Platinum Championship Wrestling--February 18, 2017--Porterdale, GA

Platinum Championship wrestling continues to sell out and excite each time they have a show in Porterdale. The crowd was hot, the matches were hot, and it seemed all involved had a great time. Matt Hankins has really cemented his role in the post Stephen Platinum era, and the fans owe a lot to him for the continued success and excitement buzzing around PCW so far in 2017.

Match 1: The Washington Bullets (Trey and Jon Williams) vs. Indy Card Mafia (Eric Emanon and Thomas Brewington)

Indy Card Mafia made their PCW debut against tag team staples The Washington Bullets in an electric opening contest. Thomas Brewington showed his talent with a European uppercut and a gorgeous dropkick in the corner. He then tagged in partner, Eric Emanon. Jon Williams delivered a wicked backbreaker. The bullets isolated Emanon and brutalized him with boots to his midsection. Emanon finally gained some advantage with wicked clotheslines. Jon Williams went for a crossbody, but got caught by Emanon who slammed him, then followed with a flying elbow. Trey broke up the count. The Bullets hit him with the Marion Berry, but they only managed to get a two count. The Bullets grabbed Indy Card Mafia's valet's hair, Emanon goes to save her, and he inadvertently knocked her off the apron. The Bullets capitalized hitting him with a backstabber, then a neckbreaker to secure the win. The Bullets really sparkle in their role as heels, and they continue to be one of the best tag teams in the Southeast.

Match 2: Johnny Nixx vs. Damien Bennett

The match began with a show of sportsmanship, then the competitors locked up. Both Bennett and Nixx have a good ground game. Bennett knocked Nixx down with a shoulder tackle and Nixx answered with one of his own. They matched each other move for move, even meeting in the middle with dueling dropkicks. Bennett hit Nixx with an STO for two. Nixx tried to submit Bennett, but Bennett reversed it to an ankle lock. Nixx hit a gorgeous Michinoku driver, but Bennett kicked out. Bennett superkicked Nixx for two. Bennett hit the frog splash, but Nixx kicked out of that. They were so evenly matched throughout it seemed they'd never catch each other. Nixx went for a springboard, and Bennett caught him with a spear to secure the victory. Bennett helped Nixx up and they embraced in the ring. I enjoyed this match immensely.

Match 3: Get Along Gang (Gil Quest and C.B. Suave) vs. Go Time Eric Jones and Trevor Aeon vs. FGC (Dominic Demento and Sean Sims)vs. JAM and Marko in a Four Corners Tag Match.

CB Suave and JAM tried to outsexy each other in a provocative pose-off, but things got serious as JAM landed a beautiful crossbody. The tags in this match were frequent as every competitor really wanted in. Marko hit a backbreaker on Eric Jones, but Gil Quest broke up the count. C.B. Suave's strikes were really solid throughout the match. All the men were in the ring when Marko hit Suave with the Last Look, but it was Suave and Quest who won the match with a double neckbreaker. Not only were they the victors, but they were the shining stars of what was a mildly muddled match. Marko took the mic after, and he declared this was the last time we'd see him in a PCW ring, and he blew a kiss to the audience.

The show was about to go to intermission, but Iceberg and Bill the Butcher came down the stairs brawling. It was a real fight, and they were beating the crap out of each other. They fought into the ring, and the bell was rung.

Match 4: Bill the Butcher vs. Iceberg
It was brutality between two behemoths. Fists and feet were the order of the day. They fought outside the ring, and Bill dived off the apron knocking Iceberg to the hard, wooden floor at the feet of the front row. Bill won the match with a kick square to Iceberg's face. The crowd was on their feet in appreciation of his victory.

Match 5: Dante HP vs. Brian Kane for the Porterdale City Limits Championship.

Dante HP impressed me in his PCW debut against PCW favorite Brian Kane. In his arsenal, Dante had a nice dropkick and a second rope moonsault. He also pulled out a boston crab at one point, in an attempt to submit Kane. Kane crawled towards the rope and broke the hold. Dante got Kane in a camel clutch, but Kane fought out and hit Dante with a jawbreaker. Kane reversed Dante's neckbreaker attempt into a neckbreaker of his own. Kane hit a backstabber, then followed with a spinebuster for 2, then he hit another spinebuster for 2. Dante went up top for the big bang, but only got two. Dante went back up top, this time Kane punched him. They both fought up top, but Kane threw Dante down. Kane won the match with a moonsault. Jonathan Malik took the mic and told Kane his time as Porterdale City Limits champion was coming to an end. The belt would be held by a real champion, and the match was set for Kane to face Eric Jones at the next show.

