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Guerrilla Reviewfare: PWG Bask in His Glory

September 18, 2018 | Posted by Jake St-Pierre
Keith Lee EVOLVE PWG
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Guerrilla Reviewfare: PWG Bask in His Glory  

The latest edition of PWG’s All Star Weekend proved to be a tale of two halves. Night 1 was an energetic mover of a show with consistency and diversity out the wazoo, with a newsworthy ending and a sentimental post-match goodbye. The second night felt like a hangover though and, despite a very entertaining title change in the main event, was one of the least memorable PWG events I can recall ever seeing. I can’t say that so far for the show I’m about to review however, as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla finally says goodbye to their longtime home in Reseda. The American Legion has played host to some of my favorite moments as a pro wrestling fan, and it’s really somewhat of a bummer to see it go… if it does end up going, that is. But nevermind that mushy stuff. We’ve got a show to review… and just like the last several shows, I have almost no clue of what this card has in store for me coming in, so we’ll see if that has any effect on quality or excitement

We are TAPED from the American Legion in Reseda, CA. Gonna be weird not typing that anymore.

Your hosts are Excalibur and Rick Knox.

Tyler Bateman vs. Andy Brown
Bateman is one half of Violence Unlimited with Brody King, a team that had a pretty damn good weekend last month all things considered. Bateman’s own participation was a bit overshadowed by his more spectacular partner, but I thought he came through with a pair of solid performances that more than justify his second look here tonight. I must shamefully admit that I’ve never heard his opponent Andy Brown’s name once, which is exciting as I always love seeing random debuts in PWG. Despite being a very short notice replacement, he seems to be yet another attempt to cultivate more local California talent, which has been a hit (Brody King) and miss (Eli Everfly) experiment for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla this year.

Tyler Bateman’s from Moore, Oklahoma which is pretty cool given I live about an hour away! Andy Brown is pretty over with the crowd here, and he looks exactly like Jonathan Gresham if he had a goofy topknot and a little more size on him. Bateman fires off a big elbow in the early exchanges, but Brown sends him to the floor with a receipt. Bateman dodges, so Andy cartwheels to the floor and superkicks Bateman. He rolls Tyler back into the ring and works him over, but Bateman fights back and kicks the second rope into his throat to get the upperhand. Bateman soccer kicks him in the chest, and hits a lunging elbow for a two count. Bateman clubbers Brown some more and hits a running knee in the corner for another 2. Brown starts building a head of steam, hitting a Spinebuster and a basement Superkick for a two count. Brown dodges a Tornado DDT and hits a lunging elbow of his own, but only gets 2. Bateman muscles Brown up into a Brainbuster for a nearfall. Brown hits a desperation jumping knee, but another barrage of elbows get 2 for Bateman again. Another lunging elbow is countered with an upkick, and a rolling Ace Crusher scores for Brown. BUSAIKU KNEE follows, but only gets 2. Andy looks for a Piledriver, but Bateman rolls out and lariats him out. SPINNING TOMBSTONE gets Bateman the win in 13 minutes. *** I can’t say I came out of this match with a hankering to see it again, but there’s something about it that I liked. I actually really rate Tyler Bateman, for what it’s worth. He might not be the archetypal guy PWG fans would flock to, but he works a very odd and intriguing style that I haven’t quite nailed down. He clearly values presence and flair and I find that admirable in a business that is so centered on moves and acrobatics. I’m not saying that I don’t love said moves and acrobatics, but I’d be a fool to not praise something different when I see it. No reason to be complacent. Andy Brown didn’t really move me much though as I felt his offense – while polished and explosive – was a bit too limited in this particular outing to give me a strong opinion on him. He definitely has talent though and I wouldn’t mind seeing him again to get a better idea of what he’s about. Either way, I enjoyed this as a high octane opener and I appreciated how different the two men felt as personalities. The emphasis on strikes was a nice departure from the norm too.

