It’s been a few months, but here we are again with four straight months of shows. Tonight, August 26, we are at a new location, and there appears to be no air conditioning. Not sure if it’s better than being at the outside venue or worse because there is no fresh air. We’ll see how I feel as the night progresses, regardless we are here and doors should be opening soon for the VIP matches.
I have my standard Starbucks dragon drink to help give me sugar and caffeine for the night and there is supposed to be a taco truck. I could definitely go for some greasy and unhealthy carne asada fries…my favorite. Well, my favorite at events; makes it more special when I don’t get it regularly.
Ok, to the point, Greg just cleared all the wrestlers to the back so they can start letting in the fans for the VIP matches. You would be surprised how many people here are book readers. The girlfriend of one of the wrestlers is on Bookstagram with me (yes, we are nerds and love it) and every show I attend I see people reading. There is a lady sorta in front of me reading Stephen King. It looks like it might be Pet Cemetery. It’s all good, I have my ebook to read when I get bored, intermission or when there is nothing exciting to write about.
My children will hopefully not demand anything DoorDashed to them for dinner. They have been cooking together all summer, and I believe the plan is that they are going to make homemade fettuccine alfredo tonight. (Don’t get too excited, they are NOT making homemade pasta…they are only ½ Italian).
Time check is 5:38 pm. People are arriving. It’s a very small venue so it’s not going to be as crowded as they normally are, which is fine because the impact of body heat on the temperature would not be pleasant. Tonight’s show is KOAZ (King of Arizona).
So, I've just been watching people popping in and updating my website, which I have been neglecting lately because of how absolutely overwhelmingly busy life has been. Between an extremely stressful and all consuming job and raising teenagers, I haven’t had much time for anything else. I’m very lucky that I have a crazy, supportive husband. You may actually know him….
Anyways, it is 5:57 and the stage lights are flashing and “Kickstart My Heart” is playing, so I’m guessing we are getting underway. At 6:06, it seems like we are starting. After the announcements, our first match is finally ready. Ref is in the ring, and to the ring comes a cutie patootie of a girl, no idea what her name is though. She is facing Gin? Maybe? We’re going to call her black boots and the other one is going to be white boots. I have seen black boots wrestle with IZW before. Maybe the other one too. Who knows. I loved the little scream, even that was cute.
There is a lot of hair pulling and kicking, and some suplexes. I love that white boots seems to always have a smile on her face. There are a couple of attempts to get a pin, but nothing has worked out yet. After a clothesline it looked like white boots was going to get the pin, but it was only a two count. Black boots eventually gets the pin after some back and forth rope work.
Chuy, apparently it’s not Joey even though every single time it was announced it sounded like Joey, is introduced as the newest member of the IZW roster. He comes out and has a creepy face mask on. He is asked a question, but after whispers something, he simply walks backstage. Oh, the mystery. Guess we will wait to find out more about him later. Next match is up, Damian comes bouncing out, straight from Malibu. He doesn't seem familiar, but I like him already. His opponent is Dallas Cane? Kane? King? I couldn’t understand the announcement and I never remember. My bad and apologies to everyone I should know by now. I’ve seen Dallas wrestle plenty of times, but I’m rooting for Malibu Man in this match.
Not sure if Malibu Man chewing gum is the safest behavior, but who am I to judge? They seem very unmatched in their size difference, so I’m interested to see how that plays out. Lol.. they almost started a little tango dance there in the rings. Sadly, Malibu Man goes down quick after that. A bunch of 2 counts, some flipping off the ropes by Malibu Man. Some hard body slams - it’s definitely a fun match to watch. Both are down for the moment and slow to get up.
Come on Malibu Man, I’m rooting for you!! Get up! He did and turned it into a 2 count. Gotta try harder than that my friend. He must have subconsciously communicated with me, because he immediately turned that into a flip off the top rope and a pin. Malibu Man for the win!
VIP matches are over at 6:35. Greg confirmed that there actually is air conditioning in this place, apparently it didn’t get the memo regarding its job descriptions and expectations.
6:43 - we have a slight power surge that caused the power to flicker. There goes the music and my concern for the AC improving dwindles. Everything seems to be back up and running, so things are looking good.
After getting derailed by a work call at about 6:50, I am back in at 7:05 to the ruggedly handsome and talented Greg DeMarco in the ring discussing the passing of two famous wrestlers this week. There is a short moment of silence, and then we are off to the races.
