EVOLVE 7: Aries vs. Moxley Review

April 19th, 2011 in Manhattan

Opening Match: Jimmy Jacobs (4-2) vs. Shiima Xion (0-0)
Xion mocks Jacobs, asking him how much he likes to take shots. Jacobs unloads a series of strikes in the corner and lands a dive to the floor. Xion leaps off the stage and lands a moonsault onto Jacobs. Back in, Jacobs curb stomps Xion into the canvas. Xion responds with a corner dropkick and applies a crossface in the ropes. He hits the Hostile Makeover but walks into a clothesline. Jacobs finds knees on a senton attempt and Xion kicks him in the face. They trade reversals and Jacobs comes out of the corner with an ace crusher. Xion connects with a superkick but falls victim to a spear. He blocks another ace crusher attempt with a russian leg sweep and locks in a crossface. Jacobs turns the hold into a pin attempt for a nearfall. Xion sneaks in a rollup for the win at 7:28. Effective opener for the time given and a solid debut for Xion. This contest was recently turned into a grudge match and I think the added intensity made the action better. I’m curious to see how Xion progresses in EVOLVE. **½

In a post-match interview, Xion says that he has arrived in EVOLVE. He gives Jacobs napkins and makes a few awkward suggestions as to how he can use them.

Match #2: Silas Young (1-1) vs. Tony Nese (0-1)
Larry Dallas is watching in the crowd. Nese connects with a leg lariat and hits a pumphandle suplex. He misses a diving headbutt and Young hits a fisherman buster. Nese ducks a lariat but runs into a boot. He recovers with a few kicks and both men are down. Nese connects with a spin kick followed by a facewash kick. He hurricanranas Young off the top rope. Young hits a finlay roll and lands the Peegee Waja Plunge for the victory at 5:47. This was a fine back and forth showcase for both men. Nese received a chance to stand out and Young was highlighted since he is in one of the promotion’s current storylines. **

After the match, Young says that he can feel his momentum building. He also has some unkind words for Johnny Gargano and Larry Dallas.

Match #3: Johnny Gargano (4-2) vs. Jon Davis (0-0)
Davis asserts his power advantage early on. Gargano dodges some strikes and connects with a flying double stomp. He hits a leaping neckbreaker but Davis immediately takes him down with a shoulder tackle. Gargano hits a spear through the ropes and lands a senton. Davis answers with a powerslam and takes control, working over the back. Gargano fights out of a powerbomb and adds a double stomp. He hits a basement ace crusher but gets taken down by a big clothesline. Gargano applies a tarantula submission in the ropes. Davis catches him on a slingshot spear attempt but gets sent to the floor after a hurricanrana. Gargano follows out with a dive and lands a rolling senton off the apron and the stage. In the ring, Davis catches Gargano coming off the top rope with a spinebuster and hits a jackhammer. Gargano tries a quick rollup and a crucifix to no avail. He comes off the middle rope with an ace crusher, connects with a superkick, and hits Diced Bread for a nearfall. Gargano locks in the Gargano Escape. Davis tries to power out but Gargano hangs on for the win at 13:38. They played to their strengths by pitting Gargano’s speed against Davis’ power. What resulted was a smartly-worked match that kept the crowd invested for the entire duration. They had some great exchanges down the stretch and came up with unique counters to each other’s offense. Gargano has improved considerably and I’m actually looking forward to a possible singles run from Davis. This match definitely topped my expectations. ***¼

Larry Dallas comes into the ring to celebrate with Gargano. Dallas proposes that Gargano and Chuck Taylor be co-wins leaders if Taylor is victorious later. Gargano doesn’t seem very happy with the idea.

Match #4: Jigsaw and Frightmare (2-0) vs. Facade and Jason Gory (0-0)
Facade headscissors out of a wristlock from Jigsaw and they trade armdrags. Gory lands a springboard splash onto Jigsaw and has a nice exchange with Frightmare. Frightmare hurricanranas Gory and hits a leaping neckbreaker. Facade connects with a double dropkick but Jigsaw and Frightmare return the favor. The Chikara Sekigun land stereo dives to the floor. In the ring, they isolate Gory until he plants Frightmare with a DDT and makes the tag. Facade catches Frightmare with a kick and lands an impressive dive to the outside. Back in, Facade walks the ropes and dropkicks Frightmare. He follows with a springboard spin kick. Jigsaw hits a brainbuster on Facade and Frightmare adds Kneecolepsy. Gory hits the QAS on Frightmare followed by a lungblower and then Facade proceeds to wheelbarrow suplex him. Jigsaw comes off the top with a stomp to break up the pin attempt. Jigsaw superkicks Gory and hits the Jig n’ Tonic for the victory at 8:48. This was a fun sprint with most of the intricate offense coming off cleanly. Facade and Gory looked impressive in their debut and I think that both of these teams would go a long way toward freshening up the tag team division in EVOLVE. **¾

