2023 Coolidge Days with IZW Wrestling
Funnel cakes, Texas Twisters, perfect weather and some wrestling. What more could a girl ask for on a Saturday night?
I missed the September IZW show because I took my daughter to participate in a Hip Hop Festival that same weekend. Which was awesome, btw! But, here we are again. Third straight month with a show, and guess what? There’s another one next month.
This weekend’s show is a 2 hour free event that is part of the annual Coolidge Days Festival in, well, Coolidge, Arizona. I’m a big fan of festivals, and Greg and I have big plans for traveling to all sorts of wild and crazy festivals once we are empty nesters. You know, make the kids mad that we are doing all this stuff without them. Sorry kids, you wanted to take an annual trip to Disney!
On our hour-long commute to Coolidge we stopped at the airport to pick up Utah Phil who is wrestling tonight. He doesn't wrestle under that name, but that is the name I’ve heard more than anything else, so congratulations, you will forever be known as Utah Phil in my wildly popular blog.
The show doesn’t start until 7:00, and we arrived probably close to 4:00, so I spent some time walking around. It definitely wasn’t as much fun as it would have been with Greg. But, for a tiny little town, it was pretty impressive with the amount of things here for the community. There was clearly an ample amount of food trucks - most sweets and Mexican food, some local vendors, a few carnival games, and lots and lots of rides. For $35 you can get an all day wristband, which was well worth it for the amount of rides. The rides and games were the only things you needed wristbands for.
The event itself is in a community park with no fences or railings, so anyone can just walk in, set up chairs and hang out and buy some amazing food. Some people set up their little areas and brought cornhole. There was a cornhole tournament earlier in the day, so this made sense.
There is also a lot of free events. Before the wrestling show, Robles Boxing Club had an event with several matches, in the morning there was a parade, and I believe there was going to be a volleyball tournament on Sunday. Definitely something for all ages in a small town where there really doesn’t seem to be a tremendous amount of things to do for entertainment.
I didn’t ride anything or play any games, but I enjoyed a Texas Twister (really fancy and delicious strawberry lemonade that was served in a boot with my funnel cake (topped with strawberries and whipped cream). At the end of the day, the sweets are all that really matter. Rest assured, we stopped at In-N-Out for burgers and fries around 11:30 on the way home. :)
In my hours before the show, I tried to get a little reading in, but as this is outside, there are so many distractions, and I am fascinated by people. Not talking to them, but watching them. Hmmm…putting that in writing makes me sound very creepy. But as I’m a reader and a writer, characters are my priority and humans are the best most authentic characters.
Anyways, I did try to walk around a little after the sun set because these things are always cooler at night. And, I wasn’t wrong. I love the lights and sounds of people having fun. Granted, I don’t like that additional amount of people. It’s definitely more crowded at night. I also didn’t have Greg with me to distract or entertain me.
Thankfully since this show is starting later than normal, my teenagers place their DoorDash order before anything starts. It’s the little wins. In another turn of events, Greg is ring announcing tonight. It’s been a while since he has taken this big of a role in front of the crowd, but he is actually pretty excited. And, surprise, surprise, he is a total natural.
We get underway. First match is between Utah Phil and Chuy. Creepy mask guy versus psycho Baby Yoda guy. I love the character that Utah Phil plays. He does it really well. He also stuffed Baby Yoga in the ring post which was pretty funny. As the match gets underway, the crowd starts a short lived “Let’s go Chuy” chant.
Because this is outside at the festival, as the noise of it all carries, more and more people come to watch. There is a pretty amazing crowd. Super fun environment for sure. Two little kids walked up beside me. Two girls probably around 7. The one says, “please don’t kill him.” The other girl reassures her that “they are only play fighting.” The first girl was relieved with a “Only play fighting? Okay.” They watched for a few more minutes before walking away again.
And Chuy wins. Fun way to kick off the show. Baby Yoga even got to see some action in the ring. They leave the ring, and Greg reappears. Next match is introduced. Dallas King comes out first. Greg does a great job announcing! He’s loud, engaging and is easy to understand. In an event like this, I feel that is even more important since there are many people here who have never watched wrestling and don’t know who is who. I guess the downfall is I don’t have to make names up, even though I would know Dallas’s opponent when I see him. His opponent is Graves…. “War! War! War!”
Dallas didn’t even wait for Graves to finish his crowd boosting before attacking. The bell rings, and we are underway with match #2. War is taking a beating…literally, but Dallas is only able to get a couple 2 counts in there. There’s one lady who keeps calling for him to be disqualified!
War is coming back with his second wind with some big moves and some body slams, but they still can’t get anything other than a 2 count. Graves starts another “War” chant and the crowd joins in. Graves finally gets the pin and celebrates with the crowd as he walks out, Dallas, unfortunately, is assisted out of the ring.
Small interruption when the police come over to announce that they have a missing girl at their booth. Poor thing. That was always my biggest fear when my kids were little. At least they know who she is and her parents’ names.
REGULATORS!!!!!!! It’s a six person tag team match…the crowd really liked that announcement. MY FAVORITE BOYS!!!!! I enjoyed chatting with Da Shade when we first got here today. It’s fun to talk to the wrestlers outside of the show. AND THEIR OUTFITS MATCH!! They’re not rompers, but it’s pretty close.
They are facing Ram Rock and the Black Dog Bobby Jaxon. They are teaming up with the American Hero .. AJ Hero. He’s so fun and a complete contrast to the Viking-esque persona of the other two, who by the way do NOT look happy about Hero being partnered with them. Meanwhile, Da Shade is just dancing in the ring.
Everyone is finally makes their way into the ring, and Hero just wants his tag team partners to smile. So funny, and the lady in the crowd is saying “No Cheating.” The match is underway, and it is already a crowd favorite. Shade and Ram Rock start things. What I love about Thug, EJ and Shade is that they flip and spin and just clearly love what they are doing and know how to work the crowd.
