Long Live the King was a benefit show for Ace Haven presented by New Era Wrestling (promoter Bubba Cagle) in conjunction with ProSouth.
It was far from a typical ProSouth TV episode. Many of the wrestlers were not part of the current ProSouth roster. The matches were given more time than usual.
And an impromptu in-ring reunion of ProSouth's former creative team at the behest of ProSouth's top babyface star (as pictured at the top).
Storyline was nil until huge developments in the trios main event. Pro South Champion Marcus Eriks was pinned for the first time in four months. Brandon Whatley will meet Joe Black in a highly anticipated (at least by me) no holds barred match next Friday night at the ProSouth Palace.
Two matches stood out for in-ring. Aaron Dallas and Dominic Stuckey had a hell of a match to open the show. Shean Christopher and Brayden Toon went balls to the wall in a best of Alabama attraction. Christopher/Toon was more spectacular. Dallas/Stuckey was cleaner in the execution.
Lead announcer Wicked Nemesis was back in the broadcast booth with Mathias Darkthorne. James Hardy, ProSouth Commissioner Amy Haven and promoter/booker Ace Haven were the ring announcers. The referee was Justin Patterson.
In a significant technical advancement, the instant replay function Wicked Nemesis has been jonesing for finally arrived.
Opening with a video montage of scenes from Ace's career.
(1) Aaron Dallas defeated Dominic Stuckey to retain the All-Out Championship in 13:44. Handshake before the bell. Display of chain wrestling early. They picked up the pace. Facebuster for a one count only by Stuckey. Stinger splash and a side russian leg sweep by Dallas, who had the crowd behind him per usual. Dallas with pescado. Stuckey with a slice leg drop as Dallas reentered. Dallas out at one again. Dallas with a glancing blow enzuigiri for two. Stuckey executed a ripcord black hole slam but was also shook up by the impact. Dallas was able to kick out of the delayed cover. They jockeyed for control. Implant DDT by Dallas and Stuckey had to use the one rope beak allowed under All-Out rules to avoid being pinned. An exchange of strikes built to Stuckey dropping Dallas with a Pele kick. Dallas sprung to his feet and cut Stuckey off with a lariat for a near fall. After a struggle, Dallas hit the AAD but Stuckey kicked out at 2 and 15/16. Crowd calling for the Steel Toe. Stuckey dodged and transitioned from a backslide into a death valley driver. Dallas kicked out. Stuckey went up top for a flying cannonball. Stuckey only able to get a hand over Dallas who rolled a shoulder. Stuckey up first jawing at the ref which didn't make any sense. Ducks and dodges and the Steel Toe sent Stuckey spinning for the three count.
Stuckey has come into his own as a pro wrestler over the last year and a half. Dallas' work at ProSouth speaks for itself. Their growth in the ring was on full display here. Their chain wrestling was nuanced and the work was crisp. There was the sense of a real contest vs. a routine of moves.Aside from a few awkward transitions and some less than pinpoint striking, this was a really good match.
(2) Saraya Saber defeated Gemma Jewels in 8:27. Saber pinned Jewels after butterfly suplex followed by a knee strike to the face.
What can I say? It was a benefit show women's match.
(3) Malice in Wonderland (Dorian. & Charlie Punk) defeated "The Darkheart" Christian Pierce & "The Gamemaster" Virus when Punk pinned Virus at the 13 minute mark. Pierce had the unmitigated gall to enter the ring carrying a umbrella and received "You're not Cullprett" chant for his troubles. Wicked Nemesis intimated Pierce might have been at the Capitol two years ago on January 6. Punk pinned Virus with a DDT.
Better than I would have thought. Virus is a brute. She's the former Trixie and she's gotten a lot better i the ring. Punk is not one to shy away from a fight. I like Pierce's character remake.
