Back at the 229 for the final show before Epic Encounter! A great crowd made even louder with frequent fire alarms at the start of the show.
David Francisco Vs Remi Adetunji – 2⭐
The opener set the pace for the night with hard hitting action. It was my first time seeing Remi but he came out with lots of energy and the crowd responded well to this.
These two put on a good match, getting over Remi’s move set, and him picking up the win with a spine buster (and I love a spine buster).
If treated right Remi could go far, a good look and nice move set. David played his part well and continues to help others get over.
Lykos Gym Vs Callum Newman & JJ Gale – 2.5⭐
Callum Newman is FAST! Fantastic and very exciting to watch. Lykos gym came out and worked the crowd from the start. Playing up to the chants and using multiple heelish tactics.
After a few near falls, Lykos gym went to their ‘man bag’ and used an exercise band on Newman to pick up the win. A good match which got both teams over.
Destination Everywhere Promo
Oku and Mills came out to put over the Tag League starting in a few weeks. Oku was then asked who he would face at Epic Encounter on the 22nd May. Mills grabbed the mic and challenged him for the Cruiserweight Championship.
The seeds of descent have played for months now so the match makes sense. I can see this being the start of a longer blood feud, but for now it seems as if it’s just a tag team seeing “who the better man is”. The promo did the job and the crowd seemed excited to see this match.
Chuck Mambo Vs Shota Umino – 2.5⭐
Furthering the Legion storyline Gideon Grey came out to introduce Shota, with Umino continuing to ignore him.
In one of the more colourful matches with Mambos glitter and Uminos tights, these two also put on a very good match. Mambos high flying moves against the Japanese style of Shota contrasted well.
Shota picked up the win with the Death Rider, leading to Gideon giving his cane to Mambo. This tricked Shota thinking Mambo was about to attack him and the two brawled to the back. This could’ve been done differently in my opinion as it makes Shota look a bit foolish, it was obviously Gideon’s cane.
RKJ Vs Lee Hunter – 3.5⭐
This match started in 4th gear and did not slow down. It started with Hunter getting chopped then running through the crowd, being chased and chopped by RKJ.
Once back in the ring they continued to hit big move after big move. The biggest being back on the floor, the crowd had to move from their seats, for RKJ to hit a huge suplex onto the empty seats. A massive bump for Hunter.
They then teased Hunter hitting a superplex from the top rope to the floor, but RKJ countered and showed a lot of strength lifting Hunter above his head and crashing him into the ring.
RKJ picked up the victory and signalled for the belt, hinting towards a future Ospreay re-match.
Robbie X Vs Joshua James – 2.5⭐
A real David Vs Goliath story, because James is a big lad! Throughout the match they teased Robbie lifting his opponent and kept building to it.
After avoiding James and hitting quick strikes, Robbie finally got Joshua over his head, then hit a cutter to get the win. A solid match to put Robbie’s speed and strength over.
Alex Windsor & Maya Matthews Vs Rhia O’Reilly & Nightshade -2⭐
The majority of this match had Matthews as the baby-face in peril, and this got her over hard when she started her comebacks.
Windsor and O’Reilly eventually brawled out the ring and to the back, leaving Nightshade and Matthews on the ring. Matthews managed to get a roll up victory to a good pop.
TK Cooper Vs Yota Tsuji – 3⭐
Strong strikes! These two had multiple great strike exchanges. Both men were over with the crowd with chants for TK and Tsuji.
The ending played into the Legion story as Yota was setting up for a move, Gideon jumped on the apron to hand the cane to him. Yota ran straight past TK and nailed Gideon. This allowed TK to get the quick pin on a distracted Tsuji.
After Gideon jumped TK, which led to Yota saving him. Mambo ran out for the save, which led to Gideon going back to get Shota to come out. Gideon offered Shota to join Legion temporarily with Yota going into the Tag League. Umino accepted.
Once again, something felt a bit off having Yota save Gideon, and Shota just believing everything Gideon says and does. But Yota and Shota teaming is always great.
United Empire Vs Destination Everywhere & Like Jacobs – 4⭐
A fantastic main event. Filled with star power and long term storytelling. Oku’s entrance was interrupted by Connor Mills, furthering their tension. Then United Empire came out and the whole room’s mood shifted.
Ospreays presence is enough to get him booed out most building, with Aussie Open standing either side of him, they just look and feel on another level.
All 6 men gave it everything, with power bombs into the brick walls and a top rope moonsault to the floor. The finish came with Ospreay hitting the hidden blade on Jacobs.
United Empire Promo
After the match, Aussie Open cut a promo on Velocity to build towards Epic Encounter. Then Ospreay spoke about Suzuki, until Kaze Ni Nara started playing.
For a split second I thought it could actually be Minoru Suzuki, then realised I was probably being worked, for Mad Kurt to come out.
Ospreay cut a promo on Kurt asking him to leave, for Kurt to respond “Ok Boomer”. A chair shot to the head followed, busting Mad Kurt open. Newman and Gale ran out for the save along with the contenders for them to be taken out by Aussie Open and Ospreay.
RKJ was the last to come out, with Ospreay offering him a rematch, if he could defeat Jeff Cobb at Epic Encounter. A good way to announce the match and it adds another match with high stakes.
Ralph Wrestling Reviews 