Wrestling Society X – The Complete First (and Last) Season
I’ve been wanting to get round to reviewing this DVD set for some time. In fact, before that I’d been wanting to own it for sometime. In 2007 the Wrestling Society X project was launched, promising to present professional wrestling in a new and totally revolutionary manner. Gone were bloated 3 hour ppvs, or 2 hour TV shows packed with promo’s and screwjobs twice a week. Backed by MTV giving them a major televised presence, WSX planned to air episodes of just 30 minutes duration. But this wasn’t to be a wrestling product aimed at existing pro-wrestling fans. Each week the show would open with a musical performance from an artist, with that artist then helping with commentary for the rest of the show. Matches were short, gimmicks were crazy and, to be frank, the matches were insane – sort of a cross between hardcore wrestling and cartoon violence. In a word, they were looking to promote a wrestling product SO different from everything else around, and so UNLIKE any wrestling anyone had ever seen before that pro-wrestling became cool again. And for a while there were fears they’d make an impact. WWE most certainly had them on their radar, most probably concerned that if this project really took off and got steam (in the way of other successful MTV shows) then they’d be left looking like the uncool Dad on the dance floor. Independent promotions were almost certainly wary given that WSX were signing up a lot of guys, and with a promise that a second season was already potentially in the works, complete with house show touring schedule beyond that – if this concept took off the likes of ROH, PWG and TNA could have had serious problems. Unfortunately most didn’t get the ‘cartoon’ aspect of the violence, and as ridiculous stunts and spots got out of control, the amount of complaints about the product soon flooded in. MTV quickly distanced themselves from the project, ditching it to a horrific timeslot, airing the majority of the season in one ‘marathon’, then shelving it before even airing the season finale. Abandoned by MTV – who’d provided the finance and platform they needed to potentially succeed, WSX quickly went away like the unpleasant aberration most in the industry thought they were. No impact, no revolution, no long-lasting contribution to pro-wrestling’s landscape.
All that remains is this four-disc set released by Big Vision, who have the distribution rights to the wrestling content. The musical performances are cut, so we actually only have ten 20-minute long episodes, plus the supplementary web-episodes WS-Xtra. 10 episodes of totally moronic stunts, spots and ideas – this truly is pro-wrestling on crack…and the talent roster is completely mental too. Veterans and has-beens like Sean Waltman, New Jack, Justin Credible and Vampiro rub shoulders with independent talent like Matt Sydal, Jack Evans, Joey Ryan, Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black, Teddy Hart and more. There’s a random team from Dragon Gate involved, plus Colt Cabana’s bizarre Matt Classic character exclusively on the webisodes and the most retarded ring announcing you’ve ever seen. Truthfully I’ve not seen any of this at all, but I’ve been warned what to expect. I actually the like the concept of trimming all the fat from every aspect of wrestling, and just presenting a lunatic, 100mph comic book incarnation of it. I’ve been wanting to pick this up for a while but, as they did with PWG Sells Out, Big Vision only ever bothered releasing Volume 1 over here in the UK (the first half of the series) without ever releasing anymore. But I scored a cheap copy of the whole thing from eBay and now I’ve reached the point where I’m taking a break from my ROH viewing, this was the first DVD I pulled out.
Hosts are XPW’s Kris Kloss and Bret Ernst…plus whichever band is playing that week. Fabian Kaelin does the ring announcing, and really has to be seen to be believed. Every episode comes from the ‘WSX Bunker’ – a studio made up to look like a grungy, run down warehouse. The ring is artificially made to look like a beaten up, dirty piece of sh*t too…that’s just the ‘cool’ style WSX is shooting for. The crowd is made up of a few wrestling fans, but mostly plants, extras and strategically placed ‘hot girls’ trying to act like pro-wrestling is the best thing they’ve ever seen. It’s an extremely weird environment to present a wrestling show, and I have severe reservations about how far a wrestling product which goes out of it’s way to AVOID selling itself to pro-wrestling’s core audience can actually succeed, but whatever. Lets rock with episode one…
Episode 1 – co-hosted by Black Label Society
Matt Sydal vs Jack Evans
Generation Next stablemates in ROH – these two now collide in the inaugural WSX contest. Sydal works a preppy, college gimmick and comes out with his ‘college sweetheart’ Lizzy Valentine. Jack is….well Jack. But since he acts all gangsta and sh*t, I’m guessing MTV/WSX think that’s cool.
Sydal wastes no time in powerbombing Jack out of the ring then chasing him with the RUNNING MOONSAULT! Handspring elbow from Evans, but as he goes for a springboard move Sydal cuts him off in mid-air with a spinning heel kick. Flippy kicks by Evans sends Matt out of the ring. You know it’s coming…Space Flying Tiger Drop nailed. Standing corkscrew SSP misses and Sydal drops him with the Here It Is Driver for 2. Lizzy Valentine distracts Evans…only for Jack to use her as a springboard from which to hit a tornado DDT. 630 Senton wins it for Jack at 03:20
Rating - *** - To big fans of the mat game, selling, psychology and purists of any kind this was probably awful. But given the creative direction WSX is going for, this was almost a perfect match to start their series. Of course ROH fans have seen it before, but for most mainstream wrestling fans, this stuff would have been mind-blowing. WWE presents hours of promos and chinlock-filled matches, with wrestlers actively told to limit what they do in terms of high-flying stuff. Here, these two went out and produced 3 minutes of crazy spots designed to make an impact.
Post-match Evans hits on Lizzy, and she doesn’t dislike it. Jack then leaves by backflipping off the apron. Old hat by now…
A video package showcasing the tag team talent coming to WSX is aired next. It’s packed full of independent names you might now, all given gimmicks and odd team names to boot. We’ve got ‘Keepin’ It Gangsta’ (Ruckus & Babi Slymm), ‘Doing It For Her’ (Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black), ‘Trailer Park Boyz’ (Josh Raymond & Nate Webb), ‘Team Dragon Gate’ (Masato Yoshino & Genki Horiguchi) and more…
Justin Credible, New Jack, Chris Hamrick, Teddy Hart, Kaos and Aaron Aguilera all get what passes as promo-time next. This stuff moves so fast, with such shaky camera work I’m feeling a little motion sick after less than 10 minutes.
Wrestling Society X Rumble
This is the main event of Episode 1. Ten men will enter the Rumble, with two contracts suspended above the ring. Men are eliminated by being thrown out over the ropes in standard fashion, except the ring is surrounded by ladders, tables, electrified barbed wire beds, exploding cages and more. Workers enter every 45 seconds (jeez, this is going to be impossible to play-by-play), and once all 10 have come out, the contracts are in play…with the first two men to climb a ladder and grab a contract advancing to a match next week to crown the first ever WSX Champion.
Fabian Kaelin calling this match ‘completely different’ is just wrong. It’s a little different if that counts. Justin Credible (wearing a BLS shirt) and Teddy Hart start off. Random stupid backflip by Teddy, so Justin SUPERKICKS HIM IN THE FACE! That was awesome! Hart hits back with a springboard moonsault which connects this time. One of the few serviceable XPW talents – Kaos – is in next. He gets ambushed by both existing wrestlers, with Teddy dropping him on his head with a cradle DDT. Backbreaker/shooting star press combo by Credible and Hart next. Vampiro (urgh) is in next. He’s not interested selling anyone’s offence, and obliterates Hart in particular. To commercials…and when we come back we get a clip of Puma entering then getting tossed out immediately by Vampiro. Alcatrazz has also entered. 6-Pac (Waltman) is in next, hitting X-Factors on everyone. Bronco Buster on poor Teddy, who has been obliterated in this. Chris Hamrick comes out, but New Jack chases him out and starts beating him up anyway. He eliminates Hamrick by throwing him through a table then eliminates himself going after him again. New Jack murders a ref with a guitar (randomly filled with confetti). Everyone hits moves on Kaos…Vampiro still isn’t selling anything. Meanwhile New Jack is on a scaffold. Kaos gets suplexed into the electrified barbed wire…Alkatrazz gets dropped through a table, then to complete a ‘nobody cares now’ trilogy, New Jack dives off the scaffold through Hamrick on a table below. More shocking than any of that is Vampiro actually selling a move, albeit begrudgingly, when Hart finally takes him down with a tornado DDT. The final entrant is Youth Suicide who is supposedly a rookie. Credible eliminates Teddy, meaning the final four are Justin, 6-Pac, Vampiro and Youth Suicide. What if you don’t want any of these guys to win? Suicide lays tacks all over the canvas as ladders are slid in too. Vampiro powerbombs Youth into the tacks, then Waltman uses the ensuing melee to climb a ladder and grab the first contract. What a valuable contribution he made to this match. Despite being covered in tacks, Suicide makes another run for a contract, and this time gets shoved off the ladder and into the exploding cage on the floor. CRAZY PYRO/CAMERA SHAKING IMPACT ON THAT. Credible hits a back suplex on Vampiro, who doesn’t sell that either, just getting up and kicking Justin in the face. They both climb for the remaining contract, with Waltman randomly in the ring shaking the ladder for no reason. Vampiro gets the contract at 09:05 (shown).
Rating - DUD - I’m actually down with the WSX concept, but this was just retarded. I don’t object to the crazy gimmicks, the silly pyro explosions and whatnot. What I object to is the promotion trying to get itself over as ‘cool’ and different…when their main event scene is now established as three washed up has-beens from the promotions they’re supposedly so much better than in Waltman, Credible and Vampiro. To be fair, Waltman can still go, and with his infamous porn career he does at least have an edge. But Credible hasn’t been relevant since the late 90’s, and Vampiro is a joke. Oh, and don’t get me started on the embarrassing, slow-motion hardcore exchange between New Jack and Hamrick. When the show is promoting new talent doing amazing things like Evans, Sydal, or Teddy Hart this was good. But watching Vampiro no sell every other guy in there whilst Justin Credible does superkicks and Sean Waltman does X-Factors and Bronco Busters isn’t new or alternative at all. If Vampiro wins the belt on the next show I will be very unhappy. Positives from this match? The comic camera and pyro effects to point out the big bumps is REALLY funny – in a good way. It’s the kind of comic-book violence WSX are shooting for and I like that. I also thought Teddy Hart’s performance was great.
SIDENOTE – The episode ended literally half a second after Vampiro grabbed the contract. It was legitimately ‘Vampiro’s got the contractEND SHOW NOW!!’. That looked retarded as hell.
WSXtra – Episode 1
WSXtra is hosted by Fabian Kaelin and ROH’s Lacey in her last major role before she stepped away from the wresting business. It was broadcast via MTV.com after the main show went off the air. Which makes the decision to go to a highlight package of the WSX Rumble which just aired even more strange. Then we get highlights of Evans/Sydal…and given that that match was basically a highlight reel in it’s own right, further condensing it down is pretty impressive.
