Post by Jim Houston on Jan 13, 2019 11:54:27 GMT
The show opens with a new video package which begins with the above logo, highlighting the Freedom Pro Wrestling stars and the biggest moments throughout the year. It ends with the Road To… logo before the camera cuts to a small Chicago arena, with a pan over the crowd before it settles on Mike Watson and Steven Deville at the announce desk.
MW: Welcome to the new era of Freedom Pro Wrestling!
SD: Tonight we have the first show of 2019 as we move along the road towards Season Three Launch Party.
MW: Just a word on this new structure with these shows. In the past, we'd be running shows each month with little in between. This year, we're looking at running shows nearly every two weeks and we're looking to get more FPW talent on display for you to enjoy. Tonight we have three matches as well as a big announcement from our general manager.
SD: Is she… is she up first?
MW: Yes, our new FPW Women's Champion is in action first up.
SD: Oh boy!
We go to the ring with an unknown woman standing in one corner, stretching out and bouncing nervously, as she waits for the music of her opponent to begin. The camera turns to the entranceway as a white queen logo appears on the tron and an anonymized female voice says, “Checkmate.” ‘Hammer To Fall’ begins immediately after that and Artemis walks onstage, smirking at the crowd and raising her title belt as they boo her vociferously. She raises the belt above her head and pyro goes off on either side of her. She walks down the ramp, taunting the fans with her title and some trash talk. She continues doing this as she walks to the side of the ring and climbs onto the apron before jumping over the top rope. She walks across to the opposite corner, waving her opponent out of the way, and climbs to the second turnbuckle. She closes her eyes, tilting her head back and slowly spreading her arms once more, the title belt raises in her right hand.
Dasha Banks stands in the ring and, as Evans climbs down from the top rope, she raises a microphone to her lips.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, making her Freedom Pro Wrestling debut, Ava McGuinness.”
McGuinness doesn't get much of a reaction as she comes forward and raises an arm above her head.
“And her opponent. She is the first ever Freedom Pro Wrestling Women's Champion, the Glory Huntress, Artemis Evans!”
The fans boo as Evans steps forward and raises the belt once again. She hands it to the official as he takes it to the outside before ringing the bell.
Match 1: Artemis Evans v Ava McGuinness:
As soon as the bell rings, McGuinness runs at Evans and connects with a flurry of forearms to force her back into the corner. She drives her shoulder into Evans’ gut repeatedly before allowing Evans to stagger out. McGuinness then connects with a dropkick to the back and Evans is forced into the opposite corner. Quickly, McGuinness follows her in and rolls her up with a schoolboy, 1-2-no. Evans kicks out. Before Evans can fully recover, McGuinness leaps up and connects with a hurricanrana before scrambling up to the top rope. The fans cheer as she comes down with a moonsault, holding for another pin attempt, 1-no. Evans quickly kicks out and makes it to her feet.
McGuinness aims another forearm strike to Evans but Evans catches the arm. McGuinness looks at her with fear on her face as Evans kicks her knee out and connects with a snap DDT. McGuinness lies face down on the mat as Evans gets to her feet and backs up, taking a moment to regain her composure. The fans boo as she walks across the back of McGuinness before pulling her to her feet, shoving her into the ropes and choking her across the top rope. As the official counts, Evans talks trash to McGuinness, asking her how she dares jump the champion like that.
McGuinness drops to one knee after the choke is broken and Evans takes a step back before pulling her in for a butterfly suplex. She gives McGuinness a look as she lies there motionless, before Evans pulls her up again and pulls her in for a brainbuster. She connects but still doesn't make a cover. The fans boo as Evans pulls McGuinness up a little by her hair and slaps her across the face. Evans stands and yells at the fans to respect their champion, which just leads to more boos. Evans then looks down at McGuinness, who still hasn't moved, and rests against the ropes. The official tells her to get on with it, but she simply rests and watches as McGuinness tries to get to her feet. As McGuinnes staggers, Evans comes at her, connecting with a vicious discus forearm to the back of her head and finally making a cover, 1-2-3.
