Progress Chapter 166: Freedom Walks Again
Date: April 5, 2024
Location: Penns Landing Caterers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, Jack Farmer

So this is the British Progress Wrestling promotion, which isn’t quite what it used to be but it’s still a big enough deal to warrant a Wrestlemania weekend spot. There are some familiar names around here but there will also likely be some guest stars, as tends to be the case over the weekend. Let’s get to it.

Note that I do not follow Progress so I apologize in advance for any storylines or character points that I miss.

I was in attendance for this show, sitting in the fourth row with the entrance on my right.

Opening sequence, which doesn’t seem to be specific to this show.

Leon Slater vs. Cody Chhun vs. Simon Miller vs. Marcus Mathers vs. Gringo Loco vs. Lykos II vs. Tate Mayfairs

One fall to a finish. Hold on though as Mayfairs brags about his greatness on the way to the ring, saying that the fans only know what Dave Meltzer tells them about British wrestling. We get the usual “I’m awesome” speech, with the expected WHAT’s to make it even longer. Mayfairs gets inside and manages to drop everyone until Mathers (in old school Philadelphia Phillies gear) takes him down with a springboard high crossbody.

Loco counters Lykos’ running hurricanrana but Chhun is back in with a dropkick to put Lykos down. Slater clears the ring and hits a dive onto Chhun before Miller gets to clean house to quite the reaction. Back in and Mayfairs gets to clean house and pose again (he has a tendency to do that). Lykos gets sent outside but walks into a spear from Miller, who gets kicked down by Slater.

Loco catches Slater on top with a super Spanish Fly before side slamming Mayfairs for two. Lykos’ slingshot Code Red gets two and he slugs it out with Mathers. Slater is back in for the big running flip dive over the post before it’s time for a run of cutters. Slater’s Swanton 450 (that looks awesome) gets two but Lykos is back up with a running flip dive of his own. A brainbuster to Chhun gives Lykos the pin at 9:20.

Rating: B-. If you watch an independent show, especially around this weekend, you know you’re going to see something like this as it’s a guaranteed way to get a bunch of people into the ring at once. That doesn’t mean it’s high quality, but it’s often fun and that was the case again here. Lykos winning is fine, as it’s not like the result is what matters in something like this. Good, fast paced opener.

Atlas Title: Yoichi vs. Ricky Knight Jr.

Yoichi, on excursion from Pro Wrestling Noah, is challenging and this seems to be something like the Hoss Fight Title. They trade running shoulders to start with Yoichi getting the better of things until Knight sends him outside. There’s the big dive, followed by the rather hard chop back inside. A testicular claw and a belly to back suplex have Yoichi in trouble but he slams his way to freedom (which Walks Again).

Something like a Vader Bomb gets two but Knight Death Valley Drives him into the corner for the big crash. A hanging DDT gives Knight two but Yoichi slips out of a slam and nails a discus lariat for the double knockdown. They chop it out (Yoichi’s chest is red in a hurry) until Yoichi grabs a belly to belly for two. Knight is back with a Razor’s Edge toss for two, meaning frustration is setting in (fans: “YOU CAN’T BEAT HIM!/YES HE CAN!”).

Yoichi shoulders him down and goes up, only to dive into a cutter. A MuscleBuster gives Knight two and now he’s really stunned. Knight grabs an over the shoulder sitout Tombstone but Yoichi rolls into the corner in a smart move. Knight brainbusters him hard onto the apron and drops a 450 for two more and NOW the fans are into this as Yoichi keeps hanging on. Back up and Yoichi hits a hard clothesline for two but Knight staggers him with a superkick. Knight tries a springboard, only to dive into something like a high angle spinebuster to give Yoichi the pin and the title at 13:36.

Rating: B. This was pretty much as advertised, with two good sized guys beating the fire out of each other with one big shot after another. The fans got into the idea with Knight not being able to finish him, resulting in Knight trying one too many big moves. Yoichi could have done more to get the win in the end but they drew me into the story with people I don’t know so well done indeed.

Respect is shown post match.

Bussy vs. Session Moth Martina/Gene Munny

Bussy is Effy/Allie Katch, while Munny seems to think he’s a dog. That leaves you with Martina, who really, really, REALLY likes beer and comes out to Cascada’s Every Time We Touch. That would be a rather jazzy number (giving me high school flashbacks) and Bussy starts dancing in the ring as Martina takes a rather long time getting to the ring. Munny is not impressed as the dancing continues when Martina gets in as well.

Then Martina passes out, only to be woken up with a beer. Munny and Martina don’t get along before the bell and argue over who starts with Effy. They both try to get on the apron, then both try to get in, then do it again. Munny: “On the count of three, one of us is going to make an adult decision!” By the time he gets to two, Martina is in the ring and dancing with Effy as the bell rings.

Munny isn’t having that and pulls Martina to the corner for the tag before headlocking a still dancing Effy. We pause for Effy to drop to his knees in front of Mummy with quite the look on his face. Munny: “SIR! I am flattered! But I am a married man!” Instead Munny pulls the bandanna down over Effy’s face and tries a low blow but gets blocked (the HI-YAH didn’t help).

