THE ART OF TAG TEAM WRESTLING<img align=left src= "http://www.scwrestling.net/events/matchimages/bodreamwolf.jpg">
“I don’t mind telling you that I was not exactly thrilled when I was told by Mister Parker that my debut in Sin City Wrestling would be as part of a tag team tournament. The first thought that crossed my mind was “Why?” I am not a tag team wrestler. I had never been part of a tag team before, I never had the interest of standing out on the ring apron while another competed in the ring. So why do it now?
The answer was fairly simple; the SCW wanted to build interest in the tag team division so it decided on a unique way to crown the first ever champions by pairing all of the members of the roster together randomly. I have to admit I do not agree with this tactic, but I can see the logic behind it. The championship, in my opinion, should not have been determined until there was a more stable division of tag teams competing. But the thought behind the tournament was that this ‘Lethal Lottery’ event could actually end up creating teams that would not only gel well with one another, but could also go on to great success.
My participation in this tournament has not exactly been stellar. Yes, I did advance to the semi-finals with my partner at the time in Kid Karma. Yet this partnership was short-lived because he had been injured after our match and Mister Ward said he wouldn’t be able to go on. So now I find myself with a substitute partner in Old Skool who I know even less about than I did my original partner. How Old Skool managed to get chosen is beyond me, but I need to look past that . The situation does not put me in a very good position to walk away victorious, but I still intend to work my hardest to get to those championship finals.
I had made my opinion clear about my path so far in SCW, and what was happening over the process of determining the first champions. So why then was I making the attempt at gold in a division I admit I held very little respect toward?
Mister Parker.
It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter how many years have passed since he first began my in ring training, thus taking me under his wing. I’ve come to understand between us that for him, I will always be his pupil, and for me, he will always be just what I refer to him as; Mister Parker.
Tag team wrestling had been around for decades. As I was told, the first tag team match was held in San Francisco, California in 1901, and the first tag team championship was crowned sometime in the 1950’s. When you’re a student of Austin Parker, you find yourself learning a few things.
For instance, were you aware that in Japanese pro wrestling circles, tag team matches are vastly used in order to determine which superstars to promote to singles competition?
One thing that a lot of people might not be aware of, except for of course his friends and family, is that the basement in Mister Parker’s home is a virtual professional wrestling entertainment center. The only thing down there is a fridge, a pantry for snacks, and a giant screen television with literally hundreds of wrestling DVDs from the past several decades. And he’s always getting more from all over the world! When I was first brought to his home for training, we’d spend at least two hours every day down in that basement, watching matches from every promotion from New Japan to TNA to AAA!
Come to think of it, we never really did watch very much WWE. When it came to their wrestling, Mister Parker used to say … Well, never mind what he used to say.
The point is, is that he has a virtual history of professional wrestling down there in his library. Even to this day when I stay over, he invites me to watch as much as I want to my heart’s content. I fondly recall quite a few evenings where I’d be sitting with him and Mister Ward down there and we’d pass quite a few hours watching some incredible matches. Many of them tag team matches.
I have no qualms in telling you all right now, that tag team wrestling just is not what it used to be. Nowadays it seems as if the tag team division is compromised of teams of singles wrestlers just thrown together for the sake of having a new team. When was the last time you had a seriously great team, crafted by two tag team wrestlers who were bonded through friendship and a love for the business? It’s rare if not down right impossible.
Gone are the days where such teams as Badd Company and The Von Erichs ruled their respective companies’ divisions. The Rockers. Demolition. Legion of Doom. Midnight Express. Those were some of the best combinations that I ever had the pleasure of watching. The Motor City Machineguns are probably the only respectable team that I can admit to enjoying watching over the past year. Brian Kendrick and Paul London were another. And when we’re talking about history making tag teams, need I even bring up Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal?
Even the bosses of the SCW were parts of formidable, and memorable, tag teams. Mister Ward was one-half of the team Not and Sexy, and who could forget the Freaks with Scott Schreiner and Christian Underwood? Both teams held multiple world tag team championships. Maybe I’m over stepping myself saying this, but perhaps that bit of their own personal history is why they’re s determined to breathe life into an otherwise stale division.”
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“C’mon Grams.” I said as I took a seat opposite her at the kitchen table. “You told me yourself that you have never once been to California.”
“That I did.” She agreed, nodding her head slightly while she continued with her chore of snapping green beans and dropping them into the bowl in front of her. “But I also told you that I’m too old to do so now.”
“Too old.” I repeated, scoffing. “You’re still a young chick.”
She looked up at me and I could see the twinkle of amusement in her eyes, despite her attempt to conceal it. The idea came to me only a few nights ago. I asked Mister Parker what he thought and he could only say it was about time I made the attempt. He called Mister Ward and already there is a VIP front tow seat reserved for her at the show.
The only trick however, is convincing her to actually go with me.
