Post by Jim Houston on Jun 2, 2019 8:53:22 GMT
The show begins with a promo package, showcasing the best of tag tea, wrestling in FPW. It shows the initial Tag Team Championship tournament and the beginning of the reign of The Invaders. It then shows Bobby O and Jack Sevren winning the first All Star Tag Team Classic and then going on to win the titles. It highlights their feud with The Invaders before The Guardians of Strong Style’s emergence takes over and it shows them winning the belts. It then shows highlights of each of the All Star Tag Team Classic II quarter-final matches, showing Death Squad, Marcus n’Morgan, Jace Mason and Aaron Williams and The Bishops making it to the semi-finals. It then shows Death Squad taking the Tag Team Championships from The Guardians of Strong Style before ending with soundbites from each team still in the tournament.
MW: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the finals of the second edition of Freedom Pro Wrestling’s All Star Tag Team Classic. I’m Mike Watson and I’m joined as-
SD: Yea, yeah, yeah. All Star Tag Team Classic II, hype, hype, hype. Tonight we finally see Marcus Allen Jones regain the title that is still rightfully his. Inside Hell in a Cell, Graham Baker has nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
MW: Well I wasn’t planning to mention tonight’s main event just yet, but seeing as you already have, let’s go there. For months and months, ever since losing the FPW Championship to Graham Baker, all Marcus Allen Jones has been doing is tormenting Baker and tormenting Jim Houston in an attempt to get his rematch. Tonight he gets it, but there will be no TakeOver interference, no numbers game. The match will take place inside Hell in a Cell and there will be no escape for either man. The best man will emerge as FPW Champion.
SD: And that man will be Marcus Allen Jones.
MW: It may or may not. That’s for later tonight. Let’s get straight to our first semi-final of the All Star Tag Team Classic. These two teams made it through against TakeOver opponents and now this match is somewhat of a dream match. Aaron Williams and Jace Mason, perhaps an unlikely team, performed well in their quarter-final and they take on the fun-loving, but somewhat troubled, siblings: Jerry and Berry Bishop.
‘I Still Believe’ begins to play and Aaron Williams emerges onto the stage, pumping up the crowd and singing loudly along to the song. The fans join in and, at the usual point, Williams leaps up into the air before holding up a hand. The music stops as Williams turns and points back to the entrance. ‘Afterlife’ takes over on the speakers and Jace Mason emerges onto the stage, posing as usual as the pyro explodes. He and Williams bump fists as they walk down the ramp together, each slapping hands of fans. Williams does his usual of allowing a young fan to sign his kneepad while Mason climbs the turnbuckles and holds up the Freedom Championship. Williams then slides into the ring to join him and the two pump up the crowd before embracing and turning to look at the All Star Tag Team Classic trophy which sits just next to the announcers’ desk.
The fans applaud Mason and Williams before settling into a duelling ‘Be-rry Bi-shop’ and ‘Je-rry Bi-shop’ chant, which rolls around the arena for some time before ‘The Comedian’s Gallop’ begins to play. Jerry and Berry emerge together, both bowing deeply to the fans before moving down the ramp in their own unique manners- Jerry dance conducting while Berry hopscotches. When they reach the bottom of the ramp, they both do a circuit of the fans, slapping hands and smiling before crossing over and doing the same on the other side of the arena. They then slide into the ring and nod at Williams and Mason before settling into their corner. The official checks over them before Jerry and Mason leave the ring.
Match 1: All Star Tag Team Classic Semi-Final I: Jace Mason and Aaron Williams v The Bishops:
Williams looks across at Berry and extends his hand. She moves forward quickly and shakes it as the fans clap. They then break apart and circle one another, locking up. Williams takes the early advantage and forces Berry into the ropes, whipping her across the ring and looking for a quick dropkick which takes her down. He makes a cover, 1-no. Berry kicks out and both competitors get quickly to their feet. Williams locks in a headlock and is quick to take Berry over, but Berry locks in a headscissors to force the break. They scramble to their feet again, Berry this time locking in the headlock and taking Williams over, but he too finds a headscissors and the hold is broken once again. They spring to their feet and stare each other down, both with smiles on their faces, before backing up and tagging in their partners.
Mason and Jerry enter the ring and Mason extends a hand for Jerry. He too shakes it and they too lock up. The lock-up is much more even, neither man giving much ground until Mason manages to control an arm and lock in a hammerlock. Jerry rolls through and takes Mason’s arm, wringing it and then kicking him in the gut. He immediately goes for a Russian leg-sweep and then makes a cover, 1-no. Mason kicks out quickly. As Mason is getting to his feet, Jerry connects with a knee to the gut and then whips him across the ring into the corner. He runs at him and connects with a running dropkick, sending Mason staggering out of the corner. Jerry then goes for a running bulldog and drives Mason face-first into the mat. He stands and the fans cheer loudly.
MW: Jerry Bishop on fire in the early going here! SD: He seems to have found some of that confidence of his. He’s a hard man to stop when he’s feeling like this.
MW: But it looks like Berry is ready to re-enter the match.
Berry calls for the tag and Jerry happily tags her in. She stalks Mason as he climbs to his feet and connects with several hard kicks, one to the back before a kick to the leg sends him to one knee and a kick to the chest takes him down. She then backs away and waits for Mason to sit up before running at him and connecting with a shining wizard. Berry makes a cover, 1-2-no. Mason kicks out. Berry then takes the arm and looks for a double wrist-lock, but Mason wriggles free and scrambles towards his corner. Berry catches his foot and tries to pull him back, but Mason staggers her with an enzeguiri before tagging in Aaron Williams. Williams enters the ring and ducks an attempted roundhouse kick from Berry, instead leaping onto the middle rope and taking her down with a springboard crossbody. He holds for a cover, 1-no. Berry kicks out.
Williams then stalks Berry before whipping her into the ropes and connecting with another dropkick. Berry hits the mat and Williams hits the ropes, rolling through before springing up and connecting with rolling thunder. He then pulls Berry to her feet and gets her into a vertical suplex position, lifting her before dumping her back down onto the top rope. Berry hangs there while Williams climbs to the top, but Jerry quickly comes across the pulls Berry away. Williams looks down at him before jumping down from the turnbuckle and holding his arms out. Jerry quickly enters the ring and squares up to Williams, but the two do little other than stare each other down.
MW: These fans are excited at the prospect of Jerry Bishop and Aaron Williams meeting in this ring tonight.
SD: As they should be. But it doesn’t look like either man especially wants to get into it right now.
MW: Jerry isn’t the legal man. Both men have a healthy respect for the rules, and, it seems, one another.
SD: Healthy?
The official guides Jerry back to his corner while Williams moves across and tags in Mason. He enters and immediately grasps Berry’s leg, stopping her from crawling over to Jerry. He pulls her up and whips her into his corner, where he runs at her and connects with a high knee. Berry rolls onto the mat and Mason balances himself on the top rope before leaping down and delivering a vicious double stomp. Instead of making the cover, Mason lifts Berry into a vertical suplex position and dumps her on the top rope again before tagging in Williams. The fans cheer as he climbs up to the top rope and Mason stands in front of Jerry, blocking him off. Williams connects with the 450 splash to Berry’s back and both of them fall to the canvas. Williams crawls across to Berry and makes a cover, 1-2-no. Berry manages to kick out.
Williams, holding his gut, calls for Berry to make it to her feet. As she pulls herself up on the ropes, he pulls her into position and lifts her before dropping her with a brainbuster to the knee. He makes another cover, 1-2-no. Again Berry manages to kick out. Jerry tries to pump up the crowd to help Berry out and most of them come with him, but Williams positions himself well, keeping himself between her and Jerry at all times. He lifts her up again and sends her into his corner before backing away and connecting with a big splash. He backs away again and connects with another, then another and another before Berry falls to a seated position. He then backs away one more time before charging at her and connecting with a cannonball, sending her rolling into the middle of the ring. Williams tags in Mason but he climbs to the top rope as Mason stands by. Williams connects with a swan-ton bomb and Mason makes an immediate cover, 1-2-no! Berry just manages to get a shoulder up.
MW: I thought this one was over just then! SD: So did I. Berry Bishop has certainly developed her resilience over the last few months.
MW: She sure has. But with her completely cut off from her corner, I don’t see how she can keep going for much longer.
Mason looks to capitalise on Berry being down, trying to set up the Last Chancery. Berry, however, gets a hand in between his hands and her chin, blocking him from locking the hold on properly. Mason tries to wrestle the hand away, but Berry keeps one of her hands in there, not allowing Mason to make the bridge. After a few moments, he gives in and tries to lift her, but Berry takes advantage, utilising her quickness to dart behind him and roll him through, connecting with a hard kick before diving to make the tag to Jerry.
The fans come to life, cheering as Jerry enters the ring and takes Mason down with a rolling elbow. He then sits up on the second turnbuckle and takes him down with a blockbuster, making a cover, 1-2-no. Mason kicks out. Jerry rolls out of the ring and waits on the apron. As Mason gets to his feet, Jerry leaps up and aims for a springboard forearm, but Mason catches him into a surprise Extra Credit! He makes the cover, 1-2-no! Berry manages to dive in and make the save. The three of them lie in the ring for a few moments as the crowd cheer Mason’s amazing counter.
MW: I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Spanish fly like that before! SD: Jace Mason calls himself the Eternal Student and he’s certainly been studying in order to pull that off. He’s got a long way to go, but if he can keep doing things like that, he’s going to get there.
MW: And now he looks to make the tag to the only man who seems fresh in this match.
Mason crawls over to Aaron Williams and tags him in. Williams comes in and quickly throws Berry over the top rope. He then turns to Jerry, who’s only just getting onto all fours, before hitting a running dropkick which sends him through the ropes as well. Williams backs away and pumps up the fans, who clap rhythmically as he charges towards the ropes and leaps over them, taking both Bishops down with a perfect tope con hilo. Williams springs up before grabbing Jerry and sending him back into the ring. He follows and then pulls Jerry in for a powerbomb backbreaker, which he hits, making a cover and hooking both legs, 1-2-no! Jerry barely gets a shoulder up. Williams looks down in despair as Mason calls for the tag. Williams tags him in and Mason climbs to the top rope. He comes down with a shooting star press onto Jerry and holds for the cover as Williams stops Berry, who’s trying to get back into the ring, from breaking it up, 1-2-no! Berry manages to drive herself and Williams onto Mason to break up the cover.
Mason gets quickly to his feet but he’s met by a barrage of kicks from Berry. She floors him with a roundhouse kick before leaping onto the middle rope and taking Williams down with a disaster kick. She then stalks Mason as he staggers to his feet and connects with a monkey flip to send him into the corner. Williams also gets to his feet but she hits a roundhouse kick on him to send him into the opposite corner. With both Jace Mason and Aaron Williams sat against the turnbuckles, Berry looks at both before charging at Mason and driving both knees into his face. She then turns and does the same to Williams. The fans cheer loudly as Jerry gets to his feet as well and he and Berry nod to one another.
MW: I think The Bishops are ready to take this match home.
SD: Could it be Jerry’s first victory? He is the legal man after all.
Jerry and Berry each lift one of their opponents and connect with parallel snapmares, leaving Williams and Mason sat next to one another in the middle of the ring. Both Bishops charge at them, Jerry at Mason and Berry at Williams, and complete their Touchstone Takedowns. Jerry falls onto Mason for the cover as the fans chant along with the official, 1-2-no! Mason kicks out and the fans are stunned into silence. Jerry can’t believe it. He takes a moment to recover as the official ushers Berry and Williams out of the ring, the later unable to stand on the apron.
Jerry then stands, pulling Mason up with him and trapping his arms. He looks around the arena before letting out a big, booming laugh. However, Mason manages to free his arms and he shoves Jerry backwards. Unseen by Mason, Berry makes a blind tag and, as Jerry staggers forward again, Mason connects with the Extra Credit. Before he can pin Jerry, Berry enters the ring and takes him down with Checkmate, making the cover and hooking both legs, 1-2-3.
Winners: The Bishops.
MW: I don’t believe it! Berry Bishop has pinned our Freedom Champion and The Bishops are into the final of the All Star Tag Team Classic.
SD: And once again it’s Berry Bishop who wins the match. She could see that Jerry was about to cost them the match- yet again- and she did what she had to do.
MW: I don’t know about costing them the match but Berry certainly made the right decision to tag herself in. I don’t think Jace Mason had any idea that a tag had been made. But nevertheless, The Bishops will be back later tonight to face either our Tag Team Champions Death Squad or the ALPHA Wrestling Tag Team Champions Marcus n’Morgan.
Berry helps Jerry up and they hug before the official raises the arms. Berry beams and Jerry smiles, but sighs as once again it was his sister who picked up the victory. After their arms are raised, Jerry and Berry look across the ring to see Mason and Williams nodding at them and applauding. The four of them meet in the middle of the ring and shake hands, Berry then pointing at the Freedom Championship that Jace Mason has over his shoulder. She signals that she beat him and Mason nods before holding up the belt.
MW: It would seem that Berry Bishop has just asked Jace Mason for a Freedom Championship match.
SD: And it would seem that Mason has accepted. That could be a very interesting match.
MW: And potentially a very dangerous one for Jace Mason. But that doesn’t matter right now. The Bishops have defeated Jace Mason and Aaron Williams and they are through to the All Star Tag Team Classic final.
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Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Bobby O.
DB: I’m joined right now by Bobby O. Bobby, you have a big match coming later tonight. Talk us through your mental state as you prepare to face the man you once considered your partner.
BO: He was my partner. This time last year, we were running through the field to win the All Star Tag Team Classic. That trophy out there has our names on it and it always will. It took us some time to gel as we had, shall we say, a rocky history, but we did gel and, if I may say so myself, we became the best tag team in FPW. But that wasn’t enough for Jack. I went and won the Dead Man’s Chest. Jack couldn’t beat Graham Baker that night to take his title show at Judgement Day. Who knows, maybe if he had, I’d have cashed in and we’d have been the main eventers for that show. But Jack changed that night. I didn’t see it at the time, but I see it now. He realised that maybe I was on track to be more successful than him once we finished teaming together. He was jealous. Even after I risked everything- trying to make up for my own mistake by using my Dead Man’s Chest for the good of our team- he wanted to end it. But that was fine. If Jack Sevren wanted to end things with me, he should have been a man about it and told me. He shouldn’t have walked away and let me face The Guardians of Strong Style by myself. But even then I wasn’t sure I wanted to face him. Jim Houston booked the match before I explained to him that I just wanted to talk to Jack. But then I talked to him…
DB: And now you do want to face him?
BO: Now I want to do more than face him. I want to beat him, yes, but I want more than that. And that’s why I have to be extremely careful. I came here from a dark place to make amends for the person I was. In the match tonight, I might become that person again. But after I take care of Jack, that person is dead. He’s the last obstacle. And tonight I will do what needs to be done.
Bobby walks away with a determined look on his face.
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MW: That match is coming up in a little bit, but up next we find out our second All Star Tag Team Classic finalist.
SD: I can’t wait for this match. Death Squad have taken Freedom Pro Wrestling by storm. They were the first team to beat Guardians of Strong Style and then they became the first team to score a pinfall victory over them too, becoming Tag Team Champions in the process. But they face one of the best tag teams in the world tonight. Marcus n’Morgan are the ALPHA Wrestling Tag Team Champions. They came this close to winning the ICW Tag Team Classic, a tournament by the way that The Guardians of Strong Style were in, and now their sights are set on the All Star Tag Team Classic and an FPW Tag Team Championship match.
MW: Of course, after the final of the ICW Tag Team Classic, Death Squad made their presence known and jumped Marcus n’Morgan, setting up quite the mouth-watering contest tonight.
The lights in the arena go down and the fans immediately begin to boo as a klaxon sounds and the lights flash red. As they stop, smoke pours out of the stage and Ava Knight walks forward, lifting a microphone.
“Rejoice, and be happy! Opportunity knocked… and Death has answered.”
The klaxon season as ‘Let’s Go’ begins to play. The fans boo louder than before as Evan Rorsche and Aiden Balmer emerge wearing their usual mis-matched gear. They rip off their masks and vests, revealing the FPW Tag Team Championships around their waists, before they rush the ring and slide in, followed by Ava Knight. The fans continue to abuse them and Balmer has to hold Rorsche back as he tries to get at one fan who he’s been having a strong back and forth with. The two of them remove their belts and hold them up as the fans boo even louder, before tossing them to the mat for the official to pick up.
The boos turn to a few cheers as ‘Feed the Wolf’ begins to play. At the end of the intro, Marcus and Tyler Morgan walk out together, ALPHA Tag Team Championships over their shoulders. They play to the crowd and the reaction gets louder before walking down the ramp and slapping hands. They give each other a nod, place their titles in their corner and then slide into the ring, squaring up immediately with Rorsche and Balmer. The two teams stand noses to noses as the official tries to prise them apart.
Match 2: All Star Tag Team Classic II Semi-Final II: Death Squad v Marcus n’Morgan:
As Marcus steps between the ropes to allow Morgan to begin the match, both Balmer and Rorsche jump Tyler Morgan. Rorsche connects with a superkick to the back of the head and Balmer immediately strikes with Naturally Gifted. Marcus charges back into the ring and aims right hands at Balmer and Rorsche but they overpower him and drive him into the corner, Rorsche laying into him with knee strikes followed by a series of mid kicks. Marcus drops to the mat and Rorsche forces him out of the ring before he and Balmer follow. The fans shout abuse at them but they ignore them and carry on their attack, driving Marcus headfirst into the ring post before Balmer throws him into the guardrail.
Death Squad lay into Marcus with a series of kicks before Balmer lifts him and hangs him over the guardrail. Rorsche takes a run up before delivering a cutter to drive the top of Marcus’ head into the floor. The fans gasp at the sickening sound it makes and Rorsche and Balmer smile before looking back to the ring, where Tyler Morgan is just pulling himself up to his feet. He looks down and sees what has happened to his partner before trying to climb out of the ring. However, as he steps through the ropes, Rorsche connects with a dropkick to his knee to leave him on all fours on the apron and Balmer springs up and connects with a devastating powerbomb onto the edge of the ring.
SD: Wow! If Marcus ever goes and I need a new best friend, remind me to call these guys.
MW: You can’t support this, Steven! They jumped Tyler Morgan while his back was turned and then they double team Marcus before another double team against Morgan again.
SD: It’s called intelligence and good tag team wrestling. Did you complain when Jerry and Berry teamed up in the last match? No you didn’t.
MW: But they didn’t jump anyone. Where was the handshake at the beginning of this match? Where’s the respect? Jerry and Berry showed respect and honour. These guys are just trash.
SD: Now, now, Watson. You have to give respect to get respect, remember.
Rorsche then rolls Tyler Morgan into the ring and makes a cover. The official is a little reluctant but he counts, 1-2-no! Morgan kicks out and the fans cheer loudly. Balmer immediately slides into the ring and he and Rorsche look to continue the double team, but the official forces him back. Morgan, meanwhile, fights off Evan Rorsche but, with the official distracted, Rorsche lands a low blow to keep Morgan down. Balmer leaves the ring just as Rorsche drives his knee into Morgan’s face before connecting with a spike DDT. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Again Morgan barely kicks out.
Rorsche then moves over to Balmer and makes a tag. Balmer comes in quickly, picking up Morgan and landing a snap suplex before popping his hips and pulling him up, this time transitioning into a half-nelson backbreaker. Balmer makes the cover this time, 1-2-no! Again Morgan just manages to kick out, but he’s doing so with less energy each time. The fans start to chant for Tyler Morgan but Balmer drives him into the corner and repeatedly chops him to quieten the fans quickly. The official forces him back at the count of four and Balmer tags Rorsche back in. Morgan staggers out of the corner and Rorsche comes in with a slingshot cutter. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Again Morgan barely gets a shoulder up.
MW: Signs of frustration from our Tag Team Champions as Tyler Morgan won’t stay down.
SD: He won’t stay down yet, but he’ll soon be put down for good.
MW: Not if these fans have anything to do with it.
SD: Since when did they have-
MW: Hey wait! Marcus! Marcus is climbing back onto the apron.
The fans cheer as Marcus fights his way back onto the apron. He begins banging on the middle turnbuckle and the fans clap along with him. Rorsche shouts at them but it only makes them clap louder and louder. Tyler Morgan uses the buzz of the crowd to force himself up to his feet but Rorsche connects with a leg kick to send him back to his knees. Rorsche backs up and aims a running knee strike at Morgan, but he ducks underneath it and scrambles to his corner, reaching out for the tag… but Marcus isn’t there. Balmer has pulled him off the apron he throws him once again into the guardrail as the fans boo loudly.
Morgan looks down at Balmer as Rorsche lines him up and charges at him, aiming for a knee strike to the back of the head. Morgan, however, senses it, and rolls away at the last second. Rorsche barely stops himself as he runs at the turnbuckles, but Morgan grabs him and rolls him up with a schoolboy, 1-2-no. Rorsche kicks out. Both men make it to their feet and Rorsche aims a kick at Tyler Morgan, who catches it and pulls him in for a devastating spinebuster. Balmer enters the ring and aims a clothesline at Morgan but he ducks, connecting with a series of European uppercuts and then pulling Balmer in for a powerbomb. Morgan collapses to the mat but the fans urge him forward as he sees Marcus struggle back onto the apron. Morgan inches forward and finally stretches out a hand and makes the tag, just as both members of Death Squad make it to their feet.
MW: And here comes Marcus! SD: He can’t take both of them out by himself, though. Death Squad-
MW: Oh yes he can! DDT to Balmer! Ducks the clothesline and spinning wheel kick to Rorsche. Marcus is fired up tonight!
Marcus pulls Balmer up to his feet and connects with a Marcus Crusher, before making a cover, 1-2-no. Balmer kicks out. He stands and Rorsche charges at him, but Marcus takes him down with an arm drag before connecting with a throwback as Rorsche gets to his feet. Marcus then goes up to the top rope and comes down with a frog splash onto Rorsche before rolling him out of the ring. Tyler Morgan calls for the tag on the apron and Marcus tags him in. He stalks Balmer, who is just making it to his feet, before connecting with the Voice of Insanity. Morgan then climbs to the top rope and connects with a soaring moonsault, making a cover, 1-2-no! Balmer just kicks out.
Morgan, a little frustrated, calls for Balmer to get up. He slowly does so and Morgan lifts him onto his back for the Morgan Stunner. Balmer fights hard and drops down, looking for another half-nelson backbreaker, but Morgan rolls through and takes Balmer down with an arm drag. Balmer scrambles to his feet but Morgan kicks out Balmer’s leg before completing the Message from Hell with a devastating haymaker. He forgoes the cover, instead pulling Balmer to his feet and lifting him onto his back once again, this time connecting with the Morgan Stunner. Morgan makes the cover as Marcus heads over to block Rorsche from entering the ring, 1-2-no! Evan Rorsche emerges from under the ring on the other side and dives in to break up the count just in time.
SD: Genius from Evan Rorsche!
MW: Tyler Morgan was certain that he had this match won but Evan Rorsche, I hate to say it, outsmarted him and Marcus.
SD: And Marcus has only just realised.
Marcus lowers his arms and turns to see Rorsche’s foot slamming into his face as he connects with a bicycle kick. Marcus drops to the mat and falls to the floor and Rorsche drags Balmto the corner before making the tag. Rorsche then climbs to the top rope and stalks Morgan before diving off the connecting with another cutter. He makes the cover, 1-2-no! Morgan barely manages to get a shoulder up. Rorsche rolls out of the ring and stands on the apron, calling for the Dead Stop. He springboards and goes for the blockbuster, but Morgan catches him, shifts his weight, and looks for the Morgan Stunner. Balmer, however, enters the ring and pulls Rorsche to safety. Morgan turns and Balmer looks for a belly to belly throw, only for Morgan to headbutt him and to break free.
Marcus rolls back into the ring as Morgan pulls Rorsche back up. Marcus hits the ropes and connects with the running spear before Morgan pulls Rorsche to his feet and lifts him for the Morgan Stunner again. Balmer, however, pulls Rorsche down for a second time. Morgan grabs Balmer and kicks him in the gut, pulling him in for a Marcus Bomb, which he hits, sending Balmer rolling out of the ring. As Morgan and Marcus both pull Rorsche up, Ava Knight gets onto the apron and the official is distracted. Rorsche connects with a double low blow before throwing Marcus from the ring. Knight drops down and Rorsche pulls Morgan in for The Cycle. He connects and makes the cover, Knight holding Marcus on the outside, 1-2-3.
Winners: Death Squad.
MW: And the final of the All Star Tag Team Classic will be The Bishops facing Death Squad.
SD: Yes, it will be! Death Squad have defeated one of the best teams around. Marcus n’Morgan fought bravely but nobody can escape Death!
