Welcome everyone to the return of the Bank Statement! For the first time in two years, I have decided to get back on social media and be me again, a fan who loves wrestling and isn’t afraid to show it!
Sadly, I decided to stop watching American Championship Entertainment by the time 2018 rolled around. Whenever I would go to a lot of shows, a lot of the wrestlers really detested me, especially Adam Payne, that no good, dastardly, vile, evil, disgusting excuse for a wrestler. Never forget. I won’t. ACE is always great, but not for me anymore.
With that said, I can say that I fell in love with a brand new wrestling product. Project: Diverge won my heart over back in April 2018.
A mix of ACE, Beyond, and other local independent talents, Diverge was something that took my heart, starting with all the promos leading up to the event to the Old Bridge Elks on 4.21.18. I did not go to the event, because I had a prior commitment on that date. I decided to just wait for the footage to be released, especially with all the hype Diverge had on Facebook and Twitter inside the Jersey wrestling scene.
However, when the footage didn’t come out right away, I figured that it was just another pipe dream and the footage would never be released. Same old, same old on the independent circuit.
Then, thanks to a trailer released in early December, it was legit. Project: Diverge Operation New Wave would be released during a 5 Day Special Release starting on 12.21.18 and ending on Christmas Day. Since I don’t really have much family and don’t celebrate that materialistic crap, I knew I’d have the time to watch. And I did.
And Oh Boy, what an event! For a first time event, save a few things I, as a fan, would have done differently, Project: Diverge was a success! An intimate venue, mixed with great production, led to an exciting story told through 5 different episodes.
Most of all...the story. The infamous “New Wave 8” really brought their A-game...well, 7 of the New Wave 8 did. I’ll get to that later. Even the Styles Clash participants had their time to shine.
I absolutely dug it on so many different realms. Here’s why.
BANKIE’S OPERATION NEW WAVE REVIEW
Positives:
THE RISE OF O’MALLEY - Tom O’Malley, a man who has only wrestled a handful of matches over the past few years, mainly in American Championship Entertainment, came out of the woodwork and absolutely showcased his heart. Personally, overcoming the shoulder injury and finding a way to use the STR so efficiently to win all 3 matches were incredible. There is no one other than O’Malley to be the face of Diverge. A serious wrestler who stands up and fights in the name of honor and the sport is at the forefront of the New Wave.
MIKEY D AND ED SCANLON A FUTURE “CLASSIC” COMMENTARY TEAM - Classic Mikey D and Big Ed Scanlon held their own in their first time together as play-by-play and color commentators for Diverge. As each episode went on, the better they were. Ed got more confident. Classic, the former sidekick in the commentary booth for ACE, became a credible lead announcer and showcased his true wrestling knowledge when it came to holds and maneuvers. If Diverge ever continues post Operation New Wave, it will be a joy to hear these two together.
PRODUCTION - This show felt different as it came to a televised product. Instead of it being just a normal two camera shoot, there were two ring cams, a “follow Jon Harder” cam, and an Osmo as a hard cam. Also, there was a ton of microphones around, picking up every noise. There were awesome replays and innovative lower thirds for the talent. Most of all, there was just a lot of care put into the project in post-production. And you can tell.
PRINCE AKKANATAN - Because why not? The failed fireball just made me laugh and love “the Vile from the Nile”.
VINCE STEELE MEETS KTB - The ending of Episode 3 saved Vince Steele and was incredibly compelling internet TV. What would happen? Did Steele ruin the night for everyone? Thankfully, Kyle the Beast, out of left field, entered the arena to start Episode 4 and went toe-to-toe with the big man. The pure strength from the Beast alone was incredible. There was so much left on the bone...and I want more. Juggernaut vs Beast? Bring me more!
Negatives:
TOO MUCH JON HARDER - No disrespect to the Diverge founder, but he was on the show WAY too much. I know it helped with the story of the show, but less is more for the Commish. Ironically, I still want to know why Jon didn’t enter the ring and hand O’Malley the New Wave Cup when he tapped out Giovanni Marranca to win. That was when he was needed most. Regardless, good for Jon to see his dream happen. I just don’t want to see his ass all the time.
KONGO IN THE STYLES CLASH - Wildman (not MadMan, Ed) Kongo was a complete wrecking force inside the Styles Clash four-way. However, he completely had the odds stacked against him and was eliminated early from the match. I felt he was a strong enough performer to last longer and was a real brain fart from the braintrust at Diverge. It was a misfire. However, the running glutes to Gabby Ortiz’s face was pure brutal to watch. I thought she died.
MC MONTY MAX - I didn’t like him. Never...again.
GIOVANNI MARRANCA’S RUN - As much as I didn’t like Monty Max, I absolutely HATE Giovanni Marranca. “The Magnificent”, or whatever he wants to call himself, showed me NOTHING. He was bland. His posture was annoying and awkward. Most of all, his video that had his arrival into the Operation New Wave Tournament was just too whiny. No wonder why ACE never gave him an opportunity. He used everyone else as his issues instead of just addressing his own shortcomings. I mean, his lack of drive lead to multiple people in the locker room to call him out back in the day. How do I know this? Let’s say I’m people that know people that know Marranca. If he is truly is leaving wrestling, good riddance. For this writer, he’s blander than the pizza box that Black Zemis killed him with in 2008. Arrivederci, asshat.
Overall, despite my negatives, I absolutely LOVED Operation New Wave. I hope Diverge returns, sans Marranca. 2019 is do-or-die for the vision. I sincerely hope it returns. And if doesn’t, at least there is this. What an excellent effort. This show felt alive.
And in turn, for the first time in forever, the Bank Statement has returned. Hopefully, this isn’t just a one-time thing.
Bank On It that it won’t be.
Bankie Bruce
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