What to Do In LA, When You’re a Mark? Part 3
WrestleMania Weekend 2k23- Friday 3/31
As I make my way into the third day of WrestleMania Weekend I once again go back into what draws us to California, and more importantly Los Angeles. For the majority of the 20th Century weather was certainly part of that, however with us being on the brink of climate catastrophe even consistent 80 degree days followed with a light ocean breeze is a complete uncertainty for City of Angels and its surrounding feeder communities. If it is not the consistent blue skies and sunny days, then it has to be something else, it has to be opportunity. It has to be the opportunity to make something of yourself. Los Angeles, just like WrestleMania represents the idea of opportunity to those who seek it from around the world.
WrestleMania, and in particular WrestleMania Weekend has turned into a way for professional wrestlers to put their names out there and perform in front of a national and international audience like they may have never done in the past. For wrestlers in the WWE they are always told to reach for that “WrestleMania Moment”, or something to remember you by. For those on the independent or non-WWE scene it is a way not only to give the audience something to remember you by, but also promoters, and other wrestlers. For these wrestlers it is about trying to make it for yourself, but also to help strengthen the community of professional wrestling at large.
This building of community through migrating to Los Angeles for work always reminds me of those affected by the Great Depression and subsequent Dust Bowls in the Great Plains in the 1930s, and in particular Woody Guthrie. Some may know of Woody Guthrie for his song “This Land Is Your Land”, or the phrase “This Machine Kills Fascists” that he originated and proudly displayed on his guitar for every performance. Woody was one of tens of thousands if not more that migrated to LA to find work and provide for his family in Oklahoma. While there was the promise of opportunity in LA, Woody did not find it. He was faced with a rapidly shrinking job market, and regional prejudice based on his upbringing. Things were dire for Guthrie for many months, however he persisted writing songs for himself and trying to find that job. Eventually Woody was able to find work at KFVD Radio, where he played “old time” music and was able to perform his own folk songs that propped community over individualism. He was able to generate, gather, and fortify a group of like minded people that would eventually become a political and social entity all unto itself. In his work with KFVD, and in Los Angeles Woody became a prominent songwriter, performer, and cultural influencer. Through the building of this community, Guthrie was not only able to provide for his family, but give the same opportunities to those facing similar hardships.
So I guess what I am saying is that I see a lot of similarities to Woody Guthrie’s story to that of those non-WWE wrestlers who make their way to WrestleMania Weekend. That even while they are trying to make their name known for their abilities, they are also generating, gathering, and fortifying a community that as time has continued to move forward has been more inclusive, and supportive. Maybe one of the main reasons why I like this shit.
I’d like to rest my heavy head tonight
-Woody Guthrie “California Stars”
On a bed of California stars
I’d like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I’d love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I’d give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I’d like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my star bed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I’d give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
In the likely chance of you skipping the earlier paragraphs 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 Friday Shows click the link. Anyway here you go:
Friday 3/31/23
(Matches and Shows known as of 3/30, Cards Subject to Change)
Matches to be on a look out for:
1. ROH World Championship- Claudio Castagnoli (c.) v Eddie Kingston (Ring of Honor)
This is my number one match to watch for an overall stacked day for matches mainly because I love both of these wrestlers. There is no one better in wrestling than Eddie Kingston in making one want to relate to anything professional wrestling, and Claudio has always been an insane physical specimen and wrestler. The history between these two runs so much more deep than what is let on since Claudio’s debut in AEW. I could go into it, but I wouldn’t do it any justice. Instead watch this video put together by a favorite of ours Joseph Montecillo for ROH:
Watch Live FITE PPV (International)
Watch Live B/R PPV (Stateside)
2. Joey Janela v Kota Ibushi (Joey Janela’s Spring Break 7)
It is extremely tough for me not to include both of Kota Ibushi’s return matches to professional wrestling let alone to the States in a top three to watch. When it was first announced that Kota was wrestling Mike Bailey in Bloodsport and then wrestling Janela for Spring Break I thought it was an absolutely perfect 1-2 punch. Ibushi can have an intense striking battle against a fantastic striker one day and then have a fantastic, cute, goofy, DDT-esque match against Janela, which is what Spring Break has kind of been known for. However after this video Janela put out Wednesday night my thoughts have changed.
