JOE BABINSACK LOOKS AT SHIMMER VOLUME 8 DVD
- 08/10/2008 (7:45:26 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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SHIMMER: Women Athletes Volume 8 ShimmerWrestling.com $14.95 Reviewed by Joe Babinsack Top notch professional wrestling, without the blood, gimmicks and constant nonsense of the so-called major leagues. That’s what Shimmer is all about. At the eighth installment of the promotions DVDs, there still isn’t a championship belt. There still hasn’t been a chairshot, or gratuitous blood, or many foreign objects or even a match where the rules have changed beyond the basics, plus a few staple historic stipulations. But at its core, Shimmer is presented as one the purest of pro wrestling promotions. Call it a combination All Japan of the 1990’s, and All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling of that same era. In other words, the often stiff, technically sound and to-a-finish mentality of the men, plus the passion, athleticism and ground-breaking vision of the later. The Manami Toyota era of AJW was a lot faster paced, with high-flying action and a seeming struggle to keep the attention of a male dominated cultural sport. But Shimmer is equally impressive with a less high-flying style, but also a stronger one, with arguably a deeper roster. But like AJW, Shimmer is differentiating itself from the dominant male mainstream expectations. We all know the limitations of what is seen on a weekly basis on cable networks and the like. Three minute matches, overly toned and tanned bodies, pillow fights and an emphasis on eye-candy and positioning for the Wrestlemania release of a men’s magazine over talent, skill and demonstrations of the art form. Shimmer simply does not need the gender tag as a distraction. With its roster going close to a dozen names who can legitimately headline its cards, and a mid card filled with talented wrestlers, a solid booking approach and a pure sense of the term professional wrestling, this is a promotion that compares with any other in the world right now. Any one of them. And, once again, at this installment, there is no title belt that is used as a prop, a piece of historical reference or a throw-away accessory. Which means, once a champion is crowned, that all the feuds, all the tensions and all the interactivity of a simple booking process will be taken to the next level. And I can’t wait to see how that plays out. So now, on to the matches. The opener pits Lexie Fyfe, OMEGA alum and notorious “Foxy Lady” (see lexiefyfe.com for more!) against Lorelei Lee. The distinguished but underplayed heel versus face alignments come into play here. Fyfe is a veteran heel. Lee is the younger face, who plays that traditional role of the wrestler who puts on a great show. Lorelei is constantly doing a handspring elbow in matches, which sometimes doesn’t quite hit the mark, but is impressive for its undertaking. Lexie has a mean version of the TKO as her finisher. Both ladies hearken back to the day when different body types were used to build up matches and were appreciated as being part of the roster. The crowd for this one is quite lively, with constant attempts at dueling chants, and a lot of interaction with the in-ring talent. Cindy Rogers, the “Definition of Technician” is matched up well with Serena Deeb, who is noted to be under contract and loan from Ohio Valley Wrestling. It’s a well constructed match between the heel leaning Rogers, a solid veteran, and the more WWE looking Deeb, who has an exotic look, sports booty shorts, and shows a lot more talent, to boot. Much of the match is Rogers working over Deeb’s knee, and both do a great deal of inspirational work. There is an interesting submission attempt midway or later in the match, almost a cattle mutilation looking position, but vertical. Deeb sells very well throughout, even past the bell A backstage interlude ensues, with Cheerleader Melissa asking MsChif “Do you really think this will work?” and MsChif responding by tossing Melissa some sort of chain skirt/bondage belt, just like the one that the green gothic screamer wears to the ring. (It’s the sort of subtle peek backstage that actually develops character, progresses a storyline and creates interest in the forthcoming match. Which I know is alien to certain minds in the business these days.) Allison Danger takes on the impressive Lufisto in the next bout. Lufisto, with a white shirt and tie, and skirt, and her body type, seems like a Robert Crumb comic dream girl come to life. She makes the ever-obligated complaints about Allison Danger’s wardrobe and other things obsolete. Not in that she is worse, but in that she has drawn out the effort and talent of the CanAmJapan superstar. Aside from a spot of rather awkward selling, this was a great match. It was definitely a strong style presentation, with Lufisto a powerhouse and Danger giving a great performance. There were some great submission attempts, some awesome exchanges of stiff kicks and a great story to it all. Above all, Dave Prazak’s announcing really shone in this one, explaining the strategy, selling the power and all-around providing a sense of commentary that seems to be fading into oblivion. Amber O’Neal versus Josie Really, I just don’t get how anyone in this Chicago audience can boo Amber O’Neal. “Skanky Barbie” just doesn’t scream heel to me. But she plays it so well! I love this match as a representation of the “typical” shimmer match. It features wrestling, from