-Taped from Berwyn Illinois
-Your hosts are Phil Colvin and Derek St. Holmes
-AAW Heritage Championship Tournament- First Round: Christian Able vs. Mat Fitchett
Match in Five Words or Less: Double Returns
Match Summary: Fitchett hasn’t been around since he tore his quad in March 2012 while Able has been dealing with his own injury issues. Clearly, he’s gained admiration for Crush’s 1993 gear given what he’s wearing tonight. Able with a shoulder tackle right away. Sunset flip blocked. Able brings him down with a choke slam. Chinlock. Press slam countered. Fitchett rolls through on the hip toss. Rana by Fitchett. Tope con helo and he bangs his ribs against the barricade. Good thing he drinks a lot to dull the pain. Able catches Fitchett and hits a spinebuster. Neckbreaker. Guillotine as Able gets dumped. Drop toe hold by Fitchett sends Able into the middle rope. Springboard moonsault. Chinlock of his own as he has the knee placed in the lower back. Short knee drops. Able lifts him and drives his way to the corner. Dropkick to the left leg. Springboard moonsault. Fitchett gets caught on the flying knee. Able sends him in the corner and goes for chops. Alabama Slam. LARIAT! 1-2-NO! Pumphandle slam. 1-2-NO! Flying knee by Fitchett. Superkick. Able misses a clothesline. Roll through into a nearfall by Fitchett. Punt to the head. Running kick misses. Able sends Fitchett into the corner. Powerbomb as he catches Fitchett. Into a version of the STF. Clubbering blow to the back by Able. Fitchett hits a pele kick. Powerslam countered into a DDT. 1-2-NO! Fitchett to the top rope. Able lawn dart and LARIAT! 1-2-NO! Powerbomb but Fitchett with left hands. Double boots. Shooting star press. Fitchett advances.
Match Analysis: Great to see both guys back in an AAW ring even if Able looked a little blown up at times. I’d love to see Josh Raymond come back to team with Able, but I think he’s able to stand on his own. Fitchett was seemingly ready to break out last year and become the dirty version of AJ Styles. He’s got the ability. Now he just needs to stay healthy and continue to put on performances like he did here. Solid start to the show.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Mat Fitchett/8:46/**3/4
-Darin Corbin has been out since November and he’s cleared to wrestle. Corbin says he can see tonight but isn’t quite clear who his partner tonight. Hint: It’s Louis Lyndon. He says it’s an eye for an eye on this night.
-Scarlett teases, nay, threatens to wrestle MsChif tonight. The threat ain’t directed at opponent though. Thankfully, she orders Marcus Crane to do the dirty work instead,
-MsChif vs. Marcus Crane
Match in Five Words or Less: Crane Is A Skeeze
Match Summary: Immediate low bridge and forearms by MsChif. Chop as Crane is along the post. Another chop. Boot by Crane. Back drop by MsChif. Crane elbow drops. Forearms back in the ring. Crane tries to kiss MsChif. Elbow and right hands. Forearm and a chop. MsChif comes back with some of her own. Elbow by Crane. He steps on her hair. Shots to the midsection by MsChif. Neckbreaker. Figure four headscissors. He drives her head into the mat multiple times. Another kiss attempt blocked. Head to the knee. MsChif drives Crane head first into the mat. Crane sends MsChif into the top turnbuckle. MsChif drop toe holds Crane into the bottom turnbuckle. Double stomps to the back and neck. 1-2-NO! Crane with a backslide for two. Full nelson bomb. 1-2-NO! To the top rope. MsChif crawls away. Bodyslam. To the top rope again. Big splash misses. Scarlett to the apron. MsChif plays possum…I think. Crane goes for the kiss and gets misted. Desecrator. MsChif wins.
Match Analysis: This was a sloppy mess. A month after one of the biggest wins in her career, she’s relegated to this? I didn’t predict her to win the Heritage championship because I was passionate about her winning but because I honestly thought AAW would do something coming out of that match. This didn’t work in any conceivable way, especially the last couple minutes. Crane is a great character and flunky, but his in-ring work has a lot to be desired.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: MsChif/5:33/*
-Mason Beck, after six months away from AAW, slams MsChif down.
