Post by Joe on Jul 7, 2023 14:02:40 GMT -5
UPW "Thursday Night RUSH" Results: 07/06/23 from Port Hueneme, CA
This show was taped on Tuesday, July 4th at the Oceanview Pavilion to air on Paramount Network. Last week, Jay White announced that Chris Dijak would be his partner at Extreme Heat to take on TMDK, and that they would be competing as a team tonight to prepare for that battle. The Undisputed Era made their debut last week and did so successfully against the team of Josh Alexander, Mike Bailey, and Tyson Kidd as Roderick Strong and Josh Alexander continue on their collision course for the Pure Title at Extreme Heat; we will hear from Josh Alexander tonight with his thoughts after taking that loss. Timothy Thatcher also challenged Zack Sabre Jr. to a match after he defeated his CatchPoint teammate Drew Gulak, Rush challenged Brody King, and we will also see the Paramount Network debut of "The Mad Dragon" Ilja Dragunov!
Kevin Kelly is on commentary with his new broadcast colleague Corey Graves and they are ready to call the action. We cut to a pre-taped segment from TMDK!
TMDK Are Watching
Shane Thorne and Mikey Nicholls are at the gym with Premier Champion Buddy Matthews, who is wearing sunglasses and appears to still be feeling the effects on the concussion caused by Jay White at Reign Supreme with the brass knuckles. Matthews says he doesn't care what anybody says and that he is going to get his hands on Jay White sooner than later, they can't keep him away forever. Thorne says he found a pretty big boy to back him up, but Nicholls said big trees fall hard and they are going to prove they are the best tag team in the world once again. Matthews said they need to keep an eye on White and make sure he doesn't pull any more of his shit, and to make him pay if he does. Thorne and Nicholls said they will be watching, and then we go back to ringside.
Notable Moments and Observations
Bandido, Dralistico, and Dragon Lee vs. Legado del Fantasma
This was a fast paced lucha libre style match that didn't see a lot of traditional tagging in and out. LdF were playing the "rudo" role, breaking the rules and antagonizing their opponents before Santos Esocbar used a roll up with the tights on Dragon Lee to get the three count.
Winners: Legado del Fantasma
Notable Moments and Observations
Pete Dunne Wants a Piece of FTR Right Now
Tag Team Champions British Strong Style are backstage in the locker room. Dunne tells Tyler Bate that he doesn't want to bloody wait for Extreme Heat to get a piece of the UWA Tag Champs FTR, and challenges one of them, either of them, to a fight next week.
Notable Moments and Observations
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher
CatchPoint suffered the indignity of defeat last week, but Thatcher looked to correct that this week. Unfortunately, ZSJ is as game as they come and was giving Thatcher a lot of trouble once the show came back from commercial break, nearly getting the win with a Cross Armbar. Thatcher would get to the ropes and regain momentum with a Vicious headbutt, but Sabre refused to stay down. Thatcher looked like he might have the match finally in hand as he locked on a Fujiwara Armbar, but the bell would sound and ring announcer Mike Rome would announce the 15 minute time limit had expired.
Time Limit Draw
Notable Moments and Observations
Swerve Answers Jay Lethal's Challenge
The X Division champion is walking down the streets of LA wearing expensive looking street wear and his title over his shoulder. Shane Strickland says that he's already a legend in this business after having the kost impressive Ladder Match performance of all time at Extreme Heat. Forget Michaels, Razor, the Hardys, they are all nothing now that "Swerve" has taken their shine. He says he stomped in Jay Lethal's chest and he says he should have learned to stay down, but he understands, because the only reason anybody would watch a Jay Lethal is if it has a Swerve Strickland feature, so he will give him another 15 minutes of fame, stomp him out again, and keep being the only thing that matters in wrestling today.
Notable Moments and Observations
Cameron Grimes vs. Ricochet vs. Trent Beretta
This was a competitive three way match that had elimination rules. Grimes and Beretta both showed bad attitudes in this contest, and would work together for a couple of minutes to put hurting on him, but their impromptu team would deteriorate and they would start going after each other. Ricochet would take advantage of Grimes hitting a Cave In on Beretta, hitting a Dropsault on Grimes to send him out of the ring, landing on Beretta to get the pinfall and eliminate him. Ricochet would deliver a Fosbury Flop. Grimes would use a chop to the throat to gain the advantage on the outside and then hit the Cave In on the floor! Back in the ring, Grimes would savagely heat on Ricochet before attempting to hit the Orange Crush, but Ricochet reverses it into a Huracrana, rolling Grimes up for the flash three count!
