Bateman DEF Plandora
Pitbull DEF FuZion via DQ
Voodoo DEF Grimm via DQ
- RCW commish Andy Cruise booked Grimm/Voodoo in abest of three matches series to continue over the next few months.
INTERMISSION
Mimic DEF Lightning Luke to become the number one contender to the RCW title.
Savannah Summers DEF Jessie McKay.
And...
The "Enigma" Damon Matthews DEF Champagne Pyro to retain the RCW title.
Joel Bateman v Jesse Plandora
The match starts off with both men executing arm drags then both completing head scissor reversals. The fast pace continues as countless attempts at moves are attempted, reversed and then attempted again, the sequence ending with both missing senton splashes. Plandora then whips Joel into the corner but misses the follow up clothesline. Joel then whips Plandora to the opposite corner but he flips over the ropes. Joel is caught on the ropes by a low blow and then picked up, carried and thrown across the ring into the opposite turnbuckles. Plandora scoop slams him and follows up with a leg drop and then choke using the 2nd rope. After a suplex he puts the boots in before going to the top for a guillotine leg drop that brings a 2 count. He rakes the eyes along the ropes but Joel comes back with a stiff forearm shot that sends Plandora to the floor but there’ no rest for the wicked as Joel puts caution to the wind with a wicked suicide dive through the ropes and ends up crashing into the barriers. A brawl erupts on the floor as Joel whips Plandora through the barriers in front of me, actually breaking the metal pin that holds them in place. They work their way through the crowd where Jesse regains control and then hits a moonsault off the stage, to the wooden floor. The action returns to the ring with the fans now able to return to their seats. Jesse puts on a choke hold but Joel comes back with a knee lift to the head off the ropes. For the first real time in the match he keeps the momentum with a clothesline, knee lift and chop before finishing with a spinning back elbow. In a desperate effort Jesse jumps onto Joel’s back but he’s hit with the backpack stunner or what some call the TKO package. Either way; very nice move. Jesse comes back and hits a tilt a whirl slam but that only brings a 2 count before Joel is able to recover, hit a suplex / brain buster and score the pin.
Comments: I really enjoyed this match. I’m not ready to buy into an Emo heel but I’ll suspend judgement until I’ve seen more of his work. The impact that broke part of the barrier was brutal as was the backpack stunner. These two worked very well together and had it gone longer, I would have considered this for match of the night, I enjoyed it that much. I still long for Bateman the heel as he has the look and I’ve seen him carry it off so well.
Commissioner Cruise came to the ring and called out Mimic, to his standard huge pop from the crowd. A “Mimic, Mimic” chant soon broke out. When are we going to get the Mimic action figures?! Lightning Luke is also brought to the ring so that Cruise can announce that their match tonight will be to name a new #1 Contender for the RCW Title. Mimic is grateful for the gesture but knows it won’t be a fair fight with Grimm waiting the shadows. He needs someone to watch his back and that brings out the returning VooDoo to the cheers from the crowd, who announces he’ll take on that role.
Pitbull v Fuzion
Before this one can get under way, Pitbull stumbles from the back, already covered in blood, followed by Fuzion brandishing a steel chair. Both men make their way to the ring and the match starts with Pitbull attempting a spear but missing and hitting the ring post. Fuzion hits numerous punches whilst on the ropes and begins to work on the heavily strapped shoulder of his opponent. He executes a clothesline but then Pitbull comes back with one of his own and opens up with boots and punches. He then chokes Fuzion but is suddenly hit with the best spinebuster in Australian wrestling that brings a 2 count. Fuzion gets the chair and sets it up for the Raven drop toe hold onto it. He then hits Pitbull in the shoulder, ribs and back. Obviously making a point, he then hits the shoulder 3 more times and looks to inflict more pain with Pitbull’s own barbwire baseball bat but the referee finally works up the courage to step in and put a stop to the punishment. Fuzion is disqualified and Pitbull scores the win, though he doesn’t look like much of a winner as he makes his way to the back, a crimson mask for all to see.
