By Ciaran James@TheCiaranJames
08/07/2018, Newport, Wales
Mike Bird def. Nico Angelo
It was a humid day, so what better way to kick of proceedings with this highflying technical effort. Once more Mike Bird took on the best the Dragon Pro Academy has to offer, Nico Angelo was more than ready for this challenge. Bird was the aggressor throughout the contest, however Angelo held his own and gave a great showing of the skills he possesses. Once the match settled into a nice rhythm, they exchanged a collection of stiff strikes, the momentum shifted back and forth. Nico showed a wondrous array of offence and athletic ability, there is no reason why he cannot be appearing on more independent cards to close the year out. Mike Bird as always put the younger lad through the paces, he was unrelenting with his strikes and violence. There were a few near falls late in the contest, Nico seemed at times to have Bird on the ropes but the veteran rallied to capture a good win via Piledriver. Nice match.
Big Grizzly def. Flynn Burden
The next match featured a potential glimpse into the future for Flynn Burden, especially when post-match Big Grizzly gave the young man a blessing of sorts. I was very impressed by Flynn, demonstrating great size, strength and agility he showed great potential with a strong performance. Grizzly was as confident as ever, the current King of Chaos Champion was looking to dominate here and at times he did, Flynn it seemed was too eager at times to better his opponent, therefore his concentration lapsed. This was a very entertaining big man match, Flynn was looking to gain a huge win here, and at times it seemed that Big Grizzly had met his match. Unfortunately for Flynn Burden this big win will have to wait, Grizz powered through the punishment and stood atop the mountain still.
The Merlin Cambridge Invitational – 2nd Round
Oliver Sudden def. Josh Holly & Shay
With Jay Jewell already qualified in the previous round, Merlin Cambridge looked to recruit another finalist for ‘his’ prestigious tournament. This match fell into anarchy soon after the opening bell, Shay was not interested early on so went to the bar, and therefore Oliver Sudden and Josh Holly were left to battle it out. The audience were firmly behind Oliver, he was their choice, and Josh Holly it seemed was too concerned with trying to win over the affections of Shay, which unfortunately for Holly, meant he took the pin. Merlin entered the ring to congratulate Oliver but also mentioned his deficiencies in the process, he demanded that Sudden attack Josh Holly at ringside. When Oliver declined, Jay Jewell reacted first with a swift kick and German Suplex. I was a little surprised Josh Holly was used as a comical act here, with a few more tweaks and vicious streak, there is no reason he cannot become a top heel in Dragon Pro. Overall nice little match.
Matt Horgan def. El Ligero
This was without question the purest wrestling contest of the evening, for me Matt Horgan is Dragon Pro’s finest wrestler. Ligero made for a fine opponent and their skills were well matched, the veteran offered Horgan the opportunity to really exhibit his repertoire and what he could do. The two went back and forth early on, trying to feel each other out, they received a nice applause for their exchanges. Horgan took the match to Ligero, the mat wrestling on show here was very good, and Ligero fought back and tested his opponent. They exchanged holds and submissions, each man trying to gain the upper hand and take over the contest. There were some great sequences throughout the match, Ligero looked as slick as ever and forced Horgan back. Matt then took control late on, it was a tight contest and the falls were close. Horgan however once more exhibited his skills and gained victory. Excellent.
Dragon Pro Tag Team Title Match
The 198 (Boar & Flash Morgan Webster) def. Eddie Dennis & Elliot Hightower
After defeating the Brotherhood earlier this year, The 198 made their first title defence against the returning Eddie Dennis and Elliot Hightower (who is extremely tall). This match had a nice competitive feel to it, but there was never the real possibility of the titles changing hands. Eddie & Elliott looked good together, their height and power worked towards their advantage at times, but it was the speed and agility of Flash and Boar which caught them out. Elliott got some good ring time, he looked a very competent worker and had some nice moments with 198, and Boar was as hard hitting as ever. Flash used his speed to counter the offence of the ‘World’s Tallest Tag Team’, when Eddie had him perched up high Flash countered into a beautiful Hurricanrana. The match picked up pace late on, Boar speared everyone, and Flash flew gracefully through the ropes and caught Dennis in the Strangler, meanwhile in the ring Boar got the victory with the Trapper Keeper.
Celtic Crown Women’s Title
Sierra Loxton def. Dani Luna w/Sid Oakley
Sierra retained against a very game Dani Luna, who had orchestrated this match after attacking Loxton when she originally won the title. This was a scrappy and hard-hitting affair, Dani although good was outdone by the physicality of Loxton. Luna, assisted by her clearly wasted sidekick/boyfriend Sid Oakley took the usual shortcuts, their constant toying with the rules distracted Sierra at times. I thought Sierra looked good here, her confidence was up and so was her speed, when Oakley got too involved she made sure he did not act again. As she gained control of the match Loxton crushed both Luna and Sid as they lay prone in the corner, gaining full speed she crashed into them bum first. With Sid down and out, Sierra further smashed Dani, to regain her title she literally came back off the ropes and crashed her dangerous derriere into the face of Luna. Job done.
All Wales Title Match
Danny Jones © def. Travis Banks
This was excellent, Travis Banks was excellent and Danny Jones earned the victory. From start finish these men battered each other, the strikes, kicks and shear brutality were wonderful. Travis Banks had come to win a title, Danny Jones however was not in the selling mood, and the contest was stiff. Banks took no chances and took the fight to Jones early on, he marked his body with hand and footprints, Banks was relentless. Danny dug deep and fought back against the self-proclaimed ‘KiwiBuzzaw’, they went move for move trying to outdo one another. The audience were fully immersed into this contest, they were split as both men are crowd favourites. The range of kicks from Banks was scary, we all felt them, Danny however just soaked it up, and he looked beat but kept going and fighting back. The humidity inside the building was at boiling point, both Jones and Banks were spent, they traded blows late in the match. Banks hit another array of kicks before hitting a Shining Wizard, there was a close fall but Jones kicked out. The defending Champion rallied, with fatigue hitting them both Danny saw opportunity and caught Travis with his patented Piledriver for a well-deserved win.
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