Post by Continental on Nov 28, 2004 23:28:12 GMT -5
Continental Champion Wrestling returned to the Houston County Farm Center last night, capping off an historic day in Dothan wrestling. Coming off an SRO crowd for a noon television taping, the first the Circle City had had hosted in 15 years, CCW drew 600 for the evening house show. Tom Pritchard made his first wrestling appearance since leaving WWE a memorable one, as he combined with Brad Armstrong to produce one of the best CCW matches of the year.
There’s a delicate balance at work here. The faces (read Armstrong family) stay over, partly because they are booked smart and strong. The heels (Midnight Express, Golden and Pritchard) are cowardly opportunists, always a threat to beat somebody’s head in when they least expect it or make the most of a numerical advantage.
There’s no way to turn back the clock, although Brad Armstrong comes close, as far as this crew being able to do what they did physically 20 years ago. But they understand how to entertain an audience that appreciates all the old school touches they bring to their performances.
Tim Dickerson opened the show by honoring Billy Spears, a long time performer for Gulf Coast Wrestling and Southeastern Championship Wrestling. Spears, who was scheduled to appear for CCW in the near future, died 3 weeks ago at the age of 72.
(1) Suicide & Jordan Espinosa beat Damian LeVaye & Steve Anthony in 11:07. This formula tag was one of the better matches I’ve seen from the young talent in CCW. The heels carried it, which was a good thing. There was a fair amount of greenness showing through on the face side. Levaye takes a good bump. The heels took over when Anthony pulled hair to distract, and LeVaye nailed Suicide with a superkick. The evil misfits from the decadent city of New Orleans switched without tagging. Anthony crashed and burned ugly on a top rope elbow. Suicide hot-tagged Espinosa, who cleaned house. Suicide and Espinosa did stereo huracanranas for a double pin. The execution of the finish made the match.
(2) The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton) beat Texas Roughrider & Luke Goldberg in 6:58. Roughrider and Goldberg worked on Condrey’s arm. Condrey tried in vain to find some hair on Goldberg’s head to pull. They did an elegant played off the bad heel karma from the previous match, as Condrey made the tag, but the ref didn’t see it. MX finally trapped Roughrider. Condrey tossed Roughrider over the top and posted him on the outside. Eaton repeatedly rammed Roughrider’s head into the turnbuckle. Roughrider was on rubber legs. Condrey gave Roughrider an inverted Garvin stomp. MX did the trademark drop toehold/flying elbow combo. Luke wanted in bad. Crowd clamored for a tag. But it was not to be. MX hit the double flapjack and Condrey pinned Roughrider. The face wanted 5 more minutes. MX thought about it, but begged off when they were unable to gain the element of surprise.
Scott Armstrong said since his opponent wasn’t going to be there, he wanted to settle things with Eaton (a storyline developed at the TV taping) right then and there. MX were reluctant, so Armstrong goaded Eaton into the match. Referee Larry Brock (in his 32nd year in the business) gave Condrey the boot and ordered Eaton into the ring.
(3) Scott Armstrong beat Bobby Eaton via DQ in 2:41. Eaton did an awesome job of interacting with the crowd to build heat. It was all facial expressions and body language. The crowd was begging for action when they finally locked up. Eaton tried to cheat on the break, but Scott beat him to the punch. Eaton cowered. Scott went after Eaton’s arm. Eaton used a karate thrust to the throat that Scott sold like he was asphyxiated. The crowd was hot for Scott’s comeback. Eaton bailed. Eaton unraveled his wrist tape and choked Scott out for the DQ. Postmatch, Eaton went back to get his self some more and Scott nailed him with the superkick.
Scott announced that since Bullet was reinstated, the Alabama Jaw Jacker mask and outfit would be sold to the highest bidder. Scott played auctioneer, starting the bidding at a modest $25. The raises were 5 and 10 dollars until a guy at ringside jumped the bid from 155 to 200. Sold.
(4) Tom Pritchard beat Brad Armstrong in 15:11. Like the Scott Armstrong/Ken Wayne matches earlier this year, this was a classic of the genre. It said a lot about how these guys are still able to perform at an age when most of the current generation of wrestlers will be fortunate to have intact vertebrae. Pritchard couldn’t hang with Brad in a straight up wrestling contest. Pritchard pouffed his hair. He repeatedly bailed out to break Brad’s momentum. Pritchard took a hiptoss and went to the outside holding his back. A fan got onto Pritchard for exaggerating his back pain. Pritchard shot back with “how many bumps have you taken?” Pritchard caught Brad with a back elbow at the 8 minute mark. Pritchard posted Brad and threw him back in for a two count. The crowd chanted for a comeback. Brad did one of the all-time great jobs of using facial expressions to sell a simple chinlock. Brad finally broke free with a jawbreaker. Pritchard tried to suplex Brad over the top rope, but Brad reversed it and suplexed Pritchard back to the inside. Both men slow to rise. Brad grabbed Pritchard’s leg and spun him around for an atomic drop. A haymaker sent Pritchard out of the ring. Pritchard slipped a set of knucks over his boot and kicked Brad with the loaded boot. Pritchard tried it again. But wouldn’t you know it? Brad got the knucks and clocked Pritchard. Referee Larry Brock called it a DQ when he found Brad in possession of the foreign object. Brad pleaded his case with Brock to no avail. Pritchard stayed down for a full two minutes selling the effects of the knuck shot.
