FPW Cruise Control

[Jim Houston]

A video package opens the show. It begins with the final moments of each of Graham Baker and Jerry Bishop’s Free-1 matches, with the announcers speaking before their final matches, highlighting the scenarios for them to win. It shows more of Baker and Jerry in their final matches, focussing on each being crowned block winner. It then goes on to show Azazel running through all of the competitors in the gauntlet match before Davey Jones’ attack as Marcus holds up the belt. It shows Azazel readying himself to hit The Night against Super Che before another attack from Davey, then shows Azazel’s simple declaration: “I want Jones.” It then returns to Marcus Allen Jones, showing his rise in FPW, his Young Lions Cup win and his FPW Title win, followed by Adam Thompson’s injury at the hands of Marcus as he lost the title and a shot of the two men staring each other down after Marcus won the belt. It then goes on to show quick moments from The Renegades’ FPW history and then becoming number one contenders. It shows Artemis Evans making her debut by attacking James Saturn and then it shows Clutch McCloud and Russ Bolt’s angry reactions to Marcus talking to Danica Jane, showing Clutch pinning Marcus before ending with a final shot of Jerry and Baker staring each other down after the final Free-1 show.

MW: Welcome to Freedom Pro Wrestling! Welcome to Cruise Control. Welcome to the final of the Free-1.
SD: Tonight we find out whether the first ever Free-1 winner will be The Jester or The Aviator. But we have much more than that. Marcus retains his FPW Title, Azazel and Davey Jones step into a steel cage, the Tag-Team Titles are on the line. We have the in-ring debuts of Artemis Evans and Russ Bolt.
MW: This show certainly is more than just one match but I think we all expect this show to be remembered mostly for one of those two men becoming the Free-1 winner- the first Free-1 winner.
SD: But first, one of the most hate-fuelled rivalries in FPW history needs its final chapter.

The lights go dark as ‘Martyr’ begins to play. The fans cheer loudly as Azazel emerges, lit only by the fire from his torch that he carries slowly to the ring. He moves even more slowly than normal down the ramp, his eyes focussed on the steel cage which surrounds the ring. As he reaches the ring, he slowly climbs the stairs and enters the cage through the door. He walks across the ring and places the torch above the corner, sitting cross-legged beneath its flickering glow. A loud ‘A-a-zel’ chant fills the arena as the music stops but the lights remain down.

As ‘Hell’s Bells’ begins to play, the lights come back up and Davey Jones emerges onto the ramp. He pauses, raising both arms and letting out a loud, deep yell, before slowly walking down the ramp. He talks trash to Azazel as he walks, saying that he'll end him once and for all and that it's time for the devil incarnate to return home. Davey heads up the steps and steps through the ropes, but he's met by a kick from Azazel and falls back through the door.

MW: What's this? Azazel jumped Davey Jones.
SD: The stoic Azazel who thrives on sitting totally still in the corner to freak his opponent out is the first to strike. He really resents Davey Jones for stopping him becoming champion and for stopping him from winning the B Block.

Azazel follows through the door and grabs Davey by the back of the neck, throwing him head first into the side of the cage. As Davey staggers back, Azazel connects with a hard kick across the back before following up with a leg kick and a whip into the guardrail. Fans in the front row flinch as The Lunatic collides with the barricade in front of them. Azazel aims several kicks to Davey’s chest before connecting with a roundhouse kick to the head. Davey slumps down and Azazel backs away before running at Davey and driving his knee into his face. The official pulls Azazel back but Azazel shoves him away and runs at Davey again, who moves just as Azazel reaches him, causing Azazel’s knee to crash into the guardrail and Azazel to flip over the rail and into the front row.

Fans scatter as Davey climbs over the guardrail and lifts Azazel by the hair before connecting with a right hand to send him reeling. Davey then wraps a hand around Azazel’s threat and lifts him high in the air, chokeslamming him down onto the chairs in the front row! The fans gasp as Azazel drops to the floor. Davey doesn't give him time to breathe, picking him up and lifting him for a powerbomb, sending him back over the guardrail and to the floor outside of the ring. Davey then steps over the barricade and lifts Azazel again, lifting him onto his shoulders and connecting with a powerbomb into the side of the cage, followed immediately by a splash to crush Azazel against the cage. Azazel slumps to the floor as Davey raises his hands, eliciting a large number of boos with a few cheers mixed in here and there.

MW: This match hasn't even started yet and we've seen more brutality than I think we'll see on the whole of the rest of the show!
SD: Davey Jones is unstoppable. The rest of the roster will be thankful he wasn't in the Free-1.
MW: If Davey Jones had been in the Free-1, we have more wrestlers on the shelf than in the ring.

Davey pulls Azazel to his feet and throws him head first into the cage, allowing Azazel to drop down to the floor unable to move. He lifts him again and drags him over to the cage door, rolling him into the ring. Davey follows and the official is quick to lock the door, allowing the bell to finally signal the beginning of the match.

Match 1: Steel Cage Match: Azazel v Davey Jones:

Azazel tries to get to his feet, but Davey drops him as soon as he does with a big boot. Davey pulls Azazel up and again throws him into the cage wall, shaking the cage and sending Azazel sliding down the wall to the floor. Davey pulls him up again and throws him once again into the cage wall. Azazel again slides down to the floor and Davey raises his arms, leading to more boos. Davey then pulls Azazel up again and sets him up for a pump handle slam, only to hold him up on his shoulder and run him into the cage wall before slamming him down to the mat. Davey makes a cover, 1-2-no! Azazel gets a shoulder up.

MW: I thought that was it!
SD: Davey Jones is utterly dominating the most dominant man in FPW history. This quite frankly is terrifying to behold.
MW: And he's showing no signs of stopping here.

Davey pulls Azazel up again and lifts him for a vertical suplex, keeping him held in the air for thirty seconds before dropping him to the mat. Davey then hits the ropes and runs at Azazel, dropping a leg across his throat. He makes another cover, hooking the leg, 1-2-no! Again Azazel manages to get a shoulder up. Davey lifts Azazel and throws him into the corner, running at him and connecting with a big splash. Azazel staggers away and drops to his knees as Davey lifts himself up to the top rope. As Azazel stands and turns, Davey comes down with an axe handle, but Azazel cuts him off with a mid kick as the fans cheer.

Azazel then aims more kicks at Davey as he staggers back towards the ropes. With Davey hanging on the ropes, Azazel aims kick after kick after kick at his chest, but Davey manages to push Azazel away and take him down with a thunderous clothesline. As Azazel tries to get to his feet, Davey lands a clubbing blow across his back before lifting him into a gorilla press position. He walks him over to the cage wall and throws him into it, but Azazel catches the wall, steadying himself in a flash and connecting with a springboard moonsault to take Davey down.

MW: What balance from Azazel!
SD: Incredible! After all of that punishment, Azazel manages to pull out a move like that.
MW: But the punishment has clearly taken its toll. Azazel is still down in the ring after that move. He needs to be able to capitalise.

Azazel and Davey both pull themselves up at the same time, Davey running at Azazel with another attempted clothesline, but Azazel cuts him off with another mid kick, followed by a spinning back kick to double him over and then he sweeps out the legs before hitting the ropes and connects with a no-handed springboard moonsault. Instead of making a cover, Azazel stalks Davey, standing behind him and waiting for him to begin to make it to his feet. As Davey gets to his knees, Azazel grips his waist and looks for a deadlift. He struggles, the fans gasping, before a look comes over his face. After a momentary pause, he lifts Davey into a perfect deadlift German, collapsing from the effort.

The fans rise to their feet to applaud Azazel, who manages to get back to his before connecting with a kick to the head of a kneeling Davey. Azazel then backs away, signalling for The Night. As Davey pulls himself slowly to his feet, Azazel runs at him and throws his knee into his face, only for Davey to catch him and pull him up onto his shoulders, connecting with another powerbomb into the cage wall. Davey staggers backwards before turning and moving over to the opposite wall. He climbs the ropes and grasps hold of the wire mesh, slowly pulling himself up as he tries to escape the cage.

MW: Davey Jones is going to climb out of here.
SD: It would be a win for Jones, but doesn't this show how dangerous Azazel is? A monster like Davey Jones is trying to beat him not by pinning him but by climbing out of the cage.
MW: And it looks like he's about to make it out of the cage.

Davey reaches the top of the wall and pulls his foot up and over the top of the cage. As he straddles the cage, Azazel somehow manages to climb after him, driving his forearm into Davey’s back. Davey tries to fight him off, but Azazel keeps coming. He pulls himself high enough to land kicks to Davey's back. Azazel then grabbed the leg that remained inside the cage and forced it to the outside, wrapping both arms around Davey and, with a great effort, connecting with a German suplex to send him back into the ring.

Both men lie unmoving on the canvas as the fans cheer once again. After a few moments, Azazel begins to force himself to his feet. He staggers into the corner and stalks Davey, signalling once more for The Night. As Davey begins to stand, Azazel runs at him, connecting with The Night, but Davey only staggers! Azazel stares at him for a moment before running at him again and connecting with The Night for a second time. He falls into a cover, hooking the leg, 1-2-3.

Winner: Azazel.

MW: Azazel picks up a huge victory and will be the next man to challenge for the FPW Championship.
SD: And he finally vanquished Davey Jones!
MW: But Davey certainly gave him a war tonight. We saw powerbombs into steel, a German suplex from the top of a cage and a ferocious battle between two bitter rivals.
SD: Before our next match, let's hear a message one of the men competing to become the first ever Free-1 winner, Graham Baker.

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The promo video opens inside the same gym that Baker's been frequenting for the entirety of the Free-1, with Baker sitting in a chair in the middle of the ring once again. Sweat gleams on his body and he wears only a set of running shorts and a tanktop, clearly showing that he's still training. The Renegades lean on the turnbuckles in the ring, each dressed in their own training gear, looking into the camera with contemplative glances. Finally, Baker speaks after a few more moments of waiting.

GB: "So, here we are. Winner of the B-Block, the only man to walk out of the Free-1 with no losses taken. I'll admit, two draws were hard to come by, and harder to swallow, but Thompson and Azazel simply couldn't put me down as easily as they'd put down anyone else. The doubters were there throughout-those who thought because I couldn't put away Berry Bishop in five and a half seconds, that I wouldn't be able to hang with Azazel, with Thompson-hell, even with Che and Dessius. But...I did. I more than hung with them-Dessius and Che went down like bricks, I outlasted The Night and I'd have bested Thompson if I'd had another second in that ring with him. No one's ever kicked out of the Ground Zero, and I sure as hell know that Thompson wouldn't have been the first person to do it, either.

The entirety of this tournament, despite the doubts, i've had everyone behind me. The fans screaming my name, the internet going ablaze, my local friends who haven't quite made it this big sending me messages of support and sharing a beer with me after the show...it's been incredible, honestly. To watch my two companions win their first shot at tag gold since the olden days has made this even more exciting, and to have their support...it's unreal, honestly. I've never felt this much energy in anything in my entire life, but i'm not quite willing to let it slip away. When I enter the final on September 9th, I'm going against a man who's got the support of almost every fan in any arena at any given time. I expect split chants, people screaming for me and Jerry at every point, the crowd white hot throughout the entire match...but make no mistake, i'm not holding back on him. To do so, would be disrespectful.

Jerry, you've been here a long time. You've had a lot of shots-you hung with Azazel in the gauntlet, you beat TJ Cole and the Hardcases to ban those fucks from this company forever, and you're far more talented a wrestler than many men. You've beaten MAJ and Storm, and hell, you even managed to put away MDE, which is something that took me more than a few tries. You see this as your true 'coming out'-that winning the tournament here would be incredible for you, to finally seal your place in the Freedom Pro record books as a champion, to show everyone that you belong. The ultimate fairy tale ending to your story, for the Jester to come out on top.

I'm sorry to tell you that that's not going to happen.

We haven't been properly introduced of course, so let me tell you exactly who I am, face to face. My name is Graham Baker. Every step of the way, in every company i've been in, i've fought tooth and nail for recognition, for something to give. In the PROGRESS dojo, I was an underdog to those who would be considered underdogs. My trainers thought I was talented, sure, but they never thought i'd make it anywhere. They never thought i'd do anything. When I faced Sexsmith for the third time in four months, I'd had enough and I packed my things and bailed. I headed stateside, finding an apartment in a little city known as Philadelphia and trying my hand with a little company called Combat Zone Wrestling.

