From "Galactic Observer Online"
Review of GWF CLASSICS Episode 1
20 June 2087 - by Mel Davis
The 18th of June saw the debut episode of "GWF Classics" on HVSN Plus. Former GWF Heavyweight Champion Torin Caelum provides a unique first-hand insight to what he called "the wild west days of the GWF". The plan of the show, according to my sources at HVSN Plus, is that the show will be a monthly series with each episode focusing on a particular theme while going through GWF history in chronological order. Of course, plans do change and it's early on in the production of the series, so we'll wait and see how this series develops. In the meantime, let's look at the first episode.
The show opens with a wonderfully updated version of the original GWF Main Event Wrestling opening, complete with the original theme "Highway Star" by Deep Purple. We are welcomed by Torin Caelum as he walks on to a mostly darkened set with a monitor as it's central piece and surrounded by displays with spotlights on them. The displays really add a historical air to the program with such artifacts as the original GWF Heavyweight and Tag Team Championship belts, the boots and branding irons of Dorado Sundown, and Caelum's own rather classically styled entrance robe are on display.
Caelum tells us that this debut episode will showcase the first GWF Heavyweight Title Tournament. I must say, Caelum's looking good and I dare say he might could step into a ring today for a match or two if he had a mind to do so. While Torin's interviews were never considered a highlight when he was an active competitor, here he comes across as a skilled presenter and knowledgeable authority on the subject. He tosses to the debut GWF pay-per-view, Trial By Fire 2074, for a quarterfinal match in the tournament pitting the legendary Omega against the GWF's first Gladiator and a controversial figure in Screw.
GWF Trial By Fire 2074 - GWF Heavyweight Title Tournament QuarterfinalsOmega defeats Screw after the Tomahawk Thrust in 16:44 - 3.5 Stars
The first match on a GWF pay-per-view was a great contest, especially in it's day. Omega's disciplined approached gave way to the smash mouth style that earned Screw the rank of Gladiator, rare for a non-Aethran, and the crowd truly got into what turned into a hard hitting brawl. While entertaining, it simply wouldn't be either mans finest outing in the era.
Next up, Caelum discussed the other matches in the quarterfinal round that were part of Trial By Fire 2074 as highlights played. We saw future partners collide with K.O. Keller defeating a young Commander Sam, followed by GWF co-founder Morpheus putting down Santon the Loner with a Trip to Hades, and finally Caelum himself tapping out the Cygnus native Torpor with his patented half nelson sleeper, which he noted that announcers named Caelum's Grip. Caelum shared an anecdote on the fact that early GWF holovision announcers weren't necessarily saavy to the proper or preferred names of combat sports techniques and weren't keen to ask the wrestler's themselves. That led to a number of colorful or strange names for various maneuvers. In Caelum's words, "Trust me, we weren't worried about fancy names. Do you think Blood was more concerned with a name like 'Scar Tissue' or finding a way to make his full nelson more painful?"
This brought us to the tournament semifinals at GWF Only The Best 2074, the GWF's original premier event. Highlights play of Caelum forcing a submission from Morpheus to make the finals, but that means we still need to see who would meet him. Cue Omega taking on another hard-hitter in K.O. Keller.
GWF Only The Best 2074 - GWF Heavyweight Title Tournament SemifinalsOmega defeats K.O. Keller after the Tomahawk Thrust in 18:39 - 4.0 Stars
A technical match between differing disciplines, this was a joy to watch. In his day, Omega was an agile technician who could strike if called upon. On the other hand, K.O. Keller was a boxer by training with remarkably quick and precise hands, but he was a capable grappler. A variation of the old wrestler versus boxer debate given form and, as tends to happen, the wrestler won.
This set up the showdown between Omega and Torin Caelum to crown the first GWF Heavyweight Champion. Caelum's words about the impact this match would have on the early days of the GWF are better than anything I can write. "Omega and I would start a rivalry in this match that would define our early GWF careers. While I was on the back end of my career, Omega was in his prime. But, I like to think I was a very different challenge for him. I was a wrestler among fighters. But what made Omega so good, he was a student that never stopped learning. Now, the main event of Only The Best 2074, for the GWF Championship, Omega versus Torin Caelum, two out of three falls."
GWF Only The Best 2074 - Best of 3 Falls for the GWF Heavyweight ChampionshipOmega defeats Torin Caelum in straight falls, both after the Cosmic War Dance, in 17:26 - 4.0 Stars
Two masters of their craft to crown the first GWF Champion. Amazing match! Caelum was right in saying he was a different challenge for Omega, working over Omega's arms to rob him of the Tomahawk Thrust. Caelum forced Omega deep into the playbook. Omega deftly avoided numerous attempts at Caelum's Grip and caught Caelum for the rapid fire Muay Thai knee strikes, the Cosmic War Dance (wonder if that's another announcers name).
Caelum wrapped up the program standing next to the original GWF Heavyweight Title belt and, as he started his preview of the next episode, moved toward the GWF Tag Team Title belt on display. Next time will highlight the GWF Tag Team Title Tournament that crowned the first tag champs. I enjoyed the format and Caelum's hosting was quite good. I could've done with swapping out one of the matches, maybe Omega versus Screw, for a match without Omega. Perhaps Morpheus and Santon's quarterfinal match. Omega was a huge part of early GWF history, I just hope this doesn't become an Omega highlight series.
When episode two drops, we'll have the details here for you. In the meantime, check it episode one for yourself if you haven't already. It's worth it!
