Photos by Julie Puckett From Jeremy "The Impact" York: Pre-Show: Denny Glasford Vs. KJ Valentine Vs. Colt Bane Vs. Von Laflare —A ...
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| Photos by Julie Puckett |
From Jeremy "The Impact" York:
Pre-Show: Denny Glasford Vs. KJ Valentine Vs. Colt Bane Vs. Von Laflare—A new
feature on 12 Gauge shows are these showcases of new talent. This one was so much
of a fast frenzy that all I can say is each got a chance to showcase their skills, they are
all really talented and in the end Colt Bane won.
Winner: Colt Bane
Match 1: Tyler Franks Vs. Brayden Toon Vs. DRP—As hot as the pre-show match up
was, this match was a banger to really rile up the fans! Brayden and DRP both chop
Tyler who rolls out of the ring. Big boot from Toon on DRP, but he fights back to send
Toon to the outside with Franks. Picture perfect tope’ suicida by DRP onto both
opponents. Back inside, Franks throws DRP into the buckle then dropkicks a charging
Toon. Tyler unleashed a barrage of European uppercuts on Brayden capped off by a
running variation that shook his foe for a short moment. As Toon charged towards
Franks, it was Franks who executed a spinning STO. DRP back in to deliver a pair of
sling blades then a northern lights suplex with a bridge for the first two count of the
match. Franks recovers to find DRP in the corner for a jumping knee before setting up a
standing suplex with his opponent starting seated on the top rope. Tyler with the siedo
suplex on DRP, then from the apron he leaps through the ropes for a swinging neck
breaker on Toon. Franks and Toon trade European uppercuts and forearm shivers. DRP
superkicks Franks. Toon performs a super spinning backbreaker on DRP. DRP gets up
to grab Toon in a rolling slam from a fireman’s carry. A running clothesline followed by a
roll from the apron into the ring and a codebreaker on Toon from DRP for the win!
Winner: DRP via pinfall
Before the next match, 12 Gauge trainee Luhh Jayy comes to the ring to demand
a chance to show his skills. Commisioner Rocky Shaw comes to the ring and asks if that is
really what he wants. Luhh Jayy says that is exactly what he wants. Rocky shrugs
and the music of “Big Daddy Thighmeat” Steven Michaels! He grabs a mic and
asks the young grappler if he knows what he is really asking for and Luhh Jayy
says absolutely!
Match 2: Luhh Jayy Vs. Steven Michaels—Michaels starts with a couple short arm
clotheslines followed by some massive chops that would make Bigfoot cry. Jayy was
rattled, but showed some fire and battled back with some quick strikes. Michaels
decided his “warm up” was about over and clubbed Jayy to the canvas. As he got to his
knees Michaels hit him with a lariat to the back of his head. A devastating Death Valley
Driver later and Michaels got the 1-2-3!
After the match, as Luhh Jayy was helped to the back, familiar music hits and out
comes Michaels scheduled opponent: our Warden!
Winner: Steven Michaels via pinfall
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Match 3: Steven Michaels Vs. The Warden—They lockup. After an extended battle
Warden backs Michaels into the corner. He shoves Warden and the two behemoths
trade punches. Warden gets him in the corner and climbs to the second rope for 9
punches. On the 10 th attempt, Michaels drops down to stop the attack. Instead Warden
throws him into the opposite turnbuckle and rushes in for a huge splash! He goes for a
second splash, however Michaels sidesteps and kicks his knee. He follows with a
dropkick to the same knee, causing Warden to voice his displeasure. More leg work
continues as Michaels focuses on keeping Warden off his feet. As Warden sits up,
Michaels smashes him in the back with an elbow. Warden finds his feet and retaliates
with some crushing chops, yet Michaels goes back to damaging Warden’s knee and
grounds the big man once more. Michaels with a big elbow drop for a two count. More
work on the knee of Warden who finds his feet again. This time he drops Michaels with
a handful of clotheslines followed by a Samoan Drop for a two count. Warden sends
Michaels hard into the turnbuckle then tries to run in for a splash, but his knee gives out
and he falls. At some point one of his boots get pulled off. Michaels goes for a running
splash in the corner and misses as Warden moves out of the way. Warden catches
Michaels with a big slam. Michaels grounds Warden with a smashing blow then as
Warden gets to his knees, Michaels hits the lariat to the back of the head for the victory!
