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Rich Trionfo
USA
266 Posts |
 Posted - 04/23/2007 : 14:48:25
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On Friday night, Full Impact Pro Wrestling returned to action in Inverness, Florida with its International Impact weekend. Among the list of top international wrestlers on this show are Shingo from Japan, Claudio Castagnoli from Switzerland, the returning Nigel McGuinness from England, and the debuting Yamato from Japan. Will Claudio Castagnoli take the Florida Heritage Title to Switzerland or will Erick Stevens be able to retain the title against a member of the YRR? What will happen when Roderick Strong faces the newest addition to the FIP roster, Yamato. Who will challenge the YRR with Black Market facing another month out of the company due to their loss in the Loser Leaves FIP for 90 Days match? What is next for DP Associates?
The show started off with the YRR of Chasyn Rance, Kenny King, Sal Rinauro, and Claudio Castagnoli coming to the ring. Claudio got on the mic and he says that he is proud to represent Switzerland tonight against Florida. He talks about his match against Erick Stevens for the Florida Heritage Title. Claudio says that the title belongs to him and he will take the title back to Switzerland.
Kenny King gets on the mic and he says that they have a jet ready for Claudio for when he wins the Florida Heritage Title and it will have the finest ladies, cigars, and Kristal. He says the YRR will treat Erick Stevens just like they treated Black Market and run him off.
Seth Delay and Jerrelle Clark come out and Seth gets on the mic. He says that they have heard enough and they challenge the YRR to a match.
Match Number One: Sal Rinauro and Kenny King of the YRR (with Chasyn Rance) defeat Jerrelle Clark and Seth Delay
Delay and Clark start off the match strong as they work over Rinauro and try to work on his arm. Rinauro tries to get free but the quick tags from Clark and Delay are too much for him. King is able to tag in and the momentum of the match shifts as the YRR members double team Delay and use the referee to prevent Clark from getting in the ring. Rance even joins in the action to triple team Delay. Rinauro gets too aggressive when he charges into the corner after an Irish whip and that allows Delay to make the tag. Despite Clark’s attempts to fight back, King gets the three count on Clark.
After the match, the members of the YRR attack Delay as they celebrate their victory. Sal gets on the mic and he says that they ill have a gift for everyone tonight and it will prove that they are the finest in FIP. Clark and Delay chase the members of the YRR to the back.
The members of DP Associates (Delirious, Dave Prazak, and Mr. Milo Beasley) come out and Prazak gets on the mic. He says that Delirious is the greatest masked wrestler in the world and then he gives Delirious the mic and Delirious comments on many subjects including Prazak’s comments about being the greatest masked wrestler.
Jigsaw comes out and he wonders if Delirious is the best masked wrestler in the world. He challenges Delirious to a match to prove who is the best masked wrestler in the world. He asks Delirious if he is a coward.
Prazak says that Delirious is not afraid of anyone and accepts Jigsaw’s challenge.
Match Number Three: Delirious (with Dave Prazak and Mr. Milo Beasley) defeats Jigsaw
The bell rings and Delirious runs out of the ring and gets a chair but the referee takes it from him. Jigsaw is able to control the early portions of the mask as Delirious tries to unmask Jigsaw. Delirious tries to work over Jigsaw but Jigsaw is too quick and that forces Delirious outside the ring to regroup. The action goes back and forth with Delirious hitting a Panic Attack on Jigsaw. They fight outside the ring and Jigsaw sends Delirious onto Mr. Milo Beasley and then Jigsaw hits a somersault senton. Delirious tries to finish off Jigsaw but he misses on a Shadows Over Hell attempt. Jigsaw hits a Tornado DDT and sets for a super kick, but Dave Prazak trips Jigsaw and that allows Delirious to get the three count with Chemical Imbalance II.
The YRR come out and Chasyn Rance gets on the mic. He says that hey have proven that they are the best team in FIP and remind everyone that they ran out Black Market. Sal Rinauro gets on the mic and he has a few jokes for the crowd involving Black Market.
The Heartbreak Express (Sean and Phil Davis) come out and Sean gets on the mic. He wants to know who the YRR think they are. Sean says that he and Phil might not be friends with Black Market but after 18 months of battling with them throughout the state, they have respect for Black Market. Sean points out that they are two time FIP Tag Team Champions and faced Black Market in the Cage of Pain. He challenges all three members of the YRR in the ring to a match tonight.
