Date: January 7, 2023
Venue: Logan Valley Mall
5580 Goods Lane
Altoona, Pennsylvania 16602
Tickets: General Admission $15.00
Parking: Mall parking
Promoter: A.C. Norway
Merch: Daniel Exotic Autographed Shirt $15.00
Ring Announcer: Mark Charles, III
Commentary: Doc Daugherty
Mike Edwards
Social: eclipsewrestle.com
facebook.com/EclipseWrestle
twitter.com/EclipseWrestle
instagram.com/eclipsewrestle/
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Eclipse Wrestling, founded in 2017, touts itself as “one of the fastest growing promotions in Western/Central PA featuring talent from all over the world.” The owner is A.C. Norway, who was originally brought on as part owner with Xavier Mannington in 2018. The promotion currently runs shows in Altoona, Johnstown, and Edensburg in Central Pennsylvania.
The majority of the shows that took place in 2022, and those scheduled in 2023, including this one, take place at the Logan Valley Mall in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Logan Valley Mall is a destination retail hub that serves a market of 60 miles, 9 counties and houses the only H&M store location between State College and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This particular show took place in the main mall area, adjacent to the old Applebee’s and around the corner from J.C. Penney on the first floor. When I arrived, I avoided the parking garage and looked for a spot near the main mall entrance just off to the right of the garage entrance. The ring was set up so close to the door that you could see it through the glass doors from outside.
Once you enter the mall, there is a place to purchase or show your tickets, which were only $15 for general admission. The seating was set up on three sides of the ring, with the Applebee’s side clear with the exception of the commentary table pushed up against the ring. Initially, there were only three rows of seats available, but due to high demand, more rows of chairs were being added right up until bell time.
Prior to the start of the show, owner A.C. Norway came out to the ring to make some announcements. He said that Steven Stetson claimed to not be feeling well which left him in need of a challenger for Project X’s Legacy Championship. In addition, for some reason, Juce Gambit would also be unable to appear and take part in the scheduled six-man tag match. Norway called Rico Hendrix and Dazzling Derek Benesch to the ring to propose a deal.
Norway asked for Rico Hendrix, who had been scheduled to face Joey P,, to take Gambit’s place in the six man tag match. In return, Rico’s stable mate, Tiberius Asante, would be elevated from Rail King contender to Project X’s Legacy Championship challenger for the evening. Derek Benesch agreed to the changes on behalf of his charges and the matches were set.
MATCH #1
YINZA vs. KAVOD vs. MANCHILD vs. GORY
RAIL KING QUALIFIER MATCH
The first of five Rail King Qualifier matches was a wild fatal four way affair that got going in a hurry. Yinza jumped on Man-Child as soon as the bell rang and the two masked wrestlers quickly ended up outside the ring. Kavod and Gory faced off with neither man gaining an advantage until Kavod hit a stunner followed by a clothesline that sent both men over the top rope.
Yinza and Man-child returned to the ring moments later. Yinza hit a clothesline and a splash, but got blocked on a rolling Codebreaker and slammed by Man-Child. As Yinza rolled away to safety, Man-Child missed a splash on both Kavod and Gory, but managed to swat Kavod out of the sky when the latter attempted a springboard assault from the apron.
At this point, Gory realized it was best to be on the side of the 450 pound monster. Gory teamed with Man-Child for a double back elbow, then allowed the big man to slam him onto the prone Kavod. When Yinza returned, Gory tried to follow a rake to the back by slamming Man-Child onto the Pittsburgh Luchador. Not surprisingly, Gory could not lift the big man. As Gory and Man-Child argued about it, Yinza got a near fall with a quick roll up.
Man-Child and Yinza resumed their earlier battle and the action again spilled outside the ring for the final time. They brawled around ringside, then into the mall and, eventually, out of sight. When the crowd’s attention turned back to the ring, they saw Gory block a strike from Kavod and counter by biting his arm. Somehow, Kavod managed to respond with a tornado DDT and standing leg drop before making his way to the top rope.
