Prestige Wrestling: A Moment of Violence took place on February 25, 2024 at the Vermont Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. The event can be watched on-demand at IWTV.
Lots of big names on the show tonight, including the brand new TNA X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali facing off against “Speedball” Mike Bailey. Plus, a mystery opponent for Rey Horus. A SOLD OUT crowd at The Vermont Hollywood is ready to go!
The announcers are “Das Wunderkind” Jordan Castle and Jack Farmer.
Opening Contest: Sonico vs. Kushida
I once saw a video of dogs surfing set to Kushida’s entrance song and it was amazing. Feeling out process to start as we get some chain wrestling with neither man getting the advantage. Armdrag by Sonico sends Kushida to the outside. Kushida picks the leg and grabs a toehold but Sonico is able to reverse out and get to the ropes to break. Wristlock by Kushida and he works on the left arm of Sonico. DDT gets one for Kushida. Sonico gets a legsweep and they head outside, but Kushida is too quick and kicks the left arm of Sonico on his way back in.
Dropkick to the left arm by Kushida, followed by an armbar. Kushida rakes the arm of Sonico on the top rope, sending Sonico to the floor and Kushida bluffs a dive. To the corner where Sonico starts a comeback with some kicks and a running headbutt. Kushida grabs the arm again as they slug it out, won by Kushida. Top rope hurricanrana by Kushida is reversed into a sunset flip for two. Sonico with a kick and snap dragon suplex for two. Tope suicida by Sonico through the middle rope in the corner. Kneestrike by Sonico but Kushida with a basement dropkick and once again back to the armbar. Small package by Sonico gets two, followed by a standing enzuigiri. To the top, Kushida takes him down with a kimura lock for the submission win. ***¼ As expected, a really good back and for affair here, that was more grounded than expected. Kushida worked the left arm all match and won because of it.
Match Two: Jordan Cruz vs. Gregory Sharpe
Cruz attacks before the bell with a German suplex. Jumping knee strike by Cruz, but Sharpe is able to clothesline Cruz to the outside. Cruz catches a dive attempt, and drops Sharpe with a brainbuster on the apron which looked nasty. Superplex back into the ring by Cruz. Clubbing forearms from Cruz, but Sharpe is able to block a kneestrike and get his own. Sliced Bread attempt is countered by Cruz with a huge clothesline and kneestrike for two. No More Sorrow hits, but Cruz pulls up Sharpe a two. Burning Hammer finishes once again in dominating fashion for Cruz. This man is not to be messed with people. **½
Match Three: Prestige Wrestling Tag Team Championships: Sinner and Saint (c) vs. West Coast Wrecking Crew
First title defense for Sinner and Saint. Icarus and Nelson start and Nelson uses his power for an early advantage. Icarus grabs a headlock but Nelson shoulderblocks him down. Chops and a corner splash from Nelson, followed by an overhead belly to belly. Tope suicida from Nelson as the pace picks up early. Williams gets a blind tag allowing Sinner and Saint to double-team and take over. Isaacs gets the tag and hits a basement clothesline for two. German suplex gets two for Isaacs. Nelson in again with a back suplex for two. Double dropkick by Sinner and Saint give them some shine. Professional Lariat by Williams gets two on Nelson. Double-teaming by S&S in the corner behind the refs back drawing some heat from the crowd. S&S with some double stomping, but Nelson is able to hit a pounce on both of the champions and hot tag Isaacs. Clotheslines in the corner to the champions. Pumphandle powerslam on Williams gets two.
