By Chris Vetter, ProWrestling.net Contributor (@chrisvetter73)
West Coast Pro “West Coast 8”
Streamed live on YouTube.com
November 13, in San Francisco, California, at the United Irish Cultural Center
The lights were on. This is a small venue, so it’s packed with 200 or so fans. Righteous Reg and Trey Williams provided commentary, but their audio track was a bit too quiet.
* Hours before the show, West Coast Pro announced that Aaron Solo would not be on the show and would no longer be at their training center. Well… he’s half of the tag champions here. I’m not sure what happened, or if this is an angle.
* Alan Angels came to the ring, holding both tag title belts. The sound finally kicked in. He’s angry about whatever happened to Solo, and he threw the belts on the mat. The crowd chanted profanities at him. He swore at them and left.
1. Leah Night, “Magenta” Maria, and Riko vs. Maya World, Lex Gonzalez, and Sweet Caroline. I’ve seen the Magenta duo at least once before, but I’m certainly not familiar with them. Caroline opened against one of the Magenta women. Suddenly, all six were fighting on the floor. Back in the ring, a Magenta woman hit a dropkick on Caroline at 3:00, and they worked Caroline over in their corner. Leah hit a vicious Face Wash kick! Caroline hit a bodyslam on Maria at 5:00, and those two traded forearm strikes.
Rookie wrestler Lex got a hot tag; I’ve seen her on the student showcase events. She hit a running Meteora on Maria (who has a splash of red in her hair) for a nearfall. Maria hit a running kick to the side of Lex’s head for a nearfall at 7:00. Lex hit a German Suplex. Maya finally tagged in and hit a huracanrana, then a double armdrag on the Magenta duo. She hit a running one-footed dropkick on Leah, then a dive through the ropes onto Magenta. In the ring, Riko hit a superkick and a German Suplex on Maya, and they were both down.
Leah and Caroline tagged in at 9:00, and they immediately traded rollups. Leah hit a swinging sideslam. Maya jumped in and chopped Leah. Lex hit a Lungblower to Leah’s chest. Maya hit a second-rope moonsault. Magenta hit stereo superkicks on Lex and Maya, then a team chokeslam on Caroline. Leah hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on Caroline for a nearfall at 10:30. Caroline hit a spin kick to Leah’s forehead and scored the pin! A crowd-pleasing finish.
Maya World, Lex Gonzalez, and Sweet Caroline defeated Leah Night, “Magenta” Maria, and Riko at 10:58.
* Leah refused a handshake, and she shoved Caroline.
2. “Cajun Catch Revival” Seabass Finn and Jiah Jewell vs. “Flyboy” Andrew Cass and Taiga II. The masked Taiga II has also competed on the “Iron Sharpens Iron” student showcases. I’ve said a few times now that Cass is clearly the top rookie of his class. Cass and Finn opened in an intense lockup. Finn “rowed” Andrew’s arms. They traded armdrags, and both missed dropkicks. Jiah entered at 2:00 and battled Taiga II and hit some hip-tosses. Jiah hit a senton. CCR worked over Taiga in their corner.
Taiga and Cass hit stereo dives through the ropes at 4:00. In the corner, Cass hit a swinging neckbreaker. Cass hit a frog splash on Jiah for a nearfall. He hit a standing moonsault for a nearfall. Finn got a hot tag at 6:00, and he cleared the ring. He suplexed Cass, then hit a running buttbump in the corner on Taiga, then a German Suplex on Taiga. Jiah applied the Gator Roll on Taiga. They hit a team piledriver move, and Jiah pinned Taiga II. Satisfying.
“Cajun Catch Revival” Seabass Finn and Jiah Jewell defeated “Flyboy” Andrew Cass and Taiga II at 7:41.
3. Emersyn Jayne vs. Miko Alana. I just noted that UK wrestler Jayne competed last week in Georgia for Action Wrestling, so she’s on a U.S. tour. They tied up and immediately traded rollups. Jayne tried some shoulder blocks; Miko knocked her down with a shoulder tackle at 2:00. Miko hit a suplex, then a running basement crossbody block as Jayne was seated against the ropes. Jayne grabbed Miko’s hair and threw her backwards into the turnbuckles at 3:30, repeatedly stomped on Miko, and was loudly booed.
