WFA Insider Radio

by theDarkRyder

Welcome to WFA Insider Radio, featuring Ash Meltzer and Freddy Alvarez. They will cover the WFA, rating and reviewing their shows, and talking about rumors and reporting news. (Summary for Episode 4: Ash and Freddy review ACW Glory Road and Carson Michaels kicks Freddy in the face) Co-written with EpicOne22

2. Episode 2: ICW Retribution

Freddy Alvarez: Hoooooooow's it going everybody! Welcome to the second edition of WFA Insider Radio, where we rate, review and report on the WFA. I'm Freddy Alvarez and with me as always is the inimitable Ash Meltzer

Ash Meltzer: I can't believe all our previous episodes were deleted and lost. We may have to do retro reviews on some of those events at a later date.

Freddy: Indeed we will, so expect retro reviews of classic WFA events and Into the Fire coming soon.

Ash: Today we're going to be reviewing ICW Retribution that had of a lot of things going against it before the event even started. Also we have interview with Detrick Cyrus.

Freddy: Also, we're going to let you guys in on some of the backstage happenings behind both of these events.

Ash: Let's start with ICW Retribution. The show started with a simple video package focusing on all the feuds going into the event. Then they opened up with the Pack vs The Lords of Wrestling. I gave this match three stars. No offense to any of these wrestlers. But why would you give lower midcard talent twenty two minutes?

Freddy: The match was a perfectly fine opener, with five talented wrestlers and Chris Wolf in the ring, but I concur that twenty-two minutes is too long for this opener.

Ash: I don't think that they tried hard, but the crowd didn't connect with them until towards the latter half of the match. I think it would've been better if the match was cut in half. There was no need for a extremely long opener for a show that clocked in at nearly three and half hours.

Freddy: This match had to accomplish two things: showcase the Lords of Wrestling, and establish tension between the Pack. In that sense, it worked as a match and he wrestlers accomplished what they were trying to do, but it just went too long.

Ash: I disagree on it being a showcase match for the Lords of Wrestling. I feel like they didn't come off as stronger than The Pack. They came off as equals. I do think the Kings of New Age's were really good in the match and I enjoyed their work. Matt Lopez's hot tag sequence was very impressive as well.

Ash: Anyways the second match of the night was one that I was looking forward too. Daria St. Ledger vs Sara Lewis. I gave it 2.75. The story was excellent and I think Daria was great in the angle leading up to it. The match itself was alright, clocking in at ten minutes. Daria looked really good here. I think this was how you properly showcase a talent. Could've been a tad shorter though.

Freddy: This did wonders for Daria to give her credibility. But the word backstage is that Sara Lewis was upset about not being booked to win. Personally, the right decision was made. The Dark Family were starting to overshadow the roster, even though fans prefer the other wrestlers, and it was nice to have someone get one over on them.

Ash: Anyways, the next match was an angle. I know some fans were upset over the false advertising, which is something that will happen again later in the show, but I thought this was well done. Should it have been on weekly tv? Maybe. But it was a fine piece of work from Nyx and Katie.

Freddy: This would have worked better if they had done the angle in the lead-up episode and done the actual match in the Pay-Per-View, but the angle itself worked really well. Basically, Nyx has been driven to even further insanity by Katie Striker harassing her, and came out decked out in corpse paint, before proceeding to attack Katie. I gotta say, both of these women's character work has been great.

Ash: Next on the card was the Dark Family taking on Justin Danger, Will Ralston and Anthony Dre. I think I can officially say that ICW has lost faith in Justin Danger as a main eventer and is having him pass on his little push to Dre and Will.

Freddy: We would get confirmation of this on the episode after this where Trell booked a triple threat between Dre, Danger and Ralston to crown the new number one contender to the Heavyweight title, only for Danger to get attacked backstage by Seth.

Ash Meltzer: I believe that Danger's main event push is over. There are plans for him to lose to a member of the Cobra Club at Overload. Of course, plans can change. On a brighter note, Will Ralston is a heavy favorite backstage to take the ICW World Championship at Overload from Ben Jones.

Freddy: Honestly, good for him. Formerly reviled backstage, Ralston cleaned up his act, began putting in the best work of his career, and now it's his time to complete his redemption by winning the world title from Ben Jones….if Trell does not mess it up. More on that later.

