Sermon on the Mat (Aug. 23, 2018): CMLL, Freelance, NOVA, AAA, AIW, Beyond, WWR Pro, & Progress cards

Welcome back to the Sermon on the Mat, your weekly one-stop shop for news from the wider world of wrestling beyond the big cable TV monoliths that get all the coverage.

Coming soon...

CMLL Super Viernes (Aug. 24, 9:30PM Eastern)

1. Angelito & Ultimo Dragoncito vs. Mercurio & Pequeno Nitro
2. El Audaz, Esfinge, & Triton vs. Kawato San, Templario, & Virus
3. Angel de Oro vs. Titan (Lightning Match)
4. Flyer, Hijo de LA Park, & Soberano, Jr. vs. Hechicero, Mephisto, & Negro Casas
5. Klan Kaoz (Ciber the Main Man, Scharly Rock Star, & the Chris) vs. LA Park & Los Guerreros Laguneros (Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero)
6. Barbaro Cavernario & Los Ingobernables (Bestia del Ring & Rush) vs. Caristico, Matt Taven, & Volador, Jr.

CMLL are back with your weekly Friday night dose of lucha libre action from Mexico City’s venerable Arena Mexico and... yeah, the 85th Anniversary card is set and we’re moving away from LA Park vs. Rush. Bummer, I know. But hey, Park’s still on the show, it may happen eventually, and in the meantime we’ve got a solid slab of lucha action, including a pretty hype main event and the trios third from the top ain’t bad either.

Check it out, as always, free for nothin’ on Marca Claro, folks.

Freelance Dismantling Summer (Aug. 24, 9PM Central)

1. Alex Ohlson vs. Craven vs. Drew Adler vs. Eye Candy Elliott vs. Scott Story vs. Slade Porter (Scramble Match)
2. Aaron Orion vs. Craig Mitchell
3. Arik Cannon vs. Kenny Sutra
4. Gringo Loco vs. Robert Anthony (Taser on a Pole Match)
5. Beauty and the Beast (Rob Matter & Stevie Fierce) vs. Four Star Heroes (Chris Castro & Matt Knicks) (Freelance Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Match)
6. GymNasty Boyz (Timmy Lou Retton & White Mike) vs. WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & James Drake) (c) (Freelance Tag Team Championship)
7. GPA vs. Isaias Velazquez (c) (Freelance World Championship)

Freelance are back at Chicago, Illinois’ Logan Square Auditorium and they’ve clearly got a real corker planned. Rob Matter returns to pro wrestling for a one-night reunion with Stevie Fierce to try and earn a shot at the tag titles, the tag titles are defended in a rematch of one of last weekend’s Crockett Cup semifinals, Isaias Velazquez defends the world title against former champ GPA, and yes, that’s a taser on a pole match, folks. Pro wrestling!

Get your tickets here or check it out live on Powerbomb.tv, folks.

NOVA Pro Summer of George (Aug. 24, 8PM Eastern)

1. Isaiah Frazier (c) vs. Josh Fuller (CRAB Wrestling Championship)
2. Alexander James vs. Bobby Shields
3. Dominic Garrini (c) vs. Kevin Ku (SUP Bonestorm Championship)
4. Allie Kat vs. Terra Calaway
5. Carnies (Kerry Awful & Nick Iggy) vs. Main Attractions (Beau Crockett & Jake Hollister)
6. Pop Culture (Jason Cade & Veda Scott) vs. Ugly Ducklings (Lance Lude & Rob Killjoy)
7. Logan Easton LaRoux vs, Marko Stunt
8. Barbi Hayden vs. Faye Jackson
9. Jonathan Gresham vs, Sage Philips
10. Arik Royal vs. John Skyler
11. Homicide & ??? vs. Wheeler YUTA & ???
12. Jordynne Grace vs. Shotzi Blackheart

As always for NOVA Pro we’ll toss you to our man on the scene Duke (follow him on Twitter!) to break the show down for you like nobody else can, folks.

