Views from the Hawke’s Nest: AAPW’s Main Event 2012

January 14th 2012
Commentators: Chris Hagstrom, Shane Rich, & Kevin Hunsperger

“Golden Boy” Greg Anthony vs. Heath Hatton
Anthony cuts a pre-match promo and says that the people are here to see him, because he is the best in the business. He says this will be the last match of Hatton’s career. Hatton was very over with the crowd, so this match should have a good dynamic.

Hatton has a similar body to Ted Dibiase Jr., but with Randy Orton’s tattoos. Hatton took Anthony down with a couple of dropkicks. Anthony rolled to the corner and the referee backed Hatton off, which allowed Anthony to take Hatton down by chopping down his left knee. Anthony started working over Hatton’s knee. Anthony got a leg lock submission, but Hatton was able to crawl to the ropes. Anthony hit a series of punches, but Hatton avoided one and locked in a sleeper. They accidentally bumped heads and both men went down. They got to their feet and Hatton made a comeback. Hatton went for a top rope drop kick, but Anthony avoided it. Anthony went for another submission, but Hatton small packaged him: 1…2…3!

Very strong (if short) opener. Both guys played their roles well (Anthony, the grating heel and Hatton, the athletic babyface), which meant that the crowd was into the whole thing. Hatton has got a good body and some charisma. I expect him to go places in indy wrestling (at least) if he’s got his head on straight. He certainly has the physique that ROH seems interested in at the moment.
Match Rating: **1/2

Stacey O’Brien was backstage discussing her match against Rebecca Raze. O’Brien says that Raze once beat her 4 years ago. O’Brien says it will not happen again.

Pokerface vs. “M-Dogg 20” Matt Cross”
This was an open challenge from Pokerface as he was undefeated going into this match. Cross was a surprise opponent. Some fans seemed to know him in advance. Others clearly didn’t.

Cross used his quickness to get the advantage early. Cross called for a suicide dive, but he did the fakeout dive spot, and he then caught Pokerface with the delayed flagpole kick. Back in the ring, Cross maintained the advantage. Pokerface pulled the referee in front of him and then poked Cross in the eyes to cut him off. Pokerface started to get the heat after that. Cross came back with an atomic drop and a knee bar. Polerface cut him off again with some kicks. Cross avoided a back suplex and went to the top rope. Cross went for a 450, but Pokerface avoided it and Cross rolled through. Cross hit a dropkick and both men went down. Both men got to their feet and Cross made a comeback. Cross hit a standing moonsault: 1…2…NO! Cross hit a springboard double stomp to Pokerface’s back: 1…2…NO! Pokerface hit a wrist-clutch DDT: 1…2…NO! Pokerface went for the Ghetto Blaster (leaping kick to the back of the head), but Cross avoided it. Pokerface tried again and managed to hit the Ghetto Blaster: 1…2…3!

This was a good match that was worked at a really fan-friendly pace. I’ve been critical of Matt Cross singles matches over the years, but I really enjoyed this one. I hope to see him in AAPW again.
Match Rating: ***

PAC and El Generico were backstage. Generico cuts a beautiful broken English promo. He must really want to improve so that Cabana invites him on the Art of Wrestling. Generico says he will win. PAC was wearing a tight spandex shirt that makes him look like he’s ready to go scuba diving. PAC says they haven’t fought each other in 2 years (not including the night before at Resistance Pro in a four-way match), and now he is a completely different wrestler.

“Playboy” Paul Rose vs. “Farmer” Billy Hills vs. Jay Spade vs. Bull Bronson vs. Justice
Justice, Bronson, and Hills look like they were pulled out of the crowd to wrestle here. Well, Bronson at least has gear. But one must not judge a book by its cover.