Winner: Artemis Evans
-------------------------------------
Evans dusts off her hands before demanding her title. She holds it up, one foot on McGuinness, as the fans boo once again. She looks down at McGuinness and looks like she's about to continue her beat down but the official forces her to stay back, and she instead rolls out of the ring and walks up the ramp, letting out a yawn as she goes through the curtain.
Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Jim Houston.
DB: Mr. Houston, I believe you have an announcement to make?
JH: Thank you, Dasha. I do indeed. I wish to address our Hardcore Champion, Jace Mason. Jace Mason quite rightly wishes to defend his title in a rematch against Tommy Storm at Launch Party. However, Tommy Storm is unfortunately unable to compete at the moment due to injury. Therefore, Jace Mason requires a challenger. Anyone not currently on the card for Launch Party may make a challenge if they wish to do so. I will announce my decision, after consulting with the champion, in one week’s time.
DB: We just saw Artemis Evans with a dominant victory over Ava McGuinness. She was vocal in her opposition to being given this match as she felt you didn't want her to show she could run through the women's division here in FPW. What do you have to say about a potential future challenger for Artemis Evans?
JH: Well, Dasha, we have to big matches involving the stars of our women's division at Launch Party as Lia Ness faces Elizabeth Karlson and Berry Bishop faces MDE, a match which, despite MDE’s protestations, will be going ahead. Out of those matches, I will choose the most worthy challenger to face Artemis Evans on our Young Lions’ Cup show.
DB: And finally, you've announced a free spot on the Launch Party card. Do you have a match to fill that spot?
JH: I do. There are two men conspicuous by their absence from the Launch Party card. Luckily, these two men have some unfinished business from one man’s debut here in FPW. Jack Sevren’s partner is out of action at the moment, but Jack has made clear that he wants singles opportunities as well as his Tag Team Championship rematch, and who better for Jack to face than Marcus Allen Jones.
DB: Speaking of Marcus Allen Jones, we haven't heard from him since he lost his FPW Championship at Judgement Day. Have you been in contact with him?
JH: I have not. I'll speak with him at Launch Party.
‘The Comedian's Gallop’ begins to play, and the crowd begins to cheer in anticipation of seeing Jerry Bishop. And within a few moments, he appeared, bowing at the top of the ramp.
Mike Watson(MW): “This next match is one I’ve been excited for since it’s announcement. Jerry Bishop is going to be taking on Zachary Bates, who is making his FPW debut tonight.”
Jerry climbed between the ropes and bowed once more in the ring, before he took off his jacket and handed it to the ref. The crowd started chanting his name, which brought a smile to his face and he began to wave his arms as though he was conducting them.
The crowd’s chant was cut off as ‘ProtoVision’ blasted out of the arena speakers. Zachary Bates walked onstage and looked out into the FPW crowd, who gave him a respectful round of applause as he began walking to the ring.
Steven Deville (SD): “I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard of Zachary Bates until he was signed to FPW, but I've done a little digging, and he seems like a very promising young talent. He definitely has a ton of potential.”
MW: “Is it true they call him the Human Chainsaw?”
SD: “As a matter of fact, it is. And from what I’ve seen, it’s a very well earned nickname. Bates has some of the most devastating strikes in the game, and he’s also very skilled high-flyer.”
Zachary finished his pose in the middle of the ring and turned to face Bishop as he took his jacket off. Jerry nodded at him and stepped forward with his hand outstretched. Zachary shook his hand before both wrestlers stepped into opposite corners. The bell rang, and the two advanced into a lockup.
Match 2: Jerry Bishop v Zachary Bates (written by Mason/Evans):
Bishop took the initial advantage, pulling Zachary into a wristlock. He slowly applied pressure until Zachary broke free and transitioned into a hammerlock. Jerry quickly tried to get to the ropes, but Zachary switched to a waistlock and pulled him back into the center of the ring. Jerry struggled for a moment before escaping and utilizing a standing switch to lock in a waistlock of his own. He held Zachary there for a moment until it began to seem that he would escape. Then Jerry draped Zachary’s arm over his neck and lifted him for a back suplex, but Zachary backflipped out and landed on his feet. The crowd cheered this show of athleticism and even Jerry clapped his hands a few times as he turned around and saw Zachary still standing.
