Journeyman Journal: Braving the storm

EDITOR’S NOTE: Jeremiah Plunkett writes a weekly column SlamWrestling.net, where he offers up stories of his travels in “Journeyman Journals with Jeremiah.”

Journal Entry 1/14/2025

Last week’s Journeyman Journals was delayed due to a death in the family. Thank you for giving me the time and space to step away and be with my loved ones during this difficult time.

But now, we’re back with another edition of the journals, and I’ve got a lot to share.

This week started on Thursday in Nashville, TN, where I was gearing up for Fight at the Fiesta, Pro Wrestling Revenge’s debut event. Hosted in partnership with Team Arellano Boxing and San Jose Fiesta, the event carried big expectations and an even bigger question: could it kickstart a revival of independent wrestling in Nashville?

At one time, Nashville was a professional wrestling hotspot. Wrestlers could work four nights a week in the greater area, but that kind of saturation burned the town out. When a wrestling market goes cold, it can take years to recover—and Nashville’s skyrocketing cost of living hasn’t helped. But this partnership shows promise, and with a sold-out crowd braving a looming winter storm, things are looking up.

Colby Carter in an AEW promo photo.

My opponent for the night was “The Code” Colby Carter, a fitness trainer turned wrestler who began his journey in 2023. Starting later in life didn’t slow him down—Colby’s been making waves and catching the attention of some major promotions. He’s a natural athlete with charisma to match, and the Nashville fans made it clear they were firmly in his corner.

Originally, Colby and I were slated as the third bout on a five-match card. But one of the female boxers didn’t make it, bumping us down. I found out about the change less than a minute before my music hit. With no time to waste, I snapped on Miss Teeny, threw on my jacket, and hit the ring—boots barely tied.

Once in the ring, I faced an unexpected challenge: the ceiling. Or more accurately, the rigging that held the lights. With a lowboy ring to accommodate the venue’s height, I thought we’d have enough clearance. But when I realized I could touch the rigging just by standing on my tiptoes, I knew we’d have to be careful.

You can see how low the ceiling and equipment are in relation to the ring at the Pro Wrestling Revenge debut show on Thursday, January 9, 2025, in Nashville.

Thankfully, Colby Carter is a pro. He’s athletic, likable, and the kind of opponent who makes my job easy. The match went smoothly—until one moment of high-flying drama.

After back suplexing me from the apron into the ring, Colby rolled out and attempted a Hilo—a front flip over the top rope. As he reached the peak of his flip, his foot clipped the rigging. My life (and the rigging) flashed before my eyes, but to everyone’s relief, it was just a glancing blow. Colby landed safely and the match continued.

Unfortunately for Colby, he wasn’t as lucky in the end. A quick inside cradle secured the victory for me and kept the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship safely in my bag.

After the match, I opted to skip the post-show festivities. While some of my friends partied until 3 a.m., I headed home to beat the storm rolling in at 5 a.m. One event down—one more to go … at least I hope.

Snow covers the Plunkett estate in January 2025.

The winter storm hit Middle Tennessee hard. For those unfamiliar, snow here is a rare event, and the state simply doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle it. My little patch of dirt saw about four inches of snow. But the real danger wasn’t the snow—it was the ice.

Every promotion in the area canceled their Friday night events. I spent the day tackling projects at home and staying in close contact with Tennessee All-Pro Wrestling (TAPW) about Saturday’s show.

TAPW fans braved the storm.

Thankfully, TAPW decided to press on. By Saturday, Middle Tennessee’s road crews had worked miracles, and even the backroads leading to Morrison were mostly clear. The fans showed up, ready to shake off their cabin fever, and their energy filled the building.

My opponent was Kris Krow, a 220-pound junior heavyweight with the strength of a heavyweight and the agility of a cruiserweight. Kris is putting in the miles and making a name for himself, and he’s got the talent to back it up.

Kris threw everything he had at me—chops, slams, dives—but as the saying goes, it only takes one piledriver. Miss Teeny stayed exactly where she belongs—around my waist.

Kris Krow

That makes me 2-0 in title defenses for the week—and 3-0 if you count my victory over the weather. What could’ve been a disastrous weekend turned into a fun and much-needed reset.

As I mentioned earlier, last week’s journal entry was missed due to a death in the family. On New Year’s Eve, my wife and I received the call that her uncle’s time was near. We made the trip on January 3rd and had an incredible visit—filled with laughter, stories, and moments we’ll cherish forever. He passed away on January 5th.

Losing both Jax Dane and her uncle within 12 days was a lot to process, but your understanding and support mean the world to me.

Here’s to an incredible 2025, and I’d be honored to have you along for the journey.

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