Around the Ring: Vic Capri, Davey Richards light up Chicago Style Wrestling
AAW PRO, 2ECOND WRESTLING, POWW, ICW MILWAUKEE ALSO SHINE
By Mike Pankow and High5Tom
July 29, 2022
Vic Capri just turned 49 years old, and he hasn’t lost a step.
“The Ice Pick” continued to put on absolute in-ring clinics with his dynamite victory over former IMPACT and ROH star Davey Richards in the spotlight match of the month during Chicago Style Wrestling’s “In the Heat of the Night” at the American Legion in Franklin Park on July 15.
Richards, who people say could be a clone of Capri, was a former tag team champion in both IMPACT and ROH as is regarded as of the best technical wrestlers in the world.
Davey Richards, pictured wrestling against GPA at Zelo Pro in February, faced Vic Capri in a classic match at Chicago Style Wrestling’s “In the Heat of the Night” on July 15. (File photo by Mike Pankow)
The match was so riveting that many of the young stars of CSW surrounded the ring, pounding the canvas and creating an electric atmosphere in which both men shined. Hold for hold, move for move and counter for counter, the two combatants gave it all they had.
Capri finally hit his Sliced Bread finisher and scored the 3-count on the Lone Wolf and the crowd at the American Legion erupted.
Capri also had a banger of a match against Ricky Cruz as part of All Heel Wrestling’s AHW 3 on May 1 in North Chicago. Like his match at AHW, Capri’s classic bout with Richards wasn’t even the scheduled main event at CSW.
That honor went to Superstar Steve Boz, who successfully retrained his CSW Metra Division Championship over the hard-charging bruiser “Career Killa” Chris Miller. That was the only title on the line at the show as the tag champion The Dope Kings wrestled as part of a six-person match, CSW Champion Joey Avalon and Women’s Champion Heather Reckless did not have matches on the show.
As for the rest of the show, Alpha Zeta Zeta defeated Bugs Moran and Bayou Bill in a pre-show tag team match. Moondog Murray won the pre-show staple, the futures Royal.
On the main card, TJ Steel defeated Joey Mayberry. Veteran Acid Jaz came out on top in a five-man scramble match over “Dreambreaker” Aaron Stone, Marco Anthony, Doom Montgomery and a returning Sabin Gauge, who has spent the last few months working on Freelance Wrestling shows. Big Mood (Mateo Valentine & Jack Moody) picked up the victory over members of Team Ambition (Mason St. Goods & Mike Outlaw), but Moody and Valentine seemed to have some friction. Adam Stallion defeated Team Ambition’s Tootie Lynn, who was making her CSW debut. In a three-way hoss fight, veteran “All Day” Marshe Rockett emerged victorious over Cypher and Cody James … Jax Johnson defeated Daisy Kill by submission. In a fun six-person tag team match, The Dope Kings (Filth King Brubaker & CJ Esparza) along with former CSW Women’s Championship and AEW star Skye Blue defeated Team Babushka of Bombshell Shelly, Mario Pardua and Attorney Eric Schultz).
CSW returns to Franklin Park for “Rotten to the Core” with a special guest, former WWE Superstar Carlito, on Friday, Aug. 19.
— Mike Pankow (with special assistance from Steve Ahrendt)
AAW Pro: Promoters also say their “card is subject to change,” but for AAW, it changed for the better as a 1-on-1 match for the AAW Championship turned into a three-way elimination main event where Mat Fitchett extended his reign by outlasting 1 Called Manders and former AAW Champion Fred Yehi at “The Independents Day” at 115 Bourbon Street in South suburban Merrionette Park.
The show opened with Davey Vega (with Hartenbower and Sean Logan) taking on Shane Hollister. This was interesting with the veteran in Vega against the returning legend in Hollister. There was good back-and-forth action, but Vega (with the assist from Hartenbower) got the cascading DVD into his patented brainbuster for the win. And now he awaited the return of Ace Austin and that shot at the AAW Heritage Championship.
Next up was a 1-on-1 match between Manders against “The Savageweight” Fred Yehi for the right to face Fitchett for the AAW Championship later in the evening. This went to a straight-up fight right off the bat, but when Yehi introduced a spike and assaulted the ref the match got thrown out. However, shortly thereafter Fitchett cut a promo and said he wanted both Manders and Yehi in the main event.
