PP: I hit Bayonne after changing into shorts and my 1994 US World Cup jersey at work, where I suddenly realized that I looked like a rodeo clown and was praying that no one important would see me leaving the bathroom dressed like that. Thankfully I made a clean getaway. I get to the Hall to find Joanne and CM Punk selling his and Quack’s merch. Punk immediately grabs my Weekly Pro magazine and runs to the back to show Quack the pics of Liger selling for Chyna. ;) The Hall is absolutely jam-packed by showtime with at least 400 people there. The locker room empties (including Stryker, thankfully out of character) as Fat Frank brings out the father of someone who lost his life in one of the towers to ring a 10-bell salute:

*DING* *DING* *DING* *DING* *DING* *DING* *DING* *DING* *DING*

That’s right. Apparently Ray, Jo, Buck Woodward and I are the only people in the building who can count as we immediately look at each other confused and making various “9” hand gestures. I feared the worst for the show at that point.

RD : I leave work later than I wanted to, but what else is new. By the time I get to the Hall is pretty packed, but a free show will do that to a crowd. I end up buying some raffle tickets and give a donation before sitting down. Pete gives me more credit, I just figured from his reaction that something was wrong on the bell count and figured they didn't ring it enough times.

MATCH 1: AZRAEL vs. ELAX
PP: Azrael’s upgraded his wardrobe, going to black tights with his name down one leg. Your indy opener du jour with Azrael whipping out some cool matwork. Elax eventually wins, at which point some familiar music plays… it’s the Jobber World Order! Callahan, JT Jobber and Sylvester Q. Greendexter hit the ring and give Elax an invite… he declines and gets the requisite beatdown for his troubles. Greendexter got the majority of the mic time here, which was odd as Callahan probably has the most charisma of the three and JT puts the Jersey in Jersey All Pro with his accent.

RD: Azrael didn't do as much of the mat stuff as he's done in the past, but there was some stiff kicking in this. Both guys did dives to the floor including Elax hitting his super great tope. Elax got the win with a super fishermanbuster. The man is unstoppable. The highlight of the jWo is the fact that Greendexter had a Gumby Bandana around his head. The mic work was sort of tough to hear and you got the gist of the recruitment attempt, but it went a bit long. I would have figured JT would have done the talking, but I dunno.

MATCH 2: SHAOLIN WRECKING CREW (Magic & Suba) vs. TEAM THOMAS (“Explosive” Eddie Thomas and “Chiller” Miles Thomas)
PP: This match is one of the reasons I love indy wrestling as the Thomas’ parents are sitting right in front of us and their mom is marking out for how huge the SWC are. They immediately go on the attack and Mom can’t bear to watch as “those are my babies!” Ray and I try to help her out by giving a running commentary: “You can look right now, they’re on offense… OK, stop looking… It’s okay to look again…” and “Maybe you should stop looking for the rest of the match” as the SWC start squashing the kids into next week. SWC get the expected win, only for the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to hit the ring and jump them after losing the previous month in Seaside. SWC hands them their heads as well only for the Solution to hit the ring, run the SWC off… and then turn on DRS as well. This was one of those “It’s for a good cause so let’s get as many folks on the show as possible” deals.

RD : The mom's reaction to the size of the SWC was worth the donation to the WTC Orphans Fund alone. The end of this is a Magic Hellsmasher and the Suba Vader Bomb for the win. They used this more or less to set up the I guess the undercard tag feud as it seems they're going to keep the DRS in, which I'm happy about, and start using the Solution more, which is another team they can use, though Bayonne doesn't play to their strength in neat double teams. The great part about the DRS is they seem to do their heel characters whenever they're in the building which is cool. Bill Watts wouldn't have to fine them and they're probably get their car wrecked every town they went to.

MATCH 3: MIKE QUACKENBUSH, ULTRAMANTIS, MARSHALL LAW and LOVE BUG vs. MISTER ZERO, BLIND RAGE, HALLOWICKED and ICHABOD SLAYNE
PP: Our collective ZERO dorkout resumes in earnest as the rudo team comes out to ZERO’s “hold music” theme. Sadly none of Quack’s boys get any time to do their shtick and while the match is OK, it eventually becomes a question of whether or not they’ll give the crowd a reason to turn on the match… which they do at the end as they blow something pretty badly. There are also problems with the low ceiling at the Hall as Slayne gets launched too high going for a top-rope Frankenstein at one point and just blasts his noggin against the ceiling. Quack’s team goes over in roughly 15 minutes after Marshall Law and Love Bug hit a double rock bottom on one of the Night Shift.

