New season on horizon for Rocket Pro
MUCH ADO IN JOLIET-BASED PROMOTION
By Mike Pankow
September 6, 2024
There were plenty of cliffhangers coming out of the end of last season for Rocket Pro Wrestling.
We should learn more from the fallout of May’s “Kicks on 66” this Saturday (Sept. 7) at the season-opening “Fall Brawl” at St. Joseph Park in Southwest suburban Joliet.
Rocket Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Steve Michaels, left, is confronted by Shaq Jordan during the 4-way title match at "Kicks on 66." Jordan inexplicably helped Michaels pin Gunner Brave as Michaels retained the championship. (Photo: Mike Pankow/Windy City Slam)
“Simply Undeniable” Steve Michaels escaped last season as RPW Heavyweight Championship when he won a four-way match, which included Rocket to the Top briefcase winner Gunner Brave, when Shaq Jordan inexplicably aided Michaels in winning the match.
When Brave won the briefcase last November, many believed that momentum would carry to him to the RPW title, but the formerly beloved Jordan got in the way of those plans. While Jordan hasn’t officially joined The Undeniable, that door seems like it is open.
Michaels, meanwhile, will defend his championship in open challenge Saturday and it will be interesting to see who accepts. The imposing Michaels won the title from “Dreambreaker” Aaron Stone at Shamrock Showdown six months ago and has defended it in multiple promotions, including against former RPW Champion Quinn Whittock at Illiana Pro Wrestling over the summer.
The Undeniable came out of “Kicks on 66” stronger than ever despite THE Ryan Matthews’ loss to Maximus Orion in the main event of that show. The ringleader of The Undeniable, Damien Saint, regained sole control of the General Manager role when he defeated Turtle via countout when a masked figure held Turtle’s ankle as he tried to re-enter the ring.
The Three Rings, clockwise from top left, Machine, Max Sinister, The Ringmaster and Grin celebrate Sinister and Machine's RPW Tag Team Championship victory. (Photo: Mike Pankow/Windy City Slam)
“Fall Brawl” has a scheduled double main event, including a blockbuster RPW Tag Team Championship match with The Three Rings (Machine and Max Sinister), with manager The Ringmaster, defending against the former champions, The Final Level (Marshe Rockett and “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N.).
The Three Rings won the titles in a three-way dance at “Kicks on 66”, which also included Youth Gone Wild (Matt Creed & Tom Heisman) as The Fabulous Idols (Damien Grey and Kevin Kade) made it their mission to jump Rockett and L.O.G.A.N. with the intention of screwing The Final Level out of the belts. Grey even confirmed that was the plan during his appearance on Windy City Slam Podcast over the summer.
The other main event is the return of the 20-man Rocket Rumble with the winner becoming the inaugural RPW Zero Gravity Champion. Among the participants announced so far: Former Inter-County Champion Orion, Eric Schultz of The Undeniable, Jordan, current Inter-County Champion “Suburban German” Joseph von Jager, Grey, former RPW Tag Team Champions Brooks Berna and Damien Deschain, former RPW Champions Stone and Christian Rose, former Outer Limits Champion Brave and “Aztec Ammunition” Jesus Desafio.
Maximus Orion pins THE Ryan Matthews in the Mos Eisley street fight in the main event of "Kicks on 66" (Photo: Mike Pankow/Windy City Slam)
Matthews will have an opportunity to redeem himself to The Undeniable as he challenges Connor Hopkins for the Outer Limits Championship. Matthews will have the nefarious JBek the Paycheck in his corner. Hopkins has built some serious momentum for himself over the last couple of years as he has held the Outer Limits Championship for the last 16 months since defeating Brave at “Kicks on 66” 2023. He also became DREAMWAVE Heavyweight Champion a few months ago as well.
Jordan also has a singles match as he faces Sam Knight in a Rocket to the Top briefcase qualifying match.
The Amazing Turtle still has a score to settle with The Undeniable as he and a mystery partner square off with GM Saint and Schultz in tag team action.
Another story to keep an eye on is the apparent reformation of the complete unit of Those Damn Coyotes as Rose seemingly rejoined TDC at “Kicks on 66” following a crazy 6-man tag match when TDC defeated the trio of Hartenbower, “BuckNasty” Bucky Collins and Everette Benton. After that match, Hartenbower, Collins and Benton wanted to extract some revenge on TDC, but Rose, who was sitting at the bar watching the show, finally relented and made the save. Hopkins, Berna, Deschain and Rose embraced in the ring.
“Fall Brawl” starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Park. Doors open at 4 p.m. and seating is first come, first serve, so early arrival is recommended to get the best seats as many RPW events have sold out.
The popular “Fan Axxess” returns for the fourth time, providing an opportunity for fans to mingle with the wrestlers and get autographs and merchandise, take photos and see stage shows. “Fan Axxess” begins at 2 p.m. and will take place in the park directly behind the building.