If PROGRESS was hard, CZW was impossible. Brutal matches that were hell on the mind and body, brutal opponents who weren't afraid to hit stiffer than anything i'd ever been hit with before, brutal management that accepted nothing less than 100%. I considered dropping the whole wrestling thing, going back home to grab a job at my dad's shop and calling it a life...but I didn't. I fought on. In a tag match, I scored a roll-up victory over the then-Wired champion, and in the resulting title match, I brought him to his limit, locked in the Emergency Landing, and I tapped that poor bastard out once and for all. The crowd, stunned into silence, let out a cheer louder than anything i'd ever felt up to that point.

No one expected me to win the rematch, of course. Dumb luck, they called it, but they were shocked to see me become lucky once again as an Ejection Seat through a table sealed my victory once again. The next few matches were harder, still-a clinic against Gresham, an aerial assault against Wentz and Reed, a bloodbath against Gacy that saw me develop the Ground Zero, and a series of wrestling classics against David Starr. Eyes were on me, the underdog from the UK who'd soared to the heights in just a few short months. Offers began to flow in, offers for the X-Division, for the Junior Heavyweights, for the Cruiserweight division...but as I pondered them all, I wanted something greater. When FPW sent a feeler out to me for their Young Lion Tournament, I saw the potential here, and I accepted immediately. 

Like everywhere else, I fought tooth and nail for acceptance. I lost five matches before I'd win one, but when I won, I was instantly made. MDE was the canvas upon which i'd started my masterpiece here in FPW, and I haven't stopped since. No one who's been locked fully in the Emergency Landing has escaped on their own volition, not here, not before I came here, and they never will. In my first title match, I won the Hardcore title off of Nick Jameson in a war as of yet unseen. In my first tournament, I was the only man to never be pinned, submitted, rolled up, you-fucking-name-it. In the next few months, I will face you in a tournament final, Tommy Storm in an ultraviolent deathmatch that you've never seen anything like, and Marcus Allen Jones at the end of the year show. Despite what MAJ says, I will show him exactly how worthy I am to face him when I drive him into the mat, when I kick the brains out of his skull, when his nose meets my elbow so many times he looks like Lord fuckin' Voldemort, and when I'm finally done making a mockery of him like he's made a mockery of this business, I'm going to drag him down to the mat and show him firsthand how it feels to have the Emergency Landing locked in.

But first, I have to make it through you. 

So I will. Like everything else i've promised, Jerry, I promise to give you the fight of your life. I promise to take you to the limit and give you 115% until I can give you no more. You will see a side of me you may think you've seen before, but I promise you, you haven't. I'm sorry to take this final strip of validation from you, of course...but this is my moment, my proving ground, the culmination of my story.

I know you understand.

I'll see you in September. For now, this is The Aviator, Graham Baker...signing off."

Baker points his finger-gun at the camera, 'shoots', and blows smoke away from it as he cracks a smile, the camera fading to black shortly after. 

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As the cameras start to film once again, Killing In The Name Of begins to play throughout the whole arena, echoing off the walls. The crowd boos heavily as The Invaders come out, from the crowd, lights off, noticeably missing their tag titles and shoving past the crowd. They meet in the ring, standing on the turnbuckles as the crowd boos them heavily, causing them to react negatively toward the crowd. They meet in the ring and settle against one of the turnbuckles, Haych climbing up over the rope and settling in a leaning position.

MW: The Invaders are here and ready to fight after their recent conflicts with Clutch McCloud and his long-time friend but newly-christened partner, Russ Bolt! The Invaders have everything to prove going into this match, coming off the loss of their tag titles and the loss of their contendership rematch, but now we’ll see who comes out on top!
SD: Clearly, the Invaders are on the come-up! This is a waste of a match, but I always love to see The Invaders brutalize their opponents, so I’m not complaining!

“This Fire Burns” begins to echo through the arena as Clutch comes out, Danica Jane and Russ Bolt following close behind him. He and Russ slap hands, before they head down the ramp and slap hands with the fans as well. They enter the ring, and enter into an immediate faceoff with The Invaders, before Clutch opts to start the match off for the team of Bolt and McCloud.

Match 2: Clutch McCloud and Russ Bolt v The Invaders (written by Baker/Renegades):

Haych starts off for The Invaders, and the two immediately rush into one another for a start, locking up. Haych and Clutch enter into a test of strength, with Clutch quickly gaining the upper-hand and throwing Haych to the ground. He wastes no time going for a discus lariat, but missing Haych, who barely manages to avoid the impact by dodging. He lets out a growl, and the two lock up again, with Haych managing to put up a better fight this time. Haych manages to shove Clutch down with the test of strength, and throws Clutch into the ropes, going for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Clutch stops short and hits Haych with a second discus lariat! He wrings his arm out, and circles Haych, picking him up and getting him in position for a Fisherman Suplex...but Haych rolls through and rolls Clutch up! He breaks the roll-up quickly and drills Clutch in the head with a stiff kick, before picking him up for a Gorilla Press Slam and slamming him down to the mat, beating on his chest shortly thereafter!

MW: A strong start between Clutch and Haych! These two teams have no love lost, clearly!
SD: And unsurprisingly, the Invaders stand tall at the start!

Haych goes to pull Clutch up and trap him with an Exploder Suplex, but Clutch manages to land a few stiff elbows and get himself out of it! Clutch falls back a few steps, and rushes forward with an Enziguri, but Haych manages to dodge and hit Clutch with a bit of a spear tackle, turning it into a running powerbomb and running toward the ropes! He almost gets Clutch over-NO! CLUTCH REVERSES THE THROW AND TURNS THE BOMB INTO A HURRICANRANA! CLUTCH GRABS THE ROPES AS HAYCH TUMBLES TO THE RING FLOOR BELOW! HE GETS HIS FOOTING-SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT ONTO HAYCH!

MW: What a sequence!
SD: I’ll have to give him that one!

Clutch moves quickly and shoves Haych under the ropes, climbing in after him and going for a pin!

ONE!

TWO!!

TH-HAYCH KICKS OUT! Haych powers back to his feet, and dodges a low TarHEEL attempt from Clutch! He traps Clutch-SNAP SUPLEX! Haych turns around and pulls Clutch up for an exploder attempt-and succesfully lands it! He follows up, yanking Clutch to his feet and whipping him into the ropes, attempting another pop-up powerbomb, but Clutch leapfrogs Haych and spins him around-TECHNICAL FOUL! He follows up by pulling Haych up for another-TECHNICAL FOUL! Ready to seal the deal, he grabs Haych by the arm and whips him around, drilling him-TarHEEL! Clutch goes for another pin!

ONE!

TWO!!

THRE-DARIO BREAKS THE PIN! Clutch is shocked as to the breakup as Russ hits the ring, but Dario lays him out with a superkick! He does the same to Clutch, dome-tapping Clutch with a roundhouse kick while Clutch gets back to his feet, before he pulls Haych up and sets him back up in their corner. He hops over the ropes, and tags himself in, allowing Haych to drag himself back over groggily. Clutch slowly gets back to his feet, spotting the downed form of Russ, and, overcome with a wave of anger, rushes toward Dario, but Dario manages to handspring back, hitting the ropes-Tornado DDT to Clutch! Dario taunts the crowd as they erupt in boos, before he hits the corner, clambors up to the top-450 Splash to Clutch! Clutch is struggling, but Dario opts not to go for a pin, instead climbing to the top rope, taunting the crowd once again, preparing for the Senton Bomb, but as he does so-RUSS BOLT SHOVES HIM TO THE OUTSIDE! Bolt scrambles back into position, with Clutch managing to make it over to him for the hot tag just as Dario gets back in the ring! Dario runs at Russ for another roundhouse kick-Russ ducks it, clothesline! Dario kips back up and goes for a superkick, but Russ grabs his leg-GERMAN SUPLEX! Dario bounces back up for a moment, and Russ goes for a Technical Foul of his own, but Dario manages to dodge it by laying flat on his back, taking the opportunity and rolling up Russ!

ONE!

TWO!!-RUSS KICKS OUT!

MW: An incredibly hot showing for Russ Bolt in his debut match with Freedom Pro Wrestling!
SD: He’s lucky, nothing more! He’ll be lucky to get any more offense in on The Invaders!

As the referee checks on Russ, Haych begins attempting to clambor in the ring, but the referee runs over to try and argue with him. As he does so, however, Dario hits Russ with a brutal low-blow as he gets back to his feet. Dario rolls Russ through into a kneeling position, and drills him with a superkick to the face! Haych ceases his distraction and flips off the crowd.

MW: Such unprofessional and disrespectful conduct shown by The Invaders here, and the official’s just oblivious to it all!
SD: The Invaders have always done what they needed to do to win! This is no different!

Dario goes for the pin.

ONE!

TWO!!

THR-RUSS KICKS OUT AGAIN! Dario is furious, and stomps on Russ a few times before climbing to the top rope, pointing two fingers down at Russ and taunting before he goes for a Flying Senton Bomb-THAT RUSS MANAGES TO ROLL AWAY FROM! Russ takes advantage of the situation and tags Clutch in, but Dario does the same to Haych, leading to another collision in the center of the ring as Clutch and Haych lay into eachother with vicious elbow strikes! Both step away after a moment, and Clutch slaps Haych across the face as Haych takes a breath. Haych looks furious, but Clutch slaps him again, and again, before going for a third Technical Foul that Haych just barely ducks! Haych turns the counter into an attempted Exploder-but Clutch counters it, and goes for a Fisherman Suplex-that Clutch counters! The two end up at odds, and Haych cuts a brutal grin, taunting Clutch with another Test of Strength. Clutch looks at Haych warily, and agrees, setting up for it...but as he gets close, Haych nails him with a knee to the solar plexus, pulling him in for a running powerbomb-BUCKLE-BOMB INTO THE INVADER’S CORNER! Haych tags in Dario, and Dario climbs to the top rope, with Haych pulling Clutch up-AND THE INVADERS HIT A PICTURE PERFECT WARGAME IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!

MW: WARGAME! This one might be over!
SD: YES!

Dario goes for the pin once again!

ONE!

TWO!!

THRE-RUSS BOLT BREAKS THE PINFALL ON CLUTCH! The ring devolves into a brawl as Clutch tries to roll away, making it to the ring apron, but as he does so The Invaders manage to gang up on Russ! Russ throws a clothesline and levels Dario, but as he goes for Haych with another, Haych manages to duck the hit and Russ LEVELS THE REFEREE! Russ looks to be in shock, but only for a moment as Haych grabs him and hits him with a vicious Exploder onto the downed form of Clutch McCloud! The Invaders opt to take advantage of the situation, with Haych slapping Clutch in the face before picking him up-APRON POWERBOMB! He drops Clutch to the outside, and Dario takes advantage, the crowd booing louder and louder, flipping the crowd off before hitting a Flying Senton Bomb to the form of Clutch on the ring floor! Clutch looks to be out, but The Invaders aren’t quite done yet, and as the referee gets back to his feet, Dario re-enters the ring and looks at Russ, who steps up to take Clutch’s spot. The crowd gets loud as Russ prepares to confront Dario, and Russ bursts out with a clothesline in offense. Dario ducks the clothesline, and hits Russ with a pele kick! He goes for a leg lariat, but Russ grabs his leg, and hits him with a Technical Foul in response! He yanks Dario back to his feet, and hits him with another Technical Foul, copying Clutch’s earlier moment! Out of respect for his comrade, he drops Dario and gets ready for a TarHEEL!

MW: Russ lining up for the TarHEEL! He knows he can win this for Clutch!

Russ goes for the TarHEEL, but runs full force into Haych, who blocks the shot! Russ looks confused, and Dario takes advantage, drilling Russ with a superkick before he follows up with a quick Flying Senton Bomb to Russ’s prone form, going into an immediate pin!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

Winners: The Invaders

The bell rings, and The Invaders are declared victorious, both getting back to their feet as they look at the prone forms of Russ and Clutch on the ground. They contemplate doing more damage...but stop, and roll out of the ring, taunting Russ and Clutch as they walk up the ramp and make their ‘X’ symbol again.

