by
Bowie V. Ibarra
NWA - Inspire Pro continues to be one of the best pro-wrestling outfits running in Texas today. They are one of many in south and central Texas leading the way in the Texas indy wrestling revival. Texas is a hotbed for indy wrestling, and the Inspire Pro show put on display once again that folks following the indy scene need to keep their eye on Texas.
Here's some snaps from some of the matchups from NWA-Inspire Pro's 'BattleWars 2015'.
STEVE O'RENO vs. TADASUKE vs. DASHER HATFIELD
This was the match that started the show, and boy did it set a high bar for the rest of the show.
Noted Internet Wrestling Pundit and Announcer for Inspire Pro Brandon Stroud, have a little fun before the matchup.
This show marked the return of Tadasuke, who had an amazing showing the last time he was in the Inspire Pro arena.
These guys started the show. After the match, I knew everyone backstage had to up their game for the night.
I"m a big fan of O'Reno's 'Campana' hold. But he needs to ring that bell. Rock them in the lock, Steve. Rock them in the lock. They wouldn't call it The Bell if you didn't ring it.
At the end of the match, O'Reno gave Dasher Hatfield and Tadasuke a University of Texas baseball cap. Pretty sweet touch.
NWA Wrestling Revolution All Stars (Erik Shadows, Matt Riot, Kat Green & Tony Strong)
def.
The New Movement (Cherry Ramones, Delilah Doom, Keith Lee & "Jiggle-O" James Johnson) w/ Chris Trew.biz
The NWA Wrestling Revolution All Stars put up a good fight against The New Movement stable. But there was more to the story in the end.
Tony Strong takes to the skies against Cherry Ramone.
The courageous Kat Green is left to take on the monster Keith Lee.
'Mike Dell's Sperm' Matt Riot flies to splash down on Keith Lee.
Ramone wraps up Riot.
Leadership in The New Movement, led by homeless dildo Chris Trew.biz/fuckface.dirtbag.html runs down the skills of Jiggle-O James Johnson, causing Johnson to turn on his team and manager. One of the reasons why Trew is a dumbass. Why would you pay a guy money you don't believe in.
Johnson, read your contact and get out of it with that asshole.
And this is my favorite pic of the night. God, I hate this nasty-ass dickhead. Did I mention he fucked a burrito? People think I'm kidding about that, but HERE IT IS
At intermission, things got real between Cherry Ramones and a fan, initiating a Twerk-Off by Cherry Ramones. Here's some footage from that heated throwdown: RAMONES' TWERK-OFF.
New footage has emerged with jiggling 'Jiggle-O' going old school b-boy on Cherry Ramones after Cherry's Twerk-Off. You can see it HERE.
GREAT DEPRESSION w/Red Scare
VS.
'KILLER' BRENT McKENZIE w/Mad Dog Johnson
I didn't go into this match expecting to see a lot of science, but I still wasn't disappointed. These two big dudes threw down with clubbing blows and general cruelty towards each other.
McKenzie even hit a scary moonsault from the top rope. Eat your heart out, Bam Bam Bigelow.
See the frightening moonsault HERE.
As McKenzie was gaining the upper hand, the Austin, Texas chapter of THE ORPHANS showed up. While a little more formidable than the Bronx, New York Chapter of the Orphans, their ranks were made much stronger as they recruited The Great Depression to join their gang. They tossed him a maroon shirt that he gladly put on, joining the team.
That brings us to the next matchup...
THE ORPHANS vs. PALMER/D'ANGELO/STARKS
On paper, this was a mismatch. On the mat, it was still a mismatch. The Palmer/D'Angelo/Starks trio had at least one hundred pounds on the Orphans. And even though Great Depression had joined the gang, he did not play as a factor.
An Orphan uses a Camel Clutch on Starks.
For a total mismatch, however, The Orphans held their own and kept up with the big dudes. But experience, size, and skill were able to overcome the heart of The Orphans. If anyone should be upset, its the Palmer/D'Angelo/Starks trio for not taking them out as fast as they could have. That's a testament to the heart of The Orphans. And with the addition of a power man in The Great Depression and, if they're smart, leadership from The Red Scare, The Austin Chapter of The Orphans might be an unlikely force in Inspire Pro in the months to come.
All I know is I don't necessarily want to be a prospect for The Orphans, but I'll gladly be a Hang Around. I don't mind being associated with underdogs who fight with heart.
BIG DADDY YUM YUM INVITATIONAL HOSS FIGHT
BYRON WILCOTT vs. JAMES CLAXTON vs.
