1UP Wrestling presents Powder Keg
Date: 8/17/2024
From: Jordan, NY
Opening Contest: Hayden Backlund vs. Myung Jae-Lee: Jae-Lee controls Backlund with a wrist lock, but Backlund takes Jae-Lee to the mat. Jae-Lee counters, but Backlund reaches the ropes quickly to break the hold. Backlund kicks Jae-Lee and taunts the crowd for the early advantage. Jae-Lee arm drags Backlund and avoids a boot in the corner to kick Backlund. Jae-Lee dropkicks a seated Backlund in the corner. Jae-Lee goes to the apron and misses a kick. Backlund yanks Jae-Lee down to the apron back first and rams Jae-Lee into the railing. Backlund sends Jae-Lee into the railing again and steals a fans drink. Backlund tries for a cover, but Jae-Lee kicks out. Backlund chokes Jae-Lee over the middle rope and taunts the fans some more. Jae-Lee responds with a series of chops, but Backlund regains control with a strike. Backlund hits a snap suplex for a near fall. Jae-Lee and Backlund trade strikes with Jae-Lee gaining the advantage following clotheslines. Jae-Lee kicks Backlund from the apron and hits a missile dropkick off the top rope. Jae-Lee delivers a back suplex for a two count. Jae-Lee climbs to the top rope, but Backlund nails Jae-Lee with a superkick and a curb stomp for a near fall. Jae-Lee avoids a People’s Elbow by kicking Backlund. Jae-Lee is stopped on the apron with a kick to the face. Backlund plants Jae-Lee with a Cross Rhodes over the middle rope, but tries to use the ropes for leverage on the cover and is caught by the referee. Backlund misses a charging spear and Jae-Lee nails Backlund with a knee strike for a two count. Jae-Lee plants Backlund with a fisherman driver for the win. (**1/2. Some good energy and decent action overall. Jae-Lee has some potential to be standout at some point on the NY indies, I think. Backlund showed some good heel work and kept his offense simple and effectively.)
Second Contest: Greed (Price Purgold & Body Bag Bros (Lotto & Big Budget) vs. David Coles, Trevor Terry & Steve McKenzie: Coles and Purgold kickoff the tag match, but Purgold tags out to Lotto instead. Lotto doesn’t appear to take Coles overly serious. Lotto shoves Coles into the corner. Coles punches Purgold and Budget. Coles misses a strike, but takes Lotto down with a Thez Press and delivers a flurry of strikes on the mat. McKenzie tags into the match and sends Lotto into the ropes to deliver a double back elbow and a double elbow drop for a one count. Budget tags into the match and is met with a drop toe hold and a knee strike by McKenzie for a one count. Terry tags into the match and splashes Budget in the corner. Terry delivers a running elbow strike in the corner. Terry dropkicks Budget on the knee followed by a dropkick to the face for a one count. Terry works over Budget in the corner, but gets dumped to the apron. Terry is knocked off the apron by Budget. Purgold drives Terry into the apron back first. Purgold tries for a cover, but Terry kicks out at two. Purgold works over Terry with several stomps on the mat to keep the advantage. Purgold clotheslines Terry in the corner. Purgold kicks Terry after a snapmare and Lotto delivers a senton splash off the ropes. Budget enters to deliver a headbutt for a near fall. Budget chops Terry in the corner, but Terry tries to fight back only to be dropped to the mat. Budget keeps Terry in the corner and Terry tries to fight back with strikes, but can’t make the tag. Terry nails Budget with a kick and tags in McKenzie, but the referee didn’t see the tag.
