RADICAN’S JCW “LEGENDS & ICONS” iPPV REVIEW
AIRED ON PSYCHOPATHICLIVE.COM
AUGUST 12, 2011
CAVE IN ROCK, ILL.

The show began with Kevin Gill running down the card in the ring. He introduced DJ Clay and Mick Foley. Foley came in the ring and put over the Midnight Express vs. Rock N’ Roll Express match. Foley says this show was like a Hall of fame reunion.

They’ve got a new set that’s different from the usual set they use for iPPV. They’ve got a bigger ring and a long entrance ramp. Bill Apter interviewed Tito Santana backstage. Santana said Valentine had put him in the hospital and he never forgot Valentine destroying the IC title. KG and Foley are wearing matching ICP jerseys to do commentary at ringside, although Foley spiced it up with a leopard print shirt.

Dave Penzer is doing the ring announcing. The entrance, graphics, picture, and sound are very good.

1 - - GREG VALENTINE vs. TITO SANTANA – Steel Cage match

Foley talked about the history of the Santana-Valentine feud as they made their entrances. The new stage and entrance setup looks really good. It’s not major league, but it spices up the feeling of the show nicely.

Valentine kicked Santana low and went to work on him. Santana looks in good shape for his age. Santana fired back and threw some punches at Valentine before tossing him into the cage. Gill’s audio is a little low, but Foley is loud and clear. Santana raked Valentine’s head against the cage. Valentine fired back and went to work on Santana’s leg. Valentine came up bleeding when they got a shot of his forehead. Santana blocked a figure 4 attempt and took down Valentine with a series of punches. Valentine caught Santana with a small package for a nearfall.

Foley said if the match ended in a small package the fans would riot. Valentine ended up getting the win by pinning Santana using the ropes for leverage.

After the match, Valentine was given a trophy. Valentine gave it to Santana. Santana destroyed the plaque as payback for Valentine destroying the IC title. I don’t understand why Valentine just gave his plaque to Santana. Foley called Santana a sore loser.

Winner: Greg Valentine

Match thoughts: This was a fun match. Foley was really good on commentary hear as he told stories about both men. The finish was cheap, but what can you do.

The ring crew came down to take down the steel cage. Foley said they needed to get it down quickly. Gill put over Foley, who said he was flattered just to be hear calling this card. Foley talked about “Countdown to Lockdown.” Gill said he bought it in hardcover and on his Kindle. Foley said he had to buy his own book online. Foley talked about driving to Cave in Rock. Foley said it took him 13 hours to get to the venue. He said he hadn’t had any caffeine, but he couldn’t say he was carb free. He high-fived Gill and nearly knocked them off the air. Gill and Foley ran down the card again, as the Cage continued to be taken down.

Apter was backstage with the Headbangers. Mosh and Thrasher said they were in the Battle Royal. They made fun of Apter’s sneakers. They played with Apter’s hair. They played with Apter’s hair instead of answering his questions. Poor Bill.

They went back to Foley and Gill at ringside. A nice looking ring girl came down to signal the start of the second match. Foley told Penzer that he’s no Jeremy Borash. The ring girl got confused before making her exit.

2 - - ELIMINATIONS FOR GENERATIONS BATTLE ROYAL

Jim Duggan was out first. He nearly ran over the ring girl as she went through the curtain. Duggan got a nice pop coming out. Mosh was out next. He looks to be in the same shape he was in WWE. Ronnie Garven came out next to no reaction. He was wearing street clothes. Thrasher came down to the ring next. Foley talked about Duggan’s history in the mid-south. Carlito was out next and he was drinking a beer while making his entrance. Gill said Carlito didn’t want to play politics, so he was out of the WWE. Foley said it was good for someone like Carlito to get away to recharge their batteries. Garven was eliminated, but I didn’t catch it. Foley said, “Good Job, Ronnie.” Jimmy Snuka’s music played and he came out next to a nice reaction. Foley talked about Snuka’s influence on him as he came down to the ring.

