Welcome back to GCW and to another double dose of destruction from the state of California. The company was hitting up the UCC in Los Angeles and returning to San Francisco to bring two days of indie shenanigans and super cards. Starting with No Signal in the Hills 2, the company was giving us Gringo Loco vs Rocky Romero, Tony Deppen vs Komander, Los Macizos vs YDNB, BUSSY defending the GCW Tag Team Titles and so much more leading to the main event battle between Kevin Blackwood and Joey Janela. Following that madness, GCW was headed back to San Francisco and bringing with it, the headlining fight between Los Macizos vs the South Pacific Savages, BUSSY vs The Caution, Speedball Mike Bailey vs Jack Cartwheel, Kommander vs Gringo Loco and so much more to end the weekend with a bang. Please note, due to there being a heatwave at the time of writing, I’m doing a slightly shorter review this time. Enjoy.


GCW No Signal in the Hills 2

Gringo Loco defeated Rocky Romero via Base Bomb

The show opened with Gringo Loco facing a stand-in opponent. Johnny Game Changer was out so Rocky Romero was stepping up to teach Loco the ways of Sneaky Style. What followed was an excellent clash of styles and personalities that gave us the best of both worlds. A more than adequate replacement for the original match and set things off right.

Tony Deppen defeated Komander via KO Knee

Next up was a match made to potentially break the internet. Tony Deppen is the ultimate gatekeeper of GCW and one of the most adaptable wrestlers on the roster. Now, he was putting Kommander through the wringer. Guess what, this was insanely damn good. Watching Kommander go for his unique arsenal of Lucha insanity whilst Deppen shut that down and forced Kommander to play his way. An absolute gem of a match. Deppen continues to rebuild his winnings and Kommander continues to blow minds with his unbelievable ability.

Alex Zayne defeated Titus Alexander via Taco Driver

Following that was another potential show-stealer as Titus Alexander returned to GCW to take on the Sauce God Alex Zayne. This felt like a big deal and both guys seemed to be having fun as they kicked each other’s ass. It was a good way to keep the energy in the room up and deliver more exciting wrestling. Alexander looked like a king but he just didn’t have the sauce to stop Zayne.

Blake Christian defeated Starboy Charlie via Black Out

This was a feel-good match. After being forced to take time away to nurse an injury, the Pride of Pacifica, Starboy Charlie, was back in action. What better way to get the rust off and hearts racing than with a match against Grave-Heart, Blake Christian. Alas, this match could only go one way as Christian continues to burn up the ranks en route to Mox. That didn’t stop them from making a fun journey to the predictable destination. Charlie hasn’t missed a step and is definitely making up for lost time. Plus, there was the added intrigue of Lio Rush making an appearance to observe this one.

Los Macizos (Ciclope & Miedo Extremo) defeated Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne via 450 Splash on Oliver

Oh god, talk about putting the young generation through its paces. Los Macizos have been making the run through the GCW tag division and now, they’d gotten to the Young, Dumb n Broke. They’ve been putting on killer matches with everyone, something told me Oliver and Wayne were going to keep the streak going. I wasn’t wrong. This was fun as hell with a nice mix of hardcore, high-flying, and every other style these fighters bring to the table. Nick Wayne continues to be the ultimate underdog even when Extremo and Ciclope are murdering him with plunder. Excellent fun and another excellent match from this show.

Deathmatch: Hunter Freeman defeated Rob Shit via Barbed Wire Sandwich Moonsault

Time for something gorier. GCW was bringing out some local bloodletters for some plunder-heavy crimson-soaked fun. Rob Shit and the Backwoods Brawler Hunter Freeman had been given the green light to get as mean as possible and they did just that. This was a riot as the pair attacked each other with staple guns, doors, chairs, and barbed wire. It was a violent delight and a nice way to up the ante. These two were enjoying the spotlight and made sure the crowd remembered their sacrifice for the art. Never let it be understated how good the Backwoods Brawler is.

GCW Tag Team Titles Deathmatch: BUSSY (Allie Katch & EFFY) defeated SGC (Mance Warner & Matthew Justice) via Cradle Clutch on Justice

It was time for another potential bloodbath. The GCW Tag Team Champions were in the house which meant it was time for another BUSSY title defence. This time they’d held an open challenge so the busy champions were going to defend against some common friends and foes, the SGC. Things got very messy once the action kicked off. We had more extreme wrestling as the SGC anarchy brought the deathmatch tools into play once again. This was a fight pure and simple with a whole lot of carnage to enjoy. The champs took an absolute pummeling but bounced back and still came out on top. The champs are unstoppable. Not even doors and glass can stop them.

