Photos by Ashley Ingraham From Duke Ingraham: Southern Honor Wrestling was back in action for the second time this month with SHW 61. It w...
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| Photos by Ashley Ingraham |
From Duke Ingraham:
Southern Honor Wrestling was back in action for the second time this month with SHW 61. It was a night of moments in Canton as the title picture changed and an old alliance was reformed, shocking the 275 rowdy fans in attendance. The show featured 3 title matches and all 3 knocked it out of the park.
Chip Day lost the “Jake The Snake” Legacy championship to Hunter James thanks to a match stipulation put into place by James’ manager Tristan Michaels. Chip wasn’t done for the evening as he shocked everyone in attendance and rejoined The Hierarchy (Murder 1, Joe Black, Kenway) in efforts to rid SHW of The End Game (Judias, Nick Halen, CT Keys, Todd Sexton). It was announced that a War Games match between the two factions will take place on May 10th.
In addition the tag team picture at SHW became more clear (or did it) as The Grappler’s (#1 and #2) defeated Exotic Youth (Bryce Cannon, Zach Mosley, with Cornelius Pepperbottom) Shockingly however it was Gary Lamb dressed as a 3rd grappler who scored the pinfall to secure the victory and the tag team championships.
In the main event Judias, with help from The End Game, was able to hold off Joe Black in a hard hitting dog collar match to retain the SHW Championship.
GARY LAMB PROMO
Lamb opens the show and hypes the crowd and tells the fans that if they need some violence in their life then welcome to Southern Honor Wrestling on a Friday. After his ra-ra speech that got the fans cheering he stared into the camera and told anyone watching in the fight world “F you”.
GUNNER MILLER DEF. CT KEYS (WITH TODD SEXTON) BY PINFALL.
Lots of “Gunner” chants at the opening bell. CT in control early slamming Gunner out of an opening lockout and then delivering a choke slam. Todd jumps up and down with excitement. Gunner counters back with a spear and jackhammer and makes a pin attempt for a 1 count. (When was the last time someone kicked out of this combo from Gunner?) Gunner misses a spear and jams his shoulder into the ring post. CT gives Gunner a shoulder tackle outside the ring. CT then takes the time to trash talk Gunner’s wife and kids who were sitting at ringside. This angers Gunner and the two brawl around the outside of the ring. CT slams Gunner onto the apron and as the action returns to the ring. Inside CT slows down the pace of the match. He gives Gunner 3 consecutive body slams but Gunner kicks out of a pin attempt after 1. Gunner slips out of slam attempt #4 and hits 3 consecutive spears on CT but can also only get a 1 count. CT climbs to the 2nd rope and jumps but Gunner meets him in the air with a spear, followed by a shoulder tackle and a jackhammer and the pin.
THOUGHTS: It was CT’s only mistake that cost him the match. As Todd unites The End Game on all fronts to go to war with The Hierarchy it leaves Gunner Miller treading water momentarily. Speaking of Todd…. I don’t recall seeing him exit with CT after the match. Really enjoyed this match.
ALEXANDER LEV & THE WARDEN DEF. DAVE STAGE & GRAYSON PIERCE
Match teases the two big guys (Warden and Stage) to start but Lev quickly tags himself in. Early test of strength which Stage of course wins. Pierce is tagged in and the match becomes a technical battle between him and Lev. Stage is tagged in and Warden takes every opportunity to double team their opponents. Warden whips Pierce over the top turnbuckle and onto the floor. Stage eventually gets the hot tag and cleans house. Stage suplexes Lev but can only get a 2. Stage tags Pierce. Pierce superkicks Warden, while the ref is trying to get Warden out of the ring Lev rakes Pierce's eyes after a double team the heels pick up the pinfall.
THOUGHTS: Match had some rough spots in the beginning but didn’t go off the rails. Things just didn’t quite seem to click at times However the match recovered nicely and had the fans engaged for the ending. Lev and Warden continue their dominance in SHW. I see something in Dave Stage’s “modern day Ultimate Warrior” persona. Fans seemed to bite on it as well.
