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| Photos by Peter Sigmund |
By King T'Chaka Jones:
KING’S BACK!!!!
Aight Bet. It’s been a while since I wrote something (Here Larry...DAMN!!! Lol) and I must say that I missed you guys! Enough about me, we are here to get down with the get down. Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment is coming off a HOT show in Homegrown (I might still do a review for that after this because THAT was a hell of a show, but anyway) and we slide right on into ‘The Juke Joint’. Marietta is a bit more kind to AWE with people starting to come out more and more. It was about 80 or more by the time the show ended, but that doesn’t really matter to this review. This show was DAYUM good. Enough of me talking, we ar....
Intro: The Champ is here.
My inner thoughts are interrupted by the Georgia Wrestling Crown Champion, Carlie Bravo. He starts off in Carlie Bravo fashion by ever so graciously, Gracing us with his presence. Bravo immediately runs down the crowd of “30” who just so happens to be there before bell time. Tells us how * Checks notes * How great he is, how he hasn’t missed many shows, who he beat, tells us how we should be lucky to see him...Yeah Yeah. Come on, WRAP IT UP!!! Bravo then goes on to tell us he is inserting himself into the Main Event which was SUPPOSED to be JOE BLACK vs Alexander Lev, and the Georgia Wrestling Crown is on the line. Hmm...This could be interesting.
Selection 1: You Gone Let Me In:
Ravenna Vein w/ Kelsey Raegan d. Crystal Rose (6:04)
Vein (Vampire Baddie) and Raegan are in the ring first and I have to ask...Who invited the Vampire in? Security at the door was slackin but whatever. Crystal Rose is out next to a great reaction. Bell rings and we get testy really fast. Both Women lock up hard and neither can get an advantage. Vein leads with elbows and catches Rose off guard only for a second, and Rose answers back with a couple of Arm Drags. Vein recovers herself and slams Rose face into the Mat. Raegan makes her presence known very early by tripping Rose as she hits the ropes. Vein throws Rose outside, and Raegan attacks Rose around the ring. The Ref can only watch as Rose is double teamed by Vein and Raegan. Rose proves to be a tough one and fights both off to get a bit of space and take it back to the ring.
Rose seemingly gets back in control only to get distracted by Raegan once again. At this point, ROAR rules are in full effect as Raegan just helps Vein wear down Rose enough for Vein to hit a spear and get the win! Ravenna Vein wins one for the Vampire Nation. Solid B
After Match Thoughts: Good opening match to start things off. Crystal Rose is really starting to stand out in a STACKED ROAR division with great style, great presence and great overall look. Willing to hit hard and show a lot of grit in the mist of being ganged up on. No, she did not get the W; however it just shows it will take a lot to keep her d
own. Ravenna Vein, on the other hand, was a great foil for Rose as her and Kelsey Raegan used every advantage they could to keep Rose off her game just enough for Vein to get the win. Vein worked the match well and Raegan did just enough for all of us to want to see her slung around a bit (FORESHADOWING!!!!) later on.
Selection 2: Juke...Or...Get the Misson Done:
Chad ‘Agent Double Oh Thr33...003’ d. Justin Mckenzie (Of The Chosen One’s) 8:11
Hang on because these two are going to take you for a ride! We start of with a lot of One-Ups-Manship. Fingers pointing at each other, jaw jacking and seeing who really has control of the crowd. There wasn’t a move in the first min or so that wasn’t there to show who had the most style, and the crowd ate it up! Mckenzie made a bit of space with a drop kick and then put Sky Walker in a slightly exaggerated headlock. Sky Walker responded with a pretty dope stunner, and we finally got into the wrestling. Sky Walker throws McKenzie to the turnbuckle and is in hot pursuit. Sky Walker charges with kicks to 2 Turnbuckles, but McKenzie moves out the way and McKenzie flies at Skywalker out the third! McKenzie speeds things up a bit and catches Sky Walker with a DDT as he jumps from the apron to the ring. Sky Walker is out the ring and McKenzie pursues. McKenzie goes for a dive; however, Sky Walker stops him dead in his tracks. Action spills back in and Sky Walker eventually get hits an elbow off the Top Rope. McKenzie musters enough strength to kick Sky Walker, and he goes for a second. Sky Walker dodges the second, fakes a punch, rolls up McKenzie and actually gets the 3! Crafty move by Sky Walker for the W! B+
After Match Thoughts: Man these 2 can move and fly! Justin McKenzie, being the smaller guy, knew he had to use all the speed he could, and it worked great. His swag was on point the whole time, and we just KNEW he would pull it off. Chad Sky Walker was just a little too much for him. Sky Walker is no stranger at all to AWE, and he knew exactly what and how to turn McKenzie’s plan against him. After all he is a Man on a Mission even IF he played around just a bit. Will it cost Sky Walker a Victory in the future, only time will tell.
