IZW Presents Evil Lives Featuring Monster
More Wrestling Show Commentary From the Non-Fan Perspective.
We’ve had a nice long break since the last show due to the venue being sold and a management change. But, that has all been taken care of, and we are back at Grand Avenue Pizza Company, formally The Horny Toad, in Glendale, Arizona for another night of IZW Wrestling!
It’s a little toasty in the mid-90s, but hopefully with the clouds and breeze, it won’t be too bad. I’m ready to go…I got a great nap in this afternoon after a mall trip with my daughter to get her second ear piercing. I have my essential Dragon Drink from Starbucks, and I’m actually not too upset about eating pizza later tonight.
At 5:15, doors open for VIP seating, and we should be underway around 5:30. I do like having an outdoor venue. Even though the chairs literally touch each other and you are sitting super close, there is the ability to move and spread out if you are a little more on the anti-social side of things.
I’m impressed that right at 5:30 the IZW theme song, “Kickstart My Heart,” begins. Looks like we will be right on time. No stairs at the ring, so the ring announcer has to jump up into the ring. He is also apparently known as the Preacher. The irony of him being the preacher at “Evil Lives” isn’t lost on him. The poor ref that is already in the ring, Adrian, just got marked as a first time ref. Hope everyone is nice to him.
First match has a 15 minute time limit. Aguila is the first to enter the ring. He’s a mask lucha wrestler. His opponent is… I have no idea. He seems pretty cool, but we are going to call him black pants guy. The crowd is starting early in its heckling. Bell rings at 5:36. Aguila gets the first move in with a headlock. Then while Aguila is dancing around, black pants guy is giving him that classic look of incredulity. Aguila is definitely out matched in size.
Back and forth, back and forth. Black pants guy finds himself on his back on the mat and decides to try to do the flip up move from his back but can’t do it and makes a pretty dramatic scene over it. Aguila is very supportive in allowing him to try it again. Eventually, Black pants tries to pin Aguila and then yells at the ref asking, “why do you count so slow?” After more back and forth, Black pants guy does a little showboating demonstrating how proud of himself he is. However, all his attempts to pin Aguila aren’t successful. Aguila just had a huge flip off the top rope and takes Black pants out, but he also can’t get a pin.
I’m sitting right next to two people at the “control table" who are doing recorded commentary. It allows me to hear what the formal names are for some of the moves. Granted, I’m not really paying much attention, and it doesn’t really matter anyways, I like my lingo, but it may be nice later tonight. Oops… missed how it happened, but magically little Aguila was able to get the pin. Now he wants to shake black pants hand. After making Aguila pink promises he isn’t going to attack him, they shake hands, do the bro hug thing and leave the ring on good terms.
Now it is time for the hometown hero, AJ Hero, who enters to a great theme song - “Holding out for a hero.” He does an impressive little flip into the ring. Once in the ring, he gets the mic and complains that he is not part of the Monster event. He hasn’t given up even though he has been on a losing streak. He calls out IZW management asking for a spot in Monster. Music starts, the crowd gets on their feet and someone comes out saying he’s in Monster. New guy, Cassus, gushes about his opportunity and chance to walk away with some belts at the end of the night. Apparently, he is willing to pull out of Monster, and offers his spot to AJ. AJ says he wants it. New guy says you can have it, as long as you can beat the guy who is about to come out. If AJ loses, he will become “property” of Final Destination Not a member of Final Destination but property of it.
AJ accepts.
The opponent is Damian. Talk about a showboater. The crowd is shouting “that was hot” after he finishes his entrance into the ring. Bell rings at 5:51, and the match is underway. I will say they are both pretty quick and agile. Damian throws AJ out of the ring between the ropes, then has to leave the ring to get AJ back in before he is counted out. Damian does a little hip twirl while he holds AJ. Damian tries to get a few pins in, but AJ is able to kick out each time.
Damian has AJ in a headlock type move looking for a tap out, but AJ is able to get back to his feet and turns it around and knocks Damian down, but after a flip off the top rope goes wrong, Damian is able to get the pin. Bad news for AJ. Sorry, buddy.
Ring empties, music plays. Sadly I’m on the side of the ring where everyone likes to stand up, so I can’t see who is coming out. But we now have Evan Daniels in the ring. How do I know it’s Evan Daniels? His name is written on the butt of his speedo. Next entrance song plays and a new wrestler enters with a woman at the side of the ring. The winner of the match has the last entry in Monster. It is Evan vs Wildcat.
