Rahway, New Jersey
Saturday March 13, 2010
Ikuto Hidaka, with Brad Allen in his corner, defeated Chris Hero in an unbelievably stiff, hard hitting match up that went a little over 30 minutes last Saturday Night in the rain drenched city of Rahway. With many roads to the venue closed, the two men put on a wrestling clinic that awed the fans in attendance, and topped off a night of fierce competition for the EVOLVE promotion. Hero, with Claudio Castagnoli in his corner, was thought by many to be the favorite in this match. At one point, the American unleashed a vicious series of 'Rolling Elbows' that would of felled any ordinary man. Hidaka withstood the punishment, and went on to defeat Hero in an absolute thriller of a match.
In other exciting bouts on the EVOLVE 2 card
Brad Allen was hoping to have had the opportunity to step in the ring with Chris Hero at EVOLVE 2. Unfortunately for the youngster, Hero wasn't interested. Allen didn't sulk about it however, and went on to defeat Chris Dickinson to improve his record to 2-0. This must be considered a devastating loss for Dickinson who now lies in the unenviable position of being 0-2. Later in the night, while being interviewed, Dickinson was heckled by a group at ringside, reputed to be associated with the Heartbreak Express. Dickinson's role in EVOLVE is now uncertain. To make matters worse, during the match with Allen, Dickinson put his hands on official Mike Keener which is an infraction that EVOLVE officials will consider serious.
Allen's future on the other hand, would appear to very bright. With a record of 2-0, the young man sits on top of the EVOLVE promotion with only an elite few. With victories such as these, Chris Hero may have to sit up and take notice.
Akuma and Lee were tag team partners at EVOLVE 1, where along with Icarus, they took on and lost to the team of Mike Quackenbush, Hallowicked and Frightmare. After the loss, Akuma decided to disband his 'Army', and try his hand in the singles division. Brodie Lee, who received one of the largest ovations at EVOLVE 1, was just as interested in seeing how he would fare as well. In a bout reminiscent of Davey and Goliath, Gran Akuma was able to overcome size, and put the big man down to become 1-0. Don't count Lee out however, as it's been reported that the Big Rig is not 100% with lower back issues, and is looking for another opportunity. Perhaps he'll be ready to go for EVOLVE 3.
Aeroform, coming off an excruciating loss to the 'Dark City Fight Club' at EVOLVE 1, looked to even things up in a match with the debuting tag team of 'Up In Smoke'. Both teams matched up very nicely against the other, as all four will take to the air whenever given the opportunity. The bout quickly went in that direction, and soon to the floor. Cheech and Cloudy, a veteran tag team throughout the independent wrestling circuit, proved to be too much for Lyndon and Kendrick, who fell to 0-2. Aeroform needs to find the right track and quickly, if they want to remain in the promotion. It's a sad position for such a talented team to find themselves in.
For many of the fans who made it to Rahway, Kenn Doane was not their cup of tea. In an era of work rate, Kenn Doan's style is frowned upon. Stiff, but uneventful. Many said the same about former World Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis. Doanne worked it very well during his match with Konley, as he was able to put away his younger opponent with his old school tactics. Doane is an incredible athlete who has all the tools to be successful where ever he goes, and it will be very interesting to see what his future with EVOLVE will hold.
What is it about Kyle O'Reilly that his opponents are dropping out of their scheduled matches with the youngster? Originally it was Davey Richards. After Richards pulled out, O'Reilly was set to take on TJ Perkins. Perkins backed out last minute as well, apparently from an injury suffered earlier in the afternoon. Hallowicked, of Chikara fame stepped up prior to bell time and the match was made. Although neither man was prepared for the other, both put on a spirited contest. Each hit their big finisher, but it was the O'Reilly's crushing brain buster that would finally put the masked man down.
Two men who have done battle throughout their entire careers together locked horns once more, as Ricochet looked to extend his record to 2-0 with a victory over his bitter rival Chuck Taylor. Taylor, who defeated Cloudy from the tag team Up In Smoke at EVOLVE 1 to earn a roster position, looked to pick up his first singles division win. In this contest, Taylor was on his game, hitting all of his big moves. It was the Soul Food / Awful Waffle combination that would put Ricochet away. Chuck Taylor is definitely someone to keep an eye on in the EVOLVE promotion.
In a bout that easily could have stolen the show, Claudio Castagnoli, with Chris Hero in his corner, took on and defeated Bobby Fish in a brutal contest. Fish, fresh off an MMA victory, took just about everything the Swiss superstar could muster, and returned with his own stiff kicks and punishing blows. After the bout, Fish received arguably the best reaction from the crowd of the night. Fish, now at 0-2, must regroup. During the post match interview with Lenny Leonard Chuck Taylor once again interrupted, going on to challenge Castagnoli to a match at EVOLVE 3. Castagnoli accepted.
The Women's Superstars Uncensored (WSU) World's Title was on the line as champion Mercedes Martinez took on international superstar Sumie Sakai. In the champion's debut match at EVOLVE 1, she was able to defeat her opponent handily. In this match, things would be different as Sakai would take Martinez to the limit, injuring the champion's shoulder. Martinez would grind out the victory however, elevating her record to 2-0. For more information on this match, CLICK HERE
In a match that had the internet fan base buzzing, Johnny Gargano took on Jimmy Jacobs. It was Gargano's YouTube spoofs of "The Abstract Wrestler" that set the table for this anticipated grudge match, a match where Jacobs intimated that he might have to kill Gargano to put him away. Jacobs wouldn't need to go that far, but he did hand Gargano an embarrassing defeat. It will not be surprising to see these two men lock up once again, as thing might not yet be settled.
Mike Quackenbush stated after EVOLVE 1, that he was going to bring the sweet science of tag team wrestling to Rahway on March 13, and he didn't disappoint. He brought with him four of the top tag teams in the Chikara promotion today: Ophidian and Amassis of the Osirian Portal; Green Ant and Fire Ant of The Colony; Hallowicked and Frightmare of Team Frightening; and Quackenbush along with his partner Jigsaw of Team Lightning. It was not only the sweet science of tag team wrestling, but also the overall exciting style of Chikara. In a match that didn't disappoint, The Osirian Portal pulled out the victory.
A very entertaining show for those who braved the ridiculous weather to make it to Rahway for it. Every match delivered. EVOLVE 2 the DVD will definitely be worth a look for those interested, and more than likely will be priced right. Like EVOLVE 1, there were locker room confrontations and incidents that will most likely be explained on the DVD, and will set the table for the follow up show, EVOLVE 3, which is scheduled for May 1, 2010 in the Rahway Recreational Center.
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