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| Photos by Peter Sigmund |
From Jeremy ''The Impact" York:
(El Palenque Center—Marietta)
--Commentary: Drew “Drewski” Dickinson, 3MP
--Officials: Darryl Hall, Referee Brian, Paul Coldhard
--Ring Announcer: Josh “Wheels” Wheeler
Match 1: Ashton Martin Vs. Drako Starx—Wheeler announced before the match that Ashton’s advertised opponent Avery Styles would not be appearing due to other obligations. Out marched the “Broker of Violence” to take his place. They tie up a couple times as each ended with Martin pie-facing Drako. Drako gets the jump to send Ashton into the corner followed by a big splash as Martin rolled to the outside. Starx with a hip toss followed by a sliding lariat for the bout’s first two count. Martin uses a variation of an inside-out neck breaker then they trade stinging chops with the blows of the bigger Starx landing deeper. Martin rakes his foe’s eyes then grabs a headlock. An eye poke to Starx is followed by a flying European uppercut from the second rope by Ashton. He rolls to the outside to set up a Phenomenal Forearm but Drako moves out of the way and hits a pump kick for another close fall. He lands two forearm smashes to the face of Ashton then a variation of a t-bone suplex for another near fall. Missile dropkick from Martin from the top, yet Starx counters with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Martin is dazed as he is scooped up by Drako for a Michanoku Driver for the 1-2-3!
Takeaway: Crowd was bummed Avery did not make it for the show, however they quickly got pulled into this battle between young superstars! Martin hit many high impact moves and flew around the ring to catch Drako off guard while Starx used his power and size to ground the high-flying of Ashton. Really good opener that set the tone for the card early.
Winner: “Broker of Violence” Drako Starx via pinfall.
Match 2: Violent Romance (Nixon Newell, Miranda Alize) Vs. The Thirst (Kelsey Raegan, Ravenna Vein) Vs. Bobbi Thunder, Crystal Rose—
Advertised as VR vs TT, Thunder and Rose appear to say this match can only happen with them involved. So with their cooler of beverages in tow, they join to make it a triple threat! A melee at the start where all six women are wailing on the others. Thunder and Rose catch the first advantage as they clear the ring. Rose then sends each other opponent into the corner where Thunder is waiting on the apron to pull them mower ripcord style into the turnbuckles including executing this maneuver on both members of The Thirst simultaneously! All six spill the action to the outside where nearby tables, chairs and…canned beverages are uses as weapons, projectiles and “motivation” (Popeye style) to fuel the competitors. Alize headbutts Vein, while Rose throws Raegan into the apron. Miranda lands a big running cutter as Kelsey follows up with one of her own. Bobbi grabs Raegan up for a giant swing! Ravenna bites Thunder on the neck then hits another jumping cutter. She holds Bobbi while Kelsey leaps from the top with a senton. The cover yields a two count. They all pair off and the action continues all over ringside area until Alize hits a Shining Wizard for the win!
Takeaway: Wow was the action in this one non-stop intensity and carnage everywhere! So much was going on between the six superstars that the crowd stayed in a frenzy. The addition of Bobbi and Crystal added to the action and only solidified that not only is the ROAR division loaded as singles competitors, but also the Tag Team side of it as well. There’s a big December show coming soon that is set to feature some big-time ROAR division news and action…makes you wonder if the Tag division will play a big part as well.
Winners: Violent Romance (Nixon Newell, Miranda Alize) via pinfall.
Match 3: “Misfit” Justin McKenzie Vs. Tyson Malrick—Tyson starts off with a deep arm bar on Justin. McKenzie counters it into a flying attack to ground Malrick. Tyson chops Justin, then rakes his eyes and leaps from the apron back into the ring through the ropes to hit a flatliner. McKenzie rolls to the apron then executes a jumping DDT from the apron, over the ropes, then back into the ring on Malrick for a quick two count. Tyson recovers to pull Justin off the ropes into a cutter for his own two count. The Misfit rolls up his opponent for a two count then tries a backslide for another near fall. Malrick attempts his own roll up of McKenzie that also gets a two and seven eighths count from the official. Justin catches him with a big strike followed by a running leg lariat to the back of the head of Tyson for the victory!
