Road to Free-1 III Night Two

[Jim Houston]

“The Free-1… the biggest opportunity for any Freedom Pro Wrestling star. The Free-1 epitomises what Freedom Pro Wrestling is all about. Opportunity. The opportunity to earn the right to challenge for FPW Championship in the biggest match of the FPW year. The opportunity to showcase your skills in front of a huge audience. The opportunity to be noticed. Free-1 I… a man who was known as a hardcore icon stepped up to show his toughness, his skill, his potential. And he became FPW Champion. Free-1 II… an underdog on the rise picking up the biggest wins of his career to show who he could truly become. And he became FPW Champion. Free-1 III… the biggest yet. Sixteen wrestlers in two blocks of eight. Two winners facing off on August 31st to earn the biggest opportunity of their careers. But all sixteen will have an opportunity. An opportunity to make a name. An opportunity to showcase their true ability. For in the Free-1, each entrant controls their own destiny, their own narrative and their own future. Welcome to Free-1 III.”



MW: Welcome one and all to our second event on the road to Free-1 III, the biggest Free-2 tournament FPW has ever staged. Sixteen participants will enter for a chance at the ultimate opportunity: a shot at the FPW Championship in the main event of the biggest show of the year: Judgement Day III.

SD: Already we know that Jerry Bishop, Jace Mason, Botiatus, Berry Bishop, Bobby O, Johnny California and Russ Bolt have qualified and tonight we add four more names to that list.

MW: We will also have one of the biggest Tag Team Championship matches that FPW has ever seen as the three-time champions The Guardians of Strong Style defend their titles against All Star Tag Team Classic III winners The House of Berry and Bo.

SD: Now this first match has seen a little change to the originally advertised card.

MW: It has. Jim Houston made the announcement last week that Robert D. Jackson has been suffering from an injury for the past few weeks and I’ve been informed that he is unable to compete tonight due to not being medically cleared. In his place, Kincaid steps up and will look to take advantage of an opportunity.

SD: But David Archer will be a tough man to beat. We haven’t seen much of him as a singles competitor here in FPW, but I’ve seen him in the past and I’ve seen how good he can be. This is not as simple as him being a tag team guy and being here to make up the numbers.

MW: And I’m sure Kincaid will be aware of that too. Neither man has had much chance to prepare for their opponent given all of the uncertainty surrounding this match. Who has the advantage in this scenario?

SD: Kincaid has the edge in experience but David Archer isn’t a rookie. He’s been wrestling for a long time. I don’t think either man has a particular advantage in coming in cold.

MW: Kincaid is an experienced wrestler, but he’s new to a lot of people who follow FPW. How do you expect him to approach this match?

SD: I think he’ll look to control the pace of the match. He will know that David Archer has the speed advantage and will use his technique to try and slow him down. If he can keep Archer grounded, he’ll be comfortable. If Archer starts to get a head of steam up, then there will be issues for Kincaid, who has to make sure this match is wrestled at his pace.

MW: And Archer? Is it as simple as avoid being grounded?

SD: I’d say it’s more than that. He needs to use his speed for sure and he needs to avoid Kincaid controlling the match, but he’s also got Braxton Cable, who I presume will be with him on the outside. I know Kincaid will have Alyssa with him, but I think Cable is a much more distracting presence. If Archer can use him to make sure that Kincaid doesn’t control the pace, he should be able to get the win.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a qualifying match for Free-1 III. Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Braxton Cable, from Dallas, Texas, he is a former FPW Tag Team Champion, ‘The Vigilante’… David Archer.”



The fans begin to boo as ‘Justice’ plays. David Archer walks out onto the ramp and mimics pulling back the string of a bow, before punching forward. Braxton Cable emerges behind him as he begins walking down the ramp, ignoring the boos of the fans. As he reaches the ring, he slides in and looks around the arena, Cable stepping through the ropes behind him before the two punch fists and wait in the corner.



“And his opponent, making his FPW singles debut, from Bearing, Atlanta… ‘The King of the North’… Kincaid!”



The lights in the arena dim as ‘Storm Eagle’ hits the speakers. The fans applaud warmly although not overly loudly as Kincaid remains a largely unknown figure for them. When the song kicks in, Kincaid steps through the curtain and locks his eyes on Archer in the ring. Alyssa walks out and stands next to him, waving to the crowd and presenting Kincaid to them. He looks a little uncomfortable standing there before beginning his walk down the ramp. He holds out his hands to the fans before hopping up onto the apron as Alyssa remains on the outside. Kincaid shares a few words with her before raising his arms, leading to a few more cheers. He steps into the ring and poses on the middle rope before dropping down, ready for the match to begin.



Match 1: Free-1 III Qualifier: David Archer vs. Kincaid:



The bell rings and the two men come forward, quickly locking up. Kincaid goes for a headlock, but Archer slips out quickly and grabs him around the waist, looking for a snap German suplex. Kincaid cuts him off with an elbow to the side of the head and then performs a standing switch, lifting Archer and then dropping him down to the mat. He drops into a front facelock and keeps Archer grounded for a moment. As Archer starts to fight back to one knee, Kincaid quickly releases his grip and looks for a Big Fat Kill, only for Archer to scramble back towards the corner. The two of them lock eyes as Alyssa applauds Kincaid on the outside.



MW: If he’d connected with that superkick, this match could have been over straight away.

SD: But David Archer had the presence of mind- and the speed- to get away from it.

MW: These two circling one another now.



Archer and Kincaid come together and lock up a second time, this time jockeying for position. Kincaid begins to get the upper hand, forcing Archer back, but Archer manages to connect with a swift kick to the side of the leg and he whips Kincaid across the ring. As Kincaid comes back, Archer looks to lock in a sleeper hold. Kincaid resits, but Archer maintains his grip, and Kincaid drops to a knee. Archer forces him down further, grounding him completely. He releases his grip and leaps up to drop a knee onto Kincaid. Kincaid holds his head and sits up out of instinct and Archer follows up with a snap kick to the head. He makes the cover.



One…

Two-



Kincaid kicks out, but his hand goes back to his head. Archer reaches down and pulls him up before whipping him into the corner. He lands a few right hands before allowing Kincaid to stagger out of the corner. Archer then steps through the ropes and stalks Kincaid before leaping up and looking for a springboard DDT, but Kincaid catches him, hooking a leg and hitting a fisherman’s suplex, holding for a cover.



One…

Two-



Archer kicks out this time. Both men quickly scramble to their feet and Archer aims another kick to the leg, but Kincaid catches it and quickly connects with a dragon screw leg whip. Archer drops to the canvas and clutches the knee, but Kincaid swoops in quickly, grabbing the leg and dropping a knee onto it, wrenching Archer’s foot and applying pressure to the knee ligaments. Archer reaches out for the bottom rope and forces Kincaid to break his grip, but Kincaid doesn’t give Archer much time to recover, pulling him up and landing a hard kick to the back of the knee before lifting him for a shinbreaker. Kincaid makes another cover.



One…

Two-



Archer kicks out again.



MW: Kincaid starting to take control of this match.

SD: He likes to work the leg. That’s a well-known fact about Kincaid and it’s why he has such a good record against speed guys.

MW: David Archer isn’t known for his technical prowess. He needs to find a way to stop Kincaid’s attack on the leg or this match will quickly get away from him.



Kincaid pulls Archer up, but Archer shoves him back a step. Kincaid looks for a clothesline, but Archer ducks it and catches him quickly with a side Russian leg sweep. He stands and flexes his knee briefly before stalking Kincaid. As Kincaid stands, Archer catches him with a spinning roundhouse kick, which drops Kincaid to a knee. Archer then lands a hard kick to the chest before hitting the ropes and connecting with a dropkick to the back of Kincaid’s head. Archer makes another cover.



