This CHAOS COLUMN is a recap of Wrestling Cares Association Race for the Ring on October 12h 2013 at VFW #3261, Gardena. A strong crowd was on hand for this WCA card, which was hosted by Daffney. Before the matches got underway, Les Thatcher gave Papadon word that due to an injury that was preventing Cassidy Riley from competing, he would automatically advance to the semifinals. Papadon then issued an open challenge, which was ultimately answered by B-Boy. During intermission, WCA donated $500 to the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Before the main event, a raffle was held where 6 different people won autographed items either by the wrestlers working the card, or by Daffney herself.
As always, times posted for matches held under the “Race for the Ring” tournament rules are approximate.
1 – Submissions only, tournament rules match. Timothy Thatcher def. Drew Gulak 3-2 :45 – Gulak scored with what looked like his “Gulag” submission 4:05 – Thatcher scored with the Cross Armbreaker submission 7:20 – Thatcher scored with an Armbar submission 8:40 – Gulak scored with the Sleeper hold 9:40 – Thatcher scored with the Sleeper hold This was a very good opener, and both men were very sportsmanlike after the bell.
2 – Katarina Leigh (Winter / Katie Lea Burchill) def. Taeler Hendrix 2:15 – Taeler scored with a Sunset Flip pinfall 3:40 – Katarina scored with a Sidewinder Slam hold into a Backbreaker to the knee 7:10 – Katarina scored with a One-Legged Boston Crab submission 9:15 – Somewhere during the match, Taeler’s back was completely messed up to where she was unable to continue, forcing a stoppage by Referee Jason McCord. All 3 referees, plus Daffney, and some of the other staff, came out to carry Taeler to the back, who had to be in a world of hurt just from the way she wept.
3 – Race for the Ring Tournament Quarterfinal #1 of 3. Steve Anthony def. Kyle Matthews 1-0, scoring the only point with a reversal cover at 9:30. This match had plenty of near-falls, but Steve got the only point late.
4 – 1st of 3 Standard Rules Matches. Papadon p. B-Boy with the piledriver, effectively knocking him out with the move.
5 – 2nd Standard Rules Match. Oliver John p. Brandon Gatson with the Scoop Slam. The crowd gave Oliver plenty of acknowledgement for his display of old-school wrestling.
6 – Race for the Ring Tournament Quarterfinal #2. Adam Cole def. Pepper Parks 3-2 3:00 – Pepper scored with a Victory Rollup for the pin 5:40 – Pepper scored with a Fisherman’s Neckbreaker for the next pin 8:00 – Adam scored with a Brainbuster for the pin 9:30 & 9:55 – Adam scored the last two points with the Florida Keys The crowd was definitely behind the ROH & PWG Heavyweight Champion, who came storming back late in the match.
SM – 3rd Standard Rules Match. Willie Mack p. Aaron Aguilera with a Crucifix Rollup.
Shot of the Night – WCA – 10-12-13
M – Race for the Ring Tournament Quarterfinal #3. Johnny Gargano def. Adam Pearce 2-1 in OT 3:30 – Gargano scored with a Roundhouse Kick to the kneeling Pearce’s head for the pin 9:00 – Pearce scored with what looked like a Capo Kick, of sorts, from the top rope for the pin 10.1 seconds left in OT – Gargano with a Reversal Crucifix Rollup for the final pin, winning a cover war Great back-and-forth action, and an obviously dissatisfied Pearce gave interviewer Jonny Loquasto the mic-punch to close the show.
This was a very good show, although I would’ve loved to see Taeler Hendrix finish the match and make the former Winter earn the win. Taeler’s injury obviously prevented her from making any kind of photo op appearance during intermission, so for the VIP/Front Row photo op choice, I went with Daffney. Drew Gulak did bring the CZW Heavyweight title with him to the show, so that was a treat, as well. As for the match of the night, I’ll give it to the Adam Cole/Pepper Parks match for the high-energy given by the crowd, followed by the Johnny Gargano/Adam Pearce match, then the Timothy Thatcher/Drew Gulak match. Circumstances permitting, I would love to see Adam Cole & Johnny Gargano go at it, either in one of the two semifinal matches, or in the tournament final on 12/7, back in Gardena.
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The Chaos Column will be on hand for the remaining Oct. shows:
Next Saturday – PWG “Matt Rushmore” (Might go to the Ducks v. Coyotes game at Honda Center on Friday Night)
Next Sunday – TNA “Bound For Glory”
27 – CWFH (Opted out of the Long Beach Zombie Walk Festival, & therefore, the Vendetta Pro show on the 26th)
31 – Santinos Halloween show at the Pappy Pineda Dome or Lucha VaVoom (both are under consideration)