REVIEW: Pro Wrestling EVE - She-1 2022, Day Two

Credit: Pro Wrestling EVE

Pro Wrestling EVE: She-1 2022 (Day Two)
The 229, London
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Reviewers: Iwan Mackenzie (@iwanmack) and Dave Lovell (@itsdavejavu)

Day Three written by Iwan Mackenzie

After a great opening day, with two events and some fantastic matches already in the books, it was time to do it all over again with the Sunday shows.

I was already feeling a bit worse for wear after getting home later than planned on Saturday night, after the Harry Styles concert fallout occurred on the Tube, plus staying up late to watch Mo Gilligan's latest show.

I got to the 229 for doors at 13:40 but come 14:00 and the doors hadn’t opened, thankfully they were only five minutes late today. The start time of 14:30 didn’t go ahead either but credit where it’s due, Dann got on the mic and explained that the show would start ten minutes later than planned as a lot of ticket holders hadn’t arrived so he was giving them time to make the show (attendance was fine for the afternoon, not too dissimilar from the previous day’s afternoon show). We also got news that Safire Reed had been pulled from the shows due to the injury suffered the night before.

We had Darcy Stone as our MC here, stepping in at the last minute as revealed earlier, great job from her as always and her patter with the crowd did feel very natural and relaxed for this afternoon.

Takumi Iroha (2) vs Session Moth Martina [Replacing Safire Reed] (0)  - She-1 Block C

This was a decent enough match, probably a good way to kick off the Sunday afternoon show, with some crowd engagement and gave Iroha a rest from going hard the way she did on Saturday.

For me, this match benefited when it was just a straight up wrestling match as they had some nice exchanges. I wasn’t a fan of Martina’s drunken master antics, I think I’ve said in these reviews before that I’m done with Martina as a character, I think for me the joke has worn off and I just don’t find it funny or entertaining anymore.

In general, outside of Austin, I’m not a fan of alcohol drinking based characters or promotions in wrestling, just not for me. We had Iroha win this match with Splash Mountain to get another two points in her campaign to the final.

Alex Windsor (2) vs Rhio (2) - She-1 Block A

The last time these two met in a tournament setting Windsor won the whole thing and that was also in a major city beginning with L…

This was a really good match, one of the best of the afternoon as you’d expect that with these two. I think knowing that they were both worn down from the previous day added to this because these two did not go light on each other whatsoever and they really did lay it in on each other.

What’s great to watch with these two is that you believe that they want to kill each other to get the win, it adds an extra dimension for me.

We had Windsor win this match with the Liberty Driver to earn two more points with the Main Event of VENY/Smitson deciding her fate for the final.

Kasey (2) vs Jetta (3) - She-1 Block B

Some things change but some things stay the same and one of those things is Jetta in the first half main event of a SHE-1 Sunday show once again. She was also out to a slightly different version of Nobody Does It Better which caught her off guard as well, it did sound like Jimmy Hart had done a knock off version of it from his time in WCW.

Kasey was paying tribute to the Late, Great Lionheart in this match, on the anniversary of his death which was very touching.

This was a really good match, these two normally work well with one another so not a big surprise but this was good in this slot for this show. I found the working of the hand by Kasey really engaging, plus with the history between these two, the extra aggression made complete sense and I felt emotionally engaged this what the outcome would be this time round.

I do like how Jetta’s matches have been structured, where she does get pissed off during the match and the seriousness comes out and she just adds a little extra to her moves to get revenge on her opponents, like the way she cranks the neck before the People’s Princess Elbow.

Eventually though, it was Kasey with the Lionheart Frog Splash getting the win and doubling her points to four, with the LDM/O’Reilly match being the deciding factor for her to get to the final.

The emotion of using that move on this day wasn’t lost on the crowd and she was given a lot of respect on her way out.

Rhia O’Reilly (0) vs Laura Di Matteo (3) - She-1 Block B

This was one of the two WrestleQueendom rematches in the afternoon, with Rhia previously having beaten LDM in this very venue back in January 2020.

