There were nine matches, of which there were several screwy finishes. AWE are going to have to be careful not to put off fans with this booking tactic. The wrestlers are world-class, they just need to make sure there is a conclusion more often.
It was great to see some new champions crowned, as it will to see how the story lines progress on Tuesday Nights on RiOT! AWE remains, for us, to be an intriguing storyteller. Roll on Tuesday Nights!
Slampede 2020 was the second Pay-Per-view event (PPV) for the returned Supreme Championship Wrestling (SCW). The event was held at the HomeSafe Arena (Victoria, Alberta) in front of around 8,000 fans.
Dark Matches ( On the Pre-show)
Leo Hustle defeated Mark Tuggle in under five-minutes with a roll-up.
Candy Simms beat Alice Rocker by pinfall with the Simmsplex.
The Main Show:
HIRO vs CHRISTIAN BENNETT
Hiro (formerly known as KENSO/Kenso Kitani in AWE) took on Christian Bennett to kick off the event proper. Both men knew each other well from their time in AWE and it showed. A scientific masterpiece to kick things off, both men showcased their moves, with Hiro pulling off the victory when he reversed a reverse- roll up into one of his own (and appeared to pull the tights). Bennett was fuming, so we expect there to be more to this coming up in the weeks ahead.
Hiro gets the win with a roll-up.
Winner: Hiro
RYAN FURY vs MATT SMARTZ
The next fight was between the converted MMA fighter, Ryan Fury and the mischievous Matt Smartz. Smartz took the initiative to Fury, clasping on armholds and taking the man down at every chance, by fair means or foul. Fury kept making a comeback, only to walk into a shortcut to lose control and be back on the mat. Smartz also jarred with fans outside, as his odious character shone throughout this match-up.
Fury finally managed to turn the tide for the better, reversing a superplex, hitting a diving elbow and then a bulldog for near falls. Smartz was on the defensive, so Fury finished him off with the ‘Furious Finale’ and claimed the clean pinfall victory. Winner: Ryan Fury
BALTHAZAR vs EVAN LEBODY
Réishan superstar Balthazar battled seasoned veteran Evan LeBody in the next match. LeBody knows his way around the ring and how to position people in his favour. Balthazar knows only one way to respond- to smash right through any obstacle. LeBody was such a thing. Balthazar reversed a back suplex into one of his own, followed by a somersault splash from the top rope. When that didn’t put LeBody away, he utilised some very stiff kicks to the face and back and a piledriver.
Balthazar crushes LeBody with a piledriver.
Lebody managed to get a hand on the ropes to break up the pinfall, but it was too late for him. He walked straight into a devastating running knee, that KO’d him into next week. Winner: Balthazar
THE PACIFIC POWERS vs ZARTHAN & HATHEON DROSA
In a tag team match, the newly formed ‘Pacific Powers’, consisting of Tamu and Kensuke Tanaka were up against the established GPPW line-up of Zarthan and Hatheon Drosa. This was a powerhouse matchup, with little finesse. It was all about strength and power, with all four men considering themselves ‘tough guys’.
The four men squared off, matching each other power move for power move. The action spilled outside, with the match in danger of being a count out or disqualification. The referee though, to his credit, managed to get the combatants back in the ring. Following a beat-down, Tamu managed to avoid a double -team clothesline attempt and tag in Tanaka. Tanaka was on fire, suplexing and dropkicking his foes out of the ring. He suplexed Drosa back into the ring and then clotheslined him back out.
This isolated Zarthan, who was finished off with a splash mountain and somersault splash. Winners: The Pacific Powers (Tamu and Kensuke Tanaka)
VANESSA BROOKS & KATIE WEAVER vs PAULA LAWLESS & TIFFANY
In a Women’s tag match, Vaness Brooks teamed with Katie Weaver to take on Paula Lawless and Tiffany (who was making her debut).
It was an even affair for the most part, with Lawless & Tiffany starting off really well, before Brooks & Weaver took control for a while. The match ended when all four women took in a melee, resulting in all four women being knocked down to the canvass- plus the referee.
Once order and composure had been restored. Paul Lawless decked Weaver with the Law-breaker to get the win. Winners: Paula Lawless & Tiffany
Semi-final : BENJAMIN WAUGH vs CESAR MORGAN
A place in the World Title tournament was at stake for the winner of the semi-final match-up. Both men lost their matches two months ago, so both were eager to get their first victory here.
