McXal's Reviews

SHIMMER booked so much talent for this weekend that it almost goes without saying that the card for this show looks enticing on paper. To Dave Prazak's credit, alongside the slew of big name Joshi talents and the main event names on the core roster like Melissa, Mercedes and Del Rey he has consistently been committed to developing new talents. It is why the Canadian NINJAs are such staples of the product now. The Aussie trio of Madison Eagles, Jessie McKay and Kellie Skater are all core parts of the roster. Now the 'next generation' are getting their SHIMMER opportunities too, with the likes of Mia Yim, Athena, Britani Knight, Davina Rose, Leva Bates, Courtney Rush and Christina Von Eerie all featured on the card. The two headline bouts at the top of this show could be SHIMMER classics as well - with Madison defending the title against Hiroyo Matsumoto in the main event slot right above a dream match pitting Sara Del Rey against Kana. Throw in a Tag Title clash pitting new champs Ayumi Kurihara and Ayako Hamada against the Knight Dynasty plus Nicole Matthews and Serena Deeb in a grudge match too and we could be in for a really enjoyable show. Dave Prazak and Portia Perez will bring us commentary, and we are as usual taped in Berwyn, IL.

There isn't much history to this, but Mercedes is good value when it comes to roughing up the hot new talents coming through SHIMMER, whilst Bates is already a popular babyface character meaning these two should mesh well. Martinez is already 1-0 for the taping after beating Davina Rose at V41, and is down here at the bottom of the card because she was unable to beat Madison Eagles for the SHIMMER Title back at V37. Just as they have done in her career before, she needs to put a consolidated winning streak together to get back into championship contention. 

Mercedes seems to enjoy Leva's cosplay gimmick as much as the fans and can't stop smiling about it during her entrance. As she is dressed as Cyclops from X-Men she makes a big show about removing her 'protective glasses'...and motions that she is starting the match with her eyes closed. Before they've locked up she also asks Mercedes what her superpower is - which is apparently throwing fireballs. Bates repels it with her 'force field' - and it's so strong that Martinez can't even chop through it! Eventually Leva 'deactivates' her force field and is instantly mowed to the ground by a running axehammer smash. Amusingly Mercedes also pokes her in the yes just in case she does have Cyclops' optic ray beam. It's interesting that Martinez plays right on the edge of the rules. For all her willingness to make jokes with Leva in the early going, she is now vicious - raking eyes, gouging nostrils and even knee dropping her opponent right across the throat. Leva counters the Bull Run with a kick to the head and a flipping neckbreaker...but can't get close to hitting her finishing move before Martinez kills her dead with a gutbuster/Bull Run combo at 05:58

Rating - ** - This was light, fun and a completely understandable choice of match to begin the show - especially with SHIMMER's format of taping two Volumes per day. Leva needs to be careful in how she presents herself with this jovial, cosplaying, comic book nerd character. It is lovable, entertaining and clearly resonates with the fanbase...but here I felt like the gimmick completely outshone her wrestling skill. She has demonstrated in her previous SHIMMER matches that she has a lot of potential and doesn't necessarily need to work entirely as a comedy character - as was the case here. Martinez was great to watch as usual, playing along with Leva for a while then completely destroying her. BUT, I felt like there was a better match to be had here than a six-minute comedy squash. 

We saw the set-up for this at Volume 41. Cruise announced in a promo that she was taking Mena under her wing to mentor her just as she'd received tutelage from Wesna Busic in the past. Their first act as a duo was to attack newcomers Hailey Hatred and Kalamity after their competitive debut match against each other. Hatred and Kalamity dished out real beatings when they opposed each other, but reached a position of mutual respect and now team up in a shared desire for payback on their V41 assailants.

