By Sean Radican, Torch columnist

RADICAN’S KING OF INDIES 2015: NIGHT 2 REPORT
MARCH 28, 2015
SAN JOSE, CALIF.
AIRED LIVE ON WWNLIVE.COM

(1) Brian Cage vs. Jeff Cobb in a King of Indies 2015 Quarterfinal Round match. Both men went back and forth on the mat during the early stages of the match. They went back and forth off the ropes and Cage finally decked Cobb with a dropkick. The announcers were absent during the early going, but they fixed the technical difficulties quickly. Cage hit a delayed vertical suplex on Cobb and the fans fired up. Cage went for a standing moonsault, but Cobb got out of the way and nailed him with a series of rolling gut-wrench suplexes, but Cage countered the third one and hit a side Russian leg sweep. Cage hit a 6-1-9 on Cobb and the fans fired up. Cobb fired right back and caught Cage by surprise with a northern lights suplex with a bridge for a 2 count. Cage went right back on the attack. These two are gigantic men, so this is a genuine HOSS battle. Cobb finally fired back and hit an exploder into the turnbuckles on Cage for a 2 count. Cobb fired up and hit a flurry of offense capped by a basement dropkick and then a pinning combination for a 2 count and the fans applauded. Cage hit a pump handle into a falcon arrow, but Cobb kicked out at the last second. The fans fired up and chanted for Cobb. Cage went up top and dropped a big elbow, but Cobb kicked out at 2. The fans chanted back and forth for Cobb and Cage. Cage went for a running bulldog, but Cobb caught him and hit tour of the islands only for Cage to kick out at the last second. Both men went back and forth trading blows. Cage went for a springboard, but Cobb caught him. Cobb went for another tour of the islands, but Cage countered him and hit a sit out slam for another near fall. The fans fired up once again as Cage lifted Cobb onto his back. Cobb countered and hit a dead-lift German. Cobb hit another German and held on, but Cage slipped behind him and turned him inside out with a big German.

Both men were slow to recover and began exchanging blows from their knees. They got up and continued to trade big blows. Cage went for a backslide, but couldn’t hold on so he turned Cobb inside out with a discus clothesline for a near fall. Cage nailed Cobb with a series of kicks and went for a clothesline, but Cobb caught him with the tour of the islands for the win!

Both men raised their hands after the match as the fans applauded. It was well-deserved, as this was a fantastic match. The announcers said the match was for Roland Alexander.

Winner: Jeff Cobb

Star rating: (***3/4) – Awesome back and forth match with both guys trading big moves throughout the match. Cobb countering Cage at the end of the match and catching him with a second tour of the islands was insane!


(2) Timothy Thatcher vs. Vinnie Masarro. The fans chanted “Thatcher’s gonna kill you” at Masarro once he got into the ring. Masarro went for a guillotine early, but Thatcher quickly escaped. Both men went back and forth on the mat, but Masarro eventually escaped and rolled to the floor. Massaro slammed Thatcher to the mat out of the corner and short time later. Both men went back and forth on the mat. Thatcher went after Masarro’s arm and tried to work a kimura, but he ended up getting the ropes. The fans fired up as both men went at it on the mat once again. Thatcher went for a cross-arm breaker, but Masarro blocked it. Thatcher threw some elbows from underneath and Masarro fired back with slaps from the mount. Thatcher nearly got the arm once again, but Masarro managed to escape. They got to their feet and Masarro went for a chop, but Thatcher blocked it. The fans chanted for Thatcher and he smiled before going back at it with Masarro. They traded big forearms before Thatcher swept Masarro’s legs and went for a cross-arm breaker again, but Masarro blocked it. They went back and forth and Masarro hit an STO and grabbed a side choke. Thatcher got up and began hitting some big knees to Masarro’s mid-section, but Masarro nailed him with a belly-to-back suplex. Thatcher got Fujiwara arm bar and turned Masarro away from the ropes and he was forced to tap.

Both men shook hands after the match.

Winner: Timothy Thatcher

Star rating: (***1/4) – This was a solid technical battle. Both guys went back and forth with Masarro trying to counter Thatcher on the mat and stay away from his arm submissions. They had some good exchanges leading into the finish when Thatcher finally caught Masarro with a Fujiwara arm bar.

