Dalton

Shouldn't a good booker be able to figure out how to do a three month build without a DQ

HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #8 WEDNESDAY WEEK 4, FEBRUARY 1997 - LONG BEACH, CA A better show than previous weeks. One that made me slightly more hyped for the pay-per-view on Sunday. 1. Yosuke Narita def. Electrico - Narita is now 3-0 in HGC and clearly has backing from the office. During the match, Kyle Rhodes and Jason Azaria mentioned that we will see Narita vs. Mr. Lucha for the HGC Cruiserweight title at the PPV. So, I guess Lucha's injury last week isn't as bad as first thought? I guess we will see, I'm assuming if Narita wins the title, Lucha may be taking some time off. His reign just started at Malice in Wonderland, and the Narita match should be a much bigger deal, so this match announcement is putting those thoughts in my head. Emma Chase was with Richie Pangrazzio Jr. (sans the rest of the All Star Team). RPJ talked about coming back to wrestling after leaving the industry to be a father, and that he wants his children to see their daddy win the world title. However he was interrupted by Monty Walker, who we haven't seen since his loss to Charlie Homicide at Malice. Walker challenges RPJ to a match at the PPV, claiming that he is looking to prove himself on a national stage and he has immense respect for RPJ, so that is why he is challenging him. RPJ then accepted and shook his hand. A disjointed promo by Walker, but this is good for HGC. Putting guys like Walker, Ricky Dale Johnson, Liberty and others in these sink-or-swim spots with seasoned guys like RPJ is only going to help. They may be awkward or forced at first, but over time they will become more comfortable and become the stars that Stallings and the team sees in them. If they don’t, they’ll cut 'em loose. 2. Whistler def. Peter Valentine by disqualification - I cannot express how little I cared. Valentine is the dirt worst, and Whistler is a boring wrestler with a gimmick from yesteryear. And surprise, not only was there a schmoz finish, but it was also a bad match before that. Valentine was DQ'd for kicking too much ass, as he refused to stop raining down blows on Whistler in the corner. This appeared to be more of an angle than a match, because Rip Chord came out and directed the oaf to attack Whistler after the DQ as well. Before Valentine could do much damage, Ricky Dale Johnson sprinted to the ring with a chair for the save. RDJ helped Whistler to his feet as Chord and Valentine ran back up the ramp. Score one for the good guys. After a commercial break, Rip Chord and Peter Valentine were backstage with Pat Deacon. He cut a promo on Ricky Dale Johnson, and then challenged him to a tag team match at the PPV: Chord & Valentine vs. RDJ & Whistler. Oof. I'll hold judgment until I see it, but that isn't exactly an inspiring tag team match. 3. Bryan Vessey def. Jimmy Power - Bryan Vessey is a future megastar. I see it, HGC sees it, the fans see it. The tag champ worked from underneath most of this match, which is a bold move considering he is a champion, but it did get the crowd rooting for him and when he scored the pinfall, the crowd erupted. Professor Nero and Savage Fury watched from the ramp, and Nero made sure they stayed back after the bell rang. This match doesn’t appear to be leading to anything with Power, which begs the question of why it main evented, but alas. Turns out that the real main event was Sam Strong (go figure). The HGC World Champion came to the ring and cut a promo on Flapjack Flanagan. He called out the big guy and said that although their match is this Sunday, he wants a piece of him right now. Flanagan obliged, and the two brawled everywhere. In the end, Flanagan gained the upper hand after absorbing the Strong Arm Tactic with his chest, and then laid out Strong with his own Lariat. He posed above Strong with the HGC World title as the show ended. I may not like everything on HGC television, and some of the characters are bad, but this was a well-executed episode that built directly to the PPV on Sunday. 1. Yosuke Narita defeated Eléctrico in 14:33 by pinfall with a Thunder Shock. (66) 2. Whistler defeated Peter Valentine in 5:40 by disqualification when Rip Chord ran in and attacked Whistler. (41) 3. Bryan Vessey defeated Jimmy Power in 10:29 by pinfall with a Vessey Driver. (64)

This is the first time I've seen someone say MJF outclassed Jay White. MJF spent two months coming up awful nicknames and call-and-response "please clap" taunts and chants, while Jay White shined every time he had a mic in his hand by seeing through it all and actually building to the match.

Why would Wardlow, whose gimmick is he's a dominant wrestler, and whose last encounter with MJF ended in the very definition of a squash, hide behind a mask and goons?

Compare Toni Storm vs. Jamie Hayter from Full Gear 2022 and Timeless Toni vs. Hikaru Shida from Full Gear 2023. Spoiler: the former was a much better match with much more heat.

AEW always had characters. Now they have caricatures.

HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #7 WEDNESDAY WEEK 3, FEBRUARY 1997 - TUCSON, AZ A solid main event marred by an injury capped off another middling episode of Hollyweird TV. 1. HGC HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP: Charlie Homicide © def. Shawn Gonzalez - Hey, remember the Hardcore title? A strange booking decision to have this unannounced title match with an unsigned talent kick off the show. That being said, Shawn Gonzalez (a DAVE regular over in New York) put up a good effort and was actually able to get the crowd behind him, despite most of them having no clue who he was. He did appear to injure his wrist towards the finish after a botched bodyslam by Homicide (go figure). They went home shortly after, with Homicide putting him through a table and pinning him. (55) A pre-tape promo from Dusty Streets aired, with the veteran talking about Jack Bruce. He said he already beat Jack once, and if needs to do it again, he will. Streets did make sure to put over Jack's talent, so luckily this wasn't another old guy burying the next generation. Emma Chase interviewed Ricky Dale Johnson, who said that two weeks in a row, he was left lying by Rip Chord and Peter Valentine. RDJ claimed that he is not afraid of Chord and definitely not afraid of Valentine. He's carving his own path, and if it goes right through a legend like Chord and an oaf like Valentine, then so be it. Good stuff from the Modern Day Cowboy here. 2. Flapjack Flanagan def. Jason Jackson - Another squash here to put over Flanagan as a real threat towards Sam Strong and the HGC World title. It appeared to be a repeat of last week but with a new jobber, but then Sam Strong made his return by hitting the ring and running after his foe. After a short brawl, Flanagan fled the ring, allowing Strong to showboat to the fans and hold up his title. (51) Pat Deacon was with HGC International Champion Romeo Heartthrob. After expressing his dismay for having Deacon as an interviewer and not Emma Chase, Romeo accepted the challenge from Liberty, with the added stipulation that Liberty will not be able to challenge for the title ever again if he loses. Well, I do prefer this over just running back a rematch, although it does kind of give away the winner (unless Liberty is already a world title contender). From Pat Deacon to Emma Chase, as she was joined by the All Star Team (Vesseys, RPJ & Coach P). Before Emma could even ask a question, Professor Nero appeared and challenged the Vesseys to a tag title match at The War to Settle the Score against his clients: Savage Fury. Coach P accepted on their behalf, and reiterated that his boys are the best tag team in the world. 3. Yosuke Narita & Ramon Paez def. Mucha Lucha (Mr. Lucha/Electrico) - Having the cruiserweights main event Hollyweird TV tells me that the higher ups are well aware of what appeals to the HGC audience. Unfortunately, in their biggest spot yet, an injury caused the match to fall apart. Ramon Paez dropped Mr. Lucha right on the top of his damn head on a Fisherman's Buster, and Lucha came up favoring his upper back. After a moment of indecision, Electrico tagged himself in by tapping Mr. Lucha on the shoulder (despite not really being near the right corner, but a necessary rule break here), and they went right into a finishing sequence. Paez tagged out to Narita, who pinned Electrico with a Thunder Shock moments later. I'm not sure if this was the planned result, but putting over Narita here is good for me, since he is far and away the best wrestler in the division and maybe the whole company. (59) Well, if the main event went more as planned, I probably would have liked this episode a lot more. Some decent build to the next PPV. 1. HGC HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP: Charlie Homicide defeated Shawn Gonzalez in 10:09 by pinfall with a Murder One. (1st defense) 2. Flapjack Flanagan defeated Jason Jackson in 7:44 by pinfall with a Flapjack. 3. Yosuke Narita and Ramon Paez defeated Mucha Lucha (Mr. Lucha & Electrico) in 14:47 when Yosuke Narita pinned Eléctrico with a Thunder Shock.

Forgot, just added. Thanks for the reminder.

HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #6 WEDNESDAY WEEK 2, FEBRUARY 1997 - OAKLAND, CA An episode of Hollyweird TV that shows how shallow the HGC roster is. Not to mention, yet another three matches with predictable finishes. HGC continues to struggle to find its identity, and with no cruiserweight matches this week, it felt like a bad knockoff of Supreme TV. 1. Ricky Dale Johnson def. Danny Rushmore - RDJ scores a win in a terrible opener. The crowd is very slowly getting behind RDJ but not enough to salvage whatever this was. He has charisma in spades, and is a good wrestler, but Rushmore isn't the right opponent for him right now. After the match, Rip Chord came out onto the ramp and cut a promo on RDJ. Chord said that RDJ is an example of a young punk in HGC who thinks he can hang with the big boys. RDJ was then attacked from behind by Peter Valentine. Great. More of this guy. Chord and Valentine stood tall over RDJ for a second week in a row. (36) Emma Chase stood in the interview area backstage with Jack Bruce. Emma said that she would interview Jack, but only on the condition that Jack would keep it professional. Jack called Dusty Streets a never-was, again, and called himself not the future, but the now, again. He then looked at Emma and was about to say something, but Emma walked away. More of the same from Bruce, although the dynamic between him and Emma in these promos is fun. 2. Flapjack Flanagan def. The Danger Kid - A necessary showcase for Flanagan here, assuming he will be facing Sam Strong at the next pay-per-view. I've written about my dislike for this direction for the world title, but what can you expect from Sam Strong? Speaking of, no Strong on this show. Those huge bonuses he gets for each appearance will likely mean we may not see him weekly going forward, either. It was important to establish him as the face of HGC for the first few weeks, but now it's money-saving time. Even billionaires have limits. (43) Coach P and Richie Pangrazzio Jr. were backstage with Pat Deacon. The duo talked about HGC being the big break for Richie that he was never quite afforded before, so he will be making the most of it and won't let it slip by. RPJ says he has world title aspirations (not with Sam Strong holding it, you don't). We cut right to a pre-tape of Romeo Hearttrob (lot of promos today), in which he celebrates becoming the first-ever HGC International Champion at Malice in Wonderland. Sexiest man in Hollywood, sexiest champion in wrestling, etc. 3. Liberty def. Demon Anger - This match was set up last week with Anger challenges Liberty. Liberty came out on top in just over fifteen minutes in a decent little match. I like the usage of Demon Anger here, with his partner Demon Spite out for a bit with that eye injury, keeping Anger on TV in spots like this is smart. After the bell, Liberty called out Romeo Heartthrob, calling him a coward for resorting to cheating to become an inaugural champion. If you remember, Romeo grabbed the tights after a low-blow to score the win and the title. Where's the honor in that, Liberty asked. He wants a rematch against Romeo at the next PPV, The War to Settle the Score. (60) All in all, a bad episode. It lacked everything that makes HGC different. I'll give credit to the continuing Jack Bruce/Emma Chase stuff, although I hope they don't drive that into the ground, and the push of Liberty. I was worried that Liberty was being left out to dry after he lost in the International title match at Malice, but a main event win and a likely rematch for the title will keep him on TV and in front of fans. Let's hope he takes the title from Romeo, who I have no desire to see in HGC. 1. Ricky Dale Johnson defeated Danny Rushmore in 7:56 by pinfall with a Southern Justice. 2. Flapjack Flanagan defeated The Danger Kid in 5:15 by pinfall with a Flapjack. 3. Liberty defeated Demon Anger in 15:09 by pinfall with a Liberation Slam.

HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #5 WEDNESDAY WEEK 1, FEBRUARY 1997 - BAKERSFIELD, CA After an iffy first month ending with a pretty good debut PPV with Malice in Wonderland, HGC returned to TV with episode five of Hollyweird TV. HGC World Heavyweight Champion Sam Strong opened the show. After doing his crowd work routine, he talked about defying the odds and throwing Rip Chord over the top rope to become the first ever champion. After more self-aggrandizing, he was attacked from behind by a huge man, who turned out to be another former SWF star from the 80s: Flapjack Flanagan. Flapjack hit Strong with a Flapjack, and then held the title high in the air. HGC is supposed to be an alternative to the SWF, with new and underrated stars getting showcased on national television. So why are we running back a feud from eight years ago? Baffling decision here, and with the power that Strong has backstage, we will likely be seeing more of this. 1. Yosuke Narita def. Dark EAGLE - The opener was a good one. The cruiserweight division continues to be the hottest thing in the company while the top of the card is full of yesteryear's names. Narita, the best wrestler in the world in my book, notches his second win. It's only a matter of time before he goes after Mr. Lucha and the HGC Cruiserweight title. Those two had a great tag feud in MPWF with Mr. Lucha & Luis Montero taking the Campeon de Parejas titles from Narita & Domino. Those matches are stuff of legend; the ones that every tape trader is pining to find. As far as I know, they have never met in a singles match, so that is one I am hoping HGC puts together. (72) Backstage with Emma Chase, Rip Chord, still angry with coming so close to winning the HGC World title at the PPV. He said he was told he'd be facing Ricky Dale Johnson in the main event tonight. Chord tells Emma that he sees a ton of potential in RDJ, and he would love to take him under his wing. After a commercial break, Professor Nero made his HGC debut to a fairly big reaction. He came to the ring and, after the crowd died down, said he is here to manage the most fearsome tag team on the planet. He then introduced Savage Fury: Java & Tribal Warrior. 2. Savage Fury def. Jason Jackson & The Danger Kid - Professor Nero's new clients took care of business quickly. Nothing much to note, other than Java and Tribal Warrior did look good here. (39) There was a pretape promo from Demon Anger. He said that despite his partner being on the shelf, their mission to destroy everyone is not on the shelf. He challenged the "pretty boy" Liberty to a match next week, and promised a reckoning falling upon him. 3. Rip Chord def. Ricky Dale Johnson - Despite all my criticisms with HGC's decisions to put the old guys on top, one thing I will never criticize is Rip Chord's in-ring work. The man is just magic even at forty-seven. Here he is with a man twenty years younger than him, and making him look like a star, not that RDJ needs any help with that. The finish came when Chord pulled the referee towards him while RDJ was on the other side of the ring. Suddenly, Peter Valentine (ugh) slid into the ring and decked RDJ with brass knuckles. Chord then just pinned RDJ for the win, much to the confusion of the referee and the chagrin of the crowd. (70) After the match, Chord and Valentine stood tall over a bloodied Ricky Dale Johnson. 1. Yosuke Narita defeated Dark EAGLE in 14:47 by pinfall with a Thunder Shock. 2. Savage Fury defeated Jason Jackson and The Danger Kid in 7:09 when Java pinned Jason Jackson with a Greetings From The Island. 3. Rip Chord defeated Ricky Dale Johnson in 16:14 by pinfall after Peter Valentine interfered, striking RDJ with brass knuckles while Chord distracted the referee.

@Scottie 5/7 @DAVEFAN95 5/7 @ColdBloodedSausageMaker 4/7 @newbiezness 4/7 @John Lions 4/4 @CGN91 4/7 @parkereddy 4/7 Thank you all! I know the recap for Malice in Wonderland was super light, but going forward the shows will have a lot more detail due to switching to a recap/review format by a writer at TEW.com

