Sometimes sh... stuff needs to be talked about. Here we explore the talking points of Revolution Pro Wrestling that need a longer look, a thorough breakdown and a deeper dive.

Will Kaven has never attempted to endear himself with the RevPro crowd. He is introduced as "Ruthless" Will Kaven, Andy Quildan frequently refers to him as a "Disruptor" on commentary and I have regularly labelled him a "spoiler". I think it is safe to say that he could be the most hated man in Revolution Pro Wrestling. Connor Mills took Destination Everywhere away from us, yet Connor Mills shirts are everywhere in the 229. David Francisco has purposefully tried to break up Sunshine Machine, set out to injure Sha Samuels and routinely belittles Josh James, yet Southampton treat him like the second coming of Will Ospreay. And Kaven? He is the one who gets the abuse, the hate and the heat. I don't get it.

This week on the This Is A Revolution podcast, courtesy of Cromulent Wrestling and dropping at 7pm on Friday, I said that I view Will Kaven "through a different lens" and last week, when exploring our Heroes and Villains of the 229, I said that some will call me a hypocrite for how I judge Francisco and Kaven differently. These have nagged away at me ever since. So today we Deep Dive Will Kaven in what will be a personal defence of the man as I put the fans of RevPro on trial, accused of creating that which they now hate.

Let's roll back to 2022. A twenty-two year old Will Kaven debuted in RevPro, a product of the Portsmouth School Of Wrestling. The previous six years, since he was sixteen years old, had been spent preparing himself physically and mentally for this moment helping at shows, running production and supporting Andy Quildan. Opposite him was Michael Oku, a pillar around which post-pandemic RevPro has been built. Kaven did the impossible and the unexpected and beat Oku but to no fanfare; there was no support for a homegrown talent. Not like there was for Cameron Khai who debuted the same year. Instead Kaven was booed out the building.

How do you follow up such a momentous debut? Victory over Robbie X followed by victory over Luke Jacobs in the British J Cup. In fact, few remember that Kaven made it to the final two of that J Cup and was then robbed of a clean one on one shot with Luke Jacobs after beating him whilst he was Undisputed British Cruiserweight Champion, a point he was quick to make When Dave The Mark Met Will Kaven (drops Saturday, 7pm).

Yet at no point did Kaven feel the warmth of the crowd. In fact, they have ridiculed him, mocked him and thrown slurs at him relentlessly for two years. "13 On His Bum", accurate. Well observed. "Wendy's Mascot", a pretty lame joke made by Lio Rush in 2022; get some new material, eh? "You Skate bastard!", a regional slur aimed at sailors on the south coast. What, because Kaven is from Portsmouth? Does JJ Gale get this treatment? Does Josh James? Kelly Sixx? No, they are "one of our own", aren't they? Double standards at play here, me thinks.

And why, because Kaven has a "fuck the world" attitude? So does Connor Mills yet the fans love Mills more often than they hate him. Is it because Kaven wrestles aggressively? Yet they love Ethan Allen. Is it because Kaven has a dodgy Barnet? Come, now; JJ rocks a mullet and 'tache combo.

Explore this for me. The Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship was once the most celebrated championship in RevPro; the belt you saw on every show. The belt that guarenteed a banger. The belt that was taken town to town to town to town. Whilst Ospreay was in Japan, Oku defended the Cruiserweight belt everywhere. Whilst Great-O-Khan was in Japan, Robbie X defended the belt everywhere. But in 2024, it's been lost. Jordon Breaks won it but never successfully defended it in front of UK fans. Leon Slater won it but we didn't get to see him defend it besides one encounter with Stephen Wolf in Sheffield. Neon won it but took it back to Mexico. Now it is home, with a hometown hero, yet the fans boo and berate him?

And let's explore it. He won the title after kicking Cameron Khai in the dick. Truth. However this was well within the rules of the match; it was no disqualification by virtue of the fact that a Scramble cannot be one by any means other than pinfall or submission. Did ELP, Khai, Leon Slater, Dante Martin or Neon resort to such methods? No. But that is the point. They weren't prepared to win by any means necessary. They didn't want it enough. Kaven wanted it. Kaven did it. Kaven got it. That's my take on Kaven. For his take, come back Saturday for When Dave The Mark Met Will Kaven. You can boo him, flip him off, shout slurs at him; knock yourself out. But I will root for him. He's "Ruthless". He's a "Disruptor". He might have spoilt your hopes for your favourite at the Copper Box but I think he's misunderstood and a product of the reaction he's received. In short, it's your fault really. You deserve what's coming.

At the 229 last Sunday Michael Oku and Amira addressed their future together in Revolution Pro Wrestling and confirmed that, whilst their long term future is still to be determined, they will not be going anywhere until Oku has fought Luke Jacobs for the right to win back the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship, the championship he held for 412 days and successfully defended 14 times in five different countries. It is safe to say that Michael Oku has become synonymous with Revolution Pro Wrestling, synonymous with the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship and bas been a huge factor in RevPro now being widely discussed as THE biggest promotion not just in the UK, not just in Europe but in all of independent wrestling.

During this ring time, Oku and Amira were confronted by Ricky Knight Jr, a confrontation that has been coming and has felt inevitable for four long years. RKJ shook Oku's hand. He drew comparisons between the two of them, as former Undisputed British Heavyweight Champions, as "five star boys" and as two people who love professional wrestling. He reminded Oku and those in attendance that he had to watch Oku "have the run of [his] life" and the "run [RKJ] was meant to have" whilst 'The Killer' was injured in 2022/23 with a broken arm. Ricky made his point clear; Oku has never beaten RKJ clean. True facts. Amira told RKJ he was "jealous" of Oku, something RKJ admitted to, but Ricky told Amira that Oku is "fucking petrified" of him. The whole exchange had me on the edge of my seat and everything that was said has a deep history behind it.

So, let's roll back the years, back to 2019. SWE, Southside Wrestling Entertainment, a beloved independent promotion in the UK, crowned a new Speed King Champion when a 19 year old RKJ defeated Robbie X, Kip Sabian, Kay Lee Ray, Sean Kustom and at-the-time champion Senza Volto in St Neots' Priory Centre. Holding the title for a month, Ricky dropped the belt to Kip Sabian before winning it back six weeks later and going on to hold it for the next year and a half. In that time he successfully defended the belt eight times, overcoming challengers from across the globe as diverse as a 17 year old Callum Newman, Trey Miguel, Mark Haskins and TJP.

During 2019, and then again in early 2020, RKJ and Michael Oku occasionally crossed paths, first in Southside and then in RevPro, but only in multi-man matches. Between these few contests, Southside closed it's doors for the final time, RevPro acquired their championships, their back catalogues for RevPro On Demand and continued the working relationships Southside had with venues across the country. It was, in fact, just twelve days after their last encounter, in a three-way with Robbie X in the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage, that Michael Oku secured his first championship in Revolution Pro Wrestling, defeating ELP for the Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship in York Hall.

Once RevPro acquired the Southside championships, unification matches took place to unite the SWE and RevPro championships, with the first being Rampage Brown and Great-O-Khan defeating MAO and Speedball Mike Bailey to unify the tag championships in November 2019 and the last being Alex Windsor defeating Skye Smitson, Dani Luna and Hyan in July 2023. These unification matches put Michael Oku and RKJ on a collision course with one another and their eventual singles contest went down in an empty Portsmouth School Of Wrestling during the pandemic in September 2020.

I won't break this contest down, we did that already, and you can find that in the RECOMMENDED channel of this very website. The key takeaway was that Oku won, combined the titles and the record books show this. What they don't tell us is that Oku won because Connor Mills interfered on his behalf, cost RKJ his championship and helped his best friend. The finish was as dirty as they come. 

RKJ got vengeance on Mills but then became embroiled in the Southside Heavyweight Championship tournament. Oku went on to have a record breaking Cruiserweight run; an incredible 16 successful title defences across a 'surely-will-never-be-broken-record' 890 days reign.

RKJ won the Southside Heavyweight Championship, he declared himself the British Heavyweight Champion when he retired that Southside Championship and put himself on a path to the Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion, Will Ospreay. He and Ospreay, who was stuck in Japan in 2021 with international wrestling borders closed down, became embroiled in a war with Ospreay that led to RKJ losing his championship, failing to become Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion, initially, before becoming Undisputed British Tag Team Champion for a short stint and then, almost a year after his first attempt, RKJ defeated Will Ospreay in a 5* match, becoming Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion in the process.

So what of Oku? Well he also became an Undisputed British Tag Team Champion for a very short time, he also went 5* with Will Ospreay, he also lost his first battle with the 'Aerial Assassin' and he also went on to become the Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion. Two very similar paths with very similar obstacles to overcome but, interestingly, never a time when the two faced one on one, from that 2020 contest to unite those belts, to now. 