In the near 30 minute battle, both men showed their mettle and ring nous in a close-fought and immersive spectacle. Whilst Waugh is many years the junior, his ring experience is right up there with Morgan’s. Both men battled with slams, suplexes, throws, chops and kicks to near falls, before they brawled outside and narrowly avoided a countout.
Waugh thought he had won the match following a back superplex and headbutt combo- as he didn’t know that Morgan’s finger had touched the ropes after the referee completed his count. Cesar pounced on the moment and nailed Waugh with a flying knee, for a close fall.
Morgan powerslams Waugh.
The two exchanged blows- suplex for spinebuster, brainbuster for powerslam. All very close calls for the referee making the count, James Colt.
The two kept battling, neither would back down. Cesar Morgan eventually came out the victor by using the ‘Redneck Special’ flying kick for the one-two-three. Benjamin Waugh is now out of the Supreme World Championship restart tournament. Winner: Cesar Morgan
DRAKE ALPHA vs DANNY “THE ACE” AUSTEN
The main event winner would get a bye to the semi-finals of the World Championship tournament. Drake was accompanied by his Personal Coach Justin Genius.
The match started off at a cautious, slow-pace with the two feeling each other out, trying not to be the one to makes mistake. They traded headlocks and armdrags, leglocks and throws. They were both proving to be equal.
The Ace, is so named as he is flamboyant and flashy, though. He decided to up the tempo and hit Alpha with a barrage of takedowns and then clotheslined Alpha over the top rope to the floor.
He then followed it up with a graceful dive onto Drake and his manager, Genius. From there, the referee showed a lot of discretion to the rules. Both men used the steel steps and chairs on the other. Justin Genius tried to mug Austen, but he threw Genius though a ringside table- which the ringside fans loved!
Once they got back in the ring, The Ace looked for the kill. He hit Drake with a sea of offence- a Slammerjammer, a piledriver, a powerbomb and a spear. Justin Genius, recovering from his fall, managed to pull the referee’s leg to break up a count. After being admonished, it was clear he’d also left something for his wrestler. It was a knuckleduster. Alpha swung and hit Austen and went for the pin. The referee noticed that Austen had the wherewithal to put his leg on the bottom rope at the very last second. Genius and Alpha were livid. Alpha then went for his managers, sorry- business coach’s patented move- the IQ Dropper. The Ace got his shoulder at the very, very last second- which the referee noticed.
The match came to a conclusion, when Justin Genius placed a chair in the corner and tried to distract the referee. Alpha went to ram Austen’s head into it, but it was reversed. The Ace then followed up on it with an Ace-breaker for the victory and a first round bye.
Drake Alpha was seen exiting arguing with Justin Genius. He may be pondering that had he kept it to pure wrestling, he may have won this match. Going beyond the rules did seem to cost him.
The Ace has the first round bye in the tournament, which will start on SCW’s new tv show- Showdown, airing on Saturday evenings between 6-8pm on NTV1.
It was a great show that they put on, with the quality of the matches shining through, especially at the upper end. It was a solid card from start to finish. AWE must be concerned, they will need to entertain at their next PPV – BeachBrawl on 26th July.
This summer’s tournament bring eight of the ten CONCAFA nations together, with Panduras and Djaratia regrettably failing to pass through the Nations League stage, which served as qualifiers of sort.
Hosts Aguador lead off Group A, with Marida, who two years ago were in the final four of the WEFA World Nations Cup. Debutants Targaria, the Hungarian speaking nation, were newly formed out of the split with Djaratia. Réisha were caught up in civil war just a few years back, so this is a time for them to try to gt things ‘back to normal’ in a footballing sense.
Group B has holders Eboria paired with Nations League winners Latania, always dangerous Anderland, plus a rising giant in Saint Louis. It is definitely seen as the harder group.
GROUP A
Clockwise from Top left- Aguador, Marida, Targaria and Réisha.
Hosts Aguador have a good starting eleven, good enough to match anyone, but do they have a good enough squad for the five games? Luis Velasquez leads the line, with Emilio Alcaraz, Santi Ramon and Saul Blanco all supporting the attack. Home support will be vital in getting them through the knockout phases. They kick off with Marida, so it will be interesting to see how they start. Falling in game one does not by any means rule them out of contention.
