AAW presents Killers Among Us
Date: 6/17/2017
From: Merrionette Park, IL
Opening Contest: Garza Jr. vs. ACH: They lockup a couple of times, but neither man gets a clear advantage and they pose. They avoid each other a few times and Garza rips off his pants to reveal his trunks. Garza tosses his pants into the air and superkicks ACH. ACH handsprings and dropkicks Garza to the floor. ACH does a handstand on the apron and is met with a superkick by Garza. Garza taunts the fans in the front row. Garza throat thrusts ACH against the ropes. ACH elbows Garza and delivers a few kicks followed by a leg sweep, double stomp and a dropkick to send Garza to the floor. ACH runs the ropes and hits a slingshot crossbody to the floor. ACH takes Garza out with a suicide dive. ACH nails Garza with a second suicide dive. ACH hits a slingshot cutter into the ring from the apron for a near fall. ACH elbows Garza and delivers a chop in the corner. Garza superkicks ACH leading to a near fall. Garza overhand chops ACH, but is dumped to the apron and kicks ACH. Garza runs off the stage looking for a forearm, but is met with a knee strike by ACH. ACH chops Garza several times in the corner and delivers a splash in the corner. Garza superkicks ACH two more times and tries for a Death Valley Driver, but ACH counters and hits a German suplex and a clothesline for a near fall. ACH takes his elbow cover off and clotheslines Garza. Garza superkicks ACH followed by a powerbomb for a near fall. Garza continues with a backbreaker for a two count. Garza goes under the ring to grab a steel chair. Garza forearms ACH onto the chair. Garza heads to the top rope and dropkicks ACH out of the chair. ACH spikes Garza with a brainbuster for the clean win. (**1/2. It’s a solid bout to start the show. Garza’s offense was a little repetitive and stagnant for my liking. There’s really nothing more to it, really.)
Backstage, Mat Fitchett is about to cut a promo, but Davey Vega doesn’t want him to do it because they are a tag team. Vega gives Fitchett a jacket to remind him that their team is the best thing to happen to him. Fitchett needs to do this. Vega tells Fitchett that he’s good enough to be his partner, but not beat Zack Sabre.
Second Contest: Jeff Cobb vs. Eddie Kingston: Kingston has a spike, but the referee won’t allow him to use it. Kingston taunts Cobb before they lockup. Cobb shoves Kingston to the mat and backs Kingston into a corner. Kingston chops Cobb, but Cobb isn’t bothered by it. They start to do some mat wrestling and Kingston backs off. Kingston gets a headlock on Cobb, but Cobb gets out quickly. Cobb tries for a shoulder block, but Kingston comes back with one and runs into an overhead suplex by Cobb. Cobb keeps Kingston on the mat with a waist lock. They trade overhand chops with Cobb hitting a snap suplex. Cobb keeps Kingston on the mat with a chin lock. Kingston bites Cobb’s hand, but Cobb punches free and hits a slam to send Kingston rolling to the floor. Cobb sends Kingston into the guard railing ribs first. Cobb continues with a boot to the face and they roll back into the ring where Cobb gets a two count. Kingston boots Cobb in the corner a few times. Kingston comes off the ropes to deliver a big boot and an STO. They begin to trade strikes in the middle of the ring. Kingston chops Cobb followed by a discus forearm for a near fall. Kingston tries for a side suplex, but Cobb counters with a German suplex. Kingston is selling a possible neck injury, but Cobb isn’t backing off and hits a gut wrench suplex. Cobb hits a butterfly suplex and gets a near fall. Cobb tosses Kingston with a German suplex, but Kingston gets up and nails Cobb with a spinning back fist and a backdrop driver. Cobb runs into two more spinning back fists and Kingston wins the match. (**. It was okay, but nothing overly entertaining. They are trying to tell a story of Kingston being old and trying to keep his spot due to a youth movement in AAW. If he’s going to be a bitter veteran he’ll likely excel in that role.)
Backstage, John Morrison cuts a promo on Brian Cage saying that muscle wears down, but sexy lasts forever.
