Wrestlemania Weekend Special- Night One

[Jim Houston]

The show begins with a replay of the last few moments of Jace Mason’s FPW Championship win over Artemis Evans at Opening Day. It lingers on Mason holding up the belt in the rapturous scenes after the match. The footage then stutters into Houston’s announcement of a number one contender tournament, showing each match being drawn along with a couple of highlights of each contender. Once each match has been announced, it returns to Mason holding up the belt, and then flashes through each contender in a split screen, ending with a match graphic for Uprising showing Jace Mason and a blacked out figure as his challenger.



MW: Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the biggest weekend of professional wrestling anywhere in the world. This is Wrestlemania weekend and Freedom Pro Wrestling has joined the circus surrounding the showcase of the immortals.

SD: And we may be about to create an immortal of our own over the next three days.

MW: We may indeed, Steven. What a moment that was just five days ago for Jace Mason. I still get goosebumps when I see it, but let’s remember that Mason only held that belt for ten days for his first reign. Has he just begun an epic title run that will see him cement himself as one of the FPW greats, or is this just another false dawn for the man every FPW fan want to see stay on top?

SD: By Sunday I think we’ll know the answer to that question. Sixteen wrestlers will try to earn the opportunity to dethrone Jace Mason but only one will stand tall at the end. As for me… I hope it’s Jerry Bishop.

MW: He has to be a strong contender given his recent run of matches. But let’s run through some of the other major contenders. What are your thoughts on the man that a lot of fans are really getting behind for this tournament: Marcus Allen Jones?

SD: Marcus has the talent and he seems to now have the belief. I think he’s a strong contender to win this tournament.

MW: How about Botiatus, the Freedom Champion?

SD: I expect a strong showing. He’s said that his focus remains on that Freedom Championship, but I’m sure he won’t turn down the chance to become a double champion. I think he may well be in action on Sunday.

MW: What about Bobby O?

SD: Bobby seems to have rediscovered some of his old demons recently, although they may have just been brought out by Clutch McCloud. If Bobby can maintain his cool, he could go all the way, but that’s a big if.

MW: Is there anyone else you’d pick as a legitimate threat in this tournament?

SD: Clutch McCloud just had a big win over Bobby O so you have to think he’ll go into it with a lot of self-belief. MDE hasn’t been in action for a while but we all know that he can beat anybody on his day. I’m also intrigued by James Saturn. He’s making his return from injury and will be keen to silence the doubters. He’s been one of the most consistent performers in FPW history, but he doesn’t have the titles to prove it. Winning this tournament would put him right up there with anybody, and I’m sure he’s desperate to prove himself tonight.

MW: Thank you, Steven. Let’s get to our first match. Clutch McCloud versus Botiatus. This one is a mouth-watering opener to this weekend’s entertainment.

SD: It is. Part of me thought that Clutch may not enter this tournament in protest as it’s inter-gender nature, but I’m glad that he has. This match will be hard-hitting and tough to call, but I think Clutch might sneak a win.

MW: And if he does, I’m sure there will be a Freedom Championship match waiting for him somewhere down the line.

SD: It’s a motivating factor for sure. But his focus will be on Jace Mason and the big belt for now.



“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to WrestleCon! And welcome to FPW’s number one contender tournament first round! The following contest is a singles match and is scheduled for one-fall. Introducing first, from The Gateway City and being accompanied to the ring by Danica Jane… ‘The King’… Clutch McCloud!”



‘Rise’ begins to play and the fans boo as Clutch enters onto the stage with Danica Jane just behind him. He looks around the arena and pauses, calling for something from the back. A stagehand comes out with a microphone and the fans groan as Clutch begins to speak on his way down the ramp.



“That reception proves that all of you who have gathered here for this grand spectacle of wrestling are just as bad- no, worse- that the gutter dwellers of Chicago that I have to put up with every time I step through an FPW curtain. You boo the man who is trying to make you see the light. You boo the man who is trying to make you better people and that just sums up exactly who you all are. I’m sure you all go home and think nothing of slapping your wife, girlfriend, sister, mother… whoever she may be… when she does something you don’t like. You disgust me. You people- you people who continue to plough money into watching shows where a man hitting a woman isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged- you’re the problem in this world. But if you want to be better, if you want to help rid the world of the scourge of man-on-woman violence, listen to me. Enjoy the first seven matches of this show. Until the main event, there will be no man-on-woman violence. But when the main event comes on, leave this arena. I will be leaving myself. I urge you all to join me in the parking lot for a protest. We will never rest until the encouragement of man-on-woman violence is stamped out.”



Clutch drops the mic and turns to Danica, who gives him an awkward smile in amongst all of the boos from the fans.



“And his opponent, from The Bay Area, California… he is the current Freedom Champion… Botiatus!”



The lights drop and a large portion of the fans begin a ‘H. O. B.’ chant. The foot of a wide set of stone steps appears on the screen and the camera slowly pans up to show the steps and pillars while the opening chords to ‘Famous’ play. As the entire villa comes into view, the song really kicks in and the lights come up, the screen showing ‘The House of Botiatus’ in electric blue lettering. Botiatus emerges, Freedom Championship over his shoulder, and he pumps his fist along to the ‘H. O. B.’ chant that fills the arena. He walks down the ramp blowing kisses to the fans before he reaches the ring and hops onto the apron, walking over to the corner and climbing it. The arena goes black as he rests in his now familiar pose before a spotlight illuminates him. After a few moments of posing, the lights return and the song fades out.



Match 1: Clutch McCloud vs. Botiatus:



The official calls for the bell and the two men waste little time coming forward to lock up. They jockey for position for a moment before Botiatus takes an arm and wrings it. Clutch, however, rolls through and takes an arm of his own. He wrenches it up Bo’s back but Bo slips out and grabs a headlock. Clutch forces him into the ropes and shoves him off. Bo hits the opposite ropes and comes back but he’s taken down by a hard shoulder tackle from Clutch. Clutch drops down to make a cover but Bo bridges out straight away and the two stand and stare one another down, the crowd chanting ‘H. O. B.’ once again as Clutch shakes his head.



They come together to lock up again but Clutch ducks the lock-up, grabbing a waistlock and then landing a forearm to the back of Bo’s head. He whips Bo into the ropes and looks for a clothesline, but Bo ducks it and hits the ropes again, coming off with a leaping forearm. Bo stands quickly and pulls Clutch to his feet, whipping him into the corner. He follows him in with a running forearm and then grabs Clutch by the head and control him as he sits on top of the top turnbuckle. He jumps off into a spinning facebuster. Bo makes his first cover of the match.



One…

Two-



Clutch kicks out. Bo doesn’t waste any time in grabbing his arm and looking for a corss-face, but Clutch rolls through and lands a hard kick to Bo’s chest. Clutch then pulls Bo to his feet and pulls him in for a snap suplex before rolling through and lifting Bo into a fisherman suplex. Clutch holds for a cover.



One…

Two-



Bo kicks out this time.



MW: A fast-paced start to this match, Steven.

SD: Indeed. Both men showcasing their technical skills and their ability to strike. These two have very similar styles and we’ve seen that so far in this match.

MW: Can Clutch maintain his control after that impressive suplex combination?

SD: I think he can, but I know that Clutch is the type of wrestler who win a match from any position, so having control isn’t always something he needs.



Clutch pulls Bo to his feet and lands a few European uppercuts to force him into the corner. He grabs Bo by the head and drives him head-first into the turnbuckle and allows him to reel away before connecting with a Pele kick as Bo turns back around. Bo staggers towards the ropes and Clutch connects with a step-up enzeguiri to take him down. Clutch looks to Danica who shouts her encouragement on the outside. He then stands and looks down at Bo before repeatedly stomping on different body parts and playing to the crowd as they boo him. He rolls Bo over for another cover.



One…

Tw-



Bo kicks out. Clutch pushes up and brings Bo up again before pulling him in for a belly to belly suplex, only for Bo to land a hard headbutt to free himself. Clutch staggers away before turns back to Bo, who connects with a hard right hand and then pulls Clutch into an inverted headlock backbreaker. Bo stands and shakes off the damage that’s been done to him. He watches as Clutch stands too before moving in and wringing the arm, connecting with an arm stunner. Clutch reels away and Bo then grabs him and connects with a back suplex. He rolls away and plays to the crowd for a moment before moving back to Clutch and lifting him into a vertical suplex position. However, he dumps him onto the top rope and then shoves Clutch down so he’s resting on the apron.



Bo then backs away before connecting with a sliding drop elbow to cause Clutch to double over. Bo pulls him through the middle rope and maintains a grip on his head before delivering rising knee strikes, the crowd counting along. When he reaches nine, Bo runs to the ropes and comes back with a running knee. Clutch drops down and falls back into the ring as Bo rolls him away from the ropes, making another cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Clutch manages to kick out. Bo looks to the crowd and steps through the ropes, playing to the fans before pointing to himself three times and leading ‘H. O. B.’ call. He then slingshots over the ropes for the H. O. B. leg drop, only for Clutch to move out of the way at the last minute. Bo lands hard and Clutch stands, hits the ropes, and takes Bo down with a hard shining wizard.



MW: That’s a big momentum shifter right there.

SD: It sure is. Clutch had that H. O. B. Leg Drop scouted and now he’s got Botiatus set up.

MW: You said he could finish the match from any position, Steven. Is he about to do so?

SD: I think he’s readying himself…



Clutch stalks Bo as he stands. Bo pulls himself up on the ropes and turns into a Technical Foul, which Bo manages to block. He spins Clutch back around, but Clutch instead connects with a discus lariat. Clutch pulls Bo to his feet and forces him into the corner, landing a hard forearm before backing away and hitting a running European uppercut. Bo staggers out of the corner ad Clutch takes him down with a jumping spin kick before hitting the ropes and connecting with a springboard moonsault. He holds for the cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Bo gets a shoulder up. Clutch looks at the official in frustration but he soon returns his focus to Bo. He backs away and stalks Bo again, signalling for him to get up. Bo slowly climbs to his feet and turns, this time into TarHEEL, which he ducks! As Clutch turns back to Bo, Bo kicks his leg out and connects with a snap DDT. Bo then rolls under the bottom rope and pulls himself up, waiting for Clutch to do the same. As Clutch stands, Bo leaps onto the top rope and connects with a springboard blockbuster. He makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Clutch gets a shoulder up this time. Bo wastes no time arguing with the official. Instead he pulls Clutch to his feet and lifts him onto his shoulder. He carries him over to the corner where he delivers snake eyes, before hitting the ropes and looking for House Call, only for Clutch to drop down and connect with a drop toe hold, sending Bo onto the middle rope. Clutch takes a moment to recover before looking at Bo resting on the rope. He smiles and steps through the ropes onto the apron, lining Bo up. The fans begin to boo as they see what Clutch has planned. He takes a few steps towards Bo and looks for a devastating punt kick, only for Bo to pull his head back at the last minute.



MW: He escaped certain defeat there at the final possible moment!

SD: Clutch McCloud has impressed me tonight. His head is really in the game here and he was looking to take Bo’s head off his shoulders with that kick.

MW: But Botiatus has a few plans of his own now!



