Post by SHIMMER office on Oct 2, 2006 14:47:27 GMT -6
www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=17516
Shimmer: Volume Four
ShimmerWrestling.com
$14.95
Reviewed by Joe Babinsack
I have been well acquainted with the women’s pro wrestling world, and aware of
the various aspects over the years. Whether watching the Fabulous Moolah well
before the WWE’s portrayals (or the end of the Wendy Richter era,) whether
wondering about those peculiar magazine ads, whether watching the national
roll-out of the valet concept in WCCW, whether being awe-struck by the likes of
Manami Toyota and the battles of Kong and Nakano, or the shift from 1990’s more
serious portrayals to the de-evolution into another sideshow of wrestling’s
main stages (and legitimate revival with some of the WWE’s wrestlers,) I have
seen it, watched it, and either enjoyed it or hoped it would go away.
Shimmer is the evolution of women’s wrestling, and a quite honorable sister
promotion to ROH and FIP.
With a variety of styles, levels of performers and body types, Shimmer presents
itself as a throwback to the day where matchmaking relied upon visual contrasts
for evoking emotion in the crowd. It’s kinda hard to make someone into a bully
by scripted storylines, especially as opposed to putting in a smaller person in
against a bigger, heavier or simply taller wrestler. It’s also difficult to
create true tension and competitiveness when one with a small amount of insider
knowledge can predict outcomes by how someone got their job, and how age has
affected their looks.
Shimmer creates some expectations with well placed replays of previous DVDS,
with some simple skits and with the solid commentary.
Admittedly, when Dave Prazak doesn’t come across as a smart-aleck heel, it can
be a bit of a let-down, but Prazak holds the audience and wrestling history and
never fails to insult anyone’s intelligence.
Allison Danger does provide some interesting commentary, but I felt she was a
bit too egotistical at times, strangely because she wasn’t “over the top” in
her commentary, but far too subdued and “matter of fact”
I also think it may have been better just to have her continue to do commentary
through her own match – rather than (probably) play act the “I’m going to the
ring now” set-up. Of course, this also allows a better way to set up rivalries
and provide an immediacy to the event, but this does stray into the sense of
why try to swerve the viewer.
Matches run the gamut from above average to spectacular.
I was a little concerned at the opening of the opener, but once the match
started, it was obvious this wasn’t just pretty girls going through the motion.
The intensity of the matches really came through – especially without
gratuitous situations, blood or the like. Much like FIP, there are occasions
where the viewer has to appreciate the effort and the respect for the artform
above an insistence on flawless performances, but if you’re buying the product
of an independent promotion for production values, for nothing less than
world-class talent, or for eye candy, then you’re perspectives are already
flawed.
Yet Shimmer does provide solid replays, building up the feuds and making the
presented matches much more meaningful. The talent level is at times world
class, whether it involves veterans like Malia Hosaka and Lexie Fyfe, or
talented newcomers and Shimmer’s brightest stars like MsChif and Cheerleader
Melissa.
In fact, of the seven matches, none pale in comparison to those matches put on
the big stage. They are longer, more deserving of the name professional
wrestling, and are far more satisfying to watch.
Amber O’Neal vs Nikki Roxx provided the eye candy and a solid matchup. Any match
that provides the depth of exchanges of holds, a story being told and the
working of body parts like this one deserves praise.
Anne Brookstone is a wrestler who just ain’t going to get much of a look on
other stages, but her ability and distinction make that a wrong thing. Not only
should a promotion have solid heels, but should also have some strong
comparisons and those talented enough to make the high flyer’s lives more
protected. One always gets the impression that the booking is meant to slowly
build stars and position wrestlers for future match-ups, and this one is no
exception.
Along comes an excellent tag match, with two veterans on one side, and two
newcomers with charisma and talent on the other. One staple of women’s
wrestling has always been the bigger, stronger and heelish types dominating and
abusing the smaller girls. It’s a formula that’s always going to work, and
building to a hot tag is made all the more enjoyable with wrestlers who know how
to work the crowd and work the situation. Once again, solid storylines and an
effort to build up the new talent, using the veterans to keep the match
together.
Rain vs. Sara Del Rey was another step in the overall buildup of the show.
Another really solid match that would attract a lot of positive attention on
other stages.
