2011 is here and what better way to start off than finishing up the hXc tournament, Jade vs. Dillinger 2 for the Shoot Championship, and Vyper having his first Midwest Championship defense. It's all here at Groundhog Slay 2011.
This Friday night, Wrestling Midwest and Sportstime Ohio present Graveyard Shift 128.
Main Card
The Angel of Death vs. Marty Poppins
Jordan Keyser vs. Tyson Banes
Boris Drago vs. Shank
Langston & Kilik vs The Inquisition – MTL4
Main Event
The Foxxy Grandpas vs The Flying Sharktopi – MTL4
This footage was taken during the main event at GS127.
[The shot opens backstage in the parking lot. A limo pulls up to the side of the building. The driver's door opens and out walks the limo driver. He walks to the back of the limo and opens up the back door. A few moments later, Jordan Keyser emerges from the back of the limo. He smiles as he looks towards the building. The shot zooms out to show Brad Johnson walking away from the building.]
Brad Johnson – Jordan.
Jordan Keyser – Mr. Johnson. Please, after you.
[He motions towards the limo. Johnson pats him on the shoulder as he walks passed him and enters the back of the limo. The cameraman tries to swing the camera around to show who else was in the limo, if anyone, but Keyser pushes them away and enters the car. The door closes and the limo driver walks back to the front of the car. He opens the door, enters, and as he closes the door, he the limo drives away. The scene fades.]
It can only be assumed that, along with Keyser and Johnson, ESN CEO Ben Cash was along with them. With what was seen at GS127, is this a sign that WMW will be leaving STO soon? And if so, what does that mean for the weekly Graveyard Shift broadcasts?
The only injury noted for this week was Shank. During his tag match against John Bundy and Bob Wire, Wire’s chop block not only took Shank off of his feet, but caused Bundy to fall on top of Shank. Shank showed signs of a bruised chest, as well as a bruise on the back of his leg. He’s not expected to miss any ring time, but was noticeably limping during this week’s production meeting.
In the Leaderboard this week, Arick Wills moved into the top spot.
Despite his loss in the last MTL4 preliminary match, AWS Man was voted this week’s individual fighter of the week.
This Friday night, Wrestling Midwest and Sportstime Ohio present Graveyard Shift 127.
Main Card
Arick Wills vs. Marty Poppins
Jasmine Lucky vs. CMW Callup Boris Drago
Tyson Banes vs. Maria Anna
The Lumberjack and Shank vs. BBW
Main Event
The Flying Sharktopi vs. Umbrage and Vyper
Hardcore Hell 2010 went down as one of the most devastating supercards in WMW’s history and it didn’t go unnoticed.
The Cleveland Athletic Commission, after learning about the widespread list of injuries that occurred at Hardcore Hell, has launched an investigation into Wrestling Midwest and it’s safety practices.
The big names that topped the list, as reported by Jane Coughlin, were Kronin, Druscilla, Father Nathan and Hecate. All 4 were treated for concussion-like symptoms. Xavier Langston and Bob Wire also sustained head injuries during the show.
At a Hardcore-based supercard, with two last minute matches pitted inside the walls of the Hardcore Hell cage, injuries were most likely expected. Just not at this magnitude.
Hecate, Druscilla, Kronin and Father Nathan all were carted off after their matches. All were hurt bad, but former Great Lakes Champion Druscilla got the worst of the deal. Jane Coughlin reported that Druscilla suffered a severe neck injury. Many fear she could be out for months. Some have speculated that her career could have been prematurely ended that night.
Hecate left her match with multiple lacerations that required stitches, a bruised back and a major concussion. She could be out for the next 2-3 weeks because of the severity of that concussion.
Father Nathan had lost a considerable amount of blood during his match. All though the full extent of his injuries are unknown, it is expected that he’ll miss the next two weeks while doctors continue to monitor him.
New Great Lakes Champion Kronin received a minor concussion during his match, but is overall in good health. He’ll miss the next 1-2 weeks to recover.
Bob Wire received 20 stitches in the back of his head to close a gash that was opened when he went through a table. He is not expected to miss any time.
Xavier Langston suffered a minor concussion during his match and is expected to miss GS127.
Jade was voted this week’s Fighter of the Week, after defeating the Hall of Famer Umbrage in the Shoot Championship match at Hardcore Hell 2010.
The return of Josh Briskout hasn’t come with the usual expectations. This time, Briskout is competing at a level never seen before. He was voted this month’s Fighter of the Month after earning 11 points in the Hardcore Hell Leaderboard session.
Druscilla was voted the Fighter of the Week after successfully defeating AWS Man and winning back the GLC at GS125.
Wrestling Midwest has come to terms on the release of John Holmes. We wish John the best in his future endeavors.
