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OVW Rise 1322 Recap
By Ethan Absler
With a big fight feel in the air just two days ahead of Christmas Chaos, the OVW faithful eagerly packed the legendary HotPoint Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky for another episode of Rise that promised to deliver just as much drama as it did in-ring action. As Revolution clutches to the control they have left of OVW, stars like Kal Herro, Freya The Slaya, and Cash Flo have formed a solid opposition to the iron fists of Basham and Gannon, sending OVW into an all-out state of chaos the last few weeks.
Thursday’s episode of Rise was no different than weeks past in the sense that the show was star-studded from top to bottom, featuring the likes of fan favorites in action like Hollyhood Haley J, Tusk N Chains, and even rumors of Al Snow prior to the show beginning! So if you didn’t have time to watch the show, sit back, relax, and read everything you need to know about Rise 1321!
At a Glance
David Vox Mullen Addresses The Revolution
Brandon Baretta Vs. Adam Revolver
Hollyhood Haley J Vs.Tatevik
Tony Evans (W/ Jay DiNero) Vs.Tusk N Chains
Doug Basham, Katie Gannon, and Mount Kadeem Address OVW Title
Leo Fox (W/ Shannon The Dude) Vs. Jake Lawless
Sophia Rose Vs. J-Rod (C)
Kal Herro Vs. AJZ
Santa Claus OVW Christmas Gift
Opening: David Vox Mullen Addresses The Revolution
OVW’s Chief Operating Officer, David Vox Mullen opened the show, calling out Doug Basham by name, citing hundreds of complaints from OVW talent and staff alike. He explains that he had no choice but to give the job to Basham after Snow’s absence, inviting him to the ring.
Gannon and Basham obliged, the pair so full of themselves that they seemed unaware of Mullen’s displeasure. Mullen proceeded to remind Doug that the OVW Board of Directors is investigating him and Revolution, and have been “breathing down Mullen’s neck” to make a final decision.
He scolded Basham for his actions, including his match last week against Kal Herro, stating that now he’ll have to conduct his own personal investigation with OVW talent tonight.
Match 1: Brandon Barretta Vs. Adam Revolver
An embarrassed Barretta stormed to the ring, annoyed that he hadn't picked up a win on OVW TV yet, hence he was forced to wrestle in a turkey suit for another week. Revolver wanted to hear none of it, interrupting Barretta’s sob story and tossing him into the ring.
Despite Barretta hitting a low blow before the bell officially rang, Revolver roared back, fighting his way out of a Boston Crab before pulling the turkey suit over Barretta’s head and swinging for the fences with multiple stiff shots. From there, he hit a Side Russian Leg Sweep and Short DDT to pick up the convincing win, keeping his momentum rolling.
After the match, Super-Z met with Mullen backstage, claiming to have information for him regarding Basham’s abuse of power.
Result: Adam Revolver DEFEATS Brandon Barretta
Match 2: Hollyhood Haley J Vs.Tatevik
Representing Revolution, Tatevik looked to score a big win against former OVW Women’s Champion, Hollyhood Haley J. Tatevik burst out of her corner with an Ax Kick to take control early, continuing her assault with stiff strikes and an Enziguri.
Hollyhood battled back though, hitting a Superkick out of nowhere to turn the tables. As Haley continued building momentum, Tatevik rolled her up with a Schoolboy to end the match in quick and shocking fashion.
After the match, Mullen spoke to the current OVW Tag Team Champions backstage, Beaches N Cream, about the Revolution situation.
Result: Tatevik DEFEATS Hollyhood Haley J
Match 3: Tony Evans and Jay DiNero Vs.Tusk N Chains
Before the match began, an angry Tony Evans reminded fans that he and DiNero are a unit, with DiNero working for him no matter what anybody or any contract says or thinks. He went on to claim the two would be future tag team champions and would demolish the former champs shortly.
Tusk N Chains had other plans, however, with the two lighting up Evans with their dynamic combo of speed, agility, and pure strength. It wasn’t until a rake of the eyes of TW3 and a referee distraction that allowed for a 2-on-1 beatdown against Cecil to ensue that Evans and DeNiro took control.
Tusk N Chains reminded the OVW faithful why they were the former champs, regaining control with a Suicide Dive and House Show Dive combo. From that moment, Tusk N Chains operated like a well-oiled machine, only losing momentary control after DiNero and Evans repeatedly used underhanded tactics to distract the referee.
After finally turning the tables in their favor with Cecil’s Giant Swing, Tusk N Chains began rebuilding momentum, only for Will Austin to shove TW3 off the top rope and into the big boot of DiNero for the big victory.
