Beyond the Horizon #18
November 7, 2021
Orlando
It seems strange to be heading into Under Attack outside of October, but here we are. Before I get to that though, I want to thank everyone who participated in any way for the Be Brave Conference. Speakers, attendees, donors – thank you, with my whole heart. The New Horizon Foundation had a very successful night, gaining donations and sponsors, all of it much needed. Domestic Violence continues to be underrepresented in the media as a social issue and everything that can be done to help as many people as possible makes me very grateful for all the support.
Turning to SCW matter, I want to take a moment to talk about Asher Hayes, and the way SCW has stepped up to improve their substance abuse policies and assistance. Firstly, I acknowledge the fact that Asher has claimed the charges are false. As much as I would like to believe that, having known him fairly well for some time before he started acting more erratically... I think I and the rest of SCW has seen enough questionable actions to suspect that maybe Asher isn't being completely truthful here. I don't say that in judgment, gods know I told my share of lies to a lot of people when I was at my worst. I say it just with concern, and hope that a full investigation will find the truth. And if it turns out Asher is in need of some help... I hope he gets it. SCW once forced me to go to a rehab facility that I didn't think I needed – at the time I hadn't had a drink in over a month. But, I freely admit that it helped. Anything SCW can do to make things like this easier to access, and with less of a stigma, I am fully behind. I will also say this now – if anyone in SCW thinks the need help or just someone to talk to, my door is open, and anything said will remain private. I know what it's like.... and I'm willing to help.
-------
Alright. Under Attack! This year's Chamber isn't for the World Championship as is often times the case, but that doesn't make it any less exciting or important. We will see the Adrenaline Champion Holly Adams defend her title against five others in that structure. It's intimidating, it's brutal... it changes you. The rest of the card is just as stacked, with a huge World Championship match and the Trios Tournament Finals, so let's get down to unpacking this card.
Konrad Raab vs. Katsumi Yashidi
Lighter on a pole match
Yashidi is a bit of a pyro, it seems. And Raab wasn't a fan of her lighting fires. He stole her lighter.... chaos ensued. This match will see the two of them fight to gain and keep possession of said lighter. It seems utterly ridiculous to me, but it's important to them, and Raab has a mean streak he's been letting loose more and more as of late. Yashidi though seems vert determined to get her property back. Given the lighter is on a pole and one has to climb up to take it... I'm going to give the nod to Yashidi, the younger and more nimble of the two.
Crystal Zdunich vs. Drake Hemingway
New General Manager Cian O'Dwyer didn't specifically say that if Crystal Zdunich loses, she will be fired... but he certainly made it sound that way. Drake Hemingway was pulled from Trios due to a minor ankle injury and now that he's cleared to return, what better way to get into action than putting someone who's work ethic has been repeatedly questioned to the test? As a member of The Jackals. Drake hasn't always been the best at displaying sportsmanship, but it can't be denied that he as a passion for the business and a unique sense of respect for it. Insult that? And may your god help you. I have a feeling that this may be the last we see of Ms. Zdunich.
Jaxton Matthews vs. Marie Caedes
I've always been a fan of giving new talent a chance to make an impression at pay per views, and this match is an example of that. Marie Caedes has been showing SCW what she can do, picking up wins. Jaxton Matthews makes his debut on a large stage. My totally biased pic (hey, I admit it when it is) is Marie, but if I'm wrong, it just means SCW has yet another new talent worth keeping an eye on.
SCW Television Championship
Ravyn Taylor vs. Autumn Valentine
We don't usually see the Television Championship defended on pay per view, but this was a special challenge from Ravyn Taylor to Autumn Valentine. The two friends have something of a personal rivalry going on, and Ravyn pestered Autumn until she agreed to the match. Autumn has a lot of distractions going on around her – Lexy Chapel. Ace Marshall, Ryan Watson, and whatever may or may not be happening between the four of them, in whatever combination you pick. Ravyn seems to have everything all figured out, and given her... shall we say, talents, for mind games? I wonder if Autumn will be able to focus enough to survive the challenge.
SCW Underground Championship
Lucas Knight vs. Kimberly Williams
Cian O'Dryer shocked the world when he awarded the resurrected Underground Championship to Kimberly Williams, after a hard fought Cage Match against Jordan Majors. With Majors headed to the Chamber, a man very familiar with the Underground Division was tapped to be Kim's first challenger, in Lucas Knight. Already one half of the current Tag Team Champions with Christy Matthews as Order of Chaos, Lucas has a chance to join Christy as a double champion (provided she survives James Evans). That's big motivation for the veteran, even faced with a Kim Williams who is one of the most unpredictable wrestlers on the roster. That said... Lucas is a veteran and it's been very hard to catch him off guard. I'm betting that his experience will offset Kim's wild card antics and we'll see a new champion.