But then he rushed forward to attack, only to be sent to the floor with a drop toe hold. Zachary stood up and ran to the ropes to build up speed, going for a double foot stomp as he rebounded back towards Jerry. But Jerry rolled out of the way, causing Zachary to stumble slightly as he landed. Jerry returned to his feet as Zachary turned around and whipped him into the ropes. He went for a dropkick, but Zachary changed directions and dodged to the other set of ropes. Jerry stood up as Zachary ran back towards him and went for a hurricanrana, only for Jerry to cartwheel and land back on his feet. Zachary looked at Jerry with a bit of surprise as the crowd broke into applause.
MW: “These two picking up the pace early in this match.”
SD: “I’ll say they are! This is the most interested I’ve been in a Jerry Bishop match in a long time.”
Zachary and Jerry began to circle each other before Jerry lunged forward and pulled Zachary to the mat with a snapmare, then ran to the ropes. But as he went to deliver the penalty kick, Bates threw his body backwards to dodge, then kipped up. Before Jerry could turn around, Zachary locked his arms into a full nelson. He lifted Jerry for a dragon suplex, only for Jerry to fight free and roll through into a pin.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Both men scrambled to their feet and faced each other. Zachary struck first with a lightning fast roundhouse kick, then whipped Jerry into the corner. Zachary rushed into the corner after him and delivered a knife-edge chop. Then he used his leg to sweep Jerry’s leg out from under him and drop him into a seated position. He walked back into the opposite corner, keeping his eyes on Jerry. He slowly raised his arms out to his sides before pointing at Jerry with both hands, then running across the ring and delivering a cannonball, smashing into Jerry’s face and chest. He then pulled Jerry out of the corner and hooked his leg for a pin.
...1!.Kick-out!
Bates rose to his feet and backed up into the center of the ring, waiting for Jerry to stand up. Jerry slowly began to rise, encouraged by the cheering audience. Zachary rushed forward, but Jerry ducked his jumping clothesline and ran to the ropes. Zachary turned around, right into a rolling elbow from Bishop that drove him backwards into the ropes. Jerry hit the ropes again and went to clothesline Bates over the top rope, but Zachary ducked and backdropped Jerry outside the ring. Zachary ran to the ropes and then ran towards Jerry on the outside of the ring.
MW: “Zachary going to fly!”
But Zachary proved Mike wrong, jumping onto the middle rope and backflipping into a kneeling pose in the center of the ring. The crowd cheered as he gave Bishop a cocky smirk.
SD: “It's official, I like this kid.”
Jerry shrugged, before climbing onto the apron with lightning speed, then jumping onto the top rope and launching himself into a springboard forearm. Zachary ran forward to avoid the attack, and when Jerry landed and turned around, Zach caught him with another roundhouse kick. Jerry was dazed, and Zachary quickly stepped in and looked to continue his attack. He bent Jerry over backwards and wrapped an arm around his neck as if going for a dragon sleeper, then lifted him up, only to drop him back down with an inverted DDT. Zachary rolled Bishop over and went for a pin.
...1!..Kick-out!
Zachary looked disappointed for a moment before pulling Jerry into a seated position and locking in a chinlock.
SD: “It looks like Bishop’s going to be eating a loss here tonight, Bates has taken complete control of this match.”
Jerry tried to peel Zachary’s arms away from his chin, but had no luck. Bates talked a little trash as he held onto his hold, ragdolling Jerry’s head from side to side a small bit. The crowd’s cheers for Jerry increased after this, and he slowly began to stand up, although Bates continued to maintain his hold. Jerry started to drive his elbow into Zachary’s midsection, slowly loosening his hold. Bates realized he was losing control and switched his grip, grabbing Jerry’s wrist with his right hand and spinning him out for a ripcord lariat. But Jerry ducked under Zachary's arm and threw his body around, landing on his feet and then connecting with a swinging neckbreaker.
MW: “Jerry ducking the attempt at the Get Fucked combo and escaping with a float-over neckbreaker.”