Main Event: Gunner Miller vs. Brian Blaze for the PCW Heavyweight title.

The place came unglued for Brian Blaze. It was the loudest they were all night. Blaze began the match with vicious strikes and a wicked clothesline. Gunner left the ring and tried to make his way back upstairs, but Blaze was having none of that. They fought outside. Blaze chopped Gunner in the front row. Gunner cut Blaze down at the knees thrice, then punched him and crunched his knee into the ringpost. Miller threw brutal kicks to Blaze's spine and he stayed on the knee like a rabid dog. Blaze tried to fight back, and Miller tried to submit Blaze still working the knee. Blaze sold it like he was dying. Gunner threw him out, and Blaze fell off the apron because of the knee. Geter was at ringside, and went to help Blaze, and Gunner flew onto him. Blaze was fired up after that, landing a centon for a two count. Miller hit a gorgeous spinebuster, and Blaze hit a clothesline. Gunner knocked out the ref as Blaze evaded. Blaze had Gunner pinned but there was no one to count. Jeff G. Bailey hit blaze with a low blow. Miller pinned Blaze, but Blaze kicked out. Geter had finally had enough and he attacked Gunner Miller just as Jeff G. Bailey brought the referee back to consciousness. Blaze was disqualified and he was pissed about it. Geter tried to help Blaze up, and Blaze shoved him away in disgust. Could this spell trouble or is this just a rough patch for the Big F'n Deal?

PCW returns to Porterdale on March 4, and if it continues on this streak, it's going to be a hell of a ride into St. Patrick's Day.

Platinum Championship Wrestling--February 4, 2017--Porterdale,GA

Platinum Championship Wrestling continued their hot streak last night with a packed house, and a card that was exciting from top to bottom. Though there were only 4 matches, it felt like a full show. The highlights of the show were the NWA North American Title match between Tyson Dean and Anthony Andrews and the Reality of Wrestling Texas Championship match between the Gladiator Jeremiah and Rex Andrews. If Platinum Championship wrestling keeps this momentum, it will be a very exciting year for Porterdale's wrestling fans.

The show began as Bill the Butcher carried to the ring what announcer Matt Hankins described as "the spoils of war" from the street fight where he and the Hooligans crushed The Carpenter, Iceberg, and Tank at the previous event. Butcher dressed the ringpost in Carpenter's coat and hat in mockery. To the surprise of everyone, Carpenter came out from under the ring, and attacked Butcher with his patented baseball bat. He judged Butcher guilty, and vowed to beat him down every time he set foot in PCW. Security attempted to help Bill to the back, but he pushed them away. He fell flat on his face, and finally only Geter was able to offer help, coaxing him back upstairs.

Match 1-Battle Royale to be #1 contender to the Porterdale City Limits Championship.

Order of entrance
1-Talon
2-John Anderson
3-Brandon Cage
4-Maverick
5-Cameron Jackson
6-Go Time Eric Jones
7-JAM
8-Marko

Order of Elimination
1-John Anderson
2-Talon
3-Maverick
4-Brandon Cage
5-JAM
6-Cameron Jackson
7-Marko
Winner: Go Time Eric Jones

Like most battle royals, this had a chaotic beginning. Cameron Jackson was really the stand-out performer in the match with his suplexes and his vicious strikes. Marko and Jackson battled on the apron, exchanging blows. They believed they were the final two competitors. Marko kicked Jackson off the apron, but as Marko was about to celebrate a victory, Eric Jones came back in and eliminated Marko. Jones was believed to be previously eliminated, however, he'd only gone through the second rope. He camped outside until he caught Marko in a moment of complacency. It worked to his favor, and it secured him the win. I admit I like the change in Jones, and I hope that being an opportunistic heel works better for him because I wasn't charmed by him as a face.

Match 2-Anthony Andrews vs. Tyson Dean for the NWA North American heavyweight title

It makes me so happy to see Tyson Dean carrying an NWA national title because I've followed his career for four years starting at NWA Atlanta, and I can see how much he's grown as an athlete and a performer in the time I've watched him wrestle.

The two men battled fiercely. Dean executed a gorgeous dropkick followed by a textbook arm drag. Dean hit his knee on the ringpost allowing Andrews to gain advantage for a bit, showing off both his wrestling ability and his meanness. Dean hit Andrews with a spinebuster that was on point, but Andrews attempted to roll him up to no avail. Dean won the match with the Ego Trip, pinning Andrews. This match was nothing short of amazing.

