REVIEW: Wrestling Resurgence - The Magnificent Seven

Wrestling Resurgence: The Magnificent Seven
The Y Theatre, Leicester
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Reviewer: Jamie Walker (@walker_this_way)

A packed out Y Theatre was on their feet as Kanji was hoisted into the air by Bullit after she’d pinned Charli Evans to finally get her hands on the Resurgence title.

It was the culmination of years of hard work and the final chapter in one of the greatest rivalries in the history of British wrestling. And it was also the perfect way to cap off the Leicester promotion’s seven year anniversary show.

To be going for so long is a testament to the work everyone at Resurgence - and in particular Claire Warden, John Kirby and Sam West - for their work they’ve put in.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, before that crowning moment there were still two whole shows and 11 more matches to go through, so let’s rewind to Saturday afternoon, around 2pm.

The Magnificent Seven - Show 1

Jerry Bakewell opens the show to an excellent reception, he’s always hilarious on the mic and really does thrive in a hosting role.

There are some standout moments from him, but the moment of the show comes later when a child - who can’t have been any older than five or six - shouts out ‘69’ at the top of his lungs and has the entire audience corpsing. Sorry Jerry, maybe he should take over hosting duties next time.

Charles Crowley vs Gene Munny - Spirit of Resurgence Tournament

For those who don’t know, the Spirit of Resurgence is a three-competitor round robin event. Wrestlers get two points for a win, a point for a draw and nothing for a loss.

After they’ve all faced each other once, the person with the most points is crowned the winner and earns a shot at any title they choose. The three competitors this year were Gene Munny, Charles Crowley and Dereiss. The first two of which competed in the opening match.

This was very much a case of ‘anyone but Crowley’ from the crowd, as the devious imp employed sneaky and underhanded tactics throughout the day.

And in this opening contest they worked. The ‘Good Boi’ Gene Munny couldn’t really get a foothold, any time he got some momentum going Crowley would do something to stop him in his tracks.

It would earn him the win, rolling up Gene (with a hold of the tights) and claiming the first two points of the tournament, putting him in prime position.

Ronnie Knocks vs Taylor James

Next up was an unannounced match between Ronnie Knocks and the debuting Taylor James.

This was very much a case of style vs size as the smaller Ronnie tried to twist and contort James in order to get the upper hand. James’ speed and power were impressive and there were times where Ronnie was very much overwhelmed.

But The Engineer is a warrior who won’t go down without a fight and eventually managed to work around her size disadvantage and get James to tap out.

It’s always a pleasure seeing Ronnie, she’s so underrated and is just waiting for someone to take a big chance on her. I don’t get to see James in action a lot so this was a nice reminder of his skill set and what he offers in the ring.

The Experience (LA Taylor & Skye Smitson) (c) vs Act Two (Jack Knudsen & Benjamin Harland) - Resurgence Tag Team Championship Match

While The Experience were undoubtedly the crowd favourites here, this started off as very much a face-vs-face match. It became clear quickly though that Act Two had taken up the roles of the villains, trying to dethrone the reigning champs.

They have a good hold of the contest early on, taking it in turns to beat up Skye, while LA watches from the sidelines.

Once Skye manages to tag in though it becomes a much more even contest. She tears through Knudsen and effortlessly takes out Harland. But there was to be a twist in the tale…

As the duo fought referee Danny Marks was left distracted. Out came Lykos Gym and took out LA with a wet floor sign, she was taken to the back injured, leaving Skye to fight alone.

But even that wasn’t to end as a fair contest as the boys returned moments later, taking out Skye, Harland and Knudsen and then throwing Knudsen on top of Smitson.

We have NEW tag team champions, who seem just as shocked as anyone that they’re lifting the belts. Ref Danny is pelted with chants of ‘on the take’ for not spotting the interference and Skye looks heartbroken.

This was a good match with a wild ending that would come back and rear its head in the later show.

Charles Crowley vs Dereiss - Spirit of Resurgence Tournament

After the break Crowley was looking to wrap up victory in the tournament by getting his second win and going clear points wise.

He wanted the win so bad that he would savagely take out Dereiss before the bell even rang - beating him down and attacking him with the aforementioned ring bell.

Despite his insistence that Dereiss couldn’t compete and the win should be handed to him that’s not how the Lyrical Dragon saw it.

He gets back to his feet; the bell rings, Crowley goes for the attack, Dereiss dodges it and one move and a three count later (around 5-10 seconds in actual match time) Dereiss has two points and Crowley is left flabbergasted.

Amira vs Hustle Malone - Traditional Wrestling Match*

Amira and Hustle have had a couple of runs ins at Resurgence over the last year and tonight it all culminated in a mTraditional Wrestling Match*’.

We’re informed that the asterisk is because today is ‘Resurgence Day’, but nobody knows what that means - despite Hustle continuously asking.