SD: Once again, The Invaders prove that they are the most dominant tag team in Freedom Pro Wrestling!
MW: What are you talking about?! Clutch and Russ almost had The Invaders down twice, the ‘best tag team in Freedom Pro’ could barely hang with a debuting team!
SD: But in the end, they did! And that’s all that really matters, isn’t it?! But now, we have a message from Jerry Bishop, our other Free-1 finalist. If you haven't yet seen this, make sure you don't miss it.

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*Camera comes up on Jerry Bishop sitting alone in the locker room in his ring gear, minus his signature mask.*

JB: There are often times when people accuse me of not taking things seriously. So if you will allow me, I will be as serious as I can.

*He stands and tears off his ring gear to reveal his purple and black smoking jacket. He walks across the room as the Jester’s Court set suddenly appears, and sits down in his beanbag chair.*

JB: That’s better.

*Fozzie, Bishop’s pet bear cub, approaches with a little tray on his back carrying a strawberry milkshake.*

JB: Thank you, Fozzie.

*Fozzie roars happily and lays down at Bishop’s feet. Bishop takes a sip and a deep breath.*

JB: Ladies and gentlemen. I come before you today to thank you for your support throughout my time here in Freedom Pro Wrestling. It is because of you that I do what I do. You are the reason I’m here. You are the reason I’m *still* here. You are the reason I lace up these boots and step out through that curtain night in and night out. And you are the reason I am in the FPW Championship match. And for all you’ve given me, I hope I have given back in return. Thank you. It has been an honor.

*The camera pans slightly to one side and graphics of each of the Free-1 competitors appears in turn as Bishop addresses them.*

JB: And now I would like to address my fellow wrestlers in this Free-1 Tournament, beginning with those I faced in my Block.

*James Saturn hitting the Saturnsault*

JB: Saturn, you are arguably the highest flier in FPW not to wear a mask. You’re an exciting performer and a great asset to the roster. You faced some tough competition in our block and you always put pleasing the fans first, even if it cost you some points along the way. I may not have been at 100% going into our match, but I won’t use that as an excuse. You beat me fair and square, and you showed dignity in victory. It was an honor.

*Tommy Storm holding his gold from previous companies*

JB: Tommy, while I may not approve of your language, I admire your tenacity. Your resume speaks for itself as one of the most accomplished competitors in the company. You take winning very seriously, and while a roll-up isn’t quite how either of us particularly wanted our match to end, I saw my moment and used it. I think it’s fair to say you would have done the same in my boots. Who knows, in another time we might have been partners. It was an honor.

*Clutch McCloud squaring up against WWE wrestlers*

JB: Clutch, you and I go back quite a way. We’ve been enemies, we’ve been friends, but through it all I like to think we’ve gained some respect for each other. Wrestling is who you are. It is your lifeblood. Heck, you’ve even held the biggest championship in the industry. You do this because it’s what you do best. You put me away in our match, and yet you still showed respect. And for that you have mine. It was an honor.

*MDE training at his dojo*

JB: Ah, MDE, my old frenemy. You and I had been dancing around each other for quite some time, and if memory serves correctly this tournament marked the first time we’ve properly squared off. And boy oh boy, did we tear the house down. Your tactical brilliance is unparalleled, albeit a bit twisted. But let’s face it, buddy. Even you couldn’t plan for someone like me. *wink* We pushed each other to the edge in that ring, and any time you want to do it again, say the word. It was an honor.

*MAJ flipping off a young fan wearing a League of Friendmigos shirt*

JB: Marcus...

*Fozzie growls at Jerry’s feet*

JB: We’ve fought each other who knows how many times. And we’ll likely clash again and again. Because without guys like you, there wouldn’t be guys like me. You bring out the best in me in that ring, and I bring out the best in you. You may hate to admit it, but you know I’m right. You and me, Marcus, I think we’re gonna be dancing partners for a good long while, and I can’t wait for the next round. It was an honor.

JB: Now for the other side of the tournament.

*Berry Bishop dancing her way to the ring*

JB: Berry, I know we’ve only recently found out about each other, but you’ve come such a long way in such a short time. I’m proud of the progress you’re making, and you’re only going to get better. Just keep your chin up and smile. Win, lose, as long as you remember why you got into this business you can’t go wrong. It would have been an honor.

*Super Che Junior connecting with the Call of the Hero*

JB: Che, my oldest friend. You and I have been partners and friends since the very beginning. We’ve never faced off one on one, but let me tell you I think that would be a match worth more stars than Marcus can count. Your opportunity will come, mi friendmigo, don’t you worry. It would have been an honor.

*Edward Dessius drenched in blood (whose blood is unclear)*

JB: Edward... Oooh, boy, you really are something else, aren’t you? But I can respect that. You consistently put your life and livelihood on the line in that ring. You stop at nothing to make sure you leave with the win. While some might see that as borderline psychotic, I can see deep down that it’s the passion for this business. You aren’t afraid of anything, and you try to bring that out in your opponents. Or maybe you are just crazy, who’s to say. It would have been an honor.

*Adam Thompson hoisting the FPW Championship*

JB: Adam, you were our first champion. You went to war with MAJ and his cronies, and I am proud to say that I fought at your side a few times. There’s a reason you were the first- you represent the best of what this company has to offer. Respect, dignity, strength, perseverance. You defended your title in the name of the Freedom Fighters. While we haven’t faced each other one on one, I think we can both agree it’d be a heck of a match. It would have been an honor.

*Azazel holding his torch*

JB: Azazel, your story here in FPW is one of the more intriguing to me. You came in as this monstrous force of nature, this dominating beast who destroyed everything in his path. While you still more or less do that, even at the expense of my friends and family, somehow the Freedom Fighters got behind you. And I now understand why. You never give up. You don’t know how. You’re incapable of surrender. Your undefeated streak is already part of FPW legend, and who knows how long it would’ve lasted without interference. You’re a force to be reckoned with, and your time shall come. Lemme know if you want a hand with Jones by the way. Either of them. It would have been an honor.

*Bishop stands up and walks back across to the locker room, taking off his smoking jacket to once again reveal his ring gear. He opens his locker and removes a picture of Graham Baker posing with his finger-gun. Bishop addresses the picture.*

JB: Which brings me to you, Graham. You’re one of the brightest stars in the company right now. You took Adam and Azazel to their limits, which is more than even I can say. You’ve won the hearts of Freedom Fighters the world over. You’ve even come out of this Free-1 Tournament without a loss to your name. You’ve scratched and clawed and fought tooth and nail for every ounce of respect and opportunity you’ve had, and you made the most out of all of them. You’re an electrifying performer and a remarkable young talent. Heck, you’ve even held a championship, which is something I haven’t done.

*Bishop drops the picture to the floor.*

JB: Yet.

*He stares down the camera.*

JB: Graham, you may be one of the best this company has ever seen. Your star is on the rise, there is absolutely no denying that. When you and I hit that ring, the crowd is going to be hotter than molten iron on the surface of the sun. Our styles clashing and playing off of each other, we’re going to push each other harder than either of us has ever had to go. We’re going to put on one of the best matches in FPW history.

*Bishop draws his mask out of his locker.*

JB: But when the time comes and we face off on September 9th... if you think that I’m going to give any less than every drop of energy I have and then some, if you think I won’t spill my blood, sweat, and tears to win, if you think you’re the only deserving winner for this match, if you even entertain the notion that it’s going to be anything less than full throttle from bell to bell, if you have the slightest inkling that I won’t dig down deeper than I’ve ever had to and use everything in my little purple bag of tricks and techniques, if you let it cross your mind that I won’t fight and fight and fight until I have nothing left to give you or the crowd and they’ll have to wheel me out of the arena because I can’t hardly move or breathe or see straight from exhaustion, if you could possibly fathom the concept that you and I are going to redefine what endurance, determination, and willpower mean, and shatter limits we didn’t even know we had or existed... Then Graham, my friend...

*Bishop puts his mask on and stares at the camera.*

JB: It will be my privilege to put a Smile on that face.

*Bishop flicks the sides of his mouth into a Chelsea Smile as the camera cuts to black.*

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*Watson and Deville bring us back to ringside for the next match.*

MW: Next up we have a hotly anticipated match between one of FPW’s highest fliers and one of its newest signees!
SD: That’s right, Watson, we’re about to see James “I wish I was Perry” Saturn have his showboating put to a halt by the Executioner, Artemis Evans.
MW: That’s a little unfair, Steven. James and Perry Saturn have two very different styles.
SD: So what, nobody actually likes Jimmy Jupiter here. People revere Perry, so he should at least try and be like the legend.
MW: It’s gonna be planet jokes all night, isn’t it.
SD: I’ve got galaxies of them!

*The arena lights flicker off and the tron fills with static, followed by a spinning white Queen chess piece. A woman’s voice says “Checkmate” with a trace of a laugh and the tron blanks out. “Hammer to Fall” by Sturm und Drang hits on the speakers as Artemis Evans appears on the stage, arms outstretched. The crowd aren’t quite sure what to make of her until she tears a “I Fly Saturn Air” sign out of the hands of a young fan on the ramp. They begin to boo her as she laughs and sneers at them. She jumps over the top rope and poses on the opposite corner, arms outstretched, almost drinking in the hate.*

SD: What a woman! Now *that’s* a girl after my own heart!
MW: Oh god, please don’t get attached...
SD: Like hell I won’t! The only way she could be better is if she were Marcus’ sister! Then he could be my brother-in-law!
MW: I’m going to be sick.

*Evans slouches against the turnbuckle and admires her nails, fiddles with her hair, looking as bored as possible. The music changes to Evanescence’s “My Last Breath” and the crowd erupts into cheers. James Saturn takes to the stage and bounces on his toes for a moment, staring down the ramp at Evans. He makes his way down the ramp. Saturn stops to give the damaged “I Fly Saturn Air” sign back to the fan and poses for a quick picture and a fist bump before climbing into the ring. He mounts the turnbuckle and imitates Evans’ posturing, leaning back much much slower. The fans cheer and laugh as Saturn drops down and mouths “That’s how you do it” to Evans, who simply yawns.*

MW: Saturn looking to regain some momentum after being knocked out of the Free-1 Tournament, but the crowd are certainly still behind him!
SD: Those idiots don’t even know talent!

*An unrelated camera cut shows a sign in the crowd that reads “Artemis Evans = no talent*

Match 3: James Saturn v Artemis Evans: Written by Jerry/Berry:

*The bell rings, and Saturn and Evans start to circle each other, with some of the fans starting to chant “SAT-URN AIR! SAT-URN AIR!” to avenge the young fan. Saturn notices and starts to “conduct” the chants, winking at Evans.*

MW: Graham Baker may be the Aviator, but the Charismatic Killer Saturn might have found a new addition to his resume!
SD: Now if only he’d pay attention to the work he needs to do in the ring! Look out!

*As Saturn looks out to the crowd, Evans charges in with a knee to the gut followed by an axe kick, knocking the wind out of Saturn’s sails. As Saturn staggers to his feet, Evans runs the ropes and rebounds with a discus forearm. She follows with a jumping spin kick, forcing Saturn against the ropes. Evans spins Saturn to face away from her and clubs him across the back dropping him to his knees. She starts choking him against the middle rope as the ref counts toward 5. Evans finally lets Saturn out at 4.9. He starts to get back to his feet, but before he can get all the way up Evans tucks Saturn’s head between her legs and hits him with a Code Red and goes for the cover.*

One!
T- No!

*Saturn kicks out and Artemis wags her finger in his face.*

SD: She doesn’t let up, does she? The Executioner is looking to make an example out of James Saturn here tonight, and I’m loving every minute of this!
MW: She’s certainly a strong competitor, but she hasn’t put Saturn away yet!

*Evans pulls Saturn up by hooking her fingers over his head and almost into his eyes. Saturn cries out in pain and the referee reprimands Evans. She begs off as though she’d done nothing wrong. Saturn starts to regain his bearings before stumbling into an inverted STO from Evans. She looks to capitalize further, but as she sets Saturn up for a snap DDT, Saturn powers up from his knees and counters with a back body drop to get some separation. The crowd cheer for him, and Saturn starts to feel their energy.*

MW: Looks like he’s not out of this one yet!
SD: He will be, give it time!

*Saturn comes up behind Evans, who is pulling herself up with the ropes. He spins her around and grabs her into a wristlock. He works the arm for a moment before climbing the turnbuckles.*

SD: This idiot isn’t going for a tornado DDT, is he? Not nearly enough speed for that!