Comments: I guess you could say that this was short, sharp and to the point. Didn’t do much for me, I’m afraid. I don’t see Fuzion as the heel in this one and despite the crowd’s approval; I’ll never see Pitbull as a face. Katie needs to seriously get physically involved in this feud. She used to be Pitbull’s valet so there’s history there. There’s no point in her coming out if she’s not going to do anything and I could buy her being the driving force behind Fuzion, not the other way around. He should be distracting the referee, allowing her to get in the cheap shots in some form of twisted revenge. We’ll see where this one leads us.
VooDoo v GD Grimm
Grimm gets in the faces of the fans early and pushes one who dares to be defiant. He takes out that anger on VooDoo with a boot and punch before hitting a clothesline to the back of the head. VooDoo comes back with a reverse flying clothesline but Grimm begins to work on his leg until VooDoo manages to reverse the hold into a half Boston crab. They take the action to the floor, where VooDoo uses the ring post to swing around and hit Grimm with a drop kick. He then misses a baseball slide and the action is back in the ring with Grimm hitting blows to the back before VooDoo comes back with a forearm shot and clothesline. Grimm goes to his dark place with a low blow then after regaining control again, he hits a scoop slam and elbow drop for a 2 count. Two more elbow drops later and he puts on a forearm dragon twist that’s turned into a side Russian leg sweep before hitting a suplex. The fans are hitting a raw nerve again so he decides to spit at them! After some punches whilst standing on the 2nd rope he does a running clothesline into the corner, a move he attempts again but this time is met with VooDoo’s boot. That just ticks Grimm off as he inflicts two wicked chops and then hits the snake eyes but without releasing his opponent, the momentum used to hit a power slam. I have never seen that being done and it looked very good. He attempts a powerbomb but VooDoo manages to reverse out and hit a hurricarana. VooDoo follows that up with a Japanese arm drag and arm twist, then into a snap mere and straight jacket clothesline. Grimm pokes the eyes to break the momentum but that doesn’t stop VooDoo who hits the whisper in the wind but only for a 2 count. Grimm comes back with a fall away slam, scoop slam and leg drop but that also only produces a 2 count. VooDoo comes off the ropes with a back elbow and then drop kick before hitting another flying clothesline. Next it’s Grimm with a side suplex and low blow, and then he’s back in the fans’ faces again. VooDoo is put on the top rope and he attempts to hit a Canadian destroyer from that position but it’s blocked and he ends up hitting Grimm with a drop kick off the ropes. He then attempts the high elbow but that is also blocked and he gets a big boot for his trouble. Grimm has had enough and he hits VooDoo with his chain mail vest and throws him to the floor. The referee calls for the bell and disqualifies Grimm, handing the victory to VooDoo. VooDoo gets on the microphone and asks for a rematch so Cruise announces a Best of 3 Series between the two, with the winner to be the next #1 Contender for the RCW Title.
Comments: Grimm has the best entrance I’ve seen in local wrestling. The music, the lights going out, the strobe effect and then the red haze as he enters the ring. Pity the fans love him as he’s meant to be a heel but they will always decide who is going to be what. Solid match without being spectacular. Disappointed there was no curb stomp but I guess you leave that for when the impact matters. I am looking forward to the Best of 3 Series as the two work well together and I don’t recall RCW ever running that kind of stipulation. Also, if VooDoo can execute a Canadian destroyer on Grimm, then he deserves to be the new #1!
