Pride S05E03

[FGA Office]

3.25.16

Escapade Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

Geoff Penzer: Hello and welcome to this special Friday edition of Pride! I am your host, Geoff Penzer! Tonight, the APEX Tag Team Title tournament continues with two Semifinals matches!

Geoff Penzer: In our first contest, the team of Brute Camp, Becky and Mason Mannion, take on the team of Emily Carter and Jensen Banks. All four individuals have been on fire as of late. The respect is there between both sides. But punches won’t be pulled once the bell sounds. Which of these two fan favorites will advance?

Geoff Penzer: In our second tournament match, the team of Prince MacRear and The Crimson Baroness take on Hana Song and Shintaro Majima. The Black Adder has been causing a scene as of late after laying out both the APEX Champion, Nest, and his long time rival, Prince MacRear. Both Song and MacRear have staked their claim to a championship match. However, there still has been no official word from Nest and from all reports, he is not here tonight. While these two have singles title aspirations, they also aspire to win another APEX Championship - the APEX Tag Team Championship. MacRear and The Baroness have formed a solid alliance over the past few months. But Song and Majima have proven to be formidable foes for anyone.

Geoff Penzer: In another marquee matchup, Mercy Williams will represent LDFC as she takes on HKW’s own Adam Adonis. “The Last of His Kind” was seen in the crowd several weeks ago. It was then that he staked his claim for the Carolina Cup. But it was Mercy Williams who stood up on behalf of LDFC. Over the past several months, Adonis has made a name for himself both in HKW: AIR, as well as SSWA. He’s got a Rising Star Championship to his name. Will he claim the Carolina Cup tonight? Or will Mercy Williams make it 3-0 for LDFC?

[FGA Office]

The match starts with a collar and elbow tie up before, right out of the gate, Darby rakes at the eyes of his opponent. He ignored the referee’s admonishment and landed a couple of clubbing blows to the back of a doubled over Thunderbelly. An Irish whip sends The Sheep Herder against the ropes, but Darby follows him in before connecting with the kitchen sink. Thunderbelly crashes ass over tea kettle to the mat as Darby goes for the first cover of the night, and gets a one count.

The Briton remains on the offensive, though. He stomps at Thunderbelly, keeping the Asgaardian grounded for a few moments before dragging him back to his feet anyway. An arm wringer by Darby leads to an elbow being dropped across the shoulder, before the Briton transitions into a hammerlock back suplex. With his opponent down on the mat, Darby focuses on the arm, dropping several knees down across it before applying an arm bar.

But the fans begin to rally behind Thunderbelly as The Sheep Herder battles back to his feet. He fires off some elbows to the midsection, forcing Darby to weaken his grip before Thunderbelly manages to push him away and against the ropes. He comes back, right into the big boot from Thunderbelly! Darby gets right back up, only to get body slammed. He gets back up again as Thunderbelly backs him against the ropes with European uppercuts. An Irish whip sends the Briton against the ropes once more, and this time Thunderbelly catches him with a Samoan drop before going for the cover. Only a two count, though.

As both men get back to their feet, Thunderbelly hoists his opponent across his shoulders and performs an airplane spin. The fans cheer him on as he continues spinning around, before dropping Darby to the mat and stumbling away dizzy. As Thunderbelly returns to his prone opponent, Darby rakes him across the eyes once more. The Asgaardian stumbles away and opens himself up for the chopblock. Darby focuses on the arm once more, dropping more knees down across the joints before he lifts Thunderbelly to a vertical base. He goes for a hammerlock single arm DDT, but Thunderbelly is able to power out of it with a back body drop counter.

Darby rises up with a lariat attempt, but Thunderbelly ducks underneath it and is able to counter with a Green Power Thunderbomb (Blue Thunderbomb) as he goes for the pin, and gets a two count. With his opponent still down, Thunderbelly grabs Darby by the legs and initiates a giant swing – only for Thunderbelly to drop his opponent as his arm gives out.

Darby gets back to his feet and rocks Thunderbelly with a rolling European uppercut. The Sheep Herder goes down but gets back up slowly. Darby charges in with a clothesline, but Thunderbelly ducks underneath it and counters when his opponent turns back around, bringing down the Wrath of Sif (Alabama Slam) upon Darby. A hooks of the leg gets Thunderbelly the three count for the win.

Winner: Thunderbelly

[FGA Office]

[“No Church in the Wild” by Jay Z and Kanye West hits the PA system in the Escapade Charlotte. It’s a new sound to many of the LDFC fans in attendance but the majority of them stand silently and stare at the entrance in anticipation. The music plays for a few moments, echoing through the venue, before a man wearing a white t-shirt with rolled up sleeves and blue jeans steps onto the ramp. He pauses, gazing around the arena with a content look on his face.]

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome The Lions Den’s newest signee...Levi Daniels!

[Levi smiles and begins to walk towards the ring, slapping a few hands of the young, eager fans in the front rows. He ascends the steps and climbs into the ring while his music continues to blare. Once in the ring, he moves to the far side and grabs a microphone from Melanie. He waits for the music to die down, looking around the arena at the fans anticipation.]

Levi: Charlotte, North Carolina..

[The crowd begin to cheer. It’s clear he’s not one of their own though from his working class British accent, but they love the acknowledgment.]

Levi: I can't say I’ve ever been to this part of the world before now, but it’s a pleasure to be here, and I’ve already learnt a great deal about it. I’m told this is the place where the great Babe Ruth hit his first home run. A place where the Wright brothers made history with the first engine-powered flight. A place that gave us Pepsi and Krispy Kreme doughnuts!

[Small cheer.]

Levi: All of that happened in North Carolina, but tonight, there’s another first. Tonight creates more history, because tonight marks the first night that I stepped into a Lion’s Den ring, and tonight will be the first time some of you are exposed to the morality and high standards I seek to bring to this company.

[He pauses for a moment as the fans murmur. The arena is mostly quiet, taking in his words.]

Levi: I hear this is the place where careers are made, a place where you can get a footing on the proverbial ladder to success and stardom. Well I can assure you I’m no stranger to success. Back in London I was a Heavyweight champion, but as you can see, tonight my shoulders are empty. I chose to leave that world behind me, to put myself on the map. I chose to leave behind a world in which I was king. It wasn't enough for me to be a big fish in a little pond. So I chose to leave my titles behind, and come here to the Lion’s Den Fighting Championships.

[There was a cheap pop from the crowd at the namecheck. He let out a wry smile.]

Levi: You see I know that respect is earned, not given to you on a plate. That’s something I don’t think a lot of people in this sport understand, something they're quick to forget. Winning matches, winning titles, success in another territory, that doesn’t guarantee you respect. You have to do it the the right way, and you have to do it where it matters. If you cheat your way to the top, you’re a fraud, and if you run from a fight, you’re a coward. I don’t like frauds, or cowards, and my goal is to rid the Lions Den of those types of people. These are the people I want to come up against, these are the people I want to admonish, right here in this very ring!

[The fans begin to cheer.]

Levi: Many people see this product either live or at home, just like you guys here tonight. You all see what happens here. Children see what happens here. They mirror what they see. To be a positive role model doing something you love is the best way to make a difference in the lives of people who need it. I don't want to appear sanctimonious, though some of you may see it that way. So be it. But the people that watch this show they need someone to look up to, they deserve to see a man they can aspire to, a man they can believe in. And if you’ll let me, that's exactly what I’ll be, right here in the Lions Den! Thank you, North Carolina.

[His music begins to play as he observes the arena once again. He hands the mic to Melanie and begins to exit as the camera cuts to….

[ FADE OUT ]

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Atlanta, Georgia, BIANCA REED!

As “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” hits over the PA, Bianca Reed emerges from behind the curtain, wearing a black leather jacket over her ring gear and aviator sunglasses on top of her head. She dances her way toward the ring, blowing kisses and throwing winks toward the crowd. As she reaches the ring, she hops up onto the apron and slowly unbuttons her jacket, letting it slip down her arms and fall off to the side. After tossing her sunglasses on top of her jacket, Bianca leaps into the ring and raises her arms, grinning at the audience before heading over to her corner to wait for her opponent.

