By Sean Radican, Torch columnist

RADICAN’S RPW “HIGH STAKES 2015” REPORT
FEB. 15, 2015
LONDON, ENGLAND

The show is run in what appears to be a packed venue with good lighting. The entrance way features a video screen and a small ramp that goes all the way to the ring. The fans were hot for the introduction of the show. Colt Cabana came out first. He said it had been a long time since he was in RPW. Cabana said about a year ago he lost a match in RPW. The fans booed and one of the announcers was happy about his loss. He said he had lost a Retirement match in RPW. Cabana said he didn’t think he would lose. The fans started a you’ve still got it chant, which made Cabana laugh. Cabana said in wrestling forever is only a year. Cabana asked the fans to chant for him so he could get a match. Lord Gideon Grey made his way down to the ring. The announcers said he’s the man behind orchestrating this whole thing.

Grey came out with his entourage. The fans heckled him and he announced himself to boos. Grey said he beat Cabana fair and square and he was sent away. Grey said Cabana had agreed never to compete in RPW again. Grey had his lawyer speak. The fans drowned out the lawyer with boos. The fans chanted that they wanted Colt. Grey grabbed the mic and said they had an iron-clad legally binding agreement. He said Cabana could never compete in RPW again. Grey said if Cabana touches anyone in a physical manner, he will sue him. Grey told Cabana he would take everything from him. He said he would take his merchandise and website and kill them. He said he would also take Cabana’s studio flat. Grey told security to take Cabana away. Cabana left voluntarily with security as a member of Grey’s entourage sang the goodbye song. The fans booed.

Grey said 13 might be an unlucky number for some, but tonight he will extend the most legitimate streak in sports and entertainment. He said tonight would be his luckiest night ever and let out a big woo. The fans booed as he left the ring. The fans sang the goodbye song as Grey and his entourage left the ring.

(1) Rocky Romero vs. Josh Bodom. Bodom was booed coming out. Romero came out to a good pop. Bodom took a cheap shot at Romero as he made his way around ringside. Bodom backed Romero against the ropes and nailed him with a slap across the face. Romero got a flying arm bar, but Bodom got the ropes right away. Romero began kicking away at Bodom’s arm. Bodom went for a sunset flip, but Romero blocked it and slapped him across the face. Romero hung himself in the ropes and baited Bodom into charging at him. Bodom missed and flew to the floor where Romero nailed him with a running kick from the apron. Bodom popped up and cut Romero off as he got back into the ring by kicking the rope into his groin. Bodom worked over Romero for several minutes, but Romero caught him with a jumping knee to the head as he came off the ropes and both men were down. Romero fired up and sent Bodom to the outside. He nailed Bodom with a dive through the ropes. Romero climbed up one of the pillars near ring side and the fans applauded. Bodom and Romero began trading forearms in the middle of the ring a short time later. Bodom slapped Romero and told him to bring it. Romero wound his arm up and poked Bodom in the eyes.

Romero continued to work over Bodom and went after his arm, but Bodom fired back and lifted him up into a knee to the head for a 2 count, which is a move Romero had countered earlier in the match. Romero tried hanging himself in the ropes again, but Bodom nailed him with a superkick and hit him with a big piledriver over the ropes for a near fall and the fans applauded Romero kicking out. Bodom sold disbelief and covered Romero again for a 2 count. The fans chanted for Rocky as Bodom went up top. Romero got up and shook the ropes to crotch Bodom. They battled up top and Romero got a flying arm bar off the top. Bodom held on, but tapped out once Romero fully applied the arm bar.

Winner: Rocky Romero

Star rating: (***) – This show had fantastic heat from the crowd. They had a fun back and forth match with Romero doing some work on Bodom’s arm to set up the flying arm bar finish off the top, which was very impressive.

