Synergy Wrestling is a company that has been on my radar as of late. Though I will admit I haven’t had the time to catch their more recent shows due to other life plans. However, Saturday night October 24th was finally the night I would buckle down and get to watch Shadows live on FITE TV. Going into Shadows, I was fascinated by the sheer star power of this card. Boasting matches like KTB vs Kit Osborne, Wheeler YUTA vs Matt Macintosh; not to mention the main event Synergy Title Match featuring Synergy Champion Brandon Kirk defending against GCW standout Jordan Oliver and current IWTV Independent Wrestling Champion WARHORSE. On paper alone, this was truly a show worth watching and one I was actively looking forward to.
Match #1: Nerd World Order (Kip Stevens & Joey Silver) vs Goldy & Max Sterling
Going into this show, the Nerd World Order were announced for action. However, their opponents were not named until the night of the show. Their opponents turned out to be Monster Factory talents Goldy & Max Sterling. This match was strongly in Nerd World Order’s grasp as their opponents couldn’t quite gain their footing. Dissension would become of the team of Goldy & Sterling as Sterling forced a tag on Goldy to gain entry into the match and go for a pin. After finding himself on the mat, Max would reach out to Goldy for the tag only for Goldy to step off the apron and make the walk to the back. Nerd World Order would take advantage with a Stunner by Kip Stevens, followed by a Sweet Dreams from Joey Silver for the three count and the win.
I thought this match was a pretty solid opener. It was a great way to get the crowd amped up for the show ahead. A couple interesting notes on this one. First off, according to the commentary table this match was only the second time Stevens and Silver have teamed as the Nerd World Order. This was a surprise to me personally as they mesh very well and if I hadn’t caught that anecdote on commentary I would’ve just assumed they were a long time tag team. The second thing to note, Joey Silver wrestled this entire match in a PPE mask. If a professional wrestler can wrestle a whole match in a mask then what’s stopping others from wearing them daily? Overall this was a strong showing for the Nerd World Order and I look forward to their continued success as a team.
Match #2: KTB vs Kit Osbourne
This match was one I expected to be pretty one sided as the smaller Kit Osbourne squared off with the vicious KTB. Kit would not get a strong start as he found himself overpowered straight out of the gate as well as being mocked by KTB for being unable to move him in their lock up. Kit had begun to irk KTB with an attempted shoulder tackle, followed by a series of chops and an attempt at gaining KTB’s back with a Sleeper Hold on the standing Beast. Kit would resolve to his usual trickery with an eye poke to KTB; though that would only give him some temporary ground to stand on against KTB. Kit finally gained the high ground after an attempted Shoulder Block in the corner by KTB was met with only the steel ring post. The match would conclude with KTB face planting Kit from the Powerbomb position and transitioning into a deep single leg Boston Crab for the tap out victory. Post match, KTB took to the mic demanding a bigger challenge than who he’s already faced. Enter IMPACT Wrestling’s Fallah Bah on the video screen with an answer to KTB’s challenge for next month’s Black Friday show.
There was some great action that came out of this match; including a very John Morrison-esque Swinging Neckbreaker by Kit Osbourne. I definitely didn’t expect the match to end with a submission from KTB as he’s more known to finish opponents with his signature “Beast-sault.” Despite how the finish happened, it went just about how I predicted it; with KTB handily defeating Kit Osbourne in a short affair.
Match #3: Call Your Shot Match: Wheeler YUTA vs Matt Macintosh [WRITER RECOMMENDED MATCH]
This one was going down with the stipulation that the winner could book himself in any match they wanted against any wrestler who has been on the Synergy roster. This match had a strong technical start from both guys with lots of transitional holds and joint locks. As the technical action ramped up, both YUTA and Macintosh began to trade Monkey Flips and pinfalls, which ended in both men bridging with their Greco Roman Knuckle Locks still firmly held. Once YUTA began to focus the attack on Macintosh’s left leg, Matt would concede the technical bout by striking YUTA; thus turning this match into a full on fight. After a Suicide Dive landed on the mark by Wheeler YUTA, he would just as soon be caught with a Pop Up Death Valley Driver inside the ring for only a two count. After two failed attempts at an Assault Driver, including one transitioned into an Ankle Lock by YUTA, Matt Macintosh would successfully land it for the three and the right to any match he wanted. After the fall, Synergy’s Colin West came out to invite YUTA back for Black Friday to take part in the Best of the Light Heavyweights. Then came Matt Macintosh calling his shot; he called out Synergy Creative Director and Commentator Nicholas Kaye. West would sweeten the pot for Kaye by giving him his Creative Director position back if he could beat Macintosh.
