AXW 78/Alt 62 Feedback

Feels good to be doing an AXW review. Welcome back Mat and the entire crew of AXW faithful.

Show kicks off with a face to face between Father and Son. TRENT out dropping some serious truth bombs on Papa Mats. I was actually nodding thinking, well, he's not wrong. And then he drops some Florida Man hilarity to. Only for another Mathews (Seriously, there's got to be hundreds of these guys) to crash, Benji, one of my personal fav Mathews, and he and Laux are a tag team now. Kings in Chaos. I like it. Benjo drops a couple truth bombs of his own and threatens to continue to do it, and that Luke will be laying with him if he tries to stop it. Good stuff. I wonder if this will be enough to align Father and Son once more?
Good stuff Mat.

Floyd and Richards have the honors of being the first AXW match back and they put on a good one. I really enjoy reading Ryan Richards. He's a good comedy heel and there's lots you can do with him. I was never good at booking him, but I love to read how others do. Also, Floyd... you gotta love Floyd. AXW is where Floyd came into prominence. His feud with Everett helped establish him as something different from Pearce in EWS. And he's definitely got his own identity now. I think he's a strong contender for winning this thing.

I was VERY much looking forward to this match between FM and Livy. Sometimes you get a clash of styles in matches that tell a good story. Not these two. Cut from the exact same cloth.(Not to mention that this is an MMA match I would have paid anything to see when both were in their prime). Anyways, the match was back and forth, and man I had no Idea that FM was that big, until that line about FM shoving Livy down! That's a big class difference. Anyways, solid match between the two, and an excellent use of the mystery woman to cause a visual distraction. Still a match I want to see again, but allows Livy to sink her teeth into something new while allowing FM to mount her comeback. Well done. Also loved the post match segment with Livy. Truly capturing her hot headedness. 

Larson vs. the youngest of the Graham brothers I believe? This should be a good one. This was a good little match. I felt you really captured and expressed the fighting and hard hitting nature of Larson. I gotta think Larson and The Butcher will be an absolute brawl for the ages. Will Floyd capture the title that has alluded him, or will the belt collector add another to his resume? Tune into The Alternative to find out! 

That was a great little segment with Mary Borden and a returning MFC! I always like MFC dating back to her time in The Crusade. She could be a serious contender to the Woman's Championship. 

York makes his elaborate entrance, for his return to the ring, and he's taking on a debuting Solomon Graham! Graham's gotta be one of the hardest workers in the game. Wrestles for EWS, AXW, FWA and looking to start his own promotion in the IWA called SHW. This dude is everywhere! Little ring rust by York to start the match, and the hardest working man in the industry takes full advantage in the early outs of this match. York fights back and dazzles with that Suicide Dropkick + skin the cat, + Rebound tope con giro combo that I just adore. York ends up sneaking out a win in the end, and I can just picture that cocky smile. A wins a win as they say. I look forward to seeing York walk that thin red line in AXW. Graham looked real good which I am happy about. I am really a fan of the Solomon Graham character. 

Hailey Harris is back and she's gunning for the AXW Championship. Interesting turn of events here. Curious to see how that plays out. I almost feel like AXW could get away with being the alternative to every other place and eliminate the woman's division entirely and just make it one division for this version of AXW. Maybe Have the AXW championship be the top crown for everyone. The Xperience be the championship for the next big guy. Maybe a Network (Hulu/EWSN) Tertiary champion for those work horses that's defended on EVERY AXW show without fail and the Light Heavyweight for the smaller guys/girls, like 185 and under. And of course the tag team titles that could be two guys, two girls, or a mixture. I really think Mat, this would give AXW a really unique feel. This has been today's musings of an Icon. 

MAIN EVENT TIME BAYBAY!!!

Time to crown us some AXW Tag Team Champions! And the Mystery team is..... DEM BOYS!!!

I got wicked hyped reading this! Great match, with the Kings doing an amazing job of controlling the match throughout. Austyn and Jackson mount a comeback, but it looks like the Kings would resort to using a chair until that attack on Trent comes back to haunt them! I wondered if it might. And a Southern Injustice (Omega Driver) later, DEM BOYS are back on top of the mountain!!! 