Ash Meltzer: The match itself is 3.5 stars. I don't think we'll be talking about this match next month, but it did its job and was a decent building block in Will's story against Ben Jones.

Freddy: The people that benefited from this match were Ralston and Dre, who put in most of the work. Danger was fine, and Morrow, Lewis and Mephisto were there.

Ash: I think the card started to pick up with the ICW Tag Team Championship match between The Fortress and the Nation of Violence. ICW's tag division always surprises me with quality matches.

Freddy: Honestly, the Fortress, consisting of PK Hunt and Static Rider, were a team that I was initially not very high on. But over time, they began putting on consistently good matches with everyone they've fought with.

Ash: They are a good example but never having Match of the Night, but still having a good match. They have a nice spot on the show. They don't ever steal it. But they will have one of the better matches on the show. Hopefully they don't break up because Static Shock-

Freddy: Ryder

Ash: Sorry, him and PK are good together. So they should stay together. 3.75 is pretty good and it got the crowd a little hot before the excellent brawl that takes place after this.

Freddy: Nation of Violence also did their job well, being an intimidating tag team to pressure the Fortress, but I never really believed that the champs were in any danger of losing the straps. But with these two teams, the rest of the tag division, plus the tag team match that takes place after this, I'd say ICW's tag division is in good shape.

Ash: I don't count the later tag match as apart of that division. I don't think the Royal Shield will be lasting long.

Freddy: I would count it simply because it shows that ICW simply 'gets' tag team matches. They managed to get a team of hated rivals over on their first appearance and it shows that ICW knows how to format their tag matches and how to provide quality tag team wrestling. Plus, after the response to the match, I would not be surprised if Royal Shield, or as I call them, Kingdom of Vengeance, could become a full-time team in the future.

Ash: Tag Team wrestling and tag team division are different things. Freddy and Furno versus Seth and Genocide did nothing for the tag division. It shouldn't be a testament to a strong tag division and neither of those four should be credited for it. That's my point. If they become a team, then maybe, but they won't. I'm hearing heavy rumors of Freddy and Detrick teaming up in every WFA Company soon.

Freddy: Point conceded. Anyway, we'll get to that match soon, but moving on, we have the Falls Count Anywhere match for the WFA International Championship between the reigning champion, Chris Blade, and the challenger, Zack Mercer. Ash, let me ask you this: would I be wrong if I said that Chris Blade, among the rest of ICW's champions and their remaining roster, has been the MVP for this season?

Ash Meltzer: He is the MVP. The workrate of his has picked up immensely. His TV matches have been excellent with him having a Fatal Four way weeks before this event, that was slightly better in my opinion. Chris Blade is really good right now in front of ICW's crowd. He was given 13 minutes with Zack Mercer and they delivered a nonstop brawl with some high risk spots. I gave it 4.5.

Freddy: This match was the first great match of the PPV in my opinion. Chris Blade is a very versatile worker who can work many styles, and he adapted nicely to the environment of this match. And while I can't say I'm as big a fan of Zack Mercer as you are, I will admit, he definitely put forth a tremendous effort. Both men shined.

Ash: This might've been Zack's peak if I'm being honest. I don't know where he could go from here. Maybe he should be a mainstay in the non-existent demolition division instead of chasing the workhorse title.

Freddy: He's a diamond in the rough. Right now, his charisma is his biggest asset, but if his in-ring skills ever grow to match his personality, he could be a star in ICW. But right now, he needs to develop.

Ash: Moving on is a match that I have received mixed reactions about. Angelica Rhodes versus Brianna Kelly. I gave it 3.75 stars. It was a tad overbooked, not as much as ACW of course, but I've heard people call it confusing. The main confusion was the mid match run in from Carson that was followed by a Brianna heel turn after the match. The in ring work was good and technically sound, but that's not the complaints about it. Let's dive into the backstage workings behind this match, Freddy.

Freddy: Originally, Carson's return was supposed to be built up to. Mysterious vignettes and promos, hints on social media, the works. This was supposed to lead up to Carson returning at Overload, to challenge Angelica at Immortality. But a week before the PPV, the return was pushed up, and Carson was told to return that night. Carson was reportedly not happy, because it made her look stupid, and she had invested creatively into the angle and had already filmed her vignettes before the final decision was made.

Ash: I don't blame her. The return was a flop and the heel turn by Brianna was a fart in church because I was eighty five percent sure that Carson turned heel after that Superkick. I think this was a misfire.

