Post by Jim Houston on May 19, 2019 12:17:37 GMT
A video plays with the highlights of last year’s All Star Tag Team Classic, followed by the wins for Death Squad and Marcus n’Morgan last time out. It highlights the four teams competing tonight before ending with a shot of the All Star Tag Team Classic trophy.
MW: Ladies and gentlemen, the Freedom Pro Wrestling world was rocked two weeks ago by the announcement that the main event of All Star Tag Team II would be a rematch of the Judgement Day classic as Graham Baker gives Marcus Allen Jones his rematch inside Hell in a Cell. But tonight we focus on the All Star Tag Team Classic, as we see two quarter-final matches.
SD: TakeOver continue to… well, take over tonight as The Invaders and Hunter Killer are both in action, facing two makeshift teams who won't provide them the challenge they deserve.
MW: That's debatable, Steven. We also have two singles matches and our Tag Team Champions are on the line in an impromptu defense after The Guardians of Strong Style suffered their first FPW defeat last week.
MW: First up we have The Invaders facing Freedom Champion Jace Mason and new FPW signee Aaron Williams.
SD: As I say, a makeshift team. They haven't had a single match together. The Invaders have been teaming together for years. There's only one winner here.
MW: Mason and Williams may be a makeshift team, but one is the longest reigning Freedom Champion in FPW history and the other is one of the greatest independent wrestlers of the past decade. The Invaders are the more experienced team, but are they the more talented team?
SD: Why yes, yes they are.
The intro to ‘Killing in the Name of’ plays and the crowd begin to boo. As the intro ends, spotlights hit Haych and Dario who enter the arena through the crowd. They come down the steps and through the fans, Dario in particular jaw jacking with anti-TakeOver fans before he and Haych climb over the guardrail. They enter the ring and climb the turnbuckles, throwing up their signature X pose as they drink in the boos from the fans. They drop down from the turnbuckles and stand together, facing the entrance ramp.
‘I Still Believe’ begins to a loud cheer as Aaron Williams emerges onto the stage, signing out the opening verse and rising his arms to encourage the fans to join in. He gets the fans clapping along before bursting down the ramp, still singing along and encouraging the fans to do the same. The circles the ring and finds a young fan, pulling out a marker pen and letting the fan sign his knee pad. Williams then slides into the ring, still singing along, and climbs to the top rope to pump up the crowd even more. He then drops down and offers a hand to the official and to Dasha Banks before looking across at Haych and Dario.
‘Afterlife’ begins and the fans cheer even louder through the intro. Jace Mason then steps out and pyro explodes around him as he holds up the Freedom Championship. He smiles as he looks around the crowd before making his way down the ramp, interacting with the fans as he tells the camera that this is his chance to take out TakeOver, one team at a time. Mason climbs the apron and then stands atop the turnbuckle, raising his belt again before dropping into the ring and embracing Aaron Williams. Both men stare down The Invaders as the official takes the Freedom Championship and places it outside the ring.
Match 1: All Star Tag Team Classic II Quarter-Final III: The Invaders v Jace Mason and Aaron Williams:
Mason and Williams shake hands as Williams steps out of the ring, leaving Mason standing across from Haych. The two move forward and lock up, Haych taking the advantage and forcing Mason back into the corner. He then whips him across to the opposite corner and chargers at him, but Mason rolls out of the corner and Haych crashes into the turnbuckles. As he staggers back into the ring, Mason takes him down with a drop toe hold before looking to lock in a Fujiwara arm bar. Haych, however, scrambles away and makes it to the ropes as Mason releases him and stands over him, motioning that he was that close to having the match over already. Haych stands quickly but Mason connects with a kick to the gut and then a vertical suplex, floating over for the cover, 1-2-no. Haych kicks out.
Mason pulls Haych up and leads him over to the corner, where he tags in Williams. Williams enters and the two of them whip Haych across the ring, connecting with a double dropkick to take Haych down again. Williams makes a cover, 1-2-no. Again Haych kicks out. Williams doesn't give Haych time to make it to his feet, locking in a double wristlock and wrapping his legs around Haych’s midsection so he can't escape. Haych cries out but Dario is quick to enter and break the hold with a kick to Williams. Williams stands and confronts Dario, the two standing forehead to forehead, allowing Haych to land a clubbing strike to Williams’ back. Haych then lands a backbreaker to Williams and locks in a rear naked choke. Williams manages to scramble to the ropes but Haych quickly tags in Dario, who lands a flurry of stomps to Aaron Williams.
MW: The Invaders perhaps looking to isolate Aaron Williams now.
SD: Of course they will be. They're one of the best teams in the world. They know what they're doing.
Dario pulls Williams up and lands a few forearm strikes before whipping him across the ring and then taking him down with a leg lariat. He then rolls to the apron and climbs to the top rope, looking for a 450 splash, but Williams rolls out of the way! Williams then makes it to his corner and tags in Mason at the same time as Dario tags in Haych. The two men enter the ring, Mason ducking an attempted clothesline before hitting a spin kick to the gut and kicking Haych’s leg out from under him. With Haych on all fours, Mason hits the ropes and comes back with a dropkick to send Haych rolling to the outside. Dario goes over to check on Haych as Williams enters the ring, pumping up the fans before hitting the ropes and connecting with a suicide dive to take both of The Invaders down. Mason looks out of the ring at them before he climbs up to the top turnbuckle. As The Invaders get to their feet, Mason leaps off and connects with a shooting star press!
Williams is the only man left on his feet and he wastes little time in lifting Dario and throwing him into the guardrail. He backs away and connects with a big splash which sends Dario collapsing to the ground, resting against the rail. Williams backs away again, this time running at Dario before connecting with a cannonball which leaves Williams holding the small of his back as Dario slumps down even further. Mason, meanwhile, rolls Haych back into the ring. He follows and looks to lock in the Last Chancery, but Haych manages to block the attempt. Mason gives in, instead looking to lift Haych to his feet, only for Haych to shove him backwards and then take him down with a big clothesline. Haych shakes off the cobwebs before pulling Mason in and connecting with a snap suplex. He quickly lifts him, throwing him into the corner and running at him with a Stinger splash. Mason drops down to the mat and Haych drags him away from the ropes, making a cover, 1-2-no. Mason kicks out.
SD: I thought he had him!
MW: It was certainly close. And if he did get him, surely a Freedom Championship match would have been in the offing for Haych.
SD: And a deserved match it would be.
Haych pulls Mason up and connects with a couple of hard right hands. Mason staggers and Haych then lifts him into a gorilla press position, but, before he can slam him down, Aaron Williams connects with a springboard back elbow to take Haych down, leaving Mason landing on top of him for a cover, 1-2-no. Haych just kicks out. Williams then leaves the ring, calling Mason over to him in the corner. Mason makes the tag and Williams enters the ring with a lot of energy. He watches as Haych gets to his knees and then he runs at him, taking him with with a vicious running knee strike. He then pulls Haych to his feet and gets him into a suplex position, lifting him before dumping him onto the top rope. Haych hangs there as Williams climbs to the top turnbuckle and sets himself before connecting with a 450 splash. Haych drops down into the ring and Williams makes a cover, 1-2-no! Dario dives in to make the save!
Dario lays into Williams but Mason enters, pulling Dario away from his partner. Mason ducks at attempted roundhouse kick before connecting with a Pele kick. Dario staggers into Williams, who lifts him for a suplex before delivering a brainbuster to the knee. Haych, having just recovered, takes Mason down with a boot to the back of the head before kicking Williams in the gut and lifting him for a powerbomb. He connects with a running powerbomb and then makes a cover, 1-2-no! Williams barely manages to get his shoulder off the canvas. Haych turns to Dario, but he's laid out on the outside. Haych then looks back to Williams and pulls him up, throwing him into the ropes before connecting with Terminator. Before making the cover, Haych knocks Mason off the apron and then dives onto Williams, 1-2-no! Williams manages to get a foot on the rope.
MW: The Invaders thwarted by inches there!
SD: He didn't kick out! It shouldn't count! And your winners!
MW: Not yet, Steven. But Haych might be close to having this one sewn up.
Haych calls to Dario to get back onto the apron. With difficulty, Dario pulls himself up and Haych tags him in. Dario climbs to the top as Haych lifts Williams again. He throws him into the ropes and goes for the pop-up powerbomb, but Williams blocks it and connects with a step-up enzeguiri. At that moment, Mason enters the ring and sprints across the corner, leaps up and connects with a top rope Extra Credit to Dario! Williams makes the cover as Mason tries to recover, 1-2-no! Haych barely manages to dive on top of Williams to break up the pin attempt.
Williams gets to his feet and stalks Haych, who hasn't fully recovered from the enzeguiri. As Haych turns, Williams kicks him in the gut and sets him up for the A Triple Plus, which connects. He rolls Haych out of the ring and then turns to see Mason on the apron calling for the tag. Williams makes the tag before heading back to where Haych was rolled out and connecting with a springboard lariat to the outside, sending Haych crashing into the guardrail. Mason stalks Dario before whipping him into the ropes and hitting a second Extra Credit, making the cover, 1-2-3.
Winners: Jace Mason and Aaron Williams.
The fans cheer as Williams re-enters the ring and embraces Mason. The official hands Mason the Freedom Championship and then raises both men’s arms. The two embrace again before heading out of the ring and up the ramp, each of them slapping hands with the cheering fans before giving a final wave of acknowledgement and stepping through the curtain.
MW: This TakeOver take over is looking a little worse for wear now, Steven.
SD: Well… it's… shut up, Watson.
MW: Freedom Champion Jace Mason and Aaron Williams proving that their talent trumps The Invaders’ tag team experience on this occasion. They'll advance to the semi-finals alongside Death Squad and Marcus n’Morgan.
Backstage, Jim Houston is on the phone in his office.
JH: Look…. Yes, I'm aware of… listen, the point I'm trying to make is that they haven't exactly been actively involved here… I understand the deal we agreed but I thought… fine… fine… Well I've already signed… yes, they did sign… no, not yet but… well I'm going to need more from you… I don't know… we have a number of deserving competitors of our own… I'm just reluctant to pass over our own people for…
The door opens and MDE walks in. Houston holds up a hand and offers MDE a seat, which he takes.
JH: Loo, Jones, I have to go… yes, I'll… but I expect some assurances… goodbye.
Houston puts down the phone and sighs before sitting down.
JH: Thank you for coming to see me.
MDE: You wanted to make the changes to my contract final?
JH: Yes. With your… impending change of role here in the company, I wanted to make sure your contract properly reflected the work you'll be taking on and the benefits we'll both see from it.
MDE: I also have another matter to discuss.
MDE turns to the camera.
MDE: In private…
MW: Our general manager meeting a man I'm not sure too many would welcome with open arms again here.
SD: I want to know about this impending role change. He's not going after my job, is he?
MW: I hope not.
SD: That's the first nice thing you've said to me today.
MW: Whatever he's doing, the show must go on. And right now it's going on in an interesting way. We have the very last match of the quarter-final stage as Jerry and Berry Bishop team up to face Hunter Killer.
SD: We didn't get it done last time out, but TakeOver will claim a semi-final spot in this match.
MW: They're up against two siblings who I believe have the potential to take the FPW Tag Team division by storm. Jerry is one of the best wrestlers on this roster and Berry is on quite the hot streak at the moment.
SD: She's been impressive in recent months but Jerry has been quite the opposite. If The Bishops are going to win this match, it's Bishop Junior who will need to carry the brunt of the work.
‘Comedian’s Gallop’ plays and the fans cheer as Jerry and Berry each walk out onto the ramp and bow deeply to the fans. Jerry begins dance conducting his way down the ramp as Berry hopscotches before both do a lap of the ring slapping hands with the fans. Berry then plays the apron as Jerry slides into the ring before both of them stand together on the top ropes bowing once more to the crowd. An extremely loud duelling chant of ‘Je-rry Bi-shop’ ‘Be-rry Bi-shop’ breaks out and is sustained for quite some time as the Bishop siblings stand and smile, playing up to the crowd in turn.
‘6/8’ begins to play and the chants turn to boos. The lights flash in sync with the rapid guitar strumming, flashing red with the 'heavy' secondary strum as both members emerge from backstage, with George Jackson holding his arms out while Sarah Daniels crouches in front of him. As the song intensifies, the two walk toward the ring, Jackson looming behind Daniels and keeping his presence heavy, occasionally cursing or shouting at fans who get too close. When they get to the ring, Jackson holds the ropes open for Daniels before she returns the favor, and the two resume their pose in the center of the ring before throwing their entrance gear off to the side and staring down Jerry and Berry, who stand on the outside.
Match 2: All Star Tag Team Classic II: Quarter-Final IV: The Bishops v Hunter Killer:
Sarah Daniels points to Berry Bishop as George Jackson steps between the ropes to the apron. Jerry gives Berry his blessing and the two women stand in the ring. They lock up strongly, jockeying for position with neither gaining a clear advantage. They break the lock up as Berry circles the ring, encouraging the fans to get the chant for her and her brother going again. The fans oblige and the two lock up again but Daniels catches Berry’s wrist and twists into a hammerlock, wrenching her arm behind her back. Berry, however, manages to twist herself free and turns the hammerlock to her advantage, wrenching Daniels’ arm.
