Ring of Honor Winter Warriors--1/23/16--Duluth, Georgia

The show took place at the Convention Center at the Infinite Energy Arena and Convention Center. The other conference room  on the same floor was hosting a Magic: The Gathering tournament. It reminded me a bit of being at Dragoncon. The ring was elevated , but it was difficult to see the entrances from where we sat, about six rows back from the ring.  It was also difficult to see once action spilled outside. Many in our section chose not to sit in seats, but stand on the sides near the concession stands to get a better view of the action.

The preshow match featured Matt "Sex" Sells against P-Dogg. P-Dogg came out with a posse that featured Marko Polo, Nina Monet, Devyn Nicole, Raphael King, C.B. Suave and Merica Strong. He came out rapping about how he wasn't buying what Sells was selling. Sells began the match with a series of arm drags and a snapmare. P-Dogg's posse provided ringside distraction that allowed him to gain control. He hit Sells with a leg drop for two.  He followed up with a body slam and a series of three leg drops for another two count.  Sells hit P-Dogg with a neckbreaker for two. P-Dogg got the win with a flying leg drop. It was amazing to me to see Sells return to Atlanta and wrestle in an ROH ring. He's come a long way since moving to Philadelphia to pursue bigger opportunities to hone his craft.

The show opened with Corey Hollis vs. Dalton Castle. If you've never seen Dalton Castle,  his entrance alone is worth the price of admission. He has two mask wearing minions who fan him with peacock feathers, and he wears a lavish golden cloak. Castle postured and preened before locking up with Hollis. Hollis mocked Castle's dandy demeanor. Castle is mostly fluff, taunting, and evasion in the early part of the match. He finally got serious when he rolled up Hollis, suplexed him, then followed up with a vicious knee in the corner.  Hollis answered with chops. Castle kneed Hollis in the face, then tossed him into the barricade. Hollis tossed Castle off the apron, then hit him with an enzuigiri. Hollis went over the top rope to hit Castle on the outside.  Castle tried to suplex Hollis, but Hollis countered with a stunner. Hollis powerbombed Castle over the top rope. Once back in the ring, Castle suplexed Hollis for a near fall. Castle won the match with the Bang a rang, a spinning double leg facebuster, that's as flashy as he is. Hollis's technical ability and Castle's showmanship played off each other well for an entertaining match.

AJ Styles came out to shouts of "Thank you AJ". He stated that ROH is one of the best promotions he'd worked for, and that he didn't know where he'd be without them. "Enjoy yourself and remember this night. You've got questions, and I've got answers." Jay Lethal interrupted, " Nobody gives a good goddamn about what you've got to say. This is not the AJ Styles show. This is the show for The House of Truth.Lethal declared he wouldn't defend his title in such a crappy place as Duluth, GA.  Roderick Strong interrupted him, "You're the greatest champion?" he asked Lethal. "No I'm the greatest champion. If you aren't defending, I'm not defending because this town sucks." Strong then addressed Styles "I don't care where you're going or what you're doing, get out of my ring."

The Bullet Club entered. "Tonight our heat isn't with you AJ, it's with these two losers." Gallows pointed at Strong and Lethal. "Maybe all the champs at Ring of Honor are a bunch of pussies. Notice "beardmachine" isn't even out here". On cue, Warmachine came out, and a massive beatdown between all involved parties ensued. Young Bucks and the other members of Bullet Club turned it into a Superkick party.

A match involving Styles was teased. P-Dogg's crew came out and Styles hit him with a Styles clash.

The next match featured the All Night Express (Rhett Titus and Kenny King) against Cheeseburger and Moose.  Moose showcased his physical power slamming King. He followed with stiff strikes and elbows to Titus.  Cheeseburger is small, but he is quick.The audience adored him and chanted for him throughout the match.  Moose threw Cheeseburger onto Titus for a two count. King attempted to hit Moose, and it looked like he was trying to hit a brick wall.  King and Titus tried a double team maneuver on Moose, but he suplexed them both. They both kicked Cheeseburger and managed a two count. Moose tagged back in and beat up on both members of ANX. He did a crossbody on both members of ANX. Moose tried to punch Titus, but King pushed him out of Moose's way. Moose dodged King's kick, and he and Cheeseburger double teamed King. Titus flipped out of the ring onto Moose. Cheeseburger attempted a move from the top rope, but King caught him. ANX doubleteamed Cheeseburger and picked up the win. ANX acted like they'd do the postmatch handshake, but they gave Moose and Cheeseburger the brush-off.

Cedric Alexander faced Mark Briscoe. Alexander has an athletic, acrobatic style while Briscoe fights like a wildman.  Briscoe hit Alexander with a back drop followed by a kick and a discus elbow. Alexander hit Briscoe with a spinning kick then stomped Briscoe. Alexander argued with the referee. He then stomped Briscoe's face. Briscoe suplexed Alexander for a two count. He then punched Alexander. Briscoe hit Alexander with a lariat, then went for a flying elbow. Alexander raised his knees. Alexander won the match with the Lumbar Check, a belly to back suplex dropped into a double knee backbreaker.

Ring announcer Scarlet Bourdeaux announced changes to the main event. It would feature The Bullet Club against all 4 ROH Champs. The tag team, television and world heavyweight titles would all be on the line in the 8 man tag team event.