Bo leaps up and takes Clutch down with a dropkick before grabbing the top rope and taking him out with a slingshot plancha. He quickly rolls Clutch back into the ring and slides in after him. He shakes off the damage that Clutch has done before stalking Clutch. Clutch pushes himself up to his feet and Bo leaps up, looking for House Rules. Clutch, however, manages to grab hold of the top rope and Bo drops onto his back. Bo quickly scrambles away and makes it to his feet, turning to get back to Clutch but turning straight into a Technical Foul. Clutch drops down to make the cover, hooking the leg.



One…

Two…

Three.



Winner: Clutch McCloud (13:19).



MW: Wow!

SD: Clutch did it. I knew this one would be close and I knew he could win a match from anywhere, but I wasn’t sure he would overcome Botiatus.

MW: And it’s a big win for Clutch. He’s building some momentum at the moment.

SD: He’s the first man into tomorrow’s quarter-finals. We have no idea who he might face, but I’m sure he won’t mind that right now.



Clutch stands and Danica slides into the ring, raising his arm along with the official. He looks down at Bo and says, “That’s for all of the women who got a backhander after your match with Karlson.”



Danica looks at Clutch with a slight frown before he turns back and embraces her. Botiatus rolls out of the ring and is handed his Freedom Championship as he’s helped up the ramp. Clutch celebrates in the ring as the fans boo him some more.



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MW: Well that was quite the win for Clutch McCloud.

SD: He’s got himself to the front of the line for a Freedom Championship shot if he doesn’t win this tournament after that victory.

MW: I’d say he’s earned that opportunity, as much as I’d hate to see him given more of a platform to shout about his made-up issues.

SD: I didn’t think of that…

MW: Let’s turn out attention to our next match as we see Liz Karlson in action against the woman she defeated in the Young Lions’ Cup semi-final, Ella Ripley.

SD: She may have defeated Ella Ripley in the YLC, but that was Ella Ripley without Tommy Saxon. I’m sure her loving boyfriend will be here tonight to help even the odds.

MW: I think it would be giving her an unfair advantage rather than evening the odds, Watson.

SD: Whatever. I’m just looking forward to seeing those two lovebirds again. Seeing those two gives me… ideas.

MW: I don’t even want to go into that.

SD: Come on, let me tell everyone about that time-



“Ladies and gentlemen, this next match is the second match of the first round in the number one contender tournament and it is scheduled for one-fall. Introducing first, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania… she is a former Women’s Champion and a former Freedom Champion… ‘The Renegade’… Liz Karlson!”



‘Turn It On’ begins and the lights flicker on and off. Karlson backs through the curtain with her old Renegades vest showing. She turns, the fans giving her a warm reception, and approaches the ring, slapping hands with the fans on her way. She slides into the ring and climbs the nearest corner, raising her arms for the fans. She does the same on each turnbuckle before dropping down and rolling back into the middle of the ring, a cocky smile on her face before she looks back at the entrance for her opponent.



“And her opponent, from Colby, Kansas and being accompanied to the ring by Tommy Saxon, she is ‘The Stargazer’… Ella Ripley.”



‘Gonna Get Mine’ begins and the fans groan as Ella Ripley and Tommy Saxon emerge through the curtain hand in hand. They embrace before kissing passionately at the top of the ramp as some of the fans nearest to them turn their backs on them. Ripley and Saxon break apart before making their way to the ring, still hand in hand. As they reach the ring, they kiss again before Ripley climbs the steps and steps into the ring. Karson stays sat there as Ripley aims some loose kicks at her, but she just smirks and cocks an eyebrow. Ripley backs into the corner and Karlson stands, somewhat lazily, before backing into the opposite corner.



Match 2: Liz Karlson vs. Ella Ripley:



The bell rings and the two women lock up. Karlson drives Ripley back fairly quickly, forcing her into the corner and driving her back into the turnbuckles. The official calls for her to break the hold, which she does, backing away and calling Ripley to come forward. Ripley pauses, bending down and kissing Tommy Saxon, leading to more boos from the fans. Karlson shakes her head and moves into Ripley, but Ripley is prepared, pulling her head-first into the second turnbuckle and rolling her up into a schoolboy roll-up.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Karlson forces her way out. As she goes to stand, Ripley kicks her hard in the ribs before pulling her up into a back suplex. Ripley then grabs her arm and looks for The Ripper, but Karlson twists herself free of the hold fairly quickly, getting back to her feet. She aims a firearm to Ripley, but Ripley ducks and pulls her in for a German suplex. Ripley then sits up onto the top rope and looks for a diving leg drop bulldog, only for Karlson to catch her and, in an impressive show of strength, drive her into the mat with a deadlift Saito suplex.



MW: And that’s what Liz Karlson prides herself on!

SD: She’s got the technique but she’s all about that power right now.

MW: And Ella Ripley may regret the cheap shot from just moments ago when she suckered Karlson in.

SD: I’d like to suck-

MW: And Karlson pulls Ripley up.



Karlson whips Ripley into the ropes and connects hard with a powerslam as she comes back. She goes for a cover, but Saxon gets onto the apron and distracts the official. Karlson looks at him and sighs, getting up and moving over to the apron. She grabs him by the scruff of his neck and pulls him over the ropes into the ring. The fans cheer as she pulls him up, but Ripley manages to catch her from behind into a German suplex, bridging for a cover.



One…

Two.-



Karlson kicks out. Ripley however maintains her control, pulling Karlson up and whipping her into the corner. She follows her in with a running forearm and then snapmares Karlson out of the corner. Ripley hits the ropes and connects hard with a Rip-Roaring Elbow. She makes another cover.



One…

Two…

T-



Karlson kicks out. Ripley pulls her up again and looks for a vertical suplex, but Karlson blocks it, landing hard right hands to her gut before countering into her own vertical suplex. Karlson shakes off the blows to her head and turns back to Ripley, lifting her and pulling her onto her shoulders, looking for The Baker Buster. She spins Ripley down and then makes the cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Ripley manages to kick out. Karlson stands and pulls her to her feet again, this time setting her up for a powerbomb. Once again, Saxon jumps up onto the apron and the official turns away, but this time Karlson lifts Ripley anyway. Ripley, however, jams a thumb into Karlson’s eye and then drops down into a small package.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Karlson just breaks out in time. Ripley tries to get to her feet, but Karlson manages to get there first. Ripley aims a wild forearm but Karlson catches it and pops Ripley up before delivering a spin-out powerbomb. She then hits the ropes looking for a running senton, but Saxon catches her foot. The official warns Saxon, but Karlson has had enough. She climbs through the ropes and grabs Saxon, only to be cut off by a suicide dive from Ripley.



MW: This is just as much of a handicap match as they had against Marcus Allen Jones at Opening Day!

SD: They’re a couple. They do everything together. Why not this?

MW: Because it’s supposed to be one-on-one.

SD: I’d love a one-on-one with-

MW: Ripley pulling Karlson to her feet.



Ripley drives Karson back-first into the guardrail before driving her into the edge of the ring. She then rolls her into the ring and climbs to the top rope. She pauses for a moment before delivering a Lucky Star Press, holding for a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Karlson just gets a shoulder up. Ripley argues with the official but he stands his ground. She then grabs Karlson’s head between her legs and connects with multiple push-up facebusters, before looking to transition into a triangle choke. Karlson’s technical game, however, is too good, and she quickly frees herself, pulling Ripley in and delivering a hard belly to belly suplex. Karlson stands and reaches down to pull Ripley to her feet, only for Saxon to grab a steel chair and slide it into the ring. He grabs another and slides it in on the opposite side and then, as the official is removing the chairs, he comes in and takes Karlson down with The Knuckler. The fans boo as Ripley makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thre-



Karlson just gets a shoulder up! Saxon holds his head in his hands before grabbing another chair and sliding into the ring. The official argues with him and tries to get him removed, only for Ripley to shove Karlson into his back, causing him to fall and hit his head on the turnbuckle. Saxon and Ripley smirk and Saxon holds the chair out, telling Ripley to grab Karlson. She does, and she holds her in a waistlock, readying herself for a German suplex as Saxon holds the chair in position. Ripley lifts Karlson, but, with a ripple of excitement from the crowd, a man slides into the ring and pulls Saxon out of the way.



MW: That’s… that’s John Grimm!

SD: What’s he doing here?

MW: Karlson’s old tag team partner! He must be here for Mania weekend.

SD: But he’s retired on medical grounds.

MW: But that won’t stop him from supporting his friend.



Grimm lays Saxon out with a hard right hand and he rolls him out of the ring. Ripley, having delivered the German suplex but not felt the impact of the chair, turns to see Saxon out of the ring. She looks down at John Grimm as he drags Saxon away up the ramp, before turning back to Karlson. The official begins to stand as Ripley stalks Karlson, looking for Starstruck. She jumps up, but Karlson catches her and manages to position her on her shoulders. She connects with the Death Valley Bomb and completed the OTB with the middle rope senton. Karlson makes the cover.



One…

Two…

Three.



Winner: Elizabeth Karlson (10:53).



MW: And Liz Karlson is the second person into the quarter-finals.

SD: But she needed help to get there!

MW: Help!? She only needed help because she was wrestling a two-on-one handicap match for most of this match.

SD: John Grimm should be thrown out of this arena. He was here as a fan. He had no right to jump the barricade.

MW: Be that as it may, he evened the odds and now Liz Karlson is three wins away from the biggest opportunity of her career.



Karlson celebrates in the ring as John Grimm returns to ringside. She smiles as he steps into the ring and the two embrace, Grimm raising Karlson’s hand as Ripley skulks off back up the ramp.



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MW: Well we have two quarter-finalists. Now let’s get our third.

SD: This match is an interesting one. Russ Bolt desperately wants to prove himself as being more than Clutch McCloud’s sidekick and he’s got the chance against one of the best wrestlers in FPW.

MW: Marcus Allen Jones has got a guaranteed title match whenever he wants it according to Jim Houston. Will he still have the motivation to go all the way in this tournament?

SD: I think he’ll still want to win this tournament. He’s driven by being the best, and winning this tournament would add more weight to that statement.

MW: But why is Marcus not just taking Houston up on his offer? He could be having that match at Uprising if he wanted to.

SD: I honestly don’t know. Marcus held the title at a time when he was very different to how he is now. I personally think he needs to add a bit of that Marcus back into the person he is right now, but he doesn’t seem to want to. Maybe it’s the link between that title and TakeOver.

MW: It may well be. But tonight he faces Russ Bolt in a match that I don’t think we’ve seen before. This one could be a real show-stealer.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a singles match and it is scheduled for one-fall. Introducing first, from Chicago, Illinois, he is a former Young Lions’ Cup winner and a former FPW Champion… ‘The Marksman’… Marcus! Allen! Jones!”



‘Hall of Fame’ begins and Marcus emerges through the curtain. He performs his standard backflip and holds his pose as the piano plays. When ‘Yeah you could be the greatest’ hits, Marcus leaps up and calls to the fans to cheer for him, which they do: loudly. Marcus makes his way down the ramp, slapping hands as the verse goes on. He pauses at the bottom of the ramp and extends his arms as ‘Standing in the hall of fame’ hits, before giving the camera a cheeky wink and sliding into the ring. He acknowledges the fans and poses for them for a few moments before the music fades out.



