This is a “TPI” style tournament, with 24 participants competing in a single elimiantion bracket over the course of two nights. This review encompasses both evenings into one, compact review for your reading pleasure.
Cleveland, OH – 5.11.2012 – Day One
Commentary is provided by Matt Wadsworth, The Duke, Aaron Bauer, Paul Aaron Rodgers, and Mat Fitchett.
We get a round of promos to open the show. ACH won’t hold anything back against his opponent and friend, Davey Vega, in their first round match. Ethan Page says he’s number one in everybody’s heart, but now it’s time for him to be number one in line for an AIW title shot. Veronica Ticklefeather tells Archibald Peck to not embarrass her tonight. She needs Peck to keep his eyes on the prize, and not on her. Rickey Shane Page plans to take the whole tournament in the name of JT Lightning, the man who this tournament is named after. Willie Mack plans to whoop Ethan Page’s ass tonight. Tim Donst discusses how one of the matches that inspired him was a bout between Bryan Danielson and Brian Kendrick. Donst faced Danielson in CHIKARA a couple years ago, but tonight he gets to face Kendrick. Donst has come a long way since he saw that match in 2004 and plans to show Kendrick just that. Louis Lyndon also thinks he’s going to win the tournament. The Sex Bob-Ombs get in a small war of words over who is going to win the tournament. Vega and Fitchett agree to share the trophy when one of them wins. Eric Ryan says if he has to get a title shot the hard way, he will do just that. Flip Kendrick plans to take out Rickey Shane Page in the first round. Ophidian repeats his Snake Style mantra a few times. He says the Handicapped Inspiration which will reach his expiration. Josh Prohibition plans to make JT Lightning proud when he takes on his tag team partner and fellow JT Lightning student, Matt Cross, in the opening round.
All 24 combatants for the tournament are introduced. Absolute Owner Matt Wadsworth comes out, with Chest Flexor following him in a huff. Wadsworth informs us that because Shiima Xion has not defended the Absolute Championship in over six months, he has been stripped of the title. Instead of the JLIT winner becoming the number one contender for the Absolute title, they will be crowned the new champion.
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Mat Fitchett vs. Louis Lyndon
Chest Flexor is in Lyndon’s corner. Fitchett twists up Lyndon’s arm on the mat. Fitchett blocks a hip toss and rolls up Lyndon for two. He cartwheels out of an armdrag and gets kicked in the gut. Fitchett gets two with a crossbody. He’s too quick for Lyndon to get any offense in at all. Flexor grabs Fitchett’s leg and Lyndon forearms him from behind. Flexor holds Fitchett on the floor. Fitchett moves and Lyndon dives onto Flexor instead. Fitchett Fosbury flops onto Lyndon. Lyndon kicks Fitchett’s arm while Fitchett’s attention is turned to the crowd. He throws Fitchett’s arm into the guardrails. Lyndon works on the arm back in the ring. Fitchett avoids a corner strike. He misses a backflip kick. Lyndon puts on a Fujiwara armbar and Fitchett gets the ropes. They kick each other in the face until they knock one another down. Fitchett nails a clothesline and enzuigiri. A tornado DDT gets him two. Lyndon evades a shooting star press. He delivers two nice kicks to Fitchett’s head for two. He transitions into a cross armbreaker, causing Fitchett to get the ropes immediately. Fitchett moonsault kicks Lyndon before hitting Water for Elephants. Lyndon kicks out. Flexor grabs Fitchett as he goes up to the top rope. Lyndon knees Fitchett in the jaw. A super huracanrana leads to another cross armbreaker, giving Lyndon the win at 10:22. Much more cerebral and well paced than what you’re used to seeing from these guys. It’s always nice when work on a body part pays off, especially in a cool finish such as that. **1/2
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Kodama vs. Bobby Beverly
Beverly’s Intense Division title is not on the line. Chest Flexor is in his corner. Beverly rakes Kodama’s eyes. Kodama bites him in retaliation. Beverly throws Kodama to the mat by his hair. Kodama nails a dropkick. Beverly backdrops Kodama’s skull first onto the top turnbuckle. Kodama huracanrana’s Beverly to the corner. Beverly shoulder blocks him to the floor and kicks him into the crowd. Kodama throws him head first into the guardrails and a chair. Kodama sprigboard crossbody’s onto Beverly in the crowd. Beverly kicks Kodama to stop a suicide dive. Kodama whips him into the guardrail but then takes a boot. They trade strikes back in the ring. Beverly enzuigiri’s Kodama as he comes off the ropes. A Michinoku Driver gets him a two count. Beverly gets two with a Saito suplex. Kodama ducks a superkick and gives Beverly a modified spinebuster. Beverly catches Kodama and tosses him right on his face. Kodama uses the ropes to give Beverly a neckbreaker. Flexor gets on the apron to stop Jake Clemons count. Beverly superkicks Kodama and gives him a modified EVO for the pin at 7:26. I was surprised at how much intensity these two brought. They had a fun, compact brawl and managed to get the usually hated Kodama over as the defacto babyface. Props to them for that. **3/4
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Marion Fontaine vs. Facade
Fontaine is dressed up sort of like a kid from the Newsies/an old timey street fighter. The inspiration for this transformation can be watched here. Fontaine poses for some fisticuffs. Façade kicks him in the chest. Fontaine can’t believe that’s legal. Façade catches him with a Manhattan Drop. He punches Façade in the stomach as he jumps up. Fontaine ends up holding Façade’s leg while Façade holds Fontaine’s fist. They eventually agree to let each other go and reach a stand-off. Façade cleanly breaks a lock-up in the corner. Façade has a headlock on when the bell rings. Apparently this match has rounds, as Façade sits in a stool and uses a spittoon in one corner. Façade gets a shoulder rub from the referee. Fontaine sends Façade out with a crossbody headbutt. Fontaine ensures diving to the floor is legal. Façade snaps his neck across the top rope and hits a springboard dropkick. Façade runs up the ropes and dives onto Fontaine on the floor. A springboard kick and a split-legged moonsault get Façade a two count. Fontaine elbows Façade. He comes off the second rope with a falling right punch. Fontaine dedicates an elbow to the year of 1927. He airplane spins Façade, tiring himself in the process. Façade blocks a punch and gives Fontaine a spin-out facebuster. He puts Fontaine in the Dread Lock (his version of a Cattle Mutilation. Fontaine uses a jawbreaker to escape. A big right haymaker gives Fontaine the win at 11:26. I must admit, I like this change Fontaine has undergone. I hope he can keep it fresh enough that it won’t become old hat after only a few shows. Façade was a good sport and played right along. I appreciate a match being different, especially in a large tournament like this. **1/2
