By Chris Vetter, Torch Contributor

Torch Indy Reporter Chris Vetter travels thousands of miles each year to see dozens of indy shows all over the Midwest. His reports covering the entire U.S. Indy Scene are usually published exclusively here at PWTorch.com every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

WEEKEND PREVIEW, NEWS & NOTES

I am taking off for a week, so this will be your weekend preview; I’ll be back next Wednesday with the weekend results.

Undoubtedly, the biggest event of this coming weekend is the “Battle of Los Angeles” Tournament in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. PWG expanded this event to 24 men over three nights this year, featuring almost every top indy name out there, including several Dragon Gate wrestlers that wowed the ROH fans in Detroit & Chicago in March. The lineup for Friday (night 1) features Colt Cabana vs. Disco Machine, El Generico vs. Delirious, CIMA vs. M-Dogg 20, Kevin Steen vs. Matt Sydal, Quicksilver vs. Dragon Kid, Roderick Strong vs. Chris Sabin.

BOLA night two (Saturday) show also looks quite good, with Davey Richards vs. TJ “Puma” Perkins, American Dragon vs. Austin Aries, Jack Evans vs. Claudio Castognoli, Chris Hero vs. Genki Horiguchi, Frankie Kazarian vs. Scorpio Sky, Super Dragon vs. Necro Butcher. PWG has some great wrestling, and I’ve written many detailed DVD reviews that point out the great wrestling, but also some of the company’s faults. I urge you to check this promotion out at www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com.

Northern Impact Wrestling in Crystal, Minn., has, on paper, one of its best shows of the year on Friday, with Jerry Lynn making his first trip back to Minnesota in three years, as he faces former IWA-Mid South Champion Darin Corbin. I’m really excited about two other top matches featuring Kid Krazy vs. Joey Envy and Arik Cannon vs. Cody O’Neill. Learn more about this promotion at www.niwwrestling.com, where you can purchase DVDs from the July tournament that featured Austin Aries, B.J. Whitmer, Jimmy Jacobs, Delirious and all the top Minnesota-based wrestlers. NIW then heads to Amery, Wis., on Saturday, and I’ve posted that lineup below as well.

Also this Saturday, IWA-Mid South has its “lethal lottery,” where all the matches are chosen, at random, by fans. Wrestlers who were at last year’s “lottery” show tell me this drawing is legitimate; they really didn’t know their opponents until it was announced, so they didn’t have any chance to talk through matches and set up spots. Sounds interesting. The final spot in the Ted Petty Invitational also will be determined in a battle royal on this show.

While the big men’s tournament is in PWG over the weekend, there also is a big women’s tournament, dubbed “Chick Fight 6” taking place in San Francisico! Several top women’s athletes who have competed in Shimmer (Allison Danger, Cheeerleader Melissa, Tiana Ringer, Daizee Haze, MsChif) will head out to the West Coast for this big event. Visit www.chickfight.tv for more.

In news on future shows…

As already noted elsewhere, ROH/Chikara/CZW/IWC/PWG/Cleveland All Pro/IWA-Mid South wrestler Claudio Castagnoli appeared on Raw as a police officer. If you go back and listen to my year-end wrap up interview in January with Wade Keller, you’ll hear me proclaim that Castagnoli is the top free agent wrestler I’d present to Vince McMahon to hire.

TNA/UWF has announced a Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Jarrett match at its show in Richmond, Va., on Sept. 29. Learn more about this promotion at www.uwfusa.com.

International Wrestling Cartel has announced an eight-man tournament to name a new champion, as current champ Dennis Gregory has been deployed again. The tournament will have randomly selected matches on Sept. 16 featuring: Low Ki, Ricky Reyes, Sterling James Keenan, HENTAI, Shirley Doe, Troy Lords, Glen Spectre and John McChesney. Visit www.iwcwrestling.com for more info.