Third Contest: Chuck Taylor vs. Jake Crist vs. Davey Vega vs. Paco: Vega goes after Taylor while Crist works over Paco. Crist kicks Taylor and they trade shoulder blocks. Taylor arm drags and dropkicks Crist to the floor. Vega dumps Taylor to the floor. Paco enters and is kicked by Vega. Paco hits a running hurricanrana to send Vega into the corner. Paco elbows Vega and hits a crossbody off the middle rope for a two count. Crist kicks Paco, but Taylor kicks Crist. Taylor and Paco hit running forearms across the ring. Crist kicks Paco followed by a forearm. Crist takes Taylor out with a suicide dive. Vega kicks Crist and Paco takes Vega out with a dive to the floor. Vega chops Paco against the railing a few times. Taylor chokes Crist over the guard railing. Crist forearms Taylor a few times and chokes Taylor over the railing again. Crist drops Paco onto the apron with a back suplex. Vega plants Crist with a tornado DDT on the floor. Taylor has a submission on Paco, but Paco breaks free and kicks Taylor into the corner. Taylor kicks a charging Paco in the corner. Vega tries for a sunset flip, but settles for a kick to the head on Taylor. Crist nails Vega with a big boot. Paco kicks Crist from the apron and goes to the top rope, but is crotched by Crist. Taylor yanks Crist off the middle rope and hooks Paco for a reverse suplex, but Crist powerbombs Taylor. Vega hits a leg drop off the top on Paco, but Crist makes the save. Vega forearms Crist a few times.
Vega forearms Crist a few times in the middle of the ring. Vega taunts the crowd and sends Crist into the ropes, but Crist hits the Death Valley Driver for a two count as Taylor made the save. Taylor hits Sole Food and hits a Falcon Arrow, but Paco makes the save. Taylor superkicks Paco and delivers a spinebuster. Vega low blows Taylor with a kick to the nuts. Vega misses a stunner attempt and Paco hits the Code Red out of the corner. Crist hits a double under hook Destroyer and pins Paco for the win. (***. A solid match with non-stop action with everyone getting their moment of shine.)
Backstage, Trevor Lee is interviewed and he doesn’t know how to pronounce his opponents name. Lee says that AAW has finally listened to his requests. Lee has promised to be a champion. Lee is an athlete and after tonight he’s going to be the AAW Heritage Champion.
Fourth Contest: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Mat Fitchett: Fitchett kicks Sabre into the corner and delivers a strike in the corner. Fitchett hits a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Fitchett nails Sabre with a knee strike for another near fall. Fitchett slams Sabre and delivers a knee drop for a near fall. Fitchett stomps on Sabre and delivers a forearm against the ropes. Sabre uppercuts Fitchett a few times. Sabre yanks Fitchett down by his boot and delivers a neck twist with his feet. Fitchett only gets a two count on a rollup and is stomped by Sabre. Sabre briefly puts a submission on Fitchett and lets go. Sabre works over the left shoulder of Fitchett, but doesn’t get a submission. Sabre stomps on Fitchett’s upper back. Sabre keeps a neck vice on Fitchett and delivers an uppercut. Sabre casually kicks Fitchett, but is met with a chop. Fitchett wants Sabre to bring it and Sabre delivers an uppercut. Sabre wants more chops. Fitchett chops Sabre, but is taken down to the mat. Sabre locks in a modified STF in the middle of the ring, but Fitchett doesn’t give in. Sabre twists Fitchett’s ankle, but only manages a two count. Fitchett forearms Sabre a few times, but Sabre responds with an uppercut. Fitchett ducks a clothesline and tries for a Pele kick, but Sabre avoids it and locks in a modified chokehold. Fitchett manages to reach the ropes.
