Friday 8 March 2019

RE-POST: DAM Promotions, Holt, September 2002 - Live Show Review

DAM Promotions, in association with WAW, staged their second show at the Community Centre in Holt this evening. Much was expected of this event after the success of their show in Sheringham this past May, and it must be said that they didn't disappoint.

DETROIT v SPARX
The artist formerly known as Coalminer D (or P, I always got them confused) was the next opponent for the man tipped to become WAW's rookie of the year. Early on Sparx, along with his Electric Mayhem partner Shox (who soon returned backstage), delighted in showing off their newly won AIWF World Hardcore tag titles.

While I must admit I haven't exactly been a fan of the Coalminers in the past, the Electric Mayhem gimmick seems to suit them a lot better. Sparx really impressed me in this outing, as did Detroit. Both men seemed well suited to each other in both style and technique. One thing the wrestlers did seem to fail on was getting the crowd worked up. At times it seemed like they were watching a funeral, they were that quiet. But then again, I guess you can't have everything.

Both men impressed with some crisp moves, Sparx's spinebuster and Detroit's spinning leg drop being two stand out points.

Detroit gained the victory with his Impaler DDT, always a good way of bringing a match to a close. A good contest for both men.

SHOX v THE KRAFT (with Kharisma)
It was the turn of Shox to take centre stage, going up against Detroit's Fast & Furious tag partner The Kraft, accompanied as always by the lovely Kharisma.

As is the heels way, Shox complained early on, claiming Kraft pulled his hair whenever they locked up. Once again, the crowd was silent, despite Kharisma's efforts to get them going.

(Criticism alert) One thing that bothered me about this match was when Kharisma interfered. With Shox's constant attempts to get at her, Kharisma and The Kraft fought back a little with some good looking double-team moves, including a very good looking leg drop from Kharisma, assisted by The Kraft. I couldn't understand why the referee let this one go. (Criticism ends)

The reason why Sparx lost the previous outing probably had something to do with the fact that his partner in crime never helped him. However, this time, Sparx was on hand to help Shox. While Shox distracted the referee, Sparx returned to the ring and caught Kraft unawares. With the deed done, Shox got the roll-up and the victory. Another good outing with two evenly matched opponents.

MTX v THE ZEBRA KID v BIG DAVE WATERS
Sometimes, triple threat matches can be messy affairs, and at other times, they can be so full of action that there is too much action to keep a track of. This match falls squarely into the second category.

To a still silent crowd, the Zebra Kid showed us which colours he would be wearing for this contest by badmouthing us all. For the first time, I was seeing Zebra attract a great deal of heel heat, and thank god, because this finally got the crowd animated.

In the early stages of the match, Zebra just didn't seem to care as Big Dave and MTX went at it. Annoyed that he wasn't sharing the load, MTX and Dave went on the attack. This brought Zebra out of his shell, as he unleashed his full attack on both of his opponents, with his attack centred on the Sheringham strongman.

Zebra Kid, as always, impressed throughout. He played the perfect heel card, often catching Big Dave with low blows, much to the chagrin of the official, who issued two public warnings in his direction. During the contest MTX, perhaps seeing which side his bread was buttered, decided that perhaps it would be best to team with Zebra rather than fight against him, so much so that at the end of the match, he was willing to sacrifice the win as Zebra pinned Dave after a flying splash from the top rope. After the bell, Zebra and MTX doubled up on Dave, attacking him a little more. A good way of ending the first half of the show.

WAW Hardcore Championship
ROWDY RICKY KNIGHT (c) v THE BULK
This match was made six weeks previously at the Sheringham Carnival show, and it promised much as this reporter headed to the proverbial hills, fearing for his safety in the hardcore environment. And yes, before you ask, Ricky did slap me in the head. The fans really seemed to enjoy this.

Before the match even began, Ricky, as is his way, badmouthed us all, showing that despite appearances, things never really change.

This match was action packed throughout, and showed that, if executed properly, a hardcore match can be very exciting. To quote the late great Gorilla Monsoon, the match was a slobber-knocker, with great use of the weapons provided, be it tea tray, baseball bat, knightstick, or guitar. Sadly, no kitchen sink was present, but it wouldn't have surprised me if they had used one, had one been made available.

At one point, the referee got a little too close for comfort, as Bulk accidentally backed him into the corner. With the referee out, the Zebra Kid came into action again, as, with small musical keyboard in hand, he crept into the ring and hammered the Bulk with it, before pulling Ricky onto the prone Bulk. With the referee coming to, he slowly made the three count. With the crowd roaring their disapproval, Ricky Knight was declared the victor.

10 Man Survivor Series match
ROWDY RICKY KNIGHT, THE ZEBRA KID, MTX & ELECTRIC MAYHEM v
DETROIT, THE KRAFT, ASHE & THE U.K. PITBULLS
All 9 of the previously seen wrestlers, joined by Dark Angels member Ashe, finished off the evening for an exciting elimination match, in which the action was fast and furious at times. You could tell what the action would be like from the very beginning. As the heels came to the ring, Ashe should us what sort of night we were going to be in for as he virtually ran up to the top rope and launched himself towards his enemies, sending them all crashing to the ground.

It was really fast paced, as were the tags, before Kraft was the first man worn down, as each heel took their turn to attack him. He couldn't stand the punishment for long, and he was the first to fall. Kraft attempted a sunset flip on Ricky Knight, only for the Rowdy man to foil the attempt with a sit-down splash, with secured the pin.

MTX was the next to go, Bulk taking him down with his trademark Bulkishi Driver. We then saw some outstanding exchanges, particularly from Ashe and the Zebra Kid, and Detroit and the Zebra Kid. Detroit was the next man eliminated, pinned after a Zebra Kid flying elbow.

Dark Angel Ashe was the next man out, thanks to some good double team work from Ricky Knight and The Zebra Kid, showing shades of the Hart Foundation in their prime, unleashing a Hart Attack-style clothesline on the youngster.

More crisp double-team moves followed as the Rowdy Man was the next to go, thanks to a Big Dave Splash/Bulk leg-drop combo. With it now being three against two, the Zebra Kid had had enough. Not wanting to feel the wrath of the Pitbulls, Zebra left his Electric Mayhem partners high and dry.

Shox and Sparx were tempted to follow him back to the dressing room when things took an unexpected twist. Grabbing the microphone, Bulk reminded everyone that the AIWF Hardcore Tag-Team titles are defended under the 24/7 rule. He then challenged Electric Mayhem to an impromptu title match. The champions seemed reluctant at first, and it took a little persuasion from Detroit and The Kraft, as they threw them back into the ring before the challenge was accepted.

With this reporter once again running for cover, the match was fought on two fronts. Bulk fought Sparx on the outside while Big D and Shox went at it in the ring. Bringing back memories of the Dudleys in their prime, Sparx went through the ringside table, courtesy of the Bulk, and with our ring announcer Michael Mann running for cover as well.

Meanwhile, in the ring, Shox and Dave were going at it, until Dave got the upper hand and used a move I've never seen from the big man before - the F5. A three count later and we had new champions.

In conclusion, a good night, and indeed a better show than their previous show in April. No really big mistakes worth mentioning here, as all matches were good. Match of the night goes to Ricky Knight v Bulk. The Rowdy Man once again showed why he is perhaps the best heel worker in the business right now.

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