EVOLVE 68

September 10, 2016

From the NYWC Sportatorium in Long Island, NY

Lenny Leonard is your host

Fred Yehi vs. Jigsaw

They start off trading holds until Yehi works the arm. Jigsaw uses a La Magistral cradle for a nearfall as they end up in a stalemate. Jigsaw uses the Romero Special after hitting a chop but Yehi counters with a sunset flip for two. Yehi chops Jigsaw down after some back-and-forth action as he takes control. Jigsaw fights back to knock Yehi down then gets two with a double stomp. He chops Yehi against the ropes but runs into an elbow as Yehi starts using his stomps. Yehi gets two with a spinning back fist to the back of the head. Powerbomb gets two. He gets two with a rolling elbow then applies the Koji Clutch but Jigsaw is able to reach the ropes. Jigsaw fights back and catches Yehi with a Michinoku Driver for two. Brainbuster gets two. Jigsaw heads up top but misses a double stomp then Yehi takes him down and puts on the Koji Clutch for the win (10:37) ***.

Thoughts: Good opening match. Started off really slow but got going towards the end. Jigsaw really has stepped up is wrestling since coming back to EVOLVE and Yehi is a unique talent who is always fun to watch.

Dan Barry vs. Ethan Page

This starts off with Barry working the arm. He switches to a chinlock then goes back to the arm as Page jokes that he only knows how to do a powerbomb and a package piledriver. Barry then tells him to do a front roll as he holds his arm and he does as the crowd starts a “holy shit” chant then Barry tells him how to do other holds as this comedy goes on for a bit. Things get more serious as Page jokes this has already been longer than his last four matches. Barry sends Page outside and hits a pescado. They head back inside where Page takes control. He gets two off of a slam. Jackhammer gets two. Barry manages a cradle for two then dodges the RK-Ego and hits a standing moonsault for two. Barry heads up top and rolls through a moonsault then Page catches him with the package piledriver for the win (8:20) *1/2. After the match, Page helps Barry to his feet.

Thoughts: I didn’t really care for this match, especially the comedy at the beginning. Really just an attempt to get Page over again and it looks like Barry might be a singles wrestler in EVOLVE going forward.

Darby Allin vs. TJ Perkins w/ Stokely Hathaway

Allin takes Perkins out with a dive to the outside before he enters the ring. He rolls Perkins inside and hits a backwards senton for two as the bell rings. Allin gets two with another senton then hits an insane springboard armdrag as he goes outside to beat on Perkins. They head back inside as Perkins takes control. He hits rolling suplexes then works the arm while putting on a chinlock. Allin takes Perkins down and gets two but dumps outside. Perkins misses his dropkick to the apron as Allin runs off of the ramp but ends up hitting the post as Perkins ducks. We head back inside as Perkins works the legs then applies the Muta Lock. Allin fights back and manages a reverse rollup for two. Crossbody gets two. Allin uses a headlock then they go back-and-forth as Allin sells his knee. Allin heads up top but Perkins gets his foot put and puts Allin in the knee bar for the win (8:25) **1/2.

Thoughts: Solid match. Allin is improving beyond the crazy spots and did a decent job selling the knee here. For his own sake, he should tone it down in the ring. Perkins was his usual self in the ring and carried things well.

Tracy Williams vs. DUSTIN

Williams attacks DUSTIN after the bell. He backdrops him to the floor then flies out with a tope. However, Drew Galloway comes from behind and hits Williams with a chair for the DQ (0:50). Catchpoint runs out for the save then Joey Styles appears to tell us that no one came here to see a thirty second DQ so this is going to restart………….as an “extreme match.”

Thoughts: A set up for the Extreme Match. Styles is also being presented as just an advisor for EVOLVE, who helps out as he sees fit, and not an official GM.

Extreme Match: Tracy Williams vs. DUSTIN

Williams dropkicks DUSTIN, who rolls outside then smashes a chair off of Williams face to block a tope. Williams fights back and suplexes DUSTIN on a chair then the action heads back inside. DUSTIN manages a German suplex then sends Williams into a chair that was wedged into the corner as that gets two. They head outside where DUSTIN whips Williams into a ladder then follows with a super kick. They head back inside where Williams backdrops DUSTIN into the ladder as both men are down. Williams puts DUSTIN in an abdominal stretch and elbows him in the chest. DUSTIN gets out and sends Williams into the chair then brings out thumbtacks and dumps then on the mat but Williams suplexes him on the tacks. Williams puts on a rear naked choke as DUSTIN rolls to send Williams on the tacks but Williams puts the choke back on and ends up getting the win (8:55) **1/2.

Thoughts: The match was fine. There were some decent spots but the match was heatless overall and did not really connect with the crowd for some reason.

