[2001-03-03-IWA-MS-Nightmare on Highway 62] Tracey Smothers & Trent Baker vs Rollin Hard & Corporal Robinson (Capture the Flag)

[GSR]

Haha, these kids who can’t be any more than 12 giving ‘the Rugby Thug’ the middle finger.  He says that last week Corporal Robinson made the biggest mistake of his life by sticking his nose in his business.  Baker goes on to explain the self-explanatory rules of a ‘Capture the Flag’ match before introducing his partner, a man who hates all the people here as much as he does. Those tough 12 years olds are at it again with Tracey, even dropping a few f-bombs his way.  Some attractive women in the House of Hardcore, the camera finding and concentrating on them as they dance to Rollin’s entrance.  Pure quality from Tracey on the mic; heeling on Charlestown, IN, insulting some “four eyed, fat fuck” and some “old bastard” in the crowd, and promising to commit mass homicide if he hears “Tracey sucks”.  You know what he’s going to say but it’s gold every time out. Smothers is announced as being from “Nashville, England” for the night and wants to hear some “Go Great Britain!” chants! 

Rollin and Baker have some miscommunication on practically the first spot of the match.  In a matter of seconds they have two more and appear to be on completely different pages.  It’s some poor stuff.  Corp is tagged in and, in contrast to his earlier bravado, Trent is wanting no part of him.  Smothers softens him up and now Baker fancies his chances, however the moment Corp is up to his feet he’s back outside and letting Tracey do the hard graft.  Great looking superkick by Corp.  Rollin and Smothers trade chops.  When Rollin goes over to grab the flag (which is plonked in one of the ring posts) Baker is down the apron to prevent him.  Trent makes a cover after a bulldog, the ref having to remind him that you can only win by retrieving the flag.  We get some slow climbing, which is bad enough in a ladder match, it’s even worse here when they only need to climb a few turnbuckles.  Corp literally ties himself in the Tree of Woe.  I was at a loss at first, but I think the reasoning behind it is that with him covering the turnbuckles it makes it impossible for the opposition to climb them and ultimately collect the flag.  This is where commentary would really help these IWA-MS shows to explain the psychology and not leave it for the viewer to piece things together themselves.  Tracey DDT’s Rollin and he’s wondering where that “U-S-A” chant is now?  Double Russian legsweep followed by a double elbow drop from the “British” duo.  Reverse DDT by Smothers who then cinches in a rear chinlock.  Just as Rollin’s about to fight his way out the corner he’s felled by a drop toe hold.  Double backdrop is telegraphed and Rollin with a double DDT.  Hot tag to Corp who’s throwing some fine looking dropkicks.  Tracey gets clotheslined out to the floor.  Corp winds up but Trent ducks out the way and he accidentally nails the ref.  He hits the Bootcamp and then collects the flag, however just as he grabs it Smothers is up on the apron and pushing him backwards off the turnbuckles.  The flag falls from his hands, straight into those of the laid out ‘Rugby Thug’, the ref awakens to see Baker “holding” it and he awards them the match.  Loud “bullshit, bullshit” chant (not the first time we’ve heard that in IWA-MS and no doubt not the last), along with someone wanting to know where his fucking pizza is!  Smothers blasts Corp hard with a steel chair post-match, Baker piledriving him on it after.  As a parting gift he blows his nose and wipes his ass on the U.S. flag which he then covers Corp with.

For those keeping count for the night, this one all in went over 25 minutes.  Hard is an IWA favourite so the crowd get behind him, but he and Baker were both bad here, something that was even more noticeable when they were in there together.  Another doozy of a finish, is there any company worse than IWA-MS when it comes to pissing there fans off with screwy endings?  Then though there is Tracey Smothers.  Someone who I’ve never really fully seen what others have in, even when I was ploughing through Smoky Mountain there were always others who left the favourable impression, who’s stock soared etc.  Now in 2001, I’m seeing it and he’s one of my favourite performers of the year so far.