Friday, November 29, 2013

Any Shows This Weekend? Giving Thanks for Wrestling

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One of the stars of the weekend
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein
Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the United States. I personally had a lot to give thanks for, not the least of which was the myriad amount of pro wrestling that occurs all around this great globe of ours on a weekly basis. While wrestling happens every day, the weekend is when it starts in earnest, and I'm here to let you all know of all the great shows happening on this splendid continent over the next three days. I am going to highlight the shows I know most about, but if you want to go to a show that's not listed below, check out Pro Wrestling Events for the skinny.

FRIDAY

Absolute Intense Wrestling will provide the most raucous action on Black Friday this side of your local Wal*Mart with their annual tradition Hell on Earth. The show happens at Turners Hall in Cleveland, OH, at 7:30 PM local time. Three HUGE matches headline the show. First, a veritable indie dream match will take place when hometown favorite Johnny Gargano will welcome a debuting Kevin Steen. Second, control of AIW is at stake as #Nixon, comprised of Duke Schork, Bobby Beverly, Rickey Shane Page, and Eric Ryan will battle a team of AIW defenders comprising of Chest Flexor, Josh Prohibition, Matt Cross, Matt Cross' beard, and a mystery partner. Finally, Michael Hutter, the dashing wrestler who bears an uncanny resemblance to one Ethan Carter III, will enter into hate-filled battle against his nemesis Tim Donst. Also on the card, The Batiri will defend their Tag Team Championships against the Double Dare tournament winners, the Jollyville Fuck-Its, while Louis Lyndon faces an old-school challenge for his Intense Championship from Marion Fontaine. Gregory Iron welcomes an open challenge, while his Hope and Change partner Veda Scott looks to get back on track towards Women's Champion Allysin Kay with a special feature match against Marti Belle. Finally, Shiima Xion, the man who lost the Absolute Championship without ever losing it, will make his AIW return.

Florida Underground Wrestling's Silver Screen Showdown is the latest stop on the Chris Hero Welcome Back tour. Doors open at the Tampa Pitcher Show at 8:30 PM local time. In addition to Hero, Matt Morgan, Tyson Tomko, Kahagas, Rich Swann, Lince Dorado, and Jesse Sorensen will be making appearances.

SATURDAY

The main event of Saturday may not be a wrestling show at all. Icarus and his resistance will be getting together at FDR Park in Philadelphia to meet up with Condor Security at high noon. A reckoning is nigh, folks.

In actual wrestling cards, AAW's ninth Windy City Classic will be going down at the Berwyn Eagles Club in Berwyn, IL. Doors open at 6:45 PM local time. Kevin Steen's whirlwind tour of the Midwest continues with a shot at Shane Hollister's AAW Heavyweight Championship. ACH will defend the Heritage Championship against Matt Cage, while Heidi Lovelace and "Miss Natural" Heather Patera will square off in a grudge match. Also, the final four teams in the Heritage Tag Team Tournament will battle in semifinal and final action. The Monster Mafia of Ethan Page and Josh Alexander battle Zero Gravity, while the Brothers Crist take on Jimmy Jacobs and Silas Young. Kyle O'Reilly, Louis Lyndon, Marion Fontaine, and MsChif are also scheduled to appear.

Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling's Iron Man will emanate from the Russian Community Center in Vancouver, BC at 8 PM local time. The main event will pit Canadian Champion Nelson Creed against Kenny Lush in a 30 minute Iron Man match, while Nicole Matthews will challenge El Phantasmo for his ECCW Championship.

New York Wrestling Connection will Draw the Line at the NYWC Sportatorium in Deer Park, NY. Doors open at 6 PM. The main event will be a NYWC Championship "Loser Leaves Town for 60 Days" match, the Big O defending against Tony Nese. Francis Kipland Stevens will defend the Fusion Championship against Mike Mondo. Also scheduled for the show are Mikey Whipwreck and DJ Hyde.

Clash Wrestling's Divide We Fall comes at you live from the Taylortown Trade Center in Taylor, MI at 8 PM local time. J. Miller and The Canadian Destroyer are among the wrestlers scheduled to appear.

SUNDAY

Alpha-1 Wrestling will be inviting you to Watch the Throne Sunday from the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hamilton, ON. Doors open at 3:30 PM local time. The main event pits Alpha Male Champion Ethan Page against Johnny Gargano. Also appearing at the show will be Trent? and Colin Delaney.

As a wrestling fan from almost birth, I am eternally thankful for wrestling in all shapes and sizes, and I hope you are too. If you are, then you can do nothing better to show that gratitude than by going to a show. Even if you're unfamiliar with the company or the talent, take the plunge. Your favorite wrestler may be out there and you just don't know it yet.