Jayne hit a basement dropkick. They traded reversals on the mat, and Jayne got some rollups for nearfalls. She tied Miko in a rear-naked choke on the mat. They got up, and Miko ran backwards into the corner at 7:00 to break the hold. Miko hit a suplex, and they were both down. Miko hit some short-arm clotheslines, then a fallaway slam at 8:30, then a Sabin-style Cradle Shock for a believable nearfall. Jayne hit an enzuigiri. She hit a sliding German Suplex out of the ropes, then a top-rope moonsault for a nearfall at 10:00.
Jayne hit a double knee drop to the ribs. They fought on the ropes. Miko hit a German Suplex, and they were both down. She hit a Vader Bomb for a believable nearfall. Jayne hit a backbreaker over her knee, then a running knee to the forehead for a believable nearfall at 12:00. Miko hit a double-underhook piledriver for the pin! Good match; a big win for Miko.
Miko Alana defeated Emersyn Jayne at 12:37.
* JT Thorne stormed to the ring and swore at the ring announcer, telling her to leave. Loud boos for that. He’s the Golden Gate champion, and he doesn’t have a match on the eighth anniversary? He’s livid! Shimbashi came out of the back to answer this open challenge! However, before the bell, Alan Angels also came to the ring and joined the match to make it a three-way! But wait! Vinny Massaro came out and wants to make this a four-way!
4. JT Thorne vs. Shimbashi vs. Alan Angels vs. Vinny Massaro in a four-way for the WCPW Golden Gate Title. Everyone attacked Massaro at the bell! Shimbashi kicked Alan in the gut and got a rollup. Alan hit a one-footed dropkick and was booed. Vinny dropped Angels with a hard chop. He backed Alan into a corner and hit more chops. Vinny tied two guys in a Boston Crab and Camel Clutch combo! Vinny grabbed Shimbashi and tied him in a Gory Stretch on his back, so he briefly had all three tied up! Cool spot. Angels and Shimbashi hit a team DVD on Massaro at 3:00.
Angels clotheslined Shimbashi, who then clotheslined Alan to the floor. Thorne stomped on Shimbashi, who hit a running knee in the corner, but JT hit a spinebuster for a nearfall at 5:30. Alan jumped in and hit a series of half-nelson suplexes on JT and Shimbashi! He tried one on the bigger Vinny but couldn’t budge him. Alan finally hit one at 7:00! Shimbashi hit a double knee drop to Alan’s chest. JT hit a jumping knee on Shimbashi for a nearfall.
Vinny got both Alan and JT on his shoulders and hit a double Death Valley Driver at 8:30! Shimbashi hit a top-rope flying elbow drop, and all four were down. All four got up and traded punches. Shimbashi and Alan hit stereo pump kicks to the chest. Vinny hit his discus elbow on Thorne! Alan nailed a spin kick to Shimbashi’s head, then an Angel’s Wings! However, JT threw Angels to the floor and covered the knocked-out Massaro for the stolen pin.
JT Thorne defeated Shimbashi, Alan Angels, and Vinny Massaro in a four-way to retain the WCPW Golden Gate Title at 10:19.
5. “Spark Rush” Takumi Iroha and Sareee vs. Sora Ayame and Senka Akatsuki. I’ve seen Sora before; her plain blue singlet looks like a one-piece swimsuit. Senka’s gear is identical to Sora’s, but it’s red, not blue. Cagematch.net shows these four were all competing in Japan just days ago. Sora and Senka attacked from behind; we got a bell seconds later. All four brawled at the bell. Spark Rush hit stereo dropkicks on Sora, then on Senka. Sareee bodyslammed Sora. Iroha also hit a bodyslam, so Sareee hit another bodyslam and tied up Sora on the mat. Sareee tied her in a Muta Lock.
