Johnny Cannon vs. Chris Bond
"If you take a life, do you know what you'll give...
Odds are, you won't like what it is...
When the storm arrives, would you be seen with me...
By the merciless eyes I've deceived...
I've seen angels fall from blinding heights...
But you yourself are nothing so divine...
Just next in line..."The house lights dim in the smaller facility, and multi-colored lights soon flicker throughout the filled-to-the-brim center. The crowd jumps to it's feet, blowing the roof off from the much smaller arena as Chris Bond makes his way out from behind the curtains. As he emerges from behind the curtain, there is a small burst of excitement from the crowd. With a spotlight lighting his way, Bond makes his way down the aisle and towards the ring, even slapping a few hands on the way down.
J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, now residing out of Greensboro, North Carolina! Weighing in at 242 pounds! He is The Battle-Hardened Veteran, CHRIS BOND!
Soon enough he jogs up the stairs, and walks along the ring apron before wiping his feet. Chris Bond steps over the second rope and into the ring. The self-proclaimed legend of the wrestling world walks to the center of the ring and stands there for a moment, as flashes go off throughout the waves of fans. He circles the ring, arms outstretched, as the fans cheer loudly once again. Bond enjoys this, as his trademark smirk re-emerges on his face. Heading to his corner, Bond does a few stretches as he waits for the match to begin.
Kris Cruise: The Battle Hardened Veteran is no stranger to big fights and that’s what this is. Chris Bond, a record two-time Pride Champion, going up against a man that wants more than anything to become Pride Champion, Johnny Cannon.
Stephy Auger: Bond has fought valiantly since returning to active competition in recent weeks. But as well as he’s performed, it’s not showing up in the win column. Bond hears the whispers. He understands the second guessing that’s going on. Bond knows he isn’t as good as he used to be. But that’s not going to stop him. He feels he can go out here and not just compete with the best, but can still beat the best and he’s got to an opportunity to do just that.
A yellow spotlight suddenly shines down across the black curtain of the entrance way, whilst the house lights begin to dim down. Slowly, almost in unison with the change in lightning does "Voodoo Child" (Jimi Hendrix" Cover) by Brick + Mortar begins to play. A small ebb of yellow smoke ascends from the ventilators to grace the ramp. The Brit's silhouette emerges behind the curtain, only backed by another daintier image.
"well i stand up next to a mountain
well i stand up next to a mountain
well i pick up all the pieces
maybe even make
maybe make a little sense"
Finally, bursting through the curtain emerges "The British Mamba", Johnny Cannon. The Englishman stands before the live audience in all his strapping glory; as per usual, his cocksure, megalomaniacal grin is etched on his face as he pauses on the ramp, his head raised high and snobbishly to the sky above as he surveys the masses. Standing just behind him is none other than Quinn Goodrich, who edges on the crowd to incite their scorn. Wearing yellow and black MMA style trunks, with matching boots and a black knee brace (on his left knee), the Brit appears ready for action - not due to his attire, but due to the belligerent look in his eyes which is only revealed as he removes his Aviator Sunglasses. His eyes are those of a cold, and calculating individual. Johnny places his shades in his black track jacket with numerous insignias sewn on it, and begins his haughty strut to the ring.
"well i stand up next to a mountain
and i chop it down with the edge of my hand
well i stand up next to a mountain
and i struck it down with the edge of my hand
cause I'm a voodoo child"
J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Quinn Goodrich! From London, England! Weighing in at 245 pounds! He is The British Mamba, JOHNNY CANNON!
Cannon struts to the ring, marching with an undeniable swagger, whilst Quinn continues to taunt the audience, by swinging his arms up, and shouting whatever obscene remarks he can think of. Johnny ignores the audience on either side of him, showing complete indifference towards their opinions. He spurts forward toward the ring, and slides in under the bottom rope, before launching himself to his feet and suddenly spinning to the center of the ring in a very Shawn Michaels-esque fashion, before positioning himself carefully in the middle. He unzips his track jacket, lowering it down his hands and to the canvas below him like a male stripper, before throwing up the offensive, British, two finger salute, eliciting tremendous heat from the crowd.
