The 15th installment of AIW Gauntlet for the Gold from 2022 premiered on 5/12/23 via FITE+.
And as promised, John Thorne’ team shot for the stars as they attempted to burn a hole in the competition’ ass. Even with the main event lacking a smidge of sting, the men and women of AIW continued to show potential and gusto that leaves the heart yearning for more.
Here are the results and a brief review of the action that ensued.
Bang Bros (August Matthews and Davey Bang) vs Bulking Season (Arthur McArthur & Chuck Stone)
This was a bulking bang of a start; all puns intended. With the crowd fully behind the Bang Bros, one would assume that they were dealing with a David and Goliath situation as Bulking proceeded to stomp a mudhole in the rears of their opponents.
Although the youthful Bros attempted to offset the aggressive offense of their foes with some very well executed high fly wrestling, it was a minor dent that could not hold back the force of the formidable duo.
With a double last ride off the third turnbuckle, Bulking took the win here in impressive fashion. The Goliaths of AIW reigned supreme on this night.
Casey Carrington (with Brian Carson) vs Bobby Orlando (with Bobby Junior)
Short and slapstick sweet, this bout was a great example of comedic style wrestling. Casey got the win here with the help of Carson but Orlando was the show; a good, solid wrestler and an entertainment extraordinaire.
Props however, are also needed for Carrington who played the heel splendidly and in apropos conjunction with the eccentricity of Orlando’ shtick.
The Jollyville Fuck-Its (Nasty Russ & T-Money) vs The Bitcoin Boiz (Eric Taylor and Mike Montgomery with the Duke)
If you were looking for a Friday night bruiser, this fight was a smashface dose of whoop ass.
There isn’t enough Bitcoin in the planet to take down the Fuck-Its. These guys just bring the pain….hard. Understanding the size and magnitude of the fury they were up against, Bitcoin slowed down and weakened at least to some degree, the onslaught of Russ and Money via smart team work. But even with the Duke engaging himself in his usual intrusive and cunning ways (which he ended-up paying for), Bitcoin was fucked regardless.
The Fuck-Its closed this match out fittingly with a cannonball from the third rope and a pinfall.
Tom Lawlor vs Kaplan
When getting to the storytelling merits of the night, Lawlor and Kaplan paint an inspiring picture of might vs will.
Kaplan went for the kill early here in Kaplan like fashion by interrupting the tail end of Lawlor’ entrance walk to ring by flying between the ropes like a turpedo on steroids; knocking down Lawlor who looked like a deer caught in headlights. And that was even before the bell rang.
Kaplan remained merciless even after the official start of the match, getting Lawlor in the ring and continuing the savage beatdown. Kaplan remains an fear evoking specimen today and one wonders how anyone can even fathom surviving his offensive tactics on any given night.
That is unless your balls are as big as Lawlor’. In Rocky like build-up, Lawlor takes Kaplan the distance via sheer will and wrestling ability and chokes him out for the win with a kendle stick; fabulous psychology for a well worked match.
Isaiah Broner vs Eddie Kingston
My ass is still sore after watching this slugfest. In a match that came close enough to the savagery of Gunther vs Sheamus from WWE’ Clash at the Castle 2022, this was just one massive holy shit moment.
Shoot and strong style to the max, it is quite a site to see two human beings brutalize each other in such fashion with little use of weapons. The most dangerous arsenal in this case were Broner and Kingston.
Gut wretching and astounding from start to finish, this was the match of the night. Although Kingston took the W in this exchange, both these soldiers deserve truckloads of flowers for this exposition of guts and lionheartedness.
Derek Dillinger (with Ziggy Haim) vs Chase Oliver
Similar to Bishop and Cardona’ match at Damn, this plot was twisted, full of fast paced distractions and action. Haim played a huge, strategic and entertaining role as Dillinger’s right hand; a splendid performance as heel manager and a key player in the thickening of the plot. Both Dillinger and Oliver went toe to toe using their differing wrestling styles showcasing the up and coming talent of AIW and the richness of what they have to offer athletically and artistically.
Haim, the sacrificial lamb for both Chase and Dillinger, was used as a landing pad for Chase as he squished Dillinger into a corner with Haim’ body strewn across his shoulders. This was not enough to hold down the dynamic attack of Haim and Dillinger, the latter getting the 1-2-3 after applying a jaw shattering double knee to the face of his challenger.
Matt Cardona (with Chelsea Green) vs Dominic Garrini for the Absolute and Intense Championships
A fanatstically coordinated and worked segway into the following match, this very terse spurt ended in a disqualification when the Philly Marino Experience (PME) foiled Garrini’ submission attempt to victory right as Cardona was about to tap.
Once PME began to pummel Garrini into compliance, Joshua Bishop and Wes Barkley came to the aid of the battle lost Garrini and seized Cardona so to carry out their own plot of shaving the head of the champion. Right before the blade touches the well coiffed hairdo of Cardona, the one and only Britt Baker makes a cameo appearance and interrupts all of the festivities. To the boisterous reception of her fans, the AEW star calls for an 8 person intergender match to fill the void of the spoiled match between the AIW champ and Garrini.
Matt Cardona, Chelsea Green and PME (Marino T and Philly C) vs Britt Baker, Dominic Garrini, Joshua Bishop and Wes Barkley
This stand-off was the crowd pleaser of the night and captured the hearts of those in attendance. Britt Baker had everyone watching in the palm of her hand, dazzling onlookers with charm and star power.
A matched that seemed to be formulated around putting her over, Baker took the baton with flare and delivered; not only taking out all of her opponents at the end of the match, but by also putting a nail in the coffin by Bishop Bombing Cardona to the outside and onto all the male participants of the match.
She gets the victory but manhandling Green into an armbar and forcing the tapout.
Gauntlet for the Gold – 30 Person Battle Royal
Mirroring the WWE Royal Rumble procedure wise, a squadron of men and a small handful of female competitors battled for their shot at Cardona and his championships. Although long ways away from actually capturing the brilliance and magic of the Rumble and perhaps not attaining the exhilaration needed for a main event in its own right, the closer was still filled with quality, memorable moments.
Notable performances go to Marino T for coming just shy of winning the tournament and creatively escaping elimination numerous times. Bishop wins it all in 2022 to get his shot at the gold and does so in spectacular fashion after Bishop Bombing competitor number 28-Derek Dillinger , unto a table placed outside of the ring.
After witnessing Bishop’s match with Cardona at Damn this past April, one can perhaps see why AIW continues to establish him as a worthy contender for and opposing force to the indy god.
Parting Words:
Gauntlet for the Gold 2022 stands as another testament to the growth of AIW and the quality indy wrestling it continues to churn. Setting the bar for the upcoming 2023 rendition, fans have good reason to anticipate another solid night of wrestling fun.
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