Six Minutes
November 30, 2008
Doug Maynard
Well, this won't be a regular column, although I have several ideas for new columns and they're all "in the works", if you will. I just want to give a quick recap, about "Six Minutes" worth, of a fantastic Indy show I went to see last night here in my hometown of Laurinburg, NC. Give it a read and use the links in the recap to show these guys some love, OK? This is the future of pro-wrestling and if last night was any indication, the "King of Sports" is in pretty good hands. Thanks for reading these things and for all the support. A new "Tossing Salt - Worldwide News" is coming up late Monday night, so watch for it.
And thanks!
Now, on to the recap...
ACW (American Championship Wrestling)
November 29. 2008
National Guard Armory
Laurinburg, NC
I just got back from a great show held by ACW at the Armory in Laurinburg, NC. The crowd easily numbered close to 200 fans and was an easy sell out. It was a fantastic show from start to finish. Here's the results.
After the National Anthem played and the crowd settled in, the sounds of "Black Betty" by Sugarloaf filled the building. So at least we know someone has good taste in music. "The Lumbee Warrior" Dylan Cage came to the ring and quickly charged up the already excited crowd. He would be challenging Josh Magnum later in the night for the "Top Contenders Spot" for the Cruiserweight Championship. Cage has a fire and enthusiasm that few can match and the crowd was hot and bothered for every word he spoke as he talked about his opponent for the evening and then mentioned a few other names, such as "Purely Phenomenal" Chris Steele, who he hopes to face at some point in the future.
The first match featured, from Shanghai, China, the masked grappler known as "The Red Dragon" versus a young man I'd never seen before, who goes by the name of Hunter Holtzclaw. A good match to open the show. Holtzclaw is about six-seven or so with a great body. He wore the camouflage and does a "GI Joe" type of gimmick, which quickly brought the patriotic crowd to their feet with chants of "USA, USA!" You'd think Hacksaw Jim Duggan was in the building by the way the crowd reacted to this young grappler.
The match was good back and forth with some big spots. Dragon did the Undertaker "old school" move to a big pop from the crowd. Holtzclaw responded with some moves of his own including a spinebuster and a big "Shades of Harley Race" flying knee. In the end, it was the evil foreign masked dude using a "Shades of Ultimo Dragon" Dragon Sleeper to put the big soldier out and pick up the win.
It was a good match to open the card. Holtzclaw has a good presence and really easy to like and, with some seasoning, could really be a major player one day. That gimmick needs a little spicing up (get up with me Hunter - I've got some ideas), but he worked hard and along with the Dragon, put on a really good opening match.
Next up was "The Lumbee Warrior" Dylan Cage versus Josh Magnum. Both of these guys weigh in between 190 - 210lbs and this was easily the high-flying match of the night. They started off with a friendly rivalry type of deal going on, but as usually happens in these matches, tempers began to flare and the action picked up, including several spots on the floor where punches and chops were traded fast and furiously.
Both men moved at a tremendous pace and my back still aches just watching how far Magnum would bend back to perform his Japanese style arm-drags on Cage. They had one great moment where they traded pinning combinations back and forth with neither man able to hold the other down for the three count. I think we had fifteen two counts in a two-minute period.
Finally, in the end, Cage managed to hit a spinning version of the super-kick to lay Magnum out long enough to pick up the win. Afterward, after some brief hesitation, the two men hugged and shook hands in a great show of sportsmanship. This was an excellent match that showcased the skills of both men and never lacked, even for a second. Both men deserve major kudos for their work in that ring.
The next match was one half of "The Main Attraction", Scott Powers taking on Jack Hammer. How do you describe Powers? He's just big. Hammer reminded me of a younger Jerry Lynn and could easily be Lynn's baby-brother if going by looks alone.
A good "strong man heel" versus the "quicker baby-face" match which made all of the right moves and kept the crowd on their feet. Powers would bully his way into control. Hammer would manage to make a comeback, and then through some dastardly act while the ref is distracted, Powers would take control once more.
