Pro Wrestling Magic presents LimitLess
Date: 9/17/2016
From: Wallington, NJ
There’s a ten bell salute for Mr. Fuji, who recently passed away.
Match #1: Eight-Man Gauntlet
NOTE: The wrestlers involved are, Pinkie Sanchez, Aaron Bradley, Bonez, Magic, Mike Donovan, Mike Graca, Sebastian Cage, and The Peacemaker. Four men start the match. Elimination is by pin, submission and thrown over the ropes. When there’s an elimination the next entrant comes out.
NOTE #2: Order of elimination: Graca, Bonez, Peacemaker, Magic, Cage, and Bradley.
FINISH: Sanchez pins Donovan following a top rope double stomp.
Bob’s Take: Early on in the match it came across a bit clunky and a bit lost as the first four men didn’t seem to have a strong grasp as to what they should do. I feel like starting off a show with a non-traditional gauntlet match may have been a poor choice. Sanchez showed off his charisma and stood out as having some good in-ring ability. Donovan and Bradley also impressed throughout the match, and I was glad that Donovan and Sanchez were the last two in the match. They seemed to be the most experienced to be in that spot. Sanchez winning is fine result and makes a lot of sense to me. However, the overall match lacked excitement and was a bit lengthy. This may have been better suited for a post intermission spot.
Match Rating: **
Match #2: David Starr vs. Ricky Martinez
FINISH: Martinez pins Starr following a Death Valley Driver.
Bob’s Take: Apparently this had been promoted as a first time ever match, and I’m not entirely sure if there was a lot of buzz to justify that promotional tactic. Admittedly, I’m not overly familiar with Martinez, at all. I’ve been a decent amount of Starr’s work in AAW among others. Starr did some good heel work, but part of that is it’s easy to dislike Starr knowing his history in hindsight. Martinez has a good look and looks like the kind of guy who could play a white meat babyface, but also be a womanizing heel. This never felt like it got out of first gear and came across a bit of a letdown.
Match Rating: **
Match #3: Triplelicious vs. EC Negro
FINISH: Late in the match, Magic comes out to distract Negro allowing for a rollup finish.
Bob’s Take: Within three seconds of making his entrance, EC Negro still knows how to grab the crowds attention and his obnoxious antics are still pretty good. Negro use to drive me nuts on JAPW shows, but in a good way back in the early 2000s. I’d consider this a bad wrestling match with the only entertaining aspect being Negro competing in 2016.
Match Rating: *
Match #4: PMW Dark Arts Champion Everett Cross vs. Danger Jameson
NOTE: Closed fists are legal, no count-outs and each wrestler gets one rope break.
FINISH: Everett hooks Jameson’s arms and delivers a piledriver to pickup the win. After the match, Everett cut a promo saying he’s going to keep the title for a long time and nobody can beat him. However, Gangrel’s music plays and his name appears on the screen signaling his next challenger.
Bob’s Take: I found myself interested in Everett and liking his offense along with his heel mannerisms. Jameson is a knockoff Evil Knievel gimmick and seems to be a little rough around the edges. Everett came across far more properly trained and enjoyable. At one point, Everett delivered a piledriver, but Jameson had been wearing his helmet that blocked the blow, which was a good spot. This wasn’t too bad of a match, really. Everett did a good job with his offense and I was left intrigued to see him in more matches.
Match Rating: **1/4
Match #5: PMW Tag Team Champions The Down Boyz (Steve Gipke & Tony Scorese) vs. The Private Party (Kassidy & Quen) vs. Massage NV (Dorian Graves & VSK)
FINISH: Down Boyz hit a Doomsday Device Dropkick combo onto Dorian Graves to retain the titles.
Bob’s Take: It’s kind of nuts to see Private Party (AEW fame) several years before they hit it big. They honestly look like teenagers here. Massage NV are using baby oil for this gimmick, which would probably get over more in 2025 due to the Diddy situation. There was some consistent action throughout the match and the finish was solid. This may have ran a little longer than it needed to go, though.
Match Rating: **1/2
Match #6: Steve Off vs. Hoost Traplash
FINISH: Off tries to bring a chain into the match quickly, but the ring is quickly filled with security and officials to prevent any of the chain usage. Hoost nails Off with a running knee sending Off to the floor. The commissioner comes out and says he’s tired of them ruining his shows. Their show on December 11th will feature a dog collar match between Off and Traplash. Off doesn’t seem to be thrilled about this.
Bob’s Take: Their December 11th show seems to be a big deal, so I’m not too annoyed by this being a segment and not a match. I don’t think it connected all that much with the live crowd, but it’s a fine storytelling approach.
Match Rating: NR
Match #7: Sonya Strong vs. Jordynne Grace — Vacant PMW Women’s Championship
FINISH: Strong hits a full nelson suplex to pin Grace and become the new PMW Women’s Champion. After the match, Strong cuts a promo putting herself over and declares herself a fighting champion.
Bob’s Take: I’m not familiar with Sonya Strong, or at least I don’t readily remember her. Strong came across very well and her offense looked forceful and believable. Grace has been a good wrestler for many years now, so I had a little bit of hope of a quality match. I’d say these two delivered a solid bout with a match full of hard hitting action and consistent action as there wasn’t a lull moment for an extended period of time or anything. I’m glad Strong won the title as I think she’s a great wrestler for the company and should be showcased well.
Match Rating: ***
Match #8: Keith Lee vs. JT Dunn
FINISH: Dunn pins Lee following the Death By Elbow
Bob’s Take: Compared to the previous matches there is a noticeable difference in ability displayed by Dunn and Lee. The crowd popped big for Lee’s athletic displays for his size, which is quite impressive. At one point in the match, Lee hits the POUNCE sending Dunn over the ropes to the floor, which was a great spot and popped the crowd. Lee hitting a somersault dive to the floor is a crazy moment, too. This is a very good match with plenty of quality action and hard hitting offense. I was bit surprised that Dunn cleanly pinned Lee, but it’s a huge victory for Dunn and I greatly enjoyed this.
Match Rating: ***1/2
Main Event: PWM Champion Juan Francisco de Coronado vs. Smiley
FINISH: de Coronado nails Smiley with a kick to the head and hits a German suplex to pickup the win and retain the title. After the match, Ricky Martinez comes out to confront the champion. Martinez gives a friendly reminder that he’s the number one contender to the championship and gives a warning for October 15th. Martinez promises he’s going to win the title. Martinez is ready to fight right now. de Coronado seems ready for the match and wants a referee. However, as soon as the bell rings, de Coronado leaves.
Bob’s Take: It’s a difficult task to have a wrestling match after the previous bout. There’s a level of disinterest on my end for this match since Lee/Dunn was very good and probably should have been the main event. I understand the company title match being the main event, but my opinion on that tends to change when it’s likely impossible to reach the same level as the previous match. There were a few moments of comedy, but the action felt a little slow and plodding at times. It’s not a bad match, but it’s tough to be invested when they’re following the previous match.
Match Rating: **
Final Thoughts:
An average show with Strong/Grace and Lee/Dunn delivering some quality action. There were a few guys that I’d like to see more of including Everett, Donovan and the tag teams seemed to have potential. This was a solid enough show to justify checking out more Pro Wrestling Magic.
Thanks for reading.