Match 3-Gladiator Jeremiah vs. Rex Andrews for the Reality of Wrestling Texas Championship

Jeremiah showed a lot of his mat wrestling talent in this match as it began as a ground game. Jeremiah also showed off his impressive aerial abilities with a gorgeous hurricanrana followed by a corkscrew for a two count.Jeremiah is a multi-talented wrestler, and truly a pleasure to watch. Andrews did a standing suplex. Jeremiah kicked Andrews off the apron, but it didn't shake Andrews because he came in and gave Jeremiah a lariat so powerful it looked like he killed him. Andrews followed with a beautiful bridging suplex, which gained him only a two count. Jeremiah did an amazing takedown from the top turnbuckle. Andrews hit an Alabama slam for 2, and Jeremiah followed with a neckbreaker for 2. Eric Jones attacked Jeremiah viciously and the match ended in a disqualification. Andrews retained his title.

Main Event: Tag Team Season Kickoff Match:

Geter and Brian Blaze vs. Reflection and Rudy

Rudy was felled by a chop from Geter, and Geter pinned Reflection. The whole thing was over in less than a minute. Matt Hankins was ready to send the crowd home, but Geter grabbed the mic and said that Big F'n Deal was there to fight, and they wanted someone to go to the back and get them some real competition.

This led us to our real main event, Big F'n Deal vs. The Get Along Gang (C.B. Suave and Gil Quest). Blaze wasted no time tossing both Quest and Suave out of the ring. Geter threw Suave back in. Suave dropkicked Geter in the head. Suave and Quest showed amazing synergy, and used frequent tags to their advantage. They isolated Geter in their corner for a long time, but Geter finally clotheslined them both and tagged in Blaze. Blaze hit a spinebuster for a two count. Suave and Quest taunted Geter as they double teamed Blaze. The referee was caught up in making sure Geter did not enter the ring, and he did not see the shenanigans Quest and Suave were involved in. Geter cleaned house when he came back. Suave countered a chokeslam attempt, and he and Quest both attempted to pin Geter. Blaze threw Quest out of the ring. They hit Suave with their joint finisher and they won the first match of the tag team season.

Geter declared that there was only one piece of business left, and that is the snake Gunner Miller. Gunner Miller vs. Brian Blaze has been set for PCW's return to Porterdale on February 18th. 

Platinum Championship Wrestling--January 21, 2017---Porterdale, GA

Platinum Championship Wrestling opened 2017 with a packed house, and a fiery crowd. Matt Hankins proclaimed about the main event, a Porterdale street fight,  at the start of the show. "It ain't on me if you get in the way"

Match 1: Stunt Marshall vs. Johnny Nixx
Winner: Stunt Marshall

Nixx made an excellent showing in his return match from a knee injury that had him sidelined for the better part of 2016. Marshall's really honed the meanness in his persona, and his strikes were menacing. Marshall focused on taking out Nixx's injured knee for a good part of the match. Marshall performed a gorgeous bridging suplex. Nixx hit Marshall with a hurricanrana. Marshall hit Nixx with a spinebuster, then tied up Nixx's leg. Nixx made it to the ropes. Nixx countered Marshall with a tornado DDT, then hit Marshall with a gorgeous crossbody from the top rope, but only managed a two count. Nixx dropkicked Marshall, followed with a rolling centon, but Marshall had the ring awareness to get his foot on the rope. Marshall's meanness seeped through again as he attacked Nixx with vicious boots to the face. Nixx tried to get Marshall with a sunset flip, but could not get him down because he was holding the rope. Nixx's shoulders were down, so Marshall got the pin, because the referee didn't see him holding the rope.

Match 2: Jake the Stake and Domnic Demento vs. Big F'n Deal (Brian Blaze and Geter)
Winners: Big F'n Deal

The place just about came unglued when Big F'n Deal entered. Blaze began the match trouncing Domnic Demento. Geter knocked down Jake the Stake like he was nothing. Geter chopped the guy, and the crowd yelled "One More Time".  He finished that sequence with a huge knee in the corner. Blaze hit Demento with gorgeous belly to belly suplex. Geter slams Demento, then holds him up for Blaze to hit him with a top rope cutter. Geter grabs the microphone, and crows triumphantly "When you call out Blaze and Geter, you're calling out Big F'n Deal."

