Apr 25, 2006

Discovering Chikara


Chikara
Ryan Township Fire Hall - Barnesville, PA
I went to my first Chikara show on Sunday afternoon and I can't say enough good things about this company.  It's like watching a comic book come to life, with fan interaction, fun characters, and storylines that you won't find anywhere else.



To give you an example of what I mean, here is the origin story for one of the tag teams that wrestled on this show.  Two years ago, a knight from the middle ages named Lance Steel was transported to the present through the Galactica 3000 time machine.  Shortly thereafter, Lance's younger self made the same journey.  The older Lance Steel met the younger Lance Steel the present and decided to form a tag team called... Lancelot.  On Sunday they wrestled against two luchador ants, Fire Ant and Soldier Ant, whose team is called The Colony.

 It's bizarre and amazing, and I absolutely loved every second of it.  This definitely won't be my last show.

Results:
Update: This show was released on DVD under the name "Apocalypso".  It is available on ChikaraPro.com.

Update #2: Both members of The Colony who wrestled on this show went on to achieve mainstream success following the closure of Chikara.  Fire Ant signed with AEW and is now wrestling as Orange Cassidy, and Soldier Ant signed with WWE and won the Cruiserweight Title under his current name, Drew Gulak.

Apr 24, 2006

After Show #100





After the ROH show on Saturday, I met Delirious, Allison Danger and Pelle Primeau, all three of whom are genuinely good folks.  Delirious wrestled twice that night, so it was especially cool of him to take some time to meet a nerdy fan like me.

Apr 23, 2006

The CZW War Continues At Show #100


Ring of Honor started just over four years ago at ECW Arena in South Philadelphia.  Their first show on February 23, 2002 was headlined by a triple threat match between Low Ki, "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson and "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels.  Low Ki would go on to become the first ROH Champion a few months later - a belt that is currently held by Bryan Danielson as the company goes into its 100th show.

The title match was in the middle of the card last night at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory as the war between ROH and CZW took center stage.

Update: This show was released on DVD under the name "The 100th Show".  It is available on ROHWrestling.com.

Update #2: Apocalypse, who wrestled in the opening match at this show, signed with NXT in 2012 where he wrestled as Viktor, one half of The Ascension tag team.

Apr 17, 2006

Once You Go Blak...



Coca-Cola Blak
Coca-Cola (2006)
This may be my favorite soda of all time.  The package calls it a "carbonated fusion beverage", which is a fancy way to say that they've blended the flavors of coffee and cola.  It may not sound like it would taste good, but it's smooth and delicious, and it's definitely better tasting than an energy drink.



Another reason that I love Coke Blak is the fact that it has only 45 calories per bottle.  My weight has gotten out of control, and for the first time in my life, I reached over 300 pounds in December.  I've been watching what I eat and drink this year and cutting back or cutting out a lot of the things that I used to enjoy, and beverages are at the top of that list.  I've gotten myself back under 300 pounds, but there's still a long way to go.  I'm allowing myself a bottle of Coke Blak as an occasional treat, but it's not going to be something that I have every day, and I'm not going to drink any more than one a day.

Apr 13, 2006

Trump Plaza


Trump Plaza
Atlantic City, NJ
We're staying at Trump Plaza tonight for two reasons: it's the least expensive hotel on the boardwalk, and it feels like time traveling back to the 80's.  It feels like they haven't remodeled this place since they held Wrestlemania IV next door.

Apr 10, 2006

Caesar's Palace



Caesar's Palace
Atlantic City, NJ
I have an odd appreciation for indoor settings  that are designed to feel like they're outdoors.  This is something I typically found in old malls that have a center court with a skylight, trees, park-style benches and faux roof awning that hangs over the entrances to some of the stores.

The best example that I ever found of what I'm talking about was at Epcot Center.  It was in one of the countries; Italy, I think, but it was fifteen years ago so I could be wrong.  I remember that it was so realistic that I actually forgot I was inside of a building until my stepmother mentioned it.

This section of Caesar's Palace isn't quite that realistic, but it had the same vibe.  It's a restaurant hub surrounded in Roman decor with trees and stone floors that give this area a feel of an outdoor cafe.



There's a large statue of Caesar Augustus near one of the entrances of this area.
 


The center has a large restaurant called Mia.  The main portion is through a set of pillars surrounded by a curtain, but there are tables with umbrellas on the outside as well.  The picture came out a little dark, but it really is very pretty.

