FPW and The Temple of Doom

[Jim Houston]

The show opens with a video package hyping each match. It begins by showing highlights of MDE v Graham Baker, before showing Baker’s losses to Saturn and Jameson due to MDE being in his head. It shows Baker extending the challenge of a Bourbon Street Street Fight, then intersperses highlights of MDE locking in painful submissions with Baker finding innovative uses for light tubes and barbed wire. Then it moves onto Pain and Gain’s formation, their troubles and their number one contendership win. It shows The Invaders beating Anarchy to win the Tag Team Titles and them joining up with Marcus Allen Jones to form TakeOver. It shows Anarchy’s history with Sons of Cerberus before showing SOC distracting Anarchy in the number one contenders match last month. It then shows the best of Azazel, followed by highlights of Dessius’ violence and Jameson beating Baker. It shows Davey’s transformation and some grainy footage of old exploding barbed wire matches. Finally, it shows the history of the Friendmigos, dating back to their formation in 5050 up to TJ’s takeover of the group. It shows TJ manipulating Jerry and proclaiming the group as his own, as well as the clash with Thompson at the contract signing. Finally, the logo for the show enlarges on the screen, so that the the final thing we see is the logo with Cole and Thompson staring each other down on either side, Thompson holding up his title.

MW: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to FPW and The Temple of Doom.
SD: This is highlight of Wrestlemania weekend!
MW: What a weekend of wrestling it's been so far, but this show is the big one for FPW fans. And we're kicking things off with a bang.

Match 1: Edward Dessius v Azazel v Nick Jameson v Davey Jones: Exploding Barbed Wire Rope Deathmatch: FPW Hardcore Championship:

SD: Do you think maybe you should run through the rules for this match?
MW: I certainly do. Four men enter the ring, being careful to avoid the barbed wire which has replaced the ropes. Once all four men are in the ring, the charges become live. On each side of the ring there is a small but powerful explosive charge, which is set off by anyone making contact with the barbed wire on that side of the ring. Once a charge has gone off, it cannot go off again.
SD: I don't know about Davey Jones, but I think Jim Houston needs to be checked out for signing off on this one. How do you win such a hellacious match?
MW: The first man to score a pinfall or a submission will walk away with the Hardcore Title.
SD: If we're starting with this, imagine what we'll end with tonight!
MW: There's been a lot of talk about safety for this show. As you can see, the ring is surrounded not only by explosive barbed wire, but also by medical personnel and even fire regulation officers. The safety of these wrestlers is paramount in FPW’s mind.
SD: Then why book the match? Why?

The riff of ‘All Roads Lead to Hell’ hits and drums begin as the words, "Break, break, BREAK YOUR FUCKIN' NECK!" hits. Out from behind the curtain comes Nick Jameson. "The Real Horror" wears a black hoodie to the ring, and pulls away from fans trying to touch him, threatening to smack them and insulting them viciously when they get too close. Jameson slides under the bottom rope, holding himself up on his hands and thrusting his hips up and down, simulating sexual intercourse with his tongue out before taking a knee and looking out into the crowd with disdain. He yells more profanities to the crowd as he rips his hoodie off and tosses it to the outside, inspecting the barbed wire and even licking a barb while eying a woman in the crowd. The fans boo in disgust.

‘Hell’s Bells’ begins to play and Davey Jones emerges onto the ramp. He's met with mostly cheers as he raises his arms and walks slowly down to the ring. He stands on the apron and goes to step over the ropes, but he thinks better of it, instead dropping down and sliding under them. Jameson goes straight up to him and gets in his face but Davey stands his ground, the two men staring each other down as Jameson talks trash.

There is a total blackout of lights as the introduction to ‘Martyr’ plays. Azazel appears on ramp with a burning torch. He's met with mostly boos but a few cheers for, the fans, impressed by his streak of wins. He walks slowly down to ringside but the torch is taken away by one of the fire marshals before he can slide into the ring. Azazel then stands silently in one corner as Jameson and Davey eye him up, but neither man gets into his face.

Flashing white lights light up the arena as Edward Dessius runs to the ring with a kendo stick in hand. As he gets to the ring he stands on the outside and lifts the kendo stick only to bash it across his own head over and over again. He then goes absolutely insane taking chairs and trash cans from under ring only to bash them across his own head. The official finally manages to convince Dessius to enter the ring, where he instantly tries to go after his opponents, not caring who. He's held back by the official before the official explains that the charges are about to go live.

MW: Well there you have it. Those ropes are rigged to explode as soon as they're touched.
SD: How is this allowed? No piledrivers but this is ok?
MW: Shhhhh.

The bell begins and the four men eye each other and then the ropes, taking care not to step too close. Dessius makes the first move, running towards Azazel and looking for a Lou Thesz press, but Azazel takes him out of the air with a roundhouse kick and Dessius lands perilously close to the ropes, eliciting oooohs from the crowd. Azazel then turns towards Jameson, who comes to lock up but is met with a leaping knee and is sent reeling towards Davey, who lifts him for a suplex. However, when Jameson is vertical, Azazel connects with a spin kick, sending Davey reeling and Jameson dropping to the mat.

SD: Careful Nick!
MW: He was dangerously close to the ropes there!

Azazel moves over to Davey and kicks him hard in the back before looking to lift him for a deadlift German. The fans begin to stand but Davey elbows him away, sending Azazel reeling into a bionic elbow from Dessius. Azazel falls to the mat only for Dessius and Davey to exchange right hands. Davey has the power advantage but Dessius still drives him back with his intense flurry. Davey moves closer and closer to the ropes, but he manages to get his hands around the neck of Dessius and lifts him for a chokeslam, but Dessius James a thumb into Davey’s eye and drops down to his feet. Dessius then looks for a superkick but is cut off by Jameson who connects with a hard spinebuster.

MW: Wait a minute…
SD: Nick Jameson with evil intentions…

Jameson stalks Azazel, who is just getting to his feet, and points towards the ropes. Jameson hits him with a Saito suplex from behind before lifting him and trying to force him back into the ropes. Azazel connects with forearms to Jameson and then hits a jumping knee to force Jameson backwards into Dessius, who runs at him and hits a bicycle kick which sends Jameson into the ropes.

MW: By God!
SD: The ropes just… they just exploded! It really happened!
MW: Of course it did. Jameson could be seriously hurt.

Nick Jameson screams in pain as he dangles from the ropes, his trunks caught on a barb. Davey, Azazel and Dessius look on, the latter with a sick smile on his face. Dessius moves towards Jameson and tests out the ropes, touching them and smiling when they don't explode again. He lifts Jameson and jams his face into the barbed wire, eliciting more screams. Davey moves towards them but is met with kicks to the leg by Azazel. Davey drops to one knee and Azazel hits him with a running knee to take him down. Azazel makes the first cover of the match, 1-2-no. Davey kicks out as Dessius continues to jame Jameson’s face into the barbed wire.

Azazel kicks Davey several times in the back before turning his attention to Dessius, who he pulls away from Jameson into a deadlift German, sending him halfway across the ring.

MW: Wow… look at Nick Jameson’s face.
SD: It's a mess. He's cut all over.
MW: I'm not sure I've seen that much blood for quite some time.

Azazel stands and stalks Davey. He runs at him and looks for The Night, but Davey catches him into a powerbomb position. He moves towards an unexploded side of the ring and signals for the powerbomb but Azazel elbows his way out of it and drops down behind Davey, hitting him with another roundhouse kick to the back of the head. Davey drops to one knee and Jameson, who has barely recovered from the explosion, charges at him, taking him down with a sliding shoulder block. Davey rolls towards the barbed wire but manages to stop himself.

MW: Davey Jones dangerously close.
SD: He's used to it. It must be just like electric shock therapy!

Jameson then turns only to find Dessius waiting for him. He hits him with another bicycle kick, sending Jameson towards the ropes one more time, but Jameson manages to avoid colliding with them. Dessius charges at him again, hitting a Lou Thesz press but sending both of them into the barbed wire.

MW: Another explosion!
SD: Edward Dessius is insane! He sent himself into the barbed wire as well as Nick Jameson.
MW: That's a man who's desperate to… well, I don't know if he's desperate to retain his title or just to cause pain, but I guess it's all the same in the end.

Dessius and Jameson both lie motionless on the mat as Davey and Azazel eye each other. They come together, face to face, before Davey unleashes a hard right hand and Azazel responds with a leg kick. They continue to exchange strikes before Azazel gets the upper hand, trying for a brain buster but struggling to life Davey. Davey counters, hitting a suplex of his own before signalling towards the barbed wire. The fans cheer as Davey lifts Azazel and Irish whips him as hard as he can. Azazel charges uncontrollably at the ropes but, unable to stop, avoids them by leaping clean over them and landing hard on the outside.

