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Post by Pariah on Jul 20, 2016 18:07:58 GMT -5
Looks like it was a night for the veterans, as relative newcomers - TJ Perkins, Tracy Williams and Matt Riddle - all suffered disappointing losses...
On the flip side, it was all aces for The Whole Shebang... As if winning his own match wasn't enough, he got to stick it to the Evolve Champion, Anthony Nese, by making sure that Konley was rendered impotent during the main event... Congratulations to Drew Gulak on claiming the top prize...
Could we possibly see a tag team encounter in the future? Gargano and ZSJr vs Premier Athlete Brand would be fun to see... Great stuff!
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Post by aceldamas on Jul 20, 2016 18:15:18 GMT -5
I didn't take it easy on the new guys with the booking on this one. Especially Riddle. I wanted to give him a test against one of the best, Roddy Strong, and he didn't get it done.
Gulak winning was cool as it was the culmination of the momentum he had been building. The dice don't always reward you in cases like that. Of course now this changes plans I had for Nese...
There will indeed be a tag encounter at EVOLVE 65 between the PAB and Gargano. But Johnny's partner will not be Sabre. Clue: it's someone who's help he recently turned away.
Thanks for commenting!
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Post by Pariah on Jul 20, 2016 18:20:54 GMT -5
There will indeed be a tag encounter at EVOLVE 65 between the PAB and Gargano. But Johnny's partner will not be Sabre. Clue: it's someone who's help he recently turned away. Thanks for commenting! Haha! PM'd you... Very slick!
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Post by Crimson Cross on Jul 20, 2016 18:54:34 GMT -5
Solid card with a cool win by Drew Gulak, but it would've been cool if Nese retained too. I like how you have Larry Dallas managing PJ Black and Black winning over TJP is a big one in my book. I liked that Roderick Strong won over Riddle, but Gulak looking on is interesting...
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Post by aceldamas on Jul 27, 2016 12:25:12 GMT -5
Crimson Cross - Gulak's involvement with Riddle and Strong is followed up this card. Thanks for commenting! 65 As Lenny Leonard opened the show, Johnny Gargano came and asked him for the mic. He had to wait to speak as the fans chanted “Johnny Wrestling!” He apparently was back in their good graces. “I have a couple of people I need to say something to. First, Anthony Nese and the Premiere Athlete Brand? It breaks my heart to see you lose the EVOLVE title. But that doesn’t mean you and me are done. You still have something of mine. And I know the last couple of times we’ve met in this ring, you beat me. Well, that’s not gonna happen again. We will face each other one-on-one real soon but you always seem to have me outnumbered. I know I don’t have any friends here in EVOLVE but there is one guy who had my back. Timothy Thatcher, could you come out here?”Thatcher slowly walked out, wary of Gargano’s volatile nature. Johnny stood back, giving him space to cautiously enter the ring. “Thatcher, you helped me when you didn’t have to and I haven’t properly thanked you for it. Thank you.”Tim surveyed the crowd as they cheered Gargano’s gesture. Johnny continued. “I know some people say I returned the favor but I didn’t do it to help you. I did it for my own reasons. But now I realize that I can’t do this alone. So I’m here asking you for one more favor. Will you team with me tonight against the Premiere Athlete Brand?”Gargano gave Thatcher the mic to voice his response. Tim took his time to mull over Johnny’s offer. “Mr. Gargano, there is no love lost between the Premiere Athlete Brand and myself. While I understand you have a personal vendetta with them, I hold no grudge. But… I do abhor their lack of sportsmanship. It does not belong in a company like EVOLVE. So, I feel it is my duty to make them answer for their behavior. Mr. Gargano, it would be my honor to team with you tonight.”Thatcher extended his hand to Gargano and Johnny eagerly shook it. The crowd approved and Gargano had the final word. “Premiere Athlete Brand, you’ve been running roughshod in this company long enough! It’s time someone put a stop to it!” Tommy End def. TJ PerkinsAt first it looked like Tommy might have trouble with TJP’s speed. But then End started landing his heavy kicks and combo repertoire. After taking a lot of punishment, Perkins fell to a vertical drop brainbuster. Matt Riddle def. Zack Sabre JrRiddle was a little less cocky after his first loss on EVOLVE 64 but only a little. Sabre controlled Riddle on the mat until Matt slammed him hard with a Gotch style power bomb. Zack tried to regain his advantage but ended up falling to the floor. Riddle charged him but Sabre dodged and Matt ate the ring post. It looked like Sabre was going to school Riddle in chain wrestling but Matt kicked it into gear and the two had a good match with Riddle pulling out the win with a Heel Hook. Back to his winning ways, Riddle brushed off heckles from the crowd with a big smile on his face. EVOLVE Champion