wrestling / TV Reports

Csonka’s EVOLVE 83 iPPV Review 4.23.17

April 23, 2017 | Posted by Larry Csonka
Matt Riddle WWN Live Evolve
8
The 411 Rating
Community Grade
12345678910
Your Grade
Loading...
Csonka’s EVOLVE 83 iPPV Review 4.23.17  

Csonka’s EVOLVE 83 iPPV Review 4.23.17

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Ethan Page defeated Austin Theory @ 7:50 via pin [**¾]
– Tracy Williams defeated Chris Dickinson @ 10:55 via submission [***½]
– Jaka defeated ACH @ 13:25 via pin [***½]
– Keith Lee defeated David Starr @ 8:50 via pin [***¾]
– Kyle O’Reilly defeated Fred Yehi @ 20:45 via submission [****¼]
EVOLVE Title Match: Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Lio Rush @ 19:25 via pin [****]
WWN Title I QUIT Match: Champion Matt Riddle defeated Drew Galloway @ 17:55 [**½]


– Darby Allin is off the show, because he broke his elbow in last night’s match.

Ethan Page w/Gatekeeper McMassive vs. Austin Theory: Page attacks right away, punishing Theory for trying to help Allin last night. Theory sends Page to the floor, and then hits a moonsault onto Page & McMassive. Back into the ring they go, Page cuts off Theory with a boot and draping undertook back breaker. Priscilla Kelly again makes her way out; she also got involved in the Allin match last night. Theory then hits a rolling dropkick, the enziguri followed for 2. Page has enough of that bullshit, and hits the iconoclasm before choking him out in the ropes. Page works a rear chinlock, Theory fires up and hits clotheslines and then a standing moonsault for 2. They traded a series of strikes; Theory hits the running shooting star press for 2. Theory then rolls right into the spinning Dwayne, and Page picks up the win. Ethan Page defeated Austin Theory @ 7:50 via pin [**¾] Page has a title match coming up, so him winning makes the most sense. Theory once again was once again put in a position to look good against a member of the uppercard, first ACH and now Page. Pretty good, and more importantly clean match here, but Theory needs to start picking up some wins here soon.

– Stokley Hathaway is out with Tracy Williams. Williams says Catch Point has been doing more talking than competing lately; he wants to focus on competition and while he is a leader, he’s not a manager and maybe it’s about time catch Point gets one. Hathaway now officially represents Catch Point, and will take the group and brand to a new level; this means apparel, dojos, and Catch Point all over the world. This means that he represents Yehi, Williams, Dickinson, Jaka most importantly Matt Riddle. Dickinson, Jaka & Yehi arrive, with Yehi saying that Williams has lost his way and that he’s quitting Catch Point. Dickinson & Jaka are in as long as it’s still about competition. Williams & Dickinson agree to a friendly Catch Point exhibition.

Tracy Williams vs. Chris Dickinson: They work a clean opening stretch, with both guys being good sports early. Williams then started to attack the arm, breaking down Dickinson and grounding the big man. Dickinson fires up, putting together some offense and hitting a lariat and then working the chinlock. Williams quickly turned things back in his favor, but it didn’t last long as he worked over Williams with chops and then they battled up top; Williams hit the buckle DDT and brainbuster for 2. Dickinson fought back, hitting a DVD to the buckles and then a Michinoku driver for 2. They up the intensity with a floor brawl, and then to the apron. Back in the ring, and Dickinson hits the falcon arrow (HE DID THE DEAL) suplex for a great near fall. They then trade strikes, Dickinson looks for a springboard clothesline, but Williams catches him and locks in the crossface for the win. Tracy Williams defeated Chris Dickinson @ 10:55 via submission [***½] I am completely over Catch Point, they have been more about dysfunction than teamwork during their tenure as a team. I think it was holding Yehi back, and am excited to see him on his own. They had a very good match, nice and clean work with a great finish; Williams wins to keep the Alpha dog spot in the group, and for now, all is well with him, Jaka and Dickinson.

ACH vs. Jaka: Nice back and forth to begin, lots of counters with both working to a stalemate. Jaka then started to mix in some strikes, fired up and even dared ACH to hit him back, which only angered him more. They are using some really nice pacing here, with ACH speeding up his attacks and gaining some momentum and covering for some near falls. Jaka starts to comeback, but ACH catches him low (just like the night before) and acts like he did nothing wrong, but showing some cocky/heelish tendencies once again. Jaka fights back with an XPLODER, and then grounds ACH. Jaka then works knee strikes and a German suplex that folded ACH in half. ACH starts to fight back, sends Jaka to the floor and follows with the PK off the apron. Back in and ACH hit the slingshot into the flatliner for 2. ACH the hits the MX (code breaker off the ropes) for the near fall; ACH up top and misses the double stomp, but hits the dropkick, but Jaka then hits the tiger driver for the win. Jaka defeated ACH @ 13:25 via pin [***½] This was a huge win for Jaka, and I am glad that the tag champions didn’t lose both of their matches. I love Jaka’s work here in Evolve, it feels so raw and different that it makes great dynamics in all of his singles outings.

