REVIEW: Pro Wrestling EVE - Piledrivers and Pints

Pro Wrestling EVE: Piledrivers and Pints
Signature Brew, London
Friday, April 1, 2022
Reviewer: Jamie Walker (@walker_this_way)

My first trip to Signature Brew to watch Pro Wrestling EVE would also be my last - because this is their last show at the venue. It’s certainly a unique space for wrestling, but more on that at the end - let’s get into the graps first.

Darcy Stone got us started as the announcer, she’s certainly got a lot of charisma and is more than up to the task! She made sure everyone knew the house rules and threatened to stick her boot ‘up the arse’ of anyone who spilled their beer on the apron - something she nearly had to do later in the night,

Also, a quick shoutout to refs Lauren C and Oscar who both did great work throughout the night!

Jetta vs Skye Smitson - Pro Wrestling EVE Championship

We opened up with a banger of a contest for the EVE championship, as The Princess Diana of Pro Wrestling defended the belt against one quarter of The Uprising in the form of Smitson.

Jetta had the early running in this one, showing Skye exactly why she’s a two-time champ.

But Smitson’s power and underhanded tactics turned the match around in her favour. She wasn’t shy about really laying into Jetta and there were a couple of moments where it looked like a shock may be on the cards.

The crowd were firmly behind the champ in this match, as they have been ever since she won it for the first time at WrestleQueendom 4.

Uprising members Rhia O’Reilly and Nightshade were at ringside and as usual were not bothered about getting involved - giving out plenty of chefs kisses whenever Skye took Jetta down.

But it was her teammates who would cost Skye her big shot. At the end of the contest both got involved and while Rhia distracted the ref Nightshade went for a spear on Jetta.

Unfortunately for her it missed, hitting Smitson square in the midriff. It was then an easy task for Jetta to seal the deal with a big lariat and pin Skye to retain her belt.

After the match a visibly upset Skye laid into Nightshade for costing her the title. There was a brawl between the pair, before Rhia got involved.

Skye told both her teammates that this was ‘my moment’ not theirs as ring crew and EVE founder Dann Read had to pull the pair apart.

Rhia then insisted that her teammates battle it out to get rid of their tension. Dann agreed and to add some spice to the match made it a She-1 qualifier - has The Uprising imploding? We’ll find out later in the night.

The Ava vs Rayne Leverkusen

Next up was the ever unlikeable Ava, who once again got on the mic and berated the crowd as well as Dann, insisting she’s worthy of another title match.

She said that her injury - which kept her out for a month - was the only reason she lost to Laura Di Matteo at the 229. Whether she liked it or not, Ava was up against the debuting Rayne Leverkusen.

This was my first time seeing Rayne in action and it’s fair to say she’s cool as hell!

Rayne starts quick and the crowd really get behind her from the off - which is excellent to see on her first appearance. She’s on top until she makes a mistake, climbing to the second rope with her back to Ava and getting pushed off pushed off.

Ava is then on top for the majority of the rest of the match. She makes sure Rayne’s EVE debut is a sore one, throwing her into ring post outside the ring.

But Rayne battled back and delivers a huge powerbomb, which Ava just about kicks out of.

That was the last chance Rayne would have to cause an upset. Once again she climbs to the second rope but misses her dive. Ava capitalises and hits her finish for the pin and the win. Maybe she’ll get that title shot after all.

A really strong match that made Ava look good and gave Rayne a really impressive debut for the Riot Grrrrrls of Pro Wrestling.

Natalie Sykes vs Rhia O’Reilly

Next up was an unannounced match between Natalie Sykes and Rhia O’Reilly.

Rhia was clearly not in the beat of moods, not surprising given the trouble she’d had controlling The Uprising earlier in the night and was out to cause some pain.

Unfortunately, the crowd was a little quieter for this one until the last part of the match which meant it did suffer a bit.

The in-ring action was good, it’s always great to see Sykes get a big opportunity. She did herself proud in this display but it was Rhia who came out on top.

It was a much needed morale boost for the former EVE champ - but would she still be smiling come there end of the night?

Ivy and Rhio vs Charlie Morgan and Alex Windsor

It was definitely strange seeing the odd couple-esque pairing of Rhio and Ivy team up - especially just two days before they face each other at Catch Pro Wrestling for the Tidal Wrestling Women’s Title. There was a little bit of bickering before the match and it seemed like it would be tough for them to get along.

