Photos by Ashley Ingraham From Duke Ingraham: Redemption: The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. Everything was on ...
 |
| Photos by Ashley Ingraham |
Redemption: The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
Everything was on the line this past Friday night in Canton. The future of Southern Honor Wrestling was hanging in the balance. For months General Manager Gary Lamb’s promotion had been held hostage by booker Brooklyn Creed, but tonight once and for all full control of the company would finally belong to someone.
The stage was set, Brooklyn along with SHW tag team champions and fellow Dis-honor members Happy Madness would try to take over control once and for all in a match against Gary Lamb himself, SHW champion Gunner Miller, and a mystery partner not currently on the SHW roster.
It all came down to this one match to decide it all.
The 434 rowdy fans had many questions when walking through the door. Would Gary be able to hold his own in the ring? Who did Gary handpick to be his partner? And most importantly would Gary Lamb be able to finally redeem his company and lead them into 2023? Or will Brooklyn and Dis-honor once and for all have full control of Southern Honor so they can burn it to the ground once and for all?
The show started just as any other Southern Honor show would. DJ Tonik playing the jams and setting the mood, commentators Brandon Benefield and Gerard Bonner taking their place, Diana Michel hyping the crowd, but you could feel the energy was different in the room than normal. The anticipation was there that tonight could be something special, that tonight could be the redemption of Southern Honor once and for all.
EXOTIC YOUTH (BRYCE CANNON & CORNELIUS PEPPERBOTTOM WITH ZACH MOSLEY) VS. TOP TEAM (TERRY YAKI & LARRY LAZARD)
The crowd has a ton of energy at the beginning of this one chanting “pre show frat boys” at Exotic Youth. The injured Mosley begs Pepperbottom to let him wrestle despite having to use a cane to walk and wearing a back brace. While the two talk it out Cannon attacks Lazard and Yaki from behind and the match is officially underway. Cannon takes early control, but the speed of Yaki quickly gives control to Top Team and they show us why they are one of the most talked about tag teams in the southeast by demonstrating some impressive and entertaining aerial moves off the ropes. The building begins to rock as it seems the entire place is chanting “Top Team”. Yaki climbs to the top rope but is distracted by Pepperbottom for just long enough to allow Cannon top pull Yaki off the top. Exotic Youth takes over control and slows the pace of the match down to a much more planned and methodical style. A vast contrast to the energy and high flying style when Top Team was in control. Exotic Youth dominate control of the match for several minutes. The crowd quickly grew tired of their antics and the heckling by Mosley on the outside, but as hard as they tried to will on Top Team it seemed Exotic Youth was one step ahead. That was until Cannon whipped Yaki into the corner and charged but a quick thinking Yaki caught Cannon with a punch followed by a suplex sending them both to the mat as the referee started his 10 count. Cannon tags in Pepperbottom as Yaki tags in Lazard. Pepperbottom charges Lazard but is met by a running kick. Cannon punches Lazard but Lazard drops to mat quickly to duck, kips back up and kicks Cannon. Exotic Youth gathers on the outside to recover. Lazard charges as if to dive, but holds the ropes and stops instead. Yaki charges towards the heels, jumps over his partner and flips to outside taking down all of Exotic Youth. As Mosely helps Cannon and Pepperbottom to their feet, Yaki takes advantage, running and flipping over the top rope taking out Exotic Youth again. Top Team double team Pepperbottom but can only get a two count on their pin attempt. Yaki tags in Lazard who jumps to the top rope, but before he can jump Mosley uses his cane to trip him off the ropes and he tumbles to the mat. Cannon rushes in and rolls up Lazard. EXOTIC YOUTH WINS BY PINFALL. REFEREE: DAVID WEAKLEY JR.
