Walking into Legion Hall, the atmosphere felt a little different right off the bat. It just didn't feel like the usual GSCW shows. Although by the end of the night, the atmosphere wasn't so weird anymore, and felt like the usual show that GSCW has put out time and time again. It just feels too weird referring to "them" as APW LA. I will start to use their new name from now on, but it's still just too weird. Kinda like how I still call Vince McMahon's company, the WWF.

You can tell there have been changes since the "merger". For the 5.31.03 show, there were more pointless angles and mic work. Only guys that know what to do with the mic should be given the mic. And some of the usual local workers weren't on the card (i.e. Supa Badd & Mr. Excitement). Also, APW Central Coast and OG APW have managed to smuggle in their guys onto *ahem*, APW LA cards (i.e. Billy Blade & James Watkins). Honestly, I'd much rather see the SoCal'ers in the ring.

The usual hot crowd was in attendance in New Hall, as opposed to the rather dead crowd (at least for the undercard) in the City of Industry for AWS. The show started off with a promo from the Hardkore Kidd con Hardkore Inc. (El Jefe y "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce). That segment served it's purpose. No problem with that at all. It even led to a match that I really really dug from the two. More on that later.

AWS: Quicksilver & Gallinero IV vs. Zokre & Phoenix Star
APW LA: Quicksilver & Silver Tiger vs. Infernal & Gallinero IV

APW LA's opening bout was better than AWS's opener. As you can see, both openers were junior tag team bouts. Same style match, pretty much the same type of competitors, but APW LA's match was executed much more smoother than AWS's match. Me and Steve were talking about how Quicksilver could possibly be the front runner for 2003 Rookie of the Year, with Hook Bomberry right on his coattails (Scrub Cliché # 72). If Hook wrestled in SoCal as much as Quicksilver does, then the race for SoCal ROTY would be even tighter. But for now, Quicksilver takes the lead. Gallinero IV looked really good in his match(es). Peoples, you need to be on the look out for this guy on future cards. Like Gallinero Tres, Gallinero IV actually brings pride to the rather comedic Gallinero gimmick, by doing both the "comedy" deal and the "wrestling" deal, at the same time! *gasp* A comedic wrestler that can wrestle is a very good thing. Infernal was Infernal. His usual self, jaw-jacking with the fans and being a dick. Silver Tiger looks like he's been hitting the gym, gaining some weight and adding some muscle. Tiger has definitely improved since the last time I saw him. Good opener to start off the night.

"Regular" Blade made his presence known and got on the mic. I'm pretty sure nobody really knew who he was, except for the SoCal Internet scene and the wrestlers in the back. I bet you some of the "new school" SCU Internet fans didn't even know who "Regular" Blade was. He rambled on about something that really didn't interest me, nor the people around me. It was bad enough that nobody cared about this segment, but it gets worse. It gets more "clustery", if you will. This may be out of order, but for some reason, Dave Getz (a SoCal manager on various shows) comes out, and also rambles about God knows what. Then, Dynamite D comes out and makes himself commisioner. Yes. Really random is right. Hell, then I came out, and made myself co-comissioner. Then, Blade took advantage of the opportunity, and nailed D from behind with a full Pepsi bottle. That's pretty deadly, considering that the Pepsi bottle was full. The steel chair ain't got nothing on the full Pepsi bottle. It may have been a Pepsi Twist. I'm not sure though. But the "twist gimmick" would make more sense as to why D got knocked out. Then, James Watkins (OG APW wrestler) comes out and chokes out Blade. This leads to a bunch of referees and APW LA brass to run out and attempt to get Watkins off of Blade (ala Bret Hart's Sharpshooter on Jerry Lawler or Low-Ki's Dragon Clutch on Chris Daniels). I find this comical, because why should the fans care about this? Both guys were making their debut on this show. Nobody really cared about Watkins or Blade. Nobody really takes Watkins seriously as some badass mofo that likes to choke people out. At least, not the fans in SoCal (NorCal, perhaps). And nobody was really rallying behind Blade hoping that he would be alright. It was all just really pointless, yet funny. There were even chants of "this is pointless". The best part in this whole cluster was that Dynamite D made himself commisioner some how! So random! Maybe it was made clear as to why he was commissioner, and if that's the case, then the explanation was drowned out from the "this is pointless" chants from the crowd. Then, I became co-comissoner of APW LA. Then, Paul T. became the APW LA Sergeant at Arms. Then, Dropkick Guy became the APW LA Secretary of Defense. Then, Angry Fan became the APW LA co-Secretary of Defense. It's just all so ridiculous. I think the "comissioner" role in wrestling is very overrated and unnecessary. But that's just me.

