Bryan Danielson faced William Regal at an event in Memphis
The first episode of the Indies 20 Years Ago Podcast takes us to May 2001. Listen along to the podcast along with links to the matches and why Billy, Dan and Adam chose them, below.
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes | Spotify | Google | Youtube. And follow @IndyWres20Yrs
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes | Spotify | Google | Youtube. And follow @IndyWres20Yrs
Dan's first match: Steve Corina vs Mike Rapada, NWA World Title
The NWA has always intrigued me from watching matches in the late 80s / early 90s, to the random association in 1998 in attitude era WWF, then the re-emergence in TNA, so thought following the lead up to TNA would be good for the show so found this. Never heard of Mike Rapada before this but always a fan of Corino from ECW.
Adam's first match: Jody Fleisch vs Zebra Kid, WAW Cruiserweight Title Ladder Match
Available on demand here: Vimeo
This whole event is notable just for being the biggest indy wrestling show in Norwich up to a couple of years ago. While most of the card is strong I went with this match simply because it was two of the best guys in the UK having a ladder match that isn't just a stunt show.
Billy's first match: Mark Briscoe vs Jay Briscoe, CZW Best of the Best 2001
Available on demand here: Highspots Network
So why am I picking this match? It’s not because it’s two skinny kids doing highspots, but because these two skinny kids put themselves on the map with this match and got them bookings everywhere. Also, it was highly rated by the nerds online at the time and got me reaching for my wallet to buy this on VHS back in the day!
Available on demand here: Vimeo
This whole event is notable just for being the biggest indy wrestling show in Norwich up to a couple of years ago. While most of the card is strong I went with this match simply because it was two of the best guys in the UK having a ladder match that isn't just a stunt show.
Billy's first match: Mark Briscoe vs Jay Briscoe, CZW Best of the Best 2001
Available on demand here: Highspots Network
So why am I picking this match? It’s not because it’s two skinny kids doing highspots, but because these two skinny kids put themselves on the map with this match and got them bookings everywhere. Also, it was highly rated by the nerds online at the time and got me reaching for my wallet to buy this on VHS back in the day!
Dan's second match: "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson vs William Regal
Do I really need to explain why I picked this? Haha!
Honestly amazed that I found this because I can't find any record of it happening. This was taped for Jerry Lawler's startup Memphis promotion while Jerry was away from WWF. A proper hidden gem that I hope we find more of in the future.
Adam's second match: Samoa Joe vs Sean O'Haire
I was looking for a second match to pick and stumbled across this one. Not the greatest match on this list it does show how much things can change with Samoa Joe going on to near superstardom while O'Haire looking like a superstar and just flaming out.
Billy's second match: Super Dragon & Excalibur vs. Rising Son & Ultrataro Jr. XPW Redemption
I’m picking this match simply for the reason that this match alone would cause the unofficial birth of PWG and changed the Californian independent wrestling.
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