Absolute Intense Wrestling: Absolution IX

So I've been meaning to do this review for a while, after the other two shows I reviewed, I was excited to review their biggest show. I don't want to waste much time, so I'm going to get right into it.  I don't have any official match times on hand, and I'm not feeling the stopwatches tonight, so no match times here, but I'll give some rough estimates.

Absolute Intense Wrestling: Absolution IX
June 29th, 2014
Turner's Hall, Cleveland, Ohio

We start the show like we do with every AIW show, fifteen minutes of promos. Matt Cross starts it with a really solid promo on Josh Prohibition. Kingston cuts a good promo on Rickey Shane Page. Gregory Iron cuts a promo, and I still cannot stand this guy. He's a bad wrestler and worse on the mic. Why he's on every indy show I review is beyond me. Jimmy Jacobs and BJ Whitmer cut a promo on the Jollyville Fuck-its, but it's all Jimmy, which is how it should be. Kevin Steen cuts a hilarious promo on Sabin, but he tosses an empty bottle off screen and says "ACH is on the phone, BUT NOBODY CALLED HIM. HE NEEDS PEOPLE TO THINK HE'S POPULAR! NOBODY CARES!" I'm cracking up. I can't believe this guy is NXT Champion. Man, I'm so pumped to see him on the big stage. Tim Donst kills it with his promo on Michael Elgin. I wasn't a big fan of Donst when I first saw him in CHIKARA years ago, but my god has this guy improved since then. He's easily one of my favorite guys on this roster. Jollyville Fuck-its cut a promo, Myers is fine, but T-Money is god awful.

Singles Match
Kevin Steen vs Chris Sabin
This is one hell of a way to kick off a show. Kevin Steen (NXT's Kevin Owens) is an absolute beast. He's easily one of the best wrestlers on the planet today, and Chris Sabin was probably my favorite wrestler for a good year or so back in the mid 2000s. This match could main event most promotions, so to see it open the show has me giddy. They say Steen is 262 pounds. That seems a bit light.

We start with a lock up and a fun little spot. Sabin gets Steen in a wrist lock and rather than reverse it, Steen grabs the rope for a rope break. I chuckled at it, we all know the wrist lock is a devastating submission! They do some fun chaining sequences, but Sabin walks around the ring after a big ol' shoulder block. Steen starts shouting at everyone, but nothing that he's saying really makes any sense, so it's just kind of funny. Steen tells Sabin to go for big shoulder blocks, so Sabin kicks him in the guy instead. Big "ole" chant going, I miss seeing El Generico, bless his soul for helping those orphans. Sabin goes for a sunset flip, but Steen laughs it off and tries to punch him but gets all mat.
Sabin takes Steen outside and hits a chop to which Steen oversells and screams "OW!!!" and I'm cracking up again.

Chop exchange until Sabin pokes him in the eyes. Back inside, Steen hits a flapjack and a senton before stomping on his head. Steen goes outside and into the fans to hug a fan for some reason.

He's a hugger!

That was so random, but I love it. He beats the ten count and goes back to work on Sabin. Sabin tries a sunset flip, but fails again as Steen lifts him up and hits a lariat for two. Sabin tries again and finally connects on a sunset flip! Steen tries one, but Sabin rolls through and hits a dropkick. Enziguri and a superkick by Sabin for another near fall. They trade waist locks until Steen goes for what I thought was his pumphandle neckbreaker, but instead he hits a half nelson-hammerlock-flatliner.

I don't know how or what to call this besides awesome.

Steen goes up top for a Swanton, but Sabin stops him, but Steen tosses him off and hits the Swanton for a near fall. He crushed Sabin, and his soul. Sabin gets revenge for Steen hitting an awesome move by retaliating with a beautiful springboard tornado DDT.

Unfortunately for Sabin, Steen kicks out at two. Sabin tries to lift him again, but still too fat. Sabin hits him a few times and tries again, but nope. Steen reverses into a Package Piledriver attempt, but Sabin reverses it! Steen kicks Sabin away and hits a pop-up Powerbomb, rolling Sabin backwards and hooking him for the Package Piledriver! This time it connects and Steen gets the three count!

Winner: Kevin Steen in about 12 minutes.
This was a really fun opener. The action itself was solid, and Steen was just so randomly hilarious throughout the whole thing. No complaints from me. ***1/4

After the match, Steen gets on the mic and starts cutting a promo putting over AIW and how he wished he could be a part of the JT Lightning Invitational Tournament, but due to scheduling conflicts with PWG...before he can finish, Jimmy Jacobs and BJ Whitmer hit the ring which leads to...

