The 2009 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup

16 wrestlers, 15 matches, 2 nights, 4 reviewers, ALL FUN!

The Jeff Peterson Cup, Night 1
Opening Thoughts:

Jerome Cusson-Editor/ROH on HDNet Reviewer/PWG DVD Reviewer/AAW DVD Reviewer: At the time, I thought of this as the B tournament of the weekend since PWG’s Battle of Los Angeles was taking place. But the fact that this company inspired a brand new independent company which could change the landscape of indy wrestling for the better means this is an important tournament regardless of match quality. That being said, I have some level of expectation because these are supposed to be the next big stars of pro wrestling. I want to see who really steps up and impresses me.
Kevin Ford- Assistant Editor/FIP DVD Reviewer/Miscallaneous DVD Reviewer: During the weekend of Novmber 20th to the 21st, 16 professional wrestlers gathered in Florida for the 2009 Jeff Peterson Cup. This edition was set to be the precursor to EVOLVE, Gabe Sapolsky’s brand new wrestling company that’s set to debut on January 16th, 2010. Four different companies are represented in this tournament: Full Impact Pro (FIP), AAW, Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), and Hybrid Pro Wrestling. Each company has four participants in the tournament.
Because of this unique set-up, we have set up a unique review. Four different Pro Wrestling Ponderings has been assigned one of the different companies in the tournament. If a match in the tournament involves a participant from their company, they will be responsible for reviewing it. In some circumstances, certain writers review matches with participants NOT in their organization in order to reach a point of equity. So with that said, let’s begin.
There is no commentary, entrances, or non-tournament matches included on the DVD.
Before each match, both competitors in the match cut a promo about their match with mr. Shannon Rose.
Jason Sterlacci- Author/The Independent Scene: I believe I’ve mentioned before how I feel that a lot of companies don’t get the respect they deserve on the indies; the Jeff Peterson Cup is sort of a showcase for a lot of those promotions. AAW and Hybrid are so overlooked that it’s practically a crime, and while CZW has had moments in the sun previously, it’s been some time since they’ve been a major player on the wrestling landscape DESPITE the company’s rise in quality since Zandig passed the torch to DJ Hyde. Meanwhile, FIP has long been considered the little brother to Ring of Honor. That said, the Jeff Peterson Cup can be considered FIP’s stepping out of the shadow of its former sister promotion – striking out on its own with the help of three other independent companies.
Obviously, this is more than just a showcase of four companies, as the sixteen wrestlers featured in the tournament are among the better talents on the independent circuit. Many names that don’t usually interact get to spend some time together in this show, and while not every match is a blow away one, I feel that in some time, we’ll be talking about this tournament being a launching point for the careers of a few of the people on this show. We’ll get to those thoughts later, though.
As always, it’s rare for me to rate matches, so prepare to laugh!
Ryan Rozanski: Author/ROH DVD Reviewer/TNA Impact Reviewer: The Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup is a tournament that I’ve never closely followed. I own the 2007 version on DVD, but wasn’t too impressed with it. However, this year the tournament took an interesting turn. Four companies would send four wrestlers to compete in the tournament and represent their home promotion. FIP and AAW both sent four wrestlers that I enjoy watching. Hybrid added four lesser-known talents to the mix. Finally, CZW managed to find four competitors on their roster that don’t completely suck. Going in, I have moderately high hopes for this tournament, especially considering these shows are considered the precursor to EVOLVE.
Louis Lyndon (Hybrid Wrestling) vs. Marion Fontaine (Hybrid Wrestling)

Ryan: Both men are representing Hybrid. Fontaine is not interested in clean breaks. They trade armdrags. Lyndon snaps off a nice headscissors and follows with a dropkick. Fontaine avoids a plancha and takes control. They do a really nice job of giving Lyndon believable hope spots. Lyndon finally does come back with a spin kick and a springboard enzuigiri. Fontaine connects with a superkick and lands a frog splash. Lyndon knocks him off the apron and follows out with a dive. Back in, Fontaine gets caught with a rollup for a close two count. Lyndon connects with a big clothesline for the win at 11:04. It was smart to pair these two up in the first round as they clearly have chemistry together. Fontaine is skilled at working the crowd while Lyndon is so fluid with his offense that he’s easy to get behind. Good choice for the opener and a fine way to kick off the tournament.
Jason: Lyndon and Fontaine are both representing Hybrid Wrestling; Lyndon is notable as one half of Aeroform with Flip Kendrick. I admittedly haven’t seen much Marion Fontaine, but during the pre-match promos, he seems like a hybrid of Austin Aries, Joey Ryan, and a comedy guy, which I like. Lyndon, of course, is a 70s kung fu guy who loves Xbox 360.
Fontaine starts in with the entertainment almost immediately, which is to be expected since his tights feature a Care Bear with a mustache. He notes that he has “sweet facial hair” after a lock-up. The duo struggle for dominance early on but Fontaine asserts himself with a good slap. Lyndon immediately starts the flips, and then the two start going into a series of tosses. Fontaine is scared of Lyndon’s snake style and he doesn’t want to be bitten. Fontaine is definitely more of an “entertainer” than a wrestler, but Lyndon more than makes up the difference with his athleticism. There’s a whole lot of countering on both sides, which I like.
Eventually Fontaine winds up on the outside, and though Lyndon goes for a flip out there as well, Fontaine outsmarts him and deftly moves out of the way. Fontaine rolls Lyndon back in and goes for the cover – he only gets 2. Fontaine hits some good slaps and then uses the power of the gluteus maximus to take Lyndon to the ground. After an elbow drop, he goes for another cover and gets 2 again. Fontaine tells the ref that he’s “got to start doing that faster,” and Lyndon starts to get to his feet. Fontaine headbutts Lyndon in the corner, but Lyndon gets in a good kick. A whip to the other corner allows Lyndon to get in another good kick to the midsection. Fontaine goes for the lariat, but Lyndon flips over much to Fontaine’s shock. Fontaine quickly gets in control again due to getting out of the way of a flip kick.
Marion uses his legs to get back in control, then switches to a series of fists. He puts Louis into a submission and then does a butt drop onto Lyndon. The cover attempt gets 2, and “The Megastar” shows his frustration. Lyndon gets up, but can’t get much offense in – a charge into the ropes sees Fontaine drop to the ground and roll his opponent onto his face. Fontaine then pulls Lyndon to the outside and hits a big slap to the face. He tells the ref to “do his job and count (Lyndon) out of the building.”
Lyndon leaps back into the ring over winds up taking a kick to the gut. Lyndon gets his first pin attempt, though, as he rolls up Marion after he bounces off the ropes. Fontaine gets out at 2 and then does a leg lariat that gets a 2 count.
Fontaine starts slapping and then flips Lyndon over into what can best be described as a modified cobra clutch. Lyndon gets to his feet and breaks the hold, then starts hitting punches. Before Lyndon can get moving, Fontaine hits him from behind. We get a lot of running-based counters and flips, until Lyndon hits a splash off the ropes. He chops Fontaine down, nails him with a sweeping kick, and begins the kung fu screaming.
Fontaine winds up the corner and blocks a whip with a whip of his own. He thinks he’s got Lyndon’s kick to the midsection scouted, but Lyndon hits another one and jumps off the top rope with a brutal kick. That gets 2.
Fontaine hits a superkick that only gets 2 and he starts stomping away. He climbs to the top and hits a big body splash that also only gets 2. Lyndon starts elbowing Fontaine in the corner, and Fontaine winds up going head first into the turnbuckle pad on the apron. This stuns him and allows Lyndon to bounce off the ropes and hit a big kick. Fontaine starts to wander, then Lyndon hits a big flip THROUGH the ropes to knock him down.
Lyndon puts Fontaine back on the apron and tries to suplex Marion to the inside but Fontaine wriggles out of it. We get a series of attempts to lock up from behind and Fontaine winds up in a side headlock. Lyndon flips over Fontaine using the ropes and then rolls him up for behind for 1. We get a series of slaps from both guys, and Lyndon hits a big palm strike for 3.
I was a little disappointed since I’ve seen Lyndon going at full speed before. Fontaine was fine as a cocky heel who thought he was much bigger than his 170 pound frame suggested. As an opening match, I would have hoped to see both guys going all out, but the guy who can definitely impress has a chance to do so in round 2.
Winner/Time: Louis Lyndon/11:03
Jason’s Star Rating: **1/4
Ryan’s Star Rating: **½
Johnny Gargano (AAW) vs. Chris Jones (FIP)

