JAPW Showcase 4/26/2006

Written by: Bob Colling

Jersey All-Pro Wrestling presents Showcase
Date: 4/26/2006
From: Rahway, NJ

Opening Contest: Danny Demanto vs. Bandido Jr.: Demanto catches Bandido on a crossbody to start the match and hits a Samoan Drop. Demanto continues with a vertical suplex following forward. Demanto gets distracted on the apron allowing Bandido to try for another crossbody, but Bandido counters a slam attempt by hitting a tornado DDT to the floor. Bandido goes for a cover in the ring, but Demanto kicks out at two. Demanto tries for a powerbomb, but they counter each other several times. Demanto gets the quick pin with an inside cradle. After the match, the Outkast Killaz attack Demanto with EC Negro and Bandido. Negro comes off the top to deliver a leg drop to Demanto. (*1/2. They really didn’t get an opportunity to do much, but I was left wanting to see more of these two in the ring against each other. Considering the aftermath and the following promo, I’m not sure what Demanto won when that’s really an afterthought.)

La Familia claims they have a new member and it is Monsta Mack. They want Mack to be the enforcer of the group. The microphone is not very well heard via the cameras, but I’m sure the crowd can hear just fine. So, if Mack wants to be part of La Familia all he has to do is lay down for EC Negro. That seems like a weird way to enter a stable.

Second Contest: Monsta Mack vs. EC Negro: Mack lays down for Negro to pin him. Mack decides against it and kicks out. Mack clotheslines the Outcast Killaz. Bandido is press slammed over the top onto the La Familia. Negro comes off the middle rope to clothesline Mack. Negro knee strikes Mack in the corner but Mack tosses Negro overhead with a suplex into the corner. Negro ducks a clothesline and locks in a cobra clutch until Mack breaks free. Mack delivers a reverse jawbreaker followed by a lariat. Mack gets shoved off the top by Bandido Jr. La Familia enters the ring and attacks Mack to cause the disqualification. After the match, Danny Demanto comes back out with a steel chair to make the save. Mack declines a handshake and clotheslines Demanto. (*. Well, it would appear that the first twenty minutes of this show was just angle development. I’m not sure if the crowd really cared about what they were going for.)

Backstage, Monsta Mack is interviewed regarding Danny Demanto. Mack can’t trust Demanto and the lights go out. We hear a chair shot and Mack is left laying.

Third Contest: Alexa Thatcher vs. Mercedes Martinez: Thatcher starts off with a head scissors and a monkey flip out of the corner. Martinez stops Thatcher by dropping Alexa to the mat followed by a kick to the chest for a near fall. Martinez plants Thatcher with a wheelbarrow German suplex. Martinez continues with a vertical suplex. Thatcher drops Martinez over her knee followed by bulldog for a two count. Thatcher avoids Martinez in the corner but is met with a kick over the middle rope. Martinez kicks Thatcher several times on the back. Martinez hits a fisherman buster for the win. (*. Well, Martinez has been getting a lot of attention in JAPW so it shouldn’t be a surprise that she won an extended squash match here. Nothing all that exciting has taken place, yet.)

Fourth Contest: Xavier vs. Ricky Reyes: After a few counters on the mat they have a standoff. Xavier knee strikes Reyes in the corner and forearm strikes. Xavier rolls towards the corner to deliver another knee strike. Reyes kicks Xavier over the back and knee strikes Xavier through the ropes to the floor. Reyes misses a baseball slide and is kicked by Xavier over the apron. Xavier dropkicks Reyes from the apron to the floor. Xavier sends Reyes into the guard railing. Reyes counters a shoulder strike from the apron and plants Xavier with a DDT over the middle rope. Reyes scoop slams Xavier followed by a knee drop for a near fall. Reyes kicks Xavier, but Xavier fights back with a few chops. Reyes boot scrapes Xavier and keeps Xavier on the mat with a nerve hold. Xavier and Reyes collide on stereo crossbody attempts. Reyes dumps Xavier to the apron but Xavier connects with a springboard dropkick sending Reyes to the floor. Xavier takes Reyes out with a suicide dive. Xavier sends Reyes shoulder first into the ring post and railing. Xavier drives Reyes back first into the corner and delivers a knee strike for a two count.

