#1MansOpinion
Pro Wrestling Evo ‘EPIC
3-9-12
Concord, NC
Matches rated 1-5 stars & Overall show from 1-10
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Pro Wrestling Evo returned to Cabarrus Arena on March 9 for ‘EPIC’. Following one of the greatest live wrestling shows I’ve ever been in attendance for, Evo Eight 2012 on January 13, 2012. In the 2nd event of 2012 for PWEvo the Super High Energy Xperience(SuperHEX) division returned with two great matches, John Skyler returned to challenge for Caleb Konley’s PWI Ultra J title. The war of words between Kirby Mack and Trevor Lee came to a head with an unexpected third man interjecting himself into the dispute and the EVO heavyweight championship was decided in the most brutal match in the company’s history. The following review is #1MansOpinion…..
SuperHEX Singles Match
Ben Tyler vs Joe Black
The new points system of SuperHEX were debuted in the opening contest between Ben Tyler and Joe Black and are as follows. All SuperHEX matches are 10 minutes with all pinfalls counting 1 point & submissions counting for 2 points. The man with the most points at the end of 10 minutes receives a bonus point. This match started unlike any other EVO opening match, for me it just didn’t start the show off with the excitement of past EVO shows. Both men are very athletic and talented workers and by the end of the 10 minutes this match was really hitting it’s stride. Tyler got a quick point early by putting his feet on the ropes to pin Black and it was a stalemate until the halfway point when the very intense Joe Black hit a spear to earn a point and pull himself into a first place tie on the SuperHEX leaderboard. Black would take the outright points lead in SuperHEX with a bridging german suplex and looked to add more points as he applied a choke with 1 minute left. Tyler maneuvered and got a nearfall as time expired but the match ended a bit confusingly as the crowd was unsure if Tyler got the pin or Black got a submission. In the end it was Black winning 2 falls to 1 and earning 3 points to take the SuperHEX lead with 7. Check out the updated Unofficial SuperHEX leaderboard at the end of the column. ** 1/2
Damn Open Challenge
Dem Damn Texans(Jimmy Jack Funk Jr & ZaneExcore) vs Mike Merletti & “Mr Elite” Drew Myers
The Damn open challenge was met by two men teaming for the first time in Merletti & Myers. Myers & Merletti have each battled JJF & Zane in the past so they weren’t completely unfamiliar with the team. Having said that this one went a little long for me as the veteran team of Dem Damn Texans in theory should’ve put away the unfamiliar partners with less of a problem. There were no technical problems with this match as all 4 men worked admirably. Merletti & Myers got the early offense clearing the ring & getting the crowd behind them before Zane & JJF isolated each of their opponents and got most of the offense in the match. The ending seemed a bit rushed as JJF hit a DDT to finally get the win for his team. The Texans are a fun team to watch and need some more established tag teams to face in the near future if possible. ** 1/4
SuperHEX 3 way
Chiva Kid vs Corey Hollis vs Chip Day
This match brought the injection of energy that the opener usually brings to an EVO event. Hollis & Day making their SuperHEX debut teamed up early on and Chiva fought them off hitting a big dive on both men to the outside that had the crowd on their feet. Once again Hollis & Day used the numbers game to their advantage but Chiva fought them off & hit an amazing 630 on Day, Hollis then took advantage throwing Chiva out of the ring & pinning Day to earn a point in SuperHEX. This was the end of the 2 on 1 advantage for Hollis & Day as the two began exchanging brutal kicks & chops. This was the opening Chiva needed as Hollis had Day in a crossface, Chiva hit a shooting star press on Day and he rolled to the outside making it a 1 on 1 match. As the 10 minute time limit neared the two engaged in a great submission reversal exchange with Chiva forcing Hollis to tap to a dragon sleeper as the bell rang. Chiva wins the match with 3 points, Hollis earned 1 and Day came up empty handed in his first SuperHEX action. *** 1/4
Special Challenge Match
Cedric Alexander vs Robyn Golphin
Next up was a matchup of young lion vs the first EVO heavyweight champion. This match was off the charts from beginning to end. A MUST SEE **** 1/2 battle. Alexander once again proves that he is the best indy talent in the southeast & possibly the world. Golphin shows the heart he is becoming known for & also that he is a young talent to keep your eyes on. Golphin used his speed early to get the advantage but was grounded by a vicious kick on a dive attempt. Alexander then went for the kill early with a powerbomb on the apron followed by a powerbomb into the second row of chairs that drew a “That was EPIC!” chant. Alexander set up Golphin in one of the destroyed chairs and silenced the crowd so we could hear the thud of his kicks over and over to Golphin’s chest. Alexander saw firsthand the fight in Golphin as no matter what he did he couldn’t put the relentless one away. Just as resilient as Golphin, Alexander sustained a comeback from Golphin and a couple of near upsets that would’ve really shaken the EVO landscape. The two never stopped trash talking one another throughout this whole match. Alexander finally hit a devestating brainbuster and the crowd was hot as they counted 1-2-3 but Golphin again kicked out just before 3!! Alexander had seen enough and set Golphin up in the corner for a exploding dropkick that finished the match. A modicum of respect was earned on this night as Alexander picked Golphin up and shook his hand as the EVO crowd stood and applauded both men. **** 1/2
PWI International Ultra J Title Match
Caleb Konley(c) vs John Skyler
