This is not the news anyone wants to hear at all. Last night I was checking my social media feed around 7 PM. I noticed things blew up out of DFW indy wrestling scene with posts from the workers and the fans posting hearts while keeping it hush hush. I sensed a bad feeling out of it. I messaged a person from there asking what's going on. That person gave me the news as well not say anything til its out publicly: DFW indy wrestler Jason Silver died. Wait a minute. Jason Silver died? The Immortal who wrestled few days ago over the weekend for Metroplex Wrestling (MPX) on Saturday and Heart of Texas (HOT) on Sunday? The death defying aerial high flyer wrestler who took some of the nastiest bumps I seen live in person and getting up like nothing for almost 12 years throughout various feds is gone? I message another person who is the biggest fan and supporter of DFW indy scene only to confirm the news is true. A huge shock shot over me leaving me an emotional wreck for the rest of the night. Everyone who heard and received the news had the same feeling of disbelief and shock. His death publicly announced around 8:30 leaving ginormous wave of grief and sorrow from wrestlers and fans. It was sudden and unexpected. You never know a person will be here today and gone tomorrow. Life is brutally unfair. Memories and photographs of him poured on social media. It's hard reading a post from Sky de LaCrimosa. They been together as tag team partners under the name The Lost Boys and as well feuding rivals in the ring along being traveling friends throughout the Texas indy wrestling scene for close to 15 years.
Jason Silver is a talented high flyer with no fear. There are so many times he would do insane spots and took hard landings absorbing amounts of pain. Despite taking it he would still get up and walked like he's bulletproof. There's a clip I saw from MPX show where he went for asai moonsault on the outside, but his knees hit part of the tiles from the side ceiling and immediately dropped down head first. It's a miracle he wasn't hurt very badly out of it. Around the workers he would give out advice helping them to improve. Outside the ring, Jason Silver is superb human being taking time with fans after the show to giving out advice of wisdom on his social media page. He was truly one of a kind.
I have so many wonderful memories of Jason Silver in the ring for over a decade from matches to crazy spots and landings as well chatting with him after the show. I still remember the show stealing match in ACW against a returning "Unholy" Gregory James (now known as "The Guttersnake" Izzy James). Every time when he does Spanish Fly move I always called it Complexity because it sounded way much better. The few times I been to MPX show he would be surprise to see me in the crowd. I attended MPX show on day before 2021 WWE Money in the Bank and walked up to him after the show catching him by surprised. I seen him wrestle in singles, tag team, multi-team matches at various feds around the state such as ACW, MPX, Inspire AD, and BOW-ATX/PWX. I seen him evolve from one of the Lost Boys with Sky de LaCrimosa with them feuding with each other as he went on a single run being a Complex Killer. He formed an unholy union with Gregory James as Unholy Complex winning ACW tag team titles before splitting and feuding with each other. He went on to win multiple championships in feds such as ACW and MPX. I was there when he won Lone Star Classic 2017 tournament and few months later won ACW Heavyweight title. At MPX he reunite with Sky de LaCrimosa reforming The Lost Boys and causing chaos with manager Isaac Maser giving out instructions of in-ring destruction as well becoming The Immortal. The last time I saw him in person was in late August of last year. It was first show of ACW re-boot. I drove up to Austin for the show and happy to see me along rest of the talent who recognize me from years of shows I attended previously. Just like that it came full circle. The first time I saw him in person was at ACW in 2011. Last time I saw him it was ACW in 2022.
Jason Silver you will be forever missed by the workers and the fans around Texas independent wrestling scene. Thank you for providing in-ring and outside the ring memories! You are immortalized and your memory lives on. Remember Lost Boys don't cry. RIP.
Have some matches and highlights of the late Jason Silver
MPX - Jason Silver vs Mike Foxx (casket match)
ACW - Jason Silver vs Jay Serious vs Exodus Prime vs Gabe Wilder
MPX - Jason Silver vs Sku de LaCrimosa
Various Jason Silver vs Barrett Brown matches from various feds. Call it his best in-ring rival
MPX - Jason Silver vs Brent McKenzie MPX entrance theme
Jerry Lynn, Rachel Summerlyn, and Scot Summers together for one final time
The Austin independent wrestling scene still vibing with soon to be four feds running along the wrestling school in the area. It remains one of hot beds in indy wrestling scene as talent from in and outside the state coming in to work one of the shows. How did they get there? Let's go back to 10 years ago on January 20, 2013 when the scene took its major shift.
Anarchy Championship Wrestling held their flagship ship Guilty by Association 7. A sold out crowd crammed The Mohawk to watch one of final matches of retiring Jerry Lynn who is in his final leg of his retirement tour. He took on "Showtime" Scot Summers in a rematch from Guilty by Association 2 as well previous shows before GBA2. The show highlighted with, in my opinion, the greatest ACW match in history between ACW hardcore champion Matthew Palmer and ACH which I've dubbed the hardcore mat classic. J.T. LaMotta announced after his match against Jason Silver this will be his final year wrestling full time and set his sights against Jimmy Jacobs as his final opponent (note: it didn't end well). ACW TV title match between the late Shawn Vexx and Davey Vega fighting for current ROH women champion Athena affection only for Athena to cash in her no.1 contenders title shot and beat both of them at same to show both of them she's not property and is her own person while becoming TV champion. The schedule match between ACW heavyweight champion Rachel Summerlyn and Darin Childs never happened as former champion Jaykus Plisken jumped Childs before the match and insert himself in the match. Summerlyn would dispatch Plisken. Then the main event between Lynn and Summers as they gave the crowd a finale with Lynn winning. Just when fans think they're getting a happy ending, Evan Gelistico and Gary Jay of Submission Squad ambushed Lynn and Summers with Lynn getting handcuffed to the rope leaving the crowd shocked. Gelistico called out Rachel Summerlyn to put the ACW heavyweight title up immediately or he will kill Lynn. Summerlyn did and within minutes Gelistico pinned Summerlyn to become ACW heavyweight champion in front of a shocked and angry crowd. Gelistco and Jay had fight their way through the crowd on the way to back as fans would sneak in punches to their body. When all is cleared this shot I took turned out be iconic. It's the final time The Godfathers and Godmother of Anarchy appeared together in the ring as they gave their speeches.