MW: Certainly not tonight. Let’s not forget that it took three low blows, a distraction and several double teams for Death Squad-
SD: Who won the match, Watson?
MW: I’m just reminding-
SD: Who won the match?
MW: Ok, ok, so Death Squad won the match but-
SD: Thank you.
MW: BUT! It wasn’t just through their own ability as wrestlers, which, I hate to say, is clearly very significant. There was a lot of rule breaking going on in that match. I think all of these fans will be solidly behind Jerry and Berry Bishop in our All Star Tag Team Classic Final.
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Backstage, Jerry and Berry Bishop sit in the locker room having just watched the second semi-final. Berry paces, excited, while Jerry sits with a distant look on his face.
BB: Alright! One more match, brother. Against the Tag Team Champions! For that shiny trophy and the chance to maybe become Tag Team Champions ourselves! Imagine that, Jer. Me and you with those belts around our waists!
JB: Yeah, that’d be something.
BB: Hey, come on, Jer-bear. We won. We beat Jace Mason and Aaron Williams! They’re awesome but we beat them. Death Squad? Ok, so they’re a bit scary, but we can beat them too. I know it.
JB: Yeah. We can.
BB: So let’s see some enthusiasm, Jerry Bishop, heart and soul of FPW. Think about what a great opportunity this is for us! After your bad run earlier this year, you’re one win away from holding up a big shiny trophy with your little sister. At least crack a smile!
Jerry looks up at Berry and, seeing her infectious enthusiasm, manages a smile.
JB: Yeah, I suppose we’ve done alright so far. But we’ve got to do even better. These guys won’t stand in the ring and shake hands with us when they get in there. If either of us turns our backs for even a second, they’ll jump us. You saw what they did to that guy, Marcus. They tried to knock him out cold so they could have a handicap match. We can’t let them do that to us. We’ve got to be 100% ready for this match.
BB: That’s the spirit, Jer. Now I’m going to see if Stacy has fixed up my gear. I’ll be back soon, ok, Jer?
Jerry nods and looks down at the floor, bobbing his head up and down as Berry walks out. The door can be heard closing and, a few moments later, it can be heard opening again. Jerry doesn’t look up.
JB: She not done yet?
Nobody answers, so Jerry looks up. He leaps up immediately as if he’s seen a ghost. The camera turns and shows MDE. A boo is heard from the fans.
MDE: Whoa, there, Jerry. I’m not here to cause trouble. In fact, I just wanted to wish you good luck. The final of the All Star Tag Team Classic… That’s a good achievement. Granted it’s not quite the same as the final of the Free-1 or semi-main eventing Judgement Day, but it’s something. And it’s all thanks to little Berry.
JB: Don’t talk about-
MDE: I don’t mean her any harm. That’s in the past now. Let’s face it, if she does come to any harm, you may as well withdraw from the tag classic final. She’s won both matches herself now, hasn’t she? In the first one you at least… well, you got kicked in the head. And in the semi-final you… well, you were about to get pinned by Mason, right? Looks like you picked the right partner.
JB (mumbling): I’m pleased for Berry. She’s-
MDE: I didn’t quite catch that…
JB (a little louder): She deserves this success. She’s a really good wrestler.
MDE: Oh trust me, Jerry, I know that she’s a god wrestler. But you… you’re Jerry Bishop. You should be the leader of this team. You should be the one getting the glory. You’re more talented than most of these hacks who call this locker room home. But it’s nice of you to let little old Berry take the glory. I’m sure it’ll help you find your mojo somehow. If you need any help with that, by the way…
JB (mumbling again): I don’t need…
MDE (sniggering): Ok… Good luck out there, Jerry. YOU might need it…
MDE turns and walks away. Jerry slumps back down onto the bench and kicks his bag across the floor. He looks down again and we hear the door opening. Berry begins speaking off camera.
BB: She fixed it up perfectly! Look at this stitching! It’s ama- Jerry? Are you ok?
Jerry looks up at Berry with an odd, determined look in his eyes.
JB: Yes. I’m ok. Let’s go over the plan for the match.
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MW: I don’t like the look of that I have to be honest.
SD: MDE speaks sense. Jerry should be the star of the team but instead he’s allowing Berry to take all of the glory. If The Bishops are going to win this tournament, Jerry will need to step up in the final. They’re facing the Tag Team Champions and the best team in FPW-
MW: I think The Guardians of Strong Style will have something to say about that claim.
SD: The same Guardians of Strong Style who are 0-2 against Death Squad? They have nothing to say.
MW: Well let’s think about the final when we get to it. Right now, we’ve got a Women’s Championship rematch that promises to be very special.
SD: It’s my girl Artie about to prove once again that Elizabeth Karlson doesn’t deserve to challenge her.
MW: Artemis Evans may well believe that Elizabeth Karlson isn’t a worthy challenger. In fact, it seems that Artemis Evans doesn’t think anybody is worthy of challenging for the Women’s Championship, but Ezliabeth Karlson took Evans to her limit at Resurrection-
SD: And lost!
MW: And lost. But she only lost to a roll-up. It was far from decisive, as have many of Evans’ matches been.
SD: That’s no way to talk about our FPW Women’s Champion, Watson. Let’s show some respect to Artemis Evans. She’s the first, the only, and soon to be still the FPW Women’s Champion.
The arena goes dark before pulses of white light burst in time to ‘Hardcore’. Most fans cheer as Elizabeth Karlson slithers down the ramp towards the ring. The lights get brighter and brighter and more and more of them illuminate the arena until one spotlight hits Karlson in the ring. She removes her mask and her entrance gear before bowing to the crowd, who give her a loud cheer, and then settling herself against the turnbuckles in one of the far corners.
The fans begin to boo as a white queen appears on the screen and the word ‘Checkmate’ is sent around the arena. ‘Hammer to Fall’ begins to play as Evans walks onto the ramp, smiling as the fans boo her. She holds out her arms as pyro explodes on either side of her followed by Thea Donovan and Myra Lopez emerging from behind her. They begin their walk to the ring, abusing the fans as they get further down the ramp.
Before the bell can even ring, as Artemis and her crew make their way to the ring, Karlson hits the ropes-SUICIDE SENTON ONTO THE QUEENDOM! Karlson nails Evans with a superkick before she throws her into the ring, turning around to Thea and Myra and NAILING both with brutal kneeling superkicks as they get back to their feet! She grabs both women and pulls them up onto the apron, grabbing both members of the Queendom and, with impressive strength, pulling them up onto her shoulders-BUT ARTEMIS EVANS NAILS KARLSON WITH A BRUTAL RUNNING KNEE THAT SENDS HER CRASHING OFF OF THE APRON WITH BOTH MEMBERS OF THE QUEENDOM ON TOP OF HER! Evans taunts Karlson as she tries to get back to her feet, and Karlson rolls into the ring, finally starting the match as the bell rings!
Match 3: FPW Women's Championship: Two-out-of-Three-Falls: Artemis Evans v Elizabeth Karlson (written by Graham Baker):
The two immediately trade brutal shots back and forth, Karlson fighting from below as the larger, stronger, more veteran champion takes her place at the top of the match! Evans drills repeated strikes into Karlson’s face, whipping her into the corner before she runs-SILVER BULLET KNEE TO ELIZABETH KARLSON IN THE CORNER! Evans yanks Karlson up-KNEECAP BRAINBUSTER! She goes for an early cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-NO! KARLSON KICKS OUT!
Evans yanks Karlson back to her feet and continues her dominance, drilling Liz with repeated strikes to the chest. She forces Karlson into the corner and gets another running start for a running knee-BUT KARLSON ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY, SENDING EVANS KNEE-FIRST INTO THE CORNER! Evans cries out in pain as Karlson sweeps her legs out from beneath her and traps her in the Chronic Illness Rolling Kneebar!
Evans scrambles for the ropes, but Karlson tries to roll to keep her based, only for Evans to burst forward and grab the ropes! Karlson goes to stomp on Evans’ knee and do more damage, but Evans sweeps Karlson’s legs out from beneath her and follows up with a standing moonsault onto Elizabeth Karlson! Karlson holds her chest as Evans yanks her back to her feet and drills her with a brutal knee to the face!
Karlson stumbles into the corner, and Evans feints going for a knee as Karlson moves out of the way, only to counter with a JUMPING SPIN KICK! Karlson falls into the ropes, and Evans goes for a Hurricanrana to spike Karlson into the apron-but Karlson catches Evans and runs with a buckle bomb to the corner! Evans slumps down in the corner, and Karlson points two fingers out, aping Graham Baker-DOUBLE KNEE TO EVANS IN THE CORNER! Karlson rolls her out and goes for a pin!
ONE!
TW-Evans kicks out!
Karlson grabs Evans and pulls her up on her shoulders for a Rolling Fireman’s Carry, but Evans nails her with repeated elbows to the head, causing Karlson to drop her. Evans whips Karlson into the corner and yanks her up onto the top buckle, slapping her in the face. Evans climbs up on the turnbuckle and pulls Karlson up for an Avalanche Brainbuster, but Karlson fights against it! She drills Evans in the skull with a knee, causing Evans to drop her off of the buckle. Evans sits up on the buckle as Karlson climbs up after her, going for an Avalanche Hurricanrana-AND SHE HITS IT! She goes for a pin on Evans!
ONE!
TWO!!
T-NO! Evans kicks out!
Karlson sits up and grabs her head, frustrated as Evans lays flat-backed on the mat. She watches as Liz yanks her back to her feet, drilling her in the face with a close range knee, but Evans rolls with the hit and nails Karlson with a brutal forearm! She yanks Karlson out to the apron, going to pull Karlson up for a Brainbuster onto the apron, but Karlson hooks her feet on the ropes! She refuses to let Evans yank her over, but Evans keeps trying to power through! Evans eventually releases the hold, and Karlson attempts to reverse it into a Brainbuster of her own, BUT ARTEMIS EVANS POWERS THROUGH AND RIPS KARLSON OVER THE ROPES AND BRAINBUSTERS HER TO THE ARENA FLOOR!
Karlson looks to be in agonizing pain as Evans yanks her back into the ring, rolling in after her. She goes for a cover on Karlson BUT KARLSON REVERSES THE PIN INTO A SNAP ROLL-UP! SHE HOOKS EVANS’ LEG HARD AND PUTS ALL HER WEIGHT ON HER!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
First Fall: Elizabeth Karlson (roll-up, 7:42)
Karlson rolls off of Evans, breathing heavily, but Evans springs up to her feet almost immediately and NAILS Karlson in the teeth with a brutal kick! Evans drills Karlson with repeated strikes to the face, stunning the smaller woman as she tries to maintain control! She whips Karlson into the ropes and tries to catch her with the Silver Bullet, but Karlson manages to barely dodge it! She goes for her Handspring Enziguri, but Artemis Evans responds by going low-LOW ANGLE SILVER BULLET TO THE HANDSPRINGING KARLSON!
Karlson crumples, and Evans yanks her up to her feet, pulling her in for a DDT! Karlson fights against it, and Evans releases her-INTO A DISCUS FOREARM! Artemis Evans is firmly in control as she whips Karlson into the corner-running forearm to Karlson! She lifts Karlson up onto the top rope, climbing up after her and getting in position for a Code Red to Karlson-but Karlson counters into a roll-up-and Evans counters it by rolling through and nailing Karlson in the jaw with a superkick! Evans goes for a pin on Karlson!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-NO! KARLSON KICKS OUT!
Evans sighs and yanks Karlson to a vertical base once again, drilling her with alternating forearms before she hits the ropes, watching as Karlson stumbles off-RUNNING BLOCKBUSTER TO ELIZABETH KARLSON! Evans isn’t quite done yet as she yanks Karlson out to the apron, pulling her up-APRON BRAINBUSTER! But she’s not done as she pulls her in for the Guillotine Strike! Karlson fights against it-BUT IT’S NO USE AS EVANS HITS KARLSON WITH A GUILLOTINE STRIKE ON THE APRON! Evans rolls Elizabeth back into the ring and goes for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Second Fall: Artemis Evans (pinfall, 10:27)
Evans looks to continue her dominance on Karlson before the official can even check to see if she’s okay, pulling her up for another Guillotine Strike-but Karlson manages to counter it and nail Evans with a brutal forearm shot to the skull! Karlson keeps Evans at a wrist-length as she begins brutally booting her in the face repeatedly, dropping her to a knee and firing off a brutal bicycle knee to finish Evans off! Karlson goes high as she goes for a leaping body splash, but Evans rolls out of the way! Evans manages to pull herself up on the ropes as Karlson gets to her feet and goes to spike her with Death Spike, but Evans catches Karlson and spins her out into a powerbomb! She calls for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-NO! Karlson kicks out!
Evans tries to keep Karlson grounded and goes for a knee-drop, but Karlson moves at the last minute, sending Evans knee-first into the canvas! Karlson tries to lock in another Chronic Illness, but Evans scrambles for the low rope and grabs hold of it! The referee breaks the hold, and Karlson nails Evans in the gut with a knee shot before going to lock in Cattle Mutilation, but Evans rope breaks it again! Karlson, frustrated, grabs Evans and throws her into the ropes, nailing her with a handspring back elbow! She wrings Evans’ arms through the ropes, holding her in place as she prepares to hit a massive ‘Rana to send Evans to the outside, but The Queendom grab Karlson’s legs and pull her through when the ref’s distracted!
Myra and Thea both grab steel chairs and prepare to swing at Karlson, but Karlson rolls out of the way, causing them to crash the chairs into themselves! She catches Thea with a superkick and causes her to drop her chair before nailing Myra with an Enziguri, stumbling her as well! Furious, she grabs Myra up onto her shoulders and NAILS HER ONTO THEA WITH A BRUTAL DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The Queendom disposed of, Karlson turns her attention back to Evans WHO HITS HER WITH A MASSIVE MOONSAULT DDT TO THE OUTSIDE! This one’s done for as Evans drags Karlson back into the ring and goes for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-NO!!! KARLSON JUST BARELY MANAGES TO KICK OUT!
Artemis Evans looks furious as she goes to the outside, yanking a table out from under the ring. She sets it up as Karlson starts to get back to her feet, and rushes in, grabbing Karlson and yanking her out to the apron. She sets Karlson up for a Brainbuster through the table, but Karlson manages to ground herself on the apron! Karlson nails Evans with a few blows to the gut and a series of knees, but Evans pulls her back up-ONLY FOR KARLSON TO REVERSE THE VERTICAL LIFT AND LAND ON HER FEET! Evans looks shocked as Karlson nails her with a low-kick to the abdomen, and then a brutal blow to the head! Evans looks to be stunned as Karlson goes high, pointing another two fingers guns at her-LEAPING DEATH SPIKE THROUGH THE FUCKING TABLE!
Artemis Evans looks to have been spiked on the arena floor as Karlson lands on her back, rolling to her feet as quick as she can. She rolls Evans back in the ring and goes for a pin as the referee goes to count!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-NO! EVANS KICKS OUT AGAIN!
Karlson slams her hands into the mat repeatedly, frustrated beyond belief that Artemis continues to persevere against all odds! Karlson pulls Evans up to her feet, but Evans sweeps Karlson’s leg out from under her! She nails Karlson with another standing Moonsault before she pulls Karlson back to her feet and whips her into the opposing turnbuckle! She lines up for what she believes will be a final Silver Bullet to put Karlson away for good, but Karlson pops her up overhead this time, causing her to land on the middle rope!
She looks surprised as Karlson grabs her for a powerbomb AND SLAMS HER HARD INTO THE MAT, but she’s not done as she transitions from the powerbomb INTO A CHRONIC ILLNESS ROLLING KNEEBAR ON THE ALREADY INJURED LEG! SHE BEGINS TWEAKING EVANS’ LEG REPEATEDLY! Evans scrambles for the ropes, but Karlson tries to roll back, Evans refusing to tap out-she manages to get a finger around the bottom rope! The referee breaks the hold, but the damage to the leg of Artemis Evans has already been done! Evans struggles to get back to her feet, and Karlson takes advantage as Evans lines herself up along the ropes! Karlson goes for a double knee AND EVANS PITCHES HER OVER TO THE OUTSIDE! Karlson crashes and burns as Evans gets back to her feet, rolling to the outside and grabbing her championship. She rolls back into the ring around the same time as Karlson and goes for a title shot-but Karlson leapfrogs her and nails her with a superkick from behind!
Karlson grabs Evans and pulls her up to the top rope, opting to go for her Avalanche Code Red. She climbs up after Evans BUT EVANS HAS A DIFFERENT IDEA AS SHE ROLLS KARLSON UP TO SECURE THE WIN LIKE SHE DID IN THEIR LAST MATCH! THE PAIN IN HER KNEE IS INTENSE BUT SHE ATTEMPTS TO POWER THROUGH!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-AND ARTEMIS’ KNEE GIVES OUT AT THE VERY LAST SECOND, ALLOWING ELIZABETH KARLSON TO ESCAPE!
Artemis looks immensely disappointed as Karlson gets to her feet and nails her with a brutally stiff close range knee strike! She yoinks Evans up onto her shoulders, making two finger guns-MUSTANG DRIVER IN ODE TO GRAHAM BAKER! But it was just a warm-up, as the stunned Evans is yanked up onto Karlson’s shoulders again as she rolls through, spins-USHIGOROSHI TO ARTEMIS EVANS! As her head slams hard into Karlson’s knee, Karlson goes for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Winner of the third fall and the NEW Freedom Pro Wrestling Women’s Champion: Elizabeth Karlson! (25:34)
MW: Elizabeth Karlson did it!
SD: No!
MW: Oh yes she did. For the first time since the title was introduced, we have a new Women's Champion.
SD: But Artie!
MW: Your pretend girlfriend is only a former champion now, Steven.
SD: She's… she isn't… we…
Karlson holds the belt high as the fans stand and cheer for her. Artemis Evans slinks off, supported by Lopez and Donovan, while Karlson bows to all four sides of the arena.
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Backstage, Jim Houston sits in his office.
“Good evening everyone. Tonight is already shaping up to be a very special night for us and we still have three big matches to come, including quite possibly the biggest match in FPW history as Graham Baker defends the FPW Championship against Marcus Allen Jones in a Hell in a Cell match. But I wish to borrow a bit of your time to make some announcements regarding the next few months here in FPW. As we enter the summer, we move closer towards the Free-1, my personal favourite time to be the FPW General Manager. This year, we have so many possible entrants into the Free-1, and I feel I must whittle them down a little until we have the twelve worthiest participants. Now, we have three ‘Road to Free-1’ shows, dated Sunday June 16th, Sunday June 30th and Sunday July 14th before the first night of the Free-1 will see six block matches take place on Thursday August 1st before the rest of the Free-1 plays out throughout the month of August and final show takes place Sunday August 31st where we will crown a Free-1 winner.
“As we have three ‘Road to Free-1’ shows, this allows us to have a number of qualifying matches. Of course, we ought to have some automatic qualifiers too. Let’s see… last year’s winner and losing finalist will automatically qualify for the Free-1, as will the FPW Champion, the Freedom Champion and the Women’s Champion. I also wish to award a spot to the Young Lions’ Cup winner and to the winner of a match that many dubbed a Free-1 qualifier from a recent show- Clutch McCloud v Go Shihei. This means that Jerry Bishop and Graham Baker, as the reigning champion or as the FPW Champion, and Elizabeth Karlson, as the newly crowned FPW Women’s Champion, are guaranteed to be in, as are James Saturn and Go Shihei. It also means that Marcus Allen Jones, should he win tonight, may earn a spot, as will the winner of the first match on the first Road to Free-1 show- Jace Mason versus Berry Bishop for the FPW Freedom Championship. That leaves either five or six spots available.
“Therefore, on the first ‘Road to Free-1’ show, we will see two qualifying matches take place. The first will pitch Clutch McCloud against Masa Tchyukiro and the second will be an intriguing contest between Artemis Evans and Zachary Bates. On the second ‘Road to Free-1’ show, we will see two (potentially three) qualifying matches as the loser of the Jace Mason versus Berry Bishop match faces Hiro Takahara, as Bobby O faces Henry Harrison and, if required, Marcus Allen Jones faces someone who will be determined once I know if the match needs to take place. For the third ‘Road to Free-1’ show, we are left with one qualifying match, as Jack Sevren will face Aaron Williams.
“At the end of the third ‘Road to Free-1’ show, once all of the participants are known, I will be announcing the blocks and the schedule. I appreciate that this is a lot of information to process, so I can assure you that all of this will be available on freedomprowrestling.com very soon. Thank you very much for your time. Now let’s get back to the show.”
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MW: Well that was quite the announcement from our General Manager.
SD: I love Free-1 season. I know that this will be the year that Marcus pulls off the win.
MW: Well we already know half the field and what a field it is proving to be. Some of those qualifying matches looks very difficult to call. In fact, I’m not sure I can pick a single one with any certainty.
SD: Jack Sevren versus Aaron Williams? That’s a match that could main event Judgement Day let alone a ‘Road to Free-1’ show.
MW: Well, speaking of Jack Sevren, he’s in action up next against former tag partner and now-
"This Means War" began to play, and Bobby O appeared at the top of the ramp. He let out a yell as he popped his collar, then stormed to the ring. He ignored the outstretched hands from the front row and simply approached the apron and climbed into the ring. He removed his jacket and turned to face up the ramp.
MW: "Bobby O looking to inflict payback for months of torment at the hands of his former tag team partner, Jack Sevren. Seven has done basically everything he can to get under Bobby's skin, but I think that strategy might backfire on him tonight."
SD: "I've said it before and I'll say it again, Bobby deserved everything Sevren's done to him. Teaming with Bobby was only holding Sevren back, and I'm glad he's finally realized that."
MW: "But if Jack wanted to pursue a singles career, why didn't he just say so? Why did he have to end his partnership in such a cruel manner? Why continue to interfere in Bobby's career?"
SD: "Simple, Sevren's making up for lost time. Having to team with Bobby kept him from his true potential, and he's showing everyone, particularly Bobby, what he's truly capable of."
MW: "Well, whatever the case, this match has the possibility to steal the show, and it's happening in just a few moments!"
“15 Minutes” hit the speakers, and Bobby visibly tensed as he prepared to see his enemy. But the Sevren didn’t appear. Bobby continued to stare up the ramp as the song continued playing. After a few minutes, with no sign of Jack Sevren, the song ended. Silence filled the arena, and Bobby glanced at the referee, who looked just as confused as he was.
“15 Minutes began playing again, and Bobby started at the unexpected noise. He looked back up the ramp, but still Jack Sevren refused to appear. The song played through once again, and Bobby was obviously ticked off, pacing the ring in frustration that Jack wasn’t arriving.
And then the tron lit up.
JS: Hey, Orton Jr., up here!
Bobby looks up and sees Jack's smug face on the tron and shakes his head.
JS: What? Did you honestly think I was going to just come out and let you get the upper hand? If so, you've not learned anything this past month. I know, I know, you must be thinking, 'I'm done playing games, get this coward out here,' but Bobby, be patient. All good things in life are worth waiting for. I mean, that's what CJ told me before, well, you get the picture...So let me lay it out on the table for you, just like I did...No, too easy....Hey, just like...
Jack starts laughing as Bobby seethes.
JS: If looks could kill, am I right? Anyway, Baby O, here's what I propose. I'm gonna have them hit my music one more time and I promise you on all my virtue, on all my honor and integrity, that you will be wrestling a match tonight. You'll finally get what you want, to get your hands dirty. How's that sound? That sound good? Great. Good luck tonight old friend, you're gonna need it.
Just like that, Jack's jovial grin turns into a dark and foreboding smirk. The screen goes blank and Bobby looks around frustrated as Seven Minutes plays and Jack is nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, the crowd began making noise as an unknown force cut through them. The cameras tried to get a shot of whoever was shoving their way through the crowd. But no matter how hard they tried, the figure remained just out of frame. The only thing that was clear was that the person was quite large, and wearing a hoodie that concealed their identity.
Bobby was oblivious to the commotion, shaking with anger from Jack’s words. But then the hooded figure burst through the barricade, and Bobby turned around just as he slid into the ring. The mystery man closed the distance and took Bobby off his feet with a massive clothesline! He stared down at Bobby before he ripped off the hoodie and revealed…
MW: "Oh my God, that's Davey Jones! Davey Jones has returned to FPW!"
