----Let me first say that I know nothing about the finishes or direction that TLCW is going after this show. So, when it comes to my predictions or thoughts – it is just that – MY predictions.
----One of the main focal points going into the show has been whether they can draw at the ticket prices of the big show, which are pretty much double that of a regular show?? Can they also draw for this show like they did in January with “The First Big Show Of The Year” without the two teams that had the best match on the card – [“Picture Perfect”/”Blackout Squad”]??
----This promotion took a big shot when the main event barb
wire “loser leave town” match left them holding the bag when both participants – Chris O’Neal and Dustin Starr left after the match. TLCW booker Derrick King along with Flash Flanagan and Stan Lee went into overdrive and at times the promotion seemed like they were desperate with turns and angles that just screamed desperation. They have prevailed with the last 4 months being a roller coaster ride and believe it or not, lot of the readers come to this site to see what happened at TLCW on Saturday night. In that 4 month period they have had two more shows draw near the number of the January show, but have slowed down a bit the last few weeks drawing in the 130 to 150 range. But, they still have THE top drawing weekly promotion in this area.
----I look for the show to draw 300 on the high mark or around 150 low. They could have their own weekly fan base just pay more to see a show that is promising to have more “bang for your buck.” They are doing lots of advertising and it could mean more fans and could even bust open
the 300 mark, which would be a major success for this group. Now let’s look at the major matches..
*Tatt2 vs Alan Steele should be real good. I have stated before that Steele is the best overall wrestler in this area. He should be able to slow Tatt2 down just to the speed he needs to be and have a fantastic match. Tatt2 has improved over the year and it could be a shining moment for him. Steele is the current NBW champion, so I don’t look him to lose, unless they got planned for Tatt2 to do a program with Steele sometime in the near future in NBW.
*Loser Leaves TLCW – Special Ref – Blaylock – Chris Lexx vs Rude. This could be real good. Lexx is being pushed as a new up and coming guy here and he is close to “breaking out”. Rude will always have a good match and could easily be in the main event. I look for them to put Lexx over with a few twists going into the finish.
*”Cruzin 4 Pain” [Motley Cruz/187] with Tasha Simone vs “Rhythm & Blues” [Brian Steele/Ike Tucker] with Rick The Stick. This is for the TIWF tag team titles and I look for a change in the belts. C4P have been champs for a while and they are pushing R&B, so there should be a change. Work will be solid here as Cruz/187 are at the top of the game. Steele is a solid worker with Ike being the weak link. All and all it should be fun.
*"Tables, Ladders, Chairs" Tommy Redneck vs Seth Knight vs Rockin' Randy. The Cruiserweight and Hardcore belt goes to the winner of this bout. Not sure if they are combining the belts or they are just wanting to give someone a push with both belts. This will be a crazy wild match with all three guys going out. I have seen Redneck and Knight both in classic brawls. Randy has turned into a solid worker and should do a good job here. I give the nod here to Randy, as Redneck and Knight don’t need anything to stay over. Randy with two belts would make him more believable.
*“Hot Topic" [Stan Lee /Derrick King]/Chris O'Neal vs "Perfect Showcase" [Dustin Starr/Maxx Corbin/Albino Rhino]. This is the bout that could steal the show if all guys have their working shoes on. O’Neal’s return got a huge pop last weekend and it should be part of the focal point of getting Starr/O’Neal in the ring together. It should not ruin the flow of the match as all guys can go. “Genocide” [Corbin/Rhino] can only be considered the weak link here because of experience, but if they can keep their mouths shut and their ears opened, they could be part of their biggest match of their career. They have the stigma of stepping in to take “Picture Perfect”’s role here, but I think they will do fine. Starr, easily the most hated man in TLCW, will be leading them and will help them get over as monsters just making him look even smarter to the fans. Lee/King are one of the top teams in this area and will easily make the match just flow. I am going with the heels here, because I am not sure this feud is over or not.
*Brian Christopher vs Greg Anthony. This is a bout that I thought I would NEVER see. Christopher/Anthony have a “history” that I don’t even think Brian remembers. Brian has been on very good behavior lately and has been putting out. Anthony is a very good solid worker and should fit in with the comedy style of Christopher. If Brian decides to wrestle, then the match could be off the charts. I will give the nod to Anthony for the win and a pin. He needs it for the “best of the best” gimmick he is doing now. It would be better if it wasn’t a screwjob, but it probably will be.
*Steel Cage Match: Fans Bring Weapons – Flash Flanagan vs Tim Grind. This is the first time for a steel cage in TLCW. I look for both guys to turn it on and do some crazy stuff. Flash is doing the “Flashamania” gimmick, which is mainly comedy, but I do not see it hurting this match or coming into play until the finish. I look for it to be very bloody and Matt Foley and Hollywood interfering. There should be a few spots off the cage and may end with a big one. Flash will “Hulk up” after taking tons of heat and will see a comeback with the finish. Grind could go from having the worst match on January show to having the best match of this show. My pick would be Flash, since this is the finale and they want to go home positive. Or they could even do a big angle after the win to set up stuff for later. Most times Steel Cage matches are the end of the feud, so I look for Grind/Flash to go into different directions after this match.
