The co-winner of the first Tough Enough reality series, Maven worked for WWF/WWE from 2001 until his release in July 2005.
After a stint with TNA and a run on the indies in 2006 and 2007, Maven did not wrestle for nearly a decade. He wrestled a handful of matches on the independent circuit in 2015 and 2016, but has been inactive since.
Spring Break will be a two-night event. Both shows will air live on FITE TV. Below are the lineups for each night:
GCW Joey Janela’s Spring Break Part 1, Thursday, March 31, 8 p.m. Central time on FITE TV —
GCW World Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. AJ Gray
X-Pac vs. Joey Janela
GCW Ultraviolent Championship: Alex Colon (c) vs. John Wayne Murdoch
GCW Joey Janela’s Spring Break Part 2, Saturday, April 2, 12:01 a.m. Central time on FITE TV —
Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects that of the writer and not of our website.
The importance of Cody Rhodes can not be overstated.
The magnitude of his contributions to both AEW and North American pro wrestling as a whole is tremendous. He is a major reason for the current landscape of wrestling in this country. AEW does not exist without him and he is as big a part of their success as anyone. Our personal feelings towards him are just that: personal.
But clearly, Turner Broadcasting thought, and possibly thinks, enough of him to give him his own reality show and feature him on a game show. People who don’t matter and don’t move the needle don’t get that kind of opportunity. Cody wants to be remembered as his father is: someone who had as big of an impact beyond what happens between the ropes. And maybe he won’t be as universally loved as his dad, because who can be, but the impact he had had is just as big.
So the Code-man is gone, the Codyverse is no more, and that leaves a lot of space to fill. Will we, the weekly viewer of AEW, miss what he brought to our screens? Short answer, probably not. The longer and more complicated answer? We probably will. All the talk of Cody putting himself over is largely unwarranted, considering how often he lost big matches. He put over MJF at the expense of him ever being able to wrestle for the AEW World title. Without a contract, he put on an all-time great ladder match with Sammy Guevara.
Even if something was totally unnecessary — like setting himself on fire — he was willing to do it. He was willing to do it because of his legacy. He wants to be remembered like his father is, not just as a wrestler, but as someone who had an impact beyond what happened between the ropes. And say what you want about him personally, his booking, and whatever else, but starting a critically acclaimed wrestling promotion from nothing is as legacy-defining as it gets.
All of this might look silly if he winds up coming back in some capacity, but that’s showbiz, baby. Nevertheless, the show must go on. The two biggest matches have no title attached to them, but all the title matches are still good. This is a good card and heck, maybe even a great one!
Face of the Revolution Ladder match for a future AEW TNT title shot: Keith Lee vs. Wardlow vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Ricky Starks vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Christian Cage
If I could bottle the feeling I got when Ricky Starks did his Keith Lee impression, I would carry it with me everywhere. Whenever I need a hit of dopamine, I would just watch that three-second video. Lee gives voices to all the NPCs in Final Fantasy and reads their dialogue out loud. Lee wears a pageboy cap just to unnecessarily doff it at people he makes eye contact with. What I’m saying is that Keith Lee is a cornball: a very good wrestler, but still a cornball.
Usually in a ladder match, there is one, maybe two, hefty boys and the rest are lighter dudes who fly around and bump like crazy. The big guys are the base and the little guys are the style. But this might be the thickest ladder match in history with hoss after hoss after hoss. AEW hosses are still not quite full hosses. Billy Gunn towers over 95% of the roster for God’s sake, but this match has three 100% USDA grass-fed sirloin hosses. Lee is huge! Hobbs is big! Wardlow is also big! I do feel bad for Cassidy and Starks because they are going to get tossed around like crazy.
Lee has to win this. There’s a world where Wardlow does, but somehow he doesn’t need it. Whenever he finally turns on MJF, he’s immediately a top babyface with the proverbial rocket on his back. Lee winning here immediately establishes him as a huge deal and if they want him to live up to the hype Tony Khan gave leading up to his debut, he needs to be a huge deal.
Prediction: Keith Lee
AHFO (Andrade El Idolo, Matt Hardy & Isiah Kassidy) vs. Sting, TNT Champion Sammy Guevara and Darby Allin in a trios tornado match
I was hoping this would move to the pre-show, but alas, this made the main show. The AHFO is a dumb thing even though I like everyone in it. I’m much more interested in Andrade as a solo act and much, much, more interested in him getting some kind of push toward the top of the card. I’ve written many a word on this site about the wonders of Andrade (he was part of the best match I’ve ever seen live) and I have a feeling I’ll be doing it again later. I’m going to save some space and hit you with five minimally spicy thoughts about this match and the TNT title:
Glad to see Sting is healthy!
Sammy needs to ditch the two belts! He only has one title!
Do people like the cue card gimmick? Who is the audience for that!?!
Matt is just waiting for Jeff.
Where is Miro? I miss God’s Favorite Champion. 🙁
Prediction: AHFO
Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Kingston
LeonardoDicaprioNowYouHaveMyAttention.gif. This was the definition of whatever until Jericho and King finally went face-to-face and cut whole-ass promos on each other. The ten-minute “sports entertainment” segment both sports entertained me and sold me on the match. No more backstage sniping, no more clever quips. Two beefy boys in the ring having it out on the microphone. You love to see it.
As he frequently does, Jericho said a whole bunch of words leading up to this. But something he said threw me with how right he was. He is the biggest deal in AEW. Beating him is beating the top guy in the company. Bryan Danielson is better, CM Punk might be more popular and Hangman Page is the champ, but Jericho, political affinities and all, is still the biggest deal. He’s the Hall of Famer and is in the discussion for best wrestler of all time.
It’s been a while since Jericho was cutting a promo not in service of himself or trying to get a bad catchphrase over – looking at you ‘GFY’ – and it’s nice to see him engaged with something that isn’t purely self-serving. There’s some truth to what he was saying, too. We are imperfect, impermanent creatures and it is our nature to doubt ourselves.
Indulge me here for a second. Is the reason Eddie never got into great shape because he believed, in his heart, he couldn’t do this? Did he doubt his substantial gifts? If he got rid of one of his hangups or perceived faults, he wouldn’t have a reason for his failure. It wouldn’t be “Oh Eddie is talented but he doesn’t have the right look” and is instead “Oh Eddie just doesn’t have ‘it’.” Being forced to confront your inadequacies head-on is terrifying and it certainly makes sense for him, or anyone, to try and avoid them. Often, the scariest thing any of us can do is try. Jericho held a mirror up to Eddie’s insecurities and they smacked him right across the face. I can’t wait to see these two go at it.
When wrestling is good, like it is here, it can let us explore deep human emotions. It’s great! They should do more of it!
Prediction: Kingston
Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley
The Purveyor of Violence vs. its Poet Laureate is a match worthy of the pay-per-view price on its own. If this was the only match on the card, I would gladly pay full price for it. Danielson is a supreme being — a pure aspect of pro wrestling delivered to an undeserving world. He is as close to perfection as it gets: a wrestler working at an S+ tier level while not overshadowing the rest of his peers. It’s a tough line to walk, but somehow Bryan does it better than anyone. He walked into AEW and immediately started doing some of the best work of a historically great career.
Where Bryan is elegant and calculating, Moxley seems to make it up as he goes. Unpredictable, frenetic and appearing unpolished, he is the chaos to Bryan’s order. Compared with Bryan’s surgical precision that wastes no movement and spares no limb, Moxley almost looks sloppy, almost haphazard. But that’s just who he is. He doesn’t care about technical precision; he just cares about hurting whoever he’s in the ring with.
Look at the two of them when they have gone face-to-face. Bryan barely moves when he talks, delivering his message calmly. Moxley can’t sit still. He’s moving constantly, pacing around the ring, gesturing at the crowd and gesturing at Bryan. He can barely keep the words in his mouth. He’s like a shark; if he slows down or doesn’t get the conflict he so desperately wants, it’s all over.
(Before I get to the match prediction, can someone please tell me when Bryan’s theme song got a chorus with vocals? Apparently, this version of his theme has been around since September which seems…impossible? Surely he did not come out to this when he wrestled Adam Page? There is no way! (He did not, I checked.) I am both professionally and recreationally medicated, but there is no way I missed this. If anyone can tell me when Bryan started using this entrance at a show, I will buy you one (1) large cheese pizza no questions asked. If you know, let me know and I’ll hit that Venmo for the ‘za.)
