GFS defeated Akio Ryuu
As Ryuu would make his entrance he would be viciously attacked by GFS from behind, at one point being victim to an apron powerbomb ensuring that he would not be operating 100% throughout the duration of their match. Nonetheless, Ryuu would recover in a display of pure resilience, managing to reverse a back elbow and return with some strikes of his own. Ryuu would whip GFS off the rope and land a bicycle kick that would only manage to get a one count to the surprise of Ryuu. Ryuu would attempt a guillotine choke, however, GFS would power out of it and begin his offensive display with a pump-handle suplex for the second one count of the match. GFS would retake control of the match beginning a brutal ground assault with a series of forearms scrubbing the face of Ryuu. Following two standing elbow drops, GFS would attempt a running elbow drop which Ryuu would reverse and retaliate with a neckbreaker butterfly suplex combination. GFS would roll outside onto the apron, however, Ryuu would not allow him anything to recover and immediately charge in with a shoulder thrust knocking him to the floor on the outside. Ryuu would then look to take to the skies with a dive to the outside but would be stopped by the referee allowing GFS the time to charge in with a vicious lariat.
Continuing with his streak of brutality GFS would lean Ryuu onto the ropes and hit a nasty looking Alabama Slam following it up immediately with an STF. Ryuu would barely manage to break the hold but once he did he would lay into GFS with a salvo of strikes only mistime an Irish whip allowing GFS to land a guy kick knocking him back into the rope and sent him out the run with a clothesline. GFS’s would then attempt a dive to the outside only for Ryuu to dodge and then take control of the match. Ryuu would hit a draping neckbreaker onto GFS then would make his way onto the apron but a recovered GFS would chop him down sending him careening to the floor. Whilst still on the outside GFS would lift Ryuu into fireman's carry position and throw him into the ring post before throwing his limp body back into the ring to attempt a pin.
The back and forth of the match would continue for quite some time mostly being dominated by GFS but Ryuu would manage to get his burst of offense in. The finish of the match would see Ryuu attempt to use the chair previously introduced into the match by GFS only to be stopped by the referee distracting both of them long enough that GFS would recover and remove the padding from the turnbuckle in the corner. GFS would hit a running powerbomb into the corner, following that up with a rolling elbow to the back of Ryuu’s head, then ending him with the back suplex powerbomb for the victory. Allowing him to progress to Final Form to vie for the Intercontinental Championship.
This match was rated *** by the reviewers here at TIC, it was an entertaining bout in which at least attempted to tell the story of Ryuu fighting back for his initial disadvantageous position but ending up failing in the end due to GFS’s dirty tactics. However, we felt that the match went on too long and was way too competitive considering the attack at the beginning essentially making that attack meaningless and it didn't seem to affect Ryuu’s ability to stand toe to toe with GFS. This did not detract too much from our rating of the match but we did feel it was a lapse in logic that went unanswered, nonetheless, the action would good, the match flowed well both men clearly had good chemistry and we’re excited to see how GFS does at Final Form and how Ryuu recovers after this loss.
O’Ryan James defeated Everette Constenelli
The very first move of the match set the precedent for this hard-hitting affair that we were all about to witness. Constenelli right out the game using his technical prowess to isolate the arm of James to leave him open to a back heel kick. Making use of kicks to keep the high-flying James grounded, at one point attempting a pin to force James to expend energy to kick out. Constenelli would begin to bully James with a series of strikes and slaps only for him to retaliate a series of forearms of his own and a dropkick of the Irish whip. James would send Constenelli out of the ring with a clothesline then take to the skies with a Tope Con Hilo, placing himself in control of the bout. However, this control would be short-lived as James would attempt to re-enter the ring but would be caught on the apron by Constenelli with a barrage of clubbing blows to the chest.
The action would once again work its way to the outside of the ring as Constenelli would use the environment to brutalize James, taking full advantage of the twenty count to inflict as much damage as possible. The following re-entry into the ring would see Constenelli concentrate his offense on the legs of James, taking away his vertical base and his high-flying ability. Constenelli would lock in an arm-trap STF to wear down James and impede his ability to pick up any momentum, however, James would escape but it seemed that Constenelli’s strategy had worked as instead of going to one of his patented maneuvers he opted to go for a roll-up. James would just begin to pick up some momentum with a pair of splashes into the corner, he would then throw Constenelli into the opposite but as if he were simply playing possum lying in wait Constenelli caught James with two vicious knee strikes to the skull. Constenelli continuing his assault on the knees of James would lock in an Achilles hold but James wisely would use his free leg to kick Constenelli away, however, the damage was already done.
The longer the match on the more both men began to feel the effects, James's knee was clearly in pain and Constenelli’s technical style was no longer as effective as James would begin to employ unique counters. The action began to meet a pace more suitable to James as he would pick up more and more momentum but Constenelli would at every conceivable point find some way to slow him down or surprisingly match his pace.
