NAPW and REBEL have put together three joint shows so far, but none have promised quite the inter-fed action such as the fourth, coming up on December 11th in Calgary. NAPW and REBEL officials met together and came up with eight unique teams. Here is an exclusive look at the teams and the match-ups!
THE GOAT PIMP-TASTIC SEXY ALL-STARS
Tommy Deathrow (c), Professor P, Manny X & Dr. Tittylover
-vs-
WRESTLING 101
Andrew Rossi (c), Stone Zellor & C.A.B.S.
GOAT PIMPS
Keep your daughters at home when this team hits the town. Captained by the walking, talking STD, the Goat Pimps feature an assortment of hardcore brawlers willing to put their bodies - or even better, those of their opponents - in harm's way. Tommy Deathrow has returned with a fury but went winless in November, he will be looking to change that here. The pairing of STD and Manny X has to be seen as perfect, the original SUPERSTAR teaming with REBEL's answer to the sickest of the sick. Manny came up short in a Carolinas title ladder match at MERRYTIME MASSACRE, but has been picking up the wins and showing his guts, fighting through some bad injuries. STD and Manny were originally going to face off at the last supershow but that match fell through because of one of those injures. There is no way Manny X will enter this contest at 100%, but that doesn't seem to stop him.Professor P and Dr. Tittylover are big question marks, however. Tittylover hasn't been seen since he and Assman lost the tag titles (and has never been the most reliable competitor). Professor P was recently let go by NAPW, it is a surprise to see him back. The masked prof is certainly a hell of a brawler, but will he be able to keep up with his more successful teammates?
WRESTLING 101
When Andrew Rossi dropped the "Simply Beautiful" moniker early in the fall, it was to team with Jeff Garvin in a tag team called "Wrestling 101." That team lasted all of two matches before Rossi injured his new partner and former rival, putting him out of wrestling.Rossi is on a losing streak. While he did acquit himself well in the House of Horrors match at NAPW ANNIVERSARY ASSAULT, he has more losses than wins over the past few months, including dropping two straight in November, dropping him far from NAPW title contention. He has become paranoid, blaming management for his lack of in-ring success.
His teammates don't have those problems. C.A.B.S. don't have that problem. Ace Adams and Steven Wylde currently hold both the NAPW AND REBEL tag titles. The come off a huge night at REBEL's "Merrytime Massacre" where they defended the belts successfully twice in one night. C.A.B.S. are seemingly unstoppable in tag team action, and their experience as a team could give Wrestling 101 an edge.
The wildcard in this scenario is Stone Zellor. The two-time Heritage champion has been hot for the entire second half of 2007 in NAPW, recently regaining the title from Prince Darko. Stone does not really fit with his team. It's also rumoured that his good friend Bubbles is not a fan of C.A.B.S. member Rosie...
The X-Factors
Right off the bat, the advantage goes to the Goat-Pimps. As per a contractual stipulation, every match Tommy Deathrow is in falls under "Superstar Rules." NO DQ, NO COUNT-OUT. In REBEL, every match is "Superstar Rules!" Manny X and Professor P will be right at home in this everything-is-legal environment. 3/4 of Wrestling 101 are fanatically anti-hardcore; unfortunately for them, while they try to outwrestle the Goat-Pimps they'll be getting blasted by steel chairs and carved up with broken bottles. For W101 to win this one, they have to score eliminations quickly, before the Goat-Pimps can do their hardcore damage.WINNERS: Goat-Pimps (Deathrow & Manny X survive)
SHOOTERS
Ravager (c), "LDK" Lloyd Rees, Adam Davis & Dez Carter
-vs-
BMF
Jake Phoenix (c), Murcielago, Krenshov & Dan Ryan
Shooters
The common thread in this match-up is "Men who can hurt you with just their bare hands." Ravager is the King of Hardcore, but spent six months as NAPW champion, dominating all comers with his technical ability and relentless endurance. Rees' own resume speaks for itself: Eight separate title reigns in NAPW, a Grand-Slam winner. The "Technical Terror" has been known to bend the rules to his advantage, but his Conception Bay Chinlock is to be feared. Dez Carter has been on FIRE since returning to NAPW with his japanese strong-style, putting many opponents out with his GO 2 SLEEP finisher. Adam Davis is new to REBEL, but won the top title in his former promotion OPW. His array of suplexes and DDTs complenent his finisher, The Cold Shoulder. There are no issues between any of these men save some lingering heat between Ravager and former Crime Rees, but that doesn't seem likely to affect much. This is one hell of a team.
BMF
On paper, the BMF (you decide what it stands for) are the most powerful single team in Ultimate Attrition. Combined, they weigh over 1000 pounds.But as far as being able to exist as a team, they have problems. Krenshov has issues with two of his partners, Murcielago and Jake Phoenix. Phoenix hates everybody and it won't take much to cause him to attack his own partner, we've seen it in the past when he turned on Tommy Deathrow. Murcielago has been in an increasingly angry state since failing to win the REBEL title. Dan Ryan has no specific issues with any of these men, but the "Egobuster" has an ego of his own. The sheer power of this team could give them the victory, but they have to find a way to co-exist.
