PWI Weekly for December 9, 2024
The Opposite Of Scientific Wrestling: Brutality
FLIP THROUGH OLD issues of PWI from our first few years of publication and you’re more than likely to find a few gory photographs. Candidly, we’ve always taken pride in our vast archive of photos of wrestlers sporting “the crimson mask” (as Gordon Solie often said). Many wrestlers have experienced brutality in the ring, but some have elevated brutality to an art form. This edition of the PWI Weekly delves into the antithesis of scientific grappling: the shadowy, hardcore realm ruled by the "Masters Of Brutality."
WOMAN OF THE WEEK
If we were to compile a ranking of wrestlers with a penchant for no-holds-barred brutality, it would likely be a male-dominated affair. While more than a few women have had their dalliances with a more “hardcore” style, most tend to avoid it. But not Masha Slamovich.
Since her debut in 2016, Slamovich has made a habit of breaking down barriers and smashing glass ceilings—and smashing her share of literal glass, too!
Slamovich’s brutal, submission-based style, paired with her intense, no-nonsense demeanor, has made her one of the most feared women in wrestling. It’s her willingness to embrace the brutality of deathmatch wrestling, though, that has really taken her to new heights. With a style forged in hardcore playgrounds—namely, GCW, JCW, and other independent promotions—“The Russian Dynamite” is no stranger to the sight of blood on the canvas.
Slamovich’s fearlessness and brutality were on full display when she dethroned Jordynne Grace to become the TNA Knockouts World champion at Bound For Glory in October. Although the contest was not a deathmatch, we do not doubt that Slamovich's experience in such bouts served her well. In the end, her relentless assault and unwavering determination proved too much for Grace, solidifying her status as one of the most brutal forces in women’s wrestling today.
PWI RECOMMENDS
While we are talking about women who aren’t afraid to get brutal: We urge you to check out Netflix’s The Queen of Villains. This gripping series delves into the life of Dump Matsumoto, a larger-than-life personality who became a huge joshi star thanks to her terrifying character and violent ring work. Look out for a more in-depth review of the show in our Holiday 2024 issue of PWI.
SPOTLIGHT ON …
Game Changer Wrestling has emerged as the modern-day ECW, capturing the spirit of extreme wrestling and pushing the boundaries of violence and intensity. Like ECW, GCW prioritizes hardcore matches, featuring an array of weapons and stipulations—though, like ECW, it also showcases technical wrestlers and stunning aerial artists.
The promotion has cultivated a passionate fanbase drawn to its chaotic and unpredictable nature. It has firmly carved out a hardcore niche for itself at a time when many indie wrestling promotions are gravitating towards a more strictly technical or high-flying style.
With its focus on emerging talent and established stars, GCW continues to deliver blood, brutality, and bonkers moments. We’d argue pro wrestling is better for it.
TERRITORIAL DISSINGS
Speaking of ECW … in this classic promo from the Philadelphia-based promotion, Cactus Jack tells us where it hurts. As perhaps the most infamous hardcore wrestler of all-time, Cactus gave many an insightful interview during his time in the “Land Of Extreme.” Behold: frightening insight from one of the true masters of brutality.
FROM THE VAULT
JUNE 2024: AEW’s Jon Moxley rears back to headbutt New Japan’s Tetsuya Naito during their IWGP World heavyweight title bout at Forbidden Door. While both men have had their moments of brutality, Mox has made a career of it.
Truthfully, a headbutt is perhaps one of the less barbaric things he does in the ring. Still packs quite a wallop, though!