Purgold drags Terry to the corner and pummels Terry. Lotto stomps Terry on the mat and taunts the corner. Lotto backs Terry into the corner and Budget tags into the match before tagging in Purgold. Terry is splashed in the corner and slammed by Purgold for a two count. Terry continues to be worked over in the corner. Terry nails Lotto with a springboard cutter. Coles and Purgold are tagged in with Coles clotheslining Purgold followed by a side Russian leg sweep. Coles heads to the middle rope hitting a forearm drop for a near fall. Coles locks in an ankle lock on Purgold. Purgold rolls through to break free. Coles tries for a sunset flip, but Purgold breaks free and decks Coles with a clothesline for a near fall. Coles counters a suplex with a rollup for a two count. Coles nearly wins following a belly to belly suplex. A guy named Julio pulls the referee out and ZSIII superkicks Julio to the floor. Lotto nails Coles with a headbutt. McKenzie tries to get involved, but is double teamed. Terry dropkicks Budget to the floor. Terry is sent into the ring post. Purgold is in the ring with Coles, but ZSIII is behind Purgold and delivers a low blow. Coles doesn’t want to take advantage, but gets a rollup on Purgold and wins the match. (*1/2. There wasn’t much to this one. It kind of dragged along and a bit too basic for my liking. Commentary loved to let us know that Terry trained at the Nightmare Factory throughout the match.) After the match, McKenzie and Terry both appeared upset with how they won the match.
Third Contest: Pat Sawyer vs. Nick Sullivan: Sullivan backs Sawyer into a corner, but cleanly backs off. Sullivan tries for a single leg, but Sawyer backs himself into a corner. Sullivan shoves Sawyer leading to chops by Sawyer. Sawyer runs the ropes delivering a few shoulder blocks to knock Sullivan to the mat. Sawyer nails Sullivan with a couple of heel kicks. Sawyer splashes Sullivan in the corner. Sawyer big boots Sullivan through the ropes to the floor. Sawyer goes after Father Derek on the floor, but Sullivan manages to chop block Sawyer. Sawyer rams Sawyers knee onto the apron several times. Sullivan wraps Sawyer’s knee around the ring post. Father Derek teases getting involved and doesn’t. Sullivan clubs Sawyer over the back several times. Sullivan focuses his attack on the injured left knee of Sawyer. Sullivan slams Sawyer and puts a leg lock on Sawyer. Sullivan splashes Sawyer in the corner and delivers a belly to belly suplex for a two count. Sawyer elbows Sullivan in the corner followed by a big boot. Sawyer kicks Sullivan on the side of the head. Sawyer strikes Sullivan a few times. Sawyer decks Sullivan with a clothesline for a two count. Sullivan avoids a chokeslam by kicking Sawyer. Sullivan catches Sawyer on a crossbody attempt to deliver a slam for a two count. Sawyer breaks free from another slam and chokeslams Sullivan for a two count. Sawyer misses a boot in the corner and elbows Sullivan. Father Derek distracts Sawyer allowing a splash in the corner. Sullivan locks in a Boston Crab in the middle of the ring. Sawyer is forced to submit. (*1/2. Anytime there’s a big man vs. big man the action is typically going to be slow and plodding, which was the case here. It wasn’t necessarily boring, but both men are kind of limited as to what they were going to do. I wasn’t expecting a submission victory.)
