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| Photos by Peter Sigmund |
From T'Chaka Jones:
You know, going to AWE, there are lots of emotions that are felt: drama, youthful excitement, feelings of belonging to a Cult or even a family. However, you know what the least surprising thing is, no one seemed shocked about it – not even me. At first, I was a bit hesitant, scared even, but I just had this sense that I had been in the very position before. As if the past, present and even future never even mattered because we always end up right back…HERE. Thing is, Ethan Case knows us Fanatics better than Murder or even Josh ever did, knows what is best for us, knows how to best move things forward. But the scariest thing about this whole Saga of AWE isn’t Chaos, The Beautiful Madness or even Lost Families. It’s the only thought I could have when looking a man in the eye who will do whatever it takes to make us see his vision: ETHAN CASE WAS RIGHT!
11 Years all comes to this! On a Beautiful and Sunny Day in Canton, GA. AWE goes back to where it all started. Don’t know or care about the crowd number – That is for Larry Goodman to worry about. (Editor's note: 150ish) All I know is that there were plenty of people there to celebrate the “Bad Boys” of Georgia Wrestling. Old Fanatics Returned…New Fanatics welcomed them back with open arms and everyone seemed to have the time of their life. Yes, I finally went back to the Action Building and the place didn’t burn down…As of Yet but we don’t have to mention anything else about that.
Chapter 1. Sal sets the Mood(y)… Sal Rinauro d. Tristan Moody w. Ethan Case for the Georgia Wrestling Crown Jr. Heavyweight Championship Bast Dayum way to start off the Anniversary show! Moody comes out with the GCW Jr. Heavyweight belt that he lifted off Sal the night before. Ethan Case by his side and letting the crowd know that the Palmetto Wrestling Academy is not to be taken lightly anymore. Sal is out next and in true Sal fashion, he runs around the crowd and slaps hands, giving hugs and letting everyone that everything will be OK. That is until the bell rings. Fists start raining down quicky as both men fight for position. Sal keeps it light, however he knows he can’t play around with the Young Up and Coming Star. Case, recognizing that Moody is on his back just a bit too much at the start, pulls Moody to the outside so he can regroup. Moody is back in and Sal applies pressure with a wristlock and then the crowd urges Sal to go for the fingers. Sal is relaxing just a bit and that allows Moody to sneak in a Missile Drop kick, and things get taken outside. Sal introduces Moody’s head to a table and the crowd is loving it. The Ref (Grandpa Booker T. SUCKAAA) restores order and gets everyone back in the ring. While Sal tried to get back in, Case distracts him for just a second, which gives Moody just the opening he needs.
The next few moments are Moody picking apart Sal little by little. Suicide Dives, lots of quick jabs and a couple of kicks keep Sal reeling. Case is on the outside giving orders; Moody is on the inside executing on the inside. Sal gets in a few clothes lines, an Atomic Drop and an enzeguri, however Moody just isn’t having it. Youth is really giving the Vet a big run for his money. Moody goes big and tries for a Phenomenal Forearm, however he misses, and Sal had to muster a bit of strength to fight through. Sal pulls out a SIT-OUT Powerbomb but that seems to be all he has. Case once again with a distraction and while Sal is reeling, tries to get Moody to use the Belt to put Sal down for good. Moody hesitates just slightly and Sal, with one last thrust, kicks the lights out of Moody and pins him for the Win. What a Fantastic Start!!
After Match Notes: Goodness these two know how to get things going. Moody is one of the young guns who has been on the rise since he stepped foot in AWE. Each match gets better and better and learning a bit from Case…He is going to be a Whole Problem later on! Sal never puts on a bad match and is the right one to bring out everything from Moody. His veteran instincts around the ring are fantastic as always and him entertaining the crowd is just fun to watch. Solid A!
In ring Segment…Donald Jaykes Speaks.
So the Good Pastor Donald Jaykes of Donald Jaykes Worldwide Ministries makes his not long enough, waited return to AWE. He goes through his usual but this time, he targets Gary Lamb (F*** Gary Lamb) and wants Action Church all for himself. He goads and runs down the Action Church until Gary Lamb (Eye Roll) shows up to confront Jaykes. Lamb (Sigh, why am I even writing his name so much smh), hits Jaykes across the head with a Tambourine and grabs the mic.
