Nikita Allanov's 2011 Year In Review

Promotions Wrestled For in 2011

Black Diamond Wrestling - WV
Gladiadores Azteca Lucha Libre Internacional - IL
World Wrestling Coalition - OH
Renegade Wrestling Alliance - PA
Revolutionary Championship Wrestling - OH
Xtreme Wrestling Entertainment - OH

2011 Won Loss Record: (7 - 7 - 0)

  Singles Matches: 6 - 4 - 0   Tag Team Matches: 1 - 3 - 0
  Career Match Total: 577 Matches

2011 Matches

• 15 January - Aberdeen, OH - Nikita Allanov def. JT Stahr by pinfall
• 22 January - West Newton, PA - Patrick Hayes def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall
• 5 February - Jackson, OH - Juggulator & Judas Thorn def. Nikita Allanov & Maxx Power by pinfall
• 13 February - Moundsville, WV - Nikita Allanov def. Keith Haught by submission in a "Five Minute Challenge"
• 19 February - Logan, OH - Allen Lynch def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall
• 5 March - Aberdeen, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Justin Gage by pinfall
• *** 5 March - Aberdeen, OH - Jake Ashworth def. Matt Taylor, Terry Reines, Nikita Allanov, Eclipso, Marvel Trice, Princeton Travis, and Justin Gage (King of Extreme Championship Finals)
• 12 March - Portsmouth, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Eclipso by pinfall
• 13 March - Addison, IL - Ace Martino, Diego Corleone & Jake O'Neil def. Alex Ohlsen, Matt Knicks & Nikita Allanov by pinfall
• 25 March - Logan, OH - Adrenaline X def. Nikita Allanov & Onyx by pinfall
• 26 March - West Newton, PA - Nikita Allanov def. Jon Burton by pinfall in a No-DQ Match
• 9 April - Aberdeen, OH - Devlin Anderson def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall
• 16 April - West Newton, PA - Nikita Allanov def. Patrick Hayes by count-out
• 23 April - Berwyn, IL - Diego Corleone & Nikita Allanov def. Rose & Falcon by pinfall

           *Title Matches  -  **Main Event Matches  -  ***Main Event Title Matches


Titles Held in 2011

• No Championships Held

Favorite Match  
Nikita Allanov def. Jon Burton by pinfall in a No-DQ Match - March 26th in West Newton, PA
I had a limited number of matches in 2010 (which I will get to below) , but this one was one of my favorite, because it was really the only match that was the result of a build up, and it had a great atmosphere.  Burton is a local television and radio sports anchor, and he occasionally wrestles.  After a few months of getting under my skin at the behest of Dr. Feelbad, we had this match, and I do not hesitate to say that I pulled a great match out of a wrestler with less experience and in-ring skill than myself.  In addition, I did it as a fan-favorite babyface in my old Pittsburgh stomping grounds.  In my short run in RWA this message definately sent the message to the fans in that area that I was still lurking around, and a serious threat in the ring.  Honorable mentions go to the January match with JT Stahr, which turned out to be his last match before he left for film school in California, and also the "Five Minute Challenge" against Keith Haught in February, simply because of the atmosphere in the building that night. 

Least Favorite Match  
Devlin Anderson def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall - April 9th in Aberdeen, OH
I was sick and just didn't bring my working boots with me that night, so the match wasn't as good as I would have liked - especially since we had a pretty solid match the prior November in the Unbreakable Tournament.   

2011 Closing Thoughts
Wow, only fourteen matches.  Actually, I had fourteen matches in sixteen weeks, which is my normal pace, but when I was injured away from the ring on May 2nd, it screwed my year up completely. 

I was on pace to have a really good 2011 in the ring.  At the time of my injury I was wrestling regularly for six different promotions in three different states - which is a lot harder to do and more rare than it sounds.  I was also working on a few other things (a return to NYC among them) when everything came to a screeching halt.  


I did finally get to accomplish a goal, which was to begin working real lucha libre shows, although I didn't get to go south of the border to do it.  After a couple years of discussion, I finally got to work in the Chicagoland area for GALLI, a great independent promotion that is a mix of authentic lucha libre talent, and homegrown Chicago talent.  The booking and presentation is lucha style, and I had a lot of fun there.  On my first trip in I got to wrestle on the same card as some friends, and I was presented as a tecnico - with a few fans having signs for me in the crowd.  It made me feel good about myself, as it was my first show in that area, but some people knew who I was.  


Speaking of fan appreciation, I had a great run and a great time with RWA in the Pittsburgh area.  From my debut with the company I had somewhat straddled the fence on being a fan-favorite, and when I became a target of the "Feelbad Five", I turned into a tecnico there too!.  It was great being cheered by the fans, and it was great being able to talk and hear words of encouragement and appreciation from so many of them.  


I was only able to appear on one show for Black Diamond this year, but I had a pretty big role in my appearance, as I pretty much put an end to the Insurgentz.  McFly's group had attempted to run roughshod over the promotion, but I made a challenge that I could beat any member of their group in under five minutes, or that I would leave BDW forever.  When I made Keith Haught tap out a couple of minutes later, it was the first chink in the Insurgentz armor, and soon the group was all going their separate ways.  


In RCW I had a couple appearances, most notably a solid match with Eclipso in Portsmouth.  I was hoping to lead WrestlOhio to the gold in RCW, but again, I was sidelined by injury.  I also debuted for XWE in central Ohio, but before I was able to pick up much steam there I was on the sidelines. 

My year was thoroughly dominated by my injury.  I have written on here before about what happened and what needed to happen to take care of it, and needless to say, that end of things has not gone well, nor quickly.  Unfortunately, attorneys and government agencies are involved now, and it is really disheartening.  It sucks when something that I have put so much blood, sweat, work and tears into is taken away from you prematurely by something outside of your control.  


