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» Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
» On Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 4:12 AM EST
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Airing October 18, 2008 in Nashville on Comcast 74
Taped September 12 and September 19, 2008 in Millersville, Tn at the SAW Mill
LAST WEEK AT THE SAW MILL…The babyface wrestlers were in the dressing room congratulating Jerry Lynn on winning the SAW International Championship. Lynn said he never doubted he could beat Kid Kash and thanked the fans for believing in him. The wrestlers anointed Lynn with bottle water. “Hey guys, where’s the champagne?” Lynn asked.
Michael St. John and Reno Riggins were at ringside with the fans barely visible through a thick haze. Somebody got majorly carried away with the fog machine this week. Reno said it was another sell out crowd and he was JACKED. This week: Raven would make his SAW debut. They announced Chase Stevens vs. Dillinger for this week, giving Reno a chance to cut loose with his “main event anywhere in the country” line.
TJ Harley hit the ring and proceeded to wear out his right fist on the heads of Chrisjen Hayme and Shawn Shultz. The announce team didn’t know what was going on. Harley ducked an ambush by Shultz. Harley continued to unleash his fury, one against two. Hayme took one for the team and powdered out. Kurt Herron called for the bell.
1 – SHAWN SHULTZ (with Chrisjen Hayme) vs. TJ HARLEY
They brawled with Shultz dominating the action. Ms. Worthington was conspicuous by her absence. Reno said she was scheduled to be there. Shultz used a back elbow for a two count and grounded Harley with a long rear chinlock/sleeper. MSJ said it was a form of the Corsican sleeper made famous by Jean and Joe. Shultz lit Harley up in the corner. Harley no sold a barrage of Kobashi style chops, made the fiery comeback and hit his fisherman neckbreaker across the knee. Harley paused to celebrate and got kicked in the head by Hayme, while Herron was checking on Shultz (why would he do that?). Shultz DDTed Harley for the pin.
WINNER: Shultz in 4:28. At least Harley got to play Superman in the beginning, since was going to look like a chump at the end. I guess he was focused on hurting Shultz rather than pinning him. Hayme’s kick was bad the first time, so why draw attention to it with a replay?
2 – KID KASH vs. DREW HASKINS
The bell rang three times for some reason. The rookie had his back turned to the irate and slightly irrational former champion. Kash started beating on the Haskins. Haskins surprised Kash with a sunset flip and mustered up a flurry of offense. Kash escaped a bodyslam, pounded Haskins from the mount and basically mauled the poor kid. Kash used a face stretcher and crossface forearms. Haskins caught Kash with a roll up and a small package. Kash took Haskins down into a cross armbreaker. Haskins quickly tapped. Herron had to pry Kash off of Haskins.
WINNER: Kash via submission in 3 minutes. The vicious beating it should have been with coming off of Kash losing the title. Haskins got more offense than I expected, and probably more than he should have.
Biggs conducted a postmatch interview. An enraged Kash went on a profane tirade when Biggs referred to him as the former champion.
Jerry, you go to the office and suck BLEEP all you want, but it’s never gonna save you…mark my word, Jerry. I swear to God. Do you hear me? I swear to God, I’m taking MY TITLE back.
3 -- RAVEN vs. TRAVIS SAWYER (with Tony Locasio)
Fans were chanting for Raven from the start. Riggins said Travis was the son of Buzz Sawyer. MSJ said Sawyer’s manager was Tony Lothario and wonder if he was kin to Jose. The guy was about as Latino looking at MSJ. Raven wanted to fight on the floor. Sawyer kept jumping back in the ring. Meanwhile, the announce team was putting Raven over like deity. Sawyer caught Raven with a knee as he was coming back through the ropes and started beating him up on the floor. Sawyer took over. He gave Sawyer’s shoulder repeated shots into the post. Back inside the ring, Sawyer used a low blow. Sawyer sold the shoulder before going on a crazed attack, looking more like a Sheepherder than Buzz. Sawyer knocked himself silly by missing two middle rope headbutts. Raven made the comeback and used a discus lariat along the way. Raven won it with the Evenflow DDT.