Takumi hit some quick kicks and tied up Sora in a rear-naked choke. Sareee caught Sora and hit a double stomp to the ribs at 4:30, and she applied a half-crab. Sora finally reached the ropes. Sora hit a dropkick. Senka finally got the hot tag at 6:00, and she hit some shoulder blocks. She scooped up Takumi and bodyslammed her onto Sareee. Sareee hit a superplex on Senka for a nearfall, and she applied an Octopus Stretch. Iroha also tied up Sora to stop Sora from breaking up the hold. Senka finally got a foot on the ropes.
Takumi hit a series of quick kicks on Senka, then two suplexes for a nearfall at 9:30. Those two got up and traded forearm strikes. This crowd was going NUTS for this action. Sora tagged back in and got some rollups on Iroha, then three consecutive dropkicks. Iroha hit a spin kick to the jaw. Sareee hit a top-rope double stomp on Sora, with Iroha getting a nearfall. Iroha hit a German Suplex on Sora. Sora kicked the shins of both opponents and got a rollup for a nearfall. All four fought in the ring. Senka hit a double clothesline at 13:30. However, Iroha and Sareee got stereo rollups, both leaning back for added leverage, and scored the pins. Awesome.
“Spark Rush” Takumi Iroha and Sareee defeated Sora Ayame and Senka Akatsuki at 13:53.
* Intermission lasted 20 minutes.
6. “Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin vs. “Crush Boys” Titus Alexander and Starboy Charlie. (Here in West Coast Pro, they don’t call Starboy Chazz Hall!) This should be incredible. The commentators talked about this being a dream match. Titus has moved to Japan, so this is a rare U.S. appearance for him now. Sabin and Charlie opened, and Chris hit a hard chop. They traded quick reversals. From the apron, Alex kicked Starboy in the back. The Guns hit stereo kicks on Charlie and did some of their quick team offense.
Titus entered at 2:00 and hit some forearm strikes on both Guns. The Crush Boys hit punches in opposite corners as the crowd counted along. The Guns began working over Titus in their corner. Sabin hit a flying elbow drop to the back and got a nearfall at 5:00. Shelley hit a Lungblower move to the back. Sabin kept him grounded in a headlock. Charlie finally got a hot tag at 8:30. He hit a mid-ring Sliced Bread on Sabin, then a Cosmic Swirl (standing corkscrew splash). They all traded flying kicks.
Sabin hit a running stunner on Titus at 10:00. Charlie hit a double Pele Kick, and all four were down again, and we got a “This is awesome!” chant. Charlie hit a Pele Kick on Shelley in the corner. Titus hit a Lethal Injection on Sabin, then a dive to the floor. Charlie went for the Shooting Starboy Press, but Sabin got his knees up to block it, and Sabin rolled him up for a nearfall at 11:30. The Guns hit some quick team offense on Titus, then stereo superkicks on Charlie. Shelley applied a Border City Stretch on Charlie; Sabin hit the Cradle Shock to pin Titus. Awesome. Just awesome.
“Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin defeated “Crush Boys” Titus Alexander and Starboy Charlie at 13:07.
7. Adam Priest vs. Alpha Zo for the West Coast Pro Title. Priest stalled on the floor at the bell. Zo chased him; as they got back into the ring, Priest stomped on him. Zo hit a Mafia Kick, and Priest again rolled to the floor at 2:30. In the ring, they fought over the title belt, and Priest stomped on him. Zo dove through the ropes, but Priest sidestepped it, and Zo crashed into the front row at 5:30! Ouch! Zo rolled in before a count-out, but Priest stomped on him. He nailed a European Uppercut at 8:00 that dropped Zo, and he remained in charge.
Priest backed him into a corner and hit repeated chops, and he ran up Zo’s chest. Zo hit a neckbreaker over his knee and got a nearfall at 11:30, and they were both down. They traded forearm strikes. Priest hit a German Suplex and a piledriver for a nearfall at 14:00, and the crowd rallied for Zo. Zo hit a hard clothesline. He hit the Sidewinder (twisting back suplex) at 16:00, but Priest’s feet struck the ref across the face! Zo went for a cover, but we had no ref! Priest rolled to the floor, so Zo chased him, and they fought some more at ringside. Back in the ring, they continued to brawl, and Priest hit a low-blow uppercut! He grabbed the belt, clocked Zo across the forehead, and scored the tainted pin!