Jerome: Gargano is once again wearing his Reptar t-shirt in the pre-match promo. I love how Gargano is representing AAW, but he’s been on one show in the six months I’ve followed the company. Stalling starts the match off as we establish Jones it the more popular of the two competitors. Jones controls the arm for the next couple minutes and threatens to break his bones. Get it? His name is… you got it. Gargano comes back with a dropkick before Jones regains the advantage using a Flair strut. Gargano with a spear through the ropes.Heat segment as Gargano hits a bunch of stuff including back to back standing sentons. Jones with a kick before Gargano tosses him outside. Exchange on the outside as Jones is thrown facefirst into the apron. Ouch. Back inside where Gargano fails on a splash attempt. Toss into the corner by Jones and a big kick to the face. Gargano tries a Razor’s edge, but Jones counters into a tornado DDT. Both men fight on the ropes until Gargano dropkicks the leg. Flatliner out of the corner. Frog splash only gets two. To the top where Gargano appears set for a DVD. Jones with a messed up monkey flip which only gets two. Spiral tap misses. Gargano with a roll-up while holding the tights for three. That was an Adam Pearce ending right there. Decent match but if I skipped it I wouldn’t have missed anything.
Kevin: Gargano throws his denim vest at Jones, so Jones throws it over the entrance stage. Gargano checks to make sure it’s okay. They lock wrists vying for the advantage. Jones roll through and grabs a top wrist lock. Gargano mares Jones into a headlock, and Jones turns into a hammerlock. Gargano punches Jones in the face. Jones pops out of the corner and armdrags Gargano into an arm bar. Gargano gets to his feet and dropkicks Jones. They trade stikes. Gargano throws Jones face first into the corner. Jones and Gargano go back and forth with rolls, leapfrogs, pop-ups, and all sorts of other fun. Jones armdrags Gargano to the corner. Jones takes the corner onto the apron. Gargano runs at him, and Jones drops down to allow Gargano to go to the floor. Jones and Gargano keep popping in and out of the ring looking to dive on one another. Gargano catches Jones with a slingshot spear to end the sequence. Gargano sends Jones chest first into the corner. Jones tries to fight back, but Gargano drops Jones chest first across his knee to cut him off. Jones rolls-up Gargano for two. Gargano mows him down with a clothesline, followed by a pair of senton splashes. Gargano punehes Jones directly in the mid-section multiple times. Gargano sends Jones to the floor. Jones pops onto the apron. Gargano cuts him off and places him on his shoulders. Gargano drops Jones face first onto the ring apron. Gargano brings Jones back in the ring and heads to the top rope. He misses a splash as Jones rolls out of the way. Jones hits a flurry on punches and a leg lariat. Jones throws Gargano into two corners of the ring. Gargano sole butts Jones in the gut and looks for a Niagra Driver. Jones kicks Gargano away and comes off the second rope with a moonsault into a DDT for two. Jones and Gargano go to the ropes. Gargano dropkicks Jones crotch first on the second rope, and brings him to the mat with the Overdose. Gargano follows with a top rope frog splash for two. Both men go on the ropes again, and Jones twists into a top rope hurricanrana for two. Jones goes up and misses a skytwister press. Gargano rolls him up and grabs the tights to score the pinfall. Both these guys looked great and put on a hell of a fun match. Jones is another guy I haven’t seen too terribly much of but he has a load of potential. Gargano’s star continues to rise in a fantastic performance.
Winner/Time: Johnny Gargano/13:23
Jerome’s Star Rating: **1/2
Kevin’s Star Rating: ***
Silas Young (AAW) vs. Dave Cole (Hybrid Wrestling)

Jerome: Cole is the champion of Hybrid and Silas Young is the AAW champion although he wasn’t at the time this tournament took place. Cole immediately establishes himself as the heel by grabbing the hair. Basic exchange to start things off as they each work the arm. They each go for their big moves, but neither has any success. Young wants a handshake, but he gets a slap in the face. Young responds in kind after they chase each other. Fast-paced back and forth. Cole thrusts Young midsection first into the top rope. Cole slows the pace down and rams Young into one of the corners a number of times. Mini-comeback quickly thwarted as Cole throws him over his shoulder. Snot rocket as Cole continues to dick it up. Young gets himself back into the match with a neckbreaker. Attempted DDT by Cole turned into an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Exchange of chops. Backbreaker/clothesline combo by Young almost ends it. Roling thunder attempt but Cole counters and kicks Young right in the face. Cole hits a modified tigerdriver, which I guess is his finisher, but that only gets two. To the top where Cole tries to hit it from the rope. Backdrop into a crossbody by Young. No dice. Cole with a modified crossface but Young hits a kick. Cole with a kick. Young rolling thunder. Split-legged moonsault. Best match of the show up to this point. Decent little match, but Cole did nothing to impress me to where I want to see him on a regular basis.
Cole is currently the Hybrid Champion while Young is currently (although not at the time of the tournament) the AAW Champion. They start with some chain wrestling. A series of reversals lead to a stalemate. Young wants a handshake but Cole slaps him. Cole drapes Young over the top rope and follows with a series of irish whips. It’s not often that you see an irish whip into the turnbuckles actually used as an offensive move. Cole stays in control until Young reverses a tornado DDT into an overhead toss. They exchange chops. Young hits his backbreaker-lariat combination. Cole catches him off a springboard with a kick. He hits a modified tiger driver for a two count. Young backdrops Cole off the top and lands a flying crossbody. Cole tries a pin attempt and floats over into a crossface. Young rolls out and connects with a kick to the head. Young hits a finlay roll followed by his headstand moonsault for the victory at 11:04. They were absolutely on fire in the beginning minutes, with both showing how agile they are. The match settled down from there and just didn’t have a hot finishing stretch to compliment the beginning portion of the match. This was still a pretty solid performance from both competitors. I’m puzzled as to why Cole doesn’t receive more exposure on the independent scene.
Winner/Time: Silas Young/11:06
Jerome’s Star Rating: **
Ryan’s Star Rating: **3/4
Jon Moxley (CZW) vs. Brad Attitude (FIP)