Hatred lives up to her name and kicks the sh*t out of Cruise from the bell, eventually violently ejecting her from the ring. Melanie has the height advantage but looks completely outgunned as Hatred strikes at her with ferocity, rapidity and accuracy. Libra has a go too, and despite a few stutters and miscommunications largely suffers the same fate. Hailey and Kalamity hit a flurry of corner strikes on the hapless Mena, ensuring they are able to isolate her from Cruise for a beating. Kalamity has a battery of real awesome looking strikes...but doesn't keep an eye on the ropes as Melanie attacks her from behind to turn the match in her team's favour. Cruise and Libra hit a fun wind-up spinning sidewalk slam combo for 2, setting Kalamity up for the Cruise Control. Seconds later Melanie hits a dire version of the Cruise Control...as Mena hits the Ambassador Bridge on Hatred. The same move on Kalamity sees Mena and her partner take the win at 07:06

Rating - * - The start of this match which saw Hailey and Melanie go at it was really interesting. Sadly from there this got progressively less interesting. And whilst it was the sensible choice to but Cruise and Libra - a new team who are US-based - over Hailey (based in Japan) and Kalamity (based in Canada) it did feel flat given how much the two newcomers had gotten over thanks to their V41 bout. 

If you needed a reminder of SHIMMER's seemingly unique ability to draw female wrestling talent from all over the world then this match surely serves as one. Australia's Kellie Skater meets Japan's Tomoka Nakagawa meets Canada's LuFisto meets the US' former SHIMMER Champion MsChif. The former champ is still looking to recover after dropping the belt to Eagles and then suffering a serious shoulder injury at the next taping. Tomoka is experiencing similar issues, having lost the Tag Titles at the previous show and seen her tag partner Daizee Haze quit the company. LuFisto (like MsChif) wasn't booked for V41 and despite being one of the most popular performers in SHIMMER still isn't necessarily a regular. Skater is the one with the most to gain here, standing across the ring from three more established talents knowing a big win over any of them will boost her stock massively.

Is SHIMMER having a dress-up party this weekend? After Leva earlier, now we have LuFisto dressed as the pink Power Ranger and MsChif in Freddy Krueger-inspired gear. Skater trying to buddy up with her future 3G partner Nakagawa is pretty fun...as is Tomoka heel-ing up by grabbing Pegaboo and threatening to eat her in front of LuFi. Skater enjoyed that too, until unfortunately they both eat a cannonball/Panic Attack combo from MsChif and LuFisto in the corner. Insane head and arm-capture suplex from Fisto to Nakagawa comes next, leaving her in position for a standing moonsault from Chif. Kellie and Tomoka join forces to stave off their opponents meaning we get a few really fun moments of 3G foreshadowing. Hilariously they botch an attempt to high five each other before getting obliterated by a flying crossbody from Lu. TRIPLE SUBMISSION ON LUFISTO by everyone! LUFISTO COUNTERS WITH A TRIPLE SUPLEX! Throat chop on Kellie! Naka hits the Fisherman Suplex on Skater for 2 before MsChif saves with the Desecrator! LuFisto breaks the pin! Burning Hammer blocked...so Skater hits the former champ with Skate & Destroy. Kellie and LuFi beat the sh*t out of each other and don't see Nakagawa sneak up on MsChif, spit water in her face then pin her with the 120% School Boy - giving her a shock win over the former champion at 05:21

Rating - *** - Well this was a riot. I could have happily lived with neither of the first two matches existing and these four women opening the show. It was only five minutes long, but packed with spots and full of genuinely fun moments. All four are charismatic to varying degrees, but in hugely contrasting manners and the interplay between these characters was enjoyable to watch play out. Skater and Nakagawa giving some early glimpses as to what their team would offer was welcome. LuFisto's oddly likeable mix of cuteness and violence played well with everyone she was in the ring with. MsChif looked like she was having fun as well, and it in taking the fall SHIMMER uses her status as a former champion to immediately make Tomoka a player in the singles division again (after her team with Daizee dissolved at Volume 41). Certainly not one for the purists but I find it hard to believe that an open-minded wrestling fan wouldn't find something to like about this...

Amber Gertner is backstage with Cheerleader Melissa, who voices her annoyance that Madison Eagles continues to insist that she isn't a worthy challenger for the title. Melissa says she is going to keep beating people until it becomes impossible to deny her...

Pre-Rosemary era Courtney Rush feels extremely weird to watch in 2019. She was impressive in her debut weekend on the main roster at the last taping but lost all of her matches. She clearly did enough to catch the eye of SHIMMER officials though, as she is only the second person (after Sara Del Rey) to face Ohka in a SHIMMER ring. Yumi was competitive but came up short against Sara at Volume 41 and won't want to wait any longer for her first win in this promotion.

