20/05/2026
***Survival Post-Show Report by Lucy Simons Pro Wrestling Journalist***
Cloud Nine and The Lounge was filled to the rafters on Saturday 16th May for KOW Survival! This was an event filled with drama and action that has reshaped the landscape of KOW in 2026. Join me as I recap everything that happened.
Joe Blazr vs Jack Mercer
Joe Blazr won the initial lock-ups in this encounter and cleverly escaped a wristlock by way of 10 squats. Yes, Blazr was cocky but he had every right to be - he was simply outclassing Jack Mercer in the early going. It took ‘Vintage’ Vernon Valentine, lingering like a bad cold on the outside, to grab his leg to give Mercer the upper hand. Blazr was defiant - kicking out at not even a one count - but there wasn’t a lot he could do against the Graduation’s cheating antics. Mercer utilised his opportunities well, targeting Joe's arm. He slammed it on the mat, wrapped it around the ropes and locked it in a submission. Joe was able to break free with the encouragement of the fans, only to be instantly flatlined face-first into the middle turnbuckle.
However, Mercer seemed to know when to draw the line on injuring Joe. Valentine was encouraging him to smash his arm into the ring post, which would have surely been career-ending. Mercer was defiant and ended up going buzzcut first into the post instead - much to Vernon’s annoyance. Back in the ring, Blazr nearly ended it with a Northern lights suplex, hip toss and burning hammer combination. He had Mercer on his shoulders but Vernon was up on the apron. Blazr was rightfully furious, dragging Vernon into the ring and finally getting some revenge.
The distraction was an ideal opportunity for Jack Mercer to roll Blazr up, but it was just a two-count. He then hit a Death Valley Driver and was about to end it with a knee strike, when Vernon offered him the flask of hot sweet tea. It was right in front of the referee, who warned Mercer he would be disqualified. Mercer handed it back to Vernon, saying, ‘I’ve got this’. Unfortunately for him, it was enough time for Blazr to get back to his feet and hit Mercer with his finisher and end the match.
It was an excellent opening contest, spoiled by the antics of Vernon. Blazr even offered Mercer a handshake and raised his hand to a smattering of applause, recognising his talent. Vernon proceeded to admonish Jack for his choices and even shoved him multiple times. Jack Mercer’s face said it all - he was clearly furious, but stopped himself from fighting back. It appears that the cracks are showing in the Graduation!
KOW Contract Trial Series Match #2
Craig Kollins vs Kenz Scorpio
The size and strength difference between these two was stark from the moment they stepped through the curtain, but especially when the action got underway. Kenz couldn’t get Kollins down with shoulder tackles - but his hurricanrana and monkey flip were much more effective. Unfortunately, though, his attempted top rope offence was quickly thwarted by Kollins catching him in mid air with a belly-to-belly suplex. Kollins manhandled Kenz with ease. While Scorpio’s shots seemed to have little to no impact on Kollins, just one of Kollins’ fists sent Scorpio halfway across the ring.
It definitely wasn’t necessary but Kollins also resorted to cheating - trapping Scorpio in the ringskirt while the referee’s back was turned. He then smashed Scorpio to the mat with a uranage that went straight into a chokehold. Scorpio refused to tap out though, showing great pain tolerance.
Kollins then went charging at Scorpio, but he had the smarts to duck before following up with a disaster kick, but Kollins kicked out at two. His inexperience showed as he went for the same move again and was caught with a suplex that time. Still, the younger wrestler refused to give in, getting some licks in on Kollins in the shape of two big superkicks followed by a swift tornado DDT. Ever the veteran, Kollins rolled out of the ring before Scorpio could go for the cover. He was just too big for Scorpio to get him back into the ring and he ended up being pushed into the ring post and the bar. Kollins had the match under firm control, knocking him out with a lariat to the back of the head and an impressive frogsplash. It was another hearty performance from Scorpio, but crucially, another loss. He still hasn’t secured his KOW contract.
However, there was someone there to make sure he didn’t hang his head. KOW Heavyweight Champion RPD had some words of wisdom. “Being a pro wrestler isn’t about winning all the time. It’s about having the courage to get knocked down and get back up again. I see a winner in you. I see potential. I see the future of KOW!” He encouraged the fans to be there for him next time before finishing off, “Keep fighting kid, I believe in you.”
Briac Strong vs Hasley Rose
When the bell rang, these two had a solid back-and-forth despite Hasley being the obvious underdog. She was able to use her speed and agility, but Briac Strong was angry and his strength could not be denied.
Before he had the chance to truly unleash it, though, eerie music started playing. It even sounded a bit like Nightmare’s music towards the end... but I’m not a conspiracy theorist, so who knows? What I do know for certain is that this allowed Hasley to catch Briac off guard and roll him up for the 1, 2, 3!
Briac was absolutely furious and threatened to attack the official. Sheriff Steele came down to the ring to warn him to back off, or he would be suspended. He was escorted out of the building by security.
