ACW: AFTERSHOCK ROCKS POUGHKEEPSIE

Last night, in front of a capacity crowd in Poughkeepsie, NY, Awesome Championship Wrestling returned for it's sophomore showing of the promotion with "Aftershock." The show absolutely delivered on all accounts, again bringing a quality television worthy production to a rabid pro wrestling fanbase in The Queen City of The Hudson.

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Pre-show I was approached by many of the locals, some anxiously waiting outside the arena, sharing stories of seeing WWF, WWE, and ECW LIVE at the MJN Center. Fans talked about sharing memories of going with their parents, grandparents, and siblings, to see Macho Man, Kane, RVD, Tommy Dreamer, and the like. Instantly, I became aware of what a special pro wrestling city Poughkeepsie really was. 

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Pre-show, the impromptu tag team of Alex Reiman and Rick Recon challenged the team of Andd Bivens and Keith Youngblood. This match was all offense by the latter team, who really showed out the whole match. Mind you, Reiman and Recon are no slouches, particularly here in the northeast, as they've both held some of the top gold in several indie promotions. Regardless, Bivens and Youngblood had the clear cut chemistry here, and were given a good fight. Fast paced action by both teams throughout. Youngblood and Bivens get the dub. 

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Throughout the night, Joe Clean, the Mr. Clean -esque pro wrestler would sweep the ring, clean the ropes, and clean the ramp. Clean got a huge pop every single segment, and by the end of the night the fans were going absolutely bonkers for him chanting "SWEEP, SWEEP, SWEEP!" or "Clean! Clean! Clean!" This was very well executed and absolutely BRILLIANT. It really is the little things. Hats off to Joe Clean and the ACW crew on this one. 

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The official show opened with an AMAZING intro video package nuancing an "Aftershock" news report of sorts, which featured clips from ALL of the wrestlers' promos leading up to the event. I'm surprised more promoters haven't tried something like this, and now I'm sure some will. This made the whole event feel like a massive PLE or PPV. Additionally several inaugural champions would be crowned throughout the night, and this video package made everything feel like there were bigtime STAKES. This set the tone for the whole night. 

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The opening match was contested for the ACW National Championship between indie darling and viral sensation Big Trouble Ben Bishop, NWA Midwest Champion Dante Casanova, Former WWE Superstar Real 1 (FKA Enzo Amore) , and The Good Doctor Landon Hale. This match was really good and really efficient. Dr. Hale stole the show with his flawless high flying maneuvers right out the gate, which at times seemed effortless! Real 1 matched the energy with multiple dives to the outside and off the top buckle. Double B lived up to the moniker by catching his opponents and easily slamming them to the mat. Casanova stepped to the big man and a few times which led to some great hard hitting action. Seeing guys like Casanova and Hale LIVE essentially for the first time really made a fan out of me towards both competitors. Great opener here, leading with Real 1 hitting a JawDonZo (Meet Da Feet) to win the championship. Great showing by all four competitors. 

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Up next, The King of Kale, Leo Sparrow took on Irish pro wrestler, Liamo. Great to see Liamo for the first time, as he really impressed and endeared himself to the 1K plus crowd. Sparrow played heel in this one, which he is always great at, but he's honestly one of those guys that can be babyface or heel interchangeably. That's just how versatile Sparrow, the 2025 Men's Super 8 winner, is. Sparrow took some short cuts, threw spinach in the fans' faces, but also delivered his innovative move-set, including his patented broccoli buster. (Great name!) Liamo came back with a lawn dart into the top buckle, backstabber combo for the win. 

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The much anticipated ACW Women's Six Way Inaugural Championship match between Former WWE Superstar & Current TNA Star Indi Hartwell, Kelly Madan, Tiara James, Rebecca Scott, Vicious Vicki Venuto, and Tina San Antonio would really get the fans invested. The five independent women are some of the top ladies here in the northeast and even the world, as many were ranked in last year's PWI250. The match was elimination style with two competitors in the ring, with the other four ladies in the corners to be tagged in and out. Lots of chemistry between San Antonio, James, & Madan of Damian Adams' school, with high flying quickness coming from Rebecca Scott. One by one, competitors were eliminated, falling to an unexpected pin, a Jersey Turnspike by the Vicious One, or a Johnny Gargano inspired "Hurts Donut" by Hartwell. Venuto and Hartwell were the last two standing and had amazing chemistry throughout their one v. one minutes. Stellar selling by Venuto who took a huge flip off the top rope from Hartwell and a massive Spinebuster. Venuto was able to deliver some hard strikes, a running neck breaker, and a spinning slam to the former NXT Women's Champion. It wasn't enough as Hartwell would eventually hit the Hurts Donut maneuver on Venuto to become the first ever ACW Women's Champion. This was a great match, and you could really feel the stakes get higher with every single elimination.  