After the match, Warden gets the mic and screams for a rematch. Rocky comes to the
ring to say December 20 th is the next show and also when the rematch will take place.
Winner: Steven Michaels via pinfall
Match 4: Eden Monroe Vs. Ezabella Wilder—Before the match, Eden attempted
(many, many times) to introduce herself to the audience while trying to understand why
many fans wanted her opponent to win even before they ever locked up. Eden did find
that she did have a few pockets of fans in the arena which was enough for her to want
to start the match.
They lock up and Eden pulled Ezabella down violently using her
strength advantage. Back on her feet, Wilder wants to lock up again. This time the
outcome was a little different as Wilder got a wrist lock that was reversed by Monroe,
then by Wilder, then Eden counters into a deep headlock. Ezabella backs her into the
ropes and tries to send her across the ring. Eden hangs on to the headlock though and
really grinds it in for a bit. Finally, Wilder breaks free of the grip and they both run the
ropes. Wilder gets in two solid spin kicks then hops on Eden’s back for a sleeper hold.
Monroe counters with a snap suplex and a leg drop for a two count. Monroe slams
Wilder’s head on the mat in frustration. Back on their feet, Eden hit a running
clothesline, elbow drop, then another. Monroe catches her foe with a slashing chop, the
attempt of another is reversed by Wilder who unleashes a few chops of her own! She
gets a little greedy as her last chop is thwarted by Eden who slams Wilder’s head into
the turnbuckle. Monroe misses a splash in the corner, then Wilder throws Monroe. Eden
performs a fisherwoman suplex into a brain-buster finish for a near fall. Ezabella mounts
a comeback with three running forearms to the face of Eden then follows up with a
package DDT for the win!
Winner: Ezabella Wilder via pinfall
Match 5: Najasism Vs. Rico Bravo—A test of strength to start, with each showcasing
a different roll through or spin to counter each other’s wrist locks. Naja gets the better of
it and paintbrushes the back of Rico’s head. Bravo with a go behind waist lock, Naja
reverses to an armbar into a snap mare before finally slapping the back of Bravo. Rico
recovers to land a running hurricanrana then a running back elbow and another. Bravo
with a crossbody off the second rope for a two count. He misses a sliced bread #2 and
Naja pounces with a suplex against the bottom rope. Naja pulls him to straddle a ring
post then slams his leg against it. Naja with a delayed senton from the apron to the
inside of the ring before really focusing on the injured leg including a variation of a
single crab. Head lock from Naja leads to some shivering chops, but Rico fights back
with some forearms and a sky high crossbody off the top rope. Naja finds his bearings
for a shining wizard followed by shoulders to the midsection in the corner as he sets
Rico on the top rope. Then it’s a slap to the mush on Bravo and a superplex attempt
that is thwarted by Bravo dropping down to pull Naja’s head to the buckle. Now it was
time for a thunderous superkick to the face of his foe. A top rope hurricanrana from Rico
has Naja reeling. Naja judo chops Rico just under the chin. Bravo responds with another
hurricanrana, then a running bulldog through the ropes and a springboard clothesline.
He gets a two count. Cartwheel roll slam then a tornado splash from Naja misses but
“the greatest, the baddest, the best” answers with a power bomb of Rico onto Naja’s
knees then the Sharpest Shooter submission for the tap-out victory for “your Hoochie
Daddy”!
Winner: Najasism via submission
Match 6: “Educated Athlete” Troy Carter Vs. “Undeniable” Chris Crunkk (Roxxi
Red, “Throat Goat” Joey Gambino)—While ring announcer Kyle Charisma and Joey Gambino talked,
and Chris Crunkk and Roxxi posed, Troy Carter was showing his displeasure with the
drawn out pre-match festivities (including the singing to a superfan for her birthday).
