Post by Jim Houston on Dec 31, 2019 13:07:22 GMT
The show opens with highlights of Judgement Day II, beginning with The Suplex Sweethearts picking up the victory in the number one contender match. They move on to Artemis Evans connecting with a Guillotine Strike to beat Aaron Williams, followed by The Dogs of War winning the Tag Team Championships. Then we see slightly more extended highlights of Botiatus winning the Freedom Championship with House Rules. The highlights of Jerry Bishop’s victory over Berry Bishop focus on the emotions of the match and linger on Jerry holding Berry in the Last Laugh. They then show Jack Sevren introducing CJ and Bobby’s conflict early in the match, followed by CJ turning on Sevren and Bobby pinning him, before Jim Houston fires both the Invaders and Hunter Killer. It moves onto showing the big moments of Graham Baker versus Marcus Allen Jones, leading towards Baker having to tap out and then being booed out of the arena. Finally, we hear from Jace Mason’s interview and then see him struggling against MDE before fighting back and ultimately overcoming him. The video ends with the same closing shot as Judgement Day II as Jace Mason holds the belt aloft while pointing out to the fans.
The video then turns to Jim Houston, who stands at the top of the ramp with a table full of awards.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the final Freedom Pro Wrestling show of the 2010s. Tonight we have three matches to see and seven awards to have out. I’d like to begin with the award for Freedom Pro Wrestling Show of the Year for 2019. I think it will come as no surprise to anybody that the show of the Year Award goes to, with 67% of the vote, Judgement Day II. Of course, this award will not be accepted by anybody, but I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who made Judgement Day II what it was. It was, undoubtedly, the best show we have ever run as FPW and it lived up to the hype that it quite rightfully received. I promise that next year we will maintain this high standard and will continue to produce shows to match this quality. My New Year’s Resolution for 2020 is to make Judgement Day III even bigger and better than Judgement Day II.
“Before we get to our opening match, I have one more award to give. This award goes to the FPW Newcomer of the Year. This year we introduced a number of very good additions to our roster. On the list were two tag teams, one of whom we will see later tonight, as well as three participants from this year’s Free-1. The winner was clear, with 83% of the vote… Botiatus!”
Bo walks up to the podium in his usual ring gear with the Freedom Championship shining on his left shoulder. He shakes Houston's hand as he accepts the award before looking out to survey the cheering crowd
Bo- "WELCOME TOOOO (crowd screams in unison) THE HOUSE OF BOTIATUS!"
Bo pauses as a "H.O.B." chant rings out around the arena
Bo- "You know when I first came here to FPW I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had my eyes on this place for quite a while believe me but I didn't know exactly how I would fit in here. And it's honestly been a bumpy road filled with both incredible highs and unbelievable lows. But the one thing that has always remained consistent is all of you. My loyal House Guests. From day one you've moved in and made yourselves comfortable in the H.O.B. You've supported me every step of the way. Even when I lost, even when I struggled to find support in the locker room, you stuck with me the entire time. And now this award is proof that the H.O.B. is here to stay for good. I guess what I'm trying to say is (crowd screams in unison) THIS. IS. MYYYYYYY. HOUSE!"
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MW: Well I think award was fully deserved. Botiatus has had a great debut year, putting on some stellar matches and winning his first championship here in FPW. Tonight we will see him in action in our main event as the now traditional champion versus champion match will pit him against new FPW Champion Jace Mason.
SD: The new FPW Champion, by the way, who made me eat a fair few words. He was phenomenal at Judgement Day II and I want to be the first here to offer my congratulations. Jace Mason must now step up and step into the role of FPW Champion, and that begins with putting on a strong performance, and picking up the win, against Botiatus tonight.
MW: As we’ve said, that will be the main event tonight, but before that we will see two other big matches, the first of which is about to come up right now.
SD- "The boss has been really adding some firepower to the locker room this year and I believe he's done it again with his newest acquisition. Don't let the Gi fool you folks, Kyle Ohio is as vicious as they come once the bell rings"
MW- "And he's facing one of the resident powerhouses of FPW tonight in Go Shihei"
SD- "And a motivated Go at that. He's had a bit of a frustrating 2019 but with a victory tonight he can put all of that in the past and get the new year started off on the right foot"
MW- "Let's send it over to someone who always gets us started on the right foot, Dasha Banks!"
DB- "The following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Osaka, Japan. He is known as Holy Fury, Go Shihei!"
"Fury, Oh Fury" begins and as the opening monologue plays, a darkness falls over the arena, but as the song's lyrics begin with the heavy guitar, the lights come up dark red and white and Shihei steps out to a mixed reaction. He quickly surveys the arena before marching straight down to the ring. As he reaches the ring he stops and pounds his chest a few times before leaping onto the apron and entering the ropes as he settles into a corner, his eyes focused the whole time on the ramp
DB- "And his opponent, from Cleveland, Ohio. He is the knockout king, Kyle Ohio!"
The arena goes dark as the fans buzz in anticipation. Handlebars by FloBots begins to play and a waterfall of sparks begin falling onto the ramp. Kyle suddenly appears as he does a butterfly kick through the pyro which garners a decent reaction from the crowd. He shadow boxes down to the end of the ramp and once in front of the ring steps he does a martial arts bow before removing his Gi. He quickly jogs up the steps and flings himself into the ring with a front flip, followed by a series of front handsprings and finishing with a trio of rolling savate kicks
As the ref checks over Kyle's gear he glances over at Go who remains in his corner with his eyes squarely locked on Kyle
Match 1: Kyle Ohio vs Go Shihei (written by Botiatus):
The bell rings and Go immediately charges at Kyle with a Lariat but Kyle is able to dodge the arm and immediately deliver an STO! Go is shaken but quickly gets back to his feet only to be taken down again by a Leg Sweep that Kyle follows up by quickly floating over to take a side headlock. Go fights against the hold as he makes it back to a seated position but Kyle quickly transitions into a Hammerlock and drives his knee several times into Go's back. Go uses his free hand to deliver a hard elbow to the jaw of Kyle that causes him to break the hold. Go rolls under the nearby ropes as the pain in his back causes him to walk gingerly. Kyle is quick to follow as he steps through the ropes onto the apron and right as Go turns around Kyle delivers a Running Knee Strike to the side of Go's head. Kyle pops back up as he lets out a roar and the fans respond with a round of cheers
MW- "Kyle Ohio looking very impressive here in the opening minutes"
SD- "Indeed he is and his aggression is on full display. He hasn't given Go a moment to breath"
Kyle rolls Go back into the ring and goes for a cover 1, No. Go powers out popping Kyle high enough that he's able to twist slightly in air and land in a karate stance. The audience lets out an OHHH at the maneuver as Go gets to his hands and knees. Kyle goes for an Axe Kick but Go is able to dodge and catch the leg with a hook on its way down as he quickly transitions into a Fisherman's Suplex! He bridges for the pin 1, 2eh No! Kyle kicks out but Go gets to his feet first and delivers a clubbing blow to Kyle's back. It's followed by a Double Axe Handle Strike that knocks Kyle flat on his stomach. Go proceeds to lay the boots to Kyle as a small smattering of boos can be heard from the crowd. Go uses the entire four count from the ref before breaking away
SD- "Go Shihei taking control now. That scary power of his is the ultimate equalizer"
MW- "He seems to have shaken off the early damage. But Kyle didn't seem to take kindly to those stomps. He looks like he's seething!"
Kyle is back to one knee as he stares daggers at Go. Both men charge at each other as Go aims a Lariat that Kyle ducks under and as both men rebound Kyle explodes off the ropes with a Jumping Knee Strike that lands flush on the jaw. Go hits the mat as Kyle goes for the cover hooking the leg 1, 2, No! Go gets a shoulder up and Kyle looks slightly surprised but he wastes little time as he pulls Go up to his feet. Kyle goes for a Butterfly Lock but Go powers out pushing him away and Kyle again flashes fancy footwork as he transitions fluidly to a Roundhouse Kick to the midsection that doubles Go over. Kyle then gets the Butterfly Lock and delivers a series of vicious Rising Knee Strikes to the gut. He then transitions as he looks for a Hammerlock DDT but Go is able to quickly find a burst of power to Bull Rush both men into the ropes. Neither man is able to stop the momentum and they both going crashing down to the floor. Kyle is forced to bear the bulk of the force as Go lands on top of him before rolling away and both men lie breathing heavily
MW- "There's that raw power you were talking about earlier Steven. And this could be a turning point of the match"
SD- "It certainly could. Kyle Ohio wasn't able to break his fall at all due to the position he was in so he took the worst of it. The ref is starting his count but neither man looks to be moving"
1...
2...
3...
4- Both men begin to stir. Go crawls towards the ring as Kyle crawls to the barrier
5- Go uses the apron to pull himself up
6- Kyle uses the barrier ro pull himself up but is immediately met by a Running Splash from Go
7- Go delivers another Running Splash causing Kyle to stagger towards the ring
8- Go presses his advantage as he drives Kyle from behind into the ring apron
9- Go lifts up Kyle rolling him back into the ring before sliding in himself to break the count
With Kyle still down, Go hits the ropes and delivers a Running Senton! He goes for the pin 1, 2, No! Kyle kicks out. Go then quickly lifts Kyle to his feet and delivers High Velocity! He bridges for the pin, 1, 2, No! Again Kyle is able to get a shoulder up. Go pulls Kyle up quickly again looking for a German Suplex but Kyle is able to flip out landing on his feet and Go turns around right into a Rolling Elbow! Go is briefly stunned and Kyle lands a Short Kick to the back of the thigh followed by a Jumping Knee to the chest, then a Roundhouse Kick to the chest and finally a Spinning Leg Sweep to complete the KO Combo! He takes a moment to swagger about as a decent portion of fans cheer before he pats his knee and begins calling for Go to get to his feet"
MW- "Kyle Ohio could be looking to put this one away now"
SD- "Go's back to his feet!"
Kyle charges in with another Running Knee but Go dodges and immediately lands a hard chop. Go unleashes a series of chops that back Kyle into a corner. Kyle is able to block a chop but Go immediately counters with a headbutt that sends Kyle staggering out of the corner before Go quickly spins him around into an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle! Kyle is laid out and Go steps out onto the apron climbing the ropes
MW- "The pendulum swings back once again and now Go is the one looking to end this match"
SD- "If he lands this it's over!"
MW- "YEAR OF THE TO... NO! KYLE OHIO GOT HIS KNEES UP AT THE LAST SECOND!"
Go writhes in pain as Kyle crawls to the ropes to pull himself up. Kyle staggers over to Go pulling him up into a Muay Thai clinch but Go is able to block a couple of attempted Rising Knee Strikes. Go aims a punch but Kyle is able to counter and trap the arm into a Single Knee Backbreaker! He goes for the cover 1, 2, No! Go kicks out! Both men scramble to their feet but Kyle is faster and flashes footwork yet again as Go rises right into a Rolling Savate Kick! Go is wobbly on his feet and Kyle quickly capitalizes lifting him into a Brain Buster! He makes a cover hooking the leg 1, 2, 3!
Winner- Kyle Ohio (11:54)
.
MW: A big win on debut for Kyle Ohio.
SD: He's an impressive athlete. He's got a bit of a hot streak too.
MW: He has, but the fans seem to like him. I sense a big future for him in FPW.
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Jim Houston comes back out onto the stage.
“Before our next match, I will be presenting three more awards, the first of which is for the FPW Moment of the Year. This we had so many strong moments, from FPW Championship changes, to emotional match endings, to extreme moves. This was the most hotly-contested of the awards, and it goes to… Marcus Allen Jones with his Canadian destroyer from a ladder through a flaming table to stop Jack Sevren from winning the Dead Man’s Chest.”
‘Cult of Personality’ plays and Marcus steps onto the ramp. He still limps and sports a bruise over his right eye. He acknowledges the fans before taking the award and the microphone from Jim Houston.
“Canadian destroyer from the top of the ladder onto Jack Sevren to stop him from winning the Dead Man's Chest. Damn. That's certainly a mouthful.
The fans laugh.