Ref is inspecting them for illegal paraphernalia and the bell rings at 6:00, and we are underway for match #3. Almost immediately Evan slides out of the ring. Ref is trying to get him back in the ring, but instead he sits down in a chair in the crowd and talks to a random guy. After the ref starts counting him out, Evan reluctantly gets back into the ring.
Finally some hand to hand contact. After some weak back and forth, Evan taunts him saying “I’m just too strong for you.” They trade off in the corner and just continue to mess around with each other. They build up the energy level and get something going, but almost immediately, they are back out of the ring. As Evan tries to get back in the ring, he takes a sliding kick to the head from Wildcat. Evan bounces back quickly and seems to have the upper hand again.
It appears that while Wildcat was down, the woman that accompanied him to the ring handed him a “weapon” because Evan is complaining to the ref. Evan drops Wildcat on his head, but isn’t able to get the pin. So the battle continues. Some bouncing off the ropes gives Wildcat the opportunity to get the pin, but no luck there. So, naturally, they are back outside the ring. Back in the ring, big move off the rope and still NO pin. Frustrations are beginning to run high as neither can get anything done.
Evan is getting desperate with some punches to the face and some chest slaps (never really understand the point of those). Wildcat is stomping gearing up for something, but that something doesn’t go as planned because Evan is able to wrap Wildcat up and finally gets the pin. Then a mess ensues in the ring and Nav comes out to clear the ring with sheer intimidation, and he assists Wildcat to get him out of the ring safely.
The VIP section of the show is now over at 6:15. So we are on about a 30 minute break. I will say that was one of the more enjoyable sets of VIP matches. While I wait, I’ll try to get a little reading done. I’m reading Stars Like Gasoline by my friend Jessika Grewe Glover. It is SOOOO good. It’ll be released on Kindle and paperback on Tuesday April, 25. I highly recommend it! 🙂
It’s now 6:44, and we are ready to rumble. The Ring Announcer, Gerren the Preacher, is getting the crowd wound up as he enters the ring. He does his job of recognizing the sponsors. The commissioner, Derek, explains the rules of Monster. Until the last 2 wrestlers remain, contestants are eliminated by getting tossed out of the ring, over the rope. The winner will be determined by pin fall when the final two remain.
The first two wrestlers in Monster are announced. Number one is Graves, you know, the one who chants “War”. I didn’t realize Monster was the first match. Nothing like kicking off the show with a mega match. The number two contestant is Dallas King. Bell rings at 6:50.
They don't waste any time. Seems like headlocks are a go-to move. (Sidenote .. the lovely and talented Greg DeMarco, is concentrating hard on the timer while he stands beside the ring announcer to bring in future contestants). Graves seems to have the upper hand, but they are counting in the next wrestler. Is it Dusty? (way off.. see name key at end!) Music playing. It’s purple pants guy. Not 100% sure if it is the same purple pants guy from previous shows; I think it is actually pineapple romper guy, but whatever. I like him.
War still seems to have the upper hand as he quickly puts purple pants on the floor. Dallas is also still in the ring and took a shot to the face. At 6:54 contestant #4 comes out, Ramrod. I remember him. Meanwhile, in the ring…Purple pants and Dallas are going at it until Ramrod intervenes. Ramrod and Dallas are now attacking each other while Graves is laying on the mat and purple pants is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ramrod and Graves glare at each other before exchanging some blows.
Next wrestler is being counted in at 6:56. It is MBW? Oh no, Graves is about to get purple pants eliminated as he dangles upside down, but with the others in the ring, he seems to get saved as Graves is distracted by Dallas. Ramrod and MBW are going at it. There is just mass chaos.
6:58 is skater dude. No idea what his name is. But he immediately goes after MBW. Ramrod and purple pants are playing and Dallas and Graves seem to really hate each other. Skater dude and purple pants work together to try to get Ramrod out of the ring, but are not successful. 7:00 brings out PETE THE HEAT!!! My favorite so far. Graves is on the top rope as MBW and Dallas try to get him out. Again, no luck for them. Everyone is still in the ring. Pete is still walking around the outside, hasn’t even gotten in the ring yet. Skater dude is stomping on Ramrod’s chest. It won’t be long before I forget who is who.
