AWE Homegrown 26 -- Marietta on May 17

Photos by Peter Sigmund From Jeremy York: AWE “Homegrown 26” at El Palenque Event Center  Ring Announcer—Carmen Michael  Announcers—Carmen M...

Photos by Peter Sigmund

From Jeremy York:

AWE “Homegrown 26” at El Palenque Event Center 

Ring Announcer—Carmen Michael 

Announcers—Carmen Michael & 3MP 

Official—Mason Pike (Iron Ref) Match 

1: Hunter Drake Vs. “Agent 003” Chad Skywalker—Super athletic and technical battle from the jump. Skywalker with the slight early advantage after utilizing his power and momentum over the smaller Drake. Hunter turned to his arsenal of arial assaults to decommission Agent 003. Just at the height of his elusiveness, Hunter is halted by the outstretched palm in his face of Skywalker as he says “Talk To The Hand”. Hunter hits the ropes and gets the same greeting, then again, then again. They go back and forth, trading momentum and incredible maneuver until Chad grabs Hunter in a front headlock hold over Chad’s shoulder. He looks around with his “I Got Him” grin then sprints to the nearby corner. Up and over he goes with the Sliced Bread #2, Hunter kicks out just before the officials three count. In the confusion the officials attention is diverted as Drake hits Agent 003 low. Drake climbs to the top rope for the 450^ splash and the 1-2-3! 

Takeaway: Two superstars who can tear it up in the ring, are often forgotten about AND have the chemistry they do absolutely put on a banger to open the night. The crowd was popping big and continued to the rest of the night. 

Winner: Hunter Drake via pinfall 

Match 2: Donald Jaykes Ministry (Kohnor Martin, Reverend Ronnie Dazzle) Vs. Frost and Flame (w/ Taliaferro)—Big power display early from Martin and Dazzle, even against the bigger foes with big slams and throws. Flame starts the momentum swing with his own strength, followed by Frost’s methodical strikes. Frost knocked to the outside, yet he pulls Martin under the ring. When Frost emerges, Connor does not. Flame with the crushing neck breaker, followed by Frost’s lariat to the back of the neck on Dazzle. Frost and Flame cover for the victory. After the bell, Dazzle finds his partner groggily emerging from underneath the ring, as he asks Connor where he was and Martin could only look on confused. Takeaway: In an already crowded tag team division, add Frost and Flame as potential favorites to take over reign very soon. Alongside Taliaferro, they are a team not to be taken lightly. On the other side, Martin and Dazzle are impressing more and more with each match. Down the road they could also be solid contenders. 

  Winners: Frost and Flame (w/ Taliaferro) via pinfall 

Match 3: Robyn Renegade (w/ Charlette) Vs. Bobbi Thunder (w/ Crystal Rose)—Even lockups then Bobbi grabs a deep headlock. Robyn breaks free to unleash a roaring CHOP to the chest of her foe. As they scrap outside Thunder finds a Cena plush from a fan that gives Renegade “five knuckles” upside her noggin as Thunder says “You Can’t See Me” to the delight of the crowd! Back inside, Bobbi digs in with a big armbar. Robyn uses a big stomp to break free, however Thunder locks in a sleeper hold. Renegade counters with a chin breaker yet Thunder snatches her up only to toss her like a lawn dart across the mat! Bobbi charges towards a seated Robyn in the corner, but the rolling splash misses. Back on their feet Robyn drops Bobbi face-first on the mat, only gets a two count. They both rush towards each other and catch a clothesline from the other. Thunder with the school-girl rollup for a near fall. As Robyn kicks out, Charlett with the cheap shot from the outside on Thunder. She staggers towards the middle of the ring, Robyn rolls her up for the win. Takeaway: Nobody hits harder than Joe Black (see next match for more). However, Robyn Renegade can make a strong case for closest effort to him. There were a few chops in particular that echoed across the entire room and had everyone in attendance feeling some of the boom as well. Thunder continued to battle back and really pushed Robyn throughout. Hope these two tangle again real soon. This was one of the best matches of the night, on a card full of great action. 