All of the wrestlers stopped and clapped for Snuka. Duggan used the opportunity to eliminate Mosh. Tony Atlas was out next. The announcers debated about how Atlas was able to stay in good shape at his age. Big Daddy V was out next. He looks the same as he did when he left WWE. Foley said Big Daddy V sat on his head during his last WWE match in 2008 at the Royal Rumble and did some damage. Big Daddy V eliminated Duggan. Carlito tried to eliminate Big Daddy V on his own, but didn’t have much luck.

Big Daddy V eliminated Thrasher while Rob Conway made his entrance. Duggan threw a punch at Conway before heading to the back. Conway no-sold the punch. That was funny. Atlas flexed for Conway. I’m guessing he got eliminated and they didn’t catch it. Atlas ended up at the commentary booth. He said the guys in the rings are rough. He said he’s coming back next year. Zach Gowen came down to the ring next. Conway ambushed Gowen on the outside. Conway attacked Gowen again and ripped off his fake leg. Carlito eliminated himself hitting Conway with a springboard. Um, ok. Doink came down to the ring next. This is Matt Bourne, who is the original Doink. Foley said he had gotten heat for saying Doink was a great character. He said Bourne was an underrated wrestler during his career. The announcers tried to get Carlito to do commentary, but he went to the back. Snuka ended up going over the top rope when Gowen avoided a charge.

Conway continued to work over Gowen’s leg inside the ring. U-Gene was out next. He kissed Snuka as he made his way down to the ring. U-Gene attacked Gowen right away playing into their feud in JCW. Foley said he didn’t consider U-Gene’s character to be the “dark side of retarted.” Snuka came in on commentary. Snuka said the guy with the one leg was a genius. Doink somehow had been eliminated during this time. Brutus Beefcake was out next wearing nipple rings. Wow.

Foley asked Doink about the Gathering. Doink said it was great. He called the fans freaks and said they took freak to a whole new level. Disco Inferno was out next. Foley corrected Gill and said he wouldn’t call Inferno great. Gowen eliminated U-Gene interrupted Gill talking about DDP’s YRG. Thank God for small miracles. Beefcake was eliminated by Big Daddy V and he was mad. Big Daddy V also eliminated U-Gene.

The final participant is Rikishi, who came out to a nice reaction. They spelled his as “Rakishi.” Foley said Rikshi was the youngest wrestler to main event MSG. Rikishi and Big Daddy V went face to face as everyone watched. Rikshi is the last entrant. I guess this means that Too Cool isn’t wrestling tonight. Rikishi took out Inferno with a superkick and gave him the stinkface. Foley did a McMahon imitation to talk about Riksihi’s stinkface. Big Daddy V eliminated Rikishi. Inferno and Conway ended up getting eliminated as well. Big Daddy V went to work on Gowen. Rikishi went over to the commentary table. Rikishi said he wasn’t happy about being in the ring for a short time. Rikishi apologized to the fans. Rikishi said he would cross paths with Rikishi again. Disco came over and said he got a huge pop. Gowen tried to eliminate Big Daddy V, but he didn’t go over the top rope. They tried the spot again and this time Gowen got out of the way and Big Daddy V managed to vault over the top to the floor giving Gowen the big win.

Gowen was given a plaque for winning the rumble match. He then went to the commentary booth. Gowen said he was just trying to survive. Gowen said he was blessed to win the match. Foley said he appreciates what Gowen has brought to the wrestling business.

Winner: Zach Gowen

Match thoughts: This was a lot of fun. I enjoyed hearing Foley and Gill talking about all of the wrestlers and their respective careers. The wrestling wasn’t great, but it wasn’t bad either. It was a lot of fun to see all of those guys in the ring and hear them come on commentary after they were eliminated.

Foley said he was fearful of the atmosphere at GOTJ, but he was pleased with his experience so far. Gill said GOTJ was the most misunderstood event in the world. He said it was about having fun. Apter interviewed Morton and Gibson backstage. Gibson said this was a feud that was timeless.

3 - - ROCK N’ ROLL EXPRESS (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton) vs. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condry)

Rock N’ Roll Express hit double dropkicks on Condry right away and got the three count. Foley said this possibly wouldn’t be added to their list of classic matches. Condry popped right up after the pin.