MW: What amazing athleticism!
SD: But how will he get back into the ring? If he even wants to…

Davey stands and looks down at Azazel, a mix of confusion and admiration on his face. He turns towards Dessius, who is just making his way to his feet and lifts him, looking for the Psychosis. Dessius manages to elbow his way out and he bites hard on Davey’s ear, drawing blood. Davey staggers over towards the ropes that Dessius and Jameson were tangled up in moments ago and Dessius hits him with a roundhouse kick to the back of the head, sending Davey headfirst into the barbed wire. He sags, his hair and beard caught up amongst the barbs and blood beginning to drip down from the top of his head.

Dessius then turns to Jameson, who is staggering to his feet, his face totally covered in blood. He pulls him in for the Desolate Insanity but Jameson hits a low blow to escape. The fans boo as Jameson drops to the mat alongside Davey and Dessius.

MW: All three men are down.
SD: But wait… what’s Azazel doing?

Azazel is standing on a side of the ring where the explosives have already gone off. He stands, looking at the barbed wire, knowing that he can't climb through it or leap onto it. Instead, he moves towards the ringpost and he manages to leap onto that, keeping his balance and being careful not to touch the barbed wire on the adjacent side of the ring. As Davey, Jameson and Dessius struggle to their feet, Azazel carefully turns and moonsaults back into the ring onto the three of them. The fans applaud loudly and a ‘holy shit’ chant breaks out.

Azazel stands and pulls something out of his trunks. It's a small bottle.

MW: What's in that bottle?
SD: I don't know but it can't be good.
MW: I really hope it's not… wait a minute…

Azazel pulls Edward Dessius up to his knees and opens the bottle, about to pour it onto him but Dessius, out of desperation, bites Azael’s leg. Azazel backs away and Dessius gets to his feet, snatching the bottle from Azazel’s hand and pouring it all over him. Azazel panics, trying to avoid the liquid but he can't and Dessius manages to shove him into an unexploded side of the ring. An explosion goes up and so does Azazel, the lighter fluid catching fire and Azazel dropping to the mat engulfed in flame.

MW: It was lighter fluid! Azazel is in trouble. Someone help him.
SD: Why would Azazel bring lighter fluid into this match? All four of these men are lunatics.

As quickly as possible, Azazel is pulled from the ring by the fire marshalls, who spray him with extinguisher until the fire goes out. They engulf him in a fire blanket and quickly escort him out of the arena, leaving Dessius standing over Davey and Jameson in the ring.

MW: It looks like we're down to three men.
SD: Azazel brought this upon himself. I knew this match would end badly.

Dessius lifts Davey up and looks to bite onto his ear again, but Davey wraps a hand around his throats and lifts him for a chokeslam. He carries Dessius over towards the final unexploded side and motions to chokeslam him into the barbed wire, but Jameson lands a low blow onto Davey, causing Dessius to drop to his feet. Davey collapses to the ground and Jameson pulls Dessius up for the Stigmata Bomb. He holds him for a few moments before dropping him straight into the barbed wire, setting off the final charge. Dessius reels back for a few steps and then collapses, allowing Jameson to make the cover, 1-2-3.

MW: Nick Jameson does it.
SD: He suffered two explosions and his face being ripped to shreds by barbed wire to become the new FPW Hardcore Champion.
MW: But it still took a low blow for him to win the match.
SD: A low blow? Explosions, barbed wire and a man set on fire and you're worried about a low blow. He earned it. That's all you need to know.
MW: He certainly did. But you can bet he hasn't seen the last of Davey Jones, Edward Dessius or Azazel.

Nick Jameson staggers away from the ring with the Hardcore Title raised in his right hand. Davey Jones looks back at him from the ring but Edward Dessius lies motionless. Jameson raises the belt and blows a kiss to a woman in the crowd, who backs away from his blood-covered face.

Backstage, we see Jim Houston talking on the phone while Adam Thompson waits in a chair.

JH: I know… I know… Maybe… but… Okay… so it was a bit much. But he brought it out there with him… Yes… He knew the risks.

TJ Cole enters and Thompson gets up straight away, poised for a fight.

JH: I'll call you back.

He steps between the two men as they stare each other down, TJ with a cocky grin on his face.

JH: Thank you both for coming in here and I'll thank you both in advance for keeping it civil. I just wanted to make one thing clear to you tonight. If any of your lumberjacks get into the ring or even onto the ring apron in your match tonight, those lumberjacks will be removed from the arena- forcibly if necessary. I made this match to ensure fairness, not to allow chaos.

AT: My guys are only out there to stop his guys from costing me my title tonight.

TJ: Your title? I'm the King. Tonight I'll claim my golden trophy.

Cole walks out as Thompson turns to Houston.

AT: If I lose my title because of the match you've made, I'll be expecting a rematch. On my terms.

JH: I assure you that if there's any wrongdoing, you'll be getting just what you want.

Thompson leaves the office and Houston picks up his phone again.

Match 2: The Invaders v Clutch McCloud and Jeremiah Johnson: Texas Tornado Match: FPW Tag Team Championships

MW: Now it's time for our second title match of the night as the Tag Team Titles are on the line.
SD: This one will be a little different from our first match I think.
MW: Let’s hope so! I'm not sure I can handle another match like that.
SD: I spoke to Jeremiah Johnson earlier and he's assured me that he'll win the titles tonight.
MW: He and Clutch, you mean?
SD: He said he'd do it all by himself.
MW: Well Jeremiah and Clutch haven't exactly seen eye to eye over the course of them teaming together.
SD: The Invaders won't make things easy for a team who aren't working as a unit. I think they'll retain when Clutch lets Jeremiah down.

The remix of 2Pac's final round hits the PA. As soon as Rocky's motivational speech ends, Jeremiah Johnson comes out in a black silk robe with his Pi symbol on the back. The fans boo and Johnson looks disgruntled before smirking. He throws a few shadow punches at the top of the ramp. He holds his hands above his head, his middle, index and thumbs outstretched. He throws his arms down into the shape of his DD214 finisher. As the music plays, Johnson walks down the ramp, ignoring the fans who yell at him and talking shit about Clutch McCloud to the camera. Johnson walks up the ring steps and wipes his feet before entering the ring between the ropes. He takes off his silk robe and tosses it to a ringhand; he climbs to the second turnbuckle on the right side hard camera and holds his hands above his head as he did at the top of the ramp. He jumps off the turnbuckle and points to the entire crowd on each side of the ring but is booed by each side as he does so.

Just before Clutch’s music hits, a spotlight hits the stage. This Fire Burns then hits along with Clutch's video package. Clutch comes out much less energetically than usual, staring at Johnson for a moment before shaking his head. He slaps hands with fans as he comes down the rope but looks much less interested than he normally would. He enters the ring and looks at Johnson, sighs and then climbs the turnbuckle, saluting the fans before dropping down and settling on the opposite side of the ring to his partner.

Killing in the Name Of begins to play. Lights go off as the intro plays. After it finishes, both of The Invaders enter through the crowd from different sides under spotlight, carrying their belts with them. They enter the ring and climb the turnbuckles to raise their arms in their signature X-sign.

Haych and Dario climb down from the turnbuckles and the official rings the bell. Clutch begins to circle Dario and Johnson and Haych lock up. Haych pushes Johnson towards the corner but Johnson turns him and lands several shots with his shoulder into Haych’s gut. Meanwhile, Clutch and Dario exchange holds, Dario gaining the upper hand and keeping Clutch locked onto a headlock. He watches as Haych shoves Johnson away and tries to take him down with a lariat, but Johnson catches him into an arm bar. Immediately, Dario lets go of Clutch and catches Johnson with forearms, causing him to break the hold.

Johnson then gets to his feet as Dario looks for a roundhouse kick but Clutch catches his foot before he can connect. Dario turns but Johnson hits the ropes and comes back with a hard shoulder block, taking Dario down and sending him rolling to the outside. Clutch slaps Johnson’s chest to get him pumped up but Johnson just looks at him. Haych, meanwhile, runs at the two of them but they dodge his attempted double clothesline and hit kicks to the gut before Clutch calls for a double suplex. Johnson watches as Clutch tries to suplex Haych and can't, before Haych transitions into an attempted exploder. Johnson steps in and hits a hard forearm to Haych before ducking underneath and locking him in a sleeper.

MW: These two seem to be working fairly well together tonight.
SD: Johnson doesn't want much to do with Clutch but he needs him to not lose this match.
MW: Haych is beginning to fade here.