Exotic Youth celebrate in the ring but their celebration is cut short when Cyrus’ music hits. The Destroyer walks with a purpose to the ring. Exotic Youth scatter to the outside. Cyrus picks up Cannon’s paddle in the ring and breaks it over his knee causing the crowd to erupt and Cannon to scream like a toddler who just had their favorite toy taken away. Exotic Youth surrounds the ring. Cannon enters first but before the rest of Exotic Youth can, Top Team pull them away from the ring. Yaki and Lazard then have their way with Cannon before passing him off to Cyrus who flattened the Frat-Daddy with a Vaderbomb. Lazard pours water onto Cannon’s motionless body to revive him.
NOTES: So….this lived up the hype, and thensome. They showed us why they are nominated to tag team of the year and feud of the year. This match was outstanding and was probably the best all around match of the night. The crowd was full of energy which the performers fed off of. Mosley was fantastic on the outside with his crowd interactions. This match set up a lot of possibilities including a six man between all three members of Top Team and Exotic Youth or a handicap match between Exotic Youth and Cyrus. I’m very interested to see where they go from here.
SHOOT TAYLOR VS. ADAM JACOBS
Jacobs charges the ring to start and pulls Shoot out to the floor. Jacobs whips Shoot in the barricades around the ring delighting the ringside fans. Jacobs throws Shoot into the ring and delivers a cross body off the top rope to start the match getting a two count. Jacobs grabs Shoot by the head and rams it into each top turnbuckle around the ring asking the crowd to cheer him on each time. The crowd cheers for Jacobs until Shoot uses his speed to take control of the match and the crowd begins cheering for Shoot. Shoot begins an aggressive attack on Jacobs causing the referee to have to pull him off a couple of times. Back and forth battle for most of the match with both men growing frustrated with not being able to put away the other. The frustration grows as Jacobs has Shoot in the corner. The referee attempts to break them up but Jacobs pushes the ref back. Jacobs goes after Taylor again in the corner and again the referee attempts to break them up, this time Jacob pushes the ref to the mat and kicks him. Shoot uses his wrist tape to choke Shoot while the referee is recovering. Shoot then puts Jacobs in a submission move, the referee covers and checks on Jacobs but he is passed out. SHOOT TAYLOR WINS BY REFEREE STOPPAGE. REFEREE: PAUL SANTA
NOTES: The ending of this match left something to be desired for sure. The match itself was okay but the story they are trying to tell stills seems a little fuzzy. Both men worked face for the beginning of the match, then both seemingly had to bend the rules a little in order to try to win. Jacobs pushing down and kicking the referee should have been a disqualification and the crowd seemed really confused when it wasn’t called. I still feel like there is some meat on the bone in this story, I just hope this bite didn’t leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth to the point where the rest of the meal isn’t enjoyable.
NICK HALEN VS. “MARVELOUS” MICHAEL STEVENS
Halen comes out to Buff Bagwell’s “Buff Daddy” theme song. Stevens dances and twerks his way to the ring. The crowd chants “we want a milkshake” to start the match and Stevens provides the crowd with more twerking. Halen is not amused. Stevens shimmies, shakes, and dances with every offensive attack delighting the fans. Halen takes over control of the match unleashing some vicious chops on Stevens and trash talking him. Halen continues to wear Stevens down until music begins to play over the sound system. The golden tones of Cher singing “Do you believe in life after love” is enough to energize Stevens. He rises to his feet and begins to attack Halen in rhythm to the song while dancing. Stevens foils every Halen attack and counters with a dance move, even causing Halen to get caught up in the rhythm from time to time. Halen has finally had enough and delivers a lariat to Stevens and begs the sound guy to cut the music. Stevens attempts to take Halen to the top rope, but Halen bites Stevens bald head. Halen then executes Buff Bagwell’s finisher off the top rope. NICK HALEN WINS BY PINFALL. REFEREE: PAUL SANTA
NOTES: A fun match that gives Nick Halen a win, and keeps his feud with Buff Bagwell relevant. This was a good use of comedy to lighten the mood, and it came at a good time in the show. I really enjoy the “Marvelous” Michael Stevens character. However to keep it from growing stale I think he needs to use a different song for the dance spot next time, and can we get the guy a win?
