Hot off the heels of last week’s terrifying installment of Rise, OVW fans filed into the historic Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky once more, most wondering what Revolution would do this week to further dismantle OVW. Despite his abuse of power, General Manager Doug Basham actually planned a great episode of Rise which saw JRod defend her newly won OVW Women’s Championship against Shalonce Royal, and appearances from Tusk N Chains, Kal Herro, Hollyhood Haley J, and Cash Flo!
Additionally, Basham promised to address Crixus and the OVW Heavyweight Title picture, Dustin Jackson looked to continue building his momentum, and Tiffany Nieves looked to remind fans that she still belongs in the Women’s Title picture. While the direction of OVW remains unclear under the rule of Revolution, the company continues to prove time and time again that it’s home to some of the hottest up-and-coming wrestlers in the industry.
So if you didn’t have time to catch the show, sit back, relax, and learn everything you need to know about Rise 1309 below!
At a Glance
DougBasham Addresses Crixus and the OVW Heavyweight Championship Picture
TW3 Vs. Carson Drake
Angelica Risk Vs. Tiffany Nieves
Beaches N Cream (W/ Crystal White) Vs. Dysfunction
JRod (C) Vs. Shalonce Royal (OVW Women’s Championship)
Adam Revolver (W/ Shannon The Dude) Vs. Tony Bizo
Buzz Backlund Addresses The Revolution’s Disrespect
Jamin Olivencia (C) Vs. Kal Herro
Cash Flo Vs. AJZ, McKenzie, and Tony Gunn (OVW Heavyweight Championship Gauntlet Match
Opening: Doug Basham Addresses Crixus, OVW Heavyweight Championship, and Fans
Doug Basham kicked off the show by inviting the current Champion, Crixus to the ring, who sported a sling due to his injury suffered at the hands of Cash Flo last week. Shockingly, he forfeited his Heavyweight Title due to medical reasons, promising to return stronger than ever before going after Cash Flo and the title again when he’s back.
To the delight of the OVW fans, Basham was forced by the Director of the Board to grant Cash Flo a title opportunity; a match he promises will be no walk in the park for the big man.
Match 1: TW3 Vs. Carson Drake
The 80s Baby in TW3 entered through the side door, noticeably missing his partner in Cecil due to Revolution’s attack last week. As usual, TW3 took the fight to Drake with a flurry of fast-paced, high-flying offense. Drake was able to withstand it, hitting a devastating big boot to turn the tables.
As TW3 fought back, Drake blocked the attempted Sunset Flip, sitting on the 80’s Baby for the roll-up win.
Result: Carson Drake DEFEATS TW3
Match 2: Angelica Risk Vs. Tiffany Nieves
An angry Tiffany Nieves started things off strong, hitting an aggressive array of strikes and an Eat Defeat to gain an early lead over Risk. She continued grinding away on Risk until Angelica hit a textbook Huricanrana and 619 to turn the tables. Risk followed that up with an innovative Springboard DDT for a near-fall.
Out of nowhere, a retreating Nieves hit a Spear to score a near-fall of her own. Just then, Risk rolled up Nieves for an equally sudden three count and a big victory over Nieves.
Result: Angelica Risk DEFEATS Tiffany Nieves
Match 3: Beaches N Cream (W/ Crystal White) Vs. Dysfunction
In the third match of the night, Dysfunction looked to score a big win over one of OVW’s most established Tag Teams, Beaches N Cream. Both teams traded early leads before the chemistry and strength of Beaches N Cream allowed them to take control. In just minutes, Beaches N Cream hit a Powerbomb-Clothesline combo for the quick win. To add insult to injury, they sprayed Dysfunction with shaving cream after the match.
After that, AJZ and McKenzie emerged before Basham made a championship match between the two teams official.
Result: Beaches N Cream (W/ Crystal White) DEFEAT Dysfunction
Match 4: JRod (C) Vs. Shalonce Royal (OVW Women’s Championship)
In undoubtedly one of the biggest matches of her career, Shalonce Royal looked to capture the OVW Women’s Championship against Revolution’s JRod. The Champion dominated early, effortlessly throwing Royal to the mat before a distraction gave the challenger a momentary lead.
JRod proved to OVW fans just how tough she is, withstanding the offensive barrage from Royal before dropping her on the top rope. From there, JRod refused to take her foot off the gas, dismantling Royal with slams and boots to the face and body while working on Royal’s arm. Despite momentary glimpses of offense from Royal throughout, the Champion was just too much to overcome. In the end, JRod locked in an Armbar for the win.
