Welcome back to Rotten Ink. As you can see, we are once more at the Rotten Ink Arena. This “R.I.W Wrestling Legend” update event is going to be a quick and yet entertaining one as the main event star is the masked wrestler Dark Patriot that was one of the top heels in GWF as well as other indie promotions starting in the early 90’s and would win titles and get mega heat from the fan for his cheating ways. But as quick as Dark Patriot took the world of pro wrestling by storm, he disappeared only to show up at smaller events from time to time over the years. So let’s grab some food and drinks from the snack bar and find our seats as this is going to be a fun one. And I don’t know about you readers, but I am enjoying doing these R.I.W Wrestling Legends updates as they give me a chance to talk about some of my favorite wrestlers as well as chat about ones that are new to me. So as you can hear, the music has started and the house lights are down and that means this event is about to start!
The Dark Patriot would make his in ring debut in 1991 in the GWF and was a masked man who was a hated heel from the moment he appeared as he had a goal to beat up The Patriot who was the company’s most popular Baby Face and as well would go after Eddie Gilbert. During his time in the GWF he would also win the GWF North American Title and would get wins over the likes of The Patriot, Chaz, Terry Garvin and Gary Young. And for a short time he was one of the companies top Heels and would stay in the GWF until 1992 and would then show up in ECW in 1993 and would have a very small run and would wrestle names like Terry Funk, JT Smith, Sandman and Miguel Perez Jr. and would even team with Eddie Gilbert to win the companies Tag Team Titles, but had a falling out with management and this caused him to leave ECW. The Dark Patriot in 1994 would start working small runs in the USWA as well as IWA in Japan and would over the years would show up in the indies to work and he is still doing this to this day. During his short run The Dark Patriot would win titles and be a hated heel in all the promotions he worked for. The man behind the mask was Doug Gilbert, the brother of Eddie Gilbert, who became a pro wrestler in 1986 and was trained by his father Tommy Gilbert, and while he worked as himself most of his career he would also work as Nightmare Freddie, The Enforcer and Wrestling Machine # 1 to name a few, and who knows maybe he will get a update event as himself in the future.
Growing up, I used to watch the GWF and one of my favorite Heels in the promotion was The Dark Patriot who I found to be a skilled brawler who was the perfect opponent to The Patriot, who was one of my favorite wrestlers at the time! I mean would loud his mask with a foreign object and headbutt his opponents to try and get a cheap win, plus I mean his red and black color scheme set him apart and made him the true Anti-Patriot and a true dark heel who was hell bent on causing chaos in the GWF. One thing you have to say about The Dark Patriot is he was a good worker and put on great matches, and I liked his gimmick of being the heel version of the pro American wrestler The Patriot. What is crazy for me to now look back on is just how short of a run The Dark Patriot had because when I was younger he seemed liked he was around for a while and seemed like one of the biggest heels of the early 90’s! I also like how when cutting a promo Dark Patriot would have a southern accent and his voice is not what you would expect, but that also worked so well for him as it made him standout from the heels that were all over the WWF at the time as GWF was very much more of a southern wrestling promotion as they were based out of Texas. I can also remember that Bruce Prichard aka Brother Love from WWF was his manager when he was released and this changed his character slightly. While Dark Patriot is still around from time to time to this day his major run in wrestling was in the 90’s and he was a great worker who was the perfect heel to take on baby faces like The Patriot and Eddie Gilbert in GWF.
We are now at the point of this review where we will be taking a look at the DVD set and review some of the matches on the discs like always between 4 to 8. I want to thank Coliseum Of Wrestling & Boxing for having this set in stock and also want to thank Dark Patriot for his hard work in the world of wrestling. I also want to remind you that I will only be breaking down randomly select matches from this set and will be breaking down the match and will be rating the matches on a 5 star rating system. I also only choose from Single matches, as I want to break down his matches that showcase his style. Here is what the stars mean ½ Means a really terrible match, * Means a bad match, ** Means a below average match, **1/2 Means a good average entertaining match, *** Means a good match, **** Means a great match, ***** Means an epic match. So if you are ready, let’s step into the ring with Dark Patriot.