This was as techinically proficient a matchup as you’ll see on any indy card across the country. John Skyler is gaining notoriety around the world as one of the best and most in demand indy talents today. Caleb Konley has succesfully defended his Ultra J title for about 9 months now against all comers. Skyler in only his second EVO appearance had more heat than anyone on the card, the crowd loves to hate this guy and he seems to love them hating him even more. Just when the crowd gets invested into Skyler baiting them into a big move he goes for a headlock or some other “common” move instead and let’s the crowd know that he once again has gotten the best of them. I would like to see more of a lasting storyline that really draws you in involving Konley rather than seemingly random title defenses at each show. While all of Konley’s matches are good on their own a feud with someone could add that extra interest to his matches & in the long run the Ultra J title. Konley got the win over Skyler with the “Oh Face” submission. *** 1/2
‘EPIC’ Confrontation
Kirby Mack vs Trevor Lee
Kirby Mack hit the ring next and immediately asked for Trevor Lee, the suspended EVO talent came out ready for a fight but let Mack make the first move. Mack piefaced Lee in an attempt to get him to make the first move and the fight was on. Both men rolled around with one another landing punches until Lee pulled a Taser and zapped Mack. The Taser was a bit silly, especially as a precursor to an unsanctioned match happening. PWEvo Sr, Official Mitch Blaylock had seen enough at this point and came out to announce if these two wanted a match they could have an unsanctioned match but this brawl was over. The Bell rang and a short match occurred between Lee & Mack but Arik Royal rushed the ring & leveled Mack with a lightning quick kick. Trevor Lee extended his hand to Royal who at first accepted but then took Trevor out as well, as the unexpected third man Arik Royal was the only one left standing after an ‘Epic’ confrontation. Kirby summed it up best when he said ‘If you were expecting a wrestling match, the joke’s on you because you can’t wrestle a man you want to kill”. ** 3/4
“By Any Means Necessary Match” PWEvo Heavyweight Championship
Marcellus “The Mid Atlantic” King(c) vs “The Queen City Killer” Zack Salvation
The main event of this card was perhaps the most hyped match in the company’s history but also followed up the hype by being the most brutal, innovative, and back and forth match in the company’s history. The two men entered and the rules were explained, the match can be won by any means necessary including climbing the ladder to retrieve the belt, pinfall, submission, or 10 count. A brawl started the match as these two couldn’t wait a second longer to get their hands on each other. This one quickly spilled to the outside and a chair was introduced by the champion doing damage to Salvation’s knee before retrieving the ladder and trying to make this a quick title defense. I almost took the ladder in the side of the head as King brought it in, it was a HUGE ladder. Salvation wasn’t as lucky as I was to miss it and took first gutshot then a shot to the face with the solid ladder. The champion again focused on the knee of his challenger but Salvation was able to turn the tide and as King set up the ladder in the corner, Zack crotched the champ on it and hit a vicious looking blockbuster snapping King back. A couple of near title changes later and Marcellus was back on top and looking to embarass his challenger. King pulled out a bag of crossfit equipment first whipping him with a jumprope and then hanging Salvation from the ladder with some type of pull up strap!!! King then introduced a table to the match and this was one of the thickest, most durable tables I’ve seen live. Moments later Salvation & King climbed the ladder battling one another the whole way up and each grabbed hold of the EVO championship pulling it down simultaneously, a struggle broke out for control of the belt and both men went tumbling off the ladder exploding through the table!!! The referee deems that both pulled the belt down and went through the table at the same time so the match continues! Salvation with a second wind went out and grabbed the chair to do some damage on the champ. The two battled over the chair each avoiding and landing big time chair shots before Salvation hit the “Zacklash” and very suddenly we had our 3rd Pro Wrestling EVO champion in “The Queen City Killer”. Streamers lined the ring thrown from appreciative fans as Salvation was collapsed mid ring with his newly won title draped over his chest. King sleeked away and from the back Cirko emerged pulling Salvation up and hitting a brainbuster before pulling off the mask to reveal CEDRIC ALEXANDER!! Alexander had one more surprise for us and silenced the crowd as he unzipped his jacket revealing a CIRKUS t-shirt. At the end of the night we have a new PWEvo champion, new feuds born, and a revival of the Cirkus! **** 1/4
Overall:7.5/10
#1MansOpinion
Pro Wrestling EVO has extremely high standards both in themselves and from their loyal fans. This 2nd show of 2012 for Pro Wrestling EVO would rival any other independent wrestling show you’ll go to this year however just a few things seemed off on this night. In no way should this night be considered a failure as this was In my opinion one of the strongest EVO shows as far as making feuds. Cedric Alexander vs Robyn Golphin & Marcellus King vs Zack Salvation are reasons enough to purchase this DVD at www.prowrestlingevo.com or watch it on www.evonondemand.com not to mention a solid Ultra J title match and exciting 3 way SuperHEX match. One thing is certain, Pro Wrestling EVO continues to be the highest quality, most talented, and entertaining promotion in the Southeast and amongst the world’s indy promotions. They will meet the challenge to one up themselves on April 28 when they return with’ Vive Le Revolucion’
Check out www.prowrestlingevo.com and follow @prowrestlingevo on Twitter for developments on the next EVO event ‘Vive Le Revolucion’ and for all the past great Pro Wrestling EVO action check out www.evonondemand.com