Assault Wrestling Alliance “Homecoming 2021”

Date:            October 30, 2021

Venue:           Unique Sports Academy
                 109 Post Office Road
                 Waldorf, Maryland 20602

Tickets:         VIP               $45
                 Front Row         $30
                 Second Row        $25
                 General Admission $20

Parking:         Lot adjacent to building in the rear.

Merch:           AK T-Shirt        $10
                 AK Slam Buddy     $10

Snacks:          Hot Dog           $3
                 Louisiana Sausage $9
                 Chicken Tenders   $14
                 Catfish           $16

Promotor:        Don Juan Dorsey

Referees:        Will Jackson
                 Malcolm Alexander

Ring Announcers: Kelly Castro
                 James Dorsey

Timekeeper:      Jimmy Dorsey

Social Media:    Facebook
                 Instagram
                 Youtube

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Assault Wrestling Alliance promotor Don Juan Dorsey stated that AWA was created for the community and for those who can not afford to go to see WWE and AEW. Assault Wrestling Alliance has shows in markets around the nation, including: Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama in addition to Southern Maryland.

Prior to this event, where two new champions were crowned, AWA already had three estalished champions: Vladimir Koloff (AWA Heavyweight Champion), Charlie Ace (AWA Cruiserweight Champion), and Project Mayhem (AWA Tag Team Champions). The promotion looks to crown an AWA Women’s Champion and an AWA Open Challenge winner in the near future.

The venue for this event was the Unique Sports Academy in Waldorf, Maryland. USA provides positive sports programs for children of all ages and abilities. They offer All-Star and Competitive programs for gymnastics, cheerleading and more. They also provide a wide-range of fun recreational-level sports clinics and classes.

I arrived at the venue right around the time the doors opened. Promotor Don Juan Dorsey was at the door assisting with tickets and saying hello to fans as they entered the building. As soon as my ticket was scanned, I looked up to see WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas sitting at a table right in front of me. I was shocked to see that he is almost as massive as he was when he was wrestling. He looked to be in great shape.

The entrance ramp was set up near the door to my left. I like to sit close to the entrances, so I made my way over to the seats in that area. To get there, I had to walk around the perimeter of the ring where several merchandise tables were set up. Performers such as Madd Maxx Morrison, Livid the Clown, AK, and Project Mayhem were set up selling shirts, photos, slam buddies and (in Livid’s case) clown masks.

As the ring was being constructed and the fans were getting settled in, Tony Atlas took to the microphone and started singing. By my count he sang four songs, two gospel, one country and one from Motown. Check out the video of Mr. Atlas’ performance here. Atlas then challenged ring announcer James Dorsey to a sing-off. Young Mr. Dorsey is quite the singer who gave Tony Atlas a run for his money. The crowd was split as to the winner.

MATCH #1
“VICIOUS” VON MILLA vs. GEORGE BROMAN, JR.

George Broman, Jr was the first combatant to be introduced as he entered the arena in his signature mask. He was booed heavily by fans at ringside as he denigrated the crowd, the local area, and the promotion itself. “Vicious” Von Milla entered next to loud cheers and support from the crowd after Broman’s vitriolic tyrade.

The match got started with an even exchange of arm bars, wristlocks, and headlocks. Milla executed some impressive shoulder tackles and a dropkick which sent Broman reeling. Broman evened the score with some vicious MMA style kicks to Milla’s back followed by a two count.

Broman continued the onslaught with a shotgun dropkick off the second rope, followed by a missile-style dropkick on Milla who had recoiled into the corner following the first one. Milla tried to regain control with three hard right hands, followed by a clothesline and a power slam to Broman. But then, just like that, Broman jumped onto the middle rope for a corkscrew finisher and the clean pin.

WINNER: GEORGE BROMAN JR.

MATCH #2
AK vs. LIVID THE CLOWN

The ring announcer introduced Livid the Clown for his match with AK and stated that Livid weighed in that morning at a whopping 132 balloons and 34 cupcakes. AK was not having any of Livid’s foolishness and demanded that Livid remove his mask. Livid appeared to oblige, but angered AK when he revealed another mask underneath. AK pleaded with the ref, then snatched the second mask off of Livid’s head only to find a third mask underneath that one.

