Jay Cal’s View…
Fight Jon Fight! Please Pray for Jon Ian. 2014 SoCal Rookie of the Year Hopeful out with an injury, the second half of my 2014 Year End Ballot, updates to the United Wrestling Network, and this week’s upcoming events.
Fight Jon Fight
Jon has been a vital part of Southern California Wrestling for nearly 15 years. My first introduction to Jon was as the voice of Ultimate Pro Wrestling, he would do the ring introductions, always sounding very professional. Never taking himself to seriously when moronic fans started calling him Ruben Studdard and asked him to dance… he’d oblige with a little dance. Later he would do the same job for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, before stepping down from his duties to promote Mach-1 Pro Wrestling. Jon created a weekly wrestling event that showcased students of the Mach-1 Wrestling School. That’s when I became friends with Jon; he’d always take the time to speak to me before and after shows, asking my opinion. I would say that it was unique of him to talk to me, but Jon seemingly had time for everyone. I’ve been spending the past few days glued to Josh Waldrop’s facebook page to get updates on Jon as he’s been in the ICU, now for almost a week. Jon’s never kept it a secret that he’s had some health issues a few years ago. What I understand is Jon went in for issues with Kidney Stones and ended up having a very bad seizure. Medical professionals placed him in a medically induced coma, because his blood pressure was getting to high. If you are someone who believes in prayer, please pray for Jon. Please, send positive thoughts Jon’s way. The plan is to move him to Western Medical Center and fitting him with a pacemaker, before bringing him out of coma. Please keep Jon and his family in your thoughts.
2014 Summer Classic Tournament Champion Injured
June 21st, Mike Camden defeated Joey Barone, Anthony Idol, and Ricky Mandel to win the SoCal Pro Summer Classic and become the Golden State Heavyweight Champion. Many SoCal Pro faithful were hoping to see the 2014 Rookie of the Year Nominee go wire to wire and win the tournament again this year. However, Camden has been removed from the event. “Unfortunately, I will not be competing in the 2015 SoCal Pro: Summer Classic on June 19th and 20th. I suffered a knee injury a few weeks back while training and will not be able to wrestle for a few months. Thank you to Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF), Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, Finest City Wrestling (FCW), Bart from AWS and of course SoCal Pro Wrestling for the support. I’ve already started my road back into the ring and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Bye for now.” The 5th Annual SoCal Pro Summer Classic will take place over 2 nights, Friday June 19th in Escondido and Saturday June 20th in Oceanside. The tournament will mark the return of Big Duke, the debut of Sasha Darevko, and all of your SoCal Pro favorites. Fans in attendance on Saturday night will be given a free Terminator Movie Poster and one lucky fan will win a pair of Beats by Dre Headphones.
Jay’s 2014 Year End Ballot
This is not the official SCU Year End Awards, but it is the glimpse of the ballot that I have submitted for consideration of the Year End Awards. This week I’m focusing on Promotion of the Year, Wrestler of the Year, and Rookie of the Year.
Tag Team of the Year: 2014 saw Ray Rosas and Peter Avalon wrestle in CWFH, SoCal Pro, PWG, QPro, EWF, AWS, Alpha Omega, Santino Bros., and even Mexico. However, due to injury the team was on hiatus from February to September due to Ray Rosas injury, limiting their in ring action to 17 matches. Rosas and Avalon had memorable matches with Los Banditos (Steel Cage at AWS) and a great feud with Vermin members Yuma and Kevin Marteson (Goodtime). Their feud of the Hollywood Heritage Tag Team Championships spilled out of Championship Wrestling from Hollywood to two title defenses of the Heritage Tag Titles in Mexico. So although their time was short this year, they really maximized their opportunity. Plus they were simultaneously the tag champs for CWFH and AWS. All of their matches are entertaining.
Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano (WCA, 1/18)
Wrestling Cares Association had a grand conclusion to their 2013 Tournament that ended on the third Saturday of 2014. The epic conclusion for the tourney was highlighted by Gargano vs. Cole. At the time, Gargano was the Open the Freedom Gate Championship, the main title of Dragon Gate USA. Adam Cole was the reigning World Champion for both PWG and ROH. This main event match up featured the champions of 3 of the biggest Indie promotions. These were two of the biggest names in all of Indie Wrestling. Needless to say the match delivered. Two professionals, showcasing what Indie Wrestling is all about.
B-Boy vs. Joey Kaos (AWS, 7/25)
Two stalwarts of the Southern California scene with a combined in ring experience of over 36 years. Billed as AWS vs. Santinos, the two had only faced each other once before in a CZW Ring. The significance of the match was that these are two guys who’ve wrestled all over Southern California, yet have never faced off against each other. This match wasn’t a passing of the torch, but more of a showcase of two seasoned veterans. The electricity of the crowd and the story that was told in the ring made this the most memorable match of 2014.
Paul T. Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Wrestling: Tyler Bateman has been quietly improving for years now. The first time I saw Bateman wrestle live, it was a New Wave Pro show and I was impressed. It was all the little things he does that captivated me. Since that time, Bateman’s maturation process has been incredible. I think more than anyone else in Southern California, when watching Bateman, you can be sucked right into his matches. Every nuance, like grabbing his hand after landing a haymaker, just makes it feel more believable. The more I watch, the more I see all the little things. Tyler Bateman is the most underrated wrestler in all of Southern California, he might not be getting dates with Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, but he should be.
United Wrestling Network
150 supporters are currently subscribed to the United Wrestling Network powered by Patreon. I still suggest it’s the best value in digital subscription for those of us who do not have access KDOC-TV or YouToo America. Newest episodes of Championship Wrestling from Hollywood are uploaded usually prior to the airing on Sunday Mornings. Episode 213 that originally aired on June 7th featured Hobo vs. Che Cabrera, CWFH Television Champion Kevin Martenson vs. Steven Andrews, Age of Arrogance vs. Gregory Sharp & Mike Dalite, Hollywood Heritage Champion YUMA vs. Jakob Austin Young and the Main Event of Hollywood Heritage Tag Team Champions Joey Ryan & Ryan Taylor vs. Leo Blaze & Cedric King. Besides the showcasing Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, there is also access to the David Marquez 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
NWA Vendetta Pro Wrestling “Summer Sizzle Tour 2015? in Santa Maria, Tonight @ 7:30 PM
Desert Wrestling Entertainment Live in Brawley, Tonight @ 8:00 PM
So Cal Showdown “FREE EVENT” in San Diego, Saturday @ 6:00 PM
MWA Millennium Wrestling Academy in Moorpark, Saturday June 13 @ 6:00 PM
UEW “Savage Salvation” in East Los Angeles, Saturday @ 7:00 PM
Freakshow Wrestling “ATTACK OF THE GIANT OCTOPUS” in Sun Valley, Saturday @ 8:00 PM
CWFH TV Taping in Port Hueneme, Sunday @ 3:00 PM
NSPW in Los Angeles, Sunday @ 4:00 PM
UIPW in East Los Angeles, Sunday @ 4:00 PM
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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.