ALEXANDER LEV PROMO
After the match Lev tells Pierce that he is a great talent who has been misguided. He tells Pierce and all the people in attendance that all the need to do is trust him. Stage, a little shocked by the situation, gets into Warden’s face. Pierce drops the his and low blows Stage. The three beat down Stage before declaring they are “Faithful” and exit the ring.
THOUGHTS: Lev’s stable continues to grow and shows no signs of slowing down, but the question is, what is the end game? (no pun intended)
HUNTER JAMES (WITH TRISTAN MICHAELS) DEF. CHIP DAY BY DISQUALIFICATION TO WIN THE “JAKE THE SNAKE” LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP
*Match stipulation was if Chip Day is disqualified or uses the brain buster he loses the title*
The crowd chants “Chip” and it annoys Hunter. Tristan distracts Chip and Hunter Pearl Harbor’s him to open the match. Chip quickly takes control of the match and unleashes some aggressive punches on Hunter. Michaels encourages Chip’s aggression hoping he will get himself disqualified. Chip lands a big chop on Hunter, and Hunter responds by spitting in Chip’s face. Michales takes Chip’s title belt and this lures Chip outside the ring. James attacks him from behind and Michaels takes an opportunity to cheat on his client's behalf. Back in the ring Hunter lands a big punch, followed by a lariat and a powerslam but can only get a 2 count. James is clearly frustrated and Chip rolls to the outside. Outside the ring Hunter calls for the brain buster but it’s blocked by Chip and the two brawl back and forth around ringside. James gets on the apron and does a backflip, lands on his feet as he catches Chip, and then drops him with a Styles DDT onto the floor. (very impressive). Both men are down for a moment but Hunter finally rolls Chip back into the ring and makes a pin attempt for a 2 count. Michaels rakes Chip’s back and Hunter lands a big lariat but Chip kicks out after 1 igniting the crowd. Hunter slaps Chip and Chip asks for one more. Chip is fired up and unleashes a furious attack on Hunter. Chip attempts a roundhouse kick but it misses Hunter and connects with referee Weakly knocking him down.
Chip tries to pin Hunter but the ref is down. Chip tries to set up Hunter for the brain buster but Michael interrupts and gets clocked for his troubles. Chip hits a running knee on Hunter and puts him in a submission hold. Hunter begins to tap out just as the referee wakes up. The crowd celebrates thinking Hunter has tapped out and Chip retains his championship, however referee Weakly informs the fans that Chip Day has been disqualified making Hunter James the winner and new “Jake The Snake” Legacy Champion
After the announcement Chip is outraged and takes out all the pent up anger on Hunter, throwing him outside the ring and into the steel barricades. Chip rams Hunter’s head into the stage and pulls out a table from under the ring. Chip sets up the table and puts the ring steps beside it. He climbs the stage and hurls Hunter’s body off the stage and onto the floor. Chip sets up Hunter on the steps and gives him a brain buster through the table. The refs tend to Hunter and Chip lays on the ground laughing loudly. The crowd chants for one more time, but Chip just walks towards the back with a giant smile on his face.
THOUGHTS: A really good match between the two and probably the best of their program at SHW. Making the title change here makes sense as Hunter has become one of the top singles heels in the company and as we will see later Chip has other business to take care of.
QT MARSHALL DEF. BRADY BOOKER BY PINFALL
Brady starts off strong and showboats or the crowd. QT slams Brody and he exits the ring and interacts with the crowd. Upon returning he takes control of the match giving everything he’s got to QT. He gets QT into the corner and then stays on him to the refs 5 count. He then blames the Nightmare Factory for not teaching him math. Brady whips QT into the corner and gets fired up. He makes a pin attempt and gets a 2 count. QT catches Brady with a couple of big right hands and a clothesline. Brady fights back and picks up QT for a torture rack. QT slips out and rolls up Brady for the pin.
THOUGHTS: A short and simple match that entertained the fans. The fans were really into Brady Booker and chanted “Bring Him Back” after the match.
