McXal's Reviews

To me, SHIMMER Volume 35 stands out as one of the best in the DVD series thus far. Strong from start to finish, well paced and peaking with a really memorable SHIMMER Championship match…it was a truly impressive event. And, such is the unique nature of SHIMMER taping schedules, that same roster needs to come back and do it all again within just a few hours. This one I’m a little more nervous about too. The main event is a star-studded 8-woman elimination tag, which drew rave reviews from fans in attendance and affectionately came to be known as ‘SHIM-Vivor Series’. However, as is often my hesitation when independent companies run such stacked main events, the card underneath looks sparse. It isn’t without merit – with Daffney and Rachel Summerlyn’s feud ending in an ‘I Quit’ Match, Ohata/Skater and Martinez/Roxx standing out as particularly intriguing. But the rest is populated with some pretty questionable stuff. Having said that, it also presents opportunity for the next generation to step up. Can the likes of Leva Bates, Jamilia Craft, Athena or Veronika Vice pull out something special on the undercard? Dave Prazak and Portia Perez will find out, providing commentary for the action taped in Berwyn, IL.

Rachel Summerlyn is furious at Daffney for causing her to submit to Sara Del Rey last time. She vows never to ‘quit’ again and as such lays down the challenge for the ‘I Quit’ Match tonight. 

Good for these two. They barely have a year of experience in the wrestling business between them, yet here they are ready to give it a go. I believe they are both students of Daizee Haze and Delirious at the ROH school – with the newcomer Bonesaw presumably looking to challenge Jamilia’s stature as the ‘star student’. Fingers crossed these two hold it together…

Brooks looks to be a stocky and powerful opponent, so Craft smartly negates that by working headlocks and hammerlocks. It’s also smart because it’s a very safe, unambitious opening whilst they find their feet. Bonesaw uses forceful strikes and stomps to fight free and beat the masked woman to the canvas in return. She also demonstrates her power by hoisting Jumping Jamilia into a powerslam when she tries to run the ropes. Craft mounts a comeback with some generic feisty babyface offence, culminating in a bulldog for 2. She then hits a belly to belly suplex for the win at 04:25

Rating - * - This was exceptionally basic and probably would've been better placed as a dark match, but I will say I thought this was a creditable showing from both young women. Given their lack of experience, this could have been a trainwreck…but they delivered a smart, logical wrestling match which didn’t feel too ambitious for their skillset, told a sensible story, ended at the correct point and was error free. 

This match puts together two women who have demanded a SHIMMER Championship Match over the course of this taping. Roxx used promo time during V33 to state her intention to work her way back into contention, and followed it with an impressive win over Misaki Ohata at V34. Even she would probably admit she’s behind Martinez in the queue right now though. Mercedes beat Ohata at V35 and grabbed a microphone to point out that she is now on a six match winning streak. If she makes it seven at Nikki’s expense tonight, surely she gets first crack and Madison at the next tapings…

Prazak discusses these two coming up in the same part of the country, and the cautious early going would certainly be explained by the level of familiarity they have with each other. Roxx seems happy trading holds on the ground where Mercedes’ striking isn’t such a threat. To Nikki’s credit, when Martinez does try to string together some of those bigger hits she aborbs them and fires back with equal aggression. A superkick knocks Roxx down though, signalling a change in momentum where Mercedes has her way with her opponent and knocks her around the ring with ease. The devastating effect of that striking is laid bare when Martinez starts happily working the mat with Roxx – busting out multiple submission holds safe in the knowledge that Nikki is almost too hurt to retaliate. She does finally escape and mount some offence…only for Martinez to shut her down again with a spinebuster for 2. Roxx hits a modified version of the Barbie Crusher…then the Cutie Special for her own nearfall. Knees to the head by Mercedes! BULL RUN! It’s another impressive win for the Latina Sensation at 09:13

Rating - *** - Both of these women are experienced professionals, so in every way possible this felt very different to the Craft/Bonesaw match. Apparently this took place so early in the show because Nikki had to leave to catch a flight…and it felt like they were very aware of their situation on the card and not wanting to steal thunder from the matches later in the night. Personally I’d have given them a little more leash here. What they delivered was fine, but very much the showing of two strong wrestlers who were working safely, respectfully and within themselves rather than going all out. It was fine for what it was, but considering they’d set this up as a battle of the top contenders to Madison Eagles it did feel disappointingly lacking in intensity.

