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| One more time, with feeling Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein |
The weekend has arrived, which means two things. For me, the fifth anniversary of when I took my lovely bride to be my wife and she took this homely schlub to be her husband is happening. I'll be spending the time in Cleveland, which actually looks like a pretty neat city for tourists, especially ones who like rock 'n roll music and food like we do. However, for all you out there who don't have anything important to celebrate, well, the meaning for you is that you have time to attend wrestling shows. I will be running down a few shows below, but no matter how numerous they are, they only comprise a tip of the iceberg. Check out Pro Wrestling Events for a complete list of shows around the world. But for now, the highlights of this weekend are listed below.
FRIDAY
Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW) has some Unfinished Business to take care of Friday in Oswego, NY. The doors at the Oswego Armory open at 7 PM local time, and they'll be presenting a huge double main event. First, Isys Ephex will put his 2CW Championship on the line against Johnny Gargano. While Gargano is making his debut in 2CW this weekend, he still has an impeccable resume around the indies, enough to warrant a shot at the Champ on his first match in. The second main event is a grudge match between Kevin Steen and Matt Hardy. The two have been at each other's throats in more than one company. If any match has the air of being unfinished business, the contest between Steen and Hardy is just that. Also on the show, Punisher van Slyke and Kevin Graham will go in shorthanded against Ohio Is 4 Killers, the Brothers Crist and Neveah. Appearing on the show also are Cheech Hernandez, Colin Delaney, Gregory Iron, and "Slyck" Wagner Brown.
SATURDAY
Combat Zone Wrestling will be Down with the Sickness at the Flyers Skate Zone in Vorhees, NJ, bell time 7:30 PM local time. The show is headlined with the Chri$ Ca$h Memorial Ladder Match, where AR Fox's Wired Television Championship will hang from the rafters, to be retrieved by either Fox, Andrew Everett, Shane Strickland, or Alex Colon. Even though he's not main eventing the show, Drew Gulak will face a stiff test for his CZW World Championship from fellow Beyond Wrestling brother Chris Dickinson. The Osirian Portal will get a huge opportunity as they battle BLK Jeez and Ruckus for their CZW Tag Team Championships, while Pepper Parks and Cherry Bomb will engage in an Intergender Lifestyle Collision with Greg Excellent and a debuting Candice LaRae. Also appearing will be Biff Busick, the Irish Airborne, and the team of Azrieal and Bandido, Jr.
2CW will tread new ground in upstate New York, invading the Pine Street Arena in Potsdam, NY for Higher Education. Doors open at 5 PM, and the main event will pit Isys Ephex against Matt Hardy. If Ephex survives his battle with Johnny Gargano Friday, he will defend the 2CW Champion, but who will be worse for wear? Remember, Hardy will wage all-out war with Kevin Steen Friday, so Ephex might have an easier than usual time. Then again, Hardy is stronger than death. Also on the show, Gargano tangles with Jason Axe, Jay Freddie battles Steen, and Cheech Hernandez takes on "Slyck" Wagner Brown. Appearing as well will be Colin Delaney and Gregory Iron.
Wrestling Is Heart hits up the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds in Lafayette, IN with a door open time of 6:30 PM local. The finals of their La Copa Idolo tournament will headline the show. Mat Russo will battle Joe Pittman. Both are graduates of the School of Roc, so they not only are fighting for a tournament title, but for the pride of their graduating class as well. That final will be supplemented by Eddie Kingston's Heart debut against Mat Fitchett. If a match could steal the entire weekend, this contest would be A-1 on my list. Heidi Lovelace takes on Juan Francisco de Coronado, the mannered Jervis Cottonbelly will look to instill Gentlemania in the Dirty Ugly Fug Arik Cannon. Also appearing on the show will be the Submission Squad, the Estonian Thunder Frog, and the Polar Baron's Union.
Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling promises that One Shall Reign Supreme at the Russian Community Center in Vancouver, BC. Doors open at 7:30 PM local time. The main event will be a three-way match for the Canadian Championship as Scotty Mac defends against both Nelson Creed and Kenny Lush. Also appearing will be the Stallions and Andy "The Dreadful" Bird.
Vintage Wrestling will present Tension Rising at the Salvation Army Gym in Sanford, FL, with a door open time of 7:30 PM local time. The implosion of the Dark City Fight Club continues as Jon Davis has the Circle of Disrespect (Frankie Ciatso and Simon Sez) at his back, while Kory Chavis will flank himself with Biff Slater and Don Maximo, aka Beast Mode. Six man tag action will headline this card, but you'll also see Deathrow Jethro and Mike Cruz.
Anarchy Wrestling will be taping more television episodes at the Anarchy Arena in Cornelia, GA. Bell time is 8 PM, and the main event will see Geter defend his Anarchy Championship against Mikael Judas (formerly Murphy of TNA). Also appearing on the show will be the Washington Bullets, Corey Hollis, Mike Posey, and "Hit For Hire" Bobby Moore.
