All Star Tag Team Classic III

[Jim Houston]

The show begins with a blank screen before a voiceover starts-up.



“The All Star Tag Team Classic. A place where great tag teams are born-“



The video shows a shot of The House of Berry and Bo and a shot of Jace Mason and Aaron Williams.



“and a place where established teams become legends.”



The video cuts to show The Queendom and The Dogs of War.



“For the All Star Tag Team Classic is the ultimate in tag team competition, where established teams and dream combinations come together to earn the ultimate prize. For one team, a hellacious night will end in victory and a shot at eternal glory as they challenge the FPW Tag Team Champions, safe in the knowledge that their names are etched in FPW history. For the others, failure and disappointment.”



The video switches focus to old footage of Jerry Bishop and Super Che Junior teaming together.



“But for some teams, the ending is much worse than disappointment. For some tag teams, the ending is bloody and hate-filled. For one team in particular, the ending will either be the joyous victory of light over dark, or a further darkening of the FPW landscape. For The League of Friendmigos has returned to help its former member return to the light. But will the devil sitting on Jerry Bishop’s shoulder allow the light to flood in, or will it drag him further into the depths of depravity in which he resides?”



The video changes again, showing Marcus Allen Jones, James Saturn, Bobby O and Elizabeth Karlson.



“For others, the trials and tribulations of tag teams are to be forgotten, for their quarrels are much more singular. A man who feels undervalued; a man who believes he deserves the spotlight; a man who will do anything to prove himself. He takes on a man who many believe to be the brightest star in the sky, out for revenge after a cheap victory and a sneak attack. A man who has never competed in FPW’s biggest tournament, who believes himself to be the saviour of FPW. A woman who wishes to step back to her former glory. A battle of two egos for one spot.



“Welcome to All Star Tag Team Classic III.”



MW: Welcome indeed to All Star Tag Team Classic III. This is always one of the biggest nights on the FPW calendar and what a night it will be.

SD: Three huge tournament matches and an FPW Championship match which could prove to be one of the most emotional matches FPW has ever seen.

MW: Add in a Free-1 qualifier and Marcus Allen Jones versus James Saturn and this could go down as one of the best shows of 2020. I’m Mike Watson alongside Steven Deville, and tonight is the night where tag team wrestling takes over FPW. Steven, what do you make of our final four?

SD: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Death Squad, The Suplex Sweethearts, Jerry Bishop and MDE, Revolution-X. If they were our final four, nobody would be complaining, but they’re a list of teams who didn’t make it this far. Our final four are an elite club of two top class tag teams and two dream-teams looking to prove that they can stand up to the top teams in the division.

MW: But this isn’t just about the All Star Tag Team Classic. Jerry Bishop defends the FPW Championship, which has been called the devil on his shoulder by his opponent and the rest of the Friendmigos, against his former partner, and best friend, Super Che Junior.

SD: A match I’m not sure anyone ever expected to see. A match which will pit two former superheroes against one another and match, I’m sorry to say, that will not have a happy ending if you’re rooting for the Junior to defeat the Joker.

MW: And of course there are other huge matches on the card for tonight, but let’s get right into the first match. The Queendom opened the All Star Tag Team Classic with a victory over Danica Jane and Russ Bolt. They’ve been on a good run this year and they’re confident that it will continue in this tournament. What do you make of their chances tonight?

SD: When I saw the bracket, I expected the winner to come from this half, and I still do. The Queendom are as fluid a team as I have ever seen in FPW and I believe they can go all the way. However, Jace Mason and Aaron Williams are both incredibly motivated. Mason has a huge amount of history with The Queendom and Aaron Williams… well, anyone who saw his emotional interview eight days ago will know just how much tonight is going to mean to him.

MW: Indeed they will. Aaron Williams is someone who gives everything he has in every match and Jace Mason is much the same. Will that be to their advantage tonight given that they could be having two matches, or could it lead to them being unable to perform in our final if they get that far?

SD: That is a legitimate question and not one that I think hangs over the heads of The Queendom. They have to be able to leave something in reserve for the final, but I think if they try to do so, they’ll be wrestling very much out of their normal style and out of their normal rhythm. However, if they go all out, I think The Queendom’s natural chemistry and ability to manipulate the match to their needs will see them find a way to overcome Mason and Williams.

MW: So you’re picking Donovan and Lopez?

SD: Reluctantly, I am. But I’m nailing down that I do think the winner of this tournament comes from this next match.

MW: Well it’s time to find out. Let’s get to Dasha Banks at ringside.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is the first semi-final of All Star Tag Team Classic III. Introducing first, qualifying for the semi-finals after a victory over Russ Bolt and Danica Jane, they are from Puebla, Mexico and San Diego, California respectively, ‘The White Queen’ Myra Lopez, ‘The Black Queen’ Thea Donovan… The Queendom!”



The fans boo as ‘Checkmate’ rings out throughout the arena. ‘Hammer to Fall’ plays and Lopez and Donovan step through the curtain, looking round at the fans. Lopez gives the fans a dismissive stare while Donovan extends her arms and calls for the crowd to voice their opinion, which they do, continuing to boo loudly. The two of them walk down the ramp, Lopez in the lead with an air of haughty dismissiveness while Donovan happily exchanges words with a few of the fans. The Queendom reach the bottom of the ramp and they nod to one another before sliding into the ring and moving over to one corner, Donovan continuing to trash talk even as their music comes to an end.



“And their opponents, qualifying for the semi-finals after victory over MDE and the current FPW Champion… they are from Seattle, Washington and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania respectively… ‘The Eternal Student’ Jace Mason and ‘A Plus’ Aaron Williams!”



An ‘A Plus Stu-dents’ chant fills the arena before the intro to ‘Afterlife’ plays. As it ends, Jace Mason steps through the curtain and stands in his normal pose as pyro explodes and mingles with the fans’ cheers. He looks around the arena with a smile and then steps to the side, pointing at the curtain. The music changes to ‘I Still Believe’, and the fans instantly begin to sing along as Aaron Williams steps through. He stands in silence as the fans belt out the words before turning to reveal ‘HK’ on the back of his trunks. He and Jace share a nod and fist bump as the instrumental comes to an end. As the words come back, Williams screams to the fans and leads them louder than ever. He and Mason burst down the ramp, slapping as many hands as they can. As they reach the ring, Mason climbs up and into his usual pose on the turnbuckle while Williams allows a fan to write ‘#bethelight’ on his knee pad. Williams enters the ring and Mason drops down, the two of them each shaking hands with Dasha and the official before looking over at Donovan and Lopez, who smile arrogantly.



MW: Well that was a special entrance. Aaron Williams is clearly fired up tonight.

SD: The ‘HK’ on the back of his trunks a reference to Hana Kimura, who we tragically lost just over a week ago.

MW: Aaron Williams is always such a proponent of wrestling being a light in dark times, and I know that’s what is pushing him on tonight.

SD: He sees himself as the light, but The Queendom won’t care one bit. They’ll be happy for Mason and Williams to entertain the fans while they pick up the victory that takes them one step closer to fulfilling their destiny and become Tag Team Champions.



Match 1: All Star Tag Team Classic III: Semi-Final 1: The Queendom vs. Jace Mason and Aaron Williams:



The match begins with Myra Lopez and Aaron Williams facing one another across the ring. As the bell rings, they quickly come forward and lock up, Williams looking for a headlock but Lopez countering by grabbing the wrist. She tries to bring it up Williams’ back but he twists himself free and grabs a headlock, this time taking Lopez over instantly. She locks in a quick head-scissors and Williams kicks his way free. They each scramble to their feet and Lopez takes Williams down with an arm drag, locking in an arm bar, which Williams rolls through to escape from. He grabs an arm and wrings it, but Lopez also rolls through, pulling Williams in for a headlock. He forces her into the ropes and shoves her off, pushing her into the opposite ropes. She comes back at him but he leapfrogs her. As she comes back again, he jumps up and takes her down with a dropkick. Lopez rolls over to her corner and makes a tag as Williams stands, basking in the applause of the fans for the fast-paced opening exchange.



MW: I don’t remember seeing Aaron Williams this fired up in quite some time.

SD: But Myra Lopez is an intelligent wrestler. She knew that making the tag was the right thing to do and she did it. Tag team intelligence is what will see The Queendom through this match, no matter how fired up their opponents might be.



Thea Donovan slowly steps through the ropes and she and Williams circle one another. They lock-up, jockeying for position for a few moments before Donovan begins to force Williams back into a neutral corner. At the last moment, he turns her, forcing her into the corner and breaking the lock-up, landing a couple of hard chops. He pulls her out of the corner and drapes an arm over her, looking to lift her into position for a vertical suplex, but, as he does, Lopez reaches in and grabs Donovan’s ankle, pulling her free. Jace Mason immediately enters the ring, as does Lopez, and the four of them face one another down. The official stands between them as the fans buzz with excitement.



MW: Jace Mason knows what The Queendom will try to do in a match like this and he’s straight in to stop it.

SD: These two have obviously done their homework. They know they have to match up as a team rather than as two sets of one-on-ones like they could in their quarter-final. But knowing it and doing it are very different things.



The official regains control as Mason and Lopez back out of the ring, leaving Williams and Donovan to circle one another again. They lock up a second time, Donovan again forcing Williams back. Williams tries to turn her again, but she’s ready for it, grabbing him by the back of the neck and pulling him down, driving him head-first into the middle turnbuckle. Williams rests there for a moment and Donovan drives her foot into the back of his head. The official gives her a count but she takes as much of it as she can before releasing him. Donovan doesn’t give him time to recover, grabbing Williams into a waistlock and pulling him up, then dragging him towards The Queendom’s corner. She lifts him and drives him face-first into the mat, holding him there as she reaches up and tags in Lopez.



Lopez enters the ring and traps Williams’ head between her legs, twisting hard to jar his neck. The official orders Donovan out of the ring and Lopez then drops a knee into his lower back, grabbing him by the chin and pulling him up, keeping the knee forced into his back. Williams grimaces and Mason calls for him to fight her off. She releases her grip before stomping hard on the back and then dragging Williams up. She kicks him in the gut and looks to lock in an octopus stretch, but Williams quickly drops down and scrambles between her legs, driving over to the corner and making the tag to Jace Mason.



Mason enters the ring quickly, ducking a spinning leg lariat from Lopez and connecting with a spinning gut kick. He takes a step back and kicks out her leg before hitting the ropes and landing a dropkick to her head. Lopez tries to roll under the ropes but Mason grabs her and stops her, lifting her up and looking for an STO. Lopez, however, elbows him hard in the side of the head and tries to transition into some kind of DDT, but Mason lifts her and shoves her off. She lands on her feet and steps forward but she’s met with a hard forearm which sends her reeling into the corner. Mason then connects with a series of chops before dragging her out of the corner and connecting with a snapmare. He hits the ropes for the penalty kick but Donovan kicks him hard in the back and he stumbles.



MW: More of The Queendom’s tag team expertise?

SD: Absolutely. There’s nothing wrong with that. Tag team wrestling is all about not letting your opponent become isolated. Thea Donovan broke up Mason’s momentum and-

MW: And Aaron Williams doesn’t look too pleased about it! Here he comes.



Williams enters the ring and charges over to Thea Donovan, but the official sees him and holds him back. Donovan quickly enters the ring and her and Lopez double-team Mason. Lopez holds Mason while Donovan lands a hard slap, and then Lopez locks in a rear naked choke. After the official forces Williams back out of the ring, he turns and checks on Mason, who struggles against it, but can’t break Lopez’s grip. Williams bangs on the top turnbuckle and the fans clap along with him, helping Mason to resist. He forces his way up to a knee, and Lopez backs up a little, allowing Donovan to tag herself in. She comes in and runs at Williams, knocking him off the apron before coming back to Lopez and Mason, who are now on their feet. Donovan connects with a hard superkick and Lopez releases the hold, stepping back through the ropes and Donovan makes the cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Mason just kicks out. Donovan quickly pulls him up, lifting him onto her shoulders and connecting with a Death Valley driver. She rolls through the hits the ropes, hitting Mason with a hard penalty kick as he sits up. She then climbs up onto the middle rope and comes down with a leg drop, repositioning herself for a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Mason gets a shoulder up. Donovan grabs him by the arm and drags him over to their corner, tagging in Myra Lopez, who comes in quickly and kicks Mason in the ribs. Lopez backs up and waits for Mason to stand. She stalks him from behind just as Aaron Williams gets back onto the apron. As Lopez dives for a chop block, Williams yells to Mason to jump, and he does, avoiding the contact and managing to scramble over to the corner and make the tag.



MW: Great team-work from Mason and Williams!

SD: They’re not the same flowing team that Lopez and Donovan are, but you can tell they’ve put the work in.

MW: And now Aaron Williams looking for some of his trademark explosive offence!



Williams takes Lopez down with a mid-kick. She gets up but she’s dropped with another, and then Williams pulls her up and whips her into the corner. He’s about to follow up with a big splash when Thea Donovan enters the ring and aims another superkick at him. However, Williams ducks it and kicks her in the gut, lifting her and connecting with a powerbomb backbreaker. Donovan rolls away under the bottom rope and Williams stands and turns back to the corner, only for Lopez to come at him with a pump kick. He staggers and she grabs him for a half-and-half suplex, making a cover.



One…

Two…

T-



Williams kicks out. Lopez glances out to see Donovan still down on the outside, so she pulls Williams to his feet again and looks to hook his arms for a butterfly backbreaker. She hoists him up but Williams slides down behind her. Lopez turns into a discus clothesline. Williams slowly makes his way over to the corner, where Mason reaches out to make the tag. As Williams is about to tag him, Donovan yanks Mason down and drives his head into the ring post. She looks up at Williams with a smirk and Lopez takes him down from behind with a chop block. Lopez grabs him by the ankle and drags him over to the corner. She looks to set him up for an inverted figure-four leg-lock, but Williams shoves her back with his legs. Lopez hits the turnbuckles and Donovan gets there in time to make the blind tag.



