2014 Top 10 ACW Matches

Anarchy Championship Wrestling started 2014 with temporary end of a war along with something new, old, different, and shocking. There were good shows and matches across the year. There were plenty of matches that stood out even beyond the 10 and honorable mentions at The Mohawk. There be no matches from Fun, Fun, Fun Fest as I never attended the shows.

First the honorable mentions:
Masada vs Jason Silver vs Gregory James (Beyond Good and Evil)
Ricky Starks vs Davey Vega (Guilty by Association)

Jason Silver vs Gregory James (Evolution of Revolution)

Masada, Paul London, Jack Jameson vs Scot Summers, Franco D'Angelo, Carson (Absence of Law)

Ricky Starks vs Barrett Brown vs Gregory James vs Kyle Hawk (Delusions of Our Childish Days)

JoJo Bravo vs Barbi Hayden (Evolution of Revolution)

JoJo Bravo vs Ricky Starks vs Davey Vega (Distrust, Dismay, and Antisocial Behavior)

Barrett Brown vs Evan Gelistico (Distrust, Dismay, and Antisocial Behavior)

Thomas Shire vs Takaaki Watanabe (Peace, Love, and Anarchy)

Athena vs Solo Darling (Evolution of Revolution)

To the list:

I spin you right round baby right round like a record baby right round round round

10. Gary Jay vs Thomas Shire (Guilty by Association) - For a wrestler that trained by a Funk and a dojo Thomas Shire spent 2013 more of henchman/bodyguard to The Business than individual wrestler. He works hard but was just there. That changed that night when he took on Submission Squad's Gary Jay, accomplished wrestler who been around the nation with his group of bandits. A bounced check to The Business and missing Bolt Brady put Shire in this match. Match started out with basics before kicking it in high gear. Both fought hard with Shire over powering Jay at times that crowd got behind him. Each would attempt to finish each other off with their finisher only to kick out and fight back some more. A second Fly by Night scored Gary Jay the victory. Jay, being dastardly guy, gave Shire a handshake and a hug before kicking him in the groin in the post match. This match made Thomas Shire stood out on his own. The way he manhandle and overpower Gary Jay at times got the fans backing him. He went from looking goofy to mad serious in the ring. It took underrated and accomplished Gary Jay bring that side to the fans.

Who cares the show haven't started let do this right now!

9. Matthew Palmer vs Darin Childs (Guilty by Association) - thinking outside the box made this match. Remember Simpson episode where Homer and Bart's Big Brother fought each other throughout Springfield? This what happened as this started before the show brawling outside the Mohawk and into the streets. Then later appeared during Miss Dislexia and Johnny Axle match factoring in the finish of the match to battling all the way to the back. Then pop back up during intermission and fought to destruction and plunder all over the ring with Palmer taking the match. Now the question after the match did Childs succeed in his mission to bring Son of Anarchy out of Palmer? Not likely at this moment, but time will tell.

Look who won the rubber match and made you my bitch

8. Shawn Vexx vs Davey Vega (Absence of Law) - on and off feud between Vexx and Vega now stretch heavyweight title match. Vexx walks in the match as champion while Vega wanting put the belt back on Submission Squad side. A rubber match between the two as both has one win on each other. Vega showed his vicious streak from the start pounding on Vexx all over the ring. Vexx fought back valiantly as both battle back and forth. At the end Vexx got Vega pin to retain heavyweight title. Despite the loss Vega gets his revenge kicking him below after the match and stealing the belt which was never seen til seven months later.

Going out to a big bang

7. Masada vs Shawn Vexx (From Innocence to Insanity) - Shawn Vexx enter the event as heavyweight champion. His challenger is Masada, a hybrid-style wrestler that has traveled around the world piling his trade. The only time he held ACW title when he was hardcore champion for two years. These two went at it hard as they mat and power wrestle each other using surrounding chairs at their personal playground. Masada would stick his trademark skewers on Vexx and dropping him down the mat. Despite it all Vexx continue fight back like a champion he is using remaining strength and power left. Masada was too much for Vexx making submit to a crossface to win heavyweight title. New reign emerges with Masada leading the company. It was end for Vexx as he called it quits after the match. It was short-lived retirement as he returned back to the ring and recharged five months later to help Darin Childs out in his feud with Paul London and the Swarm.

Pfft! I need no motivation!