Yumi looks pumped and wastes no time in battering Rush to the ground with elbows and forearms. Portia informs us that this is Rush's first time working a Japanese competitor, and that sequence was a rough introduction. Ohka keeps coming - obliterating her in the corner with the running mafia kick in the corner. Bloody Ex applied, looking to force a submission on the young Courtney. It's too early, but damage has been done to her midsection which Yumi looks to exploit with a slingshot elbow drop to the ribs. Rush musters up a vertical suplex to counter another dive off the top...so Ohka MAFIA KICKS HER AGAIN! BACK DROP DRIVER! Courtney is earning plenty of respect by continuing to get back up in the face of this punishment. She blocks Ohka's Tiger Suplex into a T-bone suplex of her own for 2. Clotheslines into a Slingblade by Rush...which Ohka defies and boots her head off once more! But still Courtney won't quit and levels the Joshi star again with a DDT. Skyward Suplex blocked into a chokebomb from Yumi...and that gets her the win at 07:06

Rating - *** - I actually preferred this to Yumi's match with Del Rey. That match was a higher profile match worked in more of a 'main event' style, but for excitement, drama, athleticism and performance this one was far better. Ohka looked a different wrestler, appearing pumped from the opening bell and trying to f*ck up Rush throughout. She looked brutal at times, which made Courtney's defiance all the more impressive. Both women needed to look good here - Ohka to stand out more than she did with Sara and Rush to back up how good she looked at the last taping. They put together the perfect match to spotlight them correctly. 

This is more build to the blow-off in the feud between Portia and Serena Deeb. It was mentioned when she debuted at V41 that Davina (better known as Bayley in the WWE) has been mentored by Deeb. That obviously draws the ire of Serena's rival Perez - who will be looking to make an example of her enemy's protege in this match. Davina gave as good as she got in a competitive debut against Mercedes Martinez - now she'd love to support her friend with a win in this one...

Portia points out that Deeb lost her title shot and offers to show Davina what a 'real role model' looks like...and then invites Serena out to watch the match from ringside. Rose refuses to be pushed around and a huge smile breaks out on Deeb's face as her protege takes it to Portia with her own signature armdrags. Portia takes the match to the ground and goes after Rose's throat and neck viciously - whilst of course taking time to gesture in Serena's direction. It is as focused and crisp as I've seen Perez in several Volumes; she looks superb in her sustained attack on Davina. The newcomer somehow lands a DDT...so Portia drags her to the ground for straight up mounted punches! She tries to hit Deeb's Spear, but Davina dodges it. Superkick instead, leaving her in position for Just Facelock. Rose taps at 06:05

Rating - *** - The future Bayley is 2-for-2 in really enjoyable undercard bouts from her SHIMMER career thus far. This was different from the Mercedes match, but still easy to follow and well executed. Portia looked as good here as she has in ages. Sometimes her big personality and heel character tend to overshadow her, and her matches suffer as a result - and she has been left behind by Nicole Matthews when it comes to delivering top level performances in a SHIMMER ring. This version of Portia Perez, however, was fantastic. She was violent, calculating, logical...all while telling a story and maintaining her heel heat. I was really impressed by both women in this, it was far better than I'd expected. 

Portia refuses to let go of the hold, so Serena charges the ring and gets into a fight with her. Nicole Matthews runs in for a save - so Deeb challenges her to a match later in the show.

Hiroyo Matsumoto cuts a promo (in English) to call herself the best wrestler in Japan, and proclaim herself ready to take the belt back to Japan with her...

Nevaeh aligned herself with Stephie at an AAW show before these tapings, and brought her new attitude into SHIMMER as well by first disrespecting and then beating her former partner Ashley Lane at the last show. Both Nevaeh and Stephie have struggled to make an impact in SHIMMER recently so will of course be looking to topple SHIMMER originals Ariel and Nikki Roxx.