Haych drops down to one knee as Johnson keeps the hold locked in. Clutch looks to the outside to see Dario getting to his feet. He steps through the ropes and leaps up, going for a springboard moonsault to the outside and he takes Dario down once again. In the ring, Haych manages to fight back against Johnson, lifting him onto his back and dropping to the mat to break the hold. Both men make it to their feet at the same time, Haych ducking a forearm and hitting a snap suplex. He covers Johnson, 1-2-no. Johnson kicks out and Haych locks him into a rear naked choke.

SD: This is a dangerous move!
MW: Johnson might be forced to tap here.

With Johnson slipping, Clutch manages to get back into the ring and hit the ropes on the opposite side, coming back with a sliding forearm which breaks the hold, connecting mostly with Haych but also with Johnson. Clutch then waits for Haych to get to his feet before hitting him with a discus lariat before seeing Dario getting back up onto the apron and hitting him with a belly to belly to bring him back into the ring. As Johnson gets back to his feet, Clutch calls for him but Johnson holds his arms out and points to his chin.

MW: Does he think Clutch hit him on purpose?
SD: He did hit him on purpose.
MW: He had to break the hold. It's collateral damage.

Johnson moves towards Clutch, who drops his grip on Dario but, out of nowhere, Haych takes the both down with a charging shoulder block. Johnson drops out of the ring and Haych lifts Clutch, holding him above his head before dropping him with a gorilla press slam. Dario climbs the ropes and comes down with a big 450 splash, holding on for the cover while Haych guards against Johnson coming into the ring, 1-2-no! Clutch gets a shoulder up. Dario calls for the War Game as Haych lifts Clutch, but Clutch holds onto the ropes and then pulls the rope down as Haych comes running at him.

Johnson moves around to Haych on the outside and hits him with forearm after forearm. Haych is forced back into the ring post and Johnson lays into him with headbutts. Haych drops down to the floor and Johnson stomps hard on his chest. Meanwhile, Clutch avoids a moonsault from Dario, who lands on his feet, and connects with a Pele kick which sends Dario reeling. Clutch then hits a step-up enzeguiri before hitting a fisherman suplex and bridging for the cover, 1-2-no. Dario barely gets a shoulder up.

MW: He's calling for Johnson. This one could be over.
SD: He can't get the win himself so calls for backup. Johnson is better off without Clutch dragging him down.

Johnson enters the ring and shoves Clutch aside. He pulls Dario to his feet and kicks him in the gut. Clutch tells Johnson to hold him up and goes for the Technical Foul, but Johnson pulls Dario away, instead kicking him in the gut and hitting him with a DD-214. Johnson smiles as he covers, hooking the leg, 1-2-no! Haych just makes the save. Clutch moves over towards Haych but Haych hits him with a fallaway slam. Johnson then kicks Haych in the gut and looks for the DD-214 but Haych reverses into an exploder and covers Johnson, 1-2-no. Johnson gets a shoulder up.

MW: That was close!
SD: They need to pick on Clutch. He's easy pickings.
MW: I don't know about that.

Haych stands and is met by Clutch, who is back on his feet and connecting with a jumping spin kick. He then hits a running European uppercut to take Haych down before connecting hard with a shining wizard. Before he can make the cover, Dario intercepts him with a superkick which takes Clutch down to the mat. Dario then tries to climb to the top rope but he's taken down with a Johnson diving elbow out of nowhere. Johnson then stands and signals for a second DD-214 but Haych comes from behind and locks in the rear naked choke again. He takes Johnson down to the mat before Clutch begins to make his way to his feet.

Before Clutch can break the hold, Haych lets Johnson go and shoves him out of the ring. He then charges at Clutch and hits a stinger splash on the corner before Dario climbs the turnbuckles. Haych shoves a staggering Clutch into the ropes and lifts him for a pop-up powerbomb.

MW: War Game! It's over.
SD: I told you that Clutch was easy pickings!

Haych and Dario make the cover together, 1-2-3.

MW: The Invaders retain their titles.
SD: Jeremiah Johnson did his best but he can't wrestle two men while trying to watch for his partner as well.
MW: I think you'll find that Clutch McCloud did all that he could in this match too. The Invaders just had a bit more chemistry as a tag team and it saw them through.

The Invaders roll out of the ring and hold up their belts as the fans boo them. In the ring, Clutch struggles to get to his feet as Johnson stares at him from the outside. Johnson climbs into the ring and offers his hand to Clutch. The fans begin to cheer. Clutch extends his hand and allows Johnson to pull him up. Johnson claps him on the back and begins to help him towards the ropes. He holds the ropes open and Clutch begins to step through.

MW: No! No!
SD: Johnson’s listened to my advice!
MW: He just kicked the rope straight into Clutch… what a painful low blow!

Clutch drops into the ring as Johnson smiles down at him. Johnson then mounts him and lays into him with forearm after forearm after forearm. The fans boo but Johnson just lays into him with an intense attack over and over and over again. When Johnson finally pulls away, he shouts a volley of abuse towards the fans and drags Clutch towards the ropes. He shoves him out of the ring and Clutch drops to the floor. Johnson drags him towards the steel steps. He pulls Clutch onto them and stands opposite him, locking his head underneath his arm.

MW: No. Don't do it!
SD: That's brutal.
MW: DD-214 onto the steel steps.

The fans boo loudly as Johnson slowly walks away up the ramp. As he does, a medical crew attends to Clutch, securing his neck and lifting him carefully onto a stretcher, on which they carry him out of the arena as the fans quietly applaud.

Backstage, Dasha Banks walks into the trainer’s room where she sees Nick Jameson having his face stitched up, Hardcore Title sitting on the table next to him.

DB: Nick, you're the new FPW Hardcore Champion. How are you feeling?

NJ: I'll be feeling a lot better once you've got down on your knees.

DB: Ewww… no.

NJ: How am I feeling? I'm getting three cuts on my face stitched up. I've already been treated for second degree burns. My entire body is screaming at me. So I'm feeling fucking good. I told you I'd back up what I say. I told you that I'd prove I'm the one to move this place forward. I told you that I'm the fucking man to have this fucking belt on my fucking waist. Whoever want to try and take it… you saw what I went through to get it. Now see what I fucking go through to keep it. Now unless you're doing what I asked, get out.

Match 3: MDE v Graham Baker: Bourbon Street Street Fight

MW: Well here we go. We've seen hardcore tonight once before, but I have a feeling this is going to be very different.
SD: Of course it'll be different. This match won't be hardcore at all!
MW: Well if MDE has his way it won't be, but I don't see how he can avoid Graham Baker’s hardcore offence all match.
SD: He can avoid whatever he wants. He's that damn good.
MW: It's time to find out. This ought to be good!

Dance of the Knights begins to play and the fans turn to the entranceway, eager to see if MDE has truly come weaponless. After a few bars of the song, he emerges wearing his typical singlet and holds out his hands.

MW: Empty. He really isn't bringing any weapons with him.
SD: The man stays true to his word and I for one respect him for it.
MW: He's certainly stubborn.
SD: I prefer the term ‘self-confident’.
MW: I prefer the term stupid. It's like bringing a napkin to a gun fight.
SD: MDE doesn't need anything in a gun fight. He's the Neo of FPW. He can dodge bullets.

MDE walks slowly down the ramp, ignoring the fans as they boo him. He climbs into the ring and runs the ropes, pulling down on the top rope and stretching out his legs on the middle turnbuckle. He jumps up and down briefly before Glory begins to play.

MW: No machine guns tonight for Graham Baker.
SD: That's because he's nervous. He's changing things up because he hasn't been able to beat MDE before. The man in the ring will see this as weakness.
MW: Well maybe this is why. He's certainly not empty handed!

Baker emerges on the ramp carrying a garbage can. He puts it down and raises his arms, lifting a bundle of light tubes to cheers from the fans. He begins to walk down the ramp but then pauses, smiling, and turns back.

SD: He's running away! He's scared!
MW: I don't think that's what he's doing.

Baker returns moments later dragging a table which is wrapped in several layers of barbed wire. The fans cheer as he lifts the garbage can with one arm and drags the table with another. He moves towards the fans to slap hands but realises he can't with all of his weapons so instead just screams intensely towards them, and they return in kind. Baker makes it to ringside and is about to slide into the ring, but instead he pauses. He pulls out a cricket bat from his garbage can.

SD: That can't be allowed!
MW: It's a Bourbon Street Street Fight. Anything he brings to the ring is legal.
SD: But its studded with thumb tacks! That could cause serious pain and injury.
MW: That is kind of the idea.

After a brief staredown, Baker slides into the ring and comes at MDE. He swings the bat at him, but MDE ducks, moves in for a double leg but quickly scurries away as Baker aims to bring the bat down on his back. He barely avoids the blow and slides out of the ring as Baker yells ‘come on’ and charges after him. MDE slides back in as Baker slides out, and, as Baker slides back in, MDE catches his wrist with a stomp, causing him to release his grip on the bat. MDE dives down and locks in a front facelock quickly sliding the bat out of the ring.

