LLW: Chapter 2, Turn The Page Review

This highly anticipated show was fittingly named; it was the second show under the new LLW Booker’s direction and everyone wanted to see if he and the stars of LLW could deliver the goods again. Revelations marked a new beginning for LLW and was hailed by many as the “Best LLW show ever.” Chapter 2 had some major hype to live up too…

Originally scheduled for July 28th, needed repairs to the roof of the venerable LLW Arena forced a late change to Aug 3rd. LLW scrambled to secure the announced roster’s availability for the new date and inform fans of the change but that little hurdle was nothing compared to what came next… To put it bluntly, the shit hit the biscuit.

The LLW Arena is better known as Unit 13. It is home to the Living Legends Wrestling Academy. Unit 13 management also has stakes in LLWA and LLW (plus other interests.) Unit 13 is run independent to LLW and LLWA, often renting out to other promotions. Stranglehold, NSW and NWP have all run shows out of Unit 13.

Just prior to LLW’s Chapter 2, Turn the Page show, it was learned that Unit 13 had been rented to “Backyarders” masquerading as professionals. These untrained wannabes intended to “run a wrestling show” at Unit 13 to showcase their playground bastardization of the business.

Reaction from the Ontario Indy Wrestling community was fast and severe. Wrestlers and fans alike demanded the “show” be stopped. The OIW message board became the forum for debate and things got heated quickly when supporters of the Backyarders joined in and shockingly, Unit 13 management did not.

That silence enraged some people and their venom spilled not just on Unit 13 but LLW as well due to the connections between them on a management level. Some even threatened to boycott the LLW show if the Backyarders weren’t shut down.

Just when it appeared that a full-on armed conflict was eminent, LLW promoter, Ricky Stardust cleared the air about the Backyarders, LLW and Unit 13. He explained that he had been off the internet during the shit-storm of debate due to habitat relocation. (He moved.) Stardust apologized for not exhibiting due diligence in checking the credentials of the fraudulent wannabe wrestlers and announced that they had been booted from Unit 13.

*That didn’t stop the debate on the OIW board. It morphed into a more generalized rant about the state of the business until board moderators locked it down. The two threads make for an interesting read. You can find them here and here. I recommend you check them out. Some very well spoken arguments and insights into modern indy wrestling from fans and stars. (Except Frank Fronte, who couldn’t form an independent thought even if his life depended on it.)

So… after all the hype, all the logistical obstacles, all the controversy, LLW needed Chapter 2, Turn the Page to blow the fans away to prove they’re the real deal. I think every single person in attendance that hot, humid Friday night would agree that LLW can check this one… Mission Accomplished.

According to fans I talked to, the show was “Amazing!” “Fantastic!” “Awesome!” “Best show of the year!” In my opinion it’s too soon to tell about that last one but Chapter 2, Turn the Page is certainly among the top contenders. Here’s what went down…

Scheduled to start at 7pm, the show kicked off 10 minutes late. (Which is pretty darn good for an indy show.) LLW Commissioner Ricky Stardust welcomed fans to the show and tossed free T-shirts. Whatever he was going to say remains a mystery because Tha O Show’s resident HipHop star, Dan-e-o, ran from the back and attacked Stardust from behind with a steel chair.

The dreadlocked little son of a bitch pounded Stardust viciously to the mat. He grabbed the mic and began ranting about “starting a new era” in LLW, pausing often to smash Ricky with the chair. The assault continued until Notorious T.I.D. showed up and the place went nuts!

Chants of “T-I-D” and “Welcome back” filled the air as the Ontario icon walked to the ring. Obviously recovered sufficiently enough from the life-threatening leg injury he suffered that he no longer requires a wheelchair, TID was as intimidating as ever. Dan-e-o quickly hip-hopped his ass from the ring in fear.

TID ridiculed Dan-e-o by asking “Are you a man, a midget… a white guy?” He demanded the diminutive dirtbag drag his dreadlocks back into the ring. When Dan-e-o did finally re-enter the ring, he tried sucking up to TID but the hardcore legend said he was going to kill him. TID exited the arena to thunderous applause, leaving the quivering little rapper and the fans to wonder just when the “music” will die. Dan-e-o joined Big Daddy Donnie in the O's nest to assume his broadcast duties. (And no doubt play the tough guy now that he felt safe.)

