1UP Wrestling presents Wrestle City
Date: 6/22/2024
From: Watertown, NY
It looks like 1UP has switched announcers, which was the case starting last month. They are using John McGraw and Cody Jenner. They are significantly better than the previous duo.
Opening Contest: Pretty Fly (Maxwell Keith & Kairoah) vs. Hired Gun Inc. (Garrett Holiday & Thomas Kennedy): Pretty Fly start off with a shove and right hands in opposite corners. Holiday and Kennedy drop them face first on the top turnbuckles. However, they are sent into each other and Holiday falls to the floor. Pretty Fly hit an assisted neckbreaker on Kennedy, but Holiday responds with a double clothesline. Holiday uppercuts Kairoah to the mat. Kennedy enters the match and shoulder rams Kairoah in the corner several times. Kennedy scoop slams Kairoah and Holiday enters to slam Kennedy onto Kairoah. Holiday decks Kairoah to the mat with another strike. Holiday scoop slams Kairoah and comes off the ropes to deliver an elbow drop for a two count. Holiday pummels Kairoah with right hands on the mat and Keith enters to cause a distraction as Father Derek gets a cheap shot in from the floor. Kairoah stops Holiday with a jawbreaker and a dropkick. Holiday decks Kairoah with a discus forearm and keeps control in the corner. Holiday clubs Kairoah over the back with another strike. Kennedy enters the match and tries for a suplex, but Kairoah blocks it. Kennedy misses a suplex and elbows Kairoah. Kairoah hits a snap suplex and they both struggle to their feet. Kairoah can’t reach the tag on the jump, but does get the tag on a second attempt. Keith cleans house with strikes. Keith nails Kennedy with a big boot. Kairoah quickly returns to the match, but Kennedy shoves Keith away and plants Kairoah with a spinebuster. Holiday nails Keith with a forearm strike. Kennedy goes to the top and hits a middle rope Hart Attack. Holiday plants Kairoah with a DDT to pickup the win. (**1/2. Aside from a squash that Maxwell was involved in with Sullivan, I haven’t seen anything from Pretty Fly prior to this bout. I wasn’t expecting much, but they did a good job as an underdog duo. Keith showed some good fire when he had a moment of shine. Holiday and Kennedy work well as a team, too. A solid opener to the show.)
Second Contest: Cloudy vs. Adam Stone: Stone backs Cloudy into a corner and Cloudy walks the ropes to stand on the top turnbuckle, but Stone simply drops Cloudy to the mat face first. Cloudy wants to try a test of strength and instead kicks Stone in the midsection. Cloudy runs the ropes and is met with a shoulder block. Stone shoulder blocks Cloudy a second time. Stone catches Cloudy coming off the ropes to deliver a slam and leaps off the ropes to nail Cloudy with a forearm strike for a one count. Stone pummels Cloudy with strikes in the corner. Stone clotheslines Cloudy in the corner. Stone punches Cloudy several times in the corner causing Cloudy to bail to the floor to regroup. Stone follows, but Cloudy decides to walk up the aisle only to be thrown back into the ring. Stone blocks a strike on the apron and tries for a suplex, but Cloudy drops Stone over the top rope. Cloudy takes Stone out with a suicide dive to the floor. Cloudy heads to the top rope and double stomps Stone over the back. Cloudy covers, but only manages a two count. Cloudy chokes Stone on the mat. Cloudy continues with a neckbreaker for another near fall. Cloudy comes off the ropes to deliver a knee drop. Cloudy forearms Stone into the ropes, but Stone holds onto the ropes and blocks being sent across the ring. Cloudy strikes Stone with a forearm. Cloudy drop toe holds Stone over the middle rope and hits the 585 (619). Cloudy avoids a clothesline and nails Stone with a cutter for a two count. Cloudy keeps Stone on the mat with a sleeper, but doesn’t get a submission. Stone elbows Cloudy a few times, but a knee strike stops his momentum. Stone runs out of the corner to clothesline Cloudy followed by an atomic drop. Stone does an airplane spine followed by a discus lariat. Stone waits in the corner and tries for a Rock Bottom, but Cloudy arm drags Stone. Cloudy takes Stone down and tries to use the ropes for leverage, but the referee catches Cloudy. Stone plants Cloudy with the Stone Driver to pickup the win. (**1/2. Another solid match on the show. Not really a fan of the referee shoving Cloudy to lead to the finish. They are pushing Stone and he’s doing a good job in the role. Cloudy is a veteran and did a great job highlighting Stone’s strengths.)
