Seeing as we are past the half way point of 2006. I thought it'd be fun to do one of these "Mid Year Awards" deals the kids today seem to enjoy. Well, that and I'm pretty bored right now and feel like writing something. So here are some of my Mid-year picks with short explainations.
Wrestler of the half-year: El Generico
If consistency still counts for anything anymore, El Generico is the clear choice. No one in PWG has had a better batting average. No matter who he happened to face, you could always count on Generico to deliver a standout performance. Very deserving of the title "PWG MVP"
2nd place: Hard to say... it could go any number of different guys.
Tag Team Of The Half-Year: Super Dragon and Davey Richards
No contest here. From January through May, Dragon and Davey were unquestionably PWG's top attraction. Routinely tearing down the house with whomever had the misfortune of crossing them. Producing memorable match after memorable match. Their outings with Cape Fear, Arrogance, Strong/Evans and others have to rank among PWG's all time best.
2nd Place: Cape Fear. Who like SD/DR have had an amazing run against a wide array of opposition. I'd look for them to be the PWG tag team of the year for 2006 when all is said and done.
Match of the Half-Year: Super Dragon/Davey Richards Vs. Roderick Strong and Jack Evans - Hollywood Globetrotters
When PWG announced that Strong/Evans would team at "Astonishing X-Mas" My first thought was "How insane it would it be they ever faced Super Dragon/Davey?" It instantly became my #1 PWG match dream match. Then after dissapointing me by announcing SD/DR Vs. AJ/Daniels 67 times instead. On March 4th, PWG finally gave us this long awaited match. To no one's surprise, it lived up to the hype and more. The teams blended perfectly, and produced one of the most aw inspiring US indy matches I've ever seen. With SD/DR bringing their usual tag team excellence, Strong being a freaking beast, and Jack Evans pulling off his usual unbelievable high flying. All this combined with a great crowd atmosphere made this one of the greatest PWG matches to date. Be sure to pick this show up on DVD, the ending has to be seen to be believed.
2nd place: Also tough to say, as PWG has had many standout matches in the last 6 months. But I'll go with Cape Fear Vs. Arrogance - Beyond The Thunderdome or Matt Sydal Vs. Roderick Strong - ASW3 (Funny, Strong's only two PWG matches in 06 were two of my favorites. Hope the TJ match at the 3-year match follows that tradition)
Show Of The Half-Year: "Enchantment Under The Sea"
A really loaded show with a super fun Scorpio Sky Vs. Human Tornado match (SLAM DUNK RANA!), The Mega Powers Explode as Kevin Hogan fought Macho Aries, Joey Ryan uses every trick in the book to try to get past Chris Sabin. The long awaited return of The Briscoes, who have an incredible match with Cape Fear, American Dragon vs Claudio Castagnoli featuring the head lock of death! B-Boy laying a Prison Grade ass kicking on Matt Sydal. SD/Davey Vs. Arrogance, where SD/Davey's reign of terror finally met it's end, and PWG witnessed the birth of the Dynasty. Who proceed to destory Super Dragon in a truly brutal fashion. A must see show. Buy it twice!
2nd choice would be All Star Weekend 3: Night 2 which had perhaps the best back to back to back series of matches ever in PWG with the 4-way, Strong Vs. Sydal and Joey Ryan Vs. Necro Butcher. The 2nd half was a little awkward live, due to having to following the already mentioned matches. Which keeps me from picking this over "Enchantment..."
Donovan Morgan/Dragon Soldier B Memorial "Don't come back" award: Baron Von Hagen
Reason: I just didn't like his match with Reyes in Germany at all...and can't think of another choice. Well, I suppose Dmitri Maskarsky didn't exactly set the world on fire either. Which is I guess is a good thing, as you'd probably get jail time for setting the world on fire.
Breakout Star of the half-year: Alex Koslov
Koslov's been a guy who's really come on strong in the last 6 months, and always gets a good reaction from the fans. He's really shined in matches with Colt Cabana, TJ Perkins, Top Gun, and the last couple tags with Ronin. I'd say he has real bright rest of the year ahead of him in PWG as well.
Newcomer of the half-year: Matt Sydal
Sydal really won the PWG fans over with this three gutsy performances so far in PWG. Where he showed alot of moxie despite having the ever loving crap kicked out of him. The Roderick Strong match in particularly was an ideal showcase of Sydal's talents.
2nd place: Bino Gambino: Though he's still not fully over with the PWG fanbase. I think Bino's done well for himself, and I've enjoyed his PWG outings. Always shows a great deal of spirit in his matches, which you don't often see.
Moment of the year: Necro Butcher's debut at ASW3.
Genuine surprises are harder to find in wrestling today than a good show is on the WB (looking at you "Pepper Dennis"!) Just about everything in wrestling is either very predictable, leaked beforehand or a big letdown (often times all three). So when PWG announced that Joey Ryan would be facing a mystery man at ASW3. Pretty much every possible name ran through our heads... but no one really had an idea.
So when Necro Butcher (who no one ever expected to appear in a fed like PWG) came charging through the front door. The place erupted in a "Necro" chant as Dino had brought in wrestling's most infamous brawler to murder on PWG's most hated man. So not only was it an actual surprise, but it made perfect sense from a storyline prespective. Neat huh?
2nd Place: The Dynasty Forms - Enchantment Under The Sea: Another great surprising moment. Seemed like PWG's response to several nagging criticisms, and a much needed shot in the arm for the promotion.
Please Come Back Awards: Like to see Fergal Devitt back if he's ever available. Alex Shelley needs to be in PWG more also. Oh, SPUD too! That guy is great (probably alone on that one) Also like to see Ryan Drago and Charles Mercury return one day.
So what are everyone else's picks? What 2006 PWG have you enjoyed?