6. Masada vs Cherry Ramons vs A.C.H. (Lone Star Classic) - ACW heavyweight Masada competing in his first Lone Star Classic with long odds to retain the belt. No wrestler enter and left Lone Star Classic as champion. One of his opponents is 2011 LSC winner A.C.H. who happen to won heavyweight title at this same event. Third wrestler is Cherry Ramons in, not only first LCS, but second ACW appearance. Ramons went in the match as x-factor with a question can he hang with both wrestlers. Match started with both wrestlers not taking Ramons seriously even with A.C.H. giving him encouragement. Despite the mocking it took minutes for Ramons showed he can hang with both of them. The trio had impressive match with Ramons shockingly stole a pin on A.C.H. after Masada gave him Masada-mizer. Masada and Ramons battled all over the ring with Masada taking the win retaining heavyweight title and putting himself in semifinals. For Ramons this was coming out party and getting pin on A.C.H. got one-on-one match at Delusions of Our Childish Days.

The fall of a champion

5. Shawn Vexx vs Evan Gelistico (Guilty by Association) - Evan Gelistico spent a year as heavyweight champion disrespecting the belt the entire time only using it as his power play. Shawn Vexx, once a former heavyweight champion, has battled back from hell with a burning desire. When Gelistico wanted give him the belt Vexx found it disrespectful and would rather fight for it. Their first battle ended with Submission Squad interfering and Gelistico keeping the belt. Cue six months down the line at Lone Star Classic finals when Vexx had Davey Vega beat only to have the Squad interfere with Vega winning it. Tired of Submission Squad interfering Vexx put his career on the line to face Gelistico for heavyweight title in a cage match, a first in ACW history. Big time feel as both came out to epic entrances. Both of them brawled and used elements of the cage slamming and throwing each other on it. Gelistico trying to escape only get slammed of top of the cage. Gelistico realize to end Vexx career he must put him out with two tombstones. Only problem Vexx refuse to die and fought back with vengeance hitting Gelistico with his own tombstone. Just as Squad try interfere The Business stopped them before any of them got inside the cage. Once Vexx hooked Gelistco in MMA style armbar submission Gelistico couldn't do anything but to tap out. Shawn Vexx leaves the cage as heavyweight champion ending Gelistico year reign.

The loss of innocence after the insanity

4. Scot Summers vs Jack Jameson (From Innocence to Insanity) - billed as "most violent night" in wrestling this match pushed the envelope as these two fought in no rope barbwire match. While this match is no stranger to Summer this is Jameson first foray into it. He spent early part of the match get in mad mind of Summers using his ring mannerism. Then these two tease then lay and beat each other in this dangerous match as they gouge, cut, slam, and threw each other in barbwire. Summers wrapped himself in it splashing on Jameson with no regards. A chairs came into play as it gets wrapped in barbwire and used on each other. The match ended at insane level when Summers set the chairs on fire and death valley drivers Jameson onto for the win. After the match painful reminder for Jack Jameson as his innocence was lost on that night leaving scars on his back. Yet it made him stronger and insane seeking revenge on Scot Summers costing him his matches.

Good job! You done well, but I'm still the champ

3. Masada vs A.C.H. (Distrust, Dismay, and Antisocial Behavior) - two of Texas indy greats collide for second time ever in ACW. First time was in 2010 when Masada defeated young A.C.H. Cue four years now with heavily traveled and more experienced A.C.H. ready to wrestle heavyweight title from Masada. In contrast of style these two mesh well. A.C.H. goes to the air and Masada keeping him grounded. These two would trade chops, holds, submissions, and slams throughout the match. A.C.H. reliance on the air cost when he went for 450 only for Masada gets his knee up and pinned him to retain the title. The grizzled veteran still reign supreme over budding young star.

With this handshake we will steal the show

2. Gregory James vs Jason Silver (Distrust, Dismay, and Antisocial Behavior) - Silver coming out on his own as singles wrestler. After year and half away Gregory James returns to the fed transformed from "Too Much Metal" to "Unholy" While they fought in tag matches, I believe this is first time they tangled one-on-one. Once the match started everything clicked all together. They laid on each other matching move-for-move and beating-for-beating punishing each other. A well time kick to Silver made Unholy the winner in a show stealing performance. This match elevated these two as they were rewarded a title shot against Masada at Beyond Good and Evil.

The Prodigical reign begins

1. Barrett Brown vs Matthew Palmer (Peace, Love, and Anarchy) - for 826 days Matthew Palmer held Hardcore title fighting wrestlers such as Rachel Summerlyn, Arik Cannon, A.C.H., Jerry Lynn, Davey Vega, and Darin Childs. During his reign Barrett Brown enter the fed and slowly worked his way up where he became Texas Prodigy. Now its Brown turn as he face The Centerfold for hardcore title. These two put on straight-up wrestling match under "hardcore" rules. They took each other in the air and on the mat technical and power wise. These two punishing each other especially Palmer with a tiger driver only for Brown to barrage him with kicks then using his AND one of Palmer's finisher on him. After numerous false finishes Brown got Palmer down with a crossface submission making him tap ending one of longest title reigns and making of brand new one. It also add more to Brown's prodigy character. A small knock for lack of "hardcore" he interjected himself in a match against Masada and Scot Summers to show he is hardcore and won. When he lost the belt he immediately interject himself in a tournament to prove he is the prodigy. He knows being gifted in the ring he will have a target on his back for critics over small flaws. Best way to silence those critics is to tear down the house and prove why is the prodigy.