Takeaway: This one was fast-paced and highly technical all at once. Malrick matched McKenzie’s speed with power and ingenuity. Justin matched Tyson’s technical skill with his own resourcefulness. Fun match up I hope to see another chapter of in the near future.
Winner: “Misfit” Justin McKenzie via pinfall.
Match 4: Mila Johnson Vs. Taurain—Mila jumps the bell to attack Taurain. Then it’s a barrage of hard forearms to the chin of Taurain from Johnson. Taurain fights back with quick strikes of her own though. Johnson sets up the swinging DDT with a kick off the second turnbuckle. She hangs on to the hold and rolls through to lock in a guillotine variation! Taurain fights through it for a while, yet eventually chooses to live to fight another day and taps to the submission.
Takeaway: Good small showcase of what it feels like these ladies can really do. This
match was a follow up to the “Show Up, Show Out” show last Monday I believe as both
made a big enough impact to g
et invited to the ROAR show. Mila uses her size and
power advantage well while Taurain has a quick-thinking ability to thwart attacks. We
should see them both more in the future at AWE.
Winner: Mila Johnson via submission.
Match 5: Frost & Flame (c—w/ Taliaferro) Vs. Nawfside Heroes (Shoota Gabe, Jose Manuel)—The tag team champions roll to the outside to gather themselves early. However, Gabe dashes towards the rope for a Tope’, but stops short to set up the already running and leaping over the ropes plancha of his partner Jose! Back inside it’s Frost and Gabe to start. Frost rushes at Gabe with a smashing forearm, Jose runs in as he and Gabe execute some double team moves to clear the ring of their foes. They go for tandem Tope’s yet Frost and Flame are ready this time as they deliver powerful uppercuts to Nawfside. Frost and Gabe rehash their earlier square-off with Frost delivering quick strikes until Gabe slides around him to utilize a thrifty roll up. Frost responds with a roll up attempt of his own as Gabe twists that into a crucifix pin attempt, all getting a two count before kickouts. Flame enters the fray but Jose leaps from the top rope to splash he and Frost! Then Frost and Flame continue to pound on the Heroes while using quick tags and big slams, keeping their opponents off their feet. Jose delivers double chops to the pectorals of Frost who responds with his own wicked chops followed by a series of fast tags. Frost and Jose emerge to trade hard strikes, then Jose lands a cutter on Frost adding another for Flame. Hot tag to Shoota Gabe who flies in with a huge crossbody attack! He goes for a German suplex on Flame and (with the help of a dropkick from Jose) gets the big man up and over his head! Taliaferro tries to ask the Heroes where they learned that impeccable maneuver, but Flame dumps Jose to the outside. Flame hits a deep running European uppercut that drops Gabe to his knees. Frost follows suit with a sharp running back elbow to the backside of Gabe’s cranium. He covers for the 1-2-3.
Takeaway: Frost and Flame defeat the Good Brothers to the win titiles THEN have their first defense against the Nawfside Heroes?! Yet they stood tall over both great tag teams. There are still a few other teams lurking in AWE plus many more looking to get in to the fray so the challengers and challengers will continue to line up for the fearsome duo. Taliaferro has put together a stellar team that will be hard to beat based on the vast array of skills they possess. Nawfside Heroes may be one of the best tag teams around with their speed, agility and ability to work so well together. They gave it all they had tonight and without the misstep at the end, had a great chance to pull off the win. I can see both teams squaring off again in the future for sure.
Winners: (and STILL AWE Tag Team Champions) Frost & Flame (w/ Taliaferro)
Match 6: “Teflon’s Presidential Patriot Test”: Jay “Alpha” Miller Vs. Ace Lee—A new concept from the patriotic mind of Miller is announced…then Ace Lee appears to take him up on his test. Alpha used stall tactics and a relaxed demeanor to rile up Lee early. Ace eventually hits a couple flying attacks that send Miller scrambling. Jay re- enters the ring to lay some big blows to his foe then they trade stinging chops. Alpha hits his trademark “Pledge” leg drops, reciting the next line of the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America before dropping another on Lee. Miller climbs to the second rope to deliver another leg drop, however Ace moves at just the last second to avoid the contact. Lee with the swinging slam for a two count. He climbs to the top rope for a 630 splash but has to roll through at the last moment when Miller moves from harm’s way. Alpha locks on the sleeper hold and gets the win!