some nice standing chain wrestling, to some old school heelishness, to some stiff punches and chops, as well as some top notch near finishes by Josie. And, in the end, they simple sell the hard fought match all the way to the back. Another interlude, with Allison Danger confronting Cindy Rogers about her attitude. It’s pretty cute. “Taking care of business” is Roger’s response. Malia Hosaka comes out to Nine Inch Nail’s “Head Like a Hole” and I have a hard time not cheering her on, even against the impressive Nikki Roxx. The crowd gets behind their favorites, and a dueling chant tries to emerge. “Nikki Roxx” versus “Malia Sucks” Nothing can be further from the truth. Ms. Hosaka has 19 years of experience, but doesn’t look it on the physical end. Despite the obnoxious chants, the crowd does show great appreciation, and it is noted by Prazak in the commentary. It is a rather smartened up crowd, and one that appreciates the action and the talent more than your typical mainstream ignoramus. Next up is Nattie Niedhart against the Portuguese Princess Ariel. Oh, what trademarked mainstream names will do for your indy level promotions. But then again, Niedhart is passing through and gaining some great experience against a talented roster, and Ariel is solid on that roster, sporting a nifty spider motif in her costume. What looks like a face versus face affair ends up with Niedhart playing subtle heel. I continue to be impressed by Nattie, her look, her power moves and her potential. Just another solid match on the card. Tiana Ringer and Daizee Haze is a great matchup between the most underrated wrestler on the planet, and a great athlete who seems to already have gotten some notice. Haze is that great wrestler who always puts on a great show, and makes any match a great one. She’s plays up the underdog role very well, but has some strong finishers, typically the Yakuza kick, preceded or followed up by a Heart Punch. (By the way, Shawn Stasiak aside, why the heck isn’t the Heart Punch a strong finiser? Or the Polish Hammer, for that matter??) What always sells me on Daizee Haze is that after a match, she doesn’t have to sell that she’s been through the ringer. She’s got that covered-in-sweat, exhausted and barely able to make it to the back look down pat. Which I don’t think is a work. Ringer looks good in anything she wears, and while Haze can make anyone look good, I think its reciprocated here. Now we get a recap of Volume Seven, with a simple angle that builds up this edition’s first main event. Once again, the simple builds and follow-throughs are what make watching Shimmer something special. Things don’t just get thrown out for a lack of entertainment; they build things in a solid pace, they set up match ups and enhance the feuds. Last time, The Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew was split up for some singles competition, which turned into a platform for a parejas increibles with heated rivals Cheerleader Melissa and MsChif, teaming up to face the dominant tag team of Shimmer, namely Lacey and Rain. This is just one incredible matchup between four highly talented individuals. Melissa, as always is just brutal in her work -- methodical and with a psychology few seem to want to match. But she’s not covered from head to toe, and allowed to wrestle here, so it’s a joy to see her in action. MsChif is more acrobatic, more creative, and pulls out the Obliterator, which is what I can only describe as a SupePiledriver. Rain and Lacey of course show why they are the dominant tag team. They are reminiscent of the Midnight Express, doing the double teams and more so, the back and forth action, cutting off the ring, and playing the heels to the hilt. What’s nice is that once put together, there is not over-the-top dissension played, or any sort of crazy angle. It’s just two teams tearing at each other with great talent, lots of stiff slaps and a passion for wrestling I don’t always see in the ring. I think passion trips over bad booking too many times. The second main event pits the lovely Mercedes Martinez against Sara Del Rey. These are two ladies that can wow even the most jaded and chauvinistic crowd. This one has a bit more of the top rope action than most of the card, and also some out of the ring action as well. But throwing each other into the guard rail, and a really impressive tope by Martinez are the essence of that outside work. Which is enjoyable, because it shows off the intensity without overdoing the masochism. Any time two wrestlers can pull off an exchange of slapping each other from the kneeling position is a testament to their ability to put together what looks like a brutal and exhaustive match, and when it looks brutal and exhaustive, then I believe it to be true. Which is, in my book, the definition of great professional wrestling. It’s too bad too many people, both in positions of decision making, and those fans out there who want to think that appreciating professional wrestling means knowing the life histories of their favorite TV characters, keep turning their noses down on a promotion like Shimmer. Because those people are missing out on what makes professional wrestling worth watching, even if it’s just one DVD at a time. Joe Babinsack can be reached at [email protected]. I’ve got a few books in the review pipeline, plus some new ROH DVDs, and a truckload of stuff from Big Vision Entertainment to watch. What’s new on your wrestling plate? |
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