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Ophidian vs. Gregory Iron
This is a rematch from “Joshimania: Night 2.” The dynamic in AIW is a bit different because Iron is not so beloved by certain Cleveland fans. Ophidian kicks Iron in the face right at the bell. Ophidian gives him a Northern Lights suplex. Iron responds with a Code Breaker and a Gimp Slap for two. Ophidian misses a twisting crossbody. Iron hits Handicapped Parking for two. Ophidian blocks his huracanrana with a buckle bomb. Ophidian gives him double knees from the top rope for two. Ophidian grabs his clavicle and lands an enzuigiri. He gets two with a slingshot quebrada. Ophidian puts him in the Lightning Lock for a quick moment. He calls for the Ophidian Death Grip. Iron escapes that and tries a prawn hold. Ophidian sits down on it and pins him at 4:38. Surprisingly short match and an upset considering Iron being a relatively big name in AIW. Not sure why this did not get more time, but this was going pretty good until the abrupt finish. *1/2
Iron thought that was a two count. He tells the fans to shut up so he can talk on the microphone. He wonders why the fans boo him. He says it’s not because he has been wrestling Cleveland legends that are beloved by the AIW fans, but rather that people from Cleveland are bitter and jealous of his success. The people don’t like that he was able to find success and admiration outside of the city. Iron tells the fans that they are delusional and are far more handicapped than he is. He thinks they need a reality check.
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Willie Mack vs. Ethan Page
Mack takes control in the opening minutes, doing damage to Page’s arm. Page’s chop against the ropes has no effect. Mack leg lariats Page after ducking his back elbow. Mack pounces Page as Page comes off the ropes. Page back elbows him from the corner but gets Samaon Dropped. Mack follows up with a standing moonsault for two. He dropkicks Page to the floor. Page drags Mack out and gets drilled with a right hand. Page enzuigiri’s Mack on the ring apron. He throws Mack into the ring post. Page claws at Mack’s face in a Camel Clutch. Page hits a clothesline. Mack snapmares Page and drives his knee into his back. A running low Blockbuster gets him two. Page applies a side headlock. Mack escapes and exchanges forearms with Page. Mack hits him with a flying chest kick. Mack body slams Page and legdrops him for two. Page dropkicks him in the corner. Mack clotheslines Page floating through the ropes. He slingshots back in with a dropkick. Page superkicks Mack in the neck. He drops him with a neckbreaker and goes to the second rope. He hits a flying enzuigiri. Mack grabs the bottom rope to stop the count. Mack enzuigiri’s Page to the floor. Page catches him with a shoulder block. He leaps in from the apron with an Ace Crusher for two. Mack throws some boots at Page before lifting him into the Chocolate Thunder Bomb for the pin at 14:17. These two came in with a bit of buzz and lived up to expectations. Page has grown a lot since I last saw him years ago and Mack, with a little more experience, could have the tools to be a major player. This was a good showcase for both men. ***
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Archibald Peck vs. Colin Delaney
Veronica Ticklefeather is (unwillingly) in Peck’s corner. Delaney has on a CHIKARA shirt, making this somewhat of an old school CHIKARA vs. new school CHIKARA battle. Delaney tries to do some dancing which Peck is not feeling. Delaney takes off the referee’s shirt and tries to make it a match between Peck and referee Dave Dawson. Peck is not a fan of that either. Peck almost falls for some dancing in a stalled out test of strength. Delaney talks to Veronica and mocks Peck’s marching. Peck then comes out to march and Veronica refuses to participate. This makes Peck very sad. So sad that Delaney has to lead Peck through the match and acts hurt to bring up Peck’s spirits. Peck ends up hitting a leg lariat once he finds he smile. He marches around after dropping an elbow. Delaney brings Veronica into the ring and asks her and Peck to hug it out. Delaney then attacks Peck from behind as it was all an elaborate ruse. Peck drop toe holds Delaney across his knee. Delaney hip tosses Peck into a knee strike. Delaney dropkicks him in the stomach. Peck catches Delaney with a boot. He drop toe holds him into the corner and drives his elbow into Delaney’s neck. Peck’s spin-out backbreaker earns a two count. Peck drops him on his head for two. Peck calls for his finisher, the Cranial Crescendo. Delaney fights him on the ropes. Peck comes off the top and gets caught with a leg lariat. Peck kicks out. He misses a corner elbow. Veronica stops Peck from doing a slingshot maneuver. She wants Peck to dedicate the move to her. He does, but gets caught with a gutbuster. Delaney comes off the top with the 12 Large Elbow to the back of Peck’s neck for the pin at 15:06. I don’t think this clicked exactly as they wanted it to. Was some of the humor funny? Yes, but it was also disjointed. I thought once Delaney turned on Peck and showed his true colors that the match began to drag. At least we will get a continuation of the Delaney/Fontaine feud in the next round. Veronica leaves Peck by himself after the match. **1/2
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Eric Ryan vs. Obariyon