The striking differences are between 2023 and now. Ricky won the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship at RevPro's 10th Anniversary in a cathartic moment that ended the incredible reign of Will Ospreay. He began his reign strong, beating Gabe Kidd, who, at the time, felt like RKJ's only peer in the heavyweight division and his biggest rival. However, Ricky's Championship reign came to a very abrupt and disappointing end when he broke his arm. Unlike Alex Windsor, who was allowed to retain her championship throughout a period of injury at the same time, Ricky had to have his uncle, Zak Knight, defend his championship in his honour and Zak fell at the first hurdle, losing the belt to the then-undefeated Great-O-Khan at Uprising 2022. At Revolution Rumble 2023, in his fifth back match from injury, RKJ failed to overcome Great-O-Khan, Lucian Philips, Lord Gideon Grey and Rampage Brown, all of whom conspired to keep the belt on 'The Dominator'. It was a farce. It was also the night, though, that Michael Oku won the Revolution Rumble, earned his shot at Great-O-Khan and, three months later, his journey as Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion began.

So the past 15 months or so have seen Oku ride the crest of a wave to the top of independent wrestling as the face of RevPro. Ricky, though, has had his uncle let him down, has had Anthony Ogogo let him down, has been surpassed by Luke Jacobs in the race to be Oku's successor and has been in no-mans-land being caught between being a nearly-man for RevPro, a gatekeeper for new talent to be tested against and a man without that single-minded focus that got him to the top in the first place. Now he has stepped forward, tired of being patient. Now he has stepped forward, ready to force Andy Quildan's hand. Now he has stepped forward, focused on crushing Oku whilst Jacobs deals with Ishii and then going straight after whomever has the belt post-Global Wars. RKJ is focused, and that a focused RKJ is the most dangerous RKJ of all.

Michael Oku and Ricky Knight Jr are two men who both have been given every opportunity to conquer RevPro and, with it, the world of independent pro wrestling. However, fate and circumstance have led to Oku getting to do exactly that and RKJ having to be patient, watching from elsewhere on the card. He has a lot of reasons to be bitter, jealous and angry; bitter about his luck, jealous of Oku and angry at RevPro. How has he been kept away from a fair shot at the title, the title he was never pinned or submitted for, for nearly two years? How was he forced to nominate someone to defend his title on his behalf when others were not? Kanji before him, Windsor at the exact same time has him and Subculture since then? All were allowed to recover before defending their belts. Ricky would argue that Oku is RevPro's golden goose, their favourite son. Now is the time to force a change in the hierarchy. It's just a matter of time now.

This month will present two of the biggest and most important shows in Revolution Pro Wrestling's twelve year history. Summer Sizzler on Sunday will be the first time we have seen a packed-to-the-rafters York Hall for some time; it's safe to say the MJF drawing power has been proven. Then the Copper Box return has a A LOT riding on it - AEW's Wembley ticket sales from 2023 to 2024 show that the second album struggles is a transferable analogy from music to wrestling as it is very unlikely that last year's attendance will be matched. RevPro made the decision early this year to fully commit to a 12th Anniversary card built around BRITISH professional wrestling and a main event built in RevPro with the two standard bearers of British Professional Wrestling. Ospreay Vs Takagi brought fans to the Copper Box but have they stayed for Oku and Jacobs? (As well as RKJ, Mills, Robbie X, JJ Gale, Dani Luna and Alex Windsor obviously) Time will tell.

What we do know, though, is that it is not out of the realms of possibility that across these two shows we will see wrestlers contracted to major players in the world of professional wrestling wrestle against, and alongside, the best independent wrestlers Europe has to offer. CMLL, New Japan Pro Wrestling, TNA, All Elite Wrestling, and Ring of Honour - all of these companies work with contracted wrestlers who are free, willing and able to work with Revolution Pro Wrestling. Zack Sabre Jr Vs Hechicero. MJF Vs Michael Oku. Dani Luna Vs Nina Samuels. Leon Slater Vs Jack Cartwheel. These are wrestlers signed to contracts in US, Mexican and Japanese companies but, here they are, working an independent promotion, many outside of their own native countires and countries of residence.

For Revolution Pro Wrestling is a TRULY independent company. Owned, promoted, booked, built, polished, mended and carried by one man, Andy Quildan; RevPro answers to no-one. That has not always been the case for other promotions in the UK. Prior to the pandemic, when British professional wrestling was in a boom period, it drew the attention of the juggernaut WWE who offered financial support to companies in return for some control over their product. They started NXT UK and gutted the British wrestling scene of its major stars and then controlled who they could and could not wrestle for outside of NXT UK.

And it was at this time that, according to Will Ospreay, WWE offered Andy Quildan £1,000,000 to work with RevPro. Andy would remain in control, would continue to own and book the company, but there would be a WWE stakeholder to appease, which would have brought about the end to the presence of New Japan Pro Wrestling stars working with the company. Andy, of course, refused.

Now this is not an article designed to offer any insight you can't find with a simple Google search. I am not privy to any information you don't have and I was not there at the time. Hell, some of what I have said above may not be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth but it IS the narrative told of what COULD have been. This article, however, is about what IS rather than what is not. Because Revolution Pro Wrestling is a TRULY independent company. Yes, when New Japan Pro Wrestling, AEW, CMLL, TNA - you name it - allow RevPro to work with one of their names they trust that Andy Quildan will book their talent against competent, safe wrestlers and protect them with finishes which do not undermine their position within their parent company. I mean, Tony Khan isn't going to be happy if Michael Oku squashes MJF in a three minute blitz job that makes Maxwell Jacob Friedman look like a "nobody." But that is about the level of influence we are talking about - and that is what makes RevPro TRULY independent.

Consider, also, the lack of politics involved in booking talent. PROGRESS Wrestling Champion Spike Trivet appeared at Revolution Pro Wrestling's Copper Box Arena show last year. KUSHIDA and Seiki Yoshioka, two men who have represented rival companies in Japan, have represented RevPro this year, on the same cards no less. Leon Slater, signed to TNA last year, has been booked as consistently for RevPro as ever, to win, lose, draw; whatever the story needs.

In fact, between January and August of this year, RevPro has booked 103 different wrestlers with five ready to make either their RevPro or their 2024 debuts this Sunday. The wrestlers who have wrestled for RevPro this year have also represented AEW, CMLL, DDT, Pro Wrestling NOAH and TNA as well as an almost endless list of independent companies from Defy, to OTT, to C4, to WXW, to GCW. These are not just booked to the larger stages either; we have had Richard Holliday and Josh Alexander in Southampton, Vaughn Vertigo and Anthony Ogogo in St Neots and Donovan Dijak and Oskar Leube in Coventry. We had Jordan Oliver and Mike D Vecchio in Sheffield, Haley J and Neon in Stevenage and Royce Isaacs and Fuego Del Sol in the 229. And the , of course, we had Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr, Shingo Takagi, Trent Seven and Orange Cassidy on London's bigger stages.

Add to that we have Fantastica Mania UK, which is a direct collaboration with RevPro; a CMLL AND RevPro event. We have Global Wars, which will see RevPro VERSUS New Japan Pro Wrestling. The Spring saw RevPro work with Lucha Libre Barcelona to showcase European talent in, well, Barcelona (obvs) and the Autumn sees them do the same with GWF in Berlin. 

Andy Quildan is asked on a weekly basis in the RevPro X Q&A #AskRevPro "Would you ever consider work with..." and the answer is always the same - if the arrangement is mutually beneficial to all involved then absolutely. And that is what makes RevPro a TRULY independent company - they work with anyone and everyone IF it is mutually beneficial.

And look at what we get as a reward as fans? I came to a RevPro show in 2022 knowing sweet FA about the company, the history, any of it. It was High Stakes 2022. Since then I have attended 53 RevPro shows and had the chance to see a who's who of professional wrestling. Where do we begin? PAC Vs Shota Umino, Will Ospreay Vs Speedball Mike Bailey, Tomohiro Ishii Vs Luke Jacobs, Minoru Suzuki Vs Dan Moloney, Lio Rush Vs Leon Slater, Mustafa Ali Vs Robbie X, Lance Archer Vs Connor Mills, Charli Evans Vs Alex Windsor, Grizzled Young Veterans Vs Subculture, Aussie Open Vs Destination Everywhere, ELP & Katsuyori Shibata Vs Bullet Club War Dogs, Mistico Vs Templario... [Someone stop me otherwise I could just keep listing matches]

AND THAT IS JUST FROM TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

Thank the Wrestling Gods, the Ospreay, the Sabre-San and the Holy Quildan, for Revolution Pro Wrestling being a TRULY independent company. Summer Sizzler and RevPro XII are a true celebration of everything special about Revolution Pro Wrestling, the home of Pro Wrestling At Its Best.