Right now, I am stuck in a limbo where I am not sure what is next.  I am still hitting the gym often, but over the past seven months I have had to change my workouts and my routines.  It is a very real possibility that I may never step in the ring again - and if I ever do, I may not be able to wrestle the same way that I always have.  I have always prided myself on being a knock-em-stiff tough-as-nails competitor, but my body paid the price for that style.  If I am ever going to get my shoulder in any kind of condition to compete in the ring again, I am going to have to worry more about technique and the actual art of wrestling, rather than brute force and power.  It has been hard to learn to train for that in the gym.  I went from being someone who goes into the gym and lifts and grunts like a madman, to being the guy cross-training and avoiding the weights.  Aside from my shoulder, I am probably as fit and light as I have been in ten years... and my body has been able to rest up for most of the year.  


Hopefully within the next few weeks I will have a more complete picture of what exactly my in-ring future will be.  All I can do is try to keep hope alive that my career hasn't come to an end, but at the same time, I am not a young guy anymore, so I have to weigh how much pain and agony a comeback will put me through, and if it will be worth it.  After this much time off, it can be a lot like starting from scratch.  I am just holding out hope that maybe it can be a way for me to have rested up for one last big run.  


I do not know if I would even be writing this today if it wasn't for Shannon.  She is truly the love of my life, and she has been there for me through all of the hard times the past few months.  No one but her really knows how bad this injury has harmed me - mentally, physically, financially, and pridefully - not to mention professionally.  She has been there for me through it all, and in a way that I cannot explain.  I would probably be in a ditch somewhere right now if it wasn't for her.  She made 2011 bearable, and in some ways, my best year ever.  






 

GALLI Results - 4/23/11

GALLI (23 April) Berwyn FOE Hall: Berwyn, IL
Attendance: 190 (Sell-out?)

1) Destructor Alfa def. Atomico by pinfall
2) Tom Heisman & Matt Creed def. Ovirload & Valentino by pinfall
3) Diego Corleone & Nikita Allanov def. Rose & Falcon by pinfall
4) Golden Star & Flash Metal def. Yakuza & El Payaso Blanco by pinfall
5) Los Odiados def. Jarod Priest & Craig Mitchell by pinfall
6) Emperador, Funebre & Ripper def. 450 Hammet, Tokyo Lee & Alex Ohlson by pinfall
7) Discovery, Furia Roja & Guardian def. Willie Richardson, Marshe Rocket & Acid Jazz by pinfall

All matches were one-fall.

Paired up with fellow veteran rudo Corleone in parejas action against two young gringos.  Corleone and myself pretty much dished out a beating to these two kids.  Falcon nailed me with a spinebuster-bomb after I attempted to powerbomb him, but I was able to kick out.  When he took too much time going up top for a frog splash, I moved, and when he stood up, he was met with a nasty Sickle, which got the pinfall.

I will hopefully be returning to action for GALLI when they return to Berwyn on May 21st...

RWA "Spring Fling" Results

RWA (16 April) 5th Street Gym; West Newton, PA
Attendance: 235

1) Jesse Skelton def. Chris LeRusso by pinfall (RWA Cruiser)
2) Angel Camacho def. Mr. RBI by pinfall
3) Nikita Allanov def. Patrick Hayes by count-out
4) Jay Ice & Josh Emanuel def. Chris Arcadian & Ryan Reign by pinfall
5) Stryder def. Joe Brooks by submission (RWA PA)
6) Brandon K & Scottie Gash def. Jimmy Nutts & JT Williams by pinfall
7) Chris Taylor def. Ryan Mitchell by pinfall
8) Calvin McGrath & Shane Valentine def. Jon Burton, Ryan Reign & Patrick Hayes by pinfall.

I was scheduled to square off with Patrick Hayes, of the Feelbad Five, in order to gain a measure of revenge for my loss to Hayes back in January with the help of Jon Burton.  However, Hayes decided to make his presence known early in the evening, as he attacked his trainer and mentor Lamont Williams after a match showcasing two of his trainees.  Williams, who was unable to compete himself due to an ankle injury, was brutally attacked by Hayes, and had his injured leg hit with a chair that was provided by RWA Promoter Dr. Feelbad.  I ran in to make the save for Williams, and challenged Hayes to have our match right at that moment.  After a couple of quick suplexes, Hayes bailed out, and Feelbad rushed him out of the building, so I was awarded the match by countout.  Afterward I asked the fans if they felt cheated by Feelbad, and they started to chant "bullshit".  I promised that I would make Hayes tap out in the middle of the ring.



Awesome, awesome crowd all night long.  Back from 2000-2006 when I wrestled in Pittsburgh, we always had loyal die-hard fans at the shows, but they were always very quiet and reserved.  While they would cheer and root for their favorites and boo the wrestlers that they hated, it was always a very hard crowd to work, no matter where it was at.  The boys always likened it to a hybrid Japanese/Philadelphia crowd, where the fans just liked to sit there and watch, but would pop for finishes, and when guys did ridiculous things and almost killed themselves.

Wrestling in RWA has been very very different from that experience.  The first time I wrestled there, about a year ago, I was given a good reception by the crowd; even though I hadn't wrestled in the area for four years, and never before for that company.  Over the course of the time I have been there, the RWA crowds have gotten bigger, louder, more excited, and knowledgeable about what they are watching.  Last night at this event, the crowd was cheering and into everything from the beginning of the show, until the end.  Fans get chants started directed at wrestlers.  Fans cheer for their favorites.  Fans listen to the wrestlers when they are on the mic.  At intermission wrestlers are out there with fans taking pictures, signing autographs, and talking about the show. 