Marida finished third in Spain & Portugal two summers ago. Having lost the semi-final to Brazil then, and losing the CNC final in 2016 to Eboria- they feel the time is now to win something. Their last tournament victory was back in 2008, with Felipé and Carlosinho. The next generation of Carlos Ricardo, Rolando, Lieira, Xavi Rodrigues and co. need to win gold- now! Youth has been added with the excellent Césaro, Felix and Costinho. This only enriches the squad. Hard to bet against taking the trophy home.
Réisha are back. The Dragon Warriors have been playing for two years to get to this point and are ready to fight for their nation. Fighting spirit is one thing, but do they have the talent to pull off something of a coup and get out of the group? Talismanic playmaker Matheo Zalas is their great hope, but he can’t win it all by himself. Although they are far from a one-man team, third in the group would be an acheivement.
New nation Targaria are ready to fly the flag at their first ever tournament as a sovereign nation. There will be great joy and pride in leading the men out in Aguador. The front four all have ESL experience – Andras Féher (Hallas), Szabo at San Andreas, Balasz Nagy on the flanks at NC United and István Kovacs at FC Coratia. If they can beat Réisha, they will have a chance to sneak through.
Clockwise from top left- Anderland, Eboria, Saint Louis and Latania
Anderland’s front three of Overgaard, Heinz and Mulder should strike gold (or goal-ed) for the Andutchmen. The defence may be their Achilles heel. If they can keep things tight at the back, they should be able to oust either Eboria or Latania for a top two spot . They know three into two won’t go and they don’t want to be the odd ones out.
Holders Eboria have a great squad and must be considered co-favourites. Although Aaron Johnson, Daniel Ayandele, Buckhalter and Scott Bradshaw have retired from international football, the replacements- Mark Vladic, Troy Walker and Danny Marshall have all stepped up to fill any void. Add in Jordan Wilcox, Aslan Burakgazi and Eddie Brown III and you have a stacked squad to retain their crown.
Latania won the Nations League with goals from their ex-European based players. Paolo Alzari, Mauro Bellatoni and Mario Lotti were on fire as a collective. Italy-based holding midfielder Massimo Galante provides the engine in midfield and he is now well accompanied by either Foscarelli or Tosi. A solid back four makes them difficult to break down. If their form holds, expect them to at least be in the final four.
Saint Louis are the underdogs in this difficult grouping, possibly the worst for the french-speaking republic. Adelphia’s Lilian Diane is looking for a new home as he wants to start up front- he has been a tremendous striker in the past two months. Grandeau, Ettiene Kamara and Sasa Lucic are great players also. The Saint Louisiens are a top-heavy side and are prone to leaking goals. Hard to see them anywhere but bottom, especially as winger Jacques Marceau has pulled out of the squad due to a hamstring injury suffered in the ESL finale.
Predicted order: 1-Eboria, 2 – Latania, 3- Anderland, 4- Saint Louis
Predicted semi finals- Marida to beat Latania, Eboria to beat Aguador.
Saturday April 25th 2020: Supreme Championship Wrestling returned to our screens, with its first Pay-per-view (PPV) in nine years. A packed Chamberlain Hall crowd witnessed the rebirth of the promotion and what a show they got. There were eight matches in total.
Opening Match: CHRISTIAN BENNETT vs EVAN LeBODY
The opening match was a homecoming for SCW original Christian Bennett. A partisan crowd sang along to his theme tune and oléyed him when he hit multiple suplexes or clotheslines. Evan LeBody was incensed by the crowd not giving him the same adulation, taking time out twice to walk around the ring and berate fans. Bennett is all business though, and pummelled LeBody with lariats and slams, setting him up for a ‘Drive-By DDT’ and the pinfall. Winner: Christian Bennett (Rating : 3 out of 5)
Match 2: BALTHAZAR vs MATT BLACK
GPPW regular Balthazar took on Eborian journeyman Matt Black in the second bout. Black started off by taking veteran shortcuts to slow things down and put Balthazar off his game. The Réishan is no novice, though, returning the favour by matching thumbs to the eyes and taunting, before picking up the tempo with a barrage of offence.
