Beyond die-hard and PWP Writer Tim Bell previews and breaks down the upcoming Beyond Wrestling event, “Gratitude Era” this October 25th.
For anyone who’s unaware, Beyond Wrestling is a very unique and exciting independent wrestling company based mainly in Providence, RI. Normally, it’d be unrealistic to expect an indie company to be known outside its home area, but Beyond’s immense social media presence has helped farther than most regional companies could fathom.
Look no further than the recently launched YouTube channel Beyondemand, Beyond Wrestling’s subscription service following in the model of the WWE Network, offering edited HD footage of full length shows, as well as exclusive interviews. Beyond mixes worldwide known talent with some of the most talented young talent in wrestling today, and throws in some delicious food to top it off, creating a live experience that strikes a chord with just about any type of fan.
Names like Kevin Steen, Ricochet, Samoa Joe and The Young Bucks have all made appearances with Beyond, some doing the typical indie tour of one night in every company. But one special thing about Beyond and the performers brought to the Beyond ring are that even talents like current ROH Tag Team Champions The Kingdom seem to thoroughly enjoy their monthly visits to Fete Music in Providence, and never give off the vibe that their matches in Beyond Wrestling are any less important than when they’re challenging for the IWGP Tag Team Championships, or competing on PPV with Ring of Honor.
And the rabid fans of Beyond Wrestling wouldn’t have it any other way, always loud and passionate, whether at Fete, or recently when Beyond made its debut in Massachusetts. It comes as no surprise, then, that this month’s event at Fete on Sunday, October 25th be titled “Gratitude Era”. As always, Beyond has some absolutely ridiculous matches lined up:
EYFBO (Mike Draztik & Angel Ortiz) vs. John Silver and Rex Lawless
Unknowing fans will look at the team of Silver and Lawless and be drawn to the size of Lawless, labeling him the brawn of the team, but Silver power knows no bounds. Silver reminds me of “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson, that is, if Johnson was able to throw his opponent clear out of the octagon.
That being said, in my months attending Beyond Wrestling, I haven’t been as impressed with anyone as much as I have with Draztik and Ortiz of EYFBO. They’ve taken Da Hit Squad further than any other team in recent months, and consistently put on a tag team clinic in every Beyond appearance.
Prediction: EYFBO wins one for Team Pazuzu
“The Product” David Starr vs. Matthew Palmer
David Starr continues his march towards Tournament For Tomorrow 4 in November by attempting to vanquish all of his opponents from TFT2, and that road continues this month with Matthew Palmer. Starr’s been moving steadily up the ladder in Beyond, but a stumble on his self-imposed quest to defeat ghosts of his past would prove devastating.
Will Palmer be victorious in his return to Beyond, or will Starr show he’s elevated to another league, forcing Palmer to “Look at it”?
Prediction: David Starr continues his breakout tour towards TFT4
Team TREMENDOUS (Dan Barry & Bill Carr) vs. Crusade For Change (Darius Carter & TJ Marconi)
Crowd favorites Dan Barry & Bill Carr celebrated in Beyond’s debut in MA with a victory over The M1nute Men, only to turn around and challenge the leader of Crusade For Change Darius Carter, and the muscle of CFC, TJ Marconi.
With Bill Carr fully recovered from his foot injury, Team TREMENDOUS looks to continue their momentum, but Carter and Marconi cannot be taken lightly, and after a loss to Timothy Thatcher last month, Darius Carter will be looking to reestablish dominance in Beyond Wrestling with a statement victory over detectives Barry and Carr.
Prediction: Team TREMENDOUS locks up CFC in Precinct 69 with a victory
Jonathan Gresham vs. Donovan Dijak
Calling this one a clash of styles is far too obvious, and doesn’t do enough justice to what should be an amazing match.
ROH star Donovan Dijak has been lighting Beyond Wrestling on fire with match of the night candidates every month, but Jonathan Gresham submitted AR Fox in his last visit to Fete, and will be prepared to test his skill against the size and strength of Dijak.