Williams rolls to his feet and grabs Lopez, lifting her and dropping her with a brainbuster to the knee. He goes to roll her over for the cover, but Donovan connects with a vicious superkick. Williams slowly falls to the mat and Donovan makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Williams just gets a shoulder up. Donovan then grabs him and lifts him, setting him up for a Firebomb. She hits it and quickly drops into another cover.



One…

Two…

Thre-



No! Mason dives in at the last possible minute to make the save.



MW: What impeccable timing from Jace Mason!

SD: The Queendom had the match won!

MW: But you said it yourself; this is tag team wrestling.

SD: But Mason can’t-

MW: Come on, Steven. The Queendom have been double-teaming all match. Jace Mason was well within his rights to save this match for his team.



Donovan quickly scrambles to her feet and aims another superkick at Mason, but he ducks it, connects with his own to her gut and then takes her down with a disaster kick. The official orders him out of the ring and he heads back to the corner as Williams begins to roll over towards him. Donovan also rolls towards her corner, where Lopez stands with a hand on the top of her head. Donovan reaches out and makes the tag and Lopez enters quickly, grabbing Williams by the leg and stopping him from making the tag. She pulls him in and looks again for the inverted figure-four, but he pulls her into a small package.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Lopez just forces the escape. The two scramble to their feet and Lopez grabs Williams, not wanting to let him get to Mason. She drives a knee into his gut and looks for a Northern Lights suplex, but Williams drops her with a desperation DDT before rolling over and leaping to make the tag. Mason enters the ring and drops Lopez with an STO. He quickly steps through the ropes and climbs up to the top, coming down with a shooting star press and holding for the cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Lopez barely gets her shoulder up. Mason stands and looks out at the crowd as they sense the end coming. He pulls Lopez to her feet and he whips her into the ropes, setting up for Extra Credit. However, Donovan grabs her and stops her from reaching Mason. Donovan enters the ring and Mason comes at them both, but they duck under him and hit the opposite ropes. They come back at Mason for a double clothesline, but he catches them both into Extra Credit! Mason drops into a cover on Lopez.



One…

Two…

Three!



Winners: Jace Mason and Aaron Williams (19:24).



MW: What a way to end it! Jace Mason managing to counter The Queendom’s double team into a double Extra Credit. Jace Mason and Aaron Williams advance to the final.

SD: And it was a great match. I’ll give Mason and Williams credit. I don’t think they’re as good a team as The Queendom are, but they did enough to let their individual abilities shine through.

MW: And now Jace Mason is one match away from holding all three of FPW’s annual tournament trophies simultaneously!

SD: That would be a great achievement for sure, but I don’t think it’s totally set in stone. I know I said the winners will come from this match, and I still expect that they will, but let’s see how the second semi-final goes and just who these two will be facing.



Aaron Williams rolls into the ring and he and Mason embrace before the official raises their hands. Another ‘A Plus Students’ chant breaks out and Mason and Williams both acknowledge the crowd, before Williams can be seen telling Mason that their work isn’t done just yet. The Queendom stagger away up the ramp as Mason and Williams thank the fans again.



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Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with CJ Holmes.



DB: I was expecting to be joined by Bobby O, right now, but CJ Holmes is with me. This is quite the unexpected pleasure.

CJ: I remember when it was me on that side of the mic. I’m glad I don’t have to compete with you for the job though. Bobby sends his apologies. This match is really important for him and he wants to be able to completely focus on it.



DB: Not a problem, CJ. What makes this match so important to Bobby?

CJ: Bobby has been in FPW for both of the Free-1 tournaments but he hasn’t been in either of them. The first, he was a Tag Team Champion and he agreed with Jim Houston when he said that he would stick to tag team competition. The second, well, to be honest he was screwed over. He was attacked in the locker room and lost his chance to get a spot. Jim Houston didn’t listen and Bobby deserved to be treated better. But Bobby sucked it up and got on with it, saved FPW from TakeOver 2.0 and got rid of Jack Sevren for good. Now he’s got a chance to finally get into the Free-1 and he’s not going to let anything get in his way this time.



DB: How do expect the match with Karlson to go?

CJ: Bobby knows that he has to be careful. She’s a very good technician and she’s powerful too. She’s a former Freedom Champion and a former Women’s Champion. Bobby knows that she could well cause him to miss another Free-1. I’ve never seen him work so hard.



DB Can Bobby win the Free-1?

CJ: Of course he can. Everyone here knows how good he is. People talk about Marcus Allen Jones, Jerry Bishop, Jace Mason, Aaron Williams… they get mentioned as the best in the ring in FPW, but Bobby is at least as good as they are if not better. At Judgement Day I, he had a big Tag Team Championship match. At Judgement Day II, he had a huge grudge match with Jack Sevren. At Judgement Day III, Bobby is coming for the main event spot and he will become FPW Champion.



DB: CJ Holmes, thanks for your time.

CJ: My pleasure.



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MW: And next up ladies and gentlemen, we have our second semi-final where we find out who will meet Jace Mason and Aaron Williams in the final of All Star Tag Team Classic III.

SD: That first semi-final was a great match and I think this will match it. In one corner, we have The Dogs of War. Former Tag Team Champions who are dead set on getting their rematch with The Guardians of Strong Style. They’re an experienced tag team and they’ll have their minds set on just one thing- winning this tournament. In the other corner, we have The House of Berry and Bo, a team having their second match together but containing two former Freedom Champions who have formed an unlikely partnership. Berry is looking to get back on track after a rough start to the year and Bo is looking to get back some gold after dropping the Freedom Championship to Clutch McCloud a few weeks ago.

MW: It’s another tale of established team versus dream team. Which will come out on top this time do you think?

SD: Well I picked the established team last time and it didn’t work out, so this time… I think I’ll go with Bo and Berry.

MW: Wow. I didn’t expect that.

SD: I think they’ll have worked on their chemistry as a team in the past two weeks and I think they’ll pull out a few surprises. The Dogs of War could easily pick this one up though. Maybe I should pick them?

MW: I sense we could be here a while. Let’s just get to the ring.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following is the second semi-final of All Star Tag Team Classic III. Introducing first, qualifying by way of a victory over Revolution-X, they hail from Dallas, Texas sand Denver, Colorado respectively and are former FPW Tag Team Champions, ‘The Vigilante’ David Archer and ‘The Battering Ram’ Braxton Cable… The Dogs of War!”



The fans boo as ‘Justice’ rings out and The Dogs of War step onto the ramp. Cable surveys the crowd as Archer pretends to draw back his bow before punching forward and making his way down the ramp. Cable follows, both men ignoring the fans as they walk quickly down the ramp and step up into the ring. They settle in their corner and exchange a few words, Cable leaning over the ropes at one point to tell a couple of fans to shut up.



“And their opponents, qualifying by way of victory over Death Squad, hailing from The Bay Area, California and New Haven, Connecticut respectively, Botiatus and ‘The Bombshell’ Berry Bishop… The House of Berry and Bo!”



The fans cheer loudly as the lights drop and the screen displays the foot of a set of wide stone steps. It pans up as ‘Famous’ begins and shows Roman pillars in front of an Ancient Roman villa. The song kicks into gear and the words ‘The House of Botiatus’ appears on the screen for a few moments as Bo emerges from the back. However, the song shudders to a halt and Bo turns and looks up. The words transform in ‘The House of Berry and Bo’, ‘Berry’ written in Berry’s usual purple lettering instead of Bo’s electric blue. ‘Famous’ is replaced by ‘The Entertainer’ as Berry comes through the curtain to an even louder pop. The two of them nod to one another and make their way down the ramp, Berry slapping hands with the fans while Bo keeps his eyes focussed on Archer and Cable. When they reach the ring, Bo steps up and poses on the top rope as Berry somersaults into the ring.



Match 2: All Star Tag Team Classic III: Semi-Final 2: The Dogs of War vs. The House of Berry and Bo:



David Archer steps back through the ropes and Bo turns to Berry, who nods and steps out too. Bo and Cable quickly come together and lock-up strongly, neither willing to give the other any ground. After a few even moments, Cable starts to force Bo back and slowly edges him towards the corner. Bo digs his back foot in and resists, forcing Cable back a couple of steps before Cable reaches down deep and shoves Bo onto his back. Bo looks up at him for a moment and Cable tells him to get back up. Bo does and the two lock up again, Bo being forces back quicker this time. Cable drives him into the corner and keeps driving, Bo’s back arching as he’s forced into the turnbuckles. The official calls for the break and Cable pulls back, stepping back a little and telling Bo to come at him.



Bo looks over at him and then comes out hard, ignoring the lock-up and instead striking him with a hard forearm shot. Cable reel back a step as Bo stands there and beckons Cable forward this time. Cable comes in with a hard chop to the chest and Bo grimaces in pain. Bo responds with a forearm and Cable responds with a chop, the two men exchanging hard strikes as the crowd gets louder and louder. After building their pace into a flurry, Bo and Cable pause and stand forehead to forehead, eyes locked on one another and mouths snarling. Bo breaks the staredown, hitting the ropes and coming at Cable with a running forearm, but Cable catches him with a hard clothesline and Bo hits the mat hard.



MW: A really aggressive start from these two!

SD: Braxton Cable loves a brawl and Botiatus fancies himself as one of the best strikers in FPW. These two were always going to come to it, but I didn’t think it would be so soon.

MW: And Cable’s power showed with that huge lariat.

SD: He and Archer have a big chance to control this one after that.



Cable picks Bo up and drives him over to The Dogs of War’s corner. He tags in David Archer who comes in and lands a few hard kicks to the gut before pulling Bo out of the corner and taking him down with a DDT. He rolls Bo over for a cover.



One…

Two-



Bo kicks out. He tries to get quickly to his feet but Archer lands a couple of hard kicks to his back. Bo stands and Archer grabs him for a Russian leg sweep, only for Bo to connect with a hard elbow and then a forearm which sends Archer to a knee. Bo backs up and hits the ropes and Berry steps through, running at Archer and taking him down with a shining wizard. She makes a cover.



One…

Two-



Archer kicks out this time. Berry pulls him up quickly and lands a flurry of kicks to his leg before connecting with a roundhouse which leaves him drooping. She grabs him in a headlock and lands a running bulldog, rolling him over for another cover.



One…

Two-



Again Archer kicks out.



MW: A really quick change in momentum here.

SD: Berry Bishop is coming out of the blocks fast. Bo has really worked on that pace with her. She has great speed, but her pace slowed a little earlier this year.

MW: She and Bo need to keep on top of David Archer. It only takes a split second and he can get The Dogs of War right back into this one.



Berry lifts Archer to his feet and whips him into the corner. She follows him in with a running knee and tags in Bo, who comes in and grabs Archer by the head and lifts him, planting him with a twisting vertical suplex. He pulls Archer to his feet again and hooks an arm over him, lifting him and looking to dump him over the top rope, but Archer drives a knee into the top of Bo’s head and drops down behind him, shoving him forward. He catches himself by the ropes and Berry reaches over for the tag just before Archer clotheslines Bo over the top rope. Archer then hits the ropes and goes for a suicide dive, but Berry cuts him off with a perfectly timed kick. Archer staggers and Berry connects with a sunset flip for a pin attempt.



One…

Two…

Th-



Cable comes in to break up the cover and the fans boo. The official demands he get out of the ring but he grabs Archer and pulls him over to the corner before stepping through the ropes. He then bends down and tags himself in, stepping through the ropes just as berry makes it to her feet. She turns right into a huge running lariat which folds her in half. Cable goes to make the cover, but Bo grabs him by the leg and yanks him out of the ring. Bo aims a forearm at Cable and the two resume their forearm-chop exchange from earlier before they’re cut off by a suicide dive from Archer which takes both men down!



MW: This match is turning into a bit of a brawl here.

SD: The official needs to get a handle on it. Botiatus had no right to pull Braxton Cable out of the ring like that.

MW: Just like Cable had no-

SD: Berry’s getting up!



Berry look down on the outside to see Cable and Bo down. She frowns with confusion before turning to see David Archer coming at her with a springboard DDT. He plants her head-first and then rolls out of the ring, grabbing Cable and shoving him back in. Cable rolls into a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Berry kicks out and the fans cheer. Cable stands, a little groggy from Archer’s dive, before bending down and picking Berry up to her feet. He easily lifts her and holds her above his head for a few moments before dropping her with a gorilla press. He heads over to the corner and tags in Archer, who comes in and drops a knee on Berry before rolling through and connecting with a sudden kick to the chest. He pulls Berry to her feet and looks for a spinning roundhouse kick, but Berry manages to duck under it out of instinct, and she connects with a spin kick to the gut. She pulls Archer in for an exploder and rolls towards her corner, where Bo is ready for the tag.



Berry reaches out and tags in Bo, who comes in as Archer is getting to his feet. He lands a few forearms before whipping him into the ropes and taking him down with a scoop powerslam. Cable enters the ring and Bo ducks a lariat. Cable follows through and then comes back at Bo, who takes him down with a scoop powerslam as well. Berry stands and she nods to Bo as Cable and Archer sit up. They both hits the ropes and come at them with hard penalty kicks before Berry runs at Bo, steps up onto his cupped hands and he helps her over for a moonsault onto both Dogs of War. The fans cheer as Berry rolls Cable out of the ring and Bo calls for Archer to get to his feet.



MW: That was something different!

SD: I told you they’d been working on their team work.

MW: And now Botiatus looks ready to hit the killer blow.



