By Kari Williams
At the VFW Hall in Dupo, IL, 88 witnessed deception and defeat, feuds boil over and utter chaos all around. From the opening tag team contest to the Pro Wrestling Entertainment (PWE) Championship match in the main event, every match left fans wondering what would happen next.
The Hooligans—Mason, Devin and Neil “Diamond” Cutter—and the Submission Squad of Pierre Abernathy, Evan Gelistico and Gary Jay continued their hate-filled feud, which has gone all over the Midwest in countless promotions. Before the bell even rang, the two teams brawled through the crowd, causing fans to scatter. As they made their way back in the ring, the Squad took control with their fast-paced, high energy offense. But the Hooligans’ dirty tactics—which helped them wrestle the LWA Tag Team Championships away from the Squad—soon dominated the bout. Neither team would be deterred, and they continued in a an exceedingly competitive way. The Hooligans etched out a win, due to their underhanded tactics.
Neil Diamond Cutter and his Hooligan brother double teams Gary J (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Fan favorite Billy McNeil went at the despised Sean Vincent in a thrilling bout of athleticism and high-flying acrobatics. McNeil gained the early advantage, causing Vincent to back off and take a minute to organize a plan of action. Vincent’s rage soon kicked in, and the match exploded into a and abundantly competitive match up which resulted in McNeil crashing and burning after launching toward a not-so-unaware Vincent. After the misstep on McNeil’s behalf, Vincent acted like an animal going in for the kill. Despite McNeil’s valiant effort—and full-fledged fan support—Vincent’s attack was too brutal. Vincent pulled out the win in a pinning combination with his feet on the ropes.
Sean Vincent power bombs Billy McNeil onto a set of tables. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Vincent uses his leverage to send McNeil twisting in the air. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Kari Williams correctly stated that McNeil crashed and burned with this high risk move. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Brandon Aarons came out to talk about his match later in the evening against PWE Heavyweight Champion “Bloody” Harker Dirge and his victory in the St. Louis Wrestling Invitational Tournament. However, before Aarons could finish his ‘acceptance speech,’ “Peoria Pride Champion” Eric Allen—the man Aaron defeated to win the tournament—took it upon himself to interrupt Aarons, saying that “Brandon Aarons is the new standard…and I’m sick of it!” Allen then attacked Aarons, prompting Shorty Biggs to come to Aarons’ defense.
Cabal and Graves took on Shawn Almighty and Ian Storm in the second tag team contest of the night. Fans took an instant liking to Almighty and Storm, which appeared to aid them in their battle against their unpredictable opponents. Storm and Almighty worked extremely well together, but the overwhelming strength and tag team knowledge that Cabal and Graves had allowed them to cut the ring in half and alienate Almighty from Storm. The moment that Almighty finally had Storm within reach for a tag, Storm jumped down from the ring apron with an evil smirk slowly spreading across his face. Storm then walked off and left Almighty to fend for himself against the two behemoths. Cabal and Graves made quick work of the deserted Almighty.
Cabal and Graves with their manager Mr. Late Night. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Mr. Late Night does not like what he sees when Ian Strom works over his guy Graves. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Shawn Almighty and Ian Storm were on the same page early in the match.(Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Mr. Late Night emerged from the back to introduce Napalm to the crowd prior to Napalm’s No Disqualification match with Mephisto. These two hardcore enthusiasts did not wait long to let their brutal sides emerge. Napalm delivered the first strike with a ‘wet floor’ sign and steel chair, and Mephisto followed suit with chairs, a ladder and thumbtacks—a staple of the No DQ match, it seems. They brutalized each other, and a pivotal moment occurred when Napalm struck Mephisto with a stop sign from under the ring. However, this only seemed to enrage Mephisto, who then brought a table into the mix. The bout ended shortly thereafter, when Mephisto speared Napalm into the table.
Mephisto puts his body on the line, one move he would regret the next day. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Mephisto throws a chair on top of Napalm. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
After hitting a spear on Napalm into a chair guaranteed victory for Mephisto. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Shorty Biggs welcomes Eric Allen to the turnbuckle. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
During intermission, it looked as though the wrestlers would come out to sign autographs for fans, but the Hooligans and the Submission Squad had different ideas. The two teams brawled yet again, and had to be forced to the back by security.
