Tag Archives: Callum Newman

Rev Pro – Summer Sizzler 23/07/22 – 4⭐

Saying I was excited for this event is an understatement, and it did not disappoint! It had some great action, star power, and story telling throughout.

The three standouts for me were Callum Newman, Like Jacobs and Mark Davis. But everyone put in a shift, and seeing PAC live again was awesome.

6 Man Scramble Match – AEW All Atlantic Championship #1 Contenders Match – 3⭐

The opening contest was a chaotic match to get the fans pumped up, and it did just that. It had Callum Newman, Robbie X, RKJ, Will Kroos, Dereiss and Connor Mills.

The main take-aways for me were Newman shone, and proved he can hang with the top stars like RKJ and Robbie X. Both Newman and Robbie X hit huge top rope dives to the outside, almost hitting the lighting grid on the way.

Also, RKJ was awesome and took most of the offence from the match. He hit a huge 3 man Samoan drop, before him and Will Kroos brawled to the back, I would assume to start a mini rivalry until Ospreay comes back to the UK.

The match finished after Mills pinned Newman, which surprised me, continuing Mills’ push in a big way. A fun match to start the show and get some of the lesser known guys some good experience in front of a big crowd.

Yota Tsuji Vs Shota Umino – 3⭐

A match between former best friends needed to start strong, and it did with them both firing head shots, almost hockey fighting. This was good intensity for the story.

Shota took control early, attacking Yota whilst avoiding Gideon Grey on the outside. But the numbers game caught up, Gideon grabbed the ankle and Yota took advantage. The middle part of this match was a tad too long for me, Yota just working over Shota slowly, being methodical.

There was a beautiful transition from Yota into a chicken wing, just before the finish of the match. We had a ref bump, leading Gideon to throw Yota the cane. Umino reversed the shot, grabbing the cane, giving it to Gideon and then hitting him to the ground. Shota was able to hit some big moves onto Yota but only managed some near falls. Yota hit a spear and picked up the win. A good match that lost intensity in the middle.

Lykos Gym Vs Sunshine Machine (c) – Undisputed British Tag Team Championship – 3.5⭐

The first talking point for me was that Sunshine Machine came out with the Progress Titles, I don’t know why this felt like a big deal to me. Anyway, this match was awesome, and I love Lykos Gym. They are my favourite team to boo right now.

Lykos gym tried to jump the champs as the bell rang, but sunshine Machine countered this. The two teams had a good back and forth, leading to the exercise band spot from Lykos gym. Sadly, the first attempt was botched as the band snapped. This was sold perfectly by Lykos. The second attempt had TK hold the band, and cut it in half.

After more great team moves and combinations from both sides, lykos were up to more heel shenanigans tying TK to the guard rail, and double teaming Mambo for a while. After 2 baking tray shots to the head, and 4 brainbusters, Mambo still kicked out. TK came back into the ring and Sunshine Machine picked up the win. The right result but I’m not sure they needed to hit 4 brainbusters on Mambo to kick out. It doesn’t help put that move, or even Lykos Gym, over at all. Still a fun match with fun spots.

Mike Bailey Vs Francesco Akira – 4⭐

This was one of my most anticipated matches for the night, and I loved it. Both these guys are two of the best cruiserweights in the world right now, and they had all the strikes and strike reversals in the match.

Two of the big highlights for me was Bailey’s double knee moonsault on the apron, which looked like it sucked to take. Followed up with a massive top rope hurricanrana from Akira. The pace of this match was awesome and kept the crowd into it throughout, with lots and lots of songs for speedball.

The final act had multiple near falls that I bought, but Akira managed to get the win with double knees to the back of the head. A well worked match that got the crowd invested, and whenever the United Empire wins I’m happy.

