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Tape Reviews
NWA Wildside Hardcore Hell 2003: Night Two
Posted by Thomas Green on Jul 21, 2003, 14:05
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You can get this tape from the official Wildside website, at this location.
No time for fancy openings....onto the matches!
Masada vs. Onyx
Masada's a TWA student, as most of you probably know. I just realized it going into this match, but he's one of the bigger ones. He towered over Onyx, who, while not being El Gigante, also isn't Amazing Red. I'm also digging the gimmick he's been given, as a guy who does his working out in death metal mosh pits instead of rings or gyms. Masada started the match by grounding Onyx with a front facelock, despite Onyx's attempts to escape. They then go through a series of armbars, and Masada soon bails to the outside. The rest of the match is basically back-and-forth on offense, with no one getting a clear overall advantage. At around the six-minute mark, Onyx reversed a tilt-a-whirl into an odd-looking Blaqout DDT for the win. Masada looks like he has tons of potential, as he bumps really well for his size, and came across really well. However, the match was a little sloppy, and was a little short to accomplish anything.
WINNER: Onyx
GRADE: 68
Dory Funk, Jr. & "The Royal Stud" Adam Windsor (w/Dixie) vs. Elite Swingers Inc. (Mikael Adrien & Vincent I. Pain) (w/Scott E. Smooth & Red Power)
Dixie and Red Power are two of the female students from Dory's Funkin' Dojo in Ocala, Florida, and once again, Scott E. Smooth is the biggest jackass in the world. When the Swingers sent him back to get Red Power, why couldn't he have stayed there? Anyway, the match itself was filled with limb-working, as Funk and Windsor worked over both Swingers' arms, and the Swingers, when on offense, worked on Windsor's leg. Finish came when Windsor made the hot tag, Adrien accidentally ran into Smooth, gets sent over the top rope by Windsor, and Pain taps out to Dory's spinning toe hold. Post-match, the Swingers argue, and Red Power & Dixie have a catfight. Windsor sold alright when they worked on it, but when it was time for his comeback, he basically blew off selling the knee. The Swingers didn't look half-bad here, though they still didn't look half-good either. Dory was the best of the four, of course, though, and I don't mean to insult them, but Adrien selling for Funk, considering the obvious age and mobility differences, looked a little odd. Dan Wilson & Steven Prazak seemed to have a lot of fun not only calling a Dory Funk match, but also hilariously ripping on the Shane Twins and, the man Steven Prazak dubbed "The Hardcore Midget", Ron Niemi, who had to cancel after one of the Shanes got hurt in Japan. The match itself wasn't anything Wildside could, or should, ever put on any highlight reels.
WINNERS: Dory Funk, Jr. & Adam Windsor
GRADE: 65
NWA North American Title Match:
Jason Cross vs. Jorge Estrada (c)
Cross had been feuding with the NWA Elite up to this point (weeks before his heel turn/rejoining the Elite), but since Rainman was feuding with Tony Mamaluke and Iceberg had a feud blowoff with Stone Mountain set for this show, he was left with having to work the outsider. The match started out with a feeling-out process, ending in Jorge locking in an armbar, and keeping it locked in, despite Cross's efforts to roll through and get out. Jorge did a lot of flippy stuff in that sequence that he really shouldn't be doing since he's the bigger guy in the match, and should be using power-orientated offense to slow down the faster Cross. There seemed to be a lack of focus on a certain body part being worked in this match, as Cross jumped around from the arm early, to working the ribs in the middle, and ending with working the neck to make some of his signature moves (Triple Cross, Crossfire) seem more effective. The finish was sort of abrupt, as Jorge hit his Heartbreak Hotel out of nowhere for the win, after minutes of Cross's offense. Post-match, Cross and Estrada obey the Code of Honor and shake hands. Gabe and Rob must love that. While having its share of weak points, this was still leagues above the first two matches. It was really crisp, and and Cross looked great as usual.
