Post by Ross Report on Feb 11, 2019 18:21:25 GMT
The EWA might have been around for almost 18 years now, but the fact that we're celebrating our 400th edition of SLAM! still blows my mind! On behalf of the entire EWA Universe, I can only express my gratitude to all those who've contributed to us reaching this amazing milestone! And what better place to hold such a landmark show than in the great state of Oklahoma! If that isn't the BBQ sauce on the steak, I don't know what is. In all seriousness though, I was excited to see proceedings kick off with one of the hottest new stars in the women's division heading down to ringside, as Lacey Evans challenged Daffney to a Falls Count Anywhere Match for the Women's Title at Collision Course next week! While "The Zombie Goddess" chose to answer via the EWA-Tron rather than in person, she did accept Lacey's request, meaning we're in store for what looks to be a hell of a battle in the ATL! One has to think a stipulation like this might just favor the wild and unpredictable Daffney, especially with her "Revelation" team-mates no doubt waiting in the wings and ready to interfere, but don't count out Lacey Evans! I'm sure "The Classy Lady" wouldn't have suggested such a match unless she had a plan of her own, but we'll have to wait and see how it all shakes out next Sunday!
It's been a rough start to the year for John Cena, suffering losses to both Samoa Joe and Cesaro, as well as being on the wrong end of some major beatdowns at the hands of the Joe/"Kings of Wrestling" alliance. Well, after finally getting one over on his enemies two weeks prior, Cena followed it up by shaking that monkey off his back with a quick win over Ricky Ataki, giving him some much needed momentum heading into that huge six man tag match next Sunday! Still, while Cena and Big Show obviously have some history teaming together, this will be their first time being joined by Jake "The Snake" Roberts. And with Show and Roberts both absent from this week's show, it makes you wonder how united a front they'll be come Collision Course. Especially given that Samoa Joe, Chris Hero and Cesaro all seem to be very much on the same page, if their promo later in the night was anything to go by. Those three are bonded by their mutual dislike of just about everyone else, with their Pay-Per-View opponents seemingly at the top of that list. But with their eyes set on plenty of other targets once Collision Course is all done and dusted, could this unholy alliance end up underestimating the combination of Cena/Show/Roberts?
For the first time since Super Brawl XVIII, Jerry Lynn was back in the house! "The New F'N Show" was up front about the impact (or lack thereof) he's made this year, but eager to start making amends...only to find himself interrupted by one our newest acquisitions, "The Honky Tonk Man!" It seemed as if "Mr Cool, Cocky and Bad" was offering his respect to Jerry Lynn, yet that turned out to be no more than a ruse as Honky came back and BLASTED the former Super Brawl Captain with his trademark guitar before letting it be known he was here to bring some entertainment back to the E-Wrestling Alliance! Whether or not that turns out to be true, only time will tell.
Marty Scurll has been making waves for several months now, putting together an impressive win/loss record during that time. He added to that in a big way this past week with yet another victory to his name, this time over Aleister Black. Despite "The Anti-Hero's" best efforts, Scurll was too much for Black to handle in this hard-hitting match, seemingly having an answer for whatever the Dutchman asked of him. Perhaps more importantly though, Scurll put on this dominant display right in front of the man who he willingly allowed to bloody him one week prior as Gabriel accepted "The Villain's" invitation and watched the action from the stage. After the smoke had cleared and Scurll stood victorious however, "The Reaper" refuted his fellow Brit's accusations of being just like him, instead laying out a challenge for Collision Course. Alas, it was one met with laughter of derision from "The Villain," as two mystery men jumped Gabriel from behind, laying him out and revealing themselves to be Bryan Danielson and Jack Evans! Our worst suspicions were quickly confirmed as Marty Scurll welcomed his new allies, along with Brady Pierce and Ember Moon as well, officially announcing the birth of "The Horde." And with that came a response to Gabriel's challenge, with Scurll promising a one-on-one match where if "The Reaper" wins, they'll leave him alone...yet should "The Villain" defeat his foe, Gabriel will be forced to join this new super group! Talk about raising the stakes!
