GCW:Nick Gage Invitational 3

The Show started with A tribute to Nate Hatred. 

Jimmy Lloyd v. Shlak in a First-Round Match

First Round of the NGI let's get it. These dudes started the fucking match in the rafters! The first thing to happen was Jimmy Lloyd getting thrown off through a table with light tubes on it. Shlak also hit the flaming elbow through a pane of glass. Jimmy finally got the better of Shlak by driving him through a Door. This was a perfect way to start a tournament, these dudes both killed each other and were intense right out of the gate.  This is what Death Match wrestling is.

Jimmy Lloyd advanced via pinfall 

5/5

Scotty Vortekz v. Nick Gage in a First-Round Match 

We had our next First Round Match.  Nick Gage was in his prime here. He was just giving chops and going through glass like nobody's business. I haven't seen much of Scotty Vortekz but he was a good High Flyer and hung in there well with Gage. This match was great and kept the momentum of the tournament going.

Nick Gage advanced via pinfall

4/5

Isami Hodaka v. G-Raver in a First-Round Match 

This is another First Round Match.  I have nothing nice to say about G-Raver so I'll skip him Hidaka was a pretty good wrestler, again a guy I know nothing of but the guy can bleed. The match was so with nothing memorable about it. 

Isami Hodaka advanced via pinfall 

2.5/5

Dysfunction v. Marcus Crane in a First Round Match and it appeared to be some type of dry ice match. This was brutal. Both men took bumps on the dry ice and Dysfunction had a chunk of dry ice go down his pants. This match was amazing and if you're aspiring to be a Death Match Wrestler watch the psychology in this match and study it.

Marcus Crane advanced via pinfall 

5/5

Alex Colon v. Masashi Takeda in a First-Round Match 

Here was our last First Round Match.  This was just two legends of the era doing what they do and Alex Colon beat Takeda with a tree for good measure. Unprecedented but another classic from this tournament. How many classics can 1 tournament produce?

Masashi Takeda advanced via pinfall 

5/5

Isaias Valasquez v. KTB

This was a bonus match. That's exactly what it was, filler. 

KTB won via pinfall 

2/5

PCO v. Gringo Loco, Tony Deppen and Spyder Nate Webb for the GCW Extreme Championship 

This was a 4 way for the Extreme Championship. I miss when PCO was this hot. That Frankenstein gimmick was great. This match was good. It had some cool spots around PCO's gimmick.

PCO won the Extreme Championship via pinfall

2.25/5

Nick Gage v. Isami Hodaka v. Marcus Crane v. Masashi Takeda in the Finals of the NGI.

Here are the finals. Jimmy Lloyd was supposed to be in this but he had to go to the hospital.  This was a 4-way elimination. Marcus Crane was eliminated first after being driven through a tube cabin and pinned by Hodaka and Takeda. Hodaka was eliminated by Nick Gage after a choke breaker. Then the two legends finished the match by Takeda driving Nick Gage and pinning him. This was a cool ending to the tournament but how do you top that first round? 

Masashi Takeda won NGI 3 via pinfall

4/5

Overall

This is one of the best Death Match tournaments I've seen and I'm bummed this was in my city and I wasn't into Death Match yet. 3 absolute classics and the rest of the card was good too. Watch this shit.

9/10

 

 

H2O: Hustlemania VII

 

Alex Stretch v. Jimmy Chondo Lyon in a Circus Death Match 

Jimmy Chondo Lyon had been provoking Peace Love and Death Match for a few shows so this is a match Alex Stretch wanted. In the first 2 minutes of this match, Alex Stretch dove into a Tube Covered Ring Post and ripped his leg open pretty well. After that we had 3 bumps off of a Scaffold through a net of Barbed Wire that was covering the ring, the first was Stretch getting thrown off the middle, the second was Stretch being driven by Chondo off the middle, the 3rd was Chondo being thrown off and Stretch jumping off the top with a bundle of tubes. This match was great and made legendary by those 3 bumps I just mentioned.

Alex Stretch won via pinfall 

2.75/5

Cecilio Vega defended the H2O Hybrid Championship against Shaun Smith

These two just had a straight wrestling match for the title. It was fine and both men were good at it. 

