Photo by Rockstar Sports Photography From T'Chaka Jones: Live from Das BBQ Grant Park area in Atl, GA., we have the Deep South Tourname...
From T'Chaka Jones:
Live from Das BBQ Grant Park area in Atl, GA., we have the Deep South Tournament Grand Prix to determine the new Deep South Heavyweight Champion!
Good BBQ on deck...Check. Pleasant weather... Double Check. Nice rolling crowd of umm yeah (It was a free show at a BBQ Joint, of course there were a lot of people in and out and no way to really tell but hey, lots of people came out) ...Triple Check. Fun environment with Teddy Long (Holla Playa), Robert Gibson and Eric Bischoff as Special Guests...Massive Check. Let’s see if the show could live up to the feel of everything surrounding it!
Prologue: Meet the Challengers
We Start things off with all the Challenges for the DSW Heavyweight Championship getting their introductions. LAMAR DIGGS, Shoot Taylor, Tyson Maddux, Jacob Johnson, Tyler The Wall, Skrilla The Great, Chad Sky Walker and Najasism. 8 Young, Hungry and READY Men just looking to get at it!! Robert Gibson and Teddy Long are in the ring and Eric Bischoff is introduced and the crowd goes nuts! Everyone is giving props to Bischoff...Except Tyler The Wall (What’s up with that?? Hmmm). We get the pep talk for everyone to have a good tournament and we get underway!!
Chapter 1. Ready...Set...Go!... Najasism d. Chad Sky Walker
Off we go with the first match with Najasism and Chad Sky Walker. Handshake to start things off, Chad quickly goes for a head lock and gets control of Naja’s Wrist. Naja is a slick fellow and finds a way to get out easily. Both feeling each other out a bit and then Skywalker slaps Naja, who then responds with a chop to Skywalker. Looks like sportsmanship is about to go out the window early, however they keep it together. Naja turns up a bit by getting Skywalker outside and making a Dive onto the fans. The Kids are getting as fired up as the Wrestlers. Back in the ring, Skywalker applies pressure and does all to keep Naja grounded. Choking, a few suplexes, showboating and then a bit of chopping. Naja, not to be outdone, gets a bit of fire going with a suplex for 2 and when that doesn’t work, pulls out a nice Spanish Fly! Skywalker is reeling a bit and tries a few chops from his knees. Gaining a bit of room himself, Skywalker goes for a Pedigree, but Naja fights back. Skywalker wasn’t having it and hit Naja so hard that a small part of his Locks got broken off (Not the Hair, Sir!!!). Skywalker gets back to work and seems to have things wrapped up even in spite of a Twisting Spear by Naja to keep him off balance. Skywalker goes for a suplex but Najasism reverses for a Small Package and gets the 3! Najasism for the win! Handshake at the end even though Skywalker was clearly frustrated at the loss. Questioning everyone at how he lost.
After Match Notes: Good first match. Face paced but never got to the point where things were too fast that you couldn’t keep up. Skywalker was the bigger man and acted like it. Keeping Najasism grounded the best he could was great to see because we know both can fly. Najasism, on the other hand, had to work in the small spaces he had and got the crowd behind him quickly. We get to see more of Najasism later in the tournament, so I have more to say then.