Thug just takes a big hit by the Black Dog, but it’s only a 2 count.
Well, my almost 10 minute excursion to get Greg a Diet Pepsi made me miss the end of my favorite wrestlers match and the start of Bryn and Morgan’s match. So, I’m just going to sit this out and instead feel bad for the guy working the food truck that I had to get the drink from who was working ALL BY HIMSELF in a hand dipped corn dog truck. So every corn dog ordered, he has to go and dip it, then cook it (which he stayed with it while it cooked) and then come back and take money. It was a cash only truck and teenagers struggle with cash, FYI. There were only four people in front of me when I got there, which was the shortest of every line I passed. It was also the furthest away. But, I secured the Diet Pepsi. I was really worried that I was going to get to the front of the line just to be told they were sold out. This was made worse when I asked for a Diet Coke, he gave me a concerned look, checked the cooler, shook his head and said “only Diet Pepsi.” SOLD!
The women’s match ends with Bryn winning. Not sure what happened or how she won, but that’s what Greg announced. Morgan is helped out of the ring, and the crowd cheers for Bryn.
Greg is back in the ring announcing the next match. The next match has apparently been brewing for a year. It’s a no rules match. Must be Pete’s match. Before the show, we were chatting about all the ‘supplies’ he brought to use in his match. Yep, there’s Pete the Heat! He's another great wrestler to watch who has such a fun presence, a big personality. He throws a “Welcome Home” sign into the ring followed by a chair, a trash can, crutches and a clock. But now he’s disappeared.
Mike G comes to the ring next…. the crowd loves his entrance.
Still can’t find Pete. Apparently, he went under the ring. But then he pops up while Mike is showboating to his music in the ring and hits him in the back with the trash can lid. Then Pete mocks G’s entrance/dancing while G’s down. Pete hits G with the trash can. Mike G gets some revenge and flings Pete into the Welcome sign that was propped up against the ropes.
Mike tries to win in a submission hold, but it doesn’t work. Then they exchange some slaps and kicks before Mike is able to get Pete down again. He’s able to get a 2 count on Pete. Pete’s out of the ring. Pete shoots the confetti gun at Mike and then jumps off the rope.
Pete gets into it with the lady in the crowd. The crowd meanwhile chants for Mike. Pete only gets a 2 count and tells the ref it’s his fault.
Mike suplexes Pete onto the trash can then puts the trash can over Pete’s head and hits it. It turns into a series of hits and kicks from Mike while Pete is down. Pete is able to summon the strength to hit Mike where it hurts him the most and is able to get a 2 count out of it. Mike is finally able to get the 3 count to win the Cholo Street Fight.
We are on a pause while they clean up some glass in the ring from when the clock got smashed. I must have missed that moment.
Ram Rock has returned to ringside and takes the mic from Greg as a little distraction from the cleaning. Ram Rock is mad because he apparently “didn’t lose his match” since he wasn’t the one pinned, he didn’t lose so he is calling from redemption and challenges anyone in the locker room to a match. However, the Regulator's music starts again. Shade and Thug emerge leading EJ Sparks out. Shade and Thug are in their normal street clothes while EJ still looks dressed to wrestle. So, into the ring they go. Ref Scott comes out. (They finally got a broom and got the glass cleaned up!)
New match commences between Shade and Ram Rock. Hmmm … Really though it would be EJ, but Shade made a scene of handing over his car keys and wallet to his partners.
Shade is taking a little bit of a beating, but Ram Rock is only able to get some 2 counts. Shade is coming back, the shirt comes off, and he is able to get a fairly quick 3 count and the win. YAYYYYY! With all things considered, it was a pretty quick match. I may have missed the end of the tag team match, but at least I got to watch this one. This would be the conversation I would have with Thug after the show.
Greg is in the ring to announce the main event. First out is Jakob Austyn Young, the current Fighting Champion. He is facing the reigning IZW world champion, Charles Cassus.
Final match is underway. Meanwhile, apparently someone called 911. Mike G got cut and is being checked out. Don’t worry, all is good. He got cleaned up, checked out and is good to go. The plexiglass from the clock scratched Mike’s head causing a lot of blood but nothing serious. The head bleeds so much even with the smallest of cuts.
Back to the ring … there is a lot of walking around the ring. Eventually they get started with the actual wrestling each other. Cassus was able to get a 2 count. Cassis slams Jakob into the corner of the ropes, and Jakob returns with some hits to the chest. Cassus body slams Jakob in the middle of the ring, but instead of trying to get the pin, Cassus yells at people in the crowd.
With this being the last match, it’s pretty awesome that there is still a huge crowd. The bleachers are packed, most chairs taken, lots of people just standing around and sitting on the walls along the edge. I’m glad that so many people seem to be enjoying it. I wonder how many people here are experiencing their very first professional wrestling event.
Jakob has a huge hit on Cassus and follows it up with a sliding kick to the head. But Cassus turns it around. However, they are all interrupted when a total melee occurs when members of each’s group runs out.
Greg is hilarious, and uses his authority as “one who helps run the show” to say nope, this is not okay. Instead, he announces another 6 person tag team, which includes the Navajo Warrior. So, long story short, my computer died during this match, and I had to help Greg set up to sell tickets, so I’m not really sure what was happening, but I do know that Nav’s team won.
Overall, the show was a great success. One man shook my hand four times telling me how awesome it was and that we HAD TO COME BACK. Including the mishap with plexiglass and poor Mike G’s head, everything turned out great.
There is yet another IZW show next month. So, if you feel like you are missing out on all the fun, come on by and say hi! Check out the website for tickets and information.
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