{"id":16558,"date":"2018-04-04T18:23:41","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T22:23:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=16558"},"modified":"2018-04-04T18:23:41","modified_gmt":"2018-04-04T22:23:41","slug":"preview-evolve-102-103-4-5-18-and-4-6-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2018\/04\/04\/preview-evolve-102-103-4-5-18-and-4-6-18\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: EVOLVE 102\/103 (4\/5\/18 and 4\/6\/18)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Wrestlemania<\/strong> week is heating up to be one of the best yet, and among the top notch events on display this week is <em><strong>EVOLVE 102<\/strong><\/em> and <strong><em>EVOLVE 103<\/em> &#8211; <\/strong>being held on Thursday the 5th and Friday the 6th of April at the\u00a0Pontchartrain Center in New Orleans. Despite being one of the younger promotions out there, <strong>EVOLVE<\/strong> has quickly established itself as one of the most enjoyable and is sure to deliver two nights of excellent wrestling.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EVOLVE 4K Mini-Doc: ZSJ - A Reflection On Over 400 Days As EVOLVE Champion\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-ciWnU4BKG0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>EVOLVE Championship Match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs Matt Riddle <em>(EVOLVE 102)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Zack Sabre Jr.<\/strong> will be entering this match having held the <strong>EVOLVE Championship\u00a0<\/strong>for a whopping 404 days &#8211; the second longest EVOLVE Championship reign in the promotion&#8217;s short history.\u00a0 Challenging him will be the King of the Bros, <strong>Matt Riddle<\/strong>;<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>a more than worthy contender to end the distinguished reign in this rubber match.\u00a0 The two technicians most recently faced off at <strong>RevPro Uprising 2017<\/strong>\u00a0where Zack Sabre Jr. successfully defended his <strong>RevPro British Heavyweight<\/strong> title in what can only be regarded as a clinic &#8211; the match was impeccable.\u00a0 However, within EVOLVE, the two technicians are tied at 1-1, with Matt Riddle having won at <em><strong>EVOLVE 59<\/strong><\/em> (02\/04\/16) and Zack Sabre Jr. getting the victory at <em><strong>EVOLVE 86<\/strong><\/em> (06\/24\/17).\u00a0 It is hard to look past another successful title defense for Zack Sabre Jr. here, coming off his exceptional showing against <strong>Kazuchika Okada<\/strong> at <em><strong>NJPW Sakura Genesis<\/strong><\/em>, where he was pinned after a hard-fought battle against the <strong>IWGP Heavyweight Champion<\/strong>.\u00a0 However, that does not mean Riddle is to be overlooked.\u00a0 This is a match which will be very closely contested and could quite easily go either way, given both grapplers&#8217; current levels of popularity.\u00a0 No matter the result, this will easily be a contender for the Evolve match of the year and one of the best matches of any promotion in 2018.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Zack Sabre Jr. to retain<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EVOLVE 4K Mini-Doc: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Matt Riddle - EVOLVE 102 (Apr 5th) Preview!\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7sKUYMoKhOU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Daisuke Sekimoto &amp; Munenori Sawa vs. Ringkampf (Timothy Thatcher &amp; WALTER) <em>(EVOLVE 102)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A match dubbed as &#8220;The Definition of a Dream Match&#8221; can only deliver.\u00a0 With the four competitors involved in this match, it would be impossible for it not to.\u00a0 The bout features the return to wrestling &#8211; the first of two nights &#8211; of <strong>Munenori Sawa<\/strong>, who shall be tagging with the ultra successful tag team competitor <strong>Daisuke Sekimoto\u00a0<\/strong>to face <strong>Timothy Thatcher<\/strong> and <strong>WALTER<\/strong>, collectively known as <strong>Ringkampf<\/strong>.\u00a0 The bout will be the first Munenori Sawa has competed in since retiring back in 2011 (his last EVOLVE match being a defeat against <strong>Bryan Danielson<\/strong> at <em><strong>EVOLVE 5<\/strong><\/em>). It will also be Daisuke Sekimoto&#8217;s EVOLVE debut, meaning that the match could go in favour of the Japanese duo.\u00a0 However, Ringkampf have proven to be one of the more dominant tag teams since their formation and could just as easily go over.\u00a0 Timothy Thatcher is still the longest reigning EVOLVE Champion in the promotion&#8217;s history and has an exceptional record within the company.