This was PWG's second to last show of 2005. It took place on December 3rd and is headlined by a grudge match between long time rivals Scott Lost and Scorpio Sky as they face off in an "I Quit" Match. Excalibur and Disco Machine are on commentary.
1) Christopher Daniels vs. TJ Perkins
This was a pretty basic opener. I was interested simply because I'm a fan of both men however they didn't do anything to really grab my attention aside from that. They put together a nice exchange near the end though which saw TJP attempt to hit Daniels with his own move, Angel's Wings. Average match.
Match rating - **1/4
2) Chris Sabin vs. B-Boy
I had heard that these two had a good series of matches in PWG in late 2005-early 2006 so I was really looking forward to this. Unlike the opener, this one really lived up to my expectations. The action was fast paced to start and they kept it clean, but things would soon get serious and the two began throwing strikes. B-Boy came out on top and took control which wasn't surprising considering how hardhitting he is. Sabin fought back however and the match was pretty evenly matched for the remainder of the bout. The closing sequence was fantastic as we got several near falls along with some huge moves such as a running liger bomb and a spinning piledriver/canadian destoyer that has to be seen to be believed. Very good match that left me wanting to see more matches between these two. Apparently they had a 2/3 Falls match a few shows after this, so thats something I'm definitely going to seek out because I feel these two just tapped a bit into what they could create with this match.
Match rating - ***1/4
3) El Generico, Phoenix Star, & Zokre vs. Alex Koslov, Ronin, & Nemesis
This was an odd match on paper. On one side you have the dream team of The Generic Luchador & Los Luchas and the other side you have three random guys paired together. None the less, it turned out to be very entertaining. It was set up how most tag matches are, the heels worked over the faces then we got a crazy ending sequence with several nearfalls and non stop action that included a triple dive by Generico & Los Luchas. Fun match!
Match rating - ***
4) Kevin Steen vs Joey Ryan - PWG World Title Match
Steen and Joey are two of the most entertaining guys in PWG history so as expected this was alot of fun. Early on, Steen took Joey to the outside where he took him to the merch table and poured water on him among other things. Joey would regain the advantage however and begin working over the arm of Steen. That story was told very well as Steen went for the package piledriver later in the match only to drop Joey because of the damage that had been done to his arm. This match was headed for a higher rating until all the shenanigans at the end. That's not necesarrily a complaint about what happened at the end of the match though because it was an awesome way to set up a match for the next show that would become known as a PWG classic (Dragon/Steen Guerrilla Warfare). Chris Bosh attacked Joey and Steen covered him only for Dragon to pull the ref out of the ring. Dragon hit two Psycho Drivers on Steen which allowed Joey to get the win. New PWG World Champion! Enjoyable match and while the finish wasn't clean, it was a great way to further the storylines going on at this time.
Match rating - **3/4
5) AJ Styles vs. Chris Hero - TNA X Division Title Match
I'm writing this review in 2014 and today, this would be billed as a dream match because that's exactly what it is. I'm not sure if it was looked at as a dream match when it took place here in 2005, but that's how I'm viewing it. This was basically a traditional professional wrestling match. AJ didn't do much highflying here, he kept it in the ring and went toe to toe for Hero in a technical exchange. Considering how many spotfests happen nowadays & how much more intricate technical wrestling has become, I'm surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. Although I would have liked it to last a little longer because they were putting together a damn good closing sequence when Styles picked up the victory with a roll up at the 20 minute mark. If these guys would have gotten 10 more minutes, this could have very well ended up in four star territory. Very good match.
Match rating - ***1/4
6) Super Dragon & Davey Richards vs. Excalibur & Disco Machine - PWG World Tag Team Title Match
Originally we were supposed to see El Generico & Quicksilver challenge Dragon & Davey for the tag titles, but Quicksilver isn't there so Dino Winwood set up this match. It started off with a bang as Dragon & Davey took it to Excalibur & Disco right off the bat. I really enjoyed this match because the action was non-stop and Excalibur & Disco Machine were on commentary calling their own match which was hilarious to hear. Unfortunately, this one didn't have a decisive finish, but just as I mentioned in the Joey/Steen match, it was the perfect way to set up for the big Steen/Dragon match at the next show so I can't complain. Fun while it lasted.
Match rating - **3/4
As I mentioned earlier, Kevin Steen interfered in the previous match which called for a no contest. Steen and Dragon proceeded to brawl around the building here throwing fists and chairs at each other. Chris Hero, El Generico, TJ Perkins, and the rest of the locker room ran out to attempt to separate them. After five minutes of struggling, things finally calmed down. I loved this brawl because it had a real fight feel to it. I've already seen the infamous Dragon/Steen Guerrilla Warfare Match that took place on the show after this however I wish I would have watched this show first because the build up here was tremendous.
7) Scott Lost vs. Scorpio Sky - "I Quit" Match
Being a big fan of Scott Lost, I was really pumped for this one. To my knowledge, this is one of the only shows that he got to main event so it was a must buy for me. I expected this to be more brutal than it was, but considering there was a Guerrilla Warfare match on the next show, I can see why they didn't go all out here. This was an enjoyable main event match with alot of submissions and several chairs used. In the end, Scorpio hit a frogsplash on Lost through a table and locked him in the scorpion deathlock with a chair pressing down on his neck. Brutal, innovative finish to a solid match.
Match rating - ***
BONUS BACKSTAGE INTERVIEWS: Be sure to check your menu screen for the button beside the match selection option. It will reveal three promos taped after the show. One from the new PWG World Champion Joey Ryan, one from Chris Sabin on his next match with B-Boy, and one from Kevin Steen on his upcoming match with Super Dragon.
Overall thoughts: I'll say right off the bat that the reason one should buy this show is to witness the build up for the Guerrilla Warfare match between Steen & Super Dragon. If you're planning to watch that match soon, I'd advise you to pick up this show if you can find it for cheap, solely to get you pumped for the war these two had at Astonishing XMas. Beyond the brawl between Steen & Dragon, Styles/Hero and B-Boy/Sabin were the best matches of the evening with the main event coming in at a close third. This isn't PWG's best, but I'd say it's easily worth the 5 bucks I paid for it. Enjoyable event that's worth checking out if you have some spare cash and can find it for around $5-8.
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