Obariyon slaps Ryan instead of shaking his hand. Ryan throws a flurry of forearms before getting caught with a spinebuster. Ryan gives him a quesadora armdrag. Obariyon sends Ryan to the floor and suicide dives after him. In the ring Ryan avoids the Flying DDT. He double stomps Obariyon’s back for two. Obariyon gets two himself with a flying forearm. He whips Ryan into the corner. Obariyon catches Ryan with a back bracker for two. Ryan superkicks Obariyon into a German suplex. Obariyon lifts him. Ryan sunset flips through and Obariyon knees him in the face. Obariyon delivers the Reverse Go 2 Sleep for two. Ryan catches Obariyon on the top rope. Obariyon shoves him off and hits the Flying DDT. Ryan kicks out! Obariyon goes for it again. Ryan catches him with a superkick. He gives Obariyon the Package Piledriver for two which surprises Ryan. Ryan goes for a super Frankensteiner. Obariyon instead catches him with a second rope Styles Clash! Ryan kicks out of that. He hits another Package Piledriver to put Obariyon away at 8:08. That had a bit of finisher overkill, but was exciting and had the fans solidly in Ryan’s corner. The Batiri really shined in their singles outings tonight. ***
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Colt Cabana vs. BJ Whitmer
Southside St. Clair is in Cabana’s corner. Cabana and Whitmer exchange arm holds. Cabana baits him into a Gedo Clutch for two. He does it again. Whitmer chops Cabana as he comes off the ropes. Cabana curses and Whitmer tells some younger fans to cover their ears because of it. Cabana chops Whitmer and does a little Fargo strut. This leads to a chop and forearm exchange. Whitmer catches him with a big boot. Whitmer back elbows Cabana for two. He also gets two with a dropkick. Cabana gets his boots up as Whitmer comes off the top rope. Cabana’s wind up punch and overhand chops take Whitmer off his feet. He airplane spins Whitmer into a roll-up for two. Whitmer fights out of a headlock, only to be taken down with a flying hip attack. Cabana misses the Flying Asshole. Whitmer strings a snap suplex and Northern Lights suplex together for two. Cabana elbows him to the corner. The Flying Asshole and a lariat get a two count. Whitmer catches him coming off the ropes with an exploder suplex. Cabana kicks out of the Golden Gate swing and fisherman’s suplex combo. Cabana and Whitmer fight on the ropes. Cabana drops him with the Chicago Skyline. Whitmer kicks out. He goes for Colt .45. Whitmer counters with a backslide for the pin at 11:36. This is the kind of Cabana I have been hoping to see more of lately; the guy who can wrestle and not go overboard with the comedy. He and Whitmer had a great back and forth contest that harkened back to their earlier ROH days. These guys frankly aren’t getting enough credit these days. ***
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Tim Donst vs. Brian “Spanky” Kendrick
They reach a stalemate after fighting over a top wristlock. Kendrick goes for an armbar. Donst turns over into Camel Clutch. When Kendrick escapes Donst digs his fists into Kendrick’s legs. When Kendrick jumps to the second rope, Donst German suplexes him. He sends Kendrick out with the STO. Donst rubs his forearm into the side of Kendrick’s head and stretches his side out across the ring post. He gets two with a suplex back in the ring. Donst slams Kendrick on his stomach for the same result. Donst gives Kendrick a dangling backbreaker to the floor. Kendrick slams Donst’s face into his knee. Donst cleverly gives him a bulldog to take back control. Kendrick rolls up Donst to counter a German suplex. Donst throws Kendrick to the floor when Kendrick goes for a tornado DDT. Donst suicide dives onto him. Donst launches Kendrick from the ropes to the canvas. Kendrick fights off Donst’s shoulders and hits a leg lariat. He kicks Donst in the side of the head. Donst counters Sliced Bread #2. Kendrick superkicks Donst once coming off his shoulders. He misses a frogsplash. Donst immediately puts on From Dusk Til’ Donst. Kendrick gets his foot on the ropes. Donst goes for a power slam. Kendrick rolls through and small packages Donst for the pin at 9:28. This has to be the bracket buster for the tournament. I’m a little disappointed to see Donst lose so early, but he will get his due in AIW soon enough. The match itself was good, but like a few others matches tonight ended a bit abruptly. **3/4
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
ACH vs. Davey Vega
They spend some time trading holds. ACH headscissors Vega into the ropes. Vega huracanrana’s him to the corner. Vega back kicks him in the face. Vega ducks a kick to the head which ACH respects. ACH cartwheels into a dropkick and drives his knee into Vega’s side. ACH splashes him in the corner. Vega goes for double arm submission on the mat, but ACH moves to the ropes to escape it. Vega misses a corner splash. Vega forearms ACH to block his springboard attack. ACH backflips off the apron, and Vega suicide dives into a tornado DDT on the floor! Vega goes after the arm back in the ring. ACH clotheslines Vega in the corner. Vega blocks the Super Saiyan. A slingshot tornado DDT gets Vega a two count. ACH gets the ropes when Vega goes for the arm again. ACH sends Vega to the apron. ACH kicks out Vega’s legs on the ring apron. From the floor, ACH clotheslines Vega against the ropes. ACH gives him the Heat Seeking Missile. He drives Vega’s back into the guardrails. He puts on a Guillotine, which Vega breaks with the ropes. ACH gets two with a Falcon Arrow. ACH clotheslines him through the ropes. Vega ducks an oncoming dive but eats an enzuigiri. A forearm exchange ensues. Vega huracanrana’s ACH for two. ACH gives him a stunner and a running knee strike. Vega German suplexes him for two. Same for a second German suplex. ACH tries to block it, but ends up taking a Dragon suplex. ACH rolls to the floor after kicking out. Vega goes for his suicide tornado DDT again. ACH blocks it. He gets thrown into the guardrails and booted in the face. Vega pump kicks ACH back in the ring, and he still manages to get up. ACH rolls up Vega for two. Vega puts ACH in a modified triangle choke in the ropes. ACH powerbombs Vega back into the ring, but Vega keeps the hold on. ACH seems done, but his arm only drops twice. He picks up Vega in a cradle DDT. That puts Vega down for the count at 20:53. This had some excellent layers to it, most importantly the aspect of these two being so familiar with each others arsenals due to excessive travel/ring time with each other. Because of it, ACH wrestled a much different match than he usually does. Vega was the severe underdog but had a strong showing and convinced a few fans that he had ACH’s number of times. My only complaint was the length, but it’s a minor one since I don’t feel the match dragged. ***1/2
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Rickey Shane Page vs. Flip Kendrick