Bo grabs Archer as he’s almost up and lifts him onto his shoulder. He drops him onto the top turnbuckle with snake eyes and then hits the rope, aiming for House Call, but Archer ducks it and Bo almost runs into the official. As Bo turns, Archer sprays him with mist and quickly locks in the Curare Claw. The official recovers and checks on Bo, who quickly drops to his knees and looks to be fading. Berry comes in to make the save but Cable charges in and intercepts her with a thunderous big boot. He then picks her up and throws her over the top rope as Bo sinks to the mat, the official counting the pin.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Bo forces a shoulder up and resists, pushing himself back up to a knee. He pushes up further, landing a hard kick to the gut and forcing Archer to release his grip. Bo lands a forearm but then he too is taken down by a massive big boot from Cable. The official forces Cable out of the ring, but the damage is done. Archer steps through the ropes and climbs to the top. He looks down at Bo for a moment before connecting with the Star City Press, holding for the cover.



One…

Two…

Thre-



Berry dives in and makes the save! The fans cheer loudly, but their cheers are cut off as Cable enters again and aims a hard lariat at her. However, Berry ducks it and connects with Checkmate! Cable drops to the mat and Berry shoves him out of the ring. As Archer stands, he grabs Berry and throws her over the top too, turning to Bo, who is pulling himself up on the ropes. Archer stalks him and then leaps onto the middle rope, going for Gut Shot, only for Bo to catch him and somehow manoeuvre him onto his shoulder. He connects with Snake Eyes and then hits the ropes, landing the House Call and dropping into the cover.



One…

Two…

Three!



Winner: The House of Berry and Bo (15:58).



Bo stands and raises his arm and Berry slides back under the bottom rope. The official raises both of their arms and they quickly go to the top rope to acknowledge the fans, who stand and cheer their victory and the prospect of such a fascinating final.



MW: So now we know. The final of All Star Tag Team Classic III will be Jace Mason and Aaron Williams versus The House of Berry and Bo. What a match that will be!

SD: I called it! The House of Berry and Bo did what they had to do to make it through to the final and they’ve knocked off two former Tag Team Champions on their way.

MW: And that final… that’s a mouth-watering prospect, isn’t it?

SD: It certainly is. I said the winner would come from the top half of the draw and I think I’m sticking with that, but there are four incredibly motivated wrestlers ready to face one another in that final and I cannot wait to see it!



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



Backstage, James Saturn struts down the corridor with a bag over his shoulder. Jim Houston steps in front of him and Saturn cocks an eyebrow.



JH: James. I’m glad you’ve chosen to turn up. I just wanted to tell you that this match tonight will not be interfered with. I will be watching very closely and if those guys try to come down again, I will consider whether or not to hold you responsible.



Saturn puts a hand on Houston’s chest.



JS: Step back, old man. They’re nothing to do with me.



JH: I doubt they are, but you didn’t seem to disappointed to see them last time they showed up. You in fact took a victory that you really didn’t earn. If I find that you’ve helped them, you’ll be out for good.



JS: I’m glad you’ll be watching me closely tonight. It’ll be the first time you’ve bothered to. I’ll show you just how good I can be and I’ll show your golden boy that his shit stinks just like anyone else. After I beat Marcus’ over-rated ass, I’ll take the Free-1 spot I deserve and I’ll force you to sign a contract which says I get the main event at Judgement Day III. Your days of overlooking me are coming to an end.



Saturn pushes past Houston, but Houston grabs him by the shoulder.



JH: James, I hope you all of those things. But I don’t see it. You’ve got all the talent in the world, but I know how hard some of these guys work and I know how hard you work. If you do beat Marcus, I’ll give you a Free-1 spot no problem. If not, then you’ll need to earn it by qualifying like everyone else. If you manage to get through your block and win the Free-1, you’ll need to work harder than I think you even know how to do. Good luck tonight.



Saturn shrugs Houston’s hand off his shoulder and walks on. Houston calls after him.



JH: And remember. Any hint that you have anything to do with this and you’re out.



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



*Watson and Deville bring us back to ringside for the next match.*

MW: The Free-1 Tournament is on the horizon, and it’s time to find out our first entrant. With the tension twixt these two tussling titans mounting, they must duke it out to stake their claim, and now the time has come to see who will fall, and who will stand tall!

SD: Have you been watching Batman reruns again, Watson?

MW: So what? It's a fun show!

SD: You couldn't get more Silver Age if you tried, my friend.

MW: Hey, a lot of good stuff came out then!

SD: Good grief...



*Dasha Banks takes the mic in the center of the ring.*



DB: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, with the winner gaining entry into the Free-1 Tournament!



*The lights shift as "This Means War" fills the air. Bobby O strides onto the stage to cheers from the Freedom Fighters. He pops his collar and jogs down the ramp, glad-handing fans along the barricades.



MW: Bobby's been riding a wave of momentum recently, and this could be his chance to finally enter the Free-1 Tournament following his absence for the past two years.

SD: For a guy who calls himself Mr. FPW, you'd think he'd have fought harder to be in the tournament before now. Shows how much he really cares.



*Bobby climbs onto the apron and steps through the ropes. He gives Dasha a smile and a nod and mounts the turnbuckle, pointing out into the crowd at fans with signs supporting him.*



DB: Introducing first, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. FPW, BOBBY! O!



*The fans let out a long "OOOOOOOOOOOOH!" Bobby smiles and channels his inner Hulk Hogan, winding his hand up to his ear against the ropes.*



SD: Look at the absolute arrogance, disgusting.

MW: Can't anyone have fun around you?

SD: I had fun once. It was awful.

MW: I worry about you sometimes...



*The music stops and is replaced by "Turn It On". Elizabeth Karlson struts to the center of the ramp and poses confidently as the crowd boos. She smirks and saunters down the ramp, casually tipping the drink of a fan wearing a Bobby O shirt onto their chest.



MW: Now how's being arrogant?

SD: To be fair, that's not the best piece of FPW merchandise.



She climbs through the ropes and winks at Bobby, then sneers at Dasha to "do her job".*



DB: And his opponent... Also, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Renegade, LIZ! KARLSON!



*Karlson poses against the ropes as the crowd boos her. She shrugs it off and rolls herself in a backward somersault to her corner, where she sits and waits, smiling. Bobby bounces on his toes in the corner as the referee calls for the bell.



Match 3: Free-1 Qualifier: Elizabeth Karlson vs. Bobby O (written by Jerry):



Bobby starts towards Karlson, who remains seated in her corner. Just as Bobby reaches for her to pull her up to her feet, Karlson pops onto all fours and her legs suddenly swing out from underneath, sweeping Bobby's ankles and dropping him onto his back. She grabs a quick hold of his ankle and lifts his leg up before bringing an elbow down across the knee onto the mat. Bobby grabs at his knee as Karlson runs the ropes and leaps up, dropping herself across Bobby's legs in a senton. Bobby sits upright in pain as Karlson runs the ropes once more. She charges back in with a cannonball, rolling through over Bobby and hooking a leg.*



ONE!

T-!



*Bobby brings his other leg up and around Karlson's shoulder, swings his legs down and reverses the pin.*



ONE!

T-!

NO!



*Karlson kicks out, a look of surprise on her face. Bobby shakes her head at her as he starts to his feet.*



MW: Karlson may have gone for it too soon, Bobby's not going to let this Free-1 opportunity get away from him that easily.

SD: It may have been a bit premature, but she'll outpace him in the end. We all know Bobby can be a bit premature himself.



*Bobby stalks Karlson as she begs off into a corner. He lifts her up to her feet and lays into her with a flurry of jabs as the ref starts the count. Bobby lets her out at 3, and as Karlson staggers out of the corner he pulls her in for a belly-to-belly suplex. Karlson crashes to the mat, Bobby starts to get up but his knee buckles slightly as he stands. He steadies himself and catches Karlson around the head as she gets to one knee, swinging her back down with a snap DDT. As she stirs, Bobby runs the ropes and launches himself up and connects with a running dropkick, pushing Karlson back into a corner. As Bobby lands, he clutches at his knee. Karlson notices as Bobby starts to prop himself up but can't use that leg as his base to stand. She waits until Bobby gets to a vertical base and throws herself forward with a chop block to the back of Bobby's legs. Bobby drops hard to the canvas, clutching his knees. Karlson climbs the second rope and leaps off into a senton across Bobby's lower body. She rolls over and hooks a leg.*



ONE!

TW-!

NO!



*Bobby kicks out, his face drawn in pain and worry. Karlson takes the moment to taunt the crowd.*

EK: THIS is the guy you want as Mr. FPW? Really? He can't even stand on his own two feet, how's he gonna carry a company?



SD: Excellent wordplay, Lizzie!

MW: Don't count him out just yet!



*Bobby stands and throws himself into Karlson, wrapping his arms around her waist and powering her over his head with a German suplex. Karlson lands on the opposite side of the ring. Bobby slaps his knee to get some feeling back into it and limps towards Karlson. He pulls her up and sends her into the ropes, catching her on the rebound with a picture-perfect Orton powerslam. He stands and lays the boots to her in similarly befitting Orton manner, shouting at her as he does so.

BO: At least I stand for something, Liz! What do you stand for? I can carry more than just this company!



MW: Them's fightin' words!

SD: Shut up and put your money where your mouth is, Bobby!



*Bobby lifts Karlson to her feet and muscles her up onto his shoulders into a fireman's carry, looking for a Stunner, but his knees buckle and he drops her as he grabs at his knee. Karlson lands on her feet and lights up Bobby's chest with a series of chops before running the ropes and crashing into him with a lariat, dropping him to the mat. Karlson grabs Bobby's injured leg and wraps the other underneath. She puts her arm through the gap and rolls Bobby over into a Texas Cloverleaf.*



MW: The submission is cinched in tight, can Bobby get out of it and keep his chances at the Free-1 Tournament alive?

SD: No chance, that's what he's got! Up against an opponent too strong, looks like Lizzie's punching her ticket to the Free-1!



*Bobby screams in pain as Karlson applies more and more pressure to Bobby's legs and lower back. The referee asks if he submits. Bobby stretches a hand out, but clenches his fist and slams it into the mat, not submitting. As he howls in pain, Bobby drags himself along the mat. Karlson keeps the hold locked in, but Bobby's upper body strength allows him to pull them both to the ropes. Desperately reaching for the bottom rope, Bobby finally closes the distance and wraps a hand around it. The referee counts for Karlson to break the hold.



ONE!



*Karlson leans back harder, Bobby lets out an excruciating cry.*



TWO!



*She punches Bobby's knee with her free hand, but Bobby doesn't let go of the rope.*



THREE!



*She yells at Bobby to give it up already.*



FOUR!



*Bobby growls "never".*



FIV-



*Karlson releases the hold and Bobby's legs drop to the mat, Bobby clutching them in agony. The referee tells Karlson she'd better watch it before she gets disqualified. Karlson says she's following the rules and tells the ref to get back to work so she can finish this match already. As she turns around, Bobby springs up, grabs Karlson around the neck, and drops her with an RKO to thunderous cheers from the crowd.*



MW: OUTTA NO-

SD: Do you WANT us to get sued?!



*Bobby crawls over to Karlson and drapes an arm across her chest for the cover.*



ONE!

TWO!

T- NO!



*Karlson kicks out. Bobby rolls over and holds his hands to his face with a look of desperation as Karlson starts to stir.*



MW: Incredible! A move like that is almost always a match-ender!

SD: Lizzie's not giving up her chance at the Free-1 with just one RKO, Bobby's gonna have to do better than that!



*Bobby rolls over onto his knees and stares at Karlson as she starts to one foot. Bobby lunges forward with a clothesline square to Karlson's throat, bringing them both back down to the mat. The referee checks with Karlson as she brings her hands to her neck. Bobby rolls off and towards the center of the ring. The referee warns him not to try any more dangerous moves like that. He apologizes and pleads with the ref, who turns their attention back to Karlson, who swats the ref away while hacking, trying to catch her breath. Bobby slams his fists against the mat a few times, more out of frustration than to signal anything, and yet the crowd starts to clap rhythmically off of Bobby's slams. Hearing this, Bobby looks out into the stands and feeds off the crowd, signaling them to keep clapping as he gingerly gets to his feet. Karlson stands up and Bobby plants himself on his good leg to connect with a superkick. Karlson stumbles back into the corner in a daze. Bobby throws himself forward with a lariat across Karlson's chest, driving the wind out of her. He places her arm over his shoulder and hoists her onto the top turnbuckle.*



MW: Bobby looking for something big here!

SD: He doesn't have it in him, look!



*Bobby starts to climb the turnbuckles but can't quite keep his balance. Karlson jabs at Bobby's head followed by a boot to the jaw, sending him reeling back and dropping to one knee. She calls for him to get up. He brings himself to his full height as she leaps from the top rope with a dropkick. Bobby flies backward, crashing hard to the mat in the center of the ring. Karlson slowly works herself to her feet and stalks towards Bobby as he stirs.*

EK: You've had your chances, Bobby, this is my time!



*Bobby gets to one knee. Karlson runs to the ropes Bobby is facing and steps up onto his knee looking for the Full Fucking Force. Suddenly, Bobby grabs Karlson by the waist, stands up, launching Karlson off of his shoulders as he falls back to the mat. Karlson flies across the ring and lands hard facefirst into the opposite turnbuckle.*



MW: Incredible show of resilience from Bobby!

SD: He got lucky, if that kick had connected, he'd be out cold right now!