Hell of a first show Maty my boy. Always making your old man proud son. Well done.     

Pearce's 5 Honours of the Night! - AXW 78 Edition


Match of the Night:
Winner: Must give the nod to the main event. The show was building to this storyline from the top. Plus the surprise of Southern Comfort and their taking of the titles after the interference of T-R-E-N-T was a perfect ending, tying a ribbon around the night.  


Hon. Mention: Selfishly I loved the Floyd and Richards match. I agree Richards character was captured nicely. However, Livy and Young was definitely the better match. I had me a thought reading this that if Livy and Young were to ever get on the same Paige we would all be in really big trouble. 



Segment of the Night:
Winner: The opening segment with Trent really stood out. Trent was really letting his old man have it. Not sure how much of that was truth or revisionist history, but sounded like he was making solid points. And the way in main event played out, I think this version of AXW will be Trent and Pops reconnecting to fight the Kings. 

Hon. Mention: The small little segment with Livy looking for the Mysterious woman. She needs to hide. There's a killer on the loose! 



Spot of the Night:
Winner: Everything in the York/Graham match. The descriptions and the chain wrestling here really made every move feel impactful. Especially Graham's arm bar, with it being banned. Great description. 

Hon. Mention: Floyd's Snap Release German Suplex. I didn't do a good enough job of explaining this, but it's meant to look like Kenny Omega's snap German, where it leaves the opponent dazed and vulnerable for a final attack. 



Holy S&%$ Moment of the Night:
Winner: Southern Comfort showing up in AXW and winning the tag team championships. A legit superstar team where. ever they've been, they bring a legitimacy straight to the tag team division.  

Hon. Mention: The mystery woman interrupting Livy and FM. That's just a deathwish! 



Wrestler of the Night:
Winner: Southern Comfort for winning the first set of gold in the new AXW.  

Hon. Mention: Simon York (He's going to be a big deal here), FM Young (She will also be a big deal) and Hailey Harris (Short promo, but clearly she will also factor into the main event scene.)


Show was aces Mat!

But one quick thing I want to add, I too agree with Steve. AXW should be the place without a male/female class. You got FM who wants the big gold, Hailey who wants it too. If given an opportunity I could see Livy wanting that too. I think now is the perfect time to get rid of the class. Separate the classes by weight to make it more fair and still have your Lightweights, but other than that, have everyone be able to compete. To my earlier point, could you imagine SoCo verses Livy and Young? Take my money! 

Woo, review time! This is just going to be a ramble of both shows and my thoughts on them, I'll try to segment it out. Suffice to say I loved both shows, and I did kinda wait on purpose to review because I prefer to get my thoughts all in one order on things.

So here is a somewhat outsider's view of the shows.

I gotta say, I do love the before the bell segments, the whole AXW has its own sports commentary show has always given the world you've built around your brand a great touch of realism and legitimacy. It’s also just entertaining as hell, and I love the way you balance giving anything about your plans away with characters just bullshitting with each other. I’d love to see Zoey back in AXW.

I also gotta say I love the way both shows opened, with the walkthrough of the different themes, as someone who puts waaayyyy too much thought into their characters themes I appreciate the call backs. It’s a great little walk through history, and it makes this incarnation of AXW feel not like a reboot or even a continuation, but something that stands solidly on the rest. Here’s to more!

Holy crap, that Trent segment was a ride, I admit I haven’t been into this neck of the woods long enough to understand the entire thing, but you made it pretty self explanatory and accessible. I do like how the Before the Bell peeps guessed Luke wouldn’t be running things day to day and then “several minutes” later Luke announces he’s taking the reins himself. Trent coming out to lay down his facts was a good knock down for that set up. I’m really excited to see where this goes.

Floyd is one of my favorites of Pearce’s characters, I always enjoy the big lug sticking it to someone. I admit I only have half an idea who Richards is, but damn you made the dude look good. Fast paced match, made Ryan look resilient and Floyd look devastating, while still giving Ryan something to stand on in defeat. Interesting set of choices for the Xperience championship makes me wonder what else you’ve got planned.