The finish of this match saw Constenelli’s cohort Bowden once again get himself involved in the action of the match, stopping a Stormbreaker attempt and allowing Constenelli enough time to recover, attempt a butterfly DDT, fail the attempt then be hit with a Stormbreaker by James. James would collapse out of sheer exhaustion, however, he would recover just quick enough to make the pin on the incapacitated Constenelli for the win. Advancing to the finals of the Intercontinental Championship tournament at Final Form where he will face GFS for the title.
This match was rated **** by us here at TIC, it was a logically booked action-packed classic in which both men displayed a great awareness of their characters as well as their fantastic chemistry. The story was simple but was told very effectively, the addition of Bowden into the atmosphere added a great story beat to further build Constenelli’s heel persona. James was a valiant babyface through and through who overcame the odds to well deserved victory. There's not much else we can say about this match and if not for the fantastic main event later in the night this match would have easily been the match of the night.
Kenshin defeated Micah Willows
There was no lock up or technical exchange to begin the match between these two behemoths we just went directly into both men employing hard blows and strikes to stagger their opponent. Kenshin would miss a clothesline on an Irish whipped Willows who would respond with a clothesline of his own sending Kenshin barreling out the ring to the floor. Willows would look to take to the skies but would be intercepted by Kenshin with a snap-dragon suplex. Kenshin would attempt a big boot to his kneeling opponent only for Willows to swat him away and land a nasty looking chop block.
Willows would have some very impressive displays of power throughout this match including a belly-to-belly suplex in which he would throw Kenshin almost the full length of the ring. Kenshin would realize that he was at an evident power disadvantage and instead would rely on strategy and technique rather than attempting to match the power of Willows. The finish of the match would see Kenshin kick out of a lariat to the back of his head, dodge a clothesline and hit his devastating bicycle kick for the win.
This match was rated ***¼ by us here at TIC, it was a reminder that there is a place for larger people in the world of wrestling. These men didn't have to rely on high-flying maneuvers to have a thrilling match. Much like True-1 itself, the simplicity and grounded nature of this match allowed it to excel and with this match, Kenshin proceeds into the main event of Final Form to face the winner of the main event for the T1P World Heavyweight Championship.
Jay Williams defeated Joshua Phoenix
As the bell rang Williams would roll to the outside immediately getting into the head of Phoenix. Once Williams did manage to get back into the ring to match began with a very typical circling and lock up, which Phoenix initially get the better managing to get behind Williams. Williams not to be outdone would reverse the hold and get behind Phoenix who would counter with a snapmare headlock which Williams would then counter into a standing key lock before breaking his hold to begin circling once again. The second lockup would see Williams take the initial advantage with a headlock then transition into a high key lock which Phoenix would reverse into a rear wristlock which Williams would then reverse into a rear wristlock of his own. Williams would push Phoenix out of his hold only to lock him in a takedown headlock which Phoenix would manage to escape out of but fail to capitalize upon, as Williams would be right back on offense with a punch to the head of a seated Phoenix. Williams would the go right back into the headlock controlling Phoenix and keeping him off his feet but this would prove in vain as Phoenix would escape and catch Williams in a cradle pinning predicament. Displaying his technical prowess Phoenix would lock Williams in a seated abdominal stretch softening up Williams for his Wings of Phoenix.
The exchanges of various holds would continue throughout the duration of the bout playing into both men’s technical abilities. Displays of one-upmanship would be a prevalent theme throughout whether it be Phoenix attempting to match and surpass Williams’s holds or Williams trying to match and eclipse Phoenix’s strikes. This being said this match was not simply limited to technical and striking exchanges and both men seemed very comfortable with diving whether it be from the top rope or to the outside.
One of the more memorable and unique moments came near the end of the match where Phoenix landed a diving double foot stomp to the back of the head of Williams. Not too long after that, a chaos cutter would result in both men collapsing meaning Phoenix could not capitalize. After they both got back to their feet they would engage in yet another striking exchange which Williams would end with a big boot and further punctuate with a roundhouse kick to a kneeling Phoenix. Williams would then wrestling in his signature hold to force Phoenix to tap securing him the victory and a spot in the main event of Final Form.
This match was rated ****¼ by us at TIC, it was an instant classic well deserving of the main event spot on the card, each competitor’s style complemented the other’s superbly to produce a thoroughly entertaining bout to end an absolutely outstanding show.
Overall Show Rating:
True-1 Pro remains in our minds one of the most underrated companies in the CAWmunity, they've consistently put out of some the best matches in the year on some of best shows of the year without the audience of other lower quality shows. This show was no different, stacked with stellar wrestling from the beginning to end, logical booking decisions and general good presentation. Although the video quality can be a bit choppy at points, it all plays into the Japanese aesthetic, the only minor issue we had with the show was that at certain points the commentary audio quality was questionable nonetheless the commentator did a good job at calling the action and added a lot of character to the product with his clearly vast knowledge of wrestling.
Show Rating: ****
Written By: Philip Nelson and Justin Lawrence
Reviews By: Philip Nelson, Bryan Mathews, Justin Lawrence, Andrew Brown, Ashley Goldman, and Emily Diaz
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