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. 

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

Match 1) Brian Kane vs. The Crash Test Dummy

Kane hilariously skipped around the ring as he tried to break the arm of CTD. The match spilled outside the ring, and Kane suplexed CTD onto the wooden floor. CTD missed his offense, and he ended up tangled in the ropes. Kane clocked him.  Kane body slammed him, and went for his signature moonsault, but missed. CTD dropkicked Kane, then pulled him up to the top turnbuckle. Kane knocked CTD off, then landed the moonsault for the win. This was a solid opener that really warmed up the crowd.

Quasi Mandisco addressed the crowd. "This is the best place to wrestle. This is the best place with the best fans." Uncle Money joined Mandisco. He and Mandisco danced and the crowd loved every minute of it. "The Cornerstone tried to take your joy, but we're here to bring you joy" They followed up with cheap puns on the Cornerstone's names calling Platinum, "Aluminum" and Carpenter, "Crapenter".

Bill the Butcher, David Tita, Eli Thompson, and Thompson's manager, Steve Dave came out to attack Uncle Money. The Young Bloodz (Octavius Black and Spoony Mac) came out to assist Uncle Money.

Match 2) Bill The Butcher, David Tita, and Eli Thompson(w/Steve Dave) vs. Uncle Money and the Young Bloodz.

Bill the Butcher was thrown into the front row almost immediately. Then the face team worked on Tita, and they threw him out.  Eli Thompson distracted the referee so Bill the Butcher could choke Uncle Money on the ropes.  Manger Steve Dave got in his share of interference throughout the match. Octavius Black tagged in, and he delivered a wicked backbreaker to David Tita. Spoony Mac nearly pinned Eli Thompson, but Butcher broke up the count.  The match broke down into a fight. The Young Bloodz double teamed Eli Thompson, and Tavius pinned him to win.

As the faces celebrated in the ring, a creepy video from Carpenter showed on the monitor. The audio wasn't great, so I didn't catch all of it, but the gist was that The Carpenter is going to teach Uncle Money a lesson. The match between Carpenter and Uncle Money is set to take place on April 16th.

Haikken came out wearing a t-shirt that read "Kevin Park, Professional Wrestler". He said he originally chose the name Haikken since he debuted as Stephen Platinum's evil cousin from Japan, but he no longer wants anything to do with Stephen Platinum. He's changed his name to Kevin Park. It is interested to note that he's wrestled at other promotions under that name, and the shorts he usually wrestles in have the name Park on the back.

Jeff G. Bailey introduced his newest protege, Gunner Miller. He hyped it as if it were an important life event like a wedding or the birth of a child. He crowed that thousands were going to later claim they were there to witness greatness. He asked Miller to pose for the ladies and that elicited even more boos, though Jeff said that we couldn't hide our lying eyes. I think I side with Jeff on this one. The guy's built, good looking, and I think he's got a bright future.

Match 3) Gunner Miller vs. "Go Time" Eric Jones.

Miller hit Jones with a giant spinebuster, then threw him at the referee.  Miller then hit Jones with a CTE to the floor. Jones was counted out. Bailey called for another victim. Chase Jordan came out. Chase Jordan is small and looks like he's still in high school. He went for a dropkick from the top and Miller caught him. Miller hit him with a spinebuster, then followed that with the CTE for the pin. Bailey crowed that next time they need to find Miller some real competition or else he'd beat up the entire locker room just to prove a point.

The Danger City Demons came out carrying their reclaimed Tag Team Season Trophy. Since the Danger City Demons won their St. Patrick's Day Street Fight, they got to name a humilation stipulation match against a member of The Cornerstone.
"I've always called you boss or sir, but now I'm calling you a punk ass bitch." Danger said to Platinum. He then challenged Platinum to a hair vs. hair match.