(3) Adam Thornstowe vs. Luster The Legend in a King of Indies 2015 Quarterfinal Round match. These guys are regular tag team partners on the California independent scene as Reno Scum. Gill mentioned that these two are best friends, but they are going at it in this match. Roberts mentioned that this was the first time these two had met in the ring outside of a training session. Luster fired up and went for a running dropkick, which allowed Thornstowe to nail him with a big senton. Luster caught Thornstowe with a big backdrop a short time later and hit a standing diving headbutt for a 1 count. Thornstowe knocked Luster off the apron with a big jumping knee and followed up with a suicide dive. He went for a springboard, but Luster tripped him and hit a Legend bomb on the apron. Luster worked over Thornstowe back inside the ring and caught him with a big spinebuster for a 2 count. Thornstowe countered a Legend bomb and hit a kick to the head. They went back and forth and Luster eventually hit a gut wrench powerbomb for a 2 count. They ended up going at it up top. Thornstowe went for a sunset bomb off the top, but Luster held on. Thornstowe then kicked his legs out from under him and nailed him with a double stomp off the top and the fans lost their minds. Thornstowe and Luster went back and forth. Thornstowe hit a superman punch and a superkick. He went for another superkick, but Luster blocked it and got a Texas cloverleaf. Thornstowe managed to get the ropes and Luster went back on the attack.

Luster got a cobra clutch and turned it into a back breaker. Thornstowe fired back and hit a superkick. He followed up with a DVD and covered Luster, but he kicked out at the last second. Both guys went back and forth and Thornstowe hit another superkick and a tombstone for the win. Wow!

Both men hugged after the match as the fans applauded.

Winner: Adam Thornstowe

Star rating: (***1/2) – This was a fantastic match between two friends and tag partners. They did NOT hold back and traded bombs from start to finish. There were some really good counter sequences down the stretch. Thornstowe’s top rope double stomp on Luster when he was hung upside down in the ropes was sick.

(4) Rey Horus vs. Willie Mack in a King of Indies 2015 Quarterfinal Round match. Both men shook hands before going at it. Mack used his power advantage during the early going and tossed Horus to the ground several times. The fans chanted for Mack and then chanted Lucha for Horus. They went to a sick exchange off the ropes and Horus flipped over Mack’s back and hit an arm drag. They went at it again and this time Mack caught Horus with an arm drag. They traded arm drags and then both men went for a dropkick at the same time. They both kipped up and the fans popped huge. Holy s—t! The fans chanted Chocolate Thunder for Mack. Mack grabbed a headlock and dragged Horus around the ring. Horus tried to fire back, but Mack dragged him around the ring again while holding onto the headlock. Mack nailed Horus with a boot to the face. Mack finished another big sequence by nailing Horus with a huge clothesline and the fans fired up, but he only got a 2 count. Mack lifted up Horus and hitting a running brainbuster out of the corner, but it was only good for a 2 count. Horus ducked a charge in the corner and held onto Mack’s arm while running up the ropes. Horus eventually hit a big arm drag. They went back and forth and Horus eventually hit a springboard hurricanrana to the floor that sent Mack into the guardrail and the fans went nuts.

Mack fired back on the outside and nailed Horus with a huge slap to the face. Both men countered each other going for an Irish whip and Mack tossed Horus through the guardrail. Holy crap! They ended up back inside the ring and Mack covered Horus for a 2 count. Horus fired back and hit an enzuguri on the apron that sent Mack to the floor. Horus then went up top and hit a corkscrew moonsault to the floor and the fans lost their minds! Holy crap!!! Horus tossed Mack back into the ring and came off the top with a big cross body. He then nailed Mack with a sick tornado DDT, but Mack kicked out at the very last second. The fans chanted for Mack, who tried to mount a comeback. Mack slammed Horus to the mat and went up top. He went for a swanton, but Horus rolled out of the way. Mack blocked another tornado DDT a short time later and hit a jumping piledriver for the win. Good lord! This was awesome.