Last night, when Eric Extasy's music hit and he walked thru the curtain, the building just about exploded.  For all the jerkoffs and detractors on the messageboards and other lockerrooms in the area, RWA has become the place to be in the Pittsburgh area.  In the short time that I have been with the company, I have personally experienced wrestlers in the Pittsburgh area tell me how shoddily RWA is run, how no one attends shows, and how bad the wrestling is.  Less than a year later, RWA is the top drawing promotion in the Pittsburgh area on a consistent basis.  The talent base is amazing, because the roster has been built around a small handful of local Pittsburgh veterans, young rookies looking for an opportunity, and solid veteran wrestlers from outside of the area, specifically northern PA, WV, MD, and OH.

Now, I have wrestlers asking me if I can hook them up with a spot in RWA, and how much do they think that I could get them for a payday there.  A lot of these guys just do not get it.  RWA is a fun and exciting place to work, it has a great atmosphere, and the roster is full of talent and growing.  A lot of the local Pittsburgh guys have been blindly loyal to places where they get no paydays and wrestle in front of no crowds.  They want to slam RWA because it was a new company.  Meanwhile, the company has been built around dedicated loyal wrestlers, and now that word is getting out about how good the shows are and how much money that the boys are making, all the detractors want a piece of the pie.

A lot of the Pittsburgh boys are getting more and more upset that they are not getting booked in RWA, and outside guys from other places are.  No one is "entitled" to anything at RWA - it is a business, and the boys are all expected to contribute and draw fans to buy tickets.  That is a great example of the mentality among the wrestlers in Pittsburgh.  To most of them, wrestling is a social club where they come and pull ribs and politic for their spot with their buddies, and at the end of the day go home with $5 in their pocket. 

I enjoy working in Pittsburgh again for RWA, and I am disappointed  that I will not be able to make the May 7th event.  However, I will be back in action for RWA on June 4th!

WWC "Last Laugh" Results

WWC (9 April) Municipal Building; Aberdeen, OH
Attendance: 105

1) Terry Reines def. Justin Neal, Sugai Tora by pinfall
2) Bennet Cole def. GG Bradley by pinfall
3) Ed Gonzales def. Heather Owens by pinfall
4) Devlin Anderson def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall
5) Scarry Gary def. Ganger in a dog-collar match
6) Solar Powers def. the Brotherhood by pinfall (WWC Tag)
7) DDK def. Jimmy Malloy by pinfall (WWC Heavy)

My match with Anderson was for the number one contendership to DDK's Heavyweight Championship.  I had been on quite a roll recently in WWC, but I think my recent illness and inability to work out caught up with me here.  Anderson caught me with a Spinebuster and pinned me clean.

XWE Results - 3/25 Logan, OH

XWE (25 March) Logan-Hocking Activity Center; Logan, OH
Attendance: 175
1) Allen Lynch def. Jimmy Malloy, Rook Crass, Rick Rage & Flash Fury in a Brutal Games qualifying match. 
2) Black Irish Saints def. Sid Angel & Evan Daniels by pinfall (XWE Tag)
3) Rick Ramsey def. ME Howerton by pinfall (loser leaves town)
4) Dirk Extreme def. Shane Storm by pinfall
5) Adrenaline X def. Nikita Allanov & Onyx by pinfall
6) Otto Von Boogiemeister def. Ryan Phoenix by pinfall

7) Jock Samson def. Jerry Bishop, Dane Stratmore, Corey Mason, Draven Rose, Deacon Knight, Trace Chambers & Damien Braddeck in the "Brutal Games" Elimination match (XWE Heavy)

I am not 100% sure on results for matches 1,4 & 6.  Sorry. 

James Avery no showed, so I ended up teaming with Onyx, my old nemesis from RCW.  We were unable to get along, so I gave him a Soviet Sickle that sent him out of the ring, and that allowed Mathis & Maximus to nail me with a combo kick & Falcom Arrow to get the pinfall. 

RWA Results - 26 March, 2011

RWA (26 March) 5th St. Gym; West Newton, PA
Attendance: 220

1)  Jesse Skelton def. Rebecca Payne by pinfall (RWA Cruiser)
2) Ryan Mitchell def. Allen Payne by pinfall
3) Shane Valentine def. Chris Arkadian by pinfall
4) Nikita Allanov def. Jon Burton by pinfall in a No-DQ Match
5) Pocket Rockets def. Hanson Brothers by pinfall
6) Chris Taylor def. Joseph Brooks by pinfall
7) Calvin McGrath def. Ryan Edmonds by pinfall
8) Jay Ice & Josh Emanuel def. G-Raver & Seth Allen by pinfall
9) Ashton Amherst def. Stryder by pinfall (RWA Heavy)

"Big Homie" Jon Burton meets the business end of the Soviet Sickle. 

This match was a No Disqualification match, and as I challenged last month after dealing with the shenanigans of Feelbad & Burton.  I went after Burton as he came out of the curtain, and we had a crazy brawl on the floor, with me just dominating the former WTAE sports anchor.  I went for a Sickle on the floor, but Burton countered it with a backdrop, and then he and Feelbad went to work on my back.  Burton attempted to go for his Swinging Urinage Suplex finisher, but I countered with a Russian Leg Sweep, which brought Feelbad into the ring.  Burton got a chair and charged me, but I moved and he hit Feelbad, then was leveled with a Sickle to the delight of the fans. 

After the big win, I held up a hand and called out the Feelbad Five, and then tucked one finger back to show that there were still four left.

