It’s been touted as the best Australian wrestling show for ages. But is that the case? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out with a review of the latest DVD release from Greystoke Entertainment, Wrestlerock 4.
After the usual opening introductions from Julian James and his crew, they’re interrupted as Sebastian Walker and his crew enter the ring. Walker proceeds to launch a verbal tirade against the Wrestlerock management because of their treatment of Karnish, before making an example of their midget friend, Joey Russell Jnr, with the massive Bulldog taking the little guy out with the big splash. Things look worse for the little guy until Wrestlerock champion Laser storms the ring and cleans house with a chair.
The first match sees Wrestlerock first-timers Spike Steele and Jay Andrews against each other. When you get a match between two guys you’ve never seen before, you don’t really know what to expect. This one was the proverbial barn stormer, with two guys who apparently know each other very well putting on a great match, and Andrews, in particular, putting on a great performance, pulling off some moves that Low-Ki and Samoa Joe would be proud of. The finish came when Andrews lifted Steele onto his shoulders, and Steele countered with a sunset flip. However, Andrews countered this by holding onto the ropes to get the pin, with the referee failing to see Andrews’ rules infringement as he made the three count.
We then get a video package documenting the end of Steve Frost’s career. Chris Fresh’s message of support for Frost’s girlfriend and Catholic school uniform wearing girlfriend were quite touching in a perverted sort of way.
Triple threat action follows, between Slex, Jag, and Stephan Cool. With Cool exiting the match early after his two opponents continually targeted a certain part of his anatomy, Slex and Jag were left in the ring to put on a match that was even better than the opener. Near pinfalls aplenty as both guys beat the hell out of each other and kicked out of each other’s finishers, and it took a second Slex-ecution kick from Slex to put Jag down. This is definitely one match that’s worth watching time and time again.
Title match time, as the conscience of Wrestlerock, Brave Dave, challenges Laser for the Wrestlerock title. Before the match began, Dave grabbed the microphone and went on another rant, pledging to clean Wrestlerock up, even going as far as getting one of the slightly inebriated patrons thrown out by security. As for the match, apart for a few moments when Dave looked a bit sloppy, the match was good, with Laser getting the win after his axe kick finisher. Then the real drama began as Karnish stormed the ring and attacked the champion, before, with the help of Walker and Bulldog, he tried to hang Laser. Karnish then posed with the title belt while waving the Lebanese flag. Does this mean that we’re finally going to see Karnish in a proper match?
Another video package follows, this time from Benny English, Steve Frost’s former manager, as he pays a “tearful” tribute to Steve Frost’s career. Then we hear from Rohan Herbstreit, who can’t stop himself from laughing.
Back in the arena, Herbstreit makes his way to the ring, handing out tissues to the crowd as he goes along. Rohan proceeds to try and hawk some Steve Frost t-shirts, before taking credit for running over Ox before Wrestlerock 3. He then slams Frost for losing the title to Laser, before he’s interrupted by Ox. The big guy introduces his deputy sheriff, Joey Russell Junior. Ox then announces a match for Wrestlerock 5 - Rohan Herbstreit v Steve Frost. To say that Rohan wasn’t too pleased with this announcement would be an understatement.
Main event time, and it’s time for the Krackerjak Invitational, as hardcore mad men Krackerjak and Mad Dog tear strips off each other. This is basically an insane brawl in which Jak and the Dog use each and everything at their disposal - a bed of nails, a bed of barb wire, cacti, thumb tacks, a steel chair, a pair of scissors, as well as the old favourite, a couple of tables. The effort put into this kind of match was astounding, and even if you don’t admire the skills of the men involved, you have to admire the effort. After twenty minutes of barbaric action, Mad Dog got the win, with a pile driver onto the cacti.
There’s the usual DVD extra with this one, including pre-show promos and backstage footage, but sadly no extra matches.
In conclusion - having never seen any other Australian wrestling shows, I can’t really say if Wrestlerock 4 is the best Aussie wrestling show in recent years, but what I can say is that Wrestlerock 4 is the best Wrestlerock show so far. The first two matches were outstanding, and even though the quality dropped a little as the show went on, it was still great entertainment. It’s been interesting to see how Wrestlerock has developed over these shows, and it will be interesting to see how the company develops in the future.
With thanks to Rohan Herbstreit for supplying a copy of this release. To purchase a copy of this or any of the other Wrestlerock DVDs, log onto www.wrestlerock.com.au.
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