackenbush. Single leg crap by Quackenbush. Small package by Roc gets two. Exchange by both me and Billy Roc with an arm drag returned by Quack. Flipping arm wrap off the top by Quack. Tilta Whirl back breaker by Quackenbush. Surfboard with a chin lock by Quackenbush. Side slam by Quackenbush and a stiff kick to the back. Back wrench by Quackenbush. Eddie Kingston says he is glade to see Quackenbush being more aggressive. Roc goes for an O'Conner roll but Quackenbush counters into a inverted crab. Roc gets the ropes and Quackenbush breaks the hold. Sunset flip by Quack but Roc rolls thorough and a basement dropkick to the face. Chops by Roc and a coupe of great dropkicks than a leg lariat. Arm drag into a crucifix by Roc gets two. Yoshi Tonic by Roc gets two. Palm strike by Quackenbush. Brain buster by Quackenbush than the condo clutch an inverted cloverleaf. Roc gets to the ropes. Quacken Driver counted by Roc and he hits an no ropes sliced bread for two. Roc to the top for a frog splash but Quack gets the legs up. Lighting lock by Quackenbush for the win. If I may quote Eddie Kingston on commentary "What a great match!" And it was. I would even say beautiful given some of the amazing exchanges the two men had. 

Tank vs Brent Albright- Tank was a big fat death match wrestler so I have no idea how he got in the TPI witch was meant to show off technical wrestling. Tank jumps Albright as he is making his entrance. Tank rams Albright's head into the ring. Great looking drop kicks by Albright than a running Yakuza. Running forearm by Albright. Side slam by Tank. Saito attempt by Tank but Alright turns it into a cover. Eye rack by Tank. Albright to the top for a cross body but Tank moves. Awful looking cross faces by Tank. Head butts Albright. Neve hold by Tank but Alright powers free and goes for the crowbar Tank gets the ropes. Awful looking leg drop off a slam by Tank. Tank goes for a splash but since he's so badly out of shape he doesn't even get off the ground I haven't seen that since Cheex on week two of TNA. Exchange of punches and slaps than head butts. Lariat by Alright and that finally takes Tank down for a two count. Back to the eyes by Tank. German suplex by Albright gets two amazing he cud get the fat ass up. Tank goes for a choke slam but Albright gets the arm bar for the win. Match was ok mainly do to Albright being so good and athletic he could jump up and give Tank's awful moves some impact. 

Brandon Thomaselli vs Joey Ryan- Ryan comes out with one of the NWA world tag titles witch he held at the time. Each guys tries to get the fans to clap to start. Kick to the stomach by Thomaselli but solder tackle by Ryan. Hip toss by Ryan but Thomaselli lands on his feet and hits an arm drug. Arm drag exchange until Joey finally goes for an arm bar. Joey needs a hit off his inhaler. Arm ringer by Ryan and than he bites the thumb. Snap mare and the knees are driven by Ryan. Thomaselli goes for the up and over but Joey stops seeing it coming. Knee to the back of the head by Thomaselli than a kick to the head. Body slam by Thomaselli. Good looking snap suplex connect for Thomaselli who argues with the ref about the count School Boy by Ryan gets two. Clothesline by Thomaselli. Ryan goes for a Tornado DDT but it's Blocked. German suplex by Ryan and both men are down. Clothesline and back elbow by Ryan than a drop kick. Thomaselli is on the apron and Ryan spears him and both men crash to the floor. Ryan to the top rope but gets cut off. Fishermen's buster by Thomaselli gets two. Power bomb is blocked by Ryan. Pump handle suplex than a kick by Ryan. Thomaselli ducks the superkick and hits a Yakuza. Butterfly suplex onto the knees by Thomaselli gets two. Superkick by Ryan gets the win. I think that might have been some kind of botch since it appeared Ryan was starting to get up. Its possible I'm wrong but they cut right to the next match never showing Thomaselli so he could have been knocked out.

Drake Younger vs Nate Webb- Younger is one of the few hardcore wrestlers than can also get in a ring and actually wrestle a match. Webb you may remember from the show Half Pint Brawlers had had also worked for CZW and may other companies as had Youngers. Webb's intro took forever but the fans were so I won't bitch and I've set through Sandman's entrance enough time to know what a real long is. Younger goes for a single leg but Webb avoids it. Arm wringer by Webb counted into an ankle pick by Younger. Headlock by Younger than into a wrist lock than the gamer lock. Counted by Webb so Younger gets the ropes. Drop toes hold by Webb into the head lock. Exchange ends with Younger doing an arm drag into an arm bar. Wrist lock by Younger. Webb uses the referee to flip free and than hits a rana. Forearms by both men. Chops in the corner by Younger than a hip toss of a whip. Back body drop by Younger gets two. Flapjack into indian death lock by Younger. Slam than a second rope moonsault by Younger. Delayed vertical suplex by Younger. Webb with an inverted DDT out of no where. Both men are down. Webb blocks the clothesline and hits a forearm. Clinch into the knees by Webb. Younger ducks as Webb goes for a while spin kick and Webb hits the ropes. Sit-down power bomb by Younger gets two. Younger singles for Drake's Landing but Webb escapes. Big lariat by Webb only gets two. Younger catches on a up and over and hits the running power slam. Younger to the top but he is cut off. Webb with a half nelson suplex off the top for the win. Decent match note was good as  some of the previous matches but a fun watch.