Janela isn’t fucking around, this isn’t a goofball match, this is Janela’s opportunity to show the world of wrestling that he is so much more than a “deathmatch guy” or a “comedy guy”. This is his opportunity to prove that he is one of the best in the world. In all honesty he very well might be.
Tickets Sold Out
3. Ultimo Dragon & TimeSplitters (KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley) v Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson, Royce Isaacs) (Prestige Wrestling: Nervous Breakdown)
This is me living vicariously through a match. If I was a wrestler in 2023 one of my absolute wishes would be to wrestle Ultimo Dragon before he subsequently retires. Dragon is similar to 2 Cold Scorpio, who is wrestling Wednesday night, in that he is completely underrated in the respect of really laying the blueprint for the modern pro wrestler. Just like Scorpio, he is still putting on great matches when he chooses to. The additions of Shelley and KUSHIDA are perfect to elevate the match into realms that Dragon may not be able to go to, with the likes of the hard hitting, and pure powermoves of Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs.
There is no pulling punches when it comes to my infatuation with Nelson and Isaacs. We included them in our 2022 round up of people and things that we very much appreciated. They are the up and coming premier tag team in the West and soon to be in the rest of the United States. Their team up with Filthy Tom Lawlor in New Japan Strong has been a perfect pairing for both parties. Lawlor is able to further his real smarmy, almost gross MMA style with the heavy hitting West Coast Wrecking Crew.
Other Notable Matches for Thursday 3/31
- Maki Death Kill (Maki Itoh & Nick Gage) v BUSSY (Allie Katch & Effy) (Joey Janela’s Spring Break 7)
- Daniel Garcia v Hiroshi Tanahashi (ROH SuperCard of Honor)
- Magical Sugar Rabbits (Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki) v 1210000000 (Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh) (Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling: Live in Los Angeles)
- BUSSY v Pheromones (Dashoku “Dandy” Dieno & Yuki “Sexy” Lino) (GCW v DDT)
- Shoko Nakajima & Mio Watanabe v Wasteland War Party (Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer) (Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling: Live in Los Angeles)
- ROH Television Title Championship- Samoa Joe (c.) v Mark Briscoe (ROH SuperCard of Honor)
- Blake Christian v Kazusada Higuchi (GCW v DDT)
- International Princess Championship: Rika Tatsumi (c.) v Billie Starkz (Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling: Live in Los Angeles)
- Masha Slamovich v Aja Kong (Prestige Wrestling: Nervous Breakdown)
- Cole Radrick v Yoshihiko (GCW v DDT)
Shows to be on the lookout for:
1. Ring of Honor SuperCard of Honor
There is really nothing much more to say other than this card is stacked from top to bottom. I already stated that the Claudio/Eddie match is my must see for Friday, and I stand by that 100%. However you add Garcia/Tanahashi, an insane looking tag ladder match, Yuta/Shibata, Joe/Mark Briscoe, another Vikingo match, and a completely rejuvenated Athena to the card. There is not one hole in the card whatsoever. It might be over stimulating, however this is exactly what ROH needs to get that much needed television contract, even though I highly recommend finding a way to watch the HonorClub shows if you can.
2. Joey Janela’s Spring Break 7
Spring Break is a staple show during WrestleMania weekend, there is no doubt about it. From my knowledge it was the first show to sell out, and there is a reason why. Kota/Janela can has a possibility to be match of the week, Nick Gage tagging with Maki Itoh is one of the best things on Earth, and this will give a great platform for Jordan Oliver and Nick Wayne to show everyone what they can do.
3. GCW v DDT
Trying to figure out which show inched into the third slot was pretty difficult. In fact I changed the order five times before I came to this conclusion. I chose GCW v DDT for two reasons: I really enjoy cross promotional events, and I am really appreciating the moves DDT (and TJPW for that matter) are making to ingratiate themselves to the North American and European audience. They have done the opposite of New Japan (despite Rocky Romero’s best efforts) in really trying to make themselves and their talent highly accessible to an international audience. Plus DDT is a perfect mix of pureowrestle and slapstick mudshow comedy matches.
Other Notable Shows for Thursday 3/31
- Prestige Wrestling: Nervous Breakdown
- Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling: Live in Los Angeles
- Circle 6: AJ Gray’s Power Hour
- Circle 6: sVn
Saturday’s What to Do In LA…
Sunday’s What to Do In LA…
