Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup Preview

3 Shows, 2 Nights

June 4-5, 2004

Side Note-- I just want everybody to know that the previews of the show are not done in your traditional move by move preview. When you do reviews of the show you don’t really get the opportunity to enjoy all of the wrestling like normal fans. This tournament was too good to not enjoy, so I took the rare opportunity for me to mark out, while watching some of the greatest wrestlers in the world. I don’t regret it one bit because it was a lot of fun.

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Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup - 1st Show - Friday Night

Match 1 - Danny Doring defeated Z-Bar and Slyk Wagner Brown w/ April Hunter

I’m not really sure why they opened up with this match. I would have loved to have seen one of the Peterson Cup tournament matches open up the night. Nonetheless, it was an ok match. I’ve seen Doring and SWB work before, so nothing surprised me. Z-Bar was a surprise because he was actually entertaining. He had that look and charisma that made him a natural heel for these fans. They were eating it up. The end of the match came when Doring dropped a leg drop from the top rope on Z-Bar, while SWB was out on the floor.

Match 2 - Peterson Cup 1st Round Match

Petey Williams defeated Naphtali

Early in the match, Naphtali went for a Shooting Star Press to the outside, but he appeared to overshoot Williams. Naphtali ended up falling to the floor face-first, I think. I was on the other side of the ring, and it looked like his face is what took most of the fall. It looked really bad. In fact, a few wrestlers were standing towards the curtain, and they started coming down the aisle to check on Naphtali because it looked brutal. Luckily, Naphtali came to and was able to finish the match. The finish of the match came with Williams hitting his Canadian Destroyer for the 1-2-3. That finish is becoming quite popular as most people popped when he signaled for it. Williams has really been impressive looking as of late. I know Naphtali gained a whole new level of respect from a lot of people just for being able to finish this match. This was a great way to kick off the Peterson Cup tournament.

Match 3 - Peterson Cup 1st Round Match

Chris Hero defeated Striker

This was, by far, the best chain wrestling match in the tournament. I think many in the crowd were amazed by some of the submission holds displayed by both wrestlers. Hero’s cravats are over in the state of Florida. Several fans were even counting them out as he used them throughout the match. Striker also had his supporters. The crowd appeared to be split between the two. Striker is more technically sound than I even imagined. I’d love to see this match one more time. Anyway, the finish came with a school boy by Hero for the pinfall.

Match 4 - Zach Gowen & Chi Chi Cruz & Jerelle Clark defeated Erick Stevens & The Bug & O.G. Scarface w/ Ana Mosity

The only purpose this match served was to get Zach Gowen over. I don’t think I shocked anyone with that statement. Erick Stevens looked really good in this match. He reminded me of Rhino during his ECW days. He was just a beast beating Gowen down, looking really intimidating in the process. The finish came when a fight spilled out to the floor leaving Gowen and Stevens in the ring. Gowen ended up hitting his moonsault on Stevens for the win. I’m not sure how much longer Gowen will be able to wrestle. You can tell it’s definitely taking a toll on his body. He’s still got my respect, though. I couldn’t imagine being able to do what he does for a living.

Match 5 - Peterson Cup 1st Round Match

Roderick Strong defeated Sedrick Strong

Like I’ve said before, this is the first time I’ve seen Roderick Strong wrestle in person and the first time I’ve seen these two wrestle each other. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. This was one of the stiffest matches I have ever seen, and I’m not one of those people that hate stiff matches. I think they come across great in person, as well as when you’re watching them at home. The chops that were exchanged in this match were phenomenal. Roderick Strong deserves all of the attention he has been getting lately. The end of the match looked to be botched by the referee. Roderick hit a cross armed piledriver on Sedrick and went for the pin. The ref was going for the 3 count, when he saw Sedrick’s hand underneath his. He stopped his count and said it was only a 2 count, when it appeared that Sedrick had never kicked out. Roderick immediately placed him in the Lion Tamer that Chris Jericho used during his WCW days, and Sedrick tapped out. The crowd loved this match.

