Matches of the Week: 22/08-28/08

Wrestling fans were treated  to a mouthwatering weekend of action this past week. ROH, NXT and WWE all presented strong cards and didn't disappoint; ROH, with the addition of some of the finest Japanese talent, put on two excellent shows in Philadelphia and New York, NXT, for the first time in their history, outgrew their Full Sail roots and headed to the Barclays Centre, NYC and ,despite low expectations, Summerslam delivered one of their better PPV's this year.

This week's matches of the week begins with the biggest event of the summer, Summerslam.

Seth Rollins vs John Cena 

Title for title match

Available to watch here.

Since being crowned WWE World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XXXI, Seth Rollins has proven exactly why he is the future of the business. Rollins' weasely, cowardly antics have generated considerable heat thus making him the perfect antagonist to carrythe show. Since being crowned US Champion at WrestleMania XXXI, John Cena has been putting on some of the best matches of his career against the likes of Ambrose, Stardust, Kevin Owens, Neville and Cesaro regardless of the remarkably similar match formula. Seemingly, Cena and Rollins were on a collision course and after Cena submitted the WWE World Heavyweight Champion post a broken nose, the match was booked for Summerslam; if Rollins won he wins Cena's US Championship, If Cena won he wins Rollins' WWE WHC.

The initial exchange of holds is broken as Cena successfully lands a side headlock take down which is greeted with vociferous boos. After being encouraged by the crowd, Rollins escapes and connects with a drop kick before mocking Cena's trademark U CNT C ME. Again, Cena applies a headlock after a belly to belly suplex grounds Rollins and again, with the encouragement of the crowd, escapes before Rollins delivers a knee to the spine that sends Cena reeling to the outside. Rollins harkens back to his Shield days as he connects with consecutive tope suicidas followed by a tope con hilo as a "lets go, Rollins" chant breaks out. Rollins, after returning Cena to the ring, attempts a running cross body- Cena reverses but can't apply the STF before Rollins reaches the ropes. A sloppy springboard stunner inevitably "barely caught" results in Cena successfully connecting with the 5 knuckle shuffle. Cena, with a growing advantage, positions Rollins up top before Rollins lands several blows that temporarily halt Cena- Rollins connects with a meteora followed by a beautiful standing shooting star press for a near fall.

After positioning Cena in the tree of woe, Rollins delivers a fierce double foot stomp from the top rope for another close fall. Rollins, frustrated by a perceived slow count by the referee, trash talks Cena before Cena pops up and delivers an AA- Rollins kicks out at 2. Both men return to their feet before rading blows- an attempted Pedigree is reversed by Cena into a slingshot but Rollins lands on the ropes. Cena, the wily veteran, follows Rollins before connecting with an electric chair drop/face buster combination. After Cena connects with a leg drop from the top rope, Rollins reverses the Super AA into a buckle bomb. Rollins, in homage to Eddie Guerrero, heads up to the top rope to soar through the sky to deliver a frog splash- Cena rolls through and attempts a second AA- Rollins lands on his feet before connecting with an enziguri. A rebounding Cena attempts a cross body but it is Rollins this time that rolls through before delivering an AA...1...2... Cena kicks out to avoid the humiliation of being pinned by his own shitty finisher. Rollins, again, heads up top- John Cena avoids a Phoenix Splash, Rollins lands on his feet but Cena grounds Rollins temporarily with a drop toe hold- Rollins connects with an enziguri before Cena attempts another AA- Rollins reverses, looks for the pedigree but that too is reversed this time into a Figure 4 Leg Lock in dedication of Ric Flair. Cheers once again encourage Rollins to reverse the hold- which he does before Cena reaches the ropes.