ACH, Matt Sydal and Alex Shelley took on Michael Elgin, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O'Reilly. ACH, Sydal and Shelley displayed both energy and synergy in the course of the match. Elgin displayed his strength by holding Sydal up for several seconds in a standing suplex position. They finally had to push Sydal over to release the hold.  ACH dropkicked Fish and O'Reilly. Sydal moonsaulted to the outside of the ring onto his opponents. Elgin powerbombed ACH out of the ring on top of everyone else. ACH was isolated for a bit, showing his resilience. He received a cross armbreaker from O'Reilly, but fought out.  Elgin manhandled ACH, and Shelley broke up a submission attempt with an eyepoke. ACH tookdown both Fish and O'Reilly. He then kicked Elgin in the face. O'Reilly and Shelley traded submission attempts and exchanged blows.  Sydal hit Fish with a standing moonsault. Elgin suplexed Sydal, then ACH and Sydal simultaneously. He hit Shelley with a back body drop. O'Reilly and Fish hit Shelley with a combo and Elgin hit him with a lariat. Elgin managed only a two count.  Shelley hit Elgin with sliced bread, ACH hit him with a 450 splash, then Sydal hit him with Air Sydal, a shooting star press, for the win.

After a brief intermission, there was a Women of Honor attraction match between Veda Scott and Amber Gallows. Despite the efforts put forth by the competitors, crowd energy was low coming off the high of the 6 man tag and the lull of intermission. Gallows hit Scott with aggressive chops, crisp kicks and hard hitting strikes.  Scott tried to tie Gallows into a submission, and pinned her shoulders for two. They clotheslined each other, then Gallows hit a facebuster for a two count. The referee caught Gallows trying to use her feet for leverage during a pin attempt. Gallows rolled Scott up and used her feet for leverage again, but this time the referee was oblivious to her nefarious moves.

Adam Page, Frankie Kazarian, Will Fererra, Silas Young, Caprice Coleman, and Jay Briscoe competed in a six-man scramble that was chaotic from the get-go. Briscoe and Kazarian started the match. Kazarian tried to tag in anyone so he didn't have to face Briscoe. During one point, all six men were trying to do sleeper holds on each other. That was broken up by Ferrera. Caprice Coleman did a moonsault from the second rope onto his competitors who were outside the ring. Kazarian hit a suplex for a two count. Silas Young did a gorgeous neckbreaker. BJ Whitmer tried to interfere in the match. Jay Briscoe won it with a piledriver.

Whitmer addressed Briscoe explaining how he'd elevated Fererra and that Fererra had stabbed him in the back. He appealed to Briscoe to join forces with him, and extended his hand to Briscoe. Briscoe promptly flipped him off. Page, Fererra and Briscoe gave Whitmer a beatdown. They grabbed a fan sign that said "Please hit BJ Whitmer with this sign" and crunched it over his head.

Adam Cole faced ECW legend Stevie Richards. Richards worked Cole's shoulder. Richards hit Cole with a spinebuster for two. Cole superkicked Richards then slammed him into the barricade. He then threw Richards over the rail into the crowd. Cole hit Richards with a neckbreaker. Richards regained control and bashed Cole into the barricades twice. He hit Cole with four neckbreakers. The two exchanged superkicks and spit in each other's faces. Cole put Richards in a figure four. Richards attempted to roll up Cole, then put him in a figure four.  Cole got his foot to the rope. Cole hit Richards with a kick from the outside. Cole won after a body slam and The Florida Key, a straight jacket suplex.

Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, and The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson) of the Bullet Club faced Roderick Strong, Jay Lethal, and Warmachine (Raymond Rowe and Hanson) in the Main Event. The ROH world heavyweight champsionship, the television title and the tag team titles were all on the line, and the action spilled outside the ring early. Nick Jackson flipped out of the ring onto everyone.  The Bullet Club isolated Strong. They did multiple DX style crotch chops mocking him, then proceeded to beat him down in their corner. Lethal stomped Matt Jackson. Strong hit a gorgeous dropkick.  Anderson hit Rowe with a dropkick. Rowe answered with a body slam.  Gallows attempted to clothesline Hanson several times, gave up, and superkicked him. Strong struck Gallows, but Gallows answered with a European uppercut. The Bucks acrobatically double teamed Strong. The entire Bullet Club superkicked Strong for a two count. Nick Jackson landed a 450 splash onto Strong for a two count. Strong evaded Jackson's offenses then Lethal, Rowe and Hanson teamed up on Jackson. Rowe got the final pin for his team and the reigning champions retained the titles.

The show was three and a half hours long, but it rarely dragged. The passionate audience favors the acrobatic nature of the promotion that seems to put athletic ring performance over characterization and story.  When Ring of Honor returns to the Atlanta area, you can bet I'd attend again.

Platinum Championship Wrestling--January 16, 2016--Porterdale, GA

Platinum Championship Wrestling had another packed out house last night. The focus right now is on the Tag Team Season, and the feuds are getting hotter.