Winner: Raven in 5:45 with the Evenflow DDT. Neither guy looked good. Raven moved like he was hurting. Lots of bad low-intensity brawling. It did come across as something out of the ordinary for SAW due to the style.
A sweet preview segment aired with clips of Dillinger and Chase Stevens. Dillinger looked like a psychotic hillbilly version of Shawn Michaels in his straw cowboy hat.
4 – DILLINGER (with Paul Adams) vs. CHASE STEVENS
Dillinger did a warm up routine to showcase his athletic prowess – a redneck version of Chris Hero came to mind. Riggins claimed all the major wrestling companies were contacting him trying to buy Stevens’ contract. MSJ pointed out that both were former SAW tag team champions. Dillinger went to the floor for time outs and verbal abuse from the fans. When they cut to a close up of famed Nashville wrestling fan, “Chicken Hat” Charles, MSJ asked if he bought that hat from Minnie Pearl. Dillinger slapped Stevens on the break. Stevens tattooed Dillinger with right hands and hit a dropkick for two. They traded stiff chops with Stevens coming out on top. At 4:00, Dillinger got a boot up and took over with a middle rope lariat. The announce team noted that Dillinger wasn’t barefoot. Riggins said they had gotten complaints about fungus on the mat. Dillinger landed a right fist for a one count and hit a snap suplex for two. Dillinger hit a slingshot suplex to the outside and pounded Stevens. MSJ produced one of the most hilarious moment in Saw history when he said Dillinger had a tattoo of freaking AL SHARPTON on his chest. Stevens backdropped Dillinger over the top. Dillinger took a spectacular bump to the floor, but was quickly back in control. Back inside the ring, Stevens hit a shadow lariat and it was both men down. Stevens made the comeback with a flying forearm, a Chono kick and a reverse Russian legsweep for a near fall. MSJ said he hadn’t seen that move since Ivan Putski, and I doubt he saw it from Ivan. Dillinger threw Stevens down on the back of his head for a near fall. Stevens hit a fireman’s carry slam and went to the top. With Adams distracting the ref, Chris Michaels ran down to upend Stevens, who took a flip bump into the ring. Dillinger pinned Stevens after a guillotine legdrop.
WINNER: Dillinger in 9:35 after interference by Chris Michaels. Good stuff with two guys that can really go. A lot well executed big moves in this match. The finish advanced the story.
Returning from the break, Stevens was still in the ring getting his wits about him. He ran up the ramp, presumably hunting for Michaels.
The announce team threw it to Biggs at ringside with A-Team. Biggs congratulated them on Dillinger’s win. “We don’t like to ever come out and toot our own horns but TOOT TOOT.” Adams said TVA were going to get their tag team titles back from Tribal Nation in the near future. Mainly, he mainly wanted to address the situation with Nikki Vaughn. Adams started getting choked up about the injury Ric Santel suffered at the hands of Vaughn. Dillinger said the whole A-Team was there for him. Adams said friends like that only come along once or twice in a lifetime. Santel took his sunglasses off to display an ugly bruise on his left cheekbone. “Look at it! No, don’t look. He’s a hideous mess, Rod.” Santel said that cheater Nikki Vaughn broke his Zygomatic bone in three places. Santel said he was out of wrestling for 6 weeks. He bemoaned all he had done for Vaughn over the years. “Look at my face. He couldn’t have broken my leg or my arm. It had to be my face.” Santel and Adams went on and on about THE FACE. Dillinger told Santel not to let it throw him off his game, because he was still by far the best looking man in SAW. Adams said Vaughn would have to face “The madman from Dixieland” Dillinger next week. In addition, Arrick Andrews would have to face Hammerjack next week. Biggs informed Adams that Andrews had accepted his challenge. Adams said he didn’t recall issuing any challenge. “Paul, I love you, brother, but you issued the challenge. Andrews has accepted the challenge. Freddie Morton said the match is happening in four weeks,” said Biggs.