Clearly rattled, AK seemed wary when Livid extended his hand for a show of sportsmanship. As AK tentatively reached his hand out to shake Livid’s, the clown pointed to the sky. When AK looked up, Livid smacked him in the face. The fighters criss-crossed in the ring several times before Livid stopped and held up his hands to AK as if to say “STOP.” He made AK look up again, this time stomping on AK’s foot.

The competitors criss-crossed again for even longer before Livid appeared to be losing steam. AK stopped this time as the referee checked on a winded Livid. AK exclaimed that it was his turn to hit Livid as Livid had already struck him twice. Livid put his hands behind his back to give AK a free shot to the mug. However, when AK swung, Livid moved out of the way and unloaded a karate chop to AK’s head.

AK rolled out onto the floor for a breather, but was only given a few seconds before Livid flew outside the ring with a tope suicida. Livid threw AK back into the ring, but stayed outside for nearly a ten count as he fixed the hair on top of his mask.

Back inside the ring, AK gained the upper hand with a quick German suplex. In the corner, AK stood on the throat of Livid while pulling on the ropes for leverage. Livid would attempt to rally with a powerslam and a drop kick. As AK attempted more offence, Livid rolled outside the ring. AK followed the clown to the ringside area where the two combatants took turns whipping each other into the ring posts.

As the match drew to a close, AK hit Livid with a spear coming off the ropes. AK covered Livid, but lifted Livid’s head up at the count of two. AK yelled out, “It’s not over until I say it’s over!” Unfortunately for AK, that moment came soon after as Livid rose to his feet and lifted AK into a fireman’s carry. When AK repositioned himself onto Livid’s back, Livid dropped AK hard to the mat for the finisher.

WINNER: LIVID THE CLOWN

MATCH #3
ISAIAH FRAZIER vs. CASEY REEVES

The fans in attendance let Casey Reeves know how they felt about him from the moment he appeared from behind the curtain. Reeves seemed perplexed. He grabbed the microphone and asked the crowd why they were not cheering for him. This, of course, brought even more boos for Casey and chants for his opponent, Isaiah Frazier. Reeves refused to wrestle until each and every fan was quiet.

After Frazier was greeted by a supportive fanbase, Casey Reeves left the ring and refused to get back in. Instead, he continued arguing with the fans at ringside as the bell rang and the referee started to count Reeves out. Reeves smugly rolled in and back out of the ring to restart the referee’s count.

Continuing to stall, Reeves finally re-entered the ring and told the referee to check Frazier for foreign objects. Once Frazier was found to be clean, Reeves told the referee that it was not necessary to check him, as well. As the match started, Frazier held an armbar until Reeves backed himself to the ropes and yelled, “It’s the rules!! You have to let go of me!!” before declaring himself “the most law abiding wrestler in history.”

Finally fed up, Isaiah Frazier attempted a dropkick on Reeves who cleverly held onto the ropes to avoid the impact. Reeves called Isaiah stupid for the attempt, but failed to see an even bigger dropkick coming from Isaiah. This sent Reeves out of the ring onto the floor for a moment. When Reeves returned, he poked Frazier in the eye and raked his face several times, each time stopping just before the referee reached a five-count.

On the mat, Isaiah Frazier called for the crowd to show its support. The fans began clapping as Frazier rose to his feet with punches to the face. Casey turned to harass the crowd once more. This time, however, Frazier was ready with a running knee from one corner which ended the night for Casey Reeves. After the match, Reeves started to shake Frazier’s hand, but kicked him in the groin instead. This prompted a run-in from AK for the save.

WINNER: ISAIAH FRAZIER

MATCH #4
R.J. MORGAN vs. BEAU CROCKETT
AWA TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS

In this first semifinal match in the AWA Television Championship tournament, R.J. “Mutha Flippin” Morgan and Beau Crockett each had their share of supporters in the audience. The two men compared their individual crowd reactions by alternating standing on the middle rope to elicit cheers. Morgan first, followed by Beau, then Morgan a second time.