Reyes tries for a suplex, but Xavier counters and ducks a kick. Reyes plants Xavier with a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Reyes kicks Xavier on the chest a few times but misses a kick to the head and Xavier slams Reyes for a two count. Reyes locks in a triangle choke, but Xavier refuses to give in. Xavier powerbombs Reyes and delivers several strikes. Reyes connects with a fisherman buster for a two count. Reyes dropkicks Xavier on the knee but Xavier comes back with a suplex for a two count. Xavier comes off the ropes to deliver a lariat for a two count. Reyes counters Xavier hitting a side suplex. Xavier avoids a few strikes and drives Reyes down with a dangerous piledriver. Xavier hits the Kiss Your Ex Goodbye neckbreaker for the win. (**1/4. A decent match and probably the best match to this point on the show. The crowd hasn’t really been given a lot to be excited about thus far. For an average match, the match came across much better because of the lackluster start to the event.)

Fifth Contest: Dan Barry vs. Jav-Air vs. Plasma: Air and Plasma are in the ring as Barry bailed to the floor. Plasma hip tosses Air to the floor and Barry controls Plasma with a headlock. Barry kicks Air off the apron to the floor. Air comes off the top to missile dropkick Plasma and heel kicks Barry. Air hits a slingshot hurricanrana to the floor. Barry takes Air out with a moonsault to the floor. Plasma dives over the top to take everyone out with a dive. Plasma slams Air followed by a knee drop for a two count. Air comes off the ropes with a knee strike, but Barry came off the ropes to nail Air with a knee strike. Barry crotches Air in the corner and puts him in the tree of woe. Plasma dropkicks Air and Barry does the same. Plasma gets decked by Barry with a discus clothesline. Barry drives Air down with a backbreaker for a two count. Barry takes Plasma over with a snap suplex and a springboard moonsault for a two count. Air takes Barry over with a reverse hurricanrana. Plasma dropkicks Air for a two count and gets a two count on Barry. They do a Tower of Doom spot in the corner and all three men are down.

Plasma forearms Air against the ropes and delivers a gut buster. Plasma drops Air over his knee face first for a two count. Barry nearly pins Plasma with a rollup. Barry tosses Plasma with a suplex. Air plants Barry with a Codebreaker. Plasma crotches Air on the top rope. Barry kicks Plasma from behind and puts Plasma in a surfboard. Air hits a swanton on Plasma and Barry. Air tries to cover both men but isn’t able to get a three count. Plasma has Air on his shoulders and Barry hits a moonsault reverse DDT off of Plasma’s shoulders on Air. Plasma spikes Barry with the Death Valley Driver for the win. (**1/2. I’d say this was a rather solid match and exceeded my expectations. They tried to get the crowd invested, but it seemed like the crowd didn’t care what they were doing. Barry’s finishing move is a sight to see and he executes it very well. I enjoyed the action and wish the crowd was a little more lively.)

Backstage, the Outcast Killaz cut a promo about where the SAT’s are at. They have the JAPW Tag Team Championships, but they aren’t the champions. Their plan was to take out the SAT and they ask several times where the SAT are at.

Sixth Contest: The Outcast Killaz (Diablo Santiago & Oman Tortuga) vs. All Money Is Legal (K-Murda & K-Pusha): Killaz attack before the bell and keep advantage both in the ring and on the floor. Tortuga sends Murda into the railing after countering a head scissors attempt. Killaz press slam AMIL into each other and have kept a dominating start. Pusha gets some offense in on Santiago with a running knee strike after a few strikes. Murda drops Santiago over Pusha’s knee before hitting a neckbreaker. Tortuga is stretched out by AMIL for a moment. Dizzie messes up a dive to the floor as he barely hit the “champs” on the floor. Pusha runs over Santiago before hitting a double stomp for a two count. Tortuga hits a Codebreaker on Pusha and Santiago hit a full nelson suplex. Tortuga drops Pusha with a discus forearm. Murda runs into a fallaway slam by Santiago for a two count. Tortuga misses a strike in the corner but sends Pusha into the corner. Tortuga works over Pusha with boot strikes in the corner and hits a running cannonball. Tortuga drives Pusha down to the mat face first for a near fall.

