Post by swfhbdls24 on Apr 19, 2014 12:48:08 GMT -5
ATLANTA, GA - As the superstars of the SWF prepare for Dark Horizon, which will take place live in just a few hours, we sat down with the voice of the Southwestern Wrestling Federation, Jeff Santos, to get his thoughts on the several matchups we're going to see.
-------
#1 Contendership to the SWF Tag Team Championship
Big D & T-Roc v The Smokin' Aces
Back at Fanning the Flames, The Smokin' Aces had their first tag team title shot against the Devil Dogs, only to be interrupted by a resurging Big D & T-Roc, who cost them the match and injected themselves into the tag title scene. One month later, the Smokin' Aces would be defeated by their rivals, setting up a tag title match at Game Over, where Big D & T-Roc won after attacking one half of the Devil Dogs, Scooter Pondoff, before the match. The victory was short lived though, as the Devil Dogs won back the tag team titles at High Stakes, leaving Big D & T-Roc to once again face off with the Smokin' Aces at Dark Horizon, with a shot at the tag titles under the bright lights of Mind Games on the line.
Jeff's Take: Both of these teams are hungry for that tag team gold, and I would not envy the Devil Dogs with whoever they end up facing. For my money though, Big D & T-Roc should come away with this match. They've got the experience edge, which is all the more important in a tag team contest.
-------
#1 Contendership to the Hardcore Championship
Chip Davis v Sam Bratton
Sam Bratton is a multi-time SWF Champion whose fall from grace last season is something he's still trying to recover from. At the helm of that fall was Chip Davis, who has seen his own star rise and fall in the last season. Now, with both men trying to claw their way back into relevance, Jackie Blue has dangled the carrot of a shot at Devlin Hunter's Hardcore Championship in front of them. Both men own a victory over the other. Who will win the rubber match at Dark Horizon?
Jeff's Take: Both men have been on the comeback tear, but it's difficult to argue with the results Sam Bratton has pulled together in the past. I see him eeking this one out after a close match.
-------
Singles Match
Anna Machen v Naomi Gonzalez
Both women already have their tickets to Mind Games, on a collision course to meet again, along with their partners, with the Femme Division Tag Team Championship on the line. Of course, that won't stop them from mixing it up a little ahead of time. Naomi made her return to SWF television at High Stakes, costing Machen the Femme Division Championship and kicking her in the head in the process. Machen's recovered from the physical blow, but after such a betrayal by her former tag team partner, not much can be said for her state of mind. As the SWF fans watch, this former friendship will finally implode, but who will get the momentum for their team going into Mind Games?
Jeff's Take: It's difficult to say. We've not seen Gonzalez in many years, ever since she was a partner to Anna Machen during her stint in the First Family. However, if what we saw at High Stakes meant anything, it looks like she hasn't lost much in the way of toughness. This will be a brutal match, and I don't know that Machen has what it takes to win at this juncture.
------
#1 Contendership to the Intercontinental Championship
Eric Ridgeway v Connor House
Both of these men have been on a tear as of late, Ridgeway wowing the SWF fans with his performance at High Stakes and House, of course, being the Hardcore Champion until just recently. After a stellar match with SWF Champion Mike Kizzar, House was deemed worthy of this chance, while Ridgeway rides the fan reaction to his performance at High Stakes against the URWL's Cory Jones. No personal story for this one, but with a shot at Kevin Martin's Intercontinental Championship on the line, both men are sure to give it their all.
Jeff's Take: This one all depends on the wild card, Brooke. If House's manager can be prevented from interfering (or, God forbid, choose to stay out of it), then I think Ridgeway has a chance to pull off the upset. If not... I think we're looking at House getting his second title shot at Mind Games in two years.
-----
Handicap Match
Josh Arcanum v Chas Dohanich and Jason Powers
(If Arcanum wins, he gets Powers one on one at Mind Games 8)
One of the longest running feuds of the season, and one where Arcanum finally gets a shot at retribution. After Powers screwed him out of title shots at both Chaos Theory and Fanning the Flames earlier this season, Arcanum tried to get his one on one shot, only to be blindsided by Powers' "protection," Chas Dohanich. Both sides have warred with each other for months, but it's finally coming to a head. If Arcanum wins, he finally gets a one on one match at the biggest stage of the SWF. But you can bet Dohanich and Powers will do anything necessary to make sure that doesn't happen.
Jeff's Take: It's hard not to want Arcanum to win this match, but the odds are so thoroughly stacked against him, it's hard to see him pulling this one out. I suspect the gloating of my old broadcast colleague may not be stopping at Dark Horizon.
-----
#1 Contendership to the Femme Division Championship
Chalie Williams v Carmen Madison
The result of a tournament held by Jackie Blue to find a challenger for Emma Kiwi at Mind Games, this match is bound to be a doozy. Williams is looking to get her title back after losing it to Kiwi at Uncivil Dispute, while Madison seems to finally have her life re-focused after falling out of the title picture for the last few months. Under the bright lights of Atlanta, these two women will once again face off in what has become one of the few "good-natured" rivalries in the SWF.