Mimic v Lightning Luke - #1 Contender Match
This match started at a frantic pace with a lot of tie ups and reversals as both men attempted to obtain the early advantage. Luke hits a shoulder block and then Mimic missed a senton splash before Luke misses a standing moonsault. He then comes off the ropes with a leg lariat and then puts in stiff kicks to the back and face. Then out of nowhere he hits a standing shooting star press that London would be proud of but misses a moonsault from the 2nd. He’s then dropped on his head by Mimic who goes with a chop, the Miz clothesline through the ropes and Guerrero senton back into the ring from the apron. Luke then comes back with a kind of arm drag flip that I’ve seen somewhere before but I can’t remember where. X Division - TNA maybe? Very impressive move. Mimic hits a German release suplex that flips Luke over onto his stomach and follows that up with kicks to the back and chest. After an elbow drop he goes for the lionsault before Luke comes back with a three head scissors takedowns; the 3rd with an airplane spin. In a nice sequence, both men go for kicks and then clotheslines at the same time, putting both down on the canvas. They get up and start kicking into each other before Luke’s feet take over with 3 to the head, the 3rd being an enzuguri. He loses that momentum after missing a spinning corkscrew off the top and Mimic seizes the opportunity, hitting the mega driver for the pin.
Comments: Easy – way too short. These two work so well together why was the match so short? They deserved at least another 5 minutes, closer to 10, to really do the match and each other’s talents justice. I was disappointed, not in the action but the time it was given, especially as it was for the #1 Contender. Why have VooDoo tell Mimic he had his back and then not have Grimm come out at all to attempt to cost his brother the match? Would have been the cream on the cake for their Best of 3 Series – VooDoo makes the save, further angering Grimm. Sorry but I was left flat after this as I was expecting so much more. Remember, you raise the bar, people are going to expect those heights all the time.
Savannah Summers v Jessie McKay
Savannah comes out to her standard ear splitting pop, whilst Jessie works and infuriates the crowd as only she knows how. Both ladies lock up with Savannah getting in 2 arm drags that sends Jessie to the referee, complaining about non-existent hair pulling. She then takes a hit to the face and that sends her to the compact to ensure her pretty face has not been marked. Savannah has seen enough and runs in but Jessie pulls down the top rope and sends her opponent to the floor. Jessie’s face is smashed into the apron but momentum is lost when Savannah attempts a leg kick through the ropes but misses. Jessie takes over, hitting her with two chops then a suplex and choke, using her knee across the throat. She then stands on the hair and pulls on Savannah’s arms before picking her up for a scoop slam. Showing her agility, as well as ability, she goes into a cartwheel splash but only comes up with a 2 count. A brutal looking high knee goes into Savannah’s face and she’s choked again, Jessie distracting the referee. To add insult to injury, she pulls up Savannah’s skirt and slaps her arse. RCW’s pin up girl comes back with a head scissors takedown and then 2 wicked chops of her own before hitting 2 atomic drops, the 2nd a reverse. After a twisting neck breaker she hits the running bulldog but can only score a 2 count. Jessie reverses and Irish whips her opponent into the corner, coming in with shoulder blocks and a wicked spear. She chokes using the top rope and then hits the Nash boot to the throat. Distracting the referee, she uses her tie to choke Savannah and then gets him to help her put it back on when she’s done! Another Nash boot, then a knee to the stomach and boot to the head followed by a straight jacket / surfboard submission move. Jessie then hits a super plex from the top rope that knocks the wind out of both ladies and when they manage to regain their feet, a chop fest ensues. Savannah hits the sit out powerbomb but misses a splash from the top rope. She regains her composure and hits her finisher for the win. (I’m sorry but I did not catch what it’s called). Jessie is not happy and she hits Savannah with a jack knife power bomb and then throws her to the floor. Jessie is then dropped across the barrier before the brawl is taken back to the ring, where the referee and Kurt separate the two combatants.
Comments: Great match. If it wasn’t for the main event, I would have given this match of the night as it delivered on exactly what it promised. These two work so well together and always bring something different each encounter. I could easily have these same two ladies each and every month, with maybe Nixxon thrown in for a three way match. I do have one big gripe though and it’s not directed at the ladies but the commentators. Do you make cheesy jokes during the men’s matches? No. Do you make sexual references during the men’s matches? No. Then don’t do it during the women’s matches. They deserve as much respect as the men, so call their match like you would any other. I’ll step down from my box now.