Behind scenes was reportedly chaotic before and during show with so many variations tossed around. At the end Rachel Summerlyn left ACW. She would wrestle few more matches before leaving wrestling altogether. Another person to leave ACW after the show is Justin Bissonette citing burn out. I remember watching the DVD of this show after Gelistico won the belt, J.T. LaMotta doing commentary for the match mention the lines of changing landscape in wrestling. He predicted it.
What changed? ACW went another route. The all-out wild brawls still there but they had a different emphasis as certain talent got pushed up as well newer wrestlers popping up. Then came the ACH and Jeff Gant match few months later. The crowd hated it despite being a good match. Many of the local fans pointed to this match on why Inspire Pro (now renamed Inspire AD) formed involving Max Meehan and Justin Bissonette who reluctantly return to wrestling but gave it another go. Inspire ran their first show in July of that year building upon the fed using top talent around the state as well occasional fly-ins. It renew Bissonette interest in wrestling as he always have an eye on talent and been there since. In 2017 Wrestling Circus started up booking big indy wrestling names. Despite the success of their shows it was also their undoing as well having trouble finding a building to run a show. They would shut down then restart before shutting down permanently in 2019. As of this day, Inspire AD and ACW (under new management) still running having to survive the 2020 pandemic year. Also running around Austin is the upstart Infamous Wrestling (run by former ACW referee Donnie Davis) which debut last year. Soon to be starting Borracho Pro (run by a crew of five) with their debut show coming up on February 4.
Change is good and it helped out Austin indy wrestling scene in the long run. During those 10 years in between there are four wrestlers that end up making a mark in the area. Look for it next month.
Another year in the books. Pandemic still going on, but things opened up slowly at start of the year and by mid-year it got little bit back normal. Also back are local independent shows popping up once every month. I been to many shows around the state taking photos, and record matches fan-cam style. Of the thousands of shots I took there are ones I enjoy. I give you my 10 favorite shots from the shows I attended in order of the dates.
From January 16 New Texas Pro Show in Colorado City. This one is a favorite because you have NTPW Lonestar champion the hated Teflon John Bedlam getting booed and thumbs down from a fan in front of him. But behind him are the few fans still cheering for him. It shows even bad guys in wrestling will have a cult following.
From April 30 Global Wrestling Federation in Halthom City. After sea of masked Nasticos enter the ring to fight Scotty Master Blaster this one pinned him after hitting him with a loaded mask to win GWF Texas title. When this Nasitco unmasked it was revealed to be Ocho Camacho who faked being injured earlier on the show. The sinister laugh with Nastico holding GWF Texas over his head captured that moment as one of my favorites shots. I reminds me when Vince McMahon revealed to be the Higher Power and Jim Ross let out, "Aw son of a bitch!" in response.
From June 5 Adrenalina Lucha Libre show in Odessa. This is their first ever show with them featuring wrestlers from El Paso area. The main event is Skybird and Sayrus vs Minotauro and Utopia in 2/3 falls lucha libre match. The four delivered a solid 20 minute performance. After the match fans in the building show their appreciation and respect to all four wrestlers tossing them money in a ring, a custom in lucha libre feds. This shot capture the moment of a well-deserved reward for their hard work.
From July 17 MPX wrestling show in Bedford. This is Dave Segan. For five years in MPX he found ways to reinvent himself for the weekly Saturday night shows first as The Solution and being a member of Impact Players. Then he became Emo Dave and leader of his group House Segan. He follow it up with Friendly Neighbor Dave and teaming up with Tatum Manning before turning on him and becoming this final MPX incarnation: Living Legend Dave. This his first night showing off this gimmick and its a freakin' hit that I loved it despite him being a heel. This shot showed how wrestling characters should be: larger than life.
From the same MPX show, the main event feature Dexter Hardaway retirement match. His opponent MPX Prospects champion Exodus Prime took Thank You Dexter sign and gave it the Pope treatment ripping it in half. Look at how serious he looks and his focus going into this match complete with shades.
Also from the same MPX show. This is Dexter Hardaway send off after his retirement match and a speech. After over a decade of being on the roads balancing between real-life and weekend warrior to end it on his own terms Big Dex deserves to celebrate in style. This moment captured it.
From August 14 ICW No Holds Barred show in San Antonio. New York-based ICW (run by Danny DeManto) made their tour down in Alamo City for the weekend of deathmatch style mayhem. One of matches feature San Antonio's own "King of the Underground" Scot Summers and Shlak. It was Summers first return to the ring in few years. It almost went bad when Summers got hurt during the match, but he still made it through. I took this shot after his match. It shows Scot Summer in deep thought and reflection after the bloody war he went through against Shlak. This shot is very deep and one of my favorites.
From ICW No Holds Barred show Orin Veidt and Dale Patricks simultaneously smashing light tubes on each other to a puff of smoke and hundreds of shards from the light tubes. It's another night in the deathmatch arena.
From November 20 Squared Circle Pro show in Lubbock. After a chase for the title which began from the first show of the year back in January, Reggie Lincoln achieved his goal defeating Jastin Taylor to win SCP title in their final event of the year. Here, you have half of the locker room coming out and lifting Reggie on their shoulders with promoter Rick Elsey pointing at him as he's the man of the hour in his fed. This captures the blowoff of a year long feud build and the final result is a happy storybook ending.
From December 18 Rampage Wrestling show in Abilene. The former Skip Terrific went on a gimmick change to this character: a 1920s noir-like wrestling detective named Phil Noir. This is my first time watching this gimmick in action. In this is gold momemt Phil Noir takes a drink before entering the ring. It's the over-the-top that sold me on this.
Hope you enjoy my shots from Texas independent wrestling scene. I wish you all a Happy New Year.
For one independent wrestler it was not suppose to end this way. The self-proclaimed "Megastar" Angel Blue forced to call it a career two years after her final match.