Carter was seen complaining to the referee, beating his own head into the turnbuckle
and draping himself in the corner to the ire of the crowd. At some point a fan called out
how the cool, crisp air was making a particular part of Troy’s chest a little harder than
just a few minutes earlier. Then a chant about it erupted.
Finally we get the match
started….and Troy rolls to the outside. He takes his time to roll back in…then rolls out a
second time. Each time he stalls the match, it gives the crowd more reason to chant
about his pectoral region, infuriating him more and more. After some time, Carter is
back in the ring and he locks up with Crunkk. Troy twists the wrist of Chris who twists
around and reverses to a wrist lock of his own. As he backs his opponent into the corner
he then does as the crowd suggested and twists the pectoral region of Carter to the
delight of the fans. They lock up again, this time with Carter backing Crunkk into the
corner and landing a double chop to the chest. As he tries another chop, Chris executes
another pectoral twist and the crowd really fires up. Troy rolls outside, so does Chris in
hot pursuit. Carter grabs Crunkk for a back suplex on the apron. Chris chops Troy, but
he fires back with some of his own. Crunkk kicks Troy where he is seated in a chair
where he performs the third pectoral twist. A slow build “woah” from the crowd signals
the Drive-By kick attack from Crunkk, however as he gets closer to Carter it’s Troy who
pulls Roxxi in the way and Crunkk has to slam the brakes to avoid crashing into her
instead. With this slight distraction, Troy smashes him with a pump kick to the face then
sends him into the ring post. Carter rolls Crunkk into the ring. A leg drop gets a one
count, while a suplex garners a two count. As Crunkk gets to his feet we see a fourth
pectoral twist! Troy jabs Chris hard to the jaw then hits a couple quick boots. Crunkk
responds with a running forearm. Troy goes into the buckle, Chris utilizes an elbow,
clothesline, jump kick and finally a standing urinagi. Crunkk with a superkick and a two
count. Then we see the “People’s Pectoral Twist” by Crunkk! He goes for it a second
time and Carter catches him with an up-kick then a falcon arrow. They trade uppercuts,
forearms and chop that intensify with each new strike. We get a sixth pectoral twist by
Chris on Troy then a shotgun jumping knee and discus forearm. Crunk performs an
airplane spin into a Go To Sleep for a two and sixty-three sixty fourths count. Chirs to
the top rope but Troy catches the rope and he falls on his coconuts. Carter’s attempt at
a superplex is blocked and he is sent to the apron. He catches Crunkk with an outside
to inside jumping DDT for a two and fifteen sixteenths count. Troy rolls outside to rip a
fans beautiful Chris Crunkk sign, grabs a chair, but Roxxi gets in his way and the
referee gets a hold of the chair. As he turns to put it outside the ring, Carter with the low
kick to Crunkk reminiscent of the same maneuver a month ago. This sets up the final
slam and Troy stands tall in victory.
After the match, Carter says on the microphone that he is the face of 12 Gauge and will
do what he wants, when he wants to do it. Also that he is taking over because it is his
company now. He then leaves the arena not through the curtain but out of the front
door.
Winner: “Educated Athlete” Troy Carter via pinfall
As Crunkk is helped to the back by Roxxi and Joey, Walker XIII comes to the ring and
Rocky has the microphone. He informs the crowd that Shean Christopher got caught in
traffic and did not make it to the show. Walker says he was speaking to a young talent in
the back about opportunities and has somebody in mind to fill in. He whispers to Rocky
who raises his eyebrows in surprise. Familiar music hits…and it’s the “Panama City
Prince” DRP!