Another stars of WSX package airs, much as we saw with the tag teams package on the main show. Here we see ‘That 70’s Team’ (Joey Ryan & Disco Machine), ‘The Filth & The Fury’ (Teddy Hart & Matt Cross), Human Tornado, Scorpio Sky and Matt Classic.
Human Tornado vs Luke Hawx vs Puma
Lots of California based talent here. Luke is the partner of Alkatrazz who we saw in the WSX Rumble – another XPW guy. I think he used to compete as Altar Boy Luke. Tornado and Puma (TJ Perkins) should both be familiar to PWG fans.
Tornado demands his two opponents start in the ring whilst he takes a chill. Puma has a lot of mat skills, and he immediately grounds Luke to show them off. Luke hits back with an exploder before he goes after Tornado. H-Tizzle clobbers him with a shotei meaning both Luke and Puma are on the floor. SOMERSAULT PLANCHA at incredible speed by HT. Puma drops him on his head with a brainbuster. He then ties Luke in the corner for a flurry of stiff strikes. Hawx fires back with a big lariat on Tornado, then drops him on his head again with a stalling brainbuster for 2. Flatliner is used as a neat counter to Tornado’ bulldog, but again it’s only good for 2. HT gets his own 2-count with a neckbreaker over the knee. Dancing stomps in the corner next, only for Luke to get up and drop him with a Ligerbomb. Puma returns to dropkick him to the floor. Corkscrew senton from Tornado to Puma gets him the first WSXtra victory at 07:40
Rating - ** - As ever with WSX it was all spots, all the time, but by and large this delivered. I’d like to have seen more of Puma in there as he was totally on his game hitting things with such crisp precision. I don’t think this one quite had the impact of Evans/Sydal in terms of high-flying, and the constant one-in/one-out aspect of three-way matches really limited my enjoyment to the 2* level. Compared to the WSX Rumble it was like watching Misawa/Kobashi vs Kawada/Taue though.
That match is the lead in for a singles match between Human Tornado and Luke Hawx on the main show next week.
Episode 2 – co-hosted by Three-6 Mafia
Luke Hawx vs Human Tornado
As we just saw on WSXtra, Luke was annoyed that Tornado pinned Puma to win their Triple Threat Match. He challenged him to an immediate singles rematch to determine who the better man is.
The piped in crowd noise is really annoying for this one. Luke gets 2 with an exploder suplex, then charges at him in the corner only for Tornado to counter with a hurricanrana to the floor. RUNNING SOMERSAULT PLANCHA INTO THE CROWD! No time to sell anything, Hawx quickly returns to the ring, only for Tornado to catch him with a tornado DDT for victory at 01:51
Rating - * - Good action, but as frenetic and ultimately shallow as much of the other stuff. Human Tornado is a great talent for this environment, but Hawx is a little bland and devoid of character.
Aaron Aguilera runs in to attack Hawkz, looking for revenge after Luke helped Alkatrazz eliminate his friend Kaos from the WSX Rumble. Alkatrazz and Kaos soon come out as well to join the mayhem. Kaos tries to moonsault Alkatrazz through a table, but Luke saves whilst Aguilera is distracted hitting on girls, leading to Kaos getting kicked through the table instead.
The Filth & The Fury humbly proclaim themselves the best high fliers in the world. They’re in action next week in what promises to be an aerial affair.
That 70’s Team vs Team Dragon Gate
The first tag team match in WSX, and with Joey Ryan, Disco Machine, Masato Yoshino and Genki Horiguchi involved, there’s certainly enough talent here to make it a good one. I can’t help but wonder what the Dragon Gate guys think of the bizarre spectacle that is WSX.
Horiguchi and Ryan start, with the Magnum doing a great job to keep up with Genki. Yoshino and Disco tagged, with Yoshino drawing an ACTUAL pop from the crowd for his incredible speed as he runs the ropes. Joey nearly has an asthma attack trying to keep up with him. Drop toehold/sliding kick combo from Dragon Gate gets 2. Disco hits back with a dancing elbow drop on Horiguchi. Yoshino drops a bare-assed Ryan with the Slingblade for 2, only for Magnum to hit back by countering the Torbelino with a sidewalk slam. SUPER 70’S SUPER KICK! Ryan pins Yoshino at 02:33. Genki disrupts the celebrations by smashing Disco Machine’s disco ball.
Rating - *** - Non-stop action between two teams with fun, distinctive gimmicks that could be real selling points for WSX. Obviously in less than 3 minutes they didn’t have much time but all four did the best they could and got to hit their spots.
The Trailer Park Boyz (Josh Raymond and Nate Webb) have an amusing vignette straight from the trailer park. Their manager Johnny Webb has to separate them with they start redneck fighting amongst themselves.
6-Pac vs Vampiro – WSX Title Match
These two globally travelled veterans of the ring were the two who left the WSX Rumble with a contract in hand, and they now compete in a match to crown the first ever WSX Champion.
Waltman spits water in Vampiro’s face then floors him with a spinning heel kick. But Vampiro will not sell, instead deciding to headbutt Pac then hit his own spinning kick. He attempts a rana only for 6-Pac to counter with a sitout powerbomb. Bronco Buster comes next…and when Vampiro goes for a chokeslam Pac kicks him in the nuts. VAMPIRO DOES NOT SELL NUT SHUTS! Big boot, then the chokeslam anyway. 6-Pac chases him out of the ring with a somersault plancha, and apparently it’s falls count anywhere as he gets a 2-count on the floor. Vampiro crotches him against the ring post. WALTMAN DOES NOT SELL NUT SHOTS! He boots Vamp in the face…TORNADO DDT THROUGH A TABLE! Back in the ring he hits the X-Factor for 2. They fight over a coffin at ringside (yes, a coffin). Vampiro hoists Waltman up. TOMBSTONE INTO AN EXPLODING CASKET! Is that the weirdest finish to a match ever? Vampiro is champion at 04:33
Rating - ** - This was, in all fairness, the epitome of what WSX is supposed to be. No selling, lots of stupidity, explosions and other such fun. I thought Waltman was working real hard to make the best of the situation he was thrown into. He recently said in an interview that he was getting paid a LOT of money and didn’t really buy into the WSX concept all that much, but it doesn’t show here. He certainly works circles around Vampiro, who does his usual one-paced, trudge around the ring, no selling his opponents moves schtick. If it’s not obvious, I’m not a fan. Him as WSX Champion isn’t cool or hip or edgy and definitely won’t bring in new viewers to the product.
WSXtra – Episode 2
Lacey looks smoking hot for this one. Fabian Kaelin has lost his voice through retarded ring announcing. They take us to Johnny Webb in the trailer park, unhappy at the way Josh Raymond and Nate Webb were portrayed on the MTV show. He says his team will redeem themselves tonight by defeating DIFH (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) on this episode
Trailer Park Boyz vs DIFH
In case you missed it – this is Josh Raymond and Nate Webb against Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black. Unhappy at how they were portrayed in their video package, Jug and Nate are looking to redeem themselves with an impressive performance tonight against the Jimmy and Tyler. I honestly don’t remember the WSX taping schedules enough to recall whether this was after Age Of The Fall had debuted in ROH or not.
The emo team are announced as ‘hailing from the dark side of a broken heart’. That is awesome. Jimmy seems far more interested in flirting with girls at ringside than locking up with Raymond, so Black tags in instead. Josh gets the upper hand with armdrags before Webb blind tags in to hit a springboard clothesline for 2. Arachnid Kick gets another nearfall for the Spyder. On the apron Jimmy is still more interested in schmoozing with ringside ladies than watching his partner, which is unfortunate as the Trailer Park Boyz hit an awesome flurry of moves in the corner. TOPE CON HILO BY RAYMOND! Now Jacobs is involved alright. Nate goes upstairs but gets crotched by Tyler, allowing Black to score with a RUNNING MOONSAULT TO THE FLOOR! The commentators point out Jacobs desperately trying to reason with Black and asking him to go easy on Raymond. He tags in and works a basic camel clutch…so Black makes it worse by dropkicking Jug in the face. Next Jacobs goes for Cattle Mutilation (yes, he stole it)…and Tyler makes that worse with a quebrada. Jimmy is still trying to calm Black down, but it doesn’t work and Tyler gets 2 with the Pele Kick. Jacobs tags and tries to work a headlock, so the annoyed Tyler throws him into a spear instead. His emo conscientious objection comes back to bite him as Josh hits a springboard enziguri and wipes him out. Hot tag to Nate who levels Black with a Torture rack DDT and wins it at 07:09
Rating - *** - I’ll be surprised if there’s a better match in this whole set. Not that this was spectacular, but it had everything WSX should be looking for. Great comedy, unique gimmicks, jaw-dropping spots. This is the sort of stuff they should be putting on their TV show, not Vampiro and X-Pac. The Jacobs/Black emo warrior team was absolute gold.
Matt Classic vs Matt Sydal
Classic is Colt Cabana under a hood. His gimmick is that he’s an old-school, 50’s/60’s mat grappler who has basic gear and detests the methodology of modern pro-wrestling. Basically he’s the anti-Wrestling Society X. Of course, being Cabana, you know he’ll carry it with a great comedic touch. Sydal, meanwhile, is looking to make up for losing the first ever WSX match to Jack Evans.
Cabana has the old-school, World Of Sport style mannerisms down to a tee. Sydal tries to use his speed to evade the clutches of the grappler, hitting a couple of gorgeous heel kicks for a nearfall. Classic’s counter is the ABDOMINAL CLAW! He tries to drag Sydal off the top rope by his nose, only for him to counter in mid-air to a headscissors. Vulcan Nerve Pinch countered, and Classic angrily leaves the ring to go after Lizzy Valentine. The distraction enables him to drop Sydal with a Polish hammer, then a release suplex. Iron Claw applied, only for Sydal to escape for a reverse rana. SYDAL PRESS! He picks up his first WSX win at 04:27
Rating - ** - Cabana’s World Of Sport impression is freakily good. By design the pace of the match was pretty slow, and maybe (in the spirit of WSX) could’ve been kept a little shorter. I think the comedic effect would’ve been heightened had Sydal sold Cabana’s old-school moves like they were really hurting him. Making fans BUY that Classic is dangerous is so key to the success of the gimmick.
In an inexplicably placed grass hut backstage Kaos, still unhappy about being put through a table by Luke Hawx and Alkatrazz, berates Aaron Aguilera for not looking out for him. Aguilera challenges Hawx and Alkatrazz to a TLC (Tables, Ladders & Cervezas) match next week.