Winner: Ricochet
Notable Moments and Observations
IYO SKY Has a Challenger, and Her Name is Blair Davenport
Blair Davenport is backstage with interviewer Blake Howard. She is a dark haired, fair skinned lady who seems to have a sadistic streak. She says that she is no stranger to IYO SKY and that she will do what Toni Storm couldn't do and that's put her down. She says she has never liked SKY and has always been in her shadow, but now that shadow is going to devour the Women's Champion at Extreme Heat. She says she will show everyone next week.
Notable Moments and Observations
Brody King vs. Rush
Rush has a great physique and is as Vicious in the ring as anybody, but Brody King is a different monster. Last week, King's VLNCE UNLTD partners beat Rush and his brother Dragon Lee, leading to this challenge being made by Rush. Kevin Kelly wondered aloud if that was a good decision as King dominated the early part of this match. Rush, however, managed to rally after hitting a Spear and then a Double Stomp from the middle turnbuckle. Dickinson and Deppen had seen enough and hit the ring with chairs and assaulted Rush. Adrian Butler called for the bell.
Winner: Rush
Notable Moments and Observations
Josh Alexander Is More Ready Than Ever
Josh Alexander is backstage with Blake Howard. Howard says that was a tough loss his team took last week to the Undisputed Era, but Alexander disagrees. Alexander says that the best lessons in life are learned through pain and loss, and he learned hard lessons last week that will carry him into the future. He said getting into the ring with Strong, getting to know him better, that is what makes him, "The Walking Weapon", more dangerous than ever. He says he knows now more than that he CAN beat Roderick Strong, and at Extreme Heat he sure as hell will!
Notable Moments and Observations
Ilja Dragunov vs. Josh Woods
Woods had Jonathan Gresham of The Foundation at ringside with him coaching him in this high level contest. Despite Woods's MMA background and solid build, Dragunov was not going to be stopped tonight. Woods showed spirit, but Dragunov began running away with it by the end. "The Czar of Wrestling" would hit the Constantine Special to level his bigger foe, and then unleashed the Torpedo Moscow to get the three count.
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
Notable Moments and Observations
"Switchblade" Jay White & Chris Dijak vs. Matt Sydal & Justin Gabriel
Sydal and Gabriel would manage to do enough of their high flying offense and creative counters to make them not look like complete job guys, but this was what it was. Jay White and Chris Dijak had said last week they were going to use this as a warm up, and they pretty much cut through this team like a warm knife through butter. Dijak would catch Sydal on the top and send him to the outside with a Chokeslam that was brutal! Gabriel would then jump off the top and try for a Crossbody Block on Dijak, but Dijak caught him and actually did a knee lift while holding him that collided with his temple, knocking him loopy. Dijak then slung the South African star over his shoulder and laughed, yelling at White to get into position. From there they hit TMDK's own finisher, the Tank Buster, and it was all over.
Winners: Jay White & Chris Dijak
Notable Moments and Observations
This show was taped on Tuesday, July 4th at the Oceanview Pavilion to air on Paramount Network. Last week, Jay White announced that Chris Dijak would be his partner at Extreme Heat to take on TMDK, and that they would be competing as a team tonight to prepare for that battle. The Undisputed Era made their debut last week and did so successfully against the team of Josh Alexander, Mike Bailey, and Tyson Kidd as Roderick Strong and Josh Alexander continue on their collision course for the Pure Title at Extreme Heat; we will hear from Josh Alexander tonight with his thoughts after taking that loss. Timothy Thatcher also challenged Zack Sabre Jr. to a match after he defeated his CatchPoint teammate Drew Gulak, Rush challenged Brody King, and we will also see the Paramount Network debut of "The Mad Dragon" Ilja Dragunov!
Kevin Kelly is on commentary with his new broadcast colleague Corey Graves and they are ready to call the action. We cut to a pre-taped segment from TMDK!
TMDK Are Watching
Shane Thorne and Mikey Nicholls are at the gym with Premier Champion Buddy Matthews, who is wearing sunglasses and appears to still be feeling the effects on the concussion caused by Jay White at Reign Supreme with the brass knuckles. Matthews says he doesn't care what anybody says and that he is going to get his hands on Jay White sooner than later, they can't keep him away forever. Thorne says he found a pretty big boy to back him up, but Nicholls said big trees fall hard and they are going to prove they are the best tag team in the world once again. Matthews said they need to keep an eye on White and make sure he doesn't pull any more of his shit, and to make him pay if he does. Thorne and Nicholls said they will be watching, and then we go back to ringside.