*Bobby feeds off the crowd who are now chanting 'F-P-DUB! F-P-DUB!' Bobby slowly makes his way to Karlson, who leans against the turnbuckles in a haze. He once more powers her onto the top turnbuckle. Bobby climbs the ropes carefully and gets a hold of Karlson around the neck. As he stands them both up on the top rope, Karlson punches Bobby in the midsection to try and free herself. Bobby's injured leg drops down a rope, but he maintains control. He pushes off the second rope and swings his arm into Karlson's midsection, giving him the upper hand once more. Bobby climbs back to the top rope and hooks Karlson's arm over his neck. After a moment to steady himself, he pushes backward, lifting Karlson into a superplex, planting them both hard to the mat. Bobby almost loses his grip, but keeps hold of Karlson's arms. He rolls her over and wraps her head and arm into the Anaconda Vice.



MW: O-SNAP! Is Karlson going to tap out?

SD: Fight, Lizzie, fight!



*The crowd chant 'O SNAP! O SNAP!' as Karlson struggles in the hold. She swings her legs at Bobby's head and uses her free hand to claw at Bobby's face. She reaches out for the ropes but they're too far away. As Bobby tightens his grip on the submission, Karlson swings one last time before finally slapping the mat.*



Winner: Bobby O (16:34).



*The crowd explodes with cheers. Bobby drops the hold and collapses to the mat as Karlson limply rolls out of the ring to the floor.*



DB: Here is your winner, Mr. FPW, BOBBY! OOOOOOOOOOOOOO!



*The crowd follow the "OOOOOOOOOOOO!" Bobby holds his hands to his face as he starts to cry tears of joy. The referee helps him to his feet and lifts his arm. Bobby props himself against the turnbuckles and looks out into the crowd, bowing to them and thanking them.*



MW: An absolutely incredible display from both competitors, leaving absolutely everything they had in the ring, and now Bobby O will finally have his chance at winning the Free-1 Tournament.

SD: The man must have some kind of guardian angel, Lizzie had him dead to rights in that match!



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



Backstage, Jace Mason and Aaron Williams stand with Dasha Banks.



DB: I’m joined by one half of the All Star Tag Team Classic final- Jace Mason and Aaron Williams. Congratulations to you both for the win tonight.

JM: Thanks, Dasha. I know from experience how tough The Queendom are and they made us work for it tonight. But we came out fully ready for this and we’ll do the same later tonight.

AW: That match meant a lot to me. I know we spoke last week and I said how much wrestling can make a difference. I hope that made a bit of a difference and I know this final is going to really brighten up some dark places. Last year we fell in the semi-finals and this year we plan to go all the way.

JM: Last year it was Berry who beat me. I will not let that happen again.



DB: Your opponents of course are Berry Bishop and Botiatus. What do you think about them?

JM: I have to say, I’ve been surprised with their progress. They faced Death Squad and The Dogs of War, two very experienced teams. Berry and Bo have only just come together as a team and they seem to have harnessed their talents to form a formidable team. I have quite a bit of history with Berry Bishop, most of it having gone her way, but Bo is a new one to me. I’m looking forward to it.

AW: I’ve faced Bo before and lost. He’s a hard-hitter and he’s got a good wrestling brain. He and Berry will definitely have a few things up their sleeves for us, but I think it’s safe to say that our sleeves are far from empty, eh, Jace?

JM: When you’re teaming with a guy like Aaron, there’s never a shortage of ideas. We’ll be ready for whatever they have to throw at us and we’ll see if they’re ready for us.



DB: And if you win, do you really want to become Tag Team Champions? The Free-1 is coming up and you two have to be among the favourites?

AW: I-

JM: Do you mind if I answer this one? I won the Free-1 last year and I’ve been FPW Champion twice. I make no secret of how much I want to do that again. I want another chance at that title but I know I’ll work my way to it sometime. This is about us. Aaron Williams has helped me more than he ever needed to and he’s been as good a friend as I could have asked for. It would be just as big an honour being Tag Team Champions with Aaron as being FPW Champion by myself was. So yes, if we win tonight, I cannot wait to get a chance to be Tag Team Champions.

AW: Thanks, man. I’ve made no secret of my desire to enter and win the Free-1 this year. Of course I’ll focus on it. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t focus on becoming Tag Team Champions. I’d be honoured to share a title with Jace Mason too, and if we win tonight, I will make sure that I do everything in my power to make sure we win those belts and to make sure that this man here becomes the first ever FPW Grand Slam Champion.



DB: Good luck to you both for the final.

JM: Thanks, Dasha.

AW: Thank you.



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



MW: “Our next match promises to be quite the spectacle, as two of the best high-flyers in FPW go head-to-head, with James Saturn taking on Marcus Allen Jones.”



SD: “And this won’t just be a physical contest, it will also be an emotional one. The last time these two faced off, Marcus was the victim of a brutal attack that eventually let Saturn pick up the win. You can be sure that Marcus won’t have forgotten those questionable circumstances, and he’ll be coming for vengeance tonight.”



‘Hall of Fame’ began playing, and Marcus Allen Jones emerged to a loud response from the crowd, launching into a backflip and landing in his signature kneeling pose. Knowing what was coming, the crowd went silent before bursting into applause again as pyro went off. Marcus rose and pumped his fist, drinking in the reaction as he strode down the ramp.



“The following contest is scheduled for one fall!” Dasha announced. “Introducing first, from Chicago, Illinois, the Marksman, Marcus Allen Jones!”



As his name was announced, Marcus spoke directly into the camera, saying ‘no ambushes tonight’ before he leapt onto the apron and climbed the turnbuckles, posing for the crowd before he backflipped into the ring.



His music began to fade out as he landed, replaced by ‘White Knuckles’ as James Saturn walked out, a swagger in his step as he drank in the boos from the crowd. He shrugged into the camera as the crowd got louder before he began walking down to the ring.



“And introducing his opponent,” Dasha continued from inside the ring. “From Portland, Oregon, the Paragon, James Saturn!”



Saturn leaned over the ropes, taunting the crowd as his music faded out. He began stretching as he turned to face Marcus. The ref checked with Marcus if he was ready, and Marcus nodded, his eyes never leaving Saturn. The ref checked with Saturn, who held up a hand, finishing his stretch before he let the ref call for the bell.



Match 4: Marcus Allen Jones vs. James Saturn (written by Mason):



Marcus and Saturn both advanced into a collar and elbow tie-up, pushing against each other. Saturn took control, applying a front facelock and trying to drag Marcus down, only for Marcus to twist free and apply a facelock of his own. Marcus quickly switched holds, grabbing Saturn’s arm and pulling him into a wristlock, causing Saturn to hurry and grab the top rope, using it as leverage to flip out of the hold. Saturn landed on his feet and turned, pulling Marcus into an arm drag, one that Marcus rolled through, coming back to his feet just in time to duck under Saturn’s roundhouse kick. He grabbed Saturn’s wrist and whipped him across the ring, dropping down to try and trip him up on the rebound. Saturn stepped over him and kept running, leaving Marcus to shoot to his feet and leapfrog him as he came back towards him. Marcus glanced over his shoulder and dropped to his back as Saturn hit the ropes again, bringing his legs up to take him down, only for Saturn to dive over him, rolling back to his feet as Marcus did the same. Saturn charged in and delivered a hurricanrana, but Marcus cartwheeled and landed back on his feet at the same time Saturn stood back up. Saturn charged again, this time with a clothesline that Marcus ducked before he launched himself backwards into a handstand, locking his legs around Saturn’s neck as he turned around before pulling him to the ground with a headscissors! The crowd cheered as Saturn knelt and looked over his shoulder to see Marcus standing and watching him with a smirk on his face.



MW: “What a start to this match!”



SD: “Marcus triumphs in the first exchange, and now he awaits Saturn’s next move.”



Saturn rose to his feet and advanced towards Marcus, his hands raised for another lockup. Marcus brought his hands up to oblige, only for Saturn to kick him in the gut, then deliver a clubbing forearm while he was doubled over. Saturn held Marcus, sneering at the crowd as they booed, before he whipped him into the ropes. He caught Marcus on the rebound, driving him into the mat with a reverse STO before kipping up and running to the ropes. He rebounded and leapt up, as though for a knee drop, but then landed on his feet opposite Marcus, bringing his heel up in a contemptuous kick to the side of his head. “Not so cocky now, are you Marcus?” he taunted, motioning for him to get back up. Marcus sat up and looked at him as he rubbed his jaw before standing and beginning to circle around the ring. Saturn began circling in the opposite direction, the two athletes locking eyes as they waited for the next move. Saturn lunged, only to stand back up, laughing as Marcus tensed up. Marcus gritted his teeth in annoyance, and then without warning, Saturn lunged again, for real this time. But Marcus was ready, ducking the clothesline and then connecting with a pele kick as Saturn turned around. Saturn was dazed, and Marcus took full advantage, sweeping his legs out from under him. With Saturn on his back, Marcus maintained his grip on his leg, twisting it around his own before dropping to a knee, driving his shin into Saturn’s thigh and causing him to cry out. Marcus stood back up and untangled their legs before twisting Saturn’s with a dragon screw, prompting another pained shout. Marcus stood and pulled Saturn up with him, applying a facelock before lifting him up and driving him to the mat with a falcon’s arrow that he held for a cover.



...1!..Kick-out!



SD: “Marcus slowing the pace down somewhat there.”



Grabbing Saturn’s wrist, Marcus pulled Saturn upright and made to whip him into the ropes. Saturn reversed the whip, attempting to catch Marcus with a shoulder block as he rebounded, but while Marcus stopped running, he stayed on his feet, smirking at Saturn as he took a step back. Saturn glared before he turned and ran to the ropes, rebounding into another attempted shoulder block. But Marcus still remained on his feet, and he motioned for Saturn to try again. Saturn did so, running to the ropes and rebounding towards Marcus as he stood there, braced for the shoulder block. But instead of a shoulder block, Saturn launched himself, driving both feet into Marcus’ chest with a shotgun dropkick! Marcus went down and clutched at his chest as Saturn ran to the ropes and rebounded again, this time into a baseball slide dropkick that drove Marcus under the bottom rope and off the apron. Ignoring the boos from the crowd, Saturn stepped through the ropes and dropped to the floor, lifting Marcus up and draping him over the barricade before climbing back onto the apron. He took a deep breath before leaping into a double stomp into the back of Marcus’ head! Marcus tumbled from the barricade as Saturn stood, one hand on his knee, before he lifted Marcus and rolled him back into the ring.



MW: “What a move from James Saturn!”



SD: “But it looks like he tweaked his knee a little on the landing, that could come back to haunt him later.”



Saturn ascended to the top rope, looking down at Marcus before he dove into an elbow drop, driving his elbow directly into Marcus’ chest before transitioning into a cover.



...1!...2!.Kick-out!



Saturn looked shocked that Marcus had kicked out and quickly grabbed his hands, forcing both shoulders back to the mat for another pinfall attempt.



...1!...2!.Marcus raised his right shoulder off the mat!



Saturn glared and pressed down harder, forcing the shoulder back to the mat.



...1!...2!.Marcus raised his left shoulder!



Saturn rolled his eyes and went to mount Marcus for another cover, but Marcus got his legs up, planting his feet in Saturn’s hips and launching him up, which in turn pulled Marcus back to his feet. Maintaining his grips, Marcus tried to step up into a monkey flip, but Saturn shoved him off and pulled one hand free, using it to deliver an overhand chop to Marcus’ chest. Marcus winced, dropping his guard long enough for Saturn to pull him into the corner, where he climbed the turnbuckles and leapt off, attempting to land into an arm drag. But his knee buckled upon landing, and quick as a viper, Marcus struck, sweeping his leg out from under him and then launching into a standing shooting star press, holding to make the cover.



...1!..Kick-out!



Marcus nodded as Saturn kicked, determination etched onto his face as he stood and pulled Saturn upright with him, tucking his head underneath Saturn’s arm to plant him with a northern lights suplex. But instead of holding for the cover, he bridged over, pulling Saturn back up as he switched to a front facelock, lifting his opponent up before drilling him with a brainbuster. Now Marcus rolled him over and made a cover.



...1!...2!.Kick-out!



Marcus didn’t let up as Saturn kicked out, standing and pulling Saturn up to his feet before whipping him into the corner. Marcus followed him in to deliver a European uppercut, then reached between his legs and grabbed Saturn’s bad leg, pulling it out from under him and draping it over the bottom rope. Marcus walked across the ring into the other corner, taking a moment to catch his breath and take in the cheers from the crowd. But then he turned back to Saturn, and charged into the corner, delivering a hesitation dropkick to the exposed knee that caused Saturn to cry out in pain again.



MW: “It looks like you were right Steven, that knee is giving Saturn some problems, especially now that Marcus has zeroed in on it.”



Marcus stepped between the ropes and started to climb as Saturn rolled out of the corner, clutching at his knee. Marcus rose to the top turnbuckle and launched into a 450, only for Saturn to bring his knees up into Marcus’ chest and roll him over into a cover!



...1!...2!.Kick-out!



All signs of injury forgotten, Saturn sprang to his feet, leaning into the ropes as he waited for Marcus to get up.



MW: “It seems Saturn’s injury wasn’t as severe as we’d originally thought!”



Marcus rolled over and rose to hands and knees, giving Saturn the opening he needed, launching into a corkscrew roundhouse kick that connected right on the back of Marcus’ neck. Marcus collapsed, and Saturn quickly rolled him over into a cover.



...1!...2!.Kick-out!



MW: “After seeing that kick, I have to wonder if Saturn’s knee was ever in any actual pain.”



SD: “I’m sure his knee is bothering him, but he showed Marcus what he wanted to see, and that gave him the opportunity to strike.”



Marcus clutched at his neck as Saturn rose, leaving him completely exposed for Saturn to pull him upright and wrap his arms around his waist. Saturn gave a sick smile to the camera before tossing Marcus with a release German suplex that dumped him hard on the back of his neck. Marcus over, desperately reaching out to grab the ropes and pull himself into the corner. But Saturn didn’t give him a moment to recover, charging into the corner to hit a meteora, driving both knees into the back of his head! Marcus crumpled, but before Saturn could pull him into the center of the ring to make a cover, he rolled to the outside, dropping to his knees on the floor.