Trios Tournament 2021 Finals
Xander Valentine, Nicole Kinneck & Gavin Taylor vs. Cid Turner, Tommy Valentine & Kennedy Street
Due to Asher Hayes' personal issues, Cid Turner was named to take his place on his Trios Team, although it was clarified that if that team wins, the contract goes to Asher. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but it's not my call to make. It does throw wrench into both teams' planning, not only do Kennedy Street and Tommy Valentine have to adjust to working with someone new, but Xander, Nicole, and Gavin are now facing someone they may not have fully prepared for. All of these factors make these finals unpredictable, at least to me. Personally I would love to see Kennedy's team win, just because she's my friend. What do I think will actually happen? Chaos. That's my answer.
SCW United States Championship
Christy Matthews vs. James Evans
Christy Matthews won a tournament to fill the vacated United States Championship following James Evans' injury. She's carried it since, knowing that eventually James would be cleared and come calling to unify the titles. That time is now, and after a successful defense in a double title match against Tommy Valentine and Kandis, where Christy and Lucas Knight became Tag Team Champions, Christy now is faced with an angry and motivated James. He believes he is the true champion, as he wasn't defeated for it. It's a valid point, regardless what one thinks of his methods of getting said point across. There is no Tag Team Championship match on this show, Christy's full attention will be on James. Can her determination to solidify her Supreme Champion status with the real United States Championship rather than the Interim, be enough to overcome James' desire to reclaim his position? They're both tough, both willing to push limits. I can't make a call on this one, Dear Readers. I just know it will be an instant classic.
SCW Adrenaline Championship
Chamber Match
Shilo Valiant vs. Ace Marshall vs. Minerva vs. Jordan Majors vs. Ricky James vs. Holly Adams
Holly Adams faces her toughest challenge thus far as she takes on five others in Under Attack's annual Chamber Match. Three other former Adrenaline Champions in Shilo Valiant, Ace Marshall, and Jordan Majors. Two newcomers to the division in Minerva and Ricky James. As I said in the prologue to this, this is the kin of match that changes a person. I've been in this structure three times in my career, and it is not for the weak. Not that I would call anyone in this iteration weak. Shilo is a veteran at the more violent kinds of matches. Ace has no fear of anything, never has. Minerva has proven herself to be willing to go to any lengths necessary. Jordan has been 'Queen of the Underground' in ever manner other than holding the newly reinstated championship. Ricky may seem like the underdog here but I think he will prove to be more resilient than expected. And Holly is the defending champion, which will put a chip on anyone's shoulder. All six have something to prove, all six have something to gain. The only one with not much else to lose seems to be Jordan Majors, who hasn't really been the most confident lately. In my experience, the talent with nothing to lose tends to be the one who fights the hardest. Many might consider it an upset if she wins this, but not me. She is my pick.
SCW World Championship
Chris Cannon vs. Syren vs. Cid Turner
Special Referee: Selena Frost
Special Enforcer: Deanna Frost
This match was booked as a Fatal Fourway, also including Asher Hayes. His issues have turned this into a Triple Threat, but it doesn't make it any less of a huge main event. Cid Turner, current World Champion, will be competing twice tonight, the first as part of the Trios Finals. That has to be taken into consideration, as both Chris Cannon and Syren will be walking into this match fresh. Both have what they feel are rightful claims to the World Championship. Chris Cannon as he was cheated, as some would say, out of it months ago. Syren as she feels she's earned the nod after hard work over the year. Calling this bout will be former Champion Selena Frost. This could be just as explosive as the Chamber match. With Asher taken out, the odds of Cid retaining jump slightly, but not by much, mainly due to this being his second match of the night. I feel like Chris Cannon has had a chip on his shoulder ever since turning down his rematch in order to face Minerva. He's taken care of that issue, having defeated her on her own turf, and now is the time to reclaim what he unjustly lost. Nothing against Syren, she's made quite the turn around, and it's possible she could pull this off – she's won plenty of Triple Threats in the past. But I don't think anything will match Cannon's motivation.
-------
There you have it, Dear Readers – my thoughts, rundown, and predictions for Under Attack 2021. It's shaped up to be one hell of a show, despite some last minute card changes. SCW always delivers, and I know this show will be more of the same excitement, hard hitting action, and perhaps a few surprises. I am in attendance, and you'd better be watching.
~ Amy Chastaine