Ok, here we go, the match I was looking forward to. FM and Livy are almost the same person at two different stages in their development. I was super hyped for this match and I kind of agree with Pearce, FM and Livy would make a killer team, if they ever got on the same page. I’d like to see it, a bit down the line. I think the dislike of the mystery woman can help with that. I adored that BTW, you bringing back that character, and using the distraction to make a heated match end in a way that gives credit to both of them. Major props for showing FM not being chuffed about winning on a “technicality”. That kind of detail has always made you one of the better fed runners. All in all, good match. Laughed out loud at the after segment with Livy too.

Ok, haven’t really seen either of these two myself before..(I’ve been out of the loop.) That was a super solid match though, again I guess you’re building up that lucky 7 rule by getting the Xperience championship on some ASAP. Ryan Graham looked super resourceful and able to keep up but Cody came off like a beast. Like, it did a great job making me want to see the dude going toe to toe with Floyd. At the same time, Ryan’s emo bruiser style is fun, I get the feeling he’s one of those little shit millennial characters I love hating.

Simon York, yup, know him. Oh look, another lil shit kick his ass Simon! That was a fun match, and did well to show off Simon’s cool control in the ring, and his overall resourcefulness. Credit for making Solomon look like a legit threat though, putting him up against Simon and having him push the Superstar’s Superstar so far is a great touch.

Oh Hailey Harris (...Damnit I wanted to use an Icon for Hire song..>.>) Hailey is always a welcome addition, and I’m excited to see what happens with her and who gets to be her first challenge.

The main event was good, I’m not all into Tag Team stuff as much as maybe others, but it was hella entertaining. Very good way for Trent to keep his foot in the door, though we have rednecks for Champions now, maybe FM and Livy should work on that whole differences aside thing?...Naw! I wanna see how things go from here, definitely.

OK Now for the Alternative review! To keep it concise, I’mma just go questionnaire style on this one. I already rambled on about how I loved the walk through the theme tunes, adding the show highlights to it was just *chefs kiss* that much extra.

Best Match: The Main Event, pretty sure I owe someone money. I’d have bet on Floyd, oh well it was a hell of a good showing for both and Cody just seems like all the more of a beast to topple now. Mention being York VS FM. That was fantastic, and again I love the touches you make in even giving the losing character some leg to stand on. Good job! Simon will be big deal.

Best Segment: The whole mess with Mary, Livy and the mystery woman, god that shit’s just hilarious. This mystery woman better have good life insurance, i’ll tell ya what. Haliey being Haliey is second though, definitely.

Best Spot: Brandon Laux manages to topple both tag team champs at once. MFC sticking it right to Mary so Scary is the second best.

Best Moment: SWEEETTT CHERRY PIE! Though the whole dysfunction of the Mathews family was a fun read. I am down for more of that sweet, sweet family drama.

MVP: Cody Larson, Simon York, Brandon Laux, MFC.

Other Comments: Ok, so I’m gonna step in and say that clearly, AXW isn’t exactly a strictly gendered Fed. Several female characters get incredible showcases. If you want to keep the Women’s championship, by all means, I support that. Though getting rid of it might lighten the load. However, I’m also all for letting a Man win the women’s championship (just please god no gawdy transgender or cross-dressing gimmicks.) FANTASTIC SHOWS MAT! Loved em!

*Wears my Ryan Richards' Number One Fan shirt I havent worn since CW closed down*


WOO HOO RYAN RICHARDS IS BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT! Richards is honestly my favourite Pearce's character, so I'm glad that he's here in AXW

That damn Cherry Pie. Who is she?! Mary and Olivia are gonna kill each other to get to her.

Loving the Matthews turmoil. Slightly off topic, but remember when Brandon Laux was a conspiracy theorist<_< I remember>_> But seriously, I love the Matthews drama in both show

FM Young and Simon York are the true stars of the show, so it's great to se them clash. But Hailey Harris is also looming.....

Overall good show.

I do want to comment on some things.

I pretty much had the April 10/11 dates set from the beginning. I honestly thought I was going to receive more bios than I did, which plays into some light divisions, such as the Women's.