Assisted powerbomb attempt is reversed by Williams with a hurricanrana and he dives to the outside on Isaacs. Powerplex by S&S gets a close two count. Nelson fights off the champs and tags Isaacs. Slingshot into a powerslam gets two on Williams. Sit out powerbomb on Icarus, sending him to the outside. DVD from Isaacs followed by a flying elbow from Nelson for another close two count. A deserved “this is awesome” chant from the crowd follows. Williams manages to knock the challengers to the outside and take out Isaacs. Icarus with a stunner and a German suplex on Nelson. Icarus tries to go low, and the Angels Wings/running kick combo finishes for the champs. This started fast early and the pace never slowed down. I also bought several of the near falls along the way. Great match. ***¾
Match Four: Rey Horus vs. Black Taurus
Mascara Dorada was the original opponent for Horus and was unable to appear. I’d say Taurus qualifies as a nice surprise opponent. Horus uses his quickness early but Taurus is able to match him in that category. Tope suicida by Horus to the outside followed by a flying headscissors. Hurricanrana on the outside by Horus. Horus attacks Taurus with a chair next and a springboard armdrag follows. Taurus however is able to shoulderblock Horus almost out of his boots to take over. Taurus goes after the right knee and a powerslam gets two. On the outside, Taurus gorilla presses Horus onto the apron. Delayed vertical suplex from Taurus gets another two. Corner charge by Taurus is avoided and Horus gets a body scissor takedown and tosses Taurus to the outside. Horus gets a corner to corner tope con hilo to the floor. Horus gets a running Code Red for two. Taurus fights back with a crucifix driver and pop-up Samoan drop for two. To the top gets an inverted rana and hits Around the Sun for two. Taurus just smacks Horus down and drapes Horus on the top rope. Taurus goes to the top where Horus meets him but Torus gets an avalanche gorilla press slam that gets only two. Tornado DDT followed by a poison rana from Horus gets only two. Around the Sun is blocked with knees from Taurus. Big lariat from Taurus gets two. Torture Rack by Taurus, followed by a powerbomb to the knee and Powerbull gets only two. Another gets the three count for Taurus. Some fine lucha action here, even though all the kickouts near the end got a little nuts. ***½
Match Five: Los Suavecitos vs. Prestige Wrestling World Champion Alex Shelley, Kevin Blackwood and Tiger Mask
Blackwood starts quickly against Rose with a running clothesline and double stomp. Shelley and Gee make tags and the champion maintains control for the babyfaces. Tiger Mask tags in to a big pop, as Quest comes in for the heels. Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker from Tiger Mask as Shelley tags back in. Quest with a dropkick and the Suavecitos gang up on the babyfaces to turn the tide. Brawling on the outside ensues. Back in the heels maintain the advantage with quick tags. Assisted splash by Rose gets two. Side suplex from Shelley, but the Suavecitos cut off the tag. Double clothesline from Shelley finally allows the tag to Blackwood. Blackwood runs wild and gets a bridging suplex for two. Quest stops him with a superkick and Code Red for two. Blackwood fights off Los Suavecitos and tags Tiger Mask. Avalanche double underhook suplex by Tiger Mask gets two. Blackwood leaps back into the ring with a doublestomp. Shelley gets Shellshock and Tiger Mast hits the Tiger Bomb for the win. Just what you would expect from this one, a fun six-man with the babyface team going over. ***
Match Six: Alan Angels vs. Chris Sabin
Collar and elbow tie-up starts proper, and Angels hangs onto a wristlock until Sabin armdrags out of it. Quick rollup by Sabin gets two. The speed and quickness of both these guys is so impressive. Neckbreaker from Sabin gets only one. Ten punches in the corner by Sabin, followed by another neckbreaker for two. A series of pin attempts by Angels all get two, and Sabin hits yet another neckbreaker. Angels catches Sabin on the outside however and runs him into the ringpost. Angels targets the left shoulder of Sabin now. Northern Lights with a bridge by Angels gets two. Sabin gets a superkick to even the odds and both men are down. Clothesline and DDT from Sabin gets two. Fireman’s carry into a flapjack by Sabin gets another two. Cradle Shock is prevented by Angels attacking the shoulder again. Halo Stretch locked in but Sabin is able to make the ropes. Angels Wings reversed with a dragonscrew from Sabin. Shining Wizard by Sabin and both men are down again. Sinner and Saint make their way to ringside. Williams grabs Sabin but he moves and Angels runs into Williams. Pop-up powerbomb and a Styles Clash(!) gets a close two count for Sabin. Cradle Shock attempt but Sinner and Saint save Angels. Sabin dives onto the tag champs on the outside, but Angels catches Sabin coming back in, gets Halo Strike and Angels Wings for the win! ***¼ Post match the Noise put the boots to Sabin until Shelley and Kushida even the odds before security breaks things up.