As Crocket stepped onto the second rope once more, Morgan attacked him from behind. The two men rolled outside the ring where Morgan rammed Beau’s head into the ring apron. Crockett countered with a whip into the ring post on R.J. Morgan. Inside the ring, Crockett hit Morgan with a belly to belly suplex, which caused Morgan to slump into the corner. Beau backed up and delivered two splashes to the stunned Morgan.

As Gorilla Monsoon would say, Crockett went to the well once too often. The third time, Crockett looked to spear Morgan, but Morgan moved and landed multiple punches. R.J. stepped on Beau’s throat then distracted the referee long enough to kick Beau in the groin. R.J. kicked Crocket again, then hit a rolling senton on the weakened Beau.

Crockett responded with a furious comeback. Beau whipped Morgan into the corner, then followed with a shotgun dropkick, a running knee, and an exploder suplex. R.J. managed to stop Crockett’s momentum long enough to climb to the top rope for a moonsault. However, Beau moved and speared Morgan to advance to the finals.

WINNER: BEAU CROCKETT

MATCH #5
ALEJANDRO AVERY vs. PARAGON
AWA TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS

The outspoken manager of Alejandro Avery, Mr. Salazar, was dejected as the two men made their way to the ring with very little support from the capacity crowd. Mr. Salazar angrily told the fans that they need to learn how to clap. Avery’s opponent, Paragon, on the other hand, had a swagger in his step as he entered the arena flanked by Chris Moore and singing his own entrance music.

Avery and Paragon clearly do not like each other. Paragon taunted Avery by saying “No hermoso…YOU UGLY!!” The referee had his hands full just trying to get the match started. Avery and Paragon refused to be checked by the referee, insisting the other should go first. Paragon mocked Avery with a little salsa dance move as the bell rang.

The two men shoved each other’s faces, then pushed each other harder in the chest. Paragon grabbed a headlock with one hand, and Avery’s nose with the other. The ref started to count as Paragon innocently protested that he was doing no wrong. Avery just had a booger in his nose, Paragon explained.

Neither man could gain an advantage as they exchanged chest slaps in the center of the ring. Paragon responded with a throat punch, which caused Avery to stomp Paragon’s foot. The two exchanged pokes to the eye and retreated to their respective corners. There, they were each given their managers’ canes to use as weapons. This led to a stalemate in the center of the ring before the referee was able to take each man’s cane.

After a flurry of offense, Avery feigned injury in one corner. As Paragon charged, Avery was suddenly cured and landed a kick to Paragon’s leg. Avery rolled outside, grabbed Paragon’s legs and rammed them into the ring post. Paragon followed Avery outside the ring but, instead of counting, the referee came outside the ring to try to break it up and get the fighters back in the ring.

The action intensified as Paragon paint brushed slaps on Alejandro Avery. Avery responded with a punch and a whip into the ropes. Avery tripped Paragon who fell like he was in position for Rey Mysterio’s 619. Avery walked over and stood on the back of Paragon’s neck, choking him with the ropes. When the referee told Avery to stop, Alejandro obliged, but in doing so, distracted the referee long enough for Mr. Salazar to choke Paragon on the ropes even more.

Alejandro called for Salazar’s cane once again. He turned to grab the weapon, but Paragon took advantage with a low blow to Avery behind the referee’s back. Paragon rolled Avery up in a small package and it was on to the tournament finals.

WINNER: PARAGON

Before intermission, referee Will Jackson came to the ring to make a presentation. Mr. Jackson stated that AWA was giving an award for outstanding commitment to the DMV community. The recipient was Mr. Jackson’s mother who seemed surprised and honored, even after Mr. Jackson described his mother’s extensive work helping families in need. AWA will honor a new recipient each year at the Homecoming event.

New Orleans by Myra’s food truck was outside waiting at intermission providing fans with some delicious cajun fare. Everything from shrimp to fish, chicken fingers to gator bites was offered. It looks like New Orleans by Myra’s location in Lusby is closed. So, if you see their food truck in your area, check it out. You will not be disappointed.

