The Independent Wrestling Thread

[Warner2BruceTD]

The Inspire show hit on all cylinders, with two ****+ matches (Ricky Starks vs Andy Dalton, Chris Hero vs Ray Rowe which was legit great), and some of the best booking you will see on any level. Biss & Max have an attention for detail that reminds me of vintage Gabe.

I was also told a match for next month when talking with a talent that I can't reveal unless Biss let's me, but it makes me wish the show was tomorrow.

Going to bed, but more tomorrow.

[Warner2BruceTD]

More Inspire thoughts...

Hero/Rowe would be a legit indie MOTY contender if more people get to see it. Just a great match. Hero had his working shoes on, and was as gracious as could be to the fans all night long. I had a (very) brief conversation with him, thanking him for coming to Texas and working so hard in his match, and he seems to be in a great place mentally. If he's bitter about the hand he's been dealt, he isn't showing it at all. The match was ****1/4, maybe higher. Hot crowd helped, and I hope that comes across on tape.

Hero did not get the biggest pop of the night. Ricky Starks did. Biss & co. have successfully created their first star. One of the most hated men (good heat) on the first show, to blowing the roof off the place by the fourth. It's not much of a secret that Starks is a guy i've gotten behind. He's a very driven, very introspective guy. He is fueled by frustration (his Midwest move has hit some roadbumps), which shows in his performances. He worked with the type of passion last night that made him look every bit the star that Hero was. I'm writing a piece for VOW in which he is heavily featured, and mark my words, it's only a matter of the right people seeing him before he breaks out. Starks vs Andy Dalton was snug, intense, and featured some great booking that played off of the very first Inspire show. ****

Hero didn't even get the second best pop of the night. Takaaki Watanabe did. Streamers, a standing ovation, and a "Wa-ta-na-be!" chant. I was very proud of Austin for showing a ton of respect to a dude who is really just a young lion and who most of the fans had probably never seen or only saw on the NWA shows in October. Post match, another standing ovation, and a "please come back" chant. He looked touched by it all. Great moment. Reminded me of how ROH crowds would treat guys like Shingo, YAMATO, Go Shiozki, etc when they came in as young boys, as largely unknowns. Good on you, Austin.

Paige Turner will never be confused with Manami Toyota, but god dammit does she rule. Yes, her name is "Paige Turner", and she does a librarian gimmick. She comes to the ring to the the theme to Reading Rainbow. And the crowd found a way to chant "Shhhh! Shhhh! Shhhh!". I also witnessed my first WHISPERED crowd chant, as a chant of "please be quiet!" broke out in FULL WHISPER. Amazing. Turner put her opponent in a submission hold, and the opponent (Claudia, from Dallas) screamed in pain, prompting Turner to scream back, "you're making too much noise!". I have no idea how this all comes off in written word, but holy shit was it great live, and i'm normally super serious curmudgeon guy.

The Turner/Great Depression storyline is so intriguing. GD was the only person to pay attention to Turner's book fair on the last show, even though its obvious he's confused and can't read. So on this show, Turner gave GD a gift - a wrapped book. (Depression, with no Penny Arcade the last two shows, wanders aimlessly around the building and sits in the crowd all night). GD now has a childlike crush on Turner, which obviously won't sit well with Penny Arcade when she returns. Anyway, the heels ripped up GD's book, and it made him go insane and helped him win the match. This is the kind of shit you get on a show when non wrestling people have a hand in creative. And it's pretty damn fun.

The characters are all getting over, they've created a star, Great Depression is awesome, and the feeling out process is over. Inspire really found a groove last night. A great, great show. Not by Inspire standards, not because Biss is my buddy, but because it was just really a great show.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Can't wait for Biss to post the vid or the show, will check it out.

[Warner2BruceTD]

January 6th: WWNLive.com has upgraded to HD cameras and equipment. All iPPVs will now broadcast worldwide in HD widescreen starting this weekend. This means all DGUSA, EVOLVE, SHINE and FIP iPPVs will be HD widescreen. The DVDs of these events will also be HD widescreen. It starts with the EVOLVE live iPPVs this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This upgrade is all because of you. When you support us, we put your investment into making the products and brands better for you. We will show our appreciation by bringing you this HD widescreen upgrade at no additional cost to you. Our iPPV prices will remain the same. In addition, we will now have a wireless router on hand at all live iPPVs to serve as a back up to the hard wire building internet connection. This will be a safety to make sure we bring you the smoothest broadcast possible.

These are significant upgrades for our small business operation.. There are no multi-million dollar companies supporting the WWNLive brands. We are the definition of mom and pop. Going to HD widescreen will open more exciting doors for all of us.

No words can express our appreciation to you for making it possible to feature the top talent from around the world, get DVD production on track and upgrade our equipment. Thank you and we hope you continue to enjoy DGUSA, EVOLVE, SHINE and FIP. This is happening because of you.

(Also, Rob Naylor is back on board to work with Lenny Leonard on commentary)

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Should I expect disaster?

[BigBiss]

Can't wait for Biss to post the vid or the show, will check it out.

might have to do more then click play to watch this one

[Warner2BruceTD]

January 6th: WWNLive.com has upgraded to HD cameras and equipment. All iPPVs will now broadcast worldwide in HD widescreen starting this weekend. This means all DGUSA, EVOLVE, SHINE and FIP iPPVs will be HD widescreen. The DVDs of these events will also be HD widescreen. It starts with the EVOLVE live iPPVs this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This upgrade is all because of you. When you support us, we put your investment into making the products and brands better for you. We will show our appreciation by bringing you this HD widescreen upgrade at no additional cost to you. Our iPPV prices will remain the same. In addition, we will now have a wireless router on hand at all live iPPVs to serve as a back up to the hard wire building internet connection. This will be a safety to make sure we bring you the smoothest broadcast possible.

