Final Impact Episode!! (Or so we think..) Review: 9/29/16

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have reached our final destination. The inevitable end of a company that has had amazing matches and talent for 14 consecutive years. After endless mistakes and decisions that have put the company's future in uncertainty, we have the last ever Impact, at least for the foreseeable future.

Welcome to another Review of TNA Impact for what might possibly be the final time. I'm the Local Hero, the Review Guy Cameron Mcdonley, and we have a lot to discuss and I only got an hour to do it, so let's cease the interruptions and get straight to the action!

The show kickstarts with a promo segment between EC3 and Bobby Lashley. The two selected their teams for the Lethal Lockdown main event later on in the night. Lashley elects Drew Galloway, Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis for his assembly of wrestlers. Ethan Carter the 3rd chooses Aron Rex, Moose and Gail Kim. "The Destroyer" warns Carter that his team will be led to the slaughter tonight on Impact. Solid opening promo, nothing too spectacular, just a decent way to open what could be the last piece of programming you ever produce.
Rating: 3/5 

Ironically, we have an X-Division championship match as the first contest tonight. What used to be the very foundation of your promotion is now the cannon fodder of your show. Although that may be sad, the match that we were presented with was possibly match of the night. DJZ and Eddie Edwards poured their hearts out into this battle, and was as fast paced and intense as you would expect it to be. DJZ retained his title as your last presumable champion in a division that while has no shortage of excitement inside the ring, has not possessed star power since Austin Aries was champion (at least in my estimation). Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett made a highly noticeable presence after the match, viciously decimating Edwards and DJZ. I sure hope this company continues, because if booked right, those two can become the next major stars emanating from that crop of wrestlers. Just talent all around that might not have a job after this Sunday, depressingly enough.
Rating: 4.5/5

Following a painstakingly lengthy commercial break, Josh Matthews is in an empty arena with "The Miracle" Mike Bennett and his former henchman/former NFL & ROH star, Moose. A very substantial promo given the cards these two were dealt, as I personally felt they weren't given the ball on this occasion, because if they were, God was it fumbled. I never had any emotional investment in this rivalry, but I will give the match a chance this Sunday because I know these two can at least have a sound match to cap off an extremely underwhelming feud. The biggest positive I can detract is that the angle gave them a reason to oppose each other in the six-sided ring on what is usually viewed as their WrestleMania or Starrcade every year.
Rating: 3/5 

The next match the fans received was a match between Madison Rayne and Laurel Van Ness, who was introduced by the 2nd most irritating character in TNA, Allie. While this was a good match all things considered, the one thing I took away from this match was that the crowd was dead for Madison every time she applied a hold. For somebody of her importance in TNA's history as a pioneer knockout, you could hear a pen drop during the whole match, and especially during her brief comebacks in this unusually prolonged competition. Van Ness connects with the upmost decency of a curb stomp to compose a merciful end to this dragging affair. Albeit still one of the better matches on this edition of Impact.
Rating: 3.5/5 

I feel bad for the Impact Zone, because the disease of overexposure has been ever present on this show, from the idiotic Maria Kanellis/Alie backstage skits, all the way to the persistent appearances from everyone involved in tonight's main event over the duration of the night. That was never more painfully obvious than in this next in-ring promo. Drew Galloway and Aron Rex had enjoyable banter back and forth, don't get me wrong, but we've all seen these two men so many times tonight that it is just difficult to be emotionally invested. Added on to the fact that this match is now cancelled due to Galloway's injury a day later, it really wasn't necessary.
Rating: 2.5/5 

Preceding what was just uninteresting at best, we turn a complete 180 degrees, as we get one of the most entertaining moments of this entire broadcast. Rosemary goes one on one against Reby Sky in a match that while short, was incredibly entertaining. After 10 minutes of physicality, Rosemary mists the referee much to his dismay and disqualifies her. Both the Broken Hardy family and Decay brawled around the arena, dismembering each other with ladders, chairs, electrocutions and strangulations until the brawl subsequently ended with Rosemary incapacitating Reby with a side effect through a table, leaving Decay as the only ones standing from this impromptu skirmish after the match.
Rating: 4/5