For over a decade she been down the roads and rings of Texas indy wrestling scene especially Austin-based Anarchy Championship Wrestling. She relished on being hated by the crowd. With a smug self-absorbed over-confident look, she would get in fan's faces claiming to be the greatest and hurl insults. Before getting in the ring she swept her feet back on the apron in direction of the fans. Fans responded to her with loud boos, arguing back with her, and on occasion tossing rolls of toilet paper when she gets introduced in the ring. She continues to antagonize the crowd with insults and singing "We are the champions!" off key. She worked the fans way too well having the fans boo her for everything she did in the ring. Fans wanted her get beat only for her to win in sneaky and nefarious ways.
She shows up at ACW ready to work and get involved. She even popped up not long after being in a bad car accident to talk on the mic giving a passionate speech on showing up despite not able to work because she loved this. She's a two-time ACW Joshi champion, a TV champion, a tag team champion with Jojo Bravo (now known as Jay Serious) and 2013 Queen of Queens tournament winner. Her tag team with Jojo Bravo will always be underrated and underappreciated. The chemistry between the two as reluctant tag partners who try to screw over each other only to get a miraculous victory at the end. She wrestled in Sabotage when it started up and feuded with current AEW wrestler Leva Bates. One of her victories over her was locking Bates inside trunk of a car. It lead to Last Woman Standing match between the two. In 2018 she made her Inspire A.D. debut being surprise tag team partner of Steve O'Reno and became Inspire A.D. Twin Dragons champions with him. Things were going good for her....
Til one Inspire show in Jan 2019. She was in a match against Jenna Lynn and current NXT wrestler Shotzi Blackheart when she took one spot. It was a spot I seen done many times, but this one caused a herniated disc in her neck. Everything she worked for comes crashing to a halt for an unfortunate injury. She had surgery to repair and endure hell trying to make it back. Despite bouncing back and working hard she couldn't able to be cleared for a comeback. Not the way she wants to go out.
Angel Blue is a textbook case on being a heel from going face-to-face with fans to finding hundreds of devious ways to break the rules and win a match. She always been a solid hand in the ring. Part of me want her in the middle of the ring to say goodbye only to go "Sike! I lied! I'm back!" to chorus of boos. It would be the most perfect thing for her. A fan can only dream. Thank you Angel Blue for putting everything in the ring. When I hear Queen - I Want It All I immediately think of you coming out to the ring. You are truly a Megastar.
I was out of town spending few days in Fort Worth. It was late Saturday night when I logged on and heard the news I didn't want to hear. Shontez Montgomery known to Texas indy wrestling fans as Shawn Vexx passed Saturday morning. His passing left wrestling colleagues and fans in deep sadness. Next few days fellow wrestlers and fans talked about their memories of him. From the stories he would believe in wrestlers giving out advice to be a good soul all around along with funny stories.
I have so many memories of shooting photos and watching him go out and wrestle in the ring. When I started going to Anarchy Championship Wrestling shows I would buy DVDs of their past shows to catch up the storyline on how they get to point A to point B. Few months before December 2011 show (my first ever ACW show) Vexx, while as a face, would cut promo foreshadowing his heel turn which he completed at Lone Star Classic becoming leader of The Children of Pain 2.0 with Jason Silver, Sky de LaCrimosa, Jeff Gant, and Killah Kash (now known as Remedy). My first match I saw of him was opening card match of Dec 2011 show when he beat Gregory James (now known as Isiah/Izzy James). Later in the show he would take out Donnie Davis with a vicious chair shot. He spent 2012 feuding with A.C.H. and Davey Vega. It's this feud with Vega I got invested in booing at him for making moves and seeking affection of Athena (now known as WWE wrestler Ember Moon). It was "You homewrecker!" type wrestling storyline. He would win TV title from Vega at Beyond Good and Evil. The feud came with end at Guilty by Association 7 with both fighting for affections of Athena. Athena joined the match and beat both to win to show she's not property to anyone and is her own person. I love good wrestling storytelling. After spending a year getting booed he would hear cheer from the fans completing a face turn when he chose to fight Evan Gelistico for ACW Heavyweight title instead being given to him. This would lead to a match at Guilty by Association 8 which he would beat Gelistico for ACW Heavyweight title inside steel cage. He would hold it for six months before losing it to Masada and call it career after the match. He would return back to the ring four more times with his final known match against Jeff Gant in a last man standing match.
Thank you Shontez for the many memories and moments I witness throughout the years. You killed it in the ring every time.
Shontez Montgomery is a fighter battling adversary in and outside the ring. He survived and bounced back from it. He's a kind person willing lend a helping hand to everyone around him. He will be missed by everyone.
This post is a combination of indy wrestling show and trading cards.
After a week and half of the state being frozen it thawed out and melted around here on Friday. It went back to our normal warm winter of clear blue skies in no time. After long a week of cold weather destruction and accessing the damage everyone needed a sense of release and get away from reality for a bit. That came Saturday for me with New Texas Pro Wrestling show in Colorado City. I went to a show that day and had a fantastic time with me cheering, booing, waving signs in support of King Rob Love, Jastin Taylor, and Max Heights, and photographing the show.
What does this have do with trading cards? I'm going to back track to another Texas indy fed Sabotage Wrestling. I been to their shows when I was living in Austin at the time. The central Texas based fed (run by Jeffrey Cerda and his crew) would release trading card sets back in 2019. There are 10 cards per series and printed in short supply. Running a fed is no easy task. One of series feature first ever card of AEW wrestler Ricky Starks. Sabotage recently released series 5 card set I pre-order back when it was announced. The set feature current Reality of Wrestling (run by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T) women champion Promise Braxton as well Alex Gracia and Vertvixen who have made appearances in AEW. There are two from that set appeared on New Texas Pro Wrestling show: Kiefer Bartek and Nastico.
Kiefer Bartek is not only a wrestler (trained by Booker T), but runs NTPW taking it various cities around Texas. He have appeared in various Texas feds such as Heavy Metal Wrestling, Inspire, and Metroplex Wrestling as The Sheriff. Nastico is the self-proclaimed best manager of wrestling. The masked man is around DFW indy feds especially DFW All-Pro, the place where he trained and started at, as well traveling around state with his group of guys to numerous feds. He uses social media cutting promos hyping up his appearances and interactively engage with fans and wrestlers.