As different as they are stylistically, these guys are both at the absolute apex of what they do. That’s what makes this match such a treat. They are two guys that just want to fight, two guys that just want to bleed together. Guys being dudes, what’s better than that? What’s better is what comes next: the potential pairing of these two. Them teaming up and creating the next generation of violence in AEW could be the best thing the company has ever done. I’ve gone back and forth on this, but I can’t see Moxley losing and then partnering with Bryan. It just goes against his fundamental alignment.
Prediction: Moxley
CM Punk vs. MJF in a dog collar match
We witnessed a perfect wrestling promo on February 23rd — one that had a single, perfectly timed tear. It was a promo that deftly subverted our expectations…at least for a week. I kept waiting for MJF to pull the rug out, except he never did. How many times have we seen a version of the promo that flips the last 15% on its head? Not this time. Young Maxwell stood on the rug with us and made us uncomfortable. And who is he to make us feel something? To make us feel anything other than loathing and disgust? Impossible. For someone who hasn’t won a title in AEW, Max has done a whole lot. But on February 23rd, he did something implausible. He made us relate to him. That’s what made this past Wednesday work so well.
Everything about it hit the right notes. The telltale white t-shirts. Punk questioning his role/alignment in all this. The unsure handshake turned hug. The callback to Punk’s 2005 ROH promo on the day Tony Khan acquired ROH. Just beautiful. It all worked — a masterclass of pro wrestling. The build to this has been exceptional to the point that it’s overshadowing most of the rest of the card.
After all of this, MJF has to win. He needs to come out on top so he can move from smarmy heel to full-on evil megalomaniac. I’ve gone back and forth a bit on MJF but not in terms of how talented he is because goodness gracious, is he talented. But I like him so much more when he leans away from the expected “you people are fat” and “Cleveland has ugly women” stuff. Anyone can do that. Anyone can refer to Punk as “Phil” and get a muted “oooooh” from the crowd, but Max has shown he is capable of so much more. His ability on the microphone is so far beyond that and he proved it in the shadow of WWE of all places. He wins on Sunday and starts his path towards dethroning Hangman.
Prediction: MJF
TBS Champion Jade Cargill vs. Tay Conti for the title
The introduction of green into Cargill’s gear and presentation is perfect for non-coitus-havers like me. Of course, she’s wearing shades of green as she’s money, people are jealous of her, etc, etc, etc. But what I specifically appreciate is the wink to the main criticism of her in the fact that she’s, well, green. A lack of experience shouldn’t immediately be a critique of a performer. Sure, there are cases where someone is clearly not ready for their spot, but that’s not the situation here. The ringwork is coming along and everything else is more than ready.
As quickly as Jade is growing, Conti has come a long, long way herself. Not even her staunchest of supporters could have claimed to see this coming when she was in WWE NXT. She’s spoken openly about how hard that experience was for her and how freed she feels in AEW. No one does their best work in a stifling environment and it’s great to see her flourishing. She gets better each time she’s in the ring and works a style that is unique both to who she is and her background.
The first person to beat Jade needs to be a big deal. It should be a big deal! It’s the chance to really make someone a star. The first person to put an L on her ledger should be made on the spot. It’s just not here because it’s just too soon.
Prediction: Jade
AEW Tag Team Champions Jurassic Express vs. reDRagon vs. The Young Bucks in a three-way title match
As I age with an alarming lack of grace, more and more I’m appreciating the difference between the critical good and the casual good like the popcorn movie type of good and the kind of good that requires nothing from you. There’s a difference between sitting down and watching Now You See Me – the wildly underrated *magician* caper from 2013 – and watching Funny Games or the end of Oldboy. One requires nothing of you and one requires significantly more of an active brain.
The more I have to stretch my hips in the morning, the more I’m appreciating these simpler pleasures. Does this make me sound kind of like an a**hole? Sure! But there are levels to this and enjoying them for what they are, let us (me) enjoy them even more.
Jurassic Express is a reasonably enjoyable action flick. Some people do what they do better, but the crowd just eats them up. They might not be my cup of tea, at least the reptilian half, but they serve a purpose and their matches always have a hot crowd. The people love them, even if I don’t. And you’ve got to give the people what they want. This formally, and sadly ends my crusade against Luchasaurus…unless he gets a big singles run. If that’s the case, I am BACK, baby.
This match is going to absolutely rule. PPV Young Bucks are always great and ReDRagon always delivers in big matches. The spots will be plentiful and the thigh slaps robust. Maybe this is a bit of an upset, but I think ReDRagon winning opens up the tag division for more compelling matchups – mainly them vs FTR – and that’s where we go Sunday.
Prediction: ReDRagon
AEW Women’s Champion Dr. Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa for the title
Is it time for Britt’s reign to end? She’s closing in on a year with the belt and this feels like the first time it could reasonably end. She is still the best overall performer in AEW. The sheer force of her talent has made her run with the title memorable, but none of the feuds have been great. This one is different. These two had the best women’s match in AEW history. Taking it a step further, it was probably the best North American women’s match since Bayley/Sasha in Brooklyn. I still can’t help but feel like this should have more heat. These two should be doing everything they can to get their paws on each other. Something is missing here and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Regardless, a rematch between these two should be electrifying.
As great as Britt is as a performer, Rosa isn’t far behind. She’s intense in the ring and so passionate outside of it. Listen to any interview she’s done and it immediately becomes clear just how much this means to her and how seriously she takes her craft. She’s unique, she’s different and she’s magnetic. Comparing her and Britt on the mic isn’t fair because Britt outclasses everyone there, but Rosa is just as good everywhere else.
This is one of the places where a title change makes sense. Britt is great with the title, but has proven she doesn’t need it to be over. She’s made no matter what. This is a chance to put the belt on someone new that the crowd is firmly behind.
Prediction: Thunder Rosa
AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Adam Cole for the title
When a world title match is like the fifth best match on the card, you know the card is a banger.
Booking a pure babyface champion is so much harder than booking a heel. Page hasn’t been as prominent on weekly TV as some other champions, but the booking he has been a part of has been fantastic. His two matches with Danielson deserve all the praise they have received and then some. It’s easy to give Danielson most of the credit in those because he’s Bryan Danielson, but you can’t have a classic without both parts bringing it. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are only as good as the peanut butter and thejelly together.
The criticism of Cole’s booking is just wild to me. Losing a gimmick match to arguably the most popular wrestler in the company is just that: a loss. If losing one match and getting a world title shot is a burial, then bury my shell at wounded knee. People have to lose matches. The same people that complain about so-and-so being buried are the same people that complain about WWE’s penchant for DQ finishes and rematches. If you want wins and losses to matter, then everyone is going to lose at some point. Not everyone can hold the title at the same time.
Page’s long-fought coronation didn’t happen just for him to lose his first PPV defense. Between the Bullet Club, The Elite and ReDRagon, Cole has far too much on his plate already. Adding a title to that would be way too much. Page closes Revolution the same way he closed Full Gear: as AEW World Champion.
Impact has made their first match announcement for Multiverse of Matches at WrestleCon on Friday, April 1.
Impact World Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers will take on ROH World Tag Team Champions The Briscoes.
The Briscoes have already been announced for ROH’s Supercard of Honor event on the same night, although their opponents for that show have yet to be announced.
Impact’s Multiverse of Matches will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas with a 9 p.m. Central time kickoff, while Supercard of Honor is set for a 7 p.m. Central start in nearby Garland, Texas.
Following Multiverse of Matches, Impact will also present an Impact Provincial Wrestling Federation show at 12 a.m. Central time on Saturday, also at the Fairmont Hotel.
Moose, Mickie James, Trey Miguel, Deonna Purrazzo, Matt Cardona, Chelsea Green, Ace Austin, Eric Young, Jordynne Grace, Rhino, Rich Swann, Steve Maclin, and Tasha Steelz are among the talent announced for Multiverse of Matches to this point.
