GCW Back to Back- September 21, 2024
by Doc Allen
Live from the Webster Theater in Hartford, Connecticut. I'm dealing with a draining cold but I'm going to give this show a try, no need to thank me. Doc Allen estimates attendance at 150. Dave Prazak and Emil Jay are on commentary.
Bobby Flaco vs. Aerial Van Go
They feel each other out, Van Go puts the brakes on a dive and does a one handed leg sweep instead. Van Go delivers a neat twisting slingshot elbow drop. Flaco blatantly no-sells and takes control with a DDT. Van Go comes back with a sitout powerbomb for 2. This time Flaco sells a hurt nose, then eats a neckbreaker onto the apron. Springboard senton by Van Go gets 2. Van Go hits a flipping buster that resembles a Spanish Fly. Van Go misses a 450 and tweaks his own knee. Flaco hits a brutal flying double stomp onto Van Go's throat, and I hope he's alright. That gets the abrupt pinfall at 6:13. Played out like a dark match, despite some cool tricks, *½.Winner: Bobby Flaco
Van Go must be ok, he reluctantly celebrates with Flaco on the stage. Flaco later re-Tweeted me on this topic, so it's all good.
Broski Jimmy vs. Brooke Havok
Fans chant "Jimmy f'n sucks." Brooke Havok is billed as the "Emo Queen." She sure is cheerful for someone who's supposed to be sad all the time, and puts her shades on the ref. Jimmy shoves her down for some easy heat. She answers with a swinging DDT from a kneeling position. Jimmy shoves the ref aside and chokes Havok on the ropes. Brooke dodges the Broski Boot and makes a heroic comeback with a shotgun dropkick. Destroyer by Havok, but he pops right up for Radio Silence. The ref takes a chair away from Jimmy, allowing Havok to hit the PTS-knee and Cross-Rhodes to win at 5:59. The Nightmare Factory taught her well. Basic outing, Jimmy seems to get sacrificed often while maintaining his heat, *.Winner: Brooke Havok
Connecticut's own Richard Holliday (with Parrow) is ready for action. No one likes him and chants "f*** you." He gives an update on Charles Mason, who was arrested by the FBI for possessing a weapon. His trial is coming up but Richard knows he's guilty and we'll never see him again. It's pretty bold for GCW to set Mason up as a babyface. Holliday basically figured out that Mason is a cold-hearted killer and snitched on him. I love this kind of campiness in wrestling.
Richard Holliday (with Parrow) vs. Marcus Mathers
They spend a minute taunting each other before locking up. Mathers gains momentum with a missile dropkick. Parrow chokes Mathers, allowing Holliday to hit a guillotine leg drop. Fans chant "snitch" at Richard. He works over Mathers' throat and the fans hate him so much, I think the Mason babyface turn might actually work. Mathers mounts a comeback with a stunner and German suplex. Holliday blocks a roll-up and nails a backbreaker and tilt-a-whirl power slam. Fans chant "snitch" again, Mathers escapes a Torture Rack and nails a cutter. They exchange snug offense until Mathers counters into a Falcon Arrow for only 2. Fans chant "This is awesome!" They haven't done anything particularly fancy, so kudos to them for earning that chant. Parrow interferes again and takes a moonsault. Liger Bomb by Mathers, but Parrow pulls the ref away from the pinfall. Holliday low blows the ref and blames it on Mathers. The ref falls for it and calls the bell at 12:38! Hilariously terrible finish to a match that was firing on all cylinders, but a fitting move for a snitch like Holliday, ***.Winner via DQ: Richard Holliday
Holliday is declared the victor while fans chant "bullsh!t." I don't get the impression the fans are legitimately upset, they're just having fun playing along.
Slade vs. Tony Deppen
Slade hates Deppen's guts and they brawl on the stage. Slade nails a backdrop, but we're interrupted by a "No signal from venue" graphic. That's ok, I needed a bathroom break anyway. Feed comes back with Slade dominating Deppen in the crowd. We lose the feed again while Deppen grabs a table. The hatred between these two men is so extreme it's knocking out the signal! They return with Slade pinning Deppen on top of a broken table at 5:35. No rating, but the fans sure seem happy.Winner: Slade
GCW's Twitter account confirmed that the technical difficulties were indeed caused by the Deppen/Slade brawl. That's a novel way to get some heel heat on Deppen.