Chest Flexor is in Kendrick’s corner. Kendrick slaps Page a few times. Kendrick moonsault armdrags Page to the corner. Page ducks a kick and slaps Kendrick to the floor. He throws some kicks back in the ring. Page puts on a sharpshooter and Kendrick grabs the ropes. Page has himself a violence party in the corner. Flexor grabs Page’s leg. This causes Page to chase Flexor around the ring. Kendrick catches Page with a twisting crossbody. Page trips Kendrick and forearms him in the side of the head. Page sends Kendrick to the crowd. Kendrick catches Page’s leg when he goes for a kick and slams it into the top of the guardrail. Kendrick wisely targets Page’s knee back in the ring. Flexor even gets in some shots when he can. Kendrick victory rolls Page. He goes for a standing shooting star press. Page instinctively gets his knee up to block, which of course hurts him. Kendrick kicks his knees out. Kendrick back flips onto Page’s shoulders and Page gives him a Death Valley Driver. Page throws some back elbows. Page misses a corner strike. Kendrick gives springboards in with a Flying DDT for two. Kendrick goes for a dive. Page catches him and drops him stomach first on the ring apron. Page swanton bombs onto him for two. Kendrick blocks a wheelbarrow suplex with a facebuster. Kendrick hits a springboard 450 splash for two. A twisting moonsault has the same result. Kendrick does a sweet dragonrana with an extra rotation. Just then, John Thorne appears on the stage. Page kicks out of a shooting star senton. Page pops him up for a kick. He buckle bombs Kendrick and tornado kicks him. Flexor distracts the referee. Kendrick kicks Page low. Thorne pulls Flexor off the apron and throws him into the guardrail! Page nails a rolling elbow. He powerbombs Kendrick into a cloverleaf. Kendrick taps out at 13:26. Another very good back and forth contest with solid psychology. Not only did the match serve itself well, but further built Page and Thorne’s rivalry in a very interesting way. Page is another underrated guy who I hope gets some big opportunities. ***1/4
JLIT 2012 First Round Match
Matt Cross vs. Josh Prohibition
This main events the show since Cross and Prohibition were two of JT Lightning’s prized pupils. They are also currently the AIW tag team champions. A string of blocked moves ends when Cross huracanrana’s Prohibition to the floor. He hits a suicide dive as well. Cross drops Prohibition chest first on the guardrails. Prohibition picks up Cross and ends up being shoved into the ring post. Cross does an elbow drop from a gymnast position on the ring post. Prohibition gives him a backbreaker in the ring. Prohibition gives him a neckbreaker in the ropes but misses a slingshot senton. Cross gets two with a Yoshi Tonic. Prohibition suplexes him into a stunner for two. He puts a claw on Cross’ clavicle. Cross bicycle kicks him to the floor. Prohibition snaps his neck on the top rope. Prohibition trips Cross into the STF. Cross grabs the ropes to escape. Prohibition blocks a kick with an overhead suplex. Cross goes for a moonsault. Prohibition gets his feet up and catches Cross in the face with them on his way down. Cross recovers and trips Prohibition into a senton. Cross slides off Prohibition’s back. He springboard double stomps him in the back, following up with a standing moonsault. Prohibition kicks out. Cross goes for Prohibition’s own Drunken Driver. Prohibition instead buckle bombs Cross and gives a brainbuster across his knee. Cross kicks out. Cross gives him a reverse huracanrana to block another crucifix bomb. Prohibition evades the shooting star press. He hits the Drunken Driver for the pin at 12:03. Much like the ACH/Vega match, this was a great match between allies. These guys worked really hard and had somewhat a “Greatest Hits” contest to pay homage to their fallen trainer. There was no more appropriate way to end the evening and both guys should feel good knowing they did justice to the tournament’s namesake. ***1/4
Bonus “Beyond Wrestling Showcase” Pre-Show Match
Team Michigan (Maserati Rick, KJ Crush & Jack Verville) vs. The Submission Squad (Pierre Abernathy, Evan Gelestico & Gary Jay)
Crush easily overpowers Jay. He and his teammates each get in a few punches. Rick and Crush double backdrop him. Rick dropkicks him for a one count. Verville puts on an arm submission after hitting a leg lariat. Gelestico and Abernathy run in but get put in submissions by Crush and Rick. Crush keeps Gelestico in a Boston Crab when Jay and Abernathy escape. Rick puts on a Camel Clutch while Verville dances on his back. Abernahty grabs Verville as he hits the ropes. Gelestico holds his legs so Jay can double stomp him. The Squad wear down Verville in their half of the ring. Verville shoves Gelestico into Abernathy and tags in both his partners. Crush and Rick send them out, then hip toss Jay into the ring. Crush gives him a rolling Death Valley Driver. Rick gets two with a quebrada. Gelestico sends Crush to the floor. He superkicks Rick to Abernathy, he punts Rick into a modified Go 2 Sleep from Gelestico. Abernathy drops him with a Shell Shock. Verville breaks the pin. Jay gives Verville a wheelbarrow facebuster. Verville drives Jay’s skull into the mat with a rope-assisted piledriver. Gelestico sends him to the floor onto Crush. Rick gives Gelestico a spinebuster. Abernathy shoves Rick off the top rope and onto Gelestico’s knees. Gelestico small packages him for the pin at 7:26. That was actually a fine showcase for everyone involved. The Squad looked better here than they have on some of the recent AIW main shows. The Michigan Team also had a good showing. I would definitely be welcome to a Beyond Showcase in AIW again. **1/2
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Cleveland, OH – 5.12.2012 – Day Two
Commentary is provided by Aaron Bauer, Veronica Ticklefeather, Willie Mack, Tim Donst, Paul Aaron Rodgers, The Duke, and Rickey Shane Page.
Promos start off the show. Chest Flexor is upset that Shiima Xion got stripped of the title, but still holds hope that his two Flexor Industries, Louis Lyndon and Bobby Beverly, can get the job done. Eric Ryan is thrilled beyond belief that Xion got stripped of the title. He again pledges to take the tournament. ACH has his pants up high around his waist as a metaphor for how high he holds his standards. He will hold nothing back against Willie Mack in the first round. Ophidian hisses at the camera. Louis Lyndon says Brian Kendrick’s accolades don’t mean anything tonight. He plans to do damage to his arm just like he did to Mat Fitchett last night. Willie Mack heard what ACH said and he will have him leaving their match with a fat lip.
