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AIW Gauntlet for the Gold XV at the Tadmor Shrine in Akron, OH
May 21, 2022 - Streaming live at www.IWTV.Live.
The Bang Bros (August Matthews and Davey Bang) vs Bulking Season (Chuck Stone and Arthur McArthur)
Classic speed and finesse vs power and strength matchup. Arthur McArthur stole the Bang Bros’ energy drink, and Bulking Season connected with a claw-assisted Last Ride for the win.
Casey Carrington IV (w/ Brian Carson) vs Bobby Orlando
An early distraction from Carson allowed Casey Carrington IV to attack and hit his finish for the real quick win.
Right after that short match, The Duke and the Bitcoin Boiz came out. The Duke complained that his proteges don’t have a match as Absolution is on the horizon. As Eric Taylor starts to complain, the Boys from Jollyville arrive. We have a ref, and the match is official.
The Boys from Jollyville (Nasty Russ and T Money) vs Bitcoin Boiz (Eric Taylor and Mikey Montgomery) w/ The Duke
A quick trip from the Duke gave the Bitcoin Boiz the momentum for a while. But a Pounce and huge Alabama Slam from T Money and a Cannonball Splash from Nasty Russ on Eric Taylor scored the win for the Boys from Jollyville. It was the Boys from Jollyville’s first match in AIW since JLIT Weekend 2019.
Filthy Tom Lawler vs Kaplan
Kaplan continues his post-pandemic return and resurgence with a match against a former Absolute Champion, Tom Lawler. Kaplan started hot, diving onto Lawler as Lawler makes his entrance. Kaplan went under the ring to grab some toys: a chair, door, and kendo stick. Lawlor tried to get rid of the door, but ended up propping it up between the ring and the guardrail. Chekov’s door, anyone? Lawlor locked in a rear naked choke, but Kaplan tried to use the kendo stick to get out of it. Lawlor grabbed the kendo stick for extra pressure. Kaplan was out, and the ref, Porter O’Shea, called for the bell. Student Security had to help Kaplan to the locker room.
Isaiah Broner vs Eddie Kingston
The commentators mentioned how Eddie Kingston is a proving ground for wrestlers trying to make their name in AIW, and Isaiah Broner, the latest person rising the AIW ranks, has to go through Kingston, even if Kingston isn’t full-time in AIW. A hard-hitting contest, but five backfists and three suplexes were finally enough to put down the defiant Broner. Broner is holding his shoulder, and Kingston is clutching at his ribs. A slugfest, for sure, and a sign of respect from Kingston as the crowd applauded Broner.
We are now at intermission.
Back from intermisson with…
Derek Dillinger w/ Ziggy Haim vs Chase Oliver
The commentary team mentioned that Dillinger wants to be the face of the Intense division. And as the last person eliminated from the Cibernetico, Dillinger feels cheated out of tonight’s title match. Ziggy made her presence known, trying to distract Chase Oliver on the top rope. Oliver grabbed Haim and hit a Death Valley Driver into Dillinger. Dillinger tossed Haim into the ropes to crotch Oliver on the top rope. Sunset flip powerbomb into the buckles and the Final Cut gave Dillinger the win.
Absolute Intense Championship: Matt Cardona (champion) w/ Chelsea Green vs Dominic Garrini
Chelsea Green asked us to “All Hail the Deathmatch King.” Cardona said it’s the biggest match of Dominic Garrini’s career, but this is just a trip for him to go to Cedar Point, which Cardona said sucked anyway. Hometown reaction for Dom Garrini, who hugged his dad, sitting ringside.
Cardona hit Garrini with the title while the introductions were being made. Cardona tried for Radio Silence, but Garrini had enough wherewithal to avoid it. Garrini fought back and locked in a triangle choke. Philly Collins and Marino Tenaglia of PME hit the ring for the disqualification.
