EVOLVE 69

September 11, 2016

From La Boom in Queens, NY

Lenny Leonard is your host

Tony Nese vs. Darby Allin

Nese sidesteps a charge then tosses him outside. Nese sends him into the guardrail with a tope then kicks him in the chest a few times before they take it back into the ring. Nese continues to beat down Allin, who comes back with a springboard attack. Nese breaks a waistlock and gets two with a back suplex as we get a dueling chant from the crowd. Nese sends Allin back outside to hit a few more chops. Nese then kicks Allin in the chest after trapping him underneath the bottom rope as Leonard talks about TJP and Johnny Gargano leaving EVOLVE after tonight and how new talent have a chance to step up. Nese gets two with a leg drop before hitting a flurry of kicks but still cannot put Allin away. Nese hits a scoop slam for two before applying a body scissors. Allin escapes and tries a comeback but Nese takes his legs out. Allin avoids a double jump moonsault then flies outside with a senton from the top rope. Both men roll inside and are slow to get up but Nese hits him with a hammerlock slam then gets two with a splash from the top rope. Nese then hits a pumphandle driver but Allin kicks out as the crowd chants. Nese tries it again but Allin floats over. Nese catches Allin from the top but Allin turns that into a victory roll and gets the upset win (8:56) **3/4. After the match, Joey Styles comes out to offer Allin an EVOLVE contract after putting him over. However, Nese interrupts and grabs the contract but ends up welcoming him to the company and gives the contract back but for Allin to remember this is the last time he will get this version of him.

Thoughts: Good match. Allin makes for a great underdog and he can sell well too. I also liked having Allin win at the end as EVOLVE needs to start putting over newer talent due to all the guys leaving the company. Hopefully, Allin tones down his style a bit because he is too willing to try crazy moves.

Travis Gordon vs. Fred Yehi

Gordon’s nickname is “Flip.” I saw him at an XWA show a few weeks ago and he also wrestled against Ethan Page at EVOLVE 65. Yehi tries his stomps but Gordon keeps kipping up to avoid them. Gordon hits a springboard clothesline. Yehi catches a kick attempt then ends up flipping him over as he is now chopping him in the corner. Yehi kicks Gordon down for a two count then tells Gordon he is in trouble. They trade elbow smashes until Yehi stops that with a stomp to the foot. Yehi gets two off of a forearm smash then plays with the crowd but Gordon fights back with chops. Yehi comes back with a release German suplex but misses a charge as Gordon hits a dropkick after landing on his feet when Yehi hit a German suplex. Gordon does some nice aerial stuff and hits a sweet death valley driver/super kick combo that almost got him the win. Gordon hits a handspring elbow in the corner but Yehi hits him with an elbow on the second attempt. Gordon lands on the apron after Yehi dumps him and tries a springboard attack but Yehi catches him and puts on the Koji Clutch for the win (5:40) **1/2.

Thoughts: For the time they had, these guys put on a pretty good match. Gordon has potential and is quite athletic with a decent look. I’d like to see him get more dates with the company. Yehi is a really good wrestler with a different style that helps him standout from everyone else. Yehi is someone who should see a bigger role in the company going forward.

Chuck O’Neil vs. Tracy Williams

O’Neil is a former MMA fighter. O’Neil takes Williams down and tries to lock on an armbar but Williams reaches the ropes. Williams hits a suplex and works the arm after some back-and-forth as Leonard puts over O’Neil’s MMA credentials. O’Neil tries for a cross armbreaker but Williams is able to reach the ropes. O’Neil charges and ends up getting backdropped to the floor as Williams flies out with a tope as O’Neil was not in position and that could have ended up badly for Williams. Back inside, Williams gets two with a forearm smash from the top rope. Williams starts roughing up Williams then works the arm and uses an abdominal stretch of sorts. Williams hits a pair of dropkicks but gets caught with a knee strike. O’Neil tosses Williams with a release German suplex then starts hitting him with knee smashes in the corner. O’Neil uses a rear naked choke as the crowd boos (that is Williams’ finisher) but Williams is able to back him into the corner. Williams gets two with a superplex then tries a piledriver but that gets blocked. Williams comes back with a clothesline for two then hits some chops before working a hanging armbar. O’Neil breaks out and hits a Michinoku Driver before putting on a cross armbreaker. Williams ends up countering and tries for the Fujiwara Armbar but instead puts on a crossface for the win (9:00) **. After the match, DUSTIN & Drew Galloway attack Williams and put his leg between a chair as they stomp it until Yehi & Drew Gulak make the save.