"lord knows i'm a voodoo child
cause i'm a voodoo child"
From there, Johnny slowly backs into the ropes, hooking his arms back on them before bouncing several times, beginning his mental preparations and prerequisites as Quinn looks on from ringside; Cannon nods his head several times, as his eyes flicker with a hundred different ideas and strategies to carry out in the match.
Kris Cruise: Cannon’s still hellbent on becoming Pride Champion. But he suffered a bit of a setback in the form of a loss two weeks ago to Sean Sands.
Stephy Auger: Yeah, and Cannon isn’t taking it lightly. He doesn’t care about how well people thought he did. In his mind, he felt that he dominated Sands and let the win slip away. You’d have to expect that frustration to be taken out on Bond here in this one.
The bell sounds as Cannon and Bond circle the ring before locking up. Cannon quickly places Bond in a side headlock. He cinches in the hold, causing Bond to groan. Bond tries to shove Cannon off of him, but it’s to no avail. Cannon then brings Bond down to the mat with a side headlock takeover. Bond then grabs Cannon and turns him over into a position.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Cannon rolls back over on and cinches in the side headlock.
After shifting around on the mat, Bond reaches up with his legs and reverse into a leg scissors headlock. But Cannon is quick to escape via kip up. After Bond turns over and returns to his feet, Cannon charges over at him. But Bond sends him down with a side headlock takeover. Cannon is quick to reverse into a leg scissors headlock. But Bond is able to escape with a kip up. After Cannon returns to his feet, both men lunge forward and engage in a collar and elbow tie up. After jockeying for position, Bond begins to move Cannon across the ring. But Cannon puts on the breaks. After a struggle, Cannon takes control and begins to move Bond across the ring. But Bond is then able to put on the brakes. After another struggle, Bond gains the advantage with a side headlock. But Cannon is able to escape and reverse into a hammerlock. Bond then leans forward and reveres into a hammerlock of his own. Cannon goes for an elbow to the face, but Bond moves out of the way. So Cannon the reaches down, grabs Bond by one of his legs and yanks his leg out from under him, bringing him down to the canvas. Cannon then quickly turns around and tries to go for a single leg crab. But Bond uses both feet to knock Cannon back down to the mat. After both men return to a vertical base, Bond is quick to bring Cannon down to the mat with a standing double leg takedown. He then tries to go for a single leg crab of his own. But Cannon is able to use both of his legs to shove Bond down to the canvas.
After both men return to their feet, Cannon reaches out and delivers an arm wrench. But Bond quickly reverses into an arm wrench of his own. After cringing in pain from his arm being torqued, Cannon rolls forward, leans back, kips up and counters with an arm wrench. But again, Bond is quick to reverse into an arm wrench of his own. Cannon can be seen cringing in pain as Bond applies pressure to his wrist. Cannon then rolls forward, turns over onto his knees, flips over with a headstand and reverses into an arm wrench. But yet again, Bond is quick to reverse into an arm wrench of his own. Cannon then reaches over and uses his free hand to presses up against Bond’s chin. He then moves Bond into the ropes, forcing the ref to break things up…
Ref: ONE… TWO... THREE… FOUR…
Both men slowly make the clean break. After Cannon steps back to the center of the ring, Bond makes his way off the ropes and begins to circle around him.
Kris Cruise: How about that sequence right there?
Stephy Auger: Bond was able to not just keep up with Cannon, but he was able to control Cannon as well. You just know that’s not sitting well with The British Mamba.