Alex Windsor (c) Vs Alexxis Falcon – Undisputed British Women’s Championship – 2.5⭐

Sadly, this match didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I think it being after the interval, and after the previous match the crowd was worn out. Another factor sadly is no one believed Falcon was going to win. At this point, Rev Pro haven’t built up anyone who could realistically beat Windsor. I think the smaller shows need to include more women matches if possible and more story telling to build up a realistic challenger.

The match was good though, it wasn’t bad it was just lacking any heat and momentum. Falcon was a good heel, back chatting to the crowd and getting some reactions.

Windsor was able to get the pin, and retain the belt. I hope we see more of Falcon in Rev Pro after this, and get more consistently booked women, again if it’s possible.

Luke Jacobs Vs Michael Oku (c) – Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship – 4.5⭐

This was my match of the night. These two tore the house down. Jacobs was such a hometown hero, flanked by Ethan Allen, and it felt like if he lost there’d be a riot. Oku came to the stage with Amira and Mills, but Mills went back to prepare for his main event, creating more tension.

The match started with Oku ducking a Jacobs lariat, and the intensity did not let up from there. There were multiple hard chops and strikes, followed by some great reversals. The end began with another red bump, and Oscar sold it incredibly. Jacobs got a visual pin, and I really thought that meant Oku was going to retain here.

This led to Oku and Allen having a tug of war with the belt, and it finally collided with Jacobs head busting him open. Oku put him in the half crab, and this was an awesome visual of Jacobs fighting the pain with a crimson mask. Once he broke out, he hit two huge lariats for two very very near falls.

He finally won after hitting a piledriver, and the crowd erupted. This was a great match with a great atmosphere. Jacobs grabbed the mic to address the fans, which led to Akira coming back out, setting up Jacobs first defense possibly.

Oku was left in the ring, and received a standing ovation. He kissed the logo on the ring mat, and stood at the top of the ramp sobbing. This really felt like a goodbye so I’m excited to see what the future has for him. This year he has put on some of my favourite matches and hopefully this isn’t the last time he wrestles at Rev Pro.

Aussie Open Vs The Velocities – Great British Tag League Final – 4.5⭐

First things first, I preferred their match at Epic Encounters, and that’s still my favourite tag match ever. But this match still ruled. I truly believe Aussie Open are one of, if not, the best tag team in the world. I also become a bigger Velocities fan every timeI see them.

The match started fast again, but there was a scary botch early on. Paris de Silva was whipped into the corner and did a handstand on the top rope, but his momentum kept him going to the outside, Davis ran to grab him and saved him enough. Silva had a nasty looking mark on his back from the top of the post. The next sequence was a bit shaky but they managed to get back on track after.

After this the match was near flawless, with great team moves and combinations. Silva and London are so quick between the ropes, and the arrogance and charisma Aussie open have just made this match feel very big time.

Davis for me was the stand out of this match though, with an awesome 1 on 2 sequence, beating up both Velocities at once. He also hit a HUGE European uppercut on London during a shooting star press. Another highlight for me was London hitting an awesome looking avalanche double hurricanrana on both Davis and Fletcher.

The match came to an end, after multiple near falls from Aussie Open. Velocities got the upper hand, and Silva got the win after a shooting star of the top rope into a double DDT. An awesome match that I wished had 5 more mins. Velocities win the Tag League and will challenge Sunshine Machine down the line, which I think could be a lot of fun. This also sets up a rubber match, as it’s 1-1 now and surely they’ll complete the trilogy.

PAC (c) Vs Connor Mills – AEW All Atlantic Championship – 4⭐

The main event, and technically my first love AEW match. PAC is a star, and it was great to see him wrestle live. I also had doubts when Mills won the #1 contenders match, but he did step up and did not feel out of place during this. He worked more of a heel, and I think Mills has to be more heel in future I think it fits him much better.

Just before the match, Kip Sabian sat front row and I am so excited for him to un box. And for the first time I’ve seen, he was referenced with PAC standing face to face with him.

The match was great, Mills has some great kicks and I absolutely love the way PAC moves around the ring. The two worked well together but the result was never in doubt. Mills had some near falls towards the end but PAC managed to get the win with the black arrow.

