After a successful debut at the Circus Tavern earlier this year, Southside Wrestling returned to Essex this past weekend to a packed house. Presenting a stacked card with a combination of British and international talent, Southside delivered a solid show in which Tommy End and Will Ospreay, once again, stole the show.
Stixx vs The Pledge
The first match of the night saw two heavyweights battle in a better than expected contest. Stixx hyped up the crowd before The Pledge, accompanied by the Righteous Army, emerged to a smoke filled ring. Over the past six months, The Righteous Army have been a perpetual thorn in the side of the Heavyweight House of Pain and, at Southside Adrenaline Rush, Stixx received the opportunity to inflict a degree of revenge.
As the bell rang, Stixx immediately sent The Pledge on the defensive following a spear into the turnbuckle as chants of Stixx is gunna kill you echoed around the Circus Tavern. After The Pledge managed to land some offence of his own, Stixx tossed him eight feet in the air off a rebound allowing gravity to drive The Pledge's face first into the canvas. Stixx followed The Pledge to the outside as the brawl drifted around the ring before The Pledge gained the momentum by driving Stixx into the ring post.
The Pledge allowed the fans to distract him with chants of Jimmy's boyfriend before Stixx took advantage with an inverted atomic drop followed by a series of devastating chops in the corner. The Pledge regained the advantage by sending Stixx to the outside and looked to win the match via count-out before Stixx returned to the ring only to be greeted by multiple stomps. Impressively, The Pledge then delivered a blue thunder powerbomb before Stixx connected with a uranagi to secure the victory.
Winner: Stixx
After the match, Stixx signalled his intentions to regain the Southside Wrestling Championship.
Outside of the stiff shots inevitable in any Stixx match, this was a solid opener set at a surprisingly fast paced which the crowd got really into it despite the malfunctioning smoke machine.
Starbux and Tyler Bate vs The Second City Collective
Composed of Ryan Smile, the Southside Money in the Bank holder, Damien Dunne and Pete Dunne, fresh off his return from Chikara's King of Trios tournament, The Second City Collective made their way to the ring as Ryan Smile managed to get into an argument with a fan immediately. Starbux, comprised of Robbie X and Mark Haskins, made their way to the ring before their partner Tyler Bate, also returning from Chikara's King of Trios, joined them.
Annoyed by the popularity of Bate's moustache, Smile demanded Bate's music to be turned off. Pete Dunne and Bate began the match with an exchange of holds before Haskins and Damien Dunne were tagged in. Haskins delivered a flurry of offence before Damien Dunne grabbed Ryan Smile's legs before Smile tagged in. Haskins, too, took the opportunity to make the tag to Robbie X, who began work on Smile's bandaged right shoulder. A series of frequent tags ensured Starbux/Tyler Bate stayed on top before Smile delivered a thumb to the eye before tagging in Damien Dunne.
Smile distracted the referee as both Damien and Pete Dunne double teamed Robbie X before delivering a double belly to back suplex. Once again, Smile distracted the ref but this time Haskins broke up the double team. After Smile dominated Robbie X, an enziguri allowed Robbie X to make the tag to Haskins who immediately attempted the Made in Japan only to be reversed by Smile. Haskins reversed an attempted forearm by Smile into the fujiwara arm bar before Damien Dunne broke the hold. After withstanding a three on one beat down, Haskins managed to apply a boston crab to Damien Dunne and a camel clutch to Pete Dunne AT THE SAME TIME before Smile broke the hold.
As the match broke down, a misdirected rebound handspring ace crusher by Robbie X caught his partner Mark Haskins allowing Ryan Smile to take advantage with a michinoku driver to pick up the victory.
Winner: The Second City Collective
After the match, Robbie X and Haskins argued in the ring before Haskins offered a begrudging handshake to his partner as tensions further grew between the two.
This was a really entertaining, high paced match once it got going. Ryan Smile was the star of the match; his constant whining and confrontations with the crowd were fantastic. In fact, The Second City Collective, as a team, have great chemistry and will hopefully be a permanent fixture in Southside for a long time to come.
As a side note, both Haskins and Bate fair better as singles wrestlers and both men deserve to be showcased as such, particularly Haskins.
Kay Lee Ray (C)vs Toni Storm
Southside Women's Championship Match
Since the company's inception, Southside Wrestling has always promoted the best women's wrestlers from around the UK and around the world.
Adrenaline Rush was no different.
TNA Knockout, Angelina Love, made her Southside debut as the special guest referee for the night's Women's Championship match between two of the best in the UK scene today.
As the match began, Kay Lee Ray went straight to the outside as the smoke machine continued to malfunction. Following Ray's return to the ring, Storm and Ray proceeded to an impressive exchange of holds culminating in Ray once again fleeing to the safety of the outside. Disinterested, Angelina Love didn't even bother to start the count out to the dismay of certain fans. Again, Kay Lee Ray returned to the ring only to be bested by Toni Storm before heading to the outside once again.