Match Seven: Jordynne Grace vs. Sandra Moone
Prestige debut for Grace. They exchange headlock takeovers with Moone holding her own against Grace’s power. Bodyblock by Grace gets one. Corner charge misses and Moone runs her into the turnbuckle. Ten clubbing forearms follow, and a shoulderblock from Moone gets a one count. Delayed vertical suplex from Grace gets two. Juggernaut Driver is blocked and a backdrop from Moone and a forearm strike. Moone hits a nice tope suicida to the outside sending Grace into some chairs. Back in that gets two. To the top, Moone headbutts Grace down, but Grace gets a Musclebuster for a close two count. Grace just destroys Moone with clotheslines, but Moone fights back with her own! Grace is too powerful though and drills a powerbomb for another close two count. Spinning back fist is ducked and Moone gets the Moone Thunder Bomb for two. Moone’s Landing attempt is blocked with a back elbow and the Juggernaut Driver finishes for Grace. Tough, hard-fought battle in this one. **¾ Clearly I’m a jinx to Sandra Moone, as she hasn’t won a match in Prestige since I’ve been doing these reviews. I apologize
Main Event: Mike Bailey vs. Mustafa Ali
Ali’s debut in Prestige, and he comes out wearing the TNA X-Division Title. Crowd is amped as you’d expect. Tie-up and they exchange some strike attempts that don’t connect to a stalemate. They trade wristlocks next, then armdrags to another stalemate. Ali with a quick rollup for two as Bailey was playing to the crowd. Bailey gets his own and follows with a front-kick. Speedball kicks send Ali to the outside. Bicycle kick and a springboard moonsault by Bailey. Top rope attack misses, and each hits a running kick. To the top, Ali drops Bailey onto the top turnbuckle and gets a 450 splash onto Baileys left arm. Ali focuses on the left arm now. Rolling neckbreaker gets two for Ali. Another attempt is caught by Bailey into his own armbar, but Ali quickly makes the ropes. Ali tries to springboard off the middle turnbuckle but eats a superkick from Speedball. Big time kicks from Bailey and a standing shooting star press gets two. Tornado DDT from Bailey, but Ali gets a springboard tornado DDT of his own for two. Ali showing signs of frustration, viciously attacks the left arm again. Speedball won’t quit and grabs his own armbar and gets the double knees to the chest. Front kick to the head gets two for Speedball. Ali gets kicked down on the apron, and Bailey tries the double knees again but misses. Ali throws Bailey into the ringpost arm first, and follows with a tope suicida into chairs on the floor. Bailey is up, wearing a chair and runs himself into Ali. Asai moonsault from Speedball into the chairs once again. Back in, Bailey goes to the top, but Ultima Weapon is stopped with a kick. Ali rolls through a 450 and gets thrown face first into the middle turnbuckle. They climb to the top where Bailey gets a poison rana for only two. Ali grabs the Pledge of Ali-gence and gets a rollup for two. Thrust kick from Bailey and a tornado kick. Ultima Weapon misses, and Ali follows with a superkick. Ali hits the 450 for the win. ****¼ This one lived up to the hype.
Final Thoughts: Really no bad matches on this card. Everything delivered, with the main event and the tag title match standing out for me. Black Taurus was a great surprise as the mystery opponent for Rey Horus, and Alan Angels takes one step closer to another shot at the Prestige World Championship.
Upcoming Prestige Shows:
3/24/2024 – Alive 2
4/14/2024 – Roseland 8
4/26/2024 – Pride and Prestige
5/16/2024 – Alive or Just Breathing