Third Contest: Steve McKenzie vs. Vince Valor: Valor backs McKenzie into a corner, and backs off cleanly to pose for the crowd. McKenzie goes to the floor to play to the crowd, but returns to the ring quickly. McKenzie backs Valor into the corner and plays to the crowd. McKenzie jabs Valor a few times followed by an elbow strike. Valor bails to the floor to regroup, but McKenzie follows hitting Valor with a strike to the back. McKenzie rams Valor into the ring steps a couple of times. McKenzie is rammed into the corner by Valor. Valor strikes McKenzie to the mat with a strike and a headbutt. Valor chokes McKenzie in the corner and plays to the crowd. Valor strikes McKenzie in the corner and delivers a chop to maintain the advantage. Valor controls McKenzie on the mat with a sleeper. McKenzie elbows free and atomic drops Valor. McKenzie nails Valor with a kick to the head. McKenzie chops Valor a few times, but a knee lift stops McKenzie. McKenzie big boots Valor and hits a lifted DDT for a two count. Valor hits the Death Valley Driver to pickup the win. (*. I’m not surprised by the outcome here, at all. McKenzie got a win last month and naturally leads to a job outing here for Valor. Valor is decent in the ring and should be a good addition to the 1UP roster if he’s a regular.)
David Coles and ZSIII make their way out to the ring for a promo segment. ZSIII has something to say to his student, Coles. ZSIII wants to air out what is bothering Coles. Coles talks about fighting with dignity and respect. Coles is learning that not everyone wrestles with respect and dignity in pro wrestling. Coles hasn’t won a match in 1UP and he’s not use to losing. Coles doesn’t know what to do and feels like he’s let his trainer and school down. ZSIII notes that Coles doesn’t have a match on the card, but he’s still in front of the fans. ZSIII says that people would do anything to take Coles spot. ZSIII recalls being a rulebreaker when he competed, but sometimes that’s the only way to win in pro wrestling. ZSIII tells Coles he can’t be walking with his head down and not believing in himself because then the fans won’t believe in him either. Price Puregold makes his way out to cutoff the segment. Puregold insults Coles for being sad that he didn’t get a match on the show. Puregold reminds Coles that this is professional wrestling and they do whatever it takes. Puregold isn’t out there crying because he also doesn’t have a match. Puregold is out there to take Coles spot. Puregold low blows Coles and then bails to the floor. ZSIII says this is exactly what he’s talking about. ZSIII promises to be by Coles side every step of the way. ZSIII challenges Puregold to a match in July on Coles behalf.
Father Derek comes out to cut a promo. Derek reveals that Sullivan wasn’t able to make the show to compete against Pat Sawyer. Derek says they have people begging for a chance and tonight one of them will get an opportunity. Derek introduces Chael Connors to replace Sullivan.
Fourth Contest: Chael Conners vs. Pat Sawyer: Connors kicks Sawyer to kickoff the match and puts a headlock on Sawyer for a moment. Sawyer shoulder blocks Connors through the ropes to the floor. Sawyer chops Connors around ringside several times. Sawyer nails Connors with a few leg lariats in the ring followed by a scoop slam and a leg drop for a two count. Sawyer hip tosses Connors out of the corner and chops Connors to the mat. Sawyer continues to chop Connors and Connors lands over the middle rope. Connors dropkicks Sawyer into the corner and plays to the crowd. Sawyer dumps Connors to the apron, but Connors uses his speed to get back into the ring and tries for a crucifix, but Sawyer drops Connors onto the apron again. Connors drops Sawyer over the top rope and heads to the top rope hitting a double stomp over Sawyer’s back. Connors continues to taunt the fans by posing. Connors hits a swanton bomb off the top for a one count. Connors forearms Sawyer in the corner and chokes Sawyer over the top rope for a few moments. Connors controls Sawyer with a front face lock. Sawyer runs into a big boot in the corner and Connors tries for a tornado DDT, but is thrown off. Connors avoids a chokeslam to deliver a kick and a superkick for a two count. Connors casually kicks Sawyer against the ropes and runs into a superkick. Connors forearms Sawyer a few times to stagger Sawyer. Sawyer nails Connors with a strike. Sawyer clotheslines Connors followed by an elbow strike and a lariat. Sawyer splashes Connors in the corner followed by a big boot for a two count. Sawyer tries for a chokeslam, but Connors eye rakes Sawyer and delivers a chop block. Connors hits a handspring cutter for a near fall. Sawyer counters a handspring and hits a swinging flatliner and plants Connors with a chokebomb for the win. (**1/2. I was a bit bummed that there wasn’t a match between Sawyer and Sullivan. It would have been the first true challenge for Sullivan. Luckily, they can always revisit it in the future. Connors looked good and probably would excel in a match with someone more his style. This was a fine bout considering the switch. Sawyer seems to be growing on me and he’s finding his style with each outing.)