The bout will be Suzuki’s first for RevPro since 2019. Suzuki is a former Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion, having held the title for 105 days in 2018.
Ospreay has held the top RevPro title since defeating Zack Sabre Jr. for the belt in February 2020. He has since defended the title against Kyle Fletcher, Ricky Knight Jr., Doug Williams, Shota Umino, and Michael Oku.
2022 is shaping up to be a busy year for Suzuki, who will embark on a tour of the United States in March and April, including appearances at WrestleCon’s SuperShow, NJPW Lonestar Shootout, Joey Janela’s Spring Break, and Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport over WrestleMania weekend in Dallas, plus GCW shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, as well as NJPW’s Windy City Riot event in April.
Alex Zayne suffered a significant eye injury during Saturday’s GCW The Coldest Winter show that required surgery.
Zayne tweeted today that he suffered a ruptured globe during his death match against Jimmy Lloyd at Saturday’s show in Los Angeles, and underwent surgery to remove glass from his eye and to repair the injury.
The NIH website describes a ruptured globe as “a vision-threatening emergency” and a penetrating injury “when an object penetrates the eye, but the object does not go all the way through the eye.”
During Saturday’s match, Zayne went through panes of glass on four occasions, including hitting a senton through a glass pane that caused a laceration to his arm. It is not clear where exactly during the match the eye injury occurred.
Zayne wrestled as Ari Sterling on WWE’s 205 Live brand in 2021. He signed with the company in December 2020, then was released in August 2021. Since returning to the indie scene, Zayne has regularly appeared on NJPW and GCW events.
For the first time since April 2019, Sean “X-Pac” Waltman will return to the ring, teaming with Joey Janelas against Matt Cardona and Brian Myers at GCW Welcome to Heartbreak.
The tag team match was born out of last month’s Wrld on GCW where Waltman made a surprise appearance and ran out to make the save for Janela after Myers helped Cardona beat Janela in a singles match.
The GCW Extreme title will be on the line as AJ Gray takes on ACH, an injury substitution for Lio Rush.
The Briscoes will look to go 2-0 since losing the GCW Tag Team titles at Wrld on GCW when they take on former MLW Champion Jacob Fatu and Juicy Finau.
In a battle of ring veterans, Mexican star Dr. Wagner Jr. returns for his second taste of GCW action against Indie Hall-of-Famer Homicide.
The rest of the card features Blake Christian vs. Nick Wayne, Tony Deppen against Kevin Blackwood and “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Ninja Mack.
Chris Dickinson will also return to GCW for his first appearance since badly injuring his hip last year.
**********
The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe) defeated Jacob Fatu & Juicy Finau
We kicked things off with the Briscoes taking on Jacob Fatu & Juicy Finau. Fatu jumped Mark before the bell, giving him the early advantage.
The Briscoes fought back but Finau cut off their momentum after giving Mark a Samoan Drop onto a chair. This allowed Fatu and Finau a 2-on-1 advantage against Jay. They then took turns giving him big power moves.
Once Mark recovered, the Briscoes got back into things. Mark hit a dive to the outside on Finau that sent them barreling over top of a few rows of chairs. Fatu would then put Jay through a table shortly after. He then gave Mark a pop-up Samoan Drop and the heels were back in control again. Finau then hit a running senton and Fatu hit one from the top rope for a near fall.
As the match spilled back to the outside, Mark set up Finau in a seated position on a chair. Mark then dove onto him with an elbow from the second rope and completely obliterated somebody’s chair.
At this point, Starboy Charlie appeared in the crowd on crutches. It was an attack from Fatu and Finau that led to his injury. Finau shoved him and Charlie responded by hitting him with his crutch. Charlie then dove off the stage onto both Fatu and Finau. Then the Briscoes collected their opponents and threw them back in the ring.
The Briscoes then hammered both with broken doors parts and chairs. They set up Finau on top of a door and Mark came off the ropes with his Froggy Elbow for the win.
After the match, the Briscoes cut a promo. Jay said they want a rematch against Nick Gage and Matt Tremont for the tag titles. It was noted on commentary that the match will happen at some point during the Collective. They didn’t mention it, but I’m assuming the match will not have to go off the air by 11 that night.
Blake Christian defeated Nick Wayne
They started off slow with some grappling exchanges. They had a really great sequence of pinning combinations during these early moments. They also went through a sequence of reversals that was very impressive. The pace then started to really pick up after this.
Christian got the first period of sustained offense after hitting an inverted atomic drop followed by a dropkick. Wayne eventually got back into things and reversed a springboard cutter into a blue thunder power bomb. He’d miss a double foot stomp shortly after, however, and Christian went back on offense. He’d get a near fall off a power bomb moments later.
They began exchanging strikes from their knees in the middle of the ring. Christian then hit a snap dragon suplex but Wayne came back with a stunner immediately after. Christian then gave Wayne a second-rope belly-to-back suplex and both men were down.
They exchanged reversals for a period until Wayne got a 2 count off a fisherman suplex. He got another one after hitting a senton from the top. Christian then came back and hit a reverse Spanish Fly. He got a near fall after a springboard 450 splash shortly after.
They wound up exchanging strikes on the ring apron. Christian ended up countering a cutter into a tombstone piledriver and Wayne fell to the floor. This allowed Christian time to set up a door on a series of chairs. He then collected Wayne, tossed him back in the ring, and placed him on the top turnbuckle. Wayne shoved him off the ropes and then hit him with a cutter, driving Christian through the door.
Throughout the match each had countered the others finisher multiple times. Christian countered Wayne’s springboard cutter and Wayne countered Christian’s big DDT. The final moments of this match saw each reverse the other’s move multiple times until finally Christian hit his DDT and got the 3 count. That was a fun match.
Tony Deppen defeated Kevin Blackwood
They spent some time grappling to start the match. Then the pace picked up and Blackwood got a 2 count after a suplex. Deppen would then take the advantage after yanking Blackwood’s arm down on the ropes moments after. He then went on offense as the crowd really got on Deppen. He responded by mooning them.
Deppen missed a double foot stomp from the top and began to sell his leg. Blackwood would hit a series of 7 German suplexes shortly after. And with that, Blackwood took control of the match.
Deppen got back into things later after shooting a “snot rocket” at Blackwood and kicking him in the face. They then had a sequence where they exchanged suplexes followed by a sequence exchanging strikes. Deppen hit a brainbuster and both men were down.
Blackwood countered another double foot stomp attempt into something of a modified cloverleaf. He then hit a tombstone on Deppen for a 2 count. Deppen got back into things after locking in a chicken wing. He ended changing course and kneeing Blackwood in the head several times before locking in cattle mutilation and getting the tap out. This was good. Deppen is a fun heel in GCW.
Mike Bailey defeated Ninja Mack
A very respectful start between the two martial artists. They bowed and shook hands before starting. They evaded each other’s strikes early and eventually things spilled to the outside. They exchanged strikes ringside until eventually Mack brought a door into things.
Mack took too much time setting the door up on a series of chairs and Bailey attacked, eventually hitting a double knee drop on his opponent’s back.
As they got back into the ring, Bailey locked in a single-leg crab but Mack was able to crawl to the rope. Bailey was in full control at this point, however.
Mack would get back into things before they exchanged topes to the outside. Bailey then hit a moonsault to the outside on his opponent. Mack would follow this up by hitting a dive to the outside after a series of flips in the ring.
At this point, Mack grabbed a huge ladder from the back of the room and started to climb to the very top of the venue. He stood atop a ledge on the wall that was maybe 12 feet (described as 12-15 feet on commentary) above the ground and not very wide . They then exchanged kicks up there as they struggled to maintain their balance. This is nuts, I’m mildly concerned. Bailey then gave Mack the Crane kick and Mack fell off and through the table he set up earlier!
Bailey picked Mack up and carried him back to the ring. He delivered a big head kick for a near fall. Mack fought back and went for a dive but Bailey got his knees up. Bailey then landed a head kick in the corner and followed that up with driver for the win.
This was great and stuck out for being unique. The way the martial arts style of both wrestlers matched up was really fun. The two of them exchanging strikes 12-feet off the ground was a really cool sight.
GCW Extreme Champion AJ Gray defeated ACH to retain his title.
