First I want to talk about the Jeff Paterson Memorial Tournament, being held in Ybor City, FL on Friday, December 14 (8:00 pm belltime) and Saturday, December 15 (6:00 pm belltime) at The Orpheum, 1915 East 7th Avenue, Ybor City, FL.This wil be the tenth annual and final Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup. The event was established to honor the memory of independent wrestler "All American" Jeff Peterson who died at age 21 after a two-year battle with leukemia. It is a standard 16-man single-elimination tournament intended to showcase the top junior heavyweight wrestlers from independent promotions throughout the United States and Japan. Many top independent wrestlers have participated in the event with former winners including Reckless Youth (2003), Justice (2004), Chris Sabin (2005), Milano Collection AT (2006), Chris Hero (2007), Erick Stevens (2008), Davey Richards (2009), Sami Callihan (2010) and AR Fox (2011)
The tournament is dedicated to the memory of northeast independent wrestler Jeff Peterson, who died as the result of a 2 1/2 year battle with lymphoma in 2002.
Peterson was held in the highest regard by all those with whom he worked; in his uncle Jim Kettner's ECWA, Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling, IPW Hardcore Wrestling in Florida, California's All-Pro Wrestling, and elsewhere. He was trained by Lance "Simon" Diamond and Too Cold Scorpio at the Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling/ECWA affiliated WrestleTech wrestling school, working such regional independent mainstays as Reckless Youth, as well as Florida's OG Scarface and Frankie Capone, as well as TNA's Christopher Daniels.
Peterson wrestled in the 1999 and 2000 ECWA Super 8 tournaments, losing in 2000 to Jet Jaguar, as part of a program between the two that ran in Florida five years ago, a set of matches that helped Florida independent wrestling gain greater notice across the country.
Jeff received chemotherapy for his lymphoma beginning in April 2000. He had a difficult time of it, with one remission, then a return of the cancer. He also missed being in and around wrestling and his extended family in the ECWA...which seemed to him to be the biggest hurt of all. In July 2000, while still battling his cancer, he came back to a ECWA show to be inaugurated into the promotion's Hall of Fame; and to help his uncle, promoter Jim Kettner, get over the angle that would result in the ECWA's biggest moment to date: the November 25, 2000 show at the Bob Carpenter Center, which drew over 2,200 fans far and away the largest crowd in the promotion's history.
My favorite thought on Jeff Peterson comes from one night back in 1999 at an ECWA show down at their homebase of St. Matthew's in Newport, Delaware. It was at the end of another of the traditional style matches Kettner favors. As the end of this tag team match approached, my younger brother and I played armchair booker and tried to guess the finish. Then, one heel stood on the apron holding one of the babyfaces with his arms pinned waiting for the inevitable punch; so we said out loud "rollup, or...".
Immediately behind us, chirped this voice (in a carny stage whisper) "skiz-ool-biz-oy", with a grin on his face. It was Peterson, who was back in the crowd being a fan he always was, after he'd already worked earlier in the evening.
If you live in the Ybor City area, please take the time to attend these events to remember Jeff on December 14/15.
As we all know, the Holiday season is here. This weekend sees two shows dedicated to helping others in the Philadelphia area
In keeping with the actual spirit of the season, the wrestling community will reach out to those in need. Independent promotions hold a wide variety of events to benefit various food pantries, shelters, Toys for Tots drives. Over the years, numerous independent promotions of various sizes and types trough the United States, Canada, and elsewhere have scheduled these events to benefit their local communities. Even if you don't have one in your own area this Holiday season, please take time to contribute to or volunteer with such organizations.
Combat Zone Wrestling, for the eighth consecutive year, will be holding a Toys for Tots collection at Cage of Death 14 on December 8. The Cage of Death event, CZW's annual mega-show will again be part of a doubleheader, with EVOLVE hosting the matinee show...all taking place at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ 601 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ.
EVOLVE has also agreed to do a Toys for Tots collection at their matinee show with a 4:00 pm belltime.
EVOLVE's matinee features El Generico & Samuray del Sol vs. Super Smash Brothers, Chuck Taylor vs. Jon Davis, AR Fox vs. Tony Nese, Jigsaw vs. Rich Swann and Masa vs. Papadon. The four winners advance to a four-way match in the main event.
Hurricane Sandy devastated the shore community of Union Beach, NJ. Raymond Smith wasone of the victims, who lost everything he owned and in an effort to help him rebuild his life EVOLVE is running a fundraiser show as part of the Cage of Death doubleheader. We ask that you attend this show to not only support a good man, but also to support EVOLVE Wrestling – a local independent company that has offered to partner to help raise money for one of the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Tickets can be purchased via Pay Pal for $20 to EvolveHurricaneRelief@gmail.com. Tickets will be mailed, you can pay cash and pick up tickets at Will Call.
Raffle tickets will be available during the EVOLVE show and CZW's Cage of Death later that night. Raffle tickets will be 1 for $10 or 3 for $20.