After the show I thanked all the wrestlers and everyone involved for a good show and wish them a safe drive back just like I always do. I went to Nastico and Kiefer Bartek separately showing them their cards and their eyes lit up. Nastico was ecstatic when he saw the card. It was first time he saw his own card and want me take photos of him autographing and showing it off. Kiefer, IMO the best card of the set, told me its a dream of his to be put on a trading card. Like Nastico, its first time he saw his as well. I witness the joy out of them when they finally saw themselves immortalized on a trading card. I'm sure its the feeling of thousands when they see themselves on a card for first time ever.
Nastico signs his card
Nastico shows off his official Sabotage Wrestling card
The end of MPX Wrestling show on a Saturday night of November 7, 2020 in Bedford, TX marked the coming end. It was coming end of in-ring career of Baby D with her final match scheduled on December 11 at Mission Pro Wrestling show in Buda, TX. After getting pinned in a match stipulation she must leave the fed she gave a heartfelt speech it was her last match in MPX thanking the fans for the support throughout the years. It marks the end of her six year journey up and down the roads of independent wrestling scene.
The first time I seen wrestle in-person was in June 2015 at Anarchy Championship Wrestling Queen of Queens event, at first, under the name Baby Dumplings. She would shorten it to Baby D and within those five years she became one of premier woman wrestler in Texas. Whether in MPX, Sabotage, Branded Outlaw Wrestling, or various feds she poured her heart and effort with a charismatic charm in the ring. She was fun and entertaining in the ring from singles to tag team as either with Phoebe as Fun N Sexy or Steven Kirby as Punch Drunk Love winning titles along the way. Outside the ring she have a pure heart of gold taking time with fans like me. She's willing lend a hand to fellow wrestlers. She will always be a champion to me. Thank you Baby D! You will be missed in the ring. Wish you well outside of it.
It was shocking week of admission in the world of wrestling that left wrestlers and fans disgusted and soul searching at same time. It started accusations of wrestler David Starr, who wrestles mostly in UK and Europe scene, sexual assaulting and raping women. Starr admitted his wrongdoings, but made it much worse calling it "grey rape" before deleting his Twitter account. It kickstarted movement known as #SpeakingOut focusing on all forms physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse as well soliciting underage people in the wrestling industry. The accusations came from men and women even from within the industry who were brave enough to tell their stories and sharing screenshots of the interaction.The flood gates opened with UK wrestling scene gutted with accusations featuring wrestlers such as Jimmy Havoc (from AEW), Jordan Devlin, El Ligero, Joe Coffey (three from NXT UK), Marty Scurill (from Ring of Honor), and Mikey Whiplash to name a few. Of many names accused includes Jim Cornette and his ex-wife, former UFC fighter and current WWE wrestler Matt Riddle (which I will get to later), Velveteen Dream, Joey Ryan, Michael Elgin, and Mike Quackenbush. Former UK woman wrestler Pollyanna accused Will Osprey and Bea Priestly of getting her blackballed from a company after she came out she was raped by Will's friend which the company admitted few days later. Joey Ryan so far been accused by over 17 women (and more coming) about his sexual behavior towards women backstage. Not even Texas indies are immune to abuse allegations. Uproxx editor and writer Brandon Stroud is another been outed. He was
ring announcer for indy fed in Austin til he parted ways with them in
2015. I've heard rumors afterwards he got fired from the fed and
blackballed from Texas because he was caught taking nude photos of women
wrestlers. It was confirmed but instead he stole nude photos from
female wrestlers phone as well being manipulative. Woman
wrestler Allie Kat chimed in about Stroud being a creep
making unwanted advances towards her and wanting her nude for a movie.
(Brandon
if you are reading this fuck you and hope your wife divorces you! It's
the only nice comment you will get out of me!) I'm sure nothing will be
done at Uproxx because he's the lead guy on the site. The one that upsets me was Dirty Andy Dalton (NOT the NFL QB; different person with same name) who wrestles around DFW area as well various parts of the state. Screenshots of his sexual messages to a minor popped up and he admitted to it. That was just the beginning as more accusations and stories popped up that were way much worse. Jack Jameson who I wrote about last year and had unfriendly exchange with me few months ago got outed. He proceeds to lower himself pulling the late Hana card claiming he's getting cyberbullied over the accusations. He pretty much didn't get the message at all. For wrestlers that been accused (some with screenshots) they either admitted to it, denied it, and/or shut down all forms of their social media.
Face of a fan who wants get in the business to be creepy
Karma bites him in the ass. Oh yes that's his shoot name
The aftermath led companies have to zero tolerance on all forms of sexual
harassment behaviors and refusing book the wrestlers that's been accused
of the allegations. In the UK The West Yorkshire police been in contact on investigating the claims. WWE is investigating on all claims as well. They also fired
Jack Gallagher after his name surfaced along with Travis Banks and El Ligero. Reportedly Jack admitted to the
claims and rumors the claims are much worse than announced. Velveteen Dream days are rumored to be over. Matt Riddle
got a lawyer involved claiming a stalker been going after him that he
changed his number twice. He also let WWE management know of this before
he signed. AEW issue statements on Jimmy Havoc and Sammy Guevara with
Havoc going mental and drug rehab while evaluating his status. Guevara,
who made a rape joke at WWE woman wrestler Sasha Banks 4 years ago, apologized for it
and is suspended without pay while taking sensitivity training. Impact Wrestling terminated the contracts of Joey Ryan and Dave Crist and more likely done with Michael Elgin. Speaking of Joey he closed down his fed, Bar Wrestling, and his YouTube page. Few companies shutting down from physical and sexual abuse claims and allegations are Progress and Chikara. Mike Quackenbush gave a tearful video speech only to be mocked by fans who thinks he isn't genuine in his apology with WWE masked wrestler Lince Dorado throwing in shots. Jim Cornette denied the claims. Marty Scurill put out a statement saying it was consensual. Paige (of WWE) denied her family abused trainees. Many have been blackballed due the allegations.
