RADICAN’S 4/18 Beyond Wrestling “Uncharted Territory: Episode 3” report – Gulak vs. Ophidian, Dickinson vs. MJF, Cassidy-Rae main event

RADICAN’S BEYOND WRESTLING UNCHARTED TERRITORY: EPISODE 3 REPORT
APRIL 17, 2019
WORCESTER, MASS
ELECTRIC HAZE
AIRED LIVE ON FITE TV AND INDEPENDENTWRESTLING.TV

Commentators: Josh Briggs & Paul Crockett

(1) WHEELER YUTA vs. CHUCK TAYLOR

The story here is Yuta looks up to Taylor and watched his matches when he was in high school. Yuta wanted a handshake, but Taylor said no. Neither guy could get the upper hand during the early going. Taylor got a near fall with a nice reversal of a pinning combination and smiled at Yuta. Taylor offered a handshake and Yuta accepted only for Taylor to kick him in the gut. Taylor controlled the action for several minutes. The fans tried to rally behind Yuta and he choked him with his boot on the bottom rope while mocking the fans. Yuta fired back with some big chops and forearms followed by some punches. Taylor fired back with sole food. Yuta fired back and caught Taylor with a swinging DDT for a one count. YUTA got a STF and Taylor struggled to get to the ropes. The fans yelled for Taylor to tap, but he got to the ropes. Taylor got a single leg on the crab a short time later. He let go and headed back to the ring. Yuta got back on the apron to beat the ref’s count, but Taylor let go and got a single leg crab on the apron.

Wheeler hit a dive, but Taylor cut him off with a knee inside the ring a short time later. Yuta countered an awful waffle and got a jackknife pinning combination for a near fall. Yuta hit a German with a bridge a short time later, but Taylor kicked out at the last second. Wheeler sold his leg after holding the bridge. Taylor caught Yuta by surprise with a short stuffed piledriver. He then hit another piledriver on Yuta and made a lazy cover and Yuta got a crucifix pin for the win.

WINNER: Wheeler Yuta in 13:00 (***½)

(Radican’s Analysis: Great story here with Taylor being a jerk to Yuta, who looked up to him. They told a nice story with Taylor being cocky while showing that Wheeler was getting some close calls with pinning combinations throughout the match. Taylor made a lazy cover after hitting a piledriver and paid for it. Well done.)

Cam Zagami interviewed Alex Tavarez backstage, who was up next in the Discovery Gauntlet against Mick Moretti.

Before the next match, the announcers wondered where Stokely Hathaway was. They speculated he died at Popeyes.

(2) MICK MORETTI vs. ALEX TAVAREZ – Discovery Gauntlet match

Moretti ran around Tavarez and then flipped him off after the opening bell rang. Moretti rolled around the ring and acted like he was dizzy before applying a headlock on Tavarez. Tavarez hit a nice satellite headscissors takedown on Moretti. Tavarez went for another arm drag, but Moretti landed in a headstand. He rolled up Tavarez and then put the boots to him. Moretti is definitely unique in his approach to wrestling matches. Moretti hit a fisherman buster, but Tavarez managed to kick out at two. They battled up top and Tavarez caught Moretti with a twisting fisherman buster off the second ropes. He was slow to make the cover and only got a two count. Both men traded blows in the middle of the ring. Tavarez ended a big sequence with a twisting neck breaker. Tavarez set up Moretti on the second rope and hit a slingshot blockbuster for a two count. They battled up top and Tavarez sent Moretti to the mat with a headbutt. He missed a double stomp off the top and Moretti turned him inside out with a lariat for a two count. Moretti hit a deadlift German and held on. He then transitioned to a dragon suplex for a near fall.

They went back and forth in the middle of the ring. Tavarez caught Moretti with a rolling kick. He then hit a pumphandle driver for a two count. Tavarez hit a big kick and went up top. He went for a frog splash, but Moretti got his knees up. Moretti then lifted up Tavarez and drove him down to the mat for the win.

Cam Zagami interviewed Moretti in the ring after the match. Zagami said Moretti cancelled his flight back to Australia. Moretti said he didn’t need a return flight. He said he’d be here forever. He said the Discovery Gauntlet is pointless because they’ve already found the treasure. He shouted forever over and over before leaving the ring.

