LOW - Legends of Wrestling
Jun 8, 2016 21:12:36 GMT -5
Crimson Cross, aceldamas, and 2 more like this
Post by cruefan68 on Jun 8, 2016 21:12:36 GMT -5
IWA - Are You Experienced? - Du Burns Arena - Baltimore, MD (Card #989)
● IWA Commissioner David Marquez opened the show by talking about the three big championship matches on tap, most notably the IWA Heavyweight title match which will see the “War King” Eddie Kingston defend the belt against the “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin He mentioned that as part of the big show in Beaumont, TX (Card #999) during WrestleCade X weekend the winner of that match will defend the belt against “Wrestling’s Worst Nightmare” Kevin Steen. The crowd popped big for that announcement but before Marquez could continue he was interrupted by “Die Hard” Eddie Edwards, formerly one-half of the American Wolves with Davey Richards. Edwards was pent up with frustration over Richards turning on him to join the House of Truth and demanded a match with him. Marquez said that Richards was already booked against Rich Swann tonight but that he will do him one better – a match with Richards on the IWA event during WrestleCade X weekend. Edwards accepted that and thanked Marquez for the gift of getting to “kick Richards’ ass all over Texas!” drawing big cheers from the crowd.
1) Samuray Del Sol defeated Matt Taven by DQ:
Popular free agent star Samuray Del Sol returned to the IWA and he took on House of Truth member Matt Taven in the opening match. Taven was accompanied by his manager Truth Martini and appeared to have the masked man well scouted. Del Sol used his springboard offense early but Taven was quick to counter dropping him with a Hot Shot. Taven then assaulted Del Sol hitting such moves as the rope hung neckbreaker and piledriver. He appeared disinterested in winning as after he tossed Del Sol out of the ring it was Martini motioning to the back and out came Davey Richards. He quickly pounced on Del Sol with Taven joining him for a double-team attack that resulted in a snake eyes disqualification decision. The two then attempted to execute a spike piledriver on the concrete but Eddie Edwards raced out and made the save. He decked Taven and then went for Richards but both he and Martini quickly escaped to the pack. A fired up Edwards pulled Taven up and tossed him into the ring where he laid him out with Die Hard drawing cheers from the crowd. Del Sol recovered and thanked Edwards for the timely assist.
2) Sami Callihan & Willie Mack defeated Los Primos Rivera:
The free agent team of Los Primos Rivera (Gino & Danny Rivera) were invited back to the IWA and matched up against Sami Callihan & Willie Mack. Team LPR had a huge win over Moose Nation (Moose & Uhaa Nation), another free agent team, on a recent IWA card and were hoping to duplicate that success. Callihan and Mack were equally as determined and were in control of the action for a good stretch. They got the heat on Danny who impressively survived both the Stretch Muffler from Callihan and the Chocolate Thunder Bomb from Mack. Gino helped rally the team and they used the Brooklyn Beatdown on both men and Gino also nailed Callihan with a turnbuckle Flatliner. Callihan bounced back and hit his dangerous suicide dive on both members of LPR. It became a war of attrition in the end and the finish saw Gino deliver forearms but Callihan absorbed the blows and connected with his own Forearm 2 Remember to score the pin. Callihan and Mack knew that they had been a war and showed class by shaking hands with LPR afterward with the crowd chanting “please come back” at the Rivera cousins. The IWA will likely be looking into offering a contract to Los Primos Rivera based on their showings thus far.
3) Davey Richards defeated Rich Swann:
The crowd gave hometown hero Rich Swann a big ovation as he hit the ring to take on new House of Truth member Davey Richards. Manager Truth Martini grabbed the mic and quoted from page 165 of the Book of Truth, referring to the weight of Swann, and said that it was an “unlucky number attached to a loser”. The opening exchange between Swann and Richards was great culminating in Richards nailing him with a running lariat. Richards went on a lengthy offensive after that including hitting the multiple suplex assault and the Alarm Clock. Swann struck back with the Shooting-Swan Press and scored a two count on Richards. Martini looked on a bit concerned before Richards caught Swann in the Ankle Lock. It appeared that he might tap out but then Swann grabbed the ropes for a break. Richards followed with kicked to death and again applied the Ankle Lock but again it was broken up in the ropes. The crowd rallied behind Swann but he was in a bad way and Richards, after hitting a Suicide Dive, tossed him back into the ring and rolled him up for the pin.