Slow start with each guy feeling each other out. ACH then hit a standing dropkick and the match spilled to the outside. Gray gave ACH a slingshot into the ring post. They then exchanged chops all around ringside until ACH hit a snap suplex.
As the match got back in the ring, Gray hit a rolling heel kick and both men were down. ACH then hit a deadlift German suplex for a 2 count. Gray hit a choke slam and power bomb shortly after and also got a 2 count. He then missed a moonsault and once again both men were down.
ACH hit a big frog splash for a 2 count. He then hit a tope and they landed a few rows deep on the outside. ACH got another near fall after a brainbuster before going to the top rope. He went for his frog splash again but this time missed and Gray hit a big clothesline. ACH kicked out at 1 but Gray followed that up with another clothesline and then a slam for the win.
Gray got on the microphone after the match. He praised ACH and then reminded everyone he won the brass ring match and can now have whatever match he wants. He then called out Jon Moxley. Commentary noted he was calling him out for Joey Janela’s Spring Break. Moxley vs AJ Gray in GCW should be something.
Dr. Wagner Jr. defeated Homicide
Nick Gage joined the commentary team for this one. Before the match, Wagner pretended as though he was going to throw his mask in the crowd but then just handed it to the ref. Crowd did not like this.
The match spilled to the outside early. As they were brawling on the outside, Wagner went on the attack with someone’s crutch. Wagner rolled Homicide back in the ring and maintained control, hitting his opponent with a chair.
Homicide eventually started to come back and hit an exploder suplex. Wagner rolled to the floor but Homicide hit him with a dive to the floor. Back in the ring, Homicide missed a diving headbutt and Wagner capitalized.
Wagner went for a double underhook something but Homicide countered and hit a cutter. Homicide missed a charge into the corner moments later and went head first into a chair that had been set up. Wagner then hit the Wagner Driver for the win.
Wagner got on the microphone after the match and called Psycho Clown a liar. A translator then came out and explained to the fans in English that while Psycho Clown took his mask, he didn’t take his pride. Wagner then said he’s put his hair on the line against Psycho’s mask. There was also a lot of referring to the fans as dumbasses. Looks like we will have a mask vs hair match in GCW between Psycho Clown and Dr. Wagner Jr. in GCW.
Second Gear Crew & Friends (Allie Katch, Dark Sheik, Gringo Loco, Matthew Justice) defeated Team Reefer (Joran Oliver, Jimmy Lloyd, Jack Cartwheel, Grim Reefer)
This match had earlier been advertised as a scramble but we ended up with an 8-person tag instead. Veda Scott joined the commentary team here.
Jack Cartwheel got in an early period to shine. He hit a Sasuke special to the outside on his opponents. This led to Reefer lighting a joint before delivering a cannonball off the top rope.
Reefer and Justice then shared the joint despite being on opposite teams. Justice took a few puffs before kicking Reefer in the stomach and clotheslining him out of the ring.
Katch and Oliver each had opponents in a Boston crab when they started to exchanges strikes between the two of them at one point.
Sheik got a two count on Cartwheel after a driver. Lloyd then delivered a package piledriver on Sheik for a near fall. Moments later, Justice and Loco came off the top with a leg drop splash combo on Lloyd but Oliver broke up the pin.
Cartwheel hit a cartwheel Death Valley driver on Sheik. He then missed a dive off the top and got speared through the door by Justice. Katch then gave Lloyd a piledriver, taking him out of things. Then Loco hit Cartwheel with a power bomb off the top rope and got the pin.
Chris Dickinson promo
Dickinson spoke about coming back from injury earlier than expected. He said he has unfinished business in GCW and especially in Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport. Dickinson then pointed at Barnett in the crowd. He told Barnett to get Suzuki to face him “one last time” at Bloodsport 8.
Matt Cardona, Brian Myers, and Chelsea Green then interrupted. Myers ran down Dickinson a little. Cardona then got on the mic and ran down on the titles he currently has. He then said he doesn’t even know who Dickinson is. Dickinson then got in his face and challenged him to a match at Spring Break.
X-Pac & Joey Janela defeated The Major Players (Matt Cardona & Brian Myers)
X-Pac got a big reaction from the fans. He was mobbed on his way to the ring. Janela got in some early offense on both Myers and Cardona. Then Cardona pointed at Pac and said he wanted him in the ring. Pac tagged in and got a nice round of cheers.
Pac hit a belly to back suplex followed by his running leg drop. He then hit him with a dropkick in the corner that set Cardona up for the Bronco Buster. Myers pulled his partner to safety, however.
Janela and Pac then did some double team work on Cardona. Myers then distracted Pac from the ring apron and Cardona attacked him from behind. This led to the heels going on offense for a period working on Pac.
Janela tagged in and took out both Myers and Cardona. He hit a Death Valley driver on Myers for a 2 count. The heels turned the tables shortly after when Chelsea Green hit Janela with a Canadian Destroyer while the referee was distracted with Myers. Cardona hit his old Broski Boot for a two count. Cardona and Myers then worked on Janela for a period.
Janela hit a sunset flip power bomb on Myers before making the hot tag into Pac, who took out both Major Players with kicks, leg lariats, and a power bomb on Cardona. He then hit the Bronco Buster on Cardona in the corner. He went to give Myers the same treatment but Myers got his boot up. Janela then came in and all 4 of them traded punches.
Myers and Cardona set up a table on some chairs in the ring. Cardona went to give Janela the Zack Rider but missed and put Myers through the door instead. Janela hit a tope on Cardona moments later, tossed him in the ring, and Pac hit him with the X-Factor. Janela then hit the flying elbow drop but Cardona got his shoulder up at 2 on the pin.
Cardona would use a chair to take out both Janela and Pac. They then went to put Pac through a door but he fought back, then kicked the ropes to knock Chelsea off the ring apron. Pac then hit an X-factor on Myers through the door and got the pin.
I was really interested to see how X-Pac looked in this match. Much of his offense looked the same as it ever did and there were some fun spots. He was really tired at the end of the match, though.
He got on the mic after and thanked the fans and roster. Pac then said that this was his last match. He can’t think of a better place to do it then in GCW. Janela then super kicked him out of nowhere, a big heel turn to close out the show! The show ended with the commentary team in dismay.
The former Bronson Reed in WWE NXT has been plying his trade in Impact Wrestling, New Japan and several indies like PWG in recent months.
The 33-year-old is the latest of a growing list of recent additions to the show that includes Jon Moxley, former NXT rostermates Timothy Thatcher and Biff Busick (the former Oney Lorcan), Minoru Suzuki and Janai Kai.
As of now, no matches have been announced.
The Bloodsport format is one is unique to the weekend as it features no ropes and is grappling/submission heavy. This will be the ninth total event in the lineage with one under Matt Riddle’s name and the rest under Barnett’s name.
Jon Moxley will take part in Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8.
Barnett announced today that Moxley will return for his fourth match at the GCW series at The Collective at Fair Park in Dallas on Thursday, March 31 as part of the WrestleMania weekend festivities. The event will air live on FITE TV.
A living embodiment of controlled chaos.
A man without fear or concern for danger.
Mox is looking for a fight and he knows where he'll find one…
Moxley has competed in three prior Bloodsport events. He defeated Chris Dickinson at Bloodsport 3 in October 2020, defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr. at Bloodsport 5 in February 2021, then lost to Barnett at Bloodsport 6 in April 2021. Moxley’s match has main evented each of the Bloodsport events he has appeared in.
Moxley joins Minoru Suzuki, Timothy Thatcher, Biff Busick, and Janai Kai in the talent lineup for Bloodsport 8. No matches have been announced as of yet.
Moxley also currently holds the GCW World title. He won that Championship from Matt Cardona last September, and has since made successful defenses against Nick Gage, and Homicide.
Joe Galli opened the show to a loud crowd with Jax Dane in the ring. Galli asked what was next for him and he promised violence. Dane promised to kill the heroes of the NWA like he killed Crimson and promised more of the same tonight.
Jax Dane defeated Eric Jackson
I love squash matches like this with a big dude killing a jobber. It was delightful.
Dane lived up to his promise of violence by attacking right away. Jackson got a few elbows in the corner, but that just made Dane mad. Dane threw him across the ring before taking Jackson’s head off with a lariat for the pinfall.