Kevin: Moxley rolls to the floor and circles the ring. He jaw-jacks with the camera man and Attitude. Moxley pushes Attitude, which Attitude replies with a slap to the face. An intense lock-up leads to Moxley knocking Attitude down with a shoulder block. They trade waistlocks and Moxley grabs a headlock. Attitude and Moxley go back and forth, and Attitude takes Moxley down with an armdrag into an armbar. Attitude wrenches the arm. Moxley elbows Attitude in the back of the head. Moxley lays in some chops and a forearm to his back. Attitude lays in some chops of his own. Moxley rams his shoulder into Attitude’s mid-section. Attitude hopes off the top rope with a crossbody. Moxley evades a dive in the corner, and Attitude goes to the floor. Moxley backrakes Attitude. Moxley works over Attitude’s arm. Attitude gets up, kicks Moxley in the face, and clotheslines him to the floor. Moxley brings Attitude to the floor and elbows him in the face. Moxley wraps Attitude’s arm on the ring post and stretches it out. Attitude hits a baseball slide back in the ring, and dives on Moxley with a tope con heilo. Attitude throws Moxley back in the ring. Attitude goes up top, and Moxley crotches him. Moxley rams his forearms across Attitude’s face multiple times. Moxley stomps on Attitude’s arm. Moxley applies an armscissors and then pulls back Attitude’s arm over his head. Attitude tries to fight back, only to eat a DDT by Moxley for two. Moxley cuts of Attitude. Attitude jumps up and dropkicks Moxley down as he comes off the ropes. Attitude sends Moxley into the corner, then catches him with a neckbreaker off the ropes. Attitude hits a rope assisted senton on Moxley for two. Attitude sends Moxley to the corner. Moxley hops out and nails Attitude with a clothesline for two. Moxley heads up top and misses an elbow drop. Attitude comes off the top with a twisting crossbody which Moxley kicks out of at two. Moxley grabs Attitude’s arm and drops his knees across them. Oxley rams Attitude’s arm in the corner, then brings Attitude down in a crossface chicken wing. Attitude taps out. This was another good match. Attitude had some good looking stuff, but he is awfully vanilla. He reminds me a lot of a babyface, brown haired Dolph Ziggler in terms of his look and wrestling style. Moxley is great because he’s a very captivating fellow and did a great job.
Jason: Let it be known right from the start that I am a huge fan of Jon Moxley. He’s representing CZW tonight, but can also be seen in Dragon Gate USA. Brad Attitude is FIP’s Florida Heritage Champion and has the distinction of being in the only match I disliked at Evolve’s debut show (under the name Brad Allen).
Attitude/Allen notes he made it to the finals of last year’s Jeff Peterson Cup, whereas Moxley appears to be in a supply closet. He hates the pageantry of the event and notes that he has no friends in this tournament and that he will be throwing chairs.
Mox doesn’t want to be checked for weapons but eventually concedes. The crowd is, unsurprisingly, into Attitude. Moxley goes to the outside and notes that he’s aware of the ten count. He gets back in at 9 and pushes Attitude. Brad responds with a big slap to the face. The duo lock up and Moxley pushes Brad into the corner. Another lock up sees Mox lock in a side headlock. He follows that up with a charge into the ropes and a shoulder block. Mox gets whipped into the ropes and pushes Allen to the ground. After a series of ducks and leaps by Attitude, Moxley is taken down with an armdrag. Attitude goes for an armbar but Moxley makes the ropes and elbows Brad. Jon starts applying chops, but Brad repays him in kind.
Jon headbutts Attitude in the corner, but after a whip, Brad leaps off the top and connects with a springboard cross-body for 2. Mox backs into a corner and Attitude charges, only to go shoulder first into the post and bound to the outside.
Mox goes to the apron and kicks Attitude in the head. He then drops to the outside and rakes him in the back to get him back in. Mox applies an armbar submission, working over the wounded shoulder. Moxley is all about putting pressure on the arm, but Attitude manages to lariat his opponent over the top despite the pain. They both wind up on the outside, and Mox uses the post to work the arm over more. Mox tells the ref that he doesn’t have the balls to DQ him. Attitude goes back inside and then goes feet first into Jon to keep him on the outside. As Mox goes back in, Brad flips onto him and both are on the ground.
Moxley gets rolled back into the ring and Attitude climbs to the top. Moxley uses the ropes to knock Brad back in. Mox goes for the cover and gets 2, then starts working over the head and neck region with fists before going back to putting pressure on the arm. Mox goes for a cover but gets 2, then puts in an armlock submission. However, Brad maneuvers this into a pinfall attempt for himself that gets 2.
Attitude gets put into another armlock and then takes a DDT for 2. Mox shows his frustration and goes for a series of pins to no avail. They lock up into the classic test of strength that Attitude eventually starts to dominate. Mox goes into the ropes and gets hit by a dropkick. Brad uses his good arm to hit some fists and whips Mox into the corner; he runs off the ropes and hits a neckbreaker. Attitude leaps off the ropes and does what I can best described as modified senton and goes for a cover, only getting 2.
After some struggling from both competitors to gain some dominance, Mox jumps a charging Attitude in the corner and bounces off the ropes to hit a big lariat that only gets 2. He asks the crowd if they want to see Attitude die, and Mox goes for an elbow drop off the top that he misses. Attitude climbs to the top and hits a corkscrew splash for the dos. Mox goes back to the shoulder and an armlock. He follows this with a leaping knee armbreaker (think a Codebreaker to the arm). He puts in an armlock that Attitude rolls out of, but Mox re-asserts himself. Moxley puts Attitude in a crossface chickenwing and that gets the tap out.
Much better than the last match I reviewed for a number of reasons. First, Moxley and Attitude told a story with their match that was focused on Brad’s arm. There were a few entertaining spots in the match, and even though Attitude was the local favorite of the match, Moxley busted his rear end and won over a lot of the people in the crowd. Pretty much the most you can ask for in a first round match.
Winner/Time: Jon Moxley /12:05
Kevin’s Star Rating: **3/4
Jason’s Star Rating: ***
Shane Hollister (AAW) vs. Flip Kendrick (Hybrid Wrestling)

Jerome: I’ve seen Flip a number of times, and I think he’s pretty sloppy. Sure he does pretty moves, but it’s 50/50 on whether he hits them correctly or not. Hollister has grown a lot, even in the six months I’ve been watching AAW. Hollister plays heel and mocks the fans for chanting Flip. Arm work starts the match off before Flip does his usual type of offense that requires him to do a somersault everytime he does a simple maneuver. Kendrick maintains the advantage with quickness. Hollister comes back with a dropkick while Flip is purched on the top rope. On the outside, Kendrick gets sent into the apron stomach first. Hollister uses a series of moves including a unique submission hold that resembles an abdominal stretch. Kendrick uses his quickness once again and hits a messed up package piledriver for two. Kevin Steen does not approve. Hollister comes back with a neckbreaker. Kendrick does a flippity kick that does nothing. Hollister shows him how it’s done with a flying kick of his own. Hollister gets serious and throws his elbowpad but he goes over the top and to the flow. Kendrick does a spiral flip on to a standing Hollister, who was standing outside. Hollister with another flurry. Modified neckbreaker. Hollister eats knees on a dive as Kendrick readies himself to do something crazy. Spiral tap hits, but Hollister gets his foot on the ropes. Kick to the head by Hollister ends it. This tournament isn’t exactly wowing me up to this point. Least the right guy won.
Ryan: They trade control of a wristlock and Kendrick snaps off a few armdrags. He follows with a springboard dropkick along with a slingshot hurricanrana. Hollister dropkicks him to the floor and slams him into the apron. Back in, Hollister controls until Kendrick hits a side slam followed by a flippy senton. There’s no commentary and I’m horrible with degrees, so we’re going to have to settle with calling it a flippy senton. Kendrick does more flips but gets caught with a big kick. Hollister is lured to the floor and Kendrick follows out with an impressive springboard corkscrew dive. In the ring, Hollister hits a neckbreaker but finds knees on a frog splash attempt. Kendrick lands a corkscrew press for a nearfall. Hollister comes back with a flatliner and a kick for the win at 12:13. I’ve seen better outings from Kendrick, as he performed a lot more useless flips than usual. I also think the match would have benefited from the crowd being more familiar with Hollister’s offense. The finish seemed to come out of nowhere as well. This was fine but they are capable of better.
Winner/Time: Shane Hollister/12:15
Jerome’s Star Rating: **
Ryan’s Star Rating: **
TJ Perkins (FIP) vs. Arik Cannon (AAW)

