Post by Ross Report on Feb 25, 2019 15:35:37 GMT
After an epic show at Collision Course, we returned to our regularly scheduled programming with this week's super-sized Sunday Night SLAM! Well, I say "regular" but it was anything but, with so many incredible matches and surprises throughout the night!
Things kicked off with a "getting to know you" session featuring Marty Scurll's ever-expanding group known as "The Horde," complete with their two newest members, Jake "The Snake" Roberts and the man that Scurll beat at Collision Course, Gabriel. It's safe to say that "The Reaper" didn't look particularly enthused to be there as Bryan Danielson formally introduced (or should that be reintroduced?) himself to the EWA Universe, followed up by "The Villain" laying out his grand designs for Civil War domination. If Gabriel thought the mind games would end now he's been forced to join Scurll and co, that would soon prove to be wishful thinking as he was handed a steel chair and the chance to strike "The Horde" down. However, Gabriel couldn't bring himself to do it, seemingly falling under the sway of Scurll and creating a scary prospect for the rest of the EWA roster as Civil War fast approaches.
In a return match from Collision Course, it was Kenny Omega's chance for redemption against Matt Taven. However, lightning would strike twice as "The Best Bout Machine" once again found himself unable to defeat the leader of "The Kingdom." After the involvement of both men's respective entourages, Matt Taven would finally and firmly put Omega away with a Climax, continuing his undefeated streak in 2019! I've said it before and I'll say it again, but there's big things ahead for "The Chaotic Idol" if he can keep up this impressive form!
I'm sure I'm not the only one sad to see the end of Braun Strowman's team with Santino Marella. While I completely understand where "The Monster Among Men" is coming from in wanting to branch out and chase Civil War victory, especially after how he was embarrassed in that event in his official EWA debut two years ago, I'd have loved to see Braun and Santino take a crack at regaining the Tag Titles from "The Vaudevillains." Speaking of whom, we'd be joined by the new Champions later in the evening, who already seem to be coming up with some revisionist history by claiming to be "men of repute" despite the extremely controversial manner in which they won the gold seven days prior. I'll take a stab in the dark and say they probably won't be waiting too long for their next challengers to step up after running down the entire roster and EWA Universe like they did.
Brady Pierce looked as if he's been taking some wrestling lessons from his fellow "Horde" member Bryan Danielson as he defeated Johnny Bravo in relatively short order. After some early struggles this year, it was certainly a good way for "The Wizard of Wrath" to get back to winning ways.
Following her successful title defence over Lacey Evans at Collision Course, Daffney brought "The Dead Zone" back to Sunday Night SLAM! this past week, backed up by her fellow "Revelation" members. It seems as if Becky Lynch had a bone to pick with yours truly after feeling I'd slighted her with my out-loud wondering about how injured she really was post-Super Brawl. With the greatest of respect, I think our superstars would perhaps be better off not getting so caught up with what a 67 semi-retired Okie thinks or says. Still, was it just me or did Becky seem slightly enamored by the Women's Title within Daffney's possession towards the end of her diatribe?
Ahead of his big "Loser Leaves Town" match, Big Show tried to share a few words with the EWA Universe, only to find himself interrupted by John Cena. Now, as some may have seen this past week on EWA.com, I had a run-in with Cena that didn't end particularly well for me. After consulting with Harry Smith and the EWA's legal team, I've decided not to press charges on this occasion, but rest assured, if he or anyone else pulls that kind of crap again, I will do everything within my power to make sure they pay to the full extent of the law. Speaking of Cena, his interruption would provide a distraction which allowed two masked men to get the jump on "The World's Largest Athlete," trying to break Show's neck but thankfully being stopped by security. Needless to say though, that then put the former National Champion at a serious disadvantage for his match against Buh Buh Ray Dudley. And yet, despite having his back against the wall, Big Show put on arguably his best ever EWA performance to pick up the victory, meaning "Scott E." the lawn ornament must leave the E-Wrestling Alliance forever! After the match, the Flamingo Family tried their best to offer Bubbs their commiserationsndolences, resulting in Dudley to challenge Show to a double or nothing rematch! If Buh Buh can beat him, "Scott E." stays and Big Show goes...but if the big man can beat him a second time, then Buh Buh Ray will follow "Scott E." out of the EWA door! However, Show would then raise the stakes even further later in the night, promising that *when* he beats Buh Buh Ray Dudley, he'll murder "Scott E." live on the following SLAM! What will happen when these two clash once more nest Sunday?
Both "IRS" and Jay White came into their match this week undefeated, which meant there was plenty at stake as they did battle. It's fair to say that "Switchblade" may have underestimated his opponent in the early goings, but once he kicked it up a notch, this became a highly competitive back-and-forth contest. At the end of the day though, youth would trump experience as White avoided Schyster's Stock Market Crash before laying him out with the Blade Runner for the three count. It wasn't the last we'd see of Jay White either, as the New Zealand native would later return to the ring to crash Fit Finlay's National Championship celebrations. It was supposed to be a moment of triumph for "The Fighting Irishman," having returned to the ring at such a late stage of life and for such a noble cause, while also setting out his stall for Civil War, yet "Switchblade" had no interest in any of that. Rather, White seemed eager to make sure that he's first in line for a shot at Finlay's gold, with the "Belfast Bruiser" accepting that challenge with a handshake. Alas, that then led to a "Peal Harbor" job as White took out the injured knee of Finlay before putting him down with a Blade Runner. Could this be a sign of things to come? White has already beaten one veteran in "IRS," but can he do the same against another in such fine form as Fit Finlay? We'll have to wait and see.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Jerry Lynn still has unfinished business with "The Honky Tonk Man" after being bashed in the head with a guitar two weeks running. Well, "Honky" wasn't at the Spectrum Center for Lynn to physically confront, but he did offer "The New F'N Show" a chance to earn a match against him. That is, if Jerry Lynn can defeat a mystery opponent first, and get past the fact that Jimmy "Mouth of The South" Hart will be the special guest referee too! That one will take place this coming Sunday!