Lamb puts over AWE and thanks them for paving the way for other promotions like his to even exist. Ends by saying that until AWE gets a permanent spot, AWE is always welcomed in the Action Building.
After Segment Notes: Hey Gary, I made it in the building, now KISS MY *Cuts Record Off*
After Match notes: This was a bit quick (editor's note: 3:06), but the story is that Case is making moves to let everyone know that he is being true to his words. His “Students” believe in him and hang on his every word. Let..Him…Cook!!
Match 3. Palmetto Wrestling Boys keep on Trucking… The Vanguard (Raylen Albey and Jake Parker) w/ Ethan Case d. The Wild Boys (Chris Delray and Matthew Merver) w. 3MP This was much like the match before expect IN STEREO. Albey (Lets call him the Pretty Guy with the Manbun…Shout out Zachary for that) and Parker (Lets call him Blue Jean Jesus…Shout out Lala for that) get to business fast. The Wild Boys attacks seem to do much of nothing to Blue Jean Jesus as he absorbs every attack. Case is smiling hard on the outside as he isn’t really giving much advice right now. Quick tag to ManBun Albey for more punishment. Delray and Mercer are drowning fast. More quick tags between ManBun Albey and Blue Jean Jesus and Mercer, who has been in the deep in way too long, has nothing going. DelRay FINALLY gets tagged in and goes a bit crazy on The Vanguard. Pulling out every move he can think of and it works temporarily. Case finally gets his boys together and after a Double Team. The Vanguard stands tall.
After Match notes: Pretty much a continuation from the match before where The Vanguard was never really out of the match and Ethan Case stepping in when needed go guide his Men in the right direction. The Wild Boys Did what they could to survive.
Match 4. Sweeping the Clouds away…. 3 Way Anything Goes Match… Phil Bunyun vs Luscious Laron vs Sunny Daze. Well, THIS match had a lot of Character to it! Phil is out first with his overall’s and looking like he rode a tractor to the building. Laron is next with his purple hair and thong (Damn…Sisqo did not pray for times like this lol)…And then there was Sunny Daze. Daze is no stranger to the Action Building and the fans made SURE to let him know that he is welcomed; even if it’s for one night with AWE. Match starts with Laron and Phil doing the only thing they should do. Try to team up and take out the Bigger Daze. Sike! Laron let Phil Charge in and Daze just squishes him. Laron THINKS he is going to do better, however gets the same treatment. Daze tosses both Laron and Phil around like ragdolls. Laron gets the bright idea to TRY to lift Daze for something and it goes just how you think it does. Phil and Laron get separate beating for a min and there is a sliver of hope that at least someone will do something meaningful to Daze, however, who are we kidding. Just when it looks like Daze will finish playing with his food, WARDEN interrupts. WARDEN marches to the ring and goes straight for Daze. Confusion fills the air as the 2 Behemoth’s scrap with one another. Josh comes out and makes this a 4 Way Match. Match 4.1 On my way to where the air is sweet…Sunny Daze d. Luscious Laron, Phil Bunyun and WARDEN Welp, everything breaks down and bodies just are going everywhere. WARDEN is dead set on Daze and Daze never back down. WARDEN goes for a ChokeSlam and it doesn’t work. WARDEN get taken to the outside and Phil and Laron try again to do something. Laron has the BRIGHT idea to run right into Daze and gets slammed hard for the Pin. Sunny Daze soaks in all the love from HIS people. B-
After Match notes: Great way to set up Daze vs WARDEN later on and I hope they tear the building down when they get to each other. Otherwise, it was a lot of moving parts to this and you know how that goes.
And now, a message from Sin University
Homecoming…A time for Celebration. A time for Fellowship. A time for Students and Alum alike to join together and…. SHOW THOSE DORKS AT NERD U AND THE PALMETTO WRESTLING ACADEMY WHAT A REAL UNIVERSITY IS LIKE!! IT’S TIME TO RALLY BEHIND COACH TALIAFERRO, ASST. COORDINATOR D’KAY AND OUR OWN 5 STAR, 5 STAR, 5 STAR, 5 STAR, 5 STAR MAIN MAN HIMSELF, L. DESILVA, AS THEY LEAD US TO VICTORY!! LET’S FREAKIN GOOOO!!! Sin U. Holding the very fiber of Georgia Wrestling together one match at a time!