RCW 3/12/11 Portsmouth Results

RCW (12 March) Plumber & Steamfitters Hall #577; Portsmouth, OH
Attendance: 200

1) Flash Fury def. Maxx Power by pinfall
2) Randy Allen def. Trik Nasty by pinfall (RCW NA)
3) Pretty in Pink def. Metal Mayhem by pinfall (RCW Tag)
4) Nikita Allanov def. Eclipso by pinfall
5) Tank Runyon def. Dirk Extreme by disqualification
6) Projekt Ego def. Judas Thorn & The Black Irish Saints in an elimination match (RCW Heavy; ciber)

Before the match the Mastermind & Ms. Sara addressed the crowd, and informed them that this match was an open challenge to anyone in RCW and beyond, as WrestleOhio brought Nikita Allanov into RCW to win the Heavyweight Championship, and that they were tired of waiting.  My old foe from WWC, Eclipso was the wrestler to accept the challenge, and he took quite a beating in this match, but made a valiant effort to come back, and hit an impressive missile dropkick that nearly won him the match. 

But after a devastating Soviet Sickle, it was all over.  

GALLI Results - 3/13 Addison, IL

GALLI (13 March) Addison Community Center; Addison, IL
Attendance: 200
1) Ovirload def. Joey Marx by pinfall
2) G2L & Rey Fuego def. Funebre & Sepultura by pinfall
3) Ace Martino, Diego Corleone &; Jake O'Neil def. Alex Olsen, Matt Knicks & Nikita Allanov by pinfall
4) Bryce Benjamin, Mason Conrad & Valientino def. Furia Roja, Golden Star & Guardian by pinfall
5) Discovery & Mascarita Dorada def. Pierrothito & Yakuza
6) 450 Hammet, Samuray del Sol & Shiima Xion def. Emperador, Low Rider & Pesadilla

Photo courtesy of www.luchablog.com and theCubsFan!

This was my debut in Illinois, my debut in the Chicagoland area, and my debut for a lucha libre style promotion. 

I lost the match for my team, when (as illustrated in the picture above), I backed Diego Corleone into the corner along with my team mate Matt Knicks. Earlier in the match a miscomunication led to Knicks and rookie wrestler Alex Olsen colliding, and our opponents working Olsen over.  Olsen finally was able to make the tag to me after taking quite a beating, and I cleaned house, before our team hit three-way Stunners on our opponents, who rolled out of the ring.  Sensing victory, I went outside after Corleone, while Olsen went up top for a dive onto Martino & O'Neil.  Knicks knocked Olsen off the top rope behind my back, so when Corleone slid into the ring and into the corner, Knicks and I had him in a two-on-one situation, or so I thought.  Right after this picture was taken, Knicks dropped down and fouled me from behind, which allowed Corleone to roll me up for the pinfall.

If you couldn't tell from the results above, I was a tecnico.  The match originally announced was two rudo teams (Corleone & myself versus Martino & O'Neil), but with two extra tecnicos on hand, and never having wrestled in the area before,  promoter Carlos Robles asked me if I would be interested in working as a tecnico, and I agreed.  Oddly enough, this means that I curently only wrestle as a rudo in Ohio, as I have become a fan favorite in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well. 

I don't feel I did very well in my debut here, as I was pretty nervous to debut in a new area, and as a tecnico.  Not to mention that I had been pretty sick with the flu the week prior, I think I could have done much better.  But, with that said, it appears that I did pretty well.  Sr. Robles has already told me that he is interested in bringing me back, and I seemed to get a good reaction, with a couple signs in the crowd for me (which honestly surprised me).  Plus, I picked up a couple more followers on Twitter from it. 

The big downside is that GALLI tends to run Sunday shows at around 4pm.  With this show not starting until 5pm and not ending until just before 9pm (and adding on another hour for business to be taken care of), that would put me on the road at 10pm, with a minimum of a 5.5 hour drive back to Cincinnati.  That is going to be really hard for me to pull off on any kind of regular basis. 

It was awesome to see Low Rider and Shiima Xion again though, and to share a locker room with great talent from different areas.  The lockerroom wasd roughly divided into thirds, with the gringos, the local Chicago luchadores, and the bi-lingual luchadores.  It was awesome to see Mascarita Dorada and Pierothito in person as well. 

In addition, this was my first time ever in Chicago, and with Ms. Shannon's brother recently moving there, it ended up being a great road trip for multiple reasons. Hopefully I can work things out schedule-wise to appear with GALLI on a regular basis!  After all, Knicks has some nice pretty hair that would look good on my trophy case...

WWC King of Extreme Results - March 5th

WWC (5 March) Municipal Building; Aberdeen, OH
***8th Annual King of Extreme***
Attendance: 125

1) Matt Taylor def. Terry Reines by submission (KoE Time Trial)
2) Jake Ashworth and Eclipso fought to a time-limit draw (KoE Time Trial)
3) Nikita Allanov def. Justin Gage by pinfall (KoE Time Trial)
4) Marvel Trice def. Princeton Travis by submission (KoE Time Trial)
5) Jimmy Malloy def. Ranger Horowitz by pinfall (WWC NA)
6) DDK def. Devlin Anderson by pinfall (WWC Heavy)
7) Jake Ashworth def. Matt Taylor, Terry Reines, Nikita Allanov, Eclipso, Marvel Trice, Princeton Travis & Justin Gage (King of Extreme Match) 


KOE match was a pretty brutal and bloody affair.  Gage was eliminated first under Battle Royal Rules when he threw Marvel Trice over the top rope to the floor, but referee Adam Fusion ruled Trice didn't touch the floor.  As Gage argued, Trice dumped him from behind.  Ashworth made Travis tape out to gain the second fall, which was under submission rules.  Eclipso put Trice thru a table to gain the "Table Match Pinfall", but was immediately taken out on the outside by Allanov under "Falls Count Anywhere" rules.  With Taylor, Ashworth, Allanov and Reines remaining, the match turned into a four-way ladder match with all the plunder in play.  Allanov sliced Taylor open with a cheese grater, and Allanov was busted open with the ladder by Ashworth.  Taylor took out Reines' knee on the outside, as Allanov brought a table into the ring. A dive by Ashworth took out Allanov, and as Taylor and Ashworth battled atop the ladder, Ashworth pushed Taylor off, sending him thru a table, and allowing Ashworth to gain his second win in the KOE!

