May 25, 2007

Covina, CA

Foreign Exchange

 
On Friday night, May 25th, the Empire Wrestling Federation returned to its stomping grounds of Covina, California to deliver "Foreign Exchange," a night that saw 2 EWF titles successfully defended, as well as the EWF debuts of Japanese competitors Kagrra and Dragon Yuki and Australia's Mikey Nicholls.
 

Match 1: Ray Kejimura vs Dragon Yuki

A great way to kick the night off with former Pro Wrestling Iron superstar, Ray Kejimura, taking on an EWF newcomer, Dragon Yuki. The match started off with an insulting bow from Kejimura to Yuki which lead to the two mixing it up on the mat, trading various holds. Yuki, who is no lightweight, stunned the crowd with surprising agility by springing up to his feet from a leg scissors applied by Ray. Just as Yuki had the crowd behind him, Ray capitalized and took it toYuki for a good portion of the match. Kejimura seem to have under-estimated the newcomer by turning his back on him to play the crowd, which gave Yuki enough time execute a heavy body slam to set up for a top rope Moonsault, which could have ended the match right there. The ring awareness of Kejimura was shown when he quickly avoided the Moonsault. It was obvious that Kejimura had this match won as he went for his modified sunset flip maneuver but, out of nowhere, Yuki countered it into a Double Arm DDT for the 3 count and the win!

Winner: Dragon Yuki
 
Match 2: Mr. Nitro2Go vs Jay Law

How can you NOT love Mr. Nitro2Go, coming out to the ring with tasty Nitro2Go beverages for all! The crowd went nuts for him. The mood quickly changed when the always obnoxious Australian superstar, Jay Law, came through the curtain. The bell sounds and Law immediately goes to work on Nitro2Go. N2G showed that he was just a little smarter than Law by tripping him all over the ring, giving each fan a chuckle or two. As frustration sat in for Law, he quickly took over and got under the crowd's skin with his comments. The match took a strange turn when Law applied an Airplane Spin to N2G, putting both superstars on spaghetti legs. Law was so dizzy, he actually mistook a turnbuckle for his opponent and gave it a Dropkick. As both competitors regained their vision, they began trading reversals, however, that came to a screeching halt when Mr. Nitro2Go nailed a Stone Cold Stunner for the victory!

Winner: Mr. Nitro2Go

 

Match 3: Hook Bomberry vs Kagrra

Hot off his victory over Angelas the show before, former EWF tag team champion, Hook Bomberry, looked to make short work of the 2nd newcomer of the night in Kagrra. However, this Japanese superstar was no easy test. He sent Bomberry to the outside several times, which angered the man from San Francisco. It was Hook's dirty tactics that would help him gain control of the match for the time being. As Kagrra came back, he sent Bomberry to the outside again but this time joined him out there with an amazing Moonsault from the top to the outside leaving both men out on the floor. As the match got back in the ring, both men traded amazing power moves. Bomberry hit a modified Neckbreaker, which only got a two count. Kagrra hit a double underhook Piledriver, which also got a two count. It was a given that the latest kick out from Bomberry was all instinct so Kagrra climbed up top and delivered a sensational Moonsault, which was definitely going to put the match in the bag but, AGAIN, Bomberry kicks out. Kagrra lifts up the former tag team champion to put him away once and for all but, in the blink of an eye, Hook lifts him up and delivers a devastating Sitout Driver for the unexpected 3 count!

Winner: Hook Bomberry

 

Match 4: Bino Gambino & Markus Riot vs Dan Kobrick & Terex

The hot Covina crowd let out a big roar for the return of former EWF Heavyweight Champion, Bino Gambino. Bino had a whole new attitude and was instantly accepted by everyone in the Knights Of Columbus Hall. It was not a very pleasant return, seeing as he and his partner, Markus Riot, had their hands full with the newly formed duo, Dan "The Man" Kobrick and Terex. The match starts out with Riot and Kobrick trading holds and pin attempts which, for the most part, were pretty even. Both men made the tag out. Now, in came in Terex and the returning Bino, who had every hint of confidence until he locked horns with the near 400 pounder. Terex sent him straight to the mat twice. Bino then attempted to knock the big guy down with shoulder tackles but no dice. Bino took a big chance and went for a Cross Body. Terex catches him and rubs it in the crowds face which was a total mistake because off the top rope comes Markus Riot with a Missile Dropkick sending Terex to the mat with Bino on top for a pin attempt. Kobrick breaks the count up, and from there the match turns into a 4 man brawl all over the place. Bino was taken out of the match when Terex sent him head first into a wall. This gave them enough time to perform a double team move where Terex tosses Kobrick onto Riot followed by a big Splash from Terex for the win!

