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INDY SHOW OF THE WEEK: THIS SATURDAY'S COMBAT ZONE WRESTLING 2009 CAGE OF DEATH, BARBED WIRE RETURNS TO PHILLY

If there was one show I'd be attending this weekend if I physically could, it'd be this Saturday's Combat Zone Wrestling Cage of Death event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA.  At its peak, CZW was turning fans away from the tour for this, their own hardcore flagship event.  In recent years, CZW has cooled somewhat, but still churns out an ever-evolving hard working crew of young talents. 

This year's event has a new dimension as well as it will be the first Cage of Death run by the company since Dave Markland (professionally know as DJ Hyde) purchased the company from former owner John Zandig.  Markland and his crew, including promoter Maven Bentley, have been working hard to build buzz and interest in the CZW letters.  With this show, they've set into motion a nice looking lineup of bouts that have been built over time, topped with two Ultraviolent old friends - the no ropes barbed wire match and the Cage of Death, this year advertised as being "electrified."

Both of which excite me.  While it's not popular to admit in this day and age, I am a fan of the Death Match style. While I don't want to see them often and I don't want any of these talents to have long-term damage, I will always have a special place in my heart for these insane wayward souls who are willing to do destructive things to one another for the sake of the enjoyment of others. To some, this isn't professional wrestling. I can respect that.  I will be the first to admit that I proudly love professional wrestling, especially when it is at it's best. I love watching the artform of two awesome workers countering each other on the mat. I love watching Lucha stars charging across the ring and sailing into their hapless opponents on the floor. I love great promos. Nothing makes me happier than watching great characters like Terry Funk or Homicide throwing chairs and tables around as ringside staffers run for their very lives. There are certain, different, unique things are exclusive to professional wrestling and wouldn't translate anywhere else.

Whether we like them or not, they are quirks of our eccentric genre and Death Matches are no different. However, the Death Match style is one that is overlooked or often misrepresented as the worst thing in wrestling. Whether its just the words of those who don't see it as part of the business, or those who just are sickened at the sight of barbed wire, it's never gotten its just due. Those same folks often forget that even WWE has used aspects of that art form to make stars - Randy Orton's thumbtack bump at Backlash in 2004 perhaps the best example.  In the right moment and time, with the right emotional attachment, the art of the Death Match can make a legend.

So, while CZW has tried to show in recent years that they aren't just about the crazy Death Match style, that is what they have hung their hat on and I'm personally excited to see the return of such matches to the ECW Arena - as long as they are going to be a rare, unique occurrence.  There's no point in blood for the sake of blood or barbed wire for the sake of barbed wire.  Let it mean something where it can draw money and be done in a way that doesn't put the wrestlers at extreme risk and I'm all for it.

In a lot of ways, CZW is the crazier step-son of the original ECW, trying to go places even Paul Heyman didn't try try to go.  I liken the promotion to Sabu in a lot of ways.  When it hits all its points dead on, it's awesome.  When it doesn't, they tried and it didn't work out, so there's a spectacular crash and burn, but like Sabu trying to do his own thing, I'll never demean CZW for trying to do theirs.  I just wish I could be there Saturday to witness it myself, but thankfully that's what DVD is all about.

The lineup for this Saturday's Cage of Death event features:

Cage of Death Match
DANNY HAVOC vs. "The New Horror" SAMI CALLIHAN

CZW World Heavyweight Championship
DRAKE YOUNGER (c) vs. DEVON MOORE

UVU Championship - NO ROPE BARBED-WIRE
NICK GAGE vs. THUMBTACK JACK (c)

Jr. Heavyweight Championship
DREW BLOOD (c) vs. GREG EXCELLENT

Golden Dream #1 Contender's 4-Way
B-BOY vs. JON MOXLEY vs. EDDIE KINGSTON vs. EGO FANTASTICO

#1 Contender Match for Tag Team Championship
BLKOUT (Ruckus and Sabian) vs. AZRIEAL and BANDIDO vs. TEAM MACKTION vs. THE NAPTOWN DRAGONS (Scotty Vortekz and xOMGx)

Tag Team Championship Match
THE BEST AROUND (TJ Cannon and Bruce Maxwell) vs. Winner of the 4-Way #1 Contender's Match

The "Lariat" vs. The "Decapitator"
DJ HYDE vs. NATE HATRED

Wired TV Title Tournament Final
ADAM COLE vs. TYLER VERITAS

A detailed background on each bout can be found on the CZW website at www.czwrestling.com.  For fans attending the event, please remember CZW will be conducting a Toys for Tots drive at the show.

PWInsider.com is seeking live reports from all CZW events.

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