Whatever happened to the Bo Cooper/Al Katrazz match that was set up months ago? Bo Cooper vs. Billy Blade was an alright match, but to me it seemed that the crowd was hardly into it. At least, not my section. Hey, I could be wrong. Maybe people loved the hell out of that match. Bo Cooper has tons of charisma, but I think he is under utilized. It's good to see that Cooper is trying to get his name out there, and work more shows outside the EWF. Obviously, it's working, and more people are being exposed to his work.

Disco Machine vs. Melissa was next. Another alright match. Nothing too spectacular. The usual intergender go-behinds took place, with Disco enjoying it, and Melissa wanting to have nothing to do with it. Melissa also made it known that she thought Disco was a "fairy". Disco looked fine in this match as did Melissa (who at this point, I'd still say is the top US woman). Did I mention that Melissa has bangs now? Wow. Finish saw Disco submit Melissa with what looked like an Octopus Hold on the mat. I know there's a name for it, but I'm no Mike Tenay (/me laughs). Tony Mamaluke uses this submission and CZW's Eric Gargiulo calls it the "Spaghetti Bender", if that is any help.

Joey Ryan vs. Lil' Cholo was yet another alright match, although it had it's miscues (Scrub Cliché # 86). Crowd was behing Cholo all the way. Orange County represent! Joey Ryan Fan (in a mask) ripped up his Joey Ryan sign right in front of the Technical Wizard. The look on Joey Ryan's face was priceless. It looked like he wanted to cry. Joey Ryan Fan (in a mask) did this earlier at AWS as well. At this point, it really didn't seem like the usual GSCW show.

Chris Bosh vs. Scorpio Sky was up next. This was that match that ended the streak of "alright" matches. The match that set the tone for the rest of the night. To my knowledge, this singles match hasn't even happened until now. Some people were calling this matchup a "sleeper", meaning that it could potentially be really good, without people expecting it. This match was really good. One of my favorite matches of the night. The crowd were rallying behind both men. Scorpio and Bosh work really really well together. They moved so fluid and so smooth, both complimenting each other really well. I'd definitely like to see this match up again. Again? Awww yeah, again and again! Scorpio Sky has already proven that he can go, and now it's Chris Bosh's turn to prove that he can go as well. Bosh will definitely be one to watch as time goes by. Finish saw a sick reverse huracanrana by Scorpio onto Bosh, then following up with the Final Cut/Nightmare on Helms Street on the knee, giving Scorpio Sky the duke. Really good match.

Scott Lost vs. Excalibur was another really good match. A battle of the "Guerrillas", if you will. This was the best that I have ever seen Excalibur in a New Hall ring. Actually, this was the best I have ever seen Excalibur in awhile. Good to see the good ol' Excalibur back. Scott Lost was no slouch either, as he too had a very good performance. Lost and Excalibur compliment each other so well, as the two of them are bump machines that will do whatever it takes to make their opponent look badass (i.e. that nasty DDT). One spot that I really enjoyed was Excalibur's Tarantula variation that he hit on Lost. Later in the match, Joey Ryan tried to interfere on behalf of Scott Lost, but to no avail. Very good match. One of my favorite Excalibur and/or Scott Lost matches.

Hardkore Kidd vs. Scrap Iron Adam Pearce was up next. Earlier, there was a drawing of names to see which wrestler would get to face Hardkore Kidd later on for the title. Several joke names were pulled out (i.e. Honky Tonk Man). Then Adam Pearce's name was pulled. HKK and Jefe thought it was a joke, yet Pearce responded back with a "Yeah, why not?" HKK was having none of this. This then led to a heated argument between the former Hardkore Inc. members, which then led to a brawl, which set up the match for later on in the night. Very well done segment, in my opinion. It served it's purpose and made me anticipate the match even more.

