It is a new year, and in a new venue, where GCW “Take a Picture” makes its debut in Austin, Texas at The Blue Genie Art Bazaar on Saturday, January 18. The action can be watched live as usual on Fite.TV at 6:00 pm Pacific time.
And with a new year, a new champ headlines the show as Rickey Shane Page puts up the title against Mance Warner. Interestingly enough, it’s a GCW Championship matchup which, for the first time in quite a few years, does not include the previously reigning champ, Nick Gage.
RSP vs Mance Warner
Rickey Shane Page won the GCW Championship just before the end of 2019 under controversial circumstances. Given that he did not win it from Nick Gage during their months-long blood feud. As Rickey Shane Page defends the title for the first time in GCW against Mance Warner, one has to wonder if Nick Gage will make his presence felt and if there is still unfinished business.
Either way, this should be a bloody good matchup. One of the most iconic deathmatch stars in modern history, Rickey Shane Page, goes against a fairly new, yet rising and charismatic deathmatch star in Mance Warner. It can best be described as a new face of deathmatch wrestling in Mance Warner going against a historic veteran in Page. Mance has been on fire this last year, making his impact in MLW. Making his name heard on both the west and east coasts with top promotions such as Prestige, GCW, and many others.
When a new champion is crowned, it does not necessarily represent the start of a new era, as championships can change fairly quickly. As time moves on, the weight increases in ensuring the continuation of an era to truly mark one’s historic presence on a particular championship title. Sure, Page just won the Championship, but only time will tell whether we truly see the era of RSP. As he has a tough competitor ahead of him in his first defense in GCW. Mance Warner has, for months, been ripening and proving himself as credible championship material. He has a fair shot at the gold here.
Matthew Justice vs Jimmy Lloyd
Matthew Justice, though a veteran in the business, has been on the rise over the last couple of years. Demonstrating himself to be an intimidating character that depends on coarse power and a show of force. But yet isn’t quite a juggernaut in overall size. He can still play the speed game in keeping up with agile and quick competitors.
Jimmy Lloyd, though a deathmatch veteran, has shown he can keep up with the best. He defies his broader appearance. And also effectively playing speed chess in the ring with a slew of impressive chain wrestling abilities and jaw-dropping martial arts kicks which catches his opponents by surprise.
This should be a truly engaging matchup between Matthew Justice and the “Prince of American Hardcore” Jimmy Lloyd. This could put on display the best of many worlds. Speed, power, and bloodshed. Lloyd is quick to bring in his iconic razor-sharp scissors when desperate measures are called upon.
Nick Gage vs Allie Kat
There is actually more to be seen here in this mixed-gender matchup between Nick Gage and Allie Kat other than it being a mixed-gender matchup. This was originally booked to be a Championship matchup for Kat against Gage. But Gage unexpectedly lost the title a couple of months back.
This will certainly prove to be a huge test of endurance for Allie Kat. She must prove herself if she is to seek out opportunities at GCW gold in the future. Though he may no longer be the champion, Gage was undefeated for years in all of his Championship singles matches. Thus, Gage’s track record alone should be an intimidating factor when looking at the odds of Allie Kat walking away victorious from this one.
Masada vs SHLAK
Watch blood, sweat and tears sprinkle the ring mat as these two deathmatch icons, Masada and Shlak face off. They will go all out to be victorious in this no holds barred matchup. Both competitors enjoy impaling their opponent’s heads in order to strike at their morale mid-match. But, whether it may be Masada’s wooden kabob skewers or a handful of Shlak’s tattoo needles, will be seen.
Expect the best (and worst) in this match as this was clearly booked to fulfill those among the fans with blood lust. But it will also be interesting to see if the newer deathmatch mainstay, Shlak, can take out the iconic veteran of the deathmatch. To put it into perspective, it is hard for an established deathmatch promotion in the U.S. to be taken seriously if they have never had Masada on their card.