RD : Since I was in work clothes, I was actually considering putting on a tie and trying to slip Mister ZERO a resume, but I haven't seen him enough to commit to being that level of dorky fanboyishness yet. We had 2 ceiling hits in the match, one off the Hallowicked launching Slayne to the top rope for a hurricanrana spot, which I'm amazed he still pulled off, and I think one on Mister ZERO doing a jump off the top rope, I think on a drop kick. As Pete mentioned, they seemed to have cut back on their usual gimmicks as ZERO didn't do the newspaper spot or have the coffee mug, but I'm not sure how this crowd would have taken to it. Especially since a bunch of them decided to chant "Penis" at Hallowicked because of the stem on his pumpkin mask. Overall, they kept it moving. Blind Rage looked pretty good in this too. As Pete said, they blew one spot and a bunch of people turned on them, but I still think it was a pretty strong performance.

MATCH 4: STRYKER (w/The Sheik) vs. TOUGH ENOUGH PETE
PP: TE Pete gets the big-ass girlie pop coming out again. Strykbu makes his Bayonne debut and hams it up big time, selling like a champ for Pete’s sub-Wattsian offense. Tough Enough Dan comes out a couple of times to distract Sheik but it all goes for naught as Strykbu wins with a weapons shot and rudos it up on his way to the back. Eh.

RD : Strykbu starts out the trend of just whalloping Pete with chops, a trend that would continue for the rest of the night. Boy, Tough Enough really showed people how to punch the WWE way (read : shitty). Strykbu's was doing the Sabu like pose, except it seemed like he was doing the Superfly "I love you" hand sign. The Sheik almost knocks down the entrance way and curtains when he throws Danimal back through the curtain which is funny as a bunch of people including the announcer/time keeper have to hold the thing from tipping over. I think the high light of this was post match with Strykbu showing off the weapon, which I think was an asthma inhaler and gloating to the crowd, when Pete would try to point it to the referee, Stryker would imagine hide it and start selling like he was hurt, the minute the ref would look away, he'd start hamming it up with the weapon again.

MATCH 5: JAPW LHW Title: TONY LAZARO vs. DIXIE (C)
PP: Kind of strange seeing Dixie go from the Triple Crown to fifth from the bottom in something like three months. Tony gets an even bigger girlie pop than TE Pete did, no doubt because he’s a local and thus that much more obtainable to the teenyboppers in the house. “We’d hit it!” Short match with Tony flashing lots of offense including a huge dive to the floor where he somehow managed to avoid breaking his shin against the guardrail. Finish is cool as Tony tries to go for a spinning headscissors on Dixie, who catches him and hits the Dixie Driver to retain clean.

RD : The lack of direction for Dixie over the last few months is depressing. Going from the hot Ki/Homicide/Insane Dragon against the Hit Squad and Dixie feud to pretty much losing two of the titles and no angle was sort of tough. I'm hoping he has a chance to shine again or gets some sort of angle going. It seems like the Bayonne singles match could be a start, but really, the whole Dragon match feels more like a pay off to an angle that's way overdue to be delivered on. It didn't help that they haven't bothered to officially break up the Hit Squad and Dixie until this evening didn't really help matters. As for the match it was pretty good, I really liked Dixie pulling out the counter to the scissors into the Dixie driver.

MATCH 6: KID KRUEL vs. CM PUNK
PP: Punk immediately endears himself to us by waiting roughly 7 seconds from the bell before he and Kruel go right into the matwork. What I saw of this was good as I admittedly spent part of the match talking with Buck about Quack’s students (who spent this and the next couple of matches doing their Osaka Pro impressions by mingling with the fans in their street clothes and masks). Finish here is really sweet as Kruel goes for his jujigatame only for Punk to block it and roll through into a Texas Cloverleaf for the submission.

RD : I liked the match, but it didn't really have a lot of heat. Punk was more or less working face, but his heel gimmick is great. I think this was Kruel's first match back from his injury, at least the first one back in JAPW. This was pretty mat-tastic and fun, but the crowd wasn't really getting into that. Kruel worked the arm and Punk worked the leg. There was a neat mat spot where Punk was on top of Kruel, Kruel sort of used his legs to kick Punk into the air and caught him in the jujigatame. The finish was a surprise as this was Punk's first time in and I'm not sure if they're bringing him back (I hope they do). Kruel's coming off an injury, but prior to that, he was getting a pretty strong push, so I don't know where that goes for him.