And on that subject, women can obviously compete for titles outside of that division. Only three women in AXW history have done that, Starla Gardevoir with the Xperience and AXW Championships, and Velvet Valentine and Zoey Mathews-Mitchell with the AXW Tag Team Championships via the Freebird Rule. I had plans to push others before things ended. This is a direct influence from BWF (sorry Nick). Say what you will about BWF and those in charge, but they had a lot of influence in my booking and writing style from 2015 to today, notably women starting to compete more frequently with men.

That said, the Women's Division, I feel, has been one of my strongest points and has been one of my favorites. Take a look at some of the history with the title: there were 5 consecutive reigns of over 100 days, the shortest being 135. Only 7 different women have held the title. SEVEN. Since 2013. Some have held it twice, but there's only seven different people who have claimed the title. Sure, there's probably several people who should have won the title and haven't, but no other title in AXW history has been booked as concisely as this one, and because so few have held it and have had lengthy reigns, it's, in my opinion, AXW's most reputable championship and not one that should just be slept on.

That said, I'm not opposed to dropping the division, but it needs the time to conclude and have a proper send off, and not just getting rid of the title without any fanfare.

I'm also not opposed to introducing a "Network" or other title. I honestly have been wanting to bring another title in for years, but never felt the environment right. I've honestly had the idea of having a 24/7 Championship (even before WWE introduced theirs), but again, felt it wasn't right at the time. I've also felt AXW has had no true secondary championship. The Xperience could be considered it, sure, but in my opinion it's too gimmicky to be a true secondary title, and all the others are locked to specific divisions. However, I feel another title being defended every show could be too much and that and the Xperience might drown each other out (granted the Xperience won't be defended every single show, but close to it), though I would be willing to give it a chance.

I'm pretty sure I've stated in the past that I book as I go, a lot of times not coming up with stuff fully until I'm actually writing the show. I know it's probably not the norm, but it does help when people just drop off with no explanation, it's much easier to cut inactive characters when I'm not booking long term. That's still the case today. The opening segment was gonna be just Luke talking real quick, then right to a match. I had no intentions of using Trent in AXW at all. I wrote that Cole Haywood bit thinking I wasn't going to use Trent. Then when I wrapped up Luke's speech, I thought "fuck it, I'll bring out Trent." So AXW's biggest current story literally just came as a whim.

I stated in the SPRING 2020 One Final Run thread that I had plans to start a new fed entirely, and I brought in a few staff members I was going to use for that, including:

Feliks Voskoboynikov, who I originally created when I was going to try to revive AXW last time before handing it off to Nick. And yeah, his name is long and obnoxious, but that's the point. There are people out there who have long weird names. Wrestling often sees people with concise, clean, easy to pronounce names, but I'm sure we're aware I like to go against some of wrestling's norms. That's why his name is the way it is. It's not pretty, but it's him, it's real.

Sam De Santa as a referee, who I also planned to use in this nature in AXW like Vosko.

Champ Cassidy was going to be a commentator there.

Tommy Spooner was going to be an original referee for that fed, but I honestly never even made a bio for him until now and I planned on using Jon Risinger of Rooster Teeth as his photobase (I've somewhat recently gotten into Pat McAfee's YouTube channel and thought he'd be a better fit).

On the flip side, I was going to use some of AXW's staff there.

This idea to start a new fed came almost a year ago. I wanted to try fedheading one more time and felt it would have been in bad taste to try to run AXW again as it had been through this so many times and this new project was solely because I wasn't sure how much I could actually commit, and didn't want to put that on AXW again (and it was only like 2 months after AXW closed at the time). This project obviously never came to be as we'd all be there instead of here. Now with our current world situation, I have time to actually do this for a while. I had a change of heart and wanted to give AXW one last shot, and if it does end, I want to give it a proper one. That's why I'm saying I don't know how long this will last, because once we're allowed outside again, who knows how much I'll be able to commit to this, if any. I'm hoping I can do something good with this though.

That's my kind of off the rails thoughts for the night. Thanks all for being here.