Record-Breaking Attendance For PretzelMania III
The World-1 Television Title changed hands three times.
Don’t tell Dave Meltzer, but the attendance for PretzelMania III was 93,174.
Okay, maybe not. But it sure felt that way inside The Dugout in Morganville, New Jersey, on March 30. No doubt based off the success of last year’s Pretzel Deathmatch, this year’s Superdough was standing room only as fans from all over the Northeast came to see World-1 Wrestling’s annual spectacle.
In a throwback to WrestleMania X-8, the World-1 Television Title changed hands like the Hardcore Title, much to Mike Law’s chagrin. Before his bout with Sam Shields, Law vowed to defend the title under 24/7 rules, taking on all comers at all times. Perhaps overconfident, the former ECWA Heavyweight Champion had already gone on the record that he and Shields would steal the show.
Indeed, they did. But at the end of the night, neither man walked out with the World-1 Television Title.
After a thrilling back-and-forth bout, which saw both men empty their arsenals (Law hitting a back stabber, Northern Lights suplex and jaw-dropping springboard cutter off the top rope), Shields put Law away with a sit-out pedigree. This brought out World-1 Heavyweight Champion Travis Lee, who distracted Shields so crooked referee John Finnegan could low blow the new champion and take his newly won title.
Revenge would come by the end of the night, as Lee and Dan Winant (accompanied by Finnegan) would battle KTB and his mystery partner – The Mayor. All four men brawled throughout The Dugout, even letting the kids in on the action as KTB held Lee’s shoulders back while children pummeled the champion. Lee would ultimately get payback, tossing powder into KTB’s eyes, allowing the villainous trio to pick up the victory.
Finnegan didn’t celebrate long, though, as Ref Bob hit a stunner and pinned him to win the World-1 Television Title.
That wasn’t the only title to change hands. New Jersey Champion Abs Armstrong pulled double duty, defending the gold in a triple threat against Kyle Kristopher and former ECW Heavyweight Champion Justin Credible. Despite a few grey hairs in his goatee and some extra pounds in his belly, Credible partied like it was 1999, holding his own against the young talent of 2019. He even went back to his roots, swinging a chair into Kristopher’s spine. That wasn’t enough to stop the youngster, though, as Kristopher countered That’s Incredible into a roll up for the title.
In the never-ending battle of health conscientiousness vs. joyful gluttony, TJ Blade of the Brotein Pack went one-on-one with Jay D. Luscious. As Blade did push-ups to start the match, mocking the portly fan favorite, Luscious stomped on his hands and bellowed “I haven’t touched my toes in 10 years!” Luscious would overpower Blade, hitting a thunderous sidewalk slam before ascending the top rope a la The Undertaker and crashing down on his foe. Eventually, Blade knocked the “Glittery Mammoth” off his feet with a chop block, keeping the big man down by targeting his leg. Refusing to stay down, Luscious slowly made it back to his feet, hobbling around the ring while throwing jabs. One big splash later and Luscious emerged victorious to the delight of the crowd.
Pretzel Mania III ended in tag team fashion and opened in tag team fashion. Greg Spitz and Abs Armstrong, collectively known as The Wet Blankets, defended their World-1 Tag Team Championship against the UWA Elite Tag Team Champions, Bull Metal Jacket – Brandon the Bull & King Tek.
In the first few minutes, Bull took Spitz’ cape and went against nature, acting like a matador as the Wet Blankets flew out of the ring. King Tek tried to maintain the momentum, but crashed and burned on a flying crossbody. The Wet Blanks capitalized, stomping him out of the ring and then yanking his shoulder into the steel post, all while the referee was distracted. The illegal tactics continued as the Wet Blankets cut off the ring, preventing Tek from seeking refuge. Finally, he made the hot tag to Brandon the Bull, who charged in with closelines, a big boot and a breathtaking senton. As the capacity crowd cheered, Bull and Tek crisscrossed the ring for suicide dives. Amidst the chaos, Spitz retrieved one of the Tag Team Titles and cracked Bull’s skull. With his partner dazed outside the ring, Tek was quickly outnumbered and defeated due to a Flatliner/Stroke combo.
Full results
Travis Lee & Dan Winant def. KTB & The Mayor
Chris Rockwell def. LA Vin by submission
Kyle Kristopher def. Justin Credible and Abs Armstrong to win the New Jersey Championship
Sam Shields def. Mike Law to win the World-1 Television Title
Jihad def. Malvado Dragon by submission
Jay D. Luscious def. TJ Blade
The Wet Blankets retained the World-1 Tag Team Championship against Bull Metal Jacket
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