Our first match of the night was a chance for Josh Hawthorne to redeem himself after the defeat at the hands of Kenchi Yamamoto at Humbled. And for Massaro it was a chance to build on his own success at Humbled where he picked up a debut win.
This match started high tempo as Massaro went on the attack, Hawthorne walking right into a fist to face pump which dazes him long enough for Vincenzo to take him down with the Grenade Drop for a two count. Hawthorne pops back up straight into a lariat from Massaro and then a spinebuster. Massaro connects with an elbow from the middle turnbuckle and again gets a two count.
Hawthorne is struggling with the speed of Massaro’s attack and again kicks out at two after a big suplex. Massaro pumps his fist in the air and then nails a series of big right hands that rock his opponent. DDT. Two count. Piledriver. Two count. Pumphandle Slam. Two Count. Massaro is in the ascendancy but Hawthorne keeps kicking out at two, much to his opponents chagrin.
Hawthorne attempts to get back into the match with a series of knife edge chops and a nicely executed DDT, but Massaro kicks out at one. Hawthorne catches him with a big clothesline and then a powerslam but again Massaro kicks out at one. DDT. One count. Piledriver. One count. Pumphandle Slam. One Count. Hawthorne is getting agitated that he’s unable to get more than a one count and begins to put the boot to his opponent, stomping him hard.
Massaro catches the boot of Hawthorne and pushes him away. He leaps up, grabs Hawthorne and boots him in the gut. While he’s doubled over he nails the Juice Box Special and covers, Hawthorne again kicking out at two. Massaro pulls his opponent up, lifts him up onto his shoulders and connects with the GTLS for the three count!
Your winner, Vincenzo Massaro!
Another solid win for Massaro and another resounding defeat for Josh Hawthorne, these two really are men heading in opposite directions right now. It’ll be interesting to see where both men go from here!