Shivam and Monomoth make history in a thriller
AWGC Jr. Heavyweight champion Shivam retained his title in the main event of SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling Episode 7, but only after repelling a breathtaking effort from underdog challenger Monomoth.
It was a battle befitting the event’s historic status as the first time pro wrestling had ever been staged in Ayutthaya, and truly anybody who witnessed it will never forget it.
Shivam enjoyed size and experience advantages against Monomoth, but the younger and smaller man exhibited astonishing levels of desire and talent. Technically, he was Shivam’s equal – and sometimes his superior – and appeared to verging on a famous victory numerous times.
But ultimately Shivam’s seasoning proved decisive, as he paced the match perfectly, allowing Monomoth to burn off just enough energy to be vulnerable to the Final Cut finisher, which was delivered with perfection at the 19-minute mark.
The three-count that followed was a formality, but never again will a wrestler take victory over Monomoth for granted. It may be easy to see his slender frame, good looks and flamboyant attire and underestimate the steely resolve within.
Monomoth collapsed in tears of disappointment after losing, but Shivam insisted on standing him up, shaking his hand and leading the applause for a young talent who looked every bit a superstar in the making.
Diesel eliminates Paksa from title race after brutal street fight
The last chapter in the decade-long rivalry between Terry Diesel and Paksa may have been written – with a street fight setting providing a calamitous finale.
Diesel was defending his recently-regained SETUP Openweight Championship, with Paksa an obvious candidate as first challenger, given the history between the two.
After going back and forth for 10 years, the idea was to escalate the violence so that a definitive victor could be crowned.
However, while there was an emphatic ending – ‘The Bangkok Rockstar’ smashing Paksa through a table with a Psycho Bomb for the pinfall – the pair had fought neck and neck for the 17:26 that had preceded it.
But any calls for yet another rematch would be moot, as a stipulation of the match was that Paksa would be barred from contesting the championship for as long as Diesel held it.
Facing a potentially ruinous setback, Paksa fought with intensity as he reached for his first SETUP title reign. Unfortunately for him, Diesel was just as determined to hold on to what he had only just reclaimed at Episode 6.
Both athletes brawled in and out of the ring, and even into the wider mall inside which this event was hosted, as startled shoppers were confronted by the entirely unexpected sight of two men trading blows and weapon shots inside the usually dignified setting of Central Ayutthaya.
All the classics were introduced to the fray – tables, ladders, chairs, and more – as the action veered in and out of the realms of legality.
Somehow, both lived to fight another day. But it was only Diesel who went home with the belt, sending Paksa right to the back of the queue.
Kappa Kozo continues reign of chaos
They say wrestling is a results-oriented business – but maybe somebody should tell Kappa Kozo.
The 24/7 Champion deliberately forfeited victory against Matcha, but did so with a bigger picture in mind.
Bigger and stronger than Matcha, and with the distinct genetic advantages of its monstrous origin, Kozo fended off Matcha’s game but futile challenge.
The figurehead operator of Japan’s UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal) Corporation appeared to be closing in on the win as it choked Matcha on the ropes – but then it blatantly ignored the referee’s call to break, and wound up disqualified.
Not to matter. Under wrestling’s traditional champion’s advantage, it keeps the belt because it was not pinned or submitted.
More importantly for Kozo and UMA’s stated aim of taking over Southeast Asia, it was a show of strength.
Matcha got the win, and technically remains undefeated, but that will have been of little solace to her as Kozo continued its attack after the match, including a signature assault by cucumber that left Thailand’s leading female wrestler lying in an in unidignified heap.
Hasdin makes Hyde pay, and Johnson returns with a win
Last 
time Bital Hasdin and Hyde met in the ring, an inexperienced and frustrated Hyde thought it would be wise to take a shortcut, hitting both Hasdin and Paksa with his weightlifting belt.
It curtailed what had been an intriguing three-way dance, and while Hasdin capitalised by pinning Paksa, he was angered at missing the chance for a clean win.
Hyde justified his actions as being a young, rising wrestler looking to make a statement. But, ultimately, the best place to do that is via results. Accordingly, Hasdin and Hyde were scheduled to clash here at Ep.7 in a fair fight.
Hyde revelled in the underdog role, but Hasdin had his number, winning with an F5 at 8:42. But in honest defeat, young Hyde earned more respect than any misguided attempts at a “statement”.
* Also proving himself via the rigours of the ring was P’Suchart.
For so long a fun figure, he put in a serious effort against the formidable former AWGC champ Johnathan Johnson.
Of course, a P’Suchart match wouldn’t be complete without a bit of light relief, which came in the form of him pursuing Johnson on board a coin-operated children’s mall ride, but he showed enough to grit to suggest he might yet develop into a fighter worthy of his peers’ respect.
As it was, Johnson won with a Headlock Driver at 11.31 and will now look to mount a run at regaining his old belt.
LINKS
Three title fights to rock ancient Thai capital (Ep.7 preview)
Ep.7 event page
SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling company page
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