Succeeding another sizzle reel publicizing Cody Rhodes' debut for TNA at a PPV that is in a cloud of uncertainty (Bound For Glory). We interrupt your indulgence and enjoyment to give you another annoyance involving Maria Kanellis Bennett. God, I really want her off of my television before I throw a brick at it. Gail Kim's promo was nothing to complain about, but having to sit through Maria making every wrestling fan's ears bleed with that obnoxious voice and her insanely mannerisms that are nothing but indignation. That's all I have to say about this segment before I turn this review into a rant coming from an intense smart mark.
Rating: 1/5

Finally, in what might be one of the most bittersweet moments in my time as a wrestling fan, the main event is upon us. My feelings towards this main event are so weird, because while I am stoked for this main event, I am not ready for this company to end by any stretch of the imagination. I grew up watching this company, and to see it folding before my eyes while being aware that this could be the last main event in TNA history is mind-boggling. It was a great match with an excellent finish that exceptionally booked Lashley as a strong heel champion. However, I do feel like it would be palpable irony if Bobby Lashley, an Ex-WWE main eventer, was the terminal TNA World Heavyweight Champion. It would really put this promotion's 14-15 year existence in perfect perspective.
Rating: 4/5


Full Show Rating: 3.5/5 


Well, what else can I say? On a show that has the possibility of being a medium-sized landmark, it certainly didn't feel like it, as it seems like wrestlers were exposed far too much and barely anyone had anything left anymore. The passion was absolutely stark, and it eerily resembled the dying days of WCW and the original Smoky Mountain Wrestling. I did not fully enjoy this review, as I had this company's predicament in the back of my mind, but the show was watchable at best. Tomorrow, I will review ROH All-Star Extravaganza and ICW Fight Club #004, so be on the lookout for that.

I'm the Local Hero, Cameron Mcdonley, saying goodbye everybody!

Lucha Underground Review:September 22nd, 2016

Hello, my name is Cameron Mcdonley and I am here to offer you a Unique Opportunity! Yes, it's time for another review of one of the hottest wrestling shows in recent years, this is Lucha Underground! So without further ado, let's not waste any time discussing this great show!

The show begins with El Dragon Azteca Jr and Rey Mysterio training in a dingy gym, preparing for a fight bigger than Pentagon Dark. Chavo Guerrero runs in the ring, reminds Rey of the history they have with one another before he counters Dragon Azteca with a rolling single leg crab, not letting go of the hold until Mysterio screams at him to cease the hold. This plants a seed for the later segments in the show and a major match for next week, so with that said, it was enjoyable and furthered future angles, so it was an absolute success from my estimation.
Rating: 3.5/5 

The usual intro from Striker and Vampiro takes place while the band is playing before we get to another edition of "Dario's Dial Of Doom". He cuts a scathing promo on Son Of Havoc, who was the previous challenger to his brother Matanza Cueto before spinning the wheel once more. The Mack gets chosen, and man do these two have a great match! Not the usual athletic high spots we see from Matanza, but he had no shortage of physicality, not afraid to go strike for strike with his opposition. After a highly competitive match, Matanza gets the win with Wrath Of The Gods. The match certainly served a purpose, as it books the champion as an unstoppable force and does not make Willie Mack look weak in the end at all. Very solid, I hope these two have another match in the near future.
Rating: 4/5 

Son Of Havoc and Mascarita Sagrada are in his mother's basement, watching the Famous B promo package from last season over and over again until Havoc's mom enters the room, telling the two that she's gonna be baking Bagel Bites. Unusual shameless advertising and definitely a weird segment, but it was amusing and was not too far fetched in the realm of this show. There's a difference between entertaining and poor comedy in wrestling, and this was one of the better examples of well thought-out comedy.
Rating: 3.5/5 

Dario Cueto is allegedly doing shady business with substances in his office when Johnny Mundo demands a Lucha Underground title shot, rejecting the Trios Title match. Mundo leaves upon Dario's refusal and Taya takes advantage of the opportunity, inserting herself into the Trios Title main event. I was intrigued as to where this was gonna go and laughed immensely when Taya pointed out the strange circumstance with her boss and white powder on his nose. Again, very strange segment, but a pleasant kind of strange.
Rating: 3/5 