Jerry rose to his feet and pulled a dazed Zachary up with him. He dragged Bates to the corner and looked at the crowd. He clapped his hands a few times, encouraging them to join in, which they did almost at once. He then grabbed the top rope and jumped onto the second, then propelling himself off the rope and kicking Zachary in the face. Zachary collapsed from the springboard side kick, and Jerry climbed up to the middle rope, waving to the fans in the audience as Zachary began to rise to his feet. Bates unsteadily turned to face Jerry, as Jerry refocused on him, then leaped from the rope and began to turn over for a blockbuster. But Zachary sidestepped the attack, forcing Jerry to awkwardly land on his feet.
MW: “Zachary avoiding that attempt at a blockbuster. Steven, do you think Jerry's decision to pause and wave to the crowd might have cost him?”
SD: “I think it's a distinct possibility. Bates was in a perfect position for a blockbuster, but Bishop was just a split second late to notice, and that split second was all it took for Bates to evade the attack. Now Bates attempting a spinning heel kick!”
Jerry ducked under Zachary's leg and caught him with a knee to the gut. Zachary doubled over, and Jerry ran past him to the ropes. Jerry rebounded and ran back to Zachary, grabbing him by the back of his neck and driving him face-first into the mat with a running bulldog. He quickly turned Bates over and hooked his leg.
...1!..Kick-out!
Jerry sprang back to his feet and struck a quick superhero-like pose before switching his gaze back towards Zachary, who attempted to rise, but failed. Jerry walked over and grabbed him by the arm, pulling Bates up to his feet. But as he stood up, Zachary broke free of Jerry’s grip and rocked him with an uppercut. Jerry staggered backwards as Zachary ran to the ropes.
MW: “That seems a little cheap. Surely there are better ways to gain an advantage during a match.”
SD: “I don’t see anything wrong, Bates laid a clever trap, and Bishop blundered right into it.”
Jerry leapfrogged over Zachary as he rebounded towards him, then dropped himself to the floor as Zachary hit the opposite ropes. Zachary jumped over Jerry and stopped himself on the ropes, waiting for Jerry to stand back up. Jerry had risen to his knees when Zachary rushed him with a shining wizard attempt. Jerry rolled to the side to dodge and stood up, grabbing Zachary and pulling him to the mat with a side russian leg sweep. Jerry stood up and delivered a single stomp to Zachary to keep him stunned before pointing dramatically at the top turnbuckle. The crowd cheered as Jerry began walking into the corner and climbing the turnbuckles.
SD: “Bishop’s wasting more time, giving Bates the chance to recover again.”
Jerry once again waved to the crowd before he leaped from the top rope, flying through the air to deliver a huge elbow drop onto Zachary Bates!
MW: “I don’t see any wasted time Steven, I only see an elbow drop the Macho Man himself would be proud of! And now Jerry’s going for a cover.”
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Jerry shook his head as he stood up, grabbing one of Zachary’s arms to pull him up as well. Jerry crossed Zachary’s arms and pulled his head in, setting up for the Last Laugh. He let out his signature booming laugh, but Zachary drove himself forward, pushing Jerry up against the ropes and forcing a break. Jerry respectfully let go as soon as the ref began his count, and Zachary backed into the center of the ring, motioning for Jerry to bring it. Jerry advanced, and zachary unleashed a quick combo, landing two punches to Jerry’s midsection before attempting one to the face. But Jerry blocked this punch with his forearms and lashed out with a kick to Zachary’s leg that made him stumble, leaving him open to a quick forearm smash. Jerry ran to the ropes, building momentum for his next strike, only to run into a spinning gut kick from Zachary that stopped him dead in his tracks.
MW: “What an exchange of strikes from both competitors!”
Zachary tucked Jerry’s head between his legs and lifted Jerry up for a powerbomb. He began to bring Jerry down, only for Jerry to reverse into a hurricanrana! Jerry quickly hooked Zachary’s legs and sat down hard for the pin!
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Both men scrambled to their feet, and Jerry swung out a right hook. But Zachary ducked the swing and lifted Jerry into a fireman’s carry, then connected with a death valley driver! Zachary quickly made a cover.
...1!...Kick-out!
Zachary crawled towards the corner and used the ropes to pull himself to his feet. He glanced back at Jerry, who hadn’t moved since the death valley driver, then stepped through the ropes and began to climb the turnbuckles.