Notable Moments and Observations
- Matthews is staying on TV, which is important as he is the champion.
- This felt like foreshadowing, so we will see how things play out later in the show.
Bandido, Dralistico, and Dragon Lee vs. Legado del Fantasma
This was a fast paced lucha libre style match that didn't see a lot of traditional tagging in and out. LdF were playing the "rudo" role, breaking the rules and antagonizing their opponents before Santos Esocbar used a roll up with the tights on Dragon Lee to get the three count.
Winners: Legado del Fantasma
Notable Moments and Observations
- Corey Graves showed he had done his homework prior to the show, as he noted Bandido is not a member of Los Ingobernales but that he had teamed with the brothers numerous times in Mexico and elsewhere.
- Bandido was frustrated after the match and would get into a shoving match with Dragon Lee and Dralistico before leaving the ring.
Pete Dunne Wants a Piece of FTR Right Now
Tag Team Champions British Strong Style are backstage in the locker room. Dunne tells Tyler Bate that he doesn't want to bloody wait for Extreme Heat to get a piece of the UWA Tag Champs FTR, and challenges one of them, either of them, to a fight next week.
Notable Moments and Observations
- Short but sweet segment from BSS, as the always grumpy Pete Dunne makes his wishes known and that is sure to be banger no matter which member of FTR accepts.
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Timothy Thatcher
CatchPoint suffered the indignity of defeat last week, but Thatcher looked to correct that this week. Unfortunately, ZSJ is as game as they come and was giving Thatcher a lot of trouble once the show came back from commercial break, nearly getting the win with a Cross Armbar. Thatcher would get to the ropes and regain momentum with a Vicious headbutt, but Sabre refused to stay down. Thatcher looked like he might have the match finally in hand as he locked on a Fujiwara Armbar, but the bell would sound and ring announcer Mike Rome would announce the 15 minute time limit had expired.
Time Limit Draw
Notable Moments and Observations
- This match may habe been a little dry for many people's taste, as this was much more methodical than last week's match between Sabre and Gulak, though they clearly needed to go extra time.
- Thatcher does not have the flare of Gulak, but Thatcher is bigger and more intense, so it does make the challenge seem more menacing.
- Thatcher is seething, thinking he had the match won, and challenges Sabre to a no time limit submission match at Extreme Heat, and Sabre doesn't waste any time accepting.
Swerve Answers Jay Lethal's Challenge
The X Division champion is walking down the streets of LA wearing expensive looking street wear and his title over his shoulder. Shane Strickland says that he's already a legend in this business after having the kost impressive Ladder Match performance of all time at Extreme Heat. Forget Michaels, Razor, the Hardys, they are all nothing now that "Swerve" has taken their shine. He says he stomped in Jay Lethal's chest and he says he should have learned to stay down, but he understands, because the only reason anybody would watch a Jay Lethal is if it has a Swerve Strickland feature, so he will give him another 15 minutes of fame, stomp him out again, and keep being the only thing that matters in wrestling today.
Notable Moments and Observations
- Swerve felt electric in the city and looked like a star.
- Kevin Kelly says that Swerve spunds very cocky and shouldnt take Jay Lethal lightly, but Corey Graves says he loves it. Graves says its not cocky if he can back it up, and that title hes carrying indicates that he is doing just that.
Cameron Grimes vs. Ricochet vs. Trent Beretta
This was a competitive three way match that had elimination rules. Grimes and Beretta both showed bad attitudes in this contest, and would work together for a couple of minutes to put hurting on him, but their impromptu team would deteriorate and they would start going after each other. Ricochet would take advantage of Grimes hitting a Cave In on Beretta, hitting a Dropsault on Grimes to send him out of the ring, landing on Beretta to get the pinfall and eliminate him. Ricochet would deliver a Fosbury Flop. Grimes would use a chop to the throat to gain the advantage on the outside and then hit the Cave In on the floor! Back in the ring, Grimes would savagely heat on Ricochet before attempting to hit the Orange Crush, but Ricochet reverses it into a Huracrana, rolling Grimes up for the flash three count!
Winner: Ricochet
Notable Moments and Observations
- This match seemed to serve a few masters in that it got Ricochet over as a resilient babyface, it made Grimes look like a formidible heel, and it just plain got Beretta on TV.
- Grimes would throw a comedic fit after the match, tossing things around at ringside un a tantrum before getting backed off by Corey Graves, who stood up and raised a fist to him when he got too close. Ricochet was all smiles and looked good in victory, but Grimes probably got over more with his personality.