Jake Atlas vs. Rey Horus
Huh, talk about a surprise! Jake Atlas was apart of a very… tumultuous four-way at Time is a Flat Circle that made me skeptical that any of them that weren’t Brody King would be brought back. Atlas never really came across impressive in the match either, even once just moonsaulting to the floor without anyone actually being there. He even dislocated his hip trying to run from catching a dive. But hey, if PWG sees something in him, I don’t mind giving the guy another chance. Horus is hard to have a bad match against anyway, so there’s something to hang your hat on.

Atlas pulls off the Kalisto headstand/headscissor spot, and Horus comes back with a dropkick that sends Atlas to the floor. Horus tries a pescado, but Atlas just wings a chair in his face instead. He moves the fans out of the way, which ends up proving fatal for him as Horus suplexes him into the chairs. TOPE CON HILO OVER THE POST! Poor Atlas got squished on the landing too. Atlas pulls a Tope Suicida out of nowhere, and a DOUBLE JUMP SPACEMAN~! The fans give him the “You Still Suck” chant which is hilarious. Atlas goes after Horus’ mask in the tree of woe, and he superkicks him out of it to add injury to insult. Horus starts making his comeback and hits a C4, sending Atlas to the floor for a Pescado Rana! Basement Dropkick scores for Horus, but only gets 2. Slingshot Spear scores for Atlas, following promptly with a rolling DVD and a Superkick for 2. 619 scores for Atlas, and he rolls into a springing Ace Crusher for 2. Horus comes back with a double jump spinning armdrag, but he walks right into a BRAINBUSTER from Atlas! SATELLITE DDT FROM HORUS! Rey Horus wins in 14 minutes. ***1/4 I’m happy to report that Jake Atlas gave a much better account of himself here than he did in March. He was crisp, athletic, and was a loathesome enough personality to play a great heel for the crowd pleasing Horus. He was simultaneously a great base and a good flyer, so he really shined in both aspects of the bout and made me happy PWG took the chance on bringing him back. Horus again showed why he’s such a fun addition to the PWG roster, his explosive offense working beautifully as a vehicle for comebacks and hope spots. Nothing to complain about here.

Bandido vs. Robbie Eagles
Bandido had a bit of a breakout weekend for himself last month, having great matches with Taiji Ishimori and Rey Horus to cement his spot on the PWG roster. Robbie Eagles had a much lower profile weekend in terms of hype, but impressed me quite a bit in his war with Joey Janela on Night 2. I have no reason to not expect something of similar quality here.