Fifth Contest: Edge of Hope (Mattick & Cerine Rahne) vs. Polar Ephex (Don Freeze & Isys Ephex): Ephex and Rahne kickoff the tag match. Ephex gets control with a side headlock, but is sent into the ropes. Ephex holds onto the ropes and they have a standoff. Ephex shoulder blocks Rahne. Ephex hip tosses Rahne followed by an arm drag. Ephex tries for a slam, but Rahne avoids it. Ephex head scissors Rahne and tags in Freeze. Freeze splashes Rahne in the corner and Ephex hits a double knee followed by a suplex. Freeze hits a springboard splash for a one count. Freeze tries for a slam, but Rahne delivers a strike and tags in Mattick. Freeze ducks a clothesline and kicks Mattick. Freeze messes up on an attempted springboard, but eventually hits a springboard crossbody. Freeze hits a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Freeze sends Mattick into the corner to deliver a shoulder ram several times. Freeze splashes Mattick in the corner. Freeze heads to the top rope, but Rahne grabs Freeze. Mattick uppercuts Freeze and hits a Death Valley Driver over his knee for a two count. Mattick works over Freeze in the corner with strikes and tags in Rahne. Rahne uppercuts Freeze in the corner followed by a sliding kick. Mattick delivers a rolling neck snap for a two count. Freeze sunset flips Rahne for a two count. Rahne nails Freeze with a clothesline for a two count. Rahne strikes Freeze into the corner. Mattick atomic drops Freeze and Rahne hits a blockbuster leading to a near fall. Mattick decks Ephex off the apron and stomps Freeze while the referee is distracted. Mattick scoop slams Freeze and Rahne hits a springboard splash for a two count.
Rahne forearms Freeze several times in the corner. Freeze counters a monkey flip and decks Rahne with a clothesline causing both men to go down. Mattick enters the match illegally to stomp Freeze and Ephex does the same to stomp Rahne. Ephex and Mattick begin to trade strikes until Ephex is sent to the floor. Mattick and Ephex brawl on the floor while Freeze and Rahne trade strikes from their knees. Polar Ephex hit stereo superkicks and Mattick rolls to the floor. Rahne is nailed by Total Elimination leading to a near fall. Ephex tries for a back suplex, but Rahne breaks free and tags in Mattick. Mattick tosses Rahne into Ephex to hit a tornado DDT, but Ephex kicks out at two on the cover attempt. Mattick has Ephex on his shoulders, but Rahne comes off the ropes and is met with an elbow. Mattick hits a snap German suplex, but Freeze makes the save. Freeze sends Mattick to the floor and hits a slingshot crossbody. Freeze sneaks a tag that Rahne didn’t see. Ephex kicks Rahne from the apron and hits a flying crossbody. Freeze hits a top rope splash to pin Rahne for the win. (*1/2. This may have went on a little too long, but it was a decent tag match for what it was. Freeze had a couple of sloppy moments, but his potential offense for his size is impressive. If he can hit the moves on a regular basis and do so without slipping up he’s going to be a popular act on the indies at some point.)