Mack helped Horus up after the match and shook his hand. The fans applauded for Mack as he celebrated alone in the ring.

Winner: Willie Mack

Star rating: (***3/4) – This was really good, despite the fact that they only got 9 minutes. The back and forth action was insane and Horus once again blew my mind with his high-flying. Mack is so impressive with how quickly he can move in the ring for someone with his size. Great stuff from both guys here.

(5) Ultimo Dragon (w/Sonny Onno) vs. Juventud Guerrera in a Special Attraction Dream Lucha Libre match. This is the special showcase match of the evening. Guerrera came out wearing Dragon’s match, but took it off to reveal his own mask. Dragon came out next with his old manager Sonny Onno! Streamers flooded the ring with Dragon got into the ring. Big time heat for the beginning of the match. Gill mentioned that Guerrera is much more active in wrestling than Dragon is these days. They went to a quick exchange during the early going and Dragon caught Guerrera with an arm drag and the fans applauded as both men regrouped. Dragon countered Guerrera on the mat and hit his signature satellite head scissors. The fans fired up and Dragon hit it again, which caused Guerrera to roll to the floor to regroup. The fans chanted for both men before they went back at it. They went to a fast-paced exchange and Guerrera rolled over Dragon and nailed him with a dropkick. Guerrera then hit a slingshot splash to the floor and the fans fired up again. Guerrera tossed Dragon back inside the ring and began working him over. They ended up going at it on the turnbuckles. Dragon fought Guerrera off twice and set up for a dive, but Dragon ran into the ropes and he fell to the mat selling his leg. Guerrera went up top, but Dragon nailed him with a dropkick and the fans fired up with both men down on the mat. Onno was shown on the outside celebrating with the fans.

Dragon set up for his signature Asai moonsault, but Guerrera tripped him to the floor. Onno nailed Guerrera with several kicks, but Dragon took exception. Guerrera ended up pushing Dragon into Onno. Both men went back and forth in the ring a short time later exchanging pinning combinations. Guerrera got a near fall, but Dragon immediately hit a dragon screw. He then locked in a spinning leg submission. Dragon crossed his legs and worked over Guerrera’s ankle, but he managed to get the ropes. Both guys went back and forth and Guerrera ended a big exchange with a Juvi-driver for a near fall. Dragon fired back and hit an Asai DDT for the win.

After the match, Guerrera, Onno, and Dragon celebrated together in the ring as the fans applauded.

Winner: Ultimo Dragon

Star rating: (***1/4) – This was a good match. Both guys hit their signature moves and went back and forth throughout the entire match. Guerrera and Dragon might not be as quick as they were in their prime, but they still put on a really fun match that the crowd enjoyed.

(6) Adam Thornstowe vs. Timothy Thatcher in a King of Indies 2015 Semi-Final Round match. They went back and forth on the mat during the early going with both men going for submissions. They ended up going upside down into headstands and both men slapped each other in the face before coming to a stalemate and the fans applauded both men. Thornstowe hit a big kick to the side of Thatcher’s head and covered him for a 2 count after Thatcher had collapsed to the mat. Thatcher finally fired back and slammed Thornstowe shoulder first into the mat. Thatcher removed Thornstowe’s elbow pad and began targeting his arm. The fans fired up and chanted for both men with Thatcher on the attack on the mat. Thatcher bent Thornstowe’s wrist back and trapped his shoulder down on the mat, which resulted in a 2 count. That was a crazy pinning combination, as Thatcher had pinned Thornstowe’s other arm underneath him and used his feet for leverage to create a pinning situation. Thornstowe fired back and went back on the attack and the fans fired up behind him. He continued to target Thatcher’s head. Both men began trading bombs in the middle of the ring. Thornstowe dropped Thatcher with a big superkick and Thatcher grabbed the bottom rope at the last second to break the 3 count. Thornstowe went up top and landed a giant double stomp, but Thatcher fired right back and went right back after his arm. Thatcher worked for a cross-arm breaker, but Thrornstowe blocked it and rolled on top of him for a 2 count. Thatcher went right after Thornstowe’s arm again. He eventually placed Thornstowe up top and went for the tower of London, but Thornstowe countered and hit a DVD and a big frog splash off the top. He then made the cover for the three count.