“And his opponent, from Miami, Florida… ‘Thunder’… Russ Bolt!”



‘Jumpman’ plays and Russ Bolt comes through the curtain to a fairly quiet reaction. He stretches his arms out to the sides and dips to the right and left before motioning as if he’s doing a fade away as the song picks up. He then makes his way down the ramp, nodding his head to the beat before sliding into the ring and eyeing up Marcus, who rests against the ropes and offers Bolt a fistbump. Bolt looks down at it for a moment before shaking his head and then backing away into the corner. Marcus nods to himself and then comes forward, ready to begin the match.



Match 3: Marcus Allen Jones vs. Russ Bolt:



The bell rings and the two of them come forward to lock-up. Marcus ducks the lock-up and grabs a waistlock, lifting Bolt and taking him down. Marcus then spins and locks in a front facelock before spinning again and locking in a headlock. He releases his grip and stands up, extending a fist again with a smirk on his face. Bolt looks up at him and grunts before pushing himself up and ignoring the fist. Marcus chuckles to himself before calling Bolt forward again. Bolt comes in and the two of them lock up, Bolt forcing Marcus back towards the corner but Marcus spinning him at the last minute. Marcus pulls Bolt out of the corner and whips him into the ropes, taking him down with a dropkick. Marcus then reaches down and pulls Bolt up again, kicking him in the gut and hitting the ropes before he takes him down with a running swinging neckbreaker. Marcus makes his first cover of the match.



One…

Two-



Bolt kicks out. Marcus pulls him up and forces him over to the corner. He chops him hard in the chest before rolling him out of the corner. Marcus then pushes himself up to the top rope and stalks Bolt, looking to come down with a forearm. Bolt ducks, and Marcus rolls through. Bolt then runs at Marcus and looks to take him down with a boot, but Marcus ducks it and Bolt stops himself from crashing into the corner. Bolt turns to see Marcus standing with an extended fist again, and he shakes his head, stepping out of the ring and taking a break on the outside. The fans boo as Marcus extends his arms and shrugs his shoulders.



MW: Russ Bolt showing a bit of frustration in the early stages here.

SD: I can understand it. He wants to use this tournament to really make a name for himself and he’s got Marcus Allen Jones playing with him.

MW: Marcus showed him respect at the beginning of the match. Bolt chose not to bump fists. Maybe Marcus is trying to teach him a lesson in respect rather than playing with him.

SD: If Marcus wanted to show respect then he’d just get on with the match. This is Marcus telling Bolt that he doesn’t think he needs to be at his most focussed. It’s disrespectful.



Bolt climbs back into the ring and Marcus calls him in for another lock-up. The two lock-up and Marcus looks to catch Bolt with a headlock, but Bolt shoves him away and catches his wrist, pulling him in for a short-arm clothesline. Bolt makes a quick cover.



One…

Tw-



Marcus kicks out. Bolt pulls Marcus up again and whips him into the ropes, catching him with a scoop powerslam as he comes back. Bolt stands over Marcus and tauntingly offers him a fist bump. Marcus stands and nods, going to bump fists before Bolt pulls his away. The fans boo again and Marcus kicks Bolt in the gut, whipping him into the ropes. He drops down but Bolt steps over him. Bolt then comes back and Marcus leapfrogs him. Bolt catches hold of the top rope only for Marcus to come in with a superkick to send him to the outside. Marcus then hits the ropes and comes back with a suicide dive. He rolls Bolt back into the ring and climbs to the top rope, stalking him. As Bolt stands, Marcus comes with a perfect missile dropkick. Marcus then stands and connects with a standing shooting star press, holding for a cover.



One…

Two-



Bolt kicks out. Marcus doesn’t pause, pulling Bolt up and hooking an arm over him, lifting him and delivering a falcon arrow. Marcus then stands and pulls Bolt up from behind, lifting him and then quickly dropping him with a wheelbarrow facebuster. He rolls him over and makes another cover.



One…

Two…

T-



Bolt kicks out again. Marcus pulls him up and lands a spin kick to the gut. He then grabs Bolt by the head and steps up the ropes, landing a tornado DDT and making another cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Bolt kicks out again.



MW: Marcus Allen Jones getting a longer count with every move.

SD: But he doesn’t have a decisive three-count yet.

MW: Not yet, but he’s really building the momentum in this one.

SD: Bolt needs to do something about this or it might not last much longer. If he wants to prove himself, the time really is now.



Marcus pulls Bolt to his feet and whips him into the ropes. He leaps up and looks for a hurricanrana, but Bolt catches hold of him and shoves him back down. Marcus lands on his feet but he can’t avoid Bolt’s hard right hand. Marcus staggers and Bolt grabs him, whipping him into the ropes and taking him down with a dropkick of his own. Bolt makes a cover.



One-



Marcus kicks out. Bolt stands, stalking Marcus. As Marcus gets to his feet, Bolt hits the ropes and taking him down with a hard clothesline. He then grabs his arm and looks for a Kimura lock, but Marcus rolls through and breaks Bolt’s grip with a forearm. Marcus grabs Bolt and looks to trap the wrist for Six Stars, but Bolt elbows his way free. As Marcus staggers backwards, Bolt grabs him and delivers a snap German suplex. Bolt takes a moment to recover before seeing Marcus pulling himself up on the ropes. He hits the ropes and comes off with a flying forearm to take Marcus down, making another cover.



One…

Two…

T-



Marcus kicks out. Bolt then stands and pulls Marcus to his feet, grabbing him by the legs and lifting him up before driving him into the mat with an Alabama slam. Bolt then steps through the ropes and climbs to the top, looking down at Marcus. He comes off the top rope with Thunderbolt, but Marcus manages to roll out of the way just in time and Bolt crashes into the mat.



MW: Bolt could have been moments from pulling off the biggest victory of his young career.

SD: But he didn’t do enough to keep Marcus down and he paid for it.

MW: And now these two men are trying to get to their feet first.



Marcus manages to get to his feet moments before Bolt and he moves over to him, only for Bolt to drive a knee into Marcus’ gut and connect with a scoop slam. Bolt then drops an elbow on Marcus before standing and pulling him to his feet. He lifts Marcus onto his shoulders, looking for From Downtown, only for Marcus to resist. He drops down and manages to counter into a Canadian destroyer. Marcus rolls away and pulls himself to his feet. As he sees Bolt sit up, he connects with a hard superkick to the side of Bolt’s head before climbing up to the top rope. He looks down behind him before coming down with a phoenix splash and rolling into a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Bolt just gets a shoulder up. Marcus looks down in frustration before standing. He grabs Bolt by the back of the trunks and pulls him up, grabbing the wrist to trap it. He then shoves him and leaps up for Six Stars, but Bolt catches him and counters with a powerbomb. He drops into a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Marcus gets his shoulder up. Bolt bangs the mat in frustration and then pushes himself up, pulling Marcus up a moment later. He whips Marcus into the ropes and then aims a Technical Foul, but Marcus ducks it, countering with a Pele kick. Bolt staggers back into the ropes and comes back into a spike hurricanrana from Marcus, who holds onto both legs for another cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Bolt just kicks out. Marcus then stands and grabs Bolt by the head. He pulls him up and traps the wrist, looking to push Bolt for Six Stars, but Bolt stands firm. He aims an elbow at Marcus, who ducks, leaping up and connecting with a reverse rana. Marcus then looks down at Bolt and climbs to the top rope. He foregoes the theatrics and instead comes down with the Mark Out Moment, quickly making the cover.



One…

Two…

Three.



Winner: Marcus Allen Jones (13:53).



MW: And Marcus overcomes a valiant effort from Russ Bolt.

SD: Bolt wanted to establish himself in this tournament and, while he didn’t get the win to progress to the quarter-finals, he didn’t disgrace himself against one of the best this company has to offer.

MW: He certainly didn’t. He can use this as a bit of momentum for the future, but the man who moves forward in this tournament is not Russ Bolt. Marcus Allen Jones joins Clutch McCloud and Liz Karlson in the quarter-finals.



Marcus stands and has his arm raised, looking down at Bolt as he struggles to get to his feet. Marcus reaches out and offers a fist to Bolt again, who looks at it for a moment. He shakes his head and begins to leave the ring, but Marcus grabs him and spins him round. Bolt turns and Marcus whispers something inaudible into his ear, before backing away and offering him applause. Some of the fans clap for Bolt, who looks at Marcus quizzically before stepping through the ropes and heading up the ramp. Marcus steps onto the turnbuckle to take the crowd’s cheers.



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MW: Now we have the last of our first half of matches. This one will certainly be an interesting clash of styles.

SD: On the one hand we hate technical master MDE, the best technical wrestler in FPW- or anywhere else for my money. On the other we have Hiro Takahara, possessor of some of the most devastating kicks in wrestling.

MW: And we know MDE isn’t much of a strike and Takahara isn’t much of a technician.

SD: MDE will be fully prepared for this match as always. Will Sato have Takahara ready?

MW: I’d expect him to have a plan to keep the distance between them. I can see this looking a bit like an MMA fight. MDE trying to get the takedown to lock in a hold while Takahara uses his feet to keep him at bay and maybe score a knockout blow.

SD: But can Hiro Takahara resist the lure of trying to beat MDE at his own game. Strong style of course is based on being able to stand and take blows as well as delivering them. His pride will almost certainly lure him into grappling with MDE at some point.

MW: Well we’ll see about that. We may well be on the way to a Guardian versus Guardian draw or an MDE versus Jerry draw depending on results. Let’s get to the ring and see how this match goes.



“The following contest is scheduled for one-fall and is a singles match. Introducing first, from Plymouth, England, he is a former FPW Champion… he calls himself Simply Great… MDE!”



‘Dance of the Knights’ plays and MDE steps through the curtain to loud boos. He surveys the arena before beginning his slow walk down the ramp, ignoring the fans all the way down. He walks up the steps and walks half-way along the apron before stepping through the ropes. He walks over to Dasha Banks, who eyes him with hatred. He allows himself a slight smirk as he sees her expression, before settling into the corner and waiting for Takahara.



“And his opponent, representing The Guardians of Strong Style and being accompanied to the ring by Sato… he is from Hirosihma, Japan and is one-half of the three-time Tag Team Champions... Hiro Takahara!”



The Guardians of Strong Style’s music begins to play as Sato emerges through the curtain with a bow. As the song picks up, Takahara walks out next to him and the two bow again. Takahara walks down the ramp, Tag Team Championship around his waist, as the fans cheer for him. He ignores them, keeping his focus on MDE in the ring. As he reaches the ring, he steps onto the apron and through the ropes, immediately walking up to MDE and going forehead-to-forehead with him. The official forces Takahara back before checking if the two are ready.



