SCU Leave Indies A Better Place

Tattoos of memories and raw chests on trial; for what it’s worth, it was worth all the while.

Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian have bid adieu to the indies, competing in their final match last Sunday at Modern Vintage Wrestling. More than 65 people skipped the first quarter of the Eagles game to witness the decorated duo’s historic performance inside the Colossal Sports Academy in Vorhees, NJ. This was your last chance to pay 20 bucks for a front row seat, slapping their hands as they strut around the ring, being close enough for them to hear your “SCU!” and then getting a photo with them during intermission. For fans, it’s bittersweet to see the beloved veterans moving on to greener pastures of a billionaire family’s upstart promotion, where you can only see them in your living room via TNT and pay-per-view, unless you’re willing to take out a second mortgage to nab AEW tickets on the secondary market.

But you’re also happy for Daniels and Kazarian, two unbelievable athletes who have been entertaining us for 26 years and 21 years, respectively. They helped build Impact Wrestling, dazzling audiences with their lightning quick offense and daredevil moves to put the X-Division on the map. A founding father of Ring of Honor, Daniels became the first villain in the company, injecting some much-needed color, charisma and old fashioned heat into the field of overflowing sportsmanship. A decade later, Kazarian would join the “Fallen Angel” in dominating the tag team division, and eventually, the six-man tag team division along with fellow SoCal Uncensored member Scorpio Sky. Now that the trio has jumped to AEW, leaving a giant hole in the tag team ranks of ROH, they’re being reimbursed for all the dues they’ve paid and being recognized for their enormous talent and dedication to their craft.

They’ve come a long way from a hot dog and a handshake, but Daniels and Kazarian certainly haven’t forgotten their roots – the high school gyms, VFW halls, rec centers, theaters and sound stages around the world where they’ve spilled buckets of blood, sweat and tears.

Can’t believe they’re not closing the show…who could possibly follow SCU’s FINAL INDIE MATCH?! #AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/LCYJtgaSwS

— The Wrestling Estate (@TheWrestlingEst) September 15, 2019

They tore the house down once again at It’s Always Wrestling In New Jersey, facing EVOLVE’s Colby Corino and Joe Gacy in an inter-promotional dream match. “SCU” chants echoed throughout the building, as Daniels and Kazarian controlled the match early on, hitting their signature double-team maneuvers. Frustrated with such a huge opportunity rapidly unravelling, Corino and Gacy ripped up the rule book and pounced on Daniels, cutting off the ring and isolating the former ROH World Champion. The Unwanted continued to dissect Daniels with a flurry of innovative offense, including Gacy launching Corino from the second rope into a Diamond Cutter on Daniels.

After withstanding endless punishment, Daniels finally made the hot tag to Kazarian, who exploded onto Gacy and Corino. At one point, Kazarian Corino into the figure four and then caught Gacy for a small package, while still locked in the submission! Finally, Corino threw fists at both SCU members, daring them to stop him. And that’s exactly what they did, hitting the youngster with Celebrity Rehab to pick up the victory.

AEW on TNT is unpredictable, but in the end it’s right. Thank you Daniels and Kazarian for giving us the time of our lives.

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John Corrigan

Editor-in-chief John Corrigan has covered pro wrestling for nearly a decade, reporting for Wrestledelphia, The Philadelphia Daily News, The Temple News and others.

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