Instead, Munny settles for two off a Regal roll into a falling splash and it’s off to Martina. Munny and Martina agree to use “TAG TEAM MANEUVERS”….but can’t decide on which one to use, with one trying a Russian legsweep and the other a suplex. Effy tells them to focus so they hit him in the face but still can’t figure it out. Allie comes in and does a mirror bit with Martina before they both grab beers for a drink.

They toast and ask “DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS???” before Munny tags himself in. That isn’t going to work for Allie….who decides that this is now Allie/Martina vs. Effy/Munny. Effy doesn’t approve of the attempted Bronco Buster and even calls her Allison, which is enough to set up a double hip attack to Munny as the original partnerships are back. A double hip thrust and a seated senton gets two on Munny before Effy sits on his arm to give us a focus.

Bussy takes over on said arm as Martina has strolled over to the bar. Martina is sitting with the fans and cheering as Effy slams Munny down. Munny manages to go up and dives onto both of them, much to Martina’s disturbance. Martina gets back on the apron for the tag, is rather fired up…and falls flat on her face as she gets in. Bussy stomps away again and Allie adds a running Cannonball for two. Martina is back with a Codebreaker into a tornado DDT and the tag brings Munny back in to take over.

There’s a double spear to drop Bussy but we pause for Munny to twist Effy’s nipples. Martina is back in and NOW the “TAG TEAM MANEUVERS” work far better, with the double Russian legsweep setting up Martina’s Bronco Buster on Effy. Munny goes coast to coast for a low headbutt to Effy in the corner but walks into an accidental middle rope Codebreaker from Martina. Effy hits a Rough Ryder on Martina and a top rope Hart Attack (with another Rough Ryder) finishes Munny at 11:34.

Rating: B. As you might have guessed, this absolutely was not about the quality, but rather the pure entertainment value. In short, this match was FUN with Munny and Marina being hilarious together and Bussy more than holding up their end. They weren’t trying to do anything remotely serious here and it wound up being one of the most entertaining matches I’ve ever seen in person. Heck of a fun match here.

Danhausen makes a random cameo to celebrate with Bussy.

Spike Trivet vs. Luke Jacobs

Trivet (pronounced Trivay) is a former World Champion and was the top heel for a long time. Jacobs on the other hand is just a straight powerhouse. Trivet takes him up against the ropes to start and hits a headbutt, only to be dropped with a heck of a running shoulder. They trade chops in the corner until Jacobs is low bridged to the apron and Codebreakered to the floor.

Back in and Trivet starts in on the hand/arm but Jacobs fights up and hits a Rock Bottom out of the corner for a breather. A suplex into a brainbuster gets two on Trivet, who is right back with a middle rope Codebreaker for two. Jacobs catches him on top for a superplex and a sitout powerbomb gives Jacobs two of his own. They slug it out until Trivet suplexes him into the corner. A double stomp gets two on Jacobs, who is right back with a heck of a lariat for two. The Drill Claw finishes Trivet at 10:33.

Rating: C+. The match wasn’t bad, but it was pretty easily the weakest on the show so far. Trivet is a rather generic looking heel and Jacobs is a run of the mill power guy. What we got was good enough, but I didn’t find this overly interesting during the show and that was still the case watching it back.

Women’s Title: Rhio vs. Lana Austin

Austin, the former champion who is described as annoying, is challenging. They fight over a lockup to start and that gets them absolutely nowhere. Austin stops to flip her off, earning a shotgun dropkick into the corner. Rhio sends her outside and hits a suicide dive, only to have Austin suplex her on the floor. Hold on though as Austin needs a microphone for “Lana-oke”.

This involves talking/singing (badly) as she beats on Rhio, who blocks a kick to send Austin face first into the mat. Austin is back up with a dropkick for two and there’s a suplex into the corner for the same. The trash talk takes too long for Austin, allowing Rhio to superkick her down for two. The package piledriver is blocked though and Austin sends her face first into the buckle for the big crash.

A hurricanrana attempt is countered into a powerbomb to give Austin two more and Rhio rolls to the apron. That works rather well as she comes back with a springboard Stunner but Austin blasts her with a discus forearm. What looks to be a powerbomb is countered into an Air Raid Crash but Austin grabs a rollup with feet on the ropes, only to get caught. The arguing with the referee lets Rhio come back with a package piledriver to retain at 13:51.

Rating: C+. They were trading moves and you could get an easy sense of the idea here (the talented champion against the more showy challenger) but it never quite hit that next gear. Rhio is someone who could be a pretty intriguing prospect with some more coaching due to her natural athleticism, but she’ll need more time against better opponents. Nice match, though like the previous one, it wasn’t exactly must see.

Tag Team Titles: Cheeky Little Buggers vs. Sanity vs. Sunshine Machine

The Buggers (Alexxis Ferguson/Charles Crowley) are defending against Sanity (Axel Tischer/Big Damo) and Sunshine Machine (Chuck Mambo/TK Cooper). Ferguson takes Mambo down with a top wristlock to start…but Mambo says “RING RING!” He holds his hand up to Ferguson’s ear, where she says “Hello.” Mambo: “IT’S A WRISTLOCK!” Ferguson then tries the same thing but Mambo sends her into the corner and rolls her up for two.