*Saturn reaches the top rope while still applying the wristlock. He starts to walk across the top rope, and the fans eat it up.*

MW: Nope, he’s looking to go...

*Saturn leaps from the rope and crashes his arm against Evans’ shoulder and back.*

MW: OLD SCHOOL! Saturn’s got the touch! He’s got the pow-
SD: I will give you $100 if you don’t finish that sentence.

*Saturn runs the ropes and lands a clothesline on the dazed Evans. She doesn’t drop, but he doesn’t stop. He goes into the opposite ropes and rebounds with a dropkick to Evans’ back, laying her out. He follows up with an elbow drop and makes the cover.*

One!
Tw- No!

*Evans kicks out, but starts to nurse her shoulder. Saturn takes a moment to clear some of his own cobwebs as well.*

MW: These two are quite well-paired, wouldn’t you say?
SD: The only person Artemis should be paired with is me!
MW: I asked you nicely to stop being creepy...
SD: This ain’t creeping, this is love, son!

*The two competitors get back to their feet and lock up. They trade holds but Saturn gets the upper hand, whipping Evans out of a wristlock into the ropes and back into an enzuigiri. Saturn bounces off the ropes and connects with a running knee, but Evans doesn’t drop. He catches her in a waistlock, which Evans counters with a Skywalker. Just as the crowd start to cheer for her, though, she grabs Saturn by the head and smashes it against the mat repeatedly before being separated by the ref. She turns to the crowd and shouts “THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS TO HEROES!” before turning around into calf kick from Saturn and the crowd cheers as Saturn goes for the cover.*

One!
Two!
T- No!

*Evans kicks out and Saturn stirs himself back up.*

MW: Saturn’s not going to give up that easily, not while this crowd has anything to say about it!
SD: They should just keep their mouths shut, Evans was making an excellent point!

*Saturn gets to his feet first and climbs the turnbuckle and shakes off the last big hit. Evans lies dazed in the ring behind him. Saturn reaches the top turnbuckle and calls for the Saturnsault. Before he can take off, however, Evans’ music hits once again. Saturn pauses on the turnbuckle confused as a woman wearing gear similar to Evans’ but more black than white makes her way down the ramp, calling out at him and trash-talking, making it to the apron and cursing up at Saturn.*

MW: That’s... That’s Thea Donovan! The Black Queen! She made her bones in SWCW before signing with FPW, but what’s she doing out here now?
SD: I think I know where this is going, buddy!

*As Saturn and Donovan trade barbs, and the referee tries to separate them, another woman in similar gear (albeit more white than black) rolls into the ring behind them and helps Evans out between the ropes and lies in her place. Donovan sees her confederate in position and steps away from the ring.*

MW: And that’s Myra Lopez, the Ice Queen! The Queendom are all here in FPW! Saturn, don’t do it! Don’t jump!
SD: Too late!

*Saturn leaps off for the Saturnsault, but unfortunately for him he didn’t notice any of the chicanery going on behind. He lands on Lopez and makes the cover, not seeing he’s pinning the wrong person. The ref rings the bell for the disqualification. Saturn realizes the pin wasn’t counted and looks down to see Lopez under him, wiggling her fingers in his face mockingly.*

Winner via disqualification: Artemis Evans.

MW: What a downright dirty trick to pull! That’s no way to compete! Saturn would’ve had this match won!
SD: Oh, really? He couldn’t even handle one heckler, do you really think he could’ve taken down Artemis?
MW: If she were by herself, sure! Not like this!
SD: Well, tough sandwiches, Watson, that’s the way this ball bounced.

*Donovan props Evans up over her shoulder and Lopez helps on the other side. Evans gets up and starts to smile before laughing. Saturn starts after them shouting they cheated and demands another shot. The crowd chant “FUCK YOU EV-ANS!”. The trio back their way up the ramp as Saturn paces the ring in frustration at what just happened.*

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Static fills the screen as a video flickers into existence. It shows another countdown clock, this one reading:

84 days
23 hours
35 minutes
56 second

A distorted voice can be heard again:

“In the beginning, there was the word. And the word was God. And the word was with God. In the becoming, there was something far greater. Sacrifices are beginning. I am becoming stronger. Soon, the becoming will enter an advanced stage. In less than eighty-five days, a new phase will begin. Three sacrifices will be made and the becoming will be closer to completion. Tick. Tock.”

The video ends with the clock ticking away and a load roar, like that of a big cat.

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MW: There's that clock again. You know, I've been doing a few calculations and-
SD: There's no time for that now. We have our first title match of the night about to begin.

The lights in the arena go down, and flash on and off as ‘Bury Me Face Down’ begins to play. The crowd begins to clap in tune with the song and as Grimm and Karlson appear, erupt in a loud pop. This time, Karlson does her entrance a bit differently, kipping up and slinking to the ring as Grimm follows behind her, Grimm slapping a few of the fans’ hands as he approaches the ring. He climbs up on the apron, and holds the ropes open for Karlson before slipping in himself. He poses with his arms crossed as Karlson poses in front of him, pulling off a mask on her face with the phrase ‘00-Sevren’ emblazoned across the forehead. She throws it to the side, and both run to the turnbuckles as the fans cheer.

MW: Finally, we’re here, in one of our two title matches of the night, as Elizabeth Karlson and John Grimm take on Jack Sevren and Bobby O in a match for the Freedom Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles. Grimm and Karlson won these off of a pinfall on Dario in a match containing both The Invaders and The Friendmigos. What do you think of their odds of winning the belts tonight, Deville?
SD: Honestly, I’d say they’re fairly even, but Karlson might just give them that killer edge to squeak out the win! If it was The Invaders in there, I know for sure they’d reclaim the belts they so falsely lost at Super Anniversary Party.
MW: What are you talking about?! They almost got their opponents purposefully disqualified to retain the titles!
SD: Err...look, the champions are making their entrance!

As if on queue, Jack Sevren and Bobby O come out to ‘This Means War’, fist-bumping at the top of the ramp with their belts slung over their shoulders. They slap hands with the fans, seemingly fully behind the fans and one another, before getting into the ring. They have a staredown with Karlson and Grimm, and both turn to one another, appearing to be, for once, on the same page. Orton offers the match start to Sevren, who takes it graciously and shakes Orton’s hand, before settling in the corner. Karlson slaps Grimm’s hand and tags herself in for the start, and Grimm agrees, settling on the outside of the ring. The announcer finishes his introductions, and, after taking the belts from Orton and Sevren, signals the start of the match.

Match 4: FPW Tag Team Titles: Jack Sevren and Bobby O v The Renegades (written by Baker/Renegades):

Sevren offers a hand to Karlson out of respect, and Karlson looks at it, taking it and shaking it...before pulling Sevren in for an early ripcord knee. Sevren ducks the knee, however, surprised, only for Karlson to rush into a vicious springboard enziguiri that Sevren manages to barely avoid. He looks at Karlson and shrugs, infuriating Karlson, who signals for a lockup. Sevren agrees, despite the early aggression, and locks up with Karlson.

MW: Early aggression from Karlson here! She’s like a wild animal in that ring.
SD: That’s the way you win these things, Watson! You don’t win by letting your opponent strike first!

The two lock-up for a few moments before Karlson manages to get dominance and turn the hold into a waistlock, locking her arms around Sevren and going for a German suplex, but Sevren manages to retain control and break her hold. He taunts her for a moment, pretending to wipe sweat off of his face, before Karlson beckons another lockup. Sevren comes in, and it seems as though he’s gaining control...before Karlson suddenly breaks it with a knee to the face and rolls Sevren through into a small package!

ONE!

T-Sevren kicks out! He gets back to his feet and looks for an early low dropkick as Karlson gets back to her feet, but Karlson rolls to the outside of the ring. Karlson copies his taunt, shrugging, before she walks around the outside of the ring as the referee begins the ten-count. Grimm and Orton share a glance as Sevren beckons her to come back to the ring, and moments later, she does, sliding in. She beckons a test of strength, and Sevren lets out a chuckle, before locking up. Sevren is easily able to gain dominance, forcing Karlson down, and he makes a snide comment before Karlson responds by dropping to the ground and kicking Sevren’s leg out from beneath him! Sevren drops, and Karlson responds by getting on him like a spider, trying to lock in the Creeping Death, but Sevren manages to escape it before she can lock it in, getting back to his feet! He goes for another low dropkick, hitting Karlson square in the face and sending her flat on his back, before he heads up to the top for a top-rope knee drop! He jumps-

MW/SD: Wow!

-as Karlson rolls out of the way and grabs Sevren in a knee-bar! She attempts to grab hold of his arm to lock in the Chronic Illness, but Sevren manages to hit the rope with his free arm, forcing the referee to force Karlson to break the hold. She rolls away, returning to her corner and consulting with Grimm while Sevren nurses his wounded knee. He looks back to her, shaking his head, and looks to Orton, who offers his hand. Orton tags in, and swaps out with Sevren, causing Karlson to pause for a moment.

MW: Bobby O’s getting involved, but will Karlson tangle with the technician or swap out for John Grimm?

Karlson slaps Grimm’s hand, and Grimm cracks his knuckles as he settles in the ring.

SD: Guess that answers our question.

Grimm and Orton circle up for a moment, before Grimm offers a handshake. Bobby looks down at his hand, and then shakes it, before the two push into an immediate lockup. Bobby manages to get the upperhand, getting Grimm in a headlock and drilling Grimm with a few hard elbow strikes to the head, but Grimm manages to push out of it. They circle one another as Grimm clears the cobwebs from his head and the two lock back up once again, before Bobby goes for a waistlock. As he does so, however, Grimm counters and moves into a waistlock of his own, hitting Bobby with a double-leg takedown and sending him down to the mat. Grimm uses his weight to his advantage and presses a knee into Orton’s neck and stomps down on his hand, drilling him in the face with strikes, before Orton manages to force Grimm off. The crowd cheers quietly as both men show respect for one another, and Grimm beckons Orton in for yet another test of strength. The two lock up, and Grimm gains control fairly early on, but Orton manages to take it back about halfway through and force Grimm to the ground! He hits Grimm with a stiff kick to the head to stun him as he releases, before hitting the ropes and going for a curbstomp-GRIMM ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! Grimm grabs a hold of Orton’s wrist and whips him into the ropes, before tossing him up as he bounces and hitting him with a pop-up elbow strike! He covers!

ONE!

TW-NO! Bobby kicks out!

MW: A great physical contest for two of our most proficient combatants here in FPW. Grimm seems to have a slight strength advantage, but Orton’s technical skills may just make up for it!
SD: Let’s not act like Orton’s a slouch, either! The man’s strong enough in and of himself.

Orton quickly scrambles back to his feet and ducks a discus elbow from Grimm, taking advantage and catching him with a German suplex. He drills Grimm into the mat, and as Grimm bounces up he pulls him up for an exploder. The crowd pops hard, and Orton picks Grimm up for a third suplex, this time a belly-to-back! Grimm hits the canvas hard for a third time, and rolls a bit as he hits, setting him up in perfect position as Orton hits the ropes and drills Grimm in the head with a running dropkick! Grimm hits the canvas flat on his back, and Orton goes for a pin!

ONE!

TWO!!

THR-NO! KARLSON BREAKS THE PIN! The referee tries to force Karlson out as she shoves Orton off and stands in front of Grimm, who’s groggily getting back to his feet. He threatens a DQ, and she spits at him, before rolling under the ropes. Orton gives Grimm his distance for a moment, but as Grimm gets back to his feet he goes for a superkick-that GRIMM CATCHES! GRIMM TRAPS ORTON’S LEG AND HITS A LEG-TRAP GERMAN SUPLEX ON HIM! He follows up with a brutal penalty kick to the back of Orton’s neck, causing Orton to clutch his neck in pain from the two repeated assaults, before he drags Orton back to his feet. He gets him in position for a powerbomb-BUCKLE BOMB INTO THE RENEGADES’ CORNER! He tags Karlson in, and gets in position for the Absolute Fuckery.

SD: Orton’s slipping up! If they hit this, we’ll see new tag team champions tonight!

Karlson gets Orton in position for the Frankensteiner, but as she does so, Jack Sevren hits the ring and goes for a suplex on John Grimm! Grimm manages to counter it with relative ease, but Sevren gets the advantage once again with an eye-poke before whipping Grimm into the ropes and clotheslining him over the top rope to the outside! Orton takes advantage of the distraction and blasts Karlson with three hard strikes, stunning her, before dropping himself down to the middle rope. He pulls her up to the top, getting in position for an Avalanche RKO.

