Road to Anniversary: Misfortune on March 1st, 2014
Pre-Show Match: Jack Jameson vs. Nate Knox
Jameson slaps Knox across the face to escape a wristlock. Knox reapplies the wristlock and adds a few kicks. He stands on top of Jameson’s back and hits a senton. Knox snaps off a few armdrags and Jameson retreats to the floor. Jameson regroups in the ring with a knee to the midsection. Someone yells “we should turn the lights off and make this an actual dark match.” Okay then. Knox avoids a splash and hits sole food. Jameson slingshots him into the ropes and connects with a northern lariat for the win at 5:37. ½*
Pre-Show Match: Eddie Rios and Jay Cruz vs. Dan Lawrence and Judd the Janitor
Judd the Janitor sticks plungers to Cruz’s nipples. Comedy ensues as he gets thrown around the ring. Rios has a difficult time getting the plungers off. Los Ben Dejos isolate Lawrence until he connects with a discus lariat on Rios and makes the tag. Judd cleans house with clotheslines and back drops. Judd hits a power slam on Cruz for a nearfall. Rios takes down Judd with double knees from the top rope and Cruz adds a splash for a two count. Lawrence punches Rios out of the ring and connects with a corner dropkick on Cruz. Los Ben Dejos recover with stereo superkicks on Judd. In response, Judd just kind of falls on top of Los Ben Dejos for the victory at 6:21. Though there was a lot of comedy here surrounding Judd’s character, I do hope that DREAMWAVE decides to bring back Los Ben Dejos for more serious matches. *½
The concept of this show is that 16 makeshift teams were made via random drawing. The winning teams in the next eight matches will advance to the Misfortune Battle Royal at the end of the night. The winner of that battle royal will receive a match of his choosing at Retaliation in May.
Opening Match: AR Fox and Rich Swann vs. Christian Rose and Matt Cage
Cage is in possession of the Good as Gold briefcase so he obviously has some tension with Rose. They start shoving each other before the opening bell. Fox gives Rose a clean break in the corner. Fox jumps from rope to rope and hits a wheelbarrow bulldog. He dropkicks Rose off the apron and lands his kick-flip moonsault to the floor. In the ring, Fox finds knees on a slingshot senton attempt. Cage catches Swann with a leg lariat. Swann quickly answers with a dropkick. The crowd has fun as Fox and Swann showcase their double team maneuvers on Cage. Rose dares them to strike harder at one point, obviously wanting them to inflict pain on Cage. Swann comes off the top rope but Cage catches him with a right hand. Cage hits the Bankroll on Swann and he is isolated. Swann hurricanranas Rose off the middle rope and makes the tag. Fox hits a springboard ace crusher on Cage and hits Lo Mein rain on Rose in the corner. Cage connects with the Money Clip on Fox for a nearfall. Fox responds with a twisting brainbuster on Rose. Swann and Fox land stereo 450 splashes for nearfalls. Everyone connects with a strike and all four men are down. Cage elevates Fox off the top rope into a lungblower from Rose. Cage liger bombs Swann off the middle rope. Rose follows with a swantan and Cage lands the Overkill for a close two count. Fox tries to save the match with a flurry of elbows. Rose and Cage both go up top. Fox hits Lo Mein Pain on Cage. Rose blocks Lo Mein Pain and powerslams Fox onto the apron. Swann tries a quick rollup on Cage for a two count. Rose hits the Ride the Lightning on Swann. Cage adds the Money Shot and then lands a dive to the floor onto Fox. Rose covers Swann for the win at 15:44. This opener was firing on absolutely all cylinders. Two of the most popular wrestlers in DREAMWAVE battling elite talents like Fox and Swann was unsurprisingly a lot of fun to watch. Rose and Cage quarreling before the match only to realize down the stretch that they’re actually competent partners was a great touch and the action was unbelievable in the final five minutes. This might end up being one of my favorite DREAMWAVE matches of the year come December. ***¾
Match #2: Markus Crane and Reed Bentley vs. Ruff Crossing and Tyler Priegel
Crane doesn’t realize that Bentley is his tag team partner and attacks him before the opening bell. Once Crane gets his story straight he takes the fight to Crossing. Crane ultimately gets caught by a boot and finds himself in the wrong corner. Bentley eventually tags in and hits a senton on Priegel. He blocks a boot from Crossing and hits a blue thunder bomb. Priegel attacks Bentley from behind. Crane hits a huge DDT on Priegel for a two count. Crane low blows out of a tombstone from Crossing but still suffers some punishment. Bentley tries to intervene but Crossing connects with a lariat. Priegel accidentally low blows Crossing with a dodgeball shot. Bentley hits Crossing with his championship belt and Crane covers for the victory at 7:36. With eight tag team matches on the card, they cannot all possibly stand out like the opener. However, this was a fun mix of personalities, with Bentley’s underhanded tactics making Crane think he actually took down two big men. No complaints here as everyone received a chance to shine. **½
Bentley attacks Crane after the match until Alex Castle makes the save. Bentley tells Helter Skelter that they’re nothing without C-Red.