So Cal Val comes out and she says that she knows about the feud between Black Market and the Heartbreak Express. She talks about her past with the Heartbreak Express and she says that she will be at the side of Sean and Phil for this match.
Match Number Three: Sal Rinauro and Chasyn Rance of the YRR defeat the Heartbreak Express (with So Cal Val)
The brawl starts off outside the ring with the Heartbreak Express getting the early advantage. The action moves to the ring and the Heartbreak Express maintain control as they work over Rance and Rinauro. Rinauro and Rance are able to fight back and take control and work over Phil. They draw Sean into the ring and the referee deals with him while they double team Phil. Phil fights back and when Rance and Rinauro try to double team Phil, Phil gets out of the way and Sean is tagged in. Sean cleans house and works over Rinauro while Rance tries to take one of Val’s boots. Rance gets into the ring with the boot and the referee stops Rance. Val comes into the ring and she sprays something in Sean’s eyes allowing the YRR to get the three count.
After the match, So Cal Val leaves the ring with the YRR. Val gets on the mic and she tells the Heartbreak Express that girls like her do not associate with losers like them. Val says that she is young, rich, and ready for action.
Phil Davis gets on the mic and he says that he does not talk much but if the YRR want a war, they have it. He says that the YRR have not gotten rid of the Heartbreak Express.
Match Number Four: Nigel McGuinness defeats Shingo (with Dave Prazak and Mr. Milo Beasley)
Both men work on the arm at the start of the match with Nigel getting the advantage as he continues to work on the arm. Shingo is able to hit a DDT to change the momentum in the match and then both men exchange forearms. Nigel sends Shingo into the ring post and then he returns to the arm and puts Shingo in a Fujiwara arm bar but Shingo makes it to the ropes. Shingo fights back and he is able to get a near fall after a piledriver. Mr. Beasley trips Nigel and that allows Shingo to get a chair. Nigel is able to avoid the chair shot and he gets Shingo to tap to the Rings of Saturn.
Larry Sweeney comes out and he asks the people of Inverness if he is looking good tonight. He says that he is in a great mood because he saw a beautiful reflection in the mirror and it was him. Then he saw the name of X-Pac on the marquee for tonight. He says that there is no denying that X-Pac is great and has done it all, but he has a message for X-Pac. He says that X-Pac is done. Larry says that he is the King of Inverness and nobody comes into Larry Sweeney’s back yard. Sweeney says that X-Pac has a butt kicking waiting for him.
X-Pac comes to the ring and he says that he has two words for Larry Sweeney.
Before the match begins, Sweeney announces that his ICWICWA Texarkana Television Title is not on the line tonight.
Match Number Five: X-Pac defeats Larry Sweeney
Sweeney goes outside the ring to try to calm down the crowd which clearly supports X-Pac in this match. X-Pac holds on to a side head lock but Sweeney eventually goes outside the ring again. X-Pac pulls Sweeney back into the ring and tries for the Bronco Buster, but Sweeney gets his foot up and that allows Sweeney to gain control of the match. Sweeney goes up top but X-Pac gets up and press slams Sweeney. Sweeney tries to go outside to regroup but X-Pac with a pescado. X-Pac goes up top and Sweeney tries to stop him but X-Pac is able to hit a cross body for a near fall. Sweeney tries to get the victory with his feet on the ropes, but X-Pac is able to kick out. Sweeney argues with the referee and then X-Pac hits the Bronco Buster and gets the three count with an X Factor.
It was time for intermission.
Match Number Six: Erick Stevens defeats Claudio Castagnoli (with So Cal Val) to retain the Florida Heritage Title
Claudio tries to intimidate Stevens with a slap after a clean break but Stevens returns the favor. Neither man can gain an advantage as they try to take their opponent down. They fight outside and Stevens sends Castagnoli into the guardrails. Stevens tries for the choo choo in the corner but Castagnoli with a drop kick to the knee and Claudio starts to work on the leg. Stevens fights back and he hits a Northern Lights suplex and power slam despite Castagnoli’s attempts to work on the leg. Castagnoli then goes for the arm. Stevens tries for the Doctor Bomb but Claudio blocks it and hits a bicycle kick but only gets a two count. Claudio hits a European uppercut but Stevens responds with a Doctor Bomb for the three count.