Daniels rolls forward and wrings Berry’s arm, but she too rolls through and steps over to break Daniels’ grip. Daniels swings at Berry but Berry ducks and takes Daniels down with a drop toe hold. She springs forward and locks in a headlock, only for Daniels to catch the wrist and try to gain the advantage. Berry manages to get a headlock on again and takes Daniels over. She makes a quick transition from the headlock into an arm bar and Daniels cries out. Berry wrenches the arm bar but Daniels manages to get her legs underneath her and rolls through, clutching the ropes to force the break. Berry stands and smiles down at Daniels, who runs a hand through her hair in frustration and tags in George Jackson.
MW: This may not be great for Berry Bishop now.
SD: George Jackson is a large man with a larger mean streak. Neither Bishop will be at an advantage against him.
MW: But for all of his strength as a brawler, he's not a technical wrestler. Both Bishops could exploit that.
SD: I'd like to see them try.
As Jackson moves towards Berry, Jerry quickly gets into the ring and stands between the two of them, trying to guide Berry back to the corner. Jackson, however, throws a hard forearm to stagger Jerry and then flattens Berry with a straight right hand. Jerry leaps at Jackson and takes him down, aiming a flurry of strikes which Jackson manages to block before he hits Jerry with a headbutt that sends Jerry rolling away. Jackson shakes it off and pulls Jerry up, lifting him onto his shoulders in a fireman’s carry position, only for Berry to connect with a running knee to send Jackson down and Jerry rolling away towards the outside. Berry lifts Jackson and whips him across the ring before running at him and connecting with another knee, following it up with a running bulldog. She makes a cover, 1-no. Jackson kicks out.
Jerry, just back onto the apron, calls for the tag and Berry obliges. Jerry comes in and immediately sits on the top rope. He dives at Jackson, aiming for a blockbuster, but Jackson counters into an impressive neckbreaker. He makes his way to the corner and tags in Daniels, who sees Jerry sitting up and runs at him, delivering a hard penalty kick before making a cover, 1-2-no. Jerry kicks out. Daniels pulls him up from behind and drives him into the corner, rolling back into an O’Connor roll before pulling Jerry up into a German suplex and bridging for the cover, 1-2-no. Jerry gets a shoulder up.
MW: Sarah Daniels almost winning this one for Hunter Killer.
SD: Jerry needs to tag in his little sister. He's being rag-dolled in there!
MW: I notice that Daniels hit Jerry with his own move when she hit that penalty kick. There may be some psychological warfare here.
SD: Of course there is! Jerry hasn't won a match in 2019. Why wouldn't they try to get into his head?
Daniels pulls Jerry up again and connects with a sequence of palm strikes before aiming two hard kicks to the leg which send Jerry onto his knees. She looks at Jerry with disdain as he kneels in front her before aiming a series of shoot kicks to his chest. Jerry looks about to collapse as she aims a fourth kick, but somehow he catches her foot and, with the fans cheering him loudly, stands and connects with a rolling elbow that sends Daniels into the corner. Jerry backs away and points at her, running as he looks for a running dropkick, but he's stopped mid-way across the ring by Jackson, who enters the ring and hits a huge lariat.
Berry bursts into the ring and unleashes a flurry of kicks at Jackson, who staggers backwards for a time before catching one and unleashing kicks of his own. Berry staggers back into the corner as Jackson continues to unload before finally being pulled away by the official. Jerry stands and sees Jackson being forced away. He rushes over and whirls Jackson around before connecting with a step-up enzeguiri which sends Jackson to the outside. Daniels then sets Jerry up for a dragon suplex, which connects, but she's taken down by a disaster kick from Berry. Berry pumps up the fans before lifting Daniels and looking to set her up for the Berry Buster. She is about to lift her when Daniels frees herself and rolls Berry through into the No Escape.
MW: Daniels has the knee-bar locked in!
SD: Not just the a knee bar! It's the No Escape! Berry is finished.
MW: I wouldn't assume that just yet.
Berry tries to fight the pain but she can't drag herself towards the ropes. Berry tries to roll but Daniels transitions her weight to make sure that Berry isn't able to move from the centre of the ring. Berry cries out in pain and Jerry looks to break the hold. As he reaches Daniels, however, Jackson makes it back in and stops him, lifting him quickly and connecting with the Round Trip. Jackson then turns to Berry and aims a series of kicks to her to worsen the pain. However, Berry manages to catch his foot and use her technique to force him down into Daniels, who breaks the hold and allows Berry to wriggle herself free.
She pulls herself to the ropes and pulls herself up, turning to see Daniels and Jackson both staring at her from across the ring with Jerry down and helpless. The fans boo as Hunter Killer both advance on Berry. They back her into their corner and ignore calls from the official for Jackson to get out of the ring. Instead, they take turns to land stiff kicks to Berry, who barely holds herself up on the ropes. The fans chant her name but even they can't help as she finally slumps down. Jackson finally leaves the ring as Daniels drags Berry to the middle of the ring and stalks her as she struggles to get to her feet.
SD: I think she's setting up for the Killing Blow.
MW: If she is then this match may well be over.
Berry finally makes it to her feet and Daniels uncorks herself, twisting and driving her foot at Berry, but, at the last minute, Berry is shoved aside by Jerry, who takes the full force of the Killing Blow. Berry staggers towards the corner before turning and seeing Daniels, a look of shock on her face, standing over Jerry. Berry's face twists into a look of determination as Daniels turns to her. Daniels charges at her but Berry connects with Checkmate, sending Daniels to the mat. Jackson rushes into the ring and aims a lariat at Berry, who ducks and connects with Checkmate again, sending Jackson out of the ring. Daniels struggles her way to her feet only for Berry to swoop in and set her up before connecting with the Berry Buster. She makes a cover, 1-2-3.
Winners: The Bishops
MW: They've done it! Jerry Bishop and Berry Bishop have beaten Hunter Killer.
SD: Correction- Berry Bishop has beaten Hunter Killer.
MW: She may have got the pin but if not for Jerry's act of self-sacrifice, Berry would have been hit with the Killing Blow and the matches would have had a very different outcome. As it is, The Bishops have advanced into the semi finals of the All Star Tag Team Classic where they will face Jace Mason and Aaron Williams. What a match that will be.
Berry helps Jerry to his feet and she hugs him tightly as the fans begin the duelling chant for them both once again. Jerry raises Berry’s arm as Berry beams. Jerry smiles, but there's something missing as he points at Berry. They embrace again before leaving the ring.
Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Elizabeth Karlson.
DB: Elizabeth, you've been very quiet in the past few weeks since your rematch was announced against Artemis Evans. Why is that?
EK: Artemis Evans…… she pinned me, but she didn't beat me. I've been silent because I don't need to say anything. I stood across the ring from Artemis Evans and I saw the truth in her eyes. When we meet again, she won't get lucky. She won't pin me. She won't beat me. I want her in two-out-of-three falls to see who the real Women's Champion is.
Karlson gives the camera a look before walking off, not giving Dasha the chance to ask another question.
MW: This next match could be fascinating. Go Shihei debuted at Resurrection and dominated Henry Harrison. Clutch McCloud has shown a major mean streak recently.
SD: I believe Jim Houston is looking at this match maybe as. Free-1 qualifier. The winner of this one will really start to build themselves as a major player in FPW.
‘Fury, Oh Fury’ begins as darkness falls around the arena. Once the intro ends then lights turn red and white and Go Shihei walks onto the ramp, accompanied by Kate Mustang. He walks down the ramp with purpose, but suddenly Clutch attacks Shihei from behind, throwing a chair into his face and nailing him with a running TarHEEL that sends him into the apron! He drills Shihei with repeated elbow blows to the head, stunning the large man before he goes for a running Technical Foul-BUT SHIHEI NAILS CLUTCH WITH A BRUTAL LARIAT THAT NEARLY DECAPITATES HIM, SPINNING HIM AROUND FOR SHIHEI TO CATCH HIM AND TOSS HIM BACK INTO THE APRON WITH A BACK BODY DROP! Shihei grabs Clutch and lays him against the ring post, nailing him with a series of chops, but as he goes for one final one, Clutch moves out of the way and Shihei nails the post with his hand!
The large Japanese man looks to be in agonizing pain as he steps off of the buckle, but Clutch isn’t done, planting Shihei’s wrist and hand against the post before he nails it again with a brutal TarHEEL! Shihei cries out as Clutch lines up for a discus elbow and NAILS Shihei with a low-angle elbow to the skull, before Clutch throws him into the ring, following him in and screaming at the ref to start the fucking match.
Match 3: Clutch McCloud v Go Shihei (written by Baker):
Clutch goes for an early pin on Shihei, looking to take advantage of the damage he’s caused.
ONE!
TW-NO! But Shihei kicks out!
Go Shihei tries to get back to his feet, but Clutch is quick to try and put more abuse on him, nailing him with brutal kicks as he tries to get back to his feet. Clutch tries to grab Shihei and pull him up for a Belly to Back suplex, but the Japanese giant is having none of it and he smashes Clutch repeatedly with elbow strikes to the head and face, forcing Clutch to drop him. He goes for a lariat on Clutch, but Clutch moves out of the way at the last second before whirling around for a discus forearm-TECHNICAL FOUL TO GO SHIHEI!
Shihei stumbles, not quite down, and Clutch lines up for TarHEEL-BUT SHIHEI CATCHES HIM FOR A POWERBOMB AS HE RUNS FORWARD! CLUTCH LOOKS LOST AS SHIHEI RUNS HIM INTO THE CORNER-BUCKLE BOMB TO CLUTCH MCCLOUD!
The crowd appears to get behind Shihei as he adjusts his mouthguard, spitting into the ring before he grabs Clutch once again. He throws Clutch into the opposing corner and goes for a running back elbow, but Clutch ducks out of the way, sending Shihei crashing into the buckles! Clutch begins drilling Shihei with repeated chops and strikes to the head and chest before he grabs Shihei’s damaged arm and wrings it around the ring-post, lining his elbow up with the post-AND YANKING IT BACK TO CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE!
Shihei screams out in pain once again, and Clutch looks to take advantage by nailing him with a jumping spin kick, then following up with a Dragon Suplex, but Shihei’s good arm nails Clutch in the face before he can plant Shihei! Clutch stumbles toward the ropes, and Shihei, with a warcry, SLAMS INTO CLUTCH WITH A MASSIVE CROSSBODY THAT SENDS BOTH MEN TO THE OUTSIDE! Both Clutch and Shihei lay outside the ring, both trying to get back to their feet before Shihei manages to get up first. He drags Clutch to the metal barricade and plants his head against it, stomping and running-BIG BOOT THAT SENDS CLUTCH’S HEAD INTO THE METAL BARRICADE AND RATTLES HIM! Clutch appears to be out for the moment as Shihei wrings his arm out once again and takes in the cheers of the crowd.
Shihei reaches under the ring and removes a table, setting it up before turning around to yank Clutch up, but Clutch’s feint is revealed as he immediately begins drilling Shihei with repeated strikes to the chest and face to disorient him. Clutch nails Shihei with an Enziguri, and then another jumping spin kick, before laying him out on the table. He goes high, climbing into the ring despite the referee’s opposition, and with a running start, goes for his springboard moonsault, HITTING IT AND PUTTING BOTH HE AND SHIHEI THROUGH THE TABLE! Clutch is faster to recover than Shihei, and he yanks him to his base, throwing him back into the ring. He goes for a cover.
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-NO! Go Shihei kicks out!
Clutch looks frustrated as he yanks Shihei up and plants him against the ropes before he gets a running start and goes for his TarHEEL once again, but Shihei backdrops Clutch over the ropes and sends him to the outside! Shihei hits the ropes, watching as Clutch tries to get back to his feet quickly-AND NAILS CLUTCH WITH A MASSIVE SENTON OVER THE TOP ROPE! Both men crash to the ground again, and begin battering one another on the outside, ignoring the count of the referee as it reaches five, ten, fifteen, but at seventeen, after receiving an absolutely brutal striking combination, Clutch throws Shihei back in the ring and follows him back in, lining up in the corner for his punt kick! He stops his foot, running forward to punt Shihei-BUT SHIHEI BACKS OUT OF THE WAY! SHIHEI GRABS CLUTCH WITH A TIGER SUPLEX AND PLANTS HIM WITH A BRIDGE!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-CLUTCH KICKS OUT!
Shihei slaps himself in the face a few times before looking back to Clutch, motioning for him to get back to his feet. Clutch, however, relents a bit, hoping to feint Shihei once again, and as Shihei goes to grab him, Clutch grabs his injured arm in an arm wrench before nailing it with a pele kick! Shihei falls back in pain, and Clutch begins relentlessly targeting his arm, attempting to even lock in a hold on Shihei’s arm, but Shihei fights against it, eventually yanking Clutch up into the air and slamming him into the canvas to break the hold! Shihei looks like he’s on the ropes, the damage and pain from his arm taking a toll on him. He looks to end the match, going high for his Year of the Toad, but as he launches, Clutch manages to roll out of the way! Clutch hits the ropes, going for a Springboard Moonsault onto Shihei’s arm and causing him to cry out in pain once more.
