AAW "EPIC" 3/16 Results

Splendid show. If they had stopped before intermission, it would have been one of the better shows of the year. But they had to do the second half. Second half wasn't bad, it couldn't hold up the intensity level the first half did. Much better overall than last month at Bourbon St. Crowd was much, much more up for this than last month. Guess it was a combo of AAW regs, SHIMMER fans, other locals. Pretty full house, probably could have fit a few more in.

Should mention that AAW is now hanging a banner from the ceiling of the Eagles Club. It will appear on the hard camera shots.

Got in right when Ballin vs. Empire had their match. Fine. One of ballin's kids did some flippy and flying and that got over.

Knicks vs. Shogun was Bridgeview vs. Bronzeville. Can't remember the fin. Both guys were liked. Shogun sold for the kid despite size difference.

Main show started with Ryan Phoenix in the ring announcing he signed Awesome Threesome to his stable. So I guess they're a foursome now.

Eastman brought out his stable and introduced one of the guys who has stuck with AAW for a long time--Derrick St. Homes. Crowd was happy to see him. Eastman told DSH they were doing this for Jesus. Sacreligious, replied DSH. Joey cursed later and DSH said: "Remember, for Jesus."

OK action here, nothing crazy in terms of flips, but nice steady opener with good heat and a kick here and there. All eight men fought. Eastman took away Phoenix's cain and chased him, finding himself in the middle of all four heels. Eastman gave each heel a stunner. I cannot make that up. The manager is beating up the heel talent. That does no favors for the heels. Fontaine/Corbin pinned Wagner (I think) with frog splash/veg-o-matic.

Video promo with Skyy teasing dissension with Mr. Miller, who was zen-like. Said office like Miller and was giving him Heritage title shot. Miller got pinned last month and in December, so what does this say about the AAW office?

Cabana vs. Skyy was brillance. It may have been Colt's best comedic performance of his career, and that covers a lot of ground. Colt got a "I need a hug" sign and hugged the camera man, the camera girl and PJ Drummond. Skyy tried to "save" Cabana. Cabana took his hands and started praising Jesus (Clash isn't really a Christian gimmick, but borrows heavy from it), then started to crush his hands. Skyy tried to work Cabana, but Colt kept hugging him. He gave Mena a hug, she bailed and Skyy attacked him from behind. Colt kissed Mena. Colt hit elbows, flying hole, and Billy Goat Curse sub to win. Just outstanding stuff from Cabana. He tried to kiss PJ, too.

Scarlett tried to make a deal with Craine to look out for Hollister. Cannon drank PBR.

Crowd really liked tag w/ Whitmer/Mat vs. Raymond/Able. Able looks like he tans, while Raymond looks like he lost muscle. Mat took a brutal looking-bump or two, including a massive lariat from Able for two. Finish escapes me, crowd stood for this. I wasn't that up for it...OK.

Dan Lawrence's opponent never showed up and he toasted AAW. So not only is he not over like he used to be, Cannon stole his PBR gimmick.

Elgin vs. Miller good. There was a botch early on a leapfrog by Miller, but no big deal. Chops from Elgin. Kicks from Miller, but Elgin dominated the middle of the match. Won with spinning powerbomb. Got better as it went on. Lots of claps for Miller after the match. If they're going to turn him face, it better be soon. Crowd pretty much is doing that now.

Truth went crazy on a promo with Emerson and Daniels. He said he had failed at WarGames, blamed Keith Walker. Emerson put people in jail. Danny's wife left him and took the kids. So Truth started to yell some comments about women and said "avenge me!" I stood and clapped. I don't know if Danny's wife leaving is legit, but it's telling when the booker makes his personal life part of an angle.

Lumberjack match: Faces (including Lawrence and Colt) backed Iron and heels backed Hollister. Slaps from Iron. Good heat. Iron dove onto the heels. Superkick from Hollister. Colt got in, tried to spank Scarlett. Chaos on the outside, Lawrence tried to hit Crane and nailed Iron. Iron got cheers after that.