Michael Oku and Luke Jacobs are the standard bearers of European professional wrestling in 2024 and, as such, will main event Europe's biggest independent wrestling show when Revolution Pro Wrestling return to the Copper Box Arena on Saturday August 24th for their 12th Anniversary show. With the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship on the line, this contest is as difficult to call as any match that will play out this year.

In-ring, it is impossible to ever get against Luke Jacobs; you have to nigh on kill the man to keep him down. Bar any shocks at Summer Sizzler or in Southampton, by the time he main events the Copper Box only four men will have pinned him in 18 months of singles action. Will Ospreay literally had to knock Luke Jacobs out to keep him down. Tomohiro Ishii lured Jacobs into the most violent of hoss fights and just had enough to keep him down after two of the most talked about contests of 2023. Zozaya got a snatch pin on the Number One Contentender which shocked the Revolution and reminded Jacobs that it only takes three seconds to win or lose and that is very similar to how Michael Oku survived Luke's first attempt at the Champion's crown.

On the other hand, Michael Oku may be one of the most resilient wrestlers anywhere in the world. He often gives up size, he often gives up experience but he rarely, if ever, gives up fight. He has put on size over the past 12 to 18 months, he has grown tremendously in experience, wrestling across the world taking in Mexico, USA, Canada and across Europe in this marathon run as Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion and that fight has always been and will always be the unique attribute he will never be beaten on. If we look at the same 18 month period we looked at for Luke, Michael has one solitary singles defeat in 2024, in Barcelona against Zozaya. In 2023, discounting the defeat to Leyton Buzzard where the result was changed after the bell due to Oku refusing to relinquish the Half Crab, his only losses were to Trent Seven, Zack Sabre Jr and Dan Moloney. Moloney and ZSJ profited from the shoulder/arm injury that Oku suffered going into last year's Revolution Rumble and Trent Seven proved, like Zozaya proved against Jacobs, that every dog has their day and anyone can beat anyone in a professional wrestling ring.

Ahead of their next bout, therefore, the two men come in with a similar 18 month record, more accomplished, assured and confident than ever before with the win-loss record to back it up. Jacobs feels like the champion-elect but there is much awaiting him if the championship does not come his way. JJ Gale, Ishii III (Global Wars?), the Tag League with Young Guns. As for Oku, if he retains, he's got some serious unfinished business with Ricky Knight Jr, Connor Mills and, more recently, Zozaya, the only man to have pinned Oku and Jacobs since Dan Moloney early last year. The Copper Box main event could not be more tantalisingly poised.

Looking ahead offers a lot we can second guess, speculate on, predict and play fantasy booker for but the past has been written and has played out before our eyes. Oku came into RevPro at 25 years old, in 2018, embarking upon a year long struggle to secure his first RevPro win before overcoming El Phantasmo in the Autumn of 2019 and going on to win the British J Cup and then defeating PAC at York Hall in December 2019 in what was the biggest victory of his career at that stage. The Undisputed Cruiserweight Championship followed in February 2020 just before the world came locking down. Six months later and Michael Oku and Ricky Knight Jr fought to unify the Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship and the Southside Speed King Championship, which Oku won in very controversial fashion thanks to his new ally, Connor Mills, with Oku and RKJ not facing off in singles action since.

Oku and Mills entered 2021's Great British Tag League whilst Michael held the Undisputed Cruiserweight Championship and faced the debuting Young Guns in that very tournament, our first taste of Luke Jacobs, at 20 years of age, wrestling Destination Everywhere in August as part of the Tag League and in September for the Undisputed British Tag Team Championships after Destination Everywhere won the belts that Summer. In both matches Jacobs and Ethan Allen came up short but both matches are worth every minute of your time and are available on RevPro On Demand as the start of this legacy feud.

Jacobs and Oku were kept apart until the British J Cup in November, with Jacobs beating Robbie X and Oku beating LJ Cleary before both fell short in the final with Speedball Mike Bailey taking the crown. Again the pair remained apart going into 2022 until February when Jacobs unsuccessfully challenged for the Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship at The 1865 in Southampton. Four months later, in the same venue, Jacobs won another shot, winning a Four Way with Mills, JJ Gale and Robbie X. This time, it would be Jacobs night, winning the Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship in Manchester and ending Oku's 29 month reign.

Oku and Jacobs were kept apart again from this moment for nine whole months until a poignant moment at the end of the Oku's Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship celebrations in York Hall when he and Luke Jacobs acknowledged Jacobs desire for the belt in a candid moment with serious intent behind it from the Young Gun. The two men then embarked upon the 18 month journey we have explored already which brings us to today. In that time, they fought over the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship at the 229 in London in November in an incredibly physical and hard hitting affair which saw Michael Oku hospitalised at its conclusion but leaving with the belt still around his waist such is the man's unbelievable ability to survive professional wrestling matches.

In march of this year Luke Jacobs did what Michael Oku did 12 months prior and outlasted 29 other men to win the Revolution Rumble which confirmed his spot in the Copper Box Arena main event for the 12th Anniversary. Michael Oku confirmed his place opposite him after further title defences against Titan, Zozaya, Hieronymus, Ultimo Guerrero, Kevin Blackwood, Angel De Oro and Anthony Ogogo. 14 successful championship defences, 5 more than the second most productive champion to carry that belt in company history.

Saturday August 24th Luke Jacobs will be Michael Oku's 15th challenger to the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship. Will he be the last?

I have been attending RevPro shows since 2022, racking up over 50 shows across the country in that time, taking in each and every venue on the circuit and seeing countless stars represent Pro Wrestling At Its Best. In that time I have never witnessed scenes like we witnessed at the finale of last month's 229 show with the debut of the Cut Throat Collective after the incredible Undisputed British Women's Championship match between Dani Luna and Rhio. The invasion of Nina Samuels, Lizzy Evo, Mercedez Blaze, Nightshade and Safire Reed completely shocked the London faithful. There was legitimate disbelief, audible gasps, literal hands over mouths and genuine questions of "What The Fuck!" being asked from one fan to another. It was magic in a bottle and each and everyone involved smashed it out of the park. It was also a really necessary and positive step forward for RevPro and it's booking in more ways than just those which might be obvious. Grab a coffee, have a read, and lets break it down.

First of all, let's explore the obvious. Prior to the June 229 show, there had been 17 RevPro shows this year. Of those 17 shows, there had been 14 women's division matches and one intergender match, featuring 13 different women, and three shows without any female representation besides Francesca. We had three Undisputed Women's Championship defences and one NJPW Women's Championship defence, all at "high profile" London shows, and zero women's main event spots. I would say, without disrespect to anyone, that RevPro was lacking a "women's division" and that, instead, they had feuds exclusively built around their championship.

Safire Reed and Kanji was a feud for the Number One Contendership which led to Dani Luna Vs Safire Reed in London and Barcelona and then the Dani Luna and Alex Windsor Dog Collar Match was built from High Stakes to Revolution Rumble, though the two women never appeared on the same show between these stellar events. Compare this to the men's heavyweight division; on every RevPro show you know you are likely to see at least four out of Michael Oku, Connor Mills, Luke Jacobs, RKJ and JJ Gale, plus the likes of Zozaya, Sha Samuels and even Gabe Kidd and Trent Seven never go too long between appearances. That division is more solidified than the Cruiserweight division but between Robbie X, Leon Slater, Cameron Khai and Will Kaven, there is the start of a division there. The same cannot be said for the women's division though, sadly (or the tag division for that matter). However, the story of the Cut Throat Collective has begun to change that.

Let's explore the stats. Including the CTC's debut invasion, RevPro have run six shows since, which have featured fifteen different female wrestlers. All six shows have featured post-match angles or promos involving women and we have had two of those six shows headlined by the women. We have had two Undisputed Women's Championship matches and had two or more women's matches on four of those six shows.

Of the six shows we have seen, there have been eleven matches and across the events we have seen Mercedez Blaze and Safire Reed on every one, Lizzy Evo on five and Alex Windsor on four. Opposite to the group, we have an array of babyface women who have been positioned across the ring from them and, through that, we have seen Kanji on four of the shows, Rhio on three and Lucia Lee and Ronnie Knocks on two each, with Nightshade on three of the six shows, initially as a part of the Cut Throat Collective before she was ejected at Raw Deal. That repetition of performer, which is what makes a division, simply did not exist before last month. One time performers were booked, like ECHO and Chantal Jordan, and repeat appearances came almost exclusively when there was a championship challenge to build for Dani Luna.

And then let's breakdown what is happening within those women's matches - we have built up the Cut Throat Collective to be a group who are too many and too strong for any one, two or even three women to handle. The ruthless handling of Nightshade has added a thread with various different avenues they could pursue. We have established Lucia Lee and Ronnie Knocks as two sympathetic babyfaces, out of their depth (within kayfabe) and that means the division has levels. Kanji has been elevated to the top babyface of the division, with Rhio and Dani Luna ready and able to join her at a moments notice. In working with regularity, Kanji has looked the best she has ever looked this last month and all the women will surely have benefited from working with each other week after week. The tag team of Kanji and Lucia Lee has balance; the tag team of Lizzy Evo and Safire Reed the same. The fact that we have had banger tags and six-women matches adds to the variety on shows and, with the wealth of talent across the country who can be drafted in, there is potential for so many more women to get involved.

