THUNDERSTRUCK Review (3/3)//Sat 15th July
By Harry Miller
It’s the final part of the mega Thunderstruck review and the best has certainly been saved for last. Before proceeding, get caught up with the first two parts so you can get the full Thunderstruck experience.
Rory Coyle and Gangrel vs The Landed Gentry (with Ace Matthews)
A career vs hair match that involves a vampire, a cinephile, a couple of Tories and a motivational speaker? Blimey wrestling is a lot of fun.
As expected, the Landed Gentry tried cheating immediately with a cheap shot before the bell but Coyle and Gangrel caught the attackers and returned fire by biting the noses of the Tories. Unsurprisingly, Coyle and Gangrel gelled together right away, taking turns to slamming Benji down hard.
The Sick Boy was in firm control until a referee distraction allowed for Zeo Knox and Ace Matthews to beatdown Coyle. Benji and Knox tried to engage in an assisted assault but the former was caught by Coyle before being used as a projectile into Knox.
Gangrel entered the match and instantly went on a rampage, taking both members of the Gentry out with corner splashes and slams. The Vampire continued to fang and bang until Ace Matthews made another distraction to help Knox back into the match. Before too long, Gangrel found the energy to tag in his partner and in came a fired-up Rory Coyle.
Coyle was fighting for his career and that was evident from the velocity he was moving at, taking both opponents out at once. The Video Nasty hit his signature Dip In The Lake on Zeo Knox but Benji broke up what would have definitely been the winning pinfall.
Benji was fighting for his hair and that was evident from the levels he was willing to steep to. A brawl between Gangrel and Zeo Knox combusted outside the ring which was enough of a distraction for Ace Matthews to hit Rory Coyle with a brutal low blow before Benji scored a direct hit with his croquet mallet.
This was the end of Rory Coyle…or at least it would have been if not for the undying spirit of the Sick Boy.
To the shock of everyone in attendance, Rory Coyle survived and it was his turn to go for the kill. Gangrel and Coyle stood side by side, hitting stereo DDT’s to Knox and Matthews. Coyle covered Knox and Gangrel caught Benji’s attempt to interfere as the referee counted three.
Rory Coyle would fight another day but Benji had lived his last as a hair haver.
Gangrel hit Benji with his signature DDT before Coyle did the honours and cut and shaved the Tory’s hair. Benji was bald and Rory Coyle isn’t going anywhere: It’s like Christmas in July!
Mercedes Martinez vs Rhio
A generational clash between two of the best wrestlers on the planet could only start one way: a handshake.
Martinez took a very methodical approach to the match, clearly knowing the threat that her opponent was. A trio of suplexes was followed by multiple grinding holds intended to wear down the opposition.
Rhio was able to fight her way out of the trenches, landing a massive forearm to set up for an exploder suplex. One shotgun drop kick later and Rhio had Martinez stunned in the corner before hitting a huge running knee strike.
The NCL Cup winner went for a high kick but was caught with the same move from Martinez, dropping both women to the canvas. Instead of rushing to their feet, both competitors had the same idea and started trading kicks while still on the mat.
The Braided Brusier took control with a quick combination of a fireman slam neckbreaker and a pumphandle driver. Rhio wasn’t letting up but the former ROH Champion caught her next attack and hit an audacious spinebuster. Martinez went to capitalise on the newly found control but Rhio was quick to reverse into a stunner.
The end was near as Rhio hit her signature piledriver but the veteran Martinez used her extensive ring knowledge to roll out of the ring to avoid being pinned. Back in the ring, Rhio wanted to put the match away with a second piledriver but the Latina Sensation had other plans.
Martinez floored Rhio before stomping her opponent into the mat, face first. The AEW star hit two successive Saito suplexes before going to the top rope to deliver an outstanding German suplex.
Mercedes Martinez seemingly had the match won as she went for a dragon sleeper hold but the indestructible Rhio would not stay down and quickly reversed to hit a superkick. With her opponent dazed, Rhio went into a package pinning combination which was enough to secure the win.
After this match of the year contender, Rhio and Mercedes Martinez shared another show of respect in what could be a true passing of the torch moment.
NORTH Championship: Liam Slater (C) vs Leon Slater
It was time for a main event that could change the entire course of NORTH wrestling. People talk about a big fight feel but this match had a massive moment feel.
Leon Slater came out donned in war paint, adrenaline running at an all-time high. The usually cool and reserved champion came out but was oddly fired up and seemed even a little bit aggressive in his demeanour.
The two shared what was a very intense handshake before the bell. A pumped-up Leon Slater started at a high-octane pace, going for a huge big boot before diving onto the outside Slater. The champion took advantage of this exuberance and halted all momentum with a quick piledriver that won a very close two count.
Liam Slater kept the pressure cooking, going to work on the legs of Slater in an attempt to neutralise the aerobic threat. Whenever Leon Slater would find a glimmer of opportunity, he was met with an uppercut that stopped him dead.
The Lazarus Kid hit the challenger with a burning hammer, a powerbomb, a gut wrench powerbomb and a DDT but this onslaught of offence was only enough for a 2 count.
The champion tried to find his next gear but Leon Slater hit the biggest of boots to floor Slater. On his second wind, Slater launched himself over the ring post to hit a 450 on Liam Slater before hitting another 450 on Slater again back in the ring. Another two count.
The Youngest In Charge went for more assaults but was caught into a half Boston crab submission but Leon Slater knew his opponent’s move-set well enough to counter into a half-crab submission of his own. The champion had to grab the ropes to survive and both competitors collapsed.
The exhaustion was clear as each man struggled to their feet, going face to face before Liam Slater kicked out Leon Slater’s leg and went for another gutwrench powerbomb. Leon Slater reversed and had his coach down on the mat, knowing this was his opportunity to strike.
Slater climbed the ropes to put the match away but, out of desperation, Liam Slater pushed the referee into the ropes, causing the challenger to slip. Liam Slater took this opportunity to deliver a brutal uppercut but Leon Slater was prepared.
Leon Slater caught Liam Slater on the top rope and delivered a gigantic superplex, crashing the champion almost through the ringmat.
The champion got back to his feet but only to be hit with two huge superkicks.. With his opponent in perfect position, Leon Slater ascended to the top rope and hit the 450 splash.
1, 2, 3… and new NORTH Champion, Leon Slater! The Youngest In Charge was now the King Of NORTH. What an incredible way to end an incredible show. Thunderstruck was lightning in a bottle and will never be topped…until next time.