Best Of Dark Patriot
Match 1: Dark Patriot vs. The Patriot
The match starts with Dark Patriot punching and kicking The Patriot into the corner and as the referee’s back in turned Bruce Prichard the manager of Dark Patriot takes some cheap shots of The Patriots ribs. But this only fires up The Patriot who ends up ramming the head of Dark Patriot into the corner multiple times and then clotheslines him out of the ring. Outside Dark Patriot has had enough and starts making his way towards the locker room, and Bruce begs him to come back as if Patriot wins he gets to beat up Bruce in the ring for 5 minutes! The Patriot goes out of the ring after him and the two start fighting in the fans who scatter to get out of their way, they then make it to ringside and exchange punches before getting back in the ring where The Patriot hits a suplex and then keeps the momentum on his side with big punches. But it’s short lived as Dark Patriot turns the tide and even allows Bruce to keep getting in cheap shots behind the referees back. Dark Patriot gets him into the corner and keeps hitting big punches, but Patriot fights back and makes a big mistake and charges Dark Patriot who moves and this cause the baby face to fall out of the ring. Once back in Dark Patriot locks Patriot in a chin lock in the middle of the ring, but once out the two once more exchange punches and holds. In the end The Patriot hits Dark Patriot with his Patriot Missile finisher and as he goes for the pin Bruce enters the ring and attacks making The Patriot win by DQ and not pin. This is a great match if you are into the feud between The Patriot and Dark Patriot in GWF as this was a match that had the fans fired up showed just how over The Patriot was and just how good of a cheating heel Dark Patriot was. This match is more of a brawl and has both men trying to hurt each other as they both have nuclear heat with each other and both do a great job of telling a story in the ring as well as making each other look good. The Patriots finisher The Patriot Missile looks impactful, and I love how the Dark Patriot tries to use the foreign object in his mask attack in the match. Over all this is a solid match that I wish had a little less Bruce Prichard interference in it, but still was very entertaining and made me flash back to watching these matches as a kid.
Grade: ***
Match 2: Dark Patriot vs. Chaz
The start of the match Dark Patriot uses his strength to push Chaz around, but the young baby face uses his speed to show that he as well has skills and keeps Dark Patriot on the losing end of exchanges. But Bruce Prichard the manger of Dark Patriot distracts both the referee and Chaz and this allows Dark Patriot to cheap shot Chaz and take the momentum of the match for a moment, but Chaz gets fired up and fights back. But like before both Dark Patriot and Prichard cheat to get the upper hand, Dark Patriot even hits a big side suplex that rocks Chaz. Dark Patriot tries for a top rope diving headbutt and misses and this gives Chaz a chance to fight back even hitting a bulldog. But the Dark Patriot is able to load his mask with a foreign object and headbutt Chaz in the back of the head knocking him to the mat and allowing Dark Patriot to get the win via pin. This was a quick fun match that was pretty competative as Chaz fights hard against Dark Patriot and the fans in attendance really were behind Chaz to win it, and they are not happy when Dark Patriot cheats to win with the help of his manager Bruce Prichard who was in my opinion used to much in the match as at times its like he is trying to steal the heat from his own man. Dark Patriot is great at being the chicken shit heel when he needs to be, but also the sneaky one when the time is right. Plus I am a mark for the loaded mask spot as it works so well for him to cheat to win. Chaz is a solid worker and is fast in the ring, and the fans really did like him. Over all a good match that entertained me and again showcased the skills of being a good indie heel by Dark Patriot.
Grade: **1/2
Match 3: Dark Patriot vs. Eddie Gilbert
As soon as the bell rings Eddie Gilbert goes right after Dark Patriot and rams his head into the turnbuckle and then starts unloading big punches on the masked man that causes him to stumble around the ring. The two fight outside the ring and Eddie even chases him into the fans in order to beat him up even more. Once back in the ring Dark Patriot cheats with a poke to his eyes and then starts his attack and of course Bruce Prichard even takes a few shots at Eddie who ends up making a comeback hitting Dark Patriot with one of his signature moves called The Hot Shot and is only able to get a one count when Dark Patriot gets his foot in the rope to break the pin. The Dark Patriot is able to use a foreign object behind the referees back in order to rock Eddie and even then hitting a pair of pile drivers but is only able to get a two count on Eddie who kicks out. Dark Patriot goes then for a sleeper hold, Eddie breaks the hold with a jawbreaker and when Dark Patriot tries to fire off a series of punches Eddie is so fired up he does not feel them but Eddie lands some punches that floors Dark Patriot and then tries to remove his mask. But while the referee is not looking Bruce tosses Dark Patriot an object that he puts into his mask and head butts Eddie but is only able to get a two count when Eddie gets his foot on the rope. As the referee argues with Bruce Prichard, Eddie grabs an object and hits Dark Patriot in the head flooring him. As Eddie goes for the pin Bruce enters the ring and kicks the referee and this gives Eddie the win via DQ. This is a really solid match as Eddie Gilbert was such a great worker who had the fans cheering and the punches and moves flying all the while being super entertaining and landing big hits and holds. While some of the time Eddie made Dark Patriot and his moves look week, it just some how worked as it built Eddie up as a loved baby face and played up on the cheating masked heel of Dark Patriot. The two pile drivers from Dark Patriot look great and he does a fantastic job of selling for Eddie throughout the match. The one down side to this match is the ton of Bruce Prichard interference again…its like he is the master of getting the match to end in DQ…even with the bad finish the fans being into this and the big match feel makes it a great one to watch.