MAJ: I think back to that moment and my mind is still saying to my body, "what the hell were you thinking?" At the time, I wasn't. Life or limb, it didn't matter. As much as I wanted to win the DMC, I had an equal and alternative motive. I didn't care who won if it wasn't me as long as it wasn't Sevren. Anybody else would have been fine. But I refused to let that chest fall into the hands of TakeOver. So while I'm grateful the moment itself made everyone jump out of their seats, I didn't really think much of it at the time. I just did what I had to do. And spent months regretting the pain afterward. But never the action. In a small way, I kept Jack from the top of that ladder and now, TakeOver is gone. And I've gotta say, while I wish I had been the one to do it, I'm just glad they are gone. It means I can start over. Start fresh. Just don't be expecting those kinds of crazy moves all the time.”
Marcus holds the award up to the fans before turning and walking back through the ramp, Houston applauding him.
“And for our fourth award of the night, we come to Team of the Year. This year has seen our tag team scene change drastically, with our champions at the beginning of the year ending it embroiled in a feud which led to the end of another one of our teams on the shortlist for this award. Last year’s winners, TakeOver, turned on their former leader before turning to Jack Sevren and ultimately being removed for good from FPW. Death Squad took the titles in a surprise victory after winning the All Star Tag Team Classic and gave us some of the best matches of the year, while Dynasty went from strength to strength as a group as Danica Jane began to show us what she could do in the ring. Bu8t the winners of the Team of the Year Award are FPW’s only ever two-time Tag Team Champions, with 67% of the vote, The Guardians of Strong Style.”
A video appears on the screen of Sato standing with the award.
“Guardians of Strong Style best tag team in FPW in 2019. But Guardians of Strong Style no longer FPW Tag Team Champions. Guardians of Strong Style return to Japan for Christmas and New Year but not for long. Guardians of Strong Style return to America for next show. Guardians of Strong Style stay in America for long in 2020. Guardians of Strong Style need to get better as individuals to be better as team. So Guardians of Strong Style take time away from team to build better singles wrestlers. On next shows, Tchyukiro-San and Takahara-San have singles matches. Open challenges. Only after getting better at singles can Guardians of Strong Style be better as team again. I accept this award and expect to win again in 2020, but only after Guardians of Strong Style get better.”
Jim Houston turns back to the camera.
“And now for one of the biggest awards of the night: FPW Wrestler of the Year. In their own way, each contender deserved this award. Bobby O began the year as a Tag Team Champion and a holder of the Dead Man’s Chest. Graham Baker spent half the year as FPW Champion and put on some of the best matches FPW has ever seen, especially with Marcus Allen Jones. Marcus himself was involved in some incredible matches, and he has showed great maturity in developing his own personal conduct. Jerry Bishop, for very different reasons than the others, has truly risen to the top of FPW and, while I, as many others will do, question his methods, his victory over Berry Bishop certainly solidified him as a true top star in this company. However, one man has stood tall over all others this year. He began the year as Freedom Champion, then of course the Hardcore Championship, and has a number of successful defences before losing the best to Berry Bishop. He then battled through one of the toughest blocks any tournament has ever seen before pulling off the upset to defeat Graham Baker in the Free-1 final and now he comes out for the very first time as FPW Champion… the 2019 FPW Wrestler of the Year… Jace Mason!”
The fans cheer loudly as ‘Afterlife’ heralds the arrival of Jace Mason. Jace emerges from backstage, wearing a nice outfit and carrying the FPW World Championship, and waves to the audience as he approaches the podium. He opens his mouth to speak, and then stops and chuckles to himself, clearly overcome with emotion.
"Well, I have to say that this is a bit of a surprise. I saw my name on the ballot for wrestler of the year, and my initial thought was 'oh, that's cool.' And then I looked at the other people on the bracket and I said 'well, it's an honor to be nominated.' But now I'm standing here before you, accepting the award for wrestler of the year, and I'm completely stunned.
"When I look back at what I've done throughout the year, objectively, I know I shouldn't be surprised. I held the Freedom Championship for the first third of the year, won the Free-1, and capped it all off by winning the FPW World Championship. Objectively, anyone with that kind of year seems like a shoo-in for wrestler of the year, but subjectively? Subjectively, it doesn't really feel like I did those things. Personally, it feels more like we did those things. I couldn't have had the year I had without your support, and honestly this-" he holds up his award. "Almost means more to me than this. " he says as he holds up the FPW World Championship. "I promise to keep this going for as long as I possibly can and to be the champion that we can all be truly proud of. Thank you," he says before he shakes Jim Houston's hand and walks backstage.
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MW: A very deserving winner.
SD: Agreed. However, I think Graham Baker was ever-so-slightly robbed of an award tonight.
MW: He had a great year for sure, but I think the way he went about his business probably turned the fans away from voting for him. Besides, he’s no longer here to accept the award.
SD: But sadly Graham Baker isn’t the only person not with us anymore.
MW: Judgement Day II heralded the end of the FPW careers of The Invaders, Hunter Killer and Graham Baker, but it also brought injuries to two of FPW’s biggest stars. Elizabeth Karlson will be out for some time after her match with Botiatus and Jack Sevren will also be missing time with an injury which could potentially be very serious.
SD: We of course send our best wishes to each of them for a speedy recovery and we hope to see them back in an FPW ring very soon.
MW: But those two being missing will give others opportunities, and perhaps one of those opportunities will come for the young man we saw earlier tonight.
SD: Kyle Ohio looked impressive and I think he has a future here in FPW. But we may also get the chance to see the depth of our tag team division a little more clearly.
MW: And that of course is where we turn for our next match. The Dogs of War went through a war to win those belts, but they’ll have to do the same to retain them.
SD: Tommy Saxon and Ella-
Deville is cut off by ‘This Fire Burns’ as Clutch McCloud, dressed sharply in a smart suit, walks onto the stage. He looks around at the audience, most of whom boo him in frustration, before making his way down the ramp and joining Mike Watson and Steven Deville.
MW: Clutch McCloud is out here for our next match it seems.
CM: I’m out here to address the fact that FPW is still allowing women to be exposed to dangerous situations in inter-gender matches. This type of wrestling should not be allowed on our screens.
MW: Well I think most people here would disagree with that-
CM: I don’t care. If they want to glorify the abuse of women in society they’re welcome to show themselves for the pigs that they so clearly are. I’m taking a stand. I’m breaking the cycle of abuse. I will not rest until inter-gender wrestling in FPW is banned for good.
SD: You clearly have the bad experiences in your youth to explain your views, but what do you say to those people on Twitter who have questioned your right to decide what a consenting wrestler can and can’t do?
CM: Inter-gender wrestling is wrong. It perpetuates an idea that violence against women is acceptable. It isn’t. It absolutely, 100% isn’t acceptable. Sometimes, Steven, women need to be saved from themselves. Did my mother leave my father? No. She defended him. She hung on to the idea that he loved her. Ella Ripley needs to be saved from her own decisions and she needs to see that her consenting to these matches is enabling- and it is enabling- aggressive men everywhere to feel okay about beating their wives, their girlfriends and their children. Man-on-woman violence should be wiped from our culture until domestic abuse becomes- as it should be- a thing of the past.
MW: Strong views there from Clutch McCloud. Understandable ones of course, but, nevertheless, this match will be going ahead. Steven, do you think Ripley and Saxon will be able to do what they couldn’t do before and defeat The Dogs of War?
SD: I think they can but I’m not sure whether or not they will. These two are both very strong teams and I think we’re about to see a very good match.
CM: A match that should not be happening. Not in its current form. Saxon should name a stand-in and Ripley should be kept out of harm’s way.
“The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall and it is for the FPW Tag Team Championships. Introducing first, from Hammersmith, England and Colby, Kansas respectively, they are known as ‘Dauntless’ and ‘The Colby Kid’ respectively… Tommy Saxon, Ella Ripley… The Suplex Sweethearts!”
‘Turbo Killer’ begins to play and Saxon and Ripley come through the curtain with a lot of energy. They come together with Saxon putting an arm around Ripley and kissing her passionately before peeling away and throwing a few shadow punches while Ripley stands and admires him. They move quickly down the ramp. Saxon looking very pumped up while Ripley moves with much more control. As they get to the ring, Saxon slides in while Ripley takes her time climbing the steps and stepping through the ropes. The two of them pose for the fans, who respond as they did before with a mixture of cheers and boos, before resting against the ropes and waiting for their opponents.
“And their opponents, they are the Freedom Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions… hailing from Dallas, Texas and Denver, Colorado respectively ‘The Vigilante’ David Archer and ‘The Battering Ram’ Braxton Cable… The Dogs of War!”
‘Justice’ begins to play as Archer and Cable emerge through the curtain. Archer makes a motion as if he’s shooting a bow while Cable produces a finger gun and shoots it at The Suplex Sweethearts. The two men make their way quickly down the ramp, Cable leading the way, before they climb straight into the ring. Archer and Cable march straight up to Saxon and Ripley and the two teams stand eye to eye and stare one another down as The Dogs of War hold their newly-won Tag Team Championships high.
Match 2: FPW Tag Team Championships: The Dogs of War vs. The Suplex Sweethearts:
Tommy Saxon points to Braxton Cable as Ella Ripley steps between the ropes. Cable and Archer turn and talk strategy for a moment but Saxon doesn’t wait. He moves in and jumps them both from behind, throwing Archer over the top rope and forcing Cable into the corner. Saxon lays hard right hands into him and only stops when the official tears him away. Cable staggers into the middle of the ring and Saxon grabs hold of him and whips him into the ropes. When Cable comes back, Saxon drives a knee hard into his gut and Cable drops to the mat. Saxon reels round and calls for the crowd to get behind him, but they’re cut off as David Archer lands a superkick after sneaking back into the ring. The cheers turn quickly to boos as Archer backs away with his hands raised.
Cable recovers before Saxon and he lands a few stomps before pulling Saxon up and whipping him into the ropes. He takes him down with a big boot and then turns, only to find Saxon getting quickly to his feet. The fans cheer as Saxon calls Cable forward, ducking a running lariat and then landing the Tommy Gun. Saxon doesn’t waste any time, lifting Cable and pulling him in for a snap suplex. Saxon pops his hips and pulls Cable back up again, switching positions and taking him down with a fisherman suplex this time. He hooks the leg for a cover, 1-2-no. Cable kicks out on the stroke of two. Saxon then stands and laboriously drags Cable towards the corner, tagging in Ella Ripley.
MW: A sarong start from the Suplex Sweethearts.
CM: And an immoral period of the match we’re about to enter into.
SD: But Ripley is clearly able to hold her own in this match.
CM: For a while perhaps, but she can’t do so forever. This part of the match is disgusting. She should be forced to tag back out again.
MW: Be that as it may, Ripley starting strong here with the push-up facebusters.
Ripley drives Cable’s face into the mat repeatedly before releasing her grip and pulling him up. She backs him into the corner with forearms and then sweeps his leg. Ripley then backs away into the corner for the Colby Cannonball, but Archer grips her by the hair. She turns and tries to pull him into the ring, but he blocks the effort and takes her down with a jawbreaker onto the top rope. She staggers and it gives Cable time to get to his feet and knock Saxon off the apron. Ripley turns right into a hard boot to the face from Cable.
CM: This should not be allowed! That’s assault on a woman by a far stronger man.
Cable pulls Ripley up and lifts her onto his shoulder, carrying her over to the corner and dropping her face-first onto the turnbuckle. As she staggers away, Archer tags himself in and the two of them put the boots to Ripley. Saxon tries to get back into the ring but the official holds him back as the fans boo loudly. Saxon reluctantly steps back through the ropes as Cable does the same, leaving Archer to life Ripley and then connect with a side Russian leg sweep. He makes a cover, hooking the leg, 1-2-no. Ripley kicks out.
MW: See. She can withstand some punishment.
CM: Punishment that she should not be receiving. This is heinous. It’s disgusting and you know it is.
SD: The Dogs of War really in control of this match now.
CM: Of course they are. They’re beating up a woman! When will you people see how wrong this is?