Melanie Sierra: And her opponent, from Mexico, Maine, weighing in at 205 pounds … EL GRANDE MALO!

The house lights dim slightly as the gentle sound of a piano playing gives way and the beat drops. Bursting from behind the curtain, El Grandé Malo stomps his way out onto the stage bouncing in time with the music. He hops and jogs down to the ring, slapping the outstretched hands along the way, before sliding into the ring and heading for the nearest corner. He scales the turnbuckles and continues to hype up the crowd before dropping down and stretching while waiting for the match to begin.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring momentarily. Bianca and El Grande Malo come together with a collar and elbow tie up. Bianca gains the upper hand, applying a side headlock. She wrenches it in tight as EGM tries to fight his way out, but he soon manages to shoot off a couple of elbows to the midsection. It’s enough to weaken Bianca’s grip as she’s pushed away against the ropes, coming back into a shoulder block by EGM that knocks her down.

Malo immediately runs against the ropes himself as Bianca rolls onto her front. He hops over her and hits the ropes as Bianca pops back up to her feet. She leaps up and connects with a hurricanrana, sending EGM sprawling across the mat but they’re both quick to their feet. EGM strikes first this time, performing an arm drag as they each hurry back to a vertical base. This time Bianca hits the arm drag, and again both competitors get to their feet on opposite sides of the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Both these competitors use a fast paced offense, and I’m sure we’re in for an exciting match here.

They circle the ring again; EGM tries to get an “Olé” chant started, and the Charlotte fans don’t disappoint him. He and Bianca lock up collar and elbow again, and this time EGM gains the upper hand as he dives around the back with a rear waist lock. He goes for a back suplex, but Bianca rolls through and lands on her feet. As EGM turns around he gets caught by a spinning heel kick! But he scrambles back up to his feet again as Bianca sends him towards the corner with an Irish whip, charging in after him with a shotgun dropkick! She’s not done, though. EGM staggers out of the corner; Bianca grabs him with a front facelock and runs up the corner for the tornado DDT! And the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
EGM kicks out!

The “olé” chant is still going as Bianca lifts her opponent back to his feet, but EGM pushes her arms away and fires off a couple of right hands. He hits the ropes for momentum and ducks under the clothesline attempt, before hitting the far ropes. This time Malo comes back with a leg lariat, knocking Reed down! But she’s still quicker to her feet than her masked opponent, catching the rising Malo with a knee to the midsection and a couple of clubbing shots to the back. Bianca tries for an Irish whip towards the corner, only to see it reversed.

Bianca hits the turnbuckle as Malo runs in after her, hitting a jumping double knee strike. Reed staggers out of the corner, holding onto the rope for balance. Malo hits her with a clothesline, sending Bianca over the top rope and all the way to the outside as she lands at the bottom of the aisle.

Geoff Penzer: El Grande Malo finding a way back into this match, and now we’re spilled to the outside. What can he do from here?

Malo recomposes himself in the ring, shaking off the cobwebs as he sees Bianca beginning to get back to her feet on the outside. She can barely look up in time to see her opponent hitting the ropes on the far side before he comes hurtling back, and over the top rope with a somersault plancha! Down goes Bianca, and the crowd are on their feet cheering for the masked man here. Malo takes a moment to soak in the applause and cheers before he lifts Bianca back to her feet and rolls her into the ring. He follows her in and hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Bianca kicks out!

Geoff Penzer: Only a two count from El Grande Malo. And Bianca is on a mission to make a name for herself here in LDFC, so she’s not going to give in easily. Malo will need to pull out all the stops if he wants to win this.

Malo gets back to his feet and takes a moment to play to the crowd again, rallying them behind him as he lifts Bianca back to her feet. An Irish whip sends Bianca towards the corner as EGM follows her in – only to see Bianca vault over him as she pushes herself off the top turnbuckle! Malo hits the turnbuckle chest and staggers backwards, right into a straightjacket neckbreaker! Reed grabs hold of his legs and pulls them towards her for the pin attempt.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Malo kicks out!

Reed rolls away, taking a moment to catch her breath as Malo uses the ropes to pick himself up. She charges in, only to get caught by a back body drop. Fortunately for Bianca, she manages to grab hold of the top rope and lands on the apron. EGM turns around and gets caught by a shoulder to the midsection before Bianca enters the ring with a sunset flip – NO! Malo counters, dropping down with his knees across her shoulders, holding her legs.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
NO!

Bianca hooks her legs under the armpits of her opponent, reversing the situation into a pin of her own!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
NO!

Malo claps his legs to break the cover and rolls backwards, before catching Bianca with a dropkick w=to the face. She falls down to her back as Malo runs against the ropes, springboarding off with an asai moonsault – NO! Bianca gets the knees up, and EGM lands across them ribs first!

Geoff Penzer: Amazing intuition from Bianca Reed with the counter there, and she might have just found a way back into this match.

Malo rolls away in pain, but stumbles up to his feet as Bianca forces herself back to her feet. She runs at her opponent, but Malo swings with a clothesline. It’s ducked, though, and Bianca counters with a Pele kick! EGM is dazed, and out on his feet as Bianca gets up and performs a shiranui out of nowhere! Malo goes down, splayed out on the mat as Bianca Reed points towards the corner. She climbs up the turnbuckles and performs a split legged moonsault.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NOO!

Malo gets the shoulder up. Bianca looks to the official, but he only assures her it was a two count as she pushes herself up once more. Reed moves towards the ropes, climbing out onto the apron as she waits for Malo to stagger back to his feet. The masked man doesn’t know where he is, but he stumbles and turns towards where Bianca is waiting with a springboard twisting European uppercut! And a hook of the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NOO!

Geoff Penzer: El Grande Malo kicking out again, and just in the nick of time. Bianca Reed can sense victory here, she knows she’s close to putting the masked man away.

Reed gets back to her feet, and she looks around the crowd as they once again start up an “olé” chant. She shakes her head in dismay and stomps at the prone Malo before finally lifting him back to his feet. A couple of forearm shots rock EGM where he stands, allowing Bianca the opportunity to hit the ropes for momentum. She comes back with a wheelbarrow manoeuvre, looking for the facebuster – NO! EGM counters in mid-air, bringing Bianca down into a lung blower! She’s kneeling, howling in pain as EGM forces himself back to his feet. He hits the ropes and comes back with the boma ye knee strike! And the cover!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!!!

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, EL GRANDE MALO!

Geoff Penzer: Bianca Reed kicking out a split-second too late, and El Grande Malo manages to steal the victory out from under her tonight.

The masked man rolls to the outside to celebrate his victory as Bianca sits up in disbelief. She got the shoulder up, just too late to break the count. The two competitors lock eyes, knowing this one could have gone either way.

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Anita, from Providence, Rhode Island, weighing in at 215 pounds … KEEGAN HIGHTOWER!

"Let The Bridges Burn" plays and Keegan comes out he has sunglasses on bedazzled of course. He walks down to the ring without looking at the fans he slides into the ring and takes his sunglasses off and hands them to the stage hand and tests the ropes.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, being accompanied by Aric Keaton … WAYWARD NYMPH!

"Satisfy" by MOONZz begins to play, causing some fans to freestyle dance. Wayward Nymph comes out from behind the curtain dressed in a quarter-zipped, sleeveless zip hoodie that hangs haphazardly off one shoulder, and the hood up so as the hide her face. The part of the crowd that’s dancing begin to cheer at her arrival as she slowly unveils herself. Her eyes are closed as she begins to sway back and forth before finally bursting out in freestyle dance. The dancers in the crowd burst into loud cheers and applause as Wayward Nymph freestyles her way to the ring. She rolls into the ring and dances the center before ending her routine. She heads to her corner and throws her hoodie into the crowd to one of her dancing fans as her music fades out, and Aric Keaton take his place in her corner.