A fun match to watch as Powers really played to the crowd and makes a great heel. In the end, Scott Powers won with a brutal F.U. slam to the mat to take home the victory.
Next up was a promo by the ACW World Champion, Timber The Lumberjack, along with manager Joey Nuggs. Mostly, Timber was rambling and talking junk about Laurinburg, ACW and the fans and Nuggs was busy tearing into a woman at ringside. Her boyfriend got a little upset and I thought we might end up having a fight on our hands as Timber went out of the ring to further provoke the situation.
But before things could get out of control, Zack Salvation came charging from the dressing room and into the ring. He snatched the ACW World Championship belt away from manager Nuggs and quickly cleared the ring of both Nuggs and Timber. ACW Officials quickly got involved and a match was made for the main event of the evening.. an ACW World Championship Match with Timber defending against Zack Salvation.
Intermission time as we had fifteen minutes to catch our breaths and get a few autographs. I managed to speak to quite a few of the ACW Superstars including ACW U.S. Champion Chief Red Thunder and the earlier-mentioned Hunter Holtzclaw during the break.
And now, the match I came to see. Tag team action as former ACW United States Champion Ethan Storm teamed with one half of "The Main Attraction", Chris Steele, who was accompanied as always by his associate, Alexander Vanderbuilt, to take on the up-and-coming superstars of the future, Brad Branson & Derk Douglas... the team of BD Productions.
Quick note here: If you want to learn more about these guys, go to MY MySpace page (www.myspace. com/salt_ palace) and you'll see all five guys involved in this match among my "Top Friends". You can link to the profiles of Mr. Storm, Mr. Vanderbuilt, The Main Attraction (Chris Steele) and BD Productions all from my main profile page. Go visit the page, click the links, and show these future Icons & legends some love.
Before the match, Storm and Steele cut a promo on Douglas & Branson about their on-line video exploits on a little thing called "BD TV". These little vignettes by Brad & Derk are hilarious and must-see video. You can take a look at them at BD Productions MySpace page at http://www.myspace. com/bransonanddo uglas. Check it.. and them out. You'll be glad you did.
Back to the match. Steele and Storm cut their promos and said that they wanted BD Productions to film this match for their little program so the fans can see BD Productions get their butts kicked, arms broken, etc. Branson and Douglas were like, "bring it, dudes!".
It was a good match. Branson did most of the ring-work for his team, while Douglas kept the crowd excited and fired up all during the match.
And Steele and Storm were their usual excellent selves. I've said it many times and it bears repeating. Chris Steele could easily fit right in with TNA or the WWE. He really is that good in the ring. He's a phenomenal performer. And as for Storm, he's a solid, old-school worker who reminds me so much of one of the Andersons. He's tough as nails, can talk better than 98% of the people in WWE or TNA and he's very, very realistic and believable in every movement, every nuance, every syllable he utters.
As for BD Productions, the ring work still needs a little seasoning here and there, but the guys have an energy and enthusiasm that's hard to find or overcome. And the kids love these guys. The pop for these dudes was almost deafening, to say the least. They're good and getting better and are going to be a force to be reckoned with for some time to come.
The match was good. Branson hit a wicked shoulder shot to the steel ring-post that had me clenching my teeth in pain. That definitely is going to leave a mark. Steele and Storm used the quick tags (and the occasional illegal switches) to keep Branson on their side of the ring and work him over. And here's where it gets fun.
Outside of the ring, Alexander Vanderbuilt was sneaking around the ring and making a nuisance of himself as always. Branson was doing the big comeback on Steele and Storm while Douglas tried to make the tag to his partner and rally the fans support by leading the cheers. Vanderbuilt snuck around and grabbed Douglas from behind, pullng him to the floor and causing him to hit his jaw on the ring apron. Vanderbuilt then handcuffed Douglas to the corner of the ring. Meanwhile, Branson is fighting for his life and making the comeback for the hot tag. But his partner is down, handcuffed to the ring on the floor.