Jigsaw challenges any team to step up and take out the Chikara Sekigun.

Match #5: Sami Callihan (2-1) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (0-0)
They charge at each other and Callihan seems to have the advantage in the striking game. He powers out of a cross armbreaker from Sabre and hits a bucklebomb. Sabre punts Callihan from the apron. Callihan blocks a second punt and sends him back-first across the apron. They battle on the stage and Sabre locks in a cross armbreaker. Callihan turns it into a stretch muffler. Sabre fights out but Callihan hits an exploder on the floor. In the ring, Callihan uses the ropes to gain momentum on a splash. Sabre tries another cross armbreaker but Callihan reaches the bottom rope. Sabre continues to work over the left arm and connects with a series of kicks in the corner. Callihan responds with a few chops and they trade strikes. A vicious headbutt from Sabre sends them both to the canvas. Sabre blocks a slingshot maneuver and hits a liger bomb. He double stomps the left arm but Callihan lays him out with a saito suplex. Callihan hits another saito suplex and connects with a sliding forearm. Sabre kicks out at one. They trade pin attempts to no avail. Callihan tries for a stretch muffler but Sabre counters into a small package for a nearfall. Sabre applies a cross armbreaker but Callihan reverses into a stretch muffler. Sabre uniquely escapes the hold. Callihan avoids a knockout kick and reapplies the stretch muffler for the win at 12:01. On every EVOLVE show, there’s usually one or two matches that exemplify the style that the promotion is trying to display. You’re looking at that match on this show. Sabre tried as hard as he could to lock in the cross armbreaker while Callihan did the same with his stretch muffler. They mixed in some well-executed strike exchanges as well. I hope that Sabre is booked as much as possible whenever he’s available because he is proving to be an extremely well-rounded wrestler. ***½

In a post-match interview, Callihan says that 2011 will be his year. He shows respect toward Sabre and thanks Jon Moxley for being there for him through the years.

After intermission, Jon Davis comes out to address the crowd. Larry Dallas mocks him from the front row. Davis looked to establish his dominance tonight, but he didn’t. However, he appreciated the crowd’s support and promises that he will not lose again.

Match #6: A.R. Fox (0-0) vs. Rich Swann (0-1)
They have a fast exchange and find themselves at a stalemate. Swann connects with a dropkick but Fox returns the favor. Swann avoids a moonsault from the apron and then lands one from the stage. Back in, Swann impressively avoids an ace crusher and connects with a superkick. Fox successfully hits an ace crusher on his second attempt and lands an impressive dive to the floor. In the ring, Swann hurricanranas Fox off the top rope and lands a standing shooting star press. Fox hits a northern lights suplex but falls victim to a wheelbarrow stunner. Swann connects with a pele kick but finds knees on a standing 450 attempt. Fox hits a slingshot spanish fly for the victory at 6:01. Swann has become infinitely more crisp with his offense and I’ve always been a big fan of Fox. This was just six minutes of these two absolutely wowing the crowd and a perfect match to bring everyone back from intermission. **½

Match #7: Chuck Taylor (4-2) vs. Akira Tozawa (0-0)
They begin with some chain wrestling. Tozawa hits a suplex and follows with a senton. Taylor blocks a corner charge and connects with a dropkick. He hits a powerslam but gets sent to the floor after a running knee strike. Tozawa lands a dive to the floor but Taylor immediately responds with a plancha. Tozawa, not be outdone, lands another dive. In the ring, Tozawa hits a saito suplex. He misses a few headbutts and Taylor hits a uranagi. Taylor follows with Sole Food but gets taken down by a hurricanrana. Tozawa connects with a knee to the head and both men are down. They exchange strikes while comically screaming at each other. Tozawa hits a german suplex for a nearfall. He adds a bicycle kick but gets caught by a superkick. Taylor hits the Awful Waffle for the win at 10:49. These two worked well together and packed a lot of action into eleven minutes. Tozawa just brings so much unique offense to the table and Taylor played off of it to create some amazing exchanges. A few more minutes would have allowed them to space out the action, but both men still put in a great performance. ***¼