The grand prize is 4 tickets to WWE's Tables, Ladders and Chairs PPV at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, NY on December 16, an autographed WWE '13 Video Game for the PS3 autographed by Paul Heyman and CM Punk, an autographed CM Punk - Best in the World DVD and various autographed 8X10's including John Cena and Rey Mysterio. The winner of the raffle will be announced that night during CZW. If you are unable to attend the night show you will be contacted and the prize will be mailed to you.
If you cannot attend the event but would like to donate, please send all donations to EvolveHurricaneRelief@gmail.com through Paypal and write in the notes of the transaction that it is a donation only.
As a note, the Flyers Skate Zone also takes part in the annual Toys for Tots effort sponsored by Comcast.
Matches already announced:
Cage of Death match (with glass panes):
DJ Hyde vs. Bulldozer Matt Tremont
CZW officials have confirmed CZW World Heavyweight champion MASADA has accepted the challenge from Drake Younger
In the rematch of the indy classic that was a hit through the Northeastern United States in 2012, Adam Cole returns to CZW, as he takes on Sami Callihan
In what will be an 'Ultraviolent Insanity Match' – all members of 4Loco (Alex Colon and CZW World Tag champions Azrieal and Bandido, Jr.) face all members of The Nation of Intoxication (Danny Havoc, Lucky tHURTeen, and Devon Moore)
Kimber Lee will fight for equality along side Drew Gulak as they face Greg and Momma Excellent
Rich Swann vs. Shane Strickland in a battle for aerial supremacy
CZW Wired TV champion AR Fox has asked CZW officials to bring in top world-wide talent to face him at COD.
To name a #1 contender for the CZW World Tag Titles: OIFK's Jake & Dave Crist with Nevaeh face BLKOUT's BLK Jeez and Ruckus with Robbie Mireno
To get tickets, go to the CZW Pro Shop. Tickets are GA Price: $25/second row $30/Front row sold out
The Illinois Championship Alliance Wrestling from Anna, Ill. will collect toys as admission for their "Seasons Beating" performance on December 10 at 7:00 pm. ICAW does a show each yearto benefit a charity. This year they chose Toys for Tots as their charity.
All of the fans, as well as workers for the show, are strongly urged to donate at least one new toy in its original packaging, unwrapped, that can be donated to Toys for Tots. ICAW is located at 1400 North Old U.S. Highway 51, behind Patriot Automotive.
For more information, you can contact Curtis Girtman at 618-305-4284 or nuyash1@gmail.com or Matt Westbrooks at 618-614-4100.
Pure Wrestling Association/Ontario presents: "Spirit of the Season" on December 7th, at the Alpine Club, 464 Maple Avenue, Kitchener, Ontario. Doors Open at 7:00pm/Bell Time at 7:30pm
Tickets are $15.00 in Advance $10 in Advance for Youths and can be purchased at Combinations Sports – 306 King St W in Kitchener or by calling 519-998-8799. Tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the event for an extra $5
ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE TREE OF ANGELS!! HELPING KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY
PURE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
TURCAN CELIK VS. JOEY ALLEN -c- W/ LENNY LILAC
ELITE WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP
GABRIELLA VANDERPOOL VS. JEWELLS MALONE -c-
TAGTEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
SCREAMING EGOS VS. THRILLBILLIES-c-
ONTARIO CHAMPIONSHIP
JOHNNY WAVE VS. ANTHONY FIASCO-c-
PURE VIOLENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
HARDKORE HICK VS. BUCK GUNDERSON-c-
JIMMY KING VS. SGT. DICKSON
REGGIE MARLEY VS. REX ATKINS
DEREK PLATINUM VS. JUAN ORTIZ
Chaotic Wrestling will do a show benefitting Toys for Tots on Fan Appreciation night, which takes place December 14th in Lowell, MA.
California's Apex Pro Wrestling has announced "Tag for Toys"show schedule for December 8th. Admission is a new/unwrapped toy (valued $10) to be donated to Toys for Tots. Show is highlighted with a Tag Team tournement to crown new Apex Pro Tag champs
USCW Pro Wrestling will hold their Toys for Tots show on December 8 at the Baker County Fair Grounds, Macclenny, FL. For information , go to http://uscw.org. Cost: $10.00 at the door or bring a NEW unwrapped toy and get in free,
Incidentally, Toys for Tots collections have already begin in other parts of the United States. If you need information on the charity, go to Toys for Tots.com
Additionally, Brew City Wrestling will hold another event on December 9, when they return to their home base of Knights of Columbus, West Allis, WI. with a benefit for Food for Families of Greater Milwaukee
As a reminder promotions (or their fans) can send information on scheduled Holiday charitable-themed (fund-raisers for clothes, food pantries or Toys for Toys, etc.) wrestling or MMA events to bobmagee1@hotmail.com.
Until next time....
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