Jake Something then crashed the party and jumped into the ring. AAW co-owner Danny Daniels came out to calm down Something, but he got punched in the mouth for his troubles. Something put everyone on notice as he made his claim to the AAW Championship.
After that we got a “match” of Russ Jones against AJ Alexander and Jones reaffirms his dominance in an AAW ring getting a quick and empathic win.
Then it was the pick-your-partner tag team match. Silas Young and his chosen partner Karam faced Brayden Lee and his surprise partner Gnarls Garvin. In a match of two teams made up of two different wrestling styles, it was the recipe for a fun match. In the end after Garvin was able to break up a near fall on Lee, Lee sent Young out of the ring and Lee hit Karam with a second-rope powerbomb and Garvin followed up with frog splash for the 1-2-3 on Karam.
Billie Starkz has picked up some big victories in the Chicago area, including winning a four-way match to become No. 1 contender for the AAW Championship and knocking off Chelsea Green to retain the 2econd Wrestling Championship. (File photo by Mike Pankow)
In a four-way dance for the No. 1 contender for the AAW Women’s Championship, the debuting Billie Starkz continued her rise on the independent scene, scoring a huge victory over Vert Vixen, Sierra and Lady Frost. In a match where the pure athletic ability was unmatched anywhere in wrestling, Starkz hit swanton bomb on Vert Vixen to secure the victory.
ACH and Frontman Jah-C became the new AAW Tag Team Champions by dethroning Ace Perry and Hammerstone. During the FITE broadcast, announcer Joe Drombrowski chimed in with the line of the night in reference to Perry, “He is my second favorite wrestler, everyone else is tied for first.” It was pairing of two teams that were previously strangers, but have turned into well-oiled machines, especially with the fairly-lengthy reign of Perry and Hammerstone. In the end, ACH tied up Perry in a cloverleaf for the submission.
Former two-time IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Eric Young, who earlier this year wrestled Fitchett for the AAW Championship, announced that he will be bring two AAW talents to the two-night IMPACT tapings at Cicero Stadium on Aug. 12-13.
Christi Jaynes (with Ren Jones) defeated hard-charging Heather Reckless to retain the AAW Women's Championship. Reckless put it to the champ, but with a little assistance from Jones, Jaynes hit a neckbreaker and rolled up Reckless with a handful of tights for the victory.
After the match, Jones and Christie ran down AAW and the Southside of Chicago. Then "Teenage Dirtbag" hits and Spyder Nate Webb answered the challenge. The battle went to the bar and the ring and all points in between. However, with some help from a steel chair and Jaynes, Jones hit the pump handle into the powerbomb for the win. Starkz then hit the ring and is leveled by Jaynes, but Levi Everett came in for the save. That could set up Ren Jones against Everett in the future.
Then we get a six-way hoss fight with Something, Schaff, Conan Lycan, Hartenbower, “Heavyweight Hustle” Calvin Tankman and Everett. After these guys knocked the tar out of each other, Something survives after finally hitting a huge sidewalk slam on Hartenbower for the victory. Go out of your way to watch this match, this review will not do it justice.
It was time for the main event, Yehi viciously dominated both Manders and Fitchett in the early going, including Yehi ramming Manders’ arm into the ring post. However, Manders got a roll up to surprise Yehi for the elimination. Yehi didn’t take it very well and continued to beat down Manders until Ref Dan Perch was able to get him out of the ring. Then a slobberknocker ensues between Manders and Fitchett, and Fitchett closed out the match with his knockout knee for the win to retain the title.
AAW returns to the area for “Destination Chicago” on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago, with all the AAW champions in action, including AAW Champion Fitchett, Women’s Champion Jaynes, Heritage Champion Austin and Tag Team Champions ACH and Jah-C, plus Josh Alexander, Something, Manders, Yehi, the AAW debut of Masha Slamovich and the AAW return of Davey Richards. Tickets are already moving fast, so it’s highly recommended to secure your seats soon.
—High5Tom of the Midwest Wrestling Roundup Podcast
2econd Wrestling: The fledgling promotion run by Rabbi Jeremy Fine returned for its first show since March with “Walk This Way” at Kings & Convicts Brewery in North suburban Highwood on July 21. It was a 21-and-over event unlike the previous two 2econd shows where families were welcomed, but the vibe remained similar with another fun event.
