Welcome to Pulse Wrestling’s live, ongoing report from the first round of the Race to the Top Tournament as well as the other matches as they happen live from the Deer Park Community Center on Long Island.
Pre-Show Match
Shane Hagadorn and Alex “Sugarfoot” Payne vs. Mitch Franklin and Ernie Osiris
Hagadorn pins Franklin after a roll-up with a handful of tights.
Pre-Show SHIMMER Exhibition: Daizee Haze and Ariel vs. Sara Del Rey and Portia Perez with “Sweet and Sour” Larry Sweeney
Sara Del Ray wins with the Royal Butterfly on Ariel
End of Pre-show
Main Show Results
Race To the Top First Round Match:
BJ Whitmer vs. Pelle Primeau
Pelle gets an early advantage due to his speed, but it does not last. BJ is working heel, but succumbs to a small package PELE WINS!!!! He crowd surfs to celebrate and Whitmer attacks Mitch Franklin then goes after a crowd surfing Pelle. He powerbombs him in the corner, follows with a lariat, hits a brainbuster and is met with a “BJ Blew it” chant from the fans.
Winner: Pelle Primeau via small package. (*)
Race To the Top First Round Match:
Davey Richards vs. Jigsaw
Davey puts the hurt on Jig to start. But Jigsaw kicks out of the DR driver. Jigsaw’s luck could not hold out for long, as he soon after tapped to the Key Lock.
Winner: Davey Richards via submission with the keylock (**1/2)
Race To the Top First Round Match:
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Hallowicked
Claudio was a step ahead of Hallowicked through this mostly back and forth affair. Claudio hit the Alpamare Waterslide, but ‘Wicked kicked out a two. The Ricola bomb was enough to finish it though.
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli via pinfall with the Ricola Bomb. (***)
Race To the Top First Round Match:
“Lightning” Mike Quackenbush vs. Matt Sydal
Larry Sweeney starts of talking trash to Quack. Sweeney sends all of Sweet and Sour Inc. to the back claiming that Sydal has an easy night. The match starts with a mix of speed and mat wrestling from both competitors. Quack takes control early, only to be met with a spinning heel kick from Sydal. Matt locks in a crossface. Quack scores with a backpack stunner for two. They go back and forth with Sydal showing more speed, and Quack showing more mat prowess. Sydal hits the “Here it is” Driver for a close two count. Quack comes back with a faceplant and a rollup for the victory. Mike Quackenbush advances.
Winner: “Lightning” Mike Quackenbush via pinfall with a rollup. (***1/2)
Race to the Top First Round Match:
Chris Hero vs. Erick Stevens
Chris Hero starts by doing push-ups. Stevens hits a Michinoku Driver but is unable to score the three because Sweeney interrupts the count. Hero is able to catch Stevens with the Hero’s Welcome for the victory and a berth in the second round.
Winner: Chris Hero via pinfall with the Hero’s Welcome. (***3/4)
Four Way Fray for the FIP World Title:
Roderick Strong (c) vs. Gran Akuma vs. Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Rave
Aries is met with a standing ovation and a “Welcome Back!” chant. It is all for naught though, as he is the first eliminated, pinned by all three men. Akuma is the next to go after a heel hook from Jimmy Rave, who got a big face reaction from the Long Island crowd. Rave is working as the babyface against the heel Roderick Strong, but it is not enough as he taps out to the stronghold.
Winner: Roderick Strong via submission with the Stronghold. (***1/4)
Race to the Top First Round Match:
El Generico vs. Delirious
The match starts with a back and forth between the two masked grapplers. Generico has the crowd firmly behind him with his aerial arsenal. El Generico scores with two yakuza kicks and a brainbuster for the win over the man from the edge of sanity.
Winner: El Generico via pinfall with the brainbuster. (**1/2)
Race to the Top First Round Match:
Matt Cross vs. Brent Albright
Matt Cross is not receiving a favorable reaction from the Long Island fans. Cross is off to an early advantage using speed to his advantage. Cross hits a Sasuke special #2. Albright goes after the arm and locks in the crowbar, but Cross is able to reach the ropes. Albright goes after the arm and locks in the crowbar, but Cross is able to reach the ropes. Albright hits the half nelson suplex but lifts Cross up before the three. He hits a press slam and a Crowbar and that is all she wrote as Cross taps.
Winner: Brent Albright via submission with the crowbar. (**1/2)
Race to the Top First Round Match:
Kevin Steen vs. Jack Evans
Kevin Steen goes on offense early kicking Jack during his break dance routine. Evans responds with a sick hands free jumping dropkick to the floor. Steen throws Evans into the guardrail nearly breaking the sidekick of some greasy internet geek sitting front row in the process. Evans attempts to make a comeback but Steen decides things would be better if he dropped Jack on his head. Steen hits a Swanton and the Steensault, but it is not enough to put Evans down. Jack comes back with the tree of woe double knee drop. He hits the 630 and scores the victory.
Winner: Jack Evans via pinfall with the 630. (***3/4)
Ring of Honor Tag Team Championship Match:
Jay and Mark Briscoe(c) vs. Nigel McGuinness and “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
The Briscoes put the hurt on Nigel to start, so much so in fact that Dragon asks McGuinness if he needs help. After a four way brawl McGuinness and Danielson finally take control. Jay gets his with a Tower of London and a super backdrop, and somewhere along the way was busted open, but he makes the hot tag to Mark. They go for the springboard doomsday device, but it is reversed. Dragon locks in the cattle mutilation but it is broken up by a big splash from Jay Briscoe. Nigel gains control and is more than holding his own against both Briscoes. Nigel hits the top rope mounted lariat! He could not get the pin because it was broken up. The Briscoes regain control, and the sidewalk slam/legdrop combo only nets two. The jawbreaker lariat is reversed into an exploder, but once again only two. Another Briscoe double team, and Nigel just will not stay down. Mark’s shooting star press is met with Nigel’s knees while Dragon suplexes Jay. All four men are up and brawling, Nigel and Dragon get the upper hand and try for the rebound lariat and roaring elbow, Nigel is hit by Dragon and gets rolled up for three.
Winners: Jay and Mark Briscoe via pinfall after opponent miscommunication and a roll-up. (****)
Big thanks have to go to Pulse Glazer for keeping me up to date so I can keep you up to date. Expect a detailed live report tomorrow from Aaron, after what seems like another great show from Ring of Honor.
I’ll see you next time.
The Inside Pulse
— Quick Match Results
