On Friday December 3, 2010 and Saturday December 4, 2010, the annual Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup will be held with Friday’s show in Brooksville, Florida and Saturday’s show in Crystal River, Florida. Since 2003, the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup has been held to remember one of the top cruiserweight wrestlers in Florida, who passed away from cancer in November 2002 and this year will be a sixteen man tournament that will see some of the top wrestling talent.

Some of the wrestlers who have participated in previous Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup tournament are CM Punk, Tony Mamaluke, Roderick Strong, Colt Cabana, Alex Shelley, Homicide, Jimmy Jacobs, Chris Hero, James Gibson, Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt, El Generico, Davey Richards, Joey Ryan, Delirious, TJ Wilson, Arik Cannon, Erick Stevens, Larry Sweeney, Rhett Titus, Jon Davis, Gran Akuma, Jon Moxley, Brad Allen, Kenny King, Egotistico Fantastico, Silas Young, Johnny Gargano, and Craig Classic.

I wanted to provide a look back at some of the past Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup shows that I have attended. I have been fortunate enough to attend each year since 2005 and I have had a chance to see some great matches in the tournaments as well as non tournament matches.

I want to start this look back at past Jeff Peterson Memorial Cups with the 2009 show. This show was sponsored by Full Impact Pro Wrestling and featured wrestlers from four different promotions: Full Impact Pro Wrestling, Hybrid Wrestling, Combat Zone Wrestling, and AAW.

The DVD for this show only features the fifteen tournament matches so I will only focus on those matches and not the non-tournament matches from those shows.

Here is a look back at the 2009 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup DVD.

Disc One: First Round Matches

The show starts off with Jonathan Gold the participants in the tournament are introduced and at the end Davey Richards and Silas Young have some words. They all stand in front of the trophy but Moxley leaves the ring before they are done with the ceremony.

Louis Lyndon is interviewed in the back and is asked about facing fellow Hybrid Wrestling participant Marion Fontaine in the first round of the tournament. Louis says that it is an honor to be a part of the tournament. He says that he will bring some 70s style Kung Fu to the match tonight.

Marion Fontaine is also interviewed and he says that Louis needs to take a lesson from him. He beat Louis in Ohio and he will do the same in Florida.

Match Number One: Louis Lyndon (Hybrid) defeated Marion Fontaine (Hybrid) in a first round tournament match in Block D

Fontaine starts off by bragging about his facial hair and then they exchange a series of arm drags. The battle moves to the floor but Lyndon misses a pescado. Fontaine gets a near fall but he complains about an alleged slow count. Lyndon, who focuses on a martial arts based attack, misses a spin kick but Fontaine does not miss a forearm and then he hits a senton splash for a near fall. Fontaine continues to work over Lyndon and gets a near fall after a frog splash. Fontaine is sent to the floor and Lyndon hits a tope suicida. They return to the ring and Lyndon gets the three count after a thrust kick.

We go to the back where Johnny Gargano is interviewed about his match with Chris Jones. Johnny says that all he hears is that Chris Jones is going to win it all. Johnny mentions that Chris lost in the first round last year and the same thing will happen this year.

Chris Jones is then interviewed and he says that he is going to win the tournament because they need to keep the trophy in Florida. Chris says that he lost in the first round last year, but he has trained over the last year to make sure that he advances in the tournament.

Match Number Two: Johnny Gargano (AAW) defeated Chris Jones (FIP) in a first round tournament match in Block D

Gargano and Jones go back and forth as the match starts and neither man can gain an advantage. Jones sends Gargano to the floor but he returns to the ring before Jones can connect on a pescado. Gargano hits a spear from the apron and then he continues to work over Jones. Gargano takes too much time going to the top turnbuckle and that allows Jones to take control of the match. Jones tries for a moonsault but Gargano catches him. Jones is able to counter into a DDT. Gargano tries for a sunset flip power bomb but Jones holds on to the ropes. Gargano hits a frog splash but he cannot finish off Jones. Jones tries for a corkscrew moonsault but Gargano moves out of the way and he gets the three count with a rollup and a handful of Jones’ tights.

