SOURCE: MCWpro.com
The Main Event at MCW’s Summer Showdown on June 4th, 2011, in Alliance, OH, was none other than the culmination of an 8-team tag team tournament for the vacant tag team titles. The match featured Broski Express (Sean Allen and Shawn Blaze) against the team of Supa Lucha and Wilbur Whitlock.
If you are a hardcore wrestling fan, there is no better seat in the building to watch a ladder match than right in the front row – especially when you have four highly talented, “kick ass, take names later” stars such as Allen, Blaze, Lucha and Whitlock.
Before we discuss the Ladder Match, the rest of the show definitely did not disappoint as it led up to Summer Showdown’s ultimate main event.
Lottery Selection for #1 Contender Triple Threat
The evening began with the random lottery pick showcased on MCW’s big screen. Images of all eligible MCW wrestlers were randomly showcased until it stopped on three individuals for the Triple Threat Match later in the evening to determine the #1 Contender for Shasta’s heavyweight championship.
Big Hurt, Mike Hercum and Jebediah were each selected allowing the fans to have high expectations for what would later become a phenomenal match.
Bill Martel w/Minka Murder def. “T-Bone” Tony Banks
The opening bout of the evening really started the night off with a bang. If you have not seen either of these two wrestlers compete in live action, you don’t know what you’re missing. Martel is an extremely athletic and intelligent competitor. There was not one single thing in or around the ring that he will not use as a weapon against his opponent.
If that is not enough, Martel has the beautiful but ear-wrenching Minka Murder at his side. Not only will Minka refuse to stay quiet, but she will scream at anyone who gets in her way of her men winning the match and ultimately obtaining an MCW championship. If you are a fan showing support against her, watch out!
Tony Banks is the ultimate powering babyface. He has the look and appeal that draws in the crowd’s support. Not only that, but sitting in the front row you are able to truly experience the size of the man as he walks past you and stands on the second turnbuckle. When he came out, I realized that MCW was definitely for real and they are not a backyard promotion with guys averaging 5’7 185lbs who like to get hit in the head with chairs one too many times.
The match saw Minka continuously working to distract the referee, T-Bone or the fans in some way. Each time, Martel took full advantage and was able to maintain control of the match. Martel is impressive in his athletic ability showcasing beautiful dropkicks and even executed a spinning heel kick off the ropes which I have not seen used by a wrestler in quite some time. Martel is not only an athletic competitor, he also will use his patience to perform submissions wearing down his opponent.
After a front choke, the referee worked to count Banks out and after lifting his arm for the third time, Bank suddenly got a rush of adrenaline to develop an impressive series of offense. Clotheslines, back elbows and sidewalk slams are a staple to his powerful repertoire but most impressive was his execution of a flying shoulder block off the ropes which reminds me so much of a John Cena. The crowd really began to get behind Banks just in time for Minka to grab the referee’s attention. Big Hurt came out from the back and effectively took Banks out of commission by snapping Banks’ neck right off the top rope. Martel quickly took advantage and covered him up for the pin just in time for the referee to deliver the 1…2…3.
SOURCE: www.flickr.com/photos/minkamurder
The fans showed their distaste for Big Hurt and Martel. One fan, a 70-year-old grandmother in MCW’s “Riot Zone” expressed her feelings with a pair of double birds flying in the wind.
Angel Dust vs. Allysin Kay w/Jessicka Havok & Dick Jeremy – NO CONTEST
For a full discussion of this match, please read MCW’s Angel Dust.
Minka … AGAIN!
Minka Murder came out with Big Hurt and Bill Martel. Her high-pitched nauseating voice made it difficult to understand exactly what she was saying, but she predicted that Big Hurt would be winning the Triple Threat Match and becoming the new Heavyweight Champion on June 18th at Summer Showdown – pt II.
MCW Elite Championship Match
“Luscious” Larry Lavender def. “Mr. Insanity” Toby Klein
“Mr. Insanity was the first to arrive to the ring with an expressionless aura. With an attire that is reminiscent of a UFC fighter, Klein is also well equipped with a black and mild that fills the MCW arena with the odor only found from the country’s #1 selling cigar brand. It was interesting how someone with the nickname “Mr. Insanity” really didn’t seem that “insane”. He seemed normal – just quiet and enjoyed his awesome black and mild.
Nevertheless, Larry Lavender invigorated the crowd with his entrance. Singing a classic 80’s rock tune and dressed like Elvis (without the hair), the fans really got behind Larry. The look on Klein’s face clearly showed that he was wondering whether he was in the right place – there was no way anyone could take “Luscious” seriously. Lavender even placed his sunglasses on a special much-deserving fan. Talk about a babyface!
Overall, this match went back and forth. Both men executed a series of moves. Klein was extremely impressive with his use of submissions to continuously wear down Lavender. However, the fans got to “Mr. Insanity” by supporting the Elite Champion with cheers. Lavender quickly came back at Klein’s dismay – eventually pinning the opponent 1…2…3. At the end, “Luscious” still had enough energy in the tank to dance his way back to the locker room.
#1 Contender for Heavyweight Title
Triple Threat Match
Jebediah def. Big Hurt & Mike Hercum
This match began with a two-on-one mauling of Jebediah from Big Hurt and Mike Hercum. Both wrestlers appeared to work extremely well together – and by this, I mean Big Hurt did all the work and Hercum attempted all of the pins. Eventually, Big Hurt realized what was happening and turned his attention to Hercum.
