Courtesy of ACW / Steve Credo Media
ACW PAINTS A MASTERPIECE WITH MISCHIEF NIGHT
- Rob Crowther, Editor In Chief
In the world of professional sports, it is incredibly rare to pitch a no hitter, hit a grand slam out of the park, or have a perfect game. However, on Saturday October 18th, 2025, Awesome Championship Wrestling presented the sports entertainment equivalent, with one of the best displays of professional wrestling on the independent level I have ever seen. Long-term storytelling, masterful production, and some of the best professional wrestlers on the planet amalgamated into an absolute masterpiece. Mischief Night painted a perfect picture and in my mind was a MISSION STATEMENT for the ACW brand.
Let’s start with the production. The event, which took place in the historic MJN Center in Poughkeepsie New York, was run like a TV product. Producers, stage managers, multiple roaming cameras, a massive entranceway, lighting, and more all made this feel well….awesome. I knew the card well going in, and most of the performers involved, yet the opening video package (above) by Steve Credo got me hyped just minutes before the first match. I cannot stress enough how important that video package was for setting the tone. SUPERB showing by Credo and his team. People who I often saw at bingo halls or VFWs, suddenly looked like a million bucks on the screen with TV talent. And that right there is the beauty of ACW. No matter where you come from, and what level you are at, this is a VERY special roster of super talented performers.
The opening match of the evening saw Real 1 (fka Enzo Amore) open the show to defend his ACW National Championship against #304 ranked wrestler in the world (PWI 500) Big Trouble Ben Bishop. Nice moment during Enzo’s opening promo where he said his catchphrases alongside a young fan dressed up like Enzo. That child won the ACW pre-show costume contest, and kudos to Real 1 for taking the time to make this special moment happen. Bishop, who had also previously tagged with Real 1, continues to bolster his standings and looked to be in fantastic shape. I’ll say it again, his in ring work is just as valuable as his brain, which is another reason why he got a recent look from WWE over SummerSlam weekend. Despite the recent moment, Bishop takes the L, and Real 1 retains.
Bonus points for the re-emergence of another viral sensation, Stone Cold ET, who disappeared as quickly as he appeared. SCET was spotted in the audience holding up a “Bishop Smells like Cabbage” sign and was gone after the match. This guy hasn’t been seen in years, so this was like finding a unicorn. If this is an angle, easter egg, nuance, or some 4-d chess going on, I am so here for it. Bishop responded on social media with a “WTF IS THIS?” retweet. Intriguing!!
The second match of the evening featured the tag team known as Audacity taking on the Righteous Vincent and Dutch. Solid match between these two teams here with the former AEW & ROH stars taking the dub. (Would love to see Vita VonStarr back with this crew) Really nice moment for Dutch getting a “Welcome Home” chant from his hometown crowd.
The next match was a triple threat for the coveted #20 spot in the Poughkeepsie Rumble between AJZ, NWA ‘s Dante Casanova, and the high flying Sidney “Air” Akeem. (FKA Reggie, Scripts) Akeem’s finisher might be the best in the game, period. (Sol Snatcher at number two?) He was able to hit his double back handspring Ace Crusher known as the Final Act, which I thought would win the match, but the pin was broken up. Dante Casanova, who had a banger with Mike Santana at the last event, gets a huge win with his Warriors Death finisher. I’m enjoying the booking of Casanova and see him as a future top guy in ACW, and in the big leagues going forward.
The always impressive Parker Boudreaux ran a special gauntlet match where he first made quick work of Buddy Tomas. The second entry into the gauntlet match was high flyer Ricky Pryce who got a solid amount of offense in early, including an impressive dive over the top rope to the outside. However, Pryce was caught on the outside by Parker and thrown into the barricade. Parker defeated Pryce in fairly short time, before taking on another big man in the Barbarian known as Yoscifer El. Yoscifer held his own with Parker going move for move, trying to outpower the former NXT and AEW star. It was all for not, as Parker defeats all three independent stars. Excited to see what’s next for Parker going forward.