Geoff Penzer: The Wayward Nymph set to make her LDFC debut tonight against Keegan Hightower, and after his last match against Echo, you have to believe Keegan will be looking to bounce back in a very real way tonight. And what better way to do that than by ruining the debut of Wayward Nymph?

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors moves towards the center of the ring. Hightower immediately cuts his opponent off with a boot to the midsection before peppering her with a couple of hard rights. He manages to back her against the ropes before going for an Irish whip. Upon her return, Wayward Nymph is caught with a backbreaker as Hightower dumps her to the mat. He stands over her as she’s clutching her back in pain, posing as he kisses his biceps, much to the appreciation of his girlfriend and valet, Anita.

Geoff Penzer: Hightower has the size advantage, the experience advantage, and just about everything going for him ahead of this match. Wayward Nymph is going to have to work extra hard if she wants the win tonight.

Hightower drags his opponent back to her feet, only to promptly body slam her right back down. He stomps at the prone Nymph several times, shouting at her to get up. The crowd begin to boo Hightower as he drags Nymph to her feet again, and whips her towards the corner. He charges in after her, but Nymph gets the boot up to the face! Albeit, just. The crowd pops as Hightower staggers back a step or two, allowing Nymph the chance to charge at him – only to get caught by a powerslam.

At ringside, Anita is busy cheering her man on as Hightower blows her a kiss. The crowd continuing to hate on the pair of them as Keegan lifts the aching Nymph back to a vertical base once more. A toe kick doubles Nymph over – NO! She catches the boot, but Hightower is set to leap up for an enziguiri when…

Geoff Penzer: What’s this? Wayward Nymph telling Keegan to wait…

She even holds out her hands and asks him if he wants to dance; the fans clapping along as Wayward Nymph begins to bust a move in the center of the ring. Hightower looks on in shock as his opponent is busy freestyling.

Crowd: Go! Go! Go!

Anita is shouting out for Keegan to attack his opponent, but he’s just standing there with his hands on his hips. Wayward Nymph offers him the chance to join her again, and the crowd actually cheer as it looks like Keegan is going to dance.

Geoff Penzer: That was unnecessary!

The cheers turn to boos as Hightower blindsides his opponent with a clothesline; on the outside Aric Keaton looks on in frustration as his client falls for the rookie mistake. Keegan lifts his opponent up and whips her against the ropes. He lowers his head ready for the back body drop, but Nymph has it scouted. A weary boot to the face catches Hightower off guard. He flails his arms to try and remain upright, before lunging forward with a clothesline. Nymph ducks under the arm and hits the ropes, coming back with a bulldog before Keegan can turn around!

The crowd cheers as Hightower is driven face first into the mat. Nymph rolls over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Keegan kicks out.

Nymph rolls towards the ropes, using them to pull herself back to a vertical base as Keegan begins to stir in the center of the ring. She leaps up and catches him with a dropkick, but Hightower remains on his feet. So Nymph repeats the process, this time sending Keegan stumbling through the ropes and onto the apron. Nymph closes in as Keegan stands back up – but the referee is distracted as Anita jumps up onto the opposite apron. The distraction allows Keegan the opening to jab his thumb in Wayward Nymph’s eyes, much to the chagrin of the crowd.

Another person who takes offense, however, is Aric Keaton. He makes his way around the ring to where Anita is climbing down off the apron, when she sees him coming. Anita begins to move away but Keaton follows, until Keegan slides out the ring to get in between them.

Geoff Penzer: Anita with a timely distraction to allow Keegan a way back into this match, and Aric Keaton taking an exception to that. But he can’t do anything when Keegan is standing in his way.

Anita begins to heckle Aric from behind her man’s back, but their party is crashed as Nymph catches Keegan with a baseball slide! He crashes into the guard rail as both valets move away in separate direction, allowing the wrestlers their space. Nymph rolls her opponent back into the ring before catching Keegan with a slingshot shoulderblock. And the pin attempt.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Keegan kicks out.

Nymph lifts her opponent back to his feet again as she whips Keegan towards the corner. She follows him in with a running clothesline, before going for another Irish whip. Hightower is sent from pillar to post as Nymph follows him in, and runs face first into the raised boot! She falls down, but picks herself back up as Keegan lifts himself to the middle rope, before leaping with a missile dropkick. And the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Nymph kicks out.

Frustrated, Hightower drags his opponent back to her feet again and whips Nymph into the corner. Aric Keaton and the crowd trying to rally behind the rookie to fight back, but Hightower thrusts his shoulder into her midsection repeatedly, driving the wind out of her. The referee intervenes, forcing Keegan back a step. As he moves in again, Nymph catches him with a boot to the gut. Hightower shakes it off and moves in again, and again he’s caught by a boot to the gut. As he shakes that one off, Hightower lunges forward with a clothesline, but Nymph ducks under it and rolls towards the center of the ring. Hightower charges at her again, but Nymph ducks down with a splits to avoid the attack, popping back up to her feet with a dropkick!

The crowd cheer as Keegan goes down. Nymph takes a moment to dance, albeit briefly, as she waits for Keegan to get back up. Keaton shouting on his encouragement from the corner as Nymph fires off a couple of knife edge chops to the chest. An Irish whip sends Keegan against the ropes, before he’s caught by a hip toss. And another hip toss as he gets up again.

Geoff Penzer: Wayward Nymph turning the tide here. Her dancing seems to have brought about a second wind, and she has the veteran on the back foot.

Nymph runs against the ropes, coming back with a flying shoulder tackle. Keegan goes to stand back up again, so Nymph runs against the ropes for momentum. But with the referee looking away, Anita takes it upon herself to grab Nymph by the ankle. The crowd boo, but the official didn’t see it! Keaton did though, and he’s making a move towards Anita again. The crowd cheering as Anita runs away around the ring with Aric chasing after her – but Hightower has rolled out of the ring. He lies in wait for Anite to pass, before rising up with a lariat that knocks Keaton ass over teakettle!

Geoff Penzer: The referee has lost control here…

Nymph is standing in the ring unsure of what’s going on as the referee is leaning over the ropes, telling Keegan to get back into the ring. So nobody sees Anita slide into the ring behind Nymph; she turns the rookie around nails Nymph with a superkick! Anita quickly powders from the ring as Keegan finally stops stomping at Aric Keaton. He slides back into the ring as Nymph is beginning to stir from the ineffective superkick of Anita. But as she gets to her knees, Keegan fires off one of his own, BOOM! Headshot. And a hook of the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!!!

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, KEEGAN HIGHTOWER!

Geoff Penzer: Keegan Hightower putting the screws to the rookie, Wayward Nymph here in her LDFC debut. She needed eyes in the back of her head if she wanted to keep track of Keegan and Anita, but in the end, Hightower steals the victory.

Anita re-enters the ring to celebrate with Keegan as the referee raises his hand in victory. The crowd raining down their hate as the pair of them leave, Anita stepping over Nymph as she goes.

[FGA Office]

As the scene fades outside in the parking lot, LDFC's resident Reaper In Pride Mylo Danvers is seen stepping out of the building to enjoy a quick smoke. The most noticeable thing about Mylo so far is that he is still missing his cut. He looks down at his black shirt and groans at not having it. Before Mylo could light up his Black & Mild he looks up to see his motorcycle sitting in the parking lot beat to shit.

Mylo Danvers: What in the hell is that?

Danvers walks over to his bike and accesses the damage. Looking at it the rage inside him begins to grow and grow more.

Mylo Danvers: What did he do to you?

In the foreground viewers could see Mylo's cut hanging out the side of a dumpster. Mylo slowly looks up and sees the cut.

Mylo Danvers: No...

He runs over to the dumpster and pulls out cut. He looks down at it and shakes his head.

Mylo Danvers: He's dead. He's fucking dead!

Mylo turns around storms back into the building with his RIP cut in hand as the scene fades away.

[FGA Office]

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from London, England… weighing in at 238 pounds… BUTCHER!