Match 1: Shane Marx vs. Ray Fury

The two locked up. Marx delivered a gorgeous dropkick. Fury left the ring to get his bearings. They engaged in a test of strength where Marx attempted to break Fury's arms.  Marx delivered a scoop slam followed by a drop punch. He repeated that combination with maximum results.  Fury chopped Marx's chest. The two exchanged blows, and Fury managed a two count.  Fury attempted a submission, but Marx fought out. Fury landed a big knee to Marx's chest, and it resulted in a pin attempt.  They exchanged blows again while Marx was poised on the top turnbuckle. Fury attempted a superplex, but Marx knocked him down then dropkicked him.  Both men were down for a nine count. Marx decimated Fury with kicks, then a belly to belly suplex for a two count.  Fury landed a facebuster for a two count.  Fury went for a kick, Marx evaded. Marx landed a spinebuster on Fury for two.  Marx set up for Natural Selection, but Fury got out. He attempted to kick Marx, but Marx evaded. Marx didn't miss Natural Selection on its second attempt, and he won the match. It was a lovely way to open a show and a triumphant return for Marx.

Match 2: Geter vs. Eric Jones

Big F'n Deal came to the ring. Geter reminded the audience that there is still an open contract on the championship. "There's an open contract to any man who feels they can take this from me. I understand there's a young man who wants to add his name to this list. Eric Jones came down to face Geter.

Jones' blows looked like they did little to the giant Geter.  Geter delivered giant chops to Jones' chest. Jones did his very best, but for a little while it appeared the size differential was just too much. Geter suplexed Jones for a one count. Jones attacked with kicks and punches that did little to stop the giant's offense.  Even in the midst of the contest, Geter had enough respect for Jones to call to the audience to support him. Jones bit Geter, and his punches and kicks finally felled Geter.  Jones goes up top and hits Geter with a splash for a two count.  Geter hit Jones with a German Suplex. Jones tapped out to a modified half crab.

The commentators announced that Logan Creed has challenged Geter via the open contract and that match will take place February 6th.  Geter said "Give Go Time a round of applause. Young men like this are the future of the PCW roster. There's another young man chomping at the bit to make a name here at PCW. Join us out here JAM. You fight till the end. That's what PCW will stand for. Don't lay down for anyone. Not me, not Platinum and his little band of goons."  JAM took the mic. "it's been a long two weeks. Two weeks ago, Platinum and his goons tried to destroy me and Damien. He didn't destroy me. He made me a better person." JAM announced that he and Damien Silva are competing as a team for the 2016 Tag Team Season.


Match 3: Matt Gilbert vs. Brian Kane

Quasi Mandisco called Gilbert a Brian Kane wannabe. He then said that he and Brian Kane are Porterdale. It still amazes me how easy it was for him to get the crowd to love him considering the level of animosity they held for him for such a long time.

Kane hit two crisp arm drags and Gilbert responded with a nice dropkick. Gilbert hit stiff punches and kicks followed by a standing suplex.  Gilbert and Kane went back and forth. Kane misjudged the moonsault, and Gilbert hit a flying clothesline for two.  Two blows to the head from Gilbert were answered by chest chops from Kane. Kane could barely fight back to his feet, but he thwarted Gilbert at every turn.  Gilbert kicked Kane in his injured shoulder for a two count. Kane stomped Gilbert's toes. Gilbert slammed Kane and went up top. Kane rolled up Gilbert, but barely made the pin. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new rivalry. At any rate, it was the match to watch.

Match 4: The Movement vs. Chris Henry and Jay Newman.

The Movement interrupted Newman and Henry's hype time during their entrance.  Henry did a gorgeous dive to the outside onto The Movement.  Henry hit Talon Williams with an elbow. Chip Hazard landed a backbreaker to Henry for a two count.  Henry tried to fight as best he could. Hazard tried to choke him.  Hazard slammed Henry into Williams' boot.  Williams hit Henry with a suplex. Henry sent a flurry of punches and knees, but Williams hit him with another suplex.  Williams hit Henry with an STO, but Henry got his foot on the rope. Henry was isolated for a long time. Hazard knocked Newman off the apron to keep him from tagging in to aid his partner. Williams decimated Henry, but Henry got in some offense of his own, and Hazard had to break up the count.  Newman tags in and clotheslines.  The Movement tried to double team Newman but only managed a two count. Hype felled them both, and dived between the ropes to keep the non-legal man down. Newman won the match with a rollup to end a dynamic and entertaining contest. The energy radiating off Henry and Newman was infectious.

Match 5: Eli Daniels vs. Joey Sparks

Eli Daniels was accompanied by his ringside manager Mathias Darkthorne. The match started with a lot of grappling. Daniels looked like he had the advantage after a powerful punch.  Sparks moved amazingly for such a big man, and Daniels held his own.  He landed a gorgeous kick to Sparks' chin for a 2 count.  Darkthorne choked Sparks in the ropes, but there was no real effect. Sparks damn near kicked Daniels' head off for a two count. Daniels suplexed Sparks, which was no easy feat, for a two count.  Daniels kicked Sparks in the head for a two count. Daniels tried to get Sparks in a sleeper, and kept using his feet to attain leverage. It had no real effect. Sparks got another two count on Daniels. Daniels hit a superkick. Darkthorne interfered with the count after Sparks hit Daniels with a spinebuster. Daniels took advantage of the distraction and got the win.

