Give me a moment to introduce to the Pulse Wrestling audience the most promising, up-and-coming promotion you’ve never heard of…yet. This company emerged from the dusty skies in Arizona on February 19th, 2010, with Tommy Dreamer and Madison Rayne tucked in their pockets for the inaugural show. But that was only the beginning. Derick Neikirk—the brains behind EXW and current heavyweight champ (veteran fans might recognize that name elsewhere)—assembled a crew of talented stars and countless other people who would play a tremendous hand in turning the company into a serious threat. Nearly a year later, their shows can be viewed worldwide through live streaming, and they aren’t done yet. Moving into a new year, they kicked it off in style with their biweekly event, Xtreme Tuesday. Definitely a show that alludes to what kind of year 2011 will be for EXW.
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Xtreme Tuesday—January 4th, 2011
The show began with FTW, the CEO, walking out and making a huge announcement. After the monstrous show in Prescott, Arizona on January 15th, Bad Intentions, a tournament would begin to determine who the first ever EXW Tag Team Champions would be. At this point, he left, and Neikirk entered, as well as Val Venis. Neikirk had yet to respond to Venis’s request for a fourth title shot, and instead offered an opportunity for the Big Valbowksi; if he could come up victorious that evening, he would get his title shot at Bad Intentions. With that, they both retreated, and the first contest was moments away.
Kyle Hawk
vs
Ray Basura
vs
Johnny Manson
Manson is someone I have grown to love, with his maniacal appearance and demeanor, and Hawk is always a pleasure to watch, as the young cruiserweight has a style that forces you to watch. Basura is someone I’ve had the rare opportunity to see, but am excited to see what else he has to offer. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this match, as triple threats have to be my least favorite. The pace of the match was quick enough to keep your interest, and intricate enough that no one was left out. Despite being a touch repetitive at times, it was definitely a great match.
Winner: Johnny Manson
Straight from there, the infamous Freak Squad (Dom “The Bomb†Vitalli and Frenchy Riviera) entered the ring, accompanied by their manager, Johnny Roxx, and newest Freak Squad applicant, Terra Calaway. Vitalli took a moment to bask in his recent glory of being named Fresh Off The Mat’s Wrestler of the Year in a poll released to the fans. They proceeded to promise tag team gold once the tournament begins, and assessing their feud with Gabriel Gallo once more. On that note, Gallo entered and announced a stipulation match for Bad Intentions against Frenchy. These two would be involved in the company’s first “I Quit†match. Once it was agreed upon, the Freaks demanded that their partner for the 6-man tag team match be announced, and Gallo left.
The Freak Squad and Cutler Wright
vs
Ryan Castellucci, Shane Stratmore, and Manimal
This match was stacked with tension, with the Freak Squad’s disdain for Stratmore evident, and the growing resentment between Wright and Castellucci. The match itself bordered on being too much to watch, and was a bit messy to start. Manimal’s contribution of the usual comedy routine was a bit…something. But the other five looked great. The Freak Squad’s heat was unimaginable, as the fans were in an uproar, and Castellucci’s fans were much louder than normal, to support their hero. Right at the boiling point of the match, the Elite Champion, Andrew Hellman, attacked Wright and Castellucci, as they had both been vying for his belt. He used the title they both wanted to knock them out as Shane rolled up Vitalli for the victory. Once the match was over, Gallo ran out once more to attack Riviera with a chair, and all hell broke loose until the referees pulled everyone off of each other.
Winner(s): Shane Stratmore, Ryan Castellucci, Manimal
Miracle Mike James
vs
Tyson Tyler
Here are two men who never fail to impress. Despite the fact that they are both faces, it was still entertaining. Most of it was subtle, but still fast-paced. Miracle Mike, in his short EXW career has come such a long way, I often forget he was once a backup ring announcer not too long ago. His appeal to the fans has completely erupted, even against Tyson Tyler, whom the fans adore. I found that I thoroughly enjoyed this match, however simple and short it was. Once Tyler beat the smaller star, FTW reappeared to hint at Tyler’s opponent for Bad Intentions, announcing he would take on a bigger man. Some speculations were made via the crowd, but the suspense remained.
Winner: Tyson Tyler
Val Venis
vs
Sal
Finally, we were able to watch Val Venis take on the mystery opponent, whom ended up being Sal, a long time friend of Val’s. Both men took a mic before the match begun, and Sal explained that he didn’t want to fight Venis, and would lay down for the pin. As Val went for the three-count, Derick stormed out, incensed that Val would gain a title shot that way. He gave a few stipulations. If Sal didn’t kick out when he was fully able to, he would be suspended. But if Val went for a pin and Sal did kick out, he would lose the match, and the title shot. With that in mind, Venis began, making sure to completely incapacitate the star so that he was unable to kick out. In a match that was very obviously a total squash, it was completely entertaining and intoxicating to watch. Val brought a lot of the energy you’ve come to expect from him, and Sal took the spots like an absolute champ. After hesitating to pin a few times, Venis inflicted enough pain to be confident in attempting a pin, for the three count. But Neikirk would waltz out once more, announcing that their title shot would not only ban everyone in the locker room from ringside, but it would be a No Holds Barred Match at Bad Intentions.
Winner: Val Venis
Rexx Reed
vs
Andrew Hellman
Andrew Hellman was the first person to wow me in the company, and it has never stopped. However, the match was very slow to start, but the spots were so packed with strength that it worked. These two went at it whole-heartedly, taking their battle outside of the ring. The match would come to an abrupt halt, however, as Cutler Wright would interfere to force a disqualification, and attack the champion. This brought Castellucci out once more, to avenge the earlier attack and drive home that he wanted the belt, as well. All three men were going at it, and I think I smell a triple threat brewing for Bad Intentions!
Winner (by DQ): Andrew Hellman
Mosh Pit Mike and Sean O’Brien
vs
Derick Neikirk and Lawrence Tyler
I’d like to bring the focus on Mosh Pit Mike for a moment, and point out that a mere two months ago, I was unhappy with his performance. But now, he was in the main event of an EXW show, fighting against the Heavyweight Champ, himself. He had done a complete 180, and I was thrilled. His tag team partner was a little bland, but the crowd really rallied behind the two. Neikirk and Tyler were a great pairing, with brute force being their MO. Neikirk somehow finds a way to be the same ol’ champ, but every experience in watching him was something fresh and exhilarating. Instead of the mindless repetition for main events in other companies, this company offered something that was bordering on random, but worked nonetheless, and I very much enjoyed it. Finally, Neikirk and Lawrence came up victorious after a stellar match.
Winner(s): Derick Neikirk and Lawrence Tyler
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This show promised to rock our skulls, and it accomplished such a feat indefinitely. EXW has manifested into such an amazing company, that all other companies’ shows remain unwatched on my DVR, for the most part. It did a lot to prepare us for their Super Bowl of shows—Bad Intentions—and did even more to get us excited for it. When all these worlds collide on the 15th, I guarantee it will be just one more reason to fall in love, and rediscover why you became a fan in the first place.
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Elite Xtreme Wrestling streams live every other Tuesday, with the next Xtreme Tuesday landing on the 18th. You can follow them on Twitter or Facebook for information, or head to their website. They stream their Xtreme Tuesday shows, but not the bigger ones, so make sure to tune in for the next one. If you’re fortunate enough to live in Arizona, make sure to head down to the live show. Find a way to check them out, regardless. They’re all the highs of professional wrestling, with none of the disappointment.