\u00a0 With WALTER in his corner, the size and strength advantage of Ringkampf will make this very difficult.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Ringkampf to win<\/em><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=okP-MbeeRv4<\/p>\n<h3><strong>AR Fox vs Will Ospreay (<em>EVOLVE 102)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Next we have some exciting high-flying action to make an already excellent card even more enjoyable.\u00a0 It looked as though <strong>Will Ospreay<\/strong> would not be able to compete in this match following a freakish botch during his recent match against <strong>Marty Scurll\u00a0<\/strong>at <em>NJPW Sakura Genesis<\/em>, but judging by his recent post on Twitter it appears as though he has been cleared &#8211; or has cleared himself &#8211; to compete.\u00a0<strong> AR Fox<\/strong> comes into this EVOLVE bout after a narrow defeat against <strong>Keith Lee\u00a0<\/strong>at <em><strong>EVOLVE 100\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>and will be looking to steal the win against what will surely be a less than 100% fit Will Ospreay.\u00a0 Expect this match to be incredibly fast paced and leaving Jim Cornette foaming at the mouth.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Will Ospreay to win<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Tag Team Scramble for the EVOLVE Tag Team Championships: Doom Patrol vs The End vs James Drake &amp; Anthony Henry vs Tracy Williams &amp; Dom Garrini\u00a0<em>(EVOLVE 102)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>We return to tag team action in what will most likely be a hectic four way match.\u00a0 It is a tag team scramble match &#8211; two in at a time &#8211; with the added stipulation that even if neither one of <strong>Dickinson<\/strong> or <strong>Jaka<\/strong> take the pin, they will lose the tag titles.\u00a0\u00a0<strong>Doom Patrol<\/strong> &#8211; consisting of Chris Dickinson and Jaka &#8211; have held the<strong> EVOLVE Tag Team Championships<\/strong> since <em><strong>EVOLVE 93<\/strong><\/em> and will enter the match 194 days into their reign.\u00a0 The odds are stacked against the champions as the numbers don&#8217;t lie and could potentially spell disaster for Doom Patrol at <em>EVOLVE 102<\/em>.\u00a0 However, expect them to overcome the odds and leave the ring with the titles once more on Thursday night, despite the stiff competition.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Dickinson and Jaka retain<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EVOLVE 4K Mini-Doc: The Collision Cannot Be Stopped\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/axI7h5JzrEk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Keith Lee\u00a0vs Darby Allin <em>(EVOLVE 102)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In what is being dubbed by EVOLVE as a non-title special challenge match, we have <strong>Darby Allin<\/strong> squaring off against the reigning<strong> WWN <\/strong>Champion, <strong>Keith Lee<\/strong>.\u00a0 This is a match of contrasting styles, as the smaller Allin will have to deal with the sizable height and weight advantage the WWN Champion has at his disposal.\u00a0 With that being said, Darby Allin is no pushover and could pull off the upset.\u00a0 The fact that this is a non-title bout could mean that Allin is going over, but as we all know, nothing is for sure in professional wrestling and you would have to be a fool to bet against Keith Lee given the current buzz surrounding him.\u00a0 Make no mistake, regardless of the outcome, this is going to be an exciting match that can go either way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <i>Keith Lee wins<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Austin Theory vs DJZ <em>(EVOLVE 102)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This is a match showcasing one of the finest talents of the next generation, in <strong>Austin Theory,\u00a0<\/strong>squaring off against a perhaps underrated veteran in <strong>DJZ<\/strong>.\u00a0 Austin Theory is unbelievably just 20 years of age and has a very bright future ahead of him, both in EVOLVE and in any other promotion he walks into.\u00a0 This could also potentially be the biggest week of his life so far, given the amount of eyes that will be on him (scouts and fans alike), so he will certainly be looking to put on his best possible performance this week.\u00a0 Unfortunately for Theory, he will be missing his trusted valet, <strong>Priscilla Kelly<\/strong>, as she is suspended (within Kayfabe) from EVOLVE, so Theory is going to have to dig deep to pull off the victory here.