MATCH 7: SKINHEAD IVAN, BOOGALOU and THE SHEIK (w/STRYKER) vs. J-TRAIN, LOWLIFE LOUIE RAMOS AND TOUGH ENOUGH DAN (w/TOUGH ENOUGH PETE)
PP: Ray gets off the scary observation that Danimal may have to carry the face team here. Before the match starts we get another dance-off between Train and Ivan, who apparently did his homework over the previous month as “Hotstepper” hits and he starts lockin’ and poppin’ to a big “Go Ivan, Go Ivan” chant. Everyone in the ring loses it as he follows up with the Robot before hitting a Spinaroonie and the crowd goes batshit for Ivan’s B-Boy stylings. Now it’s J-Train’s turn, but he can’t possibly follow that act. ;) He tries anyway only for Ivan to jump him and start the actual match. This is a fun mess as Lou busts out some Japanese moves including an X-Tornado (GAMI’s stretch bomb variation) on Dan. Ivan has way too much fun at the expense of the erstwhile MTV boys as he just chops the shit out of them to the point where Dan’s entire upper body (front AND back) is beet-red from all of the abuse. Later on Pete gets a nasty gash on his shoulder after (I believe) Sheik puts him through a table with this twisting bodyblock to the floor. Amidst the chaos Louie gets the win for his team with a DVD on Sheik. Not a classic by any definition of the word, but it had its moments.

RD : Once Ivan did the robot, there was no way J-Train was getting the crowd back. To the point that Train started dancing again, the crowd was booing him. I missed most of this match as nature called and when I got back I couldn't believe the welts that were being put on Pete and Dan. Welcome to the indies boys!

MATCH 8: CROWBAR (w/SERENA) vs. DASTARDLY DANNY DORING
PP: Crowbar (I think) comes out to Type O-Negative’s version of “Cinnamon Girl.” I spend most of this match outside getting some air and watching various workers hit the road for the night, hoping that Bayonne’s Finest don’t arrest the Chikara gang as they’re still wearing their masks. Kid Kruel leaves with his dad (the former Bodyguard For Hire) and I picture them working against Scorpio Sr. and Jr. in Naucalpan. Of the match itself, I remember that it lasted roughly nine hours and Crowbar won with an NLS while holding a chair to Doring’s back. Doring seems to have been working on his polish.

RD : I can't tell who's been using more Scott Steiner supplements, Buff Bagwell or Danny Doring. This went waaaaaaaay too long. At some point people were chanting "We want Roadkill" at Doring.

MATCH 9: JAPW TV Title: GHOST SHADOW (C) vs. RAIN (CHILD) vs. JAY LETHAL
PP: Ric Blade makes his return to JAPW as the special guest referee for this match, where he gets on the mic and talks about how proud he is that Rain (no longer a child?) is emulating his style. Odd, since I can’t remember Rain concussing anyone or ending someone’s career with a botched move… The match has Ghost Shadow continuing his charming rudo style as he’s now making a big “BOOOOOO!” noise at random parts of the match which the crowd picks up on. Rain and Lethal (now apparently being billed as the “Mid-Card Express,” which is freaking hysterical) mainly work on GS although there’s a couple of spots where they pair off while GS takes a breather. GS surprisingly gets eliminated first off a small-package leaving the tag partners against each other. Rain eventually takes over and hits his dragon suplex out of a Christo, but Blade pulls a Tirantes and stops counting at 2. He then punks out Rain which allows Lethal to hit his tricked-out powerbomb and receive a lightning-quick three-count from Blade to win the title. Lethal hits the showers with the title while Blade works over Rain some more and heels on the fans before announcing that he’s “going back to Philadelphia.” With his accent I wasn’t sure if he meant Pennsylvania or Mississippi.

RD : Blade has shaved his head now. When he's doing his mic work, people are doing the "WHAT?" gimmick to him. I point out he looks more like Brandon Baxter than Steve Austin. The corner knee murder spot is still there by Ghost Shadow. I think the decision to turn Shadow probably isn't a bad idea. I like him, but I don't think the rest of the JAPW crowd has warmed up to him, so maybe having him work heel isn't a bad idea. Rain did some pretty insane stuff in this, including a Sasuke Special Tope Con Hilo and a springboard phoenix splash. Pete points out to me after the show that this is second year in a row that Blade's been the referee on a benefit show and has resulted in a SE type finish to the match. I'm not sure if they've broken up the Lethal and Rain team, as Lethal didn't waste any time in getting out of Dodge with the belt, though he seemed to be saying nothing personal, it's about the title when he left. Post match, Rain confronts Blade who lays him out and hits 3 rolling fisherman's variations on Rain, a buster, neckbreaker and I think a hammerlock fishermanbuster before getting on the mic and doing some heel work. He basically challenges all the champs and accuses Low Ki of being afraid of him which is why he wasn't in the country. He takes credit for drawing the Philly crowd for JAPW and that's why they don't run there any more while he was out injured. Yadda yadda yadda. I will give him the thing about people being afraid of him, because if I'm any of the guys who has a NWA TNA or Japan deal, the last thing I want is a feud with someone who's a danger to himself and others.