7:09 first match is introduced. Out first is … no idea who he is, I know I have seen him before. Pretty sure he is the Voodoo guy since that’s what his song says. So, we’re going with that. He’s facing EJ Sparks. This should be a no-brainer. #EJ4LIfe. This is a round one KOAZ match to see who moves on to the finals later tonight.
Voodoo yells at the girl who takes the wrestlers props threatening that she will lose her face if his little voodoo toys get damaged. Ref is prepping them, and the bell rings at 7:13. There is some slow twisting under each other's arms for a little while before they start bouncing off the ropes at each other.
EJ likes to flip around, so I love that about him. Voodoo is a great showboater, so after some Magic Mike moves, he turns back to EJ in time to get some feet to the face. Lots of stomping and slapping and flipping each other around. They are both really strong, there is no question about that and they are equally great entertainers. This is a great match to start the show with. Voodoo picks EJ up to try to pile drive him to the ground, but EJ is able to twist around and take Voodoo down.
Voodoo gets the upper hand and gets EJ’s arm twisted behind him, but EJ is able to get free resulting in the crowd's EJ chant. It is clear that EJ is getting a little tired, but he gets some energy and they trade some back to back flippy moves. EJ gets some kicks in to Voodoo's face and gets the upper hand. There are lots of two counts back and forth, but each of them are digging deep. EJ stands and waits for Voodoo to get up. When he turns, EJ tries a big fan kick that Voodoo ducks. EJ then finds himself driven head first into the mat, but with only a 2 count, EJ turns the tables and rolls Voodoo up for the pin. EJ Wins!
As EJ leaves and Voodoo argues with the ref in the ring, someone in a cape runs out to get Voodoo. Voodoo jumps out of the ring while cape man grabs the mic and calls him back in. Voodoo turns his back and walks away. Cape Guy is Honest John. Thanks for telling everyone who you are, buddy! He calls out someone from the back and pink camo pants guy runs out. No idea who he is, but he’s going to fight Honest John.
7:27 and the bell rings for the second match of the night. Honest John steals Camo guy’s hat, tosses it back, eventually it gets out of the ring. Honest John has a nice toe touch. They are just popping back and forth, bouncing off the ropes, playing leap frog over each other. Not really sure what their history together is. I’m not even sure if I know who pink camo pants is.
Camo pants ends up out of the ring and tries to bring in an illegal item. While the ref is yelling at Camo Guy, Voodoo runs out and attacks Honest John. As a result, Camo Guy is able to pin Honest John to win the second of the KOAZ qualifying matches. Then Voodoo jumps back in the ring and attacks Honest John. Dallas King runs out to try to stop the attack. The commissioner comes out and says, “we are not doing this”, and instead sets up a four way match at the Lion Classic Event in September.
That was fun.
Next match is up. Da Shade comes out in all his sparkly glory. He picks up a folding chair along the way and takes a fan’s beanie and puts it on himself. Not sure what he did with the chair. His opponent is Daniels? Not really sure. I actually thought it was someone else, but it was hard to understand the announcement.
7:40 the bell rings. I love Shade’s multi-colored hairdo. Shade lounges on the top rope with “Main Event” Daniels (his name is written on his butt) just waits.
Now they are throwing each other all over the ring. Including the popular kicks to the face. Ref finds himself caught between them, and then Shade is out of the ring. He gets in only for Daniels to throw him back out.
Daniels just lays in the middle of the ring making snow angels while he waits. Shade slowly makes his way back in before he is counted out. They get to the point where they are both out of the ring. Daniels makes some rude comments to a few fans and climbs back into the ring to wait out Shade. They both get back in and are are plenty more kicks to the face, chest slapping and body slams.
Shade climbs to the top rope, jumps, but Daniels moves out of the way. Daniels then climbs to the top rope on the opposite side of the ring and jumps off making contact with Shade. Daniels is able to get the pin as a result and wins the match. Daniels quickly heads to the back as Shade makes his dramatic exit. This was the second KOAZ qualifying match. Guess that second match with Honest John had nothing to do with the KOAZ. We are just simply going to go with the flow tonight and learn as we go.
7:50 - the next match is introduced. MY FAVORITE - THUG! THUG! THUG! He is partially my favorite because I love his outfits.
His opponent is the IZW 3D Sports Fighting Champion, Jakob Austin young. Do NOT disappoint me Thug! I mean I like JAY, too. Match hasn’t even started and Thug throws himself to the mat and lays on his stomach. Dude, not an episode of COPS. (My daughter and I have been binge watching COPS the last few weekends!) 7:53 and the bell rings!