\u00a0 It is down to DJZ to halt Austin&#8217;s progress and win his first Evolve match in 7 years (his last victory coming against Jimmy Jacobs at <strong>EVOLVE 7<\/strong>).\u00a0 This is going to be yet another good match on a stacked card.\u00a0 Given Theory&#8217;s run, I can&#8217;t see any other result but a win for the youngster.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Austin Theory wins<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EVOLVE 4K Mini-Doc: Can Austin Theory Handle The Pressure?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HdeziH_9lac?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Matt Riddle vs Daisuke Sekimoto <em>(EVOLVE 103)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The second night of EVOLVE will take place on Friday, and much like <em>EVOLVE 102<\/em> the night before, it features a particularly nice card jam-packed with top quality wrestling.\u00a0 Headlining the show will be the King of the Bros and potentially the recently crowned Evolve Champion, Matt Riddle and the Muscle Monster Daisuke Sekimoto; a solid match to end any Evolve show.\u00a0 As predicted, I do believe both men will lose their respective matches at <em>EVOLVE 102<\/em>, so both will be going all out to secure a win here as Matt Riddle&#8217;s exciting, technical MMA style clashes with the sheer power of Sekimoto.\u00a0 Much like the rest of the matches in this review, it could go either way.\u00a0 However, you can expect a Riddle win on home soil.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Matt Riddle wins<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EVOLVE Mini-Doc: The Mighty Fist Bump of Bro!\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W1RZ2epi-8s?start=9&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Chris Dickinson vs Travis Banks <em>(EVOLVE 103)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Night two features Chris Dickinson competing in one-on-one action against Travis Banks.\u00a0 The two previously faced off at <em><strong>EVOLVE 91<\/strong><\/em>, where Chris Dickinson and his partner Jaka scored the victory over Travis Banks and T.K. Cooper, so Travis Banks will surely be looking to secure some kind of revenge against Dickinson.\u00a0 Additionally, Chris Dickinson will be looking to return to winning ways following his defeat against Zack Sabre Jr at <em>EVOLVE 101<\/em> and if he and Jaka lose at <em>EVOLVE 102<\/em>, you can expect to see a Chris Dickinson even more desperate to secure the win.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Chris Dickinson wins<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Jaka vs Munenori Sawa <em>(EVOLVE 103)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Munenori Sawa returns to the ring for possibly the final time &#8211; at least on US soil &#8211; as he squares off against one half of the current EVOLVE Tag Team Champions, Jaka.\u00a0 What can we expect from this match? It&#8217;s hard to predict with Munenori Sawa having been retired for so long but I am sure we will know more following his tag team match at <em>EVOLVE 102<\/em>.\u00a0 One thing is for certain: expect kicks and lots of them.\u00a0 Jaka, much like his partner Chris Dickinson, will be desperate for a win as neither man wants to be viewed as the weak link of Doom Squad.\u00a0 More so, given that Jaka is coming into the match following a defeat (though impressive display) against number one contender Matt Riddle at <em>EVOLVE 101<\/em>, anticipate Jaka to make the match difficult for the returning Sawa.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Jaka wins<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>WALTER vs Darby Allin (<em>EVOLVE 103)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Now here is one for the EVOLVE purists.\u00a0 Darby Allin is a man on a mission; to prove to everyone in EVOLVE &#8211; fan and wrestler alike &#8211; that he is not just some spot monkey who enjoys jumping off of things.\u00a0 Darby Allin is a man who wants to be viewed as a serious competitor who could one day be EVOLVE Champion.\u00a0 WALTER &#8211; one half of Ringkampf and its leader &#8211; is on a mission to prove to everyone in attendance that Allin is everything he doesn&#8217;t want to be viewed as.\u00a0 The story for this match is the traditional but effective big man vs little man match, with Darby Allin certainly viewed as the underdog entering this match.\u00a0 I can&#8217;t look past a Darby Allin victory here.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Allin scores the big win<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Does Darby Allin Have A Heavyweight Death Wish!?