Drew Gulak came through the curtain accompanied by Tracy Williams. Drew got Matt’s attention. “Hey, Riddle! Before you strut around there with your chest all puffed out, I’d like to point out that you almost blew that match like you did last night against Roderick Strong. You may have great skills but your ego gets in the way of what’s important - the shoot. If you want to win the big ones, you need to set aside the arrogance and focus on the win. You need to shoot. I want to invite you to join Tracy and I in the Gulak Shoot Academy. We can help you beat the Roderick Strongs and maybe earn a chance to win this belt.”Matt didn’t seem to be taking Gulak’s words to heart but didn’t get the chance to respond as a third party joined the conversation. Roderick Strong and SoCal Val came to ringside. “Drew, why don’t you shut up,” Roddy exclaimed. “You’ve never beat me, so how are you going to teach him how to?”SoCal Val took the mic. “Drew Gulak, you face my man here later tonight. For some reason the EVOLVE Championship isn’t on the line, so you can count your blessings for that! But after tonight everyone will know that Roderick Strong is destined to be the next EVOLVE Champion!”Gulak did not respond and Riddle seemed amused by the whole situation. Riddle, Strong and Val cleared out, making way for the next match. PJ Black w/Larry Dallas def. Tracy Williams w/Drew GulakGulak wanted his protege to have a good showing against SoCal Val’s associates, Black and Dallas. Unfortunately for the GSA, Black rolled over Williams. It took three 450 Splashes but Tracy was easily defeated. Roderick Strong and SoCal Val returned to ringside, joining Black and Dallas. PJ high-fived Roddy before heading to the back. Strong smirked at Gulak and regarded Williams dismissively. Val left Larry at ringside to manage Strong while she joined Lenny Leonard on commentary. Non-TitleRoderick Strong w/Larry Dallas def. Drew Gulak w/Tracy WilliamsVal asked Lenny if he saw how bad PJ beat “Drew’s boy” and mocked Gulak’s teaching skills. Strong tore into Gulak with some wicked strikes but Drew turned the tables during an exchange on the floor. Back in the ring, Drew put Roddy into the University Stretch. Strong was close to submitting and Drew used a Bataclan Suplex and a Gulak Attack to soften him up for being put into the hold again. Roddy still wouldn’t give. Gulak repeatedly threw Roddy into the corner with Bataclan suplexes then put the University Stretch on again. Larry Dallas grabbed Roddy’s foot and pulled him towards the ropes, breaking the hold. Williams made a move in Larry’s direction and he scampered back to his corner. Drew made a charge at Strong in the corner and Roddy spun under for the cradle with a handful of tights to get the flash pin. Gulak was disgusted and Williams complained to the referee. Roddy bailed out of the ring, battered but grinning. Val made a bad pun saying Strong just made Gulak look like a “school boy”. There was a lot of anticipation for the main event as the fans cheered on the new team of Gargano and Thatcher and booed Anthony Nese and Caleb Konley. Nese got extra heat by flaunting his possession of the Open the Freedom Gate belt that he took from Johnny. The PAB got serious when Joanna Rose made the surprise announcement that the Open the United Gate Championship titles were on the line. Nese and his crew protested but the ref demanded they turn the belts over to him until winners were decided. OPEN THE UNITED GATE CHAMPIONSHIPPremiere Athlete Brand(c) def. Johnny Gargano & Timothy ThatcherThatcher started the action against Konley. The rugged grappler bashed and tossed Caleb around causing him to tag in Nese. Tony opened up on Thatcher with his high impact arsenal but Timothy regained the dominant position almost making Nese tap to a Fujiwara Armbar. Johnny tagged in and put the former EVOLVE champion in the Gargano Escape. Tony tried to roll free of the hold but Johnny continued through, maintaining the hold. Konley put a boot to Gargano to save his partner. Johnny dragged Nese to the floor and Lawn Darted him into the post, further injuring Tony’s shoulder. Thatcher, sensing Johnny may be losing control, coaxed him to tag. Thatcher applied a cross armbreaker on Nese with Caleb again making the save. Nese was in agony, badly favoring his shoulder, his arm hanging limply at his side. Thatcher continued to stretch and pummel Nese who eventually got the tag to Konley. Gargano tagged in as well and gave Konley the same beating his partner got. Su Yung caused a distraction to save Caleb from the Gargano Escape. Konley then got taken to the floor and was given a Hurts Donut into the guardrail. To his credit, Konley fought his way back with an incredible comeback. He continued to take damage at Gargano’s hands but gave it in return. Obsessed, Johnny didn’t tag in Thatcher when he could have and a chair shot by Konley set Gargano up for the Oh! Face. Johnny submitted, giving the PAB a W in the record book but neither probably felt like winners after the beating Gargano gave them. EVOLVE TOP 10Champion - Drew Gulak - Roderick Strong
- PJ Black
- Johnny Gargano
- Matt Riddle
- Zack Sabre Jr.
