Parade of Champions recap by Aaron Broyles

           


           Live (not live) form my insanely expensive, highly cost effective living quarters (a cozy nook at Starbucks) It's the Parade of Champions review. Let's get down to brass tacks. The show was amazing. The smell in the air was crisp, the sky was blue, and the birds were chirping beautifully that day. The atmosphere around the Ridglea Theater that night was energetic. Guests included Sonjay Dutt, Brian Meyers, the vivacious and lovely April Hunter, the legendary Bill Apter, and the mega-legendary Jim Cornette. There were even unscheduled guests like Ricky Morton from the Rock & Roll Express, Bobby Fulton of the Fantastics and Sam Houston. Simply put, this show was not only big, it was important to the DFW area in a whole.

            The night kicked off with a live Jim Cornette Experience. If anyone knows Jim Cornette well enough, he doesn't hold anything back. He didn't hold back at Parade of Champions, either. Anything and everything was a target that night. From wrestling, to politics to just taking down Vince Russo a peg or two, there wasn't anything that was off limits. The segment got even more special with the addition of Bill Apter introducing fans that were asking questions. The segment ends with one of my personal favorite stories of Jim Cornette, the Night of the Skywalkers from NWA Staarcade 1986. There were laughs,and there was a whole lot of Jim Cornette anger. It was definitely a night of brute honesty.

            After an awesome hour of meet and greet, we get started on the action. The first match features The Revolution vs. The Faces of Death. Now, I have never heard of these teams before, but I could tell a difference. The Faces of Death had facepaint and masks, while The Revolution wore more traditional style gear to the ring, and no facepaint or masks. The match was fine. Both did well. The match ends when one of the members of The Revolution pins one of the members of the Faces of Death.

            Next was Ashton Jacobs putting his IHWE DFW Championship on the line against the newly crowned IHWE West Coast Champion, Americos. This was an exciting match. Both men went back and forth, and even into the floor. Ashton Jacobs even attempted to remove the mask of Americos, a no-no in Lucha Libre. After a quick exchange of finishers, Americos pinned Jacobs to become the new IHWE DFW Champion.

            The prelims saw a nice battle royal to see who would take on Greg Anthony for the NWA National Heavyweight championship. Contestants in the battle royal included Texas Red, Sean Schultz, The Revolution (who had faced earlier that night), Apoc, Moonshine Mantell, Khristopher Haiden, and Evan Morris, but was ultimately won by “The Texas Lion” Carson. Problems ensued when a confident Greg Anthony entered the ring, and prominently declared that he would successfully defend the title tonight. After that, Anthony turned his back and Carson attacked him. Both men had a great back and forth battle, but soon after, Barrett Brown, Andy Dalton and Charlie Haas made their way to the ring, and attacked Greg Anthony. Greg Anthony wins by DQ, but that doesn't phase Outlaw Inc., as they continue their onslaught on the National Heavyweight Champion. That is until Jax Dane and the Iron Empire come out to save Greg Anthony. Jim Cornette makes his way to ringside. “What are you doing, Charlie? I've known you for 15 years. You should know better,” decries an excited Jim Cornette. He turns his aggression to Black Bart, as they continue to yell at each other. Jim Cornette, who was named as special guest commissioner for the night, declares that he will be in the corner for both the World Tag Team Championship match and the World Heavyweight Championship match.

            IHWE owner David Fuller introduced NWA President Bruce Tharpe to the crowd. In full, he discussed the growth that NWA has been experiencing. GWF legend Doyle King then came out, and welcomed the crowd and ran down the card. He joined Patrick Scott Patterson on commentary.

            So, without further ado, let's get down to the main show.

            We start it off with a bang, as Bullet Club member “The Crown Jewel” Chase Owens takes on a longtime rival in “The Gift” Jason Kincaid. Wow. This match was just as good as anything they had put out previously. This fight went all over the place. In the floor, in the crowd, up in the air, Jason Kincaid even had the wherewithal to perform a reverse 619 by leaping from the rail that was right in front of the ring, and hitting Chase Owens in the face. It was amazing, in fact the whole match was amazing. The match ends when Chase Owens hits his patented roaring elbow, followed by a package piledriver, and Owens pins Kincaid.