This time, Storm followed Kay Lee Ray to the outside before sending the champion on a collision course with the ring post. After tossing Ray back in the ring, Storm delivered a series of stomps in the corner before hiding behind the referee. Taking advantage of the distraction, Ray ragged Storm's hair to gain control. Kay Lee Ray choked Storm with her coat before the referee confiscated the foreign object only for Kay Lee Ray to use her t shirt to choke Storm before Love confiscated the item once again.
Storm emerged on top of striking battle before Ray reversed a fisherman suplex into an arm bar before Storm powered out by lifting Ray up to deliver a powerbomb-after lifting Ray up to the top rope, Toni Storm delivered a muscle buster for a near fall.
A double underhook piledriver attempt was reversed into a roll up by Kay Lee Ray as she grabbed a handful of tights to retain the Southside Women's Title.
Winner: Kay Lee Ray
This was a very good match despite Angelina Love's face making it no secret she would much rather be anywhere else. Kay Lee Ray and Toni Storm are two of the brightest prospects in British wrestling and matches like this only testify to their ability. Both Kay Lee Ray and Toni Storm have incredibly bright futures ahead of them in the wrestling industry.
Jimmy Havoc vs Davey Richards
With one success already in the bag, The Righteous Army looked to make it a second in one of the most highly anticipated matches of the night. TNA Tag Team Champion and one part of The American Wolves, Davey Richards, made his Southside return and received a raucous ovation from the Essex crowd.
Accompanied by the muscle of the Righteous Army, the Southside Speedking Champion, the suicidal suicidal suicidal Jimmy Havoc emerged to vociferous boos. As the bell rang, Havoc immediately fled to the safety of the outside before returning to the ring with a nice exchange of holds to begin. Davey Richards, encouraged by the overwhelming support of the crowd, began work on Havoc's arm looking to take the Acid Rainmaker out of Havoc's arsenal. Richards proceeded to apply a figure four leg lock, wrenching Havoc's legs to the mat to exacerbate he hold.
Jimmy Havoc, selling the leg work- the first wrestler of the night to do so, was placed on the top rope by Richards but managed to block the superplex attempt only to receive a knee to the gut. As Havoc rolled to the outside, a distraction by The Pledge allowed Havoc to reenter the ring and capitalise with a drop kick that sent Richards to the outside. After blocking a kick, Richards sent Havoc crashing face first into the apron. Richards, after blocking an attempted Acid Rainmaker, delivered a bridging german for a near fall. Richards, looking to end the match, connected with a brainbuster but once again the distraction by The Pledge allowed Havoc to capitalise by delivering a shot to the head with his Speedking title to secure the victory much to the derision of the crowd.
Winner: Jimmy Havoc
I don't want to say Davey Richards was taking it easy in this match, but this wasn't the Davey Richards many have become accustomed to on TNA. Jimmy Havoc, as ever, was brilliant once again and never ceases to amaze in his ability to generate heat. Next on Havoc's Southside agenda is a two on two ladder match for the Speedking Title and the Woman's title at their fifth anniversary show. Havoc will team up with fellow Righteous Army member Kay Lee Ray against the team of Nixon Newell and El Ligero.
Joseph Connors vs Hardcore Holly
Making his Southside Wrestling debut, former two time WWE Tag Team Champion and six time Hardcore Champion, Bob Holly was granted a shot at Joseph Connors Southside Title.
Hardcore Holly received a huge ovation as he emerged from the curtain. Joseph Connors, wearing his beautiful purple smocking jacket and accompanied by Kay Lee Ray, received the exact opposite as the smoke machine went off at the correct time. Disgruntled by the fans cheering for Holly, Connors took umbrage at a number of fans. After Holly grabbed the mic, he asked why Connors brought a sewer rat to the ring as chants of sewer rat broke out and stuck around for most of the match.
The beginning of the match centred around Joseph Connors repeatedly exiting the ring, effectively denying the fans of he match they wanted to see. After numerous teases of a fight, Connors' henchman, The Pledge, emerged from the curtain as Connors attempted to land a few cheap shots before Holly lit Connors up with a series of chops in the corner illuminating the champion's chest. Following a distraction by Pledge, the referee determined enough was enough before sending The Pledge to the back but, for some reason, allowed Kay Lee Ray to stay.
After delivering a series of successful vertical suplexes, Hardcore Holly reversed a vertical suplex into a small package for a near fall. Again, Holly delivered several thunderous chops in the corner followed by a clothesline and a big back body drop. Sensing his moment of glory, Hardcore Holly lifted Connors up for the Alabama Slam but a returning Pledge caused the distraction as Connors reversed into a roll up with a handful of tights to retain the Southside title.
