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Pre-Show
A) Vintendo wins vs. Zayden Trudeau
Zayden Trudeau made his debut against newly-returned Vintendo, who seemed to have developed a mean streak while recharging away from PWR.
Vintendo came back to #PWRLive with a new attitude in a winning effort against newcomer, Zayden Trudeau. #Resbakpic.twitter.com/z8n0ztU2kK
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Vintendo came back with impressive feats like E. Honda’s palm strikes, a bevy of slams, and cutting strikes that left welts on Trudeau’s back. But what truly impressed were his meanness and new finisher, a familiar-looking short-arm lariat to high-knee.
Trudeau lost but he still made a strong impression. His enthusiasm for dropkicks and enzuigiris eventually overshadowed his tearaway hockey gear and CM Punk-like trunks. Time will be essential in polishing his repertoire.
B) SANDATA wins vs. Kh3ndrick
SANDATA was supposed to face “Beautiful” Billy Suede, but due to Suede’s attack on General Manager Mr. Sy during bootcamp, Suede was suspended, leaving the masked warrior with no opponent.
With Kh3ndrick The Kakaibro kneed to oblivion, SANDATA turned to Mr. Sy to demand new competition. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/JvdQsveuak
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Enter Kh3ndrick The Kakaibro, whose first bout lasted shorter than his entrance after SANDATA took him down with a single running high knee while he was taking selfies with some impressionable fans.
The real meat of the segment was SANDATA making use of the mouth hole around his new mask to prove to the Revonation that yes, he can talk, and to demand better competition.
Main Card
1) The YOLO Twins (Logan and Yohann Ollores) retain vs. Punk Dolls (Martivo and Robynn)
Prior to Mr. Sy ordering The YOLO Twins to defend their titles, PWR’s first tag team champions debuted their online series, The R&C Show, on the main show and yapped a few good minutes away.
The segment furthered Warren’s ambitions on the PHX title currently held by Guinto and showed how savvy the three were with modern wresting tropes — and inadvertently started the trend of some wrestlers shutting down the more vocal hecklers throughout the show.
Save for a half-finished poetry in motion, The YOLO Twins justified their winning the belts by serving tag-team move after tag-team move. They also held their own individually, with Yohann executing a slick springboard flip and armdrag to Martivo and Logan a powerbomb off to counter some isolating offense.
While the match served the twins more, Robynn and Martivo were more dexterous and comfortable in the ring and as a team than their last showing.
The pair also added new moves to their repertoire: a dragon sleeper for Robynn and a bridging arm triangle choke for Martivo.
After the match, The YOLO Twins and Warren beat the pair up and delivered simultaneous superkicks to Robynn. One wonders if this would lead to more encounters between the teams, but the trio seemed set on a collision course with The Network.
2) Ken Warren wins vs. Koto Hiro
Perhaps it’s Koto Hiro’s rawness, as he began training in 2016, or Warren’s grounded offense, but both seemed like they had a lot more to give than what they gave in Hiro’s debut for PWR.
Despite this feeling, Hiro was given time to shine despite it solidly being Warren’s to take. Hiro won the crowd over with slick hurricanranas, bruising chops and kicks, and a ridiculously good German suplex followed by a sweet-sounding dropkick near the end of the match.
Warren’s agility complimented the Shizuoka-born luchador’s offense and by busting out power moves, made Hiro’s acrobatic moves feel more explosive while allowing Warren to maintain control for the majority of the bout.
Adding texture to their match were a few comedy bits such as Hiro’s airplane spin and wind-up jab that Warren played up perfectly.
Just when it felt like they were getting somewhere, however, The YOLO Twins would distract the referee and Hiro, allowing Warren to rake Hiro’s eyes, throw him onto the ropes, and hit the Wi-Fi.
The YOLO Twins + Ken Warren were heavily involved in each other's matches & seemed to paint a target on The Network's back. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/WakLt8jn4B
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Though the match was interesting, both Warren and Hiro felt like they were holding back. Granted, this was their first meeting, but it left room for a faster, harder-hitting match.
