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| Photos by Julie Puckett |
From Jeremy “The Impact” York:
Match 1: RC Daniels Vs. “The Misfit” Justin McKenzie—RC serenades the crowd with his trademark whistle. They lock up multiple times with neither getting a direct advantage. They alternate posing for the crowd where McKenzie gets a bigger cheer. They trade quick arm drags and strikes, then a double stomp counter from Justin garners a two count. Daniels executes an impactful spinebuster for his own two count, followed by a high crossbody with the same result. McKenzie with a flurry of flying forearms. He grabs RC in a fireman’s carry then drops him across his knee as the back of RC’s neck hits first. Another two count for Justin. Daniels performs a big superplex into falcon arrow combo for a near fall. They both make their way back to the top rope. McKenzie hits the Misfit Fly for the win!
Takeaway: Two incredible young talents getting a chance to showcase a sliver of their overall abilities. This opener got the crowd going early and set a level of expectations for the rest of the night. Hopefully it is not the last time these two lock horns.
Winner: “The Misfit” Justin McKenzie via pinfall.
Match 2: “The Darkhorse” Xander Seabolt Vs. Big Andy—This one opens with both competitors exchanging punches. Andy with a thunderous chop to Xander then a big splash in the corner. Seabolt shifts gears to focus on the arm of Andy. He locks on a wicked chicken wing. Just as Andy is breaking free of the hold, Xander executes a natural bulldog followed up by the claymore. He gets only a one count as Seabolt looks a little stunned. Big Andy hits a super strike combo, huge slam then a running splash as he gets the 1-2-3!
Takeaway: These two have a deep history and it showed with the war they fought tonight. Every time Andy got big momentum Xander shut it down, and vice versa. The difference tonight may have been the second wind Big Andy got as he kicked out at one. This face off of two bulls in a phonebooth is far from over.
Winner: Big Andy via pinfall.
Match 3: “Hollywood” Hunter James (w/ Chianne Michaels) Vs. “The Broker of Violence” Drako Starx—Headlock by Starx who hangs on to it as Hunter tries to send him into the ropes. Test of strength yields high athleticism and pin attempts from both. Small package pin attempt from Hunter for an early two count. Drako performs some amateur style slams, shoulder tackles, a clothesline, a slap then forearm splash. He misses a shoulder attack in the corner and James takes advantage as he targets the arm of Drako. Hunter wraps the arm of Starx in the ropes to further the damage. A plethora of drops, slams and strikes to the injured arm of Starx ensue. Big slam from Hunter gets a two count. Hunter asks for assistance from Michaels, but she hesitates and the moment passes. James with the atomic drop. Hunter off the top with a double axe handle, gets a two count. Running shoulder tackle from Hunter, misses the high moonsault from the top as Drako moves at the last second. Drako does a handstand on the top rope in the corner then swings down with a double foot thrust. They each attempt multiple roll ups for two counts each time. As they reach their feet again, Hunter grabs Drako up for the Brrraaaiiinnnnbbbuuussstttaaaaa! James covers for the 1-2-3!
Takeaway: Two exceptionally talented superstars that put on a clinic on how to get it done. Drako is trying to reintroduce himself after his time away from the local scene while in NXT. He has quickly showed the high level of abilities he has and that he is a threat to any top performer anywhere. Hunter continues to further his argument as one of the top talents around. He and Michaels were not quite on the same page tonight and it almost cost him so we shall see how that relation all shakes out going forward.
Winner: “Hollywood” Hunter James (w/ Chianne Michaels) via pinfall.
Match 4: “The Diamonback” Christian Pierce Vs. Zack King—King flings Pierce who leaps up to clothesline King. He is unsuccessful (and visibly upset) that King is still standing. He tries a couple more times with the same results. Christian trips up Zack, delivers a running senton then proceeds to pummel his opponent. Pierce begins to weaken the leg of King who fights back with striking blows. Zack misses an attack and Christian makes him pay with a cannonball! Pierce with a spin kick, King counters with a powerbomb from his knees! Pierce lands his patented lariat for a two count. Christian goes for a stomp off the top but Zack moves out of the way of it. King pizza tosses Pierce across the canvas. Falling Michinoku driver by Zack for a near fall. Pierce’s kick looks to land a little lower than targeted and he tries to plead his case to the official. He then catches King in a Pedigree before King can recover. Christian gets the victory!
Takeaway: Pierce is always conniving and throws offensive maneuvers like he means to. The ending sequence was kind of weird (Editor's note: that's putting it mildly), but he got the win anyways. King is quite powerful and impressive. Anybody who can deliver a powerbomb from his knees is impressive.
Winner: “The Diamondback” Christian Pierce via pinfall.