After the match, the other members of the YRR come to the ring and attack Stevens. Seth Delay, Jerrelle Clark, and the Heartbreak Express come to the ring and the YRR leave and head to the back.
Before the next match, Roderick Strong gets on the mic and he tells everyone that if they have not noticed, the champion has a new title belt and it is now a World Title belt. He talks about how he is giving Yamato a chance to win the best title in the state of Florida.
Match Number Seven: Roderick Strong defeats Yamato to retain the FIP World Heavyweight Title
Yamato starts off the match by trying to work on Strong’s leg. Strong takes the advantage with a series of chops and forearms. The match goes outside to the floor as Strong continues to control the action. Yamato hits a Saito suplex that allows him to gain control of the match. Strong tries to fight back but Yamato is able to counter the champion. Yamato puts Strong in a wrist clutch abdominal stretch and then gets a near fall. Yamato goes up top and Strong is able to stop Yamato. Strong appears to have things under control after a superplex and Blue Thunder Driver, but Yamato hits a spear and suplex for a near fall. Strong hits a back breaker and tries for the Gibson Driver but Yamato counters it into a suplex and bridge for a two count. Strong with a Yakuza kick followed by a gutbuster and Gibson Driver for the three count.
After the match, Strong shakes Yamato’s hand before leaving the ring.
Match Number Eight: Mad Man Pondo versus Mark Briscoe goes to a No Contest in a Falls Count Anywhere Match
Pondo comes to the ring with a sledgehammer, stop sign, and golf club. Pondo tries to use the stop sign early in the match, but Mark is able to avoid it and he gets to use the stop sign on Pondo. Mark gets a series of two count. Pondo puts Mark in the Tree of Woe and then he puts the stop sign in front of Mark’s face. Pondo gets the sledgehammer and throws it at the sign. Pondo tries to staple a dollar bill from a fan onto Mark’s head, but Mark is able to get the dollar and stapler and he staples Pondo. They fight outside the ring and Mark uses a chair to throw Pondo into the ring post. Mark sets up a table near the stage. Pondo and Briscoe both try to send each other through the table but all attempts are blocked until Mark puts Pondo on the table. Mark comes off the stage with a double stomp through the table. They return to the ring and Pondo tries to use a number of chairs on Mark, but Jay comes to the ring and he pushes Pondo off the turnbuckles. Necro Butcher comes to the ring to help his tag team partner. Mark with a German suplex into the chairs in the ring and then he hits a pescado onto Necro. The referee calls for the bell.
Pondo and Mark fight to the back as the second half of the double main event begins.
Match Number Nine: Necro Butcher defeats Jay Briscoe in a No Disqualification Match
Necro kicks the referee as the match begins. Jay picks up the referee and then he kicks the referee and piledrives him. They fight outside the ring and exchange chops on the floor. Necro tells Jay that he wants more chops but Jay punches him in the head. They fight into the crowd and Jay uses the guardrail to work over Necro. Jay returns to the ring and picks up the referee who has been out since the piledriver earlier in the match and Jay punches the referee. Jay puts one of the guardrails on top of Necro and then Jay hits a senton splash onto Necro. Jay has Necro set up for an Ole kick but Necro throws a chair at the charging Briscoe. Necro uses a chair for added impact on a slam on the floor. They return to the ring and Necro hits Jay in the leg with the chair. Necro puts Jay in the Tree of Woe and then he kicks the referee. Necro hits Jay in the knee with a chair while in the Tree of Woe. Necro puts Jay in a single leg crab but there is no referee while Jay has his hand on the rope. Necro hits a side slam and sit out Gibson Driver on a pile of chairs but the referee is still out. Necro tries for a Death Valley Driver, but Jay counters with a Jay Driller onto the chairs and then he hits a splash on Necro on top of the chairs and Jay makes the three count himself. Necro motions that he kicked out at two. Jay hits a superplex onto the pile of chairs. Jay then sets up a table in the ring and hits a knee through the table on Necro. Pondo comes out and he hits Jay in the head with the stop sign. Mark comes out to even the sides and he fights with Pondo on the floor. Jay is hit in the head with the stop sign and Necro gets the three count.