IWA-Mid South is stepping up its hardcore action again, with more & more shows with hardcore themes. The Sept. 15 show in Plainfield, Ind., has been named “Gory Days 2,” and the top three matches promise to be violent hardcore action. The show features Bull Pain & Mitch Page & Cash Flo vs. Toby Klein & Brain Damage & Deranged, Ian Rotten vs. Corp. Robinson, Drake Younger vs. Tank. This action does nothing for me, but IWA-MS is wisely grouping matches together that appeal to certain audiences. (For instance, the TPI tournament on Sept. 29 & 30 will feature an almost entirely different set of wrestlers and styles.)

I mentioned PWG’s big show this weekend. The promotion is woefully behind on releasing DVDs (the most recent shows are from March.) PWG now has 7 shows available for pre-order on its site as they try to catch up!

Low Ki will return to Absolute Intense Wrestling in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 7.

Nigel McGuinness will debut for AAW in Chicago on Sept. 9. The show is in Berwyn, Ill., only about 6 miles from where the ROH show ran last weekend. Visit www.aawrestling.com for more info on this show.

NWA Pro in Bridgeport, Conn., has signed American Dragon vs. Kamala for its Sept. 30 show! If Dragon is still ROH World heavyweight champion, the title will be on the line.

As part of a fund-raiser, New Jersey-based IWF plans to hold a wrestling show that runs 24 hours. Seriously. From their press release: The Independent Wrestling Federation will establish a world-record for the 'Longest Wrestling Match' to benefit several worthy causes. Beginning Saturday, September 9, 2 pm, and continuing through Sunday, September 10, 2 pm, Camp IWF Wrestling School stars compete in a 24-hour charity Wrestlethon at IWF Centre, 32 Willow Way, West Paterson, NJ.

"During this unprecedented Wrestlethon of bodyslams and dropkicks, we will compete for an amazing 24 consecutive hours in a continuous round-robin match," said IWF trainer Kevin Knight. "Family, friends, fans and community members can financially sponsor a wrestler, with 100-percent of the proceeds donated on their behalf to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund."

And you can always reach me with your indy results at chrisjvetter@hotmail.com. I request that you remember to say date, location (including building, city & state!), and full name of the promotion.

WEEKEND RESULTS

NWA Upstate, Aug. 26, Rochester, N.Y., “The Upstate 8 Tournament:” The Roadies defeat Chris Hero & Chip Stetson, Cheech & Cloudy defeat Sterling James Keenan & John McChesney, Trent Acid & Teddy Fine defeat Icarus & Gran Akuma, Buddy Delmar & Frank the Tank defeat Teddy Hart & Ruckus, Jimmy Olson won a battle royal, the Roadies defeat Cheech & Cloudy, Delmar & Frank & The Tank defeat Acid & Fine, Brodie Lee defeats Jimmy Olsen, The Roadies defeat Delmar & Frank the Tank to win the Upstate 8.

NWA Main Event, Aug. 26, Columbia, Tenn.: Jammer won a battle royal, Trent Shultz defeats Justice, 2-Bit & Spyder Jay Jacobs defeat Cody Whitehead & Antonio and Shaun Fatal & Brandon Stone and Jason X & The Avenger in a tag match, Larry Cooter defeats Playboy Paul Rose via DQ, Jammer defeats Brandon Barbwire, The Syndicate Crew defeat Matt Catalano & Lee Condrey, Mike Woods & JT Quest defeat Aarick Andrews & Steve O.

UPCOMING SHOWS

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Sept. 1, Reseda, Calif., “Battle of Los Angeles,” with Colt Cabana vs. Disco Machine, El Generico vs. Delirious, CIMA vs. M-Dogg 20, Kevin Steen vs. Matt Sydal, Quicksilver vs. Dragon Kid, Roderick Strong vs. Chris Sabin.