LLW Light-Heavyweight Championship: Josh Taylor (c) vs Jay Fenix

Winner: Josh Taylor

Taylor & Fenix were given the opening slot and delivered a scintillating performance that had fans going wild. Very hard hitting and intense throughout, the match looked exactly as it should considering the reason for it; the Light-Heavyweight title.

Taylor won the title at Revelations but the circumstances were mired in controversy. The belt was up for grabs in a Royal Rumble style match. Taylor and Fenix drew 1 & 2 respectively. Taylor was eliminated by Fenix after the 8th entry. Four entrants later, an unknown masked man joined the fight.

There were about 10 guys in the ring when the masked guy slipped unnoticed under the ropes to the floor where he crouched in hiding. Fenix appeared to win the match when he outlasted all other competitors; last dumping Timothy Dalton over the ropes. As Fenix was celebrating on the ropes, the masked guy suddenly jumped into the ring and tossed him to the floor. As Fenix fell he stripped the mask to reveal Josh Taylor who was awarded the belt. A wild brawl erupted between Fenix and Josh that saw Fenix busted wide open. Other wrestlers finally separated the two and this match was set.

With that kind of history between them it made perfect sense for this match to start with Taylor trying for a cheap shot with the belt. Fenix avoided that move and answered with a series of forearms and punches that had Josh reeling, dripping blood from the nose.

Fenix continued the emotion fueled assault with chops and other strikes while Taylor resorted to cheating when his aerial attack was shrugged off by his larger foe. Both guys looked like they wanted to win. There was little to no verbal exchanges or entreaties to the fans. It added greatly to the believability that these two guys were really tearing each other apart for reasons both personal and professional.

Taylor survived a brutal German suplex and began dominating the action with well timed eye gouges and chokes. Fenix kicked out of two top rope crossbody dives and turned a third into a spinning back-breaker over the knee. Taylor managed a Tornado DDT but missed a wild swing with the belt. The two exchanged a series of quick pin attempts that ended with Taylor grabbing the tights to get the win and retain his title.

Jay Fenix… Josh Alexander… The Artist Formally Known as Tassel Bitch… whatever you want to call him is simply put; amazing. Ontario Indy’s 2006 Rookie of the Year is truly a superstar ascending.

Josh Taylor has really stepped up his game of late and this was the best effort I’ve ever seen from him. Without the anchor that is “Kraft Dinner” Kyle Davenport dragging him down, Josh has been able to show fans what he’s truly made of.

LLW made a smart move putting these two young talents in the Light-Heavyweight picture. The announcement of the title’s creation was met with hefty skepticism and a “Who cares? Another championship?” type attitude. Now, just two matches into the division, the Light-Heavyweight belt means something; thanks in no small part to the talents of Taylor & Fenix. I’d love to see Taylor have an extended run with this belt. It would elevate both he and the title. Not to mention provide some smoking hot undercard action on each show. (Not that LLW is lacking in that department.)

*Whoa! What the hell is this… a book?

It’s MY review and I’ll do whatever I want with it. If you want the condensed version… read the Results section. LLW put a lot of effort into Chapter 2, Turn the Page. If you weren’t there… you should have been. BUY THE DVD WHEN IT COMES OUT! In the meantime, read the review. Take a break if you have too. It’ll still be here when you get back.

Twenty some minutes into the show and already LLW has taken fans on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

- The opening feeding frenzy over free swag.

- Dan-e-o’s brutal assault on Stardust

- TID’s triumphant return.

- The scorching hot Light-Heavyweight title bout.

What the hell do you give fans after that? How about two guys beating the shit out of each other with their careers on the line?

Career vs Career: Shawn Morgan w/ Mr Mason vs Logan Savage

Winner: Logan Savage

This undercard feud was almost too short to qualify for that description. It seemed to start from nothing personal; just two guys trying to make their mark in LLW. They first hooked up back in May on the Steel City Slaughter show. Morgan, accompanied at that time by Jules, defeated Savage. (He was managed by Mercy.) Fans were divided pretty evenly in their support.

At Revelations Morgan had replaced Jules with the irritant called Mr Mason and again defeated Savage who was sans managerial assistance. Thanks in no small part to Mr Mason’s antics and Morgan’s increasingly bad attitude, the fans rallied behind Savage despite his history of rule-breaking habits.