Apr 9, 2006

Damn You, JohnnyBens



Allentown Service Plaza
Pennsylvania Turnpike - Allentown, PA
Unless I'm in a big hurry, I always make it a point to stop at the Allentown Rest Stop every time I'm headed down the Turnpike to Philly or Atlantic City, even if I'm good on fuel.  Part of that is the fact that it has the only Roy Rogers restaurant in the area.  However, my motivation recently has been the trivia game on the Megatouch machine.



This is the Megatouch Maxx Emerald 2.  It's a touchscreen arcade-style game that you usually find in bars, restaurants and truck stops.  One day, I stumbled onto a trivia game called Quiz Show and I managed to get the top score at 47,000.  Since that time, JohnnyBens swooped in and knocked me out, and I've been trying to get it back ever since.

Teriyaki is my dog's name, by the way.  We just call him Terry.

Apr 3, 2006

Believe It Or Not



Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum
Atlantic City, NJ
Well, that's definitely a building that draws your attention.  This is a museum that features artifacts and objects collected by Robert Ripley and the things that appeared in his syndicated newspaper feature, Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

Vampire killing kit
Shrunken head
Haitian voodoo statue
Coal from the wreckage of the Titanic

Vlad The Impaler (the statue, not the nerd standing in front of it)

Apr 2, 2006

Hi Jimmy




Made a new friend on the Atlantic City boardwalk.

Apr 1, 2006

La Dolce Casa



La Dolce Casa
Tamaqua, PA
This is one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever been to.  Everything I've ever had here has been absolutely delicious!  It's not often that I have an opportunity to get dressed up, but my family and I attended a wedding reception here and took a few photos.




Mar 13, 2006

Generation Next


Generation Next
Tony Luke's - Philadelphia, PA
After the shows at ECW Arena on Saturday night, myself and many of the other fans in attendance met up at Tony Luke's to have cheesesteaks and talk about the show.  We were unexpectedly joined by Austin Aries, Roderick Strong and Matt Sydal - three of the four members of Generation Next.  They were very awesome dudes, and they took this photo with me.

Mar 12, 2006

ROH vs CZW - The War Continues



Last month, I went to a CZW / ROH double header in Philadelphia.  The first show that night was CZW at the old ECW Arena, and the second show was ROH at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory.  The order has been reversed for this show, and both companies are holding their show at the most famous indy wrestling venue in the world on the corner of Swanson and Ritner.

Results:

After the main event, BJ Whitmer came to the ring to challenge CZW.  Members of the CZW locker room ran to the ring (including John Zandig, Necro Butcher and Super Dragon) to brawl with Whitmer and members of the ROH locker room.


CZW: When 2 World Collide
ECW Arena - Philadelphia, PA

Results:

*Update: Both of these shows have been released on DVD.  The first is called Arena Warfare and is available on ROHWrestling.com.  The second is called When 2 Worlds Collide and is available on CZWrestling.com.

Mar 1, 2006

A Kindred Spirit


Octavia Butler
1947 - 2006
The world has lost a brilliant writer late last month when Ms. Butler passed away outside of her Washington home.  She was 58 years old.

I first discovered Ms. Butler in the mid 90's when she did an interview with the Sci-Fi Channel to promote her 10th novel, Parable Of The Sower.  She immediately stuck me as a kindred spirit (no pun intended) - a person who has difficulty interacting with others and who can see human society for what it is when you peel back the glossy coating.  I feel the same way, and I often wonder which is the result of the other.  In that interview, she mentioned that she had no idea how to get along with other children.  The host asked her if she gets along with people now, and without an ounce of humor, she told him "I can fake it.  I can do it for periods of time, and then I have to go back home and hide for a while.  I'm a very solitary person."  I have felt exactly the same way throughout my life.

Her stories are a pessimistic, but not hopeless look at the future.  If you're a fan of science fiction and haven't experienced her work, check out Kindred and Parable Of The Sower.

Feb 26, 2006

Four Years Of Honor


ROH: The Fourth Anniversary Show
Results:

Update: Several years after this event, Handsome Johnny began to wrestle as Hanson.  He and Raymond Rowe formed War Machine, who won the ROH Tag Team Championship in 2015.  They signed with NXT in 2018 where the team was known as the War Raiders.  The following year, they were moved to the WWE Raw roster where the team took on the name of The Viking Raiders.  Handsome Johnny/Hanson is now known in WWE as Ivar.  Additionally, Mitch Franklin wrestled in a student match at this show.  He would continue with ROH and across the indies under the name Grizzly Redwood.