The X-Factors
As noted above, the biggest X factor in this match-up will be the BMF's ability to co-exist. They have a tremendous power and weight advantage over The Shooters and could possibly end the match fairly quickly. It's hard to believe Jake Phoenix, Krenshov and Murcielago will be able to co-exist for too long.But as we all know in wrestling, size does not guarantee victory. Ravager has beaten many big men, including Jake Phoenix, and his partners have wrestled their share of giants. With their combined knowledge of human anatomy and ability to exploit it, the BMF have to watch out lest they are crippled. Plus, the longer the match goes, the more the odds favor the Shooters.
WINNERS: Shooters (Ravager survives)
DARK HORSES
Jacob Venar (c), Cuzin Zeke, & Celtic Assassins
-vs-
BLUEGRASS MAFIA
"The Show" Chad Kurtis (c), "American Nightmare" Matthew Kurtis, "The Bluegrass Heart-Throb" Jonothan Kurtis & "High Octane" Will Zaluki
Dark Horses A team of underdogs, but not a team without success. Unfortunately, it seems that the Celtic Assassins best days are behind them. Many wrestling critics feel they peaked with their Tag Title win over the New & Improved D-X. They have lost an awful lot in REBEL Pro, coming up short in last week's tag title contest. That said, the Celts bring a lot of power and a devastating Celtic Crusher move to any match they're in.Cuzin Zeke has wrestled one match for REBEL Pro, a tough loss to Adam Davis. This is an opportunity for him to make a name for himself. The captain, Jacob Venar, may be inexperienced but is riding high after a tremendous November. He is learning how to win and the fans have taken to the high-flying "Falcon." Will his never-say-die attitude inspire his team to victory?
Bluegrass Mafia
For the first time, the entire Bluegrass Mafia wrestles in one match. "The Show" may not be REBEL World champ anymore, but he is a multi-time champion in both NAPW and REBEL. He leads his big brother Matthew, younger brother Jonothan and close friend Will Zaluki into action. The BGM without a doubt will be the most cohesive unit in this event. They bring bad attitudes and a desire to avenge some recent losses to Calgary. The only real weakness they have is youngest brother Jonothan's inexperience and tendency to showboat. But chances are, his brothers and Zaluki will pick up the slack.
The X-Factors
THE team to beat in Ultimate Attrition is the BGM. They are not just a team, but a family. The Dark Horses will give their all, and certainly could score the huge upset, but the Celtic Assassins are not the team they used to be and the BGM aren't about to let a newcomer like Cuzin Zeke steal their thunder. It will come down to Venar vs all or nearly all of the BGM, and while he will put on one hell of a show, he won't be able to overcome the odds this time.WINNERS: Bluegrass Mafia (Chad, Matt and Will survive)
MISFIT TOYS
El Rey de Corizones (c), Mystic Exposition & Stein
-vs-
THE YOUNG & THE RECKLESS
Dio Muerte (c), Jeff James & Coast 2 Coast
Misfit Toys
A team that defines the word "unorthodox." El Rey is a powerhouse luchadore, Mystic Exposition are high-fliers with a ninja, and Stein is... well, Stein. But this team has all the tools to lead to a huge victory at Ultimate Attrition. To start, all four men are coming off big wins in their most recent matches. El Rey is looking to make his name in REBEL and get into title contention, Mystic Exposition want back in tag title contention, and Stein scored a count-out victory over Heritage champion Stone Zellor at STAND YOUR GROUND. Mystic Expo bring the speed, El Rey and Stein bring the - however surprising - power, covering all your bases. Definitely a fan-favorite team!
The Young & The Reckless
Four men who don't seem to care about the consequences of their actions and will go to any lengths to win matches. However, Dio and James are coming off a tough tag title loss that saw James injure himself; his condition for this contest is questionable. Link is also not at 100%, coming off a brutal ladder match vs Manny X where he retained his Carolinas title. That said, the sheer speed this team possesses is jaw-dropping, and factor in their willingness to go high-risk, and you have a team that is not only exciting, but capable of bringing home the big win. Also, they have a Baldwin. Nuff said.
The X-Factors
The key for the Reckless is their speed. Mystic Exposition and to a lesser extend El Rey de Corizones can keep up with them, but the notoriously slow-moving Stein may not even be able to get his hands on his opponents to utilize his power. However, Stein is also notoriously hard to keep down for a three-count. The Reckless' best option is to get Stein counted out and then keep the pressure on the remaining Misfits. Or, if they can't get Stein out, try to eliminate his teammates and then swarm the lone Stein with their speed and high-flying moves.The Misfit Toys, to win, have to rely on Mystic Exposition to match speed with the Reckless, but they MUST slow the match down and utilize the strength advantages they have. If Stein can get Smothered in Ketchup locked in, the other Toys should occupy their opponents so the submission can be scored.
WINNERS: Young & The Reckless (Survivors: Coast 2 Coast)
There you have it! We'll see what predictions come true, but no matter how you slice it, this event will be one to remember with off-the-charts action. You will not see such unique combinations of NAPW and REBEL wrestlers again for a long time, so do not miss this show!
12/11 in Calgary, SUPERSHOW IV: ULTIMATE ATTRITION
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