Going into VPW Insanity, Jack Tomlinson held the Victory Pro Wrestling championship, newly crowned 91 days earlier at the Gold Rush Rumble.
One month later, Bryce Donovan defeated Kaide Lothbrok and Eric James to become the next top contender to the Victory Pro Wrestling championship.
At VPW Insanity, it would be Jack Tomlinson defending the championship against Bryce Donovan, but not before weakening Bryce earlier in the night. Jack’s long time friend Dante Drago, the New York State Champion, assisted Jack in a brutal attack and targeted his knee, putting the main event in jeopardy.
And now, the main event. Jack Tomlinson advised the ring announcer that due to a medical incident, Bryce Donovan would not be able to compete. However, senior referee Steven Dumeng informed the announcer that Bryce in fact would be able to compete after all.
When Bryce Donovan came out limping, it was clear that the damage was indeed done. Like a shark smelling blood in the water, Jack Tomlinson took the fight to Bryce and attacked his already injured leg. This match was a fantastic back-and-forth bout that ended in a lot of controversy and confusion.
Towards the end of the match, Jack Tomlinson hit referee Steven Dumeng with a superkick, thus effectively knocking him out of the match. This led to Dante Drago getting involved, assaulting Bryce Donovan before going to the back and bringing in referee John Ryan. While nobody was looking, Jack Tomlinson set up a chair in the corner of the ring to send Bryce into, but it backfired in a big way.
Bryce Donovan reversed the throw, sending Jack Tomlinson crashing headfirst into the chair, before hitting him with a chokeslam for the three-count. As Bryce was celebrating, referee Steven Dumeng who was still recovering from the superkick says that he saw Donovan use the chair on Tomlinson and tried to reverse the decision.
Referee John Ryan however as the active referee that rendered the pinfall and decision acknowledged Bryce Donovan as the champion. With both referees arguing, VPW Commissioner Kevin Fulton and VPW owner John Radio approached the ring. Dumeng orders Bryce to give the Victory Pro Wrestling Championship back to Jack Tomlinson, but Bryce lands one more chokeslam on Jack and leaves with the belt.
Prior to this incident, during the match there were at least four opportunities for the match to have ended, almost all with Bryce Donovan winning. Firstly, when Jack Tomlinson kicked the referee, that could have been a disqualification immediately. Then, Dante Drago got involved and attacked Bryce, also a disqualification. Both in favor of the challenger.
One would have seen Jack Tomlinson winning the match and that’s when Bryce Donovan threw Jack into the chair in the corner. However, Jack did set the chair up with intentions to use it, and he did initiate the throw into the corner before Bryce reserved it. so this too could be argued. Ultimately, these all could have ended the match, but all would have had the same result, AND STILL Victory Pro Wrestling Champion, Jack Tomlinson.
The championship does not change hand via disqualification. However, Bryce Donovan’s argument is solid as well. He did pin Jack Tomlinson shoulders to the mat for the three-count, thus making him the rightful champion.
Referee Steven Dumeng did not see Dante Drago attacking Bryce Donovan. Neither referee John Ryan or Dumeng saw Jack Tomlinson set the chair in the corner. Neither official saw Jack attempt to send Bryce Donovan into the corner before Bryce reversed the move. And while Dumeng did see Bryce – after he reversed the throw – send Jack into the chair, he was not in the wherewithal or capacity to stop the match until after Ryan counted the pinfall.
Calls to Commissioner Fulton and VPW Owner John Radio were not returned by the time of this press. The VPW management team has been working diligently to address this scenario properly to avoid confusion moving forward, but the roster page has been updated to indicate that Bryce Donovan is the new Victory Pro Wrestling Champion, but will that official ruling stand?
What will happen when Victory Pro Wrestling returns to Pro Game Athletics in Bay Shore Saturday night December 9 for the last show of 2023 VPW 171: Disorderly Conduct?
VPW PRESENTS DISORDERLY CONDUCT
Saturday December 9 | Pro Game Athletics in Bay Shore
With proceeds going to the Anne V Graziani Fund
VICTORY PRO WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
New Champion Bryce Donovan vs Jack Tomlinson
NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Champion Dante Drago vs Stephen Azure
VPW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
Champions The Rat Bastards vs Cain Industries
SPECIAL ATTRACTION
La Chica Clara Carreras returns to VPW to meet OVW and Netflix “Wrestlers” star Freya the Slaya
NO HOLDS BARRED
Evil Kip Stevens vs Phil Cardigan
TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH
The Body Snatchers (Marvelous/God of Dad Bod) vs El Magnifico/JJ Doze
And so much more!!!
RINGSIDE: SOLD OUT!!!
GENERAL ADMISSION ON SALE NOW
For more information call (631) 357-1810
Pro Game Athletics is an air conditioned facility and the home of Victory Pro Wrestling with over 13,000 square feet for batting practice, soccer, and plenty of room to enjoy a night of live wrestling action. Pro Game Athletics is located just minutes away from the heart of Bay Shore and just five minutes away from the South Shore Mall.
Food and beverages will be available for sale.
You don’t want to miss Victory Pro Wrestling when we return to Bay Shore!!