"Morning Glory" by Oasis plays, Butcher blasts through the curtains, soaking in the reaction. He glares around before talking to the crowd, letting out a big laugh. He slaps some hands along the way. He stops at the front of the ring as the lights strobe blue, white, and red. He goes to his right, and runs up onto the apron, facing the crowd. He flings himself through the ropes, spinning around and kneeling down, leaning on the middle rope. He looks around with a smirk, he then points at himself and glares into the camera saying something into it. Butcher stands up and marches around the ring soaking in the atmosphere. He stops, and then stands in his corner, ready to go at it.

Geoff Penzer: Butcher’s been in a bad way since losing in the first round of the APEX Tag Team Tournament. Both Butcher and Darby have history with Pedro Gonzalez and El Grandé Malo. Well another chapter was written two weeks ago when Pedro stopped Butcher from using the brass knucks that Darby had slid into the ring. Butcher wasted little time letting the world know exactly what he thought about Pedro and what he was going to do to him. Before things get completely out of hand, I was told early today that these two sides will be squaring off at the next LDFC supercard, At All Costs! However, Butcher can’t focus on that. He’s got to keep his mind focused on this woman right here...

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from Tucson, Arizona… weighing in at 131 pounds… she is “PEACEMAKER” ECHO RIGSBY!

The psychedelic blues rock of "End of the Line" by Frijid Pink begins to play, and out walks Echo in her sleeveless bell bottom jumpsuit, floppy hat and sunglasses. She flashes peace signs and laid back smiles to the crowd as she saunters down to the ring, climbs on the apron and walk down the edge of it blowing kisses to the crowd. She takes off her hat and flings it into the crowd like a frisbee. She removes her glasses and jewelry, climbing into the ring and ready for the match.

Geoff Penzer: The free spirit Echo Rigsby has impressed since making her travels to LDFC. A win here tonight will keep her momentum rolling. But getting the win over a ticked off Butcher is easier said than done.

The match begins with Butcher motioning for a collar and elbow. But he quickly stops and kicks Echo in the midsection, which results in boos from the crowd. He then pummels Echo down to the canvas with double ax handles and clubbing shots to the back. Butcher reaches down, picks up Echo in a three quarter facelock and tosses her across the ring. As Echo returns to her feet, Butcher runs over and delivers a European Uppercut that knocks her back into the corner. He then marches over and delivers another kick to the gut before pummeling her down with forearm strikes in the corner. Butcher then proceeds to rake her across the face with the heel of his boot before choking her with it. The ref gives him until the count of five to let go.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Butcher lets go. He reaches down, pulls Echo up by her hair and whips her into the opposite corner. Butcher runs across the ring and goes for another European Uppercut. But Echo moves out of the way, causing him to crash into the turnbuckle to cheers from the crowd. When he stumbles back, Echo rolls him up in a school boy.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Butcher kicks out.

After both grapplers return to their feet, Echo connects with a dropkick to the arm, which sends Butcher stumbling back. So she gets up, runs over and connects with another dropkick. Again, Butcher stumbles back. Echo returns to her feet and takes off into the far ropes. When she comes back, Butcher hoists her up for a pop-up European Uppercut. But Echo connects with a dropkick to the face on the way down, knocking him down. The crowd cheers as she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Butcher kicks out.

Echo picks up Butcher and places him in a side headlock. But Butcher is quick to shove Echo off of him and into the ropes. When Echo returns, she delivers a tilt-a-whirl into a headscissors armbar.

Geoff Penzer: Echo’s got Butcher is a tough spot here. This standing headscissors armbar is applying all types of pressure to the body.

Butcher groans as Echo pulls back on the arm. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. But the Englishman refuses. As Echo continues to keep the hold applied, Butcher drops down to one knee. The ref checks back in and asks him if he wants to give up. But again, Butcher refuses. He then gets back to his feet, staggers across the ring and grabs the top rope with his free arm. The ref then gives Echo until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Echo breaks the hold and slips down next to Butcher. She then takes Butcher and goes for an irish whip. But Butcher reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Echo comes back, she brings him down with an STO. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Butcher kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Butcher got the early advantage with those cheap shots. But since then, Echo has come roaring back into this one. She’s successfully worked over one of his arms, which takes away a lot of his offense.

Echo picks up Butcher and goes for an irish whip. But Butcher reverses, sending her into the ropes. Instead of bouncing back, Echo hangs onto the ropes. So Butcher runs over to attack. But Echo drops and pulls down the top rope, sending Butcher falling to the floor. While Butcher gets up on the floor, Echo takes off into the far ropes. When she comes back, she flips over the top rope, knocking Butcher down with a somersault plancha to cheers from the crowd.

Echo picks up Butcher and rolls him back into the ring. She then slides back in and makes the cover.

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

Echo picks up Butcher and delivers a dropkick, which knocks him back into the corner. Echo then marches into the corner, climbs up onto the middle ropes and punches him while the crowd counts along.

Crowd: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SE-

Butcher shoves Echo down to the canvas. As Echo returns to her feet, Butcher runs from out of the corner and knocks her down with a running big boot to the chest. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Echo gets her shoulder up.

Butcher picks up Echo and knocks her into the ropes with a headbutt. He then goes over and motions for an irish whip. But he reverses and brings her down with the Sleight of Hand (irish whip feint transitioned into a reverse STO). He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Echo gets her shoulder up.

Butcher picks up Echo and goes for a vertical suplex. But on the way up, Echo knees him in the head. After she slips down, she turns and runs into the ropes. When she comes back, Butcher doubles her over with a boot to the gut before planting her with a flowing snap DDT. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Echo gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Another nearfall for the Englishman. If you ask me, Echo’s proving to be a tougher challenge than Butcher imagined.

Butcher picks up Echo and goes for another vertical suplex. This time, Echo slips down from behind. She then hops up on his shoulders before spiking him with an inverted frankensteiner. While both wrestlers are down, the ref starts his count.

ONE!




TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!





FIV-

After they return to their feet, Butcher throws out a right cross. But Echo ducks and counters with a right shot to the body. She then nails him with a left body shot before socking him with a left hook. He then lunges forward, cracking her with a back elbow to the face. He then doubles her over with a battering ram headbutt to the gut. Butcher holds her head up before knocking her down with a European Uppercut. Butcher reaches down, picks up Echo and whips her into the ropes. When she comes back, she knocks Butcher down with a busaiku knee strike to cheers from the crowd.

Echo drags Butcher into position before turning towards the turnbuckles. She goes for a double jump moonsault. But Butcher gets his knees up, which causes Echo to crash down across them. After she rolls off his knees, Butcher returns to his feet while Echo’s curled up. He then holds his arm in position to deliver a lariat. Once Echo returns to her feet, Butcher knocks her down with the discus northern lariat. The crowd boos as he pulls her over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match… BUTCHER!

Butcher gets his arm raised to boos from the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: Butcher picks up the win, thus stopping Echo’s momentum. The Peacemaker put forth a great effort. But Butcher was hell bent on unleashing some aggression after the events of two weeks ago. Unfortunately for Echo, she came across the wrong fighter at the wrong time.

[FGA Office]

We cut backstage to show Jessie Pederson standing in the presence of “Brute Camp”; Becky and THE Mason. Mason stands, superhero-esque pose and all, fist against his hips as he gazes off into the distance, presumably toward gorilla position. Jessie moves the microphone toward Mason with a smile.

Jessie Pederson: Mason… tonight, you and Becky go up against what a lot of critics are saying is your toughest challenge to date-- a tag team match against Jensen Banks and Emily Carter. Knowing that a lot of the wrestling community isn’t siding with you, how are you guys feeling heading into tonight’ semifinal match?

Mason crosses his arms and sighs loudly.

Mason Mannion: Naysayers, you say?

Becky: She said it.

Mason turns his gaze onto Pederson.