Sabre casually kicks Fitchett some more. Fitchett fires back with strikes, but Sabre nails Fitchett with a strike into the ropes. They are both on their knees until Sabre delivers a kick to the chest for a near fall. Sabre chokes Fitchett with a butterfly choke. Fitchett rolls Sabre away and connects with a jumping kick to the head. Sabre uppercuts Fitchett, but Fitchett hits a Pele kick on the apron. Fitchett connects with a crossbody off the top and a superkick. Fitchett tries for a slam, but Sabre counters with a choke. Sabre goes for a full nelson, but Fitchett breaks free. Sabre locks in an abdominal stretch. Fitchett reaches the ropes to break the hold. Sabre uppercuts Fitchett, but runs into a knee. Fitchett connects with a knee to the back of the head for a near fall. Fitchett tries for a powerbomb, but Sabre locks in a submission. Fitchett superkicks Sabre, but Sabre almost wins with a rollup. Fitchett delivers a crucifix driver and a powerbomb for a near fall. Sabre elbows Fitchett in the corner and goes to the middle rope, but Fitchett hits a hurricanrana. Sabre nails Fitchett with an uppercut and a penalty kick for a near fall. Sabre stomps on Fitchett and delivers an uppercut out of the corner. Sabre kicks Fitchett and Fitchett responds with a forearm. Sabre uppercuts Fitchett into the ropes. Sabre uppercuts Fitchett, but Fitchett almost wins with a backslide. Fitchett connects with a spinning wheel kick. Sabre traps Fitchett in a triangle and delivers several elbows. Sabre bridges up and forces Fitchett to submit. (****. These are the matches that make me love independent wrestling. The story of Fitchett ‘not being good enough’ added to the match and compelled the viewer to be invested in the action. He’s the underdog. Everything he does is important and wants to prove his worth to himself and his partner (Vega). Fitchett coming up short here could potentially be a huge moment. If there’s a thought of making him a bigger singles star this is the kind of match you look back at. It’s the kind of match that in hindsight could lead to a star being made for AAW.)
Backstage, Jeff Cobb cuts a promo about coming to AAW under a year ago. Cobb talks about beating guys when he first got to AAW. Cobb is not a loser and isn’t a dime a dozen person or wrestler. Cobb might need to be a little more mean. He’s going to stop waiting for things and start taking what he wants. Things are going to change.
Fifth Contest: Low Ki vs. Abyss: Ki was behind Abyss when the lights came back on and attacks Abyss. Ki delivers a running strike in the corner. Ki elbows Abyss in the corner, but is tossed away. Ki mule kicks Abyss in the corner. Davidson trips Ki from the floor and Abyss tosses Ki into the corner back first. Abyss overhand strikes Ki to the corner. Abyss chokes Ki in the corner. Abyss chokes Ki on the apron and Davidson delivers an elbow strike. Abyss continues to work over Ki in the corner and taunts the crowd. Abyss splashes Ki in the corner and continues to taunt the crowd. Abyss sends Ki through the ropes to the floor where Davidson gets a few strikes in. Abyss neck vices Ki on the mat. Ki stomps on Abyss’s foot and delivers a few running strikes. Abyss stops Ki with a clothesline. Davidson grabs a bag from under the ring and Abyss has tacks. Abyss dumps the tacks onto the mat. Abyss tries for a chokeslam, but Ki elbows free. Ki takes Davidson out with a dive to the floor. Ki hammers away on Abyss from the apron and rams Abyss face first into the corner. Ki hits a missile dropkick to stagger Abyss and hits a springboard kick. Ki dropkicks Abyss into the corner. Ki tries for a slam, but Abyss breaks free and catapults Ki into the corner. Ki manages to hit a double stomp leading to a near fall. Ki heads to the top rope, but is shoved off by Davidson. Ki has a handful of tacks, but Abyss doesn’t know that. Abyss tries for a chokeslam, but Ki tosses tacks into Abyss’s eyes. Davidson gets in the ring to attack Ki, but Abyss chokeslams Davidson onto the tacks and rollups Abyss for the win. (**. A fine match considering the size and style difference. This would end up being Ki’s final appearance for AAW as of January 2023.)
Backstage, Stephen Wolf, Trey Miguel and Myron Reed cut a promo about how tonight people will know who they are and tonight is there night. Wolf says they are the youngest, hungriest and they are here to steal the show.
