CEW "Hell on Hallow's Eve" live report -- Savannah on October 31

Photos by Ross Blair By Ross Blair: Halloween was a pretty big night for Coastal Empire Wrestling. First and foremost was Cornelius Pepperbo...

Photos by Ross Blair

By Ross Blair:

Halloween was a pretty big night for Coastal Empire Wrestling. First and foremost was Cornelius Pepperbottom regaining his Coastal Chaos title & scalping Bryce Cannon of his tip in a “Tip versus Career” steel cage match. In addition, “Hell on Hallow's Eve” saw the cash-in of DJ Smoke's heavyweight title shot briefcase to set up a match next month between DJ & champ Hunter James. In addition, top heel Christian Taylor reigned supreme in a main event casket match and Kelsey Raegan got her comeuppance in an adventurous “fans bring the weapons” match. 

The holiday did not hinder attendance, with yet another near sellout at the VFW/CEW Arena. It did, however, affect the appearance & vibe of the show…in a good way. Children & adults alike were decked out for CEW's costume contest, including those dressed like wrestlers "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, Darby Allin, and Goldust. Fans were granted a pre-show chance to dunk heel CEW commissioner Simon Sermon. Multiple fans were successful, dunking the suit-wearing Sermon while he was smack talking them. 

1. Cornelius Pepperbottom regained the Coastal Chaos title in a steel cage match against champ Bryce Cannon. The stipulations for this "Tip Versus Career" match included Peps being forced to retire if he lost & Bryce's trademark tip to be cut off if he lost the match. This was the first steel cage match ever in CEW. Peps gained the early advantage, grabbed Cannon by the tip, and propelled him head first into the cage. Peps opened the cage door while hollering for his pal & CEW commentator Maestro Awesome to bring him a chair…which he utilized against the champ. Peps rammed Bryce into the cage multiple times, drawing blood. Peps jumped off the top rope but was met with a chair shot from Bryce, which busted Peps open. Bryce choked Peps with the chair while screaming "You wanted this!". Later, Bryce climbed the cage to get out, but Peps stopped him in his tracks with a chair shot to the back. Bryce got into a shoving match with ref Steve, which ended with Bryce ramming the ref's head into the cage. Bryce then beat the tar out of Peps with a chair. Bryce hit his Keg Stand finisher onto a chair...but Peps miraculously kicked out at 2. The fans started chanting "This is awesome!". The finish came when Pepperbottom hit his shining wizard finisher, followed by a hidden blade, followed by the 1-2-3 to relieve Bryce of the Coastal Chaos title. Fans started a "Cut the tip!" chant. Peps restrained his groggy foe against a chair & used scissors to indeed cut much of Cannon's tip off. I'm anxious for the post match photos, which Pepperbottom is currently exaggeratingly giving examples of on his social media. This whole scenario was fantastic. Pepperbottom-Cannon is thus far a strong contender for feud of the year, in this reporter's opinion.

 

2. DJ Smoke defeated Chad Skywalker via DQ due to outside interference from Chad's Redacted brethren. 

This was super good while it lasted. I'd love to see a longer rematch with less interference because these two can go! DJ got the early advantage, but the Redacted (Hakeem Young & Jay Alpha Miller) beat him down after Chad distracted referee Mike Fullilove. Skywalker hit a moonsault that landed as a senton (looked great!) for a 2 count. DJ hit a stunner...then a pele kick...then went for a shooting star press…but was stopped by the pesky Redacted. A fed up ref Mike ordered Miller & Young to the back. When Hakeem broke that order & speared DJ, the ref called for the bell. All three Redacted members started to beat down DJ, but Cody Fluffman & Rad Bod Mikey made the save. The melee blossomed into a 6-man tag team match. 

3. DJ Smoke, Cody Fluffman, & Rad Bod Mikey defeated The Redacted (Chad Skywalker, Hakeem Young, & Jay Alpha Miller). This marks the return after many months for Fluffman & Mikey. Both work as cheerleaders for the popular Savannah Bananas baseball team. Fluffman brought bananas with him to the ring. Mikey previously worked in CEW as Fluffman's manager (a Savannah only duo), but this marks his first actual match since 2022. Mikey previously performed as Coach Mikey with the Ugly Ducklings stable that included Rob Killjoy. All members of this 6-man match did great here. Mikey had the upper hand on Miller until Hakeem chop blocked his knee. Redacted triple teamed Mikey, but Fluffman laid a literal banana peel on the mat. When Miller went to spring off the ropes, he slipped & fell on it. After a "Fluffy" chant, Fluffman got the hot tag. He steam rolled over the trio before nailing Miller with a Death Valley driver. When everyone else was outside the ring, DJ climbed to the top & did a backflip onto all the competitors. A "This is awesome!" chant followed. The Redacted’s masked mystery man appeared & clocked Fluff in the head with a tag title belt. The referee missed it...he also only got to 2 when Hakeem went for the cover. It concluded when DJ jumped off Mikey's shoulders onto Chad, who was laid out in the center of the ring...followed by the 1-2-3. 

4. Dax Anthony pinned Hayden Seal. After some offense, Dax went for Curtains Down…but Seal got out of it with an eye rake. Seal retaliated with a powerslam. Dax regained the advantage & nailed Seal with a one-legged dropkick...then a cartwheel elbow smash in the corner...then a powerslam...but Seal kicked out at 2. Seal got to 2 after a Claymore Kick...and again after an oshi guroshi. Dax rebounded and got the pin after his Curtains Down finisher. Solid match. 

