Adam Circumstance, BarrMark and RUSS~!
proudly
present to you the:
CZWFans.com 2004 Awards
Winner: CAGE OF DEATH VI (44%)
Honorable Mention: BEST OF THE BEST IV (19%)
Circumstance: COD was quite the spectacle. While I personally don’t
think it was the best show of the year (High Stakes was much better) I can
understand why people would vote for it. COD is CZW’s Wrestlemania. It is an
event that everyone goes out of their way to see and it always delivers. This
year for me was highlighted by two amazing matches, Sonjay vs. Mdogg 20 and
Steen/Generico vs. Dragon/Ex. Best of the Best IV was a worthy contender and is
one of the only tournaments in Indy wrestling that matters. It’s more fun than
any Super 8 I’ve seen that’s for sure.
BarrMark: Cage of Death
rocked the body that rocked the party: Blackout proved every bit worthy of their
push, So Cal vs. IWS crushed all our expectations (and may be the finest CZW
bout of all time), Sonjay and MDogg whipped the Viking Hall crowd into an
emotional frenzy while CZW mainstays gave fans the old-school ultraviolence.
Probably the best all-around CZW show of all-time, nothing else comes
close.
Russ!: Cage of Death has always been CZW’s biggest show
of the year, but it’s role in the promotion has changed dramatically over the
past two years. Cage of Deaths 3 and 4 can easily be considered fittingly
successful cappers on favorable years but -following a wildly turbulent
2003-Cage of Death was warped into something else entirely. Due to bad luck,
enforced regulatory limitations and creative failings within the promotion the
spectacle has been, for the past two years, more a question mark than an
exclamation point. What can no longer be questioned is whether the Cage of Death
name is a legitimate draw in and of itself. A 900 person house (flanked by two
shows with under 250 people in attendance) proves that the fed has a marketable
spectacle on it’s hands and the wrestlers, through LOADS of hard work,
innovation and (in the case of some) clinical insanity, proved they are just as
aware of the magnitude of the show as the fans, the promotion or anyone else.
MATCH OF THE YEAR
Winner: El Generico vs. Excess 69 vs. Sexxxy Eddy vs. Kevin Steen (High Stakes Night) 29%
Honorable Mention (TIE):
Super Dragon vs. Excalibur vs. Bobby Quance vs.
B-Boy (High Stakes Day) 16%
Super Dragon/Excalibur vs. Kevin Steen/El Generico (Cage of
Death VI) 16%
Circumstance: IWS blew me away with this 4-Way. I had never seen
Steen, Excess, or Generico before, but after this match the entire Indy
Wrestling World knew who they were. All four guys tore it up in one of the
craziest spotfests I’ve ever seen. Honorable mentions are both amazing as well.
Super Dragon returned to CZW to kick much ass. The fans love all of these guys.
BarrMark: Strangely I preferred both runner-ups to this one…but
this was nothing short of an electric bout that ignited the crowd unlike
anything I’ve seen since ECW occupied the Arena. In terms of raw energy nothing
can touch this, in fact I doubt any other CZW match ever
will.
Russ!: I’m with Kizzle in believing that the two runner
ups were probably slighted in the name of emotionally skewed voting but, really,
that point just highlights the brilliance of the IWS 4-way. While not as
flawless technically as the aforementioned “also-rans”, the Canadians came to
High Stakes with the intention of winning over the notoriously critical
Philadelphia crowd- and they did so with one of the most singularly galvanizing
matches in the history of the city. Three of the four participants came in as
virtual unknowns in the area but, after 25 minutes of innovation laced head
dropping, off key choral chanting and brilliantly structured insanity, the three
anonymous participants were put soundly on the map while Sexxxy Eddy’s already
considerable popularity exploded directly off the chart.