Lince Dorado doesn't buy any of Mike Quackenbush apology
While this left fans stunned also blindsided were the
wrestlers and promoters. Despite the locker room being "men club" many
didn't knew the extent of abuse allegations. All immediately cut ties business wise. I
read one promoter having spend Father's Day wiping out existence of the
wrestler's involvement with the fed instead spending time with his family.
It was heartbreaking for him as well most of promoters and wrestlers feeling their trust betrayed by fellow
accused and admitted workers. There's most likely a chance there wouldn't be any intergender matches for potential fear of sexual harassment. There's been great deal of support for #speakingout from the wrestlers and the fans.
As much fans and wrestlers appreciate the women speaking out I also hope they are truthful. There's been few false accusations made and debunked. Those false accusations have damaging effects hurting the person on receiving end from job security and to livelyhood. It also hurt the credibility of the ones who are truthful in their claims. WWE NXT UK wrestler Trent Seven is one of them. A woman claimed he was trying hook up with she and her friends despite being underage. Then another woman who was part of her group said they
weren't underage and give her side of the story. The stories have so many
holes that fans dismissed it and thought the women tried to get Trent
drunk so he can sleep with them. Apparently they are dealing with
Trent's legal team based from a tweet from one of the accusers. Texas indy wrestler Brysin Scott was falsely accused in retaliation
because he and his wife, Simply Luscious, been sharing the
accusation stories as well outing wrestlers hooking up with minors. It
was quickly debunked. Few years ago T.J. Perkins was victim of lies. A person started a rumor he hooked up
with underage girl along story of his sex life that went viral. It end up hurting
him as his standing never got higher with WWE and few indy feds would pull his bookings. Former NXT wrestler Zeda Zhang admit being part of it and apologized. Few years too late. Irony the guy who started it got busted sexting minors. Wish T.J. would have sued for libel and slander. Welcome to wrestling industry where its a dog eat dog world full of backstabbing, jealousy, and do anything get above.
Zeda Zhang Apologizes to TJ Perkins
Not only women wrestlers were brave enough to tell their stories, but men as well. T.J. Perkins admitted being taken advantage off by women when he started training at 15. Keith Lee shared his story on getting date raped. There are wrestlers helping out like Laynie Luck, Allie Kat, Machiko, Brysin Scott, and Simply Lucious sharing allegation stories from those who remained anonymous. Hopefully it will and need spark a changed in the wrestling industry forcing the crumbling of the old guard of being "men club" locker room. It's a start consider how much former owner of Ring of Honor Rob Feinstein was protected after he was busted on Perverted Justice trying solicit sex with a 13 year old in 2004. His "lol ill pretend u said 18" will always live on through internet wrestling scene. It cause me to stop following east indy wrestling scene for a long while. I believe they are scratching the surface.
Shocking news came out of Texas indies. Wrestler and promoter of Total Championship Wrestling "Mr. B" John Peterson got outed for making predatory advances on a minor. Wrestler Brysin Scott, who been busting wrestlers who go after minors, received and posted the screenshots of conversation between Peterson and the minor. Follow it up with another coming out he chased another minor before.
The news of his public outing sent shockwaves throughout Texas indy
wrestling scene then stretched with emotions of shock, disappointment, and anger. I texted a friend from South Carolina about it and how I felt. She mentioned she saw it on her Twitter feed and she isn't a wrestling fan. Wrestlers and feds immediately distanced themselves from him and his company especially with DreamCon Wrestling banning him. Wrestler Reggie Lincoln, who Peterson blackballed from his fed, had fun with making "B. Kelly" memes as both are from Chicago. The ones that hurt are the talents who consider him a mentor and/or wrestled for his company. They have found out the person they receive in-ring advice isn't who he really is. Imagine them trying get booked and are refused because they worked mostly for him as form of guilty by association. What's more painful is his daughter having deal with the fallout. She received unwarranted insults and abuse from angry wrestlers and fans for his actions. One talent mention she called him in tears over it. It's a horrible situation all around. Here's a guy I watched in the ring as well attended one of his shows turns out to be a 180 from what was he perceived out of the ring. Consider that few years ago he publicly called out a guy who scammed him and few others and later found out is a registered sex offender. Now he got caught making advances on minors. He once had a gimmick of him chasing after white girls. Turns out it was not a gimmick at all. Apparently the B in Mr. B stands for blackball from wrestling scene.
When I was living in Austin and getting into Texas indy wrestling scene in Dec 2011 one wrestler stood out throughout the years. From his athletic skills and his charismatic charm A.C.H. stood above. He is one of key wrestlers to help put Austin on the map on indy wrestling scene. A well respected locker room leader who got two proper send-offs when he first left for Ring of Honor then for WWE on the second. The guy gets the crowd pumped up for his matches and back it up with his wonderful performance in the ring. Got to wrestle in Japan where he quickly absorbed more in-ring knowledge. Goes to WWE and assigned to NXT where he won the NXT Breakout tournament. WWE camera crew followed his excitement being at Wrestlemania 35 as a contracted worker. Things were looking ahead for him or as fans thought til last fall.....
WWE released a controversial t-shirt of a smile with his ring name on a black shirt. ACH, offended, angrily blew up calling them racists for the t-shirt design as it was quickly pulled. He follow it up with week-long meltdown which including taking a shot at Jay Lethal and ROH which ended with him publicly announcing he quit the WWE.
He returned back to indy scene quickly with his first post-WWE appearance in I-35 Austin/San Antonio corridor area first with Heavy Metal Wrestling then to Anarchy Championship Wrestling and Inspire Pro and Chicago based AAW. Was signed to Major League Wrestling where he wrestle a show only to say he retire from wrestling the next day because he hated wrestling. Yet despite retirement claim he would continue to wrestle afterwards til the pandemic shut down all shows. He took that time to reflect and wished how he would handle it differently.
So what happen? Where did it go wrong? He did interview on Submission Squad: Dollar Menu Midcarder few weeks ago. After listening to the entire podcast I felt the
pressure of backstage politics got to him. He got first dose of it in
ROH. Then he goes to WWE and got another dose of it causing him to flashback his time in ROH. It pretty much broke him down mentally leaving him in a rough patch of state. He wished to take back how things went down because he now will be known for the meltdown than his matches.