AIW Tag Team Championship
No Disqualification Tag Team Match
The Jollyville Fuck-its ("Nasty" Russ Myers & T-Money)(c) vs The Forgotten (Jimmy Jacobs & BJ Whitmer)
Jollyville Fuck-its interrupt Jacobs' promo on Steen and rush the ring to start the match with some brawling on the outside. I wasn't aware this was No-DQ until the announcers said it. Jacobs takes a suplex on the entrance ramp. Jacobs recovers through and hits an axe handle to the outside while they start fighting in the crowd. Side note: Jacobs' promos are really good. It'll be interesting to see how he'll do in WWE's creative department. Back to the match and Myers hits a nice moonsault plancha onto T-Money and The Forgotten.

This gets a "Holy Shit" chant from the crowd. Back inside the ring, Myers works over Jacobs a bit more, hitting a nice big boot in the corner before Whitmer just decks him with a haymaker. Some double team attacks by The Forgotten, but nothing we haven't seen in every tag match ever. They try a move on T-Money, but he pounces Jacobs and hits an Alabama Slam on Whitmer. Myers comes off the top with a big cannonball senton. I love this move.

CANNONBALLLLLLL!

The cannonball only gets a two as Jimmy pulls the ref out of the ring. They fight some more before Tommy Mercer aka, Crimson from TNA interferes and takes out the Jollyville Fuck-its. This allows Whitmer and Jacobs to hit a nice double team move for the win.

Winners and NEW AIW Tag Team Champions: The Forgotten in about 8 minutes.
This match was a lot of fun. It wasn't too long, in fact, I wish it could have gone a little bit longer. It had some fun spots, and T-Money is easily the odd man out in this four way, but he held his own here. Crimson is interesting to see, I never watched his TNA work, so I'll withhold judgement. Solid match overall. ***


Singles Match
"#AllEgo" Ethan Page(w/ Louis Lyndon & #Sparx) vs Johnny Gargano
I've been a huge Gargano fan for a while now, and Ethan Page has impressed me on the three shows I saw him, so I'm expecting a solid match here. During his entrance, Gargano ran backstage and re-entered again for a second big pop. I chuckled at it. You can tell some of these guys just love wrestling at small shows like this. Ethan sends away Lyndon and Sparx away before the match, while the rant chants "please don't go" at her. I lol'd. Lucky for them, she's in the next match. There's a big "Jesus Christ" chant for Ethan as one fan shouts "FUCK JESUS!" which causes Page and myself to laugh.

We start with a string of nice reversals that ends with a stare down. Then they exchange some strikes. Then chops, then more strikes. Gargano gets an early advantage with a clothesline and goes to work with a nasty dropkick to the back of the head. Page takes control soon after, but Gargano pulls off a sick skinning the cat spot, which ends with him hitting a slingshot spear on Page. I like that move.

Gargano covers for a near fall. Strikes in the corner lead to a big samoan drop to fallaway slam by Page. That was nifty!

Samoan Fallaway Slam Drop?

Outside the ring, the do some brawling with some guard rail spots and some brawling, nothing out of the ordinary. The announcer claims Ethan Page is riding Louis Lyndon's coattails, apparently Lyndon is on a winning streak. Gargano does hit a flip senton onto a standing Page from the apron, not too shabby. Inside, Page reverses a slingshot DDT into an awesome "suplex of doom" as they called it.

AllEgo is AllStrength

That spot got a two as they fight some more in the corner. Nice forearm by Page before Gargano flips into the opposite turnbuckle into a lariat to the back of the head. Big sideslam by Page gets a two count. Page goes for another suplex, but Gargano reverses into his own after they trade suplex attempts. Corner strike and a few roll ups into kicks by Gargano, before he misses a kick and Page lifts him to the apron. Gargano hits the slingshot DDT for a two. Gargano gets Page on his shoulder, but he goes onto the apron and misses the slingshot cutter. Gargano hits a few kicks and covers for two. Gargano eats a boot a flying enziguri from the middle rope for two. Page keeps control and lifts him on the top rope. Superplex attempt is thwarted as Gargano hits about three dozen body shots. Big boot by Page allows him to go up top and set Gargano up for a "spinning Dwayne" which is a spinning Rock Bottom, but Gargano reverses into a huge DDT.

Do you smell was #AllEgo is cookin'?

Gargano only gets a two count. Big "Johnny Wrestling" chant erupts for Gargano. Enziguri by Page and both men are down. Sparx comes out to the ring with a chair and Page is kind of pissed since he sent her away earlier. In the ring, Lyndon comes in the other side with the Intense Title and he goes to nail Gargano, but he's superkicked by Ethan Page! SWERVE!

I'm sorry, I love you.

After this, two things happens, a big "YOU JUST GOT YOUR FUCKING HEAD KICKED IN" chant starts towards Lyndon, and then Gargano and Page start exchanging strikes. Page goes for his slingshot cutter again, but Gargano catches him with a superkick that knocks him to the floor and follows up with a suicide dive. Page then catches Gargano in this weird move that has Gargano wrapped around his back, so he swings Gargano but Johnny reverses it into the Garga-no-escape! Holy shit what a spot.

