Before there was a Neville, there was Cody Rhodes, Sami Callihan and CJ Parker (now Juice Robinson). Along a different vein, there was Ryback. There are also the confusing tales of Colt Cabana, Ivelisse Velez, and Chris Hero (since remedied as Kassius Ohno). These are all names of now independent wrestlers who either walked away […]
Tag: ivelisse velez
SPOTLIGHTS: ‘Women of Honor’ Can Change the Game
Last weekend I had a pleasant surprise when sitting down to watch my recorded weekly dose of Ring of Honor: I received a whole episode of Women of Honor matches. And what a treat it was! The opening match featured 6 of the best female wrestlers out there today, killing each other in a loose […]
WRESTLING 101: Re-falling in Love with Stables
An incredible thing happened in the past 12 months of pro wrestling. Where there was once only a handful of true ‘stables’ (3+ members of a named faction, with a clear babyface/heel designation), there stands a lifeblood of both WWE and independent wrestling promotions. When speaking of stables, of course the New Day and Bullet […]
SPOTLIGHTS: The Luchadora Five
As a firm disciple of the Lucha Underground temple, it’s possible I read too much into the show. I guess perception is everything, but I believe there is a lot of depth in this beautiful and violent world of Boyle Heights. This post is dedicated to the Luchadora Five: specifically their uncanny connection to the […]
SPOTLIGHTS: Give Intergender Matches a Chance
In all this talk of women’s ‘revolutions,’ racist tweets, sex tapes, league mergers, developmental by name only, it’s no wonder the world of professional wrestling can seem a bit more serious than it’s intended. This is not to imply professional wrestling isn’t a serious business, however. Athletes literally put their lives at stake with every […]
LIVE EVENTS: Shine 29: When Stables Collide
Welcome to Shine 29! This was by far one of the best nights of wrestling I’ve seen live. The heat between Valifornia and Valkyrie was infectious and not lost on an equally hot and highly appreciative crowd. This was Shine’s coming out party, and to all the uninitiated: you are missing out on some seriously […]
ATHLETE APPRECIATION: Ivelisse
It’s hard to be a wrestling legend by 27, but Ivelisse Vélez is the rare exception. Thus, there’s a reason Vélez is featured prominently on Wrestling in Florida when describing the terrific independent, women’s pro wrestling scene. Wrestling since the age of 15, Ivelisse Vélez’ incredible journey to 10 titles is matched only by her […]
WRESTLING 101: The 10 Commandments of Women’s Pro Wrestlling
For the life of me, I can’t begin to fathom the unwritten, but steadfast code on women in professional wrestling. Thankfully promotions like Shine and Shimmer defy this code…out of roster necessity**…but only to an extent. The Ten Commandments of Women in Pro Wrestling: Rule 1: A male manager/wrestler cannot knowingly strike a female manager/wrestler. Rule 2: A female manager/wrestler […]
LIVE EVENTS: Shine 28 – A Night of Surprises
During the worst weather possible, rain, hail, lightning and flooding, Shine 28 delivered an array of surprises, smack downs and celebrations in YBor City, Florida at the Orpheum Theater. Three and a half hours later I was left tired and grateful to be witness to some of the oddest and most creative wrestling I’ve seen […]
WRESTLING IN FLORIDA: An Insider Look at Professional Wrestling 