Crowley comes in for a small package, followed by a springboard Downward Spiral for two more. It’s off to Cooper, but hold on because Crowley asks if we want to see a magic trick. He reaches into a hat (because he has a hat, complete with horns) but finds nothing inside. Instead he reaches into the back of Ferguson’s tights (oh dear) and finds….a fist, which he uses to punch Cooper.

Back up and Cooper gets two off a dropkick before Mambo comes back in for some stereo knees to the arms. Crowley manages to get over to the monster Damo though and house is quickly cleaned, including a double fall away slam to Sunshine Machine. Axel comes in for a release suplex to Cooper, who manages to send Sanity into each other for a breather. Mambo’s springboard wristdrag sets up a frog splash to give Cooper two but it’s Axel hitting a Backstabber to cut Mambo down.

Mambo kind of slips off the top to forearm Damo and it’s off to Ferguson, who gets caught in the Sanity corner (that’s not good). The neck crank goes on but Ferguson fights up and brings Crowley back in to pick the pace way up. A big flip dive to the floor takes out Sanity, leaving Ferguson to slug it out with Sunshine Machine. That doesn’t go so well as it’s a double headbutt to put Ferguson down, followed by a double suplex for two.

Cooper dives onto the pile at ringside and Mambo’s frog splash to the back gets two on Ferguson. Axel is back in to clear out Sunshine Machine and snap Ferguson’s finger. Ferguson manages a spinning suplex to Damo and Crowley adds a top rope backsplash. Cooper gets tossed into a sitout powerbomb from Ferguson as even commentary thinks there is too much going on at the moment.

Ferguson gets sent into the corner so Crowley tries to make a save, only to get kicked in the face a few times. The Death Valley Driver onto the apron plants Crowley again but Sunshine Machine is back in to take out Sanity. Cooper’s shooting star press gets two on Damo but he tosses Mambo into a German suplex from Axel. A powerbomb/neckbreaker combination to Copper is enough to give Axel the pin and the titles at 18:52.

Rating: B-. The match was definitely entertaining due to the pure insanity, but there was so much going on and the last ten minutes or so were spent on one big wild brawl. There was too much going on to really have a good match, which tends to be the case with this many people involved. Sanity did feel like the bigger stars here though and it’s nice to see them winning the titles, as they were the best option.

Progress World Title: Man Like Dereiss vs. Kid Lykos

Lykos, with Lykos II, is defending and Dereiss raps himself to the ring, as tends to be his custom. They stare at each other for a bit as the fans are rather divided. We get a handshake and they lock up over a minute in, with Dereiss backing him up against the ropes. A shoulder drops Lykos and we pause again as he takes a breather in the corner. Lykos is back up with a quickly broken Octopus hold before dropkicking Dereiss outside.

Back in and Dereiss snaps off some slams, followed by some dancing and a whip into the corner for two. More dancing and right hands give Dereiss two as commentary talks about social media. Lykos is back up with a kick to the head and some rolling suplexes to put Dereiss down for a change. The corkscrew shooting star press gives Lykos two but calling out the name of a brainbuster lets Dereiss shove him away.

A Michinoku Driver gives Dereiss two but Lykos rolls away before Dereiss can do something from the top. They knock each other down for a double breather before an exchange of rollups gets two each. Stereo nip ups lets Lykos try a victory roll but Dereiss puts him down and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb for two more.

Back up and Lykos hits a superkick for two before the Octopus goes on again. Dereiss powers out and they’re both down for another breather. Lykos’ springboard flip dive is countered into a powerbomb, followed by another to set up Dereiss’ 450 for two more. Dereiss loads up another powerbomb but Lykos reverses into a suplex. A springboard Swanton retains the title at 17:07. Bocchini in something of a deadpan voice: “Lykos retains.”

Rating: B-. That dull reaction to the result sums up the match. The action itself was perfectly fine, but there didn’t seem to be a story to the match and they were just trading moves at the end. I’m not sure I get the appeal of Lykos either, as he was just kind of there for the most part. Maybe there is a better backstory to him, but if that is the case, I didn’t see it here.

Overall Rating: B. This show was starting red hot and then hit a wall hard about halfway through. You could feel the energy go out as it went from a fun show to a good show that was just kind of happening in front of you. If this was all about the first half, I’d watch every Progress show but the second half made it feel like pretty much every solid independent event you’ll find. It was one of the better shows I watched over the weekend, but it loses its steam fast.

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

 

Ring Of Honor
Date: March 30, 2022

It’s the final show before the relaunch but we might not be seeing anything from the new era for a bit. Until then, we’ll have to settle for this second look at World Champion Jonathan Gresham. The first part featured a bunch of stuff from outside of Ring of Honor so maybe we can have some more fun this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We pick up where we left off, with Jonathan Gresham introducing us to our next match.

