We’re into the final month before the Copperbox – but Michael Oku’s given himself yet another major test, as he took on a returning Donovan Dijak.
Quick Results
Nina Samuels pinned Anita Vaughan in 10:23 (**¾)
Chuck Mambo & TK Cooper pinned Mark Trew & Kieron Lacey in 13:22 (***½)
David Francisco defeated Joshua James via disqualification in 12:57 (**¾)
Kanji pinned Debbie Keitel in 13:50 (***)
Ricky Knight Jr. pinned Omari in 18:49 (***)
Connor Mills submitted Lee Dawson in 4:55 (***)
Cameron Khai pinned Danny Black in 14:01 (***¼)
Zozaya pinned Robbie X in 16:03 (***½)
Michael Oku pinned Donovan Dijak in 18:44 (***½)
— To watch this show, head over to RevProOnDemand.com
We’re live on stream from the HMV Empire on Coventry for Rev Pro’s second outing there… but before bell time, it was announced that Rev Pro’s returning to Coventry on November 16 and 17 for their inaugural Trios Grand Prix. Andy Quildan’s on commentary alongside Leyton Buzzard…
Anita Vaughan vs. Nina Samuels
It’s a pretty quick return to Rev Pro for Vaughan, who lost to Alex Windsor on her debut last month. We’ve a bait and switch before the bell as Lizzy Evo refused to work as Nina Samuels attacked Vaughan from behind to get the match underway.
With the rest of the Collective – minus Alex Windsor – at ringside, Vaughan had a proverbial mountain to climb, but manages to overcome the initial disadvantage, taking Samuels outside with a fallaway slam before a baseball slide dropkick from Samuels caught Vaughan out unawares.
A dropkick to the back of Vaughan in the ropes nearly gets Nina the win, but Samuels continues the focus on the back with whips into the buckles. Fighting back with a dropkick, Vaughan comes close with a Michinoku driver, but Nina’s right back in it with a scissor kick, before a back body drop chucked Nina away.
Vaughan’s swinging side slam almost gets her her maiden win here, before interference from Evo and Reed allowed Nina in to pick up the win. This was a solid opener – and thankfully the Collective toned down the threat of them being all over the match between the bells. **¾
Post-match, the Collective rip into the crowd as Nina Samuels brought up how the challenge for a 5-on-5 tag at the Copperbox has gone unanswered…
Kieron Lacey & Mark Trew vs. Sunshine Machine (TK Cooper & Chuck Mambo)
The Sunshine Machine Death Tour continues – as they’re continuing the “we lose and we’re done here” gimmick…
We’ve a jump start as Trew and Lacey almost beat TK Cooper inside eleven seconds with a diving headbutt/suplex combo. Trew and Lacey dominated the opening stages, with a running gamengiri from Trew going through TK in the corner as the young lads were literally throwing everything at it here.
Sunshine Machine kept threatening a comeback, but Trew and Lacey were more than equal to them, cutting off Mambo as they tried to keep TK on his lonesome. Mambo’s interference backfires as he’s beaten down and unable to be on the apron when TK was ready to tag… at least initially, as an Exploder from TK cleared the way just in time for Mambo to come in.
Lacey breaks up the pin from a Mambo Reef Break, but Mambo retained the upper hand, testing the sturdiness of the ropes with some springboards ahead of a Combo Meal from TK. Trew broke that one up, before he countered a Gutterball into a backslide. Second time’s the charm on the Gutterball, before an eye rake from Lacey stopped Mambo in his tracks… leading to a shooting star press from Trew that almost caused the upset.
A roll-up with the feet on the ropes nearly did it again, before a leap from Trew was nicely caught by Mambo… and turned into a Designated Driver for the win. That was a heck of a finishing sequence as Trew and Lacey really pushed Sunshine Machine to the limit… and you can tell TK Cooper’s getting nervy about how they continue to cut it fine here… ***½
David Francisco vs. Joshua James
Despite Francisco having needled James for most of the year, this was only their third meeting in any form – and their first since graduating as Contenders…
Francisco had to try and keep James out of his game, but had trouble early on… and when he was able to break free, Francisco couldn’t help but poke the proverbial bear. Chops wore down the Portuguese native, as did a POUNCE… before Francisco suckered him into a Suzuki-esque hanging armbar in the ropes.
