PRIDE S04E01

[FGA Office]

The soft melody of ‘Crimson’ by Morcheeba begins to play throughout the arena as The Crimson Baroness steps out from behind the curtain; her top hat is tipped forward, covering her eyes slightly as she poses, resting both hands on the head of her cane. The crowd give her a moderately negative reaction, booing and jeering emanating from a small section of them as The Crimson Baroness begins her slow walk to the ring.

Tony Allen: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is your main event of the evening! Introducing first, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! She is the current Carolina Cup holder. She is… THE CRIMSON BARONESS!

She climbs up the ring steps, urging the referee to hold the ropes open for her before she steps in under the middle ropes; The Crimson Baroness removes her hat and places it delicately in the corner next to her cane before she waits for the match to begin.

Geoff Penzer: The Crimson Baroness has done a lot of damage during her time here in LDFC. Whether it was going after Katie Kensington, screwing Sydney Christensen out of the Carolina Cup or the battle with Donovan Cross, Bree Nelson and Emily Carter, the Baroness has definitely made her presence felt. But tonight could very well be her crowning achievement as she looks to take on, and take out, the reigning Apex Champion. But as Nest has proven since the very first day he stepped into LDFC, that is much easier said than done. But I will say this. If there is anyone crafty enough to defeat Nest by hook or by crook, it is definitely this young lady.


The opening to Deftones' "Cherry Waves" plays as a small screen of smoke cover the ground of the stage. As the first rift blasts through the venue, Nest walks through the curtain breathing heavily. Keeping his head down he looks out to the crowd briefly before eyeing the ring ahead, making his way down the ramp with an alarming sense of urgency.

Tony Allen: And her opponent, from Rocky Mount, North Carolina! Weighing in at 312 pounds! He is the reigning Apex Champion… This… is… NEST!

Nest stops right before he gets to the apron, holding out both of his arms with pitchfork hand signs along with a scream. He rolls in the ring and starts cracking his knuckles as the music dies down.

Geoff Penzer: … and here is the reigning Apex Champion, fresh off of an impressive performance at 3rd Strike. Some would argue that Terrence Tillman had the match won. Whether Tillman could’ve won the match will be up for debate. But what is not up for debate is the outcome, which saw Nest defeat two top flight competitors in another Apex Championship Match. Nest already has his next championship defense lined up. But if The Crimson Baroness has her way, Nest may not make it to that title match.

The match begins with Nest trying to cut off the ring. The Crimson Baroness goes to her left, but Nest gets in her way. The Baroness then motions to her right. But Nest gets her in way again. She then fakes to her left, then goes back to the right. But Nest doesn’t take the bait. She then tries to go right, then fakes to her left, then goes back to her right. But once again, Nest is right there to block her path. She grows visibly frustrated as Nest slowly inches closer and closer towards her. She knows she doesn’t have the strength to run him over. So she cautiously takes a step back when he takes a step forward. Unfortunately for her, she accidentally backs herself into the corner.

Geoff Penzer: The Crimson Baroness with nowhere to go!

The Apex Champion lunges at the Baroness. But TCB moves out of the way. When Nest turns around, he’s greeted by a series of knife edge chops to boos from the crowd. But on the last chop, Nest grabs her arm to cheers from the crowd. He then takes TCB and tosses her into the corner. He takes a wild swing at the Baroness, looking to knock her head clean off with a punch. But TCB moves out of the way just in the nick of time. When Nest turns around, the Baroness delivers a series of shoot kicks to the midsection. She then goes to irish whip Nest from out of the corner. But Nest uses his free arm to hold onto the ropes. So The Baroness squats down as she tries to whip Nest from out of the corner. But again, Nest holds onto the ropes. He then swats TCB’s hands off of him, grabs her and tosses her right back into the corner. Nest then runs into the corner, but TCB nails him with an elbow to the face. After shaking off the blow, Nest runs right back into the corner. This time, The Baroness nails him with a boot to the face. She then takes Nest, grabs him and slams him face first into the top turnbuckle. After moving Nest from out of the corner, she goes for an irish whip. But Nest reverses, sending her into the ropes. When TCB comes back, she goes for a crossbody block. But Nest catches her in mid air and counters with a fallaway slam. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
The Crimson Baroness kicks out.