Takeaway: Miller improves each and every time out as he is positioning himself as one of the new must-have talents around. Ace Lee has had two impressive outings at AWE and will look to pick up a win next time out. His speed and flying ability can be a force to deal with in matches for many. Miller continues to build a solid resume and may have titles to show for it in the near future.
Winner: Jay “Alpha” Miller via submission.
“3 Minutes That Totally Rule” w/ your pal Sal Rinauro: New segment from the minds of AWE and Sal. His guest was “The Faithful One” Alexander Lev. They hit on their brutal past then moved to Lev wanting a piece of Carlie Bravo as soon as he can get it for the Heavyweight Championship.
Takeaway: Fun segment that showcased Sal’s ability to interview and host practically anybody while reminding everyone that Lev is next up for the title. These should grow into really great segments really quickly.
Match 7: Ezabella Wilder Vs. Priscilla Kelly—Kelly with an armbar at the jump, Wilder rolls through it to reverse. They trade roll up pin attempts with Priscilla leaping over the last attempt at one from Ezabella, then locks on a head lock. Wilder gets dropped into a seated position in the corner. Kelly dashes towards her for a wicked hip attack, followed by a bottom rope dropkick to the mush. Ezabella staggers towards the middle rope, but Priscilla hits another hip attack when she gets there! Wilder gets a takedown on Kelly then uses a handstand splash to get a near fall. She drapes Kelly on the second rope, hits a running kick then an off the ropes rolling splash for another two count. Priscilla looks for reprieve in the corner yet finds a running lifted knee to the chops from Ezabella who gets yet another two count. Wilder puts on the rear chin lock to slow the pace, Kelly finds a moment for a quick roll up that almost gets her the win as Wilder kicked out at just the last moment. Priscilla lands some powerful strikes to the chin and neck of Ezabella accompanied by a pair of short-arm clotheslines and a nasty German suplex for another near fall for her! Kelly with a big kick, then a penalty kick to Ezabella. Just as she is looking to close out the match with a win, Mila Johnson emerges to land some smashing blows to Priscilla. In the meantime Wilder grabs a chair from ringside, then lays in a massive shot to the cranium of Kelly. She covers for the 1-2-3!
Takeaway: Priscilla Kelly is really sharp in the ring and can bring an intensity that rallies the crowd quickly. If you’re going to call out the locker room, you better be ready for whatever bear you poke or nest you kicked. Ezabella Wilder has definitely backed up every bit of what she threw out with that challenge. With wins over Crystal Rose AND now Kelly, she is really charging up the ranks. Add in her possible new alliance with Mila Johnson and now a new power faction and/or team may be on the prowl.
Winner: Ezabella Wilder via pinfall.
Match 8: “Agent 003” Chad Skywalker Vs. “The Standard” Tristan Moody (c—Jr. Heavyweight Championship)—Deep headlock from Chad that he hangs on to when Tristan tries to free from the grip. Skywalker throws the rough shoulder block, Moody kips up to his feet. Tristan dashes from the ropes, however upon his effort runs into “the HAND” of his foe as he hits the deck to avoid it. Tristan throws a hard lariat to ground Chad. Back on his feet, Skywalker starts a one-sided stand-off where he raises another pointed hand whenever Moody pushes the other away. He knocks The Standard down then executes a wicked kick to his arm, then another. Skywalker with his vintage fireman’s carry-backflip-moonsault rolling slam. He follows with a second rope moonsault elbow drop for a two count. Moody gets dumped to the outside but he pulls Skywalker’s feet out from under him on the apron, followed by dragging him hard to the floor. Agent 003 just barely makes it back in by count nine from the official. He does catch Moody with a devastating spear on the apron then climbs to the top rope where Moody meets him. Chad knocks him down but has to dodge the official on his way off the rope because Tristan pulls the official in the way. Tristan tries to get a fallen eye lash off Chad’s face but brushes his eye instead. Moody ends the contest with a picturesque brain-buster for the victory!
