Originally broadcast 16th August, 2017

 

A weekly independent wrestling show can be very difficult to manage, especially in Europe. While wXw’s Shotgun leads the way – even they have struggled on occasion with “nothing episodes”. wXw’s main domestic competitor, the German Wrestling Federation stepped into this arena last year – with a short 13-part series that culminated at GWF’s November marquee event Legacy – which is a yearly celebration of their time in Berlin. Three Count was a series that combined cinematic style scenes with a handful of matches – rather than the promo and backstage heavy Shotgun show. This series comes highly recommended from GWF management, effectively acting as an introduction to all of the different characters and wrestlers in the promotion.

Like all good series, Three Count’s pilot opens with a board meeting. Franz Wegner, head of media at GWF is seen unveiling the new logo and motto for the promotion: #WeAreGWF. Sat around the table is GWF’s El Presidente Rambo, former president Ahmed Chaer, Crazy Sexy Mike and the mysterious “Finance Minister”. Olaf, the main investor in the company and ring announcer is also present – albeit via speakerphone. The whole team are fully on board with the branding, but Olaf introduces a new talking point – who should be GWF’s new centrepiece? Rambo immediate interjects and says that as El Presidente, he has made a decision on who it should be – which irritates Chaer, who explains that even though he was President in 2016 he still had to run every decision past the committee – as well as hiring an external matchmaker. Rambo says that Chaer’s time is over and that he doesn’t need to listen to him anymore. Chaer retorts by saying that while he respects Rambo’s position – the GWF is still owned by Chaer’s company and as president he must follow some rules. The Finance Minister says that he will be closely guarding the purse strings and all financial decisions must go via him. Rambo agrees with this, but puts the boot in on Chaer and says the emphasis should be on domestic talent, not “tag teams from the UK”. The group agree that Rambo needs to appoint a matchmaker – and Mike says that he has until next week to make a decision. Chaer then asks all attendees to write down who should be Pascal Spalter’s next opponent for the world title. They all pass their sheets of paper to Rambo, who looks pensive at the decision.

We then cut to a messy apartment across town, Orlando Silver is seen frantically rushing out of the house before being confronted by his mother who chastises him for leaving without dinner. Silver says that he’s late for the show which doesn’t fly at all with his mum who holds concerns about Silver’s still injured arm. Silver says that he can’t miss the show as GWF is like a family to him and like his father said: “you should never let your family wait”. Silver leaves the apartment complex on a skateboard and heads off into the city.

The next scene takes us to Huxley’s Neue Welt, where Ali Aslan and Grup Anarşi are hanging around. Aslan says to his men that he plans to make some trouble and they should all listen to him. Meanwhile, Chris Colen arrives at the scene and is immediately surrounded by the Turkish gang. Aslan insults the Austrian Werewolf, who doesn’t seem phased despite being severely outnumbered. Aslan smacks the coke can from Colen’s hands to get a rise out of him – and seemingly Colen is ready to drop gloves. The Grup begin to surround Colen but Orlando Silver runs in and stops the confrontation before any violence occurs. The presence of Silver is enough to stop the aggro and Anarşi snake off. Colen and Silver exchange pleasantries before Colen expresses his confusion at the situation in GWF – he doesn’t even know who to ask about his opponent that night.

We’re now inside Huxley’s and Rambo has found his matchmaker in Gefreiter Weber. Weber finishes the card and hands it to Olaf and Ahmed Chaer – seemingly all is good. Chaer and Olaf leave the room and Rambo immediately rips into Weber for not showing him the card first. Rambo sends Weber out of the room but Weber says he has to prepare first – the new matchmaker has apparently booked himself on his own show – talk about a conflict of interest.

 

MATCH ONE: Icarus vs. Mark Haskins

After a really slick opening package showing all the wrestlers and characters featured – we’re now transported into the arena and ready for our first match. We get a really nicely shot promotional video from Icarus, who says that he’s ready to make his next step and challenge for the GWF World Title after winning titles in Hungary and Italy.  His opponent – the UK’s Mark Haskins gets similar treatment and pretty much says the same thing – he’s here to dominate after winning titles all over the world and his main target is the Berlin championship.