The show ends with the Trailer Park Boyz annoying Three-6 Mafia…
Episode 3 – co-hosted by Sparta
Show opens with a creepy Vampiro promo calling the WSX Title his destiny and promising to sacrifice blood and flesh to keep it.
Trailer Park Boyz vs The Filth & The Fury
Fresh from beating DIFH on WSXtra, Nate Webb and Josh Raymond are ready to step onto MTV and answer the open challenge laid down by The Filth & The Fury (Teddy Hart and Matt Cross) last week. Can they hang with the aerial antics of their high-flying opponents tonight.
The camera work is HORRIBLE as Hart and Raymond trade holds. Cross in with a split-legged moonsault on Webb for 2. Whoever Sparta are, they are adorably clueless about what’s going on. Teddy hits that cradle DDT on Raymond then hits the apron…SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT TO THE FLOOR! M-Dogg is there now…SPRINGBOARD CORKSCREW MOONSAULT! Hart tries another moonsault back in, only for Jug to get the feet up and boot him in the stomach. Torture Rack DDT countered to a CANADIAN DESTROYER! Cross gets 2 with a double stomp on Raymond. Meanwhile on the floor Teddy ELECTROCUTES Nate. Then he covers him in water…and electrocutes him again. CORKSCREW MOONSAULT OFF A BALCONY THROUGH A TABLE! Meanwhile M-Dogg picks up the win with the shooting star leg drop on Raymond at 03:24
Rating - * - As a wrestling fan I hated this. But there’s a guilty side of me that had a GREAT time watching it anyway. I mean, what’s not to love. Silly Teddy Hart doing silly pointless flips? Completely inexplicable electrocution/murder spots? No wonder the WWE had this show promotion on their radar. If this sh*t had taken off the entire McMahon family would’ve had kittens!
El Hombre Blanco Enmascarado vs Jack Evans
Jack is looking to go 2-0 in Wrestling Society X, whilst El Hombre (PWG fans will know exactly who he is) will want to debut successfully in what should be another high-flying encounter.
Hombre punts Evans in the chest as he tries to breakdance his way to the ring. Springboard clothesline forces Jack to run, only for El Hombre to give chase with a suicide dive over the ropes. Fisherman buster gets 2 for the masked man. Springboard backflip elbow brings Evans back, quickly followed by a running knee strike for 2. 630 Senton gets Evans another win at 01:59
Rating - DUD - This was the WSX equivalent of filler – which would be acceptable on WSXtra, but on the main show, when they already have such a limited timeslot, throwing pointless stuff like this out there shouldn’t be happening. Jack Evans is absolutely perfect for this company though. Three minute, spot-filled matches are what he’s MADE for, and his gimmick is clearly modern enough to generate a following. Potential main eventer in the future??
Alkatrazz/Luke Hawx vs Los Pochos Guapos – TLC Match
How come Alkatrazz and Luke don’t have a goofy team name? Los Pochos Guapos is the team name for Aaron Aguilera (who had a brief WWE stint) and Kaos. After being dropped through an electric board on Episode 1, then booted through a table last week, Kaos is just about sick of his opponents tonight. Aguilera laid down the challenge for this match to prove he has his friend’s back and wants to beat the hell out of their adversaries.
Hawx and Alkatrazz immediately pelt the latinos with a ladder. Sadly Aguilera’s size soon enables him to toss Luke high in the air, down onto the same ladder. Kaos Driver drops Hawx, and Aaron sends him up the ladder for a moonsault…which MISSES. Aaron had started hitting on women rather than keeping Luke down for Kaos. Alkatrazz walks the ropes…but gets dragged down for a northern lights suplex into the ladder by Aaron. TORTURE RACK PILEDRIVER from Kaos to Luke. Aguilera lays a six–pack of beers in the middle of the ring even though Kaos has the match won – and demands his partner hits that piledriver again. The delay proves costly as Hawx hits a FACECRUSHER ON THE BEERS! Alkatrazz then powerbombs Kaos through the table to win at 03:14
Rating - * - I like the creative direction WSX are pushing with Kaos and Aguilera – it’s actually quite entertaining, and it allows Kaos to showcase his skills and covers most of Aaron’s limitations too. My problem is that I’d rather they were doing this angle with a better team than Hawx and Alkatrazz. This promotion is filled with colourful gimmicks and characters, so I don’t see why the blandest team of them all are getting such a major push.
WSXtra – Episode 3
A young wrestler hands Jack Evans a DVD of his matches trying to get a spot in WSX…so Jack kicks him in the balls. What a dick…
Matt Classic vs Scorpio Sky
After losing to Matt Sydal last week Matt Classic, the wrestler who was in a coma for 40 years then found himself in Wrestling Society X, will be looking to pick up a win. His opponent tonight is another PWG regular – Scorpio Sky. He’s working a valedictorian gimmick and comes out holding awards and plaques. Sort of like Chris Nowinski without the Harvard education.
Sky struggles to deal with the mat skills of Classic, so uses his athleticism to spring into a dropkick which floors the mysterious masked man. Satellite headscissors further bewilders Matt, so he brings it back to the old school with a SQUATTING airplane spin. Heart Punch next, then butt butts in the corner. BOTTOM ROPE SPLASH MISSES! Scorpio sends him out of the ring with a hurricanrana, then takes to the skies with a running somersault plancha. Classic has no idea what hit him there. Scorpio picks up his debut win at 03:49 with an implant DDT.
Rating - ** - Basically the same match as the Sydal/Classic match from last week. I thought Scorpio made Cabana look better, but then he’s not as good as Matt Sydal and didn’t look as crisp or as innovative on offence.
That 70’s Team vs DIFH
Contrasting records coming into this one. Joey Ryan and Disco Machine won their debut match, beating Team Dragon Gate on Episode 2 of the main show, whilst last week’s WSXtra saw Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black lose a really entertaining little match to the Trailer Park Boyz.
Disco Machine has a replacement disco ball after Genki Horiguchi smashed his last one. He’s more interested in dancing than in locking up with Tyler. Jacobs tags, and works a low key armwrench since he doesn’t want to hurt Disco. Black THROWS Jimmy at him to do more damage. Joey boots Jacobs in the face as he starts blowing kisses to girls in the crowd. Double reverse suplex from That 70’s Team gets 2. Having been beaten up for nearly a minute, a desperate Jimmy Jacobs drops Ryan with a neckbreaker that leaves Joey calling for his inhaler. Ryan gets his ass out again, nearly losing the match in the process as Black delivers a swinging neckbreaker. DOUBLE STOMP MICHINOKU DRIVER gives Jimmy and Tyler their first victory at 03:41
Rating - ** - The ‘Doing It For Her’ gimmick is possibly my favourite thing in WSX thus far. Jimmy not wanting to hurt people, whilst Tyler jumps around doing completely over the top screams and intense gestures is so entertaining. When their gimmick outshines the charisma of Joey Ryan you know they’re doing something right.
The show ends with Babi Slymm telling Ruckus that they’ll make an impact next week on MTV.
Episode 4 – co-hosted by Clipse
Matt Sydal vs Scorpio Sky
Both men come in with some momentum behind them having recently defeated Matt Classic on WSXtra. Will Sydal be able to keep his focus on the ring and not on the antics of his girlfriend Lizzy Valentine for long enough to pick up a second successive victory here?
Scorpio hands Lizzy a signed picture of himself which isn’t taken well by Sydal. Enzicanrana takes Sky down, but Scorpio fires back with a rana of his own. Tilta-whirl backbreaker follows next for 2. Lizzy gets on the apron, distracting Scorpio for long enough for Matt to quebrada into the Slice. The piped in crowd noise is SO annoying by the way. They seem to be turning it up with each episode that passes. Amazing agility from Sky moments later as he sprints into a somersault plancha to the floor, landing on his feet in doing so. Valentine distracts him again, and Sydal capitalises with a standing moonsault. Sky tries to go upstairs…CYCLORAMA! Sydal wins at 03:41
Rating - ** - The Sydal/Valentine gimmick is basic, but Matt is clearly having a good time with it and really excelling. In ROH, whilst his talent was obvious, he always seemed a little bland and destined for a career stuck in the midcard. But here in WSX he’s proven himself to be an exceptional talent, and I’m in no doubt that his superb performances here are what led to him being scooped by the WWE later in 2007. Glad to see him pick up the win over Scorpio, who’s gimmick has potential, but there just isn’t enough time on either the MTV show or WSXtra to really flesh it out.
In the back Babi Slymm presents Ruckus with a blinged ladder ahead of their debut match up next. MTV have amusingly added in animated ‘glittering light’ effects to make it look even more ridiculous. Then they head right to the ring to issue an open challenge…
Keepin’ It Gangsta vs That 70’s Team
This is the in-ring debut for Slymm and Ruckus. They arrived late so missed the action of the first three episodes of Wrestling Society X – but as we saw on WSXtra last week, they promised to make an impact tonight. With glittering weaponry to boot, they’re looking to make an example out of Disco Machine and Joey Ryan, who’s WSX record stands at 1-1 thus far.
Joey makes sure to oil up before getting ready to lock up with Ruckus. The gangsta backflips into a headscissors to immediately demonstrate his agility. Ryan reaches for the inhaler, just in time for Slymm to land a dancing elbow drop for 2. Disco gets 2 on Babi with a victory roll, then scales a tiny ladder for additional impact on his disco moves. Slymm exposes Ryan’s ass for a third match straight, before Ruckus lays him out with a handspring elbow. SUPER 70’S SUPERKICK floors him. Swinging Side Effect from Babi, then a rolling neckbreaker from Ruckus takes Disco out. RUCKUS SMASHES A DISCO BALL IN RYAN’S CROTCH! The bling ladder is in play…SOMERSAULT VAN TERMINATOR OFF THE BLING LADDER! Keepin’ It Gangsta win their debut at 03:56
Rating - ** - Another super-fun little match. Ruckus and Slymm make a good team, and their gangsta sensibilities made for great opponents to the OTT sleaze of Disco and Ryan. The added bonus of some ridiculous spots at the end certainly helped too.
NEXT WEEK – Arik Cannon debuts.
It’s supposed to be Human Tornado against El Hombre Blanco Enmascarado up next, but a backstage camera reveals an unconscious Tornado, who has clearly been attacked by an unknown assailant. 6-Pac then comes to the ring and lays out El Hombre before calling out Vampiro. Before they can fight, a burnt up monster comes through the crowd and destroys Vampiro. HE THROWS A FIREBALL IN VAMPIRO’S FACE! HOLY SPECIAL EFFECTS CREW!! END SHOW!!!
WSXtra – Episode 4
Human Tornado barges into the WSXtra studio and yells at 6-Pac for attacking him on the main show. He challenges Waltman to a match next week.