Excalibur says that Dezmond Xavier is actually responsible for Bandido being brought into PWG, which is a really cool little factoid. Athletically, neither man is able to get an advantage early on. Eagles hilariously uses his neck bandana as a bandit mask during the standoff. Eagles knocks him around with a Frankensteiner and an ensuing dropkick, and another one sending Bandido to the floor for a SUICIDA SENTON~! Bridging Fallaway Slam scores for Eagles in the ring, for two. Eagles tries a Tope Con Hilo, but BANDIDO CATCHES HIM AND POSTS HIM WITH A POWERBOMB! Bandido heads back into the ring… for a STEP-UP SPACEMAN PLANCHA~! Holy SHIT. This guy is something else. Bandido springboards for something in the ring, but Eagles dropkicks him out of the air. Double knees in the corner, and a Shiranui follows for 2. Bandido hits a CHAOS THEORY DRAGON SUPLEX that nearly murders for Robbie, and it only gets 2. Backpack Driver scores for Eagles, but it only gets 2. Bandido dodges a 450 and hits a POP UP CUTTER~! A momentary hesitation means Robbie kicks out at 2. They trade overhand chops and take it outside for no other reason but to do it, and they come back in for some more! REVERSE RANA FROM BANDIDO~! REVERSE RANA FROM EAGLES~! EVERYONE IS DEAD. Robbie sets Bandido on the top rope for a SUPER DUPER FRANKENSTEINER! BANDIDO KICKS OUT! Robbie heads up top, but Bandido intercepts him for a Fallaway Moonsault, but Robbie prevents certain death… only for BANDIDO TO HIT A STUNT RIDER DRIVER FROM THE TOP~! Bandido wins in 14 minutes. **** Oh man. I know a lot of people – especially in the fallout of All In – are going to hear a lot about Bandido. The Bucks and co. made it a big priority to spotlight him in their otherwise gutted match, and that obviously says something. But I don’t know if I ever really bought into that hype until this match with Robbie Eagles. I never thought he was a disappointment or anything even close to it, but the comparisons to Fenix seemed premature and convenient. He has had some awesome performances in PWG thus far, but they weren’t this spectacular. They weren’t this explosive. They didn’t come together into a package as concise and entertaining as his effort with Eagles here. And guess what? Robbie Eagles is just as much a reason for that as Bandido is. His proficiency as a base and foil for these unbelievable athletic feats from Bandido, plus his ring IQ and timing means this match was more than just a collection of spots. Every spot flowed wonderfully into one another, and Robbie Eagles was an essential piece to that puzzle. His athleticism and crispness was such that he was able to keep up with Bandido on that front too, so everything came together into a genuine showstealer. It’s been a long time since an inauspicious match like this just up and tore the house down on a PWG show, and it’s an awesome way to kickstart a show. Seek this out if you have the means.

Keith Lee vs. Adam Brooks
The match (and wrestler) the show is named for, Keith Lee wrestles his final match in PWG before heading off to WWE to hopefully become the enormous star he should be. He’s unquestionably been Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s MVP over his 15 month run and his presence on these cards is going to be sorely missed, but it provides a very unique opportunity for Brooks here as a result. A bit reminiscent of Trevor Lee’s match against a departing Kevin Steen at ELEVEN with the new guy getting a chance to send the big bad former champion out with a loss, elevating his career in the process. Like I said, it’s going to suck something fierce to see Keith Lee go, but no reason to dwell.

Brooks whacks Keith with an overhand chop early, and Keith giggles at him in response. He does hilariously little on a shoulderblock as well. Brooks nearly leapfrogs into a Spirit Bomb, but Brooks uses his speed to try and get out precarious situations. Brooks tries a Frankensteiner, but Keith just hoists him out of that stupidity and sets him down. Brooks is able to dodge the Mongolian Chop, and Lee invites Brooks to bask in his glory. Brooks pokes him in the eye instead, and starts just chopping him down with punches and a dropkick. Keith just walks through it and Mongolian Chops Brooks on the back. Brooks punches out of a Powerbomb attempt, but Keith POUNCES HIM TO DEATH~! He lets Brooks have it with another pair of Mongolian Chops in the corner. Brooks is able to low-bridge Keith to the floor and PK him from the apron, but runs into a goozle from Lee. Brooks snaps the top rope onto his throat though and hits a slingshot DDT to the floor! He follows up with Meteora from the top rope. A running dropkick scores for Brooks in the ring, but only gets 2. Brooks tries to dodge another Pounce, but runs into a wacky high angle Spinebuster for 2. Brooks hits a Rolling Elbow and tries a slingshot DDT, but Keith Lee catches him and HOISTS HIM INTO A SPIRIT BOMB~! He tries another one, but Brooks slips out and drops Keith to his knees with a jumping knee. Meteora to the back of the head scores for Brooks, and he heads up top for another one for 2. Keith Lee hits a Fireman’s Carry into a Rolling Elbow, followed by a HUGE DISCUS LARIAT for a two count. TWISTING DESTROYER FROM BROOKS! LEE KICKS OUT AT ONE~! FOSBURY FLOP FROM BROOKS! Keith heads back to the ring and hits an AVALANCHE POWERSLAM! Brooks barely kicks out. LOW BLOW FROM BROOKS! SWANTON! Adam Brooks spoils Keith Lee’s farewell in 20 minutes. ***1/4 This match had tons and tons of potential for Brooks to really come out of it a star, but his execution and sloppiness really let him down in the end. That’s pretty uncharacteristic of him too, as he’s always looked really crisp in his matches thus far and it’s not like Keith Lee is a bad base for smaller wrestlers. Brooks just had a bit of an off night I suppose, and that happens to everyone at some point. With that being said though, I thought both he and Keith were supremely entertaining in the opening minutes. Lee’s ultimate confidence in his size and ability made for some incredibly entertaining exchanges, and Brooks’ hopeless attempts to usurp that made for some delightful carnage. Adam Brooks was willing to take a beating for the cause and it’s hard to complain about that. Was it the best match for Keith Lee to end his PWG career on? No, not exactly, but it wasn’t terrible either. Not ever match he works is going to be the Donovan Dijak match. Brooks played a great shitheel for Lee to feed off of, and that’s all that matters. If they’d have tightened things up and shortened the time allotment a bit, we’d be talking about a better overall package, but there was a lot here to like regardless.

