CEW April Ambush Live -- Savannah on April 25

Photos by Ross Blair By Ross Blair: CEW had to change venues for April Ambush due to booking conflict. They reverted back to their original ...

Photos by Ross Blair

By Ross Blair:

CEW had to change venues for April Ambush due to booking conflict. They reverted back to their original venue, the Coastal Empire Beer Company brewery. They've clearly outgrown their old venue, as it was standing room only. The crowd was just as hot as the VFW though & were into every single match. 

While folks were still strolling in, The Redacted (Hakeem Young & Jay Alpha Miller) confronted Exotic Youth (Bryce Cannon & Cornelius Pepperbottom) at their merch table. This ended with Peps being powerbombed through a table. I don’t even think the cameras were rolling yet. 

1.) "Hollywood" Hunter James opened the show by brainbusting & pinnimg the debuting Nick Quick, who is from Savannah. The match lasted about 5 minutes & was a solid showcase for Hollywood. Hunter did a brief after-match interview, saying it's time for him to "skyrocket to the top." A title chase is likely to come for Hunter, the company's top babyface. 

2.) "Marvelous" Michael Stevens beat Young Mighty Joe in a fun match with numerous comedy spots. Suge D's (who is currently feuding with Joe) music started playing, which distracted Joe. Stevens took advantage by rolling up Joe & pinning him while Stevens illegally used his feet on ropes for leverage. Joe versus Suge is slated for the next show. 

3.) Christian Taylor pinned the debuting Owen Knight after a "Personality Disorder" (powerbomb from a fireman’s carry position). Can't saw enough good things about this technically sound match, which the crowd really popped for...even Taylor had a cheering section, which actually isn't that uncommon in CEW. Taylor brutalized Knight after the match and was about to choke him out with Saran Wrap when Taylor's manager Simon Sermon intervened & put a black hood over Taylor's face to restrain the maniac. 

4.) The Saturday Night Temptations (Karl Hager & CJ Shine) beat Exodus (Body Bundy & Jacked Josh w/Emily Locke) to win the CEW Tag Team Turmoil Championship. The title win was awesome to see & a long time coming for Hager & Shine, who are day one CEW guys who have never held these straps. Locke attempted to interfere, but Kelsey Raegan came out & the two fought their way to the back. Exodus had Hager up for the Final Revelation (simultaneous neckbreaker & splash from the top), but Hager adjusted -- causing Josh to splash Bundy. Hager then held Josh as CJ came off the top rope with a flying dropkick for the title win. The place exploded for the title change. Fantastic match & overall vibe! 

5,) The Redacted (Hakeem Young & Jay Alpha Miller) versus Exotic Youth (Bryce Cannon & Cornelius Pepperbottom) was next up -- a match that has been teased for months. Just before the match, Brandon Benefield interviewed Bryce, who said Peps was injured from the earlier incident & he would take on Hakeem & Miller in a handicap match. When Bryce appeared to be down & out, Pepperbootom's music hit & he came out in street clothes & taped ribs. Bryce made the hot tag, and Peps proceeded to beat the tar out of The Redacted. It concluded shortly after that when Bryce nailed Miller with a Spiked Seltzer and Peps pinned Hakeem after a shining wizard. Great booking on this match & it couldn't have been followed out any better. Best match on the card, which is a high mark on this night. Peps grabbed the mic after the match & challenged The Redacted (love that name) to a proper tag match next month, which has been signed. 

6.) Kelsey Raegan pinned Emily Locke (w/Exodus) to even the score from last month. Raegan tapped out Locke with a crossface, but Exodus distracted referee Clark DeBenedetto from seeing the tap. Raegan approached Exodus, who were in the ring at this point, and blew mist into Bundy’s eyes. Blinded by the mist, Bundy attacked Josh (thinking it was Raegan). Locke then failed an attempt on her Locke & Key (lariat cutter) finisher, and Raegan nailed Locke with a lariat for the pin. Great match, and the crowd loved Raegan. 

7.) “Main Event” Mike Walker (w/Simon Sermon) pinned Dax Anthony to retain the CEW Heavyweight Title in a really good main event. Simon beat up referee Clark early in the match & had him replaced. Simon threw in his ring for Walker to cheat with, but Walker refused. Dax had Walker up for his Curtains Down cutter finisher, but Christian Taylor attacked Dax while Simon distracted the ref. Instead of utilizing the assist, Walker admonished Taylor & ordered him out of the ring. Dax took advantage of the distraction & delivered a Curtains Down to Walker, but Simon draped Walker’s foot across the bottom rope while again tossing in his ring. Walker hesitantly slid the ring on the ring & punched Dax with it. Walker followed up with his froggy bow elbow finisher from the top rope & the 1-2-3.

Instead of celebrating with Simon & Taylor, Walker grabbed his belt & left the ring with a disgusted look on his face. Could this be the beginning of the end of the “Main Event” era & the return of the babyface Flying Fro? Time will tell.