Santiago plants Murda with a back suplex for a two count. Tortuga counters a sunset flip with a reverse piledriver for a near fall. Tortuga has Murda on the top, but Murda counters with a sunset flip powerbomb. Murda kicks Tortuga but Santiago prevents the tag from taking place. Killaz hit a side Russian leg sweep/big boot combo for a two count. Pusha leaps off the top to nail Santiago with a face buster. Pusha gets the tag and nails Tortuga with a crossbody and a standing hurricanrana. Pusha continues with a clothesline and dropkick on Tortuga. Pusha springboards off the middle rope to hit an Un-Prettier but Santiago cuts Pusha off. Pusha dropkicks Tortuga, who was in the tree of woe and nearly wins the match. Santiago knocks AMIL down with big boots. Pusha is driven down to the mat face first, which is the Mass Transit. Santiago is sent shoulder first into the ring post. Murda hits a sloppy tornado DDT on Tortuga. Pusha hits a swanton and Murda hit a moonsault for a two count. Santiago plants Pusha with a double leg slam. Murda gets crotched on the top rope. Killaz hit a double superplex on Murda Pusha hammers away on Killaz but gets met with the Bronx Bomb and that’s good enough for the win. (**1/2. As soon as the rules were tossed out the window, the match became enjoyable. Killaz have some decent offense, but for some reason I can’t find myself excited to see them wrestle. AMIL were fine in this role, though nobody really thought they had a chance to win here. I think when AMIL is motivated to put on a good match, they deliver some good stuff.)

Backstage, Outcast Killaz promote their TLC match with the SAT taking place on May 20th in Rahway. If SAT want the titles, they are going to have to fight for them. They will die before the SAT get the titles back.

Backstage, Don Montoya tries to hit on Alicia, but El Generico gets involved and talks to Montoya for dance lessons. Montoya gets annoyed by Generico thinking he’s Mexican when he’s Puerto Rican.

Backstage, Monsta Mack interviews Human Tornado. Tornado is here for the beer and the bitches. Tornado says to not expect what you normally see, but to expect the bitch slap.

Seventh Contest: El Generico vs. Human Tornado: They do a dance-off before the match begins and it probably gets the biggest reaction thus far on the show. Generico arm drags tornado to the floor and plays to the crowd after faking a dive to the floor. Tornado monkey flips Generico followed by a neck snap. Tornado drops Generico over his knee with a tilt a whirl gut buster. Tornado delivers a split kick to Generico’s groin followed by a kick to the face for a two count. Tornado nails Generico with a spin kick to the face for a near fall. Generico comes back with a dropkick to a seated Tornado from behind. Generico delivers a backbreaker for a near fall. Generico slams Tornado followed by a standing moonsault for a two count. Generico misses a boot in the corner and elbows Tornado, but Tornado connects with a hip check. Tornado comes off the ropes to hit the Pounce! Tornado tosses Generico over the top with a hurricanrana. Tornado kicks Generico into the guard railing and into the crowd. Tornado takes Generico out with a somersault dive over the railing into the crowd!

Generico sends Tornado chest first into the post after avoiding a few strikes on the floor. Generico goes through the ropes to hit a tornado DDT on the floor! Generico goes for the cover, but Tornado kicks out at two. Tornado suplexs Generico over the top to the floor. Tornado dropped Generico over his knee for a two count. Generico hits a running boot in the corner and nearly wins with an inside cradle. Tornado counters a brainbuster and tried for a suplex. Generico tosses Tornado with an exploder suplex for a two count. Generico places Tornado on the top turnbuckle and delivers a right hand. Tornado shoves Generico off, but Generico goes back for another suplex attempt. Tornado shoves Generico off and hits a tornado DDT for a near fall. Tornado bitch slaps Generico followed by an exploder suplex for the win. (***1/4. Easily the best thing the crowd has seen to this point and they were responding to the big spots. I enjoyed the match and I’d say it exceeded my expectations.)

Backstage, Azireal is interviewed regarding his match with Frankie Kazarian tonight. Azireal notes that he’s going to Japan for three months. Azireal isn’t nervous at all about Kazarian and is more focused on his Japan trip coming up.

Eighth Contest: Azireal vs. Frankie Kazarian: They trade arm drags and have a standoff. Kazarian slaps Azireal but is met with an arm drag. Azireal keeps arm control for a few moments until an eye poke stops Azireal’s offense. Kazarian hammers away on Azireal followed by a dropkick. Kazarian backdrops Azireal and delivers a clothesline after having Azireal in a delayed vertical suplex. Kazarian slides to the floor, but Azireal yanks Frankie off and Kazarian hits the apron face first. Azireal dropkicks Kazarian off the railing into the crowd. Kazarian hits a Sling Blade back in the ring for a two count. Kazarian slams Azireal before hitting a springboard twisting leg drop for a near fall. Kazarian works over Azireal with forearms in the corner. Azireal tries to rollup Kazarian a few times, but Kazarian kicks out. Kazarian plants Azireal with a sit down powerbomb. Kazarian lays Azireal over the top rope before delivering a kick to send Azireal to the floor. Azireal is press slammed over the railing into the crowd!

