Hello everyone. Time to clear the cobwebs from my key board and give you the scoop as everyone at UPW gears up to unleash a “Title Wave” of action and entertainment with our annual summer spectacular. I hope that you all had a happy Fourth of July last weekend; and, that all of your fingers are still intact if you set off any fireworks. If not, I assure you that nonetheless, you will want to take that new nub of yours and dial up Ticketmaster or The Grove Box Office and reserve your tickets to be on hand live to witness some real explosive action! “Title Wave” marks UPW’s first event at The Grove since it’s widely acclaimed and much talked about 5th Anniversary Spectacular “Overload”. That event featured the in ring return of “The Outsiders” Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, as well as appearances WWE’s Ivory, NWA-TNA stand out Jerry Lynn, “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Ken Shamrock, the legendary “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, and even an unforgettable big screen message from WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon!
UPW looks to capitalize on the success and momentum created from “Overload” to deliver another buzz worthy night of action and surprises on July 31. In addition to all of your favorite UPW Superstars, some of the biggest names in pro wrestling have already signed on to take part. Diamond Dallas Page will be on hand for the festivities. DDP has made it clear that despite a near career ending neck injury, he is ready to step back into the ring. Will someone step up and “Feel the Bang” at “Title Wave”?! Former WWE Women’s Champion and Playboy cover girl Chyna Doll will also appear at the event. Lucha Libre icons and former WCW stars Konnan and Pcicosis will lock horns (literally in Pcisosis’ case!) in an exclusive special attraction match! The show is aptly named, as a whole lot of championship gold will be on the line. Let’s take a closer look at a couple of the all important title matches, which will go down in a few short weeks.
Also, make sure you check out www.upw.com for the current “Title Wave” card.
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Kazarian vs X-Pac !!!
Throughout it’s history, Ultimate Pro Wrestling has treated its fans to some exclusive and incredible “Dream Matches”. Long time UPW fans won’t forget never before seen battles including Christopher Daniels vs Kurt Angle, the aerial clinic that was Mikey Henderson vs Rob Van Dam, and The Ballard Brothers taking on The Hardy Boyz to name a few. This first ever one-on-one meeting between Frankie Kazarian and X-Pac certainly fits into this category.
Kazarian has blossomed into a full-blown international superstar. He has proven dominant in UPW in both tag team competition and the singles ranks. Frankie along with Nova (collectively known as “Evolution”, no, not that one!) were UPW Tag Team Champions for a full year. He has held the UPW Lightweight Title since besting Spanky and B-Boy in a triple threat match at “Shock Wave” to win the gold. That was nearly two years ago! This is an amazing feat considering Kazarian has turned back impressive challengers including B-Boy, Andrew Hellman, Kid Vicious, Tony Stradlin, Evan Karagias, and Jerry Lynn in the process. The Lightweight Champ is not only a fixture in UPW, but NWA-TNA as well. He is a former X-Division Champion who has also wowed audiences in Europe and Japan with his highly effective mix of highflying, lethal strikes, and innovative maneuvers..hmm, sounds an awful like his opponent at “Title Wave”. In fact, Kazarian is often compared to X-Pac in his earlier !
days.
If there were ever a perfect candidate to end Kazarian’s record-breaking title reign, it would be X-Pac. Since his debut back in 1990, this man has been in the business of collecting championship gold, and business has been very good indeed! X-Pac like Kazarian has excelled both on his own and as a member of a team. Want proof? Check out these apples: He is a former 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 2-time WWE Light Heavyweight Champion, European Champion, 2-time WCW Cruiserweight Champion, and NWA-TNA X-Division Champion. He also holds the distinction of being part of two of the most dominant factions in wrestling history, the nWo and D-X.
The question is, what brings X-Pac to UPW? Does he want to add the UPW Lightweight Title to his collection? Is he out to prove to himself and the fans that he can still get the job done? Did he perhaps talk to his old runnin’ buddies Hall and Nash and decide that he wanted to get in on the fun? Will he show signs of ring rust, or will he be the X-Pac of old? Will Frankie’s hectic schedule finally catch up with him? Given the attributes and experience of X-Pac, Kazarian may be ripe for the picking. Make sure you are at The Grove live as these questions are answered and wrestling’s past faces wrestling’s future!
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Knock, knock, knockin on The Ballard’s door!
Frankie kazarian is not the only Champion who must defy the odds at “Title Wave” to hold onto the gold. 7-time UPW Tag Team Champions, The Ballard Brothers once again find themselves in a very tough position. At “Overload” Shannon and Shane finally put their long and brutal war with Hardkore Inc. (Hardkore Kidd and Al Katrazz) to rest by defeating their rivals in UPW’s first ever Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) Match. There has been no time to relax or celebrate. There is a whole new list of teams knocking on the door who all want a shot at glory. As a result, the battle scarred champions are being thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire, That’s because they will defend their precious belts against not one, not two, but three teams HA HA HA! (sorry, I was watching “The Count” on Sesame Street with my nephews earlier!) The list of teams hoping to be next in line to wear the gold could not be more imposing.
“The Outlaws” will be represented by Hollywood and Derrick Neikirk. These two have size, skill, and a hell of a mean streak. Although “The Outlaws” are one of the toughest and most dominant factions ever in UPW, no combination of its members have ever held the titles. These two look to change that at The Grove.
“Savage” members Ma’koa and Sabbath are also ready to step up to the plate. That’s a fitting statement, because when the bell sounds these fierce competitors will look to eat up the competition! This is unquestionably the biggest and most powerful team in the fray, but also the least experienced.
The X-factor (no pun intended given the above write up on X-Pac vs Kazarian!) could turn out to be the final team. Hardkore Inc. may be no more after the loss to The Ballards and the departure of Hardkore Kidd to WWE, but that does not mean that former UPW Tag Team Champion Al Katrazz has given up his lust to destroy Shannon and Shane in route to regaining the gold. Far from it! Al Katrazz recently joined forces with “Old School” Oliver John. Ollie is a technically sound purist who despises all of the “flippers, floppers, and fliers” in wrestling and prefers to keep it on the mat. He is a former instructor at Ken Shamrock’s legendary Lion’s Den. On their own, Ollie and Al would be quite a force, but as they say in the infomercials “Wait.There’s more!” There is another very familiar face in the mix as they are aligned with none other than the devious El Jefe. I’m told that they are calling themselves The O.C. Posse. In the spirit of The Velvet Revolver and Audio Slav!
e, this hybrid team is a bit of
a super group.
The Ballard’s have their work cut out for them. History dictates that they are at their best when their backs are against the wall. Can Shannon and Shane defy the odds one more time? Who will be the last team standing at “Title Wave” ? Don’t miss your chance to be there to find out!
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The Wire returns next week with a look at more of the historic matches signed for “Title Wave” as well as some news on what UPW Heavyweight Champion Tom Howard will be up to on July 31.
For full card information, photos and more, please refer to: http://www.upw.com/events/040731/040731.htm
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Ultimate Pro Wrestling
http://www.upw.com
