All Heel Wrestling declares war on Northland Pro
CHAOTIC ENDING SETS STAGE FOR INTERPROMOTIONAL BATTLE
By Mike Pankow
December 2, 2022
There was extremely physicality, a controversial title change, and blood shed at the end of All Heel Wrestling’s “WrestleHaven” at Starlight Skatepark in Winthrop Harbor on Sunday, Nov. 20.
In the main event, “The Apex Athlete” CJ Cole defeated the 280-pound Cody James (of Northland Pro) to win the AHW Midwestern Championship, but it wasn’t without controversy. It appears James was close to putting away Cole, but as James hoisted up Cole, Cole’s legs knocked down referee Joe Coley.
CJ Cole covers Cody James for the pin to win the All Heel Wrestling Midwestern Championship as Gunner Wixx, top, prepares to leave the ring after delivering a spear to James during AHW’s “WrestleHaven” on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (Photo: Mike Pankow/Windy City Slam)
That opened the door for some opportunistic revenge for former AHW Heavyweight Champion Gunner Wixx, who came into the ring and speared James, leading Cole getting the pinfall and the Midwestern Championship. James cost Wixx the AHW Heavyweight title at AHW 4 in Lake Geneva when he attacked Wixx to open the door for Mateo Valentine to win that match in a driving rainstorm.
Then the real chaos began in earnest when Northland Pro owner “The Trademark” Nate Pepple came out to dispute the referee’s decision. Trademark was banned from ringside during the match, but he, Metalhead, AHW defector and AHW Women’s Champion Leslie La Muñeca and James protested. A brawl ensued with Wixx and Pauly Thomaselli coming to the aid of AHW brass, but not before Trademark nailed both King Torch and Torch’s son, Damien, with brass knuckles in the head to open them up.
When the smoke cleared, AHW owner King Torch declared war on the invaders from Northland Pro Wrestling and hinted that AHW brass may show up at Northland Pro’s Endgame on Saturday, Dec. 3 in Woodstock.
The show opened with Valentine celebrating his AHW Championship victory from over the summer. Because of the circumstances of the weather, Valentine didn’t get his just due for a celebration as fans were heading for cover late in the match. “Dog-Faced Bastard” Greg Murray came out to confront Valentine for a future championship match. Then “Dad-Bod Demigod” Joey Mayberry came out to stake his claim.
Once Valentine left the ring, Murray and Mayberry went at it. The proud representatives of the LGBTQ+ Community had a competitive contest with Mayberry attempting to gain the advantage with dirty tricks, but Murray came out victorious after a double stomp and a pin on Mayberry.
Kenzi James successfully defended her AHW Change of Fortune Championship against Kota Holliday in a long, drawn-out brawl. Holliday utilized her size advantage to gain the upper hand at times, but James’ fighting spirit shined through. Holliday, dubbed “The Sister of Kneestruction” hit James with a nasty running knee and a sit-out powerbomb, but she couldn’t get a 3-count. Eventually the match spilled into the skatepark, where James hit cutter on Holliday and Holliday slid down the ramp and to the floor. Once the competitors returned to the ring, James hit a double stomp to cap off the victory.
Northland Pro monster Metalhead made his AHW debut with The Trademark at his side and virtually squashed “Big Steppa” Armando Alvarez by hitting his version of a Bossman Slam to earn a convincing victory. Alvarez needed assistance returning to the backstage area.
AHW legal counsel and Northland Pro Champion Attorney Eric Schultz defeated the brash and cocky Jax Johnson. Johnson who missed out on his opportunity to win the Change of Fortune Championship back in August, tried several dastardly tactics, but Schultz pulled out the victory with his version of a Diamond Cutter.
Missa Kate, right, grapples with AHW Women’s Champion Leslie La Muñeca during their match at Starlight Skatepark. (Photo: Mike Pankow/Windy City Slam)
In a much-anticipated women’s match, Chicago veteran Missa Kate made her AHW debut against AHW Women’s Champion La Muñeca. For the most part it was a clean wrestling match with each competitor showing her grit and toughness. Heather Reckless and The Trademark made their way out to ringside to observe the match, each, perhaps, with their own separate agenda.
Missa Kate locked in a submission hold on La Muñeca and appeared to be moments away from becoming the new champion until Reckless attacked Kate, forcing Coley to call for the disqualification. After Reckless beat down Kate, Reckless and La Muñeca seemed to exchange a glare of acknowledgement. The Trademark then entered the ring and extended his hand to La Muñeca, who accepted the handshake to join Team Northland.