Match 3: Cameron Jackson vs. Brian Kane
Winner: Brian Kane

Jackson came in sporting lovely new Friday the 13th themed gear and a mask. Jackson stayed on Kane's shoulder for most of the match, since the brace Kane wears makes it an easy target. Kane went after Jackson, but Jackson dodged his offense, and Kane barreled into the ringpost. Kane fought hard even though he favored his shoulder throughout. Kane fought with one armed strikes. Jackson kicked Kane, and followed it with a neckbreaker for a two count. Kane went for a move, but Jackson caught him. Kane countered with a suplex, but Jackson got his foot on the rope. Kane went up top, and Jackson followed. They fought on the top turnbuckle, Kane knocked Jackson down, and hit him with a blockbuster from the top securing a pin.

Match 4: Gunner Miller w/Jeff G. Bailey vs. Marko Polo
Winner: Gunner Miller

Jeff G. Bailey addressed the crowd. "I never thought the day would come that I'd say I'd be glad to be back in Porterdale. 2017 is a new year. We're looking for some new competition, and I hope that PCW rallies together to find "genuine" competition" Marko Polo came out to answer Bailey's challenge.

Marko's strikes during the match were vicious. Miller did a glorious powerslam, and Marko answered with one of his own. Miller suplexed Marko like he weighed almost nothing, then stomped him. Marko did a backbreaker followed by a clothesline. Miller hit Marko with an STO, then won with the CTE. Post win, he hit Marko with another CTE as the referee tried to help Marko out of the ring. Brian Blaze came out to Marko's aid to prevent Miller from engaging in any further attacks.

Blaze said "New Year New Me, no it's the same Jeff G. Bailey and the same Gunner Miller. I deserve a rematch against you."

Bailey countered "You're not owed anything. Twice you've been in the ring with the people's captain, and twice you've been left on your butt. February 18th you can have your match, when he beats you this time we're done with you, Brian Blaze."

Main Event:
Porterdale Street Fight
The Carpenter, Tank and Iceberg vs. Bill the Butcher and The Hooligans

The match started out as an all out brawl. Butcher was so fired up that he hit the ref. The ref was going to disqualify him, but it got turned into a Porterdale Street Fight. It spilled outside quickly and they fought in the street, the grass outside the Main Event Arena. Bill slung Iceberg into the brick wall of the side of the building. Iceberg was busted wide open, and blood poured down his face.  The crowd chanted "This is awesome" as the match became more brutal.  The match had to move back inside, because someone from the lofts across the street called the cops thinking there was an actual bar fight. The Hooligans and Bill the Butcher won the match as all three of them pinned Tank.

PCW returns to Porterdale February 4th with Brian Blaze and Geter kicking off the 2017 Tag Team season. 

Platinum Championship Wrestling--June 4, 2016--Porterdale, GA

It was the lightest crowd I'd seen in Porterdale in a long time. I counted about thirty, but it competed with both NXT in Atlanta, and Southern Fried's largest show of the year, Shindig. The diehard PCW fans came, and their cheers were as loud as ever, for despite the small crowd, PCW delivered a show full of good wrestling.

Logan Creed faced Slim J. in a battle of might vs. fight. It was a classic giant against little guy match, and they delivered.  Slim J's flashy style with spot after spot dazzled the crowd. Creed's strength impressed. At one point Creed caught Slim J, and he laid him across the laps of the front row fans, and beat him down right there. Gunner Miller's music played, and Creed was distracted momentarily, allowing Slim J to land a top rope splash and secure the victory. The opener set the bar for the rest of the show, and it was my personal favorite match of the night.

Trevor Aeon faced Warhorse 16 times. Brian Blaze did a run-in and beat up Aeon before the match with The Warhorse began in earnest. The Warhorse held Aeon while Blaze got a painting of Trevor Aeon. The Carpenter and Bill the Butcher saved Aeon from being hit with the painting.

Go Time Eric Jones teamed with Johnny Nixx to wrestle The Washington Bullets. The match began with a gorgeous exchange between Jon Williams of the Bullets and Johnny Nixx that ended with with a beautiful drop kick from Nixx. Williams left the ring to regroup.  This was the best match I'd seen Go Time Eric Jones compete in in a while.  He and Nixx really seemed to flow as a team. Jon Williams secured the win for his team with a low blow to Nixx. Trey Williams held Jones back from breaking up the pin.

The Much Hate Mulisha (the newly dubbed Cameron Jackson and Stunt Marshall) accompanied by their manager, Miko Rodriguez, the SVP of the Hate Club, challenged Geter for his Platinum Championship Wrestling Heavyweight title.  Geter issued an open challenge to anyone at his last appearance two weeks prior, and the Mulisha were the first to answer it.  Marshall and Jackson lasted longer against Geter than I expected originally. They took out his knees and kept control of the match for a while. They engaged in a lot of nice double team moves. Geter fought to get back to his feet, and Marshall delivered a flying headbutt. Geter delivered a belly to belly suplex to Jackson, and a giant splash from the second rope secured Geter's victory and he retained his title. This was an exciting match, and Marshall and Jackson have good synergy as a team.