Nest picks up TCB, moves her into the corner and delivers a knife edge chop that echoes throughout the venue. He then shushes the crowd before delivering another stinging knife edge chop. TCB can be seen cringing while she clutches her chest. Nest then takes TCB and whips her into the opposite corner. After Nest charges across the ring, he goes for a corner splash. But TCB moves out of the way, causing Nest to crash into the corner. As Nest stumbles back, TCB rolls him up with a school boy.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Nest kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: The Crimson Baroness nearly snuck away with the win.

After both grapplers scramble to get back to a vertical base, TCB nails Nest with a kick to the gut. She then wrenches his arm before heading into the corner. The Baroness climbs up to the top turnbuckle and proceeds to tightrope walk along the top rope. But before she can jump off and deliver a chop, Nest grabs her and throws her down towards the center of the ring. The crowd cheers as TCB can be seen favoring her back.

Geoff Penzer: Just when The Crimson Baroness begins to get an advantage, Nest is right there to bring her back down. That is why he’s been the most dominant wrestler in this company all year. He stays on top of the competition. He gives them very little room to breath. He cuts them off just when they think they’ve got a little momentum.

As TCB gets up from off the canvas, Nest runs over and throws out a rolling kesagri chop. But TCB rolls underneath it. When Nest turns around, TCB nails him with a dropkick. But Nest only stumbles back a few steps. So The Baroness gets up and runs into the far ropes. When she returns, she connects with another dropkick. But again, Nest only takes a few stumbles back. So TCB runs back into the far ropes. When she returns, Nest cuts her off with a dropkick.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
The Crimson Baroness gets her shoulder up.

Nest picks up The Baroness and goes for a vertical suplex. But TCB slips down from behind. When Nest turns around, he gets caught flush across the chin with a savate kick. The kick staggers Nest. While The Apex Champion is dazed, TCB runs over and delivers a dropkick to the leg, knocking Nest down to one knee. From there, The Crimson Baroness delivers shoot kick after shoot kick after shoot kick to the chest. She sizes Nest up before throwing out one last kick. But Nest is able to catch it. After trying and failing to pull her leg away from him, TCB reaches over and rakes him across the eyes, resulting in boos from the crowd. Once she’s free, she blasts Nest in the face with a spinning back fist, knocking him down. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Nest kicks out.

The Crimson Baroness sits up Nest and delivers five shoot kicks to the back. Each kick causes the Apex Champ to cringe and groan in pain. She then kneels down behind him and applies a rear chinlock. The ref asks Nest if he wants to give up. But he refuses to quit. He slowly turns over onto his knees before getting back to his feet. After nailing TCB with five elbows to the midsection, Nest takes off into the ropes. When Nest returns, TCB kicks him in the midsection, doubling him over. She follows up with a knee lift that knocks Nest upright. She then nails Nest with another kick to the midsection, doubling him back over. TCB follows up with another knee lift that knocks Nest upright. After another kick doubles Nest over, The Baroness steps back and then throws out a scissors kick, knocking Nest down to boos from the crowd. She then struggles to pull him over onto his back. Once Nest is supine on the canvas, she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Nest kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: The Crimson Baroness is starting to gain more and more momentum in this one. While the submission failed, wearing down a man like Nest is a great strategy. He nearly outweighs her by 200 pounds. So the faster you can get him on the ground and the longer you keep him there, the better.

The Crimson Baroness picks up Nest and goes for an irish whip. But Nest reverses, sending her into the ropes. When TCB returns, Nest bends over to set up a back body drop. But The Baroness stops and counters with a snap DDT. While Nest is down, TCB exits out onto the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. When she reaches the top, she leaps off, going for a diving splash. But Nest rolls out of the way, causing The Baroness to crash and burn on the canvas as the crowd cheers.

Geoff Penzer: The high risk didn’t pay off this time for the current Carolina Cup holder!

Nest picks up The Crimson Baroness and whips her into the corner. He then runs into the corner and squashes her with a corner splash. After bringing TCB out of the corner, Nest hoists her up and falls back, delivering a flapjack. Instead of going for the cover, he intentionally waits for TCB to make her move. As The Baroness slowly sits up and turns over on one knee, Nest runs over at her and delivers a Shining Black, knocking her back down. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO! The Crimson Baroness gets her shoulder up.