James absorbs a bunch of lariats, but an eye poke helps to take the big man off his feet as Francisco kept playing dirty, teasing a low blow. He teases it for long enough for James to grab that boot and make a comeback, leading to a Bull lariat for a near-fall… Francisco’s grounded cross armbreaker doesn’t get the win, so he tries a low blow again… it doesn’t work, but instead he’s able to throw James into the ring post, before a diving boot drew a near-fall.
Francisco adds a double jump clothesline off the top, then a hammerlock DDT for a near-fall, before the cross armbreaker to the lariating arm ended in the ropes. Another double jump clothesline misses as James instead nailed a spear, before slapping the taste out of Francisco. A teased low blow from Francisco’s caught after he put the ref between him and the ref… but James’ low blow’s spotted and there’s a DQ. I liked the twist on the finish, given Francisco was teasing a low blow throughout, but not that it took us so long to get there… **¾
Francesca Oliver comes into the ring to announce the result, which is odd in itself… Francisco took the mic and teased a restart, but hid behind “the ref’s decision is final.” I suspect they’ll be running this back in about a month…
Debbie Keitel vs. Kanji
It’s been the thick end of two and a half years since we’ve seen Debbie in Rev Pro – last losing to Hyan in February 2022…
Starting with some grappling on the mat, Kanji and Keitel went move for move early on, while a crossbody to the back of a kneeling Keitel drew a quick two-count… in return, a dropkick from Keitel literally goes through Kanji to the outside as the tide turned. A lengthy spell on offence from Keitel ends with a roll through and a low superkick from Kanji, who proceeded to trap Keitel between the ropes for some chops.
A missile dropkick gets Kanji a near-fall before she went after Keitel’s neck… but another turnaround sees Kanji get caught on the top rope ahead of a Skull Crushing Finale for a near-fall. Kanji’s able to block a butterfly sit-out facebuster as she hit back with a release German… but celebrated too long and got clattered into with a diving knee.
Keitel’s overhead kick keeps the pressure up, but she’s caught with almost a falling Judas Effect out of nowhere… and that’s the win for Kanji. A valiant effort in defeat for Keitel, but it’s another win for Kanji… and I’d have said a win could have put Keitel in the mix for that tag match, but it’s maybe not to be. ***
Post-match, Keitel kicks away a handshake offer and headed to the back… as the Cut Throat Collective headed out to the ring. Keitel’s chugging some coffee as Kanji’s mugged… she has a change of heart though, returning to the ring as she instead chucked her coffee at Mercedez Blaze, before joining Kanji in fighting them off. After that handshake, something tells me Debbie may be on that team after all…
Omari vs. Ricky Knight Jr.
Omari was a show-day replacement for an injured Chris Ridgeway… making this Omari’s first outing for Rev Pro since November 2019. He’s mostly an OTT regular these days,
A tentative start here sees RKJ offer himself up for shoulder tackles from Omari… they eventually took the former champ off his feet, only for RKJ to return with a dropkick moments later. Things spill outside, as the crowd help Omari chop RKJ in the front row, before RKJ got his own back, putting Omari in a chair ahead of a diving elbow off the stage into Omari.
Back inside, RKJ took over with a death valley driver into the corner, and we’re into Ricky’s usual playbook with a face-washing basement dropkick and a draping DDT in the corner. A stalling suplex gives us a count of thirty on an upside-down Omari, whose comeback was as brief as it was impactful. Unlike RKJ, who teed up the crowd… for a grounded sleeperhold.
