OK. Let's begin our howling and prowling with a look at last weekend's CZW Severed Ties show. All in all, a good show. A new idea introduced, some major announcements concerning TOD and a classic back and forth wrestling match that popped the crowd more than any CZW match has in months.

First let's look at the new idea. CZW introduced Dark Matches to the program. Yeah folks, if you wandered in late thinking this was going to be your mama's CZW and start a half hour or more late, you missed three - yes count'em three-matches. Two more matches in the CZW Wired TV Tournament and a John Dahmer beatdown on the Hebrew Hammer. I like the idea. The matches were short and sweet and running them as Dark Matches gives CZW an opportunity -DJ's favorite word- to expose new talent to those who want to come early and see it. The added plus side to this is that it cuts down on the all night marathons that shows were turning into with ending times well past midnite and the crowd so tired that main events were getting little to no reaction. Kudos on the dark match idea to all involved.

As a result of the dark matches, the main show seemed more meat, less filler. The opener saw lots of high flying action as Team Macktion took on Azreial and Bandido Jr. This one had some of the younger ladies in the crowd popping as CZW's own version of the Hardy Boy's Team Macktion won a quick athletically tinged match. Next up saw Greg Excellent take on Trent Acid. Due to Trent's recent spotty performance in the ring (and the internet news that he was again having police problems about a controlled substance), the crowd shit all over him as soon as he made his entrance. Having watched Trent go from one of the golden boys of CZW to this had a few of us old timers shaking our heads in despair. Trent made the announcement that if Excellent beat him, he'd leave CZW. Well before you knew it, that defeat was made fact. Tragically, it was probably one of the better matches Acid has wrestled in awhile. One can only hope that Trent will take this time off to resolve his issues and get his life back together. Love him or hate him, it's a shame to see his career ruined by personal demons. We next saw Devon Moore against Ego Fantastico. A decent match as Ego went for revenge against Devon for interfering in his last match against Drew Blood causing Ego to drop the Jr. Heavyweight Title. Unfortunately, revenge wasn't in the cards as Devon took Ego down for the count. And now began the parade of outlandish implements to the ring. Yes it was time for the 6 man Fans Bring The Weapons brawl. And brawl it was as DJ, Vortekz and xOMGx took it to Moxley, Gage and Hatred. In a pier six that saw chairs flying, these three brawled all around the arena. At one point, I had to wrestle DJ for my cane as he grabbed at it to wail away at a fallen Nick Gage. For fan of the old days, this was sheer heaven. Thumbtack bats, water jug bats and even an organ were destroyed at a rapid pace in the ring. When the smoke cleared from this battle Moxley, Gage and Hatred were declared the winners. But one wonders about the cost of that victory as DJ went on the mike and announced a few changes to TOD: Rewind in Delaware. It didn't seem fair for Mox to be there alone, so his partner in crime Sammi Callihan will now be involved as well as he takes on the man he tried to eliminate last month, Mr. Danny Havoc. And in a battle of the CZW originals, Nick Gage will now be meeting the Ultraviolent Icon himself, John Zandig. Looking back at the history of Nick and John, one has to wonder if perhaps Gage should take that retirement that he has talked about recently. Larry Legend now announced a brief intermission.

We came back from the intermission to the Jr. Heavyweight Title defense as Drew Blood went head to head with crowd favorite Ryan Mcbride. Drew once again got an assist from Devon Moore to retain his title. One has to wonder, is the title truly Blood's or should that belt be strapped around Moore's waist instead? Next up was one of the most anticipated moments as the King himself, Eddie Kingston, made his return to a CZW ring. Disappointed by the trash he saw taking over the CZW locker room, Eddie specifically requested this match against the man he sees as the leader of that trash, Sammi Callihan. In a stiff match, these two hit each other with their best shots. In a quick ending that most didn't see coming, Callihan won the match. When Eddie got to his feet, the reason for his defeat was clear to all by the blood streaming from his nose. It appeared that perhaps Callihan had broken Eddie's nose. In a moment that answered the question in the heart of all the fans, Eddie got on the mike and declared he was back in CZW to stay. This was followed up by The Best Around with their new manager Robbie Mireno against The BLKOUT. BLKOUT was on Mireno like flies on shit, jumping him and beating the hell out of him as he made his way to the ring. The Best Around just seem to pull the best performances out of The BLKOUT as we saw Ruckus performing some of the best flip, flop and flying I have seen from him in awhile. And Sabien was at the top of his game as always. But when all was said and done, The Best Around left the ring with the belts still firmly in hand. And it was now time for our main event.

The main event. What can I say. Match of the year territory. You wrestling students out there should watch this match to learn about ring psychology. False endings. Back and forth near falls. The locker room coming out to support this epic conflict. Hell, I'm an old wrestling fan who has pretty much seen it all. I knew I was being manipulated but damn I still got excited as hell. And a a false ending when the guy falsely pinned didn't come back and win. When is the last time you saw that? Yeah Drake was the winner but I think the real winner was us fans. B-Boy and Drake earned every bit of their paychecks that night. They showed that there is a new guard coming in to lead the charge at CZW. And if they can get this type of intensity out of that locker room, I think CZW has every chance of putting those asses back in that crowd where they belong.

Just a few more things to mention: as many of you may have read, DJ and the boys have already forged new relationships with a couple of other hardcore companies out there: WXW from Germany and DTU from Mexico. With Masada coming back from Japan, can that door opening further be far behind? Yeah, opportunities -there's that word again- to see some of the best talent from promotions from around the world face off against CZW's finest. Been awhile since we have seen that. And of course, TOD: Rewind next weekend (more on that next week) and the CZW's big Christmas present to the fans, Cage of Death still to come. You know I'll be there at both. You know you should be too. DJ's giving YOU that opportunity. Don't blow it.

Till next week, I remain your obedient servant;
The Bloodhound