Not for me because I will remember his matches watching it live in person. I was there live when he and Matthew Palmer had, in my opinion, the greatest match in ACW. He would also give Marcus Rose a beatdown of a lifetime. He out-classed Sammy Guevara in a match at Inspire Pro. Speaking of Guevara here's another wrestler that bounced back from being in the wrong and got himself in national stage of AEW. I witness him give and risk his body not to the fans but entire Austin indy wrestling scene to even going far to check himself out ER to wrestle against Shane Strickland (now known as Isiah Scott in NXT) at Inspire.
When this covid-19 outbreak is over with and shows start running regularly I want A.C.H. to do this when he's mentally ready: road to redemption in the ring. Its to prove he can bounce from regrets and show why he's not just King of Texas, but one of
the best indy wrestler in the nation that it will lead him to AEW or Japan or back to WWE (even though its a longshot and all is forgiven). I'm not the only fan who wants
that. There are thousands of fans and talent want him to do it as well. One of thing he did in the ring is to motivate his opponent. This time we, the fans and wrestlers, motivate and are pulling for him for in-ring redemption.
Here's full ACH interview from Dollar Menu Midcarders. It's a great
listen for over 2 hours of in and off the ring stories and thoughts.
Give credit to Evan Gelistico and Matt Jackson (formerly known as Pierre
Abernathy; not the guy from a tag team) for doing this. In fact give these guys a listen for the
stories of their on the road indy shows travels, interviews, and happening around St. Louis area indies (especially St. Louis Anarchy which
Matt runs). You will be entertained as they pull behind the curtains.
2018 was wild year for me in Texas wrestling travels. I gone through the land of Anarchy in a world of Inspire driving down the Old and New Texas roads like a Branded Outlaw into the Metroplex all the way to the Heavy Metal dose of Reality with no act of Sabotage for Squared Circle action. Those travels to the shows are well worth with plenty of highlights to be seen and told. You have to be there.
I want to thank the wrestlers, referees, and the crew at Inspire Pro,
Sabotage, Anarchy Championship Wrestling, Branded Outlaw Wrestling, MPX, Heavy Metal Wrestling, Reality of Wrestling, Old School Wrestling, Squared Circle Pro, New Texas Pro, Heel/Face
Wrestling, and the weekend friends and fans I met along the way for the shows and fun moments.
This going be split up in multiple parts. Enjoy part 1!
Len-X and Davidson in
a Ruthless Cage Match - Jordan Len-X and Ryan Davidson battled each other
in Inspire Pro to hate fueled battles ending with no winner. Inspire Pro
management put these two inside a steel cage to settle a winner. Both battered
each other all over the cage that one side almost collapsed when Davidson
rammed Len-X into the cage. Davidson introduce a chain to use only to backfire.
Len-X wraps the chain around his knee and drops Davidson face onto his
chain-wrapped knee for the win.
Matthew Palmer
In-sensitivity Part I - things have not gone well between Matthew Palmer
and Roxy Castillo since he won the right of her services. It's mainly due to
his antics despite Castillo attempts to make him curb it. Palmer kept pushing
those buttons that night as he revealed his limited edition t-shirt calling
himself King of the Black Women. After taking a loss against J. Serious things
got much worse as Massive came in and attacked him. It was over him
disrespecting lucha libre history when he was the masked Void and ripping it
off revealing himself from five years ago.
Inspire Pro Announces
Return to AFS - The former Marchessa Hall was home for Inspire Pro from its
debut til it was sold and renamed AFS Cinema. The management wouldn't allow
wrestling leaving Inspire Pro hosting shows first at ball room at Norcross Mall
for few shows then Austin
Sports Center.
Late 2017 AFS management let them run a show. It was a success that they
decide let Inspire Pro run remaining 2018 shows at the building.
MJF Makes a Statement
- Michael Jacob Friedman made his Inspire Pro debut taking on Kody Lane making
him tap out in victory and kicking him in the groin afterwards. He made his
presence known again attacking Andy Dalton with a kendo stick and joining The
New Movement alongside Ashton Jacobs and T-Ray Watford.
ACH Guts Out
Performance - 24 hours before facing Shane Strickland ACH checked in ER
clinic. He checked out and made it to the show. Despite looking worse for wear
and in pain, ACH pulled out gutsy performance in a victory over Strickland.
Sabotage War of
Genders 2 - Sabotage put bragging rights on the line between men and women
wrestlers with lineup of wrestlers (Thunder Rosa, Barbi Hayden, B-Boy, Joey
Ryan, Human Tornado, Rocket Boy Wilson, Baby D, Phoebe, Andy Dalton, Angel
Blue, Erica Torres, Hyan, Leva Bates, Sammy Guevara, Fuego del Sol, Heather
Monroe, Kylie Rae, GPA, J. Serious, Rey Ortiz, Jordan Len-X, Double D, Ivory
Robin, and Nikki Knight) within the various states. Pressure to win caused some
to do whatever it takes to win for their genders from weapon shots, low blows,
and holding on the ropes or grabbing the tights during a pin.
Creation of Fun N
Sexy - with half of Sabotage tag champion, Skyler Slice, out of action,
Phoebe spent the show searching for her replacement. After Baby D sent Human
Tornado a crushing defeat Phoebe joined in the ring (and get suplexed on top of
Human Tornado) picking Baby D as her new partner and holder of 1/2 of Sabotage
tag team titles. Since then it was dancing and grooving fun with hula hoops all
over the state afterwards.
Going be very sexy partnership
The Night Angel Blue
and Andy Dalton Made Texas
Wrestling Hell Froze - when Sabotage announced 8 person intergender tag
fans were shocked the captains of the teams were Andy Dalton (men) and Angel
Blue (women). So shocking that one fan yelled, "This shouldn't be
happening at all!" at the show. Both teased fighting each other at the
start but Angel decide let her tag partners handle it first. Then came the
moment as every member of the team abandon the match leaving Angel and Andy in
the ring together. Angel teased only to deceive with a low blow to Andy giving
her advantage. Andy fought back hitting her with a running licked boot and a
brainbuster. Angel low blows Andy again to the win the match for her team. It
wasn't end up of it as Dallas Championship Wrestling booked singles match between
the two. With call backs to the match at Sabotage Andy got his revenge beating
Angel at DCW. It was awkward but like Vince McMahon said it is best for
business.