Clutch yanks Shihei up one more time and begins nailing him with repeated strikes, uppercuts, and eventually a shining wizard that sends him stumbling into the corner! He lines up, nailing Shihei in the corner with a massive running Enziguri, and then a flying back elbow that stuns him! He lines up for the TarHEEL to Shihei in the corner, but Shihei ducks out of the way this time and nearly locks up Clutch’s knee as he slams into the turnbuckle full force! Clutch cries out in pain, and Shihei grabs him with a German Suplex, launching him into the opposite side of the ring. He runs, and nails a massive running senton to the legs of Clutch McCloud!
Clutch cries out in pain as Shihei stalks him, watching him like a lion as he slowly gets back to his knees. His striking leg appears to be badly damaged, but Clutch isn’t giving the fight up yet as he goes for a Technical Foul on the approaching Shihei that Shihei just nearly ducks, before going for a Lariat himself that Clutch manages to avoid! Clutch nearly kills Shihei on the come-around with a spinning back kick, but as he goes for another series of kicks and strikes, Shihei manages to break through with a massive lariat that nearly decapitates Clutch! Shihei draws a line across his throat, lining up in the corner-and nailing Clutch with another massive discus lariat! He goes for a pin on Clutch McCloud!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR-CLUTCH KICKS OUT!
Shihei sighs, and goes high once more for the Year of the Toad, leaping AND HITTING THE MASSIVE SPLASH ON CLUTCH MCCLOUD! THIS ONE’S OVER, SHIHEI GOES FOR THE PIN!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-NO!!!! CLUTCH KICKS OUT!
Clutch gets one final burst of offense in on Shihei, to the point that Shihei can’t withstand it, laying in elbow after elbow, but Shihei begins to strike back, kicking Clutch in his injured leg repeatedly, causing him to stumble. Clutch falls to a knee, and Shihei yanks him up in the air into a powerbomb position with one arm doing most of the lifting-AND PLANTS HIM WITH A SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-As Clutch kicks out, Shihei immediately hefts him into position for a leaping reverse piledriver-AND HE PLANTS CLUTCH INTO THE CANVAS! Clutch goes limp, and Shihei rolls him over for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Winner: Go Shihei
Backstage, Jerry and Berry Bishop are walking back to the locker room when they suddenly stop. MDE stands in their way, applauding. Jerry instinctively steps in front of Berry again.
MDE: Well done. A win for The Bishops. That's the first win you've had this year, isn't it, Jerry? Although you can hardly claim it for yourself. That was some great technique to break the knee bar, Berry. You're getting seriously good. If you had Jerry at his full potential the two of you walk this tournament. I can help you with that… if you like.
JB: Get away from us.
MDE: Surely you can't be happy, Jerry? I saw you after the match. You knew. You tried to protect Berry from George Jackson but it was Berry who had to protect you. But at least nobody can say you don't care. The only thing of worth you did in that match was take that kick to keep Berry in it. I know you want to be back to the Free-1 finalist, Judgement Day semi-main-eventing Jerry Bishop that you were last year. I can do that for you, Jerry. You need confidence. You need a killer instinct. You need a plan. I can give you all that. You know that you'll accept my help one day.
JB: Get-
BB: MDE, you helped me to be a better wrestler, but if you think my brother is going to accept anything from you then you're far less intelligent than you say you are. If I remember right, last time you were in an FPW ring, you were losing to me. What gives you any right to teach him anything?
MDE: Look in his eyes. He knows exactly what I can do for him. If he can do it by himself, I'll give him credit, but he can't. You need me, Jerry. Soon enough you'll wake up to that fact.
MDE walks off as Jerry turns and stares him down. Berry tries to lead Jerry away but he resists for a moment before turning and walking on, kicking out at a piece of trash on the floor.
MW: Bobby O may not be fully focussed on his opponent tonight-
SD: But he should be. James Saturn is one of the best in FPW and one of the best in the world. If Bobby doesn't focus on him, he loses this match. End of story.
MW: You might be right. Bobby O has a big match with his former partner Jack Sevren at the finals, and his mind may be on that, but James Saturn with a win tonight would keep him very much in title contention.
SD: If there's any justice, it'll be Marcus v Saturn the next time the belt is defended.
“White Knuckles” began playing from the arena speakers, and the fans began to boo in anticipation of James Saturn’s appearance. Saturn appeared at the top of the ramp, shaking his head at the reception before beginning to walk to the ring.
In the ring, Dasha Banks began the introductions. “The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Portland Oregon, James Saturn!”
James vaulted over the top rope and posed in the ring before settling into a corner and awaiting his opponent. “This Means War” replaced Saturn’s music, and the crowd cheered as the intro played, then went silent as it paused. Bobby O walked onstage and popped his collar as the music kicked back in, prompting another wave of cheers from the crowd.
“And introducing his opponent, from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Bobby, O!”
Bobby climbed into the ring and leaned over the top, smiling at the fans.
MW: “The fans here are always happy to see Bobby, especially tonight after suffering a betrayal from Jack Sevren, and it looks like Bobby’s happy to see them too.”
SD: “I don’t know Mike, that smile looks a little forced to me…”
Match 4: Bobby O v James Saturn (written by Mason):
The referee called for the bell, and both men advanced into a lock up. The each shifted their weight, jockeying for position, before Bobby began shoving James backwards towards the corner. But before James found himself trapped, he reversed the position so that Bobby wound up with his back against the turnbuckles. The ref stepped in to initiate a break, and they untangled their arms from the tie-up. But James quickly reached in and lightly slapped Bobby across the face, backing away from any retaliation. Both men tied up again, and Bobby took control again, stepping around and locking in a waistlock. He drove Saturn into the ropes and rolled backwards to attempt an O’Connor roll, but James held onto the ropes. Saturn turned around as Bobby stood up and slapped him in the face again, harder this time. Bobby tried to retaliate with a right hand, but Saturn ducked the strike and quickly struck with a back suplex. Bobby quickly rose back to his feet, and Saturn wasted no time applying a side headlock. Bobby struggled for a moment before working his way to the ropes, first leaning into them and then shifting his momentum to shove Saturn across the ring. Saturn rebounded, and Bobby went for a double leg takedown, only for James to sprawl out on top of him. Saturn drove his chest into Bobby’s back and rotated several times, lightly slapping Bobby’s head again as he stood up and smirking at the crowd as they booed him.
MW: “Saturn clearly not making any friends among the FPW fans here with his treatment of Bobby O.”
SD: “But he doesn’t have to worry about that, he’s focusing on his match, and in that match, he’s been outmaneuvering Bobby at every exchange.”
The camera caught a glimpse of Bobby’s rage-filled eyes as he stood up, prompting Mike to ask, “do you think he’s intentionally angering Bobby?”
SD: “Oh I thought it was obvious. Of course it’s intentional, and angry opponent is a careless opponent. And it shouldn’t take me to tell you that a careless opponent is an easily beaten opponent.”
Bobby tried for a lockup once more, and Saturn obliged, the two of them fighting for control again. James trapped Bobby with another side headlock. He applied pressure, cranking on Bobby’s neck a few times before he broke free and locked Saturn into a wristlock. A pained expression cames over Saturn’s face as Bobby cranked on his arm. He tried to pull himself free, but Bobby's grip would not be broken. At least until Saturn used his free hand to strike Bobby's arm, forcing him to let go and allowing James to connect with yet another slap to the face.
The echo from the slap was still ringing throughout the arena as Bobby let out a shout and went on the offensive, hammering Saturn with a pair of punches, one to the head and the other to the midsection, before he grabbed him behind the neck and pulled his head downwards into range of a pair of vicious knee strike. Saturn reared back, rocked, leaving him open for Bobby to grab him around the waist and drive him into the corner. With Saturn trapped, Bobby began laying into him with strikes.
MW: “If Saturn was planning on making Bobby angry, he's certainly succeeded, but I don't think it's gone the way he wanted it to.”
At the referee's insistence, Bobby backed out of the corner, allowing Saturn a moment to recover before he charged back in and flattened him with a corner clothesline. Bobby grabbed Saturn's wrist and whipped him into the opposite corner, then ran in after him and connected with another powerful clothesline. He repeated this action, whipping Saturn back across the ring and following him into the corner. But as he drew close, Saturn dove to the side, sending Bobby crashing into the turnbuckles. Saturn stood up as Bobby turned around, and when Bobby charged at him, he pulled him down with a drop toe hold, then quickly rose and jumped up, driving his feet into Bobby's back before turning him over and hooking the leg for a cover.
...1!.Kick-out!
James maintained his hold on Bobby's leg and turned him over to set up Saturn's walls. Bobby quickly dragged himself to the ropes to force a break before he could fully sit back on the submission. Saturn let go, and Bobby pulled himself onto the apron and stood up, only for Saturn to run forward and drive him to the floor with a European uppercut. As Bobby stood back up, James alternated looking at him and at the far side of the ring. He looked out into the crowd, an intense expression on his face and nodded several time before he ran across to the far ropes and rebounded, charging towards Bobby on the outside. But instead of flying through the ropes, James leaped onto the second rope and backflipped back into the ring, shaking his head at the fans as he stood back up. One fan in the front row yelled something at him, at Saturn yelled back, leaning into the ropes on that side of the ring as he searched for the culprit. Meanwhile, Bobby rolled into the ring and eyed Saturn from behind. Saturn finished his verbal abuse and turned back around, only for Bobby to rush him and take him down with a dropkick. Saturn stood back up as Bobby hit the ropes, and Bobby levelled him with another dropkick. Bobby stood up and crouched slightly as Saturn returned to his feet, then lifted him onto his shoulders. He made to begin a move, but Saturn raked his eyes, and as Bobby stumbled, James slipped off his shoulders. Bobby turned around, and Saturn connected with an enzuigiri that rocked him. Saturn grabbed him by the wrist, preventing him from falling, and pulled him into a hip toss. As Bobby landed, Saturn launched into a cartwheel, then hit a basement dropkick as he straightened up. Bobby fell back, and Saturn went for another cover.
...1!..Kick-out!
MW: “Saturn incorporating some offense from another renowned high-flyer in this fight with Bobby O.”
SD: “If it works, who cares where it came from?”
Saturn stood up and backed into a corner, eyeing Bobby as he rose. Bobby turned to face him, and James charged flattening his opponent with a lariat. And without missing a beat, Saturn sprang to the middle rope and launched himself into a moonsault! But Bobby brought his knees up! James crashed chest-first into the upraised legs and rolled off of Bobby. Saturn was on all fours, clutching his midsection as Bobby stood up, and Bobby quickly capitalized, running forward and driving his head into the mat with a curb stomp.
MW: “Bobby going for a cover after that impressive reversal!”
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Bobby stood up and bent down to grab Saturn to continue inflicting punishment, but Saturn rolled to the outside of the ring. The crowd booed as Saturn landed on his feet and slowly began walking around the ring, catching his breath. Back in the ring, Bobby gritted his teeth and climbed to the outside of the ring as well, putting himself in front of James as he continued to walk around the ring. James rounded the corner and suddenly saw Bobby in front of him. A smile spread across his face, and he spread his arms as he backed up several steps. Bobby began walking towards him, and Saturn accelerated his retreat. He backed around the corner again, and as Bobby followed, he unleashed a quick punch. Bobby caught his wrist, and Saturn had just enough time to look worried before Bobby pulled him into a massive clothesline. Bobby maintained his grip on Saturn’s arm and pulled him back up before whipping him hard into the barricade. Saturn arched his back in pain, and Bobby added to the discomfort by running forward and driving his knee into his gut. Bobby locked eyes with the ref and nodded as he told him to get the fight back in the ring, whipping Saturn into the ring. He began climbing the turnbuckles, keeping a watchful eye on Saturn as he did so. As he reached the top rope, he made sure Saturn hadn’t moved, then leapt off and connected with a flying elbow drop! He quickly hooked a leg for the cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Unlike his previous cover, Bobby made sure to keep hold of his opponent, lifting Saturn into a front facelock. He quickly lifted and dropped Saturn with a snap suplex, but he wasn’t finished there. Bobby rolled over and transitioned his grip into a waistlock, draping James’ arm over his head as he stood up. He once again lifted Saturn into the air and brought him down with a back suplex. He rolled over one more time and maintained his wristlock, pulling Saturn up and into a german suplex, but James flipped out and landed on his feet! Bobby sat up, and Saturn drilled him with a shining wizard to the back of the head! Saturn leaned against the ropes for a moment as Bobby sat up, before running back towards him. But Bobby shot to his feet and met Saturn with a Michinoku driver out of nowhere! He pulled one of Saturn’s legs in to make the cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Bobby stood up and lifted James with him, whipping him into the ropes. Saturn rebounded, and as he drew near, Bobby lifted him into the air before bringing him back down with a powerbomb. Saturn collapsed, and Bobby dropped to all fours, carefully eyeing his opponent.
MW: “Bobby stalking James Saturn here after connecting with that pop-up powerbomb.”
