This Sunday, Toronto’s indie sensation Smash Wrestling takes the show on the road with a special live event in London, Ontario at the London Music Hall for Show Us What You Got!, which will be available for viewing within the week on their on-demand service, Smash On Demand. Much like other promotions like PWG and AAW, Smash’s live events are not available as a live PPV, but instead are part of their streaming archive services.
For those who aren’t aware, Smash Wrestling has loudly and proudly become one of Canada’s premiere indie promotions in their five year history. While some have started labelling them ‘PWG North’ due to the amazing flux of many top indie stars (many of whom are PWG regulars), the comparison is a tad unfair. While they do employ many national (and international) indie regulars, both as guests and regular performers, they also utilize a strong contingent of some of Canada’s emerging or breakout indie performers as well. If you’re ever in the Toronto area, be sure to look them up! And if you’re a fan of indie wrestling, be sure to check out a show on-demand for more history – Johnny Gargano was the Smash Champion just before his NXT surge and Rosemary vs Allie was a year long feud of the year candidate in Smash before they hinted at this recently on Impact.
Here’s a quick look at this Sunday’s card:
SMASH CHAMPIONSHIP TRIPLE THREAT:
Tyson Dux (C) vs. Cody Deaner vs. Tyler Tirva
Tyson Dux, one of the competitors in WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic last year, is a Canadian indie legend. He’s battled some of the top wrestlers in the world in the past year, including rematches with Zack Sabre Jr. and Cody Rhodes, on his way to capturing the Smash Championship late last year (and becoming the first Canadian to do so). He’s been a fighting champion ever since. He’s got a huge title defence in April at Smash Wrestling’s New Girl In Town event against UK icon Jimmy Havoc, but first he’s got a triple threat against two other Ontario indie grapplers. Cody Deaner is the most recognizable, as he had a fun stint with Impact Wrestling a few years back. He’s also the current Border City Wrestling Champion just up the road in Windsor, Ontario, where he’s got history with Tyson Dux, as both friend and foe. Tyler Tirva may not be as recognizable as either Dux or Deaner, but he’s been a star in the Canadian indies since his debut in 2008.
Braxton Sutter vs. Davey Richards
A battle of two members of the current Impact Wrestling roster, Braxton Sutter actually calls Smash Wrestling his home north of the border, and has for years. He’s one half of the tag team The Well Oiled Machines with ‘Psycho’ Mike Rollins, but after January’s singles match against Sami Callihan at Any Given Saturday 5, Sutter has decided to try and steal the show again on his own, this time against former ROH World Champion Davey Richards (of American Wolves), who will have his wife (and Impact Knockout) Angelina Love with him. This should be an absolute cracker of a match.
Colt Cabana vs. “The Hacker” Scotty O’Shea
Colt Cabana is in town to take on another Ontario indie legend, “The Hacker” Scotty O’Shea. O’Shea is a regular not only in Smash, but with another top Ontario indie, Alpha-1 (Ethan Page‘s promotion). The Hacker isn’t shy about getting mean and nasty (he fought CZW‘s DJ Hyde last year when CZW invaded Smash), so the normally comedic Cabana may be in for a tougher fight than normal. But never count Colt out of any fight – his antics can often provide the distraction necessary for the win.
Rosemary vs. KC Spinelli
Before she was known worldwide as Rosemary of Decay on Impact Wrestling, she was simply Courtney Rush, a staple of Smash Wrestling. She continues to return to spread her brand of Decay, and this time it’s against KC Spinelli, another Canadian woman who’s making waves internationally, with SHIMMER, AAA, WSU as well as here in Canada with ECCW and others. It’s actually a battle of the tag team partners, as Rosemary is a frequent tag partner of Spinelli in the tag team The Danger Zone.
Dillon Andrews vs. Sebastian Suave
Sebastian Suave is another Canadian grappler making waves in the Canadian indie scene. Managed by the scrupulous James Kingdom, who’s always on the look out for corporate sponsorship to drive every waking moment of Suave’s current career, Suave has been more than a staple for Canadian promotions. He tagged with fellow Smash Wrestling star Brent Banks as part of The Northern Fight Club in CZW’s Cinco De Mayo event in 2012 and he was the opening dark match for ROH’s Death Before Dishonor in Toronto a few years back. He’s facing London’s homegrown Dillon Andrews in a match of the hometown hero vs the Super Sponsor.
The Kevin Bennett Experience vs. John Greed & Space Monkey
Kevin Bennett is the undisputed megaheel of Smash Wrestling (the fans regularly chant “F*ck you, Bennett!” till they’re hoarse every time he’s near the ring) and he’s bringing his entourage (Big Tank and Muscles) for tag team action. Bennett, a product of Buffalo, NY, is also a regular with Empire State Wrestling in New York and Pennsylvania’s Pro Wrestling Rampage. They’re taking on the monster John Greed, one of the most underrated big men in indie wrestling, who’s bringing in a very special tag team partner – the absolute indie sensation known as Space Monkey. Space Monkey is blowing up right now with this comedic and innovative style, showing up in CHIKARA (he’s the current Young Lions Cup Champion), AAW, AIW, and Glory Pro recently.