“Kicks on 66” results
Mya Caras d. Devin August: In a match that was originally supposed to be August against his former partner Skylar Reed, August came out and wondering who his opponent might be. “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N. came out and introduced one of his prized pupils from Wrestle League, Mya Caras, who was a fan at previous RPW shows. Caras showed off an array of impressive maneuvers and scored the pinfall victory to the delight of the crowd and the chagrin of August and The Undeniable. Eric Schultz tried to hand August his briefcase, but Ref Britany Kay caught them and then Caras hit a twisting powerslam on August to get the 3-count in her RPW debut.
“Suburban German” Joseph von Jager d. “Aztec Ammunition” Jesus Desafio: In a good, short athletic match, von Jager picked up the victory over Desafio following a von Jager Bomb (aka Blue Thunder Bomb). The two Wrestle League trainees continued to prove that they’re a big part of the future in Chicagoland wrestling.
Grin d. Shaq Jordan and B.O.W.: “The Icon” Grin won the triple-threat affair when Grin pinned the massive B.O.W. after a Stunner as Jordan was a split second too late to break up the pin.
Those Damn Coyotes (Connor Hopkins, Brooks Berna & Damien Deschain) d. Hartenbower, “BuckNasty” Bucky Collins & Everette Benton: In a six-man tag-team war, TDC won when Hopkins rolled up and bridge-pinned Hartenbower after he accidentally speared Bucky Collins. Estranged Coyote “Old Evil” Christian Rose, who was invited by Nuke to be a spectator, was at the bar when Hartenbower, Collins and Benton beat down TDC after the match. Rose came down to the ring, looking conflicted and then left the main arena. He returned moments later with a chair to finally help his old TDC pals. Rose reunited with his buddies as they embraced in a group hug in the center of the ring.
RPW Championship: “Simply Undeniable” Steve Michaels (c) (w/Damien Saint) d. “Hawaiian Hitman” Koa Laxamana (w/Kallies), “Dreambreaker” Aaaon Stone and Gunner Brave: Rocket to the Top briefcase holder Gunner Brave cashed in his briefcase to turn the scheduled triple-threat bout into a four-way match when Michaels pinned Brave after outside interference from The Undeniable and some unexpected help from one Shaq Jordan, who turned heel. Jordan came out and grabbed the briefcase from the timekeeper’s table and entered the ring, appearing ready to nail Michaels with it. However, Jordan turned around and nailed Gunner with it. Michaels is stunned as Jordan leaves the ring and then decides to cover Brave to retain the championship in a shocking ending.
Damien Saint
Damien Saint d. The Amazing Turtle: In a bout to determine the sole General Manager of RPW, Saint was victorious via countout after the two men brawled outside the ring. Saint re-entered the ring, but when Turtle was on the ring apron and mysterious figure dressed in all black and a black mask appeared from under the ring and held Turtle’s ankle, preventing him from getting back into the ring and Ref Britany Kay finished her 10 count. Saint gloated, but Turtle grabbed the mic and said he was becoming an regular active wrestler on the RPW roster.
RPW Tag Team Championship: The Three Rings (Machine & Max Sinister) (w/The Ringmaster) d. The Final Level (Marshe Rockett & “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N.) and Youth Gone Wild (Matt Creed & Tom Heisman) (w/Rat J. Flywheel): Late in the match, Damien Grey and Kevin Kade of The Idols came out and attacked The Final Level, taking them out of the match, leading to Machine pinning Tom Heisman after a double-team slam as The Three Rings won the titles. Machine, Sinister and The Ringmaster celebrated and then were joined by stablemate Grin. … Before the main event, Shawn Danger, dressed in a Jedi cloak, came out with a case out of Old Style and tried giving ringside fans some beers, but the now sole GM Damien Saint came out and put a stop to it.
May the Fourth Be With You Mos Eisley Street Fight: Maximus Orion d. THE Ryan Matthews (w/JBek the Paycheck): In a rivalry that spanned from Fornite battles and sneak attacks, Orion picked up the victory. The match featured a brawl all over the arena and included a lightsaber duel in the ring. Late in the match, Orion calls for Tombstone Piledriver and as he goes for the move, Eric Schultz of The Undeniable runs down and pulls Matthews out of the ring. The Undeniable attacks Orion and with RPW Champion Steve Michaels as the main catalyst, they Shield Bomb Orion through the table. As The Undeniable goes for the kill, the lights go out and Orion’s former friend and former rival, “The Real Deal” Rion Skillz comes out and cleans house, leaving Matthews in the ring with Orion. Orion takes a watch out of his pocket and tosses it to Skillz, who puts it on his fist and nails Matthews with it, leading to a chokeslam by Orion and a 3 count. Skillz and Maximus celebrated to close the show as The Undeniable slithered up the ramp and backstage.
Check out over 150 photos from “Kicks on 66” and “Fan Axxess” from May 2024 at this gallery: https://www.windycityslam.com/rocket-pro-wrestling-kicks-on-66-2024.
Catch Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow talking local and national pro wrestling every week with Chicago-area wrestling guests on Windy City Slam Podcast, part of the Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network. Episodes drop early Tuesday morning wherever you download podcasts or at https://windycityslam.podbean.com/.
We are looking for guests to appear on future episodes of the Windy City Slam Podcast! Please contact Mike at mikepankow@windycityslam.com, message him on Facebook, or DM him on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter).
