A full house packed into the O2 Guildhall to witness Revolution Pro Wrestling's debut in Southampton. Although many tickets were undoubtedly sold on the promise of WWE Hall of Famer, Brett Hart, outstanding performances from Josh Bodom, Damo, Marty Scurrl and yet another match of the year contender from Will Ospreay against Ricochet, ensured fans left satisfied having seen not only some of the best wrestling in England but some of the best wrestling in the world.
Lord Gideon Grey vs Flash Morgan Webster
Lord Gideon Grey, simply better than you, arrived more suited to riding a horse than to wrestle was greeted by a chorus of boos. Perturbed by the lack of respect shown by the crowd, Lord Gideon Grey proceeded to rile up the crowd with various jibes and comments. Fresh of his American debut in Chikara's annual King of Trios tournament, Flash Morgan Webster arrived to the ring draped in the finest mod gear that would make Paul Weller blush.
Immediately, Lord Gideon Grey went on the defensive, hiding between the ropes to ensure Webster couldn't deliver any meaningful offence. After a brief exchange of holds, Flash Morgan Webster worked Grey to the mat before delivering a standing inverted senton sending Grey to the outside. After attempting a baseball slide, Lord Gideon Grey catches Webster in the apron. Mocking his incapacitated foe, Grey took a run up to deliver a drop kick which Webster blocked before Webster escaped and took to the skies to deliver a cross body to the outside. After an impressive Oklahoma roll for a near fall by Webster, Lord Gideon Grey pulled the referee in front of him to halt Webster's momentum before tying Webster up between the ropes.
After a series of cheap shots and kicks to the tied up arm, Lord Gideon Grey applied a chin lock in the centre of the ring. Encouraged by the crowd, Webster powered out of the hold before a diving clothesline shifted the momentum. Flash Morgan Webster delivered a cross body followed by a neck breaker before, once again, Lord Gideon Grey sought refuge behind the referee. After the successful distraction, Lord Gideon Grey planted Webster with a facebuster before attempting to use the ropes to assist the three count. Fortunately, the referee was wise to Lord Gideon Grey's tactics and stopped the count. Flash Morgan Webster won the match after connecting with a jumping knee followed by a moonsault.
This was a fun little opener. Lord Gideon Grey did a fantastic job ensuring the fans cheered for Webster. Lord Gideon Grey's comeuppance was met with a huge roar of approval from the Southampton crowd as his antics were laid to rest for the evening.
Damo vs Doug Williams
The next unannounced match threw together an interesting encounter. Big Damo, consistently impressive in ICW, faced British wrestling legend and former TNA wrestler, Doug Williams. As the bell rang, Damo gained the initial advantage due to his size advantage before Doug Williams demonstrated his strength by powering out of a side headlock. Williams, encouraged by his achievement, offers Big Damo a test of strength in which he managed to ground the much bigger man before applying a japanese choke hold. A shoulder block sent Damo to the outside as Williams connected with a tope suicida to ground Damo on the outside. After an extensive brawl around the ring, Damo regains the momentum with a thunderous drop kick that sends Williams reeling into the corner.
Damo, in control, began the systematic dismantling of Doug Williams, driving his back into the ring apron numerous occassions before going to work on Williams' lower back. After returning to the ring, Damo delivered a devastating vertical suplex that registered as a 4.0 on the Richter scale that shook the whole building. An attempted senton by Damo was blocked by Williams' knees before Williams delivered an astonishing german suplex. An attempted double foot stomp was dodged by Damo before delivering a michinoku driver that almost broke the ring in half. Damo picked up the victory via submission as he made Doug Williams tap with the kata ha jime.
This was an enjoyable match in which the fans were firmly behind Doug Williams. This was the first time I have seen Damo in a ring other than ICW and found he was just as impressive here as a heel as he is as a face in ICW. For my money, I don't think there are many men of his size that can do what he does.
Andy Boy Simmons vs Flatliner
Portsmouth's own, Andy Boy Simmons, arrived to a cascade of boos as he riled up the Southampton locals. Simmons offered an open challenge to anyone in the arena which was answered by local legend, Flatliner.
Carrying a bottle of water, Flatliner spat water at Simmons before pulling the referee's trousers down. Simmons takes advantage of Flatliner's turned back with a series of cheap shots before Flatliner gained the advantage with a lariat. Flatliner, after kissing Simmons, delivers a body slam followed by a brutal kick up the arse. As the momentum shifted once again, a grounded Flatliner encourages Simmons to return the favour by kicking him up the arse before moving out of the way as Simmons lands on his backside to the delight of the crowd.
After blocking another attempted kick, Flatliner feasted on the boot of Simmons before an inverted atomic drop sent the derided Portsmouth local to the outside before a lariat by Simmons allowed him to apply a chin lock. Flatliner powered out before connecting with a series of homages to various wrestling legends; first, Fatliner delivered a stunner that sent Simmons reeling into the corner. Then, Flatliner connected with a stinkface followed by a chokeslam before channelling his inner Big Daddy with a splash to secure the victory.
