Post by Jim Houston on Mar 31, 2019 12:02:05 GMT
A video plays to open the show, focussing on the Young Lions’ Cup tournament. It shows James Saturn’s path to victory and then his challenge to Baker as well as some of their back and forth. It then focuses on tonight’s matches, showcasing Berry’s rise up the card, Henry Harrison and Zachary Bates’ victories over Jerry Bishop and Clutch McCloud’s attack on Russ Bolt, before showing Artemis Evans winning the Women’s Championship and the best of Lia Ness and Elizabeth Karlson’s battle from their last encounter.
As the video fades to black, the camera focuses on the ring, where Jim Houston stands with a microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jim Houston and I am the Freedom Pro Wrestling General Manager. I don't wish to take up too much of your precious time tonight, but I do have a few subjects to address. Firstly, to the All Star Tag Team Classic. Coming up after Resurrection will be the second running of this prestigious tournament, which will feature eight teams- six from FPW and, for the very first time, two teams from Alpha Wrestling, where you may have recently seen several of your favourite FPW wrestlers competing in the Ragnarok Royale. This tournament will run just like the Young Lions’ Cup, with quarter final matches taking place over the two Road To All Star Tag Team Classic shows before the semi-finals and final take place on the main show. The winners will receive a Tag Team Championship match at one of the Road To shows for the Free-1. I invite any and all teams here in FPW to declare their interest, whether they are an established tag team or one forming with the aim of winning this tournament.
“As for my second order of business, I-
LOOK IN MY EYES, WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Marcus Allen Jones strides onto the entrance ramp, the CZW Wired Championship around his waist, followed shortly after by The Invaders and Hunter Killer. He stands with a smug grin on his face as he soaks in the boos from the crowd. He waves at Houston with that same smug grin on his face and Houston raises the mic to his lips, his face a picture of anger.
JH: Marcus-
MAJ: Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm suspended. Blah, blah, blah. I'm not here to cause trouble for your precious little show. I just happen to know, through my extensive network of contacts, that your so-called second order of business concerns me. And TakeOver. So I thought I'd give you the opportunity to address me face to face. I'm sure you appreciate that seeing as you'd never look to play the tough guy behind my back. So here I am, Jimmy. What do you want to tell me?
JH: Marcus, I-
MAJ: Actually…. I think I'll talk a little longer. You're boring. I just want to officially declare that I will not, The Invaders will not, Hunter Killer will not, and any other member of TakeOver will not interfere in Graham Baker’s match at Resurrection. He promised me a title match, just like I said he would, if I didn't interfere. Although… I have to say I'm a little disappointed. I thought it would be tougher to break the great Aviator. I had so many more fun things planned. Shame. But I won't interfere, Baker will beat Saturn and I'll reclaim my title very soon. It's all so simple. Anyway, what've you got for me, Jimmy?
JH: Marcus. Seeing as-
MAJ: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Maybe I'm not quite ready to hear you drone on yet. While I'm here, I may as well make an announcement. The Invaders and Hunter Killer will be entering your little tag team tournament. And don't even think about putting them against each other in the first round. I've checked the tournament regulations. The draw is random. And remember… we have people everywhere. If it's rigged in any way, I'll know, I'll sue, and I'll finally take over this company for myself. Don't worry, Jimmy, I think I'm done now. Your turn. Go. Talk.
JH: Marcus. Seeing as you're here, I will address you face to face. You want your lackeys in the Tag Classic? If there's space, they're in. As for you? Jace Mason, probably unwisely, has challenged you to a match at Resurrection. I've been thinking long and hard about it, and I think I've come to a decision. You will face Mason at Resurrection. The Freedom Championship will be on the line. All of your TakeOver buddies will be banned from ringside. If you can't beat Jace Mason, a man who Graham Baker defeated, you'll prove yourself unworthy of an FPW Title match. If you can beat Jace Mason, you take a step closer to the match you want. Your suspension will officially end once Resurrection begins. Until then, you will leave this arena and you will take all of your rag tag band with you.
MAJ (laughing): You think that's a punishment. You say like it'll scare me. Jace Mason? The kid’s done well for himself but come on. I'm worth ten Jace Masons in that ring. I'll face Mason. By the end of the match, you'll know exactly how worthy I am of taking back my title. I'll see you round, Jimmy.
Marcus leaves and Houston stares after him, shaking his head.
JH: I do have one final announcement, but I think I'll save it until later on tonight. Enjoy the show.
Houston leaves the ring as the camera pans to Mike Watson and Steven Deville.
SD: Once again, our one true champion and leader puts Jim Houston well and truly in his place.
MW: Marcus Allen Jones is not our champion.
SD: He soon will be. It's all falling into place.
MW: Perhaps so, but tonight isn't about Marcus Allen Jones or Graham Baker. Tonight is about a series of matches beginning with Berry Bishop, a woman well and truly on a roll at the moment, against Kris Knight, who showed flashes of potential in her Young Lions’ Cup match last month. These two should make for an intriguing match.
SD: Intriguing, perhaps. But Berry Bishop is lowering herself in this one. After making the Free-1 final, admittedly through the back door, and giving Artemis Evans a tough match for the Women’s Title, I don't know why she allowed Houston to book her against Kris Knight. She's hardly much competition.
MW: Well, we'll see about that tonight. But a win for Berry will surely put her in contention to face our Women's Champion after Resurrection. After all, she had Artemis Evans beat last time they faced each other.
‘Wannabe’ hit the speakers, and Kris Knight ran onstage, wearing a massive grin on her face. She slapped the hands in the front row as she ran down the ramp.
MW: “The number one contender for the women’s championship will be decided later tonight, but first, a match between two women who are hoping to come back from recent defeats. Kris Knight was eliminated in the first round of the Young Lion’s Cup, while Berry Bishop was unable to dethrone the women’s champion, Artemis Evans.”
After a brief pause, ‘The Entertainer’ began to play and Berry Bishop emerged and took a bow at the top of the ramp. She rose and grinned as she stared down the ramp at Kris in the ring.
SD: “Both of these women seem to be popular with the FPW audience, but personally, I can’t stand either of them.”
MW: “Too nice for you?”
SD: “It’s not that, there’s nothing wrong with a nice girl. But do they have to be so perky about it?”
MW: “Your personal tastes in women aside, you can’t deny that both of them are talented.”
The ref was about to call for the bell, but Berry held a hand up to stop him. She walked across the ring and extended a hand for her opponent to shake. Kris smiled at her and accepted. Berry backed back into her corner and nodded to the ref to begin the match.
Match 1: Berry Bishop v Kris Knight (written by Mason):
The bell rang, and both women advanced into a tie-up. They shifted their weight, trying to gain the upper hand. Kris slowly drove Berry back towards her corner, but at the last second, Berry rotated around and forced Kris into the corner. The ref began a count, and Berry released as soon as he hit two and backed into the center of the ring. She motioned Kris forward and the two of them tied up again. After more jockeying for position, Berry took control, trapping Kris in a wristlock. She wrenched on it a few times before she began to transition into a straightjacket hold. But before she could gain control over Kris’ second arm, Kris used it to deliver a back elbow that caused her to loosen her grip slightly. Kris broke free and locked in a side headlock. She cranked on Berry’s neck once before Berry shoved her into the far ropes. The ref moved into position to begin a count, but Berry pushed Kris off the ropes and then shoved herself free of the headlock. Kris rebounded and went for a dropkick, but Berry sidestepped, and before Kris could get back up, Berry locked in a chinlock. After struggling for a few minutes, Kris was able to squirm free enough to drape her foot under the bottom rope and force a break.
SD: “We discussed this during her match with Elizabeth Karlson during the Young Lion’s Cup, and we’re seeing it again here tonight: Kris Knight seems to have difficulty keeping up with technically proficient opponents.”
Berry had risen to her feet before Kris, and as Kris got to her feet, Berry attempted to pull her back down to the mat with a snapmare, only for Kris to shove her away. Berry broke into a run, increasing her momentum as she rebounded off the ropes. She charged at Kris and took her off her feet with a running knee strike.
MW: “But no matter how technically proficient Berry has become, her bread and butter will always be these quick and powerful strikes.”
Kris shot back to her feet as Berry hit the ropes again. She ducked Berry’s attempted clothesline, and dropped down as Berry hit the ropes. Berry leapt over her and continued to run across the ring. Kris went for a dropkick again, but Berry stopped herself on the ropes, causing Kris to fall to the ground. She quickly tried to rise and made it to one knee before Berry connected with a sliding clothesline. Berry pulled Kris into a seated position and locked her in a hold, placing a knee between her shoulders and pulling back on both arms. Kris cried out as Berry applied pressure and began squirming, trying to escape. Eventually, she managed to free one wrist and pulled it free, rising to her feet and pulling Berry with her. She passed Berry’s grip over her head as she turned to face her opponent. She kicked Berry in the gut, which caused her to release her remaining grip, and wrapped an arm around her neck before spiking her head into the mat with a DDT. She stood up, rolling her shoulder a few times before she pulled Berry to her feet and applied a front facelock. She connected with a snap suplex before floating over into a cover.
...1!..Kick-out!
As Kris rose to her feet, Berry rolled over and began to stand up. Kris glanced over and moved quickly to counter, sweeping Berry’s leg out from under her with an STO before shifting her weight and falling to the mat, driving her elbow into Berry’s chest. Kris stood back up again and whipped Berry into the corner. She stood in the center of the ring and eyed her target before charging forward and connecting with a clothesline. Then, as Berry arched her back upon taking the hit, Kris landed two quick punches to her midsection. Berry doubled over, allowing Kris to connect with a powerful European uppercut. Berry’s head snapped back and she dropped into a seated position. Kris backed up several steps before she ran forward and drove her knee into Berry’s head.
MW: “An impressive series of strikes in the corner from Kris Knight. Now dragging Berry out of the corner and going for another cover.”
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Kris nodded in determination as she stood up. She looked at the top turnbuckle before turning to the audience and pointing into the air. They cheered in response, and Kris smiled before beginning to climb. Berry meanwhile, had slowly began to rise to her feet, fully straightening as Kris perched on the top turnbuckle. Kris looked down at her and left her feet, angling her body to connect with a missile dropkick. But at the last second, Berry sidestepped and caused Kris to crash into the mat. Kris sat up quickly, right into a superkick from Berry! Kris was stunned, and Berry wasted no time in capitalizing, lifting her to her feet and tossing her across the ring with an exploder suplex. Kris crumpled, and Berry dove into a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
SD: “An impressive reversal with an equally-impressive follow-up from Berry Bishop, who has now regained control in this match.”
Berry pulled Kris upright and dragged her into the ropes. She draped both of Kris’ arms over the top rope, exposing her midsection for a quick kick, driving her shin into Kris’ stomach. Berry connected with two more of these kicks before the ref’s count reached four and she pulled Kris free of the ropes. Berry whipped her into the ropes across the ring, catching her with a pump kick on the rebound. Kris dropped to the mat, and Berry quickly struck again, landing a knee drop across Kris’ chest before transitioning into a cover.