-Silas Young talks about carrying AAW for the last three years as heavyweight champion. Now that he’s lost his title, he can be asked to stay home when he has the flu. He says he is AAW. Young wants a rematch with Michael Elgin as soon as possible.
-AAW Heritage Championship Tournament- First Round: Davey Vega vs. Vic Capri
Match in Five Words or Less: Slooooooooooooooooooow
Match Summary: Capri is a veteran of the independent scene and has to be one of the oldest wrestling debuts in AAW history at 42. He was the original commissioner of the company but never stepped in the ring. Capri works the left arm early and goes for the submission. They stay basic. Shoulder block hurts Vega a little bit. Shoulder tackle tried by Vega but that doesn’t work either. Boot sends Vega down. Small package by Vega gets only two. Running rana. Clotheslines and back elbow. Capri heads outside. Rana takes Capri down to the floor. Big splash misses. Capri with an almost blue thunder bomb. Stomps. Crossface as Vega is along the middle rope. Choking in the corner by Capri. Blow to the back. Series of forearms. Vega with elbows of his own. STO by Capri and into the reverse cobra clutch. Vega won’t give and eventually puts his foot on the bottom rope. Strike exchange. Capri sends Vega to the apron. Flatliner back in the ring for two. Whip reversed. Boot by Capri. Whip reversed. Capri hits an exploder into the corner. Short gordbuster and knee strike to the back of the head. Vega sent head first into the turnbuckle. Whip across. Charge misses and hits his shoulder. Bicycle kick by Vega. Capri counters a whip and goes for sliced bread. Waistlock. Vega reverses. Air raid crash. Vega wins.
Match Analysis: This is like a formula for a blah match. A guy who’s done nothing but job the last few months against a relative unknown (at least to modern AAW fans) combined with a snail’s pace. The very definition of a two star match as nothing was actively bad, but I wasn’t engaged by the action. I can be fairly critical of AAW crowds at times, but they were justified in not being into this match.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Davey Vega/9:26/**
-Kevin Harvey says he’s not responsible for Kevin Harvey’s shortcomings. He calls Harvey a lady part and says he’s hiding behind others. He says the black guy and slut get taken out first in horror movies. Well, that’s something.
– AAW Heritage Championship Tournament- First Round: Tedarius Thomas vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Match in Five Words or Less: Derek St. Holmes Special
Match Summary: O’Reilly is the second Irishmen wrestling in this tournament. PJ Drummond is now rocking an evil goatee, which is really odd. Code of honor followed. Some mat wrestling to start as you might expect. Shoulder tackle by Thomas. Hip toss into the roll-up. O’Reilly with one of his own. Blocked kicks and a double dropkick. Stalemate. Test of strength. Boot by O’Reilly. Snapmare and knee to the head. Elbows and headbutt by Thomas. Forearm exchange. O’Reilly with a leaping knee strike. Kick misses. Spinning underneath kick by Thomas. Now the crowd makes noise. Why? Because this is actually entertaining. Chop sends O’Reilly into the corner. Whip across. O’Reilly slides underneath. Series of kicks and knees, ending with a leg sweep. Abdominal stretch in the lower standing position. Series of kicks. Thomas wants more kicks. O’Reilly obliges. European uppercut. Thomas rammed into the middle turnbuckle. Kick to the head by Thomas. Forearm. Another kick. O’Reilly comes back. Back and forth. Good gravy. Lower kick and O’Reilly gets two. Thomas rammed into the top turnnuckle. Thomas with a kick. O’Reilly kicks him in the knee. Running knee strike. Fish hook as O’Reilly is going heel in this one. Thomas is not happy. Kick blocks. They tire out and holds their legs. Irish whip blocked. Discus forearm by O’Reilly. Thomas with a cartwheel kick. Punch blocked with Thomas’s head. Kicks take him down. Forearm. O’Reilly reverses. Right hand by Thomas. Slingblade by Thomas gets two. Waistlock reversals. Thomas sneaks in with more kicks. O’Reilly knee to the head. Inside out and Thomas gets two. Big splash met with knees. Axe kick and back drop driver. 1-2-NO! Running forearm. Thomas comes back with an elbow and kick. Tiger suplex for two. O’Reilly sends Thomas to the top rope. European uppercut. Clubbering blow to the back. Back superplex. Regalplex. 1-2-NO! Triangle choke. Thomas rolls over. 1-2-NO! Strike exchange. Thomas with leaping kick. O’Reilly with one to the back of the head. Dragon screw leg whip. Sick kick to the corner. Tornado DDT. Brainbuster. 1-2-3!