Winners: Rock N’ Roll Express.

Match thoughts: That was quick!

Gill tried to get a shot of the ring, but we got a lovely close up of Foley instead with Gill in the background.

Apter interviewed Funk backstage. Funk said he was ready for Piper. He said Piper was nothing more than cat poop. He said his daddy told him if you breed an idiot horse with an idiot horse, you breed an idiot. Funk said Piper was bread by a whore and an idiot. This is awesome. Funk said Piper had run him down to directors and producers. He said “They Live” was a piece of crap movie. Funk said Piper was a great actor, but not on the movie screen. Funk said he’s a great actor in the wrestling ring. Funk said Piper was a faker. Funk yelled into the camera that he’s the real deal. What a promo!

4 - - RAVEN vs. BALLS MAHONEY vs. SHANE DOUGLAS vs. SABU vs. 2 COLD SCORPIO vs. AL SNOW vs. RHINO – Philly Madness match

Douglas, Sabu, and Snow did a three way tie up to start the match. Sabu went and got a table right away. Foley took a dig at Snow on commentary, which is par for the course. Rhino and Scorpio tagged in. Sabu and Scorpio immediately went to work on Rhino. Scorpio nailed Rhino with a nice moonsault that popped the crowd. Mahoney tagged in and did his punch spot on Rhino, but Rhino ended up taking him out with a clothesline. Scorpio went up top again and hit a 450 on Mahoney, but Douglas broke it up.

Everyone hit their finishers. Snow then hit everyone with head, but Sabu tossed a chair at him. Sabu then set up a table and put Snow on it. Sabu went for a legdrop off the top, but Snow got out of the way. Rhino then won with a rollup.

Sabu went after Rhino after the match. Raven and Douglas brawled on the stage and to the back. Balls and Foley recreated the famous skit that caused fans to chant “Vince has no balls” at MSG. They got Snow in on commentary. Snow said it was fantastic to give a lot of head. Snow said Foley knew what it was like to give a lot of head. Foley did the Balls and Vince skit with Gill for Snow, who laughed.

Winner: Rhino

Match thoughts: There wasn’t much to this match outside of some nice spots from Scorpio. The commentary was really funny though, especially the post-match stuff.

5 - - BOB BACKLUND vs. KEN PATERA

Backlund is still in really good shape. Gill talked about their famous three match series at MSG. Backlund offered a handshake, but Patera refused. Patera then ended up offering a handshake and the code of honor was finally followed. Backlund used his speed to avoid Patera. He then schooled Patera with some chain wrestling. They did a test of strength. Patera got the upper hand and Backlund fought back, but Patera sent him down with a kick. Backlund fought back again and escaped as they came to a stalemate.

They locked up again and Patera got a bear hug. Backlund tried to fight back, but Patera raked his eyes and applied the bear hug again. Foley said there wasn’t much wrestling going on in this match, but it’s a tribute to the sport. A fan threw something in the ring and Foley said that wasn’t cool. Backlund managed to free himself, but Patera got a full nelson. Backlund countered and went for the chicken wing, but Patera escaped. Backlund then snuck around Patera for the win.

After the match, Backlund was given a plaque. He then gave a fan the cross-face chicken wing after the match. Patera attacked Backlund after the match, but he held him off with the plaque. Backlund went into the stands to celebrate with the fans.

Winner: Bob Backlund

Match thoughts: Once again, the in-ring action wasn’t great, but the commentary was a lot of fun with Gill and Foley talking about the history between Backlund and Patera. Backlund then came into the commentary booth. He screamed into the microphone. He said the next time he came to the Gathering he would clean up the language. Foley said Backlund was crazy.
6 - -DUTCH MANTEL vs. KOKO B. WARE vs. BRICKHOUSE BROWN vs. DOUG GILBERT vs. AUSTIN IDOL – Memphis Five Way match

Idol flexed in the ring, so everyone ganged up on him. Foley talked about wrestling in IWA in Japan with Gilbert. The crowd seems tired, but it is early in the a.m. when this was aired live. Idol got Gilbert in the figure 4, but Mantel broke it up. Mantel got his whip and choked Idol with it. Mantel went to hit Idol with the handle, but he accidentally hit Gilbert. Idol then rolled up Mantel for the win.