David Starr vs. Keith Lee: Starr did his best to outsmart Lee early, using his speed and taking the action to the floor. Starr didn’t properly back in Lee’s glory, so Lee apron bombed him and took control. Back in the ring and Lee start to pummel Starr with strikes; Starr managed to cut Lee off, but foolishly looked for a suplex, so Lee easily countered that and then hit the high angle spinebuster, Lee covered for 2. Bask in that bitch. Starr kept firing up, and managed to hit an apron DDT on Lee and followed with a big lariat. Lee charges, escapes the spirit bomb and rolls into the code red for 2. Lee wasn’t done, hits a head scissors and then a jackhammer for the win. Keith Lee defeated David Starr @ 8:50 via pin [***¾] Very good sprint of a match, lee largely dominated and looked great, but Starr got in a lot, impressed the live crowd and showed that he’d be a great fit in Evolve in the future.

Kyle O’Reilly vs. Fred Yehi: O’Reilly quickly looked to target the arm of Yehi, but Yehi works some great counter mat wrestling to escape. Yehi then takes it to the mat, working his amateur wrestling game. Yehi then works the stomps to the hands of O’Reilly, grapple that bitch. Yehi then transitions to working the knee of O’Reilly. O’Reilly fights to his feet, but Yehi cuts him off with an XPLODER and takes it back to the mat. I just dig Yehi’s work, utilizing a bruiser style with a great amateur mix thrown in; he beautifully fits the EVOLVE style, but is different enough that he stands out. O’Reilly slowly starts to make a comeback, works in knee strikes and then takes Yehi down, working a body scissors and going back to attacking the arm. They trade forearm strikes, O’Reilly takes mount and rains down with strikes and then looks for the arm bar, but Yehi grabs the ropes. They trade forearms and chops, Yehi works the stomps and then locks in the figure four but O’Reilly makes the ropes; dead lift German by Yehi gets a good near fall. Yehi lights O’Reilly up with chops, and then goes back to the leg attack with a dragon screw leg whip and the follows with a dropkick to the knee. O’Reilly manages to get the arm bar, but Yehi stacks him up and escapes. Yehi hits a sitout fisherman’s buster for the near fall. Rapid fire kicks to the chest by Yehi, but O’Reilly looks to attack the arm and follows with a Saito suplex for the double down. Yehi fights off the cradle suplex, but O’Reilly works knee strikes and they work into a double down. O’Reilly then locks in the guillotine, Yehi fades and O’Reilly hits ax and smash, but Yehi then decapitates him with a lariat. They trade kicks, Yehi trying to take out the knee as O’Reilly attacks the arm great attention to detail from both. Yehi looks for the suplex, but O’Reilly transitions and looks for the arm bar but opts for the brainbuster for 2; O’Reilly locks in the arm bar as Yehi fights but has to tap. Kyle O’Reilly defeated Fred Yehi @ 20:45 via submission [****¼] Excellent match here, the best of the weekend for the company so far; they worked a great mix of submission and striking, with great attacks and selling; this came off as a level above everything else on the weekend with ease, and that’s not a knock on the other matches, these two were just locked in and delivered.

EVOLVE Title Match: Champion Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Lio Rush: ZSJ looks to ground Rush to cut off his speed advantage. They grapple back and forth, clean breaks and we’re friends here early on. ZSJ then attacks the taped up shoulder of Rush, and then lays in uppercuts. Rush picks up the pace, hitting the enziguri. ZSJ works the guillotine, and then locks in the knee bar but Rush gets the ropes. Uppercuts and kicks to the face by ZSJ, and he attacks the ankle and ties up Rush. Back to the feet, ZSJ with more uppercuts and follows with a leg kick. ZSJ goes back to the leg, works a bow and arrow variation, including a dragon sleeper but Rush gets the ropes. Rush struggles to his feet, fires up with leg kicks, but ZSJ with uppercuts and then attacks the legs once again. Rush tries to pick up the pace, but ZSJ cuts him off with an octopus. Rush escapes, looks for a PELE, caught and ZSJ locks in the knee bar, but Rush gets the ropes. ZSJ then stomps on the ankle, but they trade strikes as Rush looks to fire up, only to eat uppercuts. Rush kicks ZSJ to the floor, and follows with a suicide dive. Back in and Rush heads up top, but ZSJ cuts him off, only for Rush to hit the reverse RANA and hammerlock DDT for 2. Rush back up top, ZSJ attacks the leg to stop that and follows him up, attacking the arm. Rush sends him to the mat, catches ZSJ with a kick as he rushes in, looks for the frog splash but ZSJ catches him in a triangle choke and follows with elbow strikes. Rush escapes, hits the PELE but ZSJ folds him in half with the half nelson suplex. They do a fun series of back and forth counters; PK by ZSJ, another and that gets 2. ZSJ is pissed. ZSJ the runs into the Spanish fly, Rush up top and hits the frog splash for a great near fall. Rush gets pissed, talks some shit and kicks ZSJ in the chest. ZSJ dares him to do it again, so he does. One more time and ZSJ catches him and they slap the shit out of each other, trade strikes and just light each other up. ZSJ lays in repeated uppercuts, but Rush hits a head kick and a spin kick. ZSJ then catches Rush in the prawn hold, countering a kick and retains the title. Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Lio Rush @ 19:25 via pin [****] This was another great match, with Sabre torturing Rush but Rush showing great resilience, leading to a tremendously well done homestretch before Sabre sneaks out the win. Rush came off great here, even in loss.