This Career vs Career Match wasn’t even booked for Chapter 2, Turn the Page. It was Logan Savage who demanded LLW make the match. In a wild Youtube video promo Savage destroyed Morgan’s car while making the challenge. Morgan responded with a video of his own and, just days before the show, LLW announced the match to the fans.

It all seemed a little rushed to me, second match in is for the highest stakes imaginable. One of these guys was going to lose it all. The previous two matches had been intense and Logan might have rightfully felt that he’d been screwed out of a victory (or two) but sheesh! Career vs Career? I’ll admit that I had some reservations about this contest living up to the final severity of the stipulation. I needn’t have worried. Morgan & Savage provided a great match! Too bad Mr Mason got in the way of it being as dramatic a conclusion as it could have been…

Mason cut a promo while Morgan paced the ring in sullen concentration but the fans were so loud with their jeers and taunts that I couldn’t hear a word of it. When Savage arrived the taunts turned to cheers. Savage as a good guy is hard to believe but there it was. If he was shocked at the reception he got from the LLW faithful, he didn’t show it. He attacked Morgan as soon as he stepped through the ropes.

The two gave no pretense about wrestling each other as they opened things up with an extended strike exchange with short elbows being the weapon of choice. Savage was like a man possessed and soon had the larger Morgan reeling and on the defensive.

Morgan went to the tights and retrieved some kind of object that he used to flatten Savage. Logan was busted open and writhing in pain on the mat. Morgan grabbed a chair but ref Dave Linton stopped him from using it so he wedged it in the ropes instead.

Savage avoided the chair on a whip but got planted with a power-slam. Morgan missed a top rope moonsault (Yea, Morgan did a top rope moonsault!) and Savage rammed him into the chair busting him open too.

The match from that point was back and forth as each man pulled out the heavy offense. The action was stiff, quick and very believable. Each of them looked like winning (or maybe more accurately; not losing) was the most important thing in the world. When Savage pinned Morgan the LLW Arena erupted in cheers.

Logan took his bows and returned to the dressing room as Morgan sat dejected in the ring. Mr Mason started talking but once again the fans drowned him out; this time with the “Goodbye Song.” Had Mason not been there, or at least kept his mouth shut, it could have been Morgan’s finest moment ever in the ring instead of just his last.

I like Mr Mason. He’s a capable heel manager (Not as good as Dan-e-o, light years better than “Kraft Dinner” Kyle Davenport.) but he didn’t need to be there at all. This match drama could have been so much better if it was just the two principal players involved. Had Morgan wrestled that same match without Mr Mason at ringside he probably would have received the accolades and adulation he deserved in the form of a standing ovation or “Thank you” chant. He was excellent in portraying a man who has lost everything but slowly finds pride in knowing he gave his all in an honorable battle.

Don’t get me wrong, the match was great; probably the best effort I’ve seen from either man. It was so close to being awesome but fell just short. (Missed by a Mason you might say.)

By this time the air in the LLW Arena was electric (and very hot.) Fans had seen two very competitive emotionally charged bouts. With 7 more matches yet to be held I was interested in seeing what came next. The Chant Monkeys led the crowd in a spirited “Open the bay door” chant which got me thinking that comedy would be the perfect follow-up. Comedy is what we got…

Handicap Match: Crazy Steve vs The Gym Rats (Scotty O’Shea & Alex York)

Winner: The Gym Rats

Set up and betrayed by the Gym Rats during the Light-Heavyweight Royal Rumble at Revelations, Crazy Steve apparently demanded this 2 on 1 match. Steve’s totally over the top loveable nut-bar character is among the most popular Ontario Indy personalities. The Gym Rats only recently slipped from the wave of popularity and fan favor. Their heel turn has been slow enough that many fans didn’t believe it was truly happening. This match would prove it was no joke.

Crazy Steve arrived in a straightjacket and fur skirt. He didn’t seem particularly angry at the Rats but then, he never really seems anything but crazy most of the time.

The Gym Rats entered the ring in Dollar Store dress attire. Alex York said he and O’Shea represented what “wrestlers are supposed to look like.” (I guess he’d be right if wrestlers were supposed to look like an ad from the Sears Back to School Catalogue.) O’Shea got on the mic and said something about “our own personal trainer” but the fans drowned him out by screaming for Steve to “bite their faces off!” Eventually the Rats gave up on the promo and stripped to their baggy, shiny, boxer shorts (that Sears Back to School Catalogue models are supposed to wrestle in) and the match got underway.

