Pro Wrestling EVO & Premiere Wrestling Xperience(PWX) joined forces on April 26 to put on a great show. With a double main event featuring The Briscoe Bros in singles action. Jay Briscoe faced EVO 8 2013 winner Corey Hollis, while Mark Briscoe faced off with Caleb Konley for the PWX Championship. The SuperHEX division returned as strong as ever with a 4 way to decide the new champion after inaugural champion Kirby Mack suffered a serious, possibly career ending neck injury several months back. Apart from the excellent in ring action, EVO said a fond farewell to Zack Salvation who is being forced to end his career and abdicated the EVO heavyweight title hes held since September of last year. We will take a look at this full event as well as preview the upcoming Pro Wrestling EVO show on 5/24 titled ‘REBIRTH’ in which a new Pro Wrestling EVO champion will be crowned on a stacked card. Remember the following is…..
#1MansOpinion
Pre show Match
Chase Brown vs Smith James
The Throwback to Old Tyme carnival days Chase Brown picked up a win here with a school boy & handful of tights. This was a classic matchup of mat wrestling vs power & in the end the carny grappler won out using an unfair advantage. If you’ve ever spent $40 throwing baseballs at jugs to win a $5 stuffed bear I’m sure you can relate.
#1MansOpinion: James is a new face to the area & has an impressive look with definite potential. Chase Brown is a personal favorite with a unique gimmick & u deniable catch wrestling skills. Pretty basic opener to get the show started here. **
4 Way SuperHEX Title Match
Joe Black vs Robyn Golphin vs Chip Day vs Raymond King
The most exciting division on the Carolina Indy Scene returned & did not disappoint. Kirby Mack, the inaugural champion had to vacate this title due to a serious injury & these 4 men were determined to be the top challengers to the title. If you’ve never seen a SuperHEX match, the speed at which these matches move is unmatched! The Free Radicalz(Black & Golphin) began the match on the same page & quickly dispelled of Day & King. Both being true competitors the two shook hands & went right at one another exchanging nice reversals & showing how well the partners know one another. Day & King recovered & took the battle back to the Free Radicalz & the first part of the match played much like a tag match. There could be only one champion and things broke down quickly. Dives to the outside, brutal strikes, innovative offense & sheer athleticism from all 4 competitors. Each man nearly earned the right to become new SuperHEX champion several times. In the end Chip Day took advantage as Alton Terell Lee who has been both a friend & rival of Robyn Golphin in the past made an impact in his EVO debut. ATL dropped Golphin across the top rope & Day connected with a brutal roundhouse kick to win the championship.
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr#1MansOpinion: Welcome back EVO! What a match! All 4 guys showed they belonged in the upper echelon of the SuperHEX division. The intensity & sheer force of Joe Black, Brutal striking of Day, Golphin earns his moniker “Relentless” & Raymond King has agility & speed that fits perfectly in this division. Add to that, Alton Terell Lee who is looking for his opportunity to shine & the SuperHEX division has a bright future. Go out of your way to witness the return of this one, you won’t be disappointed. *** 1/2
“Mr Elite” Drew Myers vs Cedric Alexander
This was a WAR! The always impressive Alexander had another phenomenal performance here with the youngster, Drew Myers. This one lasted close to 20 minutes with Elite nearly scoring what would have to be called an upset on several occasions. Alexander showed why he is the measuring stick for MOTN each & every show and would not relent. Myers utilized his amateur wrestling background to his advantage & hit some picture perfect suplexes which nearly got him the big win. Alexander kept getting stronger & more aggressive finally hitting The Kick 2 Kill and a Brainbuster to get the win in a phenomenal match that not many in the Audience saw coming.