SD: “And I think we all know what he’s looking for…”
Saturn shakily stood up, and Bobby rose to his feet, ready to hit the RKO, but as this was happening, a hooded figure jumped over the barricade and climbed onto the apron. Bobby stared as the figure slowly raised their arm and lowered their hood, revealing Jack Sevren! The crowd exploded as Sevren pointed at Bobby and said something that prompted Bobby to rush forward and swing at Jack. But Jack simply dropped off the apron and waved, then pointed behind Bobby. Bobby turned around, right into a superkick from James Saturn! Bobby collapsed, and Saturn dropped into a cover.
MW: “No! Not like this!”
..1!...2!...3!
Winner: James Saturn.
“White Knuckles” played over the speakers again and Saturn sat up and raised his arm in victory.
SD: “Why not like this, Watson? Saturn won the match, and that’s all that matters. Who cares how he did so?”
MW: “Jack Sevren tainting the end of a great match between Bobby O and James Saturn, handing Saturn the victory over his former tag team partner.. But Bobby will have a chance at payback in two weeks time, and I for one, can’t wait to see it.”
Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Graham Baker.
DB: Thank you for joining me, Graham. Last week-
GB: I hate to be rude, Dasha, but I have one thing to say and one thing only. Marcus Allen Jones. I know you're near enough to this building tonight to get here. After the main event, I'll be in the ring. Bring TakeOver. Bring whatever you want. There's not a fucking thing that can save you from me.
Baker walks off with a purpose and Dasha gives the cameraman a frustrated look.
MW: It's now time for our main event as Death Squad, the only team to hold a victory over The Guardians of Strong Style, albeit in triple threat action, will face The Guardians for the Tag Team Championships.
SD: Masterful work by Ava Knight. Death Squad pinned The Queendom. They don't have a claim to the titles, but she managed to goad Sato into accepting her challenge. They don't even have to win the All Star Tag Team Classic to get a shot at the titles. Sato and his team have rushed into this and I hope they're ready.
MW: I believe that you may be correct. But let's remember this: Death Squad didn't pin either Tchyukiro or Takahara. Nobody in FPW has. They won the match by defeating The Queendom. If they win tonight, it'll be even more impressive.
The lights in the arena go down, a klaxon rings out, and the lights flash red like warning sirens. They cease, and smoke pours out of the stage as Ava Knight walks forward and lifts a microphone to her face.
"Rejoice, and be happy! Opportunity knocked...and Death has answered."
The klaxon ceases ringing as "Let's Go" by Run The Jewels rings out, and two men in balaclavas with skull designs on them emerge from behind Knight. Both men wear skull masks, military-style tactical harnesses, and wrestling gear that varies-the taller one wears a pair of trunks that go midway down his thigh, kneepads and boots, while the shorter one wears a pair of striking shorts, wrapped fists, kneepads and boots that bridge the kneepads. They both pull their masks and vests off, dropping them to reveal Aiden Balmer and Evan Rorsche- Death Squad! Both men rush to the ring as they look to Knight, and slide, raising their arms and taking in the boos of the fans. Balmer abuses them back while Rorsche merely growls at them.
Quickly, the introduction to The Guardians of Strong Style’s music plays and the fans cheer as Sato emerges, holding both belts himself, and bows to the fans. As the intro ends, Tchyukiro and Takahara come onto the stage and bow to the fans before all three make their way towards the ring, moving with a purpose.
Match 5: FPW Tag Team Championships: The Guardians of Strong Style v Death Squad:
Before The Guardians can make it to the ring, Balmer and Rorsche leave the ring and take the attack to the champions. Balmer engages with Takahara while Rorsche throws Tchyukiro into the guardrail and stomps viciously on him. Balmer and Takahara exchange forearms before Balmer lands a low blow and throws Takahara into the rail too. Both of Death Squad lay into their opponents with kicks and straight punches. Sato and the official both try to separate them, but Rorsche turns to Sato and throws him into the guardrail before dumping him into the crowd. With both of the champions down, Death Squad pull Tchyukiro to his feet and throw him into the ring apron before driving him head-first into the ring post. They then throw him into the guardrail again before Rorsche connects with a devastating running knee. Before Tchyukiro can drop to the floor, Balmer grabs him and lifts him for a powerbomb, throwing him into the guardrail and leaving him crumpled.
At that point, Takahara makes it to his feet and lands a mid-kick to take out Rorsche, but Balmer runs at him and takes him down from behind before rolling him into the ring. The official reluctantly rings the bell once Balmer follows, making an immediate cover, 1-no. Takahara kicks out. Before Takahara can get to his feet, Balmer lands a series of kicks before connecting with a senton. He then drags Takahara up and connects with a snap suplex before covering him again, 1-2-no. Takahara again manages to kick out. Rorsche calls for the tag and Balmer goes to the corner, tagging him in. Rorsche enters and lets off a flurry of forearms to Takahara, who remains down. Rorsche stands and gives the fans a volley of abuse before Takahara sits up, blood trickling down his face after the series of strikes.
MW: I've never seen The Guardians of Strong Style dominated in this fashion before.
SD: These fans don't like it, but Death Squad are the real deal.
MW: I'd love to see how they go without attacking the champions before the bell though.
SD: It’s good strategy.
MW: It's cheating.
SD: Nope. Good strategy.
MW: Let's agree to disagree.
SD: I don't agree to that.
Takahara puts a hand to his face and looks at it, seeing the blood. His head turns to Rorsche, a look of defiant intensity in his eyes as he begins to climb to his feet, but he's cut off by a vicious sliding knee. Rorsche laughs as he covers Takahara, 1-2-no. Takahara again manages to kick out, but he's taking longer and longer. Rorsche slaps Takahara across the face before tagging in Balmer, who climbs to the top rope as Rorsche picks up Takahara. Rorsche steps aside as Balmer comes down with a huge crossbody, landing on Takahara for the cover, 1-2-no. Takahara gets a shoulder up.
Balmer hooks an arm under the raised shoulder of Takahara and pulls him up into a half-nelson, from which he delivers a half-nelson backbreaker over his knee. Takahara bounces into the air before landing hard on the mat and Balmer climbs up to the top rope once again. He sets himself before landing a frog splash onto one half of the Tag Team Champions and holding for another cover, 1-2-no. Again Takahara manages to get a shoulder up. Balmer tags in Rorsche again and he swaggers into the ring before striking Takahara with a massive superkick as he sits up. With Takahara flat on his back, Rorsche grabs his wrist and pulls him up, setting him up for a ripcord. He spins him out and goes for a discus elbow, but Takahara absorbs it with a loud cry and doesn't go down. Rorsche stares at him in disbelief before aiming another discus elbow at Takahara, which staggers him, but again he doesn't go down. With Takahara staggering still, Rorsche tags in Balmer, who climbs to the top rope and comes down with another cross-body, but Takahara absorbs that too, allowing Balmer to bounce off him as the fans roar in approval.
MW: Hiro Takahara showing why he truly is a guardian of strong style!
SD: And look! Masa Tchyukiro is back on the apron and he's calling for the tag.
MW: Out champions are about to back in business.
Takahara just manages to get himself to the corner where he tags in Tchyukiro, who comes in and delivers a hard running lariat to Rorsche, who entered the ring just after the tag was made. He turns to Balmer and drives at him with a series of forearms, backing him into the corner. There, he lays into him with knife-edged chops until Rorsche aims a hard kick to Tchyukiro’s back. Tchyukiro shrugs it off and turns, staring daggers at Rorsche, who looks like he's seen a ghost. Tchyukiro lands a hard forearm to Rorsche and throws him into the corner too, leaving both of Death Squad open to be chopped by alternate hands over and over and over as the crowd is whipped into a frenzy.
After a series of chops, Tchyukiro rolls Balmer into the middle of the ring and allows Rorsche to collapse. He hits the ropes and delivers a sliding lariat to Balmer before hitting the opposite corner and running at Rorsche, delivering another sliding lariat, this time in the corner. He stands and whips up the fans as he stalks Balmer. Balmer stands and Tchyukiro connects with a release German suplex. As Rorsche also makes it to his feet, Tchyukiro beckons him towards him. Rorsche runs at him but Tchyukiro hits him with a power slam. Tchyukiro turns back to Balmer, who rests in the corner, and runs at him, delivering a lariat that sends him a couple of steps out of the corner before he collapses in a heap. Tchyukiro climbs to the top rope and delivers a kokeshi headbutt before making a cover, 1-2-no! Balmer just gets a shoulder up.
With the fans cheering loudly, Tchyukiro tags in Takahara, who comes in and delivers a series of hard kicks to Rorsche. Tchyukiro then delivers a lariat to send Rorsche to the outside as The Guardians of Strong Style prepare to finish the match. Balmer slowly climbs to his feet as Tchyukiro and Takahara stalk him, before they run at him and deliver stereo forearms to the face and back of his head. Balmer folds to the floor and Takahara makes a cover, 1-2-…….. the official disappears from view as Rorsche pulls him out, striking him with a right hand and leaving him lying on the floor outside the ring. Tchyukiro and Takahara realise what has happened and they exit the ring, closing in on Rorsche.
MW: Evan Rorsche is about to regret what he just did.
SD: Don't be so sure. Here comes Ava Knight!
Knight, steel chair in hand, strikes Tchyukiro across the back. He drops to one knee as Rorsche connects with a low-blow to Takahara, who also drops to one knee. Knight throws the chair to Rorsche, who delivers skull-crushing chair shots across the heads of both of The Guardians of Strong Style. Each of the champions drop to the floor and Rorsche and Knight, who picks up a second chair, drive the point of the chairs into their ribs. The boos of the fans turn to cheers as Sato spins Rorsche around, gripping the chair and trying to wrestle it from his hands. Rorsche, surprised by Sato, relinquishes the chair and Sato holds it high in the air, ready to strike him, only for Balmer to catch it and claim it as his own. Sato turns and Balmer drives the chair down into his skull, causing Sato to crumple.
MW: That man is not a wrestler!
SD: He chose to get involved. He chose to put himself in harm’s way. It's his own fault.
MW: You can't strike a manager. He had no choice but to do what he did. He was protecting his team from this heinous attack.
SD: And Aiden Balmer was protecting his teammate. There's no difference.
MW: There's every difference.
Death Squad smile at one another as Rorsche helps Balmer lift Tchyukiro. Balmer sets him up in a powerbomb position as Rorsche sets up both of the chairs. Balmer powerbombs Tchyukiro onto the chairs, but he lifts him again, delivering Balmer’s Hammer and slamming Tchyukiro four times onto the chairs. Rorsche and Balmer then lift Takahara and roll him into the ring. Takahara stands as Death Squad enter and he calls them forward. Rorsche and Balmer advance on him but he stands his ground, aiming forearms at both men and, for a time, gaining the advantage. However, it doesn't take long for Death Squad to reclaim that advantage, Balmer landing yet another low blow before calling for a chair. Knight sends one in and Balmer pulls Takahara into a piledriver position, hitting The Ender directly onto the chair before sliding it out of the ring as Rorsche rolls the official in. Balmer makes the cover as the official slowly counts, 1…. 2……. 3.
Winners and new FPW Tag Team Champions: Death Squad.
The fans boo loudly as Ava Knight brings the Tag Team Championships into the ring. Balmer and Rorsche each take one and hold them up, each man placing a foot onto Hiro Takahara. Knight forces the official to raise their hands as they are announced as the new FPW Tag Team Champions and the boos intensify from the crowd.
MW: And there they are. Death Squad. Somehow they've been allowed to cheat so blatantly, so disgustingly, and they, for shame, are our new FPW Tag Team Champions.
SD: Cheating is just an approach that is out of the mainstream. They had a plan for how to win the match and they executed it perfectly.
MW: Perfectly? How about when they had to knock out a referee because they were about to lose? How about that? Was that in their perfect plan?
SD: No, I guess not. But the important thing is that Death Squad are our new FPW Tag Team Champions!
MW: But for how long? Surely a rematch will be awarded to The Guardians of Strong Style? Surely they'll get their chance to make things right?
As Death Squad leave the arena, ‘DNA’ plays and Graham Baker walks through the curtain, not bothering with his usual entrance as he marches down the ramp, FPW Championship in one hand and a bardbed wire bat in another. He enters the ring, lays the title down in front of him and stands with the bat in his hands, calling for Marcus Allen Jones to make his way down to the ring. After a few moments, the crowd begins to gasp as Sarah Daniels, George Jackson, Haych and Dario emerge through the crowd and climb the guardrails. They stand on all four sides of the ring, Baker holding the bat as Marcus walks out onto the ramp. He stares at Baker with a grin on his face and then beckons the rest of TakeOver to go and get him.
They climb into the ring and Baker swings the bat at each of them, taking down Haych and Jackson quickly before Dario and Daniels get on top of him. Baker manages to fight them off, driving the bat down on Daniels’ head before hitting Dario in the gut with it and then ramming the point of the bat into the back of his head. Baker turns and Marcus is standing behind him. Marcus wastes no time in laying into him with right hands as Baker drops the bat. Marcus drives him back into a corner and keeps laying into him before Baker recovers, fighting back and forcing Marcus back from the corner. The two men stand and exchange right hands before a team of security rush the ring. They try to separate the two men but Marcus and Baker take down each of them before going back to their exchange.
Jim Houston strides out onto the ramp and beckons down more security as well as a series of roster members, who run down to the ring and try to separate the two again. Marcus and Baker manage to fight off some of them but sheer weight of numbers forces them apart. Both men try to reach each other from opposite corners of the ring but they can't make it past all of the security and wrestlers holding them back. The two shout across at each other as the footage fades.
