Jon Moxley and Joe Alonzo proved that storytelling still reigns supreme. On Friday night, Moxley answered Alonzo’s open challenge during Wrestling Revolver’s Silence of the Slams.
What followed was pro wrestling at its best.
The Match
Following the opening match, Alonzo stormed the ring and cut a promo saying he was tired of being disrespected by fans and management. He singled out the owner, former TNA star Sami Callihan, for telling him to drive from his home in Chicago, only for Callihan to say he had nothing for him when he arrived.
After saying he was taking over the show, Alonzo issued an open challenge to any young star wanting to make a name for themselves at his expense.
Instead, Moxley appeared, and fans at The Troubadour in Nashville exploded. Once he got in the ring, Moxley blasted Alonzo, taking the fight to the floor.
Moxley controlled the pace, daring Alonzo to hit him as hard as he could. Alonzo soon took over with strikes and submission holds. Fans rallied behind Moxley, especially as Alonzo stopped to taunt them.
Near the end, the two men squashed the referee in the corner. Alonzo took advantage of the situation, hitting Moxley with a low blow, then blasting him with a curb stomp. Rather than go for the pin, Alonzo set up for a second curb stomp.
But Moxley caught him and hit a Paradigm Shift followed by a Death Rider for the win.
Why it Was Special
On action alone, the match might seem ordinary, especially by Moxley’s standards. But what takes a match to the next level is the story behind it, and how it plays out in the ring.
That’s where everyone involved shined.
Alonzo did an excellent job explaining his issues with the company while acting entitled. The appearance of Moxley, who was scheduled to be on the show, was a treat to those in attendance, making it clear that Alonzo should have stayed home.
Announcers Carmen Michael & Bork Torkleson were also vital in getting the story over. They made sure viewers were on the same page by providing background on Alonzo and touching on Moxley’s resume in WWE, AEW, and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Referee Daniel Spencer was in the right place at the right time for the ref bump, and kept his back to the action long enough for Alonzo to cheat.
Also, credit to the fans in Nashville, who were into it all the way through, from Alonzo’s arrival through Moxley’s exit.
With Moxley competing at AEW’s Redemption pay-per-view two nights later, the match was safe while still entertaining, never risking Moxley’s spot on that card. At under 10 minutes, the match didn’t overstay its welcome, and the action kept moving. Neither man used weapons, took extreme bumps, or shed blood.
Instead, the heel — despite a legitimate grip — came out whining and boasting. The babyface showed up to put him in his place, and a back and forth ensued. The heel tried to pull a fast one, but in the end, the hero prevailed, and the crowd was happy.
After losing to Callihan’s longtime friend, Alonzo’s issues with the boss and his company are bound to intensify.
Classic pro wrestling.
The Final Bell
I found out about Silence of the Slams through social media. I haven’t had time to watch the rest of the card, but I was curious to see what Moxley was up to.
As someone who’s long been critical of his excessive violence and blading, I was impressed with his performance. When Moxley was leaving, he surprised a fan at ringside by kissing his hand and patting the ringsider’s cheek. It was an endearing moment that made me smile as I watched the fan’s reaction.
For fans who would like to watch the match or catch the show in its entirety, Silence of the Slams is available now on Wrestling Revolver’s YouTube Channel.
Besides Moxley and Alonzo, the event features other familiar names, including former ROH World Champion Jonathan Gresham. In the main event, veteran Rich Swann takes on former WWE star and Wyatt Sicks member Joe Gacy, now wrestling as Joseph Sawyer.