Ethan does his best to fight out and he does! Rolling up Gargano for a near fall. They exchange kicks until Page hits the spinning Dwayne! Big "This is awesome" chant and I have to agree. Page goes for it again, but Gargano reverses into a victory roll for two! Gargano hits a big lawn dart into the second turnbuckle and hits the Hurts Donut but Page kicks out!

I'll take a baker's dozen, please.

The ref starts counting and Gargano gets to his feet first. Gargano has Page in the corner with some strikes, but both men are clearly on their last legs. He sets Page up top and climbs up with him, but Page reverses his attempt at hurting him with that spinning facebuster he tried before! That move is awesome.

I don't even know what this is called.

Page covers Gargano but only gets a two count! The crowd is going fucking nuts, and Page can't believe it either! Page waits for Gargano to get up, and he tries the Hurts Donut on Page! But Gargano reverses into a Spinning Dwayne of his own! Page kicks out but Gargano immediately locks on the Garga-no-escape! The referee is forced to call for the bell as Ethan Page passed out.
Winner via Ref Stoppage: Johnny Gargano in about 22 minutes
This was fantastic. The story telling was perfect with Ethan telling his partners to leave and then even attacking Lyndon to prove it. The spots were awesome, the match was fluid and flew by. This is going to be a very hard match to top on this card. Damn near perfect match. ****1/4

Six Way Scramble Match
#Sparx vs Cheech vs Brent Banks vs Colin Delaney vs ACH vs Flip Kendrick
Oh man, we're going to follow up that great match with one of the AIW scrambles?! AIW always seems to have these fucking amazing scramble matches on every show. With Cheech, ACH and Flip, this should be another one added to that list. I really enjoy Flip Kendrick. He's definitely made for these types of matches. I think if he were able to improve his technical abilities more he could be a top name on the indy circuit. I think I've only seen on match of Brent Banks, and I don't remember much of it. Sparx is really solid and ACH is just the man. Colin Delaney is hit or miss for me. While introducing names, the announcers says for ACH "it is not unusual for him to fall in love with any-" and starts cracking up while ACH dances. I loved it. I laughed.

ACH and Brent Banks start the match with a handshake that turns into a headlock. Chaining begins, but then ends for a bit when ACH breaks a wrist lock and dances "the Carlton" some more.

How can you not love a fed who has this much fun?

The crowd chants "one more time" and ACH obliges, but is kicked in the gut by Banks to a lot of boos. They trade some reversal spots until Banks takes a boot, a kick and a slingshot cutter from ACH. Cheech comes in and tosses ACH over the rope before connecting with a plancha armdrag that looked pretty. Delaney comes outside and hits a wheelbarrow armdrag leaving Sparx and Kendrick in the ring. Kendrick ducks a clothesline and does a moonsault plancha onto the other four outside the ring. It wasn't as smooth as he usually does them, but it was still nice. Sparx goes up top and does a flipping senton onto all five men.

A bit "Seleziya" chant breaks out as she's taunting in the ring. Cheech has the other guys surround the ring as they all enter in and go after Sparks, a big "Brazzers" chant breaks out and I'm cracking up. Sparks low blows everybody and it's pretty funny. Delaney avoided the lowblows and proceeds to kick her in the head. Corner strikes by everyone to Sparks, except for ACH, who runs up and kisses her instead!

Bah gawd! That woman has a family!

Sparks is perched up top by Delaney, who is knocked down by Sparks. Then Cheech is knocked down, then Banks, then Flip and ACH both try to double superplex her, but Cheech and Delaney come over and get both guys on their shoulders. Seleziya comes off the top with a double Doomsday Device!

That was sick. A huge "Holy Shit" chant erupts and I agree! Sparks goes after Banks in the corner who drives her into the mat with a Michinoku Driver before being kicked by Colin, who is then suplexed by Cheech, who is then kicked in the face by Flip. Kendrick hits this awesome 180 front flip edge-o-matic type move. What the hell?!

Nobody but Flip can hit this so smooth.

Flip is the only one standing now as he pulls ACH into the ring. ACH is tossed to the apron with a guillotine to Kendrick followed by a huge double stomp to a doubled over Flip. He covers, but Sparks breaks up the count. ACH yells at her and Seleziya punches him in the face a few times. ACH doesn't want to hit her, so she hits him a few more times and kicks him in the face before Banks knocks her out of the ring. Delaney comes in, but Banks sends him right out. Cheech tossed onto the apron by Banks and knocked off with a high knee. Plancha by Banks, in the ring Flip kicks Sparks in the face and sets her in the corner. Whip and forearms by Flip, but Sparks hits a spinning heel kick and then powerbombs Kendrick onto everyone else (besides ACH) on the outside!