5 – MARC ANTHONY vs. JEFF JAMISON
Anthony charged down the ramp for this standby match. He offered Jamison a free shot, no sold it, and thoroughly trashed Nubbie. Anthony used a double underhook suplex. The rest was just a sadistic beating. MSJ said Anthony was inbred between the Sheik and Abdullah and got the worst of both. Anthony buried Jamison with a top rope elbow drop for the pin.
WINNER: Anthony at 2:14 with the Maniac Melee. A classic squash. Jamison takes a great beating.
Anthony stared at the ceiling while he had a talk with Uncle Ronnie P. Anthony then found a noose from under the ring (fancy that) and hung Jamison over the top rope. Jamison was flopping around in a helpless state. Palpable consternation in Reno’s voice.
His face is turning red. Next is blue, and next is you’re gone.
Gary Valiant hit the ring. “Where did he come from? It’s Boogie!” Valiant started firing punches. Anthony took a backflip bump to the floor off a Valiant haymaker. Anthony tried to climb back in the ring and was being pulled out by Riggins and security as the hour came to a close.
What a way to end SAW today. Boogie is back!
Closing Thoughts: The was an average show for the first 30 minutes, but it really picked up steam in the second half - the A-Team interview, the main event and the return of Valiant were all excellent segments. Santel’s promo work has been outstanding of late. Dillinger/Stevens was the type of match that SAW used to lack – athletic, quality workers given adequate time to show what they can do. The hanging segueing to Valiant’s return was a great way to close the show. The crowd was hot for it and St. John was very good here. Anthony and Valiant should be good stuff. Boogie was the perfect choice to be the first to step up and face Anthony. Speaking of MSJ, you just never know what’s going to come out his mouth next. Who else could work reference to “the late” Mike Tyson, The Corsicans, Len Rossi, Jose Lothario, Minnie Pearl and Al Sharpton into one hour?...The follow ups on last week’s title change were well done. It appears the Kash/Lynn program will continue, so there’s still a chance for that elusive great match…It was a shame that Worthington had to miss this taping. They had to make the best out of a bad situation with Shultz/Harley…The debut of Raven was less than stellar. After giving him the big buildup, Raven sold extensively for an unknown guy and looked completely blown up when it was over. Buzz must be rolling in his grave about Travis using the name. On the plus side, the fans did respond to Rave as a star…There were some nice production touches on the show – the Chroma key intro for the Kash match and the clips to set up Stevens/Dillinger.
Larry Goodman also sent this report in:
NWA Main Event - ION episode 29
Airing October 18, 2008 in Nashville on ION 28
Taped on October 14, 2008 at the Nashville Fairgrounds Sports Arena
Jason James and Tyler Clemmons opened from behind a desk with an update on the situation between J.P. Lightning and Chris Cane. James said Lightning had been advised not to wrestle and instructed to obtain another doctor’s release. They cut to clips of Cane dropping Lightning on his head with a pair of piledrivers two weeks ago and refusing to break the STF last week until Lightning’s girlfriend threw in the towel. They showed them out of order, but what the hell, it got the point across.
Tennessee Homecoming 2008 at the Nashville Fairgrounds Sports Arena on Thanksgiving Night. Be there!
1—SHANE SMALLS vs. BRYAN CASEY
Smalls abandoned a straight chain wrestling approach with a pair of shoulder tackles, pouncing with quick covers after each. Casey was ready for it the third time and caught Smalls in a drop toe hold. Smalls bumped big for a flurry of offense from Casey and scrambling to the outside for a TO. Moments later, Smalls slipped out of Casey’s spinning headscissors to take control. Smalls hit a suplex slam. More covers ensued with Clemmons noting Smalls’ mounting frustration level since losing the Mid-America TV Title. Smalls hit two back suplexes and a double stomp to the back for another near fall. Smalls destroyed Casey’s back, but Hardaway was hanging in there. Casey got a glimmer of hope with a twisting crossbody off the middle rope. Smalls kicked out and CREAMED Casey with clothesline. Smalls ended the torture with a moonsault.