Dark Sheik defeated Cole Radrick via Welcome to Die

We took a break from the carnage for something a bit more technical. We had two of wrestling’s top innovators about to go head-to-head. This was one of those matches that could go anywhere and do anything as Dark Sheik and Cole Radrick love to surprise everyone. I love both the fighters in this match and both did what they do best. There’s not too much to say, it was just great to watch these two do their thing.

Joey Janela defeated Kevin Blackwood via Cravat-Face

Last but not least, the first main event of the double-bill. Joey Janela was taking the main event spot and this time; he was bringing Kevin Blackwood along for the ride. The Aesthetic Crippler has been showing out every time GCW brings him in and now he had the chance to bask in the main event spotlight. This was the long one. It was a drawn-out battle of attrition with both guys beating the absolute hell out of each other in front of a crowd that just wanted more. Blackwood gave Janela everything and took so much punishment before eventually falling to a Cravat-face. It was a bumper match full of main event intensity. It ended another great GCW show with a bang. Kevin Blackwood more than proved he belonged in that spot and made Janela work for his win. Just to note, the revolving commentary had helped keep the show feeling fresh as we had insights from Lio Rush, Pollo Del Mar, Jordan Cassel, and more alongside the OGs Kevin Gill and Emil Jay. It all added to the big deal feel and continuously boosted the in-ring action. It was also good to see the UCC provide no technical issues for once.


Back 2 the Bay

Cole Radrick defeated Midas Kreed via Kracker-Jack Bomb

The return to San Francisco super show kicked off with more from the Wild-Heart Cole Radrick. This time the King of Wreck Shit Mountain was kicking things off with a So Cal favourite, Midas Kreed. These two seemed like a perfect pairing so the show was going to kick off with some fireworks. As anticipated, it was a lot of fun to watch as Radrick and Kreed just got it. We were seeing two future megastars in action and they both made sure the fans had warmed the hell up for what was to follow. This was the pairing to get things going.

Gringo Loco defeated Kommander via Base Bomb

The heat was only going to rise as the daredevils of the company prepared to get to work. Kommander was in for his second match of the weekend against none other than the Base God, Gringo Loco. Things were going to get wild as two masters of the air prepared to get down to business. Goddamn, they nailed it with this one. Kommander and Loco got the memo and made something special. Kommander continues to blow minds with his aerial antics but Loco kept the match in his grasp and grounded the high-flying superstar. It was another excellent match for both fighters that continues to leave me hoping that Loco gets pushed to the moon and Kommander keeps coming back for more.

GCW Tag Titles: BUSSY (Allie Katch & EFFY) defeated The Caution (Anton Voorhees & Dark Sheik) via Dual BUSSY Piledrivers

Time for one of the most anticipated matches of the show. BUSSY was back in action and ready to welcome a new team into the fold. GCW is familiar with Dark Sheik but were they ready for her tag team partner, the Link to the Future, Anton Voorhees? BUSSY was about to meet The Caution. Some of HOODSLAM’s best were coming to play. It led to a very entertaining, thoroughly enjoyable wrestling match with some laughs, some potential romance, and a lot of great grappling action. Both teams had great chemistry and the crowd was more than into what they were seeing. The Caution showed out in their GCW debut, even if they lost. BUSSY remain the iron-tough champs that see off all challengers but The Caution certainly pushed them to the limit. Hopefully, this isn’t Voorhees’ only GCW rodeo.

Alex Zayne defeated Tony Deppen via Taco Driver

Things weren’t slowing down as Lars Frederiksen joined Kevin Gill to tackle the hard task of commentating on Alex Zayne vs Tony Deppen. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this match and hopefully, it won’t be the last as these two put on another excellent showcase of their abilities. This was the ultimate wrestling dick-measuring contest as the pair tried to get into each other’s heads throughout the match. The biggest personalities always clash with the best and these two are no exception. Deppen and Zayne have done a lot for each other and now they keep kicking the shit out of each other every chance they get. The real winners are the people who get to watch the matches happen.