….1!..Kick-out!
Leaving Kris on her back, Berry backed into the corner. She looked out into the crowd before clapping a few times, prompting them to start clapping along to the rhythm. Berry then pointed at Kris, who was slowly beginning to sit up. She charged out of the corner and went for a shining wizard, only for Kris to duck under her knee. Both women scrambled back to their feet, and before Berry could turn around, Kris hooked both her arms and pulled her into a backslide.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
SD: “Is that it? Did Knight get her?”
MW: “No! Berry kicked out!”
Both women shot upright, and Kris ducked under Berry’s wild punch, wrapping her arms around Berry’s waist. She lifted Berry over her head and drove her into the mat with a German suplex. But she didn’t release her hold, rolling over and pulling Berry back to her feet before tossing her with another German suplex. But once more, she pulled Berry up and connected with a third German suplex, finally releasing her waistlock. Berry struggled to rise, but failed, while Kris rose to her feet, receiving cheers from a portion of the audience. She grabbed Berry by the ankles and pulled her into the center of the ring. She stepped one of her legs through Berry’s extended legs, then crossed Berry’s legs over before turning Berry over to finish the sharpshooter. Berry cried out in pain and began dragging herself by her forearms closer to the ropes, slowly working her way out of the hold. She reached forwards, just out of reach from the ropes, when Kris stood up, without letting go of the submission, and dragged her back into the center of the ring before sitting back down into the hold, making it even deeper than before. But because Kris had set back so deep, Berry was able to reach back and hook one of Kris’ legs, using this new grip to pull Kris out of position, eventually forcing Kris to release the hold. Berry quickly rolled to the ropes, using them to pull herself upright. Kris charged Berry and attempted to clothesline her over the top rope, but Berry pulled the rope down, causing Kris to fall out of the ring. Berry wasted little time, straightening up again and running across the ring. She hit the ropes and rebounded, grabbing the top rope and sending her body through the ropes, her feet colliding with Kris’ chest and driving her into the barricade.
SD: “Wrecking ball dropkick from Berry Bishop, now dropping to the floor to continue the offense.”
Berry slowly lifted Kris upright and rolled her into the ring. She climbed onto the apron and made to step between the ropes, but hesitated for a moment to catch her breath. She climbed into the ring, and Kris caught her with an X factor! She scrambled to turn Berry over and hooked a leg for the cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Kris slapped the mat once before rising to her feet with a determined expression on her face. She pulled Berry up and tucked her head between her legs. She bent her legs and left the ground, but Berry straightened up and Kris landed on her back on the floor. She stood up, but was forced to duck back down as Berry attempted a checkmate kick as she turned around! The two women paused as Kris fully stood up, smiling slightly and nodding at each other.
MW: “Both competitors attempting to connect with their finishing maneuvers; this could mean we’re moving into the final stages of this match.”
Berry kicked Kris in the stomach and whipped her into the ropes. She attempted a back elbow as Kris rebounded, but Kris ducked and hit the far ropes. Berry bent down as Kris rebounded again to try for another back body drop, but Kris jumped over and pulled her into a sunset flip, holding her shoulders down.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Kris rolled backwards out of the pin attempt and charged forwards as Berry stood up. She ducked a forearm and connected with a double leg takedown, driving Berry into the mat. She quickly stood up and ran into the corner, climbing the turnbuckles as Berry regained her footing. Berry turned around and Kris took flight, connecting with a missile dropkick that turned Berry inside out. Kris rose to her feet, but Berry remained on the ground. Kris hesitated for a moment before she dropped into a cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
MW: “I think Kris’ hesitation cost her there. If she’d gone for the cover immediately after connecting with the missile dropkick, I wonder if she’d have been able to win the match right then and there.”
SD: “I’m almost certain she would have won the match, Berry still hasn’t moved. And that hesitation also demonstrates the inexperience of Kris Knight. Despite her apparent skill, she is still new to this sport.”
Kris pulled Berry upright and threw her into the ropes, prepared to deliver more offense on the rebound, only for Berry to foil that plan by jumping onto the second rope and launch herself into an enzuigiri, connecting her boot directly with Kris’ face! Both dropped to the mat and didn’t get up.
MW: “Did we just witness the last bit of fight left in Berry Bishop?”
Berry began slowly dragging herself close to where Kris lay flat on her back. Finally, after an agonizingly long time, she draped an arm over Kris’ chest.
SD: “This has to be it!”
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
MW: “No! Kris is still willing to fight!”
Berry rolled off her opponent and scooted her body into the corner, where she pulled herself into a seated position. She took several deep breaths as she stared at Kris’ unmoving form. Slowly, encouraged by a cheering crowd, Berry began to pull herself up to her feet. She approached Kris and made to pull her upright, only for Kris to pull her into a small package!
...1!...2!..Berry shifted her weight, reversing the hold and driving Kris’ shoulders down!
...1!...2!...3!
Winner: Berry Bishop
The bell rang as the crowd exploded at the abrupt end to the match. Berry untangled herself from Kris and sat up, throwing an arm into the air in celebration.
MW: “And just like that it’s over! An epic match between two of the rising stars in FPW comes to a sudden end as Berry Bishop outmaneuvers Kris Knight to pick up the victory.”
Kris had sat up after the bell rang, a shocked look plastered on her face. Now Berry helped her to her feet and the two of them exchanged a few words before a brief embrace. Turning to face the audience, Kris raised Berry’s hand before leaving the ring.
SD: “And for all the different factors we discussed as this match wore on, from technical ability to experience, the factor that finally came into play at the end of the match was Berry’s ability to keep a cool head even in the most stressful of situations.”
After a few more moments of Berry taking in the adulation of the audience, she climbed out of the ring and walked up the ramp. She turned one final time at the stage and gave a final bow to the audience.
Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Artemis Evans.
DB: Artemis-
AE: Show some respect. I'm the Women's Champion.
DB: Miss Evans-
AE: Nope. Try introducing me first.
DB: I'm here with FPW Women-
AE: First ever.
DB: I'm here with the first ever FPW Women's Champion, Artemis Evans. Artemis, how do you feel about the number one contendership match for our main event tonight?
AE: I don't see why either of them get the chance. Elizabeth Karlson has already lost to Lia Ness. She lost to James Saturn, a man, by the way, I've beaten myself. Lia Ness has already been pinned by me when I won this championship. The only reason these two are in this match is because I've already run through the entire division and Houston either doesn't respect me enough or doesn't have the ability to sign better competition.
DB: But your victory over Lia Ness was hardly your own doing. And you've never beaten Elizabeth Karlson. Speaking of which, you only beat Berry Bishop because of-
AE: And there we go again with the rampant disrespect. It's endemic in this company against me. I don't know why. I'm a fully deserving champion. I'm the best female wrestler- hell, I'm as good as any of the men. Until I get some respect, I won't be speaking with you again.
Evans walks off and we see the other two members of The Queendom just out of shot. They leave together and Dasha shrugs her shoulders at the camera operator.
MW: Let's now take you back to Young Lions’ Cup. After a match between Russ Bolt and Freedom Champion Jace Mason, Clutch McCloud, egged on by his management team of Richard Crowley and Danica Jane, decided to beat down their, well, I suppose former friend.
SD: Clutch had a perfectly reasonable explanation. Russ Bolt is a dead weight. Look at all of their tag matches. Bolt was the one who let the team down. Look at Clutch’s standing in FPW. He was once a title contender and he was reduced to… well, not much by simply being associated with Russ Bolt.
MW: But they're friends. If Clutch didn't want to keep up the partnership, why not talk to Bolt? Why did he have to attack him like that? Bolt may have not developed the way Clutch had hoped, but he didn't need to take that kind of action.
SD: But for Clutch this was about more than just Russ Bolt. He was stagnating as the person he'd become. This was about reinvention. And tonight will be the same. When Clutch beats Russ, he'll have shed the lodestone around his neck and will rise up here in FPW. I guarantee that.
‘Jumpman’ plays as Russ Bolt come out onto the stage. He holds his arms out as the fans give him a modest reception. Dipping one way and the other with the song, he builds momentum before leaping up into the air and letting out a big roar. He starts heading down the ramp-
But he's struck from behind by Clutch, takes him down with a forearm strike. Clutch then stomps a mud hole in him as Jane and Crowley emerge, giving Clutch their approval. Clutch lifts Bolt and drags him down the ramp, the music having now stopped, before throwing him into the guardrail. Clutch stomps some more before lifting Bolt again and driving him head-first into the ring post. Bolt staggers away, busted open, before Clutch rolls him into the ring. Clutch follows and then stands back, waiting for Bolt to find his way to his feet.
MW: A dirty attack by Clutch McCloud. He doesn't need to do this.
SD: He may not need to, but he wants to. And this is the Clutch McCloud who will do whatever he wants to whoever he wants.
MW: This is just heinous.
The official watches as Bolt gets to his feet. He asks Bolt what he wants to do and Bolt, blood trickling down his face and into his right eye, tells the official to ring the bell.
Match 2: Clutch McCloud v Russ Bolt:
Bolt charges at Clutch but is met with a kick to the gut and a clubbing blow across the back. Clutch stomps on Bolt again before backing away into a corner. Bolt pulls himself to his feet and turns straight into TarHEEL. Clutch drops down and covers Bolt, 1-2-no! Bolt kicks out. The mediocre reception from earlier is forgotten as the fans cheer the kick out.
Clutch stares down at his former partner and shakes his head.
“You shouldn't have done that,” he says as he pulls Bolt up by the hair. Clutch stares Bolt in the eyes and spits right in his face before backing up and looking for the Technical Foul. But Bolt ducks and rolls Clutch up with a school boy, 1-2-no! Clutch barely escapes. The two men scramble to their feet and Bolt ducks a wild lariat from Clutch, hitting him with a German suplex. He makes it to his feet as Crowley gets onto the apron, but Bolt connects with a Technical Foul to send him to the floor. He turns just as Clutch aims a second TarHEEL but Bolt ducks. He drives Clutch into the corner and lets him have a flurry of right hands, forcing Clutch down to a seated position.
Bolt backs away, wiping the blood out of his eye and running at Clutch, hitting him with a sliding forearm. He drags Clutch out of the corner and covers him, 1-2-no! Clutch barely kicks out again. The fans cheer loudly as Bolt backs away, signalling that he's going to beat his former mentor with his own move. As Clutch makes it to his feet, Bolt aims a Technical Foul at him, but Clutch ducks it, sending Bolt staggering towards the corner. As he turns, Clutch connects with a devastating Technical Foul of his own, sending Bolt crumpling to the mat. Clutch covers, 1-2-3.
Winner: Clutch McCloud.
MW: And there he goes. Clutch wins the match thanks to a pre-match ambush.
SD: Clutch wins because he's better, smarter and more merciless than Bolt.
MW: And now Clutch will face Jerry Bishop at Resurr- wait, what's this?
