That’s all.

This is the 19th assignment for the League of Extraordinary Bloggers.  The League is a collection of geek and pop culture themed blogs that answer a weekly question.  All of this is led by Brian at Cool and Collected.

http://coolandcollected.com/

This week Brian merely wrote:

Kurt Russell.

Not that there is anything “mere” about Kurt Russell of course.

I know my fellow League members by now.  I know who will write about which movies, and I needed to take an alternate look at this week’s assignment.  Something only I could bring.  It was time to talk about this DVD which has sat in my collection, unwatched, for too long.  It was time to sit down and finally watch this, and write a blog about it.  It was time for…

Kurt RussellMania!

PWG, otherwise known as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is an independent wrestling promotion based in California.  They feature loads of great independent talent and occasionally bring in the “big” names that are not currently under contract with WWE.  Back in January of 2010 PWG presented a show as part of the Wrestle Reunion and named it after the one and only Kurt Russell.  Matches were announced to have a theme.  Every bout would be named after a Kurt Russell movie.  Such matches included:

 

Overboard Tag Team Match
The Great Muta & KAI vs. “The Professional” Scott Lost & Joey Ryan

Tequila Sunrise Singles Match
Davey Richards vs. Super Crazy

Captain Ron Singles Match
Brian Kendrick vs. “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen

Tombstone Eight-Person Tag Team Match
The Cutler Brothers (Brandon & Dustin Cutler), Ryan Taylor, & Christina Von Eerie vs. Johnny Goodtime, Malachi “CK” Jackson, Candice LeRae, & Jerome “LTP” Robinson

Sky High Three-Way Match
Chris Hero vs. Roderick Strong vs. “The Whole F’N Show” Rob Van Dam

Escape From LA Pro Wrestling Guerrilla World Tag Team Championship Title Match
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson – Champions) vs. Human Tornado & Chuck Taylor (Challengers)

Big Trouble in Little China Singles Match
El Generico vs. Jushin Thunder Liger

Stargate Singles Match
Brandon Bonham vs. Brandon Gatson

 

Now, spoiler alert, nothing really happened within these matches that couldn’t have happened in a regular, non Kurt Russell themed match.  But it is one hell of a fun card.  Current stars, former stars, and a few guys that are currently in WWE’s Developmental system training to be brought up to Raw and Smackdown.

Also, the card was very much subject to change.  One of the wrestlers had a flight get cancelled, and the entire card was shuffled up.  But for the better.

The Young Bucks come out, with Brian Kendrick.  The Bucks want to be called by their new TNA names, Generation Me.  This elicits boos from the crowd.  One day we’ll do a large post or podcast here on the topic, but for those of you who don’t follow wrestling – TNA is the number two promotion in the US right now.  Wrestling fans love the talent in the company but hate the writers and match makers.   Its a love/hate affair, thus the boos for a well respected tag team.  Generation Me says that now that they are huge stars Brian Kendrick cant hang with them anymore.  So, lets beat the shit out of him.  Kendrick takes a beat down and is saved by unannounced talent and his former WWE tag team champion partner – Paul London.  The fight evens out and a dream tag team match is made for later in the night.

The Cutler Brothers (Brandon & Dustin Cutler), Ryan Taylor, & Christina Von Eerie vs. Johnny Goodtime, Malachi “CK” Jackson, Candice LeRae, & Jerome “LTP” Robinson

Not a bad match, but too many people to get anything great going.  However, it is a fast and fun opening match.  Christina Von Eerie is a tattooed punk that you will fall in love with.  Jerome Robinson is little black dynamite.  His short stature doesn’t hold him back from anything and he is damn impressive.  However, the scene stealer is Candice LeRae.  Yes, she is decked in a She-Ra inspired costume.  However, that’s not the best part of it.  LeRae has a signature move I have never seen before – the “Ball-Plex”.  Look at how she executes this move!

Painful to even look at.

(These great pictures were found at http://www.coonsphotography.com/ )

Brandon Bonham vs. Brandon Gatson

Another good match and I’ll watch both guys closely in the future.  However, I still don’t know which guy was which.  It was a fun match though.

Human Tornado vs. Super Crazy

Crazy is looking pudgy and the Tornado is fun when you first see him but there is just something missing from him.  Again, he’s a fine talent but missing that it factor.

So far the show is fun but we’re about to get into the great matches on the card.

Kevin Steen vs. Davey Richards

Here we go.  The two men currently battling over the Ring of Honor title destroyed each other two years ago.  This is a strong style match.  The type that makes you hurt just watching this.  When Davey flips over the ring barrier and crashes into the chairs I lost my own breath.  They beat the shit out of each other and the fans are eating it up.  Just a tremendous match showing two years ago that both men were about to reach that next level.

Joey Ryan & Scott Lost vs. KAI & The Great Muta

Another fine match, and Muta should always be shown and mentioned on any site that also covers comic books.  KAI and Muta go over because dammit if you’re flying a legend over from Japan you give him the fucking win.

Jushin Liger vs. El Generico

Again, speaking of Japanese legends and giving them the win.  Although, Generico has a spectacular dive over the top and to the floor.  Every single one of these guys in the last few matches are putting their bodies on the line in true Kurt Russell action hero fashion.

Generation Me vs. Paul London & Brian Kendrick

The fans called it a dream match, and the dream came true.  Destructive moves and numerous two counts.  Fast fast action.  So fast you cant believe all four men are actually human.  It is one of the craziest matches I’ve ever seen.  Sure, we could see Kurt Russell battle aliens but that is more believable than the super human physics on display here.

Rob Van Dam vs. Roderick Strong vs. Chris Hero

The last match of the show.  RVD wins, but really he should have put over the younger talent that were wrestling for PWG on a regular basis.  As an older actor, Kurt Russell knows that there are some roles he cant play, and the younger ones need to be given a chance.  Not that that means he’s now worthless.  Oh no, age and experience can still teach quite a lot.  But one of the things these older wrestlers need to teach is humbleness.  Step aside.  Put the younger ones over.  Make sure there is a future.

If you enjoyed this write up and thought the action sounds like something for you to see, head over to the link below and find out more about PWG.

 

http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com/