Paradigm Shift Coming To PWE
Bobby Dempsey’s mystery opponent will shock you.
Mystery partners and opponents rarely live up to the hype in pro wrestling, but if Joey Ryan’s surprise choices last month were any indication, we can rely upon Pro Wrestling Explosion.
PWE Champion Bobby Dempsey, fresh off a victory against Anthony Greene, will defend his title once again this Friday in Philadelphia. His opponent is a mystery, although feel free to speculate based on the flier’s silhouette.
“When you come to the show, you’re going to be shocked at who it is and how it affects the entire company,” says PWE promoter Erik Viking. “You won’t believe who it is and how they’re even in PWE. If you’ve been following the company since the first show, we’ve been telling a story and you’ll be shocked at how this changes the fabric of PWE.”
If you’re unfamiliar with the style of the sci-fi-based promotion, expect zany characters, wacky match types and a whole lot of fun. In their first appearance in the United States, the South American Sensations (Pedro Pablo & Alessandro) will take on Hermit Crab and Cajun Crawdad, a couple of crustaceans from the salty waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The toughest lumberjack on the Eastern Seaboard – Grizzly Redwood – will meet “Yodeling” Yohan Wundershintzel in a battle where both men are coming off two consecutive losses. After competing in everything from a “Coal Miners’ Glove On a Pole” match to a “Sweethearts Brawl,” CPA and Troy Nelson will wage war one last time in a Caribbean strap match.
You can also expect a different vibe from PWE’s last event in July because the show will take place in a new venue – The Ruba Club, a small ballroom and cabaret bar in Northern Liberties. “It was a more controlled environment at the Wrestle Factory,” Viking says. “I’m hoping this will be out of control, wild and crazy. It’s standing room only so you’ll be next to the ring, which is the best way to enjoy pro wrestling.”
In the semi-main event this Friday at PWE: Wrestling Will Escape, Space Monkey returns to meet Shockwave the Robot in an out-of-this-world encounter.
Also making his return this Friday is Desean Pratt, formerly known as Amasis from the Osirian Portal. He’ll be going one on one with Danjerhawk, another CHIKARA favorite. “You’re going to see PWE on a different level,” Viking says. “You’ve seen our characters and fun matches and ridiculousness, but with this match, you’re going to see pure awesomeness. I’m expecting total showmanship. They’re going to tear the house down and probably dive into the crowd.”
Plus, the oddball tandem of Billy Avery and Smash Bradley will unite again against Cheeseburger’s Shinobi Shadow Squad, fresh off defeating Joey Ryan and the Platinum Hunnies in July. While Bradley has been trying to prove to Avery that he’s a decent, honest man who doesn’t need to cheat to win, everyone’s guard should be up after Bradley pinned JOB Security with the help of their megaphone.
Running another show so soon is extremely challenging for Viking, who usually books events several months a part. But he booked the Ruba Club before the Wrestle Factory, and had only one date available to use the popular Northeast Philly venue. So now, instead of basking in the glory of PWE: The Future Is Extraterrestrial, and in addition to working his regular job 40 hours a week, he’s scrambling to make sure PWE: Wrestling Will Escape is an even bigger success.
“Making an independent wrestling show happen by yourself is a miracle,” Viking says. “Running shows so close together is harder on me, but better for the audience because they won’t forget the storylines.”
PWE: Wrestling Will Escape takes place Friday, August 30, at the Ruba Club Ballroom in Philadelphia.
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