Claudio Castagnoli vs Nigel McGuinness- These two had a feuding a great deal in ROH but it made sense to do it here given how talented both men are. Wrist lock by Claudio and he drives Nigel down. Nigel escapes to one his own. Fight for control and Nigel gets to the hammer lock but Nigel gets free and gets an ankle pick. Hammer lock again by Claudio but Nigel drives them into the ropes for the break. Go behind by Claudio but Nigel escapes and takes him down. Crucifix by Claudio. Full nelson by Nigel than into the top wrist lock. Counter by Nigel into his won. Constant fight for position each man getting near pin falls. I swear to god there like twenty straight exchanges with no problem keeping the flow going. Back elbow Nigel than the headstand mule kick. Upper cuts by Nigel. Uppercut by Claudio. Exchange of uppercuts niter guy givens an inch finally they start hitting the ropes for more momentum. FInally both me are worn out and than they start again honestly this spot wen on to long. Finally Claudio hits sever in succession but Nigel hits a lariat that gets two. Kick to the back and hammer across the chest by Nigel. Nigel goes for tower of london but Claudio fights out and hits a flying upper cut off the top rope. Claudio with the giant swing. Claudio back to the top but Nigel hits the ropes. Tower of London by Nigel McGuinness only gets two. Nigel with a running uppercut than a lariat and that gets two. Diving upper cut by Claudio than the alpamarie water slide gets two. Nigel blocks the Ricola bomb and nits a short arm lariat for two. Bicycle Kick by Claudio. Nigel hits the ropes and rebounds for the Jaw break. Claudio side steps and hits the Ricola Bomb for the win. Good match like the Quackenbush and Roc match there some great exchanges the only knock was the upper cut exchange going on far to long. 

Chris Hero vs Too Cold Scorpio- Hero had won the first ever TPI back when it was called the sweet science sixteen. Some how Ian had convinced Scorpio to make some appearances for IWA even though he could have made more money else where. Hero gets heat by insisting the ring announcer mention each and every TPI he's been in. Lock up to starts Scorpio powers Hero back and breaks clean. Lock up again and this time Hero power Scorpio back and breaks while dancing to mock the high flyer. Exchange of the arm ringer and Scorpio gets the wrist lock. Hero tries to escape and finally does. Cravat by Scorpio but Hero counters into one of his own. Scorpio escapes and locks on in on Hero again. Hero tries to escape but that just lets Scorpio gets a wrist lock. To the ropes and the hold is broken. Kick to the gut and a headlock by Hero. Shoulder tackle collision neither man will move. Dropkick by Scorpio and s second one sends Hero to the floor and we hear him smack the concrete. Scorpio follows Hero out and Hero tries to run but he can't. Kick to the back of the leg by Scorpio. Back to the ring and Hero with a drop kick to the face when Scorpio lowers his head to climb back in. Hero showing off doing flips to mock Scorpio but than he eats a superkick. Chin lock by Scorpio than an elbow to the head. Crossface by Scorpio. Hero into the ropes. Knees to the body by Scorpio. Jump kick by Scorpio. Scorpio with jabs and slaps. On the apron and a leg drop by Scorpio on Hero. Too Cold to the top rope and gets a cross body. Standing moonsault by Hero gets the legs up and does a senton than a second senton. Elbow by Hero and a cover for two. Back flip twist senton by Hero. Scorpio escapes a chin lock and kicks Hero in the face. Single leo dropkick by Hero for two. Hero to the top  and hits a double ax handle. Head scissors by Scorpio sends both men over the top. Hero puts Too Cold into the guard rail and kicks him. Capo kick by Scorpio back in the ring. Belly to back suplex by Scorpio and he goes to to the second rope for a flipping leg drop. Hero kicks at two. Too Cold to the top ropes and hits a twist splash that gets two. Forearms by both men than a Yakuza by Hero gets two. Roaring forearm by Hero than a release suplex. Small package by Scorpio gets two. Another Hero Yakuza. Cravat buster from the second rope by Hero only gets two. Leg lariat and knees by Scorpio Pelle by Scorpio to the head of Hero. 450 Splash by the man that crated it for the win. I'm amazed how well Scorpio kept up with Hero. I do think Hero should have won but that's just me. 

Post match as Hero is leaving Eddie Kingston jumps him. The locker room empties to try and keep them apart. The fans start chanting let them go. Things appears to calm but than Hero tries to go after Kingston. Finally Kingston jumps Hero from behind. Hero is pulled to the back and Kingston is held down. Kingston gets in the ring and refuses to leave he wants Hero now. Ian Rotten tell Eddie if he respect him to do this tomorrow night. I an agrees to make it a NO DQ Last man Standing match. King agrees and leaves the ring. It's an ok segment but since there Hero vs Kingston match was already set up for it went on to long. 

IWA Mid South Heavyweight Championship
Chuck Taylor © vs Jimmy Jacobs- Taylor had won the title on the second night of the TPI in 2006 and was now the longest reigning champion in company history breaking the record held by Jimmy Jacobs. Jacobs come out in the bolo stained gear from his Age of the Gall gimmick. I know he and Tyler Black teamed all over the indies but i don't think they ever did it in IWA and even if they did I find it strange he wearing gear for a gimmick he wasn't doing in IWA. A. Suicide dive from Jacobs before Taylor an even get in the ring. Brawling on the outside a head butt and a whip into the guard rail by Jacobs. Taylor reverse another whip and sends Jacobs into the guard rail he than charges but Jacobs sees it coming and back drops Taylor into the crowd. Jacobs rams Taylor's face into a chair. More brawling on the floor they mention there is supposed to be a 20 count under NWA rules but the referee is letting it go Taylor sent into the fencing they are using for an entrance way. Jacobs put on a merchandise table but than he gets a head scissors and Taylor crashes onto the floor. Fighting on the table. Taylor grabs onto one of the basketball hops in the gym they are in to kick Jacobs but this just give Jacobs a chance to spear taking out Taylor himself and some guys who I hope was meant to be taken and they weren't just in the wrong place. Jacobs pick Taylor and caries him to the ring. The bell rings as Jacobs cover and gets two. Jacobs pulls Taylor out of a corner and hits a modified power bomb before the rapid fire double stomps finished by the senton. Awful looking neck crank by Jacobs where his hands are in the wrong place. Front chancery and knees to the head by Jacobs. Taylor hung in the tree of woe and sing shots into a dropkick. Body scissors and chin lock by Jacobs. Cravat by Jacobs he than places Taylor on the ropes and kicks the ropes into Taylor's throat. Ground and pound by Jacobs. Jacobs starts to taunt Taylor before going for the contra cdce but it gets blocked as Taylor dumps him to the floor. Topa con hilo by Taylor to the floor. Back to the ring a dropkick by Taylor gets two. Over head belly to belly by Taylor. Head scissors by Taylor. Jacobs flips over to jackknife that gets two. Chops by Taylor than a step Enzigurie before a belly to back. Hip toss over the top by Jacobs. But Taylor just trips Jacobs. Taylor misses the second rope moonsault. Series of jabs by Jacobs but soul food or Eat Da Feet by Taylor. The Jacobs spear out of no where gets two. Jacobs forearms Taylor off the apron. Jacobs with a huge suicide dive but Taylor moves and Jacobs smacks the guard rail. Taylor points to his brain before climbing in the ring willing to accept the count out win. Jacobs hit the guard rail face first and is busted open. Jacobs beats the count at nineteen. Power bomb into a roll through by Taylor gets two. Taylor punches at Jacobs cut. 

