Philly Power Pro Wrestling: Dangerous Dreams [C-Verse '97]

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG] [/CENTER] “We've got guys leaving left and right,” Dangerous reflects, “and they're going to our nastiest competition. News-wise, it was hell. I had journalists calling me up for quotes. A couple of the early wrestling sites even tried their luck. But for the guys... we're all steeped in this the whole time. Dirtsheets get everywhere, and while they can't make or break wrestlers, they can sure as hell make or break morale. Three walkouts don't help that, either. “And a panicked locker room can kill a promotion. We needed something that could distract people.” He chuckles. “And Uncle Eisen delivered in style.” --- [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/PeterMichaels.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/RichardEisen.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] This is archive footage, [I]SWF Supreme Assault[/I] TV footage from early March 1997. It's the historic, reviled sit-down interview between Richard Eisen and Peter Michaels, instantly recognisable. “I have a responsibility to our fans,” Eisen says, after a few moments of silence. “That both men fought as hard as they did says great things for their courage, for their will to win – but it says nothing for their awareness of what is appropriate.” “There's been some question about whether the referee – Darren Smith - should have stopped the match. With that in mind,” Michaels returns, “how much of... of what happened... can be laid at the feet of each man involved?” “Darren Smith, first of all, is a dedicated referee who's worked with us for some time now,” Eisen begins. “And I don't think anyone will say he should stop working for us. Under the circumstances – given just how brutal that match became, just how fast... I guess... it's easy to say that he should have thought to stop the match, but it got out of control so fast that I think Darren just didn't have a chance to catch up – and I don't think they'd have stopped if he had done. “Tommy Cornell, next... Again, I admire his fighting spirit, but the boy's eighteen years old and, really, he's just showed us exactly where that leaves him, a rookie with no awareness of the decency within the business. I was – you could look at him and think that in the future you'd be a big fan, but given what we saw two weeks ago, I don't think he has the mental fortitude and focus to make a name for himself in this business. “And last of all, Nemesis. Frankly, having known John for years... He knows better. It's an open secret that he has... well, I'd associate his temper with atom bombs. But he's always been able to keep it in line to some degree... until then. He should have known better and, being a veteran, he should have controlled things, especially not taking the first shot like he did. I think this may be the beginning of the end; that temper's going to get worse and worse until John becomes the worst thing to happen to a promotion. But if you ask where I place the blame... I think John Campbell has become a danger to his fellow wrestlers.” --- [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/AndrewBarber.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Barber nods thoughtfully. “Horatio's always called it 'Ricky Eisen's fourth birthday present' which is, you know, not the right way to look at what happened. But it did deliver a lot of what we needed at the time. For a start, a much bigger company suddenly had much more interesting crises than any we'd managed to create in the year so far. “And that meant that people were happier to listen to us try recruiting.” --- [CENTER] [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/JerryEisen.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Jerry Eisen's face is professionally sombre. “It's regarded as a landmark contest now,” he says, footage from the match rolling on the big screen beside him. “At the time, with HGC's TV show having failed to live up to the network's expectations, the repercussions of the battle nearly ended televised professional wrestling in the United States – at least in the short term. The Eisen family have been described as reacting in entirely the wrong way since, and posterity tells us that both men involved in the incident had their career changed irrevocably. With Nemesis losing out on the chance to be champion in the SWF, it's hard to say as a certainty that his career was better for the battle – but both men are certainly now legends. “With that said, it's important to remember that at the time, the level of complaint and outrage – rising as far as the governor of Minnesota speaking out against the dangers of professional wrestling – looked likely to do as much damage to the SWF as the East Coast Wars had the ability to do to any of the participants. And the 'present' that gave Philly Pro was bittersweet at best...” --- [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Dangerous nods quietly. “We'd been talking to a TV company,” he says. “I figured if we could just get our faces out there for a while we might get the leg up we needed on our competition, a chance to pull ahead in the war. They were leery when they heard we'd lost Chris, and Jesse and John leaving didn't help either... “And then they saw the hatemail and the pandemonium that the biggest, most popular wrestling show in the country had got for what they figured was just a kinda-violent match. “And we'd had a giant monster punch out a guy in a wheelchair.” He shrugs. “I remember wishing I could blame them for it, wishing it had at least been an unfair rejection. I can't help but think the war would have gone differently if we'd had the show...”

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][B]COMING SOON [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/PPPW.jpg[/IMG] PPPW: Vendetta SHOWCASE MATCHES INCLUDE PPPW Tri-State Championship Whistler vs. Horatio Dangerous [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/Whistler.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG] Krusher Karloff vs. Pistol Pete's Choice [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BillyJackShearer.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/_BlankBackground.jpg[/IMG] Rick Sanders & The Hype vs. Stuard Ferdinand & The Punisher [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RickSanders.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/JackAvatar.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/StuartFerdinand.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/TheIdahoPunisher.jpg[/IMG] PENNSYLVANIA PARK LAST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH[/B][/CENTER] Prediction Key: Deano Machino vs. Mean Jean Cattley Bryan Holmes vs. Richard Dangerous Rick Sanders & The Hype vs. Stuart Ferdinand & The Punisher DEBUT SHOWCASE Rich Money vs. Dan Biliot Henry Bennett vs. ???? Krusher Karloff vs. ???? PPPW Tri-State Championship Whistler (c) vs. Horatio Dangerous

[Midnightnick]

[B] Deano Machino [/B]vs. Mean Jean Cattley [I]I just love Deano. [/I] Bryan Holmes vs. [B]Richard Dangerous [/B] [I]Booker's son wins[/I] [B]Rick Sanders & The Hype[/B] vs. Stuart Ferdinand & The Punisher [I]The Hype~~~~[/I] DEBUT SHOWCASE [B]Rich Money[/B] vs. Dan Biliot [I]Debuting Money is talent.[/I] Henry Bennett vs. [B]????[/B] [I]One ??? wins[/I] [B]Krusher Karloff[/B] vs. ???? [I] One loses[/I] PPPW Tri-State Championship [B]Whistler (c) [/B]vs. Horatio Dangerous [I] And retention[/I]

[Regis]

Prediction Key: [B]Deano Machino[/B] vs. Mean Jean Cattley [I]Once again, Cattley needs a lot more work before he gets a push.[/I] [B]Bryan Holmes[/B] vs. Richard Dangerous [I]Horatio isn't going to favour his inexperienced boy over an established competitor.[/I] [B]Rick Sanders & The Hype[/B] vs. Stuart Ferdinand & The Punisher [I]I think that The Hype will go far in PPPW - it just depends which way...[/I] DEBUT SHOWCASE [B]Rich Money[/B] vs. Dan Biliot [I]Sorry, Dan, but I'm afraid you're just plain outclassed.[/I] Henry Bennett vs. [B]????[/B] [I]I can't think of any circumstances where Henry versus someone he can plausibly beat would be worth having on the card.[/I] [B]Krusher Karloff[/B] vs. ???? [I]Karloff needs to be kept strong to make his feud believable.[/I] PPPW Tri-State Championship [B]Whistler[/B] (c) vs. Horatio Dangerous [I]So, the guy whose gimmick is that he's never been the champ...[/I]