The Kingsport Civic Auditorium in Kingsport, TN will play host to NWA Smoky Mountain's Honor vs. Tradition event with a 8 PM bell time. The match on top of the card should be a dandy, as Cedric Alexander will go one-on-one with Chase Owens in what should be a fine junior heavyweight battle. Also on the show will be Sigmon and Jason Kincaid.
Pro Wrestling Freedom will hold Out with the Old at the National Guard Armory in London, KY, doors opening at 6:30 PM. Kyle Matthews will defend his Championship in a best two-out-of-three falls match against "The Modern Day Viking" Shawn Shultz. Also appearing will be Mickie Knuckles.
SUNDAY
Beyond Wrestling's Point of No Return is happening Sunday, but I wrote a big long preview for that show yesterday. I strongly endorse going to this show, no matter how long you have to road trip to get there.
Anarchy Championship Wrestling will greet the end of an era with The Evolution of the Revolution at the Mohawk in Austin, TX. The doors will open at 5:15 PM local time, and JT LaMotta will wrestle his final match in the main event against longtime rival Jimmy Jacobs. Shawn Vexx and Darin Childs will face off for the right to take on Anarchy Champion Evan Gelistico at a future event, while Matthew Palmer defends the World Hardcore Championship against Thomas Shire. Two Lone Star Classic Qualifying matches are on the slate as Ricky Starks takes on Davey Vega, and the Lost Boys will clash with Sky de Lacrimosa battling Jason Silver. Also on the show, Scot Summers will look to go ham on Bolt Brady, but don't expect the real life Freakazoid to yield so easily, if at all.
Doors at Ballroom D of the Southern Illinois University Student Center will open at 2:30 PM for Wrestling Is Intense's show. Among the seven matches promoted for this card will be the Estonian Thunder Frog taking on Arik Cannon, Gary the Barn Owl clashing with the Proletarian Boar of Moldova, and Mat Fitchett clashing with Juan Francisco de Coronado. Also on the show will be the Daywalkers, who are the zombie alter egos of the Kentucky Buffet.
The e-Zone in Etobicoke, ON will play host to SMASH Wrestling's Women's Can-USA Classic at 4:30 PM local time. The event is a summit of women's wrestlers representing both Canada and the United States, and they'll battle for friendly border supremacy in five matches. Chrissy Rivera takes on Vanessa Kraven. Xandra Bale will tangle with Seattle's upstart dynamo Kimber Lee. Two promising young wrestlers in Seleziya Sparx and Veda Scott will do battle, looking to dispel images set for them by other companies who may not have them in wrestling roles. Courtney Rush will look to throw her considerable suplexes on Candice LeRae, who has spent the better part of the last five years wrestling the men in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Finally, in the mack daddy (momma?) of the slate of matches, LuFisto goes one-on-one with Christina von Eerie.
Wrestling happens every weekend, and it happens in wonderful venues featuring talented performers. Your new favorite promotion may be out there. You just don't know it yet. Take a chance. Even if the show in your area isn't previewed above, take the risk and help grow the art of wrestling.
FRIDAY
Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW) has some Unfinished Business to take care of Friday in Oswego, NY. The doors at the Oswego Armory open at 7 PM local time, and they'll be presenting a huge double main event. First, Isys Ephex will put his 2CW Championship on the line against Johnny Gargano. While Gargano is making his debut in 2CW this weekend, he still has an impeccable resume around the indies, enough to warrant a shot at the Champ on his first match in. The second main event is a grudge match between Kevin Steen and Matt Hardy. The two have been at each other's throats in more than one company. If any match has the air of being unfinished business, the contest between Steen and Hardy is just that. Also on the show, Punisher van Slyke and Kevin Graham will go in shorthanded against Ohio Is 4 Killers, the Brothers Crist and Neveah. Appearing on the show also are Cheech Hernandez, Colin Delaney, Gregory Iron, and "Slyck" Wagner Brown.
SATURDAY
Combat Zone Wrestling will be Down with the Sickness at the Flyers Skate Zone in Vorhees, NJ, bell time 7:30 PM local time. The show is headlined with the Chri$ Ca$h Memorial Ladder Match, where AR Fox's Wired Television Championship will hang from the rafters, to be retrieved by either Fox, Andrew Everett, Shane Strickland, or Alex Colon. Even though he's not main eventing the show, Drew Gulak will face a stiff test for his CZW World Championship from fellow Beyond Wrestling brother Chris Dickinson. The Osirian Portal will get a huge opportunity as they battle BLK Jeez and Ruckus for their CZW Tag Team Championships, while Pepper Parks and Cherry Bomb will engage in an Intergender Lifestyle Collision with Greg Excellent and a debuting Candice LaRae. Also appearing will be Biff Busick, the Irish Airborne, and the team of Azrieal and Bandido, Jr.
2CW will tread new ground in upstate New York, invading the Pine Street Arena in Potsdam, NY for Higher Education. Doors open at 5 PM, and the main event will pit Isys Ephex against Matt Hardy. If Ephex survives his battle with Johnny Gargano Friday, he will defend the 2CW Champion, but who will be worse for wear? Remember, Hardy will wage all-out war with Kevin Steen Friday, so Ephex might have an easier than usual time. Then again, Hardy is stronger than death. Also on the show, Gargano tangles with Jason Axe, Jay Freddie battles Steen, and Cheech Hernandez takes on "Slyck" Wagner Brown. Appearing as well will be Colin Delaney and Gregory Iron.