Wow. The biggest thing I can say about this match is just wow. There is so much I loved about this match. The technical wrestling was absolutely crisp, the strikes they were dishing out really had some heat behind them. This truly was a show stealer of a match positioned early on the card. There was this moment that stood out to me where Macintosh laid on a vicious Headbutt to YUTA and it crumpled both men. There was also a bit of a goofy moment where both men responded to an early “This is awesome” chant by taking a bow and leaving the ring seemingly for the back. Macintosh and YUTA worked wonders together in this match and I highly suggest you go out of your way to watch this one and just enjoy what they can do together in the ring.
Match #4: Apostles of Chaos (Logan Black & Chris Benne) vs Anthony Gangone
This match would be changed up at the last moment as MV Young’s car would break down on him en route to this show. Seeing the newfound advantage, Logan and Chris immediately jumped on Anthony Gangone like a couple of hungry jackals. After several attempts at a comeback, Gangone finally dodged a Double Cannonball in the corner and finally gained a full head of steam. With Chris Benne accounted for on the outside, Gangone hit a Frog Splash on the prone Logan Black but could not get the full three count as Chris Benne pulled the referee out of the ring to cost Gangone the victory. The Apostles of Chaos would finally hit a beautiful Chokeslam-Powerbomb combination for the victory over the lone Anthony Gangone. Post match, Black and Benne were not finished, as they came back out and hit a Double Burning Hammer to the floor to Gangone (or as they called it on commentary: a “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Driver”).
I thought that these three guys made lemonade out of this situation (with no fault to MV for missing this show). The story of this one is that Anthony Gangone is down a partner and is seemingly cut off by The Apostles of Chaos each time he finally got some momentum. There was definitely some great hard hitting action in this one and props to these guys for rolling with the punches and making the best of an unfortunate situation.
Match #5: Synergy Wrestling Cruiserweight Crown #1 Contender Match: Ellis Taylor vs Kasey Catel
With a Number One Contender slot for the Synergy Wrestling Cruiserweight Crown on the line here this was sure to be a great match. Kasey came out hot, pulling off some evasive maneuvers to best Ellis Taylor. However one strong forearm shot would crumple Catal to the mat in scary fashion. This fight would then spill to the floor as a brawl would resolve in Ellis hitting Catal with a Neckbreaker on the hard floor. Ellis would attempt a Superplex on Kasey but that would be thwarted as she knocked him off the top rope. Her newfound comeback would be cut short as Ellis knocked her to her knees and hit a Double Stomp on the back of her head. After fighting back into the match once again, Catal would hit a Dragon Suplex, followed by a Styles Clash but would only gain a two before winning the match and contendership with a surprise roll up. After the match, the suspended Charles Mason hit the ring and took out Ellis Taylor’s leg before putting down a disturbing beating on Taylor; one that saw Taylor choked with Mason’s tie, tied to the bottom rope by the neck, and then attacked with a steel chair. After Mason was ejected, Ellis told Colin West to make a match happen between himself and Mason.
In this one I was honestly concerned for Kasey Catal, especially after that first forearm. The rest of the match she seemed a bit slower in pace after getting rocked by the forearm of Ellis Taylor. Though that did play into the narrative of the match, which was the bigger Ellis Taylor using his size to keep Catal from gaining an advantage. Still they put on a great match with further intrigue as who Kasey would be facing come Black Friday.
Intermission Time
Synergy showed a great bout from last year’s Synergy Wrestling 9 between Gabby Ortiz and AEW’s Nyla Rose (which is available to watch in full on IWTV). Then comes Colin West with the announcement he’s been teasing: the first six women signed on for Synergy Wrestling’s Women’s Garden State Invitational show on December 12th. Set to appear are Faye Jackson, Veda Scott, Holidead, Willow Nightingale, Tasha Steelz and Cruiserweight Crown Number One Contender Kasey Catal.