One…

Two-



Again Kincaid manages to kick out. Archer stands, his knee not bothering him as much with some adrenaline pumping around his body. He steps through the ropes and stalks Kincaid as he gets to his feet. Archer leaps up and this time manages to connect with the springboard DDT. He makes another cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Kincaid kicks out again and Archer bangs on the mat. He turns to Cable, who draws a thumb across his throat. Archer nods and positions himself behind Kincaid. He locks in a waistlock and lifts him before taking him down with a snap German suplex. Archer then looks to lock him in a triangle choke, but Kincaid resists, refusing to allow his arm to be drawn across. Archer fights him and does all he can to get the hold locked in, but Kincaid’s technique and experience gives him enough to stop him, and Archer eventually releases his grip. He gets to his feet and looks for a hard kick to the head, but Kincaid has recovered enough to duck under it. Kincaid quickly pushes up and grabs Archer by the wrist, taking him down with a short-arm lariat.



MW: There’s that technical disparity on show again.

SD: I don’t know why David Archer was looking for a triangle choke there. He knows Kincaid is a better technician than he is. Maybe it’s bravado; I don’t know, but it’s cost him the upper hand and a strong position.

MW: And now Kincaid is shaking off the attacks to the head and looks to be setting himself up to regain control of this match.



Kincaid waits as Archer gets to his feet. As Archer turns, Kincaid kicks him in the gut and pulls him up onto his shoulders. He drops him with The Red River Crossing and makes an immediate cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Archer kicks out. Kincaid looks out to Alyssa, who bangs on the mat for him. He looks around to the fans, many of whom are cheering for him. He pulls Archer to his feet and kicks him in the gut again. He shoves his head down between his legs and lifts him into a powerbomb position, dropping him with a shit out powerbomb and holding for the pin attempt.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Archer kicks out again. Kincaid this time doesn’t wait for Archer to get to his feet. He pulls him up himself and drives him back into the corner. He forces him up onto the top rope and climbs after him. He hooks an arm over Archer’s head and looks for a superplex, but Archer resists. Kincaid releases his grip and Archer takes the chance to land a couple of right hands. Kincaid staggers and Archer shoves him down off the turnbuckle. Archer calls the official over to him and makes him take a look at his knee as the fans boo loudly. Braxton Cable heads into the ring and takes Kincaid down with a huge running lariat. Cable swiftly gets out of the ring and Archer comes down with the Star City Press, but Kincaid manages to get his knees up!



MW: Yes! This match did not deserve to end like that.

SD: That’s what I meant about David Archer using Braxton Cable. It almost paid off for him.

MW: And you’d have been happy having someone qualify for the Free-1 like that?

SD: I’d have been happy having someone in the Free-1 who knew how to take advantage of situations.

MW: Cheating has no place-

SD: Please. This is wrestling. As long as there’s been wrestling, there’s been cheating. There always will be. You might not like it, but it’s a fact.



Archer rolls away and clutches his gut before the two men both look to get to their feet. Archer gets there just ahead of Kincaid, and he lands a kick to the gut before leaping onto the middle rope and looking for the Gut Shot, only for Kincaid to counter into the Llewelyn Lift! He makes a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Archer just manages to get a shoulder up. Kincaid looks at Alyssa again, who yells encouragement, and he stands, pulling Archer with him. He takes a step back and looks for the Big Fat Kill, only for Archer to duck under it. Archer leaps up onto the ropes again and looks for the Gut Shot, and Kincaid catches him again, looking for the Llewelyn Lift. Archer, however, overrotates and manages to land on his feet. He aims another spinning roundhouse kick, but Kincaid ducks it and takes him down with a clothesline. Archer scrambles to his feet and Kincaid hits another clothesline. As Archer gets up again, Kincaid whips him into the corner and follows him in with a huge splash. Archer staggers out of the corner and Kincaid hits the ropes before taking him down with The Flying Lariat. Those fans who know Kincaid from other promotions begin to cheer as they know what’s coming next. He steps through the ropes and climbs to the top before coming down with From On High. He holds for the cover.



One…

Two…

Three.



Winner: Kincaid (14:49).



MW: And Kincaid with the big win!

SD: He qualifies for the Free-1 very early in his FPW career. Shades of Botiatus last year.

MW: And if he goes on to have as much success as Botiatus has had, then he’ll have done very well here in FPW.



Kincaid stands and the official raises his arm. Alyssa enters the ring and the two embrace before he heads over to the corner and steps up onto the top rope. He gets louder cheers than he did at the beginning of the match.



MW: We have another qualifier for the Free-1 and we’re now up to eight.

SD: And we’re going to find several more tonight.

MW: Half-way through the qualifiers so far. What sticks out to you?

SD: I think we have a lot of potential winners and some interesting underdogs like Russ Bolt, as well as several others to come. I think Kincaid is probably a shade behind some of the others like Jerry Bishop and Jace Mason, but he’ll be right up there in his block, I’m sure.



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



Backstage, Dasha Banks stands with RJ Tudor and Jackson Banks.



DJ: I’m joined by excitable tag team Revolution-X, but I don’t think we’ll be talking much about you as a team tonight. RJ Tudor, you are now two weeks away from what has to be called the biggest match of your career. A chance at the FPW Championship. Do you feel prepared?

RJ: Prepared? Maybe. Ready? Hell to the yes. I want that match to take place right here and now. I’ve got electricity in my fingertips and my toes and I want to let it all burst out. Maybe I win and maybe I don’t, but I cannot wait to try. I know the kind of shit Jerry Bishop has done around here and I know he’ll do a lot more if he holds onto that belt. Some of FPW’s best have tried to stop him on this journey and have failed, so maybe it needs to be someone different to derail him.



DJ: How do you plan to overcome the huge gulf in experience between the two of you?

RJ: Man, I’ve been training so hard these past two weeks that I feel I’ve caught up about two years on him. I’ve had so much advice from so many people that I’m struggling to make it all fit together, but I appreciate all of it. I appreciate the love I’ve been getting and I appreciate the chance I’m going to have to show just what I can do. Jerry Bishop has a lot of enemies around here and it shows. If I can take all of the energy people have been sending my way and channel it into that match, there ain’t no stopping me. I know he’s expected to win, but I dare to dream.



DJ: And Jackson, how have you been supporting your tag team partner through this?

JB: I been there every step of the way. I been there with him at six in the morning as we run through the streets and I been there at ten at night as we shut off the lights over the ring. I been there as Aaron Williams came to work with us and I been there as message after message after message filled with support and advice come in. I been there for all of it and I’ll keep being there for the next two weeks and for however many more after that. I believe in my man here. Sure he’s not achieved anything like what Jerry Bishop has achieved. Sure he’s hardly had a singles match here in FPW but I’ve seen what he’s got in his locker and if I’m Jerry Bishop, I’m scared right now. Maybe RJ Tudor doesn’t become the next FPW Champion, but I’ll be damned if he doesn’t get a standing O for trying.



DJ: Of course, you’re in action on our next show too. A Free-1 qualifier against James Saturn. Are you still able to focus on that with RJ’s big match coming up?

JB: Of course. We train together and we both getting better together. Sure I focus on helping my brother be ready for his big match but he’s helping me too. What could be better than me getting into the Free-1 on the same night RJT wins the big belt and shocks the world? But I know Saturn ain’t no pushover. He’s got all the talent and the experience, but I feel ready. I feel like I’m about to really hit my stride. So Saturn, you better be at your best or you’re missing out.



