NWA Legends Fanfest Report From Charlotte

Results from yesterday's NWA Legends Fanfest live event in Charlotte, NC. Report courtesy Mike Johnson and PWInsider:

We are live in Charlotte, NC at the University Hilton for the NWA Legends Fanfest's first live card of wrestling action. The show will be headlined by NWA champion Adam Pearce vs. Bryan Danielson and appearances by several legends, including Kamala and more.

NWA Future Legends Tournament Semi-Final: Caprice Coleman vs. Davey Richards

Ryan O'Reilly was Coleman's originally scheduled opponent but isn't here due to signing a WWE developmental deal, so Richards was "voted into" the match by the NWA Board of Directors. They locked up and Richards forced Coleman against the ropes but broke clean. They locked up again, this time with Coleman forcing Richards against the ropes. When Coleman broke clean, Richards slapped him in the face. They ended up in the ropes again, but this time Coleman ducked the slap and hit one of his own. Richards rolled out to the floor to break the momentum.

Back in the ring, Richards took Coleman down and cinched in a side chinlock. Coleman fought his way to his feet and reversed it into an armbar. Richards tried to maneuver his way out but was caught in a Fireman's Carry with Coleman holding onto the armbar. Richards escaped and shoulderblocked Coleman down. Coleman came back with a series of armdrags that sent Richards walking all the way back to the locker room while recovering.

Richards returned to the ring and began beating Coleman with several stiff kicks but was caught with a reverse elbow while rebounding off the ropes. Coleman and Richards had a great back and forth exchange on the mat. Richards locked him in a leg submission but was caught with a forward cradle for a two count. Coleman shot in for a single leg takdown but Richards began mounting him with punches. They battled back and forth with stiff shots and chops. Richards ended up on the apron and was run into the buckles. He ducked a charge and pulled the ropes down, sending Coleman over the top to the floor. From the apron, he drilled Coleman with a monstrously stiff kick.

Back in the ring, Richards killed Coleman with several more stiff kicks, then scissored his neck and shoulders with Richards' legs, trying to force a submission. Coleman finally made his way to the ropes to force the break. Richards maintained the control and nailed a diving head butt off the top rope for a two count. The fans chanted, "That was three." Richards drilled Coleman with a kick to the back. Coleman began mounting a comeback but was caught with a roundhouse kick to the mid-section. Richards slammed him down and went to the middle turnnbuckle. Coleman caught him with a shoulderblock.

They battled in the corner with Richards on the ropes. Coleman chopped away at Richards before hitting a leaping rana out of the corner. The referee nearly counted both men out but they made it to their feet. They chopped and struck away at each other. Richards drilled a hard kick to the chest but Coleman came back with a dropkick that sent Richards to the floor. Coleman then hit a running tope con hilo over the top to the floor.

Back in the ring, Coleman hit a springboard splash for a two count. They battled back and forth in the center of the ring. It broke down into a series of strikes with Richards beating Coleman down. Richards went to leapfrog over Coleman but was caught in a package piledriver type slam for a two count. That was great. The referee began counting both men down on the mat but Coleman got to his feet at six. Coleman placed Richards on the top rope but was fought off. Richards drilled him with a missile dropkick.

Richards stalked over Coleman and pulled him up for a German suplex. Coleman used a series of elbows to fight him off but was kicked in the face. Richards finally hit the suplex with a bridge for a two count. Richards went for the Indian Death Lock and caught Coleman in the center. Coleman made it to the ropes. Coleman whipped Richards into the corner but Richards movedand caught Richards with a kick to the guts. He grabbed him into a tombstone type maneuver and spiked him for the pin in 17 minutes. Great opener!

NWA Future Legends Cup Semi-Final: Chase Stevens vs. Phill Shatter.

Stevens of TNA Naturals and Showtime All-Star Wrestling fame played heel, getting in the face of several fans around ringside. He brought a chair with him to the ring. Shatter is Gunner the security guard from TNA. He's playing babyface here and is well known on the local scene. Stevens did some stalling to get heat early. He shoulderblocked Shatter down and played to the crowd. They locked up again but when Shatter got the better of Stevens, he played Larry Zbyszko and began stalking the outside, nearly getting counted out in the process.