WINNER: Jorge Estrada
GRADE: 79
Bill Behrens then addresses the crowd on the house mic, to inform them that Tony Mamaluke was supposed to wrestle his last match for Wildside that night, but wasn't able to make it. So, a tribute video to Tony Mamaluke set to that horrid Green Day song "Time of Your Life" is shown on the video screen. After that, Jeff G. Bailey comes out, and says if the point of that was to get the bile to set on the tip of his tongue, it was accomplished. Jeff then questions which was more queer: Tony Mamaluke or that song? Jeff then asks why they are tributing a guy who, in his eyes, avoided the beating that was coming to him. Bailey calls Tony a yellow coward and garbage, and that Tony's never meant shit to him, and probably hasn't to the fans. Bailey then demands Behrens announce Rainman as the winner, and greatest TV Champion of all-time. However, Rick Michaels pops up on the big screen, and says that he won't screw the fans out of a World Television title match. So, he gave Jeremy V. (still selling the neck from the previous night's Jr. Title four-way match) the title shot, due to his efforts in the Jr. Title match, and a match against Rainman at the previous TV taping, where he almost beat Rainman.
NWA Wildside World TV Title Match:
Jeremy V. vs. Rainman (c) (w/Jeff G. Bailey)
V comes out hot, throwing punches as soon as he comes through the entrance. But, Rainman soon starts the domination inside the ring, attacking the neck of Jeremy, furthering the angle from the previous night. One thing I loved about Rainman's offense was that it wasn't just the usual holds on the neck. He did some basic submissions and such, but he also would, at times, ground V. and just throw straight punches or forearms to the neck from the front position, as opposed to the guard, something the usual wrestler doesn't seem to do. Rainman was on offense almost the entire match, which made sense since he was fresh, and Jeremy was the walking wounded coming in. However, out of nowhere, during a suplex attempt, Jeremy got a small package and pinned Rainman. He had won the World TV Title....or so we thought. Bailey had to explain to referee Speedy Nelson that the match was signed with submission rules, despite Mamaluke not being there. So, the match continued, and Rainman easily defeated V. with the Hillside Strangler (cobra/camel clutch combo) for the passout (not tapout) victory. This match was really effective in furthering the neck injury angle from Night 1, as well as getting Jeremy over as a never-say-die underdog, and Rainman over as even more of an a-hole heel, as he was ruthless while working on the neck, even though Jeremy looked near-death during most of the match. It was simple, yet untraditional in a way. Really good stuff here.
WINNER: Rainman
GRADE: 84
David Young vs. Bull Buchanan
This was Bull's return to Wildside after a six-year absence in which he worked for WWE. Before the match, for some odd reason, David took time to grab a water bottle, go to the guardrail, and spit water in a fan's face. It looked like the guy sort of liked it, but who knows? Bull uses his obvious size and power advantage to get the upper-hand on Young early. David soon counter-acts by using speed, and going to work on one of Bull's legs to ground him. They told a simple, yet effective story, in that Bull slowed David down and out-powered him, but David had small bursts of offense by using his deceiving-for-his-size quickness. The finish came when Bull made a mistake by trying to diverte from his power game and use a top rope move, but David caught him with his patented spinebuster for the win. Bull looked a lot better here than in most of his WWE run, as, while he's still not in David's league as a worker, he held his own, and didn't look out of place. Heck, he even broke out a cravate. He's one of the last guys I'd expect to use one of those. David, as usual, worked hard and kept the match together. This came out pretty good, and, Bull looked like he could fit in if he were to come back to Wildside full-time.