Joey Janela defeated Starboy Charlie via Burning Hammer

Ah, we were back on the Janela bullshit as he prepared to mock, wreck and destroy another crowd favourite. Starboy was back in action and after tearing it up with Blake Christian at the previous show, he was now going to mix it up with the Bad Boy. Both Pollo Del Mar on announcing and Lars Frederikson on commentary were watching over this one. Janela wasn’t out to make fans, he just wanted his flowers, his victory and to put Charlie through a torturous wrestling match. Instead, we got a competitive clash which kept things on a knife edge. It was a great contest and another big win for Janela as he keeps upsetting wrestling fans. Hell, no one can argue with his talents at this point. veterans, stars, and prospects alike all fall to the Bad Boy. However, Janela also recognises talent and let Charlie have his moment… until the South Pacific Savages attacked and destroyed him and Pollo Del Mar. Looks like the old wounds haven’t healed. Juicy Finau and Jacob Fatu still want to break Charlie.

Jordan Oliver defeated Titus Alexander via Clout Cutter

The show returned post-intermission for a match between two young kings. We had the East Coast Ace, Jordan Oliver going to war with the West Coast’s future, Titus Alexander. These two are masters of their craft with a whole lot of potential for the future. This was going to be a massive showcase for both. They ended up giving us a hyper-competitive, hyper-physical contest as the pair both tried to outdo each other. Once again, it doesn’t need words, just observe it and enjoy it. Both guys are ridiculously good and weren’t afraid of showing off.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated Jack Cartwheel via Flamingo Driver

Oh yeah, it was time to ride the Rocketwheel once again as Jack Cartwheel was back for another show. He was about to mix it up with one of the most well-respected and versatile wrestlers in the business right now. He was taking on the X-Division champion, “Speedball” Mike Bailey. This was going to be wild. This was so damn good with the pair cartwheeling, flipping, kicking and just driving everyone mad through the match. It was so energetic, so fun, and just full of excellent spots and action. Bailey is unstoppable at the moment as he continues to climb the wrestling ranks and put on exceptional matches. Cartwheel was no slouch either, managing to keep up with Bailey and bring out the fun. I watched this one with a smile on my face because the enjoyment from everyone in the venue, on commentary, and in the ring was infectious. Bailey loves wrestling creatives and he found a goldmine in Cartwheel.

Nick Wayne defeated Kevin Blackwood via Clout Cutter

Next, we had two hybrid technicians going to work. Nick Wayne is the ultimate wrestling prodigy and Kevin Blackwood continues to impress wherever he goes and against whoever he fights. He’d taken Joey Janela to the limit and now, he was going to unleash hell on Wayne. This was a rough one as the pair did what they had to do to try and win. Blackwood’s leg was left wrecked whilst Wayne felt the impact of every shot and kick Blackwood threw his way. It felt like such a high-stakes fight full of intensity, pain, and exceptional wrestling. This match came out of nowhere but delivered a lot.

Los Macizos (Miedo Extremo & Ciclope) defeated The South Pacific Savages (Jacob Fatu & Juicy Finau) via Schoolboy on Finau

Last but not least, the second main event of the double bill. Los Macizos were closing out the weekend with an absolute nightmare of a match. They might live for death but they were about to battle two absolute monsters of the squared circle. Miedo Extremo and Ciclope were going to have to survive against Juicy Finau and Jacob Fatu, The South Pacific Savages. The Toko/Uso connection had already destroyed one contender tonight, were they about to murder even more? They certainly tried to. Ciclope and Extremo had to fight for their lives as they were trapped in a hardcore hurricane. Bodies flew and doors broke as Finau and Fatu had fun at their opponent’s expense. It was an absolutely wild series of high-impact moments and brutish attitudes. All that violence couldn’t stop Los Macizos though and things just got more outlandish as The Savages started feeling the sting. It made for an excellent slice of chaos to end things with the villains of San Francisco getting pinned by Los Macizos after an absolute war. It wasn’t a definitive end but a roll-up was enough to snag the win this night. They couldn’t celebrate either as the Savages wrecked Miedo and Ciclope post-match. Janela and Charlie came back for another round but Fatu and Finau weren’t in the mood for it. Instead, it happens in September… all hell is going to break loose.

All images courtesy of GCW, Hee_bawn, Mikey Nolan

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