Kevin: Cannon sledges Perkins in the back after a handshake. Cannon brings Perkins to the corner and rams his shoulder into Perkins’ stomach. Perkins catches himself in the ropes, sending Cannon to the floor. Cannon comes back in. Perkins lands a manhattan drop and a spinwheel kick. Cannon comes back with some chops. Cannon dives a kick to the head and lands another chop. Perkins goes under Cannon’s leg and hits a neckbreaker for two. Perkins lays in the offense in the corner. Cannon brings Perkins out on his shoulders. Perkins turns it into a sunset flip for two. Perkins sends Cannon to the floor with a rana. Perkins fakes a dive and comes off the apron. Cannon catches Perkins and rams him back first into the corner. Cannon chops Perkins. He goes for a second, puts Perkins ducks and Cannon chops the ring post. In the ring Perkins comes off the top with a crossbody for two. Perkins throws Cannon’s hand into the mat a couple times, then stretches Cannon’s arms out while twisting his neck. Cannon maneuvers Perkins to his feet into the corner. Cannon elbows Perkins in the face. Cannon chops Perkins before tossing him back in the corner. Perkins grabs Cannon’s head with his legs and slams his face first to the corner. Perkins misses a dropkick in the corner, hanging on the ropes. Cannon dropkicks Perkins square in the back. Cannon hits a delayed vertical suplex for one. Perkins tries to boot Cannon. Cannon catches him, swings Perkins legs on the ropes, and catches him with a back cracker. Arik lands a snap beck breaker for two. Perkins fights up and Cannon goes to the eyes to cut him off. Perkins sunset flips Cannon. Cannon rolls through with both men back to their feet. Cannon blasts Perkins with an enzugiri for two. Cannon chokes Perkins with his boot. Cannon stretches Perkins out on the mat in an Octopus variation. Perkins fights out. Perkins comes off the ropes looking for a rana, but Cannon powerbombs him in the corner. Cannon follows with a fisherman’s suplex for two. Cannon looks for another delayed suplex. Perkins knees Cannon in the head, and drops Cannon with a suplex of his own. Perkins hits a Baisaku knee to Cannon, sending him to the floor. Perkins follows with a dive through the middle ropes and slams Cannon face first in the corner. Perkins lays in some hard kicks to Cannon’s chest. Cannon whips Perkins into the corner. Perkins hops out and hits a jumping neck breaker for two. Perkins lays on Cannon, and Cannon crucifix pins him for two. Cannon looks for a Death Valley Driver. Perkins escapes but is met with a spinebuster. Cannon lands a clothesline for two. Perkins ducks a second clothesline. Cannon blocks the neck breaker. Cannon lands his infamous punch and the Total Anarchy. Perkins ducks the Glimmering Warlock and applies a sharpshooter. Cannon taps out. This was an awesome match between two of the most underrated guys in the independents today. It sucks FIP doesn’t put out their DVDs with great expediency anymore, cuz I bet they’re riddled with awesome Perkins matches. Cannon continues to be underutilized and overlooked, but hopefully EVOLVE will give both these guys a lot more exposure.
Jerome: It’s incredible to think how long each of these guys have wrestled and neither has gotten the recognition they deserve. Cannon is probably the most underrated wrestler on the indies and Perkins might be second. Hopefully, they can break out by having a great match here. Perkins goes for a handshake but Cannon slaps him. One of the faster paced matches of the entire tournament develops with neither man taking a significant advantage. Cannon lays in some stiff chops. Neckbreaker by Perkins as his chest is already red. Perkins tries a dive but Cannon puts him in bearhug position, only to ram him into the post. Cannon tries a chop with Perkins in the corner, but it makes one of the most disgusting noises I’ve ever heard. Perkins works over that dinged up hand as they head back. Psychology. Perkins misses a dive of his own into the corner and Cannon dropkicks him. Delayed vertical suplex by Cannon and then snaps the neck Mr. Perfect style. Series of turnbuckle whips. Destroyer but Perkins won’t die. Another delayed suplex gets reversed by Perkins into one of his own. High knee and a dive on to the outside. Back inside where a neckbreaker appears to get three, but Cannon puts his foot on the ropes. Cannon reverses another pin into a roll-up. Burning hammer doesn’t go as planned but a spinbuster does for Cannon. A spear almost puts this one to bed. Crowd chants “This is awesome.” Compared to everything else on the show it is. Perkins misses a neckbreaker and gets punched in the face. Twisting neckbreaker by Cannon which should naturally lead to the Shining Wizard. Perkins has other ideas as he hooks in a modified sharpshooter for the tapout. Really good match from two guys that I really dig. Would be nice if Cannon could get some love though.
Winner/Time: TJ Perkins/13:08
Jerome’s Star Rating: ***1/4
Kevin’s Star Rating: ***1/2
Egotistico Fantastico (CZW) vs. Scotty Vortkez (CZW)

Jason: Ego and Scotty are both representing CZW in this tournament. Vortekz notes that he and Ego are boys, but that he’s planning on taking the Jeff Peterson Cup back to CZW with him. Ego points out that the CZW roster got strange looks from the other companies because of the company’s ultraviolent style. He says that he’ll leave everything in the ring and win over the respect of the other companies. Ego is from Mexico City, Philadelphia, by the way. The two shake hands to start, with Ego asking Vortekz to show the crowd what “CZW is made of.” Vortekz responds by punching him in the face, though Ego comes right back.
Whole lot of fists to start. Vortekz bounces off the ropes and hits a big kick, and we quickly see that the two competitors have each other scouted well when Ego tries to bounce off the ropes at the same time as Scotty, only for Ego to wind up outside. Scotty attempts to go outside, but Ego leaps up and kicks him out. Ego eventually throws Scotty into the crowd and the two go all out amongst the chairs. Ego whips out the cape and flies over the guardrail to hit Scotty with a big elbow. As Vortekz is up against the ringside, Ego lays in with some chops. Ego only gets 2 on the cover.
Ego goes into the corner and hits 10 punches, then a dropkick that gets 2. Fantastico puts Scotty on his shoulders but Vortekz blocks it and hits an armdrag followed by a kick to the face. Vortekz gets 2 on that, and he follows up with a series of good chops. This, again, gets 2. After some back and forth action, Vortekz hits a standing moonsault for another 2. Ego gets nailed with some forearms in the corner, but he counters with headbutts. Vortekz locks in a chinlock, but Ego uses fists to the stomach to escape. Scotty re-asserts with a good dropkick for 2.
We now move onto back and forth kicks, and an enziguiri from Ego gets a 2. The duo go back outside, and Ego asserts himself. He rolls Scotty back in for 2, and then tries for a Cop Killer that Scotty wriggles out of. Vortekz then hits the Ghana-rhea and does a La Magistral to get 2. Scotty hits some stiff kicks to the back that get 2. Ego then trips up Vortekz and puts on a rolling Taco Pizza/Mexican Surfboard. He then flips Scotty over for a 2 count.
Scotty is put on the top rope and Ego climbs up with him. Scotty gets the upper hand and knocks Ego outside. Scotty does a moonsault off the top that nearly ends very badly. They both get back in the ring at 9 and begin laying into each other on their knees. Ego slams Scotty and goes to the top, but Vortekz cuts him off. Vortekz hits the Dragon Fly but Ego still kicks out. Scotty tries to lay in to Ego, but Fantastico catches him and hits the Cop Killer for the win.
While I like some of the spots in the match, especially the trip into the seats, a lot of this match rang hollow for me. Both guys clearly felt the need to make CZW proud, and they definitely did so. However, nothing outside of that early exchange and the finish really blew my mind. You should definitely check out Ego if you get the chance, by the way. While his gimmick initially screams “El Generico rip-off,” he does have the goods.
Winner/Time: Egotistico Fantastico/14:59
Jason’s Star Rating: **1/2
Davey Richards (FIP) vs. Drake Younger (CZW)