This match was one of the best Hardkore Kidd and/or Adam Pearce matches that I have ever seen. I really dug this match. The intensity for this match was at an all time high for these two. The "former" friends were not cutting each other slack, as they beat the living hell outta each other. Really good match, until the screwy finish. Adam Pearce had the match in the palm of his hand, as he was about to nail his piledriver. Then, in a huge swerve, he dropped down to the mat and laid down for the Hardkore Kidd. Then afterwards, Vanderpyle (Pearce's manager) and El Jefe got in the ring, and cut promos on the fans, thus reuniting an old incarnation of Hardkore Inc. (also called "La Familia", says Vanderpyle). I understood the finish, because Pearce and HKK are tight like that, but still screwy. Pearce and HKK were beating the shit outta each other, yet they were gonna end up tricking the fans. This reminded me of the time at EPIC's inaugural show, when Samoa Joe beat the living mess outta Excalibur, then later turned on American Dragon and Spanky, aligning himself with the same Excalibur that he beat up earlier. That's my only beef really. I just wish there was a better finish. They could have done the whole respect thing afterwards, but I guess that isn't Hardkore Inc. style. Or, if Hardkore Inc. really wanted to do the "lay down for me" deal, they could have done it right off the bat, although the New Hall crowd would have never been treated with the good match that those two churned out (I'm glad they didn't go that route). Really good match from the two. The best I've ever seen from the two.

Pearce is definitely unique. Unique in the sense that he connects with the crowd really well, a rarity in the SoCal scene. Hardkore Kidd also has that same uncanny ability to connect with the crowd. So when you pair the two up for a match, you can bet your bottom dollar (Scrub Cliché # 11-B) that the heat for the match will be hot. This was my first time seeing Vanderpyle in action as well. Although he really didn't do much at APW LA, I got to see him go nuts at AWS. Really good heel manager that seems to know what he's doing. Vanderpyle is a plump fellow that has that southern drawl, and carries around a dry erase white board with him. He then writes various messages on the board, similar to a Sign Guy Dudley. He's definitely up there with Jason Bennett of Damage Inc. Way past Big Ugly's manager (wrestler on the AWS show), who didn't do anything but stand in the same spot with a barbed wire 2x4. (On a side note: Joey Ryan Fan thinks she's hot). Vanderpyle definitely compliments Pearce very well. At this point, the whole Hardkore Inc. stable is very interesting, comprising of: Hardkore Kidd, Adam Pearce, Al Katrazz, El Jefe and Vanderpyle. (On yet another side note: Hardkore Kidd will be facing Super Dragon at the next AWS show at Frank & Sons.)

The main event four way was badass. A fine match that wasn't as "clustery" as people thought it would be. Reminiscent of past ECWA and ROH four ways. Word cannot really describe this match. Too many things to note. Oh, but I can't go on without mentioning the Shining Wizard reversal into the STF by Dragon. Or the triple German suplex, followed by a B-Boy bridging German, followed by a footstomp from Super D. Ah, just get the damn tape. There was a really cool dive sequence that saw the ever-so-graceful Shooting Star Press to the floor from Bobby Quance. Super Dragon even busted out the Skytwister Press, a move he hasn't done in ages. After the dive sequence, the crowd was on their feet going apeshit. Super Dragon was eliminated first, then Jardi Frantz (who was met with plenty of "stoner" chants from the crowd). B-Boy hit a Cross Special on Quance, for a really close nearfall. Finish saw B-Boy hit a Shining Wizard to the back of Bobby's skull, then hit a nasty looking... uh, I'm gonna take a stab at it... a fisherman's/cradle exploder head drop. I KNOW THERE'S A NAME FOR IT! Quit badgering me! You gotta see this for yourself. Absolutely sick. Afterwards, the New Hall crowd were on their feet, and rightfully so. Hopefully this will be the last time we see these four guys in the same match for awhile. All four of these guys work really well together, but I think it's time for some fresher matchups.

At first, it didn't feel like the same New Hall shows that I've been going to for the past couple months. But after the night was over, it felt like the good ol' GSCW that we all came to know and love. Excuse me, I'm sorry... APW LA. Good show, but the pointless promos and angles have got to go. If promos and angles are a must, at least have people involved that the fans care about.

Scrub
Rey Jr.'s got nothing on my "714"
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