Photo credit: @JWasherBeyond
We’re back for our third installment of Match Exchange Monday. If you don’t know by now, very week Andrew Semkow and I exchange five matches from various independent companies, give our thoughts and rate them. For those who didn’t read the first two articles, you can check them out HERE.
We suggest everyone go ahead and add these matches to your watchlist. Let us know what you think by responding to the PWPonderings Twitter and Facebook posts, or send us a tweet at @zerepwrestling or @andrewsemkow. You can also share your own match recommendations with us. We would love to hear from you. With all that said, thanks for reading and be safe everyone.
Andrew’s Recommended Match #1
Brian Cage vs. Alexander Hammerstone – PCW ULTRA
December 1, 2017
Wilmington, California
Andrew:
Brian Cage and Alex Hammerstone are literally two of the biggest wrestlers in the industry. This was a dream match for me to see. It’s also interesting when you look at how much Hammerstone has changed in the past few years.
Luis:
PCW is a promotion that I don’t get to watch enough of. This match is between two big dudes battling it out. It’s crazy to see Hammerstone with a way different gimmick than he has now. I didn’t think I would enjoy this match as much as I did. What a treat from Andrew.
***½
Andrew’s Recommended Match #2
Psycho Mike vs. Orange Cassidy – Smash Wrestling
July 6, 2019
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Andrew:
This match best quantified how Orange Cassidy works for me. His matches are classics, not like Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant but more like Crusher Hogan vs. Bugs Bunny. Orange Cassidy’s style works because Mike has a short fuse and he gets wound up by Orange’s antics. Psycho Mike’s gimmick includes his inner dialogue so they use it to his advantage and have him explain the slower parts. I’ll admit my partial bias to this match because I was in the crowd.
Luis:
As someone that doesn’t follow much Canadian wrestling, Psycho Mike is a name I haven’t heard of in years. Orange Cassidy is Orange Cassidy. He’s one of my favorite wrestlers today. I’m not sure how to rate this match but it’s so damn entertaining.
***
Andrew’s Recommended Match #3
Facade vs. Penta El OM vs. Fenix – Remix Pro Wrestling
April 21, 2018
Marietta, Ohio
Andrew:
I’m a sucker for The Lucha Bros. They’ve had some epic matches against The Young Bucks all over the world. Seeing them compete against each other is rare enough on its own. Then you add in “The Neon Ninja” Facade and you’ve got a lucha libre dream match.
Luis:
Going off what Andrew said, I’m also a fan of the Lucha Bros. But I’m also a huge fan of Fenix as a singles wrestler. As for Facade, he’s someone that doesn’t get enough credit for being a great high flyer. Check out this fun match between the three.
***¼
Andrew’s Recommended Match #4
Carter Mason vs. House of Knight – Demand Lucha
May 23, 2019
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Andrew:
The story of Carter Mason and Lionel Knight was one of the better stories done by Demand Lucha. From harassing his mom to getting his girl to turn on him Lionel Knight did it all. This match is the well-deserved blowout to the whole feud.
Luis:
This is a pretty unique stipulation. It’s a gauntlet match and if Carter Mason survives his first two matches against House of Knight members, he will face off against Lionel Knight in a Last Man Standing Match. Carter Mason works his butt off in this match. The video package at the beginning of the match helps you get caught up with the feud, but without an emotional investment in the match I don’t think it hit me the way it hit for Andrew.
***¼
Andrew’s Recommended Match #5
Adam Cole vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Zack Sabre Jr – WhatCulture Pro Wrestling
March 20, 2017
Manchester, Greater Manchester, England
Andrew:
It’s hard to believe some of the things that we got in 2017 in terms of wrestling. WCPW was one of the better companies to come out of that time period and offered some gems. This is probably one of my favorites to come out of the company and features some great technical wrestling.
Luis:
This was originally scheduled as Adam Cole vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in a singles match. When Cole tried to back out another opponent was added to the match, Christopher Daniels. Then it became a Ring of Honor World Championship match. This is a really good match but doesn’t quite hit the heights that it could with the talent that’s in it.