A huge forearm knocks Rollins down as Cena heads up top again- Rollins, returning to his feet, incapacitates Cena who remains on the top rope. Rollins connects with the superplex/falcon arrow combination...1...2... Cena kicks out again. Rollins, with increased urgency, positions Cena for the Phoenix Splash but eats a face full of canvas- Cena, on his feet, delivers a second AA but concurrently knocks down the referee. Cena, unaware of the referee's demise, hooks the leg....1....2...3...4...5...6...7.. but no one makes the count. Cena, realising this, calls for another referee to emerge but Rollins delivers a knee to the face of Cena that sends him crashing to the mat. Jon Stewart, host of SummerSlam, heads down to the ring accompanied by a steel chair. Caught between a man who has tormented him since prior to WrestleMania and a man who could equal his idol, Ric Flair's, number of title reigns, Stewart drives the chair into the stomach of Cena before sliding the chair to Rollins. Ever the opportunist, Rollins delivers a pedigree on the steel chair before the referee slides back into the ring to make the three count as the Brooklyn crowd comes unglued.

Rollins wins the US States Championship for the first time.

Many will suggest that this brilliant match was marred by a questionable finish. Whilst that may be true, the match should not be discarded like a Jack Swagger vs Heath Slater match from Main Event. This was one of the best WWE matches of the year that marked Rollins arrival as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Encouraged by the crowd throughout, Rollins unquestionably played the face for the majority of the match. For fans who haven't seen his independent work as Tyler Black, many would be surprised as to some of the athletic/high flying moves he performed. Rollins worked a move set closer to his ROH as he had the crowd in the palm of his hand; if the match proves one thing, Seth Rollins is the future of the WWE.

Sasha Banks vs Bayley

NXT Women's Championship

Available to watch here.

This Saturday's NXT: Takeover Brooklyn boasted two main events. Both Balor/Owens and Banks/Bayley co main evented the Brooklyn special but there is no question which match stole the show. Over the past year, NXT has been the host of a legitimate, competitive women's division for the first time in WWE history. After Stephanie McMahon reminded all the audience it was her that orchestrated the "diva's revolution", McMahon introduced both Sasha and Bayley to raucous ovations.

Before the match begins, Sasha calls Bayley pathetic before Bayley connects with several forearm strikes. Sasha reverses a clothesline attempt before sending Bayley crashing into the turn buckle. Bayley dodges a vicious chop in the corner before connecting with a springboard elbow drop for a close fall. Sasha  grounds Bayley upon returning to her feet- Sasha lifts Bayley to the top rope but an attempted superplex is blocked. Sasha rags Bayley down from the top before talking a little more trash- after slapping Bayley, Sasha applies a japanese choke hold as the crowd wills Bayley on. After escaping the hold, Bayley is sent into the turnbuckle- Sasha positions Bayley on the top rope before connecting with a double knee drop- only two.

Again, Sasha informs Bayley how much better she is than her- this time Bayley puts a stop to the trash talking with a kick to the face followed by a drop toe hold that sends Sasha crashing into the turnbuckle. Sasha reverses a second drop toe hold attempt before wrenching the injured left arm of Bayley on the rope.  Sasha Sabre Jr. goes to work on the left wrist of Bayley outside of the ring after removing the protective brace- as the referee approaches the ten count, Sasha rolls Bayley back into the ring before rolling her back out again to continue working over the left wrist. After completely exposing Bayley's wrist, Sasha Banks begins to stomp on it- once again, the referee approaches ten before Sasha returns to the ring before a tope con hilo sends her crashing into Bayley.

Back in the ring, Sasha slaps Bayley to her feet once again. Sasha and Bayley trade blows in the centre of the ring before several double axe handles allow Bayley to gain some control- a suplex into the corner is followed by a Bayley splash. An attempted Bayley to Belly is reversed as Sasha Banks as she expertly locks in the Bank Statement submission. Bayley desperately scrambles towards the ropes but Sasha stomps her hand further- eventually, Bayley successfully claws her way to the ropes. After the referee breaks the hold, Bayley delivers a Bayley to Belly to surprise Sasha. Sensing her opportunity to finally win the big one, Bayley positions Sasha for the Bayley-canrana but Sasha blocks and sends Bayley crashing to the mat. From the second rope, Sasha connects with a meteora..1...2... Bayley kicks out. Sasha, perhaps looking for the superplex, lifts Bayley to the top but it is Bayley that temporarily incapacitates Sasha- Bayley spikes Sasha with the Bayley-canrana before connecting with a second Bayley to Belly...1...2...3! Bayley is the next NXT Women's Champion.