After having his arm raised, Clutch mounts Bolt and drives his forearm into his face over and over again. The official tries to pull Clutch off but Clutch swats him away. Danica Jane climbs into the ring and hits a low blow on the official as Clutch continues his assault. The cut above Bolt’s eye opens wider and blood begins to flow freely as Clutch keeps hitting him with forearm after forearm. Meanwhile, Richard Crowley slowly climbs into the ring, one hand to his forehead after Bolt’s Technical Foul and the other holding a steel chair.
The fans boo as Clutch lifts Bolt, holding him steady before Crowley drives the chair into his skull. Clutch then spits at Bolt and backs away into a corner. Crowley and Jane lift Bolt by the arms, leaving his head hanging towards the canvas. Clutch takes a couple of steps at him and connects with a vicious punt kick as Bolt collapses, motionless. Clutch then signals for a second chair to be brought into the ring. He slides the first under Bolt’s head before taking the second and raising it high in the air.
Before he can bring it down, however, Jerry Bishop charges down the ramp and slides into the ring. Clutch turns towards Jerry and goes to swing the chair, but Jerry, instinctively, kicks Clutch in the gut and pulls him in for a Last Laugh- no theatrics. Crowley and Jane quickly leave the ring and slide Clutch out with them as Jerry kneels next to Russ Bolt, calling for some help. He looks at Clutch as he walks backwards up the ramp, supported by his management. Jerry looks a little conflicted and confused, but continues to tend to Bolt as the medical team enter the ring.
Backstage, Jack Sevren and Bobby O sit in the locker room.
JS: Okay then, Bob-O. Three weeks time we get to take back those titles. But we need something new. They've beaten us twice, albeit last time because you RKOd me, but still…
BO: I know. And I'm sorry. Again. But I said I'd make it up to you and I did. I said that when I first came here I dreamt of singles glory. And to be honest, one day I still hope to carry the big belt here, but at this moment, our team is what means the most to me in the world. It's my redemption from that dark place. I wouldn't ever do anything to jeopardise that. My Dead Man’s Chest gave us another chance. And I promise I won't mess it up.
JS: I know you won't. I know the sacrifice you made for us and I respect it. No matter what Sato and his two Japanese apes might say, I know what we're capable of. I'll make sure we give them the shock of their lives. And then we'll go onto All Star Tag Team Classic, you and me.
BO: I was thinking. The night we won that tournament. Even more than when we finally won those titles. That might have been the best night of my career. It took us a while to really come together but that final, that match, we finally became a true team. We gelled like never before. It was a great feeling and it was only then I truly felt like I was back. The old Bobby was gone. I think the old Jack may have been gone that night too. We were both born anew. And then to win the belts a little while after was great too, but that night felt special. To go into the second tournament as champions? That would maybe be even better. I won't let you down, Jack.
JS: If last year was the best night of your career, I promise that I'll make sure the final of this tournament is the best night of mine. They won't know what's hit them, I guarantee that.
BO: So let's get training.
The camera returns to ringside.
MW: If that match is half as good as their previous encounters, I can't wait to see it. But up next we have an intriguing match up. Two wrestlers fairly new to FPW, both with big wins over Jerry Bishop recently, both eliminated earlier than they'd have hoped in the Young Lions’ Cup and both, if I may say so, with very distinct styles.
SD: We have a mad man who talks to teddy bears and a mad man who has no regard for his body. This match ought to be interesting to say the least.
MW: It sure will be. And dare I say it, the winner of this match could be in line for a Freedom Championship match.
SD: Perhaps. But Marcus will decide that after he wins it in a few weeks.
The camera moves away from the announcers and shows a man at ringside. The fans begin to cheer loudly and he stands to acknowledge them.
MW: Wait a minute? That's… that's Aaron Williams!
SD: So the rumours must be true. His no compete clause must be up.
MW: I don't… wait… I'm getting something through from Jim Houston on the headset right now. Yes, I can in fact confirm that former WWE wrestler, former Ring of Honour Champion and former… well, what hasn't he done in the Us independent scene, Aaron Williams has signed a contract with FPW and he will make his in-ring debut at Resurrection.
SD: That's big. And I assume that he's scouting out potential opponents by being out here for this match?
MW: I don't exactly know. All I know is that Aaron Williams, known to many fans as A Plus, will be wrestling in FPW.
‘Narco’ begins to play and the cheers for Williams turn to boos as Henry Harrison emerges onto the stage. He runs to the right hand side and holds his arms out like a king, only for the fans to boo him. He then turns, running to the left side and doing the same, but he gets the same reaction. Harrison then walks down the ramp and rolls into the ring, pulling out a polar bear and a black bear from his jacket and placing them under the bottom turnbuckle. He rips off his jacket and throws it to the floor, crouching down to listen to the bears.
‘ProtoVision’ plays and the boos turn to cheers as the hooded figure of Zachary Bates walks onto the stage. He walks down the ramp with a swagger, slapping hands with fans before quickly climbing onto the apron and up to the top rope. He throws his hood back before back-flipping into the ring, landing on one knee as a spotlight focusses on him. Once the lights come up, he stands and looks across at Harrison, who is seemingly mediating a spirited debate between the bears.
Match 3: Henry Harrison v Zachary Bates:
The bell rings and the two men circle one another. They lock up and Harrison quickly forces Bates back into the corner. The official calls for the break and Harrison breaks quickly, turning to the bears before turning back, his facial expression completely different as he unleashes a vicious slap across Bates’ face. Bates holds his cheek as Harrison backs away, but Bates quickly comes out after him, shoving him back into the corner and driving his shoulder into Harrison’s gut.
Bates then rolls backwards and Harrison charges at him, only to be met with a thrust kick to the gut. Bates then hits a standing enzeguiri to send Harrison to one knee before he hits the ropes and comes back with a bicycle knee strike. Harrison drops to the mat and Bates makes an early cover, 1-2-no. Harrison kicks out on the count of two. Bates is quick to make it back to his feet and he aims a roundhouse kick which connects hard with Harrison. Bates then lifts Harrison onto the shoulders and connects with a rolling DVD before leaping onto the second rope and connecting with a moonsault. He makes another cover, 1-2-no. Harrison again kicks out.
MW: Incredibly fast start to this one from Zachary Bates.
SD: He's not one for lock ups, headlock takeovers and long technical exchanges.
MW: I think that slap from Henry Harrison enraged him. He's been non-stop since that point.
Bates pulls Harrison up and hooks an arm around his throat, he lifts him up for a lifting inverted DDT, but Harrison lands a knee strike to Bates’ head and drops down. Harrison then baits Bates in and connects with a hard clothesline, looking to his bears and holding out his arms to the black bear before walking towards them. He crouches down and tries to explain himself before looking to the polar bear. He suddenly looks ashamed and apologises to the polar bear for letting Bates get so much offence in. Harrison then stands and turns, looking determined, only to be hit with a superkick which sends him slumping down into the corner next to the bears.
Bates backs away and then runs at Harrison, connecting with a cannonball before backing away again. He runs at him again before leaping up onto the second, then top, rope, and coming down with a double stomp to Harrison’s chest. Bates rolls Harrison to the apron before pulling him up and hooking an arm over his head. He tries to lift Harrison, but Harrison drives a knee into the head again before dropping back down. Harrison connects with a couple of right hands before pulling Bates in for an attempted spinebuster. Bates manages to elbow his way out of it and kicks Harrison in the gut. He looks for the brainbuster again but Harrison drops down behind Bates. Harrison then looks to steal Bates’ lifting inverted DDT, only for Bates to flip over him and connect with a snap dragon suplex to the edge of the ring.
MW: What a move from Bates! And what an exchange. Neither man wanted to be spiked on the edge of the ring.
SD: And now Henry Harrison finds himself in serious trouble.
Harrison drops to the floor as Bates rolls back into the ring. Bates backs away and waits for Harrison to make his way to his feet. As soon as he does, Bates runs and launches himself at Harrison with a suicide dive. Harrison crashes into the guardrail but Bates hits the ring again, hitting the ropes before running and connecting with a Fosbury flop. Harrison drops down to the floor but Bates climbs into the ring one more time. He waits for Harrison to pull himself up and runs at the ropes, leaping onto the top rope before connecting with a perfect shooting star press to take Harrison down right in front of Aaron Williams.
The fans cheer loudly as Bates stands, eyeing Williams, who gives him a nod of approval. Bates then pulls Harrison up but, instead of rolling him back into the ring, he pulls him in and connects with a half and half suplex before hitting a standing moonsault. Only then does he roll Harrison back into the ring. He doesn't follow however, instead choosing to climb to the top rope. Checking the Harrison is in position, Bates leaps off the top with a 630 senton, following away before he can scramble back to make the cover, 1-2-no! Harrison barely kicks out.
MW: These fans are rabid for Zachary Bates here. What a showman!
SD: He is a great showman, but this match is still going on. He mustn't sacrifice winning the match for putting on a show.
MW: Bates is all about putting himself on the line. He's done that repeatedly in this match and I'll bet he does it again before the bell rings.
Bates stands, holding his back where he landed with the 630. He calls for Harrison to get to his feet before aiming a superkick at him. Harrison, however, ducks, hitting the ropes and coming back with a big leaping clothesline. Both men lie on the mat for a few moments before each begins to make it to their feet. They stand at the same time, Harrison aiming right hands at Bates, who responds with leg kicks. After a short exchange, Harrison catches one of the kicks, only for Bates to hit him with an enzeguiri. Harrison staggers back and Bates pulls him in for a powerbomb. He connects with a sit-out powerbomb and holds for the pin, 1-2-no! Harrison barely kicks out again.
Bates rolls backwards and calls for the end of the match. He pulls Harrison up by the back of his trunks and traps the arm. He shoves him forward and aims a rainmaker at him, but Bates leaps up and connects with a Lou Thesz press, raining down right hands on Bates until the official pulls him away. Harrison then turns to the bears before nodding at the polar bear and stalking Bates. As Bates turns, Harrison lifts him into a vicious spinebuster. He covers him, 1-2-no. Bates manages to kick out.
Harrison then quickly crouches down with the two bears before turning and stalking Bates. As Bates gets up and turns, Harrison takes him down hard with a viscous double leg before mounting him again and driving his right hand into Bates’ face. The official pulls Harrison away again and he turns to the black bear before looking very remorseful. He apologises to the official before turning back to Bates. Harrison lifts Bates into position for a DDT, but Bates twists out, ending up behind Harrison and trapping the wrist. He looks for a rainmaker again, but Harrison kicks him in the gut and pulls him in again for a DDT. Bates, however, twists away again, looking again for a rainmaker. As he aims the clothesline, Harrison connects with a vicious right hand to send Bates staggering. Bates maintains wrist control before aiming another clothesline. Harrison ducks and pulls Bates up onto his shoulders. He turns to the bears, looking at the black bear and then regretfully dropping Bates down to the ground, only for him to shake his head halfway through and kick Bates so hard that his knees buckle and he drops. Harrison makes the cover, 1-2-3.
Winner: Henry Harrison.
MW: Well that match was yet another incredibly match featuring the talents of Zachary Bates.
SD: Why would you focus on Bates? Henry Harrison beat him.