Match 4: MDE vs. Hiro Takahara:



As the bell rings, MDE moves in cautiously. Takahara holds his ground, coiled and ready to unleash his dangerous kicks. MDE darts to go for a leg, but darts away again as Takahara aims a foot at him. Takahara comes forward this time, looking to corner MDE. MDE keeps his eyes on Takahara but keeps his awareness of everything around him too, avoiding a kick and rolling through, looking to get a grip on the left leg. Takahara quickly moves away, MDE now up and forcing Takahara back towards a corner. MDE keeps low, looking to come in for the legs and to force Takahara to keep moving into the corner. For a moment, neither of them make a move, but then MDE pounces, looking to grasp the leg, only for Takahara to leap over him. MDE rises, swaying out of the way of another kick, and the two eye one another.



The crowd begin a ‘Ta-ka-ha-ra’ chant, but Takahara doesn’t seem to register it. He feints a couple of kicks and MDE feints to go for the leg a couple of times, but neither of them make the decisive move. MDE then darts in for the left leg, but quickly switches trajectory and instead grabs the right leg as Takahara unleashes a kick. MDE absorbs some of the impact but maintains a hold of the leg. The two lock eyes again as MDE grips the boot and wrenches on the ankle, causing Takahara to grimace in pain. Takahara stands his ground, and demands MDE do it again. MDE wrenches the ankle again, this time with greater force, but Takahara growls at him in Japanese.



MW: Well this is a kind of strong style I suppose!

SD: Takahara trying to put MDE off his game. I’m not sure he’s going to manage.

MW: MDE looks a little concerned though.



MDE tries to sweep the left leg but Takahara pushes up and aims an enzeguiri, which MDE ducks, giving him the chance to drop down. He quickly positions himself over Takahara, maintaining his grip on the leg and looking to take an arm, but Takahara manages to wriggle free and quickly gets to his feet. MDE darts in again but Takahara swiftly dodges him, hitting the ropes and looking for a running big boot. MDE ducks under it and Takahara hits the ropes again, only to be caught in a belly to belly position. Takahara, however, gets his knee up and repeatedly knees MDE in the thigh and then the gut before taking him down with a hard mid-kick. MDE drops to the mat and quickly rolls out of the ring.



The fans boo as MDE regains his composure. Takahara stands stoic in the middle of the ring, waiting for MDE to get back in. MDE takes a moment before beginning to climb back onto the apron, slowly getting onto it and pausing before he begins to step through the ropes. Ensuring Takahara stays back, he re-enters the ring and the two resume their stand-off. MDE again looks to take the leg, but Takahara again avoids it, instead looking to ward MDE off with probing kicks. As Takahara aims one such kick, MDE ducks it and darts in, not taking the leg but this time grabbing a headlock. Takahara resists, but MDE uses his technique to force him down to one knee, and then to two. From that position, MDE switches holds to a cravat, moving cautiously behind Takahara and stamping down on the back of his leg.



MW: That has to hurt.

SD: MDE seems to want to attack the legs. I think it’s a good idea. Take away those kicks by damaging not just the kicking leg but also the standing leg.

MW: But can he avoid them for long enough to do the damage he needs to do?

SD: He seems to be doing ok at the moment.



MDE releases the cravat but quickly takes hold of the left ankle, dropping down and driving a knee into Takahara’s lower leg. MDE wrenches hard on the ankle and Takahara grits his teeth with the pain. Takahara quickly scrambles towards the ropes but MDE holds him back and locks in an ankle lock, dropping down to grapevine the leg. Takahara tries to kick out with his right leg to weaken MDE’s grip, but MDE releases the grapevine and uses his own leg to trap Takahara’s, grapevining both legs. Takahara scrambles over to the ropes and grabs the bottom rope, MDE releasing the hold.



MDE then grabs the ankle again, dragging Takahara back towards the middle of the ring He lifts the left leg and drops an elbow onto the inside of the knee, wrenching the leg to damage the knee as well as twisting the foot to keep the pressure on the ankle too. Takahara looks to wriggle to the ropes again, but MDE uses his weight well, forcing Takahara to look for another way out. Takahara starts to land hard kicks to MDE’s back. MDE tries to grasp the right foot but Takahara pulls it back, forcing MDE to shift his weight and giving Takahara the chance to pull himself free. As MDE tries to re-establish the hold, Takahara lands a hard kick to the head and pulls himself up.



With MDE on one knee, Takahara kicks him hard in the chest and MDE drops backwards, giving Takahara a bit of time to slap himself hard on the lower leg. As MDE stands, Takahara comes in with more kicks, unleashing a volley to the thigh, the side, the back and then a roundhouse kick to the head which causes MDE to drop to a seated position. Takahara then hits the ropes limping as he moves, and delivers a hard penalty kick to MDE’s chest. He makes the cover.



One…

Two…

T-



MDE kicks out, trying to reach up and grab Takahara’s arm as he does. Takahara, however, pulls the arm away and stands, creating some distance between them.



MW: Smart from Hiro Takahara.

SD: Very. Sato seems to have prepared him really well for this match. We know he can take pain, so being in holds won’t bother him too much, but the flurry of offense once he came free and moving away when they’re grounded really makes sense in this match.

MW: And now MDE is looking very wary. You can see the red mark on his chest just from those couple of kicks.

SD: Takahara is showing him what will happen if he slips up. MDE can’t afford to let him slip out again.



MDE stands, looking to move in again. Takahara readies himself, avoiding a tentative push forward from MDE before withdrawing his left leg from a more confident attempt to grab it. Takahara aims an axe kick as MDE darts in, but MDE pulls away and the two eye one another again, Takahara standing and MDE ready to strike from one knee. MDE again comes for the leg, but again Takahara manages to avoid him, this time landing a hard kick to the back before driving a forearm into the back of MDE’s head. Takahara pulls MDE up and whips him across the ring into a corner, running at him and connecting with a dropkick which drops MDE to a seated position. Takahara then charges at him and aims for a double knee strike, but MDE avoids the impact and catches the legs.



MDE quickly brings Takahara to the mat and locks in the ankle lock again. Takahara scrambles to get free but MDE brings his other leg across again and grapevines them both. He torques the ankle and Takahara is clearly feeling the pain. Takahara reaches out for the bottom rope, but MDE has him perfectly tied up. MDE wrenches harder and harder on the ankle, but Takahara grits his teeth and refuses to give in. MDE even drives his boot into Takahara’s back, but Takahara uses this to fire himself up, yelling at MDE in Japanese before driving through the pain to reach the bottom rope, much to the delight of the fans.



MW: I’m not sure that was such a good idea for MDE to have done.

SD: Those boots seemed to light a fire in Takahara. He loves the feel of flesh on flesh contact and MDE should have known he needed to avoid striking this opponent in any way.

MW: And now Takahara is pulling himself up with teeth gritted so hard that I’m not sure even a crowbar could prise them apart.



MDE moves in for the ankle again but Takahara is ready for him, kicking him hard on the top of his head. MDE pauses for just a moment, allowing Takahara to land another kick, this time to the side of the head. He then pulls MDE up and unleashes a volley of hard knife-edged chops. MDE is drives back towards the corner but Takahara doesn’t let up, continuing to hit chop after chop after chop until the fans are cheering in a wild frenzy. He then pulls MDE out of the corner and whips him into the ropes, taking him down with a hard dropkick and making a cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



MDE kicks out. Takahara isn’t fazed, however. He pulls MDE to his feet again and hooks an arm over him, taking him over with a snap suplex. He then floats over, pulling MDE up and, in one fluid motion, taking him down with a Saito suplex. He makes another cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



MDE just gets his shoulder up and Takahara doesn’t let up his momentum. He grabs MDE by the hair and pulls him into a hard forearm to the face. He continues to do this five, six, seven times, until MDE’s nose is bleeding. Takahara then stands and leaves MDE groggily trying to get to his feet. He drives a knee into MDE’s gut and then backs away before hitting another to the head. Takahara then pulls MDE over to the corner and lands a series of hard forearms before backing away. He points at MDE and charges at him, looking for another running dropkick only for MDE to use the slight pause in each step on the left leg to give him time to duck out of the way. Takahara hits the floor and MDE forces himself to his feet. He grabs Takahara by the head and drapes an arm over him, lifting him as if for a vertical suplex, before bringing him back down again, holding him up, and ending the move with a hard-hitting flatliner. MDE makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Three.



Winner: MDE (17:43).



SD: That was the match of the night so far!

MW: It was an intense, gripping battle between two very different wrestlers. But in the end it was MDE, the technician, who got the win.

SD: And what about that move to finish it! That looks horrific.

MW: It certainly did the job against a very tough opponent tonight. Now MDE joins Clutch McCloud, Liz Karlson and Marcus Allen Jones in the quarter-finals.

SD: And with four more to come, this is shaping up to be a great line-up for tomorrow!



MDE has his arm raised before quickly leaving the ring, his head and chest already looking very sore.



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MW: Well now we come into our second half of matches and we begin with Tommy Saxon and Bobby O.

SD: We’ve already seen Saxon out here once before with Ella Ripley. I’m not sure she’ll be in any condition to come out a second time to support her boyfriend.

MW: So we might actually get a fair contest this time.

SD: Apart from CJ Holmes being here to distract Saxon.

MW: Really? Anyway-

SD: Are you trying to argue that she won’t get involved in the match after seeing Bobby O wrestle Clutch five days ago?

MW: Well that’s a very different context. Can Tommy Saxon overcome Bobby tonight?

SD: It depends on which Bobby turns up. An angry Bobby who will make mistakes, probably he can. A calm, focussed Bobby should beat Saxon.

MW: Let’s get to the ring.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a singles match and it is scheduled for one-fall. Introducing first, from London, England, he is one half of The Suplex Sweethearts, ‘The Hammer’… Tommy Saxon.”



‘Turbo Killer’ begins to play and Tommy Saxon swaggers out onto the stage alone. He shakes his head as the fans chant ‘Where’s your girlfriend?’ at him. After pacing on the stage for a few moments, he makes his way quickly down the ramp, ignoring the fans as they call out to him. He climbs the steps and enters the ring, pacing back and forth some more as the music begins to fade out. He stands and waits for Bobby as the fans continue to taunt him.



“And introducing his opponent, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania… he is a former Tag Team Champion, being accompanied to the ring by CJ Holmes… ‘Mr. FPW’… Bobby! O!”



‘This Means War’ begins to play and the fans build their anticipation through the intro. As the music pauses, Bobby walks out wearing his usual military-style jacket, with CJ Holmes just behind him. He pops the collar and nods to CJ before making his way down the ramp at a fast pace, holding his hands out to the fans on his way. He climbs the steps and enters the ring, walking over to the ropes and leaning over them, pointing out to some of the fans cheering enthusiastically for him. He then looks back at Saxon, who stares him down with a look of disdain on his face.



Match 5: Tommy Saxon vs. Bobby O:



The bell rings and the two men come together, Bobby looking for a lock-up but Saxon backing off and smirking at him. Bobby frowns at him but Saxon laughs, calling Bobby forward again. Bobby comes in again but again Saxon sidesteps, smirking and looking back at Bobby. Bobby turns and comes forward again, only for Saxon to dodge him a third time. Bobby turns, an angry look on his face. Saxon laughs and calls to him:



“Do you want to get your pipe yet?”