DIFH vs Team Dragon Gate
What do Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black have to do to get on the main show? They defeated That 70’s Team on WSXtra last week so have the momentum on their side. The Dragon Gate team (Masato Yoshino and Genki Horiguchi) however, are competing in only their second WSX match, and are looking to rebound after dropping their first match to Ryan and Disco – the team DIFH just beat.
Genki doesn’t know what to make of Jacobs at all. The four actual wrestling fans in the crowd reward his bemusement with a ‘HAGE’ chant which is barely audible over the piped in girls screams. Jimmy lands a headscissors then starts waving to girls, so Tyler and Yoshino come in instead. Masato drops Black with the Slingblade, and doesn’t stop running as Horiguchi drop toeholds Black into the path of his sliding kick. Black levels Hori with the Pele Kick and manages to get Jacobs in the ring…so he can throw him into a spear. FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH gets 2. Torbelino from Yoshino to Tyler. Genki misses a moonsault…SENTON BOMB/MICHINOKU DRIVER COMBO! DIFH win at 03:46.
Rating - *** - In less than four minutes I’m not sure how much more they could’ve done. DIFH got their characters across. To avoid the joke with Jacobs not wanting to wrestle getting old, instead Tyler got to work a lot more, and the Black/Yoshino exchanges were total money.
Jacobs tries to dish out hugs to the beaten men, then heads to the outside to hug as many fans as possible, whilst trying to score girls numbers.
After highlights of their debut against That 70’s Team on MTV air, we get a backstage skit with Keepin’ It Gangsta and the Alkatrazz/Hawx team getting into a fight. They will wrestle next week
Jack Evans vs Marcus Riot
Riot is the fan that tried to get a spot in WSX by handing his DVD to Jack Evans on WSXtra last week. Jack has been true to his word in agreeing to help Marcus out – but the newcomer will be looking for revenge after Evans booted him in the nuts before leaving last week.
Marcus is such an Evans-mark he wears basically identical ring gear. They trade kicks in almost kung fu movie fashion before Riot scores the first knockdown with a rana. Evans knocks him outside with a cartwheel kick, then goes after him with a SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASH TO THE FLOOR! He tries a standing moonsault off Riot’s chest, only for Marcus to get the boots up. Martial arts kick attempted, only for Riot to cut Jack off again with a big lariat. HEAD DROP reverse rana by Jack gets 2. Busaiku Knee, then a standing corkscrew SSP gets Evans another nearfall. 630 Senton misses, with Jack landing on his HEAD! Never mind, he gets up, hits a fisherman buster then lands the 630 second time around to pick up another win to go 3-0 in WSX at 04:17
Rating - * - Sloppy and surprisingly slow/uncoordinated for a Wrestling Society X spotfest, with no discernible flow at all. It was sort of reminiscent of the Hart/Evans fiasco from Final Battle 2009 that I just watched. I gave a star for Jack winning (therefore continuing his WSX push) and the awesome kung fu movie kick sequence they started the match with.
NEXT WEEK ON WSX – Human Tornado challenges 6-Pac, Filth & Fury face Team Dragon Gate in what should be an awesome match, and we’ll get an update on the condition of Vampiro.
Episode 5 – co-hosted by Jibbs
Who the f is Jibbs? Straight to highlights of the attack on Vampiro last week. The dude with apparent super-powers gets (subtitled) promo time to explain that his actions were as a result of Vampiro exploding a coffin in his face back in 2006, causing the facial burns we can see now.
Team Dragon Gate vs The Filth & The Fury
This will be spot-tastic. Purists will hate it, fans that like seeing crazy spots, a ridiculously quick pace and bodies getting dropped on their heads all over the shop will love it.
Teddy start with Yoshino, with Hart getting quick nearfall with a Russian legsweep. M-Dogg sends Genki to the floor, cartwheels across the apron then heads outside to whip him into the ringpost. Flagpole Press squashes Horiguchi as well. No need to sell it though, we move back inside with the Dragon Gate team hitting some typical DG double teaming for 2. Cross counters a Yoshino powerbomb attempt with a snap rana for 2 as we go to commercials. During the break Filth & Fury got a nearfall with the backbreaker/SSP press. Back to live action with Teddy escaping the Torbelino with an elevated cutter for 2. Cradle DDT scores and draws Horiguchi into the ring to make the vital save for his partner. DOUBLE UNDERHOOK CANADIAN DESTROYER on him. Hart and Cross to duelling top ropes. CORKSCREW SENTON/SHOOTING STAR PRESS COMBO! The Filth & The Fury pick up another win in 04:06
Rating - ** - Not my favourite match, but it was a decent opener to the episode. It was interesting to see that, relative to WSX, they actually got quite a lot of time, meaning they got to work at least a minimal amount of wrestling (i.e. the DG double team spots) in amongst the non-stop silly head drops and flips. Giving credit to Wrestling Society X, I’ve never enjoyed Teddy Hart or Matt Cross more than I have during their time in this promotion.
Lacey makes her MTV debut, with Scorpio Sky telling her he’s challenging Jack Evans next week.
6-Pac vs Human Tornado
This is a match Tornado demanded on WSXtra, minutes after Pac attacked him backstage last week, effectively cancelling his scheduled main event match.
Waltman is wearing street clothes so clearly he’s not taking H-Tizzle all that seriously. Tornado makes it real serious by flying into a somersault plancha on 6-Pac. Sean throws him crotch-first into the ringpost then brings it inside for the Bronco Buster. Then he goes for that move once too often, eventually leaving himself in position for HT’s dancing stomps in the corner. They fight on the turnbuckles, leading to a second rope X-Factor. Pac wins at 02:17
Rating - * - Short and to the point. I’ll credit this match with firmly establishing Sean Waltman as the heel in the WSX Title situation (something that hadn’t been immediately apparent until this point). It’s a shame that they sort of buried Human Tornado to do it. At least it tied off a loose end from last week.
During the break an ominous looking Japanese extra from The Matrix abducts Team Dragon Gate…
Delikado vs Arik Cannon
Cannon is an interesting fit for WSX. His Anarchist persona in the most tasteless wrestling promotion around could be interesting. But his in-ring style seems pretty at odd with everything we’ve seen thus far. No idea who Delikado is…I assume El Hombre Blanco went for a cigarette break during taping.
Cheap shot from Delikado to start, but Cannon soon fires back with a neckbreaker. Delikado looks like B-Boy. He eats an enzi kick to the head, then an elevated neckbreaker in the ropes. HEAD DROP BACK SUPLEX! Cannon looks like he has it won until a whole gang of LA street thugs runs out to help Delikado – forcing the DQ at 01:55
Rating – DUD – No match, pointless finish. B-Boy, why did you give yourelf this retarded masked gimmick?
One of the gang double stomps Cannon through a table, then they dunk his head in wet cement. That’s pretty messed up. Weird ending to the show. We’re halfway through the series now and thus far the WSX Title has been seen once. They’ve had enough time to establish everyone’s gimmicks and get some storylines going…by now they really should have built a halfway credible title picture as well. Vampiro and 6-Pac feuding for no reason does NOT count.
WSXtra – Episode 5
Lacey and Fabian re-run the footage of Vampiro shutting that big super villain guy in an exploding coffin back in 2006. His identity is revealed as Ricky Banderas.
Los Pochos Guapos vs Trailer Park Boyz
As ever, the issue here will be can Kaos and Aaron Aguilera get on the same page for long enough to actually win a match…or will Jesus’ penchant for the ladies leave Kaos taking another beating?
Apparently the TPB are unhappy with their manager Johnny Webb for leaving them to get electrocuted in their match with The Filth & The Fury. Aguilera manhandles Raymond in the early going. Kaos at Nate Webb in next, with Spyder dumping him to the floor then springing OFF Aaron’s back into a somersault plancha. Pochos Guapos get 2 with a double team press/elbow drop combo, before Aguilera hurls Webb viciously against the turnbuckles. Tag to Jug who back flips to kick Kaos off the apron. LPG get the win after hitting a guillotine cutter/facecrusher combo on Raymond at 03:20
Rating - ** - Surprisingly solid wrestling match there, with minimal high spots and four guys actually trying to tell a story. You had the continuing incoherence problems between Kaos and Aguilera, which were played up well, but the angle with Nate and Josh being pissed off with their manager, culminating in another loss for their team, was well emphasised as well. One of the most sensible matches thus far in Wrestling Society X…
Keepin’ It Gangsta vs Alkatrazz/Luke Hawx
These two teams got involved in a silly backstage scuffle last week on WSXtra, so this week their having a match. It’s logical, if not overly intelligent. I will want to know why Luke and Alkatrazz didn’t get a silly team name
Since this only airs on the internet, MTV didn’t bother adding in the silly glimmering diamond effect for KIG’s bling ladder. Ruckus wipes Hawx out with a handspring corkscrew kick then brings Babi Slymm in for the double stomp/dancing elbow drop combo. Alkatrazz wipes Slymm out with a slingshot shoulder tackle then catches Ruckus for a super-ugly fallaway slam. Double team cutter from the nameless white team gets 2. Ruckus lands a Red Star Press, but across the ring Alkatrazz floors Slym again. Finally Babi does manage to make the save…leading to both big men fighting on the floor. Finally Alkatrazz grabs Ruckus’ feet and holds them down allowing Luke to win at 03:36
Rating – DUD - I was going to go for a generous 1* rating on this, but I hated the finish so I wiped it off. Alkatrazz and Hawx are supposed to be uncompromising bad asses who like to fight. Stealing a cheap win like this RATHER than fight against two guys they don’t like makes no sense.
After the show Keepin’ It Gangsta hang out with Jibbs. I literally have no idea what the hell they say to each other.
Episode 6 – co-hosted by Good Charlotte
I’m not a GC fan at all, but this is the first time since week 1 that I’ve had the slightest idea who the musical guest is. Outside the bunker Lacey is waiting for Vampiro to arrive so she can get his feelings on Ricky Banderas’ emergence into WSX.
Scorpio Sky vs Jack Evans
Sky was upset when he lost to Matt Sydal recently. To prove he CAN back up his claims to be top of the class, he now challenges Jack Evans – his logic being that since Evans defeated Sydal on the first ever WSX episode, by beating him that somehow proves him better than both of them. Following me?