Match 7: Walker XIII Vs. DRP—They lock up and Walker pulls him to the mat. DRP
gets to his feet and locks on a go-behind waist lock. Walker slings him to the side. DRP
hits the ropes for a shoulder tackle and gets leveled to the mat by Walker a couple
times. He dropkicks Walker but it’s the “Memphis Made Monster” who executes a side
slam so devastating that the bottom rope becomes disconnected from the ring posts! He
follows up with a sky-high chokeslam and a big boot for a two count. DRP regains his
feet and knocks Walker to the outside. He hits the ropes and smashes into Walker with
a Tope’ Suicida that had the crowd in a frenzy! Then DRP sends Walker head first into
the ring post before urging him back into the ring. Once back inside it’s Walker with a
running body attack and chops in the corner on “The Panama City Prince”. DRP with
some stinging jabs, yet Walker grounds him then locking in a camel clutch. DRP will not
give up so Walker breaks the hold. DRP uses some clubbing blows to battle back then a
inverted DDT drop and some sling blades. Walker performs a powerbomb, another into
the corner then a lariat for a two and seven eighths count. Straps come down for the
Monster as he goes for the Black Hole Slam but DRP counters with an enziguri and a
tornado DDT! Walker has other ideas on the comeback though as he crushes DRP with
a running back elbow.
As Walker is preparing to end this match, Eden Monroe appears
and grabs his championship! As she saunters to the back with Walker’s prize, he
becomes enraged and charges at DRP who tries to roll him up. As they both get to their
feet the Monster grabs DRP in the Black Hole Slam for the win!
After the match, Walker makes sure to shake DRP’s hand and give him a hug for
stepping up for a big opportunity, shining bright in his performance even in a losing
effort. The crowd agrees and cheers for both competitors.
Winner: (and STILL) Walker XIII via pinfall
The next 12 Gauge show at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds is December 20.
Takeaways:
-DRP is the MVP of the night. Shined bright in the triple threat to open the show
AND as a last minute replacement in the Main Event. Plus, he got some of the
bigger pops from the crowd all night.
-Toon can move for a big guy and wrestles at a pace of someone half his size.
Franks has such a unique European style that is impressive. Add in the speed
and energy of DRP and the opening match set a dizzying pace.
-Luhh Jayy may have gotten himself into a bigger situation than he expected, but
he took all the punishment and still (with some help) walked himself to the back.
He has never lacked for confidence in himself so when the talent and knowledge
catch up he might be quite the superstar to watch.
-The “odd couple of 12 Gauge” of Eden Monroe and Kyle Charisma is always
quite the back and forth of quips and barbs. Plus, are their jabs to one another a
hidden sign of admiration?
-Steven Michaels is a beast. Had two matches back to back and got two wins
including the last against Warden. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Warden lose in
person until that moment. Clearly these two are not done with one another and it
should be an even more epic battle the next time they both square off.
-Ezabella now has two wins over Eden Monroe, who seems to be in line for the
next title shot. Can she parlay that into an opportunity for herself in the near
future? Only time will tell.
-Eden may not have the most impressive win-loss record, yet she found her way
into a great situation that may garner a shot at Walker’s championship. With the
other top superstars busy fighting other foes it was Eden who jumped to the front
of the line.
-Najasism and Rico Bravo put on a spectacle of a show. So much speed,
athleticism and overall ability that had the fans wowed at every turn. Naja
executes such a series of moves at an astonishing level and with moves that you
only see in video games (sometimes not even there).
-This was the Troy I wanted to see. After being the super nice face for so long, he
showed this side of doing what needs to be done. Once he and Crunkk hash out
their difference, he could be a major threat to Walker or whoever holds the title.
-Chris Crunkk is one of the best in the ring, especially when he is on his A+ game.
Since his return he has only gotten better and has wins over some big time
opponents.
-Walker XIII retains hit championship over an opponent he had not prepared for
and also one that got bigger cheers than he. It did not falter the Monster and by
the end the fans were all cheering him louder than ever. He seemed a little rattled
by Eden’s antics though.
-Rocky continues to build something special in Rome. Each show outdoes the
last and the level of talent is at a crazy level. Once the locals discover the best
show is in their backyard, it might really get 12 Gauge up higher on lists of must-
see shows.
