Friday, May 31, 2013

Any Shows This Weekend? Girls Grand Prix and EVOLVE

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Deeb is one of many heading up to 2CW
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein
For me, the only event happening this weekend is Aniversario: Never Compromise. What can I say? I live and breathe Chikara. It is my favorite wrestling promotion of all-time, and seeing that it could be the most cataclysmic, most important, and if some are to be believed, the final show in Chikara's history, then you know I need to devote my time and energy to it.

However, you are not me, thankfully for you. You may not live in the Philadelphia area. You may only be a minor Chikara fan, and thus are able to concentrate both on attending the show or ordering it on iPPV, but still want to see live wrestling in your area. Or hey, Chikara might not rate for you. That's fine. Luckily for you, there's a whole bunch of wrestling going on this weekend, potentially in your neighborhood. I'm going to cover a bunch of shows here, but if you don't see one in your area, check out Pro Wrestling Events and find out if there is something you can go to.

Tonight's show of note is happening in Charlestown, IN, for a promotion called Girl Fight Wrestling. They will be running out of the Charlestown Civic Center with a 7:30 PM bell time. If you can't make it there live, check them out on iPPV. The show is headlined by Crazy Mary Dobson taking on Jazz in the main event, but the marquee match for me will pit Jessicka Havok against Leva Bates. That one could burn down several barns. Also appearing on the show will be Thunderkitty, Miss Natural, and Neveah.

Tomorrow's main event show is also one that will feature primarily female talent. Squared Circle Wrestling will present Girls Grand Prix 2, a one-night single elimination tournament featuring eight of the best women wrestling today. The show will take place at American Legion #80 in Binghamton, NY, and the doors will open at 7:30 PM. Last year's winner, Rachel Summerlyn, would have been there, but she's still out with a neck injury. Regardless, 2CW has found a pretty darn spiffy lineup to vie for this year's crown. Serena Deeb, Cherry Bomb, Courtney Rush, Leah von Dutch, Neveah, Nikki Roxx, Addy Starr, and Allysin Kay will all be competing for the crown. Jessicka Havok will also be dropping by for a non-tournament match, and filling out the card will be Sami Callihan taking on Jason Axe, Isys Ephex defending his 2CW Championship against Pepper Parks, and a Tag Team Championship match pitting the Champs, Punisher van Slyke and Kevin Graham, against the team of CK.

Ring of Honor will be making its Texas debut as they invade the Shrine Auditorium in San Antonio tomorrow night at 7:30 PM local time. The show will be headlined by Jay Briscoe defending his ROH World Championship against Davey Richards. Also on the card, ACH will battle Jay Lethal, and Athena and Barbi Hayden will put on an American Joshi clinic for a ROH crowd. Also appearing on the show will be Kyle O'Reilly, Bobby Fish, Mark Briscoe, Adam Cole, and Roderick Strong among others.

EVOLVE will continue their Florida triple shot debut (they had the first show last night) as they head in for their 21st show. It will take place at Edge Concert Hall in Jacksonville with an 8 PM bell time. There will be a special USA vs. the World series, as stars from America will take on wrestlers from Japan, Mexico, and Europe. AR Fox wrestles EITA and Johnny Gargano takes on Tomahawk TT on the US vs. Japan front. Shane Strickland represents the Red, White, and Blue against Mexico's Samuray del Sol. Finally, Caleb Konley will rep the US against an entire continent, as Tommy Taylor will fight for the European Union, it seems. Also on the show will be Brian Cage, the Young Bucks, Tony Nese, Andrew Everett (fka Chiva Kid), the Bravado Bros., Lince Dorado, Chuck Taylor, and Jon Davis.

Down in North Carolina, CWF Mid-Atlantic will be running with somewhat of a skeleton crew, as neither Everett nor Arik Royal are booked for this card. However, Trevor Lee will be there, and he'll defend the Television Championship against Matty DeNero. Also appearing on the show will be a surprise opponent for Chet Sterling. Those are always interesting. Anyway, the show happens at the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium in Gibsonville, NC, and will open doors at 7 PM Saturday.

Saturday, up in Corbin, KY, Pro Wrestling Freedom brings us Hour of Sin from the Corbin Convention Center. The Fan Fest begins at 6 PM and features a whole bunch of fun stuff to do. The wrestlers will be there and interactive. When the show begins at 8 PM, you'll see Mickie Knuckles, Kyle Matthews, Nate Cross, and a score of PWF's finest.

Of course, tomorrow is going to feature a whole bunch o' rasslin' in Georgia. Empire Pro Wrestling runs out of Rossville, GA at the Empire Arena. Show starts at 8:05 PM local time, and it'll feature a rematch from their Tooth 'n Nail 2 show, hot trios action between the Illuminati and the Devil's Rejects. Over in Blue Ridge, GA, Deep Southern Championship Wrestling will present their Underdog Battle with, their words, the strangest main event in their history. Their Heavyweight Championship is up for grabs between two masked wrestlers, Hindu and Mr. Tennessee. Doors open at 7 PM, and you can find them at the DSCW Arena. Finally, up in Porterdale, GA, Platinum Championship Wrestling motors on with their Tag Team Season with a bell time of 6 PM local at the Main Event Hall. The Washington Bullets will be among the teams in action.

Moving onto Sunday, EVOLVE will head to the Orpheum in Ybor City, FL, for their 22nd show with an 8 PM bell time. The show will be anchored by two DGUSA Championship tilts. The first will see Johnny Gargano defend the Open the Freedom Gate Championship against Samuray del Sol. The second has the Young Bucks defending their Open the United Gate Champioships against EITA and Tomahawk TT. There will also be a special SHINE Showcase match between Mia Yim and Ivelisse Velez. Also appearing will be Brian Cage, Jon Davis, the Bravados, Andrew Everett, Chuck Taylor, AR Fox, and Tony Nese.

Finally, up in Warner-Robins, GA, Rampage Pro Wrestling continues on the race to the Gayton Cup at Johnny G's Family Fun Center. Doors will open at 2:30 PM. The main event is a triple threat match for the Rampage Championship, as Micah Taylor defends against both "Hit for Hire" Bobby Moore as well as AJ Steele of the Blacklist. Also on the show, Drew Adler will call out Kory Chavis, while Chavis has his hands full, teaming with Murder One against Mike Cruz and Steve Stiles.

Again, even if you don't like Chikara, there is a metric ton of options for you this weekend. Check them out if there's a show near you.