It’s a Gift…and a Curse from Pro Wrestling Guerrilla on Saturday, April 5!
By Silverback, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Staff Writer
Santee, CA – At Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s (http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com) 1.21 Gigawatts this past Friday night, Commissioner of Food & Beverage Excalibur attempted to give Chris Hero and Candice LeRae a gift; A chance at revenge against Human Tornado and LuFisto, who had joined forces earlier in the evening to attack Candice. Unfortunately, this gift quickly became a curse, when the Inter-gender Street Fight that Excalibur had booked degenerated into a 3-on-1 assault of Candice LeRae by Tornado, LuFisto, and Claudio Castagnoli, as Chris Hero was bound to the ropes and helpless to stop the beating. This would lead to Excalibur vehemently apologizing to Hero for putting Candice in harm’s way, especially when the Commissioner knew that Hero and Candice were outnumbered. He would go on to relate the story of how the attack at 1.21 Gigawatts was a lot like when he was advised to watch Monk on DVD. While he found the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder of detective Adrian Monk to be amusing, by the end of the first season, even the OCD-related antics could not overcome the formulaic, sub-Matlock level of crime solving the show featured on a regular basis. So while everyone else seems to enjoy the show, Excalibur finds it to be just too much of the same. You can see how this story really put things in perspective for Hero and Candice, and lead to them petitioning that Dino Winwood be the only one with match making power in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.Unfortunately for Commissioner of Wrestling Dino Winwood, he was not prepared for the fury of Chris Hero, because after being duct taped to the ropes by former partner Claudio Castagnoli, and then being forced to witness Candice LeRae receive the beating of her life, Chris Hero wanted blood. So he approached Dino Winwood with a simple proposition: Chris Hero, Human Tornado, one on one, no titles, no refs, just an old fashioned street fight where the winner would be the last man standing. This sounded like a great idea, and would have happened, if it weren’t for just two small things. First, there are other people that are more deserving of a shot at Human Tornado, since after all, he is Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion. And second, Human Tornado seemingly intent on avoiding the wrath of Chris Hero, is taking a “personal day” on Saturday, April 5. Hero took this news as well as could be expected, toppling Dino Winwood’s bookcase full of novelty snow globes from far off and exotic places, throwing a commute coffee mug through a (now permanently open, since it has no glass) window, and putting his fist repeatedly through the family portrait oil painting hanging behind Dino’s desk. Perhaps saying Dino Winwood was “not prepared for the fury of Chris Hero” was a bit of an understatement.
Excalibur, who had been avoiding the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla offices while Hero was still in town, sent a message via carrier pigeon stating that while he couldn’t offer Chris Hero a shot at the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Champion Human Tornado, Excalibur could help Hero work his way back into the title picture. A gift, if you will, from the commission of Food & Beverage. What other “gifts” are in store for Saturday, April 5 at American Legion Post #309 in Reseda, CA at It’s a Gift…and a Curse?
DDT4 Qualifying Match
The Dynasty (Joey Ryan & “The Professional” Scott Lost) vs. Claudio Castagnoli & Eddie Kingston
— This match was originally scheduled to take place at 1.21 Gigawatts; however, Eddie Kingston was unable to make his flight to Southern California due to a court date. When Dino called to ask why Kingston had to appear in front of a judge, he flippantly stated, “Murder,” shocking everyone listening in on the other lines. Apparently, Eddie Kingston had killed someone, softly, with his song, and went on to tell their whole life with his words. So while the charges were based on a murder, it was really more of a plagiarism and copyright suit, which Kingston was successfully able to beat. Now Kingston hopes that his success in the courtroom will follow him to the ring, as he teams up with Claudio Castagnoli to attempt to earn a spot in the Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament (DDT4).
For those fans who don’t know, this match came about because of events that transpired earlier this month at Scared Straight. After hearing they would face Joey Ryan and Scott Lost just two weeks later, Claudio and Kingston interfered in a Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Title match in order to allow The Dynasty to keep the titles. However, Kingston’s court date caused that plan to backfire, because at 1.21 Gigawatts, Joey Ryan and Scott Lost lost the titles to surprise challengers, and former champions, El Generico and “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen-though Generico and Steen’s victory was not completely by their own merit, as Super Dragon also made a surprise return and attacked Jade Chung with a vicious Psycho Driver. Dragon’s assault distracted Scott Lost, and ultimately led to The Dynasty losing the match. To make matters worse, after a consultation with a spinal specialist, Jade Chung was advised to take at least a month off from any physical activity, which includes her managerial duties for The Dynasty. This attack was clearly meant to send a message to The Dynasty that Super Dragon, nearly two years after he was brutally attacked by The Dynasty, still has an axe to grind.
Compound that with the fact that El Generico and Kevin Steen’s title victory was as much as a surprise to them as it was to anyone else, so they are not available to defend the titles on April 5th at It’s a Gift…and a Curse. This means that the next chance for them to defend the titles will be at DDT4. And being the fighting champions that they are, Generico and Steen have agreed to enter the tournament and defend the titles throughout! So this makes El Generico and Kevin Steen the second team to enter the tournament, after Phoenix Star and Zokre, Los Luchas.
This turn of events makes the qualifying matchup at It’s a Gift…and a Curse that much more important for The Dynasty, because a loss here may mean their next shot at the titles may not come until the summer. But will Scott Lost and Joey Ryan be able to cope with the loss of their trusted advisor and the specter of Super Dragon looming overhead? Or will Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston take advantage of the situation, and secure their spot as the third team entered in DDT4?