From Defy Wrestling’s 5th Anniversary Show on February 12, 2022.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Jonathan Gresham vs. Cody Chhun

Gresham is defending. They shake hands to start and Chhun grabs the wristlock, setting off a chain of reversals. Gresham takes him down but Chhun gets him into a wristlock. That’s reversed into a hammerlock on the mat as Gresham is perfectly fine with going technical. Chhun escapes as well and Gresham is impressed and we’re clipped to Gresham staying on the arm.

Chhun’s arms are wrapped around Gresham’s leg for some cranking but Chhun fights up with an armdrag. We’re clipped to a fight over some standing armbars before being clipped to Chhun rolling him up for two, setting up a rather rolling pinfall reversal sequence. They fight over some standing armbars until Chhun gets two off a big forearm. Back up and they run the ropes, only to have Gresham grab a headscissors…and trap the leg for the pin at 8:32 shown.

Rating: C+. This was a nice technical display and that’s why a promotion brings in Gresham. He has a reputation of being able to go technical with anyone and he did just that here, as Chhun was able to hang in there until Gresham got a clever fall. Gresham seems to be going around the world making overs look good and that was on full display here.

From Bodyslam! Scandi Foundation in Denmark on February 26, 2022.

Ring of Honor World Title: Jonathan Gresham vs. Emeritus

Gresham is defending and I had to look up his opponent’s name. Either way he’s a masked man and offers a handshake after slipping out of Gresham’s wristlock. We’re clipped to Emeritus hitting Diamond Dust but Gresham is back with a German suplex. Emeritus is back with a clothesline for two and we’re clipped to Gresham grabbing some rollups for two each. A knee to the face drops Gresham though and Emeritus hits a sliding tornado DDT on the floor.

Back in and an over the back kneeling piledriver drops Gresham for three, though his leg is underneath the rope. We’re clipped again to Gresham winning a slugout and grabbing a bunch of rolling cradles for two each. Emeritus tries another rollup but Gresham reverses into a bridging cradle for a VERY close two. Gresham is done with this and grabs an abdominal stretch, setting up some rapid fire elbows to the head for the referee stoppage at 5:19.

Rating: C. I wasn’t feeling this one as much as Emeritus didn’t stand out that much here. What mattered was having Gresham making someone else look good, though there is only so much that you can get out of a character without any kind of a backstory and not much time to be seen. Not bad, but they did this better in the previous match.

Gresham flipping off the crowd (I think) is blurred out.

From ROH TV, November 4, 2022.

Pure Title: Jonathan Gresham vs. Tracy Williams

For the vacant title. They shake hands to start and Williams towers over him. It’s straight to the grappling early on but neither can get a hiptoss. Instead they head outside for a staredown until Williams gets back in and holds the rope open for Gresham. Back in and Williams starts working on the arm but Gresham slips out and we take a break. We come back with no time having elapsed (sweet) and Gresham starting in on Williams’ arm to take over for the first time. Williams goes to the ropes to get a breather and then chops Gresham right back down.

A cravate of all things gives Williams two and Gresham has to go to the ropes as well. There’s a spear to Williams but he’s right back up with a clothesline in the corner. Gresham hits a suplex with Williams popping up again for another chop. A bridging German suplex gets two on Williams and a collision in the corner puts them both on the floor in a heap.

Back in and Williams gets two off a brainbuster, setting up the Crossface to stay on the neck/shoulder. That means a second rope break from Gresham, who is back with a bridging German suplex of his own. Gresham forearms him down for two more but he can’t get a Kimura in full. Williams is back up with a piledriver for two, with Gresham using the final rope break. They both need a breather and Gresham pulls him into the Octopus for the sudden tap at 14:37.

Rating: B. Well that was sudden. I was expecting this to go closer to half an hour and it didn’t even make it to fifteen minutes. That’s quite the out of nowhere ending but Gresham seemed to be the favorite to win the title from the beginning of the tournament so it’s hardly a bad idea. It was a setup for a match, but the lack of time brought it down from where it could have been.

And from Final Battle 2021 to wrap it up.

Ring of Honor World Title: Jonathan Gresham vs. Jay Lethal

For the vacant title, as Bandido is out with Coronavirus. The fans are rather happy with this one as they trade wristlocks to start with no one getting anywhere. A headlock takeover doesn’t do much for Lethal either as they’re certainly starting technical. Gresham manages to send him outside and catches Lethal with a kick in the arm on the way back in. A headlock takeover with an armtrap keeps Lethal down but Lethal cartwheels into the basement dropkick to get a breather.

Lethal slams him down to work over the back a bit more but Gresham small packages him for two. A slap to the face drops Gresham and a flapjack does it again. It’s too early for the Lethal Injection and the Figure Four, as Gresham rolls him up for two more. Another kick to the arm cuts Lethal back down and Gresham needs a breather. They chop it out with Lethal getting the better of things but telling Gresham to chop him again.

A ripcord powerslam plants Gresham again but he catches Lethal on top. What looked to be a superplex is broken up so Lethal tries Hail to the King. Lethal is ready for Gresham’s raised knees but can’t get the Figure Four either. Instead it’s a reverse Regal Roll to set up Hail to the King to give Lethal two more.