Alex Zayne vs Chris Bey
For fans of cruiserweight wrestling, and even those who only casually follow, keep a close eye on this matchup. It may steal the entire show. Both competitors have been on a blitz over the last year. Making a name for themselves all around the country, bursting out of their local and home territories far and wide. Finally, two of the best cruiserweights in the business meet at GCW Take a Picture. Both will have a point to prove.
Chris Bey may have a more impressive title history. Holding the gold from four championship wrestling promotions, including the Pacific Northwest Without A Cause title championship. But Alex Zayne quickly caught the attention of New Japan Pro Wrestling with such matches against competitors as Robbie Eagles. And he has been wrestling in the spotlight of wrestling’s best as of lately.
There are a lot of wrestlers out there who can do impressive flips, maneuvers and put on display some jaw-dropping matchups. But do not mistake this for being another “popcorn match”. A match without a lot of essence or weight behind it. Reputations are certainly on the line in this matchup. The winner and loser of this match will certainly be making a statement in whether their stature moves up or down a step.
Nate Webb vs Ricky Starks
This is perhaps the oddball match of the night, of which GCW bookings are fairly well known for (and perhaps infamous for in some cases). “Stroke Daddy” Ricky Starks is a fairly new competitor. Starting in Anarchy Championship Wrestling from 2012-2017 before recently making bigger waves across the country. He has captured a number of championships across the country. From ACW, WrestleCircus’ Big Top Tag Team Championship, and the NWA Lone Star Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Perhaps most intriguing is Ricky Stark’s affirmation of presenting himself with a touch of old school charisma. The way he often presents his character as a throwback to Hollywood snazz of older times. Meanwhile, Nate Webb is truly an iconic star of more old school indy deathmatch wrestling. Notably CZW, from the late 1990s and early millennium. He once made it to the Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Top 500 listing, at an impressive #310, in 2009.
After a long absence, we have been seeing more of Nate Webb as of late. And you have GCW to thanks, to a comeback at Joey Janela’s Spring Break. At the event, he took on MJF, who heavily despised Webb’s nostalgia. Including his iconic theme pop music from the early millennium, Teenage Dirtbag. A throwback to his childhood era, given the age differences.
Nate Webb may not be young anymore, but he’s tough as nails. Ricky Stark is perhaps one of the business’ overall solid wrestlers, with a lot of charisma to go along with it. More than anything, this match will test how much fuel Webb still has in him.
Chris Dickinson vs Andy Dalton
“The Dirty Daddy” Chris Dickinson takes on “Dirty” Andy Dalton. Both of which made their wrestling debut in the early millennium, but have only recently made big headlines. This is especially true for Chris Dickinson, who is one of indy wrestling’s biggest stars today. Known for his brute toughness, hard hits, and cold attitude towards his competitors.
Andy Dalton is still simmering and trying to reach that boiling point, despite some impressive history wrestling in top promotions. Dalton will still have a lot to prove in “keeping it dirty”, going against wrestling’s dirtiest, Chris Dickinson. For two men that relish in their outward dirtiness, this match will certainly be some sleaze-inhibited proving ground.
Blake Christian vs Gino Medina
Perhaps not as much as Alex Zayne, Blake Christian has also been making a name for himself in cruiserweight wrestling. And also has become a recent mainstay in GCW as well. Christian recently made his PWG debut in Los Angeles. Gino Medina, a relatively unheard of, yet rising star, will have an opportunity to prove himself.
Gino Medina, a second-generation wrestler, and son of renowned AAA luchador, El Sanguinario, was trained by Booker T. At just 24 years old, he has already debuted in MLW becoming the latest member of the Dynasty. And became the champion of Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling promotion in Houston, TX.
Now that he has broken out of his original territory and appears to be seeing more of North America’s map, he could become GCW’s next mainstay among its rising cruiserweight division.
It is a packed card, with a diverse array of matchups. If one is a casual watcher of GCW, this may be one show to consider purchasing. It presents some new talent, but a strong card full of tested and proven talent going at it in some high caliber matchups. Catch the action on Fite.TV on Saturday, January 18, 2020.