XWE Results - 2/19 Logan, OH

XWE (19 February) Logan Hocking Activity Center; Logan, OH
Attendance: 250

1) Devon Maximus def. Devlin Anderson
2)
3)
4) Ron Mathis def. DDK
5) Allen Lynch def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall
6)
7) Dirk Extreme & Otto Von Boogiemeister def.
8)

Obviously, details to come...

BDW Results - 2/13 Moundsville, WV

BDW (13 February) FOE Hall; Moundsville, WV
Attendance: Sellout (165+)

1) Arcadian def. Bobby Beverly by pinfall
2) Great Toyota def. RP Williams by pinfall
3) Orenthal Benjamin def. Chest Flexor by pinfall
4) Dan Sandwich def. Dash Bennett by pinfall
5) Michael Facade def. Dave Dimera
6) Rock Lobster def. Straight Jacket Mafia by pinfall (BDW Tag)
7) Devin Devine, Jason Gory & Vinnie Stone def. the Insurgentz by DQ
8) Nikita Allanov def. Keith Haught by submission in a "Five Minute Challenge"

RCW Tag Team Invitational Results - 2/5/2001

RCW (5 February) Jackson County YMCA; Jackson, OH
Attendance: 257
RCW Invitational Tag Team Tournament
1) Juggulator & Judas Thorn def. Nikita Allanov & Maxx Power by pinfall (Rd 1)
2) Corey Mason & Jimmy Malloy def. Heavy Metal & Chuck Chronic by pinfall (Rd 1)
3) Ron Mathis & Devon Maximus def. DDK & Devlin Anderson by DQ  (Rd 1)
4) Dirk Extreme & Randy Allen def. Tank Runyon & Trik Nasty by pinfall  (Rd 1)
5) Juggulator & Thorn def. Mason & Malloy by countout (Semi)
6) Mathis & Maximus def. Extreme & Allen by pinfall (Semi)
7) Flash Fury def. Jeff Mayhem by pinfall
8) Mathis & Maximus def. Juggulator & Thorn by pinfall (Finals)

A great crowd on hand for the first show for RCW this year.  The tag team tournament was a big success on a night with UFC. 

WrestleOhio president the Mastermind & Ms. Sara came to the ring and said that the Murder Junkies (Judas Thorn & Juggulator) couldn't get along recently, and that he knew all their weaknesses, and was more than willing to exploit them.  This brought out Thorn & Juggz, who were attacked from behind by Power & Allanov.  A quick brawl on the floor ensued, before Juggz & Thorn took control, isolating Allanov in the ring. 
Soon however, Power gave a helping hand to his partner, and the WrestleOhio duo was working over Juggz, focusing on his back.  After about ten minutes of pounding, Allanov went for his Soviet Sickle, but Juggz ducked it and hit a neck breaker, before making the tag to Thorn, who cleared house.  MasterMind tried to toss his cane to Power to use against Thorn, but Power dropped the cane, and was nailed by a boot from Juggz, and a nasty clothesline from Thorn, and was pinned, eliminating the WrestleOhio team from the tournament. 

RCW returns to action at the Portsmouyth Steamfitters Union Hall on Saturday March 12th, and returns to the Jackson YMCA on Saturday May 7th! 

RWA "Uprising 3" Results - 22 Jan 2011

RWA (22 Jan) 5th St. Gym; West Newton, PA
Attendance: 200

1) CJ Sensation def. Scottie Gash by pinfall
2) Pocket Rockets def. Chris Arkadian in a handicap match by reverse decision
3) Jon Burton def. Chris Taylor by pinfall
4) Ryan Edmonds & Shane Valentine def. Jay Ice & Shane Valentine by pinfall
5) Patrick Hayes def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall
6) Stryder def. Jock Samson in an "I Quit" match (RWA PA)
7) G-Raver def. Troy Lords by pinfall (RWA Cruiser)
8) Calvin McGrath def. Ashton Amherst by pinfall in a "Dog Collar" match
9) Ryan Mitchell def. Brandon K by pinfall (RWA Heavy)

As you can see clearly see on THIS flyer for the show, I was scheduled to wrestle in a three way against my old nemesis Chris Taylor, and Sports Journalist Jon Burton.  After confirming with the RWA promoter Dr. Feelbad multiple times (due to weather) that the show was still going down, I arrived at the facility before the show, only to find out I was no longer booked.  Considering that I drove over four hours to the event and had people coming to the show specifically to see me compete, I was told by Feelbad that he wanted Burton to take out Taylor one-on-one, and that he had no match for me.  I was pretty pissed off naturally, but even more so when Feelbad said that I would not be receiving my booking fee, even though I arrived as scheduled.  Instead, he offered me as many hotdogs as I wanted, the ol' McKeesport payday.

So, rather than leave, RWA Commissioner Tommy Faime asked me to stay and watch the show as his guest.  After Patrick Hayes interferred in the Burton/Taylor match and was revealed as the fifth member of Feelbad's stable, Faime asked me if I would be willing to wrestle Hayes.  I told him that it would be a pleasure, and I got ready for my match.