She shook her head and snapped another bean, saying in amused tones, “Young chick. Bo, you’ve been hanging around that Mister Ward one too many times. I’ll tell you like I told him. I’m no young chick. I’m over sev…”
She stopped and looked at me and I couldn’t help but laugh. I leaned across the table, cupping my hand to my ear.
“How old did you say you are?” I asked.
“Never you mind.” She said with a finality I heard often enough through the years. Yeah, I do know how old my own grandmother is, but I’ve heard her say often enough that a true lady never reveals her age. And my grams is a true lady. Well, unless I made the unfortunate mistake of telling anyone just what that age is. I’m almost afraid to think about the tanning she’d lay on my behind.
Still, I was not about to yield over this.
“Grams,” I started. “It isn’t that far from Oklahoma to California. I’d do all the driving.”
“Obviously.” She added wryly.
I smiled. “C’mon Grams, think about it. It’s only about fifteen hundred miles. I could get us there in just little over a day. We could stay at a nice hotel, get out to stretch our legs whenever you wanted… everything would be fine.”
“And who pray tell, would take care of Missy if I were to agree?”
I subconsciously turned my head to look down across the kitchen where a small dish was stationed and the calico kitten was happily lapping at the cream I had just poured for her. The kitten had been a gift from the Parkers to her for her last birthday, to keep her company they said when I happened to be on the road. Grams always adored cats and when the female at the Parker’s ranch had a litter a few months ago, the gift was only natural.
Not to be deterred, I turned back around, leaning heavily in the chair. “I already spoke with Missus Brown next door. She said she’d feed her and clean her litter box while we were gone.”
“Thought of everything, did we?” Grams said, raising her brow but still, unrelenting.
“I’m trying.” I admitted. “Come on Grams. You’ve never been to one of my matches. Not once. You’ve only been to see them on video.”
“And that’s been fine…” She started to say but I felt like I was on a roll.
I interrupted, “But there’s nothing more fun than being there in person. I’m one of the first ones booked and if my team wins my first match, I’ll get to wrestle twice so you’ll get to see me twice. And wouldn’t you like to tell the grocery boy if you were right there when I actually won a championship?”
“Well…”
“Plus, I could also point out that you’ve made the trip from here to Georgia a fair few times.”
“That’s true, but that was by plane. This would be by car.”
“So? You always said you loved seeing the scenery whenever you and Grandfather went anywhere.”
She sighed. I knew she was contemplating it. I could tell that she wanted to go, but she remained hesitant. Time to pull out the big gun. I leaned against the table and clasped my hands together.
I said, “And there’s also the fact that not a week ago you had asked me what I wanted for Christmas. Well …?”
I raised my eyes just a bit to find her watching me with those warm, brown eyes of hers. She raised a finger and shook it at me.
“That is not playing fair young man!”
I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that this was the only way she could admit defeat. I raised my head to meet her eyes evenly and said, “I know. Mister Parker told me to say that as a last resort.”
“Oh he did, did he?” She snorted indignantly. She went back to snapping the beans to prepare our supper for the evening. “I will be expecting to be introduced to your friends. So just wait until I see that man.”
I smiled and asked, “So you’re coming?”
She looked up and nodded, “Wait until I see him.”
I laughed. I was beyond happy. My grandmother would finally be seeing me perform in front of a live audience instead of on a TV screen. This would be something I would treasure always. I stood up and turned around t take my leave when I heard her from behind me.
“And just where do you think you’re going?”
I turned around and she clicked her fingers, pointing toward the counter where the small chicken waited to be washed and stuffed with vegetables for our meal. I raised a brow. I hated touching those things.
Maybe I didn’t get off so easily.
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<img align=left src= "http://www.scwrestling.net/events/matchimages/bodreamwolf.jpg">“This Lethal Lottery has much potential, for good or ill. Mister Parker told me that years ago another such event was held to decide tag team champions, and a few credible teams emerged from it that remained together. A combination called Kolossal Storm perhaps the most noted one. Christian Underwood actually won that very tournament with SCW’s Jason Adams as I am told. I can only hope that this event is as successful.
I was looking over the other seven men who were also going to give it their all and the names are an impressive who’s who that could easily be the first SCW Tag Team Champions. Many of them even have the advantage of tag team experience in their past. Sean Williams at one point had a pairing with Synn, and Rage teamed with Shane Boswell as well. Casey Williams is a former tag team champion, and Jamie Staggs has a wealth of experience as well.
I don’t mind telling you that I couldn’t find myself against a potentially more formidable tag team than I have in the semi-finals in Sean Williams and Wyatt Peterson.