Main Event: Bill the Butcher and Dementia De Rose vs. The Danger City Demons

Carpenter stipulated that De Rose and Butcher would only face the Demons if upon their loss they'd be out of the 2016 Tag Team Season.  The Demons countered that if they won, they'd get five minutes alone in the ring with The Carpenter to exact revenge.

Danger and De Rose began the match. The Demons landed a double elbow on De Rose. De Rose slammed Valek and tagged in Butcher who missed a splash in the corner, Valek gained momentum. Butcher tried to choke then pounded Valek into the mat. Butcher stomped Valek's midsection, then threw him like a doll.  Danger went for a tag, and Butcher knocked him off the apron. Butcher did a huge spear for a two count. Butcher hit Valek with a spinebuster. De Rose hit him with a butt buster. Valek tried to roll up De Rose. Butcher tried to knock Danger off the rope a second time, but Danger tagged in. Butcher pushed the referee into Danger's coming offense and they knocked out the referee. Carpenter tried to use his bat, but Mandisco grabbed it and gave it to Danger. Danger hit Carpenter, but Butcher hit Danger with a chain. Danger was pinned after Carpenter woke up the ref. Carpenter set up The Demons like sacrificial lambs, and it looked like The Movement were coming to finish them off. The Movement turned on The Carpenter and joined the Demons side. On February 6th, The Movement will take on members of The Cornerstone.

Universal Independent Wrestling--January 9, 2016--Temple, GA

About 130 fans came to Temple, GA for the UIW show featuring Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano. Thirty minutes before bell time,  it was easy to approach Gargano and Ciampa for autographs, t-shirts, and photo opportunities.

Match 1: Eli Daniels w/Mathias Darkthorne vs. Josh Storm

A section of fans in the bleachers were very vocal, and they really made the show. UIW crowds are often fairly quiet.  Storm looked good, and the crowd at UIW just adores him.  Daniels displayed crisp kicks.  Darkthorne interfered by trying to choke Storm, but it didn't do much good. At the five minute mark, it seemed that Daniels wanted to break Storm's neck. Storm tried to go up top, but Daniels thwarted that with a suplex for a two count.   Daniels threw Storm out of the ring and distracted the referee while Darkthorne kicked Storm on the floor.  Storm managed to get back in it and attempted to pin Daniels. Darkthorne grabbed Storm's foot.  Storm attempted to submit Daniels. Daniels suplexed Storm, but Storm got his foot on the rope.  The two exchanged blows.  Storm evaded Daniels' offense, and he landed a tornado DDT.Daniels had Storm pinned when Glenn "Chips" Matthews got up on the apron interrupting the count. Storm took advantage of the distraction and won the match.

Match 2: Devin Diamond vs. The Butcher Bobby Hayes

There were a few moments in this match where my suspension of disbelief was thrown off because I noticed Diamond's punches not connecting. The match spilled into the bleachers and outside the ring, and I wondered if the match was a falls count anywhere, or a no countout match, because the referee didn't start counting. Diamond missed a leg drop attempt, and Hayes won the match with a lariat. Though the hometown crowd was entertained by this match, I was not.

Match 3: The Beautiful Bald Besties vs. Spring St. Suicide Squad.

Chris Crunk and Michael Stevens started the match. Crunk delivered a solid arm drag.  Ken Lee and Zac Edwards both tagged in. Both teams have a good rhythm. The Besties isolated Crunk for a while, and Edwards kneed Crunk from the outside, but the referee didn't see it.  It was nice to see aggression from the Besties, and not just comedy.  The Besties knocked Lee off the apron to keep Crunk from making the tag. Crunk showed excellence resilience and really conveyed his peril.  Lee finally tagged in and attempted to clean house, and he managed a two count at the ten minute mark.  The two teams exchanged pin attempts in this heated contest. The Suicide Squad botched a double drop kick, and lost their rhythm for a bit, but regained it quickly. Lee did a dive outside the ring onto both Besties. The Besties left the ring deciding they'd had enough, and they lost the match by countout.

Billy Knight announced that the first 2016 UIW Hall of Fame inductee would be The Hollywood Blonde Ken Timbs.  His announcement was interrupted by the return of Spike. Spike and his associate, Hammer, beat up Billy Knight. Spike slammed Knight, then subjected him to a back body drop. "You're fixing to get a lot more than a little beatdown. We're fixing to end your career" Knight was in pretty bad shape when they left him.

Match 4: Paul Coldheart vs. Sylar Cross.

Cross begins the match saying he'd like to have a dance off, and he shows us his moves.  Coldheart ends that by poking Cross in the eyes and the match began in earnest.  Cross dragged Coldheart back into the ring after he attempted to leave. He chopped Coldheart in the chest on each side of the ring.  Coldheart attempted offense, and Cross answered.  Cross slammed his butt into Coldheart in the corner. Cross won the match with a giant body slam and he celebrated in the ring dancing with a few fans.

Match 5: Drew Adler vs. Adrian Armour

During his entrance, Armour ran up into the bleachers to greet the loud section of the crowd, and they loved him.  Adler attempted the same with much rejection.  They chanted "Drew wears panties." and "Orange Zebra" Adler's heel persona consists of him repeating his catchphrase "He can't do what I can do".  Highlights of the match included a spot-on suplex by Adler and Amour's on point spinebuster.  Armour won the match with an elbow drop.

