WWT In El Paso Report Featuring Carlito, Booker T, Billy Gunn, More

Credit: Patrick Torres and Pwinsider.com

There was an independent show last night in El Paso, Texas. The promotion was called World Wrestling Today and it was held in a minor league baseball stadium named Cohen Stadium. This was the first wrestling event ever held there.

This even was original scheduled for July but was postponed due to thunderstorms. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot of buzz going into the show last night and there was a lot less advertising. A lot of my friends, who would normally go, did not go because of a lack of confidence that the show was actually going to take place.

I can’t be certain about paid attendance but there seemed to be a good 900 to 1200 people in the stands. The stadium has 9000 permanent seats. Of course they added seats on the filed around the ring. I am not sure how 900 stacks up in the world of independent wrestling.

There was a very long lucha libre six man tag team match to start off the show. It was 2 out of the 3 falls and each fall had to have a double pin. Very confusing. It was fun and the wrestlers were very entertaining. I literally have no idea what their names were.

Konnan and a luchadore defeated Rodney Mack and a luchadore. Konnan appeared to be in really bad shape. I mean really bad. Not weight or physical wise but medically. He literally had a hard time getting into the ring. Inside the ring, all he could do is punches and clothelines. They did a spot where the heels were against the turnbuckles and the face hopped to the second rope to deliver punches. Rodney Mack had to literally pick up Konnan to get him onto the second rope. After Konnan delivered the 10 punches, Mack had to lower him back down. Very sad to see.

Jazz defeated Simply Luscious is a very fun match. The crowd loved it.

Rikishi defeated Rob Terry. Rikishi is really big now. The wrestlers entered the stadium from right field. They would then walk all the way to the pitchers mound where the ring was set up. Rikishi had to be driven down to ring. He also needed help getting into the ring. He is that big now.

Chavo Guerrero defeated Ryan Genesis. Ryan seemed like a good kid. He completely carried Chavo in the match and convincingly put him over. I know he was simply trying to get heat but he sort of crossed the line with a “wetback” comment. Obviously he was simply trying to work the crowd. Just the wrong time and place.

There was an Eddie Guerrero tribute and an award was given to Chavo by a local Lucha Libre promoter.

Intermission

The next match is actually the reason I decided to write you guys. If you could use anything, I would hope this is it. Believe it or not, Billy Gunn and Kevin Thorne put on a clinic. It wasn’t a technical masterpiece but these put on an extremely fun and entertaining match. I really can’t say enough about the effort these two put out. I am being serious and this not setting up a joke. These guys did everything except selling hot dogs and making change.

To say security was lax would be an understatement. I am actually very proud of the home crowd. There was a ton of beer being sold and very very little security. Gunn and Thorne started off with a brawl outside the ring. When I say outside the ring, I don’t mean a curtained off area, or an area surrounded by security. These guys took it right into crowd. Right through the rows of seating. The whole time, tons of kids were following them around. There was a small mob following them as the two battled literally over the baseball field.

I wish I could paint a better picture but Gunn and Thorne did an awesome job. Thorne specifically would stay in character, and yet still control the crowd for their safety. The mob of kids were constantly within 2 feet of the brawling wrestlers. Yet, when they needed more room for a spot, they were to stay in character, control the mob of fans, and move them were needed. The brawl went from outside the ring, through the rows of seating, to home plate, to the dug out, to the concession stands, to right field, and finally back to the ring. Like I said, being followed the entire time by 50 to 60 kids. Gunn and Thorne were working everything perfectly. Honestly, these two did an awesome job. Both were in awesome shape. Great great job by both. Gunn wins with Famouser.

In the main event, Booker T defeated Carlito. Good match. It was a very long night and the crowd was a bit tired by this point. The show was advertised for 8:00 pm but didn’t start till around 8:20. The opening six man tag was very long. Also, the ring entrances were very long due to the distance between right field and the pitcher’s mound. Hopefully the promoters and wrestlers made money.