HGC MALICE IN WONDERLAND SUNDAY WEEK 1, JANUARY 1997 - LOS ANGELES, CA HGC's first pay-per-view was a massive success, with a hot crowd adding to a loaded show. Yosuke Narita scored a win in his debut over The Danger Kid, and showed the crowd that he is truly one of the best in the world. Charlie Homicide became the first ever HGC Hardcore Champion by winning a wild no-rules match over Monty Walker, with the finish coming after Homicide smacked Walker with a chair across the forehead, and then hit a piledriver on the same chair. Mr. Lucha scored his first defense of the HGC Cruiserweight title with a win over Golden Fox that lived up to the dream match billing. The crowd is quickly getting behind the cruiserweight athletes in HGC. Jack Bruce nearly upset Dusty Streets, but in the end, Dusty was able to hit Jack with a Dust-Off to score the pinfall. Bruce was unhappy after the match, and then claimed he would throw him out of the battle royale in the main event. The Vessey Brothers became the first HGC World Tag Team Champions with a win over the Black Serpent Cult. Bryan Vessey, the man many view as the future of HGC, pinned Viper after a Vessey Driver. Romeo Heartthrob, the self-proclaimed sexiest man in HGC, became the HGC International Champion after grabbing the tights of the young Texan Liberty. The crowd was angry at the win and threw trash at Romeo as he celebrated with the title. In the crazy main event battle royale, Sam Strong came out on top to become the first HGC World Heavyweight Champion. Strong last threw out his rival Rip Chord to win, with the other two final four being Richie Pangrazzio Jr. and Jack Bruce. Dusty Streets and Jack Bruce went at it in the ring, and Dusty nearly had Jack thrown out, but RPJ snuck up from behind and threw both of them out. Dusty was pissed, but while he was jawjacking with RPJ, Jack attacked him and the two brawled around ringside. Elsewhere in the match, BLZ Bubb dominated, earning most of the early eliminations. 1. Yosuke Narita defeated The Danger Kid in 10:04 by pinfall with a Thunder Shock. (56) 2. HGC HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP: Charlie Homicide def. Monty Walker (NEW CHAMPION) (67) 3. HGC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Mr. Lucha © def. Golden Fox (70) (1st defense) 4. Dusty Streets defeated Jack Bruce in 11:50 by pinfall with The Dust-Off. 5. HGC WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Vessey Brothers defeated Black Serpent Cult in 16:05 when Bryan Vessey pinned Viper with a Vessey Driver. (68) 6. HGC INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Romeo Heartthrob defeated Liberty in 14:57 by submission with a Cupid's Clutch after blatantly cheating. (59) 7. HGC WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Sam Strong won in 15:26. The other members of the 'final four' were Rip Chord, Richie Pangrazzio Jr. and Jack Bruce, with Rip Chord being the final elimination. BLZ Bubb got the most eliminations over the course of the match. (68)

YOSUKE NARITA SIGNS HGC CONTRACT, TO DEBUT AT MALICE IN WONDERLAND Hollyweird Grappling Company has announced the signing of Yosuke Narita. Narita, a two-time PWI Wrestler of the Year, is a world-travelled junior heavyweight wrestler who has worked for the biggest companies in Japan and Mexico, earning the respect of fans everywhere he has been. Narita spent his early years in his native Japan, working for Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Gods. It was there he formed a tag team with Yoshinaka Toshusai called Elite Guard, and the duo would win the BHOTWG World Tag Team Championships in October 1991. His most prominent role in BHOTWG was a feud with junior legend Optimus. With Optimus at the top of the food chain in junior wrestling, Narita was always at his heels. The two squared off in singles competition on a number of occasions, but Narita was never able to win the BHOTWG Junior Heavyweight title. Every win scored by Narita in their feud came in non-title or tournament action. Distraught with never being able to win the big one, Narita left Japan in November 1994, heading to Mexico to work for Mexico Premier Wrestling Federation. He saw major success there, becoming a three-time tag champion and a one-time trios champion. He also spent some time in Europe, becoming a one-time EWCW World Class Champion for European World Class Wrestling. Heading to the United States for his first extended stint, it is without question that Yosuke Narita will wow crowds, and will certainly be aiming for Mr. Lucha and the HGC Cruiserweight Championship sooner rather than later. His first match will be on HGC pay-per-view at Malice In Wonderland against The Danger Kid. Based on this, it is evident that HGC brass sees bright things in Narita's future.

