As I stood in line, I chatted with another writer who told me that about a year ago he'd heard a remark from another promoter that "Platinum was moving his gay theatre to Porterdale." It is no secret that people in wrestling circles did not respect PCW, and many believed it would die out without Platinum directly at the helm. A year later, PCW flourishes in Porterdale with steady crowds, and PCW wrestlers have risen to prominence at several promotions around the state. The Porterdale crowds are rabid about PCW. Last year's Sacred Ground felt like the end of an era, but this year felt more like a celebration, a way for PCW to say "Look at us, we're still here, and we're stronger than ever."
The crowd was much lighter than last year's,only around a hundred in attendance, but they were in good spirits and ready for a show.
Match 1: Platinum Royal
Entrants: Sugar Shane, Josh Colter, Grundy, Aja Pereira, Adrian Armour, Go Time Eric Jones, Dynomite Soul Eric Walker, Casey Kincaid, and Dwight Power.
Before the Platinum Royal started, Dwight Power came out and made a statement about homosexuals and minorities that made the audience glad he was eliminated first.
Eliminations were as follows: 1.Dwight Power, 2. Aja Pereira, 3. Grundy (who eliminated herself so she could get to Aja), 4. Sugar Shane, 5. Josh Colter, 6. Dynomite Soul Eric Walker, 7. Adrian Armour. 8. Casey Kincaid. Last man standing: Go Time Eric Jones.
In a Platinum Royal, the last man standing, Go Time Eric Jones, has to face the man who eliminated the most contestants, in this case, Casey Kincaid. The match showed the audience the best that Eric Jones had to offer us. The tension between Kincaid and Eric Jones was epic, and this is the first time that the final two men eliminated in the Platinum Royal have faced each other in the final battle to win. Kincaid won the match, even with a a bad knee. Kincaid helped Eric up and they shook hands.
Match 2: Bobby Moore vs. Joey Kidman
Joey Kidman started out strong. Moore did a suplex, but after he turned around to brag to the audience only to have his suplex answered by one from Joey Kidman. Rachel interfered outside the ring while the referee tried to count Joey Kidman out, but was distracted by Bobby Moore. Moore got Kidman into an ankle lock,but Kidman reached the rope. The next time Moore got Kidman into an ankle lock, Rachel attempted to hold the rope just out of Kidman's reach. Aria saw Rachel, and she ran around to her. Aria and Rachel got into the middle of the match, and they provided enough distraction that Bobby Moore was able to strike Joey Kidman with a loaded elbow pad and he picked up the win.
Match 3: Brian Blaze and Geter vs. De La Vega and Adam Pearce
When Quasi Mandisco made his entrance, he was his usual, not-so charming self. He came right up and put his butt in my face. Adam Pearce hassled the referee by tying his bow-tie tighter. When Quasi Mandisco is involved in a match, the crowd will get behind the other team, no matter how hated they are when they face our heroes. This crowd was behind Brian Blaze and Geter by that virtue alone. When it looked like Pearce had the match cinched, De La Vega tagged himself in. That proved to be the wrong move and Brian Blaze got the pin in one of the most exciting exchanges PCW audiences have seen. De La Vega and Pearce fought after their match, and Adam Pearce hit Vega. He then did a piledriver on Quasi and blew his nose on him. If Pearce ever wrestles in Porterdale again, he'd be a hero.
Match 4: Washington Bullets vs. Los Ben Dejos
When Los Ben Dejos entered, they chased the photographer around the ring. I noticed that the Bullets were sporting some new pink and blue ring gear. One of Los Ben Dejos sat in a lady in the audience's lap, and she looked traumatized. The match was fast paced and exciting, and the Washington Bullets advanced to the finals. Both of the tag team semi-final matches tied as my pick for match of the night.
Match 5: Mia Yim vs. Leva Bates vs. Dementia De Rose (Platinum Trinity Match)
Mia Yim and Leva Bates often double teamed Dementia De Rose to keep her out of the ring so they could focus on eliminating each other. Dementia De Rose was the first eliminated, but neither Yim nor Bates managed to pin the other during the two minute period that De Rose was barred from the ring. Mia Yim managed to pin Leva Bates at the second that De Rose reentered the ring, and De Rose made quick work of Yim.
