On January 22, 2023 Catalyst Wrestling went live from Brooklyn, New York with their show Rock the Bell House. The show opened with a rap from Poison Pen to fire up the Brooklyn crowd. Next, they moved to a backstage interview from Dave Lee with Bobby Orlando (and Bobby JR.). Bobby cut an impassioned promo and issued an open challenge before making his way to the ring. Ray Jaz answers the open challenge, and the match card is officially under way.
The crowd chanted “one fall” with the announcer before every match and it truly did a lot to heighten the atmosphere.
Ray Jaz vs Bobby Orlando
Winner: Ray Jaz
The clear crowd favorite was Bobby Orlando (and even more so Bobby JR.), but Ray Jaz took control of the match immediately. The match was brute physicality at its finest, and both components were able to showcase their in ring abilities throughout the contest. Ultimately, Bobby Orlando tapped to Ray Jaz in a solid opening match. After the match, Bobby Orlando was attacked by the Hudson County Horror Show in a classic brawl.
Catalyst Freestyle Championship Match- Ghost Shadow (c) vs Jaden Newman
Winner and still Freestyle Champion: Ghost Shadow (via disqualification due to interference)
The first championship match of the night is for the Freestyle Championship. The championship is not the traditional belt and is instead a mandalian. The commentators did an excellent job of presenting Ghost Face as a dominant champion for viewers who may be unaware. The match had a few near-calls causing loud reactions from the audience. Just when it seemed Newman was in trouble Carter Mason interfered, spearing Shadow, thus allowing him to retain the title.
Twitch vs Anthony Gangone
Winner: Anthony Gangone
Before the match, Anthony Gangone aired his grievances towards Twitch, adding more emotion and meaning to the match. As soon as the bell rang they were after each other. Gangone was fired up, the crowd with him. The match included some of the loudest moments of the night, the crowd loved the total beat down of Twitch by Gangone. Gangone ultimately prevailed in what was one of the hottest matches of the night.
Barricade Match – Wrecking Ball vs Ron Bass Jr
Winner: Wrecking Ball
The first specialty match of the evening was a barricade match. The rules are simple- all action and pin falls must occur inside the ring, and there are guards blocking the outside. Wrecking Ball cut an in ring promo before the match began, and attacked Ron Bass Jr. as soon as the former entered the ring. Ron Bass Jr. came out with his ribs taped up (and in a very bad mood). Wrecking Ball was the winner, and to no surprise as he dominated most of the matchup.
Top Rope Match – Jack Evans vs The Infinite TIM
Winner: The Infinite TIM
A Top Rope Match can only conclude in one way: a pin-fall after a top rope maneuver. The stakes were high as it is used to determine the best top flyer. Both competitors got cheered during their introductions and it was hard to tell what side fans were on (or supposed to be on). As expected, this match had no shortage of high-flying action, and was one of the most exciting matches of the evening. The Infinite TIM won the match, and it was clear that this victory was a huge deal.
Masha Slamovich vs JC Storm
Winner: Masha Slamovich
Masha Slamovich is one of the hottest names on the current independent circuit, and she got one of, if not the, biggest reaction of the night. This was JC Storm’s first Catalyst singles match, but she had the love and support from the fans nonetheless. This was the only women’s match on the card, but it was highly anticipated and the fans were into it. It was no surprise when Slamovich claimed the victory, and no one was upset about it.
The REP (Dave McCall and Nate Carter) vs Tri State Saints (Deesean Pratt and Dominic Danero)
Winners: The Tri State Saints
The Tri State Saints came out first and a promo was cut, firing up the crowd. The pure hatred for the Tri State Saints was vocalized by the crowd throughout the match up. The match was exciting and dimmed only by the unfair ending of an outside distraction. On the bright side, the match was an incredible showing of tag team wrestling and all four talents.
Catalyst Wrestling Sapphire Television Championship Match: Akira vs O’Shay Edwards (c)
Winner and still Catalyst Wrestling Sapphire Television Champion: O’Shay Edwards
This match had a big fight feel to it, and it delivered. Akira, the Deathmatch Samuri, came out to a chorus of cheers and a determination to win, but alas came up short. The match was wonderful and succeeded in highlighting the competitors different approaches to the match. Akira and Edwards shook hands after the match, showing respect to one another.
The Mane Event (Midas Black and Jay Lyon) vs Peter Avalon and B-Boy
Winners: The Mane Event
The Mane Event’s entrance was perhaps the grandest entrance of the night, and the crowd ate it up, but Peter Avalon and B-Boy got some cheers regardless. The Mane Event are a fun tag-team and they made for a fun match. The match hit a lot of the classic tag-team notes, and the crowd was stomping and clapping their way through the bout. The Mane Event won, but after that match the only losers were the people who missed it. Commentary had a disagreement on the ending as it was a little unclear who the legal man was, and B-Boy and Avalon got into a fight after the match as a result, however, the crowd loved the Mane Event victory.
Three Way Dance Match for the Catalyst Wrestling Championship: Tracy Williams vs Rob Killjoy vs Darius Carter (c)
Winner and still Catalyst Wrestling Champion: Darius Carter
This was the last championship match of the night, and it was the first match in the co-main event of the evening. Darius Carter is the longest reigning Catalyst Champion. All three competitors got positive reactions, and the noise got louder and louder throughout the match. This match was part of the main event for a reason: the action was nonstop and all three competitors fought their hearts out for the Catalyst Championship. Darius Carter was able to retain and continue his longest running reign.
Last Man Standing Match: Homicide vs Colby Corino
Winner: Homicide
This was the last match of the night. The last part of the main event. Anything with Homicide’s name on it is a big deal, and it’s clear New York worship’s the man. The “let’s do this” from the announcer before the bell rang was an excellent touch and really foreshadowed the intense action of the match. Steel chairs, and tables, and blood, oh my! These two beat the crap out of each other. This was by far, the most exciting match of the night. Homicide was the last man standing and the long time feud between Corino and 187 seemed to be laid to rest.
Overall, this was a very solid show. There were several interviews, promos, and cuts to the commentators in between the matches and it was a really nice way of breaking up the action. The crowd was engaged and vocal the entire three hours, and the wrestlers were on the top of their games. Each match truly felt like it meant something.
You can stream this show now on StreamCatalystWrestling.com.