– Kyle Davis talked about Dane’s one mile restraining order on Anthony Mayweather/Crimson, saying that Mayweather was in the building. Dane denied that and told Davis to keep a close eye on what he does at the Crockett Cup.
Chelsea Green defeated Kenzie Paige
This was an excellent match with both women working hard.
Green and Paige exchanged several pinfall attempts at the start of the match, keeping up a very fast pace. Green slapped Paige, but Paige slapped her back a bit later and hit an exploder suplex and a shotgun dropkick that sent Green across the ring. Green baited Paige and sent her to the floor, followed by a stun gun and a pump kick for a two count.
Green hit two short arm clotheslines for a two and then got in a shouting match with a fan as he taunted her while she had a chinlock on. Green hit a German suplex of sorts, but Paige came back a European uppercut. Both women hit forearms and headbutts at the same time before collapsing.
Paige hit some hard chops and forearms before hitting a superkick for a near fall. Paige went for a package piledriver, but Green fought out and hit a flatliner into the middle turnbuckle before curb stomping Paige into the bottom turnbuckle for a near fall. Paige hit a cutter, but Green got her foot on the ropes. Green asked for a timeout and Paige turned around to talk to someone in the crowd, giving Green the opening to stand up and hit the Unprettier for the pin.
Paige looked bad in that finish. She looked dumb for just walking away from Green and turning around, only to get hit with the Unprettier, but nonetheless, this was a very good match.
Colby Corino defeated Rhett Titus in a two-of-three falls match
This was an excellent TV match, going around 18 minutes. This was a pay-per-view quality performance from both men. If there is a match to watch on this show, it’s this one.
Titus offered a handshake, keeping the Code of Honor outside of ROH, but Corino refused. The opening portion featured some nice technical wrestling with Titus outwrestling Corino. Corino was able to neck Titus on the ropes before flying over the top with a forearm to his back, followed by a tope and finally a senton that crushed Titus.
Titus pulled Corino over the top rope into a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. Titus hit a backbreaker and a gutwrench suplex, followed by a dropkick that got Corino for the first fall. Titus hit a series of boots in the corner, but Corino swept his legs out as he went to the top rope and hit a package backbreaker after pulling him off. Corino locked on the sharpshooter and then let go for some reason to hit an elbow on the back. Tim Storm said that his back went out, but it didn’t seem like that.
Corino hit a back suplex into a backbreaker on Titus for two. Corino, doing his best Roderick Strong impression, hit yet another backbreaker for two. Corino went for a dive, but ate a dropkick from Titus for another two count.
Corino tried to get Titus with an O’Connor roll, but Titus countered and a series of pinfall attempts was initiated. Corino rolled Titus up and grabbed the ropes to make it 1-1. Both men started exchanging hard chops. Corino countered a suplex into a cutter, but Titus responded with a slash and then a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall.
Corino countered a submission attempt and hit a big double stomp to Titus’ back before hitting a Strong esque vertical suplex into a backbreaker for another two count. Corino locked on an inverted deathlock, but Titus refused to submit and started throwing strikes before countering with a half crab but Corino got to the ropes.
Both men had their backs punished in this match. Titus threw Corino into the turnbuckle three times before hitting a spinning back suplex for a two count. Corino hit a low blow as the ref was in the corner and then hit a rolling elbow to the back of Titus’ head for the pinfall to finish an excellent match.
– Taryn Terrell was with Kyle Davis backstage and claimed she was going to with the NWA Women’s Championship. After she won it, they wouldn’t call it “The Burke” anymore, but “The Terrell.” She was great here.
NWA Women’s Champion Kamille defeated Taryn Terrell to retain the title
This was a very fun match. It wasn’t the best technically, but both women worked hard and Terrell bumped like crazy. Her antics were very amusing, so this was an easy thumbs up from me.
Terrell did her own introduction and then pulled out a photo, saying that they could put it in the belt when she won, Kamille grabbed it and tore it up. Terrell’s over the top character makes me laugh every time. Kamille was not impressed when Terrell grabbed the belt and put it around her waist. She called for a test of strength, but Kamille nearly ripped her arm off, so she went to the ropes.
Terrell paused for a water break and Kamille crushed her in the corner and hit a suplex when Terrell tried to do a monkey flip. Terrell yelled for help as Kamille Irish whipped her into the corner, which had me laughing again. Kamille hit a backbreaker and Terrell was left half dead in the ring.
Terrell managed to hit a jawbreaker, but Kamille caught her and hit a fallaway slam. Terrell screamed “Ow!” very loudly and went for another drink of water. Kamille stomped on her and hit a European uppercut that sent Terrell crashing to the mat again. Terrell spit water into Kamille’s face and rolled her up for a one count. Terrell yanked the hair and stomped on Kamille for another one count.
Terrell went for a kick, but Kamille caught it and threw her to the mat. Terrell caught her with a knee and hit a flipping neckbreaker for a two count. Terrell screamed it was a three and then locked on a camel clutch, but Kamille powered out and snapmared Terrell before hitting the spear for the pin and win.
Final Thoughts:
These “on the road” NWA shows are always really good, and I wish they did them more. A hot audience can elevate an average show to being good and this was a good show even without the fans. Everything was good and even the opening squash was great. This was an excellent NWA Power Trip.
Biff Busick has been announced for a pair of GCW events over WrestleMania weekend at The Collective.
Busick is the first talent officially announced for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 8 on Thursday, March 31 in Dallas. Additionally, Busick will take part in Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6: Part 2 on Friday, April 1. Both shows will be held at The Collective at Fair Park in Dallas.
Busick has already been announced for the WrestleCon SuperShow on March 31, where he will take on Minoru Suzuki in Dallas at the Fairmont Hotel. Mike Bailey, The Briscoe Brothers, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Bandido, Jonathan Gresham, and Atsushi Onita are also set for the SuperShow.
Opponents have yet to be announced for Busick at the GCW events.
Busick is also schedule for wXw’s 16 Carat Gold tournament from March 4 to March 6, 2022 in Oberhausen, Germany.
Oney Lorcan during his WWE tenure, Busick was part of WWE mass releases in November 2021 that saw 18 different talents being cut.
Nick Gage and Matt Tremont retained the GCW Tag Team titles Sunday at Don’t Tell Me What To Do, the second of two straight nights of GCW pay-per-views in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Gage and Tremont (aka The H8 Club) defeated The Rejects (John Wayne Murdoch & Reed Bentley) in a deathmatch to retain the belts. It was the first defense of the gold they won at The Wrld on GCW from The Briscoes.
The 56-year-old 2 Cold Scorpio returned for more GCW action, defeating Gringo Loco in singles action — his first win in the promotion since last September’s win over Effy at Highest In The Room.
Joey Janela and Marko Stunt are now 0-3 as a team in GCW with their loss to The Second Gear Crew of AJ Gray and Matthew Justice who, conversely, are 3-0 in GCW as a team.