WINNER: David Young
GRADE: 75
Jessie Taylor vs. "24 Karat" Eddie Golden (w/"Mr. Wildside" Steve Martin)
This was a flashback to yesteryear, as these two had a heated feud on top of Wildside in 1999, before just about every current Wildside regular started with the promotion. Golden's one of the many infamous Goldens/Fullers running around the South. They did some familiarity armbars to start off, to give credence to the old feud, and plus the fact that Golden apparently had a hand in training Taylor, and knew each other from then. Taylor then sports power-based offense to get Golden off his game. Golden then uses some veteran heel tactics to gain the advantage. Golden continues to cheat, including having Martin interfere on his behalf. However, after one too many interferences by Martin, Steve messes up, and costs Golden the win, when he runs into Taylor's belly-to-belly suplex. Post-match, as Martin checks over Golden, Taylor gives him a belly-to-belly suplex for good measure. This was a complete Southern-style match; a complete departure from mainstream indy work today. It was fine for what it was, and I dug Golden in this match, and in some of the other stuff I've seen him in.
WINNER: Jessie Taylor
GRADE: 73
15 Minute Iron Man Match:
Jimmy Rave vs. Todd Sexton
This was the conclusion to a best-of 5 series these two had on episodes of Wildside TV that ended in a draw. They started off with some familiarity reversals, followed by yelling at each other while in each other's faces, building the aggression up, since neither had been turned heel, and were feuding for respect. Rave then attacks his usual focal point, the arm. Rave tries grounding Sexton, but Sexton counters with speed to combat Rave. Sexton then goes after Rave's leg. Both men worked over their respective limbs of attack when they were on offense, but no one got a win until Rave hit From Dusk 'Til Dawn (satellite headscissors into a crossface) for the submission win, around ten minutes in. After both men take a few seconds to rest up, Sexton again uses the speed to gain the upper-hand, and hits some desperation suplexes, followed by a superkick for the tying win. With about forty seconds left, Rave locked a crossface in on Sexton, and rolled through on Sexton's reversal attempts, but Sexton held in until the bell rang to signify the time limit had expired. A sudden death overtime period was then announced, and both men tried high-impact moves out of desperation for the quick win. They each use their quickie finishers (Rave's Northern Lights Bomb, Sexton's Gamebreaker, aka DDT with legs hanging on the top rope) for nearfalls. But, in the end, Sexton uses a simple 3/4 nelson cradle for the win. They embrace after the match, but after Rave leaves, the old Suicidal Tendencies song comes on, and Air Paris makes his return to Wildside. He grabs the mic, rips on Shawn Michaels, the fans, Sexton, and the usage of the superkick as a finisher, while dropping f-bombs merrily, before unsuccessfully attempting to attack Sexton. Paris ducks out right before Todd hits him with a superkick. The match was pretty good, albeit not without its faults. I liked the selling, besides for Rave doing a spaceman plancha (no-touch springboard onto the top rope, then dive) right after Sexton had worked over his leg. Other than that, the psych was fine, and worked well into the body of the match. The pacing was really good as well. But, obviously, they weren't given nearly enough time. Iron Man matches usually should be for a good length of time, or else they end up getting rushed way too soon, and don't have a chance to get off the ground. The ending was quite rushed, and with good reason. Still, they worked hard, and put on the best match of the second night.
