{"id":37,"date":"2014-01-12T05:37:00","date_gmt":"2014-01-12T05:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ethanlewis.org\/icarus\/2014\/01\/12\/everything-i-needed-to-know-i-learned-from-pro-wrestling-pt-5-goingto-a-live-show-what-a-rush\/"},"modified":"2019-04-01T14:20:22","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T18:20:22","slug":"everything-i-needed-to-know-i-learned-from-pro-wrestling-pt-5-goingto-a-live-show-what-a-rush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.ethanlewis.org\/icarus\/2014\/01\/12\/everything-i-needed-to-know-i-learned-from-pro-wrestling-pt-5-goingto-a-live-show-what-a-rush\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything I Needed To Know I Learned From Pro Wrestling (Pt. 5–GoingTo A Live Show-What A Rush!)"},"content":{"rendered":"
On January 10, 2014, the Sassy Librarian<\/a> and I were treated to a night out by our awesome friends, Harry and Meredith. \u00a0And not just any<\/b>\u00a0night out, but tickets to the WWE<\/a> live event at our local arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. If you’ve been following this blog<\/a> you know that I’ve been a wrestling fan for a long time, but this was my first time ever seeing professional wrestling in person. You might know that the WWE has weekly televised programs, such as Monday Night Raw, Main Event, and Friday Night Smackdown!<\/i>, but they put on shows nearly every day somewhere in the world (in fact after our show the whole crew drove through the night to do it again in Buffalo the next day). \u00a0Untelevised exhibitions are known in the business as “house shows<\/a>“; while the “storylines” from the televised shows are not furthered at these events, they still feature multiple high quality matches and entertaining diversions. \u00a0Some people think that house shows are more fun to attend than TV tapings<\/a>; I can’t vouch for that, but I can say that I had more fun at this event than I have in a month of Sundays. \u00a0It was so awesome to cheer and boo energetically–I woke up the next day hoarse from screaming. And unlike real sports, there is no danger of hurting anyone’s feelings because they want<\/b>\u00a0us to boo them!<\/span><\/div>\n


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<\/a>There are a few differences between house shows and TV tapings, mainly that during the house show the house lights are dim (which made taking pictures with my old camera phone a chore); there are no pyrotechnic displays, and the\u00a0TitanTron<\/a> is not there, instead there are simply comparatively smaller LCD screens at the top of the entrance ramp. \u00a0It would be pretty cool to see (and hear) what it is like with the full production values, and by the intermission halfway through the show we had agreed that we will find out the next time a TV taping takes place in Wilkes-Barre. \u00a0I’ll let you know!<\/span><\/div>\n


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<\/a>The video displays and music began about 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. The large video display showed pictures of Superstars and Divas who were at the show, and also tweets from members of the “WWE Universe” in attendance. They also ran a promotion where spectators could text their choice of whether the Divas tag match should be a “Divas Dance-Off” or a traditional tag match. \u00a0I voted for the regular match, but the Sassy Librarian chose the dance off. During this prelude we made a trip to the concession stand to purchase t-shirts (and a\u00a0replica championship belt<\/a>, in Harry’s case). Though we are both members of the “Cenation<\/a>“, I overpaid<\/span> opted for the “Property Of<\/a>” shirt, while the Sassy Librarian picked the latest John Cena garment<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n

