Rev Pro returned to the Cockpit Theatre in London for the 16th instalment of its incredibly well-produced cockpit shows on May 7th. This time out Andy Quildan booked an internet dream match as Kyle O'Reilly took on RPW triple crown champion 'The Villain' Marty Scurll. Also booked for the show was Donovan Dijak who would face his old rival Josh Bodom in another instalment of their feud.
Six Man Contenders Tag Ashley Dunn, Josh Wall and Kurtis Chapman Vs Ash Draven, Cara Noir and Malik To open the show Quildan decided to hand it to contender regulars Chapman and Wall along with four newcomers Cara Noir (the current XWA British Heavyweight Champ), Ashely Dunn (someone who has impressed me with his work in APEX a promotion based out of Milton Keynes), Ash Draven and Malik. This was a good showcase for these guys to go all out and impress Quildan with a top notch performance. All six men busted their asses and the crowd eventually warmed up to the action in the ring. Hopefully, this leads to more appearances for Dunn and noir going forward as I think both deserve to be working for one of Britain's biggest promotions. After lots of back and fourth and some solid action between all six Ashely Dunn nailed Draven with his impressive looking double underhook Canadian destroyer to pick up the win. Winners: Ashley Dunn, Josh Wall and Kurtis Chapman Singles Match All Day Star Ryan Smile Vs Zack Gibson Gibson's strong push continues in Rev Pro with another big this time over someone Quildan had been pushing strong since he showed up in Rev Pro last year in the all day star. Gibson cut a promo beforehand as per usual proclaiming himself the soon to be world's number one and also continuing to call out Will Ospreay by telling Will's mate Ryan to get on What's App and tell him to not get involved in his business. Will had done just that when Hiroki Goto faced Gibson at Epic Encounter and Will stopped Gibson using his car stereo on Goto. This reviewer hopes it leads to a match between the two at Summer Sizzler, Rev Pro's next big show at York Hall on August 17th. The two had a solid match which was more booked like a strong TV style main event than an indy show match. Both saved their big spots for the finish and both men must be applauded for going out there and sticking to the script and building their match up to the ultimate pay off. Smile really did his job well of giving the rub to Gibson and made him look like a million bucks while doing it. Towards the end, Gibson kicked out of Smile's tilt-a-whirl DDT and a Blue Thunder Bomb. Smiles shooting star press was protected as Smile couldn't make the cover quick enough. Gibson came close with a clothesline and the code breaker powerbomb combo but only got a near fall. Gibson worked over smiles arm all match to soften him up for the Shankley Gates but most of the match smile fought out of the hold. Smile went up top but Gibson "accidentally" fell into referee Chris Roberts and Roberts fell into the rope which for smile crotched on the top rope but that spot only lead to Smile missing a frog splash. Then finally Gibson locked in the Shankley Gates and Smile was forced to tap out. Winner: Zack Gibson Women's Match Jinny Vs Alex Windsor The Primark Princess was back and her push continues and I couldn't be happier as I hope this all leads to her raising the Rev Pro Women's title at Uprising. She kind of got screwed at SSS16 night two when Progress decided to pick Toni Storm over Jinny to raise their first woman's strap and I hope this time Rev Pro get it right. Don't get me wrong I really like Toni and couldn't be happier but it just seems if her eventual win is being held off in progress at least but her I think it's being set up nicely for Jinny. I can't say I'm that fond of Alex Windsor I've not seen her very much, to be honest, but when I have seen her I haven't been sold on her as a face but it's different when she's a heel. As let's face it Alex is a lot more unlikable than likeable. Alex's babyface comeback just wasn't believable to this reviewer and as much as Andy Quildan tried to sell Windsor's near falls on commentary this reviewer had a hard time suspending his belief. After Jinny battled out of a Boston crab by Windsor she nailed Windsor with a big wheel kick that Eric Bischoff would have been proud off to pick up the win. Winner: Jinny Non-Title Singles Match Josh Bodom Vs Donovan Dijak These two had a very good feud this time last year that resulted in two insane battles. One match in Reading at last year's Epic Encounter I was in attendance for and the second had a great spot in the Cockpit where Josh Bodom's mother was trying to pull Dijak off of her son. So I had high expectations for this one and my God did this deliver. It was a hot start with Dijak doing a Fosbury Flip out onto Bodom which cut Dijak wide open. Back in the ring Dijak nailed Bodom with feast your eyes for the nearest of near falls (props go to Bodom for leaving it as late as he did to kick out of that). Both men then brawled all over the Cockpit like in previous outings and this reviewer really appreciates as I did enjoy a good call back spot to a previous battle. Dijak nailed Bodom with second Feast Your Eyes and again Bodom kicked out. Bodom then nailed Dijak with the Bliss Buster to the outside (wow) and both men were dead. Both men didn't play dead for long enough in my opinion as Dijak rolled into the ring first at