Match #3: Arya Daivari and Cousin Dixie vs. Dan the Man and Vic Capri
Daivari and Capri are regular tag team partners and now they’re forced to do battle. Capri helps DTM take down Dixie. DTM snaps off a satellite headscissors on Daivari, who responds with a roaring elbow. Dixie starts going to work on DTM. DTM narrowly avoids a splash, connects with a tiger feint kick, and makes the tag. Capri and Daivari shake hands but Daivari tries a rollup for a two count. DTM tags back in before things break down between Foreign Affairs. Daivari superkicks DTM and lands a top-rope splash for a nearfall. Dixie accidentally splashes Daivari in the corner. Capri hits the Ice Crusher on Dixie. DTM lands a frog splash onto Daivari for the win at 5:28. This match felt a bit rushed, as they certainly could have done more with Foreign Affairs having to wrestle each other. Still, the DREAMWAVE crowds love DTM so this was fine for what it was. *¾
Match #4: Alex Castle and Arik Cannon vs. Michael Elgin and Mallaki Matthews
Let’s see if Matthews can improve upon is performance from Season Premiere. Elgin catches Castle on a leapfrog attempt and hits a powerslam. Matthews tags into the match and Elgin just looks annoyed with him. Cannon just punches Matthews in the face. Elgin hits a german suplex on Castle and bicycle kicks Cannon. Elgin hits a fallaway slam-samoan drop combination on both of his opponents. Castle hits a slingshot senton on Matthews but runs into a lariat from Elgin. Elgin follows with a powerbomb for the victory at 5:19. I was looking forward to this one, especially since I thought Elgin could have some great exchanges with Cannon and Castle. Five minutes seemed criminally short here. While I understand the goal is to make Elgin look like a monster, he did just pin one-half of the tag team champions with relative ease. **
Match #5: CJ Esparza and Matt Knicks vs. Knight Wagner and Lince Dorado
Esparza and Dorado have a great exchange to start the match. It makes Dorado cough up a hairball. Wagner spends too much time yelling at Dorado and Esparza makes him pay for it with a series of dropkicks. Esparza lands a corkscrew elbow for a two count. Dorado snaps off a hurricanrana on Knicks and connects with a diving headbutt. Knicks is able to drop toe hold him into the turnbuckle. Esparza and Knicks work over Dorado until he connects with a dropkick on Knicks and makes the tag. Esparza hits a tornado DDT on Wagner. Wagner responds by sending him into the ringpost. Dorado connects with a handspring back elbow on Knicks and lands a flying crossbody. Dorado lands a dive to the floor onto Knicks and Wagner. Esparza follows out with a dive of his own. In the ring, Dorado and Wagner hit a doomsday dropkick on Esparza. Knicks lands a springboard splash onto Dorado for a two count. Esparza lands a springboard frog splash onto Dorado. Wagner superkicks Esparza and hits a basement flatliner. Knicks and Wagner trade strikes. Esparza lands a shooting star elbow onto Wagner for the win at 13:23. This was an odd match to give thirteen minutes. While Esparza and Dorado were flying around the ring and entertaining the crowd, Knicks and Wagner did very little in the way of interesting or engaging offense. While there were certainly parts of this match that I enjoyed, others parts made me wonder if thirteen minutes was warranted. **½
Match #6: Chris Castro and Waylon Beck vs. Marshe Rockett and Shane Hollister
Rockett snaps off a hip toss on Beck and connects with a dropkick. He lands a flying crossbody onto Castro. Hollister aggressively tags himself into the match. Right when Hollister is about to build some momentum, Rockett tags himself in. Beck innovatively counters an ace crusher from Rockett into a backcracker. Rockett is isolated until he hits a high leg drop on Castro. Hollister connects with a yakuza kick on Castro but runs into an exploder. Hollister comes off the middle rope with a DDT on Castro for a nearfall. Castro applies a triangle choke on Hollister but Rockett makes the save with a swantan. Rockett hits the M80 on Castro. Hollister attempts to steal the pin but starts arguing with Rockett. Hollister tombstones Beck onto Castro for the victory at 8:16. This match served as a way of setting up a match between Rockett and Hollister for next month. They were clearly not on the same page, but since the concept of argumentative partners hasn’t been shoved down our throats tonight, it worked well here. **¼
Beck looks to attack Rockett after the match until Dan the Man makes the save. Rockett hits the M80 on Beck and DTM adds a frog splash.