Black stuttered and tried to take another time out, but was caught and suplexed back into the ring. Balthazar then hit a Death-Driver for a near fall. Black almost stole it with a role up, but walked into one himself and lost the match. Winner: Balthazar (Rating: 3.5)
Balthazar rolls up Black
Balthazar celebrates!
Match 3: Three-Way RYAN FURY vs HIRO vs LEO HUSTLE
In an unannounced match, a three-way matchup was next. Ryan Fury and Leo Hustle provided many high spots and brutal kicks. Hiro, though, on this night, was a cut above them, pinning Fury after Hustle had been thrown outside and attacked.
Hiro pins Fury
Match 4: PAULA LAWLESS vs VANESSA BROOKS
In the first women’s match of the restart, Paul Lawless took on the spiteful and arrogant Vanessa Brooks. Lawless was the clear babyface in this encounter and was cheered on by the SCW faithful. Brooks tried to sneak out the wins by pulling tights and using the ropes, but could not get one over on Lawless. Lawless rolled up Brooks for the win. Winner Paula Lawless (Rating: 3)
Match 5; METAMANIACS vs ZARTHAN & HATHEON DROSA
Mike and Jeff, the Metamaniacs, took on the Réishan stars of Zarthan and Hatheon Drosa- former GPPW Tag Team Champions in the initial tag match.
This was a short match, which the official had difficulty maintaining order. Both teams frequently double-teamed their opponents and it was at times akin to a tornado match. The Meta men won by pinfall, following their ‘Meta-four’ manoeuvre. Winners: The MetaManiacs (Rating: 4)
Match 6: STREETFIGHT- TAMU vs KRYTUS
A wild brawl from the get-go, this one! Tamu and Krytus battered each other for nearly twenty minutes in a hard-hitting streetfight.
Tamu DDTs Krytus
Tamu about to dive
Krytus locks up Tamu
Tamu thought he’d got the win following a vicious DDT on the mats outside, but Krytus was not done. The hard-headed Réishan came back with a superplex and a powerslam for near falls, before the weapons came out. Both men used Kendo sticks and chairs and tables. Krytus finally got the pinfall, when he smacked Tamu with a chair and then executed a face-buster onto the chair for the fall. Winner: Krytus (Rating: 4)
Match 7: BENJAMIN WAUGH vs ‘THE ACE’ DANNY AUSTEN
The up and coming superstar against the flashy established performer. This match started off with Waugh taking an initial advantage and wearing down Austen with shoulder takedowns and armlocks. Waugh also worked on Austen’s back for a few minutes before Austen could make a comeback.
Waugh readys a piledriver
Austen gets a neckbreaker
The Ace, is so-called because he excels at the art of wrestling. He put the match right back into his favour with well-timed knee strikes, a toss out and dive to the outside. From there, The Ace looked to wear down the youngster with backbreakers and stretches. When Waugh looked tired, The Ace went for the kill. Climbing the top turnbuckle, Austen went for a spinning moonsault, but met Benjamin’s knees to the face instead. Waugh then hit a ton of suplexes and other power moves. Going for a big power slam, Waugh got caught with the amazing spinning cutter from Austen. That was it.
Austen pins Waugh following the spinning cutter.
Winner: ‘The Ace’ Danny Austen (Rating 4.5)
Main Event: DRAKE ALPHA vs CESAR MORGAN
The main event was a matchup between the shoot wrestler and the roughneck villain, with the two putting on a 33 minute classic. Cesar Morgan has impressed in his time in Eboria and Réisha, the Texas native has made himself very much at home. With his methodical pace, he took the lead in this encounter. Alpha, akin to a young Kurt Angle, is a wrestling machine. The two went back and forth, taking turns with holds and moves to break each other down. Morgan came close with two counts following a superplex and falcon arrow combo, a modified RKO and small package. Alpha came close from multiple German suplexes, Judo throws and legsweeps and backbreakers.
Drake Alpha enters
Morgan strikes Drake
Morgan goes to Suplexvillle
The two were tiring, as the pace slowed down at the 25 minute mark. Both men missed dives from the top rope as they appeared to be faltering. After Alpha escaped a neckbreaker attempt from Morgan, he hit a devilish piledriver for near fall. With Morgan in rubber-leg city, Alpha hit a spinebuster and set up for the Alpha-lock (STF). The Texan would not quit, finally managing to escape and hit a cutter for a near fall. Drake Alpha wouldn’t give up either and went back to the Alpha-lock. Morgan couldn’t escape this time and eventually tapped out. A tremendous match.
