OCW returned to Bendigo for the first time this year, with South Australians Matt “Grimm” Basso and Harley Wonderland, and former WWE Superstar, Shelton Benjamin, tagging along for the ride! The matches proved to be a switch up from those originally advertised, but the Bendigo fans didn’t miss out on the top notch wrestling action OCW is swiftly becoming known for.
Gabriel Wolfe VS. Manny Grayson
To kick things off, OCW mainstay Grayson swiftly picked up the win against the powerhouse Wolfe.
Joel “The Smash Hit” Bateman VS. KrackerJak VS. Slade Mercer.
Bateman and Krackerjak, who’ve had their fair share of personal problems of late, were set to go one on one in the ’Go, before being interrupted by Slade Mercer, making his OCW debut. Mercer didn’t prove successful and Bateman continued his lackluster losing streak however, and the Mad Bastard picked up the win to the delight of the crowd.
Next up we saw Bendigo’s own Scarlett Harris, co-host of OCW’s Tuesday night show on Channel 31, interviewing OCW Heavyweight Champion, Andy Phoenix, who promptly began to denigrate Harris and her hometown. Fellow Bendigonian, Cadman Turner, was having none of that and interrupted to defend the town’s honour. Phoenix proved he didn’t come to Bendigo unprepared, with Matt “Grimm” Basso accompanying the champion in a beat-down on Cadman, whom the South Australian would take on later that night.
Jake Navara (with Sean Hawkins) VS. Maddog.
Sean Hawkins, who chucked a tanty two weeks ago in Ashwood and quit his announcing position, made his OCW return managing Mr. 24/7, Jake Navara. Maddog’s hardcore credentials weren’t enough when Hawkins pulled underhanded moves behind the referee’s back. Navara picked up the win clean, though, with an impressive moonsault from the top rope.
Harley Wonderland VS. Vixsin.
Also making her OCW debut was Harley Wonderland, in action against Vixsin. The two competitors were well matched but it was Vixsin who exited Bendigo victorious with a powerbomb from up top.
Matt “Grimm” Basso VS. Cadman Turner.
The two men who met earlier in the night would get the chance to face off in the squared circle in this highly anticipated match. Basso is perhaps one of the only competitors who can match Cadman in height, but this advantage wasn’t enough, with the hometowner picking up the win, much to the delight of the crowd.
Josh “The Axe” Shooter VS. Benny Factor.
The Benny Factor made his OCW return in Bendigo against Josh “The Axe” Shooter, who was his usual arrogant self, in a nice technical bout. Shooter, however, was just as surprised as the crowd when he snuck away with the 1, 2, 3.
OCW Heavyweight Championship Match:
Andy Phoenix (c) vs Shelton Benjamin
In the main event fans had been looking forward to, Phoenix proved why he is OCW’s inaugural champion, going pound for pound (or kilo for kilo?) with former WWE Intercontinental, United States and Tag Team Champion, “The Gold Standard”Benjamin. There was a nice exchange of forceful forearms between the two, amidst some impressive counters by Phoenix. We thought the ankle lock and a spinning heel kick heard round the world would be enough to put Phoenix away and so did he, apparently, as he had Matt “Grimm” Basso make the save, resulting in a disqualification with Phoenix retaining the title.
Disappointment from the crowd ensued, and Cadman returned to the ring to even the odds against Phoenix and Basso. In a display of sportsmanship second to none, Benjamin thanked the regional audience for welcoming him for his first ever tour of Australia which he was calling “The Beat Down Down Under” outside of his time in the WWE. Benjamin and Cadman shook hands in a passing of the torch, as such, and Cadmans’s Bendigo brethren left feeling all warm and fuzzy. OCW returns to Ashwood on Friday 3rd October with former WWE European, Hardcore and Tag Team Champion, Al Snow!
Gabriel Wolfe VS. Manny Grayson
To kick things off, OCW mainstay Grayson swiftly picked up the win against the powerhouse Wolfe.
Joel “The Smash Hit” Bateman VS. KrackerJak VS. Slade Mercer.
Bateman and Krackerjak, who’ve had their fair share of personal problems of late, were set to go one on one in the ’Go, before being interrupted by Slade Mercer, making his OCW debut. Mercer didn’t prove successful and Bateman continued his lackluster losing streak however, and the Mad Bastard picked up the win to the delight of the crowd.
Next up we saw Bendigo’s own Scarlett Harris, co-host of OCW’s Tuesday night show on Channel 31, interviewing OCW Heavyweight Champion, Andy Phoenix, who promptly began to denigrate Harris and her hometown. Fellow Bendigonian, Cadman Turner, was having none of that and interrupted to defend the town’s honour. Phoenix proved he didn’t come to Bendigo unprepared, with Matt “Grimm” Basso accompanying the champion in a beat-down on Cadman, whom the South Australian would take on later that night.
Jake Navara (with Sean Hawkins) VS. Maddog.
Sean Hawkins, who chucked a tanty two weeks ago in Ashwood and quit his announcing position, made his OCW return managing Mr. 24/7, Jake Navara. Maddog’s hardcore credentials weren’t enough when Hawkins pulled underhanded moves behind the referee’s back. Navara picked up the win clean, though, with an impressive moonsault from the top rope.
Harley Wonderland VS. Vixsin.
Also making her OCW debut was Harley Wonderland, in action against Vixsin. The two competitors were well matched but it was Vixsin who exited Bendigo victorious with a powerbomb from up top.
Matt “Grimm” Basso VS. Cadman Turner.
The two men who met earlier in the night would get the chance to face off in the squared circle in this highly anticipated match. Basso is perhaps one of the only competitors who can match Cadman in height, but this advantage wasn’t enough, with the hometowner picking up the win, much to the delight of the crowd.
Josh “The Axe” Shooter VS. Benny Factor.
The Benny Factor made his OCW return in Bendigo against Josh “The Axe” Shooter, who was his usual arrogant self, in a nice technical bout. Shooter, however, was just as surprised as the crowd when he snuck away with the 1, 2, 3.
OCW Heavyweight Championship Match:
Andy Phoenix (c) vs Shelton Benjamin
In the main event fans had been looking forward to, Phoenix proved why he is OCW’s inaugural champion, going pound for pound (or kilo for kilo?) with former WWE Intercontinental, United States and Tag Team Champion, “The Gold Standard”Benjamin. There was a nice exchange of forceful forearms between the two, amidst some impressive counters by Phoenix. We thought the ankle lock and a spinning heel kick heard round the world would be enough to put Phoenix away and so did he, apparently, as he had Matt “Grimm” Basso make the save, resulting in a disqualification with Phoenix retaining the title.
Disappointment from the crowd ensued, and Cadman returned to the ring to even the odds against Phoenix and Basso. In a display of sportsmanship second to none, Benjamin thanked the regional audience for welcoming him for his first ever tour of Australia which he was calling “The Beat Down Down Under” outside of his time in the WWE. Benjamin and Cadman shook hands in a passing of the torch, as such, and Cadmans’s Bendigo brethren left feeling all warm and fuzzy. OCW returns to Ashwood on Friday 3rd October with former WWE European, Hardcore and Tag Team Champion, Al Snow!