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On Saturday, August 7th, Pro Wrestling Live made its official return as it presented "The Rising" emanating from scenic Long Branch, NJ. It was an afternoon of braving the elements as an outdoor environment, triple-digit humidity, and a solid black canvas made for quite the unpleasant environment to compete in. Who could adapt and who would fall by the wayside as PWL looks to establish its top contenders?
The main event saw Brian Cage score a major boost of momentum on his side with a victory over Ken Doane. Cage, like Doane, can trace his career back to training as a young teenager, on into young success with WWE. While Doane became the youngest World Tag Champion in wrestling history, Cage hoped to emulate that success as he began his journey through the developmental ranks of WWE. Cage would part ways with WWE, only to find them courting him back into their fold before long. This victory over Doane was perhaps Cage's final bout before returning to the WWE system, and it was much needed. For Doane, it's back to the drawing board and back to focusing on the top competitors here in PWL.
Jimmy Rave was searching for a win on his personal comeback trail, but fell victim to "Original Playa From The Himalayas" Sonjay Dutt. Rave tried to "rock the world" of the self-proclaimed Guru, but Sonjay's dazzling quickness and aerial skills led to a premature demise of Rave's hopeful triumphant comeback.
Our territorial rivalry proved inconclusive as Ohio's Johnny Gargano battled Georgia's Kyle Matthews to a time-limit draw. We saw both athletes put on the proverbial technical clinic in unarguably the most evenly-matched bout on the card. After exchanging pinning combinations too numerous to mention, the timekeeper begrudgingly sounded the bell, signaling the end. With no clear winner determined, a rematch is no doubt in order. Gargano refused to continue for "five more minutes", but one would hope a rematch would be signed in short order. What will happen when Gargano and Matthews collide again?
Alabama native Mike Posey outwitted and outlasted five other men in order to reign supreme in our elimination bout. Posey was able to emerge victorious with his own personal variation of the "Alabama Jam", defeating John Kermon, Corvis Fear, Zack Novach, Joey Janela and Aramis.
The superficial superstar Bobby Beverly overcame the inspirational "Handicapped Hero" Gregory Iron in singles action, a reprisal of a year long feud that has made headlines in Ohio. After Iron bested Beverly the week before in Ohio, it was Bobby who gained retribution on this day with an illegal hook of the trunks. The Iron vs. Beverly war, inspirational underdog vs. egomaniacal narcissist, may never truly be over.
Vin Gerard defeated Corey Hollis in singles action. The CHIKARA standout, infamous for alienating himself from the rest of the promotion, and sending out hate-filled autographed photos to fans he calls "H8 x 10s" utilized his version of the 2K1 Northern Lights Bomb to score the victory.
It was Cameron Skyy & Austin Mannix who defeated the "Mad Scientist of Wrestling Maneuvers" Tommy Treznik and his personal implement of destruction, The Wreckingball! While Wreckingball provided 400 pounds or so of solid intimidation, the summer heat took its toll on this monstrosity, leading to Skyy & Mannix becoming an early dominant team in PWL's blossoming tag division.
The stage has been set, the stars have emerged, the movement has risen... now what Badd Things are on the horizon?? Stay tuned to find out!!
