Let me just reiterate what Billy said... that I'm awesome.
No, I meant that YOU guys are awesome. This card was stitched together in such a fluid way that it felt like a true "Go Home" show, even though it was all SET UP. Stories progressed, everyone who was on the show had a role and they fulfilled it wonderfully. Nothing TRULY felt rushed.
Sorry for the delay, I traveled home for the holidays and then was so sick I slept 36 hours in 2 days.
NOW!
Intro, as always, spot on. Nothing more I can say except you guys always pull out all the stops, and our intros make each show feel so distinct. I think that I can look at just about any intro we've done in the past (and the future), and determine exactly where in the timeline of the federation that show is, just by the intro. That's the sign of great work, and it's a recurring motif we've done and always have done better than any other fed I've been apart of. Layered and intricate, woven like a tapestry that Legion wants to set ablaze. Why do you think i keep coming back here? Cause I have a title? Fuck that noise. I come here to see what sort of crazy shit I get to do in the intro. Whether it's playing air guitar / back up vocals to Facey at Supercrash II to crowd surfing with Nova at Brawlapalooza, there's ALWAYS something for EVERYBODY in these intros.
Kuroyama vs. Langston - I think Langston got some great licks in and probably got more offense, so while Kerry won, I think both guys stars shined bright. It'll be interesting to see once these two get more ingratiated into New Frontier, interacting with some of the more stalwart characters in the promotion. Either way, I wouldn't mind seeing the two of these have a nice best of five series with a shot at say, Dorchester at the end of it. Well written match that put both guys over.
Caster vs. Austin - Less of a match and more of a clusterfuck. I think Legion would be proud ;-). I was slightly disappointed to not see Castor in the ring. When was the last time he was in actual action? But I understand, it's a bit too early to pay off Austin / Castor, and this kind of redirects the focus of the feud between Cas / Cas, especially with the segment at the end. Anytime you have a referee (in this case Seven) shouting "HEY SHITHEAD! THAT'S ILLEGAL!" well, that's gonna put a smile on my face. Plus who isn't a fan of the Spike Dudley being tossed by Bam Bam Bigelow into the fifth row spot? MONEY. I think we should have an NFW Olympics show and see who can throw who the furthest into the crowd for our "javelin" competition. Really puts over Stryfe as a dick / monster, so it'll be nice to see the pay off, whenever we get the chance. I hope the next Reloaded, at least by then, Castor gets some sort of payback, even if it's not to the degree we wish.
Stratton vs. Akita - I know we sometimes complained about the over use / abuse of the Hellfire Club, but in all earnest, I don't think Dorchester ever fit that bill. This match was truly epic. This entire show felt like something out of late 90s ECW, which makes me cream my pants like late 90s me looking at faked naked pictures of Sunny on the internet. I love how the match ended too, Dorchester weaseling his way out with the help of Veronica after a truly epic war. My GOD NFW Insurance rates must be through the roof. How many dentist bills are we going to get? I've seen chairs thrown into the ring, never thrown into the crowd! Great way to recap the feud / history between these two too. Really helped set the importance of this match in Dorchester's career. I'm disappointed Akita is "gone," but I'm sure, like Wildstar, he'll be around in SOME capacity in the future. Plus, it sets up his younglings for vengeance. The match ended very organically and perfectly though. Match of the night without a doubt. Best match I've read in a while, not involving my own characters (What can I say? I'm a Homer for Reloaded 18's main event).
Ocho / Alexander - I love that Ocho is trying to talk a monster down. I love how this feud has ramped up to 11 because Teddy is so no-nonsense, but Ocho is so lovable and amicable. Ocho is the ONLY true face NFW has left, and that sets his character apart from everyone else in the fed. The scrappy plucky champion facing the roided out psycho Teddy leaves me salivating as a fan.
Robbers/DDI - Solid match that solidifies Bryant's separation from DDI while also putting over the Graverobbers further. I really like what Legion has done, he's turned Bandit and Devastor, two somewhat perennial jobber characters, into serious monsters / threats. NFW has a great way of reinventing characters, and this gimmick is more proof of that. Only complaint about the match was that all of the action was told in the guise of commentary, whereas the rest of the show didn't have that crutch. It's a very minor complaint, and I only noticed it while going back over the match in question for this review.
Coronation - I'm awesome, but only because Jamar / Katz are awesomer. Thank you for turning my pile of random excrement into sanctimonious gold. I loved every minute of this segment. What you did with the idea I had for Nova was genius. My execution of Nova was lack luster, but you really brought it to 11, just like everything else you touch.
It feels like I either have a shitty idea and you make it better, or I have a great idea and you have a better execution. I owe my character's story and NFW career to you guys. Dunno if I'd still be here kicking if you guys weren't so hands on / awesome / understanding with how my character works. Which is hard, because he's crazy and his desires change on a whim. Thank you again.
Castor Productions is on FIYAH! - Castor has had his production company targeted before, but never to the point of embers. And of course you don't breathe fire at a dragon, you breathe ice! Everyone knows this, except Stryfe, eh?
Still not entirely sure who Stryfe is, I have ideas, but I don't think it's the most obvious as I thought before. Either way, it's about time Castor StrIfe gets into the game with some violence, and I can't wait to see it.
All in all, great show. Like Billy said, this show moved like a good episode of the Wire or Breaking Bad, and didn't waste time with melodrama like 90% of the Walking Dead. Can't wait till the next one.
