Catching up with REW: Recapping the last few episodes of Pakistan’s first pro wrestling TV show
It’s been a while since we checked in with Revolution Eastern Wrestling out of Karachi, Pakistan and their historic first weekly pro wrestling television program in Pakistan, Venus War.
Without further ado, let’s take a look back at the last few weeks of REW TV starting with episode 4.
Episode four starts out with an injured REW Asian Champion XMAK being tended to by a trainer following the attack he suffered at the hands of Hawkberg in episode 3. It’s then announced that an injured XMAK will be forced to defend his title against Hawkberg in episode 4. The first match of the night was the only non-title match of the show. It featured Green Cheetah facing off with The Kion with Lucha Goblin serving as the special guest referee. The dark and frightening Kion ended up getting the victory with a submission in a short match.
The show’s second match featured an REW Eastern Championship defense from Jordan Hurr as he took on White Cobra. The two went back and forth and at times it looked as if Jordan Hurr may be in trouble. However, Jordan was eventually able to hit his Playmaker finishing maneuver and get the pin, hanging on to his REW Eastern Championship.
In the next bout, Ahmed Boyka would defend his REW Ring of Slam World Heavyweight Championship against Nawab. If you’ve been following REW, you’ll know that Ahmed Boyka does not currently hold this title but more information about that will be addressed in future REW Venus War episodes. Nawab used his size and strength advantage over Ahmed early and often. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the ROS Champion. Instead, Ahmed Boyka displayed some power of his own and finished Nawab off with a TKO to retain the REW Ring of Slam World Heavyweight Championship.
The night’s main event saw the two powerhouses Hawkberg and XMAK go at it for XMAK’s REW Asian Championship. The two slugged it out using different power moves. XMAK’s leg injury that he suffered at the hands of Hawkberg in episode 3 came into play as XMAK was left hobbling a couple times. In the end though, XMAK was able to catch Hawkberg with his X Stunner finisher and score the pinfall win, successfully defending his championship before heading home to celebrate with his family.
The fifth episode of Venus War starts out with The Kovu Brandon in a sit down interview. After some tension, Kovu storms out of the interview after proclaiming that the interviewer was not recognizing who in the hell he is. The first match of the night pitted martial arts specialist Talha Ali against Green Cheetah and Yohanna Bhatti in a triple threat match. Green Cheetah and Yohanna Bhatti both showed good athleticism and high flying ability with some of their offense and Talha Ali showed off some of his martial arts skill. Yohanna Bhatti would look most impressive of all after hitting a top rope moonsault and getting the win after pinning Green Cheetah. With the win, Yohanna Bhatti became the number one contender for the REW Fight or Die Championship.
Former REW Fight or Die Champion, and winner of a 2019 Upcoming Talent Award at the I Am Karachi Awards that same year, Xekay was up next taking on “the undefeated monster” as REW’s announcer put it, The Kion. Early on, Xekay was able to use some of his dirty tricks that he’s become known for and was able to hit his Dirty Deeds finisher as a result. However, The Kion kicked out when Xekay attempted the cover. The Kion would then hoist Xekay up in the torture rack and made short work of the former Fight or Die Champion from there.
Green Cheetah would then make his second appearance of the night and would get an opportunity to challenge Yilduz Deliler for the REW Fight or Die Championship. Cheetah took advantage of this big title opportunity by coming out of the gate flying and taking to the air multiple times. Yilduz was able to kick out after Green Cheetah landed a frog splash. Yilduz then turned to his power and size advantage but Green Cheetah proved to be elusive with his fast paced and high flying offense. Yilduz was then able to rope Green Cheetah in by allowing him to try to use power moves against the big man. That backfired on Green Cheetah and Yilduz Deliler hit an End of Days on Green Cheetah and retained his Fight or Die Championship with a pin.
In the main event, two of REW’s champions met head to head to determine championship supremacy. Neither title was on the line but REW Ring of Slam World Heavyweight Champion Ahmed Boyka went up against Jordan Hurr, holder of the REW Eastern Championship with the pride of being a top champion on the line. Both champions showed their fighting spirit early on while exchanging blows before Jordan Hurr took control of the match with a DDT. Ahmed Boyka didn’t give up though and both men connected on a clothesline simultaneously, shifting the match back to neutral and giving Ahmed a chance to recover. Ahmed then took control on offense, driving Jordan Hurr into his knee and getting a close near fall after a pin attempt. Boyka then had another shot to put the match away, this time after hitting his TKO finisher. However, Jordan was able to maneuver himself so that he didn’t take the brunt of the punishment and was able to kick out before the count of three to keep the match alive. Jordan was then able to fight back to his feet and take control of the match back as he worked over the left knee and leg of Ahmed Boyka extensively leaving the Ring of Slam champion in a great deal of pain. Jordan took advantage of Ahmed’s incapacitated leg by locking him in the sharpshooter. Ahmed Boyka was almost able to escape and fought valiantly until he had no other choice but to tap out. Both champions put in a great effort and this match goes alongside Jordan Hurr’s effort when winning the REW Eastern Championship as one of the best to have taken place on Venus War thus far.
Jordan celebrated following his win and then the show left us with an interesting clip to end the night. REW Asian Champion XMAK was shown driving his car when Nawab emerged in the road forcing XMAK to stop his car. Xekay then appeared in the back seat, reaching to the front of the car and choking out XMAK with a belt. Xekay has sent his message that he’s interested in the REW Asian Title and he’s going to use all of the dirty tricks he can to get his hands on it.
The sixth episode starts out with The Kovu Brandon making a phone call, trying to get a world title shot. His pleas seem to be somewhat effective but not quite what he was looking for as he remarks that he’ll have to win a number one contenders match to get to where he’d like to be. We then check in with a downtrodden XMAK who seems to be distraught after the attack he faced last week.
The first match of the show is between Talha Ali and Masterpiece Hamza. I believe this is the first time we’ve seen Hamza on the Venus War series and he is in great shape. However, his great physique couldn’t hold up to Talha Ali who was able to make short work of Masterpiece and make him tap out with a unique submission hold.
The next bout of the night featured REW Ring of Slam Heavyweight Champion Ahmed Boyka defending his title against Lucha Goblin. Lucha Goblin came out flying and attacked Ahmed Boyka with his Lucha Libre influenced offense. However, that was only successful for a short time. Ahmed Boyka was able to catch Lucha Goblin in a reversal and made short work of the challenger, retaining his REW Ring of Slam World Heavyweight Championship.
In the main event, Kovu Brandon competed against Sohail Khilari and Yilduz Deliler in the triple threat number one contenders match that he was making the phone call about in the beginning of the episode. As the bell rang to start the match, both Sohail Khilari and Yilduz Deliler jumped Kovu Brandon and beat him down in the corner. After some tandem offense, Sohail turned on Yilduz and drilled him with a kendo stick. Kovu Brandon was then able to isolate Sohail and eventually hit him with his Blackout finisher, scoring the win and becoming the number one contender to the REW Ring Of Slam World Heavyweight Championship.