Back in the ring, Shatter caught Stevens with a sideheadlock. He was shoved off into the ropes and shoulderblocked Stevens down, then drilled him with a right hand. Stevens was again on the floor. They went back and forth in the ring before both ending up on the floor. They were nearly counted out. Back in the ring, Stevens kicked off a Shatter charge. Stevens worked over Shatter as the fans chanted for Shatter to make a comeback. Shatter mounted a comeback with a series of elbows. They went back and forth with punches.

Stevens locked on a sleeper but Shatter fought his way back to his feet. Stevens kicked him low to maintain the control. Shatter mounted a comeback and nailed Stevens with a series of punches in the corner but was soon taken back down to the mat with a side chinlock. Stevens mounted yet another comeback but was cut off with a series of right hands. He kept working over Shatter, who made his way to his feet by "sheer will." He began mounting a series of right hands, then clotheslined and slammed Stevens. Stevens kicked off a Shatter charge in the corner but Shatter nailed him with a powerslam as Stevens charged him, getting a two count.

Shatter whipped Stevens into the ropes and caught him with a spinebuster for a two count. Shatter argued the count with the referee. Stevens nailed Shatter with the lungblower for a two count. He nailed a frog splash off the top rope for another two count. He kept working over Shatter and shoved the referee into the corner when the ref tried to stop him. Stevens backdropped Shatter over the top but the referee didn't see it. Stevens and Shatter were both counted out.

Legendary referee Tommy Young came out and ordered the match restarted. The place popped for Tommy.

Stevens caught Shatter with another lungblower but Shatter kicked out. Stevens grabbed a chair and hit the referee. Young hit the ring again to check on the ref. Stevens went to drill Shatter with it but missed. Shatter nailed his finisher and Young counted the pin.

Your winner, Phill Shatter!

It's Shatter vs. Richards later tonight.

Kamala with General Skandar Akbar vs. Manscout Jake Manning

Manning has been seen on ROH on HDNet and plays, well, a heel boyscout. He's actually an Eagle Scout in real life, which is where the idea for the gimmick came from. Akbar took the mic and said he doesn't care about the United States and he doesn't care about boy scouts. He told Manning he was going to be taught the difference between Men and Boys tonight when he takes an asskicking. Manning went after Kamala but the second Kamala reared away for a chop, Manning ran off.

Kamala picked up Manning's Boy Scout Handbook, then read it. He threw it down and slapped his belly. Manning kicked him and cinched in a sideheadlock. Kamala pushed him off and chopped him down. He whipped Manning into the corner but Manning evaded a splash. He didn't evade a second, was splashed and pinned in 2:38.

Your winner, Kamala!

"The Queen City Killer" Zack Salvation vs. Mike Jackson

Jackson is the longtime Alabama Junior Heavyweight champion who made himself something of a cult star at the convention with his awesome performances in the past. Salvation is a heel from the NC independent scene. The fans were chanting, "Let's go Mike" before the bell even rang. Salvation got in his face jawjacking immediately. He shoved Jackson, who refused to back down. They locked up but neither man gained an advantage.

Salvation backed Jackson into the corner but backed off. They locked up again and Salvation began working over Jackson's arm. Jackson reversed it but was kicked in the gut as he rebounded off the ropes. Jackson backdropped Salvation to the floor, then hit a tope through the ropes, his annual spot, only this time, Salvation caught him and slammed him down, then slammed Jackson into the apron. Salvation went for a springboard move but Jackson pulled him to the floor, went to the top rope and dove down to the floor on Salvation. Fans began chanting. "You still got it."

Jackson tossed Salvation back in the ring but was kicked as he re-entered. Salvation worked him over. Jackson ducked a clothesline and nailed twisting head scissors before armdragging Salvation and cinching in an armbar. Salvation caught Jackson trying to kick him, then spun him around in the corner and drilled him with several kicks. Jackson used to the ropes to his advantage to kick Salvation in the mush, then locked in another hiptoss and armdrag combination.

Salvation came back with a running boot to the face in the corner. He whipped Jackson into the corner but Jackson reversed and nailed an uppercut. He nailed a series of armdrags. Jackson controlled Salvation with an armbar. Salvation tried to escape but kept ending up trapped in the end. He finally slammed Jackson down. Jackson came back with a one-armed DDT. Jackson locked up Salvation's arm and did his other annual spot, walking the ropes a la the Undertaker's Old School while doing the Fargo Strut, but again Salvation foiled his plans and slammed him into the ring for a two count. Salvation cinched in a side chinlock. Jackson mounted a comeback but was nailed with an over the knee backbreaker.