That is where the biggest MUST of all comes into play - if this angle that has built a stable is going to really build a division then this must go beyond the Copper Box. We know we have two women's matches - Dani Luna versus whoever takes the place of the now cancelled Stephanie Vaquer and the five versus five womens match that will see Cut Throat Collective face, for want of a better phrase, Team RevPro. The group has to remain post-Copper Box, though, and there must be investment in them to keep being the main attraction to the women's division if the division is to become as established as the men's. There's a lot of "ifs" there and the biggest one will be if Andy Quildan sees a fully fledged women's division as desirable, profitable and sustainable. 

And the cost of shows would certainly have increased over the past month - with as many as 26 wrestlers appearing on each show - but there have been so many knock-on benefits from the inclusion of a second or third women's match each week. Firstly, the cards have been consistently eight matches without necessarily running any longer than when they often consisted of seven as we have had more varied match lengths. Blaze Vs Knocks went four minutes, Raw Deal had three matches come in under ten minutes, the six woman tag in St Neots went three and a half - yet none of those matches weakened the card, none of those matches were box ticking, none of those matches were a waste; they all did what was needed to extend stories, debut new people and assert levels to the division. That has also helped the pacing of shows really well which, whilst were in no way problematic, have benefitted from the variation and brought a fresh feeling to the format. 

And what has really surprised me is that, not only has the men's division in no way suffered, but it has actually really benefitted. If a card has 8 matches then there are only so many spots to fill. Factor in that very few RevPro cards do not feature Oku, Mills, RKJ, Jacobs, JJ and Robbie X and there becomes even less spots. To put in another womens match means something has to give but what RevPro have done really well so far has been the multilayered feuds which dovetail really well to allow for some interesting multi-man matches and tag teams with storyline justification, such as the Robbie X and JJ Gale team and the Connor Mills and Chris Ridgeway team we have seen twice in recent weeks, the four way with Kaven, Fuego, Leon and Robbie and the tag/six woman women's matches. The incredible Revolution Tag main event of the Sheffield show, which has become a staple in RevPro, has rarely been that stacked, that essential to so many stories and in the main event. We also have been forced to slow some storylines down and spread them out between shows which has offered greater variety to cards and allowed said stories time to breathe. For example, both the David Francisco and 'Goldenboy' Santos team and the Sunshine Machine story have been spread out and have benefited from it. So many benefits, both obvious and less so, which have come from the six weeks since the Cut Throat Collective debuted and promised that 'Everything Is About To Change'; I make them right and really hope this is the start of a long term change in the presentation of women's wrestling in RevPro for the development of a women's division and for the betterment of the cards overall.

Autumn of 2023 was a HOT period for Revolution Pro Wrestling, with the company benefiting from the long term rivalries and dynamics established between multiple roster members that allowed for matches such as Michael Oku Vs Luke Jacobs, Jacobs Vs JJ Gale and Oku Vs Robbie X all to be presented in big spots at the 229, rather than being saved for a York Hall-adjacent venue or a big Stevenage show. Around this time we had the Great British Tag League which felt like it was destined for a big Greedy Souls Vs Zak Knight & Ricky Knight Jr showdown at Uprising, a major event in a big venue. However, Zak Knight's paperwork issues were finally resolved and he got the chance for his long expected AEW/RoH debut, mid Tag League, and then RKJ and his partner had a baby girl, going into labour on a RevPro Sunday. Amidst all of this, Anthony Ogogo came into the RevPro fold. When Zak went stateside, Ogogo came home and, leaning on the history between Ogogo's initial ventures into wrestling and the Knight Family, 'The Guv'nor' took the Zodiac's spot to team with RKJ.

Now prior to this, Ricky and Zak had acquired six points out of six from their opening two matches, picking up heavy, hard hitting and, ultimately, dominant wins over Trew & Lacey and the Billington Bulldogs. Business completed, Ogogo was to tag with Ricky in the 229 against Lykos Gym in the final match of the tournament with victory expected to set up Ogogo & RKJ Vs Greedy Souls at Uprising. During the show, though, the announcement was made that Ricky would not be able to make the show as his partner had gone into labour and their little girl was on her way into the world. Ogogo Vs Lykos Gym in a handicap match it would have to be.

Now, Ogogo is a massive name - he represented Great Britain in the Olympics, he completed on prime time TV British juggernaut Strictly Come Dancing, he's signed to All Elite Wrestling and his upcoming match with Michael Oku got RevPro talked about in the local press. Yet his announced debut in RevPro was met with some doubt and skepticism as, up until that moment, he had wrestled just three matches which passed the ten minute mark since his infamous match with Cody Rhodes at AEW's Double Or Nothing in 2021. Besides two matches in PROGRESS (Callum Newman and Malik) that passed into double figures and one against Kevin Knight for Battle Slam, all of his other matches were short and one-sided, with the vast majority coming in around the three minute mark. Now, no shade is intended here at Ogogo, at AEW or any other companies booking those matches but that is not what we are accustomed to at RevPro. I can count on my fingers the number of sub-ten minute matches of the 50-odd shows I've been to live or the dozens I've watched On Demand. RevPro is a work rate company - a competitive, high quality, sports based product where the best in Europe wrestle (no pun intended).

So Ogogo came in, was thrown into an impossible situation of needing to win his first match in a handicap match against two beloved British talents, and, thus, the concerns or criticism of the fit between RevPro's style and Ogogo's previous booking were unavoidable. Fast forward to Uprising and we got Ogogo and RKJ Vs Greedy Souls and a fair judgement of what the Ogogo and RevPro relationship promised; an entertaining encounter, a major angle and the realisation that that this was not going to be a two week trip home for Ogogo as he turned on RKJ, excellently, setting up Ogogo Vs RKJ for High Stakes 2024.

With two months between Uprising and High Stakes, we saw Ogogo in Southampton face David Francisco, his second longest and, in my opinion, his career best match from each I've seen across RevPro, AEW and RoH. Next up was RKJ at High Stakes, followed by Robbie X in St Neots, Sha Samuels in Southampton with his EXCELLENT display at the Revolution Rumble in between. Next we have Michael Oku at the Gordon Craig Theatre at Raw Deal.

Now, take a moment to consider those names - Francisco, Samuels and Oku - three revered coaches at the London School of Wrestling - and Robbie X and RKJ, two men with a combined in-ring experience of 30 years (seriously). That is by no means coincidence. Then look at the Rumble, Ogogo put in a Brock Lesnar 2020 style performance, without taking all of the spotlight, and was booked expertly to play to all of his strengths and set up the Raw Deal match some three months later.

So why has this been a match made in heaven? Ogogo has star power like few else. He is a legitimate household name - say his name to friends and family outside of us wrestling Marks and they know him. He is also an incredible man for others to learn from in how he presents himself as a pro wrestling star, how he conducts his promos, his ability to hit a line (pack of quavers anyone?) and his ability to talk with cadence and draw in a crowd. He is also a terrific wrestler given his level of experience and when booked well. In return Ogogo has had the chance to work with experienced, giving pros and it is no coincidence that his four singles matches in RevPro make up four fifths of his longest professional wrestling matches. They have been competitive, well-booked and well-executed matches worthy of the moniker Pro Wrestling At Its Best.

What happens next will also be very, very interesting. Either we have a new Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion or, for the first time since 2021 against Cody Rhodes, Anthony Ogogo will be defeated in a pro wrestling ring. Either result is remarkable - Ogogo Vs Luke Jacobs at the Copper Box Arena is a BIG match with AEW the following day and the working relationship between the two companies very much evident these days. Alternatively, a major coup is given to both RevPro and Michael Oku in ending the undefeated streak. Maybe we have a dirty finish, a very rare occurrence for RevPro, especially with such a high profile match. It will be fascinating to watch and I trust everyone involved to deliver a proper main event.

It is evidence, after all, of how mutually beneficial the arrangement has been; the perfect match, you might say.

"Even though still based in Spain & we were introduced to him less than two months ago, we consider Zozaya to be a regular member of our roster! A special talent. Don't take him for granted!"

- Andy Quildan, Revolution Pro Wrestling, in response to a question in last Friday's X Q&A.

It is truly remarkable the past few months in Zozaya's career. From being an unknown to 99% of the British audience, to undeniably being a star attraction on every show he is on, to being touted as someone we might not get to keep for long by the man who helped carve the careers of Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr and Gabe Kidd. "Europe's Best Kept Secret" maybe a fair assessment given how steep his trajectory has been and something tells me the cat will very soon be out of the bag on a larger scale; I know I am a Mark but I like to think of myself as a realistic Mark and I mean it when I say this lad has no ceiling. Fridays are my day for reflection so today we reflect on Zozaya's journey so far.