Kicks to face by Taylor. Jacobs kiss the canvas as he collapses. Soul food than the running Yakuza by Taylor and Jacobs for some inane reason kicks at one. I get Jacobs was about to start his comeback but I think all kick at one did was kill any drama. Jacobs no sells the punches and starts to get back. Contra Code blocks by Taylor, Omega Driver/Awful Waffle blocked by Jacobs into a small package gets two. Taylor kicks at the knee Jacobs is wearing a brace on. Jacobs had been injured during his final ROH match with BJ Whitmer. Quarter crab by Taylor. Jacobs gets the robes but Taylor removes the knee brace. Figure four by Taylor dead center in the ring sadly is a really looking one. Exchange of slaps in the figure four which again kills the drama. I don' mean the old few desperation chops by the "injured" guy I mean freaking exchange of like ten a pice. Head buts witch makes figure for look even worse its clear Taylor had to move in closer to let the spot happen. Hold is broken. Dropkick to the leg by Taylor and Jacobs is down again. Jacobs stand in the corner and uses the ropes to hold onto as he jumps and kicks with his good leg. Taylor is down and Jacobs hits the top rope senton but only gets two. The referee counts for both men. Jacobs up first but Taylor attacks the leg again. Grape vine of the leg by Taylor. Jacobs with a cradle as Taylor goes for a figure four gets two. Enziquire by Jacobs. Another attempt at the contract code but counted into the O'conner roll for two by Taylor. Taylor sits Jacobs on the tope rope. Jacobs knocks Taylor down with punches and than falls backwards for a senton. like move. Another attempt at the contra code but Taylor counters again. Low blow by Taylor than the Omega Driver for the win. Match starts out ok and I like both guys and you would think they could have a classic but it's hurt but a number of factors including the great matches we had seen earlier in the night. The dumb stuff back Jacobs and the awful figure four spot finally the over use of the contra code being counted I get it's Jacobs finisher but when you do the spot five time it doesn't build drama it hurts it. 

Ian Rotten comes out and announces the second round including Taylor vs Scorpio witch causes Taylor to freak out a little and than calmly walk away. They kept saying through out that night "Ian keeps the brackets secret." I'm not sure if that was true more likely Rotten wasn't sure how to book the tournament at times and played it by ear. Really I don't get why they included this on the DVD set. I get doing a hype job fore fans at the show to make sure you sell out the next night but I already bought DVD set do they think I'm not going to watching night two? Why not just do a graphic but yeah it's a minor nit pick. Night has some pretty action mainly in the Richards vs Whitmer, McGuinness vs Castagnoli, and Quackenbush vs Roc.

Night Two Round Two

Devon Moore vs Josh Abercrombie- Headlock by Abercrombie counted by More into a wrist lock countered again into a hammer lock. More exchanges of hold and they break clean. Leg trip by Abercrombie. Moore goes back to the wrist lock counted into a hammerlock by Abercrombie than a forearm. Head scissors. over the top sends Moore to the floor. Abercrombie sent into the crowd off a bad body drop than he eats a super kick. Moore with a spring board cross body off the ring over the guard rail into the crowd. Back in the ring Moore with a lionsault but the over shoots the target. Moore tries for another springboard cross body but Abercrombie hits a drop kick than a side slam. Abercrombie looks for the submission he used on night one but Moore gets the ropes. Enzigurie and a running STO by Moore gets two. Moore to the top rope and misses the shooting star press. Back cracker off the second rope by Abercrombie gets two. Abercrombie lock in the submission from night one and gets the submission win. Decent opening match nothing to awful. Like the open from night one pretty short but again I can forgive that given how many matches they have to get through.

Brent Albright vs Joker- Joker offers the hand shake but Albright won't take it. Arm ringer by Albright countered by Joker. Back heel trip by Albright into a top wrist lock. Hammerlock by Joker than into a head lock. Joker takes Albright down with a shoulder tackle. Albright with a hip toss than an arm drag by Joker. Joker offers the hand again and Albright still won't take it. Single leg by Albright. Arm drags by Joker and once again he offers the hand and same result. Go behind takedown by Albright but counted into the front chancery by Jake. Albright blocks the German Suplex and a O'Conner roll. Arm drag again by Joker than a nice looking dropkick. Hand offered again and finally Albright shakes it behind and than he wraps Joker up and T-Bones Suplex him. Snap suplex by Albright gets two. Fishhook by Albright. Small package by Joker gets two. Brutal looking lariat by Albright gets two. Joker tossed to the floor. Albright rams Jokers face into the apron than he position him on the apron and kicks the chest. Back in the ring knees to the jaw by the former Gunner Scott. Snap power slam gets two for Albright. Chin lock by Albright. Head trap suplex out of no where by Joker than an exploder suplex both men are down. Clotheslines by Joker than running forearms. Amazing looking over head belly to belly suplex by Albright. Joker gets set on the top rope. Joker shoves Albright off. Albright hits the ropes and falls the floor. Cross arm breaker by Joker. Albright rolls in but Joker power back to control.Albright rolls through and gets the crowbar locked in. Joker rolls through back to the cross arm breaker Albright rolls through and gets the ropes. Albright goes after the eyes.Dragon suplex by Albright than the half nelson suplex for the win. Great match. I liked a lot of the counter wrestling they did. It seemed like they were going for the strong of Albright being a bully but Joker not being willing to take it.

