How about some love for IWA Midsouth

A couple of nights ago I took about an hour of my time to watch some old Indy shows on the Highspots network.

I came across IWA Midsouth's 2004 Ted Petty Invitational and started watching the final between Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles. The more than 20 minute match wrapped up more than a five hour show. The match was as good as I expected all three, a lot younger, showed why they would go on to be world stars.  The highlight of the match was Styles hitting the Styles Clash on Samoa Joe to end the match. 

The 2004 Ted Petty is highly regarded as one of the best independent wrestling events ever. It featured a mix of every type of wrestling: mat work, strong style, aerial abilities, Lucha libre, women's, and a little hardcore. It also was more than ten hours in length when both nights are combined. 

The tournament featured  a list of who is who in the wrestling world: Roderick Strong, Nigel McGuinness, Cesaro, Chris Saban, Styles, Matt Sydal, Petey Williams, BJ Whitmer, Chris Hero, CM Punk (complete with blonde hair), Austin Aires, Alex Shelley, and Bryan. 

Take one look at that list and you will see why people hold this version of the TPI in such high regards. People talk about the impact that Ring of Honor has had on the  modern pro wrestling and I love ROH but people should start showing some respect for IWA Midsouth and what they have contributed to business. I know IWA Midsouth is known for its hardcore style and blood lust but the pure wrestlers that have come through the promotion is very impressive. 

Could NXT house shows spell the end for ROH

Last weekend NXT took their indy inspired show on the road for the first time.

The developmental arm of the WWE held shows in Cleveland and Columbus as part of the Arnold Sports Festival. The shows were greeted with much fan fare and seemed to be hit. 

For years Ring of Honor has been the standard in traveling independent wrestling shows. Over the years the their roster has been filled with current WWE superstars. 

Over the last couple of years, the WWE has signed many of ROH stars from Kevin Steen to Sami Zayn and weakened ROH's product.  With the loss of talent in ROH and NXT continued growth, things could be changing. 

With NXT now starting to go on the road this could have a huge impact on ROH. Would you rather see a watered down ROH product or a high tempo NXT show. 

While I'm not saying that it will put ROH out of business it could impact their shows and their bottom line. If ROH's bottom line drops then their ability to bring in stars will suffer. It's something to watch out for the next year. 

Maybe I was wrong on Owens and Zayn

Last night, I made NXT Takeover on the WWE Network appointment television. I told my wife to leave me alone so I could  focus all of my attention on watching how Owens and Zayn played out.

A couple of months ago, I expressed my concern about having Owens and Zayn feud again. During their time in ROH and PWG the duo put on one of the great feuds in the modern day era. The feud had everything from blood, over the top violence and psychological warfare. I never thought the WWE would let them take it to that level.

Last night, the pair had their first match in the new incarnation  of their fued and boy did they not disappoint. While lacking the over the top violence that their prior matches had, this told a great story and left both looking good for the future. They booked Owens as this monster similar to Brock and Zayn in a more sympathetic role similar to Daniel Bryan.

While the pair didn't take it to that level of violence,they did play out a high impact match. Zayn sold Owens multiple power bombs so well and the having the ref stop the match makes both look strong in future bookings of the match. Maybe they could let Owens and Zayn kick off WrestleMania this year in a ladder match.

After the match was over, I decided to put on Final Battle 2012 Ladder War match between Owens and Zayn. While it was very violent and entertaining it got me to thinking. The guys in the ring, while being the same, where totally different. The true measure of the true talents of the pair is how they made the same feud look totally different.

Maybe I was wrong about this and Zayn vs. Owens will rival Steen vs. El Generico.