Ohio Girls 2.0 attack before the bell only to be sent packing then spend almost a minute hiding on the floor. Ariel retrieves Stephie and mauls her...so Nevaeh attacks her from outside the ring. Ultra-botched diving neckbreaker spot by Sassy gets 2 and hands the advantage back to the new Ohio duo. Everything Ariel and Stephie do together looks dreadful - with your next example being a laughable facelock takedown from Steph, using it as a set-up for a Last Chancery. Ariel lands a scruffy powerslam but can't get to her corner to tag Nikki in. The hot tag finally comes, and Roxx flies into the ring with the Cutie Special on Sassy. Roxx and Stephie keep brawling until Steph takes her out of commission on the outside. Double clothesline from Nevaeh and Stephie is enough to beat Ariel at 05:58

Rating - DUD - This was an enormous mess. Stephie fluffed her lines badly in her first SHIMMER appearance since the big turn angle, and Ariel's time in SHIMMER is up. It was clear for all to see that the standard of wrestling in this promotion probably had passed Ariel by at this point - sweet and nice though she may be. She was left badly exposed and didn't have the chops to help a malfunctioning Stephie out. Roxx and Nevaeh were the more accomplished wrestlers, but they unfortunately spend the vast majority of the match not involved. The logic of booking this was sound (new heel team versus veteran, enduringly popular babyface team), but the match really did tank...

Sara Del Rey calls Kana out for disrespecting and ignoring her when she arrived for Volume 41. They spent months living and training together in Japan so have plenty of history, so Del Rey thinks that Kana's 'World Famous' attitude has gotten to her head on American soil. She accuses Kana of only having beaten a 'rookie' in SHIMMER (Mia Yim) and reminds her that she has been crushing people in this company since the first show...

CVE made her debut at the last taping and was extremely impressive. She won her debut match against Sara Del Rey (admittedly via count-out) then went on to put up spirited performances in losing efforts against Sara and Mercedes Martinez. She showed real potential...but this weekend has to find a way to beat a motivated and intimidating Melissa. She thinks Madison Eagles is ducking her, so is on the hunt for big wins and title shots...

Melissa is in unreal shape for this weekend, has slightly more traditional wrestling gear and looks to control the pace with a methodical mat-based approach (despite plenty of resistance from Christina). It means the first few minutes doesn't feel tremendously exciting but is loaded with work-rate. Von Eerie refuses to let herself be held down and worked over so fights the SHIMMER original at every turn. If Melissa tries a chinlock, CVE finds a way to counter it. If Melissa throws kicks on the mat then Christina works out a way to strike back. Tempers flare at the five minute mark with each woman throwing elbows at the other then seeing Melissa dump her opponent on her face. Modified version of the Kondo Clutch next, forcing Von Eerie to make a painful crawl to the ropes. Air Raid Crash countered to Dead Rising by CVE for 2. Melissa has to fight out of a cobra clutch - finally breaking it with a running splash and knocking the wind out of Von Eerie's sail. She still fights the Air Raid Crash - then gets in Melissa's face to go toe-to-toe in a strike battle with her. Curb Stomp by Cheerleader! KUDO DRIVER NAILED! Of course, Melissa is the victor at 09:22

Rating - *** - I don't think this will be anyone's favourite match of the weekend, but it was solid enough. I loved the evenly-matched tone they struck, with Christina constantly able to match whatever Melissa was trying to do. This wasn't the best Melissa beating on a newcomer match, nor was it the best match to get Christina over as a rising star - and it's the fact that it is stuck awkwardly somewhere between the two which makes it a slight disappointment. Melissa needing to break out the Kudo Driver does put CVE over hard however.

Here we have a battle between three young women who are all extremely talented and all have a huge future in the business. Athena was one of the best performers at the last SHIMMER weekend - all three of her matches were great, in particular her bout with Jessie on Volume 40. Putting those two back into the same ring together should be fun, and they are joined by young Mia Yim who is fresh off getting her butt handed to her by Kana on V41. Being trusted for Kana's debut was a big demonstration in how much faith Dave had in Yim to do big things. She, like Athena, needs wins if she wants to rise up the card. McKay has tasted SHIMMER main events before...but has been on the decline recently and will want to redress that slide quickly.

Athena is still loud-mouthed and extremely aggressive...and tries to pick a fight with McKay right away. It allows Yim to get the jump on both of them with kicks. Jessie shuts Mia down with an Octopus Stretch...until Athena cranks a sleeper hold onto the Australian at the same time. Mia and Athena take turns kicking each other as hard as possible, taking their eyes off McKay who dives at both of them with a crossbody. They try to roll through...so McKay holds on for a swinging DDT on Yim. Handspring SLAP from Athena to McKay! They chase each other up the ropes...so Jessie slaps Athena into a powerbomb from Mia. Boyfriend Stealer blocked...SCHOOL GIRL CRUSH instead! Yim is down, as Athena levels Jessie with a Sick Kick. SKY YIM MISSES! O-FACE NAILED BY ATHENA! She pins Mia at 04:54