The Bullet & Nightmare (Ted Allen) vs. Jimmy Golden & Steve Armstrong was a no contest. Maybe five minutes. This was some damn good booking for a no contest. Nightmare and Bullet was an odd pairing, since Nightmare was heel his last time here. Golden and Steve got bounced around by the faces. Steve bumping for his dad was especially fun. Golden accidentally clotheslined Steve. Bullet had the sleeper hold locked on Steve, when Nightmare used a chain on Bullet. It was three on one. Nightmare brought a chair into the ring. Golden was ready to wail away on Bulllet, but Steve decided things had gone too far. Golden shoved Steve aside. Steve attacked Golden to complete the double turn. Condrey and Eaton hit the ring. Scott and Brad joined the fray for 8 way action. Bullet had Golden in dire straits. Pritchard marched into the ring with a cookie sheet and blasted Bullet and Scott. Steve got the pan and cleared the ring with whacks all around, including one for referee Brock, who took a monster bump. The crowd popped huge for the finish. Armstrongs welcomed Steve back into the fold. They did a four way Armstrong strut. Needless, to say the crowd was eating this up. The heels tried to act tough, but they ended up running to the back.
It will be interesting to see what they do with the tag belts, now that Steve and Golden have parted ways.
NOTES: Earlier in the day, CCW taped four 30 minutes television shows at the Exhibition Hall adjoining the Farm Center in front of a hot crowd of 200... It was a 3 camera shoot, but the TV station did not provide the production crew, as previously planned…CCW returns to Dothan on 1/15 with a TV taping at noon and house show at 8...I caught part of the TV show that airs on the Dothan ABC affiliate (WDHN) Saturdays at 10:30 pm. It featured footage from the Farm Center shows earlier this year. One camera, no commentary, but compelling because of who was in there and the incredible old style heat. Tonight’s show had the segment where Leon Baxter unmasked, as well as Condrey vs. Jaw Jacker. The place was on fire when Ronnie Fargo made the save. The TV show will move to Saturdays at 4:30pm after the football season...No mention of Randy Rose, Norvell Austin or Jerry Stubbs, who were listed in the original line up for last night’s Farm Center show.
There’s a delicate balance at work here. The faces (read Armstrong family) stay over, partly because they are booked smart and strong. The heels (Midnight Express, Golden and Pritchard) are cowardly opportunists, always a threat to beat somebody’s head in when they least expect it or make the most of a numerical advantage.
There’s no way to turn back the clock, although Brad Armstrong comes close, as far as this crew being able to do what they did physically 20 years ago. But they understand how to entertain an audience that appreciates all the old school touches they bring to their performances.
Tim Dickerson opened the show by honoring Billy Spears, a long time performer for Gulf Coast Wrestling and Southeastern Championship Wrestling. Spears, who was scheduled to appear for CCW in the near future, died 3 weeks ago at the age of 72.
(1) Suicide & Jordan Espinosa beat Damian LeVaye & Steve Anthony in 11:07. This formula tag was one of the better matches I’ve seen from the young talent in CCW. The heels carried it, which was a good thing. There was a fair amount of greenness showing through on the face side. Levaye takes a good bump. The heels took over when Anthony pulled hair to distract, and LeVaye nailed Suicide with a superkick. The evil misfits from the decadent city of New Orleans switched without tagging. Anthony crashed and burned ugly on a top rope elbow. Suicide hot-tagged Espinosa, who cleaned house. Suicide and Espinosa did stereo huracanranas for a double pin. The execution of the finish made the match.
(2) The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton) beat Texas Roughrider & Luke Goldberg in 6:58. Roughrider and Goldberg worked on Condrey’s arm. Condrey tried in vain to find some hair on Goldberg’s head to pull. They did an elegant played off the bad heel karma from the previous match, as Condrey made the tag, but the ref didn’t see it. MX finally trapped Roughrider. Condrey tossed Roughrider over the top and posted him on the outside. Eaton repeatedly rammed Roughrider’s head into the turnbuckle. Roughrider was on rubber legs. Condrey gave Roughrider an inverted Garvin stomp. MX did the trademark drop toehold/flying elbow combo. Luke wanted in bad. Crowd clamored for a tag. But it was not to be. MX hit the double flapjack and Condrey pinned Roughrider. The face wanted 5 more minutes. MX thought about it, but begged off when they were unable to gain the element of surprise.