SD: This is exactly what he said he'd do. MDE’s plan working to perfection as always.
MW: But Baker isn't exactly lying down.

Baker thrashes around in the hold and makes it to the ropes, but MDE doesn't break the hold. Baker tries to drag himself feet first out of the ring, but MDE digs in and drags him back in, maintaining his grip on the front face lock. As Baker tries to twist away and take MDE’s arm, MDE rolls through and locks in a waist lock, lifting Baker and slamming him hard to the mat, pulling him into a headlock. Baker lands forearms to MDE’s back but there's not much on them due to the angle, and MDE maintains the hold. Baker instead tries to make it to his feet, climbing to one knee and then to a standing position, elbowing MDE away before shoving him into the ropes. MDE comes back and Baker but Baker dives at him with a spear and lays into him with rights and lefts.

MW: Baker’s got his man! All of his frustration is coming out now.
SD: Those are closed fists!
MW: Anything goes in this match.
SD: But not punches, surely?

Baker keeps his mounted position but MDE manages to catch a leg and twist his knee into a painful position. Baker moves away and MDE maintains his hold on the knee, keeping Baker grounded and lifting him by the foot, slamming his knee into the canvas and then stomping on the back of the knee as it lands. Baker holds his knee in pain and scrambles to the outside, but MDE catches his foot again. Baker, however, manages to gran hold of one of the light tube bundles and the crowd cheer.

SD: MDE needs to be careful here!
MW: Those light tubes might be the most dangerous thing out there.
SD: Second most dangerous.
MW: What's more dangerous than they are?
SD: MDE of course!

Baker pulls the tubes into the ring as he is dragged in and he flips onto his back and swings them hard at MDE’s head. MDE pulls back and Baker quickly gets to his feet. The two men circle each other, Baker pointing the tubes at MDE, who keeps his eyes fixed on them. In a flash, Baker comes forward, swinging the tubes at MDE, who uses all of his quickness to avoid them. After a few swings, Baker manages to corner MDE but a brief pause as the crowd chant ‘we want hardcore’ is enough for MDE to slide under Baker’s left arm and hit him with a snap German suplex, causing the tubes to slide harmlessly across the ring and to the outside.

MDE stomps repeatedly on Baker’s left shoulder before twisting his arm into a hammerlock. The fans boo and start to chant a ‘boring’ chant but MDE merely smirks and wrenches the arm further. Baker calls out in pain and reaches with his right arm towards his garbage can but he can't stretch far enough. Instead, Baker throws his right elbow towards MDE, catching him hard over his right eye. MDE releases the hold and staggers back, allowing Baker to scramble to the outside once again. Baker looks into his garbage can before shaking his head and sliding the whole thing into the ring. A small pane of glass slides out of the canvas the crowd begin to cheer again.

MW: He's got… that's a pane of glass and… that's-
SD: Wait, wait! MDEs bleeding. He's cut.

MDE stands, blood beginning to trickle down dangerously close to his right eye. He looks at Baker’s can of weapons for a moment before grabbing it and pulling it just out of the grasp of Baker, who slides into the ring after it. MDE tries to slide it out of the opposite side of the ring but Baker lands hard shots to his back and hits him with a snap German suplex. MDE rolls back and Baker picks up the pane of glass. He quickly sets it up in the corner between the turnbuckles and moves over towards MDE. Baker tries to whip him into the corner but MDE won't let him pull him. Standing his ground, MDE instead pulls Baker in and goes for a belly to belly, but Baker hits him with hard head butts, causing MDE to release his grip. Baker again looks to whip MDE into the glass and succeeds, but MDE gets his foot up just as he gets to the corner and avoids the pane.

MW: Close to big time danger there.
SD: MDE still has this one under control… I think.

Baker charges across the ring at MDE, but MDE moves, causing Baker to run straight into the… no. Baker manages to stop just in time, but MDE pulls him in and hits another German suplex. This time MDE does manage to slide the garbage can, and all of its contents, out of the ring as the fans boo even louder than before.

MW: Look at that cocky smirk. He's been so close to going through a pane of glass and being clubbed with a cricket bat. If I were him-
SD: Bahahahahaha.
MW: Something funny?
SD: You? Him? Please. MDE has this match just where he wants it.

MDE moves over to Baker and stomps on his left arm repeatedly. Baker tries to pull it in but MDE swoops down, locking him in an arm bar and wrenching bar, trying to hyperextend his elbow. Baker cries out in pain again and again tries to thrash his body around, but MDE puts all of his weight onto Baker and Baker finds himself pinned to the mat. After a few moments, MDE switches the hold, pulling in the other arm and looking for the Simply Great Stretch.

SD: This is it! He's ending it without taking a single hit!
SD: Graham Baker hasn't tapped out yet and I think it'll take a lot for him to give up tonight.

Baker manages to twist his body around in the time that MDE is transitioning and he gets a foot up and kicks MDE hard in the head. MDE reels back, and the cut that had closed up reopens, sending blood back down towards his right eye. MDE takes a moment to wipe off the blood and then turns back to Baker, only to see him on the outside, reaching down into his garbage can. MDE rushes to leave the ring but Baker sees him, turns and swings a bundle of tubes at him. MDE darts back, the tubes missing his head by a few inches and Baker pulls out a small bag. The crowd cheers as Baker slides back into the ring, light tubes in one hand and the bag in the other.

MW: Surely MDE can't escape this time?
SD: He can escape anything… I'm not sure how but I'm sure he'll find a way.

Baker keeps MDE at bay with swings of the tubes before opening the top of the bag and pouring a seemingly endless stream of thumbtacks onto the canvas. MDE is caught in two minds. He tries to rush forward but Baker swings the tubes at him and he's forced back again. MDE’s face shows no sign of the smirk from earlier in the match, instead it shows him calculating where to go next.

Once the tacks are in position, Baker takes a few steps towards MDE and swings the tubes at him again, but MDE ducks and bails out of the ring. Baker follows and chases MDE around the outside. The reach the opposite side of the ring and MDE slides back in, but Baker brings the tune bundle down hard and it barely misses MDE’s legs, shattering into hundreds of tiny pieces and a cloud of dust on the apron. MDE moves away from the dust, stepping carefully around the tacks, but Baker slides straight in and walks over the tacks, diving at MDE. He takes him down and lays into him with right and lefts before trying to roll him towards the tacks.

MW: These fans want to see him with tacks all over his back!
SD: No! But… no! He can't! He's MDE!

Just as Baker is about to force MDE into the tacks, MDE manages to gain the upper hand and roll himself and Baker away from them. As Baker goes for another right hand, MDE gets a thumb up and pokes him in the eye, causing Baker to reel backwards and allowing MDE to roll out of the ring. MDE shakes himself off and again wipes the blood out of his eye, but, all of a sudden, Baker springboards out of the ring and takes MDE down with a crossbody.

MW: What a move! MDE’s in trouble now.
SD: But the blood! He couldn't see. It's not fair!

Baker stands and yells an intense scream which is matched by the nearby fans. He moves around to the part of the ring nearest the ramp and grabs his barbed wire table, carefully setting it up and then looking into the ring with a smile. As he goes back towards MDE, MDE manages to catch him with a forearm and then rams Baker’s head into the ring apron. MDE rolls Baker back into the ring before pausing for a moment as he looks down at the cricket bat. For a few seconds, his gaze lingers on the bat before he shakes his head and rolls back into the ring. The pause in enough for Baker to be lying in wait and he grabs a waist lock on MDE and looks for a German suplex into the tacks… but MDE flips out of it, landing on his feet on the other side of the tacks as Baker’s back lands straight in them.

MW: Graham Baker lands hard in the thumbtacks!
SD: But MDE didn't use them… He's allowing Baker to damage himself! The man's a genius.

Baker writhes in pain as MDE lifts him up and looks for a Gutwrench Powerbomb, but Baker drops down and look to trip MDE and send his face straight into the thumbtacks. MDE maintains his balance and stomps hard on Baker’s hand causing him to release his grip. Baker slides away onto the apron as MDE drives a shoulder into his gut. MDE then looks for a suplex to bring him back into the ring.

MW: A suplex onto the tacks. Has MDE finally given in?
SD: No… he can't have…

MDE lifts Baker for the suplex but Baker slips out of it, landing in a standing position before looking for another German suplex… but MDE flips out of it again. This time Baker pops straight up, ignoring the pain from the tacks in his back and grabs MDE for a belly to belly.

