On Sunday, May 31st, WrestlePro returned to the Rahway Rec Center in Rahway, NJ, for its big event, “Better Than You.” The event aired live on the WrestlePro YouTube channel.

The main event of the show saw the Prodigal Son, the AEW World Champion, as MJF returned home to battle his trainer, and the man who is responsible for MJF, Pat Buck.

We also saw LSG put his WrestlePro Gold Championship on the line against Richard Holliday, a four-way number one contender’s match for the WrestlePro Tag Team Championships, a hoss fight as Vargas battle Bear Bronson, Justin Corino put his WrestlePro Garden State Championship in a scramble match, Rebecca J. Scott put her WrestlePro Women’s Championship on the line against Janai Kai, Colton Charles battle Max St. Giovanni in an “I Quit” match, and Max Caster kick off the show as he battled Yoscifer El. Check out the full recap and review for this stacked event down below.

Max Caster def. Yoscifer El

The show kicked off as AEW’s Max Caster made his return to WrestlePro to battle Yoscifer El. Caster and Yoscifer both got cheers from the fans. Yoscifer made his way out with a new female counterpart, the BAEbarian. This has the makings of a very fun duo. While Caster is no small guy, Yoscifer had the major size advantage. Yoscifer landed a couple of fun cartwheels in the ring, leading to splashes on Caster in the corner. However, Caster caught him as he went for his fourth and sent him shoulder-first into the post. Caster did a good job at breaking down Yoscifer by targeting his arm and controlling a good portion of the match.

As Yoscifer went for a superplex off the top rope, Caster was able to stop the attack and bash Yoscifer’s head off the top turnbuckle, sending him crashing down to the mat. He hit his big mic drop elbow drop for the three-count to win the match.

Yoscifer is someone who has been around the block quite a few times in WrestlePro, but it’s so awesome to see the fans really starting to take a liking to him. The guy is so over, and the crowd loves him. It’s infectious. Despite his taller and bigger stature, he can move. This is something rather unknown about Yoscifer’s character, but something I look forward to seeing more of. This was hands down Yoscifer’s best match of his career. I’m excited for what else he has to offer us.

As for Caster, it’s always such a treat getting to see him compete. He’s not used nearly enough on TV, but thankfully, you don’t have to look far if you want to see him compete weekly. He’s a proud member of the Wrestling Open roster, which, in a promo recently, he said is the “only place you can see me wrestle weekly.” So, thankfully, we’ll still get our share of Caster all over the indies. He’s a talented young gun, despite not being used on AEW the way he should.

WrestlePro Shotgun Championship “I Quit” Match: Colton Charles (c) def. Max St. Giovanni to retain the WrestlePro Shotgun Championship

Next up, we saw the new WrestlePro Shotgun Champion, Colton Charles, put his title on the line in a very personal match against Max St. Giovanni in an “I Quit” match. Colton was the clear-cut fan favorite in this one. Max attacked Charles during his entrance to try to gain the upper hand quickly, but it didn’t work. Max broke out the weaponry first, as he landed a chair shot on Charles before sending him into the post on the outside with the chair wrapped around his neck. Charles turned it around with a chair shot of his own and began to take the fight to his former friend with a chair.

After some more very fun back-and-forth action, Charles handcuffed Max to the ropes and speared him three times in a row. When Colton went to pick up the kendo stick and beat Max with it, Max apologized and seemingly said “I Quit” before he was even able to get a shot off. Charles still wailed on him for good measure after the match ended.

Colton Charles is one of my personal favorite young guns on the entire independent scene today. He has the look, character, persona, and just the IT factor to go far in this business. He’s still very young and just starting, but seriously, look out for this guy to do great things in this business, things to the likes of MJF. Seriously, there are very few people that I am as high on as I am on Colton Charles. He just has that ultra-rare IT factor. The fans absolutely adore Charles, and it’s easy to see why. The guy’s energy is infectious, and he just has something about him that it’s easy to root for the guy and cheer for the guy.

Taking nothing away from Max St. Giovanni, who did very well in this one, but the right person won here. Max is super fun in his own right and is a very fun heel in WrestlePro. It’s only a matter of time before Charles wins the WrestlePro Gold Championship and gets on TV. The sky is the limit.

WrestlePro Women’s Championship: Rebecca J. Scott (c) def. Janai Kai to retain the WrestlePro Women’s Championship

Following the “I Quit” match, we saw Rebecca J. Scott put her WrestlePro Women’s Championship on the line against a debuting Janai Kai. Rebecca J. Scott has held the title for 190 days, but this somehow marks her first official defense. Wild. This was an amazing match which showcased Kai’s amazing strike ability, as well as Scott’s prowess and ability to create opportunities for herself. This was a great match, which ended abruptly with a roll-up, allowing Scott to escape with the Women’s Championship. Very fun match, but six minutes is way too little to give these women. Give them at minimum 10 minutes. For the only women’s match on the card to get six minutes, not a great look.