MW: We’ve never seen Bobby attempt this move before! He must feel pretty desperate after that Absolute Fuckery attempt!

Bobby grabs Karlson for the RKO, and sets up, but Karlson manages to weasel out of it! She counters with a headscissor takedown attempt from the top rope, but Orton manages to counter it into a powerbomb, powerbombing her into his own corner! At this time, Sevren manages to get back to the corner, having distracted Grimm enough, and Orton manages to make a tag! Sevren takes advantage of the downed Karlson, and sets up for a top rope lungblower, getting in position, only for John Grimm to appear on the ropes! Grimm goes to level Sevren with a clothesline, but Orton’s quick to have his back, drilling Grimm with a superkick and sending him off of the apron! He yells for Sevren to ‘get it done’, and Sevren perfectly executes the lungblower! He goes for the pin!

ONE!

TWO!!

THR-KARLSON KICKS OUT! Elizabeth just barely gets her shoulder up, looking off into the crowd for a moment as she does so, before laying down flat on her back. Sevren sighs, and pulls her up again, this time going for a tombstone piledriver set-up, but she manages to roll through and roll Sevren up!

ONE!

TWO!!

TH-NO! SEVREN KICKS OUT!

This time, Elizabeth and Sevren both look to their opposite corners, and both make stunningly-quick hot tags, sending Grimm and Orton onto a collision course with one another. Grimm gets the advantage early, hitting a picture perfect discus clothesline to Orton and flattening him, but as he pulls Orton up for a German, Orton manages to overrotate out of it! Orton goes for a snap RKO, but Grimm shoves him off and drills him with a penalty kick! He picks him up for a powerbomb, but Orton manages to counter the powerbomb into a ‘rana-style rollup!

ONE!

TWO!!

TH-GRIMM KICKS OUT! Grimm delivers another stiff kick to Orton, and whips him into his own corner, going for a running corkscrew elbow, but Orton ducks out of the way, causing Grimm to smash his elbow against the turnbuckle! Orton tags Sevren in, and the two grab Grimm and whip him into the ropes before drilling him with a double clothesline! Orton leaves the ring, and Sevren goes to work on Grimm, going for a top-rope knee drop as he did with Karlson, but Grimm rolls out of the way, sending Sevren down to the mat hard! Grimm drills Sevren into the Renegade corner with a buckle-bomb, and tags Karlson in, before drilling Sevren into the mat with another vicious powerbomb. He steps out as Karlson sets up in the corner-DOUBLE SHOTGUN KNEES TO JACK SEVREN!

MW: The coherence between these two teams is unbelievable! They might communicate better than any team I’ve ever seen!
SD: Maybe in this ring, but they don’t hold a candle to The Invaders!

Karlson hooks Sevren’s leg and goes for a pin!

ONE!

TWO!!

THRE-ORTON BREAKS THE PINFALL! Orton grabs Sevren and whips him into their own corner as the referee gets between he and Karlson, and backs up to his corner, tagging himself in as Jack Sevren is still stunned from the last assault. He faces off with Karlson, and the two circle one another before Karlson rushes forward and manages to get Bobby in position for a Fireman’s Carry, before he manages to reverse it to one of his own. He drops Karlson with a fireman’s carry stunner, and picks her up, throwing her into the ropes-POP UP POWERBOMB! Karlson looks to be out, but he’s not done yet as he carries her over to the ropes, setting her up on the top rope. He gets in position for the Avalance RKO again, but as he goes to climb, John Grimm shakes the ropes and causes him to lose balance! He stumbles, falling and looking to Grimm, but before he can say anything, KARLSON LEAPS AND LOCKS IN A SLEEPER WHILE HANGING ONTO ORTON’S BACK! Orton stumbles blindly, struggling against the hold, but Karlson’s locked it in tight! He struggles, falling to the ring floor and trying to roll, but Karlson keeps him grounded. In a final, desperate act, he manages to touch his foot to the rope, breaking the sleeper hold!

MW: Orton looks like he’s out, but he might just have a little bit left!
SD: Is it enough to overcome The Renegades?

Karlson slams the ring floor in frustration, and yanks Orton back to his feet, getting him in a Fireman’s Carry and putting him up on the top rope. She tags Grimm in and climbs up the turnbuckle, setting up for the Absolute Fuckery, making sure that Jack Sevren isn’t in a position to counter the move but being unable to find him. She growls, and hits Bobby with the Frankensteiner-but in mid-air, Orton overrotates and turns the flight into a perfect position for an RKO to John Grimm, hitting it perfectly in the center of the ring! HE GOES FOR THE PIN AS SEVREN APPEARS BEHIND KARLSON AND SHOVES HER OFF THE TURNBUCKLE TO THE RING FLOOR!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

Winners: Bobby O and Jack Sevren

The bell rings as the referee counts Orton’s pinfall on Grimm, and Double-Oh Sevren are still tag team champions.

MW: Absolute amazing tag team action here in Freedom Pro Wrestling, as two of our top tag teams fought for the belts, but the champions in the unlikely pairing of Orton and Sevren somehow managed to retain once again!
SD: A good match, sure, but what does it matter? The Invaders will have those belts back soon enough!

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A video package plays, showing Adam Thompson’s FPW Title win, his defenses, and ultimately his loss of the title due to injuries caused by Marcus Allen Jones. It shows him struggling to get out of the ring after the injury and it shows him getting frustrated as doctors tell him he won't be ready to compete in the gauntlet match. It then shows Davey’s attack on Azazel and Marcus’ cheap win at Super Anniversary Party, before Thompson emerged as his challenger. The tone suddenly changes, a cocky laugh from Marcus showing highlights of his career, ranging from Young Lions Cup winner to FPW Champion, and it shows clips of him verbally running Thompson down. It ends with the two men face to face and Thompson promising to bring that title back home.

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The lights in the arena dim as spotlights begin to shine on the stage. “The Feast and the Famine” begins and Adam Thompson emerges onstage. He foregoes any theatrics or crowd interaction in favor a of a quick march down to the ring. He climbs in and faces back up the entrance ramp, yelling “get your ass out here Marcus, let’s finish this!”

MW: “Tonight marks an important moment in FPW history. If Marcus Allen Jones retains his championship, then the rivalry that has headlined these past few months in FPW would be over. But if Adam Thompson can regain the FPW World Championship, which he was never pinned or submitted to lose I might add, then I can only imagine that this feud would continue for who knows how long. It all kicks off in just a few moments!”

“Cult of Personality” begins and the reigning FPW champion Marcus Allen Jones emerges and does a standing backflip, landing in a kneeling pose. Pyro goes off, and as the smoke and sparks clear, it reveals The Invaders, Haych and Dario, flanking Marcus. Marcus rises to his feet and walks towards the ring, hesitating and pulling out a piece of paper as the lyrics hit “I’m the smiling face on your TV!” The cameras zoom in on the paper and reveal that it simply says “#AndStill” He takes off his shirt and climbs into the ring, smirking as he raises his title above his head.

SD: “Tonight will be the end of this rivalry, as Marcus will finally remove of the thorn in his side known as Adam Thompson.”

Match 5: FPW Title: Marcus Allen Jones v Adam Thompson (written by Mason/Evans):

The ref calls for the bell and Adam wastes no time, forcing Marcus back into the corner and laying into him with merciless forearms.

SD: “This isn’t fair! Marcus clearly wasn’t ready!”

Adam refused to listen to the ref, who was forced to physically pull him away from Marcus. As the ref let go, Dario hopped up onto the apron and yelled something at Adam, who rushed forward and swung at him. Dario barely hopped off the apron in time to avoid getting knocked out, and Marcus took advantage of the distraction by running forward and pulling Adam to the mat with a school boy roll-up.

1!...2!.Kick-out!

MW: “Marcus scoring an early two count here, but he may be regretting it now.”

Adam and Marcus had both risen to their feet, and now Adam was glaring a hole through Marcus. Marcus’ composure broke and he exited the ring, running to the timekeeper’s area to grab his title. Marcus chased after him, knocking Haych off his feet with a shoulder tackle when he tried to get in the way. Adam caught up to Marcus on the ramp, grabbing him around the waist and lifting him into the air. He carried him back to the ringside area and tossed him into the guardrail. Marcus crumpled to the floor, but then was pulled back to his feet by Adam, who then rolled him back in the ring.

Thompson climbed in after him and waited for Marcus to get back up. Marcus rose to his feet, albeit unsteadily, and Adam charged at him aiming to hit a running elbow smash. But Marcus ducked under the attack, and as Adam turned around, Marcus drove him him face-first into the mat with a snapmare driver. Marcus turned his back to Adam and spread his arms as he smiled at the crowd. Loud boos rained down upon him.

SD: “Marcus pausing for a moment to soak in the adulation of the fans”
MW: (Muttering under his breath) “You’re conveniently deaf to about nine tenths of the crowd.”
SD: “What was that?”
MW: “Nothing. Marcus might want to refocus his attention on his opponent, since Adam Thompson is rising to his feet behind him.”

But Marcus clearly hadn’t been as oblivious to Adam as it appeared. As Adam made to grab him, Marcus flipped backwards, catching Adam in the face with a pele kick that sent him staggering back. Marcus turned back to the crowd and smirked as he pointed at his head.

MW: “Um, Marcus seems to be unaware that Adam is still on his feet.”
SD: “Turn around Marcus!”

And Marcus did turn around, only to run into a huge elbow from Adam.

SD: “Too late.”

Adam dropped into a mounted position and began raining down right hands. Marcus put his arms up to try and maintain some form of defence, but Adam just battered his way past this and continued to pummel Marcus. Eventually, with Marcus left limp, Adam rose back to his feet and caught his breath. But Adam only paused a moment before pulling his opponent up and tucking Marcus’ head between his legs. He lifted Marcus for a powerbomb, but Marcus began to struggle, punching the top of Adam’s head. As Adam stumbled, Marcus threw his weight backwards and tossed Adam across the ring with a hurricanrana.

MW: “I have to hand it to Marcus, that was a creative escape from an attempted powerbomb.”
SD: “What do mean creative? It was more than creative, it was brilliant!”

Adam didn't stay down long, he got right to his feet and rushed back at Marcus. But Marcus met him with a quick boot to the gut before whipping him to the corner. Marcus ran in after him and hit a forearm smash, then he pulled Adam back out of the corner and climbed to the second turnbuckle. He reached down and pulled Adam into a headlock. He made a circular motion in the air with his other hand before launching himself off and drilling Adam with a tornado DDT. He turned him over and hooked the leg, looking for the second cover of the match.

1.Kick-out!

MW: “Adam kicking out early from that cover!

Marcus looked down at Adam's body in disbelief, stunned that Adam had escaped so quickly. A moment later, the look of disbelief changed to one of determination and he pulled Adam to his feet and tossed him out of the ring. Marcus ran across the ring, hit the ropes and ran back, flying through the ropes and driving Adam into the barricade with a suicide dive!

MW: “Marcus realizing that he's going to need to increase the intensity of his offense if he's going to compete with a driven Adam Thompson.”
SD: “And he's going to do it again!”

Sure enough, Marcus flew through the ropes and collided with Adam once again. But instead of continuing his attack on the outside, Marcus rolled back in the ring and hit the ropes one more time. He went for a third suicide dive, but Adam sidestepped and redirected Marcus into the guardrail! Marcus collapsed before being picked back up and rolled into the ring by Adam. Adam made to climb into the ring after him, but while the ref was checking on Marcus, Dario pulled Adam off the apron. And when Adam turned to face Dario, Haych dropped him with a forearm smash to the back of the head.

MW: “Complete and utter disrespect for the rules being shown by The Invaders.”
SD: “They're just helping their friend. As much as I hate to admit anyone is better than Marcus at anything, Adam holds the size and strength advantage. So The Invaders are assisting their leader by levelling the playing field.”

Adam staggered back to his feet and rolled back into the ring. But the delay caused by the Invaders had bought Marcus enough time to recover. Before Adam could get up, Marcus ran over and began stomping away, keeping Adam flat on the mat. He specifically targeted the legs, repeatedly driving his boot into Adam’s knee. Marcus then climbed out of the ring and walked towards the corner, dragging Adam along by his leg. Marcus wrapped Adam’s legs around the ring post, then applied pressure with his own leg, locking in figure four around the post!