SD: “Bates retaking control after that amazing reversal into the death valley driver, now moving up into the high-rent district. What’s he going to do from up there?”
Zachary perched on the top turnbuckle, taking a few moments to take several deep breaths. And then he launched himself into a shooting star press, landing perfectly across Jerry’s chest and immediately hooking a leg for the cover!
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Zachary had clearly thought that was going to be the end of the match, abruptly sitting up after Jerry kicked out. But he didn’t let that distract him for too long, standing up and pulling Jerry up with him. He made to whip Jerry into the ropes, only for Jerry to reverse and send him into the ropes. Zachary stopped himself against the ropes, but before he could do anything, Jerry ran forward and clotheslined him over the top rope and onto the floor. Jerry then dropped to a knee, catching his breath after the offense he’d taken.
A few moments later, he stood up and pointed at Zachary on the outside of the ring. The crowd cheered, and Jerry nodded before turning to face the far ropes. He began to run towards them to build momentum, but Zachary lunged under the bottom rope ad grabbed his ankle, tripping him and then pulling him to the ringside area as well. The two began to brawl, exchanging rapid punches. Slowly but surely, Zachary began to control of the fight, wearing Jerry down with his relentless onslaught. He landed one final blow before he grabbed Jerry's wrist and went to whip him into the ring steps. But once again, Jerry reversed the whip and sent Zachary towards the steps. Thinking quickly, Zachary jumped up onto the steps, then launched into a moonsault! Jerry just managed to duck and ran forward to avoid the attack, and when Zachary landed on his feet, Jerry flattened him with a step-up enzuigiri! He picked up Zachary's limp form and rolled him back into the ring. The crowd had started cheering at Jerry's reversal, and he paused to acknowledge them before he climbed onto the apron. But as he made to step through the ropes, Zachary sprang upwards and pulled Jerry's head down, snapping his throat across the top rope, which sent him back to the floor. Zachary stood up and ran to the far ropes, rebounding off of them and charging towards Jerry on the outside. He flew through the ropes and levelled Jerry with a suicide dive! The crowd cheered as Zachary stood up and pumped his fist, before lifting up Jerry and rolling him into the ring. Zachary slid in after him and made a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
MW: “It doesn't get much closer to a three count than that! Zachary Bates almost coming away with the win after that suicide dive.”
Zachary rose to his feet and made a throat-slitting gesture. He grabbed Jerry's wrist and pulling him to his feet and setting up another get fucked combo. He spun Jerry out and pulled him back in, flattening him with a ripcord lariat! He turned around and jumped up for a corkscrew somersault senton, but as he landed across Jerry's body, Jerry pulled him into a crucifix pin!
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
SD: “It looks like you’re mistaken again Watson, that’s as close as it gets”
Both men scrambled to their feet, and Zachary was taken down by a snapmare from Jerry, who then hit the ropes before connecting with a penalty kick!
MW: “Touchstone Takedown by Jerry Bishop! Now dropping into a cover!”
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Jerry slowly stood up and lifted the limp body of Zachary Bates up with him, dragging him into the corner. With Zachary leaning against the turnbuckles, Jerry took a moment to pause and catch his breath.
MW: “Both of these men have dug deep in their respective arsenals in an effort to finish the other off, but they’ve also dug deep into their resiliency, somehow managing to survive their opponent’s best moves.”
A portion of the crowd started chanting Jerry Bishop’s name, while the other part of the audience responded with a ‘Zach-a-ry’ chant. After a few moments, both chants fused into a chant for ‘both these guys!’
SD: “We’re still only in January, but if this match continues like this, we might have a 2019 match of the year contender early in the year.”
Jerry looked out at the chanting crowd, smiled and nodded, then returned his attention to Zachary. He walked into the corner and lifted Zachary up, placing him atop the highest turnbuckle. Jerry began to climb the turnbuckles, locking in a front facelock.
MW: “It looks like Jerry Bishop is setting up for a superplex.”
