This has to end…
Those were the foreboding words expressed by Absolute Pro Wrestling promoter Jason Prentice following his cage match loss to bitter rival Cole Cannon during APW: Showdown 2.
Prentice’s words stemmed from the outside interference by The Free World (Matty Star, The Big Picture, Leo Santel) ultimately costing him the match and they were directed at APW Tag Team Champions the 319, Ethan Everheart and Jay Wesley, along with Da Boys, Bryce Jordyn and Brandon “The Shank” Eubanks.
This Saturday the end of this ongoing power struggle within APW comes to pass when Prentice is joined by the 319 and Da Boys to take on Cannon and the entire Free World, which also includes Jaxon King, in a 10-Man Waterloo Street Fight in the main event of Gold Rush 3.
The history within this epic confrontation runs deep on many levels.
Disgruntled Employee
In May of 2022 APW held their first ever event in Waterloo, the place that has become somewhat of a headquarters for the promotion.
On the card that first night was Cole Cannon, who competed in a tag team match.
Since then, Cannon has carved out an impressive singles run with APW, one that eventually led him to becoming the first ever APW Open Weight Champion.
It’s his perceived treatment by Prentice after losing the championship that led to this bitter feud.
What started as a war of words evolved into a physical rivalry when Cannon said some disparaging things about Prentice’s family.
Prentice assisted in Cannon’s elimination during the Winter Brawl Classic Rumble, costing Cannon a possible opportunity at an APW Championship match.
Eventually things led to the firing of Cannon.
Not one to let this slide, Cannon made a shockingly violent return during a summer APW Waterloo show.
Cannon held hostage Damon Dillinger with a steel chair until Prentice signed a newly created, five year guaranteed contract.
With no other choice, Prentice signed the dotted line but immediately inserted Cannon into a steel cage match with himself at Showdown 2.
Now these two have alliances joining them in yet another battle.
“Jason Prentice gains relevance because I kicked his ass in the cage. Now he thinks he can square with me and the Free World? I don’t care who he’s bringing, they’re not on our levels. When the dust settles the inmates will be running the asylum.” - Cole Cannon
“This is something that has been brewing for so long now that I thought would be settled in the cage. Instead he found new allies, friends in low places. But it does make sense when you think about it. Snakes are always going to group up with other snakes. Me and my guys are going to make sure business is handled and the Free World and Cole Cannon are taken care of for good.” - Jason Prentice
Championship Paths
Matty Star, the very first APW Champion, who won the title in a ladder match with one of his competitors this Saturday, Ethan Everheart, has long claimed that the promotion did not respect or appreciate the level of class he brought to the championship.
During his reign he was very critical of the decision makers within APW but continued making impressive title defenses.
One of the more memorable came against another one of his competitors this Saturday, Brandon “The Shank” Eubanks. A fact that Star has never let the Shank forget.
Eventually Star’s reign came to an end at the hands of Ethan Everheart and it was during his reign that the formation of the Free World took place.
Of course the formation of APW’s nefarious group came in Waterloo and it came at the end of Everheart’s match with Jaxon King.
After their barn burner of a match, King was joined by Star and Santel in a post match attack on Everheart.
The three standing tall, arms raised in solidarity, becoming an iconic image in the lore of APW.
Tag Team Turmoil
The APW Tag Team Titles have long been a source of pride within the promotion.
Epic title defenses and a plethora of excellent teams have competed within it, making it a division to be envied.
At the forefront of the division was Da Boys, the very first APW Tag Team Champions.
Entering Saturday night they are teaming with the team, the 319, that ended their reign atop APW.
To say there is some tension between the two teams would be an understatement.
You see, it wasn’t that the 319 took the titles from Da Boys, but how it came about that’s brought on the tension.
Before Da Boys scheduled title defense against Santel and King, the 319 was inserted into the match making it a triple threat contest.
Adding to the tension is that Da Boys weren’t involved in the final pin fall to crown new champions.
