#1MansOpinion: Full Review PWX Rise of A Champion VIII

                                    Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

Good reversals from both to start & Day  strikes 1st w/ a back kick & Ced returns the favor. Both go for the same kick several times until

Ced takes over w/ running sliding dropkick. CA chops, Day reverses a whip & hits a stiff kick to take control. Day disrespects Alexander by wiping spit in his face. Alexander again comes back with kicks & a springboard clothesline. Near fall w: N lights suplex. Day avoids COD, hits a middle drop kick, followed my running knees to the face for a near fall. Ced withstand several chest kicks, ducks a roundhouse & hits a lifting back cracker for 2. Alexander w/ the COD for the win.

#1MansOpinion: Absolutely THE best opener I’ve seen on an indy show in some time. Day & Alexander match up well and they kick started a phenomenal show in just the right way. Each man brutalized each other with vicious strikes as expected and Alexander pulled out everything in his extensive arsenal to put away Chip Day. The theme of this particular review is ‘Must See’ and this opener certainly falls into that category. *** 1/2

Former PWX champ Rhett Titus is Osiris’ mystery partner & Charlotte welcomed him back w/ thunderous reaction!!

Skyler & Osiris start w/ quick back & forth action. Skyler tags out to Elite & Myers mat wrestles Osiris but poses for the crowd long enough to get Rhett in the ring for the 1st time in 6 months. Titus clotheslines,  backdrop, & Elite tags out. Titus w/ a nice dropkick on JS, tags Osiris for some tandem offense. Action spills outside & Skyker wraps EO hand around the ring post. Elite Saviors isolate EO & go to work on the injured hand. Ernie finally tags & Titus takes both opponents out. Near fall on Skyler with a lariat. Good tag wrestling from Saviors, Elite w/ t bone, Skyler w/ “sliced bread” Myers w/ German but broken up my EO who dives over the top onto Saviors. Titus picks up won pinning Myers w: double undertook DDT.

                                     Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

#1MansOpinion: Charlotte came unglued for the return of former PWX champion Rhett Titus. The two ROH superstars(Osiris & Titus) proved to be a good team, but The first time team of The Elite Saviors looked impressive as well. It’s nice to see Mr. Elite Drew Myers in some higher profile matches, the young man has really improved each show. Myers & Skyler, one of the best on the independent scene worked well together. In the end it was Titus stealing the show & Osiris’ high flying, dare devil style that won the crowd over. I definitely hope to see more from all four of these talents. ***

Lea with a nice European reversal into an armbar, James hits a clothesline, and takes over w/ strength. Music hits as Lea reverses James into a crossface but KongO emerges from the back & destroys both men with slams, splashes & a brutal torture rack slam. What is Kongo here for? What is his mission??

                                    Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

#1MansOpinion: PWX gave us something different here. What is KONGO all about? Time will tell. We didnt get much of a match here but Sho Smoove Chris Lea is a talented young athlete who we should see more of.

                                      Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

Riley offers Bennett a beer & Bennett rejects it, Riley school boy 3 count. Riley continues to handle MB who tags Maria in & Riley just wants a kiss from his opponent. Back to ladies action & O Neal hits the booty bop on both Maria & Bennett, but they escape before The Party Manimal can perform his own booty bop, Bennett grabs the mic & says they aren’t finishing the match w/ a fat slob & a tramp. Riley & O Neal go get Bennett & Maria but Bennett slaps O Neal giving Mati the advantage as she works over Amber. Riley finall gets the tag & hits multiple clotheslines on Bennett, followed my a knee drop. Bennett & O Neal hit heads & the ladies are in. Amber gets a school girl to win for her team.

#1MansOpinion: This was a fun match! Riley & Amber made for an enjoyable tag team. Bennett & Maria played their roles well. The crowd hated on the playboy playmate & her “SuperheroSuperstar”

Fiancée &loved the Ice Queen & Party Manimal duo. ** 3/4

Jake Manning comes out & says he’s making the big move & wants to be included in the match. Steen & Richards agree(Steen for reasons that go back to his boyscout days which the fans would not forget. “weiner toucher” chants would echo the whole match) The champs agree as well with the small caveat that the tag titles would NOT be on the line. Good technical back & forth between Richards & Strong to open. Shane Helms on commentary lets us know how impressed with Strong & Edwards he is, even detailing how he suggested Strong for a spot in “the majors”. Richards tags out to Steen & Strong brings in Jake Manning to settle the score with Steen. Eddie Edwards exchanges with Grizzly, The littlest lumberjack gets the best of Edwards, who tags out to former Wolves partner Davey & Richards & Steen take over on Grizz… Manning back in w/ Strong & Manscout hits a nice stalling suplex for 20 secs as the crowd at Chop Shop counts along. The match begins to break down after a power bomb from Steen on Die Hard Eddie Edwards, no matter who was in the ring in this one the action was top notch! As all 6 men brawl, Roderick Strong holds Davey Richards’ leg stopping him from answering the 10 count & we are down to The Great Outdoors & Dojo Bros. Outdoors get a quick near fall but, Strong hits a knee KO’ing Manscout on the outside & Eddie & Roddy isolate Grizzly. Manning finally fights back to the corner & clears the ring of both Dojo Bros, Manning hits his back breaker/Flatliner combo for a near fall on Edwards. Manning is now by himself in the ring & Redwood is down,  but The Dojo Bros use the numbers game to their advantage. Strong hits a lifting back cracker followed by a vicious lariat on Manning. Manscout kicks out & gets a quick school boy for the huge win!