Thoughts: Williams tried but O’Neil is still really green and out of his element when not working holds. He also does not have much of a look. I did like the end as it continues to play up the Tag Title feud between Galloway & DUSTIN and Catchpoint.

DUSTIN vs. Drew Gulak

Gulak attacks DUSTIN right after the bell and stomps a mudhole in the corner. He hits a few running dropkicks but DUSTIN fights back. Gulak sends DUSTIN to the floor with a dropkick but heads out and gets hit low as DUSTIN takes control. He chops Gulak then taunts the crowd but it cost him as Gulak fights back. Back inside, Gulak hits a flying clothesline for a nearfall. He charges but DUSTIN hits a clothesline of his own then starts using cheap heel offense. DUSTIN gets two with a German suplex and hits a slam before working a figure four neck lock as the crowd is solidly behind Gulak. DUSTIN tries a victory roll but Gulak ends up taking him down and putting on a single leg crab. DUSTIN reaches the ropes then they trade enziguiris. DUSTIN taunts Gulak in the corner but gets powerbombed as Gulak now puts him in a Boston Crab. DUSTIN turns over and rakes Gulak across the eyes as he is back in control. He hits a superplex but also ends up hurting himself as both men are down. DUSTIN fishhooks Gulak but gets decked then Gulak puts on a hanging dragon sleeper in the ropes. He then hits a reverse neckbreaker and slams DUSTIN onto the floor. Gulak pumps up the crowd then rolls DUSTIN inside as Galloway comes out with a chair. The ref sees Galloway slide the chair into the ring then Galloway tries to get into the ring as the ref stops him but that allows DUSTIN to kick the ropes as Gulak was entering then he hits a DDT onto the chair and slides that outside then covers for the win (10:35) ***. After the match, Galloway talks about Gargano and how together they took EVOLVE into separate paths but that will end tonight as he is here to delete Gargano and Cody (Rhodes) for good. They leave as Gulak is helped out of the ring.

Thoughts: Solid match that had a ton of heat. Gulak was great when on offense and DUSTIN at least played his heel role well. I also liked the finish, which was also touched upon later on in the show.

David Starr vs. Ethan Page

This is Starr’s first EVOLVE appearance since 2014. He is an East Coast Independent guy for the most part. After playing up to the crowd, they take it to the mat where Starr gains the advantage. Page scurries to the ropes and looks up as they do some comedy playing up on Page’s quick matches and the fact he only does a few moves. Starr then displays some “wrestling” and struts around as Page gives him a slow clap. Page tosses Starr into the corner then flexes as we get some more comedy and playing up to the crowd as Page gets pissed then starts hammering away. Page tosses Page onto the apron and takes him off with a springboard clothesline. Starr then flies out with a tope but overshoots as he essentially gets backdropped into the crowd. Starr heads back into the ring for another dive but slides out as Page sidesteps him then hits a super kick. Page hits an apron powerbomb then starts posing to the crowd but spends too much time and gets knocked off the apron. Starr flies out and almost kills himself with a plancha as the crowd starts a “please don’t die” chant. They finally get up and trade strikes on the apron then Page slingshots inside with an RK-EGO for a nearfall. Starr escapes from a package piledriver attempt and hits a few chops in the corner. Starr hits a brainbuster on the knee and almost gets the win as the crowd is going nuts. Starr places Page up top and puts him on his shoulders but Page escapes. Page then jumps off after Starr slipped out and hits the package piledriver for the win (11:07) **1/4. After the match, Page helps Starr up and raises his hand as the crowd chants “please come back.”

Thoughts: More of an exhibition than a match. It was entertaining at points and Starr has charisma and can work but should probably refrain from making dives to the outside for his own sake. The crowd really dug this though, more than I did, and Starr is another person who should be getting more dates with the company.