5. Kelsey Raegan defeated Xanti Li in a wild “fans bring the weapons” match.

And boy did they bring the weapons! When ring announcer Jackson Locke included in his introductions "At this time, place your weapons on the apron", over a dozen fans did so...and this was added to the weapons that were turned in earlier & brought out by staff…too many to actually use in the match, but it made for a fun environment. Weapons included kendo sticks, doors, a faux Academy Award, a mini Christmas tree, bats, pumpkins, a skateboard, and a bunch of Halloween plastic swords, knives, etc. This rivalry sparked last month when Li pinned Raegan after a chair shot to the head. Li wrestled while dressed as Cat Woman while Raegan wore vampire garb with spooky face paint. A chant of “Use the tree!” broke out when the gals were battling outside, prompting Kelsey to grab the mini Christmas tree & clock Li with it. Raegan then placed a pumpkin on Li’s head…and superkicked it off. Li gained the advantage & sat Kelsey in chair at ringside…then backed up, grabbed a skateboard from the apron, and skated into an elbow smash onto Raegan. Kelsey retaliated with a bat before asking an entire section of fans to vacate their seats. She then tossed Li several rows back into the chairs. Li got up & threw Raegan into a door that was propped up near ringside. Back in the ring, Xanti tried to choke out Kelsey with a kendo stick. Li then delivered a Death Valley driver on a chair for a near fall. Kelsey rebounded with a tombstone piledriver on a chair, but Li grabbed ref Mike’s hand right before it slammed to mat for the 3 count…showing that she was still in the game. Shortly thereafter, Li attempted a superplex from the top rope (onto a table draped across two chairs), but Kelsey blocked it by spitting her blood mist into Li’s eyes & powerslamming Li onto the table for the pinfall victory. 

Next up was the Halloween contest, hosted by heel CEW commissioner Simon Sermon. 

This segment was hilarious. He confronted, insulted, and eliminated a young girl (dressed as a witch) for dunking him earlier. Simon, dressed as a Star Trek crew member, tried to declare himself the winner, but that was vetoed by management. Simon then left it up to the fans, who cheered to victory the guy in the Goldust costume (this guy committed & was the obvious winner). Simon made the two kids with the most cheers (princess & spooky clown) split the kid prize “because I hate kids!”. He then left the ring & threw the candy prizes at the kids. 

6. "Hollywood" Hunter James successfully defended his CEW heavyweight title against the debuting Trevor Aeon. Of course, it was a good match...Hunter James was in it. Fully feeling the Halloween spirit, Hunter played full homage this night to the late "Macho Man" Randy Savage. He came out to Savage's Pomp & Circumstance ring music...and his girlfriend Cheyenne Michaels (wearing a Miss Elizabeth style gown) led him to the ring & was lifted upon Hunter's shoulder Randy & Liz style...and he wore gear similar to Randy's...and wrestled much of the match emulating Savage's mannerisms & move set. Aeon got a near fall after a snap German suplex...and again after a flying forearm smash. Hunter attempted his Brainbusta, but Aeon blocked & nailed a powerbomb for a 2 count. Hunter got a near fall after an impressive looking Lethal combination. Aeon impressed with a flying knee followed by a spinebuster...followed by a near fall. Hunter finally hit his Brainbusta finisher, but he decided to instead end the match with Randy's finisher: flying elbow from the top rope followed by the 1-2-3.

Hunter's celebration was cut short when DJ Smoke entered the ring. DJ grabbed the mic & expressed his intent to cash in his heavyweight title shot briefcase he won at August's Gold or Gone match. DJ told Hunter "I'll give you one month. Be at your best!" before shaking hands with the champ. This is gonna be one helluva match, folks...between the two most popular wrestlers in Coastal Empire Wrestling. 

7. Main event: Christian Taylor defeated Randy Reno in a Casket Match. This match was sponsored by Low Country Cremation & Burial. Brilliant...and likely the reason the casket was top quality versus the usual independent wrestling pine box. Reno sprayed Christian in the eyes with his spray bottle to gain the early advantage. Reno then placed a metal trash can over Christian's head & beat him with a cookie sheet. Christian got hold of the sheet & cracked Reno with it...followed by a mandible claw...followed by a failed attempt to close Reno inside the casket. Christian choked Reno with a kendo stick. Christian went for a spear, but instead collided with a door...which broke in half upon impact. Reno nailed Christian in the head with a stiff chair shot, but failed to close the casket on Taylor. Taylor rebounded & hit a very impressive coast to coast dropkick onto a metal trash can & Reno. Christian then rolled Reno into the casket for the win. 

Maestro Awesome & Brandon Benefield (masterfully dressed like Wayne & Garth respectively from "Wayne's World") manned the commentary table. 

Jackson Locke returned for ring announcing duty. Your referees for the evening were Mike Fullilove, Daylon Kingsley, and the debuting "Ref Steve". 

Next up for CEW is "Road to Rumble" on November 28th at the VFW with the big heavyweight title match between Hunter James & DJ Smoke. Also appearing on the event poster are Redacted, Michael Stevens, Christian Taylor, Dax Anthony, & Cornelius Pepperbottom.