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/SWF_247.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/PPPW.jpg[/IMG] [B][U]PPPW Vendetta[/U][/B] Pennsylvania Park 2000 in attendance Show date: Monday Week 4 February 1997 [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/PistolPeteHall.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] As the show opens, [B]Pistol Pete Hall[/B] wheels his chair down to ringside, begging a spare microphone from Action Jackson. “Goldworthy,” he begins. “I know you got yourself a horror waitin' back there. I want the pair o' you out here.” [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/FloydGoldworthy.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BillyJackShearer.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] It's not a question that allows much in the way of hesitation. And it's not a question that gets much. Flanked by Krusher Karloff, Floyd Goldworthy arrogantly struts his way to the ring. Once there, he gestures regally for Hall to continue. “You know what happened last month, and these fans know it too,” Hall says smoothly. “Ain't got much to say as regards that, 'cept I take it kinda personal if someone picks a fight when they know expressly I can't hit back. And it may just be I can never hit back again. “On accounta that, Mr Barber here gave me permission to hit back by proxy. Tonight I get to pick a man to pick you apart. But Mr Barber told me, fair's fair – I ain't in this company, so I get one shot on accounta you stepped over the line. One shot. “So I did some thinking, an' then I did some calling. I found someone we both know can send you packing any time they need to. “I got a champion, man, a real fighter. “I got me the Complete Package.” [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BrentHill.jpg[/IMG] [/CENTER] Former PPPW Tri-State Champion [B]Brent Hill [/B]bursts through the entrance. Goldworthy freaks, though he manages to stop himself from saying anything; Karloff smirks, his shoulders start shaking, and a rumbling sound emerges. It takes most of the crowd a little while to realise he's laughing – but it's no comforting laugh when they do. [CENTER][B][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/DeanDaniels.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/MeanJeanCattley.jpg[/IMG] Deano Machino vs. Mean Jean Cattley[/B][/CENTER] Sometimes things just don't work. Deano has a beautifully smug attitude as he wrestles, reinforced by the lone-wolf image Cattley's cultivating. And yet, as the bell rings for the first time, as they circle each other warily, the viewers can see that there's a basic uneasiness together. It seeps through the aloof Goth veneer of Cattley, it undercuts and poisons Deano's smug arrogance, with neither man able to get comfortable with this opponent. Wrestlers dancing to the beats of different drums are the bread and butter of professional wrestling, but the price of that can be, sometimes, that they can't match those beats together as was the case here. There was almost a note of despairing eagerness to Cattley as Deano grabbed him for the Cradle Piledriver to put the youngster away. Rating: [B]E[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BryanHolmes.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] There's laconic applause atop the entrance ramp as Deano gets the pin; [B]Bryan Holmes[/B] leans against the doorway, microphone in hand. “Nice one, Deano,” he comments. “Kids today, right? Need putting where they belong? “Yeah, I figure that too. Tonight it looks like I get my shot at doing that. Big Daddy Dangerous brought his brat along with him. Really, you all saw what I did to the Arsenal last month – the beating that made him run for easier pastures – and he'd had time to practice and get himself ready. This kid... hell, Barber, what were you thinking? This match is a joke!” Disgusted, he throws down the mic, strutting down to the ring. [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BryanHolmes.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/29.jpg[/IMG] [B]Bryan Holmes vs. Richard Dangerous[/B][/CENTER] Holmes started out at high speed, clearly anticipating the simplest of victories, and Dangerous was ready, cutting him off with a standing dropkick and immediately attempting an armbar. Holmes smashed his free elbow into Dangerous' face and countered into a hammerlock, shifted gear and hoisted the youngster for a hammerlock powerbomb. Dangerous writhed on the floor for a moment but rolled clear of an elbow drop; the two stood off for a moment while the crowd registered approval, and then they clashed again. Exchanges here were crisp and fast, Dangerous losing most of them but shrugging off an astonishing amount of the pain he must have been feeling, at the same time working doggedly on Holmes' arm, taking the short-arm lariat that had finished Arsenal out of the equation. That gave him an advantage in the end, allowing him to break the lock Holmes was attempting for a German suplex, spin, and catch his rival with the Dangerous Brainbuster, scoring a stunning debut victory after ten gruelling minutes. The fans, somewhat grudgingly, approved of the match. Rating: [B]D-[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BryanHolmes.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/29.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Holmes got the shoulder up half an instant too late. As Richard, stunned, raises his arm in victory, Holmes grabs him from behind. With the advantage of surprise this swiftly transitions into the German suplex he'd been denied earlier. As Dangerous attempts once again to rise, Holmes nails him with a muay thai knee to the face, leaving him down and out, and stalks off. [CENTER][B][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RickSanders.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/JackAvatar.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/StuartFerdinand.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/TheIdahoPunisher.jpg[/IMG] Rick Sanders & The Hype vs. Stuart Ferdinand & The Punisher[/B][/CENTER] A simple, and unfortunately awkward, tag match here; it's difficult to pin down a problem, and it's emblematic of just how weak PPPW's tag team scene is, with the Punisher holding tag gold and Sanders a former champion himself. Something about this sat awkwardly from the beginning, and the one consolation was the crowd's interest beginning to return as Travis Century sprinted to the ring, pulling Sanders from the turnbuckle to the floor to interrupt the Hype's overdue attempt to tag out. That lead to a rapid lariat from Ferdinand, a quick cover, and the match. PPPW's tag division moved, with this contest, a step further from returning to regular appearances on the show. Rating: [B]E+[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RonnieVPain.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HerbStately.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Following the match, the Hype's opponent last month came down to the ring, backed as always by his sunglasses-wearing manager [B]Herb Stately[/B], who promptly collected a microphone. “Welcome,” he declared, “to Cahill's Corner! “Following what was done to the Hype last month – and congratulations to him this time, by the way; lasting like that really shows just how much more dangerous the Man Mountain is than anyone else here. Following that, as I say, Mr Barber has expressed a certain unwillingness to risk his other talent against us. And let's face it...” Cahill slams one meaty fist into the other palm with a smack like a leg of lamb being hurled to the chopping board. “It's easy to see why,” Stately continues smoothly. “Fortunately, we've found a way to ensure you still get to see my client at his best. Philadelphia is famous for its wrestling climate, and I know we have some young hopefuls in the audience. One of whom has signed the insurance waiver in return for an appearance on the show, a chance to impress Mr Barber – who I see isn't happy about this. No matter. “Step forward, Adam Stine.” [CENTER] [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/06.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] A youngster hops the rails and slides into the ring. Tugging his T-shirt off, his slim, toned physique draws appreciative whistles from the female half of the audience. And then Cahill moves. It's not fast – Cahill can't do that – but it's unstoppable as an asteroid strike, as implacable as the wrath of God. Stine sells like a champion, flying backward, catching himself on the top rope with the small of the back and rolling with the momentum, sending himself flipping up, back and out such that he crashes inevitably into the steel crowd barrier. And then he simply crumples. There's a startled moment of dead silence. Ever the showman, Stately drops a thumbtack to the mat, the clap of contact barely audible through his microphone. And then the crowd explode into disapproval combined with Philly's respect for the fighter – and for the sell. Hatred and smarkdom mingle into one of the best reactions Cahill has ever received. [CENTER][B][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RichMoney_alt1.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/JeremiahMoose.jpg[/IMG] Rich Money vs. Dan Billiot[/B][/CENTER] The show instantly relapses. Tape traders could tell you a lot about Money at this time; and the picture they paint is better than this. The money man is hindered by a weak opponent, and perhaps that's what does it; it can safely be said that Rich still wasn't doing all he could, and the result is another contest that's never going to help Philly Pro. Vendetta's almost the living symbol of the unease in the locker room, and even the Dollars from Heaven can't help. Money wins – but can he win the fans over? Rating: [B]E[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RichMoney_alt1.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] It's as if Money sensed the issue. The moment Jay Fair's finished the count he's on his feet outside the ring, snatching at a ring microphone. “I heard a rumour,” he says. “I heard a rumour that this place didn't have the money no more. “Couldn't have that on my conscience. Ladies and gentlemen – as long as I'm here, Philly Pro will have the money to carry on!” There is, at least, a solid prop for this. “Carry on,” Money continues, “and even expand. Brent Hill,” he continues. “I'll guarantee your contract, if that's what it takes to keep you here. Anyone else needs it – and there's at least one – you promise you can make Philly Pro what it needs and I'll do what it takes to keep ya here.” [CENTER][B][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HenryBennett.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/JimmyCox.jpg[/IMG] Henry Bennett vs. Jimmy Cox[/B][/CENTER] This debut seems more promising. The story here is, ultimately, one that could only be told to a Philadelphia crowd; they don't really know Cox – virtually no one does yet – but enough of the crowd know the name of the Immortal Driver. As such, a chant demanding it begins early, with Barber and Jackson selling the idea on commentary. Cox's technical style shifts as he responds to the fans, trying his best to score the Driver – but it's not to be; Bennett has a counter for every approach, and in the end scores with a jacknife pin. A match that would, one would hope, be one of the weakest on the card; but on this card, that's never going to be the case. Rating: [B]D-[/B] [CENTER][B][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BillyJackShearer.jpg[/IMG] w/ [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/FloydGoldworthy.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BrentHill.jpg[/IMG] Krusher Karloff vs. Brent Hill[/B][/CENTER] Suddenly, right at the end, Philly Pro picks up. This match has main evented shows in the past, often with the title on the line and owned by either man. Goldworthy does his usual excellent performance, the time kept tight enough that Karloff isn't allowed to exhaust himself. Hill wrestles detachedly, scientifically, using his slightly better speed to keep away from Karloff's lethal swings. He targets nerve clusters and weak spots, favouring his faster, air-based offence but more than willing to supplement it with holds whenever Karloff's sufficiently staggered – though the monster reliably overpowers and breaks the holds after recovering each time, and his own offence is sold as near-lethal every time it lands. In the end, though, Hill just has the determination; despite Goldworthy attempting something after Karloff hurls his opponent to the outside, Brent DDTs the manager, rolls in, ducks the big boot and answers with a King of the Hill for a pin in a match the fans liked more than last month's main event. Rating: [B]C-[/B] [B][CENTER] PPPW Tri-State Championship [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/Whistler.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG] Whistler © vs. Horatio Dangerous[/CENTER][/B] It's a classic battle of different styles, with both men going to the fists and feet but Dangerous also displaying some very unorthodox grappling holds, many of them borderline illegal. As ever, Horatio is the consummate ******* in the ring, making Whistler work twice as hard as he should have to, attempting to shatter the temper of Whistler, to make the courageous American finally snap – and, after something very, very close to a blatant low blow, it happens. Both men go to the closed fists of the risky-business brawl, and within moments Jay Fair realises neither man will back down from an admonishment, ruling both men disqualified. The fans love the fact that they barely notice. Rating: [B]C-[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/Whistler.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/PistolPeteHall.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BillyJackShearer.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BrentHill.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Still at ringside, Pete Hall starts yelling. From backstage Brent Hill runs out to try and break up the brawl, but as he's followed inches behind by Karloff, that doesn't help. The four men exchange blows with a wild passion for some minutes, the entire locker room eventually emptying to Hall's exhortations to calm things down. The crowd love every minute. Sometimes, two matches can save a show, but they should never have to. Coming next on SWF 24/7: The stories behind this show. The signings. And what that means for the War.... Show Rating: [B][SIZE="3"]D+[/SIZE][/B]