NOVA Pro returns to the Annandale VFD for the Summer of George! Join me at the event, or know what you’re missing!

After beating Frazier’s manager, Coach Gator, in our Elks Lodge debut, Josh Fuller is one step away from bringing the CRAB Wrestling title back under his control. But the de facto owner has to upend the ace, Isaiah Frazier, to finish his power grab. Can he finish what started at the Commonwealth Cup and gain control of the company title?

Also at the Cup, The Carnies were decimated after Beau Crockett decided allying with them was leading him nowhere. Joined by fellow Tidewater wrestler Jake Hollister, Beau tries to prove his point by taking down the team that had him under his wing. Are the Main Attraction the new big thing, or will the Carnies prove them to be a false tag team?

More fallout from the Cup, Allie Kat ran afoul of GOTHICC -- Angelus Layne, Harlow O’Hara, and Terra Calaway -- during her semifinal match with Layne. At Harlem Nights, Layne stole a win when GOTHICC handcuffed Kat outside the ring for a countout. Now, this Kat is on the hunt, and Calaway is in her sights. Can the sabretooth take down a dinosaur?

In the Cup’s main event, Wheeler YUTA became the winner of the men’s tournament, only to be attacked by Homicide and have his trophy destroyed. At American Slang, Homicide stole a win with a low blow, then attempted to choke out YUTA! Friday, they meet again... but each man is bringing backup. Who will their partners be?

If you followed Lost In New York, you know that Marko Stunt was the breakout star of the show. The pint-size dynamo returns to the ring after stealing the show, and his opponent is none other than the Champion of the 1%, Logan Easton LaRoux! Hey, speaking of the 1%... Alexander James appears to be losing patience with his brethren. They don’t appreciate his newfound sportsmanship. James and Bobby Shields look to work out their differences in the ring!

All this, plus a women’s dream match in Grace/Shotzi, the rematch of Gresham/Sage, and more coming to you Friday live in Annandale! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Well, get on it, right here, or get ready to tune in on Powerbomb.tv where the show will be broadcast live until 10PM!

AAA Triplemania XXVI (Aug. 25, 8:30PM Eastern)

1. Angelikal & La Hiedra vs. Big Mami & Nino Hamburguesa (c) vs. Dinastia & Lady Maravilla vs. Hijo del Vikingo & Vanilla Vargas (AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship)
2. Aerostar & Drago vs. Andrew Everett & DJ Z vs. Bandido & Flamita vs. Golden Magic & Laredo Kid (AAA World Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Match)
3. Hijo de LA Park, Puma King, & Taurus vs. Mamba, Maximo Sexy, & Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Poder del Norte (Carta Brava, Jr., Mocho Cota, Jr., & Tito Santana II)
4. Averno, Chessman, & Super Fly vs. Jack Evans, Juventud Guerrera, & Teddy Hart (Lumberjack Match)
5. Joe Lider, Murder Clown, & Pagano vs. La Mascara, Rey Escorpion, & Texano, Jr. (Street Fight)
6. Brian Cage vs. Fenix vs. Jeff Jarrett (c) vs. Rich Swann (AAA Mega Championship)
7. Faby Apache vs. Lady Shani (Mask vs. Hair Match)
8. El Hijo del Fantasma vs. LA Park vs. Pentagon, Jr. vs. Psycho Clown (Poker de Ases Steel Catch Mask Match)

AAA are back for their biggest show of the year and there’s a lot of potential here, folks. The four-way #1 contender’s tag team match should be absolutely nutty, as should the apuesta matches in the double main event, and let’s make sure we take a minute to appreciate how wacky it is that Jeff Jarrett is defending the Mega Championship against Brian Cage, Fenix, and Rich Swann in a hell of a four-way clash of styles.

Check it out on AAA’s Twitch channel, live and free for nothin’!