Selection 3...I Lied to You:
JT Paradox w/ 3MP d. Rev. Ronnie Dazzle (3:39)
Rev. Ronnie Dazzle comes out first and informs us that, yet again, Pastor Donald Jaykes is not in the building but somewhere helping poor victims...I mean SOULS, Yes Souls, find their way and blah, yadda, something something Ministry related. Luckily, 3MP (Wait, did I just really write that...Da Hell is wrong with me) and JT Paradox come to relieve of us all this Pastor Jaykes, Rev Dazzle nonsense. 3MP says that he actually came to confess a few things. He confesses that he is glad that Murder One and The Hierarchy are back to take care of the Palmetto Wrestling Academy. Confesses that, after a secret phone call from Rev. Dazzle himself, he wonders about Luscious Leron. Misses the Purple Hair, The Red Thong, The Mind of Leron. 3MP then pulls out the Purple Wig, and Rev. Dazzle is starting to have a crisis of the mind. While Luscious Dazzle is fighting within, JT Paradox starts wailing on Rev. Leron. Ronnie Luscious is fighting a battle on 2 fronts and can't really get a hold of either. JT Paradox throws him all around the ring. Dazzle LuscRon tries to get some offense in, however Paradox just gets tired and decides to finish the match with a Discus Elbow and Tour of the Island type slam. After the match, Luzzle LaRonnie can only gather himself and the Purple Wig and stumble his way to the back. B- for the Wrestling. A- For the Story
After Match Thoughts: There was more story to move things along than Wrestling so that is why it is graded in such a manner. This was what it was and it got the job done. Rev Dazzle’s more eccentric side coming out could have been a bit stronger in the match, however it feels like we will be getting it a bit more later. 3MP and JT Paradox feel like the Dam is starting to burst with all the troubles they have had with Ethan Case and the PWA and unfortunately, Rev. Dazzle just happened to be in the way. Let Paradox run free Bast Dammit!!
Selection 4...Can’t Win for Losin’
Kelsey Raegan w/ Ravenna Vein and Alexis Littlefoot end in Ref Stoppage. (Around 5:20)
Kelsey Raegan and Ravenna Vein come out to sharp Boo’s from the crowd, however they pay that no mind. Alexis Littlefoot comes out to a Big reaction and we get things underway. From the Jump, Raegan seems to have the rules of ROAR down to a science because she uses Vein distractions and interferences to the max. Littlefoot is fighting for her dear life against Raegan and every time she catches her breath, Vein is right there to do SOMETHING to her. A trip here, a Push there; Vein on the apron, Vein in the Ring...I am starting to think that Littlefoot needs to make some friends because this was rough. Littlefoot finally catches Raegan with solid elbows and kicks, and even swats Vein out the way for a bit. Littlefoot is in complete control after a clean stomp face breaker (Eat Defeat) and stepping up on Reagan and coming down with a Scissor Kick. Littlefoot goes to jump over Raegan and looks like she gets clipped and comes down awkward on her ankle. She is in pain and the ref throws up the X and the match is stopped. The Match ends in a Ref Stoppage because Littlefoot cannot go on. Raegan then decides to jump on Littlefoot as she is tended to by the Staff of AWE and the Ref has to Slang (CALL BACK) her across the ring to restore order. * Musing to myself*... Is this Slang a Chick Sunday or something because Ref Bryan tossed her clean across and we all cheered for that. Oh well...No Grade.
After Match Thoughts: Ok not much I am going to say here but that I hope Alexis Littlefoot gets better and back to kicking ASS real soon. Littlefoot did a damn good job of surviving and even fending off both for a while. Kelsey Raegan looking good in her devious ways in this match and Vein interfering make it so easy to root against them. Even to the point that getting thrown across the ring made us all think...GOOD. Couldn’t happen to a better person. All in all, this was what it was and since I don’t do grades on a match with injuries, I hope to see this done again with everyone healthy. It really was damn entertaining.
INTERMISSION!! #JOINOURCULT
Selection 5: Magic...What They Do!