3) The Network (James "Idol" Martinez and Alexander Belmonte III) wins vs. The Delirium (Dax Xaviera and Dan Ericson)
Putting The Network and The Delirium together shouldn’t seem so special, but the contrasts between them at this point made it a worthwhile match.
Both teams have been at odds with each other in the past. Xaviera and Ericson had to fight to qualify for Path of Gold in February while Martinez snatched the PHX title from fellow downliner Guinto mere minutes after he won the belt in April.
Yet The Network's grudges go deeper than the amiable pair. Since Wrevolution X, Idol’s become more self-centered, evidenced by his cutting short ABIII’s birthday celebration and ordering the man to drag Ericson to their corner before even considering a tag.
Tensions were at an all time high bet. Alexander Belmonte III + James Idol Martinez during their match against The Delirium #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/N9liPuk46w
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
In return, ABIII’s finally shown his disgruntlement at Idol’s ill-treatment of Guinto and himself by not waiting for Idol to move out of the way for a hip attack on Ericson and taking his sweet time to save Idol from Xaviera’s kneebar.
Though The Network were the victors, they proved to be the lesser tag team when ABII left Idol to indulge in his delusions for the PHX title.
Special mention must be given to ABIII and Xaviera. ABIII continued to prove that he should be showcased as a singles prizefighter while Xaviera showed a bit more versatility in matching ABIII move per move.
4) Chino Guinto retains vs. Peter Versoza
Guinto was truly blessed in his defense of the PHX Championship against Versoza. Though he played the downtrodden hero for most of the match, his counterattacks were littered with jaw-dropping moves that justified his moniker of The Golden Boy.
A few highlights included his mid-rope somersault neck-breaker counter to Versoza’s aggression, followed by a lariat and shuck-and-jive combo that ended with a ruthless ushigoroshi. It was a great display of what Guinto can do outside of generating great facials and vocals when playing the victim.
Versoza meanwhile was hindered by his belief that Guinto's win was a fluke. He undermined Guinto by tripping him up at the ropes, chopping his chest off, and almost stealing the Gold Digger after countering Guinto’s efforts to hit one with a Karne Norte.
Peter Versoza failed to win the PHX Championship from Chino Guinto in a jaw-dropping title defense. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/AJCBV5Td6q
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
His display of arrogance also served as a reminder of how good of a character Versoza could be when given sufficient motivation. Versoza’s character expressed itself logically as the match progressed, first by limiting Guinto’s movements, then by humiliating him, before taking Guinto seriously. It was refreshing and came off better than the scheme that cost him the belt in April.
Guinto won at the end with an imperfect but nonetheless amazing Canadian destroyer. His celebration however was cut short by an ambush by Ken Warren and The YOLO Twins, stopped by ABIII and a number of downliners
But the rescue came with a price: Idol would once again snatch the belt from PHX for him to raise through ABIII. While no one came to blows, it was clear at this point that Guinto was no longer open to Idol’s machinations.
The Network rescued Guinto from The YOLO Twins + Warren but an end to the organization seems imminent. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/QqSWhhu3QG
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
5) Fighters 4 Hire (Miguel Rosales and Joey Bax) win vs. Deadly Sinns (Mike Madrigal and Vlad Sinnyk)
Sitaw-whipping, flyswatter usage, impromptu bowling and bring-me made this All Out War between F4H and Deadly Sinns seem like a harmless affair at first, but a dueling coast-to-coast whipped the match back to its true barbaric core.
Upon finding a bowling ball under the ring, Sinnyk used F4H as target practice w/ the aid of traffic cones from Madrigal. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/A5j5fku00w
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Madrigal would draw first blood from Rosales by slamming him head-first onto the steel steps, before grinding his forehead with a cheesegrater and socking him with the thumbtack-plastered boxing glove Caroline. Sinnyk would get on the action by reversing Rosales’ F5 attempt into a backdrop on thumbtacks and Legos.
