411’s Evolve 11 iPPV Review 4.13.12

April 13, 2012
Toronto, Ontario

Super Smash Bros. (Player Uno & Player Dos) vs. The Kentucky Gentleman’s Club (Drew Gulak & Jake Manning with Chuck Taylor)
Player Uno says they are going for a million points. Chuck Taylor brings out his new stablemates. Manning was not supposed to be a part of the stable as far as I know, but hey, Card Subject to Change.

We get off to a great start as Lenny Leonard forgets the entire history of Super Smash Bros. in Evolve. He says they are 1-0, and that they made their debut in New York City (Evolve 9) and won. Actually, they made their debut at Evolve 6, back in 2010 and lost. They also lost to Chuck Taylor and Rich Swann at Evolve 10, which happened three months ago. So they are 1-2. Lenny Leonard, you failed at your job here, or someone told you false information in your headset. Seriously, just google your promotion before the show. There have only been 10 shows before this, so it can’t be too hard to figure out all the win-loss records, especially when win-loss records is the whole gimmick of Evolve.

Dos and Gulak did a cool sequence early on. Manning and Gulak tried to double team Dos early on, but they failed. Dos sent them both to the outside, and then SSB did their fake out stereo dives/pose combo. They are great men. Back in the ring, the Club isolated Uno. Uno managed to escape Gulak, and Dos made a fantastic hot tag. Dos killed Gulak with a Silverking DDT on the apron. SSB then hit Manning with an Alabama Slam/Backstabber combo: 1…2…GULAK MAKES THE SAVE! Gulak attacked Uno on the outside, which allowed Manning to hit a cool combination of moves on Dos: 1…2…NO! Gulak then locked in Dos with crossface variation(I believe), but Uno broke it up. Gulak took out Uno with a Cactus Clothesline. Manning got sent to the outside, and Uno wiped out both of them with a tope con Hello. Back in the ring, the SSB hit some trademark double team moves on the Club. Uno got Gulak up in the Gory Special, and then Dos did a diving reverse blockbuster.

This was a good opener that the crowd truly enjoyed. SSB should be a big part of Evolve going forward, and hopefully they are brought into DGUSA soon. I’m a big fan of Drew Gulak, and I hope that his taking the pin wasn’t a sign of him not being booked going forward. Manning was probably wise to tone down his shtick here.
Match Rating: **3/4

Lenny Leonard says two more times that the Super Smash Bros. are 2-0. I hate this company right now.

MK McKinnan vs. Josh Alexander
Both guys are making their Evolve debuts. I have never seen either of these guys before.

McKinnan (looking nervous) botched a couple of things early. Alexander was smart enough to start working over McKinnan right after that. Alexander hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a nearfall. Alexander completely dominated McKinnan and the crowd loved him. McKinnan managed to kick Alexander a few times, which sent Alexander to the floor. McKinnan then hit a great tope con Hello. Back in the ring, McKinnan went for a top rope move, but Alexadner avoided it. Alexander hit a big forearm and an Angels Wings variation: 1…2…3!

This was basically a squash match to put over Alexander, so maybe he is being brought back. It probably wouldn’t have seemed so squashy if McKinnan didn’t botch his first couple of moves. The short length of the match kept the crowd from getting disinterested in two debuting talents.
Match Rating: *1/2

Lenny Leonard finally corrects the Super Smash Bros.’s record. Our long, international nightmare is over. At least they corrected their mistake. I was probably overreacting to him screwing up earlier, but DGUSA/Evolve’s booking is notorious for ignoring win-loss records at the expense of stories they rather tell.

Psycho Mike Rollins vs. Ashley Sixx
Once again, both guys are making their debuts, and once again, this is my first time watching either of these guys.

