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Last Sunday night marked the debut of the new wrestling promotion in the island
of Puerto Rico: Extreme Wrestling Organization (EWO). Their first event was
named "EVOLUTION 2008" and it seemed to live up to its moniker. We had been
reporting everything that was happening during the last couple of weeks leading
to the event and I have stated that the expectations for the show were very
high. From all the comments that I have been able to gather from people that
attended the show, everyone seemed to agree that the company delivered. Lets
talk about what happened during the show and I will have more to build onto
after.
The show started with the introduction of the CEO Jose Garcia and GM Frankie
Villegas. They welcomed everyone to the show and hoped that everyone was ready
to experience the evolution of wrestling in Puerto Rico. They then introduced
their TV announcing team of Nelson Centeno and Axel Cruz. They came to the
ringside, where they had the announcing booth set. After this, we go to the
video screens for a brief look at where EWO has been in the past (indy company)
and where it will be going forward. After the video was over, the crowd was
treated to an introductory pyro display that seemed to be very well received by
the fans.
1. "Three way Dance" that saw Jean Pierre LaTorre, formerly known as Johnny
Ringo in WWC, defeating Havok and another young talent. It is said to have been
a great display of ability and a very good opening bout for the show.
2. Rude Rosado defeated Black Commando with a small package.
3. From PRWA: Lider Chavez & Lider Castro defeated Christian Taylor & Masato
Takemura. One of the best matches of the night. Lots of high flying and hot
spots accompanied by a great martial arts display by Takemura.
Next we see Jose Huertas Gonzalez, Invader #1, come out to the ring and welcome
everyone to the show. He also stated that he is there to work with the young
talent and help in the evolution of wrestling. He also says that although he is
retired, he will do whatever it takes to ensure that a true evolution does take
place and that the company succeeds.
4. JP defeated Dark Blade. Said to be a good match. Young talents that showed
a lot of potential.
5. Chris Mora defeated Bone Crusher. Solid match... After the match was over,
Bone Crusher attacked Mora. Bone Crusher's manager, D' Jackson, brought a table
into the ring, which Crusher used to apply a Power Bomb and leave Mora laying in
the ring. Mora was then taken out if the ring area on a stretcher. This was
the set up to start a good angle. We should see it unfold in the following
shows.
Out to the ring comes the tag team of Neo & Montana and they talk about how
great they are and how they will rule in the EWO just like they had done in the
past. Out of nowhere, we see a spotlight hit the entrance ramp and the crowd
received a great surprise: PRWA's "Los Aereos" Sensational Carlitos & Hiram Tua.
They addressed Neo & Montana and told them they were in EWO and they were
staying there. They then challenged them to a match later on the show which
they accepted.
6. "Sexy Boy" Christopher defeated Vertigo in another high flying, spot filled
match. Both talents made sure that the crowd learn who they were very quick as
it has been said they put on a very good bout.
The MC was getting ready to introduce the Main Event of the evening when he is
interrupted by former WWC's Universal Heavyweight champion Noriega. He comes in
the ring and says that the "rebel" has finally landed where he needs to be, and
that is at the top of the evolution; at the top of EWO. He stated that he
deserved to be crowned the champion since he was already "The champion". Out
comes Mr. Big and confronts Noriega. Big says that he was also "The champion"
at one point and that he deserves a title shot just as much as he does. They
argue for a few more seconds and end up brawling, having security get them
apart. Another storyline gets started, and this should be a good one, as we
have the top two names in the company battling in a feud right from the
beginning.
7. Neo & Montana vs "Los Aereos" Sensetional Carlitos & Hiram Tua went to a
double count. It was said to be the match of the night as both teams put on
what has been said to had been a classic bout. After the match "Los Aereos"
issued another challenge to Neo & Montana for a match that will take place
at their next event. N&M accepted the challenge.
As I said, overall, the feedback and comments from the people that were at the
show has been positive. There were a few things that could have been better,
but it was their first event. They will have an opportunity to show that they
are a company that will learn from their mistakes. They ran in a very nice
venue with good accommodations and they delivered on their promise to entertain
the kids as they had all kinds of things for them to do, as well as an area for
pictures and meet & greet with the wrestlers before the show.