O’Shea and York seized control early thanks to the 2 on 1 advantage but Steve did manage some offense, including dumping York over the top rope onto his partner which got a big pop. The Rats cut Steve off at the ropes and came back strong with a double suplex.

Fans cheered as Steve rallied in earnest, using one Gym Rat as a weapon against the other. He tied both guys up in the ropes and punished them further. Suddenly Rees Reynolds (aka Prodigy) ran to the ring and spit water into Steve’s face. The Rats took quick advantage of the distraction, pinning Steve to win the match.

All 3 bad guys started beating on Steve after the bell. Steve Brown entered the ring and added his considerable bulk to the party. Eventually ref Turnip was able to break things up and Steve was able to make his way to the back.

The bout was all of 5 minutes in length but very spirited. Steve pummeling Scotty O’Shea, using Alex York as a weapon, was as amazing as it was funny. I’ll give York this: he’s a resilient little bastard. He took a hard bump to his hip bouncing off the apron when Steve tossed him over the ropes but continued full steam ahead.

The Gym Rats are typical of many modern indy wrestlers; which is to say they are atypical of traditional beliefs about what wrestlers are supposed to look like. The thing about O’Shea & York is that they’re pretty damn good. They have studied, worked, practiced and trained at the craft of the art. Small they may be but, used correctly by astute bookers, the Gym Rats can provide fan enjoyment and product marketability without infringing or embarrassing the more tradition based look, style and presentation of the upper-card “big boys.”

* By the way, In the past, I’ve questioned certain aspects of Crazy Steve’s abilities. I believed his gimmick heavy performances compensated for skills that weren’t as sharp or developed as many people claimed. “Most Under-rated” is a statement I heard a lot about Steve and one I discounted, believing instead that Steve’s comedic style hid an average wrestler’s talent level. Well… I hereby state for the record that I was wrong about Crazy Steve.

I have been watching Steve closely and I’ve come to realize that he is much more than I ever gave him credit for. The man is a very skilled performer giving the fans what they want to see. Beneath that weird make-up and behind that crazy-ass nutcase persona is one of the best workers in the province. I must have had my head up my own ass not to see that from the start. (They don’t call me the wizard of idiots for nuthin’ folks.)

No DQ, Steel City Championship: Reggie Marley (c) vs Andrew Davis

Winner: Reggie Marley

The high pre-show anticipation for this match had nothing to do with a history or storyline between Marley and Davis because there wasn’t one. It was the anticipation of their singular personal histories colliding over what has become one of Ontario’s most coveted trophies; the Steel City Championship belt, which fueled fan interest in this match.

Can the Steel City title change a man? Evidence suggests that it can. Thirst for the belt turned Danny Magnum from out of focus under-card brawler to single-minded main event monster. Phil Latio returned from semi-retirement, obstentiously to fight for his injured friend, Notorious TID. Phil wrestled what some are calling his greatest matches while the Steel City title was on the line. When he lost it to Marley at Revelations Phil Latio gave a heartfelt retirement speech despite having lost under dubious circumstances. And Marley? He was more heel than face. Or maybe just a face who took full advantage of the Steel City title’s No DQ stipulation.

In any case, the man from Jamaica had the full support of the fans for his defense against Davis. Reggie has a “coolness” about him and an obvious sense of humor. He’s a skilled wrestler and a better brawler than many people know. A situation he is rectifying with his rise in the Steel City division.

Andrew Davis has not grabbed the spotlight like Marley. He has quietly gone about supplying fans and promoters with whatever is asked of him. Perhaps best known for tagging with brother Bruno, Davis hasn’t reached the top plateau where those unanimously accepted as Ontario’s Best reside. Recent matches against Ontario Top Team partner Jake O’Reilly have elevated Davis’s stock considerably. His victory over Jake at Revelations and their amazing NSW Strong Style Tournament final match (that Jake won) gave Davis the credentials to warrant a title shot.

Both men are big muscled guys who like to mix up a ground based power attack with scientific mat skills so it was no surprise the action started that way. It was also no surprise to see Marley bail to the outside when Davis gained the advantage after the pace sped up.