Northern Impact Wrestling, Sept. 1, Crystal, Minn., the ballroom, with Jerry Lynn vs. Darin Corbin, Arik Cannon vs. Cody O’Neill, Ryan Cruz vs. The Prophet, Kid Krazy vs. Joey Envy, Horace the Psychopath vs. Kamikaze Klecker, the Junk Squad vs. Ben Sailer & Nate Bash, Dano Tep & Trent Jones vs. Bret O’Brian & Venom.

IWA-Mid South, Sept. 1, Midlothian, Ill., “the lethal lottery,” with Josh Abercrombie, the Iron Saints, Toby Klein, Jason Dukes, Deranged & Brain Damage, Scottie Murray, Billy Roc, Ian Rotten, Eddie Kingston, Shiima Xion, Larry Sweeney, Chuck Taylor in action.

“Chick Fight 6,” Sept. 1, San Francisco, Calif., the Kezar Pavilion, with Cheerleader Melissa, Allison Danger, Daizee Haze, Tiana Ringer, Frankie, Hailey Hatred, KAORU, MsChif in action.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Sept. 2, Reseda, Calif., “Battle of Los Angeles, ” with Davey Richards vs. TJ “Puma” Perkins, American Dragon vs. Austin Aries, Jack Evans vs. Claudio Castognoli, Chris Hero vs. Genki Horiguchi, Frankie Kazarian vs. Scorpio Sky, Super Dragon vs. Necro Butcher.

Northern Impact Wrestling, Sept. 2, Amery, Wis., with Arik Cannon vs. Jerry Lynn, Kid Krazy vs. Horace the Psychopath, Junk Squad vs. Bret O’Brian & Venom, Darin Corbin & Ryan Cruz vs. Joey Envy & Aaron Corbin, Punisher Rob James vs. the Prophet.

Insanity Pro Wrestling, Sept. 2, Indiana, with Matt Sydal in action.

3XW Wrestling, Sept. 2, Ottumwa, Iowa, the National Guard Armory, with Brian Ash vs. Juan Forneau, Gage Octane vs. Derek Stone, Austin Bayliss vs. Kraig Keesman, a 20-man battle royal, and matches with Ben Sailer & Nate Bash, A.J. Smooth, Mic Mayhem, Montoya X, Casanova, Devin Carter.

EWF, Sept. 2, Marion, Ind., 7 p.m., Destiny Blade vs. Big Richard Cannon in an intergender match, and matches with Osyris, Damian, the Southern Boys, Hypnosis, Fallen Dragon Gunner Hansen and Senor Flamer.

“Chick Fight 6,” Sept. 2, San Francisco, Calif., the Kezar Pavilion, with Cheerleader Melissa, Allison Danger, Daizee Haze, Tiana Ringer, Frankie, Hailey Hatred, KAORU, MsChif in action.

Plymouth Championship Wrestling, Sept. 2, Sioux City, Iowa, with Matty Fitness & DB Albright vs. Abu Colossus & Max Magnus, Hype Gotti vs. Chance Cordova.

NWA Anarchy, Sept. 2, Cornelia, Ga., 8 p.m., with Jeremy V & Jason Blackman vs. Hayden Young & Austin Creed, Onyx & two partners vs. T.C. Carnage & Patrick Bentley & Seth Delay, and matches with the Devils Rejects, Kory Chavis, Chad Parham, Jeff Lewis, Brandon Phoenix and the Urban Assault Squad.

IWAI, Sept. 2, Bethalto, Ill., 6 p.m., with Dark Priest Gavin vs. Merkury, The Texas Longhorns vs. Bodily Harm, Shawn Overton vs. Tripp.

W.A.R. Wrestling, Sept. 2, Lima, Ohio, the West Middle School, with Nigel McGuinness vs. Gary Dawson, Matt Mason vs. Dusty Dillinger, Tyler Black vs. Dean Jablonski, Danny Daniels vs. Steve Stone, Silas Young vs. Brian Beech, Bender & Ballz vs. the Soul Shooters, The Jihad vs. Black & Blue Crew.