I was having my way with Hayes, and setting him up for the dreaded Soviet Sickle, when Burton hit me with a chair, returning the favor to Hayes from earlier.  Hayes capitalized and got the pinfall, but Feelbad definitely made an enemy on this night. 

And, since Jock Samson had been recruiting me to help him out as a fellow Buckeye, I felt that the relationship had become very one-sided, with Samson getting my assistance, and not helping me out.  So, I came to ringside during his "I Quit" match with Stryder, and kept him from using Stryder's rugby ball as a weapon. 

In other words, I am now a fan favorite in Pittsburgh, and it looks like I have made enemies with Samson and the Feelbad five.  Looks like some big matches on the horizon, and some money to be made!

Also, the crowd was great for this event.  The weather, the cold, the football, none of it mattered - the building was packed and the atmosphere was great all night long.  I really enjoy working at RWA. 

A photo I took from the lockerrom during the semi-main event: McGrath vs. Amherst

WWC January 15th Results

WWC (15 Jan) Municipal Building; Aberdeen, OH
Attendance: 65

1) Heather Owens def. GG Bradley by pinfall
2) Terry Reines def. Ultra Mega Masked Homicide by submission
3) Princeton Travis def. Jake Ashworth by pinfall
4) Marvel Trice def. Eclipso by pinfall
5) Ganger DRAW Scary Gary by double countout
6) Nikita Allanov def. JT Stahr by pinfall
7) Cody Hawk def. Tom Sharp by pinfall
8) Matt Taylor def. Aaron Williams by pinfall (WWC NA)

Before our match, JT Stahr announced to the crowd that win or lose, tonight was his last match in WWC, as he was moving on to another phase in his life, and moving to the west coast.  He talked about how he loved wrestling in front of the WWC fans, and he felt like he had accomplished everything he could have in WWC.  Nikita Allanov then made his way to ringside, and stated that everyone thinks that JT is the best wrestler in WWC, but that he was.  Nikita said they had faced each other twice, and the serie was split at one win apiece, but that he would win tonight to prove he was the best. 

The two men proceeded to have a mat wrestling clinic, exchanging holds and counter-holds for a large portion of the match, before the action spilled out on the floor.  Things heated up back in the ring, with both men going for their pet moves, and either missing them, or the opponent kicking out.  Stahr went for a top rope crossbody, which knocked out referee Brian Church.  As a second official was sent from the back, the match continued, with Allanov finally getting the victory after nailing Stahr with the Red Scare piledriver, and getting the 1,2, 3. 

WWC Returns to Aberdeen on Saturday February 12th. 

2010 Year In Review

Promotions Wrestled for in 2010
   Black Diamond Wrestling - WV, OH
   Dynamic Championship Wrestling - OH
   World Wrestling Coalition - OH
   Renegade Wrestling Alliance - PA
   Revolutionary Championship Wrestling - OH

2010 Won Loss Record: (23 -14 -2)
  Singles Matches: 20 -10 -1
   Tag Team Matches: 3 - 4 - 1
   Battle Royals: 0-for-4 (Not Included in overall W/L total)
   Career Match Total: 563 Matches

