Photos by Jeremy York From Jeremy "The Impact" York: Ring Announcer—Karson Wadell Match 1: Chris Crunk (w/ “Throat Goat” Joey Gam...
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| Photos by Jeremy York |
From Jeremy "The Impact" York:
Ring Announcer—Karson Wadell
Connection (Von LaFlame/Donovan Thomas)—Out of the gate, each team unleashed multiple double-team attacks aimed at disabling the highly talented team across the ring from them. Nawfside’s speed faced off with the power of Pop Rock. Fast tags, back and forth chants from the crowd, and numerous near falls had competitors and fans alike all in a heightened level of excitement! The Heroes utilized an enhanced windmill attack reminiscent of your favorite heavy metal mosh pit. Pop Rock would not be denied though as they used a double stomp from the top and DDT combo for the victory! Takeaway: Big win for Pop Rock Connection as it is hard to find a better team than Nawfside Heroes, who work together with a continuity unlike most others. Von and Donovan have been rising up the ranks all around the state and will look to further their argument as a top team. 12 Gauge has featured a couple teams recently and seem to be building a fairly solid tag division. Winners: Pop Rock Connection (Von LaFlare & Donovan Thomas) via pinfall
Match 3: Zach Dye (c-w/Dan “The Man”ager Carter) Vs. “Educated Athlete” Troy
Carter(Open-weight Championship)—Zach thought to have an easy night until he
learned Troy was cashing in an almost year-long opportunity he had for Dye’s
championship tonight. These two went toe to toe, move for move, running smash for
running smash! For every Dye power attack, Carter had an equally devastating
technical answer. On the outside, Dan did his best to stay out of the action and let these
two decide who should leave with the Bentley Memorial Championship. After quite the
showdown, the referee’s attention is diverted. Troy grabs the title in an attempt to verify
with Dye if it is in fact the correct title when Zero appears and snatches it from him while
letting him know there is no need for verification. In the confusion, Troy does not see a
running discus forearm from Dye coming. Zach covers for the 1-2-3 to retain!
Takeaway: Troy’s cash-in was from a Gauntlet match he won almost a year ago and
was apparently for any title in 12 Gauge. Many believed he would consider the top prize
because until recently it was the only championship. Instead, he chose the newest and
more personal of many involved at the organization. Zach “Never” Dye had other plans,
with a little assistance from “Sheriff” Zero, as he retains after a battle that definitely
pushed his limits.
Winner: Zack Dye (w/ Dan “The Man"ager Carter) via pinfall to retain his Openweight Championship
Match 4: Tyler Veach Vs. Jason Hampton (Submission Match)—Veach with the
rollouts to the outside and other stall tactics. They finally tangle, Hampton grabs an
early Cobra Clutch, Veach fights out of it. Jason hits a Side Effect on the apron, then big
splash in the corner. He follows with a cannonball that Tyler rolls out of the way. Veach
works over the leg of Hampton for a bit including a Sharpshooter that wrenched the legs
of Hampton around the ring post. Tyler uses a chair on the injured leg of Jason, then
locks his leg up again. As Hampton fights back he misses a dropkick only to have
Veach twist his leg. Tyler locks on the Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring, eventually
his opponent powers out of it. Hampton with a handful of clotheslines then a flying kick
to the chin and flatliner. He executes the inverted Cloverleaf to make Veach tap!
Takeaway: These two seemed to know each other and had some previous animosity
that showed during this one. To be a submission match, there was not non-stop
submissions. Every move seemed to have purpose. The crowd got behind Hampton by
the end and cheered loud when he won.
Winner: Jason Hampton via submission
Match 5: Colt Bane, Ryan Nero Vs. Stetsons & Flannels (Corey James, Zack
Riley)—The camaraderie and long-time brotherhood of James and Riley faced off with
the maniacal, “just get the job done” of Bane and Nero. Early on Riley’s brute strength
had the opposition bouncing all over the ring (and sometimes outside of it). Then James
gave the change of pace with quicker, finesse maneuvers to keep his foes off balance
even more. The duo of Colt and Ryan are not ones to just roll over however, as they
combined their efforts to thwart the efforts of the S&Ts. Finale of the contest saw a
tandem swinging cutter from Nero and Bane to pick up the victory!
Takeaway: Both of these teams are fun and offer something different to the viewing
audience. S&Ts could quickly become a big fan-favorite team in 12 Gauge. Bane and
Nero are more of a darker, grimier pairing that despite their lack of experience tagging
together, they showed they can be a hard night out for any team out there. Looks like 12
Gauge may be building a tag division with Bane/Nero, S&Ts, Pop Rock Connection, Air
B & B, Nawfside Heroes and more.
Winners: Colt Bane and Ryan Nero via pinfall
Match 6: Eli Riley Vs. AMJ—Eli Riley (no relation to Zack, I think) began by protesting
the fact he got put in a match to take on the wildly powerful AMJ, that fell on deaf ears
among the fans at ringside. Once they finally lock up, AMJ lifted and flung Eli all around
the square-circle to the delight of the same fans at ringside. Riley finds some offense by
sending AMJ twice into the ring post. He follows with running strikes in the corner then a
big slam for a two count. Eli with a step-up enziguri and a running kick for another near
fall. Eli rolls to the apron, does a dive in roll only to be caught by AMJ who drives him
into the mat with a powerbomb! AMJ covers for the 1…2…kickout by Riley! AMJ throws
Riley into corner, follows with a splash, running knee and press slam. He goes for the
pin, yet it’s Riley with the roll up for the win!
Takeaway: The winning maneuver did involve Eli using the ropes to balance as he
almost lost his footing initially. Riley catches a bad wrap for not being good, yet it’s far
from the reality. He has proven to be able to go versus bigger, more powerful opponents
often getting the better end of things. AMJ is no slouch either. His power is on a major
level and can really give him the advantage in most situations.
Winner: Eli Riley via pinfall
Match 8—Main Event: (12 Gauge Heavyweight Championship) Rico Bravo (c) Vs.
Skrilla The Great—Skrilla starts with the deep wristlock, however Rico delivers a
Northern lights suplex. Back up quickly, Skrilla again works on the arm of the champ.
Bravo breaks free for a hurricanrana and attempts the Sliced Bread #2, but the
challenger breaks free just in time with a backslide counter. As Rico kicks out of it,
Skrilla hits the sliding clothesline for a near fall. After the kickout, Skrilla drops his foe
with a vicious DDT for another close fall. Bravo hits a springboard clothesline that
started on the apron, gets a two count. They trade more near falls, then exchange
strikes. Skrilla with the rip-cord slingblade, Rico executes a hurricanrana from the top
rope then goes for the Sliced Bread #2 again, however Skrilla counters with a Skrillride
for the nearest fall of the contest! Bravo with the jumping face-buster, then Sliced Bread
#2 followed by a frog splash from the top. Two and fifteen-sixteenths count for his
efforts. They roll outside to continue the battle. Neither hear the official count to ten and
we get a double count-out.
Takeaway: Really good, highly athletic contest. Old school (Skrilla) meeting new school
(Rico Bravo) as both are looking to prove why they should be on top. This rivalry is far
from over and this main event lived up to the billing. Rico’s Air B & B tag partner BK
Bennet was at ringside for the Main Event and did a great job with a live mic keeping
the crowd into this one heavy. After the match, Skrilla (ever the pot stirrer) had Rico and
BK talking a little smack to one another as the show ended.
No Winner: Double Count Out
Next Show: August 1st from the Chatooga County Agricultural Center in
Summerville.
