Photos by Julie Puckett
From Jeremy York:
Bullpen Pro Wrestling—(1-10-26—Ranburne Elementary School: Ranburne, Al) --
Ring Announcer: Summer Blackfyre
Commentary: Drew “Drewski” Dickinson
Members of new power faction Rebirth appear in the ring including “Showtime” Damon Thomas, Xavier Cross, Kyle Gunner and “The Loyalist” Ryan Wyndell. They talk of the big night ahead for the group then introduce the newest mystery member….RICO BRAVO! He tells the crowd he joined because he had been paying his dues, doing as he was told he was “supposed to do” to work up the wrestling business and how he watched veterans and others just step in front every time. Said the group was about taking their moments now, not later. All but Wyndell head to the back.
Match 1: “The Loyalist” Ryan Wyndell V. Ethan Dallas—These two are no strangers to one another and proved it in this one! They lockup in a stalemate as each kept trying to push the other into a corner. Instead, they rotated to each turnbuckle before breaking clean to trade kicks and strikes. Ethan misses a big kick, however his dropkick is on point. He goes to the top rope to execute a crossbody attack on Wyndell who rolls out to get reprieve from the younger Dallas brother. Just as Ryan thought he had a small break he looks up in the attack. He rolls back in the ring and slams Ethan hard to the mat, only gets a short two count. Wyndell with a deep wristlock into a headlock. Ethan finds his way loose on the apron. As Ryan approaches, Dallas leaps over the ropes with a sunset flip, gets a two and a quarter count. Both back on their feet, Ryan decks Ethan then locks up his ankle for the submission until Dallas gets a rope break. Wyndell works him over in the corner then hits a big splash. His second splash is countered by Ethan with a back body drop, some running strikes, a kick combo that is averted by Ryan but the persistent Dallas hits a second attempt on a sweep! Ethan goes charging in to try to end the match, yet it’s Ryan who dodges him then gets tangled in the ropes as he rolls up his opponent for the 1-2-3!
Winner: “The Loyalist” Ryan Wyndell via pinfall.
Match 2: “Showtime” Damon Thomas, Rico Bravo V. Aaron Dallas, BK Bennet—Aaron and Damon start for their teams with a collar and elbow tie up that leads to a headlock from Dallas. As they go to the mat Damon puts the head and neck of Aaron in a leg scissors, he breaks free as both get to their feet. Dallas shoulder tackles Damon hard. Thomas tags newest Rebirth member Rico Bravo into the match. The crowd chants “B-K, B-K, B-K” as Dallas gives them what they want….a tag to BK! As Rico and BK circle one another, we are reminded that they are heated rivals who know each other well. They shove each other then hockey brawl. Rico grabs a wrist lock, Bennett reverses with a trip followed by some strategic stomps. He mounts Rico in the corner for ten punches as the crowd counts along. Then a big splash, second splash misses. Rico grabs another wristlock then tries to walk the ropes, but BK quickly trips him causing Bravo to straddle the top rope. With the crowd’s urging he starts shaking the ropes, Bravo wincing in agony before finally falling off into the ring. Rico rolls to the outside but BK leaps off the top rope with a massive splash! Once back inside they slap each other a few times then find themselves standing on the apron. They trade powerful strikes then Rico with a sling blade on BK on the apron. He rolls him back in for a two count. Rico brings Damon back in who greets Bennett with vicious knees in the corner. Another two count for team Rebirth. Damon performs a standing moonsault for another near fall. Rico back in to work the arm of Bennet, then a couple clotheslines. Before Bravo can finish him off however BK smashes him with a surprise falcon arrow! They both slowly rise to their feet with Bravo dropping Bennet with a hurricanrana, bulldog off the second rope, but the third attack is countered by BK’s massive slam! They both make it to their corners for the fresh tags to Aaron and Damon. Dallas with the big boot followed by a spinning spinebuster and a devastating spear! Thomas kicks out at the last fraction of a second to further the match! BK tags back in as Aaron is pulled to the outside by Rico. Thomas hits the big slam for the win.
Winners: “Showtime” Damon Thomas & Rice Bravo (The Rebirth) via pinfall.
Match 3: Kyle Gunner V. Dante Diamond (C) for the Light-Heavyweight Championship—Gunner jumps Dante before the bell rings then adds some back elbows to his attack. A bulldog out of the corner then a hanging DDT has the champ reeling early. Gunner gets into a verbal spat with the official then shoves him. The official shoves him back and tells him to not tell him how to do his job while adding “I’m a better referee.” Diamond uses this moment to catch Kyle in a back slide for his first two count of the evening. Gunner throws Diamond into the corner. A running splash hits, so does a second, third does not for Kyle as Dante shimmies to the side just in time. Diamond dumps Gunner outside following up with a splash onto the floor! They trade blows and fight around ringside all while sliding in periodically to break the officials count. They both climb onto the apron where Dante hits an STO on Kyle. Big chops from Diamond, however it’s Gunner who sends him flying into the ring post. He rolls Dante back in then scampers to the top rope. His flying attack misses Diamond who moves out of the way. Dante dropkicks his foe out to the floor. As Gunner gets back to the ring apron he is flattened by a leg drop from Diamond. As he rolls in Dante smashes his head into the mat then pins him for the victory!