Davey delivered a powerful stomp to Bobby's chest, then pulled him to his feet and whipped him into the corner. Davey charged in after him, looking to smash Bobby between his massive frame and the turnbuckles. But Bobby just managed to sidestep, and Davey went chest-first into the turnbuckles. Davey took two steps back and turned around to face Bobby. Bobby didn't back down from his large attacker and unleashed a series of shots to the midsection. Davey doubled over, and Bobby ran to the ropes to build momentum. But as he rebounded, Davey met him with a hand around his throat. Bobby had just enough time for a panicked expression to flash onto his face before Davey lifted him up and threw him to the ground with a chokeslam! Bobby writhed in pain as Davey glared down at him. Then he bent down and grabbed Bobby, pulling him off the ground and onto his shoulders. Davey roared before he connected with Psychosis, driving Bobby into the mat! The crowd booed as Davey raised his arms before striding from the ring. The camera angle shifted, showing Bobby's collapsed body, while also showing Jack Sevren's smirking face on the tron, before fading to black.
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Backstage, Davey Jones comes through the curtain, smirking. Jim Houston immediately rushes up to him.
JH: Hey! What the hell was that?
DJ: That? That’s what you’ve been missing out on for all the time I’ve been gone.
JH: I brought you back here under the impression that you’d changed. Gone were the beatings, the ambushes, the doing-whatever-the-hell-you-wanted-to-do. You don’t get-
DJ: Excuse me a minute.
Davey walks a few steps away and grabs a Slim Jim from a passer-by. He starts eating it as he turns back to Houston, who looks dumbfounded.
JH: You know what, Davey… last year you got involved in the Free-1 and your actions might have changed the entire FPW landscape. If you hadn’t got involved, who knows where we’d be right now. But this year… you’ve got yourself a qualifying match. I know I announced earlier on what those matches would be, but I’m making a change. Henry Harrison can face Marcus if Marcus needs a match. On ‘Road to Free-1 Night 2’, you’ll be in a qualifying match against Bobby O.
Davey finishes the Slim Jim.
DJ: Are you sure you want that, Houston?
JH: Are you sure you want that?
DJ: Fine. If you want Bobby taken out for good… I’ll send him to the loony bin and qualify for the Free-1 at the same time.
Davey walks off, leaving Houston looking concerned as Bobby is carried back by the EMTs.
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MW: Davey Jones versus Bobby O as a Free-1 qualifier? That was the one match I thought had a clear favourite but… now I’m really not sure.
SD: The favourite in that match just got clearer. Davey Jones is a monster. He’s a lunatic. He said he’ll send Bobby O to the loony bin and that’s just what he’ll do. The rest of the qualifier better hope that Bobby finds a way to beat Davey or that Davey is in the other block as they won’t want to face him.
MW: Well we’re about to see a team that a lot of people do want to face. Death Squad come into the final of the All Star Tag Team Classic with an unbeaten- far from unblemished, but certainly unbeaten- record in FPW. They face Jerry and Berry, The Bishops, who have pulled themselves through two rounds and now stand one match away from redemption for Jerry Bishop.
SD: Jerry Bishop has had so much redemption in this company that he’d be better getting things right first time around. The reason that The Bishops are in this final is that Berry has got them there. That’s all. The reason they won’t win this final is because Jerry still hasn’t climbed out of the funk that he’s been in since losing at Judgement Day to MDE.
MW: While I hate to agree, I feel that Jerry will be the key to this match. If he can perform as we know he can, as all of these fans know he can, then I feel that The Bishops may just walk out of here with that trophy, but if he can’t find the true Jerry Bishop, the Free-1 finalist, the Jester, the most beloved man in FPW, then Death Squad might well walk out of here the first team to win the All Star Tag Team Classic at the same time as being FPW Tag Team Champions.
‘The Comedian’s Gallop’ begins and the fans cheer loudly as, for the second time, Berry and Jerry Bishop stand at the top of the ramp and bow deeply. The two of them look around the arena before Berry hopscotches and Jerry dance-conducts their way to the ring. As they reach the ring, they do the same routine of going around the whole the ring slapping hands with fans. The love from the fans, especially towards Jerry, is palpable, with several young children with Jester t-shirts urging him to get the win. Jerry looks resolute as he and Berry enter the ring, acknowledge the fans and embrace.
As soon as the music stops, another loud ‘Je-rry Bi-shop’ and ‘Be-rry Bi-shop’ duelling chant echoes around the arena. Even as the lights go out, the fans don’t stop chanting for The Bishops. The klaxon sound is almost drowned out by the chants as the red flashing lights go off like an alarm. One the klaxon stops and Ava Knight walks out, the chants get even louder. Twice she tries to lift the microphone to her lips but twice she has to stop as the fans chant over her. After a third attempt, she throws the mic down and calls Aiden Balmer and Evan Rorsche out. They’re met by the same wall of chanting but they simply rush down to the ring and charge into it, looking to get the match started straight away. Jerry and Berry, however, leave the ring, conducting the fans as the continue to chant.
Match 5: All Star Tag Team Classic II Final: The Bishops v Death Squad:
The official waits for Evan Rorsche to leave the ring before calling for the bell. Jerry Bishop stands across from him as the duelling chants still ring around the arena. The two men come forward and lock up, Jerry quickly locking in a headlock and taking Balmer over. Balmer looks for the headscissors but Jerry manoeuvres himself into a position where Balmer can’t get it locked in. Jerry keeps the headlock on for several moments before Balmer starts to get to his feet. Jerry allows it to happen and then, just as Balmer looks to have regained his vertical base, he connects with a bulldog. Jerry rolls Balmer over and makes a cover, 1-no. Balmer kicks out.
Jerry doesn’t waste any time, pulling Balmer up and locking in a front facelock as he drags him over to the corner. Jerry pushes himself up onto the top turnbuckle and then pushes off, connecting with a tornado DDT. Balmer drops flat on his back and Jerry rolls into the cover, 1-2-no. Balmer kicks out again. Jerry goes to lift Balmer but Rorsche rushes into the ring. As he looks to engage Jerry, Berry runs into the ring and connects with a roundhouse kick to take him down. She shoves him out of the ring and then returns to the corner, calling for the tag from Jerry. Jerry pulls Balmer to his feet and shoves him into the corner, tagging Berry in and leaving the ring straight away.
MW: The contrast between these two teams could not be clearer.
SD: And right now, it’s working for The Bishops. But it only needs one slip and Death will come for Jerry and Berry.
MW: You’re really buying into this, huh?
SD: Death will come! MW: Perhaps not today, Steven.
Berry enters and unleashes a flurry of kicks to Balmer in the corner. He drops down to a seated position and she pulls back, looking to run towards Balmer but Rorsche grabs hold of her to stop her. Berry doesn’t flinch, pulling Rorsche into the ring and then completing her double knees to Balmer. Jerry enters as Rorsche stands and he engages him, connecting with a rolling elbow which knocks him out of the ring. Jerry then sets himself before leaping up onto the top rope and connecting with a springboard forearm to the outside to take down Evan Rorsche!
In the ring, Berry looks at Jerry with amazement before turning back to Balmer, who is pulling himself to his feet. She lands a hard kick to the leg before pulling him in for a perfect Northern Lights suplex, bridging for the cover, 1-2-no. Balmer manages to kick out. Berry is quick to get to her feet, and she lands more kicks as Balmer climbs to his. She kicks him twice in the back and then twice more in the leg before pulling him in for an exploder suplex which sends him across the ring. Berry moves over for the cover, 1-2-no. Balmer kicks out but the fans continue to cheer the incredible start from The Bishops.
Jerry, back on the apron, calls for the tag, and Berry, dragging Balmer with her, slaps his hand to bring him into the match. He immediately climbs to the second rope and comes down with a blockbuster, making a quick cover on Aiden Balmer, 1-2-no. Again Balmer manages to kick out. Jerry then whips Balmer across the ring into a neutral corner and runs at him, connecting with a running dropkick. Balmer remains in the corner so Jerry backs away and runs at him again, connecting with a second running dropkick. Balmer staggers out of the corner and Jerry sets himself on the apron, springboarding and connecting with a springboard forearm. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Balmer barely gets a shoulder up.
MW: This blitz from Berry and especially Jerry Bishop is incredibly impressive. These two are utterly dominating our Tag Team Champions tonight.
SD: They’re dominating them now, yes, but, like I said, it only takes one little mistake, one error, and Death Squad are in control.
MW: But I don’t see them making an error. This match could be over in a matter of seconds!
Jerry picks Balmer up and traps his arms. The fans begin to stand as they sense what is coming next. He lets out a booming laugh but is cut off as Evan Rorsche slingshots into the ring and connects with a cutter. Berry enters and aims for Rorsche, but he ducks her attempted kick and connects with a powerful thrust kick, sending her back into the corner. Rorsche then runs at Berry and connects with a vicious knee strike to her gut before landing several more as the official tries to wrestle him away. He moves aside and allows Berry to stagger out from the corner but then he connects with a second cutter which sends her rolling to the outside. Rorsche quickly then heads into his corner and tags himself in.
Rorsche comes in and cuts off Jerry’s recovery, taking him down with a knee to the gut followed by a hard thrust kick to the head. He then pulls Jerry up and traps his wrist, connecting with a ripcord lariat before making a cover, 1-2-no. Jerry kicks out. Rorsche then mounts Jerry and drives a forearm into his temple over and over before finally dismounting and pulling him up, maintaining control of his wrist. Rorsche connects with a discus elbow to send Jerry staggering back into the corner and he follows up with a running big boot. Jerry slumps into a seated position and Rorsche backs away, connecting with a double knee strike.
Balmer, now recovered, calls for a tag and Rorsche makes it. As he leaves the ring, Rorsche heads over to where Berry is catching her breath and he throws her into the guardrail, leading to much abuse from fans. Rorsche spits at them before heading back to his corner. Balmer meanwhile whips Jerry across the ring and connects with a powerslam, holding on for a cover, 1-2-no. Jerry manages to kick out. Balmer hooks an arm over Jerry’s head and pulling him up for a vertical suplex, which connects. He then pops his hips, just like he did in the semi-final, and pulls Jerry up for a half-nelson backbreaker over his knee. Jerry cries out in pain and Balmer makes a cover, driving a forearm into Jerry’s face, 1-2-no. Jerry kicks out.
SD: I told you that Death Squad would be in control of this match. And now look at it. Death Squad are ready to win the All Star Tag Team Classic.
MW: But I don’t know if The Bishops are ready to lose it just yet.
SD: They won’t have a choice.
Balmer calls to Rorsche and tags him in. Before getting out of the ring, Balmer climbs up to the top rope and allows Rorsche to pull Jerry up. Balmer leaps off, connecting with a huge cross-body as Rorsche sweeps Jerry’s legs out. Rorsche makes a cover, 1-2-no! Jerry just manages to kick out. Rorsche keeps on top of him, driving knees into Jerry as he tries to get up. Jerry rolls onto his back and Rorsche drives forearms into his temple once again. The fans cheer for Jerry, but he’s struggling to fight off the intense onslaught from Evan Rorsche. Rorsche finally pulls Jerry up and drives another knee into his gut, positioning him for a rope-hung DDT, which connects. Rorsche then rolls Jerry over and makes a cover, 1-2-no! Jerry manages to kick out again.
Just like in the previous semi-final, the fans begin to cheer as they see Berry Bishop climbing back onto the apron. She tries to get them clapping along but she’s quickly pulled off the apron by Aiden Balmer, who pulls her down and then pulls her in for a belly to belly throw, sending her straight into the guardrail. The claps turn to loud boos as he stomps on her and then walks back to his corner, holding out a hand and tagging himself in. Rorsche pulls Jerry to his feet and holds him as Balmer enters the ring, landing a series of right hands before Rorsche is forced to let go and climb through the ropes. With Jerry staggering, Balmer connects with a hard headbutt, which sends Jerry crumpling to the mat. Balmer places a foot on Jerry and raises his arms as the fans boo, 1-no. Jerry lifts a shoulder.
MW: Such disrespect from Aiden Balmer.
SD: Disrespect? He’s giving Jerry what he deserves. Jerry started the match on fire but he can’t compete with Death Squad. Balmer is giving him a lesson, and Jerry had better start learning fast.
MW: One of these days, someone will teach Rorsche and Balmer a lesson and it won’t come a day too soon.
Balmer looks down at Jerry and smirks before calling for a powerbomb. He lifts Jerry into position and pulls him up onto his shoulders. Jerry, suddenly finding a burst of energy, tries to fight out of it, causing Balmer to stagger towards his corner. Rorsche reaches up and tags himself in before landing a stiff forearm to Jerry. Rorsche then climbs up to the top rope and Balmer moves towards the middle of the ring. Rorsche launches himself into a missile dropkick and, as he connects, Balmer drives Jerry down to the mat with a powerbomb. The fans are silenced as Evan Rorsche makes the cover, Aiden Balmer standing to make sure Berry doesn’t break it up, 1-2-no! Jerry managed to get a shoulder up.
The fans cheer loudly as Jerry kicks out, but Balmer and Rorsche quickly come back to him. Balmer lifts him as Rorsche runs at him and connects with the Jawbreaker Special. Balmer leaves the ring, moving over to where Berry is trying to get to her feet. He lands a stiff right hand to the face which sends her back into the guardrail before pulling her up for a powerbomb. He looks to connect with a guardrail bomb, but Berry reverses it, connecting with a hurricanrana to send Balmer into the guardrail. The fans cheer as Berry makes her way back onto the apron and yells for Jerry to make a tag. Jerry, with a renewed energy, tries to scramble to her, but Rorsche blocks him. He pulls Jerry in for Cutting the Strings, but Jerry over-rotates and lands on his feet. He dives to Berry and tags her in.
The fans cheer once more as Berry enters the ring, landing a mid-kick to take Rorsche down and then another as he makes it to his feet. Rorsche crawls over to the corner but Berry follows, pulling him up and laying into him with a series of hard kicks. She then whips him across the ring and takes a leaf out of Jerry’s book with a running dropkick before backing away and then connecting with a double knee strike to the face as he sits in the corner. Rorsche rolls away towards the middle of the ring and Berry stalks him, coiled and ready to connect with Checkmate. Rorsche stands and Berry uncoils, but Balmer enters the ring and catches her before she can connect. He looks for a German suplex, but Berry flips and lands on her feet. She takes him down with a roundhouse kick, but Rorsche springs up and hits a cutter.
MW: Cutter from Evan Rorsche!
SD: Make the cover, Evan! Yes! One….. two….. thr-
MW: Berry Bishop kicks out!
SD: Damn it!
Rorsche holds his head in his hands but he doesn’t waste much time. Instead, he pulls Berry up to her feet and pulls her in for Spin Cycle. As he lifts her, however, he’s taken down by a middle rope blockbuster from a recovered Jerry Bishop! Berry hooks the legs and manages to make a cover, 1-2-no! Rorsche just kicks out. Balmer and Jerry both stand at the same time as Rorsche and Berry. The two teams eye each other before Balmer and Rorsche both go for right hands. Jerry and Berry duck and, in tandem, they deliver rolling elbows. Balmer and Rorsche are forced back into the corners and The Bishops each connect with a running dropkick before they each connect with double knees. Jerry and Berry wheel away into the middle of the ring as the fans stand and cheer louder than they have all match.
Jerry and Berry pull Evan Rorsche to his feet and connect with a double-team parallel snapmare. They each roll through then complete the double-team Touchstone Takedown. Jerry staggers and drops to the mat as Berry makes the cover, hooking both legs, 1-2-no! Balmer manages to make a last-second save. Jerry makes it back to his feet and he pulls Balmer in, trapping both arms and letting out a big, booming laugh. He drops Balmer with the Last Laugh and covers him, the crowd counting the one, two, three, but the official simply telling Jerry that he’s not the legal man. Jerry stands again and calls to Berry. She stands in position and Jerry lifts Rorsche. Ava Knight climbs onto the ring apron and the official is distracted once again, allowing Rorsche to land a low-blow to Jerry. He turns to Berry and aims a low-blow at her too, but she catches the foot and pulls Rorsche in for an exploder suplex. She connects, and, with Balmer not moving on the outside and Jerry rolling onto the apron, she stalks Evan Rorsche. He slowly stands and she pulls him in for the Berry Buster, which connects. She makes the cover… but the official is again distracted by Ava Knight.
Berry stands, looking across at Knight and the official. She grabs hold of Ava Knight and brings her into the ring. The fans cheer as Berry stalks her and connects with Checkmate. The official helps Knight out of the ring as Berry turns back to Rorsche, who grabs her from behind and rolls her up, 1-2-no! Berry kicks out at the very last second. The fans are on their feet again as Berry and Rorsche both stand. Rorsche aims a roundhouse kick at Berry but she ducks, springboarding off the second rope and connecting with a disaster kick.
SD: Why doesn’t she cover him?
MW: Because Berry is setting up for Checkmate once again. If she hits this, it’s over.
SD: Evan! Evan! You need to move! Evan!
Berry coils herself again, waiting for Rorsche as he climbs to his feet. Just as he gets up, however, Jerry reaches over and tags himself in. The fans react with surprise as Jerry goes over to Rorsche and traps the arms. Berry stands and watches as Jerry lets out a loud, booming laugh, but Rorsche manages to drive him back into Berry, who falls through the ropes and lands with a hard thud on the outside. Jerry turns to look at Berry and holds his hands to his head before turning back, only to be met with a kick to the gut as Rorsche pulls Jerry in. He connects with Spin Cycle and makes the cover, 1-2-3.
Winners: Death Squad.
SD: Yes! Death Squad win! And it’s all thanks to Jerry Bishop! MW: I… I don’t quite believe what I’ve seen. Jerry… what have you done?
SD: He’s done exactly what I thought he’d do. He’s been so obsessed with winning a match that he tagged himself in at precisely the wrong time- exactly the opposite of what Berry did in the semi-final- and cost The Bishops the Tag Classic!
MW: I think it’s fair to say that Berry had the match won, in no small part thanks to Jerry’s earlier efforts too. He took out Aiden Balmer. He saved her from Spin Cycle. But he felt that he had to get the win himself. All of the pressure, all of the tension, every bit of the past five months that has been weighing Jerry Bishop down came out tonight and it didn’t come out in the form of redemption. It came out in the form of the darkest possible timeline for Jerry Bishop.
Death Squad carry the All Star Tag Team Classic trophy and their FPW Tag Team Championship belts up the ramp, Rorsche helping Balmer to walk, as the fans sit in stunned silence. Berry Bishop sits in the ring, hands over her head and tears rolling down her cheeks. Jerry stirs, trying to sit up. As he finally manages to sit up, the fans stand and applaud both of The Bishops. Berry moves over to him and tries to hug him, but Jerry wriggles away. He slams a fist down on the mat and shuffles over to the ropes, never once looking at Berry. She tries to help him up but he shrugs her off, rolling onto the apron and sitting on the edge of the ring, head down.
Berry follows, telling him that it’s ok and that it wasn’t his fault, but Jerry still can’t bring himself to look at her. He pushes himself off the apron and onto the floor and limps up the ramp, head down all the way. Berry follows a few steps behind, calling his name. The fans watch on in silence, nobody quite sure what they’re seeing. Berry continues to cry as Jerry walks on up the ramp. He pauses for a moment at the top of the ramp, looking like he’s about to turn around, but instead he just lowers his head again and carries on through the curtain.
MW: Obviously Jerry Bishop is feeling very emotional right now.
SD: Of course he is. He was about to win the All Star Tag Team Classic with his sister and then he messed it all up.
MW: Come on, Steven, let’s have some tact. Jerry performed amazingly in that match.
SD: He performed well, but let’s also face the fact that he cost his team the match by tagging in at precisely the wrong moment because he felt that he needed the glory for himself. That wasn’t about Jerry being a good teammate or a good brother. That was about Jerry being the one to get the credit for his team’s victory.
MW: Well maybe if people like you didn’t keep putting pressure on him to finally pick up a victory then this wouldn’t have happened.
SD: It’s not just me. It’s fans, it’s the rest of the locker-room. Hell, it’s Jerry himself more than anyone else. He knows that he’s gone wrong over the past five months and he’s desperate to get back on track. Maybe he needs to take the option that he’s been avoiding up until now.
MW: You don’t mean-
SD: Yes, I do. He’s been offered help. Maybe he needs to accept it.
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Backstage, Jerry is walking through the corridor, head still down. Berry follows.
BB: Jerry! Jerry!
Jerry keeps walking on.
BB: I know you’re upset, Jer… but please, talk to me.
Jerry keeps walking on. Berry is still crying.
BB: Look at me at least. Ok, it didn’t go to plan, but it doesn’t matter. We’ll figure out how to get past this.
Jerry pauses for a moment, lifting his head slightly, but then he lowers it and keeps walking.
BB: Jerry… you’re my brother and I love you. I’ll help you to get through this. I promise.
Jerry walks on, pushing open the door to leave the arena and just keeping on walking. Berry is about to follow him when she turns and sees MDE watching on, a thoughtful look on his face. Berry looks like she’s going to say something to him but instead she pushes the door open again and follows him.
BB: Jerry!
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MW: Well here we are, folks. Whatever has happened for the rest of this amazing night of wrestling is about to pale in comparison to what we're about to witness.
SD: For only the second time ever, Graham Baker goes one-on-one with Marcus Allen Jones. Last time it was Marcus as champion. This time it's Baker. The title changed hands once between these two in the past and I predict it'll change hands between them again tonight.
MW: While they have met before, in what many say was the greatest match in Freedom Pro Wrestling history, tonight will be different. Over the past five months, Graham Baker has been followed, stalked, tormented by TakeOver to the point where he willingly got himself disqualified to allow this match to take place. But it's not just any match. TakeOver had to be stopped from interfering, and they will be tonight. Jim Houston called in some favours and this match will now take place inside Hell in a Cell.
SD: A match which our General Manager has obviously selected to favour the champion. But Marcus Allen Jones will overcome the odds against the deathmatch specialist and will become the first ever two-time FPW Champion tonight.
MW: Can he overcome Graham Baker without TakeOver being able to get directly involved?
SD: He not only can, Watson, but he will.
‘Cult of Personality’ begins to play and the area erupts with boos. Marcus Allen Jones emerges onto the stage, flanked by The Invaders but not HunterKiller, before doing his standing backflip and landing in his signature pose. He holds the pose for longer than normal, allowing the boos to wash over him, before standing, looking out at all of the crowd with his usual grin. He slowly struts down to the ring, along with TakeOver, Dario almost jumping into the crowd as they abuse TakeOver. Marcus reaches the edge of the ring as ‘I'm the smiling face on your TV’ hits. He pulls out a piece of paper and is about to hold it up to the camera before scrunching it and throwing it over his shoulder. He slides into the ring and climbs the turnbuckle, looking out into the crowd as they boo him. The rest of TakeOver react to the crowd while Marcus looks up at the Hell in a Cell which hangs over the ring.
MW: Marcus Allen Jones looks very focussed tonight.
SD: He is focussed, Watson. This is the biggest match of his career tonight. Yes, it's bigger than the Azazel match, than the first Baker match, than the scramble match when he first won the title. This match will define Marcus Allen Jones’ Young career and he knows it. That man is ready for what's to come.
The lights go down and the fans begin to chant ‘Gra-ham Ba-ker’ loudly. After a few moments, staccato machine gun fire plays before Baker emerges onto the stage while ‘DNA’ plays. He holds open his jacket to show the FPW Title before walking down the ramp. He holds his arms out for the fans but doesn't take his eyes off Marcus. As he reaches the bottom of the ramp, The Invaders move around to block his way to the ring. Baker stands and stares at them, smiling. He points up at the Cell and then signals for it to be dropped, all the while keeping his eyes on the TakeOver members standing a few meters in front of him.
The Cell comes down slowly and, as soon as it hits the floor, Baker flies at the two men standing in front of him. He takes Dario down with a lariat before taking off the belt and laying Haych out with it. Dario then runs at Baker but Baker lands a leaping knee strike to stagger him before throwing him head-first into the wall of the Cell. Baker picks up the belt, stares at Marcus and holds it up before handing it to an official on the outside of the ring and stepping through the door, slamming it shut behind him and climbing into the ring, staring Marcus, who looks like he's seen a ghost, down.
Dasha Banks makes the introductions from outside the Cell.
“This next match is scheduled for one fall. It is a Hell in a Cell match for the Freedom Pro Wrestling Championship.”
The fans cheer loudly as Baker and Marcus continue to stare each other down, both men fixed on their spots as the official nervously holds his arms out between them.
“Introducing first, from Chicago, Illinois, he is a former Young Lions’ Cup winner, a former Freedom Pro Wrestling Champion. He is known as The Marksman and The Smartest Man in Professional Wrestling. Ladies and gentlemen, the challenger, Marcus Allen Jones.”
Marcus doesn't move as the fans boo him loudly.
“And his opponent, from London, England. He is a former Free-1 winner and a former Freedom Pro Wrestling Hardcore Champion. He is known as The Aviator. Ladies and gentlemen, your reigning and defending Freedom Pro Wrestling Champion, Graham Baker.”