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
#1MansOpinion: Another must see match. While both guys are talented & Alexander is very well known, Mr Elite is still breaking in & few people could’ve seen this awesome match coming. I don’t often pat myself on the back & that’s not the point of this or any review. I have seen Mr Elite go from “Too Good for $5 Wrestling” to dark matches to earning mic time & now being part of 4 star matches. This young man is athletic, has a great look & goes 110% each time he’s in the ring. I’ve noticed & appreciated his talent for nearly a year now & encourage everyone to check him out. Cedric Alexander is quite simply one of the best talents I get to see regularly & should have a long, successful career. Consistency, Intensity, Aggression & Innovation are just a few of the things you get from Alexander each time he steps in the ring. I can’t recommend this match enough. ****
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
Pro Wrestling EVO Champion Zack Salvation came out to address the crowd. Salvation details the last 2 years of his career. A great match with Daniel Bryan at NWA LegendsFest, breaking both wrists& popping a rib out of place at EVO & his recent battle with Bells Palsy. Salvation then talks about his personal, “real” life. Teaching high school & coaching young athletes. Salvation says he’s come to the end of the road for wrestling & vacates the EVO title. Before leaving Zack gives a nod to the talent in the back & says enough talk. Let’s get on with the show.
Zane Riley & Billy Brash vs Worst Case Scenario(Ethan Case & Eli Evans) w/Malik Stratton
Brash, who is from South Carolina made his EVO debut here teaming (and partying) with Riley against Worst Case Scenario who wrestle in the Florida area. The first part of this match was comedy which the fans loved. Brash & Riley “took” Evans & Case noses which made the heel team irate. The fans got in on the action tossing the noses back & forth as WCS grumbled & Stratton(as any good manager would) tried to retrieve his men’s noses. Brash & Riley worked well together with tandem offense including a double back body drop & double clothesline sending Case & Evans to the outside. Riley & Brash tagged in & out and kept the advantage until WCS was able to isolate Riley & work him over in their corner. Stratton provided distraction so Case & Evans could do their worse but Riley got the hot tag to Brash & he cleaned house again. Riley got back in & hit the cannonball @ Brash pinned Evans with an inverted Death Valley driver.
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr#1MansOpinion: This was a fun match. Brash & Riley fit together well & kept the crowd hot. Worst Case Scenario are a welcomed addition to the tag team scene in the Carolinas. With Stratton in their corner who did a nice job on the mic & tiling up the fans himself. ** 1/2
An announcement was made that a new EVO champion would be crowned on May 24th.
PWX Championship Match
Caleb Konley(c) vs Mark Briscoe w/ Uncle Jethro
The first match back from intermission was one of the best of the night. Mark Briscoe brutalized PWX champion Caleb Konley & nearly left Concord with a singles belt of his own. Briscoe used his Redneck Kung Fu, a variety of suplexes,hit a “froggy bow” from the top that nearly ended the Midnight Son’s reign & even rammed the champ headfirst into a cement wall. Konley has been as impressive as anyone in the Carolinas since winning the PWX title & added another big title defense to his repertoire. Konley took every bit of offense from Briscoe and dished out plenty of his own. In the end wore down the back of his opponent. Mark escaped the “Oh! Face” once but Konley went right back to it & forced Briscoe to tap out.
#1MansOpinion: This was another great match between two talented individuals. Briscoe & Konley squared off the night before in tag action but at no point did this match feel repetitive. Konley’s resume grew more impressive as once again he proved his toughness & why he is the champion right now. If you’ve ever seen The Briscoes live you know it’s entertaining from start to finish & this was no exception. *** 3/4
Divas Match
Angelina Love vs Amber O’Neal
Special Referee: Amanda Rodriguez
O’Neal & Love were originally scheduled for tag action but faced off in a rematch from the previous night. The X Factor was special referee Amanda Rodriguez. O’Neal recently defeated Rodriguez in her PWX debut & the two do NOT like one another. O’Neal used every cheap trick she could get away with but in the end Rodriguez caught her using hairspray & Love was able to get the win with a running boot.
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr#1MansOpinion: Another good match from these two talented ladies. Not as good as the match the previous night. The former 5 time Impact Wrestling Knockouts champion was impressive & O’Neal is one of the more entertaining & talented ladies on the independent scene. ** 1/4
Main Event: Non-Title
Jay Briscoe vs Corey Hollis
Photos Courtesy: Adrian Rohr
The current ROH champion took on the 2013 EVO Eight winner in this main event non title match & both earned their main event spot. Jay controlled most of the match over his smaller opponent. Hollis is really gaining recognition since leaving his tag team with Chip Day & made a huge impact with his trifecta of wins to win EVO 8 this year. Its clear, The Briscoes were here to dish out punishment this weekend & Hollis took every bit & even put himself in contention to win the match. Hollis failed once but hit the “Clash” on Briscoe scoring a Nearfall. Briscoe would cap off his weekend undefeated as he fought back & hit the J-Driller to defeat Hollis. Briscoe let the crowd know afterwards Hollis was the real deal in a great show of respect.