Cecilio Vega retained via pinfall 

2/5

Lady Blakely v. JB Anderson v. Anthraxx v. Mouse v. Dale Patricks in a Hardcore Scramble 

GCW Take notes, this is how you make a scramble interesting and not beat a dead horse. This was pretty chaotic and fun. And after Alex Stretch proposed to Lady Blakely so congrats to those two. 

Lady Blakely won via pinfall

2/5

The Dropouts v. TJ Reno, Leroy Robinson and Pedro Pablo

This was here to showcase The Dropouts as the new heel faction. The match itself wasn't great but it accomplished its goal.

The Dropouts won via pinfall

1.5/5

Mad Man Pondo v. Low Life Louie Ramos

This was legend against legend and we even had a third legend in Jasmine St. Claire. Both men pulled out the classics. Mad Man Pondo used the Sawblade Bat, the stop sign and Cinderblock. Louie bled like crazy and may be the best person that sells in a Death Match I can think of, those screams get me every time. This was a good match and It's a shame it ended in a non finish when Dale Patricks attacked Louie but Little Louie came in for the save so let's see where this goes. 

No Contest 

2.5/5

Neil Diamond Cutter defended the Danny Havoc Hardcore Championship against Bam Sullivan 

Neil Diamond Cutter has been having a hell of a run as Champ and Bam was a great Danny Havoc Hardcore Champ. Bam got busted open on his arm good from a tube shot. And I like NDC using a Tube Shield to honor Danny Havoc. This match was great and very violent just how I like it. 

Neil Diamond Cutter retained via pinfall 

3/5

Head of State(Duncan Aleem, Brian Neil, Johnny Radix, Braxx and President Hawkins)v. Team Tremont (Matt Tremont, Brandon Kirk, Kasey Kirk, Deklan Grant and Jess Moss) in Cage of Hell II

This is H2O's answer to War Games. Johnny Radix and Brian Neil were eliminated by being thrown from the ring through tables. Tremont sidestepped Duncan Aleem and Aleem fell out of the ring through the tables to be eliminated. Braxx was eliminated by being pinned by all of team Tremont after being hit with a barbed wire bat. And Hawkins was pinned. This match was underwhelming for a War Games match but it was cool to see the Head of State all get taken out. Regardless I wanted more violence.

Team Tremont won Cage of Hell II 

2.25/5

Overall 

This was a decent show. We started with a banger and the Danny Havoc Hardcore Championship Match was great. The midcard for the most part was good and while I wanted more from the main it was cool to see the babyfaces get their revenge so it sent people home happy. 

5.5/10

H20:Sanitarium 2024

 

2G's v. TJ Reno

This was a pretty straightforward opener. 2G'S or GG Everson's debut is a new gimmick of him dressing like the 2's.

2G's won via submission 

1.75/5

JB Anderson v. Jimmy Chondo Lyon 

This was a nice hardcore match but this was way too short. Plus I woulda liked to see Chondo take more punishment. 

Jimmy Chondo Lyon won via pinfall 

1.75/5

The Dropouts defended the H2O Tag Team Championship against The Eradicated

This was an average tag match that didn't stand out, but the spot where Mouse got hung up in the ropes and Papa G had to help get him out was creative. 

The Dropouts retained via pinfall 

2/5

Cecilia Vega defended the H2O Hybrid Championship against Austin Luke, Kody Manhorn and Brayden Toon 

We had a nice fast-paced match with 4 people who could go and Brayden Toon was a great last-minute addition to this match.

Cecilio Vega retained via pinfall

2.25/5

Head of State v. Peace, Love and C.U.M

So this one had a lot of Killers In it the Ramos's and shout out to Stretch and Anthraxx for the Public Enemy gear for this one. Even though this was chaotic as 10 persons were this was still violent and a lot of fun.

Head of State won via pinfall

2.75/5

Lucky 13 v. Matt Tremont 

I forget how good Lucky 13 is. Most of the time I see Lucky he's in a scramble but I'm glad he got to show out. He and Tremont had a banger here and that Samoan Drop Tremont did was insane and I hope that stays in his arsenal.

