Welcome, everyone to Summer of the Beasts!
Los Depredadores (c) vs ? – World Tag Team Championship match
Not to long ago, the champs, Magnus and Rugido, have told Cesar Duran that they’re looking to put their titles on the line against anyone. Duran chose to make it a surprise, so we’ll find out today who those challengers are. To my absolute shock, the biggest one thus far, their opponents are Donovan Dijak and Bishop Dyer known as The Skyscrapers, brought to you by that ass Saint Laurent. The moment they entered the ring, they stomped on Los Depredadores.
After being caught off guard, Magnus and Rugido gain some leeway as they double team on their challengers. Dijak hasn’t even removed his coat yet. Ha! Once the heat died down a little, Dyer battled it out versus Rugido. The Luchadores had Bishop trapped and at their mercy. He hasn’t been able to get a hand on Magnus, lucky for him, Magnus struggled and hesitated, which allowed Dyer to perform a buckle bomb. Donovan took over after being tagged.
That drop kick from Rugido executed against Donovan only got a one count, amazingly so. If he hadn’t readjusted himself on the ropes, Rugido could have slipped and unable to perform his crossbody. Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough since Dijak kicked out and used his long legs to dispose of Magnus before he could do anything. It was loud… and painful.
Bishop and Rugido were going full out, Dyer seemingly enduring most of it until he caught his opponent mid-air, got tagged by Donovan, slammed Rugido’s body with a Death Valley Driver as Dijak crashed in with a successful Moonsault. The previous Champions simply wanted to show their adversaries some respect, but they got bumped in the head for their efforts.
Well…
Winners: The Skyscrapers
Brock Anderson vs. Anthony Greene
In the early goings of the match, Greene tried to overpower Brock with a couple of shoulder tackles and chops that went nowhere. Anderson stood his ground like unmovable bolder in the middle of the road. The hardboiled to Anthony’s flashy self. At a given point, Brock floored Anthony down. Anderson was indeed mean in that ring like Joe Dombrowski said.
Greene’s emerging rage started to show, which surprised Brock, who found himself on the receiving end all of a sudden. Anthony kicked Anderson into the corner, then whipped him into another. An amazing hook kick to the head of Brock left him glassy eyed. Anthony was genuinely showing great resolve… but he missed with a Moonsault, which allowed Anderson to end him with a DDT.
Winner: Brock Anderson
Wakana Uehara vs. Yuki Kamifuku
The moment Yuki stepped out, she reminded me of Charlotte Flair. They both have that “Diamonds are forever” aesthetic oozing from their aura. Even the way she entered the ring was similar to Flair. Slow, but calculated. She had Wakana trapped between her legs, whipped her towards the mat and used her long limbs to knock Uehara speechless. Luckily, Wakana made a comeback with a drop kick.
Kamifuku’s submission move was definitely harmful for Wakana, I think she could have won if Uehara wasn’t moving too much while reaching for the ropes with her foot. So, Yuki retaliated with a drive-by. A thumb to Uehara’s eye distracted her from the big boot that followed soon after. She was lost…
Wakana reversed with a German suplex, then she tried to submit Yuki with the Triangle Lancer. Later on, Kamifuku intelligently utilized the bottom rope to sling Uehara down with her legs. She amazed the audience with her extended limbs. Uehara had three failed attempts to pin Yuki keeping in mind that if she’s too close to the ropes, the count stops. Wakana’s resilience was commendable, yet it’s Yuki’s leg lariat that concludes the match in favor of Kamifuku.
Winner: Yuki Kamifuku
It didn’t take long for Shotzi to make her debut as well with a mic in hand. The women’s division is getting better with each female presence, and Shotzi thought with Yuki’s addition to the roaster, it’ll soar higher. Kamifuku thanks her in wanting to wrestle her in the future. Since we’re talking about the expansion of the women’s division, Ava Everett had some words of her own, albeit rude at first. These two were ready to throw hands if Selina de la Ranta hadn’t shown up. Selina made it official that at Blood & Thunder Aug 9, Shotzi and Ava Everett will do battle.