These are significant upgrades for our small business operation.. There are no multi-million dollar companies supporting the WWNLive brands. We are the definition of mom and pop. Going to HD widescreen will open more exciting doors for all of us.

No words can express our appreciation to you for making it possible to feature the top talent from around the world, get DVD production on track and upgrade our equipment. Thank you and we hope you continue to enjoy DGUSA, EVOLVE, SHINE and FIP. This is happening because of you.

(Also, Rob Naylor is back on board to work with Lenny Leonard on commentary)

"HD is a boon for pervy wankers watching SHINE."

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

might have to do more then click play to watch this one

Download via torrent?

Fine.

[BigBiss]

[BigBiss]

[Warner2BruceTD]

I knew he held that NWA BOW title (I think its a junior title) but I had no idea he worked for Wildkat.

[BigBiss]

 

[SuperKevin]

I wish I was able to come out to one of these shows

[SuperKevin]

Sucks that Roderick Strong hurt his neck last weekend. Won't get to see him on Saturday

[Warner2BruceTD]

Sucks that Roderick Strong hurt his neck last weekend. Won't get to see him on Saturday

We regret to inform you that Roderick Strong will be unable to compete at the EVOLVE cards this weekend. We have the entire story and new matches in this WWNLive Alerts. Let's get to it....

January 9th: Roderick Strong suffered a graphic neck injury last weekend. We had constant communication with Strong since the injury and monitored his progress. We were all the under the impression he would be able to perform this weekend at EVOLVE. However, today he felt discomfort in his neck when he worked out. After a conference call today, it was decided that for Roderick's future it was best he rest as a precaution. Roderick will still be at Friday's EVOLVE 25 card to sign autographs and meet you. We will welcome him in the DGUSA/EVOLVE ring when he is ready.

January 9th: As a substitution for the EVOLVE 27 main event, Johnny Gargano will now defend the Open The Freedom Gate Title this Sunday in Jacksonville. There will be a "Chance Of A Lifetime" FRAY! on Friday at EVOLVE 25. The winner will receive the title match at EVOLVE 27. The participants in FRAY! tomorrow will be Jon Davis, Chuck Taylor, Uhaa Nation, Caleb Konley and Lince Dorado. Who will make the most of this opportunity?

January 9th: On the same note, we will make changes to the EVOLVE 27 undercard depending on who wins FRAY! at EVOLVE 25.

January 9th: It will now be Rich Swann and a mystery partner against The Young Bucks this Saturday in Orlando.

EVOLVE 25
The Orpheum
1915 E. 7th Avenue
Ybor City, FL 33605
9pm EST. Belltime

Main Event #1 - EVOLVE Title Match
EVOLVE Champion AR Fox Has An Open Contract!!! (this is Davey Richards, doing the outsider gimmick)

Main Event #2 - Epic Six Man Tag Team Match
Johnny Gargano & The Bravado Brothers vs. Rich Swann & The Young Bucks

Main Event #3 - Hero Runs The Gauntlet
Chris Hero vs. Ricochet

Main Event #4 - FIP World Heavyweight Title Match
Trent Baretta defends vs. Anthony Nese

"Chance Of A Lifetime" FRAY! - Winner Gets A DGUSA Title Match At EVOLVE 27
(It starts with two wrestlers, another enters every two minutes, eliminations can take place anytime by pinfall, submission or DQ)
Competitors: Jon Davis, Chuck Taylor, Uhaa Nation, Caleb Konley, Lince Dorado

EVOLVE 26
January 11th
Orlando Downtown Recreation Complex
363 North Parramore Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
8pm EST. Belltime

Tag Team Main Event #1
Rich Swann & ???? defend vs. The Young Bucks

Tag Team Main Event #2 - Champions Face Off!
EVOLVE Champion AR Fox & Uhaa Nation vs. DGUSA Champion Johnny Gargano & Jon Davis

Hero Runs The Gauntlet Match #2
Chris Hero vs. Anthony Nese with Su Yung

No Hype Needed
Ricochet vs. Trent Baretta

Open The United Gate Title Match
The Bravado Brothers defend vs. Dos Ben Dejos

Special Attraction Match
Chuck Taylor vs. Maxwell Chicago

SHINE Showcase Match
Su Yung vs.Mia Yim

Special Challenge Match
Caleb Konley vs. Lince Dorado

EVOLVE 27
January 12th
Edge Concert Hall
845 University Blvd N.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
8pm EST. Belltime

Open The Freedom Gate Title Match
Johnny Gargano vs. Winner Of FRAY! At EVOLVE 25

Hero Runs The Gauntlet Match #3
Chris Hero vs. Chuck Taylor

Grudge Match
Rich Swann vs. Jon Davis

Tag Team Challenge Match
AR Fox & Ricochet vs. Anthony Nese & TBD with Su Yung

Young Bucks vs. Bravado Brothers Single Challenge Match #1
Matt Jackson vs. Harlem Bravado

Young Bucks vs. Bravado Brothers Single Challenge Match #2
Nick Jackson vs. Lance Bravado

FIP Showcase Match - Six Way Freestyle
Trent Baretta vs. Caleb Konley vs. Jay Rios vs. Eddie Cruz vs. Jonny Vandal vs. Maxwell Chicago

Special Challenge Match
Uhaa Nation vs. Lince Dorado