They are prowling around the ring circling each other before they do that same arm, twisty thing they all like to do. Thug just took a hard hit and JAY is bouncing off the ropes trying to keep Thug down. Thug flips over the main rope and lands hard on JAY. We are getting some 2 counts.
JAY sends his knees into Thug's face. Poor Thug is taking a beating, but he’ll find his comeback mojo. The chest slapping is always so funny because it is so loud. He found it! Thug throws JAY into the ring post, drives him to the mat, but only comes up with a 2 count. Now it is JAY on the mat and Thug waiting for him to get up. Thug pile drives JAY to the mat and again is only able to get a 2 count.
Crowd starts the “This is awesome” chant. Of course it’s awesome. Thug gets a kick to the face. And, they do an amazing run up the rope and flip and roll and I don’t even know, but it was a fantastic move that left me cringing. But, alas just another 2 count. Both end up on the top rope, Thug is able to knock him off, then Thug stands on the top rope, does a huge flip off and lands hard on JAY. Two minutes remaining in the match. Pretty sure that was more for Thug and JAY so they know it’s time to wrap it up.
Elbows are flying back and forth, some more twisting and flipping and another 2 count. One minute remaining. Slapping and punching, rolling around the mat. Bell rings ending the match in a time limit draw. Neither will advance to the KOAZ finals. That’s a bummer. It was a fantastic match. The crowd is chanting for 5 minutes.
Since they can’t get five more minutes. JAY offers Thug a shot at the 3D Fighting Championship belt. He accepts, they shake and leave the ring. This will probably also be at the September show.
Thankfully, because it’s so hot, there will not be an intermission. The problem with that though is I’m not sure when I’m going to find time to go see if there are Carne Asada fries available at the food truck. Sad face.
Next match is introduced at 8:12. First to the ring is Project Wes. He’s facing Charles Cassus, the current IZW World Heavyweight Champion. He walks around high fiving fans before climbing into the ring. It is for the championship. If Cassus loses, he will leave IZW forever. Guess he’s going to win. This is one wrestling show tactic that I have never really cared for. I don’t really find the “oh no! What if he loses?” aspect.
Creepy new guy with scary face mask comes and takes the belts for safe keeping. Bell rings at 8:19. Creepy mask guy then takes a seat in the back of the gym. Creepy…
Match starts with a bunch of chest slapping. Cassius is already out of the ring getting the count down by the ref. He gets back in and quickly engages. Cassius swings Wes around his waist and takes him down. Cassius does another move that has him rolling over Wes’s head and then he body slams Wes. Seems to be all one sided here at the beginning of the match.
Cassus continues to deliver some huge hits on Wes but is only able to get 2 counts out of it. There is a bunch of back and forth. It’s been a good match with some pretty big moves, but it ends with Cassus getting the pin and retaining his championship belt. No way! Didn’t see that coming with the “if I lose, I’m leaving match!” Match ended at 8:30. I think there are three matches left. Wes is helped out of the ring by the ref, and we are moving into the next match.
No intermission due to the heat in the building. It’s actually not as bad as it was at the beginning of the night. It’s time for the six man tag team match. First introduced is Chris Nasty and his partner is Leo from San Diego (I like his hair), and their 3rd partner is PETE THE HEAT! He’s definitely one of the most fun and dramatic wrestlers. I like to watch him and his antics because he yells at everyone.
They are facing Jordan Cruz, The Navajo Warrior, and rounding out their team is …
Pause while in the ring, Pete is already causing issues and has ended up outside the ring. Anyways, the 3rd member of team 2 is Mike G. So, if I have to put my money on one of these teams it is team 2. Sorry Pete.
The attacks begin before the bell rings, but we are officially underway at 8:39. For this show, local businesses were able to sponsor wrestlers, and Pete the Heat, who owns Pete’s Pool Service, sponsored all three of his opponents. I love that!!
Pete is currently in the ring and gets slammed into his teammate for the tag. Nav is in and just picks up and throws Leo. With this many wrestlers it’s really hard to keep up with what is happening in the ring and commentate about it. Needless to say, lots of tagging each other in and lots and lots of chest slapping. We get some kicks to the head and suplexes. Pete is back in, lasted about 20 seconds before tagging in Nasty. Jordan is in and trying to tag in a partner, but is prevented from it. Finally Mike G tags in Jordan and next thing I know Pete is on the ground outside the ring. It becomes three on one against Mike G as they trap him in their corner of the ring.