Match #6: Synergy Wrestling Cruiserweight Crown: KC Navarro vs TJ Crawford (c) [WRITER RECOMMENDED MATCH]
KC Navarro with a golden opportunity here as he stepped in for the original challenger: Ring of Honor’s Cheeseburger. Right off the bat, Navarro began sinking into Crawford’s head by using his agility to outpace the champ. After a gorgeous Suicide Dive to the outside, the action returned into the ring where KC hit an early 450 Splash for a two count. Crawford started using some heavyweight-esque slams to take the edge off of Navarro and finally gained his footing. From here forward, both men just kept pulling off bigger and crazier moves. After being on the receiving end of a Palm Thrust-Superkick-Running Knee-combination to the corner, Navarro pulled out an insane Springboard Canadian Destroyer. Ultimately shenanigans would prevail as a ref bump and a low blow would seal the victory for Crawford. Post match Kasey Catal hit the ring with a Singapore Cane and bounced TJ from the ring, with her declaring their Cruiserweight Crown match at Black Friday was to be a Street Fight!
This was another match that had me saying wow over the course of the entire match. Crawford is someone I was already well associated with through a couple Scramble Matches at Zero1 USA Northeast last year, along with his incredible match with AEW’s Kris Statlander at Beyond Wrestling’s Please Come Back II in January. I enjoyed his heel work of mocking the Seven Nation Army chants for KC as well as all the moves he kept throwing down. He hit this one GTS-Powerbomb combo that looked absolutely lethal and so great at the same time. KC Navarro on the other hand, I was so blown away by though I had only seen him in a Four Way Dance at Violence & Suffering earlier this month. His moves were an absolute beauty to behold. I especially loved his 305 Dropkick to Crawford, who was prone on the middle rope, then following up with a Code Red. Hats off to both of these guys for the full on physical performance they delivered last night. Please do yourself a favor and watch this match and just enjoy what these two athletically gifted guys can do.
Match #7: LSG vs Matt Vertigo
Pre match, both LSG and Matt Vertigo were confirmed as contestants in the Best of the Light Heavyweights next month at Black Friday. In the opening minutes, LSG opted to take the coward’s approach; dipping out of the ring as soon as the bell sounded and grasping for the ropes as soon as he was in any sort of trouble. His tactics would soon pay off as he cut off Matt Vertigo on a Suicide Dive attempt. From there both men started to chop it out on the apron until Vertigo found himself on the bad end of an Apron Back Drop, then finding himself hitting the steps back first. After Vertigo beat the ten count on the outside, LSG began zeroing in on that hurt back; applying stretches, slams and holds to push more pressure on Vertigo’s already hurt back. After some more back and forth between both guys, Vertigo hit a great top rope Elbow to the standing LSG before finishing the match with the Drip Drop for the win.
This was a match I had my eyes on in the build to this show as I’m new to both guys. They told a straightforward story in this one: LSG focusing the attack on the hurt back of Vertigo and Vertigo having to adapt his gameplan. However, straightforward does not mean boring as there was a lot of great back and forth action in this match. Being that they’re both confirmed for Best of the Light Heavyweights next month, I look forward to seeing more of both guys in the near future.
Match #8: Synergy Wrestling Championship #1 Contender Elimination Match: The Whisper vs Desean Pratt vs Eric Corvis vs Frightmare
A match with high stakes and even higher intensity is this one as the winner gets to take on the Synergy Wrestling Champion yet to be determined. Right out of the gate, Eric Corvis and Desean Pratt took the fight to each other, which spilled to the outside, leaving The Whisper and Frightmare to lock up on the inside. Whisper jockeys Frightmare out of the ring, where Pratt re-enters and powers out Whisper; leaving Corvis to come back in and continue their heated fight. Amid the four-man-chaos, Whisper rolls through an attempted Instant Death by Frightmare for a surprise roll up for a three count; eliminating Frightmare from the equation.
And then there were three as Desean Pratt cleared the ring of Corvis with a focused attack on Corvis’ arm and shoulder. With Corvis on the outside once again, Whisper would fight back into the match, hitting Pratt with The Aftermath and only gaining a two count. With Pratt bailing to the outside, Whisper hit a dicey looking Tope con Hilo to the outside on both guys. Then out came a vengeful Frightmare who ambushed Whisper from behind; hitting the Instant Death on the hard floor that caused his elimination and left him for dead in the ring. Pratt took full advantage of the situation and got the successful three count and eliminated The Whisper.