MW: And impressively too. There aren't many who would get up from that kick and Bates certainly couldn't.
Henry Harrison collects his bears and goes to leave the ring when ‘Fury, Oh Fury’ begins to play. As the opening monologue plays, a darkness falls over the arena, but as the song's lyrics begin with the heavy guitar, the lights come up dark red and white and a man steps out, accompanied by a woman who looks to be his manager. The man is huge, his chest as wide as a barrel and his arms and legs like tree trunks. He walks stoically down to the ring as the woman follows behind.
Harrison stands and stares at the man coming to face him. He looks to each of his bears in turn, but seemingly gets to explanation from either of them. As the man climbs into the ring, Harrison takes a step back. The woman takes a microphone.
“This man is Go Shihei. This man is the man who will dominate Freedom Pro Wrestling. And he is hungry to begin. Henry Harrison- you will be his first opponent in three weeks time at Resurrection. Bring your bears. They won't want to miss this.”
She laughs as her and Go Shihei leave the ring, leaving Harrison frantically talking to both bears.
MW: Well, tonight has been hard to keep up with.
SD: First we have Clutch destroying Russ Bolt. Then we learn that Aaron Williams is coming to FPW and now this… this… behemoth of a man challenges Henry Harrison at Resurrection?
MW: That didn't sound like a challenge to me. That sounded like a statement of fact. And… yes… I can already confirm that the match has been made official by Jim Houston. Henry Harrison versus Go Shihei at Resurrection.
SD: And up-
MW: Wait just one moment. I'm getting news of a serious development backstage.
Backstage, a team of medics are rushing Russ Bolt into an ambulance. Jerry Bishop stands with him and Jim Houston hurries up to them.
JH: What's happening?
Medic: I'm afraid he's taken a turn for the worse. He'd already lost a lot of blood. A blow to the head like that kick can be very serious. We had him under close observation and he just collapsed. He needs proper assessment. We can't wait any longer.
JH: Sure. Go, go.
Houston turns to Jerry as they watch the ambulance doors close.
JH: Thank you for getting out there when you did.
JB: Too late again.
JH: You did what you could. I'm not sure I like the idea of you facing Clutch.
JB: Why?
JH: With you being… how you are at the moment… Clutch showed a side of himself tonight that I've never seen before. Are you sure you're up to it mentally?
JB: I may be losing a few matches but I'm not going to let that stop me doing what I do best. I'll be out there. This will be the match I get back to winning ways. I just needed that bit of motivation. Russ and I aren't exactly close but no one deserves that. These fans need someone to take Clutch down a peg and I'll be the man to do it.
JH: If you're sure.
MW: Despicable scenes earlier as Clutch McCloud so viciously and emotionlessly too out his former protege.
SD: But I for once agree with Jim Houston. Jerry Bishop is fragile right now. I don't know if he wants to face the kind of man who thinks nothing of doing this to a former friend. Houston should cancel the match.
MW: Cancel the match and there would be riots.
As the lights go down in the arena and the opening to ‘Judas’ by Fozzy plays out, Lia Ness appears on the entrance ramp, emerging from backstage and entering the arena. She approaches the ring, which has been prepared for war, looking around so as to not find herself ambushed once again. She eyes a table on the outside as she steps toward the ring, climbing up to all four turnbuckles and letting out a massive roar before she climbs down, falling to her knees in the center.
She settles, but as she does, the lights go out entirely, and as they come back up, Elizabeth Karlson sits on crossed legs in the ring across from Ness. Karlson is clad in a pair of what appear to be BDU leggings and an old ‘Graham Baker’ tanktop, wearing her lion skull mask. She pulls it off, and immediately gets to her feet, laying into Ness with repeated strikes to the head before she can get to her feet.
Match 4: Number One Contendership for FPW Women's Championship: Last Woman Standing: Lia Ness v Elizabeth Karlson (Written by Baker):
Karlson goes to grab Lia Ness’s mask and yank it off her head, but Ness fights against her, shoving her into a corner and chopping her across the chest with a massive chop! She yanks Karlson into the opposing corner, before winding up her clothesline and running over, slamming her into the turnbuckle with a MASSIVE clothesline! Karlson slumps off, but Ness isn’t done as she shoves Karlson back into the corner, laying into her with repeated chops and strikes before she throws her into the ropes one final time-GIGANTIC Big Boot from Lia Ness to Elizabeth Karlson! Karlson slides to a stop, seemingly down, and the referee begins his count.
ONE!
Karlson begins to stir, blood already pouring from her face from the direct impact of Ness’s boot.
TWO!
Ness looks to Elizabeth Karlson, growling at her, daring her to get up.
THREE!
Before Karlson can get back to her feet, Ness yanks her up by her hair and slaps her hard across the face. Karlson looks away, before looking up to Ness and spitting in her face. Ness responds with an absolutely brutal second slap that drops Karlson to the ground once again, but she’s not done as she grabs Karlson and pulls her up, throwing her into the ropes once again-but as she goes for a Big Boot, Karlson manages to duck low and slide under Ness, causing her to go off balance!
She strikes Ness’s right leg with a knee strike to the area behind the kneecap, before rolling her through into a rolling kneebar! Ness thrashes and struggles, but Karlson manages to get it locked all the way in and begin doing damage! Ness screams out in pain, scrambling to the ropes and managing to kick Karlson off! She stumbles for a moment, and Elizabeth Karlson looks to take advantage, lining up for a knee strike from the corner-AND NESS COUNTERS WITH A MASSIVE LARIAT TO THE RUNNING ELIZABETH KARLSON THAT DAMN NEAR DECAPITATES HER! The referee’s count begins again as Karlson doesn’t stir.
ONE!
Karlson stays lying.
TWO!
Karlson begins to stir, her left eye opening.
THREE!
Karlson begins to get to her feet, but the referee doesn’t stop yet.
FOUR!
Karlson gets to a knee, and the referee stops, but Ness is unhappy and goes for another Big Boot, only for Karlson to duck and send Lia into the ropes! Karlson lines up from behind, signalling for a double knee strike, and NAILS Lia with a rope hung double knee strike from behind that sends her all the way through the ropes and dazed! Karlson sees an advantage, and yanks Lia’s right leg back through, stomping on it before going high for a top rope knee drop-but Lia moves out of the way!
She goes for a Lariat, but Karlson manages to roll and nail Lia from behind with a massive running chop block! Lia falls to her bad knee, and Karlson apes Graham Baker, pointing two finger guns at Lia, before she runs out and nails Lia in the side of the head with a massive Buisaiku Knee! Lia Ness rolls to a stop near the ropes, and Karlson takes a breather, falling to a prowling position.
The referee is about to begin his count, but Lia wastes no time as she pulls herself up, blood running from beneath her mask. She stomps her knee back into place, which appears to buy her time, but she still has a slight limp. She beckons for Karlson to ‘come on’, and Karlson runs at her, but Lia Ness tosses Karlson over the top rope and through a table waiting on the outside!
Lia Ness looks to Karlson as she tries to recover against the barricade, and lets out a massive roar as she hits the ropes and dives at Karlson with a MASSIVE SUICIDE POUNCE THAT SENDS BOTH COMPETITORS CRASHING THROUGH THE BARRICADE AND INTO THE AUDIENCE! The crowd is lulled into a rousing round of ‘holy shit!’ chants as Ness and Karlson lay in the wreckage of metal, wood, and chair parts, and the referee begins his count.
ONE!
Neither competitor stirs.
TWO!
Still, nothing.
THREE!
There is a stirring from Lia Ness, Karlson still lays dormant.
FOUR!
Ness begins to get to her feet, but Karlson still hasn’t moved.
FIVE!
Ness finally gets up, and drags Karlson to her feet with her. She drops Karlson against the barricade, keeping her up so that the referee can’t count her out. She goes over to the padding covering the arena floor, shoving the table remains out of the way as she yanks the padding up to reveal the concrete beneath. With a wicked smile on her face, Ness drags Karlson over to the concrete, before popping her up in the air for her piledriver-ONLY FOR KARLSON TO REVERSE THE POP UP ATTEMPT INTO THE DEATH SPIKE ONTO THE CONCRETE!
Ness looks stunned as she stumbles up, somehow still on her feet, and Karlson whips her into the apron before shoving her through, leaving her right leg dangling out! She leaps up to the top rope, signalling for the end as she dives on Ness’s bad leg with a massive knee drop! Ness’s leg seems to be giving out as Ness gets back to her feet, but she slams it back into place one final time as Karlson looks to go for another knee to bring the match to an end-AND NESS, IN ONE FINAL BURST, RUSHES FORWARD AND TAKES KARLSON OUT WITH A POUNCE TO COUNTER HER BUISAIKU KNEE!
Both bodies fall to a stop in the center of the ring, but Ness manages to get back to her feet first. She yanks Karlson to her feet, laying her against the ropes and climbing over onto the apron, albeit slowly. She looks to a glass-lined table behind her, and nods as she grabs Karlson to pull her over for a Brainbuster to the outside, but Karlson fights against it, taking a page out of Baker’s playbook.
Karlson keeps a foothold on the ropes as Ness tries to pull her over, and Ness releases her, allowing Karlson to nail Ness with a massive back elbow that stuns her already scrambled head! Ness looks to be down and out on the apron as Karlson hits the ropes, smashing into her with a massive knee lift that sends her onto the table below without breaking it! Karlson curses, climbing over the ropes-MASSIVE LEAPING DOUBLE KNEE FACEBREAKER THAT SENDS NESS THROUGH THE TABLE! The referee begins his count as Karlson scrambles to grab more tools from the outside, throwing chair after chair in the ring. She sets them up in a massive chair tower as the referee’s count hits a nine, and Ness gets back to her feet.
Ness is covered in glass and bleeding, but this appears to only incense her further as she enters the ring, staring Elizabeth down. The two rush forward, and Karlson manages to nail Ness with a massive high knee, but Ness shrugs it off as she lays into Karlson with massive overhand blows! She fires two strong knees through Karlson’s head at point blank range, and Elizabeth looks to be completely out of it as Ness picks her up like a child and yanks her up onto her shoulders.
She places Karlson on the top rope, climbing up after her and picking her up in a powerbomb position that would send her to the outside! She holds Karlson up-and Karlson nails Ness with repeated elbows, causing Ness to drop her. Ness looks to be completely shaken, stunned at how much Karlson has withstood, and Elizabeth screams out as she runs up from behind Ness and NAILS HER WITH AN AVALANCHE SUNSET FLIP BOMB THROUGH THE CHAIR TOWER!
Flattened chairs and broken bodies lay in the wreckage as Karlson and Ness lay in the twisted scraps of metal. The referee, after confirming both are still breathing, starts his count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Still, no movements have happened. The two lay prone in the center of the ring.
FIVE!
There’s a stirring from Elizabeth Karlson, who can’t get back to her feet, but crawls to a still-standing chair. The referee still counts her as down.
SIX!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
NINE!
Karlson pulls herself to a sitting position in the chair with much strength in the last moment, laying into the back of the chair as Ness stays laying still.
TEN!