Championship Wrestling, Sept. 2, Greenville, Tenn., 8 p.m., with Chris Richards vs. Robbie Cassidy, Thorn vs. Ray Idol, and matches with Allen King, Oleg Romanov, Nick Hammonds and more.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Sept. 3, Reseda, Calif., “Battle of Los Angeles” Night 3, with the finals of the three-day tournament.

AWA Kentucky, Sept. 4, Hurricane Creek, Kent., the Saddle Club, with Rozey (WWE’s Rosey) vs. John Noble, BJ Fuller vs. Bobby Love.

Full Impact Pro, Sept. 8, Inverness, Fla., with Bryan Danielson vs. Davey Richards, and matches with Colt Cabana, Roderick Strong, the Briscoes, Black Market and Erick Stevens.

NWA No Limits, Sept. 8, Muscatine, Iowa, the Supreme Fitness, with Ian Rotten vs. Michael Strider in a “Russian chain respect match,” Ryan Boz vs. Jeremy Wyatt, MsChif vs. Mickie Knuckles, and matches with Marek Brave, Tyler Black, Mississippi Madman, Shane Hollister, KC Jackson.

Combat Zone Wrestling, Sept. 9, Philadelphia, Penn., New Alhambra, special 2 p.m. afternoon Chri$ Ca$h tribute show.

Combat Zone Wrestling, Sept. 9, Philadelphia, Penn., New Alhambra, 7:30 p.m. doors, with Luke vs. Messiah, Sonjay Dutt vs. Sexxxy Eddy, Cheech & Cloudy vs. the New Jersey All-stars, and matches with Chris Hero, Necro Butcher and Drake Younger.

Full Impact Pro, Sept. 9, Crystal River, Fla., with Bryan Danielson, Colt Cabana, Roderick Strong, Davey Richards, the Briscoes, Black Market and Erick Stevens in action.

AAW, Sept. 9, Berwyn, Ill., the Eagles Club, with Tyler Black vs. Robert “Ego” Anthony, the debut of Nigel McGuinness, Silas Young vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Ryan Boz & Dan Lawrence vs. Michigan Invasion, Bryce Benjamin vs. Eric Priest, Jason Dukes vs. Eddie Venom vs. Zach Gowen vs. C.J. Otis in a four-way, and matches with Danny Daniels, Chandler McClure, Marek Brave and Trik Davis.

North Star Premier Wrestling, Sept. 9, Inver Grove Heights, Drakula’s Bowl & Pub, special 1 p.m. start.

North Star Premier Wrestling, Sept. 9, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Grace Fellowship Church, 7 p.m., with Jerry Lynn and Johnny “Swinger” Parisi in action.

SCW Ohio, Sept. 9, Zanesville, Ohio, with WCW’s Stro in action.

ECWA, Sept. 9, Newark, Del., the Boys’ & Girls’ Club, with the return of Glen Osbourne.

Independent Wrestling Federation, Sept. 9, West Paterson, N.J., 2 p.m. start time, a 24-hour marathon wrestling show as a fund-raiser.

Maryland Championship Wrestling, Sept. 10, Dundalk, Md., the MCW Arena, “The Tribute to Legends,” with Tito Santana in attendance, with A.J. Styles in action, plus Adam Flash vs. Julio Dinero, Scott Fowler & Jason Static vs. Genesis & Bruiser, Josh Daniels vs. Danny Jaxx, Corp. Punishment & a mystery partner vs. DJ Hyde & JD Michaels.

Cleveland All Pro Wrestling, Sept. 10, Cleveland, Ohio, Turners Hall, with Abyss vs. Monty Brown Chris Hero vs. Claudio Castognoli, Nigel McGuinness vs. Johnny Gargano, Matt Stryker vs. Josh Prohibition.

