GrappleMax Amplify 8 – Watch Review

GrappleMax Amplify 8 – Watch Review

27 September

Amplify 8 felt like one of the biggest studio shows GrappleMax has delivered in some time, and a lot of that came down to how well the card fed into the main event. This was an event where threads crossed, rivalries matured, and Unity starting to feel very real.

Rising Championship Jullian Creed(c) Vs Thommy Ardhi

Creed’s second Rising Championship defence came against a less familiar opponent in Thommy Ardhi from MYPW, and the match leaned into that unfamiliarity early. The slower start, with both men feeling each other out and posing, made sense, even if it briefly tested patience.

Creed’s cockiness was front and centre, but Ardhi’s tenacity quickly cut through that. Once Ardhi took control, Creed smartly adjusted, shifting into a more serious and aggressive mode. From there, the match found its rhythm, with both men trading momentum and near-misses.

The frog splash around the six-minute mark was a clear turning point and a risk that nearly paid off for Ardhi. With MYPW’s titles currently overseas with Cannon and Shivam, Ardhi felt like someone trying to make a statement here. The finish, with Creed pulling the referee into the way before landing the flying kick, protected Ardhi while reinforcing Creed’s growing edge.

A strong showing from both. They packed a lot into the time they had, and Creed continues to build credibility as a champion who can adapt when challenged.

Ban Sachak vs Sage Matthews

This was a direct continuation of their NWE Showcase encounter, where Sage stole the win with a handful of tights. That context mattered, and the escalation into a full singles match felt earned.

Sage refusing to even tie up respectfully set the tone immediately. He is a heel through and through, and the crowd let him know it. Athletically, the two are evenly matched, which made Sage’s growing frustration a key part of the story. His jaw-jacking with the fans only made things worse for him.

Ban’s high hip toss shifting momentum was a strong visual, and the audience reaction told you everything you needed to know. Sage’s tactical retreat and strike-based ambush outside the ring was well judged, but his decision to torture Ban with chops instead of pressing for a finish became his undoing.

The hostility in the room was real by this point, and that uncertainty is what made the match work. Ban’s fight never quite goes away, especially against more travelled opponents, and the openweight title tease added another layer. The ref bump, the running powerslam into the buckles, and Ban kicking out again sent the crowd fully into “Let’s Go Ban” mode.

The one-arm slam finish felt earned. A decent story, and knowing where this rivalry could be heading makes it even more intriguing. Ban looked strong coming out of this.

Heaven & Earth vs Bobby Sinaga & Nik Adam

Heaven & Earth came out to a big ovation, and Bobby Sinaga’s presentation continues to improve. The custom waistcoat and gear made a noticeable difference, while Nik Adam also received a strong reaction.

The attempted David vs Goliath opening with Siah backfired immediately, as Bobby tossed him around with ease. Once Lahrvin and Adam tagged in, things settled into a more traditional back-and-forth, with Adam using a handshake to sneak in control.

The match shifted gears when Simon flew into the MYPW duo and dove from the top, injecting urgency. Things got more physical when Bobby targeted the much smaller Siah, whose resilience only seemed to invite more punishment.

The closing stretch was frantic. Singapore’s refusal to sell Simon’s offence until the hurricanrana, Adam’s brutal clothesline, and the rapid-fire exchanges built well to Siah’s swanton for the win. The size mismatch story between Bobby and Simon was a clear highlight, and it genuinely felt like it took all of Heaven & Earth to get over the line.

NWE Showcase: Justin vs Tydus

This was a classic “old school mates now on opposite sides” situation, and it came across clearly even for viewers seeing both men for the first time. For those not in the know Justin and Tydus are both school chums but their wrestling experience was in contrast with their school years. The opening stretch leaned heavily into fundamentals, which was the right call here. It gave the crowd time to understand the personalities and the dynamic before things escalated.

Justin being the more aggressive early was a nice surprise and helped establish him as someone willing to step up rather than play the familiar role. Tydus’ mean streak, particularly those running knees, shifted the tone effectively and brought some bite into the match. Once things evened out, the fans were fully engaged, and the pacing picked up naturally.

The finish was simple but effective. Justin catching Tydus with the running single knee felt decisive without being overproduced. This was a fair and honest NWE showcase—two wrestlers clearly using the platform to test their moves, work in front of a live crowd, and get comfortable. That is exactly what this space is meant to be.

Big Dave vs Devan & Nathaniel

This match ended up being a major turning point for all three men. Dave started in full bully mode, dominating the future Degen Z, but smartly kept his head on a swivel, remembering the handicap dynamic.

Devan’s flying tag and the double-team sequences showed why Degen Z are being positioned as legitimate heavyweights who wrestle like it. The story leaned into Dave’s experience and heel instincts, contrasted with Devan and Nathaniel’s reliance on power and momentum.

Devan and Nathaniel genuinely feel like the future of Singapore wrestling right now. Devan brings the flash, Nathaniel the aggression, and both looked comfortable enjoying control. Devan’s flip-up Samoan drop was a standout moment.

As frustration set in, subtle heel tendencies crept in from the younger duo, which felt intentional. Dave’s roll-up with a handful of tights on Nathaniel was a clever finish that protected everyone and hinted at what might come next.

Ships Ahoy vs Divya & Kelvin Lang

Reactions were mixed for Ships Ahoy following Fight Club (their last outing as a pair), but Kelvin and Divya received strong support, with Divya in particular looking ready for opportunities beyond GrappleMax.

Divya controlling the opening exchanges with Sarah through clean, technical wrestling was a good change of pace. Xtian and Kelvin’s fast, smooth exchange later on stood out, and a one-on-one match between them feels inevitable.

Ships Ahoy’s double-teams were effective, but their desperation showed late. The double body splash from the faces felt like it could have ended things, but the recovery allowed Xtian to hit the X-Factor for a near fall. Divya’s sudden roll-up on Sarah for the win was well timed, and Xtian’s visible frustration pushed the story forward.

This was an excellent mid-card match by any standard. The roll-up finish may have looked simple, but it opened the door to one of the most intriguing ongoing storylines on the show.

Grapplemax Openweight Championship: Hotshot vs ENDBOSS Gregory

The boos for the champion were immediate, setting the stage. Early brawling outside gave Gregory a brief sense of revenge, but Wilson’s frustration soon took over.

The story of Gregory proving he has not lost a step was clear. He cut off Wilson repeatedly, but Wilson’s power and swagger kept pulling him back into control. The shoulder work and submission attempts added texture, and the counters kept the match feeling even.

This felt like a true main event, more balanced than expected. At the ten-minute mark, Wilson’s decision to expose the turnbuckles signalled desperation, but Gregory’s rope-based combo reminded everyone that the master is still the master.

Near falls came thick and fast. The cutter out of nowhere nearly ended it, but Gregory could not finish Wilson with his tiger driver-style move. The extended crossface had the studio fully invested, only for Wilson to escape through sheer rule-breaking. The exposed turnbuckle and cutter sealed a heartbreaking retention.

The post-match angle elevated everything. The NWE crew’s attempted save, the shocking betrayal by Devan and Nathaniel, and SPD’s arrival to even the odds tied multiple threads together at once. This was long-term storytelling paying off.

Amplify 8 was another solid episode on the road to Unity, but more importantly, it felt like a pivot point. Multiple arcs advanced at once, new viewers were given clear entry points, and nothing felt wasted.

Next stop on the watch list: Wrestlepagar.