After the match, the "four horse women" of NXT hugged it out in a fitting ending to their time in NXT.

Straight up, this was the best women's wrestling match in the history of WWE. Sasha Banks is a consummate in ring technician and is closer to a Daniel Bryan than a Nikki Bella. Banks transcends the often derogatory term 'diva'. She is a wrestler first and foremost. Bayley, too, played her part and has the innate ability to connect with fans both young and old, male or female. Inconsistent selling by Bayley limits this match to a **** 1/2 stars. Regardless of minor quibbles, this match told a fantastic story although remarkably similar to Sami Zayn's road to redemption. However, sometimes the simplest stories in wrestling are often the best and this match testifies to that.

Kazuchika Okada vs Roderick Strong

Non Title Match

Available to watch here.

Few can argue Roderick Strong is not having the best year of his career so far. Over the past year, Roddy Strong has transferred seamlessly between heel PWG World Champion and the face of ROH. Excellent matches against Trevor Lee, 'Speedball' Mike Bailey, Moose, Michael Elgin, Chris Hero and Cage alongside match of the year contenders against the likes of Zack Sabre Jr, Jay Lethal and Shinsuke Nakamura have firmly established Roddy as a strong contender for wrestler of the year. Over in Japan, Kazuchika Okada has featured in some match of the year contenders himself; at WK9, Okada excelled in a losing effort against Tanahashi. More recently, at Dominion 7.5., Okada defeated AJ Styles for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in one of the finest matches of 2015 before an excellent showing in the G1 Climax tournament as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

Roderick Strong receives a warm welcome from the ROH fans. Okada dollars and streamers fall from the sky as Okada makes his way to the ring. After an initial exchange of holds, Okada delivers a dropkick to Strong before applying an abdominal stretch. Strong breaks the hold before Strong delivers a dropkick of his own in a game of one-upmanship- Strong follows up with a series of devastating chops in the corner underscored by the woos of the crowd. After a vertical suplex, Strong applies a rear chin lock as he begins work on the neck and back of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Okada momentarily escapes before Strong once again corners him with several chops before reapplying the rear chin lock. Okada, after reaching the ropes, trades blows with Mr ROH  before Roddy sends him to the outside. Sensing his opportunity, Strong takes advantage by suplexing Okada into the crowd followed by two more on the barriers.

Unwisely, Strong allows Okada to return to the ring on his own accord before the twenty count.A slip behind neck breaker followed by a ddt allows Okada to build some momentum before Strong pulls him down from the rope. Strong, uncharacteristically, heads to the top rope but a beautifully executed dropkick sends Strong to the outside. Roddy Strong regains the advantage with a back suplex on the apron but quickly loses it as they return to the ring as Okada hits the neck breaker to the knee. Both men return to their feet at the same time before trading vicious blows in the centre- Strong with the chops, Okada with the uppercuts. Strong emerges victorious from the battle after an olympic slam- Strong lifts Okada up looking for the superplex before Okada pushes him off only for Strong to connect with an enziguri to unbalance Okada. Strong finally delivers a superplex before applying the Strong hold- Okada successfully claws his way to the ropes. Strong looks to drive home his advantage- attempted End of Heartache blocked by Okada, attempted Rainmaker blocked by Strong with three consecutive jumping knees. Strong connects with the double knees to the gut before delivering a thunderous sick kick...1...2... Okada kicks out. Somehow, upon both men returning to their feet, Okada delivers a Tombstone piledriver- Strong kicks out at 2. Okada plants Strong again with a Tombstone before lifting him up for the Rainmaker- again Strong blocks before attempting a jumping knee but this time Okada catches him to deliver a german suplex- Okada keeps hold before delivering the Rainmaker to pick up the victory.

This is exactly the type of match you would expect from these two. Arguably, both are enjoying the best run of their careers so far and that was reflected in this encounter. Roddy Strong and Okada continue to perform in some of the best matches in the world of wrestling today with an excellent match here.

Hirooki Goto vs Michael Elgin

None Title Match

Available to watch here.