MW: Ladies and gentlemen, the Freedom Pro Wrestling world was rocked two weeks ago by the announcement that the main event of All Star Tag Team II would be a rematch of the Judgement Day classic as Graham Baker gives Marcus Allen Jones his rematch inside Hell in a Cell. But tonight we focus on the All Star Tag Team Classic, as we see two quarter-final matches.
SD: TakeOver continue to… well, take over tonight as The Invaders and Hunter Killer are both in action, facing two makeshift teams who won't provide them the challenge they deserve.
MW: That's debatable, Steven. We also have two singles matches and our Tag Team Champions are on the line in an impromptu defense after The Guardians of Strong Style suffered their first FPW defeat last week.
MW: First up we have The Invaders facing Freedom Champion Jace Mason and new FPW signee Aaron Williams.
SD: As I say, a makeshift team. They haven't had a single match together. The Invaders have been teaming together for years. There's only one winner here.
MW: Mason and Williams may be a makeshift team, but one is the longest reigning Freedom Champion in FPW history and the other is one of the greatest independent wrestlers of the past decade. The Invaders are the more experienced team, but are they the more talented team?
SD: Why yes, yes they are.
The intro to ‘Killing in the Name of’ plays and the crowd begin to boo. As the intro ends, spotlights hit Haych and Dario who enter the arena through the crowd. They come down the steps and through the fans, Dario in particular jaw jacking with anti-TakeOver fans before he and Haych climb over the guardrail. They enter the ring and climb the turnbuckles, throwing up their signature X pose as they drink in the boos from the fans. They drop down from the turnbuckles and stand together, facing the entrance ramp.
‘I Still Believe’ begins to a loud cheer as Aaron Williams emerges onto the stage, signing out the opening verse and rising his arms to encourage the fans to join in. He gets the fans clapping along before bursting down the ramp, still singing along and encouraging the fans to do the same. The circles the ring and finds a young fan, pulling out a marker pen and letting the fan sign his knee pad. Williams then slides into the ring, still singing along, and climbs to the top rope to pump up the crowd even more. He then drops down and offers a hand to the official and to Dasha Banks before looking across at Haych and Dario.
‘Afterlife’ begins and the fans cheer even louder through the intro. Jace Mason then steps out and pyro explodes around him as he holds up the Freedom Championship. He smiles as he looks around the crowd before making his way down the ramp, interacting with the fans as he tells the camera that this is his chance to take out TakeOver, one team at a time. Mason climbs the apron and then stands atop the turnbuckle, raising his belt again before dropping into the ring and embracing Aaron Williams. Both men stare down The Invaders as the official takes the Freedom Championship and places it outside the ring.
Match 1: All Star Tag Team Classic II Quarter-Final III: The Invaders v Jace Mason and Aaron Williams:
Mason and Williams shake hands as Williams steps out of the ring, leaving Mason standing across from Haych. The two move forward and lock up, Haych taking the advantage and forcing Mason back into the corner. He then whips him across to the opposite corner and chargers at him, but Mason rolls out of the corner and Haych crashes into the turnbuckles. As he staggers back into the ring, Mason takes him down with a drop toe hold before looking to lock in a Fujiwara arm bar. Haych, however, scrambles away and makes it to the ropes as Mason releases him and stands over him, motioning that he was that close to having the match over already. Haych stands quickly but Mason connects with a kick to the gut and then a vertical suplex, floating over for the cover, 1-2-no. Haych kicks out.
Mason pulls Haych up and leads him over to the corner, where he tags in Williams. Williams enters and the two of them whip Haych across the ring, connecting with a double dropkick to take Haych down again. Williams makes a cover, 1-2-no. Again Haych kicks out. Williams doesn't give Haych time to make it to his feet, locking in a double wristlock and wrapping his legs around Haych’s midsection so he can't escape. Haych cries out but Dario is quick to enter and break the hold with a kick to Williams. Williams stands and confronts Dario, the two standing forehead to forehead, allowing Haych to land a clubbing strike to Williams’ back. Haych then lands a backbreaker to Williams and locks in a rear naked choke. Williams manages to scramble to the ropes but Haych quickly tags in Dario, who lands a flurry of stomps to Aaron Williams.
MW: The Invaders perhaps looking to isolate Aaron Williams now.
SD: Of course they will be. They're one of the best teams in the world. They know what they're doing.
Dario pulls Williams up and lands a few forearm strikes before whipping him across the ring and then taking him down with a leg lariat. He then rolls to the apron and climbs to the top rope, looking for a 450 splash, but Williams rolls out of the way! Williams then makes it to his corner and tags in Mason at the same time as Dario tags in Haych. The two men enter the ring, Mason ducking an attempted clothesline before hitting a spin kick to the gut and kicking Haych’s leg out from under him. With Haych on all fours, Mason hits the ropes and comes back with a dropkick to send Haych rolling to the outside. Dario goes over to check on Haych as Williams enters the ring, pumping up the fans before hitting the ropes and connecting with a suicide dive to take both of The Invaders down. Mason looks out of the ring at them before he climbs up to the top turnbuckle. As The Invaders get to their feet, Mason leaps off and connects with a shooting star press!
Williams is the only man left on his feet and he wastes little time in lifting Dario and throwing him into the guardrail. He backs away and connects with a big splash which sends Dario collapsing to the ground, resting against the rail. Williams backs away again, this time running at Dario before connecting with a cannonball which leaves Williams holding the small of his back as Dario slumps down even further. Mason, meanwhile, rolls Haych back into the ring. He follows and looks to lock in the Last Chancery, but Haych manages to block the attempt. Mason gives in, instead looking to lift Haych to his feet, only for Haych to shove him backwards and then take him down with a big clothesline. Haych shakes off the cobwebs before pulling Mason in and connecting with a snap suplex. He quickly lifts him, throwing him into the corner and running at him with a Stinger splash. Mason drops down to the mat and Haych drags him away from the ropes, making a cover, 1-2-no. Mason kicks out.
SD: I thought he had him!
MW: It was certainly close. And if he did get him, surely a Freedom Championship match would have been in the offing for Haych.
SD: And a deserved match it would be.
Haych pulls Mason up and connects with a couple of hard right hands. Mason staggers and Haych then lifts him into a gorilla press position, but, before he can slam him down, Aaron Williams connects with a springboard back elbow to take Haych down, leaving Mason landing on top of him for a cover, 1-2-no. Haych just kicks out. Williams then leaves the ring, calling Mason over to him in the corner. Mason makes the tag and Williams enters the ring with a lot of energy. He watches as Haych gets to his knees and then he runs at him, taking him with with a vicious running knee strike. He then pulls Haych to his feet and gets him into a suplex position, lifting him before dumping him onto the top rope. Haych hangs there as Williams climbs to the top turnbuckle and sets himself before connecting with a 450 splash. Haych drops down into the ring and Williams makes a cover, 1-2-no! Dario dives in to make the save!
Dario lays into Williams but Mason enters, pulling Dario away from his partner. Mason ducks at attempted roundhouse kick before connecting with a Pele kick. Dario staggers into Williams, who lifts him for a suplex before delivering a brainbuster to the knee. Haych, having just recovered, takes Mason down with a boot to the back of the head before kicking Williams in the gut and lifting him for a powerbomb. He connects with a running powerbomb and then makes a cover, 1-2-no! Williams barely manages to get his shoulder off the canvas. Haych turns to Dario, but he's laid out on the outside. Haych then looks back to Williams and pulls him up, throwing him into the ropes before connecting with Terminator. Before making the cover, Haych knocks Mason off the apron and then dives onto Williams, 1-2-no! Williams manages to get a foot on the rope.
MW: The Invaders thwarted by inches there!
SD: He didn't kick out! It shouldn't count! And your winners!
MW: Not yet, Steven. But Haych might be close to having this one sewn up.
Haych calls to Dario to get back onto the apron. With difficulty, Dario pulls himself up and Haych tags him in. Dario climbs to the top as Haych lifts Williams again. He throws him into the ropes and goes for the pop-up powerbomb, but Williams blocks it and connects with a step-up enzeguiri. At that moment, Mason enters the ring and sprints across the corner, leaps up and connects with a top rope Extra Credit to Dario! Williams makes the cover as Mason tries to recover, 1-2-no! Haych barely manages to dive on top of Williams to break up the pin attempt.
Williams gets to his feet and stalks Haych, who hasn't fully recovered from the enzeguiri. As Haych turns, Williams kicks him in the gut and sets him up for the A Triple Plus, which connects. He rolls Haych out of the ring and then turns to see Mason on the apron calling for the tag. Williams makes the tag before heading back to where Haych was rolled out and connecting with a springboard lariat to the outside, sending Haych crashing into the guardrail. Mason stalks Dario before whipping him into the ropes and hitting a second Extra Credit, making the cover, 1-2-3.
Winners: Jace Mason and Aaron Williams.
The fans cheer as Williams re-enters the ring and embraces Mason. The official hands Mason the Freedom Championship and then raises both men’s arms. The two embrace again before heading out of the ring and up the ramp, each of them slapping hands with the cheering fans before giving a final wave of acknowledgement and stepping through the curtain.
MW: This TakeOver take over is looking a little worse for wear now, Steven.
SD: Well… it's… shut up, Watson.
MW: Freedom Champion Jace Mason and Aaron Williams proving that their talent trumps The Invaders’ tag team experience on this occasion. They'll advance to the semi-finals alongside Death Squad and Marcus n’Morgan.
Backstage, Jim Houston is on the phone in his office.
JH: Look…. Yes, I'm aware of… listen, the point I'm trying to make is that they haven't exactly been actively involved here… I understand the deal we agreed but I thought… fine… fine… Well I've already signed… yes, they did sign… no, not yet but… well I'm going to need more from you… I don't know… we have a number of deserving competitors of our own… I'm just reluctant to pass over our own people for…
The door opens and MDE walks in. Houston holds up a hand and offers MDE a seat, which he takes.
JH: Loo, Jones, I have to go… yes, I'll… but I expect some assurances… goodbye.
Houston puts down the phone and sighs before sitting down.
JH: Thank you for coming to see me.
MDE: You wanted to make the changes to my contract final?
JH: Yes. With your… impending change of role here in the company, I wanted to make sure your contract properly reflected the work you'll be taking on and the benefits we'll both see from it.
MDE: I also have another matter to discuss.
MDE turns to the camera.
MDE: In private…
MW: Our general manager meeting a man I'm not sure too many would welcome with open arms again here.
SD: I want to know about this impending role change. He's not going after my job, is he?
MW: I hope not.
SD: That's the first nice thing you've said to me today.
MW: Whatever he's doing, the show must go on. And right now it's going on in an interesting way. We have the very last match of the quarter-final stage as Jerry and Berry Bishop team up to face Hunter Killer.
SD: We didn't get it done last time out, but TakeOver will claim a semi-final spot in this match.
MW: They're up against two siblings who I believe have the potential to take the FPW Tag Team division by storm. Jerry is one of the best wrestlers on this roster and Berry is on quite the hot streak at the moment.
SD: She's been impressive in recent months but Jerry has been quite the opposite. If The Bishops are going to win this match, it's Bishop Junior who will need to carry the brunt of the work.
‘Comedian’s Gallop’ plays and the fans cheer as Jerry and Berry each walk out onto the ramp and bow deeply to the fans. Jerry begins dance conducting his way down the ramp as Berry hopscotches before both do a lap of the ring slapping hands with the fans. Berry then plays the apron as Jerry slides into the ring before both of them stand together on the top ropes bowing once more to the crowd. An extremely loud duelling chant of ‘Je-rry Bi-shop’ ‘Be-rry Bi-shop’ breaks out and is sustained for quite some time as the Bishop siblings stand and smile, playing up to the crowd in turn.
‘6/8’ begins to play and the chants turn to boos. The lights flash in sync with the rapid guitar strumming, flashing red with the 'heavy' secondary strum as both members emerge from backstage, with George Jackson holding his arms out while Sarah Daniels crouches in front of him. As the song intensifies, the two walk toward the ring, Jackson looming behind Daniels and keeping his presence heavy, occasionally cursing or shouting at fans who get too close. When they get to the ring, Jackson holds the ropes open for Daniels before she returns the favor, and the two resume their pose in the center of the ring before throwing their entrance gear off to the side and staring down Jerry and Berry, who stand on the outside.
Match 2: All Star Tag Team Classic II: Quarter-Final IV: The Bishops v Hunter Killer:
Sarah Daniels points to Berry Bishop as George Jackson steps between the ropes to the apron. Jerry gives Berry his blessing and the two women stand in the ring. They lock up strongly, jockeying for position with neither gaining a clear advantage. They break the lock up as Berry circles the ring, encouraging the fans to get the chant for her and her brother going again. The fans oblige and the two lock up again but Daniels catches Berry’s wrist and twists into a hammerlock, wrenching her arm behind her back. Berry, however, manages to twist herself free and turns the hammerlock to her advantage, wrenching Daniels’ arm.