Ok so here we are in Part 2 of the review and so Far, Palmetto Wrestling Academy has started playing 4D Chess while everyone else is still trying to figure out what is going on. There are 2 Championship matches coming and a highly anticipated Cage Match between bitter rivals! Let’s dive back in.
Chapter 5. Violence from the Dark City... Dark City Violence Connection Murder One and JOE BLACK) d. The Chosen One’s w/Amy Haven (Ace Haven and Justin McKenzie)
Before the Match starts, Amy Haven, AWE’s newest signed Manager, comes down to the ring to talk with Wheeler. Looks like someone else is here to make a play to be on top at AWE. More to come on this! ANYWAY, she is here with her Tag Team, The Chosen Ones and they look to make some sort of impact. Too bad they called out the wrong guys in the Dark City Violence Connection. SOON the introductions are over, Murder and JOE go on the attack. Who needs lock-up’s when you can go straight at someone and they have to take it. Murder looks like he ate his spinach because he is moving well! JOE is focused as ever and begins his chop fest. Whatever McKenzie did to deserve those Chops, I will apologize for him because SHEESH. More and more chops fill the building mixed in with a few hard kicks. Murder, wanting to get in the action, picks up where JOE leaves off. McKenzie gets a little breathing room and allows Chosen One’s to get just a few double team moves on Joe. Ace in, gets something in, Ace out. McKenzie back in, gets a few chops, uh oh. JOE is a bit tired of the games and just takes everything they have. JOE eventually lifts Act in the air and on the way down, meets him with a forearm. Murder is tagged in, drops both Ace and McKenzie and after an Assisted Back Splash from Murder, JOE get the Tag and Win for the Dark City Violence connection! Solid B! After the match, we get Henny shots to celebrate!
After Match Thoughts: DCVC do what the DCVC does. The Hierarchy run AWE (I think) for a reason and Murder and JOE looked great. Ace and McKenzie, even in loss, could be a great addition to the Tag Team Division at AWE and can’t wait to see what they can do later on.
Chapter 6. Sin U vs Palmetto Wrestling Academy… Jonathan Moody w/Ethan Case (Representing Palmetto Wrestling Academy) d. DeSilva w/ Taliaferro and D’Kay (Representing Sin University)
Ok so here is our favorite part of the review….QUICK NOTES!!! For those of you who are new to my reviews, this is where I kind of Mark out a bit because I am having that much fun watching a match and just too energized to write something cohesive. Here we go.
Moody and Case come out and it FEEL’S a bit different. Big Moody is focused. Ethan looks like he is setting up his final plans.
DeSilva is just a lightening rod of energy. This made Taliaferro and D’Kay keep up. Goodness.
The look in both of these guys eyes...A lot of respect there.
DeSilva starts by wrestling circles around Moody.
Moody must regroup fast.
Ethan Case calms his guy down and gets him where he needs to be.
Take 2. DeSilva and Moody get back at it.
Hold for hold, move for move, these guys are damn near equal in skill and this is crazy to watch.
BEAUTIFUL Stalling Suplex by DeSilva.
Mighty Mouse looking self.
Moody hangs DeSilva out to dry by his arm across the ropes.
Moody wearing out the back of DeSilva
Nice Quick Suplex.
DeSilva back up with a powerful clothesline.
Moody back with the hard punches and tries to get DeSilva down.
OH ISH DeSilva gets a knee in there and sets up Moody for a Spear!
WHAT A SPEAR by DeSilva!
DeSilva drops the straps of his gear and looking to punish!
Dat Northern Lights Suplex by DeSilva Tho!!!
Moody fighting back slowly but surely.
WOAH! Looks like an F5 by Moody to DeSilva and Moody is in Control.
Guys are fighting on the Top Rope again. Moody is in trouble!
Ethan Case helps Moody by keeping him on the ropes as he pushes Desilva down!
Moody rolls up DeSilva while everyone is distracted!
Moody’s feet are on the ropes! The Ref doesn’t see it!!
DeSilva can’t break free!!
Moody takes the Victory
Taliaferro and D’Kay are besides themselves!! Taliaferro throws out a Challenge Flag (His red tie but just go with it)
The Crowd Boo’s as Moody heads to the back.
