So hello there, and welcome to a new blog series, in which I am going to look back at some of the best independent pro wrestling matches of all time. 

So next on the list, I will talk about a match between two men in their prime. Of course, I am talking about the outstanding match-up between Ricochet and WALTER, at Night One of PWG’s All-Star Weekend 13 Event, in Los Angeles California back in 2017.

Initial Thoughts

When I was forming this list of matches to review, this is one of the matches that stood out, just because I haven't seen as many WALTER matches as I would like, with maybe a handful being in NXT UK, so I wanted to see what he was like in his prime.

Also, the idea of seeing Ricochet going against WALTER got me really excited, because it is just one of those matches that you don’t really need to watch, as you know it is going to be good, and I was expecting this to be the best match I have reviewed so far in this series.

What Happened in the Match

So like most PWG matches that I have watched so far, there are a lot of counters early on, as both men not being able to get the upper hand, well not until they get to the outside of the ring. With Ricochet doing a dive to the outside on WALTER, but WALTER was able to catch him, and he put him into the ring post, as well as powerbombing him onto the apron.

At this point, WALTER was in control, but Ricochet wanting to get back into the match, resorted to uncharacteristically dirty tactics, by using the ref to stop a WALTER attack, as well as his own jacket to blind WALTER, with the crowd not being very happy with his actions.

At the present, we got all the offence you expect from Ricochet, as well as him working on WALTER's left arm and right leg, but he was able to kick out. But you can't put a good Austrian down, with WALTER starting chopping on Ricochet's chest, and dam it hurt, with Ricochet holding a fan's arm because the pain was too much.

But WALTER chopped one too many times, with Ricochet being able to get out of the way, and WALTER's hand hitting the ring post. But near the end of the match, like most PWG matches, it was just move after move, and counter after counter, with the best sequence being when WALTER got out of the way of a shooting star press attempt by Ricochet, with a big boot to his face.

As well as a lot of Ricochet flipping out of the way of WALTER's offence, with him trying to take the big man down with a sleeper, as well as deadlifting WALTER, which he shouldn’t be able to do. But the match ended after WALTER hit a big powerbomb, which Ricochet just kicked out of.

Then Ricochet try a low blow, which didn’t work, with WALTER locking in a sleeper, and it looked like he was seconds away from getting the KO win, but Ricochet was able to counter into a pin attempt and get the three count, very similar to how Zack Sabre Jr won in episode one.

Final Thoughts

Maybe I am repeating myself, but what a match this was, with both of these fine pro wrestlers of a generation showing why they are the best at what they do. Like the previous matchup, it had great action, and I would have liked to see these two go another 20 minutes.

I have a problem with the finish, as it is another roll-up. But maybe it is just because I have been watching a lot of PWG matches lately. But also, still can’t believe that WWE doesn’t see the value in Ricochet, but no one wants another WWE sucks debate haha.

So click on the link below to watch this match, as you won't regret it. So I'll be back with episode four, where I look at the meeting between Zack Sabre Jr and WALTER, at PWG’s All-Star Weekend 13 Night Two show back in 2017, so until then, enjoy my review, and hope you come back soon.

My Verdict: A-

Written by

Stuart Irvine

Click here to watch the match

https://www.bilibili.com/s/video/BV1bs411T7Ys

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