Geter said that he'd started on the wrong side, but that he'd found the light. "I still have my sadistic smile, I'm still an asskicking machine. Come the war games, you boys have never seen the Geter I'm going to unleash." He confirmed that he was the first member of the face faction in July 4th's Wargames.

David Tita, Tyson Dean, and Brian Blaze competed in a triple threat match. Dean and Tita teamed up against Blaze to start, but that eventually dissolved as the match went on. Dean and Tita argued and Blaze got up. Dean jerked him back down, and Tita delivered a lovely leg drop. Blaze had Tita rolled up, but Trevor Aeon interfered by throwing white powder in Blaze's face. Tyson Dean took advantage of the distraction, rolling Blaze up to secure the pin. Aeon ran away from a heated Blaze who wanted to fight him post-match.

Brian Blaze is set to face Trevor Aeon in PCW's first ever blindfold match on July 2nd. Hopefully the heat between those two will come to a head, and one will extinguish the fire.

The main event featured Bill the Butcher against Kevin Park.  Park wasted no time attacking with punches and kicks. Butcher came close to choking Park, and he delivered some nice chops. They fought on the side of the apron, and Park delivered a beautiful enziugiri. Butcher bit Park, proving he'd do anything to win. Park tried his submission, but Butcher dumped him off. Park's strength showed in his suplex. He knocked Butcher's ringside companion, The Carpenter, off the ring, and hit Butcher with a knee to the face, and he won the match by pinfall.

Park didn't get to celebrate his victory for long as he was attacked by Trevor Aeon, and the Carpenter. The Danger City Demons came out to assist Park, and just as it looked bleak for our heroes, Quasi Mandisco's music hit, and he came in to make the save. Mandisco, Valek, Danger and Park stood triumpant in the ring. Mandisco entered the War Games and he cut an inspiring promo about how he's going to kick the cornerstone's asses.

PCW returns to Porterdale on June 18th, and Johnny Danger will announce who will compete for him in July 2nd's haircut match. 

Platinum Championship Wrestling--May 21, 2016--Porterdale, GA

PCW had a nearly full house last night for Maximum Carnage. The action was hot, the crowd was hot, and fans could tell it is nearing War Games season. Only two more PCW shows are left before PCW's hottest summer show, a July 4th tradition, the 5th annual War Games. If PCW continues with the energy they've had at the last two shows, the rest of the summer leading into Sacred Ground will very well be one of the best summers in Porterdale history.

Drew Game and Matt Gilbert faced the team of Brian Kane and Kevin Park. Kane and Park started out strong. Park's knees and kicks were on point. I like the way they are building his character. It's almost like he's following an anime shonen hero arc. Game's cowardly, yet cocky character mixed well with his partner, Gilbert's stiff, strong style wrestling. Gilbert and Game took Kane's shoulder brace off and they tortured the injured shoulder.   I could feel Park's frustration as he tried to get to the isolated Kane. No matter how they tortured him, Kane persevered. Kane and Park double teamed Gilbert pinning him for the win. The match fired up the crowd, and it really set the tone for the rest of the show. It was an excellent opening match.

Troy Hunt faced Slim J, and in my opinion it was the match of the night. Hunt has a great look, and though he's not as flashy as Slim J, his suplexes are crisp and have excellent form. His kicks had a brutal snap to them. Slim J flew all over the place hitting aerial move after aerial move. The best of this was when he hit a hurricanrana, then followed it up with a corkscrew. He hit a perfect moonsault, but only managed to get a two and a half count. He bested Hunt with a neckbreaker from the top rope. He didn't get to celebrate his victory because Logan Creed attacked him. He attacked Troy Hunt as well, throwing him out of the ring like he was a doll.

Gunner Miller came to the ring for his match with Logan Creed, and Creed wasted no time attacking him.  It was less of a wrestling match, and it was more of a fight.  It doesn't get much better than watching two big dudes battle. Creed left the ring, took the mic, and said he was going to fight Miller on his own time. Miller won the match by countout. The crowd went absolutely insane when Miller did a dive onto Creed. They fought through the bar and out into the parking lot. It was truly awesome, and when those two finally fight for real, it's going to be amazing.