Matt Riddle vs. Tony Nese vs. Ricochet

Before the match, Johnny Gargano comes out to put everyone over and says after tonight, a spot opens up in EVOLVE. The match starts off with a nifty sequence that leads to everyone dodging kicks as the crowd applauds. Nese and Ricochet now beat on Riddle then fight with each other over who will put Riddle in a submission hold. Riddle fights back but Nese and Ricochet team up to take him back down. Riddle hits Ricochet with a capture suplex then hits Nese with an exploder as he is in control. Nese takes over as he hits both guys with dives to the floor. Riddle comes back with an upkick to Nese then gets two with a fisherman’s buster as Ricochet made the save. Ricochet then hits Riddle with his Northern lights suplex/brainbuster combo but that only gets two. Riddle escapes from Ricochet’s shoulders but Ricochet throws Nese at Riddle then takes him down with a neckbreaker. All three men are down after an intense sequence then they slowly get up and trade strikes. Ricochet knocks down Nese but Riddle escapes from a Benadryller attempt to hit a jumping tombstone. Riddle puts on a submission but Ricochet escapes then Nese comes off of the top with a 450 splash on to Riddle for the win (9:25) ***3/4.

Thoughts: Great action in this match. It was fun and I liked how Nese and Ricochet worked together to take out Riddle but argued over who would put him in submission holds.

After the match, the fans chant for Riddle but Galloway comes out. His mic isnt working at first then he tells Riddle about all of the injustice he has faced and how he needs some brothers to watch his back. He even calls Riddle the uncrowned EVOLVE Champion. Galloway brings up how the champion, Timothy Thatcher, is off in Germany while he is the one working for EVOLVE. Drew Gulak comes out to attack Galloway from behind then stares at Riddle, who smiles and walks off. Gulak goes back to attacking Galloway as they were scheduled to have a match.

Drew Galloway vs. Drew Gulak

The bell rings as Galloway is selling his ribs as Gulak attacks them. Gulak stomps away in the corner then hits a suplex as he is in control. Gulak gets caught with a kick to the ribs trying a float over then Galloway dumps him across the top rope. Galloway stomps Gulak then stops to rest, allowing Gulak to fight back. Galloway cuts off the comeback then takes it outside as they go back-and-forth for a bit. They head back in where Gulak chops away before hitting a pair of back suplexes. He follows with a discus clothesline for two then puts Galloway in a bow-and-arrow lock. Gulak tries for another clothesline but Galloway ducks and hits a short piledriver for two. Gulak fights back and tosses Galloway on the apron as he puts on a hanging Dragon sleeper. Gulak puts Galloway in the tree-of-woe and targets the ribs but Galloway lifts himself up and tosses Gulak off the top as both men are now down. Galloway gets a nearfall with a sitout powerbomb then puts him up top and hits a few chops. Galloway climbs up and tries for an Air Raid Crash but Gulak escapes and hits a powerbomb for two then puts Galloway in a crab. Galloway makes it to the ropes then comes back with a kick as both men are down again. They get up and trade chops as Gulak wins that battle and puts on the Gulock as Galloway reaches the ropes. Gulak heads up top and tries a crossbody but Galloway catches him and hits a tombstone then picks him up for the Future Shock DDT and the win (16:22) ***1/2.

Thoughts: The crowd seemed burned out here from the last match but both guys did a great job and it came off well for a grudge match.

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Johnny Gargano

They start off on the mat as Sabre tries to go after the arm. Gargano takes control but Sabre escapes as they end in another stalemate. Both guys still try to get an advantage as it remains evenly matched. Gargano plays to the crowd as he chops Sabre in the corner. Gargano gets two with a dropkick to the back of the neck then works the arm on the mat. Sabre Jr. takes over after using a hanging dragon sleeper off of a tilt-a-whirl then he takes over the match as he stretches Sabre Jr. out. He then stretches him out in the ropes but Gargano comes back with a spear as both men are down. He follows with an overhead suplex then flies out with a tope before slingshotting inside with a DDT. They fight over a rollup as Gargano grabs the tights for two as he has been a bit heelish in this match. Sabre comes back with a running uppercut in the corner then gets two with the Penalty Kick. Gargano counters a suplex then hits a clothesline after a reversal sequence as both men are down. They are now sitting Indian-style as they slap each other across the face then get up as Sabre gets a nearfall with a half nelson suplex. Gargano catches Sabre with a pop up powerbomb then lawndarts him into the corner and follows with a super kick for two. Sabre comes back with a tornadoo DDT then puts on a Dragon sleeper but Gargano rolls through and applies the Gargano Escape but Sabre reaches the ropes. Sabre avoids a dropkick and puts Gargano in an insane stretch and ends up getting the win (24:40) ***1/4.

Thoughts: These guys had an excellent match at EVOLVE 56 but this match paled in comparison. Gargano acted a tad heelish and that made little sense to me as this weekend is a celebration of his EVOLVE career .

After the match, Sabre grabs the mic and tells Gargano he will gladly take his place in EVOLVE. Ricochet then comes out to tell Gargano he will be missed but the locker room has to go on without him but are in good hands as he also put Gargano over.

Final Thoughts: This show was just okay. There was no great match to carry it and really just a set up for the next show with Gargano’s last match. Nothing here was bad or anything but it really wasnt a a show to go out of your way to see.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Thursday: Highspots Shoot Interview with the Wild Samoans

Friday: WWF WrestleMania V

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/6/82

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/8/89

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/9/89

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/15/89

Wednesday: EVOLVE 69