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Winner: CHRIS HERO 34%
Honorable Mention: Sexxxy Eddy 18%
Circumstance: Chris Hero should have been CZW World Heavyweight
Champion this year. We got a year’s worth of great Ironman Title Defenses, but
for whatever reason Hero was never given a title match. Many people thought Hero
would not come back, but he did and he got over as the company’s top heel in the
process. Sexxxy Eddy’s debut will never be forgotten. Eddy is the most
charismatic guy on the CZW roster and he’s got so much potential. Here’s to
hoping that CZW doesn’t fuck it up for either one of these two talents! I’d also
like to point out that the current CZW champ only received 2% of the
vote.
BarrMark: Hero’s so on-point that even Zandig himself is
trying to get a rub off him. Sounds yucky. Anyway, everyone always knew Hero had
the in-ring down but his personality, charisma and micwork evolved to an amazing
degree. He's truly become the "total package", even moreso than his mentor and
former trainer Lex Luger. Much love for Sexual Eddy though, never before has
someone taken CZW by storm in such an explosive manner.
Russ!:
For years fans clamored for Chris Hero in CZW. In late 2003 their prayers were
answered when the universally revered, monumentally skilled Hero returned to the
promotion. While 2003 saw Hero’s formal return to the company, 2004 saw him
affect a departure from the performer many people considered him to be. Despite
delivering terrific matches on a regular basis (notably a 4-way in Reading and
his contests with B-Boy) Hero’s contributions to the promotion were made as much
from a character standpoint as they were from an in-ring one. Given free reign
to indulge his heelish leanings, Hero blossomed as a character who was
concurrently identifiable, loathsome and incredibly hilarious. By channeling his
obsessive fascination with the nuances of his profession into a tongue in cheek,
hyper exaggeration of himself, Hero laid the foundation for one of the most
memorable heel personas in ages. With unparalleled personality infused with his
trademark mat expertise, Hero proved to be an invaluable asset to CZW throughout
2004.
I do think that both Eddy and, yes, Teddy Hart deserve mentions here though, as BOTH brought unparalleled levels of fan enthusiasm to the table at opposite ends of the year.
TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR
Winner: The Blackout (Ruckus and Sabian) 48%
Honorable Mention: S.B.S. (Super Dragon and Excalibur) 29%
Circumstance: This was Blackout’s year. Amazing year for all of the
guys involved in this faction. Blackout held the tag titles for most of the year
and had several great cage matches and defenses. Super Dragon and Ex dominated
all competition. Next month these two teams will meet, though it is likely that
Kingston will take Ruckus’ place.
BarrMark: I voted for SBS but
can’t argue with the winner at all. As a team and stable, Blackout stepped up to
the plate in a huge way and delivered every time out; at a time where so many
seem content to rest on their laurels it was really nice to see guys so intent
on improving themselves and putting on great shows for the fans (that goes for
ALL of Blackout). Sadly they're all going to die in January when S.B.S. fucks
their skulls in the center of the ring...but that's another
story.
Russ!: 2004 was a year of transition for CZW. With many
of the established veterans bowing to injury or receding due to age, the
promotion needed a new act to anchor the goings on. Blackout became that anchor.
The stable is the most enduring product of one of the strongest points
creatively for CZW in years, and demonstrate how to most perfectly piece
together divergent elements to achieve an effective stable. Ruckus, a CZW
mainstay who had burnt out as a face, was repackaged as a hardened, street
warrior and grouped with Sabian (who had fleshed out his own personality at COD
V) and Joker (who was coming off a huge ladder match against Cash at the same
show) to form a well rounded, diverse group who were fascinating as individuals
and as a unit. By integrating a strong managerial presence in the form of the
revitalized Robby Mireno and, later, an enforcer element in Eddie Kingston CZW
managed to establish an act that was as malign able for their dominance as they
were for their shtick…and ensure that BOTH elements persisted for the duration
of the year.