Winner: Robyn Renegade (w/ Charlette) via pinfall 

Match 4: Joe Black Vs. Cedric Alexander (c—TNA X-Division Championship)—You read that right. Upon arrival to the event, upper management walked over to me to say after a phone call with TNA Wrestling, this match is now for the TNA X-Division Championship and is Cedric’s first defense since winning the title two days before! The history, emotions, and all of the build up to this one set up one showcase for the ages. Cedric and Joe pulled out all the stops to strikes, kick, beat down, throw, suplex and use any way possible to take the other out of commission. As previously mentioned, nobody hits harder than Joe. Every time Alexander would get the slight advantage a CHOP from Black would bring him back to the reality that this is no ordinary battle, it was a fight. Cedric lands a back elbow then dumps Joe to the outside. They bring the fans closer to the core of their story by fighting across the building. They roll back in the ring where Black executes FOUR German suplexes in tandem hanging on for each until releasing his grip after the last. Joe goes old school as he walks across the ropes then pounces onto Alexander who continues his momentum into a powerslam! He gets a very near fall. Black cuts Alexander in half with an animalistic rollout spear. They trade forearms from their knees, then rise up to continue the strike-fest. Joe delivers an devastating lariat that turns Cedric inside-out, yet he recovers to deliver a sheer-drop brain-buster on Joe. Black goes old-school again across the top rope, this time catching Cedric with an out of nowhere cutter. As the two are preparing for the next levels of punishment for each other, the Palmetto Boys sprint out to spoil the party. A melee ensues until a returning Murder One gives the Palmetto pals a warning about what the next step of action will be, causing them to retreat to the back. 

Takeaway: Find the video of this match. It will not even remotely do it the same justice of being there live, but at least you get a taste of the special moment and display these two gave to each other and the fans in attendance. Two of the absolute best that we are all better for being able to claim them as two of our greatest to ever grace a Southern ring. At some point these two will tangle again, hope to see you there.

No real winner announced as interference caused a No Contest ruling. 

Match 5: Dick Pickle Jr (w/ Ethan Case) Vs. DRP—DPJ versus DRP in a first-time match up between two completely different talents. DRP with his elusive ability and innovative offense took on the quick, power of DPJ. Energy toe spin by DRP, but Pickle Jr gets control with some lethal kicks. DRP finds a spot to land a picturesque Northern lights suplex for a two count. Big leg drop from Pickle Jr for a two and five sixteenths count. DRP knocks Pickle Jr out of the ring only to land a tope’ suicida! Back inside DRP hits a tilt-a-whirl DDT then his signature Cartwheel slam. As he goes for the pin, Case intercedes causing the DQ. The Palmetto pals leave DRP licking his wounds as they celebrate to the back. Takeaway: DRP continues to impress. For the limited time he has officially been in the business, he grows to new levels each time out. Often forgotten is his gas tank as he can keep up the high intensity and energy throughout the contest, making every opponent have a tough night at the office. DPJ is a solid competitor as well and took all DRP threw at him while giving him back just as much. 

Winner: DRP via Disqualification. 

Match 6: JT Paradox (w/ 3MP) Vs. Vanguard (Jake Parker, Raylen Albey w/ Ethan Case)—Paradox was supposed to be joined by Alexander Lev who could not make it on this night, so he chose to go it alone. He had some great moments of overcoming his foes, however every time he would suplex or slam one member of the Vanguard, the other was there to cut off the attack. After a bit of time, out comes somebody who already competed earlier in the night to try to even the odds for JTP: it’s DRP! With the added energy he brings, Paradox was able to catch Parker and Albey off balance and fling them all over the ring. Tagging DRP only frustrated Vanguard more because of his high-flying and drive to push the pace of the match. In the end it was the more seasoned tandem of Parker and Albey with a suplex to spinebuster for the victory. 

Takeaway: This match was dragging before DRP showed up. All five people involved at that point were doing all they could but there was only so many ways Paradox could fight back and only so many ways Vanguard could dominate him. Once it was evened out, it took off like a rocket ship and had the crowd popping big. Maybe Paradox and DRP should team more often. That being said, The Vanguard are another of my favorite teams in the loaded Tag scene at AWE. Possibly the dark horses to take the crowns with one of the strongest “Case(s)”. Winners: The Vanguard (Jake Parker, Raylen Albey w/ Ethan Case) 

Match 7: Jonathon Moody (w/ Ethan Case) Vs. Drew Hood—Solid chain wrestling exchange to start. Hood with the first advantage thanks to a massive slam and crushing elbow drop, then a backbreaker. Moody takes control after some advantageous maneuvers. The crowd is giving it to Moody and Case though. Taliaferro saunters to just outside the ringside area, next to a certain reporter, as he takes in the action. Moody with an excellent bulldog choke, Hood counters it into a spinning back suplex. Moody hits a spine buster and swinging neck breaker. They both trade roll up attempts, then on the final roll up from Hood he gets unbalanced and kicks his legs up as they temporarily come to rest on the second rope as the official counts to three! Takeaway: Drew Hood with another banger performance, this time versus a smaller less seasoned opponent in Moody. Moody brings a high intelligence to match with the superior cerebral game of Hood though so this one was really good. Of all the time Case was at ringside tonight, this was the one he was least involved in which actually stood as testament to letting Hood and Moody work. 