Now straight out of the gate I’ll say that I’ve never normally enjoyed these two working together in matches, I enjoy them independently but rarely as a combination.

I have to say thought that I really did enjoy this match. I felt they clicked very well here and the crowd dynamic was good from the off, with a mocking of Rhia about her zero points, Rhia knew it was me that started them.

The drama also felt prevalent here as we knew that it was all down to this to decide if LDM or Kasey would be going through to the final, so every near fall or submission attempt had people reacting, including when it looked like Laura had it won then Rhia reversed which had me and Dave Sewell saying in sync “oh bollocks”.

I have to mention that Dave shouted out to Rhia at one point when Rhia was really heeling it up, “oh fuck off Rhia, you piece of shit!”, with such anger that it completely cracked me up. It was Rhia winning this match in the end to much surprise which meant Kasey was through to the final.

Emersyn Jayne (4) vs Charlie Morgan (2) - She-1 Block C

Our second WrestleQueendom rematch of the afternoon, with that being acknowledged by Charlie before the bell had started. This started off fast and furious and didn’t really slow down for long throughout the whole match.

I won’t compare this to their WQ1 match as that’s probably my favourite match I’ve ever seen live so you can’t compare because disappointment will be there, but I will say that this match was one of my favourites of the weekend.

I absolutely loved the drama here, as the kickouts felt like a sigh of relief everytime Charlie kicked out from Emersyn’s big power moves, case in point, the French Ki Crusher and Gonzo Bomb which Charlie kicked out of, and the drama was there considering how hard these two went in the match throughout.

Eventually, Emersyn got really pissed off with Charlie not staying down and started to rain down on Charlie with punches and then grabbed a chair, which she did have a conflict about using (I was worried that the Johnny Gargano melodrama was to occur) but she struck Charlie down and then hit a second Gonzo Bomb to get the win and get a clean sweep of her block to head through to the final.

Emersyn has finally returned to the dark side with a well done heel turn and finally, after much complaining from me about her babyface character, she's back to the role which suits her best and I was much more excited to see what would happen with her in the final now.

VENY (2) vs Skye Smitson (2) - She-1 Block A

First thing to mention, fair play to Smitson who had this massive bruising around her mouth from the previous day and was still continuing on, especially against such a hard hitting final block opponent. Also, VENY’s theme “Land of Lola” by Billy Porter is an absolute banger and is still in my head as I write this review.

These two just went at it straight away with VENY actually hitting her Moonsault to the outside successfully onto Skye within the first thirty seconds of the bell ringing.

This was a great main event, loved the hard hitting nature of these two and there styles also clashing really well against one another. Have to mention this may well be my favourite match that I’ve seen from Smitson, she stepped up to the challenge of VENY and pasted with flying colours, fantastic performance from her.

Also VENY is one of the most charismatic performers I’ve ever seen live, I was a fan of her before the weekend but consider me an even bigger fan now, brilliant work from her all weekend.

It was VENY with the win here after hitting the Scoop Spike Driver as the block was decided, with Alex Windsor heading through to the final.

Overall, I’ve always been a fan of SHE-1 Sunday afternoon, throughout its whole run it’s been my favourite show to watch, and this was no different.

All the matches varied in enjoyment levels but there was nothing bad here and the crowd was engaged throughout in the matches which allowed the drama to breath and added to the show for me.

Great work all round which is double considering that a large amount of the roster was feeling it from the day before. We all headed to McDonalds afterwards in-between shows, this is where I’ll hand it over to Mr Lovell…

Day Four written by Dave Lovell

So... no pressure. I had fun co-writing the Global Women Strike 3 review with my esteemed colleague Iwan and volunteered myself to jot down some thoughts on the finale of the 2022 EVE SHE-1! So here goes, I hope I don’t suck…

After show 3, a dash to the McDonald's in Warren Street for a pitstop, and back to the venue in fairly quick time. Doors and start time were a little later than advertised, however show three did run a little long, and I'm sure the wrestlers appreciated the additional rest!

