STARRCAST 3 SPOTLIGHT: GCW’s secrets of Spring Break and Turner memories with Jim Ross & Tony Schiavone

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GCW’S SECRETS OF SPRING BREAK & TURNER MEMORIES WITH JIM ROSS AND TONY SCHIAVONE
AUGUST 30, 2019
PRO WRESTLING TEES THEATRE
LIVE FROM CHICAGO, IL

It was a tale of two eras at 6pm during Starrcast’s Friday evening sessions. In one room, Joey Janela, Ethan Page, and others broke down the secrets behind GCW’s Spring Break. The other room featured Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone telling stories and sharing memories of their time in the wrestling business.

Joey Janela immediately took over in the GCW room and demanded the water bottles onstage be replaced with White Claw. From there, the format of the panel was revealed and would include live watch-a-longs of Spring Break matches of the past with Janela, Page, and others providing live commentary as they played. The commentary didn’t feature artistic breakdowns of the matches, but rather a lively and comedic discussion around various happenings within them instead.

Janela vs. Marty Jannetty from 2017 was up first. Janela cracked jokes about Jannetty to the live audience who popped for them throughout the “analysis.” Panelists laughed at the match commentary and feverishly attempted to figure out who was the referee for the bout. PCO vs. WALTER from 2018 was featured second. Janela complimented WALTER as a performer, but also proudly stated that both he and PCO had since sold out.

Conceptually, the format of the panel was an interesting idea. That said, hearing Janela, Page, and others break down the matches in a serious and informative way without the comedy would have been a more effective approach and one that would have filled their 90-minute slot more efficiently. Janela and the other panelists were funny, but the shine of the jokes wore off once the second match breakdown began.

Joey Janela was a hit with an open microphone in his hand and his witty banter and charisma shined throughout the program. That alone is worth a watch for those who have subscribed for the weekend.

In the JR and Schiavone room, Ross and Tony sat back in their chairs and reminisced about their days in the wrestling business. Their time wasn’t only for stories as both men talked up AEW as a viable national promotion and sold their upcoming TNT show to a captivated audience. Ross went so far as to put the hard sell on folks telling them to set their DVR’s to make sure they catch the show from episode one and beyond. Ross and Schiavone both appeared supremely proud to be where they were and sounded passionate as they discussed the energy behind AEW.

DDP made a special appearance near the end of the program. Page sat down and relished his moment alongside two of his friends. The three men plugged DDPY before Page told a story about Cody from when he was in high school as a very successful amateur wrestler. After hearing the story and how Page taught Cody to learn from losing, it’s easy to see how Cody has been able to persevere through a tumultuous run in the wrestling business. Page also revealed to Schiavone and Ross that he used to call Cody by a special nickname. Young Buck. Ironic? Page certainly thought so.

Both Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone are important voices and ambassadors of the professional wrestling business. The comfort with which they talked about the business was remarkable and the understanding of the business of the business was also clearly defined.

If you’re looking for a fun stroll down memory lane and to get some historical perspective around the current happenings in wrestling, this panel is for you.

NOW CHECK OUT OTHER STARRCAST 3 COVERAGE: STARRCAST 3 SPOTLIGHT: From undesirable to undeniable