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



MW: “Our next match is another Free-1 qualifier, featuring one of the Freedom Fighter’s favorite wrestlers going up against someone that we’ve not seen much of in singles matches as Aaron Williams takes on Tommy Saxon. Steven, can I get your thoughts on this match?”



SD: “It’s certainly an interesting one. By my reckoning, Williams holds the advantage in nearly every category, except maybe power. But as you said, we have yet to see what Saxon can do on his own, he could prove me wrong tonight.”



MW: “And of course, Saxon will likely have his tag partner Ella Ripley out here with him during this match, that could give him an extra advantage over Aaron.”



SD: “That’s a great point Watson, I think I’m starting to rub off on you! But that’s enough discussion, let’s take this over to Dasha Banks to get this match underway.”



The opening notes of ‘I Still Believe rang out through the arena, and the crowd began cheering as Aaron Williams emerged, pumping his arm to encourage the crowd to get louder. He raised a hand to his ear as the first verse ended, then began singing along as he walked down the ramp. “The following contest is a Free-1 qualifying match scheduled for one fall!” Dasha Banks announced. “Introducing first, from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, he is A plus, Aaron Williams!” Aaron rose from letting a young boy in the front row sign his knee pad and climbed onto the apron before leaping over the ropes and landing in front of the ref. The two of them shook hands before Aaron turned to face up the ramp to await his opponent.



‘Turbo Killer’ began to play, and the crowd began to boo as Tommy Saxon appeared, Ella Ripley a step behind him. The two of them embraced before they linked arms and made their way down to the ring. “And introducing his opponent, from London, England, he is Dauntless, Tommy Saxon!” Saxon slid into the ring and immediately got in Aaron’s face. Aaron didn’t look fazed, and the ref stepped in to separate the two, and they both backed into opposite corners.



Match 2: Free-1 III Qualifier: Aaron Williams vs. Tommy Saxon (written by Mason):



The bell rang, and both competitors advanced slowly, until Tommy Saxon charged forward with a clothesline. Aaron ducked, but as he straightened back up, Saxon whirled around with a spinning backfist that took Aaron off his feet. Aaron brought his hands up for defense, but Saxon kicked them aside and dropped into a mounted position over Aaron, raining down forearms until Aaron was dazed enough that Saxon was able to stand and easily pull him up to his feet. Saxon smiled as he pulled Aaron into a gutwrench suplex that drove him hard into the mat before rolling him into a cover.



…1!..Kick-out!



MW: “What a start from Tommy Saxon!”



SD: “And he’s proving my point about his advantage coming from his power, absolutely battering Williams here in the beginning of this match.”



Aaron tried to roll out under the bottom rope as he kicked out, but Saxon grabbed his leg and pulled him away from the ropes before hauling him upright and whipping him into the corner. Saxon charged in after him, but Aaron brought his knees up to block, lifting himself onto the middle rope with the same movement. Saxon staggered out of the corner and Aaron took flight, launching into a crossbody, only for Saxon to catch him out of midair before tossing him into the center of the ring with a fallaway slam! Saxon rolled back to his feet as Aaron slowly rose to his knees, and with a predator’s smile, he ran forward and drove his boot into the side of Aaron’s head. Aaron collapsed and, more out of instinct than anything else, began rolling towards the bottom rope.Saxon let Aaron roll out of the ring this time, shrugging his shoulders and saying “A win’s a win.” The ref shook his head at Saxon, but began to administer the ten-count.



1!



2!



3!





Saxon watched from the ring as Aaron began to rise, pacing the ring as it became obvious that Aaron would beat the count.



4!



5!



6!



Aaron sprang up onto the apron, and Saxon charged in to knock him back down to the floor. Aaron managed to counter, sidestepping and leaning into the ropes to deliver an enzuigiri to Saxon’s head. Saxon took a few steps back, shaking his head, and Aaron made the most of the distance, leaping up and then springing off the top rope and taking Saxon down with a springboard clothesline. Aaron rolled through as he landed and sprang back to his feet motioning for Saxon to get up. Saxon rolled over and rose to a knee, prompting Aaron to give the crowd a smile before he ran forward and delivered a knee strike right to Saxon’s face. Saxon went down, and now it was Aaron who looked to end the match, hooking his leg for a cover.



...1!..Kick-out!



Aaron nodded as he stood up following Saxon’s kick out, grabbing his wrist and pulling him up to his feet with him. He whipped Saxon into the corner, then ran to follow him in with a full body splash. He backed up before delivering another, then repeated the process another two times, the crowd's energy rising with each consecutive splash. Aaron backed into the center of the ring again, then charged forwards to deliver one final splash, only for Saxon to stop him in his tracks, reaching up and wrapping a hand around his throat. Aaron struggled to break free as Saxon stepped out of the corner and set him up for a chokeslam. He lifted Aaron up, only for Aaron to drive his elbow into the side of his head, causing Saxon to set him back down. Aaron connected with another elbow that forced Saxon to let go, then lunged forward, landing a bell clap that sent Saxon staggering back into the corner. Aaron took a step back, then charged in and delivered a fifth splash into the corner, much to the delight of the crowd. Aaron smiled and grabbed Saxon by the wrist, pulling him into the center of the ring to set up an Irish whip into the ropes. But Saxon reversed the whip, sending Aaron to the ropes and attempting a clothesline when he rebounded. Aaron ducked under and rebounded off the opposite ropes, ducking again to avoid Saxon's back elbow. He leapt up onto the middle rope and then launched backwards into an elbow of his own, only for Saxon to catch him, wrapping his arms around his waist and tossing him overhead with a German suplex. The crowd cheered as Aaron flipped out of the suplex and landed on his feet, waiting for Saxon to turn around. Expecting to find Aaron flat on his back, Saxon rose to one knee and rotated to see his victim, only for his eyes to widen as Aaron connected with a thunderous mid kick to his chest.



MW: “Oh my god, Tommy Saxon is unfazed!”



SD: “More than that, he’s beckoning for Aaron to hit him again!



Indeed, Saxon had risen to his feet and was now encouraging Aaron to deliver another kick. And Aaron did so, the shock on his face morphing into determination as he took a step back to add more power to the next mid kick he delivered to Saxon’s chest. But although Saxon took a step back, he remained on his feet, gesturing for more. Aaron prepared for another kick, but before he could deliver it, Saxon swiftly stepped in and booted him in the gut, then drove him face-first into the mat with a lifting DDT. Aaron went limp, and Saxon rolled him over into a cover.



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



The crowd came alive as Aaron kicked out, but Saxon didn’t join in their celebration, banging his hand on the mat in frustration. But he got over his frustration quickly, a smile spreading across his face as he backed into a corner, waiting for Aaron to rise. As Aaron made it to his knees, Saxon raised one fist, and as Aaron rose to his full height he charged out from the corner, leaving his feet to deliver the Knuckler, only for Aaron to leave his feet as well, catching him out of midair with a dropkick!



MW: “Oh my god!”



Saxon was down, and Aaron hurried into the corner, climbing to the top rope to press his advantage. He took a moment to look down at his opponent before he leapt into a swanton bomb, landing hard across Saxon’s chest before rolling over into a cover.



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



But although Saxon kicked out, Aaron was firing up, repeatedly nodding as he stood up and motioned for Saxon to rise. Saxon did so, and Aaron finally brought him down with a mid kick. The crowd cheered as Saxon fell, but Aaron wasn’t done, leaving his feet to drive both of them into Saxon’s chest. He rolled through upon landing and then leapt onto the second rope, springing off to deliver a moonsault, only for Saxon to bring his knees up! Aaron staggered back to his feet as Saxon sprang to his feet and connected with a quick pair of punches, then a kick to the chest that drove Aaron into the ropes.