World Women’s Wrestling, Sept. 10, Somerville, Mass., the Good Time Emporium, 7 p.m., with Nikki Roxx vs. Ariel in a best of three falls match, Natalia vs. Jana, Alere Little Feather vs. Taylor Nicole.

Pro Wrestling Xplosion, Sept. 13, Philadelphia, Penn., New Alhambra/former ECW Arena, with Teddy Hart vs. Steve Corino, Homicide vs. A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Lethal, Rhino vs. Abyss, Chris Hero vs. Davey Richards, Sonjay Dutt & Ruckus vs. SAT, New Jack vs. Ian Rotten vs. Mana, and a six-man Chikara tag match featuring Mike Quackenbush.

Ring of Honor, Sept. 15, East Windsor, Conn., “Glory by Honor V Weekend,” with KENTA & Naomichi Marufuji vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe, Austin Aries vs. American Dragon, Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong, and matches with Christopher Daniels, Delirious, Davey Richards, Jimmy Jacobs, Nigel McGuinness.

Jersey All Pro, Sept. 15, Aberdeen, N.J., with Low Ki vs. Azrieal, Jay Lethal vs. Archadia, Grim Reefer vs. Trent Acid.

Mercury 1 Wrestling, Sept. 15, Green Bay, Wis., the Watering Hole.

IWA-Mid South, Sept. 15, Plainfield, Ind., “Gory Days 2,” with Bull Pain & Mitch Page & Cash Flo vs. Toby Klein & Brain Damage & Deranged, Ian Rotten vs. Corp. Robinson, Drake Younger vs. Tank, Iron Saints vs. Ricochet & Chuck Taylor, Brandon Thomaselli vs. Scottie Murray.

Ring of Honor, Sept. 16, New York, N.Y., The Manhattan Center, “Glory By Honor V Weekend,” with KENTA getting a title shot, Samoa Joe & Homicide vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe, Samoa Joe & Homicide vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe, Naomichi Marufuji vs. Nigel McGuinness.

International Wrestling Cartel, Sept. 16, Elizabeth, Penn., “Boiling Point 2,” the Court Time Sports Center, with an eight-man title tournament featuring: Low Ki, Ricky Reyes, Sterling James Keenan, HENTAI, Shirley Doe, Troy Lords, Glen Spectre and John McChesney. Other matches on the show include Sebastian Dark vs. CJ Sensation, Dean Radford vs. Jason Cage, Jimmy DeMarco vs. Vendetta, Cleveland Mafia vs. the Gambino Brothers vs. Sexual Harrassment vs. Team Catfish.

Pro Wrestling Unplugged, Sept. 16, Philadelphia, Penn., New Alhambra, Devon Moore vs. Trent Acid.

NWA Midwest, Sept. 16, Streamwood, Ill., with Chris Sabin vs. Alex Shelley, America’s Most Wanted vs. Corp. Robinson & Hardcore Craig, Rasche Brown vs. Steve Boz, Adrian Lynch & Danny Dominion vs. Eric Priest & Chandler McClure, and a ‘Gauntlet for the Gold’ with Petey Williams, Josh Abercrombie, Brandon Thomaselli, Bryce Benjamin and Jaysin Strife.

New England Championship Wrestling, Sept. 16, Framingham, Mass., the Civic League.

North Star Premier Wrestling, Sept. 16, West St. Paul, the armory.

Impact Zone Wrestling, Sept. 16, Lawton, Okla., with Jerry Lawler vs. Terry Funk in an extreme rules match, plus Hacksaw Jim Duggan in action.

Victory Pro Wrestling, Sept. 16, Long Island, N.Y., the VFW, 8 p.m., with the Grim Reefer, Danny Demanto, April Hunter, Alicia, James Sullivan, DC Diamond and Papadon in action.

Championship Wrestling, Sept. 21, Kingsport, Tenn., 7 p.m., with Chris Richards & John Hawkins vs. Tony Givens & Robbie Cassidy, Ricky Morton vs. Bobby Eaton, Nick Hammonds & Wayne Adkins vs. Allen King & Eddie Golden, Thorn vs. Brad Thomas, Ray Idol vs. Rob Knight.