But as Jerry tried to lift his opponent, Zachary held onto the top rope, preventing himself from being launched. Jerry tried again, but Zachary continued to hold on, and began driving his fist into Jerry’s midsection, beginning to wear down his grip. Zachary landed another punch that caused Jerry to let go completely, then shoved Jerry off the turnbuckles and sent him crashing to the mat. He began to adjust his position on the turnbuckle, getting himself set up
for another dive. But before he could leave his perch, Jerry sprang to his feet and practically flew up the turnbuckles. Standing on the top rope next to Bates, Jerry set up a side headlock and went for broke, jumping off and driving Zachary to the mat with an avalanche bulldog!
SD: “Oh my god!”
MW: Surely that has to be the end of this match!”
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
MW: “No! Zachary is still fighting!”
The crowd absolutely lost their minds at this miraculous kick-out, exploding into unintelligible noise. Despite kicking out, Zachary was completely out of it, he clearly had no idea where he was. Jerry quickly set up to continue his attack, pulling Zachary to his feet and locking in another front facelock. He lifted him for a vertical suplex, but Zachary drove his weight downwards, swinging his leg through Jerry’s and pulling him to the mat!
SD: “Small package!”
...1!...2!...3!
Winner: Zachary Bates
MW: “And it’s over! Zachary Bates walks out of the Road to Season Three Launch Party with a victory over Jerry Bishop!”
SD: “Give me a moment, I need to catch my breath after that ending.”
MW: “Take all the time you need.”
Zachary had been helped to his feet by the referee as he raised his hand, while Jerry pulled himself up with the ropes, leaning against the corner. Zachary turned to face Jerry, and the two locked eye for a moment before Zachary extended his hand. Jerry shook it, then left the ring to allow Zachary to celebrate.
MW: “One of the newest members of the roster scoring a victory over one of our longest tenured wrestlers here in FPW. If tonight is any indication, then the future is clearly bright for Zachary Bates.”
A video plays showing Marcus Allen Jones and The Invaders at a recent Ring of Honour show where Marcus speaks in some detail about expanding TakeOver, as well as showing the hints, and ultimate turn, involving the Briscoes as well as the hooded man in the background.
MW: Thank you to Sinclair Broadcasting and Ring of Honour for allowing us to show you that footage. Now Steven, you know Marcus Allen Jones better than I do and better than almost anybody here does. What do you make of this footage?
SD: Marcus has been very clear. TakeOver is here to stay. They may not hold all the gold like they used to, but they plan to make a big impact in Freedom Pro Wrestling and around the wrestling world this year. TakeOver is expanding and TakeOver is, well, taking over.
MW: Over the last few weeks there have been hints about the likes of James Saturn, Jace Mason and more joining up. Is there any coincidence that this involves two men who are challenging Graham Baker, the man who took the FPW Championship from Marcus?
SD: I'll be honest here. I don't know who the hooded man is. But I do know how Marcus’ mind works. Whoever is under that hood, and maybe it is James Saturn, if it gets into Graham Baker’s head and makes him more susceptible to Marcus Allen Jones getting that title back, then it's mission accomplished. Marcus is a master manipulator and a master mind game player. He knows exactly what he's doing.
SD: Well at some stage were bound to find out the newest member of TakeOver, but let's now move on to our final match of the night, where Clutch McCloud and Russ Bolt, who most recently defeated two members of TakeOver, face Hunter Killer, who had quite the debut match against The Guardians of Strong Style.
The arena darkens as ‘6/8’ blares outward from the arena speakers, lights flashing red and white as Sara Daniels and George Jackson emerge from the backstage ramp. Daniels walks hurriedly toward the ring while Jackson barks at fans, slapping a beer out of a man’s hand as he jeers at Daniels. He crushes the can underfoot and cracks a half-smile as he and Daniels enter the ring, both pulling their burlap masks off and leaving their jackets on the outside of the ring. Jackson holds his arms up victoriously behind Daniels while she crouches with a smile on her face. The two settle in the corner, as, moments later, the arena darkens once again.