Taliaferro is giving Wheeler an Earfull!
SIN U WILL HAVE IT’S REVENGE ON PALMETTO WRESTLING ACADEMY!!
After Match Thoughts: Woah! Yeah I like this match. DeSilva and Big Moody could be a great rivalry because of how skilled both are!
Chapter 7. Bravo and the Rascal… Carlie Bravo w/ Capt. Shawn Dean d. Zachery Wentz (Of the Rascalz)
The First of 3 Main Events see Carlie Bravo, the Georgia Wresting Crown Unified Champion defending against the debuting TNA Star (and Bravo’s Friend), Zachary Wentz and boy was this fun! Bravo and Wentz start off being pretty even with one another. Each arm drag from one was met with an arm drag from the other. One early pin attempt by one, again, was met by the other. Bravo decides that it’s time to step up a bit and feed off the crowd. It’s good to be back at home. Bravo’s speed is on display early and after a few punches in the corner Wentz is down. Bravo starts to pursue Wentz in the corner, however that is when the experience of Wentz kicks in. A corkscrew Flying Cross body is all that is needed for Wentz to start to wear Bravo down. A punk kick and then sleeper keep Wentz on top. Then come the quick kicks. Bravo is looking for any bit of space he can. Bravo finally capitalizes off a missed springboard and is back on the attack. The Speed of Bravo is just a bit much for Wentz, however Wentz decided to step it up himself. Bravo tries to end the match with his finisher, however Wentz wiggles his way out and then his a springboard knee right to the face! Wentz goes for a bounce off the top rop however, Bravo blocks it. Wentz and Bravo start trading rollup’s! Each one tighter than the last! One by Wentz, Bravo kicks out! One by Bravo, Wentz Kicks out! Bravo jumps over for a pin and Wentz Kicks out again! Carlie tries a backslide pin and Wentz can’t get out!!! The Ref counts 3 and Bravo is the Winner!!! What a Match!! The crowd loved every moment of this!! A for sure!
After Match thoughts... FIND A WAY TO WATCH THIS!!! Both Wentz and Bravo were damn AWESOME in this match and I really hope this will not be the last time we see Wentz in Atl. Bravo, on the other hand, is representing AWE very well! He is the very definition of HomeGrown (Had his first official Match in an AWE ring) and brings nothing but Excitement and Star Power every time he steps foot in the building! BRAAAAAAVVVOOOOOOO!!!!
Chapter 8. Feel the Magic, Hear the ROAR! Priscilla Kelly d. Robyn Renegade w. Charlotte
ROAR IS HERE! For the past few months, ROAR has been steadily getting better and better and this match solidifies its place back in AWE! Robyn Renegade has been wrecking havoc the last few times she has shown up, however Hell’s Favorite Harlot is back home and ready to kick up some dust of her own. The Crowd was over moon to see these ladies rumble, however it was Wheeler who made this special. His introduction of both made him seem like a Proud Papa and that just brought up the energy even more. Once the match started, OH IT WAS ON. Because of the No Rules stipulation that the ROAR Division has, these two ladies took full advantage of every bit of it. Kelly had an early slight advantage early with a headlock, however Renegade responded as if to say, this is HER House too! Lots of back and forth early on as Robyn and Kelly tried desperately to one up the other. The tide turned however once Charlotte (On the outside taking small swipes at Kelly from time to time) decided to really get in on the action too. Everything slowed down to where Robyn could take her time with Kelly. Stiff knee to the gut and then a double stomp to the back and Kelly has to figure something out. Robyn paid it no attention and start grinding Kelly down some more. Kelly is put into the Tree of Woe at one point and Renegade STOMPS her down hard, followed by a running foot to the face. Robyn is ALL OVER Kelly and even tying her up in the ropes a bit...Much to Charlotte’s glee. A sleeper almost has Kelly out but she is gaining some strength. Robyn is STILL not having any of it and a stiff lariat puts Kelly back on the canvas. Robyn is fully feeling herself and that is where he downfall began as Kelly slaps Robyn HARD. Kelly starts going right at Robyn and keep knocking her down. At one point Kelly just runs straight into her to knock her over. Charlotte gets on the ring apron and Kelly knocks HER down. A couple of kicks and a MEAN Snap Suplex has in control. A few quick kicks to the face has Kelly in the groove, however Robyn finds a way to roll Kelly up and get a quick drop kick in. A Suplex and pin attempt by Robyn just wasn’t enough so she decides to go to the top rope. She flies off, however Kelly isn’t there! A quick Kick to the gut, a Flying twisting cross body off the top rope and Sit out Tiger Bomb later...Kelly Wins!!! A+!