Saturn looked disappointed at first, but then a smile spread over his face as he looked out at the recovering Marcus. He moved to the center of the ring, waiting for Marcus to rise. And when Marcus began to do so, Saturn ran to the ropes, rebounding and coming back towards Marcus. He went to dive through the ropes, but Marcus leapt up and caught him with a European uppercut, then threw on a front facelock and pulled him through the ropes into a suplex. Breathing heavily, Marcus rose to a knee and looked down at his opponent, then stood and dragged Saturn up with him. He rolled him into the ring before climbing onto the apron, waiting for Saturn to stand.

MW: “Marcus has something dangerous in mind.”



Dazed, Saturn began to rise, and when he stood up straight, he turned to face Marcus, who leapt onto the top rope and then from there launched into a dropkick straight into Saturn’s knee! Saturn went down hard, but he was quickly back up to a knee, which allowed Marcus to hit a shining wizard before diving into a cover.



...1!...2!..Kick-out!



Marcus went right back to the leg as Saturn kicked out, grabbing it and beginning to set up a figure four. But as he turned, Saturn used his free leg to kick out his knee, dropping him low enough for Saturn to land a kick to the back of the neck. The crowd, which had begun to come alive for Marcus’ comeback, deflated as Marcus went limp and Saturn stood up, pulling Marcus back to his feet. But they exploded back to life as Marcus reversed an Irish whip and sent Saturn into the ropes, dropping down as he rebounded. Saturn stepped over Marcus and hit the far ropes, prompting Marcus to leave his feet to leapfrog him, only for Saturn to catch him out of midair with a dropkick!



SD: “What a counter!”



Marcus went down hard, and Saturn hurried into the corner as he came to rest, climbing the turnbuckles and launching into a Saturnsault that he held for the cover!



...1!...2!..Kick-out!



The crowd came unglued as Marcus kicked out, and Saturn raised his hands to his head in disbelief.



MW: “Marcus Allen Jones just kicked out of the Saturnsault! And there’s not a person in this arena who can believe it, least of all James Saturn!”



Feeding off the crowd, Marcus rolled over and began to return to his feet. Glancing over his shoulder, Saturn saw this and shook his head before rolling under the bottom rope and standing on the apron. He waited for Marcus to stand and turn towards him, and then launched himself into a springboard, right into a superkick from Marcus! The crowd volume increased again as Marcus grabbed the now-prone Saturn’s legs and quickly tied them up, stepping over to lock in the sharpshooter! Saturn cried out and reached for the ropes, but he was just too far away. He began clawing at the mat, desperate to get close enough to grab. Inch by inch, he made progress, much to the displeasure of the crowd, who chanted “Tap! Tap! Tap!” he reached out again, fingertips away, when Marcus dragged him back into the center of the ring and sat down deep into the submission, finally forcing Saturn to tap!



Winner: Marcus Allen Jones (21:26).



‘Cult of Personality played as Dasha Banks announced “Here is your winner by submission, Marcus Allen Jones!” Marcus stood, one hand on his neck as the ref raised his other hand.



SD: “Now that was a match!”



MW: “We knew going into this match that it would be great, but that was even better than I was expecting!



SD: “We talked about how both competitors were incredible athletes, but in the end, it came down to Marcus’ technical prowess to win this match. He attacked Saturn’s leg whenever he could, eventually wearing him down enough that Saturn had no choice but to tap out.”



Marcus continued to celebrate, standing on the middle turnbuckle and drinking in the cheers from the crowd. He eventually dropped back down and stepped between the ropes before jumping to the floor. A crewman handed him an ice pack that he gratefully accepted, pressing it against the back of his neck as he walked up the ramp. As he reached the stage, he turned and waved to the crowd one more time before heading backstage.



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



Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with The House of Berry and Bo.



DB: I’ve spoken with one half of the All Star Tag Team Classic final and here is the other half. Botiatus and Berry Bishop. Congratulations on making it this far.

B: Thank you. I heard what Jace Mason said earlier about being surprised that we made it this far. Well we’re not surprised. We knew what we were getting into and I never enter into something without being properly prepared. We worked damn hard to get ready for Death Squad and we worked damn harder to get ready for The Dogs of War. We’re here because we deserve to be.

BB: I don’t think Jace was trying to say we didn’t…

B: Anything to get motivated, Berry. We’re going to show him that he and Aaron Williams aren’t the only two singles wrestlers who can get together and form a team.

BB: I just hope it goes a little better than the last time I made the final of this tournament-

B: Hey. We moved on from that, remember? We’re a unit. Nothing like that will happen this time.



DB: So you’ve mentioned Mason and Williams. What will it be like facing them?

BB: I can’t wait. I’ve had my best matches with Jason Mason and I think he’s great. And Aaron Williams is such a fun guy to watch that I can’t wait to get in the ring with him. This match is going to be much more fun than wrestling those weird spitty guys or the doggos.

B: It might be fun, but it’ll also be a very tough match. I’ve beaten Williams before but I think he’s found his groove again this year. And Jace Mason’s record speaks for itself. These two might be the best wrestlers in FPW, but we’re not far behind, if we’re behind at all. This match will be great for these fans and a lot of fun for us, but it’s a match we fully intend to win, and we’ll do everything that we can to make it happen.

BB: But we’re fighting fair.

B: Always. House Rules apply in the biggest matches as well as the smallest ones.



DB: I asked Mason and Williams this question, and I’ll ask you too. The Free-1 is coming up and you’ll presumably both want to enter. If you win this tournament, will becoming Tag Team Champions be your focus or will the Free-1 be your focus?

BB: Both. We can do both.

B: We’re a team. We help and support one another and we make one another better. With FPW shows being two weeks apart, we’ll have enough time to focus on whatever qualifying matches we might have and also a Tag Team Championship match.

BB: Oh… I think we should do a try not to laugh challenge with The Guardians of Strong Style.

B: Berry…

BB: I could show them that video of the panda that we watched yesterday!

B: Berry….

BB: I bet even they’d laugh at that. If not… I bet we could find some cool TikToks to show them that would crack them-

B: Berry! Focus. We don’t have the match yet.

BB: Sorry. See, he helps me to focus and I help him to lighten up. Dashy, you didn’t see our latest TikTok. We did the Veruca Salt one! It’s so-

B: We’d better go and get ready. Come on Bombshell.

BB: I’ll send it to you!



Botiatus drags Berry away as Dasha breaks up laughing.



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MW: And now for a match that I don’t think any of us expected to see.

SD: And a match that I don’t think long-time FPW fans are going to enjoy very much.

MW: The Friendmigos began back in England several years ago. Jerry Bishop formed a bond with Super Che Junior and Matt Dwyer, among others, which I think most expected to last a lifetime. They were kindred spirits who just understood each other from the start. The Friendmigos went on, and Jerry reunited with them in Freedom Pro Wrestling, but they never quite seemed to hit the heights. When Super Che Junior and Matt Dwyer moved on to continue to spread the Friendmigo vision across the world, Jerry Bishop stayed here.

SD: And he was the true Friendmigo. Like he says, Che and Dwyer were a shadow of what they were. Jerry was the shining light of that time. But the fans didn’t see it and they turned their backs on him.

MW: I’m not sure that’s exactly true, but that’s how Jerry tells it. The Friendmigo side is that Jerry allowed himself to be corrupted by the pursuit of what they call the devil on his shoulder- the FPW Championship. He listened to the whisperings of an egomaniac, a man who saw in Jerry the potential to be the wrestler that he could never become. Super Che Junior and Matt Dwyer watched Jerry Bishop become unrecognisable and they watched him rise to the top of the company. After Uprising, they decided the time had come for the Friendmigos- a group dedicated to the promotion of fun and joy in wrestling- to return to FPW and eradicate this darkness that has befallen us.

SD: What a load of… honestly. These fans cheering for those two has proven Jerry to be totally correct. It’s not The Joker who has lost his way; it’s these people. They want to cheer for a memory of something that was never that special in the first place. Jerry was the heart and soul of that group and he still is. The story of tonight isn’t going to be the miraculous victory of light over darkness that Che, Dwyer and Missy want us to think. It’s going to be the final nail in the ridiculous coffin of this Friendmigo rubbish as Jerry Bishop further establishes himself as FPW Champion.

MW: Be that as it may, Super Che Junior is a very motivated man. He doesn’t want to wrestle his friend, but I don’t think he sees The Joker as his friend. He sees him as a corruption, a mutation, which needs treatment. He sees the chance to begin that treatment by removing the devil that sits on Jerry’s shoulder and maybe- just maybe- helping him to see the light. Jerry Bishop says that he’s giving the fans what they deserve and I’m not going to comment on that, but Super Che Junior is most definitely looking to give the fans what they want.

SD: Just like Jerry did for so long when he was failing time and time again? Going to the ring with the aim of giving the fans what they want is ridiculous. The fans failed Jerry and held him back for too long. They deserve nothing more than what they’ve got now- The Joker standing tall at the top of FPW and reminding them at every turn that he’s better without them. Tonight, The League of Friendmigos may be offering the fans hope, but Jerry Bishop will do what he’s done ever since Judgement Day II: tear that hope away from those fans and laugh as he does it. The fans deserve to see Jerry Bishop as FPW Champion and they won’t get any relief from what happens in this match.

MW: Well I don’t think we need to ask for your prediction. Let’s get this match started.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one-fall and it is for the FPW Championship! Introducing first, the challenger… from Buenos Aires, Argentina, representing the League of Friendmigos and being accompanied to the ring by ‘The Messiah’ Matt Dwyer and Missy, ‘El Hijo de las Curedas’… Super! Che! Junior!”



The fans cheer in anticipation as the lights go down and wild music begins to play. Strobe lights fly around the arena before stopping in the ring to reveal a sun. The lights raise as Super Che Junior appears on the stage, kicking and punching the air as the fans cheer loudly. He pauses, looking out into the crowd and pointing around the entire arena, before kneeling and extending a hand. Out comes Missy, taking Che’s hand, spinning and sitting on his lap as he kisses her on the cheek gently. Matt Dwyer follows Missy and another set of cheers come up. Che and Missy stand and Missy heads down the ramp before climbing into the ring. Che watches before raising a hand and running down the ramp, sliding into the ring to meet her, Dwyer following and slapping hands with the fans. Che poses for the fans and encourages their cheers as Dwyer enters the ring. Missy takes a mic and raises it to her lips, some of the more long-term fans following along with her.



“Welcome, beloved citizens of the world. May I introduce you to the light in the darkness, the sparkle of life, the shining bullet of justice. May I introduce you to the true son of the ropes, the first Argentine Superhero, the unique and unrepeatable Super Che Junior!”



A ’Friend-mi-go’ chant breaks out but it quickly turns to boos as Thalia Columbina stands at the top of the ramp.



“Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to witness THE single greatest wrestler Freedom Pro Wrestling will ever see, THE one true embodiment of the Friendmigo spirit, THE man who gives every single one of you exactly what you deserve, THE greatest man to ever come out of Kansas City, Missouri, THE Joker, THE single most exciting, engaging and enticing figure in all of professional sports today, yesterday, forever and beyond, THE reigning, defending FPW Champion, Jerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry Bishooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooop!”



Boos reign down as ‘Shine My Shoes’ kicks in. Jerry walks through the curtain to loud ‘Fuck You, Jerry’, ‘Friend-mi-gos’ chants. He lets out an explosion of laughter and then turns to Thalia and bows deeply to her. She cocks an eyebrow and gives him a smile, which he returns, before turning and walking down the ramp, once again conducting the fans’ chants as the song goes on. When he gets to the ring, he walks up the steps and climbs up to the second rope on the outside, looking down on Che, Dwyer and Missy as they stand together in the ring. He steps over the ropes and holds the FPW Championship high as the song fades out and the boos take over.



MW: What an electric atmosphere this is! These fans may not have ever wanted to see this match in the past, but they most certainly want to see it now.

SD: And they deserve every bit of this experience! Jerry Bishop always gives the fans what they deserve.

MW: I wouldn’t count out Super Che Junior. He’s coming into this one motivated and rested. He’s been away for almost two years. He may well be coming back into this match with a whole new arsenal that Jerry isn’t prepared for.

SD: Jerry is prepared for whatever is coming. In case you didn’t realise that, look at the man who is coming down the ramp right now.



The camera turns to show MDE walking down the ramp. As the fans notice, they begin to boo him as well.



MW: What’s he doing out here?

SD: Super Che Junior has two people accompanying him and Jerry can’t have one? Is that bias I detect, Watson?

MW: I just hope he doesn’t get involved in this match.

SD: Trust me, Watson. He won’t need to. Not unless Dwyer sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong, anyway.



Match 5: FPW Championship: Jerry Bishop vs. Super Che Junior:



The official calls for the bell and the two men stare one another down as the camera closes in on the ring. Super Che Junior steps forward and extends a hand to Jerry, leading to a loud outburst of booming laughter. Che looks down at Dwyer, who shrugs his shoulders, and instead raises a hand and calls Jerry forward. Jerry moves in and raises his hand up too, the two men locking fingers and then locking their other hands. Che looks to snap on a headlock, but Jerry quickly pushes him away. Che continues the momentum into a handspring, landing back on his feet as Jerry quickly scrambles aside. Che looks over at Jerry, who raises his hand again, and the two lock fingers on one hand before Che steps up the ropes and comes down with a perfect arm drag.



