El Generico vs. Super Dragon
wXw “Back to the Roots IV” – Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE – 3.19.2005
Dragon overhand chops Generico after backing him to the corner. Generico breaks cleanly when taking Dragon to the corner. Dragon tires a clothesline, but Generico ducks and takes him down with a pair of armdrags and a toreador. He leg lariats Dragon to the floor and fakes him out on a dive. Dragon unloads with chops and forearms upon re-entering the ring. Generico whips him to the ring. Dragon blocks the helluva kick and comes off the top with a rolling headscissors. Dragon kicks Generico’s legs out to block his top rope tornado DDT. He puts Generico in a headscissors. Dragon snapmares Generico into a chest and back kick for two. He snap suplexes Generico, looking for an armbar. Generico maneuvers to the ropes to escape. Dragon dumps Generico’s mid-section onto the top turnbuckle post. Dragon forearms him to the floor before following with a tope suicida. He puts Generico in the Romero Special, releasing while dumping Generico on his forehead. Dragon gets a two count after driving his knee into the back of Generico’s head. Generico tries to slide under Dragon, but Dragon captures him in a Gedo Clutch, converting into a Lotus Lock when Generico kicks out. Dragon sends himself shoulder first into the ring post when Generico evades a corner attack. Generico eventually follows out with a Fosbury Flop. In the ring, Generico high crossbody’s onto Dragon for two. Generico gets two with the Michinoku Driver. Dragon comes back with a Dragon suplex, then a Tiger suplex for two. He destroys Generico with a corner powerbomb and puts on an STF. Generico again gets the ropes. Generico kicks Dragon in the face and finally drills Dragon with his rope run tornado DDT for two. Generico goes for the top rope brainbuster. Dragon throws Generico down to the canvas. He hits a springboard spinwheel kick to the back of the head for two. Dragon starts a violence party, and Generico finishes it. The helluva kick and two suplexes get Generico a very close nearfall. He heads to the top rope. Dragon crotches Generico on the top and brings him down with a super Blue Thunder Driver for two. Dragon climbs back up top but Generico hits him with the turnbuckle brainbuster. Dragon falls to the floor. He gets Dragon back in the ring, but enough time has passed for Dragon to get his shoulder up out of a pin.Dragon wins a strike exchange with a ariat. He hits the Psycho Driver for the pin at 19:10. To no surprise, this was a whole lot of fun. In his wXw debut, Generico got to showcase his exciting offense and win the crowd over. Even in a loss he came off like a star, and it’s helpful that his opponent was an old rival. The 19 minutes flew by, and watching Super Dragon beating the hell out of anyone is a guilty pleasure of mine. ***½
wXw World Lightweight Tournament First Round Match
El Generico vs. PAC
wXw “World Lightweight Tournament” – Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE – 9.16.2006
The two men are quick in the opening exchange, where no moves are successfully executed. Generico snaps off a pair of armdrags before taking down PAC with a toreador. He leg lariats PAC outside and follows with a Fosbury Flop. Back inside, PAC hits his own leg lariat. He throws multiple kicks to Generico’s chest. A standing moonsault gets two. PAC goes to the apron and goes for a springboard move. Generico ducks underneath and gives PAC a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. After a second backbreaker, Generico lands a split-legged moonsault for two. PAC brings Generico down from the top with a super Frankensteiner! PAC nails him with a pair of forearms before delivering a dropsault. Off the top PAC hits British Airways. He sends Generico to the floor with a huracanrana and then comes off the top with a corkscrew moonsault. In the ring, PAC hits a standing moonsault senton for two. Generico flips out of PAC’s belly-to-back suplex attempt, and dumps PAC on his head with a half-nelson suplex for two. Generico goes for a brainbuster. PAC escapes that and spikes Generico with a spike huracanrana for two. PAC misses a 450 splash. Generico hits the Orange Crush for two. He helluva kicks PAC and places him on the top turnbuckle. PAC knees him and brings Generico down with a reverse spike Frankensteiner off the second rope! He comes off the top with shooting star knees to the neck. A bridging Tiger suplex gets PAC the win at 14:18. This was similar to their PWG matches, with a lot of crazy, fun action that the crowd ate up. I don’t think this matched their PWG efforts, mostly due to the environment the PWG audience provides, but this was still pretty great. ***½
2007 wXw 16 Carat Gold Tournament First Round Match
El Generico vs. PAC
wXw “2007 16 Carat Gold Tournament; Night 1” – Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE – 5.4.2007