Davis followed Marley to the floor but an exchange of strikes led to him being introduced face-first to the ring post. The first “Holy shit” chant of the night came after Reggie threw an empty Dr Pepper bottle at Davis who was discombobulated on the floor. Marley dragged his opponent up into Chant Monkey territory on the bleachers and applied the dreaded 2 Man Bobsled. (Like the Machine Gun, the 2 Man Bobsled is short on physical damage and long on humiliation for the victim. Big time fun for the fans though.)

The brawl made its way back through the fans with Davis inflicting most of the punishment. Reggie enlisted the aid of a semi-willing ref Linton to regain control. (He actually got the official to hold a chair which he ran Davis into.) Many more “Holy shit” chants accompanied the lengthy fight on the outside. When the action returned to the ring Marley and Davis traded big moves and pinning attempts, some involving a chair. Reggie finally countered what looked to be a Bulldog attempt with an Atomic Drop onto the chair then nailed Andrew with Greetings From Jamaica for the win.

Reggie Marley is on a role. Only a couple matches into his reign and already some are whispering “unbeatable.” While most fans may not go that far, there is little doubt that they thought Andrew Davis couldn’t do it.

I thought otherwise and predicted Davis would take the title. I’d correctly predicted the winners of the previous 3 matches but knew I’d gone out on a limb here. It was more an emotional hope than a logical conclusion or educated guess. I knew that Davis had the skill; intensity and power to demonstrate that he could beat Marley, even if he didn’t, and this match proved I was right about that.

It says a lot about the depth of the LLW roster that even with most of their top guys involved in the two main events, they had a guy as talented as Davis ready and able to step into a high profile singles match in a division with a reputation for providing great matches. But I doubt anyone was thinking about that right after the match because Davis’ Ontario Top Team cohorts, Jake O’Reilly and Otis Idol, rushed the ring and attacked Marley.

Davis joined in the beatdown but Reggie was able to roll out of the ring and escape to the back. O’Reilly got on the mic and said Davis “was cheated.” Fans were very hostile at this point and got hotter when Otis took the mic and began talking smack about the AJPW stars he and Jake were scheduled to face. Soon enough, Akira Raijin and Brute Issei arrived to confront the heel triad.

Ontario Top Team (Jake O’Reilly & Otis Idol) vs AJPW Stars (Akira Raijin & Brute Issei)

Winners: Ontario Top Team

Brute and Akira were accompanied to the ring by Japanese interpreter, Johnny Yokina. However, he was not a factor in preventing the three Ontario Top Team members from attacking the AJPW stars after a brief stare-down. Brute and Akira shrugged off the attack and the heels bailed with Andrew Davis finally heading to the back.

Jake and Otis stalled for a bit but met their larger opponents head-on once they returned to the ring in action that was dominated by striking exchanges. Brutal chops all around had chests welted and red. Issei’s size and power had Idol stymied and Jake yelled “attack the leg” over and over but his partner tried matching upper body strength instead which yielded little success.

O’Reilly and Idol shifted tactics and began using ref distracts and cheats to isolate and dominate Akira. Brute could do nothing but watch from the apron as the heels worked Akira over. Finally, after an extended beating, Akira was able to make the hot tag when Idol missed a move from the top rope. Brute immediately took over on a weakened Idol. When his partner was scooped up by the enormous AJPW star, Jake entered the ring and delivered a vicious chop block to Brute’s knee. The genial giant crumpled to the mat and Idol scored the pin.
I predicted that this would be the best pure wrestling match of the show. I also predicted it would end in a draw. I was half right. It made sense to use the visiting AJPW stars to develop and strengthen the LLW Ontario Top Team contingent. O’Reilly and Idol worked very well together and generated extreme heat with fans. (Add Davis and they’re a sure bet to shake up the Trifecta ranks.)

Jake O’Reilly is freakin’ amazing! I loved how he pointed out Brute’s obviously injured knee as a target his partner should attack and then later exploited that weakness to gain the victory. Details like that add so much to the believability of a match being a true competitive challenge.

A tag match in a promotion that doesn’t even have a traditional tag division could be considered filler or a throw-away to use available talent; perhaps even unnecessary. Not Otis & O’Reilly vs Raijin & Issei. I think this match did much to further the development of Ontario Top Team’s aura and credentials as a viable threat to anyone and everyone on the LLW Roster.

