Modern Vintage Wrestling Returns To Philly
Homicide, Matt Tremont, Michael Elgin and more will be in action.
Independent wrestling in the Tri-State Area has been in major flux over the past two weeks. ECWA, the longest-running indie in the United States, has gone on hiatus. Synergy Pro Wrestling is resurrecting the Jersey J-Cup under a new name. And now Modern Vintage Wrestling is returning to the City of Brotherly Love after a wildly successful Brody Cup tournament in January.
MVW was originally scheduled to return in March, but a zoning issue forced the promotion to cancel its event (headlined by Tanga Loa and Chase Owens of the Bullet Club). The company compensated disappointed fans by holding a free show in April at the H20 Wrestling Center in Williamstown, New Jersey. Now, MVW promoter Charlie Armstrong says the zoning issue has been solved and the company will hold Maximum Effort this Friday at the Old Pine Community Center in Philadelphia.
Although the Bullet Club members won’t be there, the lineup is stacked with several big names and hungry youngsters. Joey Lynch defends the MVW Heavyweight Championship against Michael Elgin, who is already the number-one contender for the Impact World Championship. Since losing to Tommy Dreamer in the finals of Brody Cup, Elgin has been hell-bent on turning his year around. Meanwhile, Lynch picked up one of the biggest victories in his career that same night, retaining his title against Eddie Edwards. “It’s a man’s man’s fight. Both these guys define what Modern Vintage is all about,” Armstrong told The Wrestling Estate.
In a first time match up, former MVW Heavyweight Champion Jason Kincade meets the “Notorious 187” Homicide. In a clash of styles, John Skyler – one of the best pure wrestlers in the country – takes on deathmatch legend Matt Tremont. In a match that could determine the next challenger for MVW’s top prize, LSG faces Jimmy Rave in the latter’s debut for the promotion.
Originally, Mack & Magic were slated to face Beastman and Mecha Mercenary in what was sure to be a great hoss battle. But that didn’t sit well with the Dawsons, who demanded to be included on the show. Then the Gym Nasty Boyz made their own demand, and now Armstrong has booked all four teams to wage war for the first time in MVW history.
“A few years ago, we ran one of the first super indie women’s events featuring Trish Stratus and Lita,” Armstrong says. “We are dedicating this year to rebuilding our women’s division.” Thus, Gabby Ortiz and Adrianna will be making their MVW debuts as they go against each other on Friday.
A guy who made a great impression at MVW’s April event is Blaxstrom, the “Tattooed Torture Expert.” He surprised the capacity crowd with an upset over Colby Corino in a thrilling encounter. Now he’ll be taking on Breaker Mortar this Friday. “Blaxstrom doesn’t look like a standard wrestler – he’s not cookie cutter,” Armstrong says. “He’s been putting in the effort in training, hitting the road and putting the miles in around the country.”
Last but certainly not least, Stockade and DJ Hyde will collide in a “fans bring the weapons” match. Armstrong warns fans to not bring light tubes, glass or barbed wire. Everything else is fair game, though. “How much torment and pain can I put DJ through for the rest of this year,” Armstrong says. “Everybody hates this dude. I just don’t like DJ Hyde. He’s a bully, he uses his name and CZW to intimidate people. I’m looking forward to watching Stockade beat the crap out of him.”
Maximum Effort takes place Friday, June 21, at the Old Pine Community Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Tickets are available at www.showclix.com/event/maxium-effort.
You can watch Maximum Effort live on Fite TV.
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