Revolution Pro Wrestling returned with yet another Live at the cockpit show on September 3rd. The show itself wasn't exactly "blow away" in terms of the card when it was announced. In fact, there was no Zack Sabre Jr the current RPW British Heavyweight Champion, no Josh Bodom the current RPW Undisputed British Cruiserweight Champion (are you noticing a trend here?) and no RPW British Tag Team Champions #CCK (Travis Banks & Chris Brookes), Will Ospreay or 'The Villain' Marty Scurll. They did, however, have Flip Gordan from ROH and NEW taking on Bubblegum. Also, Timothy Thatcher was scheduled to face Zack Gibson and our favourite loveable loser Eddie Dennis took on El Phantasmo.
The usual cold open with Andy Quildan in the ring introducing our first contest of the evening. On the plus side thankfully, RJ Singh is on commentary replacing the usually unbearable Andy Boy Simmons. Singles Match: Eddie Dennis Vs El Phantasmo So if your paying attention Eddie Dennis continues his losing gimmick in RPW as I've pointed out this gimmick is really working for him in RPW and he's getting more over as a lovable babyface because of it. No longer do fans pop for his Andrew WK theme - they pop for Eddie. Anyway, the losing gimmick was bound to continue as Rev Pro have announced that they will be holding their first event in Cardiff Wales on October and I would assume that will be his first big win and I can't wait to see the scenes when Eddie gets his first big win in Rev Pro. I have to wonder why Eddie was chosen to lose to El Phantasmo who, like I've said before, is nothing more than a cheap Poundland version of Angelico. Anyway, the win didn't really do anything for the Canadian as he wasn't any more over after his big win. Yep, I know I'm being negative but that was my take on it. and I want to like El Phantasmo, if he was to alter his look a little I would accept him more. The match was solid but nothing stood out as important. El Phantasmo won with an ankle lock and he didn't even work over Eddie's ankle in the match and Eddie tapped out clean. Winner: El Phantasmo Afterwards, the masked hooded man attacked El Phantasmo and sprayed a green strip down the middle of El Phantasmo hair. Andy Quildan said it looked like James Castle - a theory I pointed out on my last review. Singles Match: Zack Gibson Vs Timothy Thatcher So this one was rather good. I may take heat for this but I do enjoy Timothy Thatcher's grapple fuck contests and this didn't disappoint. As both men worked a very tight ground and pound style and exchanged hold for hold with one another. The only problem was the crowd was really quiet during this and seemed to switch off. It's disappointing but it's not everyone's cup of tea so I get it. The finish saw Gibson lock in the Shankley Gates and Thatcher was forced to tap out. The winning streak for Gibson continues and surely he's on course to a collision with either Will Ospreay or Zack Sabre Jr at either Global Wars or Uprising. Winner: Zack Gibson Singles Match: Dan Magee Vs Dave Mastiff This match existed basically to get Dave Mastiff's heat back up after months of losing on Cockpit and Live in Portsmouth shows. Magee had some nice hope spots but nothing came of it, of course. Dave won with his cannonball splash and now he heads into Global Wars facing Tomohiro Iishi or Minuro Suzuki hopefully. Winner: Dave Mastiff Singles Match: Ryan Smile Vs David Starr This was the fact back and forth match we needed after three storyline driven matches. There were lots of flips, dives and fast-paced action with plenty of near falls, which I enjoyed immensely. Both men slowed down towards the end but they needed to after going a 110mph the first ten minutes into the contest. Smile took Starr's head off with a spin kick and a double stomp. Then Starr nailed Ryan with a German into the corner. Starr followed it up with a spine shocking DDT onto the ring apron. Smile got a very near fall with a Revolution Kick but the fan base was just not behind him as a babyface hence why they barely reacted when Starr low blowed Smile and drilled him with the Tomorrow Driver to pick up the win. By far my favourite match of this entire card and it's not very often I'll put over Ryan Smile. Afterwards, Starr cut a promo but I could barely make out what he was saying as he didn't have a microphone. Winner: David Starr Sha Samuels came out to his wicked theme 'Sha Life' and cut a comical promo on the state of Rev Pro, Andy Quildan, and Rob Lias. Sha pointed out he deserved better in Rev Pro but Andy didn't agree so Sha grabbed him by the collar and got into Quildan's face. Rob Lias then