Sixth Contest: AAW Heritage Champion Pentagon Jr. vs. Trevor Lee: Lee prevents Pentagon from doing his trademark by delivering a forearm strike and stomps on the mat. Lee uppercuts Pentagon to the mat followed by another forearm in the corner. Pentagon battles back with two sling blades for a near fall. Pentagon misses a clothesline and Lee delivers a back elbow. Lee pump kicks Pentagon against the ropes and Pentagon falls to the floor. Lee delivers a running kick from the apron to Pentagon on the floor. Lee double stomps Pentagon for a two count. Lee uppercuts Pentagon to the mat and plays to the crowd. Lee sends Pentagon into the corner back first and continues with uppercuts. Lee stomps on Pentagon’s left hand. Lee boots a charging Pentagon, but Pentagon hits a backstabber for a near fall. Pentagon removes his glove and overhand chops Lee. Pentagon tries for a Package Piledriver, but Lee breaks free and tries to escape the ring, but is stopped. Lee eye rakes Pentagon and hits a German suplex. Lee nails Pentagon with a kick to the head and a German suplex for a near fall. Lee hooks Pentagon for a suplex, but Pentagon knees free. Pentagon hits a kick and a risk clutch driver for a near fall. Pentagon tries for another Package Piledriver, but Lee counters with a rollup and has a handful of tights for a two count. Lee argues with the referee and low blows Pentagon. Pentagon delivers a superkick and a Mexican Destroyer. Pentagon his the Package Piledriver for the win. (**. A shorter match than I was expecting. Lee is a great heel and is easily dislikable. I’m not surprised by Pentagon going over. This did feel like a lesser defense for Pentagon’s title reign.) After the match, Pentagon wants to shake hands, but Lee slaps him and walks off.
Backstage, ACH cuts a promo about the AAW fans meaning the most to him. ACH says that he’s done some things that are unacceptable and he’s been hiding something deeply inside. ACH thinks it is time to show the world who he really is. ACH wants to admit who he is and not hide behind a mask. ACH reveals that he’s an asshole. He promises to be 100% honest moving forward. ACH is determined to get to the top.
Seventh Contest: Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & DJ Z vs. Myron Reed, Stephen Wolf & Trey Miguel: Z and Wolf kickoff the match. Z gains wrist control on Wolf, but is sent into the ropes and shoulder blocks Wolf. Wolf tries for an arm drag, but Z holds onto the ropes. Wolf chops Z and hits an arm drag out of the corner. Z kicks Wolf in the corner followed by a running hurricanrana. Z atomic drops Reed, but Reed delivers a kick. Reed spin kicks Z to the head and Z bails to the floor. Xavier enters the match and kicks Reed followed by an uppercut and dropkick to the back. Miguel enters the match and tries to arm drag Xavier, but misses. Miguel head scissors Xavier and wrenches the neck. Wentz hits a German suplex and a running knee in the corner. Wentz nails Miguel with a kick and a standing shooting star. Wolf arm drags Wentz and delivers a running forearm and chop. Wolf hits a handstand dropkick to Wentz in the corner. Z sends Wolf to the floor, but gets yanked to the floor. Wentz hits a dive over the top to the floor onto Wolf. Reed hits a somersault dive onto Wentz. Miguel also hits a dive over the ropes to the floor. Xavier connects with a handspring dive to the floor. Wolf leaps off the top to take everyone out with a standing shooting star press.