JLIT 2012 Quarter-Final Round
ACH vs. Willie Mack
ACH breaks a lock-up cleanly and does a little bit of dancing. Mack throws ACH to the apron to break a waistlock. ACH’s shoulder block attempts backfire. He dropkicks Mack’s left leg out and twists it up on the apron. Mack kicks ACH in the shoulder. ACH throws more kicks to Mack’s leg. Mack pops ACH up into a hard forearm. He gets two with a delayed vertical suplex. ACH sweeps his leg. ACH hits a low clothesline through the ropes. Mack catches ACH with a Samoan Drop. He follows with a standing moonsault for two. An elbow drop has the same effect. ACH chops his leg. Even with that, he can’t lift Mack up. ACH headbutts him in the stomach from the canvas. ACH his a spear for two. Mack seems angry and ACH looks scared. ACH hits his leg some more. Mack turns him from a guillotine position into an Ace Crusher. Mack lifts him up for the Chocolate Thunder Bomb. ACH fights out of it and hits an enzuigiri. He finally lifts him up for a Death Valley Driver. ACH hits a frogsplash for the pin at 11:22. Not a bad way to kick the night off. Mack and ACH didn’t go as crazy and I was hoping or expected, but the sound psychology makes up for the lack of flash. That being said, I’d love to see them mix it up again. **3/4
JLIT 2012 Quarter-Final Round
Marion Fontaine vs. Colin Delaney
This is a rematch from “Gauntlet For The Gold 7.” Delaney and Fontaine also had issues in a three way match at “Straight Outta Compton.” A brawl breaks out at the bell and spills out to the floor. They have to re-enter the ring twice to break the count, then head out. Delaney gives Fontaine a backbreaker on the ring apron. As Delaney comes off the top for a crossbody, the bell rings to end the first round. Fontaine walks to the corner for his water and spittoon, causing Delaney to crash into the canvas. Fontaine brings his suspenders down. He trips Delaney into a back senton. He misses a knee strike in the corner. Delaney clobbers him in the chest. He misses a corner attack himself. Fontaine drives his knees into his back. Delaney pulls Fontaine’s pants so he can clothesline him in the back of the head. He throws Delaney to the floor and throws many punches at his chest. They notice the count is about to be up. Instead of both going back in the ring like usual, Delaney shoves Fontaine down and gets into the ring in time. Thus, Delaney wins via count-out at 6:59. This has actually been a pretty solid feud overall and I anticipate the blow off. Delaney winning in such a manner adds fuel to the fire, and it was still early in the tournament so I didn’t feel cheated by it. It was good while it lasted. **
JLIT 2012 Quarter-Final Round
Brian “Spanky” Kendrick vs. Louis Lyndon
Chest Flexor is in Lyndon’s corner. Kendrick must have heard Lyndon’s promo, because he goes after Lyndon’s arm at the onset. Kendrick avoids a bicycle kick and goes back to the arm. Lyndon throws some knees as he applies a front facelock. He rolls Kendrick into an armbar and Kendrick grabs the ropes. Lyndon knee strikes him in the face. He drives Kendrick arm first into the mat. A dropkick sends Kendrick to the floor. Lyndon Asai moonsaults onto him. He puts on an arm submission using his legs back in the ring. Kendrick elbows out of it. An arm capture backbreaker gets Lyndon a two count. Kendrick shoves Lyndon off the top rope and leaps down to hit a tornado DDT. Kendrick throws a leg lariat, boot and superkick. He sets up for Sliced Bread #2. Lyndon counters into a cross armbreaker. Kendrick gets his foot on the ropes to break it. Lyndon twists his arm in the ropes. Lyndon O’Connor rolls Kendrick into a Dragon suplex for two. Kendrick escapes a second one. He hits a superkick and the Sliced Bread #2 for the pin at 10:32. I really liked the counters these two had and how Lyndon was persistent in his game plan. Kendrick still delivers in the ring and Lyndon has come into his own over the past few months. **3/4
JLIT 2012 Quarter-Final Round
BJ Whitmer vs. Bobby Beverly
Whitmer and Beverly have been at each others’ throats in the AIW Frontline/Flexor Industries feud, so much so that Beverly broke a beer bottle over his head at “Straight Outta Compton.” Chest Flexor is in Beverly’s corner, and Beverly’s Intense Division title is not on the line. Whitmer chases Beverly around the ring. Flexor tries to attack him from behind. Beverly rakes Whitmer’s eyes and throws him into the apron. They trade chops in the ring. Beverly rakes the eyes again to stop an Irish whip. Flexor grabs Whitmer’s leg as he hits the ropes. Beverly gives him a Saito suplex. Beverly throws Whitmer to the floor and distracts the referee so Flexor can get in some shots on him. Beverly hits a back elbow when Whitmer comes back in. Whitmer throws some punches when Beverly throws kicks at his leg. He drops Beverly with a spinebuster. Whitmer enzuigiri’s him in the corner, then strings a snap suplex and Northern Lights suplex together. Beverly enzuigiri’s Whitmer as he comes off the ropes. Beverly ducks a clothesline and drops Whitmer skull first on the top turnbuckle. A running bicycle kick gets him two. Flexor gets on the apron with a beer bottle. Whitmer shoves Beverly into him. Whitmer gets the pin with an Exploder suplex at 6:50. This was just getting going when it ended. Obviously they will have a blow off soon for the title. All of Flexor Industries has now been ousted from the tournament. **1/4
JLIT 2012 Quarter-Final Round
Josh Prohibition vs. Ophidian
Veronica Ticklefeather is out to scout this match. Ophidian goes for a few different quick pins but can’t get three. He thrusts Prohibition in the throat. Prohibition counters the Duat Driver with a wheelbarrow suplex. Prohibition boots Ophidian from the corner. He puts on a headscissors in the ropes. He butterfly suplexes Ophidian into a butterfly lock. Ophidian fights out and gets knocked back down. Ophidian Skins the Snake so he can headscissor Prohibition to the corner. He drives his knees into Prohibition’s head for two. Ophidian comes off the top with double knees for another two count. He tries to put on the Ophidian Death Grip. Prohibition gives him a brainbuster instead. Ophidian counters the Drunken Driver with a roll-up. He only gets two, so he sends Prohibition to the floor with an enzuigiri. He dives onto Prohibition with a twisting plancha. Ophidian misses a 450 splash. Prohibition hits the Drunken Driver for the pin at 5:08. I give them credit, for five minutes this packed a big punch. I wasn’t sure how these two would work together but it turned out pretty darn good. **1/2