My only complaint is how little time the women had in this one to get all their action in. When all was said and done, they had roughly six minutes of match time. When you have people of the stature of Rebecca J. Scott and Janai Kai, six minutes is nothing. However, they made the most of it, and it looked fantastic. It was awesome getting to see Janai Kai debut in WrestlePro. She is a lethal kickboxer with fists and feet who can knock anyone out if hit in the right spot. As for the champion, she escapes with the title. Rebecca J. Scott is such a fun person to watch on the indie scene. She has so much potential to do great things and has the talent to back it up.

If given some actual time, these two could have a fantastic match. This match was amazing in itself, but it needs more time. Not to mention, Rebecca J. Scott has been champion for 190 days, and this was her first official defense. Just rough, and not the fault of Rebecca J. Scott either.

WrestlePro Garden State Championship: Justin Corino (c) def. El Magnifico, GKM, TJ Crawford, Leo Sparrow, & Jay Lethal to retain the WrestlePro Garden State Championship

Next up, we saw a six-man scramble match for the WrestlePro Garden State Championship. Justin Corino, who has become a staple at WrestlePro over the years, defended the title over the likes of the former champion, El Magnifico, GKM, TJ Crawford, Leo Sparrow, and AEW’s Jay Lethal. Corino has been the champion now for 61 days, first winning the title back in April at WrestlePro’s big 10th anniversary show. He defeated El Magnifico in singles action to earn that title. Corino has been a tag team guy for a lot of his time in WrestlePro, but has since been shining as a singles competitor as of late. This was a very fun scramble match, which ended with Lethal hitting a Lethal Injection on El Magnifico, before Corino ended up tossing him outside the ring and stealing the win to keep his title.

Justin Corino, by hook or by crook, gets the job done. He has been on a hell of a run as of late, and it’s rightfully deserved. He is someone who’s done it all in that company and deserves the adoration from the fans and deserves his flowers. His five counterparts in this one were no slouches either. El Magnifico, GKM, TJ Crawford, Leo Sparrow, and Jay Lethal are all bona fide stars. However, Corino got the job done yet again. I’m interested to see what happens here with Lethal and Corino; a potential singles match between the two could be a ton of fun. Fun scramble, that got a lot of time. Could have shaved five minutes off this one and given it to Scott & Kai, but I digress.

Vargas def. Bear Bronson

The final match before intermission saw a big-time hoss fight as Vargas and Bear Bronson went one-on-one. This was billed as a first-time-ever match. However, the two have indeed shared the ring multiple times at Create A Pro in New York in multi-person matches. This was the first-time-ever between the two big men in a singles setting. This was about as even a hoss fight as they came. Both Bronson and Vargas threw everything they had and then some at each other. Vargas landed one Destroyer Bomb, but Bronson kicked out. However, the second Destroyer Bomb from Vargas would be enough to put Bronson away. Absolutely wild big man match. This was about as fun as it came if you want to watch a MEAT SLAPPING MEAT match.

Bear Bronson has been on a whole other run lately. Since becoming a free agent last June, Bronson is out to prove to everyone that he’s nobody to sleep on. Bronson was a part of the AEW roster a while back. He wasn’t given much singles-wise, so AEW’s loss is everyone else’s gain. Bronson found himself a part of The System in TNA, alongside his trainer, Brian Myers. This has been the best run by Bronson so far in his career. He’s showing a brand new side of himself, and it’s a sight to see. As for Vargas, he’s still as dominant as ever. Vargas is one of the most underrated big men on the scene today. He’s someone who doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves always, but make no mistake about it, he’s right up there with the best of the best.

#1 Contenders for the WrestlePro Tag Team Championships: Dying Breed (Steve Gibki & Tony Vincita) def. Sent 2 Slaughter (Shawn Donavan & Danny Maff) (w/ Josh Shernoff), The Verdict (Bryce Donovan & VSK) (w/ Smart Mark Sterling), & Bustah & The Brain (Alec Price & Jordan Oliver) to become the #1 Contenders for the WrestlePro Tag Team Championships

In the first match back from intermission, we saw a number-one contender’s four-way tag team bout. The four teams included the Dying Breed’s Steve Gibki & Tony Vincita, Sent 2 Slaughter’s Shawn Donovan & Danny Maff, The Verdict’s Bryce Donovan & VSK, and Bustah & The Brain’s Alec Price & Jordan Oliver. The Dying Breed looked absolutely insane in this match; they spent most of the match as a legal competitor inside the ring. Bringing the fight to everyone they squared off with. Bustah & The Brain got some good action in, but I was glad to see that they didn’t dominate the match, much like they do in GCW. Everyone else got their fair share to shine in this one.

One of my favorite spots in this match was the stunner given to Mark Sterling by Josh Shernoff. Shernoff, as a manager, has been so much fun. He fits right in with Sent 2 Slaughter, and it just looks right. The WrestlePro Tag Team Champions, The NOW’s Vik Dalishus and Hale Collins, came out of nowhere and screwed over Sent 2 Slaughter. This allowed Dying Breed to hit their finisher on Donavan and pin him to win the match.