– Ethan Page cuts a promo from the stage, claiming Sabre ended the career of one of his Gatekeepers, so Page fired him. A new gatekeeper debuts and attacks Sabre. Sabre fights back, so McMassive hits the ring and hits the bossman slam on Sabre.

WWN Title Match: WWN Champion Matt Riddle vs. Drew Galloway: This is Galloway’s final Evolve appearance. Galloway defeated Riddle in a shockingly short and dominating match over Mania weekend. They go crazy fists right away, with Galloway bailing to the floor and Riddle following him out. Galloway posts him and then grabs a chair. Back in they go with Galloway attacking the leg, and hits a tilt a whirl back breaker on the chair. Galloway continues to work him over, with Riddle refusing to quit. Riddle cuts off Galloway before he can attack again with the chair, lays in kicks and hits the XPLODER. Riddle lays the chair on Galloway, hits the senton and then follows with another. Galloway then hits the claymore kick, takes Riddle to the corner and chokes him out in the ropes, but Riddle refuses to quit. Galloway continues his attack, and we’re getting the rise and repeat segment; hit a move, ask guy if he quits, guy says no, and back to action portion of things. Riddle reverses a suplex, hitting one on Galloway on the floor. Galloway hits an apron slam on Riddle, he refuses to quit, and this is already annoying. Galloway tosses him back into the ring, hits an overhead belly-to-belly, and then another. They trade chops; Riddle hits a knee strike but runs into a stuff piledriver. Galloway sets Riddle up top, follows him up but Riddle crotches him into the tree of WHOA, leading to Galloway hitting an overhead belly to belly. Galloway then runs into bro to sleep, and Riddle locks in the bro mission but Galloway uses the mic to hit Riddle and escape. Galloway hits two future shock DDTs and then a third. Galloway grabs a chair, hits a future shock onto it but Riddle won’t quit. Galloway gets a rope and ties Riddle’s hands behind him back in the ropes. Galloway then beats him down with repeated rights, but Riddle refuses to quit. Riddle hits a kick, and the ref unties Riddle, leading to an up kick and fisherman’s buster. Riddle then stomps away on Galloway, locks in the triangle choke, but Galloway hits the powerbomb to escape. Galloway then gets the sledgehammer, but Riddle says, “you ain’t Triple H, bro” only to get him in the balls. Galloway is pissed Riddle won’t quit, argues with the ref, allowing Riddle to lock in the bro mission and Galloway quits. Champion Matt Riddle defeated Drew Galloway @ 17:55 [**½] Despite the fact that both guys worked hard, I feel that the main event really missed the mark. They had a golden opportunity to play off of the Mania weekend match and give Riddle revenge, winning a short and dominating match like Galloway did in that prior match. This felt too long, contained all of the traps of the stipulation and I felt Riddle’s victory came off flat.

– Stokley Hathaway and catch Point arrive, and Hathaway wants to make their relationship official. Riddle refuses, and Galloway attacks as Catch Point leaves Riddle to get beat down. Galloway grabs the sledgehammer, but Keith Lee is here to make the save. Galloway bails, Hathaway talks shit to him, and Riddle then lays out Hathaway with a bro to sleep. Lee grabs the WWN Title, and politely places it on Riddle’s shoulder, and lets him know that he’s coming for him. They fist bump and all is well for now.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

 photo fe36ffd0-0da4-4e3b-a2d3-b026b341dd87_zps41ef5d61.jpg
“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

8.0
The final score: review Very Good
The 411
While the main event fell flat and missed an opportunity to play off of their last match, EVOLVE 83 is a strong and consistent show. Catch Point as we knew it is done, as Stokely Hathaway is now in charge with Yehi & Riddle as loaners. Jaka picked up a big win, Keith lee continues to be great and positioned as one of the top guys, David Starr made a strong case to be brought back, Yehi continues to deliver and Kyle O’Reilly’s return is bringing a boost to the already strong in ring product while Ethan Page looks strong as a contender for his upcoming match with Sabre. The show also largely flew by, making it an easy watch at 2.5 hours, closing out a strong weekend for the promotion. When you put it all together, EVOLVE 83 is a very good show. What you need to see: Starr vs. Lee, O’Reilly vs. Yehi & Sabre vs. Rush.
legend