Winners: Team Kobrick

 

Match 5: Kid Karnage vs Angelas

This was more of a fight than a match. As Angelas was attacking Karnage with his fists, Karnage came right back with his kicks. The veteran instincts of Karnage gave him the upper hand for the most part. Karnage also played it smart by not letting there be any room between him and Angelas. He stayed in close and didn't let a second go by without Angelas feeling a clubbing blow to the back or a kick to the head. The match makes a huge turn when Angelas mounts Karnage for his Ground and Pound combination. Karnage regained momentum with a rake to the eyes and looked to end it all but the Bad Boy from Boyle Heights hit a Spinebuster, giving him enough time to collect himself and capitalize, but it was a deadly Enzugiri from Karnage that put the momentum back in hands of the young anarchist from Basin City yet again. Karnage was going to bag this match with his modified Frog Splash he calls the Acid Reign. However, Angelas meets him halfway, and places Karnage on his shoulders. only to drive his face into his knee, leaving Karnage wide open for Angelas' Choke Slam Backbreaker for the 3 count!

Winner: Angelas
 
Match 6: "Iceman" Webster Dauphiney vs Mikey Nicholls

A great combination of styles were featured in this match. The martial arts background of "The Iceman" Webster Dauphiney and the technical genius of another Australian superstar Mikey Nicholls. Iceman seemed to be the quicker of the two. As Nicholls came in, he could get kicked. Nicholls would finally show some sign of offense by sending Dauphiney outside with a Dropkick. As Iceman was getting back in the ring, he dropped Nicholls' neck first across the top rope, giving Webster a chance to beat on him. Nicholls comes back with speed and agility and looks to put the Iceman away. He heads up to the top rope and attempts a huge Senton but Webster wisely moves out of the way. From there, the match spills to the outside with both competitors duking it out all the way until the end of the referee's 10 count.

Winner: Double Countout

 

Match 7: EWF Tag Team Championship

TNT (C) vs Midnight Dynamite

The newly crowned EWF tag team champions face a team who are no strangers to tag team gold in Midnight Dynamite. TNT starts off strong by sending both members of the opposing team to the outside. It took a little bit of time for Paradise and Mercury to gain their composure before re-entering the ring but after finally doing so, they took control by beating down Johnny Dynamite for most of the match. After a long punishment, Johnny finally tags in Brandon Nitro and, from this point on, Midnight Dynamite's offense was more towards one another rather than towards their opponents. Every chance they got, TNT would send them crashing into each other, Paradise went for an Elbow Drop to break up a pin but hits his partner. Mercury goes to hit Nitro in the corner and gets side stepped, which sends him crashing into his partner. TNT sends Paradise to the outside giving them time to hit their unique but affective double team move to retain their titles. After the match, Paradise and Mercury showed signs of anger towards one another when Paradise slapped Mercury right across the face and left the ring.

Winners: TNT
 

Match 8: EWF Heavyweight Championship

Joey Harder (C) vs Joey Ryan

What a way to close this night! Joey Harder, the EWF Heavyweight Champion, defending his title against MTV Superstar, Joey Ryan. As the match starts, Harder looked to make short work of his opponent by going for his modified Boston crab submission maneuver he's been using to get the job done for most of his matches. Ryan quickly grabs the ropes, forcing Harder to release the hold. Ryan took over the match from that point on and took it to the champ. It seemed to be over when Ryan hit a running Yakuza Kick, followed by a Superkick but the fighting champion kicks out. As Harder makes it up to his feet, the two start trading punches. Harder goes to hook a Suplex but Ryan attempts a counter, which is re-countered by Harder, which is re-countered by Ryan! Harder floats over onto his feet from what we all thought was going to be a well executed Suplex but Harder turns the challenger around and delivers his Brainbuster finisher leaving Joey Ryan down for the count. Right as the bell sounds, Dan "The Man" Kobrick's music hit and out he comes. He got right in the champ's face and promised him that at the next show he would know "The Definition of Pain".

Winner: Joey Harder