***½
Luis’ Recommended Match #1
Do FIXER vs. Blood Generation – Ring of Honor
March 31, 2006
Chicago Ridge, Illinois
Luis:
Ring of Honor has been putting out a ton of great content during this quarantine. Uploaded earlier this month was the legendary Dragon Gate 6-man tag from Supercard of Honor 2006. This match was unlike anything the fans seen at the time. This is a classic that still holds up. I’m not sure if Andrew has seen it but it’s a must see for any wrestling fan.
Andrew:
This match is like speed metal, it’s intense and fast-paced. The faster this match got, the more intense it gets. We get high flying, acrobatics, and the no-tag rule means the action doesn’t slow down. Near the end it’s at the most intense as every man tries to score the pinfall and it’s anyone’s game.
****
Luis’ Recommended Match #2
Lio Rush vs. Davey Richards – DEFY Wrestling
May 26, 2017
Seattle, Washington
Luis:
I know I shared a Lio Rush match last week but with Lio Rush’s recent release, I’m on a Lio Rush kick. When this is all over I hope Lio Rush comes back and reclaims his throne as one of the best wrestlers in independent wrestling. Also, despite what people think about Davey Richards, he’s a fantastic wrestler. The Seattle crowd is super hot for this one. The styles clash between the two make this a great match.
Andrew:
This match was a masterpiece for so many reasons. The lighting and the camera angles combined with the editing make it feel like you’re watching a movie. The storytelling and expressions on the faces of Davey and Lio’s add to that feeling. This match features the more acrobatic Lio Rush so expect to see more flips than last time. Honestly, this is one of his best matches and I need to recommend it to everyone. I have high hopes for Lio’s return to the indies. I like him way more here than I ever did in WWE.
A must watch!
*****
Luis’ Recommended Match #3
Joshua Bishop vs. Dominic Garrini – AIW
April 4, 2019
Jersey City, New Jersey
Luis:
This is one of my favorite matches from WrestleMania week 2019. It was the second match on AIW’s Slumber Party Massacre and it was totally brutal. This match is just insane. Some of the craziest spots you’ll ever see. I’m hoping Andrew has the stomach for this one.
Andrew:
A good hardcore match is like a slasher movie, story isn’t important we just wanna see people get hurt. They waste no time getting the match started and just elevate the violence to the point where they’d have to go too far to keep it going. The choice to make it a submit or quit match only adds because after some of those moves to hear them refuse to quit just adds to the match. A must for Hardcore fans.
****
Luis’ Recommended Match #4
Allie Kat vs. Sanchez – GCW
June 20, 2019
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Luis:
Back when Allie Kat wasn’t afraid to die, she made her GCW debut at the Voltage Lounge in Philadelphia. These two wrestlers kill themselves. I attended this show live and completely loved this match. I miss GCW and the Voltage Lounge and attending live wrestling in general. Wonder how many lives Allie Kat has after this match.
Andrew:
This match needs a little time to warm up but it’s good when it starts going. Sanchez and Allie Kat take some hard bumps in this match including some top turnbuckle moves. I love Allie Kat’s style and her taunting Sanchez was a nice chuckle.
***½
Luis’ Recommended Match #5
Chris Dickinson vs. Willow Nightingale – Beyond Wrestling
February 24, 2019
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Luis:
Back in February of 2019, Beyond Wrestling held their Treasure Hunt tournament. On a show that had stars such as David Starr, Kris Statlander and Jordynne Grace, this is the match that I think stole the show. Willow Nightingale went into this match needing neck surgery and she went all out in her final match before the surgery. As for Chris Dickinson, I’m sure everyone knows about the great 2019 he had.
Andrew:
Chris Dickinson and Willow Nightingale had me cheering for both of them and I don’t know how. They had some good back and forth exchanges that had me hoping to see who’d pull out the win. I also have to give it up to Willow for one of the most controlled missile dives I’ve ever seen.
***½