WINNER: Elizabeth Karlson
Karlson looks exhausted as she pulls herself to her feet, the referee holding her hand high as she holds one finger up. She grabs a microphone as she scrambles toward a Young Lion on the side, and looks up in the air.
“Artemis Evans...I’m coming for your fucking belt.”
As the video fades to black, the camera focuses on the ring, where Jim Houston stands with a microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jim Houston and I am the Freedom Pro Wrestling General Manager. I don't wish to take up too much of your precious time tonight, but I do have a few subjects to address. Firstly, to the All Star Tag Team Classic. Coming up after Resurrection will be the second running of this prestigious tournament, which will feature eight teams- six from FPW and, for the very first time, two teams from Alpha Wrestling, where you may have recently seen several of your favourite FPW wrestlers competing in the Ragnarok Royale. This tournament will run just like the Young Lions’ Cup, with quarter final matches taking place over the two Road To All Star Tag Team Classic shows before the semi-finals and final take place on the main show. The winners will receive a Tag Team Championship match at one of the Road To shows for the Free-1. I invite any and all teams here in FPW to declare their interest, whether they are an established tag team or one forming with the aim of winning this tournament.
“As for my second order of business, I-
LOOK IN MY EYES, WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Marcus Allen Jones strides onto the entrance ramp, the CZW Wired Championship around his waist, followed shortly after by The Invaders and Hunter Killer. He stands with a smug grin on his face as he soaks in the boos from the crowd. He waves at Houston with that same smug grin on his face and Houston raises the mic to his lips, his face a picture of anger.
JH: Marcus-
MAJ: Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm suspended. Blah, blah, blah. I'm not here to cause trouble for your precious little show. I just happen to know, through my extensive network of contacts, that your so-called second order of business concerns me. And TakeOver. So I thought I'd give you the opportunity to address me face to face. I'm sure you appreciate that seeing as you'd never look to play the tough guy behind my back. So here I am, Jimmy. What do you want to tell me?
JH: Marcus, I-
MAJ: Actually…. I think I'll talk a little longer. You're boring. I just want to officially declare that I will not, The Invaders will not, Hunter Killer will not, and any other member of TakeOver will not interfere in Graham Baker’s match at Resurrection. He promised me a title match, just like I said he would, if I didn't interfere. Although… I have to say I'm a little disappointed. I thought it would be tougher to break the great Aviator. I had so many more fun things planned. Shame. But I won't interfere, Baker will beat Saturn and I'll reclaim my title very soon. It's all so simple. Anyway, what've you got for me, Jimmy?
JH: Marcus. Seeing as-
MAJ: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Maybe I'm not quite ready to hear you drone on yet. While I'm here, I may as well make an announcement. The Invaders and Hunter Killer will be entering your little tag team tournament. And don't even think about putting them against each other in the first round. I've checked the tournament regulations. The draw is random. And remember… we have people everywhere. If it's rigged in any way, I'll know, I'll sue, and I'll finally take over this company for myself. Don't worry, Jimmy, I think I'm done now. Your turn. Go. Talk.
JH: Marcus. Seeing as you're here, I will address you face to face. You want your lackeys in the Tag Classic? If there's space, they're in. As for you? Jace Mason, probably unwisely, has challenged you to a match at Resurrection. I've been thinking long and hard about it, and I think I've come to a decision. You will face Mason at Resurrection. The Freedom Championship will be on the line. All of your TakeOver buddies will be banned from ringside. If you can't beat Jace Mason, a man who Graham Baker defeated, you'll prove yourself unworthy of an FPW Title match. If you can beat Jace Mason, you take a step closer to the match you want. Your suspension will officially end once Resurrection begins. Until then, you will leave this arena and you will take all of your rag tag band with you.
MAJ (laughing): You think that's a punishment. You say like it'll scare me. Jace Mason? The kid’s done well for himself but come on. I'm worth ten Jace Masons in that ring. I'll face Mason. By the end of the match, you'll know exactly how worthy I am of taking back my title. I'll see you round, Jimmy.
Marcus leaves and Houston stares after him, shaking his head.
JH: I do have one final announcement, but I think I'll save it until later on tonight. Enjoy the show.
Houston leaves the ring as the camera pans to Mike Watson and Steven Deville.
SD: Once again, our one true champion and leader puts Jim Houston well and truly in his place.
MW: Marcus Allen Jones is not our champion.
SD: He soon will be. It's all falling into place.
MW: Perhaps so, but tonight isn't about Marcus Allen Jones or Graham Baker. Tonight is about a series of matches beginning with Berry Bishop, a woman well and truly on a roll at the moment, against Kris Knight, who showed flashes of potential in her Young Lions’ Cup match last month. These two should make for an intriguing match.
SD: Intriguing, perhaps. But Berry Bishop is lowering herself in this one. After making the Free-1 final, admittedly through the back door, and giving Artemis Evans a tough match for the Women’s Title, I don't know why she allowed Houston to book her against Kris Knight. She's hardly much competition.
MW: Well, we'll see about that tonight. But a win for Berry will surely put her in contention to face our Women's Champion after Resurrection. After all, she had Artemis Evans beat last time they faced each other.
‘Wannabe’ hit the speakers, and Kris Knight ran onstage, wearing a massive grin on her face. She slapped the hands in the front row as she ran down the ramp.
MW: “The number one contender for the women’s championship will be decided later tonight, but first, a match between two women who are hoping to come back from recent defeats. Kris Knight was eliminated in the first round of the Young Lion’s Cup, while Berry Bishop was unable to dethrone the women’s champion, Artemis Evans.”
After a brief pause, ‘The Entertainer’ began to play and Berry Bishop emerged and took a bow at the top of the ramp. She rose and grinned as she stared down the ramp at Kris in the ring.
SD: “Both of these women seem to be popular with the FPW audience, but personally, I can’t stand either of them.”
MW: “Too nice for you?”
SD: “It’s not that, there’s nothing wrong with a nice girl. But do they have to be so perky about it?”
MW: “Your personal tastes in women aside, you can’t deny that both of them are talented.”
The ref was about to call for the bell, but Berry held a hand up to stop him. She walked across the ring and extended a hand for her opponent to shake. Kris smiled at her and accepted. Berry backed back into her corner and nodded to the ref to begin the match.
Match 1: Berry Bishop v Kris Knight (written by Mason):
The bell rang, and both women advanced into a tie-up. They shifted their weight, trying to gain the upper hand. Kris slowly drove Berry back towards her corner, but at the last second, Berry rotated around and forced Kris into the corner. The ref began a count, and Berry released as soon as he hit two and backed into the center of the ring. She motioned Kris forward and the two of them tied up again. After more jockeying for position, Berry took control, trapping Kris in a wristlock. She wrenched on it a few times before she began to transition into a straightjacket hold. But before she could gain control over Kris’ second arm, Kris used it to deliver a back elbow that caused her to loosen her grip slightly. Kris broke free and locked in a side headlock. She cranked on Berry’s neck once before Berry shoved her into the far ropes. The ref moved into position to begin a count, but Berry pushed Kris off the ropes and then shoved herself free of the headlock. Kris rebounded and went for a dropkick, but Berry sidestepped, and before Kris could get back up, Berry locked in a chinlock. After struggling for a few minutes, Kris was able to squirm free enough to drape her foot under the bottom rope and force a break.
SD: “We discussed this during her match with Elizabeth Karlson during the Young Lion’s Cup, and we’re seeing it again here tonight: Kris Knight seems to have difficulty keeping up with technically proficient opponents.”
Berry had risen to her feet before Kris, and as Kris got to her feet, Berry attempted to pull her back down to the mat with a snapmare, only for Kris to shove her away. Berry broke into a run, increasing her momentum as she rebounded off the ropes. She charged at Kris and took her off her feet with a running knee strike.
MW: “But no matter how technically proficient Berry has become, her bread and butter will always be these quick and powerful strikes.”
Kris shot back to her feet as Berry hit the ropes again. She ducked Berry’s attempted clothesline, and dropped down as Berry hit the ropes. Berry leapt over her and continued to run across the ring. Kris went for a dropkick again, but Berry stopped herself on the ropes, causing Kris to fall to the ground. She quickly tried to rise and made it to one knee before Berry connected with a sliding clothesline. Berry pulled Kris into a seated position and locked her in a hold, placing a knee between her shoulders and pulling back on both arms. Kris cried out as Berry applied pressure and began squirming, trying to escape. Eventually, she managed to free one wrist and pulled it free, rising to her feet and pulling Berry with her. She passed Berry’s grip over her head as she turned to face her opponent. She kicked Berry in the gut, which caused her to release her remaining grip, and wrapped an arm around her neck before spiking her head into the mat with a DDT. She stood up, rolling her shoulder a few times before she pulled Berry to her feet and applied a front facelock. She connected with a snap suplex before floating over into a cover.
...1!..Kick-out!
As Kris rose to her feet, Berry rolled over and began to stand up. Kris glanced over and moved quickly to counter, sweeping Berry’s leg out from under her with an STO before shifting her weight and falling to the mat, driving her elbow into Berry’s chest. Kris stood back up again and whipped Berry into the corner. She stood in the center of the ring and eyed her target before charging forward and connecting with a clothesline. Then, as Berry arched her back upon taking the hit, Kris landed two quick punches to her midsection. Berry doubled over, allowing Kris to connect with a powerful European uppercut. Berry’s head snapped back and she dropped into a seated position. Kris backed up several steps before she ran forward and drove her knee into Berry’s head.
MW: “An impressive series of strikes in the corner from Kris Knight. Now dragging Berry out of the corner and going for another cover.”
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Kris nodded in determination as she stood up. She looked at the top turnbuckle before turning to the audience and pointing into the air. They cheered in response, and Kris smiled before beginning to climb. Berry meanwhile, had slowly began to rise to her feet, fully straightening as Kris perched on the top turnbuckle. Kris looked down at her and left her feet, angling her body to connect with a missile dropkick. But at the last second, Berry sidestepped and caused Kris to crash into the mat. Kris sat up quickly, right into a superkick from Berry! Kris was stunned, and Berry wasted no time in capitalizing, lifting her to her feet and tossing her across the ring with an exploder suplex. Kris crumpled, and Berry dove into a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
SD: “An impressive reversal with an equally-impressive follow-up from Berry Bishop, who has now regained control in this match.”
Berry pulled Kris upright and dragged her into the ropes. She draped both of Kris’ arms over the top rope, exposing her midsection for a quick kick, driving her shin into Kris’ stomach. Berry connected with two more of these kicks before the ref’s count reached four and she pulled Kris free of the ropes. Berry whipped her into the ropes across the ring, catching her with a pump kick on the rebound. Kris dropped to the mat, and Berry quickly struck again, landing a knee drop across Kris’ chest before transitioning into a cover.
….1!..Kick-out!
Leaving Kris on her back, Berry backed into the corner. She looked out into the crowd before clapping a few times, prompting them to start clapping along to the rhythm. Berry then pointed at Kris, who was slowly beginning to sit up. She charged out of the corner and went for a shining wizard, only for Kris to duck under her knee. Both women scrambled back to their feet, and before Berry could turn around, Kris hooked both her arms and pulled her into a backslide.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
SD: “Is that it? Did Knight get her?”
