After five gruelling months, the FIST Combat King of SoCal Tournament comes to a close with the Semi-Finals and Finals on Thursday, January 17th. The FIST Combat Tag Team Titles will also be on the line at Jolt ’N Joe’s in La Mesa, CA located at 8076 La Mesa Blvd. BELL TIME 7P.M. “Dirty” Ron McDonald hosts the show at the home of FIST Combat. Unfortunately, the injury bug has hurt this tournament with Douglas James, and Peter getting hurt after initially advancing. Even worse for “Relentless” Douglas James his injury forced him to surrender the FIST Combat Championship. There was plenty of talent in this year’s tournament including Royce Isaacs, Eli Everfly, Danny Limelight, Sammy Guevara, and Darby Allin all competing. Allin lost to Matt Vandagriff with an insane table spot from the second level of Joe’s. The King of SoCal Finals will be the Main Event.
King of SoCal Semi-Final: “Straight Edge Flip Artist” Matt Vandagriff vs Hunter Freeman
Matt Vandagriff is ready for this opportunity. He won two tough matches to get here with the table splash against win against Allin, and a high flying war with recently crowned FIST Combat Champion Danny Limelight. Vandagriff faces Hunter Freeman who’s coming into this contest after losing a Four Way Match (Dicky Mayer)here January 3rd. Freeman is here by way of his Quarterfinal win against Veinom, and has his sights set high against the now 21 year old Vandagriff.
King of SoCal Semi-Final: Michael Hopkins vs Ryan Kidd
Michael Hopkins has been to hell and back to get to this point. With a brutal win against decorated Indie legend B-Boy, and rookie standout Jordan Cruz the youngster has earned his stripes. Hopkins is very talented, and will need all of it against Kidd. You don’t always see a wrestler lose in round 1 and end up in the Semis, but that’s what happened for Kidd. Will Kidd take advantage of this great opportunity and overcome Hopkins, or will Michael continue his run to be King?
Nick Lovin vs Couch Potato Carl
In a rematch from their contest that opened FISTMania 2 , Nick Lovin looks to avenge his loss to Carl. Even if the match on paper may not be the most exciting FIST Combat is flexible with the rulebook so every match tends to be exciting. Look for the Couch Potato to continue his winning ways against Lovin.
Six Man Scramble
Current GET FIST’d TV Champion Rocketboy D’Marco Wilson survived his first defense of his TV Title against Matt Vandagriff, but without the belt, and now he competes in a Scramble that also features Motros, Dark Usagi, Veinom, Dragox, and Ryan Walker. Rocketboy is booked for February 7th to get his belt back, and this is a prep for what will be one of the biggest matches in his career.
FIST Combat Tag Team Championship: Wolf Zaddies (Tito Escondido & Che Cabrera) (c) vs The Establishment (Randy Order & Anthony Idol)
Newly minted FIST Combat Tag Team Champions the Wolf Zaddies who beat previously unbeaten True Grit (Jesse James & Big Dick Hoss Hoss) at FISTMania 2 look to continue the downward spiral of the Establishment. Both Randy Order and Anthony Idol lost cage matches at the year-end event, and look to get back on track Thursday night at Joe’s. Unfortunately for The Establishment, Bad Dude, and Latino Meat are not the guys to do it against.
King of SoCal Tournament Final
The picks are Matt Vandagriff and Michael Hopkins to reach the Finals. Vandagriff is ready for a big year and it starts here. Hopkins will get his chance too, but this is the Flip Artist’s night, and he’ll be the new King of SoCal. A win Thursday would be the perfect confidence boost for Vandagriff going into his gigantic Triple Threat Title Match February 7th.
