[Road Warrior Shark]

So on my journey through the internet last week, I stumbled across the fact that Championship Wrestling from Hollywood signed a deal with MAVTV.

I watched what was then NWA Hollywood for a while online through their website, until I couldn't get them to load anymore. There were a handful of guys worth watching, and I enjoyed the shows, despite the production values.

Turns out the MAVTV show comes on at like 2 am once or twice a week. I'm asleep at that time so I found MAVTV and DVR'd an episode.

I was in for a treat. The were crowing a Hollywood Heritage Champion in a Red Carpet Rumble. Basic Royal Rumble, with a standard pinfall/submission finish between the final 2. I LOVE Battle Royals, and they did some neat 'avoiding elimination' spots throughout. A little slow, but not terrible'

The roster has some talent. Scorpio Sky & Willie Mack are pretty big indy names. a big kid that washed out on Stone Cold's tough Enough, Erik Watts, isn't bad. And Shaun Ricker has the WWE look IMO.

Ricker was apparently being managed by Percy Pringle III when he died. (I remember PP3 on some of the older episodes "Scouting" guys). He of course drew #1, and made it to the end & won the whole thing. as he was being interviewed, another guy whose name I don't remember now, came out with the "PP3 Cup" which looked a lot like the Undertaker's Urn. Apparently, the cup is a MITB type thing, and the kid was cashing in. Pretty intense little match, which the crowd was HOT for. Kid hit a nice shining wizard on Ricker, but Ricker kicks out at 2. kid then hits a nice looking move, similar to Ambrose's Headlock/DDT thing, but from a cutter grip instead. Ricker kicks out at 2. Kid hits 2 swantons, Ricker kicks out at 2. Ricker recovers, hits his move (Sheamus' White Noise), Kid kicks out at 2, Ricker hits it again, and the kid kicks out again, Kid runs right at Ricker, who ducks, lifts him, and hits the move a third time for the win.

Not overly complex wrestling, but I'll be dammned if the crowd wasn't hot for it. Ricker ends up with the belt AND the PP3 cup to close the show.

I'll keep DVR'ing it and watch it when I can.

[Mr. Dashbee]

I'm a big fan of what they do, and friends with Heather Lynn (manager there).

You're right about Shaun Ricker's look, he's also a contestant on Rock's USA reality show "The Hero." The guy Ricker faced after the Red Carpet Rumble was Ryan Taylor--I've worked with him and know his ex girlfriend (she's a DeMarcette).

SPOILER: Click to show

Shaun Ricker drops the title later in the taping to Scorpio Sky, starting some controversy. In reality, Ricker is headed to the WWE, likely thanks to his involvement in Rock's show, and the fact that he has the look & talent.

Heather Lynn is a cohost on my Wednesday radio show, which returns next week!

[Road Warrior Shark]

Not clicking the spoiler. The next show recorded yesterday morning, but I haven't had a chance to watch yet.

It's not great serious wrestling, but there are a number of fun gimmicks. The Hobo, who wore a cardboard title belt to the ring. Manimal, who looks like a cross between Captain Caveman and Earthquake. The RockNES Monsters, two goofy high energy guys who are apparently video game nerds..My personal favorite is Terex, this 400 lb guy with belly fat that hangs over his waistband to his knees, and does a standing moonsault that looks like it would kill a mortal man.

[punk/core]

I've been watching it for a few years now thanks to it being a local show-- although my viewership is spotty at best, since it airs Sundays at 1:00 a.m. I should probably just DVR it. Glad to hear they signed a national deal, although I don't know what the hell channel MAVTV is.

[Road Warrior Shark]

The last three episodes that aired were all the same rerun from before the Red Carpet Rumble. Nothing really stood out, except Shelly Martinez manages a masked guy "From the Future". I wish they'd show them in some sort of order, or update the website regularly.

[Road Warrior Shark]

So MATV finally isn't showing reruns, but we've magically skipped ahead a few weeks.

Backstage stuff with who I guess is the commissioner. (a heavyset guy) with two tag teams arguing about being #1 contenders. He orders a cage match for Tonight!

