AWE Family Matters: Jeremy York's Take

Photo by Peter Sigmund From Jeremy "The Impact" York: (El Palenque Event Center—Marietta 4-12-26)   Ring Announcer/Commentary—Carm...

Photo by Peter Sigmund

From Jeremy "The Impact" York:

(El Palenque Event Center—Marietta 4-12-26)  

Ring Announcer/Commentary—Carmen Michael 

Officials—Darryl Hall, Mason Pike, Bryan Waites 

 Disclaimer: Since Larry Goodman has already published his review that is more action-based, this will be more of an observational review. 

Match 1: Hunter Drake V. Chad Skywalker V. Sal Rinauro (c—GWC Jr. Heavyweight Championship)—Hunter got perturbed early when Chad and Sal tried to roll him up in multiple highly creative ways, only to get near falls each time. Drake’s arial ability kept him in control a lot of the match. Skills that do not get featured enough on NWA broadcasts, yet he is almost underrated in his square-circle abilities. Speaking of underrated abilaities, Skywalker’s innovative “set of skills” showcases a move set unlike anyone around. That all being said, the third person in this triple threat might be one of the best minds in the business while also being one of the most entertaining as well. Sal looks like he is having the best time ever and conveys that in such a way that the fans get to share experience. After all the back and forth among the three, it was Rinauro with a front cross-face for the victory. 

Winner: (And STILL GWC Jr. Heavyweight Champion) Sal Rinauro via submission (Front Cross-Face) 

Match 2: Jonathon Moody (w/ Ethan Case) V. JT Paradox (w/ 3MP)—3MP had a present for DPJ (Dick Pickle Jr), but since he was not there, his stablemates reluctantly accepted on his behalf. It turned out to be pickle chips which eventually found their way into the crowd and infuriated the Palmetto pals. Match was a great battle of a couple young lions on the scene. Moody used quick strikes and maneuvers to keep the more powerful opponent from getting his paws on him early. Paradox countered the barrage with sky-high release German suplexes and busted out a new move to his arsenal in the Muta lock. Just as Moody looked to potentially try to bow out, Case interfered to cause the disqualification. Case pulled off his boot and was just about to strike Paradox with it when GM Josh Wheeler appeared and said that using the boot would cause the Palmetto boys to lose their spots in AWE. Case considered his options, put his boot back on his foot, then swiftly struck Paradox in the jewels with a kick instead. 

Winner: JT Paradox (w/ 3MP) via disqualification 

Match 3: Joe Black V. Xavier Cross—Joe took on one of the emerging new big men in Cross and started the match turning around, exposing himself to the first attack. Xavier promptly blasted him between with a thunderous array of forearms. Black answered with the most powerful chops in the land, shaken off by Cross. Joe seemed to grin. Action spills to the outside where the next batch seem to shake Cross as it appeared his young life flashed before his eyes after each stinging chop to the chest. Back inside Cross mounts a little offense, however it’s not enough to keep Black from dropping him to the mat. As Cross reaches his knees, Joe with the sliding Killshot to the back of the cranium for the 1, 2, 3. 

Winner: Joe Black via pinfall 

Match 4: Drew Hood V. Alexander Lev—Favorite of the night. Brought every feeling of a big fight between two of the best who, while being at the top of their game currently are also still getting better each time. Lev is not an easy matchup for most, he’s just on a different level with his ability and work-rate. Hood was with him every step, sometimes pushing the action even more. Drew has added some size recently that heightens his devilish qualities and accented a more ferocious nature to his game. Alexander tried to get Hood out of his way early with a picture-esque running STO. Drew’s power game is elevated now also as he won almost every power battle throughout. Hood’s spinebuster is elite. Lev goes for a final ending to the contest, yet gets caught by an strategic blow from Hood who rolls him up for the win. Lev is considered a go to talent to put on top level performances every time. Maybe it’s time to add Drew Hood to that list as well. 

Winner: Drew Hood via pinfall 

Match 5: Heath Slater (w/ 3MP) V. Ben Bishop—He’s still got kids and skills in a wrestling ring! Slater took it to big Ben utilizing his speed to escape the initial grasp of the massive Bishop. Ben is every bit of the SEVEN FEET TALL he says he is. He almost smashed his own head on the low hanging A/C box in one corner. These two brought the action to every seat as they fought throughout the building. For every person that says Heath should still be on television, just as many or more will say the same for Ben. Just as the strength of Bishop was turning the tide, Slater found an out-of-nowhere Zig Zag for the victory. 