Match 6 - Peterson Cup 1st Round Match

Alex Shelley defeated Jimmy Jacobs

This is going to sound crazy, but this was a very solid match, yet I came out of it somewhat disappointed. I think part of the reason is because I’ve heard so much about these two working against each other that I expected the greatest match ever. I’m sure my opinion will change when I watch it again when the DVD comes out. Nonetheless, it was still a good match, and the crowd was into it. Like Roderick Strong, I can see why Alex Shelley has been given enormous amounts of attention, as of late. The man is really good. As for Shelley, I don’t think be had his best stuff this weekend. I know Shelley can go because I’ve seen it on tapes, but he just seemed a little out of place during his matches this weekend. The finish came when Shelley hit his Shelley Shock. I think that’s what he calls it.

Match 7 - Lex Lovett defeated Colt Cabana

I didn’t know that this match was going to happen, so I was pretty excited when they were announced. It was funny to see Lovett all serious, while Cabana came out and made a joke of everything. I think Cabana even hugged ring announcer Lenny Leonard. I am very familiar with Cabana and have become familiar with Lovett, so this match is what I expected. It was a good match with both wrestlers hitting a lot of their spots. Lovett hit his Lexbuster on Cabana for the victory.

Match 8 - Peterson Cup 1st Round Match

Mikey Tenderfoot defeated Puma

I apologize, but I actually missed most of this match. I had to go to the bathroom, so I went at the beginning of the match thinking I wouldn’t miss much. On the way out of the bathroom, I was stopped by somebody who insisted on having a conversation. By the time I got back to my seat, the match was pretty much over. I did see the finish though. Tenderfoot won with a cross arm breaker on Puma. I was really disappointed because I really wanted to see Puma wrestle, and I didn’t get to see him in a singles match the rest of the weekend. I was told it was a good match. I’ll have to wait for the DVD to see for myself.

Match 9 - Peterson Cup 1st Round Match

Justice defeated Jack Evans

Justice is extremely over with the crowd in attendance. I’m going to go out on a limb and call him the most popular wrestler amongst NWA FL fans. Any match that Jack Evans is in, it’s going to have enormous amounts of high spots, and this match was no different. However, we didn’t get to see a Jack Evans 630. I think anybody with a brain saw that they were setting up an Evans vs. Jerelle Clark “Battle of the 630’s” match. Justice gets the win with a spin kick finish to Evan’s face.

Match 10 - Shane Brothers w/ Ron Niemi defeated “Freedom Ryder” Mike Sullivan w/ XTC & Steve Madison

Ron Niemi came out and cut a promo about how TNA’s “Wildcat” Chris Harris was supposed to be here, but he’s not. I wanted to know why he wasn’t there, but I forgot to ask somebody. I guess that shows how much I wanted to see Harris. NWA FL wrestler Steve Madison ended up taking Harris’ place. I enjoy watching Madison wrestle, so I wasn’t disappointed. The finish came as a result of a chairshot by Niemi, followed by a TKO by one of the Shane’s on Madison. Ever since Mike Shane came back, I can’t tell these two apart.

Match 11 - Peterson Cup 1st Round Match

Homicide defeated Black Tigers

Homicide came out to a thunderous ovation. Ok, most of it may have been me marking out for him and all I could hear was myself, but that’s besides the point. In all seriousness, I find it disturbing that most fans didn’t know who Homicide was. He’s been a staple in Ring of Honor from the start, so the lack of acknowledgement by the crowd meant that these fans aren’t following ROH. My Northeast ego had me believing that everybody is familiar with, at the very least, Ring of Honor. Once again, I have been humbled by the wrestling fans of Florida. Anyway, Homicide hit his tope con hilo, but we didn’t get a Cop Killa. At the time, I assumed he was saving it for tomorrow and I thought it was a good idea. Little did we both know what was going to happen. Read on to the Saturday afternoon show to see what happened. Homicide won with the Toilet Flush pin.