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/SWF_247.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RichMoney_alt1.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] “Hated it,” Rich Money says, sat sideways on a weights bench at the gym. Behind him, Steve Frehley spots for Brandon James; the SWF logo is visible on a far wall. “Always do. The goddamn Money Curse. “I've never had a good debut match. Always hate them. When I started out wrestling for the little guys who only pay a show at a time, I always had to phone up and beg my way into a second match. “Hell, when I got here it was... pretty disastrous.” He shakes his head. “But I really didn't like that one. There was this psychic stink around the locker room, and going out there and trashing what we'd done to that point... that really didn't help. Pretty much the only guy who seemed happy coming out of the show was Ronnie – the Man Mountain. The guy he was working with made him look absolutely money.” [CENTER]--- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/06.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Adrian Dangerous chuckles. “My public debut,” he says. “Under a completely different fake name to usual. Dad figured by the time I was ready to wrestle no one would notice, and anyone who did would feel so smart they'd keep the secret. “He was more or less right, too. But I'll tell you what – I overdid it a bit. Hurt myself on the rail, a bit. My own fault – Ronnie barely touched me. I was kinda happy that I got the big crowd reaction of the night. Not sure I deserved it, but I was happy about it. “Except... I got backstage and I could see what the show was doing to Dad. Barber hid it better, at least while he was somewhere he could be seen. He didn't pick up until Brent and Billy Jack went out. “I bet Ricky there and then there'd be some folks let go soon enough.” [CENTER]--- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] “He wouldn't have got money from me,” Horatio nods thoughtfully, eyes gazing off to some fixed point off-camera. “He wouldn't have got money from me,” he repeats. “I'd pretty much made up my mind. I just wanted to make sure I had some replacements lined up. I mean, the new people I'd brought in so far barely balanced the people we'd lost. “I already had one call out, but the guy wasn't answering his phone. And Two Eagles had shown me that going for the SWF wasn't going to work. So I called an old friend who'd gotten interested in the area...” [CENTER]--- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/GeorgeDeColt.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] George DeColt reclines in his plush burgundy leather chair, his office set up well, walnut-panelled and opulent. He smiles slightly. “Back then the East Coast War had serious implications on my wallet,” he said. “Steve Flash at RPW. Murderous Mikey with DaVE. John McClean at Philly Pro, Jerome and Jack Bruce with XFW, Eddie Chandler at DaVE... hell, we were using Herb Stately back then, too. It was like we'd been named fallback position number one if any of the companies fell apart. But it meant a lot of our guys were getting to work different styles and, more important, bring them back where they could use them. Steve Flash didn't use the King of the Hill in Rapid Pro, but here, with no Brent in the way, he was happy to get another good solid move into his repertoire. “So I was... mostly... pretty happy about it. I had to keep an eye on who was losing down there in case it set any of the guys working there off, got them pissy, made the matches weak... but that also meant I was pretty keen to tip the balance if I could. “And Horatio happened to be the guy who actually called me. He asked for a few recommendations, we batted storylines about, and I gave him some numbers, chiefly because I still had a soft spot for the guy. Craig Prince, now, he didn't go for it – between me and the Stones he felt he had too much to make in Canada. “But Maverick and the Natural, they both jumped at it.” He smiles. “All of a sudden two of my young hopefuls are getting a lot more practice...”