Match Analysis: Must see between these two young athletes. Lots of innovation from both guys here. The energy was high from the get go, and they delivered on the type of action AAW fans embrace. These two are undoubtedly the future of independent wrestling based on everything I’ve seen. Love the exchanges and moves. Both the crowd and even the announcers clearly enjoyed what they were seeing too. Excellent match.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Kyle O’Reilly/14:05/***3/4
-Zero Gravity (CJ Esparza and Bret Gakiya) vs. Tweek Phoenix and Lamar Titan (w/Nikki and Kevin Harvey) vs. Darin Corbin and Louis Lyndon vs. Jordan Francois McEntyre
Match in Five Words or Less: He’s Baaaaack
Match Summary: Jordan McEntyre is back in a character very similar to someone like Rick Martel or Ashton Vuitton. If you’ve ever met or talked with McEntyre, you’d know this is pretty much him as a person, minus the pink tie. The gay implications come across far more here on the DVD than they did on DVD. No one in the ring is impressed. McEntyre announces he’s doing this match on his own. He calls everyone in the ring ugly. No hitting him in the face. It’s 6-on-1. McEntyre taken out of the ring. Then the faces each double team Harvey’s crew. Esparza and Gakiya double team Phoenix. Esparza with a twisting senton. Gakiya brings him into their corner. Corbin with a lot of punches in the corner. Series of stomps. Atomic drop on Phoenix. Manhattan drop. Back elbow. Tag to Esparza. Kick to Phoenix. Titan tags. He tosses Esparza into the corner. He wants Lyndon. Back and forth with strikes. Lyndon with a jumping elbow. Waistlock. Double cartwheel. Lyndon sunset flip and two. Boot by Titan. Lyndon leapfrog. Upside down and a headscissors. Forearms. Shoulder tackle. Right hands by Titan. Lyndon with a midsection kick. Leg lariat. Phoenix comes in but is quickly sent out. Back suplex by McEntyre. Spinebuster on Corbin. Running senton to the back. ZG taken off the apron. Firemen’s carry slam and diving elbow on Corbin. Harvey’s group taken off. Lyndon with a bicycle kick to the face. Everyone takes turns on McEntyre. Lyndon with a palm thrust. Corbin hits a reverse Russian legsweep. McEntyre is eliminated. Corbin airplane spins Esparza. Gakiya spins them around. Leaping kick as Gakiya uses his partner. Enziguri on Lyndon. Titan and Phoenix cut them off. Phoenix has once again removed his boot. Brawl as Corbin and Lyndon battle the group they’ve been feuding with the last few months. Nikki leaps on Corbin’s back. Lyndon whipped into the barricade. Back elbow. Corbin and Phoenix battle on the apron. Corbin clotheslines Tweek in the ring. Lyndon has an armbar along the barricade. Double axehandle off the top rope. Boot shot misses. Spin kick by Titan. Lyndon makes the save. Phoenix and Titan cut Lyndon off. Boot on Titan. Knee strike on Phoenix. Springboard. Lyndon roll-up for two. Titan sent to the outside. Suicide dive right into the DDT on Phoenix and Titan. Harvey loses it on the outside. Keith Walker trips Corbin on the outside and chokeslams him. Immediate short lariat. Phoenix covers, thus eliminating Corbin and Lyndon from the match. Esparza small package on Phoenix for two. Crucifix pin. Sunset flip by Gakiya. Roll-up followed up by a kick. Esparza with forearms on Titan. ZG whipped in the corner. Titan misses a charge but boots both men as they charge in. Dropkick. Esparza holds Titan as Gakiya hits double knees off the top rope. Series of kicks. Nikki trips both members of ZG. Discus clothesline on Esparza. Ryan Boz runs in and Boz Drives Phoenix. Flippy Cup 2.0. Gakiya covers and ZG gets a future championship match.