ACH sneaks into the ring and hits a brutal looking pump kick. ACH hits an awesome moonsault plancha to the outside to everyone, before hopping up top and hitting a sick 450 on Sparks for the win!
Winner: ACH in about 8 minutes
I've said it before, I'll say it again, nobody does scramble matches like AIW. This was amazing. It had some hilarious comedy spots, great high flying and everybody seems to have fantastic chemistry. Extremely entertaining bout and I suddenly want more scramble matches. ****

Singles Match
Veda Scott vs Gregory Iron
I love Veda Scott, but I cannot stand Gregory Iron. Of my 3, now 4, indy show reviews, he's been on all four and I don't understand why. He cuts one of the worst promos I've ever heard on the indies, and all three of his matches I've seen, he's looked terrible. I can only hope this match is short, but I'll keep an open mind. Greg comes out with The Iron Curtain. Veda Scott is by herself.

No introductions in this match as we starts outside the ring. Iron gets the quick advantage by whipping Veda into the guard rail. He goes under the apron and pulls out some chairs. The bell hasn't officially rung yet, but they set up some open chairs near the stage as Veda and Iron fight on the stage. He tries to throw her off the stage onto the open chairs, but Veda spears him on the Iron Curtain. They pull Veda away from Iron as he takes control. He hits an awful looking reverse STO on the ramp.

This would be a cool spot...if Iron didn't suck.

Can this please end? Iron isn't a good heel. I don't want him to get his ass beat, I just want him to get off my media player. He brings nothing to the table. He's sitting in a chair and choking her now with a belt. The ref is trying to get this match in the ring, and Iron sent his stable back to the back as Veda crawls into the ring and now the match has officially started. Iron goes to work with stomps, and a bad drop toe hold. He mounts Veda from behind and starts choking her again. More corner strikes by Iron, until Veda is knocked onto the apron, and Iron hits a springboard back elbow knocking Veda off the apron. Iron goes for a suicide dive and botches it, because of that, he smashed his face right on the guard rail.

Ugh. Please go away.

I'm hoping this causes a count out, but unfortunately, I'm not that lucky. Veda takes control and beats the crap out of him outside the ring. Inside, more chops and strikes by Veda, then a shitty forearm by Iron where he fell down for no reason and got a near fall. Senton by Iron gets a two. Weak grounded forearms by Iron followed by choking Veda on the middle rope. If Iron actually knew how to wrestle, he'd be a fantastic heel. His mannerisms in the match are great, but he just doesn't have the talent to be a professional wrestler, please, someone let him spend three months training with Gargano. Veda takes control with a forearm and a facebuster. 2nd rope clothesline and a necbreaker for two. Tornado DDT is reversed by Iron, but Veda kicks him in the face and hits a crossbody for two. Bad forearms by Iron, then a superplex attempt by Veda. Iron blocks it and hits an elbow drop. I've just been informed that Iron has cerebral palsy. That actually explains a lot. Another jumping reverse STO by Iron gets a two. Jerry comes back out and tosses a chair into the ring. Veda knocks him off the apron and hits a weird hurricanrana onto the chair. Martini comes out and is knocked away by Veda. Veda goes to hit Iron with the chair, but he ducks and the ref takes the chair shot. Out comes Boone and Justice of the Iron Curtain, Veda kicks them both low and takes them out. Truth Martini hits an Angle Slam on Veda and Iron hits her with the ring bell. Iron Curtain roll the ref into the ring, but he's still out. Truth goes for an F-5, but Veda reverses it into a DDT and hits a hanging snapmare driver on Iron.

Veda tries to wake up the ref, but in comes Iron and Veda kisses him before hitting a Saito Suplex and a bridging choke hold. The ref is still down though, and she changes the hold into a dragon sleeper. Ref is still down. Iron is tapping but the ref doesn't see it. The ref wakes up...and he disqualifies Veda...Awful

Winner via DQ: Gregory Iron in about 10 minutes
Awful. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this match, the entire segment went on far too long and nobody looked good in this match. This also has the worst possible ending for this match. The match itself was about 10 minutes, but the entire segment was near 20. This should have been AT MOST 5-7 minutes. This is the first time I have to give AIW a DUD. Hopefully the last time.

Veda cuts a promo after the match apologizing for not beating Gregory Iron. She challenges Iron to a match at Battle of the Sexes to a steel cage match. I might actually have to watch that. Don't care much for these two feuding, but a cage could be fun.

I'll give Iron credit for wrestling with cerebral palsy, which I was not aware of prior to finding out mid-match. It definitely takes a lot of balls to do that, and his mannerisms in the matches are really good, but I just don't think he should be in a wrestling ring. He'd probably be a much better manager.

Singles Match
Tyson Dux vs Bobby Beverly
Thankfully we get a match that should be pretty good. Lock up starts with some impressive chain wrestling. They go to the ground with Beverly trying to lock an armbar on Dux unsuccessfully. Dux goes for a death valley driver early, but Beverly reverses and hits a snap powerslam real close to the ropes. Dux takes over with strikes in the corner, but Beverly fights back with a reverse STO onto the top rope and a big dropkick for a one count. Dux goes outside and Beverly hits a baseball slide and goes for a kick, but Dux catches it and sweeps it and Beverly face plants on the apron. Dux picks him up and walks him around the ringside area before nailing a big Death Valley Driver onto the ramp!