Main Event) Kevin Park vs. The Cornerstone (Gauntlet Match)

J.J Williams began for The Cornerstone. Williams was a formidable opponent with a wicked looking backbreaker. Park bested him with a submission and moved on. His next opponent was David Tita. Tita was brutal, kicking Park in the back of the neck. Park was already beginning to show signs of being worn down, but countered Tita's full Nelson to get a pin. Drew Game faced Park next. he came out attacking. Drew Game twisted Park up into a submission, but Park fought out. he kicked Game out of the ring, and dived onto him. He pinned Game by rolling him up.  Tita, Williams and Game came back out to destroy Park. The Danger City Demons came out to chase off his attackers with a barbed wire bat and a kendo stick. KT Hamill was Park's final opponent. He assaulted Park with kicks and a giant body slam. Park hit him with a gorgeous crossbody, and both men were down. Hamill applied a sleeper, and Park fought out. Hamill hit him with a spinebuster. park hit Hamill with a fisherman suplex. Park tied Hamill up in his submission, but Hamill got his foot to the rope. Hamill hit Park with a low blow, then a spinebuster and pinned him. The crowd was livid.

PCW returns to Porterdale on April 16th.

Why We Wrestle--March 26, 2016--Cornelia, GA--18th Annual Hardcore Hell

This was only my second trip to the hallowed ground of The Church of Southern Wrestling. The crowd in Cornelia is a mixed crowd of families with kids, older people, and very few smarky fans. I counted about 130 in attendance, and they were loud, rowdy, and looking for a good time.  The show ran about 4 hours, but it didn't feel that long.  The highlight of the show was the ultraviolent match between Masada and Brad Cash, and the announcers sold it well during their opening remarks.

1)Kevin Blue vs. Billy Buck

Billy Buck is truly Cornelia's hero. The entire crowd was crazy for him except a couple of fans in the front who decided to cheer for heel Kevin Blue.  Blue attempted to attack Buck during his entrance, but Buck thwarted him and continued basking in the attention of his adoring admirers.  Blue was going to clock Buck with the belt, but Buck superkicked him.  Blue hit Buck with a chair outside the ring, and the referee didn't see. Blue got Buck to tap out, winning him a spot in the final of the Why We Wrestle heavyweight title tournament. Officials had to help Buck out of the ring.  This opener set the tone for a strong overall show.

2)Stryknyn vs. Geter

A "Stryk's gonna kill you chant" filled the arena.  The two of them brawled, Stryk struggling against Geter's size.  In the end, Stryknyn beat Geter with a spear, and he advanced to the final to face Kevin Blue.  Geter, infuriated with his loss, pulverized Stryknyn after the match. Mikael Judas came out to make the save, and he and Geter brawled their way back to the locker room.  Blue took advantage of Stryk's confusion and beat him up on the ramp as he walked back to the locker room. Officials had to help him to the back.

3)Timmy Lou Retton vs. Slim J.

Timmy Lou Retton did a cartwheel and a split during his entrance. Slim J mocked Retton with Karate Kid poses, and they did a tumble-off before locking up in earnest.  Timmy Lou Retton won the match with a neckbreaker, but after witnessing the athleticism and charisma of Slim J, I wonder why he's not on television.

4) The Get-Along Gang (CB Suave, P Dogg, Marko Polo, Gil Quest) vs. The Ambassadors (Jacoby Boykins and Chris Mayne) and The Sound and The Fury (William Huckaby and Joe Black)

P-Dogg and his entourage are hilarious with their wanna-be rap posse gimmick. The two teams battled back and forth. Boykins struck Huckaby out of the way when he came to his aid, and Gil Quest took advantage of the dissension and rolled up Boykins.  The Ambassadors and The Sound and The Fury wanted to kill each other. Commissioner Dany Only said they had to end it if they wanted to be in the tag team tournament. They could fulfill their dreams of Tag Team Gold in the future, or they could end that all by fighting tonight. They reluctantly stopped fighting to keep their spots in the tag team tournament.

5) "Off Kilter" Rob Killjoy vs. James Drake

Drake is a relative newcomer to Why We Wrestle. Killjoy has a better look and a better moveset, but Drake had the hearts of the crowd.  Killjoy tried to introduce a chair into the match, but Billy Buck came out and grabbed the chair. Drake regained momentum in the match after the distraction and won the match with a cutter.

