Photos: Bob McAteer By Jeremy “The Impact” York: Mark this down: NAWA was the first to launch their big summer show this year and in my opin...
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| Photos: Bob McAteer |
By Jeremy “The Impact” York:
Mark this down: NAWA was the first to launch their big summer show this year and in my opinion is the current leader in the clubhouse for Show of the Year with this one. I highly anticipate what other shows will do to try to top this one. It sets up for an incredible summer to be a wrestling fan in and around the state of Georgia.
Match 1: “The Misfit” Justin McKenzie Vs. Justin Ramey—Chain headlocks to start,
then McKenzie with the textbook dropkick to Ramey. Both trade running attacks. They
fight outside where Ramey chops the back hard of McKenzie, the sound echoing
throughout the building. McKenzie is handing Ramey all he can handle for a while, then
Ramey’s strike hits a little low as ultimately he takes control of the match. As they
approach the end, McKenzie rallies to perform a Sliced Bread #2 followed quickly with a
shining wizard as he gets the 1-2-3!
Takeaway: Really good opener that got the crowd hyped fast. Ramey utilized his
height, power and experience advantage all the way until the heart and never-give-up
mantra of McKenzie willed him to the victory.
Winner: “The Misfit” Justin McKenzie via pinfall
Match 2: Nick Halen Vs. Ashton Martin—Deep headlock from Halen on the younger
Martin leads to heavy shoulder tackles from the veteran. Ashton catches a moment to
land a high cross body for an early one count. Nick recovers quickly for a swinging
neck-breaker plus a handful of hard Irish whips into the turnbuckles, crashing Martin to
the mat violently. Backbreaker and another hard whip into the corner for a two count for
Halen. They trade chops, Halen clearly causing more harm with his. Another whip into
the buckles. Ashton rebounds for a spinning DDT and flatliner in sequence for his own
two count. He scrambles to the top as he is feeling froggy….Halen out of the way just in
time for Martin to smash into the canvas. Nick rolls him up with a firm grip on the back of
his tights for the win!
Takeaway: I saw these two in their first ever match up at another show, yet this time
around it was a different match altogether. Halen is the heavy-handed, sly veteran who
will stop at nothing to make sure we leaves with the victory. Martin is a fast-upstart talent
with many great moments already and many impressive opportunities on the horizon.
Also feels like these two are far from done lining up on opposing sides of the squared-
circle from one another.
Winner: Nick Halen via pinfall
Match 3: “The Darkhorse” Xander Seabolt, “The Spiiral” DeSilva Vs. Big Andy,
Chris Nelms (6:05)—Nelms begins with a wristlock on DeSilva, tags Andy. They drop
DeSilva with a tandem back elbow. Andy hits a big splash in the corner then a hip attack
and elbow. Xander gets the tag and grabs a headlock on Andy. Andy misses a splash
and Seabolt goes to work methodically breaking down the bigger foe. Every time Andy
gets the advantage, Nelms asks for a tag and does not get it for a variety of reasons.
“The Spiiral” back in to deliver a multitude of running strikes in the corner. Quick tags
between DeSilva and Seabolt keep their offense fresh, while isolating Andy from his
corner. DeSilva chops Andy and is almost immediately met with one from the big man in
response that stops him in his tracks. Finally Andy reaches his hand to tag in
Nelms….who drops off the apron, hands in the air as he shakes his head and walks to
the back. The crowd is stunned at the apparent breakup of their beloved “6:05”. DeSilva
lifts Andy up for a fireman’s carry back drop that impresses every patron in attendance.
DeSilva and Seabolt see this as the chance to officially put Andy away. They double
team him at every chance, often upping the physicality on the big man. As they prepare
to get the win lined up Andy knocks them both down. He looks to his corner once
occupied by Nelms and sees….nothing. He shakes his head and looks up again after a
commotion from the crowed to see….Ashton Martin?! Martin stretches his hand out to
the stunned Andy who recovers in time to tag him in! Ashton is a house of fire as he
drops Seabolt then DeSilva then Seabolt then DeSilva once more. Andy sends Seabolt
sprawling then drops DeSilva with a World’s Strongest Slam. Martin is already on the
top rope, however unlike his last attempt on Halen THIS frog splash hits the mark!