Chapter 2. Off to the Races... Skrilla The Great d. Shoot Taylor
Let’s get it out of the way early...Skrilla is a D***. Smug and arrogant and you want to punch his face repeatedly. Shoot had a chance to do so and he TRIED. Yes tried, however Skrilla was playing mind games from the beginning. Shoot goes to lock up, and Skrilla ducks out the ring and talks crap to the crowd. Talking his sweet, ever-loving time, he barely beats the 10 Count. Skrilla back in the Ring and right back out the Ring. As Skrilla starts talking to the crowd again, Shoot has enough and jumps onto Skrilla outside of the ring. Things get started proper now as Shoot brings Skrilla back in the ring. The ‘Chops Round The Ring’ begins as Shoot gives the crowd what they want. Skrilla has no answers and fights to get a bit of space. Shoot keeps at it until Skrilla hits him with a Dropkick to stop the momentum. Skrilla then smacks the back of Shoot and then follows up with a stomp and another kick to the back. Skrilla hits a flying elbow and keeps Shoot on the mat. Skrilla slows things all the way down with a sleeper and it looks as if Shoot is going to fade, however he fires up. Clothesline!! Suplex!! Rear Cutter!! Running elbow to the corner!! Flying Elbow off the Top Rope!! Shoot is making things interesting! Skrilla has regained his way with a Ripcord Slingblade and both men decide to cut the crap and elbow the hell out of each other. Skilla gets a neck breaker for his troubles however he pulls off a one-legged codebreaker to catch Shoot slippin. A second rope Cutter finally puts Shoot down for the count! Skrilla The Great Wins.
After Match Notes: Did I mention that Skrilla is a D***. I should also say he is great at getting people to hate him so that makes him all the more entertaining. Shoot always brings fire and makes everything he does look smooth. I hope they do run it back again and again and again!
Chapter 3. Beef is on the Menu... LAMAR DIGGS d. Tyson Maddux
In the ‘Meaty Men Slappin Meat’ portion of the show, you have BBBC LAMAR DIGGS and "The Brolic” Tyson Maddux. DIGGS comes out to no music and Maddux comes out to his just to tease DIGGS. Tyson’s Grill was shining bright (ZING!!! I mean come on, we ARE at a BBQ Joint) and I could have sworn I heard someone say they just want to carve him up and eat him for dinner...Ma’am, there are kids here! Anyway, back to the match! DIGGS wants a “Test of Strength” to start things off. Maddux is a bit shorter, so DIGGS is just having a bit of fun. Maddux says, “Eff that” and goes to tie up with DIGGS. Maddux himself goes for a “Test of Strength” himself. So, this is how this match is going to be and it goes exactly how you expect. Clubbing Blows, Thundering slams to the Mat, Booming Suplexes, fighting outside of the ring, fighting back in the ring...Meat on Meat Violence. Hell, at a couple of points, DIGGS gets himself on the Top Rope and teases flying off. Thankfully he gets down and says ‘NOPE’. This gives Maddux a bit of time to get himself together and hits a Missile Dropkick from the top rope. Maddux eventually hits a Spear and looks to get the 3...But DIGGS foot is on the rope. Everyone had a confused look as it seemed that the Ref counted 3. Maddux is pleading his case with the ref and DIGGS creeps from behind and a Twisting Chokeslam later, DIGGS gets the 3. LAMAR DIGGS, A Winner Is You.
After Match Notes: Again, Big Meaty Men Slappin Meat at a BBQ Joint. Big Men doing Big Men things, but the ending was slightly confusing depending on where you were sitting. Love to see both men work tho. It was never going to be “Pretty”, but they did what they came to do. ‘Well Done’(Sorry, last BBQ pun for a min).
Chapter 4. The Hits Keep on Coming... Jacob Johnson d. Tyler The Wall via Disqualification.
Jacob Johnson comes out first to a good reception. Making his way around the ring to cheers and then...Suddenly, The Wall gives his best audition to be in George Michael’s Band (Extra Points for figuring it out). The Wall completely lays out Johnson with Chair Shot after Chair shot and whew...Looks brutal! The Ref’s and staff shoo The Wall away and check on Johnson, only for The Wall to come back in and hit him a few more times. The Wall leaves to a chorus of Boos and Johnson is helped to the back.
After Match Notes: Umm...What Match. Jeez Tyler, whatever did Johnson do to you??? (Oh and if you couldn’t figure out the George Michael’s reference...WHAM. You’re Welcome)
Interlude 1...STATE OF D’KAY
Taliaferro (#JoinOurCult) is out to the ring. He says that he knows that Father Time waits for no one and it’s ok because he is here to build. He then introduces his Child of Chaos...The Collector of Broken Things. D’Kay! D’Kay (#JoinOurCult) comes down to the ring and before she can even speak, Ray the Entrepreneur interrupts. Ray complains that this segment should be about him and confronts Taliaferro. D’Kay uses Potion...Causes Major Damage. Papa Marko then comes out and Ray has no choice but to get far away. Taliaferro, Papa Marko and D’Kay stand tall!