WINNER: Mick Moretti in 12:00 (**)

(Radican’s Analysis: This was fine. Nothing about the match really sparked my excitement. I’d like to see Moretti do more than some unorthodox things in the ring if he’s going to be on every week.)

(3) CHRIS DICKINSON vs. MJF

The fans sang “You Are My Sunshine” at MJF during the introductions. Dickinson said Rosie O’Donnell f—ing suck before being introduced in reference to the footage that surfaced of MJF as a young boy on the show on Twitter. They traded submissions on the mat during the early going. Dickinson got an Indian death lock, but MJF got tot the ropes. MJF baited Dickinson into shooting the leg and nearly got on top of Dickinson, but he managed to escape. MJF rolled to the floor and played to the crowd. MJF told him to take his leg again, but Dickinson nailed his leg with a big kick. Dickinson took control on the outside and nailed MJF with a big chop. MJF fired back with a dropkick through the ropes. They ended up going at it on the apron. MJF hit a double chop to the throat and eventually sent Dickinson arm first into the ringpost. MJF began working over Dickinson’s arm back inside the ring. Dickinson fired back and hit a western lariat with his injured arm. MJG hit a double stomp to Dickinson’s arm as he held the top rope. MJF went right back after Dickinson’s arm. Dickinson mounted another comeback. He went for a bearhug, but Dickinson couldn’t grip him because of his bad arm. Dickinson no-sold an eye rake and hit an enziguri to get the upper hand.

The fans fired up as Dickinson tried to shake some feeling back into his arm. Dickinson hit a big DVD, but MJF kicked out at the last second. MJG blocked a whip and stomped on Dickinson’s arm. He powerbombed Dickinson and nailed him with a superkick. Dickinson fired up and hit a flurry of kicks, but Richard Holiday ran into the ring and attacked him. Holiday is in The Dynasty in MLW with MJF.

Holiday hit a big rolling DVD on Dickinson as the fans booed. He then hit a twisting neckbreaker. The fans booed as MJF and Holiday stood tall.

WINNER: Chris Dickinson via DQ in 10:00 (**¾)

(Radican’s Analysis: The match was getting really good when Holiday interfered. This was some nice storyline development and you have to wonder where Holiday fits in with MJF and David Starr.)

They went to a commercial for some upcoming events in Beyond Wrestling featuring Drew Cordeiro live from Foxwoods where Americanrana 19 will take place in July.

(4) DAVIENNE vs. KRIS STATLANDER

Statlander wanted to touch fingers, but Davienne slapped her across the fans. Both women traded slaps to the face before backing away from each other. Davienne is from the New England Pro Wrestling Academy. Davienne ended up clotheslining Statlander over the top to the floor. She worked Statlander over on the floor before working her over back inside the ring. Davienne hit a big sliding dropkick in the corner that sent Stadtlander’s back into the ringpost. They went back and forth and Statlander caught Davienne with a running knee to the face. Both women were down as they tried to regroup. They got up and traded blows in the middle of the ring. Statlander hit a nice Pele kick. She followed up with a running kick in the corner and a gord buster for a two count. Davienne fired back and hit a big German for a two count. The fans tried to rally behind Statlander. Statlander hit a blue thunder bomb for a two count. She grabbed Davienne’s arms and made her give herself a wet willy before hitting a kick to the head for a two count.

Statlander went up top, but missed a moonsault. Davienne hit a fisherman suplex into the turnbuckle and an air raid crash for a two count. Davienne set up Statlander up top. They traded blows. Statlander hit a kick and then a spinning kick that didn’t come close to connecting for the win.

WINNER: Kris Statlander in 10:00 (**¾)

(Radican’s Analysis: The action was good, but the finish wasn’t executed very well.)

Cam Zagami interviewed Kris Statlander. She started to scream about Kimber Lee, but Davienne nailed her with a dropkick. Solo Darling came out to make the same. Anthony Greene came out to separate them.