Sixth Contest: Superbeast vs. Matt McCoy: McCoy stalls for a few moments causing Superbeast to get the microphone and cut a promo, which is nearly impossible to understand because he’s yelling and the sound isn’t the greatest. McCoy finally gets in the ring and Superbeast works over McCoy in the corner. Beast overhand chops McCoy in several corners. McCoy avoids a chop and bails to the floor. McCoy spits water into Beast’s eyes and rams Beast onto the apron several times. McCoy nails Beast with a dropkick on the apron. McCoy misses a baseball slide and is met with a right hand strike. Beast overhand chops McCoy on the floor several times. Beast holds McCoy to allow a fan to deliver a chop. McCoy kicks the middle rope to low blow Beast. McCoy kicks Beast on the side of the head for a near fall. McCoy continues to stomp Beast on the mat and delivers a leg drop for a two count. McCoy delivers an elbow drop for a two count. McCoy does a few pushups on Beast. McCoy stomps Beast and grabs a microphone to taunt the fans. McCoy tries to force Beast to quit, but Beast refuses. Beast dumps McCoy to the apron and McCoy climbs to top to hit a dangerous missile dropkick for a near fall. McCoy grabs a steel chair from the floor. McCoy tries to use the chair, but the referee stops McCoy. McCoy is shoved by the referee and McCoy falls over a kneeling Beast. Beast clotheslines McCoy a few times, but is met with a kick. Beast kicks McCoy and hits a stunner. McCoy puts the referee in the way causing Beast to splash the referee. McCoy misses a chair shot and smacks himself off the ropes. Beast punches the chair into McCoy’s face. The referee is forced to disqualify Beast, as a result. (1/2*. I’m sure they will do another match with a stipulation. It’s been a feud that I don’t care about and the match wasn’t very good either.)
Seventh Contest: Hot Stuff Enterprises (Sebastian Braun & Shayne Stetson) & Cheech vs. Black & Yellow (Jackson & Shi) & Jay Freddie: Stetson and Jackson kickoff the match, but Stetson wants a piece of Freddie. Freddie tags into the match, but Braun enters the match, too. Freddie starts off with chops on Braun and a kick to the leg followed by a few quick dropkicks. Freddie is caught on a crossbody attempt and Braun tries for a slam, but Freddie breaks free to dropkick Braun. Freddie dragon screw leg whips Braun. Black & Yellow enter the match to double dropkick Braun. Jackson plants Braun with a DDT and slams Shi onto Braun for a two count. Braun side slams Jackson to gain the advantage. Braun taunts the crowd before slapping Jackson. Braun rams Jackson into his corner and tags in Cheech. Cheech works over Jackson with several strikes in the corner and a boot scrape on the mat. Cheech keeps Jackson on the mat before tagging in Stetson. Jackson boots the heels in the corner and tags in Shi. Shi cleans house with forearm strikes. Shi runs the ropes to hit a slingblade on Stetson. Stetson plants Shi with a spinebuster for a two count. Stetson nails Shi with a seated lariat for a two count. Shi is trapped in the wrong corner as Braun returns to the match. Stetson uppercuts Shi in the corner and is met with a big boot by Braun. Braun knocks Jackson and Freddie off the apron. Braun grabs Shi and delivers a scoop slam. Braun delivers an elbow drop onto Shi.
Cheech scoop slams Shi and delivers an elbow drop. Cheech covers Shi for a two count. Stetson enters and slams Shi before delivering an elbow drop for a two count. Stetson chokes Shi on the mat before tagging in Cheech. The heels pose with a weak Shi before hitting a double side Russian leg sweep. Stetson yanks Shi down to the mat and taunts the crowd. Stetson chokes Shi over the middle rope. Shi elbows Stetson in the corner and delivers a boot. Shi kicks Stetson away in the corner and hits a corkscrew dive off the ropes. Cheech tags into the match and prevents Shi from tagging out. Freddie gets the hot tag and dragon screw leg whips Cheech a couple of times. Freddie dumps Braun to the floor and tries for a powerbomb on Cheech, but Cheech elbows free. Freddie nails Cheech with a dropkick and a side suplex for a two count. Jackson tags into the match and Cheech is met with three running strikes in the corner. Jackson powerslams Cheech coming out of the corner. Freddie hits a diving headbutt leading to a near fall for Jackson. Freddie dropkicks Braun through the ropes to the floor. Freddie is tripped by Stetson on the floor. Cheech dumps Jackson to the floor and does the same to Shi. Stetson enters the ring to get his hands on Freddie. Freddie blocks a right hand by Stetson and delivers several chops against the ropes.
Freddie knee lifts Stetson coming off the ropes and hits the Tiger Driver, but Cheech breaks the cover at two. Cheech kicks Freddie followed by a knee strike. Shi nails Cheech with a running boot. Braun big boots Shi. Jackson tries for a slam, but Braun elbows free. Jackson spin kicks Braun coming off the ropes to hit a Samoan Drop. Stetson eye rakes Jackson and hits a springboard cutter out of the corner causing everyone to be laid out. All six men trade strikes in the middle of the ring. The heels end up being sent to the floor. Freddie, Shi and Jackson hit stereo dives to the floor to take the heels out on the floor. Freddie rolls Cheech into the ring, but Cheech nearly wins with a rollup. Freddie nails Cheech with a running knee after the referee shoved Cheech. Freddie hits the shining wizard and pins Cheech for the win. (***. A good match, but they are using the referee shove as a finish a little too much it seems. I understand protecting the heels, but these guys are more than capable of maintaining their heat after taking a clean loss. Freddie, Shi and Jackson were a ton of fun here.)