Rating - *** - I'm torn between being slightly grumpy that this incredibly talented trio were barely allocated five minutes bell time, but also enthused by how hard they worked and determined they were to pack those five minutes with good sh*t. Mia looked better here than she did in the match with Kana. Jessie and Athena are arguably more established, but she hung with them comfortably. The athleticism of Athena continues to amaze me too. Dave Prazak calls this the 'future of SHIMMER's main event scene' and whilst none of them would be SHIMMER Champion, he was dead on the money about the potential the three of them possessed.

Earlier in the night Serena accused Nicole of getting in her business with Portia and making this personal. It is, of course, an extension of the Deeb/Perez feud, but don't think that Nicole won't be looking at this match through ambitious eyes either. Serena Deeb is a big name in SHIMMER and a former WWE talent. Matthews will be well aware of what victory over her would mean for her own career too...

Deeb is a little too smiley for my taste (considering the feud situation and her title loss at the previous show), but the opening minute is loaded with competitive physicality as they struggle for superiority on the canvas. Serena hits her signature armdrags early as a prelude to going after Nicole's arm. Matthews looks to use her height and power to overcome that strategy but just can't get Serena off her arm. It forces her to take desperate measures - hitting a couple of reverse neckbreakers over the knee, followed by a surfboard then a succession of knees into the back and neck. Now it is Deeb who is clearly hurt - she swings wild strike attempts which miss by miles as the Canadian repeatedly picks her off. She does manage to drive her shoulder into Nicole's ribs though, which obviously leaves her vulnerable to the Spear. A big gutbuster comes next...but then Nicole literally propels her entire body in Serena's direction in an ugly ass counter to the Spear, eventually converting to a northern lights for 2 (and bloodying her nose in the process). Lion Tamer grinds on Deeb's injured back again but she can't force Serena to submit. Deeb teases the Spear through the ropes, but then as Matthews braces for impact on that Deeb brilliantly slides through her legs and sweeps her off the apron instead! Portia Perez leaves commentary and trots through the curtain to lurk ominously in Serena's eyeline...eventually distracting her so Nicole can hit the Vancouver Manoeuvre. Matthews gets a huge win at 14:15

Rating - *** - These two got more time than anyone else on this show, so they were clearly being set up to have one of the best matches on the card. To that end, I don't think this was quite the epic match they were going for. It had some obvious misfires, some truly awful selling, a load of arm-work by Deeb in the first half which went nowhere and was clearly only there to fill time...then a controversial finish as well. Neither Serena or Nicole had their best showing here. Perhaps this is an occasion where their exploits at the first show taped on this day counted against them. They were both in high profile matches then, with Deeb putting her body through hell in pursuit of the SHIMMER Title in the V41 main event. 

Davina Rose comes out to check on Serena Deeb...so the NINJAs grab her to put a beating on her. Referees (and eventually members of the roster) are needed to separate everyone as Deeb, Rose, Perez and Matthews brawl. They have heels like Kellie Skater, Sassy Stephie and Athena out there with babyfaces like Mia Yim, Leva Bates, and Jessie McKay to put over the ferocity of the Deeb/Portia feud. Serena challenges Portia to a No Holds Barred Match on Volume 43...

Hamada and Ayumi were the recipients of a courageous decision by the SHIMMER crew when they refused to allow Daizee Haze and Tomoka Nakagawa to sit out Volume 41. They were forced to honour their 'contractual obligation' to defend the belts, and were subsequently defeated by rivals-turned-partners Ayako and Ayumi. The new champions are two of the most skilled workers on the roster and perhaps the most dangerous Tag Champions this company has had. But 'dangerous' could also be used to describe Saraya Knight, one half of the challengers this evening. The Knights are unpredictable, chaotic and create mayhem every time they are in front of an audience...but they are having problems. Rebecca Knox is gone, and Saraya seems to be frustrated at the attitude and actions of her precocious daughter Britani. Can they get it together to give us yet another SHIMMER Tag Title change in quick succession?