Archer pulls Ripley up again and forces her back into his corner. He tags in Cable, who backs away into the opposite corner before charging at Ripley and landing a huge splash. She staggers out of the corner and he charges at her, connecting with a lariat which turns her inside out. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Ripley just manages to get a shoulder up. Saxon begins to bang on the turnbuckle and the fans clap along with him as they try to help Ripley to get back into the match. Cable pulls her up and looks to lift her over his head for a gorilla press, but she drops down and locks her hands around his waist. She tries to lift him for a German suplex but he resists, elbowing his way out of the hold. Ripley staggers away and looks to make the tag to Saxon, but Cable dives at him and knocks him off the apron just as she gets there, leading to more boos from the fans.
Ripley turns to Cable, but he quickly lands a hard chop to her chest. She reels away into the middle of the ring and then Cable bull rushes her from a three-point stance, driving her into the Dogs of War’s corner. Cable again makes the tag and, holding Ripley in place, he watches as Archer backs up and charges at Ripley. Cable just moves out of the way as Archer lands a running boot to the head before following up with a snap German. He then drops a knee on Ella Ripley and, after she sits up, delivers a hard kick to her chest. He drops down to make another cover, 1-2-no. Again Ripley manages to kick out.
CM: This is absolutely criminal! How can Ella Ripley be made to go through all of this?
SD: It’s a wrestling match, Clutch. She signed up-
CM: Signed up… rubbish. She shouldn’t be allowed to sign up for something like this. Braxton Cable is twice her size.
MW: So it would be okay if she were bigger? Is that what you’re saying?
CM: No. A man hitting a woman is never okay. Never. Not in any circumstances.
SD: You mean you’ve never…
CM: Never what?
SD: With Danica… you and her have never…
CM: What are you insinuating? That I’m abusing my girlfriend?
SD: No, but… you know... when you and Danica have some… alone time… you two have never...
CM: What Danica and I do when we’re along is none of your, or anyone else’s, business.
MW: As long as you’re two consenting adults, I agree. And, seeing as Ella Ripley is very much a consenting adult in this match, I don’t see why it’s any of your business.
CM: This is totally different. I stand by what I’ve said and it won’t change.
Archer stands and drags Ripley to her feet, tagging Cable back in again. Cable once again goes towards Saxon, who steps into the ring immediately and is again held back by the official. Cable instantly turns and holds Ripley in place. Archer enters the ring and, as the fans boo, he sprays mist… but Ripley ducks. Cable reels away and Archer pauses in shock. With their hesitation, Ella Ripley manages to make it back to her corner and she tags in Saxon, who looks to take advantage of Cable’s lack of vision. He takes Archer down with a DDT before sizing up Braxton Cable and landing The Knuckler. He makes a cover, hooking both legs, 1-2-no! Archer manages to dive on top of them to break up the cover.
The fans boo as Ripley recovers and grabs Archer. She throws him out of the ring and then turns to Saxon, who calls for her help. Ripley lifts Cable and shoves him, still blinded, to Saxon. He connects with a short-arm lariat straight into a bridging German suplex from Ripley, who holds for the cover, Saxon frantically looking for Archer to stop him from breaking it up. 1-2-no! On the count of three, David Archer pulls the official out of the ring. As the official is about to call for the disqualification, Ella Ripley comes diving through the ropes and she takes out both Archer and the official. Saxon follows and he lifts Archer and throws him into the guardrail.
MW: Wild action in this match!
SD: Indeed it is. The Dogs of War will do anything and everything to retain those Tag Team Championships.
MW: Including blatant cheating.
CM: Including hitting a woman.
MW: But now it looks as though Saxon and Ripley have this match where they want it.
Saxon dives back into the ring while Ripley helps the official to recover. She helps him back into the ring as Saxon pulls Cable to his feet. He looks for a DDT, but Cable runs him back into the ropes, where he connects with Ripley. Saxon pauses as he looks out to his partner, and Cable takes advantage, kicking Saxon in the gut as he turns and lifting him up for the Titan Killer. With Archer holding onto Ripley’s foot, the official counts, 1-2-3.
Winners and Still FPW Tag Team Champions: The Dogs of War (14:44).
MW: I think Archer and Cable stole that one!
SD: But they won the match and they won it fair and square. They are our undisputed FPW Tag Team Champions.
CM: Disgraceful behaviour from both of them, as well as from Tommy Saxon for teaming with a woman and Ella Ripley for not seeing the damage she’s doing by being a willing participant. I’ve had enough of this.
As Cable and Archer leave up the ramp, Clutch stands and takes off his headset. He walks around the ring and up the ramp too, but he’s cut off by Jim Houston.
“Clutch… I think you might want to hear this. Ella, Tommy… you might want to hear it too. At Season Four Launch Party, Russ Bolt wanted a match. Russ Bolt shall be granted a match. He will go one on one with… one of the Suplex Sweethearts. Clutch was speaking of you both fairly unkindly there, so I’m sure you’ll both be interested in a match with his close friend. Clutch, I’ll leave it to all of you to decide which of Tommy Saxon or Ella Ripley you’d rather see in action, but it’ll be Russ with the final say- not you.”
Clutch shakes his head at Houston before looking back to see Ripley and Saxon coming up the ramp. He makes a quick exit as Saxon and Ripley follow him with pissed off looks on their faces.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for us to give our final two awards of the night. The first award is for the feud of the year. While it seems like Clutch McCloud versus inter-gender wrestling may be the feud of 2020, I regret to inform you that this was not on the ballot for this year. This year’s ballot had a clear winner, forcing Graham Baker and Marcus Allen Jones’ blood feud into second place. Accepting the award for his feud with Jack Sevren and TakeOver 2.0 is Bobby O.”
‘This Means War’ plays and Bobby walks out onto the ramp in his usual gear. He walks over to Jim Houston and gives him a nod before accepting the award.
“Wow. Feud of the Year. Kinda funny isn't it. When the year started, Jack and I were tag team partners. And ya know, we were a pretty darn good team at that. Won the titles. Took down some tough competition. But then it all fell apart and it had TakeOver's mark all over it. I mean seriously. I came here to make amends to Jack and others but got stopped along the way. So the enemy of my enemy thing happened. We teamed up to fight and take down TakeOver. And we did for the most part. But as I found out what we really did was just keep them at arm's length. Here I thought Jack and I had become friends but really, he was just plotting his next move. Taking over and taking me down. And ya know, he probably would have succeeded because for a while there, I was pretty lost. I spent most of the year doing things for others. It was high time I did something for myself. I wanted Jack one-on-one. Not for any righteous reason. The ability to rid FPW of TakeOver was just icing on the cake. I wanted Jack in a singles match to finish something that was started years ago in another company. A rivalry that we've taken across the pond and across the country. There was a fight forever mentality there and part of me thinks that will never go away. That no matter where life takes us, I will meet Jack Sevren again in a wrestling ring. In the meantime, TakeOver is gone and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Because of me, 2020 is gonna be a great year for FPW. Thanks so much to the fans for believing in us and for not getting tired of this saga that has been Bobby O vs Jack Sevren. But now, it's on to bigger and better things. See you guys again real soon!”
Bobby raises the trophy to the applauding fans and walks back through the curtain.
“I’m sure you will be onto bigger things Bobby. But now we move onto our final award, and my personal favourite. This is the award for Match of the Year. Whittling this down to just five contenders was extremely tough. In the end, the choice clearly wasn’t very tough for most of you. Taking more than 80% of the votes, the award for FPW’s 2019 Match of the Year goes to Marcus Allen Jones versus Graham Baker at Judgement Day II.”
‘Cult of Personality’ plays for a second time and again Marcus comes through the curtain to great applause. He steps forward to take the trophy and to address the fans once again.
“Wow, this is, this is such an honor. I was thinking about it after I saw the nominations. I didn't deserve to win Wrestler of the Year. As I mentioned before, I spent half the year with a losing record and the other half cheating my way through. I wasn't proud of the wrestler I was. But Moment of the Year (can change around based on order of how awards are given) and now Match of the Year. It's incredible really. I think of like the Oscars where you have best actor/actress and best drama. Match of the Year. That feels like winning the best drama because really Baker and I were two supporting actors putting on the performance of our lives. Maybe he doesn't feel that way but I do. I gave everything I had and more to Judgment Day. I had to. I couldn't imagine an alternative. Truthfully, that's why I put it all on the line. I needed to prove to myself that I could still be the guy who wins since let's be honest, I haven't done much of that lately. This was kinda my last stand and it had to be at Judgment Day. It had to be against Baker. Last year, he and I won the Match of the Year and Feud of the Year Award. This year a second MOTY. Clearly, the dislike we had for each other turned into magic in the ring. I'll give the man his kudos. It was a real privilege to share the ring with him. I got a certain unmatched adrenaline when I shared the ring with him. But what means so much to me is that you all loved the matches. All of you. The fans in the stands and the fans at home watching. Last year, I made a statement upon accepting the Faction of the Year Award. I said it was a disgrace the fans had the chance to vote on awards. I said the awards, as a result, meant nothing. Let me tell you guys, this right here means EVERYTHING. Thank you FPW, I dedicate this one to you!”
Jim Houston shakes Marcus’ hand again before the two of them head backstage.
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MW: “And now it’s time for our main event. It’s a tradition that was started last year by Graham Baker, the final match of the year in FPW is a non-title champion vs champion match, intended to be a contest of the two best wrestlers in the company.”
SD: “And what a perfect snapshot of the evolution of Jace Mason, and FPW as a whole. Last year, Jace was the hardcore champion, which would eventually be transformed into the Freedom Championship we know today, and he was facing FPW World Champion Graham Baker. This year, Jace is the World Champion, Graham Baker has been forced to leave the company, and our Freedom champion is someone we didn’t even have on the roster last year.”
MW: “That’s a great analysis of the constantly changing nature of FPW, a hotbed of current and future greatness. And now let’s get this match underway.
The lights in the arena went down, and the opening to ‘Famous’ echoed around the arena. THe lights flashed back on as the name ‘BOTIATUS’ showed on the titantron, and the man himself strode onstage, the Freedom Championship wrapped around his waist. He pointed at himself to start an ‘H.O.B.’ chant, then continued to march down to the ring.
“The following contest is a non-title champion vs champion match scheduled for one fall!” Dasha Banks announced from the ring. “Introducing first, the FPW Freedom Champion, from the Bay Area, California, this is Botiatus!”
Botiatus unstrapped the title and raised it above his head as his name was announced, prompting a wave of cheers from the crowd. He nodded at his positive reception before he handed his title to a crew member, then took off his shirt and handed that over as well. He began stretching as he turned to face up the ramp.
‘Afterlife’ began to play, causing the crowd to go quiet as the intro continued. And then Jace Mason emerged as the song kicked in and the crowd exploded into cheers again. Jace smiled at them and lifted the FPW World Championship from over his shoulder, holding it high above his head as the crowd took in the sight of him as champion.
“And introducing his opponent, from Seattle, Washington, he is the FPW World Champion, the Eternal Student, Jace Mason!”
Jace stood perched on the turnbuckles, tht title held up once again before he carefully dropped back into the ring. He handed his title and jacket to a crew member, then stepped forward with a hand extended to Botiatus. Botiatus hesitated for a moment, then shook his opponent’s hand. Jace nodded and backed into his corner as Botiatus did the same.
Match 3: Champion vs Champion: Botiatus (Freedom Champion) vs Jace Mason (World Champion) (written by Mason):
The bell rang as the two stepped forward and locked up. Dueling chants for both competitors broke out from the crowd as they jockeyed for position. But neither could gain any advantage over the other, so they broke the hold and began circling each other. They locked up again, and this time, Jace moved quickly, catching Botiatus by surprise and applying a wristlock. But Botiatus quickly got over his surprise and escaped his grasp, transitioning into a hammerlock. He cranked on it once before he switched to a side headlock, quickly taking Jace over. Botiatus tried to hold Jace down, but Jace quickly bridged up and applied a headscissors, pulling Botiatus away. Botiatus popped his hips and slipped out, and both stood up, with Jace applying a side headlock of his own and taking Botiatus over. This time it was Botiatus who quickly applied a headscissors, and Jace who slipped out. Both men shot to their feet and locked eyes, neither of them making a move. The crowd applauded the technical exchange as the two each took a step back, Jace nodding in appreciation of his opponent’s skill while Botiatus stared a hole through him.