MW: I don't believe that.
SD: It's legal!
MW: MDE knew he was about to be thrown onto thumb tacks so he just landed a low blow.
SD: He's a genius!
MW: He's a coward! He knows he can't survive that kind of punishment.
SD: So he's avoiding it. The man's a genius and he's about to win this match.

MDE smirks as he lifts Baker again, once again looking for a Gutwrench Powerbomb. But Baker manages to wriggle free and he hits MDE with a dropkick which sends him rolling onto the apron nearest the ramp. Baker sees his chance and climbs out of the ring, hitting MDE with hard right hands before getting into position.

SD: No! No! No!
MW: Is he… Baker’s trying to hit a German suplex off the apron through that table covered in barbed wire.
SD: No! No! No!

Baker tries to pull MDE away from the ropes but MDE holds on with all of his strength. Baker pulls again but MDE still holds on. Baker releases his grip to strike at MDE’s right arm before trying again, but MDE holds on with his left and manages to regroup with his right. Baker pauses for a moment and MDE looks for a low blow, but Baker counters by jamming his legs together. Baker goes for one more big effort but MDE still won't let go of the ropes. MDE finally lands an elbow onto Baker, who drops down but avoids the table. MDE doubles over to catch his breath but Baker finds a burst of quickness and slides back into the ring, jumping onto the second rope across from MDE and coming off it with a lariat that sends MDE backwards through the barbed wire covered table!

MW: Oh my God! MDE goes through the table!
SD: What? I can't hear you?
MW: It is incredibly loud in here right now. These fans are on their feet. They've been made to wait and what a release!
SD: But he's…
MW: MDE finally succumbs to Baker’s hardcore efforts. You can't say he's got this one under control now!

MDE writhes around and screams in pain. He tries to get up but is trapped on the barbed wire. It tears the back of his singlet open and he's already bleeding in several places on his back, his left arm and his left leg. Baker stares down for a moment before springing into action. He climbs down and lands several kicks to MDE as he lies amongst the barbed wire. Baker drops down and grabs MDE’s wrist, pulls several of the loose strands of barbed wire around the left arm and tries to lock in the Emergency Landing.

MW: This is brutal! MDE has to tap!
SD: No! He can't!

MDE clasps his hands but his right arm is trapped on barbed wire. As Baker pulls on his left, a cut is getting longer and deeper on MDE’s right arm. He releases his grip and Baker instantly extends the arm. The official stands over MDE, waiting for him to tap out, but MDE manages to reach up and grab the official’s shirt, pulling him down on top of Baker and causing him to release the hold for just long enough so that MDE can free himself. He scrambles away but he's a mess, bleeding all over his back, his right arm and from the cut above his right eye. MDE crawls for safety but Baker follows, bringing the second bundle of light tubes.

MW: Now these fans are getting what they came for. And so is Graham Baker.
SD: But MDE can still escape this! He just has to…
MW: Just has to what?
SD: I… I don't know.

Baker grabs MDE by the neck before bringing one of the light tubes down on his head, shattering it and causing MDE to thrash his neck around to avoid the dust and shards. The rest of the bundle is broken over MDE’s back, and MDE cries out even more when the shards invade his cuts from the barbed wire. Baker lets out another intense cry before kicking MDE hard in the ribs. MDE tries to scramble away from his opponent but he can barely stand. He makes his way to the other side of the ring, but Baker grabs him and forces him back first into the ring post. MDE crumples and cries out in pain as Baker looks at the apron to see the shards from his earlier attempt with the light tubes. He smiles a sadistic smile and picks up a handful of shards.

SD: What's he going to do with those. He's a madman!
MW: He's a man out for revenge and he'll stop at nothing to get it.
SD: Where's Jim Houston? Get him out here and stop this before something goes seriously wrong!

Baker moves towards MDE and, with his free hand, lifts MDE’s head before jamming the shards into MDE’s cut. MDE cries out in pain as blood gushes down his face but Baker doesn't pull away until his hand too is covered in blood, much of which is his own.

MW: Now this match is surely over? All Baker needs to do is cover him.
SD: But he's not! Is there any depth to which this monster won't stoop?

Baker instead pulls MDE up and rolls him into the ring. MDE lies lifeless just in front of the pile of thumbtacks. Baker pulls him up and lifts him onto the turnbuckle, hitting him with a few right hands as he does. Baker climbs, reaching the second rope and then the top rope.

MW: No way!
SD: He can't be thinking… no! Don't do it Graham!

Baker leaps into the air and hits a picture perfect frankensteiner from the top rope, sending MDE crashing hard into the thumbtacks.

MW: Ejection Seat!
SD: But he's hurt himself too.
MW: It looks like Baker landed… oh my God…

Baker sits up and the fans gasp. He has a thumbtack embedded in his cheek just an inch or two below his eye. With a look of great pain, he pulls the tack out of his face and blood follows, along with a loud cry of pain. Baker turns towards MDE and the official calls for him to make the cover. Baker however picks up the wrist once again and looks to lock in the Emergency Landing. However, with a swift movement, MDE rolls over, producing an object from inside his singlet and locking it around Baker’s wrists.

MW: Handcuffs! MDE was hiding handcuffs!
SD: I knew he had a plan!

MDE then rolls up Graham Baker, putting all of his weight onto Baker’s legs and shoulders. The official counts… 1……. 2……. 3.

MDE rolls away and out of the ring, grasping onto his back as he staggers backwards past the barbed wire table. The official slides out of the ring to raise his hand, but MDE staggers backwards and falls to the ramp, sliding his way back as blood continues to pour down his back.

MW: MDE manages to steal this one.
SD: Steal? What are you talking about? This was a match where anything you brought was legal. Nothing in the rules says that you have to show your opponent at the start of the match. What MDE did was execute a perfect plan.
MW: A perfect plan? Does that include going through a table wrapped in barbed wire? Landing in thumbtacks from the top rope? Having dust and shards from light tubes pressed into a cut mere centimetres above his eye?
SD: Well… no… but… the plan was to win. He got his arm raised.
MW: He's lucky he didn't get his arm broken.
SD: There was nothing lucky about it. He planned to win and he came prepared.

Out in the parking lot, a camera shows a fancy car drive up to the entrance. The door opens and a man’s feet emerge. The camera begins to pan up, showing black shoes and grey tights with flashes of green. The camera stops mid way up the man’s legs, as he walks away into the building.

Meanwhile, the camera shows Graeme Baker walking back through the corridor after his match. He slams a crate against the wall and cries out in frustration. Dasha Banks stands near him, a little wary.

DB: Graham… what's you reaction to yet another FPW loss and especially to another loss to MDE?

Baker stares at her for a few moments before simply shaking his head. He bows his head and walks off, looking devastated.

‘This Means War’ begins to play and the fans turn towards the entrance ramp as Bobby O emerges, not dressed to compete. He walks down the aisle and slaps hands with fans, albeit a little absent mindedly. He walks up the steps into the ring and takes a microphone without playing to the crowd.

“There's a saying that goes, ‘you are the sum of the five people with whom you associate yourself.’

“Lately, I've been thinking about that more and more. Because see, I've associated myself with the scourge of the Earth. I've also spent time with people who Mother Teresa would have been happy to shake their hand. And with each group, I have seen myself change accordingly. In NXT, I was a kid and I hung around those with the same ambition, the same drive to succeed as I did. I have no doubt that helped me reach my potential. Because I never wanted to coast on the laurels of a name I hadn't earned. I kept my secret and rose to the top without people knowing whose son I was. On the main roster, it was much of the same, until the truth came out. I began tag teaming with my brother and enjoyed the benefits and pitfalls that came with it. When I left WWE, I thought I was associating with people of character. My boss became my mentor but what I didn't realize was that he was molding me into his creation, into his puppet, into someone I never wanted to be. I became the sum of William Graves and the sadistic behavior that man was capable of. When I discovered the truth, I spent time around actual good people, the Friendmigos and together we came so close to achieving our goal and taking down the man who was trying to destroy our careers. I didn't appreciate it then but seeing what they are going through, I do now. Those were some of the finest men one could have the privilege of being around. The problem was, I was too far gone, but I refuse to let that happen.

I may not have been on the card for the Young Lions Cup and I may not be on the card for Temple of Doom, and honestly, I get it. I haven't proven yet that I belong here, that I belong back in a ring. But I have an idea of how to change that. I see that our champion has issued an open challenge and as much as I'd love to throw my hat in that crowded ring, right now, that's not the journey I need to put myself on. My journey needs to be making amends, and I've already begun doing that with some people from my past.

