April 2012, Impact Wrestling started featuring the TNA Gut Check as a means of storyline “tryouts.” In the past talent who were given this opportunity would take on a contracted TNA Wrestler and the applicant would be judged by a trio of TNA Judges who’d determine if the wrestler would get a contract.
For last nights, TNA’s Gut Check broke the format slightly when they featured to applicants fighting each other for a contract. The announcement will come on the next Impact who will get the contract for TNA. The two names involved in the Gut Check, would be familiar to the long term Championship Wrestling from Hollywood fans.
Before their was a CWF Hollywood, NWA Hollywood, or NWA Pro Wrestling, their was New Japan USA. In the family tree of David Marquez productions, New Japan USA and it’s hallmark event “Toukon” events were the genesis. One of their biggest events was the “Toukon 2.” During these events a more serious wrestling was introduced to Southern California featuring Shinsuke Nakamura, Minoru Tanaka, NOSAWA and MASADA mixed in with Aaron Aguilera, Joey Ryan, The Havana Pitbulls (Rocky Romero & Rickey Reyes) Bobby Quance, TJ Perinks (Cobra II) Chad Whicks, and Bryan Danielson. The event also saw the Southern California debut of Chicago’s Own Bradley Jay as he defeated Cyrus. Much like Christopher Daniels, Adam Pearce, and Colt Cabana before him, the Steel Domain graduate left the Windy City, to seek wrestling fame in SoCal. Then known as Brad Bradley, he was training at the Inoki Dojo but would also become a regular for the short-lived New Japan USA TV series and competed in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Bradley was being built up as a contender for then Ring of Honor World Champion, Samoa Joe. Jay would a later accept a Developmental Deal with the WWE and come to dominate the Deep South Wrestling training before going on to Ohio Valley and later joining the Smack Down roster, for a short time. Since then Bradley had returned to the midwest, becoming a mainstay for Billy Corgan’s Resistance Pro and recently working the Extreme Rising Pay Per Views.
Brian Cage also had spent time in Deep South Wrestling before returning to California. Cage gained a lot of notoriety when he began teaming with Shaun Ricker as Natural Selection. As a member of Natural Selection Cage would win the Mach-1 Tag Team Titles (later renamed the NWA Heritage Tag Team Titles) from the RockNES Monsters. Natural Selection would go on to win them a second time before breaking up. Cage and Ricker then began their feud in Hollywood and would debut for Pro Wrestling Guerrila, originally teaming with Ryan Taylor. “Mr. GMSI” would still continue to compete for Pro Wrestling Revolution and win their Junior Heavyweight Championship. At last month’s CWF Hollywood Television Taping, Cage would have an incredible “I Quit Match” with Timothy Thatcher that would be ruled a no contest. Also that night he would win a Gauntlet that would see him be named #1 Contender to the CWF Hollywood Television Championship.
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This Weekend appears to be a busy one for Cage as he is taking part of the CWF Hollywood Television Taping. Could Cage vs. Mack for the Television Title be a match? But the day before, Cage will be at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s DDT4, on Saturday Night. Cage will be teaming up with Michael Elgin as The Unbreakable Fucking Machines. PWG’s presales went fast, if you have plans on making this show, better get their early. Anyone else annoyed, confused, dumbfounded why the RockNES Monsters aren’t a part of the DDT4? There were last year’s Tag Team of the Year for SoCal.
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Saturday Morning, I’ll be speaking to David Marquez of CWF Hollywood on the Alliance Guys Podcast, 10:30AM Pacific. If you’d like to call in the number is (646) 478-3019.
I also want to thank the guys over at MPW Radio (Jay and Wiskey) for letting me plug the SoCal Year End Awards. You can listen to their last show, with Jonny Loquasto.
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The Year End Award Nominations have been extended. In an effort of complete transparency, I’ll reveal my entire ballot once the polls have closed. Make sure you get your nominations in ASAP as once the voting process starts, there are no write ins. Post your nominations on the Message Board.