Winner: Drew Hood via pinfall 

Match 8: Ace Haven, Justin McKenzie (Amy Haven) Vs. Brayden Toon, Chip Day (C-Tag Team Championships)—McKenzie and Toon start for their squads. Brayden’s superior power garnered him the early jump. Somehow Justin recovers and throws a crisp dropkick, Ace tags in. As he enters the ring, Brayden flattens him with a big boot. They tangle where Ace gets the upper hand to tag McKenzie back in. Toon locks down his leg, in comes Chip Day. He lands a stiff kick to the Misfit. Day follows with a snap suplex, tags Toon who delivers a massive powerbomb like Justin owed him money! Ace enters to intercede the champs’ tactics, a melee ensues. Chip suplexes Justin off the second rope. A shining wizard, big splash and leg drop from the champs get them a near fall, but McKenzie kicks out! Ace cutter from Haven sets up a double Coast to Coast on Day in the corner. Toon in just in time to break up to potential title change! All four trade strikes, then Toon and Day hit a high-low. Brayden with a package piledriver, Chip with a brain-buster…champs get the three! 

Takeaway: Two really good teams who showcased why AWE’s tag division is one of the deepest and best around. Ace took a nasty fall and got dumped over the ropes at one point. He seemed to recover though and still impacted the big moments of the match. McKenzie continues to get better and has really grasped his style that is all his own. Chip and Brayden are a force as the current champs. They will be hard to beat moving forward as their power and ingenuity keeps any opponent on their heels. 

Winners: (and STILL AWE Tag Team Champions) Chip Day & Brayden Toon via pinfall Match 

9—Main Event: Sal Rinauro (C-GWC Jr. Heavyweight Championship) Vs. Tristan Moody (w/ Ethan Case)—Test of strength becomes deep arms drags from Sal. Rinauro gets Case ejected from ringside. Tristen catches Sal with a back elbow, Sal responds with a dropkick sending Tristen to the outside. Rinauro leaps over the ropes to splash his foe! He follows with a piercing chop to the pectorals of Moody, then holds Moody so a few ringside fans can add their own smacks to the Palmetto pal. Back inside Tristen with the dropkick of his own as he takes the momentum from the champion. He unleashes some chops of his own. Sal gains advantage back then prepares for his patented mob stomps. The crowd counts along until “6-7” for obvious laughs and reasons. Rinauro with the release suplex. They both find the top rope where Moody slams Rinauro with a superplex. Sal to his feet as Tristen performs a running handstand against the ropes to set up a cutter. Tristen uses a release suplex then a figure-four leg lock. Moody kicks Sal for a one count. Rinauro is not done though as he uses a double underhook bomb. Tristen tries a roll up after the Palmetto pals rush to the ring but Sal kicks out! In the confusion Rinauro catches a cheap shot from the PP’s. He turns around as Tristen hits a flying forearm. He covers Rinauro as the official counts 1- 2-3. After the match, the PP’s attack Sal. Murder One, Chip Day, Brayden Toon and Joe Black march to the ring. MO says he’s here to issue the warning that unless Palmetto’s finest do not clear from his ring, their will be violence. As the PP’s look on from ringside he issues a challenge to them that his five versus their five will fight at the next show. He gives the two finger salute. Joe joins the salute, then Brayden, then Chip. 

Murder One helps Sal to his feet and asks him to join them. Rinauro starts to leave the ring, then runs back and two finger salutes to sign on for battle! 

Takeaway: Scheduling is partly why this match and Joe versus Cedric were shuffle on the card. I believe it worked out for the absolute best. Some are not as familiar with Tristen’s work and that he is a big time talent, especially in the Carolinas. Sal is still a national treasure and one of the best to watch with everything he does on such a high level. I hope these two square off again real soon one-on-one. That five on five will be a war next show. Also, shout out to Mason Pike who Iron Refereed the entire night spectacularly. 

Winner: (and NEW GWC Jr. Heavyweight Champion) Tristan Moody