Match Analysis: Not sure why we needed two separate instances of interference in a match where number one contenders needed to be determined. There was some good action to be found throughout the contest. ZG has come back really strong the last few months. New moves are being introduced into their arsenal. McEntyre’s angle is interesting, and I’ll be interested to see where it goes. Obviously, we’re headed toward a blowoff of some sort with Kevin Harvey’s group, and I’m not sure if it’s to their benefit to be losing in this fashion.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Zero Gravity/11:27/**3/4
-Dan Lawrence is in full heel mode as he comes out for a promo. His scheduled opponent is not in the building, but Lawrence has some things to say to the AAW crowd. He goes over his laundry list of complaints and calls himself a legend. There’s talk of being a triple crowd winner, and Jimmy Jacobs, well he’s one too. So naturally he comes out. Jacobs match also got changed and mentions his lazy, drunk partner. Shoot comments… you know the drill.
-Jimmy Jacobs vs. Dan Lawrence
Match in Five Words or Less: The Heel Turn Takes
Match Summary: Lawrence attacks Jacobs. Series of forearms to the corner. Right hand sends Jacobs down. Jacobs with boots in the corner. Stomping a mudhole, walking it dry. Lawrence sends Jacobs to the apron. Right hand from Jacobs. Lawrence goes to the eyes. Jacobs bumped to the outside. Right hands by Lawrence as they brawl around ringside. Jacobs with a chop. Around ringside for another chop. Lawrence comes back. Chop misses. Fan holds Lawrence. Jacobs chop. He even allows a young child to chop Lawrence. Lawrence sells like a champ. Back in the ring. Lawrence sends Jacobs flailing off the top rope and calls out the kid. Stomps. Elbow drop. Snapmare and knee drop. Choking. Lawrence brings Jacobs out back first. Jacobs begins his comeback. Right hands. Lawrence low bridges Jacobs out of the ring. Dive countered with a forearm. Tope suicida. Jacobs comes off the top rope. Kick and final cut. Contra code countered. Lawrence with a neckbreaker across his neck. Jacobs sends Lawrence into the corner. Springboard acecrusher by Jacobs. 1-2-NO! Jacobs goes for the spear but Lawrence sends him in. Face wash. Lawrence goes under the ring for a chair. Jacobs grabs it. Referee asks politely for the steel. Lawrence is appalled. Chair tossed and a spear. Top rope senton and Jacobs wins.
Nice touch as Lawrence is on the mat in pain claiming a two count.
Match Analysis: Perfectly fine match to come out of intermission with. Obviously, there were some complications with certain talents like Irish Airborne and Naveah not being to show up, but these two did the best they could. Lawrence’s promo and subsequent behavior in the match really shined through, and I think this heel turn is starting to mature. Lawrence has done a great job taking a crowd that once cheered for him and made them hate him. It’s actually an underrated talent. Props to him.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Jimmy Jacobs/8:43/**3/4
-Tony Rican announces Silas Young and Michael Elgin is official in two weeks. Knight Wagner wants a match. Rican orders him out there.
-Knight Wagner vs. Keith Walker
Match in Five Words or Less: Not his Knight
Match Summary: Well, Knight Wagner is at least getting his match, right? Walker stalks Wagner and keeps him in the corner. Chops. Wagner exits the ring and isn’t happy about the match. He gets on the stick and complains about this opportunity. Wagner says he’s out of here and walks out. Well then.
Match Analysis: Not much of a match. I got nothing.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: No-contest/N/R/N/R
-Kevin Harvey asks everyone in his group to join him in the ring. He talks about what’s about to happen with the brawling and specifically references what Boz called him. Harvey’s dive out of the ring was pretty damn athletic. The usual geeks come out to break the brawl up. Darin Corbin eventually gets on the microphone and talks about everything they’ve been through the last few months. Corbin mentions Marion Fontaine being back. Northstache Express vs. Keith Walker and Tweek Phoenix in a steel cage on February 10 in Palatine.