Takeaway: After the bell Tristan grabs the mic to say he does not need the Palmetto Boys and if on Dec 27th he is still the champion, he will take the belt “home” with him to Japan. It was announced that Dragongate in Japan has inked him to a one year deal. Tristan has evolved into one of the jewels of the next wave in AWE and will be severely missed when he leaves for Japan again. Skywalker once again showed that he is on the rise as well in that each performance builds from the last in a series of increasingly impressive presentations of his ever-growing skills. Tristan’s confidence in himself may take him really far in Japan or anywhere really in general.
Winner: “The Standard” Tristan Moody via pinfall.
Match 9—Main Event: Joe Black (w/ Amy Haven) Vs. Carlie Bravo (c—Heavyweight Championship)—They lockup with a clean break. Joe snatches Carlie’s skull in a deep headlock until he is sent into the ropes. He throws a shoulder block, Carlie pie faces him in response. Black with the snap suplex with intent, jumping senton splash then clotheslines Bravo over the ropes. As Joe rushes towards his re- entry attempt it’s Carlie who catches his foe with a leaping flatliner. Bravo follows by stomping all over the anatomy of Joe who eventually gets to his feet. Carlie’s jabs in the corner lead to a running pie-face boot smash to the mush of Joe. Then it’s piercing chops from the Champ, a snap mare, more chops to the back this time then a big slam just as the Challenger reached his feet again. Black gets dumped to the outside where Amy attempts to fire her champion back up. Bravo grabs the title to use as a chopping device, but it met instead by the thunderous chops of Joe Black all around ringside. Amy asks Carlie “Oh, did that hurt?” Back inside Carlie chop blocks the knee of Joe, then begins further weakening his entire leg. Bravo misses a running Bronco Buster in the corner as Black shoves him front-first into the ropes, using the momentum to hurl him back with a crushing German suplex. Carlie catches a quick wind, however and hits a cutter on Joe on the run. Black recovers to lock on the Brutalizer (RIP PAC) cross-face maneuver, with Black finding himself in a huge world of hurt. He does slide Joe into a quick pin attempt only for Joe to counter than into a two count pin attempt of his own. Bravo goes back to the attacks on the leg of Black. He rolls to the apron only to spring over the ropes for a massive cutter, getting a near fall for his efforts. Amy pounds the mat to get the crowd rallying around Joe again, roaring applause and cheers shake the building in response. Joe tries a backslide then roll-up, both garnering a long two count. Bravo hits a DDT out of a Sister Abigail setup. He grabs the title again, but Amy snatches it from his grasp! She shakes her head and finger at the Champ letting him know that will not fly on her watch. Black tries another roll-up, Bravo kicks out just before the third slap of the official’s hand to the canvas! Carlie with a big slam to a scissors kick, then another! He covers Joe for the three count!
Takeaway: Wow. This lived up to and even surpassed what probably anybody thought it could be. Joe Black is by far one of the best if not THE best “Bout Machine” around. He is still at the top of his game and will take you to places you never imagined you’d need to go to TRY to defeat him. On this day though, Bravo proved to be willing to go to those places and found his own way through them, ultimately picking up the title-retaining win. Joe is very careful of who he surrounds himself with, so tonight having Amy watching his back proved to be a great choice.
After the bell, Alexander Lev comes out to help Amy check on Joe and help him up to his feet. This leads to Bravo and Lev verbal jousting for a bit with Lev saying Bravo has been ducking him far too long and he wants his match next. Bravo laughs and replies “No” with a slightly more adult explanation that follows. Time will tell as to when these two actually face off, but I guarantee you will want to be there to see it.
Winner: (And STILL AWE Heavyweight Champion) “Bad News & Tattoos” Carlie Bravo.
Next AWE show is scheduled for November 8 th in Marietta at the El Palenque Center (“Da Art Of Storytelling).