After the match, Pondo gets on the mic and he says that they gave the tag title belts that they took from the Briscoes back because it will be that much better when they win them tomorrow night.
Mark gets on the mic and he says that tomorrow night will be a war and he tells Necro and Pondo to ‘man up’. Before the Briscoes leave the ring, they give the referee a double uranage.
International Impact Phase One Thoughts:
The YRR have emerged as one of the top factions in the state of Florida and when you consider that you already have DP Associates in this company, FIP has the two best heel factions in Florida. The YRR have been in a number of midcard feuds, but they are slowly making their way into main event angles.
I thought the opening tag match was a good way to start off the show. The YRR are the up and coming heel group and their feud with Seth Delay has been ongoing for almost a year.
It was funny to hear Claudio Castagnoli at the start of the show talking about how he was going to return the Florida Heritage Title to Switzerland after beating Erick Stevens.
I thought it was a good touch to have Delirious get on the mic to talk about how he is the top masked wrestler in the world, and other things that only someone fluent in ‘Delirious’ could understand.
The Delirious/Jigsaw match was good and featured some comedy as well as good wrestling.
It is strange to see the Heartbreak Express as the fan favorites in the feud with the YRR. I like how the Heartbreak Express have not done a full turn because they are defending the reputation of the team they feuded with throughout 2006, Black Market. It not only establishes the feud between the Heartbreak Express and the YRR, but it reminds people about the feud between the YRR and Black Market.
The match between the Heartbreak Express and YRR was good and I look forward to seeing where this feud is going.
So Cal Val’s return to FIP after six months away from the company might have been a surprise to some in the crowd. After seeing what she did to the Heartbreak Express, I think she will enhance the YRR with her presence.
The Shingo/McGuinness match was good and Nigel made a strong return to the company after his first appearance with the company in September 2005. Nigel’s presence adds a lot to a loaded roster.
The Sweeney/X-Pac match was an entertaining match and it was a good thing for Sweeney that the ICWICWA Texarkana Television Title was not on the line.
While the first half of the show was good, the four matches on the second half of the show brought it to a different level. The Stevens/Castagnoli match was very good. Erick Stevens was the top wrestler in Florida last year and he is maintaining that level in 2007. With his recent addition to the Ring of Honor roster, Stevens will be able to prove that he belongs there.
This was the first time that I have seen Yamato wrestle and he was very impressive. After being dominated early by Strong, he was able to fight back and he held his own with Roderick despite falling victim to the best chops in the business. I was really impressed with the wrist clutch abdominal stretch. I thought that Yamato was going to try for a suplex out of the abdominal stretch, which would have made an impressive move even more spectacular.
The no contest finish of the Mark Briscoe/Pondo match was a little bit disappointing but with the brawl the next night for the tag titles, it could be argued that they were getting ready for that level of violence one night early.
If you are a fan of violent brawls, the four shows that have featured the Briscoes matches against Mad Man Pondo and Necro Butcher are must buy items.
With the fans at FIP being more of a WWE fan than ROH fan, I was surprised that there were no Triple H comments when Pondo brought out the sledgehammer.
I thought it was interesting the way that Necro and Jay were inflicting as much damage on the referee as each other during their match. With no referee in the match, it was funny to see Jay make the three count for himself only to see Necro throw up his arm after the fact and claim that it was only a two count despite the fact that the fall would not have counted.
Full Impact Pro Wrestling returns to action on Sunday, April 29, 2007 with the Southern Stampede in Brooksville, Florida at the Hernando County Fairgrounds. This show will feature a Bunkhouse Battle Royal. Appearing at the show is FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong; FIP Florida Heritage Champion Erick Stevens; Chasyn Rance, Sal Rinauro, and Kenny King of the YRR; Jerrelle Clark; and many more. For more information on Full Impact Pro Wrestling, check out www.fullimpactpro.com
For information on Full Impact Pro DVDs including the latest releases ‘Evening the Odds 2006’, ‘All or Nothing’, and ‘Southern Justice’, check out www.rohwrestling.com
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FIP International Impact Phase One Show Report