Wolf forearms Z from the apron and hits a springboard curb stomp. Wolf heads to the top, but is stopped by Wentz with a palm strike. Tower of Doom spot involving everyone. Reed kicks Z to the apron. Wentz nails Reed with a handspring knee strike. Wolf forearms Wentz. Xavier kicks Wolf in the corner and hits a pele kick. Reed hits a springboard uppercut onto Xavier. Z sends Reed to the floor. Miguel kicks Z to the floor. Miguel hits a neckbreaker on Xavier causing Xavier to DDT his own partner Wentz. Z leaps off the middle rope and stops Miguel with a jawbreaker and a flip facebuster. Reed sends Z to the floor and taunts the crowd. Wentz hits a Codebreaker from the apron into the ring. Wolf knee strikes Wentz and hits a Death Valley Driver. Wolf dropkicks Xavier and moonsaults Wentz for a two count. Wolf kicks Xavier several times. Xavier stops Wolf with a shoulder and Wentz superkicks before double stomping Wolf. Xavier gets a two count. Z dives off of Wentz back onto Reed and Miguel on the stage. Wolf is double teamed by Wentz and Xavier in the ring. Wentz knee strikes Wolf and hits an assisted shooting star press for the win. (**1/2. I don’t know why, but I just didn’t connect with this. The extended segment where they were seemingly do gymnastics instead of wrestling was a bit annoying. They were just doing dives for the sake of dives. There wasn’t a story. It’s visually appealing with the impressive moves, but there wasn’t anything here to connect to or care about.)
Backstage, AAW Heavyweight Champion Sami Callihan is interviewed. Callihan tells JT Davidson to shut up because he’s not in the mood. Callihan says he’s been doing research. Sami says that everyone has been saying that he’s going to lose to Michael Elgin. Sami dismisses that and says it’s not going to happen. Sami says people are saying he’s champion because of his goons, but that’s not true. He surrounds himself with greatness. Sami tells JT to go backstage after his entrance. Sami wants to wrestle Elgin one on one. Sami wants to tell Elgin face to face that he’s better than Elgin. Sami knows he’s better than Elgin. Sami suggests Elgin not even arrive for the match. Sami says that Elgin isn’t the baddest because he’s looking at the baddest. Sami has proven that he’s the baddest. Sami promises to walkout as the champion.
Eighth Contest: Brian Cage vs. John Morrison: The fans are not supporting Morrison. Cage puts Morrison’s shirt down his trunks and pulls it out from the backside. Morrison slaps Cage and is rammed into the corner a few times by Cage with shoulder rams. Cage tosses Morrison across the ring and Morrison bails to the stage and runs backstage. Cage tosses Morrison into the ring, but Morrison lands on his feet and misses a forearm in the corner. Morrison kicks Cage from the apron and hits a springboard spear. Morrison has a neck vice on Cage and delivers a knee lift to the midsection. Cage counters a head scissors, but Morrison almost wins with a rollup. Cage misses a clothesline and Morrison hits a heel kick and a running knee strike for a near fall. Morrison keeps a sleeper, but Cage elbows free. Morrison headbutts Cage and misses a kick. Cage delivers a backbreaker and a swinging neckbreaker. Cage clotheslines Morrison in the corner several times. Cage hits a sloppy Olympic Slam, but Morrison reaches the ropes. Cage hits a sit out wheelbarrow facebuster. Cage continues with a wheelbarrow neckbreaker for a near fall. Cage tries for a German suplex, but Morrison breaks free and almost lands on his neck. Morrison connects with Moonlight Drive a couple of times. Cage counters a third attempt, but Morrison kicks Cage a few times. Morrison hits a standing Spanish Fly for a near fall.
Morrison delivers a backbreaker, but Cage counters a submission hold to deliver a superkick. Cage misses a clothesline and Morrison hits a Disaster Kick for a near fall. Morrison heads to the top rope missing a dive. Cage plants Morrison with a pop up powerbomb for a near fall. Morrison forearms Cage a few times. Cage and Morrison trade strikes until Cage delivers a jumping knee. Cage tries for Weapon X, but Morrison counters with a Code Red for a near fall. Morrison gets caught on a springboard and Cage hits a swinging flatliner for a near fall. Morrison hides behind the referee and tries for a low blow, but settles for an eye poke. Morrison kicks Cage over the middle rope and hits a sliding German off the middle rope. Morrison hits the Starship Pain, but Cage kicks out at two. Morrison sits Cage on the top rope and delivers an uppercut. Morrison looks for a Spanish Fly, but is shoved off. Cage nails Morrison with a discus clothesline on the apron. Cage hits a vertical suplex into the ring from the apron. Cage hits another suplex from the apron into the ring for a near fall. Cage forearms Morrison on the top turnbuckle. Cage looks for a powerbomb, but Morrison sneaks in a low blow after pulling the refs shirt over his head. Morrison hits the Starship Pain and wins the match. (**. For some reason, these guys just felt like they were off pace and didn’t seem to click very well. Morrison being hated by the indie crowd made for an interesting dynamic, but the action here didn’t click well and it led to a disappointing match.)