Chikara Pro, Sept. 22, Reading, Penn., Riverside.

NWA Wisconsin, Sept. 22, De Pere, Wis., 9 p.m., with Alex Shelley, Zach Gowen, Jimmy Jacobs, Phil Atlas.

NWA Wrestle Birmingham, Sept. 22, Irondale, Alab., the Zamora Temple, with Dennis Condrey vs. Jerry Lawler, B.G. James vs. McNasty.

Coastal Championship Wrestling, Sept. 23, Ocoee, Fla.

UXW, Sept. 23, Orlando, Fla., the Orlando Downtown Recreation Complex, with Rhino vs. Raven, Sean Waltman vs. Billy Kidman, and matches with Norman Smiley and Trent Acid.

IPW:UK, Sept. 23, England, with Ricky Marvin and Taiji Ishimori, and matches with Super Dragon vs. El Generico vs. Kevin Steen vs. Pac, Doug Williams vs. Andy Boy Simmonz, Kris Linnell vs. The Curve, Spud vs. Dave Moralez, Jack Storm vs. Dragon Phoenix.

AWA Power Pro Wrestling, Sept. 23, Hendersonville, N.C., Viper’s House of Pain, with Ric Converse vs. Ken Magnum, Jake Manning & Bobby Houston & Erik Anton vs. Nitro & Blitz & Black Vulcan, Tony Kozina vs. Derek Ryze vs. Stoney Hooker vs. Anthony Caine vs. Shea Shea McGrady in a six-way, Chris Guerrero vs. Viper.

IPW:UK, Sept. 24, England, with Ricky Marvin and Taiji Ishimori, plus matches of Ultimo Dragon vs. Pac vs. Ashley Reed vs. TBA, Aviv Maayan vs. Paul Robinson, Jack Storm & Dave Moralez vs. Spud & Dragon Phoenix.

IWA-Mid South, Sept. 29, Midlothian, Ill., “Ted Petty Invitational,” night 1.

TNA/UWF, Sept. 29, Richmond, Va., the Siegel Center, with Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Jarrett, and matches with the James Gang, A.J. Styles, America’s Most Wanted, Alex Shelley, Abyss, Chris Sabin, Rhino, Homicide, Konnan, Hernandez.

International Championship Wrestling, Sept. 29, Tacoma, Wash., the Elks Lodge, with Tim Flowers vs. Chino, Marvelous Matt & Mike Santiago vs. Matt Farmer & Chris Del Sol.

IWA-Mid South, Sept. 30, Midlothian, Ill., “Ted Petty Invitational,” night 2.

NWA Pro, Sept. 30, Bridgeport, Conn., with American Dragon vs. Kamala.

TNA/UWF, Sept. 30, Franklin, Va., Sadler Auto Center.

AAW, Sept. 30, Berwyn, Ill., the Eagles Club.

3XW Wrestling, Sept. 30, TBA, Iowa.

North Shore Wrestling, Sept. 30, Beverly, Mass., the high school, 7:30 p.m., with Tim Fury & Derek Simonetti vs. Steven Nexus & Atlee Greene, Pizzazz vs. Shane Sharpe, Chunky but Funky vs. Landry and Morrison.

Pro Wrestling RUSH, Oct. 5, Mankato, Minn., the Bandana Brewery.

Action Zone Wrestling, Oct. 5, Waipahu, Hawaii, the Filcom Center, with matches randomly picked by fans!

We suggest these recent related articles...

WWNLIVE NEWS: NXT star Sami Zayn announced for EVOLVE Tour

NEWS: Daughter of Bill DeMott dies in weekend car crash

HAAS NEWS: Charlie Haas getting back in the ring - big reunion match at OVW, headliner for CWE year-end tour