We return to the back where Dave Cole is interviewed about his match with Silas Young. Dave mentions that he is the champion in Hybrid for a reason. Everyone will see why Hybrid is the new era of pro wrestling and the next step in pro wrestling.

Silas Young is interviewed and he says that he knows who Dave Cole is and he says that he is one of the best in the country. While everyone else thinks they are good, he knows that he is the best. Silas says that he will win the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup.

Match Number Three: Silas Young (AAW) defeated Dave Cole (Hybrid) in a first round tournament match in Block C

Young and Cole start off the match trying to find a weakness in their opponent and they each have a series of reversals but neither man is able to do so. Cole is able to work on Young’s ribs with an inverted suplex onto the ropes and a series of Irish whips into the turnbuckles. Young fights back and gets a near fall after a back breaker of his own. Cole gets a near fall after a drop kick when Young comes off the turnbuckles. Cole with a Tiger Driver for a near fall and then he tries for a super Tiger Driver, but Young with a back body drop. Young hits a fireman’s carry slam and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a headstand into an Arabian Press for the three count.

We go to the back for the next set of interviews and Brad Attitude is first up and he says that he proved to himself and the world with his appearance in the finals. He says that Moxley is the first of three to fall. He says that he will win.

Jon Moxley is next and says this is the kind of night you dream about but he doesn’t care about the pleasantries. He says that independent wrestling is supposed to be the lifeblood of the business. He doesn’t care about friends because he doesn’t have any friends here. He says that he will fight his way to get the four victories.

Match Number Four: Jon Moxley (CZW) defeated Brad Attitude (FIP) in a first round tournament match in Block C

The momentum of the match shifts into Moxley’s favor when Attitude misses a charge into the corner and hits the ring post. Moxley works on Brad’s arm and shoulder and when the action goes to the floor, Attitude is sent shoulder first into the ring post. Attitude is able to fight back and he hits a number of high impact moves including a pescado and a hesitation slingshot senton. Moxley misses an elbow from the top turnbuckle but Attitude cannot capitalize and can only get a near fall after a cross body. Moxley returns to the shoulder and he tries to get Attitude into the cross face chicken wing and after a few tries, he is able to lock it in and Attitude taps.

They go to the back for more interviews and Flip Kendrick is first. Flip tells Shane Hollister that he is going to beat him.

Shane Hollister is next and he cuts off the interviewer. He is here to prove a point. That is that AAW produces the best wrestlers. FIP and Flip Kendrick will know who Shane Hollister is.

Match Number Five: Shane Hollister (AAW) defeated Flip Kendrick (Hybrid) in a first round tournament match in Block B

Hollister and Kendrick go back and forth with some mat wrestling at the start of the match. Kendrick hits a few aerial moves including a springboard drop kick and rana. Hollister fights back with a series of kicks. Kendrick gets a near fall after a package spike DDT but Hollister hits a Yakuza kick. Kendrick hits a corkscrew Asai moonsault. After going back and forth, Kendrick hits a Phoenix Splash but Hollister gets his foot on the ropes. Hollister gets the three count after a downward spiral and a kick.

Back to the interview area and it is time to hear from TJ Perkins. TJ mentions that he has been in a number of tournaments in the past including a previous Peterson Cup. He is looking forward to having more success than his last appearance.

Next is his opponent Arik Cannon. Arik introduces himself and he says that he has been in the tournament before and he says that he will not be a stepping stone for the eventual winner. He is going to be the one stepping on people this year.