Intermission: SHIMMER signings. Kevin Harvey came out, sat on the turnbuckle and started to whine. Lynam (with personalized Bears jersey, seriously) came out, gave Kevin his own assistant, an older woman in professional attire. Thank goodness this was intermission, or I would have cared even less.

Emerson d. Vega (who looks like Marek Brave with beard and better build) after a throw. Vega got stuff in. I'd rather it be a straight squash to make Emerson better.

More teasing problems between Cannon & Jacobs. Jimmy said they just biding time until next title shot.

SHIMMER 6-way was OK, not great. MsChif has the Freddy Krueger gear on now. Because if you want to portray any character, you want to be like a child-killer. Didn't see the whole move, but Athena came off the corner and darn near killed Nicole Matthews with some Ace Crusher variant. Got a "holy s**t" chant. MsChif pinned Portia.

Danny & Truth told her to leave the ring. She didn't Danny laid her out and the spike piledrove her. Truth said women are good for scrubbin dishes and doing it doggy, or something like that. Some cheers for that.

Young vs. Louis was Young being good as usual, but I didn't care much. Louis just isn't around much for the crowd to be emotionally invested, and nobody thought there was going to be a change. Couple near-falls, but the crowd didn't pop big. Just there. Val grabbed Louis' leg, claimed boot was untied. Silas won clean via pedigree. Yes, pedigree. I know he needed a secondary finisher, but a pedigree? That's ripping off Jimmy Rave ripping off Triple H.

Elgin out. Made challenge. Crowd actually gave him the WWE "What" treatment. Worst thing the crowd did all night. Elgin thought it was dumb, should have ripped the crowd even more. He wanted a "new champ" chant. Got a tepid one. Not the exciting promo needed to be cut for this case.

Tag main: Some fan was taking a money collection for Cannon's "PBR Fund." Cannon took the money, gave the fan beer. Cannon also showered himself with beer in the middle of the ring. So he's ripping off Austin. Brawl went into the crowd and the men's bathroom. Somebody did a something off the bar. Jimmy had some kid hit a Crist. Jimmy got blocked with the senton, ran into Cannon, and both men just started trading STIFF-looking punches. They stopped long enough to give one Crist a brainbuster and a sliced bread for the double pin. Afterwards, each man held up a belt to see who the crowd cheered more. Very interested to see where they go with this. I like it.

Cops kicked us out quick. I guess $12 for GA for now on, which is fine. AAW at $10 was kind of underpriced, anyway.

Well-done show. Next show has matches, but that's the same night Jon Jones fights Rashad Evans, so I won't be there. Too bad.

I had a very good time at the show. It was my first AAW event since 2010. I thought Fitchett/Whitmer vs Raymond/Able was the best match. Josh's middle rope springboard X Factor was really cool. The Razor's Edge hurricarana reversal off the top rope was almost botched, and it looked like Fitchett landed on his head, but it was a cool spot, nonetheless.

While its really apparent that Elgin lacks charisma, he has a unique bad ass, no nonsense WRESTLER vibe about him that I enjoy. I thought his match with Miller started off slow, but it built into a good back and forth contest.

Athena's top rope diving ace crusher was hit perfectly, and it really looked amazing.

I think my favorite spot of the night was Jake Crist's diving, twisting moonsault to the outside.

A few random thoughts---Von Eerie's stomach is beyond sexy, Emerson is really boring, and Gregory Iron is a great

I only take issue with one part of the review. The jersey. I go by one of my favorite Chicago sports talkers rule. If you buy a jersey put your own name on it. No grown man should be wearing a jersey with another grown man's name on it. You look silly. Otherwise thank you for coming to the show and taking the time to post the review. Always appreciated.

He has a point. I'm going to look bad at the ballpark this year with my Mark Buehrle White Sox jersey on. I have no regrets...still a fan. You're welcome.

Actually, now that you mention it, it makes sense. You wear a jersey w/ another dude's name in public, you pretty much forefit the right to rip the guy on-air.