Brickhouse Brown came in on commentary. He said he was going to knock someone out before the night was over. Idol came in on commentary and talked about his sports apparel line. Foley took great joy in helping Idol plug his apparel line, which was funny.

Winner: Austin Idol

Match thoughts: There wasn’t much to this match. I wish they would vary the finishes here, as there’s been a ton of rollups it seems. Once again, the commentary was a lot of fun to listen to and Mantel’s presence added to the match.

Gill told Foley he could do whatever he wanted on commentary. Fans handed Foley books to sign while he was on commentary. They got a shot of the ring girl. I wonder if Mike Roe’s head is exploding right now.

7 - - TRACY SMOTHERS (w/Isabella Smothers) vs. TOMMY RICH

Foley asked Penzer if he’s a poor man’s Borash. Penzer said he’s probably right. Rich landed a blow and a knee lift on Smothers to take him down. Isabella interfered. Smothers then pinned Rich with his feet on the ropes for the win.

Winner: Tracy Smothers

Match thoughts: That was quick!

Road Dogg got on the mic before the DX vs. NOW match. He did the traditional New Age Outlaws entrance.

8 - - DX (Road Dogg & Billy Gunn) vs. JWO (Kevin Nash & X-Pac w/Scott Hall)

I guess they decided not to have Hall wrestle, but he doesn’t look bad. Gill referenced PWTorch in telling a story about Nash. Hall got on the mic. He said, “Hey, Yo!” Hall said he was going to do a survey. Hall said he always wondered what they would say for DX vs. NWO. DX got a big cheer. NWO get a slightly bigger response. Pac got on the mic and said woop woop. Penzer introduced Vampiro as the new special ref with Hall not wrestling and Pac taking his place. Foley talked about his history as the special ref.

Dogg and Nash started the match. Nash went to work on Dogg in the corner with knees. Dogg fired back and hit his signature punches, but ended up taking out Pac when he ran into the ring. Pac and Gunn went at it next. Foley said it smelled like weed near the booth. Gunn took down Pac and taunted Nash. Pac fired back with a nice dropkick. He then nailed Gunn with a spin kick. Dogg ran in and took a kick as well. Foley said Pac had another run in him. Pac hit the bronco buster on Dogg, but Gunn managed to catch him with a clothesline.

Dogg choked Pac and taunted Nash. He then took down Pac in a headlock on the mat. Pac began to fire back as the crowd rallied behind him. Dogg cut Pac off and hit his signature knee drop off the ropes. Vampiro got down and counted slowly, which drew some boos. Pac ducked a double clothesline and took out Dogg and Gunn with a double clothesline of his own. Nash tagged in a ran wild. Nash hit a chokeslam on Gunn, but Dogg broke up the pin. Vampiro then nailed Dogg with a superkick. He then put Nash on top of Gunn for the pin.

Vampiro took off his shirt to reveal a JWO shirt. The JWO celebrated together on the outside and posed for the cameras. Nash came in on commentary and said the drive had been long. Nash said the ring was rough, but Pac looked amazing. Foley told Nash that Pac had another run in him. Foley said he was going to text to WWE about Pac. Pac came in on commentary and Foley put him over. Pac thanked Foley and said he blew up. Foley said he was going to try to get Pac a job. Foley told Pac that Backlund was out of his mind and Pac agreed. That was funny. Pac said he felt like he didn’t live up to his standards, but Foley said no.

Winners: Kevin Nash & Scott Hall

Match thoughts: This was the best in-ring match of the night so far. It was nice to see Hall looking like he was in better shape. It was a good decision to put Pac in the ring with Nash and not have Hall wrestle. This was a lot of fun overall. The finish wasn’t great, but it was better than the rollups.