The Battle Hardened Vet sizes up Cannon before inching over towards him. He tries to initiate a lock up. But Cannon ducks under, goes behind and applies a waist lock. But Bond is quick to elbow him in the face. After performing a standing switch, Bond applies a waist lock of his own. But Cannon reaches down, pries Bond’s arms from around him and reverses into an arm wrench. After wincing from the arm wrench, Bond rolls forward, leans back, kips up and counters into another arm wrench of his own. He then yanks Cannon over to him before applying a side headlock. After cinching in the hold, Bond performs a standing switch and applies a waist lock from behind. But Cannon is able to catch him right in the face with an elbow. After performing a standing switch, Cannon grabs Bond around the waist and runs into the corner. After Bond’s sternum bounces off the turnbuckle, Cannon goes for a waist lock backward roll into a German Suplex. But as Cannon lifts up Bond for the German, Bond nails him with an elbow to the face. After performing a standing switch, Bond shoves Cannon into the ropes. When Cannon returns, Bond throws him down with an arm drag. Cannon returns to his feet, but Bond throws him back down with another arm drag. When Cannon gets back up, Bond throws him down with an overflow armdrag. Cannon gets back to a vertical base, but Bond knocks him down with a dropkick and follows up with a lateral press...
ONE!
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Cannon kicks out.
Kris Cruise: Bond again gets the upperhand on Cannon!
Bond picks up Cannon and applies an arm wrench. But Cannon flips over with a handstand and reverse with an arm wringer, pulling Bond shoulder-first to the canvas. The crowd boos as Bond quickly begins to favor his arm. And Cannon takes advantage by stomping the hell out of it. He drops down to the canvas, hammerlocks Bond’s arm and delivers three quick knee drops to it. Cannon then gets up on one knee while keeping the grounded hammerlock applied. The ref kneels down and asks Bond if he wants to give up. But Bond refuses to quit. Bond begins to battle his way back up to his feet. But as soon as he returns to a vertical base, Cannon delivers an armbreaker across his shoulder, sending Bond stumbling into the nearest set of ropes. Cannon then goes over, hooks both of Bond’s arm over the top rope and delivers a series of European Uppercuts that rock his head back. After positioning Bond’s upper body between the middle and top ropes, Cannon applies a rope assisted guillotine choke to boos from the crowd. The ref quickly gives Cannon until the count of five to break the hold.
Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…
Cannon lets go, turns and takes off into the far ropes. When he comes back, he connects with a big boot that knocks Bond down to the the floor. Goodrich can be seen on the outside applauding The British Mamba.
Kris Cruise: Bond might have been able to keep up with the holds. But when it comes to the striking, Cannon’s got the advantage and you’re seeing why right now.
While Bond is sprawled out on the floor, Cannon rolls to the outside. He picks up Bond, rolls him back inside and then rolls himself back in before making the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Bond kicks out.
Cannon picks up Bond, moves him into the corner and delivers a stinging knife edge chop. He then takes Bond and goes for an irish whip. But Bond reverses, sending Cannon into the opposite corner. But as Bond runs across the ring, Cannon bounces from out of the corner and connects with a running European Uppercut, knocking Bond down. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Bond kicks out.
Cannon picks up Bond, snapmares him over and delivers a stiff kick to the small of the back. While Bond’s arching his back, Cannon takes off into the ropes. When Cannon comes back, he dives down and connects with a low angle European Uppercut. He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Bond gets his shoulder up.
Kris Cruise: Cannon’s starting to build more and more momentum in this one, Stephy.
Stephy Auger: Indeed he is. He’s been connecting with all his strikes. He’s hitting those European Uppercuts from all directions. Bond’s starting to become more of a stationary target and that’s not good for the Battle Hardened Vet.
Cannon picks up Bond, cups his hands behind Bond’s neck and delivers several knees to the body. But on the last knee attempt, Bond catches his leg. He then lifts up Cannon for a shinbreaker. But Cannon nails him with a punch to the face, forcing Bond to drop him. While Bond is still stunned, Cannon reaches back and throws out a burning lariat. But Bond ducks and counters with a rear naked chokedrop to cheers from the crowd. Hee makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Cannon kicks out.