SD: “Tommy Saxon reversing the Quick-fire combo into the Tommy Gun! Brilliant!”



Aaron bounced off the ropes and Saxon met him with a back elbow that stopped him in his tracks, giving Saxon enough time to retreat several steps to set up the lariat. He ran forwards to deliver the blow, but as he neared, Aaron launched him up and then caught him on the way back down before dropping him on his head with a pop-up piledriver! Saxon collapsed, and Aaron wasted no time in rolling him over into a cover.



...1!...2!...3!



Winner: Aaron Williams (12:54)
.


“Here is your winner, and qualifying for the 2020 Free-1 tournament, Aaron Williams!” Dasha announced as ‘I Still Believe’ played throughout the arena again. Aaron rose to his feet and the referee raised his hand as Saxon rolled to the outside, with Ella RIpley quickly stepping in to support him as they began walking up the ramp.



MW: “And just like that, Aaron Williams qualifies for the 2020 Free-1.”



SD: “Saxon did good in this match, he played to his strengths very effectively. But in the end, even though he was able to temporarily counter the Quick-fire Combo, Aaron persisted and still finished the combo, which then finished the match in short order.”



At the top of the ramp, Ripley and Saxon had turned around to face the ring again. Aaron noticed and locked eyes with Saxon, holding his gaze for a moment before giving him a slow nod.



MW: “A sign of respect for his opponent being shown by Aaron Williams here, but now he must look ahead to the Free-1, and to the prize that’s at stake.”



SD: “We don’t yet know the full field of competitors for this year’s tournament, nor do we know the block breakdown, but my mouth is damn near watering at the potential matches we could see from Aaron Williams now that he’s in. Another match between him and Jerry perhaps, or an athletic competition with Marcus Allen Jones if he qualifies in two weeks. The possibilities are nearly endless, and that’s the beauty of the Free-1.”



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



Backstage, Sato stands with The Guardians of Strong Style as they stretch out ahead of their match.



“Kono shiai wa, kore made de mottomo muzukashī bōgyo-saku ni naru kanōsei ga arimasu. Bō to Berry wa shinkokuna jōkyō ni ari, karera wa anata ni taisuru jishin ni michite imasu. Anata wa kore o kachitoru tame ni nani o suruhitsuyōgāru ka shitte imasu. Sorera o inshō-tekina tatakai ni hikikomimasu. Tcyukiro - zenwan, choppu, zudzuki. Tatte, dekiru dake ōku torihiki shite kudasai. Takahara- kikku to kikku to kikku. Berry ni anata to kanojo no ashi o awase sasete kudasai. Sorera o sutoraikubatoru ni kyōsei suru to, anata wa sorera no beruto o motte dete ikimasu. Karera ni shiai o kontorōru sa sereba, anata wa nani mo nashi ni dete ikimasu. Kyōryokuna sutairu no gādian wa, FPW ga kore made ni mita naka de saikō no taguchīmudesu. Watashitachi wa 3-kai no chanpiondesu. 3-Kai-me no beruto no funshitsu wa arimasen. Ima koso saikō no pafōmansu o hakki suru tokidesu. Anata no yūi-sei o shuchō shi, sorera no beruto o chakuyō suru ni ataisuru koto o shōmei shimasu.”



Tchyukiro and Takahara grunt back to Sato.



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



Match 3: Free-1 III Qualifier: Aiden Balmer vs. Danica Jane (No Writer Volunteered):



Summary:

- Balmer started the match strong, taunting Danica as he kept her down using his power, getting a lot of close two-counts.

- The fans started to get behind Danica after Balmer kept slapping her and telling her that she didn’t deserve to be in FPW.

- She fought back, using her athleticism effectively.

- Balmer retained the upper hand, but couldn’t finish the match as Danica showed impressive resilience.

- He went for the Gift of Gore several times, but Danica kept countering, dropping down behind him and hitting a hook kick; taking him down with a hurricanrana and holding for a near-fall; dropping off his shoulders into a swinging neck breaker.

- Balmer lost his cool after these counters and Mary Downing handed him a chair. The official came in and took it away and Downing tried to get involved, but Danica took her out with Lights Out.

- Balmer then caught her with a huge running powerslam for a near-fall.

- Balmer pulled her up for The Ender, but Danica managed to wriggle free.

- Downing distracted the official again and slid in a chair, which Balmer was about to use when Danica caught him with Lights Out into the chair.



Winner: Danica Jane (12:04).



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



Backstage, James Saturn is with Dasha Banks.



DB: I’m joined-

JS: Cut the crap, Dasha. Just give me the mic.



Saturn grabs the mic and takes it out of Dasha’s hands.



JS: Banks, I heard what you had to say earlier. It’s cute that you think you can hang with me. You don’t have what it takes to lace up my boots let alone step into a ring with me. What have you ever done? Nothing. What gives you the right to say anything about me? I’ve been in the last two Free-1 tournaments. What were you doing then? You’d barely had a match by the time Free-1 II came around. I’d main evented shows here and all over the world. I’d won the Young Lions’ Cup. You think I need to be at my best to beat you? Please. I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back, and I could still walk the ropes better than you can. The day that you beat me is the day that I seriously consider my future in wrestling. It’s time for me to take my rightful place at the top of FPW. I’ve been overlooked for too long. I should have been named number one contender for the FPW Championship but Houston made people grovel to him to get a chance because it makes him feel big. I won’t bow down to anyone, let alone a man who gets his kicks like that. I’ll win this Free-1 and I’ll take the title that’s being kept warm for me at Judgement Day III. And I’d like to see you try and stop me, Jackson Banks. I’m going to have fun teaching you some respect.



Saturn shoves the mic back at Dasha and walks away.



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



*We return to ringside as Watson and Deville introduce the next match.*



MW: Coming up next is a Free-1 Qualifying match featuring two tenacious tusslers not known for their niceness!

SD: Not known for the- why would *that* be what they're known for in professional wrestling?

MW: I was going for alliteration again...

SD: At least stick to one letter, then, don't switch it partway through, it throws off the flow of the sentence.

MW: I will make a note of that!

SD: The things you do to butcher the Queen's, sometimes, Watson...



*Dasha Banks takes the center of the ring.*



DB: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL, with the winner gaining entry into the FREE! ONE! TOURNAMENT!



*The arena fills with boos as "Dance of the Knights" flows in through the speakers. MDE ambles onto the stage, takes a slow look around the arena, and a confident sneer comes over his face before he paces calmly towards the ring, almost basking in the crowd's jeering.*



MW: The Simply Great One looking to continue his wave of momentum-by-association thanks to his alliance with our current champion, Jerry Bishop, and another Fallen Friendmigo, Johnny California.

SD: Put some respect on those names, Watson! The Joker is one of the most dominant champions this promotion's ever had! And there's nothing wrong with MDE wanting to wet his beak here and there with a win!



*He walks up the ring steps, wipes his feet on the apron, and climbs between the ropes. Looking to Dasha Banks, he raises an eyebrow and blows her a kiss before broadly motioning for her to make her introduction.*



DB: Ickk-ntroducing first... from Plymouth, England, he is a SIMPLE MAN, MDE!



*MDE points a finger in her face and starts to correct her, but the referee backs him down. Dasha apologizes, almost a little too much. MDE backs into his corner as a small smile spreads on Dasha's face.*



SD: How insulting, she knows where he's from, she's besmirching his good name!

MW: If he had any good name speak of, he wouldn't go by his initials, would he?



*Deville turns in shock to Watson, surprised at his colleague's sudden appearance of a spine.*



The music shifts to "Fury, Oh Fury" and the crowd starts to cheer but fall silent as the monologue begins. The lights in the arena shift to the red and white of the Japanese flag. Go Shihei tromps to the center of the stage. As the music crescendos, he shakes himself out, slaps himself across the face and chest, and bellows out a mighty roar and the audience burst into cheers.