Both men shook hands after the match.

Winner: Adam Thornstowe

Star rating: (***1/2) – This was really good. Both men engaged in a hard-hitting technical battle. Thornstowe managed to avoid Thatcher’s arm bar, despite taking a ton of punishment to the arm. They had some good exchanges down the stretch, but ultimately Thornstowe managed to pick up the win with a huge frog splash.

(7) Jeff Cobb vs. Willie Mack in a King of Indies 2015 Semi-Final Round match. The fans started a dueling chant for both men before the match started. Both men went for a test of strength early and Mack forced Cobb to dance before they broke apart for a stalemate and the fans applauded. Cobb got on top of Mack and worked a chin lock, but Mack stood up with him on his back. They went back and forth before Mack missed a dropkick, but Cobb landed one for a 2 count. Cobb tossed Mack into the turnbuckles several times before hitting a belly-to-back suplex for a 2 count. Mack fired back and caught Cobb with a flying knee off the ropes. Mack draped Cobb over the ropes and nailed him with several strikes before nailing him with a variation of the eye of the storm. The fans fired up and chanted for both men. Both men went back and forth trading blows. Cobb slammed Mack to the mat and went for a standing SSP, but Mack got out of the way and hit a standing SSP of his own for a near fall! The fans chanted for both men, who struggled to get to their feet. Both men went face-to-face and began trading bombs. Mack hit a flying knee and a spinning kick, but Cobb fired back and hit a dropkick. They went back and forth and Mack countered the tour of the islands into a small package for the win.

Both men shook hands and hugged after the match was over.

Winner: Willie Mack

Star rating: (***1/4) – They didn’t get a lot of time, but this was a good back and forth hard-hitting match with both men showcasing their power. I continue to be impressed with Cobb and as always, Mack was good here. Mack’s counter of the tour of the islands was a fantastic way to finish the match.

(8) The Grappler III vs. Earl Cooter. Cooter got the upper hand and hit a dropkick through the ropes on Grappler. He then set up and hit a flip dive right on Grappler’s back. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. They ended up trading blows on the outside before going at it back inside the ring. Grappler got the upper hand and began working over Cooter. Cooter ducked a pair of elbow drops and went for a kick, but Grappler countered and hit a clothesline for a 2 count. Cooter fired back and went up top and hit a missile dropkick. He made the cover, but only got a 2 count. Grappler hit a big spinebuster, but Cooter kicked out at the last second. Cooter fired back and hit a modified unprettier for the win.

Winner: Earl Cooter – This was total filler.

(9) APW Tag Team Champions Classic Connection (Levi Shapiro & Freddie Royal) vs. Bobby Hart & Sir Samurai vs. Famous B & Marcus Lewis vs. RockNES Monsters (Johnny Goodtime & Johnny Yuma). Everyone brawled on the floor early and Lewis and B wiped them both out with stereo dives. The Classic Connection tried to bail, but Samurai hit a dive off the entranceway to wipe out a pile of men. The bell finally rang with Hart and Royal going at it in the ring. Hart got a cross-arm breaker on Royal, but he got to the ropes. Hart sling-shotted him into an ace crusher and began working him over with Samurai. Hart hit a sick slingshot German on Lewis and Goodtime tagged himself in and made a quick cover, but the Classic Connection broke up the pin. The Classic Connection tagged in and out to work over Lewis. Samurai jumped on top of Hart’s back and hit a tower of doom suplex on Marcus. Everyone ran into the ring to break up the pin. Order was restored and Samurai and Lewis began exchanging blows on the mat. Lewis nailed Samurai with several kicks and he no-sold them. Lewis finally ended the exchange with a big roundhouse kick to Samurai’s head. Samurai cut Lewis off from tagging out and the RockNES Monsters tagged themselves in and went after Lewis, but he nailed them with a double Pele kick. The fans chanted for Lewis with all three men down. Shapiro and B went at it a short time later. The action broke down and B wiped out Hart and Samurai with a double dropkick. Goodtime used Yuma as a weapon and wiped out several men until hart cut him off. Hart flipped Lewis over and nailed him with a modified GTS. Goodtime then tossed Yuma through the ropes and into Hart on the floor. Goodtime followed up with a splash to the floor. Lewis went up top, but Royal cut him off. Shapiro filled his hand with powder and tossed it into Lewis’s eyes while he was up top. Royal then rolled him up with a pinning combination for the win.