Kris Cruise: Nice counter there by Bond.
Stephy Auger: But can he build off of it?
Bond picks up Cannon and whips him into the ropes. When Cannon comes back, Bond bends over to set up a back body drop. But Cannon kicks him square in the left shoulder. As Bond stands up and clutches his shoulder, Cannon turns and takes off into the ropes. When Cannon comes back, Bond knocks him down with a lariat using his right arm. The crowd cheers! Cannon gets back up, but Bond knocks him down with another lariat. When Cannon returns to his feet, Bond throws out another lariat. But Cannon ducks. When Bond turns around, Cannon brings him down and applies a Fujiwara Armbar.
Kris Cruise: There it is!
Stephy Auger: He’s got the armbar applied!
Bond can be seen gritting his teeth as Cannon pulls back on the arm. The ref gets down and asks Bond if he wants to give up. But Bond refuses. So Cannon pulls back further on the arm, causing Bond to let out an audible groan.
Kris Cruise: Cannon’s been softening up that arm for this very maneuver. I don’t care how Battle Hardened Bond is. He’s either got to tap out or else Cannon’s going to snap that arm in two.
Goodrich can be seen on the outside yelling at Bond to tap. Bond, meanwhile, hits the canvas with his fist out of anger before letting out a loud groan. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. But Bond will not give up. He then begins trying to pull himself towards the ropes. But Cannon has other plans. Cannon then plants his feet on the mat and bridges back, increasing the pressure of the hold even more.
Kris Cruise: Cannon’s really working for that submission now.
Stephy Auger: Bond can’t give up! He’s almost there!
The ref asks Bond if he wants to give up. But Bond would rather pass out from the pain than tap out. He continues to try his best to pull himself towards the ropes. But it’s not easy with Cannon leaning up against his back. But Bond continues to make progress. He then reaches out with his right foot… and gets it on the bottom rope, forcing the ref to break the hold.
Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…
Cannon breaks the hold.
Cannon pulls Bond up to his feet and connects with a European Uppercut, sending Bond stumbling back into the ropes. The British Mamba then observes his prey as he slowly makes his way into the corner. Bond throws out a kick to the midsection and connects. He then goes to throw out another kick. But this time, Cannon catches it. He then goes to dras Bond from out of the corner before throwing out a burning lariat. But again, Bond ducks and takes off into the ropes. When Cannon turns around, Bond brings him down with an STO. He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Cannon kicks out.
Kris Cruise: Another good counter by Bond. Bond’s got the most experience out of any grappler on the roster by a long margin and you see it showing with counters like those.
Stephy Auger: Well Bond’s going to have to pull out more counters like that to get back into this one.
Cannon beats Bond to his feet and whips him into the ropes. But instead of bouncing back, Bond hangs onto the ropes. So Bond runs over to attack. But Bond ducks and dumps Cannon over the top rope. But Cannon lands on the apron. He then quickly grabs Bond by the left arm and jumps off, guillotining the amr across the top rope. The crowd boos as Bond immediately stumbles across the ring before dropping to his knees.
Kris Cruise: The look on Bond’s face says it all.
Stephy Auger: How much longer can his arm hold up for?
While Bond clutches his left arm, Cannon rolls back into the ring. He marches across the ring, stands in front of Bond and delivers a series of shoot kicks to the chest. A sickening thud can be heard as each kick leaves bruising across Bond’s chest. Cannon goes for one last kick. But Bond catches his leg, quickly gets to his feet and throws him down with a dragonscrew leg whip. The crowd cheers as Cannon curls up in place.
Kris Cruise: Ask and you shall receive, Stephy. Another quality counter by Bond!
Bond goes over and pulls up Cannon to his feet. He then lifts Cannon up and delivers multiple shinbreakers. After the last shinbreaker, Cannon bounces off of Bond’s knees and crumbles to the canvas.