DB: And his opponent, from Osaka, Japan, GO! SHIHEIIIIIII!



*Parts of the crowd begin to chant "GO! GO! GO!" as The Man of the Rising Sun strides with purpose towards the ring.*



MW: Shihei is hungry for a big win here tonight, and he looks like he's out to get it!

SD: You're not joking, look out!



Match 4: Free-1 III Qualifier: MDE vs. Go Shihei (written by Jerry):



*As soon as Shihei reaches the ring, he slides under the ropes and dives for MDE with a flying lariat, launching an unprepared MDE into the corner behind him. Shihei wraps MDE's arms around the top ropes and lights up his chest with a massive chop, followed by another, and another, and another as the crowd cheer "WOOOO!" with each strike. He runs to the opposite corner and hurtles himself towards MDE as he staggers out of the corner, lifting his leg and driving a big boot into MDE's face. Shihei watches MDE drop down and runs the length of the ring once more. He pushes himself off the second turnbuckle and throws himself into the seated MDE with a running senton. He pulls MDE out of the corner and goes for a cover.*



ONE!

NO!



*MDE kicks out, shaking himself back into focus as Shihei stalks him.*



MW: Go Shihei coming in a little bit hot tonight!

SD: I can barely see the mat from the heat coming off of it with a start like that!



*Shihei pulls MDE up by the head, hooking an arm over his head and lifting a leg, spinning himself over with a swinging fisherman's neckbreaker. MDE grabs at his neck as he stirs. Shihei lets out a roar and slaps himself to focus his energy. Sections of the stands let out a long "GOOOOOO". MDE gets to one knee and Shihei pulls MDE up, tucking his head between his legs before powering him up into a powerbomb position. MDE lands a flurry of desperate fists to Shihei's head. Shihei looks to try and power MDE up even higher, but as MDE lays into him he lowers him back down. MDE, noticing the referee is behind him and can't see Shihei's face, reaches down, and rakes Shihei's eyes. Shihei drops MDE to the mat with a jackknife powerbomb, but clearly not with as much force as he wanted. The referee checks with Shihei, who staggers in the ring, snorting angrily and trying to clear his vision. MDE takes a moment to catch his breath.*



MW: Absolutely uncalled for! What sort of sportsmanship is that?

SD: If it goes unnoticed by the official, who's to say it's really cheating?



*MDE pulls himself up in a corner while Shihei charges in with a lariat across MDE's chest. MDE gasps for air as Shihei looks to run the ropes once more. MDE spots Shihei looking for another lariat and swings himself between the ropes onto the apron, leaving Shihei to collide arm-first into the ring post. MDE catches Shihei's wrist and brutally wrenches it over the top rope as the referee calls for him to break the hold. On the ref's count of four, MDE whips Shihei's arm back into the ring post and climbs back into the ring.*



MW: Typically underhanded behavior from MDE on display here tonight.

SD: Shihei's gone back to the well too many times, MDE saw his strategy and found a way to answer it.



*Shihei shakes out his arm in pain as MDE slides up behind him, grabbing the arm and wrapping it behind Shihei's back in a deep hammerlock, forcing Shihei to one knee from the pain. Shihei lands a few blows to MDE's midsection, relieving the pressure on his arm but not breaking the hold. Shihei tries to reach the ropes, but MDE spots this and whips Shihei to the opposite side of the ring, catching him off the ropes with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. MDE then drops to the mat beside Shihei and grabs his arm for an armbar, draping his legs across Shihei's chest and wrenching the arm back. However, Shihei is able to lock his hands together, preventing MDE from properly apply pressure. Shihei pushes himself off his back, rolling over onto his side, and slowly to his feet, MDE still wrapped around his arm. Shihei grabs MDE's arm and hoists him into the air into a powerbomb position before slamming him down full force with a sitout powerbomb. MDE breaks the hold and Shihei rolls away, slamming his arm to the mat to get the blood flowing again.*



MW: Shihei digging down deep to break that hold!

SD: But he's giving MDE too much time, a classic blunder!



*Shihei scuttles over to MDE and drapes his good arm over his chest.*



ONE!

TWO!

T- NO!



MW: As much damage as Shihei has dealt to MDE it still isn't enough!

SD: He's the man with the plan, and that plan is coming to fruition as we speak!



*Shihei lets out another roar, slamming his arm into the mat and slapping his upper arm to regain feeling as he stands. He sees MDE getting to his feet, and catches his head and leg, pulls him up, and launches him into the corner with an exploder suplex. As Shihei lands from the move, he reaches for his arm once more. MDE pulls himself up, out of breath, but still focused. Shihei springs to his feet and vaults across the ring with a flying elbow smash to the face. MDE reels from the impact, but so does Shihei. Shihei uses his good arm once more for a chop before digging deep and powering MDE to the top turnbuckle. MDE tries to strike from above, but Shihei catches the fist with his good arm and lets loose a straight punch with his injured arm to MDE's face, breaking his nose, leaving the Englishman bloodied and dazed. Shihei shakes his arm out and turns his back to MDE, letting out a roar. He grabs MDE's arms and lifts them up over his own head, looking to pull him from the turnbuckle with a massive crucifix. However, Shihei's injured arm gives way, allowing MDE to drop down to the mat. MDE then wraps his arms under Shihei's before launching him backward into the turnbuckle with a Tiger suplex. Shihei collides with the turnbuckles and grabs at his shoulder and neck. The referee checks Shihei is okay as MDE paces in the ring with a smile growing across his face, while the arena fills once more with boos.*



MW: Good gracious, that was reckless! Shihei could be seriously injured!

SD: You mean genius! Pulling a move out of Shihei's own playbook and using it against him! He truly is Simply Great!



*MDE waves away the official and drags Shihei away from the corner and the ropes by his arms. Keeping lock on Shihei's wrists, MDE rolls Shihei onto his side and starts to wrap an arm around his leg. He grabs the other arm and starts to pull it back behind Shihei's back, torquing the shoulders as Shihei shouts in agony.*



MW: THE SIMPLY GREAT STRETCH! Not like this, Go, fight it!

SD: YES! IT IS DELICIOUS!



*Shihei, unable to tap, roars in anger before confirming to the referee he submits. The ref calls for the bell.*



Winner: MDE (11:32)
.


DB: Here is your winner, by submission, MDE...



*The arena is a tempest of boos as MDE wipes his nose, flicking the running crimson from his hand onto Shihei, who lies on the mat desperately grabbing at his arm. The official starts to raise MDE's hand, but he pulls his arm away, standing alone in the center of the ring, a smirk across his face. The ref consults with Shihei in a corner.*



MW: An incredible battle of endurance between these two here tonight, but sadly, Shihei's offensive onslaught was unable to sway the momentum of MDE.

SD: And he should get out of the ring and to the back already if he wants to lick his wounds! This is a proud day for England! GOD SAVE OUR GRAC-

MW: If you keep singing, I will put sand in your coffee.

SD: ...touche.



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



As MDE walks back through the curtain, he looks up to see Aaron Williams standing and applauding him.



AW: Congratulations. I really hope we’re in the same block, because I can’t wait to get my hands on you.



MDE gives Williams a smug look.



MDE: As if you’d have a chance against me. I’d tie you in knots and make sure I took the entire thirty minutes to snap each and every one of your limbs. You really think the prospect of facing you scared Jerry-

AW: I don’t care about Jerry Bishop right now. I care about you. You took me out of that battle royal. You act as some kind of bullying enforcer for a man who can’t even be bothered to turn up to shows. You’re what’s wrong with this place just as much as he is. If we get drawn in the same block, I’ll make sure I go through you on my way to winning this tournament and I’ll make sure I take that belt away from Jerry- or, who knows, maybe from RJ Tudor.



