Welcome back to Timebomb and to the grand return of Fargo’s favourite wrestling company. We were back in the event centre and ready to go with six high-quality matches. We’d see returns, debuts, and more as some of the biggest in the company collided with some stiff competition. Across six matches we’d see, Devon Monroe return to take on Kidd Bandit, Masha Slamovich vs Kevin Ku, Ariya Daivari taking on Arik Cannon, Bryan Keith vs Jordan and in a vicious bout to be number one contender, Damon Spriggle and Frontman Jah would knock seven bells of hell out of each other for the main event spot at the champion, Dominic Garrini. It was going to be one hard-hitting night of action.

Devon Monroe defeated Kidd Bandit via Taste the Rainbow

When in doubt, start with the Protagonist. Kidd Bandit was making their Timebomb debut and what better way to welcome the ultra-agile androgynous assassin than with some Black Sexellence? Devon Monroe was back and this time was going to get to fight in a ring and not the murder basement. This was going to be super-creative and one hell of a way to kick off the action. They started with compliment-laden chain wrestling and worked up to the fast and athletic aggression they’re both known for. Bandit was throwing in comedic quips and poses whilst Monroe just tried to go for the flow and cut off that Bandit momentum. Bandit had to adapt to Monroe’s height for some of their exchanges but again, made it work as part of the rapport of the match. Even then, Monroe remained aggressive and tried to break Bandit’s arm and his neck with one hell of a Twisting Underhook Suplex. Bandit returned in kind with the Supreme Deathlock proving they were more than their kicks and spins. It didn’t end the match but it gave Monroe something to think about. He saved the crowd from a diving Bandit but they both felt the wrath of the apron as Bandit hit Sliced Bread 69. Monroe refused to stay down and caught Bandit with a counter kick before almost KO’ing them with a flipping press. Bandit gave one final burst of defiance with a Stunner but Monroe fought through to land Taste the Rainbow and took the win. The aggression of Monroe was something to fear as he’d fought through all of Bandit’s flair and murdered them. It made for an exceptionally fun opening match that got the crowd fired up and introduced the unique style of Bandit alongside someone who could keep up and compliment it. Great work all-around.

Timebomb #1 Contender fight: Damon Spriggle defeated Frontman Jah-C via Fujiwara Armbar

The stakes were up on our next battle as the humblest man in pro-wrestling, Damon Spriggle was out to bag himself a title shot. The problem was, he was in the ring with a Frontman on the rise, A Wizard of the Word and the Ring, the one-and-only loudmouth Frontman Jah-C. This was going to be no easy feat for either guy and even if they did win, Dominic Garrini was lurking in the main event, ready to kill. Hell, he’d even taken a front-row seat in the entranceway to get a better view of his victim. Oh boy, what a show he got to see. This was bloody awesome. It came from humble beginnings with a battle of personalities and descended into a desperate battle to land the killing blow. Spriggle seemed to have Jah’s number early on but some clever stalling and use of the environment put the Frontman on top and left Spriggle vulnerable. Throughout the whole match, it was almost impossible to pin down the winner. There was a continuous back-and-forth beatdown with neither guy keeping control for very long and always having a counter. Jah is insanely good in the ring but he was punked out in the late game by Spriggle going limp, leaving him open to a Saito and a lengthy spell in the Humble Fujiwara. This is one to sit back and watch. It was a neverending fight that just kept you guessing until the very end. Plus, we had some exceptionally funny moments when Jah’s personality bled through into the match. Spriggle might have won but Jah looked like a megastar here. His time will come, the crowd loves him, the talent is there, he just couldn’t quite outdo the humble one this time.

Ariya Daivari defeated Arik Cannon via Magic Carpet Ride

Now this one was a bit of a surprise. Ariya Daivari was one of the standouts of 205 Live when it was still kicking and now, as a free agent, he had come back to his home state and found Timebomb. He was looking to kick some ass. He was being given a proper welcome too as he was going to be fighting one of the veterans of the company and the scene in Arik Cannon, someone he knew rather well. The PBR anarchist was in for one hell of a fight here. They opened with a cautious but respectful handshake and got down to grappling. There was a heated debate on if Cannon had been pulling hair and Daivari relaxed into the match, chilling on the ropes after a knockdown. Cannon did the same and tempers started to flare, causing the intensity of the action to be upped. Daivari got pissed at Cannon’s striking and the fan’s jeers and threatened to fight them when he was done massacring Cannon. His stranglehold on the match soon loosened and Cannon was back dishing out the punishment. Daivari tried to put Cannon to sleep but each time, the PBR punk fought out, the last one with mere moments to spare. He exploded back into the match through pure adrenaline and ran into a double KO clothesline. They fought off a ten-count and began rattling each other with more hard shots but the damage was taking its toll. Cannon tried to go up top but slipped and had to use the ropes to keep Daivari at bay. Every time it looked like he had Daivari down and out, he found a way to kick out. Those efforts led to a busted knee and another target for Daivari to go for. They both missed or kicked out of finishers, with Daivari missing the Magic Carpet Ride and Cannon only getting a two-count with Total Anarchy. A second attempt at the Magic Carpet Ride also yielded a two-count. Both men were too tough to quit. Another slugfest and a third ride later, Daivari finally got the win. it had been a nasty match with both guys putting the other through an enormous amount of pain. Neither man wanted to quit but, in the end, Cannon’s body gave out. It had gotten rough and both guys were knackered but they were happy. Daivari ended the segment with a happy speech about coming back and Cannon then they clinked beers, Cannon getting to enjoy two PBRs.