There was craziness and controversy in Percy Drews’ AHW Hybrid Championship defense against “Demented” Chucky Bates and “Unholy” Shawn Priest. The match featured chairs, kendo sticks and plywood. And yes, even Legos, which Bates dumped to the canvas with a sickening glee.
Bates slammed Priest through a piece of plywood straddled across two chairs, then Drews hit his Percy Cutter out of nowhere. Bates’ body flopped on top of a prone Priest while Drews also covered Priest as the referee counted 3. It was a double-pin and AHW Commissioner The Heathen ruled that Drews is still the champion, but Bates will get a 1-on-1 match at AHW 6.
After an intermission, Pauly Thomaselli made his singles debut at AHW after being a part of tag team matches at previous shows. Thomaselli, a veteran of nearly 20 years, defeated former Wicked F’n Wrestling Champion Mo Foley to become the No. 1 contender to the AHW Midwestern Championship.
Referee Jerry Gummo was shoved out the ring by Foley and was briefly incapacitated. Thomaselli blocked a kendo stick shot from Foley and then turned it around by nailing Foley with the stick. Thomaselli followed up with a DDT and scored the 3 count when Gummo was able to roll back into the ring.
AHW brass then came to the ring and called out AHW Midwestern Champion Cody James to broker an exchange of title belts. James came out with Team Northland and handed over the old version of the Midwestern Championship and received a new title with a blue strap and a cool Chicago motif.
Next was Wixx facing off against the cocky Perfection. Wixx was steaming after losing his AHW Heavyweight Championship in August and took his aggression out on Perfection. It wasn’t a cakewalk, however, as Perfection frustrated the bigger Wixx on several occasions. Wixx rallied and nailed his trademark spear to get the 3 count.
Zach Hendrix comes off the top rope to inflict damage to Kaz Karter’s arm as Hendrix’s Country Air partner Doc Simmons holds Karter’s arm during the AHW Tag Team Championship match that went to a no-contest. (Photo: Mike Pankow/Windy City Slam)
Milwaukee area’s beloved Country Air made their AHW debut as “Yo Momma’s Favorite Tag Team” challenged Ghetto Gear Solid for the AHW Tag Team Championships. Zach Hendrix and Doc Simmons made their way to the ring first, but only Kaz Karter came out for his team, claiming that Ruff Ryder Rashaan got stuck in traffic and couldn’t make it to the venue.
The match began as a 2-on-1 handicap match and Country Air pretty much had the way until a giant cardboard box crept down toward the ring. Eventually, Rashaan came out from under the box and evened the odds. The fight sprawled outside the ring and through the skate park as all four men brawled everywhere. Simmons even delivered a DDT on Carter on top of platform. Gummo shrugged his shoulders as he lost total control of the match and called for the bell and a no contest.
Just when things seemed to calm down, Xavier Defaust of The Bad Hombre Cartel, the POWW Entertainment Tag Team Champions, stormed to the ring and attacked both members of Country Air and threw BHC’s hat in the ring as contenders for the AHW Tag Team Championship.
In the semi-main event, Blair Onyx made her return to AHW and picked up an impressive victory over Reckless to become No. 1 contender to La Muñeca’s AHW Women’s Championship. Onyx used her athleticism and wrestling acumen to overcome Reckless’ grittiness and dirty tactics. “The Spider” hit a DDT on Reckless and secured the 3 count.
AHW once again delivered a variety of wrestling and characters in a show that clocked at around three hours (not including intermission). The company seems to be popular amongst the talent for the freedom to express themselves during their matches, in turn making for an entertaining experience for the fanbase.
Notes: Hot Rod Daddy Andy won the pre-show battle royal, last eliminating Trainwrecker. Several wrestlers from the main card also competed in the battle royal, including Cole, La Muneca, Perfection and Alvarez. … Numerous luminaries from other companies were in attendance including Brew City Wrestling owner Frankie DeFalco, longtime wrestler/manager Angel Armani, veteran wrestler Xavier Mustafa and former AHW Women’s Champion Rayvin Raddix. … AHW brass announced they will return to Starlight Skatepark for AHW 6: “March of War” on Sunday afternoon, March 19, 2023.
For a gallery of over 450 photos from the event: https://www.windycityslam.com/ahw-5-wrestlehaven
Catch Pauly Thomaselli on Episode 147 of Windy City Slam Podcast: https://bit.ly/3ENUTwf.
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.