Gory got up in time to knock Kavod off the top rope and followed with a Canadian Destroyer. With all the momentum, Gory signaled to the crowd that he was about to finish off Kavod. Gory climbed to the top rope, but missed Kavod coming off. Quickly, Kavod capitalized with a spinning urunage for the victory. Appropriately, as the final bell sounded, Yinza and Man-Child reappeared and continued to battle as they came down the mall escalator.
WINNER: KAVOD
MATCH #2
A.J. ALEXANDER vs. COCKY JOHNSON
RAIL KING QUALIFIER MATCH
After a posing contest, which A.J. Alexander won easily, the two combatants appeared to square off for an exchange of chest chops. Cocky Johnson took one shot, but cowered when Alexander tried to take one of his own. When Alexander tried a second time, Johnson ducked into the ropes. Alexander responded with a basement dropkick and back suplex, then whipped Johnson right out of the ring.
Johnson played possum on the outside until Alexander attempted another basement dropkick. As Alexander approached, Johnson pulled open the ring skirt and trapped A.J. in between it and the ring. Johnson would take control with a long-held chin lock when the action returned to the ring. Alexander’s first attempt to escape the hold ended with Johnson yanking him back down to the mat by his hair. The next time, Alexander reversed the hold into an ankle lock.
Alexander seemed to be in control at this point, but could not manage to put Cocky Johnson away for good. After a ripcord clothesline and a wicked pounce by Alexander, Johnson came off the ropes with a shoulder tackle that left both men down. Johnson crawled over and draped his arm across Alexander for a near fall, then climbed to the top rope.
Alexander made it to his feet, joined Johnson on the top rope, and attempted a superplex. The savvy Johnson evaded Alexander’s grasp, dropped back down to the mat, and connected with a sit-out power bomb followed by a Lionsault that seemed certain to end the match. When it didn’t, Johnson climbed back up to the top rope. Again, Alexander caught Johnson. This time, however, Johnson would not escape. Alexander lifted Johnson onto his back for an ushi garoshi that put Cocky Johnson out for good.
WINNER: A.J. ALEXANDER
MATCH #3
LUKE LEE vs. DANIEL EXOTIC
RAIL KING QUALIFIER MATCH
An angry Luke Lee entered the ring demanding a match with Joey P. Throughout the match, Lee would call out challenges to Joey P and scream for Eclipse Wrestling officials to make it happen. His actual opponent for the evening, Daniel Exotic, seemed to be in control of the match early on, but turned his back for just a moment and gave Lee the opening he needed.
Almost begging to be disqualified, Lee pulled Exotic’s hair, bit him in the face, and choked him in front of the referee. Exotic turned the tide when he got an elbow up on a charging Luke Lee, followed by another when Lee charged again. Exotic hit an STO and pounded the mat to signal his comeback. Just as he did, though, Luke Lee slid over and rolled Exotic up for the quick pin.
Daniel Exotic could not believe what had just happened. His shock turned to rage and Exotic savagely attacked Lee. Exotic locked Luke Lee in a cross face for nearly two minutes as referees and other officials tried to loosen Daniel Exotic’s grip. Eventually, Joey P ran in to make the save for an ungrateful Lee. The next day on Twitter, Lee insisted that Joey P’s actions were, “all an act” and guaranteed that Joey P will “prove he hasn’t changed.”
WINNER: LUKE LEE
PROMO
A.C. Norway returned to the ring following the intermission, invited Man-Child to join him, and explained that he had recently been invited to Charlestown for the AON Rumble. Man-Child apparently caught Norway when they threw him out of the Rumble, but he could not figure out why Man-Child would be so stupid as to not put him back on the apron so he would have a chance to continue in the competition.
At that moment, AON owner Kess Edison made his way to the ring. He asked why Norway insists on interjecting yourself into AON business. Norway called Edison an idiot and demanded that Edison leave. Kess reiterated that he doesn’t understand why Norway keeps showing up at AON shows.
