Uncharted Territory, Season 1 Episode 2
April 10, 2019 (Re-aired May 2, 2020)
Episode Venue: Electric Haze in Worcester, MA
Streaming on IWTV.live
The second episode of Uncharted Territory took place days after WrestleMania was held last year in New York and New Jersey. After so much hard work and time spent in making the weekend independent shows a success, it’s pretty impressive that DC and the Beyond gang would go on directly afterward and put on a stellar follow-up episode to the premiere. Episode 2 maintained the drama that kicked off the prior week involving David Starr, Chris Dickinson, and Joey Janela. This episode also introduced more new names (who by now have become the established ones on today’s indie scene) and re-introduced us to a legend who hasn’t lost a step in 20 years.
On Commentary: There were technical issues that prevented commentary over the matches for this episode, so no one was on the mic this time. The show holds up quite well even without commentary, though - it’s nice to clearly hear a lot of the trash talking that’s going on in the ring, and there was plenty of it this particular week.
Match 1: Aussie Open vs. Sadkampf
Those Aussie boys Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis are back on Episode 2 to take on Nashville’s own Kevin Ku and Dominic Garrini (better known these days as Violence Is Forever). Aussie Open weren’t able to defeat the Beaver Boys on the premiere episode, but this week they seem to have a fresh mindset and come off in this match just as impressive as they did before. This opening tag match was much more brutal as Ku and Garrini are renowned for their savage style. Aussie Open were ready for the war and got the victory, which to me felt like more of an upset considering the skill and talent of Sadkampf. Excellent opener!
Match 2: Wheeler Yuta vs. Solo Darling
Upon first glance one might think this match would be an easy victory for Yuta considering the size advantage he has over Solo. Anyone who would think that, though, was probably seeing Solo Darling for the first time. This episode was her Uncharted Territory debut, after all. And a hell of a debut it was; Solo put to rest any doubts about any advantage Yuta may have had because they put on a great match where Solo leveled the playing field with her skillset. Yuta gets the win but this, of course, was only the beginning of their time in the ring together.
Match 3: Mick Moretti vs. Tristan Thai (Discovery Gauntlet match)
Moretti returned to the Discovery Gauntlet in Episode 2 after a victory the week before over Gabriel Skye. Moretti was there to show out this week and get his name out there in 2019; he got the victory and it looked as if a nice Gauntlet run was starting for Mickey. After solidifying his place on Episode 3, Moretti had a post-match chat with Cameron Zagami, who was at the time Beyond’s squeaky-clean interviewer. It’s hilarious to go back and watch Zagami in his wholesome ‘previous life’ knowing what we know about him now. This is solid proof of Beyond’s talent in storytelling when the re-watchable factor is so high due to intriguing character evolution.
Match 4: The Platinum Hunnies (Ava Everett and Angel Sinclair) w/ ‘Retro’ Anthony Greene vs. Penelope Ford and Maria Manic
If you’ve ever seen the early 80’s movie All The Marbles there’s a very glam and beautiful tag team in it named the California Dolls. When I first saw the Platinum Hunnies last year near the end of Season 1 I immediately thought they would have fit perfectly in that movie role, that’s how great Ava Everett and Angel Sinclair look together. Of course, Anthony Greene’s whole ‘Retrosexual’ vibe brings it all together with the 80’s bit, too. Needless to say, I love these three. Even the team of Penelope Ford and Maria Manic works well against them here in Episode 2, two absolute bad girls going up against glamour. This match had a GLOW (80s OG series, that is, I’m old enough to remember those episodes) feel to it that I appreciated. Ford and Manic were the winners after Manic mauled the Hunnies, but what a memorable debut for all involved.
Match 5: Anthony Greene vs. Gangrel
The Retrosexual took on the Vampire in a match that showed without doubt that Gangrel still has *it*. After decades in the business, Gangrel can still go in the ring with the younger generation. Both these guys put on an excellent match that I’m sure surprised many (myself included). This turned out to be the start of a fine renaissance year for Gangrel, too - after he got the win over AG on Episode 2 he went on later in the year to have a few more good matches, including taking on Orange Cassidy at GCW/Black Label Pro’s 2 Cups Stuffed and getting the victory there as well.
Match 6: SLITHER (Joey Janela and Chris Dickinson) vs. The Great American Born Entertaining Semites (David Starr and MJF)
First off...LOL at Starr/MJF’s team name. This week’s main event seemed as if we’d get to see some finality and comeuppance as Joey Janela brought out the Dirty Daddy earlier in Episode 2 as his tag team partner against David Starr, who let everyone know previously that he’d aligned himself with MJF. And damn, does SLITHER work great or what? Janela and Dickinson give off this twisted and wild vibe as a team that comes off very well in the ring. Starr and MJF, of course, are perfect heels together and have no problem with being over the top pricks in this match. MJF got the dirty victory for his team and we end the show with SLITHER declaring that this war is not yet done. With these pairings as good as they are (Janela/Dickinson vs Starr/MJF) it’s actually satisfying to see the tension build; there’s no way we’d want to see something this good end with one match.
Post-Show Thoughts
It says a lot for a show that can hold its own for two hours with no commentary. When you can do that, you’ve got something great on your hands. Your talent is in the ring literally speaking for itself and the characters are telling us the story without any supplemental narration. That’s good wrestling. Granted, the whole show comes together at full power with Paul Crockett and company at the commentary table, but I give nothing but praise to DC and crew for putting on a great second episode in spite of technical difficulties and after coming down from a packed WrestleMania weekend last April. The level of dedication matches the level of talent.