Scott Armstrong said since his opponent wasn’t going to be there, he wanted to settle things with Eaton (a storyline developed at the TV taping) right then and there. MX were reluctant, so Armstrong goaded Eaton into the match. Referee Larry Brock (in his 32nd year in the business) gave Condrey the boot and ordered Eaton into the ring.
(3) Scott Armstrong beat Bobby Eaton via DQ in 2:41. Eaton did an awesome job of interacting with the crowd to build heat. It was all facial expressions and body language. The crowd was begging for action when they finally locked up. Eaton tried to cheat on the break, but Scott beat him to the punch. Eaton cowered. Scott went after Eaton’s arm. Eaton used a karate thrust to the throat that Scott sold like he was asphyxiated. The crowd was hot for Scott’s comeback. Eaton bailed. Eaton unraveled his wrist tape and choked Scott out for the DQ. Postmatch, Eaton went back to get his self some more and Scott nailed him with the superkick.
Scott announced that since Bullet was reinstated, the Alabama Jaw Jacker mask and outfit would be sold to the highest bidder. Scott played auctioneer, starting the bidding at a modest $25. The raises were 5 and 10 dollars until a guy at ringside jumped the bid from 155 to 200. Sold.
(4) Tom Pritchard beat Brad Armstrong in 15:11. Like the Scott Armstrong/Ken Wayne matches earlier this year, this was a classic of the genre. It said a lot about how these guys are still able to perform at an age when most of the current generation of wrestlers will be fortunate to have intact vertebrae. Pritchard couldn’t hang with Brad in a straight up wrestling contest. Pritchard pouffed his hair. He repeatedly bailed out to break Brad’s momentum. Pritchard took a hiptoss and went to the outside holding his back. A fan got onto Pritchard for exaggerating his back pain. Pritchard shot back with “how many bumps have you taken?” Pritchard caught Brad with a back elbow at the 8 minute mark. Pritchard posted Brad and threw him back in for a two count. The crowd chanted for a comeback. Brad did one of the all-time great jobs of using facial expressions to sell a simple chinlock. Brad finally broke free with a jawbreaker. Pritchard tried to suplex Brad over the top rope, but Brad reversed it and suplexed Pritchard back to the inside. Both men slow to rise. Brad grabbed Pritchard’s leg and spun him around for an atomic drop. A haymaker sent Pritchard out of the ring. Pritchard slipped a set of knucks over his boot and kicked Brad with the loaded boot. Pritchard tried it again. But wouldn’t you know it? Brad got the knucks and clocked Pritchard. Referee Larry Brock called it a DQ when he found Brad in possession of the foreign object. Brad pleaded his case with Brock to no avail. Pritchard stayed down for a full two minutes selling the effects of the knuck shot.
The Bullet & Nightmare (Ted Allen) vs. Jimmy Golden & Steve Armstrong was a no contest. Maybe five minutes. This was some damn good booking for a no contest. Nightmare and Bullet was an odd pairing, since Nightmare was heel his last time here. Golden and Steve got bounced around by the faces. Steve bumping for his dad was especially fun. Golden accidentally clotheslined Steve. Bullet had the sleeper hold locked on Steve, when Nightmare used a chain on Bullet. It was three on one. Nightmare brought a chair into the ring. Golden was ready to wail away on Bulllet, but Steve decided things had gone too far. Golden shoved Steve aside. Steve attacked Golden to complete the double turn. Condrey and Eaton hit the ring. Scott and Brad joined the fray for 8 way action. Bullet had Golden in dire straits. Pritchard marched into the ring with a cookie sheet and blasted Bullet and Scott. Steve got the pan and cleared the ring with whacks all around, including one for referee Brock, who took a monster bump. The crowd popped huge for the finish. Armstrongs welcomed Steve back into the fold. They did a four way Armstrong strut. Needless, to say the crowd was eating this up. The heels tried to act tough, but they ended up running to the back.
It will be interesting to see what they do with the tag belts, now that Steve and Golden have parted ways.
NOTES: Earlier in the day, CCW taped four 30 minutes television shows at the Exhibition Hall adjoining the Farm Center in front of a hot crowd of 200... It was a 3 camera shoot, but the TV station did not provide the production crew, as previously planned…CCW returns to Dothan on 1/15 with a TV taping at noon and house show at 8...I caught part of the TV show that airs on the Dothan ABC affiliate (WDHN) Saturdays at 10:30 pm. It featured footage from the Farm Center shows earlier this year. One camera, no commentary, but compelling because of who was in there and the incredible old style heat. Tonight’s show had the segment where Leon Baxter unmasked, as well as Condrey vs. Jaw Jacker. The place was on fire when Ronnie Fargo made the save. The TV show will move to Saturdays at 4:30pm after the football season...No mention of Randy Rose, Norvell Austin or Jerry Stubbs, who were listed in the original line up for last night’s Farm Center show.