As Kess continued to talk, Norway inexplicably hit Man-Child in the back with a chair, then tossed it to Kess Edison to frame him for the attack. Man-Child turned around, slammed Kess Edison. then used a reverse piledriver to drive Edison into the mat as A.C. Norway took off for higher ground.
MATCH #4
JOEY P vs. CURTIS RAY GODDI
RAIL KING QUALIFIER MATCH
Joey P,, following his save of Luke Lee earlier in the evening, seemed pumped for this next Rail King Qualifier match against Curtis Ray Goddi. However, the Notorious C.R.G. was ready for him. As Joey P. entered the ring and got up on the ropes to pose for the fans, Goddi attacked from behind and, in the blink of an eye, he and Joey P. were outside on the floor.
Joey P. managed to throw Goddi back into the ring first. Goddi pounced on Joey with a knee to the face as Joey tried to re-enter the ring, and followed with another running knee and a bulldog for a near fall. Joey P. turned the tide with a fall away slam and held Goddi vertical in a suplex long enough for all of the blood to rush to Goddi’s head before being slammed to the mat.
Joey P. signaled to the crowd that he was about to end Goddi’s night, but Goddi surprised him with a small package for a near fall. Goddi hit a rolling neck breaker for another near fall, but telegraphed the cross body. Joey P. caught Goddi in mid-air and drilled him with a spinning urunage.
WINNER: JOEY P
MATCH #5
A.C. NORWAY, RICO HENDRIX & DEZMON KING vs. COWPOKE PAUL, TAD JARVIS & STEVIE LEBELL
RAIL KING QUALIFIER SIX MAN TAG MATCH
In the absence of Juce Gambit and Elijah Crews, A.C. Norway and Rico Hendrix were in need of one more partner for this special six-man tag Rail King Qualifier match. The answer came in the form of the “Relentless” Dezmon King who I have covered on multiple occasions, most recently at Dynamite Championship Wrestling.
The bad guys were feeling confident with their new team, but their opponents had the support of every fan in attendance. Before the match started, Hendrix tried to compare crowd reactions with Cowpoke Paul and Tad Jarvis and was shocked when the fans only cheered for his opponents.
Jarvis got the advantage on Hendrix early with a series of hip tosses and a drop kick. Jarvis tagged in Stevie Lebell and body slammed him onto Hendrix. Lebell reversed an Irish Whip and nailed Hendrix with a clothesline, then got on all fours next to Jarvis, also on all fours. Cowpoke Paul tagged in, climbed to the top rope, walked across the backs of Jarvis and Lebell and leapt with a flying forearm at Rico Hendrix.
Hendrix fell into the corner and tagged King who immediately got hammered with a Tad Jarvis knee to the face and a back body drop. Instead of staying on Dezmon, Jarvis tagged in Cowpoke Paul. With a few seconds to prepare, King lied in wait, and when Paul charged, King managed to lift him up and drop his neck across the top rope to set up a wicked lariat, then lock Paul in a camel clutch that seemed sure to get the submission victory.
When that did not work, King tagged in Hendrix who only had time to hit one back elbow to Paul before A.C. Norway begged to be tagged in. Hendrix obliged, Paul attempted one punch, and Norway scurried to the corner and tagged back out. Hendrix hit a running knee and a bulldog before Norway again demanded to tag back in. Hendrix obliged again, but King tagged Norway right back out.
As the match wound down, Hendrix hit a sling blade on Cowpoke Paul, then a shoulder breaker to Tad Jarvis. Hendrix took a brief pause to catch his breath and Jarvis capitalized with a spear that knocked the wind out of The Toxic King. Jarvis lifted Paul into a cazadora and slammed him onto Hendrix as Stevie Lebell climbed to the top rope for a frog splash. Cowpoke Paul and Tad Jarvis cleared Norway and King from the ring as Lebell made the cover for the pinfall to earn himself a spot in the Rail King Tournament.
