Around the Ring: Logan Square Screwjob at Freelance Wrestling
(thumbnail photo above courtesy Jen Doe)
CROOKED REF MICK FOLEY HELPS ROBERT ‘EGO’ ANTHONY DETHRONE STORM GRAYSON
By Mike Pankow
August 10, 2022
Looks like Jolly Old St. Mick still has a little edge in him.
Beloved WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, acting as special guest referee, aided veteran Robert “Ego” Anthony in his quest to regain the Freelance World Championship last Friday night during the main event of Freelance Wrestling’s “Cheap Pop” at Logan Square Auditorium on the North side of Chicago.
Storm Grayson entered the main event at “Cheap Pop” as the Freelance World Champion, but his reign ended at just seven weeks, thanks in part to crooked actions by special guest referee Mick Foley (left). (Photo courtesy Jen Doe)
Anthony defeated Storm Grayson, who held the championship for just seven weeks. It appeared Foley was trying to help Grayson get the victory by instructing the rising superstar to bring in a sack of thumbtacks and dump it in the center of the ring.
After Grayson emptied the tacks onto the canvas, he reached for Frank the Clown, Anthony’s manager and the significant other to Foley’s daughter, Noelle. Grayson had FTC in his clutches when Foley snuck up from behind and put the Mr. Socko-aided Mandible Claw on Grayson, allowing Anthony enough time to recover.
Anthony grabbed Grayson and powerbombed him onto the thumbtacks. Then Anthony lifted Grayson up and finished him off with the Mandalorian Driver into the tacks and Foley made the 3-count, giving Anthony his title back and inciting the Freelance Faithful to chant “F--- you, Foley!”
Anthony, FTC and Foley celebrated together in the ring. Anthony ceded the microphone to Foley, who said he executed a little heel turn and said he wanted “a couple of clown babies,” referring to FTC potentially fathering Foley’s grandchildren.
This was akin to some famous wrestling screwjobs such as the “Twin Hebners” scandal when Andre the Giant ended Hulk Hogan’s near-four-year WWE Championship reign in Feb. 1988, the “Montreal Screwjob” where Vince McMahon worked in collusion with Earl Hebner to help Shawn Michaels defeat Bret Hart in Nov. 1997 and The “Corporate Screwjob” where Vince and Shane McMahon help the Rock defeat Foley in the final of the Deadly Game Tournament for the vacant WWE Championship in Nov. 1998.
It was quite the letdown for Grayson, who had just defeated Anthony for the Freelance Championship on June 17, to complete an amazing ascension over the last two years. Grayson still possesses the Freelance Underground Independent Championship, but this loss leaves his future in Freelance a little cloudy. Can Grayson work his way back into title contention or does someone else emerge to challenge Anthony?
Could that next challenger be someone like Craig Mitchell? The veteran returned from an absence of almost six months to win the opening scramble, outlasting Angel Escalera, Bucky Collins, Koda Hernandez, Ethan Price and Devon Monroe. Mitchell, who had a suffered an Achilles’ injury in a match with Bryan Keith in February, finished off Collins with the Trapper Keeper to gain the victory.
Project M.O.N.I.X. (with James Russo) pinned Dan the Dad after hitting a Final Phase DDT. M.O.N.I.X. spent several minutes with his buttocks exposed after DTD had pulled down his pants eventually gave him a crack with his belt from his khaki shorts. M.O.N.I.X. carries momentum into Saturday night’s No Holds Barred match against his former friend and tag team partner Chico Suave at Freelance Underground’s “This Thing of Ours” at Thornton Distilling Company in South suburban Thornton.
In a fun match between a pair of fan favorites, Effy pinned Frontman Jah-C after a series of reversals. The fast-paced action really got the crowd into this contest.
In a matchup of former Freelance Champions, Darin Corbin defeated Kylie Rae via a quirky disqualification. Alfonso Gonzalez, Kylie’s one-time tag team partner, came out with a chair when Ref Dan Perch was down in the corner. Gonzalez hit the mat with the chair as Corbin feigned being hit with it. Gonzalez tossed the chair to Kylie, only for Perch to rise and see Kylie with the chair, prompting Perch to call for the bell in an Eddie Guerrero-type swerve.
