This match started just as we all expected, all out war. These two powerhouse brawlers lived up to their usual styles as they just went hell for leather on each other for the first few minutes of this match. It was a vicious brawl and neither man was very good at blocking any wild punches, too much concentration on throwing the punches themselves. Seriously, this was like a boxing match from Rocky for a while!
Then, as Jackson backed up half a yard, Chevlov charged in and nailed a clothesline to end the punch-up. He follows up with some kicks to the downed Jackson as he gets back to his feet. He goes for a scoop slam but Jackson slides out and takes his opponent down with a Russian Legsweep. He smiles, liking the irony of that move.
As Yuri gets to a knee Jackson leaps up onto the second rope and connects with a springboard double axehandle which takes the Russian down again. Jackson tries to lock in a camel clutch but Chevlov is in the ropes and the ref intervenes. Chevlov up, Jackson charges in. But Chevlov gets an Atomic Drop that staggers Jackson, following up with a massive lariat that sends him down. Jackson pops back up and charges once more, this time Chevlov reverses into a Tilt-a-Whirl Slam for a two count!
The first pin attempt seems to fire Jackson up, being more methodical and slower with his next attack to avoid another reversal. Some big right hands and left jabs rock Chevlov and allow Jackson to go for the Welcome to the Machine, bridging for a two count of his own.
Yuri up again, both men starting to show weariness. This match may not have been going all that long but the hard hitting nature is beginning to take its toll on both of them.
Jackson connects with a T-Bone suplex, Chevlov responds with a Spinebuster. Jackson ups the ante with a show of strength, the Gorilla Press Slam! Chevlov replies with a Military Press! The two men then revert to trading blows once more, getting into a clinch and stumbling to the canvas, these two are rolling around and beating the living hell out of each other.
The referee tries to break it up, lord knows why, and gets knocked to the mat in error. He stumbles back into the ropes and looks to be out of it momentarily. Jackson and Chevlov get back to their feet and Yuri spots an opportunity, grabbing a chair from ringside and trying to use it to flatten Jackson. But Jackson gets his hand into the mouth of Chevlov, who has the chair raised above his head, and takes him down with the Choke on This! He makes a cover for three but the referee is still out!
Jackson goes to check on the ref and Chevlov recovers in the corner, grabbing the chair again. But he spots the referee coming round and drops the chair, dropping to the canvas and pretending that Jackson hit him with it! The ref sees the chair and looks at Jackson, who rolls his eyes. The ref looks set to call for the bell but someone at ringside tells him what actually happened and he changes his mind!
Jackson smiles at Chevlov, who looks pissed. Chevlov tries for a charging tackle, but Jackson kicks him in the head as he charges, spotting an opportunity and nailing the Something Wicked for a pinfall victory!
Your winner, Jackson!
Yuri Chevlov almost had that one, had it not been for someone at ringside he would have swindled his way to a debut win here. It certainly was a hard hitting affair and the crowd were well into that one.