Prior to RevPro's collaboration with Lucha Libre Barcelona I wrote an 'Introducing' article on Zozaya based on some preliminary research. The part of that article that caught me when reading it back two months later reads:

"A true babyface hero for the Barcelona crowd to embrace. Oku will need to be on guard against Zozaya's fast feet and will want to avoid being on the mat for too long. Zozaya's endurance and resilience are similar to that of Oku's and so this one could go longer than Iker Navarro Vs Luke Jacobs, which has a very different dynamic. Oku will need to avoid the impact of the Rolling Death Valley Driver and will need to avoid the power Zozaya can craft with his Gut Wrench Suplex barrage that has worn previous opponents into defeat. Really looking forward to this one - a show stealer in the marking for sure." 

Having now sat ringside for every one of Zozaya's RevPro matches in England, I think I got that pretty well nailed on. However that is not a pat on the back for me but goes to show how well Zozaya can deliver his message, his art and his character across on a consistent level. My research was based on YouTube matches I could find of the 'Freestyler' and I think I pretty much got what he was delivering spot on. An impressive start form a 21 year old who you would expect to be only finding their feet in pro wrestling at this stage.

That brings us to Zozaya Vs Michael Oku Parts I and II. I've said before, I like to look at rivalries as an entire entity made up of chapters rather than discrete matches. Chapter 1 of Zozaya Vs Oku was like the away leg of a Champions League Round Of 16 match for Oku, flying out to a potential banana skin opponent where a victory is expected for the current champion on his path to the final. Zozaya taking the away leg victory was a real shock and it rewarded the HOT Spanish crowd. Everything about it was shocking, also, not just the outcome but the finish as well - Zozaya won clean, with a devastating finisher and had Oku down not just for 3 but 8, 9, 10 seconds. A decisive win. 

Now Zozaya did not need to win to get over but this gave us the chance to run it back with a completely different audience in Stevenage at Epic Encounter for Chapter 2, the second leg, back in England where Oku is the King. Oku won, Oku advanced to the Quarter-Final of the Champions League in my anology and it would be like when Norway beat Brazil at World Cup 1998 on Brazil's route to the final - no-one remembers it as, ultimately, it did not lead to anything. 

However, that is not what RevPro delivered us - they gave us a 23 minute main event where Zozaya did something not even Will Ospreay could do; he escaped the Arched Back Half-Crab. I am still waiting for someone to tell me of anyone who has ever done this as I have not seen it in my delves into RevPro On Demand and my 50+ times watching Oku live from ringside. That immediately showed the level of belief both Oku and Andy Quildan have in the kid. That was a  SIGNIFICANT, conscious and deliberate decision. If you left Barcelona or the Gordon Craig Theatre not believing Zozaya was a star in the making then I'm bewildered as to what you were watching.

Next up, we head to Sheffield and we get Zozaya Vs Will Kaven, Zozaya's first win in a RevPro ring on UK soil. A big moment - a match on the undercard, in a venue where there were few, if any other than myself, who had seen him in Stevenage or Barcelona and an opponent where the outcome of the match was expected to be a Zozaya victory. This was a test - one he passed with flying colours. Bouncing around Sheffield Network connecting with fans, embracing the 'Olé' chants, earning the 'ZO-ZAY-A' chants and wowing the crowd with his combination of athleticism, strength, speed, technical skill, psychology and storytelling - skills well beyond his years. This was proof for me, in a far less memorable and high profile spot, that this guy gets it.

Fast forward to last month and we opened the month with the big Sunshine Machine story line which stemmed from Oku and Zozaya's next outing, teaming together in the 229. Here we got to see our first taste of how well Zozaya can operate as part of a team and with an interesting dynamic - two babyface teams where the direction was Sunshine Machine losing a frustrating and confidence shattering bout. Oku is a master of balancing the heel-face dynamics situationally and leant into his cocky and arrogant streak but that doesn't work for Zozaya, and he knows it, so he worked his side perfectly - not feeling the need to match Oku but to focus on showing TK and Mambo up as part of his 'Humble But Don't Underestimate Me' character. 

From here we went on to Fantastica Mania UK and Zozaya took on the role of supporting character - teaming with Oku once more to face the team of Ultimo Guerrero and Angel De Oro and then facing De Oro one on one. This was all about building the Guerrero/Oku and De Oro/Oku title defences but it was a great opportunity to see Zozaya in a larger venue, across the ring from two incredibly experienced pros and he didn't shrink whatsoever - he looked like he belonged and got a great reaction from the York Hall crowd, baring in mind this was only his second London showing for RevPro. Interestingly, this was the show where Zozaya hung around after the show to talk to fans and offer photos but he did it not from the merch table but just in and around the fans at ringside and he showed such a confident yet humble demeanour which really supports his cause as the underdog babyface beautifully.

The match which I think impressed me the most of the eight we have seen thus far came next, back to the 229 to face Cameron Khai. Up until this point, Zozaya had only faced seasoned pros; Michael Oku, a 31 year old world travelled six star wrestler; Will Kaven, a trainer at the Portsmouth School Of Wrestling; Sunshine Machine, one of the most experienced tag teams in all of European wrestling; Guerrero and De Oro two veterans with a wealth of experience few can rival. I'm not saying it is easy to put in the performances Zozaya did against those guys, that wouldn't be fair or do justice to just how good these matches have been. But knowing just HOW good he is wouldn't come until he faced someone with the same experience levels or less experience than him and that came with the match with Cameron Khai. 

First off, let's remember this match drew a standing ovation and "This is Awesome" chants from the 229, which is something I can count on my hands the number of times I have witnessed over the years. Secondly, let's remember that Cameron Khai is f'n awesome. But when we think the combined age of the wrestlers here was 39 years old, we can really see how good they are to put on a match of the night contender in a contest without build or high stakes. They created story, they wrestled without hesitation and escalated the drama perfectly to peak at all the right moments. 

And that brings us to Southampton this past Sunday in what was the best match of the bunch and the most memorable moment of them all. Chatter amongst the Southampton faithful was unanimous in the belief that the championship match between Dani Luna and Nightshade would headline the show but the story led to that going on earlier. It then felt like Chris Ridgeway and Michael Oku would headline but that went on the coveted fourth spot, again, owing to the story which would later involve Connor Mills. So the headline slot went to Luke Jacobs and Zozaya - a worthy headliner as it would be a guaranteed spectacle. However, the finish was legitimately one of the biggest shocks RevPro have delivered all year. And what really drew the audible gasps out of the crowd was the work Jacobs and Zozaya did to draw in the crowd, build intensity, drama and investment. Masterful pro wrestling by two men wise beyond their years. 

And the craziest thing of all? All this in two months. All this in seven matches. We have a potential North West Strong feud alongside Destination Everywhere on the table, a rematch with Luke Jacobs likely - I'd imagine at Raw Deal - and questions now go ahead to what might be on his horizon at the Copper Box on August 24th. A breakout match on the biggest RevPro stage could be massive in drawing more eyes to someone you have to think has already impressed CMLL, would be beloved by a NJPW audience and would be a standout in a promotion like TNA. Not intentionally getting ahead of myself but you have to ask the question - as the undeniable breakout star of 2024 in RevPro and with this much offered in two months - what's his ceiling? Time will tell and I can't wait to be there to see it. If Zozaya was European pro wrestling's best kept secret, then it is safe to safe he is a secret no more.

The above post last night from Michael Oku put over how much this feud meant to him and his career and, with a quiet, wet and chilled Thursday on my agenda, it felt like a great time to dive deep into RevPro On Demand to relive this career-launching trio of matches. 

By June 2019, PAC was All-Elite, was the Open The Dream Gate Champion, and was enjoying a career renaissance as the star of BritWres. 'The BASTARD' had been born, was alive and was absolutely killing it. On the contrary, Michael Oku was 12 matches deep in to a losing streak since his debut in the now infamous contest with Great-O-Khan. O-Khan, Chris Brookes, Gideon Grey, Kurtis Chapman, Brian Cage, Shigehiro Irie, Kip Sabian - a whose who of pro wrestling had fought the 25 year old Oku and next on the list, on the 2nd June 2019, Live At The Cockpit 42, weeks after his 26th birthday, Oku fought 'The BASTARD'.

Oku came to the ring to a huge reaction from the intimate crowd of 200 Cockpit regulars, carrying himself with the confidence and star power we have grown accustomed to but, at this stage of his career, the idea of 'fake it until you make it' comes to mind; he wrestled like a pro, was as popular as anyone on the card, but was a serial loser of professional wrestling matches at this stage and here he was facing legitimately one of the best and one of the most dangerous in the world. 