This match starts off normal enough, quick attacks, a few rolls ups, but then things get very weird.

Referee Charles gets taken out (as is tradition at Resurgence and despite Jerry’s promises to keep him safe) Hustle takes advantage and as Charles regains himself he counts three. Hustle wins! And then the lights go out.

When they come back up Jerry is back in the ring, the wrestlers are in their corners and introductions are being made. Everyone is confused, not least Hustle.

The match starts again, exactly the same as before, quick strikes and roll ups. And then it happens again; Charles taken out, Hustle wins, lights out and back to the intros.

Hustle is baffled and fuming but the crowd is in stitches - and to be honest so is Amira, she’s corpsing hard!

Third time around will things be any different, well yes!

With Amira down Hustle looks to have won again, he says he’ll do this 100 times if he has to and says he doesn’t like Amira because she’s funny - and he was funny first.

Amira implores them to stop fighting and just be funny together. For one brief moment it looks like Hustle considers it, but then it turns out to be a ruse. Amira attacks him and picks up a quick win. She celebrates, the lights don’t go out, this is the end. Amira has broken the cycle and won the match in the process.

This was by far my favourite match of the first show. It was such a Resurgence match, so Damn funny. And the fact Amira couldn’t stop laughing made it even better! She’s such a delight to watch, she loves this business so much and just has so much fun!

Bullit vs Spike Trivet - Resurgence Arthouse Championship Match

The main event is a personal one, Spike has has it out for Bullit for a while and he is sick of it!

Before the match starts he cuts a promo saying he wants this to be not just a match between Bullit and Spike but a fight between Ben and Simon. And a fight is exactly what it turns out to be. These two batter each other for nearly 20 minutes.

Despite Bullit’s size advantage this isn’t Spike’s first rodeo, he knows how to claw and scratch (normally to the eyes) to get the upper hand in these matches.

He targets the hand of Bullit in hopes of taking away the chokeslam. And it seems to have worked as on a couple of occasions Bullit goes for it and has to pull back.

The end of the match is brilliantly done. With Bullit going for another chokeslam attempt Spike keeps pelting him in the chest, hoping he’ll let go, but Bullit’s grip remains tightly around Spike’s neck. Eventually Spike, knowing he’s doomed, resigns himself to his fate and accepts the chokeslam and the pin.

As Bullit walks away Spike looks devastated, he still gets little sympathy from the crowd but it’s an intriguing switch in character for The Vulture.

One show down, one to go…

The Magnificent Seven - Show Two

Act Two (Jack Knudsen & Benjamin Harland) (c) vs Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos and Kid Lykos II) - Resurgence Tag Team Championship Match

After their interference earlier in the day, now it’s the turn of Lykos Gym to challenge for the tag titles.

In an interesting turn this match starts heel vs heel but over the course of the contest the fans really get behind Act Two.

The Lykos boys are up to their old tricks again and once again they go for the wet floor sign hit but then here comes Skye Smitson. She takes the floor sign and gets her revenge from show one.

Act Two take advantage and get the win to defend their tag belts. The Act Two boys have had such a great year, they’re really getting their reps in and it shows, they’ve improved so much and are rightly getting rewards now.

I can’t wait to see what next year has in store for them!

Amira vs Alex Windsor

For her second match of the night Amira comes out first and is overjoyed when Alex Windsor’s music hits. She gets to wrestle her best friend. She’s dancing, she’s hugging, she’s so happy! Unfortunately Alex wants to be serious and it makes Amira sad.

She snaps a bit and starts beating up her bestie while crying because she doesn’t really want to hurt her and just wanted to have fun. But the more Alex resists the sadder but also more aggressive Amira gets. This is a really hard hitting battle and Windsor really brings the best out of Amira.

It’s really cool to see Amira in a more ‘serious’ match, not because she needs to but because I think sometimes people can forget how talented she really is and how much her in ring ability has improved.

This is by far her best singles match to date, she’s on fire and that growth really shines through. In a huge pop moment she rolls up Alex for a shock win! She can’t believe it, Alex can’t believe it and the crowd is buzzing.

Alex goes to leave but Amira gets on the mic, still upset because she thinks she’s lost her bestie. She thanks Alex for always being there for her and the pair hug it out. It’s a touching moment and one Amira really deserves.

Bullit (c) vs Mike Bird - Resurgence Arthouse Championship Match

After a brutal fight in the first match, Bullit comes out a little worse for wear but is ready for another tough contest.

It’s clear that this pair have done their homework on each other as this beefy match sees them go chop for chop, hold for hold and throw for throw.

Bullit’s run in Resurgence has been growing ever stronger but here it really reached is crescendo. This is an absolute war and both men give their absolute all!