Fabian Kaelin gets more and more ridiculous and annoying with each passing episode. The Madden twins from Good Charlotte sound totally indifferent about being there. Jack Evans hits a springboard 450 to the floor…whilst Joel and Benji waffle on about Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. Sky drags Jack out of the corner with a backbreaker then pins him for 2 (‘tap out’ – Madden twin). Evans hits back with the standing moonsault off the opponents chest. Evans hits a quebrada, but Scorpio busts out an AWESOME counter to the Dragon Clutch. ‘Scorpio’ – fans. ‘Looks like the fans are behind Evans’ - Bret Ernst. Evans wins by botching his own finisher into a 450 Splash at 03:05
Rating - DUD - Kind of an annoying match. I’m glad Evans won so his push keeps going at the expense of the sadly underdeveloped Scorpio Sky character. But, even for WSX, this was spotty as f*ck. And not in a good way…the spots weren’t GREAT spots. They were average...and therein lies the problem for this promotion. They’ve established themselves as a group that pushes the boundaries so far - as soon as the wrestlers aren’t going crazy and killing themselves in every match it comes off as tame. Oh, and even more retarded commentary than usual didn’t help.
After getting their first WSX win on WSXtra last week, Aaron Aguilera wants to celebrate by getting Kaos to focus on the ‘mamacitas’ too. His plan is thwarted by Disco Machine showing the ladies his huge balls. Kaos isn’t interested anyway, so an angry Aguilera challenges The Filth & The Fury (the only undefeated team in WSX) to a match next week. If Los Pochos Guapos don’t win, they split.
Elsewhere, Joey Ryan and Disco prepare for their tag match by oiling up and making jokes at the expense of DIFH. Meanwhile, in their locker room, Tyler Black screams angrily whilst Jimmy Jacobs fixes is make-up whilst eating Quiznos. You can’t accuse WSX of not being weird!
That 70’s Team vs DIFH
This is actually a rematch from WSXtra Episode 3 when Jacobs and Tyler managed to defeat That 70’s Team. I think this is also the MTV debut for DIFH, which is criminal considering how good they’ve been on the internet show thus far.
Disco and Joey attack Tyler whilst Jimmy tries to get phone numbers from ladies at ringside. Double implant DDT drops Jacobs before Black returns with the Springboard Lariat. Jacobs tries to hug him, only for Tyler to start throwing him at their opponents…eventually press slamming him to the floor at Disco. Ryan shoves Black off the ropes…and out comes his ass again. BUTT NAKED SPEAR THROUGH THE ROPES! Disco then takes Jacobs off the ropes with a powerslam for the win at 02:23
Rating - ** - Their first match was better as it got more time to explore the various gimmicks, although this one was understandably cut shorter due to the time constraints of being on MTV. Since winning or losing doesn’t really alter the DIFH gimmick, putting Joey and Disco over makes sense too.
In an unknown location Japanese Matrix extra is still holding Team Dragon Gate hostage. They look like sh*t, but he hands them water and says they’re ‘almost ready’ for something.
Back from commercials Jimmy Jacobs pulls out his guitar and tries to make Tyler Black feel better with an acoustic song. TYLER SHOUTS AND SCREAMS BECAUSE HE’S ANGRY. Amusingly they cut their respective speaking parts with angry metal/pleasant acoustic rock.
Ricky Banderas makes his way to the ring and does everyone a favour by throwing Fabian out of the ring. He calls out Vampiro, and just like when he got called out a couple of weeks ago, the champion gets jumped from behind. 6-Pac joins Banderas for a double team assault…and the random intervention of Youth Suicide does nothing to stop it. Ricky and Suicide brawl to the back…whilst Waltman and Vampiro BOTCH throwing the ref out of the ring. They disappear, leaving Banderas and Youth Suicide to reappear in the rafters of the Bunker. Banderas throws Suicide to the floor for the inevitable CAMERA SHAKING/PYRO FILLED SPOT OF DOOM! Then he goes all 21st century Papa Shango by vomiting blood whilst his eyes glow white.
WSXtra – Episode 6
Kudos to Fabian Kaelin – he starts the show selling Ricky Banderas throwing him out of the ring on MTV moments earlier. Of course, it’s barely noticed because he’s standing next to Lacey who looks as hot as I’ve ever seen her.
El Hombre Blanco Enmascarado vs Matt Sydal
Masked Mexican jobber taking on the impressive ‘cocky coverboy’ Matt Sydal. As ever with Sydal, most of the focus will be on whatever Lizzy Valentine is doing at ringside.
Sydal drops El Hombre with a lucha-style armdrag. Of course, nobody really notices that level of psychology and mockery of the supposedly Mexican jobber, but still. Quicksilver hits back with a springboard press, only for Matt to lay him out again with The Slice for 2. Sydal positions him in the corner for a slingshot dropkick. Backbreaker into a bow and arrow as Sydal continues to dominate. Finally Hombre springboards in the corner with a enzi kick and scores a 2-count off a spinebuster. But he’s immediately on the back foot again after a standing moonsault from the future Evan Bourne. Super rana blocked, but Sydal still catches El Hombre with a spinning heel kick. Sydal Press misses, but Matt LANDS ON HIS FEET! MIND TRIP BY EL HOMBRE…FOR 2! He tries to go to the top rope only to be shoved off by Lizzy. CYCLORAMA wins it for Sydal at 06:33
Rating - ** - Surprisingly decent match which, for WSX at least, was packed with subtle psychology. The match started as a classic squash match with Sydal dominating (I particularly loved the subtle touch with Matt mocking El Hombre’s supposed Mexican heritage). El Hombre’s comeback spot was awesome (particularly as it involved stealing the move of Sydal’s former ROH valet Daizee Haze) before Lizzy Valentine inevitably made her presence felt. My biggest criticism of this would be that it went a little long. In a promotion packed with 3-minute matches, spending nearly 7 on a squash match featuring a guy who’s whole gimmick IS that he’s a jobber (‘white guy in a mask’) is poor form.
Arik Cannon says he’s got back up to help him fight Delikado & crew (now known as The Cartel).
Alkatrazz/Luke Hawx vs Trailer Park Boyz
The TPB are in a funk at the moment, mad at their manager Johnny Webb for allowing them to be electrocuted by The Filth & The Fury, then allowing that rage to distract them – costing them a match against Los Pochos Guapos last week on WSXtra. Can they turn it around tonight, or will the momentum Alkatrazz and Hawx picked up from their win over Keepin’ It Gangsta last week be enough to see them to another victory tonight?
Nate and Josh come to the ring without Johnny, who comes out seconds later looking pissed that they forgot him. That trio are still arguing as the bell rings. Spyder tries to start with Alkatrazz but gets destroyed by the big man. Raymond tries to help his partner but gets manhandled as well. He does manage to hit a slingshot somersault headscissors which brings Luke in for the first time. Quebrada attempted, straight into Hawx’s knees. Nate is still arguing with Johnny Webb, whilst Keepin’ It Gangsta run in and attack Luke. Moonsault leg drop from Ruckus to Hawx, handing the Trailer Park Boyz a shock win at 02:19
Rating – DUD – The Hawx/Alkatrazz team is one of the worst parts of WSX, and my lack of interest in watching them wrestle meant I never really connected with this match…all two minutes of it. I do like KIG though, but I’d much rather see them feud with ANY of the other teams in WSX (TPB, DIFH, That 70’s Team, Team Dragon Gate…anyone) than those two.
Episode 7 – co-hosted by Quietdrive
I don’t know who Quietdrive are, but their musical performance is cut short by Ricky Banderas and Youth Suicide brawling onto the stage with them. They bail, but their roadie gets powerbombed through the table by Banderas. Vampiro is up in the rafters pretending he’s Sting, both men needlessly chew blood capsules…then we get the official announcement that next week Vampiro defends the WSX Title against Banderas.
The Cartel vs Arik Cannon/Vic Grimes
Last time we saw this feud, The Cartel were dunking Cannon’s head in ‘wet cement’. Delikado (worst masked gimmick ever) and Lil’ Cholo represent The Cartel tonight, whilst Arik’s promised back-up arrives in the form of well-travelled, mediocre hardcore worker Vic Grimes. Pretty underwhelming choice…but that said, WSX has done a great job of making really average talents (Ruckus, Slymm, Teddy, M-Dogg, Banderas, Kaos, Nate Webb etc) look great. Maybe Vic is here to be WSX’s resident fatty. That’s one gimmick they don’t have.
Grimes tears into The Cartel with lots of generic fatty offence, which MTV’s tongue-in-cheek film crew have edited with ‘camera shaking’ effect with each strike. FATTY CORKSCREW SENTON misses, and Cholo sends him to the floor where the other members of The Cartel are waiting. Grimes is totally gassed now, and is powerless to stop Cholo dropping Cannon with a back drop driver. In runs an unknown women (apparently wearing Delikado’s spare mask) to back drop Lil’ Cholo. Delikado drops Grimes with a flying knee, then everyone from The Cartel piles in to make sure he stays down at 02:41
Rating - DUD - A whole bunch of average workers (and that’s being generous), combined with retarded, pointless masked gimmicks. I like Cannon, and I’m down for some comedy fatty action in WSX, but this whole thing is horrible.
In the aftermath The Cartel try to do their ‘dead fish’ thing with Vic Grimes, except he’s such a crazy fat bastard that he just eats it. I think the masked woman is Sara Del Rey, although I could be wrong.
Matt Sydal and Lizzy Valentine are involved in a horrifically acted backstage segment. Lizzy hides a mysterious note from someone, whilst Sydal focuses on wanting to beat Human Tornado tonight.
Matt Sydal vs Human Tornado
Apparently Lizzy and Matt got lots of press coverage after their big win over Scorpio Sky last week. To ensure further media attention Matt is desperate to score another win on MTV tonight. Human Tornado has had a rough time of it in recent weeks, and will want to rebound after getting squashed by 6-Pac a few weeks ago.
Lizzy tries to pull Tornado’s fro before the match after he fails to impress her with his dance moves. Pounce sends Sydal to the floor…but he MISSES THE SOMERSAULT PLANCHA AND WIPES OUT THE CROWD! I know they’re mostly plants but that’s still something you don’t see in any other wrestling companies. Moonwalk Dropkick gets Sydal a 2. He tries to follow it with a springboard move only to find his legs dropkicked out from under him by HT. Standing moonsault instead for 2. Roundhouse enziguri kick by Tornado…and in comes Lizzy to try a low blow. Tornado has BALLS OF STEEL though, as has been established in previous episodes of WSX, so it does no damage. They scuffle (leading to Lizzy’s mystery note falling to the canvas), until Matt saves with the Here It Is Driver. But Sydal is preoccupied by trying to read the note, allowing Tornado to recover and Pimp Slap his way to victory at 03:31
Rating - ** - Another strong WSX performance from Matt Sydal, who has been one of the most outstanding in-ring talents through this whole project. They combined good wrestling, neat spots and clever story-telling well here. Once again, this was what Wrestling Society X should be all about. Fresh talent in fun storylines, doing crazy things that other wrestling promotions just don’t.