CJ Awesome faced "Go Time" Eric Jones. Awesome waited outside the ring for Jones as he did his lap around the ring high fiving the audience. Jones stopped and went back around the other way until Awesome entered the ring, preventing the outside beatdown.  This was the weakest match of the night. I want to like Jones. His in-ring is passable, but he doesn't show enough personality to make me care. Awesome is a decent heel, but neither of them drew me in. Awesome put the ref in Jones' way when he went up top, and he hit Jones with a low blow during the confusion, and he put him in a cradle for the win.

Uncle Money came out to address the crowd and hype the main event.  Carpenter joined him and it looked like it might be a war of words, when CJ Awesome assaulted Money from behind. Carpenter took out Money's knee with a baseball bat. Geter and Johnny Danger came to Money's aid and the heels fled.

Randi West, Thunderkitty, and Dementia De Rose tangled in a triple threat first teased during West and Kitty's last appearance at PCW.If you haven't seen Thunder Kitty, do yourself a favor, and look her up. She's the living embodiment of a female wrestler from the 1950's, and she's beautiful. West, in contrast, is every inch a brawler, she's lean, muscular, and has gorgeous dark purple hair.  De Rose is beautiful, but viciously deranged. Thunder Kitty tried to start things out with a lock-up, but De Rose was having no part of it. She brutalized Kitty instead, and even bit her hand.  West's kicks and knees were on point. De Rose viciously attacked Kitty and Kitty sold it like she was dying. West hit De Rose with a gorgeous underhook suplex. Dementia won the match hitting Kitty with a spinebuster, then a butt drop from the second rope. PCW has always presented amazing women's wrestling, and last night was no exception.

Team Carpenter, comprised of Bill the Butcher, The Carpenter, Joseph Schwarz and Zodiac, faced Team Money comprised of Brian Blaze, Geter, Johnny Danger, and Uncle Money in the main event of the evening.  Zodiac and Schwarz were creepy as all get out. Schwarz was getting up in people's faces and growling. Zodiac came up really close to me, up in my face, and caressed my kneecap. It was legitimately unnerving. Carpenter tried to take out Money's knee again at the very beginning of the match, and the match turned into a melee. Geter said "This ain't wrestling. This is a fight". A PCW chant broke out across our arena. The heels clutched their weapons, but dropped them acting all innocent when the ref turned towards them. Geter and Zodiac finally began the match in earnest, and Geter slammed the big man like he was nothing. The tags were quick, and the action moved at that same quick pace. Schwarz distracted the ref so Carpenter could escape Danger's sleeper attempt, and Butcher came in to regain the advantage for his team. Danger also got quite the beating from Zodiac who continued to look at me as the match went on. As it appeared Team Money might regain momentum, Stephen Platinum came out to "Because the Night" by 10,000 Maniacs. During the distraction, Scwartz was able to beat Danger with the pipe and secure the victory for the Carpenter. Then the beatdown began in earnest, and Zodiac tried to scratch out Danger's eyes.

Platinum took a microphone and said "I'm a winner. Carpenter's a winner. We're all winners. On July 4th, there will be War Games, 2 rings inside one cage. I will bring a team, and I challenge your bitch ass, Hankins. July 2nd there will be a haircut match, but I will not wrestle you, Johnny Danger. i will have a champion, you need to choose yours. Right now I'm going to take me a little piece of Danger." He ripped out another large lock of Johnny Danger's hair.

PCW returns to Porterdale June 4th. At that show, Johnny Danger will name his champion for the haircut match, and Matt Hankins will name his War Games Team. There are only a few shows before July 4th's War Games, and everything at PCW is coming to a head. It's going to be a hot summer. 

Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment--April 17, 2016--Atlanta, GA

Former NXT Star Sami Callihan

Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment drew their highest crowd of 150 to the Campbellton Rd Community Center in Atlanta on April 17, 2016. Part of their success was due to their rabid fanbase of kool-aid drinkers proselytizing to their friends and other wrestling fans, but was likely due to bringing in bigger independent names, Tommaso Ciampa, DJ Hyde, and Sami Callihan.

AWE has made several claims that they are an adult alternative to the family-friendly independent wrestling shows offered in small towns and suburban areas. They have a full service bar, and the majority of their crowd are adults looking to have a good time. A few people, myself included, brought children. Nothing in the show, including DJ Hyde's ultraviolent match, was too "adult" for my eight year old. The audience and the wrestlers do use a lot of bad language, and the promoter apologized a few times to those who brought children. My response is simple. Don't apologize if your show has bad language or adult content. Instead own it. If your company's identity is to be that edgy company, make certain that people who are looking to bring their children know ahead of time what they're stepping into. That being said, I think my son had a really great time, but he's a smark trapped in an 8 year old's body.