Bobby advances towards him but CJ calls to him. He pauses and turns to her, giving Saxon the chance to come in and kick him in the gut before clubbing him across the back. Saxon then hooks his arms and connects with a butterfly suplex. He smiles and blows a kiss to CJ, the fans booing. He then puts the boots to Bobby for a moment before pulling him up and dragging him into the corner, landing a series of right hands before whipping him into the ropes and then connecting with a belly to belly suplex. Saxon makes the first cover of the match.



One…

Tw-



Bobby kicks out. Saxon then pulls his head up and connects with another right hand, the official admonishing him. Saxon stands and puts the boots to Bobby again before allowing him up to his knees and kicking him hard in the chest, pulling him in for a snap suplex.



MW: A strong start from Tommy Saxon.

SD: And an intelligent one. He used Bobby’s frustration to distract him, knowing that CJ may be as much of a weakness for him to be out here. I like this approach.

MW: Well he’s certainly in control so far, but I don’t know if he can keep Bobby down for long.



Saxon pulls Bobby up and drives a knee up into his gut before dropping him for a DDT and making another cover.



One…

Two…

T-



Bobby kicks out again. CJ bangs the mat and tells Bobby to get to his feet, but Saxon doesn’t give him the space to get up by himself. He pulls him up and looks to get him up for a Gory Special, only for Bobby to wriggle free and drop down behind Saxon. Saxon turns and Bobby ducks under him, hitting the ropes and taking Saxon down with a clothesline. Bobby then pulls Saxon to his feet and whips him into the corner, backing away and looking for a running dropkick, but Saxon drops down and rolls out of the ring before Bobby can get to him.



Bobby looks down to Saxon, who calls for Bobby to come and follow him, but Bobby remains in the ring, calling Saxon to come back in instead. Saxon shakes his head and laughs before moving over towards CJ. Bobby immediately leaves the ring and follows Saxon, who stops and lands a hard back elbow and another snap suplex. Bobby arches his back and Saxon laughs, blowing a kiss to CJ and thanking her. She frowns at him but he ignores her, turning back to Bobby and landing another kick to the gut as he’s getting up. He then grabs Bobby by the back of the head and rams it into the guardrail. Bobby reels away and Saxon grabs him by the wrist to pull him in for a short-arm lariat.



MW: Saxon back in control of this one.

SD: And more great tactical thinking. If he goes after CJ, it distracts Bobby and gives him an opening.

MW: Well he’s certainly taking that opening. Bobby needs to get back into this match quickly.

SD: I don’t know if his head is in it. He’s thinking about CJ too much plus he’s allowing himself to get frustrated. He needs to get control of himself if he’s going to win this match.



Saxon pulls Bobby towards the guardrail, resting him against it and kicking him hard in the chest several times. Bobby drops down and Saxon hooks an arm over his head, lifting him for a vertical suplex again but this time dropping him gut-first onto the guardrail before taking him over onto the floor. Bobby clutches at his stomach and coughs as Saxon rolls back into the ring. CJ immediately comes over to check on Bobby as the official begins to count.



1……….

2……….

3……….

4……….



Bobby begins to get to his feet. Saxon, seeing that he won’t get the count-out, rolls out of the ring and shoves Bobby back in. Saxon follows, pulling Bobby into a Dragon suplex, only for Bobby to free an arm and elbow his way out. Saxon reels away and Bobby lands a desperation superkick, causing Saxon to bounce off the ropes and come back, only for Bobby to connect with a powerslam. Bobby rolls away as the fans begin to cheer his name.



MW: And just like that, Bobby O is back in this match.

SD: But he can’t make the cover. Saxon has done a number on his mid-section.

MW: And quite a number it is. But Bobby O has given himself some much-needed breathing space.



Bobby begins to get to his feet, his back clearly still sore. Saxon also pulls himself up, but Bobby is up first, coming over to Saxon and beginning to land a series of jabs to the face, followed by a flurry of punches to his body. He then grabs him and whips him into the corner, following up with a running dropkick. Saxon staggers a step out of the corner before Bobby runs at him again, landing another dropkick to send Saxon down to a seated position. Bobby backs away a third time, this time running and connecting with a delayed dropkick. Saxon rolls out of the corner and Bobby makes the cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Saxon kicks out. Bobby is quick to pull him to his feet and he lifts him onto his shoulders, only for Saxon to land a series of elbows and drop down. Saxon then lands two hard right hands, followed by a kick to the gut and a back elbow. He looks to complete Tommy Gun with the lariat, but Bobby ducks it, pulls Saxon onto his shoulders and lands a fireman’s carry stunner. Saxon drops to the mat but it takes Bobby a few moments to recover from the strikes before he can make the cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Saxon kicks out again. Bobby shakes off the impact of the last elbow before grabbing Saxon and pulling him back to his feet. He drives a knee to Saxon’s gut before pushing towards the corner and lifting him onto the top rope. Bobby hooks an arm over him and looks to lift him for a superplex, but Saxon blocks it, landing a series of right hands to Bobby’s gut and ribs. Bobby releases his grip and Saxon shoves him down. Bobby lands on his feet and staggers backwards. Saxon looks down at Bobby before coming down with The Knuckler from the top rope- but Bobby counters from nowhere into a powerbomb. Bobby makes the cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Saxon just gets a shoulder up. CJ and Bobby both hold their heads as the fans gasp in surprise that the match isn’t yet over. Bobby stands and drags Saxon up with him, shoving him into the corner again. He lifts him up onto the top rope for a second time and hooks an arm over him. This time he wastes no time in delivering the superplex, and he rolls through to lock in O Snap. Saxon resists for a few moments, trying in vain to scramble over to the ropes, but he can’t make it, and he’s forced to tap out.



Winner: Bobby O (12:53).



CJ enters the ring and embraces Bobby as he breaks the hold, helping the official to raise his hand. Bobby looks down at Saxon and then climbs up to the top rope, acknowledging the fans who cheer for him.



MW: A big win there for Bobby O.

SD: A big show of self-control too. Saxon tried to push his buttons and he managed it at times, but Bobby kept his cool in the end to advance to the quarter-finals.

MW: And he’s said that he wants another chance to face Clutch McCloud. That draw may end up coming out.

SD: We don’t know exactly how the draw will pan out, but I’d love to see Bobby face anyone who is still left in this tournament.

MW: Well we’ll find that out after the main event tonight, but for now, let’s allow Bobby to take the plaudits as our fifth quarter-finalist.



Bobby drops down from the turnbuckle and CJ raises his hand again, before he opens the ropes for her and they walk up the ramp together.



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MW: And now we have a match I’ve been looking forward to ever since this draw was made.

SD: Two big beefy Japanese hosses crashing together like action figures in the hands of a six-year-old?

MW: That pretty much sums up what this match is likely to be.

SD: Go Shihei hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire recently, but a match like this might light the fire under him. Masa Tchyukiro has never won a singles match in FPW, so something has to give tonight.

MW: I’m not sure it’ll be either of them for a while anyway.

SD: If you like hoss fights, strap yourself in and feel the Gs.

MW: The dream Tchyukiro versus Takahara match may be off the table, but this should fulfil a little of what that match might have been. Let’s get straight to it.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following battle is scheduled for one-fall. Introducing first, from Hiroshima, Japan, he is one half of the three-time Tag Team Champions The Guardians of Strong Style and is being accompanied to the ring by Sato… Masa Tchyukiro!”



The familiar music fills the arena as Sato stands bowed in the entranceway. As the music picks up, Tchyukiro comes through the curtain and the two men bow again. Tchyukiro then slaps his chest a couple of times before marching down the ramp, Sato following just behind. As he reaches the ring, Tchyukiro climbs up, wipes his feet on the apron, and then enters, stretching out in the corner as his music comes to an end.



“And his opponent, from Osaka, Japan, this is ‘Holy Fury’… Go Shihei!”



Darkness fills the arena as the opening monologue plays, before dark red and white lights come up as Go Shihei steps through the curtain. He looks around the arena but doesn’t get much of a reaction. He begins to step onto the ramp, beating his chest and head as he walks down it. He stares at Tchyukiro as he reaches the ring, and Tchyukiro calls him into the ring. As soon as he enters, he and Tchyukiro advance on one another.



Match 6: Masa Tchyukiro vs. Go Shihei:



They engage with forearms straight away, each man trying to knock the other back but neither giving any ground. After their initial exchange, they go forehead to forehead and stare one another down, before Shihei motions for Tchyukiro to hit the ropes. Tchyukiro does, trying to take Shihei down with a shoulder tackle, but Shihei stands his ground. Tchyukiro eyes him and Shihei tells him to try again. Tchyukiro hits the ropes again and comes back with another shoulder tackle, but Shihei again remains on his feet, although this time he takes a step back. Tchyukiro calls out to him, but Shihei motions for him to try a third time. Tchyukiro hits the ropes again and comes back with another hard tackle, but Shihei stands his ground again.



Tchyukiro gets in Shihei’s face and orders Shihei to try the same. Shihei backs away and hits the ropes, trying to take Tchyukiro down, but Tchyukiro this time holds his ground. Shihei looks at Tchyukiro with anger in his eyes before trying a second time. Much like before, Tchyukiro takes a step back but doesn’t go down. Shihei hits the ropes again and the two of them clash for a third time, again with neither man leaving his feet. They go forehead to forehead again before they both signal to the ropes. Each man hits the ropes and they collide even harder than before in the middle of the ring, but neither goes down, each man simply staggering backwards. They come at each other with lariats, but each absorb the impact and only just stagger backwards. They then each come with a discus forearm, each man knocking the other back a little and giving them jelly legs.



MW: What an aggressive start to this match!

SD: Both men desperate to gain the upper hand but neither able to land the telling blow.

MW: I’m not sure anyone else on the roster could have withstood those kind of blows.

SD: And there’s going to be a lot more to come for these two to withstand.



Tchyukiro and Shihei move towards one another a little less steadily than before, this time locking up heavily and looking to drive one another back. Neither can gain much of an advantage, neither man giving ground to the other. After jockeying for some time, they release their grip and Tchyukiro slaps Shihei hard with a palm strike. Shihei responds with one of his own but they Tchyukiro lands a headbutt that brings Shihei to his knees. Tchyukiro then quickly hits the ropes and goes for a sliding lariat, but Shihei absorbs the blow! He pushes himself up to his feet and growls as Tchyukiro. Tchyukiro advances but Shihei grabs him into an exploder suplex.



Shihei stands and pulls Tchyukiro to his feet in the corner, driving a lariat into him. Tchyukiro grunts at him in Japanese, and Shihei lets out a flurry of lariats, each one connecting hard and making a sound that echoes around the arena, causing the fans to wince with each impact. After several of these lariats, Tchyukiro bursts out of the corner with a guttural cry and Shihei steps back a little, allowing Tchyukiro to connect hard with a chop to the chest. The fans wince again at the sound as it echoes around the arena, only for Shihei to stand and puff out his chest, asking for another. Tchyukiro continues to deliver hard chops, Shihei’s chest turning red even as he delivers them. After several of them, Shihei bursts forward and lands a forearm that drops Tchyukiro to his knees.