            In a six man tag, The Pretty Boy Killers (Keith Lee and Shane Taylor) teamed with Evan Morris to take on the team of Moonshine Mantell, Sean Schultz and Apoc. This was a fine match, as all six of these men delivered well in this match. Shane Taylor pinned Moonshine Mantell to give PBK and Evan Morris the win.

            The NWA North American Title was the next on the line, as the Champion Tim”Perfect” Storm (w/Tiffany) defended his title against current NWA Throwback Champion, and current OVW Champion Devin Driscoll (w/Josh Ashcraft). Another match with great back and forth action, as Devin Driscoll tried to add a third title to his already impressive current title reign. Despite all that Josh Ashcraft tried to do to derail Tim Storm, however, Devin Driscoll failed to catch up, and Tim Storm hit the Perfect Storm, and pinned Driscoll 1-2-3. Storm retains the NWA North American Championship.

            Next on the line was the NWA Tag Team Championships. First to come out were the IHWE Tag Team Champions, Brown and Dirty, courtesy of Outlaw Inc. under the tutelage of the nefarious Black Bart. Next to come out were the NWA Tag Team Champions The Iron Empire, former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Rob Conway and former IHWE Champion Matt Riviera, in what has to be one of the most extravagant robes I have seen in person. (serious) They are accompanied to the ring by Jim Cornette. After a great match, The NWA Champs retain after a very nice looking chokeslam/back suplex combo.

            Before intermission, we had the latest inductions into the Southern Wrestling Hall of Fame, and even an induction into the NWA Hall of Fame. First Bill Apter was inducted in the Southern Wrestling Hall of Fame. Second, Bruce Tharpe introduced Jim Cornette to induct the late great “Playboy” Gary Hart into the NWA Hall of Fame. Finally, James Beard inducted “Rugged” Rod Price into the Southern Wrestling Hall of Fame.

            After that comes a 20 minute intermission.

            After the intermission, you hear “Blind” by Korn, which means Lance Archer is on his way. Then Ray “Death” Rowe makes his way to the ring. Finally, “Redd Dawg” Rodney Mack makes his way to the ring. Man, this sounds like it would be an amazing triple threat match. It is? It is. The match starts out on the floor as Ray Rowe attacks Rodney Mack before he gets to the ring. All three men get in some great offens in this match world traveled veterans. Rowe pinned Rodney Mack first to eliminate him. Archer and Rowe continue to dominate each other, before Rowe hit Death Rowe on Archer and collecting the pin.

           

            In what I would call the match of the night, “Mr. 450” Steve Anthony put his World Junior Heavyweight Championship on the line against “Unholy” Gregory James. I was unsure about this match, as it was only announced a few days before because of injury to the original challenger, but this match exceeded all expectations. This match was exciting on all fronts. There was high flying, it was hard hitting. Steve Anthony hit the 450 on Gregory James to retain the title.

            The women go into action, as “The Bullet Babe” Amber O'Neal puts her NWA World Women's Championship on the line against “The Rogue” Jessica James, with Veda Scott as the special guest referee. Now, we are aware of the history that Jessica James and Veda Scott have, but that was swept under the rug for one night, as Veda Scott called this right down the middle. The antagonist this time was the Bullet Babe herself as she antagonized both Jessica James and Veda Scott. It proved to be effective as Amber O'Neal pinned Jessica James with a backslide to retain the championship. Veda Scott seemed hesitant to raise the hand of the champ.

            And now, the one we've all been waiting for. “Godzilla” Jax Dane (w/ Jim Cornette) puts his NWA World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Charlie Haas(W/ Black Bart). Throughout the match fans taunted Charlie Haas with chants of “Shelton's Better.” The chants embarrassed him so much he told the sold out crowd that he was done with the match. The move seemed to confuse everyone, including Black Bart. Everyone thought the match was over. That was until Charlie Haas was forced back into the ring by Shelton Benjamin himself. Charlie Haas was visibly distracted the rest of the match. The match ends with Jax Dane spearing Charlie Haas, pinning Haas, and Jax Dane retains the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

            This show was amazing. It had action, intrigue, and surprises. From the laughs and insights shared at the Jim Cornette Experience, to the surprise appearance by Shelton Benjamin, this show had it all. IHWE's next show will be May 29^th from the Crowley Rec Center. Until then, I'm Aaron Broyles. I'll see ya next time.