MW: “These two seem evenly matched, both in terms of technical ability and crowd support.”
Once again, both men approached for a lockup, and this time it was Botiatus who took advantage, faking high before dropping down and pulling Jace down with an ankle pick. Jace cried out as Botiatus yanked on his leg, and there was an outbreak of boos from the crowd. With Jace flat on his back, Botiatus quickly went after his arm, twisting it as he held Jace down. Jace struggled as Botiatus continued to apply pressure, eventually just managing to reach out and grab the bottom rope with his free arm. Botiatus let go of his arm and allowed him to stand, only to grab him by the wrist and whip him across the ring. He dropped down as Jace rebounded, then stood up and leapfrogged over him on the following rebound. Jace rebounded again, and Botiatus caught him with an arm drag, taking him down and transitioning into another hold that stretched Jace’s shoulder. Jace began working his way slowly back to his feet, turning into his opponent to lessen the pressure. Using his free hand, Jace landed several shots to the midsection, forcing Botiatus to let go. Jace shook out his arm as Botiatus stepped back, then ducked under his punch, stepping and and taking him down with a side russian leg sweep. He attempted to tie up Botiatus’ legs, but Botiatus kicked him away, then kipped up and caught Jace with a dropkick. Jace staggered back but didn’t go down, and Botiatus quickly grabbed his arm and whipped him across the ring. But instead of rebounding off the ropes, Jace dropped down and slid to the outside of the ring, catching his breath.
MW: “These two continue to be evenly matched, with neither able to take control of this match.”
SD: “Yes, but you saw Jace’s reaction when Botiatus went for his leg. He’s clearly still nursing damage from his match at Judgement Day, and that might be the edge that Botiatus needs to take control.”
Keeping an eye on his opponent, Jace stepped up onto the apron. Botiatus lunged as he stepped through the ropes, but stopped with a smile on his face as Jace tensed up. Jace shrugged and nodded as he finished stepping into the ring, acknowledging that Botiatus had tricked him. THe two circled again, before Botiatus dove for Jace’s legs. Jace sprawled out and wrapped his arms around Botiatus’ waist, circling round to behind him and lifting him up, attempting to deliver a German suplex. Botiatus however drove his weight downward, keeping himself on the ground before he broke Jace’s grip and grabbed hold of his wrist. He turned around and pulled Jace into a clothesline, but maintained his grip on the wrist, allowing him to pull Jace back upright and whip him into the corner. Botiatus ran in and delivered a back elbow, then pulled Jace down with a snapmare. With Jace in a seated position, Botiatus lifted himself onto the second rope before he leapt off and connected with a dropkick to the back of Jace’s head. Jace grabbed his head as Botiatus rolled him into the first cover of the match.
...1!.Kick-out!
Jace sat up as he kicked out, but Botiatus didn’t let him escape, pulling him into a full nelson. Jace struggled, but from his position, there was nothing he could do for several moments. Eventually, Botiatus shifted his grip to apply more pressure, and Jace moved while his grip was weakened, rising first to a knee, then all the way to his feet. But Botiatus quickly took Jace back down with a dragon suplex, bridging for a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Jace rolled back to his feet as Botiatus rose and hit the ropes. Botiatus came at Jace and attempted a clothesline, only for Jace to duck. Botiatus rebounded and charged back at Jace, who hadn’t moved, only to be met with a back elbow. Jace followed up by turning and connecting with a forearm smash, then pulled Botiatus into a single underhook suplex and floated over to make a cover.
...1!..Kick-out!
Jace didn’t miss a beat as Botiatus kicked out, immediately pulling him to his feet and whipping him into the corner. He ran in after him and looked to hit a running knee, only for Botiatus to lift himself up and over the incoming Jace. And before Jace could turn around, Botiatus scored a kick to the back of his knee that caused Jace to stumble, allowing Botiatus to pull him into a back suplex. Botiatus backed into the corner and waited for Jace to rise, then connected with a spinning heel kick that hit squarely on Jace’s chin. Botiatus then rotated the other way and connected with an enzuigiri that knocked Jace back, then rose to the middle turnbuckle and launched into a dropkick that flattened Jace. Btiatus landed and went for a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Botiatus rolled off of his opponent and returned to his feet. He turned around as Jace stood up and pulled him into a northern lights suplex, bridging for just a moment before he floated over to lift Jace back up. But before he could do so, Jace wrapped his legs around Botiatus’ midsection and tightened his arm around Botiatus’ neck, locking in a guillotine choke!
MW: “What a counter by Jace Mason!”
Botiatus kicked his legs, squirming as he tried to escape the submission, but Jace held on tight, and his Botiatus’ movements began to slow. Until, with a surge of energy, Botiatus instead straightened up, lifting Jace off the mat with him. He stumbled slightly and almost fell back to the mat, but just managed to regain his balance and charge forward, driving Jace’s back into the turnbuckles. But despite crying out in pain, Jace held on, and Botiatus was forced to drive him into the turnbuckles twice more before he released the hold and allowed him to back away, gasping for breath. It took Jace much less time to recover, and he ran out of the corner to deliver a sling blade to take botiatus back down.
SD: “This is smart wrestling from Jace, press the pace while his opponent is still recovering from the choke.”
To his credit, Botiatus was quick to rise back to his feet, only to be met with a spinning gut kick that made his gasp for breath once again. Jace followed up by kicking out his leg, then finished the combination by running to the ropes and delivering a low dropkick. Botiatus went down hard, and Jace pulled him into a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Jace stood and waited for Botiatus to do the same, then ran to the ropes and sprung off them, looking for a disaster kick, only for Botiatus to duck under and ran forward, sliding to the outside to buy more time to recover. But Jace didn’t want to give him that time, as soon as he stood back up, he ran forward and leapt through the ropes for a wrecking ball dropkick. Botiatus just managed to sidestep him, and when Jace turned to face him, Botiatus kicked out his leg and planted him with a snap DDT. But Botiatus didn’t press his advantage, instead rolling back into the ring to catch his breath as the ref began to administer a ten-count. But by the count of five, Jace was already back to his feet, and Botiatus was still leaning against the far ropes. Jace rolled back into the ring and ran at him, only for Botiatus to step forward and lift him up before bringing him quickly back down, driving his throat into the top rope with a stun gun. Jace staggered back, coughing, and Botiatus pulled him down with an O'Connor roll for a pin attempt.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
SD: “Botiatus needs to keep the pressure on while Jace is staggered.”
Botiatus did just that, lifting Jace up as he stood and dropping him over his knee with a pendulum backbreaker, then he switched his grip and connected with an inverted headlock backbreaker. Jace went down, clutching his back, and Botiatus crouched to drop into a cover, but hesitated, then changed his mind and straightened back up. He pointed dramatically at the top turnbuckle, prompting a loud cheer as he walked into the corner and began to climb.
SD: “This is interesting. For all his athletic ability, Botiatus isn’t really a high-flyer, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him climb to the top turnbuckle as he’s doing now.”
Botiatus stood atop the turnbuckles, looking down at his opponent and then out into the cheering crowd. He took a deep breath, and then jumped, turning his body over in midair to drive his knees into Jace’s chest!
MW: “Oh my god! 450 knee drop from Botiatus!”
Botiatus winced, stretching his knee out for a moment before he dropped into a cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Botiatus sat straight upright as the arena exploded into shock. He looked down at Jace with an expression of disbelief on his face. But that expression changed to one of determination as he stood up and pulled Jace’s head between his legs to set up a powerbomb. He pointed at himself as he shouted “H.O.B!” but before he cloud lift Jace, Jace exploded upwards, connecting with a European uppercut. Botiatus was rocked, and this allowed Jace to lift him up onto his shoulders and deliver an ushigoroshi! Botiatus grabbed at his neck, and Jace seized the opportunity, hooking both legs and flipping forwards into a jackknife cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Botiatus kicked out and immediately began standing back up. But Jace was quick to bring him back down, springing off of the middle rope to deliver a disaster kick to the back of his neck! Jace went for another cover, hooking the inside leg.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Now it was Jace’s turn to look down in shock at his opponent. But he too got a determined expression on his face, and he stood up, pulling Botiatus upright with him. The crowd grew loud as they realized what Jace was about to do, and they cheered even louder as he went to whip Botiatus into the ropes. But Botiatus reversed, sending Jace into the ropes instead and catching him with a snap powerslam as he rebounded, holding him down for a cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Botiatus didn’t waste any time on shock this time, pulling Jace to his feet as he stood up. He lifted Jace up onto the top turnbuckle and then climbed up after him, draping an arm over his head as he got into position for a back superplex. He went to lift Jace, but Jace held on, preventing the suplex. Botiatus tried again, but Jace still resisted. And then Jace started fighting back, landing several punches to the midsection. Botiatus tried one final time to lift, but Jace still held on, then connected with an elbow that caused Botiatus to fall to the mat. Jace turned around and gazed down at Botiatus. Taking a deep breath, he bent his knees, then launched into a diving double stomp. But Botiatus rolled out of the way, and Jace landed awkwardly on his feet,crying out in pain as his knee buckled. He turned around, and Botiatus lifted him onto his shoulder, running across the ring to drive his head into the turnbuckles with Snake Eyes! Jace staggered back out of the corner as Botiatus ran across the ring, setting up to hit the House Call, but Jace caught him with the Extra Credit and made a cover!
...1!...2!...3!
Winner: Jace Mason (21:15)
‘Afterlife’ began to play as Jace shakily rose to his feet. The ref handed him his title and raised his arm, and Jace stood there with a smile on his face.
MW: “What a match.”
SD: “You can say that again. Botiatus clearly understood the opportunity he had facing the World Champion and he gave Jace everything he had and then some, breaking out things we’d never seen from him before, that 450 knee drop comes to mind. But in the end, he left himself open for Jace’s Extra Credit, and just like many people before him, Botiatus couldn’t get up from that.”
Medical staff were kneeling by Botiatus as Jace exited the ring and walked into the timekeeper’s area. He grabbed the Freedom Championship and returned to the ring as Botiatus began to sit up. He extended his hand to Botiatus and helped him to his feet before handing the champion his title. He went to step back, but Botiatus held on to his hand. Jace gave him a puzzled look, and after a tense moment, Botiatus shook Jace’s hand, nodding at him. Jace smiled and nodded back as Botiatus released his hand and exited the ring. Jace smiled and waved to the cheering crowd before he limped over to the corner. He unsteadily climbed the turnbuckles and raised the title above his head. But behind Jace, a figure emerged from the crowd and entered the ring, standing in the corner opposite Jace. The crowd erupted into chaos, the cheers for Jace turning into sounds of panic, cheers and boos mixing together to create an unintelligible mess of sounds. Confused, Jace dropped back into the ring and turned around, and his face fell as he locked eyes across the ring with Artemis Evans, who held up the Dead Man’s chest as a wicked smile spread across her face. Jace stepped forward and opened his mouth to say something, but didn’t get the chance to speak as Myra Lopez slid into the ring behind him and took him down with a chop block to the bad knee. Thea Donovan was right behind her, and the two Queendom members laid into Jace, beating him down as Artemis leaned back against the turnbuckles and watched.
But Jace refused to give up and fought his way back to his feet, struggling under the Queendom’s onslaught. But with a series of elbows and knees, he drove the two of them back and yelled “Come on!” at Artemis. “Let’s do this!” Artemis nods at the Queendom, prompting them to leave the ring as she handed the Chest to the reluctant referee. The ref handed the chest to the timekeeper and, shaking his head, called for the bell.
Match 4: FPW Championship: Jace Mason vs. Artemis Evans (written by Mason):
As soon as the bell rang, Jace charged at Artemis, only for her to easily sidestep him and pull him into position for a Guillotine Strike. The crowd let out a torrent of boos as she connected with the strike and Jace collapsed, showing no signs of recovering. Artemis dropped into a cover, without hooking a leg, smirking into the camera as the referee counted the pinfall.
...1!...2!...3!
Winner and New FPW Champion: Artemis Evans
SD: “It’s happened Watson! The Monarch has ascended to her throne!”