Japanese Keanu Reeves continues his torture of Team Dragon Gate by forcing them to watch what some kind of TV programming. Possibly old episodes of Wrestling Society X, or lots of back to back Vampiro matches. That would make me pretty mad too…
In the back Matt Sydal blames Lizzy Valentine and her letter for losing. He walks out, leaving 6-Pac to swoop in and flirt with his girl. He’s a porn star Matt…
Los Pochos Guapos vs The Filth & The Fury
As far as WSX main events go, this actually has a lot at stake and has been well built up. Teddy Hart and Matt Cross are undefeated – the only tag team in WSX who can boast that. Meanwhile Kaos and Jesus have been inconsistent, struggled to get on the same page and the subsequent miscommunications have more often than not led to Kaos taking a beating. Tonight Aguilera wants to prove he can be the partner Kaos wants him to be…and if they lose, Los Pochos Guapos will permanently split.
Teddy tries a Russian legsweep, but Aguilera has too much power and drops him with a backbreaker. Hart goes for a leg instead, only for Jesus to kick him all the way out of the ring. Cross and Kaos go at it next, with M-Dogg cartwheeling across the ropes, backflipping out of the corner then springboarding into double stomp for 2. Ace Crusher from Kaos gets 2, but once again he catches Aaron flirting with ladies…and gets dropkicked out of the ring. Space Flying Tiger Drop by M-Dogg. SPRINGBOARD CRAZY DIVE BY HART! He nearly murdered himself against the guardrails there. Teddy wanders into the commentary table…MOONSAULT FROM 38 MILES IN THE AIR ONTO AGUILERA! In the ring Kaos MAFIA KICKS a disco ball into Cross’ face to win at 03:43
Rating - ** - Silly spots, goofy moments. This was really what I expected, and to be honest, all I really wanted from this main event. I’ve enjoyed the Kaos/Aguilera angle so I’m happy they’ve delayed their inevitable split for longer – although sacrificing the undefeated streak of The Filth & The Fury seems a high price to pay. I suppose, ultimately, fans will care more about characters than random high spots. Maybe this is a triumph for WSX trying to get away from the random craziness and more towards a story-driven, slightly more traditional pro-wrestling approach.
SIDENOTE – In many ways this was the best episode of Wrestling Society X to date. As ever the wrestling was slightly odd. But there wasn’t the usual assault of borderline offensive stunts and spots. Instead every single segment furthered a long term angle, from the opening which sets up next weeks big title match, the first bout which saw the introduction of Vic Grimes and the continuation of The Cartel angle. Matt and Lizzy moved towards separation after their match, whilst the entertaining main event saw Los Pochos Guapos pick up a major victory on MTV.
WSXtra – Episode 7
Lacey and Fabian Kaelin introduce highlights of the MTV main event – which saw Los Pochos Guapos end the undefeated streak of The Filth & The Fury. Since there are no undefeated teams anymore, every team is now looking to pick up wins and proclaim their dominance over the division. Which brings us to the WSXtra feud between Alkatrazz, Luke Hawx and Keepin’ It Gangsta…
Alkatrazz/Luke Hawx vs Keepin’ It Gangsta
These two teams brawled in the back a few weeks ago, then on Episode 5 the Alkatrazz/Hawx team stole a cheap victory over KIG. But last week we saw Ruckus and Slymm gain swift revenge as they cost their rivals a tag team match against the Trailer Park Boyz.
KIG have added a bling table to their bling ladder, bringing both to the ring with them. Slymm and Alkatrazz trade big man moves in the ring, whilst on the floor Ruckus misses an SSP off the apron, then launches into MULTIPLE BACK FLIPS TO A STANDING MOONSAULT! In the ring Hawx catches Ruckus going for a handspring elbow and drops him with a half nelson suplex. Alkatrazz levels Babi with a slingshot tackle then scores with a rope walk tornado DDT. Another sweet spot as Ruckus leapfrogs Slymm as he charges into a spear, then starts bringing in the bling furniture as Slymm drops Luke with a side effect. Hawx put on the table…RUCKUS WITH A DOUBLE STOMP OFF THE LADDER THROUGH IT! KIG win at 04:07
Rating - ** - I hope this is the end of this mini-feud as, in WSX terms, I really don’t think that these two teams can do any better than this. Ruckus, in particular, was on his game and brought a flurry of cool things into the match. It’s a shame this didn’t make it to the MTV show instead of the silly Cannon vs The Cartel storyline.
Scorpio Sky vs Youth Suicide
I thought Suicide was only really in WSX to take crazy bumps? Anyway, the MTV show started with Ricky Banderas and Youth Suicide fighting on the music stage. Now on WSXtra we get to see what led to that incident
Suicide comes out selling the injuries he sustained after being thrown from the roof of the WSX Bunker by Banderas the previous week on the main show. Somehow he’s busted open within 40 seconds of the match starting too. We keep cutting to the crowd which makes me wonder whether MTV have cut out portions of this match. Generic comeback spots from YS, managing to slingshot Sky out of the ring…before Ricky Banderas comes in to lay him out with a spear. That’s a DQ at 02:54, despite the fact that the entire Cartel PINNED Arik Cannon on the main show this week without getting disqualified.
Rating - DUD - Youth Suicide has no real purpose other than doing big stunt bumps. Putting him in an actual match was totally pointless, particularly against someone like Scorpio Sky who, in WSX terms, really hasn’t gotten over at all. This match wound up stinking the place out.
Outside the Bunker, The Cartel attack Los Pochos Guapos for no reason at all…
Episode 8 – co-hosted by Pitbull
Los Pochos Guapos start the show by calling out The Cartel…
Los Pochos Guapos vs The Cartel
Kaos and Aaron Aguilera have reacted quickly to that attack they suffered in the parking lot after last week’s show. We get an impromptu match between LPG and The Cartel of Delikado and Lil’ Cholo.
Hot start by Kaos and Jesus, but one of the fat, old, extra members of The Cartel stop Kaos winning with a springboard moonsault. Delikado double stomps the back of Kaos’ head for 2. Cholo drops him with a ‘Cartel Cutter’ and gets another nearfall. He tries to go the second rope next, only for Kaos to counter with a SPRINGBOARD Russian legsweep, then get the hot tag to Jesus. LPG set up a Doomsday Device only for the extra members to knock Aguilera out of the ring. Delikado picks up the win after planting Kaos on his head with a Pelican Bay Driver. Time was around 03:15…
Rating – DUD – Whilst I agree The Cartel need better opposition than Arik Cannon if they’re supposed to get over and Los Pochos Guapos definitely fit that criteria, it still doesn’t mean the match quality is all that good. Credit to LPG for keeping their dissension in the ranks storyline going, WITHOUT having Aguilera get distracted by ringside hotties since this was a grudge match. It just seems so odd that with all the money and time MTV are investing in WSX, there wasn’t better talent out there to bring in than Lil’ Cholo, B-Boy and Aaron Aguilera.
In the back Alkatrazz and Luke Hawx are pissed off since that impromptu match replaced some scheduled MTV time for themselves. They run into Arik Cannon, Vic Grimes and Sara Del(irious) Rey and pick a silly fight.
Jack Evans and Human Tornado bicker about who the better dancer is.
Vampiro vs Ricky Banderas – WSX Title Match
Ever since Banderas emerged onto the WSX scene the feud between these two men has been out of control. Hellbent on revenge after Vampiro scarred up his face with an exploding casket a number of years ago, Banderas now has his sights set on permanently putting Vampiro on the shelf, taking his WSX Championship in the process. Will his combination of size, white contact lenses and pyrotechnic superpowers be too much for Vampiro’s generic, over-rated wrestling skills and gimmick to overcome?
There are two caskets at ringside for this match. One presumably rigged with explosives again, whilst the other is covered in barbed wire. Quick start as Vampiro immediately suplexes Banderas into the turnbuckles. Pitbull is a f*cking idiot by the way. Ricky goes for a pescado but winds up diving into the guardrails intead. But out there on the floor the challenger does get the upper hand by repeatedly ramming Vampiro’s head into the steps going up to the commentary booth. Chokeslam gets the champ a nearfall as we go to commercials. Back from the break with both men falling out of the ring like goons. The fight goes onto the music stage where Vampiro is powerbombed through a table covered in light tubes. His back is bleeding heavily now, and made worse when Banderas suplexes him through the most obviously rigged stage segment ever. He takes it towards the barbed wire coffin…for a chokeslam into a BARBED WIRE EXPLODING COFFIN! The special effects team celebrate another kooky explosion spot, and Banderas becomes the new WSX Champion at 05:59
Rating - DUD - Horrible match, where the goofy smoke and mirrors stunts weren’t used to enhance or ‘jazz up’ the match, they were used to cover up two workers who pretty much suck. In fairness, the right man won since I have far more interest in seeing Ricky Banderas and his super-villainous, white eyes/fireball/blood vomit gimmick as champion, but this was REALLY bad. And it was made even worse by Pitbull, comfortably the most annoying celebrity guest commentator thus far. Every time he opened his mouth I wanted to rip my TV off the wall and throw it out the window he was so awful.
WSXtra – Episode 8
DIFH vs Team Dragon Gate
This is the first time we’ve seen Masato Yoshino and Genki Horiguchi since their mysterious abduction at the hands of the mysterious Japanese guy (now revealed as former WWE worker Sakoda). They return apparently ‘darker’ and more focused, and have been set a mission by Sakoda of avenging the loss they suffered to Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black weeks previously.
‘Whole lot of sushi going on’ – Pitbull on Team Dragon Gate. This guy is a joke. Yoshino starts fast as ever and totally obliterates Jimmy Jacobs. Their partners are in next with Black picking up a nearfall with a sidewalk slam. Genki starts no selling Tyler’s offence though, bringing back super-fast Yoshino for the Slingblade. Ude Yoshino on Tyler, before Jacobs manages to take him out with a hurricanrana. Peroxism on Horiguchi for 2. Sakoda throws a fireball at Jacobs, leaving him blinded and defenceless. Horiguchi capitalises with the Beach Break to win at 03:56
Rating - ** - I could have done with Yoshino and Horiguchi switching up their offence slightly more if they’re supposed to be heels now, but this was ok. Compared to Vampiro/Banderas this was an incredible match and a real example of how badly wrong WSX got their main event scene.
In the back Nic Grimes (that masked girl) kisses Arik Cannon…making him fall off his chair as if he’s stumbled into a poorly directed slapstick comedy.