The opening exchanges are in that deliberate pace we are used to from PAC until Oku garner's an advantage. "I don't think PAC can believe the audacity of this young man", Andy Quildan calls. PAC's response is to turn up the heat, turn up the aggression and turn up the shithousery and Oku is thrown pillar to post and tossed round like an plastic carrier bag.

A massive moment in the match comes as Oku escapes the Brutaliser, a defiant act of survival rather than a strategic escape, perhaps, but an escape nonetheless. He survives a ten count on the outside. "I think PAC is having the time of his life" comes the call from commentary. A lion at the zoo, grazing on its food comes to mind.

As the match moves into the second half, the frustration across PAC's face begins to appear as Oku kicks out of a 450 Splash and a legit attempted cover to finish the match, whereas prior covers were clearly just a test of Oku's resolve. The Misdirection Knee from Oku hits and brings a mighty reaction form the crowd and Andy Quildan hits the perfect line on commentary; "This has to be it: if he's going to seize a moment, it has to be this one".

As Oku begins to climb the ladder and build momentum, the call from Gio comes; "20 minutes gone, 10 minutes remaining" and we have a race on our hands. Can Oku do the unthinkable and beat PAC? If not, can he survive him for 10 more minutes? A Superplex survived, a Half Crab escaped... 5 minutes left... Brutaliser locked back in...an escape by literally the tip of the toe... 4 minutes left... Black Arrow evaded... 3 minutes left... The tightest cradle from Oku kicked out... Snap German Suplex... 2 minutes left... Tombstone... Black Arrow... 1.2.3. 

One of the best matches Revolution Pro Wrestling have ever delivered, one of their most dramatic matches, playing on classic sports-based wrestling concepts and a stand out match in both men's careers.

The first RevPro win came for Oku two months later in an upset over then Undisputed British Cruiserweight Champion El Phantasmo in a non-title match at the Cockpit, followed by wins over Hikuleo and Rob Lias before PAC and Oku found themselves opposite one another again in the final of the British J Cup 2019 at York Hall. Oku had overcome Rocky Romero in the first round whereas PAC had defeated Amazing Red. The final four way elimination saw 'The BASTARD', Oku, ELP and Robbie Eagles.

PAC immediately went after Oku, dragging him out of the ring and tossing him around ringside. He dragged him to the ramp and humiliated Oku in front to the York Hall crowd. And it is all Oku and PAC in the first stage of the match, leading up to PAC being disqualified by ref Oscar Harding for taking Oku out with a chair shot after being spiked with two consecutive Satellite DDTs. Andy Quildan, who is never one for swearing, calls "I know the clue's in the title but that man is a Bastard". 

El Phantasmo took Robbie Eagles out with a "punch square in the you know where" and immediately got Oscar counting Oku out, who had not returned to the match since the barrage of chair shots PAC had delivered. Oku survived ELP to complete the "Cinderella story", kicking out at one from ELP's homage to Kenny Omega's 'One Winged Angel', hitting a Canadian Destroyer from which the pinfall attempt transitioned directly into a violent and vicious Half Crab and Michael Oku has his York Hall moment at the third attempt. A huge moment in Oku's career, a huge hug from his mum and brother at ringside and, with confetti falling from the ceiling, PAC and the chair returned and 'The BASTARD' took Oku out and destroyed the J Cup trophy. Incredible scenes.

At the end of the J Cup, Oku extended the challenge to PAC for Uprising 2019 and that brings us to the third and final match of the trilogy, one of the best feuds in Revolution Pro Wrestling history. In great contrast to the first singles match, this one starts at Oku's pace, not PAC's. A sprint start reminiscent of the opening to the J Cup with a pair of clear and beautiful callbacks with Oku beating PAC on the ramp like PAC did to Oku at the J Cup and the attempted countout win like PAC did to Oku at the Cockpit, but with the added heat of Oku diving through PAC as he tried to re-enter the ring; Oku won't take the countout win.

As you'd expect, the pace slows and the aggression ramps up as PAC seizes his opportunity to dominate in the second stage of the contest. The Irish Whips to the corner are UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE. The match style and approach callback to the Cockpit as PAC looks to prove that Oku is not on his level, not able to win the big one and not able to step into the higher gears; PAC is dominant with his handbrake on. The stage is revisited, with a Tombstone Piledriver, and the boos echo around York Hall. PAC will take the countout because Oku is not worth the effort, that's the message exuding from 'The BASTARD'. 

As Oku hits a Superkick out of nowhere, the first time-call comes - 10 minutes gone, 20 minutes remaining. PAC can't avoid the Misdirection Knee, the Lionsault hits but PAC kicks out with defiance. A Frog Splash gets two. The second attempt misses and the Brutaliser is attempted but rolled out of for a close two count and Oku has the Half Crab on half way through the time limit but PAC escapes easily. Both men can get their hold on but they can't LOCK it in - who will get to their's first? Or will the Frog Splash, maybe the Pair or Trifector of Frog Splashes, be the finish, or perhaps it will take the Black Arrow? At this point everything Oku does is with desperation and the crowd are with him. PAC has a hint of panic for the first time across the three contests. This is beautiful professional wrestling. 

Oku collides with the ring post and instantly the control is back with The BASTARD and he looks calm, measured and sadistic. A Sit-Out Powerbomb transitions into the Brutaliser in the middle of the ring. Oku attempts to roll PAC but ends up smothered - a stray leg collides with a rope, more out of writhing desparation than strategic ring awareness. The end is nigh, surely. An Avalanche Tombstone... The Black Arrow... The knees up... An inside cradle... This image 👇 Oku pinned PAC. SCENES.

Pure cinema, the entire rivalry. Go watch it; watch it all, it's worth every second.

1) Michael Oku Vs PAC, Live At The Cockpit 42, available in full on YouTube

2) British J Cup 2019 Final, Michael Oku Vs PAC Vs El Phantasmo Vs Robbie Eagles, available on RevPro On Demand

3) Michael Oku Vs PAC, Uprising 2019, available on RevPro On Demand

"Pressure Makes Diamonds" - TK Cooper

"We became Sunshine Machine in some of the hardest and most uncertain times in BritWres history! Pressure is JUST WHAT WE NEED" - Chuck Mambo

"Next time we lose... RevPro... No more Sunshine Machine" - TK Cooper

Wow. That was some way to open the 229 this week. A massive declaration from Teeks after Sunshine Machine fell short to Michael Oku and Zozaya. Revolution Pro Wrestling without Sunshine Machine? TK without Mambo? Chuck without Teeks? None of this sits right with me - I felt my little Mark heart breaking at ringside and I told this to the boys at the interval and their response was simple; "We just can't lose". Have faith, I guess. It's going to be emotional, that is for sure. 

So how did we end up here? Let's rewind the clock and take a Deep Dive back to before Great British Tag League, before the "We Need To Talk About TK" interview between myself and TK Cooper, before everyone's favourite tag title run, all the way back to 2021. Great British Tag League in July of '21, in fact. It was then that we saw the debut of Sunshine Machine (post-Escaping The Midcard), picking up victories over Charlie Sterling & Joel Redman as well as Callum Newman & JJ Gale but falling short to The Legion. As the year came to an end, though, the boys found form and began to hit their stride with back to back wins over Destination Everywhere, Brendan White & Doug Williams, Alex Coughlin & Karl Fredericks, Newman & Gale AND Aussie f'n Open. A team on the RISE.

2022 started where '21 ended - with the now Number 1 Contenders to the Undisputed British Tag Team Championships taking their momentum into the 229, Live In London 57, where TK & Mambo beat RKJ and Zak Knight to become the new Undisputed British Tag Team Champions. And so began the nine month stretch where Sunshine Machine were everywhere in RevPro, up and down the country, defending their belts against all comers and dominating the tag division. Go and watch their title defences against Aussie Open at High Stakes, against Mills & Oku at the 229, against VeloCities at RevPro X; no-one looked like they could take their crown.

And then came a huge shock - in a sub-nine minute match, TK & Mambo dropped the belts in the 229 to Danny Jones and Brendan White, the Greedy Souls, in a contest few can honestly say they had Souls down to win. Brendan White was a longstanding feature of RevPro shows going back to his Contender days but his formation with Danny Jones was new - they had had three matches prior, a loss in Sheffield to Sunshine Machine in a non-title match and back to back victories over a very young-at-the-time Cameron Khai & Samuel Hawkes and THAT match with Destination Everywhere where Mills turned on Oku and fed him to the shocked, amazed and grateful Danny & Brendan. It even felt at the time that Souls' match was for the belts only because TK & Mambo had cleared the division - no-one looked primed to dethrone them.

We then entered a two month period where Greedy Souls did everything in their power to evade facing Sunshine Machine one on one in a straight contest of the two best teams. The 229 saw a countout finish, followed by a DQ finish, before the announcement that the four men would face off in York Hall at Uprising 2022 in a Street Fight, the first stipulation match of it's kind in that venue since Eddie Kingston and L.A. Park went without disqualifications two and a half years prior. Haven't seen Souls and Sunshine Machine's Street Fight? Find. The. Time. It is as simple as that.