(2) Sha Samuels vs. Jake McCluskey. Samuels is out wearing a scarf and suspenders with tights and his second, James Castle, features a punk rock look. Samuels is the heel here and McCluskey is the face given the reaction of the fans to their respective entrances apparently. Castle didn’t stay at ringside once the match started. Samuels charged at McCluskey and ate a kick and a standing moonsault for a 2 count. McCluskey clotheslined Samuels over the top to the floor and after an exchange near the apron nailed him with a jumping knee to the chest. McCluskey went up top and went for a moonsault, but Samuels got out of the way. McCluskey landed on his feet, but Samuels managed to wiped him out and slammed him down to the mat. Samuels began working over McCluskey with strikes in the corner. McCluskey mounted a comeback and hit a hurricanrana out of the corner followed by a dropkick, but Samuels quickly cut him off with a powerslam for a 2 count. The fans were all over Samuels as he worked over McCluskey. The fans tried to rally behind McCluskey as Samuels worked him over on the floor. McCluskey jumped right into the ring after Samuels tried to toss him into the apron. He charged right back and hit a dive through the ropes as the fans fired up. A short time later, he stood on top of Samuels’s back inside the ring and hit a standing moonsault for a 2 count. McCluskey went for a discus lariat, but Samuel ducked and hi a sit out slam. He hit a spinebuster a short time later, but McCluskey kicked out at 2. Wave countered a powerbomb attempt and went up top for a moonsault, but Samuels got his knees up.

Samuels followed up with a piledriver, but McCluskey rolled to the floor. McCluskey barely beat the 10 count from the ref. Samuels lifted McCluskey by his hair and spit on him. McCluskey fired back with a discus lariat. McCluskey went up top and hit a moonsault elbow and Samuels rolled to the outside. Castle ran down the ring and nailed McCluskey with a chair shot to the back for the DQ.

Castle continued to attack McCluskey with the chair after the ref called for the DQ. Samuels took the chair and nailed McCluskey across the back with it. The fans booed as the heels posed in the ring. Samuels got on the mic and said he’s the longest reigning champion in RPW history as he dragged the ring announcer around ringside. He eventually left the ring with Castle. The announcers said they are a threat to everyone in RPW.

Winner: Jake McCluskey

Star rating: (**3/4) – The match was a bit slow at the start, but it really picked up leading into the DQ. Samuels was able to fend off McCluskey’s high-flying offense several times during the match, but McCluskey had finally gotten the better of him when Castle came out and caused a DQ. McCluskey was impressive with his high-flying and hard-hitting offense here.

Lord Gideon Gray came out for his open challenge. He got on the mic and the fans heckled him. He said it didn’t matter who faced him because he is the greatest wrestling in RPW history. He said he would take on anyone not named Colt Cabana. Matt Classic then came out to answer the open challenge and the fans applauded. The announcers said Classic was the man that had wrestled Frank Gotch to a three hour time limit draw, which was funny. Gray asked him how stupid do you think I am. He told the ref it was obviously Cabana under a mask. The ref asked him if he’s Colt Cabana and Classic dryly said no. The fans applauded and Gray bailed to the floor and didn’t look happy at all. Classic continued to do his wacky stretching routine in the ring. Gray jumped Classic and the match was on.

(3) Matt Classic vs. Gideon Gray. Classic fired back and the fans chanted for him as Gray regrouped on the floor. Classic did a neck stand in the ring and Gray tried to punch and kick him, but Classic held the stretch. Gray kicked his legs out from under him, but Classic did a powerful kick out at one. Gray went for a test of strength, but Classic planted him to the mat and Gray had to be dragged to the floor by his associates. The announcers argued about whether or not it was really Cabana under the mask. Classic went for the iron claw, but Gray managed to roll out to the floor. One of Gray’s men got up on the apron and revealed he had a leopard wrestling singlet on, which allowed Gray to jump Cabana from behind. Gray grabbed a sleeper and went for a splash a short time later, but he simply bounced off Classic and crumpled to the mat. Classic hit a heart punch, but the ref got pulled to the floor. Classic grabbed a camel clutch a short time later and Gray grabbed for a weapon that had been tossed to him. The ref got distracted again and Gray hit Classic with a foreign object and tossed it back to his lawyer. Gray made the cover, but Classic kicked out at 2. Gray’s entourage tried to distract Classic, but he backed them down. Classic hit a long airplane spin on Gray and the fans popped. Classic then came off the first turnbuckle with a splash for the win much to the delight of the fans.

