ACW Payback
Date: 2/11/2024
From: Scott Depot, WV
ACW Interim Heavyweight Champion Joshua Bishop cuts a promo before the opening match. Bishop considers himself the real champion and says he’s going to defend against as many wrestlers that want to challenge him for the strap. Bishop doesn’t care who comes for the title because they are going down Exit 187 because there’s no survivors. The crowd is reacting to Bishop in a much more positive manner.
MATCH #1: INTERIM ACW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION JOSHUA BISHOP VS. ALEX MELEE VS. BRUCE GREY VS. ZAIDEN KAYNE
FINISH: Bishop pins Kayne following the Black Hole Slam. After the match, the lights go out and Bobby Beverly attacks Bishop. The crowd jeers this attack by Beverly.
Bob’s Take: The crowd didn’t seem to know who Alex Melee was, but the ring announcer tried to make it sound like he was some huge surprise. At least Grey and Kayne have been on an ACW show recently to justify their inclusion. As it turns out, this is Melee’s first time in ACW and judging by his strikes he may be a student because he’s throwing weak looking strikes. Melee did some unique offense by rolling on the mat to trip Bishop, but that was the only thing of note. I feel like if the match had been a three way without Melee this would have been a bit better. It wasn’t horrible by any means. I am interested in the Bishop vs. Beverly showdown.
Match Rating: **
MATCH #2: ACW SUPER H CHAMPION MARINO TENAGLIA VS. NICK HAMRICK
FINISH: Late in the match, Hamrick tries to use a weapon, but the referee stops him. Marino blocked a low blow attempt and nails Hamrick with a twisting kick to retain the title.
Bob’s Take: There were a few sloppy moments in the match, and at one point Hamrick completely missed a clothesline, which was a bit awkward that even the crowd didn’t know how to respond and they are pretty vocal. This may have been a bit lackluster due to Marino selling a leg injury throughout the match. It never felt as if it got past first gear, but at least there was a clean finish, I suppose.
Match Rating: *1/2
The Juggulator comes out to cut a promo, who is apparently well known in West Virginia. Juggulator is there to talk about a new venture he’s involved in. He’s got his business partner named Justin. They are here to promote a new IPA. Bishop Baylor comes out to confront Juggulator. Baylor considers Juggulator to be a shell of himself. Juggulator doesn’t know Baylor and offers a beer, which Baylor can’t deny and says the beer is pretty good. Baylor proceeds to break the beer bottle over Juggulator’s head and stomps on him. Juggulator is bleeding as Cowpoke Paul and Sam Holloway come out to check on Juggulator and help him to the backstage area.
Jason Hendrix comes out to cut a promo before the next match. Hendrix says he’s in the mood for some tag team action tonight. Hendrix has a sassy special someone for the crowd. Hendrix announces it is his partners birthday and brings out Gorgeous Gregory. Gregory hypes up his birthday and wants to issue a tag team challenge for his birthday. Their challenge is answered by Cowpoke Paul and Sam Holloway.
MATCH #3: THE BUFFALO BOYS (COWPOKE PAUL & SAM HOLLOWAY) VS. GORGEOUS GREGORY & JASON HENDRIX
FINISH: Hendrix delivers a double low blow to avoid Gregory’s birthday hat from getting destroyed. The referee called for the bell. After the match, Gregory and Hendrix deliver stereo DDTs to leave the Buffalo Boys laying.
Bob’s Take: There didn’t seem to be a ton of energy for this tag match. That was a bit disappointing because I tend to enjoy all four men whether it be their in-ring or character work. It’s essentially nothing of a match with the angle of the match focusing on Gregory’s birthday hat. It’s just a bit silly and uninteresting to say the least. I’m assuming there will be another match considering the finish and aftermath. I hope they don’t use the same approach in the future.
Match Rating: *
Ron Mathis cuts a promo saying he’s thrilled that Bobby Beverly is back in ACW because he’s here every show doing his best for all the fans. Mathis notes that he was in the hospital until 7am due to ulcers, and he’s sick as a dog, but we can consider this his Brett Favre moment. Mathis also reveals that the title match is now no disqualification.
MAIN EVENT: ACW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION BOBBY BEVERLY VS. RON MATHIS — NO DISQUALIFICATION
FINISH: Late in the match, the referee gets knocked down. Mathis hit a piledriver and locked in a Crossface causing Beverly to submit, but the referee wasn’t awake. Beverly puts Mathis through the door in the corner with a back suplex to retain the title. After the match, Joshua Bishop runs into the ring, but Beverly bails to the floor to avoid a Black Hole Slam.
Bob’s Take: At one point, Mathis grabbed a young fan in the crowd and used his feet to kick Beverly on the floor. It started mostly as a basic hardcore match, but Beverly suplexs Mathis onto two chairs to turn up the violence for a moment, at least. Mathis is enjoyable and the action here was okay for what it was. It’s a bit funny to me that they did more hardcore violence in front of middle school kids than at this Compound environment. I think Mathis would be a good act to chase for the title and eventually winning it.
Math Rating: **1/4
Juggulator cuts a promo telling a story about eating candy bars and how minding your own business leads to a long life. However, Bishop Baylor couldn’t mind his own business. Juggulator is offended by getting hit with own beer bottle and says he’ll get his payback when Bishop Baylor least expects it.
Final Thoughts:
The main draw for the promotion right now is the match between Joshua Bishop and Bobby Beverly taking place in April. I’m interested in it, but this show was mostly a dull outing.
Thanks for reading.