Kay Lee Ray entered the ring post match to talk trash to the Hardcore legend before Holly positioned her for the Alabama Slam. Once again, Pledge caused the distraction allowing Kay Lee Ray to escape before he fell victim to the Alabama Slam.
Winner: Joseph Connors
The Righteous Army's monopoly on the Southside championships was solidified at Adrenaline Rush and they look stronger than ever going into the 5th Anniversary show in Stevenage. Joseph Connors was fantastic here; he worked around Holly's obvious limitations by continually fleeing to the outside as a means of generating heat. Nothing angers a crowd more than being deprived of the match they paid to see and Connors has mastered this to a fine art. In my opinion, Joseph Connors is one of the most underrated wrestlers in the UK today.
Martin Kirby Announcement
Post intermission, Martin Kirby arrived alone as one half of Project Ego. Kirby informed the audience of the tragic circumstances that prevented one of the finest British wrestlers of the past decade, Kris Travis, from being there before stating he would be defending the titles by himself tonight as Travis is irreplaceable.
Pete Dunne, member of The Second City Collective, emerged from the curtain unbeknownst to Kirby before delivering a cheap shot from behind followed by a pump handle driver. Out came Ryan Smile and Damien Dunne as Smile, after delivering a michinoku driver, successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to secure the Southside Tag Team Titles for The Second City Collective.
A post match beat down was broken up by The London Riots as a wild brawl ensued between both teams and a three on three match was scheduled.
Following a lengthy ringside brawl that culminated in The London Riots using Damien Dunne as a weapon to punish Smile, the match began with Kirby and Pete Dunne in the ring. Frequent tags allowed The Second City Collective to work over Kirby before one half of the former tag team champions gained the momentum with an enziguri before making the hot tag to Rob Lynch, who delivered a series of clotheslines before Pete Dunne grabbed the cricket bat and connected with Damien Dunne instead of Lynch.
The London Riots connected with a double team powerbomb followed by a pop up spear before tagging Martin Kirby who landed the fameasser to pick up the victory underscored by a roar of approval from the crowd.
Winner: Kirby/London Riots
After The Second City Collective went to the back with their tails firmly between their legs, Martin Kirby told the Riots to ensure they regained the tag team tiles from 'those dickheads'.
Now, I'm uncertain whether their is precedent for cashing in for the tag team titles in Southside but the decision strikes me as peculiar. Ryan Smile is insufferable and always manages to generate considerable heat and it seems a shame he will not get the chance to have a run with the most prestigious title on Southside.
El Ligero vs Tommaso Ciampa
El Ligero looked to gain some momentum heading into Southside's 5th anniversary show in October. At Adrenaline Rush, Ligero would face a man that, over the past two weeks, has put on some excellent matches with some of the UK's best.
After a battle to see who could generate the most cheers, Ciampa and El Ligero shook hands before the bell rang. The sportsmanship didn't last too long as Ciampa immediately connected with a fierce knee strike to send El Ligero reeling. Ciampa proceeded to deliver several rapid fire chops to the chest of El Ligero before exposing his knee to deliver another fierce knee to the face. As the crowd chanted for one more, Ciampa flipped them off before delivering an STO assisted by the ropes.
Ligero managed to send Ciampa to the outside before attempting a cross body which Ciampa nonchalantly moved out of the way of. Following a floating suplex into the ring post, Ciampa positioned Ligero on a chair before delivering more chops to the Mexican Sensation's chest. Perhaps looking for a running dropkick, Ciampa ate a superkick before Ligero landed a tope con hilo .
Back in the ring, several elbows were followed up by a drop kick from the top rope. Ligero drove home his advantage with an inverted ddt before meeting a jumping knee by Ciampa- Ligero reversed the Project Ciampa (powerbomb into double knees) into a roll up for a near fall before the two traded blows in the centre of the ring. Ligero attempted the c4l ddt but was caught by Ciampa before delivering an inverted michinoku driver.
On the apron, Ciampa attempted a german suplex which was blocked by Ligero- a brutal forearm smash allowed Ciampa to deliver a death valley driver onto the apron for a near fall. Ligero, after reversing an attempted death valley driver from the top, delivered a powerbomb followed by a frogsplash for a two count. Following a series of shots by each man, Ciampa connected with a big boot that sent Ligero rebounding off the ropes before he delivered a superkick- Ciampa, too, rebounded off the ropes to deliver a spinning lariat before El Ligero kicked out at one!
Ligero flipped off Ciampa before the Sicilian Psychopath connected with a shining wizard followed by Project Ciampa. El Ligero, summoning what little strength he had left, managed to kick out at two!