- Timothy Thatcher
- Tommy End
- Caleb Konley
- Anthony Nese
- Tracy Williams
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Post by aceldamas on Aug 29, 2016 17:45:40 GMT -5
66 FOUR-WAY FREESTYLEWill Ospreay def. Trent Barreta, Tommy End, and TJ PerkinsStandout UK high flyer, Ospreay, was making his EVOLVE debut. The early action spotlighted End opening up on Barreta with his patented combos. As the match progressed, Ospreay took over on Trent and pinned him with a 630 Senton. The match was short and maybe could have featured some of the participants more, especially Ospreay. A disheveled and perspiring Trevin Adams was in the ring and SoCal Associates came out. Trevin explained that the winner of tonight’s main event would face EVOLVE Champion Drew Gulak for the title tomorrow night at EVOLVE 67. The participant’s would be SoCal Val’s team of Roderick Strong and PJ Black facing each other. Adams asked them how they felt about this and if they could keep it from getting personal. Strong piped up, saying to “If PJ can not take losing personal, everything will be fine.”PJ just nodded. “I don’t plan on losing, so no problem.”Val interjected: “This is big opportunity for SoCal Associates and the best man for the job will represent us in the main event tomorrow night.”“You’re the man, Roddy!” Larry Dallas exclaimed. Val frowned, turning to glare at Dallas. “I was just going to say, we won’t be choosing sides. May the best man win.”The group moved to leave the ring and Larry tried to explain himself to PJ who just shook his head and ignored him. Tracy Williams w/Drew Gulak def. Zack Sabre JrIn what was expected to be a technical showcase, Williams engaged Sabre in fisticuffs early. In Tracy’s corner, Drew Gulak seemed pleased with this approach, perhaps their strategy to throw Sabre off his game. Sabre proved he was not averse to striking and Williams was on his heels until nailing Zack with a big lariat. “Hot Sauce” got some offense in but missed a diving elbow and found himself in a Cross Armbreaker. Tracy was close to tapping but, with Gulak’s encouragement, made it to the ropes. Williams made another comeback and put Sabre down with a Piledriver for a two count. Gulak yelled at Tracy to “Shoot!” and do it again. Sabre kicked out. Williams hit a third Piledriver and that was it. Gulak congratulated Williams on his win then asked for a microphone. “Matt Riddle, could you come out here?”Riddle came through the curtain with a bemused expression. “Last month, before we were interrupted by Roderick Strong, I had given you an invitation to join us in the Gulak Shoot Academy. So I’m going to ask you again - will you join Tracy and I in perfecting the shoot?”Riddle chuckled to himself and scanned the crowd with a cocky smile. Gulak looked a little miffed with Matt’s attitude. Riddle asked for the mic. “Bro. I think I’m doing okay without you.” He looked to the crowd to back him but they were silent. “I mean, what do you really think you’re going to show me that I don’t already know?”Drew's temper flared a little and he slapped the EVOLVE title on his shoulder. “Well, for one, I can show you how to get one of these. You don’t know everything there is to know about this game. Neither do I. Tracy doesn’t either. But we can teach each other how to be better.”Riddle rolled his eyes, not buying into it. “Look, Drew. If you think you have something to teach me, you can show me in the ring.”“Alright, Matt. Later tonight, we can step between these ropes again and I’ll show how effective the shoot can be. I just want you to agree that if I beat you, you’ll train with the GSA.” “Whatever, bro.”Riddle left the ring, grinning. Gulak watched him leave, a pensive look on his face. Anthony Nese w/Su Yung def. Timothy ThatcherLast month at EVOLVE 65, Thatcher joined Johnny Gargano in his feud with the Premiere Athlete Brand, the pair losing in a tag team match despite dominating their opponents. Tonight he faced the leader of the PAB in singles competition for the first time since Nese defeated him for the EVOLVE Championship at EVOLVE 60. These two went back and forth, each answering the others offense with the appropriate counters. As it looked like Thatcher was pushing for an advantage, Tony caught him with a Spider German Suplex and followed with a 450 Splash for an abrupt end to the match. It felt like more could have been done here to get the crowd into this rivalry but it came across as an average mid-card bout. Johnny Gargano def. Caleb Konley w/Su YungGargano submitted in his tag match against the PAB at