Beyond the Horizon #12
September 13th
SCW Apocalypse is tonight, and that means another edition of Beyond the Horizon.
Before I get to SCW matters, first I'd like to talk about next month. As any follower of mine should know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and for me, that means the Be Brave Conference. This year will be the fourth year for the event, and will be held at the same venue as the previous three years, the Alario Center in Westwego, LA, which is a suburb just a few miles outside of New Orleans proper. Once again, SCW is partnering with the New Horizon Foundation and Horizon House to help provide streaming access to those who are not in the NOLA area to watch on My54, or who cannot attend in person.
Also as in previous years, the event will be held on Under Attack weekend,. SCW's show is Sunday, October 18th. So the Conference will be Friday, October 16th. I have a few speakers booked already, but we do have spots to fill so if you are interested, please contact me or the NHF Director Bonnie Comeaux. More details will be released as things are finalized. And as always, I and everyone at the NHF and HH Shelter appreciate all of your support.
With that out of the way, time to focus on SCW matters. Firstly, I want to say how much I enjoyed everything about Rise to Greatness. From the fan experience, the preshow, the Hall of Fame, and the main show. Everyone put their hearts and souls into their matches, and while I do want to congratulate all the winners and new champions, I also think everyone has a lot to be proud of.
One thing I am very excited about that's coming up is the Tag League that Sasha D announced this past Breakdown. While not having been known as a tag competitor myself, I've always had a fondness for tag team wrestling, and I can't wait to see how this tournament will play out. We'll find out tonight who will go into it as Tag Team Champions, and I heard a rumor that soon after tonight's show, possibly even before the next Breakdown, the sixteen participating teams may be announced. Personally I expect to see Frozen Hell, The Golden Boys, The Jackass/Big Ass Connection, Dark Fantasy, and possibly The Wonderland to be involved. We've already been told Matt Hodges will team with Subarashi, and that the other three people in his four way match tonight – Owen Cruze, Ace Marshall, and Bree Lancaster – will be as well, although we don't know who their partners are. I have my speculation, but I will just wait and see what unfolds rather than playing the guessing game.
On a personal note, I'd like to express how proud I am of Kelsai Adamson-Mason, for being brave enough to talk about her mental health issues and how she is going about taking care of herself. Just like DV and addiction, mental illness is something that unfortunately is often stigmatized and brushed off, and its people like Kelsai who are open and honest about their struggles that help bring awareness to these things and hopefully understanding and compassion for those dealing with these kinds of issues.
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Alright, let's get to unpacking this card, shall we? Apocalypse looks to be a very interesting show for a lot of reasons, so here we go with my thoughts and predictions for each match.
Ten Person Tag Match
Asher Hayes, Cid Turner, Jay Gold, Kelsai Adamson-Mason & A member of Spec Ops (Handler’s Choice) vs. Clyde Sutter, Gavin Taylor, Aubrianna Powers, Subarashi & Giovanni Aries
This looks like chaos on paper, and I have no doubt it will be chaos in the ring. Many of these competitors have never been in the ring with each other before, let alone teamed up. I'm not even going to try to make a prediction here, other than to expect a lot of pure athleticism and fast paced action.
Katie Steward vs. Crystal Zdunich
Scream Queen and Silver Screen Queen clashing here. Both have ties to the entertainment business as well as being wrestlers. Katie Steward is an SCW legend, Hall of Famer, first female SCW World Champion. Crystal Zdunich has made her name elsewhere and has come to SCW to take on new challenges. She has one in Katie. I don't know very much about Crystal's previous work, I haven't had the time to fully research her, but from what I've seen of her in SCW so far, I believe this will be a very competitive match up, but with Katie picking up the win.
Maria Salvatore vs. Konrad Raab
Maria Salvatore is another newcomer to SCW, and again unfortunately someone I haven't had much time to research. Konrad Raab.... we all know what he's about. He is one of the most determined, never-say-die people I have ever met in this business. Maria will get one hell of a welcome to SCW Pay Per View tonight, and since I have nothing else to go on, I'm gonna back the horse I know and give the nod to Konrad.