After re-exposing the knee, Ciampa attempted another shining wizard which Ligero caught and rolled into a pinning predicament for a near fall. El Ligero secured the victory soon after with the c4l ddt to gather momentum heading into the ladder match at the 5th Anniversary show.
Winner: El Ligero
Post match, Ciampa begrudgingly shook the hand of El Ligero.
I really enjoyed this match. It took a while for the majority of the crowd to get into it but both men succeed in pulling the audience into it. Tommaso Ciampa has now been in the UK for over two weeks and, to my knowledge, he is yet to pick up a victory. To me, that suggests Ciampa will be signing to WWE in the near future. Here, yet again, Ciampa put on an excellent showing against one of Britain's best.
Will Ospreay vs Tommy End
In 2015, few in the UK have had a better year than both Will Ospreay and Tommy End. In August, their success in the UK translated into success in the USA as both Ospreay and End had impressive performances in PWG's BOLA.
The Illuminati Assassin, Tommy End was the first to make his way to the ring accompanied by chants of Tommy Fucking End. Will Ospreay, local hero, was next to arrive and was greeted with a huge cheer. Before the match started, Tommy End grabbed the mic to inform the crowd that Ospreay's parents were in the crowd for tonight's show before proceeding to say he is going to kick Ospreay so hard she will feel it in her uterus.
As the match got under way, after some impressive mat wrestling usually not associated with Ospreay, End was sent to the outside by a dropkick before Ospreay landed a beautiful springboard moonsault before landing on his feet to soak in the rabid cheers. Back in the ring, after a series of reversals, Tommy End applied a single leg boston crab before Ospreay reached the ropes. Selling the leg, Ospreay used the ropes to assist him to return to his feet before End delivered several more strikes to the leg that sent Ospreay crumbling to the mat once again. Tommy End delivered a scoopslam which further aggravated Ospreay's leg as it bounced off the ropes.
Despite the audience's best efforts to encourage Ospreay, the middle part of this match featured exemplary limb work by Tommy End; each time Ospreay would return to his feet and attempt to mount any offence, End would cut him off by going right back to work on that leg. Ospreay rolled to the outside to seek respite- End, unrelenting, followed Ospreay to the outside after talking a little trash before delivering a double foot stomp to the chest of Ospreay right in front of the Aerial Assassin's parents. Back in the ring, after withstanding a flurry of forearms, Ospreay spiked End with a reverse rana followed by a swing blade then a standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Looking to keep the larger man down, Ospreay headed up top but missed the Jump Tuck Pray as End rolled out the way. After several knees to the face, End attempted a powerbomb only to be reversed into a stunner by Ospreay followed up by a frankensteiner. End pulled the referee in front of him as Ospreay landed a handspring enziguri that sent the ref reeling to the outside. End attempted a german suplex but Ospreay landed on his feet before connecting with the Essex Destroyer to no avail as the ref was incapacitated. Tommy End landed a devastating brainbuster but Ospreay returned straight to his feet only to be met by a roundhouse kick for another near fall.
After dodging several kicks, Ospreay landed a springboard Essex Destroyer but End managed to kick out this time- Ospreay, sensing his opportunity to secure yet another huge victory, slowly clambered to the top rope before delivering the inverted 450. Unsure whether that would be enough, Ospreay went up top again to deliver the Jump Tuck Pray corkscrew splash to collect yet another impressive victory.
Winner: Will Ospreay
This was a really excellent match in which a more sinister than usual Tommy End displayed a more cerebral approach to the dismantling of Ospreay's leg- yes, somehow, Tommy End has a deeper level of sinister than usual.
Ospreay's selling throughout the match was fantastic and ensured everyone in the crowd was fully behind him. Anybody who believes the white meat babyface is a redundant concept in the 21st century wrestling landscape need look no further than Will Ospreay, he is the perfect babyface.
The ref bump was a little unnecessary considering End didn't pick up the victory but this was a mighty fine match and easily the best of the night. Ospreay can now add Tommy End to an ever growing list of excellent performances. Next up for Ospreay in Southside is a date with The Greatest Man That Ever Lived, Austin Aries, at Southside's 5th anniversary show in another match that has the potential to steal the show as he seemingly does every week.
Final Word: Overall, this was a pretty solid show despite some questionable booking decisions, particularly the fact that Ryan Smile cashed in for the tag titles as opposed to the main title. The Tommy End/Will Ospreay match took the show to a different level and, considering Tommy End's injury, was a really excellent match far and above any thing else on the card. I will reiterate, Joseph Connors is one of the best heels in the UK today and he really deserves a lot more credit than he receives; alongside fellow members of the Righteous Army, Connors is a great villain who always succeeds in earning the ire of the crowd wherever he goes.
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