six (come on dude). Both men slugged it out and Dijak laughed off Bodom's strikes and flipped him the bird. Then both men countered a Feast Your Eyes attempt from the other but then Bodom nailed him with a Bliss Buster but Dijak kicked out. Bodom grabbed his undisputed British Cruiserweight title but Ashley Dunn came out and grabbed the belt from Bodom. Josh was irate as Dijak charged Bodom and nailed him with a running knee and a feast your eyes to pick up the win. Winner: Donovan Dijak Afterwards, an irate Bodom got into Ashley Dunn's face and grabbed his title and left. So yeah I've finally been won over by Bodom and now am genuinely enjoying his matches but I'm still worried he's going to fuck up again but for now, I'm all in on Josh Bodom and I'm genuinely overjoyed he may be moving into a program with APEX regular Ashely Dunn. RPW British Tag Team Title Match #CCK (Travis Banks & Chris Brookes) (Champions) Vs The London Riots (James Davis & RobLynch) Ever since winning the belts, Banks and Brookes have been one of the most reliable duos in RPW when it comes to great matches. Another dependable and well-pushed team are the Riots. I'm a bit surprised they did this match so soon but I get it when the direction they are going in with the Riots and #CCK. Early on the Riots overpowered banks and Brookes with the sick power moves. Then the match stepped up a gear as it suffered from the legal man syndrome when all four men went back and forth. I'll have to admit that this match was strange as #CCK seemed to be booked as babyfaces even though they've been heels since coming into Rev Pro. The same could be said for the Riots who have been babyfaces but were booked as heels until the closing stages when the Riots introduced a cricket bat into the match but Brookes nicked it and nailed Rob Lynch with the bat shot. Back in the ring, James Davis battled it out with both members of #CCK and now suddenly the Riots were the babyfaces again. I'm not sure what they were going for but this reviewer was confused but the crowd ate it up. James Davis tried to battle it out with both members but the numbers game just caught up to him and Banks nailed Davis with a jumping Codebreaker then Brookes nailed Davis with a senton splash from the second rope to pick up the win. Winners: #CCK (Travis Banks & Chris Brookes) Afterwards, #CCK showed respect to the Riots and offered to shake their hands but the Riots were having none of it and headbutted both Banks and Brookes. Both teams then battled on the outside and to the back. I have to add that I hope this is the first chapter in a long rivalry between the two but then knowing how things are going forward it's a shame this match was blown off so early when it could have been pushed for a big match at Uprising. He's hoping that does eventually happen though! Singles Match Lord Gideon Grey Vs Eddie Dennis Eddie Dennis losing streak continues but where some losing streaks don't always work this one actually seems to be working. I said back in April I was a bit disappointed this was the direction they were going in with Eddie but now it's starting to win me over and wouldn't be surprised if Dennis ends up more over once the big payoff of a win for Eddie eventually happens. Meanwhile, Gideon's character transformation continues to be going along nicely and it's another piece of strong booking from Andy Quildan who seems to be having a hell of a year booking Rev Pro. Anyway, I'm getting off topic. This was actually a typical comedy match that may have taken itself too seriously at times. After some solid action between the two that probably went far too long at times the finish saw Gray nail Eddie with the '50 Shades of Gray' to pick up the win. Winner: Lord Gideon Gray Tag Team Match Sha Samuels and Rob Lias Vs RJ Singh and Dan Magee So it would seem Sha Samuels has found himself a new partner in Rob Lias. Someone I'm personally very high on as he was my pick for breakout BritWres star of the mid-year awards. There was a comical moment when Sha grabbed a microphone saying he had found himself a new partner who he called "Ricky" which didn't seem to sit well with Rob. Sha continued being elated with his partner who he said did a great job of carrying his bags and making him a cup of tea. An over excited Sha kept trying to cuddle Rob but Rob was having none of it. RJ Singh was teaming with a man who Rob is very familiar with in Dan Magee and this was a big moment for the two contenders who are really stepping up to the challenge. Rob started out and he had a good back and forth with Singh while the fans shouted Ricky like Bianca from EastEnders at poor old Rob. Eventually, Magee and Lias faced off again and the two contenders had an interesting and solid exchange. Sha worked over Magee with a snap suplex, then he and Lias worked over Magee in the corner. Some fans chanted Ricky Dyer at Lias whose facial expression was priceless. The hot tag from Magee to RJ actually meant something due to the perfect selling from Magee and cheap tricks employed by Sha and Lias. RJ was quicker than he has ever been and the little dragon was all over Lias like a house on fire but he turned his back and Sha blind tagged Lias and Sha wiped him out with a clothesline. Lias gave RJ a Michinoku driver then Sha and Lias run into one another and RJ nailed Sha with a Swanton Bomb to pick up the win for his team. This was an enjoyable match but