Brian Cage and Texano were ready to compete against one another when Dario Cueto makes another appearance, this time adding an "Ultimate Opportunity" stipulation to the match, and to find out what it meant, one of them had to win to find out. It was a solid match, with excellent sequences of spots and false finishes. Cage obtained the victory, and Mr. Cueto announces a best of five series between the two with the aforementioned stipulation added to it. They had a pretty good match and if these two can have even better matches as the series progresses, then I'm positively on board with it. I like these type of angles in wrestling, so no matter what I'm gonna be interested.
Rating: 3.4/5 

The main event is in moments, but before the last commercial break, Dario is in his office possessing a collection of morbid and deathly images that immediately catch his attention. El Dragon Azteca Jr makes a connection between the "vacation" and the photos before requesting a match with Pentagon against his mentor's wishes. Dario pencils in the match before Ricky Mandel asks for a match as well. However he sees the pictures and is excited before his boss hands them to him as a consolation prize for not having a match, I guess. Chavo Guerrero asks for a conversation with his employer before we get to the commercial interruption and our main event of the evening.
Rating: 3/5 

Aerostar, Drago and Fenix defend against  PJ Black, Jack Evans and Taya for the Trios Championships in what was a highly entertaining match. Some more cynical fans and wrestling journalists alike will probably nitpick the match for not being too serious, but I personally enjoyed it, as the comedy was well-timed and when things had to get physical, there wasn't any deficits in that department neither. The match concluded with a successful title defense, but the Worldwide Underground attack the champions after the match and to add insult to injury, attack Sexy Star when she came to the rescue. The two teams brawled to close out the festivities from the Temple.
Rating: 3.5/5 

Rey Mysterio meets with Dario in his office, begging him not to pit his protege against Pentagon. Mr. Cueto obliges and has El Dragon Azteca face Chavo Guerrero instead. Afterwards, he explains his student's importance to his tribe and pens in Mysterio as the special guest referee for the match next week. I don't know about the people reading this, but that makes me very intrigued knowing the history between all three men. On top of that, there is no doubt in my mind that it's shaping up to be an exciting contest!
Rating: 4/5 

I was thoroughly enthralled by this show, although it is one of their weaker episodes since the series began. That is the beauty and genius of a very solid show however, because even on its worst day, it is still exceptionally compelling television. I'm always left longing for more at the end of every episode.
Full Show Rating: 3.99/5 

This is the resolution of this review, so before I sign off, ROH Episode #261 and Impact Wrestling will be reviewed tomorrow night! This is Cameron Mcdonley, your Local Hero, the Review Guy saying goodbye everybody!

ICW Fight Club #002

Welcome back ladies and gents, I am the "Local Hero" Cameron Mcdonley, ready to crack my neck and cash some checks with this latest review. This time, we revisit the garage for more swearing, heavier violence, and a doctor's dose of chaos as we review ICW Fight Club, Episode #002! So before we anger Red Lightning and the Black Label, let's get straight to the action on this perfect storm of a Monday night!

After the blood pumping, hype building and just downright amazing intro with some exquisite metal music, we waste no time taking it to the ring as we get ready for an ICW Tag Team Championship match! The announcer didn't even have a chance to speak before Pee Wee made his presence felt and announced the New Nation to the ring as their manager as they face the Local Fire, Joe Hendry and Davey Blaze. The match went on for a solid 10 minutes, There were some really good technical moves and working over body parts, but the contest didn't go too far, as Polo Promotions jumped the barricade and rolled into the ring with security blocking them off from both teams. The 50% ICW Owner, Mark Dallas grabs a mic and says he'll take violence and profanity, but not legalities, so he makes a decision. Polo Promotions will make their in-ring returns to ICW in two weeks on this show when they face the Local Fire in a ladder match for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships! However, that was not all, as he stated another bombshell, announcing that The Dudley Boyz will face the new tag champs at Fear And Loathing!!
Rating: 3.5/5

We come back to a short replay, retelling the events of Shug's Hoose Party when Mikey Whiplash, despite winning the main event against Trent Seven, pulled out of the Fear And Loathing title match and kick-started a hashtag #Trent4Hydro . We then cut to the ring, where Trent Seven makes his way down the aisle to a massive ovation from the Glasgow crowd. When he stepped into the ring, the look in his eyes told the whole story.

