June 16th, 2017
PWG World Champion - Zack Sabre Jr (since April 2016)
PWG World Tag Team Champions - Fenix & Penta El Cero M (since March 2017)
Commentators - Excalibur
Why does the title of this show make me think of John Silver, the Beaver Boys, and their ever short-lived run in PWG last year?
1) Trevor Lee vs. Chuck Taylor
This is the second meeting between these two and this one is under vastly different circumstances as Chuckie T is on his first big run as a main eventer so it's shocking to see him in an opener. It's a good change of pace, though, because I was dreading another Trevor Lee opener after he somehow managed to bring his match with Keith Lee last month down to a subpar level. This little banger with Chuck certainly set the mood off right, though. Fun stuff all around and the finish was so fucking clever as Chuck pinned Lee with a crossbody which holds a lot of weight since one of Trevor's calling cards is always the reverse crossbody into a pin. Brilliance.
Match rating - ***1/4
2) Dezmond Xavier vs. Jason Cade vs. Jake Crist
Three way between some newcomers here and this one got a lot of heat from most reviewers, but dang if I didn't really enjoy this. Yes, it was nothing but spots, but it was fun as hell to me. I didn't see the difference between this and other three-ways like Alexander/Everett/Lee from years ago that got so much buzz. I think it's just because of the rep some of these guys have, particularly Crist, that leaves people sour. But it is what it is. Xavier gets the win here after a wild match that never slowed down, and rightfully so because I think he's the best one out of this bunch. This kept the show going at a good pace, as well.
Match rating - ***1/2
3) Keith Lee vs. Lio Rush
This ruled so hard. Keith Lee owned his role as the bigger man and Lio Rush owned his role as the smaller man. Simple formula executed to perfection equals a hell of a match. Little things like Rush finally getting some steam only to attempt a dive on Lee and not even move him were the tipping point for me. This was built up so perfectly with Lee dominating, Rush hanging in there and building up a flurry of offense, only for Lee to shut him down. The ending with Rush kicking out of some big moves at one, only to be unable to mount any offense and fall flat was the perfect anti-climatic finish. Lee finishes Rush off with an insane ass sit out powerbomb.
Match rating - ****
4) Unbreakable F'N Machines (Michael Elgin & Brian Cage) vs. War Machine (Hanson & Raymond Rowe)
This show was on a roll and now it comes to halt for me. I just can't get into either of these teams, but this was not all that bad. Just a slug fest from start to finish and it didn't go too long which was a dread/worry I had so I can't complain too much. Short, sweet, and to the point. Elgin & Cage get the victory.
Match rating - **3/4
5) Sami Callihan vs. Matt Sydal
Chuck Taylor: "The Nightmare on Helm Street, that's what Shane Helms called it in WCW."
Excalibur: "Well, do you think that's what Sami Callihan calls it?"
Chuck: "He might, he's white trash just like the Hurricane."
This was weird. Decent little sprinter between two veterans, I guess is the best way to put. I feel like the only reason they are on shows anymore is for name value. Matt Sydal does deliver from time to time, though. I'm probably being too harsh. Any way, yeah, this was what it was, nothing memorable, but pretty packed with action. Callihan wins for god knows what reason.
Match rating - **1/4
6) Jeff Cobb vs. Trent?
So, after Callihan/Sydal and nothing else on this show being all that enthralling, I took a breather from this show that ended up lasting a few weeks. I sadly don't remember much about this match aside from it being the solid outing you'd expect, but not quite to that next level that I feel they could take it in the right setting. Below is the rating I had jotted down for it. Cobb comes out with the win after a competitive match.
Match rating - ***1/4
7) LDRS (Zack Sabre Jr & Marty Scurll) vs. ReDragon (Kyle O'Reilly & Bobby Fish)
WELL I WILL BE DAMNED. This was awesome. I totally didn't expect either considering my breather from this show spawned me trying to watch this match & finish this show on several different occassions and not even being able to make it a few minutes in. When I turned this on tonight, though, it FLEW by. Guess my attention span just sucks and I have too much going on personally to focus. None the less, this seriously rocked. Sabre is still crushing his role as cocky heel champ. O'Reilly is in his secondary run in Reseda, but still does his act flawlessly and has a special heart in the fans eyes for his initial run in the promotion. Scurll also thrives in PWG and he & Fish more than play their parts well in this match led by two all time PWG greats. Amazing, gritty wrestling with plenty of submissions. Kyle having both Sabre & Scurll locked in two different submissions at the same time is must see. I swear, Kyle & Zack can't have a bad match together, or even a subpar match moreso. In the end, the LDRS come out on top and leave the ring with a chorus of boos despite the killer match.
Match rating - ****1/4
-Sabre & Scurll continue to beat on Kyle & Bobby post-match. CHUCKIE T makes the save and runs them off. Verbal exchange between Chuck & the champion. They face off next month at the anniversary show PUSHIN FORWARD BACK.
Final thoughts: Lee/Rush and LDRS/ReDragon are well worth your time. The openers are solid, just skip UBFM/War Machine and Callihan/Sydal.