Gresham is right back on the arm and grabs a crossface chickenwing. Lethal flips forward for a cutter and they’re both down again. That means it’s time for the locker room to come out and watch as Gresham hits some running forearms for two each. The arm gives out and Gresham hits another forearm for two. The Lethal Injection is countered into a rollup for two, setting up the Octopus to make Lethal tap at 15:35.

Rating: B. Gresham absolutely had to win here as that is the story that has been set up for months. I can imagine that this would have been the ending whether Bandido had been around or not and that is the right way to go. Gresham has been the workhorse of the company since its return and going with the Pure Rules wrestler as the final shot at the final show is a smart move.

The celebration is on, including Gresham’s wife, Jordynne Grace, getting in the ring. Commentary thanks the fans, with Coleman saying “see you in April” to end the night.

Gresham talks about how he will not let honor die. He is tired of people saying he isn’t the real World Champion and now he is going to prove it against Bandido at Supercard of Honor.

Overall Rating: B-. More good stuff here, but I’m not sure how much more I need to see from Gresham at the moment. We’ve covered a lot of him already and there isn’t much left in the modern era. Still a solid show here, but now they need to move on and open up the vault a bit. Having Gresham around a bit is a very good idea though and that was on display in the last two weeks.

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Defyance Forever
Date: August 23, 2019
Location: Temple Grand Ballroom, Tacoma, Washington
Commentator: Rich Bocchini

This is another promotion that I have heard a lot about over the years without ever actually seeing one of their shows. The promotion is based in Seattle and Tacoma is close enough. I’m really not sure what to expect from this one and that makes things a lot more interesting, at least most of the time. Let’s get to it.

I don’t follow this promotion so I apologize in advance for not knowing anything involving storylines, characters etc. Please bare with me. I’m also not sure if this is a full show or a TV show that is comprised of matches from Defyance Forever.

Rich Bocchini runs down the card and there is some star power to this one.

Matt Cross vs. Judas Icarus vs. Cody Chhun vs. Guillermo Rosas

One fall to a finish and commentary keeps talking about a recent tournament, which seemed to involve a lot of the roster. Chhun and Rosas seem rather popular here, though it’s a loud MATT CROSS chant as soon as the bell rings. They literally go in a circle to start until Icarus and Cross kick the others in the face. Cross dives out onto Rosas but Chhun breaks up Icarus’ dive.

Rosas monkey flips Chhun until Icarus comes back in to hit Rosas in the face. A jumping back elbow to the face gives Icarus two on Rosas as the fans want Icarus to PUT SOME SHOES ON. Rosas reverses a whip into the corner and hits Icarus in the face, only to have Cross come back in with a clothesline. Cross’ charge is countered with a heck of a backdrop to the floor but Chhun crashes on a springboard to put himself down as well. That leaves Icarus to knock Rosas down and mock him, earning a heck of an overhand chop.

Icarus is back with a front chancery before kicking Rosas in the face a few times. A few more kicks make Rosas Hulk Up and it’s a standing Spanish Fly to plant Icarus again for a delayed two, with Chhun and Cross making the save. We get the big circle of shots to the face until Rosas clotheslines Icarus down, leaving all four on the mat for a bit. Cross pulls himself back onto the apron and hits (or close enough) a springboard double stomp to Chhun and Icarus before getting two on Rosas.

Icarus is back up with a dive onto Rosas but Chhun kick shim in the face. Chhun airplane spins Icarus and uses his swinging feet to drop the other two. Back up and Rosas hits a superkick into a Death Valley Driver on Chhun, only to get taken down by Cross’ cutter. Chhun is back up to send Cross outside and a springboard cutter gives Chhun the pin on Icarus at 12:40.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of match that is always going to work and it is a great way to start a show. Have four people out there flying around and doing all kinds of stuff until one person gets the win. There might not be much in the way of storytelling, but it’s the kind of fun match that gets the people into a show. Classic formula and it is always going to work.

Post match Chhun gets on the mic and talks about how awesome it is to have Jushin Thunder Liger on the show. The fans want to see Chhun vs. Liger and he seems to like the idea. Chhun seems to say he’s coming for someone on September 27 (when he would face Darby Allin, though he was hard to understand).

Rocky Romero vs. Clark Connors

Connors is a New Japan Young Lion and the hometown boy. The fans are split to start as the two of them fight over a lockup to start. Romero’s headlock takeover doesn’t work but neither does Connors’ headscissors counter, meaning it’s a standoff. They go to the mat again and this time Connors’ wristlock doesn’t get him very far, meaning it’s a HARD shot to the face to rock Rocky.

The exchange of big chops doesn’t last long as Romero kicks him down and avoids a dropkick to take over. More strikes keep Connors in trouble as Romero is looking more serious. There’s a shoulder to put Connors down again and Romero knocks him into the corner without much trouble. Romero takes him down by the arm and gives it a good kick before driving it down with a top rope knee.

Back up and Romero slaps Connors, which is enough to trigger the ticked off comeback…for all of two seconds before Romero takes out the arm again. Connors fights out of a cobra clutch and snaps off a powerslam though and they’re both down. Back up and Connors wins a chop off and tells Romero to COME ON. Romero does just that with a big wind up and then pokes him in the eye to send Connors into the corner.