Kevin: Both men come out demolishing each other with strikes and kicks. They reach a stalemate after stereo dropkicks. Richards goes to Younger’s knee, and Younger rolls into a pin attempt. They lock wrists and Younger grabs a waistlock. Richards turns looking for an armbar and Younger makes it to the ropes. They trade hammerlocks and wristlocks. Richards applies pressure to Younger’s arm. Younger grabs Richards’ leg and twists on his ankle. Richards grabs Younger’s legs but Younger grabs the ropes before any real damage can be done. Richards and Younger fire each other up with kicks to the small of each others back. They trade forearms again. Younger dropkicks Richards to the floor. Richards comes back and applies a side headlock. Richards comes off the ropes knocking down Younger. Younger gives Richards a series of armdrags ending in an armbar. Richards lays in shots to Younger in the corner. Younger back body drops Richards out of the corner. Younger sends Richards to the floor with a clothesline. Younger rolls with a senton off the apron to Richards. Younger and Richards exchange chops on the floor. Younger brings Richards back into the ring and pins him for two. Younger suplexes Richards for two. Richards avoides a double stomp from Younger. Richards slams Younger to the mat with a dragon screw. Richards keeps on Younger’s legs, stretching him out and kicking away. Younger fights back with some chops. Richards dives right back at Younger’s knee. Younger grabs the ropes. Richards kicks Younger in the corner. Richards places Younger up top. Younger headbutts Richards to the mat. Younger misses a frog splash allowing Richards to apply a cloverleaf. Younger escapes. Younger makes a comeback with a dragon suplex. Richards misses a kick allowing Younger to plant him with an inverted Death Valley Driver for two. Richards goes to the apron. Richards dragon screws Younger’s legs in the ropes. Richards comes off the top with a dropkick to Younger’s chest. Richards lays in the boots to Younger’s chest. Richards comes off the ropes with a backflip into a kick to the face. Younger and Richards trade waistlocks, with Younger sending Richards to the floor. Younger looks for a tope, but Richards jumps up and kicks him. Richards hits a jumping forearm, a solebutt, and a big boot in the corner before bringing Younger out with a bridging German suplex for two. Richards calls for the DR Driver. Younger pushes Richards into the corner and lays in some chops and punches. Richards headbutts Younger before placing him on the top rope of the corner. Younger and Richards exchange headbutts. Richards brings Younger off the top rope with a suplex. Both men trade strikes, with Richards laying in a series of boots to Younger’s head. Richards comes off the ropes and is caught with a leg capture belly to belly suplex for two. Younger looks for Drake’s Landing. Richards elbows his way out and kicks Younger in the face. Younger hits Richards as he goes up top. Younger places Richards on his shoulder and hits a top rope Cradle Shock for two. Younger again goes for Drake’s Landing. Richards slides off his back and evades a knee. Younger catches Richards with a boot. Richards pops up Younger for the alarm clock and a clotheslines. Richards hits the DR Driver, and Younger kicks out! Richards turns into the cloverleaf once again. After much struggling, Richards taps out. This was a good main event, but I don’t think it was as good as a lot of people expected. Sure, the two hit each other hard, but I think the best hard hitting stuff was towards the beginning of the match and they lost the crowd somewhere in the middle. This was good, but could’ve been much better were it paced a little better.
Jason: This is a battle of champions, as the two competitors are their respective company’s World Heavyweight Champions. It’s worth noting that Younger has been CZW’s top guy since mid-2008. In the promos before the match, Younger notes his respect for Davey and that he’s out for respect. Davey promises that he will bring the “combat” that Drake is used to and that, of course, THE HUNT…IS ON.
For those that don’t know, I’m incredibly biased toward both Richards and Younger. So I’m going in with high hopes for this one. The moment the bell rings, the two go right for each other with strikes and kicks. They both go for dropkicks, which results in a standoff. Davey goes for the knee and Drake counters that with a pin attempt. We again get a standoff as Davey kicks out at 1. As Davey goes for an armbar, Drake makes it to the ropes. The duo trade hammerlocks and armbars for a little bit, until Davey is knocked to the ground and put into an ankle twist. Younger again makes the ropes as Davey goes for Younger’s legs.
Younger gets a stiff kick to the back for his troubles, which only makes him angry. Drake does the same for Richards with the same result. Davey asks Drake to hit him in the face and “The Psycho Shooter” obliges. The two trade forearms, and Davey goes into the ropes. Drake hits a dropkick, and Davey rolls out of the ring to collect himself.
The two trade armdrags and Drake puts Davey into an armbar. Davey backs Drake into the corner and begins laying into him. Drake eventually gets free and knocks Davey back outside. This time, Drake hits a big flip and follows him out. Drake pushes Davey face first into a chair and then the two begin trading chops. Drake rolls in Richards and tries for a pin to no success. Drake then hits Davey with a hanging vertical suplex. Davey crawls to the corner and nails Drake in the gut. Drake hits a slam and climbs to the middle turnbuckle. Davey rolls out of a double stomp and sends Drake to the mat with a dragon screw. Davey puts Drake in a leg lock to wear down Drake’s knees, but Younger makes it to the ropes.
Davey keeps honing in on the knee, then moves on to the midsection in the corner. He goes for a charge but Drake attempts to block it. Davey puts him on the mat and teases a Figure 4, only to break it and make not-so-nice gestures to those in attendance. Davey bounces Drake off the ropes and kicks him in the gut. Richards soaks in the boos of the crowd and that allows Drake to get up and begin chopping. This doesn’t last long, as they’re on the floor again with Davey working the knees. Drake is kicked into the corner and put on the top rope. Davey chops Drake on the top, but Younger headbutts and slaps Davey to the floor. Drake goes for a frog splash but misses, and Davey turns him over into the cloverleaf. Younger gets out and after an exchange of forearms and another charge in the corner, Younger hits a dragon suplex for 2.
After a missed kick from Richards, Drake hits an inverted Death Valley Driver for another 2. Davey goes to the apron and does a dragon screw to Younger in the ropes. Davey goes to the top and hits a dropkick on Drake, then goes back to the kicks to the chest. Richards hits a backflip off the ropes and kicks Drake in the face for 2, and Davey immediately tries for a submission but Drake makes it to the ropes.
The pair exchange waistlocks until Davey is sent to the outside. Drake is stopped by a Davey kick as he tries to go outside. Richards lays into Younger in the corner and hits a German for 2. Richards then calls for the DR Driver, but Drake pushes him into the corner and starts chopping and punching away. Davey puts Drake on the top rope and the two exchange headbutts. Davey suplexes Younger off the top. When the two get to their feet, they charge at each other and begin trading blows. Davey starts kicking at Drake’s face, and Drake catches him for a belly-to-belly suplex and lariat that gets 2.
Drake tries for a Drake’s Landing, but Davey gets out of it. Davey climbs to the top, but Drake meets him and hits the Cradle Shock for 2. Drake tries for Drake’s Landing again, and again Richards gets out of it and then dodges a knee. Davey gets a boot to the face but pops up with the alarm clock and a clothesline. Richards then hits the DR Driver, only to see Younger kick out. Davey again goes for the cloverleaf, and Drake tries for the ropes. He can’t make it, and this causes him to tap. Post match, Richards hands Younger the CZW belt in respect and Drake puts over Davey and the entire tournament, noting that they’re just getting started.
This was a pretty good match, but I was slightly disappointed. Richards is phenomenal in the ring and Younger is very good (if not great). The match started off incredibly hot but I think they lost it at some point. The match is definitely a highlight of night 1 (along with Perkins-Cannon), but it’s not on the level of either guy’s best stuff from 2009.
Winner/Time: Davey Richards/22:44
Kevin’s Star Rating: ***1/4
Jason’s Star Rating: ***1/4
Night Two
Davey Richards (FIP) vs. Egotistico Fantastico (CZW)

