From August 1st through August 3rd, professional wrestling took over the tri-state area following WWE’s big Summerslam weekend. GCW held a mini Collective-like event called “Summer Smash.” We also saw several other great matches from the likes of ICW, Uprising, House of Glory, and more. While this list was set out to be five matches, on a jam-packed weekend like this, I had to extend it. There were so many good matches this past weekend, and here are eight matches you must go out of your way to see, in no particular order.

8. Megan Bayne vs. B3CCA from Uprising Women’s Athletes “Uprising 6”

On Friday, August 1st, Uprising Women’s Athletes returned to LaSalle, IL, for its big event, “Uprising 6.” The event saw a ton of great action, including a fantastic match between Megan Bayne and B3CCA. Heading into the event, this was a highly anticipated match, with many fans thinking this was going to be the one to steal the show.

Spoiler alert, those fans were correct. B3CCA made a new song for B3CCA, which she displayed, “Blame Bayne.” Bayne and B3CCA went to a 15+ minute war. Ultimately, Bayne hit a spear and a running powerbomb to finally put B3CCA away. This was a fantastic wrestling match that stole the show. It just continued to show that women can do anything men can do, sometimes even better.

7. Pete Dunne vs. Jonathan Gresham from GCW “Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV”

As a part of GCW’s “Summer Smash” event, we saw “Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV” take place. On Saturday afternoon, August 2nd, we saw Pete Dunne meet Jonathan Gresham in what, was my opinion, was the best match on this edition of “Bloodsport.” That’s saying something, as we also saw Charlie Dempsey vs. Dominic Garrini and Masha Slamovich vs. Nattie Neidhart, which were both great matches in their own right.

Dunne and Gresham put on an outstanding bout. This was a very fun mat bout. Reversals were abundant in this one. Both Dunne and Gresham took the fight to each other. The final two to three minutes were probably the best on the entire show. The two competitors exchanged open hand slaps to each other with neither man budging. Ultimately, Dunne locked in an armbar, forcing Gresham to tap. If you like mat-based wrestling, go check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

6. Steve Maclin vs. 1 Called Manders from GCW “Hit Em Up”

On Friday, August 1st, GCW returned to Rutherford, NJ for its big event, “Hit Em Up.” This event set the tone for a very fun weekend from GCW. In one of the big match-ups, we saw TNA’s Steve Maclin go one-on-one with 1 Called Manders in your stereotypical bruiser-type of match. The only difference with this “stereotypical match” is that this bruiser type of match didn’t disappoint.

Maclin and Manders set out to destroy each other every second of the match, and it was awesome. In the end, however, Manders wound up and hit his third big lariat of the match to finally put Maclin away. This was a hard-hitting bout between two men who, while they respected each other, wanted to destroy each other. If you love a bruiser-type of fight, this one is truly for you. Go back and check out this show.

5. Ricochet vs. Amazing Red from House Of Glory “High Intensity”

On Friday, August 1st, House of Glory returned to the NYC Arena in Jamaica, NY for one of its biggest shows of the year, “High Intensity.” The event saw a ton of big matches, but perhaps none were bigger than Ricochet making his return to House Of Glory to face The Amazing Red. This was a rivalry that came to a head this past Friday. In years past, Ricochet and Amazing Red each won one match against each other.

This was a rematch a “decade in the making,” per the commentators. Ricochet and Red, despite being ten years older, still put on a great match together. However, in the end, Ricochet defeated Amazing Red with a “spirit gun” clothesline for the pinfall. Unfortunately, Ricochet couldn’t get the win on his own, needing Daron Richardson and Diamond Virago’s help in the process.

4. Dreamwave Women’s Championship: Maggie Lee (c) vs. Jada Stone from Uprising Women’s Athletes “Uprising 6”

The main event of “Uprising 6” saw Maggie Lee put the Dreamwave Women’s Championship on the line against Jada Stone. This was a match between two women who just wanted to brawl with each other. We saw them go at it in the pre-show, and we knew tensions were going to be even higher once the main event, and we were not disappointed.

While nobody at all thought Lee was dropping the Dreamwave Women’s Championship, this match was still outstanding. Jada Stone is returning home from a tour overseas, and she has been on a whole other level since her return to the States. She’s always been very fun to watch, but lately it’s been a whole other level. As for Lee, she remains one of the top women in all of the Midwest. These two women competing against each other didn’t disappoint. Ultimately, Lee hit a tombstone piledriver to pin Stone and retain her title. This match ruled.

3. Atticus Cogar vs. Billie Starks from GCW “Hit Em Up”

Another match from GCW, “Hit Em Up,” made this list. This one, however, wasn’t as respectful as the last one. Atticus Cogar did battle with Billie Starkz and made sure to try and prove himself to the fans against her. Of course, this meant being violent. Cogar wasted little time attacking Starkz and busting her wide open. Cogar jabbed skewers into the forehead of Starkz, giving her a lot of color.

Despite the rest of VNDL48 getting involved, Starkz found some backup in Matt Tremont and 1 Called Manders. Tremont and Manders fought Christian Napier and Otis Cogar into the back, which allowed for Starkz to hit a Swanton bomb on Atticus. Ultimately, Joey Janela hit the ring and hit a brain hemorrhage on Cogar, inadvertently hitting one on Starkz too. However, Janela slung Starkz over Cogar, earning her the victory. This was a fun match. Atticus Cogar is on a terrific run lately, and hopefully, the GCW World Championship is in his cards.

2. 1 Called Manders vs. Thomas Shire from JCW “High Noon”

On Sunday, August 3rd, JCW returned to The Mecca in Ridgefield Park, NJ, for its big event, “High Noon.” While this show saw a ton of great action, including Masha Slamovich vs. Marcus Mathers, and JetSpeed in action, perhaps nothing was better than 1 Called Manders defending his wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship against his Cowboy Way partner, Thomas Shire. This was the match I hoped it would be and then some.

Similar to his match with Maclin up above, this was a fight between two men who respected each other but wanted to beat the hell out of each other. Manders and Shire took the fight to each other like only friends know how to. Chops, strikes, and big moves galore. Ultimately, Manders got the victory, finally putting away Shire after damn-near 20 minutes with a huge lariat. This was a great match and probably one I’d recommend to anyone who wants to know who Manders or Shire are.

1. Krule vs. Bear Bronson from ICW “NHB Vol. 81”

On Saturday, August 2nd, ICW brought the chains to Boston for its big event, “ICW NHB Vol. 81.” Unfortunately, like in anything else in professional wrestling, this card was subject to change. Change it did, big time. However, one thing that stood the same was Krule going one-on-one with Bear Bronson in arguably one of the biggest main events in ICW’s recent memory. We are very thankful for that match. Bear Bronson looked to continue to prove himself in the deathmatch wrestling scene, but he’s been off to a fantastic start.

Following his amazing deathmatch of the year contender with Slade at GCW Cage of Survival, he’s been getting a lot of bookings for deathmatches. Rightfully so. However, he had a tall task at ICW against the “Atrocity,” Krule. In the end, after getting some help from his wife, Gabby Forza, Bronson hits his finisher on Krule through some chairs set up in the ring. This was violent, bloody, brutal, but above all else, it was AWESOME. Go check out this one on IWTV, and continue to support Bronson on his new path on the independent wrestling scene, as well as continue supporting Krule, who’s already shown how good he is.