A stone-faced Sara Del Rey comes to the ring to voice the ‘big problem’ she has with Serena Deeb. She thought she’d kicked Serena out of SHIMMER and, like Portia Perez, doesn’t want her back. Deeb comes out to remonstrate with Sara, but finds Madison Eagles alongside Del Rey to back her up. Cheerleader Melissa and Ayako Hamada appear in support of Deeb (because they dislike Sara and Madison respectively I guess?). Daizee Haze and Tomoka Nakagawa – both of whom have lost to Hamada recently – arrive in support of the anti-Deeb movement. The arrival of Tomoka presumably triggers Ayumi Kurihara to jog down the aisle and get involved too. The referee squad have to separate them…and Senior Official Bryce Remsburg apparently has the power to book them all in a match. 

There’s something altogether curious about Cat’s SHIMMER career progression. The fans have always quite liked her, but seemingly for the wrong reasons (i.e. because it’s fun to make cat jokes, not because they like her wrestling). She’s never disgraced herself and had some good matches, but never really successfully disassociated herself with the cat-comedy stuff to make people take her seriously, and thus her upwards momentum has stalled. It wasn’t a surprise for me to learn that, after this appearance, it will be another six years before we see her in a SHIMMER ring again. As her momentum has stalled, Leva’s only seems to grow stronger. Her energetic performances have won the Berwyn fans over – but she’s winless at this taping set thus far so could do with a big win tonight.

The difference in size seems to have lulled Power into a false sense of security and she is noticeably aloof in the opening exchanges. Bates tries to do some chain-wrestling stuff she presumably learned from her Danger match…but it looks dreadful. She then tries a rope-run armdrag which doesn’t go much better! Poor Leva, having botched a few things and battling issues with her cos-play gear for the evening, she also has to endure getting poked in the eyes by Power too. Cat applies a Figure 4 but can’t force a submission…and also can’t hit the Cat Nap. Chops from Bates land, building up a head of steam for her to land a running boot to the head. Power shinbreakers Leva back into the Figure 4, only for Bates to counter into a small package and nab the win! Big victory for Leva at 07:14

Rating - * - I praised Jamilia and Bonesaw for their showings in the opening match. They acknowledged their lack of experience and didn’t try anything too ambitious that they weren’t capable of. Leva would have benefited from a similar approach here, with her performance in the first half of this becoming unwatchably uncomfortable. Both of these women are better than this match would suggest. They didn’t click from the outset, and didn’t get enough time to fix it…

It’s been quite the return weekend for Veronika. She got her wish of a match against Allison Danger, and nabbed her opportunity by getting the win. But dropping an instant rematch hurts her momentum, so therefore it’s the result of this one which will ultimately determine how successful a weekend she should consider it. I don’t think Jessica has won a SHIMMER singles match yet either, so the stakes are high for both competitors.

James is a trickster from the outset and continually uses her speed and diminutive stature to outwit the frustrated Vice. It’s an impressive opening salvo…but it ends emphatically as Veronika hits a series of rolling backbreakers. She clearly wants to do a number on Jessie’s ribs, except she can’t because James seemingly has a thousand different ways of whipping her down into a pinning combination. Nearfall after nearfall pass by; each one pissing Veronika off still more. She finally dropkicks Jessica’s exposed back after tying her in the ropes. JJ Kick by James, then when Vice looks for another backbreaker she counters into a satellite headscissors. Fallaway slam by Veronika dumps her opponent onto the back and ribs yet again…only for James to boot her in the chops from the canvas! VICE TRIPS JAMES ONTO HER HEAD! Running neckbreaker gives Veronika the win at 06:26

Rating - ** - Competitive, well-paced and altogether decent viewing from these two. Vice has grown in confidence with each match that has passed this weekend, and this was her best individual performance of the taping. I thought she displayed aggression, focus and worked very well as the bigger athlete for James’ to bounce off. James herself is a lot of fun. Some of her execution is very ragged, but she’s a small bundle of energy which usually injects real purpose into her matches. 