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Dangerous shrugs. “Whistler came to me and said... He said what he was doing wasn't working so well,” he says. “Said he figured it was time to change. “People give Whistler a lot of crap, I've noticed. They didn't back when he started – everyone cheered the guy with the flag at that point, assuming it wasn't the wrong flag. By ninety-seven you just couldn't rely on that, and the fact Andrew had been running a Stars and Stripes against the Red Menace thing didn't help. My wife loved it; she could go on and on about the postmodernist implications or whatever, but then Maggie was always smarter than me, and even she wrapped up by saying it was like topping the show off with an elaborate joke. I'd figured of the pair of them the one we had to change, once we got a chance, was Karloff just because, well, there still actually is a United States. “But it meant people kind of looked at Whistler as a bit of a joke. So I asked what was going on, was he planning on changing gimmick? “He said no. Said just throwing hands wasn't working. “People give Whistler a lot of crap because he worked so damn hard on that character, I reckon. The big tough American honed down to two dimensions. The guy who's always ready to give a sucker an even break. And wrestling being what it is, that keeps going wrong for him. Means people label Whistler as dumb. “But he isn't. He's a sharp man who's been in the business all his life. By that time, the number of youngsters I'd brought in, Whistler was one of the older men on the roster. He'd spent enough time to get the feel of the crowd. And, more important as far as I'm concerned, the feel of the locker room.” [CENTER]--- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/Whistler.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Whistler's laughter is a bellowed guffaw, and it starts this shot in all its hearty fullness. “He said that? Man...” He shakes his head. “Whistler's easy. I just keep a stack of the good Captain America stuff in my gym bag. If I know I'm going to be asked to cut a promo, I read through until I've got the right voice in my head.” Another chuckle. “Still... yeah, I can see what he meant. When he came in, it was pretty much me, Travis, Ronnie and Billy Jack on top. “And what we did was simple. We battered each other. We were maulers. “The second rank? Chris Rockwell. Rick Sanders. Bryan Holmes. These were all guys who could brute-force it. But that wasn't their thing. They liked to lock up and dismantle. Horatio was the same way, and I pretty much knew I'd be facing off with him for at least one run, probably more. By the time I made the decision we'd lost Chris but we'd got Brent back. We had Money. We had Cox. I knew there were more guys coming through, too. And none of the guys Horatio was looking at – because he's smart – were bruisers. I ran an idea by him and started figuring ways to work better with both. And the conclusion I got to in the end was, basically, I needed to play to the crowd more. “I can do that when Billy's got me up for a gorilla slam. I can do it when Brent's hooked up the Complete Package, or Horatio's got me down with a leglock, or even when Travis is stomping on my face. These days I can do it when Phunk breaks off and hits on half the front row. “It made me flexible. At the time I was only working for Andy. I needed to be able to keep myself a big player. I needed that just so I could rely on decent money every month. “I knew I wouldn't hold on to the title for ever. Matter of fact, I'd already guessed who was going to get it next. But I wanted to at least stay up there.”

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/Random_Female07.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Kate Dangerous squats down next to a floor-length punchbag, stripping MMA gloves from her hands, sweat pasting her hair against her forehead. As always when not appearing 'in character' she's clearly taken steps to present herself as a fighter, not as the sex symbol she's typically booked as. Behind her, an old Philly Pro poster with both her brothers' headshots hangs lopsided and slightly torn from the wall. “You ask me about my involvement with Philly Pro,” she says. “I'd guess you figure I'd start around, what, tail end of ninety-eight? “But that wasn't it. Not really. The first time Philly Pro hit my life – other than the move – was just after Ricky debuted, like two days after? “I'd guess most of the folks who buy this thing know what ring rats are. But just in case... they're like the really enthusiastic groupies. They aren't just there for the wrestling, you know?” A wink. “Anyway, one of them decided on Ricky. And he wasn't what you'd call wise to that side of things yet. Spent less time listening to road stories than me and baby bro; he was just totally fixated on the moves, not the life. “Actually, you know what... He wasn't what you'd call wise to women yet.” Her laugh is hearty, confident; it belongs to someone who knows full well they own their space. “He'll wanna kill me for saying that, but it's true. “Two days after Vendetta, the dumbass brought her home with him. Dinner, meet the folks, you know. “Mom went apesh*t. We'd already got guests, for one thing.” [CENTER]--- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/HeidiBrooks.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Heidi Brooks nestles in an armchair thoughtfully. We see her in a tastefully decorated living room, the standout oddity being that the middle shelf of her bookcase is given over to three championship belts. Viewers with large screens and freezeframe can make out that the central one was one worn during her 1980s title reign in which she and Anne Stardust feuded up and down the West Coast; the others are replica AAA Femme Fatale and 5 Star World belts, the nameplates engraved 'Thanks, Heidi' and a collection of kanji spelling out 'Honoured Warrior', gifts for her long service to both promotions behind the scenes. She takes a sip from a steaming mug, nodding, a faint smile. “Kate was the one who mentioned that, right?” A nod, in answer to whoever behind the camera asked the question and their silent response. “Yeah, I was there at Maggie's invitation, on my way back out to Seattle from a show Sakurako had been doing at the old Saitama Park. Old friend of the family – they'd tell you I introduced the pair of them, which is true but kind of accidental. “Ricky's always been devoted to his studies. Running into girls... I guess happened a bit late. “I wouldn't talk about it, really, except that it changed a few things about how Harry looked at Philly Pro. Or the girl did, anyway. “When Ricky and she got back, we were all round the back in the gym. Harry was ringside, Kate and Adrian were working a match while he supervised, and Maggie and I were watching. It was my job to pay attention to young prospects.” She giggles suddenly, a surprisingly youthful sound. “And this starry-eyed young brat bounces into the room in Global Hypercolor, stops dead, and stares for a couple of seconds before she says,” Brooks adopts a reedy, high-pitched whine of a voice, “ 'Rickyyy, you never tole me chicks could wrestle!' And Harry turns around and looks straight at me, he says 'Tell Anne if she got her company in gear we wouldn't have this problem!'” She bursts out laughing. “Ricky's gone bright red, the girl's finally worked out she said something dumb – God, I hope she's watching this – and Maggie's just quietly storing up to explode at him once she's gone. But I think that was when Harry decided he was going to have to get some girls in at some point. “I know that was the dinner he asked me for a couple of girls who could work the stick but would be able to go to the mat if they had to. I put him in touch with Wanda.”