While the ref’s back is turned, Mike G gets a kick to the face. Pete tagged back in and together he and Nasty suplex Mike G. Pete and G are both slow to get up, but tags are made, and it brings Nav and Leo back together in the ring before it just becomes a free for all with everyone in the ring. Sounds like the student section at a high school football game.
With a tap out at 8:50, Team 2 wins in the midst of fighting happening outside the ring with all the other participants, preventing anyone from stepping in to put an illegal end to the submission move.
Jordan Cruz will be facing Cassus in September for the Heavyweight Championship. So after a promotion of that match and the Sept 23 show in Glendale, we are ready for the ladies match.
Next match. The first to the ring is Mazzerati, I’m sure it’s spelled wrong, but I did my best! She makes me think of Rainbow Bright. That isn’t a bad thing either. Rainbow Bright was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. I loved her and had a Rainbow Bright Trapper Keeper. But she’s really pretty in her blue and purple get up. Her opponent is Bryn, the current Women's champion. I will say, I got to watch these two interact pre-show which is so different then their “in show” interactions.
I’m going to see if Carne Asada fries are a thing at the food truck. I’ll be back in a moment….
Ordered my Asada Fries and popped back in to see how the ladies were doing. They are doing the verbal thing, but Maz had enough and took Bryn down. Bryn was nice and returned the favor. They took it out of the ring for a minute, but got back in, only to sneak out the other side again. They do some flipping moves, but no one is attempting a pin.
Going to check on my fries….
Got my fries and the match is still going. While I was outside I heard some 2 counts, and there have been several more but nothing ending the match yet.
Crowd is starting the “Let’s go Bryn” chant. Some missed fan kicks. Maz is waiting for Bryn to get up before taking her down again. But on another missed kick, Bryn takes advantage and gets the upper hand on Maz. Getting a lot of back and forth action and another 2 count. Bryn eventually gets the win with a submission hold tap out at 9:11.
This means it is time for the main event which is the KOAZ finals between EJ and Daniels. Ok. Introduction over, everyone is in the ring and the bell sounds starting the match at 9:17. EJ better win or I may buy him the romper he needs to wear to the show next month, after I let Thug pick it out.
Daniels is hiding in the crowd, EJ patiently waits. Daniels is back in the ring, only to roll back out. Clearly he’s a little scared about facing EJ. Once Daniels is back in, EJ distracts him by talking to him only to give Daniels a kick to the head.
The physical match is underway. Daniels thinks he’s going to bounce off the ropes and get EJ, only to collide with EJs feet with his face. Fighting outside the ring again. After fighting in the corner of the crowd, they roll back into the ring. Both are getting some hits in. EJ gets 10 good punches in while trapping Daniels in the corner.
Daniels is able to get some momentum going and does the whole arm twist around and under thing. Crowd starts clapping for EJ to get up, Daniels who is standing over EJ, starts clapping in mocking of the crowd. Moves and countermoves, as President Snow would say.
EJ does a series of kicks, connecting several then lands some kidney punches. But, Daniels retaliates and slams EJ to the mat. EJ does an amazing flip off the top rope, but it results in Daniels turning it around and getting a 2 count. Followed shortly after by EJ getting a 2 count. It’s a great match, they are very well paired up athletically to put on a great show.
I love the moves where it starts one way and in the course of them spinning and flipping each other around the advantage changes several times until it ends in a way that you are like, Thank God no one got hurt.
Daniels gets EJ in a submission hold, but EJ is able to grab the ropes to cause Daniels to release him. Leads to a suplex off the top ropes where they are both a little slow to get up. EJ gets up and does a flying roundhouse type kick to Daniels, but it only leads to a 2 count.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Daniels is able to get the pin and win the King of Arizona trophy and crown.
So, I seriously need to get in touch with Thug about EJ’s romper situation.
Commissioner is in the ring giving Daniels his crown and thanks them both and says they are the backbone to IZW. They are always in the finals of IZW tournaments. The two shake and hug and Daniels raises EJ's arm. Then in true wrestling fashion as EJ turns to leave Daniels attacks him from behind. Naturally that results in Da Shade and Thug coming out with I can’t remember who the other guy is. Daniels jumps out of the ring and meets up with Cassus to go backstage, ending the show.
May have been hot in the building, but it was an enjoyable show. That’s all for now, until next month when we are back in Glendale. Click here to buy tickets. I’m also very thankful that you stuck it out and read all the way to the end!
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