Human Tornado vs Nate Webb- Again Webb's intro takes over for ever and since Tornado is a face he even gets into it. Tornado tries to get Webb to dance but Webb pushes him.  Webb than dance once Tornado has his back turned.Hockey fight to start and Tornado pulls the shirt over the head than hits a clothesline. Pounce by Tornado. Webb to the floor, baseball slide sends by Tornado sends Webb into the crowd. Topa Con Hilo to the fourth row by Tornado. Webb sent back into the ring. Springboard senton by Tornado gets two. Tornado DDT blocked not once but twice than a third time. Webb pulls Tornado off the top roe. Yuri Nage by Webb. Wheel brow into the Yuri Nage by Webb than into the Spider trap a leg lock full nelson. Drop toe hold by Tornado than a running basement dropkick gets two. Tornado with a knee drop. Sharpshooter by Tornado. Webb counters into the figure four. Forearm exchange was that a thing in 2007? I mean twice in one tournament. Right hands by Webb than a spinning flip kick gets two. Webb climbs to the top but Tornado crotches him. Elbow sends Tornado off. Tornado gets back up and climbs and they slip off the ropes. Tornado ducks the clothesline and hits the DND. Decent match but it had some real rough spots. 

Post match Webb  gets a microphone as Tornado offers his hand. Webb says there is no way Tornado can beat him in a dance contest. Tornado says he tried to be nice but if Webb wants to gets served its his fault. Chris Hero who is on commentary rants this is a waste of time and I agree. This DVD as whole is long enough as is we don't need three dance off. Thank god for fast foreword. It would be thing on a normal show but on this it's just a padding spot when the show didn't need padding. 

IWA MS Light Heavyweight Championship
Mike Quackenbush © vs Joey Ryan - Dream match for me as you had Ryan one of he top guys on the west coast vs Quackenbush one of the most talented guys in the east.  Full nelson by Quackenbush counted into the hammer lock. Trip by Quackenbush into a surfboard like move. Escape by Ryan into a wrist lock. Snapmare by Quackenbush and a press gets one. Grapevine by Quackenbush but Ryan goes to the eyes for the break. Chin lock by Ryan. Oh lita than a tradition arm drag by Quack. Standing indian death lock by Quackenbush. Ryan gets the ropes. Toy ya dor arm drag by Quackenbush sends Ryan to the floor. Quackenbush with the suicide dive but something goes wrong and instead of flying straight he wind sup tumbling out of the ring and lands on the top of his head. And this was easily one of the worst botches I have ever seen I'm not sure if it was a misjudge of the angle or he slipped on something but it looked bad. Watching the replays that take place after the match it appears Quackenbush over rotated on the dive and hits the top rope. Now this was a different ring that the usual IWA ring so I have to wonder if something else went on. 

Ryan back up and into the ring to hit a baseball slide. Quackenbush drive Quack's back into the apron. Ryan walks around ringside getting heat from the fans. I assume this was about giving Quackenbush more time to recover from hitting his head on the floor. Cravat by Ryan, Sunset flip by Quackenbush than a school by. Ryan with a double ax to stop the momentum. Ryan chokes with his boot in the corner. Quackenbush sat on the top rope and it looks like he is about to fall over. Ryan sets for the mustache ride neck breaker. Quackenbush fights free and hits a palm strike. Second rope superplex by Quackenbush. Running lariat followed by a bulldog than a back senton by Quackenbush. Inverted Brain Buster only gets two. Tiger driver 98 by Ryan followed by the Mafia Kick and and Superkick combo gets two. Quackenbush with a trip and gets a ankle lock Ryan to the ropes. To the ropes for a suer rana by Quackenbush than swanton gets two. Double leg and feet on the ropes by Ryan but the referee sees it. Side leg sweep into lighting lock Beta which appears to be a modified stretch muffler by Quackenbush. Even with the massive botch it's a still a very good match. I assume some of the planned spots had to change after Quack hit his head. I want to give credit to Ryan but watching this I don't think every really recovered during this match there were times he still looked out of it. 

Claudio Castagnoli vs Davey Richards- Another one of those matches you just really want to see if your a fan of indy wrestling during this period plus you have guys who are now up and comers in WWE and TNA. Go behind by Davey, toe hold by Claudio, head scissors by Davey. Escape into a ankle pick by Claudio. Stiff kicks with the free leg by Davey. Claudio pulls him up and his an uppercut . Davey to the floor. Back in the ring for a single leg by Richards than he ties up the ankle and bridges back. Claudio reverses and goes for a boston crab but Davey gets the ropes. Headlock by Claudio counted into one of his own by Davey. Claudio won't go down on the shoulder tackle and than mocks Davey's height so he gets spin kicked. Chops and big kick to the chest by Davey. Shoulder tackle by Claudio knocks Davey down. Series of presses with knuckle lock by Claudio. Davey gets the arm up than the other arm than he bridges up. Claudio pulls Davey up and takes a rana followed by a  head scissors. They try for some spot off the wheel barrow but Davey was to low so its turned into a arm drag. Body slam by Richards than a knee drop. Castagnoli blocks the suplex and gets one of his own. Uppercut to the back by Claudio. Castagnoli with a leg drop than he ties up the arms.  Exchange of strikes and Richards with a leg lariat. Back slide gets two for Richards. Another jumping Rana and a kick to the chest by Davey. Water Slide countered. Claudio catches Richards with an upper cut on the back spring elbow. Alpha Marie Water Slide gets two. Claudio' bicycle kick misses. Missile dropkick by Richards followed by a great looking German suplex. Richards to the top ropes and calls for the shooting star but Claudio gets the knees up. Ricola bomb counted into the sunset flip for two. Claudio ducks the enziquri. Dead lift German suplex by Claudio upper cut than the Ricola bomb for the Castagnoli win. Its Davey Richards and Claudio Castagnoli of course it was a a good match. I just wish they didn't waste time not hat dance off and instead given this match a few minutes more. Also why is this a second round match I would much rather see Richards and Claudio wrestling twice in a night over Tornado or Abercrombie. 