Match 12 - Peterson Cup 1st Round Match

Teddy Hart defeated Azrieal

Love him or hate him, Teddy Hart is one phenomenal wrestler who is only getting better. Seeing him wrestle in person is almost a different experience watching him at home. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Hart work Azrieal, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both of these guys looked really good in this match, but Hart stole the show. He should have received an Oscar for the selling he did in this match. The crowd seemed to be split between the two, but I have the feeling that most of those who were cheering Azrieal were only doing so because they really despised Hart. Why do I say that? Well, why else would CM Punk chants break out in the crowd? Hart got the 1-2-3 with a crucifix, sit out power bomb that Azrieal appeared to land on his neck. I may be wrong, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen Hart use this maneuver. This was a good ending to the 1st night of the tournament.

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Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup - Show #2 - Saturday Afternoon

Match 1 - Azrieal & Chi Chi Cruz & John Brooks defeated Sedrick Strong & Striker & Puma

This match started off kind of slow, but then it led to a rather interesting sequence of events that I’m sure I’ll never forget. Somehow Striker ended up on the ring floor right in front of me. He was rolling around and accidentally kicks my soda to the floor. I go to pick it up and save my notebook in the process, when I look up and see Azrieal coming right for him. I’m not even sure what move Azrieal did. Anyway, Striker steps all over my notebook tearing my notes apart and knocking my Peterson Cup t-shirt to the floor, while he too falls back to the floor.

A Pepsi purchased from the concession stand - $1.00
A notebook purchased at Home Depot - $3.99
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup T-shirt - $15.00
Striker rolling around in soda on the floor and then bitching about why it’s there - Priceless

This match also had an awkward six man abdominal stretch. You’d have to see it to know what I mean. Anyway, finish of the match came when Sedrick Strong attempted a sunset flip over the ropes and Azrieal blocked it and held the ropes for the pin.

Match 2 - PWF Heavyweight title match

Cuban Assassin w/ Fantasy defeated Jeremy Lopez to retain his title.

This match was not good at all, to say the very least. I was really surprised because Lopez was the guy under the Black Tigers mask that worked against Homicide in the 1st Round of the tournament. Then again, he really didn’t impress too much in that match either. I know that Cuban Assassin has had a great career wrestling for over a decade, but I’m hoping that he realizes soon that it might be time to retire. I’m not knocking him in anyway. I actually have a great deal of respect for him because of everything that he has accomplished in the business. I just feel that his time would be better served in a front office position with NWA FL. The ending of this match came when Lopez attempted to put his feet on the ropes for a pinfall. He was caught by the ref, so the match continued. Cuban than made a pin on Lopez and used the ropes. The referee did not see this one, so Cuban was awarded the match. I guess in wrestling, even as a baby face, you still can’t trust a Cuban.

Match 3 - Peterson Cup Quarterfinals Match

Roderick Strong defeated Alex Shelley

This was the match that I wanted to see happen the most in the Quarterfinals. I wasn’t too sure that they would pit these two against each other because of Ring of Honor and their current storylines, seeing how Doug Gentry and RF Video were present. I’m glad they did because it was an exceptional match. The only problem with this match was that the crowd was completely dead. I’ve never seen a crowd so quiet during a wrestling match. I’m not sure if the previous match had anything to do with it or not. It didn’t help that it was a sparse crowd to begin with. I was actually embarrassed that the crowd was this quiet for a match that may be something special in a few years. Strong and Shelley beat the living daylights out of each other with chops and stretched each other with submission holds. Strong won the match by using the same submission hold he beat Sedrick Strong with.

Match 4 - April Hunter defeated Jennie Taylor and Krissy Vaile

If anyone thought that someone else other than April Hunter was going to win this match, I would have been forced to smack them in the back of the head and knock some sense into them. For what this match was, it actually brought the crowd back into it. It’s good to see that some T&A still does the trick. I’m not sure how April Hunter picked up the victory because one of the other two girls took a nasty spill off of the ring apron and smacked the back of her head off of the floor. It was right in front of me and it looked really nasty.

