Beyond the Horizon #16
July 25
Los Angeles
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It's Sunday, July 25th, and you know what that means!
Rise to Greatness 2021 is here. The last few days in Los Angeles have been ridiculously fun. I love any chance I get to interact with the great fans of SCW, and it was made even better by the attendance of the students I brought with me from BlackOut Academy. Lynn Bradley, Jodi Jennings, and Spencer Pryce earned this trip, this opportunity to see up close, and in some cases behind the scenes, of how this massive show, the greatest show on earth, is run and put together. All three competed in exhibition matches over the weekend during FanFest and put in excellent work. I've gotten nothing but positive comments on their talent and professionalism and they've made me very proud.
Last night's Pre-show was fantastic. I've never been a fan of the term 'pre-show,' it makes it sound less than, when the competition and talent level of everyone competting is always on par with Rise to Greatness itself. I don't have any other ideas what to call it though, so I'll just defer to Mr. D and his Board on that, ha. Congratulations to all of last night's winners. Love them or hate them, they put in the work to get here and earned their spot.
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And now, the 'main event' of this blog... I will run down the main card of Rise to Greatness and give you my thoughts and predictions of how I think each match will go down. Strap in Dear Readers. It's a stacked card and lots to discuss.
Giovanni Aries vs. Mr. D
I'm not sure what in the world possessed D to even entertain the idea of doing this, much less actually booking it. I get it, Giovanni Aries has made SCW his personal playground over the years. He's messed with the minds of more than a few members of this roster, including Jason Helms, Sienna Swann, James Evans, and Owen Cruze. I'm probably forgetting at least one. All of it has been a side-mission in his quest to take down Mr. D himself though. He even orchestrated D's girlfriend Karina being briefly kidnapped. So... I understand being angry at him. Beyond angry. But this? Seems like playing into his hands rather than taking him to task. Aries has proven himself to be dangerous, and D isn't exactly in the best ring shape, no offense. D is a smart man, he may have a plan to outsmart Aries. I can't really predict this one, Aries has proven time and again to be unpredictable. I just hope that no one is injured in this.
Jake Starr vs. James Exeter
This is Jake Starr's last match. He's decided he's ready to retire, and he wanted to go out facing a respected rival. Both men are Hall of Fame. Both men have been through some wars. But only one man has been active in the last few years, and that is Jake. He'll have the experience and ring readiness advantage, and he'll have the motivation to end his career on a high note. I'm picking Jake Starr for the win.
SCW World Tag Team Championship
The Golden Boys (Adam Allocco & Bison Jones) vs. The Jackass & Big Ass Connection (Tommy Valentine & Kandis) vs. Vengeance (Kim Williams & Jessica Lasiewicz) vs. Lexy’s Angels (Autumn Valentine & Katsumi Yashidi)
This championship match is the first of a few that will be competed with multiple challengers. Defending champions Autumn Valentine and Katsumi Yashidi – who took Ace Marshall's place as he is otherwise indisposed – will face three teams who all have their eyes on the prize. The Golden Boys are the previous champions and this could be seen as their rematch. I have been concerned about Adam Allocco's state for the last several weeks, and I'm still wondering why anyone laughs this off as a joke. I hope that SCW will ensure that he is fit to compete before allowing him out to the ring with Bison Jones. Kim Williams and Jessica Lasiewicz have been having fun since they appeared in SCW as a team. The sisters also know how to focus and get it done when necessary. And finally, Tommy Valentine and Kandis, three-time former champions and Kandis with a bone to pick with Autumn. They may have the experience advantage going in. In these kinds of multiple challenger matches the odds are usually against the defending champions and this is no different, especially since the champions have one member replaced. I can't decide between Golden Boys and the Connection, both are former champs and both are very driven.
