From James Caleb Kitchens: As someone who has attended all nine Infection events (Booking 1-6, producing 7, and attending 8/9) I decided t...
From James Caleb Kitchens:
As someone who has attended all nine Infection events (Booking 1-6, producing 7, and attending 8/9) I decided to take a crack at a show report for Viral Pro Wrestling’s biggest event of the year.
I didn’t perform a head count but I know that by 6:30pm (doors opened at 6) all online tickets had sold out, extra chairs had been exhausted, and they were selling standing room only. By the time the show started, all seats and bleachers were full and about 60-100 people were standing. Having folks stand for over three hours to see your event is a testament in and of itself. VPW will likely need a new venue for Infection X when they have the 10 year anniversary. They have clearly outgrown Warren Road, at least for their marquee event of the year. I have heard 1000 thrown around and I believe it. (Editor's note: GWH's Charles Felder concurs with the 1000 figure).
Match 1 – Rumble for $10,000
I’ve never been a fan of the concept (fans know the money is fake) but this really worked because for an indy rumble, it was exceptionally booked. There was great talent in here that I’m sad we didn’t see more of (Chip Day, Owen Knight, Slim J, Alexander Lev, James Johnson and others) but that also helped everyone maximize their minutes. I only caught one section where it seemed like a spot was forgotten. J.A.C. made an impact here for someone I assume was making their debut. Owen going over and his reaction to winning the 10K absolutely sold this.
Match 2 – Supastarz vs The Country Gentlemen (Tag Title Match)
This had all the ingredients of a traditional southern tag match. The heels came out and got heat on the mic before the bell, the more agile faces made an impact during the entrance. The issue here was timing. From the start, it seemed like everyone was a few seconds off. Clean match otherwise. New champs: Country Gentlemen.
Match 3 – Impromptu match
Josh Hancock gives Draco Nyx a shot in the back. This was a nice segment that led into a squash by Davis, which was a nice reminder for the audience that he is still That Dude. They advertised Davis vs Krule for their October show. A wise move with a sellout crowd! The worst thing you can do with an audience this large is not give them a reason to return.
Match 4 – Hunter James vs Billy Brash (Outbreak Championship)
The Outbreak title has always been the workhorse title at VPW, so these two are perfect for a contest at the biggest show of the year. Everything was clean. If I have a complaint it’s that it was maybe a little too safe. Maybe that’s just knowing your spot on the card, but a title match at Infection seemed like it needed something more. The finish with hitting Owen’s music confused the crowd especially with him not actually appearing. I get the idea, but the execution didn’t work. New Champ!
Match 5 – John Skyler vs Josh Magnum (Street Fight)
This match delighted the crowd with spots. After all of the excellent build up, including Skyler bullying commentator Chris Mayne, the crowd wanted to see these two decimate each other. They start with the heat early, into the infamous Hogan spots from Magnum. Mixed reaction for the Hogan antics. The fight eventually spills over into the audience and then back into the ring where Skyler grabs a mic and continues to berate Magnum. I thought this was an odd choice when there was an I Quit title match in the second half. Magnum goes over via a 450 and a run-in from Chris Mayne to a huge pop. Everything after the bell rang I wasn’t a fan of. Too many matches on this card ended with the face and heel hugging it out and this was the last match anyone wanted to see it after. Magnum stayed out there forever. To the production desk it must have felt even longer.
Match 6 – Mila Johnson vs. Airica Demia (Women’s Championship I Quit Match)
Opening was very solid here with some solid connection from each of them. Strikes were laid in and evoked reaction from the crowd. It’s worth noting that the crowd was chanting for tables during both this match and the street fight. Either would have benefitted from the use. Airica is solidly over as the champ, would have liked to see a little more crowd work from her. Once the kendo sticks came out this really picked up. The finish involved taping Mila to the ropes. After several kendo stick shots, Airica goes for the brass knuckles, which caused Mila to quit. I don’t think the crowd could see this very well and was confused as to what actually took place.
Match 7 – Bryan Idol vs Zuka King
I’m not familiar with Bryan Idol’s work (Editor's note: Currently an NWA talent and formerly WWC Puerto Rico) I’m going to keep this brief and say no one around me in the crowd was impressed with it. Myself included. I felt bad for Zuka, who is an excellent hand on any card.
Match 8 – Gustavo vs Drew Hood (VPW Championship)
Gustavo is over anywhere he goes with a gimmick that is both classic and original at the same time. I have to admit that I wasn’t huge on Drew’s “Devil” persona until I saw it in action, and I immediately loved it. The backstage segment was also well-done and added to the match. These guys delivered as if they were the main event, which protected the title. There was a run-in for Slim J here that seemed to build to a future match with Drew. Slim J was over all night and this was no exception. This audience was solidly behind both faces here.
Match 9 – Cedric Alexander vs Sean Legacy
Everything you could hope for it to be. I will note that the first contested lockup of the night was in the main event. Made it even more effective. Cedric played the traveled veteran and Sean the hometown journeyman. The first 3 minutes was all crowd work, neither of them had to do much of anything to bring this crowd into a frenzy. They were LOUD. I’ve seen Legacy wrestle hundreds of times in this area, rarely have I seen anyone get a contested chant against him but Cedric did so. I’m rather certain the last time Cedric performed in the CSRA was for Flatline Pro Wrestling back in late 2015 or early 2016. His time in WWE combined with his deep roots in the mid-atlantic area had the crowd pouring out the respect. This match got increasingly more frantic (in a good way) as it went on. It contained the only destroyer I’ve seen look damaging in a very long time. There was a DVD reversal to the springboard 450 that had referee Jarrod Fritz checking on Legacy. Ultimately legacy got the win, then became very emotional as he told Cedric how much his success has meant to him and also this entire area. Cedric tells Legacy that right this minute, he is inspiring the next generation.
Personal note, this was such a special match. Not only because of both of these men’s trajectories, but also because Sean’s greatest nemesis in Viral has likely been Darius Lockhart, who also has deep ties with Cedric and Charlotte, NC. This match had so much history but also was a joy to watch even if you didn’t know any of the lore around it.
A few extra notes about the show:
- The crowd was hot almost all night, concessions sold out, merch table lines were long. A huge success from all aspects. Production was done well (hats off to Justin Hancock and Raylen Albey) and the video work was stellar as usual. There’s no one on the indies that touches Dusty Jackson’s work.
- The little splash intro for wrestlers introducing them as being from NWA/TNA/WWE etc. got old to me. When you have a sold out venue like that, there’s no need to tell anyone they should get behind this person because they swim in a bigger pond.
- Nine matches is a lot, but this show wasn’t overly long. Just over 3 hours, which speaks yet again to the production value of this show, which cannot be overstated.
- Chris Mayne and Tyreke Robinson on commentary. Wrestling personas in the building: Reyhan Inteus, Bob Keller, Brett Wolverton, Tim and Paige Blackmon, GWH reporter Charles Felder. Could have been more, I didn’t get a chance to stick around after the show.
- (Editor's note) VPW announced a TV deal with a show title of VPW Outbreak on Roku and WJBF Augusta.
.jpg)
.png)