Wrestling Has A Tomorrow (WHAT), the new promotion based out of Providence, Rhode Island, continues its momentum of solid indie wrestling in the Northeast territory with WHAT IV this Sunday. It will also be the debut event taping for their new streaming service as part of the Highspots Wrestling Network (the first three are up and available to watch for free). Here’s a rundown of the card for WHAT IV.
Shawn Donavan, EC Negro & Trigga The OG vs. KC Navarro, Kellan Thomas & Sanchez
Big elimination match featuring some Northeast veterans and emerging talent. EC Negro has been wrestling since 2001, trained by Homicide, and is a veteran of Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW), New York Wrestling Connection (NYWC) and Pro Wrestling Magic (PWM), and is the current PWM Champion. He’s pairing up with longtime Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF) bruiser (and former 2x IWF Heavyweight Champion) Shawn Donavan and Rhode Island’s own Trigga The OG. On the other side, former Northeast Championship Wrestling (NCW) Heavyweight Champion Kellan Thomas pairs up with young CZW prospect KC Navarro and indie veteran Pinkie Sanchez (CHIKARA, CZW, GCW, Beyond and more). Should be a hard hitting and energetic match up.
Xia Brookside vs. Rachael Ellering
A battle between two second generation grappers as Rachael Ellering (daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering) takes on current IPW:UK Women’s Champion Xia Brookside, the daughter of UK wrestling great Robbie Brookside (who’s current a trainer at the WWE Performance Center). Xia has also spent the past two years with Stardom in Japan, and she’s only 18 years old. She’s doing a bit of a whirlwind US debut (with stops at RISE, Inspire, Bar Wrestling, Queens of Combat and Freelance all upcoming, not to mention being backstage at this week’s NXT Tapings), so this is a great chance to see one of the UK’s fastest rising stars before she explodes. Facing another great young talent like Rachael Ellering is a treat for any fan.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Myron Reed) vs. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen)
Private Party has spent the first few WHAT shows battling Cashwell Killanova (Christian Casanova & Ken Broadway) and The Maine State Posse (Aiden Aggro & The Danger Kid), but on Sunday they’re facing The Rascalz‘ Trey Miguel and Myron Reed. And while it’s a first time match-up in WHAT, they’ll be plenty ready for this battle. They’re fighting each other the night before at CZW Prelude to Violence. So if they didn’t like each other before this weekend, by Sunday it’ll be an all out war.
Homicide vs. Bronson vs. Danny Miles
Expect nothing less that a lesson in violence in this three way that sees CZW Dojo Wars veteran Bear Bronson facing former ROH World Champion and Impact’s LAX member Homicide and Big Time Wrestling veteran Danny Miles. All three men are looking to cement their spot in WHAT and they’ll do whatever it takes to make that mark – defeating a former ROH Champion in Homicide would look good on either men’s resume.
The WHAT Scramble: Ace Austin vs. Sean Maluta vs. Jason Cade vs. Desirable Dustin vs. Leon Ruff vs. Gigalo Justin
Six men are scheduled to take part in the WHAT IV Scramble, as all men take on all comers to secure the victory. Former 3x Reality of Wrestling (ROW) Tag Team Champions The Heavenly Bodies (Desirable Dustin & Gigolo Justin) will be each man for themselves, joining a scramble of names that include indie star Jason Cade and WWE Cruiserweight Classic competitor Sean Maluta (who’s part of the Anoa’i family). Ace Austin has been making a name for himself in CZW the past few years, and just missed out on the Wrestling Revolver Scramble title last week at the Impact/PWR event on Twitch. Leon Ruff is the new face in the match, who made his debut last year in the sport after training with WW4A. He was also a part of WWN’s Style Battle series last year.
Brody King vs. Dan Maff
Two monsters lock up, as one of the indie wrestling’s emerging new big men, Brody King, faces off against Dan Maff. King, who also performs in the metal band God’s Hate, has taken the indie scene by storm the past year, with appearances in PWG, EVOLVE, PCW ULTRA, MLW, WrestleCircus and many more, making his WHAT debut this Sunday. But Dan Maff is no pushover. The 41-year old is a near 20 year veteran of the likes of JAPW, ROH, Beyond, Wrestle Pro and many more and he hits like an elephant.
Joey Ryan vs. Richard Holliday
Richard Holliday is on the rise in the indie circuit, with appearances with EVOLVE and CZW recently, as well as winning the ECWA 22nd Annual Super 8 Tournament this past April. But “The Most Marketable Man in Wrestling” is stepping into the ring with one of wrestling’s most marketable men in “The King of Dong Style” Joey Ryan. It will be a clash of styles, but it should prove to be a fun match regardless the outcome.
Gangrel vs. JT Dunne
A near 10 year veteran of NCW and Chaotic Wrestling, Rhode Island’s JT Dunn has become the face of WHAT Wrestling in it’s short lifespan so far. He’s taken all comers and this time it’s a former WWE Superstar in “The Vampire Warrior” Gangrel. Whether by fist or by goblet, this match could turn into a bloodbath.
Austin Theory vs. AR Fox
A main event that could headline any show, it feature two of the very best on the indie scene right now. AR Fox has been stealing the show from AAW to EVOLVE to CZW for years now, and really came in to his own at the end of the third season of Lucha Underground (where he competes as Dante Fox) with the absolutely amazing Ultimate Lucha Tres “Hell of War Match” against Killshot (Shane Strickland). He’s facing the man who many are calling the next great US indie star, Austin Theory, who is emerging as the new face of EVOLVE (and WWN), as he’s the current reigning WWN and Full Impact Pro Champion. This could very well be a Match of the Year candidate.