                                    Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

#1MansOpinion: Excellent match! As I said no matter who is in the ring the action was hard hitting & exciting. This show is a must see & this 3 way tag match is no different. Manning & Redwood put on a tremendous show w/ 4 of THE best talents in the world. *** 3/4

#1 Contender Innovative TV Title

                                        Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

Hollis controls the match early with his amateur wrestling. Chiva gets started w/ some innovative reversals. The brand new PWI Ultra J champ uses his speed & unorthodox offense to get a slight advantage but Hollis catches him & plants him on the apron taking over once again. Chiva withstands several hard strikes by Hollis including a lariat, & kick to the skull but Hollis also withstands a back brain kick & puts his knees up on a standing moonsault attempt. Neither man can put his opponent away they begin to go for broke, Chiva flies & Hollis has it scouted. Chiva answers my countering Hollis’ Styles Clash w/ an ensuguiri. Chiva takes one final leap, as he hits a huge springboard shooting star as time expires & neither man can get the advantage on the other.

#1MansOpinion: Excellent back & forth w/ the speed of Chiva showcased as well as Corey’s technical skill. The crowd puts this awesome match into perspective with a “Thank You Both” chant. *** 1/4

                                      Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

Konley with a suicide dive early as the two prettiest men in wrestling brawl on the outside. The PWX champion takes over as the action goes back to the ring. Konley quickly takes back over blocking a Canadian Destroyer & locks in the “Oh! Face” submitting Cole for the first fall. Konley continues his offense looking for the 2nd fall but Adam Cole wears Konley down & takes over pulling The challengers hair, taking the eyes & doing whatever he can to even the odds & leave Charlotte with the PWX championship. Cole hits a big super kick that sends Konley outside the ring, Konley’s 704 teammate Cedric Alexander comes out to rally his partner who gets back in the ring. The Great Outdoors, Chiva, Zane Riley & all the locker room, joined by fans surrounds the ring showing unity for Konley to win back the PWX title. Cole hits “The Florida Key” but Konley kicks out at the last possible millisecond & Cole goes straight to the figure 4. Cole shows frustration that he can’t put The Midnight Son away, this allows Konley to go for a spear but the knee buckles & Cole blows a kiss & super kicks Konley, going for another but Caleb ducks & locks on a 2nd “Oh! Face” Sr Referee Mitch Blalock calls for the bell & Konley wins 2 straight falls to regain the PWX championship!! Konley celebrates with the PWX locker room. Konley says ROC was the Rise of Caleb Konley. Konley says PWX is going to bigger, better & higher places. Kevin Steen who was celebrating in the ring hits the new champ w/ a package Piledriver. Steen says the only way PWX goes higher is if Kevin Steen is champion.

                                       Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

#MansOpinion: Tremendous final match of this feud!! The early brawl between the two was equally as exciting as the technical stuff in the ring. This is perhaps the BEST match of Caleb Konley’s career that I’ve seen. **** MOTN

                                    Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr

#1MansFinalOpinion: I will NOT recommend any show this year as highly as I will Rise of a Champion VIII Some may rival this show but you’ll be hard pressed to find a better show top to bottom than the one PWX presented on February 23, 2013. I’ve seen each match 3 times now & they get better each time. Chris Shore &Shane Helms entertained all night on commentary. Day & Alexander kicked it off with one of the best openers in PWX history, Rhett Titus’ return electrified the crowd,  The 3 way tag match delivered, everything in between was excellent, And Cole & Konley ended their feud on the highest of notes. This is an early contender for Indy Show of the year. Once again I’ll say Go to highspots.com to check out this & other great events on their subscription service! You will NOT be disappointed!

Overall: 9/10

You can see this entire great event as well as many other great indepedent shows from PWX and many of the best Indy promotions in the world on demand now at highspots.com

Follow @PWXWrestling1 on twitter for the latest updates on their upcoming shows and visit www.pwxpro.com for match announcements and results from previous shows as well as lots of videos from the men & women competing in upcoming shows.

Follow me on twitter @The1andonlyJer and check back here on the main site for my full  review of PWX last event from 3/29 ‘Enemy Territory featuring Caleb Konley defending his newly won PWX title against ROH Champion Kevin Steen!

Never seen a PWX event for yourself? Seen one? And would like to see more? PWX returns to Tremont Music Hall on April 26, 2013 with ‘Shenanigans’ featuring Jay & Mark The Briscoe Brothers taking on Team 7OH!4 PWX Champion Caleb Konley & Cedric Alexander. Plus the PWX debut of former TNA Knockout Angelina Love who will face “The Ice Queen” Amber O’ Neal If you can’t join us in Charlotte on 4/26  Rememer to follow @PWPonderings on twitter as well we ALWAYS have LIVE results of PWX events as they are happening!!!