We have arrived at Week Three of Paradigm Pro Wrestling’s UWFi Contenders Series and right off the bat we’re met with something special. Before the footage even rolled live on IWTV, Paradigm went to work on their Twitter to build the hype for this show. They had referred to this edition of the show as “Our biggest episode…yet” and from that boasting I was excited to see what kind of action they were providing. As always, it is time to see if the action lived up to the hype as we dive into the past week’s episode.
Our biggest episode of #UWFiContenders yet premieres TOMORROW at 10PM ET / 7 PM PT on @indiewrestling!
— Paradigm Pro Wrestling (@ParadigmProWres) January 5, 2021
In the interim, why not get ready for it by checking out the first two episodes featuring @HoodFoot418, @ThrashJustice, @LordCreweKills, @GnarlsGarvin, @Jordan_Blade92 + MORE! pic.twitter.com/7XsUKqeUio
Match #1: Gnarls Garvin (0-1) vs Crash Jaxon (0-1)
The first match of the night is a big one in terms of size and momentum. Both competitors are coming into this one with losses in the debut episode and only one of them can leave the ring with a 1-1 record. These two hosses fought with a slower pace, but Garvin came ready to fight. Early on Garvin anchored Crash to the mat and threw some heavy forearms across Crash’s face. Garvin would later drive the final dagger home with a German Suplex into a Powerbomb for the Knockout. Post-match Garvin made his future intentions clear as he wants a rematch with Lord Crewe. Garvin points out that Crewe choked him out rather than knocking him out and he plans to feel Crewe’s blood.
I thought this was a fun battle of two massive dudes. Back in my Episode One review I mentioned that Garvin could have the same level of dominance as Super Vader if he develops his game and I see it even more so in this match. To Crash Jaxon’s credit, he didn’t let Garvin take complete control of this one; delivering some kicks to the legs of Garvin that could limp any competitor. He certainly is down, as he’s 0-2 in UWFi competition, but certainly isn’t out. I believe if he works on his approach in this ruleset he can still see some great success further down the line.
Match #2: Midwest Territory Championship Chain – Chase Holiday © (1-0) vs Hardway Heeter (0-0)
Big stakes in the second fight of the night as Chase Holiday’s Midwest Territory Championship Chain hangs in the balance. They start off exchanging submission holds on the ground. Back on their feet, Chase drops Heeter on the mat with a German Suplex and the ref stepped in to count. Standing up m, Heeter was backed into the ropes, but rushed for a Forearm and German Suplex to cause the ref to start counting. The two would exchange ref counts as Heeter would land another Forearm and Chase would slam Heeter with a German Suplex.
Once again standing, Heeter would defend a takedown with Forearms across the back and another slam for the ref’s count. Chase would start seeing red at this point as he bullrushed Heeter with a Running Knee and repeated Suplexes. Holiday would finally get the Knockout win after repeated Elbows on the ground caused the ref to step in and stop the fight. Post-match, Chase Holiday declares that if he’s defending his Chain under UWFi rules, it’s a death sentence for whoever he’s up against.
This match felt like a true to life title fight. Hardway Heeter, as someone who I’m only familiar with through Southern Underground Pro, impressed the hell out of me under these rules. He fought like someone who knew this was a big fight and pulled no punches. Chase Holiday on the other hand, fought like a champion who knew he had to put his opponent down. That finishing flurry by Chase proves just how seriously he takes the Chain and that he’ll do whatever it takes to walk away with it around his neck.
Match #3: Lord Crewe (1-0) vs Austin Connelly (0-0)
Connelly went full scrapper from the early onset of this match; charging Crewe in the corner with strikes and a Gutwrench Suplex. Once standing, Austin locked in a Guillotine Choke before being charged back into the corner to break it. Lord Crewe followed up by hitting a Kick directly to Austin’s head. This would not stop Connelly from getting a hold of Crewe and dropping him with an impressive Water Wheel Drop straight out of Fire Pro Wrestling. The two would stand up once again and exchange hands with Crewe seemingly rocking Austin. However, Austin would still grab Crewe for another Gutwrench Suplex.