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The show kicked off promptly at 7:30; we were welcomed by ring announcer Byron Saxton<\/a>. I’d never heard of Saxton (who is a member of NXT, the developmental show for WWE<\/a>), but he should be a star. \u00a0He is a handsome, well-built, charismatic guy who was good on the mike. \u00a0If he can’t wrestle he could be an announcer, a manager or anything. I look forward to watching his career take off.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Having never been to a house show I didn’t know what to expect, but we got seven matches in total. Four of the matches were tag team tilts; I’ve previously written about the dynamics of this type of contest<\/a>, so it was cool to see so many in person. The matches were all technically good and some of them were real humdingers, including the two title defenses! \u00a0Here is the complete list, followed by summaries:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Diego<\/a> and Fernando<\/a> (with El Torito<\/a>) vs. Ryback<\/a> and Curtis Axel<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Alberto Del Rio<\/a> vs. Sin Cara<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Diva Dance Off between the Brie Bella<\/a> and Nikki Bella<\/a> and Alicia Fox<\/a> and Aksana<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Goldust<\/a>* and Cody Rhodes<\/a>*\u00a0vs. Jack Swagger<\/a> and Antonio Cesaro<\/a>\u00a0(with Zeb Colter)<\/a> for the WWE Tag Team Championship<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Titus O’Neill<\/a> and Darren Young<\/a> vs. Jinder Mahal<\/a> and Drew McIntyre<\/a>\u00a0(with Heath Slater<\/a>)<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Alexander Rusev<\/a> vs. Justin Gabriel<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  7. John Cena<\/a> vs. Randy Orton<\/a>*\u00a0for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    *-indicates that they entered the match as the Champion<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Match #1: Los Matadores with El Torito def. Rybaxel<\/b>: The cousins Primo and Epico<\/a>, who had a nice career portraying Puerto Rican high flyers, have recently reappeared as masked Spanish torreadors, accompanied by an anthropomorphic bull, played by little person wrestler Mascarita Dorada<\/a>. They were taking on heel wrestlers Ryback and Curtis Axel. \u00a0Ryback gave a somewhat in character interview with a local paper to hype the event<\/a>; at least I hope it was in character, or he’s even more of a jerk. Axel is a “third generation superstar” whose father “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig was a star of my youth. This match had a lot of humor right from the beginning, when one of Los Matadores stole Axel’s shirt and blew his nose in it, enraging Axel, who then charged at it like an angry bull. \u00a0It was funnier in person. The tilt featured a number of athletic moves, from Ryback military pressing one of Los Matadores and holding him overhead for almost a minute to one of Los Matadores walking on his hands across the ring. \u00a0The problem with this match may be evident in the summary–because Los Matadores dress alike and wear masks, it is impossible to tell which is which. \u00a0In the end, interference from El Torito led to Axel getting pinned 1-2-3 in the center of the ring. \u00a0It was a fun match and got the crowd energized, but it was a little confusing. \u00a0Personally I liked Primo and Epico, and think this new gimmick sucks. \u00a0But I wish them luck. \u00a0Also, I don’t see the appeal of Axel, and Ryback is a creep. Earlier this week on Raw<\/i>\u00a0he subtly insulted ring announcer Lilian Garcia<\/a>. \u00a0As a result, I shouted “You suck Ryback, and I don’t like what you said about Lilian<\/a>!” \u00a0He pretended to ignore me–he was probably scared. \u00a0Match grade: B<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
    \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
    <\/a>Match # 2: Alberto Del Rio def. Sin Cara by submission: <\/b>Personally I really like Del Rio, even though he has become a heel again (or a rudo<\/i>\u00a0as they would say in Mexico, as opposed to a technico<\/i>). And I don’t like Sin Cara, even though the Sin Cara we saw was not the Sin Cara who has been on tv for the last year or so<\/a>. That’s good, because the old Sin Cara sucked. \u00a0I also don’t like the way that the producers change the arena lighting when Sin Cara comes out, like he’s magical or something. This match was a little confusing, because even though ADR is a heel, the audience was much more into him. At one point he tried to get Sin Cara to shake hands–Sin Cara wavered on this for what seemed like an eternity, and eventually just kicked ADR instead, so we will never know if “The Mexican Aristocrat” had good intentions or not.\u00a0He looked good and pretty ripped muscle-wise despite what the “dirt sheets” are reporting<\/a>. \u00a0This match featured a lot of back and forth, and some athletic moves, but there wasn’t much ring psychology<\/a>. For instance, at one point Del Rio nearly got Sin Cara’s mask off. In Mexican wrestling, this is a serious thing, but in this match it was like an afterthought. \u00a0Del Rio won with his cross arm-breaker submission hold, which looked pretty painful. Match grade: B<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
    \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
    Match #3.1: Diva Dance Off:<\/b>\u00a0The Bella Twins<\/a> have been fixtures on WWE for a number of years, usually playing valets or using their identical appearance to perpetrate “Twin Magic” on their opponents (one Bella would be wrestling, then when she would get tired, the other would sneak in the ring and finish the match). \u00a0They are generally “Mean Girls” but I really like them, because like me they are avid fans of the Philadelphia Eagles. \u00a0They left the business for a year or so, but have recently returned, partly to star on the reality show “Total Divas<\/a>“.\u00a0 Since the show has been a success, (and because in real life they are romantically linked with good guys John Cena and Daniel Bryan) the WWE has been presenting the Bellas as babyfaces. The twins used to present the same problem as Los Matadores, but during their hiatus, Nikki Bella’s chest was surgically enhanced, making it easy to tell them apart (and giving new meaning to the phrase “twin magic”<\/a>) The Bellas started the dance off with some synchronized moves, though only Nikki “twerked” as the young kids call it before they were viciously attacked by Alicia and Aksana, who then ran away up the ramp. \u00a0Brie grabbed a mic and challenged the heels to a real match and the twins physically brought them back down to the ring.<\/span><\/div>\n


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    Match #3.2: Bella Twins def. Alicia Fox and Aksana: <\/b>Usually Divas matches are either omitted from television, or are only given a few minutes of air time. \u00a0This match lasted almost 10 minutes, and all four women showed great athleticism and enthusiasm. \u00a0There were some downsides, however: on the one hand, Alicia and Brie are toothpicks who do not look very physically intimidating. \u00a0Aksana, on the other hand, was a power lifting champion, and looks like she could break the other women in half; unfortunately she is not a very good professional wrestler. \u00a0This was entertaining, but I think that the young boy behind us spoke for many when he asked his mom “when will this be over?”. \u00a0Match grade: B \u00a0<\/b>After the match the Bellas spent a lot of time signing autographs and thanking the crowd, which was nice.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n


