Mimic D Luke Santamaria by DQ after Damon Mathews interfered thus getting himself a spot in the main event.
Minx D Savannah Summers
Fuzion D Brad Smyth
Adrenaline D Kurt Powers
Dienamic D Adam Gambino
and
Mimic D GD Grimm, Damon Mathews, and Voodoo to become the new RCW Champ
Mimic v Luke Santamaria
Mimic needs to win this match in order to be added to the Main Event for the RCW Title. Luke, the rookie who has been a face all along, gets booed when he comes out! Now tell me Mimic is not the #1 face in RCW!! Side note: what was with the MMA gloves, Luke? Just didn’t fit right with the rest of your attire. Before this one can get under way, Damon Matthews comes out, calls Luke an “Eminem wanna be” and complains that Mimic only has to face a rookie to get into the Main Event. He’s invited by Commission Andy Cruise to stay and watch the match. Both men lock up and after a series of lock ups and reversals, Luke puts on a hammer lock before Mimic reverses into a leg lock and then hits Luke with some forearm shots. Luke reverse whips him into the corner and he comes out with a back elbow but Luke fights back with a twisting neck breaker and a back elbow of his own. He follows up with a scoop slam and leg drop that brings a 2 count. That wakes up the faceless one, who hits Luke with forearms and chops then a leg lariat that is followed by knees to the jaw with his opponent forced into the corner ropes. Next is the trademark Miz clothesline to the corner and the Eddie Guerrero senton from the ring apron. Luke seizes an opening and hits a sunset flip then roll up that gets him another 2 from the referee. Some weak looking punches are followed by a splash and German Suplex. Mimic then reverses out of that momentum into a German of his own and a northern lights suplex. He then comes off the ropes with a wicked clothes line from hell that brings Matthews into the ring. He super kicks Mimic, causing the disqualification and putting his long term rival in the Main Event. The match served its purpose to advance Mimic but I didn’t understand the ending and still don’t. Why would Damon want Mimic in the title match? It was never explained and it doesn’t make sense to me in the context of the long running story line.
Minx v Savannah Summers
I loved Minx’s entrance that saw her finish, sitting on the top rope but after that, this match went downhill fast. I’ve said it numerous times before about these reviews being my own opinion so I’m going to say it again for those who actually read them. I’ve been a wrestling fan for over 20 years but I’m no expert – I’m just a fan who likes what he likes and dislikes the rest. I did not like this match. Its saving grace was how short it was. I know there are mitigating circumstances that may have affected the standard of this match but if you are not 100%, then don’t climb in the ring. Minx started off with a drop toe hold and then a belly to back takedown before Savannah executed a schoolgirl roll up only to be hit with a nice DDT. Minx then hits her with a scoop slam and seated drop kick followed by two round house and one back kick. She then hits a clothesline type move and leg drop before Savannah comes back with a hurricarana and two clotheslines that bring a 2 count. Savannah then hits a shoulder block and two wicked chops followed by a monkey flip and her trademark running bulldog. Minx is then stretched over the top rope before being hit with more chops. Then out of nowhere she comes off the ropes and hits what looked like a drop toe / clothesline and pins Savannah. The crowd was stunned at that ending and their golden girl being beaten. As I said, the match did nothing for me and best I leave it there.