Winners: Levi Shapiro & Freddie Royal to retain the APW Tag Team Titles

Star rating: (**3/4) – This was an unexpectedly fun match. All four teams got a chance to shine and although I wasn’t expecting much going into the match, I was pleasantly surprised with how this match turned out. Hart was a lot of fun showing his power during this match. His flipping GTS on Lewis looked insane.

It’s time for the King of Indies Finals and the referee brought the trophy into the ring before the introductions. Adam Thornstowe came out first with Luster the Legend at his side. Willie Mack was out next to a good reaction from the crowd. He came out with B-Boy.

(10) Adam Thornstowe (w/Luster the Legend) vs. Willie Mack (w/B-Boy) in the King of Indies 2015 Finals. The fans went back and forth chanting for both men after the opening bell. Both men shook hands and the fans applauded. Gill mentioned that both men had competed in several matches over the last 24 hours. Thornstowe went for a shoulder tackle, but ended up running into Mack and spilling to the mat. Mack turned around and gave him a glare like he was nuts for trying a shoulder tackle. The fans were hot and chanted King of Indies before both men locked up again. Thornstowe hit a dropkick, but Mack shook it off. Both men jawed in the middle of the ring as the fans chanted for both men. Mack then dropped Thornstowe with a nice dropkick. Both men began exchanging strikes in the middle of the ring. Both men then traded headbutts. Thornstowe hit a big boot that sent Mack to the floor and set up for a dive, but Mack caught him with a kick as he came through the ropes. The action spilled to the floor and Mack nailed Thornstowe with a huge chop. Thornstowe fired back and charged at Mack, but got backdropped into the crowd. Mack then got a running start and hit a huge top con hilo over the guardrail and the fans went nuts. Holy crap! Both men went at it behind the crowd. Mack nailed Thornstowe with a discus forearm. They went back and forth and brawled through the crowd.

Mack ended up whipping Thornstowe into a pile of chairs and the fans fired up. Mack picked up Thornstowe and held a chair over his back before hitting a spinning slim onto a pile of chairs and the fans fired up again. Thornstowe fired back and tossed a chair into Mack's ’ack. He then got a running start and dropkicked a chair into Mack. The action ended up back inside the ring and Thornstowe hit a slingshot senton for a 2 count. Mack fired back and hit a huge clothesline in the corner. He then fired Thornstowe off the ropes and hit another big clothesline for a near fall. The fans chanted for Thornstowe as Mack continued to work him over. Thornstowe fired back with a Superman punch and a big running knee. He hit a running SSP a short time later, but Mack kicked out at the very last second and the fans fired up big time. They went back and forth off the ropes and Mack caught Thornstowe with the pounce. Mack crawled towards Thornstowe and made the cover, but he kicked out at the very last second! Wow! The fans could be seen standing and clapping in the background as both men regrouped. Mack caught Thornstowe with a Samoan drop and kipped up. He went up top and hit a huge moonsault and the fans applauded. The ref made the count, but Thornstowe kicked out at the very last second. Both men were slow to get up. Thornstowe fired back a short time later and hit a big double stomp, but Mack kicked out at 2. Thornstowe sold shock and looked at Luster on the outside. Thornstowe hit a running knee in the corner, but Mack blocked a superkick. Thornstowe went for a superkick, but Mack blocked it. He ate a couple of slaps, but ended up hitting an exploder on Thornstowe into the turnbuckles. Mack went up top for a corkscrew press, but Thornstowe got out of the way. Thornstowe hit a series of superkicks that wobbled Mack. He then hit a DVD, but Mack kicked out at one and the fans went nuts. Thornstowe went up top and hit a frog splash. The ref counted to 3 and Mack kicked out right after the third count. Wow! What a match.