Run, Cameraman, Run!

Dux brings Beverly back into the ring says "one more time" tossing Beverly back outside, and surprisingly actually hits it again. Back inside, Dux gets a two count and locks on a chin hold. Beverly fights back, but takes an elbow and an elbow drop for another near fall instead. Dux lifts him again for another DVD, but Beverly hits an enziguri and drives Dux into the corner. Dux hits a boot and goes for a lariat but Beverly hits a nice lifting backbreaker instead. Dux rolls onto the apron, and Beverly tries a backdrop driver back into the ring, but Dux fights it off. Dux runs in and eats a tilt-a-whirl Michinoku Driver.

TAKA would be proud.

Two count for Beverly, followed by some chops as Dux is on his knees. Chops and kicks. Dux ducks the head kick and hits a snapmare followed by a big lariat and a death valley driver into the corner!

I really really love this move.

Dux only gets a two count! The crowd isn't shocked, but Dux sure is! Dux goes for a lariat, but instead, Beverly counters with a big reverse STO and locks in a Koji Clutch! Dux taps out!

Winner: Bobby Beverly in about 8 minutes
This was a solid match. It actually went a bit short for my taste and ended kind of abruptly as well. Other than that, no complains. It was really entertaining for what it was. **1/2

AIW Intense Title
Singles Match
Davey Vega vs Louis Lyndon(c)
Lyndon, huge fan of him. Still say he's the most underrated guy on the indies. Davey Vega has really grown on me, and I'm really excited to see this match. Lydon's entrance is hilarious as he screams at fans, but not words, just a regular scream.

We start with some chaining and Vega going for an armbar early on, leading into a wrist-lock suplex and some more chaining before a stare down. Davey takes early advantage when Lyndon goes for a second rope crossbody, but Davey catches him in mid-air with a dropkick!

Lyndon rolls outside and Davey hits a big a tope con hilo! They go back inside and Lyndon "begs" Davey to take a time out, but Lyndon takes a control. Vega whips Lyndon into the corner, and Lyndon jumps up and tries to turn it into a hurricanrana, but Davey cartwheels out of it! A few kicks by Davey followed by a senton gets a two count. Lyndon rolls back outside the ring and Vega hits a baseball slide that sends Lyndon into the crowd! Vega pulls the guard rail in a bit and goes for another tope con hilo, but Lyndon gets on the apron and stops it by bring Vega onto the apron and hitting a huge step-up knee that sends Vega off the apron and over the guard rail. Lyndon hops into the ring and hits a front flip suicide dive!

That was awesome. Lyndon stands on a fan's chair and then throws a random water bottle at Vega on the ground for a lulz moment. Back inside, Lyndon covers for a two count. In the corner, Lyndon is standing on a sitting Vega, before picking him up and hitting a reverse ddt neckbreaker for two. Multiple pin attempts only get a two each time for Lyndon. Davey starts fighting back and tosses Lyndon onto the apron, but Lyndon hits a slingshot school boy into a deadlift german suplex! Holy shit that was insane!

This is why he's so underrated.

That could have really ended it, but Davey's body folded over and his foot was on the rope. Lyndon is going for a dragon sleeper, but he can't get it locked in. Vega hits a back elbow and a big enziguri from the apron before hitting a huge dropkick from the top, followed by double knees in the corner for two. Davey tries to whip Lyndon, but he's resisting so Vega slaps the shit out of him and does it. Vega hits an elbow, tries again, but Lyndon chases him with a big pump kick followed by a super Hurricanrana for two! A big "Vega" chant has started now. Lyndon calls for Vega to get up and goes for a springboard moonsault, but Vega side steps and rolls him up for two. Lyndon rolls out of the ring and Vega hits the ropes, but Lyndon slides in and hits a MONSTER palm strike!

Lydon goes for a backdrop driver, but Vega flips out of it and hits a lariat to the back of Lyndon before nailing a huge german suplex for two! Both men are slow to get up, but Lyndon hits the ropes and gets hit with a huge big boot, followed by Vega dropping Lyndon across his kness with a suplex! Amazingly that only got a two count. Vega tries it again, but Lyndon rolls him up for two. Vega goes for a roll up now, but Lyndon locks him in a dragon sleeper! But wait! Vega rolls backwards into a pin and gets the three count!

Winner and NEW AIW Intense Champion: Davey Vega in about 12 minutes
This match was flat out awesome. After seeing the other two shows, I knew if these two got together it would be magic, and it was. Awesome story telling, awesome spots, awesome finish and just overall a blast to watch that had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Easy Match of the Night so far. ****1/4

After the match a big "You Deserve It" chant breaks out for Vega, and I can't disagree. Vega is quickly growing on me.

