Rise Recap: Oct 16
Both Josh Ashcraft and AJ McKay are in commentary after unprovoked and horrific attacks by Big Zo in recent weeks, joining Linda Kay.
Speaking of Lola, Stephen Steel comes out first to address the aftermath of their first date last week. Seductive Stephen uses his supposed charm to make amends and get another chance, but Brandon Davis interrupts, enters the ring and lays yet another claim to the Rush Division title and promises to take everything from him…not just the Rush Division title, but Linda Kay also.
An upset Linda enters the ring to address both, and the love triangle took a turbulent bump as both Stephen Steel and Brandon Davis end up on the wrong end of a slap, before Linda shocks the crowd and fellow announcers by announcing she will be the special guest referee for their title match at Hell Night! Who knows what twists this soap opera has to come, but we will find out in two weeks!
Match One – Sophia Rose def. Janie Hartman (by pinfall)
Janie Hartman makes her OVW singles debut against fan favorite and ex Women’s Champion Sophia Rose. Janie showed good energy early in the match, but Sophia showed her in-ring experience to nullify Hartman’s threat to take control of the match resulting in her spectacular finishing move, and the three count to put an early end to this contest.
Match Two – Los Desafios def. Only Bros. (by pinfall)
One half of the OVW Tag Team Champion’s Dustin Jackson joins the commentary team for this match to watch current number one contenders Los Desafios in action. An energetic start by the Boy Troy and Prime with a few quick tags to control the early stages, but Jota Peso and Maximo Suave through some seasoned double team action put them back on the front foot. A topsy turvy match, but the speed and agility of Los Desafios proved too much as despite a heavy clothesline to Boy Troy that would have surely led to a three count but for Prime Jackson’s late dive to break up the pin, a cannonball dive from Jota takes out Jackson outside the ring, as he returned to partner Maximo Suave for a textbook double team finish to take the pin over Boy Toy Troy.
Al Snow Addresses Big Zo
CEO, Al Snow, called out Big Zo for his recent actions. Al referred to his early pride in Zo for what has achieved in and out of the ring over the last number of years (including his doctorate) but condemns his actions against Josh Ashcraft and AJ McKay in the last few weeks.
After some pleasantries, Al Snow explains there needs to be serious repercussions and fines Big Zo a whopping $10,000. This brings a furious reaction, that was soon matched by the returning Erik Surge who was debilitated and bled out of his mouth in their match at No Rest for the Wicked back in September, in which Zo became United States Champion for the first time.
Surge, who hasn’t been seen for some time, took his revenge as he dominates Zo all around the Hotpoint Davis Arena and tells Zo he will be making his life hell every week until he regains what he believes is his property. These two big guys look they will be going at it for weeks to come.
Match Three – Tony Gunn def. Star Rider (by pinfall)
The first of the best of seven match series between these two seasoned OVW superstars, the streetwise ‘Shotgun’ Tony Gunn dominated early proceedings. An early attempt at the Arkansas Impaler from Gunn was just avoided by Star Ride to avoid an early end to this match. Plenty of collar and elbow tie ups and mutual body shots kept this at an even keel, and again Gunn shows his experience by exiting the ring to slow proceedings down and avoiding Star Rider gaining momentum.
However, it didn’t stop Star Rider getting on top, and a heavy DDT got a late two count as proceedings, and a big running knee to Gunn’s temple left the veteran in a bad spot. Once again though Gunn’s strength and experience helped him out and after a few big knees nearly for the three count himself. After a series of attempted roll ups for both competitors, it was Tony Gunn, with a handful of tights, that kept Star Rider’s shoulders down for the three count. Its 1-0 to Gunn in this ongoing rivalry.
Match Four - The Tony Evans Family def. The Troublemakers & Brandon Espinosa (by pinfall)
‘Superior’ Tony Evans, accompanied by long term compatriot Drew Hernandez, and new ‘son’ Tommy Boy after he turned on his father Jay DeNiro at No Rest for the Wicked, tells of family love and respect in this newly expanded faction ahead of their 6-man tag match against Glenn Spectre and Canaan Kristopher of the Troublemakers, and Brandon Espinosa.
The Troublemakers and Espinosa started strong with the self-proclaimed ‘oldest living frat boys’ working on Hernandez early in the match. After Espinosa tags himself in the dominance of Hernandez continued with a rolling cannonball in the corner. A Tony Evans interruption turns the tide allowing Hernandez to recover and tag in the energetic Tommy Boy who went toe to toe with Espinosa. After Espinosa goes for a tag that is ignored by The Troublemakes, clearly upset with his actions earlier in the match, a heavy speat from Drew Hernandez nearly breaks Espinosa in half.