Match 6: Fred Yehi vs. Steven Walters
Adam Pearce was presented with the 2013 Platinum Standard award for his contributions to both PCW and the sport of professional wrestling as a whole. In his honor, Fred Yehi and Steven Walters put on a match that exemplified skill and sportsmanship. There were a few cheers for Fred Yehi, and the match itself showcased both competitors agility, athleticism, and wrestling ability. It was non-stop action the whole time. Walters tapped to Fred's koji clutch.
Match 7: Sylar Cross vs. Marko Polo
Johnny Danger Time: Johnny Danger came out wearing a green track suit and a giant watch that reminded me of Flava Flav. He said "I'm still standing, and I'm still putting smiles on people's faces. It don't get much better than that. I'm not afraid anymore and neither is Marko. Sylar comes out, and Johnny Danger said he'll kick his butt with the power of song. Marko's Magic Mangina theme started and both Stephen Platinum and Johnny Danger sang loudly and proudly.
Immediately after this display of musical amusement, the stretcher match between Sylar and Marko begins. They start off taking turns pounding each other in the corner. Marko tried to pick Sylar up for a slam, but fell backwards. Sylar tried to put Marko on the stretcher, but Polo raked Sylar's face. Sylar regained control and whipped Polo into the corner, but he missed his next move. Polo got Cross down with a clothesline. Chip Day came out and kicked Marko Polo in the head, and Jeff G. Bailey held a chair in the corner. Sylar went to ram Marko into the chair, but Marko got away. Cross ran himself into the chair. Sylar then hit Marko twice with the stretcher outside the ring. Sylar got Marko on the stretcher, and though Marko did his best to unhook himself, Sylar managed to get him across the line and win the match.
Match 8: Shane Marx vs. Mason
Mason and Marx waste no time going at each other. Shane Marx won after a hard fought victory. This was a loser leaves town, last man standing match. I cried when I realized it was Mason leaving. Mason gave us a heartfelt speech. "10 years ago is when the Demi-God started. 9 years ago is when I met you, and it's been 9 years of of me building and you destroying. Porterdale's always felt like home. The memory of 14 stitches in my head only lives in the minds of these people." Mason, we will miss you, and I hope that Loser Leaves Town doesn't mean forever.
Match 9: Brian Blaze and Geter vs. Washington Bullets
These are the two top teams that PCW has, and it's no surprise they're in the finals. It was a chaotic, action packed match, and Brian Blaze got the pin. The Big F'n Deal comprised of Geter and Blaze are Tag Team Season Champions two years in a row. Both they and the Bullets have won twice, so next year's Tag Team finals will be the two of them, and the team that wins the most matches during the season gets to choose the stipulation.
Match 10: Supernatural vs. Chip Day for the Unified PCW/Empire title
Jeff G. Bailey exchanged heated words as Supernatural hung the titles from the ceiling. Super used the ladder to slam Chip into the apron. They fought for a while, and the two of them both ended up on the ladder, and Super grabbed the Empire title, and Chip the PCW title. Platinum comes out and introduces the new PCW belt, making the two former titles invalid. The match is restarted. Super laid Chip Day across the ladder draped on the ropes, and he jumped off the giant ladder. Platinum jumped into the ring after Bailey jumped in to help Chip. Bailey threw white powder into Platinum's face, and Chip Day won the match. Chip Day is now PCW champion. In the midst of Platinum's heartfelt speech about, Jeff G. Bailey yells "Thank you for being a loser." Casey Kincaid will cash in his title shot he earned from the Platinum Royal at the October 19th show against the new PCW champion, Chip Day.
The thing that struck me most about Sacred Ground was the fact that hometown talent won their matches against out of town talent, and the out of town talent was used to enhance the story going on in the hometown show rather than be the attraction themselves. This differs from other shows I've attended with prominent guest stars where the guest star typically comes out on top. The show was a success, and it's time for a new year of story lines, heroes, villains, and drama.
On October 19th a new chapter begins with an Iron Man match between Shane Marx and Fred Yehi, and the championship match between Casey Kincaid and Chip Day.
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