This match wasn't really for me as it relied too heavily on comedy spots. However, much of the audience appeared to enjoy the antics of local legend, Flatliner.
John Morrison vs Mark Haskins
In the first international dream match of the night, The Star Attraction, Mark Haskins, faced a man rejuvenated in his wrestling career. After leaving WWE, John Morrison dwelled in the pro wrestling wilderness before singing to cult phenomenon Lucha Underground in which he earned critical acclaim for a series of impressive performances against the likes of Prince Puma (Ricochet), Brian Cage and Alberto El Patron. Similarly, Mark Haskins has enjoyed a resurgence after departing TNA. A series of excellent performances across various UK promotions over the past couple of years have solidified him as one of Britain's best.
Haskins and Morrison exchanged various holds before Haskins rolled through to apply an arm bar. After Morrison reached the ropes, a series of kicks sent Morrison to the outside before Haskins connected with a tope suicida. Haskins and Morrison proceeded to trade fierce kicks around the ring until Haskins blocked a moonsault attempt with a super kick before rolling Morrison back into the ring to continue work on the arm.
A superkick allowed Morrison to gain the momentum before an impressive sequence in which he followed up a side russian leg sweep with a neck then a back breaker before applying a chin lock. Haskins successfully powered out and then avoided the Moonlight Drive but failed to avoid an enziguri. Morrison, after connecting with a shining wizard, looks for the End of the World but Haskins catches Morrison and transitioned into the fujiwara arm bar- Morrison reached the ropes before landing on his feet after an attempted german suplex.
Morrison, after connecting with a super kick, attempted a second shining wizard but Haskins caught his knee and transitioned into a stretch muffler submission hold before delivering a devastating death valley driver for a near fall. The match ended when Morrison connected with a springboard enziguri before delivering the End of the World to secure the victory.
This was a really good match. Unsurprisingly, these two displayed great chemistry together and if given a little longer time, this could have been even better than it was. My only complaint is that we didn't get five minutes more.
Will Ospreay vs Ricochet
Post intermission, fans were treated to an international dream match between two of the top five high flyers in professional wrestling today. Both men have had immensely impressive years; Ricochet, or Prince Puma, has excelled in matches against the likes of Zack Sabre Jr, Morrison, Mil Meurtes, Matt Sydal and various other high profile names. Likewise, Will Ospreay has unquestionably had the best year of his career to date featuring in incredible matches against the likes of AJ Styles, Matt Sydall, Mark Haskins and Jimmy Havoc.
After donning Ospreay's jacket, Ricochet mocked Ospreay by copying his signature pose. The match got under way as both men block german suplex attempts before Ospreay sent Ricochet to the outside. Ricochet attempted to return with a member of the audience's shoe before the referee returns the shoe to its rightful owner. For some unfathomable reason, many members of the audience began to chant for chant for tables at this point. Both men looked underneath the ring to no avail before returning to the ring. Ospreay and Ricochet proceeded to satiate the members of the audience demanding tables with what they do best; high flying. First, Ricochet flipped out of an attempted head scissor take down before Ospreay flipped out of a head scissor take down attempt by Ricochet before both men dodged a series of kicks.
A roly poly into a ddt was followed up by a corkscrew moonsault to the outside by Ricochet before re-entering the ring with delayed springboard knees before channelling his inner Rock by delivering the people's moonsault for a near fall. Ricochet continued to mount a series of offensive maneuvers as he caught a diving Ospreay, applying a torture rack submission before bashing Ospreay's head on the turnbuckle. Ospreay, after blocking a vertical suplex, connected with a rebound handspring enziguri that sent Ricochet to the outside before Ospreay delivered a beautiful tope con hilo to ground Ricochet.
Back in the ring, after connecting with a swinging ddt, Ospreay delivered a standing shooting star press. Ospreay and Ricochet proceeded to trade chops in the high rent distract before Ricochet attempted a frankenstiener but Ospreay landed on his feet- Ricochet gains the advantage with a rolling fisherman suplex into a vertical suplex. Ospreay blocked the attempted firemans carry into roundhouse kick combination before both men connected with consecutive reverse ranas as both men fell to the mat to chants of this is awesome.
After a standing meteora, Ricochet landed a shooting star press for an incredibly close fall. Again, Ospreay escaped the fireman's carry/roundhouse kick combination before connecting with the Essex Destroyer for a near fall. Sensing the opportunity to pick up one of the biggest victories in his fledgling career, Ospreay headed to the top rope to deliver an inverted 450 splash to secure the victory in, unsurprisingly, the match of the night.
This was an incredible match. It was everything I could have wanted and more. Not much can be said about Ricochet that hasn't already been said, he was fantastic here again. Already with potential match of the year contenders against the likes of AJ Styles, Mark Haskins and Marty Scurrl, not including any of his BOLA matches, Ospreay added another name to an already impressive list of incredible matches. In my opinion, there is no one at his age who is better in the UK or the rest of the world.