MATCH #6
THE STATIC AGE vs. PROJECT MAYHEM (c)
TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS MATCH
AWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Mr. Salazar returned to the arena for this match as manager for Madd Maxx Morrison and River the Sickopath, The Static Age. Their opponents were the reigning AWA Tag Team Champions, Napalm and Solo, known as Project Mayhem. The champs were the clear crowd favorite and looked to be much bigger and stronger than their challengers.

The first fall got under way with Napalm throwing Madd Maxx around the ring like a rag doll. At one point, Napalm threw Morrison across the ring by his long beard. Solo tagged in and followed suit, grabbing Maxx by the beard and yanking as hard as he could. River the Sickopath tagged in but did not fare much better. He landed several punches to Solo’s head with virtually no effect on Solo. Solo picked River up for a press slam, then dropped to the mat like Scott Steiner for some mid-match push-ups.

The bad guys eventually gained the advantage on Napalm. Morrison dropped an elbow and grabbed a headlock. River attempted a suplex, but Napalm reversed it and held River high in the air for several seconds before dropping him hard onto the mat. Maxx tagged back in and was immediately hit with two splashes. When Solo went for a third, Madd Maxx moved out of the way and distracted the ref long enough for Salazar to whack Solo on the head with his cane. Surprisingly, this resulted in just a two-count.

Solo tagged in Napalm who cleared house with a series of clotheslines to each member of The Static Age. Napalm once again grabbed Maxx in a DDT position. The Sickopath charged, but Napalm picked him up in a fireman’s carry while still holding the front face lock on Morrison. All at once, Napalm hit the DDT on Maxx and the Samoan drop on River. A quick toss in the air for a nasty punch to the face gave the first fall to Project Mayhem.

The second fall started with Mr. Salazar distracting the ref while Madd Maxx cut Napalm off at the knees. This gave Morrison the opportunity to put the big man in a single leg crab. The Static Age used quick tags to keep Napalm from tagging Solo. They continued to work on Napalm’s leg as Solo tried to get the crowd clapping. Maxx continued the onslaught, however. He tied up Napalm in the corner upside down and leveled him with a running kick to the face from the opposite corner.

Napalm did his best to escape with a kick to the shin and one to Morrison’s face, but he fell to the mat from exhaustion immediately afterward. River the Sickopath ran over and pulled Solo off the apron just as Napalm managed to crawl his way to the corner. Moments later, Solo hopped back up on the apron for the tag. Solo hit Morrison with a front slam and River with a boot to the face.

Solo whipped River into the turnbuckle face first and followed him in to deliver some hard chops. Napalm entered with a running kick in the corner, before the two men hit a modified 3D finisher to take consecutive falls and retain the titles.

WINNER: PROJECT MAYHEM

MATCH #7
BOZWORTH vs. GABRIEL KAI vs. RUCKUS vs. ANTHONY ATHENS
AWA MERCILESS TITLE ELIMINATION MATCH

Anthony Athens had heat with the crowd from the word “go.” This might have something to do with the fact that, during his entrance, he took a fan’s megaphone away and threw it across the room. His opponent Bozworth was similarly hated by the crowd. The other two combatants, Gabriel Kai and Ruckus had the full support of the fans as this fatal four way elimination match got under way.

Bozworth and Kai started the match with a lockup while the other two men looked on from their corners. Soon, though, Athens and Ruckus ambushed Bozworth with a double team, culminating in a handspring back elbow delivered by Ruckus.

Bozworth managed to clear the ring of everyone else besides Gabriel Kai. Bozworth hit Kai with a knee, then pulled him down to the mat by his hair. Ruckus tried to re-enter the ring twice, but Bozworth kicked him away from the ring apron. Anthony Athens tried once to get back in but met the same resistance. Gabriel Kai took the opportunity to hit a side slam and go for the pin. At that moment, though, Anthony Athens came back in the ring, took Kai off of Bozworth and covered Bozworth himself for the first elimination.

With only three men left, Ruckus and Anthony Athens decided to team up on Gabriel Kai. The partnership would not last long before Athens and Ruckus started fighting amongst themselves, resulting in Ruckus taking a break in the corner so Athens could do all of the work. Suddenly, Ruckus snuck up on Athens for a rollup and a pin attempt. Ruckus turned and hit Gabriel Kai with a neckbreaker. As Ruckus went to pin Kai, Athens again snuck over, pulled Ruckus off of Kai and took the pin and the elimination for himself.