MW: What a show of striking!

SD: These two men must be made of metal to still be able to take this kind of punishment.

MW: And they’ve barely left their feet in this match.

SD: But Shihei rocked Tchyukiro with that shot.



Shihei grabs Tchyukiro and pulls him up into a Saito suplex. He rolls into a cover.



One…

Two.-



Tchyukiro kicks out. Shihei pulls him up again and sets him into a powerbomb position, lifting him up onto his shoulders. Tchyukiro, however, responds with a heavy headbutt, allowing him to drop down to a standing position. He hooks an arm over Shihei’s head and looks to pull him up for a suplex, but Shihei resists. Tchyukiro tries again and almost lifts him, but Shihei drops down and Tchyukiro breaks his grip. He backs away for a moment and Shihei lands a hard chop, but Tchyukiro laughs it off and lands one of his own. The two men eye one another again before they explode into a series of chops, each man trying to out-do the other and each chop sounding harder and harder than the one before it.



Tchyukiro gains the advantage, landing three chops in succession before hooking an arm over Shihei once again. This time he manages to pull him up and he delivers the vertical suplex. He then hits the ropes and delivers the sliding lariat, taking Shihei down. He makes a cover.



One-



No! Shihei kicks out barely at the count of one! Tchyukiro looks shocked as Shihei pushes himself up to his feet. Tchyukiro swings a forearm recklessly, and Shihei kicks him hard in the gut, pulling him in for a powerbomb which sends him hard into the canvas. He makes a cover.



One-



Now Tchyukiro kicks out at one! The two men stand and Tchyukiro connects with a hard forearm before Shihei lands a brutal lariat. Tchyukiro staggers and then turns into a discus lariat, leaving both men catching their breath on the mat as the fans cheer loudly and stamp their feet on the floor.



MW: By God I’ve never seen impact like this before!

SD: Whichever of these man manages to make it to the next round will surely be unable to compete. One day to recover from a beating like this? It’s impossible.

MW: I have to agree with you there, Steven. They’ve had almost ten minutes of what must feel like being hit by a bus, and yet the match still goes on.

SD: But how much longer can they last like this?



Both men get to their feet shakily and they turn to one another, eyeing one another again. Shihei runs at Tchyukiro and goes for another shoulder block, which sends Tchyukiro back into the ropes. He comes off with a shoulder block of his own, sending Shihei back into the ropes. He comes back with another, finally taking Tchyukiro down. He roars in triumph before stepping through the ropes and climbing to the top. He comes off with Year of the Toad but Tchyukiro rolls away. Shihei crashes hard on the mat and Tchyukiro forces himself to his feet, hitting the ropes and connecting with a kokeshi headbutt. He makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Shihei kicks out! Tchyukiro stands and pulls Shihei with him. He forces him into the corner where he connects hard with a series of forearms. He continues to drive his forearm into Shihei’s head until Shihei is forced down to a seated position. Tchyukiro then backs away and runs at Shihei, only for Shihei to pull himself up and take Tchyukiro down with a thunderous lariat! Shihei makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Tchyukiro kicks out this time! Each man forces themselves to their feet, Shihei getting there first. He grabs Tchyukiro by the side of the head and lands a hard forearm, staggering Tchyukiro. Tchyukiro responds with one of his own, staggering Shihei. Shihei then comes back for another, but Tchyukiro blocks it with a hard headbutt. Shihei drops to his knees but Tchyukiro grabs his head and lands another hard headbutt. He then moves behind Shihei and pulls him up, showcasing immense strength. He lifts him and connects with a deadlift German suplex, bridging for the pin.



One…

Two…

Three.



Winner: Masa Tchyukiro (13:05).



MW: And Tchyukiro wins that war.

SD: When Jim Houston announced it, he said that it wouldn’t be a match, but a fight. That’s exactly what these two men gave us.

MW: And this crowd are on their feet for what was an incredible spectacle. Masa Tchyukiro advances into the quarter-finals.



Tchyukiro stands and has his arm raised, Sato entering the ring to congratulate him. As Shihei stands too, Tchyukiro moves towards him. Shihei tenses and squares up to Tchyukiro, but Tchyukiro pats him on the back and grabs his arm, raising it for the crowd. They cheer for Shihei, who turns and bows to Tchyukiro before leaving him in the ring.



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MW: And now, I think it’s safe to say, it’s time for something completely different.

SD: Aaron Williams was expecting Jace Mason or Artemis Evans but instead he was given a very interesting opponent. James Saturn is making his return to FPW after quite some time away and I’ll be fascinated to see what he can do.

MW: Saturn is known for his aerial ability and we know that Aaron Williams enjoys facing high flyers. Remember his very first match in FPW against Zachary Bates? And his Free-1 classic with Marcus Allen Jones? If this match is anything like those, we’re in for a real treat.

SD: I’m intrigued to see how James Saturn has developed since the last time he wrestled here. He was around in FPW for quite some time, had a few main event matches- most notably against Graham Baker early last year- but seemed to drift off a little after those matches. Has he come back hungry to get to the top of FPW or will he be content to pick up his paycheck and not give everything he can?

MW: And will he still be the same cocky person he was when he left or will he show a bit of humility? I’m sure the fans are pleased to have such a good wrestler back in FPW, but will they like him by the end of this match?

SD: I don’t think it matters if they like him or not. It certainly doesn’t matter to Williams. It will matter whether or not he wins.

MW: Let’s just talk about Aaron Williams for a moment. He had a very interesting encounter at his seminar yesterday.

SD: Si, Armondo and Parker have been blackballed by almost every wrestling promotion in the world. They took down several British promotions, came over to the US and were quickly found out for the kind of thuggish people they are. I thought Williams dealt with them as well as he could have been expected to.

MW: Obviously they’re here for Wrestlemania weekend, but if they’ve chosen FPW as their next target, we need to be careful.

SD: If they’ve chosen FPW as their next target, we need to make sure we amp up security. These men have no qualms about doing whatever they want to do, and what they want to do tends to be fairly brutal. They’re entirely out to serve their own ends and, while I respect someone who knows how to get what they want, these guys go too far almost every time they step into an arena, or a parking lot, or anywhere really. We don’t want any part of them.

MW: I’m sure Aaron Williams has put them out of his mind and is focussed on his opponent for tonight. Let’s get to ringside.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is our penultimate contest of the night and is scheduled for one-fall. Introducing first, he is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a former two-time Ring of Honor Champion and a champion all over the world, this is ‘A Plus’… Aaron Williams!”



‘I Still Believe’ begins and Aaron Williams enters the arena, arms out-stretched and singing along to the song. The fans join him and it rings out around the arena as he jumps up and calls for them to get even louder. Williams then begins to come down the ramp and slap hands with the fans while still singing loudly to Frank Turner. He reaches the ring and moves all the way around it, seeing a young fan wearing a New Day t-shirt. He gyrates for a moment before laughing and handing the fan a marker pen. The fan uncaps the pen, thinks for a moment and then writes ‘Mason v Williams @ Uprising?’ Williams nods his head, tousles the kid’s hair and enters the ring, shaking hands with the official and with Dasha. He then takes off his t-shirt to reveal kinesiology tape all over his back after his brutal cage match at Opening Day.



“And his opponent, making his return to Freedom Pro Wrestling… from Portland, Oregon… he is known as ‘The Paragon’… James Saturn!”



‘White Knuckles’ plays and the fans cheer as Saturn enters the arena. He swaggers through the curtain and nods to himself before slowly turning around to reveal the back of his t-shirt, which reads ‘I’m only here because Houston gave me more money’. The cheers turn to boos fairly quickly as Saturn stands with his back to the ring and his middle fingers raised to the fans. He then turns and slowly struts down the ramp, mocking some of the fans who talk trash to him. As he reaches the ring, he looks up at Williams and gives him a disparaging look before jumping onto the apron and somersaulting over the top rope. He lands and smirks as he looks Williams up and down.



Match 7: Aaron Williams vs. James Saturn:



As the bell rings, a loud ‘Aa-ron Will-iams’ fills the arena. Williams points to all of the fans as Saturn leans against the top rope and sarcastically claps along to the rhythm. Williams raises his eyebrows before coming forward to lock up. Saturn comes forward to and the two lock-up strongly, Saturn grabbing a headlock and taking Williams over. Williams gets his legs up and locks in a headscissors, which Saturn kicks out of with his legs. Both of them spring to their feet and Williams takes Saturn down with an arm drag before locking him in an arm bar. Saturn kips up and grabs the top rope before flipping over and pulling Williams down with an arm drag of his own. The two men pause and stare each other down as the fans clap the early exchange.



Williams pushes up to his feet and nods before the two lock-up again. They jockey for position for a few moments and then Williams locks in a headlock of his own. He maintains his grip as Saturn pushes him into the ropes and then pushes him off, Williams hitting the ropes. Saturn drops down and Williams leaps over him, before Saturn leapfrogs him as he comes back again. Williams comes back a third time but Saturn takes him down with a calf kick. Saturn then grabs Williams and whips him into the ropes again, this time taking him down with a clothesline. He then sits him up and backs into the ropes, looking for a running knee, only for Williams to drop down, kip up and take Saturn down with a mid-kick as he stands. Saturn hits the mat and rolls out of the ring to the outside, only for Williams to hit the ropes and take him down with a suicide dive. Williams stands and calls for the crowd to get loud.



MW: A fast-pace to this start.

SD: As you’d expect from these two. What an entrance from James Saturn by the way!

MW: Well he certainly answered my earlier question. He’s still that cocky asshole he always was.

SD: Cockier, I’d say.

MW: Maybe so.

SD: And I love it!

MW: Surprise, surprise.



Williams grabs Saturn and pulls him up, looking to send him back into the ring, but Saturn elbows his way out of Williams’ grip and pulls him in for an inverted atomic drop. Williams staggers away and Saturn connects with a step-up enzeguiri to send him to his knees. Saturn then grabs Williams and whips him into the guardrail before running in with a knee strike. Williams doubles over and Saturn grabs his arm, wringing it and wrenching on it. He then steps up onto the guardrail and walks a few paces before coming down with a chop to drop Williams. Saturn poses for the fans, who boo him loudly, before he smirks and shurgs the boos off.



He grabs Williams and pulls him up, rolling him back into the ring. Saturn then climbs up to the top rope and stalks Williams as he pushes himself up to his feet. He comes down with a hard diving clothesline before making the first cover of the match.



One…

Two-



Williams kicks out. Saturn slowly pulls him up and drapes an arm over him, lifting him and delivering a vertical suplex. He then pulls Williams up again and whips him into the corner. He follows him in with a running big boot and Williams slides down the turnbuckles to a seated position. Saturn looks at him and signs for a cannonball, which the fans instantly boo. Saturn backs away and then charges at Williams, launching himself, but only connecting with the turnbuckles as Williams scrambles out of the way at the final moment. Williams quickly springs up and he lifts Saturn, landing a couple of hard kicks to the chest before sending him into the ropes and taking him down with a dropkick.



MW: Hard dropkick from Aaron Williams.

SD: James Saturn maybe got a little too cocky for his own good trying to do one of Williams’ patented moves.