The Forever Lariats connect for a bit before the sixth is cut off by a heck of a dropkick. Connors stomps a mudhole in the corner and then does it again in another corner. Back up and Connors hits a spear to set up a Boston crab, sending Romero (eventually) crawling over to the ropes. Another spear only hits post though and it’s a tornado DDT from Romero. A Falcon Arrow into a cross armbreaker finally makes Connors tap at 13:17.

Rating: B. Romero continues to be one of the most back and forth wrestlers I’ve ever seen as he can go from having the most ho hum matches to something good like this. It’s almost fascinating to see just how good or bad he can be but he tends to be better when he is on a smaller stage like this one. Connors looked great here too and you can see the potential that New Japan and a lot of other places probably see in him.

Post match Romero gives Connors a nice show of respect.

DEFY Tag Team Titles/PCW Ultra Tag Team Titles: No One Lives vs. Warbeast

Warbeast (Josef/Jacob Fatu, better known as part of Contra in MLW) is defending both titles against No One Lives (Derek Drexl/Dr. Kliever), who seem to be rather evil. The fans are certainly behind the champs here and it’s weird seeing them as faces. No One Lives jumps the champs before the bell but Fatu isn’t having any of that and clears the ring, setting up a heck of a suicide dive to the floor.

That leaves Josef to hammer on Drexl, including a loud chop in the corner, as I don’t think the bell ever rang. Fatu knocks Kliever silly again, leaving Drexl to come back with a staple gun to Josef. The stapled Josef is fine enough to hit a neckbreaker onto some open chairs to drop Drexl. That’s not enough though, as Josef staples some paper to Drexl’s head. They switch off and Drexl (who bounces right back up) uses the paper to cut Fatu’s foot open.

You don’t do that to…well anyone really, as Fatu sends him into the corner for a Cannonball. Fatu hits a handspring moonsault onto a chair onto Drexl and Josef pelts a chair at Drexl’s head. Again, that doesn’t keep Drexl down long as he’s right back with chair shots of his own for two as Kliever and Fatu slowly strike it out on the floor. Now the chair is thrown around Josef’s head but it just annoys him this time, meaning he throws it at Drexl’s head instead.

Josef drives the chair into Drexl’s throat so Drexl staple guns him in the head. Fatu is back up with a powerbomb onto the apron to drop Drexl again but he’s right back up one more time. That means a pop up Samoan drop (dang) to give Fatu two, leaving Kliever to get superkicked into Josef’s DDT. Fatu’s triple jump moonsault retains the titles at about 9:00 (as I don’t think there was an opening bell).

Rating: C. Your mileage may vary on the brawling but e pluribus gads Fatu is a sight to behold and they treated him as a star here….at least when he was actually doing stuff. The majority of the match was either in a wild brawl or spent on Josef vs. Drexl, making this kind of a weird match. Fatu is worth the look though, and that is enough to make up for the bad.

Juice Robinson vs. Randy Myers

That would be Ravenous Randy Myers, who was the final champion of the late 90s Stampede Wrestling revival. I know this because I have far too much time on my hands to spend looking up defunct wrestling promotions. This is Robinson’s Defy debut and we get a mini bio on him, including his time in NXT and New Japan. Myers has some new music and he lip syncs to the song on the way in during a rather flamboyant entrance.

Various fans (male and female) are kissed on his way to the ring, with Robinson looking to think this is a bit much. The fans say Myers is going to kiss Juice and the streamers fly in. Instead the bell rings (after about eight minutes of entrances) but Myers heads outside to grab a chair. The chair is sat in the corner, with Myers asking Robinson to have a seat (Fans: “HAVE A SEAT!”).

Robinson finally sits down so Myers puts on Robinson’s ring coat, sunglasses and hat (Fans: “SEXY B****!”) before stripping it back off (Fans: “THIS IS WRESTLING!”). Myers puts the glasses on Juice and leads towards him but Robinson pulls out a dollar, which goes into Myers’ mouth. That means some strutting before Robinson rolls him up for a fast two, which makes things a bit more serious.

Now we get to more traditional start, four minutes after the bell. Hold on again though, as Myers needs to put on lip gloss. Myers closes his eyes and leans his head down for a kiss but gets headlocked instead. Robinson: “I’m sorry, I’m here to wrestle!” They run the ropes but Myers says stop, allowing him to slap Robinson in the face. Robinson hits his snap jabs and it’s a backsplash to set up a bodyscissors to keep Myers down.

That’s reversed so Myers can kick away at Robinson’s back but a spinebuster plants Myers for two. Back up and Myers strikes away to put him down with a backsplash of his own getting two more. A fisherman’s suplex gives Myers two but Robinson is right back with the Juice Box to cut Myers off.

Robinson hits a cannonball in the corner to set up a Jackhammer for two more and frustration starts to set in. Myers is fine enough to crotch him on the top but Robinson headbutts his way out of a kiss attempt. A high crossbody drops Myers again and it’s back to the snap jabs. The big one misses though and now Myers gets in the kiss. The kissed Robinson rolls him up into a cradle for the pin at 11:10.