Diego Hill vs. Kushida
Kushida left me wide eyed when performed a move that closely resembles breakdancing, in order to grab and twist Diego’s left leg. I later found out that move is called the Imanari roll. That shoulder tackle from Kushida barely left a dent on Hill, since he literally bounced back like it was nothing. Diego was very quick and agile. So, Kushida retaliated by kicking Hill’s arm off the turnbuckle.
After that, Kushida’s attacks were specifically aimed for that arm, he nearly took Diego out a couple times. Hill made a comeback with a springboard cutter to give himself some breathing space. He was very resourceful when he dodged Kushida’s baseball slide, then followed that up with a body splash on the main floor near the guardrail. Practically on the rail… ouch.
Kushida rushed back towards the turnbuckles, so he could flip Hill in an arm bar that almost finished the job then and there, if Diego wasn’t fighting back. That Shotai lariat wasn’t sufficient to put Hill away. So, Kushida beat Diego with the Back to the Future. No shame to Hill because he was great!
Winner: Kushida
Mistico was hoping to address the MLW universe with an update to his condition and the theft of his Middleweight Championship when the very people I suspect he would mention descend on him in overwhelming numbers. CONTRA Unit aren’t finished with Mistico despite taking his title and mask. And if things couldn’t get any weirder, MJF has come to the Major Leagues to continue his rivalry with Mistico.
Ultimo Guerrero (c) vs. Alex Hammerstone vs. Matthew Justice – 3-Way National Openweight Championship match
Just when Guerrero and Hammerstone were about to fight, Matthew Justice made an appearance demanding a rematch for the title, also thinking that Alex doesn’t deserve to jump ahead of the line. Duran agreed to turn this match into a 3-Way. At first, it seemed like Ultimo and Matthew ganged up on Alex with chops since he got in both their faces. Hammerstone’s big ass self wasn’t easily taken down until he was sent outside.
As he laid on the floor for a few minutes, Justice and Guerrero were at each other’s throats on the inside. At some point, Hammerstone got back in the game. The harshness in Ultimo’s slide kick sent Matthew’s head bouncing against the rails. I’m sure he saw stars and the Hat Man. Ultimo impressively slammed Alex on the mat when he thought he had the champ pegged.
A chopping competition ensued until Justice ended it with an insane spear from the outside in. All three men were down after they each collided with the other. Ultimo was looking for the Guerrero Special when he hit it on Matthew and retained. Hammerstone tried and failed to stop the count.
Winner: Ultimo Guerrero
Matt Riddle (c) vs. KENTA – World Heavyweight Championship match
As Riddle went for Kenta’s leg, the match has started as your typical ground-based wrestling, more grappling to get a better feel of the other. Matt had his challenger wrapped between his legs and arms, trying to suffocate the breathing. Kenta managed to free himself, yet he couldn’t hold Riddle since they were too close to the ropes. Riddle was going for the RKO, I suspect, then Kenta tried for the GTS, but they both failed.
Riddle retaliated with a gut-wrench suplex. He missed with his follow-up move, and Kenta mocked him for it. Funny, until he found his ass on the floor. Neither men were able to perform a strong enough maneuver to keep the opposition down, yet their striking still hurt nonetheless. Kenta slapped Riddle’s face, then stomped on his gut.
Riddle was trapped between Kenta’s legs for a while, so much so that he looked incapable of getting out. Kenta made the mistake of rolling their bodies close to the ropes, so Matt was free. He fought back, but Ken corkscrewed his leg. Every hit Riddle sent out, Ken was able to counter it. He came close to dethroning the Champion. Because of that, Ken had to stomp on Riddle’s stomach a second time.
You know what was incredibly unnecessary? I heard someone chanting “CM Punk!” in the crowd. The GTS originally came from Ken, so I don’t know, someone got upset that he didn’t do it?? Anyway, Riddle smashed Kenta’s spine against the mat, then delivered a massive knee to the jaw. If they weren’t so close to the rope, Riddle might have retained.
This is the best match yet.
Oof, the strikes, kicks and submission attempts were amazing to watch. Riddle finally connected with an RKO, followed by a triumphant Brostone. Yay!
Winner: Matt Riddle
TOP PHOTO: Hill vs. Kushida. Courtesy of MLW