MW: “No! Berry kicked out!”
Both women shot upright, and Kris ducked under Berry’s wild punch, wrapping her arms around Berry’s waist. She lifted Berry over her head and drove her into the mat with a German suplex. But she didn’t release her hold, rolling over and pulling Berry back to her feet before tossing her with another German suplex. But once more, she pulled Berry up and connected with a third German suplex, finally releasing her waistlock. Berry struggled to rise, but failed, while Kris rose to her feet, receiving cheers from a portion of the audience. She grabbed Berry by the ankles and pulled her into the center of the ring. She stepped one of her legs through Berry’s extended legs, then crossed Berry’s legs over before turning Berry over to finish the sharpshooter. Berry cried out in pain and began dragging herself by her forearms closer to the ropes, slowly working her way out of the hold. She reached forwards, just out of reach from the ropes, when Kris stood up, without letting go of the submission, and dragged her back into the center of the ring before sitting back down into the hold, making it even deeper than before. But because Kris had set back so deep, Berry was able to reach back and hook one of Kris’ legs, using this new grip to pull Kris out of position, eventually forcing Kris to release the hold. Berry quickly rolled to the ropes, using them to pull herself upright. Kris charged Berry and attempted to clothesline her over the top rope, but Berry pulled the rope down, causing Kris to fall out of the ring. Berry wasted little time, straightening up again and running across the ring. She hit the ropes and rebounded, grabbing the top rope and sending her body through the ropes, her feet colliding with Kris’ chest and driving her into the barricade.
SD: “Wrecking ball dropkick from Berry Bishop, now dropping to the floor to continue the offense.”
Berry slowly lifted Kris upright and rolled her into the ring. She climbed onto the apron and made to step between the ropes, but hesitated for a moment to catch her breath. She climbed into the ring, and Kris caught her with an X factor! She scrambled to turn Berry over and hooked a leg for the cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Kris slapped the mat once before rising to her feet with a determined expression on her face. She pulled Berry up and tucked her head between her legs. She bent her legs and left the ground, but Berry straightened up and Kris landed on her back on the floor. She stood up, but was forced to duck back down as Berry attempted a checkmate kick as she turned around! The two women paused as Kris fully stood up, smiling slightly and nodding at each other.
MW: “Both competitors attempting to connect with their finishing maneuvers; this could mean we’re moving into the final stages of this match.”
Berry kicked Kris in the stomach and whipped her into the ropes. She attempted a back elbow as Kris rebounded, but Kris ducked and hit the far ropes. Berry bent down as Kris rebounded again to try for another back body drop, but Kris jumped over and pulled her into a sunset flip, holding her shoulders down.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Kris rolled backwards out of the pin attempt and charged forwards as Berry stood up. She ducked a forearm and connected with a double leg takedown, driving Berry into the mat. She quickly stood up and ran into the corner, climbing the turnbuckles as Berry regained her footing. Berry turned around and Kris took flight, connecting with a missile dropkick that turned Berry inside out. Kris rose to her feet, but Berry remained on the ground. Kris hesitated for a moment before she dropped into a cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
MW: “I think Kris’ hesitation cost her there. If she’d gone for the cover immediately after connecting with the missile dropkick, I wonder if she’d have been able to win the match right then and there.”
SD: “I’m almost certain she would have won the match, Berry still hasn’t moved. And that hesitation also demonstrates the inexperience of Kris Knight. Despite her apparent skill, she is still new to this sport.”
Kris pulled Berry upright and threw her into the ropes, prepared to deliver more offense on the rebound, only for Berry to foil that plan by jumping onto the second rope and launch herself into an enzuigiri, connecting her boot directly with Kris’ face! Both dropped to the mat and didn’t get up.
MW: “Did we just witness the last bit of fight left in Berry Bishop?”
Berry began slowly dragging herself close to where Kris lay flat on her back. Finally, after an agonizingly long time, she draped an arm over Kris’ chest.
SD: “This has to be it!”
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
MW: “No! Kris is still willing to fight!”
Berry rolled off her opponent and scooted her body into the corner, where she pulled herself into a seated position. She took several deep breaths as she stared at Kris’ unmoving form. Slowly, encouraged by a cheering crowd, Berry began to pull herself up to her feet. She approached Kris and made to pull her upright, only for Kris to pull her into a small package!
...1!...2!..Berry shifted her weight, reversing the hold and driving Kris’ shoulders down!
...1!...2!...3!
Winner: Berry Bishop
The bell rang as the crowd exploded at the abrupt end to the match. Berry untangled herself from Kris and sat up, throwing an arm into the air in celebration.
MW: “And just like that it’s over! An epic match between two of the rising stars in FPW comes to a sudden end as Berry Bishop outmaneuvers Kris Knight to pick up the victory.”
Kris had sat up after the bell rang, a shocked look plastered on her face. Now Berry helped her to her feet and the two of them exchanged a few words before a brief embrace. Turning to face the audience, Kris raised Berry’s hand before leaving the ring.
SD: “And for all the different factors we discussed as this match wore on, from technical ability to experience, the factor that finally came into play at the end of the match was Berry’s ability to keep a cool head even in the most stressful of situations.”
After a few more moments of Berry taking in the adulation of the audience, she climbed out of the ring and walked up the ramp. She turned one final time at the stage and gave a final bow to the audience.
Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Artemis Evans.
DB: Artemis-
AE: Show some respect. I'm the Women's Champion.
DB: Miss Evans-
AE: Nope. Try introducing me first.
DB: I'm here with FPW Women-
AE: First ever.
DB: I'm here with the first ever FPW Women's Champion, Artemis Evans. Artemis, how do you feel about the number one contendership match for our main event tonight?
AE: I don't see why either of them get the chance. Elizabeth Karlson has already lost to Lia Ness. She lost to James Saturn, a man, by the way, I've beaten myself. Lia Ness has already been pinned by me when I won this championship. The only reason these two are in this match is because I've already run through the entire division and Houston either doesn't respect me enough or doesn't have the ability to sign better competition.
DB: But your victory over Lia Ness was hardly your own doing. And you've never beaten Elizabeth Karlson. Speaking of which, you only beat Berry Bishop because of-
AE: And there we go again with the rampant disrespect. It's endemic in this company against me. I don't know why. I'm a fully deserving champion. I'm the best female wrestler- hell, I'm as good as any of the men. Until I get some respect, I won't be speaking with you again.
Evans walks off and we see the other two members of The Queendom just out of shot. They leave together and Dasha shrugs her shoulders at the camera operator.
MW: Let's now take you back to Young Lions’ Cup. After a match between Russ Bolt and Freedom Champion Jace Mason, Clutch McCloud, egged on by his management team of Richard Crowley and Danica Jane, decided to beat down their, well, I suppose former friend.
SD: Clutch had a perfectly reasonable explanation. Russ Bolt is a dead weight. Look at all of their tag matches. Bolt was the one who let the team down. Look at Clutch’s standing in FPW. He was once a title contender and he was reduced to… well, not much by simply being associated with Russ Bolt.
MW: But they're friends. If Clutch didn't want to keep up the partnership, why not talk to Bolt? Why did he have to attack him like that? Bolt may have not developed the way Clutch had hoped, but he didn't need to take that kind of action.
SD: But for Clutch this was about more than just Russ Bolt. He was stagnating as the person he'd become. This was about reinvention. And tonight will be the same. When Clutch beats Russ, he'll have shed the lodestone around his neck and will rise up here in FPW. I guarantee that.
‘Jumpman’ plays as Russ Bolt come out onto the stage. He holds his arms out as the fans give him a modest reception. Dipping one way and the other with the song, he builds momentum before leaping up into the air and letting out a big roar. He starts heading down the ramp-
But he's struck from behind by Clutch, takes him down with a forearm strike. Clutch then stomps a mud hole in him as Jane and Crowley emerge, giving Clutch their approval. Clutch lifts Bolt and drags him down the ramp, the music having now stopped, before throwing him into the guardrail. Clutch stomps some more before lifting Bolt again and driving him head-first into the ring post. Bolt staggers away, busted open, before Clutch rolls him into the ring. Clutch follows and then stands back, waiting for Bolt to find his way to his feet.
MW: A dirty attack by Clutch McCloud. He doesn't need to do this.
SD: He may not need to, but he wants to. And this is the Clutch McCloud who will do whatever he wants to whoever he wants.
MW: This is just heinous.
The official watches as Bolt gets to his feet. He asks Bolt what he wants to do and Bolt, blood trickling down his face and into his right eye, tells the official to ring the bell.
Match 2: Clutch McCloud v Russ Bolt:
Bolt charges at Clutch but is met with a kick to the gut and a clubbing blow across the back. Clutch stomps on Bolt again before backing away into a corner. Bolt pulls himself to his feet and turns straight into TarHEEL. Clutch drops down and covers Bolt, 1-2-no! Bolt kicks out. The mediocre reception from earlier is forgotten as the fans cheer the kick out.
Clutch stares down at his former partner and shakes his head.
“You shouldn't have done that,” he says as he pulls Bolt up by the hair. Clutch stares Bolt in the eyes and spits right in his face before backing up and looking for the Technical Foul. But Bolt ducks and rolls Clutch up with a school boy, 1-2-no! Clutch barely escapes. The two men scramble to their feet and Bolt ducks a wild lariat from Clutch, hitting him with a German suplex. He makes it to his feet as Crowley gets onto the apron, but Bolt connects with a Technical Foul to send him to the floor. He turns just as Clutch aims a second TarHEEL but Bolt ducks. He drives Clutch into the corner and lets him have a flurry of right hands, forcing Clutch down to a seated position.
Bolt backs away, wiping the blood out of his eye and running at Clutch, hitting him with a sliding forearm. He drags Clutch out of the corner and covers him, 1-2-no! Clutch barely kicks out again. The fans cheer loudly as Bolt backs away, signalling that he's going to beat his former mentor with his own move. As Clutch makes it to his feet, Bolt aims a Technical Foul at him, but Clutch ducks it, sending Bolt staggering towards the corner. As he turns, Clutch connects with a devastating Technical Foul of his own, sending Bolt crumpling to the mat. Clutch covers, 1-2-3.
Winner: Clutch McCloud.
MW: And there he goes. Clutch wins the match thanks to a pre-match ambush.
SD: Clutch wins because he's better, smarter and more merciless than Bolt.
MW: And now Clutch will face Jerry Bishop at Resurr- wait, what's this?
After having his arm raised, Clutch mounts Bolt and drives his forearm into his face over and over again. The official tries to pull Clutch off but Clutch swats him away. Danica Jane climbs into the ring and hits a low blow on the official as Clutch continues his assault. The cut above Bolt’s eye opens wider and blood begins to flow freely as Clutch keeps hitting him with forearm after forearm. Meanwhile, Richard Crowley slowly climbs into the ring, one hand to his forehead after Bolt’s Technical Foul and the other holding a steel chair.