Interesting to note, the show drew between 250 and 300 fans. That might seem
low, but consider this facts: it is a new product, new talent, new concept, no
TV (before the show), only internet marketing and a few guest spots on 2 or 3 TV
shows during the week. When you look at all this and you compare with the big
companies (IWA & WWC) that have been established for a long time and do have all
the marketing and TV available to them, it actually was a good draw. That is
what WWC & IWA have been drawing lately for their weekly shows, except for their
big shows, where they might draw closer to the 1,000 mark. The ticket prices
could have been a reason that some fans stayed away, as they seemed a little
higher than normal. The company has already addressed this issue for their next
show and ticket prices will be much closer to what the big companies are
charging, which is anywhere from $5 to $12.
One of the most common remarks has been that they had a lot of talent that
people didn't know on the show. Hmmm, isn't the point of an "evolution" to
evolve from what you know and have been accustomed too, into something new and
exciting, something that at least seems somewhat different? Also, if I recall,
these same comments were made by people about Ray Gonzalez, Shane, Huracan
Castillo, T.N.T. (Savio Vega), Miguel Perez, Chris Joel, Bryan and pretty much
all the currently established talent from other companies when they started in
the business. And they have become household names with time. I believe as
fans, we will complain just about anything. Sometimes we are right, but
sometimes our arguments do not make any sense. This would be one of those
times.
On a last note, besides the pyro, all the entrances with music and the stage,
the one thing that stood out the most in this show: they are doing the TV
announcing live at the show!!! Wow, what a concept. WWC and IWA have had their
public accustomed to their voiceovers, which kills the crowd reaction as you are
not able to follow it nor hear it. The live announcing team should be a
welcomed addition to their TV show. We will see the final product next Sunday
when their TV show will debut.
*****
- It was announced today that a benefit show will be held
on Thursday September 4th at 7:30 PM in Toa Alta, PR. At this show workers from
all companies will donate their talents and efforts for a common good. Talent
that has been announced as participating are: IWA's Dennis, Noel, Chicano,
Bison, Blitz, Joe Bravo; PRWA's "El Leon Apollo" & Chicky Starr; WWC's Wizard,
and other superstars.
- IWA-PR will be holding their event "Armageddon" this
Saturday in Bayamon, PR. Amongst the announced matches for the event are: IWA
champion Joe Bravo defending against Blitz; Chicano will be facing international
talent "Kahagas"; IWA Tag Team title match that will see champions "Dueños de la
Malicia" Dennis & Noel battling with "Faces of Fear" Spectro & Rainstein; IWA
Intercontinental title match between Superstar Romeo and "Ravishing" Richard Rondon
(c). This last match has been advertised as a lumberjack match with 10 women
surrounding the ring with belts. More matches should be announced in the next
couple of days.
- WWC will be running shows this Friday in Carolina, PR
and Saturday their weekly house show/TV taping in Fajardo, PR. As I had
mentioned in a recent column, they have announced that "Glamour Boy" Shane, OVW
talent Charles Evans and "King of Old School" Steve Corino will be at the shows
this weekend. (JMP NOTE: Isn't it a little
bit contradictory that they lost their Universal champion due to the fact that
they had a debt with him, but somehow they do find the money to bring in talent
from outside of the island. Don't get me wrong, Shane and Corino have always
been very good draws in Puerto Rico; but Charles Evans? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Unless
there is more information that they have not disclosed, the move just does not
make too much sense to me.)
- As I type this report, PRWA has
yet to announce the location of their "Purgatory" event scheduled to take place
this coming Saturday night. This event was originally scheduled to take place
last Friday night, but was canceled at the last possible minute when news of the
PRWA/NWE's promoter, Osvaldo Ruiz, reaching a deal to work with Wrestlevent
Entertainment and their Extreme Wrestling Organization (EWO). Talent from PRWA
was seen at the EWO show last Sunday night, with more talent expected to be
making appearances in the coming shows.