Royal Aces (Jetta and Charlie Morgan) vs Session Moth Martina and Laura Di Matteo

This was a decent change of pace from most of the weekend and I know the comedic antics of Martina, for some, can be an acquired taste, but by no means did it outstay its welcome, being a sub-ten minute match… nothing did.

A superkick by Charlie and a Clothesline from HRH by Jetta, a double pin on Martina and the Royal Aces take the opener. This did a good job of re-warming up a battle weary crowd, because Lord knows I was feeling it myself.

Rhio vs Rayne Leverkusen

It's been a busy few weeks for "The Unbreakable" Rhio, just two weeks prior to the SHE-1, she was in Japan challenging Maki Itoh for Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling's International Princess Championship.

Her SHE-1 was maybe disappointing for some, a win over Skye Smitson was nullified by losses to VENY and Alex Windsor in a very competitive Block A.

Here was a more leisurely test for Rhio, as Rayne Leverkusen, sporting the best mullet in all of British wrestling for my money, hoped to score a win in EVE following losses to Nightshade and The AVA in the previous couple of months.

The match itself was a really good showcase for Rayne, who has a great character, and will only improve in-ring with time, but after an rope-elevated neckbreaker, Rhio picked up the win in about eight minutes.

The Uprising (Rhia O’Reilly and Skye Smitson) vs Takumi Iroha and VENY - Non-Title Match

Tag team action again as EVE Tag Team Champions Rhia O'Reilly & Skye Smitson squared off with, in my opinion, two of the MVP's of the weekend in Iroha and VENY.

Only going about nine minutes, more than half of this was Uprising on the offensive, but the Iroha/VENY tandem looked great on the comeback.

If I have one gripe about this match, it ended very flatly - a double team curb stomp on VENY was good for the three for the champions, and that was, to be kind, utterly deflating.

But believe it or not, that kind of “screw the audience” finish works PERFECTLY for the Uprising. They're meant to be the top baddies in EVE, and you’re meant to be disappointed that they beat your favourites.

The fact they're also the toughest unit to beat in EVE makes any comeuppance they get in future all the sweeter. To add to the shithousery, to coin a phrase, the beatdown continued, however when Rhia and Skye cast their focus on the legendary Chigusa Nagayo at ringside, you could cut the tension with a knife.

However, the Uprising's plans went completely awry, thanks to a Death Valley Driver from the new EVE Hall of Famer! Nagayo, Iroha and VENY then cleared house and the 229 went nuts, one of those moments I never thought I'd see live in 17 years of attending shows live.

Speaking of cool moments, a ringsider tossed in bouquets of flowers for Iroha and VENY, well deserved if you ask me, they were excellent over the weekend.

Definitely two of the best international wrestlers that EVE have brought over, and I echo the "please come back" chants that rang around the building as they headed to the back.

I touched on it during the Global Women Strike 3 review, and with the pipeline of talent now open between the UK and Japan, it’s restored one unique selling point that made EVE such an enjoyable product during the bulk of the Resistance Gallery era.

Nightshade vs Kanji

After much needed hydration at half-time, after such a bonkers first half, we began the second half with the Uprising's Nightshade in action taking on Kanji, making her return to EVE after nearly three years.

Kanji's been plagued with injuries the last few years, and people have been telling me she's still finding her feet in 2022, and that certainly was true to a degree.

Nightshade's had a really solid year and she's a wrestler who seems to improve virtually every time I see her compete.

The match itself was maybe longer than many would expect, clocking in at around 13 minutes, but this was a very methodical, back and forth match.

I was sure they were teasing a 15 minute time limit draw, but with a minute and change left, Nightshade missed a second rope senton, allowing Kanji to score the submission with a triangle choke.

I enjoyed this live and watching it back as I was writing this review was also enjoyable too.