All of the wrestlers came to the ring and Thornstowe was given a trophy for winning King of Indies 2015. Mack and Thornstowe then hugged and raised their hands for the crowds. Thornstowe put on an I Am A Roland Alexander Guy shirt and the fans chanted Roland over and over.

Thornstowe got on the mic and cut a promo. The wrestlers took a knee and Thornstowe thanked the people that put the tournament together. He put over Roland Alexander and pointed to the heavens. The fans fired up and chanted for Roland Alexander. Thornstowe thanked the fans for coming and they chanted thank you Adam. He asked for a King of Indies chant and got one. Thornstowe then thanked his family and raised the trophy. Luster and Thatcher held him up and he raised the trophy again.

Gabe Ramirez from Pro Wrestling Revolution came out and cut a promo and was very emotional. He said his mentor had started this tournament 15 years ago. He said it was for the passion and love of what they do. Ramirez then discussed how Roland Alexander gave everyone and opportunity to do what they do. He thanked the WWN family. He said California wrestling is on the map now and thanked Roland. The fans fired up and started a big chant for Roland Alexander. He concluded by saying everyone is the King of Indies. Thornstowe kissed the ring and left with his trophy.


Winner: Adam Thornstowe to win King of Indies 2015.

Star rating: (****1/2) – This was an amazing war between two men that had already wrestled two matches on this night. They started slow and really built the match to a crescendo with some great near falls down the stretch. The spot where Mack blocked a superkick and absorbed two slaps from Thornstowe before nailing him with an exploder into the turnbuckles was insane. The crowd was great for this match and this was a fitting end to a great second night of this tournament.

Overall thoughts: (8.5) – This was one heck of a show. Nearly all of the tournament matches delivered and you could tell the wrestlers were motivated to close the tournament on a strong note. I can’t put over enough how impressed I was with so many of the wrestlers in the tournament that I hadn’t seen before. Jeff Cobb, Rey Horus, and Adam Thornstowe all made big impressions during the course of this tournament, but the names I knew like Willie Mack, Timothy Thatcher, and Brian Cage held up their end of the bargain as well on this show.

The show started with a bang and never really let up except for a lull here and there. I really enjoyed seeing Cage and Cobb showcase their power in the opening match. The crowd was really hot for this show and got into several of the matches, especially the Mack-Horus match, which was insanely good for a sub-10 minute match.

Guerrera-Dragon was a really fun showcase match in-between the Quarterfinal and Semi-Final rounds of the tournament. The show picked up nicely for the semi-final round as well. Thatcher-Thornstowe was a really good hard-hitting technical battle. Mack-Cobb was good as well, although it was a very short match.

The King of Indies 2015 Finals between Thornstowe and Mack was a must-see MOTYC. The crowd was read hot throughout the match and they put on one heck of an epic battle. After seeing this match, it’s clear that Mack should be booked more on bigger stages. It’s also abundantly clear that Adam Thornstowe needs somebody to give him an opportunity to shine, as he was tremendous in this tournament.

The post-match speech by Ramirez capped an incredibly satisfying main event. He paid tribute to Roland Alexander and it appeared there wasn’t a dry in the building. His speech was a moving and poignant end to the evening.

It has to mentioned that the announcing of Kevin Gill and John Roberts was fantastic throughout both nights. They clearly did their homework and not only did they add valuable information about the background of each wrestler, but they also brought a bigger level of excitement to the tournament as it progressed. Gill's call of the main event was excellent with him urging fans to stand up during the main event. Roberts matched his enthusiasm as well and Thornstowe's culminating win truly felt like a big moment due to the enthusiasm of the crowd and the announce team.

I highly suggest purchasing this VOD on WWNLive.com. If you’re only going to get one show from King of the Indies 2015, this is the one to get. The tournament achieved its purpose in shining a light on unknown independent talent. Thornstowe really broke out in a big way during this tournament, but other names like Horus and Cobb were impressive as well. I would bet the farm that Roland Alexander would have loved this tournament that paid tribute to his legacy.

You can purchase this event on VOD at WWNLive.com. For more information on King of Indies, visit KingofIndies.net.


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