By Jake Clarke @JakeCCK
HOPE Evolution 83: You can’t fix the world if all you have is a hammer!
06/4/19 West End Working mens club, Leicester
On this day, I returned to this working men’s club, one of the many in Leicester for my 11th show of the year HOPE 83. This was a highly anticipated show, with the Leicester debut of Chris Ridgeway as he took on a returning Cara Noir. This show looked like it was going to be a special one and it definitely delivered.
‘Diamond’ Dave Andrews defeats Tommy Kyle
This was the debut match of Tommy Kyle in HOPE and the former UBW champion looked to defeat the former Kings of Flight champion DDA. This was DDA’s first match since losing the Kings of Flight title against his former tag partner Danny Chase and DDA looked focus. I’m not the biggest DDA fan but he put a shift in in this match so fair play. The match began with a feeling out process ending in DDA coming out on top and taking control. Tommy Kyle then took control and taunted the crowd for supporting the DDA. The crowd were hot for this show. The match eventually ended with DDA countering a springboard maneuver into an RKO. Solid match to kick the show off. Was quite pantomime in places but overall it was fine but nothing memorable. This may lead to DDA getting his title rematch in the near future.
Joe Nelson defeats Nico Angelo to retain the HOPE Young Guns title
This match was a major show stealer. I knew this match was going to be good but I didn’t expect this. Nico was replacing an injured Ethan Allen, Ethan get better soon mate. I believe this was Nico’s first match back from injury and he looked great. From the get go, the match was fast paced and hard hitting. Both men displayed great technical capabilities despite being known for their high flying prowess. There were so many great near falls, including a Nico shooting star press which Joe kicked out off. Both men pulled out everything and the kitchen sink. Something that was interesting during this was Joe Nelson embracing a cocky side, seemingly being quite confident. Eventually, after trying for it all match, Nelson hit a tilt a whirl DDT to put Nico away. The guys embraced after the match and the crowd applauded, amazed by what a great match that was. If Joe and Nico want to have a rematch, wherever it is, I will happily come and watch.
Kai Payne defeats NIWA
This match was interesting as it was the returning Kai Payne taking on a debuting NIWA. NIWA himself said he was surprised by the pop he got from the crowd, some of the crowd members went genuinely wild. NIWA was replacing the sick Jack Cave, this was a great replacement, this was probably way better than the advertised match would have been, sorry Jack, I like you, just NIWA innit. Kai has a lot of potential and it showed in this match as he put a great shift in against a current Progress roster member. I own some Kai Payne merch so I am a big fan. Anyway, the match began with NIWA displaying his power, punishing Kai with some hard chops and Kai fired back but to no avail. Kai then took control and hit his really cool spinny elbow drop thing that he does. He then eventually finished off NIWA with the Payne killer. Great finishing move name, rate that. Overall, solid stuff all around, NIWA impressed in his debut. It was nothing too memorable but it was a fine match. NIWA got a please come back chant, so hopefully we do see him back in the future.
Tim Lee defeats Drew Parker to win the Hardcore championship
The result was obvious going into this. Drew had already announced his impending departure to Japan so there was no way he was winning this. The match was brutal nevertheless. Tim bought out a toy gun and began this match by shooting Drew with it, the bullets where like little pins that stuck into Drew when they were shot at him. Drew then got the chairs and punished Tim before getting a ladder from underneath the ring. He then proceeded to power slam Tim through the ladder. Next, Drew shot those bullets into both cheeks of Tim’s bottom. Drew got more chairs and tried to put Tim through them but Tim countered. What followed was nuts. They stuffed straws into each other’s heads and Tim dropped Parker on his head with the straws on. Crikey! After this Tim finished Parker off with the snowplow on some thumbtacks to get a huge win. Lee and Parker embraced post match and Parker got a standing ovation and a huge thank you Drew chant. Truly, thank you Drew. Has been an honor to watch you perform over the last year and a half.