The crowd does not like Sixx. Rollins completely dominated the match early on. Rollins sent Sixx to the outside. There, Sixx gave Rollins a Russian Legsweep to the ring apron. Back in the ring, Sixx got the heat on Rollins. Rollins made a comeback. He hit a big spinebuster. Rollins goes to the top rope, but Sixx hit Venus. Sixx then hit a springboard hurricanrana. Rollins then did some comedic sit up a la Undertaker spots. Rollins hit a spinning boot and the the Psycho Mike Driver: 1…2…3.

This match did absolutely nothing for me or apparently the live crowd. These guys were not ready for a main show.
Match Rating: 3/4*

Alex Reynolds vs. John Silver
Silver and Alex Reynolds both got their training from the NYWC school, which has produced Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Tony Nese and a few other notable names. Silver defeated Nese in his Evolve debut at Evolve 9. This should be a good match.

They did a sequence to start the match where neither man was able to connect with any serious offense. After that, Silver got the first advantage, which fed his overlarge ego. Silver hit a curb stomp, and then did a gymnastic roll. Silver followed that with a running knee. Reynolds came back with a running elbow and a running knee. Silver got hung up on the middle ropes, and Reynolds hit a running dropkick from the floor. Back in the ring, Reynolds hit a nice lariat to the back of Silver’s neck. Silver came back with a thrust kick and a lariat. They started trading big forearms. Silver peppered Reynolds with slaps and then hit a double knee press: 1…2…NO! Silver went for a crossface, but Reynolds escaped. Silver got it a second time, and transitioned it to a half Japanese strangle hold. Reynolds just made the ropes. Reynolds hit a pop-up single knee codebreaker and then a standing shooting star press: 1…2…NO! Reynolds went for a moonsault, but Silver rolled out of the way. Silver then hit a big kick and a wheelbarrow German: 1…2…NO! Reynolds avoided some fancy move and hit a roaring elbow, followed by a 2K1 Neckbreaker on the knee: 1…2…3!

This was OK. They had chemistry and they worked hard, but they just never made a great connection with the crowd. Of the two, I would be much more interested in what Reynolds had to offer going forward, because he has a good look and he seems likes a great athlete. Silver is doing the “Godzilla Fears Mike Mondo” gimmick, but he is less cartoony and thus, less annoying. At least he is actually really small, so it makes sense that his character has a Napoleon Complex.
Match Rating: **1/2

Chuck Taylor and Samuray Del Sol came out for their singles match, but Johnny Gargano came out before that match started. Taylor hid behind the referee when Gargano came into the ring. Gargano brought up how Taylor betrayed him after Gargano defended the Kentucky Gentleman to a lot of his detractors in Dragon Gate and their locker room. Gargano wanted a three way dance, and he got it.

Samuray Del Sol vs. Chuck Taylor vs. Johnny Gargano
Gargano and Taylor are still technically the Wins Leaders in Evolve, but since Evolve has officially merged with DGUSA, the importance of the Wins Leader has seemingly been downplayed. Gargano is also obviously the Freedom Gate Champion.