Matt Riddle vs. TJ Perkins w/ Stokely Hathaway

Before the match, Gulak comes out to say he just got his head kicked in and that Williams might have blown his knee out as he questions where they were as they are a team. Hathaway tells Gulak that Perkins is going to RAW and tonight is main concern is making Riddle tap. Riddle grabs the mic and tells Gulak he is here to wrestle as Gulak gets in Riddle’s face as he is pissed off. The match starts off with both guys trading holds and submissions in a nice sequence. TJP hits a swinging neckbreaker for two then works a chinlock on the mat. Riddle puts on a cross armbreaker but TJP counters with the knee bar as Riddle makes the ropes. TJP takes Riddle off of the apron with a springboard dropkick but gets caught with a springboard kick as Riddle almost slipped off. Riddle hits rolling gutwrenches then works TJP over in the corner until missing a charge as TJP starts working the leg. Riddle puts TJP in an armbar but TJP gets out and puts on the Muta Lock after some dabbing. TJP continues to work the leg but Riddle fights back then catches him with a jumping tombstone for two. TJP elbows out of a waistlock but catches Riddle with a dragon screw as that triggers a nice sequence where both guys end up kicking each other down. TJP floats over on a suplex then hits a kick before putting on a knee bar. Riddle gets out as TJP tries a victory roll then puts on the Bromission. TJP counters with the knee bar as Riddle tries to reach the ropes then ends up rolling out and hammering away as this time he puts on the Bromission for the win (13:20) ****. After the match, the crowd thanks TJP as Hathaway grabs the mic and tells him he showed the world that he is special. Two girls in dresses head into the ring with money and make it rain as TJP slaps hands with the fans around the ring before hugging Gabe Sapolsky.

Thoughts: These two had some excellent matwork here, although the selling got a bit spotty at the end. Regardless, a fantastic match and a great sendoff for TJP. I’d seek this one out.

Ricochet vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

This starts off with both guys going at in on the mat until they end in a stalemate. Sabre stays one step ahead of Ricochet, who tries to escape from his various holds. Sabre grounds Ricochet again after a fast-paced sequence but Ricochet escapes and gets two with a standing shooting star press. Ricochet kicks Sabre across the chest for two then uses a surfboard variation. Sabre now tries to escape but Ricochet puts him in a stretch muffler then goes to work on the legs. Sabre gets kicked in the back as Ricochet springboards in with a senton. Sabre fights back with uppercuts but gets caught with a spinebuster as Ricochet tries for the People’s Moonsault but Sabre rolls away and puts on a triangle hold. Sabre steps on Ricochet’s wrist then starts attacking the arm. Ricochet fights back but gets his hand swept out trying a handspring then Sabre almost puts him away with the Penalty Kick. Ricochet dodges an attack in the corner and comes back with a springboard crossbody for two as both men are down. Ricochet hits Sabre with a cradle suplex for two after a brief exchange but Sabre escapes a suplex and goes after the arm. Sabre takes Ricochet down with a suplex as Sabre takes a breather before going back to the arm as he bends it in all sorts of directions. Sabre eats boot on a charge but comes back with a jumping uppercut to take out Ricochet as that gets two. They trade attacks until Ricochet surprises him with an Ace Crusher for two as both men are down. Ricochet is up first and kicks Sabre in the chest and tries for the Benadryller but Sabre escapes and uses a bridging pin for two. They work a smooth back-and-forth sequence that ends with Ricochet hitting a clothesline as both men are once again down on the mat. Ricochet gets up and kicks Sabre across the chest but gets caught in the Octopus hold. Ricochet escapes but Sabre puts him in a guillotine while behind back the arm. Ricochet ends up deadlifting Sabre with a Northern lights suplex and floats over for a suplex. Ricochet then heads up top for a shooting star press but Sabre catches him with a triangle hold. Ricochet powers out with a deadlift powerbomb then hits a jumping knee strike. Ricochet heads up top again and connects with the 630 for the win (22:30) ****1/4.

Thoughts: Another great match. Ricochet kinda stopped selling the arm at the very end but these two are tremendous wrestlers and I liked it better than their match at the 2015 PWG Battle of Los Angeles too. Definitely seek this match out too.

