Last night (Sat 5/31), I checked out USA Pro Wrestling and The 2nd Annual Big Dick Dudley Memorial. Overall, it was an excellent show. Of course, the show went in excess of 5 hours, but you expect that from USA Pro, and shouldn't bitch about it anymore.
On the hotline tonight (718-303-4444), I'll get into the show and its results a bit more. Here's a few things off the top of my head about the show itself:
Let me clarify something that many asked me the last week. This was a memorial show for Big Dick and his family. There were a few that decided to work elsewhere for a bigger payday. I know that Frank's comments were a shoot, but that happens at every charity event. Frank took it to heart because he had a right to - Big Dick was a good friend of his.
- The angle involving DRS getting beat down for 20 min was way too long. It served its purpose, however it was too too long. One thing I thought was a pit busch leaugue was seeing Frank Goodman at ringside, standing and watching during the entire 20 min.
No offense, Frank is an excellent promoter. (In the future, I would love to work with him, or against him and thats a compliment Frank!) However, he doesnt want talent walking around the arena during shows. He fells it makes the show look better. How busche league does it look though, when around 6 guys, 2 girls, and a 15 year old guido are beating on 2 guys for 20 min, a bell ringing over and over to stop this attack, and he's standing at ringside. It reduced the credibility of the angle. Hey Frank, at least get on the mic and threaten suspension or something if it kept going on. Justify why youre standing at ringside and looking like a fan, where casual fans are looking at you like authority.
As far as DRS goes, I predict they are the next homegrown talent here in NY that are showcased on NWATNA. Face turn from last night? Possibly. But for smarks out there, DRS is already over.
I thought Smoked Out's debut was decent. For a guy in the business less than 2 years, he obviously needs more "Adobo". But, compared to some of these 16 year old guido's on the card, he did well. Early in his match last night, he injured his back which limited his work.
Tim Arson is a good friend of mine. I am the first to give him credit, as well as rip him a new asshole. He knows the negative I say is to help him improve. As far as last night, something I notice about the younger talent in USA Pro. They are more concerned about impressing the p***y and their friends ringside, then showing respect and the priveledge for being in the ring.
Case in point. Arson enters the ring, gives a hard powerbomb to some 16 year old guido that weighs about a buck fifty. Not even 10 seconds later, he gets up and starts beating someone else, and sells worse than that Baghdad Bob.
But getting back to Tim, he did good last night. He obviously reads the negative comments from a few on the message boards, and takes it too hard. To stay in storyline, to allow Ivan to bash the crowd for 3 minutes, and just grasp the mic from him was a bit lame. I would have grabbed Ivan by the neck, tell him to shut up, and then say your American piece.
As far as the match, it was good. Last night showed many that Tim is underrated, and can go to the next level if he keeps at it. Much respect to Frank to allow him the opportunity to try. I just wished after the match with Ivan, he would have stayed in the ring a bit more. Fans wanted to show him some appreciation after the match. But before you knew it, he was in the back.
Louie, what can you say. When I was involved with XPW and we were scouting Amazura for a NY show, he was the guy I wanted to see take on Supreme. He has a cult following here in NY, and fans go to see him. He bleeds for the fans. Maybe one day, I can bleed for him.
Deranged vs Reefer was excellent. I would change the name of the belt from Xtreme to Cruiserweight, but that's my opinion. Reefer is one of these guys that not only tries to give the fans 1000%, but tries to innovate moves. There are a few names in the business that have obviously seen tapes of Reefer. There have been at least 6 moves he innovated, that all of a sudden appeared on TNA and WWE. Reefer takes it to heart, which he has a right to. My message to him, we all know who innovated the moves, and the timeline on home video backs it up. Take it as a compliment. It will ALWAYS happen.
Frank Goodman errrr Masked Maniac, tries to be controversial. He probably helped my diet, as I wont be looking at hot dogs for a while. If anyone offers me a dog at the BBQ for Magic this coming Sunday, I will smack you. You gotta love Maniac and Frank at heart. I just hope one day, one of these jabronis doesn't try and turn the tables and try to sue for harassment.
Josh Deely. You are the main reason that at 32 years old, I may join the USA Pro School. Just to show that you have as much skills and charisma as my left nut. This boy doesnt even deserve the excercize of my fingers typing these keys right now.
Billy Reil. I think I figured it out. When he chased and caught that their in his underwear, it was Frank Goodman's house the theif tried to rob.
All kidding aside, Billy is one of the better workers around. He deserves to be on that card. For some reason though, he is missing something that is preventing him from clicking with the fans.
After seeing last night, I think that Wayne made everyone forget that Crowbar could not make the show. He really impressed me. Working with Mikey, they did well against the SAT. Good match, with the execption of 5 min, when all we could see on our side is a table in the ring!
Justin & Sandman no-showing was simple to explain. They were stuck in traffic on the Thruway. By around 10:30 and still a long way from the arena, they had no choice but to turn around and go back. As far as Sandman's family being there, that is true. For anyone to think Sandman would send his family there, and not intending to show is flat out stupid. Shit happens, and the weather was horrible.
Balls Mahoney was irate at Justin not making the show. Even though he understood later why it happened, he wanted to give the fans 110%. It may have been a blessing in disguise as the fans got to see Raven vs Balls. Not to disrespect booking, but Sandman vs Raven Ive seen 5 times in the last few months. This worked out well.
Overall as far as the show, it was excellent. If you take away the 5+ hours since you expect it, it was good. It's going to be interesting as to what happens in the future since the Elks Lodge will no longer be holding wrestling events. Since USA Pro gets 500-900 fans on average, maybe a smaller venue is sufficient. Even though the maximum crowd attendance may go down a bit, the expense of running the show may decrease as well. Last night proved that having a few mainstream guys like Raven, Balls, Simond Diamond, mixed in with the local regulars, works well for USA Pro Wrestling.
Thanks for reading.
Anthony DeBlasi / 3e6r.net
"Webmaster Blackheart"
PS: I look forward to seeing you all at the Charity BBQ next Sunday at Flushing Meadow Park.