MDE laughs.



MDE: RJ Tudor? You know as well as I do what’s going to happen in that match. If you win the Free-1, it’ll be Jerry who you face at Judgement Day III. But I’ve got some bad news for you. Jerry and I are the only two who have a chance of winning the Free-1. When I win my block and he wins his- and you can be sure that we’ll be in separate blocks- we’ll give everyone the final they deserve.



Williams raises an eyebrow.



AW: The final they deserve? Tell me, did you care about what fans deserved for an instant before Jerry Bishop start paying you? The MDE who I used to be fairly impressed by wrestled and spoke as if there weren’t any people watching him. Now you suddenly buy into this insane person’s notion of giving the crowd what he thinks they deserve? You know, I’d love to see you and him wrestle. I don’t know which one of you would get the sense knocked into them but I bet one of you would. But it won’t happen in the final. That spot is mine and I will not be giving it up. What did a former champion here say? You’d have to prise that spot from my cold, dead hands and I don’t think you’re good enough to do it.



MDE and Williams stand and stare one another down for a few moments before MDE steps back and lets out a derisory grunt.



MDE: I hope we get the chance to find out. You won’t have your pal Mason there to win the match for you like you did in the tag classic. You’re a hanger-on, Williams. Your value comes from being able to get the crowd to cheer for the stupid risks you take. You’re not the wrestler you think you are; far from it. And I’ll be glad to prove that to you in the Free-1 or afterwards.



MDE pushes past Williams and Williams watches him walk away for a few moments.



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



MW: And now it’s time for our main event. The Tag Team Championships are on the line as the greatest tag team in FPW history face off against the winners of All Star Tag Team Classic III. The Guardians of Strong Style versus The House of Berry and Bo.

SD: And this match ought to be something truly special. The All Star Tag Team Classic final was one of the greatest FPW matches I can remember and now we’ve got The Guardians of Strong Style in the ring with the winners of that match. This has the makings of a truly great main event.

MW: Of course, Bo and Berry are still a fairly new team in FPW. They’ve gelled impressively quickly, but they’re up against two men who have been teaming for their entire wrestling life. What do they have to do to wrestle the Tag Team Championships away from Tchyukiro and Takahara?

SD: Well, we’ve heard them talk about not standing and trading with them. We know they feel they can’t match Tchyukiro or Takahara for striking. I think they believe they can for a while but they know they’ll get worn down in the end. I think they have to pick their spots. Stick and move. Berry will still do damage with her kicks, but she can’t just stand there and let Takahara respond. Bo will do damage with his knees and his elbows too, but he can’t stand and trade with Tchyukiro. They need to frustrate The Guardians of Strong Style. Don’t wrestle their match. Don’t get sucked into the kind of strong style match that they do better than anybody here.

MW: I’m sure that’ll be easier said than done, especially for Bo who often seems to feel the need to show his toughness.

SD: And he is tough. He clearly is. But this match isn’t about taking lots of punishment. This is about winning the Tag Team Championships. It’s more important than Bo’s ego. He needs to realise that.

MW: And how about our champions? What do they need to do to defeat such an intriguing set of challengers?

SD: Well if they can draw them into a strike-fest, I think they’ll retain. If not, then they need to use their tag team experience. They need to isolate and then wear down one of Bo or Berry. Bo and Berry will surely know that the longer they’re in the ring, the more punishment they’ll take. Tchyukiro and Takahara have to make sure they do take that punishment. Keep one of them in their corner and then the chops and the kicks and the forearms and the headbutts will come into play. Make this a pure tag team match and I think The Guardians of Strong Style win. Let it devolve into a tornado-style match like the All Star Tag Team Classic final became, and I think Bo and Berry find a way to become champions.

MW: With that being said, let’s get this match started. Dasha Banks with the introductions.



“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall and it is for the FPW Tag Team Championships! Introducing first, from New Haven, Connecticut and The Bay Area, California respectively, they are the winners of All Star Tag Team Classic III, Berry Bishop and Botiatus, The House of Berry and Bo!”



A cheer fills the arena followed by a hush as the crowd don’t get the usual introduction to their entrance. Instead, a rock arrangement of ‘The Entertainer’ plays and the fans cheer loudly as Botiatus and Berry Bishop stride out onto the stage. Bo maintains a cool look as he surveys the crowd while Berry constantly looks to be battling with herself to remain calm and stop a smile from breaking out onto her face. Bo steps down the ramp and begins blowing a few kisses to the fans while Berry shakes her head and scrunches her face up to try and look serious, trying to swagger down the ramp. The fans around her laugh at her over the top efforts and she cracks a couple of times on the way down. Bo steps up into the ring as Berry reaches the bottom of the ramp and she begins to dance a little; Bo looks down and shakes his head with a smile, calling for her to get into the ring. She slides under the bottom rope and then stands in the middle of the ring in a Scott Hall pose, while Bo smiles and moves behind her, raising his fist a la Kevin Nash. The fans cheer and a ‘H. O. B. B.’ chant goes around as the music comes to an end.



“And their opponents, being accompanied to the ring by Sato, they are the current and three-time FPW Tag Team Champions from Hiroshima, Japan, Hiro Takahara and Masa Tchyukiro… The Guardians of Strong Style.”



Another cheer goes up around the arena, but it’s noticeably quieter than it was for The House of Berry and Bo. The usual introduction plays for The Guardians of Strong Style and Sato emerges at the top of the ramp with a bow. As the song kicks in, Sato rises and Tchyukiro and Takahara, Tag Team Championships around their waist, join him, all three bowing. They rise again and begin their walk down the ramp quickly, not acknowledging any of the fans. They walk up the steps and each wipe their feet on the apron before stepping through the ropes. Berry and Bo stand back respectfully as Takahara and Tchyukiro eye them across the ring.



The official takes the belts from The Guardians of Strong Style and holds them up before passing them to the outside and waiting for the two starting team members to make themselves known. Takahara steps forward and Bo and Berry bump fists before Bo steps through the ropes.



Match 5: Tag Team Championships: The Guardians of Strong Style vs. The House of Berry and Bo:



The bell rings and Takahara steps forward, pointing to his chest. Berry hangs back, shaking her head. Takahara points to his chest again but Berry shakes her head again, instead coming forward and calling for a lock-up. Takahara stares at her before aiming a swift roundhouse kick to her head, which Berry barely sways out of the way of. She catches Talahara in a waistlock and lifts him, but he quickly drops down and performs a standing switch. He looks for a Saito suplex, but Berry catches him in a headlock and takes him over, grounding him. He quickly gets his legs up into a headscissors and Berry kicks her way out. They both stand and Takahara aims another kick at Berry, who ducks it and then sweeps his leg, grabbing the left foot and manipulating the ankle.



Berry rolls Takaahra onto his belly and looks for an ankle lock, but he quickly rolls back through and pushes her off. She hits the ropes and looks to come back with a penalty kick, but Takahara catches it and stands, Berry’s foot in his grasp. He unleashes a hard kick to her side before dropping the leg and taking her down with a snap suplex. He then looks down at her as she scrambles away to the ropes. Berry slowly gets to her feet, watching Takahara all the time, but he holds back and then points to his chest again. She comes forward but instead of planting a kick on Takahara, she drops low and takes the leg again. Takahara loses his balance and Berry kicks him hard on the inside of his knee before looking for a heel hook. However, Takahara quickly manages to escape again, and he scrambles to the corner to tag in Tchyukiro.