Winner: (And Still) Light-Heavyweight Champion Dante Diamond via pinfall.
After the match, “Showtime” Damon Thomas comes out with a microphone and a small cake in his hand. He says he cannot let the evening go by without wishing one of his teammates well wishes on his special day. He calls out “The Loyalist” Ryan Wyndell who looks surprised by the festivities. Damon gets the crowd to sing to Ryan, all while The Wonderboys sneak out to surround them. As they realize they are not alone, Aaron and Ethan superkick Ryan and Damon! Then they grab the cake, eat a few bites of it. Then Ethan grabs Ryan as Aaron mushes the cake into the birthday boy! The Dallas brothers parade to the back as Damon tries to help Ryan to the back.
Match 4: “Frat Daddy” Bryce Cannon V. JT Paradox (3MP): Match 2 of 3 for the Televison Championship—They circle the inside of the ring, then Bryce rolls outside. After some time he re-enters the ring. They lock up with JT using a single leg takedown, Cannon rolls back out. Back in Paradox catches his opponent with a back elbow, snap mare and chin lock. Another trip then ankle lock by JT on Bryce. As he squirmed to break free of the hold, he ends up outside the ring. Paradox follows him out this time. He puts on the ankle lock again this time intertwining with the ring post. Bryce fights and screams to break the hold. Finally he uses his own momentum to pull JT face first into the ring post. Now Cannon is on the offensive outside the ring. After some real stinging strikes, he rolls his opponent into the ring. Paradox recovers to land an elbow but misses a splash. Cannon responds with a clothesline to the back of Paradox’s head followed by some crushing stomps, then a knee to the back of the champ. As JT tries to get to his feet, Cannon takes off towards the ropes and falls suddenly. He immediately points at 3MP on the outside saying he tripped him. The official takes his word for it and ejects him from ringside area! Before he can leave though, Cannon hits a low kick to the inside of JT’s leg then tries to show him how cool his Frat paddle is as Paradox runs into it. Bryce quicky tosses the companion aside and covers his foe for the 1-2-3.
Winner: “Frat Daddy” Bryce Cannon via pinfall (Series tied 1-1).
Match 5: (Southern Heavyweight & Bull of the Woods Championships): Rob Adonis V. Xavier Cross—Lots of animosity between these two as a hockey fight opens up the contest. Cross with the jumping leg lariat and a spinning sidewalk slam, then some thunderous chops. A big clothesline to push big Rob into the corner and a running bulldog to bring him out of it by Xavier. He quickly covers for the first near fall of the contest. Rob regains his bearings then trips Xavier following up with some wicked work to weaken the leg of his opponent. Outside he chops Cross some more then an eye poke while grinning to the crowd. Back inside he goes back after the leg of Xavier, but Cross take control back with big strikes, yet he misses a big splash. Does NOT miss a big slam of Adonis though. Adonis rebounds with a lariat and crushing spinebuster. Cross responds with a enormous power slam for a two count. Rob hits an impressive enziguri and applies the figure four leg lock to Cross (Wooo!)! Then all the remaining members of The Rebirth storm the ring to attack him and the official calls for the bell. Eventually Dante Diamond, The Wonderboys (armed with a trophy and a Mascot head) hit the ring to help out Adonis.
Winner: Rob Adonis via disqualification. Adonis retains the Southern Heavyweight Championship & Xavier Cross retains the Bull of the Woods Championship.
Match 6: Main Event: Battle Royal to determine #1 Contender for the Bull of the Woods Championship—Participants included: “Showtime” Damon Thomas, Rico Bravo, Ryan Wydell, Kyle Gunner, Dante Diamond, Rob Adonis, BK Bennet, JT Paradox, Aaron Dallas, Ethan Dallas. Highlights: -Bryce Cannon came out to distract JT Paradox who gets eliminated because of it. -Ethan Dallas eliminated Ryan Wyndell THEN himself so he could continue to fight him to the back. Ethan looked at his brother, apologized, then leaped over the ropes onto Wyndell. -Final three were Rico Bravo, Dante Diamond & Damon Thomas. Dante eliminated Rico while they fought on the apron, then appeared to slip and eliminate himself.
Winner: Damon Thomas
-“Showtime” Damon Thomas V. Xavier Cross for the Bull of the Woods Championship could be interesting with both being prominent members of The Rebirth
Takeaways:
-Drew (on broadcast) and Summer (in the ring) really keep the show moving and straighten the tangles and confusion that sometimes arise.
-Banner night for The Rebirth. Will be interesting to see how they build off this show into the next few. Plus, Thomas versus Cross could be really good if it stays that way.
-Wyndell continues to grow into a really good performer. He has a good mind for wrestling and how to make things go well.
-Cannon needed that win for the series. However, the natural HEAT he got all night from a choice few ringside fans only help his case as best in ring performer around.
-Every show has some wrinkles pop up and this one had its share. What impressed me though was how the talent reacted to remedy it where the majority of fans had no idea something did not quite line up beforehand.
Next TV Taping Show: February 14 th (Ranburne Elementary School—Ranburne, AL
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