Morgan and Windsor, the Best of Wrestle Friends, on the other hand worked like a well oiled machine. Having lots of fun, a little dancing and some brilliant tag team chemistry.

The tension between the heel team definitely wasn’t helped by regular Grapple Theory reviewer Iwan MacKenzie, who stirred the pot which a chant of “Ivy sucks, Rhio’s great”.

Charlie starts vs Rhio and is well on top. Taking out both Ivy and Rhio. Alex enters and kicks Ivy in the face. There are stereo superkicks hit - nobody let EC3 know, before Rhio interferes in a pinfall attempt and puts the heel pair back on top.

But then the inevitable in-fighting happens between Rhio and Ivy, As the pair are arguing Charlie and Alex capitalise, with Morgan hitting the Swanton for the win.

This was the best match of the half form me, the crowd were really into it and when Alex came in on the hot tag they went wild. All four women did an amazing job!

Debbie Keitel vs Mercedez Blaze

After the break it was time for birthday girl Debbie Keitel to try and improve her bad day - travel was not her friend at all - by picking up a win against Mercedez Blaze. She came to the ring complete with party hats, including two on her chest a-la Madonna, and balloons.

She was determined to get to sing happy birthday to herself, with help from the crowd, but Blaze blocked her at every turn - eventually attacking her with the mic before the bell rang.

Mercedez was determined to spoil the party for Debbie by throwing her round the ring to the outside and beating her up.

Debbie gets back into the match and gives Blaze a swift ‘kick up the arse’. She closes out the match by wrapping her up in wrapping paper and securing the pin for the win.

Then the singalong finally happens with Debbie handing the mic to fans, some are definitely better singers than others though.

Skye Smitson vs Nightshade

Rhia O’Reilly’s absence was noticeable as two of her Uprising teammates battled it out for a spot in the She-1 - not wanting to get involved I imagine.

As expected this one had a back and forth start, with both trying to get the upper hand. The tough part about battling a tag partner is the fact you’re so in tune with each other and know what the other can deliver.

I have to say, Nightshade has only recently returned from injury but her return has been seamless, she looks great in terms of her work rate.

There was a beautiful call back in this contest as Nightshade hit a huge spear which Skye kicked out of. She followed that up with a big Senton, again Skye kicked out.

Skye took over from there and beat Nightshade from pillar to post before pinning her stablemate to cement her spot at the 229 in June.

The pair hug after and then Rhia appears as the three stand tall - perhaps there is no Uprising implosion…for now.

Alexxis Falcon vs Laura Di Matteo - EVE International Championship

Alexxis attacks Laura before the bell, which was definitely needed as the heel had some cheers on her way out - it was good to cement the crowd firmly behind Laura.

There were plenty of highlights in this one and I definitely suggest checking it out online. Some of the great spots included; a Big back breaker from Alexxis; an LDM drop kick from the top rope, which Falcon kicked out of; and a lovely striking sequence in which both women shone.

But it was the champ who would retain her title on the final EVE show at Signature Brew, making Falcon tap out. The champ stands tall to end the show, it will be interesting to see where she goes from here.

Overall a lovely show and good way to say goodbye to EVE’s temporary home. The matches were solid - the tag contest and main event were particular highlights - and everyone got a chance to show off.

Rayne Leverkusen needs to be booked again too, she’s fantastic!

The only criticism I would have of EVE at the moment is the lack of running storylines. I hope the teased Uprising tension keeps going but at the moment too many matches, while high in quality, feel like exhibition bouts with nothing to run on from them. Hopefully that changes leading into and beyond She-1.

Also, and this is merely an observation not a criticism, for a show called piledrivers and pints I don’t recall anyone actually hitting a piledriver all evening.

Now, onto the venue. It’s an odd place for wrestling. It’s very far out of the way, a ten minute walk from Blackhorse Road tube station but right in a residential area.

That being said it does have a charm to it. And there’s definitely no other venue like it. EVE have built a reputation for giving their regular shows a unique venue to house them so here’s hoping that continues wherever they end up next.

REVIEW: Pro Wrestling EVE - Piledrivers and Pints

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