Baker also doesn't move as the fans cheer him loudly.
MW: Neither man has taken their eyes off the other since Graham Baker first entered the arena.
SD: Can you feel this tension? This is the biggest match in both men’s careers. To borrow a well-known saying: it's a match that both men must win and neither can afford to lose.
MW: With TakeOver locked out of the Cell, we will finally get Marcus and Baker one-on-one, no count-outs, no disqualifications, no time-limits, no bullshit. Here we go!
Match 7: FPW Championship: Hell in a Cell: Graham Baker v Marcus Allen Jones:
As soon as the bell rings, Baker runs at Marcus and the two men engage in an exchange of forearm strikes. They build and build as the crowd grows into a frenzy. Baker gains the advantage, continuing to drive forearms into Marcus’ skull until Marcus drops to a knee and rolls out of the ring. Marcus stands on the outside and looks to recouperate but Baker is quick to leap onto the top rope and to connect with Clipped Wings, sending Marcus crashing into the wall of the Cell. Baker grabs the Cell and shakes it, roaring to the fans as they respond in kind. He pulls Marcus to his feet and drives him head first into the Cell wall repeatedly before whipping him into the wall by the corner of the ring. Baker then backs away before pointing double finger guns at Marcus and then running, connecting with a shotgun dropkick which sends Marcus back into the wall of the Cell and sliding to the ground.
MW: What a contrast to their last match where they started with an exchange on the mat.
SD: And is anyone surprised? They didn't like each other before Judgement Day but these two men hate each other now. You won't exactly be seeing a technical exchange tonight.
Baker rolls backwards and gets up to his feet. He looks across at Marcus sitting prone against the wall of the Cell before pointing two finger guns at him once more. He runs at him and connects with shotgun knees to drive the back of Marcus’ head into the Cell. Baker then moves to Marcus again and lays into him with stomp after stomp after stomp, the crowd once again working themselves up into a frenzy. After ten stomps, Baker turns away from Marcus and looks over at the ring. He lifts the apron and crouches down, looking for something underneath. The fans cheer as Baker pulls out a trash can with a selection of weaponry: a kendo stick, a drawstring bag, a cricket bat with thumbtacks stuck up and down the face, a reel of barbed wire and three light tubes which have been taped together.
MW: He must have left that there earlier today. That harks back to Baker’s Bourbon Street Street Fight against MDE where he really showed his hardcore ability.
SD: I… I don't like this.
MW: Baker is certainly showing his mean streak tonight.
SD: Marcus hasn't had a look in so far.
MW: Is it any wonder? He tormented Graham Baker for months. He had to expect Baker to come out all guns blazing.
Baker pulls the kendo stick out of the trash can before sliding the rest of it into the ring. He twirls it in his hand before turning back to Marcus, who is pulling himself to his feet. Baker advances on Marcus and drives the kendo stick into his stomach before striking him over the back. Marcus drops to his knees and Baker mounts him, choking him with the kendo stick before releasing the grip and bringing it down on the back of Marcus’ head. He then stomps on Marcus a few times before slinging the kendo stick into the ring and dragging Marcus up to roll him in too. Baker climbs onto the apron and then up to the top rope. Marcus slowly pulls himself up to his feet and staggers before Baker leaps off the turnbuckle, connecting with Landing Gear, driving both of his feet right into the back of the head and neck to send Marcus crashing to the mat.
Baker stands and goes over to his can of weapons. He pulls out the cricket bat and stands with it raised as Marcus slowly climbs to his feet again. Marcus turns and sees Baker with the bat raised. He drops to the mat and begs off, backing away as Baker advances on him. The crowd cheer, baying for Marcus’ blood as Baker keeps moving forward. Marcus looks behind himself before rolling out of the ring. The fans boo but Baker follows and Marcus keeps scrabbling backwards. Baker follows him all around the ring before Marcus trips and backs away into the wall of the Cell. Baker, a smile on his face, slowly advances, trapping Marcus against the wall of the Cell and raising the bat. He swings it hard but Marcus rolls away. As Baker is about to drive it into the wall of the Cell, he just manages to stop short, looking at Marcus, who's smile fades from his face.
MW: Wait… did Marcus want Baker to hit the wall there?
SD: Of course he did. A small tear in the Cell wall and TakeOver are in. Then it's five on one and there's nothing Baker can do! Marcus is a genius!
MW: But Baker is wise to it. He stopped his swing short and, once again, Marcus looks like he seen a ghost.
Marcus backs away again as Baker advances, much quicker than before. Marcus climbs into the ring and Baker follows, running at Marcus, who catches him with a drop toe hold, sending Baker head first into the trash can. Marcus quickly looks to take advantage, aiming a series of hard kicks to Baker’s left knee. He lifts Baker’s foot and drives the knee down into the mat, before doing so again and again and again. Baker grabs the knee in pain as Marcus picks up the cricket bat. He twirls it and smiles as the fans boo him before he brings it down on Baker’s leg. As he pulls it away, the fabric tears on Baker’s tights and his knee pad. Baker rolls over and cries out in pain but Marcus doesn't stop, driving the bat down again as the tights tear even more. Marcus then grabs the shredded knee pad and rips it off the knee before stomping down some more.
SD: Marcus reprising his old attack on the knee which almost defeated Graham Baker the last time they met.
MW: It almost beat him, but didn't. But Marcus didn't have a cricket bat with thumbtacks to weaken it last time.
SD: And Baker may have handed Marcus the weapon that destroys him and ends his title reign.
Baker writhes around in pain as Marcus looks into the can again. He pulls out the reel of barbed wire with a smirk as the fans gasp. Baker looks over at Marcus with a determined stare and beckons him forward. Marcus advances carefully as Baker pulls hi self up on the ropes. Just as he's about to get to his feet, Marcus kicks out his leg and Baker drops to all fours. Marcus then unfurls a length of barbed wire and picks up Baker’s shredded knee pad. He wraps the knee pad around his hand before gripping the wire and holding his arm up high. The fans slowly realise what he's about to do and they let out a pained cry as Marcus brings the barbed wire down, whipping Baker across the back with it. Baker cries out in pain, arching his back as Marcus rips the wire away from him, leaving gashes in Baker’s back. Marcus brings it down again and again, each time opening up more gashes Baker’s back, until Baker drops down and rolls out of the ring.
MW: This is absolutely vicious!
SD: I don't think I've seen Marcus Allen Jones do anything like this before! But Baker brought these weapons into the match and now he's paying for it.
MW: He is paying for that decision. However, if we know anything about Graham Baker, we know how big his heart is. We know that being whipped across the back with a string of barbed wire isn't going to make him quit.
SD: Maybe not yet, but it has to seriously weaken him.
MW: Indeed it does.
Marcus follows Baker out of the ring, leaving the barbed wire, he pulls Baker up and then drives him backwards, forcing his back into the wall of the Cell. Baker arches his back and cries out as his torn flesh opens further. Marcus forces him back into the Cell again and then he drives him from side to side as the chain-links grate Baker’s back even further. Baker cries out in pain before Marcus finally allows him to drop down the floor. The fans gasp as a close-up shot of Baker’s back shows several deep gashes with blood flowing freely from them. Marcus takes a moment to check his own aching body before advancing on Baker again, who has just managed to get to his feet. Marcus stands behind Baker before raking his hands down Baker’s back. Baker arches it and again cries out before Marcus rakes the back again.
Baker staggers forward towards the steel steps as Marcus runs at him, taking him down from behind before lifting him up by the legs. He lifts Baker and then drives him down with a wheelbarrow facebuster, driving him into the steps. Baker falls, going totally limp, as Marcus picks him up and rolls him into the ring. Marcus follows and makes the first cover of the match, 1-2-no. Baker gets a shoulder up. Marcus looks down at him with a grin before driving a series of forearms into Baker’s face. He then looks back at the cricket bat that lies on the mat. Marcus lifts it and, holding Baker’s left foot in place by standing on it, Marcus drives the bat down over the leg once again. The tacks cause the shreds of Baker’s tights that had survived on that leg to just drop off, exposing the lower leg.
Marcus aims another series of stomps to the leg and the knee before looking for the kneeling cross-legged STF. Baker tries to fight it but his leg and back have been severely weakened. Marcus manages to get his legs locked and, after driving an elbow into Baker’s shredded back, clasps his hands around the chin and pulls back. Baker grits his teeth with determination and tries to fight his way to the ropes. He slowly drags himself, but Marcus manages to keep the hold locked on, pulling further and further back to add pressure onto the back as well as the injured knee. Baker’s fight slowly weakens as the hold stays on for longer and longer. As Baker weakens, so do the fans, and the arena becomes eerily quiet, the only sounds to be heard being Marcus’ grunts as he wrenches back on the hold.
MW: We could be about to see Graham Baker submit for the very first time!
SD: Even if he gets to the ropes, it won't matter! Graham Baker is trapped. This one is almost certainly over.
MW: Perhaps it is, but I'm not sure Graham Baker will ever allow himself to give up.
With the arena sensing the danger, Baker raises an arm, flexing his fingers to try and get the fans back with him. Slowly, the noise level rises until the crescendo of noise helps Baker to fight his way back into it. He pushes himself up and, after several attempts, manages to roll to his right. Marcus tries to keep the hold locked on, but his shoulders end up pinned to the mat, 1-2-no. Marcus breaks his grip to avoid being pinned and the fans start another loud ‘Gra-ham Ba-ker’ chant. Marcus, however, is first to get to his feet and he stomps on Baker’s back a couple more times. Marcus looks down at the champion before stepping through the ropes and climbing up to the top. Baker slowly starts to get up and Marcus points down at him with double finger guns as the fans boo him. Marcus leaps, looking for a shooting star DDT. However, just as he grips Baker, Baker manages to twist his way behind Marcus and he catches him with a Ger,an suplex into the turnbuckles!
The fans cheer loudly as both men lie on the canvas. The official checks them both and a murmur goes around the arena while both of their chests rise and fall quickly. Slowly, both men start to get to their feet. Marcus holds the back of his head as he pulls himself up, while Baker holds his bloody back and tries to avoid putting too much pressure on his left knee. They eye one another across the ring before moving to close the distance, Marcus staggering a little and Baker limping. They stand forehead to forehead, staring into each other’s eyes for a few moments before they resume the exchange of forearms that began the match. They exchange in a flurry as the fans build to loud cheers again. The pace starts to slow as both men stagger, Baker almost dropping to one knee as Marcus holds the back of his head.
Marcus aims a final big shot at Baker, who ducks and pulls Marcus in for a German. Marcus aims his heel at Baker’s knee, but Baker has it scouted, lifting his leg out of the way before bringing it back down and connecting with the German suplex. Baker then reaches down and pulls the bundle of light tubes from the trash can, setting them up horizontally across the middle turnbuckle. He turns back to Marcus and pulls him up, connecting with a snap German before looking to complete Anti-Air, connecting with the hesitation dropkick which sends the back of Marcus’ head into the light tubes, shattering them in the corner. Almost immediately, blood starts to trickle from the back of Marcus Allen Jones’ head.
SD: Aaaaah! No!
MW: Graham Baker is back in charge of this match now!
SD: But he's nowhere near 100%. He's still been severely weakened.
MW: As has Marcus Allen Jones. Neither man is at full strength, as you'd expect from twenty-three sadistic minutes in this Cell.
SD: And I don't think this one is finished yet!
Baker stands and calls for the fans to get louder. They cheer as he pulls Marcus up and tries to lift him onto his shoulders for the Mustang Driver. Marcus fights him off, elbowing Baker in the side of his head and dropping to the mat. Marcus quickly pulls Baker in for a reverse DDT. Marcus then pulls Baker up and drives him back-first into the turnbuckles. Marcus lifts Baker up to the top turnbuckle and climbs after him, clubbing him across the back before hooking an arm over him as he looks to set up for a superplex. Marcus lifts Baker before twisting, aiming to bring him down with a top-rope falcon arrow. Baker, however, over-rotates and looks to land on his feet, but his knee gives out and he collapses to the mat.
MW: Graham Baker had it scouted. Marcus hit him with the same move at Judgement Day and Graham Baker was ready.
SD: But I think he did himself more damage by trying to land on his feet than he would have by taking the move. Advantage Jones!
Marcus stands and stalks Baker. As Baker forces himself back to his feet, Marcus pounces, landing a hard superkick to the back of his head. The fans boo as Marcus looks for the sharpshooter which will complete the Marktreal Screwjob. Baker fights him for a few moments but he can't stop Marcus from turning him. Marcus sits deeper and deeper as Baker cries out in pain. Marcus continues to get deeper as the blood from Baker’s back stains his tights. Baker fights, forcing his way to the ropes, but grasping the rope has no meaning for him. Marcus continues to sit deep, laughing as the official tells Baker he has to escape himself. Baker uses the ropes to help himself to push up, and he manages to reach backwards to wrap an arm around Marcus’ head. Baker then drops to the mat, forcing the back of Marcus’ head into the ropes as he breaks the hold.
Baker rolls himself away from Marcus to create some separation. As he rolls, he sees the reel of barbed wire and drags himself towards it. He cradles it as he uses the ropes to pull himself up to his feet. Marcus also pulls himself up but he doesn't notice that Baker has the barbed wire. Marcus reaches in to trap the wrist but he cries out in pain as he realises he's clutching a handful of barbed wire. He releases it and turns away, looking down as he hand starts leaking blood. Baker pounces, twisting the barbed wire around Marcus, trapping both arms, before pulling him in and connecting with a German suplex. Marcus screams in pain as the barbs cut into the skin. Baker then stands, Marcus’ screams urging him on. He reaches into the trash can one more time and pulls out the drawstring bag. He opens it and dumps a seemingly endless stream of thumbtacks onto the mat. Baker then pulls Marcus up and tears on his arms free of the barbed wire. He lifts him onto his shoulders, blood dripping onto them from Marcus’ wounds before looking down at the thumbtacks. He takes a breath, calls out ‘Fuck you, Marcus’ and lands a Mustang Driver onto the tacks. Marcus, still wrapped in barbed wire, screams as tacks cover his back. Baker makes a cover, 1-2-no!
MW: What? What?
SD: His shoulder! His shoulder!
MW: These fans are silenced! Marcus Allen Jones has somehow kicked out!
SD: Look at Graham Baker.
Baker stares down at Marcus, mouth agape. He cover him again, 1-2-no! Again Marcus manages to lift his free arm. Baker's face turns from shock to anger as he looks around the edge of the ring. He rolls out and picks up the kendo stick that he left on the outside just under half an hour ago. He slides back in and unleashes on Marcus, driving the kendo stick onto him over and over again, hitting him so hard that the barbed wire begins to untangle. Baker finally throws the kendo stick so hard that it crashes into the side of the Cell. He then lifts Marcus again and hoists him up onto his shoulders, looking for another Mustang Driver. Marcus, however, drops down, somehow landing on his feet. He traps the wrist and spins Baker, connecting with a Six Stars! Baker collapses as the arena turns silent again. Marcus collapses on top of Graham Baker, 1-2-no!
SD: He's kicked out!
MW: This match is still going! Marcus Allen Jones refused to give in and Graham Baker does the same. These two men could be locked in here forever!
SD: But look! Marcus is heading to the top rope!
Marcus slowly climbs to the top rope as Baker lies in position. Marcus can barely raise him arms to start a clap but, surprisingly, a quiet clap can be heard as he looks down at Baker. He cries out ‘Fuck you, Trevor’ before leaping. Baker suddenly changes position, looking to catch Marcus in the Emergency Landing, just as he did to end the match at Judgement Day… but Marcus was prepared. He didn't go for the Mark-Out Moment, instead simply dropping down and using Baker’s change of position to set him up for another sharpshooter. He locks it in quickly and turns him, sitting as deep as he can given his own injuries from the barbed wire and the tacks. Baker seems to fade quickly and The Invaders and Hunter Killer on the outside implore the official to check on him. The official lifts Baker’s arm and it drops almost to the mat before he stops it just short, clenching his fist. He raises it up slowly and tries to drag himself towards the ropes.
Marcus calls down to him that the ropes can't save him, but Baker doesn't grip the ropes. Instead, he grips the apron and slides himself out of the ring. Slowly, he slides so far from the ring that he manages to break the hold. Marcus drops to the mat inside the ring from all of the effort as Baker lies on the outside. The fans begin to bubble before indecipherable noise fills the arena as they clap, stamp their feet and scream at the incredible match still unfolding before them.
As the screams die down, Marcus rolls out of the ring and Baker pulls himself to his feet. Both men stare each other down on the outside of the ring, Baker still bleeding from the back, Marcus bleeding around the waist and covered in tacks all over his back. At the flick of a switch, they begin to exchange straight right hands, each man landing several before Baker ducks one and connects with a Pele kick the the right arm of Marcus. Marcus reels back but Baker comes in quickly wringing the arm and then driving it into the Cell. He runs Marcus at the ringpost and wraps the arm around it, Marcus spinning into the Cell wall but Baker following up with a dropkick to the arm, trapping it against the wall. Marcus staggers away holding his arm and tries to roll into the ring to escape, but Baker stops him, pulling him back out again before driving the arm repeatedly into the edge of the ring before rolling him in himself.
MW: This could be it! Baker hasn't looked for the Emergency Landing yet, but that's how he beat Marcus last time and I'd be amazed if he didn't want to make Marcus tap again tonight.
SD: Marcus, you've got to do something!
Baker stomps on the arm before picking up the cricket bat and driving it down onto it. Marcus screams in pain and rolls over, Baker snatching his chance to lock in his patented hold. He locks it in, wrenching back on the arm as Marcus cries out in pain. Baker pushes through with his hips to extend the arm as far as he possibly can and the official readies himself to call for the bell. Marcus, however, continues to fight. He rolls himself over and manages to clasp his hands, blocking Baker from extending his arm any further. Baker tries to break the grip but Marcus refuses to let him. Finally, Baker breaks the hold and gets to his feet, limping a little but looking determinedly down at his challenger.
Baker stalks Marcus, who climbs unsteadily to his feet. Baker spins him round and pulls him up onto his shoulders, looking for the Mustang Driver that would surely end the match. However, Marcus drops, catching the wrist and spinning Baker. Baker, however, dodges the Six Stars and looks for a German, but Marcus performs a standing switch and traps the wrist again. He spins Baker out for the Six Stars once again, leaping for the knee, but Baker catches it. He then hoists Marcus up again, but again Marcus drops down, looking for the Six Stars. Baker again dodges the bicycle knee, again looking for a German. This time he thinks he's got it, but Marcus lands, albeit unsteadily, on his feet. Marcus then swoops in, trapping the wrist and going for the Six Stars again. As he spins Baker and goes for the knee, Baker drops to one knee, just as he did at Judgement Day. Marcus reaches down and looks for a snap DDT, but Baker transitions, pulling Marcus into position and locking in the Emergency Landing once again.
MW: Baker was playing possum! At Judgement Day, he collapsed because he was so exhausted. Here he was suckering him in.
SD: And it worked! But surely Marcus can find a way to escape.
Marcus tries to roll over and clasp his hands, but Baker uses whatever leg strength he has left to stop him from doing it. The fans cheer as Marcus looks about to tap, but one more effort from Marcus sees him try his familiar counter, rolling far enough to roll Baker up. Baker, however, rolls through, countering the counter again and again looking to extend the arm, only for Marcus to continue to roll, getting Baker’s shoulders down, 1-2-no! Baker kicks out at the very last possible second. Marcus shakes off his arm as he sees Baker scrambling to his feet. Marcus then pounces, taking Baker down with a chop block and viciously stomping at the knee he's been targeting all match.
Marcus looks for the kneeling cross-legged STF one more time, but Baker fights him off, and Marcus’ right arm isn't strong enough to grasp the chin. Marcus releases Baker, who rolls onto his back, only for Marcus to drop down and lock in his own version of the Emergency Landing! Baker cries out in pain as Marcus fully extends the arm. The fans scream for Baker to escape, but he can't. He's close to tapping, but tries one last escape. He rolls backwards, forcing Marcus to roll with him, but allowing Baker to get his feet underneath him. Baker then slowly stands, somehow fighting through the immense pain in his knee as he powers Marcus up, hitting a huge powerbomb to force the break. Baker collapses and once again the fans explode.
SD: Both men almost had it won!
MW: I sense we're getting close to the conclusion of this match. Graham Baker's knee can surely take no more punishment. Neither can his back. Marcus’ arm is just hanging limp and his head must be causing him a great deal of pain.
SD: Whoever gets the next big move might have this one. But both men have kicked out of the other’s biggest moves, both in this match and in their previous one. Is there a move that one thinks can put his opponent away?
Both Baker and Marcus start to stir at the same time. Each man slowly crawls to the ropes and pulls himself to his feet. They stare across the ring at one another and look ready to advance when Dario shouts to Marcus. He turns and sees Dario threading a kendo stick through the Cell wall. Jackson pushes with enough force that it lands just in front of Marcus. Baker and Marcus stare at each other and, before Marcus can bend down, Baker runs at him, looking for a shotgun dropkick. Marcus moves out of the way and Baker connects with the turnbuckles. Marcus then grabs Baker and pulls him up, trapping the wrist. He spins him out and connects with Six Stars. Marcus then staggers into the ropes and drops to one knee, staring down at Baker.
MW: Why isn't he covering him? Marcus has this one!
SD: Because Graham Baker has kicked out of every Six Stars that Marcus Allen Jones has ever hit him with. He needs more… but it's a risk.
MW: He's looking up to the top rope.
SD: He hasn't wanted to do this as it's a big risk. It's been countered before and it's been a disaster for Marcus.
MW: But Baker looks out of it. One more move and we have a new champion.
SD: Do it Marcus!
MW: Marcus Allen Jones climbing slowly. Is this a metaphor for his slow climb back up the mountain to become the first ever two-time FPW Champion? Marcus is perched on the top rope and-
SD: No!
MW: Baker! Baker springs up and… Ejection Seat!
SD: Ooooooh. I said it was a risk
MW: And now Baker has the advantage!
Graham Baker shakily pulls himself to his feet and calls out ‘Ground Zero’. The fans cheer as he pulls Marcus up and sets him up, connecting with the buckle bomb. Marcus barely remains on his feet as Baker pulls him in for the tiger bomb.
MW: Ground Zero! He's… but he's not making the cover either!
SD: Marcus Allen Jones has kicked out of this before too! He's the only man who ever has. Baker knows that he needs more as well.
MW: But what more is there?
Baker slowly drags Marcus over towards the corner. He lifts him with great difficulty onto his shoulders. With Marcus on his shoulders, Baker starts to climb to the top rope. He takes an age to take each step and almost falls after pushing his left leg up to the top rope, but he holds on and wastes no time…
SD: Avalanche Mustang Driver!
MW: Wait… this isn't an avalanche Mustang Driver-
Baker rolls through and connects with a perfect standing corkscrew moonsault.
MW: It's an Avalanche Super Mustang Driver!
SD: Kick out, Marcus, please!
MW: One….. two….. three!
SD: No!
MW: Graham Baker has retained the Freedom Pro Wrestling Championship inside Hell in a Cell in the biggest match in FPW history!
Winner and Still FPW Champion: Graham Baker.
Baker rolls off Marcus and the two men lie on the blood-stained canvas, the fans giving them one of the loudest standing ovations ever seen in FPW. The official checks on both as Baker struggles to his feet. He acknowledges the fans as he staggers forward, catching himself on the ropes to hold himself up. His knee can barely support him and his back is still leaking blood. The official calls for the Cell to be raised but, as it is, The Invaders storm the ring, jumping Baker. The official tries to stop them but Haych lays him out.
The previous cheers turn to boos as the two of them lay into Baker and he lies defenceless on the mat. Haych calls for the FPW Title to be brought into the ring and Dario collects it. Haych then holds Baker up as Dario stands, about to strike him with the belt. As Dario is about to step forward, he's stopped as Marcus wrenches the belt out of his hands. He looks down at the belt for a moment as TakeOver smile.
MW: Marcus Allen Jones is about to walk off with Baker’s title! Surely this rivalry is finished now!
SD: It's not finished until-
MW: What is he…
Marcus drops the belt to the mat and looks at the rest of TakeOver. Instead of joining their attack, he points to the ramp. The two of them stand and look at him for a few moments before Marcus yells for them to get out of the ring. Both of them give him a quizzical look but each do as they're told. Marcus drops to his knees as Baker sits across the ring from him, staring him down with an equally quizzical look. Marcus then stands, picking up the belt and advancing towards Baker. Baker holds his hands up to protect himself but Marcus doesn't look to strike him. Instead, Marcus offers him his hand.