Bryan Keith retained the Freelance Legacy Championship with a victory over Koko Lane at “Cheap Pop” (Photo courtesy Jen Doe)
Freelance Legacy Champion Bryan Keith retained his title by defeating Koko Lane in a solid match. Lane’s cornerman Trevor Outlaw and Keith’s second Matt Knicks provided a secondary while at ringside. Outlaw tried to interfere and cost Keith the championship, but Knicks eventually had enough and brawled with Outlaw up the entrance ramp and out of the arena. Keith the Soul Fire Bomb to score the winning pinfall while Knicks and Outlaw appear to on a collision course once Outlaw is cleared to compete following knee surgery late last year.
The Bang Bros (Davey Bang and August Matthews) retained their Freelance Tag Team Championships over the team of “Golden Gun” Mark Wheeler and Evan Greenaway (who was subbing for Taylor Rising) following a double 450 splash. This was originally supposed to The Bang Bros against GPA and Laynie before the latter team had to pull out for personal reasons.
Freelance Wrestling returns Thursday, Sept. 1 to the Emporium Arcade Bar in Logan Square, not far from AAW Pro’s already-loaded “Destination Chicago” event which will take over Logan Square Auditorium on the same night, provided an interesting choice for Chicago wrestling fans.
—Mike Pankow
ICW Milwaukee: On a beautiful day for the biggest jewel in the crown that is ICW Milwaukee, Public Enemy No. 1 Eric Dillinger won the prestigious Insane 8 deathmatch tournament on Sunday, July 31, in a passing of the torch moment from the parking lot of the Elks Lodge in Waukesha, Wis.
The show opened with a match for the ICW World Championship when Drake Daniels (with Jarrod Jaxx and Marman in his corner) took on Joey “The Jet” Avalon. These 2 two showed why they are literally two of the best in Wisconsin in a hard-hitting affair. Avalon was able to overcome massive interference from MarJaxx to get what seemed to be a sure 1-2-3 but, just before Ref Junior’s hand hit the mat, he was pulled out by MarJaxx and Junior calls for the bell and it appeared Daniels would retain the belt.
However, GM extraordinaire JP said he is not having it on Insane 8 Day and restarted the match as an anything-goes match. Avalon took it to Daniels including a below-the-belt shot with his trusty shovel, but in the end, Daniels was able to hold on by the skin of his teeth to get a spear through a door and the F5 to retain the ICW title. Can anyone take that title from Daniels?
Poster from ICW Milwaukee’s Insane 8 event. “Public Enemy No. 1” Eric Dillinger won the deathmatch tournament. (Photo courtesy ICW Milwaukee’s Facebook page)
To open the premier deathmatch tournament of the Midwest, Dillinger faced off with Mickie Knuckles in a notorious fans-bring-the-weapons match. This match saw the debut of Death Match Bear. For those that don’t know, Knuckles had won a spot in the 2021 event, however she was unable to compete. Dillinger shined in his debut (we are high on Dillinger here at the Midwest Wrestling Roundup) and made great use of all the “creative weapons.” Dillinger survived, getting Knuckles in a crossface with barbed wire for the win. This isn’t hyperbole, this was one of the best deathmatches I have seen.
Next there was a Doors of Death match featuring the Carver against the ICW Deathmatch Icon, the 2018 and 2019 Insane 8 champ returning home, Orin Veidt. Carver did a great job, but Veidt is a legend for a reason as he hit the patented assault driver through the light tube laced door.
Due to the fact the fans overwhelmed DYSfunction with weapons, we had a second fans-bring-the-weapons match when another Midwest Death Match icon Satu Jinn against the winner of the death match qualifier Remington Rhor. The match saw numerous light tubes break, a machete and many other weapons, but the fan favorite Rohr won, with of all things, a big splash from the top rope.
In the final first-round match, 2021 Insane 8 champ Neil Diamond Cutter took on the “Deathmatch Samurai” Akira in a trailer park death match for the ages. In match that featured a big-screen television, bottle-capped-glued guitars and fair amount of wrestling, Akira dethrones the champ with a death penalty onto a board of sliced aluminum cans for the win.
The first semifinal was a barbed-wire madness match with Rhor taking on Veidt. Rhor has a very bright future, however Veidt was the better man and took the victory with the London Bridge into a stack of light tubes. Veidt advanced to the finals for the fourth time in five years.
In the second semifinal Dillinger faced Akira in a TV and glass match with several TVs and several huge panes of glass at their disposal. In a very brutal match where Akira dominated and Dillinger took a lot of punishment, Dillinger survived and got a great rollup out of Akira’s Air Raid Crash attempt to advance to the finals. Although this could be considered an upset, Dillinger is my 2022 breakout star of ICW and he showed why here.