It wouldn't surprise me if we get a rematch between these two at a PWG show down the line. I wtould estimate 75% of the audience didn't know who either of these men were but the fact these two got everyone on their feet chanting that was awesome is testament to their ability as performers.
What a great match!
Josh Bodom vs Tomasso Ciampa
British Cruiser-weight Champion, Josh Bodom, faced on of the biggest challenges in his young career as he faced The Sicilian Psychopath, Tomasso Ciampa. Fresh of a couple of appearances on NXT, Ciampa returned to the British wrestling scene this past weekend with a duo of matches vs Damo and this match vs Josh Bodom.
A cheap shot by Bodom got the match under way as he immediately tossed Tomasso Ciampa to the outside. An attempted tope suicida was blocked by Ciampa as he caught Bodom before delivering a floating suplex to the ring post. A lengthy brawl around the ring was punctuated by Ciampa asking fans hold Bodom' arms apart to deliver a series of precision chops to Bodom's chest.
After supping a member of the audience's beer, Ciampa attempted to mount some ring in ring offence but his plans were scuppered as Bodom delivered a series of rapid strikes before an inverted neck breaker assisted by the ropes followed by a standing moonsault for a near fall.
A pop up knee delivered by Bodom allowed him to head to the top rope. Ciampa, showing excellent awareness, returned to his feet to battle on the top rope before emerging on top with a death valley driver from the top rope for a near fall.
The match ended when Josh Bodom unwrapped his wrist tape to choke out Ciampa- the referee identified Bodom's intentions before removing the tape. Whilst the ref's back was turned, Bodom took advantage with a low blow before delivering a double underhook piledriver assisted by the ropes to secure the victory.
This was a solid match and another excellent performance from Josh Bodom.
Marty Scurrl vs The Darewolf PJ Black
Fans began to chant for Brett Hart before demanding a refund as they apparently couldn't wait a moment longer to see him. Fortunately, Hart was scheduled to appear at this juncture as he made his way to the ring, swarmed by members of the audience trying to get pictures. After entering the ring and making some comments about how great the fans were, fans would not allow him to leave the ring as they swarmed the ring like a pack of vultures.
Eventually, after a good ten minutes or so, the audience returned to their seats as Brett Hart took his seat in the front row for the main event which saw RevPro triple crown winner Marty Scurll face The Darewolf PJ Black, formerly known as Justin Garbriel.
Both men went hold for hold early on as Black emerged on top before antagonising Marty by messing up his beloved top knot. Irritated by such temerity, Marty delivered a series of uppercuts that sent Black to the outside. After connecting with a tope suicida, Marty offered to shake a child's hand before telling the child to shut up whilst taking his hand away at the last moment. A brawl around the ring was punctuated by Scurll tossing PJ Black into the guardrail.
Back in the ring, after a saito suplex Scurll applies a headlock right under the nose of Hart whilst talking some trash. Clearly looking to aggravate Brett Hart, Scurll attempts a pinfall in the style of Hogan whilst working his way through Hogan's repertoire of signature taunts. PJ Black landed a beautiful head scissors that sent Marty to the outside before connecting with a trifecta of topes followed by a springboard corkscrew elbow to the outside.
After blocking a cross body with double knees to the gut, Scurll connecting with the superkick/just kidding to the knee of Black before a swinging ddt was blocked by The Darewolf. Instead, Scurll landed a vertical suplex before applying the sharpshooter in front of Hart- PJ Black managed to reverse the hold into the koji clutch before Scurll broke the hold by reaching the ropes. A blue thunder bomb reaped a near fall before Scurll pulled the referee in front of him causing the referee to go down. PJ Black connected with a springboard ace crusher for an 8 count but no one was there to make the count.
Whilst trying to revive the ref, PJ Black ate a superkick from Scurll that sent the former WWE Tag Team Champion reeling to the outside. The Villain, sensing his opportunity, grabbed his umbrella and attempted to hit PJ Black but Brett Hart made the save by grabbing the umbrella before striking Scurll with it then rolling him in the ring. PJ Black connected with a double foot stomp from the top rope to secure the victory in an excellent main event.
As PJ Black and Brett Hart celebrated in the ring, an indignant Scurll lambastes Hart for getting involved in his business before PJ Black laid him out with a superkick. Encouraged by the crowd, Hart applied the sharpshooter to Marty Scurll to end what was a highly entertaining show.
Marty Scurrl was outstanding here. Evidently, many of the crowd had come to see Brett Hart and he played of this so well. Various despicable acts throughout the match ensured the cheer was all the louder for Brett Hart's involvement
in the finish.
Final Word: Overall, this was a great show as you would expect with such high profile names. The Ricochet vs Will Ospreay match is worth the price of the video download alone. Along with the excellent Haskins/Morrison match and the entertaining Scurll/PJ Black match, this show is highly recommend so long as you mute certain members of the crowd's constant chanting for tables.
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