What's going on fans. I'm back and checking out Battle Style 8 from EVOLVE wrestling. Have to admit I was interested to see what this concept was going to be but also if it would continue to grow into something annual for EVOLVE. With the merger of DGUSA & EVOLVE it would seem we could see this tournament turn into something even more meaningful for the winner. This was the first one so let's take a look at how it went. Just wanted to let everyone know that the DVDs I'm checking out for these blogs are completely new to me. I'm basically catching up on wrestling and since I figured I'd be taking the time to do it that I would blog about it as well. Thanks for reading.
AR Fox (high flying) vs Rich Swann (Rich Swann style)
It is quickly explained that the wins and losses don't count towards overall rank so that is good to know going in. This is going to be a fun rematch as both men know that fast paced style. Swann so arrogant that his style is all his own. We'll just have to see if that gets him the win. The reversals seen in this match though are just crazy and the first 7 minutes is already more memorable than the entire last match they had so these two have really been working hard to keep one step ahead of their opponent. These two men are taking some fast paced offensive styles but oddly enough it is a top rope code breaker than gets AR Fox the win. These two men are going to face each other again. You can feel the tension building. Glad to have Lenny back.
Tony Nese(standing combat) vs Jon Davis(power)
So we're going to see a striking match? What does standing combat really mean? Not too sure about that but I am going to go with my boy Jon Davis to win this. Davis is too experienced and IMO more well versed to deal with a guy who is going to try to trade blows with him. Not to take anything away from Tony Nese but you cannot hope to trade blows with a man the toughness of Jon Davis and come out in the end. Nese smartly though is going to quick covers and trying to use his speed in the beginning but at the same time you gotta pace yourself as the winner basically will have 3 matches tonight so you don't want to blow yourself up in a first round match to have nothing left for match 2 & 3. Not a great way to start out Nese as Davis' power is letting him control the tempo of the match and there is no way Davis is going to wind himself going at the pace he's keeping the match.
That is what this is all about and really it's very smart of Davis to stay cool and keep grounded so that if he wins, match 2 & 3 won't be marathons. Nese on the other hand and this is going to go with his inexperience is really trying to raise the pace of the match. He's not only unsuccessful with that but he's also wasting a lot of energy that if he wins he'll wish he had in the next match ups. Funny enough Rob Naylor is making the very points I'm making while I type so I feel a bit vindicated in my opinions now that much more. Thanks @NINaylor. 3 Seconds Around the World later and Jon Davis gets the win to move on.
Brodie Lee (super heavyweight style) vs Sami Callihan (hard hitting)
This is going to be a fun beat em up match. Brodie is always ready to kill someone but Sami should not be considered a weak man by any means. He's going to fight until you just knock him out and Brodie could be the man to do it. These guys are going to leave each other black & blue for the next day but for right now it's all about getting past that first round. Sami playing his cards right as he seems to be trying for sleeper holds and wear down hits instead of instantly trying to use his power moves. Brodie just doing what he does and going for quick pins. Really liking that so far all the men in this tournament are really utilizing the styles they are supposed to be representing which is the entire point. These men though do seem to be killing each other and no matter what in the 2nd round neither of them is going to have a lot. But in what has to be seen as an upset, Sami Callihan submits the Big Rig to advance.
Bobby Fish (puro jr heavyweight style) vs Austin Aries (hybrid style)
I was surprised I was able to remember their styles just from the opening video considering that really anyone in this tournament could have claimed these types of styles. Bobby Fish though really could use a win here but Aries is a technical marvel. But Bobby Fish has trained in dojos across the globe so he knows what to expect. In all honesty this was a match I was looking forward to seeing as how both men have experience in Japan and while Fish may not be the name here that Aries his, I have seen enough of him to know that this would be very similar to watching Aries take on say a slightly larger Davey Richards.
Both of these guys are really pushing it as this match has gone at least 10 minutes and this is only the first round. Pacing guys pacing but tons of great tributes to the then recently fallen Macho Man and it really was an awesome way to pay tribute to one of the most innovative wrestlers of the last generation. But after some great reversals we get a win via submission by Bobby Fish and I am ecstatic for him. Take nothing away from Aries, this match made Fish I think to fans but man he deserves it.
Ar Fox vs Jon Davis
A huge obvious styles clash here and really it was AR Fox showcasing some inexperience and he looked a bit more tired from his match earlier in this against Jon Davis. Davis though didn't kill him and in the end it was another top rope code breaker on Davis that got Fox the upset win. But man it is a fun short match. Davis looked pissed but putting the young guy over was classy as hell as Fox goes to the finals.
Sami Callihan vs Bobby Fish
This is going to start off fast and furious for both men who really need to get a quick win to have something left for the main event finals. I
am liking how this has all worked out there. It's a tournament that let the EVOLVE talents get over with the fans but also told the stories of men who all want to prove something to the fans. Fish above all though wants to get some wins but also get the fans behind him. He's not going to mince words or actions either, but neither would the “new horror”.