Daniels rolls forward and wrings Berry’s arm, but she too rolls through and steps over to break Daniels’ grip. Daniels swings at Berry but Berry ducks and takes Daniels down with a drop toe hold. She springs forward and locks in a headlock, only for Daniels to catch the wrist and try to gain the advantage. Berry manages to get a headlock on again and takes Daniels over. She makes a quick transition from the headlock into an arm bar and Daniels cries out. Berry wrenches the arm bar but Daniels manages to get her legs underneath her and rolls through, clutching the ropes to force the break. Berry stands and smiles down at Daniels, who runs a hand through her hair in frustration and tags in George Jackson.
MW: This may not be great for Berry Bishop now.
SD: George Jackson is a large man with a larger mean streak. Neither Bishop will be at an advantage against him.
MW: But for all of his strength as a brawler, he's not a technical wrestler. Both Bishops could exploit that.
SD: I'd like to see them try.
As Jackson moves towards Berry, Jerry quickly gets into the ring and stands between the two of them, trying to guide Berry back to the corner. Jackson, however, throws a hard forearm to stagger Jerry and then flattens Berry with a straight right hand. Jerry leaps at Jackson and takes him down, aiming a flurry of strikes which Jackson manages to block before he hits Jerry with a headbutt that sends Jerry rolling away. Jackson shakes it off and pulls Jerry up, lifting him onto his shoulders in a fireman’s carry position, only for Berry to connect with a running knee to send Jackson down and Jerry rolling away towards the outside. Berry lifts Jackson and whips him across the ring before running at him and connecting with another knee, following it up with a running bulldog. She makes a cover, 1-no. Jackson kicks out.
Jerry, just back onto the apron, calls for the tag and Berry obliges. Jerry comes in and immediately sits on the top rope. He dives at Jackson, aiming for a blockbuster, but Jackson counters into an impressive neckbreaker. He makes his way to the corner and tags in Daniels, who sees Jerry sitting up and runs at him, delivering a hard penalty kick before making a cover, 1-2-no. Jerry kicks out. Daniels pulls him up from behind and drives him into the corner, rolling back into an O’Connor roll before pulling Jerry up into a German suplex and bridging for the cover, 1-2-no. Jerry gets a shoulder up.
MW: Sarah Daniels almost winning this one for Hunter Killer.
SD: Jerry needs to tag in his little sister. He's being rag-dolled in there!
MW: I notice that Daniels hit Jerry with his own move when she hit that penalty kick. There may be some psychological warfare here.
SD: Of course there is! Jerry hasn't won a match in 2019. Why wouldn't they try to get into his head?
Daniels pulls Jerry up again and connects with a sequence of palm strikes before aiming two hard kicks to the leg which send Jerry onto his knees. She looks at Jerry with disdain as he kneels in front her before aiming a series of shoot kicks to his chest. Jerry looks about to collapse as she aims a fourth kick, but somehow he catches her foot and, with the fans cheering him loudly, stands and connects with a rolling elbow that sends Daniels into the corner. Jerry backs away and points at her, running as he looks for a running dropkick, but he's stopped mid-way across the ring by Jackson, who enters the ring and hits a huge lariat.
Berry bursts into the ring and unleashes a flurry of kicks at Jackson, who staggers backwards for a time before catching one and unleashing kicks of his own. Berry staggers back into the corner as Jackson continues to unload before finally being pulled away by the official. Jerry stands and sees Jackson being forced away. He rushes over and whirls Jackson around before connecting with a step-up enzeguiri which sends Jackson to the outside. Daniels then sets Jerry up for a dragon suplex, which connects, but she's taken down by a disaster kick from Berry. Berry pumps up the fans before lifting Daniels and looking to set her up for the Berry Buster. She is about to lift her when Daniels frees herself and rolls Berry through into the No Escape.
MW: Daniels has the knee-bar locked in!
SD: Not just the a knee bar! It's the No Escape! Berry is finished.
MW: I wouldn't assume that just yet.
Berry tries to fight the pain but she can't drag herself towards the ropes. Berry tries to roll but Daniels transitions her weight to make sure that Berry isn't able to move from the centre of the ring. Berry cries out in pain and Jerry looks to break the hold. As he reaches Daniels, however, Jackson makes it back in and stops him, lifting him quickly and connecting with the Round Trip. Jackson then turns to Berry and aims a series of kicks to her to worsen the pain. However, Berry manages to catch his foot and use her technique to force him down into Daniels, who breaks the hold and allows Berry to wriggle herself free.
She pulls herself to the ropes and pulls herself up, turning to see Daniels and Jackson both staring at her from across the ring with Jerry down and helpless. The fans boo as Hunter Killer both advance on Berry. They back her into their corner and ignore calls from the official for Jackson to get out of the ring. Instead, they take turns to land stiff kicks to Berry, who barely holds herself up on the ropes. The fans chant her name but even they can't help as she finally slumps down. Jackson finally leaves the ring as Daniels drags Berry to the middle of the ring and stalks her as she struggles to get to her feet.
SD: I think she's setting up for the Killing Blow.
MW: If she is then this match may well be over.
Berry finally makes it to her feet and Daniels uncorks herself, twisting and driving her foot at Berry, but, at the last minute, Berry is shoved aside by Jerry, who takes the full force of the Killing Blow. Berry staggers towards the corner before turning and seeing Daniels, a look of shock on her face, standing over Jerry. Berry's face twists into a look of determination as Daniels turns to her. Daniels charges at her but Berry connects with Checkmate, sending Daniels to the mat. Jackson rushes into the ring and aims a lariat at Berry, who ducks and connects with Checkmate again, sending Jackson out of the ring. Daniels struggles her way to her feet only for Berry to swoop in and set her up before connecting with the Berry Buster. She makes a cover, 1-2-3.
Winners: The Bishops
MW: They've done it! Jerry Bishop and Berry Bishop have beaten Hunter Killer.
SD: Correction- Berry Bishop has beaten Hunter Killer.
MW: She may have got the pin but if not for Jerry's act of self-sacrifice, Berry would have been hit with the Killing Blow and the matches would have had a very different outcome. As it is, The Bishops have advanced into the semi finals of the All Star Tag Team Classic where they will face Jace Mason and Aaron Williams. What a match that will be.
Berry helps Jerry to his feet and she hugs him tightly as the fans begin the duelling chant for them both once again. Jerry raises Berry’s arm as Berry beams. Jerry smiles, but there's something missing as he points at Berry. They embrace again before leaving the ring.
Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Elizabeth Karlson.
DB: Elizabeth, you've been very quiet in the past few weeks since your rematch was announced against Artemis Evans. Why is that?
EK: Artemis Evans…… she pinned me, but she didn't beat me. I've been silent because I don't need to say anything. I stood across the ring from Artemis Evans and I saw the truth in her eyes. When we meet again, she won't get lucky. She won't pin me. She won't beat me. I want her in two-out-of-three falls to see who the real Women's Champion is.
Karlson gives the camera a look before walking off, not giving Dasha the chance to ask another question.
MW: This next match could be fascinating. Go Shihei debuted at Resurrection and dominated Henry Harrison. Clutch McCloud has shown a major mean streak recently.
SD: I believe Jim Houston is looking at this match maybe as. Free-1 qualifier. The winner of this one will really start to build themselves as a major player in FPW.
‘Fury, Oh Fury’ begins as darkness falls around the arena. Once the intro ends then lights turn red and white and Go Shihei walks onto the ramp, accompanied by Kate Mustang. He walks down the ramp with purpose, but suddenly Clutch attacks Shihei from behind, throwing a chair into his face and nailing him with a running TarHEEL that sends him into the apron! He drills Shihei with repeated elbow blows to the head, stunning the large man before he goes for a running Technical Foul-BUT SHIHEI NAILS CLUTCH WITH A BRUTAL LARIAT THAT NEARLY DECAPITATES HIM, SPINNING HIM AROUND FOR SHIHEI TO CATCH HIM AND TOSS HIM BACK INTO THE APRON WITH A BACK BODY DROP! Shihei grabs Clutch and lays him against the ring post, nailing him with a series of chops, but as he goes for one final one, Clutch moves out of the way and Shihei nails the post with his hand!
The large Japanese man looks to be in agonizing pain as he steps off of the buckle, but Clutch isn’t done, planting Shihei’s wrist and hand against the post before he nails it again with a brutal TarHEEL! Shihei cries out as Clutch lines up for a discus elbow and NAILS Shihei with a low-angle elbow to the skull, before Clutch throws him into the ring, following him in and screaming at the ref to start the fucking match.
Match 3: Clutch McCloud v Go Shihei (written by Baker):
Clutch goes for an early pin on Shihei, looking to take advantage of the damage he’s caused.
ONE!
TW-NO! But Shihei kicks out!
Go Shihei tries to get back to his feet, but Clutch is quick to try and put more abuse on him, nailing him with brutal kicks as he tries to get back to his feet. Clutch tries to grab Shihei and pull him up for a Belly to Back suplex, but the Japanese giant is having none of it and he smashes Clutch repeatedly with elbow strikes to the head and face, forcing Clutch to drop him. He goes for a lariat on Clutch, but Clutch moves out of the way at the last second before whirling around for a discus forearm-TECHNICAL FOUL TO GO SHIHEI!
Shihei stumbles, not quite down, and Clutch lines up for TarHEEL-BUT SHIHEI CATCHES HIM FOR A POWERBOMB AS HE RUNS FORWARD! CLUTCH LOOKS LOST AS SHIHEI RUNS HIM INTO THE CORNER-BUCKLE BOMB TO CLUTCH MCCLOUD!
The crowd appears to get behind Shihei as he adjusts his mouthguard, spitting into the ring before he grabs Clutch once again. He throws Clutch into the opposing corner and goes for a running back elbow, but Clutch ducks out of the way, sending Shihei crashing into the buckles! Clutch begins drilling Shihei with repeated chops and strikes to the head and chest before he grabs Shihei’s damaged arm and wrings it around the ring-post, lining his elbow up with the post-AND YANKING IT BACK TO CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE!
Shihei screams out in pain once again, and Clutch looks to take advantage by nailing him with a jumping spin kick, then following up with a Dragon Suplex, but Shihei’s good arm nails Clutch in the face before he can plant Shihei! Clutch stumbles toward the ropes, and Shihei, with a warcry, SLAMS INTO CLUTCH WITH A MASSIVE CROSSBODY THAT SENDS BOTH MEN TO THE OUTSIDE! Both Clutch and Shihei lay outside the ring, both trying to get back to their feet before Shihei manages to get up first. He drags Clutch to the metal barricade and plants his head against it, stomping and running-BIG BOOT THAT SENDS CLUTCH’S HEAD INTO THE METAL BARRICADE AND RATTLES HIM! Clutch appears to be out for the moment as Shihei wrings his arm out once again and takes in the cheers of the crowd.
Shihei reaches under the ring and removes a table, setting it up before turning around to yank Clutch up, but Clutch’s feint is revealed as he immediately begins drilling Shihei with repeated strikes to the chest and face to disorient him. Clutch nails Shihei with an Enziguri, and then another jumping spin kick, before laying him out on the table. He goes high, climbing into the ring despite the referee’s opposition, and with a running start, goes for his springboard moonsault, HITTING IT AND PUTTING BOTH HE AND SHIHEI THROUGH THE TABLE! Clutch is faster to recover than Shihei, and he yanks him to his base, throwing him back into the ring. He goes for a cover.
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-NO! Go Shihei kicks out!
Clutch looks frustrated as he yanks Shihei up and plants him against the ropes before he gets a running start and goes for his TarHEEL once again, but Shihei backdrops Clutch over the ropes and sends him to the outside! Shihei hits the ropes, watching as Clutch tries to get back to his feet quickly-AND NAILS CLUTCH WITH A MASSIVE SENTON OVER THE TOP ROPE! Both men crash to the ground again, and begin battering one another on the outside, ignoring the count of the referee as it reaches five, ten, fifteen, but at seventeen, after receiving an absolutely brutal striking combination, Clutch throws Shihei back in the ring and follows him back in, lining up in the corner for his punt kick! He stops his foot, running forward to punt Shihei-BUT SHIHEI BACKS OUT OF THE WAY! SHIHEI GRABS CLUTCH WITH A TIGER SUPLEX AND PLANTS HIM WITH A BRIDGE!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-CLUTCH KICKS OUT!
Shihei slaps himself in the face a few times before looking back to Clutch, motioning for him to get back to his feet. Clutch, however, relents a bit, hoping to feint Shihei once again, and as Shihei goes to grab him, Clutch grabs his injured arm in an arm wrench before nailing it with a pele kick! Shihei falls back in pain, and Clutch begins relentlessly targeting his arm, attempting to even lock in a hold on Shihei’s arm, but Shihei fights against it, eventually yanking Clutch up into the air and slamming him into the canvas to break the hold! Shihei looks like he’s on the ropes, the damage and pain from his arm taking a toll on him. He looks to end the match, going high for his Year of the Toad, but as he launches, Clutch manages to roll out of the way! Clutch hits the ropes, going for a Springboard Moonsault onto Shihei’s arm and causing him to cry out in pain once more.