AIW WrestleRager 3 (Aug. 25, 4PM Eastern)

1. AJ Gray vs. Brian Carson vs. Gringo Loco vs. “Spyder” Nate Webb vs. Rex Brody vs. Ryder Reid
2. The Production (Danhausen & Eddy Only) vs. Young Studs (Bobby Beverly & Eric Ryan)
3. Derek Director vs. Joshua Bishop vs. PB Smooth vs. Zach Thomas
4. Dominic Garrini vs. TKD
5. Eddie Kingston vs. Wes Barkley
6. Allie Kat vs. Britt Baker
7. Dr. Daniel C. Rockingham vs. Hornswoggle
8. Jollyville Fuck-Its (Russ Myers & T-Money) vs. the Production (Frankie Flynn & Magnum CK) (c) (AIW Tag Team Championship)
9. Matthew Justice vs. Pierre Carl Ouellet vs. Sabu

AIW are back in Cleveland, Ohio for their wildest summer tradition, WrestleRager! It’s an outdoor show and the alcohol will be flowing, so you know it’s gonna be wild. ESPECIALLY when PCO and Sabu are meeting in the main event right alongside AIW regular Matthew Justice!

Get your tickets here or check it out when it hits Smart Mark Video, folks.

PWX The Battle at BB&T Ballpark (Aug. 26)

1. Ethan Case vs. Nick “Magnus” Aldis
2. Darius Lockhart (c) vs. “Manscout” Jake Manning vs. John Skyler (PWX iTV Championship)
3. Ugly Ducklings (Lance Lude & Rob Killjoy) vs. WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & James Drake) (Crockett Cup 2018 Finals)

PWX are in Charlotte, North Carolina and they’re bringing some pro wrestling to the ballpark! Only three matches, owing to the show being booked to start immediately after the game (which is also why I’ve got no listed start time), but it’s a great lineup all the same, with Case and Aldis in a non-title matchup, Darius Lockhart defending his title against two former PWX World Heavyweight Championship, and the finals of the Crockett Cup between two of the best tag teams anywhere in the world today.

Get your tickets here or check it out when it hits the Highspots Wrestling Network, folks.

Beyond / WWR Pro Powerbomb Pre-Game / Facelift (Aug. 26)

—Beyond Powerbomb Pre-Game (3PM Eastern)—

1. Anthony Stone vs. Dave Cole
2. Da Hoodz (Davey Cash & Kris Pyro) vs. Maine State Posse (Aiden Aggro & Danger Kid)
3. Brian Milonas, Cam Zagami, & Chris Dickinson vs. Mill City Hooligans (Bryan Logan, Chase Del Monte, & Matt Logan)
4. Anthony Green vs. Josh Briggs

—WWR Pro Facelift (4:30PM Eastern)—

1. Jeff Cannonball & Terra Calaway vs. Gabby Ortiz & Leon St. Giovanni
2. Dream Team (Faye Jackson & Thomas Sharp) vs. Robo the Punjabi Lion & Samara
3. Kris Stadtlander vs. Maria Manic
4. Skylar vs. Taeler Hendrix
5. Davienne vs. Harlow O’Hara
6. Alisha Edwards vs. Willow Nightingale
7. Britt Baker vs. Solo Darling
8. Shotzi Blackheart vs. “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams (c) (Powerbomb.tv Independent Wrestling Championship)
9. Penelope Ford vs. Santana Garrett

Beyond and Women’s Wrestling Revolution Pro are back with another one of their trademark end-of-the-month livestreams from the Electric Haze in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it’s as action-packed as ever. Beyond’s team for King of Trios, comprising Dickinson, Zagami, and Milonas, get a warm-up match, two mixed tags see the Dream Team in action and Felix the three-legged cat’s mama and papa Calaway and Cannonball getting a chance to bring the kibble home with a victory, Shotzi Blackheart gets a shot at Hot Sauce’s title, and more!

Get your tickets here or check it out live on Powerbomb.tv, folks.

