What to Do In LA, When You’re a Mark? Part 2
WrestleMania Weekend 2k23- Thursday 3/30
WrestleMania Weekend cannot be understated as a cultural and economic phenomenon that is acknowledged worldwide. It is the one time of the year where the average person knows that not only is professional wrestling a thing, but it is an annual spectacle that may be only seconded to the Super Bowl. It is a time where your co-workers will ask you what you’re doing for WrestleMania in particular, you may even ask them to come over and watch the PREMIUM LIVE EVENT. Many folks will gravitate themselves or at least their eyes to the spectacle that is WrestleMania, and even further to all the other wrestling events happening the weekend surrounding it. This might be why you are here, to hear what some dumb 40 year old man is looking forward to. This way you can purchase your tickets, or stream what you can that is happening Thursday March 30th, 2023.
In the likely chance of you skipping the earlier paragraph in order to get to the beef of this blog let me preface a couple things before we move further. First of all everything is my opinion and my bias only. When I am suggesting matches or shows to watch or get tickets to because I do think they are going to be enjoyable or I am intrigued by them. This is the biggest weekend for professional wrestling, and there are a lot of wrestlers, matches and shows that will blow things out of the water, and I hope to do a write up on those when all is said and done. However this is my list, if you agree awesome, if not no harm no foul. Either way if you feel strongly enough feel free to reach out via the comments, or elsewise. For a listing of all the separate Thursday shows click the link. Anyway here you go:
Thursday 3/30/23
(Matches and Shows known as of 3/29, Cards Subject to Change)
Matches to be on a look out for:
1. Kota Ibushi v “Speedball” Mike Bailey (Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9)
Other than the chance of Sami Zayn possibly headlining WrestleMania, the news that Kota Ibushi signed with GCW for two shows this weekend was the biggest news in professional wrestling, and deservedly so. After New Japan dropped the ball on one of the most talented wrestlers in the world, it is absolutely insane to think of Ibushi fighting in front of the Bloodsport faithful. The no ring, work/shoot, style of Bloodsport is going to give Kota every possibility to provide some of the most devastating strikes in all of wrestling. Also with Bailey showing himself to be a real piece of shit in GCW recently there is a good chance of getting dead-eyed Kota, which to me is one of the most intense things in all of wrestling.
Speedball was the workhorse of last year’s WrestleMania Weekend. There were multiple days where he would have a match, jump in the car, and get to another show in the Dallas area within 15 minutes to fight another. He has taken complete advantage of his visa in the past year, and making up for lost time. Working all over the United States every weekend, and sometimes multiple shows for multiple promotions in a single day, all while being regularly featured in IMPACT Bailey has certainly become a true force on the independent scene. I can expect nothing more than an insane martial arts strikefest from both Bailey and Ibushi, and honestly this might be my most anticipated match of the week.
2. 2 Cold Scorpio v Bryan Keith (GCW For the Culture 4)
I am not going to lie to you, I am a huge Bryan Keith fan. I was lucky enough to see him live 3 times within the last year, and I became an automatic fan the first time I saw him. He has made such an impression on me that we included him in our “Folks and Things We Enjoyed 2k22” blog wrapping up the previous year. BK is something special to say the least, and he has had some prominent matches against some of the best out there. He has torn the house down with matches against Kevin Ku, Speedball, Masha Slamovich, Taurus and many more. He had a breakout performance when he was a last minute fill-in for Lio Rush in PWG’s BOLA Tournament this year. Keith is certainly onto bigger things, and this is the time to strap yourself to him.
2 Cold Scorpio is one of the most underappreciated and underrepresented wrestlers ever. His style is essentially what the majority of all wrestlers are today. Most people remember him as an extreme highflyer, one of the first to display a 450 in the early 90s, or his front flip or moonsault variation of the Tennessee drop. However he is much more than that. Not only is he extremely proficient on the ropes, but he is also a master of New Japan’s strong-style, and an excellent mat technician. He is able to wrestle any style, with anyone, anywhere. As a fan of professional wrestling, this is what I see most wrestlers want to strive for, to become extremely proficient in their craft, and 2 Cold is one of the first to do it. Many reference Eddie Guererro, Dynamite Kid, Benoit, Jericho and so many more in their ability to transcend styles, unfortunately 2 Cold is often left off the list. Hopefully this match will put his name back into people’s mouths.