Chapter 5. Lemme get that Rib Plate... Skrilla The Great d. Najasism
Did I mention earlier that Skrilla was a D***? Good Lord. Skrilla comes out with his face painted like Naja and starts the Mind Games before the match begins. Naja is out next to a good reception and fired up. Bell rings and ‘Surprise Surprise’
Skrilla gets out of the ring again. This time talking smack to an esteemed member of Georgia Wrestling History’s writing staff. HUMPH. Skrilla enters the ring and Naja is ALL over him. Springboard Cutter!! Top Rope Frog Splash!! Naja goes for a quick cover but only gets 2! Tyler The Wall comes out and tries to distract everyone, however it only allows Naja to give Skrilla a Twisting Spear. Naja gives Tyler a Spear or his own...And crumbles to the ground. Skrilla takes advantage and covers Naja for the 3! Skrilla The Great wins and celebrates with Tyler who is surprisingly well after that Spear. Tyler lifts his shirt and reveals a metal plate taped to his ribs. Najasism is still laid out on the mat.
After Match Notes: Again...Skrilla is a D***. Entertaining though because the Boos just flowed! We get MORE Skrilla and now he has Tyler The Wall watching his back. Guess we get to see MORE of Skrilla later on.
Chapter 6. Tougher than a $2 Steak... Jacob Johnson d. LAMAR DIGGS
Jacob Johnson had a big hill to climb in this match. Wrapped up from all the chair shots earlier, no one knew why he even showed up to this match. Stubborn and determined, Johnson slowly made his way to the ring to a hungry DIGGS. Bell rings and Johnson takes the fight straight to DIGGS. It didn’t last long at all as DIGGS attacked the side of Johnson and he started to crumble. As we all knew he would, DIGGS goes for the Ribs...And then Back...And then Ribs again. DIGGS is relentless and is just toying with Johnson. Leg Drop here, stepping on his back there; Johnson can do nothing but just writhe in pain. DIGGS keeps having his way and even pulls up Johnson to stop his own pin attempt. Johnson tries to punch; however, nothing is working. All hope seemed to be a loss and DIGGS sensed that it was close to the end. DIGGS made a Big Decision to go to the Top Rope, dives off and misses big time. More like Dumb Decision! This was all the motivation Johnson needed. Johnson gets all the offense he can in... Splash, Punch after Punch, Kick to the gut and then a Falling Powerslam to get the 3! Jacob Johnson pulls off a miracle!!! And then promptly passes out after the match. Staff is called to help him to the back again. Sheesh!!
After Match Notes: An emotional rollercoaster of a match for sure! DIGGS had his way with Johnson for most of the match and looked menacing in the process. Johnson, on the other hand, drew every emotion of the crowd and we still don’t know HOW he pulled it off. Passing out afterwards...Damn Good $#!t.
Interlude 2...Date at Das
Gemma Jewels went on a date with Professor Pain. Ray the Entrepreneur was there. Drew D’Lite was there. All of this was to put Professor Pain through a table. Eh... It was a date I wasn’t on so there is nothing much else to say. Gemma grabs the mic and goes on about wanting to be taken seriously and other stuff. Thankfully, Teddy Long comes to the ring to save us! Tells Jewels that she is an ‘Absolute Zero’ and needs to step it on up. Then announces that he is now over the Women’s Division at Deep South and will find her competition.
After Interlude Notes: Hmm this Brisket isn’t bad and the Mac & Cheese hit the spot. Das got down with the BBQ and OH LOOK!! Teddy Long swoops in to save this! Thank Bast he came in when he did! Whew! Holla Holla, Playa indeed! (Damn I am gonna get a DM about this watch lol)
Chapter 7. Death All Over... Cosmo Martinez d. Suave in a Mexican Death Match.