Fresh off a career defining G1 Climax tournament in which he proved many of his critics wrong, Michael Elgin returned to ROH duty this past weekend at Field of Honour 2015. His opponent, also fresh off an impressive G1 Climax tournament, made not only his ROH debut but his U.S debut. Hirooki Goto, IWGP Intercontinental Champion, once again comes up against Elgin, a man he defeated in the G1 Climax tournament.

Both competitors adhere to the code of honour before proceedings get under way. As expected, the match begins with Elgin and Goto trading fierce blows before Elgin grounds the taller but lighter Goto with a shoulder block take down. Goto, returning to his feet, attempts a clothesline but it doesn't make an impression on Big Mike. A second clothesline successfully grounds Elgin as both men lock up once again- Elgin delivers a big lariat to send Goto to the outside. Elgin, in control, delivers several chops around the baseball field before connecting with a huge lariat that sends Goto into the crowd. After returning Goto to the ring, Elgin performed a 33 second long suspended vertical suplex- a suplex which wowed the Japanese crowds.

Elgin, going up top, lands a corkscrew senton before Goto connects with a lariat to halt Elgin's momentum. Returning to their feet, Goto and Elgin trade blows in the centre of the ring before a standing enziguri by Elgin allows him to capitalise with successive german suplexes- Goto blocks the third but an okada roll enables Elgin to land a third. Again, Elgin returned to a move that brought him a lot of success in Japan- Elgin lands the falcon arrow...1...2... kick out by Goto. Elgin, looking to stake his claim for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, attempts a buckle bomb but it is blocked by Goto- Goto lifts Elgin to the top, after incapacitating Big Mike with several headbutts, before delivering a canadian destroyer from the top rope....1...2... Unbreakable Michael Elgin kicks out. After a neck breaker on the knee, Goto looks to finish the match with the Ura Shouten but Elgin blocks. An attempted sunset flip is blocked by Goto before Goto successfully lifts Elgin for the Ura Shouten to pick up the victory in his ROH debut.

The match, whilst lacking the intensity of their G1 Climax meeting, still delivered one of the best matches on a stacked Field of Honour card. Throughout the match, both Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino, in my eyes the best commentary team in the business, did a good job of highlighting Big Mike's achievements in Japan whilst suggesting he will be returning in the near future. Details of ROH's partnership with NJPW surfaced this past week detailing plans for ROH stars to head to Japan in a similar manner to how NJPW stars often wrestle with ROH. Initial rumours indicate a potential ROH World Championship match between Jay Lethal and Michael Elgin at the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom 10. Regardless of rumours, if Elgin continues to perform how he has been doing for both ROH and NJPW he will cement himself as one of the best hoss gaijins in Japanese wrestling history with the likes of Stan Hansen and Vader.

IRN JEW vs The GZRS

The team of Sebastian and Tom Irvine,  or The GZRS as they prefer to be known, have been making quite a name for themselves as of late. Consistently hilarious performances in Progress, PCW and IPW have helped The GZRS quickly gain a reputation as a must see act in professional wrestling. Tonight, they meet the international dream team of Colt Cabana and Grado, IRN JEW, in a dream match up for fans of comedy wrestling. 

The GZRS arrive to the ring first; Sebastian in his faux Real Madrid kit, Tom Irvine in his trunks, both with a can of beer in their hand, make their way to the ring for their ICW debut. Next, IRN JEW make their way to the ring, matching jackets and all, to a huge ovation before American indie wrestling icon Colt Cabana chases Grado around the ring with a towel. Tom Irvine grabs the mic whilst Grado catches his breath. Before the match has chance to get under way, Tom Irvine challenges IRN JEW for their number one contendership- Colt Cabana agrees. As the match gets under way, Grado, much to the annoyance of Colt Cabana, tries to get a sip of Sebastian's beer. Cabana tries to stop Grado but evidently underestimated the Scotsman's need for alcoholic refreshment.