Jeff's Take: Perhaps the closest match to call besides the six man tag. Madison and Williams are both so quick, so athletic that any match between them is liable to become an instant classic. Add to that the fact that both women seem singularly focused, unlike in their previous meeting this season at Chaos Theory, and you've got a recipe for a great contest. I have to give the edge to Madison though, as it seems like she's gained a bit of another type of edge in the last few months, thanks to her numerous problems with her personal life. So long as she doesn't lose her focus...
------
#1 Contendership to the SWF Championship
PG13 v Daniel Santoy
After winning the High Stakes match, Daniel Santoy was set on the road to Mind Games to face his best friend, Mike Kizzar, for the SWF Championship. Those plans were put on hold though, as PG13, the man who Santoy defeated to win that match, came out and said that he didn't actually win, due to outside interference from one John Pirtle. Santoy refuted the claim, and many people believe PG13 goaded him into accepting this match, putting his #1 Contendership on the line. Can PG13 steal the title match out from under the veteran?
Jeff's Take: This is one of those rivalries I'm always at a loss to explain. We've watched these men nearly kill each other time and time again, and every time, it seems like they get closer to actually doing that. You'll never find two superstars more familiar with each other though, and that's why this match is going to be hard on both men. Unfortunately, I see PG13 walking out of Atlanta with the title shot, given his youth, and of course, that toughness he put on display against Alex Knight at High Stakes.
-------
Six Man Elimination Tag Team Match
Team RBN (KENZO, Jason Brigade and Cory Jones) v Team SWF (Alex Knight, Kyle Andrews and Mike Kizzar)
It all started with a broadcast. On episode 15 of ReVenge, Cory Jones of the URWL hijacked the signal and first broadcast his message of Legitimate Wrestling to the SWF fans. Then KENZO would walk onto SWF X-Tra and defeat Alex Knight, and the ball was rolling. Throughout the course of the last 6 shows, Jones and KENZO have proven difficult adversaries for the SWF, while planting the seeds of dissention among the RBN owners, and causing SWF general manager Jackie Blue to book this match. On episode 18 however, both teams were completed with somewhat unorthodox pieces, as Jason Brigade of the WWR and Kyle Andrews joined their respective teams. Now, it all finally comes to a head, as the two teams look to establish supremacy in the newly formed Rantboard Network.
Jeff's Take: Both teams are packed to the hilt with talent. On one side, you have team RBN, who, while not the most chemically balanced team, certainly have the pedigree to pull off a win here, while on the other side, you arguably have the future of the SWF. Both teams are going to pull out all the stops, and I for one will simply enjoy seeing this match hopefully end the threat of the Legitimate Duo.
-------
SWF Dark Horizon takes place this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.
-------
#1 Contendership to the SWF Tag Team Championship
Big D & T-Roc v The Smokin' Aces
Back at Fanning the Flames, The Smokin' Aces had their first tag team title shot against the Devil Dogs, only to be interrupted by a resurging Big D & T-Roc, who cost them the match and injected themselves into the tag title scene. One month later, the Smokin' Aces would be defeated by their rivals, setting up a tag title match at Game Over, where Big D & T-Roc won after attacking one half of the Devil Dogs, Scooter Pondoff, before the match. The victory was short lived though, as the Devil Dogs won back the tag team titles at High Stakes, leaving Big D & T-Roc to once again face off with the Smokin' Aces at Dark Horizon, with a shot at the tag titles under the bright lights of Mind Games on the line.
Jeff's Take: Both of these teams are hungry for that tag team gold, and I would not envy the Devil Dogs with whoever they end up facing. For my money though, Big D & T-Roc should come away with this match. They've got the experience edge, which is all the more important in a tag team contest.
-------
#1 Contendership to the Hardcore Championship
Chip Davis v Sam Bratton
Sam Bratton is a multi-time SWF Champion whose fall from grace last season is something he's still trying to recover from. At the helm of that fall was Chip Davis, who has seen his own star rise and fall in the last season. Now, with both men trying to claw their way back into relevance, Jackie Blue has dangled the carrot of a shot at Devlin Hunter's Hardcore Championship in front of them. Both men own a victory over the other. Who will win the rubber match at Dark Horizon?
Jeff's Take: Both men have been on the comeback tear, but it's difficult to argue with the results Sam Bratton has pulled together in the past. I see him eeking this one out after a close match.
-------
Singles Match
Anna Machen v Naomi Gonzalez
Both women already have their tickets to Mind Games, on a collision course to meet again, along with their partners, with the Femme Division Tag Team Championship on the line. Of course, that won't stop them from mixing it up a little ahead of time. Naomi made her return to SWF television at High Stakes, costing Machen the Femme Division Championship and kicking her in the head in the process. Machen's recovered from the physical blow, but after such a betrayal by her former tag team partner, not much can be said for her state of mind. As the SWF fans watch, this former friendship will finally implode, but who will get the momentum for their team going into Mind Games?