WINNERS: COWPOKE PAUL, STEVE LEBELL & TAD JARVIS
MATCH #6
TIBERIUS ASANTE vs. TAYLOR X (c)
LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP
Facing a stiff challenge from Tiberius Asante, Legacy Champion Taylor X took to the microphone and notified the fans that, for just one night, he will allow the fans to cheer for him as he battles “some real competition” in an effort to “give them a match like no other.”
Asante went right to work with a series of punches and chops in one corner. The champion managed to get a boot in Asante’s face as he charged, then hit a sling blade and an astounding 450° leg drop for a near fall. Taylor X landed several kicks to Tiberius’ face and a running knee, but was caught as he charged Asante in one corner. Asante set the champion on the top turnbuckle momentarily, but the champion knocked Asante back enough to give himself space to set up an incredible top rope, Shooting Star Clothesline to the challenger.
At that point, both A.C. Norway and manager Derek Benesch started a discussion that included the referee. With an eye on the commotion, Asante hit a choke slam to Taylor X, then went over to bring the referee’s attention back to the match. When Tiberious did, however, the champion snuck up behind him and rolled him up for the quick pin.
WINNER: TAYLOR X
MATCH #7
“REV” RON HUNT (c) vs. DAMIAN CHAMBERS
ECLIPSE CHAMPIONSHIP
In the much anticipated main event match between teacher and student, champion and challenger, Rev. Ron Hunt and Damian Chambers met nose to nose in the center of the ring to exchange heated words, followed by furious fists as the bell rang. Chambers charged, Hunt pulled the top rope down and sent Chambers flying to the outside. Hunt tried to follow with a basement dropkick, but Chambers trapped him in the ring skirt.
The two competitors battled outside the ring for several minutes. At certain points each man rolled in and out of the ring quickly to reset the referee’s count. Hunt threw Chambers into the brick wall of the former Applebee’s not once, but twice. Chambers returned fire by ramming Hunt into the ring post.
Hunt rolled back in the ring briefly, but flew right back out with an attempted tope suicida that did not go as planned. Chambers called for all the fans in that section to move, suggesting he was going to throw Hunt into the chairs, but faked everyone out and tossed the champion back into the ring instead.
Now with the upper hand, Chambers slowed the match down. He stomped on Hunt as Hunt crawled for safety, then turned to taunt the crowd with each strike. Chambers hit an STO, more taunting, Finally, Hunt seemed poised to strike after he evaded a charging Chambers and countered with a backstabber, boot to the midsection, and a drop down punch to the face. Hunt climbed to the top rope, but Chambers rolled out of harm’s way and hit a sit out power bomb for a near fall.
Again, Chambers went back on the attack, but just could not put the champion away. Chambers hit a suplex turned gourdbuster followed by an ushi garoshi, but still garnered only a two count. Frustrated, Chambers began chastising the referee over his perceived slow count. When that got him nowhere, Chambers decided to take matters into his own hands. The challenger grabbed the title belt and attempted to clock Hunt with it. The champion took the belt away from Chambers, hit a stomp followed by a forward DDT to put the challenger down for good.
After the match, Ron Hunt addressed the crowd. He said that Eclipse Wrestling is the best promotion in central Pennsylvania and thanked the fans on the one year anniversary of his victory over “Madd” Maxx Morrison to win the Eclipse Championship at New Beginnings 2022.
Hunt told the crowd that Damian Chambers was one of the first students in his dojo and showed commitment and dedication throughout his training. Hunt said that Chambers had proved himself once again in their match and encouraged him to have a great career and “take this thing further than I did.”
WINNER: “REV” RON HUNT
Eclipse Wrestling returns for their next show on March 4, 2023 at the Logan Valley Mall in Altoona, Pennsylvania. They will run a total of five shows at that location in 2023, plus two more shows in Johnstown, Pennsylvania including Thundercade 2023 on June 24, 2023. Check out Eclipse Wrestling’s Facebook page for more information.
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