The fans booed Gray after the match and sang the goodbye song.

Winner: Matt Classic

Star rating: (**1/2) – This was a fun comedy match with Classic overcoming outside interference and heel tactics by Gray to get the win much to the delight of the crowd.

(4) The Addiction (Frankie Kazarian & Christopher Daniels) vs. 2 Unlimited (Jay & Patrick Sammon). Both teams got a good reception coming out. The announcers hyped 2 Unlimited as a top rising tag team. Everyone shook hands before the match began. 2 Unlimited showcased some nice double team maneuvers during the early going on Kazarian and then Daniels. 2 Unlimited got the upper hand on Kazarian. Daniels dragged him to the outside and 2 Unlimited eventually nailed them with a pair of dives through the ropes. Daniels called for a timeout back inside the ring. He offered Patrick a handshake, but he grabbed a headlock. Kazarian took a cheap shot from the apron, but Patrick blocked it. Kazarian eventually tripped him from the outside and Daniels followed up with a springboard moonsault to get the upper hand. Daniels and Kazarian nailed Patrick with a series of double team maneuvers and the fans applauded. The Addiction began to utilize some heelish tactics to work over Patrick. Jay tried to run into the ring, but Kazarian tossed him to the floor. Daniels eventually wiped out both members of 2 Unlimited with an Asai moonsault to the floor. The fans chanted for Daniels after he hit the move. Kazarian and Patrick ended up hitting clotheslines at the same time and both men were down. Daniels dragged Jay off the apron. He entered the ring and argued with the ref, which allowed The Addiction to put the boots to Patrick.

The fans fired up with Patrick taking a sustained beating. Patrick eventually hit an enzuguri on Daniels and both men were down. Jay got the hot tag and ran wild on Kazarian. Jay fended off a double team attempt from The Addiction and tagged in Patrick. They isolated Kazarian and nailed him with a series of moves in the corner. They eventually nailed him with a double team Alabama slam into a back breaker, but Daniels broke up the pin. Daniels tossed Jay out of the ring. The Addiction took control after wiping out Patrick and then Daniels nailed him with a dive through the ropes. Kazarian eventually hit Patrick with an ace crusher for a 2 count. The action broke down with Jay and Daniels exchanging blows in the ring. Jay hit Daniels with a spinning kick, but Daniels caught him with a springboard DDT. Everyone hit moves and everyone was down after Daniels and Patrick went for a cross-body off the ropes at the same time. The fans applauded and the ref began his count. 2 Unlimited ended up catching Kazarian with a double superkick. 2 Unlimited went up top and hit a pair of 450s at the same time from the same turnbuckle on Daniels for the win. The announcers sold shock 2 Unlimited picking up the win.

Daniels asked the crowd to be quiet after the match. He told the fans to shut their mouths. Daniels said there’s only one reason why they won the match. He teased a heel turn, but ended up telling them they won because they were the better team. Daniels said they had been everywhere and they knew the talent it takes to pin their shoulders to the mat. Daniels said they earned it tonight. Daniels said if the fans and RPW wants to see them go at it again, he wanted another shot. Both teams then shook hands as the fans chanted for one more match.

Winners: 2 Unlimited

Star rating: (***1/2) – This was impressive showing from both teams here. The crowd was into the action and they had a good match that built with a long heat segment on Patrick before the action really picked up down the stretch. Some of the sequences down the stretch weren’t crisp, but overall I was impressed with this match.

The Hooligans came out wearing the RPW Tag Team Titles. Apparently they had stolen them from The Thrillers. Zak got on the mic before the match started. He said they are the RPW Tag Team Champions and the fans booed. He tried to get the announcer to announce them as the Tag Team Champions, so he did. The fans booed. The announcer then introduced the official champions to bring out their oppoenents. Joel Redman came out first. They then brought out his partner. The fans popped for the surprise announcement of Mark Haskins. The announcer said even though they had feuded, they are still technically the RPW Tag Team Champions.