EVOLVE 65 only after being struck with a chair by Konley. He was looking to even the score here. Johnny came out like a house on fire, whipping Caleb from pillar to post. Konley recovered and put his opponent through his paces as well. Twice, Caleb unsuccessfully tried using the Homewrecker to finish Gargano. Late in the match, Johnny came off the top rope with a cross body for a pin attempt. When Caleb kicked out, Johnny transitioned into the Gargano Escape. Konley tapped. Afterward, Johnny said this wasn’t over because Anthony Nese still had his property - the retired DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate Championship belt. Matt Riddle def. Drew GulakBefore the match started, Riddle nonchalantly asked if Gulak was going to put the EVOLVE Championship on the line. Drew said he hadn’t earned it yet. Riddle opened up with some strikes leading into a Gotch style power bomb and a fisherman buster. Gulak didn’t have an answer for Riddle’s bigger size and was pummelled and thrown around the ring before Matt switched to submissions, working a Fujiwara armbar. The wiley champion reversed another fisherman buster and went on the offensive, putting Riddle in some submission situations primarily using the Trailblazer. A hobbled Riddle was wide open for a Gulak Attack and nearly dropped the fall. The match turned on a dime as Matt caught Gulak with a Dragon Screw into a Heel Hook. Drew had to scramble to the ropes for the break. Riddle was back on course, wearing Gulak down for a Cross Armbreaker that was very close to taking it. The match went on for a little longer than maybe it should have with Riddle’s offense getting repetitive but Matt took it home with a Cross Armbreaker. Riddle changed the title picture significantly with the win, not only stealing Gulak’s momentum going into tomorrow’s defense against Roderick Strong but emerging as a contender himself. Lenny Leonard noted that Gulak has dropped both of his matches since winning the Evolve title with Strong and Riddle holding wins over him and Strong holding a win over Riddle. #1 CONTENDER MATCHRoderick Strong def. PJ BlackAfter shooing Larry Dallas to the back, SoCal Val joined Lenny Leonard on commentary for this SoCal Associates intrafactional bout. Strong was as confident as ever while Black was focused. PJ repeatedly took Roddy off his feet with a series of moves. Strong tried countering with strikes put Black planted him with an STO. Roddy bounced back and finished it in short order with The End of Heartache. He rubbed it in a little before saying “I’m coming for you next, Drew.”
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Post by aceldamas on Sept 9, 2016 13:56:33 GMT -5
67 Will Ospreay drew with TJ PerkinsOspreay won his debut last night at EVOLVE 66 in a four-way match. Perkins also participated in that match and tonight they met in singles action. The duo dazzled the crowd with an athletic display of counters but soon it became the Will Ospreay show. TJP held out long enough to take it to a time limit draw. While it was a showcase for Ospreay, his inability to finish stood out. PJ Black w/Larry Dallas def. Tommy EndThe majority of this match saw Tommy battering PJ with a barrage of kicks and high impact moves. Just as Black looked to be be ultimately overwhelmed, the match turned on a dime as he hit End with a 450 Splash for the win. Premiere Athlete Brand members Caleb Konley and Trent Barreta came to the ring with Su Yung. Secretary Su explained that Anthony Nese was going to destroy Johnny Gargano later in the night but Johnny’s buddy Timothy Thatcher also had to answer for crossing the PAB. Thatcher came out and surveyed the situation. He agreed to fight either Konley or Barreta. Konley threatened that maybe Tim would have to fight them both. Thatcher did not back down and prepared to do battle. Before things could get too out of hand, Zack Sabre Jr. came to Thatcher’s side and said he would stand with Tim and that he “still doesn’t like this little pr**k”, pointing at Konley. Caleb Konley & Trent Barreta w/Su Yung def. Timothy Thatcher & Zack Sabre Jr.The PAB stole this one, plain and simple. Trent? started things off against Sabre with some strong offense. Tagging in Konley, Barreta then speared Thatcher through the ropes, both men landing hard on the floor. Caleb hit the Homewrecker on Sabre and, with a handful of trunks, scored the illicit pin. The PAB gloated about how they got over until Thatcher and Sabre chased them to the back. Matt Riddle def. Tracy WilliamsRiddle was more confident than usual, if