IYO SKY Has a Challenger, and Her Name is Blair Davenport
Blair Davenport is backstage with interviewer Blake Howard. She is a dark haired, fair skinned lady who seems to have a sadistic streak. She says that she is no stranger to IYO SKY and that she will do what Toni Storm couldn't do and that's put her down. She says she has never liked SKY and has always been in her shadow, but now that shadow is going to devour the Women's Champion at Extreme Heat. She says she will show everyone next week.
Notable Moments and Observations
- Blair didnt reinvent the wheel here, but she did what she needed to do.
- The women's division is decidedly not the focal point of UPW, but if Reign Supreme was any indication, the idea if to have quality over quantity. SKY and Storm aet the bar high, so we will see if Davenport can reach it.
Brody King vs. Rush
Rush has a great physique and is as Vicious in the ring as anybody, but Brody King is a different monster. Last week, King's VLNCE UNLTD partners beat Rush and his brother Dragon Lee, leading to this challenge being made by Rush. Kevin Kelly wondered aloud if that was a good decision as King dominated the early part of this match. Rush, however, managed to rally after hitting a Spear and then a Double Stomp from the middle turnbuckle. Dickinson and Deppen had seen enough and hit the ring with chairs and assaulted Rush. Adrian Butler called for the bell.
Winner: Rush
Notable Moments and Observations
- It's "Thursday Night ROOOOOSH!" and the fans are getting behind the Mexican star.
- Security and officials break up the beat down. Dralistico and Dragon Lee hit the ring as well, and they are yelling at King, Dickinson, and Deppen from the ring.
Josh Alexander Is More Ready Than Ever
Josh Alexander is backstage with Blake Howard. Howard says that was a tough loss his team took last week to the Undisputed Era, but Alexander disagrees. Alexander says that the best lessons in life are learned through pain and loss, and he learned hard lessons last week that will carry him into the future. He said getting into the ring with Strong, getting to know him better, that is what makes him, "The Walking Weapon", more dangerous than ever. He says he knows now more than that he CAN beat Roderick Strong, and at Extreme Heat he sure as hell will!
Notable Moments and Observations
- This did what it needed to do to keep this issue alive on the way to their title match. It wasnt fancy, but Alexander comes off serious and the anticipation is growing for this showdown.
Ilja Dragunov vs. Josh Woods
Woods had Jonathan Gresham of The Foundation at ringside with him coaching him in this high level contest. Despite Woods's MMA background and solid build, Dragunov was not going to be stopped tonight. Woods showed spirit, but Dragunov began running away with it by the end. "The Czar of Wrestling" would hit the Constantine Special to level his bigger foe, and then unleashed the Torpedo Moscow to get the three count.
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
Notable Moments and Observations
- Woods is strong and has a brught future, but hes still green. Gresham gave him encouragement after the match for his hard work.
- Oney Lorcan would make his way out to the stage to interrupt Ilja's celebration and challenge him to a match at Extreme Heat to see if he's as tough as he thinks he is, and Ilja accepts.
"Switchblade" Jay White & Chris Dijak vs. Matt Sydal & Justin Gabriel
Sydal and Gabriel would manage to do enough of their high flying offense and creative counters to make them not look like complete job guys, but this was what it was. Jay White and Chris Dijak had said last week they were going to use this as a warm up, and they pretty much cut through this team like a warm knife through butter. Dijak would catch Sydal on the top and send him to the outside with a Chokeslam that was brutal! Gabriel would then jump off the top and try for a Crossbody Block on Dijak, but Dijak caught him and actually did a knee lift while holding him that collided with his temple, knocking him loopy. Dijak then slung the South African star over his shoulder and laughed, yelling at White to get into position. From there they hit TMDK's own finisher, the Tank Buster, and it was all over.
Winners: Jay White & Chris Dijak
Notable Moments and Observations
- Sydal and Gabriel did what they were supposed to do and now can slink back down to the X Division.
- White and Dijak sent a message to TMDK using their finisher, trying to show anything they can do they can do as well, if not better.
- White would pull Sydal back into the ring after the match and deliver the Blade Runner to him, getting boos from the crowd. White and Dijak would then put the boots to their fallen opponents before White would pull out his brass knuckles again, holding them up and posing dramatically with them until out ran TMDK with cricket bats! White would manage to escape unscathed, but Dijak would take shot to the back from Nicholls that sent him out of the ring! The show ends with TMDK standing on the turnbuckles pointing their bats at White and Dijak, daring them to come back, as they retreat up the ramp.