Del Sol got a cross armbreaker on Gargano early, but Gargano made the ropes. Gargano came back with a neckbreaker. Del Sol then used Taylor for an assisted dropkick on Gargano. Del Sol sent Taylor to the outside. Del Sol set up for a dive, but he ran into a slingshot spear from Gargano. Gargano then immediately hit a suicide dive on Taylor. Gargano and Del Sol went at it in the ring. Taylor came back and hit Del Sol with Sole Food and a Rock Bottom. They did some spots will all three guys after that. Taylor gave Del Sol a big boot for a nearfall. Del Sol came back with some impressive offense, which included a Fosbury Flop on Taylor. Gargano gave Del Sol an Alabama Slam; Taylor sent Gargano from the ring and pinned Del Sol with an Oklahoma Roll: 1…2…3! Del Sol is eliminated! Gargano vs. Taylor for the Wins Leader position. Gargano kicked the crap out of Taylor on the outside. This went on for a while until Taylor hit a backbreaker on the ring apron out of nowhere. Gargano then started to sell his injured back, and Taylor was in complete control. Taylor methodically worked over the back of Gargano. This drew some smartass comments from the crowd, who seemingly did not like this slower pace. Gargano got to his feet, and the crowd woke up. Gargano managed to send Taylor to the floor, which allowed him to hit a slingshot plancha and a rolling senton off the apron. Back in the ring, Gargano hit a Liger Bomb: 1…2…NO! GARGANO ESCAPE! Taylor made the ropes. Taylor tried to walk out, but Gargano brought him back to the ring. Taylor caught Gargano on his slingshot spear and hit a neackbreaker for a nearfall. Taylor went for a moonsault on Gargano’s back, but the champ rolled out of the way. Gargano came back and hit a Lawn Dart. Kneeling Superkick: 1…2…NO! They both avoided each other’s finishing moves, until Gargano gets the Gargano Escape. Taylor escapes and locks in a single leg crab! Gargano makes the ropes. They got to their feet and started trading some big strikes until they both fell to the mat after a discus lariat from Gargano. Gargano’s back gave out on a Hurt’s Donut attempt, and Taylor got the single leg crab again! Taylor pulled him to the center of the ring, and Gargano passed out from the pain.

This was a mixed bag. The opening three way was humming along nicely, but I didn’t understand why Del Sol was dispatched of like a complete afterthought, after he got such a strong push over Wrestlemania Weekend (he beat Masato Yoshino after all). This whole match was about getting to Gargano and Taylor, and Del Sol’s push got run over on the way. On top of that, what is with the rush to get to Taylor vs. Gargano with absolutely no build or warning? Their portion of the match was not just an angle at all, and it felt like a short singles match that happens in the middle of a feud. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate Evolve trying to make up for the fact that AR Fox, Bobby Fish, Cheech, and Scott Reed all missed the show, but surely there was a way of continuing the Taylor/Gargano feud without giving away a big confrontation with no build. No wonder why the crowd didn’t really seem invested overall. I wouldn’t say the crowd was dead for the Gargano/Taylor portion of the match, but their lack of reaction definitely made this feud seem like it wasn’t a big deal at all. Finally, I’ll just say that I have hated just about every step of this slow burn feud between Taylor and Gargano, but they have good chemistry and I am hopeful that their next match together will be great. Taylor should once again be commended for being entertaining, yet getting the crowd to boo him at the same time. Also, this whole match seemed leagues better than everything but the opener so far on this show.
Match Rating: ***1/2

Adam Page vs. Caleb Konley (w/ Larry Dallas and Leah)
Leah is Leah Von Dutch, who recently competed for Chikara. Lenny Leonard continued his long tradition of using derogatory terms for referring to heel valets. This time he used “feeler.” I guess that is an improvement over “broad,” which has been his term of choice for most of DGUSA’s run.

Konley is 0-1 as a singles wrestler in Evolve. This is Page’s debut in Evolve. Page backdropped Konley to the floor, and then hit a shooting star press off the apron to a standing Konley. That was really cool. Back in the ring, Konley immediately cut him off (and made that highspot worthless in the process) with a hip toss in the corner. At least that was cool way to cut him off. Konley started to get the heat after that. Konley hit a nifty backstabber: 1…2…NO! It was basically a wheelbarrow backstabber. Konley hit a delayed superplex: 1…2…NO! Page came back with some chops and a powerslam: 1…2…NO! Konley swept his leg and hit a series of jumping moves for another nearfall. Page then hit a neckbreaker: 1…2…NO! Konley hit a Glam Slam variation that he awkwardly transitioned into a Haas of Pain like submission…PAGE TAPS OUT!

I like Caleb Konley, and he clearly has improved a lot over the last couple of years. I definitely like the fact that he is getting a push in DGUSA/Evolve, but everything about the Scene is not working right now. They’re not interesting when they get squashed, nor when they do the squashing. The Scene need to be put into a main story or the whole act needs to be repackaged; they are not working as is. Page looked better than a lot of the other unknown talent that debuted here.
Match Rating: **1/4

El Generico vs. Low Ki
Low Ki was of course the first person to get his own music on the show, because he is the World Warrior and everyone else is a jobber.