Bullit retains his belt as the epic spectacle goes to a time limit draw and the pair put each other over afterwards. Over the course of one day Bullit may have had two of the best singles matches of his career. This was a brilliant contest and the best way to head into the break.

Dereiss vs Gene Munny - Spirit of Resurgence Tournament

So it comes down to this, the final match of the tournament. If Dereiss wins he takes the crown, if Gene wins we go to a triple threat decider as well competitors will be on two points.

This match comes out the gate fast right from the off as both men battle for the win.

But as we get into the latter stages and both tire out Crowley makes an unwanted, but not unexpected appearance. He clocks Gene with the ring bell but while Dereiss is distracted by the Twat’s antics he regains his composure and pins the Lyrical Dragon for the win.

With the scores all tied up we go to a triple threat sudden death match. Both Dereiss and Gene gang up on Crowley to the delight of the fans and he’s taking a hell of a beating.

But I have to give him credit, he’s smart. He hangs around the outside of the ring, picking and choosing his moments to strike. It’s what eventually affords him the opportunity to sneak in at the last second and win the match, winning the Spirit of Resurgence in the process.

He now gets a title shot whenever he wants it. This tournament was really fun, a great showcase of everything thats great about Resurgence.

Emersyn Jayne vs Michael Oku

Now I have to confess, I know Oku has beef with Resurgence, but I don’t know the full story behind it. What I can pick up is that it’s some sort of nautical themed issue as seamen jokes are flying around left right and centre.

Regardless of the reasons, Oku means business and he’s here to show Emersyn exactly why he’s been one of the best wrestlers in the world this year. However, Emersyn herself has also been on a roll in 2024 and has shone on many occasions.

So as expected this match is brilliant!

The pair go at each other brutally, 20-or-so minutes of hard hitting action with neither holding back at all. There’s all the usual spots you’d expect when these two are in the ring but everything just seems to have that bit more aggression behind it.

I’d say this was easily one of the best matches of the day, and that’s on a day that has four or five solid contenders. But this was a level above. Truly spectacular and a testament to why these two wrestlers are two of the best in the scene right now.

Charli Evans (c) vs Kanji - Resurgence Championship Match

I have to confess, after how great Oku vs Emersyn was I was worried about how Chevs and Kanji would be able to follow it. But my worries were quickly put aside, it was wrong of me to ever have doubts.

The entrances alone are a sign of what’s the come, both wrestlers get a huge roar but it’s clear that the majority of fans in attendance believe this is Kanji’s time to finally grab the crown and back her fully.

The atmosphere is electric, truly spectacular and Kanji and Chevs take a moment to soak it all in before beginning their battle for the top spot in Resurgence.

Now, I could talk about the match itself but I won’t in two much detail for two reasons; firstly, I think you should go and check it out for yourselves. Secondly, this contest was less about the match itself than what it meant.

This match had been years in the making, a rivalry that is synonymous with Resurgence and has in many ways shaped the promotion just as much as it’s shaped the careers of the two amazing women in the ring.

Not only is the title on the line but this is the fourth match the pair have had at Resurgence. Chevs is 2-1 up and Kanj is determined to level the scoring in what is being billed as their final contest.

The pair work beautifully together, they’re so in sync and know each other inside-out at this point. As the match goes on the electricity only builds more, there’s duelling chants to match the duelling strikes and both women have their stand out moments.

As things progress Kanji just won’t stay down and Chevs is getting more and more frustrated. So much so that she blocks an attack by Kanj by pulling referee Charles in front of her.

Once again Charles is down and out and suddenly, out of nowhere, Millie McKenzie appears! She had been at Elevation earlier in the day and has made the short journey down the road to help out her Medusa Complex teammate.

They beat Kanji down as ref Lauren comes in and makes the count…BUT KANJI KICKS OUT!

Medusa Complex are PISSED and attack Lauren as well. She goes down and the two-on-one beatdown continues. But, with Charles now back up, Kanji still refuses to be beaten!

And after all that Kanji has Chevs up against it, the fight back begins and she’s going all guns blazing. With Millie now no longer in the picture Chevs has no help and Kanji takes advantage hitting the Kanji Effect for the one, two, THREE!

We have a NEWWWW Resurgence champion, after years of hard work, after being a pillar of the company, Kanji now holds the top belt at the Leicester promotion and it’s a thing of beauty.

She’s clearly emotional, the fans are emotional and nobody deserves it more.

Charli snatches the belt off her before having a change of heart and putting the belt around the waist of possibly her greatest ever rival. They hug it out in the ring as the applause rings out around The Y Theatre.

And so the curtain drops on what is possibly the best Resurgence show of the year and one of the best indie shows of the year. So many highs, so many great matches and some beautiful story telling.

Thank you Kanji, thank you Charli, thank you Wrestling Resurgence.

REVIEW: Wrestling Resurgence - The Magnificent Seven

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