“Sweet 'n' Sour” Larry Sweeney is one of independent wrestling's most flamboyant personalities. Trained by Mike Quackenbush at the CHIKARA Wrestle Factory, Sweeney recently joined wrestling's most successful independent promotion, Ring of Honor, where he acts as Chris Hero's agent. I purchased this DVD at the June 26^th, 2007 UWA Hardcore Wrestling show in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It can be ordered from Mr. Sweeney's My Space page.

The menu features clips of Sweeney cutting a promo and Sweeney's arm-wrestling match with the Iron Sheik to the sounds of Sweeney's entrance music “More, More, More” by Andrea True Connection. In a neat move, Sheik's clapping actually corresponds to the drum beat.

The segment begins with Sweeney in the ring. He notes that he was undefeated in 2004...in Highland...in singles matches. This is despite the fact that Sweeney did not wrestle a singles match in Highland in 2004. He then makes an open challenge to face any one in the back. His challenge is answered by Golden Vampire XIII, who is a head taller than Sweeney and looks like a Conquistador. XIII is billed as being from Romania.

Both men stall early in the match. Eddie Kingston is on commentary and screams every time Sweeney does part of his shtick, distracting from the match. Sweeney asks the referee to remove XIII's mask, which the referee refuses to do. XIII gives Sweeney a thumbs down motion, followed by the middle finger. Two chants break out: first “Larry like the cock” and then “XIII.”

XIII moves around the ring slowly, in a robotic fashion. He pushes Sweeney, causing “Sweet 'n' Sour” to bail and claim that XIII pulled his hair. He calls XIII a cheater. After XIII hits a hip toss, Sweeney claims XIII pulled his trunks. Sweeney locks in a waist-lock for a long time before XIII reverses it into a snapmare. Sweeney then claims that XIII pulled his hair and his trunks simultaneously.

XIII takes over with a series of power moves and throat thrusts. Sweeney then regains the momentum and scores a pair of 2 counts, first with a series of fist drops and then with a leg drop. XIII rises like the Undertaker to no sell Sweeney's offense. Sweeney responds with a suplex and a second rope fist drop for 2. Sweeney locks in a sleeper, using the ropes for leverage, and manages to unmask Golden Vampire XIII!

Once unmasked, XIII does a little dance and reveals himself to be Tracy Smothers. Smothers then proceeds to all but squash Sweeney. At one point Smothers slips while climbing the ropes, drawing a “You fucked up!” chant. Despite Smothers getting in most of the late offense, Sweeney soon manages to roll-up Smothers with his feet on the rope for the win.

Xion has his own boa (boas being one of Sweeney's trademarks) and is introduced as Sweeney's “hair dresser and fashion consultant.” Before the match, Sweeney cuts a promo talking about his friendships with “Playboy” Buddy Rose and B. Brian Blair. Sweeney puts over the Iron Sheik's accomplishments (i.e. His WWF Championship, his Wrestlemania XVII Gimmick Battle Royal win), but then tells the Sheik that “your time has passed!” He goes on to tell Sheik that Sheik “might've been WWF Champion, but I'm ICW/ICWA Texarkana Television Champion,” making reference to Sweeney's phantom title that he defends at many independent wrestling shows. Sweeney challenges Sheik to an arm wrestling match to defend Blair's honour after Sheik's infamous shoot on Blair. To show his arm wrestling prowess, Sweeney beats Xion in a second.

The Iron Sheik then comes to the ring and cuts a long rambling promo on both Sweeney and Blair. The audio was poor and the Sheik is hard to understand on a good day, so I missed a lot of the specifics. He got the crowd to give 10 seconds of silence in memory of Dick the Bruiser. He also promised Sweeney he would “break his back, fuck his ass and make him humble.”

Sweeney put down the top half of his singlet in preparation for the match. A referee dressed up like Japan's Razor Ramon Hard Gay came down to officiate the challenge. Before the match, the Iron Sheik screamed out “Brian Blair is a faggot” to a big pop. Sweeney stalled before locking up. When they did arm wrestle, the Iron Sheik was victorious. He then put Sweeney in the Camel Clutch and started a loud “humble” chant.

