REVIEW: Pro Wrestling East - Out Of The Ashes
Credit: Pro Wrestling East
Pro Wrestling East: Out Of The Ashes
Storey’s Field Centre - Cambridge
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Reviewer: Dave Sewell (@davesewell04)
After Oxford and Milton Keynes last weekend it was off to Storeys Field Centre in Cambridge this week for Pro Wrestling East’s second ever show.
The show wasn’t scheduled to start until 6.30pm meaning I didn’t have to rush around like the week before.
I set off for Cambridge about 2pm and in hindsight I should’ve whether Wycombe Wanderers were at home as I got caught in the heavy football traffic, turning a 15 minute drive to the motorway into over an hour.
I still made good time and got there an hour before the show so I had something to eat watched a download on my IPad then made my way to the venue. I managed to get in with no trouble, despite the fact that Lana Austin had barred me via Twitter earlier in the day.
The show started with Frank Fiott thanking people for their attendance and being thankful that PWE could run a second show after two years, as it was looking extremely unlikely at one point.
It was then time to hand over over to Sanj Surati, whose enthusiasm was infectious, to get the crowd hyped. The referees for the evening had yellow and black striped tops on which I loved. Onto the wrestling…
Beau Belles vs Rhia O’Reilly
Credit: Pro Wrestling East
This match was a debut for Beau who had a strong opponent in the heel O’Reilly, who seemed genuinely offended that someone of such a high stature had to deal with someone so early on in their career.
Rhia was also great at leading Beau through the match and getting the crowd behind the debuting star. I thought it was going to be a quick night when Rhia hit a curb stomp almost immediately.
But, to her credit, Beau kept fighting on - even hitting an impressive cartwheel splash and a flatliner during the content. But, as expected it was Rhia who picked up a dominant victory thanks to a petrol bomb DDT.
The Diadem (Rebel Kinney and Tarquin) v Nightshade and Skye
Nightshade was originally teaming with Everett Connors but he was sick and when they said Skye was replacing him I was expecting Smitson, instead it was someone else.
I’ve always liked Nightshade so to cheer her as a face was great. Nightshade and Rebel started off and Nightshade was throwing her about with ease.
It was then a tag to a reluctant Skye who was then beaten from pillar to post. After a while they hit a flying head scissors and went for the tag but Nightshade dropped off the apron asking if Skye really thought she would tag with them. She then hit Skye with a two handed choke bomb allowing Tarquin the easy pin.
It was then revealed Tarquin had paid Nightshade to join The Diadem.
Lana Austin vs Charlie Morgan - Women’s Championship Tournament First Round
Credit: Pro Wrestling East
Considering Charlie was the home town girl, Lana had a fair bit of support here. It was the first time I’ve seen Lana in full heel mode and she was absolutely fantastic, trying to get people thrown out and at one point threatening to walk out
She also did the funniest thing I’ve ever had happen to me; I know Lana from EVE and at one point she got thrown out of the ring and sat next to me. I jokingly pretended I was going to take a photo with her, at which point she snatched my phone away and gave me a right earful. She confiscated my phone and walked off with it, eventually giving it to some bloke and told him not to give it back (thankfully he did). I was crying (the good kind).
Both girls had a great match! Lana hit her discus elbow and went for the finish but she then got hit with super kicks and a senton. One DDT later Charlie moved into the next round of the woman’s title tournament.
We then had the interval where Man Like Dereiss performed and was rudely interrupted by Mad Kurt leading to a bit of handbags between the pair.
Peter Nixon vs Jordan Saeed - Men’s Championship Tournament First Round
Credit: Pro Wrestling East
Peter is another new name to me and outwrestled Jordan to start with, until a quick knee to the midsection during a rope break put Jordan firmly in control.
Jordan also made good use of Peters braces twanging them on his back and chocking him with his own tie. He then set up for the camel clutch finisher on the second attempt it seemed only a matter of time before the tap, with Nixon just getting his foot on the ropes.
A couple more whacks to the back saw another attempt leading to reversals galore, with Peter eventually getting the pin. I would love to tell you the move but the cameraman stepped in my way just at the wrong time.
Mad Kurt vs Oli Peace
Credit: Pro Wrestling East
Kurt was once again accompanied to the ring by brother Harry, who got booted by Kurt when he dabbed the crowd. Kurt’s entrance video is quite good, it’s just him in his cape showing tweets he’s sent.
There was a good bit of mat wrestling to start with and with some submission attempts, of which I thought Kurt was better.
During the match Harry came into the ring to help Kurt with old school ring walking, which led to Oli pushing Harry while Kurt was crouched, leading to him bouncing onto the ropes.
The end came shortly after when, all of a sudden, Kurt said something to ref Lauren and Oli just laid down and let Kurt pin him which seemed odd.
Then it became obvious, Kurt had badly injured his knee and had to be carried out - hence the early finish to the match (have a speedy recovery Kurt). It’s easy to forget that wrestler’s risk their health every time they step through the ropes for our entertainment.
Post-match, Harry came out for a promo and seemed a natural saying how great Kurt is. He was interrupted by Dereiss and Dan Moloney and ended up being almost powerbombed through the mat by The Lyrical Dragon. Dan and Dereiss then took selfies to show off their good work.
Roy Johnson vs Hustle Malone
Credit: Pro Wrestling East
Hustle Malone was just talking all the while whilst being on the attack, like he’s narrating an action movie, which is a bit annoying but then it’s meant to be. Although, I loved his Spider-Man themed trunks.
Hustle started like a train here, hitting several big moves. Wavy soon got back into it and, after another brief spell of pressure and more waffle from Hustle, picked up the win following a clothesline.
Must be said though Big Wavy does a fantastic pounce.
We then had a raffle where I won my first ever prize.
Gene Munny vs Will Kroos - Men’s Championship Tournament First Round
Credit: Pro Wrestling East
I’d heard a lot about Kroos, so was looking forward to seeing him and he didn’t disappoint. When he ran the ropes beforehand the ring actually moved and for his size he’s really agile.
This was a bruising big man battle with a bit of comedy thrown in, like when Kroos went to rake Gene’s back while he still had his fur waistcoat on, rendering it useless.
My favourite bit of power was when Gene went for a high flying move and Kroos caught him and hit him with a buckle bomb. This was followed by a Kroos superplex which landed with a sickening crack, I legit thought they broke the ring.
In the end, a huge powerbomb from Kroos saw Gene kick out at 2.99 and after a couple of standing Ainslie Lariat’s Gene hit a third to advance in the tournament.
Frank was then back in the ring to thank everyone for coming and to announce the next show on May 21st, with a match between Man Like Dereiss and Mad Kurt.
Afterwards, I spoke to a few wrestlers including Big Wavy where I apologised for my bell ineptness in Oxford (read my United Wrestling UK review for more on that). He put my mind at rest saying he heard the bell but the ref didn’t and not to worry as everyone forgot about it and he’d even forgotten about it until I mentioned it, so that made me feel a lot better about it.
All in all, I can’t say enough good things about PWE. The venue is just right, the entrance there is a huge screen which is one of if not the best screen I’ve seen in any venue, with razor sharp picture quality perfect sound and lighting and production, It reminded me a bit of Riptide, unfortunately I’m working on the next show but will definitely go again.