Backstage, Trevor Lee is pissed because he’s not the AAW Heritage Champion. Lee didn’t want to shake Pentagon’s hand after being dropped on his head. Lee wants one more chance to prove he runs this place.
Ninth Contest: War Machine (Rowe & Hanson) vs. reDRagon (Fish & O’Reilly): Hanson and O’Reilly kickoff the match with Hanson shoving O’Reilly to the mat. Hanson shoves O’Reilly to the corner a second time. O’Reilly kicks Hanson in the midsection and keeps control with a headlock. Hanson doesn’t budge on a shoulder block. O’Reilly kicks Hanson a few times, but is met with a shoulder block. They both attempt leg sweeps, and miss leading to a standoff. Fish and Rowe enter the contest to try their luck. They trade go-behinds and some mat wrestling. Fish takes Rowe down to the mat with wrist control, but Rowe doesn’t stay down. Rowe sits Fish on the top turnbuckle and pats Fish on the head. Fish kicks Rowe on the leg a few times. Rowe responds with kicks, as well. Fish forearms Rowe and misses a senton splash from the apron. Rowe is met with a kick by O’Reilly on the apron. Fish hits a senton splash for a two count. O’Reilly tags in and works over Rowe. Rowe forearms O’Reilly, but O’Reilly hits a wrist trapped DDT. O’Reilly rams Rowe into the corner and is met with several kicks. Rowe is sent over with a double suplex. Fish yanks Rowe down by his arm. Fish kicks Rowe into the corner and O’Reilly returns with strikes to the left arm. O’Reilly runs into a slam by Rowe out of the corner.
Hanson gets tagged in and pummels O’Reilly in the corner. Rowe splashes O’Reilly in the corner and Hanson hits a big splash for a near fall. Rowe works over O’Reilly with a strike to the midsection. Rowe forearms O’Reilly in the corner and decks Fish off the apron. Fish distracts the referee while O’Reilly is worked over in the corner. Hanson knee lifts O’Reilly and Rowe delivers a knee strike, as well. Rowe tags in after Hanson slams O’Reilly. Rowe slams Hanson onto O’Reilly leading to a near fall. Hanson gets a two count after a sleeper. Hanson tries for a suplex, but O’Reilly knee strikes Hanson. O’Reilly tags in Fish. Fish kicks Hanson and gets a sleeper on Hanson, but is rammed into the corner face first. Fish kicks Hanson a few times followed by a dragon screw leg whip. Fish forearms and kicks Rowe. Fish dragon screw leg whips Rowe to the mat. Fish overhead tosses Rowe into Hanson for a near fall. Hanson splashes a charging Fish to the mat. Rowe is tagged in and trades strikes with Fish. Fish forearms Rowe several times, but Rowe uses his forehead and forearms Fish. Rowe knee strikes Fish into the corner and hits a German suplex.
Rowe runs into a leaping knee strike by Fish and both men are down. O’Reilly tags in and kicks Rowe a few times after ducking strikes. O’Reilly leg sweeps Rowe to the mat and plays to the crowd. O’Reilly forearms Rowe in the corner and yanks on the arm. O’Reilly kicks Rowe on the knee. Rowe elbows O’Reilly a few times and decks O’Reilly to the mat. O’Reilly continues with knee strikes and elbows. O’Reilly knocks Rowe to the mat with a knee strike. O’Reilly has a heel hook for a moment, but Rowe breaks free. Rowe knee strikes O’Reilly and Hanson enters to big boot Fish. Hanson splashes Fish and O’Reilly in opposite corners several times. Hanson misses a splash in the corner and hit with knee strikes and kicks. Fish has an ankle lock on Hanson. O’Reilly has a choke on Rowe. The referee is focusing on O’Reilly’s choke on Rowe. Rowe hits an overhead suplex, to break both holds, but didn’t land on Fish. O’Reilly forearms Hanson, but Hanson drops O’Reilly over Rowe’s knee. Rowe powerbombs O’Reilly and Hanson hits a middle rope splash for a two count. Rowe holds O’Reilly, but Fish kicks Hanson to the floor. Rowe is met with forearms and a side suple by Fish leading to a near fall. O’Reilly tries for an arm bar on Rowe. Hanson drives Fish onto O’Reilly to break the hold.