So the big question coming into Saturday night is, can these two teams coexist - especially Jay Wesley and Bryce Jordyn - who on more than one occasion found themselves face to face with malicious intent.
Jay Wesley certainly thinks so.
“I’m ready to be done with the Free World and if Bryce Jordyn and I have to get along for one night, it’s worth kicking their asses.” - Jay Wesley
Redemption Thy Name Is Shank
As mentioned earlier one of Matty Star’s title defenses as champion came against Brandon “The Shank” Eubanks.
Since then, The Shank has seen his share of struggles in singles competition.
Included in those struggles was a recent attempt to win the Open Weight Championship from The Big Picture.
The effect these losses has had on The Shank’s confidence was never more apparent than when he gave up his spot in the Fatal Four Way Championship Cage Match at Showdown 2 to his partner Bryce Jordyn.
Saturday is the Shank’s chance at redemption.
“We’ve got real big business to take care of this weekend. If we can work together and have each other's backs, I don’t see why we can’t win. Like Grandma Shank used to say “If you can’t beat em, find something that will” and I'm bringing a cart full of weapons Saturday night.” - The Shank
Rivals - Then, Now, Forever
One final, intriguing piece of history heading into Saturday’s monumental main event is the rivalry between Leo Santel and Jay Wesley.
These two trained together and even made their pro wrestling debuts on the same show.
They have been neck and neck as rivals facing off numerous times.
Both have found their groove within APW, and this is yet another opportunity for one to gain an advantage in this simmering rivalry.
An opportunity Santel is relishing in.
“Not one soul can deny, The Free World truly are the most dangerous , cohesive unit in APW. Yet time and again that guppy boss, Jason Prentice, makes sure those “Waterloo darlings” including Jay Wesley get everything handed to them. Needless to say, the power will be in our hands Saturday night. Failure will not be tolerated.” - Leo Santel
The future of APW will be set when this epic showdown takes place.
Can Prentice and his posse reestablish law and order in APW or will the Free World reign supreme?
Something’s gotta give.
Absolute Pro Wrestling: Gold Rush 3
The 10-Man Waterloo Street Fight headlines another action packed night of wrestling for APW.
Aaron Von Baron is ruthless as APW Champion and his back to back cage match title defenses during APW’s most recent shows, proved just how worthy he is as champion.
So much so that APW shot callers are not making him put his title on the line Saturday night, however he doesn’t have an easy night in front of him as his oldest rival Ugly comes calling for a one-on-one opportunity with the champ.
Nothing gets held back when these two step in between the ropes together and this Saturday should be no different as the latest chapter in their rivalry saga is written.
Alvin Falcone is next in line for an opportunity at the Open Weight Championship, but even though that title won’t be defended Saturday night, he’s always ready for a fight.
Living the motto that he’s more than a conqueror, Falcone has thrown out an open challenge for Saturday night.
It will be interesting to see who within the APW locker room will answer the call.
Cannonball Matthews is hell bent on proving a point Saturday night.
That point is that he is better than midwest legend, James Jeffries.
Matthews has been all over social media proclaiming that he has Jeffries number and Saturday night he looks to prove it.
Jeffries, who recently lost for the first time in APW in his effort to win the Open Weight Championship from The Big Picture, is looking to rebound in a big way.
This could be a possible show stealer Saturday night.
Bam Bam Bundy returns to Waterloo Saturday night in search of that elusive first APW victory.
He faces off with an old foe from down south Logan Blake, who is making his APW debut.
In this one, someone’s getting their first victory under the APW banner.
There will be a double debut in singles competition Saturday night as Tevon Jordyn and MJ Davis step inside an APW ring for the first time.
This promises to be an action packed contest with two guys looking to leave an impression on the APW faithful in Waterloo.
Doors open at 6:30 and action begins at 7 for APW’s final Waterloo show of 2024, Gold Rush 3.
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