Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse - Marion, Illinois
Photo Credit: Adam Testa
For the photos from Fan Fest, click here.
AAPW officials set out to give fans a night they'd never forget at Sunday's Fan Fest, and judging from the smiling faces and appreciative comments fans had as they left, it seems safe to say mission accomplished.
Luckily for those who missed out on the show, it will be released in the future as the debut product of AAPW's DVD line.
The fun started before the show even officially began. As doors opened, a crowd of at least 40 filtered in, and the festivities started almost immediately. From a rare autograph signing featuring both the heroes and villains of the roster to interviews with members of the audience, it was nonstop activity at the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse.
The fans in attendance provided one of the largest, most vocal crowds AAPW has seen in a while, and for that, everyone at the promotion says thank you to those in the crowd.
AAPW Tag Team Title Match: The Convoy vs. Heath Hatton (c)
AAPW fans spoke through online voting, and they wanted to see The Convoy of Roscoe Dwayne Harris and Jimmy Harris Faygo return to action.
Harris and Faygo made their way to the ring, awaiting their opponents. When it came time for champions to emerge, Heath Hatton came alone. His partner, Curly, was nowhere to be found.
Executive Producer Chris Hagstrom told the fans the match may have to be canceled, but Hatton interrupted. He didn't want to let the fans down, so he agreed to put the titles on the line in a handicap match. Not surprisingly, The Convoy accepted.
Hatton found himself out-numbered, but he wasn't out-powered. Using his combination of speed and power, Hatton out worked and out smarted his opponents, capitalizing on their mistakes and wisely using time to his advantage.
As Harris and Faygo went for a double team splash, Hatton moved, causing the two men to collide. Hatton took advantage of the situation and rolled up one of the truckers for the win.
But where exactly was Curly? Hatton won't be able to hold his own forever, so it will be interesting to see where things go for the champs in the future.
Result: Heath Hatton d. The Convoy to retain the AAPW Tag Team Championship
Carnage vs. Jay Spade
These two men have collided in the AAPW ring several times in 2011, but this time, it was the fans who picked the stipulation. They wanted to see a Bodyslam Challenge, a contest obviously favoring the much larger Carnage.
Spade may be AAPW's ultimate underdog, but he has learned how to deal with Carnage and he managed to keep this match pretty even-handed for most of the duration.
A mis-executed splash in the corner by Carnage knocked out the referee in this contest, which caused a bit of confusion. Carnage headed up top for an uncharacteristic high-risk move, but Spade fought back, managing to grab his larger opponent from underneath, using the leverage to land s bodyslam.
The fans erupted as Spade seemingly won the match, but the referee never saw a thing. As the referee regained consciousness, Carnage took advantage of the confusion and slammed Spade right in front of the referee, picking up the win.
Result: Carnage d. Jay Spade
Greg Anthony vs. Seth Knight
High stakes were on the line as the "Golden Boy" met the explosive Knight in this "Loser Gets Pied" match. From the first moments of the contest, fans were clamoring to introduce Anthony's face to a pie. And, if he lost, they'd have the chance, as fans could buy the right to pie the loser for $1.
Anthony, Hagstrom and Knight exchanged words - mostly focused around Anthony's apparent love of pie - before the contest got underway. Once the action got going, the two men battled back and forth, neither man willing to give in and accept their pie-filled fate.
Knight did take some time to play around with his opponent, working some comedy moves into his repertoire. Before the end of the contest, though, it was serious business for both men.
After an exchange of near-falls and finishing move attempts, the two found themselves fighting tooth-and-nail. It was Anthony who managed to get Knight to the ground, but "Dynamite" reversed it into a pin of his own, sending "Golden Boy" to the pie line.
Result: Seth Knight d. Greg Anthony
Intermission proved to be yet another jam-packed interval for fans. Not only could they pie "Golden Boy," they also lined up to take pictures in the ring with AAPW Heavyweight Champion and Tag Team Champion Heath Hatton.
Fans were also treated to a star's special return. "Serial Thriller" Shane Rich returned to AAPW after being sidelined due to an out-of-the-ring accident. Rich played to the crowd, denouncing his recent partnership with Anthony and beginning his path to righteousness.
Rich said his injury will still keep him out of the ring for the foreseeable future, but his presence will still be felt at AAPW shows and on "Collision." Fans will have to stay tuned to see what's next for the three-time AAPW Champion.
Bull Bronson's Open Challenge
Bronson, a relative newcomer to AAPW, has been making quite the name for himself recently, destroying everyone who comes in his path.
While not booked to appear at Fan Fest, Bronson made his presence known and demanded competition. Rich, still in the ring from his announcement, said that the fans should voice support for who should answer Bronson's call.