I remember watching Sean Williams on television a few years back in the GXW. This was, of course, before he left the sport to deal with his … well let’s just say personal demons. Yeah, I’ve heard a few snickers in the dressing rooms backstage where he’s concerned, but you know what? At least Sean is man enough to realize that he’s made some mistakes in life. Most people won’t even dignify their own mortality, thinking themselves invincible. Not Sean Williams. He admitted it. Understood it, and now he’s fighting to overcome it. You can’t help but admire that fact. He wants to retake his spot in the business he obviously cares about, and he has all the necessary skill in order to do so. I’ve watched some of his matches, and he could beat the best in the business on his best day! Mark my words, one day Sean Williams will be at the top of this sport – but hopefully not before me. And the fact that he has Synn at his side again will only spell trouble. Not directly by interference, mind you. As far as I can tell, Synn only gets involved when he has to. No, I mean the fact that Sean couldn’t have found a more supportive and fierce director if he tried – with the exception of Mister Parker. I have never seen anyone as skilled in mind games as this Synn character – never. Just seeing him standing outside of the ring is enough to unnerve a person. If Mister Parker accompanies me to the ring, I shudder to think what will happen if those two were to butt heads!
Then there’s Sean’s partner in Wyatt Peterson. You might say this particular pairing makes for a bit of a grudge match. It’s Wyatt’s fault that I had to be assigned a new partner, after all. I cannot believe he actually had the gall to run in and attack Kid Karma! They obviously had a score to settle, but couldn’t it have waited? Did he give no consideration to what his actions might cause the man, me, who would be caught in the proverbial crossfire? Apparently not. Yes, Wyatt is big, but it’s as Mister Parker says; That size won’t matter much when they’re taken down to the mat and kept there. I don’t mind admitting that I have all the confidence I can do that Wyatt. I can take you down to the mat. I can keep you there, and I can make you think twice before you ever think about costing me a chance to advance in my career. Just ask your manager, Tom Dudely. Maybe he remembers me from the GCW. He and I met once in a tournament, and nobody thought I had a chance at beating a seasoned veteran and former world champion such as he. Including myself, including him. But it wasn’t my shoulders that ended up pinned to the mat that night. I won’t be out to hurt you. That’s not my style. The best way that I can send a message to you and get even for your actions, is simply walking away from our match with my arms held high. The look on your face will be satisfying enough.
The other teams in the other semi-final match have to be kept a close watch on as well.
I have never seen a man with such anger issues as this Rage. I can see why he fits the bill so easily as the so-called Sin of Wrath. The man is big. I mean B-I-G and he has all the attitude to back up his size. From everything that I’ve seen watching him, he isn’t just out there to score a win. He seems as if he won’t be happy unless he scores an injury or two against his opponent. I would hazard a guess that it’s his way of sending a message to the bosses and all future opponents. And the fact he also has Synn backing him up speaks volumes, although he certainly doesn’t need the help. I can’t help but wonder what would happen if Sean’s team and Rage’s both advanced to the finals. What would happen then on Synn’s behalf? Well, considering that I’m opposing Sean’s team, that makes that question a bit pointless I would flatter myself by guessing.
(wow I really have been hanging around Mister Parker too much!)
I’ve watched Jamie Staggs and I won’t allow myself to believe he’s as scatter brained as he seems on-screen. I’ve watched him in the ring, and you don’t perform as an athlete like he does when you aren’t capable of focusing on what you’re doing. The flying tactics this man uses are incredible, and perhaps a bit scary. Death defying might be the right way to describe the way this guy thinks inside of the ring. Hm, maybe he is a bit scatter brained if he goes and does half the things that I’ve seen him do. He also has the added benefit of having some very competent people surrounding him, one being the Bombshell champion Misty. You don’t get much better influence than another champion!
The combination of Casey Williams and Blade Alexander? I don’t find myself being as leery about them as I am the others. Oh don’t misunderstand me. As singles competitors, both are worthy of being at the top of the business. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if either wound up winning the Heavyweight championship eventually. Or both!
Casey Williams has been there. I looked him up and he has had a slew of championship gold to his list of accomplishments, both singles and tag. His size alone makes him dangerous opposition, and the fact he’s held tag gold shows he knows how to work with a partner to find the means to an end. It won’t be Casey that will be the catalyst for their team’s own undoing. That will be his partner.
Blade will certainly be right up there as a potential challenger to the SCW Champion if he doesn’t walk away with the tag gold, which he won’t. Why? His partnership with Case just won’t work in the long run. I can’t see it happening, no matter what. Blade Alexander is just too self-reliant. He’s too self-assured of his own worth to share the gory with another man. I believe it’s the Heavyweight title he is focused on, not the Tag Team, and that is going to cost his team when all is said and done.
There’s a lot to think about this coming show. Why, for example, am I so determined when I’m in an event for a title that I don’t particularly want? Simple; Mister Parker. He’d kick my tail if I didn’t give it my all. He knows full well how I feel about tag team wrestling. We’ve discussed it enough. He also knows that a chance at a championship doesn’t come every day. Tag team or singles, if I’m in it, I am giving it my all.
The fact is that I could easily find myself wrestling two grueling matches, but if I can walk out of there as the champion, it’ll be worth the effort. And who knows? Perhaps Old Skool and I will win the whole thing, and remain a team. Funnier things have happened.