WINNER: Todd Sexton
GRADE: 85
Cage Match/Bailey Handcuffed & Locked In Cage For The Wildside Title
Stone Mountain vs. Iceberg (c) (w/Jeff G. Bailey)
This is the blow-off to a nearly seven-month feud that has produced two not-so-memorable matches before them. Thankfully, every match in this feud, including this one, has been kept short. For some inexplicable reason, there's a chair and table already inside the cage. The chair comes in use early, as Stone Mountain nails a few weak chairshots to Iceberg's chrome dome. Stoney then shows off some of his boring punch-kick brawling. Thankfully, when Iceberg got on offense, he varied from the punch-kick borefest that Mountain put on, doing actual moves instead. Both men had bladed by the time Iceberg used his trusty veggie peeler, and the blood flowed aplenty. Jr. Official Andrew Thomas, who Prazak and Wilson explained had sneaked out to the ring without anyone noticing, snuck Bailey the key to the handcuffs. Mountain blocked a ten-punch in the corner from 'Berg, and powerbombed him for a near-fall, after Bailey attacked referee Speedy Nelson, and threw him into the cage. Andrew Thomas then replaced him. After being sat on the top rope, and another attempt at a ten-punch on the top by 'Berg, Mountain blocked it and hit his Landslide finisher (Baldo Bomb) off the top, which was quite the site. Mountain then sets up the table, and teases putting both Bailey and Thomas through it. 'Berg accidentally avalanched Thomas in the corner, but got back on offense long enough to put Mountain on the table, head to the top rope, and splash him through it (which was definately worth a "rewind and re-view" afterwards) for the win. Post-match, Hotstuff Hernandez speared and clotheslined 'Berg on the entrance ramp quite stiffly (which resulted in the locker room emptying to pull Hernandez off), and chased Bailey out of dodge, and finished the night by celebrating with the other faces. The match itself was probably the best in the series. I know that's not saying much, but 'Berg did the best he could in getting an acceptable match out of the wretched Mountain. The first four minutes, which was basically Mountain on offense, was quite bad,. But, the match was paced really well. The bumps 'Berg took got bigger and bigger, and resulted in the climaxing huge top rope splash through the table. Again, this wasn't Iceberg's best title match by any means, yet it wasn't downright horrible, which is an accomplishment when the other guy's Stone Mountain.
WINNER: Iceberg
GRADE: 68
The tape then closes with a highlight video of both nights, set to Our Lady Peace's "4 A.M.", which is quite odd, considering it's a bunch of bumps set to a song about Raine Maida's broken relationship with his dad.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: For the first time, the second night of a double-night Wildside show was worse than the first. I think most people would agree this wasn't Wildside's best effort. Usually, the junior heavyweights and Wildside Dojo students provide a good, solid undercard, and the bigger matches deliver. However, the Young Lions were all booked on the first night, and the main event didn't have much of a chance of being stellar. Rave/Sexton was the match of the night, yet the previous night's Jr. Title four-way and, to an extent, the insane Tag Team Title ladder match were better. Plus, this show had its fair share of outsiders, and while some of whom weren't bad, the usual Wildside undercards are better. I do think the readers are getting sick of me proclaiming my love for the commentary team of Dan Wilson and Steven Prazak, but despite what those who are less fortunate might tell you, they truly are something great. But, unfortunately, this was the weaker end of the Hardcore Hell spectrum, and I'd recommend Night One over this.
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Now, it's time for the extras, brought to you, as always, by H3S Girls' Wrestling Tapes.
From Best of Wildside Vol. 7...
Suicidal Tendencies ("All That" Adam Jacobs, John Phoenix, and Jason Cross) (w/ Jeff G. Bailey) vs. AJ Styles, Onyx, & Air Paris
This was from July 2001, as this was the final sell for the Freedom Fight 2001 event. Jeff G. Bailey thinks he's leading Suicidal Tendencies to the ring, but he looks back, and John Phoenix takes a tumble down the ramp, thanks to a punch from AJ Styles. Paris punches Cross down the ramp, and Onyx follows, beating Adam Jacobs along the way. The faces then dominate Suicidal Tendencies while brawling through the building, as the crowd goes ape-shit. There's then a commercial break cut, and everyone's in the ring, settled down for a regular tag match. The faces take turns dominating their designated heel (Cross for Onyx, Phoenix for Paris, Jacobs for Styles). Another commercial break cut, and all six are in the ring, and a dive session from the faces onto the heels then ensues. Paris and Styles catch Bailey in the ring, and each tease punching him, until Onyx comes from behind and waylays Bailey with a lariat. The match conforms again, but this time, Suicidal Tendencies gains the advantage, using AJ Styles as their Ricky Morton. Styles uses his speed for the hope spots, but Suicidal Tendencies come back, working on his head and neck area. Tendencies' heel antics were great here. They teased the tag a whole bunch, and the crowd's totally into each tease. Finally, AJ nails an enziguri, and makes the tag to both Paris and Onyx, as it becomes another six-way melee. However, after AJ hits the Styles Clash on Adam Jacobs, the then-Wildside Champion Justice comes out and destroys all three faces to give them the DQ win. Post-match, Suicidal Tendencies and Justice stand tall over the faces, as Jeff G. Bailey announces Justice as the fourth man on his War Games team This match was freaking great. The work was outstanding, the storytelling was masterful, everyone played their roles to a tee (especially AJ, who was awesome as the face-in-peril), the crowd was as hot as I've ever seen a Wildside crowd, and everything clicked. They basically made magic, as you never see anything like this in wrestling anymore. There are crowds that still cheer faces and boo heels, but none of those type of crowds usually get this hot anymore. Besides for the finish, which is understandable due the storyline at hand (which was the mystery around each team's fourth War Games member), this match was near-perfect, and you need to see it NOW.