Hanson and O’Reilly trade strikes. Rowe decks O’Reilly, but is nailed by Fish. Fish plants Hanson with a Samoan Drop. O’Reilly hooks Rowe for a brainbuster, but Fish kicks Rowe several times on the legs with O’Reilly. Rowe is kicked to the mat. Hanson is back in the ring being worked over. Hanson hits a double clothesline. Hanson plants Fish with a powerslam and hits a suicide dive onto O’Reilly on the floor. Rowe covers Fish for the clean win. (***1/2. I was not expecting a clean finish for War Machine. This was a hard-hitting match with plenty of strikes to hold interest. There weren’t many big spots, but that wasn’t needed for this match. It was a nice change of pace compared to other matches on the card.)
Backstage, Zachary Wentz and Dezmond Xavier are talking and they have a tag title match next month against AR Fox and Rey Fenix.
Main Event: AAW Heavyweight Champion Sami Callihan vs. Michael Elgin: Elgin backhands Callihan to avoid a chair shot and works over Callihan on the floor. Elgin chops Callihan against the railing. Callihan tries to escape through the crowd, but is stopped with more strikes. Elgin rolls Callihan into the ring, but Sami rolls out on the other side. They stand on other sides outside the ring. Sami runs over looking for a pump kick, but Elgin superkicks Sami on the floor. Elgin tries for a powerbomb into the railing, but Sami avoids it and kicks Elgin from the apron. Sami hits a suicide dive to send Elgin into the railing two times. Sami tries for a cannonball splash, but is caught and powerbombed onto the apron. Elgin forearms Callihan into the guard railing. Elgin takes off his elbow pad and decks Callihan again. Sami spits at Elgin and forearms Elgin, but doesn’t do anything to Elgin. Elgin drops Callihan onto the apron back first with a back suplex. Elgin plants Callihan with a delayed vertical suplex for a near fall. Sami elbows Elgin in the corner, but Elgin blocks a kick and tries for a powerbomb. Sami breaks free to kick Elgin a couple of times. Elgin blocks a kick and tosses Sami away. Sami kicks Elgin on the knee and grabs a chair to jab Elgin on the knee. Sami smashes Elgin’s ankle with the chair. Sami chop blocks the knee and delivers another jab with the chair.
Sami smashes a chair over Elgin’s ankle. Sami puts Elgin’s ankle between a chair, but Elgin frees himself and hits a Death Valley Driver onto the chairs. Elgin forearms Sami a few times. Sami kicks Elgin on the knee and runs into an overhead suplex by Elgin. Elgin clotheslines Callihan in the corner followed by a discus elbow and a few German suplexs. Sami holds onto the ropes and Elgin hits a release German suplex. Elgin hits the Falcon Arrow for a two count. Elgin delivers a few clubbing blows to stagger Sami. Elgin decks Sami from behind to drop Sami to the mat. Elgin comes off the ropes and avoids a pump kick with a kick to the head. Elgin tries for a side suplex, but Sami delivers a kick. Sami avoids a kick and stomps the knee. Sami tries for the Stretch Muffler, but Elgin kicks Sami away. Callihan drives Elgin down to the mat for a near fall. Sami staggers Elgin with a clothesline a few times. Elgin doesn’t budge on a clothesline attempt. Elgin hits a sit out Elgin Bomb, but Sami kicks out at two. Elgin tries for another one, but Callihan hits Elgin on the leg and they trade a few forearms.