Match started as a huge brawl that quickly spilled to the outside. Justice was being tended to by a referee, and then Spade wiped out the rest of the wrestlers with a senton bomb to the floor. Justice was taken to the back. Bronson manhandled Spade on the outside, and then Hills hit Rose with a big German suplex in the ring. Justice made his way back to the ring and hit Rose with a pump-handle slam. Bronson then tossed Justice out of the ring and hit a big splash on Rose: 1…2…3

This was a match. They worked hard, but there were too many factors going against this match for it to succeed. Unless the Justice injury was a shoot, I have no idea why they did the injury deal. The spot where he got injured wasn’t really emphasized, so it just felt random. All of that being said, Jay Spade looked good and I want to see more of him going forward.
Match Rating: *3/4

Roscoe Dwayne Harris & Bull Bronson vs. Money Makin Jam Boys (KC Jackson & Mississippi Madman)
Bronson wasn’t advertised for this match, but he decided to come out instead of Harris’s regular tag partner. I don’t know what the deal was, but since the angle wasn’t really explained, I assume it was just a legit no-show.

Madman is humongous. Like, Viscera big. They lock up twice, but Bronson decides that was enough and he tags out. Jackson, a cruiserweight, tagged in. Harris cut Jackson off with a poke to the eyes. Jackson got worked over for a while. Jackson managed to hit a top rope cross-body on Bronson, but Bronson tripped him up before he made a hot tag. Jackson avoided a Vader Bomb and hit the Beautiful Disaster. Harris prevented a hot tag, but then inexplicably sent Jackson right into Madman, which caused a hot tag. Madman destroyed Harris. Madman was setting up for a Chokebomb, but Bronson made the save. Harris accidentally took out Bronson and then Jackson hit Harris with a Stunner. Madman followed that up with a his Chokseslam variation: 1…2…3

This would make for a great main event on Colt Cabana’s $5 Wrestling. OK, it wasn’t that bad, but it was slow, plodding, and boring. Jackson seems like a good athlete, but continuing to team with Madman will hold him back. Crowd was into Madman for sure though, so I give AAPW credit for apparently booking him well.
Match Rating: 3/4*

Speak of the devil, Colt Cabana is backstage to discuss how he is a world traveler and that he is glad he is here. He says Eric Wayne is wrecking the enjoyment of pro-wrestling. Cabana says that Wayne is a third-generation wrestler who has expected everything to be handed to him. Cabana says he will slap some respect into his mouth, and that Colt and the fans will be the winners. Colt stumbled a little and got repetitive, but it was incredible how passionate Colt sounded in this promo. WWE, what are you waiting for?

El Generico vs. PAC
Some in the crowd clearly know who these two are, but others must not have the internet. They will learn.

I am so fucking excited to watch this match. They start out very respectful, with neither man getting the advantage. Everything was beautiful. PAC took Generico down with a hurricanrana, which caused Generico to roll to the floor. PAC then hit a beautiful Asai Moonsault. Back in the ring, PAC was in control, but Generico came back with a backbreaker. PAC cut him off and started to work over Generico some. They slowed things down for the heat segment. Generico came back with a clothesline and sent him to the outside. Generico then wiped him out with a somersault plancha. Back in the ring, Generico hit a top-rope crossbody: 1…2…NO! PAC did a handspring and landed on Generico’s shoulders, and then hit a hurricanrana pin: 1…2…NO! Standing Shooting Star Press: 1…2…NO! Generico came back with an exploder into the corner. They traded some forearms until Generico hit a Yakuza Kick. Generico set up for the top rope brainbuster, but PAC sent him to the mat, and hit a Cork Screw Shooting Star Press: 1…2…3!!!

These guys probably could have a *** match in their sleep, but they went out there and tried to give the fans a spectacular showing. And they did just that. Clearly, this is not the typical ROH, PWG, or DGUSA crowd that we see them work in front of, but that just allowed them to prove that they can take any crowd in the world on a wild ride. This match was beautiful.
Match Rating: ****

Ax Allwardt cuts a promo backstage about his AAPW Heayweight Championship match tonight. Ax says that the current champ, Edmund McGuire, reminds him of Tim Tebow (an insult). The interviewer brings up the accusation that Allwardt and his manager, Gaylord Stevens, were the ones who hit McGuire with a car before the show. They deny it.

