Action Zone Wrestling DVD review
"Showdown 2007"
Waipahu, Hawaii
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

For several months now, a DVD for Hawaii-based Action Zone Wrestling's "Showdown 2007" show featuring Dragon Gate stars has been sitting on my desk waiting to be reviewed. With WWE making a rare tour stop in Hawaii this week, and with the increased presence of Dragon Gate wrestlers from Japan in the U.S., now is a good time to look at the AZW product.

AZW's DVD is a mix of the best (in-shape, cutting-edge Dragon Gate-style wrestling) and the worst of independent wrestling. The Dragon Gate stars were sprinkled into the final three matches of the show, following an undercard that featured wrestlers of two very different shapes and sizes.

The undercard wrestlers were either tiny men weighing 125 pounds soaking wet or out-of-shape individuals who probably haven't gone shirtless in public in years. There were a few bright spots on the undercard, but the first few matches on the DVD made for solid unintentional comedy.

A very good Dragon Kid vs. Susumu Yokosuka match, coupled with the unintentional comedy of the undercard, actually makes for a unique $15 purchase if you're in the right frame of mind to be entertained.

One of the more hilarious moments of the show was the near-semi-main event that features Dragon Gate "enforcer" Shingo paired up with an independent wrestler who takes himself too seriously. They were up against the promotion's tag champions, who fit the aforementioned featherweight size. Watching Shingo in a completely different element toying with smaller individuals made for great viewing.

The main event featured one of the greatest men alive, CIMA, facing the AZW champion, Kris Kavanaugh. Kris falls into the category of a poor man's Samoa Joe, complete with a heel manager who believes he's cutting promos for WrestleMania. Kris was actually quite entertaining playing the undeserving heel champion who gets by on sheer luck.

The production values for the show is refreshingly professional with quality lighting and multiple camera shots. The drawback is exposing talent that struggles with the basics like pulling a punch without showing light. The venue seemed to be a partitioned room inside a hotel ballroom, which made for an intimate setting, but could also take viewers out of the moment. The sound bounced off the walls as the crowd sat quietly until the main event matches.

The AZW promotion also has DVD releases featuring Teddy Hart, Delirious, Jimmy Jacobs, Larry Sweeney, and M-Dogg 20. More information on the promotion's DVD products can be found on ActionZoneWrestling.webs.com.

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