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    Match #4: The Brotherhood def. The Real Americans (with Zeb Colter) to retain the Tag Team Titles: <\/b>\u00a0Last spring I wrote about a new angle in the WWE, where bigoted xenophobe “Zeb Colter” took hick former champ Jack Swagger under his belt and spouted lots of politically incorrect garbage<\/a>. That has continued, with the inclusion of Swiss superstar Antonio Cesaro (?!<\/a>) into the confusingly named tag team “The Real Americans”. \u00a0Prior to the match, Colter got a lot of heel heat <\/a>by calling us “Altoona”, saying that the crowd was full of “ugly women and fat men”, and pointing out the dozens of “illegal immigrants” in the audience. \u00a0Basically he sounded like the people who write online comments for our local newspapers. \u00a0Fortunately most<\/b>\u00a0of the crowd booed him, but not enough. Recently Cody Rhodes has been joined by his real-life half-brother Dustin (who is reprising his 1990’s character “Goldust” without as much of the homoeroticism<\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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    While it is vanishingly rare for titles to change hands at a house show, it is not impossible, so it was great to see a championship match up close. \u00a0This was a really super tag match. \u00a0Goldust, at age 44, played “the face in peril<\/a>“for most of the match, constantly striving for the tag with his brother to no avail. \u00a0At one point, just as he was about to make the tag, Cesaro cheap-shotted Cody off the apron, so that when Goldy reached for help there was no one there. The psychology in this match was excellent. Every man got his signature moves in (Cody Rhodes, in particular, is amazing as a high flyer, and at one point he held Cesaro in a very long vertical suplex) but the drama came from numerous missed tags and false finishes<\/a>. Cody eventually got the hot tag<\/a> and the place went nuts–the release of tension was palpable. The champs won by pinfall as expected after a long, exciting match.\u00a0Match grade: A+<\/b>\u00a0 Following the match the brothers spent a lot of time signing autographs and taking pictures. \u00a0At the top of the ramp, Cody grabbed a mic and put over how great it’s been to be reunited with his brother. \u00a0It was very emotional, which made me practically salivate over the possibility that one will turn on the other at the upcoming Royal Rumble<\/a>. Don’t forget, Cain slaying Abel was the world’s first heel turn!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    <\/a>Match #5: Prime Time Players def. 3MB (with Heath Slater ringside):<\/b>\u00a0After a 15 minute-long intermission (to sell merchandise and let everyone go to the bathroom) we were given another tag team match. \u00a0I have been very high on the Prime Time Players (PTP) for months–I think they have great chemistry, look great, and are extremely marketable. Unfortunately no one but the Sassy Librarian seems to agree with me, because they are not given much time on television, except for recently when Darren Young came out as an openly gay pro athlete, and the rest of the WWE congratulated him<\/a>. \u00a0The reaction to this shouldn’t be a big surprise, considering that longtime WWE figure and McMahon family consigliere<\/i>\u00a0Pat Patterson<\/a> is one of several openly gay people in the organization; but considering the homophobia in football<\/a> and basketball<\/a>, to name just two other sports, it was definitely welcome.<\/span><\/div>\n


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    This was a very fun match featuring lots of strength moves by Titus O’Neil. \u00a0I really “mark out” for him. Titus will be 37 this year,<\/a> so he may be too old to ever become champion, but he has what it takes. We saw a lot of big men last night, but O’Neil made the strongest impression on us–he is massive! Titus pinned Jinder Mahal with a sit-down powerbomb that shook the whole ring. Match grade: B+<\/b>\u00a0After the match PTP signed autographs and posed for pictures, even doing the “Millions of Dollars” dance<\/a> with some fans.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n


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    Match #6: Alexander Rusev def. Justin Gabriel by submission:<\/b>\u00a0This was an unexpected treat. \u00a0I have never seen Rusev on the NXT show <\/a>(which is only available online or on Hulu Plus), but rumor has it that he will soon be promoted to the main roster<\/a>. Who knows, he may make his television debut wrestling Justin Gabriel! \u00a0If so, it will be pretty good. The Bulgarian giant, who wrestles barefoot, met the lithe South African kick for kick, but Gabriel’s speed was no match for Rusev’s strength (and Rusev is very quick for a 300 pounder). \u00a0This match was interesting, and the men did a good job of selling the idea that they were not familiar with each other, which made their initial caution understandable. Match grade: B<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
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    Main Event: John Cena def. Randy Orton by DQ (Orton Retains The Championship): <\/b>To paraphrase WWE announcer Michael Cole “the place was electric” when this match started. \u00a0Meredith’s cellphone video of Cena’s entrance might give a clue.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n