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The United Wrestling Network broadcast the first part of their 2023 Red Carpet Rumble on their Championship Wrestling TV over the weekend.
The event, which drew over 1,000 to Mesa, Arizona's Bell Bank Park opened with the announcers teasing that The Red Carpet Rumble will take place in two weeks and previewed tonight's episode.
Clark Connors vs. Jakob Austin Young.
Connors, from the New Japan Dojo, was billed as the Wild Rhino. I guess, as opposed to Rhino, who is domesticated? Young used to wrestle as Jay Cafe. The live crowd was really into the show early on, clapping and had a nice energy. They did some nice back and forth wrestling with the crowd really reacting to Young's babyface moves. They chanted for "J-A-Y." It was a very babyface vs. heel 101 early on, but the crowd really enjoyed it and they were obviously playing up to a family audience.
Connors was taken down and had his fingers manipulated. Connors began to fight from underneath, only to be taken down again. Young cinched in an armbar and wore down Connors. Connors fought back but his left arm was attacked again. Connors finally came back with a big shoulderblock spear. He speared Young into the buckles and nailed a splash for a two count. The crowd was into Connors' comeback.
Connors nailed a big release German suplex and went for another spear but Young evaded him and nailed a tornado DDT for a close two count. He maneuvered into a hammerlock immediately, trying to force a submission and even holding on after Connors escaped. He went for a slam but Connors escaped, only to be nailed in the lower back. Connors finally mounted a comeback with a spear and nailed a powerbomb for the pin.
Your winner, Clark Connors!
They had some nice shots of the crowd and it felt like they were in a major building.
They aired a promo from Eddie Kingston, who promised he was going to make Danny Limelight pay for all the garbage he's talked about him next week. Short promo.
UWN Tag Team Champions Reno Scum vs. Midnight Heat
Midnight Heat attacked Reno Scum as they came out of the entrance way. Reno Scum came back and tossed them into the ring posts and then whipped them into each other on the floor. They tossed them into the ring and the bell rang. Eddie Pearl took a bit of a beating but kicked up several times. Pearl was all out of sorts as the Champions tagged in and out, controlling him. Pearl ate the Pit Stop. Lucky him! They kept beating him through the commercial break and even when they returned.
Adam Thornstowe missed a charge into the buckles. This allowed Ricky Gibson to tag in and he nailed several kicks. The challengers double-teamed Adam and scored several two counts. All four began battling. Luster the Legend slammed Pearl down. The Champs went for the Scum Stimp off the top but Gibson intervened. Eddie drilled Thornstowe with a foreign object and scored the pin.
Your winners and new UWN Tag Team Champions The Midnight Heat!
Zeda Zhang vs. Danielle Kamela.
Kamela is the former Vanessa Borne in WWE NXT. Borne was a substitute for Marina Shafir, a change made in the days leading up to the show. She looked like a star coming out. Zhang was formerly in WWE NXT as well and was a release I never understood as athletically, she's great.
Kamela played heel and stalled by sticking through the ropes. Zhang grabbed her and muscled her around. Kamela grabbed a side headlock but was run through and taken down for a two count. Kamela cut her off and raked her face against the ropes. Kamela worked her over with kicks in the corner. She nailed a suplex and floated over for a two count. Zhang was smashed into the buckles several times. Zhang tried to fight back but was kicked in the mid-section and slammed down to the mat by her hair.
Zhang fired back with a series of kicks and nailed a dropkick that sent Kamela through the ropes to the floor. Zhang kicked her from the apron and tossed Danielle back into the ring. Zhang gained control and nailed a Snowplow for the pin.
Your winner, Zeda Zhang!
A solid back and forth bout.
Peter Avalon cut a promo for the Grand Canyon Clash next week againt R3 Cassus. A brief but solid promo.
Backstage, UWN Champion Danny Limelight wasn't happy that UWN Rep Johnny Loquasto was announcing a four way to crown the next top contender with Bad Dude Tito vs. Willie Mack vs. Shawn Dean vs. Joey Janela. He said his focus was Eddie Kingston, not the number one contender. He was ready for anything they stack against him. Loquasto said he wanted the best and now the best is on their way. Limelight said he was ready for whatever they got.
UWN Heritage Champion Kevin Martenson vs. MLW National Openweight Champion Davey Richards.
Richards lightened his hair and for a second, I really thought it was Dynamite Kid.
They locked up and went back and forth with some reversals and near falls early on. They went back and forth and faced off. Richards began working over Martenson's arm. Martenson made a comeback and went after Richards, who went to the floor. Martenson went to the top, teasing a dive off the top but Richards moved away as Martenson played to the fans.
Martenson kicked the ropes as he returned to the ring, crotching him. Richards went back to the floor and was whipped into the barricades. Richards reversed a whip and sent him into the steel, then hit a running kick that sent Martenson over the railing to the crowd. Richards returned to the ring and waited for the referee to count Martenson out. Martenson made it back to the ring at the last second.
Richards nailed several buzzsaw kicks but Martenson battled back with hard hitting forearms. They battled back and forth. Richards was hit with a German suplex. Richards catches him with a release Belly to belly suplex. He went for a brainbuster but Martenson nailed the arm he was working on, bulldogged him INTO the center rope and then hit a neckbreaker through the ropes. Richards was trapped in a leglock but fought his way to the ropes.
Richards and Martenson battled to the apron, where the crowd went nuts for Richards teasing a move. He nailed a Dragon Screw Legwhip in the ropes. Richards went to the top for a double stomp but Martenson rolled out of the way. Richards attacked him and cinched hin an anklelock. Martenson reversed into a forward roll, held on and scored the pin. The crowd popped for the finish.
Your winner and still UWN Heritage Champion Kevin Martenson!
A good first episode from the Red Carpet Rumble with the crowd really raising the overall show.
For more on the promotion, visit www.unitedwrestlingtv.com.
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