by Marcus Atkins
Wrestling Corespondent
April 22, 2012 – Since its inception in 2008, Mach 1 Wrestling soared higher than all other Southern California promotions until going into a tailspin in 2011 with the declining health of promoter Jon Ian. Now Ian is back, having lost nearly the weight of an American third grader and ready to break the sound barrier as M1W leaves the tarmac hosting, “Double Down,” a set back-to-back shows at The Epic Lounge in Downey, CA.
Competing on the double header in front of a capacity crowd were the talents of Fresh 2 Death, Andrew Hellman, Ridiculously Big, Family Stone member and NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood commentator, James Morgan and the current Mach 1 Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Jarek Matthews.
The popular Southern California independent promotion put on nothing less than a stellar show, “I don’t know if I’m more scared of his in ring work or eating at his diner,” said R.C. Samo, FanboyNation editor as the wrestler, The Chef stepped into the ring to do battle with Chicago’s Johnny Saovi.
Chants from the crowd in favor of the culinary dynamo where, “Turn the heat up,” and “Put him in the stew,” followed by his catch phrase, “Stir it up!”
The Ultimate Smash and Crasher made his M1W debut only to be interrupted by “The Main Event” James Morgan and Stu Stone of the infamous Family Stone, attacking the Ultimate Smash and Crasher, whose naivete allowed him to be distracted by the sinister Morgan with a vicious closeline. Luckily, for the US&C, Andrew Hellman could no longer keep his composure, rushing the ring, laying the smack down on the Main Event, only to lose due to an illegal blow that could have possibly left Hellman singing a few octaves higher.
Double Down was more than just a wrestling show as it was monumental for owner and promotor, Jon Ian, who shut down the promotion temporarily in September of 2011 due to his ailing health from congenital heart failure.
“It’s a special day for me bringing back M1W after a 7 month hiatus and the uncertainty of being in the hospital and not knowing if I would even be here on April 23, 2012,” said Ian between shows.
Ian, paid a visit to his cardiologist to see what was causing his chest pains was immediately admitted into the hospital for further tests.
“I had to reevaluate myself and how I things. I’ve survived a brain hemorrhage and this heart condition, but goddammit, I’m sick of it and needed to do something for my health,” declared Ian.
During the second half of Double Down, tag team Anchors Away defeated Ridiculously Big and Fresh 2 Death in a three-way tag match, while Jarek Matthews not only defended his title once, but three times total in back-to-back matches, first against James Morgan who out of frustration in his loss to Matthews attacked him savagely with the championship title and defeating Andrew Hellman in an impromptu match when Hellman, who ironically saved Matthews, slapped him in the face asking to prove that he was worthy of the title.
“I am reminded of that Heinz 57 add, in that the best things come to those who wait and if the fans loved Mach 1 before, then they will love what we have in store for them,” said Josh Waldrop, Vice President of Operations.