We are now down to our final and most intense pair in this elimination match. Corvis took full advantage of the tired Pratt as he hit a Frog Splash onto him as soon as Pratt rolled off Whisper. Both men would continue to brawl it out, finding their way outside with Corvis collapsing to the floor. Pratt would opt to get back in the ring and try to get the victory via count out. Luckily for Corvis, he found the will to answer the ten count and onward the match continued. After a failed pin attempt, Pratt ascends to the top rope, but Corvis cuts him off and hits a top rope Zero Machine for the three and Number One Contendership status. Post match, with both guys standing in the ring, Desean simply tells Corvis to “Go get that belt.” and goes on his way to the back.
This was a fun Four Way Elimination Match in my opinion. The Whisper looked especially great here with his agile offense and insane, twisty moves that he is capable of. There was a spot in this one I especially loved with Eric Corvis locking both Frightmare and Whisper in a Boston Crab-Surfboard Stretch combination, teasing a Double Elimination. With much history in this match, and more history being created because of it I’m looking forward to seeing what comes of these four guys down the road.
Main Event: Synergy Wrestling Championship: Brandon Kirk (c) vs WARHORSE vs Jordan Oliver
Before Corvis even left ringside and the ring announcer could even announce it was Main Event time, out came Synergy Wrestling Champion Brandon Kirk with the belt in tow. Kirk would taunt Corvis with the belt before his other two competitors in the Main Event would join him in the ring. The opening minutes were a lot of fun to be had with all three guys doing a Greco Roman Knuckle Lock, followed by Mouse Trap-esque combinations with each other, trying to take each other out. Even more fun was to be had as the trio locked each other in a Three Way-Headscissors hold on the mat; only to be let go by a ref’s count of three. From here there all three men would attempt to get the jump on each other.
Then the unfortunate happened: Jordan swept the legs of Brandon Kirk, causing him to Dropkick the seated WARHORSE. However, in doing so, Kirk’s weight landed fully on WARHORSE’s foot and ankle, causing him to need assistance to the back. Synergy’s Colin West came to the commentary table soon after the situation happened with the news that WARHORSE would be pulled from the remainder of the match with a sprained ankle; absolutely the right call in this situation.
With one man down, onward the match went as Jordan seated Kirk in the stands and with a full head of steam, nailed him with a Running Dropkick. After falling victim to an Apron Back Drop, Jordan fought back in the ring with a Clout Cutter which only got the two count. Taking it back to the outside yet again, Jordan positioned Kirk on the floor and ascended the Synergy entrance way for a nasty Elbow Drop. Upon return to the ring, Jordan’s second attempt at a Clout Cutter is caught into a German Suplex. Kirk then hit a Regal-plex for the final three count, retaining his Synergy Wrestling Championship. Post match, Jordan Oliver took to the mic to claim his business with Kirk was far from finished. Suddenly, onto the video screen came IMPACT Wrestling’s Ace Austin, who challenged Jordan to a rubber match at Black Friday. Post show, WARHORSE took to his Twitter account to confirm that he was screened in the back and that no major breaks or swelling happened to his ankle.
It’s hard to talk about this Main Event and not address the elephant in the room. WARHORSE’s injury did noticeably take much of the wind out of the hot start of this match. You can tell by the match beginning to wrap up not too long afterward that WARHORSE’s absence did cut the match down from what I assume it originally would have been. However, I thought Kirk and Jordan still did an excellent job making the best of the hand they were dealt in this situation. Big time props to Colin West as well for handling this situation professionally with full transparency and looking out for WARHORSE’s well being. Perhaps in the future Synergy Wrestling will run this one back so we can get the full and proper match.
Final Thoughts
From top to bottom this was an easy and enjoyable watch and by and large the best show to spend last night watching on FITE TV. The show ran a good three-and-a-half hours but did not drag at any point in time. Aside from the WARHORSE injury, there was no real low points of the show, though that was more more of an empathetic point than an “I’m bored of this.” point. They also did a lot of good laying out the road map to the next show, as we now have four matches confirmed for Black Friday, as well as a group of talent confirmed to appear in December. As mentioned above, I greatly enjoyed the Cruiserweight Crown Match, as well as the Call Your Shot Match. However that is not a knock on the rest of the competitors on this show, as I thought each match brought something to the table. In other words, come for the recommended matches and stay for the rest of an energetic show.