DAYTON – On Saturday, Aug. 24, independent wrestling company The Wrestling REVOLVER returned to the Calumet Center in Dayton for two shows.

The first show being “Fight-Club” and the second “Taste of Truth”. The first event was based around mixed-martial arts combining with some of the theatrics of pro wrestling while the second show was a much more traditional look into wrestling.

The Wrestling REVOLVER began running shows eight years ago with its first show taking place in Clive, Iowa. They now split their shows between Dayton, Ohio, Clive, Iowa and Grand Prarie, Texas.

They feature a rotating cast of wrestlers from all around the world including some that have been featured prominently in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Total Nonstop Action (TNA), All Elite Wrestling (AEW) amongst others.

“Fight Club” is an interesting promotion for a show with the rules being that there were three rounds of caged combat and winners were only determined by referee stoppage, tap-out or knockout.

In this event, former UFC fighter and WWE superstar Matt Riddle competed, winning his contest in the first round.

Former TNA/Impact World Heavyweight Champions Steve Maclin and Josh Alexander also competed and won their respective matches. Alexander competed against former WWE superstar Simon Gotch.

Current AEW wrestler Marina Shafir competed in the event against Vertvixen who is a veteran of the independent wrestling scene for many years in one of the most exciting contests of the whole show.

After a few hour break between the two shows, hundreds packed back into the Caulmet Center for “Taste of Truth”.

The show kicked off with fast paced action from Josh Alexander and “Speedball” Mike Bailey in a great match that set the tone for the night and got the crowd excited for what was to come.

One half of the Insane Clown Posse (ICP) made an appearance as rapper Violent J led the ‘Brothers of Funstruction’ to the ring for their match. The ICP have ran their own independent wrestling promotion for years (Juggalo Championship Wrestling) and have been intertwined with nearly every big wrestling promotion in the United States to some extent over their careers.

A few matches later, Matt Riddle returned for his second match of the day, this time taking down high flier Myron Reed.

The main event of the show was a violent contest between Dayton’s own Jake Crist and Matthew Palmer in a “Bare Boards and Bull Rope” match. Crist came out on top after spiking Palmer with a piledriver through the ring to the floor before covering him for the pin.

REVOLVER shows are always a blast and combine the highest caliber of professional wrestlers with the intimacy of a small venue that you don’t get going to shows with the major U.S. promotions.

The next REVOLVER show in Dayton will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Calumet Center.