Billie Starkz retained her 2econd Wrestling Championship in a grueling main event against IMPACT Wrestling star Chelsea Green. Starkz had become the promotion’s first-ever champion by defeating Rylie Jackson and Arik Cannon in the semifinals and final, respectively, on March 6 in Northbrook.
Cannon and WARHORSE teamed up to defeat David Ali & Jordan in the tag team opener. Then Darin Corbin stormed out to the ring and Fine offered up an opponent in WWE legend Gangrel, who defeated Corbin.
In a battle of a couple beloved and respected Midwestern independent stars Dan the Dad defeated Cole Radrick. Making her debut for 2econd, Heather Monroe, who is now working out of the Chicago area, defeated Killa Kate, Emmy Camacho and Ale De Lion in a four-way match. Looking to make some noise on the Chicagoland scene, Jackson P. Larkin, in his 2econd debut, defeated Korey O’Neal from Texas.
— Mike Pankow
POWW Entertainment: JPH is making big waves since coming to POWW and he continued his rise in the company by winning the POWW Midwest Championship by defeating veteran Ruff Crossing in the main event of “Saturday Night Fights” at T’Wood Bar & Grill in West suburban Wood Dale on July 17.
JPH is a former Southland Championship Wrestling Champion and recently made the jump to POWW during the long-lasting POWW-SCW turf war over the last several months. After the loss, Crossing may have clued in folks on what his future might be in POWW, hinting a possible transformation in his character within the promotion.
In other action, the recently returned Mason Percs defeated Masked Marauder in a battle of young POWW prospects. Stylin’ Shane Eaton pulled off the victory over the veteran Jimmy Blaze. The mysterious and maniacal Kyzyle defeated Mateo Valentine, who was making his return to POWW after his outstanding series with Scott Spade earlier this year. Spade, with TINY at his side, defeated up-and-coming Moondog Murray in Moondog’s POWW debut. Meathooks O’Bannon, one half of the Irish Pub Army, got the victory over Tommy Macabre.
— Mike Pankow
ICW Milwaukee: Hard-hitting Gary Jay made his ICW debut with an impressive match against ICW Alternative Champion Eric Dillinger, who retained the title in the main event of “All American Violence” at Da Bar in Milwaukee suburb West Allis on July 15.
The show opened with Bobby V. announcing his first member of the Stud Stable is Cute Craig, who took on Rayvin Raddix. Craig jumped out quickly, but Raddix survived the initial onslaught and got the pin with a vicious DDT.
Ruff Ryder Rashaan faced “T Bag” Trevor Gordon in the next match. “T Bag” did a great job of sticking and moving, keeping the much stronger Ruff Ryder off his feet. However in the end, Ruff Ryder’s strength was too much and he nailed a vicious sidewalk slam for the victory.
Next was a triple-threat elimination tag team match with Sez Cru of Simon Sez and Armando Alvarez (with Ms. Sez) against the Golden Bullies of Dastardly Nell Dillinger and “The Black Hearted Prince” Juan Hernandez (with “The Pitbull” Zac McGuire) against Blazin’ Ben and Troy “Not Tim” Storm – Team Firestorm. After some hard-hitting action by all six combatants, Hernandez came off the top rope for the double stomp on Storm as and Firestorm is eliminated. Then after beating the heck out of each other, the Golden Bullies were able to isolate Alvarez and hit a nasty lungblower into a suplex for the win. Does this victory put them in title contention?
In one would describe as the definition of a hoss fight, ICW Midwest Champion Gunner Wixx defended his title against Oso Turco. This match was the slug/chop fest that you would expect (in a good way) with neither man leaving their feet till Oso hit that patented spear. Wixx was able to absorb the spear as they continued to battle until Gunner nails a spear of his own to retain the championship.
Next was the ICW Milwaukee specialty, a West Allis Death Match, with Anakin Murphy going against the reigning Insane 8 champion Neil Diamond Cutter. Anakin took it to the always-over NDC, hitting him with everything including a literal kitchen sink. However, Neil was able to weather the storm, hitting a vicious suplex on the back of some chairs. Then with the aid of an old TV, bowling ball and skewers, mixed with an intense aerial assault, NDC showed once again why he is the current face of the ICW death matches. NDC, after the match, gave Murphy some well-deserved props and it appeared Murphy has a bright future ahead of him.