Freddy: Might've been a good idea on paper, but the execution needed work. They need to nail the rest of the build, plus deliver at Overload to save this angle.

Ash: I don't know if they can. On the post Pay-Per-View episode they booked a tag match with Angelica and a returning Natalia, who I want to talk about later against Brianna and Carson. I don't know if they want Brianna to be a full on heel yet. I'm assuming they win and we'll split off into a Carson/Brianna feud and Angelica versus someone at Immortality.

Freddy: Moving on, the match that in our opinion was match of the night. Seth Sullivan and Genocide took on the unlikely team of Freddy Escobar and Furno Moxley. I gotta say, these guys definitely delivered and some, but while there were a lot of things that I loved about this match, there were somethings I had an issue with.

Ash: The ending? I gave it 4.75, as I do with most Seth matches. It was excellent tag team wrestling. Way better than the Tag Division match. The crowd was hotter for this than anything else in the show, because it was the best story going into the match. But that ending was….deflating. Had Seth gotten the pin, I could forgive it, but that was the worst possible choice. Freddy literally needed the win. Furno needed the win. Seth didn't have to get pinned. Was there politics involved or something?

Freddy: Seth does have a history of politicking backstage, but if he had policticked, I think he would have gotten the pin. Although, maybe he had something to do with the fact that the best match of the PPV ended with a Nazi getting the pin. Look, Genocide is a good worker. He is. I cannot remember a time he did not put forth a good effort. But he needs a major gimmick overhaul, and to transition into a gimmick that is not as offensive, or as harmful to business as this one. ICW is getting backlash over this on social media, and they need to correct it.

Ash: Frank Smith, the person is a good worker. He should not be holding onto a gimmick that is outdated and tasteless for relevance. It's why Jason Sabre fired him from ACW. It's probably why he'll get fired by other companies. He refuses to let go.

Freddy: He does not need the gimmick. SSW fired a guy from their developmental program because he tried to promote a Ku Klux Klan gimmick on social media. There are some people in the upper echelons of the WFA who say that being politically correct is wrong, but the fact is, this is hurting business. 400,000 people did not watch the main event after the tag match, because of the finish. More people stayed on, but that was a huge dent in viewership. ICW needs to do damage control, and fast. But I'll say this….the quality of the match was still undeniable. All four men connected to the crowd and put forth an excellent effort. Furno and Freddy's surprising chemistry was the highlight of the match, and despite the ending, I'd say it was still the best match on the night.

Ash: When you wrestle each other so many times, you have to get to know each other. I wasn't surprised especially with their chemistry in the build up to the match.

Freddy: Indeed. Anyway, despite the massive controversy surrounding this match, and the fact that maybe the wrong team won, because of the story and the work everyone involved put in, it only managed to bump it down to a 4.75. But…..it all goes downhill from here.

Ash: This main event is the biggest backstage mess since Furno Moxley interfering in Freddy Escobar versus Ash Russo. And Alan Riddle wasn't even backstage. For those who don't know, Rick Washington has been working hurt since the match with Ben Jones. He's been working through it because this was his only chance for a main event push, but his body couldn't hold up and he was removed from the match….too bad he decided to inform office about this on the day of the event. Koji Yoshida happened to be near Trell's office and was put in.

Freddy: Koji was put in an unenviable position. I honestly think Koji has what it takes to be one of the best in the WFA. He is already a world champion, and when he was put in this match, he put forth a tremendous effort. One day, he could main event an ICW PPV. But that day was not today. I still have to give him props, for stepping up to the plate. ICW clearly sees great things in him.

Ash: I think Koji gained a little from this match for making it to the final two and he did really well there and got a decent amount of support. But having Detrick go out first was a big mistake. Especially for how early it was in comparison to the match time. His character should've been the glue.

Freddy: And when Tate Williams, the man who is being built up by ICW to be their next top heel, was eliminated, that only added to the arguments against this match. But now….we have to talk about the elephant in the room. Ash, is Ben Jones responsible for the match and the PPV as a whole being received negatively? And if he is, would you say he is the worst World Champion in the WFA?

Ash: I don't blame him for the event. I will call him the worst World Champion in WFA. Azriel is a much better version of what he wants to do and more believable as a monster. Samuel is more interesting. Freddy Escobar is at least in the most important storyline on United. Ben's the worst of the group, but he can be carried to average and good matches with the right worker.