“Matt Dwyer, Jerry Bishop, I'm not asking for a match. I'm asking for you to meet me in the ring so I can do what I should have done when 50/50 ended. As for you TJ, I know what you're doing to Jerry. He may not see it yet but I do. See, I remember how things ended at 50/50. I remember how the Friendmigos and I fought on the side of good against the Agents of Anarchy. Against MDE, against Nelson Quinn, against you...You never really were one of them because you didn't want what they wanted and you still don't. A man, who I suppose is owed my apology as well, corrupted you and turned you, much the way William tried to me. I know I'm not Jerry's guardian but I'd like to think we were friends and could one day be again. I'm not letting you corrupt the heart of the purest man I-“

Bobby is cut off by the beginning of ‘Shattered Skies’. He looks as though he's seen as ghost and some cheers begin to break out among fans who know what is about to happen. At the thirty second mark, the word ‘Sevren’ appears on the tron and Jack Sevren emerges onto the ramp, a big grin directed at Bobby. He walks slowly to the ring as fans begin to chant ‘holy shit’ and is handed a mic before climbing the stairs and getting into the ring.

JS: Corrupted? You said I corrupted TJ Cole? Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. I corrupted nothing. I merely showed-

BO: I also said I owed you an apology. You were one of the many people my behaviour affected in the dying days of 5050. I need to make amends with a lot of people, and I thank you for giving me the chance to do so with you here and now.

Jack watches Bobby as he extends his hand. Jack looks at Bobby with uncertainty on his face as the fans chant ‘yes… yes… yes’. Just before Jack can make a decision, he and Bobby are jumped from behind.

MW: Haych and Dario!
SD: What are The Invaders doing here?
MW: They must be out for revenge! Bobby shunned them and their manipulative boss Marcus Allen Jones.
SD: They may have bitten off more than they can chew here, though.

Haych and Dario exchange punches with Bobby and Jack, but they are driven back. Bobby takes Haych down with an RKO as Jack lifts Dario for a tombstone. Dario fights high way out and rolls out of the ring, pulling Haych with him. The Tag Team Champions withdraw up the ramp as Bobby and Jack call them back to the ring, before eying each other. Bobby extends his hand again but this time Jack backs away, leaving the ring and walking up the ramp.

Backstage, Richard Crowley is standing by while Clutch McCloud is being wheeled towards a waiting ambulance. Jim Houston comes up to him.

RC: His injuries are too much to treat here. He's being taken to a hospital up the road. If he's seriously hurt, I come for you, I come for this company, I come for everything you have. You're the one who forced him to team with Johnson, even when it was completely clear that Johnson had no interest in teaming with him. You're just as responsible as he is Houston. I expect sanctions for him and I expect a written apology from you.

JH: Believe me, Mr. Crowley, this was the last thing I wanted to happen. Clutch’s medical needs are fully covered by our insurance and I promise you that he will-

RC: Your insurance? That's an insult. He deserves the best, not the cheapest. I'll see to it that he's fully treated and you'll see to it that my costs are fully covered. You'd better hope he's in a fit state to come back Houston, or this whole company won't be in a fit state to carry on.

Crowley climbs into the ambulance alongside Clutch as the doors close and it leaves the arena. Jim Houston looks on, concerned.

Match 4: Sons of Cerberus v Anarchy: Street Fight:

MW: This one has been brewing for some time.
SD: More hardcore? I'm not sure I can take any more hardcore!
MW: We know the Sons of Cerberus can be very violent, but we've not seen Anarchy show what they're capable of.
SD: If they're anything like the whole of the rest of the roster, I'm sure they're sick bastards too.

The lights go out as ‘Prelude’ plays. Hannibal and Cannibal do not come out until the 35 second mark when a big clap is heard, they break through the curtain, their hands cuffed by pairs of handcuffs, their manager Lecter Manson guiding them with chains connected to the handcuffs. Both men walk to the ring, intimidating and grunting at the crowd, Lecter frees them from their chains and they both roll into the ring where they scream at the crowd as the music comes to an end.

‘Motionless in White’ begins to play as Boone and Reynolds make their way onto the ramp. They stand at the top for a few moments and then they begin to run down to the ring. As they do, Hannibal and Cannibal slide out of the ring and meet them on the entrance ramp. Boone exchanges right hands with Hannibal while Cannibal throws Reynolds into the guardrail. Reynolds collapses down to the floor but Cannibal lays into him with stomps. He chokes him with his foot until Boone, who's managed to get the upper hand against Hannibal, lands a clubbing blow across the back. Boone rams Cannibal’s head into the guardrail and Cannibal reels away.

MW: They've wasted no time in starting here.
SD: At least our other matches started in the ring!
MW: There's a lot of bad blood between these two teams.
SD: I've seen enough blood for one day thanks. I'm feeling queasy already.

Boone goes after Cannibal, bouncing his head off the ringpost and then driving him back first into the guardrail. Hannibal pulls Boone back, hitting him with a big right hand uppercut before lifting him for a power slam. The crowd gasp at Hannibal’s strength but soon dive out of the way as Hannibal takes a few steps back before running at them, driving Boone through the metal guardrail and into the chairs surrounding the ring.

MW: This one’s headed into the crowd!
SD: Never mind the crowd. Kassius Boone may be seriously hurt.
MW: When we said they were vicious I'm not sure either of us were expecting that!

He pulls Cannibal up to his feet but Reynolds is there to land knee strikes on both men. He drives his knee into the gut of Hannibal before leaping to land a knee to Cannibal s face. Cannibal staggers back while Reynolds tries to drive Hannibal into the ringpost, but Hannibal holds him in a front facelock. Cannibal recovers and the two both Club Reynolds across the back. They then lift him, together, into a gorilla press position before letting him fall chest first onto one of the surviving sections of guardrail. Reynolds collapses to the ground, struggling for air.

MW: Is there anything these two monsters won't do?
SD: They might be the worst yet.

Not giving him time to breathe, Hannibal and Cannibal lift Reynolds again and, just as Boone drags himself to his feet, they throw him like a lawn darts straight into Kassius Boone. Both members of Anarchy collapse to the floor amidst the chairs of the scattered fans. Cannibal and Hannibal then push through the broken guardrails to land clubbing blows to both of their opponents once again. Boone lands a few strikes against Cannibal, but Sons of Cerberus soon overrun him. Cannibal lifts a chair and brings it down hard on Boone’s back while Hannibal drags Reynolds into a gap between areas of chairs.

MW: Whoa… whoa… that's concrete floor out there.
SD: They're vicious alright.

Hannibal lifts Reynolds above his head in a gorilla press position again, but this time Reynolds drops, catching him in a dragon sleeper as he lands. He wraps his legs around Hannibal and pulls back as hard as he can. The official is with them and asks Hannibal if he wants to give up, but Hannibal doesn't utter a single sound. With the crowd beginning to cheer, Cannibal notices that Hannibal is in trouble and quickly makes his way over to Reynolds, breaking the hold by grabbing Reynolds by the neck and pulling him off his partner. Cannibal lifts Reynolds up, but Reynolds lands forearms causing Cannibal to break his grip. Reynolds hits another leaping knee to send Cannibal reeling before looking around and seeing a raised area nearby. He climbs onto it, standing about six feet off the floor, and leaps off, hitting a missile dropkick to send Cannibal crashing to the floor.

MW: Missile dropkick by Davis Reynolds!
SD: It was a risk but it certainly paid off for him.
MW: And here comes Kassius Boone.

Boone comes charging at Hannibal, sending him down to the concrete with a hard clothesline. Boone then backs off and lands a senton, crushing Hannibal and holding on for a cover. The official quickly gets into position, 1-2-no. Hannibal manages to get a shoulder up. Boone then stands, staggering and holding his back, before lifting Hannibal and kicking him in the gut. He wraps a hand around his throat and goes for a chokeslam onto the concrete, but, halfway through lifting Hannibal, his back gives out. Hannibal instead takes advantage and, out of nowhere, hits a DDT onto the concrete.

SD: Oh my God!
MW: His head just got rammed straight into unforgiving concrete.
SD: It's down to just Reynolds. There's no way he gets up from that.

Hannibal rolls Boone over for the cover, 1-2-no! Reynolds managed to recover just in time to break up the pin. Reynolds waits for Hannibal to make it to his feet before he hits him with a dropkick to send him staggering back towards the seated fans. Reynolds yells for the fans to move as he runs at Hannibal, looking for a cross-body. Hannibal however catches him and raises him above his head, looking to drop him amongst the chairs. However, when Hannibal tries to let go, Reynolds drops and lands seated on his shoulders before taking him down with a poisoned frankensteiner.

MW: What a move from Davis Reynolds!
SD: But that's not all.

Reynolds then locks in the heel hook and cries out as he torques the hold. Hannibal tries to swing at Reynolds but he avoids the big paw-like hands. Hannibal begins to fade from the pain, dropping to the floor and barely moving but Cannibal staggers over to break up the submission. Just before he gets there, however, Kassius Boone cuts him off with a perfectly times discus clothesline. Boone then calls for Reynolds as he lifts Cannibal onto his shoulders for a crucifix powerbomb.