Result: JRod DEFEATS Shalonce Royal to Retain the OVW Women’s Championship
Match 5: Adam Revolver (W/ Shannon The Dude) Vs. Tony Bizo
A cocky Adam Revolver, of course, flanked by Shannon The Dude, looked to build on his momentum after a big win last week. Tony Bizo on the other hand, looked to regain some of his lost momentum and catapult himself back onto OVW weekly shows.
Bizo overwhelmed Revolver early, sending him to the outside to regroup multiple times. Bizo continued bringing the fight, actually pinning Revolver’s shoulders down for three seconds- but a distracted referee at the hands of Shannon The Dude didn’t see it happen. When Bizo went to confront Shannon, Revolver hit him below the belt from behind, rolling him up for a cheap victory after the low blow.
Result: Adam Revolver (W/ Shannon The dude) DEFEATS Tony Bizo
Segment: Buzz Backlund Addresses The Revolution
Before Backlund could even get a thought off his chest, Revolution unsurprisingly surrounded him in the ring before delivering a vicious beatdown on the former Rush Division Champion. Just then, Kal Herro and Will Austin emerged before Basham forced Herro into a surprise match against Jamin Olivencia for standing up for his friend.
Match 6: Jamin Olivencia (C) Vs. Kal Herro
Disappointed and fired up over Austin’s lack of help, Herro burst out of his corner strong with repeated punches to the new Rush Division Champ. The Fanny Pack Kid kept his foot on the gas, attacking Olivencia on the outside before continuing the attack in the ring with a Bionic Elbow.
Full of emotion, Herro nailed his Fanny Pack Knee, seemingly finishing off his opponent before Basham pulled the referee out of the ring milliseconds before the sure three count. On the other side of the ring, Backlund looked to pay it forward and fight off Revolution for his friend Kal, only for Will Austin to attack Backlund, seemingly aligning himself with Revolution out of fear.
Austin held onto Kal against the ropes as Olivencia hit three Standing O DDTs on Backlund before Revolution left the ring- Austin in tow.
Result: No Contest
Match 7: Cash Flo Vs. AJZ, McKenzie, and Tony Gunn (OVW Heavyweight Championship Gauntlet Match)
AJZ started things off for Revolution in this 3-on-1 gauntlet match that saw Doug Basham make it as hard as possible for Cash Flo to win the title. Even with the disadvantage, Flo used his strength and size to chop AJZ down to size. One-half of the OVW Tag Team Champions in AJZ didn’t make it easy for Cash Flo though, fighting back with some strength and size of his own culminating with a Slingshot DDT.
Despite the long and intense beating at the hands of AJZ, Flo was able to fight back into it much to the dismay of Revolution. A Sideswipe Driveby Elbow scored Cash Flo the first of three pinfalls he’d need to win the title. Next, Tony Gunn took his turn, looking to end Cash Flo’s championship dreams. The two exchanged blows, fighting back and forth before the fresher Gunn began to wear down the big man.
The number’s game played a big role, with AJZ attacking an injured Cash Flo behind the referee’s back. Even still, Flo was able to fight back, rolling up Gunn after he tried a cheap roll-up of his own. McKenzie wasted no time, ensuring Cash Flo couldn’t recover. He continued bringing the heat, as did the rest of Revolution on the outside given Doug Basham had more control than the referee at this point.
McKenzie locked in multiple submission holds including a Boston Crab that almost ended the match. Every time Cash Flo fought back, Revolution swarmed him, never giving him a fair chance. As a last-ditch effort, Cash Flo went to the high-rent district, hitting a Frog Splash that sent the rest of Revolution into the ring to prevent him from winning the title. The big man managed to pull down the top rope, clear the ring, confront Basham, and hit a Sideswipe Driveby Elbow in the blink of an eye for the shocking victory.
Cash Flo made his great escape, OVW Heavyweight Title in hand, leaving Revolution raging in the ring.
Result: Cash Flo DEFEATS AJZ, Dalton McKenzie, and Tony Gunn to Win the OVW Heavyweight Championship
Overall
Well, another week, another show completely ruled by Revolution- except for Cash Flo’s shocking World Championship Gauntlet Match victory, now the final straw standing between Revolution and all the gold. Still, Revolution had full control over the show, destroying the likes of Buzz Backlund, ensuring JRod retained her title in dominant fashion, and added Will Austin to their roster.
Overall, Rise 1309 was rich in both story development and in-ring action with multiple high-profile, high-stakes matches for the OVW faithful. In addition to promo appearances from fan-favorite women’s stars in Hollyhood Haley J and Freya The Slaya, OVW produced another can’t-miss episode; even with The Revolution and Doug Basham in charge.