Winner: Shane Smalls with a moonsault in 7 minutes. I think Smalls got the most out of Casey here. This was a super effective push for Smalls as a title contender. Smalls looked razor sharp in a decisive win. The other key thing was they way he was portrayed on commentary – deadly serious with the killer instincts of a champion, as opposed to making him the butt of joke like last week.
Promo by Smalls stating he was the top athlete in the NWA, and deserved a title shot at Steve-O. “Two fluke victories, that’s all they were. Review the tapes.” Smalls said his physical dissection of Casey proved his was worthy of having HIS belt back. Smalls said O’s luck was about to change.
2 – CHRIS CANE vs. BILLY HARDWAY
The commentators said Cane had crossed the line with Lightning and it had gotten way personal. They hammered home the point that Lightning was out of commission. Hardway used a pair of Japanese armdrags. Cane begged off, only to poke Hardway in the eyes and kick him in the knee. James confirmed that the girl, who jumped to Lightning’s defense last week was indeed his fiancée, Scarlett Rose. James said he grew up with Cane “and he makes me sick now.” Hardaway tenaciously worked an armbar, until Cane yanked him off the ropes and dropkicked his knee in midair. Cane was all over Hardway’s knee. He used an Indian deathlock and switched to a trailer hitch type maneuver. Tried to at least. Cane got distracted and Hardway clocked him with an enzuigiri. As Hardway made a one-legged comeback, sure enough, there was Lightning at ringside. He was in a neck brace and Scarlett was trying to hold him back. Lightning got up on the apron. Cane guillotined Lightning’s neck off the top rope, leaving him in a crumpled heap at ringside. “The neck. Once again, Jason, the neck.” Scarlett tripped Cane to distract him and he got rolled up. Cane threw a tantrum.
Winner: Hardway in 6:22 after interference by Scarlett Rose. I thought the storytelling aspects of this match were outstanding: another brutal dissection by the evil Cane, leading to more torment for the never-say-die babyface, only to be fall victim to the good guy’s girlfriend.
Cane was livid in his promo. He was done with Lightning, dropped him on his head, stretched his neck, and put him in a neck brace. “And here you come hopping your gimpy little butt to the ring.” Cane warned Lightning’s girlfriend about sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.
JP, you keep her out of my business, or I’m going to make her my business.
Cut to Scotty Barry with Lightning and Scarlett. Barry asked him what he was doing there, since he was clearly in no condition to wrestle. Lightning said he was there to prove his career was not over. Barry informed Lightning of Cane’s threat towards his woman. “I’ve got this,” she said. Lightning said no way. Cane’s fight was with him, and he better not dare to lay a hand on her.
3 – TV Title Number One Contender’s Match: “Mean” MIKE WOODS vs. SHANK “The Freak” BARZINI (with “Solomon King” Walt Barzini)
Woods was having his way with Shank, as he used his size advantage to overpower “The Freak”. Uncle Walt tripped up Woods, and Shank kicked him in the ribs. Shank jackhammered Woods’ with punches to the head. Shank paused to shake off the punishment he had absorbed before launching a relentless attack on the ribs. James said he had never seen Woods manhandled like this. Wood fired back with some killer chops, but Shank took Woods down and started in on his back, using a classic camel clutch. Woods made a heavy fisted comeback, but Shank ducked a clothesline and hit a flying clothesline of his own. While Walt distracted referee Jamie Ferrari, Shank grabbed Walt’s briefcase. Big swing and a miss. Woods punched the briefcase into Shank’s head. Down goes Shank. Ferrari saw Woods holding the evidence and DQed him. Woods threatened to slug Ferrari. They cut to a close up showing the smashed up briefcase.
Winner: Barzini via DQ at 6:15 due to Woods getting caught using the briefcase. Great focused intensity from Freak. This was the best he’s looked in NWA Main Event. It was also the best performance from Woods during this current run.
Back-to-back promos from Woods and the Barzinis. Woods was pissed that Shank cost him a TV title shot.
