From Larry Goodman: Viral Pro Wrestling’s Outbreak show ended with an astonishing turn of events. VPW Champion Darius Lockhart...
From Larry Goodman:
Viral Pro Wrestling’s Outbreak show ended with an astonishing turn of events.
VPW Champion Darius Lockhart came to the rescue of Outbreak Champion Sean Legacy, who was being beaten down unmercifully by James Kitchens’ crew. Legacy was in the midst of a no DQ match with Owen Knight so there was nothing officials could do. After Lockhart had put a stop to it, Kitchens announced he was introducing another new member his crew…Lockhart…who left Legacy laying. Knight covered to become the new Outbreak Champion. Boom. Kitchens’ squad won all of their matches and own both singles titles.
Legacy may as well hang out the help wanted sign and he need look no further than Chris Silvio. The former OVW Heavyweight Champion (and SIW Florida producer) was outstanding, both in the ring and on the mic and has pre-existing issues with members of Kitchen’s group in the form of International Superstars.
Pillman Jr. did not disappoint. He put the VPW Champion over in fine fashion and looked like a star in doing so.
Outbreak was a very good show overall. VPW has a lot of first rate talent on their roster and attracts wrestlers from four or more states.
Attendance at Sweetwater Gym was 200. That’s low for VPW and the crowd was certainly held down by the terrible driving conditions in the Augusta area. Bell time was delayed due to the weather. Brian Pillman Jr’s flight was scheduled to arrive at 4:30 and didn’t get in until 9.
VPW has solid production values – first class sound and video screen and an entrance way with the bells and whistles. They use light stands which are way better than the gym lights. Lighting directly over the ring would be ideal but the high ceiling makes that a problem. The crowd appeared to be quite engaged but the venue is not as loud as a typical gymnasium.
(1) Jon Davis defeated Drew Adler in 9:30. Solld match. Crowd was quiet at first but got more animated as it went along. They liked the stiffness of Davis’ chops (me too). I’m sure Adler didn’t care for them. He got a “top tier coward” chant. Davis picked up the win with a high impact blitz – powerbomb, german suplex and clothesline from hell.
Backstage video – Matchmaker PJ Synenberg was interrupted by manager Kitchens, who informed PJ that Knight was in his new client and he wanted no DQ, no count for the title match. Synenberg said OK, adding that if Legacy got his hands on him, it was Kitchens’ tough luck.
(2) Kaci Lennox defeated Dani Jordyn in 6:37. Crowd was not into this. Ok match. Bad finish. Lennox moved too soon as Dani charged into the corner so it looked stupid when Dani ran into the buckles and the DDT to end it was kind of a mess.
Postmatch, Dream Girl Ellie attacked Lennox and laid her out. That got a bigger reaction than anything in the match. Ellie was in ring gear. She’s an attractive girl with a thin build, perfect for a valet and not so much for a wrestler.
(3) International Superstars (Joey Ozbourne & Blanco Loco with Dream Girl Ellie) defeated Lynch Mob (Joey & Matt) in 13:29. International Superstars have big league physiques and Lynch Mob are no slouches in that department by any means. Fast-paced action with a healthy dose of Lynch Mob’s aerial pyrotechnics. Ellie interfered to start the heat on Matt. These fans really, really do not care for her. Joey ran wild with the hot tag. Lynch Mob used a double team Styles Clash. Biggest pop of the match was Ellie getting knocked down by Joey’s tope. They did a lot of back and forth stuff leading to the finish, to me, it was excessive because it required so much choreography. Lynch Mob hit their finisher on Blanco Loco capped off by Joey’s moonsault but Ellie interfered to stop referee Ray Boring’s count. Boring ejected her. During the hub bub, Loco gave Joey a low blow and that was all she wrote.
James Johnson cut a promo. Said last time in Thomson, he and Wade Adams won the tag titles only to have Adams turn on him at Garden City Classic and cost them the titles. Johnson demanded owner Joshua Hancock reinstate Adams. Hancock refused because somebody might get crippled. Adams appeared on the video screen. The video cut to repeat replays of Adam Pillmanizing Johnson’s neck. Adam said he couldn’t get enough of watching that steel necktie. Johnson went ballistic and said Adams was backstage and he was going to kick his ass. As security held Johnson back, Hancock made an unsanction match for Infection IV on August 10.