(4) Shean Christopher (with Ravenna Vein) defeated Brayden Toon in 14:30. Toon took a big bump to the floor and didn't get up. The crowd hushed. There was concern about Toon's ability to continue. Christopher went out to check on him and ate a lariat as Toon was playing possum. Back inside, Toon hit a Liger Bomb for a two count and went for a package piledriver. Christopher countered. Toon booted Christopher off the apron into the barricade. Back inside, Toon did a BME for a near fall. A fierce headbutt by Christopher transitioned the action to the apron where Toon speared Christopher to the floor. Back inside, Toon stomped Christopher to death, then went for a moonsault and rolled through when Christopher evaded, then crashed and burned on a running shooting star. Christopher hit a running knee for a double down. Christopher did an apron STO. Christopher called for Dirty Pretty. Toon reversed into an Air Raid Crash and Christopher kicked out. Christopher did a tiger feint kick to set up a springboard cutter and Toon kicked out. Toon hit a package piledriver. Christopher kicked out, which was nuts. Toon tried for another BME. Christopher superkicked Toon while he was in flight and finally put him away with Dirty Pretty.
Postmatch -- show of respect between Toon, Christopher and Vein.
Toon and Christopher know each other well from New South. They wrestled like they were out prove something about themselves and Alabama wrestling. They did a whole lot of great stuff, probably too much and killed a few finishers in the process. I'd like to see more of Toon. Didn't expect a guy with his stocky build to be flying around the way he was.
(5) Battle Royal: Brother Azriel defeated (in order of elimination) Roma Miller and Charles Allen and Chris Mason and James Hardy and Christian Garrett and Tyler Sutton in 5:36.
What can I say? It was a benefit show battle royal.
Appearance by "King of South" Ace Haven. Ace raised Azriel's and put over his recent matches, saying soon it would be his time. Ace expressed appreciation for the fan support and to those that contributed to the Go Fund Me Campaign (over $3000 has been raised towards the goal of $5000). Ace said he was scheduled for heart surgery on January 20, which had the potential to correct his issues but might not work at all.
Ace introduced the main event. He specifically noted Brandon Whatley was the only member of his team NEVER to have been ProSouth Champion.
(6) New Era Champion Dameon Ceretone & Bubba Cagle & Cody Windham defeated ProSouth Champion Marcus Eriks & YouTube Champion Cameron Keast & Brandon Whatley when Ceretone pinned Eriks at 19:33. Keast took the abuse for the heels. Cagle appeared to suffer a knee injury which was incorporated into the match on the fly. All three of the babyfaces ended up taking heat leading to a showdown between Eriks and Ceretone. Eriks tried to clock Ceretone with the ProSouth belt but hit Whatley as Ceretone ducked out of the way. Ceretone then clobbered Eriks with the New Era belt and the ProSouth Champion was pinned for the first time since September 16 (vs. Cabana Man Dan).
Whatley planted Eriks with a rockbottom after the match.
I like the build of three-way tension around the ProSouth Championship.
Whatley ranted about the things that did not sit well with him -- his team lost, Eriks hit him with the belt and poster boy Ceretone was probably getting a title match as a result.
"I want this. I need this".
Whatley promised brutality until he got his title match, He demanded and demanded until he was about to start frothing at the mouth when Ace and Amy Haven appeared.
Ace said first Whatley had unfinished business with Joe Black. Ace announced Whatley vs. Black -- no holds barred for January 14 (the match originally scheduled for Anniversary Supershow XIV).
Whatley said fine with him. He would not be intimidated. He would finish Black once and for all and then come for the title.
Whatley is the man.
After the livestream concluded..."Baby Brandon' (not Collum) came to the ring wearing a paper crown. Brandon said he had been humiliated for months now. He put the blame on Ace and belittled him for not being able to wrestle. Brandon crossed line, questioning how Ace could face his son Trace. Amy slapped the taste out of Brandon's mouth. Ace decked Brandon with one punch and superkicked his head off.
Light-hearted, feel good entertainment and really well executed. The crowd popped huge for Ace and Amy getting physical a horse's ass.
Tyler Cullprett and Dameon Ceretone joined the Havens in the ring. Cullprett and Ceretone raised Ace's hands.
The bond between Ace and Cullprett was fully acknowledged in front of the fans for the first time. I believe Cullprett was having some emotions.