Kevin: Richards runs right at Fantastico, who ducks and takes Richards down with a pair of armdrags. Fantastico comes off the ropes. They both leapfrog, and Fantastico backflips over Richards. Fantastico dropkicks Ricards to the floor. Fantastico comes out and beats Richards around the ringside area. Fantastico places Richards on a chair in the crowd and grabs his cape. Fantastico runs to where Davey is, but when he dives over the guardrail, Richards catches him with a kick to the ribs. Richards chokes Fantastico with his cape and then throws him over the guardrail. Richards kicks Fantastico before throwing him back in the ring. Fantastico works up his way up with punches, but Richards stops him with a dragonscrew. Richards stalks Fantastico and chooses to target his leg. Fantastico tries to fight up and gets kicked to the floor with a sole butt from Richards. Richards stretches Fantastico’s leg once back in the ring. Richards targets Fantastico’s leg while mocking him and the fans. Fantastico fights back with a kick to Richards mid-section. Fantastico suplexes Davey for two. Fantastico tries to keep the advantage but Davey nails him with an enzugiri to turn the tide. Richards hits the running elbow and sole butt in the corner. He misses a kick to Fantastico. Fantastico dropkicks Davey in the corner and applies the Taco Pizza. Fantastico hits a Death Valley Driver for two. Davey dropkicks Fantastico’s leg out. Fantastico bocks a kick, but gets pulled off the ropes and kicked in the mid-section. Richards locks on the cloverleaf but Fantastico gets the ropes. Richards goes up top and gets cut off. Fantastico climbs up and gets knocked off by Richards. Fantastico hopes up and brings Richards to the mat with a hurricanrana for two. Fantastico looks for the Cop Killer. Davey flips up to his shoulders, sunset flips, and locks the cloverleaf in. Richards drags Fantastico to the middle of the ring, and he is forced to tap out. This crowd is already way better than the crowd from last night, and this opening match was a great way to get things started. Fantastico is good and I am glad he’s a Midwest standby for ROH these days. What else can I say about Richards that a billion people haven’t said already?
Jason: Davey notes that, once again, “The Hunt Is On,” and that he will win the Jeff Peterson Cup just like he wins every other tournament he’s been in. Ego says that he will earn the respect of Davey and that the story will be his upset of the FIP World Heavyweight Champion.
Richards goes right for Ego the moment the bell rings, and he armdrags Davey to take him down. After leapfrogs and backflips, Ego sends Davey to the floor with a dropkick. Fantastico follows and beats him around the outside. Ego puts Davey on a chair in the crowd and then goes for his cape. Richards catches him leaping with a kick to the ribs that takes Ego out. Davey chokes Ego with the cape and tosses him back over the rail. Davey tosses Ego in the ring and is met with some punches, but Davey stops it with a dragon screw. Davey starts to hone in on the leg and after baiting the crowd, sends Ego to the outside.
Richards targets the leg but Ego gets in the ropes. Within moments, Davey reapplies with another stretch only for Ego to get to the ropes again. Fantastico hits Richards in the midsection to get back some momentum, but kicks only anger Richards. Ego hits a modified suplex for 2. He can’t keep the momentum as Richards nails an enziguiri after a waistlock. Richards hits a running elbow and sole butt in the corner but misses a big boot. Ego responds with a dropkick and the Taco Pizza. He follows this up with a Death Valley Driver that gets 2.
Davey dropkicks Ego in the leg, but a follow-up is blocked. As Ego climbs the ropes, Davey pulls him off and delivers a brutal midsection kick. Davey puts on the cloverleaf, but Ego gets to the ropes. Davey goes to the top, but Ego joins him; Davey knocks him right off, though. Ego goes right back up and hits a hurricarana and that gets 2. Ego tries for the Cop Killer, but Davey hits a sunset flip and locks in the cloverleaf, which causes Ego to tap.
I enjoyed this match a lot. I liked the Davey-Ego dynamic and really found myself getting into this match more than I expected. This is definitely superior to the Round 1 opener, and although the outcome was never in doubt, I still found plenty of moments of hope for Fantastico. It’s also worth noting that the crowd is much larger on Night 2 and isn’t completely lifeless, which helps this match a lot.
Winner/Time: Davey Richards/10:19
Kevin’s Star Rating:**3/4
Jason’s Star Rating: ***1/4
Shane Hollister (AAW) vs. TJ Perkins (FIP)

Jerome: The gear of both men looks similar as far as style goes. Fast pace to start the contest off and they stand off. You’d think after 15 years, people would stop popping for stuff like that. Perkins locks in a modified chokehold, but Hollister counters out of it and gets a dropkick. Perkins neckbreaker. Hollister with a nice series of moves to take control, including an acecrusher and kick to the head. Perkins comes back with a sharpshooter. Hollister with a missile dropkick that send Perkins outside the ring. Dive to the outside before heading back into the ring. Hollister comes off the top rope and eats two boots to the face. Another sharpshooter but Hollister crawls to the ropes. Roll-up only gets two for Hollister. He follows up with a sliding enziguri. Perkins appears to be injured, but he’s only playing possum as he hooks in a small package for a long two count. Hollister uses a modified neckbreaker, but Perkins won’t go away. Armbreaker turned into a sharpshooter once again. Perkins has no choice but to tap. Very fun back and forth match. Perkins has looked so much better in this tournament than his PWG days while Hollister continues to be pretty darn good too.
Kevin: Nice to see Hollister wearing Tyler Black’s old shorts. Perkins grabs a waistlock which Hollister turns into a wristlock. Perkins and Hollister go back and forth to a point where I can’t type. Needless to say, it was fun. Perkins takes Hollister to the mat with a waist lock. Perkins wraps Hollister’s arm around his neck, then stretches Hollister across his shoulders. Perkins works on Hollister’s arm. Hollister rolls through a whip to the corner and knees Perkins in the face. Perkins hops over Hollister and hits a neck breaker for two. Hollister flips up and takes Perkin’s down with an armdrag. Hollister lands a stunner and follows with a kick to Perkins head. Hollister lands a slingshot elbow drop for two. Hollister butterflies Perkin’s arms. Perkins tosses Hollister off the ropes, and Hollister knocks him down. Perkins trips Hollister and locks him in a sharpshooter variation. Hollister quickly grabs the ropes to escape. Perkins kicks Hollister in the chest before getting sent to the ropes. Perkins lands like a spider in a web on the ropes and fakes out Hollister. Hollister comes off the top with a dropkick sending Perkins to the floor. Hollister follows with a dive to Perkins. In the ring, Hollister is sent to the apron by Perkins. Hollister kicks Perkins and comes off the top. Perkins drops to his back and puts both feet up to catch Hollister in the face with. Hollister ducks a spinwheel kick and comes back with one of his own and a baisaku knee. Perkins catches Hollister as he comes off the tope and locks in the sharpshooter variation again. Hollister escapes. Perkins drops Hollister with a brainbuster. Hollister schoolboys Perkins for two, and then kicks Perkins in the side of the head for another two. Perkins schoolboys Hollister for two. Both men trade strikes coming off the mat. Hollister picks up Perkins and drops him head first across his knee. Perkins ducks a kick and tries for an armbar. Hollister wiggles free, so Perkins again applies the sharpshooter variation. Hollister taps out, and Perkins advances to face Richards later. TJ Perkins is seriously my favorite wrestler right now after watching his two matches in this tournament. How every U.S. independent wrestling company doesn’t have him booked for every show is beyond me; he’s so good. Hollister has also transformed into a better wrestler since I last saw him in the summer, and you can tell that Tyler Black and Davey Richards influence him.
Winner/Time: TJ Perkins/10:07
Jerome’s Star Rating: ***
Kevin’s Star Rating: ***1/4
Johnny Gargano (AAW) vs. Louis Lyndon (Hybrid Wrestling)

Jerome: Gargano attacks him before the bell even rings. Neither man carries a significant advantage until Lyndon gets a headscissors and dropkick to send Gargano out of the ring. Back inside and Gargano isn’t doing so well. Gargano actually spits in Lyndon’s face and works over the leg in the corner. He puts Lyndon’s gimmick and continues to work him over. Putting on the afro is just excessive. Lyndon with a flurry. But Gargano flatlines him into the second turnbuckle. He leaps off the top rope but gets kicked. Spear from outside the ring only gets two. Gargano is sent outside once again, and Lyndon does a moonsault from the top on to the floor. Gargano counters into a gustbuster. Northern lights bomb gets two. Lyndon gets a small package for two and comes off the… no he doesn’t. Superkick by Gargano. Victory roll by Gargano. He grabs the tights and gets three. Decent match
Ryan: Gargano attacks before the bell but Lyndon answers with some armdrags followed by a slingshot hurricanrana. He misses a charge and Gargano catches him with a backcracker in the ropes. Gargano puts on Lyndon’s wig/headband and takes over. Lyndon makes his comeback until getting flatlined into the turnbuckles. He catches Gargano coming off the top with a kick. Gargano hits his slingshot spear but gets chopped to the floor. Lyndon follows out with a moonsault. Back in, Gargano blocks a moonsault with a dropkick and hits a brainbuster for a nearfall. Lyndon gets caught with a superkick. Gargano sneaks in a rollup while holding the tights for the win at 8:10. Believe it or not, this was the first match of the whole tournament to not go over ten minutes. This was fine without standing out much. Lyndon got a little too over the top with his karate offense and it disrupted their flow at points.
Winner (s)/Time: Johnny Gargano/8:10
Jerome’s Star Rating: **1/2
Ryan’s Star Rating: **
Silas Young (AAW) vs. Jon Moxley (CZW)

