A ONE-TIME CRUSADE CLASHES FOR ACE HEAVYWEIGHT GOLD ON 6/20
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The relationship between “the Allfather” Darius Carter and ACE Heavyweight Champion “Dr. Sleep” Anthony Gangone has existed for over a decade.
It began in 2015, when Gangone was the young rookie in Carter’s Crusade For Change in Beyond Wrestling. Gangone’s ability allowed him to grow in multi-man classics with independent standouts like Team Pazuzu, Christian Casanova (Carmelo Hayes), Anthony Nese, the Strong Style Squad of Homicide, B-Boy, Eddie Kingston, and a certain Dan Maff, Ethan Page, and the Rascalz. Carter was grateful for Gangone’s contributions.
Over the next decade, the relationship between the pair began to drift. Carter became the King of the Tri-State area, while Gangone’s unique style helped elevate him even further. It wasn’t as much friendship as it was mutual respect. It’s the wrestling business.
Everything changed on March 29, 2025. In the main event of Hero’s Celebration for the vacant ACE Heavyweight Title, Gangone faced Carter and Kaide Lothbrok. Thanks to a bit of a schmozz involving Carter and Gangone, “Dr. Sleep” pinned Lothbrok to win the vacant championship.
There is one thing Gangone had to learn: you don’t come between Darius Carter and championships.
Both men hold each other now in the highest contempt. Gangone is still the man in ACE, while Carter has become the Crown Jewel of Mike Morgan’s ACES. But there is serious animosity between the pair.
Now, on June 20, 2026 in Teaneck, NJ at Hollywood Reigns, Carter used the ACE Owner’s influence to gain himself a shot at the ACE Heavyweight Championship.
And for “Dr. Sleep”, it will be a tough night. About 15 miles away earlier in the night, Gangone will be getting a shot at the Pro Wrestling Magic Heavyweight Championship against Azrieal, who has double duty that night as well. The only difference: Gangone has to travel, win or lose, to Teaneck following that match immediately and have legitimate no time to decompress.
Meanwhile, “the Allfather” will have all of the time in the world to rest, prepare, and strategize for Gangone. It’s actually genius.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
I will end this article with this. On July 10, 2010, I was in the ACE Arena in Union City, NJ when Darius Carter sat in the crowd to watch Bryan Danielson, Christopher Daniels, Mo Sexton, and his ACES stablemate Maff do battle for the ACE Heavyweight Championship. Nearly sixteen years to the day, Carter might have his last chance to become ACE Heavyweight Champion.
There’s a lot on the line for both men. It’s no longer a Crusade For Change; it’s a march towards the ACE Heavyweight Championship.
Be there in Teaneck.
Bankie Bruce