Keith Lee’s farewell is just incredible here, and I have no way to do it anything resembling justice in this review. As hyperbolic as it might sound, I would actually say that this segment is worth the price of admission alone, it’s that great. PWG has had a lot of farewells and I think the only one that can even touch this one is El Generico’s. Seek this out at all costs.

Jonah Rock vs. Timothy Thatcher
Jonah Rock’s PWG journey has been a bit of a mixed bag, it’s safe to say. He hasn’t quite found his niche with the audience despite a resume of good matches and that ended in him essentially being turned heel during his title shot at ASW 14. That will be an interesting juxtaposition with Timothy Thatcher’s style, if nothing else.

It’s a fast paced start as Jonah drops Thatcher with an early high cross before shitcanning him in nasty fashion, bringing the action to the floor immediately. Thatcher fights back with forearms and uppercuts before trying to choke him out on the floor, so Jonah hoists him up and just runs the Ringkampf member into the chairs like a battering ram. Jonah adds a chairshot to the back for good measure. Jonah tries splashing Thatcher into the post, but Thatcher is able to move and send the Aussie careening into the steel. Thatcher brings it back into the ring and starts trying to work the big man over, wearing him down with his usual repertoire. Jonah is able to counter a Backdrop Driver with a big splash, taking over the momentum now. Thatcher headbutts out of a lariat and uses the ropes to get enough momentum for a big Belly-to-Belly! Thatcher measures for the Backdrop Driver again, but Jonah fights out and hits a Superman Punch! Thatcher KNEES OUT OF A SPEAR and puts in a Fujiwara! Jonah uses Justin Borden to break the hold and finally hits the Spear… for 2! I know it’s all gaga but that was actually a damn good Spear, for what it’s worth. Jonah Rock with a lariat and Brainbuster, but Thatcher is able to kick out. He measures for a Frog Splash, but Thatcher powers up and intercepts him for a SUPERPLEX! RIGHT INTO A FUJIWARA! Jonah is able to slide to the ropes though. Thatcher measures for a Butterfly Suplex, but Jonah counters by just BACK BUMPING! FROG SPLASH! Jonah Rock is your winner in 13 minutes. ***1/2 This was a very pleasant, totally unexpected surprise. I wouldn’t say that I have disliked any of Timothy Thatcher’s matches since this latest run in PWG, but he hasn’t really torn the house down nor really made a big statement as a singles wrestler. Here, I thought he had one of his most spirited performances. Jonah Rock really thrives as a heel in this environment, so he provided a really good foundation for Thatcher to explode out and feed off of him. It ended up creating some excitement that Thatcher matches tend to lack, as Jonah got to carry the personality end and walk into some precarious situations. It brought both men out of their supposed comfort zones, and it made for a really solid midcard outing. I think Jonah has a lot of mileage out of this change in character and I am excited to see how he refines it further, especially since he made Timothy Thatcher look so good as a babyface. Everything came together better than it had any right to.