Very Awkward
PSYCHE!
The Art of Sabotage
- GM Donovan Troi conniving and corrupt ways in the past shows including
barring former Sabotage champion Delilah Doom from the show. Sabotage board of
directors gave him one night to makes things right at the show or will be
fired. Later in the night Fuego del Sol took on Sabotage champion Heather
Monroe for the title and won. It was short-lived celebration as Queen Erica
Torres came along with members of Latinos Taking Over attacked him and immediately
demand a match for Sabotage title. GM Troi said if both parties agreed it will
go on. Fuego del Sol agreed and both fought with Torres getting the victory to become new Sabotage champion. Troi went from sympathetic to cracking a
maniacal laughter as it was a ruse. In case Monroe lost the title, Troi put use of his
backup plan on getting it back with Erica Torres as champion under Latinos
Taking Over faction....and it worked.
Champ for 15 minutes
Queen Erica Takes It
Joey Ryan Calls Mia
Khalifa Out - Mia Khalifa drew the ire of wrestlers and fans blasting
wrestling. Thunder Rosa and Sabotage invited
her to the show. One of wrestlers she blasted, Joey Ryan, called her out to the
ring after his match. After confirming she meant what she said he want her
touch his dick which her bodyguard put him in fireman's carry. Ryan slipped out
then stuck his trademark blow pop in Mia's mouth and dickflipped her bodyguard.
Mia would take a training lesson with Thunder Rosa and Chris Marvel at Hybrid
School of Wrestling realizing its not easy as it looks.
Battle of Gender
Supremacy Main Event - the main event saw Thunder Rosa and Sammy Guevara in
battle of genders as both sexes tied at 4-4 going into the match. Thunder Rosa kicked Guevara can all over the ring after being
disrespect prick towards her. Guevara turned the tide toward his favor with
both matching each other in the match. Thunder Rosa
would hook anklelock on Guevara making him tap but the match must end in a
pinball. The match would end on a time limit draw leaving the gender wars battle
at 4-4-1. Soon this followed......
War of Genders
Aftermath - after the match Latinos Taking Over came in the ring attacking
Thunder Rosa with Queen Erica Torres giving her Sky High. Just as LTO approach
Sammy Guevara on joining he attacked them only to get overwhelmed by the
numbers game. Leva Bates, Baby D, Phoebe, and Jordan Len-X came in the ring to
chase LTO out. Sabotage officials immediately fire Donovan Troi from his GM
spot for continual abuse of power. His replacement was former WWE wrestler and
manager Ricardo Rodriguez.
Mr. B Ends Johnny
Axxle Career - For six years Mr. B and Johnny Axxle been on opposite sides
of the corner, teamed together, won ACW tag team titles, split up, and fighting
each other with no clear winner. The former Holes decide ACW is no longer big
enough of them they decide to end this feud in I Quit Loser Must Retire match. Both
brutalized each other fighting up the balcony and on stage then back in the
ring as neither one would give up. Mr. B used the chairs to his advantage
hitting Windy City Drop and Killswitch on Axxle right onto the chairs. Mr. B
would about to behead Johnny Axxle after sticking his head on the seat and
going up the top rope when Axxle said "I quit" ending the match and
his career.
ACH Gives Marcus Rose
a Beatdown - two years in the making. Back track to ACW Lone Star Classic
2015 as ACH had his final match before heading to ROH. After the show in comes Marcus
Rose billing himself as "Better Than ACH."Cue to Childish Days of Our Delusions 2016 as
ACH made his return after a year in ROH roasting Rose. Rose went straight for
few shows before reverting back to his asshole self. At Childish Days of Our
Delusions 2017 he laid out the challenge to ACH in disrespectful way setting
the stage toward showdown at Guilty by Association. Marcus Rose went for sneak
attack before the bell, but ACH quickly turned the tide taking him to Beatdown City knocking the disrespect and
arrogance out of him much to delight of the crowd. ACH finished Rose off
leaving him with a busted lip. ACH and Rose went for post match handshake only
for Rose to kick him in the balls continuing his dastardly ways.
Showtime and
Architect Go At It - Scot Summers became second wrestler to be inducted in
ACW Anarchy Elite. Not only he thanked the fans, but in a huge surprise wanted
to fight Darin Childs who last wrestled his last match eleven months ago.
Childs accepted as he and Summers brawled all over in and out The Mohawk in
impromptu match. Childs would be victorious in a bloody fight.
Taylor Brothers Battle on Ladder of
Superiority - Back at Evolution of the Revolution 2017 Zac turned on his
brother DG after a loss. Since striking out solo Zac would win ACW U-30
championship at Childish Days of Our Illusions after pinning his brother DG
with Taylor Driver in six-men elimination match. Now both brothers go at it
one-on-one in a ladder match for ACW U-30 title. They channel all the past
hidden resentments using ladders and chairs on each other. DG would drives knee
onto Zac's chin off ladder and was within reach when Zac bash him from the
chair. He would drop DG with fireman carry slam on to the chairs and it was
enough time for him to climb and grab ACW U-30 title retaining it.
Steve-O Exorcise His
Demons Against DeMarco - for months another Steve been in been on thorn of
Steve O'Reno side as in Steve DeMarco. Like a large shadow looming over him
he's been costing O'Reno matches superkicking, insulting, and tormenting him
claiming to be the best Steve. DeMarco tries to get in O'Reno head before the
match which he responded with a superkick of his own. DeMarco tried to put him
down, but O'Reno fought back and pinned him conquering and exorcising his
demons against him.