6) Iceberg vs. Shane Hexon

Iceberg chants permeated the crowd.  The match went along well until a miscue where it appeared Iceberg was supposed to roll out of the way of Hexon's move, but didn't. It messed up the rythym of the match.  Hexon won the match with a kick.  Iceberg raised Hexon's hand in solidarity. Dany Only hugged Iceberg in the middle of the ring, and he called for a standing ovation.

7) "Deathwish" Brad Cash vs. Masada

Special ring announcer "White Trash" announced this ultraviolent match.  Light tubes, a staple gun, barbed wire boards, kendo sticks and bamboo skewers were among the featured weapons in this bloody, over the top, extravaganza.  Cash wasted no time as he applied a small handsaw to Masada's head. Masada stapled Cash's forehead. Cash pulled a staple out of his head, licking the blood. The crowd called for the barbed wire boards to be introduced into the match. Masada threw Cash through the barbed wire board eliciting a "This is Awesome" chant.  Cash returned the favor.  The crowd yelled for fire. Cash set a kendo stick ablaze and smacked Masada in the back.   Masada opened a pack of skewers, and drove them into the bloody cuts on Cash's forehead. He DDT'd him face first onto those skewers. Shards of glass flew all the way back to the bleachers when they hit each other with the light tubes.  Dee Byers tried to stop the match because he said it was too violent.  The crowd was livid. White Trash hit Dee Byers in the head with a stop sign, and said "We finish these matches. This is what this building has always been. Ring the Bell." The match continued, spilling outside the building for a bit, then returning to ringside.  Masada set the barbed wire board outside like a table, placed Cash onto it, and dived on him. Masada got the pin after suplexing Cash into the board in the corner of the ring. Barbed wire was all in Cash's back. Fans of ultraviolence got their money's worth from this contest.

JT Talent hosted his popular Talent Show segment. He joked about having the honor of following the deathmatch. He hosted Jeff. G. Bailey, who is now over as a face in Why We Wrestle.  Talent asked him "Who is your favorite client?" He named off AJ Styles, Abyss, and R Truth as a few, but added there'd been so many.  He was asked about his favorite tag teams, and of course included Talent and Money.   Bailey announced that he was bringing in Gunner Miller, all star in both baseball and football at the University of Chattanooga. He's already auditioned for WWE in Florida, but he's been brought here by Bailey to get "seasoning". "He's got superstar written all over him. He's going to take on your favorites, and bring nothing but pain to them. This is Gunner Miller's ring." Bailey crowed, giving us the hardcore sell at Hardcore Hell.  "The church of Southern Wrestling is the only place where real wrestling takes place. Accept no substitutes."

8) Anthony Henry vs. David Young

David Young wanted to beat Anthony Henry's ass for disrespecting his daughter, Amber. It was a last man standing match.  Henry insulted Young by asking why he's decided to stand up for his daughter now. "Where were you when you were off being a big star in TNA? Where were you for her when you were off sleeping with ring rats?" He said to Amber, "I love you so much, that I'll let him get out of this if he comes out here. Come out here and tell her what a piece of trash you are." Henry busted Young open. Amber looked distressed at ringside. They fought into the crowd, Henry dived onto Young driving him into the chairs. The two fought back and forth. A fire extinguisher was introduced by Henry, but Amber took it from him.  Young hit Henry in the confusion, and Amber stopped him from using the fire extinguisher on Henry. Young hit his patented spinebuster, and yelled get me a chair. Amber turned on her father, choosing Henry, and hit him with a low blow. Henry did a splash onto the chair on top of Young, then repeated from the opposite corner. Young couldn't get up, and Henry won the match. The crowd hurled insults at Amber for betraying her father. This was soap opera caliber stuff, and it furthered the ongoing story between Young, Henry, and Amber.