It is Irvine and Cabana that get things under way whilst Grado and Sebastian share a couple of beers in the corner. Confusion ensues as Grado tags Tom Irvine to enter the match- Grado and Colt Cabana square off in the centre of the ring- but what's this... Grado points the finger at Colt Cabana who goes crashing down to the mat. Grado hits the finger poke of doom! Tom Irvine sneaks in to try and pin Cabana but Grado pulls him off before connecting with a devastating belly bump as chants of belly echo around the arena. Grado, driving home the advantage, connects with a sunset flip whilst concurrently pulling down the trunks of Diamond Geezer, Tom Irvine, before driving him shoulder first into the ring post after a short bdsm session with IRN JEW. Sebastian rushes into save his fellow GEEZR- Grado reverses with a drop toe hold as Sebastian precariously hangs mere centimetres away from Irvine's marmite motorway before Cabana pushes his face into Irvine's back passage. 

Colt Cabana, distracted by Grado's antics, receives an arm wrench by Sebastian- Cabana demonstrates his technical acumen with an impressive roll up before Grado informs Cabana he has a new move. Cabana, curious as everyone in the building, tags in Grado. In one of the more impressive sights in wrestling, Grado performs a cartwheel into a head scissor take down that sends Sebastian reeling to the outside. Aided by Colt Cabana, Grado heads up to the top rope, perhaps looking for the best moonsault ever- Irvine spots the attempt before delivering a hugely traumatic thumb up the bum! Sebastian joins in the debauchery as a drop toe hold positions Grado in-between the second and top rope- Sebastian delivers a ferocious kick to the ass to ensure Grado will not be sitting down any time soon.

Tom Irvine returns to a tactic that has brought The GZRS a lot of success in the match- once again, Irvine attempts the thumb up the bum but this time Grado reverses by sending Irvine's thumb into his mouth. Grado, after severe punishment to the ass, tags in Cabana who connects with the flying ass on Sebastian before Sebastian reverses with an S.T.O. Irvine heads up to the top rope before delivering a head butt to the groin of Cabana a la Dudley Boys. The two GZRS stand facing each other in the ring- they know what time it is. Sebastian calls for the slip n slide! 

Professional wrestling has seen it all; an immortal necromancer that works as an undertaker, a midget confused about his species orientation, an insensitive portrayal of the mentally handicapped, hell that doesn't even begin to cover Big Dick Johnson. Never before have I seen a slip n side. 

The GZRS attempt to send Colt Cabana down the slip n slide and crashing into the ring post but Sebastian slips in the process resulting in him being sent down the treacherous slip n slide. Cabana and Grado send Irvine crashing head first into the nether regions of Sebastian who must be lamenting the decision to bring the slip n slide out. Grado connects with the Roll n Slice before Sebastian attempts to get to his feet but keeps slipping over- Cabana picks him up to deliver the Get Tae Bed/Wee Boot combination to pick up the win and remain number one contenders to Polo Promotions ICW Tag Team Championship.

This match is an absolute must see for fans of comedy wrestling. Hell, everyone should see this match. Anyone who gets a slip n slide out mid match is 

Indie Classic of the Week: PWG Black Cole Sun-Kyle O Reilly vs Roderick Strong 12th December, 2014

Over the past ten years, PWG has gained the reputation of being an indie wrestling super show that provides a platform for wrestlers from companies as diverse as ROH, CZW, Evolve, Dragon Gate and NJPW to compete against one another in dream matches. In a couple of months time during the annual Battle of Los Angles, or BOLA for short, PWG will be opening the doors of The American Legion Hall to wrestlers from Lucha Underground, AAA and the British independent scene. PWG attracts talent from all over the world but it is two of  America's best wrestlers that feature in this week's Indie Classic of the week. Black Cole Sun is the setting of one of the most memorable matches of PWG's illustrious back catalogue as Kyle O Reilly defends his PWG World Championship against the increasingly despicable challenger, Roderick Strong.

