LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Back in 2009, I wrote a column about an Ohio Valley Wrestling card I had attended here in London, and well, I wasn’t too impressed with what they offered that night.

I gave my honest opinion of the card, and ruffled a few feathers within the organization. Seems they weren’t too happy with my less than glowing review.

Friday night, OVW made a return to London after a lengthy absence. I attended the event, and let me tell you, I was thoroughly entertained.

Ever since I made the move from cable to Dish TV, I haven’t had a chance to watch OVW on WOBZ TV 9. I tried to keep you with the happenings via the Internet and OVW’s web site, but I haven’t even done that lately. So with the exception of a few names, many of the wrestlers on this card were new to me.

Arik Kristopher. Sean Virus. Danny Todd. Dylan Bostic. Brent and Brandon Baronis. I had no idea who these wrestlers were. Couldn’t have picked them out of a line up. But if they continue to improve their skills and gain a little more size, that won’t be a problem in the coming years.

I was especially impressed with the work of the Baronis Brothers, twins out of Tennessee. For the most part, they were smooth and fluent with their moves. I say for the most part because one of them (since they are twins I don’t know which) landed wrong when he was given a suplex during their match with Ali and Omar Ackbar, with his leg tucked under instead of straight out, thus resulting in a very serious injury. I was told afterward that it might have been a broken ankle. Their simultaneous leap frog over one of the Ackbar’s was very impressive, the first time I can remember seeing that move performed.

In last Friday’s paper I did a feature story on Jessie Godderz. And that story played a role in the card, as he carried the paper with him as he and his partner, Rudy Switchblade, were introduced prior to their defense of the Southern Tag Team Title against Michael Hayes and James Moose Thomas.

Godderz strutted around the ring showing the story off to the fans in attendance. In all the years that I have been doing features on wrestler, he is the first one to incorporate my story into the action. And during the match, their manager, Josette Bynum, sat at ringside reading the paper. How cool is that!

Before the action started, Hayes grabbed a copy of the paper that a fan had, dropped it to the mat, and pretended he was a dog relieving himself on the paper. After the matches, I got to meet Godderz, and Hayes came into where I was talking to Mr. Pec-Tacular and when he found out I was the one who wrote the story, he apologized for what he did to it. I told him it was no big deal as it was part of the show.

A side not here on Hayes. While serving in the Army in August of 2006, while returning from a mission in Iraq, the Humvee he was riding in was blown up in an Improvised Explosive Attack. He suffered severe burns, fractures, and a left leg amputation. He was the sole survivor of the attack.

Doctors told him he may never walk again, but after 18 months of physical therapy, he became almost fully active, and decided to chase his dream of being a professional wrestler.

My hat is off to Hayes for not only serving our country, but also battling back and realizing his childhood dream. We can all learn a lesson from this young man.

“Smooth” Johnny Spade, Jason Wayne and Adam Revolver also turned in fine performances, as I expected from these seasoned vets.

Taeler Hendrix impressed me, as did Heidi Lovelace. Both have that combination of looks and talent.

I was a little disappointed that TNA superstar and current OVW heavyweight champion Rob Terry wasn’t there, but he was already booked in Texas for TNA shows. Cliff Compton was also a no-show, as was TV champ Jamin Olivencia and women’s champ Epiphany. But that’s the thing with OVW shows. You never know who is going to be there. It’s always been like that. So fans need to come out to the shows because you never know who might make an appearance. Could be a current TNA star, since OVW is now the training ground for TNA.

All-in-all, it was a very entertaining show. The crowd was hot all night, and the wrestlers had some great interactive with them. Jason Wayne had a great comeback for a female fan which had the whole building laughing.

There are plans for OVW to return to the Optimist Club in November. Make sure you come out and attend that show. You won’t be disappointed.

sports@sentinel-echo.com