Main Event: Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano vs. Chip Day and Murder One

A "Dad Gut" chant from the crowd prompted Ciampa to jiggle the fat on Day's belly. Murder One tagged in early, and Ciampa mocked him for taking his straps down. The match finally got serious when Day tagged back in. Ciampa tried to break Day's arm, and Day answered with some arm-breaking of his own.  Ciampa continued working Day's arms heavily. Murder tagged back in and scoop slammed Ciampa. Day tagged back in and missed an elbow. Gargano tagged in and he and Ciampa whipped Day into the corner. Gargano did a backbreaker to Day. He then gave him a titty twister to mock him. Day did a titty twister to Gargano and then bit his nipple. The match was hilarious. Gargano went for the tag and hit Ciampa in the face. Gargano was isolated for a while, and managed well till Ciampa got back in. Ciampa hit Day with a gorgeous lariat. Ciampa hit Day with a rope assisted DDT for a two count. Murder One hit Ciampa with a boot in the corner. Day stole the pin and had his feet on the ropes winning the match for his team. This match was a fast paced contest and it really made the show. 

Interview with the Danger City Demons 1/11/2016

PCW fans, for this installment, I’ve interviewed Johnny Danger and Devlin Valek, 2015 PCW Tag Team Champions, The Danger City Demons for their thoughts on the 2016 Tag Team season, the betrayal by PCW promoter Stephen Platinum, their unlikely alliance with Quasi Mandisco, and the future of PCW.

If a fan was completely unfamiliar with PCW, how would you describe the talent, the atmosphere, and the wrestling to them?

Johnny Danger: PCW is perhaps the most varied collection of wrestlers you’ll find, there is something for everyone. If you want action packed, fast moving, hard hitting wrestling, we’ve got Shane Marx, Brian Blaze, the Washington Bullets. If you want to see the most dominant monster in wrestling, one of the best big men I have ever seen, look no further than our PCW champion, Geter. And if you want to see a couple guys who will fight for the people, for our fans, till our very last breath, that’s me and my brother, Devlin Valek. The atmosphere is unique, it’s a family show, but one where anything can happen. Things definitely get a little more intense than they do on Monday nights, if you know what I mean.

Devlin Valek: It’s an intimate environment with loyal fans that aren’t afraid to vocalize how they feel about the action. It’s not without reason that PCW has such a loyal fan base. At a PCW show you’ll see everything from technical wrestling and high-flying to hardcore brawls. There’s a roster of regulars that the fans love to see at every show, but there is always new talent popping in to show what they’ve got to the crowd. You never know who is going to step into the ring at a PCW show.

Johnny Danger, you were trained and brought into PCW by Stephen Platinum. How did his betrayal affect you personally?

JD: Honestly, it hurt. It hurt bad. People who know me real good, and there aren’t many of those, know that I’ve got trust issues going way back. Almost anyone who ever claimed to love me, to support me, you name it…turned their back on me, or stabbed me in mine. I wouldn’t have even BEEN a wrestler if not for Stephen Platinum. Looking back though, I should’ve seen the signs. Steve was always there to celebrate my successes, but never support me during my failures. He came out to applaud when we won tag team season, but was nowhere to be found when a restraining order was filed against me by Quasi during our intense rivalry a couple years ago, that cost me almost a year of my career at PCW, when I was in the best shape of my life, and that sucked. I also think Steve wanted me to only go so far in this business, hell, I’ll say it, he wanted to sweep me under the rug. I was his last student, but I was also his dirty little secret. That’s why I went through the hellacious beatings I took at the Academy Theater, fighting 3 guys twice my size at the same time, being thrown into the crowd by the Jagged Edge…he wanted me to quit, but I wouldn’t. Now look at a guy like Matt Hankins, someone who sees the best in everyone, someone who, if you hold up your end of the bargain, will give you that chance to shine, will truly believe in you….it wasn’t hard to choose a side when it came time. Being associated with Platinum so closely has cost me a lot in this business. A lot of people don’t like the guy. I passed up a lot of opportunities because I was a self-proclaimed “Stephen Platinum Guy”. Let it be known those days are OVER….I’m a Matt Hankins guy, no matter what that’ll cost me.

Do you care to address the appalling remarks he made to your wife at the last show?

JD: I guess it’s a good thing I was completely unconscious at the time, thanks to Jeff G. Bailey and enough Ether to take down King Kong , or else I’d be in jail right now. I was told exactly what he said, though, and obviously I’m angry, but more than that, again, I’m hurt. I had just signed with PCW when I got married and didn’t really know anybody yet, so, Steve was the only “wrestling” person that attended my wedding. He became friends with my wife, we trusted him. That was our mistake. Steve’s mistake was making things personal, by implying he could somehow be the father of my unborn child.. I’ve got a lot of things I could say about Steve, if he wants to go that route. I could bring up his “women’s self-defense” classes, that were just excuses for him to grab on a bunch of females. I could bring up the real reason Ms. Rachael suddenly picks up and moves to Orlando right before the formation of the Cornerstone, cause it damn sure had nothing with her being tough enough for anything, if you catch my meaning. I could say a lot of things…I’m just too damn classy. Oh wait…oops. Like I said last week, Steve, I’m not your “kid” anymore, I’m not that scared little punk who would let you abuse him at the Academy Theater and thank you for the privilege. You’re in the house WE built now, me, Quasi, Matt Hankins, Brian Blaze, Devlin Valek, Geter…and you’ve made it personal. Bad move.