I was somewhat under whelmed by Alison Danger’s match. Having seen her as a
valet, accompanying Christopher Daniels and showing an ability to work the
crowd, I expected much more from her. The match wasn’t by any means bad, but it
just didn’t click at times. Quite frankly, I didn’t like her outfit either --
if you’re gonna be goth as a valet, why be a cheerleader type in the ring? And
another thing, if you bill yourself from Pennsylvania, and you wear black and
gold, the fans are going to associate you with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you
want to be a jobber, wear green and white to begin with, to avoid any
confusion.
The final two matches, however, blow away anything on bigger stages.
MsChif against Cheerleader Melissa was simply a war.
I’ve seen worse but not much better at the same time, and the coolest thing was
a “falls count anywhere” match where it wasn’t just two wrestlers running
around the crowd, smashing guitars and a half-dozen run-ins. There were
interesting and awe-inspiring spots throughout, some work on the surrounding
fences that made me wince, and a finish that proves one of the participants is
truly a contortionist and a masochist.
Violence, passion and blood, and a damn good match with good looking ladies to
boot.
The main event shows how simple it is to create a new star and make for an
interesting match. Daizee Haze is someone I’ve only seen briefly, so I had no
real expectation about her as a wrestler. I can’t say that anymore.
While Haze was mostly relying upon recognition, Rebecca Knox (who has the most
fabulous accent I’ve heard in a long time) was built up throughout the show,
cutting a pretty solid promo, having some clips show, including an upset from
the previous DVD. The combination led to a well paced and strong matchup, as
befitting its place on the card.
Like some of the other matches, it had a definite Japanese/technical women’s
wrestling feel, with setting up moves, a fast pace and lots of solid exchanges
of moves. I also love the fact that it isn’t about simply hitting some
trademarked finisher and covering for the pin-- the finishes almost always came
after a series of near-falls, some opportunistic counters and always with a
sense of realism that I want in good wrestling.
Shimmer is subtitled “Women Athletes” and that’s for a great reason: these
ladies are tough, talented and perform at a level a few steps above what you
could possibly expect from the two minute Barbie doll exhibitions on more
mainstream programming. And whether its for admiration of talent, work and
beauty, or simply to catch some well booked matches and a promotion that will
make you forget all about GLOW, give this DVD a view.
Joe Babinsack can be reached at chaosonejoe@yahoo.com. And yes, I can be civil
to Russo fans despite my public negative impression of him.
Shimmer: Volume Four
ShimmerWrestling.com
$14.95
Reviewed by Joe Babinsack
I have been well acquainted with the women’s pro wrestling world, and aware of
the various aspects over the years. Whether watching the Fabulous Moolah well
before the WWE’s portrayals (or the end of the Wendy Richter era,) whether
wondering about those peculiar magazine ads, whether watching the national
roll-out of the valet concept in WCCW, whether being awe-struck by the likes of
Manami Toyota and the battles of Kong and Nakano, or the shift from 1990’s more
serious portrayals to the de-evolution into another sideshow of wrestling’s
main stages (and legitimate revival with some of the WWE’s wrestlers,) I have
seen it, watched it, and either enjoyed it or hoped it would go away.
Shimmer is the evolution of women’s wrestling, and a quite honorable sister
promotion to ROH and FIP.
With a variety of styles, levels of performers and body types, Shimmer presents
itself as a throwback to the day where matchmaking relied upon visual contrasts
for evoking emotion in the crowd. It’s kinda hard to make someone into a bully
by scripted storylines, especially as opposed to putting in a smaller person in
against a bigger, heavier or simply taller wrestler. It’s also difficult to
create true tension and competitiveness when one with a small amount of insider
knowledge can predict outcomes by how someone got their job, and how age has
affected their looks.
Shimmer creates some expectations with well placed replays of previous DVDS,
with some simple skits and with the solid commentary.
Admittedly, when Dave Prazak doesn’t come across as a smart-aleck heel, it can
be a bit of a let-down, but Prazak holds the audience and wrestling history and
never fails to insult anyone’s intelligence.
Allison Danger does provide some interesting commentary, but I felt she was a
bit too egotistical at times, strangely because she wasn’t “over the top” in
her commentary, but far too subdued and “matter of fact”
I also think it may have been better just to have her continue to do commentary
through her own match – rather than (probably) play act the “I’m going to the
ring now” set-up. Of course, this also allows a better way to set up rivalries
and provide an immediacy to the event, but this does stray into the sense of
why try to swerve the viewer.
Matches run the gamut from above average to spectacular.