[G-Prime]

Looking great so far.

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][B]COMING SOON [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/PPPW.jpg[/IMG] PPPW: Between Dark And Dawn SHOWCASE MATCHES INCLUDE PPPW Tri-State Championship Whistler vs. Horatio Dangerous [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/Whistler.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG] LAST MAN STANDING Brent Hill vs. John McClean [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BrentHill.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SqueekyMcClean.jpg[/IMG][/B] [/CENTER] Prediction Key: PPPW Tri-State Championship Whistler (c) vs. Horatio Dangerous - Last Man Standing Brent Hill vs. John McClean Jimmy Cox vs. Clark Alexander Rich Money vs. The Punisher Bryan Holmes vs. Rick Sanders John Maverick vs. The Hype The Natural vs. Stuart Ferdinand

[Regis]

Prediction Key: PPPW Tri-State Championship [B]Whistler (c)[/B] vs. Horatio Dangerous - Last Man Standing [I]Because Horatio will NEVER EVER WIN THE TITLE EVER.[/I] [B]Brent Hill[/B] vs. John McClean [I]Good match, but Brent's a proven commodity and needs the boost here after a successful debut.[/I] [B]Jimmy Cox[/B] vs. Clark Alexander [I]This is a difficult one. On the other hand, CA is a home-grown talent. He's maybe, just maybe, slightly more talented in terms of numbers. But then I think about the Immortal Driver, and remember that skill is nothing if Cox catches you with that...[/I] [B]Rich Money[/B] vs. The Punisher [I]Because Rich is one of your next big things, and the Punisher hasn't even gone after Idaho yet.[/I] [B]Bryan Holmes[/B] vs. Rick Sanders [I]After an embarassing loss to the booker's punk kid, Bryan desperately needs some momentum back.[/I] John Maverick vs. [B]The Hype[/B] [I]The Silent Threat is good, but The Hype? He could be a legend in the making![/I] The Natural vs. [B]Stuart Ferdinand[/B] [I]Ferdy's just the better man, here. Go Stuart![/I]

[FINisher]

[B]PPPW Tri-State Championship[/B] [B]Whistler[/B] (c) vs. Horatio Dangerous - Last Man Standing It's just me, but I hate if the user character is an active wrestler. [B]Brent Hill[/B] vs. John McClean [B]Jimmy Cox[/B] vs. Clark Alexander [B]Rich Money[/B] vs. The Punisher [B]Bryan Holmes[/B] vs. Rick Sanders John Maverick vs. [B]The Hype[/B] [B]The Natural[/B] vs. Stuart Ferdinand

[Phantom Stranger]

[QUOTE=FINisher;515904][B]PPPW Tri-State Championship[/B] [B]Whistler[/B] (c) vs. Horatio Dangerous - Last Man Standing It's just me, but I hate if the user character is an active wrestler. [/QUOTE] I don't think it's just you, my friend. ;) What's convinced me that it [i]can[/i] work was Dragonmack's NYCW diary for 07. Horatio and his family are part of the story I see unfolding - so I just hope I can persuade you that, at least this time, it at least kinda works.

[Midnightnick]

PPPW Tri-State Championship [B]Whistler (c)[/B] vs. Horatio Dangerous - Last Man Standing Cap'N America wins obviously. [B]Brent Hill[/B] vs. John McClean [B]Jimmy Cox[/B] vs. Clark Alexander Rich Money vs. [B]The Punisher[/B] [B] Bryan Holmes[/B] vs. Rick Sanders John Maverick vs.[B] The Hype[/B] The Natural vs. [B]Stuart Ferdinand[/B]