7:02 People in the crowd are excited about this one as the music starts. Pete still hasn't made it into the ring. This is White Tank guy. He seems to be following Pete around the ring and finally attacks him. They have some very negative history together. I guess what happens outside the ring stays outside the ring. Finally, White Tank gets Pete into the ring and continues to pound him. Dallas and MBW meanwhile are attacking purple pants guy. Pete is the first eliminated as he gets thrown out in less time than it took him to actually get into the ring.
7:04 no idea who this guy is, but he wastes no time getting in the ring and going to town with a shirt dangling around his neck. We got some people on the top ropes. Skater Dude is out. Apparently a bunch are out. Looks like Graves, Ramrod and the shirt dangler are the only ones left. But out comes the Navajo Warrior. Ok, I clearly know him! The crowd is on their feet for him chanting his name.
Skinny little shirt dangler guy is taken down by Graves and Nav before they turn on each other. Again with the chest slaps. Besides sounding cool, I'm not sure the point. 7:09 Jakob Austin Young is out in the ring now and goes straight to Graves, again with the chest slaps. Poor shirt dangler is just trying to survive but Nav bangs Ramrod and Shirt Dangler’s heads together.
7:10 brings out I don’t even know. OH… He is the guy from the VIP match.. Damian maybe? Yep, got that one right. 7:12 brings out one who immediately kicks Ramrod right out of the ring, eliminating him. This new guy is also from the VIP matches, pretty sure it is Wildcat.
Anyways, the next person at 7:14 is Boss Hog? He doesn’t look like he’s from the Dukes of Hazzard. Wow. Boss Hog picks shirt dangler up over his head and throws him out of the ring, only for Graves to surprise him by knocking him out of the ring right after. Final wrestler enters at 7:15. It is Evan Daniels since he won his spot during the VIP match.
So we are left with our final four - Nav, Jakob Austin Young, Evan Daniels, and Graves. Chest slapping - sigh. Haha. Nav holds Evan, turning him in a circle allowing everyone else a chest slap opportunity, Naturally, Evan slips away and Graves slaps Nav. About 30 seconds later, the other three are able to get Nav over the ropes and he’s eliminated. The little boys are playing while Graves has a little rest in the corner before making his strike.
Graves picks up Jacob and tries to get Jakob over the rope, but he wraps his legs around the bottom rope. He's eventually able to flip over the rope back into the ring. After some additional moves, Jakob and Evan are able to get Graves over the ropes and eliminated.
The final two are finally all that remain at 7:21. Jakob Austin Young gets the pin and wins the Fighting Championship belt! I’m ok with this win. Now he has the mic and explains he is the hunter, not the hunted. He calls out Graves and challenges him to a match. Apparently, Jacob is not ok with Graves beating him in November. Graves' response was not very nice, but I guess the match is set.
It’s 7:27 and the Preacher is back, climbing into the ring. He calls Miss Cat to ring. She comes in to promote the shirts being sold tonight. Buy our shirts, y’all! Alright, next match… but, I need to order my personal kids food. I did offer them the amazing opportunity to attend the show with me tonight. But they declined.
This match is for the IZW women’s world championship. I do enjoy watching crazy women wrestle. I think they make the best characters. I’m not sure her name, but Bryn (the current champion) is her opponent.
Bell rings starting match at 7:36. Bryn says “I’m going to give you a chance.” Long haired girl quickly seems to be the underdog., but she gets some quick and early moves.in. Bryn is dragging hair girl around the ring and knees her in the face; however, the pin attempt isn’t successful. While Bryn seems to have the clear advantage, hair girl isn’t making it easy for her. After a big move, they are both down, but slowly get back up.
Bryn tries to put her in a submission move, but hair girl gets to the rope. Sharing back and forth hits eventually leads hair girl to roll Bryn up, but the pin attempt doesn’t work. Bryn reverses it, but also isn’t able to get the pin. However, quickly after, Bryn is able to get hair girl to tap out and she retains her belt. Final Destination comes out to congratulate her, but music starts and out come my boys! But Final Destination is smart and quickly avoid them and head backstage leaving only EJ Sparks and The Emperor.
WrestleDrag Championship belt match is to commence. Greg told me this was going to be a HUGE crazy match. Wow, the preacher has some lungs on him as he announces The Emperor. Let’s go EJ. The Regulators, of course, are my favorite. Bell rings, and we are underway. I think they will be pretty evenly matched, so I know it’ll be enjoyable.