I was a little concerned at the opening of the opener, but once the match
started, it was obvious this wasn’t just pretty girls going through the motion.
The intensity of the matches really came through – especially without
gratuitous situations, blood or the like. Much like FIP, there are occasions
where the viewer has to appreciate the effort and the respect for the artform
above an insistence on flawless performances, but if you’re buying the product
of an independent promotion for production values, for nothing less than
world-class talent, or for eye candy, then you’re perspectives are already
flawed.
Yet Shimmer does provide solid replays, building up the feuds and making the
presented matches much more meaningful. The talent level is at times world
class, whether it involves veterans like Malia Hosaka and Lexie Fyfe, or
talented newcomers and Shimmer’s brightest stars like MsChif and Cheerleader
Melissa.
In fact, of the seven matches, none pale in comparison to those matches put on
the big stage. They are longer, more deserving of the name professional
wrestling, and are far more satisfying to watch.
Amber O’Neal vs Nikki Roxx provided the eye candy and a solid matchup. Any match
that provides the depth of exchanges of holds, a story being told and the
working of body parts like this one deserves praise.
Anne Brookstone is a wrestler who just ain’t going to get much of a look on
other stages, but her ability and distinction make that a wrong thing. Not only
should a promotion have solid heels, but should also have some strong
comparisons and those talented enough to make the high flyer’s lives more
protected. One always gets the impression that the booking is meant to slowly
build stars and position wrestlers for future match-ups, and this one is no
exception.
Along comes an excellent tag match, with two veterans on one side, and two
newcomers with charisma and talent on the other. One staple of women’s
wrestling has always been the bigger, stronger and heelish types dominating and
abusing the smaller girls. It’s a formula that’s always going to work, and
building to a hot tag is made all the more enjoyable with wrestlers who know how
to work the crowd and work the situation. Once again, solid storylines and an
effort to build up the new talent, using the veterans to keep the match
together.
Rain vs. Sara Del Rey was another step in the overall buildup of the show.
Another really solid match that would attract a lot of positive attention on
other stages.
I was somewhat under whelmed by Alison Danger’s match. Having seen her as a
valet, accompanying Christopher Daniels and showing an ability to work the
crowd, I expected much more from her. The match wasn’t by any means bad, but it
just didn’t click at times. Quite frankly, I didn’t like her outfit either --
if you’re gonna be goth as a valet, why be a cheerleader type in the ring? And
another thing, if you bill yourself from Pennsylvania, and you wear black and
gold, the fans are going to associate you with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you
want to be a jobber, wear green and white to begin with, to avoid any
confusion.
The final two matches, however, blow away anything on bigger stages.
MsChif against Cheerleader Melissa was simply a war.
I’ve seen worse but not much better at the same time, and the coolest thing was
a “falls count anywhere” match where it wasn’t just two wrestlers running
around the crowd, smashing guitars and a half-dozen run-ins. There were
interesting and awe-inspiring spots throughout, some work on the surrounding
fences that made me wince, and a finish that proves one of the participants is
truly a contortionist and a masochist.
Violence, passion and blood, and a damn good match with good looking ladies to
boot.
The main event shows how simple it is to create a new star and make for an
interesting match. Daizee Haze is someone I’ve only seen briefly, so I had no
real expectation about her as a wrestler. I can’t say that anymore.
While Haze was mostly relying upon recognition, Rebecca Knox (who has the most
fabulous accent I’ve heard in a long time) was built up throughout the show,
cutting a pretty solid promo, having some clips show, including an upset from
the previous DVD. The combination led to a well paced and strong matchup, as
befitting its place on the card.
Like some of the other matches, it had a definite Japanese/technical women’s
wrestling feel, with setting up moves, a fast pace and lots of solid exchanges
of moves. I also love the fact that it isn’t about simply hitting some
trademarked finisher and covering for the pin-- the finishes almost always came
after a series of near-falls, some opportunistic counters and always with a
sense of realism that I want in good wrestling.
Shimmer is subtitled “Women Athletes” and that’s for a great reason: these
ladies are tough, talented and perform at a level a few steps above what you
could possibly expect from the two minute Barbie doll exhibitions on more
mainstream programming. And whether its for admiration of talent, work and
beauty, or simply to catch some well booked matches and a promotion that will
make you forget all about GLOW, give this DVD a view.
Joe Babinsack can be reached at chaosonejoe@yahoo.com. And yes, I can be civil
to Russo fans despite my public negative impression of him.
