VBI 2008 results 9/20

My $.02 and 10 random thoughts on the show:

1. The crowds in Pekin suck. That's all there is to it. Zero energy and the workers almost have to plead with them to get any kind of reaction. And it's a shame since I think the Dragon Dome is a very cool venue.

2. Arik Cannon and Kyle Rich had a really good match. It was my 1st time seeing Cannon and he was a lot of fun to watch. Rich more than held his own and the two ended up meshing well together. Kudos, gentlemen.

3. Ali is money. He is so damn good and so damn entertaining.

4. The booking in this tourney was so odd. The whole stip with the 1st round losers having an elimination match for a spot in the finals made ZERO sense whatsoever. So you could lose in the 1st round and still make the finals, but if you actually WIN your 1st round match but lose your 2nd round match then tough luck - huh?

5. I'm now a huge Mason Beck mark (even though he made the finals w/o pinning anyone).

6. What was the point of the "special guest ref" (some goof in a black hood called Black Dragon or something) for the finals if he's going to get a boot in the face by Beck and be knocked out cold before the match even starts?

7. Dixieland Destroyer #1? Really? Seriously? And his manager is awful. A waste of space out there - unlike J-Mac who was VERY entertaining as Poppa's manager.

8. Keith Walker is big. And I don't think it was a big shock he won even though you could tell from his reaction after winning that I don't think he cared that he was even there.

9. Next year I hope they drop the stip that it's a "heavyweight tourney". It was funny seeing Michael Shard in the crowd watching when he was just as talented (if not more) than half the guys booked.

10. Somebody needs to tell Jon Magnus that if you're doing a German gimmick that an accent would help out immensely. And that a white singlet is not very flattering in him.

Depsite my ranting here, I did have fun at the show and I'm glad I went. Got to see some old friends and made some new ones too.

Maaaaan, why do you guys hate on Dale. He's such a nice guy

nah thats already to popular these days

I still think it makes zero sense that a guy who loses in the first round can win the whole thing yet a guy who wins his first round match but loses in the 2nd round is done.

One of my biggest pet peeves is nonsensical booking and when guys think "complicated" is the same as "innovative". Keep it simple - sometimes less really is more.

Well I think it's rather difficult...as Nick Brubaker suffered a major injury having to fight three guys.

Next year they should do a tag team tournament.

16 teams would do nicely, these are the 16 teams I would put into it, but I also know it's a lot to ask out of one show.

1. Kyle Rich and Prince Ali or Kyle Rich and Nick Brubaker/ Prince Ali and Jake O'Neil
2. Ryan Cruz and Darin Corbin (NSE)
3. Brett Gakiya and CJ Esparza (Zero Gravity)
4. Donnovan Cain and Jason Lyte (The Hybridz)
5. Evan Galistico and Pierre Abernathy
6. KC Karrington and Steven Kennedy (Ego Express)
7. Da Cobra and Deandre King (King Cobra)
8. Danny Daniels and Trik Davis
9. Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black (Age of the Fall)
10. Mark and Jay Briscoe (Briscoe Brothers)
11. Josh Powers and Morton Von Prose (Abuse of Power)
12. Adam Evans and Brandon Keith
13. Eric Ruffington and Blake Steel (Feature Presentation)
14. Bryce Benjamin and Shane Hollister
15. Tweek and Dash (The Phoenix Twins)
16. Guy Smith and Spencer Powers

Again, a lot to ask for, but I think it would make for a solid show.