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The next match featured the true Timeless one himself Crowbar, along with the big man Kerr taking on the team of Danny Morrison (FKA Danny Doring) with The Dominican Destroyer Vargas. (Varkill?) Team Crowbar was managed by Vanessa at ringside, while Team Morrison was managed by Jared Silberkliet. Silberkleit got on the mic immediately and received so much heat you couldn't hear what he was saying. The match starts and Crowbar immediately looks like he went in a time machine, as he's still performing at a very high level.  Great chemistry from Morrison and Crowbar as always, but Kerr stole the move of the night (as he often does) throwing his partner into both of his opponents over the top rope. The crowd even wanted more, chanting "One more Time!" The Dominican Destroyer tried to attack Vanessa, but was met with a tornado DDT by Crowbar's Mrs. Huge pop from the crowd here until Morrison clotheslined Vanessa. Since this was a Cowbar match you knew their would be plenty of "toys" and of course a guard rail. Well let me tell you, the big man Kerr easily put Vargas through that guard rail to pick up a big win. Take that Vargas!!

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TNA stars would square off next as the current X-Division Champion, Moose took on Mike Santana. Lot of gravitas with both entrances, particularly with Santana coming through the crowd much like his Impact! entrances. What can I say except that this match was fantastic. TONS of chops and big slams. Santana even powerbombs Moose at one point. The problem is that this match was so good, we didn't deserve it. Both men are down and this one ends in a double count out!! Let me first say I completely understand WHY this ended in a double count out, but the fans were NOT happy and you felt it. Santana propositioned for 5 more minutes from the crowd and the powers that be, and we were given those five more minutes!! Unfortunately in true heel fashion Moose did not partake in the additional match time, leading to a draw as the final decision. Regardless, and mark my words, Santana is THE next guy in TNA. Sorry Joe Hendry!!

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After a brief intermission the cage was set up, and Sent 2 Slaughter with Josh Shernoff and The NOW with ECW's Joel Gertner put on a clinic!! This match had everything, and all four competitors put everything on the line. Danny Maff, fresh off his Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling debut was an absolute beast, using the cage to destroy his opponents. The Now's Hale Collins used the cage to hit a flying elbow from the top. Both teams were well oiled machines, leaving everything on the line in that cage. You really didn't know who was going to be able to escape that cage...UNTIL Joel Gertner turned on The NOW allowing for Shernoff and S2S to do whatever they pleased to Poughkeepsie's favorite indie tag team!! Needless to say, Shawn Donavan and Danny Maff are your NEW and inaugural ACW Tag Team Champions. 

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Earlier in the night, Tommy Dreamer was deservedly presented the first EVER MJN Wrestling Hall of Fame award, by his good friend and Busted Open co-host, Mr. Dave LaGreca. Great video package to start this ceremony, and an even better heartfelt speech from the landlord of the house of hardcore himself. Unfortunately, the moment is ruined by the NEW FBI in Zack Clayton and Little Guido. This leads to a match between Dreamer, who says he doesn't know how many matches he has left in him, and Clayton w/ Little Guido in his corner. The match was a lot of fun with Deamer walking his opponent around the arena, hitting clayton with bottles of water and popcorn. The two brawled in and outside of the ring, but Little Guido turned the tables with constant interference. Fortunately, a HUGE surprise in ECW/WWE's RAVEN occurred, with him making the save for Dreamer. Dreamer wins with a cutter and gets a MASSIVE ovation alongside Raven.  

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The much anticipated Main Event of the evening saw ACW Champion Richard Holliday defend his championship against The Complete Matt Cardona. Both guys looked like absolute stars here, and it really is time for BOTH of them to be on the grandest of stages. This match was very old school, and reminded me a lot of the recent Randy Orton, John Cena Backlash match in that there were multiple ref bumps, low blows, belt shots, and the like. All which would lead to Holliday taking advantage to retain. Great to see Cardona work babyface here, as the Poughkeepsie fans really showed him love throughout the match. Big fight feel here and something I hope to see run back one day.  

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Show number two for Awesome Championship Wrestling only elevated the brand, and literally every single pro wrestler in the building. Now that the champions have been crowned, fans are ready now, more than ever, for more independent wrestling in Poughkeepsie. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​