2010 - EVOLVE 2: Hero vs. Hidaka

EVOLVE 1 blew me away. Not to say that every match on it was unbelievable, but the overall show was easily one of the most unique and exciting DVD products I have seen in a long time. So naturally, I was quite looking forward to watching “EVOLVE 2: Hero vs. Hidaka” (3/13/10). But does it live up to the first event? Only one way to find out!

-Good opener between Brad Allen and Chris Dickinson. Lots of superb back and forth between the two competitors. They definitely show you why they are potentially two of the biggest breakout stars on the roster.

-There isn’t a ton to Gran Akuma vs. Brodie Lee, but what they do give us is pretty entertaining. Both men look strong and mix a lot better than one might expect. Good stuff.

-Fun tag bout pitting Up In Smoke against Aeroform. Flip Kendrick and Louis Lyndon come out looking best, as they are perfectly on their game and put on an impressive showing. As big a fan I am of Cheech and Cloudy, I really didn’t find this to be their finest performance. Cheech in particular felt a bit sluggish, a bit like he was going through the motions. A little disappointing considering his strong showing on the first EVOLVE show back in January. Still though, the bout is action packed enough to keep it as a positive for the event.

-Kenn Doane is a great heel. And he knows how to play up a crowd like whoa. Doane vs. Caleb Konley is most noteworthy for the former Spirit Squad member’s overall act, which includes lots of headlocks, and generally lots of interacting with the audience. Konley is surprisingly decent in the ring, and with a different look, name, and character he could be something to watch. As it stands, he is generic indie pro wrestler #17.

-Hallowicked and Kyle O’Reilly have a good bout! As a fan of both men, I was ready for them to steal the show. They don’t. And that’s okay. The fifth match on an eleven match show probably shouldn’t be the contest of the night. This is a solid mid-card affair, and that’s perfectly fine. It is one of the many elements that make this overall a terrific event and a DVD that has incredible replay value. Like a good album, the whole is made by its parts, and this is an effective part.

-Fantastic match between Ricochet and Chuck Taylor! The action is glorious, the story is well developed and makes sense, and when things kick into second gear, we are given quite a few awesome sequences that bring this whole thing to another level. Sensational stuff!

-Feels like it has been a long time since I’ve seen a strong Claudio Castagnoli singles match. But here he is, looking amazing against Bobby Fish. This reminds me in a lot of ways of Claudio’s best singles work, from his match against El Generico to his match against Matt “Evan Bourne” Sydal, both in ROH from 2007 and both unforgettable. Fish is a strong talent and more than holds his own here against one of the best in the business, which is impressive to see. Superb contest, really first-rate.

-Well, at least Mercedes Martinez vs. Sumie Sakai is a better women’s match than the one on EVOLVE 1. That isn’t saying a whole lot. The problem is I’ve been watching these two wrestlers for years and neither is as good as they once were. Martinez in 2006 was blow-away. In 2010, she’s just not my cup of tea. Sakai in 2002 was a revelation of sorts. In 2010, well, let’s just say I wasn’t even sure it was the same woman at first. The bout has its moments, but overall I’m left thinking more about how these two were among the best at one point, and how they simply aren’t today.

-Jimmy Jacobs vs. Johnny Gargano is terrific! These two have an outstanding chemistry together and it makes for a great contest. Lots of top-notch action and an enjoyable narrative. Jacobs has been working so hard in EVOLVE and it has been a pleasure to watch. He reminds us why he has earned a place among the elite of the independent scene. And Gargano shows us why he is working to get there as well.

-Riveting four-team action with the stars of CHIKARA showing off their great multi-man match skills. It feels like I keep saying the same thing over and over, but it needs to be said – Mike Quackenbush and company have made eight-man matches an art all their own. Anytime they get to exercise their talents on a show, it is a treat. Quack and Jigsaw, The Colony, The Osirian Portal, and Hallowicked and Frightmare all look fantastic here and break out some exciting maneuvres. Thumbs up!

-For all intents and purposes, Chris Hero vs. Ikuto Hidaka is one of the best pure wrestling contests I have ever seen. Brilliant may not be a grand enough word to do justice to this clash. Hero and Hidaka are faultless, the story is spot-on, and the action is unbelievable. Consider the fact that there are really no “big” moments to the bout, but rather an on-going flow of mat-based offense and back and forth intensity that keep this compelling and entertaining, and you will understand why this is quite the accomplishment. Not many bouts manage to be both entirely scientific and entirely fascinating. I sat in awe while watching the entire affair unfold. This is a classic; a bout that will be looked back on time and time again as EVOLVE continues to grow. And it is without question a Match of the Year candidate. As of right now, it may be the match to beat. From a technical perspective, I have not seen a contest like this in a long, long time. Certainly not here in America.

For me, this makes two EVOLVE shows in a row with two blockbuster main event matches that I will gladly testify as must-see to any and every fan of the sport. It is also a second show that has excellent replay value. I have watched EVOLVE 2 twice now, and can’t wait to watch it again. We may only be two events in, but already EVOLVE is one of my favorite companies to follow.