GCW: Tournament Of Survival 7 Review - June 4th, 2022

GCW Tournament of Survival 7

June 4th, 2022

Atlantic City, New Jersey 

I was live in attendance for this. 

1) Hoodfoot vs. Rina Yamashita - First Round Match 

Perfect way to kick off the weekend. It’s my first time seeing Yamashita and she exceeded expectations. Hoodfoot has become a favorite of mine this year and he looked awesome here. He & Yamashita started at 100 and never hit the brakes. Just a great deathmatch that never slowed down, but was competent enough to make sense and not feel like a clusterfuck. Hoodfoot is good at that and clearly I’ve been sleeping on Yamashita because got damn. This ruled. Yamashita wins to advance. 

Match rating - ***3/4 

2) SLADE vs. Matt Tremont - First Round Match 

GCW: Maniac Review - May 21st, 2022

GCW Maniac

May 21st, 2022

Los Angeles, CA - Ukranian Cultural Center

GCW World Champion: Jon Moxley (since 9/4/21)

GCW World Tag Team Champions: BUSSY (Allie Katch & Effy) (since 4/9/22)

GCW Extreme Champion: AJ Gray (since 1/15/22)

GCW Ultraviolent Champion: John Wayne Murdoch (since 3/31/22)

Commentators - Kevin Gill & Veda Scott

1) Blake Christian vs. Kevin Blackwood 

Blake comes to the ring with a “Chelsea Green loves Blake Christian” sign. Kevin Blackwood pays tribute to the victims of the Buffalo, NY incident last week. Bell rings and we are under way. The feed cuts out for the first 6-8 minutes of this. It cuts back in and we get a pretty awesome final 7-8 minute stretch. Some great exchanges and nearfalls. Blake Christian wins with a curb stomp. Considering the feed went out, take my rating with a grain of salt. 

Match rating - **3/4 

2) Titus Alexander vs. Tony Deppen 

This is a nice surprise. I had no idea this was on the card, but I love both these guys right now so LETS GO. Tony Deppen pokes Alexander in the eyes to begin. Weird to see Alexander not being the heel considering he’s very much the villain in his home promotion West Coast Pro from the little I’ve seen. Alexander follows it up with a trio of insane dives to really get the energy going for this one. This was really such a blast. Deppen really rocks and Alexander was awesome with the explosive babyface fire. Titus definitely made the most of this opportunity and the crowd was behind him the whole way. 

Match rating - ***1/2 

3) “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Masha Slamovich 

Wow. I anticipated this to be good, but I didn’t anticipate it to be quite possibly the best match either of these two has had all year. That’s exactly what it was, though. Beyond the stuff you’d expect like awesome strike exchanges, suplexes and spots. The laser focus of Speedball on the arm/shoulder of Masha and the selling that followed was just phenomenal. This was one of the best GCW matches of the year and well worth going out of your way to see. Just fantastic professional wrestling. Speedball wins with the flamingo driver. Amazing. 

Match rating - ****1/2

4) AJ Gray (c) vs. Jack Cartwheel vs. Ninja Mack vs. Cole Radrick vs. Starboy Charlie vs. Jimmy Lloyd - Scramble Match for the GCW Extreme Championship 

GCW: Astronaut Review - March 12th, 2022

GCW Astronaut 

March 12th, 2022

Atlanta, Georgia - Center Stage 

I attended this last weekend and normally I’m too worn out to review shows I attend live, but I’m feeling like giving this a shot. 

1) AR Fox vs. Nick Wayne 

Getting to see AR Fox live has been one of my favorite things about going to so many GCW shows in the past year. He was one of my favorites when I first started watching the Indies like ten years ago, so it’s a nostalgic hit for me. Nick Wayne is basically a prodigy. A young man who signed a contract with AEW at 17 years old.. just insane. Much like this match. This was truly everything you’d expect in your head when seeing it on paper. They don’t go crazy with nearfalls and stuff, clearly saving some stuff considering they’re first on the card. I respect that though and this was a perfect opener because of how they worked it. Just a blast and a good showcase for both guys. Fox wins with the 450.

Match rating - ***

2) Gringo Loco vs. Ninja Mack 

GCW: Welcome to Heartbreak Review - February 25th, 2022

GCW Welcome to Heartbreak

February 25th, 2022

Los Angeles, California

1) The Briscoes vs. Jacob Fatu & Juicy Finau 

This was such a badass opener. The Briscoes truly don’t miss a beat from their prime and hell, you could argue that they are still in their prime. Opening sprints like this are vintage Briscoes and they are always a blast. They use some chairs and a door. There’s plenty of dives, sick spots, & fighting in the crowd. Fatu & Finau even go after Starboy Charlie’s mom for some extra heat and the injured Charlie beats them with his crutches and hits a little dive. A fun time! Briscoes get the victory and grab the mic immediately after the bell. 

Match rating - ***

There’s some mic issues, but basically The Briscoes want their GCW Tag Title rematch against Nick Gage & Matt Tremont. Commentary teases it being at The Collective, I was hoping it would happen in Atlanta, but I’ll be at both so I guess either way works! 

2) Blake Christian vs. Nick Wayne 

GCW: Homecoming Weekend - Night One Review - July 24th, 2021

GCW: Homecoming Part 1

July 24th, 2021

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Commentary - Dave Prazak, Kevin Gill, & SHLAK 

I just have to say it right off the jump, hearing Dave Prazak on commentary is SO nostalgic and makes me feel like I’m in the early 2000’s all over again. 

1) Marko Stunt vs. Starboy Charlie 

This is Marko Stunt’s return to GCW as he’s been busy in AEW. I’ve never seen Charlie before, but he & Stunt have a super fun opener here. Just that classic indie spotfest opener style. They space everything out well though and do just enough spots to where you get riled up, but don’t feel like it’s overkill. Definitely down to see more of Starboy and this makes me want some more Marko singles matches in AEW. Crowd was hot for it too! Marko wins and pays respect to Starboy post match. Great way to start the show.

Match rating - ***

2) Tony Deppen vs. Ninja Mack