By @specficluchador

RevPro returned to the Rivermead Leisure Complex in Reading for the first time since October with yet another stacked card that incorporated some of the best independent talent from the US and the UK. Once again, RevPro delivered another good show whilst building towards two huge shows at York Hall in the summer.

Michael Elgin vs Ricochet

Due to an knee injury, Will Ospreay was unable to wrestle Michael Elgin at Epic Encounter. RevPro didn’t disappoint with Ospreay’s replacement: Ricochet pulled double duty, maintaining the speed vs strength dynamic of the advertised match. Elgin sought to pick Ricochet out of the sky with ferocious strikes and power moves whilst Ricochet sought to gain the advantage by evading Elgin with his speed. Considering the circumstances, this was a damn good match, with the finishing sequence strewn with near falls and reversals. Elgin secured the victory following the Elgin bomb.

Josh Bodom vs Donovan Dijak

At Live at the Cockpit 6, Dijak and Bodom delivered an incredible match: this was even better. This was billed as a grudge match and worked like one, both more intense and hard hitting than their previous encounter. Dijak would lay into Bodom with strike combinations only for Bodom to gain the advantage through duplicitous means numerous times throughout the match. Bodom and Dijak brawled through the leisure centre, with Dijak dropping Bodom on the stairs only for Bodom to retort with a senton off the stage. Bodom gained the victory following a rope assisted face buster in what was a fantastic performance from both Bodom and Dijak. Bodom’s understanding of the nuances of match structure and character is outstanding: even more so considering his age. Bodom is one to pay close attention to in the coming months and is set to break out huge in 2016.

The Revolutionists (Sha Samuels & James Castle) (C) vs Jody Fleisch & Jonny Storm

British Tag Team Championship Match

For almost a year, The Revolutionists have tyrannically reigned over RevPro’s tag division, retaining the titles at all costs: that theme continued here, with a strike to Jody Fleisch’s head with the tag team title by Sha Samuels causing the ref to throw the match out. Fleisch and Storm are always a pleasure to watch and that was no different here. The finish suggests that Fleisch and Storm have unfinished business with The Revolutionists. On shows directed towards hardcore, work rate fans, Samuels and Castle are almost incongruous to their setting and constant screwy finishes to them no favours.

Damo vs Roderick Strong

From the moment Roderick Strong arrived, he acted like an arrogant frat boy, evading Damo and confronting children in the crowd. Strong gained the advantage through chicanery, ensuring he continued to draw the ire of the crowd due to his attitude. After kicking out of the double knee gutbuster/sick kick combination, Damo delivered a series of strikes before pinning Strong following a michinoku driver. As demonstrated here, Damo is fantastic at adapting his style to have great matches with opponents of any style.

Post-match, Damo made his intentions clear: he is coming for Zack Sabre Jr’s title on May 1st at the Cockpit. Damo stated he was the best big man in the world before Michael Elgin emerged. Following a square off between the behemoths, Damo challenged Elgin to a match any place, any time.

Pete Dunne (C) vs ACH

Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship

After Dunne rejected ACH’s offer of sportsmanship, ACH outwrestled Dunne during the early stages of the match.The pacing of the match was great, starting off slow before building to a crescendo of near falls. Following a brainbuster, ACH attempted the Midnight Star, which was met by the knees of Pete Dunne. ACH initially reversed Dunne’s pump handle buster before succumbing to it moments later after Dunne clung to the referee to prevent a German suplex. Pete Dunne, too, is another to keep an eye on and is poised to make a huge impression in RevPro this year.

Dalton Castle vs Lord Gideon Grey

As is tradition, Lord Gideon Grey, accompanied by Rhisi Ghosh, lambasted the audience, which was underscored by chants of Princess Unicorn. Dalton Castle, accompanied by the boys, received one of the biggest ovations of the night. Immediately, Grey was dismayed by Castle’s flamboyant antics-a trope throughout the match- proclaiming he was here to wrestle not posture. Lord Gideon Grey methodically worked over Castle, cutting off Castle’s attempts at offence, much to the chagrin of the crowd. In some what of an upset, Lord Gideon Grey submitted Castle with a modified octopus stretch following interference from his crony, Rhishi Ghosh. Another illegitimate win earned Lord Gideon Grey further rancour.

The LDRS (Zack Sabre Jr & Marty Scurll) vs Ricochet & Matt Sydal

At High Stakes in January, Scurll defeated Ospreay to be crowned number one contender in not only arguably the best match in RevPro history, but arguably the best match on British shores period. At the next Cockpit show, Scurll announced that he would not be challenging the new RevPro Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, who defeated AJ Styles on the same night for the title: instead, Marty Scurll offered Zack Sabre Jr the opportunity to reform the tag team they both broke into the business in: The LDRS.

The story of the match was the growing tension between Marty Scurll, the number one contender, and Zack Sabre Jr, the British Heavyweight Champion. During the match, Sabre had to assuage an over zealous Marty Scurll numerous times, enjoying tagging with his former partner but not condoning his ways. As expected, considering the caliber of wrestler in the match, this was a great match that featured impeccable mat work and exciting flying throughout. The finishing stretch brought the crowd alive with double team maneuvers, near falls and reversals: the highlight of which was Sabre catching Sydal in an arm bar following the Shooting Sydal Press. Sydal attempted to power out but Marty Scurll cracked him over the back with his umbrella allowing Sabre, who was blissfully unaware of Scurll’s antics, to submit Sydal.

Post-match, Sabre realised how the victory was earned. Disappointed with the illicit tactics his partner used, Sabre confronted Scurll before heading to the back. Without his partner, Scurll received a bennydriller/roundhouse kick combo from Ricochet and Sydal to close the show.

Final Word: Although the Rivermead Leisure Centre is far from my favourite venue, RevPro continued its hot streak of shows with Epic Encounter despite a number of underwhelming finishes. Bodom/Dijak II, Damo/Strong and the main event are all well worth going out of your way to see. A noteworthy point is that the British guys, and more specifically Scurll, received bigger reactions than the American talent: a testament to the strength of the UK scene at the moment, something that RevPro has been integral in.

The show will be available at RevPro on Demand on 04/18. Be sure to check it out.