Someone comes out to present Stacey O’Brien win Female Pro Wrestler of the Year. O’Brien starts her acceptance speech, but Rebecca Raze comes out to interrupt her. Raze kicks her and the match is on…

Rebecca Raze vs. Stacey O’Brien
Raze in control to start the match. O’Brien came back with a snap suplex. Raze quickly cut her off though and started to work her over again. O’Brien got back in the match by kicking out Raze’s knee. Raze cut her off again and hit a handspring back elbow into the corner. O’Brien made another comeback, and she hit a leg lariat and a butterfly suplex. Raze then hit a delayed spinebuster for a nearfall. O’Brien avoided a running kick and got a bridging O’Connor roll: 1…2…3

Weird match. The pre-match set it up so that Raze was the heel, but she didn’t really do anything heelish once the match started. They didn’t go out there and look like incompetent Divas, but it felt much more like what I imagine a SHIMMER dark match to be.
Match Rating: *3/4

Mike Masters is backstage to cut a promo on AAPW’s commentator, Kevin Hunsperger. They’re having a match later. Masters says when he’s done with Huntsberger, he’ll be a “cheeseburger.”

Colt Cabana vs. Eric Wayne
Cabana is a Chicago native, but this is the first time that AAPW has brought him in.

Cabana does some pre-match shenanigans that frustrate Wayne. Colt then did more of his shenanigans to start the match. Good times were had by all. Wayne was finally able to cut off Colt with a slap. Wayne started to get the heat after that. Wayne hit a flap-jack for a nearfall. Wayne went for a middle rope dive, but Colt got his feet up. Colt then made a comeback and hit a big elbow. Colt hit the Flying Asshole and a big lariat: 1…2…NO! They went to the top rope and Wayne headbutted Colt off the ropes. Wayne hit a diving headbutt to Colt’s arm: 1…2…NO! Wayne went for a German suplex, but Colt reversed it into a Billy Goat’s Curse! Wayne made it to the ropes and then hit a Death Valley Driver: 1…2…3!

This was a really fun contest. Much like M-Dogg, Pac, and Generico, Colt did not phone in this match. This match is kind of a perfect advertisement for Colt. If you bring him in to your promotion, he will manage to get any type of crowd behind him. Wayne is a little green, but he’s got a really good look (reminds me of James Storm). If this match was any indication, Wayne should be getting some more opportunities soon in independent wrestling.
Match Rating: ***

Edmund McGuire is backstage cutting a promo about his defense of the AAPW Heavyweight title in the main event. McGuire says he’s still standing after they ran him over with a car, and he’ll be standing tall after the main event tonight.

Mike Masters vs. Kevin Hunsperger
Hunsperger is a commentator so there was a video package to orient new viewers as to how this match got booked. That was appreciated. Basically, Masters blames Hunsperger for his losing streak, and he was berating Hunsperger repeatedly over a period of time. Hunsperger approved of a match where if Masters defeated Jay Spade, Masters would get a match with Hunsperger. Masters won that match, so now he gets the match with Hunspeger. Hunsperger is actually a local celebrity in the area because he hosts a morning news show on a local ABC affiliate.

The crowd is hot for this matchup. Hunsperger wasn’t eager for contact early, but Masters turned his back and Hunsperger slapped him. Masters immediately dominated him after that. Masters took his time demolishing Hunsperger. Hunsperger got a couple of chops in at one point, but Masters quickly cut him off. Masters actually used wrist tape to choke Hunsperger repeatedly #Heel. Masters repeatedly hit a kitchen sink on Hunspergers, but Hunspergers finally managed to avoid one. Hunsperger actually made a comeback with a lariat and a powerslam. Masters gave him a low blow and then hit lariat of his own. Masters hit a powerslam: 1…2…But Masters pulled Hunsperger up to stop the count. Masters grabbed a steel chair, and another AAPW commentator (Chris Hagstrom) jumped to the ring apron to beg him to stop. Masters opted against using the chair and just sat on the chair and slapped Hunsperger. The referee was distracted by Hagstrom. That allowed Jay Spade to run down and smack Masters straight in the forehead with the steel chair. Hunsperger pinned him: 1…2…3!

