ECWA Super 8 PPV

ECWA Super 8 PPV

ECWA (East Coast Wrestling Association) presented its seventeenth annual Super 8 Tournament in Newark, Delaware on April 13^th 2013.  The eight participants entered are defending champion of 2012 Papadon, Vordell Walker, Rhett Titus, Damian Dragon, Mike Mondo, Antonio Thomas, VsK and Chris Wylde. Here are the results from the single elimination tournament card.

First Round

Vsk sheens a smile

Mike Mondo defeated VsK in an impressive bout from both competitors.

Damian Dragon defeated Chris Wylde.

Antonio Thomas downed Rhett Titus in a promising assentation. Titus entered a sterling effort.

Papadon dropped Vordell Walker with an aggressive pleasure filled of character.

Semi Finals

Damian Dragon defeated Mike Mondo in a tantalising tussle.

Papadon bested Antonio Thomas wholesomely.

8 Man Tag Team

AHTU, Apollyon, Josh Daniels & Ricky Martinez defeated Bobby Shields, Danny E, Aden Chambers & Kekoa in supportive tag action.

Battle Royal

Jessie Kaye eliminated “Boss” Mike Tartaglia to receive a title shot from a Battle Royal.

Finals

Damian Dragon defeated Papadon in one of the greatest Indy matches for 2013 so far, delivering intensity, agility and emotion to snare the honour of victor in this prestigious tournament opportunity.

After winning the event Dragon followed through with his retirement and had his arm raised by Vito Lo Grasso, formerly Vito from WWE’s Smackdown and part of the ECW Baldies. Vito had trained Dragon in his career. He was respected by all seven other entries in the tournament in ring and raised upon shoulders. Dragon named his finalist opponent Papadon as his greatest rival in his career. Damien left his ring boots in the centre of the ring as a mark of respect to his fans and career.

Returning champ Papadon

WWE Legend and Four Horseman manger JJ Dillon visited backstage.

Dragon has been one of New York’s finest workers and can bow out gracefully in which his acknowledgements on the independent circuit have been valued by those who respect his work and opponents on offer.

PPV Rating – 6/10

Men/Women of their matches – Mike Mondo, Damien Dragon, Rhett Titus, Papadon, Apollyon, Jessie Kaye

Man/Woman of the PPV – Damien Dragon

©  Max Waltham 21st April 2013

WWE Hall of Fame 2012 Inductees

The Class of  2012 Hall of Fame Inductees

With all names announced , this is the class of 2012.

Edge

The Rated R Superstar and multiple heavyweight champion takes his position among the elite one year after being forced to retire. 

While we respect Edge's commitments to the squared circle, many of the Universe consider this too early, unnecessary to be the star feature of this years ceremony and should have been left for next year, after Macho Man Randy Savage should have headed this year's ceremony.

Alas, Edge is heading the Wrestlemania 28 class, and we congratulate him all the same. Edge has earned his accolade, it was just rushed too soon.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse 

Arn Anderson

Tully Blanchard

JJ Dillion 

Ric Flair

Barry Windham

All four are to be inducted as the first stable. With manager JJ Dillion, the four horsemen deserve their place for their amazing contributions to the sport, which re-evaluated Tag Team wrestling, stable mates and unionship in creating a wrestling pinnacle for fans attending shows every night at the arena when topping the bill. 

Doubts over whether the previously inducted Flair  (in 2008), would receive another entry was unclear yet, though many feel this will destroy all it stands for, and would prefer Flair, who will speak, to give the induction instead.

"Iron" Mike Tyson

Tyson takes the Celebrity Wing position, joining the likes of Pete Rose, Drew Carey and William"The Refrigerator" Perry.

Previously among the company with Stone Cold Steve Austin in '98, Tyson, as enforcer of the main event between Austin and Shawn Michaels,  at Wrestlemania XIV , receiving at least $3 million dollars for the role. He also delivered a knock out punch to Michaels at the event.

Ron Simmons

The first black heavyweight champion in history, WWE have finally been able to address the great "First Black Champion" debate.

Regardless, Simmons has earned his position, though many still feel is all too political in the aftermath of the Mark Henry/Undeserved World title run over the late course of 2011.

Mil Mascaras

Announced on Smackdown early last year by Chief Operating Officer Triple H, no mention was given to remind that Mascaras would top the bill. 

After the Horsemen and Edge were announced, WWE Raw took a week gap in announcing, where they could have reminded this entry to the Universe.

Mascaras is a worthy inductee, as many already acknowledge.

Yokozuna?

Primed for consideration towards the end of 2011, WWE haven't shed any light on whether 'Zuna will make the grade.

Given the nod would be welcomed by all watching. Yokozuna began the epitome of the bigger framed combatant that created a place in wrestling for them, as well as being able to deliver well in the role, where he put talent over also. 

We will update any added names in the final weeks before the ceremony, should any be inducted.

UPDATE- (27/28TH March 2012)

Yokozuna HAS been added to the Hall of Fame line up as orginally planned. WWE, ironically, announced his entry on the Smackdown tapings one day after this article was written.

'Zuna was contemplated early on, so it is baffling as to why WWE chose to consider omitting him and then quickly adding him practically one week before the end of inductees. 

The Universe would have preferred a lengthy and legendary thought process to his name, which is thoroughly deserved.

We are glad Yokozuna gets the respect he earned, for the 2012 Hall of Fame.

© Max Waltham 19th March 2012  

Updated by -  © Max Waltham 28th March 2012