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F1RST WRESTLING: WRESTLEPALOOZA XIII NIGHT 1
JANUARY 5, 2019
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. AT FIRST AVENUE
REPORT BY JOEL DEHNEL, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
If you attend a live event, please send results in the format of the following report to pwtorch@pwtorch.com. Thanks!
Attendance: Sold Out at 1,000
The show opened with a nice tribute video to Mean Gene. The video was followed by a nice ovation and “Mean Gene” chant. Gene got his start in wresting in the Minneapolis market.
(1) ANGEL DORADO defeated DAK DRAPER, THE ESTONIAN THUNDERFROG, and ?.
I didn’t catch the name of the last wrestler over the PA system. He was someone I don’t remember from being a part of previous shows. The other wrestler are all Minneapolis staples who have been a part of F1rst Wrestling for awhile now. Thunderfrog was the most over with the crowd, but Dak and Angel continue to improve in the ring as well as finding that connection with the audience.
Dimitry Killstorm performed their first set. Previously, F1rst Wrestling has booked punk and metal type bands. This was a welcomed transition from that with an ensemble of rappers. The crowd appeared to be more into this group than the previous bands they’ve booked.
(2) MJF defeated DJZ.
It’s always interesting to see what kind of reaction wrestlers who haven’t been on a F1rst Wrestling card get. A good portion of the crowd were familiar with the two, but they didn’t receive anywhere near the reaction that F1rst Wrestling regulars receive. MJF continues to get his nasty character over. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a merchandise booth where he could sling insults to anyone within an ear shot like he did at Starrcast.
Burlesque performance by Joy Coy.
(3) COLT CABANA defeated KIKUTARO.
The crowd ate up all of the comedy in this match. They were engaged with every spot. Colt cut a promo after the match saying he is going to destroy David Arquette tomorrow.
Dimitry Killstorm performed their second.
(4) AIR WOLF defeated ARIK CANNON and DARIN CORBIN to retain the Wrestlepalooza Championship.
The crowd knows and loves these guys. Cannon has been promoting F1rst Wrestling for 12 years and the crowd adores him. Corbin is another local who has really made a name for himself since his heel turn. Air Wolf is younger wrestler on the rise. Everything in the match got a huge reaction.
(5) THE GREAT SASUKE defeated SHANE STRICKLAND.
Great reaction for Strickland. Not a lot for Sasuke. From what I could hear, there were segments of the crowd who weren’t familiar with Sasuke. Sasuke was the centerpiece of the promo poster, but he’s not someone on the radar of F1rst Wrestling regulars. He did have the largest meet and greet line before and after the show. The match was bit slow to start, but picked up a bit towards the end. Sasuke showed that he can still work, but obviously at age 49 it’s nothing compared to his mid-90’s work in NJPW. Strickland’s character has a Prince vibe to him making First Ave a great setting for him.
Burlesque performance by Sweet Pea.
(6) LAX (SANTANA & ORTIZ) defeated THE RASCALZ (DEZMOND XAVIER & ZACHARY WENTZ).
High intensity and hard hitting. These guys put on a hell of a match. The crowd didn’t seem familiar with either team mainly because this was the first appearance for both teams at Wrestlepalooza. By the end, the crowd knew who they were and were invested in both teams.
FINAL THOUGHTS: The show clocked in at about 3 hours and 15 minutes. This show sold out in two weeks, then they booked a second show which also sold out. The F1rst Wrestling brand continues to build in Minneapolis. This show likely had the most outside talent they’ve ever booked. Usually the card is filled with a lot of local talent and a few special attractions like Colt Cabana, Joey Ryan, and Chuckie T. I can only see the brand continuing to build with every Wrestlepalooza event raising the bar in terms of presentation, star power and match quality.
If you attend a live event, please send results in the format of the following report to pwtorch@pwtorch.com. Thanks!
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