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ACTION Wrestling “Next Up 15”
1/19/23 - Tyrone, GA
It’s been a hot second since I checked in on ACTION’s pre-show show, this one filmed before last week’s “Lords of Chaos”. Next Up goes for a more underground fight club feel (in the daylight) by having all the wrestlers around the ring, partially because this is very much a tryout show (with a little bit of workshopping and mentorship that happens off-air). Booked & hosted by ACTION mainstay Bobby Flaco, let’s see who is Next Up.
Devlyn Macabre beats Azrael Row. This was a beatdown. Devlyn threw all her shots with convinction and while Row got a comeback, he got glam slammed to bell for the pin. I’d gladly see her beat people up again.
Eric Walker taps out Logan Ragnarok after being on the receiving end of a lot of punishment. Most notable was the introductory promo Walker gave where he showed a LOT of charisma on the mic before Ragnarok decided to ambush from behind.
A-Town Supreme beats Grayson Pierce with an AA. Supreme was just too much for the smaller Pierce, who was taking a bunch of rough bumps through this. Most memorable was Pierce getting draped on the buckles and kicked repeatedly until he fell to the concrete below.
Tru Champ Reyes promises to KO this fool. Unfortunately, “this fool” is Lobo Okami who proceeds to beat him pillar to post. Reyes with a dodge and tries to choke the big man out and chop out the legs. Reyes looks like he might actually be going for a knockout shot but alibi catches the arm and smashes him to the mat for the pin.
Donnell Benjamin beats Tom Marciano with a DVD but for me the real story was Marciano. I wasn’t expecting the level of pure fundamentals I was seeing out of this kid. Great selling, hard shots, good expressions, he really won me over in defeat.
CREEPS (Andey Ripley & Irving West) beat Kasey Owens and Kody Manhorn when Ripley hair pulls Manhorn into a back breaker for a double stack pin. The weird dynamic between Owens and Kody really spelled their doom as Kody kept forgetting Owens is not as ready for certain things as his regular partner in Erron Wade.
Ash Bennett gives up a lot of size to Eddie Hendrix in the main event. He tries to bring his speed and AshHole-ness to the fight but Hendrix just tosses him around like a rag doll. Bennett stuck in a bear hug but elbows free. Hendrix tripped to the buckles and Ash is firing back up. Ash sticking and moving and flattens him with a jumping knee! Running boot for two! He drops the knee pad for another knee strike but Hendrix lariats him hard. He’s going for a pumphandle bomb but Ash reverses to a Labelle lock…Hendrix powers out! Huge falcon arrow! Ash kicks out! Hendrix is sick of Ash and hits a pumphandle one hand sitout bomb for the win. Ash is knocked so loopy that Bobby Flaco has to tell him he DEFINITELY WON so he’d roll himself out of the ring.
I love how fast these shows go by and how I tend to see a few new people every time that stand out. For me, I definitely want to see more of Devlyn Macabre & Tom Marciano. Ash Bennett is another one I’m interested in but I’m not sure what it takes for him to go from the main event spot of Next Up (which he has been in since the first episode in 2021) to a higher profile regular spot on a main card. Glad to take in 7 matches in 45 min and see some new blood. Check it out on IWTV!
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