It was time once again for ICW No Holds Barred to return to Massachusetts with another stellar event. Another entry in the Pit Fighter X series was on tap, much like their last Mass outing for the Battle of the Tough Guys II. I always loved the PFX environment as it reminded me of the first X-Men movie where Wolverine was lowly cage fighter before being brought into the Charles Xavier fold. So I readied my vest and bag, and embarked on the buzzing St. Patricks Day Weekend crowds of Boston. I have to say, ICW has really struck gold with having Sonia as a venue. Its another intimate venue and the set up for these past ICW shows has given a fight club-esque kind of feel. Even more so when you put up the Pit Fighter X cage.
Going into this event, there were a lot of things in play. The Kirks, once beloved by audiences, had turned their backs on the fans and returned to their cheating ways. Callen Butcher, originally slated for his US ICW debut, chose right by his health and stepped away from wrestling (whether “for good” or “for now” is yet to be seen). The recent and public departure of now former ICW Ring Announcer: Larry Legend. And of course, the sudden and tragic passing of Independent Wrestling Referee: Sean Patrick O’Brien (known and loved by all as SPO).
Things kicked off with a very serious and somber gathering of the ICW locker room in the ring. Pit Fighter X 16 would serve as a tribute to the memory of SPO. For the night, there would be no “I-C-Dub!” for the night’s action. Instead “S-P-O!” would be the way to cheer for the moments and madness of the night. There was also the addressing of the missing Larry Legend. In Larry’s place for the night, beloved New England ring announcer Rich Paladino would take up announcer duties. And with all this laid out, it was time to get into the night’s fights.
AKIRA vs Tremont
While there was no “biggity-biggity-bang” we start things off nonetheless with AKIRA taking on Matt Tremont. This match comes weeks removed from their ETU showdown for Tremont’s IWTV Title; now with the inclusion of their natural, ultraviolent habitat. Despite there being no belt on the line, these two put on the makings of a hot Title Fight. Matt’s forehead immediately opened up after a series of back and forth Headbutts with AKIRA. The match would maintain a fun back and forth pace with a Bar Fight thrown in the mix; both AKIRA and Tremont delivering some solid blows. Tremont would even wind up Headbutting AKIRA with a Gusset Plate stuck in his forehead. AKIRA got a pop out of me in particular when he hit Matt with an Evenflow DDT onto an open chair; a homage to his mentor Raven. Tremont would end things with a Death Valley Driver onto an open chair for the win.
Post-fight, AKIRA took to the microphone and here we got a glimpse of a new, assertive AKIRA. Gone is the Death Samurai fans know to come out and fight the good fight. And no more will he be fucked over by his peers. All in all, a hot opener to start off this emotional night in The Pit. These two can seemingly do no wrong together; whether fighting in a traditional one-on-one, Hardcore or Deathmatch. I look forward to the next time AKIRA and Tremont get to cross paths.
Kasey Kirk vs Jeff Cannonball
This match comes off of the heels of The Kirks going from beloved to benevolent in Chattanooga. With that being said, there was still a decent split of fan reception for Kasey Kirk as she stepped up to the fan favorite Jeff Cannonball. From Jeff having his pre-match soda, I knew this match was gonna be an absolute riot. To her credit, Kasey managed to turn the tide early with a Spear through a door and kept momentum on her side. Wouldn’t be too long though before Jeff came back on top; giving Kasey a mouth full of tacks and some paper cuts with a trading card. Things would come to their most memorable with both Kasey and Jeff (as well as referee Shiny Shoes) all took a little pill and slowed the action down…like way down. The fun would be cut short by Terra Calaway, who delivered a Double Chokeslam to both Kasey and Jeff after the two shared a kiss.
After Jeff delivered a Fire Thunder Driver onto cinder blocks, Brandon Kirk would prove to be the x-factor. His interference allowed Kasey to take Jeff out with the cage door repeatedly for the stoppage win. This most certainly was the funnest match of the night. I always love to see when Jeff Cannonball gets to come around to ICW. Any time Jeff Cannonball is in the ring, against any opponent, its sure to be a great time for all. Though I will say I’m a bit sad to see The Kirks return to their cheating ways after such a feel good year of both Brandon and Kasey climbing the mountain. We’ll have to wait and see where things go with The Kirks’ newfound reign of terror on ICW.
Clint Margera vs Tommy Vendetta
Of all the matches on the card, this one stuck out to me most. With Tommy being on the rise of NHB and Clint being one of the best in England, there was much to be excited for. The two went on to have a great back and forth encounter. They dueled with chairs ending in Clint jabbing Tommy’s midsection and hitting the cleanest Russian Leg Sweep I’ve ever seen in person. Tommy would avoid a Con-chairto and chuck a chair at Clint’s head and later hit a Running Backpack Cannonball through a door. In the end, mouse traps would come into play and Tommy Vendetta would take advantage; hitting a Piledriver onto a pile of traps and chairs for the win. Post-fight, we have a vision of things to come as Clint challenged Tommy to a rematch in The Chains. Tommy agreed to “come to you” in England for the rematch; hinting at NHB’s upcoming return to England for their rematch.