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/SWF_247.jpg[/IMG] [B] PPPW Between Dark And Dawn Pennsylvania Park 2000 in attendance Show Date: Monday Week 4 March 1997[/B] [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/TheNatural_alt1.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/StuartFerdinand.jpg[/IMG] The Natural vs. Stuart Ferdinand[/CENTER] Historically speaking this match is probably best remembered for being the debut of a look the Natural would go back to years later in partnership with 'Dr Love' Owen Pinsent, as he came to the ring in the sporty leathers and glasses, wearing long tights with as close to the logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs as copyright would allow, playing up a background as a two-sport athlete. Certainly it couldn't be said to be an epoch-making match, as Carvill would feel jinxed on debut; he and Ferdinand, while both legitimately athletic warriors with sound technical backgrounds, hailed from very different styles; as such, timings were off, lockups awkwardly executed, and a number of transitions looked plain telegraphed. Only Ferdinand's experience kept this from falling apart entirely, and as such it's fitting that it was Ferdinand who got the win, with the Natural setting up to launch off the top turnbuckle with a tornado DDT – only to find himself the victim of a Northern Lights suplex close enough that, as Jay Fair went down to make the count, Ferdinand could hook his feet on the ropes and secure leverage. A good spot that popped the crowd, though unfortunately much of the rest was simply weak. Rating: [B]D-[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/FloydGoldworthy.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BillyJackShearer.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Floyd Goldworthy made his way to the ring as the Natural was picking himself up, followed by the looming, ominous presence of Krusher Karloff as always. Goldworthy collected the microphone fast and entered the ring, Karloff stepping over the top rope to back him up. “I want,” he said, “to talk to Pete Hall. I know he's not here tonight, but I'm sure word'll reach him soon enough. That little crawler Sanders will tell him, if nothing else. And it's amazing what you can hear if you hang out near a wrestlers' locker room. “I heard, for example, that Mister Hall is onto crutches now, at least for some things. So I'd like to let you know, Pete, that this problem you have with us is not over. You persuaded Brent Hill to run away from dominating that pathetic two-bit company Rapid Pro and come back. He's been a champion here before – I'm not denying his ability – and that just means one more obstacle between my client and the glory that's rightfully his. So Pete Hall – you can walk again now but you'd better watch where you walk, or you will not be standing for long.” He hands the microphone to Karloff, who glowers at the world around him and utters nearly two words of Russian: [i]“Smiert Pistolem.”[/i] The crowd's reaction is strong and instinctive... [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/JackAvatar.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/JohnMaverick.jpg[/IMG] The Hype vs. John Maverick[/CENTER] Maverick comes out looking carved from stone, a far cry from the friendly confidence of the Hype – a confidence that, at least as far as match quality is concerned, turns out to be highly unwise. The Hype has yet to truly settle in with the Philly Pro fans, and Maverick is an entirely unknown quantity – and the response is correspondingly absent. Maverick showcases his smooth transitions and apparently uncaring submission holds, and the Hype counters with speed and flare, but outside of the finish – a fallaway slam off the ropes countered into a sunset flip that gives the Hype his first Philly Pro victory – the crowd more or less stay dead. There's potential, but it has yet to be achieved in either man. Rating: [B]E+[/B] [CENTER] [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/TravisCentury.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] The next man to appear is the 'Dark Preacher' Travis Century, loping to the ring with his long stride – a stride that, when hidden beneath his long vestment-style robes, seems unnatural – to speak to the audience. He doesn't bother with a microphone, instead simply pitching his voice low but carrying, leaving the entire audience silent, rapt on his words. “The subject for today's lesson, my brethren, is Richard Sanders. By an act of charity he earned the ire of the Russian behemoth; by an act of charity was he damned. “It is for this reason that I condemned him; it is in hopes of converting him from this frivolous and foolhardy generosity that I have dogged his footsteps this past while. Richard Sanders – I cannot call you Brother, as I should hope – the time is nigh! Repent, Richard, repent and embrace the divine self-interest that is the Lord's blessing to us all. It is perhaps too late to save you from the need to do penance at the Krusher's altar, but there is hope for you in life! Only say the words, and you shall be spared my wrath...” [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BryanHolmes.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RickSanders.jpg[/IMG] Bryan Holmes vs. Rick Sanders[/CENTER] The awkwardness shared by various pairings tonight is reminiscent of the complaints emanating, around this time, from DaVE's booking office, and this is another example. Holmes is aggressive right from the gate, an onslaught that intensifies as Sanders makes the mistake of following Richard Dangerous' lead and targeting the same arm. Indeed, a complaint to be made about this match is that Sanders' offence almost seems patterned after the rookie's example last month, making the higher-placed man look awkward in the somewhat smarky Philly audience's eyes. Holmes powers out through fury where he failed last month, allowing him the strength needed to gain the upper hand and deliver two vicious looking German suplexes before making a successful cover. Rating: [B]D-[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BryanHolmes.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/AndrewBarber.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Holmes is straight out of the ring, not even allowing Jay Fair time to raise his arm in salute, and buttonholes Andrew Barber at the announce desk. In clear range of Barber's mic pickup – mysteriously, suddenly rooted through Penn Park's PA system, he begins a harangue: “Come on, man. I just put Sanders away. There some reason you ain't telling me I can't get the Dangerous brat back in the ring and show him what he owes?” “Bryan... I know you're angry. I sympathise, I really do. But there are so many other matchups Philly Pro wants to explore that we can't justify giving you your rematch immediately. Be patient, and-” “Oh, bull****! Whistler's got the same challenger tonight as last month!” “Last month was indecisive, Bryan. A title match didn't show us the better wrestler. We have to settle that question. And tonight, with the match being Last Man Standing, we will.” Holmes slams both hands down, open, on the desk. “This isn't over, man. This isn't over until I show that punk what's what.” But, reluctantly, he leaves. [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RichMoney_alt1.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/TheIdahoPunisher.jpg[/IMG] Rich Money vs. The Punisher[/CENTER] Another pairing that find themselves unable to lock steps well, the Money curse continues to dog his early steps in Philly Pro. While he's been adapting well to his unusual babyface role – and has been showing an innovative, broader range of moves to elicit pops – the awkwardness of his and Punisher's timing together deflates the effectiveness of almost everything. In an attempt to inject some fan interest, Money reverts to heel type against the monstrous Punisher toward the end, but only the final moments – a low blow followed by the Dollars from Heaven – actually get a reaction. Rating: [B]E+[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HerbStately.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RonnieVPain.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] It's time once again, it seems, for Cahill's Corner – at least, here comes Stately and his pet monster, an arrogant smirk on Stately's face, Cahill himself just laughing softly. “Once again,” Stately begins, “Mr Barber has proven unwilling to allow anyone wrestling for Philly Pro to face my client, which, once again, makes it impossible for him to show why he should be dominating a prestigious wrestling company like, say, DaVE rather than-” A pause to allow the heat to build and die away again, so that Stately can make it erupt twice from the same shot. Then, “rather than stuck in a company that doesn't dare risk its champion against an elite combatant like this. “So once again I'm forced to invoke a certain clause in my manager's licence. Ladies and gentleman, another unsanctioned challenge – could the gentleman who accepted and signed the waivers please step on up?” Naturally enough, a tough-looking young competitor steps over the barricade and slides into the ring. As Stately retreats, he takes a moment to play to the female portion of the audience, then fires off a rock-solid shot at Cahill's jaw; but the man mountain is unmoved. Another shot follows, then he backs to the ropes, comes off - There's a fine spray of blood in the air as face meets fist at speed. The challenger goes flying feet-first after the impact, turning a full three-sixty before slapping into the mat a good four feet past Cahill, who still hasn't retracted his fist after that punch. The crowd explode in shocked, pained sympathy... [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/Wanda-Fish-goth.jpg[/IMG] [I](Alt Wanda courtesy of J Silver)[/I][/CENTER] ...And then there's a scream; a young lady vaults the rail from beside where the challenger started and scrambles into the ring, wide-eyed and panicked. “Johnny!” she calls, bending tenderly over the body. “Johnny... no...” Her head bows for a moment, then she rises, turning back toward the bemused Cahill with a scowl on her face. “What did you DO?” Cahill turns his head ponderously toward Stately, who shrugs. “She entered the ring, Barber,” he says on microphone. “That makes her fair game.” The girl's eyes go wide and Cahill lifts a boot, almost leisurely in its inevitability. It smashes into her jaw, sending her sagging against the middle rope before rolling out from the momentum to fall, with a clap, to the floor. If anything, the shock and indignation, the outcry, redouble – once again, Cahill finds himself in the middle of the biggest crowd reaction on the entire show. [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/ClarkAlexander_alt2.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/JimmyCox.jpg[/IMG] Clark Alexander vs. Jimmy Cox[/CENTER] A rare example, here, of a match unheard of in DaVE, one made between two wrestlers with an innate understanding of the other man's style. While the two men are young and learning, this helps them at the least outdo the weaker battles of the show thus far; the Ice Man CA outdoes Cox in every exchange, coming out on top whenever the two men enter a war of reversals – but at the end, the fan's chants throughout the match are answered. For the first time, Penn Park sees the Immortal Driver... and sees that it is good. Alexander sells like a champion, lying as dead as a random challenger during Cahill's Corner, and Cox covers with the kind of confidence that entirely pays off the belief in this move as something special. Rating: [B]D-[/B] [CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/BrentHill.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SqueekyMcClean.jpg[/IMG] Brent Hill vs. John McClean[/CENTER] And from that peak of understanding we plunge, once again, to plumb the depths. Hill has a wealth of skill and McClean has a natural gift that more or less allow them to rise beyond their issues, but to the trained eyes of Philadelphia fans, there are errors here, issues that prevent the match from being all that was hoped for. McClean makes himself look dangerous throughout, and the simple fact that he survives fifteen minutes with the former champion shows that he is becoming someone to watch – as does the sheer watchability of this contest. But this has been a show of talented workers stumbling against the vicissitudes of fate and that doesn't stop here – the King of the Hill carries the day, however, and the fans seem more or less satisfied by the result. Rating: [B]D+[/B] [CENTER][B]PPPW Tri-State Championship Last Man Standing [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/Whistler.jpg[/IMG] vs. [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG] Whistler © vs. Horatio Dangerous[/B][/CENTER] The main event is the longest contest of the night; Dangerous and Whistler resume where they left off last month, going straight to their fists and feet. It sounds like a brawl, but there's something calculating about how the two men place their blows; each of them reminding fans why it's sometimes called the sweet science. Nothing is out of bounds in a match like this and rapidly, once Whistler considers Dangerous sufficiently softened up, the two transition into high-impact power moves, bouncing each other around the ring. There's no count until over ten minutes of battle – the first comes after Dangerous, in desperation, hits something resembling a discus punch low blow, and Whistler's up by the count of seven. A Rebel Yell soon afterward sees Dangerous barely recover by eight and the two men break away before closing in in earnest, going to work with a will. By fifteen minutes in Dangerous is bleeding and Whistler is beginning to look drained – but that just plays into the story of the match. At the finish, two minutes later, Dangerous dives from the top rope with a vicious spinning uppercut and Whistler's felled even as the Rebel Yell connects with the airborne challenger. With no other recourse, Jay Fair sees his count reach ten, with Whistler not quite able to regain his feet in time and Dangerous still out like a light. The fans roar approval and frustration at the inconclusive ending in roughly equal amounts, but there's no mistaking their message – the best match Philly Pro have put on this year. Rating: [B]C[/B] A show that was well received at the time, with hindsight even the most enthusiastic Philly Pro fan would describe it as a one-match show rescued by the antics of Stately, Cahill and Goldworthy. On SWF 24/7 next we'll look at the moments that have become part of East Coast legend – especially the consequences of Cahill's first intergender assault. Show Rating: [B]C[/B] (!!!)