A new chapter

The story of Black Cole Sun begins at the location of one of Kyle O' Reilly's greatest triumphs in professional wrestling. For 538 days, Adam Cole and Mount Rushmore held dominion over Reseda; any time Cole's championship reign was in trouble, the Young Bucks came running to his aid to save the day. If the Young Bucks did not provide the required assistance, out comes Kevin Steen to help fend off any potential challengers. Cole sat atop the mountain and if you wanted to get to him, you must first go through the Young Bucks and Kevin Steen. Then along came Kyle O Reilly, former tag team partner of Adam Cole, and he just wouldn't quit. In their first encounter at PWG Matt Rushmore, Adam Cole got the best of O Reilly thanks to interference by Kevin Steen, who arrived to deliver a package pile driver to O Reilly before Adam Cole, ever the opportunist, took advantage to pick up the victory.

PWG Sold Our Soul to Rock 'n Roll, O Reilly received another opportunity to challenge Adam Cole for the title but this time with the stipulation that the match could only end via submission or knockout- a stipulation that very much suited the challenger. After successfully fending off interference from the Young Bucks, Kyle O Reilly made his former tag-team partner tap out in the centre of the ring with the triangle sleeper. A new champion was crowned and all was well in Reseda.

Fast forward a couple of months and a familiar face to fans of PWG was gathering a lot of momentum in precisely the opposite matter Kyle O Reilly had. Roderick Strong, forever the bridesmaid and never the bride, had had enough of playing second fiddle to the eclectic ensemble of stars in PWG that outshone him through the years. Despite consistently making appearances at PWG for nearly ten years, Strong felt he was not getting the reaction or the respect he deserved from the fans and, after defeating former PWG World Heavyweight Champion Adam Cole in a number one contender match, became number one contender for Kyle O Reilly's championship much to the disapproval of the Reseda faithful. After months of acting like a spoilt teenager to get what he wanted, Strong had finally earned a shot at O Reilly's title.

Another man features in the story of Black Cole Sun; Ricochet, winner of the 2014 BOLA, the largest in the company's history, earned the right to challenge Kyle O Reilly for the championship and he chose to exercise his number one contendership at Black Cole Sun. After a hard fought, back and forth match, Ricochet eventually succumbed to a cross armbreaker, tapping out as the match passed the twentieth minute. Fans rejoiced in O Reilly's victory after a fantastic match that pit two fan favourites against one another as wrestling triumphed.

Streamers filled the ring as Kyle O Reilly grabbed the mic to address the adoring fans after another successful title defence but Roderick Strong had other ideas, determined to not let O Reilly have what he wanted; the adoration and respect of the fans.

Black Cole Sun: a dark horizon

Before O Reilly has the opportunity to address the audience, Roderick Strong appears from behind the curtain to deliver the cheapest of cheap shots to the champion fresh of a twenty minute plus title defence against Ricochet. Strong takes the mic and informs O Reilly he has ten seconds to make a choice; let him have his title opportunity now or leave Reseda with the assistance of medical professionals. After reaching four, Roddy decides enough is enough and starts the beat down but somehow O Reilly manges to fend him off, sending Strong scurrying back behind the curtain.

Motivated by the true pride of a champion, O Reilly informs Roddy that he is going to kicks his ass so hard his shitty little boots will come flying off and that if the two are going to have a match it must be under one condition; the match must be Guerilla Warfare. Strong wastes no time in returning to the ring, landing a few punches before O Reilly hits a beautiful dropkick sending Strong to the outside. Strong is able to take advantage of O Reilly's fatigued state, sending him shoulder first into the ring post. While O Reilly recovers on the hard wooden floor of the American Legion Hall, Strong heads to the back to collect a trash can, emptying its contents-a steel chain-to the floor. O Reilly recovers, landing chop after chop forcing Strong onto a chair. O Reilly smashes Strong with the trash can a couple of times before delivering a running double knee forcing the trash can into Roddy's face as Reseda becomes unglued.

O Reilly pauses for a drink of water before tossing Strong back inside the ring, locking in the cross arm breaker on the ropes- no five count from the ref in Guerilla Warfare. O Reilly releases and battles Strong on the ring apron before Roddy gains the upper hand, driving O Reilly's back on to the ring apron. Chants of "shitty little boots" echo around the arena only agitating the challenger who doesn't conceal his frustration as he challenges a fan to a fight. Roddy delivers a back breaker to the knee followed up by stomping up and down the exhausted body of the champion. Strong finds an ally in a steel chair he uses to crash over the back of O Reilly before attempting a pin- kick out at 2. Before placing chairs at opposing sides of the ring, Strong drives the chair into the throat of O Reilly whilst displaying signs that the crowd has got well under his skin.