Jerome: Moxley continues the trend of going after people before the bell. He uses his jacket to choke Silas before Silas comes with a clothesline over the top. These two brawl outside the ring. Hell of a start to this match. Back inside and Silas slows things down with a side headlock. They actually exchange submission holds. These two be a clubberin each other. Moxley turns his attention to Young’s arm and even hooks a chickenwing. Crowd wants Young to tap? Guess they didn’t get the memo about Moxley being heel. Or they really liked The Joker in The Dark Knight. More submission holds used by both men. Can’t believe it’s come down to this. Moxley tosses Young by the hair onto the apron, and a countout teased but not delivered. Neckbreaker and into The Last Chancer. Hope Austin Aries doesn’t sue to get his move back. Dropkick before Moxley goes back to work on the neck. Young fights his way back and does a little neck work of his own. Moxley misses a top rope move and Young gets a roll-up for two. Missile dropkick from Moxley into a snap suplex. Moxley works a sleeper but Young stays alive. He misses Young in the corner and gets enziguried. Chickenwing but Young counters into a Rolling Thunder. Springboard moonsault gets three. Call me crazy, but I thought this was a dandy of a match. Moxley and Young looked strong here. Lots of intensity and good submission wrestling from both men. I’d love to see these two have a rematch somewhere. EVOLVE maybe?
Jason: Silas Young says that Jon Moxley may be crazy, but he lacks the wrestling ability that Young has. Mox says he doesn’t care about the accolades and awards that people have won and that nobody can go as far as they need to to beat him.
Mox goes for the attack during introductions and then starts to choke out Young with his shirt. Mox puts Young on the apron, but Young hops over Jon and lariats him to the floor. Mox brings Silas out and the two brawl on the floor. He throws Young into the side of the ring and the ring post and then bites him in the head before putting him in the ring. Back in the ring, Young trips Mox and tries for a Boston crab. The two go back and forth before Young puts in a headlock, which Mox counters into a headscissors. Young counters it himself into a Boston crab, but Mox kicks him to the apron. Silas hits Jon in the face and hits the Ace Crusher. Mox uses Silas’s tights to knock him face first into the corner. The two go back outside and after some chops, Mox sends Silas back in with a sledge.
Back in the ring, Mox starts kicking at Young’s arm and gets a 2 count. Young clotheslines Jon and slams him, and then Moxley applies a standing crossface chickenwing that Silas counters with a backdrop. He puts Moxley into a full nelson but Mox tries for a pin that gets 2. He puts on an armbar and tries for another chickenwing but Silas blocks it. Young puts on another Boston crab, but Moxley turns it into a headlock/STF that is broken by the ropes.
Mox throws Young to the apron and puts him on the floor. When Young gets back in, Jon throws him to the mat by the hair. He does some neck twists and hits a neckbreaker to get 2. Mox puts on the Last Chancery, but Young escapes. Mox twists into a headscissors, but Young escapes. Silas is then hit with a dropkick by Mox and a cocky pin for 1. Moxley goes back to working the neck and Young reverses a neckbreaker with a push to the corner. He can’t follow up, however, because Moxley dodges a back splash.
Young flips to his feet and gets a waistlock into a rollup for 2. He turns that to a Dragon Sleeper and begins punching Moxley in the face. Silas hits a big boot for two and tries for a Finlay roll, but Mox gets out. Young sidesteps a dropkick attempt and then sunset flips Mox for 2. Mox gets another kick to the face and goes up top again, this time connecting with the dropkick. He hits a DDT and that gets 2. Mox uses the forearms and then does a headlock-body scissors combo. Young fights his way back up, but Mox gets him right back in the headlock; this time, Young uses the ropes to get out.
Mox charges face first into the corner and is nailed by an enziguiri. Young tries the Finlay roll again, but Mox counters it into a crossface. Young gets out of it and finally hits the Finlay roll, followed by a headstand Arabian Press. That gets the win.
While the match was slow at first, I have to say I really did enjoy it. Moxley brought his A game for this tournament and it showed. I’m not a big Silas Young fan, but he was perfectly fine here as the face in peril to Moxley’s relentless attacks. I can only imagine how good this would have been if some of the early stuff was cut.
Winner: Silas Young
Jerome’s Star Rating: ***1/4
Jason’s Star Rating: ***
Davey Richards (FIP) vs. T.J. Perkins (FIP)

Kevin: Perkins brings Richards to the ropes. Richards blocks a kick. Richards brings Perkins to the ropes, and Perkins ducks one of his kicks. Perkins goes for Richards’ leg, but Richards blocks and rolls Perkins over. Perkins and Richards vie for the advantage and reach a stalemate. Richards goes to Perkins’ leg. Perkins rolls onto Richards’ back and rolls forward into a cross arm breaker for two. Perkins gets an armbar. Richards slams Perkins, but he drags the arm and keeps the hold. Richards pops up and suplexes Perkins into a side headlock. Richards turns into the stretch muffler. Perkins escapes and goes back to working on Richards’ right arm. Perkins slips off a slam attempt and arm drags Richards right back into that armbar. Perkiins dropkicks Richards and armdrags him down again. Perkins captures Richards’ arm in his leg and punches Richards a couple times in his kidney. Perkins stretches Richards Richards’ other arm. Richards gets to his feet and kicks Perkins in the chest. Richards gets in a shoving match with the referee. Richards lays in a ton of kicks till Perkins falls onto the ring apron. Perkins kicks Richards in the head and comes off the top rope with a body block. Perkins rolls up Richards for two. Richards and Perkins exchange strikes, including stereo kicks to the face and to the side of the head. They get back to their feet and continue the strikes. Richards brings Perkins down with a dragon screw, and Perkins responds with a superkick. Perkins elbows Richards in the head. Richards pops up Perkins for the alarm clock. Richards hits a German suplex with a bridge for two. Perkins turns it into a Kimura lock, then a cross arm breaker. Richards turns Perkins over into the cloverleaf. Perkins cradles Richards for two. Richards hits a sole butt. Perkins turns a powerbomb into his sharpshooter variation. Richards kicks Perkins away. Perkins butterflies Richards’ arms. Richards pushes Perkins to the corner and punches him in the stomach. Perkins kicks Richards in the face. Richards throws Perkins into the corner. Richards catches Perkins as he goes for a headscissors and hits the tombstone piledriver. Richards turns a failed pin into the Kimura Lock. Perkins taps out and Richards goes to the finals. Wow, this was really awesome. The two MVP’s of the tournament thus far meet for another fantastic match. Perkins was in the best match of night one, and so far he’s in the best match of night two also.
Ryan: Richards blocks a quick kick attempt from Perkins. Perkins avoids a kick from Richards. The action goes to the mat, where Perkins shows that he can hang. Perkins gets in more offense until Richards connects with some kicks after getting into a shoving match with the referee. Perkins lands a flying crossbody. They have a nice strike exchange, somewhat reminding me of Richards and KENTA. Perkins connects with a superkick but falls victim to the Alarm Clock. Richards hits a german suplex but Perkins comes back with a cross armbreaker. Richards reverses into a texas cloverleaf. Perkins turns the hold into a small package for a two count. He synchs in a sharpshooter but Richards makes the ropes. Richards hits a tombstone and applies the kimura for the victory at 11:44. This match went a long way in legitimizing Perkins to fans that haven’t seen him before. He had a great tournament, with all three of his matches clocking in at above three stars. They put on a good match and showed that they have chemistry. I liked that Perkins got to outclass Richards in the beginning portions, as that allowed for more suspense down the stretch.
Winner (s)/Time: Davey Richards/11:44
Kevin’s Star Rating: ***1/2
Ryan’s Star Rating: ***1/4
Silas Young vs. Johnny Gargano