MATCH 10 : JAPW Heavyweight Title: HOMICIDE (C) vs. SLYK WAGNER BROWN (w/APRIL HUNTER)
PP: They do the cool thing of turning out all the lights in the Hall for this and the following match save for the strobes on the entrance, so it’s almost like an AJPW Budokan main event. Sadly they don’t use the disco ball on the ceiling for anything. Short but good match here that goes back and forth. Homicide controls the early portion and hits the Cop Killer on Slyk but April pulls the ref outside to break the count. Homicide sends Slyk to the floor and sets him up on what appears to be a wooden door he pulled out from underneath the ring. He goes for his tope but Slyk moves and Homicide crashes into the door. Looked sick but Homicide shows he’s OK by doing the Floppy Sell after Slyk rolls him back inside. Slyk goes on the attack and eventually hits the Drop of Ecstasy but Homicide kicks out at 2.999. He tries to hit a second Cop Killer but Slyk flips out of the move and hits a front suplex… AND GETS THE PIN. New champ. The whole place goes dead silent for the finish and as I turn around, there’s Ray Sager behind us with this “Oh boy, is this great!” grin on his face. Slyk most likely drops the title back to Homicide on the 20th, but having him go over the group’s “ace” clean to win the title was a great way to put some heat on him.

RD : I figure they're trying to build up some new guys with Ki, DHS and Homicide all having Japan tours now, so I figure they're going to try to make a new star or two. This wasn't bad. Boy, Slyk got murderlized by the Cop Killa. Pete's right about the finish just getting almost no reaction, but I guess we'll see where they're going with this.

MATCH 11: JAPW Tag-Team Titles: DA HIT SQUAD (C) vs. WASTED YOUTH
PP: Slow build to start as Deranged and Insane Dragon (who may have been hurt as he spent most of the match on the apron) work over Mafia early with the dreaded HEADLOCK~! Mafia sells this great as he keeps working out of the spot only for them to work around him and cinch the headlock back on as he screams his protests. Later Deranged teases a test of strength with Monsta, only to move down and tickle Monsta instead. I expected Monsta to do the big wacky laugh like the bulldog in those Tex Avery cartoons. The match continues in this manner until DHS take over. Monsta slaps a WAR Special on Deranged and yells, “I’m going to Japan, I have to work on my wrestling!” Mark my words… DHS are going to be soooooooo fucking over in Big Japan if they get to show off their shtick as well as everything else they’re capable of doing. Eventually Wasted Youth are overwhelmed and the match devolves into a huge brawl on the floor as Mafia toasts Dragon with a dozen eggs(!). DHS then (safely) bring back the wall spot and pin Wasted You to ret- NO! Kickout! DHS are stunned and Monsta works over ID while Mafia goes for the Burning Hammer on Deranged who flips out of it and whales away with kicks until Monsta can subdue him. Wasted Youth kick out of a bunch more stuff until Mafia finally puts Deranged away with the Burning Hammer while Monsta holds off ID. Post-match DHS put over Wasted Youth and try to shake hands with them only for Dixie to run in and start beating up his brother Dragon. DHS bitch him out for attacking his own blood, which leads Dixie to challenge Dragon to a singles match on the 20th.

RD : We forgot to mention at some point earlier in the card, Wasted Youth came out to the Hit Squad's music and dressed like them and did a pretty good promo. Deranged played Mafia and did most of the talking as Dragon played Monsta Mack and ate a bag of potato chips. They got a pretty good reaction and Deranged was goofing on the Hit Squad's catchphrases, saying they're the stiffest tag team in the North East and that they get even stiffer anytime they see Pete from Tough Enough walk by. Deranged also does the hang yourself upside down the ropes pose that Mafia does. Dragon said some stuff, but you couldn't really make out what he was saying because his mouth was full. I really liked the early part of this match, as it showed these guys to do things without murdering each other. Pete left out the reaction everyone had when Dragon body slammed Mafia. The test of strength spots were pretty funny too as Monsta kept getting foiled by Deranged and kept ending upwith his hands and feet getting stomped on. The end was I think to build up the respect towards Wasted Youth as they take a ton of stuff and kick out before eventually getting put away by the Burning Hammer.

PP: Fun show if not a couple of matches too long… then again it was a charity show and the boys were all working free, so you can’t blame them for wanting to donate their services. On the way home we initiate a new member into the Friday Night Work Train Club as Kevin Walters from WK Media gets to witness the weekly parade at the Newport stop.

RD : I think our work train count was up to 7 or 8. We're learning way to much about how to tell when a PATH train is coming and if it's a work train or not. We almost miss the shuttle to Newport as it pulls up and I go "Don't worry, they have to change the driver" and we end up having to run in front of the train to get it to stop from leaving on us. Good, but really long show. Pete and I ended up winning video tapes in the raffle, so we came away with something anyway.