On February 15th, 2013 nearly four months removed from their last event, the EVOlution in professional wrestling returned to Concord, NC with it’s annual EVO Eight tournament. Once again Pro Wrestling EVO brought together 8 of the best talents in the southeast to compete in EVO Eight for a chance to challenge Pro Wrestling EVO champion Zack Salvation. Many had asked over the last four months if EVO was done, would they return and if so would they still be the promotion that received international attention in 2012?? All those questions were answered and the talent that EVO brought together for their return show proved that Pro Wrestling EVO is still one of the best promotions on the independent scene. The following is a full review of the 1st event of the new year and 3rd annual Evo Eight tournament. Remember the following is……. #1MansOpinion
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
Evo Eight Opening Round Match
“The Black Cloud” Joe Black vs Corey Hollis
Hollis & Black kicked things off in traditional PWEvo fashion with a nice opener. Joe Black who has been anxiously awaiting the return of the promotion he called home for much of 2012 came out like a caged animal and looked to make an impact. Corey Hollis was not to be turned away on this night however as he fought back and got the opening round victory with Styles Clash.
#1MansOpinion: This was a nice way to reintroduce the fans to EVO with two of the youngest, hungriest guys on the roster battling it out. Both these guys are special talents and will be given the chance to prove that as the year progresses. There was a botch on the finish of this match but both guys went right back to it and showed their professionalism to the crowd. ** 1/2
“The Midnight Son” Caleb Konley vs “The Southern Savior” John Skyler w/ Ty Dillinger
PWX owner and known EVO rival Ty Dillinger lead his personal pick to win Evo Eight to the ring and Dillinger paid dividends right away for the Southern Savior. Caleb Konley who felt he may have been a little overlooked by the talents of EVO in the past also had a point to prove, so this match quickly turned into the battle of two men who wouldn’t give an inch to the other. In the end Skyler used everything he could to his advantage and got the win as Konley attempted a middle rope suplex and Ty Dillinger pulled the Midnight Son’s leg for Skyler to pick up the win and move on.
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
#1MansOpinion: This was a fantastic match! Konley & Skyler worked tremendously well together and Konley’s intensity has really ratcheted up in recent months. The crowd as usual reigned boos down on The Southern Savior and he embraced each one. These are two of the best unsigned indy talents working right now and they showed that with this potential MOTN. *** 1/2
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
Cedric Alexander vs Anthony Henry
Henry was making his EVO debut in this one against former Evo Eight winner and EVO Champion Cedric Alexander. It didn’t take long at all for this one to get personal as the two exchanged words and Henry gave Alexander the finger rather than accepting a pre match handshake. If you’ve seen Cedric Alexander you know this set him off(and if you haven’t seen him in action do yourself a favor and go check him out!) Alexander has some of the deadliest kicks in wrestling and an unmatched intensity. Anthony Henry was really impressive in his debut here and withstood a lot of the former champion’s offense and shelled out some of his own. In the end Experience won hitting the Sick Kick followed by a brainbuster as Alexander moved out of the first round in his third straight Evo Eight tourament.
#1MansOpinion: A second consecutive really good match. This was my first time seeing Anthony Henry live and I definitely would like to see more of him. The crowd warmed to him quickly as he showed his athleticism and he would be a great addition for any promotion. Cedric Alexander always impresses with the aforementioned intensity and a wealth of talent. This was another great example of EVO bringing together the best young talent in the southeast to compete in great WRESTLING matches. *** 1/4
Jake Manning vs Marcellus “The Mid-Atlantic” King
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
The former “Manscout” was welcomed back with one of the biggest reactions of the night. Competing for the first time without his Scout moniker, Manning battled former EVO champion Marcellus King. King seemed to take exception to Manning’s return right from the start and after Manning got the best of the former champion for a bit the match broke down into a brawl. Manning & King fought throughout all of Venu 29 and realized a split second too late that the referee’s count was up to 9, both men made a mad dash back to the ring but were both counted out. The announcement was made that both men were eliminated from the tournament and the brawl resumed as King & Manning brawled to the back.