HGC MALICE IN WONDERLAND PREVIEW - JANUARY 1997 The first pay-per-view for Hollyweird Grappling Company is happening this Sunday. HGC Malice in Wonderland will feature FIVE title matches, with the biggest being the battle royale to crown the first ever HGC World Heavyweight Champion. Some of the favorites include the iconic Sam Strong, the legend Rip Chord, the hungry Richie Pangrazzio Jr., and the patriotic Whistler. However, there are many other wrestlers in HGC vying for the title, each of them aiming to have their breakout moment. The finals of the HGC World Tag Team Championship Tournament will take place, with the Black Serpent Cult taking on the Vessey Brothers. Cobra & Viper advanced to the finals with wins over Jason Jackson & Ricky Dale Johnson and the Blazing Flames. Bryan & Larry Vessey advanced with a win over the Tag Team Specialists (Joel Bryant & Robert Oxford), and then had a bye in the semifinals after Demon Spite's eye injury forced the Demons of Rage to pull out. The Black Serpent Cult are four-time world tag team champions, so they are the favorite heading into this contest. The inaugural HGC International Champion will be crowned in a match between the young hotshot Liberty and the veteran egomaniac Romeo Heartthrob. This is a battle of philosophy, as Liberty is aiming to win the title and kickstart his major league career, whereas Romeo believes he deserves the title for being the self-proclaimed sexiest man in Hollyweird. Romeo has vowed to go international with the International title, taking the title to every country on the planet and show it off to the local gals. Charlie Homicide and Monty Walker will go to war for the HGC Hardcore Championship in a no-rules match. Homicide is an innovator of the hardcore style that Walker has built upon in his young career in the east coast indie scene. This is both men's debut match in HGC, so the crowd will be in for a treat when they watch these two do battle. Mr. Lucha is the only current titleholder heading into the PPV, as he won the HGC Cruiserweight Championship in the first match on the first episode of HGC Hollyweird TV. His opponent, Golden Fox, has won two matches on HGC television, scoring pins on Ramon Paez and Electrico. This will be the first meeting between Mr. Lucha and Golden Fox, a long-standing dream match that diehard fans have been asking for. HGC will make this dream a reality. A grudge match between Dusty Streets and Jack Bruce finally takes place at Malice in Wonderland. Dusty Streets said he came to HGC to finally step out on his own and become the solo star he was always destined to become. Jack Bruce on the other hand, he claims he is not the future of HGC, but the now. He wants to show Dusty that HGC is for people like Jack Bruce, not washed up also-rans like Dusty Streets. A cruiserweight showcase match will kickoff the PPV, with The Danger Kid taking on the debuting Yosuke Narita. Narita is a thirteen year veteran at just thirty-one years old, and has had successful runs in the biggest company in Japan and the biggest company in Mexico, and now aims to take over America. Narita is considered one of the best wrestlers in the world and has been a favorite to wrestling fans for nearly a decade. The Danger Kid lost to Electrico in what many considered an upset a couple weeks ago, and aims to not let history repeat itself by losing to another debuting highflyer. 7. HGC WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE ROYALE: ??? 6. HGC INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Romeo Heartthrob vs. Liberty 5. HGC WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS: Black Serpent Cult vs. Vessey Brothers 4. Jack Bruce vs. Dusty Streets 3. HGC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Mr. Lucha © vs. Golden Fox (1st defense) 2. HGC HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP: Monty Walker vs. Charlie Homicide 1. Yosuke Narita vs. The Danger Kid BATTLE ROYALE PARTICIPANTS: BLZ Bubb, Danny Rushmore, Dark EAGLE, Demon Anger, Dusty Streets, Grunt, Jack Bruce, Jason Jackson, Joel Bryant, Joey Flame, Paul Steadyfast, Ramon Paez, Richie Pangrazzio Jr., Ricky Dale Johnson, Rip Chord, Robert Oxford, Sam Strong, Stink, Teddy Flame, Whistler

It's default. I believe the HGC PPV schedule is the same as the 2020 TCW schedule, although I made a few changes that will be revealed throughout this diary.

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, I lowered HGC's TV time to one hour. I felt like HGC is better set up for one hour of TV, in a similar vein to how WCW Nitro was originally one hour. You're right about the roster; the way it is constructed fits so much better into one hour at the start of the game.

HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #4 WEDNESDAY WEEK 4, JANUARY 1997 - LAS VEGAS, NV The go-home episode of HGC Hollyweird TV for the first ever HGC pay-per-view, Malice in Wonderland, was entirely dedicated to hyping the show on Sunday. In the opener, Golden Fox defeated Electrico in another cruiserweight showcase, with the announcers calling it a de facto number one contender's match for Mr. Lucha's HGC Cruiserweight title throughout. It was made official after Fox's victory, with the championship match being made for Malice in Wonderland. Backstage, HGC's new interviewer Emma Chase was introduced. Emma is a young, charismatic manager from New York who has been a part of the wrestling industry since 1994. Originally just a valet, it was immediately evident that she was capable of so much more. With an excellent work ethic and unteachable way of handling interviews, she has earned a full-time contract with HGC, with many saying she has a bright future ahead of her. Her first interview was with Coach P and The All Star Team. Coach P hyped up the Vesseys tag team title match at the PPV against the winners of tonight's main event, and also claimed that his son, Richie Pangrazzio Jr., would become the first HGC World Heavyweight Champion by winning the battle royale this Sunday. Rip Chord came to the ring for a promo, in which he hyped up the battle royale at Malice in Wonderland, and claimed he would throw Sam Strong out last to become the first ever HGC champion. BLZ Bubb then made his in-ring debut with a completely one-sided squash over local wrestler Shawn Chase. Karen Killer proudly presented her demonic client, as BLZ Bubb's red eyes glistened. Backstage with Emma Chase was the eccentric Jack Bruce, who also hails from New York. Emma asked Jack about Dusty Streets, his opponent for the PPV, but Jack ignored the question and started fawning over Emma instead. Emma, disgusted, instead walked away and left Jack alone in the interview area. A number of the battle royale participants, including Sam Strong, Rip Chord, Richie Pangrazzio Jr., Whistler, and many more, all gave their case for why they will win the battle royale to become the first HGC World Heavyweight Champion. In the semifinal match of the tag team tournament, the Black Serpent Cult defeated The Blazing Flames, albeit with some clever distractions, to advance to the finals and secure a match against the Vessey Brothers at Malice in Wonderland, with the winners being crowned the inaugural HGC World Tag Team Champions. The go-home show ended with the Vesseys staring down at Cobra and Viper from the ramp. 1. Golden Fox defeated Eléctrico in 9:42 by pinfall with a Flying Fox. (63) 2. BLZ Bubb defeated Shawn Chase in 4:39 by pinfall with a Hades Bomb. (11) 3. HGC WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS: Black Serpent Cult defeated The Blazing Flames in 17:33 when Cobra submitted Joey Flame with a Cobra Constrictor Vice. (66)

HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #3 WEDNESDAY WEEK 3, JANUARY 1997 - PHOENIX, AZ With no Sam Strong or Rip Chord, HGC Hollyweird TV focused instead on other veterans in a reintroduction to the audience. Before that however, the opener was another cruiserweight contest between Eléctrico, a twenty-one year old MPWF regular and tag team partner (and friend) of Mr. Lucha, and The Danger Kid, an eccentric veteran of the east coast independent scene. Electrico came out on top in just over eight minutes. Immediately after Electrico left the ring, Jack Bruce stormed out with a microphone in hand. He called himself the "now" of HGC, not the future, and called out a man he said is from the past, Dusty Streets. After a moment, Streets came out and they bickered, with Bruce calling Streets a has-been and Streets telling Bruce that he hasn't done a thing in this business yet. After a few more moments of jawjacking, Bruce swung the microphone at Streets' head, knocking him down, then hit him with his finisher, the New York Minute. Romeo Heartthrob, the self-proclaimed sexiest man in HGC, defeated Jason Jackson while posing and attempting to seduce women at ringside. Immediately after the match, Pat Deacon was backstage with Liberty, and Deacon announced that at Malice in Wonderland, the inaugural HGC International champion would be crowned in a match between Romeo Heartthrob and Liberty. Deacon then asked for Liberty's thoughts, to which the Texan vowed to win the title and show that HGC is the land for the future, not for people like Romeo Heartthrob. In the first of two tournament matches, The Demons of Rage defeated The Spirit Warriors (Dark EAGLE & Golden Fox). However, in the process, Demon Spite suffered an eye injury and left the match just before the finish, putting next week's match with the Vessey Brothers in jeopardy. Backstage, Pat Deacon was with a recovering Dusty Streets in the trainer's room. Streets said that he's happy Jack Bruce did what he did, because that was exactly the fire he needed. He said he would see Bruce at the PPV. Kyle Rhodes and Jason Azaria announced that due to Demon Spite's injury tonight, the Vessey Brothers would be receiving a bye to the finals of the tournament at Malice in Wonderland. The Blazing Flames beat The Nation of Filth in the main event to advance to the semifinals of the tag team tournament, and will face the Black Serpent Cult next week. As the announcers were talking about that upcoming match, Cobra and Viper hit the ring and decked Teddy and Joey Flame, laying them out before proclaiming that they will become the first ever HGC World Tag Team champions. 1. Eléctrico defeated The Danger Kid in 8:06 by pinfall with an Electric Shock. (33) 2. Romeo Heartthrob defeated Jason Jackson in 6:53 by submission with a Cupid's Clutch. (50) 3. HGC WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS: The Demons Of Rage defeated Spirit Warriors in 10:28 when Demon Spite pinned Dark EAGLE with a Double Demon Down. (59) 4. HGC WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS: The Blazing Flames defeated The Nation Of Filth in 11:35 when Joey Flame pinned Stink with a Swandive Splash. (50)

HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #2 WEDNESDAY WEEK 2, JANUARY 1997 - SAN DIEGO, CA The theme of the second episode of Hollyweird TV was introducing the audience to more of the lesser-known roster members. The show opened with two-time TWL Champion Liberty beating the highly-respected Jimmy Power. The crowd got behind Liberty, with chants of "first-time-champ" reverberating throughout the San Diego arena. In an oddly-lit cinematic video, Karen Killer hyped her "client," the menacing BLZ Bubb. She promised a wave of unspeakable violence coming to HGC. At the announce desk, Kyle Rhodes and Jason Azaria announced the HGC Hardcore Championship, with the inaugural champion being crowned at Malice in Wonderland between two extremists: Charlie Homicide, and "The Python" Monty Walker. All hardcore title matches will be contested under special rules, with the only paths to victory being pinfall, submission or knockout. No rope breaks, no countouts, no time limits. Golden Fox beat Ramon Paez in a cruiserweight showcase designed to give the audience a taste of who Golden Fox is world-traveled, working for the biggest companies in the US, Japan and Mexico. Now back in the US for the first time in six years, Fox is aiming to finally hold championship gold for the the first time. Pat Deacon interviewed the Blazing Flames, Teddy and Joey, backstage. The duo are eight-time SWF World Tag Team champions, and are often in the conversation for greatest tag team of all time. However, before the Flames could answer Deacon's question about their opponents for next week in the tag tournament, Nation of Filth, they were attacked from behind. Grunt and Stink tore apart the interview area and tossed Joey and Teddy over a stack of boxes nearby. Stink looked into the camera and stated that the tag team titles are there's come the PPV. In a tournament match, the Vessey Brothers defeated the Untouchables, Robert Oxford and Paul Steadyfast, to advance to the semifinals, where they will face the winners of Demons of Rage (Demon Anger & Demon Spite) and Spirit Warriors (Golden Fox & Dark EAGLE). As HGC personnel were cleaning up the mess left behind by the Nation of Filth earlier, Romeo Heartthrob stood in the interview area and cut a promo hyping himself up. He called himself the sexiest man in HGC, and the reason that the ladies are tuning in. Last week, Whistler challenged Rip Chord to a singles match, leading to tonight's main event. Unfortunately for Whistler, his challenge did not pay off as he fell to Chord in just under ten minutes. Chord looked like a megastar, and even taunted Sam Strong by imitating his showboating in between moves on Whistler. After a Rip Chord DDT, Whistler was finished, and Chord grabbed a microphone to proclaim himself the biggest and best wrestler on the planet. Sam Strong then came out onto the ramp and told Chord that he will see him in the battle royale at Malice in Wonderland. 1. Liberty defeated Jimmy Power in 7:17 by pinfall with a Liberation Slam. (60) 2. Golden Fox defeated Ramon Paez in 9:58 by pinfall with a Flying Fox. (58) 3. HGC WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS: The Vessey Brothers defeated The Tag Team Specialists (Robert Oxford & Paul Steadyfast) in 7:20 when Bryan Vessey pinned Joel Bryant with a Vessey Driver. (64) 4. Rip Chord defeated Whistler in 9:34 by pinfall with a Rip Chord DDT. (68)

Collision is absolutely not a C-show by any stretch of the imagination.

