Sunday is Mother’s Day. Go tell your momma that you love her. Speaking of women, have we finally reached a time when inter-gender wrestling is more than comic relief? Have we finally got past the stigma of Inter-Gender Wrestling? Did you see who are some of the names connected to GFW, two have ties to SoCal? Plus updates with the United Wrestling Network and this week’s upcoming events.
InterGender Wrestling
“When it comes to wrestling, there is nothing up here, they are all oatmeal north of the eyebrows,” is how the most world renowned Inter-Gender Wrestler Andy Kaufman described woman in an interview conducted by Lance Russell in the late 70s. Leading up to his “feud” with Jerry Lawler, comedian turn pro female wrestler Kaufman began issuing open challenges in Memphis Tennessee to any lady for a match. Kaufman even proclaimed himself the Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion of the World. Decades would pass before “Hollywood’s Own” Joey Ryan would effort the same claims. Pro Wrestling has treated inter-gender wrestling as comic relief for years. Is now the time to drop the negative stigma of inter-gender wrestling? But with two prominent wrestling promotions in Southern California featuring Inter-Gender Champions, have we finally reached gender equality in Southern California Professional Wrestling?
In the past Inter-gender wrestling has been treated as comic relief more than serious competition, most notably, by the WWE. Their Hardcore Championship during the 24/7 rule saw four women win the title. Molly Holly, WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, Terri Runnels and Bobcat aka the Godfather’s Ho were all former Hardcore Champions. WCW chose to use the Crusierweight Championship to “showcase” women wrestlers. WWE Hall of Famer Madusa won the Cruiserweight Championship in 1999 after defeating Evan Karagias. And later Scream Queen Daffney was a co-champion with Crowbar, but later defeated him to be the Undisputed Champion. Neither lady had a considerable amount of time with the title. “The Ninth Wonder of the World” Chyna was actually had a serious run as the WWE Intercontinental Champion defeating Jeff Jarret and having a feud with Chris Jericho. Chyna also had a series of matches in New Japan.
Mixed tag teams are not a new concept. Last year at PWG’s Mystery Vortex 2, Candice LeRae unsuccessfully challenged Adam Cole for the PWG World Championship. It was a few months later Joey and Candice would defeat the Young Bucks to with the PWG Tag Title, making LeRae the first woman in PWG History to hold a championship title. Lucha Underground recently crowned their first Trios Champion and the group featured a mixed tag team; Son of Havoc, Angelico, and Ivelisse.
Alternative Wrestling Show has been a beacon to fans of women wrestling over the years featuring some of the best local ladies as well as bringing in some of the most talented female wrestlers across the country. AWS has been known to feature Inter-gender wrestling during the annual Ladies Night Event with a five on five battle of the sexes; this year the match will feature PPRay, the Suburban Commandos, and Jeckles the Jester taking on “Ultra Girl” Brittany Wonder, Raze, “The Pumpkin Queen” Sage Sin and “The Blood Thirsty Vixen” Mariah Moreno plus one more lady to be announced.
But the “Equal Opportunity Ass Kicker” Raze might be doing more for gender equality in SoCal Wrestling more so than anyone. At the last AWS Show (joint AWS/QPro). Raze was the replacement to the sick Scorpio Sky and challenged AWS Champion Willie Mack. On a card loaded with talent, a lot of people were impressed with Raze’s abilities against Mack. And while at the Santino Bros. Raze has had some hard hitting matches with BC Killer and Robby Phoenix.
With pioneers like AWS, Candace and Raze it is time to start treating inter-gender wrestling as serious competition.
GFW Announces Their Roster
This week Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling has finally announced its roster. The cast of characters are seemingly made of gaijin talents from New Japan and former WWE Superstars and even a former NFL Player. (“The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) Bullet Club, (Lance Hoyt & Davey Boy Smith) The Killer Elite Squad, former WWE Superstars Chris “The Adonis” Mordetsky (Chris Masters), PJ Black (Justin Gabriel), Quinn “Moose” Ojinnaka, Lei’D Tapa and Thea Trinidad. Long time Southern California Wrestling fans will recognize The Machine Gun as a former NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion defeating Fergal Devitt and losing it to Alex Koslov. He is also an Empire Wrestling Federation American Champion defeating the Human Tornado and losing the title to Mikey Nicholls. He was also a NWA World Tag Team Champion with Joey Ryan before going to New Japan. Big Chris Mordetsky was Vendetta Pro Heavyweight Champion and a top contender for the UPW Heavyweight Championship. The GFW Las Vegas TV tapings will take place on Friday, July 24; Friday, August 21; and Friday, October 23. Tickets for all three events will go on sale on Friday, May 15 at noon, with an exclusive pre-sale beginning on Monday, May 11 at noon. Tickets are available starting at $30 and can be purchased online at www.orleansarena.com, by phone at 702-284-7777 or in-person at Boyd Gaming box
United Wrestling Network
Episodes of Championship Wrestling from Hollywood are being updated Saturday Mornings ahead of their airings on KDOC TV. The most recent update featured matches with two “Pick Your Poison Matches”… with Yuma taking on Saxson Huxley and Hobo taking on Jakob Austin Young, The Cirque du Monsteres (Bateman, Jarek 1:20 & Imbicile) vs. Jervis Cottonbelly, Jared Vargas, & Sergio Vega, Peter Avalon takes on Suede Thompson, the Revolution takes on Cold Cold War with Caesar Black, and Anderson Cruz w/ Ty Matthews versus Mike Camden. Powered by Patreon, the United Wrestling Network has over 33 hours of Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. If you’re out of the markets of KDOC TV and YooToo America or just don’t have a DVR, this is the best way to stay up to date with CWFH. Episodes start as far back as July and are being updated all the time with the shows before they air on KDOC or YouToo. Occasionally they will post matches that have never aired on television that apart of the CWFH/NWAPro Wrestling Vault. Currently available for streaming are; RockNES Monsters defending the Hollywood Heritage Tag Titles against Natural Selection with Percy Pringle III and Los Luchas from June 26th 2010 in Yuma Arizona, Daniel Bryan vs. Sean “X-Pac” Waltman from November 11th 2007 in Peth Australia, and AJ Styles vs. Trent Barretta on June 14th 2014 at Port Hueneme California.
Upcoming Events in SoCal
EWF XIX Anniversary Extravaganza in Covina, Tonight @ 8:00 PM
EWF in San Bernardino, Saturday @ 7:00 PM
Grindhouse Entertainment in Colton, Saturday @ 7:00 PM
MWF Lucha Mex in Los Angeles, Saturday @ 8:00 PM
CWFH “FREE TV TAPING” in Port Hueneme, Sunday @ 3:00 PM
The views and opinions expressed in Jay Cal’s View are those solely of the author. These views do not necessarily reflect the views of the website. As always please Jay Cal with any questions, comments, or concern.