Griffin McCoy vs. Effy
McCoy fancies himself to be a Top Guy, Effy takes him to school with some wrist control. McCoy blocks Effy's kiss, but takes a headbutt to the groin. Effy runs wild with offense meant to hurt and humiliate McCoy. Griffin's ego can't take anymore and he takes control with an abdominal stretch gutbuster. He considers spanking Effy but hits a driver instead. McCoy gets carried away taunting, and Effy smashes his groin into his face. Over The Rainbow by Effy gets 2. Fans are delighted to chant "you f***ed up" when Griffin slips on the ropes but still hits a superplex for 2. Effy hits McCoy with his bare buttocks and hits a Blockbuster for a good nearfall. McCoy blocks Sack Ryder and counters into a sitout powerbomb for 2. Effy plants a kiss on McCoy and nails Sack Ryder to win at 10:35. Routinely solid midcard match, Effy continues to evolve into a masterful babyface, **½.Winner: Effy
GCW Tag Team Championship:
Violence is Forever© vs. Miracle Generation
(Dominic Garrini and Kevin Ku vs. Dustin Waller and Kylon King)The challengers are hometown heroes and clear underdogs, they work hard to fluster the champions with tandem offense. The champs flee to the stage, and suffer a springboard crossbody from King. Garrini recovers with a shoulder breaker. ViF pick Waller apart in their corner. Waller manages a double suplex, but his partner is missing. King launches himself from the stage for a high crossbody and runs wild on a hot tag. He blasts some stiff chops and nails a brutal half nelson suplex on Garrini. King blocks a sleeper suplex and nails a makeshift Sliced Bread. Standing SSP by Waller, King splashes Garrini for a great nearfall. Fans chant "This is awesome!" Garrini hits a top rope lariat. ViF swarm King and hit a tandem GTS for only 2. That false finish was a bit silly. MG block Chasing the Dragon. Garrini blocks a superplex, and they land on the stage, which sets up a cool double superplex. Waller nails a splash, Ku puts Garrini's foot on the ropes. Ku gives King a brainbuster on the floor! Waller tries another dive from the stage, but ViF finish with Chasing the Dragon at 9:56. Super fun match. They provided nonstop action and utilized the stage for a series of novel highspots, ***.
Winners and still GCW Tag Team Champions: Violence is Forever
Sidney Akeem vs. Blake Christian
Akeem is riding high on an undefeated streak, but has his work cut out for him against former World Champion, Christian. Bell rings, both guys seize the opportunity to showcase their athleticism. They reach a stalemate to really hammer in how evenly matched they are. Sidney connects a twisting crossbody to gain the upper hand. High crossbody by Sidney gets 2. Sidney misses a moonsault, Blake gains control with a tope suicida. He goes to work on arm. Akeem makes a brave comeback, hitting a moonsault for 2. His bad arm is slowing him down, fans chant "let's go, Sidney!" Blake answers with a string of offense, hitting a cutter for only 2. They brawl to their feet, Blake counters into a standing Spanish Fly! Blake misses the springboard 450, Sidney blocks a proper Spanish Fly, then hits a last ditch double handspring cutter for a stellar nearfall. He makes it clear that the move was costly for his bad arm. Sidney flees to the stage, luring Blake in for a superkick and springboard Meteora! Blake kicks out! Blake recovers and hits the springboard 450, SIDNEY KICKS OUT! Blake attacks the ref, Akeem rolls him up to win at 13:42! They delivered the goods here, mixing high flying action with injured body part psychology. They also cashed in on Akeem's winning streak, which raised the stakes and made his victory all the sweeter, ***½.Winner: Sidney Akeem
Blake looks dejected as the fans sing the goodbye song.
GCW General Manager and Internet Champion Matt Cardona and Broski Jimmy come out to join the lumberjacks for the World title match. But first, some mic work, fans chant "shut the f*** up" at Jimmy. Cardona is happy to be here in Connecticut, so close to WWE Headquarters. "Zack Ryder" is dead, GCW is his new home, and he's going to save the GCW Universe. First, he sent Nick Gage back to prison, and now he's going to rid GCW of the rest of the mainstays. He declares Mance Warner to be the leader of Deathmatch Royalty and welcomes the champ to the ring.