really nothing special it was a good warm-up match before the main event, not a lot else can be said. Winners: RJ Singh and Dan Magee Afterwards, Lias got in Sha's face similar to how Sha used to do with James Castle, his former partner. An irate Sha slapped Lias and the two came to blows. Sha left Lias lying with a spine buster. So now I would accurately assume Sha is going face which is long overdue in this reviewers opinion. MAIN EVENT Kyle O'Reilly Vs 'The Villain' Marty Scurll Both men start out with some solid chain wrestling and exchange holds on the mat. Marty begins to get all animated in a lock up and Kyle plays along with it. Marty takes down Kyle with an arm drag and holds onto a top wrist lock. Kyle counters and takes down Marty and goes for a hold but Marty counters and both men come face to face as the crowd claps appreciating the clinic these two are putting on. Kyle applies a headlock but Marty battles out but Kyle gives him a shoulder tackle. Marty does his chicken pose but Kyle just looks on puzzled. Marty goes for a sunset flip but Kyle doesn't go down and breaks out his sleazy Kyle wiggle. Kyle applies an arm bar but Marty quickly gets out of the hold. Kyle begins to work over Marty's knee then begins to work him over with forearm smashes. Marty battles back with a poke to the eye but Kyle comes back with a dropkick to the knee. Both battle it out trying to nail the other with a suplex. Marty tosses Kyle to the outside and nails him with a superkick. Marty works over Kyle's arm by ramming it into the ring post. Back in the ring, Kyle kicks Marty in the leg over and over again. Marty then fires up by swinging his arm round and round but Kyle just falls to the mat before Marty can punch him. Marty chops away at Kyle and then goes back to the arm. Marty does a wiggle roll and the fans chant "sleazy Marty". Marty continues to work over the arm of Kyle with a number of armbar variations. Again both men trade strikes in the middle of the ring and Kyle wins out with a big knee strike to Marty. Kyle drills Marty with a backdrop sit down powerbomb and Kyle goes back to the armbar. Kyle stalks Marty and goes back to the arm again but Marty gets out of the hold. Kyle hits the ropes and runs into the Superkick just kidding spot by the villain. Kyle unleashes a sick combination of strikes but Marty grabs kyles fingers and begins to stomp on Kyle's hand but Kyle fires up. The two trade kicks and then Kyle gets a near fall on Marty with a brain buster. Marty comes back with another superkick and teases the chicken wing but Kyle counters the hold and reverses it into an ankle lock. Both men run at one another with clotheslines and both men go down. Both men are up and trade blows with one another again then Kyle takes down Marty and applies the ankle lock yet again but again Marty battles out. Marty goes to break the fingers of Kyle but he counters with knee strikes to Marty. This stuns Marty who stumbles around and walks into a dragon sleeper by Kyle but Marty drives Kyle into the corner to break the hold. Marty goes to break the fingers again but Kyle counters this time with a rake to the eyes. Marty can't see and breaks referee Chris Roberts fingers due to his temporary blindness. Kyle rolls up Marty but Marty rolls through and applies the chicken wing in the middle of the ring and Kyle is forced to tap out. Afterwards, both men put the other over on the microphone with Kyle saying Marty is one of the best he's ever faced in the ring and tells him to bring that God damn Best of Super Juniors trophy back to the UK. Kyle then adds why he loves working for Rev Pro and challenges KUSHIDA to a rematch from their 2015 Uprising classic at the British J Cup in July. That was a strange match which didn't live up to the hype in my opinion. It was a strange blend of comedy and serious wrestling but picked up towards the end. The closing stages saved the match from me going out of my way to completely bury it. Maybe it suffered from me be far too excited to see it and it not quite living up to the hype I had for it going in. Winner: The Villain Marty Scurll Overall another very good Cockpit show put on by Rev Pro. These shows are becoming can't miss shows each and every month and this one was pretty much the same. The storyline developments of Eddie Dennis, Gideon Gray, Sha Samuels and Rob Lias still has this reviewer captivated. The push of Zack Gibson and Jinny is really beginning to pick up steam as well. I enjoyed four matches on this show and would urge you to go as check them out. Dijak vs Bodom, #CCK vs The Riots, the contender's opener and main event were all very good. So thanks again and remember if you haven't checked out Rev Pro then buy a ticket to one of the cockpit shows or even a York Hall show they do have Rey Mysterio over on August 17th for Summer Sizzler so that would probably be a tremendous starting off point for you all new to BritWres or those who have been to BritWres shows and have just discovered Rev Pro either through this review or by just reading about it on the Internet. Or if you can't check it out then head on over to Pivotshare and subscribe to Rev Pro on demand it's well worth the price of admission. Again thanks for reading my review and as always I'll rip off my favourite writer in wrestling Bill Apter by adding I'll see you at the matches. @Billy_Jay83
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