Lance Archer-Robert ‘Ego’ Anthony brawl steals show at Warrior Wrestling
Thumbnail image above courtesy Nick Consalvo/@cameraguygimmick)
By Mike Pankow
July 22, 2021
They don’t call Lance Archer “The Murderhawk Monster” because he’s a great technical wrestler.
Archer was monstrous when he beat Robert “Ego” Anthony and his manager Frank the Clown all over Dave Mattio Field on Saturday night at Marian Catholic High School in South suburban Chicago Heights.
The menacing 6-foot-8 Archer was among the stars of the show at Warrior Wrestling’s Stadium Series, Night 2. The AEW star and Anthony, a Joliet native and veteran of two decades in professional wrestling pulled out all the stops during a crazy brawl in the ring and all around the Marian Catholic football field.
Lance Archer prepares to dump Frank the Clown off the bleachers after defeating Robert “Ego” Anthony in a no-holds barred match at Warrior Wrestling in Chicago Heights on Saturday, July 17. (Photo by Nick Consalvo/ @cameraguygimmick)
Frank the Clown was the impetus for this match as he was upset with Warrior management after he and Anthony were unbooked at the first night of Stadium Series back in June. After Warrior promoter Steve Tortorello banned Frank from attending the show other than buying a ticket, Frank stormed the premesis on three different occasions, including a grand helicopter entrance just before the main event. After that intrusion, Tortorello announced Frank and Ego were booked for the second night – in a no-holds barred against Archer.
Frank recruited a clown army to stand guard at ringside, but Archer decimated the whole crew, leaving them laid out. Then the massacre commenced as Archer and Ego brawled all over the field and through the crowd. The rivals fought on top of a John Deere ATV, there was a pizza thrown, confetti cannons used, a Styrofoam cooler with beverages went flying, then the combatants fought their way into the bleachers.
The battle eventually ended up back in ring where Archer finished off Ego with the Blackout – an inverted crucifix powerbomb. Then “The Murderhawk Monster” turned his attention to Frank, who tried to use a chloroform ether-soaked rag on Archer. But Archer anticipated that underhanded tactic and hoisted Frank into his arms and carried him over to the bleachers. Archer walked up the bleachers and held Frank over his head and dumped the manager about 25 feet to the ground below as the fans roared their approval.
And that knockdown, drag-out fight wasn’t even the main event of the evening. That honor belonged to Warrior Wrestling Women’s Champion and South suburban native Kylie Rae, who retained her title over Lady Frost.
After a back-and-forth match that included interference from Frost’s entourage of “Savage Gentleman” Victor Benjamin and Richard Holliday, Kylie pulled out the victory with a rollup. Frost attacked Kylie after the match and her associates joined in as well. It didn’t look good for “Smiley Kylie” until The Varsity Blonds and Julia Hart came out to even the odds.
The Blonds finally chased off the heels and celebrated with Kylie mid-ring to close the show on a beautiful, cool summer night under the lights.
There were nine matches on the main card, in which some of the proceeds benefited scholarships and programs at Marian Catholic, featuring a variety of styles and wrestlers from promotions such as All Elite Wrestling, Ring of Honor and Major League Wrestling.
In the opening match, Dante Martin of AEW’s Top Flight defeated KC Navarro, who has split two matches at Warrior.
Next up was Danhausen’s victory over Lee Moriarty in a contrast of styles. The wacky Danhausen, who has a great following on the independent scene, kept calling Moriarty “Mortuary.” Moriarty could be one of wrestling’s next breakout major signings.
“Heavyweight Hustle” Calvin Tankman, who has appeared for MLW, Black Label Pro and Freelance Underground, defeated Jordan Oliver. Tankman, the 355-pound Indianapolis native, displayed a balance of power and agility.
Brian Pillman Jr. of The Varsity Blonds works over the arm of Richard Holliday. (Photo by Nick Consalvo/ @cameraguygimmick)
In a technical clinic, ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham defeated Davey Richards. The match was filled with great technical grappling and scintillating strong-style strikes. Richards, a St. Louis native, recently made a return to wrestling after five years away.
In the lone tag team match of the night, AEW’s The Varsity Blonds (former Warrior Wrestling Champion Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison), accompanied by Julia Hart, defeated Benjamin and Holliday, who were joined by Lady Frost at ringside. It was a classic formula where the heels dominated a good portion of the bout before the Blonds made a huge comeback, using a double-team finish to gain the victory.
Aramis retained his Warrior Wrestling Lucha Championship against one of his trainers – the well-respected Daga. Aramis became the promotion’s first-ever Lucha Champion by winning an eight-man War of Attrition at last month’s Warrior event.
AEW star Brian Cage defeated the athletic and crazy Ninja Mack with an amazing Super Drill Claw. Cage, Warrior Wrestling’s first champion, once again clicked with a smaller performer as he has in the past.
Cage has had terrific matches against the likes of current ROH Champion Bandido, NXT Tag Team Champions Wes Lee & Nash Carter and current Warrior Champion Trey Miguel. Mack brought the fight to Cage, but the 280-pound Machine was just too much.
Warrior Wrestling Women’s Champion Kylie Rae poses with a fan during the VIP Fan Fest prior to the show. (Photo by Mike Pankow)
Notes: On the pre-show, up-and-coming Freelance Wrestling Academy student Angel Escalera defeated Icon Lee and Brayden Lee beat Dante Leon. … Val Capone handled the ring announcing for the entire show for the first time and knocked it out of the park. … Freelance Academy student and recent Nightmare Factory graduate Trevor Outlaw handled some of the backstage interviews during the show. … Just before showtime, Windy City Slam tweeted the exclusive news of Evil Uno and Alan “5” Angels of the Dark Order appearing at next month’s Stadium Series event on August 21. … Tortorello also announced New Japan star Jay White and AEW’s Marko Stunt will also wrestle for the company next month. Already announced was Kylie Rae defending the Warrior Women’s title against Thunder Rosa. Trey Miguel will also return to defend the Warrior Wrestling Champion after missing Saturday’s show due to commitments at IMPACT Wrestling’s Slammiversary.
Selected photos courtesy of Nick Consalvo. Check out Nick’s work at http://www.cameraguygimmick.com and follow him on social media @cameraguygimmick.
Also, check out a Warrior Wrestling recap as part of Episode 76 of Windy City Slam Podcast: https://apple.co/3yQO1d1.
Catch Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow talking local and national pro wrestling every week with Chicago-area wrestling guests on Windy City Slam Podcast, part of the Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network. Episodes drop early Tuesday morning wherever you download podcasts or at https://windycityslam.podbean.com/.
We are looking for guests to appear on future episodes of the Windy City Slam Podcast! Please contact Mike at mikepankow@windycityslam.com, message him on Facebook or DM him on Twitter.