It’s strong, sensible matches like this one that develop an emotional investment in fans towards the participants. One of the strengths of any successful fed is to repopulate their ever changing main event tier with talent that fans instantly accept as credible. That can only happen with careful attention to the character and plot development of wrestlers lower on the roster. Every match should work toward the long range plan in a consistent fashion to avoid logistical breakdowns that can temper or even sever fan interest. Stuff like…

On the last 3 shows the guy wrestled 3 meaningless tag matches with 3 different partners against 3 equally random teams and now he’s getting a title shot for the companies top singles belt? Yawn.

Intermission: Fans headed outside looking for cooler air as LLW staff hung the Trifecta Championship belts from the ceiling above the ring. (The 3 aluminum ladders were already leaning against the LLW Arena’s “dead wall” when the doors opened.) I made sure to hit the Hammerlock Video table for some DVD purchases. (The Kamala and New Jack shoots, Steel City Slaughter and even a couple Dan-e-o CDs)

Ladder Match, Trifecta Championship: Club Sexxx (Dan Morris, HHV & Sebastian Suave w/ Jules) vs Deathproof (Matt Bison, Devon Parkside & Rip Impact w/Amy Victory) (c)

Winners and NEW LLW Trifecta Champions: Club Sexxx

Even before looking at the combatants or the history that led them to this blowout conflict, one must pause and consider why this match was historic in and of itself. Has there ever been a Trifecta Ladder match before? Three belts hung from the rafters with a team needing 2 of the 3 to score a victory? I can’t find any record of such a match occurring anywhere prior to this. LLW captured lightning in a bottle with this concept and the Club Sexxx / Deathproof feud was the perfect vehicle to showcase it.

These two teams have been battling for months. It was Club Sexx that lost to Deathproof in the finals of the tournament to crown the first ever Trifecta champs at Triple Crown back in January. Deathproof’s subsequent run with the titles has served to infuriate Club Sexxx; driving them to ever increasing levels of vicious chicanery. Losing their Number 1 Contender status to The Flatliners and Ruffy Silverstein at Fallout in February, when they already considered themselves uncrowned champs only pissed them off more. (Deathproof successfully defended the belts against Jay Fenix, Prodigy & Timothy Dalton at the same show.)

Club Sexxx regained their Number 1 Contender status at Steel City Slaughter and scored a moral victory at Mayhem when Morris & HHV defeated Parkside & Bison in a regular tag but that match did little to assuage their thirst for the Trifecta gold. In fact, they were incensed that a title shot was not part of that show.

At Revelations Club Sexxx were once again denied a chance at the belts and collectively snapped, attacking Rip Impact during the Light-Heavyweight Royal Rumble. Parkside tried aiding his partner but without Matt Bison to even the odds, he and Impact suffered a hellacious beating. During that assault, Sebastian Suave used a ladder to brutalize Impact. That attack spurred LLW to finally book the rematch between these teams, and to make that contest a ladder match. And what a match it was!

I can’t begin to describe the action because with 6 men going full-out from bell to bell with ladders as play toys there was just too much going on for me to do anything but sit back and enjoy the show. You’ll have to BUY THE DVD to see what went down but here’s a few highlights…

HHV was the first to taste a ladder courtesy of a Rip Impact monkey flip.

Impact grabbed the first belt for Deathproof then did an insane dive from the ladder to the outside.

Suave grabbed the second belt to even it up.

Jules entered the action late in the match and attempted to grab the last belt herself. She was dumped from the ladder and landed hard on the mat. She rolled out to the floor and ALL the participants except Parkside and Suave went out to check on her.

Parkside made a climb for the final belt but Suave picked him off the ladder and delivered a sick German suplex into another one leaning in the corner before retrieving the strap and thus winning the match and the championship for Club Sexxx.

Bison was pissed at Bison & Impact for loosing focus. He slapped Bison in the face, screamed “I’m Deathproof” and stormed out alone. Jules & Club Sexxx celebrated their win but the fans declined to join in the festivities.

Having predicted a win for Club Sexxx, I was happy to see them finally get their due as I have long believed them to be one of Ontario’s most under-rated teams. Replacing original member Josh Taylor with Suave proved to be smart thinking (or damn good luck) because he was the major factor in them winning the match. (He was also the one who brought this match on by pummeling Impact with a ladder at the Revelations show. Jules taking the big bump shows that she’s just as determined as her charges to do what it takes to get ahead.