Next, we had ring announcer Lenny Leonard introduce Homicide to the ring. I had heard earlier in the day that Homicide had sustained an injury and wouldn’t be wrestling, but I didn’t want to believe it. Well, it was true. His hand had been bandaged up and he said that he won’t be able to wrestle. It appeared that they set up an angle between Homicide and Roderick Strong. Homicide spotted Roderick standing in the back and called him out. He kept calling him Sedrick which was rather funny. Anyway, nothing came out of it so hopefully it will lead to something in ROH. By the way, Chris Hero receives a bye into the Semi-finals. Also, I spoke with Homicide and he assured me that the injury is not too serious, and that he will be back within 10 days.

Match 5 - Seven man elimination match

Naphtali defeated Andre Lyons, Mikey Batts, Chasyn Rance, David Babylon, Lit and Krazy K.

You put seven cruiserweights in one ring and that equals lots of highspots. There were too many to even begin to name, so I’m just going to say the eliminations.

Lyons was defeated by Krazy K

Batts was defeated by Rance

Rance was defeated by Babylon

Babylon was defeated by Lit

Lit was defeated by Naphtali

Krazy K was defeated by Naphtali

The final pinfall was Naphtali hitting Krazy K with his DVD onto a DVD. The match happened very fast, but it was very entertaining. I was glad to see that Naphtali was ok from the Shooting Star Press from the night before.

Match 6 - Luther “Bodybag” Jackson defeated O.G. Scarface w/ Ana Mosity

Match 7 - Peterson Cup Quarterfinals Match

Justice defeated Petey Williams

I was really surprised with this outcome. I thought for sure that they would put Petey Williams over in this match. I was looking at an all Canada semifinal match between Williams and Teddy Hart. It was a good match, though. Williams teased the Canadian Destroyer twice, and then teased one from the top rope. That would have looked sick. Justice got in a lot of his offense and looked pretty good doing it. Anyway, Justice won with the 450 splash sending him to the semifinals.

Match 8 - Jimmy Jacobs & O.D.D. Jeff Bradley defeated Z-Bar & The Bug

I’m not sure if anything was wrong with him, but Jacobs seemed really lost during this match, and out of the four in the ring, you wouldn’t expect him to be the one that was lost. There was even a spot in the match where Bradley was supposed to whip Jacobs into Z-Bar in the corner. The Bug was on the mat in front of Jacobs, so Jacobs was waiting for him to move. I don’t think Jacobs realized that the Bug was supposed to be there because Z-Bar was supposed to fall on him when Jacobs splashed him. Anyway, after a few seconds of hesitation, Bradley just yelled at Jacobs to “just jump over him.” I’ve seen enough Jimmy Jacobs matches to know that this really wasn’t like him. Regardless, Jacobs got the pinfall on the Bug.

Match 9 - Peterson Cup Quarterfinals Match

Teddy Hart defeated Mikey Tenderfoot

I’ve seen Mikey Tenderfoot wrestle a few times since I’ve been in Florida, but this was the best that I’ve seen him. I was really impressed with the intensity that he brought to the match. Hart gave him a lot of offense, and Hart’s selling made it look more vicious. I was also impressed with Tenderfoot’s missile dropkick. It’s almost as if he could touch the ceiling with how high he jumps off of the turnbuckle. However, as good as Tenderfoot looked, you just knew that there was no way Hart was going under to him. My suspicions were correct. Hart brutalized Tenderfoot with rapid knees to the face. Hart then won with his Open Heart Surgery or Triple Bypass Surgery, or whatever the hell he calls it.

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Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup - Show #3 - Saturday Night

Match 1 - Black Tigers & Mikey Tenderfoot defeated Alex Shelley & Petey Williams

I thought this match was an excellent way to start off the card. We had 2 great semifinal matches tonight and then the finals afterwards, so I liked that it was off to a good start. Of Black Tigers 3 matches this weekend, this was his best performance. After this weekend, I’ve turned into a big Petey Williams fan because he works his ass off and it shows in his work. I’m glad that I will be fortunate enough to see him possibly once a week at the TNA Impact tapings in Orlando. In a big surprise, Black Tigers got the Pin on Williams with a double underhook tornado DDT, followed by a double underhook DDT.