#1MansOpinion: This looks like the beginning of a nice feud for Manning in his return to EVO. Marcellus King has been one of the major players since EVO began in 2011, so to see him battle Jake Manning straight up, without the gimmicks could be a lot of fun. The match itself was good, Manning entertained early on frustrating King by having a counter for every move The Mid Atlantic King attempted. The brawl was very good in establishing the hatred the two have for one another and certainly made me & several other fans near me want to see a rematch between these two. ** 3/4
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
6 Man Elimination Match
“Mr. Elite” Drew Myers vs Ernie Osiris vs “Relentless” Robyn Golphin vs Raymond King vs The All-American African American” William Huckaby vs Arik Royal
This match was contested under Lucha Rules with no tags in and out so it got pretty wild from the start. It was Myers technical skill, vs Golphin, Osiris, & King’s athleticism vs the size of Huckaby & Royal. On this night strength won the battle as the final two came down to newcomer Huckaby and EVO veteran Arik Royal. The two gave each other their best shots but Royal got the win following a “Cobain Kick”. Eliminations were as followed:
Raymond King eliminated Mr. Elite
Osiris eliminated King
Golphin eliminated Osiris
Huckaby eliminated Golphin
Royal eliminated Huckaby to win the match
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
#1MansOpinion: This was a good, unannounced matchup showcasing some great young talent from the Southeast, although the match itself may have been a little rushed. Raymond King was very impressive showing great athleticism and tremendous agility and fitting in very well in his EVO debut. Golphin & Myers had some good spots together and continue to be two of the better rising stars in the Carolinas. The ending was really good having the two biggest men face off, Huckaby looked good in only his second EVO match and held his own with Royal who has been on a role in Pro Wrestling Evo as of late. Royal who impressed at National Pro Wrestling Day continued to do so locally & should play a big part in EVO’s future. ***
Evo Eight SemiFinals
“The Southern Savior” John Skyler w/ Ty Dillinger vs Corey Hollis
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
This first match after intermission is where we the fans really started to see that something big was happening once again at Venu 29. John Skyler and Corey Hollis had a great match with Skyler working the leg most of the way through and Hollis doing everything he could to stay in the match & the tournament. This was a turning point in the career of Hollis who had vowed at the last EVO event to focus on his singles career and be one of the best. Hollis battled back on one leg and hit the “Styles Clash” to get the victory and move onto the finals.
#1MansOpinion: Another MOTN contender. Fantastic storytelling and as usual a ton of heat on “The Southern Savior”. This is the match where Hollis really emerged as a favorite to win this tournament, both men had a great match with a “big match” feel. As I’ve said before the best thing to be in wrestling is surprised and I had no idea who was winning this match until it ended. I can’t say enough about the work of these guys, undoubtedly two of the best unsigned workers on the independent scene. *** 3/4
Cedric Alexander was announced officially as having a bye to the finals due to the earlier double countout of Marcellus King & Jake Manning. As the announcement was made “Do Or Die” Chip Day made his way to the ring and complained that Cedric just got a free pass to the finals and Day couldn’t even get into the 8 man tournament. Day said he wanted a chance to prove he should not be overlooked again. The challenge was answered quickly by Chiva Kid! and our next match was on.
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
“Do or Die” Chip Day vs Chiva Kid
Day wasted no time in going after Chiva, but couldn’t catch up with him to begin the match and everyone’s favorite goat got the early advantage. Day used his strong striking skills to regain the advantage and ground the aerial assault of Chiva Kid. As many have learned you cannot keep Chiva grounded for long, as he took to the air with a suicide dive that landed him in the second row of seats!!! Back in the ring as the time was running down, Day opened up with a few suplexes getting some near falls but couldn’t put Chiva away. Day made an impact but failed to pick up the win as Chiva Kid hit a middle rope shooting star press to get the victory.