If this match was a preview of things to come in their rematch then we’re in for a big time treat. Even in such short form, Tommy and Clint were able to deliver a fun, hard hitting match. Tommy Vendetta only continues to deliver when put into these big time matchups. And of course, I was personally enamored by finally being able to see Clint Margera do what he does best live. I will be waiting with bated breath for the official announcement of Vendetta/Margera II.
Dr. Redacted vs Danny Demanto
Much like any Dr. Redacted match, the intensity of this one was felt heavily. Since seeing him debut against AKIRA at Battle of the Tough Guys II, Redacted only continues to endear himself to the NHB fateful. Though things were sure to get interesting as the Doc stepped up to the Boss of NHB: Danny Demanto. Things would not stay in The Pit for long as the two found their way out of the cage and brawled across the Bar Room floor. Redacted even got up and dived off of the Bar onto Danny. And in typical Redacted fashion, he would attempt to Niagara Falls it off of a ladder in a trash can onto Demanto to no avail. Danny would hit a sick Awesome Bomb on Redacted through that very same ladder, causing it to bend and crunch. Redacted would be his own undoing as trying to attack Shiny Shoes would end in a Stunner from Shiny Shoes and a Demanto Driver from Danny; giving the Boss the win. Yet another entertaining breakneck-car crash style match from Redacted and great performance from Demanto.
Casanova Valentine vs HoodFoot
When Cas and HoodFoot come together, they can do no wrong, and here we test that sentiment again. The two preceded this Hoss Fight with a couple of beers before trading blows like a 2000s Kimbo Slice tape. The tide shifted towards HoodFoot with some bat and chair based offense and a well placed Cutter on an open chair. Cas then took charge with some skewers to the head and a big man Overhead Belly-to-Belly through a door. Out came Satan Cock 4 as Cas would put HoodFoot in a Modified Muta Lock and Crossface with the spiked dildo firmly across Mo’s face. And in a first that I’ve ever seen live, HoodFoot regained control and introduced a couple of Candles; pouring the wax onto Cas’ flesh and making the room smell great! HoodFoot would send Cas home with a Northern Lariat for the win in this Hoss Fight. Post-fight, both men would share an emotional moment as they sat on the mat shared a hug “one time for the working man.” Yet another entertaining chapter in the ongoing matchups between Casanova and HoodFoot. With a ring, without a ring or without ropes, Cas and HoodFoot continue to have a series of great matches. Looking forward to the next time they get to lock up.
ICW American Deathmatch World Championship: Neil Diamond Cutter vs Brandon Kirk (c)
I knew from the announcement of this match that the atmosphere at Sonia would be electric. Neil Diamond Cutter making his entrance in Boston on St. Patricks Day Weekend was all the makings of a perfect storm of excitement. Things proved to be even more electrifying as the freshly hated Brandon Kirk came out to the Boston crowd in his New York Rangers jersey (boo!). And if that wasn’t bad enough, Kasey brought back the old tradition of introducing her husband in annoying fashion. All this atmosphere gave the makings of an intense Title Fight for the American Deathmatch World Championship.
This match proved the testament of Neil being what I call a pain sponge as he kept taking everything that Kirk had to give and kept fighting back. Neil would in turn make Brandon look like a million bucks; both by taking some serious damage and literally stapling money to Kirk. After some more staple-play, Brandon Kirk would twist a Diamond Cutter attempt into one of the best looking Psycho Drivers I have ever seen live; making Neil bounce on impact though only for a two count. Fighting with Shiny Shoes would prove to be Kirk’s undoing as Neil hit the quick roll up for a fast three and the win!
But wait, Brandon called for a restart (rightfully so) and would dispatch Neil with one more picture perfect Psycho Driver to retain. After being showered with beer cans, HoodFoot hit the ring to call his shot at Brandon’s American Deathmatch World Championship to close out the show. Since the show’s end, HoodFoot vs Brandon Kirk has now been confirmed for Faces of Death Weekend in New Jersey. Developments aside, this was a fun way to close the show. Albeit, the match was a little short considering this was a Main Event Title Fight.
Overall, despite what could’ve been a very somber occasion, the ICW crew came out swinging with the same enthusiasm that they’ve brought to the Boston twice before. Each match felt different from the last; offering a range from Comedy (Cannonball/Kasey) to a wild brawl (Redacted/Demanto) to some solid Hardcore (Vendetta/Margera). If you’re expecting a show on the longer side, you will probably be a bit disappointed as this one ran just around two hours. Though personally, it was a comfortable two hours where no match or segment overstayed their welcome. Definitely check this show out as the NHB do what they do best “one time for the working man.”
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