BASLER’S BLOG
by Al Basler
Friday Fight Night Breakdown
This Friday night, New England Championship Wrestling returns to Randolph for FRIDAY FIGHT NIGHT. The line-up features some big rematches and a one-night tournament to determine a new NECW Television Champion. Let’s take a look at each match and get ready for this jam-packed night of NECW action.
Slyck Wagner Brown vs. Jeremy Prophet
In a rematch from February’s Snowbrawl event, which saw no winner crowned, Slyck Wagner Brown will take on Jeremy Prophet. Three months ago when these two locked up, they battled for 15 minutes with neither man scoring a victory. After the bell rang, signaling the end of the time limit, both Brown and Prophet asked for 5 more minutes, which was granted to them. Neither man earned a fall in the additional five minutes and the match ended in a draw.
On a night that was headlined by the crowning of a new NECW Heavyweight Champion, most fans felt that Brown and Prophet stole the show. Due to this, it was determined that this match would be featured on NECW’s debut on Plum TV. If you haven’t seen this match yet, head on over to the NECW YouTube channel and watch it right now.
Since SNOWBRAWL, Jeremy Prophet received a shot at the NECW Heavyweight Champion, Antonio “The Promise” Thomas. This decision did not sit well with Wagner Brown, a former NECW Heavyweight Champion. Prophet was unsuccessful is bid for the NECW’s top prize, and now must turn his attention to settling this score with Brown. At BOUTS FOR THE SCOUTS, Brown picked up an impressive victory over Beau Douglas. From this standpoint, it seems that Wagner may have the momentum heading into this return match.
Clearly, these two are fairly evenly matched. They have very different styles, but they should be well acquainted with each other after their last encounter. This time around, the match has been scheduled with a 30 minute time limit to help ensure a victor is decided. Both men will be looking to prove to the other that they are the better man, and to the NECW officials that they should get the next shot at Antonio Thomas.
Speaking of Thomas, while he is not scheduled to compete this Friday night, I have been informed that he will be attendance in Randolph. From what I understand, he has taken a particular interest in this match between Wagner Brown and Jeremy Prophet. I’m sure Thomas expects that whoever comes out of this match victorious will be knocking at his door very soon.
Mistress Belmont vs. Kasey Ray
At MARCH BADNESS, these two women hooked up in another match that didn’t have a clear cut outcome. Kasey Ray, making her NECW in-ring debut, took the fight to the crazed Mistress Belmont and gave her everything that she could handle. There were several times where it looked like Kasey had Belmont on the ropes. During the match, like we have seen several times now over the last few months, a gift-wrapped package was delivered to ringside during a World Women’s Wrestling feature match. Each time, the package has contained a weapon, intended for the use of either Mistress Belmont or Nikki Valentine. This was one of the occasions, with the package holding brass knuckles. Belmont attempted to use the object on Kasey, but was stopped by the referee, and promptly disqualified.
This Friday night, both women are going to be looking for a measure of revenge. Mistress Belmont will obviously be looking to avenge her loss in March. Kasey Ray will be gunning to avenge Belmont stealing her chance to score a definitive victory in her debut match, as well as Belmont’s attempt to do some serious damage with the brass knuckles. Like the other rematch on the card, you have two very different styles in action here. Belmont’s straight forward, hard-hitting offense will clash with Kasey’s quick, highly athletic technique.
The one thing that will surely be different in this match is that there will be no mysterious presents involved. NECW officials have decreed that no more packages may be delivered to ringside. The only question I have is whether or not Nikki Valentine, who told me in no uncertain terms that it wasn’t my business when I asked her if she was working with Mistress Belmont, or whoever is sending these presents will involve themselves this Friday.
NECW Television Championship Tournament Semi-Final: Nick Farenheight vs. “Juicy” Justin Corino
Since his debut in NECW, Nick Farenheight has been almost exclusively a tag team competitor. Currently, he and partner Mike Webb are giving the current NECW Tag Team Champions, “Superstar” Scotty Slade and “The Shure Thing” Mark Shurman a serious run for their money. Friday night, however, Farenheight turns his attention to singles competition as he tries to capture the NECW Televsion Championship. The first obstacle standing in his way is “Juicy” Justin Corino.
Corino made his NECW debut at BOUTS FOR THE SCOUTS in a losing effort against Dalton Castle. As I wrote last week, Corino attacked Castle after the match, frustrated with his debut loss. What we’ve learned in short order about Justin Corino is that he has a very short fuse. He’s also supremely confident in his abilities, and despite the loss, the officials of NECW are too.
On one hand, you may have to give the advantage in this one to Corino, if for no other reason than Farenheight has been so focused on competing in a tag team over the last couple of years. However, if there’s one thing that we’ve learned about Nick Farenheight it’s that you should never count him out of any situation. This has potential to be a surprise match of the night candidate.
NECW Television Championship Tournament Semi-Final: Mike McCarthy vs. Johnny Thunder
The second semi-final match features another return match, this one from Bouts For the Scouts. After his defeat at the hands of Johnny Thunder, which will air this Thursday night on NECW, Mike McCarthy immediately requested a rematch. McCarthy, formerly known by the name of Tommy Knoxville, has been a veteran of the ring wars around New England for over 13 years. In addition, McCarthy is also a member of the punk band, For The Worse. Now, he has set his sights on NECW, and particularly, the NECW Television Championship.
Johnny Thunder, the self-professed “collector of belts”, has a chance on Friday to add another one to his mantle. Since falling short in his quest for the NECW Heavyweight Championship at Snowbrawl, Thunder has reinvented himself to a degree and turned his dubious reputation around. Along the way, he has earned victories over Beau Douglas and McCarthy. Thunder is probably the wrestler with the most momentum heading into this tournament.
When looking at a Johnny Thunder match, it’s usually obvious to give the experience edge to Thunder. However, Mike McCarthy is one of the few men on the NECW roster who can match Thunder in veteran status. It’s hard to overlook the roll that Johnny Thunder is on coming into Friday night. But you also have to note McCarthy adamantly wanting a rematch. Whether it’s merely pride coming into play, or he noticed something about their previous match, you can be sure that McCarthy has a plan and will look to execute it on Friday.
NECW Television Championship Tournament Finals
With NECW’s return to television, it was obviously time to bring back the NECW Television Championship. The announcement resonated within the NECW locker room and many wrestler were clamoring to have a chance to become the new champion. The NECW officials chose an interesting field of four men to compete at FRIDAY FIGHT NIGHT to crown the new champion. I’m not a betting man, so you won’t see me making any bold predictions on which two men will advance to the finals. You can make a case, as I think I have above, for any of the four walking out as the new NECW Television Champion. Randolph is quickly becoming the town where champions are crowned, as the current NECW Heavyweight and Tag Team Champions secured their gold at the Knights of Columbus. This Friday night, we can add the new NECW Television Champion to that list.