In what should prove to be an exciting bout, international rising star Bandido takes on the time-weathered veteran PJ Black in this week's main event. But we've got lots of other stuff to unpack in this episode, so let's get right into it.
Kenny King vs. Tracy Williams
The match is very slow and methodical from the get-go, both men applying various holds in an effort to gain opening leverage; Williams employing his expert technical background, finding an answer to whatever King throws at him. The two stop their technical exchange and go straight for strikes, throwing elbows for a brief respite. Williams throws hard chops then catches King in a series of half-hatch suplexes. King catches him on the top rope and sends him to the outside, only for Williams answer back with a chop block counter to King's pescado attempt.
After a brief smattering of elbows on the outside, King connects with a corkscrew senton off the apron. Back in the ring, he's in control for a brief respite before grandstanding gets the best of King; the two exchange counters both on and off the top rope before Williams connects with an implant DDT onto the ropes, then a death valley driver. King kicks out, then throws various signature moves at Williams (including a slew of kicks and a variation of the Last Chancery).
Going high-risk, Williams ascends to the top-rope once again in an effort to finally put away King, who catches Williams mid-air and finally connects with the Royal Flush and picks up the W to kick off the show.
A decent match and a solid way to start the show. While the chemistry wasn't absolutely pitch-perfect, both competitors found their groove with another and worked a good bout chock full of well-executed spots and counters. King benefits by getting a clean win and showing off his underrated wrestling ability, while Williams benefits by furthering his endurance-laden scrapper mentality, showing that he can go the distance and can hold his own in any situation. A pretty good opener and a mutually beneficial affair altogether.
Reno Scum (Adam Thornstowe & Luster The Legend) vs. The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas)
The Bouncers start off the match manhandling their opponents as per usual. After a quick counter, Scum manage to throw the advantage their way as they work over Bruiser with a combination of tag team maneuvers. It's to no avail, though as Bruiser fights out of it and tags in Milonas, who immediately shifts the momentum back to The Bouncers' side. They manage to put Thornstowe away with their signature hanging second-rope leg drop finisher to gain yet another victory.
While it's another fun squash match at the hands of The Bouncers, one has to wonder if there's anything more substantial planned for them in the future. I enjoy what they're doing so far, but something's got to give.
Bandido vs. PJ Black
In a surprising turn of events, the match is quite technical from the start as both competitors throw around various mat-based holds and counters to gain the opening momentum. After a series of arm drags and legsweeps, both trade unsuccessful dive attempts before Black finally connects with a corkscrew pescado. He goes to the top rope, only for Bandido to bait him into another dive attempt; with Black caught up on the ropes, Bandido suplexes him to the outside.
He then connects with a picture-perfect moonsault; Black avoids a running cannonball attempt and the two are back inside the ring, throwing elbows. Black connects with a series of kicks, then goes to the top rope. Bandido meets him in the middle with a springboard hurricanrana attempt, only for Black to roll through and connect with his variation of the Styles Clash, then plant him with an impressive pumphandle cutter.
Hesitation costs Black as Bandido throws a few elbows then rolls through with some variation of a cradle brainbuster/driver/etc. They tussle on the top rope once again before Black connects with a super hurricanrana, then a diving moonsault press. Bandido kicks out and the two strikes for a brief respite before Bandido connects with a standing Spanish Fly. Black responds with a crucifix pin attempt, then a rolling enzuguiri before connecting with a top-rope double stomp.
Bandido kicks out, then uses the extra time to hang Black up on the top rope and deliver another Spanish Fly. Black kicks out and blocks a moonsault attempt, then goes for a springboard moonsault of his own. Bandido catches him, hits him with an inverted flipping Go 2 Sleep then finally puts him to bed (no pun intended) with his patented 21-Plex finisher to secure the win and end the show.
A fantastic match and a great main event. The sequences/spots/counters/etc. were all handled with grace and plumb, no doubt thanks to the absolutely crisp in-ring chemistry Black and Bandido had with each other; even if they've only faced each other once before, you really couldn't tell. Both competitors traded excellent offensive and defensive maneuvers throughout the match, really keeping you hooked until the very end. I really hope these two work together again, whether it's against each other or teaming up, because these two have supremely good chemistry with one another.
A pretty damn good show from beginning to end. We had a good opener with King/Williams, a solid squash match The Bouncer/Reno Scum and a great main event in Bandido/Black. A fluid, well-executed show from beginning to end. Check it out when you get the chance.
No comments:
Post a Comment