Rating: C+. Robinson was the star but Myers is one of those guys who is so into the gimmick that it is hard not to watch him. I can get the idea of someone as over the top as him getting to showcase his star power and a lot of it feels like mind games. The match itself was pretty good, but this was much more in the way of showmanship.

Post match, Myers says that since he didn’t have consent for that kiss, he owes Robinson a beer. Myers goes outside to get said beers and they drink together, with Myers kissing him again. Robinson shakes his hand and leaves, allowing Myers to say this world is a garbage fire right now and everyone knows it. Sometimes the voices in his head are not so great and sometimes he is just playing a character. The voices in his head were cutting promos on him all week but then he walks through that curtain and he sees the people and his head is just fine. These people are his heart. That was a pretty cool thing to hear.

Dragon Lee vs. Douglas James

Lee has been around the world but his biggest American exposure has been in Ring of Honor. James has been in a variety of independent promotions and I remember him being pretty good. We get a handshake to start and we’re ready to go. Feeling out process to start and neither of them can get very far with the grappling attempts. James takes him down for a front facelock, which is broken up just as fast.

Lee puts him on top but gets caught with a middle rope hurricanrana to the floor. That means a big suicide dive from James and it’s Lee in trouble first. A drop suplex gets two back inside and they head straight back out to the floor. This time Lee hits a hard chop and a posting for two of his own as James is rocked for a change. A running seated kick to the shoulder gives Lee two Back up and they strike it out with James nailing a superkick, only to get caught in a quick German suplex.

They headbutt the heck out of each other and an exchange of knees gives them a well deserved double knockdown. Back up and James charges into a raised boot in the corner but comes right back with a Codebreaker for two. Lee unloads with forearms in the corner to set up a running delayed dropkick for two of his own. Some kind of a suplex is countered into a guillotine choke to put Lee in major trouble but he manages to muscle his way up for a suplex.

Lee goes up so James plays some possum, allowing him to catch Lee with a superplex. A spear gives James two and he blasts Lee with a spinning backfist, only to get nailed with a jumping knee to the face. James is back with a running clothesline into a top rope splash for another near fall. A twisting top rope splash only hits raised knees though and Lee hits a hard German suplex for two more in a good false finish. Lee goes up so James joins him for some slaps to the face, setting up Lee’s Alberto double stomp for two more. A running knee (with the pad lowered) hits James and a Falcon Arrow gives him the pin at 14:30.

Rating: A-. This was the all action match that leaves you wondering who was going to win and how they were going to keep kicking out of these things. It was pure excitement, which tends to be the case in any Lee match. It’s not about selling or anything more than surviving against the other one. That might not be traditional, but it is certainly entertaining and that is what they made work very well here.

Respect is shown post match.

Here’s what’s coming at the next show.

Jordan Oasis vs. Brian Cook

Oasis is the hometown boy…who won’t be wrestling here as New Japan’s El Phantasmo runs in and jumps both guys. No match.

Phantasmo rants about how terrible America is….except for its President. He doesn’t like Tacoma and Seattle is even worse, because this place is a PWG wannabe. The fans are REALLY not happy with him, as I can barely understand his promo. Phantasmo calls them all trash and issues an open challenge for September 27.

Alex Coughlin/Karl Fredericks/Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Brian Pillman Jr./American Guns

The Guns are Ethan HD/Mike Santiago while Coughlin and Fredericks are New Japan Young Lions. Liger gets the great legends pop and my goodness is that song still catchy. We get dueling Liger vs. Pillman chants before the bell and those two get to start with some circling as Bocchini plays up Liger vs. Pillman Sr. as the big deal that it was. Without doing anything, Pillman tags in HD so Liger brings in Fredericks as well. Fredericks bounces out of a wristlock and grabs one of his own before they head to the mat for the grapple off. HD’s arm gets tied up but he manages to bridge into a cradle for two and a break.

Back up and HD hits a hurricanrana driver and a double stomp to the back to keep Fredericks down for a change. Coughlin comes in for a shoulder and we hit a fairly early chinlock. That’s broken up and HD grabs a headscissors, which is reversed into a leglock. The surfboard goes on but HD is out of that in a hurry. Some chops stagger HD again but he rolls through a sunset flip and hits a jumping double stomp. Santiago comes in for a jumping knee drop but Coughlin wrestles him down in a simple but effective counter.

A double arm crank sends Santiago over to the ropes so it’s back to the grappling. Coughlin spins out of a wristlock and grabs a headlock but can’t get the Boston crab. That doesn’t last long either as Santiago is up with a dropkick for two. Coughlin chops him back though and it’s a double tag to bring in Pillman and Liger (the fans are WAY more into the latter this time). Pillman drops to a knee and extends his hand, which has Liger cautious. As expected, Pillman pulls him into a headlock and takes it to the mat, meaning it’s time for some cocky posing.

That doesn’t last long as a Liger kick puts Pillman down and it’s time for the eternally awesome looking surfboard. HD breaks that up so it’s back to Fredericks for some chops in the corner. Pillman is right back with a running slap so it’s time to chop it out in the middle. Fredericks hits a dropkick to the floor so it’s off to Santiago for a butterfly suplex. The Guns double team Fredericks down though and it’s a running shooting star press to give Santiago two. HD fires off some kicks to the chest, with Fredericks telling him to bring it on.