Dying Breed instantly piqued my interest. They consist of Steve Gibki, who many may know from his alter ego, Dark STG, and Tony Vincita. Steve Gibki may be my favorite WrestlePro roster member around today. His Dark STG character is money. They look like a million bucks. They are absolutely shredded and actually look the part of a professional wrestler. This is a team that I can get behind. I have very high hopes for this team in WrestlePro, and would love to see them get a run with the WrestlePro Tag Team Championships when The NOW and Sent 2 Slaughter finally wrap up that rivalry.

The Verdict is a fun team, I really enjoy seeing around, and Bustah & The Brain are also a good team, but they are now signed to a television company, which means they should be less and less in these independent wrestling title pictures. Overall, fantastic four-way match. Get the titles on Dying Breed ASAP.

WrestlePro Gold Championship: LSG (w/ Ava Everett) (c) def. Richard Holliday to retain the WrestlePro Gold Championship

The first of two main events saw LSG put his WrestlePro Gold Championship on the line against Richard Holliday. This marked LSG’s second title defense with the WrestlePro Gold Championship since winning it, and his first in a WrestlePro ring. LSG won the title back in April at the WrestlePro 10th anniversary show. Holliday did an excellent job at controlling this match and really bringing the fight to LSG. Holliday was one step ahead of LSG this entire match, and at times even looked like he was going to end LSG’s reign before it even started. The ending saw Holliday seem to have the match won. However, CPA made the save for LSG and hit Holliday with a numbers cruncher. LSG hit his finisher and pinned Holliday for the three-count after a wild sequence of events. The reign continues for LSG.

I’m ecstatic that LSG is the current WrestlePro Gold Champion. He absolutely deserves that title. He has worked so hard for many years in WrestlePro and has put the promotion on his back. This title reign is long overdue, but I’m just glad he got his chance. Not to mention, he’s hands down one of the best wrestlers that WrestlePro has ever seen, right up there with Anthony Bowens and the MJFs of the world. As for his opponent in this one, Holliday is one of my favorite heels around today, and he is just money in the ring. He has the charisma, talent, and everything that it takes to be the best and the ultimate heel. These two complemented each other very well, and it was a blast of a match, even with a random CPA run-in. Take CPA out of the equation, it still would be absolutely fantastic.

MJF def. Pat Buck

It didn’t get much more important than this match. The main event of the show saw the AEW World Champion and WrestlePro’s Prodigal Son, MJF, return home to face off with his trainer, Pat Buck. MJF had the crowd in the palm of his hand. This match saw a lot of very fun spots, including the two warriors brawling through the audience and MJF using a kid as a human shield. We also saw MJF hit a tombstone piledriver onto Buck on the apron of the ring. However, in the end, Buck taps out to the YES Lock from MJF, a nice nod to Bryan Danielson.

After the match, MJF showed a rare sign of respect. Buck was serenaded with cheers of “THANK YOU PAT!” and adoration from the Rahway faithful, as he seemed to take a curtain call. Buck waved goodbye to the crowd and made his way up the ramp as the show came to a close.

Seeing MJF back in a WrestlePro ring was super special. While he is more of a Create A Pro New York talent, he has put the WrestlePro brand on his back and worn that flag very proudly before he reached the next level. He won the AEW World Championship for the third time a mere week before this event, as he defeated Darby Allin in Queens at Double Or Nothing. Now, he showed up to face the man who is responsible for him in many ways, Pat Buck.

Buck may not have reached the top of the mountain on any mainstream promotions, but he, without a doubt, will have a legacy that lives on through a lot of his students who are carving their own path to TV and superstardom. I’m not too sure if this is it for Buck, but if he truly is calling it a career when it comes to in-ring stuff, then thank you, Pat Buck.

Final Thoughts

This was yet another fantastic WrestlePro event. While they have monthly “Shotgun Thursday” shows, nothing compares to these Rahway supercard events. My immediate thoughts coming out of this event were, damn, I hope that’s not it for Pat Buck. LSG had a great showing to continue his reign, and Dying Breed are the future of the WrestlePro tag team division. I hope to see more of Yoscifer El, and Colton Charles is a bona fide star. He will be a WrestlePro Gold Champion one day. The single blemish on this show came in the women’s department. There was a single women’s match on the show, and when you book Rebecca J. Scott vs. Janai Kai, don’t just give them six minutes. That was a brutal, brutal, brutal scene. Still, even with six minutes, Scott and Kai crushed it.

MJF’s return was so special, and his match with Pat Buck narrowly gets the best match of the night nod from yours truly. From the match to the moments, this was a classic WrestlePro main event. The second-best match of the night was Vargas vs. Bear Bronson. This was a hoss fight in every sense of the word. Both big men left it all out in the ring for the pride of being WrestlePro’s one true monster. With that said, while Bronson may have lost, he’s still very much a monster of WrestlePro. For the third match, I’ll go with LSG and Richard Holliday. This match went very well, and the two worked fantastically together. \

Rebecca J. Scott and Janai Kai deserve an honorable mention. They crushed it in this match despite all the stream issues and only having six minutes to get all of their action in. Give them 10 minutes, I promise you they will have match of the night.