Back into the action the cocky Eric Allen returned to the ring to take on the popular Short Biggs. Biggs opened the match strong by dominating the first six minutes of the contest. When Biggs hit a vicious belly to belly suplex, Allen wisely retreated outside the ring, but Biggs kept the pressure on him by punishing him outside the ring before he threw him back into it.
If your name is Eric Allen raise your hand. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Finally Allen was able to get some offense in……for a moment then Biggs was back in control. The turning point came when MR Late Night made his way to the ring. Allen had Biggs reeling and the crowd attempted to pump op the “Don Mega” by having the house rockin with “Shorty” chants. The motivation must have helped because Biggs delivered a belly to back suplex. MR Late Night pulled Allen out of the ring to give him a moment but went the action came back in the ring Biggs was still in control. Mr. Late Night distracted the ref and Allen tried to hit Biggs with his “Pride of Peroian” Championship belt but Biggs caught it. The Ref had turned and took the belt away from Biggs and administered a warning. Once again MR Late Night got the attention of the ref which allowed Allen to get a cheap shot by hitting Biggs down low too steal the victory.
MR. Late Night comes to play in a vital time for Eric Allen. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
IWA-Mid South Heavyweight Champion Dingo put his title on the line against Matt Cage, who was hesitant to start the match. After playing to the crow a little bit, Dingo forced Cage to get down to business, and they wrestled one of the most technically sound matches on the card. They matched each other hold for hold, and nearly every high impact move looked as if it would end the bout—but neither man gave in that easily. Dingo’s God-given talent resonated and Cage’s pure mat skill propelled the match to its most exciting moments, as when the two journeyed to the outside, and Dingo allowed fans (who may or may not wrestle for other promotions in the area) to chop Cage. Back in the ring, Cage focused his attack on Dingo’s hand, which he injured attempting to chop Cage but inadvertently hit the ring post. But Dingo’s resiliency and fight pushed him forward, and he walked away with the victory and the IWA-MS Heavyweight Championship.
Dingo gets an assist from Ref Eric Davis.(Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
In or outside the ring Dingo is dangerous. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Matt Cage slows down the speedy Cage. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Dingo explodes (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
In trouble Dingo, stops Cage by hitting the ropes. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s #445 on the PWI 500 “Thee” Brandon Espinosa had his hands full against “Spoiled” Steven Kennedy and Max Archer in a triple threat. Although a relatively short match, all three men got in formidable offense. Espinosa with his enziguri kick from the top turnbuckle, Kennedy with the second-rope moonsault and Archer delivered the most devastating blow when he attempted to powerbomb Kennedy, who happened to have Espinosa on his shoulders as well. Despite valiant efforts by all three men, Archer opportunistically caught Espinosa in a roll-up pinning combination for the shocking win.
Max Archer and Steven Kennedy works as a team for the moment. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Steven Kennedy gets his leg up just in time. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Big hits was galore in this 3 way.(Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Max Archer gets the upset victory.(Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
PWE Champion “Bloody” Harker Dirge.(Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Aarons’ biggest test to date came in the form of PWE Champion Dirge.
As the underdog, the crowd rooted for Aarons and urged him toward victory. Dirge’s more grounded style complimented Aarons’ faster-paced style. Aarons took a lot of high risks, and although not all of them paid off, it proved that he will do whatever necessary to win championship gold.
Aarons crashed and burns in a high risk move. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
The veteran Dirge tries to break the young Aarons. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Fighting with the heart of a champion Aarons gave his all but a distraction from Eric Allen allowed Dirge to hit the spear for to retain the title. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Dirge’s vicious beating instilled more fortitude into the young competitor, rather than causing him to back down—in contrast to what one might suspect. Approximately half-way through the match, Eric Allen came out from the back and sat down to watch the match progress. Both Dirge and Aarons scored many nearfalls, and at the point where it looked as though Aarons would win his first major championship, Allen pulled the referee out of the ring. This distraction allowed for Dirge to spear Aarons and retain the belt. In the aftermath, Allen attacked Aarons and Biggs yet again came to Aarons’ aid.
Always the opportunist, Eric Allen goes into the ring to pick over Dirges scraps. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
Once again Shorty Biggs is a thorn “Peoria Pride Champion” Eric Allen (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
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