In the final, Veidt squared off with Eric Dillinger in an Ultimate Insanity final including an 18-foot scaffold and the legendary barbwire trampoline and enough light tubes to light up four Walmarts. For two guys that had already gone through hell twice, these two left it all in the ring. Veidt hit a sidewalk slam on more light tubes, but Dillinger not only showed toughness, but intelligence, as he rolled up Veidt to become the new deathmatch king. In a great passing of the baton, Veidt took the mic and let everyone know that it’s Dillinger’s time.
Prior to the Insane 8, fans were treated to a VIP show, which began with Houa Meng going up against “The Spectre” Jayden Mercer. Mercer, a recent graduate of the Dojo of Pain up in Oshkosh took it to the newcomer Meng and knocked him out with his vicious knee for the pin.
In a tag team affair with new two new teams, Rayvin Raddix paired up with Blazing Ben to take on Kodiak and Cute Craig. For two newly-formed units, both showed great chemistry. However, Kodiak splashed Craig by mistake and Raddix was able to capitalize with a huge kick for the pin.
Then Gunner Wixx had to attempt to survive a four-man gauntlet match to retain the ICW Midwest Championship. First up was former champion Oso Turco in a hard-hitting affair. With Ref Curt turned around, a low blow, chokeslam and spear helped Gunner survive the first match. Then Troy “not Tim” Storm came out guns ablazin’, but in the end, Wixx showed why he is the champ. Storm came off the top rope and Wixx caught him in a chokeslam to get past Storm.
Finally, CJ Cole showed why he is the “Apex Athlete” hitting the much larger Wixx with a ton of quick and intense shots and then Cole hit a frog splash from what seemed to be as far as Green Bay to get the win and his first championship.
In a battle which was unofficially for the No. 1 contender but will go a long way to securing that spot, the Golden Bullies (Juan Hernandez & Nell Dillinger) went up against Country Air (Zach Hendrix & Doc Simmons). On a hot July afternoon, these two teams turned up the heat even more. In the end, Hernandez grabs the referee saying he is suffering “heat exhaustion” and “The Pitbull” Zac McGuire, who was at ringside, hit Hendrix with a cane and Hernandez got the cutter into their finisher and the Golden Bullies win the match.
Next was an intergender battle between Marvelous Ethan Matthews and Sierra. These two have battled all over in many promotions and it never gets old. Matthews took control early, knocking the tar out of Sierra, however Sierra showed that not only is she one of the best wrestlers in the Midwest, but one of the toughest. She took lots of punishment until Matthews missed a shot in the corner and Sierra rebounded with a corner-to-corner facepalm to some killer knees, then finished off Matthews with the cutter for the win.
The main event saw MarJaxx attempt to defend the ICW Tag Team Championship against Evil Inside (Shawn Priest & Chucky Bates). This was a rematch from All American Violence. DYSfunction requested an immediate rematch after all the debauchery from last week. It was a great battle with MarJaxx using underhanded tactics all match long, but Evil Inside kept finding way to thwart it. Then Priest hit Jaxx with a nasty backpack stunner to knock him out of the match and they finished off Marman with an awesome powerslam suplex combination to win the titles.
—High5Tom of the Midwest Wrestling Roundup Podcast
C3 Ultimate Wrestling: The long wait ended for C3 Ultimate Wrestling as the promotion returned with an action-packed “Kangdom Come” show in Crown Point, Ind. on Saturday night, July 30.
Renee Van Peebles defeated K.O. Kendra and Vega Venum in triple-threat action to become the first C3 Women's Champion.
Justa Mazing, right, strikes Myles Mercer during the main event of “Kangdom Come.” Mercer retained the C3 Championship. (Photo courtesy Jamie Salmons)
In a crazy turn of events, D’Angelo Steele defeated his tag partner JPH in singles action due to 2-Man Warzone not being able to make it. Many have claimed that this was match of the night.
Marcello Spade defeated Mike Strong and Perfection in the second triple-threat of the evening.
Classic Alpha and Joseph Ira Credit gave their all in a hard-hitting match. Unfortunately, there was no winner due to both competitors’ shoulders being down resulting in a double-pin draw.
C3 Urban Culture Champion Aaron Stone defeated Jackson P. Larkin in a battle of the young bulls.
Da Cobra defeated The Ewokk in great singles action. The Ewokk then threw water on Classic Alpha as a sign of disrespect.