A tag back into Tommy Boy results in a spectacular flying Molotov Cocktail assisted by Tony Evans on the ropes, and a comfortable three count on Espinosa as The Troublemakers keep their backs to the action and clearly allowing their temporary partner to accept his fate. One happy family, one clearly not so.
After the match, Evans passes the microphone to his ‘son’ and Tommy Boy, after trying to ‘hush’ the crowd, explains why he turned his back on his father, citing that Jay DeNiro actually turned his back on Tommy Boy his entire life, putting his 10 other siblings and wrestling first. After criticizing his fatherly instincts, he claims Tony Evans as the best dad he could hope for, and his hatred for DeNiro.
Match Five – J-Rod def. ‘Marionette’ Noelle (by pinfall)
J-Rod, who has shown new levels of aggression since her return to OVW dominated the early stages, before Noelle counters a J-Rod charge out of the ring to a leg sweep into the steel steps. J-Rod recovers into the ring but met by a Double Axe Handle from Noelle but only resulted in barely one count. Noelle continued to attack but made little inroad towards victory as J-Rod continued to kick out early.
‘The Marionette’ reverted to dark tactics to try to create an impact and after biting J-Rod on her arm she exposed the turnbuckle to distract the referee before removing what looked like a chain from her gear and placing around J-Rod’s neck with the referee not being able to see the object in her hand. A stricken J-Rod was then subject to an armbar in the corner of the ring but showed her power but reversing and slamming Noelle to the canvas.
The pair came to blows, and after a succession of clotheslines from J-Rod, ‘The Ultimate Athlete’ lined up the spear and was game over for Noelle.
Match Six – Jake Lawless def. Jake Bravado (by pinfall)
In the battle of the Jake’s, the experienced ‘Flawless’ Lawless took control early on and a springboard elbow caught Bravado clean, with Lawless continuing to dominate with some heavy chops that could be heard all the way over to the merchandise stand. A European Uppercut from Bravado created some respite but Lawless’ take on an X-Factor looked to get the three counts before purposely lifting one of Bravado’s shoulders off the mat to ensure the match continued, with his fellow Trifecta partners Ashton Adonis and Brandon Barretta amused at ringside. It came back to haunt Lawless, and a series of strong Clothesline’s from Bravado turned the tide, and a few innovative offences and a heavy knew strike to Lawless’ face nearly got Bravado the three count.
However, Lawless recovered and after mocking rival Kal Herro’s signature move, he hits a Fanny Pack Knee on Bravado, and a super kick puts the match to bed and allows referee Dallas Edwards to count to three on this occasion.
Linda Kay Interviews Killah Kai
Linda attempts to ask some questions on Killah’s journey to OVW, and feedback on her first matches against some of OVW’s biggest female stars, but with no response. Killah clearly took offense to the line of questioning and corners Linda J-Rod and Sophia Rose enter ringside to address Killah, but before much could be said Stehen Steel runs down the ramp and slides in to the ring to protect his ‘Lola’ before being harpooned by a killer spear from Kai that broke his 169-pound frame in half.
As Steel rolls out of the ring, J-Rod and Sophia enter to approach Kai, but an abundance of referees and agents intervene to stop a brawl taking place. Killah Kai clearly causing huge disruption in the Women’s division, with a number of top superstars that will be vying for Freya the Sleya’s OVW Women’s Championship.
Match Seven (Main Event) – Kal Herro def. Ashton Adonis
In a non-title match, OVW Heavyweight Champion Kal Herro took on Trifecta member Ashton Adonis. Kal’s technical prowess put Adonis under pressure early and starts to work on the elbow and shoulder of Adonis to debilitate him early. Adonis recovers with a few chops, but a counter Arm Drag gets Herro back on top and working again on the arms of Adonis.
Kal took a risk on to the top rope but was tossed out of the ring by Adonis leaving Kal landing awkwardly after having his knee caught in the ropes on the way down. Adonis exploits this with a series of chops and punches to the spine, before a chin lock in the centre of the ring has the Champion in trouble.
Both competitors had their moments in an even contest, before a rake of the eyes from Adonis leads to him lifting Kal into a spectacular Spinning Powerbomb and a 2 and a half count. Adonis lined up a Running Knee and connected perfectly but once again the Champion kicks out just before the three count to avoid an upset.
Adonis looks like to line up a second Running Knee but was met by a Superkick from Herro, and both lay flat on the canvas leaving Adonis to call for his Trifecta partners to come down to ringside. A Clothesline over the top rope by Herro leaves Adonis to continually and desperately call for his partners, but to no avail.
LVL3, who were attacked by the Trifecta last week and not cleared to be at the arena, were then seen on the big screen taunting standing over a stricken and motionless Jake Lawless and Branon Barretta after a clear revenge attack.
With Adonis distracted, Kal lined up The Herro’s Journey to close out the match with the OVW Heavyweight Champion victorious.