The fans aren't sure how to react to this. Some boo, warning Baker to be careful, while others cheer what seems to be an act of sportsmanship. Baker stares at Marcus before reaching up and taking his hand. Marcus pulls Baker up and the two of them shake hands. The fans cheer as Marcus hands Baker the belt and then raises his arm. Marcus turns to leave and Baker pats him on the back, showing some respect, before climbing to the top rope and raising the title as Marcus walks away up the ramp. The show ends with Baker raising the belt to his cheering fans.
MW: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the finals of the second edition of Freedom Pro Wrestling’s All Star Tag Team Classic. I’m Mike Watson and I’m joined as-
SD: Yea, yeah, yeah. All Star Tag Team Classic II, hype, hype, hype. Tonight we finally see Marcus Allen Jones regain the title that is still rightfully his. Inside Hell in a Cell, Graham Baker has nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
MW: Well I wasn’t planning to mention tonight’s main event just yet, but seeing as you already have, let’s go there. For months and months, ever since losing the FPW Championship to Graham Baker, all Marcus Allen Jones has been doing is tormenting Baker and tormenting Jim Houston in an attempt to get his rematch. Tonight he gets it, but there will be no TakeOver interference, no numbers game. The match will take place inside Hell in a Cell and there will be no escape for either man. The best man will emerge as FPW Champion.
SD: And that man will be Marcus Allen Jones.
MW: It may or may not. That’s for later tonight. Let’s get straight to our first semi-final of the All Star Tag Team Classic. These two teams made it through against TakeOver opponents and now this match is somewhat of a dream match. Aaron Williams and Jace Mason, perhaps an unlikely team, performed well in their quarter-final and they take on the fun-loving, but somewhat troubled, siblings: Jerry and Berry Bishop.
‘I Still Believe’ begins to play and Aaron Williams emerges onto the stage, pumping up the crowd and singing loudly along to the song. The fans join in and, at the usual point, Williams leaps up into the air before holding up a hand. The music stops as Williams turns and points back to the entrance. ‘Afterlife’ takes over on the speakers and Jace Mason emerges onto the stage, posing as usual as the pyro explodes. He and Williams bump fists as they walk down the ramp together, each slapping hands of fans. Williams does his usual of allowing a young fan to sign his kneepad while Mason climbs the turnbuckles and holds up the Freedom Championship. Williams then slides into the ring to join him and the two pump up the crowd before embracing and turning to look at the All Star Tag Team Classic trophy which sits just next to the announcers’ desk.
The fans applaud Mason and Williams before settling into a duelling ‘Be-rry Bi-shop’ and ‘Je-rry Bi-shop’ chant, which rolls around the arena for some time before ‘The Comedian’s Gallop’ begins to play. Jerry and Berry emerge together, both bowing deeply to the fans before moving down the ramp in their own unique manners- Jerry dance conducting while Berry hopscotches. When they reach the bottom of the ramp, they both do a circuit of the fans, slapping hands and smiling before crossing over and doing the same on the other side of the arena. They then slide into the ring and nod at Williams and Mason before settling into their corner. The official checks over them before Jerry and Mason leave the ring.
Match 1: All Star Tag Team Classic Semi-Final I: Jace Mason and Aaron Williams v The Bishops:
Williams looks across at Berry and extends his hand. She moves forward quickly and shakes it as the fans clap. They then break apart and circle one another, locking up. Williams takes the early advantage and forces Berry into the ropes, whipping her across the ring and looking for a quick dropkick which takes her down. He makes a cover, 1-no. Berry kicks out and both competitors get quickly to their feet. Williams locks in a headlock and is quick to take Berry over, but Berry locks in a headscissors to force the break. They scramble to their feet again, Berry this time locking in the headlock and taking Williams over, but he too finds a headscissors and the hold is broken once again. They spring to their feet and stare each other down, both with smiles on their faces, before backing up and tagging in their partners.
Mason and Jerry enter the ring and Mason extends a hand for Jerry. He too shakes it and they too lock up. The lock-up is much more even, neither man giving much ground until Mason manages to control an arm and lock in a hammerlock. Jerry rolls through and takes Mason’s arm, wringing it and then kicking him in the gut. He immediately goes for a Russian leg-sweep and then makes a cover, 1-no. Mason kicks out quickly. As Mason is getting to his feet, Jerry connects with a knee to the gut and then whips him across the ring into the corner. He runs at him and connects with a running dropkick, sending Mason staggering out of the corner. Jerry then goes for a running bulldog and drives Mason face-first into the mat. He stands and the fans cheer loudly.
MW: Jerry Bishop on fire in the early going here! SD: He seems to have found some of that confidence of his. He’s a hard man to stop when he’s feeling like this.
MW: But it looks like Berry is ready to re-enter the match.
Berry calls for the tag and Jerry happily tags her in. She stalks Mason as he climbs to his feet and connects with several hard kicks, one to the back before a kick to the leg sends him to one knee and a kick to the chest takes him down. She then backs away and waits for Mason to sit up before running at him and connecting with a shining wizard. Berry makes a cover, 1-2-no. Mason kicks out. Berry then takes the arm and looks for a double wrist-lock, but Mason wriggles free and scrambles towards his corner. Berry catches his foot and tries to pull him back, but Mason staggers her with an enzeguiri before tagging in Aaron Williams. Williams enters the ring and ducks an attempted roundhouse kick from Berry, instead leaping onto the middle rope and taking her down with a springboard crossbody. He holds for a cover, 1-no. Berry kicks out.
Williams then stalks Berry before whipping her into the ropes and connecting with another dropkick. Berry hits the mat and Williams hits the ropes, rolling through before springing up and connecting with rolling thunder. He then pulls Berry to her feet and gets her into a vertical suplex position, lifting her before dumping her back down onto the top rope. Berry hangs there while Williams climbs to the top, but Jerry quickly comes across the pulls Berry away. Williams looks down at him before jumping down from the turnbuckle and holding his arms out. Jerry quickly enters the ring and squares up to Williams, but the two do little other than stare each other down.
MW: These fans are excited at the prospect of Jerry Bishop and Aaron Williams meeting in this ring tonight.
SD: As they should be. But it doesn’t look like either man especially wants to get into it right now.
MW: Jerry isn’t the legal man. Both men have a healthy respect for the rules, and, it seems, one another.
SD: Healthy?
The official guides Jerry back to his corner while Williams moves across and tags in Mason. He enters and immediately grasps Berry’s leg, stopping her from crawling over to Jerry. He pulls her up and whips her into his corner, where he runs at her and connects with a high knee. Berry rolls onto the mat and Mason balances himself on the top rope before leaping down and delivering a vicious double stomp. Instead of making the cover, Mason lifts Berry into a vertical suplex position and dumps her on the top rope again before tagging in Williams. The fans cheer as he climbs up to the top rope and Mason stands in front of Jerry, blocking him off. Williams connects with the 450 splash to Berry’s back and both of them fall to the canvas. Williams crawls across to Berry and makes a cover, 1-2-no. Berry manages to kick out.
Williams, holding his gut, calls for Berry to make it to her feet. As she pulls herself up on the ropes, he pulls her into position and lifts her before dropping her with a brainbuster to the knee. He makes another cover, 1-2-no. Again Berry manages to kick out. Jerry tries to pump up the crowd to help Berry out and most of them come with him, but Williams positions himself well, keeping himself between her and Jerry at all times. He lifts her up again and sends her into his corner before backing away and connecting with a big splash. He backs away again and connects with another, then another and another before Berry falls to a seated position. He then backs away one more time before charging at her and connecting with a cannonball, sending her rolling into the middle of the ring. Williams tags in Mason but he climbs to the top rope as Mason stands by. Williams connects with a swan-ton bomb and Mason makes an immediate cover, 1-2-no! Berry just manages to get a shoulder up.
MW: I thought this one was over just then! SD: So did I. Berry Bishop has certainly developed her resilience over the last few months.
MW: She sure has. But with her completely cut off from her corner, I don’t see how she can keep going for much longer.
Mason looks to capitalise on Berry being down, trying to set up the Last Chancery. Berry, however, gets a hand in between his hands and her chin, blocking him from locking the hold on properly. Mason tries to wrestle the hand away, but Berry keeps one of her hands in there, not allowing Mason to make the bridge. After a few moments, he gives in and tries to lift her, but Berry takes advantage, utilising her quickness to dart behind him and roll him through, connecting with a hard kick before diving to make the tag to Jerry.
The fans come to life, cheering as Jerry enters the ring and takes Mason down with a rolling elbow. He then sits up on the second turnbuckle and takes him down with a blockbuster, making a cover, 1-2-no. Mason kicks out. Jerry rolls out of the ring and waits on the apron. As Mason gets to his feet, Jerry leaps up and aims for a springboard forearm, but Mason catches him into a surprise Extra Credit! He makes the cover, 1-2-no! Berry manages to dive in and make the save. The three of them lie in the ring for a few moments as the crowd cheer Mason’s amazing counter.
MW: I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Spanish fly like that before! SD: Jace Mason calls himself the Eternal Student and he’s certainly been studying in order to pull that off. He’s got a long way to go, but if he can keep doing things like that, he’s going to get there.
MW: And now he looks to make the tag to the only man who seems fresh in this match.
Mason crawls over to Aaron Williams and tags him in. Williams comes in and quickly throws Berry over the top rope. He then turns to Jerry, who’s only just getting onto all fours, before hitting a running dropkick which sends him through the ropes as well. Williams backs away and pumps up the fans, who clap rhythmically as he charges towards the ropes and leaps over them, taking both Bishops down with a perfect tope con hilo. Williams springs up before grabbing Jerry and sending him back into the ring. He follows and then pulls Jerry in for a powerbomb backbreaker, which he hits, making a cover and hooking both legs, 1-2-no! Jerry barely gets a shoulder up. Williams looks down in despair as Mason calls for the tag. Williams tags him in and Mason climbs to the top rope. He comes down with a shooting star press onto Jerry and holds for the cover as Williams stops Berry, who’s trying to get back into the ring, from breaking it up, 1-2-no! Berry manages to drive herself and Williams onto Mason to break up the cover.
Mason gets quickly to his feet but he’s met by a barrage of kicks from Berry. She floors him with a roundhouse kick before leaping onto the middle rope and taking Williams down with a disaster kick. She then stalks Mason as he staggers to his feet and connects with a monkey flip to send him into the corner. Williams also gets to his feet but she hits a roundhouse kick on him to send him into the opposite corner. With both Jace Mason and Aaron Williams sat against the turnbuckles, Berry looks at both before charging at Mason and driving both knees into his face. She then turns and does the same to Williams. The fans cheer loudly as Jerry gets to his feet as well and he and Berry nod to one another.
MW: I think The Bishops are ready to take this match home.
SD: Could it be Jerry’s first victory? He is the legal man after all.
Jerry and Berry each lift one of their opponents and connect with parallel snapmares, leaving Williams and Mason sat next to one another in the middle of the ring. Both Bishops charge at them, Jerry at Mason and Berry at Williams, and complete their Touchstone Takedowns. Jerry falls onto Mason for the cover as the fans chant along with the official, 1-2-no! Mason kicks out and the fans are stunned into silence. Jerry can’t believe it. He takes a moment to recover as the official ushers Berry and Williams out of the ring, the later unable to stand on the apron.
Jerry then stands, pulling Mason up with him and trapping his arms. He looks around the arena before letting out a big, booming laugh. However, Mason manages to free his arms and he shoves Jerry backwards. Unseen by Mason, Berry makes a blind tag and, as Jerry staggers forward again, Mason connects with the Extra Credit. Before he can pin Jerry, Berry enters the ring and takes him down with Checkmate, making the cover and hooking both legs, 1-2-3.
Winners: The Bishops.
MW: I don’t believe it! Berry Bishop has pinned our Freedom Champion and The Bishops are into the final of the All Star Tag Team Classic.
SD: And once again it’s Berry Bishop who wins the match. She could see that Jerry was about to cost them the match- yet again- and she did what she had to do.
MW: I don’t know about costing them the match but Berry certainly made the right decision to tag herself in. I don’t think Jace Mason had any idea that a tag had been made. But nevertheless, The Bishops will be back later tonight to face either our Tag Team Champions Death Squad or the ALPHA Wrestling Tag Team Champions Marcus n’Morgan.
Berry helps Jerry up and they hug before the official raises the arms. Berry beams and Jerry smiles, but sighs as once again it was his sister who picked up the victory. After their arms are raised, Jerry and Berry look across the ring to see Mason and Williams nodding at them and applauding. The four of them meet in the middle of the ring and shake hands, Berry then pointing at the Freedom Championship that Jace Mason has over his shoulder. She signals that she beat him and Mason nods before holding up the belt.
MW: It would seem that Berry Bishop has just asked Jace Mason for a Freedom Championship match.
SD: And it would seem that Mason has accepted. That could be a very interesting match.
MW: And potentially a very dangerous one for Jace Mason. But that doesn’t matter right now. The Bishops have defeated Jace Mason and Aaron Williams and they are through to the All Star Tag Team Classic final.
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Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with Bobby O.
DB: I’m joined right now by Bobby O. Bobby, you have a big match coming later tonight. Talk us through your mental state as you prepare to face the man you once considered your partner.
BO: He was my partner. This time last year, we were running through the field to win the All Star Tag Team Classic. That trophy out there has our names on it and it always will. It took us some time to gel as we had, shall we say, a rocky history, but we did gel and, if I may say so myself, we became the best tag team in FPW. But that wasn’t enough for Jack. I went and won the Dead Man’s Chest. Jack couldn’t beat Graham Baker that night to take his title show at Judgement Day. Who knows, maybe if he had, I’d have cashed in and we’d have been the main eventers for that show. But Jack changed that night. I didn’t see it at the time, but I see it now. He realised that maybe I was on track to be more successful than him once we finished teaming together. He was jealous. Even after I risked everything- trying to make up for my own mistake by using my Dead Man’s Chest for the good of our team- he wanted to end it. But that was fine. If Jack Sevren wanted to end things with me, he should have been a man about it and told me. He shouldn’t have walked away and let me face The Guardians of Strong Style by myself. But even then I wasn’t sure I wanted to face him. Jim Houston booked the match before I explained to him that I just wanted to talk to Jack. But then I talked to him…
DB: And now you do want to face him?
BO: Now I want to do more than face him. I want to beat him, yes, but I want more than that. And that’s why I have to be extremely careful. I came here from a dark place to make amends for the person I was. In the match tonight, I might become that person again. But after I take care of Jack, that person is dead. He’s the last obstacle. And tonight I will do what needs to be done.
Bobby walks away with a determined look on his face.
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MW: That match is coming up in a little bit, but up next we find out our second All Star Tag Team Classic finalist.
SD: I can’t wait for this match. Death Squad have taken Freedom Pro Wrestling by storm. They were the first team to beat Guardians of Strong Style and then they became the first team to score a pinfall victory over them too, becoming Tag Team Champions in the process. But they face one of the best tag teams in the world tonight. Marcus n’Morgan are the ALPHA Wrestling Tag Team Champions. They came this close to winning the ICW Tag Team Classic, a tournament by the way that The Guardians of Strong Style were in, and now their sights are set on the All Star Tag Team Classic and an FPW Tag Team Championship match.
MW: Of course, after the final of the ICW Tag Team Classic, Death Squad made their presence known and jumped Marcus n’Morgan, setting up quite the mouth-watering contest tonight.
The lights in the arena go down and the fans immediately begin to boo as a klaxon sounds and the lights flash red. As they stop, smoke pours out of the stage and Ava Knight walks forward, lifting a microphone.
“Rejoice, and be happy! Opportunity knocked… and Death has answered.”
The klaxon season as ‘Let’s Go’ begins to play. The fans boo louder than before as Evan Rorsche and Aiden Balmer emerge wearing their usual mis-matched gear. They rip off their masks and vests, revealing the FPW Tag Team Championships around their waists, before they rush the ring and slide in, followed by Ava Knight. The fans continue to abuse them and Balmer has to hold Rorsche back as he tries to get at one fan who he’s been having a strong back and forth with. The two of them remove their belts and hold them up as the fans boo even louder, before tossing them to the mat for the official to pick up.
The boos turn to a few cheers as ‘Feed the Wolf’ begins to play. At the end of the intro, Marcus and Tyler Morgan walk out together, ALPHA Tag Team Championships over their shoulders. They play to the crowd and the reaction gets louder before walking down the ramp and slapping hands. They give each other a nod, place their titles in their corner and then slide into the ring, squaring up immediately with Rorsche and Balmer. The two teams stand noses to noses as the official tries to prise them apart.
Match 2: All Star Tag Team Classic II Semi-Final II: Death Squad v Marcus n’Morgan:
As Marcus steps between the ropes to allow Morgan to begin the match, both Balmer and Rorsche jump Tyler Morgan. Rorsche connects with a superkick to the back of the head and Balmer immediately strikes with Naturally Gifted. Marcus charges back into the ring and aims right hands at Balmer and Rorsche but they overpower him and drive him into the corner, Rorsche laying into him with knee strikes followed by a series of mid kicks. Marcus drops to the mat and Rorsche forces him out of the ring before he and Balmer follow. The fans shout abuse at them but they ignore them and carry on their attack, driving Marcus headfirst into the ring post before Balmer throws him into the guardrail.
Death Squad lay into Marcus with a series of kicks before Balmer lifts him and hangs him over the guardrail. Rorsche takes a run up before delivering a cutter to drive the top of Marcus’ head into the floor. The fans gasp at the sickening sound it makes and Rorsche and Balmer smile before looking back to the ring, where Tyler Morgan is just pulling himself up to his feet. He looks down and sees what has happened to his partner before trying to climb out of the ring. However, as he steps through the ropes, Rorsche connects with a dropkick to his knee to leave him on all fours on the apron and Balmer springs up and connects with a devastating powerbomb onto the edge of the ring.
SD: Wow! If Marcus ever goes and I need a new best friend, remind me to call these guys.
MW: You can’t support this, Steven! They jumped Tyler Morgan while his back was turned and then they double team Marcus before another double team against Morgan again.
SD: It’s called intelligence and good tag team wrestling. Did you complain when Jerry and Berry teamed up in the last match? No you didn’t.
MW: But they didn’t jump anyone. Where was the handshake at the beginning of this match? Where’s the respect? Jerry and Berry showed respect and honour. These guys are just trash.
SD: Now, now, Watson. You have to give respect to get respect, remember.
Rorsche then rolls Tyler Morgan into the ring and makes a cover. The official is a little reluctant but he counts, 1-2-no! Morgan kicks out and the fans cheer loudly. Balmer immediately slides into the ring and he and Rorsche look to continue the double team, but the official forces him back. Morgan, meanwhile, fights off Evan Rorsche but, with the official distracted, Rorsche lands a low blow to keep Morgan down. Balmer leaves the ring just as Rorsche drives his knee into Morgan’s face before connecting with a spike DDT. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Again Morgan barely kicks out.
Rorsche then moves over to Balmer and makes a tag. Balmer comes in quickly, picking up Morgan and landing a snap suplex before popping his hips and pulling him up, this time transitioning into a half-nelson backbreaker. Balmer makes the cover this time, 1-2-no! Again Morgan just manages to kick out, but he’s doing so with less energy each time. The fans start to chant for Tyler Morgan but Balmer drives him into the corner and repeatedly chops him to quieten the fans quickly. The official forces him back at the count of four and Balmer tags Rorsche back in. Morgan staggers out of the corner and Rorsche comes in with a slingshot cutter. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Again Morgan barely gets a shoulder up.
MW: Signs of frustration from our Tag Team Champions as Tyler Morgan won’t stay down.
SD: He won’t stay down yet, but he’ll soon be put down for good.
MW: Not if these fans have anything to do with it.
SD: Since when did they have-
MW: Hey wait! Marcus! Marcus is climbing back onto the apron.
The fans cheer as Marcus fights his way back onto the apron. He begins banging on the middle turnbuckle and the fans clap along with him. Rorsche shouts at them but it only makes them clap louder and louder. Tyler Morgan uses the buzz of the crowd to force himself up to his feet but Rorsche connects with a leg kick to send him back to his knees. Rorsche backs up and aims a running knee strike at Morgan, but he ducks underneath it and scrambles to his corner, reaching out for the tag… but Marcus isn’t there. Balmer has pulled him off the apron he throws him once again into the guardrail as the fans boo loudly.
Morgan looks down at Balmer as Rorsche lines him up and charges at him, aiming for a knee strike to the back of the head. Morgan, however, senses it, and rolls away at the last second. Rorsche barely stops himself as he runs at the turnbuckles, but Morgan grabs him and rolls him up with a schoolboy, 1-2-no. Rorsche kicks out. Both men make it to their feet and Rorsche aims a kick at Tyler Morgan, who catches it and pulls him in for a devastating spinebuster. Balmer enters the ring and aims a clothesline at Morgan but he ducks, connecting with a series of European uppercuts and then pulling Balmer in for a powerbomb. Morgan collapses to the mat but the fans urge him forward as he sees Marcus struggle back onto the apron. Morgan inches forward and finally stretches out a hand and makes the tag, just as both members of Death Squad make it to their feet.
MW: And here comes Marcus! SD: He can’t take both of them out by himself, though. Death Squad-
MW: Oh yes he can! DDT to Balmer! Ducks the clothesline and spinning wheel kick to Rorsche. Marcus is fired up tonight!
Marcus pulls Balmer up to his feet and connects with a Marcus Crusher, before making a cover, 1-2-no. Balmer kicks out. He stands and Rorsche charges at him, but Marcus takes him down with an arm drag before connecting with a throwback as Rorsche gets to his feet. Marcus then goes up to the top rope and comes down with a frog splash onto Rorsche before rolling him out of the ring. Tyler Morgan calls for the tag on the apron and Marcus tags him in. He stalks Balmer, who is just making it to his feet, before connecting with the Voice of Insanity. Morgan then climbs to the top rope and connects with a soaring moonsault, making a cover, 1-2-no! Balmer just kicks out.
Morgan, a little frustrated, calls for Balmer to get up. He slowly does so and Morgan lifts him onto his back for the Morgan Stunner. Balmer fights hard and drops down, looking for another half-nelson backbreaker, but Morgan rolls through and takes Balmer down with an arm drag. Balmer scrambles to his feet but Morgan kicks out Balmer’s leg before completing the Message from Hell with a devastating haymaker. He forgoes the cover, instead pulling Balmer to his feet and lifting him onto his back once again, this time connecting with the Morgan Stunner. Morgan makes the cover as Marcus heads over to block Rorsche from entering the ring, 1-2-no! Evan Rorsche emerges from under the ring on the other side and dives in to break up the count just in time.
SD: Genius from Evan Rorsche!
MW: Tyler Morgan was certain that he had this match won but Evan Rorsche, I hate to say it, outsmarted him and Marcus.
SD: And Marcus has only just realised.
Marcus lowers his arms and turns to see Rorsche’s foot slamming into his face as he connects with a bicycle kick. Marcus drops to the mat and falls to the floor and Rorsche drags Balmto the corner before making the tag. Rorsche then climbs to the top rope and stalks Morgan before diving off the connecting with another cutter. He makes the cover, 1-2-no! Morgan barely manages to get a shoulder up. Rorsche rolls out of the ring and stands on the apron, calling for the Dead Stop. He springboards and goes for the blockbuster, but Morgan catches him, shifts his weight, and looks for the Morgan Stunner. Balmer, however, enters the ring and pulls Rorsche to safety. Morgan turns and Balmer looks for a belly to belly throw, only for Morgan to headbutt him and to break free.
Marcus rolls back into the ring as Morgan pulls Rorsche back up. Marcus hits the ropes and connects with the running spear before Morgan pulls Rorsche to his feet and lifts him for the Morgan Stunner again. Balmer, however, pulls Rorsche down for a second time. Morgan grabs Balmer and kicks him in the gut, pulling him in for a Marcus Bomb, which he hits, sending Balmer rolling out of the ring. As Morgan and Marcus both pull Rorsche up, Ava Knight gets onto the apron and the official is distracted. Rorsche connects with a double low blow before throwing Marcus from the ring. Knight drops down and Rorsche pulls Morgan in for The Cycle. He connects and makes the cover, Knight holding Marcus on the outside, 1-2-3.
Winners: Death Squad.
MW: And the final of the All Star Tag Team Classic will be The Bishops facing Death Squad.
SD: Yes, it will be! Death Squad have defeated one of the best teams around. Marcus n’Morgan fought bravely but nobody can escape Death!
MW: Certainly not tonight. Let’s not forget that it took three low blows, a distraction and several double teams for Death Squad-
SD: Who won the match, Watson?
MW: I’m just reminding-
SD: Who won the match?
MW: Ok, ok, so Death Squad won the match but-
SD: Thank you.