The NEW FBI of Zack Clayton, Little Guido, and unofficial member for the evening Danny Doring took on Tommy Dreamer, Crowbar, and Vanessa. Great to see a lot of these ECW legends in the ring again together. As I always say, ACW is a love letter to ECW, but it slowly creating a legacy of its own. Crowbar and Dreamer take the L after some hijinx from the Full Blooded Italians, and Crowbar goes as far as to attack super fan Machoverse after the match, throwing him over the barricade. Dreamer is quick to restrain Crowbar as production officials and referees help escort Crowbar from ringside and check on the fan. You can see the footage from the attack here: Crowbar attacks Machoverse
The ACW Women’s Championship Match saw champ Indi Hartwell defend against another TNA Knockout in “MUVA”, Order 4, and the northeast’s own Tasha Steelz. Vicious Vicki Venuto, who has faced both of these women in previous singles action, joined Dave Sturchio on commentary during the bout. Venuto was visibly (and audibly) irritated at not having another title shot, while Steelz made a strong case for the gold with her in-ring acumen. However, Hartwell would retain after hitting a Hurts Donut on Steelz.
Post-match none other than Shotzi Blackheart would appear on the screen to make it known that SHE will be challenging for the ACW Women’s Championship at the Poughkeepsie Rumble on January 3rd at the MJN Center!! After the announcement Venuto, now enraged, storms off the commentary desk.
Another TNA vs TNA match saw the NEW TNA World Champion Mike Santana take on Brian Myers of The System. Great pop for Santana who made his entrance through the crowd for his first match (non-title) as TNA Champion. The man had reclaimed the gold from Trick at TNA’s Bound for Glory BUT more importantly he had overcome loss and addiction one day at a time to get here. A great show of respect from Myers to the new Champ before these two put on another banger in Poughkeepsie. Great match and another great show of respect afterwards.
The first main event of the evening saw The NOW finally dethrone Sent 2 Slaughter w/ Josh Shernoff in a ladder match to claim the ACW Tag Team Championships. The Poughkeepsie crowd was fully behind their own, as in previous weeks Shawn Donavan, Danny Maff, and Shernoff had gone so far as to interrupt Vik Dalishus’ wedding reception and their attendance at the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Fun moment here where Mrs. Vik Dalishus hits a low blow on Shernoff on the ladder then flexes on ‘em ala her hubby. Another fun spot was when Joe Clean got some revenge on Danny Maff by launching him off a ladder through a table.Some great full circle moments allowed for Vik and Hale to climb the ladder to unhook the coveted ACW Tag Team Titles.
Post-match Tommy Dreamer joined Hale, Vik, and Mrs.Dalishus in the ring for a nice moment. The Now did a victory lap around the arean to celebrate with the capacity crowd.
The ACW Championship match closed the show in what was touted as possibly the greatest match in independent wrestling history featuring Nic Nemeth vs. Matt Riddle vs. Matt Cardona vs. champion Richard Holliday. This truly was a fantastic match. Cardona was jumped early by Holliday and severely beaten down before Nemeth and Riddle even made their entrances. Broski was seemingly removed from the match, or so we thought. Nemeth proved to be the work horse of the match, much like well, anything he’s ever done!! Riddle and Nemeth had some great moments and put on a clinic any time they were one v. one. Cardona would return at the end of the match to get some revenge on Holliday, hitting the Most Marketable’s Signature Move (Low Blow), a Chelsea Green Unprettier, AND a SUPER Rough Rider/ Radio SIlence off the top to become the NEW ACW Heavyweight Champion.
What a moment for Cardona, as streamers immediately flew all over the arena and into the ring. Post-match TNA Champ Santana challenges Cardona to a TITLE VS. TITLE match at the Poughkeepsie Rumble on January 3rd !!
ACW Mischief Night was near perfection, and Poughkeepsie Rumble is already looking to be a STACKED show. Mischief Night streamed LIVE On Triller which seems to be the platform for fans to catch the promotion for the time being. However, with only 5 shows under their belt ACW is growing and finding early success at a rapid rate. Good problems to have and I am beyond excited to see what the future holds for this truly special promotion and its talent.