PME continued to beat down Garrini until Josh Bishop and Wes Barkley, the Rip City Shooters, made the save. The Shooters tried to shave Cardona’s head as revenge for cutting their hair earlier this year, but Chelsea Green went low.
The doctor will see you now.
Britt Baker returned to AIW! Baker tried for Lockjam on Chelsea Green, but Cardona pulled Green to safety. Baker said Green may be her best friend, but Garrini, Bishop, and Barkley are her brothers. Let’s have an 8-person tag.
The Rip City Shooters (Josh Bishop and Wes Barkley, Dominic Garrini, and Dr. Brett Baker DMD vs PME (Philly Collins and Marino Tenaglia), Matt Cardona, and Chelsea Green
Fun tornado-style match with too much action and inventive double teams for play by play. Baker teased Lockjaw, but Team Cardona was able to stop her. Cardona accidentally hit Chelsea Green with a title belt, and Baker locked in Lockjaw for the win.
Gauntlet for the Gold
Aw, criminy, how am I gonna do report of a rumble-style match when I’m so out of practice? Only 13 names had been revealed before the event, so I expect some surprises and weirdness. Hopefuly, good weird, not bad weird.
1. Joseline Navarro
2. Katie Arquette
No, computer. Stop autocorrecting this into a list… We start with a budding rivalry with two competitors who have traded wins in recent months.
3. Marion Fontaine
Marion Fontaine has appeared in every Gauntlet for the Gold, and the women immediately eliminate Fontaine. But the streak is intact.
4. The Bachelor Ben Boone
Boone is a former commentator, avoiding contact and offering his rose to one of the ladies. Arquette threw the rose away, and double spear. Boone is pushed to the floor, still in the match.
5. Casey Carrington IV
Carrington stalled getting in the ring.
6. Brian Carson
Carrington got his tag partner as backup, and Carson, Carrington, and Boone eliminated Joseline. Boone fought Carrington and Carson.
7. CPA
CPA is back in AIW for the first time in over two years. CPA was apparently wearing three dress shirts and had multiple clip-on ties. As one does.
8. Mikey Montgomery
Montgomery and CPA squared off, and for some reason, Montgomery went for a pin.
9. Sid von Engeland
von Engeland focused on Carrington and Carson.
10. Isaiah Broner
Broner is very clearly favoring his right arm, but Broner eliminated Carson, CPA, Boone, and von Engeland one right after the other. Broner F5ed Montgomery to the floor. Down to Arquette and Broner. Broner gave Arquette a couple free shots and nothing. Arquette decided to eliminate herself. Broner is all alone.
11. T Money
Two big beefy dudes went face to face and traded shots right away. T Money pulled the tape off Broner’s arm. A lariat from Broner, which clearly hurt Broner too.
12. Chuck Stone
Another big beefy dude to join the hoss portion of the match. T Money turned his attention to Stone, which commentary said might be a mistake to let Broner recuperate.
13. Filthy Tom Lawlor
Lawlor tried to take advantage of the tired big dudes.
14. Dom Garrini
Garrini was clearly watching in the back. He asked one of the ringside Student Security if someone was under the ring. Casey Carrington’s been hiding. Garrini brought Carrington back in the ring to eliminate him. Carrington grabbed a chair and smashed Garrini with it then eliminated him. Lawlor tried to team up with Stone and immediately turned on him.
15. AIW Tag Team Champion Marino Tenaglia
Tenaglia stalled getting in the ring but was met by Stone and Lawlor who teamed up again.
16. Gary The King Baller
One of the original graduates of the AIW Academy returns to AIW for the first time since 2018. Tenaglia and Baller went at it, but Tenaglia eliminated Baller.
17. Calvin G. Lewis
One of the most recent graduates of the AIW Academy, one-half of Members Only went after T Money.
18. Eden von Engeland
Eden von Engeland seemingly eliminated themselves dropping Stone throat-first on the top rope. T Money eliminated Calvin G. Lewis.
19. Dick Justice
Dick Justice is out of retirement to enter Gauntlet for the Gold. T Money has been eliminated.
