Vertigo Drops The Boom At UWA Elite
The inaugural Territory Champion reigned supreme on July 24.
They say it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the size of the fight in the dog.
Well, Boom Harden scratched and clawed at UWA Elite Livin’ On The Edge, but he got put down by Territory Champion Matt Vertigo.
Debuting in the New Jersey-based promotion only two months ago, the “Nuketown Dragon” has made the most of his brief tenure. At Dangerous Uprisings, the CZW product challenged “Explosive” Eddie Thomas, fresh off ending Eric Corvis’ 526 day-reign as UWA Elite Iron Man Champion. Thomas had to resort to every trick in the book, even busting open the newcomer, to retain the gold. Boom Harden rebounded at UWA Elite’s 20th Anniversary by overcoming five other men (including that scumbag Joey Ace) in the Cell Block 6 to earn a shot at the Territory Championship.
“Great kid, puts in the work and very humble,” Vertigo told The Wrestling Estate. “But when he won the number-one contender’s match, I told him he’s in for a rude awakening. I come from the concrete jungle. ‘New York Drip’ don’t die.”
At 6’5, Vertigo towers over most of his competition, but the size difference between he and Harden was remarkable. The Camden native barely reaches the champion’s chest! Yet, Harden agreed to a test of strength and almost turned the tide only for Vertigo to break it up with a well-timed kick. Draping Harden across the turnbuckle, Vertigo charged in with a knee, followed up by a big boot that sent the challenger collapsing to the grass.
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Boom Harden refused to stay down, though, exchanging blows with the champion outside the South River VFW. Vertigo wasn’t impressed with his challenger’s heart, tossing him into the steps and then standing on his back like he was surfing USA. Harden responded to the disrespect by bashing Vertigo’s face into the steel post. Unfortunately, Harden took too long to capitalize and was backdropped on the ring apron for his hesitancy.
Back inside the ring, Vertigo thumbed through his playbook: choking his challenger while trash talking and intimidating the referee. What else would you expect from the “New York Drip?” I’ll tell you what he didn’t expect – a missile dropkick! Boom Harden followed up with a Zig Zag and a side suplex, only getting near falls on both. With the champ reeling, Harden attempted another suplex, but Vertigo escaped and caught the underdog in his trademark spinebuster. Ensuring there would be no more comebacks, Vertigo hoisted Harden high above the 70 some-odd fans and planted him with a sit-out powerbomb that scored the pin.
That’s victory No. 6 in Vertigo’s historic reign as the inaugural Territory Champion. Having faced a variety of opponents in UWA Elite, ECWA and the Susquehanna Wrestling Organization, the “New York Drip” has proven he’s one of the top wrestlers on the independent scene.
And it looks like he’s just getting started.
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