Generational clash set for Episode 14 as Tajiri comes to town
Photos: Tim Russell Photography
Shivam and Monomoth have, over the recent months, engaged in one of the most competitive rivalries in contemporary wrestling, exhibiting the best of a new generation in the sport, headlining in different cities and brawling for belts – but on Saturday night their feud reached new heights as they vied for an even bigger opportunity.
In SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling‘s Episode 13, live from the brand’s ancestral home of Circus Studio in Bangkok, this duo fought not for belts, nor even for supremacy among each other, but for the right to fight a true legend, with none other than the ‘Japanese Buzzsaw’ Tajiri coming to town in July.
Knowing the glare of the international spotlight was beaming down on them, Shivam and Monomoth went to war once more, and it was Shivam who emerged as the victor, both exhausted by the battle and enthused by the opportunity that now awaits him atop a sold-out Episode 14.
In a gruelling, 17-minute affair conducted with good sportsmanship borne of respect previously earned in the ring, and for each other’s ambitions for a mutual goal, Shivam and Monomoth delivered another classic.
Again, their styles clashed perfectly, with the younger and more athletic Monomoth demonstrating his trademark resilience in the face of Shivam’s greater seasoning and physical presence.
In a rubber match between fan favourites that evoked echoes of their five-star thriller in August, Shivam’s strength gave him the advantage, but victory only came after Monomoth exerted every last drop of effort. The conclusion was, again, that we had witnessed both the leading light of the current SETUP roster, and the man who will likely carry the torch forward in years to come.
As for what lies in the immediate future, Shivam now has two months to prepare for Tajiri. Another hard-earned win here against Monomoth will add to his experience and confidence at such a crucial time, and it’s worth noting he secured the win with a technical manouevre – a European clutch counter just as Monomoth was gathering momentum – which could bode well. Intelligence and reactions might serve Shivam better than brute strength against Tajiri, a man who’s seen it all.
Already Shivam can boast the longest title reign in Thai wrestling history, as well as the status of the kingdom’s sole double-belt holder, but now he goes into the biggest match in his country’s history, against a man who has appeared on the very grandest stages, from WWE, ECW and CZW to All Japan and BJW. How Shivam performs on July 22 will determine his chances of following in such illustrious footsteps.
Kappa World Order expands as Rockstar wins title
The Kappa World Order’s continuing efforts at a hostile takeover of the Asian wrestling scene were handed a significant boost in the Ep.13 main event, as Kappa Rockstar lifted the Gatoh Move One & Only championship after a hard-hitting slugfest with Azura.
It was an epic confrontation between old rivals with new names, with Kappa Rockstar the rebranded guise of the former Terry Diesel, who had been kidnapped and brainwashed by the kWo and then unleashed on the SETUP roster. Azura, meanwhile, made his reputation a decade ago as Golem Thai, under which guise he feuded for years with Diesel.
As Azura, he had branched out as a free agent, but with SETUP continuing to endure kWo hostilities, an olive branch was extended. Azura recognised the kWo posed a threat not just to SETUP but to all of Thailand, and agreed to fight the corner of his former allies.
And the Thai giant put in an enormous effort as he stood up to Kappa Rockstar’s offence and hit back harder. For much of the match it looked as if finally there was a credible chance of someone repelling the monstrous invaders, but the kWo are as smart as they are dangerous.
The moment the referee was inadvertently knocked senseless by an accidental collision between the heavyweights, kWo capitalised. Azura may have won with a thundering spear, but there was nobody to count the fall, and Kappa Rockstar regrouped.
As the referee regrouped, Azura was distracted by Kappa Kozo, and Kappa Rockstar pounced, hitting his co-challenger with a Pedigree just in time for a three-count to be administered, and placing one of Thailand’s most prestigious championships in the hands of a man, and a faction, growing ever more powerful.
Idol Jeney scores upset 24/7 win; Sunny Z retains Hardcore gold
Two more title fights saw one new champion crowned, and a reigning king retain.
The incredibly popular Jeney – aka idol AKIRA-KURØ – seized the 24/7 belt in a big upset that saw her triumph against two men in a wild intergender three-way.
Reigning titleholder P’Suchart, performing with something of a sneer since he discovered winning form and claimed a strap, didn’t mind hitting a woman, but was at times perplexed by the speedy and unorthodox third wheel in the ring, ‘The Hunbelievable’ Benji.
Ultimately it was intelligence, poise and timing that won the day – and the title – as Jeney hit a double footstomp off the ropes on to the back of P’Suchart as he attempted to pin Benji. The champion was sent rolling out the ring, while Jeney bagged the 1-2-3 on her co-challenger.
Her victory celebrations were interrupted by Matcha and the returning Gunn, suggesting her first defence could be another triple threat showdown.
Meanwhile, the exciting and highly likeable WrestleSquare Hardcore Champion Sunny Z repelled the challenge of fun-loving Dutch visitor Johnny ‘Victory’ Evers.
Despite his nickname, Evers found himself on the losing side, with Sunny Z’s extra hardcore experience proving decisive, and a springboard cutter ending matters.
BITALMANIA!
And in a true crossroads match, Bital Hasdin scored the breakout win of his career, impressively overpowering the veteran Paksa.
Fans saw this as a 50/50 match, or maybe even favoured Paksa due to the experience differential, but Hasdin lived up to his reputation as arguably Thailand’s fastest-rising wrestler.
After hitting Paksa with two F5s to cap off a match characterised by a trade in power moves that the younger man largely got the better of, Hasdin has emerged as a major player in the championship ranks.
Other results: Matcha bt Anont Alonzo (intergender single match); Akaradeth and PondHub bt Warakorn and Chalee (tag team match)
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