Singles Match
Eddie Kingston(w/ The Duke) vs Rickey Shane Page(w/ Eric Ryan)
I'm a huge fan of both guys here, and I'm really excited to see this match. When looking at the card for this show, this is the match that made me HAVE to review it. RSP is over huge with AIW. It's amazing he's never won the Absolute title. Hopefully 2015 is his year.

We start with some brawling, before RSP beats Kingston from corner to corner. Kingston reverses a whip, hits a dropkick that sends RSP to the outside and then hits a suicide dive. Some standard brawling on the outside with rail spots and an eye gouge. Inside, Kingston continues the controlling state knocking RSP into the corner. Suplex by Kingston gets a one count. Kingston throws him outside the ring again. As Kingston distracts the ref, The Duke uses his foot to start choking Page before rolling him back in. Corner chops by Kingston until Page starts to fight back a bit. Kingston rips his shirt and goes back to chopping Page. Page falls into the corner as Kingston hits some seated chops and a big bootwash

Kingston starts taunting the crowd and Rickey Page. Kingston goes for a tornado DDT, but RSP dodges it and hits a big kick to the back followed by a forearm in the corner and knee to the head for a two count. A big "Let's Go Rickey" chant starts. RSP blocks a backfist and hits an pump kick, a spinning roundhouse and a snap death valley driver for two!

Kingston starts fighting back and takes control after a tornado DDT and a GIANT lariat for a two count!

The announcers can't believe that RSP managed to kick out of that lariat. Kingston goes for a suplex, but Page reverses it into a Twist of Fate! He goes up top and hits a huge splash on Kingston but only gets a two count! Rickey hits a huge rolling elbow that causes Kingston to collapse! 1..2..2.9!

Kingston managed to kick out! Page can't believe it! He picks Kingston up and goes for a German, but Kingston reverses into an enziguri! They start exchanging kicks until Kingston connects with a huge backdrop driver! Page is up to his feet and Kingston connects with a brutal Backfist to the future for the three count!

Winner: Eddie Kingston in about 6 minutes. 
This was a great brawl. Lot of hard hitting action, but the length of the match is my biggest gripe. This show clocks in at just under four hours, and the Veda/Iron segment got nearly 20 minutes. I really think if they switched up this match time with the Veda/Iron match, this would have a shot at being much much better. For what it was, I have no complaints. **1/4

Kingston cuts a promo and tells a fan "Sit down; you're adopted." I laughed. He cuts a fun heel promo and says he doesn't care what they say. "I may be a piece of shit, but I won the match, and I'm probably gonna fuck your girlfriend later" I'm cracking up. Apparently he remembers Leonard F. Chikarason sucking his dick at CHIKARA. Interesting way to put it. He says Duke is the only one who pays him and AIW sucks. He's interrupted by Ethan Page. Kingston tells him to speak his mind, he corrects Kingston on the fed initials, I missed it, but apparently Kingston said IAW. Kingston insults a fan, and tells him to sit down. Page tells the fan he doesn't have to take it from a bully. He demands Page show respect to AIW and it's fans, saying guys like those two gave guys like him a chance. He says Kingston is "in God's house now. Bring it on." A big "Fuck him up, Ethan, Fuck him up" chant erupts. Kingston says he doesn't believe in God, so he has no fear in kicking his ass. Awesome line. He asks Duke if Kingston was paid to fight twice. Duke says absolutely not, and Kingston leaves. Big "you're a pussy" chant towards Kingston. Duke says "why would he give it away for free, like that kid and his mom?" Awesome promo by everyone involved. Page gets over huge with the fans from this promo. He says, in regards to Kingston, "I'll make that bitch tap out in my ring." This was an awesome segment.


Singles Match
Josh Prohibition vs Matt Cross
I feel like I've seen this match happen a lot over the years, so I'm interested to see how these two do here. Someone tells Matt Cross to stop wearing a fake beard and I laughed.

We start with a stare down between Josh, Cross and Cross' beard. They start with some strike exchanges and then some chop trading. Cross hits a pump kick and Prohibition retaliates with a cactus clothesline and we're outside the ring early in this one. That's a really underrated spot we don't see enough.

We get some more basic outside brawling from there with Prohibition whipping Cross into the guard rail but Cross uses it to hop over Prohibition before crotching him on the guard rail and hitting a pump kick to knock him over into the crowd. Cross then leaps over the railing and right into Prohibition. Brawling in the crowd now by the merchandise table as Cross hits a few strikes and a snapmare before legitimately using a child as a weapon. He picked up the kid and lightly dropped him onto Prohibition's chest. That's funny as hell. 

That was awesome. That kid just had the best night of his young life. Cross bounces Prohibition's head against a table and chops him a bunch until Josh fights back. He grabs Cross by the beard and tosses him into the wall, a good height on it, too.

I expect this in the next WWE video game, thanks 2K.