That works for Pillman, who comes back in for a seated abdominal stretch. A superkick cuts off Fredericks’ comeback and Pillman sits down on the chest for two. Santiago offers a quick distraction so some lame double teaming (I’m not quite sure what they were trying) can take place. With the referee back, a double suplex gets two on Fredericks to complete an odd sequence. A Codebreaker into a windup knee sets up a springboard enziguri for two, with Liger having to make the save.

Fredericks finally manages a spinebuster for a breather and the hot tag brings in Liger to clean house. The Shotei palm strike in the corner staggers Pillman but he’s right back with a dropkick for two. Everything breaks down (Bocchini: “You knew it would happen.”) and it’s Santiago getting splashes in the corner. Liger Shoteis him down for two, followed by the brainbuster for the pin at 20:11.

Rating: B. This got a lot of time and they did a good job of making the Liger part feel like the bigger deal. He’s an absolute legend and by far bigger than everyone else in the match put together so this went well. It was special to see Liger in the ring and they treated him as such. The Young Lions got in their time too and you can see the talent there, with the ring time being what they needed. This was long but it held up, with Liger of course being the highlight. Well done.

Post match Pillman shows Liger the respect that he deserves, with Liger shaking/raising Pillman’s hand.

DEFY World Title: Artemis Spencer vs. Schaff

Spencer is defending and they have a lot of time for this. The fans are split during the entrances (Fans: “OH, ARTEMIS SPENCER/SUCKS!”) and it’s an early exchange of shoves to the face. The bigger Schaff slugs away but Spencer kicks him in the chest and hits a running dropkick up against the ropes. A springboard is broken up though and it’s time for the corner stomping. The Cannonball connects as well and there’s the big toss suplex to send Spencer flying.

Back up and Spencer jumps to the top for an armdrag back down, setting up a run up the corner for a very bouncy wristdrag. A 619 to Schaff’s standing face gets two and we hit the Octopus, which Schaff spins off without much trouble. Schaff’s delayed vertical suplex sends Spencer rolling to the floor but he has to elbow his way out of a Death Valley Driver on the apron. That means a headscissors to send Schaff outside, where Spencer puts him in a chair.

The required Daniel Bryan YES Kicks set up a big one to knock Schaff back out of the chair but Spencer puts him back in (make up your mind dude). A big run around the ring takes WAY too long, allowing Schaff to launch him into the air for a nasty crash down onto the apron. Schaff throws him up the aisle and then back down (again, make up your mind dude), with Spencer driving him into the barricade. Spencer slips off of Schaff’s shoulder for a posting as they have been on the floor for about five minutes now.

An Asai moonsault with a chair takes Schaff down but Spencer needs a breather of his own. Spencer uses the chair as a launchpad for a running knee to the face but a tornado DDT is powered off. Schaff gets on the apron but still not back inside, as Spencer hits another 619, setting up a top rope double stomp to FINALLY get them both back in the ring. A backdrop puts Spencer right back on the floor (of course) and it’s a big flip dive (of course again) to drop Spencer (who he only kind of grazed).

Back in and Schaff’s top rope splash gets two, though he seems to come up favoring his hand/wrist. Spencer is fine enough to slip out of a superplex and Project Ciampa gets two. Some clotheslines with a handful of Schaff’s hair put him down a few times, with Bocchini saying this is testing the referee’s patience. That’s the same referee who let them stay on the floor for about eight minutes so I don’t want to hear about his problems.

Schaff comes back with a torture rack neckbreaker for a close two so it’s time to put Spencer on top. Some headbutts put Schaff right back down and there’s a top rope double stomp. A kind of shaky piledriver sets up Spencer’s Spiral Tap for a VERY close two, with the referee’s hand hitting the mat anyway. Spencer misses a moonsault though and Schaff’s torture rack neckbreaker gets two more. Another torture rack neckbreaker is countered but Spencer spends too much time talking trash/flipping him off, allowing Schaff to hit a third torture rack neckbreaker for the pin and the title at 19:46.

Rating: B. This was another good one as they beat the fire out of each other, with the last five or so minutes being rather good. The title change felt like a big deal and the reaction on the pin made it even better. I wasn’t wild on how long they spent on the floor as it became a bit ridiculous, but most of what we got here was good. The important thing is that it felt like a big time main event and that’s what they were hoping for here.

Post match Schaff can’t believe he did it and talks about his time in Defy. This place gave him a chance and he is grateful to both the company and the fans. Schaff talks about his grandmother watching the show and we get a THANK YOU GRANDMA chant. One more thank you ends the show.

Overall Rating: A-. I came into this with no expectation and got one heck of a show so I’m rather pleased. There were all kinds of good matches and a nice variety of stuff throughout the card. It was also a nice mixture of their regular roster and some guest stars to keep things from getting dull. This was a lot better than most independent shows I’ve seen and I had a really good time with it. Nicely done and I wouldn’t mind seeing some more from them, which is a rare feeling. Great show.

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.