Not one single person has sat down since Roderick Strong made his intentions clear for the night as Roddy sets up a chair in the centre of the ring, lifting O Reilly's flaccid body and sitting him on it. Strong delivers chop after chop to O Reilly's exposed chest before placing O Reilly on his shoulders looking to drive O Reilly through the standing chair-but O Reilly summons whatever minor energy reserves he has left, sending Strong face first into the chair. Much to the delight of the fans, O Reilly heads underneath the arena searching for a table which he places outside of the ring. As Roddy stumbles to his feet, O Reilly hunts him down with some stiff chops before delivering another beautiful drop kick. Strong manages to regain control by delivering O Reilly face first through the steel chair before loosening the top rope, pausing for a moment to deliver another back breaker before Roddy takes umbrage at one particular fan, feigning to kick him. Finally, Strong succeeds in untying the top rope which falls to the ground-using it as a weapon to choke out the champion. Strong takes a break from choking out O Reilly to stomp him down further, picking him up to deliver an Olympic slam and powerbomb in quick succession but O Reilly kicks out at 2. Shocked, Strong doesn't let up applying the Strong Hold- O Reilly manages to counter in to an ankle lock before Strong manages to escape by kicking the champion in the face. O Reilly doesn't give Strong room to breathe, delivering a dragon screw neck whip before applying the ankle lock again!

Strong slips out of the hold losing his shitty little boot in the process- Roddy hits a spinning forarsm smash, followed up by a sick kick, attempted pin- only 2! The fan's attention transfers from Strong's shitty little boots to his shitty little foot. Strong, after setting up four chairs facing inwards, lifts the champion to his feet looking for End of Heartache on the chair but O Reilly reverses, sending Roddy crashing through the chairs with a devastating brain buster!...1...2... kick out by the challenger but as soon as he kicks out, O Reilly locks in the cross arm breaker. Roddy desperately tries to keep his arms together to negate the pressure but O Reilly simply switches arms and applies the hold with added vigour right in the centre of the ring before Strong wildly kicks O Reilly in the face to break the hold.

The fight-no longer can this be called a wrestling match- drifts over to the ring apron, the two men brawl on the apron before Roddy delivers a vertical suplex sending both men crashing through the table! The fans show their appreciation as somehow both men rise to their feet and head back to the ring animated only by the desire to win, the desire to be champion. The two trade blow after blow in the centre of the ring before O Reilly is pushed into the ropes-now only 2 left- to deliver the Nigel lariat from in between the bottom and middle rope followed by a second brainbuster! O Reilly picks up the chain, wrapping it around the challenger's neck, stomping on his chest before locking in the triangle sleeper with the assistance of the chain! Surely he can't esca- low blow by Roddy to the referee, ensuring that if he does tap no one will be able to call for the bell.

O Reilly breaks the hold but Roddy delivers a low blow to the champion sending him crashing to the mat. Again, somehow these men find a way to continue using the ropes to assist them back to their feet. Kyle O Reilly and Roderick Strong trade blows again in the centre of the ring before Roddy lands a jumping knee, then a second, then a third followed by the End of Heartache!!!...1...2... The champion kicks out at 2! Strong, not wasting any time, stumbles to his feet to set up the four chairs again. End of Heartache through the chairs! O Reilly has nothing left as Strong applies the Strong Hold- O Reilly taps out as one solitary black streamer flies through the air before plummeting to the floor. PWG has a new world champion and his name is Roderick Strong much to the disgust of the audience in attendance. Resounding chants of 'shitty little champ' reverberate around American Legion Hall as Kyle O Reilly loses his PWG World Championship in the worst way.

Roderick Strong isn't leaving just yet- it appears he has something to say as he takes a seat in the centre of the ring, PWG World Championship draped over his shoulder. Now that he is champ, Roddy begins, he can finally say "fuck every single one of you motherfuckers".

Available to watch here.