jumped into the ring and attacked Sha. RICKY called Sha a joke and a fat piece shit and called himself the future. RICKY continued to beat down Sha but then Sha made his comeback. The two brawled until security came in and broke it up between the two. Tag Team Match: Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher) Vs The Contenders (Josh Wall & Kurtis Chapman) Finally Aussie Open are in Rev Pro after tearing it up for most of the summer in ATTACK and Fight Club: Pro they deserved their chance to work for Revolution Pro Wrestling. Davis has a tremendous upside in my opinion as a heel main eventer but for now, he's just fine teaming with the Aussie Arrow Kyle Fletcher. Aussie open made the contenders look like legit threats early on then Davis began to chop the shit out of the beanpole Wall. Wall and Fletcher then exchanged some decent looking chops then Kyle drilled him with a reverse DVD. The contenders battled back and the match broke down. Expect me to complain about the legal man syndrome here but I'm not going to dammit. The Contenders did that fucked up gravity-defying assisted swinging DDT. Aussie Open drilled Chapman with the assisted cutter for a near fall. Wall nailed Fletcher with a lung blower then out of nowhere Sha and Ricky were back with security in tow. Chapman interjected themselves while back in the ring, Wall was nailed by Lord Gideon Grey out of nowhere with his cane. Kyle then went for a brainbuster to Wall but he countered it into a small package for a near fall. Kyle cut off the returning Chapman with a big boot then Davis nailed Chapman with his incredible looking spike piledriver for the three count. I really enjoyed this match but didn't enjoy the overbooked nonsense with Lord Gideon Grey, Sha Samuels, and Rob Lias. Considering it was Aussie Open's debut match in Rev Pro, maybe that silliness wasn't needed. Winners: Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) Singles Match: Jinny Vs Bea Priestley Jinny's strong heel push continues but now I'm starting to get a little bored with all of these meaningless wins. I think it's about time Rev Pro put together a women's title tournament. The match wasn't anything blow away but wasn't offensive at all. Bea is someone I think still needs a lot more work she can have an acceptable contest but isn't on the level of Jinny at this present moment in time. Jinny won clean with the Style Clash, like every other one of her matches in the Cockpit this year. Winner: Jinny MAIN EVENT Singles Match: Bubblegum Vs Flip Gordan This match may not have been a right match to headline this show. I'm sure Mr. Quildan stands by this choice to have Bubblegum replace Josh Bodom in this match who was apparently injured. Bubblegum a great in-ring worker and solid but he's not really a name who in this day and age is a draw in current BritWres. If it was me I would have chosen Dennis vs Mastiff as a headliner for this show instead and moved this further down the card or even had Aussie Open's debut in the headliner slot but I ain't the booker so I should probably shut up now. The match itself was a little bit of a letdown. I expected so much more from both considering what both can do in the ring. Yeah, they did some nice flippy stuff but nothing stood out as being amazing. Bubblegum countered an Alabama slam while flip countered a 619. The flip went for the 619 but bubblegum countered with a German. Then bubblegum finally nailed flip with an enziguri and a 619. Bubblegum then hocked up Flip into a Canadian Destroyer for the one, two and three. Afterwards Bubblegum cut a promo putting over Flip Gordon but then after he was done Dave Mastiff showed up and gave Bubblegum a big German suplex and nailed Flip with a big boot to end the show. Winner: Bubblegum Overall this was a rather disappointing Cockpit show. These shows have been so good this year that when one is a little disappointing you feel let down. Last year this show wouldn't have looked out of place in the Cockpit, but not this year. Probably the stand out match of the night was either Aussie Open vs the contenders or Starr vs Smile as both were genuinely exciting. It was slim pickings which doesn't really happen very often with these Cockpit shows. I'll wrap up there as I don't want to go off on one about this show. It's an easy watch but nothing really stood out as special (I think the title of this review should be that as I've used it quite a few times throughout this review). Thanks again for reading and head over to RPW on demand at Pivotshare and subscribe. I'll finish as always with thanks for reading and I'll see you at the matches.
