Seven Levels Of Hate tells the story of the seven-match series between “Boom Boom” Colt Cabana and “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship in 2011.
The film documents the beginnings of both men from the state of Chicago and their origins in professional wrestling in the late 90s, to the beginning of the feud in Championship Wrestling From Hollywood, through to the culmination in Australia.
The film features contributions from the two men involved, right through to promoters, individuals involved in the NWA, referees and everyone involved in the origins of the feud.
Seven Levels of Hate tells the story Cabana and Pearce going head-to-head for the NWA gold
Going into the series, Colt had twice previously defeated Pearce for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship. Pearce challenged Cabana to a best-of-seven series, with the stipulation being that if he could not prove himself to be the better man, then he (Pearce) would leave the NWA forever.
Cabana and Pearce discuss the development of the feud and the psychology of each of the matches, and what they were looking to achieve. Both men are frank and honest in their assessment of the series.
Indeed, Adam Pearce is almost apologetic for one of the matches and places any and all credit for it wholly on Cabana’s shoulders – Pearce had a temperature of 102 for one of the matches, yet still went and fulfilled the date.
The feud was a resounding success. Both men’s promos were superb, and other promotions joined the NWA because they wanted to bring the match to their own territory. OK, territory may be a little strong, but you get the idea.
Cabana, booked all over the country and one of the biggest stars in the independent wrestling scene – not only in America, but arguably in the world – brought visibility back to the NWA. A level of which, again arguably, it had not had in years, especially internationally.
You would think this would be a massive positive for the NWA. Think again. One of the fascinating aspects of the film is the politics of the NWA and how it threatened to derail the entire feud.
Without giving too much away, it seems no-one has learnt any lessons from the 1980s, where in-fighting between promotions saw the collapse of the territorial system and helped Vince McMahon establish a monopoly on the industry. It is truly staggering how self-interest and the egotism of those in charge triumphs over good business sense and general sensibility.
Seven Levels of Hate is not a “Sports Entertainment”, swervetastic production. This is not a PG, cartoon-caricature, watered-down version of professional wrestling.
Indeed, what Seven Levels of Hate represents is what professional wrestling COULD be, what professional wrestling SHOULD be – a feud centred around two guys fighting to prove which one is the better man. A feud where it mattered who won and lost. A feud that makes you care about the participants involved. Two guys, one title, one winner. No bullshit, no shenanigans.
This is a representation of what professional wrestling was. And perhaps maybe, just maybe, a sign that we can still have a product that is just good. Even in world of the 21st century, even with the internet and smarks, professional wrestling might still be able to live and thrive.
All seven matches of the series are also included.
– @MichaelBrown_91
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