Jake Starr vs. Holly Adams
Two SCW legends and Hall of Famers going at it, this is the kind of content the SCW Universe loves to see. Jake Starr has been somewhat twisting in the wind since he and his sister Jordan Majors went their own ways seeking singles accolades. Holly Adams has not endeared herself to many since her return, with her penchant for slinging insults in person and over social media. But it seems that's the way she likes it. Jake Starr has a reputation for having done similar things in the past, but he seems to have moved on from that. I expect to see lots of rule bending and in the end, Starr with the win.
Ravyn Taylor vs. Blake Mason
Katya D has friends on the Board of Directors, and she is clearly calling in favors to get all of Infamous coming after Blake Mason. First he defended the Television Championship against Syren and was defeated, and now he faced Syren's wife Ravyn Taylor. There's history there I'm not fully versed on, but what I do know is that Blake is most dangerous when he's backed into a corner, against odds he doesn't like. It's clear he's already frustrated with this. Does that mean I think he can defeat Ravyn? I'm not sure. They're both very cerebral fighters, very calculated, methodical. Whoever makes the slightest mistake first will be the one to lose, and there really isn't any way to know who that will be before the bell rings.
Christy Matthews vs. Jason Helms
I admit it took all of my self-control to not list this as Karen Matthews. (you're welcome, Jase). Jason's jokes aside, the message behind them isn't far off the mark. For years Christy has gotten by in SCW by making use of every excuse, shortcut, advantage, and incessant complaining she could come up with. I'll remind you of the Shot of Adrenaline Tournament in 2017 when she was Adrenaline Champion and purposely lost matches to keep the title, and herself out of the finals, to ensure the winner of that tournament would have one final step before getting to face her for the championship. That was me, by the way. I only mention it to point out how this attitude of hers that Jason is calling out isn't a new one. I have no doubt that she isn't pleased with his antics, as most people who are the target of his certain kind of attention aren't. Jason needs to keep in mind that Christy can be a very dangerous competitor when she feels like it. But, on the flip side, so can he. I don't usually do this but I'm gonna go with extreme personal bias and pick Jason for the win. Why? Because it's what I want to see.
Matt Hodges vs. Owen Cruze vs. Bree Lancaster vs. Ace Marshall
This one is.... complicated. Bree Lancaster is the most recent former World Champion. She feels entitled to a rematch, and was not pleased when Matt Hodges and Owen Cruze started making noise about getting a title opportunity. The two of them were all set to face one on one tonight, until Bree made a case against it. Enter Ace Marshall, who made a challenge to Bree for unknown reasons. I admit to being confused by that myself, I am aware he and Bree were friends for a few years. All of that aside.... we have Bree Lancaster livid at Matt Hodges following his involvement causing her to be pinned by Tommy Valentine at the last Breakdown. All of these factors lead to this simple fourway having the potential to be explosive, brutal, and perhaps ending with injury. Take it from me, Bree can be absolutely ruthless when she is angry enough. I fear for Matt's physical health, especially his knee. Bree may not end up victorious, but if I know her – and I do – she will claim victory if she manages to tear that knee apart and leave Matt limping away. Who do I think will get the win? Either Owen or Bree. Ace is too aloof to care and Matt may not be able to continue if Bree targets him immediately and has her way with him.
SCW World Tag Team Championship
The Golden Boys vs. Frozen Hell
Let's see... established team (yes, they are now established, Tommy and Kandis, so get used to it) against Adam Allocco's pet project with his partner Bison Jones, as he tries to gain some credibility and recapture previous success. Adam is a lot of talk, and usually those who prop themselves up that much have trouble backing it up. Regan and Selena? They are not women who have trouble backing anything up. Champs retain here.
Under the Big Top Match
Aaron Blackbourne vs. Shilo Valiant
Shilo Valiant's mind games did not end following Rise to Greatness, despite the fact that Aaron Blackbourne defeated him there. He and Aaron will clash again, this time in Shilo's playground. Shilo is determined to put Aaron away, walk out with the big win, but Aaron isn't that easy to put down. Stipulation in Shilo's favor or not, Aaron has the talent and the creativity to use Shilo's own creation against him and end this in his favor. That said... Shilo is known for trickery, so don't be surprised if he pulls out something no one will see coming and surprises Aaron enough to catch him off guard and get the win. I'm going to give the nod to Aaron though, Shilo may be a little too comfortable and complacent in his element and get caught.