MW: Berry Bishop with an impressive start to this one.

SD: We’ve seen flashes of her speed and her kicking ability, but we’ve seen that she’s reluctant to engage on that front. Takahara had the better of it when she did look to use that part of her arsenal.

MW: And now we have an interesting contrast. The more powerful Tchyukiro entering the ring and Berry doesn’t seem phased.

SD: Clearly they don’t have a plan for her to take Takahara and Bo to take Tchyukiro like I thought they might. This should be an interesting battle to watch.



Tchyukiro enters and he growls in Japanese, pointing to his chest just like Takahara did. Berry shakes her head again and calls Tchyukiro forward. He happily comes forward and the two lock up, but Tchyukiro quickly drives Berry back into the corner. He releases the lock-up and aims a forearm, but Berry ducks it and unleashes a quick volley of kicks to the chest. Tchyukiro takes them and then comes out of the corner with more aggression, growling at Berry some more and unleashing a hard forearm to take her down to the mat. He grabs her by the head and drags her over to the corner, where he tags in Takahara again. Tchyukiro sits her up and Takahara hits the ropes, looking for a penalty kick, only for Berry to quickly roll to the side and dive over to the corner, tagging in Bo.



Bo enters cautiously, not wanting to rush into a strike exchange. He and Takahara circle one another, Takahara extending a foot tentatively and keeping Bo at bay. Bo tries to come in and target the left leg, just like Berry did, but Takahara avoids it with surprising agility, and the two continue to circle. After a few moments, they come together into a lock up and Bo quickly grabs a headlock. Takahara forces him into the ropes and shoves him off, and Bo comes back at him with a shoulder tackle, but the two crunch into one another and neither goes down. Takahara stares at Bo, who hits the ropes again and looks for another, but again the two remain standing. Bo smiles and beckons for Takahara to hit the ropes and try it on him. Takahara does, and the two collide again, neither man gaining an advantage.



MW: Is this a dangerous move by Bo?

SD: Maybe. He’s better doing this with Takahara than Tchyukiro of course. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. He and Berry clearly have a plan to target Takahara’s leg, so I’m going to assume they’ve talking about this kind of scenario.



Bo and Takahara stand forehead to forehead and then each man signals to the ropes. They each hit the ropes and come at one another with a shoulder tackle, and each staggers backwards upon impact. Suddenly, Takaahra unleashes an enzeguiri, but Bo ducks it. As Takahara gets to his feet, Bo grabs him into a back suplex. He turns to make a cover, but Takahara is already getting to his feet. Bo makes to grab the arm, but Takahara takes advantage of the opening and lands a hard kick to the mid-section before unleashing a flurry of kicks to the legs and back of Botiatus, dropping him down to one knee. Takahara hits the ropes and connects with a crunching penalty kick before making a cover.



One…

Two-



Botiatus kicks out. Takahara grabs him under the chin and pulls him to his feet, forcing him into the corner and following him in with a running big boot. He tags in Tchyukiro and the two of them double team Bo, Takahara hitting hard kicks while Tchyukiro lands a series of chops to his chest. The fans begin to boo the champions as the official counts, and Takahara steps away at the count of four, stepping out of the ring and leaving Tchyukiro to keep firing chops into Bo’s chest. When he pauses, Bo tries to force his way out of the corner, but Tchyukiro grabs him and throws him back against the turnbuckles, alternating chops and forearms before Bo drops to a seated position. Tchyukiro backs up and hits the ropes, coming in with a sliding lariat. Bo rolls out of the corner and Tchyukiro makes a cover.



One…

Two…

T-



Bo kicks out. Tchyukiro quickly grabs him by the head and pulls him to his feet, landing a couple more chops before moving behind him and grabbing him for a German suplex. Bo is powerless to resist as Tchyukiro drops him in the back of his neck and bridges for another pin attempt.



One…

Two-



Bo kicks out again. Tchyukiro lifts Bo again, not giving him any time to recover, and he sends him into the corner, following him in with a running lariat. Bo drops to a seated position again and Takahara tags himself in, moving away from Bo before charging in and connecting with a thunderous double knee strike. He pulls Bo out of the corner and makes another cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Bo manages to kick out again.



MW: This is utter dominance right now from The Guardians of Strong Style.

SD: They manufactured an opening and they’re doing what they do best. They’re unrelenting in their attack and they’re not giving Bo any room to breathe right now.

MW: How can he get his team back into this match?

SD: He needs to get to his partner and make a tag somehow, but I don’t see how he’s going to fight his way out of that corner.



Takahara stands and pulls Bo up again. He drives a hard knee into his mid-section and then forces him into the corner again. He makes the tag to Tchyukiro, who enters and connects with another forearm, but Bo fires up, driving back at Tchyukiro and forcing him out of the corner, landing a few right hands. Bo looks to get past to get to Berry, but Tchyukiro manages to grab him round the waist and he drops him with a snap German. Bp, however, takes it and rolls through, getting back to his feet. He roars at Tchyukiro and charges at him, taking him down with a running lariat and then diving to make the tag as the fans cheer loudly.



Berry enters the ring as Tchyukiro starts to get to his feet. She connects with a series of hard kicks to his back and then to his legs. He tries to fight through them but she continues to land them in a flurry and he’s forces back down to one knee. Berry connects with a buzzsaw kick to the back of the head and then hits the ropes, taking Tchyukiro down with a shining wizard. She makes the cover.



One-



Tchyukiro kicks out at one! He pushes back to his feet and Berry stares at him, momentarily unable to move. He takes advantage of her shock and floors her with a hard lariat, staggering a couple of steps before reaching down and lifting her. He sends her into the ropes and connects with a hard powerslam. He then sits her up and hits the ropes himself, connecting with a sliding lariat and making the cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Berry kicks out. Tchyukiro grabs her by the hair and pulls her up, landing a series of hard chops to send her back into The Guardians of Strong Style’s corner and tagging in Takahara. He comes in and unleashes a volley of mid-kicks as Berry rests in the corner and she soon drops down to a seated position. He backs away and again connects with a devastating double knee strike. Berry rolls out of the corner and Takahara makes the cover.



One…

Two…

Th-



Again she manages to kicks out.



MW: The House of Berry and Bo have had their bright spots in this one, but The Guardians of Strong Style seem to be in total control over this match.

SD: They’re such an effective and intense tag team. They don’t give you time to breathe, the keep themselves fresh by tagging in and out so fast and they can do so much damage with so little. I said at the start of this match that Bo and Berry need to be able to regularly get in and out of the ring, but they’ve hardly been able to reach out for a tag let alone make one.

MW: And Berry looks to be really struggling right now.

SD: I’m sure Takahara and Tchyukiro can sense it.



Takahara reaches up and tags Tchyukiro in. Takahara lifts Berry and whips her into the ropes, following her as Tchyukiro takes her down with a poerslam and Takahara follows up almost instantly with a penalty kick. Tchyukiro drops down into a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Berry just kicks out. Bo steps back to the outside after having entered to break up the cover. He begins banging on the turnbuckle and the fans join him in trying to rally Berry to find a way to make a tag. Tchyukiro, however, doesn’t let her recover again, lifting her and driving her into the corner. He lifts her with ease onto the top turnbuckle and climbs after her. He drives a series of forearms into her before hooking an arm over her and pulling her into position for a superplex. Berry is unable to resist as Tchyukiro lifts her and drops her back down into the ring. He rolls over and hooks a leg.