WWE Women’s ID Champion Laynie Luck d. Bobbi Thunder and Kristen Blaze (Around 15 min..Look I aint Larry and forgot the cut on the timer...My Bad)
Ok So THIS...This was a fun match to watch and because so much happened, we gonna go to everyone’s Favorite...QUICK NOTES!!!! By the way, it was annouced earlier that this will be an official WWE ID Women’s Championship Match! Kristen Blaze comes out as smug as ever. Bobbi Thunder, on the other hand, has the crowd in her hands. Laynie Luck is hyped and ready for this. Match starts fast and we get everyone trying to pin each other. The Ref is gonna have a LOT to do. Luck and Thunder are over Blaze’s shit already, and she gets a double shoulder tackle for her troubles. Luck and Thunder brawl a bit after Blaze hits the outside. Blaze thinks she is safe on the outside and just watches with the rest of us. Thunder and Luck take to the outside and in a moment of solidarity and respect... They share 2 Beers! Blaze has enough of it and attacks...Bout time she got in the action. Blaze gets in some quick needs to Luck and starts working her arm. Thunder wants in; however Blaze starts working her around. Damn Blaze is killin it out here for a sec. Blaze with a Clothesline for both Thunder and Luck. Luck to the floor, Blaze gets to work on Thunder. Blaze is gliding through the ring and turning Thunder all around. Damn everything is getting faster! These ladies are all in the ring now and it’s mass hysteria! BOBBI THUNDER WITH THE SWING!! BOBBI THUNDER WITH ANOTHER SWING!! What the hell is going on here! Go Ladies Dammit! LUCK with a SPEAR!!! STUNNER by THUNDER! BLAZE takes out Thunder! LUCK with a Rollup for the 3!! LUCK KEEPS HER TITLE!! A+ for sure!
After Match Thoughts: WHAT A HELL OF A MATCH!! The ROAR Division doesn’t miss at all when it comes to any of their matches. Ok so I know these quick notes won't do any justice, however, please go out of your way to see this match! Kristen Blaze is becoming one of my favorite people to watch in the whole promotion right now. Perfect mix of Smugness and Self-Righteousness and Raw Skill that just oozes out as soon as you see her. The Top 1% of the 1% has that presence that can not and will not be ignored no matter how much we boo her. Laynie Luck was a joy to watch with my first time seeing her in person. Smooth and Fluid, however Gritty enough to hang in her first ROAR match like a Vet. I would love to see her come through again! And to Bobbi F’N Thunder. The Crowd Favorite...The Heart of ROAR (Robyn Renegade is the Life-blood and Crystal Rose is the Adrenaline, Ravenna Vein and Kelsey Raegan are the Dark Energy) and the reason a lot of us come to the show in the first place. Bobbi puts her all into every moment of her matches, and you are left with a whirlwind of emotions no matter the outcome for her. All 3 had great chemistry and I cannot say enough good things about this!
Selection 6: ACE, Chip and a Lil Frost and Flame
Chip Day and Ace Haven d. Frost and Flame w/ Taliaferro (GWC Tag Team Match...If Chip and Ace win, The Chosen One’s get a shot at the GWC Tag Team Belts) 8:10
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Before I go into the Match, Condolences to Taliaferro on the loss of his Father last month. I know Papa Taliaferro is proud of his Son and I send MAD LOVE to the Family! REST EASY PAPA TALIAFERRO! Frost and Flame are out with Taliaferro (#JOINOURCULT) first and Chip Day is out after solo. Brayden Toon could not make it this show, so Chip has to find a replacement. Ace and Amy Haven come out, and Chip is IMMEDIATELY annoyed about where this could be headed. Ace and Amy do all they can to convince Chip to give them a chance and throw in a little stipulation at the end...If Chip and Ace win, The Chosen One’s get a title shot later on. Frost and Flame and Taliaferro look bored with all the drama and just want to fight. Ace insists on starting things, and Chip begrudgingly lets him. Ace is hyped up and Chip says that he better not mess up. Ace is in First after convincing Chip that he will do the best job possible. Ace gets the upper hand on Frost and Flame just a bit and the crowd goes..Mild. An “Ace is OK” chant strikes up and Chip just in right with us. Frost and Flame get tired of Ace’s Shenanigans and start tossing and beating him around the ring. Chip is tagged in and looks like the Chip F’N Day we all know and love. Stiff Kicks, hard strikes and a Kip Up after a Flying Drop Kick let us know that things are looking up for the Champ; until Ace tags himself in... Big mistake because that allows Frost and Flame to really grind down Ace. Heavy Punches, Heavy Kicks and lots of slams are served by both Frost and Flame, and Ace looks out of it. Chip tried to get the crowd to hype up Ace just a bit, however he just gave up and enjoyed F & F beat down Ace. Eventually Chip has seen enough, attacks Frost and Flame off of Ace, Slings Ace to the Corner (ANOTHER Callback to Slang a B**** / Chick Sunday...Sorry Ace lol) and tags himself in. Chip takes to Frost and Flame with smooth Kicks, a couple of chops and a High Knee to the face of Frost...Or was it Flame or both. Chip was all over the place! Chip got the win!! After the match, Justin McKenzie comes out to celebrate with Ace and Amy (With Brayden Toon’s Belt) about the fact that they now have a Tag Team Title Shot. Chip just walks away. A-
After Match Notes: Frost and Flame and Taliaferro did their part very well. Their annoyed expressions and tough wrestling made the perfect foil for Ace’s enthusiasm. Seems like they just came to work and hurt someone, and they did. The Bad news is that they ran into a pissed off Chip. Chip wanted to hurt someone more because Ace was getting on his nerves. The Facial Expressions, shoulder shrugs and lackadaisical cheering made things hilarious in the midst of him stiff kicking the sh1T out of Frost and Flame. Ace. Dammit Ace. Bast Damn he was hilarious in this match and looked like a kid having so much fun. From the Opening Bell to the Victory Lap at the end, you could not hold him down for long. I hope he and Justin are ready for the Championship Match because Chip and Brayden are on another level.