No Holds Barred, Falls Count Anywhere
Tommy Valentine vs. Xander Valentine
This will not be for the faint of heart or weak stomached, Dear Readers. We've seen what Xander Valentine can do when he's bored. He's attacked fans, innocent partners of SCW stars, and pretty much anyone else who gets in his way. We've also see what Tommy Valentine can do when hes angry. Cause injury and create bloodshed, with little to no concern over his own well-being. Well, Xander isn't bored here, he's out for vengeance, he feels Tommy got involved in his business and he wants several pounds of flesh. Tommy though is irritated with Xander's fixation on him, trying to regain ground after losing the Tag Team Championships at Rise to Greatness, and angry that Matt Hodges cost him a legitimate victory over Bree Lancaster, one that he could have used to bolster his claim for a World Championship match. Both are capable of excessive anger and brutality. Both have been in bad moods as of late. The difference maker here is that Tommy's attention has been pulled in several directions – the tag division, the World Championship, dealing with business related things following his falling out with David Helms. Xander? Has been laser-focused on exacting his brand of justice on Tommy since he got involved in his match with Regan Street.. I give him the edge here, but there aren't going to be any winners. Just a massacre.
60 Minute Ironwoman Match
Sienna Swann vs. Jordan Majors
Let's be blunt here Sienna Swann is unhinged. With personal issues and in-ring ones, she has chosen to focus all of her attention and anger on Jordan Majors. Ever since Cold Blooded when Jordan dropped her with a Cash Out, Sienna has been hell-bent on not only beating the young star down, but claims to be out to end her career. It doesn't matter to her that she pinned Jordan at Rise to Greatness. That wasn't good enough, because Jordan's toughness and heart got more attention around the wrestling world than Sienna's victory did. And Sienna can't stand that. Even more? Jordan broke Sienna's Taking Hold of the Flame Battle Royal time record, leading some to call Jordan the real “Iron Angel.” That will be put to the test here tonight in this 60 Minute Ironwoman match. Sienna has won a match like this before, she knows how to pace herself. Jordan though has that heart, that resilience that Sienna hates so much because it's what makes Jordan so successful. Sienna will do everything she can to break Jordan, physically and mentally. Jordan is a tough, smart, and strong young woman. But Sienna? Again, unhinged. Unstable. Irrational. As the old saying goes.... “you can't beat crazy.” I have a feeling Sienna will be too much for Jordan here and will get the win, but with just one decision difference in the tally.
SCW World Championship
Glory Braddock vs. David Helms
David Helms has had the kind of year this year that every wrestler dreams of, returning veteran or not. Trios. The Flame. Rise to Greatness World Championship win. It's been called fairytale for a reason, and Glory Braddock, who won Trios alongside David, has called her shot and will try to end the fairytale tonight. Having won the Adrenaline Championship from Peyton Rice at Rise to Greatness, Glory is as confident as she's ever been, feels this is her moment, that she can be successful with this year's Trios contract where she was unable to with last year's, when she cashed in to face then-World Champion Syren. David Helms is not one to step back from any challenger, never has been. He may have expected a rematch with Bree Lancaster, as Bree expected, or even to face his former friend Tommy Valentine, but it's Glory he gets. She's trying to become the second double champion we see this year, and David doesn't want the fairytale to end just yet. My take? Glory has let her Adrenaline victory get to her head, and she will walk into this overconfident, just like Bree did, and David's experience will allow him to take advantage of that and retain.
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There it is, Dear Readers, my thoughts and predictions heading into tonight's Apocalypse. Live on Pay Per View and streaming on supremecw.com, starting at 8PM Eastern. You won't want to miss it, guys. Thanks for reading, and as always my email and DM are always open for questions.
~ Amy Chastaine