Jerry scrambles to his feet and comes at Che, who takes him down with a drop toe hold and then a snap dropkick. Jerry rolls under the bottom rope and MDE quickly moves over to him. Che looks out at him before backing up, running into the corner and stepping onto the middle rope, jumping to the top rope and then pausing, seeing MDE and Jerry move to the other side of the ring. Che shrugs and performs a perfect backflip, calling Jerry back into the ring as the fans cheer for him.



MW: Jerry Bishop a little rattled in this match so far.

SD: Rattled? He’s not rattled. He just chose not to stand and let Che jump onto him. It’s basic intelligence.

MW: And choosing to leave the ring after Che got the better of him?

SD: Not letting his opponent build momentum. Wrestling 101. Honestly, it’s like you don’t want to engage your brain sometimes.



Jerry tells the official to keep Che back before slowly getting onto the apron and stepping through the ropes. He stands and calls Che forward, and the two come into a lock-up. Jerry quickly locks in a headlock and tries to ground Che, but Che manages to lift Jerry into a back suplex, only for Jerry to overrotate and land on his feet. Jerry grabs Che by the arm and walks up the ropes, looking for a rebound arm drag, but Che catches him and takes him down with a hip toss. He hits the ropes and again connects with a dropkick, covering Jerry.



One-



Jerry quickly kicks out. He scrambles to his feet but Che grabs him in a waistlock and runs him into the ropes, rolling through with an O’Connor roll but not holding for the cover, instead following up with his own momentum into the ropes and hitting a dropkick to the back. Che then springboards off the ropes and lands a springboard moonsault, again making a cover.



One…

Tw-



Jerry kicks out again. Che quickly stands and pulls Jerry up, landing a couple of chops and forcing him into the corner. He grabs him by the wrist and whips him across the ring, following up with an attempted splash, but Jerry just manages to roll out of the way. Che hits the turnbuckles hard and Jerry manages to grab him and take him down with a Russian leg sweep. Jerry rolls away and shakes off the flurry of offence from Che before getting to his feet and looking down at his former partner.



MW: A possible opening for the champion to take over the momentum in this one.

SD: Super Che Junior starting hot but he knew he had to. He can’t out-wrestle Jerry Bishop for long and he knows that.

MW: I don’t know about that. He’s got the better of him so far.

SD: It won’t last.



As Che stands, Jerry grabs him into a headlock and looks for a running bulldog, but Che shoves him off and Jerry just manages to stop himself before connecting with the turnbuckles. Jerry turns and Che kicks him hard in the gut before grabbing him and looking to walk up the ropes for a tornado DDT. However, Jerry manages to flip through and land on his feet. He grabs Che by the wrist and whips him into the opposite corner. He comes in with a running forearm and then grabs Che, also walking up the ropes, and connecting with his own tornado DDT. He makes the cover.



One…

Two-



Che kicks out.



SD: And that’s what I mean, Watson!

MW: Maybe unwise of Che to look for one of Jerry’s own moves there.

SD: And he was very much punished for it. I’d say I doubt he’ll make that mistake again, but I’m not sure he’s intelligent enough to adapt mid-match.

MW: There’s no need for-

SD: I’m calling it as I see it, Watson.



Jerry moves to Che’s legs and lifts his left one, kicking hard at the inside of the knee. He keeps kicking at it before dropping an elbow on it and wrenching hard, Che trying to shove Jerry off him, but Jerry holding his ground and continuing to stretch the knee ligaments. Jerry maintains his grip until Che starts to wriggle towards the ropes, at which point Jerry releases him and switches position, grabbing the leg and stepping over into a half-crab. He sits down hard and twists at the leg as he does, applying extra pressure to Che’s knee.



Che cries out in pain but he continues to work his way towards the bottom rope. He reaches out for it and almost grabs it, but MDE cries out to Jerry and Jerry stands, walking Che back towards the middle of the ring. Jerry then sits back down again and Che again cries out in pain. The fans boo but Jerry and MDE both maintain their focus. Che again tries to push up and work towards the ropes, but he’s much slower this time, the pain taking its toll on him. He slowly gets closer and closer, but again MDE gives Jerry a signal and again he walks him back into the middle of the ring.



MW: Super Che Junior could be in serious trouble in this hold.

SD: I told you Che couldn’t out-wrestle Jerry. And Jerry is applying this hold perfectly. Keep him away from the ropes and keep damaging the knee.

MW: With some help from MDE.

SD: Please. If MDE weren’t here, Jerry could just look over his shoulder. It’s barely an advantage. But the damage done here very much is an advantage. Che’s entire style is based around jumping and springboarding. A bad knee really takes a lot of that away, and trying to use the ropes will only damage it further. It took him a little longer than he may have liked, maybe Jerry got suckered into some of the emotion of being across the ring from his former partner and couldn’t focus early on, but now he’s into his stride and this match is looking a lot different.



Jerry sits down further and Che cries out with the pain of the hold. Realising he won’t get to the ropes, Che pushes up and tries to forces his head out from under Jerry. Jerry, realising this, shifts his position again, but Che grabs at one of his legs and manages to send Jerry off-balance for a moment. Che uses that moment to push out from under Jerry and onto his back. Jerry tries to turn Che again, but Che lashes out with hard kicks and Jerry’s grip slips for just a second, but it’s enough for Che to free his leg and roll away towards the ropes. Jerry moves in quickly but the official holds him back, bending down to check on Che, who is adamant that he can continue.



Che uses the ropes to get to his feet and he turns to face Jerry, right leg forward to try and stop Jerry getting to the left one again. Jerry dives in, going low and looking for the leg, but Che rolls aside and quickly gets to his feet. Jerry comes in again, but again Che dodges him, rolling aside and under the bottom rope. Jerry stands and Che tries to leap up onto the top rope, but he stumbles for a moment, his knee struggling to take his weight, and Jerry comes in, knocking him off the top rope and down to the outside, where Che drops and holds the knee. Jerry quickly rolls out of the ring, but Dwyer and Missy step forward to block him from Che. Jerry and Matt lock eyes, and hold each other’s gaze for a few moments as Che forces himself to his feet.



Jerry rolls back into the ring as Che pushes himself onto the apron. He begins to step through the ropes but Jerry comes at him, cutting him off with a dropkick to the knee and a dragon screw over the rope. Che drops to the mat and clutches the leg again, but Jerry gives him no time to breathe, dragging him into the middle of the ring and looking for that half-crab again. Che, however, manages to kick out at Jerry with his right leg and forces him backwards. Jerry comes in again but Che reaches up and pulls him down into a small package before rolling through and lifting him into a small package driver, holding for the cover.



One…

Two…

T-



Jerry kicks out just as the fans began to believe.



MW: That was close!

SD: But this is how this match will look from now on. Jerry in control, slowly but surely cutting off Che’s options for attack until he can’t go anything and Che desperately trying to find a way to get back into it. Jerry has him exactly where he wants him, and I think he’s going to draw this out. Really give these fans what they deserve to see.

MW: So you’re saying that Jerry will essentially be torturing his friend to make the fans suffer?

SD: That’s exactly what I’m saying.



Both men make it to their feet and Jerry strikes first, looking for a rolling elbow, but Che ducks it and pulls Jerry up onto his back in an Argentine backbreaker position. He holds him there for a moment before completing the Argentinidad al Palo with a Maradona kick. Jerry staggers into the corner and Che comes in with a splash. He pushes Jerry up onto the top rope and climbs after him, struggling to climb on his left leg. He lands a couple of forearms to Jerry before jumping up and taking him down with a top rope hurricanrana. Che then walks up the ropes and comes down with a perfect moonsault, holding for a cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Jerry kicks out! Che rolls away but has to pause to flex his leg before he can get to his feet. The extra few seconds gives Jerry time to create some separation, and, when Che moves over to him, Jerry s already half-way to his feet. Che grabs him but Jerry lands a forearm to the gut which doubles Che over. He then grabs the left leg and looks to take Che down, but Che counters, grabbing both arms of Jerry and pulling him into a double underhook suplex. Che gets to his feet and calls for the fans to get louder for him before he runs at Jerry, stepping up the ropes and connecting with a springboard crossbody. He holds for another cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Jerry again kicks out. Che rolls away and stands, but he takes a couple of stuttering steps, the impact of the springboard on his knee. He turns towards Jerry and sees him struggling, so he quickly steps through the ropes and climbs up to the top, but he can’t climb quickly enough. Jerry quickly moves over to the ropes and takes out the leg. Che drops and Jerry grabs the leg and torques it against the top rope, the fans booing as the official counts. Jerry breaks his grip after four and then look up at Che, letting out a big laugh. He reaches up and snapmares him off the top rope. Jerry then backs up into the corner and faces Che, before yelling to the fans, “Is this what you want?” He charges at Che and completes a version of the Touchstone Takedown. Jerry looks out at the fans as they continue to chant ‘Fuck You, Jerry’. He laughs and conducts the chant before turning back to Che, who tries to push up to his feet.



Jerry moves in and grabs him, pulling him up and aiming the big right hand that usually begins The Punchline. He connects, staggering Che before grabbing his wrist and ripcording him, but Che leaps up and connects with a hurricanrana, holding for a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Jerry kicks out! Che pushes up to his feet and looks up to the top rope, before shaking his head, realising that his knee won’t let him get up in time. He grabs Jerry and pulls him in, trapping his arms and letting out a big, booming laugh! However, in the time it takes for Che to let out the laugh, Jerry shoves him away and then pulls him in for a snap Last Laugh. He makes the cover, a sudden silence filling the arena.



One…

Two…

Thr-



No! Che kicks out!



MW: I don’t believe it!

SD: I guess Super Che Junior has something left, but I’m not sure what it is!

MW: But he must be in trouble now.

SD: He’s been in trouble for this entire match. Trying to steal Jerry’s move? And doing it in the way that always used to fail Jerry? Idiocy, plain and simple.



Jerry looks down at Che before pulling him back up. He traps his wrist again and shoves him forward, aiming the lariat which ends The Punchline, only for Che to kick his arm away and connect with a step-up enzeguiri. Jerry drops to his knees and Che connects with a hard buzzsaw kick. He then looks up to the top rope and the fans stand and cheer for him. He steps through the ropes and climbs, one rope at a time, before taking a moment to balance. Jerry turns and Che leaps, connecting with Call of the Hero and holding for a cover!



One…

Two…

Thre-



No! Jerry somehow gets a shoulder up! The fans hold their heads in disbelief, and Che does the same, looking down at his former Friendmigo brother. Che rolls away and flexes his leg as Jerry slowly crawls towards the corner. Che pulls himself up on the ropes as Jerry pulls himself up and rests in the corner. Che turns and pauses, the two men locking eyes. The arena goes silent for a moment as something passes between the two of them. Che then points at the ropes and begins slowly running them, his left leg clearly causing him pain, as Jerry looks on.



MW: This is an old Friendmigo classic!

SD: Surely this isn’t happening?

MW: Jerry is watching from the corner. Is this the thing which has gotten through to him?

SD: His eyes! It’s like he’s seeing something he hasn’t seen for a long time.

MW: And… MDE looks worried. These fans are starting to sense something building. Che and Jer- what the hell?

SD: Yes! He was suckering him in!

MW: As Che bounced off the ropes Jerry Bishop landed a horrific dropkick right to the injured knee. And this place is filled with boos like I’ve never heard before!



Jerry stands and looks down as Che clutches his left leg, seemingly drained of all energy. He slowly raises his head and looks at the booing crowd before drawing a thumb up to his mouth.



MW: No, Jerry! Not this way.



Jerry draws it across his lips, cutting his mouth into a smile. The fans boo even louder.



MW: Not this again!



Jerry drops down and quickly locks in The Chelsea Smile, but a modified version, more of an STF, applying pressure to the injured knee. Che resists, trying desperately to get to the ropes. Missy hammers her fists on the mat and the fans plead with him to not give in, but, after a few torturous moments, he taps his hand on the mat.



Winner and still FPW Champion: Jerry Bishop (27:12).



Jerry stands and looks down at his defeated former Friendmigo ally. The official reluctantly takes the belt, but MDE comes in and grabs it before he can hand it to Jerry. MDE hands it to Jerry and raises his arm as the fans continue to boo the FPW Champion. Missy and Dwyer climb into the ring to check on Che, and they roll him over to the corner. Jerry watches them with laughter as they help him to his feet. Dwyer stands between Che and Jerry to make sure Jerry doesn’t come back for more. Che holds onto the ropes and looks across at Jerry, Missy supporting him. Dwyer looks over at Jerry and then looks back at Che. He looks at Jerry again and sighs, before unleashing a vicious superkick at Che!



MW: What the hell?

SD: Dwyer just… he just…

MW: Look at the shock on Jerry and MDE’s faces!

SD: This clearly wasn’t something they were expecting.



The fans initial confusion turns to boos as Dwyer turns and walks up to Jerry. MDE steps forward but Dwyer holds up a hand. MDE reluctantly stands back and Dwyer eyes Jerry for a few moments before he extends a hand. Jerry looks down at it, his eyes full of surprise before smiling and nodding, reaching out and shaking hands with Matt Dwyer. Dwyer then turns to MDE and offers his hand to him as well, the two men shaking before the three of them watch Missy rolling a lifeless Che out of the ring for medics to help him to the back.



MW: I don’t believe what we’ve just seen. Jerry Bishop has retained the FPW Championship but it seems as though he’s got himself a new ally. Matt Dwyer laid Super Che Junior out with a horrific superkick after such a hellacious battle.

SD: I don’t know why he did it, but I think it was a good decision. Jerry Bishop is the present and future of FPW. Anyone who stands by his side is on the right side of history. Maybe Matt Dwyer simply realised that and made a decision based on his future.

MW: I’m sure we’ll find out in due time. Thank God we’ve still got the finals of the All Star Tag Team Classic to come and I don’t think anyone would have wanted to leave this arena with this as their last memory of the night. I feel sick, Steven.