KOW Showcase Championship
Lucas Neon vs ‘Vintage’ Vernon Valentine
In the opening moments of this match, Valentine found himself being forced to dance against his will, and he was furious (it was hilarious). But the fun and games were soon over as Vernon kicked the ropes into the nether regions of Neon. Of course, this wasn’t the only instance of cheating from him. He launched himself at Lucas, who moved out of the way, and he tweaked his knee…, or so it seemed until he took advantage of the referee’s better nature to rake Neon’s eyes.
Neon kept his wits about him (and used them without resorting to cheating), moving out of the way of a running Valentine multiple times before hitting a roll through DDT. He was feeling the energy of the fans and unleashed his second rope shimmy - everyone thought it was a three count but it wasn’t quite!
Valentine evidently felt like the end was near and asked Mercer to hand him the Showcase trophy. Mercer hesitated, evidently starting to doubt the wisdom of his mentor. It didn’t matter though, because the distraction allowed Valentine to pull what appeared to be a can of hairspray from his pocket. As Neon got him up in a fireman’s carry position, he sprayed it right in his eyes! The Vintage One was able to hit a neckbreaker for the win. The fans continued to chant Lucas’ name as he got carried out by Davey Neon.
Dekker and Logan vs Davey Getski and Sheriff Steele
Our general manager was full of fire as he went for a quick roll-up victory over Dekker and Logan, who were too busy arguing over who should start the match. I have to admit that Sheriff looked stronger than ever in this bout and alongside the nimble Getski, they were a very well-rounded team. They even pulled out a series of tag team moves, like a Dudley Boys-esque diving headbutt to the crotch and a drop toe hold/splash combination. They beat the chests of their opponents in sync, and it looked like they were on much better footing than Dekker and Logan.
That was until Dekker managed to duck a flying Getski, then chop block him, grounding the fast-mover. It was then their chance to unleash illegal double offence and take cheap shots behind the referee’s back. Dekker hit a vicious Phere the Knee, but it wasn’t enough to keep Getski down, who managed to fight both of his opponents off with impressive strikes and get the tag he needed. Getski and Sheriff unleashed a series of impressive cannonballs, but Dekker had enough wits about him to hit his signature move On The Rocks which Getski kicked out of.
Getski was ready to unleash the Getskiest knee ever on Dekker then, but Logan suddenly appeared, shoving Dekker out of the way and taking the bullet for him! Dekker then hit the Hair of the Dog for the win! This was the most coherent these two have looked for a while, and I was really surprised to see Logan do something so unselfish.
The surprises weren’t over though! Briac Strong stormed the ring out of nowhere, looking for revenge on Sheriff Steele for kicking him out earlier! He even took Getski out with his finisher, the Hunting Ground. The locker room emptied to get rid of him, but I have a feeling he won’t be kept away for long.
KOW Heavyweight Championship
KEINEN vs RPD
It was time for our main event! KEINEN wasn’t in the mood to give the fans the action-packed match they were expecting though, backing away from RPD in the early goings. When they eventually engaged, it was a technical affair with the men exchanging wristlocks. The difference between their attitudes was stark - RPD fighting hard from below to escape and get the upper hand, whereas as soon as RPD got KEINEN down with a waistlock, KEINEN scarpered.
RPD eventually had enough of KEINEN running away and decided to jump on him from the ring, taking him down, much to the fans’ satisfaction. KEINEN was mortified when RPD allowed a child to take a shot at him, before the pair brawled all over Cloud 9. They even threatened at one point to throw each other over the balcony (thank goodness they didn’t)! KEINEN was the better brawler in the end, throwing RPD down the stairs before bouncing his head off the bar, throwing him into the ring post and slamming him on the apron.
RPD tried to turn things his way with a lightning-fast sunset flip but just as quickly, KEINEN brought it back by being quick on his feet. The support of the fans and immense heart meant that RPD remained fired up, cutting KEINEN in half with an explosive spear for an extremely close two count. Even a springboard cutter couldn’t keep KEINEN down, and it was then his turn to earn a nearfall after hitting a superkick and the Death Valley Driver that normally ends his bouts.
After that, KEINEN tried to get RPD in a full nelson hold, but as RPD tried to break free, the referee got caught in the crossfire and was sandwiches in the corner. He was down and out, and it seemed like it was KEINEN’s perfect opportunity to cheat. He grabbed a steel chair from under the ring but before he had a chance to use it, Kenz Scorpio snatched it from his hands! He plan was thwarted, but he still managed to duck a Superman Punch attempt. He then went for springboard offence only to crash to the mat and eat a brutal RPD strike for the 1, 2, 3!
The fans were delighted that RPD had his hand raised and the belt back around his waist, but needless to say, KEINEN saw red. He complained that he returned to KOW after two years to win the championship and Scorpio cost him. “But now you find yourself in a bit of a predicament, don’t you? You lost your match to me and it was the easiest win of my life! I want you one-on-one again, and I’m going to end your career before it starts!”
KEINEN challenged Kenz to his third and final contract match at the next show. Sheriff Steele then appeared to make the match official and made himself the special guest ref, to ensure no shenanigans. Kenz then upped the stakes by making it a Sheriff’s Rules match!
Can Scorpio overcome KEINEN this time to secure himself a KOW contract? This question and so many more will be answered on the 11th of July at KOW’s next show, so don’t miss it! I already can’t wait - see you there!