Fourth Contest: Cloudy vs. Chris Slade: Cloudy shoves Slade at the start and avoids a few strikes by Slade. Slade kicks Cloudy into the ropes. Cloudy kicks Slade in the midsection and gains headlock control. Cloudy shoulder blocks Slade, but Slade kips up. Slade hits a springboard hurricanrana to send Cloudy reeling to the floor. Slade tries for a suicide dive, but is met with a forearm by Cloudy. Slade kicks Cloudy on the apron and leg drops Cloudy over the middle rope. Slade rams Cloudy onto the apron face first. Slade avoids being sent into the ring steps and nails Cloudy with a running knee strike. Slade uppercuts Cloudy in the corner. Slade delivers another running uppercut in the corner. Cloudy hip tosses Slade into the corner. Cloudy double stomps Slade over the back for a two count. Cloudy knee strike Slade on the mat. Slade tries to fight back with strikes, but Cloudy takes Slade down and delivers a knee strike for a near fall. Slade knee strikes Cloudy into the ropes. Slade nails Cloudy with a spinning elbow strike, but Cloudy fights back and yanks Slade to the mat by his hair. Cloudy knee lifts Slade in the corner. Cloudy elbows Slade in the corner and hits a springboard cutter for a near fall. Cloudy keeps Slade on the mat, but doesn’t get a submission with a bow and arrow. Slade mule kicks Cloudy to break free and delivers a kick followed by a sling blade. Slade tries for a handspring attack, but Cloudy counters with a burning hammer for a two count. Cloudy sits Slade on the top turnbuckle and delivers an open palm strike. Cloudy hooks Slade for a suplex off the middle rope, but Slade fights back with strikes. Slade kicks Cloudy on the middle rope and hits a springboard sunset flip powerbomb for a two count. Slade nails Cloudy with a handspring sliding elbow strike to the back of Cloudy’s head for the win. (***. A solid match. Slade has a ton of potential and I look forward to see him continue his career in 1UP. Cloudy is a great opponent for Slade and they put forth a quality match. I didn’t like the Burning Hammer near fall, but that’s only because I hold that move in high regard as a great finishing move.)
Prior to the next match, Sebastian Braun grabs a microphone to cut a promo and insults the crowd.
Fifth Contest: Hot Stuff Enterprises (Stetson & Braun) vs. Polar Ephex (Ephex & Freeze): Braun and Ephex kickoff the tag match. They stall for a bit at the start of the bout. Braun kicks Ephex before getting a headlock on Ephex. Braun shoulder blocks Ephex and they have a standoff. Ephex chops Braun a few times into the corner to gain the advantage followed by an overhand chop. They have another standoff. Stetson and Freeze tag into the match. Stetson kicks Freeze and gains control with a headlock. Freeze shoulder blocks Stetson and plays to the crowd. Freeze dropkicks Stetson coming off the ropes. Freeze shoulder rams Stetson in the corner. Freeze ducks a clothesline, but misses a middle rope crossbody. Stetson delivers an elbow drop followed by stomps on the mat to keep control of the match. Freeze strikes Stetson, but misses a kick and Stetson chokes Freeze on the mat. Eden Grey chokes Freeze over the bottom rope while the referee is distracted. Stetson clotheslines a seated Freeze for a near fall. Braun tags into the match and yanks on Freeze’s legs with Stetson. Braun scoop slams Freeze and delivers another elbow drop. Stetson returns to the match and scoop slams Freeze. Stetson taunts the crowd before hitting another elbow drop for a two count. Stetson forearms Freeze into the corner. Stetson runs into a boot in the corner. Freeze elbows Stetson and heads to the top rope. Freeze loses footing and crashes to the mat due to Grey’s involvement. Stetson chokes Freeze on the mat. Braun stomps Freeze while the referee is distracted.
Stetson misses a clothesline and Freeze plants Stetson with a DDT. Ephex gets the hot tag and cleans house with strikes. Ephex hits a back suplex on Stetson and kicks Braun. Ephex hits a side suplex on Braun and plays to the crowd. Ephex strikes Stetson against the ropes and tags in Freeze. Stetson is met with elbows and a double kick for a two count as Braun makes the save. Braun sends Ephex through the ropes to the floor. Stetson hits a neckbreaker on Freeze for a two count as Ephex makes the save. Braun overhand strikes Ephex in the corner, but Ephex responds with chops. Stetson shoulder rams Freeze in the corner a few times. Ephex sends Braun into Stetson on the apron, who was taunting the crowd. Braun goes to the floor and argues with Stetson. Braun rolls Stetson into the ring. Ephex knee strikes Stetson in the corner. Ephex hits a crossbody off the top and Freeze hits a top rope splash to pin Stetson. (*. There wasn’t much to this action wise. I like Freeze and think he has a ton of potential. They seemed to be playing up the angle between Braun and Stetson split above anything else.)