Jessie McKay reflects on her loss to Madison Eagles at Volume 35, where her performance has convinced her that she can win SHIMMER gold in the future. Her rival Nicole Matthews interrupts to run her down…but in the end throws her a bone by offering her a Tag Title Match if she can find a partner. Jessie brings in Tenille to team with her, and a title match is now set for later…

Thankfully the Rate Tank is alive and well after getting pummelled by Amazing Kong last time out. Her taping weekend concludes with a tough challenge against the impressive Ohata – who has been seriously consistent with the quality of her undercard matches thus far in her SHIMMER run. She comes in off back to back losses to Nikki Roxx and Mercedes Martinez so will want to end the weekend strongly.

For once Skater isn’t dwarfed by her opponent which makes a change. She perhaps isn’t the fearsome mat wrestler that her opponent is though and inside a minute Ohata already has her on the ground in an attempt to stretch her arm out. The Rate Tank tries to strike her way free from that approach only to be put on the canvas again by Ohata’s running low crossbody in the corner. She PELTS Kellie with elbow strikes…but she’s no Amazing Kong and Skater no sells them to hit a suplex before tossing her out of the ring. Inexplicably, Kellie then starts doing push-ups…even as Misaki re-enters the ring and BOOTS HER IN THE HEAD! That looked brutal, and forces Skater to the outside to regroup with some of her protein shake. Running dropkick from Ohata gets 2, followed by a rope-run crossbody! Cross Armbreaker attempted, which Skater shows impressive ring awareness to escape. HANGING ARMBAR by Ohata to counter a wild punch attempt by the Australian. Missile dropkick MISSES! But Kellie’s arm is now hurting so much that she can’t throw strikes. CROSS ARMBREAKER AGAIN! Skater escapes again! LARIATOOOOO! OHATA BRIDGES OUT! FAIRY LOCK! SKATER TAPS! After a thrilling final stretch, Ohata picks up the submission win at 08:52

Rating - *** - None of her matches have gone long this weekend, but Ohata has been great in all four of them anyway. She helped Ariel and Nikki Roxx to their best singles matches in ages, had a hell of a fight with Mercedes Martinez and ends with victory over the outspoken Kellie Skater. Once again the dynamic was different here, with Skater using her oddball personality and Aussie fighting style in an attempt to offset Misaki’s smooth and relentless submission work. Time and again Ohata would seem on the brink of victory only for Skater to escape then do something else completely unpredictable to throw the Japanese athlete off her game. In the end Ohata’s proficiency in working over that arm proved too much for the Rate Tank. Clear MOTN after an hour of the show…

She only debuted during these tapings, but the ‘Wrestling Goddess’ Athena has already made a big impression. Her natural athleticism and poise inside the ring has been striking; leaps ahead of others with substantially more in-ring experience than she had at this point. She is still on the hunt for her first SHIMMER victory though. Will it come at the expense of Nevaeh, who herself is 0-2 for the weekend and still looking for an identity in the aftermath of Ashley Lane’s departure.

They start fast and counter back and forth at a ferocious pace…which obviously suits Athena as she is incredibly athletic. They deservedly get a round of applause after more than a minute of feverish work, after which the Wrestling Goddess assumes control by raking Nevaeh’s eyes. Although she utilises some classic heel tropes like rope-chokes and hair pulling…it’s evident that Athena is considerably more capable than just those basics. She unleashes some devastating knee strikes; everything she does really pops. Nevaeh has to shimmy up the ropes and land a crossbody to keep the newcomer at bay, and scores a nearfall with a vicious running knee strike of her own. MUSO by Nevaeh for another 2! JUMPING ENZI by Athena almost takes her opponent’s head off. Nevaeh ducks under another attack and delivers a bridging German suplex, which is enough to earn her a big win at 05:15

Rating - ** - On commentary Prazak confirms that this is Nevaeh’s first singles win in SHIMMER, and it’s fitting that it comes in one of her best SHIMMER matches. Not for the first time this weekend Athena’s pace, agility and raw talent has helped elevate whomever she’s in the ring with. This was fast, stiff and as exciting as it could really get in barely five minutes of match. I felt the finish was a little flat and sudden (if they’d had a better finish I’d have gone higher on my rating), and with the benefit of hindsight coupled with how great she’s looked this weekend I find it amazing that Athena wasn’t booked to go over here. Even at this stage it seemed apparent she had far more to offer, on a long-term basis, as a performer than Nevaeh. 