EJ has a huge move that takes Emperor down, he quickly slides out of the ring; apparently EJ intimidates him a little bit. The Emperor sneaks up behind the ref and quickly attacks EJ. Again, another series of crazy moves sends the Emperor out of the ring. This time, however, EJ follows him. After some minor fighting, the Emperor throws EJ back in the ring. EJ immediately jumps off the ropes and takes the Emperor out.
Back in the ring, the Emperor gets a 2 count. Seems that the Emperor has the advantage. The Emperor is trying to get crowd support. Not really working though. Another 2 count is all he can get. Another 2 count as it seems EJ is on a comeback. More two counts for the Emperor. EJ isn’t able to get anything done. After an incredible comeback and attack, EJ is only able to get his own 2 count. But EJ is back on his feet, so I am optimistic.
The ref gets distracted when another member of Final Destination comes out, and the Emperor hits EJ in the face with the belt and is able to get the 3 count and retains his title and belt. Final Destination gets in the ring to celebrate the win, while the Regulators come out and plead their case to the ref. The Commissioner, Derek, comes out and says that “We do what is best for IZW not what’s best for Final Destination.” He says he has the ability to restart the match.
The Emperor says he will only do that if when he wins again, EJ sparks is gone from IZW for good. Commissioner agrees but adds that if the Emperor loses then HE is gone from IZW for good. EJ agrees, The Emperor agrees and the match is restarted; the belt and title are not on line. Commissioner calls everyone else out of the ring and sends them to the back. EJ is limping around the ring. The crowd is cheering for EJ and the bell rings.
EJ somehow lights a fire under his butt and doesn’t waste any time, but the Emperor is quick to come back. The Emperor gets a quick 2 count. EJ responds by taking him down and getting a 2 count of his own. The Emperor does a huge frog splash off the top rope and gets a 2 count for his hard work. The crowd is back to chanting “Let’s go EJ”.
EJ lands a huge leg to the Emperor's face but can only get a 2 count. EJ starts smacking the mat as they both get to their feet. More back and forth.EJ is amped up and delivers another huge kick to the head and finally manages to get the pin on the Emperor. The Emperor walks out with his head hung as EJ celebrates with the crowd and his family that is here. The Emperor now must leave IZW.
8:12 and we are off on intermission. I was able to order the teenage monsters at home their food, but sadly, online ordering for the Grand Avenue Pizza Company is ‘currently unavailable.’ So off to the bar to order I go, unfortunately I will have to leave in the midst of a match to get the food when it’s ready.
At 8:33, “Kickstart My Heart” comes on, signifying that we are back to action for the second half. I still have 15 minutes before my food is ready. At least in this show, we don’t have to take 45 minutes to set up the steel cage.
First match of the second half, brings a woman to the ring. Don’t know her name, so we’ll call her pigtail girl. Her opponent is Crazy Hot Morgan. Of course it is, and naturally I’m picking Morgan to win. At 8:39 the bell rings. Crowd starts an early Morgan chant. After some back and forth bounces off the ropes, Pigtails takes Morgan down. Pigtails takes a big jump off the top rope, but Morgan survives and escapes to the outside. Pigtails follows her out.
Back in the ring, they continue to take back and forth jabs at each other. Flinging each other around, trying to roll each other up. There are a few 2 counts exchanged, but they aren’t able to make the pin. I’m getting hungry…My pizza and fries should be ready soon. 🙂
Pigtails seems to be able to get a lot more 2 counts in than Morgan, but Morgan does not quit. Finally, Morgan is able to get up and gets pigtail on her back before slamming her into the turnbuckles. (Look at my wrestling terminology knowledge!). That one quick move allowed Morgan to get the upper hand and to pin pigtails.
Ring Announcer is back in the ring. It’s a three way match. Once it starts I’m going to run and get my food! To the ring first is Jordan Cruz. That’s easy enough. Next up is Judy?? Judah?? Hmmm, going to have to ask Greg about that one, regardless he seems to be a voodoo master. And the final one is … no idea, but he’s dressed like Elton John with a gold, glittery tuxedo jacket on top of a black onesie.
Ok..off to get my food as the match starts.
I’m back to see Jordan giving Onesie guy the what for. However, when Jordan goes to drop onesie on his head, voodoo guy sneaks in with a blow to the knee.
Now Voodoo and Onesie are exchanging some slaps. They are definitely all back and forth and sharing love with each other. Voodoo thinks he must be something as he also does the sultry hip twirl before taking onesie guy down again for a 2 count. Voodoo takes some feet to the face by Jordan, and Jordan eventually finds himself outside the ring. Guess he figures he’d let the other two take each other down before getting involved.