Effy’s birthday open challenge was answered by PCW (Palmetto Championship Wrestling- Columbia SC) Champion Mallaki Matthews. Effy said OK if Matthews put the title on the line. Matthews said he didn’t have permission to do that. PCW owner Shane Dorr just so happened to be sitting at ringside. Dorr was not happy about the way Matthews had won the title and sanctioned the match.
(4) Mallaki Matthews defeated Effy to retain the PCW Championship. Best heat of the first half. Effy dominated. Matthews went over clean. Matthew foot slipped on the finish, which was supposed to be a northern lights bomb off the ropes so it looked weird.
LONG intermission.
(5) Gymnasty Boys (Timmy Lou Retton & White Mike) defeated The Hooligans (Mason & Devin Cutter with Neal Cutter and their guru) to retain the VPW tag titles in 10:45. This was played largely for whimsical comedy with some nicely executed tandem offense from both teams. Neal is a little guy with a staple gun. The guru looks like a burned out hippie from the 70s. Neal got involved and Mike gave him a giant swing. The guru got on the apron to evidently bless the action. A collision ensued and Mike pinned Devin after a uranage/lungblower combo.
James Storm returns for Infection 4 on August 10.
(6) Chris Silvio defeated Kevin Ray in 10:34. This was a mismatch in skill level. The veteran Silvio took Ray to school and totally outclassed him, then took a killer bump from the top rope to the floor ala Jimmy Rave. Ray pulled the ref in front of him to halt Silvio’s comeback and hit a flatliner for two. Silvio got the win with a stunner off the ropes.
Silvio cut an awesome promo. The emotion rang true and connected. Said last time in VPW he got dropped on his neck and spent almost two months in bed due to International Superstars. All he wanted to do was wrestle and a 20 year career was almost gone in the blink of an eye. Silvio vowed a day of reckoning was coming. Crowd loved it.
(7) Darius Lockhart defeated Brian Pillman Jr. to retain the VPW Heavyweight Championship in 12:29. Entrance pops were about equal. One thing about Pillman – he’s sat at the learning tree with great people and gets the thing about slowing down, doing less and making every move matter. Lockhart had the stronger, crisper strikes of the two. Pillman took a full speed bump through the ropes to the floor. Lockhart showed noble sportsmanship spreading the ropes. Moments later, Pillman failed to do the same when the shoe was on the other foot. Finish saw Pillman stun Lockhart with a superkick and go for his neckbreaker finisher and Lockhart caught him with an inside cradle.
Postmatch – Pillman bowed to the champion. Mutual respect from Lockhart and an appreciation pop for Pillman.
(8) Owen Knight (with James Kitchens) defeated Sean Legacy to win the VPW Outbreak Championship in 13:37. This was a really good match, better than the main event at Southern Honor, just saying. I was slow to get Knight because of his physique. He’s technically on point and sells his ass off. They opened with counter wrestling. Knight used a plethora of moves on Legacy’s back. A springboard somersault splash by Legacy brought Kitchen onto the apron. A flurry of flying offense by Legacy had Kitchens grabbing the champion’s leg to mess up his 450. Knight applied the sharpshooter variant that was curtains for Joe Black the night before. Not tonight. Legacy got the best of an exchange of blows and tore it up with his aerial attack. International Superstars interfered and Ellie gave Legacy a nut shot. Lockhart made the save driving Superstars out the ring. Kitchens said he was introducing the fifth member of his group. Lockhart laid Legacy out and Knight covered to win the championship.
Postmatch -- Kitchens’ crew beat Legacy to a pulp and raised their hands over his body.
NOTES: VPW is selling a season ticket package -- $110 for front row seats for the next seven shows. That’s a $40 discount…Outbreak marked Brett Wolverton’s one year anniversary with VPW as ring announcer. Wolverton did a 10 second rendition of the word “main” during his signature “and now for the main event” intro (timed on a stopwatch)…Bob Keller was at the timekeeper’s table…Jeffrey Taylor, Mika Villas and Ravenna Vein were in the house.
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