Jason Silver Takes ACW
Big Prize - main event of ACW Guilty by Association was a double jeopardy
match between ACW heavyweight champion J. Serious vs Sky de LaCrimosa and Jason
Silver vs Gregory James at same time with winners of their match facing each
other for the title. They went at each other all over the ring with the trio
taking aim at J. Serious in unseating him as champion. Ricky Starks would
interfere in behalf of J. Serious trying take out Sky, James, and Silver. He
gets dropkicked out and trio took out J. Serious with Sky pinning him. Silver
and James fought it out and often double team on Sky to soften him up. Silver
pinned James leaving the former Lost Boys to battle for heavyweight title. Both
battle in and outside the ring with use of a ladder and chairs. Silver plants
Sky on the chair with a cutter and hitting 450 splash to win ACW heavyweight
title.
Lost Boy don't cry. He became champion
Unholy War Against
Silver - after the match Gregory James enter the celebrate with Jason
Silver only to attack him. It started 11 months war between the two with James
vowing be the only one to unseat Silver for ACW heavyweight title and take out
any comers at all costs that gets in the way of the unholy prize.
Branded Birthday Show
- while 95% of my birthdays were bad, this was the 5% that were good. Branded
Outlaw Wrestling had a show on my birthday and I made the drive to Live Oak for
it. I had fun time watching the in-ring actions and cheering/booing with the
crowd along getting birthday wishes from Scotty Santiago, Ethan Price, and Mike
Dell after the show. BOW champion Massive took on Brent McKenzie in the main
and retain with help of The Horde. Birthdays are best spent watching live
wrestling.
ACH and Kody Lane Takes ACW
Tag Team Titles From 2 Bad Motherfuckers - for almost two years Masada and Killah Kash held ACW tag team titles taking on
all-comers in vicious body beating and mutilating matches. ACH and Kody Lane, a
wrestler ACH taken under his wing, were the next challengers. Both teams mat
wrestled and stayed level til Masada and Kash
overpowered them with the younger Lane getting most of the punishment from both
veterans. ACH and Lane battle back with Lane using one of ACH signature moves,
a ropeflip cutter, on Kash and pinned him ending the match. 2 Bad Motherfuckers
tag team title reign was over and in comes Team Super Academia ruling ACW tag
team scene.
The Immortal Takes
Round One Against the Unholy - Jason Silver defends newly won ACW
heavyweight title against Gregory James. James sneak attacked him just as he
was coming to the ring and suffered a cut from it. They brawled in and out the
ring using chairs and attempt to toss each other over the balcony. Former J.
Serious got in the act heckling both of them from balcony as they fought in the
ring. James was about put a stake into Silver til Silver's former partner and
frienemy Sky de LaCrimosa speared him. Silver victory rolled James into a win
retaining his title. The war wasn't over between these two. It was the
beginning.
Princess Zombie
Anarchy Redemption - last time Jimmy Jacobs was in ACW (2013) he was KO'd
in his match against JT LaMotta and couldn't finish. After years away include
working behind the scenes for WWE he made his return taking on ACW TV champion
Ricky Starks. Both matched each other move for move to even kicking out of each
other specialty moves. After trading each other with spears Starks would hit a
tombstone on Jacobs to win the match. Despite the loss Jacobs proud to end the
match on a good note instead leaving the ring knocked out.
Matthew Palmer
In-Sensitivity Part II - Massive got a bone to pick with Matthew Palmer
after he disrespected his culture. Palmer's manager Roxy Castillo assure
Massive there be no trouble. Then Palmer comes out to La-Coo-Ca-Racha theme throwing
tortillas to the crowd making Roxy pissed off and storming out of the ring.
Gino attacked Palmer in the match joining forces with Massive over his
disrespect.
Pinfall Wizard and
Bad Bad Boy Goes to War - Steve O'Reno and Joey Janela went on 20 minute
ring tearing war. They started out with technical mat wrestling (Steve's forte)
going into hardcore wrestling (Joey's forte). Both of these men hitting moves
and planting each other onto chairs. Joey took one too many risks landing on to
a chair and Steve finished him off with blue thunder onto the chair for the
victory. Both men shook hands after hard fought battle and the fans never
forgot it. They voted this the best Inspire Pro match of 2018.
Texas
indy wrestling scene have become a hot bed. Wrestlers honing their craft for
years making their name in the state are getting booked outside the state or
even Japan to showcase their talent to getting tryouts and in that rare case
got the call to the big time. Then there was one who could have been a name in
the state, but made mistakes and is known in a negative light. That one
wrestler is Jack Jameson. He went up to Canada training in Lance Storm
wrestling school. He returned back to showcase his skills working in Oklahoma then in Houston
before settling in Austin.
While raw he showed charisma around the ring and kept working hard fans took
notice and cheered for him. Out of the ring it was different story as he became
a nuclear heat magnet. It relates to becoming a different person after having way too many drinks. It didn't take long for him to get blackballed from various
indy feds around the state especially Austin
area. Then he made the one move that will hang over his head like a dark cloud:
in a drunken haze he faked cancer to get with a girl. Story of the incident spread
through the locker room that a prominent Texas
wrestler confronted him about it. He denied it claiming he doesn't remember
because he was drinking and out of it. He finally admitted to it a year later
when another prominent Texas
wrestler confronted him about it. The damage was done as friends became
ex-friends and few refuse do business with him. At same time his drinking was
getting uncontrollable. After multiple chances the last fed in the Austin area decide to no
longer book him effectively getting blackballed from wrestling in the area. Instead
of keeping quiet he decide to air out his grievance on social media in a
now-deleted post. It didn't take long for the fed to get a wind of it. They
replied posting a damning conversation they had between them that one of area
bookers shared it calling him unbookable. He was booked for a few various shows
outside the state, but the faking cancer story reared its ugly head that feds
stop booking him. With his bookings dried up he hit rock bottom and went silent
on his social media accounts for over six months. He recently pop back up
announced he spent the six months of silence in alcohol rehab to sober himself
up and planning on a comeback. At same time he admitted his past mistakes.
Jack Jameson is one of many cautionary tales in wrestling.
He could have been a name in Texas
in a positive way. Instead he kept making mistakes after mistakes and he buried
himself deep in the wrong. It's his time to bounce back, but will he understand
this his last chance? Last words he replied when a fed told him they're no
longer booking him was "I understand" and he turned it around.
There's no turning back for him.