Devlin Valek, many Porterdale fans are less familiar with your career and your origins. How did you get into wrestling and how did you find your way to PCW?

DV: My road to PCW was a lot different than Johnny’s. Years before Johnny had met Stephen Platinum I had pursued wrestling on my own. I was trained by a man from the Orient by the name of Tetchi Makuji. He roughed me up pretty well with his Japanese style of striking and took me on the road with his tag team partner at the time, Mastodon. Collectively they were known as Massive Tsunami, and I learned quite a bit from traveling from town to town with them. I spent a few years wrestling in promotions in South Carolina and South Georgia before going on hiatus to pursue other interest. Once I got word that Johnny had begun wrestling in PCW I made my way to the Atlanta area. We had always had a turbulent relationship, and at the time we weren’t seeing eye to eye. I eventually left PCW for a year after Sacred Ground Chapter 3, but returned when I found out how badly things had been going for my brother. Johnny called me in to help take care of Quasi and his goons, and we were able to form the brotherly bond we never had before. Now we’re sitting on top of the world as the 2015 Tag Team Season Champions.

At 2015’s Sacred Ground Chapter Six, The Danger City Demons proved many of your naysayers wrong by becoming Tag Team Season Champions. Now that you are poised to defend your title, are there any teams you are looking to test yourselves against?

DV: I’d really like to get my hands on any team from the Cornerstone if they deem themselves worthy to compete in this year’s Tag Team Season. I personally don’t think they deserve to be involved so I’m hoping that we can prove ourselves even further this year by competing against the PCW Champion Geter and Brian Blaze. That would be a true test for the DCD if we could get a victory over Big F’n Deal.

JD: That’s the cool thing about tag team season, we busted our asses to win it last year, and that trophy is ours till Sacred Ground Chapter 7, no matter what, no one can take that achievement away from us. But we certainly won’t be taking it easy till then, we’ve gotta fight just as hard to make it to the finals once again. You wanna talk about tests…I’d say the ultimate test is a couple of friends of ours, Brian Blaze and Geter, Big F’n Deal. We never hooked up in the 2015 season, and I’d love a match with those guys. Not many people would voluntarily seek out a fight with those two, but….we do things a little different in Danger City!

PCW fans are well-versed with your storied past with Quasi Mandisco, the Priority Males, your bitter rivalry, and your grudge matches. How is it to be reunited with a common goal?

DV: I showed up towards the end of Johnny’s rivalry with Quasi, so he probably has a much different perspective than I do. My initial instinct was not to trust him. This is a man who put my brother through hell and almost ended his career by causing Johnny a serious knee injury. I’d honestly rather knock his teeth out than shake his hand, but I trust my brother’s judgement. Johnny has done battle with Quasi for years, so that means he knows him better than anyone. If Johnny is siding with him, I’m siding with him.

JD: Honestly, I surprised myself when I came down to the ring to back him up, and we embraced. I took a step back the next day, shut myself off from communication and went into a dark place to be alone and think, and ask myself if I could truly trust Quasi. What I came to was this…yes, for nearly 4 years, we damn near tried to kill one another, but the one thing I can say about Quasi is, he has a certain integrity. He never offered me friendship with one hand, with a snake in the other. When we were at war….it was WAR.  And I realized myself and Valek, we don’t exactly confirm to societal norms, we have our own code of justice…and so does Quasi. At the end of the day, we have given blood, sweat, and tears to build up PCW in Porterdale, and we’ll be damned if Platinum, Rachael, Bailey, Carpenter, or anybody else tears that down, so with that in mind, to answer your question…it feels….right.

Do you see yourselves on the same page with Mr. Mandisco long term? Or is this more of a “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” sort of thing?

JD: It’s hard to say. It’s not something we’ve talked about. it’s hard to even think “long term” right now when the short term is so chaotic. PCW has faced threats from the outside before, I was recruited to the PCW side as a rookie to help fight the EMPIRE….but never have we seen such a threat from within…the Cornerstone is like the Hydra from ancient myths…a multi-headed, snake-like monster…cut off a head, two more grow in its place. Even the mighty Hercules couldn’t kill it on his own…he needed help to cauterize the wounds after he cut off each head, so they couldn’t grow back….so we’ve got to stick together, it’s the only way to slay this monster. After that? Time will tell.

DV: I’m definitely not going to stop looking over my shoulder. After everything he’s done it’s hard to trust him completely. Right now we are getting along and are on the same page. He’ll have to earn more of my trust over time. Bottom line is as long as he does right by the Danger City Demons we’ll do right by him.

What are your thoughts on the PCW Championship title scene now that Shane Marx has returned?