WINNERS: AJ Styles, Air Paris, & Onyx
GRADE: 93
From Best of Wildside Vol. 14....
Tony Mamaluke vs. Caprice Coleman (Mamaluke's Debut)
This was around October 2001, as Dan and Scott Hudson (filling in for Steven Prazak) were hyping up Fright Night 2001. Mamaluke hadn't gelled into his "Sicillian Shooter" role, as after the opening sequences, most of the match was rope-running and outside-the-ring spots. Early on, Coleman surprises Mamaluke by being able to keep up with him on the mat. During the sequences, for whatever reason, Caprice didn't seem comfortable doing the matwork. Coleman then uses his speed to gain an advantage on Mamaluke. After an extended brawl outside the ring, Mamaluke slows things down in the ring to get the upper-hand on Caprice. Coleman gets in a couple of hope spots using his speed before nailing the Thermal Shock (cravate face slam variation) for the win. Mamaluke was still trying to develop into the mat worker he is today from the dangerously-bumping fiend he was in ECW, and Coleman was still a bit spotty. They did a lot more flashy, high-impact spots than they'd do today. These two did a lot better about 8-10 months later, during their TV Title feud, but this was still pretty decent. But, saying that, better matches were to come for both.
WINNER: Caprice Coleman
GRADE: 76
From Best of Wildside Vol. 20....
Jeff G. Bailey's Post-Hardcore Hell Address
We see Jeff G. Bailey entering the ring with Iceberg and Rainman, and swipes the mic from Dan Wilson. Bailey then discusses how great of a night Hardcore Hell was, and how Rainman ended Tony Mamaluke's career. Bailey then said said that "in his infinite ignorance," Michaels sent Jeremy V out as Mamaluke's replacement, but he was a low caliber opponent. Bailey talked about Jeremy V. giving up to the Hillside Strangler, and then paused to cross himself, and said, "Rest in peace, Angelo Bono." Bailey then spoke about how "Rick Michaels's savior" Stone Mountain failed to get the job done. Bailey said then described how Iceberg came off the top rope and drove Stone Mountain through the table. Bailey then described Hotstuff Hernandez's post-match attack on Iceberg as, "a crime so rephrensible, it made the Atlanta Child Murders look like jaywalking." Bailey said that Hernandez would be "wishing to go back to his mama's donkey show in Tijuana" after Iceberg got through destroying him. Bailey then ended by saying that there was no number one contender to Iceberg's belt. Rick Michaels, however, showed up on the big screen, and announced Hotstuff Hernandez vs. David Young for the Number One Contendership the next week. This was followed by the Jimmy Rave/Rainman match I reviewed in the Extras of the Best of Jimmy Rave review. Another great interview from Jeff G. Bailey, using his usual violent description and a wit he usually doesn't get put over for.
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That's all for now. Next time, I'll be reviewing a compilation tape from the recently split up team of "The Angel of Death" Azrael and "The Archangel" Gabriel, aka the Lost Boys. It'll be Best of Lost Boys Vol. 2: The Excommunicators, next time.
Until then, you can check out my new archives, located here.
Thanks for reading,
Thomas Green
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