MW: A Quick Drop!
SD: Incredible strength from a man who should have a flattened skill right now!

Reynolds makes the cover, 1-2-3.

MW: Anarchy have done it! They didn't even get in the ring, but they've beaten the Sons of Cerberus.
SD: What a performance.
MW: They've vanquished their foes and now they can refocus on claiming the Tag Team Titles.
SD: Speaking of which, I hear that our general manager is backstage with an announcement.

Jim Houston appears on the screen.

“Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have seen quite a night of action tonight, haven't we? In particular, we've seen two very different but equally entertaining tag team contests, and it is that which I choose to address at this time. You see, our next shows, taking place four weeks from today and four weeks from yesterday back in our home of Chicago, Illinois will be the Freedom Pro Wrestling All-Star Tag Team Classic. This will be a single elimination tournament featuring eight of the most talented tag teams that wrestling has to offer. On the first night, those teams will compete in four quarter-final matches followed by two semi-finals and a final, both of which will take place on night two. The winning team will not only be able to call themselves the All Star Tag Team Classic winners, but they will earn themselves a championship match at our one year anniversary show. I hear you ask, what about The Invaders? Well, The Invaders will enter the tournament. If they win, they get to call themselves Tag Team Champions as well as All Star Tag Team Classic winners and they get to choose their own opponents for the big show. Now, as this show is running a little long, let's get straight to our main event. I plan to watch this one very closely.”

Match 5: Adam Thompson v TJ Cole: Lumberjack Match: FPW Championship:

MW: What an announcement. The All Star Tag Team Classic.
SD: I can't wait.
MW: But now it's time for our main event.
SD: And here's the main event himself coming to join us now. I'm so excited!

Cult of Personality begins to play and Marcus Allen Jones swaggers out onto the ramp, flanked by Haych and Dario, who are now dressed in street clothes. He carries the Young Lions Cup with him as he walks down to the ring, talking into the camera about his title shot that he can cash in whenever and wherever he likes. He walks all the way around the ring, arrogantly brushing off the fans as Haych and Dario get in their faces, and makes it to the announce table, sitting down and placing the Young Lions Cup on the table, blocking Mike’s view of the ring.

MW: You can't put that there.
SD: Are you kidding? He's Marcus Allen Jones. He's the Young Lions Cup winner. He's my best friend! He can do whatever he wants.
MAJ: Why thank you, my good man. This beautiful trophy will be far more interesting for you to look at in the next… however long it takes for this dreary main event to end.
MW: I'm just going to put-
MAJ: Hey! Don't touch my trophy. You didn't earn the right to touch that. If you're that fussed, then I'll put it next to me. Satisfied?
SD: Now you've made my friend angry. Satisfied?
MW: I'm just doing-
MAJ: Yeah, yeah, yeah… you're just doing your job. Just like Adam Thompson will be when I finally cash in my opportunity. Or shouldn't I say that?
MW: Speaking of cashing in, I'm with our general manager. Why didn't you step up to the plate and accept Thompson’s challenge like everyone else did? Did you maybe think that after stealing his belt, he'd be out for more revenge than you could handle?
SD: Do you even watch the product? Marcus didn’t steal anything. He’s the real champion of this company. I should call you Jon Snow because clearly, “you know nothing.”
MAJ: Think about this way. My name and my presence here, it inspires greatness. So tell me, why would I want to throw my name in a hat in an open challenge? Anyone can answer an open challenge and anyone did. I mean TJ Cole, who has done nothing of value since getting here, Clutch McCloud, who I humiliated, Graham ‘I haven’t won a match yet’ Baker? Honestly. HONESTLY. That is what passes for championship material around here? Disgusting. So no, I was not going to associate myself with those losers. Plus, you see this shiny cup with my name on it? This is the only award I need. This guarantees me a championship shot whenever I want. I’ll pick my time and place.
MW: You realize that cup doesn’t guarantee you a #1 contendership. It’s largely symbolic.
MAJ: Your commentary is largely symbolic, symbolic of a dying cat.
SD: Hahahahaha. Isn't he great?
MW: Yeah… he's brilliant…

‘Love is Blindness’ begins to play and ‘King’ appears on the screen. After a few bars, TJ emerges, wearing a crown and a brand new ring jacket. Jerry Bishop walks a few steps behind him, looking uncomfortable, with The Hardcases following in tow. TJ turns to show the back of his jacket, which has ‘The Friendmigos are Mine’ printed on the back. He turns back and begins to walk down to the ring with a big grin on his face. The camera shows a close up of Jerry’s face, which looks totally conflicted as he stares at the back of the jacket. As TJ walks past Marcus, they exchange a brief look before TJ enters the ring.

MW: There was a bit of tension in that look between you two, Marcus. It seems you've been trying to bring TJ Cole into the fold recently. You've also been recruiting Bobby O.
MAJ: I wouldn’t exactly call it recruiting. It’s more like, helping the less fortunate. Bobby used to be at the top of his game but then… he lost his way. He lost his edge. And now he needs a mentor to get him back to the killer he was. I’m that mentor. As for TJ, TJ is ripe. TJ is young and talented. He just has to leave this stupid Friendmigo nonsense behind. Newsflash, those idiots are only going to hold him back. Especially Jerry Bishop. I have a feeling that by the end of night, we'll see where TJ’s loyalties lie.

As TJ stands in the ring, The Hardcases, The Invaders and Jerry around the outside, the lights dim and the fans begin to cheer as a spotlight hits the stage. As ‘The Feast and the Famine’ begins, Adam Thompson comes onto the ramp and holds his title aloft, his eyes focussed on TJ in the ring. Thompson signals for his lumberjacks to come out from behind him, and he is joined by Kam Kellington, King Cole Black, Azrael, Matt Dwyer and Bobby O.

MW: Quite the bunch of lumberjacks he's got there.
MAJ: They're quite the bunch alright. Two losers who couldn't touch me in the YLC (that's what I'm calling the Young Lions Cup. It saves time), a loser with a mask, a loser with a guitar and a loser with a sore neck.
SD: Insightful. Cutting.
MW: Insulting more like.
MAJ: The truth hurts. If anyone should know that it should be you. You must have been given feedback on your dying cat commentary before. It hurts, right? But it doesn't mean it's not true.
MW: I liked it better when he wasn't here.
SD: Sacrilege!

Thompson begins the walk down the ramp, holding his hands out for the fans to slap but keeping his eyes on TJ. As he gets to the ring, he is about to get in but he walks around to the announce desk and eyes Marcus, holding up his belt. Marcus responds by putting both of his feet up on the table and holding up his cup.

MAJ: Mine’s bigger than yours… Actually, seeing as yours is still mine…
SD: Ha! Look at him. He doesn't know who to focus on. Thompson needs his wits about him tonight.
MW: Well he's not short of those.
MAJ: That's because you lent him yours last week and haven't got them back yet. Bad move.

Thompson hands his belt to Azrael as Kam and Black try to hold Bobby back as he tries to get at The Invaders, all the while holding his neck. Meanwhile, Matt Dwyer leans against the guardrail, staring towards Jerry Bishop with a far-away look. Bishop doesn't return his gaze, instead looking everywhere but at Dwyer.

SD: How are we going to keep track of this one?
MW: It sure is a powder-keg. One little spark and we could have all out warfare here in New Orleans.
SD: Don't worry Marcus, I've got your back.

With both sets of lumberjacks around the outside, the referee calls for the bell and TJ and Thompson circle one another. They lock up and Thompson gains the upper hand, forcing TJ back into the corner. The official begins his count and Thompson backs away, breaking cleanly, but TJ kicks him in the gut and switches positions with a burst of speed, pushing his hands into Thompson’s face. The official counts but TJ doesn't break the hold, instead needing to be pulled away by the referee. On the outside, Kellington and Black remonstrate with TJ, who spits down at them and shouts that he's the king.

MW: Disgusting.
SD: Disgusting, but clever.
MW: How's spitting clever?
SD: If the lumberjacks get into the ring then they're sent to the back. If Cole tempts them into the ring then he gains the advantage. He's clever, I'll give him that.
MAJ: He is clever… hmmm…

Thompson sees the spit and runs at TJ, but TJ pulls down the top rope and sends Thompson to the outside, right into The Hardcases, who stomp on Thompson before rolling him back in once the official demands it. Kellington, Black and Bobby come around to confront The Hardcases, but they just talk trash as TJ stomps on Thompson as soon he's back in the ring. Thompson begins to fight trough it, making it back to his feet where a lock to TJ’s gut stops the attack. Thompson whips TJ across the ring but TJ manages to duck the attempted clothesline and rolls Thompson up with a schoolboy, 1-2-no!