I’m the man with the eyes without a face. Try and try your whole life long, Shank, these eyes you cannot replace. You will not leave with that belt. If you do, it will be over MY…DEAD…BODY.
Walt reminisced about finding Shank in a cage with people paying admission to see him because he heard the voices. Walt said he was hearing the voices, too, and they were saying the people thought they were a joke. Freak lived up to his name – a voice like gravel, grunting and laughing and banging his head.
By the time I get done with Steve-O, you’re going to respect Walt, fear me, and no one is going to be laughing.
We returned from the commercial break to see Ali Stevens wipe out Snake Jones, Charming Charles and Little Booger with a slingshot crossbody. Clemmons explained that Snake’s scheduled opponent, Chris Phoenix, was called away on a family emergency. Stevens and Snake traded ugly blows at ringside. Ref Mark Owens was breathing down their necks. Jones shoved him, as did Stevens, then they double punched him. At that point, Owens waved off the match. This was out of control. Stevens sent Charles and Booger sprawling again by instigating a three way collision with Snake.
Promo by Jeff Daniels and Christopher Starr (with Dominique). Daniels, the epitome of overconfidence, said he had one of the baddest men walking as his partner. Starr said the only things that shined brighter than Chistopher Starr were Daniels and the title belt. Starr said he was there to make sure the belt stayed on Daniels. Yo, Chris. It’s a tag match.
4- JEFF DANIELS & CHRISTOPHER STARR (with Dominique) vs. STEVE-O & “Playboy” SCOTT HAYES
The announce team brought up the shoulder injury Hayes incurred at the hands of Daniels last week in Portland. The faces pulled the no tag switch on the heels. Clemmons called it “a Chinese tag.” James asked what was wrong with Chinese people. Clemmons said they made wonderful food. Daniels would cheat, then duck through the ropes and turn his back when Hayes wanted to retaliate. Hayes reversed Daniels in the corner fired back rapid fire ala Jerry Lawler. Starr jumped in to take a couple of bumps. They went to the commercial break with the heels licking their wounds on the outside. We’re back. Daniels has Hayes in a short arm scissors. Clemmons said that as a former representative of the NWA, Daniels had every opportunity to come back on the right side of the law. They worked over Hayes’ shoulder. There was a spot where the heels locked hands to block a sunset flip and Ferrari kicked them apart. Dominique interfered. Clemmons said if Jamie admonished Dominique, he might get sent to bed without dinner. James asked Clemmons what he was insinuating. “It’s suspicious. That’s all I’m gonna say, it’s suspicious.” O cleaned house with some horrible looking punches. The heels collided after taking stereo atomic drops. O superkicked Starr and Hayes covered for the three count.
Winner: O & Hayes when Hayes pinned Starr in 10 minutes of TV time. Just OK. Daniels plays the bottom feeding heel about as well as anyone. Starr didn’t distinguish himself. He did the job. I could see no reason to bring him back. O didn’t look like the same guy that did those singles matches with Smalls. I think that has something to do with Smalls.
Analysis/Random Thoughts: There was more energy put into getting the midcard stuff over than what’s on top. In this instance, that’s a good thing. Daniels has gotten plenty of face time lately. Long run, it’s wise to see who and what they can elevate. Cane/Lightning is the deal. The two tiny guys have the best program. Barzini/Woods had gotten way more interesting than I expected. Woods make a great opponent for Barzini. Both of their promos were top notch. The one by the Barzini’s was particularly twisted… They’re doing a stellar job with the handling of Smalls’ push. It’s tricky business booking a heel with such a stellar work rate…The psychology in NWA ME matches has become very solid with focused attacks on body parts in almost every match. Another lackluster crowd of around 50 isn’t helping their cause…The Jones/Stevens stuff was bizarre as usual, and I dare say better than anything Snake vs. Phoenix had to offer…They eased up on the Ferrari family collusion theory this week. Drama like that deserves a slow build…Main Event isn’t blessed with a deep crew right now. They’re getting about the most out of the talent at their disposal. There’s something to be said for that.
Back To WrestleView.com
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