Freddy: Let's be honest: He doesn't want to be here. Azriel wants to put on great character work. Samuel wants to go out on a high note. Freddy might have been fresh off of the worst year of his career, but this year signals a return to form. Ben Jones, who has had backstage heat with almost everyone, wants to leave the WFA. He is putting minimum effort into everything he does. Why is he still champion? I am genuinely baffled.

Ash: I don't know. Seth is the hottest heel they have, but they don't want to put the title on him. I don't think anyone else is ready unless Furno or Freddy turn heel. But I think both have downward momentum. Their heel side on the main event front is weak. If Will takes the title, I have no idea who he could face at Immortality 2 unless they decide to do a weak title rematch.

Freddy: Honestly, I would've put the belt on Tate. It wouldn't be the perfect solution, but it would give you an option to build a new top heel. Have Tate face Detrick at Overload while Ralston beats Jones at Overload for the number one contendership and boom! You have your Immortality main event! Anything would be better than this!

Ash: I don't know what Trell is thinking, but I hope that ICW can pull together a hot show for Immortality two if they want to have 80,000 plus people in Wembley Stadium. I don't think a Ralston vs Tate, Ralston vs Ben or Ben vs whoever could. Maybe they should sign Grado or something. Should we wrap it up with our interview?

Freddy: Indeed we will. Ladies and gentlemen, our first guest is a man who has had one hell of a 2018, and is now poised to have an even better 2019. Please welcome, Detrick Cyrus!

Detrick: Thanks for having me here guys. It's an honor. Truly, it is

Ash: It is good to have you here. I am a huge fan of your workrate, especially with the mask. Speaking of which, why do you wear one in ACW, but not on other promotions?

Detrick: So the story behind the mask isn't that complicated. In the original incarnation of ACW, Jason told me that he really wanted babyface that would be a masked wrestler, so I just decided to do him a favor and just don the masked character. Granted, this version of Detrick is sometimes highly more favorable than me without the mask.

Ash Meltzer: So Jason Sabre's Backyard movie federation was why you wear a mask and everyone bothers you about it. That's crazy to think about with how far you've come since the days of the original ACW, although you had success in other smaller leagues beforehand.

Detrick: Yes,I had a few stints in some other small and up and coming promotions, like XWF, WZW, and GWE. Sad to say those companies went down before ever truly starting to rise but that's just the business. But those companies have actually helped me get scouted by other promotions, which eventually got me to sign with WFA, primarily SSW United at first, then the newer incarnation of ACW, and then ICW Season 2, and a few other promotions within the WFA.

Freddy: Now, we were just talking about ICW Retribution. What is your take on that PPV, and can you give us any inside details on what happened behind the scenes.

Detrick: I mean, the results of the main event were not told to anyone, until right when we got to gorilla. And we were legitimately surprised when Trell told us that Ben Jones was retaining. And even more surprised that Koji was being inserted into the match. But with the amount of talent we have, we made the best of it. And I'll swallow my pride and say that everyone did their jobs in that match.

Freddy: What are your goals for 2019? What do you hope to accomplish?

Detrick: My goal is the same as it was last year: Be the absolute top wrestler in WFA. I know that might sound a little conceited, but that's the goal of every wrestler in the WFA. We all want to be at the top of our game, the champion, the best wrestler in the world. I also plan to actually win a title this year for the WFA, cement my name in the WFA history books.

Ash: You have good chance against Freddy at SSW Ring of Valhalla, which by the way, was moved from a theater in Caesar's Palace to MGM Grand when they found out that their set couldn't fit. Luckily the extra tickets were sold after lowering the price and they went from a 1700 seater to a 16000 seater. Anyways, speaking of your Pay-Per-View matches, you are gearing up for ACW Destiny, which we will cover on our next episode. Any comments on the match you'll have and the match card?

Detrick: Well I can't give any spoilers, because I like my job at ACW. But I will say this: There will be surprises, great matches, and action and spots that people will definitely remember. And just know that I'm always gonna give my all for the fans of ACW.

Ash: How much did you have to kill yourself while Jason and CJ took it easy?

Detrick: I will say this: there legitimately will be people who might be mad at CJ in this match, and that's all I will say. Other than that, everyone legitimately put in work all over this match.

Freddy: Anyone you want to face in the WFA that you haven't faced yet?