20. The One Called Manders
Manders squared off with Broner, but Tenaglia tried to take advantage. Broner went after Tenaglia, but Manders shockingly eliminated Broner. Lawlor took this opportunity to rest in the corner. Justice was blinded by Tenaglia, and Lawlor tried to capitalize.
21. Twan Tucker
Chuck Stone tried to foster a team with Twan, and Twan wasn’t into it. Tenaglia laughed, and ate a spinebuster for his troubles.
22. Wes Barkley
Barkley had his ribs taped up. It’s still a little weird to hear Barkley get cheered. Four guys teamed up trying to eliminate Tenaglia, but Tenaglia held on.
23. AIW Tag Team Champion Philly Collins
Collins’ entrance allowed Tenaglia to cheap-shot Barkley. The ring is filling up.
24. Arthur McArthur
Another tag team is reunited in the Gauntlet. Lawlor is trying to choke out Big Twan. Manders convinced everyone to focus on Big Twan. Big Twan was eliminated by practically everyone in the ring.
25. Nasty Russ
Nasty Russ did not discriminate. He had punches and kicks for everyone. McArthur and Stone finally teamed up on Philly Collins.
26. Malcolm Cambridge
The second-half of Members Only backdropped Nasty Russ over the top rope. Could we see Members Only vs the Boys from Jollyville in the future? Collins acted as a human shield for Tenaglia. Tenaglia stole Dick Justice’s finger gun and told Justice to eliminate himself.
27. Josh Bishop
Bishop goes for Lawlor as PME eliminate Arthur McArthur. Barkley tossed both members of PME over the top, but they were able to save themselves.
28. Kaplan
Kaplan limped his way to the ring and surveyed the scene before focusing on Cambridge.
29. Derek Dillinger
Dillinger hit shots on everyone as Ziggy Haim started to prowl ringside. Dillinger hit the sunset flip powerbomb on Cambridge and eliminated him.
30. The Duke
Everyone was down, and Tom Lawlor celebrated. Kaplan rose up and eliminated Lawlor. Chuck Stone eliminated Collins. Duke eliminated Stone. Tenaglia was close to going, but his feet landed on the ringside table. In quick succession, Manders eliminated Kaplan. The Shooters eliminated Manders. Marino Tenaglia eliminated Barkley.
Final four: Duke, Dillinger, and Tenaglia conspired to team up against Josh Bishop. Bishop chokeplexes Tenaglia over the top. Tenaglia is gone. Duke and Dillinger started arguing. Dillinger hit the sunset bomb in the corner and the double knees. Bishop hit Dillinger with the Death Valley Driver. Bishop eliminated the Duke after Ziggy helped save Dillinger.
Down to Dillinger and Bishop. They traded chops. Dillinger tried for the sunset bomb into the corner but didn’t get all of it. Dillinger tosses Bishop, who skinned the cat. Bishop connected with a Black Hole Slam and tossed Dillinger who held on. Dillinger pulled Bishop over the top, and both were on the apron. Dillinger clotheslined them both back into the ring. Dillinger pulled down the pads for the double knees, but Bishop moved. Bishop got Dillinger up for the Bishop Bomb and tossed Dillinger through the ringside table.
Josh Bishop is the number one contender at Absolution.
Matt Cardona attacked from behind, but Bishop fought back and tossed Cardona over the top.
Bishop grabbed the mic and said the next time they’re in Akron, he’s gonna take back the titles Cardona stole from him.
Notes: Matt Wadsworth and Nathan Zegura (who was recently hired as a commentator for Cleveland Browns games) on commentary. Porter O’Shea, Tom Dunn, and Jake Clemons were your referees. Steve Guy is your ring announcer of sorts. A number of the wrestlers doing double duty wore different gear for both matches. Always a nice touch.
AIW returns to the Odeon in Cleveland for “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” on June 17. The only names announced so far are Isaiah Broner and Bandido.
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