JLIT 2012 Quarter-Final Round
Eric Ryan vs. Rickey Shane Page
Ryan missile dropkicks Page to the floor and suicide dives him into the crowd. Ryan somersault sentons from the top rope onto him! Ringside we get a chop exchange. Page suplexes Ryan on the floor. Page has control when they get back in the ring. Ryan gives Page a neckbreaker from the apron. Ryan slingshots him onto his shoulders and into a Death Valley Driver. Page puts on the cloverleaf. Ryan crawls to the ropes to escape. Ryan kicks out his knee and hits a superkick. Ryan comes off the top with a double stomp for two. Page kicks Ryan in the stomach and drops an elbow. He goes back to the cloverleaf after hitting the Sliding D. Ryan gets the ropes. Ryan boots Page in the corner. He comes in with a springboard, only to be lariated mid-air. Page reapplies the cloverleaf. Ryan again grabs the ropes. Page counters a huracanrana with a buckle bomb. He hits a tornado kick for two. Page backdrops Ryan, kicking him in the back on the way down. When Ryan fights out of a powerbomb, Page turns it into a Saito suplex. Page blocks a kick and hits a rolling elbow. Page brings Ryan to the top rope. Ryan wants a Package Piledriver from the second rope. Instead, Page gives him an avalanche double underhook powerbomb. Ryan kicks out! Ryan ducks a rolling elbow. A step-up enzuigiri, multiple chest kicks and two superkicks take Page down at 9:10. I’m so happy these two had a great match, because they are the two I see being on top of this company sooner rather than later. Ryan has a tendency though to get up quickly after bigger moves which is a bit frustrating. They worked together great as a tag team and now as singles competitors too. Page puts over Ryan HUGE after the match. He says tonight is his night. ***1/4
JLIT 2012 Semi-Final Round
ACH vs. Colin Delaney
Delaney attacks ACH as he comes down the aisle. He beats on him around ringside and even spits beer in his face. The bell finally rings when Delaney throws ACH into the ring to continue his beatdown. He boots ACH in the side of the head. ACH spits on Delaney when Delaney goes to the top rope. Delaney angrily comes down and throws a flurry of forearms to ACH on the canvas. Delaney slaps ACH in the face a few times. Delaney mockingly chants ACH on the floor. That gives ACH time to recover and hit a suicide dive. ACH blasts him with a big running forearm in the corner. Delaney hits an enzuigiri. ACH hits one as well. Delaney gets two with a lariat. Delaney dangles ACH from the top rope and drops him across his knee. Delaney misses a diving elbow. ACH gives him a cradle DDT for the pin at 8:03. This was moreso Delaney beating the crap out of ACH rather than a match, but I did like the suddenness of ACH’s win. He gave Delaney a much more devastating move than Delaney gave him, showing that you can pull out the win at any time with the right move. That story I liked, but watching Delaney beat down ACH forever wasn’t the most exciting use of either guy. **1/4
JLIT 2012 Semi-Final Round
BJ Whitmer vs. Brian “Spanky” Kendrick
I’m going to point out that I love for every one of his matches, Kendrick used a different song from his career. “So What’cha Want”, “Danger! High Voltage” and “Quality Control” were all used this weekend. A brutal forearm battle kicks off the bout. Whitmer boots Kendrick to the floor. Whitmer gets in a few punches in the corner. Kendrick reverses and gets in some shots of his own. Whitmer knees Kendrick in the stomach. He puts on a grounded headlock. Whitmer nails a dropkick when Kendrick escapes. He bodyslams Kendrick for two. Another forearm battle breaks out. Kendrick hits a leg lariat and a jump-up enzuigiri. He gets two with a superkick. A tornado DDT has the same effect. Whitmer goes to attack Kendrick. Kendrick moves, sending Whitmer to the floor. Kendrick then suicide dives onto him. Whitmer gets his knees up to block a frog splash. Whitmer’s snap suplex and Northern Lights suplex combo gets a two count. Kendrick reverses a powerbomb attempt into a reverse huracanrana. Whitmer kicks out. Kendrick hits Sliced Bread #2. Whitmer smartly rolls to the floor so he can’t be covered right away. When Kendrick brings him back in, Whitmer cradles him for a two count. Kendrick superkicks him and hits Sliced Bread #2 again. Whitmer kicks out! Whitmer crotches Kendrick on the top rope. He brings him down with a superplex. The Sick Kick gets Whitmer the pin at 10:34. It was cool seeing two tenured independent wrestlers go at it like that. Just another great match Whitmer has had since making his return. Since this is Kendrick’s last match of the weekend, I want to point out that he worked really hard in his matches and had a more subtle career revival than most expected. Whitmer rightfully puts him over. Kendrick tells Whitmer to go win the title. ***
JLIT 2012 Semi-Final Round
Eric Ryan vs. Josh Prohibition
Prohibition charges at Ryan as Ryan poses on the top rope. Ryan hops off to avoid the attack. He armdrags Prohibition into a basement dropkick. Prohibition blocks a package piledriver with a crucifix buckle bomb. He gives Ryan a brainbuster across his knee for two. He sets up for the Drunken Driver. Ryan escapes and gives him a Death Valley Driver for two. Ryan misses a double stomp. Prohibition picks him up for a reverse DDT and gets two. He hits the Drunken Driver. Ryan reverses the pin with a crucifix and gets the pin at 1:36. Talk about packing a lot of action into a short time. So many finishers in under two minutes. Ryan got to beat a Cleveland legend in a short amount of time before the Finals and will be the most rested out of the bunch, which I feel is noteworthy. *