2010 Matches
*** 16 Jan - Greenville, OH - Matt McPhatt def. Nikita Allanov by submission (DCW Heavy)
*** 30 Jan - Piqua, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Matt McPhatt by knockout (DCW Heavy)
*   13 Feb - Aberdeen, OH - Nikita Allanov & Ed Gonzales def. Jimmy Malloy & Jeremy Madrox by pinfall (WWC Tag)
*** 20 Feb - Springfield, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Shawn Draven by pinfall (DCW Heavy)
*   27 Feb - Piqua, OH - Big Jim Hutchinson def. Nikita Allanov by DQ (DCW Heavy)
**  27 Feb - Piqua, OH - Big Jim Hutchinson & Shawn Draven def. Matt Ryan & Nikita Allanov by pinfall
*** 13 March - Piqua, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Shawn Draven in a laddermatch (DCW Heavy)
**  3 April - Springfield, OH - Nikita Allanov def. KY Jordan by submission (DCW Heavy)
 -   10 April - Aberdeen, OH - Eclipso & Jake Ashworth def. Ed Gonzales & Nikita Allanov
*** 17 April - Camden, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Evan Steel by pinfall (DCW Heavy)
 -   23 April - Brilliant, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Chris Taylor by pinfall
*** 8 May - Aberdeen, OH - Nikita Allanov, Ed Gonzales & Terry Raines def. Eclipso, Shawn Parks & Jake Ashworth by pinfall (WWC Tag, WWC NA)
*   5 June - Springfield, OH - Nikita Allanov def. DJ Tom Sharp by KO (BDW Heavy)
*** 6 June - Moundsville, WV - Jason Gory def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall (BDW Heavy)
*   12 June - Aberdeen, OH - Dave Nevada & Devlin Anderson DQ Nikita Allanov & Ed Gonzales (WWC Tag)
 -   12 June - Aberdeen, OH - Battle Royal
 -   18 June - Peebles, OH - Nikita Allanov def. DJ Tom Sharp by submission
**   26 June - Jackson, OH - Battle Royal
 -   10 July - Aberdeen, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Jake Ashworth by submission
**  17 July - Piqua, OH - Evan Steel def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall
 -   31 July - West Newton, PA - Nikita Allanov def. Terry Ring, Payton Graham by pinfall in a triple threat match
*** 7 Aug - Springfield, PA - Nikita Allanov def. Evan Steel by pinfall (DCW Heavy)
**  14 Aug - Aberdeen, OH - Solar Powers def. Nikita Allanov & Ed Gonzales by pinfall (WWC Tag)
-   21 Aug - Jackson, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Chuck Chronic by pinfall
*** 4 Sept - Piqua, OH - Big Jim Hutchinson and Evan Steel def. Nikita Allanov by no contest in the tournament finals (DCW Heavy)
*   19 Sept - Allenport, PA - Nikita Allanov & the Polish Nightmare def. Stryder & Jock Samson when Samson pinned Stryder (RWA PA)
*   11 Sept - Aberdeen, OH - Solar Powers def. Nikita Allanov & Ed Gonzales in a flag match (WWC Tag)
*   2 Oct - Springfield, OH - Nikita Allanov fought Shawn Draven to a time limit draw (DCW Mid-Ohio)
*** 2 Oct - Springfield, OH - Battle Royal (DCW Heavy)
 -   3 Oct - Moundsville, WV - Nikita Allanov def. Cory Futuristic by submission
*    9 Oct - Aberdeen, OH - Aaron Williams def. Nikita Allanov by submission (WWC NA)
 -  16 Oct - Greenville, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Jeff Richards by pinfall
 -   23 Oct - Portsmouth, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Onyx by pinfall
 -   6 Nov - Camden, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Matt Ryan by submission
**  6 Nov - Camden, OH - Battle Royal
 -   7 Nov - Moundsville, WV - Nikita Allanov def. Chase Russell by pinfall
 -   13 Nov - Aberdeen, OH - Nikita Allanov def. JT Stahr by pinfall (Toun; Rd1)
 -   13 Nov - Aberdeen, OH - Nikita Allanov def. Scary Gary by pinfall (Toun; Semi)
*    13 Nov - Aberdeen, OH - Devlin Anderson def. Nikita Allanov by DQ. (Tourn; Final)
*** 20 Nov - Piqua, OH - Evan Steel def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall (DCW Heavy)
 -   27 Nov - Aberdeen, OH - DDK def. DJ Tom Sharp, Nikita Allanov, Ed Gonzales, Eclipso, Jake Ashworth, Judas Thorne, Tommy Chill, Juggulator, Scary Gary (cibernetico)
 -   4 Dec - Portsmouth, OH - Onyx def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall
 -  11 Dec - West Newton, PA - Shane Valentine def. Nikita Allanov by pinfall 
           *Title Matches  -  **Main Event Matches  -  ***Main Event Title Matches

Titles Held in 2010
  DCW Heavyweight Championship (10/17/09 - 1/16/10), (1/30/10 - 9/4/10)
  WWC Tag Team Championship - (11/14/09 - 8/14/10)

Favorite Match
  Nikita Allanov def. Matt McPhatt by knockout (DCW Heavy) - 30 Jan - Piqua, OH
    - I had a lot of great matches in 2010, but I picked this one as my favorite, even though I have never seen a copy of it.  It was a very hard decision this year, to be honest, but this match won out over some others because I actually won the match, it was a match heavy with wrestling and the actual trading and countering of holds, a great crowd, .  Honorable mentions go to the match with Chris Taylor from Brilliant on 4/23, the Laddermatch with Shawn Draven from 3/13, the match with McPhatt from 1/16, the match with Evan Steele from 11/20, or the flag match with the Solar Powers vs. International Incident on 9/11. 
Least Favorite Match
  Nikita Allanov & the Polish Nightmare def. Stryder & Jock Samson - 19 Sept - Allenport, PA
   - I don't think I had many matches in 2010 bad enough to wrote home about, so there isn't really a lot to comment on - this was just my least favorite and it sticks out in my mind.  I was booked to have a singles championship match with Stryder, but it was changed at the last minute to this tag match with goofy rules.  Not a big fan of the goofy rules, so this was my least favorite match.  