9) Jacob Ashworth vs. Anthony Mills

This wasn't a match, it was an unsanctioned fight.  Mills choked Ashworth with a cord. they hit each other with chairs.  Ashworth got the audience to throw chairs into the ring. Mills did a back body drop to Ashworth, then DDT'd him onto those chairs.  "This is my fucking ring," Mills yelled "You told me I couldn't have a contract, so this is my last option." Ashworth lie there bloodied and helpless.  Commissioner Only came out and stopped it. "There's a whole locker room, a whole audience that will tear you limb from limb. If you leave my building and leave him alone. I'll give you a contract." Mills complied.

10) Kevin Blue vs. Stryknyn

Stryk appeared hurt from Blue's earlier attack, but he fought valiantly through it. Blue continuously looked for ways to cheat.  Stryk hit a spear, and it appeared he had the match won, but the referee said it was just a two count, so it continued. Blue went for an aerial move, but Stryk caught him in the spear winning the match, and he was crowned the first ever Why we Wrestle champion. He celebrated, and he blew a snot rocket onto Kevin Blue.

Overall this show was a triumph. 10 matches, four hours, an ultraviolent match, and a new champion made this show a complete success for Why We Wrestle, and I hope it is a sign of things to come.
Why we Wrestle returns to Cornelia at the famed Church of Southern Wrestling on April 9th.

Peachstate Wrestling Alliance 3/19/16 Carrollton, GA

Peachstate is known for regularly drawing a large crowd, and last night was no exception. I counted about 200, which is a good number considering how many promotions there are in the state and that it was Empire in Rossville's final show in their historic location. I'm certain that was also a large draw for Georgia wrestling fans.  The thing I like most about Peachstate's shows is that it is easy for first time fans to understand exactly what's going on. The stories are compelling and while I'm certain they are enhanced by regular attendance, it is not necessary to know an entire year's worth of backstory to follow their show.  The crowd is also one of the rowdiest in Georgia Wrestling. They have a chant for everything. Tonight's show featured the first round matches for the PWA Heritage Title tournament.

Representative of the Georgia Athletic Commission's Advisory Council, Bill Behrens, addressed the crowd. He joked about the pollen, and he announced that the match between Kyle Matthews and Romeo wasn't happening because Matthews needed to be at the final Empire show since that promotion did so much for his career. He also pointed out that just because the match was cancelled, that did not put Simon Sermon into the Heritage title tournament, much to the chagrin of the crowd. Matthews' opponent Romeo was allegedly in France, receiving a full body massage, and the crowd yelled he should just stay there and not come back.

Behrens introduced "The Project" Dustin Bosworth who was trained by Harley Race, and made an appearance on Stone Cold's Broken Skull challenge on CMT. He hails from the Midwest, and he's a good looking, tall, muscular guy. Just from looking at him, I'd say he's a next level talent.    "To be the best, you've got to be trained by the best. I came from the best. You can only stay in one place for so long. I could have went to California, I could have went North, but I came to Georgia." The crowd yelled at him "Beat Tommy Too Much's ass." Bosworth said, "Whoever has the belt, has a target tattooed on their forehead."

1) P Dog vs. Tyson Dean

P Dog's gimmick is crap rapper. He commits crimes against rhymes, and it's hilariously bad.  He ripped up someone's sign to quickly get heat.  When Dean entered, the crowd went crazy. The match started with a pose-off, and the ladies squealed for Dean. P Dog left the ring several times when Dean would gain offense and each time the crowd would go "You scared." Dean pinned P Dog with The Ego Trip and moved to the next round of the Heritage Title Tournament.

2) Chris Spectra vs. Bill the Butcher

I always enjoy Butcher's commitment to his wild man gimmick and the energy he brings to each of his matches. Spectra thought evasion was the best strategy to start. He then applied an armbar to Butcher.  He followed with a boot to Butcher's face, then a big clothesline for a two count.  Butcher speared Specta for two.  Spectra kneed him in the face.  They exchanged forearms. Spectra knocked Butcher out of the ring, and followed him out to throw him back in.Butcher did a body slam for a two count. Spectra clotheslined Butcher for a two count.  Butcher pinned Spectra to win the match and advanced to the next round.