-AAW Heritage Championship Tournament- First Round: ACH vs. Prince Ali
Match in Five Words or Less: The Best For Last
Match Summary: Ali passes on a handshake. Feeling out process. Ali takes the opportunity and chops ACH. Now Ali wants a handshake. Off the ropes. Manhattan drop and chop by ACH. ACH whips Ali and hits a back elbow. Enziguri. Diving clothesline and ACH ends up outside of the ring. Ali with a boot to the midsection. Forearm. Whip across and clothesline by ACH. Ali counters the punches and drops ACH on the top turnbuckle. ACH misses a charge. Nice neckbreaker by Ali. Choking along the middle rope. Dropkick. Leaping headbutt by ACH. Neckbreaker again by Ali. Uppercut in the corner. ACH placed on the top rope. ACH shoves Ali. Sunset countered. Ali ties the legs and applies an STF. ACH goes to the bottom rope. Stomp to the ribs. Diving elbow. Chinlock. Back elbow and a two count. Strike exchange. ACH rammed head first into the turnbuckle. Right hands from Ali. ACH with chops in the corner. Ali goes to the eyes. Whip reversed. Ali with a firemen’s carry slam. To the middle rope. Springboard moonsault misses. Tiger driver countered. Ali brings him in the corner. ACH sets up again. Ali suplexed to the floor, but he lands on his feet and trips up ACH. Bicycle kick by ACH. Headscissors sends Ali to the floor! THUMP! That was not a pleasant sound…at all. Air Jordan dive. Into the ring for a two count. Ali with a spin kick. Bicycle kick by ACH. Tiger driver. ACH brings himself over but gets countered. Shots to the top of the head. Ali tosses ACH and punts him in the rib. ACH rammed head first into his boot. Forearms. ACH SLAPS Ali. Ali gets a boot out of the corner. To the top rope. ACH dropkicks him to the floor. Ali…good God almighty! Two count in the ring. Both men on the top rope. ACH applies a sleeper. Elbows by Ali. 450 across ACH’s body. Torbelleno into the crossface. ACH teases tapping but reaches the bottom rope. Bodyslam. Ali climbs up slowly. Reverse 450 and he lands on his knees. ACH with an implant DDT and we have our final quarterfinalist.
Match Analysis: This is the best performance by anyone named Price Ali since Aladdin back in 1992. All kidding aside, Ali has a death wish based on some of the bumps he was taking in this contest, however, he also clearly wrestled like someone who wanted a permanent roster spot. Unlike Capri, Ali wrestled with purpose and adapted to the needs of the company was working in. Best match of the tournament so far as these two put together an incredible spectacle. The work and effort were much appreciated.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: ACH/16:25/****
-Shane Hollister and Silas Young (w/Scarlett and Val Malone) vs. Michael Elgin (AAW Heavyweight Champion) and Davey Richards
Match in Five Words or Less: There’s Chicks Making Out
Match Summary: Richards and Young start. No wait. Young tags Hollister in. Shug step. Some mat work to start. Richards kicks Hollister in the shoulder. Richards tags the champion in. Elgin takes Hollister in the corner. Cheap shot. Elgin takes him down with a forearm. Young comes in for some actual physical contact. Basic work between Richards and Young. Blow to the back. Hollister with stomps in the corner. European uppercut by Hollister. Richards works a headlock. O’Connor roll and Hollister transitions into the rocking chair. Richards reverses into one of his own. Hollister sent into Elgin’s knee. Chop in the corner. Stalling vertical suplex. Richards cutting off Young was a nice touch. Elgin whips Hollister into the corner. Backbreaker. Richards with a kick to the side. Uppercut and a kick to the chest. Off the ropes. Hollister back elbow. Young comes in. Richards and Elgin bring him into the corner. Elgin with a back elbow. Chop. Young with a chop. Elgin punches him into the corner. Stomps. Richards with a knee. Double back elbows. Young rams Richards into the corner. Snapmare and kick to the back of the head. Richards spin kick and one to the chest. A third sends him in the corner. Series of kicks. Young gets involved and meets the same fate. Elgin with a running avalanche. Snap suplex. Hollister with a