Matt Riddle vs. David Starr
An interesting co-main here, if nothing else. Starr was absent from the previous All Star Weekend so hasn’t been on my mind in these reviews as much, but he came through with an impressive performance against Travis Banks in February. That performance gives me reason to suspect he’ll turn in another solid account of himself here against Riddle, who’s just about impossible to not look good against.

Starr makes the mistake of trying to grapple with Riddle early, which ends not-well for The Product. Riddle starts kicking and slapping at him, but Starr is able to Thesz Press him and use his speed to equal him. Starr tries crawling through Riddle’s legs, but Riddle turns around and gives him a Broton in a cool spot. He tosses Starr back with a Gutwrench Suplex, working him over later on with Bryan Danielson stomps. Starr counters into some of his own, and gets over with me FOR LIFE by going after the little girl in the front row, the same one that Keith Lee gave his ring jacket to during his farewell. He absolutely CLUBS poor Riddle with a lariat to keep him down. Starr tries an Ankle Lock on the barefoot Riddle, who rolls through for a two count. Starr cracks him with another lariat, but Riddle NECKS HIM with a German Suplex to respond… right into a Rebound Lariat from Starr! Violence Party from Starr, but he walks right into a jumping knee from Riddle, followed by the Powerbomb/Knee combo. Riddle counters a Crucifix into a Bro 2 Sleep, but Starr lands on his feet and Superkicks Riddle to the floor for a Tope Suicida. Riddle catches a second one, but walks into a hanging DDT on the apron. Riddle catches him on the apron though and nearly murders the poor bastard with a Fisherman’s Buster on the apron. Luckily, Starr protected himself and didn’t take much damage on the way down, even if the move didn’t look very damaging itself. Riddle tries the Brostone on the floor, but Starr counters by giving him Deep Six on the apron to send him back into the ring. Starr goes up top for a Crossbody, but Riddle counters into a Kimura! The little girl Starr went after TAUNTS HIM for it, and Starr counters by giving Riddle a German… only for Riddle to NO SELL and give him a Bro 2 Sleep and a German! Deadlift German scores for Riddle, but Starr kicks out again… into a Release German now. Riddle hits the trapped elbows, but Starr catches his arm and CLOBBERS HIM with a Rainmaker. Riddle responds with a Ripcord Knee, but Starr counters into a Last Shot for 2. HUGE LARIAT FROM STARR! Riddle kicks out again. This guy throws some gnarly lariats. They trade overhand chops in the center of the ring until Riddle counters a Discus Lariat into another German. BROSTONE FROM RIDDLE! Starr kicks out now. Riddle looks for the trapped elbows again, but Starr counters the Bromission for a close two. Starr heads up top, but takes too long allowing Riddle to intercept him for a SUPER CRADLE BROSTONE~! Riddle picks up the win in 18 minutes. ***3/4 This was hardly the most exciting Matt Riddle match I’ve ever seen, but I thought the energy David Starr brought to this match carried it more than the intensity of the work. Starr worked his ass off to be the heel here and while some guys do it and come off desperate, Starr was fantastic in the role. He carried himself with a cocky poise that a lot of wrestlers simply can’t grasp, and it added a lot of personality and gravitas to the match itself. He didn’t go overboard, instead opting to (mostly) use his in-ring acumen to speak for him. And in the times he strayed from that, he used a little girl to get the crowd into him as a douchebag, which is a-okay with me. Using children in wrestling is the best way to get heat… unless you’re that guy from the London Riots, I guess. From that point on, the crowd was super invested in this match and since they already adore Matt Riddle, David Starr as the foil ended up being a very entertaining cherry on top. I think they have better “wrestling” matches in them considering some of the flashes of brilliance I saw in a few sequences here, but I have a hard time trying to nitpick when I come out of a match this satisfied.