Nest picks up The Crimson Baroness, only to knock her back down with an arm wrench followed by a hook kick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO! The Crimson Baroness gets her shoulder up.

Nest picks up The Crimson Baroness and whips her into the ropes. When TCB comes back, Nest knocks her down with a leaping clothesline. He drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd boos as The Crimson Baroness gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Say what you want about The Crimson Baroness, but she is hanging in there. But can the momentum swing back in her favor? That remains to be seen. With the way Nest is working her over, this match may not even last that much longer.

Nest takes The Crimson Baroness and whips her into the ropes. But instead of coming back, TCB hangs onto the ropes. So Nest runs over to attack. But TCB pulls down the top rope, sending Nest tumbling to the floor to boos from the crowd. After the Apex Champion shakes off the fall and returns to his feet, TCB runs alongside the ropes before flipping to the outside for a Fosbury Flop. But Nest catches her across his shoulder.

Geoff Penzer: Uh oh! This is not good news for The Baroness. She’s at Nest’s mercy right now! Is he going to lawn dart her into the ring post!?

Nest goes for a running powerslam onto the floor. But The Crimson Baroness slips down from behind and shoves Nest forward. Nest’s face smacks hard against the ring post. After Nest staggers back and turns around, TCB leaps up and plants him with a jumping DDT on the floor. The crowd boos as Nest appears to be out. She then rolls back into the ring as the ref continues his count.

THREE!







FOUR!








FIVE!







SIX!



Geoff Penzer: Nest looks to be shaken up out there. And The Crimson Baroness appears to be content with taking this countout victory...



SEVEN!









EIGHT!









NI-

Nest pulls himself back up onto the apron. The Crimson Baroness, who is none too pleased that Nest is back on his feet, marches over towards the ropes. She throws out a punch. But Nest blocks it and counters with one of his own, knocking her down. After rolling away from the ropes, TCB gets back to her feet. Once she gets back to a vertical base, Nest goes for a springboard discus forearm smash. But TCB jumps up in mid air and counters with a double knee armbreaker. TCB makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Nest gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: What a counter that was by The Baroness. I don’t know how she did it. I don’t know how Nest didn’t get put down for the three, either!

After struggling to pull Nest up to his feet, The Crimson Baroness nails him with a knee to the midsection, doubling him over. From there, she takes Nest by the arm, steps over it and brings him down with a rolling cross armbar.

Geoff Penzer: There it is! The Subjection! That’s the same submission move that put Emily Carter’s arm in a sling! Can she sideline Nest as well!

The Crimson Baroness does her best to hyperextend the arm while Nest can be hard groaning in pain. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. But he refuses to quit. He tries to reach over to the ropes with his free arm. But he’s nowhere near the ropes. So he reaches over, brings TCBs left leg up against his mouth and begins biting on her calf. The crowd cheers as TCB howls in pain until she breaks the hold.

Geoff Penzer: Well that’s certainly one way to break up that move!

After The Crimson Baroness rolls off of Nest, the Apex Champion spits down on the canvas. As he turns over and gets up on one knee, he gets caught by a Shining Apprentice from The Baroness, knocking him down. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Nest gets his shoulder up.

The Crimson Baroness sets up Nest, applies a waist lock from behind and then pulls him down, transitioning into a Coquina Clutch.

Geoff Penzer: Yet another submission attempt by The Crimson Baroness. She does not want Nest back up on his feet where he is his most dangerous.

The Crimson Baroness squeezes as hard as she can as Nest tries to fight off the move. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. But the Apex Champ refuses to quit. TCB continues to cinch in the hold. But the Apex Champ continues to fight. Nest slowly sits up with TCB still wrapped around him. He then slowly turns over on one knee and then gets up to his feet. With TCB still wrapped around him, Nest begins to stagger back before jumping back into the corner, effectively squashing The Baroness. While TCB leans against the corner, Nest quickly connects with an CCS Enzuigiri, knocking her down.