[Regis]

On the one hand, jebus! That much bad chemistry on one show? That's not good. On the other, two E+ matches, three D- matches, and the Main Event and Cahill's Corner... jump you to a C? Got to love the Main Event!

[Phantom Stranger]

[QUOTE=Regis;517064]On the one hand, jebus! That much bad chemistry on one show? That's not good. On the other, two E+ matches, three D- matches, and the Main Event and Cahill's Corner... jump you to a C? Got to love the Main Event![/QUOTE] Cahill and Krusher saved that show just as mjuch as the main event, quite frankly. Astonishingly good ratings from Cahill in particular, such as will save his no-talent arse.

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/AndrewBarber.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Andrew Barber smiles broadly at the memory. “That,” he says, “was the first month that everyone not only ranked us ahead of the rest of the war... we beat everyone, pretty much. We managed to make strides everywhere. Hell of a thing. “I put it down to Ronnie, myself. What he and Herb were doing had been working, but the moment Horatio added a woman into the mix... women's wrestling hadn't had much play in Philly since Heidi Brooks was champ. We saw the occasional valet get crushed by a guy looking for blood, but honestly that was about it. It was the same trick we pulled with Pete in the wheelchair, but it seemed to work better. And that was Herb; that little offhand comment about 'fair game' made it sound real. “Just for long enough. Wanda sold like she wasn't selling. I'll always remember that. You don't see it often in the business; it's not often a good idea.” [CENTER]--- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/WandaFish.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Fish 'the Dish' nods agreement to the unseen, unheard interviewer. You can actually hear the crowd in the background now; Wanda agreed to the interview on condition that it be filmed during a AAA event, neatly ensuring the enthusiastic crowd reaction would be heard by others, granting them solid advertising. “Yeah,” she says. “You don't want to take a hit like you don't know how, normally. Matter of fact, you don't want to take it like the tough guys in the audience think they would. You want to shrug that tiny bit more off – just enough so it stays real, but at the same time, so it makes you look tough. “But Dangerous didn't want that. I was dying my hair for every Philly Pro show with some one-night stuff that was godawful – I mean, I could tell when the motel gave me a room I'd used before by the way the tiles stained – to make sure they didn't recognise me immediately. The character I was playing there was totally different to what I did for Annie, or at least she was going to start that way. “She was just some poor punk's sister who couldn't quite believe what happened. I don't know the name of the guy I was related to, even – but I'll say this for him, it was a hell of a job he did taking that punch. He actually managed to turn himself so he'd end up juicing off the hit, which isn't exactly easy. “So then I get in, and I have to die even harder – though Dangerous told me not to bleed or we'd blow the feel, give away it wasn't for real. I just tried to take it as if I'd never so much as been slapped before, and I think it worked OK.” She grins then, lighting the room, mischievous. The famous smile that made her one of American women wrestling's most prized heels. “And by the time they realised it hadn't been a work, they'd stop hating Ronnie for kicking me and start hating him for managing to fake them out. “You can't buy that kind of heat. “Also – the big thing? When Dangerous called me in the first place, he pitched the story at me. I wasn't what you'd call the centrepiece – I mean, we all know who he brought in, I really couldn't be – but it was still a good enough part I listened. He told me to ask Heidi about him if I had any doubts. I told her about the story, and she said it was the best thing I could lead with. “And Heidi knows what she's talking about when it comes to working the same shows as the boys.” [CENTER] --- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/HeidiBrooks.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Heidi chuckles. “Mm,” she nods, sipping at her tea. “You can't find footage of me too easily, but if you do, you can see a pattern by about the mid-eighties. The women's title kind of wandered from region to region according to who wanted to see if some curves would help their ticket sales, and we went with it. “And if you watch, the first match we had for any given company – we did much crazier stuff than we did any other time. Had to. It wasn't the fans we were worried about – it was the other wrestlers. We had to share a locker room with those guys, after all. And they tended to be a bit... macho about the whole thing. “You have to show them that you can take it, too.” [CENTER] --- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/SWF%20Footage/AndrewBarber.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Barber nods, still smiling quietly. “What I didn't realise was that Horatio was laying the groundwork to sneak things past me later. “I had a clear image of what Philly Pro was. Horatio had a clear image of what he thought it needed to be. They didn't quite add up.” He gestures vaguely, both hands, a see-sawing scale. “And I didn't see what he was doing, because he was aware they didn't add up and was quite prepared to duck past me and just do it. “Because he has a daughter.”