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Upbeat, energetic music could be heard as a birds-eye view of an animated city was shown before the camera took a dive, coming to settle on an alleyway wall that was covered with posters featuring members of the FPW roster. The music began to build as the camera zooms in on one poster that advertises the upcoming series of Free-1 shows, but just before it could crescendo, there was a flash of lightning and the background switched from bright and sunny to dark and stormy, with a low, menacing song replacing the previous music. Slowly, deliberately, the camera moved to another poster, this one showing Marcus Allen Jones with his arm raised in victory, lingering for a moment until a red X was scrawled over Jones' face and the camera moved on. It came to rest on a poster of MDE, standing triumphantly over a broken opponent. A red X appeared on his face as well, and the camera moved to a poster of Berry Bishop celebrating with the crowd pausing before her face was crossed out. The camera picked up speed as it panned over to a poster of Botiatus in the corner, motioning for an opponent to rise. The red X appears over his face before the camera moved to a poster of the Queendom posing together. Thea and Myra's faces were quickly crossed out, with the camera lingering slightly longer on Evans' face before she was crossed out as well. The Camera moved on, coming to rest on a picture of Bobby O with the O Snap locked in on an opponent, the look of determination on his face obscured as another red X appeared. The camera's speed increased again as it moved to a poster of the Guardians of Strong Style holding the FPW Tag Team Championships, lingering for longer than before before their faces were crossed out and the camera moved on, coming to rest on a poster of Clutch McCloud with his arms spread wide, the Freedom Championship around his waist. The camera drifted down towards that title before snapping back up to focus on his face as it was crossed out. Finally, the camera, moving faster than ever, panned over to a poster of Jerry Bishop, celebrating as he held the FPW World Championship over his head. The camera remained on Bishop for a long time before the red X finally appeared and the camera pulled back, showing the entire alley wall decorated with the marked posters. As the lightning flashed again, the camera zoomed in on the original poster again, but the dates of the upcoming shows had been replaced by two lines of text.



The Silent Assassin



Coming Soon



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MW: Well, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for a match that just has that special feeling around it.

SD: It certainly does. Tonight we saw this as established teams versus dream teams and I honestly expected the established teams to come out on top, but these two dream teams are coming together to give us an All Star Tag Team Classic final that promises to be the best we’ve seen yet

MW: While they both may be dream teams, there are big differences between how these teams come into this competition aren’t there, Steven?

SD: There are. On the one hand you have Jace Mason and Aaron Williams, great friends who have teamed together on and off since this time last year. They were losing semi-finalists, losing to a team involving Berry Bishop in fact. They’ve teamed since and I know they train together regularly and talk most days. While their primary focus may be on singles competition, don’t let that fool you into seeing them as any less of a team than most of the teams we’ve seen tonight. As for their opponents, The House of Berry and Bo is a completely new team, one which had its first match in the quarter-final against Death Squad. They’ve worked together for the past couple of months and they showed growth as a team between the Death Squad match and the Dogs of War match, but I think they come in at a disadvantage in experience and possibly in pure ability as well.

MW: This will be a match where the fans will be torn between the two teams. We haven’t seen too many of those matches recently. How do you think that will affect Jace Mason and Aaron Williams, who rely so heavily on the energy from the fans?

SD: I think they’ll probably be the favoured team overall, so I don’t know if it will affect them too much. I know Jace Mason won’t be used to not having the entire crowd behind him though, especially if Bo and Berry get on top of him and he needs to find a comeback. I’m interested to see how it affects Berry Bishop. She too thrives on fan support and she’s always connected with the fans pretty well. How will she respond if the fans really get behind Mason and Williams?

MW: There’s a huge amount on the line for this one- All Star Tag Team Classic III and a shot at the Tag Team Championships. Which team comes out on top?

SD: Watson, I originally said the winners would come from the top half. I said that in the belief at first that it would be Jerry Bishop and MDE and then The Queendom, so Jace Mason and Aaron Williams are choice number three, but I think they’re my team to back. I don’t expect this to be easy and I don’t expect them to win in fifteen minutes, but I think they’ve got the stamina, the big match experience and the slight advantage in team chemistry. For me, Mason and Williams edge this one.

MW: You heard it here first, although with Steven’s record I’d keep your money in your wallet if I were you!



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is the final of All Star Tag Team Classic III! Introducing first, here by virtue of victories over MDE and the… current FPW Champion… and then The Queendom, they are from Seattle, Washington and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania respectively… ‘The Eternal Student’ Jace Mason and ‘A Plus’ Aaron Williams!”



The same ‘A Plus Students’ chant fills the arena as it did before. The chant is allowed to build before ‘I Still Believe’ starts up and Aaron Williams steps through the curtain. He belts out the opening verse and the fans join him. He looks around the whole of the arena and, as the song hits the instrumental, he calls for quiet. The song shifts, the introduction to ‘Afterlife’ playing before Jace Mason steps out to more cheers, posing as pyro explodes. The two men bump fists on the stage and play to the fans a little before making their way down the ramp, slapping as many hands as they can. Mason steps up onto the apron and goes up for his familiar pose while Williams stands by and allows a young fan to add a second message to his knee pad: “ASTTC, TTC, F1, FPWC?” Williams slides into the ring as Mason drops down, and the two each shake hands with the official and with Dasha Banks as the music fades out. A buzz of anticipation fills the arena and Mason and Williams can barely stand still, smiling and making comments to one another as they await their opponents.



“And their opponents, here by virtue of victories over Death Squad and The Dogs of War… hailing from The Bay Area, California and New Haven, Connecticut respectively, Botiatus and ‘The Bombshell’ Berry Bishop… The House of Berry and Bo!”



The fans cheer loudly as the lights drop and the screen displays the foot of a set of wide stone steps. It pans up as ‘Famous’ begins and shows Roman pillars in front of an Ancient Roman villa. The song kicks into gear and the words ‘The House of Botiatus’ appears on the screen for a few moments as Bo emerges from the back. However, the song shudders to a halt and Bo turns and looks up. The words transform in ‘The House of Berry and Bo’, ‘Berry’ written in Berry’s usual purple lettering instead of Bo’s electric blue. ‘Famous’ is replaced by ‘The Entertainer’ as Berry comes through the curtain to an even louder pop. The two of them pause at the top of the ramp and look out at the fans, who continue to cheer for them. Berry gives Bo a look and the two of them come down the ramp, slapping hands with the fans, although Bo maintains a focus on Mason and Williams as he holds out his hands. They reach the bottom of the ramp and Bo climbs onto the apron, going up to pose just like Jace Mason did, while Berry somersaults over the top rope, landing with a bow and a wink. Bo drops down as Berry hugs Dasha and the two of them offer their hands to Mason and Williams, each combination exchanging handshakes before they settle back in their corner and Williams and Berry step back out of the ring.



Match 6: All Star Tag Team Classic III Final: Jace Mason and Aaron Williams vs. The House of Berry and Bo:



The fans cheer loudly as the official calls for the bell. Mason and Bo eye one another as a ‘Let’s Go, Mason’ chant duels with a slightly quieter ‘H. O. B.’ chant. Mason encourages the chant but Bo keeps his eyes focussed on his opponent as they circle one another. As Mason realises Bo isn’t competing with him for crowd noise, he comes forward and the two lock up strongly. They jockey for a few moments before Mason looks for a headlock, Bo catching the wrist and wringing the arm to counter. Mason quickly rolls through and springs to his feet, taking Bo’s arm and wringing it. Bo looks to twist his way free, but Mason blocks him and transitions into a headlock again, taking Bo over. Bo gets his legs up for a headscissors and Mason tries to kick his way out, but Bo keeps the hold locked in and pushes up to apply more pressure to Mason’s neck. Mason takes a moment before repositioning himself and he performs a headstand, floating over to cover Bo, who bridges up and turns before landing a hard knee lift and whipping Mason across the ring. Bo connects with a dropkick and then quickly pulls Mason into a headlock.



MW: An impressive opening exchange from these two.

SD: They’re the more technically minded of the four for sure, although Berry and Williams are perfectly capable technicians. Interesting that Botiatus got the better of that one.

MW: Mason fighting back now, though. Back to a vertical base.



Mason elbows Bo in the stomach and then shoves him into the ropes. He drops down, but Bo leaps over him. Bo comes back again and Mason leapfrogs him, but Bo stops himself just behind Mason. When Mason comes down again, Bo catches him with an inverted headlock backbreaker. He grabs him with a chinlock and drags him towards the corner, where he reaches up and tags in Berry. Berry enters and she stalks Mason, landing a hard kick to the leg as Mason starts to get to his feet. Mason drops to a knee and Berry kicks him hard in the back before hitting the ropes and looking for a shining wizard. Mason manages to duck and Berry flies over him. Mason gets to his feet and manages to make the tag, Aaron Williams entering quickly.



Williams and Berry eye one another before locking up, Williams quickly locking in a headlock. Berry backs him into the ropes and shoves him off. He hits the opposite ropes and comes back at her; Berry leapfrogs and Williams slides underneath, quickly getting to his feet and grabbing Berry by her wrists between her legs, flipping her over and hooking both of her legs with his, bridging for a cover.



One…

T-



Berry quickly kicks out, catching Williams into a rear naked choke as he drops. He uses his legs to flip over but Berry rolls with the momentum and Williams ends in a standing position, with Berry, choke still locked in, on his back. He staggers for a moment before backing her into a corner, where Bo makes the tag. Berry releases Williams and Bo quickly enters, landing a hard forearm to force Williams into the corner. Bo pulls him out of the corner but drives a knee into his gut before wringing the arm and connecting with an arm stunner. Williams staggers back and holds his arm awkwardly as Bo comes quickly in and drapes an arm over him, connecting with a twisting vertical suplex and floating over for the cover.



One…

Tw-



Williams kicks out this time.



MW: This is a really fast-paced start to this match.

SD: Are you surprised, Watson? Botiatus is the slowest in the match and he’s generally considered a fairly high-tempo wrestler. And these four are all in excellent condition. They could keep up this pace for a long time.

MW: I think we’d all enjoy seeing that!



Bo lifts Williams and kicks him in the gut before grabbing him by the head and connecting with a neckbreaker. With Williams down, Bo makes the tag to Berry, who vaults over the top rope and lands an elbow drop. She stands and pulls Williams with her, hooking an arm over his head and looking for a running bulldog, but Williams stops her short, holds her up and connects with a snap Saito suplex. He takes a moment before rolling over to the corner and tagging in Mason, who comes in just as Berry pushes to her feet.



The two eye one another before coming together to lock-up. Mason ducks the lock up and pulls Berry into a waist-lock, lifting her, but Berry hooks her legs in and tries to roll Mason through, only for Mason to catch her as she tries to force him down with her legs. He pulls her up into a version of a snap German suplex, Berry rolling away and clutching the back of her neck. Mason stands and moves quickly to Berry, not wanting to give her the chance to reach Bo. He pulls her up and whips her into his and Williams’ corner, following her in with a running knee. He rolls Berry out of the corner and sits up onto the second rope, coming down with a knee drop and then holding for the cover.



One…

Two-



Berry kicks out. Mason stands and lifts Berry him. He connects with a spinning kick to the gut and then kicks her leg out. He backs up and hits the ropes, going for the low dropkick, but Berry leaps out of the way and springs to her feet, kicking Mason hard in the chest. She then pulls him to his feet, kicking him in the side of the leg before landing an exploder suplex. She floats over for the cover again.



One…

Two-



Mason kicks out this time. Berry pulls him to his feet and sends him into her and Bo’s corner. She tries to come in with a running knee of her own, but Mason catches her. He steps out of the corner and repositions her into a fireman’s carry before dropping her with a neckbreaker. Mason drops to his knees but manages to make it over to his corner, where he tags in Williams, just as Berry reaches up and tags in Bo.



MW: Neither team has been able to get control of this match just yet.

SD: And I think that’s something that will continue. All four of them are hard to keep down, and, in a tag team environment, where they only really need to get one shot in and scramble to their corner, I doubt we’ll see too much isolation by either team.

MW: So how does one team get control?

SD: They have to make it so that the tag can’t be made. Do enough damage that one of the team have to rest and they can’t tag in. That means the fresher team can focus on just one person. Of course, that’s easier said than done with these four.



Williams and Bo come in quickly. Bo aims a forearm, but Williams ducks it. He aims a mid-kick, but Bo catches it and spins Williams around. Bo looks for a forearm again but Williams ducks it and hits the ropes, coming back at Bo, who catches him with a scoop powerslam. Bo stands and pulls Williams to his feet, lifting him for a vertical suplex but dropping him over the top rope. Bo then backs up and hits the ropes, landing a sliding elbow to double Williams over. He pulls his head through the ropes and a decent percentage of the fans count along with him as he lands a series of rising knee strikes. After nine, he hits the ropes and delivers the tenth as a running knee. Williams’ head drops to the canvas and the rest of him slides through the ropes. Bo then steps through the ropes and leads a ‘H. O. B.’ chant before vaulting over for the H. O. B. Leg Drop to the back of the neck. He rolls Williams over and covers him.



One…

Two…

Th-



Williams just gets his shoulder up. Bo looks up at Berry, who calls for the tag. He reaches up and tags her in and she enters quickly, pulling Williams to his feet and landing a flurry of kicks- leg, leg, back, chest, head. Williams drops to a knee and Berry hits the ropes, connecting with a shining wizard. She, too, makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Williams again just gets a shoulder up. Berry stands and goes into her familiar coiled position. The fans buzz with anticipation as Williams slowly stands. Berry uncoils and snaps Checkmate at Williams, but he instinctively manages to duck and takes Berry down with a mid-kick before dropping to the mat. Mason bangs the turnbuckle ferociously and the fans clap along with him as Williams crawls to the corner. Berry gets to her feet and she reaches Williams before he can make the tag. She pulls him up and locks in a headlock before connecting with a running bulldog. She then reaches up and Bo makes the tag.