THE GRAPPLERS (WITH CHYNE MALE & XANDER SEABOLT) DEF. EXOTIC YOUTH (WITH PEPPERBOTTOM) BY PINFALL TO WIN? (RETAIN?) THE SHW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The Grapplers are out first wearing their matching blue body spandex and masks. Exotic Youth decides to make the fans wait for a few extra seconds before finally entering through the crowd. The fans definitely had some choice words, and gestures for EY. Xander Seabolt joins BB and GB on commentary. Cannon starts the match against one of the Grapplers and powders immediately angering the fans. After more stalling one of the Grappers gets on the mic and asks Cannon “are you a champion, or a bitch?” Cannon charges the ring and he and a Grappler brawl around the corners of the ring until referee Paul Santa steps in to separate the two. Tag to a Grappler and he hits Cannon with a chop and an eye poke. Cannon makes the tag to Mosley and the two begin to double team the Grappler in the corner. The Youth cut off the ring and stay in complete control of the middle portion of the match. One of the Grapplers delivers a big back body drop to Cannon and makes the hot tag. The other Grappler begins to clean house. A double noggin knocker sends Cannon and Mosley to the mat.
Pepperbottom and Chyne Male get into an altercation outside the ring, Seabolt hitails it off the commentary table and towards the back. As the referee is trying to restore order a 3rd Grappler enters the match. He delivers a stunner to Zach Mosley and makes the pinfall.
The 3rd Grappler unmasks, revealing himself to be none other than Gary Lamb. Lamb kicks Mosley out of the ring and exits the ring leaving Grapper #1 and Grappler #2 to celebrate with the belts in the ring. Mosley throws a toddler-like tantrum on the outside, kicking and screaming. As EY exits the crowd sings “hey hey hey, goodbye.”
THOUGHTS: The old switch-a-roo, it works both ways. With Lamb making the pin does this mean he is a SHW tag team champion? Is Lamb going to have to defend this belt? I was a little shocked that EY’s run only lasted a couple of months as it seems their well thought out plan has backfired. Is this finally going to be what causes EY to quit SHW once and for all, or has this only made them more angry, and more desperate for revenge?
KYLE MATTHEWS DEF. SAL RINAURO BY PINFALL.
Sal sits down in the ring playing his mind games, Kyle sits down as well to join in and Sal is not amused. A very technical opening that allowed both men to shine. Kyle continues to mock Sal, and Sal doesn’t like it. Sal goes to the outside to stall and Kyle gives chase. Kyle positions Sal against the ring post and chops him, He goes to repeat but this time Sal moves and Kyle’s hand slaps the ring post. Back in the ring and Sal begins to work the hand, stretching it, stomping on it, biting the fingers while slowing down the pace of the match. The crowd gets behind Kyle and he begins to Hulk-up. Kyle hits a dropkick off the top rope, followed by a cross body for a 2 count. Kyle wears down Sal with a submission and is able to put him away for the pin.
THOUGHTS: Solid match but the crowd just wasn’t into it with neither guy currently involved in an angle.
JUDIAS (WITH TODD SEXTON) DEF. JOE BLACK (WITH MURDER 1) IN A DOG COLLAR MATCH TO RETAIN THE SHW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
*First to touch all 4 corners consecutively wins the match*
An intense standoff begins as both men refuse to use their hands on the chain and try to pull each other down just with their body strength. After the standoff goes nowhere, they slowly pull themselves to the middle of the ring meeting eye to eye. Judias grabs a handful of chain, swing a miss as Joe ducks. The two stand off again, Joe grabs the chain and connects with Judias head. Judias is not amused and the two stand face to face in the middle of the ring. This show standoff style start to the match really built the tension between the two and the crowd is sensing its about to boil over. The two exchange chops and punches. Joe begins to unleash right hands and Judias pleads for more. Joe connects with a big one and Judias falls to the mat and rolls out of the ring. A tug-of-war between the two. Joe goes limp causing Judias to fall backwards with his own momentum into the guard rail. Joe senses blood in the water in goes on the offensive. He exits the ring and whips Judias in the railing. The two brawl violently around the outside. Joe charges towards Judias but Judias ducks and Joe goes tumbling into the first 3 rows of the crowd. Joe gets up and pulls the chair causing Judias to tumble over the railing as well. The brawling makes its way towards the stage with Joe in complete control. Joe appears to set up Judias for a lariat on the stage, but Judias thinks fast and pulls the chain sending Joe right into his arms. He then slams Joe HARD on the stage and the crowd lets out an audible gasp. Judias draps Joe back towards the ring, taking time to whip his back with the chain. Judias yells for Joe to get up, then picks up Joe, and bangs his head into the timekeepers table. Judias continues his assault on Joe around the outside.