Sami avoids a discus strike, but Elgin superkicks Sami. Sami boots Elgin, but Elgin comes off the ropes with a clothesline and both men are down. Elgin plays to the crowd and goes to the middle rope before grabbing Sami on the apron. Sami breaks free and goes to the top, but is kicked by Elgin. Elgin hooks Callihan for a suplex, but Sami breaks free and tries for a sunset flip powerbomb. Elgin avoids it, but Sami kicks Elgin’s leg off the middle rope. Callihan locks in the Stretch Muffler and sits down on the mat. Elgin struggles, but reaches the ropes to break the hold. Sami grabs Elgin on the apron looking for a suplex, but Elgin fights off and kicks Sami. Elgin connects with a Death Valley Driver on the apron! Elgin hooks Sami on the ropes, but can’t use his legs for a suplex. Elgin decks Callihan with a forearm in the corner. Elgin sits Sami on the middle rope. Elgin goes to the top rope and hits a superplex. Elgin covers for a near fall.
Elgin grabs Callihan looking for a powerbomb, but Sami avoids it. Elgin pump kicks Sami, but Sami wants more. Elgin delivers a second kick. Elgin kicks Sami and Sami comes back with a few kicks. Elgin kicks Sami, but Sami puts the referee in the way. Elgin clotheslines Sami and connects with a lariat. Elgin hits a sit out Elgin Bomb for a two count. Elgin buckle bombs Sami into the corner, but here comes Jake Crist and JT Davidson on the stage. Sami tells them to leave. Sami spits on Elgin. Sami wants Elgin to end it. Elgin nails Sami with a spinning back fist. Sami backdrops Elgin and sits down hooking the leg to pin Elgin and retain the title! (***1/2. This felt like a match where Elgin was going to win. I love the shocking finish and seemingly dragging out the win for Elgin a little longer. It was a hard hitting match with some good storytelling taking place throughout the bout. There was a big match feel to this and I feel like this was a quality main event bout.)
Backstage, Eddie Kingston thanks Jeff Cobb for the match earlier in the night. Kingston says that no matter how much he hates the business, he loves the sport. He doesn’t know anything else. He’d rather die in the ring than in a bed. Kingston is comfortable in the ring and that is where he’s himself. Kingston knows it is a little sick and demented, but that’s him. Kingston says that his downfall started when he came out of the womb. He’s still fighting and still standing. He’s not giving David Starr credit for his downfall. Kingston told Danny Daniels to bring Starr into AAW. Kingston saw potential in Starr when everyone saw Starr as JT Dunn’s bitch. Kingston shouldn’t be mad about Starr going after his neck, but now Starr is gloating. Starr is gloating about hurting him. Starr should gloat about taking him out and making him retire. Kingston says that Starr has a chance to make a name for himself next month. Kingston doesn’t need a belt to be the one. All he needs to be is himself. Kingston wants to see Starr brag with a broken jaw or after his tongue is ripped out. Kingston doesn’t think Starr has the heart.
Backstage, Pentagon cuts a promo in Spanish, but there are subtitles. Penta is pissed about Trevor Lee attacking him after offering his hand and Penta wants a rematch. Penta promises that Lee will never hold it.
Outside, Sami is in the ring truck and says he’s hurting. Sami puts over Elgin for beating him up to an inch of his life. Sami says the plan worked they came up with last week. Sami talks a lot of crap and he can back it up. Sami says he is humble and he busted his ass to get where he is at now. Sami talks about Ali allowing fighters to beat him up because he had better conditioning. Sami knew that all he had to do was get in Elgin’s mind. Sami turns his attention to Keith Lee next month. Sami is going to make him tired and then he’s going to break his leg. Sami says that until someone takes the belt we have to listen.
Final Thoughts:
This show gets a thumbs-up from me. There was plenty of good action throughout. Fitchett/Sabre Jr. stands out as an unexpectedly great match. Well worth the time to check it out.
Thanks for reading.