4) Drew Galloway, PJ Black, & Ricochet defeated Jay Lethal, Tursas, & Brodie Lee:
Trios action was up next as Drew Galloway, “The Darewolf” PJ Black and Ricochet took on the SoCal Val led team of Jay Lethal, Tursas and Brodie Lee. Galloway has been on a roll of late and combined with the talents of Black and Ricochet promised to make matters difficult for the Project VAL trio, as they were called earlier this year at King of Trios. Lethal entered with a chip on his shoulder having again been denied the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title and that may have caused him to not be focused on the matters at end. Team Galloway got the heat on Lethal for an extended stretch including Ricochet hitting the 630 Senton for what looked to be a sure pin but both Tursas and Lee broke it up setting off a six-way brawl. When order was restored Ricochet caught Lethal with Chocolate Rain but then Val distracted the referee breaking up the pin. Lethal never seemed to get on track angering his large tag team partners and the finish saw him pinned by Galloway after being nailed with the Double Arm DDT. The aftermath was difficult for Val who had to settle down Lethal, Tursas and Lee and prevent them from coming to blows.
5) Adam Pearce defeated Rob Van Dam:
The “Whole F’N Show” Rob Van Dam was out for revenge as he took on “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce in a rematch from the last IWA card. Pearce had attacked RVD prior to the card attempting the Jumping Piledriver on the floor and then later used that move to win a grudge match between the two. Pearce jumped RVD during the ring introductions getting the match off to a hot start. The two traded control early until Pearce rattled him with an elbow smash and hit the Jumping Piledriver for a big near fall. RVD was spiked into the mat taking the move and bounced a few feet off of the canvas. He barely got back to his feet when Pearce grabbed him and again hit the Jumping Piledriver to score the pin. The crowd jeered the decision as Pearce gloated over the fallen RVD. It was a shockingly quick match and it has become clear that the Jumping Piledriver is a potent finisher in the arsenal of Pearce. A disappointed RVD sought out IWA Commissioner David Marquez backstage afterward and said he wanted Pearce again and it was agreed that the two would face off in a Finisher Match – Five Star Frog Splash vs. Jumping Piledriver – in Beaumont, TX.
6) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Roderick Strong© defeated Bryan Danielson to retain the title:
After dealing with Rob Van Dam, IWA Commissioner David Marquez joined ring announcer Gavin Loudspeaker in order to make a special announcement before the “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson challenged House of Truth member Roderick Strong for the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title. Marquez revealed that he talked with LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox who said that the winner of the match would defend the title at WrestleCade X at the Astrodome in Houston, TX (Card #1000) against highly ranked LOW superstar “Ravishing” Rick Rude of the AWE. Manager Truth Martini immediately protested the announcement saying that instead when Strong defeats Danielson he should go to WrestleCade X and be honored as the “greatest champion in LOW history!” drawing jeers from the crowd. Danielson laughed it off and said that he would quote from page 21 of the “Book of Dragon” and it said that it was “The End” for Strong referencing how many successful title defenses he had made to date. Martini was furious and tried to swing the Book of Truth at Danielson but missed and fell down drawing laughter from the crowd. IWA photographer Dr. Mike Lano was busy snapping photos at ringside and maybe he got a new cover photo for the Book of Truth with Martini swinging and missing.
As far as the match was concerned it was nothing short of incredible and nearly went the distance. Danielson was on fire early and nearly pinned Strong with the MMA Elbows but Martini broke up the count. Danielson refocused and went back into The Final Countdown trapping Strong in the Crossface Chicken Wing for what looked to be a sure submission but he got to the ropes for a break. Martini was beside himself at ringside as the title reign of Strong looked to be in serious jeopardy. Strong was able to get back into it and used the Argentine Backbreaker for a submission chance. He then connected with the Olympic Slam and a flying bodypress from the top rope for near falls. Danielson battled back stunning Strong with the discus elbow smash and hit a back superplex for a big near fall. Martini got involved again later as he held onto the leg of Danielson trying to assist Strong with a count out win but the “American Dragon” kicked free sending the manager crashing to the floor. Strong took advantage of that situation and with time winding down he nailed Danielson with End of Heartache, a vertical suplex dropped into a double knee backbreaker, to score the pin and retain the title. It was a grueling battle and Strong, much to the chagrin of Danielson, was successful in his version twenty-two defense of the title and will now go on to WrestleCade X to defend the title against Rude in what promises to be a most interesting matchup.
