This was the second PWG show of 2009. It featured the surprise return of Colt Cabana who ended up finding his way into the World Title picture. This show also featured TJ Perkins' farewell match along with the return of Paul London in a huge main event in which he teamed with The Young Bucks to take on Joey Ryan, Scott Lost and Karl Anderson!
1) Scorpio Sky vs. Zokre
The first thing I noticed about this show is how hot the crowd was! It had the feel of many PWG shows of today. So hype! This was a damn good opening match and the crowd made it even better. Sky and Zokre worked a great match, but unfortunately a botch by the ref at the end spoiled what was a really good match. Despite that ref bump, this was a great opener.
Match rating - ***
2) B-Boy vs. TJ Perkins
The trend of returns on this show began here as B-Boy made his return to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla to face long time rival TJ Perkins in his farewell match. Perkins was
heading to FCW to try out for WWE after this match. For those who don't know, Perkins and B-Boy wrestled very often throughout the Southern California Indy Scene around 2001-2003. So this was a great way for Perkins to go out (for a little while) against a long time nemesis. This was a decent match. Nothing special to be honest. I was hoping it'd be really great since it was TJ's final match, but it was just average. Still enjoyable though. Perkins stood in the ring as the crowd showed their appreciation afterwards. Despite Perkins' recent heel turn, the crowd was still appreciative of all he's done in PWG.
Match rating - **3/4
Paul London and Joey Ryan had an entertaining in-ring segment at this point in the show. London noted that tonight would be his first actual WRESTLING match in 5 years. Slight jab at WWE since he was recently released by them. Fun segment.
3) El Generico vs. Kenny Omega
I had high expectations for this one especially after Omega's impressive performance at the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles tournament. Luckily, it lived up to my expectations. At first I was unsure if it would be good or not because the comedy never seemed to end, but once they started wrestling - all my doubts were gone. This was a good mix of entertainment and wrestling which I think PWG does better than any other company. Good match, but the ending sequence was the best part of the whole thing. Omega gets into it with Rick Knox and ends up sending him into the ropes only for Rick Knox to turn him inside out with a clothesline! Generico catches him with a kick then the turnbuckle brainbuster for the win! Awesome ending sequence!
Match rating - ***1/4
4) Austin Aries vs. Necro Butcher - No DQ Match
Aries came out with a chain and chair only to try to talk Necro out of using any weapons during the match. The fans hated Aries for this and garnered "Shut the fuck up" chants towards him. The match finally gets underway and it was a very fun brawl that raged all over the legion hall. Most of Necro Butcher's matches in PWG haven't been that good, but this was easily his best match in PWG (that I've seen). Aries worked well with him. There were some great spots such as Aries going for a diving headbutt only to land on a chair. The most breathtaking spot however had to be the ending sequence which saw some of the brutal strikes and manuevers I've ever seen. Aries wrapped the steel chain around his boot and dropkicked Necro in the corner then he kicked him in the face! The thud of Aries' boot wrapped in chain hitting Necro's face was so brutal. I have no idea how Necro Butcher's face was still intact after that. To make matters worse, Aries picks up Necro for a sick brainbuster on a steel chair! Another great match!
Match rating - ***1/2
5) Chris Hero vs. Human Tornado vs. Colt Cabana - PWG World Title Match
The match got underway and it was only Hero & Tornado in the ring and there was no mention of Cabana. Needless to say, I was confused. I figured there must have been a misprint on the DVD, but I was wrong. Colt Cabana makes his surprise return right as the match was getting underway and the crowd EXPLODED! I even marked out! "Holy shit" and "welcome back" chants filled Reseda! Cabana had just recently been released from WWE and the first thing he said was "FIRED ON FRIDAY AND BACK IN PWG ON SATURDAY!" Wow! The crowd is going nuts. This match was so much fun. The crowd was on fire for Cabana and Tornado, but they gave Hero a mixed reaction which was odd. Cabana was welcomed back to PWG in brutal finish by receiving some very stiff kicks from Tornado in this match as well as some roaring elbows from Hero. They definitely didn't take it easy on Colt his first night back. This was a great match and afterwards a singles match between Hero and Cabana was set up!
Match rating - ***1/4
6) The Young Bucks & Paul London vs. Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, & Karl Anderson
This was my second time viewing this match as I first saw it on PWG's Sells Out 3 DVD set and it held up very well. I'll always remember this one because it was the first insane PWG six man tag I ever saw. It was fun going back and watching this unfold. Also very funny to see Karl Anderson & The Young Bucks competing against each other considering their both in the Bullet Club stable in New Japan right now. This was one of those batshit crazy PWG multi man matches and it was awesome. MOTY candidate for 2009.
Match rating - ****1/2
Overall thoughts: After the ref botch in the opening match and the disappointing Perkins/B-Boy match, I thought this show was doomed, but it picked up very quickly and turned into an outstanding show. After the B-Boy/Perkins match this show really takes off. The surprise return from Cabana was amazing even though it was advertised on the DVD case. The crowd reaction was priceless. Both main event title matches delivered. The triple threat was great and the six man tag was insanely awesome. On top of those two you get a crazy brawl between Aries and Necro Butcher plus some a super fun match between Generico and Omega. I recommend! Great show from PWG!
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