CARLIE BRAVO VS. KYLE MATTHEWS
Bravo has a whole lot of fan support to start the match. Surprising given how much the crowd was behind Matthews at the last two shows. Technical wrestling on display early as Matthews twists Bravo up like a pretzel. Every offensive attack Bravo attempts it seems Matthews has a reversal for. Bravo finally gets the upper hand and the first chance he gets he takes off his shirt and chokes Matthews with it. Bravo remains in control, hitting some big right hands on Matthews but can not seem to put him away. Bravo delivers a snake eyes on Matthews in the corner but once again can only get a two count. Bravo hits a three amigos on Matthews, one of his many nods to Eddie Guerrero in the match. Bravo grows frustrated with not being able to put Matthews away. Matthews begins to fight back with some chops and right hands as the crowd unites behind him. Matthews hits a code breaker for a two count. Matthews now takes over full control of the match, getting several two counts on Bravo but can not put him away. Bravo slides out of the ring, Matthews is right on him, taking a running dive through the ropes connecting with Bravo on the outside and sending him crashing into the barricade. Bravo rolls back into the ring clearly in pain, as the referee checks on him, Joe Black runs out for the back and attacks Matthews then throws him back into the ring. CARLIE BRAVO WINS BY PINFALL. REFEREE: DAVID WEAKLEY JR.
NOTES: Just one Dis-honor teammate looking out for the other. Solid match between the two. So far four different matches with four different match styles. SHW continues to push Bravo strong (and why wouldn’t they) and even though he needed some help from his friend this win will go a long way. The ending of the match was done well as it really didn’t make Matthews look that much weaker. It will be interesting to see where SHW go with both of these guys going forward.
-INTERMISSION-
MURDER 1 VS. JOE BLACK
Murder is out first and the two finger salutes are out everywhere. Joe’s music hits next, but after a moment Carlie Bravo walks through the curtain. Before Murder can realize what is going on, Joe Black enters through the crowd and attacks Murder from behind. Joe is ruthless in his attack. Referees run out from the back to check on Murder, this apparently didn’t make Joe Happy as he decks referee Paul Santa with a punch and referee Weakley hightails it out of there. Murder pleads with referee Prater to start the match. The referee calls for the bell and the match is underway. Joe charges with a punch but Murder ducks it and unleashes a series of punches of his own on Black. Murder whips Joe into the ropes but Joe reverses it then hits Murder with a huge spear as he was coming off the ropes. Joe follows this up with a big running lariat. JOE BLACK WINS BY PINFALL. REFEREE: JEREMY PRATER.
Joe celebrates on the outside as Murder calls for a mic inside the ring. He asks the crowd to make noise if they think Joe Black is a bitch and the crowd erupts. He then asks the crowd if they think Brooklyn pulled his hoe card to call him a bitch, and chants for bitch reign down on Joe. The two square up in the ring but Joe is just a bit quicker than Murder and quickly lays him out. Joe grabs a chair from the ringside table and goes to town on Murder who takes multiple chair shots then flips off Joe Black. Eventually Joe and his chair is too much for Muder and he is left laying in the ring as Joe returns to the back.
NOTES: Well done all around. Match served as a pallet cleanser and did a successful job of telling the next chapter in this story that I feel like is only the beginning. Next show the two will meet in a “Dark City Street Fight'' which might go down as one of the most violent matches of the year in Georgia wrestling.
NAJASISM VS. CHIP DAY VS. SEAN LEGACY VS. OWEN KNIGHT
WINNER BECOMES THE NUMBER 1 CONTENDER FOR THE SHW CHAMPIONSHIP.