SD: “As usual, this is genius strategy from Marcus. He knows that as long as Adam can stand, he will continue to attack. So he’s making sure that Adam can’t stand.”

The ref told Marcus to break the hold, and after pushing the count to four, Marcus obliged. With his legs freed, Adam rolled back towards the center of the ring. Marcus quickly ascended to the top rope and turned around facing the crowd. He gave them a smirk as he winked at the camera, then launched himself backwards, turning over and around in midair to connect with a phoenix splash!

MW: “Marcus going for a cover off that amazing phoenix splash.”

1!...2!.Kick-out!

As Marcus transitioned into a side headlock to keep Adam grounded, Steven said. “You said an amazing phoenix splash. I’d like to use a different adjective.”

MW: “What’s it going to be? Flawless? Perfect? Unrepeatable?”
SD: “No, none of those. The word I was going to use was ordinary.”
MW: “What?!”
SD: “Everything Marcus does is amazing, so for him, that picture perfect phoenix splash was completely ordinary.”
MW: “I shouldn't even be surprised.”

Back in the ring, Adam bagan to fight his way back to his feet. To counteract this, Marcus transitioned into a front facelock and pulled Adam up to attempt a falcon’s arrow. But Adam blocked, then countered with a vertical suplex that sent Marcus across the ring. Adam closed the distance as Marcus quickly got back to his feet and pulled him in with double underhooks.

MW: “Adam Thompson looking for Bloody Fucking Murder early!”

Marcus drove Adam to the ropes before he could begin swinging, forcing a break. Adam let go of his underhooks and raised his arms, allowing Marcus to back out. But Marcus only took a single step back before lunging forward, aiming a forearm at Adam. Adam sidestepped, causing Marcus to hit the ropes. Adam whipped him across the ring and caught him with a sling blade on the rebound. With Marcus grounded, Adam began to scale the turnbuckles, climbing to the top rope. Adam made sure Marcus was still in a good position, then flew through the air, driving the point of of his elbow into Marcus’ chest. The crowd cheered as he hooked Marcus’ leg.

1!...2!.Kick-out!

Marcus rolled over following the kick-out and began crawling towards the bottom rope, but Adam grabbed him by the ankles and pulled him back into the center. He turned Marcus back over and began stomping on the midsection of his opponent.

MW: “Adam punishing Marcus with these powerful stomps. And he’s maintained his hold on Marcus’ ankles, making escape impossible.”

Adam finally ceased his relentless stomps and pulled Marcus back to his feet. He dragged him to the corner and left him propped up, with his arms wrapped in the ropes. Adam ran across the ring before turning around, running back towards Marcus and driving his forearm into Marcus’ jaw. He repeated this action, but when he went for it a third time, Marcus brought his knees up, knocking Adam back. Marcus rose to the second turnbuckle and took Adam off his feet with a missile dropkick. But Adam wouldn’t stay down for long, and he was already rising to his feet as Marcus ran to the ropes, handspringing off and sending Adam back to the mat with an enzuigiri! With Adam flat on his back, Marcus went for broke and leapt into the air, connecting with a standing shooting star!

SD: “The usual impressive athleticism on display from Marcus Allen Jones. Now going for a cover.”

1!...2!..Kick-out!

The crowd exploded with cheers, but Marcus didn’t allow himself to be distracted, running to the ropes as Adam sat up. He rebounded and went for a shining wizard, but Adam reached up and grabbed his knee with one hand, while the other hand braced against Marcus’ hip, stopping him in his tracks!

MW: “Adam Thompson just blocked the shining wizard!”!”
SD: “How on earth is Adam still fighting after taking that offensive onslaught from Marcus?”

As Adam rose to his feet, Marcus started saying something, begging Adam to let him go. But Adam instead shifted his grips and lifted Marcus up, only to bring him back down with a spinebuster. But before he could press his advantage, Haych jumped up on the apron, distracting the referee and allowing Dario to jump up on the other side and take out Adam with a springboard forearm smash! But as Dario hurried to exit the ring before the ref turned around, he failed to notice that Adam had collapsed on top of Marcus! The ref turned around and, seeing Marcus’ shoulders down, began to make the count.

1!...2!..Kick-out!

MW: “The Invaders nearly costing Marcus the championship!”
SD: “Give me a moment, I need to catch my breath.”
MW: (rolling his eyes) “This match continues, and now Marcus is in control.”

Marcus dragged Adam to the center of the ring and began setting up for one of his most deadly holds, crossing Adam’s legs and threading one of his through them. He then reached forward and clasped his hands under Adam’s chin, wrenching back to cause immense pain.

MW: “Marcus locking in the cross-legged STF! This could be the end for Adam Thompson!”

Adam let out a pained cry that was muffled by Marcus’ hands in front of his face. He tried to squirm his way closer to the ropes, but only made a small bit of progress due to having to drag Marcus’ body weight along with him. Marcus wrenched back even further, stopping Adam’s attempt to escape and prompting an even louder cry of pain.

SD: “Can you feel it Mike? The end of the match is here; Marcus’ superior technical wrestling ability is going to finally put away Adam Thompson.”

Adam gave another cry, not of pain, but defiance. He began to crawl his way to the ropes once more, dragging Marcus with him as he made it closer and closer to the salvation of the bottom rope. Marcus shook his head and wrenched back again, but this only stymied Adam for a moment before he continued to claw his way to the ropes. Finally, he reached out and grabbed the bottom rope! The crowd cheered as the referee called for Marcus to release the submission.

MW: “Incredible fortitude being shown by Adam Thompson in escaping the STF, but now Marcus is re-asserting his control over this match.”

Marcus pulled Adam to his feet and draped one of his arms over his shoulder, setting Adam up for his belly-to-back wheelbarrow facebuster. He successfully lifts Adam up, but as before he can finish the move, Adam turns it into a diamond cutter, dropping Marcus face first to the mat! Adam lifted Marcus into a fireman’s carry as the crowd cheered.

MW: “Adam looking for Excalibur!”

But as Adam launched his opponent, Marcus somehow flipped out and landed on his feet. He connected with a forearm smash, turning Adam around and getting into position for six stars! He pulls Adam around to face him, but before he can hit the knee strike, Adam kicked out his other leg, causing Marcus to lose his balance and fall. Adam quickly took control of the wristlock, trapping Marcus in a Kimura!

MW: “Retirement locked in by Adam Thompson!”

Marcus let out a scream of pain as he tried desperately to escape the submission. But nothing he did had any effect, as Adam simply continued to apply pressure on Marcus’ shoulder. The ref knelt near Marcus, asking him if he wanted to quit and ready to call for the bell if he tapped out. Seeing that Marcus was in clear danger, Haych took matters into his own hands and pulled the ref out of the ring! Adam continued to apply pressure for a moment before realizing that the ref was suddenly absent. He relinquished his hold and stood up, just as the ref called for Haych and Dario to be sent to the back! But while Adam yelled at the referee for being out of position, Marcus got behind him and grabbed his wrist, spinning Adam around and driving his knee into Adam’s chin!

SD: “Six stars! Marcus has this won!”
MW: “No! Not like this!”

The ref hurried back into the ring as Marcus made the cover.

1!...2!..Adam kicked out!

Marcus raised his arms to his head, shocked that adam had just kicked out of his best shot. He looked up the ramp to see his lieutenants headed backstage, then looked out at the crowd as they started chanting “this is awesome”. He started shaking his head while rising to his feet. “This changes nothing!” he yelled as he pulled Adam up, tucking his head between his legs.

MW: “I think Marcus is looking for a Canadian destroyer.”

Before Marcus could hit the move however, Adam straightened up, leaving Marcus draped over his back. He then pulled down on Marcus’ legs and leaned forward, leaning forward and dropping Marcus to the mat with an Alabama slam! Adam didn’t give Marcus a moment to recover, pulling him right back to his feet and closer to the corner. He locked in a front facelock and tossed Marcus into the corner with a release suplex!

MW: “Oh my god! A Motion Sickness into the turnbuckles!”

Marcus crumpled as his back connected with the turnbuckles. Adam dragged his limp body into the center of the ring and went for a cover.

1!...2!..Kick-out!

SD: “This crowd coming unglued as Marcus kicked out! I’ll be honest Mike, that Motion Sickness into the corner had me worried that this match was over.”

Adam tried to rise to his feet, but stumbled and fell to his knees. He crawled to the ropes and used them to pull himself back to a vertical base. He started motioning for Marcus to get back to his feet as the crowd, sensing a big moment coming, starting clapping in unison. Marcus slowly rose, but he clearly was staggered. Adam ran at him with a clothesline, but Marcus ducked! Adam hit the ropes and rebounded, only to run into a superkick from Marcus! The crowd gasped as Adam fell flat on his back.

“Marcus is going for the Mark-treal Screwjob!” Steven exclaimed as Marcus grabbed Adam’s legs and stepped one of his own in between. He crossed Adam’s legs and turned him over to finish the sharpshooter! Adam gave out a cry, but it was noticeably more quiet than his previous ones. He struggled, trying to reach for the bottom rope, but was finally forced to tap out!

Winner: Marcus Allen Jones.

SD: “Yes!”
MW: “Marcus Allen Jones wins it!”

The referee calls for the bell as Marcus lets go of the hold and collapses. He crawls into the corner and sits down, leaning back against the turnbuckles. The ref tries to lift him up to raise his hand, but Marcus swats his hand away and motions for the ref to hand him his title. The ref obliged and Marcus stares at it, then smiles and nods. He then closes his eyes and tilts his head back, a triumphant smile still plastered on his face.

MW: “From the opening bell, this match was an all-out war, as both men threw almost everything they had at each other. They wrestled each other to exhaustion, to the point that Adam Thompson couldn’t even muster the energy to cry out while trapped in the sharpshooter. And as much as Marcus Allen Jones’ behaviors and tactics disgust me, I have to commend him tonight on his wrestling skills. He truly earned this victory.”
SD: “And I’ll give similar commendation to Adam Thompson for his performance in that match. As much as I thought Marcus winning was a foregone conclusion, he nearly made my heart stop at some points during that war.”

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The song 'Praying' by Kesha begins to play as interspersed clips of are shown, with Jerry Bishop and Graham Baker training, coming out to their first few shows.

"In the left corner...

Fighting out of London, by way of Philadelphia...

He is The Jester...

They call him The Aviator...

Jerry Bishop!

Graham Baker!"

Baker is shown fighting at PROGRESS, putting away Sexsmith in one match and being pinned by WALTER in another. In another shot, Bishop fights in 50-50, managing to score a win during his team with Super Che, but ending with a shot of 50-50's doors closed. Both men look elsewhere, showing shots of Bishop in Monaco performing while Baker boards a plane, and ends up in front of the barbed-wire logo of CZW. Both men shake hands with different people-Baker with DJ Hyde, Bishop with Missy. The next few shots show them at CZW and FPW, respectively. Baker takes a double-light tube shot while Jerry manages to defeat Davey Jones. More excapades are shown with the two, wins and losses, before culminating in Jerry and the Friendmigos combatting Team Sabre while Baker wins the CZW Wired Title. A side-by-side shot shows Jerry and Dwyer, still as companions, while Baker holds the title high as the fans chant his name.

A report from PWI lists 'top ten wrestlers to watch', and both Baker and Bishop are showcased, with a commentator saying that 'a match between these two immensely hot talents would be nothing short of a barnburner'. Bishop is shown in a locker room next, conversing with Dwyer while TJ Cole looms, while Baker's hype video plays to introduce him to FPW. The next show shows Jerry as a special guest referee fast-counting his friend Matt Dwyer while MDE pins Baker off a gutwrench powerbomb. Both men show looks of disappointment before rolling beneath the bottom rope and leaving the ring. The next few months are well-accounted with Jerry looking more and more disappointed in himself while Baker racks up loss after loss; however, the tune changes as we enter the All-Star Tag Tournament where Jerry reunites with his Friendmigos while Baker submits MDE! There's a side-by-side shot of Baker standing over MDE while Jerry stands reunited with the Friendmigos, seeming to be framed so that they look toward one another.