Mason Mannion: We’re not, like, shocked, if that’s what you mean. We’re the underdogs pretty much every week and until the APEX Tag Team Titles are around our waists, it’ll probably stay that way. When they realize who we are and what we’re capable of though… that’ll be a sweet moment. That’ll make it worth it. And sure, we may have made mistakes before, like when I let Becky go to the Serengeti alone, but that’s why stuff like that happens-- so we can learn.

Becky: And we did. They haven’t.

Becky takes a breath and looks between Mason and Pederson.

Becky: Banks and Jensen are partners until it’s not convenient to be partners though… we’re in this, win or lose… we’re eventually going to climb and take the APEX Tag Team Championships sooo why not be the first team?

Mason nods in agreement.

Mason Mannion: Why not be the first?

Mason gives Becky a gentle nudge and leads the way past Jessie Pederson, out of frame.

[FGA Office]

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Orlando, Florida, weighing in at 230 pounds … ‘TERRIFIC’ TERRENCE TILLMAN!

“Forever” hits and out comes Terrific Terry Tillman sporting a windbreaker jacket and shades. Behind him is his brother Maurice Graham rocking a suit. Tillman stops at the top of the ramp way and looks out over the fans before shaking his head in disgust. Graham stands at his side talking in his ear while pointing towards the ring. As the two head down to the ring Tillman ignores the majority of the fans while Graham continues to give him instructions. As they arrive to the ring Tillman faces Graham who begins to pump Tillman up, slapping him in the face and shouting “Handle this!” Triple T rolls under the ropes, jumps up on the nearest corner and again looks out over the crowd before raising his fist in the air with an arrogant smile.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent…

As “Alive” begins to play through the PA, Josh pushes his way through the black curtain, wearing a sleeveless hoodie in addition to his ring gear. He pauses a moment in the entranceway, spreading his arms wide, before slowly setting off to the ring. As he reaches the apron, he rolls into the ring under the bottom rope, before getting to his feet, smiling and waving to the crowd. He then makes his way to his corner, removing his hoodie before leaning against the ring post, testing his weight on his prosthetic limb, checking for fit and comfort.

Melanie Sierra: Hailing from McLeansville, North Carolina, weighing in at 180 pounds … JOSH MITCHELL!

Geoff Penzer: The last time we saw Terrence Tillman, he turned his back on long time ally and current Apex Champion, Nest. Since then he’s aligned himself with his brother, former FGA wrestler, Maurice Graham and is claiming he won’t be taking any prisoners…

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring momentarily; the fans here in Charlotte are set against Terrence Tillman, the large proportion of them cheering for the plucky young rookie, Josh Mitchell, who acknowledges the cheers with a wave of the hand.

Geoff Penzer: And I’m beginning to wonder who Josh Mitchell might have upset to get this in only his third match.

Both competitors lock up collar and elbow, and Tillman begins to overpower his opponent, pushing Mitchell back against the ropes. The referee calls for a break, which he eventually gets after the three count, before Tillman chops at the chest of his opponent. An Irish whip sends Mitchell running across the ring, and he’s caught by a back elbow to the face. Tillman drives an elbow down across the sternum as he goes for the first cover of the match.

ONE!
.
.
Josh kicks out.

Tillman shakes his head in disappointment and tells Josh that he should have stayed down, moments before dragging him back to his feet. The rookie is easily overpowered as Terrence sends him head first into the top turnbuckle. Mitchell falls back against the corner as Terrence goes South, thrusting his shoulder up into the midsection several times, before switching his attack to knife edge chops to the chest. A stiff knee to the gut and Tillman drags his opponent out of the corner, doubled over, and hooks him in position for a suplex. But not before telling him to stay down this time, if he knows what’s good for him.

Geoff Penzer: Maurice Graham encouraging his brother as he continues to treat Josh Mitchell with nothing but disrespect.

Terrence goes to lift Josh up, but the rookie blocks it. Terrence tries again, but Josh has his leg wrapped around Tillman’s. So TTT fires off a couple of punches to the gut before he finally manages to lift Josh up, and drop him with a brainbuster. With a forearm across the face, Terrence covers.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Josh kicks out.

The referee shows two fingers to Terrence Tillman, and he looks down at Josh Mitchell with disappointment. And a hint of anger. Tillman moves towards the legs and grabs the left one - non-prosthetic one – as he drops an elbow down across the knee. And another. Tillman stands up and grabs the other leg of his opponent as well, as he positions Josh for a slingshot. Mitchell is sent through the air towards the corner, but manages to land on the middle ropes. Almost. He slips slightly, but remains upright, turning around as Terrence runs in, only to get caught by a boot to the face!

The crowd pop as Tillman staggers backwards, allowing Josh the chance to fly with a clothesline off the middle turnbuckle! Tillman goes down, but he still manages to get back to his feet just before Josh does. With his temper flaring, Terrence runs the rising Josh with a clothesline, but Josh ducks; he manages to hook the arm, and take Terrence down with a sit out side slam! Much to the delight of the fans.

Geoff Penzer: Josh Mitchell just found a way back into this one, what can he do from here?

Firstly, he drapes an arm across the chest.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tillman kicks out!

The crowd boo, but Maurice Graham breathes a sigh of relief before he continues pounding on the mat. Josh rolls towards the ropes, using them to pull himself back to a vertical base as Terrence forces himself up in the center of the ring. Mitchell taps his elbow as he heads towards his opponent; he throws a stiff elbow to the face, rocking Terrence where he stands. And another. And another. The crowd cheering along as Josh unloads with a series of elbow strikes before finishing with a discus elbow! He doesn’t make full impact with it, but it’s enough to knock Tillman down as Josh drops on top to make the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tillman kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Josh Mitchell bringing the strikes, and that’s not something we’ve really from him before. But even Maurice Graham on the outside looked panicked there.

Josh drags his opponent back to his feet, but Tillman rakes the eyes to buy himself some time and space. Mitchell recovers, but finds himself on the receiving end of a knee lift before an Irish whip sends him towards the corner. Tillman follows him in with a running splash, but he doesn’t allow Josh to fall down. Instead, TTT grabs his opponent in a front facelock and makes his way up to sit on the top turnbuckle. A tornado DDT follows, and Josh’s head bounces off the mat.

But there’s no pin attempt this time. Instead Terrence drags Josh back to an upright position and promptly suplexes him over. He drags Josh back to his feet and drives the knee up into the midsection, doubling the rookie over. Tillman goes against the ropes and comes back with the Terrific Kick.

Geoff Penzer: The scissor kick misses!

Josh backpedals out of harm’s way, standing upright in time to see Tillman run at him – and Mitchell surprises him with a leaping reverse STO! Tillman’s head bounces off the mat as Josh rolls him over and hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NOO!

Tillman throws the shoulder up at the last second, and this match continues. The crowd gasp in collective shock as the referee signals two fingers, but Mitchell moves towards the ropes, using them to get back to an upright position. He takes a moment to make sure the prosthetic is securely attached as Tillman slowly gets back up in the center of the ring. This time Mitchell approaches and throws out a forearm smash to the face, followed by a chop to the chest. A forearm, then a chop. And he continues to do so until Tillman is backed against the ropes. An Irish whip sends Tillman across the ring, or it would if he didn’t reverse it. Mitchell hits the far ropes as Terrence lowers his head for the back body drop – NO! Josh has it scouted as he counters with a DDT! And the cover!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Geoff Penzer: A split second later and this one would be over, but Terrence Tillman survives here.

Josh looks to the referee in disbelief at the two count, but the referee assures him it wasn’t the three. Undeterred, the rookie drags his opponent back to his feet and whips Tillman towards the corner. Josh follows him in with a running clothesline, before another Irish whip sends Tillman from pillar to post. Mitchell follows him in, but he can’t stop himself as Tillman vaults himself off the turnbuckle with a Stylin’ DDT!

Geoff Penzer: The DDTripleT connects!

The crowd fall silent as ‘Terrific’ Terrence Tillman stands up with a smug expression on his face. His brother applauds him from ringside as Tillman stands over his opponent. Mitchell is struggling to pick himself back up, forcing himself to his feet, albeit doubled over, as Tillman brings a leg down across the back of the head with another scissor kick.