Salvation locked Jackson in a front facelock and began drilling him with knees to the head. He scissored Jackson with his legs. Jackson fought his way to his feet but was maneuvered into the corner, where Salvation slapped him several times. He continued to bully Jackson around. He went up and over in the corner to avoid a Jackson charge then caught the veteran with a double leg takedown. Salvation mounted him with a series of rights. The crowd began chanting "Let's go Mike."

Salvation placed Jackson on the top rope for a superplex but Jackson fought him off. Jackson got the better of Salvation, then did the rope walk spot, coming off with a big shot to Salvation's shoulder. He went for a Hangman's neckbreaker but Salvation reversed it into a Fireman's Carry. Jackson rolled forward for a two count. Salvation shocked Jackson with a move I didn't catch, possibly a brainbuster and scored the pin.

Your winner, Zach Salvation.

Really strong old school match. Jackson usually goes over at these shows, so using him to get someone else over was an interesting twist. Salvation raised Jackson's arm after the match. Fans chanted "You still got it" at Jackson and gave him a nice ovation on the way out.

Future Legends Cup Final: Davey Richards vs. Phill Shatter

Fans did the dueling chants to open the match. I thought I was going to Orlando tomorrow?

They tried to test each other with shoulderblocks at the onset. Richards used a series of kicks but was pressed and dropped by Shatter. Shatter shoulderblocked him into the corner a number of times, then whipped Richards into the opposite corner for a splash and a near fall. Richards ended up on the apron and faked a shoulderblock to grab Shatter's leg and nail a Dragon Screw legwhip. Richards controlled him on the mat and cinched in a reverse Indian Death Lock. Shatter struggled for the ropes and finally made them to force a break.

Richards continued to control the match as Shatter struggled to battle back. He made it to his feet but Richards soon took out his legs again. Richards went for a Figure Four Leglock but when everyone Woo'd, he blew off the move and the fans. Shatter came back with a series of chops, so the fans all woo'd for him instead. Richards cut him off with a kick and worked him over in the corner with a series of strikes. He began kicking and dropkicking Shatter's hamstring.

Richards locked on a single leg Boston Crab but Shatter grabbed the ropes. Shatter began nailing Richards, who came back with kicks to Shatters legs. As they went back and forth, the dueling chants returned. Each man retreated to a corner to get their wits about them. Richards charged Shatter but was kicked off. Shatter nailed him with a spinebuster for a two count. Shatter whipped Richards into the corner. Richards tried to go up and over but was caught and slammed for another two count.

Shatter went for a powerbomb but Davey escaped. Davey then suplexed himself and Shatter over the top rope to the floor. Both men were nearly counted out but returned to the ring at the last second. They exchanged punches on their knees then on their feet. They began slugging it back and forth for a long time, which the crowd loved. Richards finally began drilling him over and over ujntil Shatter was down on the mat. Richards hit the ropes but was caught with a spear for a two count.

Richards came back with a missle dropkick, then a charging, clubbing blow in the corner. He nailed a German suplex with a bridge for a two count. He placed Shatter on the top rope but Shatter fought him off. Richards battled back and scored with a suplerplex off the top rope. Richards locked in the ankle lock but Shatter pulled himself to the ropes. Shatter came back with a huge clothesline, which Richards took a sick bump off. He covered Richards for a two count.

Shatter finally drilled Richards with a powerbomb and scored the pin in 24 minutes.

Tully Blanchard awarded Shatter the Cup. Richards showed respect to Shatter by bowing before him and shaking his hand. I really loved the hell out of this, just a good back and forth match with lots of crazy spots and hard hitting shots and some nice submission as well. This was the best I've seen out of Shatter to date as well.

NWA champion Adam Pearce vs. Bryan Danielson

Danielson came out to Final Countdown. The ring announcer, a fan who won a silent auction, announced Bryan Danielson as "The Ultimate Dragon Bryan Pearce." REALLY. Pearce took the mic and told the fan he was a nitwit and to get the hell out of the ring. The fan tried to stand up to Pearce but the referee made him leave the ring. That was funny. Fans began chanting "Ultimate Dragon" so Danielson shook the ropes and ran around the ring like Warrior. NOW THAT WAS HILARIOUS!