Fuzion v Brad Smyth
This was billed as a three way with Adrenaline but he refused to come out according to Andy Cruise so was changed to a straight one on one. Fuzion enters the ring to the standard “shave your back” chant from the crowd and I can’t help but notice that his beard has started a life of its own!! Brad comes to the ring and is attacked from behind, being hit with a shoulder block, boots to the back and then snake eyes. That offence is followed by a neck breaker and nice scoop into a side slam. Two snap suplexes follow in sequence with the 3rd being converted into a very long delayed suplex. A desperate Brad attempts a series of pins with various roll up manoeuvres but those efforts are thwarted with a t-bone suplex. Fuzion then chokes Brad and places him over the 2nd rope so he can drop all his weight across his back. Another, louder, “shave your back’ chant is started as the crowd continues to get on Fuzion’s case. Apart from Dienamic, he’s the only heel in RCW who gets absolutely no pops from the crowd and that’s down to his great work in and out of the ring. Fuzion hits Brad with a forearm and then a snap guillotine over the 2nd rope. He goes to the top rope but is caught and thrown off by Brad in a text book Kurt Angle move. Brad follows that up with a jumping back kick and then hits his signature move followed by a tornado DDT and leg drop. Next is a handstand into a leg drop then a running shining wizard but out of nowhere Fuzion hits him with a hard spinebuster. Brad then misses a lionsault and is hit with a German release suplex. Fuzion misses a splash to the corner but then is able to clothesline Brad to the floor. He follows Brad to the outside and drops him over a guard rail that looked very stiff and follows up by carrying him into the ring post, back first. They head back to the ring and after an arrogant pin attempt that was never going to be successful, Brad hits back with the Book End and then frog splash from the top rope. Both men are down but Fuzion takes the advantage when he kicks the 2nd rope, causing a low blow. He picks up Brad and choke slams him back into the ring and to the crowd’s obvious relief, it only brings a 2 count. A series of reversals follow before Brad is hit with another huge choke slam but this time he can’t kick out and Fuzion is your winner. In a nice little after match moment that I hope is developed upon, Brad struggles to his knees and motions that he’s not done just yet. Fuzion obliges by choke slamming him again and leaving the ring. Good, solid match that was better than last month’s showing, where their timing seemed to be off. They now need to work on this feud further and have it go somewhere, maybe bringing in others for a tag match before going back to one on one for a gimmick blow off match.
Adrenaline v Kurt Powers
Yes, you read that right – Kurt Powers as in the commentator! Adrenaline came to the ring, stating he did not want to be involved in any kind of “rookie-wookie-threesome”. Kurt took offence to his attitude and offered to teach the Victorian a lesson. Things didn’t start off well for him as he’s beaten down early and hit with a scoop slam, suplex and then delayed suplex. He attempts to pin Kurt using his crotch and then slaps him for good measure. That just ticks off Kurt who gets some punches in before being hit with a back body drop and northern lights suplex. Another suplex follows then a super kick but as the count reaches 2, he decides that there’s more punishment to come and lifts Kurt’s shoulders. Some chops are followed by a dragon screw into a STF type submission. More chops, this time to the back as well are followed by a running knee to the head. He places Kurt in the tree of woe but misses his baseball slide attempt. Kurt takes the opportunity to climb the ropes, slips off but goes back up again to hit a cross body from the top. He then reverses a tilt whirl into a DDT but that momentum is short lived as Adrenaline hits with a clothesline and back elbow. A springboard clothesline from the apron brings a 2 count and Kurt then hits a nice reverse leg sweep before a low blow puts him down again. A Razor’s edge into a power bomb and this one is soon over, with Adrenaline scoring the pin. Not sure if this is going to be a one off or lead into an actual storyline but apart from one blown spot, Kurt did a good job. The crowd was behind him so he connected with them and he did his job – putting over the other guy.
Dienamic v Adam Gambino
