Mark Hitchcock Memorial Wrestlecon Supershow
Thursday, April 4
7:00 p.m.
New York City Hilton Midtown
New York
Tickets
Live Stream available with Fite Fest Package
Highspots Network (On Demand)
The WrestleCon Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow has become one of WrestleMania Weekend’s most consistent and biggest attractions. It’s a celebration of indie wrestling that mixes a wide array of styles and cultures in order to create something no other show can offer.
In the WrestleCon Supershow, you get to see tremendous displays of pro wrestling. Three years ago, the crowd was treated to an incredible Rey Mysterio, Ricochet & Matt Sydal vs. Brian Cage, Chris Hero & Zack Sabre Jr. match. In Orlando, I witnessed what is to date my favorite match to ever see live: a spectacular, breathtaking 5 on 5 tag team match that featured guys like Will Ospreay, AR Fox, Dezmond Xavier and Marty Scurll. And just last year, attendees were treated to a surprise tag match featuring Rey Fénix & Rey Horus vs. Bandido & Flamita that ended up being one of 2018’s best lucha matches.
But, besides the great wrestling we also get an array of comedy, feel-good moments and appearances by legends. From the Sandman’s win of the DDT Iron Man Heavy Metal Title to last year’s surprise appearances by Hiroshi Tanahashi and Minoru Suzuki, this night is perfectly designed to get you in the ‘Mania Weekend spirit and increase your love for professional wrestling.
We already have three confirmed matches (more on that later) but as it’s a tradition with this show, most of the card is a surprise, and that’s one of the many factors that make this night so engaging and energetic: you never know who will show up. This year, however, we do know that the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger will be in attendance, making this one of the last times an American crowd will be able to see him perform live. Just that single fact should get your butt inside the Hilton Midtown Ballroom.
Why else should you go to this show? Dragon freakin’ Gate. One of the world’s most exciting companies in 2019 so far is going to have a heavy presence and I’m sure the result will be unforgettable. Big R Shimizu, Masato Yoshino, Susumu Yokosuka, Shun Skywalker, Eita and YAMATO are the confirmed wrestlers. We don’t know the specifics of their involvement, but I’m already salivating at the prospect of a crazy multi-man classic Dragon Gate spectacle that would be the talk of the weekend. Shun Skywalker is one of the bright young stars of puro, Yoshino and Susumu are some of the most versatile and agile competitors you’ll see. And as a bonus, other confirmed talents are Pentagón Jr., Fénix, Masato Tanaka and one of Mexico’s best luchadores Black Taurus, a man that I have touted as a possible breakout star of the weekend. This year’s WrestleCon Supershow attendees are in for a hell of a treat.
It’s also worth saying that this year’s show is really a mix of styles and cultures. You have tremendous lucha libre representatives (Dragon Lee, Bárbaro Cavernario), technical wrestling of the highest caliber (Zack Sabre Jr.), spectacular high flyers (Skywalker, Fénix), strong style (Masato Tanaka), rising stars (Black Taurus) and living legends (Liger).
And, finally here are the three confirmed matches (Again, most of the card is a surprise):
Zack Sabre Jr’s Open Challenge
The 5-time winner of Wrestling Observer’s Best Technical Wrestler Award is on top of his game and will surely give us an incredible match full of complex submission holds. I have no clue on who his opponent will be, but I’m confident it will be a huge surprise that will light the crowd on fire.
Dragon Lee vs. Bárbaro Cavernario
The match that no one is talking about but could end up blowing everyone’s minds. If you don’t follow lucha or CMLL, you might not be familiarized with Bárbaro Cavernario, but let me assure you, he’s one of Mexico’s best wrestlers and I expect him to quickly get over during this show. His unique look and his crazy offense should be enough to do just that.
Dragon is well known for his NJPW appearances as well as his crazy matches with Hiromu Takahashi, and his presence should be perfect to heat up the crowd. Dragon and Bárbaro had a fantastic match back in January (****¼ in my book) and I expect them to better themselves in front of a hungry crowd. Don’t sleep on this match and prepare to make Bárbaro Cavernario one of your favorite new wrestlers.
Will Ospreay vs. Bandido
Out of the hundred shows happening, this is a match that truly screams ‘Wrestlemania Weekend’. A clash of two stars that are very over in their respective companies and whose styles promise to perfectly blend in order to steal the show. Will Ospreay is on fire and can have a 4+ star match with a potato, so with such a beloved and athletic guy like Bandido on the other side, we can expect fireworks coming out of the ring.