One of the buzziest performances of the night was in a singles deathmatch between Orin Veidt and late fill-in Cole Radrick who replaced Ultraviolent Champion Alex Colon, picking up a bloody, upset victory.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – Pat O’Connor wrestled AWA Champion Mr. M to a 1 hour time limit draw – AWA Tag Team Champions Bob Geigel & Stan Kowalski beat Joe Scarpello & Tiny Mills – Nikita Kalmikoff beat Roy Collins – Duke Hoffman beat Jack Daniels
1964
Kansas City, Kansas: – Bill Miller & Bob Geigel defeated Pat O’Connor & Sonny Myers in three falls – The Stomper defeated Fritz Von Erich via DQ
1965
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat The Crusher – Mighty Igor Vodik beat Larry Hennig by DQ – Billy Red Cloud beat Bill Green – Ivan Kalmikoff beat Jack Allen – Bob Boyer drew Sid Freeman
1967
Chicago, Illinois: – AWA Champion Mad Dog Vachon beat Verne Gagne by DQ – Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher no contest Devils Duo, Angelo Poffo & Chris Markoff – Wilbur Snyder beat El Mongol – Jack Lanza drew Moose Cholak – Mitsu Arakawa beat Reggie Parks
1973
Tampa, Florida: – Florida Title: Buddy Colt defeated Jack Brisco to win the title – Lights Out Match: Mark Lewin defeated Hans Schmidt – Florida Tag Titles: Mike Graham & Kevin Sullivan defeated Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr. to win the titles – Johnny Walker defeated Black Jack Slade – Great Malenko defeated John Wolfman Smith
1974
Miami Beach Florida: – Canadian Death Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Jos LeDuc – Paul Jones defeated The Texan by DQ – Florida Title: Buddy Colt no contest Ron Fuller – Cowboy Bill Watts defeated The Jackal – Kevin Sullivan & Haystacks Calhoun defeated Skull Von Stroheim & Tony Romano – The Psycho defeated Tom Jones
1975
Kansas City, Kansas: – Oki Shikina & Chuck O’Connor defeated Tony Russo & Omar Atlas – Mike George defeated Bobby Jaggers – Central States Women’s Champion Jean Antone defeated Betty Niccoli via DQ in two straight falls – The Interns (w/ Dr. Ken Ramey) fought Lord Alfred Hayes & Bob Brown to a double DQ – Jerry Oates & Ted Oates defeated Terry Martin & Tommy Martin in three falls
1977
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Andre the Giant ddq AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel – Ray Stevens beat Bobby Duncum – Chris Taylor beat Super Destroyer by DQ – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Roger Kirby & Blackjack Lanza (sub Bobby Heenan) – Pedro Morales beat Blackjack Lanza – Angelo Mosca beat Bill Francis
Memphis, Tennessee: – David Schultz & Dutch Mantel beat Tommy Gilbert & Randy Fargo – Phil Hickerson & Dennis Condrey beat Ricky & Robert Gibson – Tommy Rich & Bill Dundee beat Southern Tag Champs Porkchop Cash & Gorgeous George, Jr. via DQ – Southern Champ Rocky Johnson beat The Mad Russian – Jerry Lawler beat Bob Armstrong via DQ in a steel cage match
1978
Madison Square Garden: New York City: – SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification – Spiros Arion defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via referee’s decision – Dusty Rhodes pinned WWWF Tag Team Champion Prof. Toru Tanaka – Ken Patera defeated Peter Maivia via count-out – Mil Mascaras pinned WWWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji – WWF Jr. Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Ted Adams – Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham to win the WWWF World Heavyweight Title – Wee Willie Wilson & Hillbilly Pete defeated Little John & Billy the Kid in a Best 2 out of 3 falls – Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Butcher Vachon & Stan Stasiak in a Best 2 out of 3 falls bout
1981
St. Paul, Minnesota: – AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Nick Bockwinkel – Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Jerry Blackwell & John Studd – AWA Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura beat Tito Santana & Ray Stevens – Brad Rheingans beat Steve Regal – Buck Zumhofe beat Bill Howard – Curt Hennig beat Kenny Jay
St. Louis, Missouri: – Missouri Champion Ted DiBiase defeated Ken Patera in 2 out of 3 falls – Dick the Bruiser and Ric Flair were both counted out of the ring – King Kong Brody and Bruce Reed defeated John Valiant and Von Raschke – Rufus R. Jones defeated Buzz Tyler via DQ – Spike Huber and Terry Taylor draw Pat and Mike Kelly – J.J. Dillon defeated Jerry Roberts – Art Crews defeated Tiny Anderson
1983
Memphis, Tennessee: – Sabu drew Carl Fergie – Kenya Condori pinned Phillip Rougeau – Jerry Roberts beat Dutch Mantel via DQ – Adrian Street & Jesse Barr beat The Fabulous Ones to win the Southern Tag Team Titles – Sweet Brown Sugar pinned Bobby Eaton to win the Mid-America Title – Southern Champ Terry Taylor pinned Austin Idol – The Sheepherders (Boyd & Williams) beat Bill Dundee & Steve O – Jerry Lawler beat AWA World Champ Nick Bockwinkel via forfeit – Austin Idol pinned Jerry Lawler in a no DQ match
1986
AWA/NWA Star Wars | Baltimore, Maryland: – Cage match: Road Warriors beat Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff – NWA Champion Ric Flair beat Dusty Rhodes by DQ – Sgt. Slaughter beat AWA Champion Stan Hansen by DQ – Midnight Express beat Rock & Roll Express – Magnum TA beat Baron Von Raschke – Nick Bockwinkel no contest Larry Zbyszko – Tully Blanchard beat Jimmy Valiant – Scott Hall beat Boris Zhukov
1989
WCW Chi-Town Rumble: Chicago, Illinois: – Michael Hayes pinned Russian Assassin #1 (Jack Victory) (w/ Paul Jones) – Sting pinned Butch Reed (w/ Hiro Matsuda) – Bobby Eaton, Stan Lane & Jim Cornette defeated Randy Rose, Jack Victory (sub. for Dennis Condrey) & Paul E. Dangerously in a loser leaves town match – Mike Rotundo defeated Rick Steiner to win the NWA Television Title – Lex Luger defeated Barry Windham to win the United States Title – NWA World Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors defeated Steve Williams & Kevin Sullivan – Ricky Steamboat defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title
1992
Niagara Falls, New York: – WWF Intercontinental Champion Rowdy Roddy Piper defeated WWF World Champion Ric Flair in a non-title, steel cage match
Dallas, Texas: – Ricky Morton pinned Mike Graham – Van Hammer defeated Abdullah the Butcher via disqualification – Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Steve Armstrong & Tracy Smothers – Tom Zenk pinned Terrence Taylor with a roll up – Sting & Ricky Steamboat defeated WCW US Champion Rick Rude & WCW TV Champion Steve Austin – Ron Simmons, Dustin Rhodes, & Barry Windham defeated Larry Zbyszko & WCW Tag Team Champion Arn Anderson in a steel cage match
1993
Bland, Virginia: – Brian Lee defeated Killer Kyle – Bobby Eaton defeated Greg Maddox – Tim Horner defeated The Nightstalker – Tracy Smothers defeated SMW Heavyweight Champion the Dirty White Boy – Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated SMW Tag Team Champions Stan Lane & Tom Prichard
2005
WWE No Way Out | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: – Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions Doug & Danny Basham to win the titles – Booker T defeated John Heidenreich via disqualification – Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Sho Funaki, Spike Dudley, Paul London, Shannon Moore, and Akio in a gauntlet match to win the title – The Undertaker pinned Luther Reigns – #1 Contender Tournament Finals: WWE US Champion John Cena pinned Kurt Angle – WWE World Champion John Bradshaw Layfield defeated the Big Show in a barbed wire steel cage match
2011
WWE Elimination Chamber | Oakland, California: – WWE US Champion Daniel Bryan defeated Ted Dibiase Jr. – Alberto Del Rio defeated WWE IC Champion Kofi Kingston in a non-title match – World Heavyweight Champion Edge defeated Kane, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, Rey Mysterio Jr., and the Big Show (sub. for Dolph Ziggler) in an Elimination Chamber match – Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel defeated WWE Tag Team champions Vladimir Kozlov & Santino Marella to win the titles – WWE Champion the Miz retained the title over Jerry Lawler – John Cena won the Raw Elimination Chamber over CM Punk, Randy Orton, R-Truth, John Morrison and Sheamus
GCW returns Saturday with Believe Me, the first of two weekend pay-per-views on FITE.tv from Atlantic City, New Jersey.
One of the featured matches is GCW regular Joey Janela vs. Mascara Dorada, the former Gran Metalik in WWE. Dorada had his first match since being released earlier this month in GCW as part of a four-way with Gringo Loco, ASF and Blake Christian. This will be his first singles match since March 2021 on WWE Main Event against Angel Garza.
The Briscoes will return to GCW for the first time since losing their titles to Nick Gage and Matt Tremont at The Wrld on GCW as they face longtime tag team favorites The S.A.T. This will be the Maximos brothers’ first match since last December and only their second in the last 12 years.
Gage has also been advertised for the card as he will address his future. Tremont will be in singles action against Hoodfoot.
Other matches include Nick Wayne vs. Jordan Oliver, Blake Christian vs. Jimmy Lloyd, Ultraviolent Champion Alex Colon vs. Reed Bentley, and more.