Progress Chapter 75: These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends (Aug. 27)

1. Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) vs. M&M (Connor Mills & Maverick Mayhew) (Thunderbastard Tag Team Series)
2. Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) vs. Chris Brookes & Timothy Thatcher (Thunderbastard Tag Team Series)
3. House of Couture (Chakara, Charlie Morgan, Jinny, & Nina Samuels) vs. Team Toni (Candyfloss, Laura Di Matteo, Millie McKenzie, & Toni Storm)
4. Jimmy Havoc vs. Will Ospreay
5. British Strong Style (Pete Dunne & Trent Seven) vs. Doug Williams & WALTER

Progress are back in London, England on a bank holiday Monday! As a result, they haven’t announced all the matches as I write this (most notably we don’t know Mark Haskins’ or Tyler Bate’s final matches for a chance to join the main event in Wembley), but what we’ve got is pretty slick all the same. Timothy Thatcher replaces an ailing Kid Lykos as Chris Brookes’ partner for the remainder of the Thunderbastard Tag Team Series, the women’s division explodes in atomicos action, we’ve got a dream tag pairing both men’s singles champions against the original British Strong Style, and yes, Jimmy Havoc’s path to Wembley goes right through the man he was originally scheduled to wrestle on the show, Will Ospreay.

Tickets, as always for main chapter Progress shows, are long since sold out, but you can try your luck at the official ticket resale site or just wait for the show to hit Demand Progress with the rest of us schlubs.

Free matches here!

Chris Hero vs. Tomohiro Ishii

RevPro are clearly dedicated to bringing you the best and brightest with this new Free Match Friday gimmick, and nothing shows that better than this absolutely excellent match between Chris Hero and Tomohiro Ishii from the 2016 edition of Global Wars UK. Don’t miss it!

MLW Fusion Episode 18: Low Ki vs. John Hennigan | Lawlor vs. Parrow

Checking back in with MLW and this week’s episode of Fusion seems as good as any, what with the headline match being Low-Ki defending the World Heavyweight Championship against John Hennigan. Check it out!

Matt Riddle vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Last but not least, from the good people over at Beyond Wrestling, to celebrate Matt Riddle’s debut in the crowd at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn 4, they put up a poll on social media offering our choice of matches from the King of Bros and this bout against MJF came up on top. Enjoy!

Results

GCW Joey Janela’s Lost in New York (Aug. 17)

1. Maxwell Jacob Friedman over “Spyder” Nate Webb
2. KTB over Marko Stunt
3. Teddy Hart over Chris Dickinson
4. Nick Gage (c) over Sabu to retain the GCW Heavyweight Championship
5. Jimmy Lloyd over Eli Everfly, G-Raver, Gringo Loco, Orange Cassidy, and Tony Deppen (Grab the Brass Ring Ladder Match)
6. ”All Ego” Ethan Page over Penelope Ford
7. Jinsei Shinzaki over Joey Janela
8. Pierre Carl Ouellet over Matt Riddle

Homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, and certainly a worthy replacement for Meng! But Sabu wasn’t the only surprise, because Sandman showed up to cane poor Stokely Hathaway! What an August that man has had, stabbing “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams in the eye with a screwdriver (twice!), getting run out of Evolve, and then beaten down by Sandman. And wait, there’s more!

Perhaps the biggest news coming out of this one was the ascent of Marko Stunt, who’s gone from the kind of local midwest indie guy that people like me see on small shows on Powerbomb.tv to the new hot thing on the indies after just one match against the man formerly known as Kyle the Beast!

Check the replay out on FITE, folks.

RPW Summer Sizzler 2018 / Live in Southampton 4 (Aug. 17 / 19)

—Summer Sizzler 2018 (Aug. 17)—

1. Josh Bodom over Dan Magee
2. Great O-Kharn over Shane Strickland
3. KUSHIDA over Adam Brooks
4. Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) over CCK (Chris Brookes & Jonathan Gresham)
5. Titan over Soberano, Jr.
6. Lance Archer over Jurn Simmons
7. David Starr (c) over El Phantasmo to retain the RPW British Cruiserweight Championship
8. Tomohiro Ishii over WALTER to become #1 contender to the RPG British Heavyweight Championship