Well, this worked. In fact, this worked much better than Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole at Wrestlemania. The crowd was into every aspect of this match, so I never stopped enjoying myself while I watched it. Masters did a great job to not seem redeeming at all. My one nitpick is the finish was kind of lame. I agreed with the decision for Hunsperger to win just because the crowd wanted him to win too much for there to be any other option. However, a slip-on-the-banana-peel win is still unsatisfying in the moment. Small nitpick though for what was a very enjoyable match.
Match Rating: ***

Edmund McGuire© vs. Ax Allwardt (w/ Gaylord Stevens) [No DQ Match for AAPW Heavyweight Title]
This is the blow-off to a year-long story.

Stevens immediately jumped into the ring and the rudos beat down McGuire 2 on 1. Smartest heels ever. Stevens accidentally hit Allwardt with an umbrella shot meant for McGuire. McGuire managed to send both heels to the outside after that. McGuire then wiped them both out with a senton dive to the floor. That looked dangerous. McGuire sent Allwardt back into the ring, but Stevens held McGuire up, which allowed Allwardt to recover and get the advantage back. McGuire came back and hit a DDT, but Allwardt got a foot on the ropes to stop the count. Allwardt hit a powerslam and then got a belt from Stevens. Allwardt then proceeded to whip McGuire on the back with the belt. McGuire recovered and grabbed the belt. McGuire started whipping Allwardt, but Stevens hit him from the outside. Allwardt then hit a spinebuster for a nearfall. Allwardt was frustrated and punched the referee. Another referee slid in, and again, Allwardt only got a nearfall. So, Allwardt took out that referee. McGuire then accidentally superkicked a third official. Allwardt started to work over McGuire on the outside of the ring. McGuire hit Allwardt with the umbrella, which allowed him to bring the match back to the ring. McGuire hit a top rope legdrop: 1…2…NO! Stevens distracted McGuire again, which allowed Allwardt to hit a piledriver: 1…2…NO! Stevens brought in a chair, and Allwardt set up for a piledriver on the chair. McGuire managed to backdrop him on the chair though. SUPERKICK TO ALLWARDT! SUPERKICK TO STEVENS! SUPERKICK TO ALLWARDT! 1…2…3!

On paper, a whole bunch of ref bumps and what-not is really unappealing. However, this match worked great because almost every action from the wrestlers made sense, which caused the crowd to be with them every step of the way. Can this match compare athletically to something like PAC vs. El Generico? Of course not (and few matchups can), but these two guys were just as effective at making the audience invested emotionally in the outcome. A damn fine main event for the first ever DVD release from AAPW.
Match Rating: ***1/2

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PLUGS!

I am now the editor of a brand new wrestling website, FreeProWrestling.com . What is this site, you ask? It’s a website that posts a free wrestling match every single weekday. All matches are legally provided by the promotions that originally put them on. Occasionally, we are lucky enough to have the wrestlers of the matches exclusively discuss the matches retrospectively. So far, we’ve been lucky to have thoughts from Eddie Kingston , Prince Devitt , Sugar Dunkerton , AR Fox , and more! If you like wrestling and you hate spending money, I think you will enjoy it!

The 411: This was a great DVD debut for AAPW. The guest stars all shined and added something to the show. While they were great, what was most impressive was that AAPW's main angles all caused the crowd to become rabid. AAPW has clearly created a loyal fanbase over the years, and with more DVDs like this, hopefully their fanbase will expand similarly to other prominent independent promotions. It also needs to be mentioned how fantastic the production is on this DVD. Simply put, this DVD feels professional in ever sense of the word. While some promotions clearly leave very little of their budget leftover for production, AAPW has made it a priority and it has definitely paid off. You can buy this Two Disc DVD for $15.

Final Score:  7.3   [ Good ]