Photos Courtesy: Adrian RohrIt was a very emotional & heartfelt ending to the show as Hollis turned his attention to Zack Salvation, the man he was scheduled to face at this event. Hollis called out the former evo champ & thanked Zack for all he’s done for the business & the boys. The locker room emptied as the roster surrounded the ring, pounding the apron to show their respect.
#1MansOpinion: Hollis & Jay Briscoe put an exclamation on a great first co promotional show between PWX & EVO. Hollis quickly becoming one of the breakout stars of the southeast & Jay is arguably one of the best in the world. Hollis has been impressive now against any opponent put in front of him & we will definitely see more of him in high profile matches. *** 1/2
#1MansFINALOpinion: In one word this was SUCCESSFUL. PWX & EVO came together for a great show. Zack Salvation’s farewell to the fans & farewell from the locker room were poignant & emotional REAL moments rarely seen in the wrestling industry. The action in the ring was top notch, as is always the case from the two premiere promotions in the area. “Bigger” stars like The Briscoes, Cedric Alexander, Caleb Konley & Angelina Love mix well with local favorites &talents on the Brink of stardom like Corey Hollis, Mr Elite, Zane Riley & more. Lets not forget the SuperHEX division which showcases the most exciting talents in the area including new champion Chip Day, Joe Black & Robyn Golphin. The SuperHEX division continues to get stronger with new talents wanting to be a part of it all the time. I urge you to check out EVO at www.prowrestlingevo.com & PWX at www.pwxpro.com for updates on all future events.
Overall: 8/10
Pro Wrestling EVO Presents #REBIRTH
May 24th, 2013
El Patron Club
363 Concord Parkway N. Concord, NC
Get your Tickets at www.prowrestlingevo.com
30 min. Iron Man Match for the EVO Heavyweight Championship
Cedric Alexander vs Corey Hollis
The two hottest talents in the Southeast square off to crown a new Pro Wrestling EVO champion. Alexander looks to become the first man to hold the title two times while EVO 8 2013 winner Corey Hollis looks to continue his momentum in search of his first reign.
ATL vs Robyn Golphin
Alton Terrell Lee appeared at ‘Unplugged’ causing Golphin to be pinned and lose his shot at the SuperHEX title. ATL makes his EVO in ring debut at ‘ReBirth’ in this battle of two young, up and coming talents.
Evo 8 2013 Rematch
Caleb Konley vs John Skyler
“The Midnight Son” and “The Southern Savior” had one of THE BEST matches at this year’s Evo 8 tournament with Skyler using every trick at his disposal to get the win. On Friday May 24 these two will meet one more time in whats sure to be another Match of the Night contender.
Super HEX Championship Match
Chip Day © vs Joe Black
Joe Black finished as runner-up in the Inaugural SuperHEX series and came oh so close to winning the title last month. The Black Cloud is not at all happy with being second fiddle and believes the SuperHEX championship is his destiny. “Do or Die” Chip Day earns his name each time he steps in the ring and has been on a tear in the Carolinas recently. Who will leave Concord with the SuperHEX title?
Zane Dawson vs Marcellus “The Mid-Atlantic” King
Zane Dawson FINALLY comes to EVO and he’s asked for the King of the promotion as his first opponent to ensure he makes as big an impact as he can. Marcellus King is an EVO original and the longest reigning EVO champion in the promotion’s history. This will be a WAR that you don’t want to miss!
All this Plus!!!!
Jake Manning vs “The Party Manimal” Zane Riley
Trevor Lee vs Anthony Henry
ProWrestlingEVO.com will be implementing a Video on Demand service beginning in June so check out their website for details on watching this & all past & present Pro Wrestling EVO events.
Follow @ProWrestlingEVO on twitter for promos and updates on this & future events. Also follow me @The1andonlyJer for all things Pro Wrestling EVO