After Match Notes... Welcome Back Priscilla! Great to see you again Robyn....ROAR IS HERE!! I think I said exactly how I felt about this match right above. From the Moment this match was announced a few weeks ago, we knew it would be something, however to ME (Just my humble Opinion of course), this was just great. Both Ladies looked Amazing and on top of their game; the energy was high; everything was flowing very well. You could tell these ladies have worked hard for a lot of years and this was one of the best ROAR matches I have seen! I hope they RUN THIS BYKE!!! I need more of it!
Chapter 9. Till the Bitter End... Alexander Lev d. THE KENWAY in a Cage Match
There is no way I am going to bore you with a play by play of this match. It was the 2nd cage match in AWE history and this was Brutal. 2 heated rivals. 2 of Jimmy Rave’s own. The Battle to end the War between The Hierarchy and Lev’s Family. The Crowning of a new Crown Jewel in the Southeast and even beyond. This had it all. Yes you had all the lock up’s and hard punches, kicks to the jaw and ramming each other into the cage. This was a fight and 2 of the Best to do it in AWE went at it. Blood was spilled early in the match and it seemed like KENWAY was going to finally topple his rival. Lev played defense a lot, however he had to pull every trick in his playbook out in order get KENway (Spelled this way on purpose) rattled. The match never felt boring as both LEV and Kenway gave their absolute ALL and left 11 Years of AWE in that ring. In the End, LEV was just a bit too much for Kenway and in Year 11...A New Crown Jewel is here and his name is ALEXANDER LEV...And he...No WE are Faithful!!! A++
After Match Thoughts... This is Jabari speaking right now. This was incredible for me because 6 or so years ago, before this thing called COVID was even a thing, I disliked KENWAY. Of course not the man, however he was fun to boo. Then he had to “retire” to go live life and I actually missed him. Finally, in 2022/3 ish, he came back with a newfound energy and actually did what none of us thought. He joined the Heirarchy. He worked his ass off and earned his right to be the Infinity Gauntlet of The Hierarchy. He made JOE proud...He made MURDER Proud and he made us cheer for him. Not an easy thing. Then came Alexander Lev. Everything that KENWAY was not anymore. He was mean. He was petty. He was lowdown and Dirty. He...Was...Faithful. To what, we didn’t know at the time, however he started to leave his mark. Soon LEV gained the attention of others who wanted to follow him and he quickly gained a Family. Leaders like this are dangerous because his followers hang on his every word and carry out his bidding. Hell even Donald Jaykes TRIED to take over the family, however, LEV saw right through him and quickly ended his “Partnership” before it truly began. 2024, Kenway and LEV started crossing paths. This match here, Jimmy Rave Cup there, First Blood...Something HAD to happen and 11th Anniversary was a great ending to this rivalry. And then something Happened.
CHAPTER 9.1 He’s Here.
After the fantastic match which was LEV vs The Kenway...JOE BLACK and Josh Wheeler was thrown out of the back curtain...Beat up and bruised. The Palmetto Wresting Academy was out in FULL FORCE! The stalk their way to the ring and by this time LEV is gone. Kenway is left by himself and the beating for Kenway resumed. Ethan Case looked like a Proud Papa as his boys left Kenway even more of a mess. They carried what was left of Kenway outside and by this time JOE BLACK was struggling to his feet. There was nothing he could do as he tried to chase after Kenway, however Kenway was loaded into a truck and the PWA zoomed off with him. So much Drama!!!! As all of that was going on...I was given a Mission Statement by Ethan Case himself....
MISSION STATEMENT- PALMETTO WRESTLING ACADEMY
“We’re not here to blend in. We’re here to raise the bar – and drag the South with us, kick and screaming if we have to. Georgia’s been coasting. We’re building killers. This ain’t hype. It’s Harvest.” Ethan Case.
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