The biggest drawback to the venue is that they put out so few chairs, and much of the audience wants to be right next to the ring, almost too close to the action. During the first match, a front row audience member was hit in the head by a wrestler who landed on him during a dive. There are no barricades, no spot-free zones if you will, and really no security to protect fans and wrestlers from each other. Most of the shows I've attended have barricades. If the action spills into the crowd, there are security guards who follow the action to protect both the wrestlers and the crowd from accidents. I understand wanting to be next to the action, but the fan who got hit posted on his Facebook  that the incident ruined the show for him and he left soon after.

The wrestling at the show has a lot more in common with ROH than it does with typical southern indies. They have faster paced, spot heavy matches. In one of the opening contests, I counted eight crowd dives. I subscribe to the less is more school of wrestling these days, and I prefer story and characterization over spot fests. The show had 14 matches in all, and ran almost five hours.  The crowd seemed to eat up every minute of it.

AWE has loosely defined faces and heels, and the crowd cheers and boos for who they want. The Hierarchy, comprised of Murder One, Chip Day, Jimmy Rave, and Chikara champion Kimber Lee, is the dominant heel faction, and they are the crowd favorites. They reigned supreme for the entire event, all winning their matches and maintaining their dominance over AWE.

Chip Day celebrates his victory over former NXT star Sami Callihan with his Hierachy cohort Murder One

While all of the matches were excellent, the one that stood out to me was The Beautiful Bald Besties vs. The Sound and The Fury. The reason it stood out is because it best captured AWE's point of view, its brand vision. The match was billed as Family Friendly Entertainment, represented by The Besties, vs. Southern Strong Style, represented by The Sound and The Fury. Zac Edwards and Michael Stevens of the Besties challenged Joe Black and William Huckaby of Sound and Fury to a "dance-off" to Shania Twain's "Man, I feel like a Woman" which would be a comedic crowd-pleaser at many shows I attend, but Huckaby and Black were having no part of that, and they beat down Stevens and Edwards. Huckaby and Black won the match, therefore cementing AWE's point of view that Southern Strong Style should beat Family Friendly Wrasslin', and that really set the tone of the show.

AWE is the show that I wish existed when I was in college or in my early 20's. The rowdy audience, the venue with a full bar, and the party atmosphere are all great things, but they're no longer for me. I feel more at home at the family friendly shows they want to disassociate from. They're trying hard to be the next ECW or CZW, but they'd be better off honing their voice and becoming the best version of themselves. Homegrown was a triumph, but the real test lies ahead. Can they maintain the positive momentum going forward on May 1st when they return to Famous Pub? Only time will tell.

Wrestlemerica--April 9, 2016--Barnesville, GA

Wrestlemerica drew about 200 people to their Spring Slam event in Barnesville, GA. About a third of these were what I'd dub "The Tween-age army", a vocal group of five to twelve year olds who line up near where the wrestlers enter to high five the faces and yell insults at the heels. The promotion encourages this by having a designated area for these kids to stand. It makes for a fun family-oriented atmosphere.They also keep things interesting by having one "special guest" per show. This month's guest was former WWE superstar Carlito.

The Tweenage Army

Match 1) Scotty Beach vs. Johnny Nixx

Scotty Beach enters to Kokomo, by The Beach Boys. He introduced his lifeguard, Billy Ocean, who accompanied him to ringside.  Nixx is a good-looking popular babyface, and Beach is an over the top comical heel. Nixx did a sunset flip for 2. Beach hit a good looking suplex for 2. Nixx sells well. Beach set up a boogie board in the corner, and was going to whip Nixx into it. The lifeguard pulled it away when Nixx gained the advantage and Beach was about to hit it.  Beach hit a DDT for 2. Nixx dropkicked him and both were down. The crowd was already at fever pitch screaming for Nixx. When it looked like Nixx was going to win, the lifeguard struck Nixx with the boogie board for a disqualification, and the heels made a hasty retreat. It was a nice touch when Ocean feigned like he was going to strike a couple of militant children on his way out. 

The President of Wrestlemerica came out demanding that everyone rise in his presence.  He introduced his associates, Owen Knight, David Tita, and Zane Stevens. The crowd drowned out a lot of what he had to say, but it was set that Tita would face guest star, Carlito and Stevens would face champion Tyson Dean. 