MW: BUT! It wasn’t just through their own ability as wrestlers, which, I hate to say, is clearly very significant. There was a lot of rule breaking going on in that match. I think all of these fans will be solidly behind Jerry and Berry Bishop in our All Star Tag Team Classic Final.
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Backstage, Jerry and Berry Bishop sit in the locker room having just watched the second semi-final. Berry paces, excited, while Jerry sits with a distant look on his face.
BB: Alright! One more match, brother. Against the Tag Team Champions! For that shiny trophy and the chance to maybe become Tag Team Champions ourselves! Imagine that, Jer. Me and you with those belts around our waists!
JB: Yeah, that’d be something.
BB: Hey, come on, Jer-bear. We won. We beat Jace Mason and Aaron Williams! They’re awesome but we beat them. Death Squad? Ok, so they’re a bit scary, but we can beat them too. I know it.
JB: Yeah. We can.
BB: So let’s see some enthusiasm, Jerry Bishop, heart and soul of FPW. Think about what a great opportunity this is for us! After your bad run earlier this year, you’re one win away from holding up a big shiny trophy with your little sister. At least crack a smile!
Jerry looks up at Berry and, seeing her infectious enthusiasm, manages a smile.
JB: Yeah, I suppose we’ve done alright so far. But we’ve got to do even better. These guys won’t stand in the ring and shake hands with us when they get in there. If either of us turns our backs for even a second, they’ll jump us. You saw what they did to that guy, Marcus. They tried to knock him out cold so they could have a handicap match. We can’t let them do that to us. We’ve got to be 100% ready for this match.
BB: That’s the spirit, Jer. Now I’m going to see if Stacy has fixed up my gear. I’ll be back soon, ok, Jer?
Jerry nods and looks down at the floor, bobbing his head up and down as Berry walks out. The door can be heard closing and, a few moments later, it can be heard opening again. Jerry doesn’t look up.
JB: She not done yet?
Nobody answers, so Jerry looks up. He leaps up immediately as if he’s seen a ghost. The camera turns and shows MDE. A boo is heard from the fans.
MDE: Whoa, there, Jerry. I’m not here to cause trouble. In fact, I just wanted to wish you good luck. The final of the All Star Tag Team Classic… That’s a good achievement. Granted it’s not quite the same as the final of the Free-1 or semi-main eventing Judgement Day, but it’s something. And it’s all thanks to little Berry.
JB: Don’t talk about-
MDE: I don’t mean her any harm. That’s in the past now. Let’s face it, if she does come to any harm, you may as well withdraw from the tag classic final. She’s won both matches herself now, hasn’t she? In the first one you at least… well, you got kicked in the head. And in the semi-final you… well, you were about to get pinned by Mason, right? Looks like you picked the right partner.
JB (mumbling): I’m pleased for Berry. She’s-
MDE: I didn’t quite catch that…
JB (a little louder): She deserves this success. She’s a really good wrestler.
MDE: Oh trust me, Jerry, I know that she’s a god wrestler. But you… you’re Jerry Bishop. You should be the leader of this team. You should be the one getting the glory. You’re more talented than most of these hacks who call this locker room home. But it’s nice of you to let little old Berry take the glory. I’m sure it’ll help you find your mojo somehow. If you need any help with that, by the way…
JB (mumbling again): I don’t need…
MDE (sniggering): Ok… Good luck out there, Jerry. YOU might need it…
MDE turns and walks away. Jerry slumps back down onto the bench and kicks his bag across the floor. He looks down again and we hear the door opening. Berry begins speaking off camera.
BB: She fixed it up perfectly! Look at this stitching! It’s ama- Jerry? Are you ok?
Jerry looks up at Berry with an odd, determined look in his eyes.
JB: Yes. I’m ok. Let’s go over the plan for the match.
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MW: I don’t like the look of that I have to be honest.
SD: MDE speaks sense. Jerry should be the star of the team but instead he’s allowing Berry to take all of the glory. If The Bishops are going to win this tournament, Jerry will need to step up in the final. They’re facing the Tag Team Champions and the best team in FPW-
MW: I think The Guardians of Strong Style will have something to say about that claim.
SD: The same Guardians of Strong Style who are 0-2 against Death Squad? They have nothing to say.
MW: Well let’s think about the final when we get to it. Right now, we’ve got a Women’s Championship rematch that promises to be very special.
SD: It’s my girl Artie about to prove once again that Elizabeth Karlson doesn’t deserve to challenge her.
MW: Artemis Evans may well believe that Elizabeth Karlson isn’t a worthy challenger. In fact, it seems that Artemis Evans doesn’t think anybody is worthy of challenging for the Women’s Championship, but Ezliabeth Karlson took Evans to her limit at Resurrection-
SD: And lost!
MW: And lost. But she only lost to a roll-up. It was far from decisive, as have many of Evans’ matches been.
SD: That’s no way to talk about our FPW Women’s Champion, Watson. Let’s show some respect to Artemis Evans. She’s the first, the only, and soon to be still the FPW Women’s Champion.
The arena goes dark before pulses of white light burst in time to ‘Hardcore’. Most fans cheer as Elizabeth Karlson slithers down the ramp towards the ring. The lights get brighter and brighter and more and more of them illuminate the arena until one spotlight hits Karlson in the ring. She removes her mask and her entrance gear before bowing to the crowd, who give her a loud cheer, and then settling herself against the turnbuckles in one of the far corners.
The fans begin to boo as a white queen appears on the screen and the word ‘Checkmate’ is sent around the arena. ‘Hammer to Fall’ begins to play as Evans walks onto the ramp, smiling as the fans boo her. She holds out her arms as pyro explodes on either side of her followed by Thea Donovan and Myra Lopez emerging from behind her. They begin their walk to the ring, abusing the fans as they get further down the ramp.
Before the bell can even ring, as Artemis and her crew make their way to the ring, Karlson hits the ropes-SUICIDE SENTON ONTO THE QUEENDOM! Karlson nails Evans with a superkick before she throws her into the ring, turning around to Thea and Myra and NAILING both with brutal kneeling superkicks as they get back to their feet! She grabs both women and pulls them up onto the apron, grabbing both members of the Queendom and, with impressive strength, pulling them up onto her shoulders-BUT ARTEMIS EVANS NAILS KARLSON WITH A BRUTAL RUNNING KNEE THAT SENDS HER CRASHING OFF OF THE APRON WITH BOTH MEMBERS OF THE QUEENDOM ON TOP OF HER! Evans taunts Karlson as she tries to get back to her feet, and Karlson rolls into the ring, finally starting the match as the bell rings!
Match 3: FPW Women's Championship: Two-out-of-Three-Falls: Artemis Evans v Elizabeth Karlson (written by Graham Baker):
The two immediately trade brutal shots back and forth, Karlson fighting from below as the larger, stronger, more veteran champion takes her place at the top of the match! Evans drills repeated strikes into Karlson’s face, whipping her into the corner before she runs-SILVER BULLET KNEE TO ELIZABETH KARLSON IN THE CORNER! Evans yanks Karlson up-KNEECAP BRAINBUSTER! She goes for an early cover!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-NO! KARLSON KICKS OUT!
Evans yanks Karlson back to her feet and continues her dominance, drilling Liz with repeated strikes to the chest. She forces Karlson into the corner and gets another running start for a running knee-BUT KARLSON ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY, SENDING EVANS KNEE-FIRST INTO THE CORNER! Evans cries out in pain as Karlson sweeps her legs out from beneath her and traps her in the Chronic Illness Rolling Kneebar!
Evans scrambles for the ropes, but Karlson tries to roll to keep her based, only for Evans to burst forward and grab the ropes! Karlson goes to stomp on Evans’ knee and do more damage, but Evans sweeps Karlson’s legs out from beneath her and follows up with a standing moonsault onto Elizabeth Karlson! Karlson holds her chest as Evans yanks her back to her feet and drills her with a brutal knee to the face!
Karlson stumbles into the corner, and Evans feints going for a knee as Karlson moves out of the way, only to counter with a JUMPING SPIN KICK! Karlson falls into the ropes, and Evans goes for a Hurricanrana to spike Karlson into the apron-but Karlson catches Evans and runs with a buckle bomb to the corner! Evans slumps down in the corner, and Karlson points two fingers out, aping Graham Baker-DOUBLE KNEE TO EVANS IN THE CORNER! Karlson rolls her out and goes for a pin!
ONE!
TW-Evans kicks out!
Karlson grabs Evans and pulls her up on her shoulders for a Rolling Fireman’s Carry, but Evans nails her with repeated elbows to the head, causing Karlson to drop her. Evans whips Karlson into the corner and yanks her up onto the top buckle, slapping her in the face. Evans climbs up on the turnbuckle and pulls Karlson up for an Avalanche Brainbuster, but Karlson fights against it! She drills Evans in the skull with a knee, causing Evans to drop her off of the buckle. Evans sits up on the buckle as Karlson climbs up after her, going for an Avalanche Hurricanrana-AND SHE HITS IT! She goes for a pin on Evans!
ONE!
TWO!!
T-NO! Evans kicks out!
Karlson sits up and grabs her head, frustrated as Evans lays flat-backed on the mat. She watches as Liz yanks her back to her feet, drilling her in the face with a close range knee, but Evans rolls with the hit and nails Karlson with a brutal forearm! She yanks Karlson out to the apron, going to pull Karlson up for a Brainbuster onto the apron, but Karlson hooks her feet on the ropes! She refuses to let Evans yank her over, but Evans keeps trying to power through! Evans eventually releases the hold, and Karlson attempts to reverse it into a Brainbuster of her own, BUT ARTEMIS EVANS POWERS THROUGH AND RIPS KARLSON OVER THE ROPES AND BRAINBUSTERS HER TO THE ARENA FLOOR!
Karlson looks to be in agonizing pain as Evans yanks her back into the ring, rolling in after her. She goes for a cover on Karlson BUT KARLSON REVERSES THE PIN INTO A SNAP ROLL-UP! SHE HOOKS EVANS’ LEG HARD AND PUTS ALL HER WEIGHT ON HER!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
First Fall: Elizabeth Karlson (roll-up, 7:42)
Karlson rolls off of Evans, breathing heavily, but Evans springs up to her feet almost immediately and NAILS Karlson in the teeth with a brutal kick! Evans drills Karlson with repeated strikes to the face, stunning the smaller woman as she tries to maintain control! She whips Karlson into the ropes and tries to catch her with the Silver Bullet, but Karlson manages to barely dodge it! She goes for her Handspring Enziguri, but Artemis Evans responds by going low-LOW ANGLE SILVER BULLET TO THE HANDSPRINGING KARLSON!
Karlson crumples, and Evans yanks her up to her feet, pulling her in for a DDT! Karlson fights against it, and Evans releases her-INTO A DISCUS FOREARM! Artemis Evans is firmly in control as she whips Karlson into the corner-running forearm to Karlson! She lifts Karlson up onto the top rope, climbing up after her and getting in position for a Code Red to Karlson-but Karlson counters into a roll-up-and Evans counters it by rolling through and nailing Karlson in the jaw with a superkick! Evans goes for a pin on Karlson!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-NO! KARLSON KICKS OUT!
Evans sighs and yanks Karlson to a vertical base once again, drilling her with alternating forearms before she hits the ropes, watching as Karlson stumbles off-RUNNING BLOCKBUSTER TO ELIZABETH KARLSON! Evans isn’t quite done yet as she yanks Karlson out to the apron, pulling her up-APRON BRAINBUSTER! But she’s not done as she pulls her in for the Guillotine Strike! Karlson fights against it-BUT IT’S NO USE AS EVANS HITS KARLSON WITH A GUILLOTINE STRIKE ON THE APRON! Evans rolls Elizabeth back into the ring and goes for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Second Fall: Artemis Evans (pinfall, 10:27)
Evans looks to continue her dominance on Karlson before the official can even check to see if she’s okay, pulling her up for another Guillotine Strike-but Karlson manages to counter it and nail Evans with a brutal forearm shot to the skull! Karlson keeps Evans at a wrist-length as she begins brutally booting her in the face repeatedly, dropping her to a knee and firing off a brutal bicycle knee to finish Evans off! Karlson goes high as she goes for a leaping body splash, but Evans rolls out of the way! Evans manages to pull herself up on the ropes as Karlson gets to her feet and goes to spike her with Death Spike, but Evans catches Karlson and spins her out into a powerbomb! She calls for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
TH-NO! Karlson kicks out!
Evans tries to keep Karlson grounded and goes for a knee-drop, but Karlson moves at the last minute, sending Evans knee-first into the canvas! Karlson tries to lock in another Chronic Illness, but Evans scrambles for the low rope and grabs hold of it! The referee breaks the hold, and Karlson nails Evans in the gut with a knee shot before going to lock in Cattle Mutilation, but Evans rope breaks it again! Karlson, frustrated, grabs Evans and throws her into the ropes, nailing her with a handspring back elbow! She wrings Evans’ arms through the ropes, holding her in place as she prepares to hit a massive ‘Rana to send Evans to the outside, but The Queendom grab Karlson’s legs and pull her through when the ref’s distracted!
Myra and Thea both grab steel chairs and prepare to swing at Karlson, but Karlson rolls out of the way, causing them to crash the chairs into themselves! She catches Thea with a superkick and causes her to drop her chair before nailing Myra with an Enziguri, stumbling her as well! Furious, she grabs Myra up onto her shoulders and NAILS HER ONTO THEA WITH A BRUTAL DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The Queendom disposed of, Karlson turns her attention back to Evans WHO HITS HER WITH A MASSIVE MOONSAULT DDT TO THE OUTSIDE! This one’s done for as Evans drags Karlson back into the ring and goes for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THRE-NO!!! KARLSON JUST BARELY MANAGES TO KICK OUT!
Artemis Evans looks furious as she goes to the outside, yanking a table out from under the ring. She sets it up as Karlson starts to get back to her feet, and rushes in, grabbing Karlson and yanking her out to the apron. She sets Karlson up for a Brainbuster through the table, but Karlson manages to ground herself on the apron! Karlson nails Evans with a few blows to the gut and a series of knees, but Evans pulls her back up-ONLY FOR KARLSON TO REVERSE THE VERTICAL LIFT AND LAND ON HER FEET! Evans looks shocked as Karlson nails her with a low-kick to the abdomen, and then a brutal blow to the head! Evans looks to be stunned as Karlson goes high, pointing another two fingers guns at her-LEAPING DEATH SPIKE THROUGH THE FUCKING TABLE!
Artemis Evans looks to have been spiked on the arena floor as Karlson lands on her back, rolling to her feet as quick as she can. She rolls Evans back in the ring and goes for a pin as the referee goes to count!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-NO! EVANS KICKS OUT AGAIN!
Karlson slams her hands into the mat repeatedly, frustrated beyond belief that Artemis continues to persevere against all odds! Karlson pulls Evans up to her feet, but Evans sweeps Karlson’s leg out from under her! She nails Karlson with another standing Moonsault before she pulls Karlson back to her feet and whips her into the opposing turnbuckle! She lines up for what she believes will be a final Silver Bullet to put Karlson away for good, but Karlson pops her up overhead this time, causing her to land on the middle rope!
She looks surprised as Karlson grabs her for a powerbomb AND SLAMS HER HARD INTO THE MAT, but she’s not done as she transitions from the powerbomb INTO A CHRONIC ILLNESS ROLLING KNEEBAR ON THE ALREADY INJURED LEG! SHE BEGINS TWEAKING EVANS’ LEG REPEATEDLY! Evans scrambles for the ropes, but Karlson tries to roll back, Evans refusing to tap out-she manages to get a finger around the bottom rope! The referee breaks the hold, but the damage to the leg of Artemis Evans has already been done! Evans struggles to get back to her feet, and Karlson takes advantage as Evans lines herself up along the ropes! Karlson goes for a double knee AND EVANS PITCHES HER OVER TO THE OUTSIDE! Karlson crashes and burns as Evans gets back to her feet, rolling to the outside and grabbing her championship. She rolls back into the ring around the same time as Karlson and goes for a title shot-but Karlson leapfrogs her and nails her with a superkick from behind!
Karlson grabs Evans and pulls her up to the top rope, opting to go for her Avalanche Code Red. She climbs up after Evans BUT EVANS HAS A DIFFERENT IDEA AS SHE ROLLS KARLSON UP TO SECURE THE WIN LIKE SHE DID IN THEIR LAST MATCH! THE PAIN IN HER KNEE IS INTENSE BUT SHE ATTEMPTS TO POWER THROUGH!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE-AND ARTEMIS’ KNEE GIVES OUT AT THE VERY LAST SECOND, ALLOWING ELIZABETH KARLSON TO ESCAPE!
Artemis looks immensely disappointed as Karlson gets to her feet and nails her with a brutally stiff close range knee strike! She yoinks Evans up onto her shoulders, making two finger guns-MUSTANG DRIVER IN ODE TO GRAHAM BAKER! But it was just a warm-up, as the stunned Evans is yanked up onto Karlson’s shoulders again as she rolls through, spins-USHIGOROSHI TO ARTEMIS EVANS! As her head slams hard into Karlson’s knee, Karlson goes for a pin!
ONE!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
Winner of the third fall and the NEW Freedom Pro Wrestling Women’s Champion: Elizabeth Karlson! (25:34)
MW: Elizabeth Karlson did it!
SD: No!
MW: Oh yes she did. For the first time since the title was introduced, we have a new Women's Champion.
SD: But Artie!
MW: Your pretend girlfriend is only a former champion now, Steven.
SD: She's… she isn't… we…
Karlson holds the belt high as the fans stand and cheer for her. Artemis Evans slinks off, supported by Lopez and Donovan, while Karlson bows to all four sides of the arena.
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Backstage, Jim Houston sits in his office.
“Good evening everyone. Tonight is already shaping up to be a very special night for us and we still have three big matches to come, including quite possibly the biggest match in FPW history as Graham Baker defends the FPW Championship against Marcus Allen Jones in a Hell in a Cell match. But I wish to borrow a bit of your time to make some announcements regarding the next few months here in FPW. As we enter the summer, we move closer towards the Free-1, my personal favourite time to be the FPW General Manager. This year, we have so many possible entrants into the Free-1, and I feel I must whittle them down a little until we have the twelve worthiest participants. Now, we have three ‘Road to Free-1’ shows, dated Sunday June 16th, Sunday June 30th and Sunday July 14th before the first night of the Free-1 will see six block matches take place on Thursday August 1st before the rest of the Free-1 plays out throughout the month of August and final show takes place Sunday August 31st where we will crown a Free-1 winner.
“As we have three ‘Road to Free-1’ shows, this allows us to have a number of qualifying matches. Of course, we ought to have some automatic qualifiers too. Let’s see… last year’s winner and losing finalist will automatically qualify for the Free-1, as will the FPW Champion, the Freedom Champion and the Women’s Champion. I also wish to award a spot to the Young Lions’ Cup winner and to the winner of a match that many dubbed a Free-1 qualifier from a recent show- Clutch McCloud v Go Shihei. This means that Jerry Bishop and Graham Baker, as the reigning champion or as the FPW Champion, and Elizabeth Karlson, as the newly crowned FPW Women’s Champion, are guaranteed to be in, as are James Saturn and Go Shihei. It also means that Marcus Allen Jones, should he win tonight, may earn a spot, as will the winner of the first match on the first Road to Free-1 show- Jace Mason versus Berry Bishop for the FPW Freedom Championship. That leaves either five or six spots available.
“Therefore, on the first ‘Road to Free-1’ show, we will see two qualifying matches take place. The first will pitch Clutch McCloud against Masa Tchyukiro and the second will be an intriguing contest between Artemis Evans and Zachary Bates. On the second ‘Road to Free-1’ show, we will see two (potentially three) qualifying matches as the loser of the Jace Mason versus Berry Bishop match faces Hiro Takahara, as Bobby O faces Henry Harrison and, if required, Marcus Allen Jones faces someone who will be determined once I know if the match needs to take place. For the third ‘Road to Free-1’ show, we are left with one qualifying match, as Jack Sevren will face Aaron Williams.
“At the end of the third ‘Road to Free-1’ show, once all of the participants are known, I will be announcing the blocks and the schedule. I appreciate that this is a lot of information to process, so I can assure you that all of this will be available on freedomprowrestling.com very soon. Thank you very much for your time. Now let’s get back to the show.”
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MW: Well that was quite the announcement from our General Manager.
SD: I love Free-1 season. I know that this will be the year that Marcus pulls off the win.
MW: Well we already know half the field and what a field it is proving to be. Some of those qualifying matches looks very difficult to call. In fact, I’m not sure I can pick a single one with any certainty.
SD: Jack Sevren versus Aaron Williams? That’s a match that could main event Judgement Day let alone a ‘Road to Free-1’ show.
MW: Well, speaking of Jack Sevren, he’s in action up next against former tag partner and now-
"This Means War" began to play, and Bobby O appeared at the top of the ramp. He let out a yell as he popped his collar, then stormed to the ring. He ignored the outstretched hands from the front row and simply approached the apron and climbed into the ring. He removed his jacket and turned to face up the ramp.
MW: "Bobby O looking to inflict payback for months of torment at the hands of his former tag team partner, Jack Sevren. Seven has done basically everything he can to get under Bobby's skin, but I think that strategy might backfire on him tonight."
SD: "I've said it before and I'll say it again, Bobby deserved everything Sevren's done to him. Teaming with Bobby was only holding Sevren back, and I'm glad he's finally realized that."
MW: "But if Jack wanted to pursue a singles career, why didn't he just say so? Why did he have to end his partnership in such a cruel manner? Why continue to interfere in Bobby's career?"
SD: "Simple, Sevren's making up for lost time. Having to team with Bobby kept him from his true potential, and he's showing everyone, particularly Bobby, what he's truly capable of."
MW: "Well, whatever the case, this match has the possibility to steal the show, and it's happening in just a few moments!"
“15 Minutes” hit the speakers, and Bobby visibly tensed as he prepared to see his enemy. But the Sevren didn’t appear. Bobby continued to stare up the ramp as the song continued playing. After a few minutes, with no sign of Jack Sevren, the song ended. Silence filled the arena, and Bobby glanced at the referee, who looked just as confused as he was.
“15 Minutes began playing again, and Bobby started at the unexpected noise. He looked back up the ramp, but still Jack Sevren refused to appear. The song played through once again, and Bobby was obviously ticked off, pacing the ring in frustration that Jack wasn’t arriving.
And then the tron lit up.
JS: Hey, Orton Jr., up here!
Bobby looks up and sees Jack's smug face on the tron and shakes his head.
JS: What? Did you honestly think I was going to just come out and let you get the upper hand? If so, you've not learned anything this past month. I know, I know, you must be thinking, 'I'm done playing games, get this coward out here,' but Bobby, be patient. All good things in life are worth waiting for. I mean, that's what CJ told me before, well, you get the picture...So let me lay it out on the table for you, just like I did...No, too easy....Hey, just like...
Jack starts laughing as Bobby seethes.
JS: If looks could kill, am I right? Anyway, Baby O, here's what I propose. I'm gonna have them hit my music one more time and I promise you on all my virtue, on all my honor and integrity, that you will be wrestling a match tonight. You'll finally get what you want, to get your hands dirty. How's that sound? That sound good? Great. Good luck tonight old friend, you're gonna need it.
Just like that, Jack's jovial grin turns into a dark and foreboding smirk. The screen goes blank and Bobby looks around frustrated as Seven Minutes plays and Jack is nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, the crowd began making noise as an unknown force cut through them. The cameras tried to get a shot of whoever was shoving their way through the crowd. But no matter how hard they tried, the figure remained just out of frame. The only thing that was clear was that the person was quite large, and wearing a hoodie that concealed their identity.
Bobby was oblivious to the commotion, shaking with anger from Jack’s words. But then the hooded figure burst through the barricade, and Bobby turned around just as he slid into the ring. The mystery man closed the distance and took Bobby off his feet with a massive clothesline! He stared down at Bobby before he ripped off the hoodie and revealed…
MW: "Oh my God, that's Davey Jones! Davey Jones has returned to FPW!"
Davey delivered a powerful stomp to Bobby's chest, then pulled him to his feet and whipped him into the corner. Davey charged in after him, looking to smash Bobby between his massive frame and the turnbuckles. But Bobby just managed to sidestep, and Davey went chest-first into the turnbuckles. Davey took two steps back and turned around to face Bobby. Bobby didn't back down from his large attacker and unleashed a series of shots to the midsection. Davey doubled over, and Bobby ran to the ropes to build momentum. But as he rebounded, Davey met him with a hand around his throat. Bobby had just enough time for a panicked expression to flash onto his face before Davey lifted him up and threw him to the ground with a chokeslam! Bobby writhed in pain as Davey glared down at him. Then he bent down and grabbed Bobby, pulling him off the ground and onto his shoulders. Davey roared before he connected with Psychosis, driving Bobby into the mat! The crowd booed as Davey raised his arms before striding from the ring. The camera angle shifted, showing Bobby's collapsed body, while also showing Jack Sevren's smirking face on the tron, before fading to black.