DV: It definitely will make things more interesting. Shane is a multi time PCW Champion so you know he’s got what it takes to get that belt back. We haven’t seen him in a while so only time will tell if he’s going to stick around to go after that belt or where his allegiances lie in this Cornerstone fiasco. If he does stick around I know he’ll be a power player as always. I’m hoping I can lock up with him eventually and I’m sure my brother feels the same. You never know, he may find a partner and throw his name into this year’s Tag Team Season.

JD: I don’t know exactly where Shane Marx’s head is at. He’d been gone since Sacred Ground and hadn’t really spoken to many of us, that I know of. I hope now that he’s back he’ll be the same Shane Marx I know, because we could sure use his help against Cornerstone, if he’s willing to stand against people like Steve and Rachael, who we all know he was especially close to. I don’t even know if the championship is on his radar right now. Like Brian Blaze said, keeping the PCW title out of Cornerstone’s clutches is the most important thing right now, and I think Geter is the best man for that job. Assuming we defeat them…all bets are off. I know me and my brother would both love to hold that title one day. I’ve battled Geter in tag team matches before elsewhere, but never one on one anywhere in the world. If I could earn the shot, I’d love to challenge him. Sure, there’s a…80% chance I’d end up a Johnny Danger-shaped smear on the mat, but…stranger things have happened…

I recently saw on your social media that you created yourself as playable characters in the WWE 2K16 video game. Do you have any plans to create an entire PCW Roster? Is this something fans might have access to?

JD: Time permitting, yeah, I’d love to create the main roster. It’s a lengthy process, I’d say I spent close to 5 hours making myself, and I still am making minor edits to it. I’ll let people know on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dangerkick) as new characters are available, right now myself and Devlin are both up to download on PlayStation 4 exclusively by searching our names or “PCW”. Come let me know who you’d like added to the game next!

Next week you’ll be facing two members of The Cornerstone. Do you have any comments for The Cornerstone about that match?

JD: Right now, nothing would make me happier than Platinum himself getting in the ring with me. Not that I think he’s got the guts to face us head on, of course, but a Demon can dream, right? Not many people are crazy enough to say this, but I’m dying for another crack at the Carpenter, too. He has yet to be decisively beaten in PCW, but I’ve come closer than anyone else. A few weeks ago, I had him trapped in Shadows of Darkness, my version of the sleeper, and he was OUT. I felt the last bit of life leave his body, then, POW, Bill The Butcher brains me with that damn bat and I’m out cold. So I’d like to finish the job with Carpenter, for sure. Same goes for Trever Aeon, who almost took me out before Sacred Ground, I had HIM beat a couple weeks ago and he pinned me with a handful of my pants then ran like a little….well, you saw it.

DV: We definitely have some unfinished business with Carpenter and Trever Aeon. Trever tried to take Johnny’s knee out….again and our run-ins with Carpenter seem to always end with blood or fire. I just want to squeeze their heads until slimey ooze drips out of their eyeballs. Any opponent from the Cornerstone will satisfy though. We’ve had our showdowns with Bill the Butcher and Dementia as well. A couple of Neanderthals that want to scream and sling chains around. They want to get nuts? The Danger City Demons are nuts, and we’ll get hardcore and kick them in the face if that’s what it takes. Another interesting option would be Platinum and Bailey vs. DCD. Hmmmm now that could be very appealing after what those two did to us on the last show. Ether on a pole match? Doesn’t matter, we’d knock the crap out of them in any match and they know it. We’re ready for the Cornerstone.

What will 2016 hold for PCW and more specifically for The Danger City Demons?

DV: Early in 2015 I knew we were doing something special. No matter how high the odds were stacked against us we overcame them, and the PCW fans latched on to our fighting spirit. It’s because they knew that we weren’t just fighting for us, we were fighting for them. In 2016 they’re going to need us to keep fighting more than ever. The fate of this great company hangs in the balance, and the Danger City Demons vow to defend it to the bitter end. Once we rid PCW of the scum that has infected it, we may just have to rename Porterdale to Danger City.

JD: We’ve proven we are a force to be reckoned with. We’ve proven we are in it for the long haul, and that we deserve our spot in PCW. We’re not just a fly by night tag team, we’re brothers, we are in this together. I’ve permanently inked Danger City on my chest as a reminder of that. We take our spot very seriously, the town of Porterdale cried out for a hero, and out of the smoke we came. We don’t wear capes, but we look better in black, in war paint, covered with twisted metal…and when we help topple the Cornerstone, when we tear down their foundation and watch them crumble, we’re gonna rebuild Danger City on top of the ashes, and it’s gonna be the party of the millennium. Strap in and enjoy the ride.

Danger City Demons and the rest of the PCW Superstars will appear in Porterdale on January 16th. I urge you to come out and see the show and support the Danger City Demons in their fight against The Cornerstone. 

Platinum Championship Wrestling--January 2, 2016--Porterdale, GA

Platinum Championship Wrestling started out the year in Porterdale with a packed house and a crowd pleasing show.