MOONSHINE MANTELL vs. JAKE DIRDEN
The debuting Byron Wilcott in Inspire Pro brought in some of the biggest dudes on the Texas Indy wrestling scene. The big guys took it to each other. In the words of Wilcott himself, he wants to bring prestige and pride back to the heavyweight wrestling division. And even though these four dudes beat each other up, Wilcott honored them and went to the bar to buy them drinks after the fight.
Here's hoping Wilcott's wish comes true.
In a sweet farewell, Miss Dis Lexia said goodbye to her Texas fans as she'll be traveling to the east coast. ZBFbooks.com wishes her well.
Brandon Stroud could not leave well enough alone, and finally got his wish to talk to Lance Hoyt face to face to attempt to mend fences. It didn't go well.
Hoyt told Stroud to chop him across the chest. But before he could do it, stopped him mid-swing and was about to whip up on him when Chikara Pro Grand Champion Icarus' music hit. Icarus came in to stick up for Brandon, who powdered like a champ. Icarus was leveled by Hoyt, and that's when 'Dirty' Andy Dalton showed up.
CHAMPION EXHIBITION MATCH
ICARUS vs ANDY DALTON w/LaMOTTA
These two dudes showed what's great about pro-wrestling with a great matchup. Even though Icarus was essentially fighting a two-on-one matchup, he still took it to Dalton. The two put on a great match, which was expected from these two.
INSPIRE PRO PURE PRESTIGE TITLE MATCH
TEDDY HART vs. THOMAS SHIRE
vs. SCOTTY SANTIAGO
This matchup was originally booked to be 'Showtime' Scot Summers vs. Teddy Hart for the new title, meant to represent the same WCCW replica belt Scot Summers had been toting around. But unfortunately, due to transportation problems, Scot could not get a chance to get the belt.
So with the chance to be the first IP Pure Prestige Title holder, creating a new Texas title bloodline that represents the tradition of Texas Indy Glory from the Dallas Sportatorium, these three dudes threw down in an electric and hard-hitting matchup.
Teddy Hart flies.
And flies again.
Hart goes science for science against Texas mat technician and legacy to the Funk family, 'Wildfire' Thomas Shires.
Indy wrestling doll Machiko was not only Teddy Hart's valet to the ring, but charged with watching out for Mr. Money, Teddy Hart's feline mascot.
Hart Flip-Piledrives Santiago.
Car wreck on the outside, courtesy of Teddy Hart.
Shires goes for a UFO. Maybe he should call it The Marfa Lights?
In the end, Shires takes advantage of Hart crushing Santiago and dumps Hart to the outside to take the win.
Your new Inspire Pro Pure Prestige champ, and first in a new bloodline that honors the tradition of Texas' past pro-wrestling heroes, Thomas Shires.
Shires and Hart.
Machiko brings Mr. Money back to Hart after the match.
INSPIRE PRO vs. CHIKARA PRO
ACH/JoJo Bravo
vs.
THE COLONY (FIRE ANT/SILVER ANT)
Two of the best in Texas, ACH and JoJo Bravo, took on two of the very best from Chikara Pro, Fire and Silver Ant. These two dudes were ready to pull out every stop in what turned out to be an extremely fun and exciting match, the perfect ending to a solid card.
ACH took my Texas flag and waved it in front of Silver Ant, who held up the UT Horns symbol out of respect.
After a respectful handshake by both teams, they took to the mat.
Armbar grounds ACH.
A pretty hilarious moment, when everyone hooks on waistlocks, including (eventually) Chikara Pro ref Bryce Remsburg.
In the end, JoJo locked on a new finishing hold, The Inspire Special, for the win.
ACH repping Texas.
Icarus.
The Chikara crew borrowing my flag yet again for a final photo shoot.
And, being Austin, there were folks in the crowd keeping ATX weird. Here's a guy wearing liederhosen with a big ass beer mug.
Here's a dude with a big hammer.
And here's a snap of one of Inspire Pro's masterminds, Max Meehan, holding a cat named Mr. Money.
In the end, it was a solid night from top to bottom. All matches hit their marks and were fantastic.
NWA-Inspire Pro is a leader in the Texas Indy Wrestling Renaissance. If you are anywhere near Austin, Texas when they have a show, I highly recommend getting tickets fast and making every effort to attend. You will have a great time, guaranteed.
Get more info about Inspire Pro HERE.
And if you love pro-wrestling, you need to check out these titles from ZBFbooks.com. Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire and Pit Fighters: Double Cross are two amazing titles that feature a lucha libre star putting his skills to the test in wrestling rings and MMA pits. Check them out today HERE in paperback or Kindle.
Book Trailer for Pit Fightes: Baptism by Fire
Book Trailer for Pit Fighters: Double Cross
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press. He's earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University. Network with Bowie and check out his books at his official website, ZBFbooks.com.
