The opening match was an "exhibition" match with three XOW newcomers, DJ Stunner, Syn, and Suicide. This match was a total disaster. These guys looked like they had never been in a match before (and probably had not). They had no gear at all. No elbow pads, no knee pads, no wrestling boots... nothing. They did a lot of high risk stuff, about half of which was botched. Bloodied elbows, bloodied knees... I guarantee they felt like hell the next morning! Has anyone ever seen a suplex over the top rope to the floor toward the crowd? One of the guys lost a sneaker during the match and had to stop and put it back on. Backyard wrestling at its worst. Oh, by the way, the match was won, eventually, by DJ Stunner. I will say that these three guys all have potential. They need some gear and, most of all, some legit training. That's LEGITIMATE training, by someone who knows what he is doing.
Family of Pain (Sarge & Mickey Ray) came to the ring, along with their manager Hollywood Jimmy Blaylock, to run their mouths. Then they beat up XOW owner Billy Russ. Jerry Lawler jumped in to make the save. Lawler issued a challenge to FOP, he & Dundee vs. FOP for later in the show. FOP accepts.
"Bad Attitude" Tony Dabbs & Lil' Devil beat CJ Cash & Kid-J.
Next was "Live Wire" Steven Harmon vs. The Grappler. I had never seen either of these guys in action, and I was not really impressed with either one. Crowd was quiet during the match. Nothing special about this match, winner was Live Wire.
Next was an unusual match for the XOW Cruiserweight Championship, Tattoo vs. Anton Leveigh. Tattoo came to the ring wearing the XOW Cruiserweight belt, and Leveigh came to the ring wearing the IWA Cruiserweight belt. It was decided that both belts would be on the line. Just before the match started, two additional wrestlers came to the ring and decided to make themselves part of the match (this was stupid). They were Night Train and Johnny Sick. The match was an over-the-top-rope elimination match until there were two contenders left, and then the championship was to be decided by pin fall. Johnny Sick made the first half of the match less than fun to watch. I do not know where they found him, but they need to send him back. Night Train & Johnny sick were eliminated by going over the top rope to the floor, leaving Tattoo & Anton Leveigh in the ring. These two had a good match once the other two were out of the way. Eventual winner was Tattoo, who left with both belts. Good show of sportsmanship at the end.
Next was mixed tag team action, "The New Nature Boy" Kevin White & Sue Young w/Gary White beat Brandon Barbwire & Little Bit.
Next was a match for the XOW Tag team belts, The Posse (Lil' Chris & Simon Reed) beat Josh Matthews & Big Daddy KC. KC was a last minute sub for Chris Styles, who was in the hospital in Tupelo. This was not a bad match, but it was not a great one, either. The Posse was in top form, as was Josh Matthews. Now, I am not going to down Big Daddy KC too much, because I am sure he & Josh had never worked together before, but he was just not a good fit. The match never really clicked like it should have. It was not a bad match, but it was not great either.
Next was XOW Champion Bishop beat by DQ Neil "the Real Deal" Taylor w/Tony "The Weasel" Watts. This was a very good match. The Weasel was all over the place interfering in every way possible. Kevin White, Sue Young, & Gary White ran in and beat Bishop down. Bishop wins by DQ and retains the belt.
Just before the main event, some kid won $80.00 in the 50-50 drawing, and also won the right to escort Lawler & Dundee to the ring. That kid was absolutely in hawg heaven. I am not sure which he was more excited about, carrying Lawler's crown to the ring or his newly won fortune, but he was one happy kid.
Main event was Jerry "The King" Lawler & "Superstar" Bill Dundee w/Grady Watson vs. Family of Pain (Sarge & Mickey Ray) w/Hollywood Jimmy Blaylock. This was a good match, old school all the way, and the crowd loved it. Lawler was hit with the chain and FOP picked up the win. After the match, Lawler issued a challenge for a re-match with the following stipulations: If FOP wins, Lawler & Dundee will never wrestle in Savannah again. If Lawler & Dundee win, they get the tag team belts (from another organization) that Sarge & Mickey Ray wore to the ring. Blaylock accepted the challenge for FOP. The match will take place when XOW returns to Savannah in a few weeks.
Crowd of approx. 275 seemed happy at the end of the show.
Credit: Randall Lewis