Opening Match: The Suntan Demons vs. Brian Kane and Haikken

Winners: Brian Kane and Haikken

Ray Fury and Drew Game, known as the Suntan Demons, faced Brian Kane and Haikken. Game and Fury entered to New Kids on The Block's "The Right Stuff" which garnered a lot of laughs from the audience.  Kane and Haikken's manager, Quasi Mandisco mocked their spray tans. He followed that with "You came to Porterdale, you're stepping into our territory. We will defend it." Mandisco's done a great job of selling the idea that he "is Porterdale" to the audience, though I questioned his new face persona as he stuck to his scarf-choking ways during the match.

The Suntan Demons isolated Haikken for a long time, and they distracted the referee on several occasions to take advantage of illegal double teaming and out of ring beatdowns.  Despite his best efforts, things looked bleak for Haikken. The referee kept Brian Kane out of the ring, powerless to aid his distressed partner. Haikken stuck in there showing great resilience, and Brian Kane got the hot tag. Kane and Haikken dropkicked the Suntan Demons into each other, and each pinned his respective opponent to pick up the win.  After their loss, the Suntan Demons beat up Haikken and Kane, and claimed it was a present from Jeff G. Bailey.

Match 2: Eli Daniels vs. Chris "The Hype" Henry

Winner: Chris "The Hype" Henry

Daniels and Henry are both athletic wrestlers, and this was an entertaining match.  Henry prevailed despite the best efforts of Daniels' ringside manager to thwart him.

Match 3: JAM and Damien Silva vs. Warhorses TBA and TBD

Winners: JAM and Damien Silva due to disqualification.

The match began comedically as all warhorse matches do.  Both teams used video game hand movements and what resembled "Kamehameha" from Dragonball Z.  Silva suplexed a warhorse twice, but he kicked out of the pin. Warhorses don't typically kick out of pins, they get squashed. A couple more unsuccessful pin attempts were made by JAM and Silva, then Warhorse TBA hit JAM with a low blow. The warhorses unmasked, revealing Stephen Platinum and Trevor Aeon from The Cornerstone.

Johnny Danger came out to face them, but he was put down by a rag full of ether.  They painted a yellow streak down JAM's back. Trevor Aeon choked Damien Silva outside the ring while Stephen Platinum addressed the crowd. He called Johnny Danger an ungrateful brat, and he said "When that baby of yours comes out, you'd better rewind the tapes to see if I was in town or not." Jeff G. Bailey extolled the greatness of The Cornerstone. "We are your masters. You may see us again before the night is over."

Match 4: Trevor Aeon vs. "Go Time" Eric Jones

The spirits of the crowd were still down after the events they'd just witnessed. Aeon won with a rope assisted DDT. It was a good match, but it would have been difficult to hype up any crowd after the carnage of the previous bit.  Aeon tried to choke out Jones after his victory, and Geter came out to make the save. Aeon scattered like the rat he is.  Geter reminded Aeon there is still an open contract on the PCW championship, so anytime he feels he's man enough to step in the ring, Geter will defend.  PCW chants were heard throughout the arena as Geter made his rallying speech.

Match 5: Jon Williams vs. Shane Marx
Winner: Shane Marx due to countout

Williams insults Porterdale upon entering.  "Porterdale is awful. Porterdale, GA, the worst city in the entire country. You should bow down and worship me because I'm a TV star. You don't have anyone good enough to face me." Cue returning hero Shane Marx who received an electric response from the crowd.

At the five minute mark, Williams had the upper hand. Marx regained control and decimated Williams with several offensive power moves.  The two wrestled their asses off, and exchanged punches. Williams took every shortcut he could, trying to pin Marx by putting his feet on the ropes. An elbow by Williams was countered with a spear by Marx. Williams followed with a double stomp, and Marx hit him with a spine buster. Williams left the ring and took the microphone. "He wasn't supposed to be my opponent. This match doesn't count.", Williams declared and left the ring. He was counted out and Marx won the match.

Main Event: Bill the Butcher vs. Brian Blaze in a Hangman match.

A hangman match is won when one man throws his opponent over the top rope while they're hanging from a noose.  The Danger City Demons were in the corner of Brian Blaze. They acknowledged that Stephen Platinum was the cornerstone of PCW because he built the place, but the place had long outgrown its creator.  Johnny Danger addressed Stephen Platinum. "You don't know who I am. I'm not the scared little kid you used to beat up during training. You're in my house now. Let's talk about Brian Blaze. Let's talk about justice."

The match was all over the arena the moment it began.  Blaze whipped Butcher with a rope. Butcher choked Blaze as Stephen Platinum ordered the monster "Do what you have to do." Butcher tried to hang Blaze early. Blaze kicked Butcher out of the corner and followed that with a large clothesline. Blaze went for the noose, and Butcher kicked him in the face.  Platinum encouraged Butcher, "You're faster, smarter, better." The crowd chanted, "Shut up Stephen." The fight continued on the ring apron where Butcher speared Blaze. Wrestlers from both sides spilled out of the locker room to join the chaos. Stephen Platinum still had the ether he'd used earlier on Johnny Danger. He was setting up to use it again on Brian Blaze, but was foiled by Shane Mackey, who used it on him. Blaze hung Butcher, and the wrestlers of PCW prevailed. Stephen Platinum repeatedly ethered himself as he still had remnants on the sleeve of his jacket.

Johnny Danger and Devlin Valek will face two representatives of The Cornerstone when PCW returns to Porterdale on January 16th.