IWA MS Heavyweight Championship
Chuck Taylor © vs Too Cold Scorpio- Scorpio grabs the belt which I just realized is a replica of the early 90's WCW title with IWA logos slapped on. It's one ting for a lower title but your title belt needs to be a custom belt even if it's a low end one. Scorpio back Taylor into the corner and breaks clean. Go behind by Scorpio reversed by Taylor. Fight over a wrist lock. Headlock takedown by Taylor. Head scissors by Scorpio but Taylor kips out. Wrist lock by Scorpio but Taylor hits a forearm and gets free. Northern lights supplely into an arm bar by Scorpio. Hammer lock reversed by Taylor. Dropkick by Taylor right to the chest. Awful looking head lock by Taylor where it' sclera there is no pressure on the move. Scorpio won't got down a shoulder tackle so Taylor challenges him to try it. Taylor tries a punch but Scorpio ducks it and rebound to his the shoulder anyway. Taylor ducks a spin kick but takes  drop kick. Taylor to the floor. Scorpio misses the dive. Taylor stays on the apron and waits for his opponent to stand up so he can choke him on the ropes. Springboard missile dropkick by Taylor. Choking on the rope again by Taylor as he stands on Scorpio. Chin lock by Taylor Scorpio tries to get free but Taylor goes to the eyes. Taylor with lots of taunting to the fans. Taylor drops the chest on the ring and than kicks to the head. Taylor stretches Scorpio using the ring post. Scorpio sent to the apron but comes off the top with a twisting body press for two. Scorpio singles for the moonsault but Chucky T gets the knees up. Soul Food by Taylor only gets two. Roll up by Taylor gets two. Splash in the corner than knees by Scorpio finally the pellet gets two for Too Cold. Scorpio single he will drop the bomb. Taylor crotched him on the ropes. Omega driver for the win by Taylor. Good match I think they were hoping Taylor going over Scorpio would be a big deal but it never really amounted anything than again IWA didn't do much to help it by locking Scorpio up in a feud with a woman who just happened by Mickie Knuckles someone Ian felt to the need to push no matter how much she sucked.

Ian Rotten comes up and announces the NWA won't let Mike Quackenbush keep wrestling. I don' know if any of this is true or not but I do now after this Ian stopped working with the NWA but I have feeling he was already going to do this and wanted to get fans pissed at the NWA since he would no be competing with a NWA promotion out of the Midwest. 

Semi Finals

Claudio Castagnoli vs Brent Albright- Two big guys going at it here and two very athletic big guys. Both men block a single leg attempt. Greco knuckle lock into the test of strength . Albright power down Claudio who than powers up and trip Albright. Wrist lock into a trip by Albright. Claudio blocks the crow bar and we get a standoff. Headlock by Albright and he pulls Claudio down. Back to the feet and Claudio blocks the attempts takedown. Finally Albright gets it but Claudio gets a cradle for two. Castagnoli powers back up and goes for a belly to back. Albright won't let go and gets another takedown. Albright declares "he's not getting out of this." Albright changes it up to a front chancery than back to the headlock. Another cradle for two by Claudio. More head locks and Claudio still can't get out even after hitting belly to back suplex. Back to the front chancery by Albright. Claudio gets the ropes for the break. Albright right back to the head and than punches the head. Back to the ropes and the break. Punch by Albright on the break and back to the headlock. Back to the feet and Claudio gets a hot shot to finally break free. Giant swing by Claudio on the massive Albright. Claudio runs into the boot and than Albright gets a victory rolls. Half nelson suplex is block. Apla marie water slide gets two. Exploder Suplex by Albright gets two. Strike exchange time. Albright blocks the uppercut and and gets the crowbar. Claudio gets the ropes. Albright sits Claudio on the top. Claudio blocks the superplex and goes for a dive. Albright moves and gets the crowbar again. Claudio rolls through but Albright into the cross arm breaker. Castagnoli to the ropes. Bicycle Kick lands but he can't do the Ricola bomb because his arm is hurt. Half nelson suplex by Albright gets two. Claudio ducks a cross body and hits the ricola for the win. How much you enjoy this match will depend on how long you can stand a guy gripping a headlock and working it. It helps that they are actually working the head lock and its not just a rest hold. So I enjoyed it. It really is to bad Albright career has stalled out as I think WWE made a huge mistake letting go and I would love to see TNA pick him up. Hell even ROH could have used the guy compared to some of the people they held onto instead of him. 

