Pandavision #2 – Battlefront #4

On April 16, 2011, IndyGurlz presented a show that demands attention, an afternoon of farewells and glimpses into the future of women’s professional wrestling.

The latest edition of the Battlefront series opens with a tag match: Marti Belle and Tina San Antonio (The Belle Saints) vs Portia Perez and Sumie Sakai.  I was unsure what to expect from this matchup, not only are the Saints fresh off their WSU tag title loss but I had never seen Portia and Sumie work together.  Any doubts I had were unfounded the second Portia gained the height advantage by standing on a chair she brought to the ring and by the time Sumie was labeled “unorthodox” I knew I was in for a treat.   Between Sumie’s biting and body-as-a-weapon style and Portia’s elite heel skills there was zero chance of disappointment, especially against one of the best tag teams, male or female, on the scene.

There is one aspect that did bother me, the small crowd.  After just one match I knew that too many people missed this show, the talent level is top notch and their creativity and professionalism shines in the free environment IndyGurlz provides.

Match 2 is worth the cost of the dvd, Sara Del Rey vs Madison Eagles.  Two of the most technically sound and gifted wrestlers, multi time champions both, competing in a match I can best describe as ‘showing off’.  They shifted between old southern rasslin to strong style to mat work to submissions I had not seen before.  There was never a doubt that Sara is the best in the world, but this match made me a Madison Eagles fan, her fast track to the Shimmer title was forgiven in my mind.  This is a feud we all need to see continue and this match should be a serious Match of the Year contender.

Now before you think this is just a big love fest from me, we get to the 3 way dance.  Niya vs Roxxi Cotton vs Jamilia Craft.  This was the hardest to review for a few reasons: I had never heard of Niya before this match, Jamilia is Japan bound and Roxxi Cotton was in it.  This was a clunker with a few bright spots involving Jamilia in her last State-side match for the foreseeable future.  As mentioned, she is earning her Joshi cred in the DIANA promotion.  I honestly can’t wait to watch her develop from the top prospect into a visionary main eventer.  Her heart and pride carried this match as you will see for yourself.

This brings us to our next farewell, Cindy Rogers retirement tour continues here, against IndyGurlz champion Mercedes Martinez in a grueling match.  A match that brought memories of Cindy’s early days in Shimmer and a reminder that Mercedes is just now hitting her peak.  A match of respect and admiration, of passion for the sport and tradition, in short, a great match to end the card.

Battlefront 4 is highly recommended viewing, featuring the elite of womens wrestling and rising stars.  Truly a show that befits a passing of the torch from one generation to another, a show with 4 of my personal top 10 performers and a potential 5th, but that list is another story entirely.