This week we have updates all around the world for independent wrestling. PWG’s European Vacation 2 cards have shaped up a bit as two title defenses have been added. CHIKARA added a couple matches to “Bruisedâ€Â, setting up the return for a CHIKARA Fan Favorite. This week’s “Opening Segment†will talk about the Rise and Fall of IWA-MS.
The Idea: Let’s take a step into the time machine back to 1996. A time when ECW was on the rise. WWF and WCW were on a warpath of destruction battling for Monday Night Ratings. In ECW, Brothers Axl and Ian feuded for around a year, cutting and scarring each other up in various matches like the Taipei Death Match. Permanently damaging his body, Ian Rotten felt he wasn’t getting paid enough for what he was putting himself through. He demanded a raise from Paul Heyman, and after the idea being rejected, he left Extreme Championship Wrestling. After hearing requests for more promotions with the style that ECW had, Ian Rotten got the hint. In 1996, Ian Rotten started a wrestling promotion under the Independent Wrestling Association called IWA-MS.
The Beginning: IWA-MS should have struggled like any other independent wrestling promotion just starting up. But with the credibility behind the name of the owner and the buzz around the area, IWA-MS had a jumpstart. Even more Rotten history was made between the two brothers, as their deathmatch feud spilled over into IWA-MS. Their first show in October 1996 was the start of a weekly southern phenomenon. 1997 marked the introduction to what is known as a hardcore fan’s dream tournament: King of the Death Match Tournament. The annual tournament would draw in hundreds of hardcore fans expanded their fan base. 1996-1999 were good years for IWA-MS as big time names like Axl Rotten, Doug Gilbert, Tracy Smothers, Suicide Kid, 2 Tuff Tony and Mad Man Pondo were brought in by Ian Rotten. Things just kept on looking up for Ian Rotten and his IWA-MS.
The Boost: 2000’s “Sweet Science Sixteen†brought the independent wrestling fans 16 fresh faces off the indy circuit to feast their eyes on. Little did we know we were watching the future during these tournaments. It was the Sweet Science Sixteen that made IWA-MS the mainstay for stars like Chris Hero, Colt Cabana, CM Punk and American Kickboxer. The Sweet Science Sixteen also helped long-time indy wrestlers such as Mike Quackenbush and Adam Pearce get their name out there. After 2 years of the Sweet Science Sixteen, tragedy hit the wrestling world. On September 21st, Ted Petty, known as Rocco Rock to ECW/WWF/WCW fans, passed away. Ian Rotten being a close friend of Ted Petty’s was affected by this and felt like he needed to show his appreciation for his longtime friend. From that point on, the “Sweet Science Sixteen†was known as the “Ted Petty Invitationalâ€Â, a tournament in tribute to Ted Petty himself. TPI is now more of an Indy-Wrestling Supershow (unlike the Sweet Science Sixteen). The reason why some of the world’s finest wrestlers are in this tournament is because their diverse styles represent the hybrid style that Ted Petty could work so well. Internationally known as one of the most respected wrestling tournaments in the world, IWA-MS was introduced to hundreds upon hundreds of new fans. In a sense, the Sweet Science Sixteen/Ted Petty Invitational gave IWA-MS the boost they needed to get their name publicly known.
The Climax: As time grew, IWA-MS became more known for their great product as a whole rather than their amazing annual tournaments (King of the Death Match and TPI). Slowly becoming indentified as one of America’s most successful independent wrestling promotions, their name was right next to the likes of CHIKARA, Ring of Honor and Combat Zone Wrestling. They were bringing in names like Chuck Taylor, Chris Hero and Eddie Kingston on a regular basis. Any promotion that brings in talent like that is bound for success. Ian Rotten was in the ring less frequent from when he used to be, letting fellow hardcore deathmatchers Necro Butcher and Mad Man Pondo get a little face time. Mike Quackenbush was making appearances every now and then. In my opinion, a couple of IWA-MS’s latest cards can match up to some of Ring of Honor’s. Things were looking great to the fans.