#1MansOpinion: This was another nice unannounced matchup. Day is brutal in his kicking and striking and always a treat to watch. Chiva Kid coming off of National Pro Wrestling Day is gaining more notoriety each week and always impresses. You’re guaranteed at least one high flying moment with Chiva that will leave you with your mouth wide open. To Chip Day’s point, I’d like to see him in the Evo 8 tournament in 2014, Chiva too for that matter. ***
Evo Eight Finals
Cedric Alexander vs Corey Hollis
Photos courtesy: Adrian Rohr
A fresh, and aggressive Cedric Alexander came out for this final match, his second final in three years(Alexander won the inaugural tournament in 2011). Corey Hollis was a different story as he limped to the ring and could barely put any pressure on the injured leg that Skyler had worked on the previous round. That was the story of this Evo Eight final and it was a GOOD ONE! Alexander was salivating at his wounded prey in the corner and controlled much of the match with Hollis just trying to get offense in when he could only to have the leg taken out once again. Alexander took Hollis to the outside and dragged him around Venu 29, placing him in chairs and laying in sick sounding kicks, then returnign to the ring and brutalizing him some more with a lifting backcracker and northern lights suplex. When Alexander couldn’t get the win, Marcellus King came out and turned the odds even more against Hollis. King hit the Murder Go Round but AGAIN Alexander only got a 2 count. There was ZERO quit in Corey Hollis on this night, as the picture of this whole night came into frame beautifully as the match ended. Hollis summoned the strength to fight both members of The Cirkus off and hit a crazy suicide dive on King to the outside!! This WAS THE NIGHT of Corey Hollis’ career. Once it was down to just Hollis vs Alexander again, Hollis got a couple near falls but couldn’t put the former EVO champion away just yet. Cedric looked to end the match with a powerbomb but Hollis rolled through and hit the “Styles Clash” to win the 2013 Evo Eight tournament.
Post Match: Hollis got the mic and gave a heartfelt speech about the last few days being the rockiest and most trying of his lifetime as he detailed how his grandmother(who raised him all his life) had a heart attack and detailing his own battle with Type 1 diabetes and the challenges that presents. This was a great ending to the show as the crowd was silent, hanging on each word Hollis spoke. At that time EVO Champion Zack Salvation came down from the commentary station and shocked the crowd telling Hollis he doesn’t care how many grandparents he has, he is going to beat him Deaf, Dumb, and blind!! Salvation ended the night in a staredown with the EVO champion addressing the new #1 contender as “Corey Hollis, the fool who thinks he can beat Zack Salvation”.
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
#1MansOpinion: The finals of the tournament was really planned out perfectly and capped off the huge night of Corey Hollis the way it should’ve. The apparent heel turn of Salvation was unexpected but fits nicely, as Hollis’ path through the tournament really made him a favorite with the EVO crowd. Apart from the storytelling of the entire tournament, Hollis had the three best matches on the card culminating with this MOTN. That is a huge accomplishment and EVO fans should be excited to see what’s next for this young talent, and if he can indeed complete his journey and win the Pro Wrestling EVO championship. **** MOTN
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
#1MansFINALOpinion:Despite technical issues with the IPPV. This was a great return for Pro Wrestling EVO in their annual event showcasing the top talents in the SouthEast. EVO never fails to provide the fans with the best talent on the independent scene and all 8 of these guys showed they deserved their spot in the tournament. When you spend money for a ticket to a Pro Wrestling EVO event you are always going to get more than your moneys worth. Obviously the story of this night was the ascent of Corey Hollis and build up to a match with Zack Salvation that should be a great feud. EVO also showcased some young talents who have a bright future in the business, guys like Joe Black, Raymond King, Robyn Golphin, Chip Day and some of the best established Indy talent like Cedric Alexander, John Skyler, Caleb Konley & Arik Royal. As always stay tuned to www.prowrestlingevo.com if you missed the event and follow @prowrestlingevo on twitter for details on the next event from one of the best Indy promotions in the Southeast.
Overall: 7.5/10
Follow me on twitter for updates on the future of Pro Wrestling EVO and more of the best independent wrestling in the Carolinas @The1andonlyJer Please leave comments if you’ve seen the show or have thoughts of your own about Pro Wrestling EVO.