After last week’s paltry offerings of just two, this week there is 12 shows to keep you occupied this weekend. Interesting week as Southern Californian native Samoa Joe leaves TNA, but another Southern California wrestler is trying to get in. Plus I have details on which SoCal Champion will be fighting in a cage.
The opinions expressed in Jay Cal’s Views does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of SoCalUncensored.com
Samoa Joe Leaves TNA
I have decided to part ways with @ImpactWrestling. My very best to them moving forward, and my eternal thanks to the fans.
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) February 17, 2015
For a significant amount of the past eight years, Samoa Joe has been one of a few reasons to tune into Impact Wrestling. From his Undefeated Streak that lasted nearly a year, his run as X-Division Champion, to his feud with Kurt Angle and his eventual reign as TNA Heavyweight Champion Joe always stood out as one the most capable wrestlers in all of Impact. Sadly, TNA Management squandered much of Joe’s potential and never really allowed Joe to reach the upper echelon of professional wrestling. If it’s Joe’s desire to continue to wrestling, he would in fact be the hottest free agent in the sport since AJ Styles decided to leave TNA at the end of 2013. And much like Styles, Joe’s talent and reputation would make him a hot commodity in Southern California almost immediately and could lend itself as far East as the Rising Son and in reality all stops in between. If a deal with the World Wrestling Entertainment company isn’t on the horizon, Ring of Honor, Lucha Underground, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, Dragon Gate USA, would all truly benefit from the addition of the Samoan Submission Machine, The world is truly Joe’s Oyster. As SoCalUNCENSORED’s 2000 Rookie of the Year it would be a travesty if Joe didn’t once again make an impact in Southern California before conquering the World, again.
Shaun Ricker on TNA PPV
From Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida; 10 Gutcheck Participants competed against 10 Active TNA Roster Members for a roster spot for Impact Wrestling. Shaun Ricker was one of the ten members (as was a former Southern California regular Tony Kozina) who were competing for one open spot on the TNA Roster. Although the taping took place on Sunday, the air date is still up in the air. This isn’t the first time TNA has looked to Southern California for these Gutcheck type matches. Johnny Yuma and Scorpio Sky took part of a 2012 Destination X Pay Per View for a shot at the X-Division. Of course there where the Gutcheck Challenges that featured Brian Cage, Adam Pearce, and Joey Ryan. And the list of the 2013 GutCheck Challenge names are still active on their site, click this link to see the names. Aside from being one of the top names at Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, Shaun Ricker is set to take part of this year’s King of Indies Tournament, Wrestlemania Weekend.
Scorpio Sky returns to the U of MMA
One minute and 57 seconds into Scorpio Sky’s Professional Mixed Martial Arts debut resulted in a TKO for Jose Jovel. Jovel was the man who possessed the quickest knockout in U of MMA History, having knocked out a man in five seconds. The striking power of one Jose Jovel never stood a chance against the effortless take down of Scorpio Sky. That knock out punch remained holstered as Scorpio Sky worked from side mount to top mount awaiting his opportunity. Allowing he to give up the top mount to Jovel was just a ploy to synch in an armbar that led to the end of the fight. Scorpio Sky told me in an interview last year that, “I’m always looking to put on a show. It might not be the same kind of show you’ll see in a pro wrestling ring, but I’m always looking to entertain the fans, especially when people are going to pay and come see me. I’m always looking to entertain; I’m an entertainer at heart. That’s just who I am.” And once Scorpio’s arm was raised in victory he did the only thing a naturally gifted worked in this business does, cut a heel promo on the fans. The five foot ten, welterweight who represents the Guild, will compete in his second MMA fight on U of MMA Fight Night 9 at Club Nokia on Sunday March 8th. You can purchase tickets via PayPal at FightNight9Tickets@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events in SoCal:
EWF in Azusa, TONIGHT @ 8:00 PM
Q & A with Vince Russo in Huntington Park, Saturday @ 11:00 AM
Lucha Underground in Boyle Heights, Saturday @ 3:00 PM
IWL “Toxic Masculinity” in Baldwin Park, Saturday @ 5:00 PM
Apex Pro Wrestling “Zero Hour” in Los Angeles, Ca February 21 @ 6:00 PM
Knokx Pro “Knokx VI” in Sun Valley, Ca February 21 @ 6:00 PM
AWS in South Gate, Ca February 21 @ 7:00 PM
UEW “F the World” in Los Angeles February 21 @ 7:00 PM
OCCW in Midway City, Ca February 22 @ 1:00 PM
Lucha Underground in Boyle Heights, Ca February 22 @ 3:00 PM
CWFH TV Taping in Port Hueneme, Ca February 22 @ 3:00 PM
WPW Lucha Libre in Anaheim, Ca February 22 @ 4:00 PM
NSPW in Los Angeles, Ca February 22 @ 4:00 PM