Alpha stretches our Cesar, for the submission win.
Winner: Drake Alpha (Rating 4.75)
Alpha celebrates his great victory.
It was a great night of action, but with these ‘cold’ pairings, it’s not clear at this stage what kind of feuds or rivalries will be forming (other than in the spirit of competition). We will have to wait and see!
The four Quarter-final series have been completed with an unusual bracket result appearing. With the number one and number four seeds falling, we have number 5 Carlton Dynamo against #8 Nashford Lakers. Carlton demolished the Hallas Heat 3-0 in a one-sided series- so much for #4 v #5 always being an even match-up. The Lakers beat out the top seeds, the Chakota Tigers in a thrilling game five, edging victorious 86 points to 84 at the buzzer.
The Lakers win on a buzzer beater!
In the second side of the bracket, it went true to form, but both winners had to come from behind to win in five games. The Aces edged out the Glendara Dragons 94-82, with a strong second half in the final game.
The Landor Lasers found the Mayona Magic a hard opponent to put away, until they managed a fierce final quarter in game 5, to win 82-72.
The Landor Lasers and Adelphia Aces will be a thrilling series to watch.
Supreme Championship Wrestling (SCW) returns to action after a nine-year hiatus on Saturday night! For many years the promotion was considered the number-two wrestling company in Eboria, and THE pure wrestling company.
Following the buyout in 2011, SCW closed its doors, with talent and championships merging into a larger AWE. The Supreme Championship ran on Mayhem from 2012-2015. AWE then promoted its world title as the AWE Supreme World Championship, following unification. The ‘Supreme’ part was abandoned in 2017, which is what partially led to the resurrection. SCW’s first show back is Resurrection and will feature newly-signed up talent and those on-loan from Réishan partners Grand Prix Pro Wrestling (GPPW). A TV deal is yet to be announced, but is expected.
The initial Match-ups :
SCW Original wrestler Christian Bennett was one of the first names announced for the relaunch. Underutilised in AWE, this is a welcome move for the veteran, who still has some good years left in the tank.
Evan LeBody was a star in the now defunct Ring of Power Wrestling (RoPW) promotion His individual flair and style will be a good fit for SCW as it moves forward. These two have never faced each other before, so it will be an interesting match.
Réishan rising star BALTHAZAR is a fierce competitor and multi-timme champion in his homeland. SCW’s talent trading deal with Réisha’s GPPW means he gets a chance to show off his talents in Eboria.
Matt Black is a twenty year veteran who has wrestled all over the world. Having recently been in AWE for the Scrumble, he will likely be a familiar face for the SCW viewers. How will Balthazar fare away from his home promotion? Will Black be able to cope with the unorthodox move-set of Balthazar? We are itching to find out.
Paula Lawless is a fearless fighter, who mave have her hand full in the first women’s match in the revamped SCW. Vanessa Brooks is a powerful woman, with an attitude to match. These two should provide a good insight into how the women’s division will fare in 2020.
The Streetfight between Samoan Smashmouth TAMU and Réishan Roughhouse KRYTUS will be the first match with modified rules in the new organization. Tamu wrestled in Eboria before- in RoPW and the NEWA, but is better known for his run in GPPPW. Krytus has been the GPPW Grand Champion twice, with his style reminiscent of Taz in ECW. Both have had big brawling battles before, so this one should be a war.
MetaManiacs vs Zarthan & Hatheon Drosa The tag team division will get under way with a match-up from the recently released (from AWE) Metamaniacs and GPPW pairing Zarthan & Hatheon Drosa. The Metamaniacs are a savvy, cock-sure team – using lots of dives, flips and double-teams to overpower their (normally) large foes. Zarthan and Drosa have teamed up before in a tag tournament in GPPW. They shoould work well together and will be a big test for the Meta ones.
“The Ace” Danny Austen is the potential superstar for SCW. Having seasoned himself all over the world for the last five years, Austen is now at a point where he is a well-rounded wrestler and entertainer. With a mixture of styles, he is making himself a hybrid performer. His spinning RKO finisher dubbed ‘the Ace in the hole’ is one to watch out for.