The fans boo as Clutch lifts Bolt, holding him steady before Crowley drives the chair into his skull. Clutch then spits at Bolt and backs away into a corner. Crowley and Jane lift Bolt by the arms, leaving his head hanging towards the canvas. Clutch takes a couple of steps at him and connects with a vicious punt kick as Bolt collapses, motionless. Clutch then signals for a second chair to be brought into the ring. He slides the first under Bolt’s head before taking the second and raising it high in the air.
Before he can bring it down, however, Jerry Bishop charges down the ramp and slides into the ring. Clutch turns towards Jerry and goes to swing the chair, but Jerry, instinctively, kicks Clutch in the gut and pulls him in for a Last Laugh- no theatrics. Crowley and Jane quickly leave the ring and slide Clutch out with them as Jerry kneels next to Russ Bolt, calling for some help. He looks at Clutch as he walks backwards up the ramp, supported by his management. Jerry looks a little conflicted and confused, but continues to tend to Bolt as the medical team enter the ring.
Backstage, Jack Sevren and Bobby O sit in the locker room.
JS: Okay then, Bob-O. Three weeks time we get to take back those titles. But we need something new. They've beaten us twice, albeit last time because you RKOd me, but still…
BO: I know. And I'm sorry. Again. But I said I'd make it up to you and I did. I said that when I first came here I dreamt of singles glory. And to be honest, one day I still hope to carry the big belt here, but at this moment, our team is what means the most to me in the world. It's my redemption from that dark place. I wouldn't ever do anything to jeopardise that. My Dead Man’s Chest gave us another chance. And I promise I won't mess it up.
JS: I know you won't. I know the sacrifice you made for us and I respect it. No matter what Sato and his two Japanese apes might say, I know what we're capable of. I'll make sure we give them the shock of their lives. And then we'll go onto All Star Tag Team Classic, you and me.
BO: I was thinking. The night we won that tournament. Even more than when we finally won those titles. That might have been the best night of my career. It took us a while to really come together but that final, that match, we finally became a true team. We gelled like never before. It was a great feeling and it was only then I truly felt like I was back. The old Bobby was gone. I think the old Jack may have been gone that night too. We were both born anew. And then to win the belts a little while after was great too, but that night felt special. To go into the second tournament as champions? That would maybe be even better. I won't let you down, Jack.
JS: If last year was the best night of your career, I promise that I'll make sure the final of this tournament is the best night of mine. They won't know what's hit them, I guarantee that.
BO: So let's get training.
The camera returns to ringside.
MW: If that match is half as good as their previous encounters, I can't wait to see it. But up next we have an intriguing match up. Two wrestlers fairly new to FPW, both with big wins over Jerry Bishop recently, both eliminated earlier than they'd have hoped in the Young Lions’ Cup and both, if I may say so, with very distinct styles.
SD: We have a mad man who talks to teddy bears and a mad man who has no regard for his body. This match ought to be interesting to say the least.
MW: It sure will be. And dare I say it, the winner of this match could be in line for a Freedom Championship match.
SD: Perhaps. But Marcus will decide that after he wins it in a few weeks.
The camera moves away from the announcers and shows a man at ringside. The fans begin to cheer loudly and he stands to acknowledge them.
MW: Wait a minute? That's… that's Aaron Williams!
SD: So the rumours must be true. His no compete clause must be up.
MW: I don't… wait… I'm getting something through from Jim Houston on the headset right now. Yes, I can in fact confirm that former WWE wrestler, former Ring of Honour Champion and former… well, what hasn't he done in the Us independent scene, Aaron Williams has signed a contract with FPW and he will make his in-ring debut at Resurrection.
SD: That's big. And I assume that he's scouting out potential opponents by being out here for this match?
MW: I don't exactly know. All I know is that Aaron Williams, known to many fans as A Plus, will be wrestling in FPW.
‘Narco’ begins to play and the cheers for Williams turn to boos as Henry Harrison emerges onto the stage. He runs to the right hand side and holds his arms out like a king, only for the fans to boo him. He then turns, running to the left side and doing the same, but he gets the same reaction. Harrison then walks down the ramp and rolls into the ring, pulling out a polar bear and a black bear from his jacket and placing them under the bottom turnbuckle. He rips off his jacket and throws it to the floor, crouching down to listen to the bears.
‘ProtoVision’ plays and the boos turn to cheers as the hooded figure of Zachary Bates walks onto the stage. He walks down the ramp with a swagger, slapping hands with fans before quickly climbing onto the apron and up to the top rope. He throws his hood back before back-flipping into the ring, landing on one knee as a spotlight focusses on him. Once the lights come up, he stands and looks across at Harrison, who is seemingly mediating a spirited debate between the bears.
Match 3: Henry Harrison v Zachary Bates:
The bell rings and the two men circle one another. They lock up and Harrison quickly forces Bates back into the corner. The official calls for the break and Harrison breaks quickly, turning to the bears before turning back, his facial expression completely different as he unleashes a vicious slap across Bates’ face. Bates holds his cheek as Harrison backs away, but Bates quickly comes out after him, shoving him back into the corner and driving his shoulder into Harrison’s gut.
Bates then rolls backwards and Harrison charges at him, only to be met with a thrust kick to the gut. Bates then hits a standing enzeguiri to send Harrison to one knee before he hits the ropes and comes back with a bicycle knee strike. Harrison drops to the mat and Bates makes an early cover, 1-2-no. Harrison kicks out on the count of two. Bates is quick to make it back to his feet and he aims a roundhouse kick which connects hard with Harrison. Bates then lifts Harrison onto the shoulders and connects with a rolling DVD before leaping onto the second rope and connecting with a moonsault. He makes another cover, 1-2-no. Harrison again kicks out.
MW: Incredibly fast start to this one from Zachary Bates.
SD: He's not one for lock ups, headlock takeovers and long technical exchanges.
MW: I think that slap from Henry Harrison enraged him. He's been non-stop since that point.
Bates pulls Harrison up and hooks an arm around his throat, he lifts him up for a lifting inverted DDT, but Harrison lands a knee strike to Bates’ head and drops down. Harrison then baits Bates in and connects with a hard clothesline, looking to his bears and holding out his arms to the black bear before walking towards them. He crouches down and tries to explain himself before looking to the polar bear. He suddenly looks ashamed and apologises to the polar bear for letting Bates get so much offence in. Harrison then stands and turns, looking determined, only to be hit with a superkick which sends him slumping down into the corner next to the bears.
Bates backs away and then runs at Harrison, connecting with a cannonball before backing away again. He runs at him again before leaping up onto the second, then top, rope, and coming down with a double stomp to Harrison’s chest. Bates rolls Harrison to the apron before pulling him up and hooking an arm over his head. He tries to lift Harrison, but Harrison drives a knee into the head again before dropping back down. Harrison connects with a couple of right hands before pulling Bates in for an attempted spinebuster. Bates manages to elbow his way out of it and kicks Harrison in the gut. He looks for the brainbuster again but Harrison drops down behind Bates. Harrison then looks to steal Bates’ lifting inverted DDT, only for Bates to flip over him and connect with a snap dragon suplex to the edge of the ring.
MW: What a move from Bates! And what an exchange. Neither man wanted to be spiked on the edge of the ring.
SD: And now Henry Harrison finds himself in serious trouble.
Harrison drops to the floor as Bates rolls back into the ring. Bates backs away and waits for Harrison to make his way to his feet. As soon as he does, Bates runs and launches himself at Harrison with a suicide dive. Harrison crashes into the guardrail but Bates hits the ring again, hitting the ropes before running and connecting with a Fosbury flop. Harrison drops down to the floor but Bates climbs into the ring one more time. He waits for Harrison to pull himself up and runs at the ropes, leaping onto the top rope before connecting with a perfect shooting star press to take Harrison down right in front of Aaron Williams.
The fans cheer loudly as Bates stands, eyeing Williams, who gives him a nod of approval. Bates then pulls Harrison up but, instead of rolling him back into the ring, he pulls him in and connects with a half and half suplex before hitting a standing moonsault. Only then does he roll Harrison back into the ring. He doesn't follow however, instead choosing to climb to the top rope. Checking the Harrison is in position, Bates leaps off the top with a 630 senton, following away before he can scramble back to make the cover, 1-2-no! Harrison barely kicks out.
MW: These fans are rabid for Zachary Bates here. What a showman!
SD: He is a great showman, but this match is still going on. He mustn't sacrifice winning the match for putting on a show.
MW: Bates is all about putting himself on the line. He's done that repeatedly in this match and I'll bet he does it again before the bell rings.
Bates stands, holding his back where he landed with the 630. He calls for Harrison to get to his feet before aiming a superkick at him. Harrison, however, ducks, hitting the ropes and coming back with a big leaping clothesline. Both men lie on the mat for a few moments before each begins to make it to their feet. They stand at the same time, Harrison aiming right hands at Bates, who responds with leg kicks. After a short exchange, Harrison catches one of the kicks, only for Bates to hit him with an enzeguiri. Harrison staggers back and Bates pulls him in for a powerbomb. He connects with a sit-out powerbomb and holds for the pin, 1-2-no! Harrison barely kicks out again.
Bates rolls backwards and calls for the end of the match. He pulls Harrison up by the back of his trunks and traps the arm. He shoves him forward and aims a rainmaker at him, but Bates leaps up and connects with a Lou Thesz press, raining down right hands on Bates until the official pulls him away. Harrison then turns to the bears before nodding at the polar bear and stalking Bates. As Bates turns, Harrison lifts him into a vicious spinebuster. He covers him, 1-2-no. Bates manages to kick out.
Harrison then quickly crouches down with the two bears before turning and stalking Bates. As Bates gets up and turns, Harrison takes him down hard with a viscous double leg before mounting him again and driving his right hand into Bates’ face. The official pulls Harrison away again and he turns to the black bear before looking very remorseful. He apologises to the official before turning back to Bates. Harrison lifts Bates into position for a DDT, but Bates twists out, ending up behind Harrison and trapping the wrist. He looks for a rainmaker again, but Harrison kicks him in the gut and pulls him in again for a DDT. Bates, however, twists away again, looking again for a rainmaker. As he aims the clothesline, Harrison connects with a vicious right hand to send Bates staggering. Bates maintains wrist control before aiming another clothesline. Harrison ducks and pulls Bates up onto his shoulders. He turns to the bears, looking at the black bear and then regretfully dropping Bates down to the ground, only for him to shake his head halfway through and kick Bates so hard that his knees buckle and he drops. Harrison makes the cover, 1-2-3.
Winner: Henry Harrison.
MW: Well that match was yet another incredibly match featuring the talents of Zachary Bates.
SD: Why would you focus on Bates? Henry Harrison beat him.
MW: And impressively too. There aren't many who would get up from that kick and Bates certainly couldn't.
Henry Harrison collects his bears and goes to leave the ring when ‘Fury, Oh Fury’ begins to play. As the opening monologue plays, a darkness falls over the arena, but as the song's lyrics begin with the heavy guitar, the lights come up dark red and white and a man steps out, accompanied by a woman who looks to be his manager. The man is huge, his chest as wide as a barrel and his arms and legs like tree trunks. He walks stoically down to the ring as the woman follows behind.