**********
The Briscoes (Mark & Jay Briscoe) defeated SAT (Joel & Jose Maximo)
Mutual respect was shown before the match and during the early moments. Mark and Jose started things out by exchanging some grappling and a few arm drags before both tagged out. Jay and Joel then had a similar exchange.
Things picked up when the SAT introduced a door into things and put Mark through it. Jay then went to give Joel a Jay Driller through the door but Joel fought out of it. Mark then got in some redneck kung fu on Joel and then Jay hit Joel with a neckbreaker for a 2 count.
The Briscoes double teamed Jose after Mark put Joel through a table on the outside. Shortly after this, the SAT gained the advantage after pulling what the commentary team referred to as “SAT Twin Magic.” One would roll out and another brother would roll in from the outside with the referee not being aware of who was legal. This allowed them to go on offense and work on Mark for a period.
The Briscoes fought back and Jay hit a big dive to the floor onto both members of the SAT. Jay then discovered the 3rd Maximo brother, Will Maximo had been hiding under the ring and likely was part of the SAT Magic from earlier. Will was put through a door pretty quickly.
One SAT brother clotheslined Mark Briscoe off the top rope, then two brothers gave him a Doomsday Device but instead of a clothesline off the top it was a DDT. Shortly after this, the SAT hit their double top rope Spanish Fly on Mark but Jay popped in and grabbed one brother, gave him a Jay Driller and got the pin.
Mark and Jay then showed the SAT respect after the match and all 4 wrestlers hugged.
Blake Christian defeated Jimmy Lloyd
A very technical start as the commentary teamed played up that Lloyd does have the fundamentals. They also mentioned he is a little banged up heading into this one and it became clear his leg was bothering him early in the match.
Christian started working on Lloyd’s injured leg pretty early on. Lloyd fought back with a back drop and a suplex but Christian went back to focussing on the leg shortly after. He’d hit a springboard 450 onto the leg during this period as well.
Lloyd started to make a comeback after hitting an enziguri. He hit a big clothesline followed by a fireman’s carry into a driver for a 2 count. Christian fought back and power bombed his opponent out of the corner and then locked him in a cloverleaf.
Lloyd then hit a flatliner followed by a package piledriver for a 2 count. Christian fought back with a meteora and then went right back to working on the leg. A few scattered boos could be heard as Christian continued to focus on his opponent’s injured limb.
Lloyd’s injured leg was a factor in the end of the match, as his leg buckled while looking to slam Christian. Shortly after, Christian hit a DDT and got the pin.
Both competitors showed respect for one another after the match.
Nick Wayne defeated Jordan Oliver
The commentary team played up that these two are friends. It’s been a very respectful show thus far.
They exchanged pinning combinations early. Wayne got the early advantage with a drop kick and head scissors that took Oliver to the outside. He then hit a tope. Oliver then hit a big super kick which led to him going on a sustained period of offense.
Oliver started to focus on Wayne’s ribs during this period. He’d wear him down with an abdominal stretch but Wayne fought out of it with a hip toss before starting to make a comeback. He then hit a penalty kick and standing moonsault combo for a 2 count.
Both men hit clotheslines at the same time, taking each other out. When they got to their feet, Oliver hit a Clout Cutter that took Wayne to the floor. After a back and forth exchange outside the ring, Wayne hit a big dive to the floor on top of Oliver. Back in the ring, Wayne hit a Code Red for a 2 count. He then looked to go for a package piledriver but Oliver fought out of it and then hit an exploder suplex followed by a brainbuster for a 2 count.
Wayne hit a backbreaker into a dragon suplex followed by a fisherman suplex for a 2 count. He then went for a top rope senton but Oliver kicked him in the midsection on his way down.
They exchanged exhausted strikes in the middle of the ring. They went back and forth with headbutts, slaps, forearm strikes, and more. They then exchanged super kicks before Oliver hit a release German suplex. Wayne then hit a poisonrana but Oliver hit a Spanish fly moments after. Oliver then hit the Acid Kick and got a close near fall. Oliver locked Wayne in a Boston Crab but Wayne countered into a pinning combination for a 2 count, Oliver then went for the Boston Crab again but Wayne countered it into a pinning combination again but this time got the 3 count.
This was fantastic.
Wayne offered a handshake after the match, Oliver originally looked like he was going to attack Wayne but eventually relented and congratulated him.
The Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders, AJ Gray, Effy, & Matthew Justice) defeated ASF, Gringo Loco, Jack Cartwheel & Kamikaze
ASF and Jack Cartwheel attacked with moonsaults before the bell. Loco and Kamikaze then hit dives to the floor. Shortly after, Kamikaze, Cartwheel, Gringo, and ASF all hit top rope diving moves onto AJ Gray and Effy.
The Second Gear Crew finally got some offense in after Manders caught Kamikaze off a dive, Justice then hit Kamikaze with a chair and Manders put him through a door. This led to the Second Gear Crew going on offense for a period.
Later on, Effy hit a bit TKO on Gringo before he was super kicked by a returning Kamikaze. Then Ninja Black appeared (AJ Gray in a mask) and confronted Kamikaze. This got a ‘holy sh*t” chant. We then had a ninja battle between the two. Gray got the advantage and a 2 count off a power bomb.
Shortly after this, Cartwheel did a cartwheel off the ring post and dove onto Justice and Gray on the outside. Justice then destroyed him with a chair before Kamikaze hit him with a tope. ASF then stood on Gringo’s shoulders and springboarded off the ropes and onto his opponents. Effy would hit a double Sack Rider on Kamikaze and Gringo shortly after.
Gringo hit a sit down power bomb from the top rope on Effy for a 2 count. Manders and Gray then gave Cartwheel a spiked tombstone piledriver shortly after. They then held Cartwheel as Justice came off the top rope with a splash and got the pin.
– Emil Jay pointed out a guy who is celebrating his bachelor’s party there and the crowd chanted “You f**ked up” at him. Jay then brought out Nick Gage.
Nick Gage promo
Gage told the fans he’d never lie to them. He talked about having lost brothers over the last year and his body is starting to give up on him. He heard people were saying that he doesn’t have it anymore, that he’s getting older and breaking down. He said he’s got no wife, no kids, but he’s got his gang. Gage said he’s either going to die in this ring or someone’s going to put a bullet in his brain but he’ll always give 110% every time he wrestles.
John Wayne Murdoch and Reed Bentley then came out to confront Gage. It was brought up that Alex Colon is out with injury and wouldn’t be able to face Bentley tonight as scheduled. Murdoch said he didn’t want to wait for tomorrow to face Gage and it looked like the Rejects were going to fight Gage 2-on-1. G-Raver and Orin Veidt then attacked Murdoch and Bentley from behind with light tubes and we had an impromptu match kick off.
The Rejects (John Wayne Murdoch & Reed Bentley) defeated G-Raver & Orin Veidt
All 4 brawled around ringside and hit each other with light tubes. Nick Gage joined the commentary team as Bentley chucked Raver into the 3rd row. Everyone then continued to fight with light tubes as panes of glass were set up in the ring.
The match officially started when all 4 men finally got in the ring. The Rejects isolated Veidt at this point and tossed him through some glass before turning their attention to G-Raver. Raver fought back, however, and hit both of them with light tubes. He then slammed Murdoch through some glass. The heels fought back and broke a pane of glass over Raver’s head. Murdoch then hit him with some more light tubes as the Rejects took firm control over the match.
Veidt tried to fight back and gave Bentley a side slam onto some tubes. Murdoch gave Veidt a flatliner and Canadian destroyer as Bentley hit Raver with more light tubes and suplexed him on his head. Veidt fought back again and and managed to Bentley through a door.
Veidt and Raver then put Murdoch through a pane of glass that had been set up on top of Bentley. The Rejects then regained the offense shortly after, however, and set up a pane of glass onto some chairs in the ring. Murdoch then gave Veidt a Canadian destroyer through the glass and got the pin.
After the match, Murdoch invited Kevin Gill into the ring, seemingly for an interview. When Bentley went to say something on the mic, Murdoch hit Gill from behind with some light tubes. That got a big reaction. Murdoch then called out Alex Colon, who had to be pulled from the card because he was injured. He said something along the lines of “What would Markus Crane think (about him not wrestling)?” and this got a real negative reaction from the crowd.