Chigusa Nagayo Hall Of Fame Induction

Then we got to the real main event of this weekend... OK, I'm kidding, but let's talk about a pretty important segment on this show.

What I'll say about this is how important EVE promoter Dann Read's pre-amble was in framing the importance of this induction into EVE's Hall of Fame.

Dann fit a lot into this, and my words can't really do it any justice, but it felt like a very important history lesson that any wrestling fan worth their salt needed.

The level of superstardom that transcended wrestling that Chigusa Nagayo reached in the 1980's still to this day surpasses any of your favourites (sorry to burst your bubble, Hulkamaniacs... not!), and her contributions to wrestling over a forty-two year career really put her in that incredibly short list of wrestlers that one can genuinely and unabashedly call... Legendary.

The standing ovation for Chigusa from the 229 crowd was deserved, and despite only having one other inductee (that being Klondyke Kate a few years ago), the EVE Hall of Fame finds itself on incredibly solid ground now.

Emersyn Jayne vs Alex Windsor - She-1 Final

As a reminder of the brutality of the SHE-1 weekend, it was announced that Block B winner Kasey was unable to compete in the final due to medical reasons, so we were left with Block A winner Alex Windsor, who advanced with four points, squaring off with Block C winner Emersyn Jayne, who advanced with a perfect six points, reaching her second final, having competed in the 2017 final.

This started fast and furious with the action spilling out of the ring on occasions. Off the heels of her match against Charlie Morgan that clinched the block, albeit via questionable means, it was spectacular to see Emersyn Jayne turn back the clock as just a hated dick who could back it up in-ring - her EVE title run from 2017-1018 is my favourite run that belt has seen in my opinion for that reason - and with the EVE Faithful fully behind Alex Windsor, this created a perfect dynamic for this final.

I know of a few of my associates who pegged this as the match of the weekend, and I see their point - the fact these two had wrestled three previous times in less than two days, certainly adds weight to that argument.

And despite that, both wrestlers went the extra mile in this one, even though they could be forgiven if they physically couldn't. An amazing eighteen minute rollercoaster ride of a match, ending exactly how it should have.

As Emersyn picked up a chair from under the ring, the fans were dreading a repeat of the match with Charlie Morgan, but a swift roll-up by Alex garnered the one-two-three, and the place exploded!

Alex Windsor is your SHE-1 winner and the newly minted Ace of EVE!

Before Jayne, always the bridesmaid in SHE-1 finals, could exact a measure of "sore loser" punishment, she was chased off by the Royal Aces, allowing Windsor to bask in a well-earned victory.

After the trophy was presented to her, Alex was asked about the main event of WrestleQueendom 5 in November, but was surprising in her response.

She commented that to become a worldwide star, she needed to become an International Champion (putting Laura Di Matteo on notice for EVE's next show), before saying it couldn't stop there. Windsor then challenged TJPW International Princess Champion Maki Itoh, much to the delight of the audience, and THAT match will take place on July 9th at TJPW's Summer Sun Princess card at Tokyo's Ota Ward Gymnasium.

Overall, this was a fun show, with a little bit of variety to put the cherry on top of a lovely weekend. A fun opening tag match, three decent supporting bouts in the middle, a lovely Hall of Fame induction for a genuine living legend and a fantastic SHE-1 final with deserving finalists and a more than deserving winner.

Also, my younger self having first discovered Joshi some 20 years ago would be marking out like crazy knowing he'd met Chigusa Nagayo in the year of our Lord, 2022. And thirty-seven year old me still can't quite unpack that I did... But I did!

I'd like to thank all the wrestlers and crew who made SHE-1 2022 such an enjoyable experience, the pack of cads/bounders who I enjoyed the social aspect of the weekend with, and I'd like to thank Grapple Theory for giving me the chance to write this review - I hope I passed the audition!

I've been Dave, my pluggables are as follows: @itsDaveJaVu on all the socials that matter.