“This Fire Burns” by Killswitch Engage rings out through the arena with a massive pop as Clutch McCloud and Russ Bolt enter the arena, both focused dead ahead on Hunter-Killer who seem to be baiting them into the ring. McCloud and Bolt take their time, however, and this seems to bother Hunter-Killer, who decide to take the advantage and rush the two as they approach the ring! Jackson and Daniels slide out from under the bottom rope as the referee goes to stop them, but he’s too slow as they lay into Clutch and Russ with furious fists.
Jackson throws Clutch into the ring while Daniels drives Russ head-first into the apron, before rolling him, too, into the ring. The referee looks confused, but he’s quickly sized up by Jackson, who growls to ‘start the match!’. The referee nods worriedly, and rings the bell as Clutch gets back to his feet, now filled with fury.
Match 3: Clutch McCloud and Russ Bolt v Hunter Killer (written by Baker):
As the bell rings, Clutch and Jackson rush forward and both go for discus lariats, both dodging the other’s by mere inches. The two lock-up fiercely afterward, with Clutch attempting to maintain control against the beast that is George Jackson. Jackson manages to force Clutch into a corner, and drills him in the skull with a brutal punch, before whipping him into the other. As Jackson goes to follow up with a clothesline to the corner, however, Clutch manages to get out of the way, slamming Jackson’s head into the turnbuckle.
He rebounds off the ropes with a brutal discus lariat, slamming into Jackson head-on and dropping him to a knee. Clutch heads to the corner to set up for a TarHEEL from it, but as he does so-Sara Daniels grabs his foot and yanks him under the ropes to a massive chorus of boos from the crowd! Daniels shows a wicked smile as she drives her knee hard into Clutch’s head against the apron, before rolling him back into the arms of the now-recovered George Jackson! Jackson pops Clutch up, wasting no time-JACKSON DROP TO CLUTCH MCCLOUD! Jackson goes for a cover!
ONE!
TW-NO! CLUTCH KICKS OUT! There’s a lot of this match left to go, and Jackson looks to end it quickly as he rolls off of Clutch, attempting to pull him up for a Round Trip, but as he does so, Clutch hammers him in the skull with repeated punches. Jackson almost drops Clutch, but Clutch takes advantage as he locks in a Dragon Sleeper on Jackson, causing him to drop Clutch entirely! Clutch keeps the hold locked in while Jackson looks for an escape, attempting to shove Clutch off...before he falls back into the ropes, grabbing a hold of them as he does so! Clutch breaks the hold as the referee forces him off, and checks on Jackson who looks to be rattled from the sleeper. He holds his throat, but Clutch has none of it, wasting no time as he rails Jackson with a Shining Wizard! He throws Jackson into the Hunter-Killer corner, following through with an Enziguri to the corner-but as he goes for it, Sara Daniels tags herself in while Jackson drops low! Clutch slams into the corner, and Daniels makes good on his misstep, hitting the ropes while Clutch steps away from the corner and laying him out with Full Rotation! She rolls off of Clutch as he hits the ground, and lines up in the opposing corner for the Double Barrel Special.
Clutch gets back to his feet, right in Daniels’ line of fire-but as she launches, Clutch ducks low and sends her crashing into the turnbuckles! He’s quick to follow up on her mistake as she was with his, launching her into his corner with a Belly to Belly suplex! Clutch heads over to Russ Bolt, who’s recovered on the apron, and tags him in, pulling a woozy Daniels up as he does so. He and Russ share a glance, and suddenly, both hit stereo Technical Fouls on Sara Daniels! She goes limp, and Russ goes for a cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-NO! GEORGE JACKSON BREAKS UP THE PIN! Clutch rushes in to help his partner, but Jackson lays him out with a brutal discus lariat. He pulls Russ up to his feet, nailing him with a ripcord discus lariat of his own while Daniels rolls to the ropes to recover! The referee gets in Jackson’s face and tells him to leave the ring or risk disqualification, but Jackson stands up to him, barking back before he leaves. Russ manages to get back to his feet, but as he does so, Sara Daniels leaps onto his back and wraps her arms around his throat. She attempts to lock in a sleeper hold, pulling Russ back toward the center of the ring as she wrenches the hold in. She flips him over her back with an impressive sleeper slam, but as she goes to lock the hold back in, Russ uses the last of his energy to stop her arms from connecting. He manages to hold Sara off long enough TO ROLL HER UP FOR A PIN!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR-NO! SARA DANIELS KICKS OUT! Russ looks to be incredulous, but wastes no time as he preps for another Technical Foul to put Daniels away for good. However, as he goes for it, Daniels lunges low with a front chop-block to Russ’s shins! Russ falls flat, and Daniels takes advantage, dropping a knee on him from a standing position after he does so. Daniels looks to trap Russ with the No Escape, rolling him through into a kneebar and locking the hold in fiercely so as to prevent him from escaping! Russ looks to be in pain, Russ is struggling, he lunges for the ropes-but Daniels pulls him back! He makes one final lunge, in desperate pain-AND GETS THEM! Daniels breaks the hold at the count of three while Russ writhes in pain, and she tags Jackson in. Russ attempts to make a tag to Clutch, but Jackson grabs him and whips him into the opposing corner, hitting him with a clothesline. He sets Russ up on the top turnbuckle and prepares to deliver Quick to Ground-but Clutch has had enough of Hunter-Killer, and sends Jackson off the turnbuckle!