(5) RPW Tag Team Champions The Thrillers (Mark Haskins & Joel Redman) vs. The UK Hooligans (Roy & Zak Knight). Both teams brawled into the crowd right away. Haskins set up Zak against the ringpost and nailed him with a running dropkick. Roy wiped out Redman, but Haskins ended up whipping him into a pile of chairs as the fans fired up. Roy set up Haskins on a chair on the outside and wiped him out with a huge running clothesline as the brawl continued on the floor. Haskins tossed Zak into the ring and the fans fired up, but he ended up taking a poke to the eyes. The Hooligans hit a powerbomb/neck breaker combination on Haskins and tossed Redman back to the floor. Haskins fired back on The Hooligans inside the ring. He got a sharpshooter on Zak, but Roy broke it up with a superkick. Redman finally got back into the ring and came to Haskins’s aid. They tied up the Hooligans in a double submission and the fans applauded. Redman and Haskins began tagging in and out to work over Zak. Redman held Zak in a modified surfboard and Haskins ended up nailing him with several kicks and finally a big dropkick. Roy ended up hitting Haskins with a knee as he bounced off the ropes and Zak eventually nailed him with a huge clothesline. The Hooligans hit a superplex/top rope leg drop combination on Haskins, who the announcers mentioned was just coming back from injury. Roy was slow to make the cover and only got a 2 count.

Haskins took a sustained beating from the Hooligans. Haskins tried to fire back, but took a big double team German from the Hooligans. Haskins finally mounted a comeback and made the hot tag to Redman, who ran wild. He hit a double northern lights suplex on the Hooligans and the fans fired up. Redman nailed Roy with a neck breaker over his knee and a huge brainbuster. Haskins made the tag and Redman held Zak up and Haskins came off the top with a double stomp for a near fall. The fans fired up and really got into the action. Haskins set up for a superkick on Zak, but Roy grabbed his leg from the outside, which allowed Zak to get the upper hand. The Hooligans hit a doomsday device on Haskins, but Redman broke up the pin. The fans chanted LOD, LOD for the spot. Haskins and Zak were slow to get to their feet. Haskins caught a kick attempt from Zak and grabbed his leg. He rolled through and lifted him up for a DVD, but Zak’s feet hit the ref. The fans counted the pin, but the ref was down. Roy nailed Redman with a belt shot. Haskins took Roy out. He then went for a dive through the ropes on Zak, but Zak caught him and suplexed him onto the apron. The fans gasped at the impact of the move. Roy put Haskins on the top turnbuckle and hit a super DDT halfway across the ring, but Haskins kicked out at the very last second and the fans applauded. Roy sold shock inside the ring. The fans chanted for Haskins. The Hooligans set him up for another doomsday device, but he countered it and tagged in Redman. Redman hit a spear on Roy. He then hit a spinning tombstone on Zak for the win. Wow!

The fans stood and applauded when the match was over. The Hooligans offered to shake hands after the match, but then pulled their hands back and left the ring to boos. Haskins and Redman shook hands and posed with the belts to another round of applause to the fans.

Winner: Mark Haskins & Joel Redman to retain the RPW Tag Team Titles.

Star rating: (***3/4) – This was a really good match from start to finish. The brawling segment at the start wasn’t very exciting at times, but once the pace picked up during the second half of the match, this was excellent. Haskins was really good here and I enjoyed watching his high-intensity offense and selling when the Hooligans worked him over.

Ricochet was out next for his shot at Marty Scurll’s Undisputed British Hvt. Championship. He got a good reaction coming out for the match. The Fans did a soccer style chant for Ricochet’s name once he got into the ring. They then sang “All Night Long.” Marty Scurll came out next to a mixed reaction. The announcers said whoever you put in front of Scurlll, he pins their shoulders to the matt. Scurll came out with Josh Bodom, Sha Samuels, and James Castle. The announcers said the odds were stacked against Ricochet. Ricochet whispered all of the titles he held to the announcer and he said them all to the crowd. The fans fired up when he was announced as a former RPW Tag Team Champion.