As if Saraya's entrances couldn't get anymore wild, tonight she decides to make out with a fan on the way in. Her complete disgust at the streamers for the Joshi girls is all kinds of entertaining too. The Knights spent literal minutes arguing with the audience rather than starting the match - so much so that Hamada lies down in the corner for a nap. Ayako is the one who starts with Sweet Saraya though, and they are INTENSE with each other. Hamada isn't remotely intimidated by the British veteran's antics and puts the boots to her early. The impact and force behind even basic body slam spots between the two senior partners in their respective teams is a joy to watch. Britani doesn't really want to accept her mother's tag but is forced into doing so. Hamada is f*cking BRUTAL with her, full-on beating her out of the ring with a flurry of strikes...so Saraya THROWS HER BACK! GERMAN SUPLEX by Ayako! Kurihara gets a tag and starts destroying Paige as well - driving her out of the ring again with violent dropkicks. Once again Saraya tosses her back - into a double dropkick from the champs! Poor Britani is being decimated! Ayumi signals for the Missile Death Kick, and although Britani creditably tries to block it, Hamada drags her back. Moonsault by Hamada...but Britani gets her feet up! Victory roll attempt, but Hamada holds her for a SLIDING DROPKICK by Kurihara! Saraya is literally refusing a tag and watching her daughter brutalised. Ligerbomb by Hamada...only for Britani to kick out. AP CROSS! She pins the younger Knight for the win at 07:51

Rating - *** - It wasn't the best wrestling match of course, but for entertainment value these four just stole the show. There was SO much to enjoy here from Hamada and Saraya's take no bullsh*t veterans battle, to Ayako and Ayumi's complete destruction of Britani, to the entertaining mother/daughter dynamic at play between the Knights...plus some real fighting spirit and toughness shown by the future-Paige. 

Saraya furiously berates Britani and calls her a disappointment to the Knight family. She calls her 'unwanted' then walks out in one final blaze of arguments with front row fans...

As with every big name Joshi star that has come into SHIMMER, this would be the big money clash for Kana in this company. Her inevitable battle with the first ever SHIMMER Champion, the ace of SHIMMER and the woman who built the company on her back - Sara Del Rey. As we've heard, there is a personal element to this too since Sara and Kana have both lived and trained together in Japan - but Kana is now 'World Famous' and therefore does not want to associate with Sara. This could get nasty...

Kana shows no emotion during her entrance and the introductions. She is clearly motivated to takedown SHIMMER's top gun - and quickly grounds her with a kneebar forcing Del Rey to scurry for the ropes. Both women are keen to work the mat since Kana feels it will negate Del Rey's strength whilst Sara knows it downplays Kana's strike and speed edge. Sara tries to pound on her opponent, but Kana takes her best shots and almost traps her in a cross armbreaker. Sara takes note and soon after tries to apply the same hold back to her opponent with similarly minimal success as once again Kana converts to a leg submission. Once again Sara acknowledges what Kana tries and takes it up a notch; landing a knee-DT on her then switching it to a half crab. Big boots from Del Rey who is now starting to mark her turf. She ties Kana in the ropes for a flurry of kicks to her exposed jaw then bundles her into the metal guardrails. Kana keeps trying leg submissions to thwart Sara's progress...so Sara hammers her with elbows. No sold for the rope-run missile dropkick by Kana! But Del Rey drops her again with another big boot. Elbows by Kana...into a crushing roundhouse kick for 2. Only for Sara to counter a back fist with a close range punt to the face again. Rope run dropkick attempted again but this time COUNTERED with a capo kick. Royal Butterfly blocked...GERMAN SUPLEX by Kana! NO SOLD! Kicks by Kana...Sara won't go down! KICK FLURRY GETS 2! Kana Lock blocked and now it's Del Rey's turn to hit a German suplex. She maintains the bridge...but then Kana counters her to a kimura. Sara tries to counter that  by standing...so Kana counters right back INTO THE KANA LOCK! THE REF STOPS THE MATCH! KANA JUST CHOKED OUT DEATH REY! It's over at 13:57. 