3) Tommy Too Much vs. Kevin Blue

Tommy Too Much entered, but the lights went out. Music started playing and it was strange, but in a cool exciting way. I could hear people whispering "What's happening?" around me.  When the lights came up, AJ Steele was standing there ringside with a chair. He said "Anywhere and everywhere you go, I'll be there." He sat at ringside during the whole match.

Kevin Blue managed to gain early advantage in the match because Too Much was distracted by AJ Steele's presence at ringside. He was preoccupied with that and seemed to be having trouble focusing on what was happening inside the ring.  Blue dropkicked Too Much right out of the ring, and they brawled outside. Blue threw Too Much's head into the timekeeper's table.  Too Much regained control around the five minute mark. He suplexed Blue for a one count, then tried to apply a sleeper, but Blue fought out.  Too much missed a kick and landed crotch first on the ropes. The crowd couldn't get enough of that.  Blue suplexed him over the top rope for a two count. He followed that with vicious strikes and clotheslines for a two count.  At the ten minute mark, the referee was knocked down. Blue had the match won, but there was no official to count it. Drew Adler came out and attacked Kevin Blue with a chair, but it backfired. Blue threw Adler into Too Much, and tried to roll him for a two count. Too Much pinned Blue after a lariat.

Post-match Adler attacked Blue again. The Beautiful Bald Besties joined Adler in the beatdown.  The crowd drowned Zac Edwards out as he said "Kevin Blue, Drew Adler is coming for that title." The crowd booed louder. "You people are so disrespectful you don't deserve to see the Peachstate Tag Team Champions. We are The Backbone. Everywhere we go in Georgia, we are the backbone of the show." Shane Noles addressed The Backbone. "Can you win a match without interference? We know you can wrestle, but can you fight?" He challenged The Backbone to face himself, Nigel Sherrod and Kevin Blue in a Falls count anywhere street fight on April 2nd.

4)Merica Strong vs. Pandora

The Peachstate crowd, and honestly just about every crowd I see her wrestle in front of, is just nuts about Pandora. She chopped Merica in every corner. Merica slammed her. Merica attempted a bear hug, but Pandora fought out both times.  She attempted a camel clutch on Pandora twice as well, but Pandora fought out of both attempts.  They brawled outside. Tommy Too Much came out and distracted Pandora. AJ Steele came out and chased Tommy Too Much back to the locker room.  Merica took advantage and rolled her up for the pin. She had the tights, but the referee didn't notice that, and the crowd was livid.

5) Sal Rinauro vs. AJ Steele vs. Jacob Ashworth

This was originally supposed to be just between Rinauro and Ashworth but AJ Steele came out to face Rinauro because Rinauro had talked smack about what he planned on doing to Steele, and Steele wanted him to back up his words.  Rinauro told Steele that the match was none of his business and Steele called him a bitch. Too Much attacked Steele with a chair pre-match. Ashworth came out and the match began in earnest. Ashworth and Rinauro fought inside the ring while Steele was laid out from the chair shot.  Ashworth brutalized Rinauro. Rinauro went right for Ashworth's eyes, then followed with a snapmare. Ashworth countered with a big elbow. Rinauro dropkicked Ashworth. Steele tried to reenter, and Rinauro kicked him back out.  Rinauro and Steele fought outside. Rinauro went up top for a flying elbow for two. Ashworth hit Rinauro with a facebuster for two. Rinauro did a corner assisted pele kick. Steele finally got back into the match. He and Ashworth exchanged blows. Steele suplexed Ashworth, but Rinauro broke up the count.  Rinauro pushed Steele into Ashworth then superkicked Steele, but Steele kicked out.  Rinauro shook Steele off the ropes.  Ashworth won the match with a neckbreaker, pinning Rinauro.

The show ended with Tommy Too Much calling out Bill the Butcher and they brawled all over and back to the locker room. It was a well paced show, and the audience seemed to enjoy it from top to bottom. Peachstate Wrestling Alliance comes back to Carrollton on April 2nd.