Winner: Heath Slater via pinfall 

Match 6: (#1 Conterders for Tag Team Championships) Chosen Ones (Ace Haven/Justin McKenzie w/ Amy Haven) V. Stevie Ray Frost/The Flame (w/ Taliaferro & D’Kay Taliaferro) V. The Vanguard (Raylon Albey/Jake Parker w/ Ethan Case) V. Donald Jaykes Ministry (Kohnor Martin/Leron)—Organized chaos between eight hungry competitors. Martin is a solid emerging talent. Both he and Leron took some big damage from the others. The Vanguard are a team to look out for across the Southeast. They work well together and use a forcefulness to take command over their foes. Frost and Flame are right there with them with a more technical, methodical attack though. McKenzie is a great talent and excellent workhorse. He and Ace make a good team with their complimentary skills and camaraderie. Anytime the Taliaferros, Case or Amy are at ringside, expect extra fireworks. What’s better than watching a hit to the down-belows? Justin and Ace executed one on each other thanks to the tactics of The Vanguard. Tandem coast-to-coasts from Chosen Ones seal the victory…AND the “prize” of facing Brayden Toon and Chip Day for the titles. Could be a great contest. 

Winners: (And #1 Contenders for the Tag Team Championships) Chosen Ones (Ace Haven/Justin McKenzie w Amy Haven) 

Match 7: “Last Call” Kelsey V. Ezebella Wilder—Kelsey is a regular in 1FW where she has tangled with Wilder, Hyena Hera, Angelica Risk and more. She and Wilder used that prior chemistry to put on a spectacular display. Wilder is wildly popular even with heelish qualities. The crowd really rallied with Kelsey’s athleticism and at times she almost had Ezabella on the ropes. Of all the loose versions of the O’Connor Roll, Kelsey had one of the best ones I’ve ever seen performed. That was unfortunately Kelsey’s last shot at paydirt as Wilder took over, ultimately finishing the match with a standing split leg drop. This match was teased as a appetizer for the main course that is the next ROAR show (April 26th). It did a great job of heightening the excitement for the all-women event. 

 Winner: Ezabella Wilder via pinfall 

Match 8: Main Event: Carlie Bravo (c—GCW Champion) V. Elijah Drago—Drago has faced about every top player in the game recently (including possibly even Bravo before as well), so how does an opponent stand out against the Ukrainian Born Thriller? Bravo interrupted his own entrance music to say “play the other one”. By “other one” he meant “Living In America” by James Brown. Adorned in patriotic gear, Carlie was more than eager to prove his patriotism to anyone who would listen. Once the action started, Bravo used his elusiveness early to keep Drago off-balance. As Carlie was losing the battle he got shoulder tackled to the outside where he invited Elijah to continue the fight. After the action traversed across many chairs and laps of onlookers, Bravo rolled back in. As he got to his feet he was met by a flying freight train in the form of Drago’s textbook shoulder tackle from the outside apron to the inside of the ring. The champ dug deep in his bag for any way possible to get the W including the chain around his neck, brass knucks and even a low kick that might have caught more of the down-belows of Drago than his midsection. Despite all of this Elijah tossed Carlie high into the air (almost hit the aforementioned low hanging A/C box) with an F5 for the closest of falls. The crowd bought in early to Carlie’s methods and berated Drago with many “U-S-A” chants that only angered him more. In the end it was the Scissors Kick and a three count that kept the championship around the waist of “Bad News and Tattoos”! 

Winner: Carlie Bravo via pinfall to retain his GCW Championship 

There were many onlookers from the back watching at nearby tables throughout. After the match as Carlie was celebrating on top of table, the occupant still seated there was one Joe Black. Joe appeared to be of such high disinterest in the antics and celebration of Bravo that he say stoic during the entire set of festivities. His disinterest has led to his rematch for the championship at the next show. I’ll repeat that again for the people in the back AND those on the fence about coming to the next show (May 17—El Palenque Event Center in Marietta): the announced Main Event is currently reigning, defending, undisputed GCW champion Carlie Bravo versus the ever dangerous Joe Black. See you there.