A springboard stomp from the outside in clips RKJ as Omari finally built up some steam, before his leaping knee cut off a springboard cutter from RKJ. Back-and-forth chops look to put RKJ back in front… until an inverted Alabama Slam almost caused the upset. Yep, that woke me up too.
Omari’s Spanish Fly off the top keeps him going as RKJ almost looked spent, but he’s able to hit back with a Styles Clash, a superkick and a Fire Thunder Driver to finally slam the door shut. This one lost me, and felt like they went way too long – especially given Omari’s not anything close to a regular in Rev Pro. ***
Lee Dawson vs. Connor Mills
I don’t quite fancy Lee’s chances here… and credit to commentary for stitching together how Lee Dawson was a “replacement” for the injured Leyton Buzzard in the Revolution Rumble, only for Mills to steal his spot.
Mills took the mic beforehand and talked about Ethan Allen not being cleared for the Copperbox… and offered Dawson the Copperbox match if he could last five minutes. There’s gonna be at least two people checking the veracity of that timer…
Dawson surprises Mills with a dropkick at the bell, before an elevated Flatliner forced Mills to use the ropes for a break at 20 seconds. A second attempt’s evaded as Mills went to Dawson’s leg, kicking the leg out of the leg… and that put the brakes on Dawson as an Orange Crush Bomb and a heel hook ended in the ropes.
Dawson manages to get a second wind though, taking Mills outside for a tope, before a brainbuster back inside drew a near-fall. A boot took Mills into the ropes for a rebound lariat, but Mills pulls up the pin after spying the clock… we’re down to the final ten seconds with Mills having locked on an ankle lock, forcing the tap after booting him in the head. A good story, but it’s not to be for Dynamite Lee Dawson. ***
Post-match, Mills called Ethan Allen to the ring to give the update, acting all upset at having “broken the news” at Allen’s injury. Allen’s out on crutches, and I suspect one of those will barely be in one piece soon. Almost in tears, Allen broke down told Mills that “Ethan Allen is done,” going onto reveal Mills’ new opponent for the Copperbox.
OF COURSE IT’S ETHAN ALLEN! Ethan repeatedly cracks Mills with the crutch, then crossfaced him with it… and that match is undoubtedly ON.
Cameron Khai vs. Danny Black
This one’s a qualifier for the Copperbox Cruiserweight scramble – and its a singles debut for Danny, who’s previously worked Rev Pro alongside either Joe Lando or Maverick Mayhew as part of CPF.
Speaking of CPF, commentary mentions the trios tournament in the opening stages as Black’s initial offence was overcome by Khai, ahead of a tornado DDT from Black that saw him hit back. Measuring Khai led to a wacky version of a Diamond Dust from the outside in to Khai, who’s caught with a tope stunner on the floor as Black continued unabated.
Khai’s back with rolling Northern Lights into a Falcon arrow, but Black’s able to hit back with a Meteora, before a flying ‘rana’s quickly snapped into a powerbomb by Khai. From there, Khai’s knee strike and an over-the-knee brainbuster gets a near-fall, before a pop-up powerbomb almost punched Khai’s ticket.
Leyton Buzzard leaves commentary to strategise with Khai at ringside… but it backfires as Black charges in with a version of a Mistica, following up with a crossface… before Khai’s attempt to fight out earned him a crucifix bomb. Khai hits Black with a knee strike as he was being charged at… but another scare from a lifting reverse DDT almost put Black into the title match.
In the end, Black misses a moonsault… but countered a Pingshot Cutter. The counters continue as a tope stunner’s turned into an over-the-knee brainbuster on the floor, before the Pingshot back inside got the win. This felt a little rough at times, but you could see what they were going for – and I suspect this win may make Khai the instant favourite for the Copperbox. ***¼
Zozaya vs. Robbie X
Robbie X is off to Mexico next month for the CMLL Men’s Grand Prix – while you’d expect Zozaya to have something to do at the Copperbox. Still, it’s good to see a Spaniard getting a good reaction in England…
Zozaya frustrated Robbie with some rolls early on, but neither man’s able to forge an advantage until Robbie X’s Kappo kick and plancha knocked Zozaya down to the floor. A swinging belly-to-belly stopped Robbie X as Zozaya was able to get in with some Gator Rolls that seemed to do damage to Robbie’s neck and shoulder.