MW: “How can you be happy about this, Jace just got robbed. He comes out here just over a week after a hellacious match to win the FPW Championship, and he puts on another epic match against a very capable opponent, only to have the rug pulled from under his feet by this opportunistic, self centered -”
SD: “You better watch what you say, she’s our champion now.”
Artemis gloatingly forced the ref to raise her arm as the Queendom recovered the title from where Jace dropped it during their ambush. They handed it over to her and assisted her in wrapping it around her waist. The Queendom embraced before Thea and Myra bent down and lifted the new champion onto their shoulders, holding her high above the ring in celebration, the defeated Jace still lying unmoving in the corner as the show faded to black.
The video then turns to Jim Houston, who stands at the top of the ramp with a table full of awards.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the final Freedom Pro Wrestling show of the 2010s. Tonight we have three matches to see and seven awards to have out. I’d like to begin with the award for Freedom Pro Wrestling Show of the Year for 2019. I think it will come as no surprise to anybody that the show of the Year Award goes to, with 67% of the vote, Judgement Day II. Of course, this award will not be accepted by anybody, but I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who made Judgement Day II what it was. It was, undoubtedly, the best show we have ever run as FPW and it lived up to the hype that it quite rightfully received. I promise that next year we will maintain this high standard and will continue to produce shows to match this quality. My New Year’s Resolution for 2020 is to make Judgement Day III even bigger and better than Judgement Day II.
“Before we get to our opening match, I have one more award to give. This award goes to the FPW Newcomer of the Year. This year we introduced a number of very good additions to our roster. On the list were two tag teams, one of whom we will see later tonight, as well as three participants from this year’s Free-1. The winner was clear, with 83% of the vote… Botiatus!”
Bo walks up to the podium in his usual ring gear with the Freedom Championship shining on his left shoulder. He shakes Houston's hand as he accepts the award before looking out to survey the cheering crowd
Bo- "WELCOME TOOOO (crowd screams in unison) THE HOUSE OF BOTIATUS!"
Bo pauses as a "H.O.B." chant rings out around the arena
Bo- "You know when I first came here to FPW I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had my eyes on this place for quite a while believe me but I didn't know exactly how I would fit in here. And it's honestly been a bumpy road filled with both incredible highs and unbelievable lows. But the one thing that has always remained consistent is all of you. My loyal House Guests. From day one you've moved in and made yourselves comfortable in the H.O.B. You've supported me every step of the way. Even when I lost, even when I struggled to find support in the locker room, you stuck with me the entire time. And now this award is proof that the H.O.B. is here to stay for good. I guess what I'm trying to say is (crowd screams in unison) THIS. IS. MYYYYYYY. HOUSE!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MW: Well I think award was fully deserved. Botiatus has had a great debut year, putting on some stellar matches and winning his first championship here in FPW. Tonight we will see him in action in our main event as the now traditional champion versus champion match will pit him against new FPW Champion Jace Mason.
SD: The new FPW Champion, by the way, who made me eat a fair few words. He was phenomenal at Judgement Day II and I want to be the first here to offer my congratulations. Jace Mason must now step up and step into the role of FPW Champion, and that begins with putting on a strong performance, and picking up the win, against Botiatus tonight.
MW: As we’ve said, that will be the main event tonight, but before that we will see two other big matches, the first of which is about to come up right now.
SD- "The boss has been really adding some firepower to the locker room this year and I believe he's done it again with his newest acquisition. Don't let the Gi fool you folks, Kyle Ohio is as vicious as they come once the bell rings"
MW- "And he's facing one of the resident powerhouses of FPW tonight in Go Shihei"
SD- "And a motivated Go at that. He's had a bit of a frustrating 2019 but with a victory tonight he can put all of that in the past and get the new year started off on the right foot"
MW- "Let's send it over to someone who always gets us started on the right foot, Dasha Banks!"
DB- "The following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Osaka, Japan. He is known as Holy Fury, Go Shihei!"
"Fury, Oh Fury" begins and as the opening monologue plays, a darkness falls over the arena, but as the song's lyrics begin with the heavy guitar, the lights come up dark red and white and Shihei steps out to a mixed reaction. He quickly surveys the arena before marching straight down to the ring. As he reaches the ring he stops and pounds his chest a few times before leaping onto the apron and entering the ropes as he settles into a corner, his eyes focused the whole time on the ramp
DB- "And his opponent, from Cleveland, Ohio. He is the knockout king, Kyle Ohio!"
The arena goes dark as the fans buzz in anticipation. Handlebars by FloBots begins to play and a waterfall of sparks begin falling onto the ramp. Kyle suddenly appears as he does a butterfly kick through the pyro which garners a decent reaction from the crowd. He shadow boxes down to the end of the ramp and once in front of the ring steps he does a martial arts bow before removing his Gi. He quickly jogs up the steps and flings himself into the ring with a front flip, followed by a series of front handsprings and finishing with a trio of rolling savate kicks
As the ref checks over Kyle's gear he glances over at Go who remains in his corner with his eyes squarely locked on Kyle
Match 1: Kyle Ohio vs Go Shihei (written by Botiatus):
The bell rings and Go immediately charges at Kyle with a Lariat but Kyle is able to dodge the arm and immediately deliver an STO! Go is shaken but quickly gets back to his feet only to be taken down again by a Leg Sweep that Kyle follows up by quickly floating over to take a side headlock. Go fights against the hold as he makes it back to a seated position but Kyle quickly transitions into a Hammerlock and drives his knee several times into Go's back. Go uses his free hand to deliver a hard elbow to the jaw of Kyle that causes him to break the hold. Go rolls under the nearby ropes as the pain in his back causes him to walk gingerly. Kyle is quick to follow as he steps through the ropes onto the apron and right as Go turns around Kyle delivers a Running Knee Strike to the side of Go's head. Kyle pops back up as he lets out a roar and the fans respond with a round of cheers
MW- "Kyle Ohio looking very impressive here in the opening minutes"
SD- "Indeed he is and his aggression is on full display. He hasn't given Go a moment to breath"
Kyle rolls Go back into the ring and goes for a cover 1, No. Go powers out popping Kyle high enough that he's able to twist slightly in air and land in a karate stance. The audience lets out an OHHH at the maneuver as Go gets to his hands and knees. Kyle goes for an Axe Kick but Go is able to dodge and catch the leg with a hook on its way down as he quickly transitions into a Fisherman's Suplex! He bridges for the pin 1, 2eh No! Kyle kicks out but Go gets to his feet first and delivers a clubbing blow to Kyle's back. It's followed by a Double Axe Handle Strike that knocks Kyle flat on his stomach. Go proceeds to lay the boots to Kyle as a small smattering of boos can be heard from the crowd. Go uses the entire four count from the ref before breaking away
SD- "Go Shihei taking control now. That scary power of his is the ultimate equalizer"
MW- "He seems to have shaken off the early damage. But Kyle didn't seem to take kindly to those stomps. He looks like he's seething!"
Kyle is back to one knee as he stares daggers at Go. Both men charge at each other as Go aims a Lariat that Kyle ducks under and as both men rebound Kyle explodes off the ropes with a Jumping Knee Strike that lands flush on the jaw. Go hits the mat as Kyle goes for the cover hooking the leg 1, 2, No! Go gets a shoulder up and Kyle looks slightly surprised but he wastes little time as he pulls Go up to his feet. Kyle goes for a Butterfly Lock but Go powers out pushing him away and Kyle again flashes fancy footwork as he transitions fluidly to a Roundhouse Kick to the midsection that doubles Go over. Kyle then gets the Butterfly Lock and delivers a series of vicious Rising Knee Strikes to the gut. He then transitions as he looks for a Hammerlock DDT but Go is able to quickly find a burst of power to Bull Rush both men into the ropes. Neither man is able to stop the momentum and they both going crashing down to the floor. Kyle is forced to bear the bulk of the force as Go lands on top of him before rolling away and both men lie breathing heavily
MW- "There's that raw power you were talking about earlier Steven. And this could be a turning point of the match"
SD- "It certainly could. Kyle Ohio wasn't able to break his fall at all due to the position he was in so he took the worst of it. The ref is starting his count but neither man looks to be moving"
1...
2...
3...
4- Both men begin to stir. Go crawls towards the ring as Kyle crawls to the barrier
5- Go uses the apron to pull himself up
6- Kyle uses the barrier ro pull himself up but is immediately met by a Running Splash from Go
7- Go delivers another Running Splash causing Kyle to stagger towards the ring
8- Go presses his advantage as he drives Kyle from behind into the ring apron
9- Go lifts up Kyle rolling him back into the ring before sliding in himself to break the count
With Kyle still down, Go hits the ropes and delivers a Running Senton! He goes for the pin 1, 2, No! Kyle kicks out. Go then quickly lifts Kyle to his feet and delivers High Velocity! He bridges for the pin, 1, 2, No! Again Kyle is able to get a shoulder up. Go pulls Kyle up quickly again looking for a German Suplex but Kyle is able to flip out landing on his feet and Go turns around right into a Rolling Elbow! Go is briefly stunned and Kyle lands a Short Kick to the back of the thigh followed by a Jumping Knee to the chest, then a Roundhouse Kick to the chest and finally a Spinning Leg Sweep to complete the KO Combo! He takes a moment to swagger about as a decent portion of fans cheer before he pats his knee and begins calling for Go to get to his feet"
MW- "Kyle Ohio could be looking to put this one away now"
SD- "Go's back to his feet!"
Kyle charges in with another Running Knee but Go dodges and immediately lands a hard chop. Go unleashes a series of chops that back Kyle into a corner. Kyle is able to block a chop but Go immediately counters with a headbutt that sends Kyle staggering out of the corner before Go quickly spins him around into an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle! Kyle is laid out and Go steps out onto the apron climbing the ropes
MW- "The pendulum swings back once again and now Go is the one looking to end this match"
SD- "If he lands this it's over!"
MW- "YEAR OF THE TO... NO! KYLE OHIO GOT HIS KNEES UP AT THE LAST SECOND!"
Go writhes in pain as Kyle crawls to the ropes to pull himself up. Kyle staggers over to Go pulling him up into a Muay Thai clinch but Go is able to block a couple of attempted Rising Knee Strikes. Go aims a punch but Kyle is able to counter and trap the arm into a Single Knee Backbreaker! He goes for the cover 1, 2, No! Go kicks out! Both men scramble to their feet but Kyle is faster and flashes footwork yet again as Go rises right into a Rolling Savate Kick! Go is wobbly on his feet and Kyle quickly capitalizes lifting him into a Brain Buster! He makes a cover hooking the leg 1, 2, 3!
Winner- Kyle Ohio (11:54)
.
MW: A big win on debut for Kyle Ohio.
SD: He's an impressive athlete. He's got a bit of a hot streak too.
MW: He has, but the fans seem to like him. I sense a big future for him in FPW.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Houston comes back out onto the stage.
“Before our next match, I will be presenting three more awards, the first of which is for the FPW Moment of the Year. This we had so many strong moments, from FPW Championship changes, to emotional match endings, to extreme moves. This was the most hotly-contested of the awards, and it goes to… Marcus Allen Jones with his Canadian destroyer from a ladder through a flaming table to stop Jack Sevren from winning the Dead Man’s Chest.”
‘Cult of Personality’ plays and Marcus steps onto the ramp. He still limps and sports a bruise over his right eye. He acknowledges the fans before taking the award and the microphone from Jim Houston.
“Canadian destroyer from the top of the ladder onto Jack Sevren to stop him from winning the Dead Man's Chest. Damn. That's certainly a mouthful.
The fans laugh.
MAJ: I think back to that moment and my mind is still saying to my body, "what the hell were you thinking?" At the time, I wasn't. Life or limb, it didn't matter. As much as I wanted to win the DMC, I had an equal and alternative motive. I didn't care who won if it wasn't me as long as it wasn't Sevren. Anybody else would have been fine. But I refused to let that chest fall into the hands of TakeOver. So while I'm grateful the moment itself made everyone jump out of their seats, I didn't really think much of it at the time. I just did what I had to do. And spent months regretting the pain afterward. But never the action. In a small way, I kept Jack from the top of that ladder and now, TakeOver is gone. And I've gotta say, while I wish I had been the one to do it, I'm just glad they are gone. It means I can start over. Start fresh. Just don't be expecting those kinds of crazy moves all the time.”