Judias rolls Joe into the ring and touches the first two corners. Joe rolls out of the ring and drags Judias with him. Judias throws Joe into the railing and then gets him up on the apron. Joe digs deep and drops Judias on the apron and rolls back into the ring. He pulls in Judias behind him and climbs to the 2nd rope. Joe jumps but Judias catches him with a choke slam. Judias makes his way around the ring touching the first 3 corners, but Joe uses his strength to pull Judias close to him and then gives him a German suplex. Joe makes his rounds and reaches the 3rd. Joe reaches desperately for the 4th corner, Judias pulls with all of his momentum to hold Joe in his place.
Out of no where Nick Halen runs to ringside and grabs Judias’ foot, pulling him, and slowing pulling Joe further away for the 4th corner. Halen gives Judias one final tug and the momentum is enough to send Joe to the mat. Kenway runs in and is all over Halen and throws him into the barricade violently. When Kenway turns around he is greeted by a Superkick from Todd Sexton. Murder comes up behind Sexton and clobbers him with a big right hand. Judias slowly rises to his feet and circles the ring getting to corner 3. As he approaches 4 Joe pulls Judias towards him and delivers a spear. Joe touches the first 3 corners with Judais one corner behind him at 2. Before Joe can touch 4, CT Keys runs in and slams Joe to the mat. Before Joe realizes what hit him Judias touches the last corner for the win.
THE HIERARCHY UNITED
All 4 members of The End Game team up and throw Murder and Kenway into the ring with Joe. The beat down begins as The Hierarchy can’t keep up with the numbers game. Judias wraps the chain around Murder’s neck and Todd grabs the mic. He tells Murder that the deal is broken. That there are more members of The End Game than The Hierarchy, that they have won this war. Todd holds the mic up to Murder sarcastic and asks him if he has anything to say. Murder 1 just lets out an ominous laugh and shouts “To me my Hierarchy!”
Chip Day’s music hits and the crowd jumps to their feet. Chip, wearing his new Hierarchy jersey, rushes to the ring and goes right after Judias. The remaining members of The End Game jump to his aid but The Hierarchy take advantage and clear the ring of The End Game.
Murder 1 grabs the mic and tells The End Game not to leave yet. Their problem is that they always start shit then run. He asks the fans how violent do they want to get? The crowd cheers and Murder tells Todd to get his people together because the Hierarchy is challenging The End Game to The War Chamber. He says on May 10th he and his boys will end this game for good. The Hierarchy music hits and the fans celebrate with some bouncing 2 finger salutes.
SHW keeps rolling in 2024 as this show advanced most of the major storylines. Even without major plays Krule, Matt Griffin, Sunny Daze, Coven of the Goat, and Buff and Fluff there was still more than for the fans to be emotionally invested in which is only a testament how deep and strong the SHW roster is. This is always one of my favorite times of the year for SHW as they begin to ramp things up towards Still Here, and what they have cooking right now is sure not to disappoint the fans.
Carmen Michaels was the ring announcer filling in for Diana Michele. Brandon Benefield and Gerard Bonner were on commentary. The referees for the event were David Weakly, Paul Santa, and Jermie Prater. Southern Honor returns to action on May 10th with The War Chamber between Murder 1, Joe Black, Kenway, and Chip Day of The Hierarchy against The End Game’s Judias, CT Keys, Nick Halen and Todd Sexton. Check out Southern Honor Wrestling on Facebook for more information.
Hierarchy….End Game….War Chamber…. There will be blood, oh yes there will be blood.
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