In the interval, I got some chips from the lovely food area in the club. Lovely woman and cheap chips, not complaining.
Chief Deputy Dunne defeats Chris Tyler by DQ
We kicked off the second half of the show with the Chief coming out ready for a match with Chris Tyler. Chris came out and said that there was a new clause in his contract that said he did not have to compete if his bodyguard Alexander Hyde was absent, which he was this evening. Chris was then greeted with chicken chants which lead to him getting on the apron. As Dunne was distracted, out came Chris Ridgeway who choked Dunne out from behind. If the two Chris’ are forming an alliance I’m definitely not complaining. Dunne then challenged the two to a tag team main event which was greeted by Santos chants, it would be the returning Cara Noir that would be Dunne’s partner. Chris Tyler’s heel work was fantastic all night, he’s finally starting to look confident as a heel. The fact that two advertised singles matches that could have been great turned into a tag match was frustrating but the end product was fantastic.
Nothing to Prove (Elijah and L.K Mezinger) defeat Team MAD (Hustle Malone and Jayde) to retain the HOPE tag team championships
Jayde replaced the Warren Banks here and I was delighted as I’m a huge Jayde fan and she is currently in the lead in terms of people I have seen the most so far this year. I was surprised how dominant MAD were here. They really took it to the champs. After a fiery start, it was Elijah that took control, beating down Jayde whilst L.K mocked her from the outside. Eventually, Hustle made the hot tag, taking down both men and getting some great near falls. MAD hit Elijah with double headbutts and a double DDT which lead to a very convincing near fall but it was a bit messy aswell. Essentially what was supposed to happen was L.K should’ve pulled the ref out from counting the three but L.K was on the other side of the ring so the referee just stopped counting and waited to get pulled out. When it did happen, Elijah finished off Hustle to get the win for Nothing to Prove. This really killed the match and almost all the audience noticed it which put them off. Otherwise fine match but nothing special. I’m not sure who will beat Nothing to Prove at this point.
Kyle Kingsley defeats Rene Dupree
This was better than it had any right to be. I thought it would be quite sluggish but it was the opposite of that. Kingsley attacked Dupree as he was making his entrance and threw him into some chairs. Kingsley controlled a huge portion of this match and really impressed me, I thought he looked really great. He has come on leaps and bounds. Rene went for a splash multiple times but Kyle kept halting him and staying on top. Eventually, Kyle would win getting his feet on the ropes from a roll up. Hugely entertaining stuff, exceeded expectations massively. After the match, Dupree laid Kingsley out and finally hit him with the splash.
Cara Noir and Chief Deputy Dunne defeat Chris Tyler and Chris Ridgeway
This match was absolutely class and might be one of the best matches I’ve seen live this year so far. From the start, all 4 men just went at it. The match began with Ridgeway dominating Dunne on the mat and hitting him with large kicks. A thing that did make me laugh was when Chris was making his entrance, my mate shouted hard as and Chris put his finger on his lip, telling him to be quiet as it was a PG show. Anyways, Tyler and Noir were next in and despite Noir having a month away, he looked better than ever. This match then turned into a complete spotfest. Big move after big move, some incredible sequences and some excellent near falls with all 4 men hitting their best hits along the way. Everything was timed to perfection and I would kill to watch that match again. It was so amazing. After teasing it all match, Dunne and Noir finished Tyler off with a spike package piledriver. They then kissed after the match and both me got a huge pop to send the crowd home happy.
Overall:
Great show, probably the best HOPE show of the year so far. Every match delivered in some capacity and that’s what you want from a match like this. If you can make it, their next show is April 19th in Mansfield at the Forest town arena. Looks a promising card so far.
Matches to check out:
Chief Deputy Dunne and Cara Noir vs Chris Ridgeway and Chris Tyler
Joe Nelson vs Nico Angelo
Follow @JakeCCk on twitter for discussions, live coverage of shows I go to and much more. Cheers.