The Sex Bob-Ombs (Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) vs. The Batiri (Obariyon & Kodama)
The Batiri jump the Bob-Ombs from behind. Veronica is out again to scout. Vega baits the Batiri into the corner. He drops Kodama with a Complete Shot. Obariyon accidentally sentons his partner when trying to attack Fitchett. Obariyon snaps Vega’s neck on the top rope and Kodama gives him a spinwheel kick. The Batiri get in a few shots before Vega leapfrogs over Obariyon and tags in Fitchett. Fitchett trips Obariyon into a dropkick from Vega. The Bob-Ombs give him a neckbreaker/elbow drop combo for two. A double spinebuster is followed up with a double gut buster and double dropkick to the sides of his head. Kodama and Obariyon pull a Killer Bees switch. Obariyon comes in from the other side with a running forearm for two. Like Vega, Fitchett falls victim to the Batiri’s tandem offense. Fitchett escapes with an enzuigiri. Vega takes down Obariyon with a clothesline and back elbow. Vega gamengiri’s him from the apron and hits a top rope dropkick for two. Kodama blind tags in, allowing the Batiri to hit Vega with Scrambled Brains. Veronica’s demeanor shows she is clearly behind the Batiri in this contest. Kodama chokes Vega on the middle rope. Vega powerbombs Kodama out of the corner. He transitions into the Rings of Saturn. Obariyon puts Fitchett in an Octopus hold. Both submissions are broken. Kodama throw some serious dropkicks to Vega in the corner. Fitchett sends Obariyon to the floor. Vega gives Kodama a lungblower. Fitchett lionsaults Kodama onto Vega’s knees and then dives onto Obariyon. Vega pins Kodama at 9:43. This was a fun match, but I really don’t feel the Bob-Ombs really got the chance to shine. The Batiri got over, which I adore, but considering the Bob-Ombs were the winners I would have liked for them to get to show off a bit more. **3/4
After the match, the Bob-Ombs lay out a challenge to the Briscoes for Absolution VII. Although Matt Wadsworth accepted this proposition, Fitchett would end up suffering an injury and the Irish Airborne would end up facing The Briscoes instead.
No Disqualification, Falls Count Anywhere
John Thorne vs. Mad Man Pondo
Crazy Mary Dobson is in Pondo’s corner (both in this match and in life) and helps him bring chairs to the ring. Rickey Shane Page is on commentary to watch what Thorne is up to. They reach a stalemate after fighting over who would be slammed on a barbed wire bat. Pondo gives Thorne a sidewalk slam. Thorne hits him in the head with the bat. Thorne takes Pondo to the crowd. Thorne throws AIW intern contestant Justin Doane onto Pondo who’s sitting on a steel chair! Thorne digs a screwdriver into his face. Pondo throws the edge of a chair into Thorne’s throat. Pondo brings in Brawlin’ Beau Barnes from the crowd to give Thorne a clothesline. Pondo throws him into some chairs. Thorne suplexes him on the floor ringside. Thorne stacks up some chairs in a pile. Thorne suplexes Pondo in from the apron and onto the pile. Dobson comes in to forearm Thorne on the top rope. She ends up giving Thorne a super huracanrana onto some chairs and a STOP sign! Dobson goes for it again and ends up being powerbombed onto the pile! Thorne rolls up Pondo for one. Pondo rakes his eyes. Pondo sets him up for the Silencer. He hits it, sending Thorne through the chair. Pondo goes for a brainbuster. Thorne superkicks him, then gets suplexed on another chair. Pondo hits the Silencer while Thorne is under three chairs and STOP sign. That gets him the pin at 11:12. This really felt like “connect the spots” and probably wasn’t as brutal as you would expect. Thorne did the best he could, but it seemed like Pondo was just off his game. Here’s hoping Thorne and Page have something a little more coordinated in their blow off. **
Tim Donst vs. Ethan Page vs. Flip Kendrick vs. Facade
Kendrick and Page leave the ring to avoid a four way knuckle lock. When Donst and Façade start to wrestle, they attack them from behind. Façade sends Kendrick out and armdrags Page to the corner. Donst fights Kendrick on the floor. Façade leg lariats Page after ducking a clothesline. Page gets two with a side slam. Page puts on a headscissors. Donst turns both he and Façade over in a Boston Crab. Kendrick gives Donst a huracanrana. Donst drops him with a STO. Façade flips over Donst and Page, then springboard dropkicks them to the floor. Façade springboard sentons onto everybody on the floor. Page throws him into the barricades. Donst catches Kendrick’s crossbody. Kendrick sweeps his leg and hits a twisting senton for two. Page pops him up into a backbreaker. Façade gives Page a springboard enzuigiri. Donst breaks the cover. Façade ducks the bulldog. Donst catches Façade coming off the second ropes with an Ace Crusher. The Donstitution gets a two count. Donst drops Page off the ropes while Kendrick catches Façade mid-air with a lung blower. Page hits his jumping Ace Crusher on Donst, dropkicking Kendrick simultaneously. Façade springboards in with a spinwheel kick to Page. Kendrick gives Façade a springboard DDT. He then hits a moonsault senton. Donst puts Kendrick in From Dusk Til Donst. Kendrick taps out at 8:07. There was good wrestling for the most part, but the crowd never got into any of it. Donst gets a nice solid win here, allowing him to pick up the momentum he lost in his loss to Spanky yesterday. **1/2
AIW Women’s Championship
Allysin Kay (Champion) vs. Jennifer Blake