Nope, not going to even ATTEMPT to make sense of this in story form so you know what it is... QUICK NOTES TIME!!!
* So listening to the rules...You can have a 3 count pin all you like, however there is a 10 count after. Last Man Standing style. Get it? Yeah so basically a 13 Count.
* Bodies are flying all over the place.
* Suave has roses...Roses are used.
* Dives and Dives and Dives outside the ring.
* Suave nice Rana and then Stalling Suplex with Hip Gyrations. Humph, Show off.
* Suave with Lazy Cover. Hits Cosmo with Roses after.
* Cosmo gets himself together and takes the fight through the crowd.
* Cosmo gets a Pin and 10 count start.
* Suave beats 10 count.
* Suave back in ring and hits a Rana to Martinez.
* Suave SUPERPLEX OFF TOP ROPE and gets a 3 Count.
* Cosmo Beats 10 count.
* Baking trays enter the match and both guys hit each other with them.
* Cosmo with another 3 count and Suave beats the standing 10 count again.
* More tray-on-tray violence.
* Suave sets up a table.
* Cosmo hits Spanish Fly and drives Suave through the table.
* Suave cannot make the 10 Count this time!
* Cosmo Martinez wins!
After Match Notes: Again, this match was all over the place with a lot of moving parts. I know I missed a few things so please look this up when it becomes available. Good job by both Cosmo Martinez and Suave for keeping this entertaining tho!
Chapter 8: SKRILLA THE GREAT... Skrilla The Great d. Jacob Johnson
This is it. The Main Event. The Finals of the Deep South Wrestling Grand Prix. Skrilla The Great comes out first with Tyler The Wall and the BOOS are even louder than before. The Wall is ejected before anything can get started. Johnson is urged not to go to the ring, however that determination and stubbornness won't let him stay away. Maybe it should have because as soon as the bell rings, Skrilla doesn’t bother with a lock up. Skrilla picks up where DIGGS left off in Johnson’s last match. Skrilla kicked and stepped on and kicked Johnson’s back some more. Skrilla then decides to punish him more with an Abdominal Stretch. OUCH! Johnson doesn’t give up and fights out enough to try to give Skrilla a Suplex. It is a No Go and Johnson just can’t get through the pain. Skrilla starts to put in work again on the back of Johnson with a back breaker across the knee and stretching his arms out with a foot on the back. Skrilla gets to the 2nd rope and as he jumps, gets caught with a SpineBuster. Johnson fights back and fights back and while going for a suplex, the Ref gets kicked in the face! Ref is laid out and The Wall comes out to distract Johnson when AUSTIN TOWERS enter from behind and puts down Johnson! Skrilla creeps on over and covers but can only muster a 2 after a slower count from the recovering ref! Skrilla finally decides to stop playing around and hits a cutter from the Second rope. Johnson still has a bit of a fight left and kicks out. The two trade punches, Johnson tries for another slam and fails again. Skrilla hit another Cutter from the 2nd ropes and finally put Johnson down for the 3 and Win! Skrilla The Great wins!!! Fireworks go off and the ring is then filled with streamers. Robert Gibson, Teddy Long, Nick Patrick and Eric Bischoff are all in the ring to congratulate Skrilla for winning the Deep South Wrestling Heavyweight Championship!!!
After Match Notes: High Drama at the end didn’t take away from the fact that Skrilla was on his Mastermind Game the whole tournament. Calm, calculating and cold; This was Skrilla’s throne to take, and he made it an exciting journey to the top. Jacob Johnson was a fiesty MF’er and showed a lot of heart through each of his matches. He DESERVES a chance to get a fair fight with Skrilla down the line for the title, however on this night, Skrilla is The Man.
Epilogue:
Go watch this whenever Deep South releases it. Seriously just a dope time with a nice crowd, good food, great atmosphere and just all-around good Wrestling. Can’t wait to go back Oct 1. to see the Era of Skrilla The Great fully begin!
Also....Skrilla The Great is still a D***!