Geoff Penzer: The Terrific Kick connects, but he’s not done yet…

Tillman heads onto the apron before climbing to the top rope. A quick pose for the crowd and he flies through the air with a 450 splash.

Geoff Penzer: Skyfall! That has to be it.

The referee counts.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!!!

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, ‘TERRIFIC’ TERRENCE TILLMAN!

Maurice Graham makes his way into the ring to raise his brother’s arm in triumph as the crowd boos.

Geoff Penzer: Josh Mitchell gave it all he had, but the experience advantage worked for Terrence Tillman tonight. Perhaps they’ll meet again another day, but until then, Tillman is back to his winning ways.

[FGA Office]

Once the scene fades out at ringside, “One Who Last Laughs” by Downplay hits the PA System and Mylo Danvers comes out to a crowd who cheers for him. He doesn't think to acknowledge him as he was too focused on what he has planned. He walks up the steel steps and enters the ring. He grabs a microphone from a stage hand and motions for them to cut his music off. He looks around at the fans noting he was actually out in front of them and not wrestling. He looks over to a cameraman and shakes his head as he looks down to his feet. He takes a deep breath and chuckles to himself as he begins to speak.

Mylo Danvers: You know...I knew signing up to try and be a wrestler I'd probably have to deal with a lot of guys with their heads stuck up their asses but I didn't expect there'd be this many of them. I look around the locker room and there's nothing else that I see. I see nothing but fucking clowns back there and you know what?

He looks around to the crowd.

Mylo Danvers: I'm getting real sick and tired of each and every one of them. I'm tired of these goddamn egos. These unwarranted egos. These goddamn wannabes. Wannabe tough guys. I can't take not one of them fellers serious. And quite frankly I don't know why any of you even like and accept this crap. Whatever..I'm not here to address any of you and whatever kind of blindness your doctors have yet to diagnose in any of you. I'm here because the past few weeks I have had to deal with one of the biggest clowns LDFC has to offer...Robbie Black.

The fans boo at the sound of the name. 

Mylo Danvers: I warned this son of a bitch...I warned him. You don't mess with me. You don't fuck with me! You want to see just how forreal I am about the life I live Black? You take my bike. You steal my cut...You think this is all just a goddamn game, don't you? Well, Black I'm not playing any. I'm not one of these clowns back there in the back. I'm not out here placing a wool over these people eyes. You see me? I'm one hundred percent authentic. I'm the real deal and trust me feller, I am not the son of a bitch you want to be fucking with!

Cheap pop.

Mylo Danvers: I'm not going to play these little childish games with you Robbie. I'm gonna sit here and wrestle with you in the middle of this ring. No, no way feller. We're way beyond that now the moment you thought it'd be funny to take what was mine. The moment you disrespected me and my club. You signed away your life at that moment, feller. So I don't want some pussyfooting wrestling match, feller. I want a goddamn fight. I want you to know just what it means to mess with a Reaper. You wanna prove just how tough you are, Rob? Then you meet me outside of this ring. Outside this damn arena. You sealed your fate the moment you stole my bike from out of the parking lot and that's exactly where this is going to in. At 'At All Cost' I want me and you. One on one. In a Parking Lot Brawl?!

The crowd pops again.

Mylo Danvers: I know you're back there listening Black?! Stop being a goddamn punk sumbitch and accept this ass beating you been oh so asking for! C'mon! Get out here!

Mylo finishes his sentence and lowers the microphone down to his side, waiting for a response from the self proclaimed Pimpin Master, Robbie Black. A certain section of the audience begin to riot but this doesn't catch the attention of Mylo, who has his eyes fixated on the entrance. Jumping over the guardrail is Robbie Black and he slides into the ring, the audience forcing Mylo to turn around but it's too late, Black has already hit him over the head with a clothesline from behind, a grin appearing on his face as he looks down at Mylo. He picks up the microphone that Mylo had dropped, licks his lips, and replies:

Robbie Black: You want the Pimpin Master? At All Costs?

He chuckles to himself, before stomping on his grounded opponent, to the jeers of the audience.

Robbie Black: Then fine, you've got what you wanted! But be careful what you wish for, M. You've got a deathwish son.

He drops the microphone and a sadistic chuckle ensued as Black stands over the fallen Mylo while the scene fades away.

[FGA Office]

Cameras cut backstage where we see Jessie Pederson standing by, smiling.

Jessie Pederson: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guests at this time...EMILY CARTER AND JENSEN BANKS!

The team of Carter and Banks make their way into the shot, both wearing match orange and blue ring gear. Both competitors seem to be in a good mood, both wearing smiles on their faces. Jessie smiles back at the two competitors, even fist bumping Jensen, who is closer to her.

Jessie Pederson: Now, last Pride, you and Jensen were able to defeat the team of Butcher and Darby, quite possibly the most brutal team in this tournament. How did it feel to get that first win in this tournament under your belt?

Emily Carter: It felt great, Jessie! Butcher and Darby talked a lot of smack to us. They were arrogant. They were disrespectful. The list goes on and on. But to their credit, they provided a tough challenge. They hit hard. They fought even harder. They proved that they were willing to do anything - including cheating - to win. But our desire to win was greater than there’s. We were just a little bit faster, a little bit slicker, and a little bit sharper. At the end of the day, “Butchie” was the latest wrestler to be sent to Bank Shot City. But trust me when I tell you, Jessie, he definitely won’t be the last.

This causes Jensen to crack a smile before Jessie turns to him.

Jessie Pederson: Now, it wasn’t an all around good night for you. Later, after your match, you went out and got duped into a two on one attack courtesy of some of Skylar’s followers. How do you feel about that?

Banks’ smile fades before he lets out a sigh.

Jensen Banks: I’m pissed about it, but I gotta put that business to the side because Em and I? We got a real tough pair of wrestlers that are looking to drop us on our asses in Brute Camp.

Jessie Pederson: We heard you say it before, but that was days before today rolled around. How do you feel now, Emily, moments away from facing Becky and Mason?

Emily Carter: We felt pretty good going into this match a few days ago. We still feel good tonight. Becky and Mason are two people that we have all the respect in the world for. We respect them, but that doesn’t mean we’re gonna take it easy on them. We like them, but that doesn’t mean we’re gonna pull any punches. I heard what Becky and Mason said. They said that their desire to win is greater than ours. They said that me and Jensen aren’t the team that the two of them are. Yeah, it’s true that the two of them have had more tag team matches than we are. That’s a fact. But you know what else is a fact? Jensen’s one of the toughest competitors that LDFC has. Not to brag, but I’ve gone out there and have beaten some of the best LDFC has to offer. And tonight will be no exception. I know that Brute Camp wants to ride that wave of momentum after the head of Brutal Apparel, Rex Evans, got the biggest of wins at Cancun Clash. It was a great win. An inspiring performance, even. But if they think they’re gonna duplicate Rex’s success in that ring tonight, then Becky and Mason are in for a Brutal Awakening.

Jessie then turns towards Jensen again.

Jessie Pederson: Now, I don’t want to really stir up any trouble, but Mason did mention the fact that while you were getting attacked last show, Emily was nowhere to be seen. Do you have any response to this?

Jensen shrugs.

Jensen Banks: I’m not really insulted and I highly doubt Emily is. When the attack happened, it really came from out of nowhere and it’s not like it lasted half an hour. So, yeah, Emily didn’t come out there because this was something I decided to handle myself, kind of how Becky decided to handle the whole Keegan Hightower situation by herself and got no help from Mason after she got attacked from behind by The Crimson Baroness. Naturally, I could call Mason out for that, but I won’t. For all I know, he probably wasn’t paying attention when the show happened. Or maybe he knew that this was something that Becky wanted to do alone, since she possibly didn’t tell him. After all, while we are wrestling in a tag team tournament, sometimes we have to do things by ourselves and our partners have to let us handle that by ourselves. Again, I’m not trying to call Mason out on it, but him calling Emily out on something he’s guilty of as well isn’t really understandable. Maybe he wanted to let his friend handle her business just like Emily allowed me to handle my business. That doesn’t make either team. It actually makes them stronger because you showed faith that she could handle herself just like Em showed faith that I could handle myself.