Rating - **** - This wasn't the match I thought I'd see, but it was f*cking awesome. It wasn't the all-out sh*tkicking war you might hope for, but I thought it was sensational. Every move and hold was a serious struggle, loaded with pride, determination and a ferocious competitive edge. Kana has entered SHIMMER hell-bent on backing up her 'World Famous' moniker. She wasn't here to play games or appease the fans - her mission was to take down the ace of SHIMMER. Everything she did oozed quiet, laser-focused determination to destroy Sara at her own game, in her own company. But Del Rey was every bit as motivated. Having felt disrespected by Kana's attitude, Del Rey was trying to make an example of her. From first bell to last, everything Kana tried Sara would do seconds later trying to one-up her. The middle portion of this match was Del Rey bullying Kana - beating her around ringside and cockily using strikes (one of Kana's core weapons) to make an example of her. Sara does lose slightly more often now - but to have Kana so swiftly and decisively choke her into unconsciousness felt like a huge deal. It felt like a moment in SHIMMER history - 'World Famous' Kana came in from Japan and took down SHIMMER's top star. Can anyone else stop her? And that feeds brilliantly into Kana's match tomorrow night with another SHIMMER original! 

Having choked Sara out Kana's expression immediately changes. She smiles broadly, she pumps her fists and roars triumphantly to the fans. With no words and just her body language she does a phenomenal job of playing up how much the win means to her.

Nicknamed the 'Lady Destroyer', whilst Hiroyo's record in SHIMMER isn't flawless, she has been a consistently dangerous opponent and has racked up plenty of wins lately to earn this opportunity. The champ, meanwhile, continues to rise to every challenge placed before her and in terms of consistent, high-quality matches, could arguably be the best of the SHIMMER Champions so far. Her match against Serena Deeb was an absolute classic...but does mean she comes into this battle-weary. She has been champion for a while now, and somewhere along the line every champion winds up feeling the pressure of having to stave off high quality opposition every single show...

Hiroyo puts the title over by appearing noticeably less smiley than she normally does, opting to get deadly serious in pursuit of the belt. Madison tries to use her size to keep Matsumoto at arms-length, but is tossed out of the ring by the challenger. They lay in the elbow strikes hard, then it's Hiroyo's turn to take a spill off the apron. This is just a fight...which works out badly for Eagles as she swings a kick at the challenger and rattles her shin against the ringpost. The brawl continues in the crowd as Matsumoto avalanches Madison into the wall of the Eagles Club! Eagles can only crawl back to the ring...where Matsumoto is cocked, loaded and ready to unleash more strikes. The champ wisely tries to make this more of a wrestling match and takes Hiroyo to the mat for some submissions. The arm is the focal point of her offence - attempting to reduce the effectiveness of the strikes and Back Drop Driver her opponent likes to use. As the challenger becomes more and more injured, so Eagles confidence visibly starts to grow. But she can't put Matsumoto away and is powerless to prevent the rebound double knee strike into her ribs. Gutbuster countered...but even with the rights held illegally Madison can't get a win. She lands a brainbuster, but that only gets 2 as well. Back Drop Driver blocked...Hell Bound blocked too. Both women collapse to the ground completely exhausted from their exploits this evening. Eagles gets the adrenaline rush and powers Hiroyo into the corner...only for challenger to march back out with a powerbomb for 2. HELL BOUND! Eagles retains at 12:53

Rating - *** - The first half of this, with both women fighting like hell and brawling all over the building, was really good. But from the moment Hiroyo made the slightly odd choice to abandon the crowd fight and return to the ring it fell away. The intensity subsided, Madison's offensive run on the challenger felt a little out of focus...and the finish felt extremely sudden. There was lots I liked about this, but I wish they'd have kept up the pace and tone of the first half of the match - it made for compelling viewing. 

Tape Rating - *** - This didn't feel like it was as good as Volume 41, but as I've said multiple times - there is so much talent booked this weekend that it is almost impossible for the shows not to be decent. This was still of a very strong standard - with the Del Rey/Kana match standing out above everything else for me. The issue was that I didn't feel the show was as well-paced as V41. There were a slew of five minute sprints one after another, a completely skippable first half hour of the show which could've been cut to give the rest of the roster more time, a really poor midcard tag match...and also a number matches which I felt had potential but didn't quite reach a level I'd expected of them (Serena/Nicole, Madison/Hiroyo and Melissa/CVE all strike me as examples of that). It is still very much an easy watch and another strong instalment into the SHIMMER video series - just not quite as well balanced as the show from earlier that day...

3) Madison Eagles vs Hiroyo Matsumoto (***)

2) Ayako Hamada/Ayumi Kurihara vs The Knight Dynasty (***)

1) Kana vs Sara Del Rey (****)