Matt Classic/El Hombre Blanco Enmascarado vs That 70’s Team vs Trailer Park Boyz
All six of these guys have basically been jobbers throughout the Wrestling Society X project thus far. Classic and El Hombre are completely winless, whilst That 70’s Team and the TPB have lost more than they’ve won. That means competition will be fierce to see who actually gets to score a rare win. Classic and El Hombre are a new team, but perhaps a natural fit given their mysterious, masked backgrounds.
Amusingly, Matt Classic takes great offence at the flashy entrance of That 70’s Team. Johnny Webb is drinking heavily as he continues to struggle in his managerial role behind the Trailer Park Boyz. Joey Ryan further irritates Classic by oiling up right in front of him. Greco-Roman knucklelock to start, but since he can’t out-wrestle Classic, Joey challenges him to a push-up contest instead. He can’t do that either thanks to his asthma, so instead stomps on his head. Disco Machine in next, getting double teamed by the Trailer Park Boyz. El Hombre makes the save, then walks straight into the Super 70’s Super Kick from Ryan. Polish Hammers from Classic…and here comes Joey’s ass again. El Hombre connects with a suicide dive, as in the ring Johnny Webb tries to jump Matt Classic. IRON CLAW on him! Old school piledriver floors Raymond before Joey returns to knock Classic out. Reverse headscissors from El Hombre to Disco Machine, before he gets wiped with a jumping lungblower from Josh Raymond. Trailer Park Boyz get another unlikely win in 06:01
Rating - ** - Non-stop action, and thankfully they gave the match enough time to allow all six guys to have some fun with their respective gimmicks. Nothing that you really NEEDED to see (indeed, in storyline terms this was one of the most purposeless matches WSX have done) but it was a solid, entertaining little match. Both these WSXtra episodes have made a mockery out of the likes of Vampiro stumbling around like an old fool with the WSX Title.
WSXtra ends with the promised Jack Evans/Human Tornado dance off. It takes place in an empty WSX Bunker, although all the regulars on WSXtra (so the Trailer Park Boyz, DIFH, Matt Classic etc…basically all the talented guys on the roster) surround the ring to watch. It ends in a draw, so they decide they’d better wrestle next week instead.
Episode 9 – co-hosted by Styles P
This was actually the final episode to air on MTV. Having drawn criticism for their crazy comic book antics since the first episode, having provoked outrage when Ricky Banderas threw a fireball at Vampiro, and subsequently having been completely sidelined by MTV, they’d already made the decision to drop Wrestling Society X, not bringing it back for a second season. I imagine the fact that (according to the DVD packaging) Episode 10 has a Piranha Death Match and an Electrified Cage Match didn’t help matters.
Alkatrazz/Luke Hawx vs Arik Cannon/Vic Grimes
These two got into a fight last week whilst Hawx and Alkatrazz were pissed off about losing out on their TV time to Los Pochos Guapos and The Cartel. Tonight the meet in the ring, with Cannon and Vic accompanied by Vic’s sister Nic Grimes (who is indeed Sara Del Rey in a hood).
Cannon drops Hawx with a swinging neckbreaker, probably excited by Kloss calling him the ‘speed and agility’ of his team. Grimes in, totally no-selling Luke, then dropping him on his face. Alkatrazz tags…and he gets planted as well. Rope walk into a LEG DROP across the arm from the fatty. That’s impressive, although Alkatrazz completely ignores it to get up and powerslam Arik anyway. The big men fight through the arena…with Alkatrazz drop toeholding Vic through some light tubes which EXPLODE FOR NO REASON AT ALL! Super ugly finishing move wins it for Hawx at 03:43
Rating - * - Vintage WSX action really. Lots of smoke and mirrors, lots of exciting stuff thinly held together under the premise of a wrestling match, but not a whole lot of deeper meaning. Cannon and Hawx aren’t terrible, but their partners are complete garbage, so being realistic, this was probably as good as it was ever going to be.
Los Pochos Guapos tell Lacey that next week they want The Cartel in a Piranha Death Match.
Scorpio Sky vs 6-Pac
In theory these are two heels, although the reality is that neither man has had a great deal of time invested in him to develop a character. Scorpio is a generic arrogant heel, whilst Waltman has been the same character he always is, except he’s only here for the money and has been totally phoning it in since Episode 1.
Sky jumps Pac as he enters the ring. On commentary Styles P gets excited by being able to recognise one of the wrestlers (Waltman obviously). 6-Pac tags Scorpio with kicks in the corner, leading to the Bronco Buster. Sky tosses him to the floor, but when he goes for a pescado Waltman is waiting with a martial arts kick to the ribs. Pac gets over-confident, missing a somersault senton, but recovers quickly to hit the X-Factor for the win at 01:54
Rating - DUD - Total squash match here. I don’t hate Waltman, and I hear that the stuff he did in Chikara this year was superb. But his time in Wrestling Society X was absolutely woeful. He clearly didn’t want to be there, put nobody over other than Vampiro (who didn’t need it anyway) and after he got pulled from the main event storylines, just wandered aimlessly around, running through semi-talented midcard guys like Human Tornado and Scorpio Sky along the way.
The burial of Scorpio Sky continues as they kayfabe having to ‘rush’ to the next segment because the last match was so unexpectedly short. Lacey interviews Lizzy Valentine and Matt Sydal. There is clearly dissension between the couple, with Matt reacting badly to the implication that something is going on between Lizzy and 6-Pac.
Jack Evans vs Human Tornado
Both these guys are popular, both are talented dancers and colourful aerial wrestlers too. After the dance-off failed to prove who the better man was, tonight they try to settle it in a wrestling match.
They start with more dancing, with Tornado’s moves getting under the skin of Evans, driving to slap the Tornado across the face. He dropkicks HT to the floor, roles the ropes and dives into a flying knee strike off the apron. Back from commercials with Tornado getting 2 with a tornado DDT. The clip package of action from the commercials actually looked pretty good. Evans drops Tornado in return with a reverse rana. SPRINGBOARD Phoenix Splash from the second rope misses, allowing Tornado to put Jack in the Dragon Clutch. Implant neckbreaker into a rear naked choke…and the bell rings. Apparently it’s a 10-minute time limit draw…of which we saw 03:12
Rating - DUD - If a match was good enough to draw legitimate chants from the WSX crowd (as opposed to generic, piped in crowd noise), then I can’t believe they clipped the hell out of it like this. The action itself was probably worth a couple of stars, but the pathetic booking led me to cut them all. And if the match was that good, not getting an unclipped version for the DVD release is equally stupid.
Team Dragon Gate steal Lacey’s microphone and rant in Japanese. Sakoda translates – apparently they want to face The Filth & The Fury in an Exploding Time Bomb Electric Cage Match.
WSXtra – Episode 9
Keepin’ It Gangsta vs Trailer Park Boyz
More tag team action, with the teams of Wrestling Society X jostling for position and dominance in the crowded division. Trailer Park Boyz are on a winning streak at the moment, despite having problems with Johnny Webb.
Jump start gives the TPB an early advantage, isolating Ruckus and cutting him off from his larger partner. Is this tag team psychology in a Wrestling Society X match? Eventually Ruckus connects with a handspring heel kick and makes the hot tag to Babi Slymm, who seems to have injured his arm. Ruckus goes for a handspring elbow on Raymond, only for Jug to COUNTER with the jumping lungblower for the win in 02:52
Rating - ** - Solid fundamentals are such a rare thing in this promotion they almost become a gimmick in and of themselves. I rather fear the strategy of isolating Ruckus had as much to do with protecting Slymm (as he was clearly working injured) as it did with the ring ethic of Raymond and Nate Webb, but still, once again a WSXtra match is miles better than anything on the main show.
That 70’s Team vs DIFH
It’s the third time these two teams have locked up. As Lacey pointed out, they’re 1-1 against each other in WSX thus far, so now we get a rubber match to see who the better team really is.
That 70’s Team try to attack DIFH before the bell again, but this time the emo’s are ready for them. Tyler throws Jacobs at both of them, handing his team the initiative. Gentle wristlocks from Jimmy, so Black gets in again to throw Jimmy into a flying headscissors in Ryan for 2. His ass is out again by the way. Despite groping for his inhaler, Joey is on hand to help Disco Machine double team Jacobs. Such is the beating the dish out, it actually provokes Jimmy into action, nailing Disco with a neckbreaker. Tyler and Joey trade strikes and wind up SUPLEXING EACH OTHER TO THE FLOOR! Disco lines up his second rope powerslam but Black saves. DOOMSDAY SENTON COMBO! DIFH win at 04:30
Rating - *** - Definitely a generous rating, but I liked this one. I thought they worked a sensible, clever little match that played up familiarity between the two teams, worked a semblance of an actual tag team match and retained the usual WSX level of silly spots and comedy goofiness whilst doing it. If nothing else, buying the Wrestling Society X DVD set has been a great way to check out the chemistry of Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black as a team – almost a year before they debuted in ROH.
Next week on WSXtra we’ll see four teams battle it out for the first spot in a tournament to crown the inaugural WSX Tag Team Champions – something I imagine was planned for Season 2.
Credit where it’s due, they use the end of this WSXtra episode to show the footage of Evans/Tornado we missed during the commercial break on MTV.
Episode 10 – co-hosted by New Found Glory
This would be the un-aired season finale, exclusive to this DVD set. New Found Glory are one of my favourite bands so I’m glad to see them make an appearance, although sad that I’ve not been able to track down footage of their musical performance on the show. I look forward to them commentating on the sheer ridiculousness of our double ‘main events’ for the episode.
The Cartel vs Los Pochos Guapos – Piranha Death Match
Ever since they debuted, The Cartel have been using their numbers to launch vicious attacks on members of the WSX roster – always leaving the calling card of a dead fish. They beat the hell out of Arik Cannon’s crew, then launched into an unprovoked assault on Los Pochos Guapos in the parking lot. Aguilera and Kaos tried to get revenge two weeks ago, but once again found the numbers too much to contend with. An irate Jesus challenged Delikado and Lil’ Cholo to one final rematch under this bizarre stipulation. One can’t help but feel sorry for the poor fish in this scenario!
Straight into the action as Kaos charges the ring, wiping out Mongol and El Jefe at ringside with a somersault plancha. Aguilera drops Cholo and Delikado with a springboard reverse elbow as the hot start for Los Pochos Guapos continues. They look set to drop Cholo in the piranha tank but Mongol and Jefe are in place to slide a wooden pallet over the tank. Kaos drops Delikado with a moonsault press, but quickly gets put in the corner and booted. He nearly gets dunked in the tank but Aguilera saves and brings a table into play. AGUILERABOMB THROUGH THE TABLE! Lil’ Cholo is done for…but Delikado slides back into play, drawing Jesus into an INADVERTENT CLOTHESLINE ON KAOS. HE GOES INTO THE TANK! It’s over at 03:30
Rating - DUD - Moronic stipulation, totally befitting of this bizarre wrestling company. Not a big fan of the cruelty to fish, not a big fan of putting The Cartel over Los Pochos Guapos who have consistently been one of the more entertaining acts through the WSX series. HOWEVER, the finish, with Aguilera accidentally sending his own partner into the tank was absolutely awesome, and terrific pay-off to a season of dissension and mishaps between the two of them.
