Indy Nation 2010: ROH - Epic Encounter III

Austin Aries(2)
(6/13/09 - 2/13/10)

ROH on HDNet
[Just going with the real life results to these TV Tapings as they technically are the first shows of 2010]
January 4th, 2010 Edition

Claudio Castagnoli d. Eddie Kingston via submission
Steve Corino d. "Right Leg" Andy Ridge
El Generico d. Rhett Titus
Roderick Strong d. Davey Richards w/ Sara Del Rey & Shane Hagadorn

January 11th, 2010 Edition

No Disqualification Match: Joey Ryan w/ Prince Nana & Mr. Ernesto Osiris d. Necro Butcher. During the match, Erick Stevens joined The Embassy
Colt Cabana d. Tony Kozina
Kevin Steen d. Alex "Sugarfoot" Payne
Kenny Omega d. Chris Hero w/ Sara Del Rey

EVOLVE 1: Ibushi vs. Richards
Jan. 16th, 2010
Rahway, NJ
Rahway Rec Center
275 E. Milton Avenue
Belltime: 8pm

Pre-show notes: Crowd is packed into the Rahway Center for the debut of Gabe Sapolsky’s new creation, Evolve. Ringside is sold out but there are a few seats at the back not filled. Crowd is estimated at 300-350. Commentary is by Lenny Leonard and Leonard Chikarason.

Kyle O’ Reilly (1-0) defeated Bobby Fish (0-1) O’Reilly entered with his trainer, Tony Kozina and Davey Richards who tapped O’Reilly on the back at the entrance before leaving. The match showed what Evolve was all about with both men throwing stiff strikes giving it a whole MMA feel. Reilly hit a Brainbuster to put Fish away in a good opening contest.

Kozina entered post match giving O’Reilly a T-shirt and a bottle of water. Lenny Leonard entered the ring and did a post fight interview with O’Reilly. He said he was pleased to be in Evolve and how it was a great place to showcase his skills. He put Fish over which went over well with the crowd.

Chuck Taylor defeated Cheech to join the main singles roster. Both men were battling for a spot on the singles roster. The match style changed from the previous with quick paced offence from both men. Taylor drills Cheech with the Omega Driver to join the singles roster.

Post fight interview with Chuck Taylor. Taylor complains how he needed to qualify while competitors like Kyle O’Reilly or Ricochet don’t.

Ricochet (1-0) defeated Arik Cannon (0-1) This match combined the last two matches together into a hybrid of styles. Ricochet’s high offence style clashed with Cannon’s more slow paced approach. Cannon kept Ricochet grounded until he broke out hitting a 630 Splash for the win. Quite a good match ruined by the lack of time given.

Post match Ricochet and Cannon shook hands, Cannon left and Chuck Taylor entered. Taylor challenged Ricochet to a match at Evolve 2 next month, Ricochet promptly accepted.

Dark City Fight Club (1-0) defeated Aeroform (0-1) Not as much of a squash as everyone thought but it was still quite one sided. Lyndon’s comedy style doesn’t work with Evolve’s serious persona. Chavis and Davis hit Project Mayhem on Kendrick for the three count.

Mercedes Martinez defeated Niya in womens single action. The match lasted little under two minuites. Complete domination from Martinez who came off quite good. A Fisherman Buster but Niya away.

Post match interview with Mercedes Martinez. Martinez said she wants to prove that Evolve isn’t just a man’s game. She intends to prove that she is the best female athlete around.

Silas Young (1-0) defeated Brad Allen (0-1) A fairly decent match from two lesser known athletes. Big spot on the outside where Allen hits a moonsault from the top rope and Silas counters with a dropkick. It takes both men quite a while to recover but get back in the ring just before the 20 count. Soon after the big spot Silas goes for a headstand moonsault in the corner but misses allowing Allen to win with a F5.

Post match Silas walks away from Allen’s handshake. Post match interview with Brad Allen. Allen talks about how his late mother inspired him to be the man he is today. Allen said he was brought up to aim high so he challenged Chris Hero to a match at Evolve 2.

Jimmy Jacobs and takes the mic. He thanks those members of the crowd who are supporting him and told the others to just keep on hating. He said if they support him he will die in the ring for them just to get that buzz of crowd support. Kenn Doane cut him off with his entrance.

Jimmy Jacobs (1-0) defeated Kenn Doane (0-1) Possibly the worst match on the show but not by much. The pace slowed in the middle and Doane (much to the annoyance of one fan in particular) kept locking Jacobs in a sleeper hold. The action picked up then Jacobs locked Doane in a small package for the win.

Intermission. It was announced by Lenny Leonard that Evolve would be returning for EVOLVE 2 on the 20th February. Fans are equally hyped for the TJ Perkins vs. Munenori Sawa encounter and the Dream Match main event.

Johnny Gargano (1-0) defeated Chris Dickinson (0-1) This was a decent match that suffered as it followed intermission. Dickinson used his stiff kicks to weaken Gargano but it wasn’t enough to put him away. Gargano won with a Flatliner.

Munenori Sawa (1-0) defeated TJ Perkins (0-1) This match further the point about what Evolve is all about. Perkins delivered some stiff strikes but Sawa just shook them off and delivered his own to Sawa. There was also some great chain wrestling in the match which TJ had the advantage over Sawa. They exchange holds before Sawa locks in a Octopus hold to which TJ is forced to submit.

Post match both men get a standing ovation. TJ goes to shake his hand but is met but a stiff slap. Sawa then storms off.

Team Frightening (1-0) defeated Akuma’s Army (0-1) in six man action. Jigsaw was unable to appear and was subbed by Frightmare who has lots of experience teaming with Hallowicked and some experience with team leader Mike Quackenbush. Everything you would expect from a Chikara multi-man match. Brodie was dominant whenever he was in the ring. Akuma and Icarus picked apart the much smaller Frightmare until he dived to the outside on Lee allowing Quackenbush to enter (under Lucha-libre rules) Quackenbush hits the Quackendriver 3 on Icarus to win for his team.

Post match Mike Quackenbush takes the mic. He thanks his team and especially Frightmare who came in last minute subbing for Jigsaw. He puts over the Evolve roster before announcing a four way elimination tag for Evolve 2.

Davey Richards (1-0) defeated Kota Ibushi (0-1) In what was billed as a ‘Dream Match main event’ the man now known as the ‘Best in the World’ took on one of Japan’s top junior heavyweights. Richards brought out Kozina and O’Reilly with him while Ibushi brought out someone to stand in his corner. The action varied from Richards’ stiff strikes to Ibushi’s ariel offence. Richards is exactly the man to front this promotion with his stiff strikes, MMA influence and all round greatness in the ring. Ibushi pulled out all the stops to wow the crowd including a Golden Star Press. Ibushi was able to withstand the Shooting Star Press from Richards but was unable to counter the Kimura which followed.

Post match both corner men rushed to the ring and handed out t-shirts and water to the competitors. O’Reilly helped Richards to his feet and handed him the mic. Richards put over his opponent, all the guys in the back and most of all Gabe for making this all possible. Richards wished the crowd a safe trip home and hoped he would see them next month for Evolve 2.

Post match notes: It was a great opening night for Evolve. It set the foundations for what Evolve will grow into. Some tweaks need to be made mostly the number of matches. Fewer matches would mean more time for the matches itself which would be a rapid improvement on the product.