CZW “Awakening” Review 1/14/17

Let me begin by saying that although I attend 95% of CZW events, being in attendance and watching the show on television are two completely different perspectives. They have been firing on all cylinders this year, though. And that isn’t a biased opinion, either. I have heard many positive reactions from a number of different people who are (sometimes) casual fans of the product. Enough with all of the rambling. We can get into my review of the show now.

WXW Shotgun Championship – David Starr (c) vs. Alexander James

We kick off the show with the return of David Starr, who has recently returned to the United States following a very successful tour overseas where he won the Westside Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) Shotgun championship and is looking to defend it as much as possible on foreign soil. Out comes Alexander James. He addresses the crowd, despite the loud negative reaction, and mentions how he too will soon be leaving for an overseas tour where he will also make his WXW debut and he plans to do so as a champion. As he steps up onto the apron, before he is able to enter the ring, he is met with a running dropkick, sending him to the outside. This match was a sprint, from start to finish. I absolutely love David Starr, but I am in the minority when I admit that I am a fan of Alexander James. The guy doesn’t get enough credit. This had a few scary spots involving the head/neck of both Starr and James, but overall, a really good match. Great way to open the show.

Rating: ***1/4

Sean Carr vs. Anthony Henry

Another sprint of a match. Really good. Sean Carr is making his CZW debut here and I wasn’t familiar with his work before this, although I remember hearing his name. On the other hand, Anthony Henry is just one of my favorites to watch. This is going to be a really good year for him. Both men were looking to make an impression here and they certainly did. Lots of action, both inside and outside of the ring, and many near falls. This never did slow down. Great match. Based on his performance, I expect Sean Carr to be back. Anthony Henry picks up win. His next appearance in CZW will be during WrestleMania weekend in Orlando as he competes in his second consecutive “Best Of The Best” tournament. Be sure to check it out, if you get a chance.

Rating: ***1/4

Tony Deppen vs. Tim Donst

Everyone (or mostly everyone) loves Tony Deppen. Your typical underdog babyface that the fans can get behind. Very talented, as well. It seems to me like Tim Donst has been a victim of inconsistent booking since coming to CZW. Donst plays the arrogant role in this match and we see Deppen fight to get back into it at certain points. Good back and forth action here. There comes a moment where Donst tries to secure the countout win, but to no avail. In the end, Deppen gets the upset when he counters a submission with a roll-up. After the match, Donst reluctantly shakes the hand of Deppen and goes to the back, only to return and attack Deppen from behind as he’s celebrating a huge victory at the entrance way.

Rating: ***1/2

CZW World Tag Team Championships – Scarlet & Graves (c) vs. Dub Boys

I like all four guys in this match. Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz are so good early in their careers. Being under the tutelage of Dave Crist can only help to propel them even further. The Dub Boys get a little better with every match. This was the first title defense for Scarlet & Graves since winning the championships back at Cage Of Death. The story here is that although their talent inside the ring speaks for itself, they became champions by attacking a vulnerable EYFBO (who had just defeated Da Hit Squad to win the CZW World Tag Team Championships) when Brittany Blake cashed in her  “Ultimate Opportunity” to get them an immediate title shot. A pretty good match. Nice heel work by Scarlet & Graves, as well as JT Davidson. At one point, it looks like Dub Boys have the match won as they hit their finisher on Dezmond, with Zach somewhere on the outside, but the referee is distracted by Davidson. Wentz attempts to slide into the ring with one of the titles, but is cut off by EYFBO. Dave McCall with a dive to the outside, taking out EYFBO, leading to the champions retaining after a cheap shot to the back of the head with the championship by Dezmond. Afterwards, EYFBO chases the champs through the Skate Zone.

Rating: ***1/4

Dave Crist vs. Sami Callihan

I had expectations for this match from the moment it was announced. I was not disappointed. Not much needs to be said about Sami Callihan. He’s one of the best wrestlers in the world. Dave Crist is another story. He has really come into his own as a singles wrestler and is carrying a bit of momentum in this match, while Sami has been on the losing end. They seem to be pushing the story of Dave denouncing Sami, and also his brother Jake, after forming Scarlet & Graves as the reason for their match. This too starts off at a fast pace. It doesn’t exactly slow down. A bit stiff (as expected) and great chemistry between these two. Both JT Davidson and Brittany Blake were at ringside, but no involvement from either. Dave Crist picks up the win, continuing all of his momentum and adding to the string of losses for Callihan. After Crist walks to the back, the referee tries to help Callihan to his feet and is met with a bicycle kick instead. Sami refuses to leave and sits in the ring. Music plays and out comes “The Artist Formerly Known As” Jake Crist who asked Callihan what’s wrong before planting a kiss (yes, a kiss) on Sami Callihan and leaving.

Rating: ***1/2

Jeff Cannonball vs. Mike Dell

Mike Dell comes out accompanied by Kit Osbourne. He gets a mic and tells the crowd his name. Twice. Says he’s there to make a name for himself at anybody’s expense, by any means necessary. He’s about to issue an open challenge when someone from the crowd throws a roll of toilet paper into the ring and knocks the mic out of his hand. Music plays and out comes Jeff Cannonball. Not a squash match, but nothing special here. Cannonball wins.

Rating: **

CZW Rules – Drew Blood vs. Conor Claxton

The match stipulation says it all. This was a fight. Another result of the Nation Of Intoxication imploding. Nothing about this was technical. Chairs (one wrapped in barbed wire), a ladder and of course, blood. These men were out to kill each other. Pretty good for what it was, but this match ended in a No Contest after interference from Devon Moore, who pulled the ref out of the ring when Conor Claxton appeared to have the match won and then attacked Claxton. Danny Havoc would eventually make the save and ask Claxton to team with him one more time against Devon and Drew the following month.

Rating: ***

CZW World Championship – Joe Gacy (c) vs. Rickey Shane Page

Rickey Shane Page is one of those “deathmatch guys” who can work other styles. He’s versatile. I’m a fan of both of these guys. Joe Gacy as champion is a nice change of pace, but I think it came at the wrong time. The reaction from fans has not been good. RSP was a heavy favorite here. This match was a lot better than the crowd would lead you to believe. A very hard-fought battle between these two that actually felt like a main event. Gacy retains and gets on the mic to address the crowd to close the show. Great match.

Rating: ***1/2

A very solid show to kick off the new year. Lots of great matches and storyline progression to lead into the anniversary show in February. As I stated at the beginning, they have been firing on all cylinders lately. I’m excited to see if the momentum keeps rolling as the year goes on. I just have a really good feeling that 2017 will be a great year for CZW and it started off on the right foot, so hopefully everything will continue looking good for this company.