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Torch DVD review
Shimmer Vol. 15
Chicago, Ill.
By Sean Radican, Torch Columnist

(1) Eden Black beat Amber O’Neal via submission. This was a good opener. They had some awkward exchanges, but things ended well. (*1/2)

(2) Portia Perez & Nicole Matthews beat Lorelei Lee & Ashley Lane. This was fine while it lasted, which wasn’t very long. Perez & Matthews did a good job in their role as undercard heels. (*1/4)

(3) Jetta beat Serena Deeb via submission. Deeb doesn’t sell very well, so Jetta’s submission work didn’t amount to much. Points go to Jetta for her fun heel personality. (*1/2)

-Rebecca Bayless called out Allison Danger to the ring. Highlights aired of the Danger-Rodgers match from Vol. 14. Bayless asked Danger about her recent run of bad luck against Cindy Rodgers. Danger said she was looking ahead to capturing the Shimmer title when she was interrupted by Rodgers. Rodgers told Danger she had to go through her to get to the title and kicked Danger in the gut.

(4) Allison Danger beat Cindy Rodgers. This was surprisingly short for a grudge match. The action was good while it lasted and they were well on their way to a three star plus match before the abrupt ending. (**1/2)

-Rebecca Bayless interviewed Alexa Thatcher backstage. Thatcher said she was looking for Alicia, who had attacked her injured foot on Vol. 13. Thatcher then turned her attention to her opponent for tonight, Cheerleader Melissa. Thatcher said she had a lot of respect for Melissa and looked forward to facing her tonight.

(5) Lacey & Rain beat Ariel & Josie. Good match. Lacey & Rain work well as a heel unit and I enjoyed this match more than anything else prior to it. (**3/4)

-Daffney and MsChif cut a promo on the experience backstage.

(6) Cheerleader Melissa beat Alexa Thatcher. This was a sharp 10 minute singles match. The announcers did a good job of setting the stage of Melissa playing the veteran against the up and coming Thatcher. Melissa’s Cop Killa finisher looked brutal here. (***)

-Highlights aired of Lexie Fife submitting Daffney on Vol. 14 with a leg submission after Daffney hurt here leg. Malia Hosaka then came out and put the boots to Daffney until MsChif and Serena Deeb made the save.

(7) Lexie Fife & Malia Hosaka beat Daffney & MsChif. This was slightly disappointing in that MsChif wasn’t featured heavily in the match, as Daffney played the babyface in peril. The match was solid, but never very exciting. (**1/2)

(8) Sarah Stock beat Daizee Haze in a #1 Contender’s match. This was the best match of the night so far. The action was fast-paced throughout and they had a lot of nice counter and reversal sequences. The ref being out of the picture when he made the final 3 count kind of put a damper on the finish of the match. (***1/4)

-Stock cut an arrogant promo backstage after beating Haze and said she would win the title at the next show.

(9) Shimmer Champion Sara Del Rey beat Amazing Kong when Kong couldn't make it to her feet to beat the ref's standing 10 count. Another very good match, as both women went back and fourth and built to a great finish. Del Rey hitting the butterfly suplex out of the royal butterfly on Kong was impressive as hell and the finish was logical, as it will likely lead to another match between these two. (***1/2)

-Several replays aired from the Kong-Del Rey match.

-Kong cut a promo backstage saying she had underestimated Del Rey and things would be different the next time they had a match.

Overall thoughts: This wasn't the best Shimmer release I've seen. The action on the undercard was average for the most part and nothing was really worth going out of your way to see. I did like the use of backstage promos and highlight packages throughout the show, but most of the matches just weren't very memorable. I thought the last two matches were the best on the show. Haze and Stock put on a good performance with a lot of great lucha style exchanges.

The main event featuring Kong vs. Del Rey for the Shimmer Championship was the best match on the show. I felt some promos from either woman prior to the match would have helped make the match feel more important on DVD. That being said, the action started slow, but once they got going, the match was really good.

Score: 6.0

I will be discussing this release on the Radican Audio Show along with my guest Derek Burgan this week.

You can purchase this DVD here

Email Sean Radican.

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