(6) Undisputed British Hvt. Champion Marty Scurll (w/Josh Bodom, Sha Samuels, & James Castle) vs. Ricochet. Scurll tired up Ricochet’s legs and then grabbed an arm submission. Ricochet fired back and stepped on Scurll’s hand. Ricochet hit a beautiful dropkick on Scurll and flexed as the fans applauded. Samuels tripped Ricochet as he came off the ropes. The ref kicked Samuels out from ringside. Ricochet ended up teasing a dive on Scurll, but then hit a huge dive over the top to wipe out The Revolutionists on the floor. He then wiped out Scurll with a Fosbury flop variation and the fans went nuts. Scurll and Ricochet went back and forth on the floor. The announcers said it was an even match now with The Revolutionists thrown out from ringside. Ricochet hung Scurll over his back and drove his head into the turnbuckles before dumping him down to the mat for a 2 count and the fans applauded. Scurll fired back and dumped Ricochet stomach-first over the turnbuckles before sending him to the floor with an uppercut. Scurll teased a dive and then stepped onto the apron and hit a double axe handle on Ricochet. Scurll went after Ricochet’s arm on the outside and kicked it while it was wedged in the guardrail. The fans heckled Scurll as he worked over Ricochet on the floor. The action resumed back inside the ring with Scurll in control. Scurll tied up Ricochet’s legs and then put his gum in Ricochet’s mouth. The ref took the gum and Scurll put it back in his mouth. Scurll then lifted Ricochet into a surfboard and rolled around the ring while bridging him up over his head. The fans applauded the spot and then booed Scurll.

Ricochet tried to fire back and hit went for a handspring off the ropes, but Scurll nailed him with a dropkick for a 2 count. Ricochet finally fired back and caught Scurll by surprise with a running ace crusher off the ropes and the fans fired up. Scurll got up and jawed with the fans, which allowed Ricochet to nail him with a flurry of offense capped by a springboard clothesline for a 2 count. Ricochet hit a GTS style kick and a standing SSP for a near fall and the fans fired up again. They went back and forth exchanging counters. Scurll ducked the benadriller and eventually hit a tornado DDT. He rolled through and went for the chicken wing, but Ricochet escaped. Ricochet went for a standing SSP, but Scurll got his knees up. Scurll then hit a pump-handle neck breaker for a 2 count. That was an incredible exchange! Wow! The fans fired up and applauded as both men regrouped. Ricochet rolled to the floor and Scurll went for a baseball dropkick, but Ricochet caught him with an uppercut. Ricochet eventually caught Scurll with a big kick off the apron. Ricochet missed a moonsault and landed on his feet. Scurll then set up for a dive, but ended up nailing Ricochet with a huge kick from the apron. Scurll nailed Ricochet with a huge running uppercut that sent Ricochet over the barricade and into the crowd. The ref began the 10 count. Ricochet made it back to ringside and collapsed. Ricochet barely beat the ref’s count by diving into the ring. Scurll slapped Ricochet and he stumbled around the ring. They began trading uppercuts. Ricochet put his hands up to block a superkick, so Scrull kicked his legs out from under him. They went back and forth exchanging big blows. Ricochet finally hit a spinning sit out powerbomb for a near fall and the fans applauded with both men down on the mat. That was another great exchange.

Both men began exchanging slaps from their knees. They got up and continued to exchange slaps. Scurll hit a flurry of slaps and forearms. Ricochet fired up and nailed Scurll with a spinning kick and a roundhouse kick to the head. The fans fired up as Ricochet went up top. He went for a 630, but Scurll got out of the way. Scurll got the chicken wing and suplexed Ricochet. Ricochet got right up, but ate a huge clothesline. Scurll got the chicken wing again. Scurll locked his legs around Ricochet and dropped him to the mat and he was forced to tap.

Scurll left the ring and the Ricochet was left alone. He got a big ovation from the fans and they chanted his name. Ricochet got on the mic and said last time he was supposed to tag with Swann and he couldn’t make it. He said he wanted to come back and make it up to the fans. The fans fired up and chanted for Ricochet. Ricochet thanked the fans for being awesome. The fans applauded for Ricochet once again.