The Downfall: On October 13th, Ian Rotten grabbed the microphone and was noticeably shaken up. He went on to explain the difficulties and troubles IWA-MS have been going through for the past few months. Then the final blow: IWA-MS will more than likely hold their last show on December 7th. The crew was emotional as were the fans. That was it, over 10 years of IWA-MS are now in the past, and there is little future. You can’t pin an exact timeframe on when the downfall of IWA-MS started, nor can you blame anyone in particular. The fact that they couldn’t get licenses to perform for a couple of their shows and had to refund the money to the crowd has certainly added to the downfall. Sponsors NWA: Midwest dropped IWA-MS, which is defiantly another contribution to the downfall. Fans say that these aren’t good enough reasons for the promotion to crumble unexpectedly before our eyes. Some say its Ian Rotten’s inability to handle money. I say it doesn’t matter. There is an independent wrestling promotion that is in danger of shutting down. A good amount of danger, too. Head over to IWA-MS’s Official Website to see how you can help them survive. An announcement will be made by Ian Rotten on Monday October 22nd on whether or not 12/7 will be the last show. Until then, let’s remember how IWA-MS impacted the wrestling community.
1) Nothing good happening in TV Land.
NEWS
1) Dragon Dragon is set to make his return to CHIKARA at October 26th’s “Bruised†in a trios match. Check the upcoming event section for details on his partners and opponents.
2) The battle for Point Two will also take place at “Bruised†as Cheech and Cloudy fight The Osirian Portal.
3) Its official, “Best of CHIKARA†will be released in your local retail stores of November 6th. Canada and The United Kingdom will all receive copies of the DVD, though The United Kingdom will receive those sometime early 2008.
Upcoming CHIKARA Events
October 26, 2007 in Reading, PA: “Bruisedâ€Â. Announced Matches: Eddie Kingston vs. Tim Donst; Chuck Taylor vs. Claudio Castagnoli for the YLC Trophy; Icoherence (Delirious and Hallowicked) vs. Team FIST for the Campeanatos De Parejas; Jigsaw vs. Dragon Yuki; Mike Quackenbush vs. Lince Dorado for the NWA World Junior Title Belt. 4 More matches to come.
October 27, 2007 in Barnesville, PA: “New Star Navigationâ€Â. Announced matches for this card: Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw vs. Cheech and Cloudy; Larry Sweeney vs. Claudio Castagnoli. The Colony, Ophidian, Tim Donst, Lince Dorado, Hallowicked, Team FIST, Mitch Ryder, Chuck Taylor, Delirious, Crossbones, Dragon Yuki and Ultramantis Black are featured on the event homepage, so they will more than likely appear.
November 16, 2007 in Reading, PA: “Battle of Who Could Care Lessâ€Â. There are no announced matches for this card.
November 17, 2007 in Helltertown, PA: “The Sordid Perils of Everyday Existenceâ€Â. There are no announced matches for this card.
November 18, 2007 in Philadelphia, PA: “Chapter 11â€Â. There are no announced matches for this card.
CHIKARA Lingo
House Show Event: CHIKARA runs secret shows once or twice a year. These secret shows are known to us as House Show Events. These events are not promoted at all before the day of the event. There have been two CHIKARA House Shows this year, both contained matches that were recorded for CHIKARA’s Pod Per View.
Quick PWG Results
1) Ronin beat Bino Gambino.
2) Scott Lost beat Davey Richards.
3) Scorpio Sky and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) beat Los Luchas (Nemesis, Zokre and Phoenix Star)
4) Human Tornado beat Chris Hero
5) Jack Evans beat El Generico
6) “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson beat Roderick Strong
NEWS
1) Bryan Danielson isn’t the only champion that has to defend his titles on the upcoming European Vacation. El Generico and Kevin Steen have to defend their PWG World Tag Titles on Night One (against Super Dragon/Davey Richards and Ken’Ichiro Arai/Taku Isawa) and on Night Two (against Super Dragon/Davey Richards).
2) Human Tornado against Chris Hero has been booked for Night One of the European Vacation.
3) For those of you who ordered Roger Dorn Night and DDT4, your DVDs were shipped on October 14th.
4) All Star Weekend 6 has been delayed until early 2008.
Upcoming PWG Events
October 26, 2007 in France: PWG European Vacation II: France. Announced Matches: Austin Aries vs. Joey Ryan; PAC vs. Jack Evans; Chris Hero vs. Human Tornado; PWG Title Match where Bryan Danielson will defend his belt against Nigel McGuinness. El Generico/Kevin Steen will defend their PWG Tag Titles against Super Dragon/Davey Richards and Ken’Ichiro Arai/Taku Isawa.