Match Number Six: TJ Perkins (FIP) defeated Arik Cannon (AAW) in a first round tournament match in Block B

They shake hands at the start of the match, but Cannon’s attempt to show sportsmanship was just a way to sneak attack Perkins. Perkins gets a series of near falls after hitting a sunset flip and rana. The action moves to the floor and Cannon sends Perkins into the ring post, but Cannon misses with a chop and hits the ring post. Cannon is able to recover and he takes over after a delayed vertical suplex. Perkins tries for a rana but Cannon catches him and sends Perkins into the turnbuckles. Perkins hits a neck breaker and thinks that he won the match but the referee realizes that Cannon’s foot was on the ropes and the match continues. Cannon hits a corkscrew suplex but he misses the Glimmering Warlock, allowing Perkins to get the win with a Cloverleaf when Cannon taps.

Back to the interview area in the back and it is time to hear from Scotty Vortekz. Scotty mentions that they travel together since they both work for CZW. He tells Egotistico that he is going to win the tournament.

We get comments from Egotistico Fantastico. He says that it hit home when he got to the building. They are the only company known for being ultraviolent and leaving everything in the ring. They bleed black and yellow and tonight is no different. He is not out there just to win, he is out there to get the respect from the other competitors that they deserve. He says that he knows that he will give Scotty everything because at the end of the night, as long as it is someone from CZW who wins the tournament.

Match Number Seven: Egotistico Fantastico (CZW) defeated Scotty Vortekz (CZW) in a first round tournament match in Block A

Vortekz tries for the first high impact move in the match but he is kicked when he tries for a suicide dive. They fight into the crowd and Fantastico puts on his cape and hits a dive onto Vortekz in the crowd. Fantastico gets in a number of kicks on Vortekz to wear him down. Each man has chances to win the match but they are unable to finish the job. Fantastico tries to get Vortekz to submit to a surfboard and then he rolls Vortekz around the ring. Vortekz hits a version of Spanish Fly but he can only get a two count. Fantastico hits the Taco Bender for the three count.

Before we get to the main event of round one, we go to Drake Younger for comments. Drake says that he respects Davey Richards for what he has done. Even though it is not a CZW Title match, he will be wrestling to defend the honor of CZW. He says that pain is temporary but pride is forever.

We then get comments from Davey Richards. Davey brings up the confrontation they had earlier in the night. Davey says that his belt is the only one that matters. He says that he will get combat in the ring because the hunt is on.

Match Number Eight: Davey Richards (FIP) defeated Drake Younger (CZW) in a first round tournament match in Block A

The match starts off with each man countering the other’s moves and they go to a stalemate. Richards works on the arm while Younger works on the ankle, but Richards starts to work on the leg as well. Richards goes to the floor but he is met with a cannonball from the apron by Younger. Younger appears to injure his knee and Richards starts to focus on that appendage. Richards applies an Indian Death Lock and continues to work on the knee but Younger is able to get to the ropes. Richards applies the Cloverleaf but Younger gets to the ropes. Younger gets a number of near falls after a dragon suplex and a Death Valley Driver. They fight on the turnbuckles and Richards hits a superplex but he can only get a near fall. Richards tries to use his variety of kicks to wear down Younger and set him up for the Cloverleaf. Younger hits a Death Valley Driver from the turnbuckles, but he can only get a two count. Richards hits the DR Driver but he can only get a two count. Richards applies the Cloverleaf again and Younger is unable to get to the ropes because Richards pulled him into the center of the ring and Younger taps.

Disc Two: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals

The DVD starts off with Davey Richards in the back of the building with Tony Kozina and Kyle O’Reilly. He says that night two will be no different than night one. He says that he sought out the best and he beat the best. He says that he meant what he said about Drake Younger, but he was beaten last night. Davey says that Drake carries his belt with pride, but Davey possesses the more dominant belt because he is the more dominant wrestler. Tonight, will be no different than any other tournament. He will walk in, destroy everyone in his path, and he walks out as champion. The hunt is on.

Egotistico Fantastico says that his quest continues on night two of the tournament and where Drake Younger failed, he will succeed. Everyone expects the FIP World Champion to defeat the guy from ‘the Combat Zone’ but if he beats Davey Richards, there is a story because the FIP World Champion was defeated. Drake Younger earned Davey’s respect, and after he beats Davey tonight, he will have to be respected by Davey Richards.