Winner: Marty Scurll to retain the British Hvt. Championship

Star rating: (****1/4) – This was an absolutely awesome contest. Scurll had to win the match by himself after the Revolutionists were kicked out of the match by the ref. They had some incredible exchanges with some great high-flying early and then with counter-wrestling down the stretch. The fans really got into the action during the second half of the match, which was fantastic.

Will Ospreay was out first to a big pop. He was dressed in his Assassins Creed garb. The announcers said A.J. Styles was the man that inspired him to be a wrestler. This match is billed as an International Dream match. The fans chanted for Ospreay when his music stopped playing. IWGP Hvt. Champion A.J. Styles came out next to a big pop. Styles definitely got the biggest pop of the night coming out.

(8) British Cruiserweight Champion Will Ospreay vs. IWGP Hvt. Champion A.J. Styles in a Non-title match. The fans chanted for both men after the opening bell rang to begin the match. Styles offered a handshake and Ospreay accepted. The heel announcer didn’t like that. The announcers mentioned that Styles had beaten Tanahashi recently to recapture the IWGP Hvt. Title. Styles hit a chop block after a fast exchange early and grabbed a headlock on the mat. They went to another big exchange and Ospreay eventually took Styles down with a hurricanrana. Ospreay hit a handspring hurricanrana a short time later and the fans applauded. Ospreay began working over Styles and nailed him with a big sliding dropkick off the ropes, but Styles kicked out at 1. Styles fired back and slipped around Ospreay and went for the calf killer, but Ospreay countered and eventually nailed Styles with a big kick to the gut. Ospreay began targeting Styles’s mid-section inside the ring. The fans chanted for both men with Ospreay in control. Ospreay caught Styles with a huge dropkick off the ropes inside the ring, but Styles rolled to the floor. The fans fired up with both men going at it on the outside. Styles slid under the guardrail and went for a springboard, but Ospreay tripped him chin-first into the guardrail. Ospreay went for a springboard, but Styles caught him and hit a huge backbreaker.

Styles took control and began working over Ospreay on the outside as the fans chanted his name. Styles hit another big back breaker inside the ring. Ospreay went for a springboard, but Styles caught him and hit a spinning backbreaker over his back on Ospreay. The action spilled to the floor and Styles hit a backbreaker over the guardrail and the fans gasped. Styles took control back inside the ring and hit a big back suplex. The fans started to shift their support slightly towards Ospreay. Ospreay eventually caught Styles with a springboard dropkick and both men were down on the mat. Ospreay ducked a charge from Styles and nailed him with a flurry offense capped by a handspring kick. Ospreay appeared to have suffered a cut somewhere on his head. Ospreay continued to run wild and hit a knee drop to the head through the ropes on Styles. Ospreay caught Styles with a huge dive over the top rope and both men were down on the outside. Ospreay and Styles ended up in the ring and Ospreay hit a standing twisting senton on Styles for a 2 count. He followed up with a German with a bridge, but Styles kicked out again. Styles fired back and hit a German and then a face buster for a near fall. Ospreay went for a tornado DDT through the ropes, but Styles caught him and suplexed him into the turnbuckles. Styles then set up Ospreay for the Styles clash and the fans booed, but Ospreay popped up and hit a jumping knee to Styles’s head. The fans applauded with both men down on the mat once again. Both men began exchanging blows from their knees. They got to their feet and continued to exchange blows. Ospreay and Styles continued to go back and forth until Ospreay hit a huge springboard ace crusher for a near fall and the fans gasped. What an exchange! The fans chanted this is awesome with both men down on the mat.

Ospreay went up top and missed a SSP press. He landed on his feet, but sold his leg. Styles rolled through on Ospreay a short time later and grabbed the calf killer again. The face announcer said he should tap out to save his career. Ospreay struggled and the fans shouted. He teased tapping, but ended up diving to the ropes to break the hold and the fans applauded. Wow! The fans chanted for both men. Styles went after Ospreay’s leg, but he managed to hit an enzuguri. Styles managed to fire back and hit a springboard forearm. Ospreay rolled through on a Styles clash attempt and caught Styles in a pinning combination for a near fall. Ospreay countered Styles’s signature inverted DDT and hit a sit-out driver for a 2 count. Ospreay fired up on the mat with Styles down and not moving. Ospreay dragged Styles into position and went up top. Ospreay signaled for the SSP. Ospreay took forever to set up and the fans fired up. Styles popped up and crotched Ospreay by hitting the ropes. Styles tried to grab Ospreay into the Styles clash, but he kicked his way out. Styles hit a big brainbuster a short time later and the fans applauded. They went back and forth and Styles caught Ospreay with a Pele kick up top. He then hit a Styles clash off the turnbuckles for the win! Holy s---!