MAJ: That was close!
SD: Very close.
MW: Adam Thompson won't go down that easily.

Both men make it back to their feet quickly, TJ ducking a clothesline again and looking for the Dragon Suplex, but Thompson elbows his way free and looks to life TJ for the Excalibur. TJ drops free this time and the two stare each other down across the ring. TJ shouts ‘I'm the King!’ to Thompson, who responds by running at TJ again. TJ ducks again and once again pulls down the rope, but Thompson manages to stop before going to the outside. Instead, he throws TJ over the top rope, but The Invaders are there to catch him. Azrael and Bobby try to get past them but they hold them back as TJ brushes himself off and steps back onto the ring apron. He orders Thompson to back away as he gets into the ring, but he distracts the official and The Hardcases enter the ring, both men trying to beat down Thompson. Thompson however manages to fend them off with elbow strikes before clotheslining both men out of the ring. TJ capitalises on the distraction, rolling up Thompson again, 1-2-no!

MAJ: Looks like those wits you lent him don't have any batteries left. It's a shame you don't have more to give him. He's getting swallowed up.
MW: Only because TJ Cole and his cronies are cheating.
SD: Azrael, Bobby and the others could do the same thing.
MW: But they have respect for the rules of this match. The Hardcases should have been sent to the back.
MAJ: Oh, you have so much to learn about wrestling. How did you even get this job?

As Thompson makes his way to his feet, TJ hits a German suplex. Thompson rolls through and tries to climb to his feet in the corner, but TJ connects with a running European uppercut and then follows up with an exploder into the turnbuckles. The flurry keeps Thompson down and TJ climbs to the top rope, coming down with a diving double stomp. He covers Thompson, 1-2-no. Thompson kicks out again. TJ then quickly rolls him out of the ring towards The Invaders, who look to Marcus. He gives them a quick nod and they lay into Thompson with strikes. Finally, Azrael, Bobby, Kellington and Black make it round to force The Invaders back, but The Hardcases follow, and soon the eight men are battling one another.

Meyers and Anderson send Kellington and Black into the ringposts while Bobby and Azrael fight off Haych and Dario.

MW: This is breaking down!
MAJ: It's degenerating! Degenerating into something… I was never sure of the next word.
MW: The Hardcases have taken out Kellington and Black and now they're joining The Invaders in taking out Bobby and Azrael.
SD: Looks like TJ made the wiser choices for his lumberjacks.
MW: Maybe so. But there's still some doubt. Look at Bishop. Look at Dwyer. They're staying out of this one.
SD: TJ’s calling for Jerry to get involved, but he's not following orders.
MW: Wait! Here comes Thompson.

Adam Thompson pulls Anderson away from Bobby and hits him with the diamond cutter, then he gets to his feet and ducks a clothesline from Meyers, hitting him with Motion Sickness. Meanwhile, Bobby and Azrael manage to fight off Haych and Dario, who retreat as the official gets in between them. Marcus stands and calls The Invaders over, covering his mic as he speaks to them so we don't hear what he says.

MW: Why are you getting involved with this now? You don't have anything to do with this title match.
MAJ: I’m the greatest wrestler in this company. The only reason I’m not champion right now is because I was Chicago-screwjobbed out of it. Or Cleveland. I don’t even remember the stupid city’s name. The point is, that title is mine. It always has been mine. That's why I'm out here. I’m just letting Adam play champion for a while until I’m ready to take it back. And I promise, I won’t make the fans suffer through Adam’s reign much longer.
MW: What if TJ wins?
MAJ (erupts into laughter): Oh boy, that’s a good one. Maybe your sense of humour isn’t all bad after all.

With the lumberjacks back under control, the official climbs back into the ring along with Thompson, but TJ has been waiting. He runs at Thompson and takes him down with a sling blade as soon as he gets in the ring. TJ then lifts Thompson and pulls him in for the Crowning Achievement, but Thompson fights his way out. He pulls Cole in for a suplex, driving him down into the mat before climbing to the top rope. He comes down hard with an elbow drop and holds for the cover, 1-2-no. TJ kicks out but Thompson doesn't waste any time. He lifts him for Excalibur.

MW: This is going to end it here!
SD: Not so fast.
MW: The Hardcases. Get them down from the apron!

Thompson drops TJ and moves toward The Hardcases, but they're pulled down by Kellington and Black before Thompson reaches them. Kellington and Black force them back towards the ramp and exchange punches with them, driving them up the ramp and out of the arena.

MAJ: Isn't this a lumberjack match? They can't just leave.
SD: It seems like they just have.
MW: Finally we might have some fairness here. The Hard- Wait!

Thomson turns straight in a Crowning Achievement, driving him head first into the mat. Cole covers him, hooking the near leg, 1-2-3!

TJ Cole stands and raises his arms as the fans boo loudly.

MW: No! Adam Thompson had his foot on the rope but the official didn't see it.
SD: It's not on the rope. I don't know what you're talking about.
MW: Where's?

Marcus Allen Jones stands next to where Thompson’s foot once was, arms outstretched as if to say ‘I didn't do anything’.

MW: This is unbelievable. TJ Cole is our new FPW Champion.
SD: It's great! He's the King. He the champion. And now the Friendmigos are better than fine! They're on top of the world.

The official takes the belt from the timekeeper and goes to hand it to TJ Cole but Jerry Bishop gets into the ring slowly. The official and TJ both turn towards him as he lifts a microphone slowly to his mouth.

JB (very sheepishly): Um… I don't think either of you know this but… Adam Thompson had his foot on the rope. I think that means it wasn't three.

The official looks at Jerry as TJ snatches the mic from him.

TJ: What are you doing? The bell rang. I'm the champion! His foot isn't on the rope and it never was. I-

Jerry reluctantly steps forward again.

JB: I think I can clear this up.

TJ: Clear what up? I'm the champion. There's nothing-

JB: My friend Ted… he's in the back… he could show us? I know you wouldn't want to cheat to win so…

A video plays on the tron which shows Thompson getting his foot on the rope before the three count. The official looks for a moment and pulls back the Championship that TJ was about to take. He turns and speaks to the announcer.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as Adam Thompson’s foot was on the rope, the official has ordered that this match be restarted.”

The fans cheer loudly as TJ begins to scream at Jerry. He backs Jerry into a corner and yells and yells before pointing to Azrael on the outside. Jerry slides out of the ring at dives at Azrael, laying into him over and over. Bobby O tries to pull him away but Haych and Dario lay into him, leaving Matt Dwyer to try and separate Jerry from Azrael. He pulls Jerry back but Jerry turns and lays into him for a few seconds before suddenly stopping and backing away. He holds his hands to his head and shuffles back towards the guard rail as Marcus and The Invaders continue to take out Bobby. Azrael lies motionless and Dwyer stares towards Jerry as blood begins to drip from his lip.

In the ring, Cole goes straight to Thompson and, just before the bell rings, hits him with a low blow. The official asks him what he's doing but he just looks for another Crowning Achievement, which Thompson manages to reverse into a diamond cutter. The fans cheer loudly as Thompson gets back to his feet, pulling TJ with him and going for the Excalibur. He hits it and covers TJ before anyone on the outside can react, 1-2-3.

MW: Adam Thompson wins!
SD: TJ Cole was cheated. First Marcus is cheated and now this.
MW: He wasn't cheated. He tried every trick in the book tonight but it was Adam Thompson who pulled through.

As Thompson stands, he's blindsided by TakeOver, who lay into him with stomps. Marcus mounts him and hits him with right hands, before Matt Dwyer enters the ring with a chair. He aims it at Haych and Dario, but they slide out of the ring, Marcus just behind them. Dwyer then swings at TJ, but he too avoids the chair and stands close to TakeOver. Dwyer checks on Thompson in the ring while Jerry Bishop stands. He looks into the ring and then at TJ, the fans cheering each time he looks towards Dwyer and booing each time he looks towards TJ.

MW: Jerry Bishop has a decision to make here.
SD: What decision? He's a Friendmigo and therefore he belongs to TJ Cole.
MW: He's a free man. He can choose for himself where he wants to go and who he wants to associate with.

TJ yells at Jerry over and over again and Jerry, with one last look back at Dwyer in the ring, slinks away and follows TJ and TakerOver up the ramp. In the ring, Dwyer pulls Thompson up to his feet and hands him his title, while the show closes with a shot of the two men in the ring, with Jerry in the background walking back through the curtain after taking one last painful look back at his former partner.

[Jim Houston]

Well done to anyone who manages to read every word! Sorry that the show is a little long... it just felt like each match was the length it needed to be to tell its story properly. If you've got any comments, please leave them below.

Thanks,