Result: Tony Evans and Jay DiNero DEFEAT Tusk N Chains
Segment: Doug Basham, Katie Gannon, and Mount Kadeem Address OVW Title
Before addressing the title, Basham addressed the investigation, claiming the Board of Directors was overstepping their boundaries and had no business conducting said investigation due to OVW’s recent spike in ratings.
With that, he gave the mic to Kadeem who was immediately drowned out by the overwhelmingly loud boos of the OVW faithful. Through the noise, Kadeem promised to destroy anybody in his path, but was interrupted by Mullen who reminded Basham and Kadeem that each champion is contractually obligated to defend their title every 30 days. Due to this clause, Mullen announced a match between Kadeem and the returning Luke Kurtis who promised to dethrone the champ.
Match 4: Leo Fox (W/ Shannon The Dude) Vs. Jake Lawless
Jessie Godderz watched from the announce table as Jake Lawless looked to pick up a huge victory over Revolution’s Leo Fox. As the match got underway, Lawless tried using his speed to counter Fox’s size, but met the steel steps face-first for his efforts.
From there, Fox hit an authoritative Fallaway Slam before distracting the referee to allow Shannon The Dude to pay his dividends on the outside. With that, Fox hit the War Crime DDT to put away Lawless in quick fashion.
After the match, Mullen questioned J-Rod backstage about Basham’s abuse of power. J-Rod’s only answer was, “No comment.”
Result: Leo Fox (W/ Shannon The Dude) DEFEATS Jake Lawless
Match 5: Sophia Rose Vs. J-Rod (C)
Sophia Rose squared off against the current OVW Women’s Champion in J-Rod just days before her title rematch against Freya The Slaya. The match resembled a boxing match early on with the two trading punches, foreshadowing before this Saturday’s Knockout Match.
J-Rod continued her attack via body shots and strikes to the face, clearly sending a message to The Queen of the North that she is the superior striker and is poised to gain the knockout win at Christmas Chaos. Rose reminded fans just how resilient she is, fighting back with a Thesz Press and Bulldog before J-Rod suddenly knocked Rose out with a single right hand to the face.
Result: J-Rod DEFEATS Sophia Rose Via Knockout
Match 6: Kal Herro Vs. AJZ
After defeating Doug Basham in Rise’s main event last week via disqualification, Kal Herro looked to score another win in this week’s final match against Revolution’s AJZ. The two traded blows early on with an aggressive AJZ gaining the upper hand with a ring-shaking Bodyslam. He kept his foot on the gas, punishing Kal with his strength and dictating the pace while shrugging off Herro’s short spurts of offense.
Every time Herro mounted an ounce of offense, AJZ seemingly had an answer, but the Fanny Pack Kid showed off his heart and never-say-die style the entire time. Everytime he got knocked down, he got right back up, eventually building momentum with a string of offense including a Superkick, and a Bionic Elbow. Just when it looked like Kal would pull off another improbable comeback, locking a Half-Crab in on AJZ, Tony Gunn blasted him from behind, ending yet another quality main event in disqualification.
With that, Dustin Jackson emerged to help protect Herro, fighting off Gunn before the foursome was separated by security.
Result: Kal Herro DEFEATS AJZ Via Disqualification
Segment: Santa Claus OVW Christmas Gift
After the main event, Santa Claus made his way to the ring to wish the OVW faithful a happy holidays, but was predictably interrupted by the Grinch in human form, Doug Basham. Basham sent Santa to the back, scolding him for giving children candy and encouraging everyone to eat protein. Before Gannon and Basham could deliver their message, Mullen emerged to break the news to Basham and the OVW faithful that he would be putting in a motion to have the Revolution and Basham’s reign ended immediately. With that, Al Snow emerged from backstage to the delight of the fans before promising to kick Basham’s ass, fire him, and reclaim the OVW throne.
Before leaving, Snow made his first official match back in charge: Doug Basham vs Cash Flo inside of a steel cage this Saturday at Christmas Chaos.
Overall:
For the first time in months, OVW fans can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel that is Revolution’s reign of terror. With the arrival of OVW COO David Vox Mullen to kick off the show, this episode of Rise felt a bit different than most, and Revolution’s luck may have officially run out. The biggest headline of the night easily comes in the form of Al Snow’s return and reclamation of OVW’s acting GM. Secondly, Basham will finally face the music when he takes on Cash Flo at Christmas Chaos this Saturday!
Additionally, the situations between Tony Gunn and Kal Herro, and Freya The Slaya and J-Rod have reached their true boiling points, with both contests not coming soon enough for any of the competitors. Finally, Mount Kadeem thought he might be able to hide behind Basham’s chaos and avoid defending his title, but a surprise return from Luke Kurtis spoiled that unrealistic dream for the current OVW Champion.
Revolution’s kingdom may finally be toppling, and this Saturday could be the tipping point.