Quarterfinal Round Matches

Match Number One: Davey Richards (FIP) defeated Egotistico Fantastico (CZW) in the Block A Finals in a quarterfinal match

Richards gets frustrated with Fantastico at the start of the match and he goes into the crowd and Fantastico follows after him. Fantastico tries for a splash into the crowd but Richards with a kick. They return to the ring and Richards starts to work on the leg. Fantastico fights back and he puts Richards in the surfboard and hits a Death Valley Driver. Fantastico hits a super rana but he can only get a two count. Richards gets Fantastico to tap to a Cloverleaf after applying it a second time after Fantastico was able to get to the ropes.

Shane Hollister is in the back and he says that last night he did exactly what he said he would do and he beat Flip Kendrick. He says that TJ Perkins has been all over the world, but that won’t matter when they meet in the ring tonight.

TJ Perkins talks about how he can go from zero to hero in one night. He has a tough road to the finals because he may still have to face Davey Richards.

Match Number Two: TJ Perkins (FIP) defeated Shane Hollister (AAW) in the Block B Finals in a quarterfinal match

Perkins works on the back and neck of Hollister. After going back and forth, Perkins starts to work on the knee and puts Hollister in the Cloverleaf but Hollister makes it to the ropes. Hollister hits an enzuigiri and appears to have things under control but he goes up top and lands on Perkins’ knees. Perkins goes for the Cloverleaf again but Hollister can get to the ropes one more time. After a few near falls, Perkins is able to get Hollister to tap to the Cloverleaf.

Johnny Gargano is in the back and he tries to climb the fence behind him before he makes his comments. He says that he beat Chris Jones like he said he would last night. He says that like Jason rising out of Crystal Lake, Johnny Gargano will rise out of Crystal River. He says that there will be blood everywhere and people will be broken in half. Tonight he will take it home.

Louis Lyndon says that Johnny Gargano might be Mr. Ohio but tonight Snake Style will reign supreme.

Match Number Three: Johnny Gargano (AAW) defeated Louis Lyndon (Hybrid) in the Block D Finals in a quarterfinal match

While Lyndon poses before the match, Gargano attacks him on the turnbuckles. Lyndon is able to recover briefly but Gargano stays in control. Gargano even takes time to mock Lyndon by putting on Lyndon’s head band and afro wig. Lyndon uses his martial arts style to work over Gargano but Gargano with a spear from the apron. After going back and forth, Gargano gets the three count with a rollup and a handful of tights.

Silas Young is in the back and he says that a lot of people think that Jon Moxley is crazy, but he has stepped in the ring with a lot of people who were called crazy and out of control. He comes across people like Moxley every day. It takes a lot more than being stronger and crazy, it takes wrestling ability and Silas says that he is the most able bodied wrestler in the tournament.

Jon Moxley says that they are down to the best of the best, but he doesn’t care about how many countries you have wrestled in or how many world champions you have wrestled. He doesn’t care about how good the fans think you are or how good you think you are. Everyone says that they are hungry for competition but nobody knows what hunger and desperation feels like. Nobody else knows what it takes to win this tournament.

Match Number Four: Silas Young (AAW) defeated Jon Moxley (CZW) in the Block C Finals in a quarterfinal match

Moxley attacks Young during the introductions and then the action goes to the floor and Moxley sends Young into the ring post and apron. Moxley has things under control until he gets too aggressive and misses a missile drop kick. Moxley is able to recover and he tries to get Young to submit to a choke and then he puts Young in a crossface chicken wing. Young is able to get the victory after a fireman’s carry slam followed by a headstand into an Arabian press.