Lucky 13 won via pinfall

3.25/5

Deklan Grant defended the H2O Championship against Kristian Ross 

As far as a match I wasn't too into it because it was too slow-paced for me. but it did have some bright spots. Kristian Ross did an awesome job selling a shoulder injury and someone finally put someone in the Rings of Saturn. 

Deklan Grant retained via submission 

2/5

Neil Diamond Cutter defended the Danny Havoc Hardcore Championship against Dale Patricks 

This was a fucking war! These guys went hard like it was an ECW Match from 1995. They did Stiff ass headshots and using anything that wasn't nailed down. The only downside of this was NDC went to give Dale Patricks a superplex to the outside onto a pile of chairs but didn't quite get Dale up all the way. Patricks seemed fine but it was scary. Great match to end the night. 

Neil Diamond Cutter retained via pinfall 

4.25/5

Overall

The H2O product keeps getting better. Peace, Love and Death Match is one of my favorite acts in all of Death Match and the second half of this show was great. Same old story with the undercard but they're all learning.  

6/10

ICW MKE:Insane 8 2024

 

Zach Hendrix defended the ICW MKE Championship against CJ Cole

We started the show off with a title match. Both guys were OK. This was your average Indy match. The match went on for too long. Now onto some Death Matches.

CJ Cole won the ICW MKE Championship via pinfall

2/5

Orin Veidt v. GQ Giannos in a First-Round Match 

Here's how we kicked off the Insane 8. Orin Veidt was a veteran in this match. Giannos was over with the crowd and at the beginning of the match he had to stop the match and be taped on his ribs so I hope he's okay. The match itself was good and very violent but plagued by injuries which even though this is a Death Match is never something you want to see. 

Orin Veidt advanced via pinfall 

2.75/5

Tylor Sullivan v. Tommy Trainwreck in a First-Round Match 

We had another First Round Match. Tylor Sullivan's shoulder got dislocated during the match. I have seen the name Tommy Trainwreck around and now I know why. This dude is a beast that can take out and dish out a lot of punishment. I know Tommy is on a few shows I'm watching coming up and I look forward to that. This match however was too short and I think the injury to Tylor Sullivan was the reason for that.

Tommy Trainwreck advanced via pinfall

2/5

Neil Diamond Cutter v. Masada in a First-Round Match 

We had our next First Round Match. Masada was unstoppable here and I like how much he uses ring psychology and everything he does means something. Neil Diamond Cutter took some unreal bumps here and was being thrown through Doors, Tubes, You name it. This is what this match should have been and that's David v. Goliath with Masada dominating NDC, good stuff.

Masada advanced via pinfall 

3/5

Dr. Redacted v. Bobby V. In a First Round Match 

We had our last First Round Match. This was very evenly matched and we had a bunch of Light Tubes and a Carribean Spider Web used here. Bobby V had to use his posse I'm not familiar with to win. This was a great match and is up there with any Death Match Tournament match this year. 

Bobby V. Advanced via pinfall

3.25/5

Bobby V. V. Orin Veidt in a Second-Round Match 

We kicked off the Second Round with this. Right at the start of the match, you can see Orin Veidt tear his ACL which is amazing he even finished the match let alone did the things he did. Bobby V. Was great here as well and the finish where Orin Veidt gave Bobby a FU off the Scaffold through a Door, Chair and Glass stack was awesome. This was a great match and a shame about the Orin Veidt injury.

Orin Veidt advanced via pinfall 

3/5

Tommy Trainwreck v. Masada in a Second Round Match. 

This was our last second-round match. There wasn't much too this match. Masada used the Skewers and Trainwreck rolled up Masada. This was going to be a good hoss fight but for whatever reason this was short. 

Tommy Trainwreck advanced via pinfall 

2/5

Tommy Trainwreck v. Orin Veidt in the Insane 8 Finals 

Here we go this is the finals. Forget all the weapons and crazy stuff which yes, there was a lot of. Orin tore his ACL and wrestled again. How the fuck did he do that? Orin Veidt is a bad motherfucker and this was a great match.