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sKPGg0yaZxM?start=12&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Keith Lee vs Austin Theory <em>(EVOLVE 103)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Keith Lee and Austin Theory face off in a non-title match.\u00a0 As mentioned earlier in the review, Theory will be without Priscilla for this match.\u00a0 This could be the toughest challenge Theory has faced in EVOLVE so far (impressive given that his previous two defeats came against Matt Riddle and Zack Sabre Jr. respectively) and he will have his work cut out for him to take down the big man opposing him, the current WWN and PWG World Champion Keith Lee.\u00a0 That&#8217;s not to say Theory won&#8217;t cause problems for Lee, because he certainly will; he is a highly impressive young lion bound for superstardom &#8211; but Keith Lee is a brick wall in the way and he will not make this easy for Austin.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Keith Lee wins<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>AR Fox vs DJZ vs Jason Kincaid vs Tracy Williams<em> (EVOLVE 103)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This fatal four way match is sure to be mayhem.\u00a0 Any match featuring both AR Fox and DJZ is destined to be fast paced, high-flying and simply dangerous for all men evolved.\u00a0 The addition of The Gift, <strong>Jason Kincaid<\/strong> and former EVOLVE Tag Team Champion <strong>Tracy Williams<\/strong> will make this a match which could potentially be the most enjoyable of the entire card.\u00a0 If you have never seen an Evolve show before and enjoy death-defying wrestling featuring some of the best high-flyers today, this is the match for you.\u00a0 AR Fox has defeated both Jason Kincaid and DJZ at <strong>EVOLVE 96<\/strong> and <strong>EVOLVE 97<\/strong> respectively, and it is hard to look past another victory for the 30 year old here.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>AR Fox scores the win<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Timothy Thatcher vs Dom Garrini <em>(EVOLVE 103)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Last but not least comes Timothy Thatcher versus &#8220;The Bone Collector&#8221; <strong>Dominic Garrini<\/strong>. <strong>Stokely Hathaway<\/strong> &#8211; former manager of Timothy Thatcher &#8211; is adamant that Dom Garrini will &#8220;kill&#8221; the longest reigning EVOLVE Champion in EVOLVE history.\u00a0 \u00a0Perhaps &#8220;kill&#8221; is too strong of a word, but Garrini &#8211; an expert well versed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu &#8211; does indeed pose problems for Thatcher and will be looking to tap him out.\u00a0 Since returning to Evolve in January following a short hiatus from the company, he has scooped up a victory over<strong> Fred Yehi\u00a0<\/strong>at <em>EVOLVE 98<\/em> and, with his partner WALTER, a victory over the team of Tracy Williams and none other than Dominic Garrini himself at <em>EVOLVE 99<\/em>.\u00a0 Garrini will be out for redemption and to add another bone to his collection, but expect Thatcher to narrowly avoid defeat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: <em>Timothy Thatcher scoops the win<\/em><\/p>\n<p>So there we have it.\u00a0 EVOLVE&#8217;s two nights of wrestling are sure to be a treat to any wrestling fan whose eyes find themselves viewing the matches on display.\u00a0 There&#8217;s plenty available for the EVOLVE regulars, but there is also two nights of wrestling which could make a fan of anyone who has never seen an EVOLVE show before.\u00a0 Regardless, Wrestlemania week is looking to be as exciting as ever and there are a number of top quality shows on display from the numerous companies in NOLA for Wrestlemania week, so try to enjoy as many of them as you can!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wrestlemania week is heating up to be one of the best yet, and among the top notch events on display this week is EVOLVE 102 and EVOLVE 103 &#8211; being held on Thursday the 5th and Friday the 6th of April at the\u00a0Pontchartrain Center in New Orleans. Despite being one of the younger promotions out [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2482,"featured_media":16595,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11,2,6],"tags":[136,2150,2458,661,666],"class_list":["post-16558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-evolve","category-featured","category-north-america","tag-evolve","tag-evolve-102","tag-evolve-103","tag-wrestlemania-week","tag-wwn"],"modified_by":"Jamie Greer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2482"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16558"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16558\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}