SCW United States Championship
Fatal Four Way Elimination Match
Xander Valentine vs. Gavin Taylor vs. Christy Matthews vs. Glory Braddock
Another multiple challenger title match, but this one is different in that there is no defending champion. The United States Championship is currently vacant, due to the unfortunate injury of former champion James Evans. We will see Xander Valentine, the man Evans beat for the title, take on three challengers who have made the United States Championship their goal. Gavin Taylor put all of his focus on it after 'surviving' a match with Xander. Christy Matthews seeks it to complete her Supreme Championship checklist. And Glory Braddock is looking for success after having a small taste of the World Championship in February during the Gauntlet Match. All four have great motivation walking into this match, but in my opinion one stick out and that's Xander Valentine. He's the former champion, he has something to prove. Not just his change of heart as of late, but that he should be the one James Evans faces when and if he returns. He's proven to be a man that tends to get what he wants, and I can't see his different outlook changing that. I'm going with him.
SCW Adrenaline Championship
Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match
Holly Adams vs. Cassidy Carter vs. Datura vs. Shilo Valiant
SCW has done a really good job in making sure that even though there are several multiple challenger matches, that each of them are very distinct. This one isn't a regular Fatal Fourway, it's a TLC. That level of danger and brutality isn't new to Adrenaline Champion Shilo Valiant, or challenger Datura. Cassidy Carter as well, although she may not be as experienced in such environments, at least not to my knowledge. If she has been in other promotions, I am not aware and I apologize. Holly Adams... doesn't really strike me as the type that would excel in this type of match ordinarily, but she has proven herself able to keep up and win out when it matters to her. She is also very crafty and can come up with numerous ways to outsmart her opponents. She has a one track mind here, she wants to call herself a Supreme Champion, even though the rest of us know that isn't possible. I admit I laughed, hard, when she claimed she would be the fastest one ever. As the person who actually holds that record, the entire thing is asinine. That said... Holly has to know that in order to be taken seriously instead of just 'Life Coach” who has no clients with Asher Hayes out and Cid Turner no longer World Champion, she has to do something big. This is her chance, and I'm calling for the upset and Holly as new champion.
Underground Rules
Nicole Kinneck vs. Jordan Majors
This is as motivated as I think I've ever seen Jordan Majors, including after she was voted for a World Championship match at the End of the Year Special. For a long time Jordan has been fighting with herself, to find her confidence. It doesn't matter how many people tell her she can take the world by storm, if she doesn't believe it herself, it won't happen. Enter Nicole Kinneck. She made her return to SCW at Taking Hold of the Flame, got herself involved with Jordan, and lit a fire. From what I've been told, several things came together at the same time that gave Jordan that fire, that confidence that she has been looking for. Fighting Nicole isn't like fighting anyone else. You don't know what version of her you're going to get. Sometimes it changes in the middle of the match. But Jordan has proven experience in thinking on her feet and I have all the confidence in the world that she can handle anything Nicole, Duck, or Pro throws at her. She has been working her ass off while Nicole is coming back from an extended break from the right. All signs point to a Jordan Majors victory here.
Kennedy Street vs. Ravyn Taylor vs. Bree Lancaster
This is a complicated and somewhat difficult one. First I have to say how proud I am of Bree for the way she's been doing her best to turn things around. Just like Jordan and her confidence, it doesn't matter how many people tell a person they can be better, they are better than they present themselves to be, they have to want to make the change themselves. This is the Bree I watched grow up. This is the Bree I trained.