The next few shots show other victories and good efforts the two put up, with Bishop knocking TJ Cole and the Hardcases out of FPW permanently while Baker submits Jeremiah Johnson. In the next shot, Nick Jameson falls to Graham Baker as Baker claims the Hardcore Title, while Jerry Bishop puts up a good fight against Azazel-and nearly puts him away! Both men are shown passing by one another backstage-the bloodied form of Baker walking by the bruised Bishop, before the Free-1 tournament is announced. Shots of all the competitors and all the matchups, alongside short clips of the finish to each match, are shown, before finishing off with Baker's draw against Thompson while Bishop defeats MDE. While Bishop celebrates his victory and turns his back to the ramp, 'Glory' kicks in, and Baker appears on the ramp, pointing his finger at Bishop. 

We end with shots of Baker and Bishop training as the final, most intense portion of the song kicks up, slowing down as Baker and Bishop say a few lines each.

"I promise to give you the fight of your life. I promise to give you 115%. You think you've seen this side of me before...but you haven't."

"...if you let it cross your mind that I won’t fight and fight and fight until I have nothing left to give you or the crowd and they’ll have to wheel me out of the arena because I can’t hardly move or breathe or see straight from exhaustion, if you could possibly fathom the concept that you and I are going to redefine what endurance, determination, and willpower mean, and shatter limits we didn’t even know we had or existed..."

"Bishop..."

"Baker..."

"I'll ground you, for good."

"I'll put a smile on that face."

The last shot of the video package shows the two men in a locker room, Bishop with his mask in hand, and Baker with his jacket, both looking up as thought they're facing one another, while Bishop raises his thumb and draws the Chelsea Smile while Baker points a finger gun at Bishop. The shot lingers for a moment, before cutting to a fast-cut match card showing Bishop drawing a smile on his face while Baker points his finger-gun against his head, the card showing the main event for Cruise Control. 

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MW: Well Freedom Fighters, this is it. Jerry Bishop, the unlikely winner of the A Block, faces Graham Baker, the underdog who managed to win the B Block through sheer willpower. Both men have everything to gain but each has so much to lose.
SD: That's an excellent point, Watson. The winner will receive an FPW Championship match at our biggest show of the year, while the loser will fade into the background. For the winner, they will forever be known as the first ever Free-1 winner. For the loser, their incredible achievements in August will become nothing other than a bittersweet memory they can't quite shake off but never truly want to face up to.
MW: Both men promised to give absolutely everything in this match, and I truly believe both men will. This is undoubtedly each man's biggest ever match, no matter what else they've done outside of this company.
SD: But for one this won't be their biggest match for long. For another it could end up being the biggest match they ever have. Throughout this tournament, Graham Baker has proven he can take a beating and bounce back stronger even when all of the odds are stacked against him. Jerry Bishop has proven that he's a serious wrestler capable of beating the very best. Tonight we finally get to see which man is better and I can't wait.
MW: Lets get down to Dasha Banks who stands in the ring ready for this once in a lifetime contest.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for our main event!”

Dasha Banks stands with the microphone in both hands and the Free-1 trophy on a plinth to her left.

The crowd cheers loudly and a duelling ‘Gra-ham Ba-ker’, ‘Je-rry Bi-shop’ breaks out very quickly. The chance goes on and on, lasting a full minute before ‘The Comedian’s Gallop’ begins to play and an explosive cheer rocks the arena. Jerry Bishop slowly walks out onto the ramp and takes a look around, taking everything in. After seemingly looking at every single fan in the arena, he bows deeper than he's ever bowed before before springing up and dance conducting his way to the ring with an energy that even Jerry rarely manages to find. As he comes down the ramp, Super Che Junior and Matt Dwyer emerge, following their Friendmigo brother to the ring. Jerry slides into the ring and pumps up the crowd on all four sides before settling into a corner and crouching down, his music stopping and the fans breaking into a loud round of applause.

After a few moments, staccato machine-gun fire plays and another explosive cheer, just as loud as before, ripples around the fans. Smoke begins to flow freely as Graham Baker rises to the stage, he too taking in the crowd around him. As the smoke clears and the song intensifies, he stands up, and raises his hands in the two-finger-gun motion as pyro echoes the same sound and motion of the gunfire from earlier, which plays again. He blows the fingers as if blowing the smoke away from two guns, and approaches the ring, followed by his own seconds- John Grimm and Elizabeth Karlson, sliding under the bottom rope and climbing the turnbuckles to play to the crowd. Before climbing down, he looks down at Jerry, and the camera catches the two men staring each other down. Baker’s face shows a slight cocky edge, while Jerry's showcases a smile which shows a clear sense of excitement for the match to come.

Baker climbs down and Jerry stands, the two men briefly coming face to face before they're separated by the official. Both men take a look at the trophy although neither man touches it and each man’s seconds enter the ring for the introductions.

“Ladies and gentlemen. Our first Free-1 finalist comes to us from London, England by way of Pennsylvania. He is a former CZW Wired Champion, the current FPW Hardcore Champion and the winner of the B Block. Please welcome The Aviator, Graham Baker!”

Baker steps forward and points the finger gun at Jerry, so that the tip of his finger is touching Jerry's forehead. Jerry doesn't flinch. He steps back and The Renegades pat him on the back, whispering into his ear.

“And his opponent… coming to us from Kansas City, Missouri. He is a founding member of The League of Friendmigos. He was in fact the first ever FPW contracted wrestler. He is the A Block winner. Please welcome, The Jester, Jerry Bishop.”

Bishop cuts a smile across his lips with his right index finger before following through and turning it into a finger gun. The fans gasp with excitement as the two have one final staredown while Dasha Banks leaves the ring. Che and Dwyer give Jerry a final piece of advice before they leave the ring, leaving just Baker and Jerry.

Match 6: Free-1 Final: Jerry Bishop v Graham Baker:

The official calls for the bell and Jerry and Baker stare across at one another. The fans cheer loudly for the first few seconds of the match as Jerry comes forward and offers his hand. Baker pauses for a moment before coming forward to shake it, the two men locking eyes once more as their hands clasp. As soon as they release, they go into a strong lock-up. Both men jockey for position but neither can gain a clear advantage, and they break the lock-up and move backwards. They circle one another again, Baker pulling down on the top rope for a moment, before locking up again. They jockey for position once again but again neither man can gain the decisive advantage. They break the lock-up and each man retreats back, a loud duelling chant breaking out.

Suddenly, Baker springs forward, diving for Jerry’s leg and ending up in a waistlock position. Jerry tries to unclasp the hands but Baker momentarily lifts him, only for Jerry to drop back down and roll through. He springs up to his feet but Baker runs at him, looking for a lariat, only for Jerry to duck and hit the opposite ropes. He runs at Baker and swings with a lariat of his own, only for Baker to duck. Each man then hits the ropes and catches hold of them, staring each other down again as the fans applaud their early efforts to get the upper hand.

MW: These men could not be more evenly matched.
SD: I honestly thought Baker’s technical skills would earn him the early advantage, but old slippery Jerry hasn't allowed Baker to get a proper grasp yet.

Baker and Jerry give each other a nod before looking to lock up again, Baker looking for a headlock but Jerry reversing quickly into a wristlock. He wrenches on the left wrist and wrings the arm, wringing it halfway around a second time before driving it down into his shoulder. Baker reels away but Jerry comes forward, grabbing the arm again and using it to whip Baker into the ropes before taking him down with an arm drag and locking in an arm bar. Jerry grounds Baker for a few moments as the Bishop fans cheer the loudest and the Friendmigos on the outside shout encouragement, while Grimm and Karlson yell for Baker to push himself to his feet.

Baker does try to push himself up, but Jerry uses the toe of his boot behind Baker’s knee to drop him back down, keeping him on his knees as he pulls back on the arm. Baker tries again, but again Jerry’s boot bends his leg and keeps him grounded. Baker looks up in frustration but Jerry keeps the arm wrenched and Baker is forced to find another way to escape. He positions himself to roll through, but, as he does, Jerry drops down and expertly traps the arm with his legs, locking in a version of Baker’s Emergency Landing. The fans gasp; Baker cries out in pain and scrambles with his legs to reach the rope, causing Jerry to break the hold immediately.

MW: I don't quite believe what I've just seen.
SD: Genius from Jerry Bishop. Baker will have his game plan to work the arm of Bishop. He'll never have expected Jerry to go after his arm and certainly won't have expected Jerry to use such skilful technique. He must have been training non-stop to be able to time a move like that.

Baker rolls out of the ring and Grimm and Karlson come to check on him. Jerry looks out of the ring at them and builds up the fans before hitting the ropes and sprinting towards them, flying through the air with a suicide dive to take all three of them out. Jerry springs up as the fans cheer loudly. Che and Dwyer clap him on the back but he quickly gets back to Baker, pulling him up to his feet and rolling him back into the ring. Jerry then climbs onto the apron and stalks Baker, leaping up onto the top rope and coming down with a springboard forearm. He makes the first cover of the match, 1-2-no. Baker kicks out.

Jerry is quick to get to his feet, climbing up onto the second turnbuckle and waiting for Baker to turn before coming down with a second rope blockbuster. Jerry then rolls through and hits the ropes, connecting with a sliding dropkick to Baker’s back. He looks for another cover, 1-2-no. Baker again kicks out. Jerry is quick to go back to the arm, wringing it as Baker sits on the canvas before connecting with a hard kick to the biceps. Jerry then looks to lock in a cross-face chicken wing, only for Baker to wriggle free and roll away, quickly making it up to his feet. Jerry moves in again but Baker lands a hard chop to Jerry’s chest and follows up with another before leaping into the air to take Jerry down with a dropkick.

Jerry rolls towards the bottom rope as Baker then runs towards him and connects with a baseball slide to send him to the floor. He then looks down at Jerry before backing away as the fans get loud once again. Baker then runs towards the ropes, but, instead of hitting a suicide dive, he leaps up onto the top rope and connects with a springboard lariat, Jerry collapsing to the floor and Baker springing up to a passionate flurry of applause. Baker bangs the guardrail into the floor to create even more of a furore, before pulling Jerry to his feet and rolling him part-way back into the ring. Baker keeps control of the arm, draping it over the apron before driving it down into the edge of the ring and then driving the point of his elbow into the triceps.

MW: This is more of what I expected to see when I thought about working the arm in this match.
SD: And Jerry could be in trouble now. He seems to have awoken Graham Baker and lit some of those hardcore flames that drive him on in the deathmatches he's so well known for.
MW: Baker had better not get too hardcore. This is not a no-disqualification match.
SD: For Graham Baker, hardcore doesn't mean using weapons. For Graham Baker, hardcore is a state of mind. A state of mind I think he's getting into now.

Baker climbs up onto the apron, Jerry’s arm still dangling out of the ring. He looks down at the arm before leaping into the air, coming down with a double stomp to the arm which sends Jerry rolling into the ring in intense pain. Baker stares into the ring for a moment before sliding in and looking straight away for an Emergency Landing. Jerry immediately clasps his hands, not letting Baker extend the arm, but his face shows a great deal of pain in him doing so. Baker, realising he won't get the hold on that occasion, rolls backwards and pushes himself up to his feet, pointing the double finger guns at Jerry, who rests on all fours for a moment, before running at him and connecting with a sliding dropkick right into the injured left arm. Baker goes for a quick cover, holding down the left wrist, 1-2-no. Jerry manages to kick out.

Baker climbs back up to his feet, standing over Jerry and hooking his hands around his waist. He pulls Jerry up, looking for a deadlift German, which connects, but Baker keeps the hands clasped, pulling Jerry up again. He switches his grip, pulling in Jerry’s left wrist and ripcording him before leaping up and driving his knee right into the extended left arm. Jerry tries to pull away but Baker maintains wrist control, wringing the arm and hitting a Pele kick, just like he did against MDE. Jerry drops to the mat clasping the left arm as Baker looks to lock in the Emergency Landing once again. Jerry clasps the hands again but Baker fights against the grip, which weakens quickly. Knowing his grip is weakening, Jerry breaks it for a moment to allow himself to get to the ropes but Baker extends the arm for a split second, causing more damage.

MW: I think it'll just take one proper extension for Graham Baker to have this match won.
SD: It feels strange to say this but I think you may be underestimating Jerry Bishop. He's not giving this up without a fight. Saying that, his left arm has taken a lot of punishment, and I don't think Baker is finished with that just yet.
MW: Jerry said that if he lost, he didn't plan on being able to walk out. An arm doesn't lose you the ability to walk, but Bishop may be approaching that kind of territory right now.

