This CHAOS COLUMN is a recap of Wrestling Cares Association’s “Race for the Ring” at the Sheraton Gateway LAX
It appears as if their extensive promotion of the show on SummerSlam Weekend, combined w/ 1/2 off General Admission with their SummerSlam Fan Axxess stub, and a strong card, drew a near-capacity crowd for the event that was hosted by former WWE Women’s/Divas Champion Candice Michelle. At this show, WCA raised about $1,000 for the Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center.
For this show, only the Matt Hardy/Shawn Daivari match was contested under standard rules. All other matches, including the ladies match, were contested under the 10-min. Ironman Match rules + the 3-min. sudden death overtime, with those men’s matches being part of Round 2 of the “Race for the Ring Wrestling Tournament”. All times posted are approximate.
1 – Johnny Gargano def. Drake Younger 1-0 in OT
Fantastic opener, with plenty of spots being traded. Gargano reversed the cover to score the pin at 3:45 after eating the Drake’s Landing.
2 – Katarina Leigh (f.k.a. Winter) def. Candice LeRae 2-1
* 5:30 – Katarina with a Sidewinder Backbreaker to the Knee for the pin
* 6:30 – Candice with an Inside Cradle Rollup for the pin
* 8:45 – Katarina with the Boston Crab submission
A pretty strong and clean ladies match, but it just seemed that Candice was outclassed by the former WWE/TNA star this night.
3 – Papadon def. Joey Ryan (B.J. Whitmer’s replacement) 1-0
Papadon used a chain-wrestling combination, culminating in a Brainbuster for the lone pin at 8:45. Joey had a good showing against the former ECWA champion, and drew plenty of pop from the crowd.
4 – Cassidy Riley def. Antonio Thomas 3-1
* 2:30 – Cassidy hit what looked like a Springboard Corkscrew Michinoku Driver or Falcon Arrow for the pin
* 3:50 – Antonio scored a submission tapout with The Promise
* 7:30 – Cassidy with the Springboard Moonsault (non-twisting version of the Starship Pain) for the pin
* 9:25 – Cassidy with the Cradle Rollup for the insurance pin
A very good match, with the bigger Cassidy Riley showing some great agility for a big man.
5 – Adam Cole def. Jamin Olivencia 3-2 in OT
* 2:30 – Jamin with a countering DDT for the pin
* 3:15 & 4:00 – Adam scored twice, both with the Florida Keys for the pins
* 9:45 – Jamin scored with the Triangle Submission
* OT – Adam scored the final pin with the Florida Keys at 1:25
In terms of overall wrestling quality and entertainment, this one would be tops in that category. Both men displayed some great in-ring work, but the current PWG champion prevailed over the OVW star.
6 – Pepper Parks def. Timothy Thatcher 1-0
Pepper overcame Thatcher’s technical wrestling acumen, hitting him with the Powerbomb into the corner for the lone pin at 6:05.
7 – Steve Anthony def. Drew Gulak 3-2
* 2:25 – Drew scored with the Triangle Submission
* 3:50 – Steve with what looked like a Springboard Corkscrew F5 for the pin
* 6:10 – Drew scored with an Inverted Figure 4 Anklelock
* 7:50 – Steve with what looked like a Cravat Hold into a Back Drop for the pin
* 9:30 – Steve with a powerbomb for the pin, countering the Triangle Submission
Probably the biggest upset in my books. The Wildkat Pro Wrestling star really gave the new CZW Champion plenty of fight, and his counter for the final pin proved to be the difference.
8 – Kyle Matthews def. B-Boy 3-2
* 3:30 – B-Boy with a 3-strike combination, culminating in a Shining Wizard for the pin
* 5:40 – Kyle scored a pin
* 7:25 – B-Boy with another Shining Wizard for the pin
* 8:20 – Kyle with a Backslide pin
* 9:15 – Kyle with a rollup pin
There was a high level of pop for B-Boy, but he wasn’t able to prevail over the AIWF star, who could prove to be the sleeper in the final 8 after his big win.
SM – Matt Hardy (w/ Reby Sky) p. Shawn Daivari (w/ Ryan Shamrock)
A very strong singles match that saw both ladies scuffle late in the match, which got both men involved. Matt had to kick out of a cover after getting low blowed, then hit a Twist of Fate for the pin. Even then, the ladies continued to scuffle, with one wayward shoe throw from Reby nearly hitting Referee Jason McCord.
M – Adam Pearce def. Willie Mack 2-1
* 6:30 – Adam scored with a Figure 4 Leglock submission
* 8:50 – Willie with an Inside Cradle Rollup for the pin
* 9:40 – Adam with the Last Ride Clothesline for the pin
Classic “Scrap Iron”, classic Willie, and both gave a pretty strong main event. For some reason, the audio crew played the wrong entrance theme for Adam Pearce, who threw plenty of heat at them.
The full house, complete with some fans having traveled to L.A. for SummerSlam Weekend had to certainly help the wrestlers put on a great show, and it will be interesting to see what the draw is for the Quarterfinal Matches on 10/12, back in Gardena, where the scheduled hostess will be….DAFFNEY. My choice for match of the night? I’ll give it to the Adam Cole/Jamin Olivencia match, followed by the Johnny Gargano/Drake Younger match. Those two matches drew the highest energy levels from the crowd, and all four men really left everything in the ring.
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