Funk took a shot at Penzer before the match and continued to yell at him. Foley said Borash would have the good sense to leave the ring in that situation. Funk and Piper came out to a good reaction. Funk got on the mic and told Orton to stay on the outside. He told Piper he was an actor. He said Piper wasn’t an actor. He called Piper the worst actor in the world. Funk said Piper gave him no respect. Funk said his daddy told him if you breed an idiot horse to an idiot horse you got an idiot. Funk said Piper had ignorant, stupid parents. Piper said when you breed idiot parents, you get another idiot. Funk called Piper a phony wrestling. Funk said he was the real deal. Funk turned his attention to Orton and told him to leave.

Piper got on the mic. He said he heard Funk’s pitiful music. Piper said he Funk’d Terry’s mother.

8 - - RODDY PIPER (w/Bob Orton) vs. TERRY FUNK – I Quit match

Piper and Orton put the boots to Funk. Piper then whipped Funk with his belt. Piper choked Funk on the outside with his belt. Piper then hit a blatant low blow on Funk. Foley said he wasn’t aware of the bad blood between Piper and Funk. Orton stayed on the apron. Funk fired back and hit some punches on piper before locking in a sleeper. Orton ran in and saved Funk. He then hit Funk with his forearm, which still had the cast on. The ref clearly has lost control of this match. Foley got upset on commentary and said it wasn’t fair what they were doing to Funk.

The crowd chanted for Foley. Funk was busted open and Foley headed down to the ring for a big pop.

8 a - - RODDY PIPER & BOB ORTON vs. MICK FOLEY & TERRY FUNK

I guess we have a tag match on our hands. Orton and Piper worked over Funk and Foley in the ring. Funk fired back on Piper while bleeding from the head. The crowd chanted for Foley, but Piper cut him off. Orton and Piper continued to dominate the action. Piper threw Foley into the ringpost. Funk tried to roll Orton up, but Piper broke it up. Orton then covered Funk for the win.

The crowd chanted bulls--- after the finish. Foley got on the mic and said he didn’t do much when he got in the ring. He said there’s a reason he’s retired. Foley said he was worried about coming to the Gathering. Foley said there were some genuine moments tonight and he appreciated the respect most of the fans showed him. Foley said he’d like to come back next year. Funk then said he didn’t want to wrestle Foley anymore, but would love to have him as his partner. Foley thanked the crowd and plugged his comedy set at 4 a.m.

Foley and Funk went over to the commentary booth. Foley said he stunk up the joint. Funk said he still doesn’t respect Piper because he made remarks about his acting ability. Funk said they live, but Piper died talking about Piper’s acting. Funk said Piper is jealous of him. Gill said it was an honor for him to be part of this event with Foley. He plugged the JCW iPPV series. Foley said there was a porn actor in the ‘70s named Gill. Gill signed off to end the show.

Winners: Bob Orton & Roddy Piper

Match thoughts: I don’t understand how the match went from an I Quit match to a handicap match to a tag match, but Orton, Piper, Funk, and Foley all put in an honest effort when they were involved. The finish was cheap once again, but Piper and Funk gave an honest effort given their respective ages. It was just fun to see Piper and Funk in the ring in this atmosphere, although I hope they vary the finishes if JCW does another show like this in the future.

Overall thoughts: (7.0 – This is a tough show to score. The wrestling wasn’t great and some of the advertised matches didn’t happen or were changed altogether. The bulk of this score is for the commentary between Kevin Gill and Mick Foley. They did a great job of talking about the history behind all of the wrestlers involved in the show and had great chemistry together.

Terry Funk’s promos on this show were simply awesome. When Funk ran down Piper during his backstage interview, he had me ready for a big time main event match with Piper. I knew in the back of my head that neither man was capable of putting on a classic match at this stage of their careers, but to hear Funk tear into Piper and his family was tremendous.

The stream quality and sound was really good for an iPPV. Gill couldn’t be heard well at the beginning, but he was fine after the first match. They did a nice job of creating a wrestling venue at the gathering with a new ring and entranceway. The show looked very professional for an independent event.

If you aren’t expecting great wrestling, but want to see a show where a lot of history is discussed and the wrestlers are respected and discussed in great detail, I recommend the replay.

You can purchase “Legends & Icons” at Psychopathiclive.com.

Contact Sean at PWTorchSean@gmail.com

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