IWA MS Heavyweight Championship
Chuck Taylor © vs Human Tornado- Tornado steals the belt before the match can start and runs out of the ring to the back.Very short match and a shocking quick title change… Oh wait Tornado after comeback after Taylor says "God forbid he not be a stereotype." See unlike WWE comedy this was actually pretty funny. Lots of stalling to start before the bell even rings. Chuck tries to start  a chant but it fails not helped by the fact it's really log. Tornado gets the fans to chant his names. More stalling as they start to circle each other. Go behind by Tornado but Taylor bites the hand. Some kid insults Taylor and they actually stop to acknowledge it not just in the match but on commentary. Hip tosses are blocked and Tornado with a arm drag. Taylor to the outside. Taylor back in and more circle around. Weak looking shoulder block by Chuck that Tornado sells any way. Tornado with a hip toss but Taylor lands on his feet. Taylor takes time to mock the fans and and gets arm dragged because of it. Taylor back to the outside but Tornado follows. Tornado headlock with punches around the ring by Tornado. Back to the ring. Knuckle lock by Tornado and he walks the ropes just giving Taylor the chance to trip him. Sadly Tornado has that stupid "balls of steel" gimmick so he no sells it. I don't care if he does it every where if you get low blowed sell it. Over head belly to belly by Taylor. Belly to back suplex by Tornado. Taylor pulls out his "grenade" witch only he can see witch leads to an elbow drop that gets two. Punches by Tornado and than he rolls though the sunset flip for a sliding kick to the balls. Stinger splash attempt by Tornado but Taylor gets the feet up than hits a Yakuza kick for two. Taylor misses a kick and gets a knee. Spring board double stomp to the head to the floor by Tornado. Tornado DDT by Tornado gets two. Face plant by Taylor into arm triangle. Soul food blocked and Tornado goes for DND. Taylor shoves him off but than takes a spin kick. Scoop slam by Tornado and he climbs the ropes. Taylor gets him off and crotches him. Tornado goes for a sunset bomb but does manages to crotched Taylor. Moonsault misses. Taylor with another low blow and again Tornado no sells it. Pimp slap and DND by Tornado. Taylor gets his foot on the rope. Another DND attempt but Taylor escapes. Omega driver attempt but Tornado slips they reset and Taylor hits it for the win. Ok match but the stalling at the start dragged it down. And Tornado of course no selling low blows. 

IWA MS Light Heavyweight Championship
Mike Quackenbush © vs Josh Abercrombie- Abercrombie and the referee walk out to officially award the match championship to him. Suddenly Quackenbush' music start to play and he makes his way out to a great pop. The crowd all stand out of respect to the indy legend. Another nice touch we have Bryce Remsberg who Quackenbush trained following him out trying to stop him. Quackenbush actually still looks really dazed but I assume if he is wrestling than its him selling. Wrist lock by Quackenbush counted into a go behind than a full nelson. Drop toe hold into a head lock by Abercrombie. More exchange of hold and Quackenbush sits out and kips up into a wrist lock. Trip by Abercrombie  than the strangle hold. Quack charges into a back elbow and drops. Elbow to the back of neck than a punch by Abercrombie. Whiplash neck breaker by Abercrombie. Basement dropkick to the knee. Quackenbush goes of a ankle lock but Abercrombie gets the ropes. Forearm to the head by Abercrombie than an elbow. More shots to the head by Abercrombie and he sets up for the pile driver but Quackenbush fights free and plants Abercrombie on the mat. Inverted figure four by Quackenbush. Abercrombie gets the rope breaks and retakes control with a punch to the head. Elbows to the head and a stomp to the head. Abercrombie sets for the second rope lung blower but Quackenbush with a palm strike that sends him to the floor. No hands summersault splash to the floor by Quackenbush. Running clotheslines bulldog into the knee by Quackenbush back in the ring. Running palm strike is blocked and Abercrombie hits the pile driver and gets two. Black Tornado Slam gets two for Quackenbush. Kick to the face than the second rope lung blower gets two for Abercrombie. Abercrombie to the submission he has been using. The referee checks the arm and Quack keeps the arm up on the third check. Exchange of cradles. Uppercut by Abercrombie but he runs into a power slam. Legs tired up ankle lock by Quackenbush for the submission win. Good match what ever injury Quackenbush may have suffered from didn't appear to affect him. Abercrombie did a good job as as a heel by default.

Ian Rotten gets a microphone and informs Quackenbush because he wrestled IWA Mid South is no longer part of the NWA and thank Quack. Quackenbush has a look of "thank for putting me on the spot." Witch doesn't shock me at this stage Quackenbush was the NWA Jr Heavyweight champion and would defended in various companies including CHIKARA along with CHIKARA hosting a match for the NWA world title tournament. Man I've talked a lot about the NWA this review. 