7) IWA J-Crown title: Kyle O’Reilly© defeated Johnny Gargano to retain the title:
The semi-final match saw Kyle O’Reilly, one-half of reDRagon along with Bobby Fish, defend the IWA J-Crown title against his bitter rival Johnny Gargano. The two men have been at war since the tournament to crown the first IWA J-Crown champion was held earlier this year. Gargano, along with his associate Timothy Thatcher, had been on the outside looking in but recently earned IWA contracts at the expense of reDRagon. O’Reilly was like a man possessed as he pretty much dominated the match most of the way. He used the brainbuster and guillotine choke early and then went for a deathjump but the referee was knocked down in the process. During the down time it was O’Reilly applying Armageddon but there was no chance for a submission check. When the referee recovered it was O’Reilly hitting a top rope flying bodypress for a big near fall. Late in the match he fired Gargano out of the ring and laid him out with a spike DDT that nearly resulted in a count out decision. Thatcher then showed up attempting to interfere but O’Reilly knocked him off of the ring apron and then quickly trapped Gargano in Armageddon. Gargano tried to escape but was unable to and tapped out resulting in O’Reilly retaining the title via submission in his version four defense.
8) IWA Heavyweight title: Michael Elgin defeated Eddie Kingston to win the title:
The main event saw the “War King” Eddie Kingston having to make a tough version one defense of the IWA Heavyweight title as he faced the “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin, a former two-time ROH Heavyweight champion. Both men also had the pressure of knowing that no matter who won here they would have to put the title on the line against the dangerous Kevin Steen during WrestleCade X weekend. Elgin used his power and speed advantage to dominate early and Kingston, after countering and hitting a high angle belly to back suplex, felt the sting of two consecutive Buckle Bombs. Elgin then grabbed the limp Kingston and hit the Elgin Bomb for a big near fall. Elgin would continue his offensive hitting the spinning Backfist and trapping Kingston in the crossface submission. Things were looking bad for the “War King” before he blasted Elgin with a Yakuza Kick and then roughed him up outside the ring. Kingston looked to be going in for the kill when Elgin suddenly countered a backdrop attempt with a surprise backslide for a near fall. Elgin would follow up trapping Kingston in the crossface submission again before setting him up for another potent dose of the Elgin Bomb which this time resulted in the pin. The crowd erupted in cheers as Elgin was crowned the new IWA Heavyweight champion ending the brief title reign of Kingston. The now former champion was bitterly disappointed over the defeat and chose to roll out of the ring as Elgin was presented with the title. The question now is will Elgin be able to survive his version one title defense against Steen during WrestleCade X weekend?
● IWA Commissioner David Marquez opened the show by talking about the three big championship matches on tap, most notably the IWA Heavyweight title match which will see the “War King” Eddie Kingston defend the belt against the “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin He mentioned that as part of the big show in Beaumont, TX (Card #999) during WrestleCade X weekend the winner of that match will defend the belt against “Wrestling’s Worst Nightmare” Kevin Steen. The crowd popped big for that announcement but before Marquez could continue he was interrupted by “Die Hard” Eddie Edwards, formerly one-half of the American Wolves with Davey Richards. Edwards was pent up with frustration over Richards turning on him to join the House of Truth and demanded a match with him. Marquez said that Richards was already booked against Rich Swann tonight but that he will do him one better – a match with Richards on the IWA event during WrestleCade X weekend. Edwards accepted that and thanked Marquez for the gift of getting to “kick Richards’ ass all over Texas!” drawing big cheers from the crowd.
1) Samuray Del Sol defeated Matt Taven by DQ:
Popular free agent star Samuray Del Sol returned to the IWA and he took on House of Truth member Matt Taven in the opening match. Taven was accompanied by his manager Truth Martini and appeared to have the masked man well scouted. Del Sol used his springboard offense early but Taven was quick to counter dropping him with a Hot Shot. Taven then assaulted Del Sol hitting such moves as the rope hung neckbreaker and piledriver. He appeared disinterested in winning as after he tossed Del Sol out of the ring it was Martini motioning to the back and out came Davey Richards. He quickly pounced on Del Sol with Taven joining him for a double-team attack that resulted in a snake eyes disqualification decision. The two then attempted to execute a spike piledriver on the concrete but Eddie Edwards raced out and made the save. He decked Taven and then went for Richards but both he and Martini quickly escaped to the pack. A fired up Edwards pulled Taven up and tossed him into the ring where he laid him out with Die Hard drawing cheers from the crowd. Del Sol recovered and thanked Edwards for the timely assist.