Adam Priest defeated Alpha Zo to retain the West Coast Pro Title at 18:02.
* Security had to hold back Zo. Zo got on the mic and berated Priest. He challenged Adam to a rematch at a show in February.
8. Mio Momono vs. Johnnie Robbie for the WCPW Women’s Title. Again, Robbie just signed a CMLL contract this week. Robbie is of average size, maybe 5’5″, but she has several inches on Mio. They shook hands, but Robbie got a quick rollup! (I see cagematch.net lists Mio at only 4’11” and 114 pounds. She’s smaller than my fourth-grader!) They traded more quick rollups. Mio hit a headscissors takedown and a basement dropkick at 2:30. She tied up Johnnie’s arms while planting her knee in Robbie’s spine.
Mio applied a cross-armbreaker and kept Robbie grounded. Robbie threw Mio to the floor. Magenta was at ringside, and they stomped on Mio! In the ring, Johnnie executed a Sabre-style neck-snap between her ankles at 6:30, and she kept Mio grounded. Mio caught her in a mid-ring Octopus Stretch, but Robbie was able to slam them both to the mat to break free. Robbie applied a crossface on the mat. Robbie hit a German Suplex at 9:30, and Mio rolled to the floor. Johnnie dove through the ropes, but she crashed onto the Magenta duo.
Mio hit a top-rope splash onto all three! In the ring, Mio hit a top-rope missile dropkick, then three more! She got a nearfall at 11:30. Robbie hit an Air Raid Crash into the corner, and they were both down. They got to their knees and traded forearm strikes, then more while standing. Robbie hit a pump kick. Mio got a rollup for a nearfall. Robbie hit an enzuigiri. Mio hit a double stomp on the left elbow at 14:30! She immediately went for a modified Fujiwara Armbar and rolled Robbie over for a nearfall.
Mio hit a Lungblower to the back for a nearfall. Mio splashed onto Robbie for a nearfall. Robbie hit a vicious Lungblower to the chest out of the ropes, then a brainbuster for a believable nearfall at 16:30! This crowd was HOT! Mio hit a series of headbutts! Maybe a dozen or more! Robbie hit her own series of headbutts. Robbie hit a swinging sidewalk slam, but Mio kicked out at one! Mio hit a German Suplex, but Robbie kicked out at one! Mio hit three more German Suplexes for a nearfall at 19:00!
Mio set up for a Code Red, but Robbie turned it into a Kamigoye knee strike for a believable nearfall! Robbie applied a Dragon Sleeper, but Mio’s arm fell just two times. Robbie hit a Stomp to the shoulder, then her running double knee drop to the back of the head for the pin. “Good God in Heaven, what a fight!” Trey Williams said. What a match!
Johnnie Robbie defeated Mio Momono to win the West Coast Pro Women’s Title at 20:54.
Final Thoughts: What a show. If you haven’t checked out West Coast Pro, this is a great place to start. Four fantastic standout matches. The main event was awesome, and the crowd was hanging on every single move. Robbie had a serious neck injury a couple of years ago that easily could have ended her career. She returned, did some tours of Japan, and had become one of the top unsigned women in the U.S. Her CMLL deal should not be a surprise to anyone who has seen her compete in the past two years. I know she just taped an ROH match two weeks ago, too.
Second place goes to the Guns vs. Crush Boys. I’m a huge fan of all four, and it’s the type of match we’re likely not to ever get again, as Starboy is under WWE contract and, as I noted, Titus is now living in Japan and competing routinely for NOAH. The incredible Japanese women tag takes third. A really strong Priest-Zo match can only earn honorable mention on a show this great. The undercard was all solid. No real complaints here at all. But if you only have time for 3-4 matches, check out the ones I outlined.
The show clocks in at 3 hours and 25 minutes.