Prohibition then tries to powerbomb Cross through a table, but is backdropped onto it instead! It doesn't give, at all, so that probably hurt a bit. Cross then stands on a table under a basketball net, grabs the net and kinda swings himself onto Prohibition's shoulders hitting a hurricanrana that sends him into the crowd! With the people still there!

Nothin' but net!

I wasn't aware of this being a no disqualification match, but based on the weapons (and children) usage, I'm guessing it is. Cross brings the fight back to ringside, he drapes Prohibition over the guard rail and hits a few strikes to the chest before tossing him into the railing. Our cameraman hops over the guard rail too and I thought he had tripped. Cross grabs an open chair (or he couldn't close it) and hits Prohibition with it, but jokes on him, Josh puts Cross' head in the open chair and tosses him chair first into the ring post! Prohibition whips Cross towards the stage and Cross hops on and of with a crossbody before double stomping Josh between the shoulder blades. They're on the stage now, Prohibition goes for a big powerbomb onto the ramp, but they exchange reversals until Prohibition hits a huge Drunken Driver on the ramp!

Big "A-I-Dub" chant starts and everyone starts marking out, and rightfully so, that was nice. Officials are checking on Matt Cross, but Prohibition pushes them away rolls Cross into the ring and covers for a two count. Prohibition brings in a chair and opens it up, he puts Cross' head on it and heads up top, but Cross tosses the chair at Prohibition as he falls off the top and through the timekeeper's table!

More marking out from the crowd with more A-I-Dub chants. That was awesome. Cross rolls Prohibition into the ring, and hits a big springboard double stomp followed by a pump kick and a big standing shooting star press for another near fall. A small "this is awesome" chant breaks out, and it really has been. Cross goes for the Drunken Driver on Prohibition, but it's reversed and Prohibition goes for his own, but Cross hits a hurricanrana! Prohibition then gets up and hits his own! AND THEN ANOTHER! Oh shit. He covers but Matt Cross kicks out at 2! That was an awesome near fall.

I've seen the results of this match, and even I thought this was it. A huge "Holy Shit" chant erupts and I agree. Now a much bigger "This is awesome" chant starts. Prohibition goes under the ring and pulls out two chairs, someone tosses in a third and he just rolls with it. He stacks the chairs in a small pile and picks Cross up. He sets him on the top rope and goes for a t-bone superplex, but Cross fights out of it and knocks him off the ropes and onto the pile of chairs and then hits a HUGE Shooting Star Press! But Prohibition kicks out! Jesus Christ.

The crowd is freaking out now. Cross can't believe this isn't over yet, and lifts Prohibition to his feet and hits a piledriver on a chair, but Prohibition kicks out again! Cross sets up four open chairs now as Prohibition gets to his feet. He brings Prohibition onto the chairs and goes for the Drunken Driver, but Josh reverses and hits the Drunken Driver through two of the chairs! Holy shit. He covers and gets the win.

This is just nuts.

Winner: Josh Prohibition in about 20 minutes.
This was awesome. It was brutal as hell, but it had some funny spots, some hardcore spots and a ton of incredible near falls. I don't think it's the match of the night, but it's not far off. ****

AIW Absolute Championship
Singles Match
Tim Donst vs Michael Elgin(c)
I'm iffy on this match. I still have no interest in ever watching Elgin wrestle, but I love Tim Donst. I found myself pretty damn upset when he recently announced a hiatus from wrestling due to a tumor on his kidney. He's a good guy and a damn good wrestler. If you happen to see this, get well soon, Tim. About the match, I don't get why Elgin gets so much love. He's an average talent with very little personality, but whatever, maybe Donst kills him and takes the belt here.

We start with some chain wrestling and "Donst is Wrestling" chants. Donst ducks a clothesline but sells it anyway like it knocked him a little loopy. Chain wrestling continues until Elgin reverses a simple fireman's carry into an armbar and Donst rolls out of the ring. Donst catches his breath before going back into the ring where they lock up again. Huge chop by Elgin leaves Donst reeling. Donst tries to shoulder block Elgin, doesn't work too well, so he chops him a couple of times. Some more rest holds and a few more chops are exchanged. Slow start to this match, but I think it's set to go about 25 minutes or so, so it should pick up. Donst is down after some more big shots from Elgin. They exchange waist locks until Elgin trips Donst and hits a slingshot splash for two. Elgin whips Donst into the corner hard, causing Donst to fall on his face and roll onto the apron. Donst goes to the second rope and tries to suplex Donst into the ring, but he's tripped up and Donst hits a lariat in the corner for a two count. Suplex attempt by Donst thwarted by a big knee from Elgin. Donst knocks Elgin out of the ring and goes for a suicide dive, but Elgin catches him and hits a belly to belly onto the entrance ramp. Not the best looking suplex, and Donst nearly fell on his head.