Harrison stands and stares at the man coming to face him. He looks to each of his bears in turn, but seemingly gets to explanation from either of them. As the man climbs into the ring, Harrison takes a step back. The woman takes a microphone.
“This man is Go Shihei. This man is the man who will dominate Freedom Pro Wrestling. And he is hungry to begin. Henry Harrison- you will be his first opponent in three weeks time at Resurrection. Bring your bears. They won't want to miss this.”
She laughs as her and Go Shihei leave the ring, leaving Harrison frantically talking to both bears.
MW: Well, tonight has been hard to keep up with.
SD: First we have Clutch destroying Russ Bolt. Then we learn that Aaron Williams is coming to FPW and now this… this… behemoth of a man challenges Henry Harrison at Resurrection?
MW: That didn't sound like a challenge to me. That sounded like a statement of fact. And… yes… I can already confirm that the match has been made official by Jim Houston. Henry Harrison versus Go Shihei at Resurrection.
SD: And up-
MW: Wait just one moment. I'm getting news of a serious development backstage.
Backstage, a team of medics are rushing Russ Bolt into an ambulance. Jerry Bishop stands with him and Jim Houston hurries up to them.
JH: What's happening?
Medic: I'm afraid he's taken a turn for the worse. He'd already lost a lot of blood. A blow to the head like that kick can be very serious. We had him under close observation and he just collapsed. He needs proper assessment. We can't wait any longer.
JH: Sure. Go, go.
Houston turns to Jerry as they watch the ambulance doors close.
JH: Thank you for getting out there when you did.
JB: Too late again.
JH: You did what you could. I'm not sure I like the idea of you facing Clutch.
JB: Why?
JH: With you being… how you are at the moment… Clutch showed a side of himself tonight that I've never seen before. Are you sure you're up to it mentally?
JB: I may be losing a few matches but I'm not going to let that stop me doing what I do best. I'll be out there. This will be the match I get back to winning ways. I just needed that bit of motivation. Russ and I aren't exactly close but no one deserves that. These fans need someone to take Clutch down a peg and I'll be the man to do it.
JH: If you're sure.
MW: Despicable scenes earlier as Clutch McCloud so viciously and emotionlessly too out his former protege.
SD: But I for once agree with Jim Houston. Jerry Bishop is fragile right now. I don't know if he wants to face the kind of man who thinks nothing of doing this to a former friend. Houston should cancel the match.
MW: Cancel the match and there would be riots.
As the lights go down in the arena and the opening to ‘Judas’ by Fozzy plays out, Lia Ness appears on the entrance ramp, emerging from backstage and entering the arena. She approaches the ring, which has been prepared for war, looking around so as to not find herself ambushed once again. She eyes a table on the outside as she steps toward the ring, climbing up to all four turnbuckles and letting out a massive roar before she climbs down, falling to her knees in the center.
She settles, but as she does, the lights go out entirely, and as they come back up, Elizabeth Karlson sits on crossed legs in the ring across from Ness. Karlson is clad in a pair of what appear to be BDU leggings and an old ‘Graham Baker’ tanktop, wearing her lion skull mask. She pulls it off, and immediately gets to her feet, laying into Ness with repeated strikes to the head before she can get to her feet.
Match 4: Number One Contendership for FPW Women's Championship: Last Woman Standing: Lia Ness v Elizabeth Karlson (Written by Baker):
Karlson goes to grab Lia Ness’s mask and yank it off her head, but Ness fights against her, shoving her into a corner and chopping her across the chest with a massive chop! She yanks Karlson into the opposing corner, before winding up her clothesline and running over, slamming her into the turnbuckle with a MASSIVE clothesline! Karlson slumps off, but Ness isn’t done as she shoves Karlson back into the corner, laying into her with repeated chops and strikes before she throws her into the ropes one final time-GIGANTIC Big Boot from Lia Ness to Elizabeth Karlson! Karlson slides to a stop, seemingly down, and the referee begins his count.
ONE!
Karlson begins to stir, blood already pouring from her face from the direct impact of Ness’s boot.
TWO!
Ness looks to Elizabeth Karlson, growling at her, daring her to get up.
THREE!
Before Karlson can get back to her feet, Ness yanks her up by her hair and slaps her hard across the face. Karlson looks away, before looking up to Ness and spitting in her face. Ness responds with an absolutely brutal second slap that drops Karlson to the ground once again, but she’s not done as she grabs Karlson and pulls her up, throwing her into the ropes once again-but as she goes for a Big Boot, Karlson manages to duck low and slide under Ness, causing her to go off balance!
She strikes Ness’s right leg with a knee strike to the area behind the kneecap, before rolling her through into a rolling kneebar! Ness thrashes and struggles, but Karlson manages to get it locked all the way in and begin doing damage! Ness screams out in pain, scrambling to the ropes and managing to kick Karlson off! She stumbles for a moment, and Elizabeth Karlson looks to take advantage, lining up for a knee strike from the corner-AND NESS COUNTERS WITH A MASSIVE LARIAT TO THE RUNNING ELIZABETH KARLSON THAT DAMN NEAR DECAPITATES HER! The referee’s count begins again as Karlson doesn’t stir.
ONE!
Karlson stays lying.
TWO!
Karlson begins to stir, her left eye opening.
THREE!
Karlson begins to get to her feet, but the referee doesn’t stop yet.
FOUR!
Karlson gets to a knee, and the referee stops, but Ness is unhappy and goes for another Big Boot, only for Karlson to duck and send Lia into the ropes! Karlson lines up from behind, signalling for a double knee strike, and NAILS Lia with a rope hung double knee strike from behind that sends her all the way through the ropes and dazed! Karlson sees an advantage, and yanks Lia’s right leg back through, stomping on it before going high for a top rope knee drop-but Lia moves out of the way!
She goes for a Lariat, but Karlson manages to roll and nail Lia from behind with a massive running chop block! Lia falls to her bad knee, and Karlson apes Graham Baker, pointing two finger guns at Lia, before she runs out and nails Lia in the side of the head with a massive Buisaiku Knee! Lia Ness rolls to a stop near the ropes, and Karlson takes a breather, falling to a prowling position.
The referee is about to begin his count, but Lia wastes no time as she pulls herself up, blood running from beneath her mask. She stomps her knee back into place, which appears to buy her time, but she still has a slight limp. She beckons for Karlson to ‘come on’, and Karlson runs at her, but Lia Ness tosses Karlson over the top rope and through a table waiting on the outside!
Lia Ness looks to Karlson as she tries to recover against the barricade, and lets out a massive roar as she hits the ropes and dives at Karlson with a MASSIVE SUICIDE POUNCE THAT SENDS BOTH COMPETITORS CRASHING THROUGH THE BARRICADE AND INTO THE AUDIENCE! The crowd is lulled into a rousing round of ‘holy shit!’ chants as Ness and Karlson lay in the wreckage of metal, wood, and chair parts, and the referee begins his count.
ONE!
Neither competitor stirs.
TWO!
Still, nothing.
THREE!
There is a stirring from Lia Ness, Karlson still lays dormant.
FOUR!
Ness begins to get to her feet, but Karlson still hasn’t moved.
FIVE!
Ness finally gets up, and drags Karlson to her feet with her. She drops Karlson against the barricade, keeping her up so that the referee can’t count her out. She goes over to the padding covering the arena floor, shoving the table remains out of the way as she yanks the padding up to reveal the concrete beneath. With a wicked smile on her face, Ness drags Karlson over to the concrete, before popping her up in the air for her piledriver-ONLY FOR KARLSON TO REVERSE THE POP UP ATTEMPT INTO THE DEATH SPIKE ONTO THE CONCRETE!
Ness looks stunned as she stumbles up, somehow still on her feet, and Karlson whips her into the apron before shoving her through, leaving her right leg dangling out! She leaps up to the top rope, signalling for the end as she dives on Ness’s bad leg with a massive knee drop! Ness’s leg seems to be giving out as Ness gets back to her feet, but she slams it back into place one final time as Karlson looks to go for another knee to bring the match to an end-AND NESS, IN ONE FINAL BURST, RUSHES FORWARD AND TAKES KARLSON OUT WITH A POUNCE TO COUNTER HER BUISAIKU KNEE!
Both bodies fall to a stop in the center of the ring, but Ness manages to get back to her feet first. She yanks Karlson to her feet, laying her against the ropes and climbing over onto the apron, albeit slowly. She looks to a glass-lined table behind her, and nods as she grabs Karlson to pull her over for a Brainbuster to the outside, but Karlson fights against it, taking a page out of Baker’s playbook.
Karlson keeps a foothold on the ropes as Ness tries to pull her over, and Ness releases her, allowing Karlson to nail Ness with a massive back elbow that stuns her already scrambled head! Ness looks to be down and out on the apron as Karlson hits the ropes, smashing into her with a massive knee lift that sends her onto the table below without breaking it! Karlson curses, climbing over the ropes-MASSIVE LEAPING DOUBLE KNEE FACEBREAKER THAT SENDS NESS THROUGH THE TABLE! The referee begins his count as Karlson scrambles to grab more tools from the outside, throwing chair after chair in the ring. She sets them up in a massive chair tower as the referee’s count hits a nine, and Ness gets back to her feet.
Ness is covered in glass and bleeding, but this appears to only incense her further as she enters the ring, staring Elizabeth down. The two rush forward, and Karlson manages to nail Ness with a massive high knee, but Ness shrugs it off as she lays into Karlson with massive overhand blows! She fires two strong knees through Karlson’s head at point blank range, and Elizabeth looks to be completely out of it as Ness picks her up like a child and yanks her up onto her shoulders.
She places Karlson on the top rope, climbing up after her and picking her up in a powerbomb position that would send her to the outside! She holds Karlson up-and Karlson nails Ness with repeated elbows, causing Ness to drop her. Ness looks to be completely shaken, stunned at how much Karlson has withstood, and Elizabeth screams out as she runs up from behind Ness and NAILS HER WITH AN AVALANCHE SUNSET FLIP BOMB THROUGH THE CHAIR TOWER!
Flattened chairs and broken bodies lay in the wreckage as Karlson and Ness lay in the twisted scraps of metal. The referee, after confirming both are still breathing, starts his count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Still, no movements have happened. The two lay prone in the center of the ring.
FIVE!
There’s a stirring from Elizabeth Karlson, who can’t get back to her feet, but crawls to a still-standing chair. The referee still counts her as down.
SIX!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
NINE!
Karlson pulls herself to a sitting position in the chair with much strength in the last moment, laying into the back of the chair as Ness stays laying still.
TEN!
WINNER: Elizabeth Karlson
Karlson looks exhausted as she pulls herself to her feet, the referee holding her hand high as she holds one finger up. She grabs a microphone as she scrambles toward a Young Lion on the side, and looks up in the air.
“Artemis Evans...I’m coming for your fucking belt.”