Detrick: Surprisingly, I haven't faced Koji Yoshida yet, so I think that'd be a match that the WFA fan would appreciate. I haven't faced Asher Darma, Jesús Garza, or Rey Pantera Jr. I know there's probably it more talent, but that's just all the guys I'd like to face at the moment. Honestly, some of the best matches, come from me facing some of my previous opponents.

Ash: Try and get a match with Rick Washington. He'll get replaced and they'll put Koji in. You know you've been in WFA for a while. For a long time, girls weren't given the chance. How do you feel about the Women's Revolution in WFA?

Detrick: Legitimately, we're reaching an all time high for the women of the WFA. Some of the females who've been there for a long time, since the beginning, are finally getting the recognition and admiration they deserve. Women like Carson Michaels, Katarina Love, Natalia Rodriguez, Jessie Faraday. And then the up-and-coming female talent like Logan Storm, Lacey Alvarez, Angelica Rhodes, and Alexis Espinoza, who I might add is only 22. Experienced and talented, and at such a young age. And I can say this, we've signed a lot of other female talent that can take the world by storm.

Ash: Ever since Lacey vs Natalia, the women have been raising the bar to the point that they are having better matches than the guys. Do you feel any jealousy from men when you see people talking about how Sofia has eight star matches or Natalia is changing the game over whatever the guys do? Also, not being sexist, but top five hottest girls in WFA?

Detrick: I won't say any names, but I can say that there are a few people who aren't too thrilled with the idea of the women of the WFA being elevated to such a high standard. Me personally, I'm all for it. As you know, my sister was a wrestler back in NXT. And my baby cousin, Katarina Love, legitimately one of the better females I've seen wrestle at her age. And knowing there's alot of female talent out there who've paved the way for opportunities like this, why not take advantage of it?

Ash: Still didn't answer my second question. Don't worry Kailene isn't listening. Only nerdy marks listen to us.

Detrick: Haha, no I'm not worried about that (looks around quickly). But I'd say the top 5 would be: Sofia Reynoso, Carson Michaels, Erin Frost, Natalia Rodriguez, and Alexis Espinoza.

Ash: Solid top five. You've had some classic matches in your WFA Career. What are the top five matches and the best moment of your career?

Detrick: Number 5 would be Cyrus vs Sullivan. Number 4 would be the first championship match I had in SSW United against Ash Russo. Number 3 would be the Hellfire Trinity match with Jason, which honestly is one of my favorites. Number 2 would be the first recorded Legends of New School match against Casey Harris and Jason Malice. And number 1 definitely would be my match against Azriel at Final Destination, definitely an upgrade from my first singles match with Azriel in the original ACW.

Ash: Was that the match where you lost the Championship three days after winning it?

Detrick: Yes, it was. It was... not one of my prouder moments in wrestling.

Freddy: One final question, before we go: what would you say to your father if he could see you now, as one of the most popular stars in professional wrestling.

Detrick: I would tell him that I love him very much. And that I'm appreciative of everything he's ever taught me, every life lesson and piece of advice given to me. But also..I'm proud of him for being a legend that's given me the honor of following in his footsteps.

Ash: Was his advice to tell everyone that Jason's kids are yours?

Freddy: Was his advice to invest in lowriders?

Ash: Maybe it was to grow out a mullet and sound like a stereotype? Actually, he told Freddy Escobar that.

Freddy: Did he tell you to fill burritos with laxatives?

Ash: Hey….whatever happened to Mateo? Did the President get to him? Eh, better him than La Rebelion I guess.

Freddy: Was your first rebellious phase wearing jorts during his feud with John Cena?

Detrick:...*line goes dead*

Ash: I think his skype disconnected. Well, just like his hero John Cena, we can't see him now. Our time is up.

Freddy: Must be having internet issues. He should call Asher Darma. Mark Jacobs told me he's good at IT.

Ash: He really is good at it. Anyways, I think that wraps up another successful show. We'll see you for our review ACW Destiny.

A/N: And that's a wrap. Again, thanks to EpicOne22 for helping out with this, and to the Lucha Warrior for helping out with the interview. Ring of Valhalla part 4 is coming out soon, so be sure to check that out! Be sure to check out ACW by EpicOne22, and all other WFA fics, including ICW, FXW, GWE, and CAW. Also, let us know what classic WFA Pay-Per-Views you would like us to review! Anyways, see you all next time!