This is week 4 of the Hardcore Hell 2010 session, which began at PitP10. Since PitP10, we’ve seen the Champions change, as well as slide farther and farther down the Top 10, while a returning star takes the number one spot. With GS126 right around the corner, title races are picking up. Just in time for Hardcore Hell.
For now, here is your Leaderboard Update for GS125:
| Place | Fighter | Points | Move | |
| 1 | |
Josh Briskout | 9 |  |
| 2 |  |
Umbrage | 8 |  |
| 3 |  |
Thomas Kilik | 8 | |
| 4 |  |
Father Nathan (c) | Ace Suprerior Archive | 7 | |
| 5 | |
Jade (c) | Shoot Archive | 6 | |
| 6 |  |
The Emo Girl | 6 | |
| 7 | |
AWS Man | 5 | — |
| 8 |  |
Xavier Langston | 5 | |
| 9 |  |
Hecate | 5 | |
| 10 | |
Druscilla | Great Lakes Archive | 4.5 | |
GS125 – July 23rd, 2010 – WMW Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
Arick Wills vs. Josh Briskout
MTL4 Preliminary
The Lucky Ones vs. Xavier Langston and Thomas Kilik
The Foxxy Grandpas vs. BBW
Main Event
AWS Man (also known as Bill) vs. Druscilla
Hecate and Jade of the Celestial Avatars were voted the Fighters of the Week after their win over BBW in their first MTL4 preliminary match up.
It’s official: The 4th edition of the Midwest Tag League tournament is underway. All though, it might seem a bit different for WMW historians.
Unlike previous tournament, MTL4 will begin with a 4-week “regular season”, where each team will fight 2 matches. The results of those matches will be used to decide where teams will be ranked in the bracket. The actual bracket tournament will begin after Hardcore Hell 2010, with the winner facing Revolution at Burn 2010 in September.
Thus far, we’ve seen 5 teams named: BBW, The Celestial Avatars, Father Nathan and Black Friar, Scott Vyper and Umbrage, and The Lucky Ones. It is expected two more teams will be named this week at GS125. There are rumors that there will be 8 teams in total for MTL4, so it should be interesting to see how things fall into place going towards the beginning of the Playoff tournament.
This is week 3 of the Hardcore Hell 2010 session, which began at PitP10. Since PitP10, we’ve seen the Champions continue to slide, while a Hall of Famer takes the lead, we’ve got a good group of new talent making an impact quickly in their careers. It will be interesting to see how this continues through GS125.
For now, here is your Leaderboard Update for GS124:
| Title Race | Fighter | Points | Move | |
 |
|
Umbrage | 8 | |
 |
|
Father Nathan (c) | Ace Suprerior Archive | 7 | |
 |
|
Thomas Kilik | 6 | |
|
|
Jade (c) | Shoot Archive | 6 | |
|
|
The Emo Girl | 6 | |
|
|
Josh Briskout | 6 | |
 |
|
AWS Man | Great Lakes Archive | 5 | |
|
 |
Gras-Dawg (c) | Heartlands Archive | 4 | |
|
 |
The Lumberjack | 3 | |
|
 |
Marty Poppins | 3 | |
As we all saw last night at Graveyard Shift 124, the Hall of Famer and former Great Lakes Champion Scott Vyper made his long awaited return to the WMW ring. He appeared in the night’s Main Event, teaming up with longtime opponent Umbrage.
It’s expected that Vyper will set the record straight and make it known this week why he has returned, teamed up with Umbrage, and entered into MTL4.
This is week 2 of the Hardcore Hell 2010 session, which included PitP10. Since PitP10, we’ve seen the Champions remain in the top 6, but besides Father Nathan, none competed at GS123. There’s a 4-way tie for the 10-spot because of some new competitors jumping in with 3 points. It will be interesting to see how this continues through GS124.
For now, here is your Leaderboard Update for GS123:
| Title Race | Fighter | Points | Move | |
|
|
Father Nathan (c) | Ace Suprerior Archive | 7 | |
|
|
Thomas Kilik | 6 | |
|
|
Umbrage | 6 | |
|
|
AWS Man | Great Lakes Archive | 5 | |
|
|
Gras-Dawg (c) | Heartlands Archive | 4 | |
|
|
Jade (c) | Shoot Archive | 4 | |
|
|
The Lumberjack | 3 | |
|
|
Marty Poppins | 3 | |
|
 |
Ryven | 3 | |
|
|
Arick Wills | 3 | |
|
 |
Jasmine Lucky | 3 | |
|
|
The Emo Girl | 3 | |
|
|
Josh Briskout | 3 | |
As seen on Graveyard Shift 123, DEF and WWA star Xavier Langston is currently in contracts with WMW over a contract that could see him start competition as soon as this week.