Meanwhile, Buh Buh Ray's attempts to gain Big Show's attention were once again less than successful as he instead found himself confronted by Johnny Flamingo, formerly known as Johnny Gargano. Johnny was offering an olive branch of sorts, requesting Buh Buh join him in accompanying Candice LeRae to the ring for her match. The Dudleyville native eventually agreed to the offer (once confirming that his pink lawn ornament pal "Scott E." could come along with him), but decided to hold back until his prank on Big Show had come to fruition. Little did Buh Buh realize though, while he and "Scott E." went to grab a snack, the pink flamingo feathers he'd hooked up to the ceiling all came tumbling down with not a Big Show in sight. It might be time to head back to the drawing board, Bubbs.
With Dudley otherwise occupied then, Candice had to make do with just her husband and Scotty Flamingo in her corner for her match against Dakota Kai. The New Zealander likewise had Bayley in hers, but the focus here was very much on the in-ring product as these two bright young stars tore the house down in a hell of a contest. Candice may be the more experienced competitor, but Dakota kept up with her opponent every step of the way, putting to expert use those "educated feet" of hers. Seeing some of those kicks connect certainly makes me glad that I spent so many years on the other side of the announce table rather than in the ring, that's for sure. In the end, and despite Johnny Flamingo's attempted help, "The Princess of Kick-Ness" would deliver her patented Kai-Ropractor to score a huge victory in her fledgling EWA career. After such an effervescent display, it's little wonder that the fans have quickly taken to both Kai and her fellow "Shiny Happy Person" Bayley!
Much like Jerry Lynn earlier in the night, we got our first Kenny Omega sighting of 2019 as he and his newly revamped "Bullet Club" hit the ring. Before Omega's new mouthpiece, Dario Cueto, could reveal what they were doing here in Tulsa though, we saw yet another interruption as "The Kingdom" emerged from the back. Matt Taven has never been one to mince his words and "King Taven" let rip here, cutting down the accomplishments of the "BC" and Omega in particular, even if there was an element of truth to his taunts. It all resulted in another challenge for Collision Course, as Taven demanded a Two Out Of Three Falls Match with Omega to prove that "The Cleaner" is all hype, one which the Winnipeg native was quick to accept. With so much for both superstars to prove though, that one has got potential showstealer written all over it!
I'm not entirely sure I understand "The Vaudevillains" thinking in commemorating the 400th edition of SLAM! by commissioning a painting of themselves by one "Bubbacelli Ray Dudley." I mean, it seems more of a monument to their own ego than the EWA's flagship show, but what do I know? Still, I've got to admit...Buh Buh Ray's artistic skills are far better than mine! With the grand unveiling set to take place at the nearby Philbrook Museum of Renaissance Art via EWA-Tron however, Braun Strowman and Santino Marella decided to crash the party. Not only that, but also take Buh Buh's latest masterpiece and then crash it over the head of Jervis Cottonbelly as well, ruining "The Vaudevillains" big night and sending a statement of intent ahead of next Sunday's showdown with English and Gotch. No doubt about it, this rivalry has finally reached its boiling point, and I can't wait to see it come to a head at Collision Course!
In more women's division (and can I just say, it's great to see the division thriving these days), JoJo took on Scarlett Bordeaux! "The Perfect Ten" was coming into this one with a big win over Lacey Evans under her belt, the very same woman who JoJo lost to on the first SLAM! of the year. However, while things haven't been going her way so far in 2019, JoJo is still someone you sell short at your own peril, much like her fellow bWo member Al Snow. Indeed, the former Women's Champion brought the fight this past week just as she always does, yet after a back-and-forth contest, it was "The Kingdom's" reigning queen who managed to pick up that elusive victory! Scarlett Bordeaux continues to get by on more than just her stunning looks, though that didn't stop Don West from making a horse's ass of himself on commentary. Still, with wins of this caliber, could it only be a matter of time before Ms Bordeaux finds herself in the title mix? I'd say that's almost a given at this point!