Rosales' carpet of thumbtacks & construction bricks was used against him when Sinnyk countered his F5 to a backdrop. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/7DRRfCIWBB
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Rosales would get his comeuppance by wriggling out of Sinnyk’s grasp, striking him with a guitar, and spearing him through the ropes to a waiting board of plywood on the outside. Rosales would leave Sinnyk to the medics and return to the ring to help Bax chokeslam Madrigal through another plywood board for the pin.
Medics swarmed the pair after Rosales speared Sinnyk through the ropes and onto the plywood — and tiled floors — below. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/h83XJAi1am
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
The match’s humorous start allowed F4H and Deadly Sinns to engage the crowd, pace their spots, and deliver on All Out War’s promise of brutality without making the whole affair feel by the numbers.
While Rosales and Sinnyk took the brunt of the bumps, Bax’s surprise slingblade and Koji clutch were definite highlights while Madrigal’s motor mouth prevented the action from having any real lows.
F4H went into an All Out War against Deadly Sinns & came out the victor. W/ DS out of the way, F4H is free to challenge TYT #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/0MJblBIhBk
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
With Deadly Sinns out of the way through this banger of a match, Fighters 4 Hire seems poised to challenge The YOLO Twins for the PWR Tag Team Titles next.
6) The Apocalypse loses Trian dela Torre's Kapre Challenge
Resbak is apparently the event for character development as The Apocalypse made his intentions to dominate PWR vocal, to the Revonation’s surprise.
Before his declaration however, The Apocalypse answered Dela Torre’s Kapre Challenge after an amazing promo by the Little People’s Champion.
Dela Torre's in-ring skills finally caught up to his mic skills somewhat as it built his character of being a fighter raised by little people as he repeatedly ducked under clotheslines and resorted to “small” moves like foot stomps and ear claps.
A “small” package grabbed him the well-deserved win in the end but invoked the wrath of The Apocalypse, who subjected him to a huge beatdown that counted the referee among its casualties.
Trian dela Torre firmly regretted issuing a challenge to PWRs kapres when The Apocalypse answered his call. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/ZhzctVQTuw
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Despite sounding like an amiable young man, The Apocalypse managed to get his point across: “You're all small people” in his world, and he’ll grant anyone’s deathwish, whether they be mini or man-sized.
7) Crystal wins vs. Bolt
Bolt’s third bout ran a little over 10 minutes and Crystal, the real graduation test for all bootcampers, helped him make the most out of it as their similar sizes did much to make each move look credible, if messy.
A learning venture for Bolt as Crystal put him through his paces. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/hWIzW0qoIn
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Crystal’s snap suplex and octopus hold are still on point, and her 619 near the 10 minute mark brought the crowd back. She also sold all offense from Bolt, who has precious power moves like the Superman Punch, like a champ and made this a genuine learning moment for Bolt in spite of Crystal winning with the Solemate.
8) Ralph Imabayashi w Rederick Mahaba (MTNH) wins v.s. Jake De Leon
An entrance can tell you a lot about a wrestler. Take for instance Neville: his shift from superhero to the King was telegraphed by his lack of need to appeal to the crowd and his sinister black gear.
With this in mind, Ralph Imabayashi coming out in a new furcoat ala Pete Dunne instead of his usual blue robes should’ve set off more alarms than it initially did.
Clad in a furcoat, tanktop, and mouthguard, Imabayashi's bout was the unveiling of a new, young and bitter bruiser. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/dk9mppmu0n
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Fears were temporarily staved off by Rederick Mahaba asking for permission to stay at ringside to prevent interference and his later disbelief at his partner attempting to cheat his way to victory.
The subtle foreshadowing ultimately proved true when Mahaba himself attacked JDL to allow Imabayashi to hit a sickening Gotch-style piledriver he later named Senketsu — Fresh Blood — for the win.