Marcus holds the award up to the fans before turning and walking back through the ramp, Houston applauding him.
“And for our fourth award of the night, we come to Team of the Year. This year has seen our tag team scene change drastically, with our champions at the beginning of the year ending it embroiled in a feud which led to the end of another one of our teams on the shortlist for this award. Last year’s winners, TakeOver, turned on their former leader before turning to Jack Sevren and ultimately being removed for good from FPW. Death Squad took the titles in a surprise victory after winning the All Star Tag Team Classic and gave us some of the best matches of the year, while Dynasty went from strength to strength as a group as Danica Jane began to show us what she could do in the ring. Bu8t the winners of the Team of the Year Award are FPW’s only ever two-time Tag Team Champions, with 67% of the vote, The Guardians of Strong Style.”
A video appears on the screen of Sato standing with the award.
“Guardians of Strong Style best tag team in FPW in 2019. But Guardians of Strong Style no longer FPW Tag Team Champions. Guardians of Strong Style return to Japan for Christmas and New Year but not for long. Guardians of Strong Style return to America for next show. Guardians of Strong Style stay in America for long in 2020. Guardians of Strong Style need to get better as individuals to be better as team. So Guardians of Strong Style take time away from team to build better singles wrestlers. On next shows, Tchyukiro-San and Takahara-San have singles matches. Open challenges. Only after getting better at singles can Guardians of Strong Style be better as team again. I accept this award and expect to win again in 2020, but only after Guardians of Strong Style get better.”
Jim Houston turns back to the camera.
“And now for one of the biggest awards of the night: FPW Wrestler of the Year. In their own way, each contender deserved this award. Bobby O began the year as a Tag Team Champion and a holder of the Dead Man’s Chest. Graham Baker spent half the year as FPW Champion and put on some of the best matches FPW has ever seen, especially with Marcus Allen Jones. Marcus himself was involved in some incredible matches, and he has showed great maturity in developing his own personal conduct. Jerry Bishop, for very different reasons than the others, has truly risen to the top of FPW and, while I, as many others will do, question his methods, his victory over Berry Bishop certainly solidified him as a true top star in this company. However, one man has stood tall over all others this year. He began the year as Freedom Champion, then of course the Hardcore Championship, and has a number of successful defences before losing the best to Berry Bishop. He then battled through one of the toughest blocks any tournament has ever seen before pulling off the upset to defeat Graham Baker in the Free-1 final and now he comes out for the very first time as FPW Champion… the 2019 FPW Wrestler of the Year… Jace Mason!”
The fans cheer loudly as ‘Afterlife’ heralds the arrival of Jace Mason. Jace emerges from backstage, wearing a nice outfit and carrying the FPW World Championship, and waves to the audience as he approaches the podium. He opens his mouth to speak, and then stops and chuckles to himself, clearly overcome with emotion.
"Well, I have to say that this is a bit of a surprise. I saw my name on the ballot for wrestler of the year, and my initial thought was 'oh, that's cool.' And then I looked at the other people on the bracket and I said 'well, it's an honor to be nominated.' But now I'm standing here before you, accepting the award for wrestler of the year, and I'm completely stunned.
"When I look back at what I've done throughout the year, objectively, I know I shouldn't be surprised. I held the Freedom Championship for the first third of the year, won the Free-1, and capped it all off by winning the FPW World Championship. Objectively, anyone with that kind of year seems like a shoo-in for wrestler of the year, but subjectively? Subjectively, it doesn't really feel like I did those things. Personally, it feels more like we did those things. I couldn't have had the year I had without your support, and honestly this-" he holds up his award. "Almost means more to me than this. " he says as he holds up the FPW World Championship. "I promise to keep this going for as long as I possibly can and to be the champion that we can all be truly proud of. Thank you," he says before he shakes Jim Houston's hand and walks backstage.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MW: A very deserving winner.
SD: Agreed. However, I think Graham Baker was ever-so-slightly robbed of an award tonight.
MW: He had a great year for sure, but I think the way he went about his business probably turned the fans away from voting for him. Besides, he’s no longer here to accept the award.
SD: But sadly Graham Baker isn’t the only person not with us anymore.
MW: Judgement Day II heralded the end of the FPW careers of The Invaders, Hunter Killer and Graham Baker, but it also brought injuries to two of FPW’s biggest stars. Elizabeth Karlson will be out for some time after her match with Botiatus and Jack Sevren will also be missing time with an injury which could potentially be very serious.
SD: We of course send our best wishes to each of them for a speedy recovery and we hope to see them back in an FPW ring very soon.
MW: But those two being missing will give others opportunities, and perhaps one of those opportunities will come for the young man we saw earlier tonight.
SD: Kyle Ohio looked impressive and I think he has a future here in FPW. But we may also get the chance to see the depth of our tag team division a little more clearly.
MW: And that of course is where we turn for our next match. The Dogs of War went through a war to win those belts, but they’ll have to do the same to retain them.
SD: Tommy Saxon and Ella-
Deville is cut off by ‘This Fire Burns’ as Clutch McCloud, dressed sharply in a smart suit, walks onto the stage. He looks around at the audience, most of whom boo him in frustration, before making his way down the ramp and joining Mike Watson and Steven Deville.
MW: Clutch McCloud is out here for our next match it seems.
CM: I’m out here to address the fact that FPW is still allowing women to be exposed to dangerous situations in inter-gender matches. This type of wrestling should not be allowed on our screens.
MW: Well I think most people here would disagree with that-
CM: I don’t care. If they want to glorify the abuse of women in society they’re welcome to show themselves for the pigs that they so clearly are. I’m taking a stand. I’m breaking the cycle of abuse. I will not rest until inter-gender wrestling in FPW is banned for good.
SD: You clearly have the bad experiences in your youth to explain your views, but what do you say to those people on Twitter who have questioned your right to decide what a consenting wrestler can and can’t do?
CM: Inter-gender wrestling is wrong. It perpetuates an idea that violence against women is acceptable. It isn’t. It absolutely, 100% isn’t acceptable. Sometimes, Steven, women need to be saved from themselves. Did my mother leave my father? No. She defended him. She hung on to the idea that he loved her. Ella Ripley needs to be saved from her own decisions and she needs to see that her consenting to these matches is enabling- and it is enabling- aggressive men everywhere to feel okay about beating their wives, their girlfriends and their children. Man-on-woman violence should be wiped from our culture until domestic abuse becomes- as it should be- a thing of the past.
MW: Strong views there from Clutch McCloud. Understandable ones of course, but, nevertheless, this match will be going ahead. Steven, do you think Ripley and Saxon will be able to do what they couldn’t do before and defeat The Dogs of War?
SD: I think they can but I’m not sure whether or not they will. These two are both very strong teams and I think we’re about to see a very good match.
CM: A match that should not be happening. Not in its current form. Saxon should name a stand-in and Ripley should be kept out of harm’s way.
“The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall and it is for the FPW Tag Team Championships. Introducing first, from Hammersmith, England and Colby, Kansas respectively, they are known as ‘Dauntless’ and ‘The Colby Kid’ respectively… Tommy Saxon, Ella Ripley… The Suplex Sweethearts!”
‘Turbo Killer’ begins to play and Saxon and Ripley come through the curtain with a lot of energy. They come together with Saxon putting an arm around Ripley and kissing her passionately before peeling away and throwing a few shadow punches while Ripley stands and admires him. They move quickly down the ramp. Saxon looking very pumped up while Ripley moves with much more control. As they get to the ring, Saxon slides in while Ripley takes her time climbing the steps and stepping through the ropes. The two of them pose for the fans, who respond as they did before with a mixture of cheers and boos, before resting against the ropes and waiting for their opponents.
“And their opponents, they are the Freedom Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions… hailing from Dallas, Texas and Denver, Colorado respectively ‘The Vigilante’ David Archer and ‘The Battering Ram’ Braxton Cable… The Dogs of War!”
‘Justice’ begins to play as Archer and Cable emerge through the curtain. Archer makes a motion as if he’s shooting a bow while Cable produces a finger gun and shoots it at The Suplex Sweethearts. The two men make their way quickly down the ramp, Cable leading the way, before they climb straight into the ring. Archer and Cable march straight up to Saxon and Ripley and the two teams stand eye to eye and stare one another down as The Dogs of War hold their newly-won Tag Team Championships high.
Match 2: FPW Tag Team Championships: The Dogs of War vs. The Suplex Sweethearts:
Tommy Saxon points to Braxton Cable as Ella Ripley steps between the ropes. Cable and Archer turn and talk strategy for a moment but Saxon doesn’t wait. He moves in and jumps them both from behind, throwing Archer over the top rope and forcing Cable into the corner. Saxon lays hard right hands into him and only stops when the official tears him away. Cable staggers into the middle of the ring and Saxon grabs hold of him and whips him into the ropes. When Cable comes back, Saxon drives a knee hard into his gut and Cable drops to the mat. Saxon reels round and calls for the crowd to get behind him, but they’re cut off as David Archer lands a superkick after sneaking back into the ring. The cheers turn quickly to boos as Archer backs away with his hands raised.
Cable recovers before Saxon and he lands a few stomps before pulling Saxon up and whipping him into the ropes. He takes him down with a big boot and then turns, only to find Saxon getting quickly to his feet. The fans cheer as Saxon calls Cable forward, ducking a running lariat and then landing the Tommy Gun. Saxon doesn’t waste any time, lifting Cable and pulling him in for a snap suplex. Saxon pops his hips and pulls Cable back up again, switching positions and taking him down with a fisherman suplex this time. He hooks the leg for a cover, 1-2-no. Cable kicks out on the stroke of two. Saxon then stands and laboriously drags Cable towards the corner, tagging in Ella Ripley.
MW: A sarong start from the Suplex Sweethearts.
CM: And an immoral period of the match we’re about to enter into.
SD: But Ripley is clearly able to hold her own in this match.
CM: For a while perhaps, but she can’t do so forever. This part of the match is disgusting. She should be forced to tag back out again.
MW: Be that as it may, Ripley starting strong here with the push-up facebusters.
Ripley drives Cable’s face into the mat repeatedly before releasing her grip and pulling him up. She backs him into the corner with forearms and then sweeps his leg. Ripley then backs away into the corner for the Colby Cannonball, but Archer grips her by the hair. She turns and tries to pull him into the ring, but he blocks the effort and takes her down with a jawbreaker onto the top rope. She staggers and it gives Cable time to get to his feet and knock Saxon off the apron. Ripley turns right into a hard boot to the face from Cable.
CM: This should not be allowed! That’s assault on a woman by a far stronger man.
Cable pulls Ripley up and lifts her onto his shoulder, carrying her over to the corner and dropping her face-first onto the turnbuckle. As she staggers away, Archer tags himself in and the two of them put the boots to Ripley. Saxon tries to get back into the ring but the official holds him back as the fans boo loudly. Saxon reluctantly steps back through the ropes as Cable does the same, leaving Archer to life Ripley and then connect with a side Russian leg sweep. He makes a cover, hooking the leg, 1-2-no. Ripley kicks out.
MW: See. She can withstand some punishment.
CM: Punishment that she should not be receiving. This is heinous. It’s disgusting and you know it is.
SD: The Dogs of War really in control of this match now.
CM: Of course they are. They’re beating up a woman! When will you people see how wrong this is?
Archer pulls Ripley up again and forces her back into his corner. He tags in Cable, who backs away into the opposite corner before charging at Ripley and landing a huge splash. She staggers out of the corner and he charges at her, connecting with a lariat which turns her inside out. He makes another cover, 1-2-no! Ripley just manages to get a shoulder up. Saxon begins to bang on the turnbuckle and the fans clap along with him as they try to help Ripley to get back into the match. Cable pulls her up and looks to lift her over his head for a gorilla press, but she drops down and locks her hands around his waist. She tries to lift him for a German suplex but he resists, elbowing his way out of the hold. Ripley staggers away and looks to make the tag to Saxon, but Cable dives at him and knocks him off the apron just as she gets there, leading to more boos from the fans.