With the resounding support of the crowd, Hatton re-emerged from the back, ready to face his third challenger of the night. Bronson knew his opponent was coming into the match exhausted and likely still reeling in pain from his handicap match, and he tried to capitalize on it.
Bronson and Hatton brawled all over the ring and to the outside, where the match ultimately ended. With the count fast approaching 10, Bronson pulled Hatton back out, causing the match to end in a double countout.
Result: Bull Bronson and Heath Hatton go to a double countout
Chris Hagstrom vs. Kevin Hunsperger in a Dance-Off
The fewer words said about this "Commentator's Challenge," the better. Both Hagstrom and Hunsperger put on their best dancing shoes - which, believe us, isn't saying much.
The important thing to come out of this contest was the interruption of the fan voting for a winner by Mike Masters.
Result: No decision
Masters continued his crusade against Hunsperger. Before too long, though, Hagstrom stepped in to defend his broadcast colleague. Hagstrom told Masters that Kevin wasn't a wrestler and he should face someone his own size.
"Is that you?" Masters quipped back. But Hagstrom had something else in mind. He told Masters to turn around, look toward the entranceway and prepare to meet his opponent.
AAPW Heavyweight Champion Edmund "Livewire" McGuire emerged from the back, prepared to face any challenge Masters could throw his way. After some brief hesitation and a short staredown, McGuire even bumped fists with "The Serial Thriller," a man once called his best friend and his worst enemy.
AAPW Heavyweight Championship Match: Mike Masters vs. Edmund McGuire (c)
These two men are both veterans of AAPW, and their experience and familiarity with one another showed throughout this contest. McGuire proved himself a fighting champion by even accepting the match, but as he said, he did it for the fans who have given so much to him.
Masters and McGuire fought in and around the ring, with the fans showing their staunch support for the champ. But Masters proved to be a good foil, as he came close on several occasions to winning the title.
Hagstrom stood ringside for most of the match, firmly placing his support behind Livewire, as well. In the end, the support paid off, as McGuire hit his signature superkick to turn away another challenger and send the fans home happy.
Result: Edmund McGuire d. Mike Masters to retain the AAPW Heavyweight Championship
AAPW returns to the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse in Marion on Sunday, Dec. 18, for the final taping of "Collision" Season One. Then, on Jan. 14, AAPW rings in the new year with "Main Event," featuring McGuire defending the AAPW Championship against Ax Allwardt, Mike Masters versus Kevin Hunsperger and the AAPW debut of Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana.
AAPW officials set out to give fans a night they'd never forget at Sunday's Fan Fest, and judging from the smiling faces and appreciative comments fans had as they left, it seems safe to say mission accomplished.
Luckily for those who missed out on the show, it will be released in the future as the debut product of AAPW's DVD line.
The fun started before the show even officially began. As doors opened, a crowd of at least 40 filtered in, and the festivities started almost immediately. From a rare autograph signing featuring both the heroes and villains of the roster to interviews with members of the audience, it was nonstop activity at the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse.
The fans in attendance provided one of the largest, most vocal crowds AAPW has seen in a while, and for that, everyone at the promotion says thank you to those in the crowd.
AAPW Tag Team Title Match: The Convoy vs. Heath Hatton (c)
AAPW fans spoke through online voting, and they wanted to see The Convoy of Roscoe Dwayne Harris and Jimmy Harris Faygo return to action.
Harris and Faygo made their way to the ring, awaiting their opponents. When it came time for champions to emerge, Heath Hatton came alone. His partner, Curly, was nowhere to be found.
Executive Producer Chris Hagstrom told the fans the match may have to be canceled, but Hatton interrupted. He didn't want to let the fans down, so he agreed to put the titles on the line in a handicap match. Not surprisingly, The Convoy accepted.
Hatton found himself out-numbered, but he wasn't out-powered. Using his combination of speed and power, Hatton out worked and out smarted his opponents, capitalizing on their mistakes and wisely using time to his advantage.
As Harris and Faygo went for a double team splash, Hatton moved, causing the two men to collide. Hatton took advantage of the situation and rolled up one of the truckers for the win.
But where exactly was Curly? Hatton won't be able to hold his own forever, so it will be interesting to see where things go for the champs in the future.
Result: Heath Hatton d. The Convoy to retain the AAPW Tag Team Championship
Carnage vs. Jay Spade
These two men have collided in the AAPW ring several times in 2011, but this time, it was the fans who picked the stipulation. They wanted to see a Bodyslam Challenge, a contest obviously favoring the much larger Carnage.
Spade may be AAPW's ultimate underdog, but he has learned how to deal with Carnage and he managed to keep this match pretty even-handed for most of the duration.
A mis-executed splash in the corner by Carnage knocked out the referee in this contest, which caused a bit of confusion. Carnage headed up top for an uncharacteristic high-risk move, but Spade fought back, managing to grab his larger opponent from underneath, using the leverage to land s bodyslam.
