After weeks of absence from the IWTV schedule, Paradigm’s UWFi Contenders Series has returned! In the lead up to this second season, there have been some big fights revealed for this season of brutality. Most notably, we have this return episode which has been dubbed as a Triple Main Event. We have two top performers in Paradigm’s UWFi division, two bad men looking to slug it out, and a Heavy Hitters Championship match to bring us back into season. So without further ado, lets get into all the action!
PPW Heavy Hitters Championship: Hoodfoot (c) vs AKIRA
This brutality is sponsored by us here at Pro Wrestling Ponderings. Both of these men fought like they truly wanted to win the Heavy Hitters Championship. AKIRA held his own here, both weathering the clubbing strikes of Mo, as well as making him spend a few points breaking holds on the ground. Mo Atlas, who typically keeps these fights standing up held his own here rolling with the very technical AKIRA. As far as the ending goes, I feel that the ref called it prematurely. I think the ref should’ve administered the ten count as it looked like Hoodfoot didn’t get the full extent of that Overhand Right. However, he got enough of it to walk away with his belt firmly in hand and enough for me to want a rematch down the line.
Robert Martyr vs Nick King
The Poisoned Youth walks into Season Two with an edge after making a statement last season that he’s here to stay. This fight was quite the grapple heavy affair with both men spending much of the fight negotiating each other for holds. King made a great showing here in his debut as he was able to go hold for hold with Martyr, even landing a nasty Deadlift German Suplex off the mat. Martyr on the other hand really found a new level of viciousness he underhandedly stamped King’s foot before landing a High Angle German Suplex; dumping King onto his neck. Robert would tap out King with a Chicken Wing and take to the mic post-match to call out Cole Radrick; claiming Cole’s gonna shake his hand as the better man.
Isaiah Broner vs Flash Thompson
Both of these men are coming off of Season One losses against Hoodfoot and are looking to get back in the race. Both of these men held nothing back on each other as they slugged it out all across the ring. Ultimately, Flash couldn’t protect himself and ate some heavy ground and pound for the referee’s stoppage. Forgotten Fight Team would not let Broner enjoy his win and ambushed Broner. In a turn of events, “The Bev” Bobby Beverly turned on Flash Thompson to reveal a 44.OH hoodie and walk off to the back. While the fight was nothing spectacular, the real intrigue is seeing where Bobby goes from here representing the Ohio bad boys.
Jordan Blade vs Austin Connelly
This is the fight of the two big standouts of Season One as Jordan looks to hit the ground running from a loss from Chase Holiday and Connelly looks to secure victory for the first time. I love Connelly’s berserker style; charging the opponent off the bat and pummeling them. Jordan had to adapt to Connelly’s terms of battle; meeting him with rushing blows of their own. Blade finally tamed the Mad Dog with an Ankle Lock in the center of the ring to cap off this absolutely feral encounter. With Connelly in the rearview, Jordan Blade has their sights on Max The Impaler and snapping their ankle. An incredible performance all around from these two warriors in what could easily be Match of the Night.
Gary Jay vs Derek Neal
There was no technique in this one as both men came into this one looking for a fight. The King’s Road Slayer really pushed his brute force throughout this fight as he toed the line of the rules at points to deal damage to Gary Jay. This match would come down to both men dealing their hardest strikes before Neal pounced on Gary and scrapped away at him like a hungry jackal for the victory. This was downright ugly but the type of ugly that makes you wanna see them throw more fists.
Matthew Justice vs Dominic Garrini
We have a big fight feel here in the Main Event as one of Paradigm’s top UWFi competitors takes on the One Man Militia. Garrini, ever the technician, bested Justice on the ground, but that isn’t to say Justice didn’t hold his own. Justice managed to slip in a great takedown and some solid top game. It would ultimately conclude with Justice landing a chance knee to the crown of Dom and proceeded to lay his knees into Dom for the stoppage. The victory would be short lived as Team Filthy rat packed Justice. It was fascinating to see Justice play to his opponents game successfully when he’s known for battering his opponents with steel but thats not to take away from this big victory. I hope to see Justice carry this style into further UWFi victories and beyond.
Final Thoughts & This Week’s Superlatives
There is a lot to be enjoyed with the changes between last season and this season. Getting a couple extra fights on this episode was a much welcomed surprise; as was extending the Tale of the Tape before each fight. However there is one thing I had hoped Paradigm would add to their production: a scoreboard. I love the points system of the UWFi style but as a viewer I’d love to be able to know where each fighter is at points-wise. Other than that, the action has most definitely picked up with a wider contenders field mixed with established Paradigm performers, people who’ve earned their spot last season and the fresh, hungry talent looking to join.
And with this new season’s debut, here are the superlatives for the season premiere:
Fight of the Night: Robert Martyr (2)/Nick King
Performance of the Night: Robert Martyr (2)
Knockout of the Night: Derek Neal
Submission of the Night: Jordan Blade (2)