Ripley turns to Cable, but he quickly lands a hard chop to her chest. She reels away into the middle of the ring and then Cable bull rushes her from a three-point stance, driving her into the Dogs of War’s corner. Cable again makes the tag and, holding Ripley in place, he watches as Archer backs up and charges at Ripley. Cable just moves out of the way as Archer lands a running boot to the head before following up with a snap German. He then drops a knee on Ella Ripley and, after she sits up, delivers a hard kick to her chest. He drops down to make another cover, 1-2-no. Again Ripley manages to kick out.
CM: This is absolutely criminal! How can Ella Ripley be made to go through all of this?
SD: It’s a wrestling match, Clutch. She signed up-
CM: Signed up… rubbish. She shouldn’t be allowed to sign up for something like this. Braxton Cable is twice her size.
MW: So it would be okay if she were bigger? Is that what you’re saying?
CM: No. A man hitting a woman is never okay. Never. Not in any circumstances.
SD: You mean you’ve never…
CM: Never what?
SD: With Danica… you and her have never…
CM: What are you insinuating? That I’m abusing my girlfriend?
SD: No, but… you know... when you and Danica have some… alone time… you two have never...
CM: What Danica and I do when we’re along is none of your, or anyone else’s, business.
MW: As long as you’re two consenting adults, I agree. And, seeing as Ella Ripley is very much a consenting adult in this match, I don’t see why it’s any of your business.
CM: This is totally different. I stand by what I’ve said and it won’t change.
Archer stands and drags Ripley to her feet, tagging Cable back in again. Cable once again goes towards Saxon, who steps into the ring immediately and is again held back by the official. Cable instantly turns and holds Ripley in place. Archer enters the ring and, as the fans boo, he sprays mist… but Ripley ducks. Cable reels away and Archer pauses in shock. With their hesitation, Ella Ripley manages to make it back to her corner and she tags in Saxon, who looks to take advantage of Cable’s lack of vision. He takes Archer down with a DDT before sizing up Braxton Cable and landing The Knuckler. He makes a cover, hooking both legs, 1-2-no! Archer manages to dive on top of them to break up the cover.
The fans boo as Ripley recovers and grabs Archer. She throws him out of the ring and then turns to Saxon, who calls for her help. Ripley lifts Cable and shoves him, still blinded, to Saxon. He connects with a short-arm lariat straight into a bridging German suplex from Ripley, who holds for the cover, Saxon frantically looking for Archer to stop him from breaking it up. 1-2-no! On the count of three, David Archer pulls the official out of the ring. As the official is about to call for the disqualification, Ella Ripley comes diving through the ropes and she takes out both Archer and the official. Saxon follows and he lifts Archer and throws him into the guardrail.
MW: Wild action in this match!
SD: Indeed it is. The Dogs of War will do anything and everything to retain those Tag Team Championships.
MW: Including blatant cheating.
CM: Including hitting a woman.
MW: But now it looks as though Saxon and Ripley have this match where they want it.
Saxon dives back into the ring while Ripley helps the official to recover. She helps him back into the ring as Saxon pulls Cable to his feet. He looks for a DDT, but Cable runs him back into the ropes, where he connects with Ripley. Saxon pauses as he looks out to his partner, and Cable takes advantage, kicking Saxon in the gut as he turns and lifting him up for the Titan Killer. With Archer holding onto Ripley’s foot, the official counts, 1-2-3.
Winners and Still FPW Tag Team Champions: The Dogs of War (14:44).
MW: I think Archer and Cable stole that one!
SD: But they won the match and they won it fair and square. They are our undisputed FPW Tag Team Champions.
CM: Disgraceful behaviour from both of them, as well as from Tommy Saxon for teaming with a woman and Ella Ripley for not seeing the damage she’s doing by being a willing participant. I’ve had enough of this.
As Cable and Archer leave up the ramp, Clutch stands and takes off his headset. He walks around the ring and up the ramp too, but he’s cut off by Jim Houston.
“Clutch… I think you might want to hear this. Ella, Tommy… you might want to hear it too. At Season Four Launch Party, Russ Bolt wanted a match. Russ Bolt shall be granted a match. He will go one on one with… one of the Suplex Sweethearts. Clutch was speaking of you both fairly unkindly there, so I’m sure you’ll both be interested in a match with his close friend. Clutch, I’ll leave it to all of you to decide which of Tommy Saxon or Ella Ripley you’d rather see in action, but it’ll be Russ with the final say- not you.”
Clutch shakes his head at Houston before looking back to see Ripley and Saxon coming up the ramp. He makes a quick exit as Saxon and Ripley follow him with pissed off looks on their faces.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for us to give our final two awards of the night. The first award is for the feud of the year. While it seems like Clutch McCloud versus inter-gender wrestling may be the feud of 2020, I regret to inform you that this was not on the ballot for this year. This year’s ballot had a clear winner, forcing Graham Baker and Marcus Allen Jones’ blood feud into second place. Accepting the award for his feud with Jack Sevren and TakeOver 2.0 is Bobby O.”
‘This Means War’ plays and Bobby walks out onto the ramp in his usual gear. He walks over to Jim Houston and gives him a nod before accepting the award.
“Wow. Feud of the Year. Kinda funny isn't it. When the year started, Jack and I were tag team partners. And ya know, we were a pretty darn good team at that. Won the titles. Took down some tough competition. But then it all fell apart and it had TakeOver's mark all over it. I mean seriously. I came here to make amends to Jack and others but got stopped along the way. So the enemy of my enemy thing happened. We teamed up to fight and take down TakeOver. And we did for the most part. But as I found out what we really did was just keep them at arm's length. Here I thought Jack and I had become friends but really, he was just plotting his next move. Taking over and taking me down. And ya know, he probably would have succeeded because for a while there, I was pretty lost. I spent most of the year doing things for others. It was high time I did something for myself. I wanted Jack one-on-one. Not for any righteous reason. The ability to rid FPW of TakeOver was just icing on the cake. I wanted Jack in a singles match to finish something that was started years ago in another company. A rivalry that we've taken across the pond and across the country. There was a fight forever mentality there and part of me thinks that will never go away. That no matter where life takes us, I will meet Jack Sevren again in a wrestling ring. In the meantime, TakeOver is gone and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Because of me, 2020 is gonna be a great year for FPW. Thanks so much to the fans for believing in us and for not getting tired of this saga that has been Bobby O vs Jack Sevren. But now, it's on to bigger and better things. See you guys again real soon!”
Bobby raises the trophy to the applauding fans and walks back through the curtain.
“I’m sure you will be onto bigger things Bobby. But now we move onto our final award, and my personal favourite. This is the award for Match of the Year. Whittling this down to just five contenders was extremely tough. In the end, the choice clearly wasn’t very tough for most of you. Taking more than 80% of the votes, the award for FPW’s 2019 Match of the Year goes to Marcus Allen Jones versus Graham Baker at Judgement Day II.”
‘Cult of Personality’ plays for a second time and again Marcus comes through the curtain to great applause. He steps forward to take the trophy and to address the fans once again.
“Wow, this is, this is such an honor. I was thinking about it after I saw the nominations. I didn't deserve to win Wrestler of the Year. As I mentioned before, I spent half the year with a losing record and the other half cheating my way through. I wasn't proud of the wrestler I was. But Moment of the Year (can change around based on order of how awards are given) and now Match of the Year. It's incredible really. I think of like the Oscars where you have best actor/actress and best drama. Match of the Year. That feels like winning the best drama because really Baker and I were two supporting actors putting on the performance of our lives. Maybe he doesn't feel that way but I do. I gave everything I had and more to Judgment Day. I had to. I couldn't imagine an alternative. Truthfully, that's why I put it all on the line. I needed to prove to myself that I could still be the guy who wins since let's be honest, I haven't done much of that lately. This was kinda my last stand and it had to be at Judgment Day. It had to be against Baker. Last year, he and I won the Match of the Year and Feud of the Year Award. This year a second MOTY. Clearly, the dislike we had for each other turned into magic in the ring. I'll give the man his kudos. It was a real privilege to share the ring with him. I got a certain unmatched adrenaline when I shared the ring with him. But what means so much to me is that you all loved the matches. All of you. The fans in the stands and the fans at home watching. Last year, I made a statement upon accepting the Faction of the Year Award. I said it was a disgrace the fans had the chance to vote on awards. I said the awards, as a result, meant nothing. Let me tell you guys, this right here means EVERYTHING. Thank you FPW, I dedicate this one to you!”
Jim Houston shakes Marcus’ hand again before the two of them head backstage.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MW: “And now it’s time for our main event. It’s a tradition that was started last year by Graham Baker, the final match of the year in FPW is a non-title champion vs champion match, intended to be a contest of the two best wrestlers in the company.”
SD: “And what a perfect snapshot of the evolution of Jace Mason, and FPW as a whole. Last year, Jace was the hardcore champion, which would eventually be transformed into the Freedom Championship we know today, and he was facing FPW World Champion Graham Baker. This year, Jace is the World Champion, Graham Baker has been forced to leave the company, and our Freedom champion is someone we didn’t even have on the roster last year.”
MW: “That’s a great analysis of the constantly changing nature of FPW, a hotbed of current and future greatness. And now let’s get this match underway.
The lights in the arena went down, and the opening to ‘Famous’ echoed around the arena. THe lights flashed back on as the name ‘BOTIATUS’ showed on the titantron, and the man himself strode onstage, the Freedom Championship wrapped around his waist. He pointed at himself to start an ‘H.O.B.’ chant, then continued to march down to the ring.
“The following contest is a non-title champion vs champion match scheduled for one fall!” Dasha Banks announced from the ring. “Introducing first, the FPW Freedom Champion, from the Bay Area, California, this is Botiatus!”
Botiatus unstrapped the title and raised it above his head as his name was announced, prompting a wave of cheers from the crowd. He nodded at his positive reception before he handed his title to a crew member, then took off his shirt and handed that over as well. He began stretching as he turned to face up the ramp.
‘Afterlife’ began to play, causing the crowd to go quiet as the intro continued. And then Jace Mason emerged as the song kicked in and the crowd exploded into cheers again. Jace smiled at them and lifted the FPW World Championship from over his shoulder, holding it high above his head as the crowd took in the sight of him as champion.
“And introducing his opponent, from Seattle, Washington, he is the FPW World Champion, the Eternal Student, Jace Mason!”
Jace stood perched on the turnbuckles, tht title held up once again before he carefully dropped back into the ring. He handed his title and jacket to a crew member, then stepped forward with a hand extended to Botiatus. Botiatus hesitated for a moment, then shook his opponent’s hand. Jace nodded and backed into his corner as Botiatus did the same.
Match 3: Champion vs Champion: Botiatus (Freedom Champion) vs Jace Mason (World Champion) (written by Mason):
The bell rang as the two stepped forward and locked up. Dueling chants for both competitors broke out from the crowd as they jockeyed for position. But neither could gain any advantage over the other, so they broke the hold and began circling each other. They locked up again, and this time, Jace moved quickly, catching Botiatus by surprise and applying a wristlock. But Botiatus quickly got over his surprise and escaped his grasp, transitioning into a hammerlock. He cranked on it once before he switched to a side headlock, quickly taking Jace over. Botiatus tried to hold Jace down, but Jace quickly bridged up and applied a headscissors, pulling Botiatus away. Botiatus popped his hips and slipped out, and both stood up, with Jace applying a side headlock of his own and taking Botiatus over. This time it was Botiatus who quickly applied a headscissors, and Jace who slipped out. Both men shot to their feet and locked eyes, neither of them making a move. The crowd applauded the technical exchange as the two each took a step back, Jace nodding in appreciation of his opponent’s skill while Botiatus stared a hole through him.
MW: “These two seem evenly matched, both in terms of technical ability and crowd support.”