Voodoo is now calling people little boys while Jordan is trying to wrap up Onesie guy. Jordan has him wrapped up. Will it be enough??? Nope, because Voodoo gets involved and pulls him off. Once again, Onesie guy thinks he can take Voodoo. Not happening. Voodoo now tries to roll up Jordan, but Onesie gets involved. Onesie is able to get a roll up on Voodoo, but it is only a 2 count. Jordan gives Voodoo a quick kick to the face.
Voodoo ends up outside the ring, giving Jordan the opportunity to fulfill the promise of a submission hold that causes Onesie to tap out. Jordan wins and the Commissioner comes out and congratulates Jordan but says there was a reason for the match, and names Jordan the number one contender for the IZW championship belt at the September show. Voodoo isn’t a happy camper, but Onesie gives Jordan a hug. Onesie tries to shake hands with Voodoo, but Voodoo attacks him causing four refs to swarm the ring to separate them.
It is now the main event for the IZW heavyweight championship. First to the ring is the challenger, who the crowd stands and cheers for. (I love how the ref and the preacher stand at attention in the middle of the ring without moving or even watching him walk around the ring). Why so serious? Now my boy Thug comes out. Thug! Thug! Thug! Thug! As the crowd chants. I love Thug’s not matching clothes definitely adds to his personality. Finally, they are announced. The challenger is Cassus (his name is on his pants) and is a member of Final Destination. And of course, Thug is a member of the Regulators.
Bell rings at 9:14 after they have already started attacking each other. Cassus is much bigger than Thug, so that could pose a problem. I won’t be surprised if Thug loses the belt tonight. As much as that would make me sad, he has had it forever, like over two years!
They are currently outside the ring, but Cassus finally rolls Thug back in. But that leads to some massive jumps out of the ring right in front of me with no concern for their personal safety. Poor Thug is taking a beating in the ring. Cassus is a beast. And they are back out of the ring, and they are back in. Thug tries to shoulder Cassus and finally gets some hits in. Thug needs to use his speed and agility to his advantage. Thug tries to do a jump off the top rope, but Cassus catches him and takes Thug down. Cassus is only able to get a 2 count out of his effort. But Thug is slow to get up and Cassus is waiting for him. Cassus tries to slam Thug, but he turns it around and actually picks Cassus up.
They are both down after a huge double move off the top rope. Crowd is happy though, so I guess that’s what matters. Ref is counting them out until they are able to get up, but Thug does and has a huge hit on Cassus. Thug does a massive flip off the top rope (which is apparently called the Thug-nado) and right when he’s about to get the 3 count on Cassus, Cassus gets the rope.
Back and forth, blow for blow. Thug is getting tired and Cassus seems to have a counter for each move Thug attempts; however, Cassus is only able to get 2 counts out of anything. Cassus isn’t very happy with Sean, the ref. Now Cassus has the ref cornered in the ring as Thug tries to slowly get to his feet. Cassus yells at him to stay down. After one final huge blow, Cassus is able to take Thug out and pin him, becoming the new IZW world heavyweight champion. To reinforce that Thug is the best, he goes to Cassus and lifts his arm in victory before they head to the back.
Even though I don’t really care for wrestling and make it very clear I’m not a fan, overall I do think it was a great show. It was well organized and structured. The matches were well planned out and executed. I do love the music and appreciate what these athletes do to put on the show. As always, I am super proud of Greg for his hard work in putting this all together every single time; he definitely knows how to put on an entertaining show. By 9:45, everything is getting cleaned up, including all my typing mishaps.
Well, I guess that it’s until September 23 when we’ll be back at the Grand Avenue Pizza Company (Buy your tickets HERE!) and September 30, it’s off to Coolidge Days.
Wrestler Name Key: (Created after the event with Greg’s assistance)
Black Pants - Project Wes
Wildcat - Baylum Lynx
Purple Pants - Da Shade
RamRod - Ram Rock
MBW - This is accurate! That’s what he wrestlers as.
Skater Dude - Shaggy McLovin
White Tank Top - Mike G
Shirt Dangler - Can’t Stop Jamal (AKA.. CSJ)
Long Hair Girl - Gin Sevani
The Emperor - Bryce Saturn
Pigtails - Gypsy Mac
Voodoo - Ju Dizz
Onesie Guy - Honest John
To my credit some of these wrestlers were new to IZW! :)
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