Generico was a little chippy early to show Ki he wasn’t afraid of the World Warrior. Low Ki got him on the mat and tried for the cross armbreaker but Generico made the ropes. Ki then did the douchebag “Lie on the mat and dare his opponent to come down there” gimmick. Generico broke his guard and both men got to their feet. Generico used his quickness to get the advantage. They traded strikes, until Ki hit a brainbuster for an early nearfall. Ki transitioned into a headscissors. They made their way to the floor, where Low Ki maintained the advantage. Back in the ring, Ki locked in a body scissors, which got the second “Body Scissors!” chant of the night. Generico got to his feet, and they traded more strikes. Generico baited him to the floor, and then Generico hit the somersault plancha. Generico rolled him back into the ring, and Generico hit a diving cross-body: 1…2…NO! Ki blocked a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Generico came right back and successfully hit one: 1…2…NO! Ki blocked a Yakuza Kick, and then locked in the Dragon Sleeper! Generico just managed to make the ropes. Ki went for another Dragon Sleeper, but Generico reversed it into a Falcon Arrow! 1…2…NO! That was cool. Generico went for another Yakuza Kick, but Ki avoided it. Generico crashed into the turnbuckle. Ki drilled Generico with some body kicks. The fourth kick resulted in a nearfall. Generico avoided the shotgun kick, and he then hit the Yakuza Kick! Low Ki avoided the top rope Brainbuster, and Ki pounced with a Warrior’s Way to the back of Generico! 1…2…3! That was a great finish.

I came into this match with very low expectations as many of friends and fellow writers crapped all over this match and the post-match promo (more on that after the “Match Rating”). This was certainly not a bad match. The story at the beginning was sound: Ki had the advantage during any mat wrestling/strike exchanges, and when the pace picked up, Generico had the advantage. That being said, it was a fairly pedestrian affair, but that is my expectation for every Low Ki match these days. When Generico was announced for Evolve, I wanted to see him in matches with Johnny Gargano, AR Fox, Rich Swann, or someone like that. This matchup was always going to be a waste of Generico, so the fact that it was does not surprise me. Low Ki wins. LOL.
Match Rating: ***1/4

After the match, Low Ki says Generico isn’t as good as he thinks he is. My Twitter timeline expoded after this happened. To me, it clearly seems like an angle and not Low Ki shooting on Generico, so everyone calm down. Since it is an angle, I will say that it doesn’t really make sense for Ki’s character in DGUSA/Evolve. He’s claimed that he wants to bring respect back to the sport of professional wrestling, and this was clearly not respectful. Perhaps, DGUSA/Evolve recognized the growing backlash to Low Ki from certain corners of their fanbase, and they decided to do a preempted heel turn. I think Low Ki portraying a dick heel would allow for the performer to play to his strengths, and potentially lead to more entertaining matches. Time will tell.

What did you think of Low Ki’s post-match promo?

For a more passionate response to Low Ki’s work in 2012, check out Jerome Cusson’s review of Evolve 11.

Fit Finlay vs. Sami Callihan
Finlay defeated Callihan at Evolve 9 in a great match (and it inexplicably won DGUSA/Evolve MOTY in their online fan voting. Oh well, it was great though). They are meeting again for no discernible reason other than to hopefully have another good match. Callihan is coming off of losses to Sabu and BxB Hulk over Wrestlemania weekend.