Once again, both men approached for a lockup, and this time it was Botiatus who took advantage, faking high before dropping down and pulling Jace down with an ankle pick. Jace cried out as Botiatus yanked on his leg, and there was an outbreak of boos from the crowd. With Jace flat on his back, Botiatus quickly went after his arm, twisting it as he held Jace down. Jace struggled as Botiatus continued to apply pressure, eventually just managing to reach out and grab the bottom rope with his free arm. Botiatus let go of his arm and allowed him to stand, only to grab him by the wrist and whip him across the ring. He dropped down as Jace rebounded, then stood up and leapfrogged over him on the following rebound. Jace rebounded again, and Botiatus caught him with an arm drag, taking him down and transitioning into another hold that stretched Jace’s shoulder. Jace began working his way slowly back to his feet, turning into his opponent to lessen the pressure. Using his free hand, Jace landed several shots to the midsection, forcing Botiatus to let go. Jace shook out his arm as Botiatus stepped back, then ducked under his punch, stepping and and taking him down with a side russian leg sweep. He attempted to tie up Botiatus’ legs, but Botiatus kicked him away, then kipped up and caught Jace with a dropkick. Jace staggered back but didn’t go down, and Botiatus quickly grabbed his arm and whipped him across the ring. But instead of rebounding off the ropes, Jace dropped down and slid to the outside of the ring, catching his breath.
MW: “These two continue to be evenly matched, with neither able to take control of this match.”
SD: “Yes, but you saw Jace’s reaction when Botiatus went for his leg. He’s clearly still nursing damage from his match at Judgement Day, and that might be the edge that Botiatus needs to take control.”
Keeping an eye on his opponent, Jace stepped up onto the apron. Botiatus lunged as he stepped through the ropes, but stopped with a smile on his face as Jace tensed up. Jace shrugged and nodded as he finished stepping into the ring, acknowledging that Botiatus had tricked him. THe two circled again, before Botiatus dove for Jace’s legs. Jace sprawled out and wrapped his arms around Botiatus’ waist, circling round to behind him and lifting him up, attempting to deliver a German suplex. Botiatus however drove his weight downward, keeping himself on the ground before he broke Jace’s grip and grabbed hold of his wrist. He turned around and pulled Jace into a clothesline, but maintained his grip on the wrist, allowing him to pull Jace back upright and whip him into the corner. Botiatus ran in and delivered a back elbow, then pulled Jace down with a snapmare. With Jace in a seated position, Botiatus lifted himself onto the second rope before he leapt off and connected with a dropkick to the back of Jace’s head. Jace grabbed his head as Botiatus rolled him into the first cover of the match.
...1!.Kick-out!
Jace sat up as he kicked out, but Botiatus didn’t let him escape, pulling him into a full nelson. Jace struggled, but from his position, there was nothing he could do for several moments. Eventually, Botiatus shifted his grip to apply more pressure, and Jace moved while his grip was weakened, rising first to a knee, then all the way to his feet. But Botiatus quickly took Jace back down with a dragon suplex, bridging for a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Jace rolled back to his feet as Botiatus rose and hit the ropes. Botiatus came at Jace and attempted a clothesline, only for Jace to duck. Botiatus rebounded and charged back at Jace, who hadn’t moved, only to be met with a back elbow. Jace followed up by turning and connecting with a forearm smash, then pulled Botiatus into a single underhook suplex and floated over to make a cover.
...1!..Kick-out!
Jace didn’t miss a beat as Botiatus kicked out, immediately pulling him to his feet and whipping him into the corner. He ran in after him and looked to hit a running knee, only for Botiatus to lift himself up and over the incoming Jace. And before Jace could turn around, Botiatus scored a kick to the back of his knee that caused Jace to stumble, allowing Botiatus to pull him into a back suplex. Botiatus backed into the corner and waited for Jace to rise, then connected with a spinning heel kick that hit squarely on Jace’s chin. Botiatus then rotated the other way and connected with an enzuigiri that knocked Jace back, then rose to the middle turnbuckle and launched into a dropkick that flattened Jace. Btiatus landed and went for a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Botiatus rolled off of his opponent and returned to his feet. He turned around as Jace stood up and pulled him into a northern lights suplex, bridging for just a moment before he floated over to lift Jace back up. But before he could do so, Jace wrapped his legs around Botiatus’ midsection and tightened his arm around Botiatus’ neck, locking in a guillotine choke!
MW: “What a counter by Jace Mason!”
Botiatus kicked his legs, squirming as he tried to escape the submission, but Jace held on tight, and his Botiatus’ movements began to slow. Until, with a surge of energy, Botiatus instead straightened up, lifting Jace off the mat with him. He stumbled slightly and almost fell back to the mat, but just managed to regain his balance and charge forward, driving Jace’s back into the turnbuckles. But despite crying out in pain, Jace held on, and Botiatus was forced to drive him into the turnbuckles twice more before he released the hold and allowed him to back away, gasping for breath. It took Jace much less time to recover, and he ran out of the corner to deliver a sling blade to take botiatus back down.
SD: “This is smart wrestling from Jace, press the pace while his opponent is still recovering from the choke.”
To his credit, Botiatus was quick to rise back to his feet, only to be met with a spinning gut kick that made his gasp for breath once again. Jace followed up by kicking out his leg, then finished the combination by running to the ropes and delivering a low dropkick. Botiatus went down hard, and Jace pulled him into a cover.
...1!...2!.Kick-out!
Jace stood and waited for Botiatus to do the same, then ran to the ropes and sprung off them, looking for a disaster kick, only for Botiatus to duck under and ran forward, sliding to the outside to buy more time to recover. But Jace didn’t want to give him that time, as soon as he stood back up, he ran forward and leapt through the ropes for a wrecking ball dropkick. Botiatus just managed to sidestep him, and when Jace turned to face him, Botiatus kicked out his leg and planted him with a snap DDT. But Botiatus didn’t press his advantage, instead rolling back into the ring to catch his breath as the ref began to administer a ten-count. But by the count of five, Jace was already back to his feet, and Botiatus was still leaning against the far ropes. Jace rolled back into the ring and ran at him, only for Botiatus to step forward and lift him up before bringing him quickly back down, driving his throat into the top rope with a stun gun. Jace staggered back, coughing, and Botiatus pulled him down with an O'Connor roll for a pin attempt.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
SD: “Botiatus needs to keep the pressure on while Jace is staggered.”
Botiatus did just that, lifting Jace up as he stood and dropping him over his knee with a pendulum backbreaker, then he switched his grip and connected with an inverted headlock backbreaker. Jace went down, clutching his back, and Botiatus crouched to drop into a cover, but hesitated, then changed his mind and straightened back up. He pointed dramatically at the top turnbuckle, prompting a loud cheer as he walked into the corner and began to climb.
SD: “This is interesting. For all his athletic ability, Botiatus isn’t really a high-flyer, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him climb to the top turnbuckle as he’s doing now.”
Botiatus stood atop the turnbuckles, looking down at his opponent and then out into the cheering crowd. He took a deep breath, and then jumped, turning his body over in midair to drive his knees into Jace’s chest!
MW: “Oh my god! 450 knee drop from Botiatus!”
Botiatus winced, stretching his knee out for a moment before he dropped into a cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Botiatus sat straight upright as the arena exploded into shock. He looked down at Jace with an expression of disbelief on his face. But that expression changed to one of determination as he stood up and pulled Jace’s head between his legs to set up a powerbomb. He pointed at himself as he shouted “H.O.B!” but before he cloud lift Jace, Jace exploded upwards, connecting with a European uppercut. Botiatus was rocked, and this allowed Jace to lift him up onto his shoulders and deliver an ushigoroshi! Botiatus grabbed at his neck, and Jace seized the opportunity, hooking both legs and flipping forwards into a jackknife cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Botiatus kicked out and immediately began standing back up. But Jace was quick to bring him back down, springing off of the middle rope to deliver a disaster kick to the back of his neck! Jace went for another cover, hooking the inside leg.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Now it was Jace’s turn to look down in shock at his opponent. But he too got a determined expression on his face, and he stood up, pulling Botiatus upright with him. The crowd grew loud as they realized what Jace was about to do, and they cheered even louder as he went to whip Botiatus into the ropes. But Botiatus reversed, sending Jace into the ropes instead and catching him with a snap powerslam as he rebounded, holding him down for a cover.
...1!...2!..Kick-out!
Botiatus didn’t waste any time on shock this time, pulling Jace to his feet as he stood up. He lifted Jace up onto the top turnbuckle and then climbed up after him, draping an arm over his head as he got into position for a back superplex. He went to lift Jace, but Jace held on, preventing the suplex. Botiatus tried again, but Jace still resisted. And then Jace started fighting back, landing several punches to the midsection. Botiatus tried one final time to lift, but Jace still held on, then connected with an elbow that caused Botiatus to fall to the mat. Jace turned around and gazed down at Botiatus. Taking a deep breath, he bent his knees, then launched into a diving double stomp. But Botiatus rolled out of the way, and Jace landed awkwardly on his feet,crying out in pain as his knee buckled. He turned around, and Botiatus lifted him onto his shoulder, running across the ring to drive his head into the turnbuckles with Snake Eyes! Jace staggered back out of the corner as Botiatus ran across the ring, setting up to hit the House Call, but Jace caught him with the Extra Credit and made a cover!
...1!...2!...3!
Winner: Jace Mason (21:15)
‘Afterlife’ began to play as Jace shakily rose to his feet. The ref handed him his title and raised his arm, and Jace stood there with a smile on his face.
MW: “What a match.”
SD: “You can say that again. Botiatus clearly understood the opportunity he had facing the World Champion and he gave Jace everything he had and then some, breaking out things we’d never seen from him before, that 450 knee drop comes to mind. But in the end, he left himself open for Jace’s Extra Credit, and just like many people before him, Botiatus couldn’t get up from that.”
Medical staff were kneeling by Botiatus as Jace exited the ring and walked into the timekeeper’s area. He grabbed the Freedom Championship and returned to the ring as Botiatus began to sit up. He extended his hand to Botiatus and helped him to his feet before handing the champion his title. He went to step back, but Botiatus held on to his hand. Jace gave him a puzzled look, and after a tense moment, Botiatus shook Jace’s hand, nodding at him. Jace smiled and nodded back as Botiatus released his hand and exited the ring. Jace smiled and waved to the cheering crowd before he limped over to the corner. He unsteadily climbed the turnbuckles and raised the title above his head. But behind Jace, a figure emerged from the crowd and entered the ring, standing in the corner opposite Jace. The crowd erupted into chaos, the cheers for Jace turning into sounds of panic, cheers and boos mixing together to create an unintelligible mess of sounds. Confused, Jace dropped back into the ring and turned around, and his face fell as he locked eyes across the ring with Artemis Evans, who held up the Dead Man’s chest as a wicked smile spread across her face. Jace stepped forward and opened his mouth to say something, but didn’t get the chance to speak as Myra Lopez slid into the ring behind him and took him down with a chop block to the bad knee. Thea Donovan was right behind her, and the two Queendom members laid into Jace, beating him down as Artemis leaned back against the turnbuckles and watched.
But Jace refused to give up and fought his way back to his feet, struggling under the Queendom’s onslaught. But with a series of elbows and knees, he drove the two of them back and yelled “Come on!” at Artemis. “Let’s do this!” Artemis nods at the Queendom, prompting them to leave the ring as she handed the Chest to the reluctant referee. The ref handed the chest to the timekeeper and, shaking his head, called for the bell.
Match 4: FPW Championship: Jace Mason vs. Artemis Evans (written by Mason):
As soon as the bell rang, Jace charged at Artemis, only for her to easily sidestep him and pull him into position for a Guillotine Strike. The crowd let out a torrent of boos as she connected with the strike and Jace collapsed, showing no signs of recovering. Artemis dropped into a cover, without hooking a leg, smirking into the camera as the referee counted the pinfall.
...1!...2!...3!
Winner and New FPW Champion: Artemis Evans
SD: “It’s happened Watson! The Monarch has ascended to her throne!”
MW: “How can you be happy about this, Jace just got robbed. He comes out here just over a week after a hellacious match to win the FPW Championship, and he puts on another epic match against a very capable opponent, only to have the rug pulled from under his feet by this opportunistic, self centered -”
SD: “You better watch what you say, she’s our champion now.”
Artemis gloatingly forced the ref to raise her arm as the Queendom recovered the title from where Jace dropped it during their ambush. They handed it over to her and assisted her in wrapping it around her waist. The Queendom embraced before Thea and Myra bent down and lifted the new champion onto their shoulders, holding her high above the ring in celebration, the defeated Jace still lying unmoving in the corner as the show faded to black.