However, in recent months, Dijak has disposed of Eddie Edwards, Brian Fury, and Biff Busick, among others. How will Gresham be able to neutralize Dijak, and avoid feasting his eyes on another Dijak triumph?
Prediction: Donovan Dijak continues wreaking havoc on Beyond with a victory
AR Fox vs. “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams
Many at Fete were outraged at Americanrana ’15 when AR Fox was forced to tap out within minutes to “Hot Sauce”, and apparently Fox is ready to try and rectify that indignity. The problem is, AR Fox has recently had more than his share of difficulties with submission specialists, and Tracy Williams will be prepared to force feed the “Living Legend” another submission defeat.
However, if Americanrana is any sign of the crowd’s preference, Fete music will be clamoring for a hearty helping of Lo Mein Pain on October 25th.
Prediction: AR Fox avenges his Americanrana loss, and defeats “Hot Sauce”
Da Hit Squad (Danny Maff & Steve “Monsta” Mack) vs. The Kingdom (Michael Bennett & Matt Taven w/Maria Kanellis)
This one should be wild, and is another candidate to steal the show. The Kingdom has dominated Beyond Wrestling for months, but they haven’t faced a team quite like Da Hit Squad.
Mack and Maff have spent the past few months putting on some of the craziest brawls in Beyond Wrestling, and seem to be the perfect duo to push The Kingdom to their limits, and perhaps beyond. And with Da Hit Squad’s proficiency at brawling all over the building, will there be anywhere for Maria Kanellis to hide?
Prediction: Da Hit Squad comes close, but The Kingdom always seems to squeak out a win. They do it again this month.
Shynron vs. Amazing Red
Absolutely the predetermined match of the night and the match all of the other contests on the card will be working to outshine. Only problem is, there may be no chance of accomplishing that goal. Shynron just tore the house down last month with Ricochet, and will certainly be looking to get back on the winning path as he takes on the former TNA X-Division Champion, Amazing Red.
Red’s reputation is known worldwide, and many will make their way to Fete this month to have a chance to see Red up close and personal, but don’t sell Shynron short in any way. Those familiar with the CLL World Champion have seen the Dragon Warrior pull off amazing feats of skill and athleticism, and he’s seemingly scaled every inch of Fete Music.
That being said, Shynron will certainly have something special in store for his highly anticipated meeting with Amazing Red, but will he be able to knock off the veteran? This match alone is worth the price of admission, and one you can’t afford to miss if you’re in the Rhode Island/New England area this month.
Prediction: This one steals the show, and Shynron shocks the non-believers with a win over Red.
Chris Dickinson vs. JT Dunn
Many have seen the viral video of Chris Dickinson annihilating JT Dunn’s girlfriend, Kimber Lee. Since then, Dickinson and Team Pazuzu have been terrorizing Kimber, and last month in MA they extended their havoc to JT Dunn, attacking Death By Elbow and forcing Chris Hero to watch as they decimated JT Dunn. This month, although Hero will be absent, JT Dunn fights for revenge, as well as the honor of Kimber Lee as he squares off against the leader of Team Pazuzu.
However, Dunn must remember that all the “Dirty Daddy’s” tactics and sneak attacks don’t change the fact that Dickinson is one of the most talented, and vicious competitors in the indies today. His clashes with Samoa Joe proved that Dickinson can hang with anyone, and Dunn needs to be sure his thirst for revenge doesn’t blind him, or else a Pazuzu bomb will spend the end of Dunn’s night in his hometown of Providence.
Prediction: JT Dunn sends the Providence crowd home happy, but the battle with Team Pazuzu won’t end on this night…
If you’re near Rhode Island, or anywhere in New England, plan a trip and buy your tickets for Gratitude Era at the link: http://lookmanofans.com/store/live-event-tickets/