If there is one thing I will always give Sami it is his strikes are as believable as any and how this guy isn't booked more in Japan is beyond me. Picture KENTA vs Sami just straight up would be a war IMO I don't care what anyone else says. If you don't believe me, check out the ending of this match. Sami gets full guard on Fish's back and strikes him to the back of the head repeatedly. Would have been illegal in MMA but this is pro wrestling but still a great finish. No shame to Fish at all.
The New Havana Pitbulls (Ricky Reyes & Alex Colon) vs The SAT/Maximos (Joel & Will)
Straight up tag match which should be fun. Reyes trying to bring back the Havana Pitbulls gimmick with a man who I've seen in CZW and really is a great talent to have as a partner. Oddly enough both teams have new members so this really could have a revitalized feud between the two teams. Not a lot is known about Will Maximo to me but they seem to be bulking up and still having that speed. The New Havana Pitbulls though also have some quickness so I'm impressed that both teams have seemingly changed up their traditional lucha styles to a more grounded style. But it would be the Maximos who get the win here but still a great effort by all four men so I would be wanting to see this happen again.
FRAY! with the winner going to Dragon Gate USA featuring Scott Reed, Cheech Hernandez, Brian XL, Blain Rage, Kory Chavis, Pinkie Sanches, Derek Ryze & Ahtu
These really are some of my favorites matches in EVOLVE. Innovative and fun. We start out with Reed & Cheech who start off just trading reversals. The feeling out process begins and I can't blame either of them. This is elimination style so it would make sense to try to last as long as possible if you're in the first 4 men. Brian XL is back in action and the high flyer is has still got it. I haven't seen him since his ROH years but I was always impressed with his abilities. Think of a Brian XL vs Rich Swann vs AR Fox would just be sick. Anyway he's already showing his flying ability. Blain Rage makes his presence known and he looks stacked. Never seen him before but I won't forget who he is the next time I see him in EVOLVE. Give this guy the Polish Hammer gimmick and it would fit so well.
Kory Chavis is out next and man I want the DCFC to really take it to EVOLVE. Brian XL is gone but he made his impact. Chavis now working on Rage and these are two of the biggest men in the match period. Rage is out after quick work by Chavis. Pinkie Sanchez is out and this crazy Pink Ant is ready to make it interesting. Cheech is eliminated by Reed and I'm impressed with him already. Derek Ryze is in and helps kill Reed as Chavis gets the pin. Ryze is then eliminated by Chavis as well. But now it is Ahtu who is a big guy who we have seen before. This guy is kind of crazy and spears the crap out of Chavis. It is now let to Ahtu vs Pinkie Sanchez. I haven't seen much of Ahtu but I seriously had to defriend him on Facebook as most of his posts were just stupid BS that I did not want on my wall. Also the few vids I've seen of the guy, let's just say Lex Luger had more wrestling ability. He can def get better though so I won't hold that against him for now. Seriously though he's letting the crowd get to him and this match just took a serious down fall. But Sanchez is selling it but in all seriousness this should have been over like 2 minutes ago if they were going for Ahtu to win. But after a quick DDT/brain buster type move Sanchez gets the win and he is on his way to DGUSA.
Style Battle Finals: Sami Callihan vs AR Fox
Seriously I just downloaded a free 6 track teaser for 'Girl With The Dragon Tatoo' sound track and EVOLVE's music is just on par with it. I have always liked the sound track of EVOLVE so I hope they continue to use it. Anyway I digress we are onto the finals. This is truly a clash of styles as we're going to get a high flyer in AR Fox against the hard hitting style of Sami Callihan. Both men have done enough tonight that them being in the main event doesn't seem out of place at all. A quick and fast start by Fox but both men are pulling out the stops right away. No feeling out process by two men who are probably working off of fumes right now. A fantastic spring board 450 off the top rope from Fox onto Callihan followed up by a diving suicida again by Fox as he's going for broke here. Showing all of his hand but Callihan is double tough and quickly gets things back in his favor.
This match is going to send the fans home happy and no doubt both of these men deserve to be in the main event. This is how you build young and fresh talent and make them seem main event worthy. Gabe beyond anything else is still innovative and ready to take chances in his promotion and it shows many times. It may not always get “rave reviews” but for my money I like that he's willing to take gambles and give us fresh match ups rather than the same guys on top all the time. These two guys are really giving the fans everything you'd want out of both of them. So far I can't say that either man doesn't deserve to be here as both are showing they know what they are doing and know how to tell a story in the ring. A crazy twisting reverse STO from the top rope gets AR Fox the win and deservedly so. A great end to a great tournament.
Overall from top to bottom this is truly one of the most perfect events I've seen in a long time. Genuinely felt more like a PWG event but with the 3rd gear always on. I've been as critical as anyone on Gabe in the past where deserved but tonight I have to say I spent my money well and this DVD is on the must buy list in my book. Thanks fans for checking this out and always feel free to leave comments or hit me up on twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/cgstong
Fox’s finish is called Lo Mein Pain.
Thanks for letting me know.