If you haven’t watched it already we strongly suggest that you watch the match before reading the review. Follow Redemption Pro @redemptionspro on Twitter, as well as Okami (@RoninStylex) and Arik Keegan (@KeeganArik_).
Okami defeated Arik Keegan via Submission
The match more so followed Keegan’s technical pace and style rather than Okami’s more hard-hitting Japanese influenced styled but as he showed throughout this match Okami’s extremely varied arsenal allows him more than simply contend with Keegan’s style but instead allowing him to match it.
The opening moments saw both men sizing up one another with various taunts just attempting to play some early minds games while also attracting the attention of the audience. The initial lock-up would see Okami gain an immediate advantage taking Keegan’s back and slamming him to the ground, using his more elevated position to squeeze the air out of Keegan’s lungs. Keegan attempting an escape would manage to take Okami’s back only to be taken down into seated headlock which Keegan would then be able to reverse into a grounded headlock of his own. This initial technical exchange would end with Okami reversing Keegan’s grounded headlock into a standing of his own then transitioning into a hip-toss.
Another quick exchange of taunts would follow the breaking of the lock-up just before Keegan would target Okami’s arm with an arm wrench leg drop combo preceding figure four headlock. Following his escape, Okami would return the favor from moments before with an arm wrench knee drop combo before beginning a concentrated attack on Keegan’s legs. First with an Indian deathlock then with an elevated heel stretch wrenching at Keegan’s ankles, only taking a break from his suffocating offense to attempt a pin which only resulted in a one count. Nonetheless, Okami’s holds would persist this time entangling Keegan in a seated abdominal stretch.
Another quick exchange of taunts would follow the breaking of the lock-up just before Keegan would target Okami’s arm with an arm wrench leg drop combo preceding figure four headlock. Following his escape, Okami would return the favor from moments before with an arm wrench knee drop combo before beginning a concentrated attack on Keegan’s legs. First with an Indian death lock then with an elevated heel stretch wrenching at Keegan’s ankles, only taking a break from his suffocating offense to attempt a pin which only resulted in a one count. Nonetheless, Okami’s holds would persist this time entangling Keegan in a seated abdominal stretch.
Further pushing his offensive advantage Keegan would hit Okami with two consecutive standing sentons before climbing to the top rope still Okami refused to give up and would spring back to his feet delivering an avalanche victory roll before immediately upon impact with the ground transitioning into a triangle choke. Managing to string some offense together Okami would eventually ensnaring Keegan in an armbar leg lock combination which Keegan would eventually escape from but Okami would then respond with a superkick square into his jaw followed by a pin for a two count.
Following a missed dive from the top turnbuckle by Okami, Keegan would continue his methodical dissection but a Muta lock attempt would see for Okami to escape and respond with a Uranage but his exhaustion would not allow him to capitalize as he would collapse immediately following the maneuver.
The finishing moments of this match would both men employing vicious strikes and holds to drain what life still remained in the other. Okami would once again reverse a Muta Kick by Keegan before managing to lock in his own Crossface forcing Keegan to tap out for the win.
This match was rated ***½ by us here at TIC, it was a wonderful display of technical wrestling which was a refreshing departure from the spotfest culture that CAW has become. It was competitively paced and the spots were well edited however there were a lot of lapses in action that seemed to be a result of uncertainty as to what to do next. The match was a good showing by both men and has us excited to see what Redemption Pro has to offer in the future.
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