Orin Veidt won Insane 8 via pinfall

3/5

Overall

This was a great tournament. All of these matches were bangers and the performances of Orin Veidt and Bobby V were both legendary here. Orin Veidt gave a retirement speech so if this is it Thanks for what you did for us fans and thanks for the memories. 

7.5/10

Flophouse: Bad Mother F*cker 2024

 

Chaos Digital Media Championship Scramble 

To be fair as you've read in the archives I don't like scrambles so naturally this didn't do alot for me. 

Thomas Bailey won via pinfall

1/5

Nick Maus v. Hy-Zaya

This was a way to showcase two Michigan guys. I haven't seen too much of Hi-Zaya but if this is him now I wanna see more of his IWA-MS Stuff. This dude was good at flying around the ring. This match was decent and it woke me up a bit.

Hy-Zaya won via pinfall

2/5

Brutus Dylan v. Crash Jackson 

This was a way to showcase two lesser-known big men. Both of these guys were great big men and I hope to see them on more shows. This match was enjoyable and hard-hitting so if you're into that check this out. 

Brutus Dylan won via pinfall 

2.5/5

Rory Sheill v. Alice Crowley 

Rory Sheill is the cocky up-and-comer and Alice Crowley is the person to put Rory Sheill in her place. Rory Sheill's in ring stuff didn't stand out but she has something good as a heel. Alice Crowley was a good wrestler as usual. This match was okay but not too memorable.

Rory Sheill won via pinfall

2/5

Eric Dillinger v. B-Boy 

This was a nice match with two guys from different generations with a similar moveset. I haven't seen Eric Dillinger wrestle but he did a great job here and I wouldn't mind seeing more of him in a non-Death Match compacity. B-Boy is as good as he was 20 years ago and can still go with anyone. This was a nice wrestling match.

Eric Dillinger won via pinfall

2.75/5

Schwartzy v. Satu Jinn in a Bullrope Match 

This was supposed to be Schwartzy against Jeff King but Jeff King couldn't make it and Satu Jinn was his replacement. Satu was a great replacement and Scwartzy is always a good time to watch. I'm not a Bullrope Match guy but this was an exception to that rule. This was nice and violent and picked the show up.

Schwartzy won via submission

3.25/5

Bryer Wellington v. MM3

This was a last-minute addition to the show. I hadn't seen much of Breyer Wellington until this show but this dude swings a Tube hard. MM3 can do anything and tonight he brought out his Death Match shoes. For as short as this match was it was good. They kept it short and brutal. 

MM3 won via pinfall 

2.75/5

Randi West v. Matt Tremont 

This was a match Randi had wanted for a while and she finally got it. Randi was a killer out there and brought it to Tremont, the only bad part was that the tubes didn't break in some spots. This match was violent and the end with the Rubbing Alcohol/Hot Sauce concoction in the kiddie pool was great. 

Randi West won via submission

3.25/5

The Bruisers defended the Flophouse Tag Team Championship against GG Jacobs and Mickie Knuckles 

We had a title match here. The Bruisers are great and I honestly don't see enough of them on shows. I could say the same about GG Jacobs and Mickie Knuckles showed here why she is a Midwest Death Match Legend. This match was an absolute brawl all over the grounds of the Maybee Veterans Motorcycle Club. This is very much what you would have seen at an ECW show in 1995 and it was awesome.

The Bruisers retained via pinfall 

3/5

 Remington Rhor v. Hoodfoot v. Lou Nixon v. Judge Joe Dred v. Tommy Vendetta for the Flophouse Championship in a King of the Mountain Match

The Rules of this match are you win by hanging the Flophouse Championship on a pole and if you get pinned you spend time in a penalty box enforced by Darren McCarthy at least I think these rules are confusing. This had a lot of action but the rules were way too much for me to keep track of. 

Hoodfoot won the Flophouse Championship 

2/5

Overall

I enjoyed this show. From the third match to the end were all bangers my favorite being the Randi/Tremont match. The main was way too convoluted but it was also different. Keep an eye out for Flophouse. 

7/10