United Pro "Entitlement" live report -- Kingsland on August 30

Photos by Ross Blair From Ross Blair: United Pro drew a sellout (standing room only) of 150 fans on Sunday, August 30th for "Entitlemen...

Photos by Ross Blair

From Ross Blair:

United Pro drew a sellout (standing room only) of 150 fans on Sunday, August 30th for "Entitlement" & the big heavyweight title match between champ Bryce Cannon & Jon Davis. The word has apparently gotten out about United Pro Entertainment. I just hope they don't outgrow their facility, Axes & Eights sportsbar in Kingsland. The combination of that unique venue & Clark DeBenetto's booking give United Pro a cool fight club feel. Clark & Derrick Smith handled the referee duties, while Chianne Michaels was the ring announcer. Karson Kase & Jonathan Wells were on hand for commentary for the company's Unite2Wrestle YouTube show. 

1.) "Hollywood" Hunter James defeated Hayden Seal in a superb opener. Hunter is so over in Kingsland, it's ridiculous...especially with the young ringside boys, who take their shirts off & twirl them while chanting "Hollywood" along with the rest of the venue. It's quite a sight! Seal got a 2 count after a neckbreaker. Seal blocked a brainbusta from Hunter before rolling him up for another 2 count. A claymore kick garnered yet another 2 count for Seal, who brought his working shoes. Hunter superkicked & german suplexed Seal, who kicked out at 2. A shining wizard/brainbusta combo from Hunter secured him the 1-2-3. Seal’s grandparents, who live in neighboring Jacksonville, came to the show & sat across from me at ringside holding a “Seal the Deal” sign. Seal ripped up the sign as he walked by, showing off his heel persona. It was entertaining to watch the couple being amazed by their talented grandson, including laughing while the ringside kids berated Seal & chanted “get a haircut!” at him. Seal is indeed a special talent, with a likely bright future in this sport. Working with Hunter seemed to bring out the best in him to boot. 

2,) Aaron Berry beat JT Paradox in a great matchup of power guys. JT snap German suplexed the huge Berry, who retreated outside the ring before getting nailed by a tope from JT. In the end, a huge spear would do it for a Berry pinfall victory. Commentator Karson Kase stopped Berry on his way to the dressing room. Berry said that, after tonight, he is the number one contender for the United Pro heavyweight championship. 

3.) Daniel Starling & Tyler Uriah beat Mantasy (Parker Li & Michael Solar) to avoid losing their jobs at United Pro. This started as a singles match with Tyler Uriah, who has suffered multiple losses as of late, fighting to keep his job in a match against Parker Li via an ultimatum from UP figurehead Kevin Kantrell. After some quarreling with Kantrell, it ended up with both Starling (who is off the crutches & back in ring shape) & Uriah fighting for survival against Li & surprise partner Solar. Sterling delivered a leg drop off the top rope on Solar for a 2 count. Li got a 2 count on Uriah after a codebreaker. Uriah nailed Li with a lariat in order for Starling to get the pinfall on Li. The two heels hugged & celebrated their continued employment. 

4.) Bryce Maddox pinned Hakeem Young in a really good bout. Hakeem hit a GTS for an early 2 count. Bryce countered with a deadlift German for a 2 count of his own. Maddox went for a pin after a flapjack, but Hakeem got his foot on the ropes at 2. Hakeem got a 2 count after a stiff spear...& again after a DDT from the top rope. Maddox sealed the deal after a frogsplash from the top rope. Both worked hard here, and Maddox once again proved why he's at the tip top of the United Pro ratings system. His potential is limitless in this reporter's book. 

5.) John Boy Ink & "Axe Man" Christian Taylor beat Randy Reno & mystery partner Pat Roach in an entertaining tag match. Upon his surprise entry, Roach screamed about getting all the ringside kids (who were jeering him & Reno) ejected from the building. Ink, who is improving every time I see him, hit a snake eyes on Reno...then a big boot but Reno tagged out. Roach was met with a stiff punch to the face, which took him to the mat with a Ric Flair-like faceplant. When the Axe Man got the hot tag, he pulled each suspender off & roared while ripping his shirt off as the crowd went nuts. He then put Reno in the big swing to further frenzy the crowd, The fans here truly love Christian Taylor. That seems so weird to type! Welcome to the Kingsland multiverse, folks. Christian went to tag Ink, but Reno pulled Ink off the apron and they fought to the back. With Christian distracted, Roach got a sleeper hold on Christian. Before Christian faded, he rolled up onto Pat & got the 1-2-3. Christian celebrated, but Pat put the choke hold back on & put Christian to sleep, leaving him laying. 

6.) "Frat Daddy" Bryce Cannon successfully defended his United Pro heavyweight title against "That Dude" Jon Davis when Bryce Maddox turned heel & assisted Cannon. Davis won the rights to this title match by winning last month's tournament. This may have been the best United Pro match that I have seen to date. Bryce started with stalling & posturing while berating & avoiding a very serious-looking Davis. Davis finally got his hands on Bryce & made him fly across the mat after an airplane spin, which left Bryce begging off. Davis annihilated the champ with chops, which garnered a 2 count. Davis followed with the 3 Amigos series of suplexes, but Bryce slid out of the ring to avoid a pin attempt. Davis gave chase but got posted by Bryce. Bryce slid back into the ring. Referee Clark got up to 9 on a countout, but Davis survived as the crowd chanted "THAT DUDE!". Davis hit a spinebuster, but Bryce collapsed & avoided an incoming lariat. An eye rake & spiked seltzer later, Bryce got a 2 count on Davis. Another spiked seltzer equals another 2 count for Bryce. Bryce followed with an enzuigiri followed by his keg stand finisher for yet another 2 count. Frustrated by not being able to get to 3, Bryce grabbed his fraternity paddle & cracked Davis in the head with it. He then screamed for ref Clark to DQ him. After pleading from Davis, Clark decided to let the match continue. Bryce ducked a lariat & Davis accidentally hit Clark with it. Davis again went to lariat Bryce & nailed him. Davis covered Bryce & counted a 10-count himself with Bryce's shoulders down. Bryce Maddox came out, appearing to be in support of Davis. Instead, as the crowd moaned, Maddox attacked his fellow babyface Davis & turned heel to join & assist heel champion Bryce Cannon. Maddox delivered his frogsplash finisher on Davis not once, not twice, but THREE times to incapacitate the challenger. Maddox then physically placed Davis in position for a keg stand from Cannon. Cannon hit the finisher & pinned Davis to successfully defend his United Pro heavyweight championship. The 2 Bryces then postured above a fallen Davis. Maddox put the belt on Bryce as the crowd jeered. This was well done & I'm pleased to see Maddox now in the main event scene. 

 United Pro, who run monthly now, return to Axes & Eights in Kingsland for "Fury" on Sunday, September 27th. Already announced is Hunter James versus Steve Allen, which is a nice obscure dream match. I told co-promoter Clark DeBenedetto (he wears a lot of hats & is the driving force behind UP) that United Pro is a dream match machine, as this type of thing has become a calling card of theirs.