Jerome: Both of these guys have looked pretty good through the first two rounds. Unfortunately, this is the semi-finals of a tournament, and they tend to get the short end of the stick as far as match length. They have a fairly mundane back and forth match. Young wins an oh so short match with a full nelson stretch.
Jason: Count me among the Gargantuans, people. I’m drinking Gargano’s Kool Aid. No promos for this match, which is a shame, because I don’t get to comment on an awesome Gargano promo.
Gargano opens the match by attacking Silas as he’s slapping hands with the fans. He then bites him and throws him into the ring. Johnny clotheslines Young as he bounces off the ropes and then sends him to the corner. Johnny punches Silas and then whips him to the opposite corner. Silas is grounded and kicks Johnny in the gut. Silas flips to his feet and slams Gargano. Johnny is then flipped to the apron and elbowed repeatedly by Young. Silas rushes to the ropes, and Johnny tries for a spear, only to be caught for a DDT. Young goes for the cover and gets 2.
The duo trade chops until Young gets the upper hand; Johnny goes to the apron and the two try to get the upper hand on one another to no success. Gargano slingshots back in and gets suplexed for 2. Gargano winds up in the corner and catches a boot from Silas that he turns into an enziguiri. Gargano hits a sharp kick to the head and nails a brainbuster which only gets 2.
Young goes for the Finlay roll, but Gargano gets out of it; Gargano tries for the Uniquely You, but Young counters and goes for the pin. The two exchange blows and Johnny elbows Young in the corner, only for Young to immediately hit a backbreaker and clothesline on the knee for 2. Young picks up Johnny, but Johnny slides out and pushes him into the corner. Young starts to climb, but Johnny hits the Overdrive for 2.
The two begin rolling each other up, looking for a small package. Gargano grabs the tights and gets a 2. Young trips up Johnny and puts him in a full nelson stretch that causes Johnny to tap.
I was shocked by how short this match was. I think the idea was that Silas might be less fatigued than Davey for the finals, but I really don’t know. I’ve seen Gargano enough to know he’s capable of more, but it’s not like what actually happened in the match was bad.
Winner: Silas Young
Jerome’s Star Rating: **
Jason’s Star Rating: **
Davey Richards (FIP) vs. Silas Young (AAW)

Kevin: Richards pushes Young to the floor and misses a baseball slide. Young takes it to Davey with blows on the floor. Young catches Richards trying to escape to the crowd. As Young and Richards get in the ring, all the other Jeff Peterson tournament participants surround the ring. Young pounds on Richards in the corner. Richards catches Young with a knee to the gut as Young comes off the ropes. Richards looks for the DR Driver. Young trips and see-saws Richards into the corner. He sunset flips Richards for two. Richards knocks Young down with a hard clothesline. Richards throws Young to the ropes and taches him with a knee to the gut. Richards locks his legs around Young’s waist. Young elbows his way to freedom. Young fights his way up with chops. Richards sole butts Young in the stomach. Richards slams Young and heads up top. Richards lands a headbutt to Young’s arm for two. Richards backdrops Young and looks for crowd reaction. Young delivers some shots to Richards, and Richards takes Young over with a snap suplex. Young gets in another flurry and sends Richards to the ropes. Young back body drops him. Richards comes up and kicks Young in the shoulder. Young fires up and slams Richards in the corner. Young rolls through a sunset flip attempt by Richards and superkicks Richards in the face. Young hits a crossbody off the second rope for two. Richards gets a chin breaker and Young gets an enzugiri. Young drops Richards with a leg-capture brainbuster for two. Young applies a full nelson stretch to Richards. Richards gets his foot on the bottom rope. Richards goes up top and Young follows. Richards headbutts Young down. He comes off with a dropkick. Richards responds with a series of kicks to Young’s chest. He backflips off the ropes with a kick to Young’s face for two. Young spears Richards in the corner. Richards come back with knees to Young’s face. He looks for the DR Driver, which Young turns into a back breaker/clothesline combination for two. Silas headstands and Richards dodges the Arabian press. Young hits a big boot. Davey lands the Sole butt. Young hits the Finlay Roll, and then the handstand into an Arabian Press. Richards kicks out! Young goes back up top and gets cut off by Richards. Richards gets elbowed off. Richards hops up top and German suplexes Young off the top to the mat. Richards hits a sole butt and the DR Driver for only two. Richards goes up top. Young follows and looks for a suplex. Richards pushes Young off and hits the Shooting Star Press for two! Richards locks in the cloverleaf. Young taps out, and Davey Richards wins the 2009 Jeff Peterson Cup tournament. Hell of a way to end the tournament, with all the wrestlers ringside and the fans going berserk. A great main event with the right man winning the whole thing. It would’ve been cool to see a new face go over, but let’s face facts: in the context of the tournament, Richards was one of the few people who the fans would’ve believed to win the tournament. It’s also good that a FIP guy went over in the end to make the fans happy. Young and Richards busted their asses off and put on an ideal tournament final mach.
Jerome: When I picked Silas Young to win this tournament, I didn’t really expect him to make it this far. The fact he even made it this far was a real success for him and for AAW. That being said, this was the best possible match to end the tournament. I think Davey came off like a big star among all these younger and underexposed guys. However, Silas looked strong even in defeat, and a push in EVOLVE would not shock me.
Jason: An excellent main event that really made the whole tournament. Silas was great, but of course Davey was what made this excellent. The crowd was hot for the main event, and the Japanese-like atmosphere with the other wrestlers around the ringside made it feel special.
Ryan: A solid way to end the tournament. Considering this weekend was essentially a preview of EVOLVE, Richards going over made sense at the time. Not so much now, but I’ll get into that later. They showcased their unique offenses and the crowd was really into it down the stretch. I think Young is great in the ring and his matches on these shows will surprise anyone who has just seen his work in ROH.
Winner (s)/Time: Silas Young/12:44
Kevin’s Star Rating: ***1/2
Jerome’s Star Rating: ***1/2
Jason’s Star Rating: ***3/4
Ryan’s Star Rating: ***1/4
Final Thoughts:

Jerome: There wasn’t a single four star match, but there were a number of decent matches that showcased a lot of new talent that people may not have ever seen before. Even if no one came out ready to conquer the world, I think this is the kind of tournament that’s needed on a yearly basis to show the new guys rising up the indy scene. I’d recommend people buy this show because they will discover a number of guys and perhaps rediscover guys like Perkins and Cannon who are criminally underrated.
Kevin: Night One was a good show. Nothing was bad, and it was cool to see some of these younger guys get deserved exposure. It sucks the crowd was so small, but at least they were vocal and hot for the majority of the show. I can already tell you that buying both nights for $20 (or if you were lucky enough to attend EVOLVE’s first show, free) is already a bargain.
Night Two was a great show, with the wrestlers putting their best foot forward. Everyone looked good and put on a solid night of wrestling. All the matches were pretty different. Both nights for $20 is a steal, with guys like Arik Cannon, Johnny Gargano, Davey Richards, and my boy TJ Perkins putting on fantastic matches. Very much recommended, especially if a lot of these names are unfamiliar to you.
Jason: Even though I didn’t get to review any of his matches, TJ Perkins really did a lot to help his stock with this show. He put on great matches with everyone he had a match with. Clearly, Gabe Sapolsky took notice, given that he has been booked in both Evolve and Dragon Gate USA since this tournament. I think both Egotistico Fantastico and Jon Moxley also did a lot to help their stock in the independents with their matches. Too bad the same cannot be said for the Hybrid guys, who didn’t get to do much in the tournament.
Overall, I have to recommend the 2009 Jeff Peterson Cup. If you can get past the dead crowd on Night 1, you get plenty of good action, and Night 2 is a pretty solid night of wrestling. While the Battle of Los Angeles may have outshined it in the same weekend, this tournament is still worth going out of your way to see, especially if you’re a Davey Richards, Silas Young, or tournament fan. I’m sure some will complain about Davey winning, but I honestly don’t care. This was a solid tournament and all of his matches were good. The only other person who would have been tolerable as winner would have been Perkins, setting up an FIP title feud between he and Davey, but this tournament was about more than just FIP. It was about sixteen guys who were ready to…well, you know.
Ryan: The Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup 2009 is a tournament that accomplished what it set out to do. It mostly consisted of wrestlers that are going to be competing in EVOLVE and showcased their talents. Fortunately, there was a lot of talent to showcase as guys like TJ Perkins, Silas Young, and Johnny Gargano really stood out. While the tournament didn’t have a blow-away match, it was filled with good wrestling the whole way through. Now, concerning Davey Richards. He won this tournament and looked to be the prominent wrestler in EVOLVE…until he signed a new contract with ROH and was pulled from all EVOLVE shows. Fortunately, the talents of everyone else involved in the tournament stop it from being counterproductive. A lot of upcoming wrestlers were given a stage to do their thing. I give this tournament a solid recommendation to seek out, especially if you haven’t seen some of the competitors that are featured.