Thank you all! FYI after the first month, I switched the writeups to be more of a traditional recap by a outside wrestling site/magazine, with much more editorializing in order to give background to the booking decisions and possible directions I am going. It helps explain why I am doing something rather than just telling you it happened. So look for those starting in February after Malice in Wonderland closes out January. @azzak 4/4 @DAVEFAN95 4/4 @newbiezness 3/4 @CGN91 3/4 @ColdBloodedSausageMaker 3/4 @smw88 3/4

HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #1 WEDNESDAY WEEK 1, JANUARY 1997 - LOS ANGELES, CA The first ever episode of HGC Hollyweird TV opened with Sam Strong coming to the ring to raucous applause from the Los Angeles crowd. Strong talked about how happy he was to be in HGC and how he wants to put the company on his back and bring them to the top of the world. After a few more minutes, he was interrupted by the legendary Rip Chord. Chord brought up the "supreme wars" they had in years past, and he'll be damned if lets Strong take over another company. Chord claimed he was the top name in HGC, and Strong will finally have to play second fiddle for the first time in his career. The two men took turns hyping the upcoming battle royale for the HGC World Heavyweight title at Malice in Wonderland, with each claiming they would be crowned the inaugural champion. Chord left the ring and posed on the ramp as Strong stared at him from the ring. Then suddenly, Strong was attacked from behind by Peter Valentine, his opponent in the main event. Valentine stood tall, putting a boot on Strong and raising his arms as Chord looked on with a smile. In the first ever HGC match, Mr. Lucha defeated Dark EAGLE to be crowned the first ever HGC Cruiserweight Champion. The Los Angeles crowd was familiar enough with the two men that the match had huge heat, and it delivered on every level. If this was a preview of what is to come for HGC's cruiserweights, the fans are in for a treat. The second match of the night saw the All Star Team take on and beat The Untouchables, giving momentum to the Vesseys ahead of their tournament match against the Tag Team Specialists next week. Richie Pangrazzio Jr. was incredibly over to the crowd, and Larry Vessey held his own, but the spotlight went to the young Bryan Vessey, showing that Bryan is a future star for HGC. Pat Deacon, TWL legend and HGC interviewer, was backstage with Whistler, the patriotic Philadelphian. Deacon asked him what his first plans are for him in HGC, to which Whistler responded that he is aiming to shoot right to the top. He challenged Rip Chord to a match for next week. In the first match of the HGC World Tag Team Championship tournament, the Black Serpent Cult defeated Jason Jackson & Ricky Dale Johnson. Johnson almost rolled up Cobra for the victory at one point, but Viper broke it up, and just a minute later Jason Jackson was pinned. Four-time SWF World Tag Team Champion Dusty Streets came to the ring for a promo before the main event. He talked about his successin tag team wrestling first with his father Rocky Streets, then with his brother Sid. Two title reigns with each man. Eventually he wanted to venture out on his own, so he went to Japan, working for BHOTWG. Now he has returned to the United States, and chose HGC over anywhere else. He is here on his own two feet, and will become the first ever HGC World Champion at the PPV. The main event saw Sam Strong take on the young strongman Peter Valentine. This was a throwback to Strong's many main events in SWF, with him overcoming a monster heel. The crowd was not as excited for this one, as it wasn't the alternative that the rest of the show provided. Eventually, after ten minutes, Strong avoided a big boot and hit Valentine with his patented lariat, the Strong Arm Tactic, to score the victory. The first episode of Hollyweird TV ended with Strong posing in the ring and celebrating. 1. HGC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Mr. Lucha defeated Dark EAGLE in 10:07 by pinfall with a Master Drop. (50) (NEW CHAMPION!) 2. The All-Star Team (Richie Pangrazzio Jr., Bryan Vessey and Larry Vessey) defeated The Untouchables (Paul Steadyfast, Robert Oxford and Joel Bryant) in 10:03 when Richie Pangrazzio Jr. pinned Joel Bryant with a Grand Slam. (66) 3. HGC WORLD TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS: Black Serpent Cult defeated Jason Jackson and Ricky Dale Johnson in 5:51 when Cobra pinned Jason Jackson with a Dragon's Breath. (69) 4. Sam Strong defeated Peter Valentine in 10:24 by pinfall with a Strong Arm Tactic. (58)