Kris Cruise: Goodrich is calling for his man to get up. But Cannon’s hurt.
Stephy Auger: And I don’t see Bond easing up on him after the way Cannon relentlessly went after him.
Bond goes over, holds up Cannon’s right leg and delivers an elbow drop to it. Bond returns to his feet, holds up the leg and delivers another elbow drop to it. Bond gets right back up, lifts up Cannon’s leg and delivers yet another elbow drop to it. Cannon can be heard groaning in pain as he clutches his right knee.
While Cannon’s down, Bond begins to circle Cannon. He then strikes down with a stomp to the stomach, followed by a stomp to the chest, followed by a stomp to the face. Bond continues, delivering a stomp to the left bicep, left thigh and left shin. He then turns and delivers several stomps to Cannon’s right knee as Cannon groans after each blow. Bond reaches down, lifts up Cannon’s leg and turns him over into a single leg crab to cheers from the crowd.
Kris Cruise: He’s got it locked in!
Stephy Auger: The Single Leg Crab! He couldn’t apply it before, but he’s got it locked on now!
Cannon can be seen cringing as Bond keeps the hold applied. The ref gets down and asks Cannon if he wants to give up. But Cannon refuses. So Bond pulls back, increasing the pressure of the hold.
Kris Cruise: You’ve got to wonder how much damage was done to that leg. Can Cannon hold on? Can Cannon fight through this?
Cannon plants his hands down before trying to push himself up. But Bond pulls back, causing Cannon to fall down to the canvas. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. But Cannon vehemently shakes his head, refusing to quit. On the outside, Goodrich pushes forward the bottom rope and yells at Cannon to grab it. But Cannon’s not even close to the ropes.
Cannon begins to pull himself towards the ropes. He reaches out, but he’s not there. So Cannon continues to pull himself towards the ropes. He reaches out, but he’s still not there. Bond pulls back some more, causing Cannon to let out an audible groan.
Kris Cruise: That long climb to the ropes is a hard one, Stephy.
Stephy Auger: Bond’s doing everything he can to make sure that Cannon doesn’t make it to the ropes.
Cannon pulls himself across the mat. He then reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope. The crowd boos as the ref forces Bond to break the hold.
Once Bond lets go, he picks up Cannon, brings him back over towards the center of the ring and delivers a vertical suplex. He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Cannon gets his shoulder up.
Bond picks up Cannon, lifts him up from behind and delivers a belly to back suplex. He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Cannon gets his shoulder up.
Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for Bond. That single leg crab didn’t just do damage to the leg, but it also applied a great amount of pressure to the back and you can see Bond targeted that back area right here.
Bond picks up Cannon and goes for an irish whip. But Cannon reverses, sending Bond into the ropes. When Bond comes back, Cannon bends over to set up a back body drop. But Bond stops and delivers a clubbing shot to the back, knocking Cannon down to one knee. He then pulls Cannon back up, grabs him around the waist and delivers a gutwrench powerbomb. Bond then clutches his arm before making the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Cannon gets his shoulder up.
Kris Cruise: Big powerbomb there by Bond, but it only gets two.
Bond picks up Cannon, delivers an inverted atomic drop and follows up with an STO backbreaker. He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Cannon gets his shoulder up.
Bond picks up Cannon and whips him into the corner. He then runs across the ring and connects with a lariat using his right arm. Bond grabs Cannon, turns and goes for a running bulldog from out of the corner. But Cannon shoves Bond off of him and into the ropes. When Bond comes back, Cannon hoists Bond into the air. On the way down, Cannon delivers the Cardiac Arrest with his left leg. While Bond’s doubled over, Cannon hooks his arm, hoists him up and plants him with the Cannon Driver II. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Bond gets his shoulder up.
