This Chaos Column is a recap of Vendetta Pro Wrestling “Summertime Bruise 2012” at the United Boys & Girls Club, Lompoc on July 28th 2012. A large crowd on hand for the latest VPW show. This was the longest drive I took for an indie show–3 hours each way, to a part of Cali that I haven’t been to in over 11 years, when I was doing my college studies at UC Santa Barbara.
1 – “The Apostle” Judah Matthew p. El Scorpio del Combate w/ a Crucifix rollup, and a handful of pants not caught by the referee.
2 – 7-team Gauntlet Match to determine the #1 Contender for the Unified VPW/APW Tag Team Championship–and it ended up being a 7-team gauntlet match since The Filipino Wrecking Crew (Aaron Bolo & Kimo Kanaloa) didn’t make it to the show. Julian Cash & Kevin Divine, and Rhytmn & Moves (Ricky Ruffin & Teddy Blair) opened it up, w/ Ricky Ruffin scoring the pin on Kevin Divine w/ a Superkick off a Catapult by Teddy Blair. Creepshow (Sledge & J.D. Horror) was next, and they made short work of Rhytmn & Moves, scoring a team pin on Ricky Ruffin off a team finisher. Mucha Lucha (Fernando Estrella & Elemento, w/ Tenchismo) was up next, and they took advantage of Parental Discretion (Mario Banks & Mike Menace)’s distraction on Creepshow, especially Mike Menace, who couldn’t stop Fernando Estrella from scoring a pin on Sledge w/ the Crucifix rollup. E.G.O. (Nathan Graves & A.J. Kirsch of WWE “Tough Enough” fame) were up next, and pretty much destroyed the luchador duo, w/ A.J. Kirsch hitting Stunner variations, & Nathan Graves hitting a big Clothesline afterwards. The last team move on Elemento allowed A.J. Kirsch to score the pin. The Suburban Commandos (T-Rent & D-Unit) hit the ring next, and a real fight ensued. A.J. Kirsch & Nathan Graves gave it all they had, but they couldn’t overcome the bigger duo, who hit their team finisher on Kirsch to allow T-Rent to score the pin. Shane & Shannon Ballard were last, and another real fight followed. The current AWS Promotions Heavyweight Champions picked their spots carefully, and Shane Ballard was in the right place at the right time, stopping a team move on his brother, and used a Crucifix rollup on D-Unit to score the final pin.
Winner & New #1 Contenders to the VPW/APW Unified Tag Team titles: The Ballard Brothers
3 – Matt Hardy’s “Stronger than Death” Challenge for Billy Blade was next, and while Matt wasn’t at the show, he did leave a message for Billy Blade about his chosen opponent for the night–which was former WWE Superstar “The Vampire Warrior” Gangrel–and yes, he still does his trademark bloodwine spitting. Billy Blade was able to score the pin, w/ his feet on the middle ropes that were not caught by the referee, to earn himself a shot at Matt Hardy himself in a Ladder Match on the 10/27 show in Santa Maria, CA. For Billy’s manager & occassional tag team partner, however, he ate Gangrel’s finisher.
4 – Dylan Drake p. Shawn Daivari w/ the Top Rope Crossbody in a great mid-card match. With the win, Dylan Drake should be in the driver’s seat to go after Rik Luxury & the VPW Tri-Force Championship, an opponent he was originally scheduled to face at the show, but Rik wasn’t able to make it to this show.
5 – “Vendetta Vixens” in action, after intermission. Davina Rose p. KC Spinelli in a great ladies match. Plenty of great spots by both women, including a Modified Boston Crab by KC Spinelli, but it was Davina’s Modified Bulldog or DDT that led to the final outcome.
SM – Su/Ka (Sunami & Kadin Anthony) successfully defended the VPW/APW Unified Tag Team Championship, def. Parental Discretion (Mario Banks & Mike Menace). Great tag team match that ended w/ Creepshow’s music hitting, causing a distraction on Parental Discretion, allowing Sunami & Kadin Anthony to hit their team finisher on Mario Banks for Kadin’s pin. They didn’t have time to celebrate, though, as Shane & Shannon Ballard hit the ring from ringside, and unloaded on the champions. You can’t blame the Canadian duo for the sneak attack, as the new #1 Contenders for the tag titles.
Shot of the Night - Vendetta Pro- 07-07-12
M – Chavo Guerrero, Jr. v. Joey Ryan for the vacant VPW Heavyweight Championship. Plenty of Chavo fans, and Joey Ryan’s “87%’ers” saw a great main event. Chavo Guerrero was able to overcome getting his left knee–which he tweaked early on–picked apart to hit the Frog Splash to score the pin & win the title. In the end, Chavo, who just recently entered the fray in TNA, told Joey Ryan that he would do everything he can to help him get back into the ring at the Impact Zone in Orlando, FL. A great gesture from the former WWE Superstar and new TNA star, who didn’t have to lie, cheat, or steal his way to victory this night.