1 Comment
Rev Pro was back yet again to round out its third show this month with its family-friendly Portsmouth Guildhall show which they have dubbed 'Live in Portsmouth'. This time out they had announced a fairly decent lineup as Zack Sabre Jr would face Will Ospreay in a non-title match. Also, Sha Samuels would face RICKY aka Rob Lias in a big grudge match, Jeff Cobb was in action against DDT regular 'Speedball' Mike Bailey and ex-WWE Superstar Jack Swagger would tangle with Dave Mastiff.
It was your usual cold open with Andy Quildan in the middle of the ring introducing our first match. Something that bothered me here was how poorly lit this show was but then the building did look half empty. So it wasn't off to a great start. Tag Team Match: All Day Swerve (Ryan Smile & Shane Strickland) vs. The Contenders (Josh Wall & Kurtis Chapman) I'll save my criticism and own personal opinions on Ryan Smile not for this review and speak about how much I enjoyed this opener. I'm not surprised as both teams are more than capable of putting together a solid match. It was all go early on as The Contenders got two very near falls on All Day Swerve. The match then slowed down and Shane Strickland had a good exchange with Kurtis Chapman. It was also good to see Chapman making the hot tag to Wall as it's usually the other way around and Chapman proved to this reviewer he's just as good at selling as Wall. The finish was hot as well as the contenders did a neat looking swinging DDT as Wall spun around Chapman and he launched him off and Wall caught smile with a swinging DDT (a sick fucking double team move). After lots of more back and forth it was time to go home as Smile hoisted up Wall into a powerbomb position. Meanwhile, Chapman went up top and flow off but Smile saw him and dropped Wall and gave Chapman an RKO in mid-air out of nowhere. Smile then hoisted Wall back up into the powerbomb position while Strickland headed up top. Shane came off the top and landed on Wall with his knees then Smile snapped him down onto the mat with a sit-down powerbomb to pick up the win for his team. Winners: All Day Swerve (Shane Strickland & Ryan Smile) Singles Match: 'Speedball' Mike Bailey vs. Jeff Cobb This was a match I was really looking forward to when Rev Pro announced this card last month and in a surprise to no-one, it delivered. Both men told a simple story of the big man vs. the little man. Early on 'Speedball' tried his best to take down Cobb but he was not going down and overpowered the smaller Bailey. Cobb began to overpower Bailey and beat him down with a slow and methodical beat down. Speedball came back with a number of kicks and his standing twisting Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Cobb sold all of 'Speedball's' kick like death and was then on the receiving end of a spin back kick which hit so hard that his shin guard went flying! 'Speedball' nailed Cobb with a standing moonsualt knee drop for another near fall. Cobb made his comeback with a number of big suplexes and then a bear hug. Bailey tried to make a comeback but Jeff nailed him with a German, standing moonsualt and standing shooting star for a near fall. 'Speedball' countered a deadlift German and nailed Cobb with a roundhouse kick. Cobb again came back this time nailing 'Speedball' with the deadlift German for a two Count. 'Speedball' Missed his shooting star knee drop and Cobb nailed him with the Tour of the Islands for the three count. Winner: Jeff Cobb Singles Match: Jack Swagger vs. Dave Mastiff This match was a long, boring and dull match up which existed to only put over the ex-WWE star in front of the crowd made up mostly of families and children here to see Jack Swagger. You'll know if you've read my previous reviews of these Portsmouth shows they are not aimed at me and I get why they do it. There was far too much stalling and working of the crowd and cheap pops which made this reviewer roll his eyes. Dave Mastiff is actually perfect in this role but at times I do wish they would do something different with him. Anyway, after what seemed like a lifetime, Jack made Dave tap out to the Ankle Lock. It was the most obvious finish to this entire card. The only highlight of this match was a joke Andy Quildan made on commentary about the World of Sport. Winner: Jack Swagger RPW Undisputed British Cruiserweight Title Three Way Match: Josh Bodom (Champion) vs. David Starr vs. Bubblegum I'm still puzzled as to why this match was booked as Bodom had beaten both previously on singles matches with the belt on the line but then I guess this crowd wouldn't know that. So why not and at least? It got the most improved