COUNTDOWN TO HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #1 Before the debut of the spectacular one-hour wrestling show HGC Hollyweird TV, presented by Hollyweird Grappling Company, NCTV aired a half-hour special to give fans a sneak-peek into what to expect from HGC. Hosts Jason Azaria and Kyle Rhodes, who are also the announce team for Hollyweird TV, ran down the roster for the promotion, giving fans background on where each man comes from, their special moves, and their attitudes towards fans and towards their opponents (so the fans know who to boo and cheer). Azaria and Strong welcomed their first of two guests: Sam Strong. The living legend, a five-time world champion, talked passionately about HGC, and said that owner JK Stallings Jr. is very smart and knows the business better than anyone else at his age. Strong said he is proud to represent HGC, and told the hosts that he will become the first ever HGC World Heavyweight Champion after he wins the Battle Royale at Malice in Wonderland, the first HGC pay-per-view. This is Strong's return to America after a year in Japan followed by a year away from wrestling. When Azaria asked Strong about Rip Chord, another man returning to wrestling after a hiatus and stint in Japan, Strong emphatically stated that Chord may call himself the best in the world, but as long as Big Sam is still kicking, that simply ain't true. Rhodes mentioned for Strong's thoughts on Peter Valentine, a young wrestler who was a surprise signing for HGC, and an even more surprising choice for the first ever main event for Hollyweird TV, opposite Sam Strong. Strong stated that he once had immense respect for Valentine, and it was actually his idea for Stallings to sign him after seeing him at a gym in Venice Beach. Unfortunately, Strong said, he didn't know at the time how much of an evil person Valentine is. He is looking to end Strong's HGC career before it even starts and take all the glory for himself. Strong claimed that Valentine is going to end tonight flat on his back after a Strong Arm Tactic, and if he is man enough, he will shake his hand after the match. Azaria presented the bracket for the HGC World Tag Team Championship Tournament, which features eight of the best tag teams on the planet doing battle. On the first episode, the Black Serpent Cult, four-time world tag team champions and currently the biggest foreigners in Golden Canvas Grappling in Japan, will due battle with Jason Jackson & Ricky Dale Johnson, two men that have never teamed together before tonight. Jason Jackson is the former leader of the Tempest Society group in Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Gods in Japan and is looking for his biggest break yet stateside with HGC. Ricky Dale Johnson is a twenty-seven year old charismatic brawler from Texas who many consider a future megastar. However, with their opponents being one of the greatest tag teams ever, will Jackson and RDJ be able to work out their chemistry on the fly and advance in the tournament? Azaria and Rhodes watched highlights of Mr. Lucha and Dark EAGLE, courtesy of MPWF and CZCW. Arguably the greatest luchador of all time, Mr. Lucha comes to HGC looking to break out in the United States for the first time in his career. Ranked number four on last year's Power 500 list, Mr. Lucha was among the first signees to the company. Shortly after the announcement of the formation of HGC, it was announced that the opening match on the first episode of HGC Hollyweird TV would be Mr. Lucha versus Dark EAGLE in a highly-anticipated dream match for the HGC Cruiserweight Championship. Dark EAGLE has wrestled across the globe, including in Mr. Lucha's home promotion of Mexico Premier Wrestling Federation, albeit never facing off with him in the ring. Dark EAGLE's innovative and explosive matches in BHOTWG led to him becoming a favorite of tape traders, which then led to a stint in North of the Border Pro Wrestling in Canada, and Coastal Zone Championship Wrestling in Los Angeles. His run in LA is what has landed him in HGC, and the forthcoming title match is sure to entice curious fans tuning in tonight. The second guest of the night was Coach Dick Pangrazzio. Coach P, as he has asked to go by in HGC, is the mouthpiece for the All Star Team, a longstanding faction of gifted athletes. Coach P and his son, the remarkable Richie Pangrazzio Jr., another HGC wrestler, have returned to wrestling after a long hiatus following the birth fo Richie's children. Coach P has reformed the All Star Team alongside RPJ and the Vessey Brothers. Bryan and Larry Vessey are returning to the United States after spending three years with Canadian Golden Combat in Canada. Coach P spent much of his time talking about Bryan Vessey, who he said is the best pure athlete he has seen since his son's early days, and he is honored to be seconding him in HGC. Coach P stated that the Vesseys should be the favorites to win the inaugural tag team title tournament. But first, they face a trio of world-class wrestlers in the Untouchables tonight. Whoever wins this match has the momentum heading into the first round of the tournament, which sees the Vessey Brothers facing the Tag Team Specialists: Joel Bryant & Robert Oxford. Jason Azaria and Kyle Rhodes then gave one final rundown of the card, and thanked the fans for allowing Hollyweird Grappling Company become a reality. They promised a great night of action tonight, and every single week going forward. HGC HOLLYWEIRD TV #1 - PREDICTIONS 1. HGC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Mr. Lucha vs. Dark EAGLE 2. The Untouchables (Paul Steadyfast, Robert Oxford & Joel Bryant) vs. The All-Star Team (Richie Pangrazzio Jr., Bryan Vessey & Larry Vessey) 3. HGC WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS: Jason Jackson & Ricky Dale Johnson vs. Black Serpent Cult (Cobra & Viper) 4. Sam Strong vs. Peter Valentine

STARTING ROSTER JANUARY 1997 BLZ Bubb | Bryan Vessey | Charlie Homicide | Cobra | Danny Rushmore | Dark EAGLE Demon Anger | Demon Spite | Dusty Streets | Electrico | Golden Fox Grunt | Jack Bruce | Jason Jackson | Java | Jimmy Power Joel Bryant | Joey Flame | Larry Vessey | Liberty | Monty Walker Mr. Lucha | Paul Steadyfast | Peter Valentine | Ramon Paez | Richie Pangrazzio Jr. Ricky Dale Johnson | Rip Chord | Robert Oxford | Romeo Heartthrob | Sam Strong Stink | Teddy Flame | The Danger Kid | Tribal Warrior | Viper | Whistler

Reserved