Benjamin Waugh is an up and coming wrestler, who shone in the junior division in Ring of Power and was a graduate of the DNA Dojo in Eboria. Waugh reminds us of a young Chris Benoit in style, with a ferocious ring style. This is an interesting match up.
Drake Alpha is a wrestler’s wrestler! Reminding us of a mixture of Scott Snyder and Kurt Angle in his in-ring approach, Alpha is a true man of more than a thousand holds, with him seeming to have an answer for any offence. With Justin Genius supporting him at ringside, Morgan will have his work cut out.
Cesar Morgan tore the house down in his final run in Ring of Power. The tough Texan, self stylised as the ‘Redneck Assassin’, wears a big ol’ cowboy hat to the ring and is larger than life within it. Every move means something- and normally pain for his opponent. Drake will need to avoid his knee strikes and clotheslines. His signature finisher, the ‘Texas Deathdrop’ is a sure-fire three count.
SCW Resurrection is on live on PPV and Superplex.com from 8pm on Saturday Night (Eboria only)
Professional Basektball Association (Eboria) | regular Season
The 2019-20 regular season has finished, with all teams completing their 64 games. The eight seedings for the playoffs have now been set. This was a historic set, as for the first time this millennium, neither the Kings or Towers are in the post season!
The Tigers won their last five to take the no.1 spot, as the Lasers stuttered at the finish. They will be hoping to be getting back on form for the playoffs. Every series is best-of-five, with the top seed starting with two home games.
The Dynamo and Lakers are new entrants to the recent playoff picture, as the Aces and Magic were happy to get back in. There’s no stopping now, playoffs commence on Tuesday night- with the Landor Lasers entertaining the Mayona Magic in game 1. Wednesday sees The Dynamo and Heat followed by the Aces vs Dragons. Thursday night sees no.1 seed Chakota host the Nashford Lakers. It’s then on to game 2 on Friday night for Lasers and Magic, etc.!
The Dragons and Tigers are both in the playoffs once again.
CEFA, the Confederation of Eborian Football Associations, launched their new deal with Adidas today. The Eborian Men’s, Women’s and Junior teams will wear the new strips as of now. The Men’s team will showcase them this summer at the CONCAFA Nations Cup in Aguador, the Women’s team in the Women’s Nations Cup in 2021.
At the same time the organisation have updated the badge for the nation team strips.
This 8 -year deal follows on from their 16 year partnership with Nike, that saw the men capture two Nation’s Cups and qualify for the WEFA World Nations Cup in 2006, 2010 and 2018.
The AWE Smashmouth Scrumble was an entertaining affair- setting the MuscleMania wheels in motion- giving the number one contenders for World and Women’s Championships as well as starting or maintaining feuds.
PLAYOFF for first or last entry into the Scrumble: CHAY WALKER vs MATT BLACK
Chay Walker faced off with Matt Black in the opening bout, with entering 1st or 40th at the the Scrumble match at stake. The two went back and forth for the first four minutes, before Black gained the upper hand with a questionably low blow. As Black went for the wear down routine, Walker looked to be fading. Sensing victory coming soon, Matt Black let up, so he could set up Walker for the Black Spot finisher- unfortunately he ended up giving Walker room for several high impact knees, followed by the Walkie-Talkie for the three count. Afterwards, Matt Black rolled back in the ring with a steel chair and attacked Chay Walker’s torso and left leg with the chair. Walker needed assistance to the back.
Reports have come in that the PFL’s talks with Eborian Football Conference (EFC) teams may have been fruitful. It is rumoured that the league will announce the reinstatement of the Pottsbugh Cardinals and Amorgan Blues, following their three years out of the league due to financial irregularities.
The Bristow Bears and Nashford Lions helmets
Joining with them is reportedly the top two teams in the EFC (the two that have fought for the last three championships) – Nashford Lions and Bristow Bears will be joining them to give the league twenty teams again.
The Bears were in the league from the 1960s to the 1990s, until they had a dispute with the Commisioner’s office over other teams abusing the salary cap and other infractions. When the league were seen to be too slow to investigate, then owner Bill McGrady took his ball (read team) and went home. It was a massive move and sent shockwaves through the Eborian gridiron networks. Some said they would never return, but perhaps they will!
USN ~ The Ultimate Sports Network 