FEUD OF THE YEAR
Winner: Team Ca$h vs. The Blackout 50%
Honorable Mention: Sonjay Dutt vs. M Dogg 20 & Jimmy Rave
Circumstance: This was indeed a light year for feuds in CZW. Team
Cash was thrown together in the last three months of the year and Blackout
feuded with everyone in CZW. Personally I enjoyed the M-Dogg vs. Sonjay feud
much better. Yes it had the clichéd “I Stole Your Title” gimmick attached to it,
but this feud lit a fire under both men. M Dogg was great on the mic and the
final match at COD 6 was amazing. Where is Jimmy Rave?
BarrMark:
Jimmy Rave and his new robes are better than CZW anyway. Well I really didn’t
notice any feuds in CZW this year so instead of commenting on this category,
I’ll be quoting my favorite Ricky Martin song: “You're a Mata Hari, I wanna
know your story in the Sahara sun. I wanna be the one that's gonna come and take
you, make you shake your bon-bon, shake your bon-bon, shake your bon-bon”.
Someone told me that song's about Sonjay, I think they're yanking my chain
though.
Russ!: Yeah, pretty shaky decision. I mean, after all,
these guys didn’t necessarily hate each other. In fact, the only reason Eddy was
in the match was because Joker (of all people) incomprehensibly named his as the
partner for a group of hastily assembled bump machines who would battle a stable
whose real beef was with…..John Zandig. Personally, I don’t believe any feud
this year even remotely measured up to Jimmy Jacobs and Sabian, which had a well
defined storyline, coherent storytelling and a progressive level of intensity.
DEATHMATCH OF THE YEAR
Winner: Arsenal vs. Sexxxy Eddy (Light Tube Ropes @ Tournament of Death III) 40%
Honorable Mention: Team Ca$h vs. The Blackout (Cage of Death Match) 18%
Circumstance: I have yet to see the winner so I won’t comment on it.
From what I’ve seen it looks to be brutal. Cash vs. Blackout was scary. Some of
the spots in that match should have never ever been tried in a wrestling ring.
The Cash Flo off the top of the Cage to the floor and Jack Evans being
backdropped to the floor were both very death-defying.
BarrMark: Even without the Old Faithful imitation Eddy/Arse was
a HELL of a match. Most people didn’t know what to expect from these two but
they made an instant impression and showed tremendous guts, giving us an
innovative, brilliant and BLOODY match that epitomized exactly what everyone
wanted from Tournament of Death. And the only thing separating all that glass
from Eddy's cockmeat was a millimeter of lycraspandex, that makes him a ballsy
motherfucker. The Joker/Zandig match was also really cool and at least deserves
a mention here.
Russ!: Both the victor and runner up are
deserving of the award. Eddy and Arsenal demonstrated the sort of (Canadian!?!)
penchant for making strong first impressions that was evidenced by the IWS folk
more dramatically in September. After watching this show, there can be no doubt
that Sexxxy Eddy had designs on making himself a star in this tournament and,
while Eddy certainly had a more noteworthy post-TOD CZW run, the Arsenal’s
contribution to both the match and the night can not be questioned nor
minimized.
MOST IMPROVED WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Winner: SABIAN 30%
Honorable Mention: Chris Ca$h 18%
Circumstance: Sabian bumps like a maniac and he can really go in the
ring. Chris Ca$h continues to be pushed and also bumps like a maniac. I would
like to see Ca$h put on some muscle and tone down on some of his spots and focus
on the basics. I would really like to see Ca$h spend like 3 months over at IWA
and train over there. Sabian’s work in Chikara has done wonders for him. Both
good choices. Eddie Kingston is on the rise though
people.
BarrMark: Sabian basically got destroyed by the H8 Club
for half the year, taking that many sloppy powerbombs from Nate Hatred MORE than
earns him my blessing. I voted for Kingston though, he improved himself by leaps
and bounds and effortlessly fit into his out-of-nowhere push. If this guy isn’t
Heavyweight champ by next year at this time, CZW’s leaving money on the table.
