The Collective: GCW Presents For The Culture - Recap

byDennis DuBay •
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The  Collective: For The Culture Recap
by @olskoololfool

AJ Gray's dream came to life late Friday night of the Collective 2020 weekend and it was beautiful.  A joyous celebration of African-Americans in wrestling, this showcase absolutely brought it beginning to end.  Watching at home, 2 and a half hours absolutely flew by and I'm still awed by what I just watched.  Here's the results of an historic eve:

Mike Outlaw defeats AC Mack, Zay Washington, “Hoodfoot” Mo Atlas and Timmy Lou Retton

What was to start as a 4-Way ended up as a 5-Way after a salty AC Mack inserted himself into the match.  After losing the S.U.P. Bonestorm title to AJ Gray earlier in the day, I guess this was his little poke at Gray.  Not sure how much good it did as Outlaw won a fun opener by pin after drilling Timmy Lou with a Yakuza kick.

JTG defeated Trey Miguel

Trey actually played heel here, jumping JTG at the start with a dropkick and landing a power slide DDT to the floor.  After a minute or two of outside the ring shenanigans the opening bell was finally rung.  After some more trickery by Trey, including a not-so-nice sack tap to Jay The God while in the tree of woe, Miguel slowed the pace down.  This proved to be not great strategy as JTG slowly came back hitting power move after power move.  Jay hit the Brooklynn's Edge neckbreaker and this one was over.


40 Acres defeated Top Flight and Culture SZN

This 3-way tag was under Lucha-style rules apparently, not sure it was ever announced as such.  Every team looked great: 40 Acres with their wildly different partners dynamic, Top Flight with their aerial style & solid combos, Culture SZN with their swagger.  PB Smooth got the pin after hitting his firemen's carry powerbomb on Cassanova.


Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora World Championship:  Trish Adora (c) successfully defended against Suge D

A great story was told by these two.  Trish was not only able to match Suge hold for hold but also wasn't having his mind games at all.  It pushed Suge to stop grappling and start hitting which finally gave him some momentum.  Suge went to work on Adora's back while Trish focused on an arm.  A Lariat Tubman rocked Suge but he kicked out at 2.  After a second he wasn't as lucky, promptly after Trish locked on an arms trapped crossface and Suge submitted.

Calvin Tankman defeated O'Shay Edwards

So many back elbows, so much big man agility, so much meat!  Calvin barely escaped a pin after O'Shay hit him with the Sky High Variant and O'Shay actually popped up quick after Tankman's version of the Hidden Blade.  Shortly after though, a Get F***ed Driver from Calvin earned him the victory.

Willow Nightingale defeated Devon Monroe, Marti Belle and Faye Jackson

Faye came out for her entrance accompanied by Christian Cassanova and PB Smooth who were both clad in grey sweatpants for a nice touch.  It started with a series of roll-ups and then settled into the kind of action you'd expect.  A fun mix of people in this one and everyone looked great with Willow getting the big W after a gutwrench powerbomb on Devon.

AJ Grey (w/ Alexis Littlefoot) defeated Dezmond Xavier

At the start of the match, Dez was a step or two quicker than AJ.  Xavier worked a stick and move game plan while AJ looked to land some heavy shots to slow it down.  AJ starting gaining momentum and took to the top rope for his flying headbutt.  Xavier caught it and transitioned to a dragon sleeper.  After wearing down Gray, Dez hit Final Flash but AJ kicked out.  Gray responded with one of his gigantic lariats, and Dez got out of that.  A layout Burning Hammer into the ropes and a second huge lariat got the win for AJ.  A very nice cherry on top of his perfect Friday at the Collective.

Lee Moriarty defeats ACH

He's called by many “the greatest wrestler in North America” but let's be real a sec.  Lee Moriarty needs big wins.  We can say it all we want but I don't think we truly believe it yet.  Tonight was the start of making more believers.

It was the classic “vet versus up-and-comer” match-up and it did not disappoint.  ACH starting with grappling Lee which surprised me.  Not to say ACH isn't good at it, just that he played into Lee's strongest suit.  Likewise, Lee took the air before ACH.  It was interesting approaches from both.  Back and forth the whole way through, Moriarty targeted the arms as ACH went after Lee's back.  In the closing moments, ACH hit a big 4 kick combo followed by his exemplary brainbuster but it did not put Lee away.  Moriarty caught him in a Mouse Trap clutch for the quick surprise pin.

This was my match of the night and it seemed to be one a lot of the peers enjoyed.  It was awfully packed behind that curtain.

AR Fox defeats 2 Cold Scorpio

A generational clash between pioneers, it started with a bit of showboat and the feeling out process.  Once the match hit second gear...a palette of bricks were to be left on the gas pedal, the closing minutes were insane.  An AR Fox chain of coast-to-coast dropkick, plancha, apron legdrop and swanton got a 2 count.  Scorpio responded with a quick Koppo kick and front flip legdrop...only gets a 2.  Moonsault legdrop...still only 2.  AR finally gets his wits and puts 2 Cold away with what made Scorpio known, a 450 splash.






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