Despite working heel all weekend, and with Nevaeh’s music still blaring over the PA, Athena gets a standing ovation from the crowd for her efforts. 

This is a continuation in the seemingly escalating rivalry between Nicole Matthews and Jessie McKay. They’ve traded wins across two excellent matches, and helped elevate each other to new heights in the singles ranks. Such is Matthews desire to avenge her recent loss to Jessie that she has even offered up a Tag Title shot to do so. The NINJAs mocked McKay for her loss to former tag partner Madison Eagles in the main event of the last show, but weren’t aware that fellow Aussie Tenille was ready to step in and team with McKay instead. Do the SHIMMER Tag Championship belts return to Canada, or are they on the next plane back to Australia?

Matthews and McKay get into a heated argument before the bell…but predictably Nicole doesn’t want to start with her rival and lets Perez take her place. Portia takes a bit of a beating at the hands of the Aussies, so scurries across the ring to tag out. She then rolls her eyes in frustration as Matthews tags her right back in rather than lock up with Jessie! The Ninjas are almost bickering with each other now over Nicole’s refusal to work McKay…and Jessie almost capitalises with a schoolgirl pin for 2. She then eats tandem knee strikes from the challengers, before finally getting to tag out to allow Matthews to lock up with Tenille. In a flash we get some vintage Ninja trickery as they start double-teaming Tenille, whilst bating the her partner to distract the referee. Nicole takes a cheap shot at Jessie in the midst of more illicit double teaming on her partner. RUNNING ELBOW by Tenille pops across Matthews’ jaw though, putting her down for the first time and opening the door to a hot tag to McKay. With Portia nowhere to be seen Jessie gets her hands on Nicole for the first time…and decks her with a swinging neckbreaker. Matthews retots with a dropkick…only for Tenille to jump off McKay’s back into a crossbody! MISSILE DROPKICK by Tenille for 2! She looks for the Emma Lock only for Perez to break the hold! FUNKY COLD MEDINA! The Ninjas retain at 11:41

Rating - *** - In the cold light of day, the SHIMMER Tag division has never been particularly hot. There isn’t a lot of competition, but this might be one of my favourite SHIMMER Tag Title Matches thus far. It never got particularly exciting, but remained entertaining throughout and did a superb job of making you care about the brewing Jessie/Nicole rivalry in anticipation of a third match between them. I’m a fan of the Canadian NINJA heel tactics, and the added Nicole/Jessie stuff gave a new dimension and purpose to all the cheating they usually do anyway. It was unique to watch Portia Perez play second to Nicole, probably for the first time. Matthews has charged into battle for her in her feud with Allison Danger, and there was some simmering tension between them because she didn’t necessarily want to do the same thing for her partner. 

This feud has gone on for a while and been very personal throughout. Rachel considered Daffney to be a friend and mentor and was heartbroken when Daff turned on her and verbally trashed her. She has attacked Summerlyn repeatedly, interfered in her matches, cost her the Tag Titles at Volume 34…and Rachel has had enough. After submitting to Del Rey at the last Volume she has now vowed never to quit in SHIMMER again, starting tonight as she lays down the challenge to this I Quit Match. SHIMMER fans haven’t seen it yet, but obviously Daffney’s TNA work has shown her to be a dangerous and fearless competitor. Will she win again, or will Summerlyn step out of her shadow once and for all? Daffney comes out with a microphone and rants about Rachel being a quitter and a rookie who doesn’t even deserve to be in SHIMMER.

No introductions here as Rachel sprints to the ring to get the fight started. A frantic collar-and-elbow sees them grapple all over ringside, even as they fling each other’s bodies into the guardrails. Summerlyn tries to choke Daffney out, but the veteran kicks her way free and tosses her into the barricades again. Monkey flip on the wooden floor by Daff, who then introduces weaponry for the first time by throwing a steel chair into Rachel’s back. INVERTED DDT ON THE FLOOR by Summerlyn! But Daff refuses to quit and comes up to royally f*ck her ex-protégé up with elbows then a trash can lid. GOLF CLUB ACROSS THE BACK! GOLF CLUB CAMEL CLUTCH! She’s applying the hold so aggressively that Summerlyn can’t even talk to refuse to quit! Next Daff pulls a chain from under the ring and wraps it around her knuckles for REPEATED CHAIN PUNCHES TO THE HEAD! Summerlyn is bleeding now but still won’t quit! FACEBUSTER ON THE FLOOR! Rachel is just trying to get away from Daffney for some respite now but the veteran won’t let up. She drags her to the canvas in a tight sleeper hold, squeezing as much blood from her rival’s head as possible. She then spits in Summerlyn’s face when she tries to counter to the Cloverleaf. Daffney misses a spear, which Rachel counters to a HANGING TOP ROPE TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! DAFFNEY QUITS! Summerlyn ends the war and takes the win at 12:33