Hurt, who had the gorgeous Minka and supporter Bill Martel at ringside was able to inflict quite a bit of damage on Hercum while Jebediah lied helpless on the corner of the ring. The action quickly took to the outside. Hercum and Big Hurt exchanged blows. Martel came over to lend a hand to Big Hurt allowing for a prime opportunity for Jebediah to get involved. He quickly climbed up to the top rope and leaped off with a body splash leaving all four wrestlers sprawled out on the ground and Minka was completely irate!
One major highlight of the night was when “T-Bone” came back out to seek retribution against Big Hurt and Martel for the loss earlier in the night. He delivered a severe chair shot to the face of Big Hurt that literally bent the chair completely in half. Big Hurt was out for the rest of the match with Minka screaming at him to get up.
When the match became a one-on-one competition, the true match began. Hercum delivered the sharpshooter onto Jebediah twice during the match. The first time, I was impressed with Jebediah’s determination not to tap out especially considering Hercum has made Justin Mane and WWE Tough Enough’s Ryan “Skidmarks” Howe pass out with the very same submission! Jebediah never once stopped moving forward and eventually was able to reach for the bottom rope for the referee to break the hold. Jebediah’s refusal to quit was the true story of the match. Hercum never stopped delivering blow after blow on Jebediah even when he made a few minor attempts to build an offense.
In the end, Jebediah defeated Hercum with his awareness and quickness. Hercum went for his second and final sharpshooter right in the middle of the ring which clearly would have ended the match. As Hercum twisted the legs and went to turn him over, Jebediah quickly rolled him into a small package leading to the referee to count 1…2…3.
The fans went crazy!! Hercum sat in the corner of the ring distraught and amazed at what just happened. Jebediah climbed to the second turnbuckles in the ring to raise his hands in victory to the fans. Just then – the MCW Heavyweight Champion Shasta came out from the locker room. He walked straight to the ring, climbed up the steps and went face-to-face with Jebediah in the middle of the ring. The crowd was on their feet waiting to see these two explode! Shasta surprised everyone and offered the new #1 Contender a congratulatory handshake. Both men shook hands and walked back to the locker room as the MCW staff prepared for the ladder match MAIN EVENT!
MAIN EVENT
Tag Team Championship Match
Ladder Match Rules
Broski Express (Sean Allen & Shawn Blaze) def. Supa Lucha & Wilbur Whitlock
Wilbur Whitlock made himself famous in this match by taking some of the absolute worst punishment off of a ladder. One member of the Broski Express took Whitlock and performed a Leg hook reverse STO (Mr. Anderson’s “Mic Check” finishing move) off the upper rungs of the ladder. Towards the beginning of the match, Whitlock was face-planted through a wooden ladder, breaking it in half and busting him wide open – blood dripping down his face. He also took one of the worst shots I have seen when he was on the receiving end of a leaping powerbomb off the top of the ladder. But this wasn’t any normal powerbomb (if you can call a powerbomb off a ladder normal), sent Whitlock straight through a ladder that had been propped up against the turnbuckle breaking the (METAL!) ladder right in half. It was impressive that Whitlock wasn’t broken in half himself, although he remained folded in half with the ladder for quite some time until he recovered the energy to get back into the fight.
Aside from Whitlock’s receipt of hardcore ladder punishment, Supa Lucha had his own highlights. The best highlight of the night came when Lucha pulled the tallest ladder from the corner of the MCW Arena all the way to the side of the ring. He climbed up the ladder and used his arms to climb the rafters! on his way to reaching for the Tag Team Titles. Shawn Blaze caught on to what was happening, but Lucha was too high for him to do much about it. Even so, Lucha being the high flying risk taker that he is dropped from the rafters into the middle of the ring and delivered a devastating blow to Blaze taking the energy (and wind!) out of both men.
I definitely pity the announcer who called this match because there was so much action going on all at once during the ENTIRE match. Even when Lucha and Whitlock were able to amount an offense, Blaze and Allen never looked like they were ever close to losing this match. Their veteran poise kept both men patient and allowed them to inflict the perfect amount of damage with every blow they delivered.
In the end, Broski Express won this match because they were the better team. Lucha and Whitlock were good friends, but a tag team they were not. Allen & Blaze are now the proud owners of the MCW Tag Team titles because they kept working together the entire match. Lucha and Whitlock went on their own and tried to go one-on-one against one member of the Broski Express. This does not mean that they were not impressive with their offensive moves, but Allen & Blaze were always able to bring it back together and work as a team. Their ability to work as a team even put Supa Lucha completely out of the match when the Alliance, OH paramedics had to be called in to carry him back to the locker room. Say what you will about wrestling, but Supa Lucha was legitimately hurt and may have sustained SERIOUS injuries.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Altogether this was an AMAZING show! MCW prides itself on delivering the best possible matches at every single event, both big and small. Summer Showdown did not disappoint and left every single fan in the MCW Arena extremely pleased.
This one night from start to finish was better than any single WWE or TNA pay-per-view I have seen all year long. I would also argue that MCW’s tag team ladder match rivals any single main event that either company has put on in 2011 – and this is no joke!
MCW will return on June 18th with part two of Summer Showdown in Alliance, OH. Doors open at 7:00pm EST and the opening bell is at 7:30pm. If you can’t make the next MCW event, I highly recommend that you visit MCWpro.com and view their store at http://mcwpro.com/store.html to purchase past MCW DVD’s and all of your favorite wrestlers’ t-shirts. More merchandise to come in the future!
Don’t miss out now on your chance to purchase tickets for June 18th. Tickets purchased in advance are $10 or they cost $12 at the door. Also, MCW announced that they will no longer have special front row reserved seating. All seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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