“I love your heart, kid!” exclaims Lord Crewe mid-match as they returned to their feet. Lord Crewe would land a strong German Suplex to Connelly before following with a Spinning Kick directly across the face. The two would trade blows one last time before Crewe leveled Connelly to the mat; chasing him down with strikes aplenty for the ref stoppage. Post-match, Lord Crewe responded to Garvin’s earlier comments; accepting Garvin’s challenge and telling Garvin that he knows where to find him.
This match was an absolute scrap by two vicious fighters. Despite the initial Submission win, Crewe just made a claim to be one of Paradigm’s best stand up fighters in the UWFi Series. He weathered the grappling and intensity of Austin Connelly and put him on his back for the win. On the other side of the coin, Austin Connelly also showed his grit by fighting through much of Crewe’s stiff offense. There were a few points I thought he would’ve been plastered on the ground but he pushed through to slam and strike back at Crewe. I would love to see these two run back this match down the line.
Main Event: AKIRA (0-0) vs Yoya (0-0)
This Main Event pits one of the rising stars of the Deathmatch world against a bonafide All-State Wrestler. Yoya began the fight with disrespect, giving AKIRA a middle finger to the face. AKIRAin response would go on a tear, rolling him into a Kneebar, then transitioning a Greco-Roman Knuckle Lock into an Armbar. Yoya’s frustration would surface as charging AKIRA would end in a stiff Knee and a ref’s count. AKIRA would continue to get the better of Yoya until he capitalized and locked AKIRA in an Armbar. AKIRA managed to get on top of Yoya, causing him to reach for the rope break. Yoya would put AKIRA on his back, standing over him, before landing a Double Stomp.
On the ground, the two would lock in Leg Locks, striking in position until AKIRA Headbutted Yoya. Showing shades of Keiji Mutoh, AKIRA locked in a Muta Lock, which needed a rope break. Yoya would stumble AKIRA with a Spinning Kick, but AKIRA would answer with a rushing Belly-to-Belly Suplex. After a full frontal attack by Yoya, both men would be sent to the mat with AKIRA’s Back Elbow. In the end, AKIRA channeled his inner Volk Han and locked on a Standing Double Wrist Lock before lifting Yoya and slamming him to the ground with it. Yoya would tap out and thus be humbled. Post-match, AKIRA couldn’t get a word in as DTTrash hit the ring and ambushed him, demanding a shot at the Paradigm Tag Team Titles from The Rejects.
I’m gonna just come straight out and say it: this match was easily the best of the series thus far. There was so much incredible wrestling and I have already developed a wishlist of competitors that I’m dying to see both guys go against. For the longest time, I’ve been vocal about AKIRA being more than just blood and glass and this match echoes that sentiment. If you still have any more questions on if AKIRA needs weapons in his matches I implore you to watch his work and come back to me. And though Yoya got humbled in the end, he still showed his sound wrestling and MMA acumen. While he’s clearly the smallest in the field of contenders in this series, I’m positive his skill will more than make up for his lack of size.
Final Thoughts & Superlatives
The biggest question is still yet to be answered: did this match live up to the hype on Paradigm’s Twitter? Absolutely! This episode had a diverse set of fights; ranging from full on technical exhibitions to two big lads slugging it out. It’s this presentation that makes UWFi Contenders Series a great watch week by week. And it brings me great happiness to see that through Paradigm’s new IndieGoGo campaign, plans for a Season Two are a go. They’ve even confirmed a match between “The One Man Militia” Matthew Justice and Paradigm’s King of UWFi Rules, Dominic Garrini. In closing, here are this episode’s Superlatives:
Fight of the Night: AKIRA vs Yoya
Performance of the Night: Austin Connelly
Knockout of the Night: Gnarls Garvin
Submission of the Night: AKIRA