PWG World Title: WALTER © vs. Sammy Guevara
What a weird main event for PWG’s last show at the Legion, but also one that should provide some great carnage at Sammy Guevara’s expense. WALTER won the title in a big hoss fight last month and takes his rightful place atop the PWG cards after a slew of amazing performances, and Sammy Guevara is an interesting first defense. Some might not remember but WALTER did commentary for Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2 and basically buried Sammy the whole time, so aside from the show-ending angle last month, there’s some backstory behind this. Like I said, a bit odd to make this the last match in such a legendary venue, but I can never truly complain about more WALTER destruction.

Guevara does his fair bit of stalling early, trying not to engage with the behemoth. Sammy makes the mistake of chopping Walter, and he’s juuuust able to avoid a receipt from the Austrian. Walter gets frustrated and just chases after the challenger, who uses that to outsmart Walter for a moment… only to get chopped to death. Sammy doesn’t like that, so he just walks backstage… only for Walter to chase him and chuck back into the ring. He kicks Walter in the leg, so he eats a big boot to the mouth for his troubles. He eats several more chops on the outside until he gets greedy, trying another big boot, only for Sammy to catch it and ram his ankle into the post. Sammy uses that to try and build some offense, soaring out on top of the champion with a Fosbury Flop. He continues working over Walter’s leg in the ring, especially every time he feels a chop or strike from him. Walter catches a front dropkick into a Boston Crab, but Sammy gets the ropes as soon as he can to end the pain. Walter tries a Choke, but Sammy counters out… only to walk into a Shotgun Dropkick from the big man. Sammy tries a moonsault press, but Walter just boots him out of the air. Sammy still tries to chop down at the leg, and he hits a running Curb Stomp to buy some time so he can head to the top for a Shooting Star… countered into a Powerslam. Walter now heads to the top rope, but Sammy recovers and hits a POP UP RANA! He hits a running Shooting Star in the ring for 2 before heading back up top for another Shooting Star, again for 2. Sammy tries a Superkick, but walks right into a Lariat and a Powerbomb for 2. More chops and a lariat score the in in 17 minutes. **1/4 From where I’m sitting, this match did not have its desired effect or land with as much emphasis as it could have. Sammy Guevara proved to me in this match that he simply isn’t a flexible enough worker to incorporate this easy psychology into his repertoire, and the match suffered mightily because of it. His selling was such a letdown, a completely lackluster effort that only served to shake off the shitkicking and get his shit in. Walter’s effort was admirable, as was his committed selling of the knee, but it was let down by an opponent who doesn’t have the ability to adjust his style and work a convincing main event match. It only shows me that Sammy Guevara’s athletic talents are simply that; athletic. He performs well in spotfests (when he can actually land his dives without crushing someone) and sprints, and judging by this match with one of the best workers on the planet, not much else. Guevara showed me nothing here and I hope this is the end of him as a PWG main eventer. But in his defense, it really has not been a good year for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla main events. I just hope WALTER’s title reign begins to ramp up because this was not an ideal beginning.

8.0
The final score: review Very Good
The 411
Up until the damp squib of a main event, this show was really doing it for me. Its consistency was admirable, and we got a few very memorable moments in the spectacular Bandido/Eagles match and the Keith Lee goodbye. The peaks and valleys were wonderfully timed, and it made for about as easy a two hours as you could want. The show did a great job in highlighting some newcomers like Tyler Bateman and the aforementioned Bandido and Robbie Eagles tandem, plus a fantastic heel performance from David Starr in his match against Matt Riddle. Everyone got over like they needed to get over, and the undercard was fabulous because of it. Nothing from the show is going to be on a Match of the Year list, but a largely nondescript card on paper ended up being super entertaining in practice. I don't know if this is the last time at the Legion quite yet, but if it was, I can't complain about the show we got to say goodbye... even if the main event was a miss.
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