Adam came in weighing 200 kilos and being ranked #51 in Australia’s Top 50 Wrestlers – nice introduction. Not sure where he’s heading with it though. Is he a comedy act or do we take him seriously? Stealing Pringles from kids in the crowd doesn’t help to clear the answer. Personally, after his match with Matthews last show and his work here, he should throw away the comedy act, hit the gym – yes, I said it! – and show these people the talent that is there on the surface but is dying to truly come out. Adam is too strong for the masked one early so Dienamic reverts to one of his strengths – speed. He puts on a dragon twist into a head lock then a forearm but two shoulder blocks can’t get the big man down. Adam then comes off the ropes with a clothesline but is met with stiff kicks. Each man then takes a turn smacking the other around the head, ending with a spinning shot. Two clotheslines from Dienamic finally take the bigger man to the canvas. Adam retreats to the floor and assumes he’ll get a rest as he’s leaning over the barrier but Dienamic flies over the top rope with a plancha and lands on his back. Adam recovers first and whips Dienamic into and over the barriers, planting him on his head! He gets up and smacks Adam’s head into the barrier and then uses it for a springboard clothesline. Adam in turn puts Dienamic’s head into the barriers and after 3 hard chops, they return to the ring. Dienamic quickly gets to work with boots to the head and a double stomp to the back from the top rope. A head lock proves useless when applied to a stronger man and he pays for the mistake with a brutal kick and sickening German release suplex. Another chop later and he misses a clothesline, allowing Dienamic to have the advantage again and work on his legs. After a shining wizard he attempts to suplex Gambino but ends up being suplex / brain busted from the ring on the entrance ramp! The both manage to crawl back into the ring where Adam reverses a hurricarana into a power bomb for a 2 count. Dienamic’s had enough as he rakes the eyes, hits him with forearms shots and follows his bottom rope drop toe hold with a stomp. Adam gets to his feet, blood coming from his nose and hits a spinning neck breaker but is shocked as Dienamic picks him up and hits a death valley driver – very impressive! A double stomp from the top rope only brings a 2 and he blocks Adam’s arms, using kicks. Adam then hits a sick kick to the head but Dienamic comes back with three enzuguris......and can still only manage a 2 count! In desperation he goes old school and locks on a sleeper hold. Adam tries in vain to force his way out of the hold but the punishment during the match as taken its toll and after failing to lift his arm for a 3rd time, the referee puts a stop to this one, declaring Dienamic the winner. Great match – clearly #2 MOTN for me. You have two completely opposite wrestlers but the chemistry is just right and this deserves an encore – PLEASE!
Damon Matthews v GD Grimm v Mimic v VooDoo
I must begin with a warning – don’t read this review as gospel, get the DVD. I wrote as fast as I could but I couldn’t keep up with the action and missed a lot of things. Some of that was the speed, some was the fact this at times was like watching two matches at once and some was me just being a fan, caught up in the emotion and forgetting I was meant to be taking notes. I thought they couldn’t get any better but this was the single best match EVER in RCW history and I will have to say the best wrestling match I’ve ever seen live. To all those doubters who may call me a RCW mark, get to a show and prove me wrong. These four put their bodies on the line for the 300 in attendance, we paid for our ticket and we rode a roller coaster of a ride with them as they told a story as old as time - Good versus Evil. There was even a moment when I stood, staring, without a breath in my lungs .....it was a vision but we’ll get to that later. Once all four men were in the ring before the bell could be rung or even the participants introduced, an all in brawl erupted. This brought Kurt, Andy, referees and The Enforcer, Jack, to the ring to separate them. Great way to start things off. It was a frantic pace as everyone was attacking everyone, each of them trying to pin anyone to get the early win. Eventually Grimm and Damon retreated to the floor, only to be met with a cross over move as Mimic suicide dives over the 2nd rope and VooDoo goes over the top onto their opponents. Mimic and VooDoo then go at it back in the ring before Grimm trips his brother from the floor, allowing Damon to enter the ring and attack VooDoo. Grimm then comes in with a big boot on VooDoo and puts the boots into him on the canvas. Damon and Mimic are now fighting around the ring, already making this match hard to watch as you don’t know where to look. Grimm hits a side walk slam and then a scoop slam followed by three elbow drops. VooDoo fights back and holds Grimm over his knee as Mimic comes over the ropes and lands with his knee onto his brother. Mimic & VooDoo then put kicks into Grimm’s back and execute a double team by having him over their shoulders and twisting him to the canvas. No idea what to call it but it was just the tip of the iceberg to come. Mimic & VooDoo then turn their attention to Damon with VooDoo sling shotting him straight into an wicked European uppercut. He follows up with more of the same before his brother once gain drags him down from outside. This gives Damon an opening as he suplexes VooDoo but Mimic is able to stop the count. He picks up Matthews, placing him on his shoulders as VooDoo comes off the top rope with his knee. A rested Grimm now