Banks stops for a second before continuing on.

Jensen Banks: Even if neither of our attempts at dealing with certain situations ended up well for us.

Jensen then nods at Jessie before he walks off, Emily following close behind as the two the begin a conversation out of the shot.

[FGA Office]

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a Semifinals Match in the APEX Tag Team Championship Tournament! Introducing first, from Brooklyn, New York… weighing in at 211 pounds… JENSEN BANKS!

Once the beat of “The Outside” by Red kicks in, the curtains are pulled open and Jensen Banks steps out, nodding his head, wearing his black hoodie over his head. As he bobs his head to his music, Jensen slowly makes his way down to the ring, even mouthing the words to his theme. He slaps hands with some of the fans before reaching ringside, where he slowly removes his hood from over his head and unzips his hoodie. Jensen tosses his hoodie to the side and quickly slides into the ring before going over to the nearest corner and climbing to the middle turnbuckle. Flashing a small grin, Jensen points to himself before dropping down and leaning in his designate corner, waiting for the match to start.

Melanie Sierra: And his partner, from Westwood, Massachusetts… weighing in at 211 pounds… EMILY CARTER!

As the drums start at the beginning of "Don't Die Digging", the audience turns their attention to the entrance way. When the guitar kick in, Emily Carter steps through the curtain to a positive reaction from the crowd. Carter smiles before pointing to various fans in the crowd. She then makes her way down to the ring, slapping hands with the fans along the way. She then hops onto the apron before entering the ring. When the chorus hits, Carter climbs up onto the ropes and holds her index finger in the air. She hops down, marches across the ring, climbs up onto the ropes and thrusts her index finger in the air. Carter smiles, nodding her head in approval as the crowd continues to cheer her on.

Melanie Sierra: And their opponents! Introducing first, now residing out of Atlanta, Georgia… weighing in at 208 pounds… he is MASON “THE MASON!” MANNION!

“House of Balloons” hits the PA system to a moderate pop from the audience. Pink lights strobe throughout the arena for a moment before finally a single spotlight focuses on the curtain. Mason Mannion emerges through it, back already turned to the ramp and the camera as he backs out into the crowd, arms extended to his sides. Turning his head, he shoots a wink toward the audience-- many of which remain largely unimpressed-- before turning, making a display of presenting himself toward the nearest camera which follows him toward ringside. Mason yells for the cameraman to “slide!”, and Mason turns, sprinting into the ring… and the cameraman sprints after, following, sliding alongside Mason, who rushes toward the turnbuckles, extending his arms again as he looks out into the audience, music finally fading as he climbs down from the corner.

Melanie Sierra: And his partner, from Atlanta, Georgia… weighing in at 121 pounds… BECKY!

As pink lights begin to flicker around the venue, Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" begins to play over the sound system and Becky steps through the curtain with her fists clenched, she cracks her neck as she looks around the crowd, breaking for a second to smile and wave before her attention returns to the rings and she grits her teeth. Slipping her #BRUTAL mouth guard in, she slaps a few hands on her way to the ring, taking a few quick steps up the stairs and jumping in through the bottom rope to throw her fist in the air just once to a pop from the crowd, before turning to face her opponent.

Geoff Penzer: Here we go! Our first of two semifinals matches is about to get underway. The winners of this match will face the winners of Prince Macrear and The Crimson Baroness vs. Hana Song and Shintaro Majima in two weeks. That’s right, on the next episode of Pride, we will crown our first APEX Tag Team Champions and you could be looking at one of those two teams.

The match begins with Emily and Becky shaking hands before locking up. Emily gains the advantage with a side headlock. But Becky is quick to shove Emily off of her and into the ropes. When Emily comes back, she knocks Becky down with a running shoulder block. She then runs into the ropes as Becky kips up. When Emily comes back, Becky leapfrogs over her. Emily continues to run into the ropes. When Emily comes back, Becky throws her down with a hip toss. Emily gets back up, but Becky knocks her down with a dropkick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Emily kicks out.

Becky picks up Emily and wrenches her arm. But Emily is quick to reach over and reverse into an arm wrench of her own. Becky then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and brings Emily back down with an arm drag. Once Emily gets up, Becky grabs her by the arm and goes for an irish whip. But Emily reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Becky comes back, she delivers a wheelbarrow arm drag. Once Emily gets up, Becky runs over and delivers a tilt-a-whirl headscissors takeover, which sends her through the ropes and to the floor. While Emily gets up on the outside, Becky runs into the ropes. When she comes back, Emily slides back in and cuts her off with a roundhouse kick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Becky kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Becky was getting the better of Emily there. That is, until she got colcocked by that roundhouse kick.

Emily picks up Becky, moves her into the corner and tags in Jensen Banks. Jensen enters the ring and delivers a series of knife edge chops. He then brings Becky from out of the corner before sending her into the ropes. When Becky comes back, Jensen goes for a back elbow. But Becky ducks and runs into the ropes. When Becky comes back, she knocks Jensen down with a crossbody block.

ONE!
.
.
Jensen kicks out.

Becky takes Jensen and places him in a side headlock. But Jensen is quick to shove Becky off of him and into the ropes. When Becky comes back, she slides through Jensen’s legs. When Jensen turns around, Becky gets back to her feet and throws out a kick to the midsection. Jensen catches her foot and turns her away from him. But Becky uses the momentum to connect with a Pelé Kick. While Jensen’s stunned, Becky grabs him and delivers Spirit! (Standing Shiranui). She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jensen kicks out.

Becky picks up Jensen, moves him into the corner and tags in Mason Mannion.

Mason gets in and delivers several shoulder thrusts to the midsection. He then brings Jensen from out of the corner and whips him into the ropes. When Jensen returns, Mason knocks him down with a clothesline. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jensen kicks out.

Mason picks up Jensen and rocks him with a forearm strike. He nails Jensen with another forearm strike. Jensen is then quick to cut off Mason with a knee strike to the midsection. He then takes Mason and goes for an irish whip. But Mason reverses, sending Jensen into the corner. Mason runs into the corner. But Jensen catches him with a back elbow to the face. He then tosses Mason into the corner before unleashing a ballistic combination of rights and lefts to the midsection. He then takes Mason, whips him into the opposite corner and follows up with a clothesline. Jensen then goes for a bulldog out of the corner. But Mason shoves Jensen off of him and into the ropes. When Jensen comes back, Mason sets up for a back body drop. But Jensen counters with a single arm DDT. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mason kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: A ton of back and forth action in this one. Both of these two appear to be evenly matched. But something has to give at some point.

Jensen picks up Mason and places him in a side headlock. But Mason is able to shove Jensen off of him and into the ropes. When Jensen comes back, Mason throws out a clothesline. But Jensen ducks and runs into the ropes. When Jensen returns, Mason knocks him down with a dropkick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jensen kicks out.

Mason picks up Jensen and goes for a snap suplex, but Jensen blocks the move. So Mason tries to muscle him up for another suplex but again, Jensen blocks. After three punches to the midsection, Jensen goes for a vertical suplex. But Mason slips down from behind and shoves Jensen into the ropes. When Jensen comes back, he knocks Mason down with a jumping calf kick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mason kicks out.

Jensen picks up Mason, wrenches his arm, drags him into the corner and tags Emily back in. Once Emily gets in, she delivers a shoot kick to the chest. She then takes Mason by the arm and delivers an arm wrench. But Mason is quick to reverse into an arm wrench of his own. He follows up with repeated short-arm elbow strikes. The last strike knocks her down. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Emily gets her shoulder up.

