Lady Luck Smiles and Frowns

Last week, Monday Night Mayhem emanated from The Best Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada to kick off the start of another year of HOW programming and the debut of the America’s Best Invitational. Five teams of five are battling it out to determine a World Champion. The groups were set and the matches finalized. The only question was who would win?

James Ranger def. Frank Dylan James

In an absolute shocker, a returning James Ranger scored a first round TKO on Frank Dylan James. The fifth seeded Ranger needed less than a minute and a half to take down the fourth seeded Frank Dylan James in an HOFC Rules match that returned everyone to HOFC’s roots.

Mike Best Puts ICON Champion Rhys Townsend on Notice

The heir apparent of HOW, Mike Best returned and unleashed a verbal tirade against HOW ICON Champion Rhys Townsend. Mike Best ran down his credentials but then did the same for Rhys Townsend, mocking his former trainer and former HOW wrestler Trip Eisen. Mike Best also described the pain that Townsend put him through when Townsend stabbed him in the kidney. The former two time World Champion then explained that his time in the ABI would be dedicated solely to ending Townsend’s reign as ICON Champion and ending his career.

David Black Barred From The Building

David Black attempted to enter The Best Arena perhaps with thoughts of scouting the other members of his ABI group. However, under the orders of the Best Alliance, David Black was barred from the building. To make matters worse, current LSD Champion Shane Reynolds taunted Black by showing how in a single night, he took away everything from him. Black tried to retaliate but the number of guards was too much for the one David Black as he was dragged out of the building.

Mose Maurako def. Daddy Mack

A debut and a return. The debuting Mose Maurako, ranked fifth, pulled a tremendous upset over the returning and ranked first, Daddy Mack. The Maurako Family protégé was in full form as he managed in a single night to put down the top wrestler in his group and take the lead in points for his group. The promise of Mose will hopefully continue as Daddy Mack looks to rebound in the coming weeks.

Faze Forward

“Phenomenal” Ryan Faze made an appearance backstage to let the HOW fans know that for the next eight weeks, he is going to make HOFC his life. The Hall of Famer admitted to putting on a poor performance against Christopher America in the main event of ICONIC. However, Faze stated that this was in the past and that the ABI is now. He promised to make amends and win the Scottywood Group by talking the talk and walking the walk.

William Bateman def. Carmen Jennings

Christopher America joined Benny and Joe on commentary to oversee the matchup between the fifth seeded Carmen Jennings and fourth seeded William Bateman, who was making his debut in HOW. Bateman scored the pinfall but not after some controversy on two ends. On one end, Bateman’s handful of tights managed to give him the necessary leverage to keep Jennings pinned. On the other end, Christopher America’s distraction gave Bateman the opportunity he needed, since Jennings controlled most of the match. With the loss, Bateman leads his group and Jennings comes one step closer to being Christopher America’s servant.

Shane Reynolds Prepares

The current LSD Champion took every precaution to ensure that David Black and Silent Witness were nowhere in the building for his match against Xander Hayes. However, perhaps only more shocking than Shane’s actions is the revelation of a woman who was seen following Shane out of his locker room.

Shane Reynolds def. Xander Hayes

In convincing fashion, current LSD Champion Shane Reynolds managed to defeat the returning Xander Hayes to take control of his group. Believe it or not, this is the first time tonight that the number one seed managed to win. Shane will now look to continue up the ranks while Xander Hayes will try to stay alive in the coming weeks.

Ground Zero Presses On

2011 Champion of the Year Evan Ward addressed the rumors and speculation that Ground Zero was finished. However, despite loss of titles, loss of some members, and some unfortunate defeats, Ground Zero was still here. Ward also addressed his upcoming match against fellow Ground Zero member Brian James Thomas and assured the HOW fans that another match against Thomas was not going to tear Ground Zero apart.

Austin Reeves: Juggernaut or Softie?

World Champion Jace Parker Davidson and Austin Reeves were seen in the Best Alliance locker room with Jace preparing for his main event matchup. Jace attempted to light a fire under Austin Reeves who he felt may be becoming a shadow of his former self. The Best Alliance’s Juggernaut took in the words carefully. With insinuation that Reeves’ sister has played a part of softening Reeves up, it is unknown what will happen between the Reeves siblings.

Rhys Townsend Strikes Back

After Mike Best’s verbal tirade earlier in the night, Rhys Townsend took to the HOW airwaves to unleash a verbal tirade of his own. The current ICON Champion dressed down the son of Lee Best. He also addressed his attitude change, noting that if he and Ground Zero are to survive in HOW, they had to adapt and change, which explained why he stabbed Mike in the kidney. He also noted that when they faced off in the ABI, Rhys Townsend would be the one victorious, solidifying once and for all, that he is better than Mike Best.

Tara Michaels Davidson def. Evan Ward

Over the winter break, Tara Michaels dropped a bombshell stating that she had effectively left Peach State Wrestling and was now 100% aligned to HOW. In her first official act as an HOW exclusive wrestler, the current Tag Team Champion pinned the former TV Champion after hitting a devastating Face Plant. This is also the first time that a Best Alliance member has pinned a Ground Zero member in 2012, possibly adding further tension to the Best Alliance vs. Ground Zero feud.

A Legend Will Return

A mysterious message was broadcast to all of HOW, letting them know that a legend will return. After much needed backstage confirmation, we can confirm that this message signaled the return of Johnny Legend to HOW.

An Announcing Legend Will Return

Hot off the heels of Johnny Legend’s promised return to the ring will come the return of Kaley Matheson to the announce booth.

Champion Unwavering

Jace Parker Davidson took to the ring before his match to run down his upcoming opponent Johnny Stevens, current ICON Champion Rhys Townsend, the new wrestlers, the returners, and the rest of the locker room. He promised to be the first World Champion who would enter the Invitational as champ and walk out as champ.

Jace Parker Davidson def. Johnny Stevens, Then Gets A Rude Awakening

If you blinked, you missed it. In the span of mere seconds, Jace Parker Davidson dropped Johnny Stevens to the mat and pinned him to take the lead in his ABI grouping. The current World Champion’s victorious celebration was short lived as a returning John Sektor hopped the rail and planted both Davidson and Stevens with a C-Sektion. Upset, Christopher America came out and told Sektor that since he wanted to do this, he would get his wish. Sektor was re-signed to HOW on the spot, taking Johnny Stevens place in the ABI. But America warned that Sektor’s attacks were for nothing because in the end, it will still be Jace Parker Davidson holding the World Championship.

Sin City

After the show had ended, fans were treated to a drinking game involving Benny Newell, Lee Best, and Mike Best. The point? In 2012, thanks to Best Studios, fans will get an inside look at the Best Family entitled “Living in Sin: The Best Family Story.”

-Glenn Michaels