Sweeney is in the ring for a promo. He promises that he's going to speak slowly “because everybody in Alabama is real slow.” He briefly calls out one of the announcers, who has a very thick Southern accent. The mic gives off some feedback and Sweeney begins cutting a promo on Armstrong. He tells Armstrong “you're a great man, but your time has passed. Larry Sweeney is #1 in Alabama.” Sweeney got a lot of heat during this segment.

Armstrong comes to the ring wearing basic blue tights. Sweeney bailed as soon as the bell rang, urging the referee to check Armstrong's knee pads for foreign objects. After their first tie-up, Sweeney falsely claims that Armstrong pulled his hair. Sweeney then pulls Armstrong's hair twice. Sweeney slaps Armstrong before doing “Sweet 'n' Sour”'s trademark strut. Armstrong responds by throwing Sweeney across the ring by his hair, which the referee allows.

Armstrong begins working Sweeney's arm for awhile. Sweeney manages to come back and hit a pair of fist drops for 2. Sweeney acts as if he is going to remove the top turnbuckle, then chokes Armstrong with his wrist tape as the referee checks on the turnbuckle. He makes the choke look like a sleeper, so that the referee continues to allow it afterwards.

Armstrong breaks out of the hold with a series of elbows, but quickly falls victim to an elbow drop for 2. Sweeney then settles in with an armbar. When Armstrong refuses to submit, Sweeney chokes hi,m first with his hands and then with the ring rope. The announcer quotes Sweeney, noting “choking is OK because you have 4 seconds to break it.” Sweeney pulls down the top half of his singlet and begins a prolonged heat spot.

Sweeney hitw a second rope elbow drop for 2, pulling Armstrong up before 3 to inflict more punishment. Sweeney then goes to the top rope, but takes too long and Armstrong throws him to the canvas. Armstrong throws Sweeney around the ring and unloads with a series of punches before Sweeney hits a short spear and puts his feet on the ropes for the tainted pin.

Sweeney and Williams begin the segment together in the ring. Sweeney starts a chant for Dr. Death. Sweeney says that he is honoured that Williams has come out to watch Sweeney during Sweeney's winning streak, which included a victory over The Blue Meanie. Williams did Sweeney's strut, which Sweeney saw as a sign of respect. Sweeney says that he assumed Williams was there “to sell T-shirts.” Dr. Death just stares at him. Sweeney then says Williams must just be there to get “tips from the guy with the winning streak in IWA-Mid-South.” After another stare, Sweeney asks “Do you want to fight me?” Williams shows interest in this proposition. Sweeney agree, but says that as Sweeney is “always a fair and clean fighter,” he wants “a clean fight.” When Dr. Death refuses, Sweeney says “OK” and hits Williams in the head with the microphone.

Sweeney begins the match with a roll-up for 2. He then pulls down the top half of his singlet and begins to work on Williams's left leg. When both men get back to their feet, Dr. Death pushea Sweeney down. Sweeney gets back up and runs into Williams, only to fall down again. Williams then hits Sweeney with a series of short-arm clotheslines before Sweeney surprises him with a sunset flip for 2.

Sweeney runs into Dr. Death, who picks Sweeney up and teases hitting him with the Oklahoma Stampede. Sweeney, however, manages to escape and kick Dr. Death's leg out from underneath him. Sweeney fails to capitalize, missing a top rope elbow drop and falling prey to a 2-count. Dr. Death then picks him up and hits a Backdrop Driver for the win.

Sweeney begins the segment by cutting a Ric Flair-esque promo promo talking about the high life beginning with Sweeney's catch phrase, “Is Larry Sweeney lookin' good tonight or what?” He says that tonight is a special night for him because he has the “pleasure of wrestling 1 of wrestling's true legends.” He then says that it is a special night for Bob Armstrong because after Sweeney is down with him, Armstrong will have to retire. He reiterates his stance that “now is my time.”

Bob Armstrong is the father of Brad Armstrong, who Sweeney wrestled in IWA Deep South the year prior. He is dressed is a blue singlet and mask. Bullet receives a huge pop during introductions, but is looking very skinny and his skin is sagging. The announcers notice this and have a lot of fun at Bullet's expense on commentary. The heel commentator is rather annoying throughout the match, constantly pandering to Sweeney.