Cool idea, sloppy execution

Some more of the usual ringside brawling spots, more chops, nothing too exciting. Donst whips Elgin into the railing and goes to splash him from the apron, but Elgin moves and Donst slams right into it. Big boot and a backdrop onto the railing by Elgin. Donst is hurting, but manages to barely get in the ring before the count of ten. Donst gets to his knees, but Elgin just punches him a bunch more. Elgin goes for a powerbomb, but Donst escapes and hits a t-bone suplex.

Donst then connects with a cutter and a big clothesline that turns Elgin inside-out for a two count. Donst gets Elgin in the corner and hits 10 forearms, Elgin ends up on the apron and hits an enziguri and tries to suplex Donst to the outside, but instead Donst ends up on the apron with him. Chops are exchanged. Elgin and Donst are on opposite sides of the 2nd rope and it looks like Elgin is going for a superplex to the outside, but Donst knocks him off and hops in the ring before connecting on a suicide dive. He goes for the apron dive again and this time he kind of hits it. Elgin bumped too early and that caused Donst to smash his chin on the guard rail.

Kinda supposed to catch the guy

Donst rolls Elgin in and covers, but only gets a two count. Elgin drives him into the corner and hits a few forearms as Donst hits some of his own. More strike exchanging that ends with Elgin hitting a big side slam on Donst for two. I like that slam.

Simple and beautiful.

Donst is down, but the fans are up for him. Elgin pulls him up and goes for a deadlift German suplex, but has to settle for a rolling elbow. He does hit a German suplex, but Donst gets right up, he does a right arm clothesline, but Elgin comes back with a huge left arm lariat for two. He goes for a powerbomb on Donst, but takes a back body drop instead. Elgin tosses Donst onto the top rope and drop kicks him. He climbs up and goes for a big superplex to Donst. Donst hits a bunch of headbutts and drops to the apron before hitting a slingshot clothesline to knock Donst down. Gator roll by Donst gets a two as Elgin gets his foot on the rope. I like that move also. It didn't look as good as it did to Eddie Kingston, but still an awesome neckbreaker.

Donst gets in the refs face, which is strange for a face to do. Donst went for a sunset flip, but Elgin rolled through and went for a lifting powerbomb, but Donst reversed it into a "From Donst to Dawn" attempt, but Elgin got to the ropes before he could lock it in. Elgin is distracting the ref now, as Donst charges Elgin moves and down goes the ref. Huge backfist, powerbomb into the turnbuckle and sit out powerbomb by Elgin. He covers, but the ref is down. Elgin wakes the ref up, and approaches Donst, but Donst rolls him up and gets a two. Elgin goes for the turnbuckle powerbomb again, I can't tell if Donst tried to reverse it or if the spot was botch, but it did not look good. Elgin then picks him up and hits another disgusting backfist. Why is he using this move when someone on the same show uses it as a finisher?

If you could only hear this gif. Murder.

Donst kicks out at two. Elgin immediately locks in a crossface, but Donst gets to the bottom rope. Elgin gets Donst to his feet and props him up on the top rope and climbs up with him, going for a super powerbomb. Donst reverses it into a huge death valley driver off the ropes!

Donst connects with another gator roll, but again only gets a two count. Donst is first to his feet, and picks Elgin up, or tries to, but Elgin is gripping the ropes. Donst goes for a german, but Elgin reverses into a roll up and into a crossface. Donst rolls him up for a two count. Enziguri by Elgin, but Donst just punches him in the face in the corner a few times. Both guys are fatigued, but they exchange strikes anyway. A few slaps knocks Donst down as Elgin covers for two. Elgin gets on the second rope, but Donst hits him and follows. Donst goes for a hurricanrana, but Elgin connects with a super powerbomb and then hits two powerbombs. He goes for a third, but Donst reverses the third. Elgin hits yet another backfist, followed by a rolling elbow and another powerbomb for the three.
Winner and still AIW Absolute Champion: Michael Elgin in about 30 minutes.
This was an incredibly underwhelming match. It consisted of Elgin beating the shit out of Donst for 20 minutes, Donst never really looking like he had a chance at any point, and had Elgin repeating the same 3 strikes 80% of the time. The only powerbomb that looked good was the very last one as all the others were incredibly sloppy. This match should not have main evented. Switch this match with Lyndon vs Vega or Prohibition vs Cross and you have a great ending to the show. *


Overall: 8/10 Great. Aside from this show having one dud and a bad main event, it also had four matches that I gave four stars to. That doesn't happen too often when I watch independent wrestling. Match of the Night was easily Louis Lyndon vs Davey Vega. AIW continues to impress me with great shows, and might be my favorite American Independent promotion right now. While feds like Ring of Honor and PWG have great matches, neither of them have such a variety like AIW does while maintaining the great quality. It's another awesome show from these guys, and I'm really looking forward to my next review of theirs, which will be AIW Dead Presidents 2013. 

Stay tuned for my next review, however, which will be GFW and NJPW Present: Wrestle Kingdom 9!