Sixth Contest: Garrett Holiday vs. Mike Skyros: Holiday attacks before the bell with several strikes and stomps on the mat. Holiday continues to forearm Skyros in the corner. Holiday forearms Skyros again. Holiday dumps Skyros to the apron where Father Derek grabs Skyros. Holiday knocks Skyros off the apron onto the railing chest first. Holiday continues with a forearm strike and chops Skyros before ramming Skyros into the railing. Holiday continues with chops, but Skyros responds with a chop. Skyros chops Holiday around ringside. Holiday rams Skyros onto the apron face first. Holiday forearms Skyros against the ropes. Holiday delivers a scoop slam and comes off the ropes to deliver an elbow drop for a one count. Holiday chokes Skyros over the middle rope and Father Derek delivers a cheap shot. Holiday chokes Skyros in the corner for a few moments. Holiday snapmares Skyros and delivers a seated clothesline. Holiday keeps Skyros on the mat with a chin lock. Skyros elbows free and delivers a few strikes. Holiday yanks Skyros to the mat by his hair. Holiday kicks a seated Skyros. Holiday taunts the crowd, but Skyros nearly wins with a rollup. Holiday runs through Skyros to maintain control of the bout. Holiday presses his knee into Skyro’s upper back. Holiday kicks Skyros, but misses a clothesline. Skyros elbows Holiday to the mat and delivers a splash in the corner. Skyros sends Holiday into the corner and misses another splash. Skyros elbows Holiday in the corner and walks the ropes to deliver and overhand strike. Skyros hits a back suplex for a two count. Skyros kicks Derek’s collection bowl to the floor.
Skyros tries for a springboard DDT, but Holiday counters with a bridging suplex for a two count. Holiday hits a spinebuster for a two count. Skyros chops Holiday several times and they trade strikes in the middle of the ring. Skyros nails Holiday with a leaping kick and they collide on stereo clothesline attempts. Skyros and Holiday trade more strikes in the middle of the ring. Skyros decks Holiday with a clothesline and is fired up. Skyros waits for Holiday to get up and tries for a rolling fireman’s carry, but Derek gets involved. Skyros almost hits the referee. Holiday delivers an airplane spin before dropping Skyros over his knee and picks up the win, but Skyros had his foot on the rope as a second referee made the count. The original referee argues with the second referee for a moment. The original referee demands the match to restart. Holiday and Derek act as if they’re going to leave. Holiday runs back into the ring. Skyros delivers a bicycle kick to lay out Holiday. Derek gets on the apron and is grabbed by Skyros. Skyros decks Derek to the floor. Skyros ducks a clothesline and hits a version of an F5 for the win. (**. I’m not a fan of the dusty finish nonsense. Skyros is probably their top babyface and he’s going to be protected for a while, but this finish didn’t do anything for anyone. Why not just have Skyros win cleanly and move along? I’ve been waiting for a breakout singles match for Skyros and it hasn’t happened yet.)
There is an in-ring segment between Sebastian Braun and Shayne Stetson. At first, it appears as if they makeup and are on the same page. However, Braun ends up nailing Stetson with a short arm clothesline and attacks Stetson with a chair to effectively end their friendship.