Sweeney stalls at ringside before the match. When he re-enters the ring, Bullet chases him around it. Sweeney then bails again. Bullet dances mid-ring. Sweeney re-enters the ring, but when Bullet teases a top rope fist drop, Sweeney runs away, reminding the referee that the closed fist is an illegal maneuver. Sweeney stalls a lot and poses. He then challenges Bullet to a test of strength. Sweeney gains the early advantage, but Bullet makes a comeback and wins the test of strength. Bullet follows up with a chop that causes Sweeney to bail again and claim that Bullet cheated.

Sweeney gets back into the ring and hits a closed fist of his own. Bullet responds with a series of chops. Sweeney rakes the eyes and begins to work on Bullet's left knee. He has the upper hand until Bullet kicks him in the junk. Bullet then makes a brief comeback before falling prey to another closed fist.

Sweeney pulls the straps down and begins to do squat thrusts mid-ring. He hits Bullet with yet another closed fist before recreating the finishing spot from his match with Bullet's son in what seems like slow motion.

Sweeney cuts a promo on Alvarez claiming that during a recent interview with Alvarez on the latter's Figure Four Radio, Sweeney noticed something “a little bit odd, a little weirdness.” As such, he challenges Alvarez to a match with the ICW/ICWA Texarkana Television title on the line.

A second Sweeney airs in which an angry Sweeney claims that Alvarez hasn't returned his calls, e-mails or My Space messages. As such, he promises to “up the ante” with a $5 000 purse. In a humourous bit, Sweeney holds up a bag with $5 000 written on it in black ink. He promises Alvarez “$5 000 of my money...and Mama Sweeney's money” if Alvarez can defeat him.

Alvarez is seen sitting down as he casually retells the story of the feud and calls Sweeney a “You Tube shooter.” Alvarez says he needs more money to do the match.

In another promo, Sweeney says that he “went to the Redondo Beach Savings and Loan and took out a loan” so that Alvarez would face him. The purse is now $7 500.

Alvarez then casually accepts the match and claims “this one's serious.” Alvarez's laid back style is a good contrast to Sweeney's over-the-top antics, but it is also rather boring.

At the show, Alvarez tells the story again to the live crowd. He then joins Dave Prazak on commentary.

As Joey Eastman makes an announcement, Sweeney interrupts and asks “Is Larry Sweeney lookin' good tonight or what?” He cuts a promo on Alvarez saying that he just wanted to have a fun match to entertain the fans, but Alvarez's cowardice blew things out of proportion. He accused Alvarez of making a living off of other people's work, causing Alvarez to leave the announce table and chase Sweeney. Alvarez says “If it wasn't for guys like me, no one would ever heard of Larry Sweeney.”

At match time, Sweeney introduces his own personal referee, Buddy Lee Brooks. Sweeney claims he is the only person qualified to officiated ICW/ICWA Television Championship matches and gives him “full refereeing authority” over the match. Alvarez is wearing basic blue trunks for the match. Each man gets a single streamer from the crowd during introductions.

Sweeney bails at the beginning of the match. Upon his return, he locks in a prolonged headlock. He then knocks Alvarez into corner and yells “this is my sport!” Alvarez responds with a slap that sends Sweeney on his ass and outside the ring. Alvarez hits Sweeney with chops all around the ringside area.

Back in the ring, Sweeney takes over with a series of strikes. He even stops to pat himself on the back. When Alvarez attempts a comeback, Brooks trips him. Sweeney then hits a suplex for 2 before locking in a lengthy chinklock.

Both men trade shots before Sweeney throws Alvarez outside the ring, allowing Brooks to cheapshot “Super Chico.” Sweeney attempts to pin Alvarez with his feet on the ropes, but the referee won't allow it. He then hits Alvarez with the Garvin Stomp for 2.

Alvarez attempts a sunset flip and exposes Sweeney's ass. Sweeney, channeling the late, great Chris Candido, wrestles the rest of the match exposed. He picks Alvarez up for a bear hug and almost knocks him out.

Brooks accidentally trips Sweeney allowing Alvarez to gain the upper hand with a series of chops, a flying elbow and a dropkick. Both men go to the top rope and Alvarez sends Sweeney flying right into the FSN appointed referee. Alvarez hits a Swanton for a visible pinfall, but Brooks does a slow count. Sweeney misses a belt shot and Alvarez hits him with a German suplex. The real referee counts Sweeney's shoulders down. Brooks counts Alvarez's shoulders down. The match is declared a draw and Sweeney races to the back with his belt and his money.

