WWNLive in China: Night 3 Review

Rich Swann challenges Trent Baretta for the FIP World Heavyweight Title!!

WWNLive in China: Night 3

Emeishan City, Sichuan Province, China 11/14/14

1.) Johnny Gargano vs. Chuck Taylor: ***3/4

This 3^rd show on the WWNLive Tour of China is a clash between former stable mates, as Johnny Gargano (in the opening match for the 2^nd show in a row) taking on Chuck Taylor. Obviously these two have a lot of history together, both as partners and heated rivals. These two put on a really good opening match, as you would expect. When you get guys like Gargano & Taylor together in a match, it’s almost impossible for it to not be entertaining. Gargano would end up getting the win here, as he looks toward Night 4, where he looks to win both the Open The Freedom Gate Title and the Citic Guoan Cup.

2.) Biff Busick vs. Jody Kristofferson (with Larry Dallas & Earl Cooter): **1/2

Jody Kristofferson is in action once again, as he’s taking on Biff Busick. This was very similar to the match Kristofferson had with Timothy Thatcher on Night 1. They brawled around a bit (actually had a pretty decent brawl), but this time, Busick got the win via count out. Again, the point of this is that they’re trying to establish that things like count outs and DQ’s are possible. Much like on Night 1, Kristofferson chases away the referee, while Earl Cooter got beat up by Biff Busick.

3.) Valkyrie (Allysin Kay & Su Yung) vs. SHINE Champion Ivelisse & Mia Yim: ***

Here, we have the first (and only) women’s tag team match of the tour, as Allysin Kay & Su Yung team up as Valkyrie (their SHINE stable) to take on Ivelisse & Mia Yim, who are facing off for the SHINE Title on Night 4. A pretty solid tag team match. Not the best women’s match on the tour up to this point, but far from the worst. Towards the ends of the match, miscommunication occurred on both sides, but it would affect Ivelisse & Mia Yim the most, as Allysin Kay & Su Yung would get the win. Those miscommunications would help to set up the two women’s matches on Night 4 (Allysin Kay vs. Su Yung & Ivelisse vs. Mia Yim for the SHINE Title). Ivelisse & Mia Yim argued after the match.

4.) Open The United Gate Champion Caleb Konley (with The Premiere Athlete Brand) vs. Timothy Thatcher: ***1/4

For the firs time on this tour, The Premiere Athlete Brand is split up into singles matches. First up is Caleb Konley, who is taking on Timothy Thatcher. In an interesting note, Su Yung is out with Trent Baretta in Konley’s corner, as she wearing a mix of her wrestling gear, and the business attire she usually wears when she’s at ringside during P.A.B. matches (guess she didn’t have time to change). As far as the match goes, it was good match. It was a perfectly acceptable mid-card match. Konley would end up getting the win here (I believe with help from the P.A.B.)

5.) The Bravado Brothers vs. The Colony (Fire Ant & Silver Ant): ***1/4

These two teams both unsuccessfully challenged for the Open The United Gate Titles on Nights 1 & 2. They’re both getting another shot in a Three-Way Match on Night 4, but before that, they’re facing off here on Night 3. This was a solid tag team match. I have to say that it’s definitely a step up from some of the matches these teams have had in Evolve itself (away from storylines). The Colony would get the win, but then they would be attacked by The Bravado Brothers after the match.

6.) Open The Freedom Gate Title – Ricochet vs. AR Fox: ****

The first of two title matches of the night sees Ricochet facing off against AR Fox, with the former’s Open The Freedom Gate Title on the line. This was a pretty great match. I know AR Fox had started to fall out of favor with most people (in terms of his Evolve & PWG work around this time), but when he’s in there with other high flyers, he tends to produce great matches, as was the case here. These two also have a long history, and they added on that with this outing. Eventually, Ricochet would get the win, retaining his Open The Freedom Gate Title, and setting up a showing down with Johnny Gargano in the Main Event of Night 4.

7.) FIP World Heavyweight Title – Trent Baretta (with The Premiere Athlete Brand) vs. Rich Swann: ****

The Main Event sees the FIP World Heavyweight Title up for graps, as Trent Baretta defends against Rich Swann. These two have always had great matches with each other, and this was no exception. A really entertaining match from these two. Caleb Konley & Su Yung got involved early, but were ejected. They tried to interfere later on, but it didn’t pay off. In the end, Rich Swann would overcome the odds, and defeated Trent Baretta to win the FIP World Heavyweight Title!!

Following his celebratings, Swann would pose for pictures with the other singles title holds, Open The Freedom Gate Champion Ricochet, & SHINE Champion Ivelisse, to close the show.

Overall: 8.0/10

Another solid show from WWNLive on this tour of China. I have to say that I think this was the best show of the tour up to this point. You have two great titles match on top (Baretta vs. Swann & Ricochet vs. AR Fox), while you also had a very good opening match with Johnny Gargano vs. Chuck Taylor. The rest of the undercard was pretty solid, with nothing really bad to speak up. Now the WWNLive crew gears up for the final show of the tour in Beijing!