Following on from his shocking return the week before, Finn Bálor had his first match in almost a year, taking on the veteran Salvatore Bellomo. To the surprise of no one, the talented Irishman was able to shake off any ring rust he might have had in order to make short work of his opponent. Bálor didn't get much chance to celebrate though, with the self-proclaimed "King" WALTER charging down to ringside, only for the lights to go out and Finn to have disappeared by the time they came back on. "The Clown With The Crown" took out his frustrations on poor Salvatore, who I dare say we likely won't see in an EWA ring again after such a lethal beating (or any other for that matter). Yet once WALTER's assault was finished, the lights went out once more, before Finn Bálor returned...only this time, he did so in full-on "Demon King" garb! Security flooded ringside before the two of them could tear one another limb from limb, but we won't have to wait much longer to see these two monsters go to war, with Harry Smith making a match between them official for Collision Course!
In our main event of the evening, we saw the returning "OVE" taking on the National Champion and his number one contender, Frank Shamrock and Fit Finlay! This was a match that has to be seen to be believed, with some jaw-dropping action right from the opening bell. It's no secret that the Crist brothers make a hell of a team after their Tag Title run last year and various "End of Year Awards," but Finlay and Shamrock have a little experience working together themselves, having defeated Lucas Calhoun and Brady Pierce several weeks ago. Alas, that experience pales in comparison to the lifetime Dave and Jake have spent scrapping together, something they proved by wearing "The Fighting Irishman" down for a significant portion of this match. Eventually though, Finlay's grit and determination saw him create a moment of separation to finally tag out to his partner/future opponent, allowing Shamrock to come in like a wrecking ball! The National Champion might not have had as many pro wrestling matches as Finlay, but he certainly knows how to fight, as showcased here! As ever though, when you're fighting Dave and Jake Crist, you've also got to keep an eye out for Sami Callihan at ringside, and it was while Finlay was trying to neutralize that threat that "OVE" were able to capitalize on the isolated Shamrock brother, picking up the big time comeback win!
Before they could inflict any further damage however, Ken Shamrock came on down to even the odds. That wasn't the only thing on the World Champion's mind though as he took that opportunity to let it be known that hee'd find a way to take out his challenger PCO at Collision Course! However, as was the theme of the entire night, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" would quickly find himself interrupted when "Father" James Mitchell appeared on the EWA-Tron in a pre-recorded scene shot at Shamrock's home! What occurred next is almost too shocking to repeat, as Mitchell's "French-Canadian Frankenstein" seemingly abducted Ken's wife, Tonya, with Mitchell promising to return her only at next Sunday's Pay-Per-View! Why would he do such a thing, you might ask? Because "The Sinister Minister" wanted to make Shamrock snap worse than he ever has before, just to make sure he poses the challenge that PCO supposedly deserves! Well, there's an old saying that goes "be careful what you wish for," and judging by the rage that overwhelmed Ken Shamrock as the show went off the air, that may well be the case here! Make no mistake about it, folks, Mitchell didn't just poke the bear here...he's backed it into a damn corner. And when a wild animal gets cornered, you better believe that all bets are off!
After such an electrifying 400th episode that more than lived up to the hype, here are my picks for this week's top three movers and shakers:
1. OVE
2. The Horde
3. Scarlett Bordeaux
Everyone knows how good OVE are on any given day, but their much-anticipated return to the ring was another example of that as they bested both the National Champion and his number one contender! In second spot, it's hard to look past the debut of Marty Scurll's new group, "The Horde," especially after they brought a reckoning down on poor Gabriel. And rounding out the top three, Scarlett Bordeaux continues to impress in a big way, defeating a former Women's Champion to remain undefeated in 2019!
With so many intense rivalries unfolding across the EWA landscape, it's little wonder that Collision Course is looking so stacked this coming weekend! We've got EIGHT matches in all, ranging from title affairs to grudge matches and some that are a mix of both! Needless to say, Collision Course is shaping up to be one of the biggest shows of the year, so if you're still yet to do so, make sure to sign up to the EWA Network today to guarantee you don't miss a single second of the action! I promise, folks, you won't regret it! Until next time,
BOOMER SOONER!