Backstage Alvarez calls the match outcome “bullshit” and challenges Sweeney to a rematch. A Sweeney promo then airs beginning with a Ted Dibiase-esque laugh. Sweeney claims that “there's a sweetness in the air because victory is sweet.” He refuses Alvarez's rematch request claiming his job is done, but agrees to kick his ass again another time.

The bonus section is a series of promos and 2 matches between Sweeney and fellow CHIKARA alumnus Eddie Kingston. It is included as a single segment on the disk, so one cannot skip directly to the second match. It is labeled as the “Texarkana Feud of the Year,” taking place in both UWA Hardcore Wrestling and CHIKARA.

A Sweeney promo from before the first Sweeney-Kingston match in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in which Sweeney claimed to be getting more bookings than Kingston. Sweeney says that all his time on the road has given him “a lot of time to think about how the best of friends became the worst of enemies.” He said Kingston was like a mentor to him, but that no one takes him seriously, including Kingston, and now Kingston has to pay for over-looking Sweeney.

In the ring for the UWA match, Sweeney's promo is drowned out by the crowd. The UWA Hardcore crowd is often accused on indy wrestling message boards of trying to get themselves over at the expense of the talent. That appears to be the case here. I was actually at the show the month prior in which Sweeney turned on Kingston. Sweeney's promo noted that Kingston recently won the ICW/ICWA Texarkana Television title, which makes Kingston the “better man,” but that Sweeney will regain the belt. Curiously, UWA Hardcore announcer Joe E. Slick is doing commentary during a segment in which he is on camera interviewing Sweeney.

Kingston is wearing tights that are half-black and half-Puerto Rican flag colours. Sweeney attacks him before the introductions are finished. They brawl to the outside. Kingston throws Sweeney into the ring post and into the guardrail. Sweeney manages to hit a suplex on the entrance stage. Dueling “Let's go Kingston” and “Let's go Sweeney” promos begin.

Back in the ring, Sweeney locks in a chinlock. Kingston breaks out by grabbing Sweeney's ears. Sweeney slaps Kingston in the face and Kingston responds with a series of chops. Sweeney withstands the barrage and hits a suplex for 2. Sweeney pulls down the top half of his singlet.

Sweeney low blows Kingston. The referee attempts to break both men, but Sweeney beats him up and steals his belt causing the disqualification. Sweeney then hits Kingston repeatedly with his belt. He begins choking Kingston with the belt before Kingston's fellow BLK Out members Ruckus and Sabian make the save.

Backstage, Sweeney says he was “stressed out” after losing his title and felt as if the world was on his shoulders. Sweeney says he recently went to see Mama Sweeney for council and she told him that Kingston isn't cut from the same cloth as Sweeney. While Kingston was in the streets, Sweeney was in college. Sweeney claims to be “an educated man.” He says that while people like Sweeney succeed in life, people like Kingston end up as “some loser in a bar [saying] 'Yeah I used to be a wrestler.'” This promo is perhaps the best on the DVD. It is excellent.

The BLK Out are banned from ringside in this match in which Sweeney and Kingston are connected by a metal strap. They have to touch all 4 ring posts to win the match. Both men are dressed in street clothes. They immediately bail to the outside and begin throwing each other into the guardrail and hitting each other with the strap. Kingston even throws Sweeney into a concrete column in the back of the venue. Sweeney soon regains the upper hand by biting Kingston in the crotch and throws Kingston headfirst into the column. After Kingston swings Sweeney into the guardrail, Sweeney blades and both men return to the ring.

Sweeney rips off Kingston's shirt and hits Kingston with the strap on his bare back. Kingston then returns the favour. After choking Kingston out, Sweeney manages to touch 3 ring posts. Kingston is able to hit 2 ring posts after a superplex and an elbow drop. Sweeney almost gets to the 4^th ring post after a suplex, but is then hit with a Kingston side suplex. This allows the Last of a Dying Breed to touch 3 ring posts.

A Sweeney piledriver inspires a “This is awesome” chant. Sweeney touches 3 ring posts. Kingston hits a series of stiff lariats before picking up Sweeney on his shoulders. He manages to touch 3 ring posts before Sweeney escapes. Sweeney throws a fireball in Kingston's face and crawls to all 4 corners to win the match.