Selection 7: Grand Closin’...aka...Last Time
The Faithful Seen the Sun Carlie Bravo d. JOE BLACK and Alexander Lev
MAIN EVENT TIME!! The Crowd understands the assignment and surrounds the ring and gets rowdy! JOE BLACK out first and he means business, Wu-Tang's ‘Protect Ya Neck’ is blaring as many 2 Finger Salutes go high in the air! Alexander Lev is out next and he seems...Off. He has been walking the straight and narrow path as best as he can, however he is steering off a bit. Carlie Bravo...That Damn Carlie Bravo comes out as the Cocky Black Guy he always is, however, this time he is annoyingly obnoxious. He is the Champ and will let EVERYONE know it. Before the bell rings, things are TESTY. So much is coming to a head before a punch is thrown. BLACK is strong-arming Bravo from the beginning Bravo has no choice but to get out the ring to regroup. BLACK and Lev square off for a bit but take it to the outside with Bravo. Bravo just can't catch a break. BLACK back in the ring as Lev and Bravo regroup. Bravo gets brave and goes on the offense against BLACK to little effect. Chop to the Chest...Nothing. Clubbing Blows...BLACK is still unaffected. Double chop finally gets to BLACK and before Bravo can capitalize, Lev hits a drop kick from seemingly out of nowhere and somewhere all at the same time. Lev splashes Bravo and not to leave BLACK out, splashes him too. Lev is on fire but gets caught in a choke by Bravo. BLACK then is choking Bravo. Chokes all around!!! Lev and BLACK are back at each other's throats soon as the holds are broken. For a while it just seems that BLACK and Lev are doing everything to kill each other and who can blame him. BLACK still has bad blood for Lev for almost 2 years now, and Bravo just lets them have it. Bravo DOES interrupt from time to time, however even he has to let Lev and BLACK hash out their problems. Bravo decides to trade strikes with Lev but BLACK clotheslines both. All 3 are now toe to toe with each other and it breaks down hard. All the frustration and hurt and betrayal seems to come out with every Strike, Every Kick, Every Chop, Every Clothesline. These 3 will not quit. The very fate and future of AWE is on the line and these 3 know it. Lev takes the worst of the beating, and is down, however BLACK and Bravo and not any better and they throw their last, exhausted punches at each other. Bravo just SO happens to fall on Lev and the Ref counts to 3 before Lev can muster the strength to kick out. Carlie Bravo wins.
FAN FREAKIN TASTIC Match! A+! After the match, Carlie Bravo stumbles around the ring declaring how great he is. JOE BLACK and Alexander Lev argue with each other. Josh Wheeler is starting to make announcements, and Bravo keeps butting in and telling everyone that he is Champ. BRAVO GO SOMEWHERE! Damn Man!
After Match Thoughts: This was another hell of a Main Event. Jeezuz AWE knows how to close a show. I don’t even need to tell you how great JOE BLACK, Alexander Lev and Carlie Bravo are. Each one of them is THE Standard for different reasons and it's not even close! BLACK, The Veteran, makes everyone step up to their highest level just by being in the ring with him. He expects the best, gives you his best and he WILL make you pay if you don’t. Alexander Lev is one of the BEST Young Stars that I have had the pleasure of seeing grow and he will be a threat to AWE even more in the future. AWE is his to lose even WITH PWA making their power play lately. Carlie Bravo...F*ck that guy. Can’t even believe I used to root for that guy. Such an Asshole....Damn I got off topic. On the real Carlie Talks the Talk and most def Walks the Walk because he IS the Star. Full Stop. No matter who is on the show that day, he still finds a way to shine brighter than anyone. His reign has been Amazing from the start, and we will be studying this for years to come.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I know I may be a little biased when it comes to Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment, however this is Home for me. They seem to capture what the Atlanta (And Marietta) culture is all about and it's just a different vibe from any other Promotion I go to. This show is no exception, and I suggest you catch it as soon as it drops on their Youtube. Also...Bring yall asses to the show. I guarantee that you will have the most fun you can have at a show...Why...Because Dat’s That Good Shit! A- final Grade.
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