They fight for control on the mat. Generico snaps off the two armdrags and toreador, this time holding onto PAC’s arm after the fact. PAC applies pressure to Generico’s knee. Generico goes for a Fujiwara armbar, but PAC gets the ropes. PAC uses a headscissors to escape a hammerlock! He snaps off another headscissors. Generico sends him to the apron. Despite taking some forearm strikes, PAC is able to fire back with his own and come back in with a slingshot huracanrana. Generico rolls to the floor. When PAC follows, Generico strikes him around ringside. PAC throws some kicks of his own. Generico launches PAC to a stage, where PAC is able to get his balance and come off with a moonsault! In the ring, he gets two with a standing shooting star press. Generico catches PAC’s leg lariat attempt and back drops him for two. PAC meets Generico in the corner with a headscissors, but Generico comes right back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two. PAC catches him with an enzuigiri. He cartwheels on to Generico’s shoulders and brings him down with a snap huracanrana. PAC hits a standing sky twister press for two. He throws a pair of chest kicks before German suplexing Generico. PAC ducks a big boot and back suplexes Generico for two. He whips Generico to the corner. Generico catches him coming in with an exploder suplex into the turnbuckles for two. PAC back handsprings into a tornado DDT! Another standing shooting star press gets PAC a two count. PAC boots Generico down. He flips down into a Dragonrana for two. PAC comes down with British Airways, but Generico gets a knee up! After the helluva kick and half-nelson suplex, Generico drops him with a brainbuster for the win at 14:44. This was a slight step above their previous match, as you saw a more nuanced approach to the action, Generico looked a bit more crisp, and the elevation of the action felt a lot more fluid. It’s sad we never had a rubber match between these two in wXw, because that could’ve been something special. ***¾
2008 wXw 16 Carat Gold Tournament First Round Match
El Generico vs. Taiji Ishimori
wXw “2008 16 Carat Gold Tournament; Night 1” – Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE – 3.7.2008
Generico grounds Ishimori, lacing his legs and rolling him into a modified Indian Death Lock. Ishimori gets the ropes to escape. Ishimori grabs a side headlock. He shoulder blocks Generico down, but Generico comes back with a pair of armdrags and a toreador to send Ishimori outside. Generico fakes him out on a “dive.” Ishimori headscissors Generico outside and does a fake out of his own. Ishimori twists on Generico’s neck and pummels his back when he gets back into the ring. They get into a chop battle which Generico ends with a leg lariat. He punches Ishimori multiple times in the corner and drills him with a backbreaker. Ishimori gets in a few strikes before coming off the ropes, but Generico is able to catch him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Ishimori is able to evade an attack in the corner and missile dropkick Generico to the floor. Ishimori follows with a top rope moonsault! In the ring, Ishimori hangs Generico on the second rope and lands another moonsault. He positions Generico mid-ring for a Swanton Bomb, earning Ishimori a two count. Generico blocks a Rainmaker with the Blue Thunder Bomb. Ishimori blocks the helluva kick, but falls to a Michinoku Driver for two. Ishimori cuts off Generico on the top turnbuckle and brings him down with a super Frankensteiner. He gets a very close nearfall with a bridging German suplex. He goes for the Superstar Elbow, but Generico cuts him off with a baseball slide dropkick. The helluva kick and half-nelson suplex get him a two count.
Ishimori escapes a brainbuster attempt. He back handsprings into a prawn hold for two. Ishimori kicks out Generico’s before hitting a Shining Wizard. He climbs the ropes. Generico follows. Ishimori tries a Sunset Bomb. Generico flips through and dropkicks a seated Ishimori. He brings Ishimori back to the top turnbuckle. Ishimori brings Generico down with a tornado DDT. Generico kicks out! Ishimori spikes Generico with a poison Frankensteiner for another two kick. Generico again cuts off Ishimori on the top rope. The top turnbuckle brainbuster finally connects and gets Generico the win at 14:51. This was fantastic. Ishimori and Generico played each other mentally as they tried to get in their own offense while scouting and avoiding the other as best they could. It took Generico a lot of work to execute the brainbuster, but it all paid off in the end. This was really excellent and likely one of the best matches in the first round of the tournament. ****
2011 wXw 16 Carat Gold Tournament Qualifying Match
El Generico vs. Drake Younger
wXw “10th Anniversary Show” – Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE – 12.4.2010