Larry Dallas enters the ring in excitement. The referee explains that due to stipulations announced before the show, there must be a playoff match between Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano. Dallas tries to mediate the situation but no one wants to share the wins lead…

Match #8: Johnny Gargano (5-2) vs. Chuck Taylor (5-2)
Taylor connects with a superkick and tries a quick rollup to no avail. Gargano hits Hurts Donut for a nearfall. Taylor responds with the Awful Waffle but is too hurt to cover immediately. Gargano connects with an enzuigiri and lawn darts Taylor into the corner. He adds two superkicks and hits another Hurts Donut for a two count. Gargano applies the Gargano Escape. Larry Dallas gives Reby Sky a towel to throw in for Taylor, giving Gargano the victory at 2:33. I would have preferred to see this match headline the next show. However, due to the finish, I have a feeling that there will be a rematch forthcoming.

Match #9: Austin Aries (1-0) vs. Jon Moxley (1-1)
This is Moxley’s final independent professional wrestling match before heading to WWE developmental. They display their technical skills early on. Moxley prevents Aries from escaping a headscissors and hits a back suplex. Moxley misses a charge and falls to the outside. Aries follows out with the heat seeking missile and connects with his powerdrive elbow back in the ring. He begins to work over Moxley’s left leg. Moxley suplexes Aries over the top rope, taking himself out to the floor in the process. In the ring, Moxley connects with a lariat and hits an ace crusher. He plants Aries with a brainbuster but Aries answers quickly with a brainbuster of his own. They battle up top and Moxley hits a superplex. He follows with two piledrivers but can’t keep Aries down for three. Moxley grabs the ring bell wrench but stops himself from using it. Aries punts him in the head and hits a brainbuster for a nearfall. Aries lands a flying crossbody but Moxley rolls through for a two count. Moxley applies a fujiwara armbar and transitions into the Last Chancery, Aries’ own submission. Aries escapes the hold and synchs in a Last Chancery of his own. They exchange forearms and Aries hits a back suplex. He follows with the IED and hits a brainbuster. Aries lands a 450 splash for a nearfall. He connects with three more IEDs. Moxley escapes a brainbuster and tries a sunset flip. Aries drops down and pins Moxley for the win at 15:36. I guess I’ve always valued Moxley more for his incredible promos. However, in his final independent professional wrestling match, he went out and put on a very good match with Aries. I didn’t expect these two to mesh particularly well but they were able to string together some nice exchanges and keep the action entertaining. I especially liked the spot where Moxley contemplated using the ring bell wrench. In his feud with Homicide, he was adamant about not breaking the rules. However, when he couldn’t defeat Aries on this special occasion, he was driven to the point where he thought about resorting to using weapons. Overall, I thought this was a solid match for Moxley to go out on and a worthwhile main event. ***½

Aries shows respect and gives Moxley the microphone. Some members of the locker room come into the ring. Moxley thanks the crowd and puts over EVOLVE. He says that he’s going to miss swearing and suddenly realizes that he’s going to have to get in shape. Moxley says that it was an honor to wrestle Aries. Callihan gets on the microphone and calls Moxley one of the best wrestlers in the world. The crowd chants for Moxley as the show comes to an end.

Overall: While there wasn’t any match on the card that I would call “must see,” EVOLVE 7: Aries vs. Moxley definitely had consistency. Nothing on the show was a chore to watch and even the matches that weren’t standouts either showcased rising talent or advanced a storyline. There were numerous impressive debuts as well. Jon Davis began his singles run on a high note while Akira Tozawa and Chuck Taylor had a worthwhile exhibition. Zack Sabre Jr. impressed in his debut and had a great match with Sami Callihan that exhibited the EVOLVE style. Finally, Jon Moxley said goodbye to independent wrestling by having the match of the night against Austin Aries. There’s enough quality wrestling on this show to earn a recommendation, making this a successful first iPPV for EVOLVE.