Jeff's Take: It's difficult to say. We've not seen Gonzalez in many years, ever since she was a partner to Anna Machen during her stint in the First Family. However, if what we saw at High Stakes meant anything, it looks like she hasn't lost much in the way of toughness. This will be a brutal match, and I don't know that Machen has what it takes to win at this juncture.
------
#1 Contendership to the Intercontinental Championship
Eric Ridgeway v Connor House
Both of these men have been on a tear as of late, Ridgeway wowing the SWF fans with his performance at High Stakes and House, of course, being the Hardcore Champion until just recently. After a stellar match with SWF Champion Mike Kizzar, House was deemed worthy of this chance, while Ridgeway rides the fan reaction to his performance at High Stakes against the URWL's Cory Jones. No personal story for this one, but with a shot at Kevin Martin's Intercontinental Championship on the line, both men are sure to give it their all.
Jeff's Take: This one all depends on the wild card, Brooke. If House's manager can be prevented from interfering (or, God forbid, choose to stay out of it), then I think Ridgeway has a chance to pull off the upset. If not... I think we're looking at House getting his second title shot at Mind Games in two years.
-----
Handicap Match
Josh Arcanum v Chas Dohanich and Jason Powers
(If Arcanum wins, he gets Powers one on one at Mind Games 8)
One of the longest running feuds of the season, and one where Arcanum finally gets a shot at retribution. After Powers screwed him out of title shots at both Chaos Theory and Fanning the Flames earlier this season, Arcanum tried to get his one on one shot, only to be blindsided by Powers' "protection," Chas Dohanich. Both sides have warred with each other for months, but it's finally coming to a head. If Arcanum wins, he finally gets a one on one match at the biggest stage of the SWF. But you can bet Dohanich and Powers will do anything necessary to make sure that doesn't happen.
Jeff's Take: It's hard not to want Arcanum to win this match, but the odds are so thoroughly stacked against him, it's hard to see him pulling this one out. I suspect the gloating of my old broadcast colleague may not be stopping at Dark Horizon.
-----
#1 Contendership to the Femme Division Championship
Chalie Williams v Carmen Madison
The result of a tournament held by Jackie Blue to find a challenger for Emma Kiwi at Mind Games, this match is bound to be a doozy. Williams is looking to get her title back after losing it to Kiwi at Uncivil Dispute, while Madison seems to finally have her life re-focused after falling out of the title picture for the last few months. Under the bright lights of Atlanta, these two women will once again face off in what has become one of the few "good-natured" rivalries in the SWF.
Jeff's Take: Perhaps the closest match to call besides the six man tag. Madison and Williams are both so quick, so athletic that any match between them is liable to become an instant classic. Add to that the fact that both women seem singularly focused, unlike in their previous meeting this season at Chaos Theory, and you've got a recipe for a great contest. I have to give the edge to Madison though, as it seems like she's gained a bit of another type of edge in the last few months, thanks to her numerous problems with her personal life. So long as she doesn't lose her focus...
------
#1 Contendership to the SWF Championship
PG13 v Daniel Santoy
After winning the High Stakes match, Daniel Santoy was set on the road to Mind Games to face his best friend, Mike Kizzar, for the SWF Championship. Those plans were put on hold though, as PG13, the man who Santoy defeated to win that match, came out and said that he didn't actually win, due to outside interference from one John Pirtle. Santoy refuted the claim, and many people believe PG13 goaded him into accepting this match, putting his #1 Contendership on the line. Can PG13 steal the title match out from under the veteran?
Jeff's Take: This is one of those rivalries I'm always at a loss to explain. We've watched these men nearly kill each other time and time again, and every time, it seems like they get closer to actually doing that. You'll never find two superstars more familiar with each other though, and that's why this match is going to be hard on both men. Unfortunately, I see PG13 walking out of Atlanta with the title shot, given his youth, and of course, that toughness he put on display against Alex Knight at High Stakes.
-------
Six Man Elimination Tag Team Match
Team RBN (KENZO, Jason Brigade and Cory Jones) v Team SWF (Alex Knight, Kyle Andrews and Mike Kizzar)
It all started with a broadcast. On episode 15 of ReVenge, Cory Jones of the URWL hijacked the signal and first broadcast his message of Legitimate Wrestling to the SWF fans. Then KENZO would walk onto SWF X-Tra and defeat Alex Knight, and the ball was rolling. Throughout the course of the last 6 shows, Jones and KENZO have proven difficult adversaries for the SWF, while planting the seeds of dissention among the RBN owners, and causing SWF general manager Jackie Blue to book this match. On episode 18 however, both teams were completed with somewhat unorthodox pieces, as Jason Brigade of the WWR and Kyle Andrews joined their respective teams. Now, it all finally comes to a head, as the two teams look to establish supremacy in the newly formed Rantboard Network.
Jeff's Take: Both teams are packed to the hilt with talent. On one side, you have team RBN, who, while not the most chemically balanced team, certainly have the pedigree to pull off a win here, while on the other side, you arguably have the future of the SWF. Both teams are going to pull out all the stops, and I for one will simply enjoy seeing this match hopefully end the threat of the Legitimate Duo.
-------
SWF Dark Horizon takes place this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.