Match 2 - Bruce Steele defeated Slyk Wagner Brown w/ April Hunter

April Hunter came out sporting a decent sized bruise on her left breast, presumably from a chop or something of that nature during her three way match in the afternoon. On the other hand, it kind of looked like a hickey. Hmmm, Slyk Wagner Brown…..Anyway, this match was entertaining. Steele is a beast in the ring, and actually moves very well for his size. Steele yelled out before the match that he and SWG shouldn’t be the second match of the night, and that it should be a Fed dark match. I’m not sure about that, but it was one of the better matches on the evening card. Steele picks up the W with his swinging sidewalk slam.

Match 3 - Scoot Andrews defeated Colt Cabana

This match came about as a result of an Andrews promo from the 1st night of the Peterson Cup. I enjoyed this match because it is two wrestlers that I enjoy watching. It was the first time I’ve ever seen them wrestle each other, so that made it even better. Andrews came out with someone I believed to be from CZW. He was exactly what a heel manager is supposed to be. He got the crowd riled up, but he wasn’t a heat magnet taking it all away from the match like so many managers do. Andrews wins with the piledriver, I think.

Match 4- Zach Gowen defeated Rod Steel

This match started out with Rod Steel jumping rope in the ring and then telling Zach Gowen to try it. It was supposed to be that because he has one leg that he can’t do it. I remember jump roping in elementary school and it was just as easy for me to jump on one leg as it was to jump on two. This match was full of comedy as Steel had his own personal referee with him. For those not familiar with NWA FL, Steel is a part of a group called 911 inc., and they have their own referee, Eric Loy. Well, Gowen would go for a pin and Loy would count to 2, and then pull out a camera from his pocket and take a picture of himself with Gowen pinning Steel. It was some funny stuff. Also, Steel was calling for the figure four leg lock, and then realized in the middle of the move that he couldn’t do it. He also did this with the STF. Well, Gowen hit the moonsault and that was it. After the match, the other referees came out and started beating up Eric Loy for no reason, other than he was a corrupt ref. I’ve got my eye on the rest of them because Eric Loy is no longer reffing and it’s their fault.

Teddy Hart Promo - What happened next is what, quite possibly, could have killed the tournament for me. Teddy Hart came out to cut a promo. It started off as a promo talking about Jeff Peterson and how the Peterson Cup was good. He then dropped a bombshell that I don’t think surprised anyone from the Northeast. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Teddy Hart has a knee injury and cannot continue in the Peterson Cup tournament. Now, I know it sounds like I’m alluding to Hart not wanting to wrestle anymore. I’m sorry, but I can’t help it because this has happened before. I really hope that I am wrong because I’ve heard that he really is a stand up guy. I just can’t help but think it’s true because of the next segment.

Match 5 - NWA Junior Heavyweight Title Match

Jerelle Clark defeated Azrieal to retain his title

This match was supposed to be Jerelle Clark vs. Jack Evans, but Evans comes out and grabs the microphone to cut a promo. Evans says that it’s a shame that bad news is going to come in pairs because he, too, cannot compete tonight due to an injury. Now, what are the chances of both Hart and Evans being injured at the same time, when neither showed any signs of their injuries at the afternoon show. The only injury Hart was selling was an injured eye. In fact, Hart even did his post match moonsault and walked out fine. Evans hadn’t even competed in the afternoon card and said he was injured during his match with Justice the night before. I have been told by a reliable source that Evan’s injury was indeed legit. I have not heard the same about Hart’s injury, though. I hope Hart’s injury was legit because if it wasn’t, he just robbed the fans of two semifinals matches. Because Hart couldn’t go, the finals of the tournament was switched to a three way between Roderick Strong, Chris Hero and Justice.

Match 6 - NWA Southern Heavyweight Title Match

“Freedom Ryder” Mike Sullivan w/ XTC defeated Danny Doring to retain his title.

I’m sorry, but at this point I was heated and didn’t really watch or take any notes for the next few matches. I do know that Sullivan came out on top.