As Ruckus and Athens squared off one-on-one, Bozworth came back out from the dressing room and distracted Anthony Athens. Ruckus took advantage of this opportunity. He snuck up on Athens, hit his finisher and became the new AWA Merciless Champion.

WINNER: RUCKUS

MATCH #8
BEAU CROCKET vs. PARAGON
AWA TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FINALS

Paragon seemed less than eager to return to the ring for his AWA Television Championship Tournament finals match against Beau Crocket. Paragon refused to come out until his entrance music was played. The sound person decided to play a Prince song instead of his normal entrance theme which angered Paragon ever more. Paragon yelled out to the fans that he was not coming out until he received the respect he deserved.

The match started with a lockup and some chain wrestling, ending with Beau holding a headlock on Paragon. Paragon escaped and reversed with a head scissors and blows to Crocket’s stomach simultaneously. Paragon moved into finger manipulation which brought out a painful yelp from Beau Crocket. Paragon said he could do this all night long.

Beau tried to make a comeback. He came off the ropes, fell to the mat on his back, and punched up to hit Paragon in the face Dustin Rhodes style. Feeling the energy, Beau tried to come off the ropes with another big strike, but fell to the outside when Paragon pulled down on the top tope. On the outside, Chris Moore pummeled Crocket with strikes. This time, however, the referee saw everything and ejected Moore from the arena. As Paragon and Moore argued with the referee, Beau Crocket snuck in for a quick roll up which resulted in a near fall.

Beau capitalized on this momentum with a sharpshooter in the center of the ring, followed by a Scorpion Death Drop, which again resulted in a two count. Beau leapt up to the top rope, but Paragon was ready for him. Paragon flung Crocket from the top rope by his arm, then went to work weakening that same arm. Paragon took Beau’s pinky finger, inserted it in the center of the piece that connects the turnbuckle to the ring post and yanked violently causing immense amounts of pain for Beau Crocket.

After hitting an elbow drop on Paragon and a two count, Beau Crocket tried to get the fans clapping and rallying behind him. Beau tried a Pedigree, but Paragon escaped and pushed Beau into the corner. The referee, who had been standing in that corner, was knocked out and rolled outside the ring. With no referee, Paragon hit a low blow, then a clothesline to the back of Beau Crocket. Paragon went for the cover, but there was no referee to count.

A second referee ran out from the back to count the fall, but Beau managed to get his shoulder up. Paragon grabbed his cane and looked to use it on Beau, which caught the referee’s attention long enough for Chris Moore to run out from the back, hit a clothesline to the back of Beau Crocket. The referee turned around just in time to see Paragon fall on top of Beau for the pin.

Paragon jumped up in a cocky manner and demanded his Televion Title belt. As Moore and Paragon celebrated, they kicked and stomped Beau Crocket some more. Alejandro Avery and Mr. Salazar came out from the back to join in on the attack on Beau Crocket. While Alejandro pounded Crocket with Mr. Salazar’s cane, Chris Moore and the new AWA Television Champion left the ring. The show closed with Alejandro Avery and Mr. Salazar with their arms raised in victory after pummeling the defenseless Beau Crocket.

WINNER: PARAGON

I am excited to see more from this promotion in Southern Maryland in the future. The actual wrestling was good, of course, but this roster is loaded with performers who know how to entertain, as well. Many of the guys that performed were able to elicit the reactions they wanted from the crowd. Some made us angry, others mad us laugh. Some made us boo loudly, others made us clap and cheer like crazy. As a result, this show had something for everyone and all were entertained.

The other thing that stood out to me about this promotion was the theme of supporting the local community. This theme ran throughout the entire production. Everything that I saw, from the way Don Juan Dorsey describes his promotion’s mission, to the recognition of prominent community leaders, and the pricing of tickets with a design on giving more people access conformed to Mr. Dorsey’s vision. That will be good for both wrestling fans and the local Southern Maryland area as a whole.

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