CZW Proving Grounds 2011 Report

*The Briscoes looked on in disbelief as the famed trio appeared through the curtain and made their LONG awaited CZW debut! Voodoo Princess Sheeta was the first person the crowd saw as she began to cast her spell on a different crowd...on a new and very different battlefield. Her massive and mighty Nigerian Nighmares followed close behind as she went into her trance and dropped down onto the ramp. The Nightmares released the voodoo powder from their bamboo batons before converging on a CZW ring for the very first time. The jam-packed Asylum stood in unison as the powder began to disapate and the 500 lb. frames of the Nightmares started to come into focus.

The African warriors finished their pre-match ritual and disrobed...instantly winning a lot of the crowd over as they've done in so many places before. Chants of "Man Up!' began to rise from the crowd as everyone realized what the beloved Briscoes were up against. The bell rang and it was Mark Briscoe starting the open challenge off against Saifu, the smaller of the Nightmares. He was quickly outmatched and overpowered, forcing him to re-think strategy. Jay tagged in and attempted to knock Saifu off his base with a series of shoulder tackles that barely budged Saifu's thick, pitbull-like frame.

Saifu stood firm on his trance-like base as Jay tried again and found himself flat on his back from the impact. The Briscoes opted to strike and move with tags to thwart this mammouth opposition. This lasted for a quick cup of coffee, then the Nightmares kicked it into high gear. Saifu made a tag to the much larger Maifu before sending Mark flying into the ropes. He caught the younger Briscoe coming off with a drop toe hold. He then held his opponent in place as Maifu came off the ropes and flattened the champ with senton back splash! The crowd reacted in awe as the Nightmares' confidence grew by leaps and bounds. Maifu took over and threw Mark over the bottom rope.

He proceeded to stand on his back in an attempt to choke the life out of one half of the champs. When he was satisfied with the damage he caused, he released the choke in the most vicious of ways. The 500-plus pound giant threw all of his weight to the side and came crashing down on the small of the back with a ugly elbowdrop that again brought the crowd to its feet. As I've stated in a past edition of The Referee's Position, the Nightmares have dominated the United States east coast wrestling scene for the past three years, winning championships and tournaments from Maine to Florida.

They are currently champions in PWX, 304, and FWF, and were clearly looking to add the CZW straps to their collection.

Clutching his ribs, Mark Briscoe found himself at the mercy of the mighty Nigerian Nightmares. Under the guidance and direction of their Voodoo Princess, Sheeta, the monsters unloaded on the champs with their devastating arsenal of tandem offense. They beat him down in a neutral corner, then sent him crashing to the other. Saifu charged in after and drove all of the air from Mark's body with a corner body splash. Mark tried to catch his breath as he slowly walked back to mid-ring. He was met by a charging Maifu who damn-near took his head off with a picture perfect spinning heel kick that echoed throughout the Combat Zone.

A dazed Mark Briscoe stumbled aimlessly in a circle, and eventually into the waiting arms of Saifu who deposited him backwards in a nasty belly-to-back Nigerian Suplex. Maifu would also deliver a crunching belly-to-belly suplex that gave me visions of Yokozuna flattening opponents like pancakes back in the day. Princess Sheeta shook uncontrollably at ringside in approval as her team dominated. The savages from deep in the jungles of Nigeria looked to make quick work of the reigning and defending champions. Saifu made the unorthodox tag to Maifu's head and snatched Mark Briscoe up in a strong waistlock. He dropped Mark in a spinebuster just as Maifu came flying over the top rope with a 500-pound slingshot somersault legdrop to complete their career-ending Nigerian Guillotine finisher!

There wasn't a fan in their seats after what they'd witnessed, and the "HOLY SH*T!" chants could probably be heard blocks away. The Nightmares then baited Jay and distracted the referee, allowing their twisted Princess to spring into action. The wicked Princess Sheets snatched Mark Briscoe to the floor and absolutely unloaded on him with punched, chops, and a nasty knee lift that seemed to greatly impress the ringside fans that got a close up view of the vixen at work. She beat Mark back into the waiting arms of the Nightmares, who looked to put the champs away.

Saifu through a wild clothesline, allowing Mark to roll through and make the much-needed tag to his brother Jay. The crowd popped as the fresh man came in like a house of fire. After witnessing his brothers decimation, he knew he had to do something fast if the Briscoes had any hopes of escaping the Asylum with their coveted titles. He wisely attacked the exposed feet of the Nightmares, providing enough space for the Briscoes to mount a comeback. Jay struck both Nightmares early and often, then flew off the top with a high cross-body on Saifu for a two count. He returned to Maifu to keep him at bay, then Mark rejoined the fray. The single shoulder tackles didn't work in the beginning, so the brothers tried a double team version on Saifu and were still denied.