Rating - *** - A lot of time and effort has been invested in this feud, even when (at times) the SHIMMER fans haven’t necessarily wanted to see it. In a company packed with great matches and world class workers, it hasn’t always followed that these two would get so much air-time for their issue. But it has given us Daffney’s heel run, which is by far her best work in SHIMMER. And it has given us a reason to care about Rachel as a babyface. It meant she elicited genuine sympathy during her strong showing against Sara Del Rey, and it meant that the fans were finally behind her as she absorbed a hell of a beating here. It was, by far, a SHIMMER-best performance for both women and the undoubted highlight of both of their time in the company. I thought it ended a little prematurely and they could’ve pushed it a little further (in the end Daffney quit so quickly it felt very sudden and off-putting) but it stands out as one of the more violent matches we’ve seen in SHIMMER and their work outside the ring was outstanding. I’ll admit to not always knowing where this feud was going – but I thought they did a fantastic job here. 

Daffney is in tears, and balls into the microphone about being proud of Rachel before walking out. Jessie James runs into the ring to celebrate with her tag partner in a really uplifting, feel-good moment.

This is your SHIM-Vivor Series elimination style main event, and it is packed with talent. On the one side you have the heel team that are protesting Serena Deeb’s return from WWE. Like Portia Perez, Sara Del Rey objects to Deeb’s return…but then again she’s probably also still sore about Deeb having a win over her back at Volume 22. Madison Eagles objects too, although given that she’s paranoid and documented as wanting the spotlight for herself, again it isn’t surprising that she isn’t a fan of a big name returning from the WWE. Eagles siding with Del Rey brought Melissa out to side with Deeb, as we know the Cheerleader has issues with the champ. Del Rey and Hamada have unfinished business, and since Hamada sided with Deeb the villainous Haze/Nakagawa team (both of whom have lost to Hamada in singles matches) joined the anti-Deeb movement. Tomoka on that team brought Kurihara (another woman who has beaten Del Rey) through the curtain since they have a storied rivalry as well. The result is eight woman who just don’t like each other and want to fight. Who will SHIM-Vive?

Perennial rivals Nakagawa and Kurihara start, taking it right back to their very debut in SHIMMER. They don’t waste any time and almost try to decapitate each other with big dropkicks! Ayumi summons all her partners to land strikes on poor Tomoka…who wisely bails to bring Del Rey in. Deeb instantly steps in to face her and renew their rivalry. Sara tries to make a mockery of her with immense wrestling skill, but Serena puts her in her place with some impressive punching. Haze calls out Hamada next, and instantly regrets it. DOUBLE REBOUND LUCHA ARMDRAG from Hamada to Daizee and Nakagawa! Melissa and Madison enter next, with Eagles quick to remind her foe who won their title match. Everything breaks down soon after and there are fights all over the building! Haze plants Deeb into the railings on one side, whilst on the other Melissa and Hamada brawl with Del Rey and Eagles. TOP ROPE MOONSAULT TO THE FLOOR BY HAMADA! TOP ROPE SUICIDE DIVE OUTSIDE BY KURIHARA! Back in the ring Eagles capitalises on a cheap shot from Del Rey to clock Serena with a lariat…and from there the rudos set about isolating Deeb from the rest of her team. Deeb survives a torrent of punishment before somehow locking both Sara and Madison in simultaneous submissions. An impressed Kurihara wants a piece, so charges in and climbs on top to put submissions on their other arms (whilst Ayako crawls in to pose for pictures!). EIGHT WOMAN CHAIN OF HEADLOCKS! MELISSA DDT’S THEM ALL DOWN LIKE DOMINOS! Her partners are like ‘what the f*ck!’ Nakagawa spits water into Serena’s face and dishes out some savage elbows and kicks, only for Deeb to level her with the Spear! Tomoka is the first woman eliminated at 12:32. Haze steams in looking to avenge her partner…but as she bridges back into a pinning situation she doesn’t spot her own shoulders on the mat! At 13:12, she and Serena eliminate each other with tandem pinfalls! In fly Sara and Ayumi, picking up where they left off a few volumes ago. ROYAL BUTTERFLY! Kurihara is pinned only the second time ever in SHIMMER at 14:07, with Del Rey getting some payback for her previous loss to Ayumi. Del Rey celebrates triumphantly, and doesn’t see Hamada climbing the ropes to decimate her with a missile dropkick. Frankensteiner by Ayako gets 2 and needs Eagles to break the pin. Pyramid Driver blocked into a mafia kick by Sara! NO SOLD BY HAMADA! CAPO KICK BY DEL REY! RegalPlex gets 2 for the former SHIMMER Champion, as in the background the current champ is still taking cheapshots at Melissa. Sara looks for the Piledriver she beat Hamada with at V28, but this time Ayako counters to a jack-knife pin AND WINS! Sara is gone at 15:55! The SHIMMER Champion is now on her own against Cheerleader Melissa and Ayako Hamada. Melissa steps imposingly through the ropes and we look set to end this taping as we started – with Melissa and Madison beating the sh*t out of each other. Kudo Driver blocked with roundhouse kicks! Samoan Drop blocked with elbows! SUPERKICK BY HAMADA! AP CROSS! AIR RAID CRASH! Melissa pins Madison to win the match at 17:28. She and Hamada are the SHIM-Vivors!