Bryan Keith defeated Jordan via Soul Fire Bomb

Bring out the stiff shooters. Bryan Keith was back and his newest bounty was the outspoken, heavy-hitting Jordan. This was going to get very hard very fast but that’s just what I want to see. No prelims needed, just a pure fight. The niceties dissipated quickly as multiple unclean breaks led to a furious exchange of chops and elbows, each shot making everyone wince. Jordan used the ref as a shield and bit in Keith’s ear, using the chaos as a smokescreen for a lethal Cactus Clothesline. Even on the outside, the pair wouldn’t stop kicking the shit out of each other. They fought back to the ring and kept doing more of the same, just braining each other with more shots and kicks. It was a continuous war of attrition. The suplexes came out and Keith had an uncomfortable encounter with the ropes, leading to another lethal Jordan lariat. Even then, Jordan couldn’t stop Keith and found himself eating the Tiger Bomb. Somehow, Jordan was still breathing and fought off further damage to deliver an F5 and choke. Keith shut that down with a monstrous Uranage and had to throw himself out of the ropes to dislodge a second choke. Jordan kept going for chokes and Keith kept breaking them in the worst ways possible. Even with all that, the second the fight got back to the ring, Jordan was sending Keith into the buckles again. He was unkillable but so was Keith, refusing to stay down. Jordan went to the top and missed, giving Keith the opportunity to kick the hell out of Jordan and end him with the Soul Fire Bomb. Goddamn, this was a stiff one. Both of these guys pride themselves on their striking and proved why through this compelling and intense slug-out of a match. These guys will definitely be feeling this one in the morning.

Kevin Ku defeated Masha Slamovich via Gutwrench Double Knee Bomb

Super fight time. Kevin Ku was back and out to kick the shit out of someone. Since Violence is Forever run Timebomb, they’d picked the best of foes for him and now, we got to see him battle it out with Russian Dynamite Masha Slamovich. This could get very ugly and very brutal. They opened with a technical war, both fighters showing off their chain and grappling skills before Ku brought out the kicks. He taunted for a receipt and Slamovich gave him plenty, rocking him with blows and forcing him to hit back harder. This trend continued for some time, ramping in intensity as Slamovich started throwing Ku around in-between the slugs and kicks. Slamovich tried to put Ku to sleep and kept pulling at his hair and face for more damage, giving the rules a hearty fuck you. Ku returned in kind, picking Slamovich out of her choke and bending all sorts of limbs with ease. The chess game continued as Ku couldn’t take his eyes off Slamovich for a second as she would lock on another hold or start kicking again. Ku found his equaliser with a running knee and finally got the chance to properly wrap Slamovich up, making her feel the pain she’d put him through, all while doing it with some cocky swagger. Despite the damage to her legs and ankles, Slamovich kept kicking away and knocked Ku loopy again with back-fists and a running knee of her own. They just kept on going, chipping away at the other’s defences with more nasty strikes, kicks and submission attempts until Ku got the win with his Gutwrench Double Knee Bomb. Fucking hell, this was the match of the night so far. A roller coaster of technicality and brutality conducted by two of the very best at their craft. It was engrossing violence full of shots that would drop lesser foes and a relentless drive to be the best. Slamovich showed out here but Ku was the one to walk away victorious showing that VIF are still in the firm hold of the company.

Timebomb Title Match: Dominic Garrini defeated Damon Spriggle via Rear-Naked Choke

Let’s get humble! Damon Spriggle was out for his second match of the night after securing his title shot earlier in the show. The Timebomb Champion, Dominic Garrini had watched him like a hawk during that bout and knew every bit of him that was hurting. There was no escape now, Spriggle was in for the fight of his life against a champ that loves to hurt people. This was tough to watch. As expected, Garrini smelled blood in the water and cut down the humble one in his tracks, subjecting him to a full-body beatdown. He chopped, kicked, slugged and threw Humble around the ring, showing no mercy, no remorse and no sign of any lingering injury. The champ was back and he was going to make an example. Spriggle exploded to life despite the champ’s best efforts but it wasn’t enough to stop the inevitable. He was able to match Garrini’s striking ferocity and even trapped him in the Fujiwara twice but he couldn’t get the champ to tap or get a pin. Garrini was always a step ahead and no matter the heart and humbleness on display, Spriggle couldn’t get the leg up. it was a mauling of the main event with Spriggle shocking everyone by kicking out of a Gotch-Style Piledriver at one before succumbing to a Muscle Buster choke combo. The heart of Timebomb had fallen to the brutally efficient and sadistic champion. The crowd were definitely up for this level of match and Garrini left a more popular champion. Despite his ban on deathmatches and no-ring combat, the company still goes on and the fans love him. Spriggle will have earned a lot of respect for his double duty and hell, he almost had the champion on multiple occasions but right now, Timebomb is Garrini’s world and everyone else is living in it.

All images courtesy of Timebomb, Isaiah Folk,