Chip Day charges Legacy as the bell rings but is greeted by a haymaker from Legacy sending Day to the mat. Out of nowhere Naja connects with a dropkick on Knight, no doubt some sort of payback for something in their heated feud across the state. Naja and Legacy square off and put on a clinic in wrestling until Owen Knight runs and attacks Naja. Chip Day charges and exchanges blows with Knight until Naja flys off the top rope onto Knight. Legacy hits a double DDT on Naja and Chip for a two count. Naja and Knight square off in the ring and exchange slaps, kicks and punches. Naja and Knight continue to exchange blows throughout the match as Legacy and Day recover in the corners. Legacy throws Day to the outside then runs and flips over the top rope crashing into Day on the floor. As Day sits on the floor plotting his next attack. Legacy does a flip off the top rope onto Naja but Day sees his moment, knowing the move took a lot of out Legacy he rushes in, breaks up Legacy’s pin attempt and rolls up Legacy. CHIP DAY WINS BY PINFALL. REFEREE: JEREMY PRATER.
Chip Day then makes several laps around the ring making sure to flip off one certain loudmouth female who has been heckling him and interrupting his promos for months.
NOTES: Wrestling wise it makes the most sense for Chip Day to win the match seeing as he was the only heel in the match. The match itself was full of energy and was very fast paced. Work rate wise its some of the best you are going to see in Georgia, and the same can be said for execution wise as well. A couple of stories were advanced in this match involving the hottest rivalry in the state between Naja and Knight, and the newly formed feud between Legacy and Day.
TEAM DISHONOR- BROOKLYN CREED, SAL RINAURO, & SUNNY DAZE VS. TEAM SHW- GARY LAMB, GUNNER MILLER, & A MYSTERY PARTNER.
WINNING TEAM GAINS FULL CONTROL OF SOUTHERN HONOR WRESTLING.
Huge pop for Lamb when he came through the curtain, Second biggest pop of the night, the biggest was yet to come. The anticipation builds for the announcement of the mystery partner. A FANTASTIC video package plays starting with the ending of the last show, then rewinding to previous shows, hitting all the high points of this story arc. The video then begins to show clips highlighting the heated feud between Gunner Miller and Corey Hollis that took place in 2021. The package then ends showing a scene from days of SHW past where Brookyln slaps Corey Hollis and Hollis responds by giving Brooklyn a piledriver. The package stops……. The energy begins to boil over as the fans wait for that moment that they now know is about to happen. Chants of “Corey” echo throughout the Action Building just moments before his theme music. The fans instantly recognize the opening notes of Holli’s theme and the building erupts. Fans jump to their feet cheering. The energy in the building is unreal and the loudest I've heard in a long time. Hollis and Gunner embrace at the bottom of the ramp and turn their attention to the task at hand. Helping Gary Lamb redeem his company.
Happy Madness and Brooklyn pace the ringside area very distraught about this recent change of events. The building chants for “Corey” as the match begins. Sal yells at Hollis that he “should have stayed dead”. The crowd chants for “southern honor” as Sal and Hollis grapple on the mat. Sal and Hollis work each for a while to open the match, neither one being able to gain control of the match. Hollis tags Gunner into the match who lands a huge suplex on Sal. Sal rolls to his corner and tags in Sunny Daze, the crowd chants for Gary but Gunner is going to get his turn first. The two exchange shoulder tackles in which Gunner eventually knocks Daze off his feet. Daze scurries to the corner and tags in Brooklyn. Brooklyn gets in Gunners face as the crowd chants for Gary. Gary sees his moment and tags himself into the match. Gary towers over Brooklyn as she pleads with him to stop. Realizing that Gary would never hit a woman, Brooklyn’s attitude changes. She begs Lamb to hit her. Brooklyn pushes Gary into the corner and the two stand face to face. Gary refuses to hit Brooklyn.