The fans came to their feet and applauded after the match. The announcers said it took the performance of Styles’s life to beat their man. The fans chanted thank you A.J. after the match. The fans then chanted for Ospreay. Styles helped Ospreay to his feet and shook his hand. The fans chanted that was awesome and Styles says they were right and it was all because of Ospreay. Styles said he was glad to wrestle Ospreay because he’s one of the best and will get better. He said despite the fact their belts weren’t on the line, they wrestled like they were for the fans. Styles said the first time he was ever allowed in England this was the first building he wrestled in. The fans chanted for Styles to come back. Styles said he would be back as long as the fans didn’t forget about hi. Styles and Ospreay then hugged. Styles then raised Ospreay’s hand.

Winner: A.J. Styles

Star rating: (****1/2) – This was an amazing back and forth match. Styles got the calf killer briefly during the early going and it seemed to impact Ospreay’s leg as the match wore on. Ospreay was really impressive here with his slick high-flying and innovative counter wrestling. Styles went for the Styles clash several times down the stretch, but Ospreay had an answer every time until the end of the match. Ospreay’s springboard ace crusher was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen in the ring. He seemed to hang in the air forever before connecting with it late in the match. This one is well-worth going out of your way to see.

Overall thoughts: (8.0) – I had heard good things about RPW and decided to see what the promotion was all about. They bring in a fantastic mix of international talent to mix with talent from the U.K. The last two matches were about as good of a one, two punch as you’re going to get to end a show.

The undercard was impressive as well with several very good matches. Romero-Bodom started the show off hot. I was immediately grabbed by how passionate the fans were at the start of the show and they never let up. They were for most of the show, but they were really hot for the last two matches.

Other highlights on the show included a very good match between 2 Unlimited and The Addiction. 2 Unlimited picked up a huge win over a name team here in a good match. The tag match that followed between The Thrillers and The UK Hooligans was very good bordering on excellent at times. I was especially impressed with Haskins in this match.

The matches you’re really going to want go out of your way to see are Scurll defending the British Hvt. Championship against Ricochet and Ospreay-Styles in the main event. I really enjoyed Scurll vs. Ricochet. For once, a ref was made to look strong and he kicked the Revolutionists out of the match after they interfered early. Ricochet and Scurll had some great exchanges and the match really picked up, especially during the second half with some fantastic exchanges before Scurll got the submission win.

The main event had a nice built-in storyline with Ospreay getting into wrestling because of Styles. They had an incredible match that told a fantastic story with Styles getting the calf killer early. Ospreay’s leg seemed to bother him as the match went on, but he showed great fire going toe-to-toe with Styles. He continually blocked Styles’s attempts to hit the Styles clash during the match and they built up to a great sequence late where Styles got the calf killer again and Ospreay showed great intensity. He teased tapping, but ended up firing up and lunging for the ropes to break the hold. The finish was incredible as well with Styles finally hitting the Styles clash off the second turnbuckle to finish Ospreay off.

RPW is definitely a promotion worth checking out. The show looked great in HD on VOD and you’ve got the option to download it as well through their on demand service powered by Vimeo. A lot of the UK talent was very impressive and they had some great matches on this card. I can’t emphasize enough how awesome the RPW crowd is providing a World Cup style of atmosphere for the show and being into just about everything on the card. Thumbs up!

You can purchase RPW’s “High Stakes 2015” on VOD/MP4 download by clicking HERE; or by visiting RPWOnDemand.com. For more information on RPW visit RevolutionProWrestling.com.

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RADICAN'S ROH "All-Star Extravaganza VII" PPV BLOG 9/18: Booking issues dampen excellent in-ring action