Non Tournament Matches
Last Man Standing Chris Hero vs Eddie Kingston- These two had a log long standing feud that pretty much went every where they worked in the indies just off the top of my head they feuded in CHIKARA, CZW, IWA, PWG, and ROH. Now I want to be careful about what I say here because I don't have all the facts and I'm not sure what is a work and what is legit. But there appears to be some legit heat between the two. From what I can tell it centers on Eddie's long time friend and former tag partner Black Jack Marciano. It seems that blames Hero for not training Marciano correctly and it led to an injury that ended his career. Again I'm not sure what is true what isn't. Now my over all feeling on the feud on it was good but got done to death similar to my feeling on Steen vs Generico or Styles vs Daniels. I'm hot and cold with Kingston it seems he can have good matches with Hero a few other guys but a lot of the times I don't see what the big deal is. The match starts with the two men brawling though a side door. Stiff exchange of shots. Kingston goes to the eyes. Splash onto the wall by Hero and than boots to the face. . Big boot to the ear by Hero as the brawl towards the commentary area. Kingston sent into the brick wall. Kingston goes back to the eyes tan than tosses a trashcan at Hero. We hear glass breaking. Hero shoves a a table into Kingston's gut. Suplex onto the table and the legs give. JYD style head butts by both men. Hero sent into a row of chair than into the wall. Kingston tosses a chair into Hero face. Kingston chokes Hero and threats to choke the life out of him. Hero kicks free. Hero picks up a guard and hits Kingston with it he than picks it up and tosses it at him. Hero takes a second to breath and Kingston kicks him in the head. Kicks to the leg by Hero as they reach ringside. Chops and slaps exchanged. Kneel lift by Kingston and than back to the eyes and fishhooks. Hero powers free and hits a running Yakuza. Referee starts to count but Kingston gets up. Kobish style jobs but Kingston. Over eight minutes into the match they get into the ring. Head butt by Hero. Running one legged drop kick by Hero to the face. Back senton by Hero. Hero tosses a chair into the ring and nails Kingston in the back of the head with it. Chair shot to the stomach by Hero. Flipping back senton with a chair by Hero. Sharp shooter by Hero he than gets a chair and sits on it so the bar at the bottom is on Kingston's neck. Kingston power free. Hero chokes and slaps his longtime rival. Kingston is bleeding from the noise. The referee counts. Kingston gets up at seven and than falls. Guillotine out of no where by Kingston but Hero punches to the kidneys. Belly to back suplex by Hero than a power bomb. Hero stomps at the hand so Kingston can't keep chopping him. Of course Kingston goes right for a chop with the bad hand. Crap this is the same BS Roderick Strong pulled at Super Card of Honor. Chops by Hero but Kingston no sells them and chops back this time with the good hand. Over head throw by Kingston than a Yakuza kick Exploder suplex by Kingston. Hero ducks the lariat. Forearms exchange than head butts. Series of no selling big moves I can understand one big move getting no sold but when get to four or five in a row it's killing drama. Dragon suplex by Kingston than a lariat. Hero sells it like he's been shot by a cannonball but gets up at nine only to collapse right after. Hero blocks the saito suplex  and hits a cravat code breaker. Chairs tossed into Kingston's head. Hero hangs a chair from Kingston's neck and hits a second rope cravat o classim. Sadly the chair goes flying off it it's clear Kingston should be fine. Hero brings a piece of guard rail into the ring  and rams it into Eddie's side than gut. Kingston drives Hero back and rams the guard rail into him. Kingston goes to hit Hero again but Hero nails a Yakuza. Kingston "trapped" under the guardrail as Hero climbs to the top. Double stomp by Hero. Kingston still manages to get up before ten. Kick to the side of the head. Kingsotn starts using his injured hand again and forgets to sell it. Back fist by Kingston than the Saito Suplex than a second saito finally a third onto the guard rail for the win. I get why this match was here you had a lot of technical wrestling and this was a match to satisfy the Hardcore fans. The problem is I could buy plenty of DVD's and see these two guys have this same match. Also I felt the blew through to many spots that should have finished it. 

IWA Mid South Tag Team Titles
The Iron Saints Vito and Sal Thomaselli © vs Nigel McGuinness and BJ Whitmer- The Saints have worked for Insanity Pro, CZW, and various other companies all over the midwest and east. Nigel actually had a mystery partner situation but they spoiled it not he DVD box and graphic on the box. Nigel says he couldn't find a partner so he will take on the champions alone. Suddenly BJ Whitmer the guy listed as Nigel's parter makes his entrance. If you going to spoil it not he box than why do the set up? BJ says he and Nigel go way back even if they don't see eye to eye. Nigel agrees to team with Whitmer even with all the fans telling him not trust Whitmer. Lots of stalling to start as it takes the referee for ever to check the guys for weapons. Normally I'm ok with this but this DVD is over four hours long. Nigel and Vito start us off. Arm wring into a takedown by Vito. Nigel tries to escape but Vito keeps control. Takedown by Nigel into a top wrist lock. Exchange of position by the two men and we end in a stand off. Hammer lock on the mat by Vito. Foot tag to Sal. Nigel gets free  and takedown Sal to tie up the legs. Nigel works the arm but Sal keeps twisting free. Nigel escapes a headlock. BJ demands to be tagged and gets his wish. Wrist lock by Whitmer get counted by Sal. BJ with a punch on a break. Head scissors by Sal. BJ to the floor. Whitmer back in and tag Nigel in. Sal with a punch on a break tag to Vito who comes in with a butterfly suplex into san arm bar than the head scissors.Escape by Nigel into the head lock. Tag to Sal. Lariat by Nigel takes Sal's head. Tag to BJ who covers and gets two. Chop exchange. Spin buster by Whitmer tag to Nigel. Whitmer whole Sal for a chop. Uppercut by Nigel. Sal sent to the floor and Whitmer stomps on him behind the referee's back.  Hammer lock trip by Nigel tag back to Whitmer who kicks the arm than hits a snap suplex. Cocky cover by Whitmer gets two. Sal sent back to the floor by Whitmer. Uppercuts by Nigel. Leg lariat connects for Whitmer. Vito makes the save. BJ does the old slap hands so the referee thinks there a tag game but Nigel wants an actual tag. Double team by the challenger. Another lariat by Nigel into the wrist lock while tapping the knee. Tag to Whitmer. Sleeper by Whitmer. Knee to the stomach by Whitmer than a back breaker. Tag to McGuinness who hits a back breaker of his own. Sal gets the ropes on a cover. Double thrust by Nigel than a tag to Whitmer. Sal starts to fight back with chops until Whitmer goes to the eyes. Swinging neck breaker by Sal when Whitmer sets for a back body drop to soon. Hot tag to Vito. Jumping knee by Vito than drop kick to Whitmer's legs. Power battle at a suplex and the much larger Whitmer wins. Tag to Nigel. Uppercuts and double trusts by Nigel. Running uppercut in the corner than lariat by Nigel. Sal breaks up the tower of london. BJ tosses Sal out of the ring. Top rope cross body by Vito gets two. On the outside Sal moves and BJ eats the guard rail. The Saints set for there finisher but BJ saves Nigel. Kick to the back and lariat to the chest by Nigel gets two. Backslide by Vito gets two. Whitmer comes in the ring and goes to kick Vito who ducks so he nails Nigel. Power bomb by Whitmer. Whitmer shoves Nigel and the partners start to fight. Discos lariat by Nigel on his own partner. Brent Albright hits the ring and attacks Nigel. the Thomaselli makes the save for Nigel. Match is thrown out. Vito gets a microphone and puts over Nigel. Vito than challenges Albright and Whitmer to a match. Sal says they might be bigger but that won't matter. Whitmer accepts. Ok match nothing to special I wish they had done a little more to set up for Nigel and BJ blowing up at each other. Something like BJ ordering Nigel around.