Cannon picks up Bond and connects with a forearm strike. But Bond is quick to answer with one of his own. So Cannon comes back with another forearm strike. But Bond comes right back with one of his own. So Cannon nails him with two forearms strikes. Bond responds with three. Cannon then delivers four forearm strikes. Before Bond can answer back, Cannon cuts him off with a discus back elbow. While Bond is stunned, Cannon takes off as best as he can into the far ropes. When Cannon comes back, Bond connects with a running European Uppercut, sending Cannon stumbling back. Cannon almost stumbles through the ropes and to the floor. But he rebounds back with a pendulum lariat, turning Bond inside out. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Bond gets his shoulder up.
Kris Cruise: Hard, hard clothesline by Cannon. But Bond still got the shoulder up.
Cannon picks up Bond and whips him into the corner. After massaging his right knee, Cannon runs as best as he can into the corner and connects with a high knee strike using his left knee. He then steps back towards the center of the ring, runs as best as he can back into the corner and connects with a running European Uppercut. After stepping back towards the center of the ring, Cannon heads back into the corner. But this time, Bond catches him with an elbow that sends him stumbling back. While Cannon’s dazed, Bond runs from out of the corner and throws out a lariat. But Cannon ducks, grabs his arm and plants him with a hammerlock legsweep DDT. He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Bond gets his shoulder up.
Cannon pulls Bond up onto his knees and delivers a series of shoot kicks to the chest. He then follows up with a reverse roundhouse kick, sending Bond face-first to the canvas. Cannon turns him over and makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Bond gets his shoulder up.
Cannon picks up Bond and stands him up. He then turns and runs as best as he can into the ropes. When Cannon comes back, Bond lifts him up onto his shoulders for a Death Valley Driver. But Cannon is quick to deliver rapid elbows to the side of the head. After slipping down from behind, Cannon delivers a half nelson suplex. He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!
Bond gets his shoulder up to cheers from the crowd.
Kris Cruise: Bond’s still in this!
Cannon picks up Bond and nails him with a forearm strike, followed by a European Uppercut. He then delivers another forearm strike, followed by a European Uppercut. Cannon delivers another forearm strike, followed by a European Uppercut. While Bond is standing on wobbly legs, Cannon turns and takes off as best as he can into the ropes. When Cannon returns, Bond throws him down with a spinning spinebuster. The crowd cheers as he rolls across Cannon and hooks the leg.
ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!
Cannon gets his shoulder up.
Bond picks up Cannon and goes to lift him up for a cradle piledriver. But his left arm gives out, causing him to drop Cannon. Bond then turns to clutch his left shoulder as Cannon gets up. When Bond turns around, Cannon knocks him down with another running European Uppercut. He then picks up Bond and lifts him up onto his shoulders. But Bond slips down from behind, spins Cannon around and spikes him with a Michinoku Driver to cheers from the crowd.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!
Cannon gets his shoulder up.
Stephy Auger: That wasn’t three!? I thought it was three!
Bond picks up Cannon and tosses him through the ropes and onto the apron. Bond reaches through the ropes, grabs Cannon and pulls him across the ropes to set up the Rejection DDT. But Cannon quickly unhooks his legs, lifts up Bond and delivers a hotshot across the top rope. Bond clutches his throat as he staggers across the ring. As soon as he turns around, in a flash, Cannon blasts him with a Roundhouse Kick. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!
“Voodoo Child (Jimi Hendrix Cover)” blares throughout the arena as the crowd erupts into boos.
J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, JOHNNY CANNON!
After shooing the ref out of the way, Goodrich raises Cannon arm to boos from the crowd.
Kris Cruise: What an excellent match that was! Cannon said he was going to steal the show and he may have done that right here.
Stephy Auger: It was a great match. But Bond performed great as well. People have said all sorts of things about Bond lately. But Bond continues to prove that, even at this stage of his career, he can perform at a high level. Unfortunately for him, he ran into Cannon and that Roundhouse Kick that came out of nowhere.
[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]