Brooklyn tags in Sal who charges towards Gary who hip tosses Sal across the ring. Gary seems surprised in himself as the crowd pops. Gary tags in Hollis who goes back to work on Sal. Hollis has Sal in a submission hold on the mat. Sunny Daze charges the ring but is cut off by Gunner. Brooklyn and Gary enter the ring. Brooklyn charges towards Gary to grab one of Brooklyn's feet, sending her to the mat. Gary attempts to put a sharp shooter on Brooklyn but she manages to just get away and retreat to the outside. Sal throws Hollis to the outside and Brooklyn works him over while he’s on the floor. Hollis finally makes the tag to Miller who cleans house on the heels. Gunner attempts to spear Sal but is sideswiped by Sunny Daze. Gunner tumbles to the corner and tags in Gary Lamb.
Gary throws some big right hands followed by some Dusty elbows on Happy Madness. The building is going crazy. Brooklyn enters the ring and gets in Gary’s face. Reinforcements arrive as Carlie Bravo runs to ringside. Hollis attacks Brooklyn and attempts to give her a piledriver but Sunny Daze stops it. Sal climbs to the top rope but Gary reacts quickly and throws him off the top. Referee Todd Sexton tries to get Gary out of the ring, but himself and Gary and sandwiched in the corner by a running Sunny Daze. Gary lays stunned in the corner as Sunny Daze plots his next move. Out of nowhere Gary jumps up and hits a stunner on Daze sending him to the mat. Gary pulls out a set of brass knuckles from his pants and decks Daze with them. Brooklyn gets in the face of Gary. As Gary is distracted Bravo enters the ring. Bravo sets up to kick Gary in the back of the head, at the same time Brooklyn slaps Gary, and Gary falls to the mat. Bravo’s kick misses Gary and connects squarely with Brooklyn’s face. Gunner connects with a spear on Bravo as Gary covers Brooklyn. GARY LAMB, GUNNER MILLER, & COREY HOLLINS WIN BY PINFALL. REFEREE: TODD SEXTON.
Lamb, Miller, and Hollis celebrate in the ring as Dis-honor try to make sense of what has just happened. An argument breaks out between the group on their way to the back. Brooklyn clearly blaming the loss on Carlie Bravo.
Chip Day walks out on stage clearly letting Gunner Miller know he is next. As Chip distracts the fans, Judas enters the ring from the crowd. Judas choke slams Gunner, leaving Judas and Hollis face to face in the ring. The SHW fans quickly realize that all might not be on the up and up with Hollis, as his former tag team partner just laid out the SHW champion. Hollis doesn’t align himself with Judas but it was clear the majority of the fans believe Gunner being laid out was Hollis' fault.
NOTES: I have to say anytime I have doubts if SHW can make a match work effectively they always seem to not only pull it off but manage to exceed all expectations and that's exactly what happened here. First off the Hollis surprise was a nice and unexpected one and tied in perfectly with the current story being told. Of course Hollis was rusty in the ring but in the end that didn’t matter because he got the job done. The majority of the match was Hollis/Rinauro with the others only coming in for spots meant to advance the story. Gary Lamb looked surprising good in this match. No he didn’t suck and that's all you can ask for. Everything he did in the ring worked and looked believable. The ending of the match set things up very well as now Gunner Miller has a believable threat in the giant Judas, and the crowd is left with more questions than answers involving any connection Chip Day, Corey Hollis, and Michael Judas all might have with each other. While the fans were focused on Judas and Hollis in the ring my focus was on something different. A possible story line that has been developing in front of our eyes for months. I’m not going to give anything away yet in case I’m wrong or in the event that I am right I don’t want to give out spoilers. I’ll just say there may be much more to this Judas story than meets the eye.
Southern Honor Wrestling started the year out with a bang bringing us some great matches, and a main event that I’m sure no one will forget for a long time. The show its self did a wonderful job of advancing stories tonight. Not one match or moment seemed wasted as everything advanced something. Now that Gary Lamb has redeemed his company and all's right with the world one is left wondering what will happen next with Southern Honor Wrestling. It would make sense that the first act of business for Lamb in year five will be to announce a new booker now that Brooklyn is no longer in power. I just hope Lamb picks carefully this time, we have all seen what picking the wrong person with the wrong ego can lead to…..