Rating - **** - A non-stop riot of a match, and one of the most enjoyable spectacles seen in a SHIMMER ring thus far. From bell to bell it never stopped being entertaining, nor did it ever noticeably slow down or become dull; we got eight high quality female performers sharing the ring and quite obviously having a great time playing their hits in front of a hot crowd. The little nods to countless rivalries we’ve seen play out in a SHIMMER ring thus far were a real favourite of mine. From Del Rey getting her win back over Ayumi, to Hamada countering Sara’s finish from their match to get HER win back over Sara, to Eagles and Melissa beating each other up in this main event just as they did the first Volume taped this weekend…it felt immensely rewarding to feel like these matches you loved had genuine emotional resonance with the workers and meant enough that they wanted to reference them here. Being harsh and critical, seventeen minutes just wasn’t long enough. It meant that what should have been BIG moments – like both Kurihara and Del Rey being pinned, since neither lose very often in SHIMMER – were almost forgotten instantly because something else was going on. It meant that they couldn’t linger on the drama of Melissa and Madison duking it out in the closing stages, or Deeb and Del Rey sharing a ring together for the first time since V22. These should have felt a lot more epic as standalone moments than they were allowed to, which is a bit of a shame.

Tape Rating - *** - Not the most consistent of SHIMMER Volumes, and with such a stacked main event it was inevitable that there would be some filler to get through on the undercard. It is an uneven show (unlike Volume 35), but the good substantially outweighed the bad here. The main event is must see, if only because it just isn’t done in SHIMMER very often. They are a small company with a limited budget, so to get that many world class talents into the same ring in the same match was a remarkable accomplishment – and rewarded with a fantastically entertaining encounter. Beneath that nothing else reached 4* level, but there was still some good stuff. The Tag Title Match was arguably the best in SHIMMER history so far (again, not that there have been many truly great ones), Daffney and Rachel Summerlyn had one hell of a fight in their I Quit Match, Misaki Ohata ended her weekend with yet another brilliant little undercard sprint…and even in the ‘not so good’ matches we saw the likes of Athena and Veronika Vice show glimpses of real skill. It’s not a ‘necessary’ show in the sense that if you skip it you’re missing nothing of significance (unless you were really into the Rachel/Daffney feud)…but if you check it out it’s worth your time – and also sets the stage for plenty more in 2011 from the likes of Nicole and Jessie, Melissa and Madison etc.

3) Canadian NINJAs vs Jessie McKay/Tenille (***)

2) Rachel Summerlyn vs Daffney (***)

1) Serena Deeb/Ayako Hamada/Ayumi Kurihara/Cheerleader Melissa vs Madison Eagles/Sara Del Rey/Daizee Haze/Tomoka Nakagawa (****)