2013 Top 10 Anarchy Championship Wrestling Matches

Anarchy Championship Wrestling saw a shift of change in 2013. An era ended and new one began with declaration of war. Despite the changes what remained the same are matches they put on the shows entertaining the fans in attendance. Matches that stick out for being awesome in the ring in form of ring work, crowd pleasing, storytelling, importance, or all above. Having been to every show at The Mohawk of this year I'm listing top 10 matches from ACW. Note I didn't attended Fun Fun Fun Fest shows so there be no matches from there listed. You think this is easy?

First the honorable mentions. Too many good ones to list:

Barrett Brown vs Gary Jay (An Absence of Law)

A.C.H. vs Ricky Starks (An Absence of Law)

Evan Gelistico vs Ricky Starks (Queen of Queens)

Matthew Palmer vs Davey Vega (Dismay, Distrust, and Anti-Social Behavior)

Paul London/Jack Jameson vs Evan Gelistico/Gary Jay (Lone Star Classic)

As for top 10 list:

Mess with us you will get beaten St. Louis style

10. Submission Squad vs Bolt Brady, Jason Silver, Ricky Starks, Jessica James (Delusions of Our Childish Days) - well booked match made Submission Squad looked strong as one unit after years of being opposite sides. It made sense their opponents consist of everyone except Jason Silver, who was replacement for Darin Childs, had run-ins with one of members of the group within the year. Everyone played their role well. SS being dastardly heels used every tag team trick in the book to get ahead. Despite SS working great together there is still weakness as in Pierre Abernathy getting manhandle by Jessica James. The faces bodyslamming Evan Gelistico for his dirty deeds he done to them. Jessica James and Jason Silver playing partner in peril. Ricky Starks desperately wanting get in the ring over the course of low blows and beat downs from SS. Everyone in this match clicked with strong storytelling and in-ring action. Submission Squad walked away with a victory sending a message to the back this St. Louis crew is not to be messed with. 

When they meant hardcore match they meant it

9. Matthew Palmer vs Shawn Vexx (From Innocence to Insanity) - when the crews removed the mat and apron exposing nothing but board you know you are about saw something special. These two fought for hardcore title in a board ring. Brutal match to witness as it screams pain giving it psychological feel. When either wrestler slammed and suplexed on the board its if you can feel the pain and hurt of landing on it. This match was a fight from beginning to end with Centerfold retaining hardcore title.

Let me put my feet on your back thank you very much.

8. Barrett Brown vs A.C.H. (From Innocence to Insanity) - while A.C.H. stands for attitude, charisma, and heart it could have more meanings. Meanings of attitude turns to arrogance, charisma leads to confidence then to cockiness, and heart becomes big headed. This what this match became when hero of Anarchy took on the young Chosen One. Like he did to Jeff Gant months ago, A.C.H. got arrogant and cocky pushing Barrett Brown to the extra limit. He gone far to prop his legs on back of Brown. Brown responded back trading kicks, chops, shots, slaps, and flying moves against him. Now its a fight at new level with a focus as they were evenly matched. So evenly matched both were kicking out at each other signature moves. It boils down whoever made last mistake will lose the match. It was veteran A.C.H. who made the last mistake when try for something big only to fall as Brown pulled off upset win. After the match A.C.H. gave his props and shook Brown hands this time as the loser. This match added a fork on the road. One road have A.C.H. and Killer feud over his choice of opponents as next wrestler to lead Anarchy. Second road had Carson showing up months claiming he was original next big guy at Anarchy to feud with Brown over being prodigy of Anarchy. Gotta love it when seeds are planted and it grows.

Good job Jeff! You done well.

7. A.C.H. vs Jeff Gant (Nothing is Real as a Dream) - this match is something you read in Apter magazines or saw in few movies such as Rocky. Story of top guy giving a young guy/underdog a chance to step up and have the guts make himself into potential main eventer. This match left me shocked. Shocked A.C.H. handpicked Jeff Gant, a referee turned wrestler fans hardly cared about, as his opponent. Shocked how good of a match mixed with psychology and storytelling. Throughout the match A.C.H. acted cocky, punking and taunting Gant encouraging him to man up. Gant fought back valiantly only to submit to Texas Cloverleaf at the end. Despite fans not being receptive its mission accomplished leading to few things. Jeff Gant saw his errors way and gives it his all in the ring improving slowly. This led to feud between A.C.H. and Killer Kash over A.C.H. choosing Gant as his opponent over Kash. In one match it made two wrestlers to watch for. This match could lead to more possibilities down the line if and when they choose the route with hint of foreshadowing.