that was even possible. He had defeated William's mentor, EVOLVE Champion Drew Gulak, at EVOLVE 66, proving to the Gulak Shoot Academy that he didn’t need them. Gulak was notably absent from William’s corner for the first time but this could be chalked up to him preparing for his title defense later in the night. Riddle opened up with an assortment of MMA strikes then tried a Fujiwara armbar to force an early win. “Hot Sauce” escaped but found himself in a Heel Hook, close to tapping out. A jumping knee strike by Riddle had Tracy in peril and he continued relentlessly, trying for a submission with a Cross Armbreaker. Some strikes and a Gotch style power bomb led to another Cross Armbreaker for the win. Riddle dominated this match and was poised to challenge the winner of the main event’s EVOLVE title match. Johnny Gargano def. Anthony NeseGargano has dropped the last two matches he has had with Nese and Tony claims to have Johnny’s number. Gargano says he is “in a better place” but he still appears fueled by the DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate title belt that Nese stole from him; a belt Johnny obsessed over despite it being retired some time ago. Due to the nature of this rivalry, EVOLVE officials stated they would call this match looser than normal. Nese had the early advantage but Johnny surprised him with a Lawn Dart Spear for a near fall. As Tony kicked out, Johnny locked on the Gargano Escape. There was no escape as Nese was forced to tap out. It looked like Gargano wasn’t going to release the hold and instead punish Nese some more until Su Yung appeared at ringside with the DGUSA belt. Johnny immediately let go of Tony and went after Su. A she retreated to the curtain, Caleb Konley and Trent Barreta came through the curtain, attempting to ambush Gargano. As the PAB backed him back down to the ring, Timothy Thatcher and Zack Sabre came to the rescue. Nese and Co. retreated and Johnny put forth a challenge for next month: 3-on-3. "It's time to discontinue the Premiere Athlete Brand!"EVOLVE CHAMPIONSHIPRoderick Strong w/SoCal Val def. Drew Gulak(c) w/Tracy WilliamsStrong won a non-title bout against Gulak at EVOLVE 65 and currently had the longest win streak in EVOLVE. Val was in top form at ringside, running down Gulak. At the bell, lock up and Drew body slammed Roddy hard. As Strong got to his feet, the champion blasted him with a Gulak Attack, knocking Roddy through the ropes. There was an exchange on the floor with Strong coming out ahead. Back in the ring, Gibson Driver by Strong for a near fall. Roddy put Drew through his back breaking routine, capped off with another Gibson Driver for the pin. Roddy and Val celebrated the win in the ring as Gulak was attended to by Williams at ringside. Matt Riddle came out. He paused to chuckle at Gulak and Williams before letting Strong know that he was coming for him. Roddy motioned for Riddle to get in the ring but Matt said he was going to “wait for that main event pay, bro”. EVOLVE TOP 10Champion - Roderick Strong - Matt Riddle
- Johnny Gargano
- PJ Black
- Anthony Nese
- Tracy Williams
- Will Ospreay
- TJ Perkins
- Caleb Konley
- Drew Gulak
- Zack Sabre Jr.
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Post by Pariah on Sept 9, 2016 15:52:14 GMT -5
Is the PAB living on borrowed time... Even the tag team match that they managed to win was under pretty dubious circumstances... And the Gargano looks just about ready to put a pin in Secretary Su and her entire crew... With Thatcher and ZSJr backing his play, the Whole Shebang could be in the driver's seat for the first time in awhile...
Huge congrats to Roddy Strong on claiming the top prize... He's going to make a fine champion...
Fun stuff!
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Post by Crimson Cross on Sept 9, 2016 17:31:05 GMT -5
More EVOLVE goodness and the highlight is Roderick Strong winning the EVOLVE Championship from Drew Gulak, plus his and SoCal Val's celebration caps it off with a nice touch...
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Post by cruefan68 on Sept 10, 2016 10:12:48 GMT -5
Evolve 67 was great and not only did I enjoy Roderick Strong winning the title but I am pumped to see Matt Riddle involve himself in the title picture. Riddle looked strong in his win over Tracy Williams and I look forward to seeing how he will fare against the new champion. As you do with both ROH and CZW you really have a great feel for the feds and I really enjoy what you are doing with Evolve.
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