Jan 31, 2006

That Must Have Been A Really Hot Start


Northern Arizona University
Lady Lumberjacks basketball
I can't say I've ever watched a Sixers game that inspired such a reaction.

Jan 17, 2006

The Twelfth Angel



Leliel
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Episode 16 (1996)

"No one can justify life by linking happy moments into a rosary."
- Leliel

Jan 15, 2006

Cross Town Double Header In South Philly




The first shots of an inter-promotional war between ROH and CZW have officially been fired this weekend.  Both companies had a Saturday show in Philadelphia across town from each other. CZW was first with an afternoon show at the former ECW Arena, followed by an ROH show later in the evening at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory on Southampton Road.  Each company invaded the other's turf during the show, which culminated in a title match between ROH World Heavyweight Champion, "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson and one half of the CZW Tag Team Champions, Chris Hero.


CZW: An Afternoon Of Main Events
Results:

Update: Both of these shows have been released on DVD.  The first is called "An Afternoon of Main Events" and is available on CZWrestling.com.  The second is called "Hell Freezes Over" and is available on ROHWrestling.com.

Jan 5, 2006

No Chili Peppers Were Harmed In The Washing Of This Dog


War of the Coprophages
The X-Files (1996)
In the 12th episode of Season 3, Dana Scully washed her dog with an amusing pet shampoo called Die Flea Die.  The plot for this episode was turned into an X-Files novel for teenagers which was titled Die Bug Die.

Jan 4, 2006

Rage In The Cage



WWE Velocity and Smackdown TV Taping
Wachovia Arena - Wilkes-Barre, PA
This was kind of a last minute decisions so my seats weren't too great, but I did get to see my first WWE cage match.  Also, two wrestlers from WXW in Hazleton appeared on the show: "Smooth" Tommy Suede and Supreme Lee Great, who worked under his real name, Jon Trosky.  It was also the debut of The Shane Twins from OVW who were promoted and repackaged as The Gymini.  The matches were decent, but the show was centered around a dopey soap opera storyline in which Melina has accused Batista of sexual harassment.

The Smackdown matches were recorded to air on the UPN Network this Friday, January 6th.  The Velocity matches will be streamed on WWE.com as of Saturday, January 7th.

WWE Velocity results

Singles MatchSylvain Grenier defeated "Smooth" Tommy Suede

Tag Team MatchThe Dicks (Chad Dick and James Dick) defeated Fred Sampson and Scotty Charisma

Singles MatchJamie Noble defeated Scotty 2 Hotty

Singles MatchBobby Lashley defeated Havoc

Tag Team MatchThe Mexicools (Psychosis and Super Crazy) defeated The Full-Blooded Italians (Big Vito and Nunzio)

WWE Smackdown results

Falls Count Anywhere
Singles Match		John Bradshaw Layfield defeated Matt Hardy

One On Three
Gauntlet Match		Mark Henry defeated Rob Eckos, Jon Trosky and Gus Harlacher

WWE Cruiserweight
Championship Match		Kid Kash defeated Juventud Guerrera

WWE United States
Championship Match
(Best of 7 Series - Match 6)		Chris Benoit defeated Randy Orton*
*substituting for Booker T

Tag Team MatchThe Gymini* (Jake Gymini and Jesse Gymini) defeated Paul London and Brian Kendrick
*Simon Dean introduced The Gymini, who were making their WWE debut in this match

WWE Tag Team
Championship Steel Cage Match		MNM (Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury) defeated Batista and Rey Mysterio Jr
Mark Henry ran in, ripped the door off of the cage to attack Batista and Mysterio to cost them the match.



Update: This was Juventud Guerrera's last appearance in the WWE.  He had a number of backstage altercations, and he performed moves that he was told not to do (including the 450 Splash) in his match against Kid Kash.  He was fired from the company after the show.

One of the jobbers on Velocity (Fred Sampson) would go on to become a member of the Nexus and a WWE Tag Team Champion, Darren Young.  Also, one of the jobbers who faced Mark Henry on Smackdown (Rob Eckos) would go on to become Robbie E, a TNA Tag Team Champion, Television Champion and X-Division Champion.
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