The winner of this match will be entered into the 2011 16 Carat Gold tournament. Younger backs into the ropes so Generico can’t get to him. He shoves Generico, frustrating him, then ails to the apron so once again Generico can’t attack. Generico finally catches Younger with chops in multiple corners. Although Younger catches Generico with a kick, Generico is able to come back with a pair of armdrags and a toreador. He lays in multiple corner punches until Younger brings him down with an atomic drop. Generico nails him with a leg lariat for two. Younger gives him an eye poke, but Generico comes right back with a headscissors to send Younger out. Younger trips Generico, dragging him outside. He drops Generico face first onto the ring apron. Back in the ring he suplexes Generico and digs his knee into Generico’s back. The fans admonish Younger as he chokes Generico on the middle rope. Generico gets in a few shots, but Younger cuts him off with a flapjack and puts on a Muta Lock. Generico gets the ropes to escape. Younger pummels Generico’s neck and back on the floor. He whips Generico back first to the corner, but Generico rushes out and throws Younger down to the canvas. Younger rakes his eyes, but Generico low bridges the top rope to send the charging Younger back to the floor. Generico follows with a tope con hilo. Generico lands a high crossbody for two. Younger gets his boot up to block the helluva kick. He swings Generico into a Falcon Arrow for two. Generico goes for it again. Younger grabs the leg and overhead suplexes Generico for two. They trade punches until Younger digs his fingers into Generico’s eyes. He comes off the ropes, only for Generico to hit him with a big boot. Younger blocks a second and half-nelson suplexes Generico onto his dome. Generico exploder suplexes Younger into the corner. The helluva kick connects, and Generico places Younger on the top turnbuckle. Younger bites Generico and brings him down with a super Death Valley Bomb. Generico gets his shoulder up just in the nick of time. Younger climbs back up the ropes. Generico catches him coming down and hits a Tiger suplex. The helluva kick leads to the top turnbuckle brainbuster, giving Generico the win at 14:33. With the crowd hating Younger and loving Generico, the story here was simple and very effective. It didn’t have the pizzazz of certain Generico matches, but they built to the helluva kick and top rope brainbuster and it paid off for our hero. To my knowledge, this is the only singles match these two ever had, and it didn’t disappoint. ***¼
wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship
Daisuke Sekimoto vs. El Generico
wXw “2011 16 Carat Gold Tournament; Night 3” – Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE – 3.13.2011
Sekimoto has been champion since 1.15.2011 and this is his third defense. Sekimoto takes Generico to the corner. Generico ducks his chops and delivers some of his own. He gets Sekimoto to the corner where he lays in with punches from the second rope. Sekimoto catches Generico’s high crossbody and slams him down. After another slam, Sekimoto gives Generico back the chops he endured earlier. Generico gets in a few shots before attempting a Blue Thunder Bomb. The effort is futile at first, but Generico tries a second time and gets closer. Sekimoto is still able to resist and pull off a suplex. Generico unloads with some overhand chops. His clotheslines to Sekimoto daze him, but doesn’t take him off his feet. Sekimoto pops him up, but Generico dropkicks him out of mid-air. Sekimoto swings and misses a clothesline, allowing Generico to pick him up into the Blue Thunder Bomb for two. He swings Sekimoto into a tornado DDT. Sekimoto blocks the helluva kick and comes off the middle rope with a missile dropkick! He lariats Generico in the corner and tosses him out of a gutwrench for two. He hits a second lariat, but Generico fires up! Sekimoto gets in a few more forearm shots. Generico boots him twice. Sekimoto drills Generico with a lariat as he bounces off the ropes. Generico fights through the pain of Sekimoto’s hard strikes. Sekimoto fights out of a half-nelson suplex, but Generico nails the helluva kick! The half-nelson suplex works the second time, but Sekimoto is able to kick out. Generico calls for the brainbuster, but Sekimoto counters with one of his own! Generico somehow kicks out. Sekimoto climbs the ropes. Generico meets him up, but Sekimoto headbutts him down to the vancas. Sekimoto lands a frog splash for two. He deadlifts Generico into a German suplex for another two count, which Sekimoto cannot believe. He blasts Generico with a lariat and yet again Generico kicks out! Another deadlift German suplex gets Sekimoto the win at 15:12. This was quite the spectacle. Sekimoto just mauled Generico, but Generico refused to relent and did not make it easy for Sekimoto to keep him down. He fought back hard, but ultimately Sekimoto’s power and persistence was too much. This was great back in 2011 and holds up to this day. ****
2012 wXw 16 Carat Gold Tournament Final Round Match
El Generico vs. Tommy End
wXw “2012 16 Carat Gold Tournament; Night 3” – Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE – 3.4.2012
Generico defeated Marty Scurll, Karsten Beck, and Johnny Moss on the way to the finals, while Tommy End defeated Emil Sitoci, Ricky Marvin, and Zack Sabre, Jr. After trading punches, Generico sends End outside and follows with a tope con hilo. Back in the ring, Generico pummels and boots down End in the corner. End misses a corner attack, allowing Generico to slip to the apron and come back in with a high crossbody for two. End resists a Michinoku Driver. He forearm strikes Generico in the back of the head before rolling him up for two. End plays with Generico’s mask and throws some kicks to the head. He drags Generico into a crossface. Generico escapes. He crossbody’s End against the ropes, causing End to spill outside and Generico to land on the apron. They fight into the crowd where Generico whips End into