On Saturday, December 6, it was time for a road trip. Ron and I decided to head to the "Super Mega Show" in New Jersey follwed by Who's Slammin Who Wrestling in Freehold.

The "Super Mega Show" has always been the red headed step child of conventions in the area. In the past they were always plagued with no shows (at several shows more than half their announced lineup didn't appear), horrible organization, promoter attitude problems, and anything else you can think of. Due to a slight change in "management" and an abundance of vendor talent, the last few "Super Mega Shows" have been a slight improvement. Of course, "Super Mega Show" usually runs a show once a year in NJ. For some reason, they decided to run a second show this year (just a few weeks after a show they ran in Boston). Due to the new location, the current economy, the time of year, and the fact that they just had a show in NJ a few months back, the turnout for the convention was less than stellar. (I won't mention that they charge $20 just to get in to their convention). "Super Mega Show" insisted that in order to enter you had to fill out a "Registration Form". According the the man giving them out "if you don't fill one out, you can't go in." There's a smart move. You won't take our $20 unless we give you our contact info? LOL ! Needless to say, I think they got a lot of interesting contact info from everyone from Butch Reed to Mickey Mouse.

This "Super Mega Show" was mostly loaded with talent brought in by Turnbuckle Promotions Inc. Turnbuckle's talent included Stacy Keibler, Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3), Shawn Stasiak, Jackie Gayda, So Cal Val, Ryan Shamrock, Miss Kitty, Test, Elijah Burke, Terry Taylor, Miss Jones, Juventud Guerrera, and Lizzy Valentine. In addition, MGM Collectibles had TNA's Roxxi. Bobby Reidel was in attendance with Franklin Square Video who brought in Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Mike Mondo, and Ted DiBiase. Other wrestlers in attendance included Kamala and Iron Sheik. Also, MuTan Entertainment brought in Terri Runnels.

Due to the ridiculously small location, the layout was not conducive to a well run event. Stacy Keibler, who had the longest line of the day, was placed at the head of one aisle. Her line ran straight down that aisle, pretty much blocking every guests' table (the Turnbuckle talent) in that aisle. This can not be held against Turnbuckle as they were just working with what they were given. Had they let him place Stacy in a different (emptier) area of the room, it wouldn't have seemed so hectic.

All the Turnbuckle staff seemed to know what they were doing. They did a great job of making sure the VIP ticket holders received what was promised to them (whether it be 2 autographs per guest or an extra 8 x10, etc.) The majority of the talent was very nice. Stacy Keibler was as sweet as always, taking time to talk to each fan who came to meet her. Jackie was in a great mood (as usual). Ryan Shamrock, Miss Kitty, SoCal Val, Lizzy and Juve were all seemingly in a good mood and were very fan friendly. Hell, even Test was great with the fans (and I never thought he would be). Shawn Stasiak didn't seem to thrilled to be there. However, at the time that I was at his table he was talking about lunch so maybe he was just real hungry. Overall, the Turnbuckle talent was great. (That includes Kristanna Loken who is simply stunning in person). Of course, Roxxi was also phenomenal with the fans (and this was the first time I have seen her since she had her head shaved. She looks as good as ever).

The other room of the convention was pretty much empty. That room had all the "non wrestling" guests. Most of them were over priced. Most of them had horrible 8 x 10's. Many of them did not display their prices on their tables. I was able to get Mercedes McNabb to sign for me and get a photo op. (PS, the photo op was free with the price of the autograph. That is the way it should be. If a fan buys something, let them have a free photo op. If they don't want to buy something, then charge them! Especially at a show like this where it isn't a time issue (since there were no fans in attendance!).

After the convention, Ron, Dan The Mark, Joe and I headed to Miami Mike's for lunch. Only at Miami Mike's do the chicken fingers not come with fries and 4 fries cost $21. Anywhoo, a decent lunch with some very interesting conversation (as only we could have).

After lunch, we all parted ways. Ron and I wasted a few hours before heading down to what would be my THIRD live wrestling event of 2008 (following TNA in February, and the NWA Legends Fanfest in August).

Who's Slamming Who presented an evening of pro wrestling at 3-2 Count Athletic Training Facility (get it, 3-2 count and it's a batting cage type place!?) in Freehold, NJ. IF you read Judas Young's 10 Questions With... interview you would have known that this lineup was reminiscent of the matches that the "Clothesline Crew" used to attend in Yardville. The lineup seemed strong, filled with many of the guys who built the indy scene plus Roxxi would be taking on Cherry. Hell, only Roxxi and Ace Darling could get me to leave my semi retirement from pro wrestling. The other reason for attending the show, the return of one of the original 4 Crew members... MURPH!

Pat Murphy came out, with his son Kevin, to join Ron and I for the event. We hadn't seen Murph in over 5 years and it was a thrill to be able to see him (and meet his son).