Match #7: Bucky Collins and Aaron Xavier vs. Justice Jones and Luther
Collins applies a wristlock on Jones but Jones just kind of shrugs it off. Collins takes down Jones with a basement dropkick. Collins then reverses a powerbomb into a code red. Jones powers Xavier into the corner and Luther works him over. Collins and Xavier eventually find an opening to target Luther’s left leg. Luther boots Collins with his good leg and makes the tag. Jones cleans house and hits a german suplex on Collins. Jones and Luther take turns getting their shots in on Xavier. Jones hits a spinning uranagi on Collins. Luther shoves his own partner into a rollup from Xavier. Collins and Xavier pick up the win at 10:03. Once again, this was an odd choice for a match to receive a lot of time. The action appeared extremely storyline-driven, building an eventual confrontation with Jones and Luther. It makes sense that Luther wouldn’t necessarily care about winning, but the action to get to that point wasn’t memorable. **
Match #8: Colt Cabana and Darin Corbin vs. Johnny Gargano and Nick Brubaker
Corbin insists that Cabana tag him in to face Brubaker in a shoulder block battle. Corbin ends up having very little success. Gargano tags himself into the match and connects with an enzuigiri on Corbin. Cabana catches Gargano with a series of bionic elbows. Gargano refuses to tag in Brubaker. Cabana and Corbin have a running gag where it looks like Cabana is setting up for a double team but Cabana moves the opponent out of the way as Corbin tries to dive. Cabana and Corbin work over Gargano, despite him having many opportunities to tag out. Brubaker eventually tags himself in and connects with an enzuigiri on Corbin. Gargano low bridges Brubaker to the floor and hits a slingshot spear on Corbin. Cabana hits the flying apple on Gargano but Corbin stops him from apparently hitting a moonsault. Gargano knocks Brubaker off the apron and Corbin almost catches him with a rollup. Brubaker shoves Gargano out of the ring and hits the Overdriver on Corbin for the victory at 9:01. While both teams had difficulty getting along, the Cabana/Corbin relationship was mostly played for comedy while the Gargano/Brubaker relationship was about pride. The execution of the match was extremely well-done and not something you see from many indies. This was a solid match but not in the conventional way. ***
Gargano tells Brubaker to thank him after the match. Brubaker replies that he’s going to eliminate Gargano in the Misfortune battle royal and challenges him to a 2/3 falls match at Anniversary. Brubaker then proposes to his girlfriend because why not. She says yes.
Match #9: Misfortune Battle Royal
The participants are Christian Rose, Matt Cage, Reed Bentley, Markus Crane, Vic Capri, Dan the Man, Mallaki Matthews, Michael Elgin, CJ Esparza, Matt Knicks, Shane Hollister, Marshe Rockett, Aaron Xavier, Bucky Collins, Johnny Gargano, and Nick Brubaker. Elgin attacks Rose during his entrance and powerbombs him into the ringpost. Staff members carry Rose to the back. Elgin quickly eliminates Matthews, his partner from earlier. Elgin starts throwing people around the ring as Cage hides out at ringside. DTM, Knicks, Collins, Capri, and Xavier are eliminated soon after as well. Rockett is able to eliminate his rival Hollister, but Hollister then helps Rockett get eliminated. Crane eliminates himself by DDTing Bentley on the apron. Elgin eliminates Cage and Bentley with a double clothesline. The final four are Brubaker, Gargano, Elgin, and Esparza. Brubaker charges at Gargano and they start brawling. Elgin hits a german suplex on Brubaker. Esparza attempts a springboard hurricanrana but Elgin powerbombs him into the turnbuckles and eliminates him. Rose returns from the back despite security trying to restrain him. The distraction allows Brubaker to eliminate Elgin. Elgin reenters the ring and bicycle kicks Brubaker. He also backfists Gargano. Brubaker and Gargano struggle to their feet. Brubaker avoids a slingshot spear and connects with an enzuigiri. Gargano responds with a superkick and lawn darts him into the turnbuckles. They battle on the apron. Gargano kicks Brubaker low and then tosses him off the apron to become the 2014 Misfortune winner at 16:04. The beginning portion of this match was your typical battle royal. However, when the ring became uncluttered, there was a lot to like about this match in regards to building towards Anniversary next month. I’m highly anticipating both Rose/Elgin and Gargano/Brubaker after this show, specifically this main event. Esparza also received a chance to stand out in the final four. Gargano winning is an excellent choice and I look forward to the impact he’ll make in DREAMWAVE this year. ***
Overall: The Misfortune concept is a good one given the wide range of personalities on the DREAMWAVE roster but difficult to execute because it means eight tag team matches on a single show. This show was bookended by some solid matches and the opener in particular stood out to me as one of the more enjoyable contests I’ve seen so far this year. It also cannot be understated how much attention to detail DREAMWAVE undertakes with its storylines. The build to Anniversary was firing on all cylinders and that show is in a position to be something special. Road to Anniversary: Misfortune was exactly that – a stepping stone to the biggest show of the year. However, there was some worthwhile wrestling to be found and this should make a great companion piece to Anniversary. Slight recommendation.
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