a wall. End blocks a helluza kick. He climbs onto a rail and comes off with a moonsault! End toys with Generico’s mask some more as the two of them exchange punches to another part of the building. End gets the better of Generico before bringing him back into the ring. Generico slips out of a suplex attempt. End back elbows Generico away, but Generico catches End coming off the ropes with a Michinoku Driver for two. End fights out of a Blue Thunder Bomb attempt and cracks Generico with a high kick. More kicks lead to a bridging German suplex from End, earning a nearfall. Generico fires up from End’s strikes, spitting in his face! End gives him a high kick. Generico half-nelson suplexes End for two. It takes time for both men to recover. Generico helluva kicks End. End fights out of a brainbuster and shoves Generico to the corner. Generico hits another helluva kick and the brainbuster for two. He sets up for the top turnbuckle brainbuster. End fights off Generico, sending him to the mat. End crashes down onto him with a super double stomp! Generico kicks out, so End hits a second one. When Generico kicks out, End puts on the Dragon Slayer. Generico gets to the ropes to escape. Behind the referee’s back, Michael Dante, End’s tag partner, spears Generico! End crawls over to Generico and covers, but Generico is still able to kick out! Generico exploder suplexes End into the corner. The helluva kick leads to the top turnbuckle brainbuster, giving Generico the win and the tournament at 18:19. Seeing the other tournament matches would help better judge the overall story told here, but it stands on its own very well. Generico endured a lot of punishment and still came out on top, despite outside interference and his mask being tampered with. His performance was top notch as usual, and the crowd was incredibly invested in him defeating End, which is the best you can ask for in a tournament final. ***¾
wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship
Big Van Walter vs. El Generico
wXw “Dead End XII” – Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE – 5.19.2012
Big Van Walter has been champion since 5.2.2011 and this is his twelfth defense. After circling one another, Generico ducks a strike and chops Walter in the corner. Generico’s drop toe hold doesn’t work, so he throws multiple punches to Walter in the corner and kicks at his leg. Walter absorbs a leg lariat and bodyslams Generico. He dropkicks Generico for two. After choking Generico with his knee, Walter lands a running elbow drop. Generico gets in some desperation strikes, but Walter muscles him up into a suplex. He grabs at Generico’s eyes while draping him on the second rope. Walter dropkicks him to the floor. He drives Generico back first into a ring post. He slams Generico on an elevated area near the merchandise tables. He crawls back into the ring to avoid being counted out, and is met with chops by Walter. Generico low bridges the top rope, sending Walter to the floor, and follows with a tope con hilo. Back in the ring, Generico tries a high crossbody. Walter catches it, but Generico slides out and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Walter blocks the helluva kick. He shoves Generico away and nails a Jon Woo dropkick. He brings Generico down with a bridging backdrop for two. He mows Generico down with a lariat for another two count. Generico escapes a powerbomb. Walter backs him to the corner to avoid a half-nelson suplex. They trade chops until Generico ducks a chop and cracks Walter with two consecutive running boots. Walter lands one of his own. Walter avalanche splashes Generico in the corner. He goes for another, but Generico follows in with the helluva kick! The half-nelson suplexes is successfully executed by Generico, and yet Walter is able to get his shoulder up before the three count. He tries a lariat. Generico catches the arm. He gives Walter a chinbreaker and a helluva kick. Walter counters a brainbuster with a Fire Thunder Driver. Generico kicks out! Generico kicks out of multiple Back Drop Drivers as well. Walter can’t believe it when Generico kicks out of Walter’s powerbomb too. Generico avoids Walter’s top rope splash. He hits the helluva kick and a brainbuster for a very close nearfall. Walter is dazed as he takes the corner. Generico hits another helluva kick and half-nelson suplex. Another brainbuster gets Generico the win and the championship at 17:04! While this wasn’t as good as the Sekimoto match, this had a very similar vibe, with Generico having to outsmart and outmaneuver a larger competitor. In that match, he fell short, but over a year later Generico learned from his mistakes and was able to take home the same title that alluded him then. It was a nice way to end the compilation, and show that Generico had learned from a previous match on the collection. ***½
Overall: It’s no surprise this set is a thumbs up and very much worth your time. Generico is so versatile that putting him in just about any situation produces great results. The only negative is the 4 way Dragon Gate match on the listing is for whatever not included. Watch this!
You can pick up the show on DVD or mp4 at Smart Mark Video. You can also stream the compilation on the Highspots Wrestling Network or wXw NOW.