The third time proved to be the charm for Squamishs own Cody TKO Smith.
The local professional wrestling star, along with his partner Mr. India, captured the All Star Wrestling (ASW) tag team titles at the Totem Hall on Friday (March 4) and Smith said winning the gold in his hometown was a dream come true.
I feel like a million and one dollars, Smith said moments after pinning Team Japanada member The Great Kasaki. I was damn near crying after I heard the three count and all the emotion of the moment hit me like a ton of bricks.
Smith said he couldnt have done it without the fans and pointed out that their support had a lot to do with the victory.
They were all fired up all night and behind us all the way, he said.
Earlier in the evening, Team Japanada and their manager Vicious Verne Siebert addressed the crowd and promised to make sure that they would walk out of Squamish with the gold. The trio proceeded to beat up ASW commentator Bruiser Joe, only for Joe to be saved by Smith and Mr. India, who chased Team Japanada out of the ring. Joe then told his rescuers that he would be in their corner for the main event to make sure there was no tomfoolery from Siebert.
The main event saw the two teams square off in a Three Falls of Doom match for the titles. The first fall was contested under normal tag team rules and saw Smith pin Team Japanada member Seth Knight at 7:45. The second fall began immediately after and was a Tornado rules match, meaning all four grapplers could be in the ring at once. Team Japanada managed to isolate and separate Smith and Mr. India, eventually pinning Mr. India at 13:31. The final fall saw the two teams have the opportunity to grab a kendo stick on a pole and use it on their opposition. After taking several kendo stick shots to the head, Smith mustered up the strength to pick up Kasaki on his shoulders and toss him face first onto the canvas for the pinfall at 21:03.
Its a dream come true to finally win a title, Smith said. And now were going to be travelling all around B.C. defending these belts.
Following the show, Smith brought the celebration back to the Grizzly Pub and fans had an opportunity to get up close and personal with championship gold. Smith also pointed out that ASW will be running shows in Maple Ridge and Pemberton this month, with the belts possibly being defended.
In other action on the evening, Artemis Spencer pinned Gorgeous Michelle Starr after hitting a picture perfect moonsault at 12:30. In a womens bout, Veronika Vice pinned Raven Lake at 8:14. The nights opening match saw Volcano defeat The Architect Marc Anthony at 9:32 and the second bout saw The Ideal Protection pin Killer Tim Justice at 10:39.
ASW owner Mark Vellios said that the poor weather did seem to hurt the turnout for the show, which was down from November. However, he said that the in-ring action was great and the fans got their moneys worth.
He added that ASW may potentially return to Squamish in the fall.
For more information on the promotion, visit www.aswcanada.com.
