Around the Ring: BCW, AAW headline action-packed weekend

By Mike Pankow

December 6, 2018

Independent wrestling in the Chicago area has been thriving and this weekend will be no exception.

Berwyn Championship Wrestling hosts its one-year anniversary Saturday night at the Berwyn Eagles Club after strong shows over the last few months, including Heavyweight Rumble for the Gold in September, where BCW crowned its first singles champion in “The Heart Throb” Jaden Roller, and an all-women’s show in October.

“The Chicago Bearhug” Steve Michaels who picked up the biggest victory of his young career by making veteran Jay Bradley tap out to this bearhug in September, is set to face “The Midwest Bully” Craig Mitchell in a submission match in BCW’s #GimmicksNeeded show on Saturday. Mitchell is one of the top players in BCW due to his association with Roller.

Meanwhile, Roller will defend his BCW Championship in a triple-threat ladder match against veteran Vic Capri and Aaron Williams.

There will be a no ropes, barbed-wire match between Dale Patricks and Josh Crane after the duo had a falling out in September.

Also, MLW roster member and “New Hart Foundation” member Brian Pillman Jr. will make his debut in BCW when he squares off against Joe Alonzo.

Front row seats sold out a week in advance, but good tickets are still available.

Last Call in LaSalle: In the final wrestling event in the famed Knights of Columbus in LaSalle on Saturday night, AAW has scheduled yet another action-packed event.

At the top of the card will be the AAW Heavyweight Championship match between title-holder Brody King and Eddie Kingston. Two performers with extensive experience in IMPACT Wrestling will battle it out for the AAW Heritage title when champion Trevor Lee faces Chicago resident DJZ. Also, Darby Allin and Jimmy Jacobs will engage in a LaSalle Street Fight. In addition, Kylie Rae defends her AAW Women’s Championship against Savanna Stone.

After its LaSalle farewell, AAW will return to 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park on Dec. 29 for the Windy City Classic XIV.

Ringside chatter: Lucha Libre Galli will be running a show in Pilsen at Thalia Hall not far from UIC on Sunday afternoon. Lucha Underground star Drago and DJZ are among those advertised. … With rumblings abound about Cody, the Young Bucks and Hangman Page probably leaving Ring of Honor, the company is serious about signing whatever other available talent there is in advance of their G1 Supercard with NJPW at Madison Square Garden during WrestleMania weekend. ROH has reportedly re-signed Milwaukee native Silas Young in addition to veteran PCO (former WWE and WCW star Carl Oulette) and Brody King. … WWE announced its debut card in DeKalb, Ill., at Northern Illinois University will take place Saturday, Feb. 9. It will be a SmackDown! brand live event at the NIU Convocation Center with AJ Styles, The Miz and Becky Lynch among those advertised. … Kenosha, Wis.-based Sports Nutrition Standard is hosting a card at the Brat Stop on Sunday, Dec. 30 just north of the Illinois border at I-94 and Highway 50. Former WWE stars Al Snow, Hornswoggle and Gangrel are advertised.