Kay controls Blake by her arm. Blake armdrags Kay to the corner and stomps on her chest. Kay comes out of the corner with a clothesline for two. She tries to put on a straight jacket choke. Blake quickly puts her feet on the ropes. Kay catches Blake’s quesadora and rams her head into the top turnbuckle. She sits down with a facebuster for two. She also gets two with a Northern Lights suplex. Blake puts on a standing octopus. Kay rolls her up and puts on a triangle choke. Blake maneuvers her way to the ropes They forearm each other against the ropes. Blake deposits Kay to the floor. She suicide dives Kay onto the entrance ramp. Blake sets Kay on a chair. She runs down the stage and kicks Kay to the floor. Blake crossbody’s her back in the ring. Kay catches a crossbody and gives her a fallaway slam for two. Blake hits a superkick for two. Same with a tornado DDT. Kay kicks Blake and gives her a Samoan Drop. Blake lights up Kay with chops. They trade shots. Kay gives Blake a suplex while wrapping her arm around her throat for the pin at 10:31. This had a good mix of technical wrestling and brawling. Blake was an excellent candidate for Kay’s first defense and I hope to see more of her in AIW in the future. ***
JLIT 2012 Finals – Elimination Match for the Absolute Championship
ACH vs. BJ Whitmer vs. Eric Ryan
Whitmer takes ACH to the mat. They get up with no real damage done. Ryan and ACH forearm Whitmer out. Ryan chops ACH in the corner. ACH shoulder blocks him from the apron. Whitmer pulls ACH to the floor and whips him into the guardrails. Ryan suicide dives Whitmer into the guardrails. In the ring they exchange forearms and chops. Whitmer gives Ryan a spinebuster. ACH’s strikes have no effect on Whitmer. Whitmer shoulder blocks him down. They each snap off some armdrags. Ryan gives ACH a lungblower, sending him into Whitmer’s German suplex. Ryan German suplexes Whitmer for two. ACH sends Ryan into Whitmer’s exploder suplex into the turnbuckles. ACH clotheslines Ryan. Whitmer suplexes Ryan and baseball slide dropkicks ACH. Whitmer’s Golden Gate Swing and fisherman’s suplex can’t put Ryan away. Whitmer throws ACH face first into the top turnbuckle. Whitmer drops Ryan on the top rope and kicks him in the side of the head. Bobby Beverly nails Whitmer in the back with his Intense title! ACH huracanrana’s Whitmer for the first elimination at 6:34. Whitmer is pissed, and ACH is not proud of that. Whitmer chases Beverly to the back. Ryan superkicks ACH and gets two with a German suplex. The locker room and members of JT Lightning’s family begin to surround the ring. ACH stomps Ryan out of the corner. ACH throws a bunch of slaps to Ryan’s face. He knees Ryan in the face and back of his head. Ryan blocks a kick and hits the Package Piledriver. ACH kick out at one! ACH hits the cradle DDT that won him his match earlier. Ryan kicks out at one too! They trade forearms as they get to their feet. Ryan kicks ACH’s chest multiple times. A superkick leads to another Package Piledriver. That gets Ryan the pin and the title at 10:12. There’s a time, place, and purpose for when finishers are kicked out of. This was the time and place for Ryan and ACH to do it. This was a monumental win for Ryan, unquestionably a career defining moment, and he absolutely deserves it. This also built to Whitmer vs. Beverly for the Intense title, so there was even forward thinking in part of this match. It may have been short, but it was appropriate and the best possible way to end the night. ***
JT Lightning’s son and daughter present Ryan with the title. ACH says he may have never met him, but he definitely felt JT Lightning’s presence during their match. Rickey Shane Page puts the title around Ryan’s waist as he puts over everybody who competed in the tournament as well as John Thorne and Chandler Biggins. Tim Donst grabs the microphone. He’s happy that Ryan’s the champion because he feels Ryan deserves it. He reminds us that by winning Gauntlet for the Gold 7, Johnny Gargano gets the chance to fight Eric Ryan for the title at Absolution VII. Tim Donst also reminds Ryan that Donst earned an Absolute Title shot back at “Hell On Earth 7” and asks Ryan if he can join in that match. Ryan accepts immediately. Donst hands Ryan a beer and toasts his JLIT victory.
Pre-Show Match
The Duke & Da Latin Crime Syndicate (Joey The Snake & K. Fernandez) vs. The Submission Squad (Pierre Abernathy, Evan Gelestico & Gary Jay)
Jock Samson was supposed to be in the match, but refused to wrestle in front of a crowd he doesn’t feel are real men. Duke will accept this alteration with the stipulation being that he gets Jock Samson in the ring for five minutes if his team wins. The Submission Squad accepts this stipulation.
Joey easily wins a test of strength with Gelestico. He puts on a waistlock. Gelestico escapes but is worn out. Gelestico uses Joey’s arm to make a…jerking motion. I’m sorry that I couldn’t find a way to make that less crude. Joey gets two with a back elbow. Fernandez crossbody’s Gelestico for two. Duke throws punches at his mid-section. Duke throws some boots while Gelestico is hung up in the ropes. Duke hits a senton for two. Samson grabs Joey’s foot from the floor. Finally Gelestico gets in a forearm and tags in Abernathy. He gets in a cheap shot before choking Joey with his boot. Samson helps the Squad attack Joey on the floor. Joey clotheslines Jay and tags in Duke. Duke chokeslams Gelestico. Abernathy distracts the referee, allowing Samson to hit Duke with a cowbell. Gelestico pins him at 9:05. This was all story based, and in terms of getting the Duke/Samson and Squad/DLCS feuds moving forward, this was successful. The wrestling itself could have been better. *1/2
Overall: The JT Lightning Memorial Tournament was a very enjoyable and easy to watch two nights of wrestling. AIW masterfully was able to tell interesting and coherent stories not only the course of both evenings, but for the impending “Absolution VII” show. While you won’t find a collection of match of the year candidates, you will find plenty of enjoyable action and really noteworthy moments. There’s also a lot of diversity amongst the matches which I really appreciated. This set is an easy recommendation. If I had to choose which night was better, I guess I would go with Night 1, but I personally believe you should get definitely get both nights if you’re considering making the purchase (which you should). The DVDs can be bought from either AIW’s store or from Smart Mark Video. DVD’s not your thing? You can download the shows as MP4s or stream them instantly.
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