Main Event: 2 Infinity & Beyond (Cheech & Colin Delaney) vs. Black & Yellow (Cory Jackson & Shi): Jackson and Cheech kickoff the main event with Cheech getting a headlock on Jackson for a moment. Jackson counters with a headlock of his own. Jackson tries for a shoulder block, but Cheech doesn’t budge. Cheech wants to do a test of strength with Jackson. Jackson goes for the test of strength and they struggle to gain control. Cheech gets the advantage for a moment, but Jackson powers up and gets control for a moment. Cheech nails Jackson with a knee strike. Jackson strikes Cheech and they have a standoff. Cheech fist pumps Jackson to show respect and Delaney tags into the bout. Shi tags into the match, as well. They slap hands and Delaney gets the crowd behind him. Delaney puts a wrist lock on Shi, but Shi counters quickly. Delaney puts a wrist lock on Shi for a moment. Shi puts a wrist lock on Delaney again, but Delaney counters. Shi flips free and shoves Delaney. All four men are in the ring as the referee tries to keep them apart. Delaney chops Shi against the ropes as Cheech does the same to Jackson. Shi and Jackson send Cheech and Delaney to the floor where Jackson and Shi hit stereo dives! Delaney is rolled into the ring where Shi keeps control with strikes. Shi tries for a suplex while Jackson and Cheech trade strike on the apron until Cheech delivers a DDT. Shi strikes Delaney in the corner. Delaney boots Shi and delivers a cutter allowing Cheech to hit a German suplex for a two count.
Delaney rams Shi into Cheech’s boot in the corner. Cheech shoulder rams Shi in the corner and delivers a boot scrape. Cheech knee strikes Shi on the back a few times before locking in a chin lock. Delaney tags into the match and chops Shi to the mat. Delaney drops Jackson face first over the apron. Delaney strikes Shi several times. Delaney eye rakes Shi in the corner. Cheech stomps Shi in the corner and deliver a bronco buster. Cheech puts a knee on Shi’s neck while taunting the crowd. Cheech holds Shi with an abdominal stretch in the ropes. Delaney kicks Jackson, and delivers a sliding German suplex. Delaney stops Shi with a cutter over the middle rope. Delaney tries for a cover, but Shi kicks out at two. Delaney chops Shi to the mat. Delaney chops Shi several times and taunts Shi. Delaney rams Shi into Cheech’s boot in the corner and Cheech returns to the match with strikes in the corner. Cheech snapmares Shi leading to a near fall. Delaney chops Shi to the mat and Cheech returns to the match. Delaney has Jackson his shoulders, but settles for holding Jackson on the floor. Jackson sends Delaney into Cheech to avoid a suicide dive attempt. Jackson gets the hot tag and cleans house with strikes. Jackson hits a Blue Thunder Bomb on Cheech for a near fall.
Jackson tosses Delaney with a fallaway slam. Jackson splashes Delaney in the corner and shoulder rams Cheech. Jackson drives Cheech into Delaney. Jackson tosses Cheech overhead and slams Delaney onto Cheech for a two count. Cheech kicks Jackson, but Shi avoids Cheech in the corner. Shi clothesline Cheech followed by a kick and Jackson delivers a suplex. Shi hits a top rope frog splash for a two count. Cheech hits a flatliner/leg sweep combo. Delaney tags into the match and forearms Jackson in the corner. Delaney boots Jackson in the corner. Delaney gets a two count. Cheech delivers a top rope double stomp for a two count on Jackson. Jackson hits a double back suplex onto Delaney and Cheech. Shi tags in and goes to the top as Jackson slams Cheech. Shi hits a top rope swanton, but Delaney breaks the cover. Cheech has Jackson over the middle rope and they hit the To Infinity And Beyond combo move, but both Shi and Jackson kick out at two. All four men are trading strikes. Cheech superkicks Shi and Jackson. Cheech heads to the top rope as Delaney tries for a backpack stunner, but Shi breaks free. Jackson splashes Delaney in the corner and puts Delaney on his shoulders. Shi hits a top rope blockbuster and pins Delaney for the win. (***1/2. A good match to end the show and easily the match of the night. In the 1UP universe this is the biggest tag match they could do. I think they could do even better the more they work with each other, but they did a solid job in this spot and left a good feeling for the viewer and live audience.)
Final Thoughts:
There’s a couple of good matches on the show, but as a whole this is a mostly average event. 1UP is still using mostly local guys and they are an enjoyable bunch. However, those wrestlers are working several indies in Upstate NY, so it kind of becomes repetitive to an extent. I’d say check out the main event on YouTube, but there’s nothing must-see here.
Thanks for reading.