Grade: ***
Match 4: Dark Patriot vs. Ben Jordan
As soon as the match starts Dark Patriot pushes Ben into the corner and starts throwing punches and then delivers a massive suplex. Dark Patriot continues the beating with a big body slam and a series of elbow drops the Dark Patriot is not done with this beating as he then rips at the face of Ben who is clearly being destroyed in the ring. Dark Patriot even clotheslines Ben over the top rope and they both tumble to the outside where he continues to beat the hell out of Ben. Once back in the ring Dark Patriot continues his assault and finishes the match with The Patriot Missile the finisher of The Patriot and gets the three count and win via pin. This is a total squash match as Dark Patriot totally beats the hell out of Ben Jordan who maybe throws one punch the whole match as he is totally just beat up and defeated. This is the Dark Patriot that made me a fan as he is brutal, mean and is using Ben Jordan to send a message to The Patriot, who he was feuding with at the time. Dark Patriot was super aggressive in the match and was pretty much just brawling and beating poor Ben to death. Not much to say besides super entertaining match and was lots of fun for a squash.
Grade: **1/2
Match 5: Dark Patriot vs. JT Smith
As soon as the bell rings these two size each other up and both try a few holds to see the style and power the other has, that is until JT hip tosses and then arm drags Dark Patriot to the mat, but Dark Patriot does not take this for very long and gets JT in the corner and makes him eat punches and shoulders. Dark Patriot keeps the heat on JT and lands hits, holds and pin attempts. JT makes a comeback with flying head scissors and a body slam to turn the match tide and gets a two count when he hits a moonsault. The two start exchanging again and even fight outside the ring before returning back inside where the referee is knocked out by accident during their brawl. This of course gives Dark Patriot the time to attack JT once more outside the ring and use dirty and cheating tactics. Dark Patriot even tosses JT off the commentator’s booth that was 20 feet off the ground and then dives off it to cause more damage to JT. The match ends with the Dark Patriot getting back to the ring and JT being counted out. This is a brawl that showcases the darker side of the Dark Patriot who is aggressive when attacking JT and even took a high risk by diving off a booth, and this shows why Dark Patriot could be a very dangerous heel in the ring and the fans loved to boo him! While for a large portion of the match, JT is getting his butt kicked, he still is able to showcase his talent slightly and his style and Dark Patriots mix really well. It was clear that this match was a way to build Dark Patriot coming to ECW as he looks strong and it seems that they were building a feud between he and JT Smith. Over all this is a good match that has some really cool moments and did its job of building Dark Patriot as a top heel.
Grade: **1/2
Match 6: Dark Patriot vs. Ragin Rebel
As soon as the bell rings Dark Patriot attacks Rebel with some elbows and then gets him into the corner and starts kicking and then flings him out with a hip toss. As Rebel is on the mat Dark Patriot keeps working him over, and keeps the beating up with even a big suplex being hit. Rebel is able to make a comeback after Dark Patriot misses a series of leg drops and fires off some hits and holds and even is able to get a two count on a pin attempt. Dark Patriot comes back with a pair of elbows in the corner and even slams Rebel to the mat, but once more misses a leg drop this time off the ropes that gives Rebel a chance to fight back. Rebel ends up hitting some arm drags then body slams him to set up a rope leg drop that hits perfectly. Dark Patriot then fights cheap and hits a low blow and then gets him in the corner and hits a series of chops, and behind the referees back he once more goes for a low blow. Dark Patriot racks his back and then to mock the crowd dances around the ring with Rebel as the fans are cheering for the baby face. The two end up exchanging back and fourth and it’s Ragin Rebel who gets the win after Dark Patriot taps out from a Crippler Cross Face. First thing I have to say is one of the production crew for this promotion kept standing in front of the hard camera and this causes you to miss much of the action as you look at his back…like man be aware of your surroundings. The match is your average being held in a school as the crowd is small, but they are fired up and the kids all cheer for the baby faces and that is why Ragin Rebel is clearly these fans’ favorite wrestler. Rebel is not a bad worker and hits some good moves that look smooth and sells very well for Dark Patriot and when getting beat up this makes the fans cheer louder. Dark Patriot is solid like always as he does a great job of putting over the younger wrestler and even gets the fans to get mad as he mocks them and his opponent. Not much else to say about this match as it was a pretty fun watch, the worker needs to move away from the camera and it was sad to see Dark Patriot lose due to tap out.
Grade: **
The Dark Patriot was a wrestler who worked the Indies throughout the 90’s and was a great heel that should have gotten his chance in WWF or WCW as he would a great heel who did a great job of cheating, getting heat and help making the baby faces look even better. As a kid watching GWF on ESPN, I really did think he was a great worker and a great gimmick. But as you can see, this update event is coming to an end as the lights are up and the clean up crew is out and that is clearly a sign that we need to make our way to the exit, and as we do so let me take a moment to tell you our next update will be about as we will find ourselves hanging out with that friendly ghost Casper. So until next time read a comic or three, watch a film or two and as always support your local Horror Host. And for those wondering we will be talking about the 1995 film Casper that had an adaptation comic released by Marvel Comics and not Harvey Comics!