Match 2) Rage and CJ Awesome vs. Southside Trash vs. Faces of Death (w/Merica Strong)

Southside Trash is the crowd favorite of the match. This was a slower paced match, but the crowd was lively. Southside Trash are loveable cheaters, and the crowd ate up their antics. They seemed to be teaming up with Faces of Death to vanquish Awesome and Rage. Southside Trash won it after one of them hit Rage with a sign while the referee was turned. 

David "Razor" Parrish took the mic after the match to honor his partner of 22 years "Rowdy" Randy Harris who announced his retirement.  They gave Harris a certificate honoring his years of dedication and hard work. Harris told everyone to honor God, follow Jesus, and everything would fall into place. 

Match 3) Scotty Bullwinkle vs. Iceberg

Bullwinkle attacked Berg during his entrance. Berg hit Bullwinkle's head into the table, and he fell comically like a cartoon character.  Berg hit a backdrop for 2. Bullwinkle pulled the referee in front of Berg, then he took advantage of the situation and pinned Berg with his feet on the ropes.  The crowd immediately voiced their displeasure calling for a street fight. A street fight between Bullwinkle and Berg was announced for the May 14th show. 

Match 4) Owen Knight vs. Mr Wrestlemerica (Fry Daddy)

I believe during the president's rant he mentioned they'd gotten rid of Fry Daddy. Owen Knight's masked opponent had both his tattoos and his moveset. The masked man did a couple of really deep armdrags that caused Knight to leave the ring. He sat outside the ring right where the Tweenage Army gathered giving them the perfect opportunity to hurl their insults his way.  Knight chopped his opponent in the corner.  The masked man got him in an armbar, then stomped the elbow. He followed this with a dropkick.  Knight hit a gutbuster for 2, then continued working the abdominal area with a giant knee to the gut, and then wrapping the masked man in a waistlock.  The masked man hit The Slade for the win. The crowd went insane.  

Match 5) NWA women's world champion Amber Gallows vs. Kiera Hogan

NWA Women's World Champion
Amber Gallows

Gallows put over Hogan saying she'd given her the best title defense of her career and that she was "a hell of a competitor" Gallows began with great offense.  Hogan left the ring for a breather.  She came back in twice to restart the count.  She attacked Gallows from behind while Knight provided a distraction.  Hogan distracted the referee while Knight choked Gallows in the ropes. Knight is a heat magnet.  The crowd despised Hogan by extension.  Gallows nearly kicked Hogan's head off.  She hit a facebuster for a 2 count. She finally got fed up with Knight and kicked him off the apron. Gallows pinned Hogan with a backslide retaining her title. 

Semi-Main Event) David Tita vs. Carlito

Carlito entered eating a piece of fruit. Tita grabbed it from him and threw it out of the ring. Carlito spit the remaining bits that were in his mouth in Tita's face.  Tita, as always, had crisp kicks and punches. Carlito chopped Tita's chest like he meant it. He held a standing suplex for about twenty seconds.  Carlito hit the corner crotch first as Tita evaded. Tita had him in a headlock, but he fought out.  Tita hit a legdrop for a 2 count. Carlito hit Tita with a spinebuster, and both were down momentarily.  Carlito hit a pendulum neckbreaker for 2. Tita missed a kick, and Carlito capitalized with his backstabber for the win.

Carlito enters and greets the Tweenage Army

Main Event) Zane Stevens vs. Tyson Dean

The president accompanied Stevens and yelled "We need complete silence to wrestle." He also yelled at one point during the match "You adults paid 10 dollars to get into this show to stare at your phones while there's a wrestling match going on." Both men are very athletic, and it's obvious the crowd adores Tyson Dean.  Stevens climbed up to the top turnbuckle, Dean followed him, trying to knock him down with headbutts. Dean hit a superplex. he followed with a spinebuster for a two count. Stevens hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Dean hit the Ego Trip, but the president put Stevens' foot on the rope. The president and Stevens were conferencing in the corner, it looked like the president was loading Stevens wrist tape with some sort of weapon. Amber Gallows came out to ringside, and it appeared she was trying to warn the referee about the President and Stevens' wicked ways. Gallows hit Dean with the title belt, and Stevens pinned him. Zane Stevens was crowned the new Wrestlemerica Champion and Amber Gallows turned heel aligning herself with the President and his cronies.

This was a fun show with a family friendly atmosphere. They advertised two upcoming shows, May 1 is a lucha show in Liberty Hill. Tickets are $20 for adults, kids 12 and under get in free.  Their next show in Barnesville is May 14. ECW Superstar Stevie Richards is slated to be the special guest star for that event.  If you're in the area and you're looking for a fun night out with the kids,  check out Wrestlemerica.