He means business, as he made his intentions short and sweet by calling out Wolfgang, the World Champion! Instead, we get the shocking return of Massimo, who we have not seen since his upset win over Douglas Williams at Barramania II. He cuts the typical promo, professing his case about how he deserves the top spot in Insane Championship Wrestling before the two traded strikes to start the match, 10 minutes of fist-to-fist brutality is displayed here, as these men use their already battered bodies as weapons in this fight, not allowing any time to breathe until Trent leveled his Italian adversary with a ring-shaking Trend Setter for the victory in a very hard-fought battle. As ICW fans speak their admiration for his wrestling ability louder than ever, it remains to be seen if this young man will get the opportunity of a lifetime at the Hydro Arena!
Rating: 3.5/5  

Again, we get another show of excellence from ICW in this installment of Fight Club, as each match is greatly physical and very, very entertaining. I am undoubtedly excited beyond belief for this next month, as we get what should be an awe-inspiring ladder match and the return of Team 3D! Things are looking ever brighter for this company and I have full optimism that it will get even better before this year comes to a close!

Full Show Rating: 4/5 


As much as I personally enjoy these reviews, this particular one must come to a somber end. Tomorrow night, I will review Monday Night RAW, so I urge you to be on the lookout for that. With that said, this is Cameron Mcdonley saying goodbye everybody!

ICW Fight Club Review: Episode #001

It's me, it's me, it's Cameron Mcdonley! Welcome back to another review,this time for the inaugural episode of a show that is filled with 40 minutes of crude humor, immoderate language and violence that would make everyone at the Parents Television Council slam their heads into a wall! That's right, we're taking a look at ICW Fight Club! So sit back, relax, and strap in your seat restraints for what should be a wild ride!

Heavy metal music blares into your living rooms as the show begins with an intro fit for a company named Insane Championship Wrestling! Billy Kirkwood introduces the audience at home to the show while the crowd screams multiple inane profanities! God, I love this promotion!

Our first match of the night is a continuation of the most personal feud in ICW history, as former best friends Stevie Boy and BT Gunn go face to face once again. This time, these two don't hold anything back, as every strike, hold, move and chairshot was done with unbelievable malice. It seriously had to be the longest 15 minutes of their lives! Sheer ruthlessness was shown by both men, but none more than by Stevie Boy as he lodged his former mentor's neck in a chair, stomped on it and did a sadistic variation of a con-chair-to, leaving him absolutely incapacitated. As if it wasn't personal enough, this rivalry has escalated to the point of no return!
Rating: 4.5/5 

Time was not wasted for a commercial break, as Red Lightning and the ICW Heavyweight Champion Wolfgang make their entrances to the ring. Mark Dallas interrupts his business associate and asks for somebody from the back to accept Wolfgang's open challenge. Out of all people to make the challenge, the concussed DCT begs to face the champion, although he is not medically cleared. Both principal owners of the company rejected his request, but he would have none of it, as he forced the hand of both to make the match by blindsiding Wolfgang. That was the only time he would get offense on the "Big Bad Wolf" however. It was 25 minutes of destruction with the challenger being fed to a carnivore. Shot after shot was focused on the head, and it wasn't before long until the referee stopped the match, declaring Wolfgang as the remorseless winner. Red Lightning and his mercenary walk through the curtain almost amused at DCT barely having the wherewithal to stand. It seems clear that this new era has changed the life of Mark Dallas for the worse, as he now has a liability on his hands.
Rating: 4/5 

It was definitely a great hour of wrestling television, and I hope this show will not be short-lived, as I want to see more of this phenomenal promotion. Great wrestling, entertaining storylines and excessive profanity seems to be the perfect fit for this show.

Full Show Rating: 4/5 

I have to reluctantly state that this effectively concludes the review. I am Cameron Mcdonley, and I will see you tomorrow afternoon for a review of ICW Fight Club #002. So long everybody!!