And then... Well, then 2023 began. A victory over Charlie Sterling and Shaun Jackson in the 229 was followed by back-to-back appearance losses to The Legion and Arrows Of Hungary. And then nothing. Four months we went without seeing Sunshine Machine, something which felt completely alien having seen them on the regular every month, if not every week, from mid-2021 until spring of 2023. Then when they returned there was all of the confusion over their contest with Subculture at the August '23 229 which is discussed with Teeks when Dave The Mark Met TK Cooper. Was the match for the titles? Was it not? Francesca Oliver and Andy Quildan certainly didn't seem to be on the same page when announcing the match in ring and via commentary. And it certainly affected TK and Mambo as word was given to Francesca that it was non-title, as Teeks explained in our interview. 

A week later we saw an image which has stuck with me ever since, the image of TK Cooper laid up against the ropes having defeated CPF in Southampton, but looking a shell of the man whose work I had fallen in love with over the prior 18 months of following RevPro around the country. The match had a very different vibe to it, again, something we explore in my interview with TK; the urgency, the aggression and the desperation we saw at the 229 this last week was there in the 1865 nine months ago. That image coined the phrase "We Need To Talk About TK", the phrase that prompted me to reach out to arrange that interview. And in between us fixing a taco date and that match with CPF we saw the cheeky side of TK return in his online banter-spat with Zak Knight over All In weekend which added fuel to their contest in the 229 prior to the start of the Great British Tag League and I remember feeling a sense of relief that may be all all was okay in the Sunshine Machine camp. 

The boys then had an incredible Tag League, recovering from opening night defeat to Subculture to go on and finish joint first in the block, culminating in a three-way main event in the 1865 with Greedy, Souls and Subculture where, had Chuck not had his bell rung, might have ended with the Great British Tag League that has always evaded Sunshine Machine, something they have admitted to being desperate to achieve and something so many of us Marks are pining for. And, at the end of the day, it was another loss and another opportunity missed as Sunshine Machine finished 2023 with a RevPro record of four wins from ten matches, a massive fall in wins and overall matches from 2022 when they boasted a record of 16 wins from 20 matches. 

And here we are, in May of 2024 and we have seen three Sunshine Machine matches all year and three defeats. YOUNGBLOOD, Grizzled Young Vets and now Michael Oku and Zozaya. The Copper Box came and went. Royal Quest came and went. Fantastica Mania came and went. The craziest stat of them all? We have not had a Sunshine Machine match at a major RevPro event since they lost the belts 18 months ago. Something has to change. 

Will pressure make diamonds? Will this be the end of Sunshine Machine as a team in RevPro? Will this be the end of both TK and Mambo in RevPro? TK said have faith and I will have just that. I will be at every show, wearing my Sunshine Machine t-shirt each and every time until they either win those belts back or we say a heartbreaking goodbye. I'm not ready for the end but I'm ready for the ride. Mark Out, whilst we can.

First things first, this Deep Dive is no slight on any previous tag team champions or thier championship run. I also fully appreciate that any championship reign in any company is subject to the booking, subject to the quality of opponent and subject to external circumstances. Taking all of that into consideration, Grizzled Young Veterans now have the opportunity to raise the bar in RevPro due to a combination of factors which point towards a a very special period for the tag team championships. So, grab a coffee, grit your teeth and let me Mark Out and explain why GYV have me excited going into the summer.

Prior to Revolution Rumble in March there had been twenty tag team championship reigns in RevPro history featuring a whose who of the best wrestlers in the world. From the first, Project Ego, to the 20th, Subculture, we have seen the likes of Will Ospreay, Rich Swann, Ricochet, Zack Sabre Jr, Minoru Suzuki, Mark Haskins, Trent Seven, Tyler Bate and Great O Khan all carry the Undisputed British Tag Team Championships. We have seen championship reigns last a day and some that have lasted an entire pandemic; we have seen teams who have gone on to win championships around the world, teams that have since split, wrestlers who have go on to incredible singles careers and wrestlers who are sadly no onger with us. But, I truly believe that GYV can put a marker down as the best tag team champions in company history IF their reign can deliver on what it has promised so far.

Now, there are many metrics we can use to compare those title reigns. Firstly let's explore length. The average title reign has been 201 days - around six and a half months - with the longest reigns being those of The Legion (Great O Khan and Rampage Brown), Suzuki Gun (Minoru Suzuki and Zack Sabre Jr) and The Revolutionists (Sha Samuels and James Castle). However, it is worth noting that The Legion held the titles throughout the COVID lockdown but were only able to defend the belts across four months of their 560 day reign. Suzuki Gun, due to being predominantly based in Japan, only defended the titles four times in 475 days. And, similarly, The Revolutionists' 364 day reign saw them defend five times due to the lighter schedule of shows the company ran at the time compared to today. Will Grizzled Young Veterans have the longest championship reign in RevPro history? Probably not. Does that matter, though? I'd say no - quality over quantity every time.

Secondly, let's explore defences - the twenty previous reigns had an average of 2 successful defences before the title change across the 19 teams previous, a run of one title defence every two months. The only two time champions have been Aussie Open (2019 and 2021) but the most active and competitive tag team champions have been Sunshine Machine and Greedy Souls - TK and Mambo defending the titles six times whilst Brendan White and Danny Jones faced nine different teams (many more than once). I would say, therefore, that those two teams, therefore, are the measuring stick for any reign to compare against. 

If we look at final metrics, Subculture can boast the biggest attended Undisputed British Championship defence. Flash and Mandrews defeated The VeloCities at RevPro XI last year at the Copper Box Arena in front of over 4,000 fans. Aussie Open are the only team to have defended the championships outside of the U.K., defending them in Dublin at OTT's 7th Anniversary Show against B. Cool and Danny Cross. However, it is worth noting that Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis lost that match via disqualification and, whilst they did retain their titles, they did not defeat their opposition.

So what makes this GYV reign different to those before them? Well, first of all, the Grizzled Young Vets are one of the most talked about tag teams in the world in 2024 having wrestled twenty four matches in the first four months of the year across over half a dozen promotions including RevPro, TNA and AEW and in four different countries. They are in the argument for the very best tag teams in the world - a legit top 5 team across any company - and will undoubtedly be in the PWI Top 5 tag teams at years end. It is not in the realms of fantasy to think that we could see the Undisputed British Tag Team Championships belts on TBS, on TNT, on ITV, on AXS TV in 2024. If there is a chance of having them defended on one of those channels, that can only be good for business in getting eyes on RevPro. It also makes it very plausible that the British Tag Team Championshipss could be defended in multiple countries, something that has never happened before, other than that solitary Irish defence from Aussie Open.

Secondly, look at the first month of their reign - their victory over Subculture on March 31st at York Hall to win the belts was a match of the night contender. The next night in Southampton they put their belts on the line and defeated former champions Sunshine Machine in a match of the weekend contender. A week later they faced Brixia Bone Breakers, potentially the best team in Italy, in a match of the night contender in London. A week later they faced Barcelona Blacklist, potentially the best team in Spain, in a match of the night contender in Barcelona. That is some start to their reign. Subculture conquered, three teams put in the rearview mirror in the first month. Up next they step into a CMLL ring to face the 2022 Torneo Heredero winners Atlantis and Atlantis Jr, their second title defence and fourth opponents in six weeks of carrying the belts. There is no guarantee that GYV will carry the belts longer than The Legion did, but if they carry the belts into the summer until RevPro XII, back at the Copper Box Arena, then they could equal Subculture's record for biggest crowd, outdo Greedy Souls in the number of different opponents faced and beat Sunshine Machine for the number of successful defences and, if they do that, then GYV will have to be considered the best tag team in RevPro history.

At the moment, that is a lot of 'if's, but their first month was unbelievable and, based upon that, I'm keen to see if they can do it. I'll grit my teeth and watch from the edge of my seat. 

Am I getting ahead of myself?

Think GYV can do it?

Get in touch and let me know.

Mark Out.

Connor Mills has head a sensational twelve months. This time last year, Mills was going into the Revolution Rumble with all eyes on him, Michael Oku and Eddie Dennis. He played an integral role in that match, cementing himself as a spoiler heel, a man without conscience, as he ended Eddie Dennis' career in cruel fashion. He went on to defeat Robbie X at Epic Encounter, spoiling Robbie X's quest for a record number of championship defences. The image of Mills standing at the entrance of York Hall holding the belt above his head with his back to the crowd screamed volumes of the direction the former fan favourite had taken.

As Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion Mills adapted from spoiler to survivor, surviving the threats that came his way in the form of the 11th Anniversary Six Man Scramble, after losing matches to Sha Samuels and 'Wild Boar' Mike Hitchman on the lead up to that match, albeit in multiman matches. Mills then took on Sha Samuels, keeping his championship belt only because Sha could not make weight. The RevPro fans watched as the 'Sha's Life' mini-documentary series showed the efforts Sha went to to make weight for their November contest only for Mills to play spoiler and survive the threat with his reign in tact. And then, at Uprising, Mills couldn't survive or spoil the momentum that Leon Slater took out of the British J Cup into the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre as the Youngest In Charge become Undisputed British Cruiserweight Champion.

Nearly three months have passed since Mills lost the Cruiserweight Championship and in those three months he has put on the size to go above 205lbs and qualify as a legit heavyweight. He has adapted his style in-ring, his mindset going into matches and he has declared that it is time for wrestling fans across Europe to acknowledge him as the elite level wrestler that he is. His work in-ring has become more aggressive and more violent, developing both a more technical, grounded mat approach and a heavy-hitting strongstyle strategy. His technique is incredible - he is a London School Of Wrestling trainer for a reason - but his mat work is more vicious, more spiteful and more focused than ever. Watch as he uses every possible limb to inflict pain when holding a submission; if he has someone in a leg based offence, he will use a hand to inflict more pain, digging his knuckles or an elbow in, or striking the leg as he contorts it. And he looks like he is enjoying every moment of it.

And then we have the impact of the additional size. Look at his arms, shoulders and back to see the strength that has been built up. His leg strikes have always been his strongest form of front-foot attack but now he has the upper body size to inflict the powerful lariats, the chops and the strikes to match. His Rebound Lariat has more force, his chops are up there with the very strongest in RevPro and his increased focus means he is targeting the body with greater strategy than before. His matches have become wars but not just because they embody a super-phycial battle but because they embody a strategy, a wargame, a plan of assault.

And any war with Connor Mills is a war of attrition as he has the stamina to GO and the strength to outlast and systematically breakdown his opponent. Look at the time stamps of his matches this year; this past month alone he went over twenty minutes three times in a RevPro ring, first against Trent Seven, then Zack Sabre Jr and then Luke Jacobs. Consider the level of talent he is facing on a week to week basis - this is a man ready to be THE man in RevPro. He will believe he already is, such as his self-confidence, but his performances this year are backing it up. If we look at 2024 as a quarter-way through, Mills has had three of the top five matches of the year. Oku Vs Ospreay and Gale Vs Jacobs are up there but they contend with all three of the aforementioned Mills matches. The war with Trent Seven in the 229, the slog with Luke Jacobs in Sheffield and his masterclass with ZSJ at High Stakes were special matches and they showed that Mills has EVERYTHING a professional wrestler needs to be the complete wrestler.

Look at the victories he has over recent weeks; the spoiler and survivor are long gone - now he is a vicious, violent killer in the ring. Trent Seven was systematically broken down until he could barely stand and hardly defend himself. A referee stoppage was needed to prevent 'The Don' from being hospitalised. Stephen Wolf suffered a similar feat - a referee stoppage when he was physically unable to defend himself after Mills had twisted him in knots. Add to that the draw with Luke Jacobs - that match was on course for a knockout, it was just which way it would go. In the end both men had to be saved from themselves with Chris Hatch making the call to end the match when both Jacobs and Mills could not respond to protocols in the ring.

And then look at that defeat to ZSJ. Last year Zack Sabre Jr contorted Michael Oku to the point where he was severely compromised going into future matches. He worked Oku's arm so well that the now champion could barely lift it. Mills came away from High Stakes a hairs breadth away from victory. ZSJ had a pure wrestling showcase with Jordon Breaks where Breaks, one of the most technically proficient mat wrestlers in the WORLD, could not catch ZSJ or weaken him like Mills did. JJ Gale and Leon Slater competed with Sabre Jr but Mills dominated him in patches in their match last month and that is something we have not seen in RevPro for many, many years.

And it is that which makes Connor Mills the most dangerous man in RevPro. He has the engine to last as long as Michael Oku, he has the explosive strength to rival Luke Jacobs, the speed to combat Robbie X, the strikes to rival RKJ and the mat game to contest Jordon Breaks. There is nothing this man cannot do and if he is not Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion in the next 18 months I will be very surprised. The Revolution was built on the back of a golden age of British pro wrestling talent and now we are experiencing another similar period. RevPro's heavyweight division in 2024 is built on the backs of Oku, Jacobs, RKJ and Mills and Connor Mills has very cleverly found a way to differentiate his work from the other three and show that he can match each and every one of them, utilising that entire range of skills to beat ANYONE.

So is Connor Mills the Most Dangerous Man In RevPro? This Mark thinks so. Watch his matches closely - the details are there - he has EVERYTHING.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Michael Oku has felt that for nine months, since dethroning the undefeated, undefeated, UNDEFEATED Great O Khan at our last visit to York Hall for Epic Encounter 2023. That night Oku had the responsibility of carrying the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship laid bare to him, first by Connor Mills who confronted the champion, and then by Trent Seven who took him down with the 7 Star Lariat and left Bethnal Green with the championship belt.

Ever since then, the champion has had to watch his back. Quite literally, in fact, as at the 11th Anniversary Show at the Copper Box Arena, 'The Vulture' Spike Trivet made his RevPro debut, appearing behind Oku after the champion had finally put Trent Seven behind him. Trivet made his intentions clear but has been preoccupied ever since - he has had to earn the right to challenge the champion and that led to a heated, personal rivalry with Robbie X, which has then developed into the grudge feud with Sha Samuels that culminates in a fortnight at St Neots Priory Centre. However, you have to believe that 'The Most Hated Man In Europe' is coming for the Revolution Pro Wrestling British Heavyweight Championship.

At Uprising 2023, Oku had to face a man whose pedigree, history and global accomplishments meant he did not have to earn the right to face the champion, Liverpool's Number 1, Zack Gibson. Oku survived the threat, only to be challenged by the 'Aerial Assassin' Will Ospreay, a foe that the champion finally vanquished at High Stakes last month.

And now next up the champion has to overcome 'El Capitan', Leyton Buzzard, who he faces at Revolution Rumble March 31st, Easter Sunday, at York Hall. Buzzard comes with back up in the form of Brett Semtex, one of the most dangerous men in RevPro and a man who has already taken Oku to his limits last month in Sheffield. Buzzard also comes into that bout with experience on his side, experience that few men have; that experience of pinning Michael Oku in RevPro over the last twelve months. In fact, Buzzard has had his hand raised not once, not twice but three times over the champion so far in his career. Buzzard got the controversial win over Oku last Summer after Oscar Harding overturned Oku's submission victory at the 229. That followed tag team victory over Oku when he partnered Will Kaven to defeat the 'Master of the Half Crab' and Cameron Khai. Then, last time out, it was Buzzard who eliminated Oku from the Revolution Tag main event. Buzzard has everything needed to be the man to dethrone our champion and has the first opportunity to do so.

We can't look past the facts, though, and Leyton Buzzard eliminated Michael Oku AFTER Ricky Knight Jr took the champion out with some intended friendly fire following some far less international. Oku accidentally hit RKJ with a Superkick, only for RKJ to lose his cool and hit the champion with a Kishi Driver. But, then again, RKJ has never hidden from the fact that he considers himself the Uncrowned British Heavyweight Champion; he was never defeated for the title after he beat Will Ospreay for it at the 10th Anniversary Show and only lost his title when Zak Knight, RKJ's uncle and chosen substitute, had to defend it on his behalf, something that no other champion has had to deal with whilst injured. Ricky had the chance to win it back at Revolution Rumble last year but could not, not because of his own limitations but because of the interference from Rampage Brown and The Legion. RKJ is coming for HIS belt - it is just a matter of time.

And speaking of the Revolution Rumble, we have two men on a collision course for Michael Oku going one on one in what will be a Match of the Year contender. Michael Oku's Destination Everywhere tag team partner Connor Mills faces the man who defeated Oku for the Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship in Luke Jacobs. The winner goes in to the Revolution Rumble main event and, whoever wins, has my vote to win the entire Rumble. If that is the case, then we have another Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship contender. Jacobs Vs Mills will be incredible - guaranteed. It will be the match of the night and we will be discussing it at the end of the year. Why am I so confident of that? Because the pair have an incredible chemistry and the ultimate clash of styles with enough similarities and differences between them to make for the perfect puro contest. Stiff Strongstyle, technical mastery and the speed, athleticism and explosiveness to get the York Hall crowd off their feet. Not convinced, watch Live In Sheffield from February and you will see what this match promises.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown and the champion Michael Oku has huge amounts of work to do to keep that crown going into RevPro's trip to Barcelona, into Fantastica Mania U.K. and onto the 12th Anniversary Show on August 24th. Whether it is Leyton Buzzard, Spike Trivet, RKJ, Connor Mills or Luke Jacobs - the challenges are coming and the six-star-man has his work cut out to keep them at bay.