Russ!: Sabian started the year as one half of the strongest carry-over feud from Cage of Death, battling Jimmy Jacobs in strong, intense, storyline driven matches. The feud allowed the once anonymous Sabian to highlight his personality as well as his ability to work consistent, continuity heavy programs. The Overdrive 6-man is probably my favorite CZW match of the year, and features some of the most well executed, thickly layered storytelling in a CZW match ever. Sabian has developed into a really decent junior over the past 12 months and, in addition, is capable of making anyone-of any stature- look great through his ability to absorb intense amounts of physical punishment. His performances at High Stakes, Cage of Death and NOI (where he worked with a serious shoulder injury) illustrate the sort of passion for his profession that inspires improvement worthy of such an award.
CZW MOVE OF THE YEAR
Winner: El Generico’s Brainbustaaaaaaaaaaah! 30%
Honorable Mention: Super Dragon’s Curb Stomp 25%
Circumstance: I was shocked when I first saw both of these moves.
Both of these moves are sick and devastating. Generico annihilates people with
the top rope brainbuster on the turnbuckle and Dragon is just a dick for
smashing everyone’s face with his favorite move of
choice.
BarrMark: High Stakes was my first glimpse of the
ElGen’s brainbuster and obviously my jaw hit the floor, his placement of it
within matches (with the teases) seals the deal. Monsta Mack’s classic call of
it on the JAP 7th Anny show helped too.
Russ!: What the hell do you write about a move? AHH, I know! I’ll describe it! And, in the spirit of accurate and astute move description, I will attempt to channel the spirit of the late, great Gorilla Monsoon at no less than TWO Points during this forced write-up. Where to start. Well, you see, El Generico places his prone opponent atop a corner turnbuckle, with legs straddling the uppermost turnbuckle pad. After this he methodically ascends to the second turnbuckle where he triumphantly reaches one hand skyward and musters the condensed voice of an entire people, bellowing “OLE!” in an unmistakably Mexican roar. The unfortunate recipient is then hoisted into a vertical position and unceremoniously dropped on his head, smacking dermis with vinyl before his rattled, Caucasian body plummets limply to the arena floor. Generico then stands, leans his slender Mexican body back into a position more conducive to absorbing fanatical ovations and waits for the accolades he so richly deserves.
MOST UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Winner: Sexxxy Eddy’s blood spewing arm at Tournament of Death III 56%
Honorable Mention: Justice Pain returns at BOTB IV 10%
Circumstance: Eddy drinking his own blood is an image no one will
ever forget. Justice returning at BOTB kept the crowd hot after being
disappointed by Trent Acid’s no showing.
BarrMark: The Delaware
crowd groaned in unison once they realized exactly what Eddy was doing, you
could almost see our collective queasiness in the air. Eddy is a true showman
and more than deserving of this one.
Russ!: Sexxxy Eddy is a sexy man. This much is well known. In fact, this much is denoted by his very name. Needless to say, Sexxxy Eddy can - at any time- walk out of any seedy bar in North America with a good dozen chicks riding his nuts, but to walk out of a seedy bar in Delaware with 250 indy marks planted on your crotch is a notable achievement even for this noted purveyor of perversity. The image of Eddy’s arm, spraying blood in a continuous upward blast is undeniably memorable and cemented him as an internet sensation, joining the likes of Teddy Hart, Paris Hilton and “All Your Base Are Belong to Us” . But it is Eddy’s reaction to the moment that made it so truly special. Tolerating pain for respect makes you tough, but turning destruction to drama makes you a star and the image of Eddy’s battle worn face, ornamented by fully peeled eyes and accented with the sort of immoral grin that will pierce grown men’s dreams, is an unforgettable encapsulation of his characteristic zeal and characteristic insanity. But, perhaps, the moment will, ultimately, serve as the most tangible summation of his - or, perhaps, anyone’s- unparalleled dedication to his chosen craft.