2010 Closing Thoughts
     It seems that I usually seem to be doing my best work in the ring when my life outside the ring is in turmoil.  Outside the ring, my 2010 was actually pretty damn drama free.  Everyone that knows me personally knows how trying my life was at the end of 2009, and I had a lot of people actually show support for me on a personal level, which was a great change.  I am so used to being alone. In 2010 I had a lot of great people come back into my life, and it was awesome. 
     In a lot of ways, I only had to worry about myself in 2010, and it resulted in having perhaps my best year of wrestling, from a quality standpoint.  I have been in this sport/business for nearly thirteen years now, and I am comfortable with where I am at.  I still think I can have better matches, and I am certainly looking to travel to even more places in 2011, but I am at that point in my career where things like drawing crowds,  protecting the business, and preserving the sport are becoming more and more important. 
     2010 was certainly not without injuries!  One of the reasons that I picked that match with McPhatt as my 2010 Favorite was because we both paid a very physical price in that match - which was not a weapons filled brawl by any means.  Old nagging injuries hurt more after that match, and didn't necessarily go away.  By mid-year I was starting to have issues with my neck.  Holding two championships in two different territories, I felt an obligation to bring my best in the ring, so I began altering my training around my injuries; Rehabbing on-the-go, if you will.  For awhile I was able to keep the pace I was going at, but after suffering from a neck stinger on September 4th, I knew I was going to need some time off eventually. 
     However, anyone who knows me personally or has seen me wrestle regularly knows that I am a pretty tough sumbitch (and stubborn), so I continued to work thru injury.  It  eventually got to the pint that I was having trouble even working out and training at the gym - but I was making sure I was good to go for my bookings.  For the first time in my career as a professional wrestler I took pain pills: Although they were mild ones and for inflammation more than killing pain, nonetheless, I was on them. No one, and I mean NO ONE in my life knew how hurt I was, or how much pain I was in.  I only even told one person that I was hurt. 
     When I was finally able to be examined by an orthopedic specialist (Dr. Rodway from Beacon Orthopedics), it was discovered that I didn't have a major injury to my neck - only a painful and debilitating one. Somewhere along the way, either in a match or working out (or even outside of wrestling), I tore a ligament in my neck, which had caused my spine to curve.  The scoliosis was causing me the problems, so I started receiving therapeutic treatment from  Dr. Rolfs (the same doctor at Beacon who treats the Cincinnati Reds' Scott Rolen's back).  After about a month of therapy in the wee hours of the morning, I was cleared to workout and wrestle again.  My stubbornness allowed me to put off treatment until I had an opening in my schedule, but in hindsight I was living dangerously.  I easily could have had a cracked vertebrae or a ruptured disc - and my wrestling career could have been over. 
     Right now, I work for a great group of promoters: Rikk, Ric, Dirk, and Derek are all great guys.  When I informed these guys of my injuries and what I would be able to give them in the ring, they were all a pleasure to deal with. Some people dis not appreciate my dedication to the business though, and tried to take advantage of it.  
     Often, wrestling promoters are the first one to question a wrestler's dedication to the business, but they are often the first ones to hide when their dedication is questioned.  This was the situation in DCW for me personally for most of 2010.  In the span of a year, I was asked to adjust my schedule for them multiple times as they moved show dates around.  In the span of one calendar year, four shows were canceled on the day of the show - when it was too late to take another booking.  The promoter refused to accept the blame for this, and I began to have issues working there.  The promoter is one of those guys who is quick to get rid of a guy he doesn't like, and very hesitant to bring in anyone new and fresh.  When the canceling of shows and moving around of dates became unacceptable and no one in the office accepted accountability, I demanded a change in my compensation package.  When these requirements were not met (and I knew they wouldn't be), I began to accept other bookings on their dates.  Out of professional obligation I felt a need to work certain dates for them regardless, simply because that is how this business survives.  However, once I stuck around to do the honors, injured, and the promoters shit on me for it, I fought back.  I had a great run in DCW, but I am done there.  In this business you just have to know when it is time to move on. 
   I can hang my hat on the fact that I held the Heavyweight championship in DCW three times, and twice it was for over six months.  In fact, if you subtract the two weeks in between reigns two and three, I held the championship from October of 2009 until September 2010.  In 2010 I headlined all four of the major events at the Piqua Armory, which all drew around 300 or more fans.  Being put in a position like that means a lot to me, and I think I performed well inthe role of the company ace in 2010. 
     I also cannot say enough about Ric & Drew at WWC.  When they took over the reigns at the end of 2009, a lot of guys were worried - which is only natural when there is a change of the guard.  Ric has been phenomenal with myself, and I enjoy the hell out of teaming with Ed Gonzales. Big things are on the horizon for WWC this year. 
     If you go back thru my career, I have certainly had my fair share of tag team matches.  I have never had a lot of steady partners, however.  Ed has become my favorite tag team partner, and we have a helluva acts going with International Incident.  We had some great tag team matches from the standpoint of drawing heat, and as we continue in WWC we are assuredly going to keep doing more of what we are doing. 
     The Mastermind & WrestleOhio brought me into RCW this year, and it has been a great experience thus far.  Dirk runs a great promotion, and the entire staff there is great to work with.  Good crowds and a great talent roster make it a fun place to work, and it is easy to have good matches with that kind of atmosphere.  I am very excited to be working with RCW more in 2011. 
      One of the places hit the worst by the economic situation in the US the last couple years is the Wheeling area, so BDW just has not been able to put on as many events as in the past.  In 2009, a lot of the events clashed with my "real life" schedule, but in 2010 I was able to return to the fold more regularly.  After losing a championship match to Jason Gory at the 7th Anniversary Show, I stated that I would never challenge for the BDW Heavyweight Championship again, and I shook Gory's hand.  As the first Heavyweight Champion there, and as someone who held it three times, I feel as I am the standard bearer for what is expected as a champion there.  With Jason Gory defending the championship against all comers for nearly two years, the torch has been passed.  I have had a lot of fun wrestling with some of the younger talent in BDW.  Since his in-ring retirement Jake Garrett has take a hands-on approach in the BDW office, and the shows are of a good quality, despite being filled with more rookies and newcomers than ever.  I still get excited about BDW and performing in that area. 
    I had not wrestled in the Pittsburgh area in four years, but I returned to Pittsburgh to compete for RWA.  Derek has turned something that he was told would never work into the top drawing promotion in the area - an area that is saturated with wrestling.  The top drawing promotion is a toss-up between IWC and RWA after every show, with RWA having blown by all the other promotions in the area.  RWA is sticking with the great formula of mixing the best of the local Pittsburgh guys with guys from other areas, myself included.  My fellow Buckeye Jock Samson and I have formed a partnership there, and we plan on doing some more serious damage there in 2011.  I have already committed to be available for more events for RWA in 2011, so my Pittsburgh fans need to get to the matches! 
    As far as 2011 goes, I am looking to fill more dates up with good quality bookings.  I have been in talks with a few different promoters, and if schedules work out I will hopefully be in some new places soon.  I have a lot of fans asking about coming to northern Ohio, or back to the Dayton area.  I also have a lot of requests to let people know when I am wrestling close to Cincinnati.  Hopefully in the coming months I can give you guys what you have been asking for.  I am in talks with people, so hopefully things can work out.  Nothing would help me more though than you guys letting promoters know that you want to see me on the shows you attend.
  Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011.  Let's make it a GREAT one!!!