Geoff Penzer: Nest Kick! We’ve seen him end many matches with that signature strike of his! If he’s got enough left in him to make the cover, that should be it!

Nest pulls TCB over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The ref looks over and sees The Crimson Baroness’ foot on the bottom rope. But what he didn’t see was one of these masked teenagers placing her foot on the bottom rope.

Geoff Penzer: What the…? Who are these people? How do they get into the venue or down to ringside?

Nest gets up and sees one of The Crimson Baroness’ minions at ringside. So he quickly drops, rolls out of the ring and begins chasing the minion around the ring. The minion begins to run for dear life. But he eventually gets the back of his neck snatched by Nest from behind. The Apex Champion then takes her follower, runs and tosses him over the guardrail and into the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: There you go, Nest!

Nest rolls back into the ring, but he’s quickly greeted by a series of stomps from The Crimson Baroness. TCB reaches down, slowly pulls up Nest and whips him into the corner. She then runs across the ring and connects with a hesitation dropkick. As Nest stumbles from out of the corner, TCB runs up from behind and brings him down with a bulldog. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
The crowd cheers as Nest gets his shoulder up.

The Crimson Baroness pulls Nest up to his feet and doubles him over with a knee to the gut. She then hooks both of his arms, setting him up for Dom’d. But Nest breaks free, grabs TCB and rams her back first into the corner. He then takes TCB and whips her into the opposite corner. Nest then runs across the ring and connects with a corner yakuza kick. After leading The Baroness out of the corner, he knocks her down with Tree Removal. While TCB is sprawled out on the canvas, Nest raises his index and middle fingers, signaling for the Teroclaw. But another one of TCB’s minions climbs up onto the canvas, getting both his attention and the ref’s.

Geoff Penzer: This is getting unnecessary! Somebody needs to ban these people from ringside permanently! They aren’t even members of LDFC! They do not belong at ringside or on these shows at all!

Nest goes over to knock off the minion. But the young woman quickly hops down to the canvas. While Nest and the ref stare down at the minion, a third slides in from behind. He then runs up behind Nest. But Nest feels his presence. So he immediately turns around and catches the third minion with the Teroclaw.

Geoff Penzer: Nest has got his fingers rammed down the gullet of that outsider!

The minion runs in place as he flails his arms helplessly. Nest slowly brings him down to the canvas. The third minion begins to fade. But The Crimson Baroness comes from out of nowhere and cracks Nest across the back with her replacement cane, causing the ref to signal for the bell.

Geoff Penzer: Oh come on! All that talk from earlier and then she resorts to this! I guess I should have known better!

After the first and second minion make their way back into the ring, they help The Crimson Baroness in stomping away on the Apex Champion. The bell repeatedly sounds as the crowd continues to boo the happenings inside the ring. Once the third minion gets back to his feet, he helps the other two followers in holding Nest in place. They force Nest down on his knees as TCB begins gripping her cane, savoring every moment. She then rears back with the cane, readying herself to knock Nest’s head right out of the park. But the boos turn to a massive roar of cheers once Terrence Tillman slides into the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Triple T! Terrence Tillman is here!!!

The Crimson Baroness looks over her shoulder and sees Tillman. So she immediately runs for cover. Tillman then runs over and nails one of the minions with a right hand, knocking them down. Nest then thrusts his arms up, sending the two minions flying off of him. One minion gets up and runs over at Nest. But Nest doubles him over with a kick to the gut before knocking him out with Nest Assured. The female minion then goes after Tillman. But Tillman knocks her out with the Chin Checka. As TCB and the remaining minion retreat up the aisle, Nest and Tillman look around to see if the ring as secure. The crowd cheers as Nest and Tillman have cleared the ring. Their eyes meet. The two men then turn their attention to TCB, who is pointing her cane at the both of them.

Geoff Penzer: The Crimson Baroness and her lackey have hightailed it out of here. She lives to fight another day. But next time, her flunkies might not be able bail her out.

After The Crimson Baroness and her follower leave through the curtain, Nest and Tillman make their way towards each other. The two men nod as “Cherry waves” begins to play throughout the venue. The reigning Apex Champion and his number one contender stand tall as the show fades out ...

Winner by Disqualification: Nest