3. AAA Championship Match- Hijo del Vikingo (c.) v Taurus v Kommander (Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow)
The Mark Hitchcock Memorial Show in conjunction with WrestleCon is the reason why WrestleMania Weekend is so much more than just the WWE. It was one of the first shows to bring highly anticipated independent stars, as well as stars from all over the world to one show and to showcase the different dimensions of what pro wrestling can be. This matchup for the AAA Championship is a great hallmark to the Hitchcock Supershow tradition.
Other than Mike Bailey, no one has taken more advantage of being able to work stateside than Vikingo. His previous work in AAA had made him a draw up and down the west coast. Add this to his recent appearance on AEW Dynamite against Kenny Omega, and a star is born. Vikingo is doing things that not only should not be possible, but also in a manner and style that is light years beyond anyone else in the world. Vikingo is wrestling multiple matches, and multiple days, but I suspect that this is going to be his best match.
Other Notable Matches for Thursday 3/30
- Johnny Early Morning v The Great Branzino (Early Morning Guy Steele’s Early Morning Show)
- Royce Isaacs v Johnny Bloodsport (Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9)
- Pan-Afrikan WOrld Diaspora Wrestling Championship- Trish Adora (c.) v Calvin Tankman (GCW For the Culture 4)
- Josh Alexander/Lawlor v KENTA/Bryan Keith (Mark Hitchcock Memorial Show)
- Marina Shafir v Killer Kelly (Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9)
- Jon Mox v Alex Coughlin (Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9)
- Josh Barnett v Timothy Thatcher (Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9)
- Inner City Championship- Delilah Doom (c.) v Heather Monroe v Johnnie Robbie (Santino Bros California Dreaming)
Shows to be on a look out for:
1. Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9- 4PM
Ukrainian Cultural Center
4315 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029
Considering I listed 50% of the card for matches to watch, it’s pretty easy to state that Bloodsport would be my overall must watch show for Thursday. Bloodsport is such an unique and amazing experience that has the ability to test the reality of those witnessing it. The idea of a no ring rope MMA/pro wrestling show is so interesting and intriguing that WWE tried to copy it for their “RAW Underground” hour. I also believe Bloodsport is what helped convince Mox to leave WWE when he was in the audience for it with William Regal, many years ago. This has been a much event almost since its inception and this year’s card proves to be the case once again.
2. Early Morning Guy Steele’s Early Morning Show- 11:59PM
Event Is Only Known To Ticket Holders
This is completely different to Bloodsport in the very best way. All I know is that Guy Steele wrestled Joey Janela’s Spring Break last year, he used to work on an oil rig, and now he is hosting his own show. I think there might be a Battle Bog, a dog that is wrestling, John Morrison versus a wizard? I am for christ sakes this has to be an event to behold?! One downside, I have no idea if it is going to be available to stream, or watch at any time which makes me a sad boy.
Tickets Sold Out
3. Mark Hitchcock Mermorial SuperShow- 4PM
Globe Theatre
740 S. Broadway, Los Angeles CA 90014
I already wrote about the significance of the Supershow when I covered the AAA Championship match. However it’s not just the Vikingo match that catches my eye. There is an amazing collection of talent that includes a 10 woman tag showcase from Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, the Ultimo Dragon, United Empire, Time Machine, Rey Horus, Tom Lawlor, KENTA, Rocky Romero and more. This is a great card to really start off an evening, and I would consider it a must watch.
Other Notable Shows for Thursday 3/30
- GCW For The Culture 4
- DDT Goes To Hollywood
- Circle 6: Minoru Suzuki’s Karaoke Jam
- NJPW & IMPACT Multiverse United: Only the STRONG Survive
- Lucha Puroesu Wrestling: Return of the Dragon
- Circle 6: Comma Cogar’s Delicate Flowers
- Circle 6: Hoodfoot Presents Crosses and Caskets
Saturday’s What to Do In LA…
Sunday’s What to Do In LA…