Mahaba shattered all hopes of redemption for his partner when he attacked JDL to allow Imabayashi the easy win. #PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/4TAzRfM7Xn
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
It's a simple story but it worked because of MTNH’s history: Mahaba and Imabayashi grew sick of losing crucial matches due to outside interference and of the Revonation’s failure to show love and respect when they actually made progress.
Individually, Mahaba’s loss to The Apocalypse made him reevaluate his definition of love, while Imabayashi’s loss and subsequent beatdown of young boys in Wrevolution X made it seem like he’s tired of showing deference to others.
Hitting JDL was the start to their recommitment to love and respect, and in time, winning.
Outside of their shocking betrayal, Imabayashi and JDL had what was easily the best singles bout of the night.
From Imabayashi limiting JDL with snapmares and vicious elbows, to JDL’s beautiful transition to the armbar, both built to their sequences, showed character, and engaged the crowd with their intensity.
Particular crowd favorites were Imabayashi’s refusal to go down after one lung-busting clothesline; JDL almost breaking the ring with his cannonball sequence; Imabayashi countering the Inasal Lock with a sleeper then a neck snap; and the penultimate fireman’s carry to Alipin Drop that knocked referee Matt Roxas out and allowed Mahaba to get in the ring.
9) Chris Panzer retains the PWR Title vs. John Sebastian
A new PWR Championship belt was unveiled at the beginning of the two-out-of-three falls match.
More ornate than the O.G. title, the new PWR belt looks more fitting of a Philippine champion from its Filipino tribal tattoo-inspired main plate to its side plates, a carabao and a rooster, both representative of the homeland.
New PWR Championship belt unveiled at the start of the 2 out of 3 falls match bet. champ Chris Panzer & John Sebastian @ #PWR#RESBAKpic.twitter.com/qRh42GHB3M
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 28, 2017
The first pin for the new title was secured after some great offense and crowd work from Sebastian, easily the best anti-heckler in PWR. Whereas The YOLO Twins and Warren's anti-crowd tactics could be annoying, Sebastian cut deep and not only managed to rile up a simple fan but the entire room with a jab at Panzer's real life girlfriend.
Panzer took center stage for the second round, where he epitomized the babyface-in-peril role. Both men are great at selling: Sebastian excels at vocals and in facials and can shift from amusing whines to true agony, but Panzer's struggle felt bone deep and authentic, as seen in his inability to stay upright after after taking a DDT and a Killshot.
Panzer counters Sebastian's top rope attempt with a huge running powerbomb.#PWRLive#Resbakpic.twitter.com/lZ1PXiPMkS
— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) May 30, 2017
Sebastian also made sure Panzer earned all of his actions. It took Panzer a long time to get big power moves, and when comebacks seemed possible, Sebastian caught him with a gogoplata and took him a tour around the ring to kick his pretty face. All this work made Panzer's capture of the second round via anaconda vise feel like true labored love.
The third and last round was fueled by a sense of urgency. Sebastian realized that he gave Panzer too much time to recover; it dawned on Panzer how tenuous his grasp on the belt was. But instead of being a sprint, the two didn't waste the work they put in and made the crowd think each fall could be it.
Panzer triumphed in the end with an Eagle Splash to claim his new title and move on to the next big challenge.
Final thoughts:
Unfortunate venue aside, the show was pretty compelling once it properly got going. Certain talents continued to amaze with their in-ring growth while none of the new stories that unfolded felt contrived as they were seeded in Wrevolition X and earlier shows.
Another important thing to note was the presence of a commentary team, comprised of SGP Podcast host Stan Sy and stand-up comic Red Ollero for the first half, and Sy and fellow SGP host Romeo Moran for the second half.
PWR President Mark Javellana explained to GMA News Online that they will release videos with commentary to feed “online clamor” but no-commentary options will still be available when they begin putting the back catalogue of PWR online in July.
Setting this aside, Resbak's stories are sure to bring in new eyes with its next show in June. —KBK, GMA News