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Backstage, Davey Jones comes through the curtain, smirking. Jim Houston immediately rushes up to him.
JH: Hey! What the hell was that?
DJ: That? That’s what you’ve been missing out on for all the time I’ve been gone.
JH: I brought you back here under the impression that you’d changed. Gone were the beatings, the ambushes, the doing-whatever-the-hell-you-wanted-to-do. You don’t get-
DJ: Excuse me a minute.
Davey walks a few steps away and grabs a Slim Jim from a passer-by. He starts eating it as he turns back to Houston, who looks dumbfounded.
JH: You know what, Davey… last year you got involved in the Free-1 and your actions might have changed the entire FPW landscape. If you hadn’t got involved, who knows where we’d be right now. But this year… you’ve got yourself a qualifying match. I know I announced earlier on what those matches would be, but I’m making a change. Henry Harrison can face Marcus if Marcus needs a match. On ‘Road to Free-1 Night 2’, you’ll be in a qualifying match against Bobby O.
Davey finishes the Slim Jim.
DJ: Are you sure you want that, Houston?
JH: Are you sure you want that?
DJ: Fine. If you want Bobby taken out for good… I’ll send him to the loony bin and qualify for the Free-1 at the same time.
Davey walks off, leaving Houston looking concerned as Bobby is carried back by the EMTs.
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MW: Davey Jones versus Bobby O as a Free-1 qualifier? That was the one match I thought had a clear favourite but… now I’m really not sure.
SD: The favourite in that match just got clearer. Davey Jones is a monster. He’s a lunatic. He said he’ll send Bobby O to the loony bin and that’s just what he’ll do. The rest of the qualifier better hope that Bobby finds a way to beat Davey or that Davey is in the other block as they won’t want to face him.
MW: Well we’re about to see a team that a lot of people do want to face. Death Squad come into the final of the All Star Tag Team Classic with an unbeaten- far from unblemished, but certainly unbeaten- record in FPW. They face Jerry and Berry, The Bishops, who have pulled themselves through two rounds and now stand one match away from redemption for Jerry Bishop.
SD: Jerry Bishop has had so much redemption in this company that he’d be better getting things right first time around. The reason that The Bishops are in this final is that Berry has got them there. That’s all. The reason they won’t win this final is because Jerry still hasn’t climbed out of the funk that he’s been in since losing at Judgement Day to MDE.
MW: While I hate to agree, I feel that Jerry will be the key to this match. If he can perform as we know he can, as all of these fans know he can, then I feel that The Bishops may just walk out of here with that trophy, but if he can’t find the true Jerry Bishop, the Free-1 finalist, the Jester, the most beloved man in FPW, then Death Squad might well walk out of here the first team to win the All Star Tag Team Classic at the same time as being FPW Tag Team Champions.
‘The Comedian’s Gallop’ begins and the fans cheer loudly as, for the second time, Berry and Jerry Bishop stand at the top of the ramp and bow deeply. The two of them look around the arena before Berry hopscotches and Jerry dance-conducts their way to the ring. As they reach the ring, they do the same routine of going around the whole the ring slapping hands with fans. The love from the fans, especially towards Jerry, is palpable, with several young children with Jester t-shirts urging him to get the win. Jerry looks resolute as he and Berry enter the ring, acknowledge the fans and embrace.
As soon as the music stops, another loud ‘Je-rry Bi-shop’ and ‘Be-rry Bi-shop’ duelling chant echoes around the arena. Even as the lights go out, the fans don’t stop chanting for The Bishops. The klaxon sound is almost drowned out by the chants as the red flashing lights go off like an alarm. One the klaxon stops and Ava Knight walks out, the chants get even louder. Twice she tries to lift the microphone to her lips but twice she has to stop as the fans chant over her. After a third attempt, she throws the mic down and calls Aiden Balmer and Evan Rorsche out. They’re met by the same wall of chanting but they simply rush down to the ring and charge into it, looking to get the match started straight away. Jerry and Berry, however, leave the ring, conducting the fans as the continue to chant.
Match 5: All Star Tag Team Classic II Final: The Bishops v Death Squad:
The official waits for Evan Rorsche to leave the ring before calling for the bell. Jerry Bishop stands across from him as the duelling chants still ring around the arena. The two men come forward and lock up, Jerry quickly locking in a headlock and taking Balmer over. Balmer looks for the headscissors but Jerry manoeuvres himself into a position where Balmer can’t get it locked in. Jerry keeps the headlock on for several moments before Balmer starts to get to his feet. Jerry allows it to happen and then, just as Balmer looks to have regained his vertical base, he connects with a bulldog. Jerry rolls Balmer over and makes a cover, 1-no. Balmer kicks out.
Jerry doesn’t waste any time, pulling Balmer up and locking in a front facelock as he drags him over to the corner. Jerry pushes himself up onto the top turnbuckle and then pushes off, connecting with a tornado DDT. Balmer drops flat on his back and Jerry rolls into the cover, 1-2-no. Balmer kicks out again. Jerry goes to lift Balmer but Rorsche rushes into the ring. As he looks to engage Jerry, Berry runs into the ring and connects with a roundhouse kick to take him down. She shoves him out of the ring and then returns to the corner, calling for the tag from Jerry. Jerry pulls Balmer to his feet and shoves him into the corner, tagging Berry in and leaving the ring straight away.
MW: The contrast between these two teams could not be clearer.
SD: And right now, it’s working for The Bishops. But it only needs one slip and Death will come for Jerry and Berry.
MW: You’re really buying into this, huh?
SD: Death will come! MW: Perhaps not today, Steven.
Berry enters and unleashes a flurry of kicks to Balmer in the corner. He drops down to a seated position and she pulls back, looking to run towards Balmer but Rorsche grabs hold of her to stop her. Berry doesn’t flinch, pulling Rorsche into the ring and then completing her double knees to Balmer. Jerry enters as Rorsche stands and he engages him, connecting with a rolling elbow which knocks him out of the ring. Jerry then sets himself before leaping up onto the top rope and connecting with a springboard forearm to the outside to take down Evan Rorsche!
In the ring, Berry looks at Jerry with amazement before turning back to Balmer, who is pulling himself to his feet. She lands a hard kick to the leg before pulling him in for a perfect Northern Lights suplex, bridging for the cover, 1-2-no. Balmer manages to kick out. Berry is quick to get to her feet, and she lands more kicks as Balmer climbs to his. She kicks him twice in the back and then twice more in the leg before pulling him in for an exploder suplex which sends him across the ring. Berry moves over for the cover, 1-2-no. Balmer kicks out but the fans continue to cheer the incredible start from The Bishops.
Jerry, back on the apron, calls for the tag, and Berry, dragging Balmer with her, slaps his hand to bring him into the match. He immediately climbs to the second rope and comes down with a blockbuster, making a quick cover on Aiden Balmer, 1-2-no. Again Balmer manages to kick out. Jerry then whips Balmer across the ring into a neutral corner and runs at him, connecting with a running dropkick. Balmer remains in the corner so Jerry backs away and runs at him again, connecting with a second running dropkick. Balmer staggers out of the corner and Jerry sets himself on the apron, springboarding and connecting with a springboard forearm. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Balmer barely gets a shoulder up.
MW: This blitz from Berry and especially Jerry Bishop is incredibly impressive. These two are utterly dominating our Tag Team Champions tonight.
SD: They’re dominating them now, yes, but, like I said, it only takes one little mistake, one error, and Death Squad are in control.
MW: But I don’t see them making an error. This match could be over in a matter of seconds!
Jerry picks Balmer up and traps his arms. The fans begin to stand as they sense what is coming next. He lets out a booming laugh but is cut off as Evan Rorsche slingshots into the ring and connects with a cutter. Berry enters and aims for Rorsche, but he ducks her attempted kick and connects with a powerful thrust kick, sending her back into the corner. Rorsche then runs at Berry and connects with a vicious knee strike to her gut before landing several more as the official tries to wrestle him away. He moves aside and allows Berry to stagger out from the corner but then he connects with a second cutter which sends her rolling to the outside. Rorsche quickly then heads into his corner and tags himself in.
Rorsche comes in and cuts off Jerry’s recovery, taking him down with a knee to the gut followed by a hard thrust kick to the head. He then pulls Jerry up and traps his wrist, connecting with a ripcord lariat before making a cover, 1-2-no. Jerry kicks out. Rorsche then mounts Jerry and drives a forearm into his temple over and over before finally dismounting and pulling him up, maintaining control of his wrist. Rorsche connects with a discus elbow to send Jerry staggering back into the corner and he follows up with a running big boot. Jerry slumps into a seated position and Rorsche backs away, connecting with a double knee strike.
Balmer, now recovered, calls for a tag and Rorsche makes it. As he leaves the ring, Rorsche heads over to where Berry is catching her breath and he throws her into the guardrail, leading to much abuse from fans. Rorsche spits at them before heading back to his corner. Balmer meanwhile whips Jerry across the ring and connects with a powerslam, holding on for a cover, 1-2-no. Jerry manages to kick out. Balmer hooks an arm over Jerry’s head and pulling him up for a vertical suplex, which connects. He then pops his hips, just like he did in the semi-final, and pulls Jerry up for a half-nelson backbreaker over his knee. Jerry cries out in pain and Balmer makes a cover, driving a forearm into Jerry’s face, 1-2-no. Jerry kicks out.
SD: I told you that Death Squad would be in control of this match. And now look at it. Death Squad are ready to win the All Star Tag Team Classic.
MW: But I don’t know if The Bishops are ready to lose it just yet.
SD: They won’t have a choice.
Balmer calls to Rorsche and tags him in. Before getting out of the ring, Balmer climbs up to the top rope and allows Rorsche to pull Jerry up. Balmer leaps off, connecting with a huge cross-body as Rorsche sweeps Jerry’s legs out. Rorsche makes a cover, 1-2-no! Jerry just manages to kick out. Rorsche keeps on top of him, driving knees into Jerry as he tries to get up. Jerry rolls onto his back and Rorsche drives forearms into his temple once again. The fans cheer for Jerry, but he’s struggling to fight off the intense onslaught from Evan Rorsche. Rorsche finally pulls Jerry up and drives another knee into his gut, positioning him for a rope-hung DDT, which connects. Rorsche then rolls Jerry over and makes a cover, 1-2-no! Jerry manages to kick out again.
Just like in the previous semi-final, the fans begin to cheer as they see Berry Bishop climbing back onto the apron. She tries to get them clapping along but she’s quickly pulled off the apron by Aiden Balmer, who pulls her down and then pulls her in for a belly to belly throw, sending her straight into the guardrail. The claps turn to loud boos as he stomps on her and then walks back to his corner, holding out a hand and tagging himself in. Rorsche pulls Jerry to his feet and holds him as Balmer enters the ring, landing a series of right hands before Rorsche is forced to let go and climb through the ropes. With Jerry staggering, Balmer connects with a hard headbutt, which sends Jerry crumpling to the mat. Balmer places a foot on Jerry and raises his arms as the fans boo, 1-no. Jerry lifts a shoulder.
MW: Such disrespect from Aiden Balmer.
SD: Disrespect? He’s giving Jerry what he deserves. Jerry started the match on fire but he can’t compete with Death Squad. Balmer is giving him a lesson, and Jerry had better start learning fast.
MW: One of these days, someone will teach Rorsche and Balmer a lesson and it won’t come a day too soon.
Balmer looks down at Jerry and smirks before calling for a powerbomb. He lifts Jerry into position and pulls him up onto his shoulders. Jerry, suddenly finding a burst of energy, tries to fight out of it, causing Balmer to stagger towards his corner. Rorsche reaches up and tags himself in before landing a stiff forearm to Jerry. Rorsche then climbs up to the top rope and Balmer moves towards the middle of the ring. Rorsche launches himself into a missile dropkick and, as he connects, Balmer drives Jerry down to the mat with a powerbomb. The fans are silenced as Evan Rorsche makes the cover, Aiden Balmer standing to make sure Berry doesn’t break it up, 1-2-no! Jerry managed to get a shoulder up.
The fans cheer loudly as Jerry kicks out, but Balmer and Rorsche quickly come back to him. Balmer lifts him as Rorsche runs at him and connects with the Jawbreaker Special. Balmer leaves the ring, moving over to where Berry is trying to get to her feet. He lands a stiff right hand to the face which sends her back into the guardrail before pulling her up for a powerbomb. He looks to connect with a guardrail bomb, but Berry reverses it, connecting with a hurricanrana to send Balmer into the guardrail. The fans cheer as Berry makes her way back onto the apron and yells for Jerry to make a tag. Jerry, with a renewed energy, tries to scramble to her, but Rorsche blocks him. He pulls Jerry in for Cutting the Strings, but Jerry over-rotates and lands on his feet. He dives to Berry and tags her in.
The fans cheer once more as Berry enters the ring, landing a mid-kick to take Rorsche down and then another as he makes it to his feet. Rorsche crawls over to the corner but Berry follows, pulling him up and laying into him with a series of hard kicks. She then whips him across the ring and takes a leaf out of Jerry’s book with a running dropkick before backing away and then connecting with a double knee strike to the face as he sits in the corner. Rorsche rolls away towards the middle of the ring and Berry stalks him, coiled and ready to connect with Checkmate. Rorsche stands and Berry uncoils, but Balmer enters the ring and catches her before she can connect. He looks for a German suplex, but Berry flips and lands on her feet. She takes him down with a roundhouse kick, but Rorsche springs up and hits a cutter.
MW: Cutter from Evan Rorsche!
SD: Make the cover, Evan! Yes! One….. two….. thr-
MW: Berry Bishop kicks out!
SD: Damn it!
Rorsche holds his head in his hands but he doesn’t waste much time. Instead, he pulls Berry up to her feet and pulls her in for Spin Cycle. As he lifts her, however, he’s taken down by a middle rope blockbuster from a recovered Jerry Bishop! Berry hooks the legs and manages to make a cover, 1-2-no! Rorsche just kicks out. Balmer and Jerry both stand at the same time as Rorsche and Berry. The two teams eye each other before Balmer and Rorsche both go for right hands. Jerry and Berry duck and, in tandem, they deliver rolling elbows. Balmer and Rorsche are forced back into the corners and The Bishops each connect with a running dropkick before they each connect with double knees. Jerry and Berry wheel away into the middle of the ring as the fans stand and cheer louder than they have all match.
Jerry and Berry pull Evan Rorsche to his feet and connect with a double-team parallel snapmare. They each roll through then complete the double-team Touchstone Takedown. Jerry staggers and drops to the mat as Berry makes the cover, hooking both legs, 1-2-no! Balmer manages to make a last-second save. Jerry makes it back to his feet and he pulls Balmer in, trapping both arms and letting out a big, booming laugh. He drops Balmer with the Last Laugh and covers him, the crowd counting the one, two, three, but the official simply telling Jerry that he’s not the legal man. Jerry stands again and calls to Berry. She stands in position and Jerry lifts Rorsche. Ava Knight climbs onto the ring apron and the official is distracted once again, allowing Rorsche to land a low-blow to Jerry. He turns to Berry and aims a low-blow at her too, but she catches the foot and pulls Rorsche in for an exploder suplex. She connects, and, with Balmer not moving on the outside and Jerry rolling onto the apron, she stalks Evan Rorsche. He slowly stands and she pulls him in for the Berry Buster, which connects. She makes the cover… but the official is again distracted by Ava Knight.
Berry stands, looking across at Knight and the official. She grabs hold of Ava Knight and brings her into the ring. The fans cheer as Berry stalks her and connects with Checkmate. The official helps Knight out of the ring as Berry turns back to Rorsche, who grabs her from behind and rolls her up, 1-2-no! Berry kicks out at the very last second. The fans are on their feet again as Berry and Rorsche both stand. Rorsche aims a roundhouse kick at Berry but she ducks, springboarding off the second rope and connecting with a disaster kick.
SD: Why doesn’t she cover him?
MW: Because Berry is setting up for Checkmate once again. If she hits this, it’s over.
SD: Evan! Evan! You need to move! Evan!
Berry coils herself again, waiting for Rorsche as he climbs to his feet. Just as he gets up, however, Jerry reaches over and tags himself in. The fans react with surprise as Jerry goes over to Rorsche and traps the arms. Berry stands and watches as Jerry lets out a loud, booming laugh, but Rorsche manages to drive him back into Berry, who falls through the ropes and lands with a hard thud on the outside. Jerry turns to look at Berry and holds his hands to his head before turning back, only to be met with a kick to the gut as Rorsche pulls Jerry in. He connects with Spin Cycle and makes the cover, 1-2-3.
Winners: Death Squad.
SD: Yes! Death Squad win! And it’s all thanks to Jerry Bishop! MW: I… I don’t quite believe what I’ve seen. Jerry… what have you done?
SD: He’s done exactly what I thought he’d do. He’s been so obsessed with winning a match that he tagged himself in at precisely the wrong time- exactly the opposite of what Berry did in the semi-final- and cost The Bishops the Tag Classic!
MW: I think it’s fair to say that Berry had the match won, in no small part thanks to Jerry’s earlier efforts too. He took out Aiden Balmer. He saved her from Spin Cycle. But he felt that he had to get the win himself. All of the pressure, all of the tension, every bit of the past five months that has been weighing Jerry Bishop down came out tonight and it didn’t come out in the form of redemption. It came out in the form of the darkest possible timeline for Jerry Bishop.
Death Squad carry the All Star Tag Team Classic trophy and their FPW Tag Team Championship belts up the ramp, Rorsche helping Balmer to walk, as the fans sit in stunned silence. Berry Bishop sits in the ring, hands over her head and tears rolling down her cheeks. Jerry stirs, trying to sit up. As he finally manages to sit up, the fans stand and applaud both of The Bishops. Berry moves over to him and tries to hug him, but Jerry wriggles away. He slams a fist down on the mat and shuffles over to the ropes, never once looking at Berry. She tries to help him up but he shrugs her off, rolling onto the apron and sitting on the edge of the ring, head down.
Berry follows, telling him that it’s ok and that it wasn’t his fault, but Jerry still can’t bring himself to look at her. He pushes himself off the apron and onto the floor and limps up the ramp, head down all the way. Berry follows a few steps behind, calling his name. The fans watch on in silence, nobody quite sure what they’re seeing. Berry continues to cry as Jerry walks on up the ramp. He pauses for a moment at the top of the ramp, looking like he’s about to turn around, but instead he just lowers his head again and carries on through the curtain.
MW: Obviously Jerry Bishop is feeling very emotional right now.
SD: Of course he is. He was about to win the All Star Tag Team Classic with his sister and then he messed it all up.
MW: Come on, Steven, let’s have some tact. Jerry performed amazingly in that match.
SD: He performed well, but let’s also face the fact that he cost his team the match by tagging in at precisely the wrong moment because he felt that he needed the glory for himself. That wasn’t about Jerry being a good teammate or a good brother. That was about Jerry being the one to get the credit for his team’s victory.
MW: Well maybe if people like you didn’t keep putting pressure on him to finally pick up a victory then this wouldn’t have happened.
SD: It’s not just me. It’s fans, it’s the rest of the locker-room. Hell, it’s Jerry himself more than anyone else. He knows that he’s gone wrong over the past five months and he’s desperate to get back on track. Maybe he needs to take the option that he’s been avoiding up until now.
MW: You don’t mean-
SD: Yes, I do. He’s been offered help. Maybe he needs to accept it.
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Backstage, Jerry is walking through the corridor, head still down. Berry follows.
BB: Jerry! Jerry!
Jerry keeps walking on.
BB: I know you’re upset, Jer… but please, talk to me.
Jerry keeps walking on. Berry is still crying.
BB: Look at me at least. Ok, it didn’t go to plan, but it doesn’t matter. We’ll figure out how to get past this.
Jerry pauses for a moment, lifting his head slightly, but then he lowers it and keeps walking.
BB: Jerry… you’re my brother and I love you. I’ll help you to get through this. I promise.
Jerry walks on, pushing open the door to leave the arena and just keeping on walking. Berry is about to follow him when she turns and sees MDE watching on, a thoughtful look on his face. Berry looks like she’s going to say something to him but instead she pushes the door open again and follows him.
BB: Jerry!
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MW: Well here we are, folks. Whatever has happened for the rest of this amazing night of wrestling is about to pale in comparison to what we're about to witness.
SD: For only the second time ever, Graham Baker goes one-on-one with Marcus Allen Jones. Last time it was Marcus as champion. This time it's Baker. The title changed hands once between these two in the past and I predict it'll change hands between them again tonight.
MW: While they have met before, in what many say was the greatest match in Freedom Pro Wrestling history, tonight will be different. Over the past five months, Graham Baker has been followed, stalked, tormented by TakeOver to the point where he willingly got himself disqualified to allow this match to take place. But it's not just any match. TakeOver had to be stopped from interfering, and they will be tonight. Jim Houston called in some favours and this match will now take place inside Hell in a Cell.
SD: A match which our General Manager has obviously selected to favour the champion. But Marcus Allen Jones will overcome the odds against the deathmatch specialist and will become the first ever two-time FPW Champion tonight.
MW: Can he overcome Graham Baker without TakeOver being able to get directly involved?
SD: He not only can, Watson, but he will.
‘Cult of Personality’ begins to play and the area erupts with boos. Marcus Allen Jones emerges onto the stage, flanked by The Invaders but not HunterKiller, before doing his standing backflip and landing in his signature pose. He holds the pose for longer than normal, allowing the boos to wash over him, before standing, looking out at all of the crowd with his usual grin. He slowly struts down to the ring, along with TakeOver, Dario almost jumping into the crowd as they abuse TakeOver. Marcus reaches the edge of the ring as ‘I'm the smiling face on your TV’ hits. He pulls out a piece of paper and is about to hold it up to the camera before scrunching it and throwing it over his shoulder. He slides into the ring and climbs the turnbuckle, looking out into the crowd as they boo him. The rest of TakeOver react to the crowd while Marcus looks up at the Hell in a Cell which hangs over the ring.
MW: Marcus Allen Jones looks very focussed tonight.
SD: He is focussed, Watson. This is the biggest match of his career tonight. Yes, it's bigger than the Azazel match, than the first Baker match, than the scramble match when he first won the title. This match will define Marcus Allen Jones’ Young career and he knows it. That man is ready for what's to come.
The lights go down and the fans begin to chant ‘Gra-ham Ba-ker’ loudly. After a few moments, staccato machine gun fire plays before Baker emerges onto the stage while ‘DNA’ plays. He holds open his jacket to show the FPW Title before walking down the ramp. He holds his arms out for the fans but doesn't take his eyes off Marcus. As he reaches the bottom of the ramp, The Invaders move around to block his way to the ring. Baker stands and stares at them, smiling. He points up at the Cell and then signals for it to be dropped, all the while keeping his eyes on the TakeOver members standing a few meters in front of him.
The Cell comes down slowly and, as soon as it hits the floor, Baker flies at the two men standing in front of him. He takes Dario down with a lariat before taking off the belt and laying Haych out with it. Dario then runs at Baker but Baker lands a leaping knee strike to stagger him before throwing him head-first into the wall of the Cell. Baker picks up the belt, stares at Marcus and holds it up before handing it to an official on the outside of the ring and stepping through the door, slamming it shut behind him and climbing into the ring, staring Marcus, who looks like he's seen a ghost, down.
Dasha Banks makes the introductions from outside the Cell.
“This next match is scheduled for one fall. It is a Hell in a Cell match for the Freedom Pro Wrestling Championship.”
The fans cheer loudly as Baker and Marcus continue to stare each other down, both men fixed on their spots as the official nervously holds his arms out between them.
“Introducing first, from Chicago, Illinois, he is a former Young Lions’ Cup winner, a former Freedom Pro Wrestling Champion. He is known as The Marksman and The Smartest Man in Professional Wrestling. Ladies and gentlemen, the challenger, Marcus Allen Jones.”
Marcus doesn't move as the fans boo him loudly.
“And his opponent, from London, England. He is a former Free-1 winner and a former Freedom Pro Wrestling Hardcore Champion. He is known as The Aviator. Ladies and gentlemen, your reigning and defending Freedom Pro Wrestling Champion, Graham Baker.”
Baker also doesn't move as the fans cheer him loudly.
MW: Neither man has taken their eyes off the other since Graham Baker first entered the arena.
SD: Can you feel this tension? This is the biggest match in both men’s careers. To borrow a well-known saying: it's a match that both men must win and neither can afford to lose.