In the main event, C3 Champion Myles Mercer defeated Justa Mazing after a great and chaotic exchange between A.R.C. and F.O.E.
—Jamie Salmons via Classic Alpha
POWW Entertainment: Southland Championship Wrestling invader Max Holiday retained the POWW Championship despite losing to former champion Scott Spade by disqualification in the main event of “Road to WrestleRage” at American Legion in Northwest suburban Fox Lake last Saturday (Aug. 6) in the start of a busy month for POWW.
Aaron Xavier, representing SCW, interfered in the match, causing the DQ, as the ongoing war between POWW and SCW reaches its ninth month.
Jimmy Blaze, right, and Eric Freedom of Revolution made a statement toward Southland Championship Wrestling at POWW Entertainment’s “Road to WrestleRage” show on Saturday, Aug. 6. (File photo by Mike Pankow/Windy City Slam)
Things also got heated in the tag team match between Dorado & VJ Price and Revolution (Jimmy Blaze & Eric Freedom) when Revolution was disqualified when they attacked the SCW team with chairs to send a message to Hunter Paine.
Co-holder of the POWW Tag Team Championship Ruthless Ramon Rodriguez defeated Trog. After the match, Ramon attacked Trog and Mason Percs came to the caveman’s rescue. Percs then defeated Jamie Race, one half of Bruiser Mass Index. Ramon came out and attacked Percs, then told him to come to Lakemoor Fest on Friday night (Aug. 12) and find a partner. Commissioner Chris Headford made that match a Tag Team title match where Bad Hombre Cartel will defend against Percs and veteran Pauly Thomaselli.
In other action, Mike Idol, the other half of Bruiser Mass Index, defeated Axel Abrayo and Irish Pub Army (Meathooks O’Bannon & Kavan O’Reilley) defeated Modern Decay (Kyzyle & Tommy Macabre).
POWW’s next show is Friday as part of the Lakemoor Fest with Percs and Thomaselli challenging Bad Hombre Cartel for the POWW Tag Team Championships and Moondog Murray teams with Trog to take on Spade and TINY. Also, among those announced for the free show were Blaze, O’Bannon, Kyzyle and Macabre.
POWW is also in action for “Saturday Night Lights” at T’Wood Bar and Grill in Wood Dale on Saturday, Aug. 20 with Mateo Valentine taking on Kyzyle in Valentine’s specialty, a beauty supply match. Valentine was in two previous beauty supply matches in Chicago Style Wrestling, wrestling Ryan Matthews and Joey Mayberry in those contests. The match is basically a take on a hardcore bout with various beauty supplies and implements, including makeup tables, wax strips, hair curlers and hair dryers. Also advertised for the show are Macabre, Percs, O’Bannon and Acid Jaz.
POWW also officially announced this week that “WrestleRage 20” will take place at the Brauer House in Lombard on Saturday, Nov. 5. The venue previously hosted Zelo Pro and Retro Circus events earlier this year.
—Mike Pankow
Ringside chatter: It appears Warrior Wrestling’s originally scheduled Stadium Series on the football field at Marian Catholic High School is off this year. The promotion hasn’t made an official announcement yet about its future, but company brass remained hopeful to have a show in the fall. … Only Stars Wrestling canceled its show which was scheduled for Friday, Aug. 19 in Gary, Ind. Stars such as Josh Alexander, Low-Ki and PCO were among the top scheduled attractions. … Berwyn Championship Wrestling recently announced it will not return in the fall, leaving the future of the company up in the air. … DREAMWAVE Wrestling announced that AEW star Max Caster will wrestle Arik Cannon at its matinee event at Lou’s LaGrotto on Saturday, Aug. 20. Caster will host a special afterparty as well. … Among the spotlight matches at Freelance Underground’s “This Thing of Ours” at Thornton Distilling Co. on Saturday night (Aug. 13) will be The Brothers of Funstruction (with Frank the Clown) defending the Freelance Underground Tag Team Championships against Pick n’ Pop (Koda Hernandez & Darius Latrell) … SSW announced Caster and WWE legend Fred Ottman (aka Tugboat, Typhoon, The Shockmaster) will be part of their supershow, “They’re Here” at the Brat Stop in Kenosha, Wis., on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Listen to Ep. 131 of Windy City Slam Podcast, with special guest Chico Suave and previews of this weekend’s IMPACT Wrestling and Freelance Underground events: https://bit.ly/3SCW5sv.
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.
