Connor McGrath
ECPW On Fire
August 9th, 2014 (Taped July 18th, 2014)
From The Elks Lodge in Paramus, New Jersey
Announcers: Joey G and Gino Caruso (first two matches), Charlie Savoldi (main event)
Johnny Fitness Vs “Surfer” Mike Capp
Mike Capp has a surfer gimmick now. Which I don’t think is new but is just made more explicit. It’s kind of funny because back when the Savoldis’ promotion was IWCCW, they had “Surfer” Ray Odyssey so I guess they just have to have a surfer babyface undercard wrestler. Johnny Fitness, if it wasn’t obvious by the name, has a Chris Candido/Simon Dean-esque heel fitness instructor gimmick. Last week, Joey G mentioned that heel manager extraordinaire Doug DeVito was skilled on the dance floor and this week, he says that Doug DeVito can “hang ten”. This feels like on inside joke between the two… This match/commentary team wins brownie points from me when we get a Harvard Step Test spot and reference to Bob Backlund using the gimmick during his first WWF World Title Run. Gino Caruso, at one point, mentions that ECPW is developing a reality show (!!!). This is a stereotypical, basic indy show opener. It works for what it is. Capp gets the win with a Diamond Cutter. B-
Big Bad John (with Vincent Valentine) Vs Sunny Kiss (with The Creeper)
We haven’t seen the wacky characters of the Dark Carnival in a while. Big Bad John is now wearing a Bane mask. The Tom Hardy version not the Jeep Swanson (RIP) one. Sunny Kiss has The Creeper with him for some reason. You think that Creeper having history with the Dark Carnival would play into this match but it doesn’t. It’s basically a squash for Big Bad John but it’s done well. ECPW’s resident twerker Kiss really does a great sell job in this one. He’s quickly becoming one of my favorites in this promotion. I love goofy comedy wrestlers though. Although maybe it’s the fact that his last name reminds me of a certain band I did a 15 part profile of for CXF…Big Bad John wins after catching Kiss with a clothesline when Kiss is coming off the top. B
ECPW Tag Team Titles Match: The Flow Family (c) Vs The Demon Killers
Charlie Savoldi uses the old “International Superstars” line to sell the mysterious, new masked superstars, The Demon Killers as credible challengers for the titles. The Flow Family are wearing new ring gear, both guys are wearing orange. Junior even has Michelangelo from the Ninja Turtles on his tights. Maybe he knew a couple weeks ago that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would be the #1 Movie in the Country the weekend this match aired. Anyway, this is pretty much an extended squash for the Flows with Frankie & Junior beating up the Demon Killers like they’re the Foot Clan. Junior mugs during the match like a goof which really makes me wish they’d let him stay a heel a little bit longer. He plays a great arrogant, smug doofus. The Flow debut a pretty sweet new finisher that has Frankie setting up the opponent for a fireman’s carry slam and Junior coming off the top to hit a flying neckbreaker. This match was rote but fine. B-
This was a pretty decent, basic meat and potatoes kind of show. Nothing much in the way of storytelling. Just solid, no frills matches. Maybe it was the 2 Bud Light Lime Ritas I drank while watching it but this show was solid. Nothing that will win Match of the Year awards but just the simple stuff that this company should be doing with the time they get each week. I’m kind of psyched to say that they’ll be returning to Maine for the first time in over a year. Hopefully, I’ll be able to a catch a show at some point and we’ll see “Connor is Watching Connor Watching ECPW On Fire” at some point in the near future.
Anyway, I know it’s the dog days of summer and it’s hot outside and you don’t want all of your candy to waste away, melting in the sun. But you must remember to never, ever feed your dogs chocolate. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next Monday!