Match 5: Mad Man Mayson, Simon Sermon Vs. Mother Frost, “Lethal Lariat” Lamar Phillips—Sermon was rolling on all cylinders early as he had Lamar and Frost scurrying around ringside to avoid his shenanigans. Mason chimed in with clotheslines. Frost and Mason brawl until Mad Man flings Frost into the corner and delivers a massive chop. Sermon tags in and flips Frost upside down in the corner then as the official is distracted, places his best foot forward and leads the crowd in an ode to our neighbors to the north (“Oh Canada”)! Once Mother is out of the corner, Simon has a swinging neck breaker awaiting him, he gets a two count. Mason back in to drop Frost with a back elbow. Mother rakes Mad Man’s eyes. Phillips and Sermon tag into the match. Lamar sends Simon high in the air via a back body drop, then follows it up with some smashing punches and kicks. Frost back in to beat down Sermon more as he and Phillips use quick tags to keep their team fresh while preventing their opponent from getting to his own corner. Phillips with the biceps smash. Frost slams Sermon on the arena floor then dumps him back inside. Lamar uses his head (literally) to drop Simon in the middle of the ring. As it looks like the tandem has the match well in hand, Simon finds Mayson for the hot tag! He hands out clotheslines and big boots to both foes to the delight of the crowd. Phillips snatches him up in his trademark delayed suplex. After they crash to the mat, Mayson is up faster than Phillips and way more fired up about it! Lamar goes for the Lethal Lariat, instead catches a kiss from Simon. Mad Man throws a heavy lariat and picks up the win!
After the match, Phillips and Frost drag Simon to the back. In the confusion Mayson does not see an emerging Bobby Moore who blindsides him!
Takeaway: Great classic tag match that felt like Dusty would approve. Phillips and Frost are incredible tag team competitors (although usually with other partners) along with being great singles superstars and really know how to showcase their skills accordingly. Mayson is one big dude who you do not want to get in the destructive path of and Simon is by far one of the most entertaining superstars.
Winners: Simon Sermon & Mad Man Mayson via pinfall.
Match 6—MAIN EVENT: Avery Styles Vs. Alexander Lev (w/ John Johnson)—Lev rolls out of the ring a few times and reminds us all that we are on “his time” and he’ll get back in when he’s ready. Once back in the ring, Avery delivers an amateur slam and wrist loc, Lev grabs the ropes. Alexander whips Avery into the corner for a handful of shoulders to the breadbasket. Styles hip tosses Lev then uses a side slam to garner a two count. Avery with a back elbow that sends Alexander to the outside. As Styles comes to meet him there, Lev hurls him into a row of chairs (some occupied by patrons). As Lev parades around relishing in his accomplishment, Styles leaps to the apron then moonsaults onto his surprised foe! Avery with a suplex, but Lev counters by dropping him on the ropes. Adds in some kicks for good measure on Avery. A running back elbow then two knee drops from Alexander garner a two count on the younger Styles. A snap mare sets up a deep rear chin lock from the “Faithful” one. As Avery goes to slip out of the grip, Alexander slings him to the ground. Avery fires off some punches in the corner, however Alexander sends him hard into the buckles. As he rolls to the apron, Lev joins him with a “Hey Jimmy!” before dropping him violently with an STO! Avery lands a chin breaker attracts the attention of Johnson on the outside who steps forward to get clarification. The distraction allow Lev to slam Styles and get another two count. Avery uses a kick to set up a swinging powerslam for a two count. He uses a jumping clothesline and German suplex with a bridge for a very near fall. Lev gets a two count from a sunset flip pin attempt. Shining wizard from Alexander followed by a DDT for yet one more two count from the official. Styles has had enough of Johnson on the outside as he slides in for a knee attack from the apron, sending the great manager flailing! This allows Lev to clip Avery as Lev heads to the top rope. Styles meet him there and gets the upper hand. Avery catches Lev in a frankensteiner from the top rope! The official counts 1….2….kick out Lev! He quickly recovers to land a back breaker to the Move That Rocks The World slam! Avery recovers quickly though and hits a Styles Clash! He goes for the pin, but Hunter James appears and breaks up the pin! Official calls for the bell.
Lev and James attack the young superstar until a familiar tune can be heard. The crowd turns to the entranceway to hear that lyric “…they don’t want none…” as they see the “Phenomenal” AJ Styles come running out! He runs off James and Lev as they scamper to the safety of the aisle. AJ grabs a mic and states that douchebags like them are making it harder and harder to stay retired. However, he is a man of his word and instead at the next show will have his friend, “The King of TNA” Frankie Kazarian come in to tag with his son to take care of James and Lev!
Winner: Avery Styles via Disqualification.
Takeaway: What a display Lev and Avery put on where every single moment built to a climax I’m surprised did not result in the roof blowing off. AJ’s appearance in the end shook the building. Before that, Lev showed why he is at the top of his game and that he is also a master mechanic.
Having Kaz in the building will be super special similar to when Nic Nemeth was at the show before this one. NAWA can really pack out the building as well.
The show is tonight in Calhoun at 365 The Spot.
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