MW: That attitude has cost him before so it’s no surprise that it cost him again there.

SD: But he’s done some damage, and Williams clearly isn’t feeling one hundred percent.

MW: I think anyone would still be feeling the effects of some of those dives that he went for.



Williams springs back up again, a hand going instinctively to his back, before pulling Saturn up. He whips him into the corner and goes for a big splash, but Saturn avoids it. Williams blocks himself from running into the turnbuckles, but Saturn drives a hard forearm into his lower back. Williams arches his back and Saturn lands another before connecting with a back-cracker. He makes a cover.



One…

Two-



Williams kicks out. Saturn stands and stalks Williams. As he awkwardly gets to one knee, Saturn lands a hard kick to the back again. Saturn then pulls him in for a back suplex and makes another cover.



One…

Two-



Williams kicks out again. Saturn lifts him to a seated position and then pushes up onto the middle rope. He comes down with a missile dropkick to Williams’ back. Williams arches it again and tries to push up, but Saturn pulls him in for another vertical suplex. Saturn looks out to the fans and laughs as they begin to boo him once again. He looks down at the pain etched on Williams’ face before standing. He slowly reaches down to pull Williams up, and he wrings his arm again, wrenching it hard. He lands a kick to the chest and drives another forearm into Williams’ back.



Saturn maintains his grip on the wrist and he steps up the turnbuckles. He walks the top rope, just like he did the gurardrail earlier. He comes down and aims a blow to the back, but Williams ducks and Saturn rolls through, Williams maintaining the grip on his wrist. Willias pulls him in for a mid-kick, but Saturn ducks it and slides behind Williams, maintaining the grip once more. He pulls Williams in for a pump-handle slam, but Williams drops down behind him. Saturn turns and Williams kicks him in the gut, pulling him in for a powerbomb backbreaker. Williams rolls away and arches his back.



MW: What a sequence of counters!

SD: And Aaron Williams with the desperation move to get himself back into this one.

MW: But he can’t capitalise.

SD: Saturn has done a good job of making sure of that.

MW: Both men trying to get to their feet before the other.



Each man makes it to their feet at the same time and advance towards one another. Saturn aims a clothesline but Williams ducks it. He lands a mid-kick to stagger Saturn and then connects with a discus clothesline to take him down. Williams pulls Saturn to his feet and drapes an arm over him, looking to pull him up for a vertical suplex, but he can’t manage it due to his back. Saturn frees himself and grabs Williams’ legs, taking him down and looking to lock in Saturn’s Walls. Williams frantically tries to resist and stop Saturn from turning him, managing to block it for long enough that Saturn loosens his grip to land a right hand. Williams, however, pulls Saturn into a small package.



One…

Two…

Th-



Saturn escapes. The two men scramble to their feet. Williams lands a superkick to the gut and tries to pull Saturn in for A Triple Plus, but Saturn frees his arms and takes Williams down by the legs again, this time managing to lock in Saturn’s Walls. Williams grits his teeth as Saturn sits deeper and deeper, applying more and more pressure to his lower back. The fans call out for Williams to dig deep and he tries to get to the ropes. He inches his way slowly towards them as Saturn tries to resist as much as he can. Slowly but surely, Williams manages to get towards the rope and he grasps the bottom one, forcing the official to get the hold broken.



Saturn releases the hold but he doesn’t give Williams much time to catch his breath, instead pulling him up and whipping him into the corner. Saturn charges after him and lands a running knee, before rolling Williams out of the corner. He repositions him and then climbs to the top rope, pausing for a moment before leaping off for the Saturnsault. Williams, however, manages to roll out of the way and Saturn lands hard in the middle of the ring. Williams pulls himself up on the ropes and watches as Saturn fights his way to his feet. He unleashes a hard kick to Saturn’s back before lifting him and delivering a brainbuster to his knee. He makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Saturn kicks out. Williams grabs his back as the adrenaline drops after hitting the big move. He pauses before pulling Saturn up. He then whips Saturn into the corner and follows up with a big splash. He calls for the fans to make noise and he backs away and hits another and another and another, the fans building to a frenzy. After Williams hits his fifth splash, Saturn staggers a couple of steps before dropping to a seated position. Williams then backs up again and charges at Saturn, connecting hard with a cannonball. However, Williams has to pause as his back took a big impact. After a moment to recover, he hauls himself up on the ropes and climbs up to the top. He looks for the usual swan-ton to finish the sequence, but Saturn has time to get his knees up and drive them right into Williams’ back.



MW: That has to have done a lot of damage!

SD: For someone who’s already in a lot of pain, falling onto a pair of knees like that doesn’t do any good whatsoever.

MW: And now Saturn looking to take advantage.

SD: But he’ll be suffering too. Williams has certainly got his shots in in this match as well.



Saturn stands and stalks Williams. As Williams slowly pulls himself up on the ropes, Saturn readies himself and he explodes with a superkick, but Williams catches it. Saturn aims an enzeguiri but Williams ducks that too. He then grabs both legs and lifts Saturn before dumping him onto the top rope, Saturn facing out of the ring. Williams looks around to the fans, who partly cheer but also partly tell him not to do what he looks like he’s considering. Williams nods and then climbs up onto the top rope. He looks at Saturn hanging out of the ring and takes a deep breath before delivering a 450-splash to leave both of them down on the outside.



MW: What does he think he’s doing!

SD: Aaron Williams with a suicidal move. He surely won’t be able to answer a ten count.

MW: He might have just taken both of them out of the tournament.



The official check on both men before getting back into the ring and beginning his count.



1……….

2……….

3……….



Neither man stirs.



4……….

5……….

6……….



Saturn begins to ty and shake off the cobwebs and Williams’ hand moves to his lower back.



7……….



Saturn reaches up and grips the apron. Williams tries to push himself up, but he collapses.



8……….



Saturn manages to push himself back into the ring. Williams reaches up but seems unable to take his own weight.



9…



Williams grabs the bottom rope and tries to haul himself up.



…



He pushes up onto the apron and just gets into the ring.



MW: I thought that was it for sure!

SD: It wasn’t then, but I don’t think this match will last for much longer.

MW: Whoever wins this match will be struggling tomorrow that’s for sure.

SD: And here comes Saturn!



Saturn stands and pulls Williams up with him. He takes a couple of steps back and goes for a superkick, but Williams drops down to his knees from the pain in his back, dodging the impact. Saturn instead connects with a superkick to the back of Williams’ head and then rolls him over for a cover.



One…

Two…

Thre-



Williams just gets a shoulder up and the fans explode. Saturn looks down at him in disbelief before climbing to the top rope. He comes down with a Saturnsault, but Williams gets his knees up! Saturn grabs his gut and rolls away as another loud ‘Aa-ron Will-iams’ chant fills the arena. Williams uses the adrenaline that it gives him to push himself up and moves over towards Saturn. He tries to lift him, but Saturn reaches down and grabs the legs again. He turns Williams and looks to lock in Saturn’s Walls, but Williams manages to rolls through, grabbing Saturn’s arms and trapping them before lifting him and delivering A Triple Plus. He falls into a cover.



One…

Two…

Three.



Winner: Aaron Williams (21:37).



MW: What a victory!

SD: Aaron Williams overcomes James Saturn and his own back to become our seventh quarter-finalist.

MW: James Saturn did all that he could, but he couldn’t get the win on his first day back in FPW.

SD: Aaron Williams will surely go into the quarter-finals at a disadvantage. His back must be causing him agony.



Williams struggles to his feet to have his arm raised as Saturn rolls under the bottom rope to be helped away up the ramp. Williams points all around him to the fans and raises a hand to them before stepping through the ropes.



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MW: Well that was certainly a great match but this… this is a match I still feel a little awkward about.

SD: Why? It’s a match between two wrestlers-

MW: Come on, Steven. After what happened between the two of them at Judgement Day II? Berry only agreed to wrestle Jerry because she thought she could get her brother back.

SD: Her brother never went anywhere. He’s been here from our very first match and now he’s in our latest match.

MW: You know what I mean. Jerry Bishop has undergone a transformation to the point where he’s unrecognisable to all of us, and most of all to his sister Berry. What she must be going through ahead of this match…

SD: Botiatus is telling her to treat this like a normal match against anybody else. If-

MW: But how can she really do that? Even if she does manage to wrestle parts of this match by instinct, as if she were facing anybody else, she’ll have moments where she realises who it is she’s facing. Even if the man in that ring isn’t the brother she came to know and love… I can’t imagine how hard it will be.

SD: Well I know that Jerry will be ready for it.

MW: Seeing as he forced her to tap out to the Chelsea Smile at Judgement Day II when he really didn’t need to… I’m sure he will be.



“Ladies and gentlemen… the following contest is a singles match scheduled for- for one-fall. Introducing first… from Kansas City, Missouri… ‘The J- The J-‘…. Jerry Bishop.”



‘Shine My Shoes’ begins and the fans boo loudly before Jerry even enters the arena. As he steps through the curtains, the boos intensify but he moves down the ramp ignoring them. He focusses on the ring ahead of him, sliding in once he reaches the bottom of the ramp and walking past Dasha Banks, as always refusing to meet her eyes. He looks out at all of the fans as they continue to boo him loudly.



SD: A big part of the transformation to The Joker came from the crowd’s reactions to Berry. I’m sure all of that is flooding back to Jerry Bishop as he stands in that ring right now.

MW: Forgive me for not feeling sorry for him.



“And his opponent… from New Haven, Connecticut… she is a former Freedom Champion! The Bombshell! Berry!! Bishop!!!!”



As ‘The Entertainer’ begins, the fans begin to cheer loudly. Berry walks through the curtain, bowing deeply as a loud ‘Be-rry Bi-shop’ chant drowns out the music. As she straightens up, a tear trickles down her cheek and the camera turns to Jerry, who isn’t looking at her. Berry shakes her head and walks down the ramp normally, the chant dissipating and the fans simply trying to encourage her. She reaches the ring and sighs, stepping up the steps and entering through the ropes. As she stands facing her brother, Dasha Banks walks over to her and gives her a long hug before the official taps Dasha on the shoulder and asks her to leave the ring. Dasha looks at Berry, whispers something in her ear, and gives Jerry a hateful look before leaving the ring for the match to start.



Match 8: Jerry Bishop vs. Berry Bishop:



As the bell rings, Jerry steps forward and looks Berry in the eyes for the first time. She returns his look, her eyes swimming with pain. The two have an intense stare-down for a few moments before Jerry begins to let out a loud laugh, causing Berry’s face to turn from pained to shocked. Jerry then comes forward and beckons Berry to lock-up with him. She begins to come forward, but then she stops and turns away. She moves over to the ropes and shakes her head. The fans, who have been quiet up until this point, begin to shout for her, encouraging her loudly. She looks around the arena and then back to Jerry, who stands laughing in the centre of the storm of noise.



Berry moves forward, but again she turns away, unable to lock-up with Jerry. She shakes her head and steps through the ropes, dropping to the outside. Jerry laughs again as Berry stares up at him, another tear rolling down her cheek.



MW: This is a very difficult situation.