re-enters, attacking Mimic and VooDoo. He does a side Russian leg sweep on VooDoo as Damon holds down Mimic. Then to a totally awesome spot as Grimm holds Mimic across his shoulders and Damon suplexes VooDoo from the top rope onto Mimic! The crowd had been building slowly but this took them to the next level. Mimic is then thrown to the floor in front of us and lands with a sickening thud on the wooden floor. Grimm then chops VooDoo with what sounded like a gunshot! It stopped all the noise in the hall as the crowd gasped. He then lifts him up like he’s about to jack knife power bomb but Damon comes off the top with knees as Grimm sends him to the canvas! For good measure Grimm then power bombs VooDoo onto Damon’s knee. Then the fun begins as Grimm and Mimic brawl into the crowd and not to be left out, Damond and VooDoo do the same on the other side of the hall. The cross over as they fight from one side to the other until Grimm and Mimic work their way back in the ring. This is where it got brutal as Grimm administered the most sickening series of chops I’ve ever seen and heard. It was brutal, for what seemed like 60 seconds of sheer torture. The welts on Mimic’s chest for the rest of the evening left no doubt just how brutal it was. Damon puts VooDoo’s head into the entrance ramp and after Grimm hits Mimic with a big boot, enters the ring to put him on his shoulders, allowing Grimm to come off the top rope with a clothesline. Grimm and Mimic then fight their way up the entrance ramp and onto the stage area. VooDoo and Damon double clothesline each other, which I’m glad of as my neck is getting sore from moving side to side! Grimm puts his brother onto the announce table and then curb stomps him! He then stands over his brother, roaring to the crowd in a pose and moment – my moment of clarity - that is crying out to be put onto a poster for all time. (Hint: If someone has it, I’d like a copy to blow up). Grimm makes his way back to the ring, leaving Mimic dead on the table and he hits VooDoo with a belly to back suplex. Damon attempts his Enigma Bomb but misses so he holds VooDoo’s legs but then Grimm misses a senton from the top rope as well. VooDoo gets up and hits them both with the high elbow – the best two I’ve seen him do – and Mimic has returned from the dead! They both go to the top and Mimic moonsaults onto Grimm as VooDoo hits a split leg springboard onto Damon. All four men get to their feet and then proceed to chop each other with Mimic missing a big boot and Damon hitting him with the jumping vertebreaker but VooDoo breaks the count. He then picks up Damon and hits the Canadian Destroyer (I just can ‘t bring myself to call it a Cannonball Destroyer) that implants Damon’s head into the canvas – RVD would have been proud of that selling job. That only gets him a 2 count and Grimm picks up VooDoo for the cut throat but Mimic saves VooDoo from getting a curb stomp as well and he presents his brother with a Mega Driver for his own 2 count. Not to be outdone, Damon then super kicks Mimic, hits the vertebreaker and Enigma Bomb but again VooDoo stops the count. He then takes Damon onto the ropes with him and hits a Canadian Destroyer from the top rope!!! Grimm then hits the referee to break the count. VooDoo then hangs Grimm from the top rope and uses it to execute a swinging neck breaker. Damon gets up to hit VooDoo with a chair but Mimic takes the stiff shot, so VooDoo hits Damon with the Vandaminator. Grimm curb stomps VooDoo but before he can execute a 2nd, Mimic drapes himself over VooDoo to protect him! He hits Grimm with a leg lariat then three, count them, three Mega drivers! Holy shit!! The crowd are all on their feet in a frenzy. Damon super kicks Mimic but VooDoo throws him out the ring and goes to pin Grimm for the title.......only to stop the count himself at 2! WHAT?!?!?! He picks up Mimic and motions him to do what he knows needs to be done. As VooDoo holds off Damon, Mimic hits the 450 on Grimm and pins him for the win and...............................................NEW and FIRST TIME RCW CHAMPION!!!!!
At this point the crowd goes absolutely crazy. The noise is off the charts as they finally get what they’ve been waiting for, for over 15 months – Mimic as their RCW Champion. A “Mimic, Mimic, Mimic” chant breaks out. He cuts a nice promo letting everyone know how much the title means to him and asks what the hell VooDoo was thinking by throwing away the title! VooDoo comments that he wanted RCW to have a champion who deserved and respected the title but asked for the 1st defence at next month’s show, which Mimic agreed to. Mimic then leaves via the entire crowd, personally thanking them for coming and supporting him.
Now that is how you tell a story – over 15 months and over 45 minutes or whatever it was, during a match. That was a moment in RCW history that will never be forgotten – the day Mimic finally realised his dream.
Where do they go from here now that the mountain has been climbed? I have no idea but I’m counting down the days to August 30th so I can find out......
Scott