—Live in Southampton 4 (Aug. 19)—

1. Lord Gideon Grey over Sugar Dunkerton
2. Great O-Kharn over Psycho Phillips
3. Chris Ridgeway over Kurtis Chapman
4. Arrows of Hungary (Dover & Icarus) over HxC (Dan Head & James Castle)
5. Titan over Adam Brooks
6. Dan Magee over Jurn Simmons and Lucas Archer
7. David Starr (c) over Soberano, Jr. to retain the RPW British Cruiserweight Championship

Alas, friends, WALTER will have to find another path to challenge RPW British Heavyweight Champion Minoru Suzuki, because his trainer bested him here at Summer Sizzler in match that, from all reports, was every bit as violent and hard-hitting as you’d hope from these guys. Plus David Starr made it through the fire of two defenses against top international talent and is still bringing the RPW British Cruiserweight Championship back home with him-- RevPro might not like the man’s attitude, but he’s certainly getting the job done!

Check ‘em out on RPW On Demand, folks.

BLP 8 National Slampoon’s Wrestling Vacation (Aug. 18)

1. Sammy Guevara over Gringo Loco and Pat Monix
2. Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku over Percy Davis & Shane Mercer
3. Tom Lawler over CW Anderson
4. Allie Kat over Mance Warner (Mancer Rules Match)
5. Space Pirates (Shane Sabre & Space Monkey) (c) over No Consequences (Chase Oliver & Tre LaMar) to retain the Alpha-1 Tag Team Championship
6. Pierre Carl Ouellet over Darby Allin
7. General Order 24 (Eric Ryan & Markus Crane) over the Production (Derek Director & Eddy Only)
8. Kobe Durst over Josh Briggs
9. D-Lo Brown over Joey Janela

Look at that Powerbomb.tv synergy in action, folks, Space Pirates defending their Alpha-1 tag titles against youthful AIW standouts No Consequences! Plus it was a good day to be a WWE superstar of the 1990s (not so much if you were an ECW guy, however!), and Allie Kat prevailed over Mancer in his own specialty match.

Check the VOD out on Powerbomb.tv, if you will.

PWX Land of Opportunity (Aug. 19)

1. Mason Myles wins a battle royal
2. Ugly Ducklings (Lance Lude & Rob Killjoy) over Country Jacked (Brady Pierce & Drew Adler) (Crockett Cup 2018 Semifinal Match)
3. Darius Lockhart (c) over Chase Owens to retain the PWX iTV Championship (2/3 Falls Match)
4. Savannah Evans over Allie Kat and Xia Brookside
5. The Syndicate (Jason Cade, Montana Black, & TJ Boss) over Cam Carter, Ian Maxwell, & Tracer X
6. Elijah Evans IV over “Manscout” Jake Manning, John Skyler, Serpentico, and Slim J (Opportunity Knocks Ladder Match)
7. WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & James Drake) over GymNasty Boyz (Timmy Lou Retton & White Mike) (Crockett Cup 2018 Semifinal Match)
8. Ethan Case (c) over Scorpio Sky to retain the PWX World Heavyweight Championship
9. Elijah Evans IV over Ethan Case (c) to win the PWX World Heavyweight Championship

Opportunity knocked and by god, Elijah Evans IV answered the door! The top man of the Syndicate is now the top man in all of PWX, and not only that, but he’s the first ever to complete PWX’s triple crown, having held the world title, the iTV title, and the tag titles!

Check it out (along with those excellent-looking Crockett Cup semifinals) on Highspots Wrestling Network, folks.

As always...

Remember folks, no matter what type of wrestling you like, no matter how down you feel about the state of WWE, Impact, ROH, or any other “big-time” pro wrestling, there’s something out there for you. There’s a pro wrestling product that can hit you in the right spot and make you love wrestling like you thought you’d never be able to love it again. It’s there, I promise. You just gotta reach out and find it, and that, my friends, is what the Sermon on the Mat is all about.