One-



Now Berry kicks out at one and the fans leap to their feet! She gets up quickly and aims a hard kick at Tchyukiro, who staggers back. She aims another and then lands a roundhouse kick. He staggers again and the shits the ropes, but he comes back with a pop-up headbutt. Berry crumples to the mat, but Tchyukiro can’t capitalise immediately, staggering a couple of steps before hitting the ropes and looking for another sliding lariat. Berry, however, drops down and Tchyukiro misses. She springs up to her feet and calls him forward. He comes at her with a running lariat, but she ducks it and aims another roundhouse kick. He ducks it and follows through onto the ropes, coming back with another huge running lariat, but Berry absorbs it and flips over onto her feet, before connecting with a sudden Checkmate!



MW: Checkmate! Checkmate!

SD: But she can’t make the cover!

MW: This one would be over right now if Berry Bishop hadn’t taken such punishment!

SD: Now she has a decision. Crawl one way and make the cover or crawl the other and make the tag?

MW: I think she’s going for the tag.

SD: And so is Tchyukiro. We’re about to see a big moment in this match as the two fresh men are about to enter!



Berry reaches up and makes the tag to Bo just as Tchyukiro tags in Takahara. The two of them enter and charge at one another, Bo ducking a running big boot and taking Takahara down with an inverted headlock neckbreaker. Takahara tries to get to his feet quickly but Bo drives a knee into his gut and lifts him for a vertical suplex before dropping him down onto the top rope. Takahara bounces down onto the apron and Bo wastes no time in hitting the ropes and connecting with a sliding elbow drop. Takahara doubles over and Bo pulls his head through the ropes before delivering rising knee strikes. The fans count along as Bo connects with nine of them. He then hits the ropes and lands a running knee strike for the tenth. Takahara slumps down into the ring and Bo steps through the ropes, pointing to himself twice, then at Berry once and then back to himself as the fans chant along ‘H. O. B. B.’. He then delivers the H. O. B. B. leg drop and hooks a leg for the cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Takahara just gets a shoulder up. Bo stands, buzzing with energy, and stalks Takahara. As he Takahara pulls himself up, Bo hoists him onto his shoulder and charges at the opposite corner, dropping him onto the top turnbuckle with snake eyes. Bo then hits the ropes and looks for House Call, only for Takahara to duck at the last moment. Bo follows up into the ropes and Takahara takes him down with a mid-kick. Takahara staggers over to his corner and Tchyukiro makes the tag. He enters the ring as Bo gets to his feet and looks to connect with a chop, but Bo ducks it and leaps up for House Rules, dropping Tchyukiro on the back of his neck! He makes the cover.



One…

Two…

Thre-



Takahara breaks up the cover! The fans hold their hands to their heads as Takahara pulls Bo to his feet and sends him into the corner, following up with a running dropkick. He then calls for Tchyukiro to get to his feet as Bo staggers out of the corner. Takahara positions himself behind Bo and he unleashes a hard kick to the back of the head just as Tchyukiro connects with a vicious discus lariat. Bo crumples and Tchyukiro makes the cover, Takahara positioning himself so Berry can’t break it up.



One…

Two…

Thre-



Bo kicks out! The fans leap from their seats again and Takahara turns in shock. As he turns back again, Berry Bishop has positioned herself on the top rope and she leaps down with a flying headsicssors takedown. Takahara rolls out of the ring and Tchyukiro charges at Berry, but she ducks the running lariat and springs onto the middle rope, taking him down with a disaster kick. She pulls Bo to his feet and points at Tchyukiro as he gets up. The two of them nod to one another and stalk Tchyukiro. Bo hits the ropes and Berry coils herself up, but Tchyukiro bursts forward and blocks Bo with a running headbutt. He turns and ducks under Checkmate, lifting Berry and taking her down with a pop-up headbutt for a second time. He turns to Bo, who is just getting back to his feet, and pulls him in for a German suplex, bridging for a cover.



One…

Two…

Thr-



Bo just manages to escape. Tchyukiro and Bo each scramble to their feet, neither of them entirely steady. They come together and begin to exchange forearms, each man growling at the other.



MW: This is exactly what Bo and Berry needed to avoid!

SD: But Bo’s ego won’t let him be out-done but anybody.

MW: And Tchyukiro is already getting the better of thus exchange. This could spell serious trouble for Bo and Berry.



Tchyukiro forces Bo back into the corner and aims another forearm, but Bo ducks it. Bo bursts out of the corner and then unleashes a volley of forearms of his own before Tchyukiro drives forward, the two men forehead to forehead in the middle of the ring. They stare into one another’s eyes for a moment before unleashing another volley of forearms to one another. The crowd builds into a frenzy as the pace increases before the two men slow down, each showing the signs of a nearly thirty-minute match. After connecting with simultaneous forearms which nearly floor both men, each finds a burst of energy and explodes forward with a lariat and both men collapse to the mat.



Berry calls for the tag and Sato calls for Tchyukiro to get to Takahara too. Once again, the two of them crawl to the corner and make simultaneous tags. Berry and Takahara enter and Takahara looks over at her, pointing to his chest. This time, Berry obliges, landing a hard mid-kick. Takahara absorbs it and Berry stands opposite him, her own chest stuck out ready.



MW: I don’t like this!

SD: They’re getting sucked in into trying to prove they can match Tchyukiro and Takahara. This isn’t wise!



Takahara unleashes a mid-kick of his own, but Berry ducks it. As he turns, slightly off-balance, she grabs him and connects with a Berry Buster!



MW: Brilliant! She suckered him in perfectly.



Berry makes the cover.



One…

Two…

Thre-



No! Tchyukiro breaks it up with a kokeshi headbutt. Instantly, Bo enters the ring and grabs Tchyukiro. He drives a knee into his mid-section and tries to lift him onto his shoulder for another snake eyes. However, Tchyukiro drops down and Bo turns into a devastating forearm. Takahara stands and he and Tchyukiro nod to one another. As Berry slowly gets to her feet in the middle of the ring, they crouch, ready to unleash the double forearm strike that has won them so many matches before. She stands and the two of them charge at her, but Tchyukiro is taken down by a House Call from nowhere and Berry ducks under Takahara’s forearm. Tchyukiro rolls under the bottom rope as Bo charges at opposite ropes and Berry kicks Takahara hard in the gut. Bo unleashes a House Call just as Berry unleashes Checkmate to the back of his head and Takahara folds to the floor. Berry drops onto him, hooking both legs.



One…

Two…

Three!



Winners and New Tag Team Champions: The House of Berry and Bo (31:38).



MW: I don’t believe it!

SD: What a match!

MW: And this team that no one expected to last has become FPW Tag Team Champions!



Berry stands and she and Bo leap into a hug as the fans stand and cheer. The official grabs the Tag Team Championships and hands them to them and both of them beam with delight. The official raises their arms and Bo and Berry raise the belts along with them as a loud ‘H. O. B. B.’ chant fills the arena again. Bo and Berry embrace again and then turn to see Tchyukiro and Takahara trying to get to their feet. Bo and Berry move over to them and offer them their hands, helping them to their feet. They back away a bit and Tchyukiro and Takahara bow to the new Tag Team Champions. Berry and Bo repeat the gesture and invite the fans to applaud for The Guardians of Strong Style as they leave the ring.



MW: A strong showing of respect between these two teams.

SD: And very deserving respect. These two teams gave it their all and they can be proud of this match. The Guardians of Strong Style remain the best tag team FPW has ever seen, but have we ever seen a team with such a strong start in their tag team career as The House of Berry and Bo? Death Squad, The Dogs of War, Jace Mason and Aaron Williams and now The Guardians of Strong Style.

MW: It’s a great start and a great journey to becoming Tag Team Champions. What a wonderful moment!



Berry and Bo stands on the turnbuckles and raise the belts up as the fans continue to cheer loudly for them. They drop down and give each other a smile as the show goes off the air.