Kyle Hawk emotional post match speech

6. Davey Vega vs Kyle Hawk (Queen of Queens) - a big send-off match for Kyle Hawk as he got called to duty in Afghanistan prior to the show. In possibly his final match he went all or nothing giving it all against the Ace of Anarchy. Despite Vega efforts keep him down and grounded Hawk kept fighting back like a soldier. Vega finally put him away when he made Hawk pass out to a submission hold. In one most memorable post match moments Kyle Hawk gave heartfelt speech and thanks to family, friends, fans, and everyone in the back. After he left the ring the entire crowd sang National Anthem. Thank you Kyle Hawk for your service to the country! Stay safe! Godspeed!

Athena and Barbi Hayden test each other

5. Barbi Hayden vs Athena (Queen of Queens) - while both faced each other before this one-on-one battle has the stakes much higher. Both are in semi-finals match of Queen of Queens tournament with the winner going to the finals. At same time involved is television title held by Athena, who happens to be winner of 2012 tournament, is on the line during the tournament. Winner of this match moves on to the finals with television title riding huge wave of momentum. Couldn't get more high stakes than that. The match is like a game of poker. Early on the match both try to out-wrestle and test each other early just like poker players trying read and psyche each other. They kicked in high gear betting chip after chip battling each other back and forth in and out of the ring move for move. As both put it all in to bet it was Barbi who came out the winner with two aces and three queens throwing Athena off the top as she tried go for O-Face and follows it with DDT to end the match. Barbi Hayden goes to the finals as new television champion and wave of momentum heading into it.

Scot Summers takes Jerry Lynn for wild ride through a board

4. Jerry Lynn vs Scot Summers (Guilty by Association 7) - In rematch from GBA2 Godfather of Anarchy tangled with forefather of Anarchy Mr. Showtime for one final time. Fans jam packed The Mohawk to witness retiring Jerry Lynn final ACW and Texas match of his storied career. Before the match crowd threw and showered Jerry Lynn with streamers in sign of respect. Both men went out in style delivering hard hitting wrestling action as a board, chair, ladder, and table came to play. A psychological factor of this match can Jerry Lynn body hold together as he get slammed on the ladder and gone through a board. After hard fought battle it concluded when Lynn made Summers tap to crossface. The large crowd, some crying, gave these two standing ovation as Jerry Lynn walked out his final ACW match the winner. Little did fans know this match ended an era of Anarchy and gave it one hell of final ride for one final time. After the match everything shockingly changed and new era arrived whether we like it or not. Like top of the website said, "Enjoy the ride."  I'm still on the ride. Thank you Jerry Lynn for years of memories in the ring!

I, Davey Vega, promise to be fair

3. Davey Vega vs A.C.H. (Beyond Good and Evil) - opponents being familiar and having in-ring chemistry down bring out the best each time. See these two as they blazed it again this time at The Mohawk. This time dynamics change instead friendly face vs face match its face vs tweener. A.C.H., the cool cocky hero, cheered on by the fans while Davey Vega, the tweener, getting mostly booed for his actions often showing heel side during past few shows. Before the match Davey Vega promise A.C.H. they would have fair match. As usual, both put on clinic in the ring this time Davey Vega showing his true colors getting frustrated as he couldn't pin A.C.H. A low blow follow with a cradle finally gives Vega the victory and one way ticket to heeldom.

2. Jimmy Jacobs vs Davey Vega (An Absence of Law) - first show of new era of Anarchy produced amazing main event between Jacobs and Vega. Jacobs arrived back at ACW in tune up match before meeting retiring J.T. LaMotta months down the road and got jumped by LaMotta before his match. This match added in storytelling of Jacobs, who is big indy star thinking Vega isn't on his level. Vega, being Ace of Anarchy, is more than prepare willing show Jacobs he can hang at his level. When Jacobs realized Vega is serious he got serious and kicked up a notch matching each other. Both had fans split with dueling chants and not knowing who's going come out on top. Jacobs finally prevailed with a win and getting jumped again by LaMotta setting up their final match few months later.

On this night we shall rumble all night long and to the death til one of us wins

1. Matthew Palmer vs A.C.H. (Guilty by Association 7) - absolute no-brainer. Those who witness this match knew this match can't be topped at all for rest of 2013 year. This started over simple fact both are one of best in Texas indies and not once a winner declared the both times they faced other ending in no contests. This blowoff match must have a winner and its for hardcore title held by Matthew Palmer. Before the match both agreed to straight up wrestling match rules instead hardcore match rules. These two put on classic trading each other move-for-move leaving fans on edge of their seat wondering who will get the pinfall. Palmer came up victorious, but the end the fans spoke as chants "Best in Texas!" echoed all over The Mohawk at both wrestlers.