The 2007 Ted Petty Innovational Finals For the IWA MidSouth Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Championships: Elimination Rules
Chuck Taylor © vs Mike Quackenbush © vs Claudio Castagnoli-  2007 was really a break out year for Claudio as he went from being a guy the thad a great match on the indies to being viewed as a top level talent on par with someone like Bryan Danielson. For those wondering they explain Claudio the biggest guy by far could in fact win the LHW title under the champs must defend in the TPI stuff how ever if he can't make the weight limit he is stripped of the title. Quackenbush the long time had been in numerous tournament and only won two Best of the Best and CHIKARA's King of Trios. In a nice touch Quackenbush comes out to U2's Still Haven't Found What I'm looking For it fits given the story of him having never been able to win the TPI. No doubt who the fans wanted to see win it was Quackenbush. Taylor was just few hours away from a one year title reign. Claudio chases Chuck at the start. Taylor keeps trying avoid locking up and wants Quackenbush and Claudio to start. Go behind by Claudio on Quackenbush into an arm bar. Taylor with a go behind on Quackenbush but gets kick by Claudio. Taylor with a single leg on Quack but Claudio with a press. Double front face lock by Claudio. Taylor and Quack escape but Claudio uses his power to throw them into each other. Taylor shoves Claudio and than get a arm ringer. Claudio picks him up and toss him.  Quack gets a whole of Taylor and chops him. Claudio with  some rolls up trying to get someone out of the match. Triple head headlock with Claudio being free. Claudio with a double cross body. Claudio charges at Quack but gets sent over the top rope to the floor. Arm drag into a pin by Quack on Taylor than the half crap. Taylor gets the ropes. Taylor bails to the floor. Quackenbush and Claudio square off. Taylor pulls Quack to the floor but gets taken out by Claudio. Head scissors by Quackenbush. Second ropes springboard arm drag by Claudio. Claudio charges Quack and again gets sent to the floor. Dropkick by Taylor on Quackenbush than a flip dive to the floor onto Claudio. Quackenbush climbs the ropes and does a corkscrew plancha taking Taylor and Claudio off. Taylor snaps Quackenbush's throat on the topes. headlock by Taylor and punches to the head. Guillotine by Taylor. Head scissors by Taylor now. Claudio breaks it up. Taylor clothesline Claudio over the top rope and sending him back to the floor. Taylor goes for a top rope rana but Quackenbush shoves him off only to get hit by a step up enzigurie by Claudio. Contra code by Taylor than a big boot on Claudio. Soul food blocked into an upper cut than a German suplex with a bridge by Claudio and two. Giant swing time and everyone is down. Taylor gets the ropes to save himself. Ricola bomb counted into soul food. Omega Driver is blocked. Quackenbush back into the ring and arm drags Claudio. 

Quackenbush sits Taylor on Claudio's shoulder and than sweeps the leg of Claudio so they both go down. Double pin only gets two. Claudio nails Taylor with a bicycle kick. Rana by Quack off the toss up Uppercut spot Claudio does. Dragon Rana blocked. Ricola bomb connect but Quackenbush kicks at two. QD 3 is botched as Quackenbush can't pick Claudio up for it. QD2 connect and Claudio is out. Taylor in with a school boy gets two. Taylor with the brain buster and another two count. Step up enzigurie by Taylor but the moonsault misses. QD3 only gets two. Full nelson with a the legs trapped by Quackenbush but Taylor gets the ropes. Massive Quack Quack Quack chants by the fans. Quackenbush goes for a running palm strike but Taylor gets the boot up. Omega driver connect the that had one title defense after title defense but this time it only gets two. The fans are all standing right now knowing what is going to happen. Taylor sets for a top rope omega driver. Quackenbush escapes and hits the liger bomb and gets two. Quackenbush locks in the CHIKARA special. Taylor taps. Awesome match and it still holds up all these years later. There was the one botch but other wise it's fine. Normally I rip on a 3 way that does the whole one guy sets out forever stuff but here it makes since given the rules. 

Post match the fans chant for the winner. Quackenbush starts to cry and holds up both belts. Quackenbush winning was a great pick. The guy could have a great match with anyone the fans loved him and were thrilled to see him finally win the big one. Ian Rotten and Eddie Kingston come out. Eddie embraces his trainer as does Bryce Remsberg before they leave to let him have the moment. Ian says it's moments like this that got him into the wrestling business. Rotten does Petty's old "hey champ line." Rotten says people have no idea how much it means to him to have a guy like Quackenbush in the tournament and how much it means to have the fans care so much. Rotten says Quackenbush is the embodiment of what Teddy was and Quackenbush has done so much to help the wrestling business. Rotten hands the microphone to Quackenbush and starts the thank you Quack chant again. Quackenbush thanks the fans and talks about his 2007. He talks about Kings of Trios and winning that getting married winning the NWA Jr Heavyweight championship from Tiger Mask and now winning the TPI. He also breaks the news he is finally getting a chance to wrestle in Japan a life long dream for him. He talks about getting hurt earlier in the night but he says this moment will stay with him for the rest of his life. He thanks the fans for being here. Quackenbush than closes the TPI with a chant for Ted Petty. Great close you could Ian was being for real and was touched to be able to book a moment like this. 


I loved this show back in 2007 and might love it even more know. There are some portions and stuff that really dragged at times and if I never see another Hero vs Kingston match it will be soon. But over all this is a really fun show match after match of great technical wrestling. A great of wrestling true ultimate good guy winning the big one. So yes I recommend you pick this show. 

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