Mason picks up Emily and whips her into the ropes. When Emily comes back, Mason goes for a back body drop. But Emily slips down from behind. She then applies a sleeper hold. But Mason is quick to counter with a sitout jawbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Emily gets her shoulder up.

Mason picks up Emily and whips her into the ropes. When Emily comes back, Mason knocks her down with a clothesline. He then picks up Emily, grabs her from the side and delivers a bridging back suplex.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Emily gets her shoulder up.

Mason picks up Emily and whips her into the corner. He then runs into the corner, but Emily connects with a back elbow to the face. While Mason’s stunned, Emily turns away and delivers the Emilution (Stylin DDT). She makes the cover.

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

Emily picks up Mason and goes for an irish whip. But Mason reverses, sending her into the ropes. When she comes back, she slides through Mason’s legs. When Mason turns around, Emily gets to her feet and throws out a roundhouse kick. Mason ends up ducking and goes for a back suplex. But Emily rolls over his shoulder and lands on her feet. She then spins Mason around before bringing him down with a single arm DDT. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mason gets his other shoulder up.

Emily picks up Mason and goes for an irish whip. But Mason reverses, sending her into the corner. He then charges into the corner and connects with a spinning heel kick. After Emily crumbles from out of the corner, Mason makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Emily gets her shoulder up.

Mason gets up and tags in Becky. Once Becky gets in, Brute Camp pick up Emily and whip her into the ropes. When Emily returns, Brute Camp sets up for a double back body drop. But Emily hurdles over them before running into the ropes. When Brute Camp stand up and turn around, Emily knocks them down with a single leg dropkick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mason knocks her off of Becky.

As Mason heads back out to the apron, Emily picks up Becky and goes for an irish whip. But Becky reverses, sending Emily into the ropes. When Emily comes back, she throws out a clothesline. But Becky ducks, grabs Emily and brings her down with a sitout side slam. She then gets up, steps through the ropes and scales up to the top turnbuckles. Once Emily gets up and turns around, Becky leaps off and brings Emily down with a diving neckbreaker. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Emily gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: This is turning into exactly what we all thought this would be and that’s a hard fought match between the two sides. Neither team has been able to sustain an advantage for any great length of time.

Becky picks up Emily and whips her into the ropes. When Emily returns, Becky sets up for a back body drop. So Emily stops and counters with a kick square to the face. After Becky stands up, Emily throws out a roundhouse kick. After Becky ducks the kick, Emily goes to counter with a Pelé Kick. But Becky strafes out of the way. While Emily gets up on her knee, Becky throws out The Scoreboard Clock (Boma Ye). But Emily ducks. When Becky turns around, Emily pops up to her feet, leaps up and plants her with a jumping DDT. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Becky gets her shoulder up.

Emily gets up, goes over and tags in Jensen. After Jensen gets in, he picks up Becky and sets up for a Standing Shiranui. But Becky shoves him off of her and into the ropes. When Jensen comes back, Becky sets up for a back body drop. But Jensen stops, hooks her arms and delivers a double underhook sitout facebuster. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Becky gets her shoulder up.

As Jensen goes to pick up Becky, she begins to nail him with rights and lefts to the midsection. She then turns and takes off into the ropes. When she returns, Jensen connects with a high knee, which knocks her through the ropes and to the floor. Once Becky gets up on the outside, Jensen goes for a slingshot plancha. But Becky slides back into the ring, causing Jensen to crash on the outside. Becky then gets up and runs into the ropes. When Jensen gets up and turns around, Becky knocks him down with a sloppy elbow suicida.

Geoff Penzer: Jensen missed with the high risk. Though she didn’t quite get all of it.

Becky picks up Jensen, rolls him back in and then rolls herself back in before making the cover.

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

Becky picks up Jensen and whips him into the corner. She then runs over and connects with a European Uppercut before tagging Mason back in. Once Mason gets in, he brings Jensen from out of the corner and delivers a snap suplex. Mason turns over and makes the cover.

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

Mason picks up Jensen and whips him into the ropes. When Jensen comes back, Mason goes for a back body drop. But Jensen slips down from behind lifts up Mason and throws him down with a Blue Thunder Bomb.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Mason gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Close call there for THE MASON!

After both men get up, Jensen runs over, hops onto Mason’s shoulders, turns and flips back, spiking him with an inverted frankensteiner. While both men are down, the ref starts his count.



ONE!




TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!

Jensen heads over and tags Emily back in. As Mason approaches, Emily knocks him down with a springboard forearm smash. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Mason gets his shoulder up.

Emily picks up Mason and goes for an irish whip. But Mason reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Emily comes back, she slides through Mason’s legs. When Mason turns around, Emily delivers a right and left forearm strike, followed by a Shoot Kick to the leg, followed by a Spinning Backfist, followed by a Pelé Kick, followed by a Busaiku Knee Strike. She then gets up, steps through the ropes and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. She then leaps off and connects with a diving double foot stomp. After rolling off of Mason, Emily gets up, heads back to the outside and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. She then jumps off and connects with a Five Star Frog Splash.

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

Becky dives over and breaks up the pin.

Geoff Penzer: What a save by Becky! That could have very well been it right there!

Emily picks up Mason and whips him into the ropes. When he comes back, he turns Emily inside out with a falling lariat. While both wrestlers are down, the ref starts his count.





ONE!





TWO!





THREE!



Becky and Jensen can be seen slapping the top turnbuckles in their respective corners.




FOUR!





FIVE!





SIX!





Mason gets up, staggers over and tags Becky back in. Across the ring, Emily rolls forward, dives over and tags Jensen back in. After Becky and Jensen run towards the center of the ring, Jensen knocks her down with a clothesline. Becky gets back up, but Jensen knocks her back down with another clothesline. Once Becky gets back up, Jensen grabs her and whips her into the corner. Jensen runs into the corner. But Becky hits him with a back elbow. While Jensen stumbles back, she hoists herself up onto the middle ropes, flips off and brings him down with a Blockbuster. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Jensen gets his shoulder up.

Becky picks up Jensen and goes for an irish whip. But Jensen reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Becky comes back, Jensen throws out the Bank Shot. But Becky catches his foot. She then spins him away. But Jensen uses the momentum to turn and knock her down with a rolling kesagiri chop. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Becky gets her shoulder up.

Jensen picks up Becky and goes for an irish whip. But Becky reverses, sending him into the corner. She then runs into the corner and connects with the Fight Song (Corner Yakuza Kick). She then takes Jensen and whips him into the opposite corner. Becky then runs across the ring and goes for the Fight Song again. But this time, Jensen catches her foot. He then shoves her down to the canvas. After Becky rolls up to her feet, Jensen runs from out of the corner and throws out a clothesline. But Becky ducks and counters with Game Over (Crucifix Driver).

Geoff Penzer: Becky counters with the crucifix driver and just spikes the back of Jensen’s neck on the canvas!

When Jensen gets up, Mason dives off the top turnbuckle and knocks him down with a missile dropkick to the back of the head. As Jensen slowly gets up on his knee, Becky runs over and delivers The Scoreboard Clock (Boma Ye) to the back of the head. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
Emily slingshots into the ring and runs over to break up the pin.
.
TWO!
.
Mason dives over Becky and spears Emily
.
THREE!

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners, BECKY and MASON MANNION!

Mason helps Becky up to her feet. The two then get their arms raised by the ref to cheers from the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: What a match that was. Talk about both teams being evenly matched! Both sides went blow for blow and hold for hold! Jensen and Emily were a tenth of a second away from winning if it wasn't for that timely save from Becky. Then, Emily might have broken up the pin if Mason didn’t nearly spear her in half. Great match from four great competitors! Jensen and Emily have nothing to be ashamed about. They can hold their heads high. But the only ones with their arms raised high are Brute Camp, who now advance to the finals!

After Jensen and Emily return to their feet, they shake hands with the Brute Camp members before all four raise each other's hands. The four get a large ovation of cheers from the fans in Charlotte.

[FGA Office]

Benton Convention Center
Winston-Salem, NC
05.05.16