wrestler in Rev Pro in Josh Bodom on the card! Early on the two babyfaces teamed up on Bodom but then eventually it all broke down and Bubblegum and Starr began exchanging with one another. BritWres vet Bubblegum got a bit sloppy with his springboards early on but then who cares? Not many people see these Portsmouth cards anyway. Bodom singled out Starr while continually knocking Bubblegum to the outside as Andy Quildan reminded us Bubblegum pinned Bodom clean a couple of months back but he must have forgotten Bodom also pinned Bubblegum clean in the Cockpit a few months back. Bodom went for the Bliss Buster but Bubblegum countered and sent Bodom out onto Starr. Bodom battled back with a superkick and then a moonsualt to the outside onto both Bubblegum and Starr. Bodom looked like a star in this match and I didn't think I would ever say that at the beginning of the year! Both babyfaces exchanged some sweet looking strikes then Bubblegum got drilled with a Flatliner by Starr. Starr pinned Bubblegum but Bodom broke up the count at two with a shooting star press. Bodom nailed Bubblegum with a Revolution Kick and a hurricanrana for a near fall. Starr nailed Bodom with a superkick and a big knee smash. Bubblegum gave Starr a drop toe hold and a 619. Starr battled back with the tomorrow driver but Bodom rolled in and rolled up Starr for the three count with a handful of Starr's tights. This was far better than Cobb vs. Bailey and so far is going down as my match of the night. Winner: Josh Bodom (And Still RPW Undisputed British Cruiserweight Champion) Singles Match: Rob Lias Vs Sha Samuels Up next was the big grudge match which has been building most of the summer. Let's forget both men being outclassed and made to look like mugs against Bully Ray because Rev Pro is trying to forget it by omitting it from the Summer Sizzler VOD which dropped last month. Early on both men were all over one another and brawled all over the venue. Sha got vicious by pounding on a downed Lias, the ref stepped in and Sha nailed the ref but it didn't lead to a DQ. Sha and Rob continued to brawl and Sha took off his braces and began to whip lias over and over but still no DQ. Rob low blowed Sha and nailed him with a DDT for the win. Afterwards, an irate Sha chased rob to the back. This match was short but sweet outing but it really wasn't the kind of grudge match I was expecting between the two. Maybe they will work a more important match at York Hall at either Global Wars or Uprising - but then I would be surprised if their big grudge match makes it onto either show. Winner: Rob Lias MAIN EVENT Non-Title Match: Zack Sabre Jr vs. Will Ospreay When I heard about this match headlining this show my thinking was maybe they do something where Sabre Jr. just beats Will to set up a rematch but then they announced it would be non-title and the finish was kind of telegraphed although I can't say I'm against a Sabre Jr vs Will Ospreay RPW British Heavyweight title match at either Global Wars or Uprising. As you would expect vicious Sabre worked over Ospreay's arm throughout in a number of brutal and vicious ways. Will's selling was spot on as he screamed out in pain and his facial expressions were better than anyone else on this show. Will's comeback was timed perfectly for maximum crowd reaction. Ospreay battled back with a cheeky Nandos and Revolution kick but Sabre Jr battled back with a rear naked choke and octopus stretch. Will went for the os cutter but Sabre Jr caught him with an armbar but somehow Will made it to the ropes to break the hold. Ospreay got a near fall with a Rainmaker then nailed Sabre Jr with an Os-Cutter for the one, two and three. Afterwards, Will grabbed the RPW British Heavyweight title and signaled what he wanted next as Andy Quildan lost his mind on commentary. Winner: Will Ospreay Overall this was actually a decent show but nothing really stands out to mind as being important. Ospreay, Cobb, Speedball, Sabre Jr, Bodom and Starr all delivered and seemed to go out of their way to make this show seem more important than it was but as always with 'Live in Portsmouth' it wasn't the best of shows but nothing was stand out but then nothing offensive happened either. I'd give the match of the night to the three-way but also a lot of credit need to go to Sabre Jr vs. Ospreay and Bailey vs. Cobb. Well, that's it folks and thanks for reading and as always if you enjoyed reading this then head on over to RPW on demand on Pivotshare to relive this show in all its glory. As always I'll end with my Bill Apter ripped off line - I'll see you at the matches. |
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