Back to business, I have to say I was also proud of the way Bree made it her mission to pick out one of the people who has been one of the biggest problems in SCW for years, Ravyn Taylor, and call her out for her transgressions. It's not the first time Bree has done so, last year we saw her face and defeat Ravyn defending the World Championship, and she let the world know why she will never have anything nice to say about her. Ravyn hasn't changed her ways, she's only created more and different plots. Bree was on course to stand up to that and face Ravyn again. Enter Kennedy Street. As you all know, Kennedy and I go way back, she's one of my best friends. Or, she was, until she went Hollywood and put most of her attention into that career. I was happy for her, she was doing well. She and Bree made peace last year when she did a movie with Dom Teller. Now that she's returned to SCW, I was thrilled at the idea of seeing her compete again. Imagine my shock and surprise when the first thing she did was stick herself into the situation between Bree and Ravyn. I know she has her issues with Ravyn too, in all honestly, most of SCW does. I just feel she could have gone about her return in a better way. I've seen her video and.... I am choosing not to comment. In the ring, all three of these women have been World Champions. They have all main evented Rise to Greatness. They all have immense talent and skill. And they're all going to want to come out on top here and have that “RTG Moment.” Bree needs this to get herself back on track after a disappointing first half of 2021. Ravyn wants her win back over Bree and another tick in the column of irritating Kennedy. And Kennedy wants to win her return match, grab the spotlight and remind everyone what she's capable of. It's a tough call, all three are smart, skilled, and motivated. As much as Kennedy wants us to believe she doesn't have ring rust, she will. It's just the nature of the game, especially making her return match in front of a crowd like this. That could prove to give the other two a slight edge. And if we put Bree and Ravyn head to head, I have to go with recent history and choose Bree, based on that World Championship match last year. Kennedy could pull it off though, if she pits Bree and Ravyn against each other and takes advantage.
Last Person Standing
Minerva vs. Chris Cannon
This has gone too far. I don't think I need to explain the reasons why, the worst of which being Minerva targeting a pregnant Sienna Swann. This woman should be locked up, not given free reign to throw whatever she wants at Chris Cannon until he can't stand. That's not to say Chris isn't capable of surviving and winning this. He has all the motivation in the world to put Minerva down and out, for several counts. He has the history proving he isn't afraid to do so. I have no idea who's going to be left standing at the end of this, all I can be sure of is that someone will be hurt, if not both of them, and I can only hope it's not career ending or life-threatening.
Future World Championship Opportunity
Cid Turner vs. Syren
Syren has been demanding for months that Mr. D name her number one contender. He has steadfastly refused, he didn't feel her actions and attitude warranted that reward. Syren seems to have realized that she was getting nowhere with the way she conducted herself and has course corrected. No more Infamous. No more cheap shots. Cid Turner lost the World Championship to Selena Frost at Taking Hold of the Flame. He's seemingly lost his confidence, as well as his best friend Asher Hayes, who was out with an injury. Both of these competitors want this shot. Cid wants his title back. Syren wants to make history. We all know what Syren can do when she is properly motivated and not being influenced by her wife and the rest of Infamous. With the way Cid Turner has been seemingly lost after losing the World Championship, I think Syren is going to capitalize on that and earn the opportunity she's been seeking.
SCW World Championship
Ace Marshall vs. Selena Frost
Selena Frost became World Champion at Taking Hold of the Flame, the same event where Ace Marshall won the battle royal, earning himself the right to face the champion. Ace is an odd creature, at times it seems like he doesn't care about SCW at all. Only partying, playing games, and talking shit to those he dislikes. But, every now and then, he shows up, shows out, and reminds the world why he's a decorated SCW star, and why he should not be overlooked at any point. Rise to Greatness season tends to be when he's at his best and this year isn't different. Won the Tag Titles with Autumn Valentine. Won the Flame. And now... he'll take his shot at being World Champion once again. Selena Frost though is no stranger to high pressure situations. She's never main evented Rise to Greatness before, but things like this are where she thrives. The tougher the odds, the greater the pressure, the harder she pushes herself and the harder she fights. Selena waited four years to work herself back up to this position and I can't see her letting go if it so soon. Ace will make it hard, he always does... but I think Selena retains.
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There you are, Dear Readers. My complete rundown and predictions for tonight's Rise to Greatness main card! If you're at FanFest, I will be at the last meet and greet session before the doors open at Sofi Stadium, so come see me and the BlackOut Academy students who are with me. If you're not in Los Angeles and you haven't ordered the show yet... why not?! Rise to Greatness is the biggest spectacle in the wrestling business and is always, always, worth the buy and the time you spend watching it. Tonight SCW will create magic, as they always do, and I promise you... you don't want to be the one in your group of friends who missed it.
Take care, Dear Readers, and as always... be brave.
~ Amy Chastaine