Colon came out but was held back from hitting the ring. He then cut a promo and said he’s already proven he’s better than Murdoch. Colon then challenged Murdoch to a match at Spring Break.
– A 15-minute intermission took place to clean up the ring.
Billie Starkz defeated Cole Radrick
This was originally scheduled to be Atticus Cogar vs Starkz. There was no mention of why Cogar wasn’t there.
They started off with some back-and-forth grappling. Starz got the first big move with a release German suplex. She then followed that up with a trio of topes. Starkz then missed a senton and Radrick hit her with a forearm to the back of the head. This led to him going on offense for a period. Radrick hit a float over suplex for a 2 count during this period as well.
Starkz looked to be fighting back with a series of forearms but Radrick cut off her momentum with a backbreaker. He then badly missed a springboard moonsault. Starkz tried to fight back with strikes again but then sold her back when she tried to suplex her opponent but couldn’t. She finally was able to give him a German suplex and got a 2 count moments later.
Radrick got back in control and hit a butterfly suplex for a 2 count. He’d then hit a springboard cutter for another near fall. They exchanged strikes back-and-forth shortly after. Eventually, Starkz looked like she was going to hit a Gory bomb but Radrick fought out of it. Starkz then hit him with a suplex in the corner and then a swanton from the top and got the 3 count.
After the match, Starkz wanted a handshake but at first, Radrick walked off like he didn’t want to. Then he came back, gave her a hug and raised her arm.
Mascara Dorada defeated Joey Janela
The King of the Ropes is back! This is his second match with GCW following his departure from WWE.
Janela got the early advantage and hit a tope that caused Dorada to land in the second row. It was noted on commentary that Janela is one of many wrestlers on the card who competed earlier in the day at the JCW show.
Janela got a door from under the ring and set it up on a couple of chairs. It wouldn’t factor into things until later, however. Dorada fought back and hit a springboard dropkick that took Janela to the outside. After hitting a dive to the outside, Dorada then hit a springboard moonsault once the match got back in the ring. Janela then caught Dorada going for a dive and gave him a Death Valley Driver. Moments later, Dorada hit a hurricanrana on Janela who was draped on the top rope.
Dorada hit a springboard arm drag, Janela hit a clothesline, and eventually they were both down. Dorado then went to the top but Janela caught him and gave him an inverted Spanish Fly, a deadlift German suplex followed by a piledriver for a near fall.
The next big move saw Dorada give Janela a hurricanrana from the ring apron through the door that had been set up on the outside. Dorada then went to the top and hit a big elbow drop for a near fall. Janela got the boots up on a moonsault attempt and looked to get back into things but the finish would come moments later. Dorado hit a poisonrana and followed it up with the Dorada Screwdriver for the win.
The two shook hands after the match.
Mascara Dorada is really good and it’s fun to see him in an environment where he can show that again.
– Emil Jay announced shows in in Atlantic City again for April 30th and May 1st.
Hoodfoot defeated Matt Tremont
Tremont got a nice hometown pop. Hoodfoot got some chants from the crowd early as well. Nick Gage then came out and joined the commentary team.
Hoodfoot pulled out a barbed wire baseball bat but Tremont ducked and hit him with some spike shots to the forehead. Tremont then gave him a few shots with the baseball bat.
Hoodfoot came off the ropes with a shoulder tackle but Tremont hit him with the bat shortly after. He then raked the barbed wire over Hoodfoot’s forehead. The match then spilled to the floor where they brawled around ringside. Hoodfoot eventually got the better of a striking exchange but Tremont pulled out the spike and started to rake it over Hoodfoot’s forehead again. He then chucked him across about 4 rows of chairs.
They broke out the light tubes after this and started head butting them into each other. Both guys were really bloodied up at this point. A long period of light tubes being smashed over heads followed after they finally got back in the ring. Hoodfoot got a 2 count after a Saito suplex. He hit another suplex and got another 2 count shortly after.
At this point, Tremont is really bleeding badly. His head and arms are basically covered in blood. He fought back with a light tube shot and a Russian Leg Sweep, though. Hoodfoot then caught him going to the top and gave him a Saito off the second rope.
With his opponent down, Hoodfoot called to the back and two guys brought out a board covered in barbed wire. Hoodfoot went to superplex Tremont onto the board but Tremont fought back. Tremont head butted him multiple times, causing Hoodfoot to fall back and onto the barbed wire board. Tremont followed this up with a splash from the top and got a 2 count. They duelled with light tubes again until Hoodfoot hit another Saito suplex but only got a 1 count. Then Hoodfoot hit another Saito and finally got the pin.
Wow, that’s a big win for Hoodfoot! It seems like GCW likes what they’ve seen in him thus far. This was a bloody, and violent match but also really fun.
After the match, Tremont led the fans in a Hoodfoot chant. Everyone has been so respectful to each other on this show. There’s a lot of sportsmanship in GCW. Tremont put over Hoodfoot in a promo after as well. Hoodfoot thanked Tremont and the fans. He then held the ropes for Tremont to exit the ring as the show came to a close.
Final Thoughts: The Nick Wayne vs Jordan Oliver match was really exciting. It’s easy to see why people are so high on Wayne. Oliver has turned into a fun performer to watch too. Seeing Mascara Dorada as Mascara Dorada again makes you wonder about all the matches he’s going have and places he’s going to wrestle now that he’s back. Hoodfoot got made to seem like a big deal after beating Matt Tremont in his hometown in a bloody main event. He’s not on the show tomorrow but I’m looking forward to seeing what all Hoodfoot does in GCW moving forward.
WWE and Blumhouse Media are working on a documentary about controversial wrestler Teddy Hart.
Dave Meltzer reported the news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, originally reporting that Peacock was producing it without WWE’s cooperation which he later corrected.
The documentary is tentatively scheduled for release this December.
“One person who was interviewed said they were going in depth into Hart’s past and there was a lot of questions about bad ex-relationships,” he wrote.
Hart wrestled two matches in WWE, one in October 2002 and another in May 2005.
The 42-year-old born Edward Annis has had legal issues going back as far as 2014 when he was wanted on sexual assault charges brought up by two women that were later dropped.
He was arrested four times 2020 (three times in the first three months alone), the third coming after he was arrested in Virginia for strangulation resulting in bodily harm. In February that year, he was arrested for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute and then was arrested several weeks later for violation of his house arrest.
In October 2020, he was arrested in Texas and charged with injuring a disabled person, evading arrest, and being in possession of a controlled substance. He was then arrested in February 2021 on the same charges, but in Virginia.
Hart hasn’t wrestled since a December 2020 indie show in Michigan.
Former WWE star Gangrel will make his return to MLW at the company’s SuperFight event in Charlotte, North Carolina, next Saturday.
He will face Gnarls Garvin at the Grady Cole Center as part of the February 26th TV taping for future episodes of Fusion.
This will be his first MLW appearance since September 2018 when he lost to Simon Gotch by DQ at the original War Games event.
Gangrel, who works regularly on the indies, was supposed to make his AEW debut last August but the appearance was scrapped after WWE and Edge coincidentally brought back The Brood entrance and “Brood Bath” during the build for Edge’s SummerSlam match against Seth Rollins at the same time.
The SuperFight event will be co-headlined by MLW Champion Alexander Hammerstone vs. Davey Richards and Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger in a Stairway to Hell match in addition to the return of Killer Kross, Ricky & Kerry Morton against The Von Erichs, and more.
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Next Wednesday’s episode of MLW Fusion will be headlined by a singles match between the aforementioned Fatu and Krugger that will set up the Stairway to Hell match.
The show will also see Middleweight Champion Tajiri take on Myron Reed and a mystery man in a three-way for the title, the spoilers of which have been out for a month.
In trios action, Gino Medina, Mini Abismo Negro and Arez will Aramis, El Dragon and Jared St. Laurent’s highly-touted mystery signing.
In two weeks on Fusion, National Openweight Champion Alex Kane will take on Calvin Tankman with the title on the line in a grudge match that has built for months.