Jackson crashes into the mat, hard, and Russ recovers enough to go for his signature ThunderBolt Elbow Drop-but as he goes for it, Daniels pulls Jackson out of the ring! Russ looks furious as he lands on his injured leg, and Clutch holds his hand out for a tag! Russ dives, and makes the hot tag, allowing for Clutch to level the returning Jackson with a brutal Technical Foul as he gets through the ropes! Jackson falls to hang on the ropes, and Daniels enters to try and handle Clutch with a Killing Blow-but Clutch is quick and hits Daniels with TarHEEL! He pulls Jackson through and, while on the ropes, drops him with a spike DDT!
Jackson rolls into the center of the ring, and Clutch hits the corner, ready for the punt kick to put Jackson away for good! He lines it up-BUT JACKSON DROPS FLAT AS CLUTCH GOES FOR THE KICK! CLUTCH STUMBLES, AND DANIELS TAKES ADVANTAGE AS SHE PULLS HIS FEET OUT WHEN HE GETS CLOSE TO THE ROPES! DANIELS DRAGS CLUTCH OUT OF THE RING-AND HITS A SHOCK AND AWE ONTO THE ARENA FLOOR! SHE ROLLS CLUTCH BACK IN, AND JACKSON COVERS-
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-NO! CLUTCH KICKS OUT! Daniels and Jackson look to be in shock, but Jackson’s not done yet as he pulls Clutch up for the Round Trip-and countering Clutch’s move, Jackson slams him back-first into the turnbuckles! He gets Clutch up, but is caught off guard by a yell-AND AN IMPACT AS RUSS BOLT LAYS GEORGE JACKSON OUT WITH A FLYING FOREARM SMASH! Jackson rolls to Hunter-Killer’s corner while Russ pulls Clutch to his, and both partners tag in, leaving Daniels and Russ to collide in the center of the ring as they hit a Full Rotation and Technical Foul on one another, leaving all four competitors down and out in the ring!
A moment passes as the crowd gets louder and louder, with Daniels and Russ getting back to their feet. Russ rushes at Daniels and throws a Technical Foul, but she reverses it by shoving Russ out of the way and going for a Killing Blow-but he ducks it! Russ tries to grab her for From Downtown, but Daniels drops out of the way, reversing the hold and shoving Russ off before going for another Killing Blow! Russ avoids it once again by shoving Daniels out of the way! He lines up for one final Technical Foul, but gets too close to the ropes-and George Jackson grabs his feet! Russ is taken off guard for a second, but it’s just long enough for Daniels to rush him and get him in position-Backslide Driver! Daniels puts all her weight into keeping an obviously struggling Russ down!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!! - AND RUSS KICKS OUT AS THE BELL RINGS! HUNTER-KILLER HAVE BEATEN MCCLOUD AND BOLT!
Winners: Hunter Killer
Daniels rolls out of the ring and off Russ as he rolls to the center, joining with Clutch in the ring as the two are shocked at how close they came to staying in the match! Jackson and Daniels taunt them from the entrance ramp, walking backwards up while giving both competitors the middle finger...