MW: With TakeOver locked out of the Cell, we will finally get Marcus and Baker one-on-one, no count-outs, no disqualifications, no time-limits, no bullshit. Here we go!
Match 7: FPW Championship: Hell in a Cell: Graham Baker v Marcus Allen Jones:
As soon as the bell rings, Baker runs at Marcus and the two men engage in an exchange of forearm strikes. They build and build as the crowd grows into a frenzy. Baker gains the advantage, continuing to drive forearms into Marcus’ skull until Marcus drops to a knee and rolls out of the ring. Marcus stands on the outside and looks to recouperate but Baker is quick to leap onto the top rope and to connect with Clipped Wings, sending Marcus crashing into the wall of the Cell. Baker grabs the Cell and shakes it, roaring to the fans as they respond in kind. He pulls Marcus to his feet and drives him head first into the Cell wall repeatedly before whipping him into the wall by the corner of the ring. Baker then backs away before pointing double finger guns at Marcus and then running, connecting with a shotgun dropkick which sends Marcus back into the wall of the Cell and sliding to the ground.
MW: What a contrast to their last match where they started with an exchange on the mat.
SD: And is anyone surprised? They didn't like each other before Judgement Day but these two men hate each other now. You won't exactly be seeing a technical exchange tonight.
Baker rolls backwards and gets up to his feet. He looks across at Marcus sitting prone against the wall of the Cell before pointing two finger guns at him once more. He runs at him and connects with shotgun knees to drive the back of Marcus’ head into the Cell. Baker then moves to Marcus again and lays into him with stomp after stomp after stomp, the crowd once again working themselves up into a frenzy. After ten stomps, Baker turns away from Marcus and looks over at the ring. He lifts the apron and crouches down, looking for something underneath. The fans cheer as Baker pulls out a trash can with a selection of weaponry: a kendo stick, a drawstring bag, a cricket bat with thumbtacks stuck up and down the face, a reel of barbed wire and three light tubes which have been taped together.
MW: He must have left that there earlier today. That harks back to Baker’s Bourbon Street Street Fight against MDE where he really showed his hardcore ability.
SD: I… I don't like this.
MW: Baker is certainly showing his mean streak tonight.
SD: Marcus hasn't had a look in so far.
MW: Is it any wonder? He tormented Graham Baker for months. He had to expect Baker to come out all guns blazing.
Baker pulls the kendo stick out of the trash can before sliding the rest of it into the ring. He twirls it in his hand before turning back to Marcus, who is pulling himself to his feet. Baker advances on Marcus and drives the kendo stick into his stomach before striking him over the back. Marcus drops to his knees and Baker mounts him, choking him with the kendo stick before releasing the grip and bringing it down on the back of Marcus’ head. He then stomps on Marcus a few times before slinging the kendo stick into the ring and dragging Marcus up to roll him in too. Baker climbs onto the apron and then up to the top rope. Marcus slowly pulls himself up to his feet and staggers before Baker leaps off the turnbuckle, connecting with Landing Gear, driving both of his feet right into the back of the head and neck to send Marcus crashing to the mat.
Baker stands and goes over to his can of weapons. He pulls out the cricket bat and stands with it raised as Marcus slowly climbs to his feet again. Marcus turns and sees Baker with the bat raised. He drops to the mat and begs off, backing away as Baker advances on him. The crowd cheer, baying for Marcus’ blood as Baker keeps moving forward. Marcus looks behind himself before rolling out of the ring. The fans boo but Baker follows and Marcus keeps scrabbling backwards. Baker follows him all around the ring before Marcus trips and backs away into the wall of the Cell. Baker, a smile on his face, slowly advances, trapping Marcus against the wall of the Cell and raising the bat. He swings it hard but Marcus rolls away. As Baker is about to drive it into the wall of the Cell, he just manages to stop short, looking at Marcus, who's smile fades from his face.
MW: Wait… did Marcus want Baker to hit the wall there?
SD: Of course he did. A small tear in the Cell wall and TakeOver are in. Then it's five on one and there's nothing Baker can do! Marcus is a genius!
MW: But Baker is wise to it. He stopped his swing short and, once again, Marcus looks like he seen a ghost.
Marcus backs away again as Baker advances, much quicker than before. Marcus climbs into the ring and Baker follows, running at Marcus, who catches him with a drop toe hold, sending Baker head first into the trash can. Marcus quickly looks to take advantage, aiming a series of hard kicks to Baker’s left knee. He lifts Baker’s foot and drives the knee down into the mat, before doing so again and again and again. Baker grabs the knee in pain as Marcus picks up the cricket bat. He twirls it and smiles as the fans boo him before he brings it down on Baker’s leg. As he pulls it away, the fabric tears on Baker’s tights and his knee pad. Baker rolls over and cries out in pain but Marcus doesn't stop, driving the bat down again as the tights tear even more. Marcus then grabs the shredded knee pad and rips it off the knee before stomping down some more.
SD: Marcus reprising his old attack on the knee which almost defeated Graham Baker the last time they met.
MW: It almost beat him, but didn't. But Marcus didn't have a cricket bat with thumbtacks to weaken it last time.
SD: And Baker may have handed Marcus the weapon that destroys him and ends his title reign.
Baker writhes around in pain as Marcus looks into the can again. He pulls out the reel of barbed wire with a smirk as the fans gasp. Baker looks over at Marcus with a determined stare and beckons him forward. Marcus advances carefully as Baker pulls hi self up on the ropes. Just as he's about to get to his feet, Marcus kicks out his leg and Baker drops to all fours. Marcus then unfurls a length of barbed wire and picks up Baker’s shredded knee pad. He wraps the knee pad around his hand before gripping the wire and holding his arm up high. The fans slowly realise what he's about to do and they let out a pained cry as Marcus brings the barbed wire down, whipping Baker across the back with it. Baker cries out in pain, arching his back as Marcus rips the wire away from him, leaving gashes in Baker’s back. Marcus brings it down again and again, each time opening up more gashes Baker’s back, until Baker drops down and rolls out of the ring.
MW: This is absolutely vicious!
SD: I don't think I've seen Marcus Allen Jones do anything like this before! But Baker brought these weapons into the match and now he's paying for it.
MW: He is paying for that decision. However, if we know anything about Graham Baker, we know how big his heart is. We know that being whipped across the back with a string of barbed wire isn't going to make him quit.
SD: Maybe not yet, but it has to seriously weaken him.
MW: Indeed it does.
Marcus follows Baker out of the ring, leaving the barbed wire, he pulls Baker up and then drives him backwards, forcing his back into the wall of the Cell. Baker arches his back and cries out as his torn flesh opens further. Marcus forces him back into the Cell again and then he drives him from side to side as the chain-links grate Baker’s back even further. Baker cries out in pain before Marcus finally allows him to drop down the floor. The fans gasp as a close-up shot of Baker’s back shows several deep gashes with blood flowing freely from them. Marcus takes a moment to check his own aching body before advancing on Baker again, who has just managed to get to his feet. Marcus stands behind Baker before raking his hands down Baker’s back. Baker arches it and again cries out before Marcus rakes the back again.
Baker staggers forward towards the steel steps as Marcus runs at him, taking him down from behind before lifting him up by the legs. He lifts Baker and then drives him down with a wheelbarrow facebuster, driving him into the steps. Baker falls, going totally limp, as Marcus picks him up and rolls him into the ring. Marcus follows and makes the first cover of the match, 1-2-no. Baker gets a shoulder up. Marcus looks down at him with a grin before driving a series of forearms into Baker’s face. He then looks back at the cricket bat that lies on the mat. Marcus lifts it and, holding Baker’s left foot in place by standing on it, Marcus drives the bat down over the leg once again. The tacks cause the shreds of Baker’s tights that had survived on that leg to just drop off, exposing the lower leg.
Marcus aims another series of stomps to the leg and the knee before looking for the kneeling cross-legged STF. Baker tries to fight it but his leg and back have been severely weakened. Marcus manages to get his legs locked and, after driving an elbow into Baker’s shredded back, clasps his hands around the chin and pulls back. Baker grits his teeth with determination and tries to fight his way to the ropes. He slowly drags himself, but Marcus manages to keep the hold locked on, pulling further and further back to add pressure onto the back as well as the injured knee. Baker’s fight slowly weakens as the hold stays on for longer and longer. As Baker weakens, so do the fans, and the arena becomes eerily quiet, the only sounds to be heard being Marcus’ grunts as he wrenches back on the hold.
MW: We could be about to see Graham Baker submit for the very first time!
SD: Even if he gets to the ropes, it won't matter! Graham Baker is trapped. This one is almost certainly over.
MW: Perhaps it is, but I'm not sure Graham Baker will ever allow himself to give up.
With the arena sensing the danger, Baker raises an arm, flexing his fingers to try and get the fans back with him. Slowly, the noise level rises until the crescendo of noise helps Baker to fight his way back into it. He pushes himself up and, after several attempts, manages to roll to his right. Marcus tries to keep the hold locked on, but his shoulders end up pinned to the mat, 1-2-no. Marcus breaks his grip to avoid being pinned and the fans start another loud ‘Gra-ham Ba-ker’ chant. Marcus, however, is first to get to his feet and he stomps on Baker’s back a couple more times. Marcus looks down at the champion before stepping through the ropes and climbing up to the top. Baker slowly starts to get up and Marcus points down at him with double finger guns as the fans boo him. Marcus leaps, looking for a shooting star DDT. However, just as he grips Baker, Baker manages to twist his way behind Marcus and he catches him with a Ger,an suplex into the turnbuckles!
The fans cheer loudly as both men lie on the canvas. The official checks them both and a murmur goes around the arena while both of their chests rise and fall quickly. Slowly, both men start to get to their feet. Marcus holds the back of his head as he pulls himself up, while Baker holds his bloody back and tries to avoid putting too much pressure on his left knee. They eye one another across the ring before moving to close the distance, Marcus staggering a little and Baker limping. They stand forehead to forehead, staring into each other’s eyes for a few moments before they resume the exchange of forearms that began the match. They exchange in a flurry as the fans build to loud cheers again. The pace starts to slow as both men stagger, Baker almost dropping to one knee as Marcus holds the back of his head.
Marcus aims a final big shot at Baker, who ducks and pulls Marcus in for a German. Marcus aims his heel at Baker’s knee, but Baker has it scouted, lifting his leg out of the way before bringing it back down and connecting with the German suplex. Baker then reaches down and pulls the bundle of light tubes from the trash can, setting them up horizontally across the middle turnbuckle. He turns back to Marcus and pulls him up, connecting with a snap German before looking to complete Anti-Air, connecting with the hesitation dropkick which sends the back of Marcus’ head into the light tubes, shattering them in the corner. Almost immediately, blood starts to trickle from the back of Marcus Allen Jones’ head.
SD: Aaaaah! No!
MW: Graham Baker is back in charge of this match now!
SD: But he's nowhere near 100%. He's still been severely weakened.
MW: As has Marcus Allen Jones. Neither man is at full strength, as you'd expect from twenty-three sadistic minutes in this Cell.
SD: And I don't think this one is finished yet!
Baker stands and calls for the fans to get louder. They cheer as he pulls Marcus up and tries to lift him onto his shoulders for the Mustang Driver. Marcus fights him off, elbowing Baker in the side of his head and dropping to the mat. Marcus quickly pulls Baker in for a reverse DDT. Marcus then pulls Baker up and drives him back-first into the turnbuckles. Marcus lifts Baker up to the top turnbuckle and climbs after him, clubbing him across the back before hooking an arm over him as he looks to set up for a superplex. Marcus lifts Baker before twisting, aiming to bring him down with a top-rope falcon arrow. Baker, however, over-rotates and looks to land on his feet, but his knee gives out and he collapses to the mat.
MW: Graham Baker had it scouted. Marcus hit him with the same move at Judgement Day and Graham Baker was ready.
SD: But I think he did himself more damage by trying to land on his feet than he would have by taking the move. Advantage Jones!
Marcus stands and stalks Baker. As Baker forces himself back to his feet, Marcus pounces, landing a hard superkick to the back of his head. The fans boo as Marcus looks for the sharpshooter which will complete the Marktreal Screwjob. Baker fights him for a few moments but he can't stop Marcus from turning him. Marcus sits deeper and deeper as Baker cries out in pain. Marcus continues to get deeper as the blood from Baker’s back stains his tights. Baker fights, forcing his way to the ropes, but grasping the rope has no meaning for him. Marcus continues to sit deep, laughing as the official tells Baker he has to escape himself. Baker uses the ropes to help himself to push up, and he manages to reach backwards to wrap an arm around Marcus’ head. Baker then drops to the mat, forcing the back of Marcus’ head into the ropes as he breaks the hold.
Baker rolls himself away from Marcus to create some separation. As he rolls, he sees the reel of barbed wire and drags himself towards it. He cradles it as he uses the ropes to pull himself up to his feet. Marcus also pulls himself up but he doesn't notice that Baker has the barbed wire. Marcus reaches in to trap the wrist but he cries out in pain as he realises he's clutching a handful of barbed wire. He releases it and turns away, looking down as he hand starts leaking blood. Baker pounces, twisting the barbed wire around Marcus, trapping both arms, before pulling him in and connecting with a German suplex. Marcus screams in pain as the barbs cut into the skin. Baker then stands, Marcus’ screams urging him on. He reaches into the trash can one more time and pulls out the drawstring bag. He opens it and dumps a seemingly endless stream of thumbtacks onto the mat. Baker then pulls Marcus up and tears on his arms free of the barbed wire. He lifts him onto his shoulders, blood dripping onto them from Marcus’ wounds before looking down at the thumbtacks. He takes a breath, calls out ‘Fuck you, Marcus’ and lands a Mustang Driver onto the tacks. Marcus, still wrapped in barbed wire, screams as tacks cover his back. Baker makes a cover, 1-2-no!
MW: What? What?
SD: His shoulder! His shoulder!
MW: These fans are silenced! Marcus Allen Jones has somehow kicked out!
SD: Look at Graham Baker.
Baker stares down at Marcus, mouth agape. He cover him again, 1-2-no! Again Marcus manages to lift his free arm. Baker's face turns from shock to anger as he looks around the edge of the ring. He rolls out and picks up the kendo stick that he left on the outside just under half an hour ago. He slides back in and unleashes on Marcus, driving the kendo stick onto him over and over again, hitting him so hard that the barbed wire begins to untangle. Baker finally throws the kendo stick so hard that it crashes into the side of the Cell. He then lifts Marcus again and hoists him up onto his shoulders, looking for another Mustang Driver. Marcus, however, drops down, somehow landing on his feet. He traps the wrist and spins Baker, connecting with a Six Stars! Baker collapses as the arena turns silent again. Marcus collapses on top of Graham Baker, 1-2-no!
SD: He's kicked out!
MW: This match is still going! Marcus Allen Jones refused to give in and Graham Baker does the same. These two men could be locked in here forever!
SD: But look! Marcus is heading to the top rope!
Marcus slowly climbs to the top rope as Baker lies in position. Marcus can barely raise him arms to start a clap but, surprisingly, a quiet clap can be heard as he looks down at Baker. He cries out ‘Fuck you, Trevor’ before leaping. Baker suddenly changes position, looking to catch Marcus in the Emergency Landing, just as he did to end the match at Judgement Day… but Marcus was prepared. He didn't go for the Mark-Out Moment, instead simply dropping down and using Baker’s change of position to set him up for another sharpshooter. He locks it in quickly and turns him, sitting as deep as he can given his own injuries from the barbed wire and the tacks. Baker seems to fade quickly and The Invaders and Hunter Killer on the outside implore the official to check on him. The official lifts Baker’s arm and it drops almost to the mat before he stops it just short, clenching his fist. He raises it up slowly and tries to drag himself towards the ropes.
Marcus calls down to him that the ropes can't save him, but Baker doesn't grip the ropes. Instead, he grips the apron and slides himself out of the ring. Slowly, he slides so far from the ring that he manages to break the hold. Marcus drops to the mat inside the ring from all of the effort as Baker lies on the outside. The fans begin to bubble before indecipherable noise fills the arena as they clap, stamp their feet and scream at the incredible match still unfolding before them.
As the screams die down, Marcus rolls out of the ring and Baker pulls himself to his feet. Both men stare each other down on the outside of the ring, Baker still bleeding from the back, Marcus bleeding around the waist and covered in tacks all over his back. At the flick of a switch, they begin to exchange straight right hands, each man landing several before Baker ducks one and connects with a Pele kick the the right arm of Marcus. Marcus reels back but Baker comes in quickly wringing the arm and then driving it into the Cell. He runs Marcus at the ringpost and wraps the arm around it, Marcus spinning into the Cell wall but Baker following up with a dropkick to the arm, trapping it against the wall. Marcus staggers away holding his arm and tries to roll into the ring to escape, but Baker stops him, pulling him back out again before driving the arm repeatedly into the edge of the ring before rolling him in himself.
MW: This could be it! Baker hasn't looked for the Emergency Landing yet, but that's how he beat Marcus last time and I'd be amazed if he didn't want to make Marcus tap again tonight.
SD: Marcus, you've got to do something!
Baker stomps on the arm before picking up the cricket bat and driving it down onto it. Marcus screams in pain and rolls over, Baker snatching his chance to lock in his patented hold. He locks it in, wrenching back on the arm as Marcus cries out in pain. Baker pushes through with his hips to extend the arm as far as he possibly can and the official readies himself to call for the bell. Marcus, however, continues to fight. He rolls himself over and manages to clasp his hands, blocking Baker from extending his arm any further. Baker tries to break the grip but Marcus refuses to let him. Finally, Baker breaks the hold and gets to his feet, limping a little but looking determinedly down at his challenger.
Baker stalks Marcus, who climbs unsteadily to his feet. Baker spins him round and pulls him up onto his shoulders, looking for the Mustang Driver that would surely end the match. However, Marcus drops, catching the wrist and spinning Baker. Baker, however, dodges the Six Stars and looks for a German, but Marcus performs a standing switch and traps the wrist again. He spins Baker out for the Six Stars once again, leaping for the knee, but Baker catches it. He then hoists Marcus up again, but again Marcus drops down, looking for the Six Stars. Baker again dodges the bicycle knee, again looking for a German. This time he thinks he's got it, but Marcus lands, albeit unsteadily, on his feet. Marcus then swoops in, trapping the wrist and going for the Six Stars again. As he spins Baker and goes for the knee, Baker drops to one knee, just as he did at Judgement Day. Marcus reaches down and looks for a snap DDT, but Baker transitions, pulling Marcus into position and locking in the Emergency Landing once again.
MW: Baker was playing possum! At Judgement Day, he collapsed because he was so exhausted. Here he was suckering him in.
SD: And it worked! But surely Marcus can find a way to escape.
Marcus tries to roll over and clasp his hands, but Baker uses whatever leg strength he has left to stop him from doing it. The fans cheer as Marcus looks about to tap, but one more effort from Marcus sees him try his familiar counter, rolling far enough to roll Baker up. Baker, however, rolls through, countering the counter again and again looking to extend the arm, only for Marcus to continue to roll, getting Baker’s shoulders down, 1-2-no! Baker kicks out at the very last possible second. Marcus shakes off his arm as he sees Baker scrambling to his feet. Marcus then pounces, taking Baker down with a chop block and viciously stomping at the knee he's been targeting all match.
Marcus looks for the kneeling cross-legged STF one more time, but Baker fights him off, and Marcus’ right arm isn't strong enough to grasp the chin. Marcus releases Baker, who rolls onto his back, only for Marcus to drop down and lock in his own version of the Emergency Landing! Baker cries out in pain as Marcus fully extends the arm. The fans scream for Baker to escape, but he can't. He's close to tapping, but tries one last escape. He rolls backwards, forcing Marcus to roll with him, but allowing Baker to get his feet underneath him. Baker then slowly stands, somehow fighting through the immense pain in his knee as he powers Marcus up, hitting a huge powerbomb to force the break. Baker collapses and once again the fans explode.
SD: Both men almost had it won!
MW: I sense we're getting close to the conclusion of this match. Graham Baker's knee can surely take no more punishment. Neither can his back. Marcus’ arm is just hanging limp and his head must be causing him a great deal of pain.
SD: Whoever gets the next big move might have this one. But both men have kicked out of the other’s biggest moves, both in this match and in their previous one. Is there a move that one thinks can put his opponent away?
Both Baker and Marcus start to stir at the same time. Each man slowly crawls to the ropes and pulls himself to his feet. They stare across the ring at one another and look ready to advance when Dario shouts to Marcus. He turns and sees Dario threading a kendo stick through the Cell wall. Jackson pushes with enough force that it lands just in front of Marcus. Baker and Marcus stare at each other and, before Marcus can bend down, Baker runs at him, looking for a shotgun dropkick. Marcus moves out of the way and Baker connects with the turnbuckles. Marcus then grabs Baker and pulls him up, trapping the wrist. He spins him out and connects with Six Stars. Marcus then staggers into the ropes and drops to one knee, staring down at Baker.
MW: Why isn't he covering him? Marcus has this one!
SD: Because Graham Baker has kicked out of every Six Stars that Marcus Allen Jones has ever hit him with. He needs more… but it's a risk.
MW: He's looking up to the top rope.
SD: He hasn't wanted to do this as it's a big risk. It's been countered before and it's been a disaster for Marcus.
MW: But Baker looks out of it. One more move and we have a new champion.
SD: Do it Marcus!
MW: Marcus Allen Jones climbing slowly. Is this a metaphor for his slow climb back up the mountain to become the first ever two-time FPW Champion? Marcus is perched on the top rope and-
SD: No!
MW: Baker! Baker springs up and… Ejection Seat!
SD: Ooooooh. I said it was a risk
MW: And now Baker has the advantage!
Graham Baker shakily pulls himself to his feet and calls out ‘Ground Zero’. The fans cheer as he pulls Marcus up and sets him up, connecting with the buckle bomb. Marcus barely remains on his feet as Baker pulls him in for the tiger bomb.
MW: Ground Zero! He's… but he's not making the cover either!
SD: Marcus Allen Jones has kicked out of this before too! He's the only man who ever has. Baker knows that he needs more as well.
MW: But what more is there?
Baker slowly drags Marcus over towards the corner. He lifts him with great difficulty onto his shoulders. With Marcus on his shoulders, Baker starts to climb to the top rope. He takes an age to take each step and almost falls after pushing his left leg up to the top rope, but he holds on and wastes no time…
SD: Avalanche Mustang Driver!
MW: Wait… this isn't an avalanche Mustang Driver-
Baker rolls through and connects with a perfect standing corkscrew moonsault.
MW: It's an Avalanche Super Mustang Driver!
SD: Kick out, Marcus, please!
MW: One….. two….. three!
SD: No!
MW: Graham Baker has retained the Freedom Pro Wrestling Championship inside Hell in a Cell in the biggest match in FPW history!
Winner and Still FPW Champion: Graham Baker.
Baker rolls off Marcus and the two men lie on the blood-stained canvas, the fans giving them one of the loudest standing ovations ever seen in FPW. The official checks on both as Baker struggles to his feet. He acknowledges the fans as he staggers forward, catching himself on the ropes to hold himself up. His knee can barely support him and his back is still leaking blood. The official calls for the Cell to be raised but, as it is, The Invaders storm the ring, jumping Baker. The official tries to stop them but Haych lays him out.
The previous cheers turn to boos as the two of them lay into Baker and he lies defenceless on the mat. Haych calls for the FPW Title to be brought into the ring and Dario collects it. Haych then holds Baker up as Dario stands, about to strike him with the belt. As Dario is about to step forward, he's stopped as Marcus wrenches the belt out of his hands. He looks down at the belt for a moment as TakeOver smile.
MW: Marcus Allen Jones is about to walk off with Baker’s title! Surely this rivalry is finished now!
SD: It's not finished until-
MW: What is he…
Marcus drops the belt to the mat and looks at the rest of TakeOver. Instead of joining their attack, he points to the ramp. The two of them stand and look at him for a few moments before Marcus yells for them to get out of the ring. Both of them give him a quizzical look but each do as they're told. Marcus drops to his knees as Baker sits across the ring from him, staring him down with an equally quizzical look. Marcus then stands, picking up the belt and advancing towards Baker. Baker holds his hands up to protect himself but Marcus doesn't look to strike him. Instead, Marcus offers him his hand.
The fans aren't sure how to react to this. Some boo, warning Baker to be careful, while others cheer what seems to be an act of sportsmanship. Baker stares at Marcus before reaching up and taking his hand. Marcus pulls Baker up and the two of them shake hands. The fans cheer as Marcus hands Baker the belt and then raises his arm. Marcus turns to leave and Baker pats him on the back, showing some respect, before climbing to the top rope and raising the title as Marcus walks away up the ramp. The show ends with Baker raising the belt to his cheering fans.