The Devon Parkside subplot played out well. It looks like Deathproof could be finished and feuds with Bison and/or Impact are eminent. This is a good thing. There is basis for his anger. Impact’s singles aspirations put the team on the back burner for two shows and to have his teammates basically forfeit the match (and the titles) by caring about the welfare of the enemy (Jules) was obviously more than he could stand.

I’m not sure how Amy Victory’s presence in this match played into this scenario. She seemed to be more Impact’s manager than Deathproof’s. This girl gets around. She was with Dan-e-o awhile back. Never really sides with fan favorites so it was strange to see her with perennial good guy Rip Impact. Of course, most fans didn’t care why she was there because she looked smoking hot!

I tip my wizard hat to everyone involved in this match. These guys killed themselves in there to provide fans a thrilling conclusion to what has been one of Ontario Indy’s top feuds of the year. Thank you all. (Having said that, I must also say that HHV desperately needs new trunks!)

Ditz & Glitz (Cherry Bomb & Krystal Banks) vs Jennifer Blake & Haley Rogers

Winners: Jennifer Blake & Haley Rogers

Blake entered the ring to cheers but soon had fans wondering what was up as she began ripping on her scheduled partner, Danyah, for not being there. Considering that Blake and Danyah have been feuding for some time now, it seemed an unlikely alliance to start with and Jen’s promo almost ensures that they won’t be teaming up anytime in the future either. Blake introduced Haley Rogers as someone “worthy” of being her partner.

Rogers was a perfect fit for Blake’s new bitch attitude. The woman is a natural born heel. Super hot and totally cool at the same time, Rogers is on the verge of breaking out big time and her joining LLW will only hasten that ascent to wider recognition. Not that Ditz & Glitz cared that much. They had new ring attire and looked great! Of course, Cherry and Krystal also had the fan’s support and a history of tagging together so they (and I) figured a random pairing would pose little threat. Big mistake that was.

The heels attacked before the bell but Cherry & Banks turned the tables rather quickly and some quick tandem offense had Blake and Rogers scurrying to regroup. It wasn’t until Blake was able to knock Cherry from the apron that they were able to double up on Banks and secure the advantage. Ref distracts and cheats kept Krystal from making a tag but she refused to go down and fought against the odds until finally she was able to tag her impatient partner into the match.

Cherry Bomb dominated Blake and Rogers; even generating a “head gag” normally only seen in men’s matches. Blake took the brunt of the beating but avoided the pin, even when Banks joined Cherry to double team her. Rogers pulled Cherry to the outside and Blake rocked a distracted Krystal with a lungblower to score the winning pinfall.

This was a very solid 8 minutes of action that proved its worth near the top of the card. LLW’s women’s division has really picked up as of late. There’s room for growth here and it looks like LLW plans to develop the women’s division beyond student matches and/or eye candy displays. If they continue to use talent like these ladies and let them kick out the jams in matches like this one, there’s little doubt that LLW will soon have a women’s division to rival any other in the province.

LLW Heavyweight Championship: Ruffy Silverstein (c) vs Matt Burns w/ Amy Victory

Winner: Ruffy Silverstein

More history, more drama, more logical storylines that keep fan interest high. In this instance, this match was born of the Trifecta division. Ruffy was teaming with the Flatliners (Burns & Asylum) but left them to go it alone in a title match because of a desire for singles glory. Now the LLW Heavyweight champion, Silverstein was the target of a pissed-off Flatliner looking for a little payback. With his partner out of the country Burns petitioned the LLW booker for a shot at Ruffy’s title. Since most of the other top guys were slated to fight it out for the #1 Contender’s spot in the main event it was fortuitous that this match basically booked itself.

Burns came to the ring with Amy Victory but they hardly looked like a team. He was rough and harsh with her. She looked more angry than upset about the way she was being treated. (Again, Victory’s part in this seemed desperately random. She’s been all over the charts with her character direction and thus loses any continuity connection to storylines. I hope she finds a suitable niche soon because she’s better over the long haul than she is as a random bit player. Maybe I’m missing something here but I think Amy could be used far more effectively than she has been.)

Burns attacked Silverstein as he made his entrance and the two battled hard at the ropes. Ruffy dropped Burns with a brutal DDT on the apron to gain the solid advantage. Amy supplied some distraction which gave Burns the opportunity to take control.