Greene got on the mic and said hi to his mom. He plugged his AG F—ks shirt. He said he would have shot glasses available on May 5 at Lethal Lottery, which is Beyond’s next regular show. He then plugged a beer mug and a sex towel. The fans chanted sex towel. Greene then plugged his bobblehead and the fans applauded. Greene said he’d have a surprise for Stevie Richards in a few weeks at Uncharted Territory.

(5) RORY GULAK vs. OPHIDIAN

Both men are trainers at the CHIKARA Wrestle Factory. The announcers plugged that The Perfect 10 would appear at the tenth episode of Uncharted Territory. Gulak blocked a hurricanrana attempt and hit a big powerbomb. Gulak worked a stretch on Ophidian’s upper back. Ophidian looked like he was going for another hurricanrana, but Gulak slammed him down to the mat. Ophidian slid around Gulak’s back and then transitioned into a knee bar. Gulak was near the ropes and managed to break the hold quickly. Gulak fired up and hit a big chop to deck Ophidian. Gulak went to drive Ophidian back first into the corner, but Ophidian countered it and sent Gulak into the turnbuckles. Ophidian dropped Gulak, but ended up bringing him up and he hit a back cracker out of the powerbomb position. Gulak fired back with a big clothesline, but Ophidian managed to catch him with a misdirection dropkick a short time later. Ophidian got up on his head in the corner and dropped down into a dropkick. He followed up with a meteora off the top for a two count.

Ophidian had a cobra clutch, but Gulak dropped himself down onto the mat to break the hold. They began trading blows from their knees. They got up and began trading slaps to the face. They traded pinning combinations an

Gulak got a dragon sleeper and Ophidian tapped right away.

WINNER: Rory Gulak in 11:00 (***¼)

(Radican’s Analysis: Both men as expected were very familiar with each other. They had a really nice technical style match with some fast paced exchanges.)

Chuck O’Neil jumped both men after the match. He got an arm bar on Gulak, but Ophidian dragged him out of the ring.

O’Neil got on the mic and said you’re welcome for stopping that crap and showing what a legitimate athlete looks like. He said Beyond used to showcase Biff Busick and Eddie Edwards in an Iron Man match and now we have to watch flippy losers like it’s a ballet contest. O’Neil said he left because he had had enough. O’Neil said he was going to make Beyond legit again. The fans chanted f–k Chuck.

The announcers plugged matches for next week including Brandon Thurston making an appearance along with The Butcher & The Blade in tag team action as part of the Buffalo invasion.

Orange Cassidy got into the ring and cut a promo before his main event match against Kylie Rae. He held up his title at Rae and asked, “Want to?” Rae got really excited and said yes please. The crowd chanted she said yes.

(6) Independent Wrestling Champion ORANGE CASSIDY vs. KYLIE RAE

Rae hugged Cassidy and then rolled him up while he had his hands in his pockets for a two count. This is Cassidy’s 13th title defense. Cassidy gave Rae his glasses and then rolled her up for a two count. They shook hands and Cassidy held on. He let go and then put his hand in his pocket. She wanted to shake hands so Cassidy did, but she tried to whip him. Cassidy put both hands in his pockets. Cassidy ran around the ropes and did a roll with his hands in his pockets and Rae acted shocked. Rae asked how he did it. Rae tried to do it, but she ended up doing a cartwheel and the fans applauded. Cassidy just laid in the middle of the ring with his hands in his pockets. Rae finally realized what he was doing and got down next to him and waved. Cassidy continued to wrestle with his hands in his pockets. Rae wasn’t falling for Cassidy’s mind games and he gave her a thumbs up. They teased a thumb war between the two. They locked up and had a very dramatic thumb war. They did a test of strength thumb war. Rae had Cassidy pinned down on his thumb and the fans chanted please don’t tap. Cassidy escaped and got on top of Rae and did a thumbs up. He then rolled her up for a two count and gave her a thumbs up. She hit a code breaker on Orange’s arm and gave him a thumbs up.