Gary Jay, right, wrestling Marshe Rockett at a Chicago Style Wrestling show in 2021, was part of a hot main event against ICW Alternative Champion Eric Dillinger at “All American Violence on July 15. (File photo by Mike Pankow)
MarJax (Marman & Jarrod Jaxx) defended their ICW Tag Team Championships against Evil Inside (Chucky Bates & Shawn Priest). Before the match, Val Malone announced that MarJax is her newest client but the crowd wasn’t having it. Bates and Priest are way over with the ICW crowd. So, after a few minutes of psychological warfare by MarJax, the action starts as Bates tried to tear off the limbs of both Marman and Jaxx. However, being the wily veterans that they are, MarJax was able to get control and Bates took a whipping, but he wouldn’t quit until he got the hot tag to Priest. Priest came in and cleaned house and they get a pin on Marman, but Jaxx pulled referee Jerry Gummo out of the ring and Marman hits a low blow. Chicanery ensues and Gummo is forced to call for the bell and the DQ after being punched by Jaxx. MarJax lost the match but retained their titles. Then an incensed JP, being the awesome general manager, wasn’t taking any gruff and announced that Evil Inside receives their rematch at the Insane 8 on Sunday, July 31.
Drake Daniels overcame the challenge from the super athletic CJ Cole to retain the ICW World Championship. This was a match I had been stoked about since it was announced. Cole proved why he truly is the Apex Athlete. However, Daniels is the champion and one of the best in the state for a reason. Cole took it him, showing he is a future star, but Daniels outsmarted and outmuscled him, getting him to pass out in the torture rack and retaining his title in the process.
In the main event, the consensus ICW breakout star of 2022, Dillinger, defeated Jay. Styles make fights and these two are so similar it translated to a great hard-hitting affair worthy of an ICW main event. Jay isn’t called “Stiff Robo Ginger” for nothing as he and “Public Enemy #1” slapped each other so hard that I am sure part of their souls left their bodies. Dillinger gets the last shot in and nails the pedigree DDT for the win.
—High5Tom of the Midwest Wrestling Roundup Podcast
Ringside chatter: All Heel Wrestling brass, including King Torch and The Heathen, made their presence felt at Northland Pro Wrestling’s “Burnout” show at the American Legion in Lake In The Hills on July 23. The Cody James vs. Marshe Rockett bout went to a no-contest as James retained the Northland Pro Championship when Mario Pardua and Erich Schultz jumped into the ring. The AHW crew took the AHW Midwestern Championship, in which James defeated Vic Capri at the previous Northland show two weeks prior. AHW brass claimed that they didn’t sanction the James-Capri matchup to be a title match, so that’s the reason they took back the belt. A new main event was created with James and Rockett defeating Schultz and Pardua with a 3D. James will face AHW’s new legal counsel: Erich Schultz at AHW and Wicked F’n Wrestling’s joint show in Lake Geneva, Wis., on Sunday, Aug. 28. … NWA star Thom Latimer defeated James Storm to win the Rockford Damage Championship in the main event of RDI’s “Wrestling at Teamsters” show on July 23. Also of note, Bruiser Mass Index (Jamie Race & Mike Idol) win the vacant RDI Tag Team Championships in a three-way match with Revolution (Jimmy Blaze & Eric Freedom) & The Irish Pub Army (Meathooks O’Bannon & Kavan O’Reilley). … International superstar Sam Adonis was supposed to wrestle to two shows in Chicago last weekend, but after Warrior Wrestling canceled its July 23 “Stadium Series” show, Adonis won his lone match of the weekend at GALLI Lucha Libre on July 24 by defeating “Dreambreaker” Aaron Stone in a spotlight match for Stone. It wasn’t totally clean as Stone was distracted by Axel Rico on the outside, allowing Adonis to secure a pin off a rollup.
Listen to Ep. 129 of Windy City Slam Podcast, with special guests Billie Starkz and Eric Young and much more: https://bit.ly/3OAwkWE.
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/.
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