Official counts to three with Big Andy and Ashton Martin getting their hands raised in
victory!
Takeaway: Great classic tag action throughout this one with the added split of the
popular team in the middle. The crowd was legit jaws on the floor stunned when Nelms
walked out. To have Martin pull double duty and be the one to “rescue” Andy is a great
nod to both. They actually are not a bad team to only tag for a few minutes ever. The
team of Seabolt and DeSilva is one that should absolutely scare any other team out
there. They are terror match ups as singles competitors, but when they team up
(especially with great classic tag skills in tow) they have to be a front-runner for top
team almost anywhere.
Winners: Big Andy, Ashton Martin
Match 4: Mother Frost (C—North Georgia Champion) Vs. “The Exotic One” Simon
Sermon—Frost seems already in his trance upon entering the arena. Simon is not
deterred and proceeds to make his opponent as off balance and confused as he can.
He gyrates against Frost, chases him through the crowd and attempts to lock lips with
him during a test of strength. Frost escapes to the outside of the ring again and looks
disheveled. Frost misses a big shoulder spear in corner, he falls to a seated position.
Sermon sees his opportunity for a hip shake maneuver, however Frost takes a bite out
of his caboose instead! Frost sees his opportunity to throw a flying forearm and more
big-time strikes at Sermon. He settles his foe down by applying a rear chin lock. Simon
breaks free and they trade knife-edge chops before Mother Frost drops Simon with a
big boot then elbow for a two count. He hits the flying shoulder in the corner for another
near fall. Frost misses a double axe handle, Sermon sends him flying with a barrage of
strikes and knockdowns. As Simon has Frost cornered, the lights go out mysteriously.
When they fire back up, Frost is on the other side of the ring and Sermon is lip-locked
with the official! Frost retrieves his signature antlers from the corner post. The official
warns him and gets caught up in placing them out of the way. Frost goes low and rolls
up Sermon for the 1-2-3. After the bell, longtime Simon rival “The Lethal Lariat” Lamar
Phillips storms the ring. Frost and Phillips lay in the boots to “The Exotic One” until Mad
Man Mayson rushes the ring and runs them off. Simon and the crowd both are not quite
sure what to think of Mayson in the ring. Sermon and Mayson seem to have a mutual
agreement decided on with a look and a nod as Simon challenges Lamar and Frost to a
tag team match at the next NAWA show (July 11th ).
Takeaway: This match featured two of the more eccentric superstars while also being
two that could not be more opposite. Yet it was such an entertaining match with each
moment building to another to another and so on til the crazy sequence of the ending.
Adding in Mad Man and Lamar to their next encounter will only heighten the possibility
for a fun and amazing match.
Winner: Mother Frost via pinfall
Match 5: Skrilla The Great Vs. Drako Starx (No Time Limit)—After some posturing,
they roll outside to briefly get this contest started before scampering back inside to
continue. Flying shoulder spear in the corner followed by a big boot from Starx. He only
gets a one count as Skrilla is miles from being done. Drako jumps from the apron back
inside the ring for a clothesline, gets another two count. Starx targets the arm of Skrilla,
then unleashes a CHOP to the pectorals of his foe that drops him to the mat. Another
two count for Drako. Starx takes a moment to talk smack to his opponent and the
surrounding patrons of the show. He takes a little too much time as the King of
Controversy levels him with a high leg drop for his own two count in the contest.
Headbutt from Skrilla followed by a couple shoulder tackles. A slap leads both to the
apron where Drako slams Skrilla. Back inside, Starx locks on a rear chin lock with
accompanying body wrap.
As Skrilla battles out of the grasp he hits a big back suplex,
another two count. Starx drops Skrilla on the ropes then a towering splash from the first
rope gives Drako yet another near fall. Skrilla with a trio of clotheslines and a sling
blade. Jawbreaker sets up a Skrillride attempt that is stopped as Starx sets Skrilla on
the top rope. They both take each other out and fall with an arm draped across each
other. The official counts both pins, looks confused after he does so.