The pair are a good match for each other in the early stages as they test eachother’s mettle with some really nice transitions and tests of strength. After Icarus gets a little bit of an upper hand, Haskins hops out of the ring and superkicks Icarus when he’s followed and then plants the Hungarian with a backdrop onto the ring apron. Haskins sends him back into the ring and is fully in control – beginning to focus on wearing down the right arm of Icarus. This meticulous approach doesn’t appear to be earning the Malvern man any fans in Huxley’s – with the crowd firmly behind Icarus.

Icarus begins to get a bit of a head of steam and Haskins is prone in the ring – the Hungarian is ready to put him away with his trademark Swanton Bomb. Just as Icarus ascends the ringpost, his Arrows of Hungary teammate Dover runs onto the apron and attempts to shove him off the top. Icarus fends him off with an elbow and launches into his Swanton – which connects with Haskins’ raised knees. Haskins lamps him with another superkick and locks in the Sharpshooter for the win. Haskins and Dover exchange glances at ringside but it doesn’t look like this was planned. Haskins’ GWF journey gets off to a great start. Dover wanders into the ring and plants Icarus down with a cloverleaf slam – the Arrows aren’t on the same page.

We cut to Rambo’s office as Tarkan Aslan wanders in. Rambo is speaking on the phone and doesn’t pay any attention to the Lion King. Once Rambo finishes his conversation, Aslan begins his tirade. He’s incensed that Haskins has come over from England to Berlin and immediately challenged him. Rambo says that he hasn’t challenged Aslan – just the Berlin championship. This sends Aslan into a fit of rage.

Rambo keeps his cool and reminds him that he has a match next week to worry about when he faces Adam Kruger. Aslan calls bullshit on this and storms out, passing Ahmed Chaer on the way. Chaer is about to enter the office when he’s stopped by Loserweight champion Martin Guerrero. Guerrero is thankful for the opportunity but is unsure about how he can be taken seriously when he’s considered the “loser of a nation”. Chaer says he can’t really help out at this time – but maybe if he can win the Presidential election on 11th November the story may be different. Chaer goes for the door again but he’s now sought after by Ronaldo Shaqiri – but he’s brushed off by Chaer as the office door shuts.

MATCH TWO: Gefreiter Weber vs. Chris Colen

GWF’s new matchmaker is out for his match in full warpaint – and he’s in the first main event of Three Count. He’s facing off against Chris Colen – it’s a little jarring seeing ‘rainbow road’ Chris Colen (watch the show and you’ll get what I mean) especially if your only exposure to him is from his time in RISE – considering he was in that faction at the same time in the other company. If you were expecting a high flying technical bout – you’re out of luck as this is a pure squash. Weber doesn’t get much offence in before Colen knocks the Private to the groud with a hellacious lariat which he follows up with the Angels Wings slam for the 1-2-3.

The action returns to Rambo’s office and he’s seen packing up for the night when GWF champion Pascal Spalter arrives. He’s just heard that he’s defending against Orlando Silver – our happy hero from the beginning of the show – at the upcoming Battlefield show. Rambo says his hands are tied –  the committee voted for Silver and he can’t change that. Spalter accepts this, but then says he’s leaving the GWF.

 

…and on that bombshell – it’s time to end the show.

 

For a first episode, this definitely did the job of introducing the characters of GWF better than just jumping into a event like I did a few weeks back with the Light Heavyweight World Cup. There’s a lot of intriguing things happening and I’ll be doing each review as I watch the episode so I’m not going to spoil myself. If this review has made you curious about this series – by all means jump in and watch along with me by following the links below. The shows are free so there’s really no excuse!

 

✏️ @MikeKilby

The entire GWF: Three Count series can be found for free on wearegwf.com – GWF’s On Demand service as well as on Amazon Prime Video – both with German commentary. English subtitles are also available.

🇩🇪 Episode One: http://wearegwf.com/gwf-three-count-episode-01/ and http://www.amzn.to/2riKwuF (Amazon Prime Video)