It led to Zozaya escaping a squatting death valley driver as he instead spun the former Cruiserweight champion around in a gutwrench suplex. Robbie lands on his feet after an overhead throw though, and that sparks a comeback, leading to a Beyblade kick into the corner and a standing shooting star out of it for a two-count.
An overhead kick knocks Zozaya to the floor… but he’s able to cut off Robbie with a springboard missile dropkick, then joined him outside with a body press off the top. Back inside, Robbie’s caught with a roll-through suplex, before an exchange of strikes opened things up for Robbie… until a handspring’s dropkicked away for a near-fall.
Another springboard, this time leading to a stomp to the back, keeps Robbie down for a two-count, before a quick turnaround almost led to Robbie winning with a Spiral Tap. An X-Claimation’s countered into the de Madrid al cielo, but it’s not enough… so Zozaya looks for an avalanche version of the death valley driver, landing the avalanche de Madrid al cielo for the win. ***½
Robbie X hadn’t gotten to the stage by the time Donovan Dijak came out… and Robbie’s left as prey for a Feast Your Eyes during Dijak’s entrance.
Donovan Dijak vs. Michael Oku
It’s a non-title match here as Dijak’s busy post-WWE schedule saw him return to Rev Pro for the first time in seven years. Go on, look on Cagematch and the card he was last on – Live at the Cockpit 18. It was a WEEK after Michael Oku had made his debut.
Dijak towers over Oku as the early going saw Oku try to neutralise Dijak… problem was, slapping Dijak just got him a kicking. Dropkicks helped Oku back in it, but his crossbody’s caught as Dijak just chucked him over the top rope to the floor. Back inside, Dijak lands a backbreaker for a two-count, before he again mauled the champion.
A missile dropkick from Oku carved an opening for him, while a tornado DDT and a springboard moonsault helped Oku to a two-count. Another dropkick looked to keep the momentum going, before Dijak’s chokeslam was rolled through as Oku suddenly had to be on the defensive.
The misdirection knee nearly does it for Oku, who got caught up top for a superplex… he sidesteps a running dropkick in the corner as Oku crashes and burns making a comeback. Dijak did the same though, missing a moonsault seconds later, before he caught Oku’s frog splash. An attempted chokeslam’s countered into a reverse ‘rana, sending Dijak to the outside… but he caught the follow-up Fosbury Flop and countered it into a slam onto the ramp. That’s a few bob in Andy’s swear jar.
Dijak buries Oku under some chairs… forcing Amira to dig Oku free and help him back into the ring. A sit-out chokeslam on his return nearly was the end of things, but he’s able to counter a Feast Your Eyes into a half crab. Dijak holds firm and manages to kick Oku away, but got a PK in return before superkicks led to a suplex throw from Dijak.
A big boot’s next as Dijak set up for the finish, but a second Feast Your Eyes attempt’s countered into a ‘rana… and Oku clings on to snatch the pin. ***½
Post-match, Dijak nails Oku with a lariat as the fight continued… but Robbie X makes the save, low-bridging Dijak to the outside for a tope onto the ramp. BUT WE’RE NOT DONE. There’s a video from MJF, holding his AEW American title… he’s going to be at York Hall as he’s defending that newly-monikered belt in two weeks’ time against Britain’s best. Of course, Oku accepts, and there’s your main event for two weeks time!
Of course, the main event video will mean this is forgotten, but in terms of the meat and potatoes of the show… well, we had this issue a few months back at the 229 – and it reared its head here. With a nine match card, especially in front of an audience that’s unfamiliar to your product, you want to be impactful… eight matches flirting at or over the 15-minute mark isn’t the ticket, and it led to an audibly muted crowd.