Clutch yanks Shihei up one more time and begins nailing him with repeated strikes, uppercuts, and eventually a shining wizard that sends him stumbling into the corner! He lines up, nailing Shihei in the corner with a massive running Enziguri, and then a flying back elbow that stuns him! He lines up for the TarHEEL to Shihei in the corner, but Shihei ducks out of the way this time and nearly locks up Clutch’s knee as he slams into the turnbuckle full force! Clutch cries out in pain, and Shihei grabs him with a German Suplex, launching him into the opposite side of the ring. He runs, and nails a massive running senton to the legs of Clutch McCloud!
Clutch cries out in pain as Shihei stalks him, watching him like a lion as he slowly gets back to his knees. His striking leg appears to be badly damaged, but Clutch isn’t giving the fight up yet as he goes for a Technical Foul on the approaching Shihei that Shihei just nearly ducks, before going for a Lariat himself that Clutch manages to avoid! Clutch nearly kills Shihei on the come-around with a spinning back kick, but as he goes for another series of kicks and strikes, Shihei manages to break through with a massive lariat that nearly decapitates Clutch! Shihei draws a line across his throat, lining up in the corner-and nailing Clutch with another massive discus lariat! He goes for a pin on Clutch McCloud!
ONE!
TWO!!
THR-CLUTCH KICKS OUT!
Shihei sighs, and goes high once more for the Year of the Toad, leaping AND HITTING THE MASSIVE SPLASH ON CLUTCH MCCLOUD! THIS ONE’S OVER, SHIHEI GOES FOR THE PIN!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-NO!!!! CLUTCH KICKS OUT!
Clutch gets one final burst of offense in on Shihei, to the point that Shihei can’t withstand it, laying in elbow after elbow, but Shihei begins to strike back, kicking Clutch in his injured leg repeatedly, causing him to stumble. Clutch falls to a knee, and Shihei yanks him up in the air into a powerbomb position with one arm doing most of the lifting-AND PLANTS HIM WITH A SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-As Clutch kicks out, Shihei immediately hefts him into position for a leaping reverse piledriver-AND HE PLANTS CLUTCH INTO THE CANVAS! Clutch goes limp, and Shihei rolls him over for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Winner: Go Shihei
Backstage, Jerry and Berry Bishop are walking back to the locker room when they suddenly stop. MDE stands in their way, applauding. Jerry instinctively steps in front of Berry again.
MDE: Well done. A win for The Bishops. That's the first win you've had this year, isn't it, Jerry? Although you can hardly claim it for yourself. That was some great technique to break the knee bar, Berry. You're getting seriously good. If you had Jerry at his full potential the two of you walk this tournament. I can help you with that… if you like.
JB: Get away from us.
MDE: Surely you can't be happy, Jerry? I saw you after the match. You knew. You tried to protect Berry from George Jackson but it was Berry who had to protect you. But at least nobody can say you don't care. The only thing of worth you did in that match was take that kick to keep Berry in it. I know you want to be back to the Free-1 finalist, Judgement Day semi-main-eventing Jerry Bishop that you were last year. I can do that for you, Jerry. You need confidence. You need a killer instinct. You need a plan. I can give you all that. You know that you'll accept my help one day.
JB: Get-
BB: MDE, you helped me to be a better wrestler, but if you think my brother is going to accept anything from you then you're far less intelligent than you say you are. If I remember right, last time you were in an FPW ring, you were losing to me. What gives you any right to teach him anything?
MDE: Look in his eyes. He knows exactly what I can do for him. If he can do it by himself, I'll give him credit, but he can't. You need me, Jerry. Soon enough you'll wake up to that fact.
MDE walks off as Jerry turns and stares him down. Berry tries to lead Jerry away but he resists for a moment before turning and walking on, kicking out at a piece of trash on the floor.
MW: Bobby O may not be fully focussed on his opponent tonight-
SD: But he should be. James Saturn is one of the best in FPW and one of the best in the world. If Bobby doesn't focus on him, he loses this match. End of story.
MW: You might be right. Bobby O has a big match with his former partner Jack Sevren at the finals, and his mind may be on that, but James Saturn with a win tonight would keep him very much in title contention.
SD: If there's any justice, it'll be Marcus v Saturn the next time the belt is defended.
“White Knuckles” began playing from the arena speakers, and the fans began to boo in anticipation of James Saturn’s appearance. Saturn appeared at the top of the ramp, shaking his head at the reception before beginning to walk to the ring.
In the ring, Dasha Banks began the introductions. “The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Portland Oregon, James Saturn!”
James vaulted over the top rope and posed in the ring before settling into a corner and awaiting his opponent. “This Means War” replaced Saturn’s music, and the crowd cheered as the intro played, then went silent as it paused. Bobby O walked onstage and popped his collar as the music kicked back in, prompting another wave of cheers from the crowd.
“And introducing his opponent, from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Bobby, O!”
Bobby climbed into the ring and leaned over the top, smiling at the fans.
MW: “The fans here are always happy to see Bobby, especially tonight after suffering a betrayal from Jack Sevren, and it looks like Bobby’s happy to see them too.”
SD: “I don’t know Mike, that smile looks a little forced to me…”
Match 4: Bobby O v James Saturn (written by Mason):
The referee called for the bell, and both men advanced into a lock up. The each shifted their weight, jockeying for position, before Bobby began shoving James backwards towards the corner. But before James found himself trapped, he reversed the position so that Bobby wound up with his back against the turnbuckles. The ref stepped in to initiate a break, and they untangled their arms from the tie-up. But James quickly reached in and lightly slapped Bobby across the face, backing away from any retaliation. Both men tied up again, and Bobby took control again, stepping around and locking in a waistlock. He drove Saturn into the ropes and rolled backwards to attempt an O’Connor roll, but James held onto the ropes. Saturn turned around as Bobby stood up and slapped him in the face again, harder this time. Bobby tried to retaliate with a right hand, but Saturn ducked the strike and quickly struck with a back suplex. Bobby quickly rose back to his feet, and Saturn wasted no time applying a side headlock. Bobby struggled for a moment before working his way to the ropes, first leaning into them and then shifting his momentum to shove Saturn across the ring. Saturn rebounded, and Bobby went for a double leg takedown, only for James to sprawl out on top of him. Saturn drove his chest into Bobby’s back and rotated several times, lightly slapping Bobby’s head again as he stood up and smirking at the crowd as they booed him.
MW: “Saturn clearly not making any friends among the FPW fans here with his treatment of Bobby O.”
SD: “But he doesn’t have to worry about that, he’s focusing on his match, and in that match, he’s been outmaneuvering Bobby at every exchange.”
The camera caught a glimpse of Bobby’s rage-filled eyes as he stood up, prompting Mike to ask, “do you think he’s intentionally angering Bobby?”
SD: “Oh I thought it was obvious. Of course it’s intentional, and angry opponent is a careless opponent. And it shouldn’t take me to tell you that a careless opponent is an easily beaten opponent.”
Bobby tried for a lockup once more, and Saturn obliged, the two of them fighting for control again. James trapped Bobby with another side headlock. He applied pressure, cranking on Bobby’s neck a few times before he broke free and locked Saturn into a wristlock. A pained expression cames over Saturn’s face as Bobby cranked on his arm. He tried to pull himself free, but Bobby's grip would not be broken. At least until Saturn used his free hand to strike Bobby's arm, forcing him to let go and allowing James to connect with yet another slap to the face.
The echo from the slap was still ringing throughout the arena as Bobby let out a shout and went on the offensive, hammering Saturn with a pair of punches, one to the head and the other to the midsection, before he grabbed him behind the neck and pulled his head downwards into range of a pair of vicious knee strike. Saturn reared back, rocked, leaving him open for Bobby to grab him around the waist and drive him into the corner. With Saturn trapped, Bobby began laying into him with strikes.
MW: “If Saturn was planning on making Bobby angry, he's certainly succeeded, but I don't think it's gone the way he wanted it to.”
At the referee's insistence, Bobby backed out of the corner, allowing Saturn a moment to recover before he charged back in and flattened him with a corner clothesline. Bobby grabbed Saturn's wrist and whipped him into the opposite corner, then ran in after him and connected with another powerful clothesline. He repeated this action, whipping Saturn back across the ring and following him into the corner. But as he drew close, Saturn dove to the side, sending Bobby crashing into the turnbuckles. Saturn stood up as Bobby turned around, and when Bobby charged at him, he pulled him down with a drop toe hold, then quickly rose and jumped up, driving his feet into Bobby's back before turning him over and hooking the leg for a cover.
...1!.Kick-out!
James maintained his hold on Bobby's leg and turned him over to set up Saturn's walls. Bobby quickly dragged himself to the ropes to force a break before he could fully sit back on the submission. Saturn let go, and Bobby pulled himself onto the apron and stood up, only for Saturn to run forward and drive him to the floor with a European uppercut. As Bobby stood back up, James alternated looking at him and at the far side of the ring. He looked out into the crowd, an intense expression on his face and nodded several time before he ran across to the far ropes and rebounded, charging towards Bobby on the outside. But instead of flying through the ropes, James leaped onto the second rope and backflipped back into the ring, shaking his head at the fans as he stood back up. One fan in the front row yelled something at him, at Saturn yelled back, leaning into the ropes on that side of the ring as he searched for the culprit. Meanwhile, Bobby rolled into the ring and eyed Saturn from behind. Saturn finished his verbal abuse and turned back around, only for Bobby to rush him and take him down with a dropkick. Saturn stood back up as Bobby hit the ropes, and Bobby levelled him with another dropkick. Bobby stood up and crouched slightly as Saturn returned to his feet, then lifted him onto his shoulders. He made to begin a move, but Saturn raked his eyes, and as Bobby stumbled, James slipped off his shoulders. Bobby turned around, and Saturn connected with an enzuigiri that rocked him. Saturn grabbed him by the wrist, preventing him from falling, and pulled him into a hip toss. As Bobby landed, Saturn launched into a cartwheel, then hit a basement dropkick as he straightened up. Bobby fell back, and Saturn went for another cover.
...1!..Kick-out!
MW: “Saturn incorporating some offense from another renowned high-flyer in this fight with Bobby O.”
SD: “If it works, who cares where it came from?”
Saturn stood up and backed into a corner, eyeing Bobby as he rose. Bobby turned to face him, and James charged flattening his opponent with a lariat. And without missing a beat, Saturn sprang to the middle rope and launched himself into a moonsault! But Bobby brought his knees up! James crashed chest-first into the upraised legs and rolled off of Bobby. Saturn was on all fours, clutching his midsection as Bobby stood up, and Bobby quickly capitalized, running forward and driving his head into the mat with a curb stomp.
MW: “Bobby going for a cover after that impressive reversal!”
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Bobby stood up and bent down to grab Saturn to continue inflicting punishment, but Saturn rolled to the outside of the ring. The crowd booed as Saturn landed on his feet and slowly began walking around the ring, catching his breath. Back in the ring, Bobby gritted his teeth and climbed to the outside of the ring as well, putting himself in front of James as he continued to walk around the ring. James rounded the corner and suddenly saw Bobby in front of him. A smile spread across his face, and he spread his arms as he backed up several steps. Bobby began walking towards him, and Saturn accelerated his retreat. He backed around the corner again, and as Bobby followed, he unleashed a quick punch. Bobby caught his wrist, and Saturn had just enough time to look worried before Bobby pulled him into a massive clothesline. Bobby maintained his grip on Saturn’s arm and pulled him back up before whipping him hard into the barricade. Saturn arched his back in pain, and Bobby added to the discomfort by running forward and driving his knee into his gut. Bobby locked eyes with the ref and nodded as he told him to get the fight back in the ring, whipping Saturn into the ring. He began climbing the turnbuckles, keeping a watchful eye on Saturn as he did so. As he reached the top rope, he made sure Saturn hadn’t moved, then leapt off and connected with a flying elbow drop! He quickly hooked a leg for the cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Unlike his previous cover, Bobby made sure to keep hold of his opponent, lifting Saturn into a front facelock. He quickly lifted and dropped Saturn with a snap suplex, but he wasn’t finished there. Bobby rolled over and transitioned his grip into a waistlock, draping James’ arm over his head as he stood up. He once again lifted Saturn into the air and brought him down with a back suplex. He rolled over one more time and maintained his wristlock, pulling Saturn up and into a german suplex, but James flipped out and landed on his feet! Bobby sat up, and Saturn drilled him with a shining wizard to the back of the head! Saturn leaned against the ropes for a moment as Bobby sat up, before running back towards him. But Bobby shot to his feet and met Saturn with a Michinoku driver out of nowhere! He pulled one of Saturn’s legs in to make the cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Bobby stood up and lifted James with him, whipping him into the ropes. Saturn rebounded, and as he drew near, Bobby lifted him into the air before bringing him back down with a powerbomb. Saturn collapsed, and Bobby dropped to all fours, carefully eyeing his opponent.
MW: “Bobby stalking James Saturn here after connecting with that pop-up powerbomb.”
SD: “And I think we all know what he’s looking for…”
Saturn shakily stood up, and Bobby rose to his feet, ready to hit the RKO, but as this was happening, a hooded figure jumped over the barricade and climbed onto the apron. Bobby stared as the figure slowly raised their arm and lowered their hood, revealing Jack Sevren! The crowd exploded as Sevren pointed at Bobby and said something that prompted Bobby to rush forward and swing at Jack. But Jack simply dropped off the apron and waved, then pointed behind Bobby. Bobby turned around, right into a superkick from James Saturn! Bobby collapsed, and Saturn dropped into a cover.