Apparently Scorpio Sky beat Shaun Ricker in a Loser Leaves CWFH Match for the Heritage Title. They mention controversial circumstances. But we don't get to see it. Yet?

First match is Famous B vs So Cal Crazy, who is from Mexico. And has a nice Blonde Mohawk & a mask.

Good back and forth indy match. SCC is pretty flippy and Famous B keeps up with him.

The match is interrupted by the Family Stone. (Stu Stone, a little pipsqueak/color commentator, a black tag team whose name I forget & a decent looking big man, James Morgan, going by the nickname the Real Scrap Daddy, he took out Adam Pearce before the Red Carpet Rumble a while back) They then call out Terex, this huge 400lb Samoan-looking guy with belly fat that hangs down to his knees almost, who can do a standing moonsault. Terex takes on Cedric The Hitman from the Family Stone. Nothing out of the ordinary. It's a No DQ, so Ced can use a briefcase, but they don't make much use of the stip until the end when the rest of the Family joins in. This Big, impressive looking guy, think a taller version of Titus O'Neal, comes in and does a Heartpunch, and they try and get it over.

Back in the ring, Jon Ian, the matchmaker, is out to talk about the Sky/Ricker finish. The decision stands, but Ricker is re-instated. HE gets a "You're a Hero" chant. I wonder when this was taped? He has no kind words for Ian, and calls him Re-run. He's clearly not a face, but they're making it sound like Sky is as well. Hmmmm. They are interrupted by Sky's lackeys, Big Duke and Christian Cole, who look as douchey as their names make them sound. One of them talks down Ricker. They are called the Scorpio Sky Experience apparently. They re-explain it to The Experience guys, who wonder why Ricker is still there if he lost. They mock Ricker's role on The Hero, and the predictable brawl ensues. THe 2 on 1 takes its toll and they work Ricker's knee. THe announcers sell the injury pretty hard.

A Masked guy that Shelly Martinez manages is being interviewed, then attacked by another guy I don't know yet. I wish they'd show these in order dammit.

Cage up, and its Main Event Time. PPRay, Pretty Peter Avalon & Ray Rosas vs The Rock Nes Monsters, Johnny Goodtime & Johnny Yuma, who are apparently heels now. Shame, they had such an over gimmick as faces a while back. Escape Rules match, with both needing to get out to win. The brawl begins before the teams are both inside.

A weird fade and both teams are in the cage suddenly. some nice spots, nothing unusual. They have a small ring, so the cage looks not near as menacing. Apparently, THe RNM's finisher is called Explosive Amnesia. they never hit it, but the announcers mention it twice. Nice spot has all four perched on the top ropes. PPR takes the bumps to the mat. One of the RMN guys walks the ropes around the ring to his partner, puts him in a fireman's carry, and leaps off with a flying F5-Foward roll slam hybrid, landing on one of the PPR team. Nice. It's apparently called Weapons Grade Bologna. "That was Awesome" chant well earned. THere's a chair in the ring, and it comes in to play as well. "Hollywood" Chant instead of ECW? Meh. Their cage isn't fastened together well at the top. Ray Rosas does a Snuka Leap on one of the RMN! Nice. The announcer have pointed out a number of times, one guy doesn't want to escape without his partner, as he'll leave his partner alone, but that's what Rosas does. Avalon does well for himself, and Rosas recovers and opens the door. Hope spot, and one of the RMN planchas over the ropes and out the door! down to 1 on 1. Yuma tries to strut to the open door, but get cut off. Avalon hits a face first Thesz Press type move and crawls to the top. Yuma joins him and they're straddling the top of the cage. Yuma drops, Rosas catches him on his shoulders, Avalon Drops and we have our winners, Avalon & Rosas. Not a bad finish, creative.

Not a bad way to kill an hour (or less on DVR. ) I'd like to actually see the Ricker/Sky match, but it looks like that ep isn't even online. Boo.

If they give us another new episode, I'll think about recapping it too.