chinbreaker. Elgin hip tosses and dropkicks Young. Young with a running kick. Big boot. Hollister gets clotheslined. Young hits a face breaker. Elgin sent outside. Double sledge by Young. Champion sent into the post. Hollister sends him against the barricade. Heels continue working him over. Elgin hits the Oklahoma Stampede. Richards with a kick. Back and forth with Hollister. Richards takes control. Handspring enziguri. Waistlock. Young attacks from behind. Richards rolls through. Northern lights suplex and he bridges over while still maintaining a hold on Young. Snap German suplex on Hollister. Richards to the top rope. He nearly takes Scarlett out. Superkick blocked with an ankle lock. Stun gun by Young. Hollister low bridges Elgin. Tope suicida. Young with stomps back in the ring. Bodyslam. Now they take turns working Richards over. Sunset flip but Richards hits a double stomp. Young knocks Elgin off the apron. Heat segment continues. Kick on Young. Dropkick causes Young to DDT Hollister. Hot tag to Elgin. To the top rope for a shoulder tackle. Hollister knocked off the apron. Back elbow by Young. Elgin sends Young’s head into the top turnbuckle. Clothesline. Running clothesline. To the other side. Tilt a whirl Bossman slam. Hollister breaks the count and hits a series of forearms. Elgin with a discus forearm. Young shoves Hollister and tries lifting him. Elgin with a double overhead slam. Richards punts Hollister. Double stomp by Richards on Young. Elgin with a deadlift slam. 1-2-NO! Val and Scarlett break up the duel finishers being prepped by Elgin and Richards. The girls start making out in the ring and head to the corner. Hollister superkicks Elgin. Richards alarm clock. I’m calling action as women are making out. What is wrong with me? Young with a backbreaker right into the lariat. Young out of the corner and a boot. Clothesline does nothing. Elgin blocks. Pele. Val and Scarlett walk to the middle of the ring… and they clothesline each other? All four men and both women are down. Richards and Hollister strike exchange. Slap by Hollister. Round house kick caught by Richards. Young fires away. Richards headbutts him. Elgin boots Young. Powerbomb attempt. Young shoves Elgin right into Richards. Duel roll-ups for two. Elgin backfists Richards on accident. Nagasaki roll by Young. Young misses the plunge. Hollister kicks him. Young drives Elgin down. Hollister covers and gets only two. Nagasaki roll and Pee Gee Waja Plunge by Young. Double stomp by Hollister. Richards breaks the count and stares Young down. Kick to the head of Elgin. Young covers and gets three.
Match Analysis: Very odd match all around. There were a lot of moments of good action and solid back and forth amongst these gentlemen. Hollister again showed he belongs with the upper level of independent wrestling. AAW is above the Val/Scarlett stuff at this point in their existence even though I’m positive I’m in the minority on this one. I fully accept that. Cut a good 5-10 minutes, and this is probably a better match. Still pretty darn good given the participants.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Silas Young and Shane Hollister/28:43/***1/4
-Richards grabs the microphone… and says nothing. That’s a first.
-Mason Beck doesn’t want anyone telling him what to do anymore.
-Tweek Phoenix is confused about the cage match stipulation. Keith Walker says this has been going on with Corbin and Fontaine (keep in mind when he was with House of Truth, he got hurt just before the blow-off)for two years. He vows to murder Fontaine and Corbin. Kevin Harvey wonders about Fontaine and Corbin’s safety with wild animals in the cage.
The Verdict: AAW kicks off 2013 in much the same way they ended 2012, with an excellent show. Consider the tone set. The Heritage title tournament has been a mostly huge success at this point, and I’m stoked to see what is to come the next three rounds. The tag team match was a bit long, a lot odd, and very interesting to say the least. Huge thumbs up for the first show of the year, and it’s going to be difficult to see them putting on a lot of thumbs down shows this year.
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