Champagne Pyro v Damon Matthews
RCW ChampionshipDamon comes out first and cuts a heat promo that brings a “Damon is a fuckhead” chant from one half of the crowd. Not sure I agree with the language but the guy is a heat magnet. Damon mocks Pyro by hitting the famous Karate Kid pose before getting down to the real action. He executes a dragon twist then rolls through, maintaining the hold. Pyro then manages to do the same and that sends Damon to the ropes to break the hold. Damon hits a shoulder block and Pyro comes back with a leg lariat, then flips over the top rope into another kick. He puts in 2 stomps to Damon’s chest and then a stiff kick. Damon pokes the eyes then hits some forearm shots and chops. He follows those up with a running clothesline and choke, before chopping Pyro’s back and hitting a running clothesline with Pyro on the mat. Damon puts on the Nash boot, then another clothesline, a suplex and choke using his shin across the throat. A drop kick then sends Pyro flying back. Hanging over the bottom rope, Damon then hits the drop kick from the floor to the apron. He then comes off the top for a missile drop kick but can only get a 2. Pyro comes back with kicks, forearms and chops, then a spinning back kick and running knee. Out of nowhere Damon hits the super kick but that only brings a 2 count, much to his surprise. Damon goes to the stage to get his belt but Pyro comes back with a kick and after a series of reversals, Pyro hits a wicked double under hook power bomb for a 2 count. In a blind panic, Damon hits Pyro with the belt and is disqualified – losing the match but retaining his belt. He then gets a chair and after some forearm shots goes to use it but its super kicked into his head by Pyro. Pyro asks for a microphone and repeats his earlier promise that’s come here for a fight and Andy Cruise obliges, telling the referee to restart the match, which will now be under Street Fight rules. It goes to the floor where a forearm shot frenzy breaks out before Pyro gets in some muay thai kicks. Both men get in a chop before Pyro goes for another kick, misses and hits the ring post. Back in the ring, Damon kicks Pyro in the hamstrings then uses the chair to inflict more damage. When Pyro gets to his feet he’s met with a wicked chair shot that only brings Matthews a 2 count, much to his disgust. He places Pyro in the tree of woe and stands on the family jewels before hitting the Sabin like delayed kick to the head. Damon hits another chop but then Pyro comes back with a clothesline that turns Damon inside out and puts him on his head! Both men are down. They get up and start a chop fest before Pyro hits a spinning heel kick and then another double under hook power bomb for a 2 count. He then attempts to come off the top rope with a springboard move but is met with a super kick by Damon. A vertebreaker later and Damon retains the RCW Title. The show ends with Mimic coming to the stage – the two in a stare down.
Comments: What was with Pyro’s promo before the match? Made no sense at all and as it was explained to me, maybe he is a Transformer mark but that appeals to how many people? He was meant to be the face against the biggest heel in RCW and the fans are telling him to shut up. Know your audience and keep it simple, in my opinion. Having said that, it was easily Match of the Night and I am sure that Pyro won over many fans as the guy can sure work in the ring. I’m not sold on the muay thai attire but I loved the action, even if it was a bit disjointed at times, which affected the flow.
Overall, something was just lacking for me but ask me to explain it and I have no idea! Something was just “missing”. Maybe it was going from the single best match in RCW history – nothing was ever going to live up to that. I don’t know. I just left feeling flat and I can’t explain it. Maybe I had built up certain matches in my head and they could never live up to the hype. By no means was it a bad show – don’t get me started on the commentators – it just lacked that one thing that made it stand put from others.
At this stage I won’t be at the next show so I wish everyone within the RCW organisation all the best for the night and I hope to see them in the future.
Scott