[Marcel Fromage]

This is great so far. Have read through and am totally hooked on the story. Keep it up!

[Phantom Stranger]

[QUOTE=Marcel Fromage;517157]This is great so far. Have read through and am totally hooked on the story. Keep it up![/QUOTE] Glad to have you aboard, chief. Glad to have all the readers aboard, frankly. This is definitely fun...

[G-Prime]

Quality shows, and awesome backstory. Did you create the Dangerous family?

[Phantom Stranger]

[QUOTE=G-Prime;517473]Quality shows, and awesome backstory. Did you create the Dangerous family?[/QUOTE] More or less, yeah. They come ultimately from a Rik Mayall/Ade Edmondson comedy double-act where I shamelessly stole the name, and they've been through a few e-feds and similar. This version's been heavily beaten about to make it work in the Cornellverse, however.

[Phantom Stranger]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG] [/CENTER] “We were starting to get noticed,” Dangerous says, his hands shuffling at the deck again. “Which is good, when it's fans. It's not good when it's the big names. We had a deal with SWF, pretty much, but they weren't the only ones we had to handle. Richard got a call from Takemi Kondou; the tapes had finally paid off. I heard this and I was halfway through figuring out how Bryan would explain Richard vanishing before I found out they only wanted him for the monthly shows. At least for the time being. “So that was... that was pretty much a good thing.” He nods. “More exposure for Richard, and he loved the Japanese style even then. With time at the Dojo there was every chance someone big would take an interest, sooner or later. At the same time, we weren't losing someone else who could work. “The big question was the Hype. We weren't the only ones who thought he had a chance to be one of the biggest names in the business. Hollyweird came calling, and Todd answered. We still had him, because Stallings wasn't offering exclusives outside of the top stars around that time. But that meant we had to guess how long it'd take before he WAS one of their top stars. “And I made kind of a mistake. We were finally riding high and we could have been enjoying it. But the locker room morale wasn't good.” [CENTER]-- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/MeanJeanCattley.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] “Terrified,” Jean Cattley nods. “I really was. Ramon and Dan had both been told their contracts weren't going to be renewed. I'd been re-signed, but I figured me and Sandy were next for the chop. It was pretty clear some of us were going to get our walking papers, and I looked like a pretty likely casualty. And I wasn't working anywhere else; I honestly didn't know what I'd be doing if the job got cut. Months I didn't work, it was kind of difficult to keep the bills paid. “I wasn't the only one. He'd brought in so many new guys. Dead Bolt was totally the wrong style for the rest of us also runs, so he was worried. Henry Bennett had been in the doghouse with Travis and Bryan for more than a year, and both of them were actually working programs.” He glances back into the MAW ring behind him. “Aw, Huey, no... Excuse me, guys. We'll pick this up in a moment...” [CENTER] -- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/RichMoney_alt1.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Rich Money nods. “There was a real issue with the amount of new talent he'd signed. We were pretty much two locker rooms, one half terrified they were going to be cut or phased out, the other half just pissed off that no one wanted them here. “And that never helps the matches. Which made everyone more nervous, which...” He waves a hand in a vaguely circular motion. “Just not a good situation. If he'd just told everyone why he was hiring...” [CENTER]-- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] “Andrew had some... demands,” Dangerous nods. “The Pay-Per-View market, specifically. He wanted us to be looking at a deal – or at least in a position to get one – by halfway through ninety-nine. That wasn't going to happen if we just kept to Penn Park and to the Tri-State in general. We had to expand, and we weren't going to be able to do that with just who we had. I knew that once the angle with Wanda finished paying off we'd have eyes on us, but we couldn't rely on just a temporary boost. “Now, two and a half years to get there makes it sound OK, sure. But if you're looking to not go broke or piss everyone off along the way, it gets a little more complicated. We were basically going to have to build ourselves stars and hope they weren't stolen. “Jean was one of the safest guys in the locker room. I really should have told him. Fact is, I thought Moustache had.” [CENTER] -- [IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/MarcusMcKing.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Marcus McKing's famed facial hair twitches slightly in amusement. He raises a tumbler of whisky to his lips, the background a different angle of Pete Hall's bar. “I never gave guarantees,” he says. “I know better than anyone that nothing's certain. If APWF had stayed open three more years, I might have come to the SWF with enough of a following to be one of the guys who dethroned Rip or Dread. It didn't, I didn't, and things happened that way.” He shrugs. “Now I got what I wanted out of wrestling, but I won't promise anyone anything. Never have, never will. All it takes is one injury, one bounced cheque, one ego in the wrong place...” A shake of the head. “But I was loving all of this. When Andy hired me the first thing he used to pitch it to me was the chance to build a new generation. The PPPW youth system was one of the strongest in the country before the War began, and it wasn't exactly weak in ninety-seven. Dangerous wasn't picking them so young, but he was grabbing a bunch of youngsters, people who might make it but hadn't had the chance yet. It was cheaper that way. “Happened to be what I really loved, too. I wanted to be the man who made the stars of the new millenium.” He chuckles. “Give it time. I still might be.”

[foolinc]

Just realized I haven't posted here before. Probably wouldn't have gone the direction you did style wise (as it basically says that PPPW goes under at some time), but I'm really enjoying it. Can't wait for more.

[Phantom Stranger]

[QUOTE=foolinc;517694]Just realized I haven't posted here before. Probably wouldn't have gone the direction you did style wise (as it basically says that PPPW goes under at some time), but I'm really enjoying it. Can't wait for more.[/QUOTE] Well, by the default Cornellverse, PPPW eventually is absorbed into DaVE - I've then assumed the video library is sold to SWF by Vibert. But yeah, absolutely - if Philly Pro win the war or something happens to SWF, things will look very odd. Of course, I also don't know for sure that the Hype will come to the bad end I'm spelling out. Oddly enough, that's part of what's making this so much fun to write. I don't quite know why...