Baker tries to grip the wrist, but Jerry keeps it close to his chest. Instead of reaching in, Baker backs away, allowing Jerry to pull himself up using the ropes. As he does, Baker gets into position to aim a kick at Jerry’s arm. He kicks, but Jerry pulls the arm away, springboarding up onto the top rope and coming down with a springboard arm drag. He scrambles to his feet and connects with a rolling elbow to send Baker staggering back into the corner. Jerry responds quickly, running at Baker and connecting with a running dropkick before pulling him out of the corner for a running bulldog. Jerry rolls over into a back press, hooking the leg, 1-2-no.

Baker manages to kick out and get a grip on the left wrist all in one motion. He tries to bring his legs into position for the Emergency Landing, but Jerry is quick to pull away, hitting the ropes and connecting with a sliding knee strike before Baker can move out of the way. Jerry then pulls Baker to his feet and stands alongside him, hitting the parallel snapmare before hitting the ropes and connecting with the penalty kick which completes the Touchstone Takedown. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Baker only just manages to kick out this time. Jerry then pulls Baker up and drags him towards the corner. He locks in a front facelock before pushing himself up to the second turnbuckle and sitting there for a second. As he pushes off for the torrnado DDT, Baker gives him an extra shove to send him to the apron. Baker aims a forearm strike at Jerry, but he blocks it and connects with a rope-assisted enzeguiri, looking for a slingshot DDT, but Baker manages to get a knee up and connect with Jerry right into the face, sending him to his knees and then face-first into the mat. Baker makes a cover, 1-2-no! Jerry barely kicks out this time.

MW: These two men really are giving it everything.
SD: They're pulling out moves and counters that we've never seen from either of them. They both desperately want to win this tournament and I think both men would let themselves be beaten within an inch of their lives if they could get that final three-count.

Baker rolls away, making it slowly up to his feet and stalking Jerry. He pulls him in for a dragon suplex and connects, bridging for a cover, 1-2-no. Jerry manages to kick out. Baker is quicker to his feet this time, stalking Jerry and pulling him in for another dragon suplex. Jerry manages to free his left arm and aims an elbow strike at Baker, but Baker ducks, trapping the left arm behind his head and connecting with a belly to back suplex, driving his head into the left arm as he lands. Jerry tries to roll away but Baker gets a grip on him quickly, again looking for the Emergency Landing. Jerry tries to clasp his hands but he can't get a proper grip, so he decides to aim forearm strikes to Baker’s own left arm which Jerry worked on earlier in the match. It blocks the hold for long enough so Jerry can free himself once again.

Jerry rolls out under the ropes and drops down on his feet to the floor. He cradles the left arm and tries to get some feeling back into it, only for Baker to slide out after him. Baker lands a hard strike across Jerry’s back before straightjacketing his arms and running him left shoulder-first into the ringpost. Jerry drops down to his knees and Baker connects with a hard kick to the back of his head, sending Jerry down. Baker then looks around and goes over to the announce table, which he clears of debris.

MW: That hardcore mentality is really coming out now.
SD: I sense a bit of frustration in Baker. Jerry is a tough customer to build a series of moves together against. He’s just not quite able to get that Emergency Landing locked in.
MW: Well Baker needs to make sure he doesn't end up going too far here.

Baker then goes back to Jerry, dragging him over towards the announce table. He looks at the table for a moment before pulling Jerry to his feet and rolling him back into the ring. Baker lifts Jerry again, sitting him with great effort on top of the turnbuckle and manoeuvring his legs to the outside of the ropes. The fans cheer as they see Baker climbing after Jerry and carefully stepping around him, one foot on the rope and other on the ringpost. Baker pauses for a moment before leaping up, looking for the Ejection Seat to send Jerry through the announce table, but Jerry holds on to the ropes, causing Baker to land with a sickening thud face down on the floor.

Jerry takes a few moments to recover, his face increasing in intensity with every passing second, before dropping down to the apron and then down to the floor, where Baker lies unmoving. He is quick to lift Baker and to roll him back into the ring. Jerry slides in after him and pulls Baker towards the corner, pushing himself up onto the second turnbuckle again and then connecting with a tornado DDT. But Jerry doesn't make the cover. Instead he rolls under the bottom rope and stalks Baker, who slowly gets himself to his feet. Jerry then connects with a slingshot DDT which spikes Baker on his head. Jerry makes a deep cover, with both legs hooked, 1-2-no! Baker barely manages to kick out, to a big pop from the crowd.

MW: I thought Jerry had it there!
SD: He nearly did. Graham Baker’s hardcore instincts almost cost him this match.
MW: But they haven't. At least not yet anyway.

Jerry holds his hands on his head before refocusing and trying to lift Baker again. He pulls him up and holds his arms, setting him up for the Last Laugh. He lets out his big, booming laugh to the fans but Baker manages to twist himself free, grasping the left arm and hooking his legs around it. He takes Jerry down and locks in the Emergency Landing out of absolutely nowhere. The arm fully extended, Baker pulls back with all of his might as Jerry cries out in pain. He tries to scramble to the ropes and Baker tries to resist, but the slight weakness in Baker’s left arm causes him to be unable to. Jerry cradles the ropes with his right arm as Baker cries out in frustration.

Jerry tries to roll under the rope again, but Baker stops him from dropping to the floor, instead following him onto the apron. Baker pulls Jerry up and connects with a forearm. Jerry responds in kind and they exchange shots, each one cheered by a different section of the fan base. After four forearms each, Baker hits a fifth but manages to duck under Jerry’s response. He quickly pulls Jerry’s arms in and connects with a straight jacket German suplex onto the apron. Jerry rolls back into the ring and lies motionless on his back, Baker following for the cover, hooking the near leg, 1-2-no! Jerry somehow managed to get his shoulder up.

MW: The fight in that man!
SD: How both of these men are able to endure some of the punishment that they do is beyond me. But wait… Baker is looking over here.
MW: He tried to use our announce table earlier but couldn't get it done. He almost lost the match because of his mistake. Is he going back to it?
SD: I told you. He's frustrated that he can't put Jerry away.

Baker looks out at the announce table and then up at the turnbuckle. Shaking his head, he rolls out of the ring to the floor and looks underneath the ring. There's a delayed cheer as Baker pulls an object out from under the ring… a ladder! He pulls the ladder up and sets it up near the announce table as Che and Dwyer try to talk him down. He then reaches into the ring and rolls Jerry out with him. Lifting Jerry onto his shoulders, Baker begins to climb the ladder. He moves slowly, one step at a time, before reaching the top, where he deposits Jerry, leaving him sat atop the ladder, legs straddling the uppermost rung.

Baker then very carefully climbs the next few rungs until he's just one below Jerry at the top. Holding onto what little of the ladder he can, Baker steps across, so he has one foot on either side of the ladder. He steadies himself, taking one final look down. With a great leap at an even greater risk, he wraps his legs around Jerry’s neck and connects with the Ejection Seat, sending Jerry flying off the top of the ladder and through the announce table below. Baker comes dropping down just after him, his left arm catching in the ladder on the way down.

MW: An Ejection Seat! Off a ladder! Through a table!
SD: We talked about the lengths these two men will go to. This typifies their will to win, their desire to become the first ever Free-1 winner. Graham Baker put everything on the line and this time it paid off.
MW: But can he win this match from here?

Baker slowly pulls himself to his feet as the official checks on Jerry. He staggers a few steps before slowly making his way over to Jerry, who hasn't moved. Baker bends down to try and pull him up but he drops to one knee before steadying himself and standing again, dragging Jerry by the arm towards the edge of the ring. With great effort, Baker rolls Jerry into the ring and follows, rolling Jerry over one more time and hooking a leg for a cover, 1-2-no! The crowd explodes as Jerry somehow manages to get a shoulder up.

Baker doesn't even bother to argue with the official. He rolls away, resting for a moment as the crowd soak in the fact that the match is still going on. After a short respite, Baker pulls himself to his feet using the ropes. He looks down at Jerry, who is barely moving. Baker sucks in air as he moves towards Jerry, bending down to take the arm, but Jerry pulls him in for a small package, 1-2-no! Baker barely manages to escape before the three count. Both men scramble as quickly as they can to their feet, staring each other down before exchanging forearms, just as they did on the ring apron. Baker again manages to duck one of Jerry's, pulling him in for a German suplex again, but Jerry manages to drop down and switch, whirling Baker around and pulling him in, trapping the arms and letting out as big a laugh as he can manage before dropping him with the Last Laugh. The fans explode as Jerry rolls slowly towards Baker to make a cover, 1-2-no! Baker manages to get his foot on the ropes at the final minute, causing the fans to explode yet again.

Both Jerry and Baker lie in the ring, each man breathing heavily and neither able to move. The fans give a spontaneous standing ovation to show their appreciation for everything that each man has put into the match. Both Baker and Jerry begin to stir and try to pull themselves up on the ropes. Each man staggers, but they manage to make it to their feet in the end. Baker points a finger gun at Jerry from across the ring, while Jerry merely lets out another big laugh. After a brief moment, the two of them run at each other, each connecting with a forearm that sends the other staggering. Baker goes for a lariat but Jerry ducks, looking for a step up enzeguiri but Baker ducks, grabbing Jerry by the waist and connecting with a deadlift German suplex, quickly transitioning his position after the impact to lock in the Emergency Landing.

MW: This is it. Jerry Bishop has no choice but to tap out.
SD: His choice is simple. Tap out or have your arm broken. After this match, I actually don't know what he'll choose!
MW: Jerry writhing in pain here. Baker is wrenching with all of his strength, but his own arm has taken a lot of punishment, not least when it caught in that ladder. He can't have it locked in as much as he wants to, but surely he's got enough of it?
SD: Maybe not. Jerry Bishop is crawling towards the bottom rope.
MW: He's inching closer with every movement. Graham Baker seems powerless to stop him. And he's there!
SD: Somehow. Some way. Jerry Bishop lives. And this match goes on.

Baker breaks the hold and pulls himself to his feet. He looks down at Jerry, who can barely move but has refused to give in all match. Baker gives Jerry a nod before pulling him up and getting him into a powerbomb position. With great difficulty, he lifts Jerry and, staggering a few steps, connects with a buckle bomb. Jerry staggers out of the corner and Baker kicks him in the gut, hooks both arms and lifts him for a Tiger Bomb, completing the Ground Zero. Baker holds on for the cover, 1-2-3.

Winner: Graham Baker.

As the official’s arm hits the mat for a third time, the fans explode and stand as one. Every fan in the arena applauds as Baker raises both hands in the air, falling back to the mat and covering his face with those same hands. Dasha Banks enters the ring carrying the Free-1 trophy as the official checks on both Jerry and Baker.

MW: We expected a war tonight and we certainly got one.
SD: Not a war with bad blood, nor a war fuelled by hatred, but a war simply to find out who the better man was. Tonight that man was Graham Baker, who will now go on, as Free-1 winner, to face our champion at our final show of the year. But this victory belongs to both of these men. Jerry Bishop should be proud of the role he played in this match and this tournament. He'll be disappointed now, but in time he'll realise that he's been a part of something truly special.
MW: I couldn't have put it better myself. Both men thoroughly deserve this standing ovation they're getting here. But only Graham Baker can hoist up that trophy which says he is the Free-1 winner.

Baker slowly manages to get to his feet, albeit steadily, as Dasha Banks raises the microphone to her lips.

“Ladies and gentlemen, your winner, and first ever Free-1 champion… Graham Baker!”

The official raises Baker’s arm and hands him the trophy, which he holds aloft with pride etched all over his face. As he does, he notices Jerry slumped in the corner looking on at him, using what little strength he has left to applaud his opponent. Baker looks down at him and moves towards him, reaching down to pull him up. He lifts Jerry and they embrace, Jerry raising Baker’s arm before collapsing to his knees. Officials rush out from the back to help Jerry out of the ring and he leaves, accompanied by a loud chant of his name, with their support. Once Jerry reaches the curtain, he turns round and weakly bows to the crowd, who applaud him some more before he leaves the arena.

In the ring, Baker applauds Jerry out of the arena before climbing each turnbuckle and raising the trophy. The chant soon turns to his name as he celebrates with the fans, leaving the ring and unsteadily walking around the ringside area, shaking hands and taking selfies as the show goes off the air.