Kazarian sends Azireal over the railing back to ringside. Kazarian has a steel chair and returns to the ring. Azireal blocks a chair shot on the apron and sends Kazarian’s leg into the referee. Azireal chair shots Kazarian and comes off the top to double stomp Kazarian to the floor. Azireal drops Kazarian chest first over the railing. Azireal scoop slams Kazarian and hits a slingshot senton for a two count. Azireal dumps Kazarian to the apron and tries for a piledriver. Kazarian counters with a reverse piledriver on the apron! Azireal kicks Kazarian but misses another one and Kazarian knocks Azireal down to the mat with a kick of his own. Azireal plants Kazarian with a tornado DDT and goes to the top rope. Azireal hits a frog splash for a two count. Kazarian stops Azireal with a jawbreaker followed by a clothesline in the corner. Azireal fights back with a running boot out of the corner for a two count,. Azireal slams Kazarian and taunts the crowd on the middle rope. Kazarian puts Azireal in the tree of woe. Kazarian springboards off the top to dropkick Azireal, but can’t get a three count. Azireal drives Kazarian back first into the corner. Kazarian leaps off the middle rope to hit the Wave of the Future for the win. (***. It’s a solid match but it wasn’t overly great and it kind of felt like it was dragging on towards the end. Azireal is over as a heel for JAPW and I’m not sure if Kazarian is on the verge of a heel turn judging by the commentary during the match. They did enough here to be different from other matches and hold my interest.)

Backstage, Johnny D is interviewed. Johnny is in a wheelchair due to an attack recently by Abyss. Johnny says he’s not going to sit back and do nothing. Johnny suggests we watch what happens tonight.

Main Event: JAPW Heavyweight Champion Rhino vs. Abyss: Rhino storms the ring and hammers away on Abyss. Abyss hip tosses Rhino and then a random bald headed guy gets met with a Black Hole Slam. Rhino clotheslines Abyss over the top to the floor. Rhino takes Abyss out with a slingshot crossbody to the floor. Rhino gives Johnny D a chair and rolls the wheelchair bound manager into Abyss to deliver a chair shot. Abyss sends Rhino into the merchandise table. Abyss nails Rhino with a trash can. Rhino puts a trash can over Abyss’ head and delivers a few strikes. Rhino nails Abyss with a drink holder before they brawl up the bleachers. Abyss chokes Rhino with caution tape. Abyss punches Rhino causing the champ to roll down the bleachers. Rhino nails Abyss with a trash can shot. They brawl back towards the ringside area. Rhino delivered a weak looking chair shot to Abyss’ back. Rhino tosses a few chairs into the ring. Rhino grabs a piece of plywood and tosses it into the ring. Rhino actually grabs a second piece of plywood.

Abyss beats on Rhino with strikes in the ring to gain the advantage. Rhino stops Abyss with a big boot coming off the ropes. Rhino whacks Abyss with a chair shot over the head for a two count. Abyss stops Rhino and locks in a neck vice. Rhino fights out of the hold with strikes and hits a clothesline. Rhino shoulder rams Abyss in the corner. Abyss splashes the referee in the corner on accident. Abyss big boots Rhino and goes for the cover, but there isn’t a referee to make the count. Johnny D gets out of the wheelchair and has the championship. Johnny nails Abyss with the championship. Rhino crawls over to Abyss for the cover but only manages a two count. Rhino runs into a chokeslam onto a steel chair for a near fall. Abyss slides some plywood into the ring. Abyss lays the plywood over two chairs near the corner. Alicia gets in the ring to distract Abyss. Mercedes Martinez shoves Alicia into Abyss. Abyss chokeslams Alicia through the table! Abyss has the JAPW and NWA World Championship, neither of which he actually holds. Rhino GORES Abyss through the plywood in the corner for the win. (*1/2. I mean, the finish was predictable since Rhino seemingly always uses that spot to win matches. This was just a brawl between two brawlers and the usual spots they do in their matches. The Alicia chokeslam through the table was cool, but this felt like a lackluster main event and the crowd wasn’t overly invested in it.)

Backstage, Johnny D and JAPW Heavyweight Champion Rhino are interviewed. Johnny says that Abyss thought he was going to win. Rhino was the man and not Abyss. Rhino chimes in and says he beat the living shit out of Abyss. Rhino isn’t done with Abyss and that’s because Abyss isn’t in a wheelchair. Rhino will take Abyss out with the GORE!

Final Thoughts:
I think there was enough quality wrestling to make this an enjoyable overall show. It’s safe to say that this was a B-level show for JAPW, but it delivered a positive result for me.

Thanks for reading.