Wrestling Is Heart hits up the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds in Lafayette, IN with a door open time of 6:30 PM local. The finals of their La Copa Idolo tournament will headline the show. Mat Russo will battle Joe Pittman. Both are graduates of the School of Roc, so they not only are fighting for a tournament title, but for the pride of their graduating class as well. That final will be supplemented by Eddie Kingston's Heart debut against Mat Fitchett. If a match could steal the entire weekend, this contest would be A-1 on my list. Heidi Lovelace takes on Juan Francisco de Coronado, the mannered Jervis Cottonbelly will look to instill Gentlemania in the Dirty Ugly Fug Arik Cannon. Also appearing on the show will be the Submission Squad, the Estonian Thunder Frog, and the Polar Baron's Union.
Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling promises that One Shall Reign Supreme at the Russian Community Center in Vancouver, BC. Doors open at 7:30 PM local time. The main event will be a three-way match for the Canadian Championship as Scotty Mac defends against both Nelson Creed and Kenny Lush. Also appearing will be the Stallions and Andy "The Dreadful" Bird.
Vintage Wrestling will present Tension Rising at the Salvation Army Gym in Sanford, FL, with a door open time of 7:30 PM local time. The implosion of the Dark City Fight Club continues as Jon Davis has the Circle of Disrespect (Frankie Ciatso and Simon Sez) at his back, while Kory Chavis will flank himself with Biff Slater and Don Maximo, aka Beast Mode. Six man tag action will headline this card, but you'll also see Deathrow Jethro and Mike Cruz.
Anarchy Wrestling will be taping more television episodes at the Anarchy Arena in Cornelia, GA. Bell time is 8 PM, and the main event will see Geter defend his Anarchy Championship against Mikael Judas (formerly Murphy of TNA). Also appearing on the show will be the Washington Bullets, Corey Hollis, Mike Posey, and "Hit For Hire" Bobby Moore.
The Kingsport Civic Auditorium in Kingsport, TN will play host to NWA Smoky Mountain's Honor vs. Tradition event with a 8 PM bell time. The match on top of the card should be a dandy, as Cedric Alexander will go one-on-one with Chase Owens in what should be a fine junior heavyweight battle. Also on the show will be Sigmon and Jason Kincaid.
Pro Wrestling Freedom will hold Out with the Old at the National Guard Armory in London, KY, doors opening at 6:30 PM. Kyle Matthews will defend his Championship in a best two-out-of-three falls match against "The Modern Day Viking" Shawn Shultz. Also appearing will be Mickie Knuckles.
SUNDAY
Beyond Wrestling's Point of No Return is happening Sunday, but I wrote a big long preview for that show yesterday. I strongly endorse going to this show, no matter how long you have to road trip to get there.
Anarchy Championship Wrestling will greet the end of an era with The Evolution of the Revolution at the Mohawk in Austin, TX. The doors will open at 5:15 PM local time, and JT LaMotta will wrestle his final match in the main event against longtime rival Jimmy Jacobs. Shawn Vexx and Darin Childs will face off for the right to take on Anarchy Champion Evan Gelistico at a future event, while Matthew Palmer defends the World Hardcore Championship against Thomas Shire. Two Lone Star Classic Qualifying matches are on the slate as Ricky Starks takes on Davey Vega, and the Lost Boys will clash with Sky de Lacrimosa battling Jason Silver. Also on the show, Scot Summers will look to go ham on Bolt Brady, but don't expect the real life Freakazoid to yield so easily, if at all.
Doors at Ballroom D of the Southern Illinois University Student Center will open at 2:30 PM for Wrestling Is Intense's show. Among the seven matches promoted for this card will be the Estonian Thunder Frog taking on Arik Cannon, Gary the Barn Owl clashing with the Proletarian Boar of Moldova, and Mat Fitchett clashing with Juan Francisco de Coronado. Also on the show will be the Daywalkers, who are the zombie alter egos of the Kentucky Buffet.
The e-Zone in Etobicoke, ON will play host to SMASH Wrestling's Women's Can-USA Classic at 4:30 PM local time. The event is a summit of women's wrestlers representing both Canada and the United States, and they'll battle for friendly border supremacy in five matches. Chrissy Rivera takes on Vanessa Kraven. Xandra Bale will tangle with Seattle's upstart dynamo Kimber Lee. Two promising young wrestlers in Seleziya Sparx and Veda Scott will do battle, looking to dispel images set for them by other companies who may not have them in wrestling roles. Courtney Rush will look to throw her considerable suplexes on Candice LeRae, who has spent the better part of the last five years wrestling the men in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Finally, in the mack daddy (momma?) of the slate of matches, LuFisto goes one-on-one with Christina von Eerie.
Wrestling happens every weekend, and it happens in wonderful venues featuring talented performers. Your new favorite promotion may be out there. You just don't know it yet. Take a chance. Even if the show in your area isn't previewed above, take the risk and help grow the art of wrestling.