Main Event: Mike Skyros vs. TNA Tag Team Champion Eddie Edwards: Edwards backs Skyros into a corner, but cleanly backs away. Edwards shoulder blocks Skyros and sarcastically applauds Skyros in the corner. Skyros controls Edwards with a wrist lock, but Edwards counters quickly with a headlock. Edwards shoulder blocks Skyros and they end up having a standoff. The crowd is chanting for both men. Skyros ducks a clothesline and they trade shoulder blocks. Skyros nails Edwards with a leaping shoulder block followed by an arm drag to keep control on the mat. Edwards nails Skyros with an elbow strike as Skyros comes off the ropes. Edwards rams Skyros into the corner and continues to taunt the crowd before delivering a chop. Skyros kicks Edwards followed by a few strikes and a clothesline for a one count. Skyros controls Edwards on the mat with a chin lock. Skyros works over Edwards with right hands in the corner. Skyros elbows Edwards in the corner, but Edwards shoves Skyros to the floor. Edwards taunts the crowd in the middle of the ring. Edwards chops Skyros against the railing. Edwards chops Skyros against the railing. Edwards misses a chop and Skyros fires back with several chops until an eye rake by Edwards stops Skyros. Edwards taunts a few fans in the front row, too.
Edwards rolls Skyros back into the ring and chokes Skyros over the middle rope. Skyros runs the ropes, but is stopped by a clothesline for a one count. Edwards clotheslines Skyros in the corner and a short arm clothesline for a two count. Skyros breaks free with a jawbreaker, but a knee lift stops his momentum. Edwards taunts the crowd before delivering a headbutt to Skyros. Edwards chokes Skyros over the middle rope. Edwards snapmares Skyros and covers, but Skyros kicks out quick enough to avoid even a one count. Edwards keeps Skyros on the mat with a front face lock. Skyros fights back with a right hand, but Edwards tries for a suplex. Skyros attempts a suplex, but Edward delivers a headbutt. Skyros counters with a suplex anyway. Edwards misses a splash and Skyros hits a couple of running splashes in the corner. Skyros kicks Edwards away and delivers a pump kick. Skyros plants Edwards with a back suplex for a near fall. Edwards shoves Skyros into the corner, but is met with a boot. Edwards kicks Skyros on the top turnbuckle and hits a backpack stunner for a two count.
Edwards forearms Skyros a few times, but Skyros responds with strikes. They begin to trade strikes in the middle of the ring. Edwards chops Skyros a few times Skyros jump kicks Edwards into the ropes. Skyros hits an F5, but Edwards kicks out at two. Skyros waits in the corner and misses a DDT attempt. Edwards elbow strikes Skyros followed by a Tiger Driver for a two count. Edwards slaps Skyros while taunting the crowd. Skyros fires back with a flurry of strikes. Skyros clotheslines Edwards over the top to the floor and hits a suicide dive on the floor. Edwards grabs his tag team championship and slides it into the ring, but is kicked by Skyros. Skyros rolls Edwards into the ring. Edwards grabs the belt and decks Skyros with the championship to avoid the Skyfall DDT. The referee ends up disqualifying Edwards. After the match, Edwards pummels Skyros with right hands on the mat and shoves the referee to the floor. Edwards grabs the championship, but Skyros kicks Edwards and hits the Skyfall DDT causing Edwards to roll to the floor. (**1/2. The DQ finish absolutely sucks. It’s likely the only outcome reasonable to happen since you’d likely not want to have Skyros lose cleanly or lose at all. I’m sure TNA talent can’t be losing on the indies, and considering Edwards is a champion for TNA it’s even more unlikely. The action was solid, but it’s a bummer of an outcome.)
Final Thoughts:
Once again there is plenty of quality action throughout the show. There isn’t a standout match, but there’s enough overall wrestling to make this feel like a worthwhile viewing experience. I’ve been enjoying 1UP Wrestling and I’m looking forward to their next shows.
Thanks for reading.