He stalks Williams from the apron, watching as he slowly climbs to his feet. Bo then leaps up onto the top rope and connects with a springboard blockbuster. Bo then kips up and calls for the fans to get behind him, which a lot of them do. He lifts Williams onto his shoulder and drops him over the top turnbuckle for snake eyes. Williams staggers away from the corner and Bo hits the ropes, aiming for House Call. Williams, however, somehow manages to duck under it. He leaps up onto the middle rope and comes down with a springboard crossbody before rolling off Bo.



MW: Aaron Williams needs to make the tag to Jace Mason now!

SD: The House of Berry and Bo looked like they had this match won with their flurry of offence against Williams. But his instincts are too good. If he makes the tag, we’re suddenly looking at a very different match!

MW: And he’s reaching out. Bo’s not going to get to him in time. There it is!



The fans cheer as Mason enters the ring. Bo comes at him but Mason lands a spin kick to the gut before kicking his leg out. He backs into the ropes and comes back at Bo with a low dropkick. Mason then pulls Bo up into a vertical suplex position, connecting with a falcon arrow. He hooks a leg.



One…

Two-



Bo kicks out. Mason doesn’t waste time, pulling Bo back to his feet and forcing him into the corner. He connects with a flurry of chops and lifts Bo up onto the top rope. The fans stand in anticipation, not used to seeing Mason do something like this. Mason climbs after Bo and lands a couple of forearms before hooking his arm and sending him into the ring with a single underhook superplex. Bo hits the mat hard and Mason rolls over for another cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Bo kicks out. Mason pushes himself to his feet and then reaches down, lifting Bo with him. He whips Bo into the ropes and looks to catch him with Extra Credit, but Bo drives a knee up into the gut and counters with another twisting vertical suplex. Bo rolls away and makes it to the corner, tagging Berry in. Berry enters and leaps up onto the middle rope, taking Mason down as soon as he stands with a disaster kick. Berry then pulls him up and whips him into the ropes, catching him in position for the Berry Buster, but Mason counters with a sudden DDT, leaving both of them catching their breath on the canvas.



MW: This pace has certainly carried on here. What a match this is!

SD: All four of these competitors have taken some big hits in this match, not to mention that they’ve already wrestled once tonight. I keep saying that they’re in great condition, but we’re twenty minutes in and that’s where the condition will really begin to be tested.



Berry rolls to the corner and manages to make the tag to Bo, but Williams is still recovering on the outside and Mason can only pull himself up on the ropes. Bo quickly pulls him away from the ropes and hooks his arms, pulling in for a tiger suplex and bridging for the cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Mason manages to kick out, but Bo keeps hold of the arms and manages to transition into ADT! Mason cries out and his face contorts in pain. He thrashes his legs, trying to reach the bottom rope, but it’s too far away. The official checks on him but Mason refuses to quit. Bo pushes up as much as he can with the bridge and Mason cries out again, but all of a sudden Aaron Williams comes off the top with a swan-ton bomb to break the hold! Berry quickly comes into the ring and she looks to throw Williams out, but Williams counters, sending her to the outside instead. He turns and Bo strikes him with a forearm. Williams staggers back but uses the momentum to connect with a discus clothesline.



Williams then pushes up and, seeing Berry standing on the outside, he charges at the ropes and takes her down with a suicide dive! Mason pulls himself up on the ropes and he moves over to Bo, lifting him and stepping back before delivering a hard superkick to the gut. Bo doubles over and Mason clutches the wrist, delivering a hammerlock DDT. He covers Bo.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Bo just gets a shoulder up. Mason then stands, stretches out his upper body after the pain of the ADT, and pulls Bo to his feet. He whips him into the ropes but Bo catches the top rope. Mason comes at him but Bo performs a low bridge and sends Mason to the outside, where Williams and Berry are just getting to their feet. Bo then grabs the top rope and takes out all three of them with a slingshot plancha.



MW: All four of them on the outside now! This could really break down!

SD: And Botiatus is on his feet. If he can get Jace Mason back in the ring, he could be at a serious advantage.

MW: He lifts Mason, but Mason with a hard elbow.



Mason lands another elbow before whipping Bo into the guardrail. Bo hits hard and Mason comes in with a knee strike. Bo rests against the rail and Mason turns, only to be taken down by a roundhouse kick from Berry. She rolls him back into the ring and is about to follow when Aaron Williams grabs her from behind and whips her into the opposite guardrail to Bo. Williams looks out at the crowd and they begin to get on the same wavelength, buzzing with excitement as he follows Berry in with a big splash. The crowd cheer louder as Williams charges at Bo with another big splash. He follows up with another to Berry and then Bo and then Berry and then Bo and then Berry and then, the crowd really in a frenzy, with one more to Bo before both of them collapse to a seated position.



Mason stands in the ring and watches as Williams charges at Berry and connects with a cannonball into the guardrail. He arches his back but forces himself back to his feet and then charges at Bo, connecting with another cannonball. Williams lies on the floor in pain but Mason quickly heads to the outside, grabbing Bo and rolling him into the ring. He grabs Bo by the leg and turns him, locking in the half-crab. Chants of ‘Tap, Tap, Tap’ mix with ‘No, No, No’ as Bo tries to resist and make it to the ropes. Mason pulls back as much as he can, but Bo has just enough strength left to reach the bottom rope and force the break.



MW: Maybe Mason would have been better served looking for the cover that time.

SD: Maybe so, but that move has done him well in the past.

MW: And he’s calling for Williams to get back onto the apron now.



Mason waits for Williams to get to the apron and then climbs to the top. As he stands there, Williams makes the tag. Mason launches himself with a shooting star press to Bo and Williams climbs up after him, coming down with a swan-ton bomb which just misses Mason. Williams holds for a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Bo just gets his shoulder up! On the outside, Berry is stirring and trying to get back to the apron. Williams stands, arching his back again and reaching down to pull Bo to his feet. He hooks an arm over his head and lifts him into a vertical suplex position before dumping him onto the top rope. The fans cheer as Williams calls for the 450-splash. He climbs to the top rope and jumps, but Berry reaches up and pulls Bo off the rope. Williams crashes and burns, landing hard on the mat. Berry and Bo stagger on the outside but they’re soon taken out by Mason, who quickly sprang up to the top rope and landed a shooting star press to the outside! With Williams the legal man, the official begins to count.



1……….

2……….

3……….



Mason begins to stir, but Bo and Berry haven’t moved a muscle. Williams remains down and clutching his stomach after his hard landing.



4……….

5……….

6……….



Mason gets to his feet unsteadily, staggering away and back towards his corner.



7……….

8……….



Berry stirs first and, seeing the count so high, she grabs Bo and tries to lift him.



9…



She pulls him up as best as she can.



…



She shoves him hard and he just rolls under the bottom rope.



MW: That was as close as it could have gotten to a count-out!

SD: Botiatus has his partner to thank for keeping him in this match.

MW: But for how long?



Williams rolls over to make the tag to Mason and, before Bo can reach up to tag in Berry, Mason grabs Bo by the leg and pulls him towards the middle of the ring. He turns him again and locks in the half-crab for a second time. Bo, who seemingly has no energy left, struggles to do anything to resist, unable to push up or make his way to the ropes. The official checks on him, but Bo just manages to say that he doesn’t want to quit. Mason sits down further and further and the official checks on Bo again. Berry sees that Bo is barely able to respond and she quickly steps through the ropes and connects with Checkmate on Mason to break the hold!



The H. O. B. B. section of fans cheers loudly as Berry backs away to the corner again and calls for Bo to get over and make the tag. He slowly drags himself over to her and reaches up. Berry tags herself in and scrambles over to make the cover, rolling Mason over and hooking the leg.



One…

Two…

Thre-



MW: He kicked out!

SD: Just a little too much time to recover for Jace Mason.

MW: But Berry is up and she’s coiled again!

SD: This could be the end right here.



Berry stalks Mason, who barely manages to pull himself up using the ropes. Just as she’s about to hit Checkmate for a second time, Williams comes off the top rope with a springboard forearm. Berry drops to the mat and Williams grabs Mason, dragging him to the corner. He makes the tag and comes in, Berry just back to a standing position. He looks for a mid-kick, but Berry absorbs it, calling for another. Williams looks at her in wide-eyed amazement for a moment before delivering a second, harder mid-kick. She steps back a step, but calls for another. Williams aims a third, but Berry catches him into the Berry Buster! She drops down for a cover, unable to hook a leg.



One…

Two…

Thre-



No! Williams managed to get his foot onto the bottom rope! Berry holds her head in shock as fans of both teams stand and cheer loudly. Berry stands and staggers back into the corner. She watches as Williams crawls to the ropes and tries to get to his feet. She coils herself up again as he stands. Williams takes a step away from the ropes and turns, Berry unleashing Checkmate again, but Williams manages to duck and he counters with a sudden DDT. He rolls away, looking over to his corner where Jace Mason is lying on the apron, just as Bo is in Berry’s corner.



MW: This match is incredible! What a final!

SD: Neither of these teams seems to know how to lose tonight.

MW: But neither can have much left in the tank.

SD: I don’t know about that. All four of them don’t seem to know how to quit.



With no tags available, Williams and Berry struggle to their feet. They eye one another from across the ring before slowly coming together. Berry lands a forearm and Williams responds in kind. They continue to exchange, the fans cheering each forearm equally. As the exchange slows, Bo manages to get to his feet, and he comes over, kicking Williams hard in the gut. He lands a snapmare and signals to Berry, the two of them hitting the ropes, but Mason dives into the ring and takes them both down with a double dropkick. He stands, shaking off the cobwebs, and grabs Bo. He drives him into the corner and lands a series of hard chops before pushing him up onto the top rope.



MW: I think I know where Jace Mason wants to go here!

SD: But Bo isn’t legal!

MW: But take Bo out and then he and Williams can finish off Berry.



Mason follows and he lands a couple of forearms before grabbing Bo into position for a top rope Extra Credit. He pulls him up and flips, but Berry scrambles into position below them and catches the majority of the impact, saving Bo from being taken out of the match for good. The three of them crumple to the mat, none of them able to get to their feet. Aaron Williams looks at them from across the ring and he grits his teeth, pulling himself up on the ropes and moving over to Berry. He pulls her up, hooks both arms and lifts her, connecting with A Triple Plus. He rolls away and then makes his way back to her, draping an arm over for the cover.



One…

Two…

Thre-



No! Botiatus manages to dive on top of Williams and break up the cover. Williams rolls away and slowly pushes himself to his feet. Bo somehow forces himself up too and the two eye one another. They come together and they too begin to exchange forearms, but Bo gains a quick upper hand. He forces Williams into the corner and then whips him across the ring. He follows up with a running knee and lifts him onto his shoulder for snake eyes. However, Jace Mason grabs Williams from behind and pulls him down before whipping Bo across the ring, catching him for Extra Credit, only for Berry to cut him off with a perfectly timed Checkmate.



Mason drops to the mat, lifeless, and Berry rolls him under the bottom rope. She calls to Bo, who stands and grabs Williams, lifting him and connecting with snake eyes. As he staggers back into the middle of the ring, Bo hits the ropes and Berry coils herself up. Bo connects with House Call to the front of the head while Berry connects with Checkmate to the back of the head, Williams simply crumpling to the mat. Berry dives on top of him, Bo rolling over to the ropes to stop Mason from breaking up the pin.



One…

Two…

Three!



Winners: The House of Berry and Bo (40:17).



MW: What a match!

SD: And what a way to end it! Aaron Williams’ skull might be fractured from shots like that.

MW: The winners of All Star Tag Team Classic III: The House of Berry and Bo!



Berry stands and her hands go to her cheeks, unable to process what’s just happened. Bo pushes himself up to his feet and the official raises both of their arms as tears begin to roll down Berry’s cheeks. Dasha Banks rushes into the ring and she envelops Berry in a hug as Bo nods to the official, who passes him the All Star Tag Team Classic trophy. He looks at it for a moment before tapping Berry on the shoulder. She turns and sees the trophy, more tears coming down her face. She and Bo each grab a handle and raise it, the entire crowd standing and cheering for them.



After thanking the crowd, they look down to see Jace Mason rolling back into the ring. Bo and Berry slowly make their way over to Mason and Williams and reach down to help them up, the four of them embracing. Williams and Mason hold up Bo and Berry’s arms and Bo and Berry thank the crowd one more time then leave the ring to their opponents. The fans stand and cheer loudly as Mason and Williams, each looking broken, thanks them with bows and applause.



MW: What a show this has been tonight, folks.

SD: That final was as good a tag team match as I’ve ever seen in FPW. What a great performance from all four of them and what a deserving team we have as winners. They go on to face The Guardians of Strong Style for the Tag Team Championships sometime soon and now Jace Mason and Aaron Williams’ focus will return to singles action and the Free-1.

MW: Those two deservedly getting a standing ovation not just for this match, but for their semi-final win and for the great spirit with which they wrestle- wait. No! No!



The cheers of the crowd turn to concerned chatter as four men leap over the barricade. Mason and Williams turn to see Alan Lightbody directing Parker, Si and Armondo into the ring. Mason and Williams stand back-to-back ready to fight their corner, but they’re quickly overwhelmed. Si cracks his pool cue over Williams’ head and Parker and Armondo lay into Mason. Parker drops him with a DDT just as Jim Houston emerges, his face red with rage, with a team of security. The four men roll out of the ring and jump back over the barricade as the security reach the ring and follow them, chasing them out of the arena as the show goes off the air.