Match Number Five: Davey Richards (FIP) defeated TJ Perkins (FIP) in a semifinal tournament match

This match featured a battle of the Cloverleaf since they each won their quarterfinal match with that hold. They start off with a series of counters and reversals. Perkins starts to work on Richards’ arm and is able to hold on despite a slam by Richards. Richards puts Perkins in a stretch muffler but Perkins makes it to the ropes. Perkins continues to work on Richards’ arm. After a few near falls by Perkins, Richards and Perkins go back and forth with kicks and forearms. Richards and Perkins exchange submission holds with Richards trying the Kimura while Perkins responds with a cross arm breaker. Richards and Perkins each try for a Cloverleaf but they are able to escape the hold. Perkins finally taps to the Kimura.

Match Number Six: Silas Young (AAW) defeated Johnny Gargano (AAW) in a semifinal tournament match

Gargano is the first one in the ring and he doesn’t even allow Young to get in the ring as he hits a pescado. Young returns to the ring and Gargano tries for a spear but Young catches him and hits a DDT while Gargano is hanging on the ropes. Gargano hits a drop kick while Young is on the turnbuckles and then he hits a DDT. They each try for inside cradles and they are followed by a series of reversals. Gargano tries to use the same method he used in his quarterfinal match using a rollup and a handful of tights but Young kicks out. Young tries for a full nelson stretch and after he locks it in, Gargano taps.

The trophy is brought to the ring before the main event starts and the other participants in the tournament come out and surround the ring, which has become a tradition for the finals of the tournament.

Match Number Seven: Davey Richards (FIP) defeated Silas Young (AAW) to win the 2009 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup

Richards controls things at the start of the match and the action goes to the floor. Young fights back and works on the neck and gets a near fall with a brainbuster and then he tries to get Richards to tap to the full nelson stretch but Richards gets to the ropes. Young gets a near fall with the Arabian Press from a head stand position on the turnbuckles. They fight on the turnbuckles and then Richards hits a super German suplex. Richards hits a shooting star press but he can only get a two count. Richards applies the Cloverleaf and Young taps.

After the match, they have the trophy presentation and Richards addresses the crowd. He say that he is the most dominant wrestler in the business but it is because of the competition that he faces. Richards mentions that anyone could have won this tournament.

All of the participants enter the ring and receive a standing ovation from the Crystal River crowd. They pose in front of the trophy as the DVD ends.

2009 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup DVD Thoughts

The total length of the show is more than four hours with Disc One running approximately two and a half hours and Disc Two running approximately one and three quarter hours.

There was no commentary on the DVD so it was strange being able to hear all of the sounds from the crowd and wrestlers during the matches. They also did not show the entrances for the wrestlers during the first round and as soon as the backstage segments were over, they went to the introductions in the ring. This continued in the second round, but they did show the ring entrances for the semifinals and finals.

I liked the comments from the wrestlers before their first round matches. I thought the best ones were from Jon Moxley, Johnny Gargano, Egotistico Fantastico, and Drake Younger.

Of the first round matches, I thought the Richards/Younger match was the best followed by Vortekz/Fantastico and Moxley/Attitude.

They did the backstage promos again before the second round and I thought the best ones came from Egotistico Fantastico, Johnny Gargano, and Jon Moxley.

Because some of the men ended up wrestling three matches, the quarterfinals matches were shorter than the other matches.

I thought the best quarterfinals matches were Fantastico/Richards and Moxley/Young.

Both of the semifinals matches were good.

I did not remember the finals being so short, but it was still a good twelve minute match between Silas and Davey.

This show was the building block for the Evolve promotion which would start in January 2010 and featured a number of wrestlers who would go on to work for that promotion as well as Dragon Gate USA.

I was very impressed with the work of all of the wrestlers on the show, but I thought the performances of Silas Young, Johnny Gargano, Jon Moxley, Egotistico Fantastico, and Davey Richards stood out from the others.

For more information on the 2010 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup show on December 3rd in Brooksville, Florida and December 4th in Crystal River, Florida, go to the Full Impact Pro website for more details.

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