SD: The official needs to start a count. If she doesn’t want to wrestle, fine, but she can’t keep holding up the match.

MW: That’s not… have you not got a heart, Steven? Can you not feel her pain? Her conflict?

SD: Of course I can, but this is serious business.

MW: And so is family. Whatever has happened, they still are family. Berry hasn’t forgotten that.



As Berry continues to stand on the outside looking up at her brother, Dasha Banks stands up and comes over to her. She grasps Berry’s hand whispers in her ear some more. A ‘Be-rry Bi-shop’ chant breaks out again and gets louder and louder and louder. Berry looks around the arena at all of the fans chanting for her and she seems to grow, nodding to Dasha, who remains by the side of the ring as Berry steps back onto the apron and through the ropes.



Once she gets into the ring, she bounces up and down a little before coming to the middle of the ring and locking up with Jerry. She drives him back a few steps before he catches her and stops her momentum. He looks to grab a headlock but Berry takes his wrist and brings it up behind him, landing a kick to his thigh. He reels away as Berry looks at him with fire in her eyes. The fans cheer loudly as she comes forward again, locking up with Jerry and then locking in a headlock of her own. He forces her back into the ropes and tries to push her off but she manages to maintain her grip, keeping the hold locked in and forcing Jerry to his knees. Berry releases her hold and then backs into the ropes before coming off with a dropkick to take Jerry down. She makes a cover.



One…

T-



Jerry kicks out, but the fans chant Berry’s name even louder as she stands, unleashing a series of kicks to his chest.



MW: Yes! Berry Bishop letting out all of her frustration with Jerry Bishop over the last year.

SD: She’s really coming out with an intensity I haven’t seen from her in a long time.

MW: I don’t know what Dasha Banks said to her, but that and these fans seem to have really lit a fire under her and turned her from very much unwilling to engage with her brother to desperate to take him down!



Berry pulls Jerry up and whips him into the corner. She follows him in and connects with a high knee before turning it into a monkey flip. Berry springs to her feet and lands another kick to Jerry’s back as he tries to get up. He arches his back and Berry pulls him up, looking for an exploder suplex. Jerry, however, blocks it, lifting Berry and driving her into the corner. He drives a shoulder into her gut before grabbing her head and stepping up the ropes, landing a tornado DDT. He takes a moment to recover in the corner as Berry lies on the canvas.



Jerry then stands, looking down at his sister with a troubled look in his eyes. He reaches down to pull her up but she lands a hard kick to his head and he staggers back as Berry pushes herself to her feet. She grabs a headlock and looks for a running bulldog, but Jerry shoves her away and she lands hard on the canvas. Jerry then hits the ropes and takes her down hard with a sliding forearm. He makes a cover.



One…

Tw-



Berry kicks out. Dasha bangs the mat and the fans cheer, but Jerry cuts them off with a mocking kick of his own, connecting with Berry’s chest. He then reaches down to pick her up and he grabs a headlock of his own before connecting with his own running bulldog. He rolls under the bottom rope and pulls himself up on the ropes, waiting for Berry to make it to her feet. As she does, he springs up onto the top rope and connects with a springboard forearm. Jerry stands and looks down at Berry again, this time letting out another loud laugh as the fans boo him loudly.



MW: Jerry Bishop taking pleasure from hurting his little sister.

SD: She started bringing the fire to this match. Jerry is merely returning it.

MW: But look at him. This is sickening.

SD: Sickening? It’s a wrestling match, Watson. He wants to win it. What do you expect him to do? Lay down and let her win because she’s a Bishop?

MW: Well, no, but… I’d expect a little less joy from beating up his sister.

SD: She signed a contract here. She knew this could happen.



Jerry reaches down and pulls Berry to her feet again and sets her up for the float-over neckbreaker. He drops her to the mat and she sits up, grabbing the back of her neck. Again Jerry lands a mocking kick to her chest before another to her back. He then steps through the ropes as Berry begins to push her way up to her feet. He slingshots over the top rope and takes Berry down with a slingshot DDT. He makes another cover.



One…

Two…

T-



Berry kicks out. Jerry stands and looks to pull Berry up with him, but she connects with a forearm to his gut and the fans begin to cheer again. She lands another before pushing up to her feet. She connects with a spinning back kick to Jerry’s gut and looks for a bulldog again, only for Jerry to slip his head out and shove Berry into the corner. She connects hard with the turnbuckles and then Jerry comes in and whips her across to the opposite corner. He runs in and connects with a running dropkick. Berry bounces off the turnbuckles and staggers. Jerry again lands a mocking kick to her back. She drops to her knees and he lands another to her chest. Berry grits her teeth and looks up at him as he kicks her again. She grits her teeth again and he goes for another kick, but she pushes up and goes forehead to forehead with him, breathing deeply.



Jerry aims a forearm at her, but she blocks it and lands a couple of her own. She whips him across the ring and then takes him down with a dropkick. Berry stands and looks down at Dasha, who bangs the mat hard for her, before looking out to all of the fans. They cheer loudly for her as she grabs Jerry and pulls him towards her, lifting him up for the Berry Buster. Howeverr, Jerry manages to counter at the last minute into a DDT. He makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Berry gets a shoulder up. Jerry looks up at the fans who respond with boos. He begins to laugh again before reaching down and pulling Berry up. He kicks her in the gut and connects with a parallel snapmare. He then hits the ropes to complete the Touchstone Takedown with a penalty kick, but Berry catches it! She rises up, Jerry’s boot grasped in her hand. She then whirls him around and connects with a roundhouse kick before landing a parallel snapmare of her own. She then hits the ropes and connects with her own penalty kick, but then she follows through, hits the ropes, comes back again and lands a second penalty kick. She drops down and hooks both of Jerry’s legs.



One…

Two…

Thre-



No! Jerry just gets a shoulder up and Dasha drops back from coming in to celebrate with Berry.



MW: Thr- No!

SD: That was one of the closest three-counts I’ve ever seen!

MW: Berry Bishop so close to the biggest victory of her life!

SD: And these fans are stunned too.

MW: The silence in this arena after that kick out. It’s like Jerry sucked all of the air out of this place by getting that shoulder up.



The silence slowly turns to a wave of noise which builds and builds as Berry stands. She stalks Jerry as he struggles to his feet too. She leaps up onto the middle rope and connects with a disaster kick which staggers him before pulling him in for a Northern Lights suplex, bridging for the pin.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Jerry again manages to get a shoulder up. Berry stands and calls for Jerry to get to his feet as well. She pulls him in and looks to get him up for a Berry Buster again, but Jerry drives an elbow hard into the back of her neck and drops down. Berry staggers back a little and Jerry drops her with a rolling elbow. He takes a moment to record from Berry’s flurry of offense before moving towards the corner and pushing himself up onto the middle turnbuckle. As Berry stands, Jerry comes off with a blockbuster. He makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Berry kicks out. Jerry stands and pulls Berry to her feet, looking to trap her arms for Last Laugh, but she frees herself, gripping Jerry’s wrist and connecting with another roundhouse kick. Jerry staggers and Berry pulls him towards her for a hard elbow strike. He drops to his knees and she lands a buzzsaw kick which almost takes his head off. She makes another cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Jerry gets a shoulder up again and the fans again drop to their chair in disappointment.



MW: So close again!

SD: But so far!

MW: And now… Berry looks like she’s readying herself.

SD: If she hits this, it’s over. But Jerry knows that. There’s no way he’ll let her hit Checkmate.

MW: Berry Bishop coiling herself… Jerry’s up. Checkmate!

SD: No. Jerry ducks.

MW: Jerry with the rolling elbow. But Berry ducks and… Checkmaaaaaaaaaaaaate!

SD: No!

MW: Berry’s done it. She’s done it! One………. Two………. Thre-

SD: I don’t believe it!



Jerry gets his shoulder up at the absolute last moment and Berry rises up, hands on her head and eyes filled with disbelief. She looks over to Dasha Banks, who’s also in shock, as are all of the fans. She then backs away a little and looks down at Jerry, who is rolling slowly over to the ropes. Dasha yells for Berry to hit it again and she nods, coiling herself up just behind Jerry. As he pulls himself up and turns, she unleashes another Checkmate, but Jerry ducks it, traps her arms and drops her with Last Laugh. He rolls away, head still swimming from Berry’s kicks. The fans go silent once again as Jerry slowly drags himself over to make the cover.



One…

Two…

Thre-



The arena comes unstuck as Berry gets a shoulder up! Dasha leaps up in the air and bangs the mat as hard as she can as Jerry looks up at the official in disbelief this time. He slowly makes his way to his feet, looking down at Berry as she struggles to pull herself up on the ropes. Dasha warns her as Jerry positons himself behind her. She turns right into a right hand. Jerry then grabs her by the wirst and completes The Punchline. He looks down as the official positions himself to make the cover, but instead, just like at Judgement Day II, Jerry cuts a smile across his lips. The fans scream abuse as he grabs Berry and pulls her into the Chelsea Smile. Berry, no energy left, can’t resist. Dasha bangs the mat as hard as she can again but Berry is left with no choice but to tap out.



Winner: Jerry Bishop (21:10).



MW: I don’t believe that bastard has done it again.

SD: Whoa there, Watson.

MW: Well that’s what he is. I’m sorry but he makes me so damn angry.

SD: I know… I get it…

MW: Jerry Bishop is our final quarter-finalist.



The fans boo heavily as Jerry releases the hold and has his arm raised. Dasha reaches into the ring and helps Berry out of it. She drops down to the floor on the outside and Dasha wraps her in a hug. Meanwhile, Jerry cuts his lips into a smile again and lets out another booming laugh, the fans spitting venom at him as the camera cuts backstage.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Jim Houston sits behind his desk.



“I’m not sure that’s the way that most people were hoping to see this show end, but be that as it may, we’ve now got our eight quarter-finalists. Clutch McCloud, Liz Karlson, Marcus Allen Jones, MDE, Bobby O, Masa Tchyukiro, Aaron Williams and Jerry Bishop. Tomorrow afternoon we will cut these eight in half before the semi-finals and final on Sunday. I will now perform the draw for the quarter-finals.”



Houston places eight balls into a tombola and gives it a spin. He reaches in and pulls out the first name.



“The first name out will be… MDE.”



Houston reaches in and pulls out another name.



“And MDE will face… hmmm… Bobby O.”



Houston reaches in again and pulls out the first name of the second match.



“Our second match will see… Aaron Williams…”



Another ball is drawn.



“And he will face… Clutch McCloud.”



Houston places Clutch’s name down next to Williams’ and reaches in again.



“Our third quarter-final will see… Marcus Allen Jones.”



He reaches in for a sixth time.



“And Marcus will face… Liz Karlson.”



He reaches in again.



“And that means… Masa Tchyukiro…”



He takes out the final name.



“Will face Jerry Bishop.”



He places Jerry’s name on his board and turns back to the camera.



“So just to confirm, our four quarter-finals will be:



MDE versus Bobby O

Aaron Williams versus Clutch McCloud

Marcus Allen Jones versus Liz Karlson

Masa Tchyukiro versus Jerry Bishop



I’ll see you all tomorrow afternoon. Thank you for joining us.”