Finlay is quite over. Props to Lenny Leonard for mentioning their March match together in Germany. Leonard talks about how Finlay won that match too. Finlay backs Sami into a corner early, so Sami slaps him. Finlay promptly headbutts Sami and busts him open hardway. Finlay dominated Callihan for a while after that. Sami gave him the double bird salute, so Finlay drove him back first into the ringpost. Sami fought back with chops on the outside. Finlay blocked one and struck Sami in the throat. Back in the ring, Finlay went after Sami’s left leg. Sami starts to choke Finlay, and he then rained down some big forearms to the side of Finlay’s head. Finlay started to bleed from the forehead. Finlay started to drive Sami sternum first into turnbuckles. That must have sucked. Sami finally avoided one and hit an enzugiri: 1…2…NO! Sami followed that up with a Silverking Lariat and a heat seeking missile dive! Sami rolled Finlay into the ring and went to the top rope, but Finlay just shoved him to the floor to cut him off. Finlay was back in control after that. Finlay powerslammed Sami repeatedly so that his leg always landed on the ropes. Finlay then drove that leg into a ringpost. Single Leg Crab! Finlay stepped on Sami’s head to make him more uncomfortable. Sami almost passed out, but he managed to make it to the ropes. Finlay hit the Celtic Cross: 1…NO! Another Celtic Cross…and another Celtic Cross; 1…2…NO! What?!?! The crowd was getting a little restless, but that woke them up. Finlay started to get frustrated, so he went for a tombstone (which finished Sami at Evolve 9). Sami escaped it, but ate a lariat. Tombstone Piledriver: 1…2…NO!!! Sami gave another double bird salute. Sami avoided another Tombstone and hit a Brogue Kick! They traded more kicks until both men were down. They kicked each other in the face again, and they both went down again. And again. They got to their feet, and Finlay gets a backslide: 1…2…NO! Sami goes for a Stretch Muffler, but Finlay kicks out of it and gets a cross armbreaker! AWESOME COUNTER! SAMI TAPS!

Finlay gets on the microphone afterwards and tells Sami he has to stop worrying about the bullshit feuds (Sabu, AR Fox) and focus on becoming a better wrestler. Sami says that he has nothing to say. And the Sami Callihan face turn begins. This is probably for the best.

This was a good main event. Sami and Finlay just have that chemistry that is both incredibly interesting to see unfold, while simultaneously making both of them look great. Having said that, Sami losing another match to a “bigger” star (like Sabu and BxB Hulk recently) seems silly to me. I understand that they are going for a story where Sami loses repeatedly, and that makes him realizes he has to change his approach, but all these losses in the meantime seem silly. The crowd still loves Sami though.
Match Rating: ***3/4

The 411: I do feel bad for Evolve, because the original lineup announced would have been much better than this. However, I have to judge the show like any other Evolve show, and based on that, this show was not anything special at all. The show’s replay/DVD is basically going to be sold on how much you want to see a middle chapter in the Taylor/Gargano feud, a disappointing Ki/Generico match, and a rematch in the main event that will be overshadowed by the competitors’ original match. All in all, this feels like a DGUSA “C” Show where a lot of the main talent is bundled into half the matches, the rest of the card seems unimportant, and the crowd is only partially invested in the results. Hopefully their iPPVs on May 11-12th come off better and with talent unlikely to have border issues in North Carolina, they’ll likely return to the usual Evolve form.

Recommendation: Unless you are a completest, wait for the show to be on sale to see the main event. Watching Finlay unshackled from the WWE’s restrictions is still a treat to watch.

Thanks everybody for reading! You can send feedback to Twitter or at my email address: [email protected]. If you are a wrestling personality who would like to be interviewed by 411mania, you can also contact me in either of those ways.

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My Favorite Matches in 2012 So Far

I am now the editor of a brand new wrestling website, FreeProWrestling.com . What is this site, you ask? It’s a website that posts a free wrestling match every single weekday. All matches are legally provided by the promotions that originally put them on. Occasionally, we are lucky enough to have the wrestlers of the matches exclusively discuss the matches retrospectively. So far, we’ve been lucky to have thoughts from Eddie Kingston , Prince Devitt , Sugar Dunkerton , AR Fox , and more! If you like wrestling and you hate spending money, I think you will enjoy it!