Match 7 - Double Deuce w/ Cannon defeated Dr. Hearsay and tag team partner.

Match 8 - Steve Madison & Lex Lovett defeated the Shane Brothers w/ Ron Niemi

Match 9 - Peterson Cup Tournament Finals

Justice defeated Roderick Strong and Chris Hero

This was definitely the shock of the entire tournament. I’m not saying that Justice doesn’t deserve it. I just thought it was almost a given that Roderick Strong was going to win this tournament. Before the match, Hero cut a promo that everybody was here to wrestle for Jeff Peterson, but he is here for himself and he’s going to win the trophy for himself. I think it was a nice touch because it added a heel to the match. The match started out with Strong telling Justice to sit back and watch him wrestle Hero. Strong and Hero proceeded to feel each other out and chain wrestle for the first few moments of the match. I’m glad that they did this because one of the reasons I was so mad was because I was looking forward to the Strong vs. Hero semifinal match that we ended up losing. After a few minutes, Justice joined the fray and Hero sat out for a few minutes. It was too entertaining as the fans were torn between Strong chopping the snot out of Justice, or watching Hero challenge a baby in the crowd to a fight. Hero finally jumped back into the ring to break up a submission hold. He and Strong then began to exchange chops…But not with each other. They had Justice propped in the corner and were taking turns giving him chops. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone take so many vicious chops in one match. The skin on Justice’s chest was even turning white, a sign that it was about to break open. A few backbreakers and cravats later, and Strong and Hero had made Justice endure enormous amounts of pain. Towards the end of the match, you had the feeling that Justice was going to win this after all. That feeling held true, as Justice hit Hero with the standing shooting star press while Hero was on the mat with Strong. Justice is the 2004 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup winner.

Final Thoughts

-- The first night was the best night, wrestling wise, for me. The afternoon show was also a good show, even with Homicide not being able to wrestle. And for the record, Homicide had lost a lot of blood from his hand and required stitches. He had been to the hospital, so we know that his hand injury was indeed legit. The Saturday night show was killed for me because of the loss of the semifinal matches. I did enjoy the main event, though. I have new found respect for Justice.

-- The attendance was definitely below what I was expecting for all three shows. The show had a lot of buzz and seemed to be well advertised, so I’m not sure what went wrong. I’m beginning to think that the fans in Florida aren’t familiar with the indy wrestling scene outside of Florida. That’s the only thing that I can think of that may have been the problem. These people will be kicking themselves in the ass a few years down the road when they see some of these guys wrestling for the Fed, TNA or some other promotion that comes along the way with a T.V. deal.

-- I think the NWA FL wrestlers made a strong showing throughout the entire weekend. Sedrick Strong, Mikey Tenderfoot and Naphtali all made positive impressions with the other wrestlers, and I’m sure that will grow more once the DVD is released. I think Justice’s star definitely got brighter from the finals match with Roderick Strong and Chris Hero.

-- The wrestler I was most impressed with was Roderick Strong. The biggest surprise for me was Petey Williams, and that’s not because I didn’t think he was good in the first place. I knew he was good, but I didn’t realize how good he was. The biggest disappointment was probably Jimmy Jacobs. Like I’ve said, he seemed out of it. I’m sure I’ll go watch some IWA Mid-South and that disappointment will go away in no time.

-- I hope Teddy Hart’s knee injury is legit. I’ve been wrong before and I don’t mind being wrong again. I am human, and I can’t help but speculate about this situation. For the record, I was also told that Hart was supposed to do the job for Justice. Take from this what you want. I’m sure everybody has their own opinion.

-- Overall, this was an excellent tournament with some 5 star matches. If you didn’t get an opportunity to see it in person, I would recommend you pick up the DVD when it’s released by RF Video. On a personal note, I would like to thank Joe Price, Ron Niemi and Aaron Royal for bringing such a great wrestling event to Florida. They may not have come out in droves like I expected, but the ones that were there had a great experience. Some of these matches were first time meetings and may never be done again, and that’s a thrill for me to be able to say that I witnessed it.