From Rob Brodhecker: The last time I attended a GPCW show was in June of last year at the same venue. Some things haven't chang...
The last time I attended a GPCW show was in June of last year at the same venue. Some things haven't changed like The So Fine Mafia still causing havoc in West Georgia, but other things have changed. GPCW has brought in some new talent to the area for some infusion of energy to the proceedings.
Jason Boyd is your ring announcer. Ryan "Butterbean" Harmon and Stan Robinson are your refs. At least 170 in attendance at the Calloway Livestock Pavilion.
The Mercenary (with Peanut) vs. "Big Smash" Chris Cox
There is just something special about the crowds in West Georgia where their passions just run to the extremes of Love and Hate. The Merc attacks Smash as he enters the ring. Smash fires back until an eye poke slows Smash down. This match falls under the "large men hitting each other hard" category. The action is ringside. Smash no-sells and chop and lays waste to Merc. Back in the ring, Smash lands the colossal leg, but Peanut distracts Harmon and Smash. Smash avoids a Merc attack, and Peanut interjects himself again, Harmon tosses him out. Merc's choking Smash while the ref is dealing with Merc. Smash counters and gets a couple of near falls. Merc gets a cutter in, but Smash gets his foot on the rope. The crowd is going bananas. Smash is hulking up. Stinger splash followed by some juking and jiving and a huge right hand by Smash to seal the victory at 8:26. The crowd goes completely gaga, B+. Yes, I am grading it that, deal with it.
Jess Wade vs. Shawn Clark
This is a change of pace from the previous match. Wade and Clark are on the larger size but not as big as the men in the last match. The crowd is encouraging Clark to break Wade's leg, I love it. Wade moves out of the way of a Clark splash attempt, and Wade is back in control. Clark wanted to do a moonsault, but Wade trips him on the top rope and does a version of "Oh Canada!" Clark is fighting back, but a glancing blow knocks ref Harmon for a loop. Wade takes advantage and kicks Clark in the baby maker and pins him at 6:45. Another fun match, B-. Clark is in some severe pain in the ring and has to be helped to the back.
-- First intermission --
GPCW Tag Team Championship Match: Lamar Phillips and Jamie Hill vs. Dem West GA Boyz (Josh Storm and Sean Nelson) (c)
The challengers are impressive looking. This crowd is incredibly raucous tonight. Chain wrestling starts off the match. DWGB is controlling the early going, playing up to the masses. A Josh Storm crossbody from the top gives the match the first near fall. A distraction from the outside puts the heat on Storm. A 20-second verticle suplex gives the challengers a near fall on Storm. Storm is taking a government mule whipping. A hope spot for Storm, but he's slow to get to his feet, but he makes the tag. Nelson's on fire and gets a near fall. A DWGB combo moves, and the pin attempt is broken up. All 4 men in the ring, the challengers whip DWGB towards each other, but they avoid, and they double roll up the challengers for the win at 12:46. This is an A- match.
2 on 1 Handicap Match: " The Mountain King" Nitrus vs. Athens King and David Burkett
Nitrus is begging for his opponents to enter the ring. Nitrus attacks on the bell and gets some shots in, but the 2 on 1 number quickly catch up. Nitrus gets tossed ringside, and he takes that opportunity to fight back. He flies from the top turnbuckle onto the other men on the floor. He gets a near fall in the ring. Nitrus gets beat on some more but punches his way back. Nitrus reverses a double suplex, and all the men are down. Nitrus is back up and using the other guys as punching bags. The other guys fight back, and Pete is holding up Nitrus, and Davis is throwing some forearms. Nitrus ducks and levels Davis. Nitrus picks up Pete in a Fireman's carry and drops him with an End of Days. Davis gets the same, and Nitrus double pins them at 9:27. C+, it could have been a couple of minutes shorter.
Nitrus is on the mic and asks C-Dawg if this is all that he can throw at him. March 14th, Nitrus wants C-Dawg, if C-Dawg stops being chicken.
-- Second Intermission --
Main Event Grudge Match: So Fine Mafia (Brad Lynch and Peanut (Allan Black) (with The Mercenary) vs. Jimmy The Kid and Frankie Mayhood (with Tweety)
Just some clean, good old fashion hate happening here. Merc gets into it with some fans, and they are out for some blood. Lynch is mocking and insulting the crowd, and several try to rush the ring. Mayhood wants to start with Lynch but Lynch tags in Peanut. Mayhood quicky takes the former manager to the task, and Peanut quickly tags in Lynch. Mayhood and Jimmy work in quick tags and double teams on Lynch. Lynch tags in Peanut again, but that's like feeding some read meat to the wolves. Lynch is back in, and he gets dragged all over. Lynch catches Jimmy and hot shots him.
Jimmy is taking the heat for his team. The Mafia are working Jimmy over with all the heel tag moves. Lynch slows it down and locks in the nerve pinch. Jimmy's using his feet and a bulldog to get some space. Hot tag to Frankie, he knocks Peanut off the apron and squares off with Lynch. Lynch is choking Frankie on the ropes. Lynch tags in Peanut, and he works over the arm of Frankie. Frankie makes the hot tag to Jimmy. In his efforts to attack the Mafia, Jimmy runs into Frankie, who was standing on the apron. Frankie falls on Tweety. Frankie takes Tweety to the back, and Merc hits Jimmy with a chain, and Stan Robinson calls for the DQ at 17:58.
Lynch tells the audience that Frankie will sell you out for $1. The Mafia put the boots to Jimmy. They stand tall over the lifeless body of Jimmy the Kid, with Lynch exclaiming that this is the house that the So Fine Mafia built. The crowd gives Jimmy a round of applause while he gets helped to the back.
March 14th, GPCW will crown a champion in a battle royal.
Final Thoughts:
1. Some of the lesser know promotions in the state get ragged on, often deservedly, for being crappy in promotion, wrestling, and buildings that they run in. While the building, in this case, isn't the best (let's face it, the only way anyone hasn't gotten some sort of disease from the restrooms is that the bacteria and viruses are too busy fighting each other), this show was popping from beginning to end. No technical masterpieces or 5-star matches, but it was a freaking good show.
2. Sir Charles was correct in stating that sometimes people just want to see big guys clobbering the heck out of each other.
3. I do love hearing stories from the older vets and retirees.
4. A person or group of people that can make the crowd want to rush the ring and drain their blood is doing a bang-up job.
5. The last time I was at GPCW, I had counted the crowd at 120-130. Earlier this month, they submitted a report stating a crowd of 150. I counted 170+/- for this show.
6. The crowd was loud all night long. And with the close confines of the Pavilion, it made the noise that much louder.
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