Scorpio Sky is set for some promo time with Lacey, only to be interrupted by Vampiro. Scorpio objects, and gets beaten completely naked by the former WSX Champion who is on a complete rampage. The locker room empties to stop him, but they all get beaten by the irate Vampiro. Ricky Banderas comes out to fight him
In the back Matt Sydal catches 6-Pac and Lizzy Valentine hanging out together again…and gets beaten to hell by Pac when he tries to stop him.
Lacey announces that Season 2 will see the creation of a ‘No Limits Title’ with Jack Evans and Human Tornado signed to compete in a match that will crown the first champion. That’s fitting after their last match ended in a time limit draw.
Team Dragon Gate vs The Filth & The Fury – Exploding Time Bomb Electric Cage Death Match
This match seems like complete overkill for what is essentially one team, upset at losing a match, trying to get their win back. However, as far as season finale’s go, these two are terrific in the non-stop spot environment so could put on a crazy display to end the WSX project. Teddy Hart and M-Dogg beat Team Dragon Gate a few weeks ago, but since then Sakoda as overseen a bizarre transformation in Yoshino and Horiguchi. Now they’re so eeeeeeeeeeevil they want to get their return win in the most crazy match stipulation ever (scheduled but ultimately cut) to appear on television.
Sakoda lays out Matt Cross before the match starts, locking the door and leaving Teddy alone with Team Dragon Gate in the ring. Yoshino levels him with the Slingblade, before Horiguchi nails the Beach Break. CROSSBODY FROM THE TOP OF THE CAGE announces M-Dogg’s arrival in the ring. TEDDY DOES NOT SELL…SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE! Back from commercials with Filth & Fury going for their duelling top rope finishers, but Dragon Gate evade it. Yoshino hits the hangtime missile dropkick…as Sakoda comes in and lays out the referee with a DDT. Hart is on a scaffold over the ring…SHOOTING STAR PRESS FROM THE CEILING BACK INTO THE RING! Cross goes a handspring elbow…AND CATAPULTS HIMSELF INTO THE ELECTRIC CAGE! Sakoda with a STREET FIGHTER FIREBALL on Teddy! A blind Teddy POWERBOMBS THE REF INTO THE ELECTRIC CAGE! Then Genki back drops him into the electrified cage. Yoshino hits the timebomb as Dragon Gate leave. THE RING EXPLODES! TEAM DRAGON GATE WIN AT 05:07 shown.
Rating - *** - It was the most OTT, crazy match in WSX, so it was a fitting way to go out. In all fairness, it was much better putting teams like this into a crazy match such as this – since at least they have the agility and arsenal of high spots to actually do it justice. It makes me shiver to think how bad this could have been had Vampiro, Sean Waltman or Ricky Banderas gotten to work this match type. Teddy Hart and M-Dogg were born to throw themselves off cages and high things without any regard for their own well-being, working a sensible match or selling anything that’s gone before…so this was the perfect match for them – whilst Horiguchi and Yoshino are great at throwing spots around in a chaotic, non-stop fashion so had no problems hanging with them. This was the best and worst of Wrestling Society X in one match. If you hated it (you can watch it on Youtube I’m sure) then don’t bother getting this DVD, you’ll hate it. If you liked it, or at least found it morbidly entertaining, you’ll definitely find more to enjoy in this whole DVD set.
WSXtra – Episode 10
Alkatrazz/Luke Hawx vs That 70’s Team vs DIFH vs Trailer Park Boyz
The winning team gets the first spot in the WSX Tag Title tournament so much is at stake here. Trailer Park Boyz and DIFH come in with all the momentum here – with Nate and Jug on a 3 match winning streak, whilst Tyler and Jimmy just defeated That 70’s Team to win their trilogy of matches 2-1.
That 70’s Team attack DIFH, keen to get revenge for their defeat last week it seems. Joey Ryan’s ass makes an appearance in the first minute…and Disco takes a drop toehold INTO HIS BUTT CRACK! SUPER 70’S SUPERKICK floors Jacobs! Ryan celebrates by oiling up, and doesn’t notice Alkatrazz enter the fray. That 70’s Team eliminated at 02:00 as Al pins Ryan. The Trailer Park Boyz start double teaming Alkatrazz…that is until Keepin’ It Gangsta run in to fight them. Those two teams brawl to the back – does that mean the Trailer Park Boyz are out? Jacobs is destroyed by Luke and Alkatrazz, kept well away from Tyler Black as they continue the assault. That is until Jacobs floors Alkatrazz with an unlikely bulldog takedown. Hot tag to Tyler who nails the Buckle Bomb on Hawx. PELE KICK counters Alkatrazz’s slingshot tackle as Jacobs hits the ‘Flying Emo Senton’ for 2. He got back into the action too quickly though, and once again gets double teamed. Tyler with the save, hitting a moonsault off the apron to take out Alkatrazz. FLASH PIN from Jacobs to Hawx. DIFH win at 08:35
Rating - *** - I really enjoyed this one. I liked the way they combined progressing storylines with entertaining spots and all the wacky gimmicks. DIFH getting the unlikely win is a great way to round off their WSX careers given that they were one of the outstanding acts on the roster. The fact that they got so little exposure on the main show is criminal.
Tape Rating - ** - There you have it. THAT was Wrestling Society X. They say those that ‘get it’ loved it, and those that didn’t hated it. I don’t feel like I didn’t get it. I actually really liked the concept. HOWEVER, I think there was a little too much retarded booking to really get on board with it…and ultimately after sitting through endless hours of NON STOP SPOTS AND EXPLOSIONS. I feel a little numb, a little irritable, and almost glad it’s over. WSX is a complete assault on the senses, and I mean that in both a good and a bad way. Focusing on the positives first, as I said – I loved the concept. I can see why other companies were worried this might catch on. The big two were worried about WSX totally raising the bar of what sick sh*t could be achieved in a wrestling show, whilst the indies were worried about the concept taking off and seeing all their talent raided. This was almost a cartoon version of pro-wrestling. It wasn’t MOCKING wrestling, but it was providing an amped up, satirical version of it. It wasn’t MTV doing wrestling (they tried that when they got Sunday Night Heat and it tanked). This was MTV trying to turn wrestling into the basis for one of their ‘theme shows’. Sort of a real life Celebrity Death Match, but without celebrities. It was a brave move – making a wrestling show and actively working to shake off and dismiss the ‘traditional’ wrestling crowd.
And on the talent side of things, they were genuinely doing some impressive stuff. Some of the acts they brought in were totally unique, and could blow the sh*t the other companies were doing out of the water in terms of crazy high-flying, suicidal spots and wacky gimmicks. The undercard, filled with fun acts like Matt Sydal, Jack Evans, Human Tornado, Filth & Fury, DIFH, Matt Classic, Keepin’ It Gangsta, the Trailer Park Boyz, That 70’s Team and Team Dragon Gate was great. Those guys, cut loose with ridiculous gimmicks and given free reign to flip, flop and fly all over the building is almost the exact opposite to what you see in the WWE, with workers constantly told to tone down their acts and modify their gimmicks so as not to offend the PC police. And there were some terrific stories to be told too. The evolution of the Los Pochos Guapos team was really entertaining. The on-going Sydal/Valentine angle was fun. Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black stole the show every time they appeared with their twisted emo kids run. There was a LOT to enjoy in Wrestling Society X.
BUT, they got a lot wrong too. The stuff the undercard guys were doing on WSXtra had some legs, provided a genuine, cool, ‘edgy’ alternative to other mainstream products. Unfortunately, they dedicated far too much of the main MTV-broadcast show in the wrong area. Good as their storyline was, Los Pochos Guapos got far too much TV time for such limited in-ring talents. And the WSX Title picture was a total joke. Vampiro and Sean Waltman absolutely sucked the life out of the entire promotion. And whilst the introduction of the super-human Ricky Banderas was intriguing…the amount of complaints about his character made them tone that down too. I’m not saying there couldn’t have been one of them at the top of the card – hell, every promotion needs a veteran (as Paul Heyman said in his recent interview about TNA’s creative direction). I wouldn’t have minded had they put just ONE guy at the top of the card and put him up against the next generation of talent. 6-Pac would have been great in that role – renegade star, too badly behaved for the WWE, filmed a porno, notorious drug user. That’s an edgy, out there character to put on your show. Or put Vampiro on top. Sure I hate him, but his name has recognition and his Crow rip-off gimmick had some juice in it. Or put Banderas on top, and use the x-rated environment to push the boundaries of his supernatural gimmick beyond the limits the WWE has ever been able to do with the likes of Undertaker or Kane in the past. One would have been fine, but sticking them all in there together was a horrific choice. The matches sucked of course, but worse than that, the entire vibe of being an edgy, cool, totally fresh alternative is removed when you have guys like Sean Waltman and Vampiro, who everyone’s seen a million times before elsewhere working your main events (a situation made even worse during the pilot when you also had New Jack, Justin Credible and more running around).
On paper it was an intriguing, ambitious project. But in the end the promotion placed too much stock in it’s smoke and mirrors, crazy stunts (which ended up drawing complaints, racking up expenses and made it an easy decision for MTV to can the show) and invested too much time in promoting the WRONG talent. In truth, I think they started realising their mistake AFTER the Banderas incident and started putting more effort into packing matches with characters and high spots rather than gimmicky stunts...but the damage was already done. I can’t help but wonder how much different this show could have been if more time had been taken making fresh acts, doing crazy wrestling moves that people had never seen before (like Teddy Hart, Jack Evans, Matt Sydal etc) or working crazy characters that you just don’t see in other promotions (KIG, DIFH, Matt Classic etc). The idea of starting a comic book violence, live action Celebrity Death Match style promotion had such legs. But ultimately some misguided booking cost them badly and you have to write this project off as a bit of a failure. It has some GREAT moments and, by and large I’ve enjoyed watching the DVD’s. Big Vision have done a great job jazzing up the footage and putting together a wonderful package, filled with extras, top class production and everything else you’d expect from a high-quality DVD release. But the whole WSX act gets a little repetitive and annoying after a while. As fun as it was at times, in the end I was glad this was over. Pick it up if you like silly characters, silly explosions and silly booking decisions. But don’t watch it all at once like I did – it’ll give you a headache!