Chris Hero & Drew Galloway vs. Cody & Johnny Gargano

Cody is not allowed to use the “Rhodes” name outside of the WWE. Joey Styles has joined Leonard on commentary too. The crowd is going nuts for Gargano then thanks Cody for the Pizza as Cody bought 40 pizzas for the wrestlers and fans. Hero and Cody start things off and end in a stalemate. Cody takes Hero down and works the leg but Hero grabs the ropes. Hero sends Cody into the corner and hits a few chops but Cody fights right back. Cody then hits a delayed gordbuster before tagging Gargano, who gets drilled with an elbow smash. Galloway tags as he is still wearing his sweatshirt with the hood up. Gargano fights off a double-team move then Cody comes in and they hit stereo dives to the outside as this crowd is really, really loud. Back inside, Gargano fires away on Galloway but gets distracted as Hero yanks Cody off of the apron, allowing Galloway to kick him down. Gargano gets stomped in the corner. The heels cut off the ring as they beat Gargano down while only stopping to taunt Cody. Galloway cuts off a comeback with a clothesline then finally takes off his sweatshirt. Gargano finally escapes and tags Cody, who runs wild on Hero. Cody cleans house until Hero takes him down with a bicycle kick. Cody is now getting beat down as Galloway lays into him in the corner. They use quick tags to neutralize Cody in the corner. Cody dumps Hero outside then finally makes the tag as Gargano starts firing away on Galloway as the crowd goes insane. Galloway comes back with a headbutt then Hero elbows him down as he makes the tag. Cody & Gargano start hitting Hero with a bunch of super kicks but cannot put him away. The match breaks down then Hero & Galloway hit stereo bicycle kicks. They slug it out now until Cody gets knocked down. Galloway hits Gargano with a tombstone then passes him off to Hero, who hits a piledriver but Galloway is able to kick out as the camera shows DUSTIN watching at ringside. They set Gargano up for a spike pliedriver but Cody knocks Galloway off the top and hits Hero with the Cross Rhodes then Gargano puts on the Gargano Escape. Hero breaks out with a rollup but Cody puts on his American Nightmare submission as Gargano locks on the Gargano Escape again and Hero ends up tapping out (20:15) ***1/2.

Thoughts: Very good match, although it did hit a rough patch in the middle. I loved the finish and the crowd was so into Gargano it was amazing. A great way to end Gargano’s career in EVOLVE.

After the match, the crowd chants for Gargano. Cody grabs the mic and puts over Gargano and the crowd. He said the one match they had together will stick with him forever. Gargano then grabs the mic but Ethan Page runs in from behind for the attack. He hammers away then tells us Gargano how he thinks he is smarter than everyone, including too smart to forgive Ethan Page, who will always be the smartest guy in the room. Page says when people think of Gargano’s moment, they will think of Ethan Page. He then brings out two guys (Devastation Corporation but wearing shirts and ties without their face paint) as they beat on Gargano. Darby Allin runs in for the save but gets tossed outside rather quick. Page then hits Gargano with a package piledriver as the crowd chants “asshole” as Page says he is holding the show in his hands and will give them everything they paid to see, which is a farewell speech. Page has his two guys hold Gargano up and moves his mouth while pretending to give a goodbye speech. The crowd continues to chant “asshole” as Page says he has been taking beatings trying to protect him but now he can officially stop doing that and feed him to the wolves as he tells the locker room they laid out an icon for them to destroy. Galloway & DUSTIN start tossing chairs then grab the EVOLVE banner and drape it over Gargano. Matt Riddle then comes in as Galloway talks to him. Galloway gets on his knee and extends a hand as Riddle is smiling as he grabs his hand. However, Riddle kicks Galloway in the head then knocks down DUSTIN as the crowd chants “bro.” Riddle then takes the banner off of Gargano and helps him up to his feet. The crowd starts chanting for EVOLVE then Gargano & Riddle shake hands as Gargano lays the banner across the mat and gives it a kiss. Gargano then says he has been looking for a guy to carry the company when he is gone and thinks he found him as he looks at EVOLVE, saying its all his “bro” while Riddle picks up the mic and says “EVOLVE is bro” while the fans chant to end the show. Just a tremendous segment. I’m not the biggest fan of Page in the ring but he is pretty good on the stick and cut one hell of a promo and came off as a top guy as a result. Having Gargano pass the torch to Riddle, who is also insanely over, was another great moment as it really elevates Riddle in the company too.

Final Thoughts: Overall, this was an excellent show. The Gargano stuff was tremendous and there were two legitimately great matches. More importantly, they are positioning guys who will be staying in EVOLVE as top acts and are given newer talents more of a chance. Its a transition period for the company as they are losing a lot of talents and other guys are being given a chance to run with the ball so lets see what happens in the future.

Here is my schedule for the rest of the week:

Thursday: Kayfabe Commentaries Timeline Series: 2006 WWE Blue as told by Fit Finlay

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/16/89

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/6/82

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/22/89

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/23/89

Tuesday: WWF Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens 4/24/89

Wednesday: EVOLVE 70