Takeaway: Another great showing for both as they seem to really work well off one
another. These two really know how to get it done in the squared-circle and this is at
least the second opponent Skrilla has taken on with an NXT tie (Lexis King being the
other). Also, another match with no winner. This makes two or three depending on how
you count it that have not decided the victor. Their next face off seems to be further
down the road however as it was announced Drako will square up to “Hollywood”
Hunter James at the next show. Where does this leave Skrilla and the rivalry? Stay
tuned for more.
No winner as both competitors’ shoulders were counted down by the official. It’s
a DRAW.
Match 6—Main Event: Alexander Lev (C—NAWA Heavyweight Champion—w/John
Johnson) Vs. “The Wanted Man” Nick Nemeth—Front headlock from Nick, Lev
breaks free so Nick locks in another one then a takeover, gets a quick two count. They
roll around trying to apply any quick hold to wear down the other, but neither can get the
grip they seek to they clean break. As they get to their feet it’s Lev with a headlock on
Nemeth. Nick breaks loose and they go to a test of strength where Lev finds the
leverage for another headlock. Nick sends him into the ropes only to catch the rough
end of a few shoulder tackles. Nemeth kicks at the leg of Lev and grabs a headlock of
his own again. Lev frees himself to hit a sliding kick.
Nick performs a picturesque
dropkick, splash in the corner then goes for a second only to get picked up and dropped
on the ropes by Alexander. Lev’s chop misses, Nemeth’s does not. Lev tries to catch a
fallen eye lash and pokes Nemeth in the eye instead. Alexander drops a knee for a two
count, he recovers his foe for another two count. As they get to their feet Nick grabs a
front face lock and leaps into the air before crashing down with a devastating DDT! Lev
climbs to the top for a claymore kick that garners another near fall. Nick hops on the
back of Alexander then applies the sleeper hold. Lev crashes him into the turnbuckles to
remove the “Wanted Man” from his back. Inverted DDT from Lev for a close fall. Lev
charges at Nemeth who sends him flying via a back body drop. Nick with a handful of
clotheslines, splash in the corner and finishes off the combo with a swinging neck
breaker. Series of elbow drops (ten) leads to Nemeth calling for the superkick, Lev
ducks just in the nick of time. Lev dumps Nick to the apron, goes up and over the ropes
to join him. As he runs to execute the STO he yells “Say hello to Jimmy!” as he drops
Nick violently on the edge of the ring. They eventually roll back in, Nemeth with the out
of nowhere superkick for a two and seven eighths count. Scoop slam driver by Lev gets
a similar count by the official. Lev sends Nemeth chest first into the buckles hard.
Then
a Panama Sunrise by Alexander for a very near fall. Lev gestures that this is it as he
smashes Nemeth with a Style Clash! Official counts 1….2….kickout Nick at the last
possible moment! He recovers to hit a Famous-er for a two count. They roll outside.
Nick goes hard into the post. Lev gets back in the ring on count eight. Nick attempts to
however he is tripped up by Johnson on the outside. Official counts to ten and Lev
retains.
The match gets restarted per Nick using the crowd to convince Johnson to allow it. As
the bell sounds, Nemeth rolls up Lev for the 1-2-3! He grabs the championship and is
celebrating all over the ring when Johnson grabs a microphone to say he allowed the
rematch, yet it was a “non-title” rematch. Nemeth said “this is not over kid” and
continued to celebrate with the crowd as Lev and Johnson retreated to the back.
Takeaway: Nick Nemeth is one of the absolute best in-ring performers I have ever
seen. He is always on point, never misses and keeps up the charisma like it Madison
Square Garden. He pushed Alexander Lev to a place he has possibly never been to
before and dared him to keep up. To Lev’s credit, he very much did. Lev and a small
batch of others are on my list of “better pay a few dollars to see them live now before
you’ll need a streaming service to see them”. He continues to grow and improve on
what was already an impressive set of skills and resume. He has taken on all comers
and seems to always have a way to stay just a step ahead of anybody who stares him
down from across the squared-circle. What does his future at NAWA hold? I promise
you whoever it is, it’s a must-see.
Winner: (and STILL NAWA Heavyweight Champion) Alexander Lev w/ John
Johnson via Count-Out.
Winner: (after the restart) Nick Nemeth via pinfall.
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