FUNNIEST CZW MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Winner: Excalibur Challenges Road Warrior Hawk to a Match! 28%
Honorable Mention: New Jack cuts a promo on the Dudley’s (“Motherfucker, I will Kill your Kids) 26%
Circumstance: Both of these moments have a special place in my
heart. I like to be entertained and these two men did it. Ex has been amazing on
the mic all year long and this promo was no exception. If New Jack was still
around I’m sure we would have some more gold. I’m still waiting for someone to
put a video up of that New Jack promo.
BarrMark: New Jack’s
promo was so delusional that he could single-handedly headline Nickels
TriviaMania, I had to vote for Excalibur as he brings an entirely different type
of humor to the Combat Zone (and one that was badly needed in copious amounts).
Russ!: While I think Adam’s delusional and narcissistic moment was given the shaft, I can’t slight the incomparable Excalibur. Even before arriving in CZW, Ex was heralded for the sort of comedic irreverence that tends to upset conservative thinkers while captivating hordes of impressionable youths simultaneously. In his highly referenced, oft quoted commentary tracks for Californian promotion, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, he (along with life partner, the irrepressible Disco Machine) had proven that no topic, religion or political regime was immune to his acerbic wit and sharpened tongue. After tackling such topical issues as Indonesian race relations, the proliferation of sex crimes in professional sports and the long term ramifications of The Lazurus Pit in DC continuity on the remarkably popular PWG DVDs Excalibur brought his unique blend of social commentary and deficient sensitivity to CZW rings with hilarious results. Few men could challenge a corpse in the name of comedy but Excalibur pulled it off admirably en route to this prestigious, delusional, intangible accolade. Let’s just hope Ex’s musing about the practical application of the Lazarus pit never manifests itself in reality or he may have one seriously pissed, very well rested Hawk to deal with.
MIC WORK OF THE YEAR
Winner: "PRIMO" ROBBY MIRENO 44%
Honorable Mention: CHRIS HERO 31%
Circumstance: Mireno
totally reinvented his character in 2004 and was THE man on the mic this year in
CZW. I’d like to hear what Mireno could do on commentary with Eddie Kingston for
CZW. Mireno IS Blackout and successfully got that gimmick and all their angles
over. Great Job Robbie! Chris Hero proved to be a great cocky heel this year.
Hero really got into the character and even helped develop it more by bringing
in his “Few Good Men”. Great job from both men.
BarrMark: Think
back to your opinion of Mireno at COD5…looking at him now, seems that he’d be
just as good a fit for Most Improved. Mireno is one of the top mic workers on
the indies, in terms of believability, subtle humor and riling up a crowd. He
fit into the gangsta pimpin', wire slappin', collecting the blizzing gimmick
like a glove and the Fake You episode featuring his turn was some of the finest
wrestling television I’ve ever seen. And who will ever forget "Bam Bam
Nigelow".
Russ!: Ahh, Robby Mireno. It’s amazing how only last year Robby Mireno was standing awkwardly in the ring, clad in a three piece suit and nervously bickering with ringside fans who were rightfully heckling his ring announcing. Never did I think that THAT guy would turn into one of the most comfortable, most effective promo men on the entire indy scene. Robby Mireno is obviously extremely at home in what he’s doing, and the freedom he’s given from a creative standpoint is evident in the originality lining everything he does. He’s taken all the most essential elements of old-school managers and modernized them masterfully, making him the quintessential contemporary chicken-shit heel manager. He’s PERFECT in his role, just fake enough to be laughed at and just believable enough to hated, serving as a true study in what makes a captivating wrestling personality.
I love Excalibur and Chris Hero, but Robby Mireno’s work blew me away to such a degree this year that I don’t honestly believe anyone else even deserved consideration. A case can be made that, given Blackout’s role in the promotion and Mireno’s role in Blackout, that Mireno is one of the three most important personalities in the promotion. Considering he’s “only” a manager, that’s truly amazing.
That's it folks, thanks for voting. Feel free to leave feedback here.