MW: “No! Not like this!”
..1!...2!...3!
Winner: James Saturn.
“White Knuckles” played over the speakers again and Saturn sat up and raised his arm in victory.
SD: “Why not like this, Watson? Saturn won the match, and that’s all that matters. Who cares how he did so?”
MW: “Jack Sevren tainting the end of a great match between Bobby O and James Saturn, handing Saturn the victory over his former tag team partner.. But Bobby will have a chance at payback in two weeks time, and I for one, can’t wait to see it.”
Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Graham Baker.
DB: Thank you for joining me, Graham. Last week-
GB: I hate to be rude, Dasha, but I have one thing to say and one thing only. Marcus Allen Jones. I know you're near enough to this building tonight to get here. After the main event, I'll be in the ring. Bring TakeOver. Bring whatever you want. There's not a fucking thing that can save you from me.
Baker walks off with a purpose and Dasha gives the cameraman a frustrated look.
MW: It's now time for our main event as Death Squad, the only team to hold a victory over The Guardians of Strong Style, albeit in triple threat action, will face The Guardians for the Tag Team Championships.
SD: Masterful work by Ava Knight. Death Squad pinned The Queendom. They don't have a claim to the titles, but she managed to goad Sato into accepting her challenge. They don't even have to win the All Star Tag Team Classic to get a shot at the titles. Sato and his team have rushed into this and I hope they're ready.
MW: I believe that you may be correct. But let's remember this: Death Squad didn't pin either Tchyukiro or Takahara. Nobody in FPW has. They won the match by defeating The Queendom. If they win tonight, it'll be even more impressive.
The lights in the arena go down, a klaxon rings out, and the lights flash red like warning sirens. They cease, and smoke pours out of the stage as Ava Knight walks forward and lifts a microphone to her face.
"Rejoice, and be happy! Opportunity knocked...and Death has answered."
The klaxon ceases ringing as "Let's Go" by Run The Jewels rings out, and two men in balaclavas with skull designs on them emerge from behind Knight. Both men wear skull masks, military-style tactical harnesses, and wrestling gear that varies-the taller one wears a pair of trunks that go midway down his thigh, kneepads and boots, while the shorter one wears a pair of striking shorts, wrapped fists, kneepads and boots that bridge the kneepads. They both pull their masks and vests off, dropping them to reveal Aiden Balmer and Evan Rorsche- Death Squad! Both men rush to the ring as they look to Knight, and slide, raising their arms and taking in the boos of the fans. Balmer abuses them back while Rorsche merely growls at them.
Quickly, the introduction to The Guardians of Strong Style’s music plays and the fans cheer as Sato emerges, holding both belts himself, and bows to the fans. As the intro ends, Tchyukiro and Takahara come onto the stage and bow to the fans before all three make their way towards the ring, moving with a purpose.
Match 5: FPW Tag Team Championships: The Guardians of Strong Style v Death Squad:
Before The Guardians can make it to the ring, Balmer and Rorsche leave the ring and take the attack to the champions. Balmer engages with Takahara while Rorsche throws Tchyukiro into the guardrail and stomps viciously on him. Balmer and Takahara exchange forearms before Balmer lands a low blow and throws Takahara into the rail too. Both of Death Squad lay into their opponents with kicks and straight punches. Sato and the official both try to separate them, but Rorsche turns to Sato and throws him into the guardrail before dumping him into the crowd. With both of the champions down, Death Squad pull Tchyukiro to his feet and throw him into the ring apron before driving him head-first into the ring post. They then throw him into the guardrail again before Rorsche connects with a devastating running knee. Before Tchyukiro can drop to the floor, Balmer grabs him and lifts him for a powerbomb, throwing him into the guardrail and leaving him crumpled.
At that point, Takahara makes it to his feet and lands a mid-kick to take out Rorsche, but Balmer runs at him and takes him down from behind before rolling him into the ring. The official reluctantly rings the bell once Balmer follows, making an immediate cover, 1-no. Takahara kicks out. Before Takahara can get to his feet, Balmer lands a series of kicks before connecting with a senton. He then drags Takahara up and connects with a snap suplex before covering him again, 1-2-no. Takahara again manages to kick out. Rorsche calls for the tag and Balmer goes to the corner, tagging him in. Rorsche enters and lets off a flurry of forearms to Takahara, who remains down. Rorsche stands and gives the fans a volley of abuse before Takahara sits up, blood trickling down his face after the series of strikes.
MW: I've never seen The Guardians of Strong Style dominated in this fashion before.
SD: These fans don't like it, but Death Squad are the real deal.
MW: I'd love to see how they go without attacking the champions before the bell though.
SD: It’s good strategy.
MW: It's cheating.
SD: Nope. Good strategy.
MW: Let's agree to disagree.
SD: I don't agree to that.
Takahara puts a hand to his face and looks at it, seeing the blood. His head turns to Rorsche, a look of defiant intensity in his eyes as he begins to climb to his feet, but he's cut off by a vicious sliding knee. Rorsche laughs as he covers Takahara, 1-2-no. Takahara again manages to kick out, but he's taking longer and longer. Rorsche slaps Takahara across the face before tagging in Balmer, who climbs to the top rope as Rorsche picks up Takahara. Rorsche steps aside as Balmer comes down with a huge crossbody, landing on Takahara for the cover, 1-2-no. Takahara gets a shoulder up.
Balmer hooks an arm under the raised shoulder of Takahara and pulls him up into a half-nelson, from which he delivers a half-nelson backbreaker over his knee. Takahara bounces into the air before landing hard on the mat and Balmer climbs up to the top rope once again. He sets himself before landing a frog splash onto one half of the Tag Team Champions and holding for another cover, 1-2-no. Again Takahara manages to get a shoulder up. Balmer tags in Rorsche again and he swaggers into the ring before striking Takahara with a massive superkick as he sits up. With Takahara flat on his back, Rorsche grabs his wrist and pulls him up, setting him up for a ripcord. He spins him out and goes for a discus elbow, but Takahara absorbs it with a loud cry and doesn't go down. Rorsche stares at him in disbelief before aiming another discus elbow at Takahara, which staggers him, but again he doesn't go down. With Takahara staggering still, Rorsche tags in Balmer, who climbs to the top rope and comes down with another cross-body, but Takahara absorbs that too, allowing Balmer to bounce off him as the fans roar in approval.
MW: Hiro Takahara showing why he truly is a guardian of strong style!
SD: And look! Masa Tchyukiro is back on the apron and he's calling for the tag.
MW: Out champions are about to back in business.
Takahara just manages to get himself to the corner where he tags in Tchyukiro, who comes in and delivers a hard running lariat to Rorsche, who entered the ring just after the tag was made. He turns to Balmer and drives at him with a series of forearms, backing him into the corner. There, he lays into him with knife-edged chops until Rorsche aims a hard kick to Tchyukiro’s back. Tchyukiro shrugs it off and turns, staring daggers at Rorsche, who looks like he's seen a ghost. Tchyukiro lands a hard forearm to Rorsche and throws him into the corner too, leaving both of Death Squad open to be chopped by alternate hands over and over and over as the crowd is whipped into a frenzy.
After a series of chops, Tchyukiro rolls Balmer into the middle of the ring and allows Rorsche to collapse. He hits the ropes and delivers a sliding lariat to Balmer before hitting the opposite corner and running at Rorsche, delivering another sliding lariat, this time in the corner. He stands and whips up the fans as he stalks Balmer. Balmer stands and Tchyukiro connects with a release German suplex. As Rorsche also makes it to his feet, Tchyukiro beckons him towards him. Rorsche runs at him but Tchyukiro hits him with a power slam. Tchyukiro turns back to Balmer, who rests in the corner, and runs at him, delivering a lariat that sends him a couple of steps out of the corner before he collapses in a heap. Tchyukiro climbs to the top rope and delivers a kokeshi headbutt before making a cover, 1-2-no! Balmer just gets a shoulder up.
With the fans cheering loudly, Tchyukiro tags in Takahara, who comes in and delivers a series of hard kicks to Rorsche. Tchyukiro then delivers a lariat to send Rorsche to the outside as The Guardians of Strong Style prepare to finish the match. Balmer slowly climbs to his feet as Tchyukiro and Takahara stalk him, before they run at him and deliver stereo forearms to the face and back of his head. Balmer folds to the floor and Takahara makes a cover, 1-2-…….. the official disappears from view as Rorsche pulls him out, striking him with a right hand and leaving him lying on the floor outside the ring. Tchyukiro and Takahara realise what has happened and they exit the ring, closing in on Rorsche.
MW: Evan Rorsche is about to regret what he just did.
SD: Don't be so sure. Here comes Ava Knight!
Knight, steel chair in hand, strikes Tchyukiro across the back. He drops to one knee as Rorsche connects with a low-blow to Takahara, who also drops to one knee. Knight throws the chair to Rorsche, who delivers skull-crushing chair shots across the heads of both of The Guardians of Strong Style. Each of the champions drop to the floor and Rorsche and Knight, who picks up a second chair, drive the point of the chairs into their ribs. The boos of the fans turn to cheers as Sato spins Rorsche around, gripping the chair and trying to wrestle it from his hands. Rorsche, surprised by Sato, relinquishes the chair and Sato holds it high in the air, ready to strike him, only for Balmer to catch it and claim it as his own. Sato turns and Balmer drives the chair down into his skull, causing Sato to crumple.
MW: That man is not a wrestler!
SD: He chose to get involved. He chose to put himself in harm’s way. It's his own fault.
MW: You can't strike a manager. He had no choice but to do what he did. He was protecting his team from this heinous attack.
SD: And Aiden Balmer was protecting his teammate. There's no difference.
MW: There's every difference.
Death Squad smile at one another as Rorsche helps Balmer lift Tchyukiro. Balmer sets him up in a powerbomb position as Rorsche sets up both of the chairs. Balmer powerbombs Tchyukiro onto the chairs, but he lifts him again, delivering Balmer’s Hammer and slamming Tchyukiro four times onto the chairs. Rorsche and Balmer then lift Takahara and roll him into the ring. Takahara stands as Death Squad enter and he calls them forward. Rorsche and Balmer advance on him but he stands his ground, aiming forearms at both men and, for a time, gaining the advantage. However, it doesn't take long for Death Squad to reclaim that advantage, Balmer landing yet another low blow before calling for a chair. Knight sends one in and Balmer pulls Takahara into a piledriver position, hitting The Ender directly onto the chair before sliding it out of the ring as Rorsche rolls the official in. Balmer makes the cover as the official slowly counts, 1…. 2……. 3.
Winners and new FPW Tag Team Champions: Death Squad.
The fans boo loudly as Ava Knight brings the Tag Team Championships into the ring. Balmer and Rorsche each take one and hold them up, each man placing a foot onto Hiro Takahara. Knight forces the official to raise their hands as they are announced as the new FPW Tag Team Champions and the boos intensify from the crowd.
MW: And there they are. Death Squad. Somehow they've been allowed to cheat so blatantly, so disgustingly, and they, for shame, are our new FPW Tag Team Champions.
SD: Cheating is just an approach that is out of the mainstream. They had a plan for how to win the match and they executed it perfectly.
MW: Perfectly? How about when they had to knock out a referee because they were about to lose? How about that? Was that in their perfect plan?
SD: No, I guess not. But the important thing is that Death Squad are our new FPW Tag Team Champions!
MW: But for how long? Surely a rematch will be awarded to The Guardians of Strong Style? Surely they'll get their chance to make things right?
As Death Squad leave the arena, ‘DNA’ plays and Graham Baker walks through the curtain, not bothering with his usual entrance as he marches down the ramp, FPW Championship in one hand and a bardbed wire bat in another. He enters the ring, lays the title down in front of him and stands with the bat in his hands, calling for Marcus Allen Jones to make his way down to the ring. After a few moments, the crowd begins to gasp as Sarah Daniels, George Jackson, Haych and Dario emerge through the crowd and climb the guardrails. They stand on all four sides of the ring, Baker holding the bat as Marcus walks out onto the ramp. He stares at Baker with a grin on his face and then beckons the rest of TakeOver to go and get him.
They climb into the ring and Baker swings the bat at each of them, taking down Haych and Jackson quickly before Dario and Daniels get on top of him. Baker manages to fight them off, driving the bat down on Daniels’ head before hitting Dario in the gut with it and then ramming the point of the bat into the back of his head. Baker turns and Marcus is standing behind him. Marcus wastes no time in laying into him with right hands as Baker drops the bat. Marcus drives him back into a corner and keeps laying into him before Baker recovers, fighting back and forcing Marcus back from the corner. The two men stand and exchange right hands before a team of security rush the ring. They try to separate the two men but Marcus and Baker take down each of them before going back to their exchange.
Jim Houston strides out onto the ramp and beckons down more security as well as a series of roster members, who run down to the ring and try to separate the two again. Marcus and Baker manage to fight off some of them but sheer weight of numbers forces them apart. Both men try to reach each other from opposite corners of the ring but they can't make it past all of the security and wrestlers holding them back. The two shout across at each other as the footage fades.