----One of the main focal points going into the show has been whether they can draw at the ticket prices of the big show, which are pretty much double that of a regular show?? Can they also draw for this show like they did in January with “The First Big Show Of The Year” without the two teams that had the best match on the card – [“Picture Perfect”/”Blackout Squad”]??
----This promotion took a big shot when the main event barb
wire “loser leave town” match left them holding the bag when both participants – Chris O’Neal and Dustin Starr left after the match. TLCW booker Derrick King along with Flash Flanagan and Stan Lee went into overdrive and at times the promotion seemed like they were desperate with turns and angles that just screamed desperation. They have prevailed with the last 4 months being a roller coaster ride and believe it or not, lot of the readers come to this site to see what happened at TLCW on Saturday night. In that 4 month period they have had two more shows draw near the number of the January show, but have slowed down a bit the last few weeks drawing in the 130 to 150 range. But, they still have THE top drawing weekly promotion in this area.----I look for the show to draw 300 on the high mark or around 150 low. They could have their own weekly fan base just pay more to see a show that is promising to have more “bang for your buck.” They are doing lots of advertising and it could mean more fans and could even bust open
the 300 mark, which would be a major success for this group. Now let’s look at the major matches..*Tatt2 vs Alan Steele should be real good. I have stated before that Steele is the best overall wrestler in this area. He should be able to slow Tatt2 down just to the speed he needs to be and have a fantastic match. Tatt2 has improved over the year and it could be a shining moment for him. Steele is the current NBW champion, so I don’t look him to lose, unless they got planned for Tatt2 to do a program with Steele sometime in the near future in NBW.
*Loser Leaves TLCW – Special Ref – Blaylock – Chris Lexx vs Rude. This could be real good. Lexx is being pushed as a new up and coming guy here and he is close to “breaking out”. Rude will always have a good match and could easily be in the main event. I look for them to put Lexx over with a few twists going into the finish.
*”Cruzin 4 Pain” [Motley Cruz/187] with Tasha Simone vs “Rhythm & Blues” [Brian Steele/Ike Tucker] with Rick The Stick. This is for the TIWF tag team titles and I look for a change in the belts. C4P have been champs for a while and they are pushing R&B, so there should be a change. Work will be solid here as Cruz/187 are at the top of the game. Steele is a solid worker with Ike being the weak link. All and all it should be fun.
*"Tables, Ladders, Chairs" Tommy Redneck vs Seth Knight vs Rockin' Randy. The Cruiserweight and Hardcore belt goes to the winner of this bout. Not sure if they are combining the belts or they are just wanting to give someone a push with both belts. This will be a crazy wild match with all three guys going out. I have seen Redneck and Knight both in classic brawls. Randy has turned into a solid worker and should do a good job here. I give the nod here to Randy, as Redneck and Knight don’t need anything to stay over. Randy with two belts would make him more believable.
*“Hot Topic" [Stan Lee /Derrick King]/Chris O'Neal vs "Perfect Showcase" [Dustin Starr/Maxx Corbin/Albino Rhino]. This is the bout that could steal the show if all guys have their working shoes on. O’Neal’s return got a huge pop last weekend and it should be part of the focal point of getting Starr/O’Neal in the ring together. It should not ruin the flow of the match as all guys can go. “Genocide” [Corbin/Rhino] can only be considered the weak link here because of experience, but if they can keep their mouths shut and their ears opened, they could be part of their biggest match of their career. They have the stigma of stepping in to take “Picture Perfect”’s role here, but I think they will do fine. Starr, easily the most hated man in TLCW, will be leading them and will help them get over as monsters just making him look even smarter to the fans. Lee/King are one of the top teams in this area and will easily make the match just flow. I am going with the heels here, because I am not sure this feud is over or not.
*Brian Christopher vs Greg Anthony. This is a bout that I thought I would NEVER see. Christopher/Anthony have a “history” that I don’t even think Brian remembers. Brian has been on very good behavior lately and has been putting out. Anthony is a very good solid worker and should fit in with the comedy style of Christopher. If Brian decides to wrestle, then the match could be off the charts. I will give the nod to Anthony for the win and a pin. He needs it for the “best of the best” gimmick he is doing now. It would be better if it wasn’t a screwjob, but it probably will be.
*Steel Cage Match: Fans Bring Weapons – Flash Flanagan vs Tim Grind. This is the first time for a steel cage in TLCW. I look for both guys to turn it on and do some crazy stuff. Flash is doing the “Flashamania” gimmick, which is mainly comedy, but I do not see it hurting this match or coming into play until the finish. I look for it to be very bloody and Matt Foley and Hollywood interfering. There should be a few spots off the cage and may end with a big one. Flash will “Hulk up” after taking tons of heat and will see a comeback with the finish. Grind could go from having the worst match on January show to having the best match of this show. My pick would be Flash, since this is the finale and they want to go home positive. Or they could even do a big angle after the win to set up stuff for later. Most times Steel Cage matches are the end of the feud, so I look for Grind/Flash to go into different directions after this match.