Rae fired back and hit a big hip toss. Cassidy favored his arm as she worked him over. Cassidy fired back and worked a double arm stretch on Rae. He then draped her over his knees backwards while working a chin lock. Rae struggled and Cassidy ended up letting go of the hold. The announcers mentioned he let go because of the work on his arm. Cassidy hit a big Irish whip that sent Rae flying into the corner. Cassidy went for a Boston crab, but Rae used her legs to flip him out of it. They went back and forth and Rae hit a pair of big hurricanrana’s she then hit a third, but turned it so she took him straight down into a crossface. Cassidy fired back and hit a dragon screw. Rae fired back and rolled Cassidy into the crossface again. Cassidy struggled, but managed to get to the ropes. Rae went for another hurricanrana, but Cassidy blocked it. They went back and forth and ended up rolling around for a pinning combination, but Cassidy crossed her legs and got a leverage pin for a near fall. Rae hit a big cannonball into the corner and favored her back. She followed up with a big dive to the floor and the fans fired up. She rolled Cassidy into the ring, but Cassidy managed to kick out at two.

Cassidy fired back and stomped down on Rae’s knee. HE then grabbed an ankle lock. Rae teased tapping, but she rolled through and sent Cassidy into the turnbuckles. Cassidy tripped Rae into the turnbuckles when she charged at him in the corner. He went up top, but Rae tripped him and hung him upside down. She went for a cannonball, but Cassidy held onto her and hit a HUGE blue thunder powerbomb for a near fall. That was sick! The fans chanted Beyond Wrestling as they regrouped. Cassidy went up top and hit a deadweight splash for a near fall. Cassidy went for his orange juice. Rae tried to cut him off. They battled for the juice. They went back and forth trying to capture the juice. Cassidy got it, but Rae nailed him with a superkick and a big Liger bomb for a near fall! Rae hit a second Liger bomb. She held on and hit a destroyer for a great near fall. WOW! Rae got a crossface. Cassidy tried to roll out of it. He teased tapping. The fans chanted please don’t tap. He got a rollup for a near fall. They went back and forth after Cassidy blocked a destroyer. They traded pinning combinations, but neither of them could get the pin. Cassidy finally got her with the mouse trap pinning combination for the win.

WINNER: Orange Cassidy in 21:00 to retain the Independent Wrestling Championship (****)

After the match, Cassidy and Rae shook hands as the fans chanted for Rae. Rae looked to be emotional as the fans chanted please come back at her. Cassidy left Rae in the ring to soak in the applause.

(Radican’s Analysis: Great match. They did some comedy at the beginning, but they put together a really great technical wrestling match. Cassidy is really in the zone with his character right now with the right amount of carefree comedy and getting serious when it matters when it comes to defending his title. I was really impressed with Kylie Rae here. She’s an incredible talent with a great personality inside the ring that makes you want see her win.)

Overall thoughts: (8.0) – I thought this episode was going to be a step below the first two episodes, but the main event was tremendous and I encourage everyone to check out Orange Cassidy vs. Kylie Rae for the Independent Wrestling Championship. The action was a bit uneven on the undercard. Statlander vs. Davienne had a disappointing finish and The Discovery Gauntlet match wasn’t very exciting this week.

On the bright side, Beyond is doing a good job of running angles that make you want to come back for more. MJF got attacked by Richard Holiday. Kris Statlander called out Kimber Lee after her win over Davienne only for Davinne to recover and attack her from behind, which sparked a short brawl. The Taylor-Yuta and Ophidian-Gulak matches were good as well. It was nice to see Chuck O’Neil attack Gulak and Ophidian after their match to set up his return to Beyond Wrestling.

The production was much improved over the previous shows. The lightning looked much better at the venue and it wasn’t nearly as dark looking as it was on previous shows. I also like how Beyond uses commercials and in-ring/ringside promos during the show break things up.

Overall, this series has been a ton of fun to watch. I didn’t know how Beyond Wrestling was going to pull this off, but Beyond Wrestling owner Drew Cordeiro is a madman when it comes to thinking outside the box and coming up with ways to generate excitement for Beyond Wrestling. Uncharted Territory is a welcomed addition to my wrestling viewing in 2019 and I suggest you make it part of your wrestling viewing as well.

Contact Sean at radicansean@pwtorch.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/sr_torch