Ruffy suffered under Burns’ assault until the Flatliner missed a top rope moonsault and appeared to injure his knee. At that point Amy walked out in apparent disgust. Ruffy and Burns didn’t seem to notice her departure (I don’t think many fans did either) and continued to hit each other with high impact moves. It was a fantastic display by two very talented performers but lacked the angry intensity the bout started with. In the end, Burns tapped out to the Sharpshooter. After the bout, Ruffy climbed to the crows nest but I guess we’ll have to wait for the DVD release to see what he said to Tha O Show guys.

A damn good match (and another correct predicted outcome by yours truly.) It’s interesting to note that Burns & Silverstein share the curse of fan favor. Burns was obviously supposed to be the bad guy here but try as he might (and tossing a woman around is trying pretty hard) he just can’t get the fans to hate him. Ruffy suffers the same fate every time he plays bad guy too. Fans cheered both guys… maybe that’s why the “anger” faded as the match progressed.

6 Pack Elimination Match to Determine #1 Contender to the Heavyweight Championship: Derek Wylde vs Eddie Osbourne w/ Jessy Jones vs Geza Kalman vs Cody Deaner vs Hayden Avery vs Tyson Dux

Winner: Derek Wylde

Wow. Talk about a stacked line-up! Truly a collection of Ontario Indy’s elite. Originally Danny Magnum was booked to compete but an injury during training took him out of the match. (He was in attendance, arm in a sling, watching the action from the back row of fans with Mike Rollins and others) Tyson Dux was a last minute replacement and certainly proved he was more than a random patch for the missing 6th man.

I could give a passable description of the match action but frankly, I think it would be a disservice to the men involved to try and encapsulate their efforts into a few descriptive paragraphs. This match was incredible! One of the best main events of the year and definitely in the running for the best multi-man contest I’ve seen anywhere. How could it not be with talent like this?

Geza Kalman’s LLW debut, Tyson’s insertion in the match, the cross promotional feud between Deaner & Avery. frontrunner for Wrestler of the Year honors, Derek Wylde and everyone’s favorite clown prince of bad guys, Eddie Osbourne. How could this have been anything but fantastic? Despite the heat and the fact that they had been cheering their heads off for over 2 hours, fans raised the roof of the LLW arena from the opening bell to the final pinfall. Without question this was my pick for Match of the Night.

I urge everyone to pick up the DVD because this is one match you definitely want in your collection. (Hell, the whole show for that matter.) Here’s a brief run-down of the order of elimination…

Osbourne submitted to Geza’s ground and pound attack at the 12 minute mark.

Wylde pinned Avery seconds later after a Danger Destroyer. (Thus eliminating my pick to win.)

Danny Magnum attacked Geza Kalman and the two brawled at ringside causing Geza’s elimination by count-out at the 15 minute mark.

Dux pinned Deaner following a Brain Buster at 19 minutes.

Wylde pinned Dux to win the match at the 22 minute mark after hitting 3 consecutive DVDs.

After the match Ruffy Silverstein entered the ring and offered Wylde a handshake. Derek declined saying “I’ll see you later.” Silverstein made a point of telling me to let fans know that Wylde’s “got no class.”

Final Thoughts:

The best LLW show I’ve ever seen! They continue to develop and grow like few other promotions. They are doing almost everything right and what little jagged edges there are will soon be patched over. I have little doubt of that. Be sure to make LLW shows a MUST SEE on your wrestling calendar. You won’t be disappointed.

There were a couple of things about Chapter 2, Turn the Page that I found lacking… the inclusion of Mr Mason into the Savage/Morgan bout and the randomness of Amy Victory’s role(s) on the card. I’ve already discussed Mason but Amy deserves another paragraph. (What’s one more at this point, right?)

Victory needs a set role is she is to be used effectively or don’t use her at all. It does little for her character or the matches she’s inserted in if it’s just a random spot. If she’s a manager, give her a wrestler, team or stable and let her run with it. She’s capable of great things on the mic and could add greatly to a team lacking a heat generating catalyst. Better yet, let her wrestle.

Anyway, it was a great show. Thanks to LLW for delivering the goods when it really counted and a huge THANK YOU to all the performers who went out there and busted their asses for the fans in attendance.

Be sure to check out the LLW Website for news and upcoming show info.

Mrs Id’s photos of the show can be found here

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