October 27, 2007 in England: PWG European Vacation II: England. Announced Matches: Austin Aries vs. Nigel McGuinness; PAC vs. Jack Evans; El Generico/Kevin Steen defend their tag titles against Super Dragon/Davey Richards; Joey Ryan vs. Spud; Martin Stone will challenge Bryan Danielson for the PWG Title. Also Scheduled to appear: Terry Fraizer and Sha Samules.
October 28, 2007 in Germany: PWG European Vacation II: Germany. Announced Matches: Kevin Steen vs. PAC vs. Super Dragon vs. Jack Evans; El Generico will take on Bryan Danielson for the PWG Title. Also Scheduled to appear: Joey Ryan, Austin Aries, Tommy End, Bad Bones, Ares and Nigel McGuinness.
1) Of course, the big piece of Indy News this week, Ian Rotten that IWA-MS’s last show will most likely be on December 7th. He simply cannot afford to run the promotion on the money that he does not have. But, you can help. Go head over to IWA-MS’s website and buy their DVDs. Show your support for the Independent Wrestling Organization that brought us over a decade of entertainment.
2) Two weeks ago I announced the return of the UWA Hardcore Promotion in Canada. Well, just a mere two weeks later, the card has been scrapped. Everywhere the promotion goes, the owners of the venue for the event are simply asking for way too much money.
3) The Annual ECWA Super 8 Tournament will take place on November 10th this year. Wrestlers included in the event are Jerry Lynn, Rob Conway, Matt Cross, Billy Bax, Rob Eckos, Matt Logan, Human Tornado and Brian Fury.
JAPW presents their 10th Anniversary Show on 10/27 in Rahway, NJ. Matches scheduled for this event: Kenny Omega vs. Danny Demanto; AJ Styles vs. Frankie Kazarian; Eddie Kingston vs. Drake Younger; B-Boy vs. Joker vs. M-Dogg 20 vs. Sal Rinuaro vs. Bandido Jr. vs. Mystery Opponent; Grim Reefer vs. Archadia; Devon Storm Open Challenge; BLKOUT vs. Jay Lethal and Azrieal vs. Ruckus and Sabian of BLKOUT; Rhino vs. Necro Butcher; Low-Ki vs. Homicide for the JAPW Heavyweight Title.
FIP will bring us two great shows on 11/9 and 11/10. Talent signed for this event: Roderick Strong, The Briscoe Brothers, Erik Stevens, Sara Del Ray, Jack Evans, Davey Richards, Claudio Castagnoli, Sal Rinauro, Kenny King, Chasyn Ranch, Jason Blade, Rain, Seth Delay, Hallowicked, Gran Akuma, Jigsaw and Allison Danger.
CZW will bring us “Night of Infamy†on 11/10. Announced Matches for this Card: Drake Younger and JC Bailey vs. Dustin Lee and Scotty Vortekz in a “4 Corners of Pain†Match.
IWA-DS will hold the Carnage Cup Tournament on 12/1. Confirmed Tournament Participants: Drake Younger, Insane Lane, Danny Havoc, Sexxy Eddy, Tank, Ian Rotten, Freak Show, Viking, Whacks, Ultramantis Black, Deranged and JC Bailey.
IWA-MS will run their last show on 12/7.
1) CHIKARA Fans‘ is a spectacular website to go to for up to the minute updates on CHIKARA in their forums.
2) Or you could check out CHIKARA‘s official website. Keep track of live results, roster and their schedule. A new roster page was added, and it is full of CHIKARA GOODNESS. Awesome drawings, too.
3) Check out ITunes’ #1 Wrestling Podcast “Smart Wrestling Fan†here for live CHIKARA Results in podcast form, or for televised wrestling results. Listen to Episode 121 for a recap on all of the wrestling that was on TV (including a great review of Bound for Glory), and some of the independent wrestling.
4) Head over to Smart Mark Video to purchase the latest and hottest independent wrestling shows. TPI 2007 is available for purchase.
5) If you want PWG DVDs, head over to the Pro Wrestling Guerrila Official Website by clicking here.
Once again, feel free to send me any news you have with indy updates or a lineup for your local indy wrestling promotion. Also, if you any questions you want to see answered in the opening segment, please send them to me. My e-mail is futureisyoung@yahoo.com, or you can send me an IM at OcopacabanaO. I promise FIP International Impact Phase Two and All Star Weekend 5 Night Two will be reviewed and posted before next week, I’ve been busier than expected. I’ll see you next week for another edition of PWG CHIKARticles!