While Vanderbuilt repeatedly taunts Douglas with the keys to the handcuffs, the numbers take their toll as Storm & Steele methodically take apart Branson in the ring for a bit before Storm decides to end it with an inverted suplex. Storm and Steele win.
Security finally comes over and manages to unlock Douglas from the handcuffs, but it's too late as Chris Steele, Ethan Storm and Alexander Vanderbuilt have all exited the ring area by this time. Derk & Brad got a big ovation from the fans as they went back to the dressing rooms, vowing next time to get revenge.
The next match is the semi-main event as the ACW United States Champion Chief Red Thunder took on the challenge of the massive Glutimous Maximus, a 325lb monster who claims to hail from Mt. Olympus. It was a good match with Thunder dominating the early part of the action by working on the arm of the bigger man and delivering countless chops to the head and chest of "The Big Glute".
Glute used his power (and a few shenanigans) to take the advantage and just beat down the proud, Indian warrior. The fans were worn out by this time, so the crowd wasn't quite as loud, but they began to get back into the action as "The Glute" and "The Chief" put on quite a display of power versus the chop. In the end, Glute attempted a diving headbutt from off the top rope, but Thunder moved and Glute came crashing down to the mat with a big crash that echoed all through the building. Finally, Red Thunder managed to hit a big clothesline to stun "The Glute" long enough to get the pin and retain his AWA United States Championship.
And now, for the main event of the evening as Timber The Lumberjack, along with manager Joey Nuggs, took on the challenge of Zack Salvation. Zack didn't even wait for his name to be introduced before charging the ring and it was on. Forget all about the wrestling. This was just a brawl, pure and simple. They traded punches and chops and slams with the occasional arm-lock thrown in for good measure. Manager Nuggs kept going back and forth all around the ring and repeatedly took cheap shot after cheap shot at Salvation. And then it moved to the floor and all hell broke loose.
Timber and Salvation traded punches on the floor and then the plunder got involved. Timber was swinging his axe-handle. Salvation was throwing chairs around like shoppers at Wal-Mart two days ago. Timber tossed Salvation into a row of chairs, which sent the fans scattering in all directions before slamming him hard into the steel, garage-style door at the back of the Armory.
Salvation started tossing chairs again and nailed Timber in the face before slamming Timber into that same door where he had eaten metal only moments before. The ACW officials and the ref were out there and called for the bell. The match was over and a no-contest. But Timber and Salvation didn't care as they kept the brawl going across the building and into the concession stand of all places.
Great line by Nuggs here as Timber and Salvation were slugging it out in the concession stand. He hollered at the woman who had been running the concession stand (and looked very PO'ed) and said, "Hey baby, get me a hot dog!". I couldn't help it. I laughed.
Officials and security seperated Timber and Salvation and told them that it was over. They could do it again at the next ACW show. Salvation got the fans fired up for a re-start of the match and a chant of "Ten More Minutes" filled the building. The ACW officials quickly agreed and Salvation bolted back into the ring. Timber teased getting back into the ring, but decided against it and headed to the back, along with manager Nuggs.
And that officially ended the show. It was a fun and fast paced show from start to finish and the three hours from the opening bell to the end just flew by quickly. Everyone worked hard and the fans were exhausted at the end of the night, but went home happy, as it should be.
Major kudos out to Rusty, Bill, Kipper, Pat and everyone at ACW tonight. Except for Nuggs of course. He just needs to go get a hot dog. Just kidding, Joey. Don't sue me.
For more info on ACW, go check out their MySpace page at http://profile. myspace.com/ index.cfm? fuseaction= user.viewProfile&friendID=253953783. They'll be returnng to Laurinburg in February, 2009 and if tonight was any indication, that'll be another "can't miss" show, so check them out if you can.
Thanks! Questions and comments can be sent to me at Doug28352@yahoo. com. Have a great night and please remember to always support your local Indy's. It's where the stars of tomorrow learn their trade and the heart and soul of professional wrestling, but if we don't go watch them and support them, there is no future. Think about it.
Have a great night. I'm Doug and I'll be back with a "real column" late Monday night. I promise. Have a great week.
Ubuntu!
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