Chris Hero vs. Roderick Strong
— Commissioner of Food & Beverage Excalibur told Chris Hero that he would “make things right” for essentially feeding Candice LeRae to the wolves. And his first step in doing so is to offer Chris Hero a way back into title contention, and thus, a way to get his hands on Human Tornado. However, this gift comes at a price, a curse, so to speak, because Chris Hero must face Roderick Strong, who is also intent on getting back into the title chase. Perennially on the periphery of the title picture, Roderick Strong has seen opportunity after opportunity slip through his grasp. The most recent example of this happened at ¡Dia De Los Dangerous!, where in the Three-Way Title Match against Human Tornado and Karl “Machine Gun” Anderson, Strong fell short and Tornado walked away with the title. While Roderick may consider this a minor set back, it knocked him way down the list of challengers to the title, which is why this match with Chris Hero is of vital importance. Both Chris Hero and Roderick Strong have very different reasons for wanting a shot a Human Tornado, and this match is a crucial step down that path.
Los Luchas (Phoenix Star & Zokre) vs. Tokyo GU•REN•TAI (MAZADA & NOSAWA)
— While Las Vegas did not consider them the favorite to win the DDT4 Qualifier Series, Phoenix Star and Zokre were not exactly long shots, either. However, their victory and subsequent entry into the tournament have cemented their reputation as one of the premier tag teams in Southern California, and now it is up to Los Luchas to put that reputation to the test. Making their return to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla after a four-year absence o challenge the young duo, Tokyo GU•REN•TAI are hoping that a victory over the “en fuego” Los Luchas would earn them a spot in the prestigious tag team tournament, as well. Known as rough and tumble brawlers as much as skilled technicians, MAZADA and NOSAWA believe that their hybrid style, along with their time spent wrestling in Mexico, will give them more than enough of an edge to trump their competitors. But Los Luchas are coming into It’s a Gift…and a Curse with quite a bit of momentum at their backs, and a victory over Tokyo GU•REN•TAI would kick things into overdrive, which is exactly what Phoenix Star and Zokre need before facing the biggest challenge of their careers at DDT4.
“New Guy” Brandon Bonham vs. “Slick” Nick Jackson
— In his debut match with Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Brandon Bonham was able to win over the hearts and minds of the Southern California faithful, and he now hopes to turn that single victory into a win streak at It’s a Gift…and a Curse. However, Bonham will have his hands full with a man making his debut of sorts, in singles competition, at least, Nick Jackson. Best known as one half of The Young Bucks, Nick Jackson is striking out on his own to take on Brandon Bonham, while brother Matt Jackson is forced to play double duty at The Young Bucks’ grandmother’s 90th birthday party. Grandma Jackson, or “The Old Buck,” doesn’t have the best eyesight in the world, so the Jackson brothers have been able to fool The Old Buck for approximately the last 3 years. Since Nick visited her on President’s Day, it was Matt’s turn to pose as both Jackson brothers. But with the makings of a successful win streak within his grasp, Brandon Bonham may make Nick Jackson wish he was at a 90th birthday party instead of across the ring from the hot shot from Pismo Beach!
Ronin & Scorpio Sky vs. Hook Bomberry & TJ Perkins
— While Los Luchas secured their spot in DDT4, Ronin and Scorpio Sky have their sights set on the team they believe kept them out of the tag team title tournament. In the 4-Way Final Match for the DDT4 Qualifier, Hook Bomberry and TJ Perkins used the referee’s distraction to their advantage, scoring an assisted pinfall victory over Ronin and Scorpio Sky. This breaking of the rules eliminated Ronin and Sky from the match, throwing a wrench in their plans of being the dark horse team in the tournament. Now Ronin and Sky seem to be teaming together for more than a shot at the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Titles, they seem to be teaming together for revenge! Bomberry and Perkins have not dissolved their team either, with both men happy with the success they achieved in the Qualifier Series. For the time being, these two teams will be competing over a grudge instead of titles, but this match may be an early look at two teams that could go on to challenge for the tag team titles after the dust from DDT4 settles.
Kitty World Order Debut Match sponsored by Gente California
Hello Kitty® vs. Kuromi®
— In the first ever match of its kind, beloved cartoon characters Hello Kitty and Kuromi will meet face to face inside the squared circle! Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, along with Gente California, are proud to present this unique match-up sure to delight both the young and the old. We invite all of our fans to take this opportunity to root for Hello Kitty (The Good Guy) or Kuromi (The Bad Guy) and enjoy the lighter side of Professional Wrestling. No grudge matches here, just a fun bout between two favorite characters. May the best cat (or rabbit) win!
All this, plus Bino Gambino takes on Nemesis, and Commissioner of Wrestling Dino Winwood and Commissioner of Food & Beverage Excalibur will be on hand to oversee all the action!
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s It’s a Gift…and a Curse takes place at American Legion Post #308 in Reseda, CA on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 8:00PM. American Legion Post #308 is located at 7338 Canby Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. General Admission tickets are $20 and will be available at the door. For more information, please visit http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com. Card subject to change.
HELLO KITTY © 1976, 2008 SANRIO CO., LTD. KUROMI © 2005, 2008, SANRIO CO., LTD.