Good Lord, what a barnburner of a match between Bryan Danielson and Johnny Flamingo! It's no secret that both superstars are extremely well-versed in the art of professional wrestling, something that really showed in the contest they had. This was both men's first match of 2019 too, which would go a long way in explaining how hard they were going at it to try and pick up the elusive victory. In the end, "The American Dragon" just about managed to squeeze it out thanks to an assist by Jack Evans, but it was far from a definitive result. Needless to say, I'd love to see these two go at it again sometime down the line! In the meanwhile though, Danielson's win capped off a hell of a night for "The Horde."
After apparently having not said all she wanted to say earlier in the show, Becky Lynch came back down to ringside to run down long-time rival Charlotte Flair and her father. Given SLAM! eminated from deep in the heart of "Flair Country" this week, I'm sure I don't need to tell you how well that went over with the EWA Universe. Still, Becky offered an open challenge which was shockingly answered by Charlotte's own brother, David Flair! We've not seen the former Super Brawl winner and Tag Team Champion in almost a year, but it seems David couldn't take any more of Becky bashing his family. This led to an impromptu intergender match, with "The Queenslayer" showing barely any ill effects of her previous injury as she took the fight right to David. They'd soon be joined by Charlotte though, with "The Nature Girl" equally as unhappy with Becky Lynch as her brother. However, her support wasn't enough to swing things in David's favor as "The Lass Kicker" used her surgically repaired knee to knock him out cold and pick up the win, albeit after low blowing him first! Becky escaped before Charlotte could get her hands on her, but surely it's only a matter of time before these two highly-talented women go one-on-one once again!
In tag team competition, we witnessed "The Kings of Wrestling" taking on "The Rockers" in another hard-fought match. Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels have had their share of struggles in recent months, and that continued here as the tandem of Chris Hero and Cesaro managed to take everything they had before pulling off the victory! After the match, their fellow "King" Samoa Joe decided to take the mic and rub in the victory they achieved at Collision Course, daring anybody brave enough to come out and test themselves against "The Kings of Wrestling." To the surprise of many, including yours truly, that would bring out the debuting team of Pete Dunne, Trent Seven and Tyler Bate, AKA "British Strong Style." While this talented trio wouldn't say much on this occasion, their actions spoke volumes as Dunne blasted Joe with a headbutt and his compatriots cleared the ring of Hero and Cesaro. Just when it looked like "The Bruiserweight" might take Samoa Joe down and out though, the "Samoan Submission Machine" managed to escape. It seems as if things are only just getting started between Joe and Dunne however!
WALTER has made a huge splash this year, coming out of Super Brawl revitalized and (some might say) crazier than ever. Having already defeated the 2016 and 2018 Kings of the Rings in singles competition, the big Austrian looked to make it a trifecta by taking on the 2017 King, Al Snow! "The Snowman" found himself right up against it here, with seemingly nothing he did able to slow "The Clown With The Crown" down for very long. In fact, he found himself fighting from underneath for much of this one, with those chops of WALTER's so powerful they could probably light up the Eastern seaboard. Despite a spirited effort from the bWo leader, WALTER would pick up his fifth straight victory this year, continuing to march up the ranks. Trust me, folks, this monster of a man won't stop until he has gold around his waist!
Ken Shamrock was far from satisfied with the piece of PCO and James Mitchell he got at Collision Course, which is not a shocker considering how that match ended or the fact his wife is still missing. After calling out "The French-Canadian Frankenstein" though, Mitchell would instead send him his original monster of choice, Abyss! The history between Mitchell and Abyss is long and storied and not all of it good either, but it seems as if they're on the same page again now as "The Monster" looked to finish what PCO started! What followed was another all-out war best described as "bowling shoe ugly," more of a fight than a regular wrestling match, even though the World Championship was on the line! Judging by the carnage we witnessed, with Shamrock being splashed through two announce table and damn near wheeled out of the arena on a stretcher, the goal here wasn't to take the title but to break Shamrock physically. And yet, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" wouldn't give up, coming back with a late onslaught before finally managing to tap Abyss out before seemingly breaking his ankle, much as he did to Brock Lesnar at Super Brawl! Even after everything Shamrock has gone through over the last couple of months, I can't really condone deliberately injuring a fellow competitor as he did here, but there's no doubt it sent one hell of a message to "Father" James Mitchell and PCO. If they thought the MMA veteran was just going to roll over and quit, they've got another thing coming!
You'll be hard pressed to find a more action-packed episode of SLAM! in recent memory, which makes it tough to narrow down my picks for this week's top three movers and shakers. Here's what I've come up with though:
1. King WALTER
2. Jay White
3. Becky Lynch
Top spot goes to the downright scary "King" WALTER, who racked up his fifth successfive win this year (and third over a former King of the Ring winner)! Jay White makes his debut on the list following a great match which saw him end Irwin R. Schyster' own undefeated streak, as well as stepping up as the first challenger for Fit Finlay's National Title. And last but not least, Becky Lynch deserves recognition for her return from injury, surviving the hostile environment of "Flair Country" to beat David and leave Charlotte frustrated yet again.
All in all, there's a whole lot of interesting developments as the road to Civil War continues! What this means next and where we go from here though is anyone's guess...but I can't wait to find out! Until next time,
BOOMER SOONER!