GCW World Championship (Lumberjack Strap Match):
Mance Warner© vs. Joey Janela
Just to be clear, the lumberjacks are armed with straps, Mance and Joey aren't strapped together. Janela immediately scratches an open wound on Mance's forehead. Warner feeds Joey to the lumberjacks, but he skins the cat and hits a German suplex. Mance gets tossed out, Effy leads the lumberjacks to a beating. Joey's friends pass in chairs and doors. Mance hits a brutal cutter onto a standing chair! Joey gets tossed to the heel lumberjacks. He mounts a comeback, Warner cuts him off with a drop toe hold into a chair. Janela leaps off the same chair and nails a DDT through a door! Fans chant' Holy Sh!t!" Brainbuster by Janela, followed by chair shots against the broken door. Janela hits a Swanton Bomb against the door, Mance kicks out! They slug it out until Joey hits a sitout powerbomb for 2. Mance arbitrarily answers with a lariat for another 2. Mance gets a strap and whips Joey like he caught him breaking into his house. Joey hulks up and repays the whipping. He feeds Warner to the babyface lumberjacks, the heels make the save. Joey hits a DVD through a door anyway. Package piledriver by Janela, Jimmy tackles the ref and stops the pinfall! Joey takes out the heel lumberjacks with a somersault senton. The lumberjacks brawl away from the ring. Meanwhile, Warner plants a DDT on Joey for only 2. Joey answers with a series of superkicks and delivers a belt shot for 2. Joey prepares a double stomp, but Cardona returns to interfere. Warner hits an avalanche DDT through a door bridge and wins at 20:07. This was mostly highly inspired sports entertainment chaos, it did peter out a bit after the lumberjacks were removed from the equation. Still a jolly good time, ***½.Winner and still GCW World Champion: Mance Warner
Megan Bayne rescues Janela from a beatdown from Deathmatch Royalty. While she's here, they might as well start her scheduled match.
Megan Bayne vs. Matt Cardona (with Deathmatch Royalty)
Bayne has all the momentum and hits a butterfly suplex. She follows with a series of body slams and a big splash for 2. Bayne hits a hard Irish whip into the wall and smashes a trash can over Cardona. She misses a head of steam and crashes into the buckles. Cardona is more than happy to take control and smash some beer against her head. He hits a DDT onto the concrete and insists the ref count her out. Bayne beats the count but Cardona remains in control, humiliating her whenever possible. She answers with a desperate vertical suplex and mounts a brave comeback. Bayne's fallaway slam gets 2. Cardona reverses the F5 into a DDT. He delivers the Broski Boot and rips his shirt off Hogan-style. Bayne rallies with a German suplex and spear. Cardona kicks out! She blocks Radio Silence and nails the F5. Cardona gets the ropes. Cardona blocks Bayne's baseball slide with a chair and nails Radio Silence, BAYNE KICKS OUT! He grabs her hair, but Bayne counters with a jackknife pin to win at 12:18! They kept a great pace had the crowd with them from bell to bell. Bayne's somewhat flukey upset also makes for a cool moment, ***½.Winner: Megan Bayne
Cardona is super pissed about the loss and attacks Bayne's leg. Jimmy and Warner stop Janela's rescue attempt and help Cardona give Bayne a Pillmanizer. Effy arrives too late, Bayne might be too hurt to compete in the Art of War Games.
Death Match:
Brandon Kirk vs. Matt Tremont
There's really no reason for this to be the main event, other than saving all the ultraviolent dumbassery for the end. Better put the kids to bed. The fans are craving violence and are hot at the bell. Tremont scores first with a hard whip into some tubes. Kirk answers with a shotgun dropkick into more tubes. After destroying all conveniently placed tubes, they slug it out until Tremont grabs a fork. Tremont foolishly climbs the turnbuckles and gets body slammed down. Kirk head butts some tubes into Tremont's forehead. Tremont clotheslines more tubes into Kirk, fans chant "GCW!" He enjoys himself while emptying a box of tubes for deadly use. Kirk hulks up, chews some glass, and breaks the remaining tubes over Tremont's face. Samoan Drop by Kirk gets 2. Tremont answers with his own Samoan drop and a DVD for a cold nearfall. Fans chant "Fight Forever!" They battle on top of a chair platform until Tremont nails a Uranage through the plunder! Kirk kicks out! Tremont finds a fresh stash of tubes, Kirk counters with a Pedigree through the box! Stunner by Kirk. He flies off the ropes with a tubed chair, Tremont kicks out! Fans chant "This is awesome!" Tremond succumbs to a Camel Clutch at 11:46! Well, this delivered exactly what was promised, hard to fault them for it, **½.Winner: Brandon Kirk
Tremont gives Kirk his spot in the Nick Gage Invitational and demands he win the whole f'n thing. Fans chant "You deserve it!"
Final Thoughts: Not everything was great, but this show definitely had a great flow. This feels like a great show to show any first time GCW viewers, everyone was put in positions to show exactly who they are. Recommended.
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