Danielson offered a handshake at the bell. Pearce took it. Pearce forced Danielson into the ropes but broke clean. Fans were chanting "Repo Man" and singing "Ole Ole." Danielson forced Pearce to the ropes and we have another clean break. They went into a knucklelock test of strength with Pearce forcing Danielson down onto the mat for several two counts. Danielson maneuvered him into a monkeyflip.

Pearce took Danielson down to the mat and began working his wrist and arm. Danielson kicked him off and Pearce powdered out to the floor. Back in the ring, Pearce took control with several shoulderblocks and a side headlock. Danielson rolled him over for several near falls, then scissored Pearce with his legs. Pearce made it to the ropes. They continued to go back and forth. Pearce drilled Danielson with a right hand off a clean break and took control with several punches and kicks. Danielson nailed a sunset flip for a two count and they went into a series of near falls. Danielson kept rolling Danielson around on the mat, confusing him and finally Pearce jumped out to the floor.

When Pearce returned, the crowd began chanting that he sucks. Danielson took control with several kicks to the back. He began tying up Pearce in submission holds and tried to roll him into a pinfall, getting several two counts. Danielson began peppering him with uppercuts but was caught with a big sideslam. Pearce began stomping Danielson and when the ref yelled at him, yelled, "I have until five" as a play on Bryan but it was lost on the crowd. Pearce continued mauling Danielson, who came back with several punches and a swinging neckbreaker.

Pearce elbowed Danielson in the face and Danielson crumbled to the mat. The fans began chanting for Dragon. Danielson began mounting a comeback with punches to the mid-section and a knee to the gut. Danielson began drilling him with forearms in the corner but ran into Pearce's knees when he charged. Pearce began choking Danielson's throat across the top rope. Pearce locked in his sitting abdominal stretch. Fans rallied for Danielson to recover. Danielson finally made it to his feet and hiptossed Pearce out of it. He went after Pearce but was nailed with the Hot Shot.

Pearce cinched in a Camel Clutch. The referee checked Danielson's arm but he fought out of it. Pearce got caught trying to leap on Danielson's back, as Danielson turned over so Pearce crotched himself on Dragon's legs. Dragon began working over Pearce and set him for a big back superplex off the ropes. Danielson began beating the hell out of Pearce with strikes and hit a leaping forearm smash in the corner for a two count.

Danielson continued working over Pearce with headbutts but was caught in a sleeper. Danielson fought his way out and reversed it. Pearce bumped the referee escaping. Danielson small packaged Pearce but the referee was hurt and Danielson only got a two count. Danielson nailed a leaping leg lariat for a two count. Danielson began raining down with elbows to the face. He locked in a Cattle Mutiliation submission but Pearce finally made it to the center of the ring.

Pearce went to the outside so Danielson nailed him with a big knee off the apron. He tossed Pearce back in and hit a missile dropkick. Pearce tried to beg off but was hit with a leg lariat in the corner for a two count. Danielson mounted several kicks to the chest but Pearce shocked him with a big lariat for a two count. Pearce went to the top for a splash there was no water in the pool. Danielson nailed a back suplex for a two count and then another cattle mutiliation. Danielson couldn't get the submission and went for another move but was kicked low and hit with a piledriver.

Your winner and still NWA champion, Adam Pearce!

Another damn good match. I think fans really thought Danielson was taking the belt, which is the mark of a good match.

That's all from Charlotte, 1985!

NWA Legends Fanfest Live Notes: They announced they will be selling the DVDs of all of the weekend events for $50 and were taking pre-orders during the show, promising they would be released in two weeks...Our own Les Thatcher and Roddy James provided commentary. Terry Funk joined them for the NWA title match. Tully Blanchard joined them for the Legends Cup...They were letting fans take pictures with the NWA Future Legends Cup for $10 before the show....Don and Rocky Kernodle were backstage visiting....Harley Race, Billy Robinson and Mr. Wrestling II watched the matches from the crowd together...Also watching were Tully Blanchard, Fifi the Maid of WCW Flair for the Gold fame (who looks exactly the same – aka stunning). Jimmy Snuka, Terry Funk, Paul London and Rocky Johnson....Dave Marquez was helping out backstage....For more on the NWA Legends Fanfest, which will be heading to Atlanta, Georgia for the first time, visit www.NWALegends.com.