This match was made for PAC to feel like a star, Mills’ push to continue, and keep the intrigue of Sabian going and all the above was achieved. A great end to a fantastic show, Rev Pro continues to be my favourite promotion here in the UK.

Progress – Super Strong Style 16 (Day 3) 05/06/2022 – 3⭐

This was my first Progress Wrestling show live, and I had a great time. There was a real party atmosphere, which was guided along by Simon Miller’s interactions in-between each match.

Team Damo Vs Team RSP – 2⭐

This was great, silly, sports entertainment. From the football being introduced to all the picks everything was well done. Crowley coming out first and waiting to be picked also added that extra comedy. This was my first time seeing Crowley and his entrance and look was awesome!

After Damo picked Jody Fleisch, Maggot and Callum Newman and Rickey Shane Page chose Dean Allmark, Charlie Dempsey and finally, forced to take Crowley, the teams had a photo op with the champions League music playing.

The match began with each team’s opposite styles facing off. Once Crowley got in, and beaten up, his team left him for dead for a while.

I’d never seen Dempsey before either and he was awesome, really quick and technical ability. After a few high spots from Newman, RSP was about to get the pin when Crowley tagged in and dropkicked him out of the ring, and stole the win. He was then chased off by his team.

Warren Banks Vs Johnny Progress – 2.5⭐

The mood then shifted as the first semi final for the Super Strong Style tournament and Progress World Championship began. The match stakes and star power of Johnny Progress really made this a big match feel.

The match began with a good feeling out process and nice slow build. They kept the fun party feel of the night with Johnny hiding under the ring, leading the crowd to chant “Johnny Missing”.

Sadly the finish fell a bit flat for me, and the two botch a top rope Spanish fly from Johnny to Banks which I think would’ve led into the finish. They got back up and did the spot in the opposite corner. Banks picked up the win shortly after but the momentum was halted.

Gene Munny Vs Chris Ridgeway – 3.5⭐

The second semi final was next, and these are two more guys I’ve not seen before. Gene’s gimmick, I won’t lie, didn’t get it at the start. But as the match progressed I got more and more behind him to win.

Ridgeway’s look is really cool, a proper badass technician. And his kicks are awesome. He worked over Genes padded and taped up knee for the match. Ridgeway then took off the boot and all support on Munny’s knee, putting on a figure four.

Gene had some good comeback moments and played a great baby-face in peril. He had some great near fall kick outs, but after a punt kick to the head, brainbuster then a knee bar locked in from Ridgeway, Gene passed out. And the final will be Chris Ridgeway Vs Warren Banks.

Kanji Vs Giselle Shaw (c) – 2 out of 3 falls Progress Women’s Championship – 3.5⭐

The promo before this match was awesome. Telling the story of Shaw targeting Kanji’s injured arm in their last match. This led into this match with multiple angles and story beats.

The first fall was almost immediate, with Shaw locking in an arm bar on the injured arm for Kanji to tap instantly.

The match then didn’t slow down from here, with Shaw taking most of the offence and Kanji having some nice comeback moments. After Giselle threw Kanji into the chairs (Kanji FLEW!), some massive strikes and a lovely top rope corkscrew followed by a very near fall, Kanji rolled Shaw up for the second fall.

The final fall came after Shaw teased the arm bar again, after taking all the tape and padding off (a theme for the night apparently). Officials and crew rushed to ringside to try to stop her. The distraction and taunting allowed Kanji to put the triangle choke on and tap Giselle Shaw out.

A really great match to crown a new champion, and one of my favourite women’s matches I’ve seen live. I’m not sure why Shaw didn’t just lock in the arm bar with everyone ringside, but it did add some realism to the match.

Spike Trivet Promo

Spike then came out too a very hostile reaction. Chants and Boos echoed around the electric ballroom. He paid the crew to protect him (this was odd but fine) and called out Tom Dawkins.