The fans erupted as Spade seemingly won the match, but the referee never saw a thing. As the referee regained consciousness, Carnage took advantage of the confusion and slammed Spade right in front of the referee, picking up the win.
Result: Carnage d. Jay Spade
Greg Anthony vs. Seth Knight
High stakes were on the line as the "Golden Boy" met the explosive Knight in this "Loser Gets Pied" match. From the first moments of the contest, fans were clamoring to introduce Anthony's face to a pie. And, if he lost, they'd have the chance, as fans could buy the right to pie the loser for $1.
Anthony, Hagstrom and Knight exchanged words - mostly focused around Anthony's apparent love of pie - before the contest got underway. Once the action got going, the two men battled back and forth, neither man willing to give in and accept their pie-filled fate.
Knight did take some time to play around with his opponent, working some comedy moves into his repertoire. Before the end of the contest, though, it was serious business for both men.
After an exchange of near-falls and finishing move attempts, the two found themselves fighting tooth-and-nail. It was Anthony who managed to get Knight to the ground, but "Dynamite" reversed it into a pin of his own, sending "Golden Boy" to the pie line.
Result: Seth Knight d. Greg Anthony
Intermission proved to be yet another jam-packed interval for fans. Not only could they pie "Golden Boy," they also lined up to take pictures in the ring with AAPW Heavyweight Champion and Tag Team Champion Heath Hatton.
Fans were also treated to a star's special return. "Serial Thriller" Shane Rich returned to AAPW after being sidelined due to an out-of-the-ring accident. Rich played to the crowd, denouncing his recent partnership with Anthony and beginning his path to righteousness.
Rich said his injury will still keep him out of the ring for the foreseeable future, but his presence will still be felt at AAPW shows and on "Collision." Fans will have to stay tuned to see what's next for the three-time AAPW Champion.
Bull Bronson's Open Challenge
Bronson, a relative newcomer to AAPW, has been making quite the name for himself recently, destroying everyone who comes in his path.
While not booked to appear at Fan Fest, Bronson made his presence known and demanded competition. Rich, still in the ring from his announcement, said that the fans should voice support for who should answer Bronson's call.
With the resounding support of the crowd, Hatton re-emerged from the back, ready to face his third challenger of the night. Bronson knew his opponent was coming into the match exhausted and likely still reeling in pain from his handicap match, and he tried to capitalize on it.
Bronson and Hatton brawled all over the ring and to the outside, where the match ultimately ended. With the count fast approaching 10, Bronson pulled Hatton back out, causing the match to end in a double countout.
Result: Bull Bronson and Heath Hatton go to a double countout
Chris Hagstrom vs. Kevin Hunsperger in a Dance-Off
The fewer words said about this "Commentator's Challenge," the better. Both Hagstrom and Hunsperger put on their best dancing shoes - which, believe us, isn't saying much.
The important thing to come out of this contest was the interruption of the fan voting for a winner by Mike Masters.
Result: No decision
Masters continued his crusade against Hunsperger. Before too long, though, Hagstrom stepped in to defend his broadcast colleague. Hagstrom told Masters that Kevin wasn't a wrestler and he should face someone his own size.
"Is that you?" Masters quipped back. But Hagstrom had something else in mind. He told Masters to turn around, look toward the entranceway and prepare to meet his opponent.
AAPW Heavyweight Champion Edmund "Livewire" McGuire emerged from the back, prepared to face any challenge Masters could throw his way. After some brief hesitation and a short staredown, McGuire even bumped fists with "The Serial Thriller," a man once called his best friend and his worst enemy.
AAPW Heavyweight Championship Match: Mike Masters vs. Edmund McGuire (c)
These two men are both veterans of AAPW, and their experience and familiarity with one another showed throughout this contest. McGuire proved himself a fighting champion by even accepting the match, but as he said, he did it for the fans who have given so much to him.
Masters and McGuire fought in and around the ring, with the fans showing their staunch support for the champ. But Masters proved to be a good foil, as he came close on several occasions to winning the title.
Hagstrom stood ringside for most of the match, firmly placing his support behind Livewire, as well. In the end, the support paid off, as McGuire hit his signature superkick to turn away another challenger and send the fans home happy.
Result: Edmund McGuire d. Mike Masters to retain the AAPW Heavyweight Championship
AAPW returns to the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Warehouse in Marion on Sunday, Dec. 18, for the final taping of "Collision" Season One. Then, on Jan. 14, AAPW rings in the new year with "Main Event," featuring McGuire defending the AAPW Championship against Ax Allwardt, Mike Masters versus Kevin Hunsperger and the AAPW debut of Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana.
