From Larry Goodman:
Southern Fried Championship Wrestling has a new champion. Jacob Ashworth, who was stripped of the title in 2014 and never lost it in the ring regained the championship without winning it in the ring.
CT Keys could not be in Monroe for Ashworth's promised title shot. As much as it stuck in his craw, Southern Fried owner David Manders had to award the belt to Ashworth and manager John Johnson via forfeiture.
This show had two white hot angles. Manders forced Ashworth to immediately defend the title against former partner and and current arch rival, Billy Buck. Manders and Johnson both ended up in the ring (AGAIN). Buck took a fireball to the face and was carried out of the ring moaning about his eyesight.
After stomping Hunter James into unconsciousness last show, Rosario Grillo got into it with Hunter's father, Jamey Dean, stomped his head and did this to Jamey's arm.
Quite the scene. James was busy being the Outbreak Champion at VPW.
Storytelling this rich in emotional impact pays long-term dividends.
Attendance at the Walton County Boys & Girls Club Gym was 200+.
Booker Todd Sexton opened the show with a tribute to long-time Carolinas/Georgia announcer Brett Wolverton, who recently passed away after suffering a heart attack. The tribute was followed by a 10 bell salute.
Johnson said Keys had not arrived. If he was not in the building in time for the main event, he would have to forfeit the title and he expected Manders to be a man of his word and place the title around Ashworth's waist.
Johnson was at his smarmiest, slimiest best.
(1) Billy Buck defeated Xander Seabolt in 5:33. Seabolt tried to lull Buck into a false sense of security that he was going to wrestle a clean match but Buck didn't fall for it. Buck won with the Buckshot (superkick).
Seabolt threw a chair-slinging fit after the match.
The match was fine. The execution of the finish was not something anyone would have hoped for. There was a method to Seabolt's madness as the fans would later find out.
(2) Michael Walker defeated Chad Sky Walker in 9:53. Sky Walker was all over Walker right from the opening bell and almost pinned him with a Jackhammer in the first 30 seconds. Walker could not shake off Sky Walker's vice-like grip on a side headlock. Walker popped the crowd with the Air Fro suicide dive over the top. Walker did an old school running bulldog for a near fall. Sky Walker did a tornillo into an Orton style backbreaker. Fro got knees up on Sky Walker's swanton to begin the ending. Walker over with the Froggy Bow.
The most inspired in-ring of the night. Clever sequences and transitions I don't think I've ever seen Sky Walker work a crowd as intensely as he did here. Another loss for Walker after losing to Lev on the last show was unthinkable.
(3) JT Paradox defeated "Spiiral" Lucas DeSilva in a suplex challenge. Ring announcer Chianne Michaels explained the rules. Each competitor would name the type of suplex they wished to perform. The other competitor would have a five count to regain a standing position or lose the challenge.
DeSilva was first up and announced a delayed vertical suplex. Paradox on his feet at the count of three. Paradox of course chose his signature german suplex. DeSilva balked at getting in position to take it. DeSilva then knocked referee Matthew Daniel's glasses off and swung. Paradox ducked and dumped DeSilva on his head with a dragon suplex. DeSilva was flailing around trying to get to his feet and it was over.
All aces. I'm a mark for the use of an athletic contest to advance a story.
(4) Dominic Stuckey defeated Rosario Grillo to retain the Classics Championship in 12:30. Grillo mouthed off at Hunter's father, Jamey Dean seated in the front row. Gloated about stomping Hunter into oblivion at the last show and said he would put dad into the hospital bed next to his son.
Match underway --
Grillo bailed selling his aching back, then kicked the ropes into Dom's back and put the boots to him. Grillo tried for the stomp and didn't get it. Stuckey hit a slingshot flip. Grillo grabbed the ropes to pin Dom with extra leverage. Matt Hankins sprinted to ringside to knock them off and Stuckey got the pin.
Grillo got a "you got beat" chant. This pleased Jamey Dean no end. Grillo knocked Dean down. Dean jumped the rail and tackled Grillo. As security was trying to break it up, Grillo blindsided Dean to stomp his skull more than once. More Southern Fried personnel came out. Dean had to be helped to the back.
This angle was fire. Memphis Wrestling all the way. Grillo is was a terrible human, the epitome of a greasy Italian from New Jersey. Dean was holding his arm and looked to be in severe pain.
(5) Jaden Vain & Xavier Cross & Disturbed defeated The Approved (Nick Halen & Adryan Hawkins & Bobby Moore) in 13:13. Vain got a "whoop that trick" chant, surrounded by Approved and summarily pummeled. Lon heat on Hawkins and Halen. Halen caught Cross with an enzuigiri upside the head and Morton-rolled for the hot tag to Moore. Cross and Disturbed got sideways and started fighting each other. Meanwhile, that rat bastard Vain clocked Halen with a loaded glove and rolled Hawkins up using the tights.
The Approved had a lengthy pow-wow at ringside after the match. It was off-mic and they appeared to settle their difference. We shall see.
The story was the thing. Coming into the match, Approved were at odds but it was Vain's goons that ended up having an issue. The intrigue was the post-match conversation between the members of Approved.
(6) Jacob Ashworth (with John Johnson) won the Southern Fried Championship from CT Keys via forfeit. Johnson said Manders had to hand the title over. Manders placed the belt on the apron. JJ told Manders to put the belt around Ashworth's waist and said if Keys was a man, he would be there.
Challenging Keys' manhood was an overreach that will not end well for JJ.
Manders said Ok, Ashworth, you got what you wanted, now defend the title.
(7) Jacob Ashworth (with John Johnson) retained the title via a DQ loss to Billy Buck (8:05). Buck ignoring the rules to beat Ashworth's ass. When Buck kicked out of Ashes to Ashes, Ashworth went to have a talk with JJ. Ashworth threw referee David Weakley in Buck's way to save himself. Ashworth tossed Buck into Weakley and hit Roll of the Dice for a visual three count. Ashworth yelled at Manders, who was seated at the timekeeper's table to do something. Buck superkicked Ashworth. Manders got in the ring to make the count and took a shot from JJ. Buck had Ashworth dead to rights in a figure four leglock. Seabolt hit the ring and threw a fireball in Buck's face.
Buck clutched at his eyes and started screaming. Southern Fried personnel came into the ring with water and towels. ER nurse Georgeanne Hardin rushed in to check on her fiancee and was consoled by Kelly Sexton
Heated angle #2. Ashworth is all in as a heel. Nothing cool about him. In Northeast Georgia, Billy Buck's ability to generate fan sympathy as a babyface is legendary and they played it up big. Seabolt's fireball looked serious and had all the accoutrements. CT Keys will be a force to be reckoned with.
NOTES: The date for Southern Fried's next show at 405 Community Court in Monroe is March 7...Keys is in good health and will be at the March 7 show.