Dawkins came out, and Spike offered him the proposal that he can still wrestle in Progress, after losing their “Loser leaves Progress – I Quit” Match, but without the Cara Noir gimmick.

Tom Dawkins replied “yeah fine”. This did exactly what it set out to, Spike is a HUGE heel, and it progressed the next story beat for these two.

Lykos Gym Vs Jack Evans & Aramis – 3⭐

I love Lykos Gym, great look, awesome music and very good funny heels. It was also nice seeing Jack Evans live, I always thought he was great in AEW.

This was a good place for this match after the serious promo before, it started with Lykos asking for a dance off. The music began, Evans started dancing and Lykos attacked both him and Aramis. A very fun start which got good heat from the crowd.

The match featured lots of fun high spots and great heel work from both Lykos’. A highlight being Evans jumping off the turnbuckle, onto a lykos who was on Aramis’ shoulders, and jumping off lykos to do a corkscrew on the second lykos on the floor.

Aramis then got both Lykos’ onto his shoulders, did an aeroplane spin into a bomb. Picking up the pin, a very fun high flying match.

Tate Mayfair Vs Anthony Ogogo – 2.5⭐

This match began with Mayfair interrupting Simon Miller, to say Ogogo has no showed. This led to Ogogo’s music to hit and the match followed the format of Mayfair being a coward heel occasionally getting some offence in.

Mayfair hit a huge coast to coast elbow drop on Ogogo who was in the tree of woe. He then continued to work Ogogos left arm, causing him to not hit some moves.

This match’s purpose felt like a way to showcase Ogogo’s moveset and boost his stat power, which it did very well and Mayfair was a near perfect opponent for this.

After Ogogo picked up the win, Mayfair kept talking smack, leading him to get beat up twice more, and the GB and Progress flags placed over him.

Luke Jacobs Vs Axel Tischer – Atlas Championship – 4⭐

This lived up to the Super Strong Style name. These boys slapped and chopped the life out of one another. Another theme from the night was front row chair spots, and we got two in this match. Jacobs threw Axel into two different blocks of chairs.

The two hit some huge power moves on each other and the crowd was hot for it all. They had great sequences together and lovely reversal spots, which led to multiple near falls (which I bought a few of them).

The finish came after Jacobs hit a massive lariat on Axel and got the 3 count. A show of respect after, and Luke Jacobs gets better and better each time I see him I feel.

Warren Banks Vs Chris Ridgeway – Progress World Championship – 4⭐

The final of Super Strong Style 16, and world championship match. There was a big match feel for this one, which elevated after Banks walked out second, stood on the stage and threw his ice pack off his shoulder.

Chris Ridgeway attacked Banks behind his back to start the main event and he kept the momentum for almost the whole match. We got some more chair spots, as the two worked their way to the main stage.

Ridgeway hit a thudding suplex onto Banks on the stage, and just kept working him over. Banks got some brief comeback moments but this felt like a dominating performance.

There was a lovely flurry of kicks from Ridgeway, then a massive slap to Banks face which echoed round the room. At this moment I, and I think most of the crowd, suspected Banks to have a huge comeback to be crowned the new champ.

At one point Ridgeway took his wrist tape off and used it to choke Banks, it was supposed to be out of the refs vision but I’m pretty sure he saw and just didn’t DQ. This was the beginning of the end, as Banks laid on the floor he took 3 huge punt kicks to the head, Chris Ridgeway rolled him over for the pin and got the win.

The crowd was stunned and almost silent for a few seconds, the whole match felt like it was building up to a big baby face comeback for a feel good moment to end the show. This was brilliantly done though and really got over how vicious Ridgeway is.

The post match saw Gene Munny come out on a crutch to embrace Banks, who was still laying in a streamer filled ring. Bringing the show to close on an emotional moment for those two.

Rev Pro – Live in London 61 08/05/22 – 3⭐

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.