A great facility for a wrestling show. Unfortunately, the crowd was only around 75 people. (I think that stemmed from a combination of too many shows in the area as well as the threat of, and the appearance of, snow).

The show began with the ring announcer stating "We would like to resent Santa Claus!" Granted, many people my resent Santa but I think he meant "present Santa". Ace Darling came out with Shane Taylor, Santa's Bag, hat, and beard. Ace cut a great heel promo (as only Ace can do). This led to the first match of the evening as Shane Taylor was defeated by Flash. Of course, Ace tried to interfere several times but it mostly backfired. After the match, Flash knocked Ace Darling down and took Santa's bag. Flash then threw gifts out to the audience. Kevin was able to catch the VHS tape of some of wrestling's bloodiest matches. I'm sure it will be a collector's item one day! LOL.

ECW's H.C. Loc was up next to battle Mr. Personality Nick Nice. Wow, what a lack of personality. HC Loc's entrance music was some of the worst we have ever heard. However, Loc promised us that we would have loved it had they let it continue playing. Loc dominated most of the match and was over with the crowd. Personality was able to make the pinfall, using the ropes for leverage.

Bonecrusher Samson defeated Nicky Benz in a good match. Benz' mic work prior to the match was some of the best we have ever seen. He was doing all the cliché bad jokes ("I just flew in from Vegas and boy are my arms tired.") He also did some new ones that we're still trying to figure out. ("I was driving down the street the other day and two guys walked into a bar. The third guy ducked.") Benz then serenaded the audience with a Sinatra tune. It wasn't until his rendition that the fans knew they wouldn't be cheering for Benz during the match.

The next bout saw Crowbar vs Danny Doring. Crowbar came to the ring to music that Murph could only describe as the theme from "Herbie Rides Again". Doring stalled for as long as possible, harassing the crowd, Crowbar's family, etc. At one point, Doring decided to head to the back. As several fans chanted "We Want Wrestling!", Murph chanted "We Want Clever Banter". The match began and the two men had a solid, enjoyable match which saw Crowbar victorious.

Intermission saw some of the wrestlers come out to sign autographs and take photos. Cherry was charging $10 for 8x10's while Roxxi was charging $5. Both had some nice promo photos from WWE and TNA respectively.

We returned from intermission to learn that Who's Slamming Who would be returning to 3-2 Count on April 4, 2009!

Josh Daniels headed to the ring. He did stop to say "Oh My God, you dragged your ass all the way out here for this?" Daniels faced Nunzio in a great match which saw Nunzio victorious after hitting his finisher on Josh.

Diva v Knockout was up next as TNA's Roxxi faced former WWE Diva Cherry. Roxxi came out saying she was going to high 5 everyone in the crowd. I told her that wouldn't take long. Both girls were over with the crowd. (Roxxi seemed to have a few more fans on her side). The match did see an interesting head butt as Roxxi literally ran head first into Cherry's butt. (Cherri was trying to jump over Roxxi and didn't quite get the height she needed). Cherry was able get the victory but both girls hugged and left the ring together after the match.

The main event of the evening was up next. The ring announcer told the crowd that it was a Texas Death Match and the rules were "There are no rules". He then confused the hell out of everyone by reading a lengthy list of rules. Huh?!

The rules, as written in the program and read by the announcer:

No Disqualification
Falls Don't Count
Falls Can Take Place Anywhere in the Building
Match Continues Until One Man Can't Get To His Feet Before 10 Count

So, while falls don't count they do but you have to get up before 10 unless you don't and if you do you don't lose but if you don't you may lose unless...

Long story short, you pin a guy he has a 10 count to get up.

Judas Young battled Danny Inferno all over the grassy knoll. They used chairs. They used exercise balls. There were several pinfalls but the wrestler responded by the 10 count. A few times, the ref just stopped the 10 count for no reason but who am I to judge. Back in the ring, Judas was busted open. The two men continued to fight until Judas nailed Inferno with a chair and Inferno was not able to respond.

After the bout, Judas talked about his wars with Inferno all over the northeast. He wanted to put an end to it once and for all. Judas and Inferno shook hands. Then, as Judas turned away, Inferno pulled something from his tights. Judas turned around and was nailed in the face with a fireball. Tommy Fierro ran into the ring with water. Inferno left as Judas squirmed in the ring in pain. As the timekeeper and bellringer "attended" to Judas, Tommy announced that on April 4th Judas Young would face Danny Inferno in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match.

The evening ended with the announcement of the 50/50 raffle winner. The winner received.... $15!!!!!

Overall, a very enjoyable night of pro wrestling. The matches were all solid and were fun to watch. Roxxi, Crowbar, Doring, Nicky Benz, Loc, and Ace Darling were some of the highlights as they were all able to get the crowd to respond (which you have to do when it's this small.) Even with the little screw ups and faux paus, if you can leave the show having said it was fun and you had a good time, that's what matters.

Hopefully, the complete Crew (with Kevin) will be able to return to a show or two in 2009.