2) Sami Callihan & Willie Mack defeated Los Primos Rivera:
The free agent team of Los Primos Rivera (Gino & Danny Rivera) were invited back to the IWA and matched up against Sami Callihan & Willie Mack. Team LPR had a huge win over Moose Nation (Moose & Uhaa Nation), another free agent team, on a recent IWA card and were hoping to duplicate that success. Callihan and Mack were equally as determined and were in control of the action for a good stretch. They got the heat on Danny who impressively survived both the Stretch Muffler from Callihan and the Chocolate Thunder Bomb from Mack. Gino helped rally the team and they used the Brooklyn Beatdown on both men and Gino also nailed Callihan with a turnbuckle Flatliner. Callihan bounced back and hit his dangerous suicide dive on both members of LPR. It became a war of attrition in the end and the finish saw Gino deliver forearms but Callihan absorbed the blows and connected with his own Forearm 2 Remember to score the pin. Callihan and Mack knew that they had been a war and showed class by shaking hands with LPR afterward with the crowd chanting “please come back” at the Rivera cousins. The IWA will likely be looking into offering a contract to Los Primos Rivera based on their showings thus far.
3) Davey Richards defeated Rich Swann:
The crowd gave hometown hero Rich Swann a big ovation as he hit the ring to take on new House of Truth member Davey Richards. Manager Truth Martini grabbed the mic and quoted from page 165 of the Book of Truth, referring to the weight of Swann, and said that it was an “unlucky number attached to a loser”. The opening exchange between Swann and Richards was great culminating in Richards nailing him with a running lariat. Richards went on a lengthy offensive after that including hitting the multiple suplex assault and the Alarm Clock. Swann struck back with the Shooting-Swan Press and scored a two count on Richards. Martini looked on a bit concerned before Richards caught Swann in the Ankle Lock. It appeared that he might tap out but then Swann grabbed the ropes for a break. Richards followed with kicked to death and again applied the Ankle Lock but again it was broken up in the ropes. The crowd rallied behind Swann but he was in a bad way and Richards, after hitting a Suicide Dive, tossed him back into the ring and rolled him up for the pin.
4) Drew Galloway, PJ Black, & Ricochet defeated Jay Lethal, Tursas, & Brodie Lee:
Trios action was up next as Drew Galloway, “The Darewolf” PJ Black and Ricochet took on the SoCal Val led team of Jay Lethal, Tursas and Brodie Lee. Galloway has been on a roll of late and combined with the talents of Black and Ricochet promised to make matters difficult for the Project VAL trio, as they were called earlier this year at King of Trios. Lethal entered with a chip on his shoulder having again been denied the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title and that may have caused him to not be focused on the matters at end. Team Galloway got the heat on Lethal for an extended stretch including Ricochet hitting the 630 Senton for what looked to be a sure pin but both Tursas and Lee broke it up setting off a six-way brawl. When order was restored Ricochet caught Lethal with Chocolate Rain but then Val distracted the referee breaking up the pin. Lethal never seemed to get on track angering his large tag team partners and the finish saw him pinned by Galloway after being nailed with the Double Arm DDT. The aftermath was difficult for Val who had to settle down Lethal, Tursas and Lee and prevent them from coming to blows.
5) Adam Pearce defeated Rob Van Dam:
The “Whole F’N Show” Rob Van Dam was out for revenge as he took on “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce in a rematch from the last IWA card. Pearce had attacked RVD prior to the card attempting the Jumping Piledriver on the floor and then later used that move to win a grudge match between the two. Pearce jumped RVD during the ring introductions getting the match off to a hot start. The two traded control early until Pearce rattled him with an elbow smash and hit the Jumping Piledriver for a big near fall. RVD was spiked into the mat taking the move and bounced a few feet off of the canvas. He barely got back to his feet when Pearce grabbed him and again hit the Jumping Piledriver to score the pin. The crowd jeered the decision as Pearce gloated over the fallen RVD. It was a shockingly quick match and it has become clear that the Jumping Piledriver is a potent finisher in the arsenal of Pearce. A disappointed RVD sought out IWA Commissioner David Marquez backstage afterward and said he wanted Pearce again and it was agreed that the two would face off in a Finisher Match – Five Star Frog Splash vs. Jumping Piledriver – in Beaumont, TX.
6) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Roderick Strong© defeated Bryan Danielson to retain the title:
After dealing with Rob Van Dam, IWA Commissioner David Marquez joined ring announcer Gavin Loudspeaker in order to make a special announcement before the “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson challenged House of Truth member Roderick Strong for the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title. Marquez revealed that he talked with LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox who said that the winner of the match would defend the title at WrestleCade X at the Astrodome in Houston, TX (Card #1000) against highly ranked LOW superstar “Ravishing” Rick Rude of the AWE. Manager Truth Martini immediately protested the announcement saying that instead when Strong defeats Danielson he should go to WrestleCade X and be honored as the “greatest champion in LOW history!” drawing jeers from the crowd. Danielson laughed it off and said that he would quote from page 21 of the “Book of Dragon” and it said that it was “The End” for Strong referencing how many successful title defenses he had made to date. Martini was furious and tried to swing the Book of Truth at Danielson but missed and fell down drawing laughter from the crowd. IWA photographer Dr. Mike Lano was busy snapping photos at ringside and maybe he got a new cover photo for the Book of Truth with Martini swinging and missing.
As far as the match was concerned it was nothing short of incredible and nearly went the distance. Danielson was on fire early and nearly pinned Strong with the MMA Elbows but Martini broke up the count. Danielson refocused and went back into The Final Countdown trapping Strong in the Crossface Chicken Wing for what looked to be a sure submission but he got to the ropes for a break. Martini was beside himself at ringside as the title reign of Strong looked to be in serious jeopardy. Strong was able to get back into it and used the Argentine Backbreaker for a submission chance. He then connected with the Olympic Slam and a flying bodypress from the top rope for near falls. Danielson battled back stunning Strong with the discus elbow smash and hit a back superplex for a big near fall. Martini got involved again later as he held onto the leg of Danielson trying to assist Strong with a count out win but the “American Dragon” kicked free sending the manager crashing to the floor. Strong took advantage of that situation and with time winding down he nailed Danielson with End of Heartache, a vertical suplex dropped into a double knee backbreaker, to score the pin and retain the title. It was a grueling battle and Strong, much to the chagrin of Danielson, was successful in his version twenty-two defense of the title and will now go on to WrestleCade X to defend the title against Rude in what promises to be a most interesting matchup.
7) IWA J-Crown title: Kyle O’Reilly© defeated Johnny Gargano to retain the title:
The semi-final match saw Kyle O’Reilly, one-half of reDRagon along with Bobby Fish, defend the IWA J-Crown title against his bitter rival Johnny Gargano. The two men have been at war since the tournament to crown the first IWA J-Crown champion was held earlier this year. Gargano, along with his associate Timothy Thatcher, had been on the outside looking in but recently earned IWA contracts at the expense of reDRagon. O’Reilly was like a man possessed as he pretty much dominated the match most of the way. He used the brainbuster and guillotine choke early and then went for a deathjump but the referee was knocked down in the process. During the down time it was O’Reilly applying Armageddon but there was no chance for a submission check. When the referee recovered it was O’Reilly hitting a top rope flying bodypress for a big near fall. Late in the match he fired Gargano out of the ring and laid him out with a spike DDT that nearly resulted in a count out decision. Thatcher then showed up attempting to interfere but O’Reilly knocked him off of the ring apron and then quickly trapped Gargano in Armageddon. Gargano tried to escape but was unable to and tapped out resulting in O’Reilly retaining the title via submission in his version four defense.
8) IWA Heavyweight title: Michael Elgin defeated Eddie Kingston to win the title:
The main event saw the “War King” Eddie Kingston having to make a tough version one defense of the IWA Heavyweight title as he faced the “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin, a former two-time ROH Heavyweight champion. Both men also had the pressure of knowing that no matter who won here they would have to put the title on the line against the dangerous Kevin Steen during WrestleCade X weekend. Elgin used his power and speed advantage to dominate early and Kingston, after countering and hitting a high angle belly to back suplex, felt the sting of two consecutive Buckle Bombs. Elgin then grabbed the limp Kingston and hit the Elgin Bomb for a big near fall. Elgin would continue his offensive hitting the spinning Backfist and trapping Kingston in the crossface submission. Things were looking bad for the “War King” before he blasted Elgin with a Yakuza Kick and then roughed him up outside the ring. Kingston looked to be going in for the kill when Elgin suddenly countered a backdrop attempt with a surprise backslide for a near fall. Elgin would follow up trapping Kingston in the crossface submission again before setting him up for another potent dose of the Elgin Bomb which this time resulted in the pin. The crowd erupted in cheers as Elgin was crowned the new IWA Heavyweight champion ending the brief title reign of Kingston. The now former champion was bitterly disappointed over the defeat and chose to roll out of the ring as Elgin was presented with the title. The question now is will Elgin be able to survive his version one title defense against Steen during WrestleCade X weekend?
