The Julius Report: March Mayhem

The upcoming March Mayhem show is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated PPW events in the company's history. A recent bombshell announcement dropped by Ryan Race on March 3, 2014 states that Tommy Suede will have to face an opponent chosen by the PPW fan base. This decision came when Tommy Suede accused Ryan Race and the PPW of favoritism after the company quoted David Starr on their official Twitter. Suede's tweet is posted below.

Why is @PPWWrestling1 quoting @TheProductDS ? That seems like favoritism ... Bunch of haters
— Tommy Suede (@TommySuede) February 25, 2014

Fans can vote on Suede's opponent by visiting this link to PPW's official Facebook page. The opponents to choose from include David Starr, Lance Anoai, and TJ Masters. Each of these wrestlers will prove to be a formidable opponent for the PPW Heavyweight Champion. Below I will examine each possible opponent and analyze the threat they pose to the champion.

TJ Masters

TJ Masters has been out for blood ever since Tommy Suede broke his ankle in the second round of the “Go For the Gold” tournament in November of 2013. Fully healed and looking better than ever, Masters looks to dethrone Tommy Suede and once again sit atop the company which he helped found. Before becoming co-owner of PPW, Masters wrestled across Pennsylvania establishing himself as one of the hottest up and comers in the region.

Having worked extensively with Suede in the past, TJ Masters knows every trick that the Champ could throw at him. The same, however, can be said of Tommy Suede. If Masters expects to pick up a W here, he will have to go punch for punch with Suede and let the champ wear himself down. He needs to avoid Suede's arsenal of power maneuvers and keep him grounded.  Going to the top rope in a match against Tommy Suede is always a huge risk but can also have a huge payoff. Master's finishing frogsplash will be difficult and dangerous to hit on Suede who is not easily taken down to the mat. The best bet for TJ Masters is to try and go for his signature muscle buster from a reversal and catch the Champ unexpectedly.

Suede and Masters know each other well. Both will be trying to plot 10 moves ahead of each other in a bout that could prove to be as much a game of chess as it is a wrestling match. The two have teamed together extensively and they each knows how the other operates. Expect to see a steady, methodical approach from both wrestlers, especially Masters who has the thought of  his recent injury fresh on his mind. That should not daunt Masters, however, who is as fearless as he is tough. In fact, his recent injury and thirst for revenge could prove to give Masters the extra edge needed to score the victory and the Heavyweight Title.

"The Product" David Starr

David Starr is slowly becoming one of the most recognizable wrestlers in the independent wrestling scene today. To give you an idea of this young man's popularity, I was at a Ring of Honor show last month and heard people chanting "Look at It" without David Starr even being on the card. He has wrestled in almost every major promotion throughout the Northeast and has impressed audiences wherever he goes. He was the first ever PPW Champion by winning the "Go for the Gold" Tournament before being attacked and defeated by Tommy Suede shortly after his victory. The story of that encounter can be read on my previous blog post.

Hungry for retribution and another shot at the title, David Starr is hoping to win the vote and face his former mentor Tommy Suede. Starr began his career as an amateur wrestler and won distinction in both high school and at West Chester University. He is an all around athlete who is as comfortable flying through the air as he is applying submission maneuvers in the middle of the ring. Suede will certainly have his hands full if Starr is chosen.

There is one thing, however, in which David Starr falls far short of Tommy Suede: experience. The saying goes age and treachery will overcome youth and skill and that certainly may apply in this match. Tommy Suede is a veteran and still in his physical prime. He made his debut when David Starr was still in elementary school. He has wrestled hundreds of young and cocky up and comers like Starr and loves putting them in their place. To get the victory over Tommy Suede will be the most difficult task Starr has ever faced in the squared circle. To win, Starr will have to utilize his speed and amateur wrestling background. Suede isn't used to facing wrestlers who can meet him move for move on the mat, especially ones as quick as Starr. Overpowering Suede will be nearly impossible so Starr's best bet is to keep things scientific. Once he has the champ matted he has to capitalize and hit his finishing Roaring Elbow. He won't have many chances to load up the cannon in this match, so he has to be alert for any openings that present themselves.

Lane Anoai

The third opponent that fans can vote on is none other than Lance Anoa'i. As the heir apparent to one of wrestling's royal families, Lance is a 22 year old phenom who is blazing a momentous trail through the independent wrestling circuit. Lance's father, Samu, was a member of the "Headshrinkers" and his grandfather, Afa, wrestled under the "Wild Samoans". Both are considered legends in the WWE. The family's influence on the industry continues to this day with the Wild Samoans training center and the WXW promotion, both based in Allentown, PA. Wrestlers from all over the world seek the instruction of the legendary Samoans and any wrestler who faces Lance also faces a fierce, patented style honed over several generations.

Just because Lance hails from wrestling royalty, however, doesn't mean anything was handed to him. Last names can only get you so far in this business; the rest relies on your determination and in-ring capability.  Lance Anoa'i lacks neither. His wrestling style utilizes a mixture of speed and high intensity offense that often leaves his opponents dazed and breathless. His biggest advantage is that most opponents simply can't keep up.

In addition to his wrestling credentials, Anoa'i has the added advantage of already scoring a pinfall against Tommy Suede in the PPW. This past January, Lance teamed up with former WWE superstar X-Pac to take on the team of Tommy Suede and Havoc. After a hellacious battle, Lance hit his finishing splash from the top rope and scored the 3 count for his team. The only thing more battered than Suede's body after this match was his ego and he has had it in for Lance Anoa'i ever since. If Lance is chosen as his opponent, Suede will not only be defending his title, but also his honor.

This makes things very dangerous for the young Samoan. While a victory in tag-team competition is an achievement in its own right, gaining one against Suede in singles competition will be twice as difficult. After his defeat in January, Suede will be out to prove that he is the top dog in PPW and will be aiming for the throat of Lance Anoa'i. If Lance expects to pick up a victory and gain the PPW Championship, he will have to tap into a ferocity that he has yet to display in PPW. Speed and high flying maneuvers will only get you so far against Suede, but if Lance's recent singles match with Havoc is any indication, he is more than capable of going blow for blow in an all out slugfest and come out on top.

The man to beat, "Smooth" Tommy Suede

Each of these three opponents pose a serious threat to Suede's title run. Although I usually prefer to remain neutral in such situations, I have to say I would like to see David Starr finally get his rematch against Tommy Suede. This rivalry has been brewing for months now and David Starr is hungry to get in the ring and try to exact his revenge on the PPW Champion. Whichever opponent the fans choose, however, is sure to provide another classic in the annals of PPW. TJ Masters and Lance Anoa'i certainly have what it takes to beat Tommy Suede and both men have something personal at stake in this match. The polls are still very close and I can see this thing coming down to a single vote. All three men are fan favorites and I'm sure loyal followers of PPW will have a difficult time choosing between them.

Whoever ends up facing Suede at March Mayhem, it will certainly be an event you won't want to miss. See Suede take on his fan picked opponent along with all of your PPW favorites such as South Philly's Finest, the Main Event Hustlas, Havoc and many more! The show is on March 29th at the Freeland Event Center. Belltime is at 7:00 P.M.

Remember that this is a TV taping for PPW: High Voltage so don't hesitate to bring signs and be ready to raise hell for the cameras!  Catch PPW: High Voltage every Sunday @ 8:00 P.M. only on WYLN-35.