WWE Road to WrestleMania Tour @ MSG Results & Thoughts (03/18/12)

The first Pro Wrestling show I would attend.  The first Pro Wrestling show I would attend at Madison Square Garden (in the early 2000s, I attended the FILA World Freestyle Wrestling Championships at MSG) .  The first World Wrestling Entertainment show I would attend.  To say that I had butterflies in my stomach would be an understatement.  But when my friends offered me to attend with them, i definitely could say no.

I went to the event with two friends: a female henceforth known as Hobbit and her BigBro.  We arrived at 4:47 PM at Madison Square Garden when everyone was scurrying to get in.  Security seemed so rushed, they barely checked Hobbit’s bag.  Hobbit later remarked that she could have snuck in treats and water.  I would reply vodka but she said she prefers tequila.  I wouldn’t  say we weren’t surprised when we discovered our seats were stools in the back of the balcony area but that’s more of MSG making silly ideas to increase revenue instead of creating a more comfortable experience adding an additional row.

I was also befuddled when Justin Roberts instead of Lilian Garcia appeared.   But that is neither here nor there.

Bryan Super Chico Alvarez Married

(C) Bryan Alvarez

Breaking News: Hell Frozen Over Again — Antonio Inoki to WWE

To Appear WrestleMania Weekend? (C) Antonio Inoki via Puroresu Central

Eddie Fatu (Jamal, Umaga) Passes Away at Age 36

According to the Figure Four Weekly/Wrestling Observer site, Eddie Fatu who wrestled as Umaga, Jamal of 3 Minute Warning, and O.G. Ekmo, has passed away at 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

 

Eddie Fatu (1973-2009). courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

 

I wasn’t very comfortable when Armando Alejandro Estrada appeared into the ring to confront Ric Flair and then introduced the world to his “Samoan BullDozer” Umaga. He seemed like a caricature. A racist throwback to times passed. To be honest though, I did not find hsi work as Jamal that exciting, and I did not see his work in Music City Wrestling (where WWF management had high prospects for him), FMW, or his apparently incredible run in All-Japan. Also, I thought he stiffed Flair that night. However, as time went on, the gimmick grew on me. Umaga was a scary archetypal “monster” who played the role perfectly crushing jobbers each week until John Cena stepped in. His series of matches where he carried Cena were very good.  His biggest career match was the Wrestlemania XXIII match against Bobby Lashley with Vince McMahon’s Hair on the line vs Donald trump’s Hair.  His last match was last Saturday in Sydney during the Hulkamania Tour.  Ken Kennedy was his final single match opponent.As a man born into the Pro Wrestling business, he treated it as such with utmost respect. He will be missed. I give my condolences to his friends, family, and loved ones.

Adam Firestorm Fundraisers and Funeral

Bryan Alvarez wrote this in regards to the services for his deceased friend, Adam Firestorm:

Adam Firestorm (1976-2009)

Bryan Alvarez wrote this in memory of his recently departed friend:

CMLL’s Ras de Lona now subscribable on I-Tunes and streaming on Blip

Here it is, and I thank Dr Lucha Steve Sims for this suggestion on the Figure Four Daily interview he did. Ras de Lona is a 30 minute weekly Consejo de Lucha Libre (CMLL) show which highlights the action of the week.

My Appareance Shooting the Breeze on MMA Blitz

This week I join two friend and colleagues and shoot the Breeze ala gonzo journalism.  Note, if you are easily, I seriously ask you  not to listen.

Pro Wrestling Event List for Aug 16, 2009

Lucha report for 08/15/2009

(C) Yahoo Japan

Pro Wrestling Event List for August 15, 2009

Pro Wrestling Event List for 08/14/2009